Exhibit 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into by and between
Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (the “Company”) and David L. Finkelstein (the
“Executive”) as of November 9, 2020.
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive entered into an Employment Agreement dated
March 13, 2020 (the “Original Agreement”) which became effective on June 30,
2020 upon the closing of the Company’s internalization transaction (the
“Internalization”).
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to amend and restate the Original
Agreement to revise the provisions related to the 2020 bonus to remove any
minimum guaranteed amount for that bonus.
WHEREAS, upon execution of this Agreement by the parties, this Agreement will
amend, restate, replace, and supersede in its entirety the Original Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, the Company and the Executive hereby agree as
follows:
1.Employment.
(a)Term. The term of this Agreement shall begin upon the closing of the
Internalization (the “Effective Date”), and shall continue until the date the
Company has paid the 2020 Bonus (as defined in Section 2(b) below), which shall
be no later than March 15, 2021 (the “Term End Date”), or until the termination
of the Executive’s employment in accordance with Section 7 of this Agreement, if
earlier. The period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the date on
which the term of this Agreement terminates is referred to herein as the “Term.”
(b)Duties. During the Term, the Executive shall serve as the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, with duties, responsibilities and authority commensurate
therewith, and shall report to the Board of Directors of the Company (the
“Board”). The Executive shall perform all duties and accept all responsibilities
incident to such position as may be reasonably assigned to the Executive by the
Board. In addition, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause the
Executive to be nominated for election to the Board. The Executive represents to
the Company that the Executive is not subject to or a party to any employment
agreement, noncompetition covenant, or other agreement that would be breached
by, or prohibit the Executive from, executing this Agreement and performing
fully the Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder.
(c)Best Efforts. During the Term, the Executive shall devote the Executive’s
best efforts and full time and attention to promote the business and affairs of
the Company and its Affiliates, and shall not be engaged in other business
activities. The foregoing shall not be construed as preventing the Executive
from (1) serving on civic, educational, philanthropic or charitable boards or
committees, or, with the prior written consent of the Board, which approval will
not be unreasonably delayed or denied, on corporate boards, and (2) managing
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investments; so long as such activities are permitted under the Company’s code
of conduct and employment policies, do not violate the provisions of Section 10
below, and do not conflict with or materially interfere with the Executive’s
obligations to the Company hereunder. The Executive shall provide notice of any
activity under Section 1(c)(1) to the Company.
(d)Principal Place of Employment. The Executive understands and agrees that the
Executive’s principal place of employment will be in the Company’s offices
located in the New York City metropolitan area and that the Executive will be
required to travel for business in the course of performing the Executive’s
duties for the Company.
(e)Resignation of Positions. Effective as of the date of any termination of
employment, the Executive shall resign from all Company-related positions,
including as an officer and director of the Company and its parents,
subsidiaries and Affiliates.
2.Compensation.
(a)Base Salary. During the Term, the Company shall pay the Executive a base
salary (“Base Salary”), at the annual rate of $1,000,000, which shall be paid in
installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices. The
Executive’s Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board pursuant to the
normal performance review policies and during the Term of this Agreement may be
increased but not decreased from time to time as the Board deems appropriate.
The Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board (the
“Compensation Committee”) may take any actions of the Board pursuant to this
Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any amounts payable by the
Company under this Agreement may be paid through the Company’s direct or
indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, as determined by the Company.
(b)Annual Bonus.
(1)For the 2020 calendar year, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an
annual bonus which shall be paid to the Executive at such time as the Company
pays its annual 2020 bonuses, but no later than March 15, 2021 (the “2020
Bonus”). The 2020 Bonus actually earned shall be in such amount as determined by
the Compensation Committee based upon performance and other factors in
accordance with the Company’s compensation policies and procedures. The
Compensation Committee may determine to have the 2020 Bonus, to the extent
earned, paid in cash, an award of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the
Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (or any successor equity compensation plan,
the “Equity Plan”), an award of performance stock units (“PSUs”) under the
Equity Plan, or any combination of cash, RSUs, and PSUs.
(2)If any portion of the 2020 Bonus is awarded as RSUs or PSUs, the number of
RSUs and/or target number of PSUs shall be determined by dividing the applicable
dollar amount by the Share Price (as defined below) as of the date of grant,
rounded to the nearest whole number. The RSUs and/or PSUs shall be granted under
the Equity Plan and the Company’s standard form of RSU and/or PSU award
agreement, reflecting such terms and conditions as approved by the Compensation
Committee for
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such awards. Any RSUs or PSUs granted as part of the 2020 Bonus shall be granted
at the same time that the Company grants its annual equity 2020 awards, which
shall be no later than March 15, 2021. To receive the grant of RSUs or PSUs as
part of the 2020 Bonus, the Executive must be employed on the date the RSUs
and/or PSUs are granted. “Share Price” shall mean the closing price per Share at
the close of regular hours trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the
relevant date.
(c)Long-Term Incentive Compensation. At the closing of the Internalization, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive a 2020 long-term incentive compensation
opportunity in the target amount of $5,000,000, provided 50% in an award of
time-vesting restricted stock units (the “2020 LTI RSUs”) and 50% in an award of
performance share units (the “2020 PSUs”) (collectively, the “2020 LTI Awards”).
The number of Shares covering the 2020 LTI RSUs and the target number of shares
covering the 2020 PSUs shall be determined by dividing the applicable dollar
amount by the Share Price as of the date of grant, rounded to the nearest whole
number. The 2020 LTI Awards shall be granted under the Equity Plan and the
Company’s standard form of RSU Agreement and PSU Agreement, as applicable, in
each case consistent with this Agreement and Exhibit A. The 2020 LTI Awards
shall be granted promptly upon the closing of the Internalization. To receive
the awards, the Executive must be employed on the date the 2020 LTI Awards are
granted.
3.Retirement and Welfare Benefits. During the Term, the Executive shall be
eligible to participate in the health, life insurance, long-term disability,
retirement and welfare benefit plans and programs available to employees of the
Company, pursuant to their respective terms and conditions. Nothing in this
Agreement shall preclude the Company or any Affiliate of the Company from
terminating or amending any employee benefit plan or program from time to time
after the Effective Date.
4.Vacation. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to vacation each
year and holiday and sick leave at levels commensurate with those provided to
other executives of the Company, in accordance with the Company’s vacation,
holiday and other pay-for-time-not-worked policies.
5.Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all necessary
and reasonable travel (which does not include commuting) and other business
expenses incurred by the Executive in the performance of the Executive’s duties
hereunder in accordance with such policies and procedures as the Company may
adopt generally from time to time for executives.
6.Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
(a)“Accrued Benefits” means (i) the Executive’s Base Salary earned through the
termination date that has not been paid as of the termination date; (ii) any
amounts or benefits owing to the Executive or to the Executive’s beneficiaries
under the then applicable benefit plans of the Company; and (iii) any amounts
owing to the Executive for reimbursement of expenses properly incurred by the
Executive prior to the termination date and which are reimbursable in accordance
with the Company policy.
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(b)“Affiliate” shall mean any subsidiary of the Company in which the Company,
combined with its other Affiliates, owns 50% or more of the subsidiary’s
outstanding equity or an entity under common control with the Company.
(c)“Cause” means any one or more of the following: (i) a majority of the Board
reasonably and in good faith determines the Executive has committed any breach
of fiduciary duty; (ii) a majority of the Board reasonably and in good faith
determines the Executive has engaged in willful misconduct or gross negligence
in connection with the Executive’s employment, which is materially and
demonstrably injurious to the Company; (iii) the Executive is convicted of, or
pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or crime of moral turpitude,
including fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation of funds; or (iv) a majority
of the Board reasonably and in good faith determines the Executive has willfully
engaged in conduct that materially violates the Company’s written policies, as
may be amended from time to time, or is materially and demonstrably detrimental
to the reputation, character or standing of the Company, or otherwise is
materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company or its affiliates,
monetarily or otherwise. It shall be a condition precedent to the Company’s
right to terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause that, if such breach is
susceptible to cure or remedy as determined in the Board’s reasonable
discretion, the Executive shall be given a period of 30 days from the date of
written notice of termination for Cause (describing the events which constitute
Cause) to cure or remedy the grounds giving rise to Cause and answer such
circumstances for termination in person at a meeting with the Board or in
writing, in the Executive’s discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, in the case
of clause (iii) above, the Executive’s service may be terminated immediately
without any advance written notice.
(d)“Code” means Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor
thereto. References to the Code shall include the valid and binding governmental
regulations, court decisions and other regulatory and judicial authority issued
or rendered thereunder.
(e)“Disability” means a physical or mental illness or disability that prevents
the Executive from substantially performing the duties and responsibilities of
the Executive’s employment for a period of more than three consecutive months or
for periods aggregating more than sixteen (16) weeks in any year. The Executive
agrees, that in the event of any dispute under the Agreement as to whether a
Disability exists and if requested by the Company, to submit to a physical
examination by a licensed physician selected by mutual agreement between the
Company and the Executive, the cost of such examination to be paid by the
Company. The written medical opinion of such physician shall be conclusive and
binding upon the parties as to whether a Disability exists and the date when
such Disability arose. This definition of Disability shall be interpreted and
applied so as to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities
Act (to the extent that it is applicable) and any applicable state or local
laws.
(f)“Employee Retention and Severance Policy” means the employee retention and
severance policy applicable to all employees of Company as adopted by the Board.
(g)“Good Reason” means the occurrence of one or more of the following without
the Executive’s consent, other than on account of the Executive’s Disability:
(i) a
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material diminution by the Company of the Executive’s duties, responsibilities,
committee memberships on which the Executive serves, or the supervisor to whom
the Executive is required to report; (ii) a material change in the geographic
location at which the Executive must perform services under the Agreement
(which, for purposes of the Agreement, means relocation of the offices of the
Company at which the Executive is principally employed to a location that
increases the Executive’s commute to work by more than 50 miles in one
direction); (iii) a material diminution in the Base Salary; or (iv) any action
or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the Agreement.
The Executive must provide written notice of termination for Good Reason to the
Company within 30 days after the initial occurrence of the event constituting
Good Reason. The Company shall have a period of 30 days from the date of the
Executive’s written notice in which it may correct the act or failure to act
that constitutes the grounds for Good Reason as set forth in the Executive’s
notice of termination. If the Company does not correct the act or failure to
act, the Executive’s employment will terminate for Good Reason on the first
business day following the Company’s 30-day cure period. A resignation for Good
Reason shall not fail to be treated as a termination during the Term if the
event constituting Good Reason occurs during the Term but the Executive’s notice
of termination is given and the 30-day cure period ends after the last day of
the Term.
(h)“Release” shall mean a separation agreement and general release of any and
all claims against the Company, its Affiliates, and all related parties
including with respect to all matters arising out of the Executive’s employment
by the Company, and the termination thereof. The Release will be in the form
reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Executive.
7.Termination of Employment Before the Term End Date.
(a)General. The Executive’s employment with the Company may be terminated before
the Term End Date in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7 and
subject to the provisions of Section 8 (regarding certain payments due upon such
termination of employment).
(b)Termination in the Event of Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment
with the Company shall end immediately upon Executive’s death. The Company may
terminate the Executive’s employment with the Company effective upon written
notice to the Executive in case of the Executive’s Disability.
(c)Termination by the Company. The Company may terminate the Executive’s
employment with the Company immediately upon notice to the Executive, with or
without Cause.
(d)Termination by the Executive. The Executive may resign from employment
without Good Reason immediately upon notice to the Company, or with Good Reason
subject to the applicable notice requirements set forth in the definition of
Good Reason.
8.Payments for Termination of Employment Before Term End Date.
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(a)Termination by the Company for Cause or Disability; Termination by the
Executive for any reason other than Good Reason. If the Company terminates the
Executive’s employment for Cause or because of Disability, or the Executive
terminates employment for any reason other than Good Reason, in each case before
the Term End Date, the Company shall (1) pay to the Executive the Accrued
Benefits and no other amount and (2) if the Executive’s employment ends during
the Term as a result of Disability, provide the accelerated vesting in Exhibit
A, except that nothing in this Section 8(a) is intended to preclude the
Executive from receiving a right to accelerated vesting as expressly provided in
another agreement with the Executive, or from receiving severance benefits to
which the Executive is expressly entitled under the terms of the Employee
Retention and Severance Policy.
(b)Termination by the Company without Cause or Termination by the Executive for
Good Reason. If (1) the Company terminates Executive’s employment before the
Term End Date other than for Cause, or (2) the Executive resigns for Good Reason
before the Term End Date, then the Company shall pay the Executive (A) the
Accrued Benefits; (B) all amounts the Executive is entitled to pursuant to the
Employee Retention and Severance Policy (the “Severance Payment”); and (C)
provide the accelerated vesting in Exhibit A. Nothing in this Section 2(b) is
intended to preclude Executive from receiving a right to accelerated vesting as
expressly provided in another agreement with Executive. For the avoidance of
doubt, the Executive is not entitled to any payments under this Agreement as a
result of the expiration of the Term upon the Term End Date, or termination of
Executive’s employment after the Term End Date.
(c)Death. If the Executive’s employment ends as a result of death before the
Term End Date, the Company shall (1) pay to the Executive’s legal representative
or estate, as applicable, the Accrued Benefits and no other amount and (2)
provide the accelerated vesting in Exhibit A, except that nothing in this
Section 8(c) is intended to preclude the Executive from receiving a right to
accelerated vesting as expressly provided in another agreement with the
Executive, or from receiving severance benefits to which the Executive is
expressly entitled under the terms of the Employee Retention and Severance
Policy.
(d)Timing of Payment of Accrued Benefits. The Company shall pay to the Executive
(or to the Executive’s legal representative or estate if termination is because
of death) the Executive’s Accrued Benefits within 30 days after termination (in
the case of earned but unpaid Base Salary) or in accordance with the terms of
the Company’s benefit plan or expense reimbursement policy, as applicable.
(e)Requirement of General Release; Timing of Payment of the Severance Payment.
As a condition to receiving the Severance Payment or accelerated vesting in
Exhibit A, the Executive (or the Executive’s legal representative or estate, in
the case of death) must execute and deliver a Release and the Release must
become effective and irrevocable no later than the 60th day after the
termination date. The Severance Payment shall be paid in a lump sum within 10
days after the 60th day after the Executive’s termination date, or such shorter
or longer period as may be required by Section 409A of the Code in order for the
Executive to avoid the
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imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A of the Code, provided that the
Release has become effective and irrevocable as required by the preceding
sentence.
(f)Equity Awards. Vesting (including accelerated vesting) and exercisability of
any outstanding equity compensation awards shall be determined under the terms
of the Equity Plan and applicable award agreement(s).
9.Section 409A.
(a)This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code, and
payments may only be made under this Agreement upon an event and in a manner
permitted by Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable. Severance
benefits under this Agreement or the Employee Retention and Severance Policy are
intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code under the “short-term
deferral” exception, to the maximum extent applicable, and then under the
“separation pay” exception, to the maximum extent applicable. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if required by Section 409A of the
Code, if the Executive is considered a “specified employee” for purposes of
Section 409A of the Code and if payment of any amounts under this Agreement is
required to be delayed for a period of six months after separation from service
pursuant to Section 409A of the Code to avoid the imposition of additional taxes
on the Executive, payment of such amounts shall be delayed as required by
Section 409A of the Code, and the accumulated amounts shall be paid in a
lump-sum payment within 10 days after the end of the six-month period. If the
Executive dies during the postponement period prior to the payment of benefits,
the amounts withheld on account of Section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the
personal representative of the Executive’s estate within 60 days after the date
of the Executive’s death.
(b)All payments to be made upon a termination of employment under this Agreement
may only be made upon a “separation from service” under Section 409A of the
Code. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each payment hereunder shall be
treated as a separate payment, and the right to a series of installment payments
under this Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate
payments. In no event may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the
calendar year of a payment. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to
the contrary, in no event shall the timing of the Executive’s execution of the
Release, directly or indirectly, result in the Executive’s designating the
calendar year of payment of any amounts of deferred compensation subject to
Section 409A of the Code, and if a payment that is subject to execution of the
Release could be made in more than one taxable year, payment shall be made in
the later taxable year.
(c)All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall
be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the
Code, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement be
for expenses incurred during the period specified in this Agreement, (ii) the
amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided,
during a calendar year not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or
in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (iii) the
reimbursement of an eligible expense be made no later than the last day of the
calendar year
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following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to
reimbursement or in-kind benefits not be subject to liquidation or exchange for
another benefit.
(d)The Company makes no representations or warranties that the payments provided
under the Agreement comply with, or are exempt from, Section 409A of the Code,
and in no event shall the Company be liable for any portion of any taxes,
penalties, interest, or other expenses that may be incurred by the Executive on
account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
10.Restrictive Covenants.
(a)Performance Track Record. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Agreement or other employment arrangement between the Executive and the Company
and its subsidiaries, if, prior to the Term End Date, the Executive’s employment
with the Company terminates for any reason, then the Executive shall be
permitted to use at any time after Executive’s employment by the Company the
track record of the performance, while employed by the Company, of the Company’s
comprehensive or any individual business unit’s portfolio and individual assets,
including, records and material pertaining to the track record of the
performance of the Company’s comprehensive or any individual business unit’s
portfolio and individual assets, for marketing or other use. Such marketing or
other use will be either confidential in nature or in accordance with applicable
securities laws, rules and regulations.
(b)Proprietary Information. Subject to the provisions of Section 10(a), at all
times, the Executive will hold in strictest confidence and will not disclose,
use, lecture upon or publish any of the Proprietary Information (defined below)
of the Company or an Affiliate, except as such disclosure, use or publication
may be required in connection with the Executive’s work for the Company or as
described in Section 10(a) above or Section 10(d) below, or unless the Company
expressly authorizes such disclosure in writing. “Proprietary Information” shall
mean any and all confidential and/or proprietary knowledge, data or information
of the Company and its Affiliates, including but not limited to information
relating to financial matters, investments, budgets, business plans, marketing
plans, personnel matters, business contacts, products, processes, know-how,
designs, methods, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, data, programs,
and other works of authorship.
(c)Reports to Government Entities. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or
restrict the Executive from initiating communications directly with, responding
to any inquiry from, providing testimony before, providing confidential
information to, reporting possible violations of law or regulation to, or filing
a claim or assisting with an investigation directly with a self-regulatory
authority or a government agency or entity, including the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations
Board, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission,
Congress, any agency Inspector General or any other federal, state or local
regulatory authority (collectively, the “Regulators”), or from making other
disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of state or
federal law or regulation. The Executive does not need the prior authorization
of the Company to engage in conduct protected by this subsection, and the
Executive does not need to notify the Company that the Executive has engaged in
such conduct.
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Please take notice that federal law provides criminal and civil immunity to
federal and state claims for trade secret misappropriation to individuals who
disclose trade secrets to their attorneys, courts, or government officials in
certain, confidential circumstances that are set forth at 18 U.S.C. § §
1833(b)(1) and 1833(b)(2), related to the reporting or investigation of a
suspected violation of the law, or in connection with a lawsuit for retaliation
for reporting a suspected violation of the law.
(d)Inventions Assignment. The Executive agrees that all inventions, innovations,
improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, reports, and all similar
or related information which relates to the Company’s or its Affiliates’ actual
or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products
or services and which are conceived, developed or made by the Executive while
employed by the Company (“Work Product”) belong to the Company. The Executive
will promptly disclose such Work Product to the Board and perform all actions
reasonably requested by the Board (whether during or after the Term) to
establish and confirm such ownership (including, without limitation,
assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments). If requested
by the Company, the Executive agrees to execute any inventions assignment and
confidentiality agreement that is required to be signed by Company employees
generally.
(e)Return of Company Property. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment
with the Company for any reason, and at any earlier time the Company requests,
the Executive will deliver to the person designated by the Company all originals
and copies of all documents and property of the Company or an Affiliate that is
in the Executive’s possession or under the Executive’s control or to which the
Executive may have access. The Executive will not reproduce or appropriate for
the Executive’s own use, or for the use of others, any property, Proprietary
Information or Work Product.
(f)Future Cooperation. The Executive agrees that upon the Company’s reasonable
request following the Executive’s termination of employment and provided such
cooperation is not adverse to the Executive’s legal interests, the Executive
shall use reasonable efforts to assist and cooperate with the Company in
connection with the transition of the Executive’s responsibilities, with the
defense or prosecution of any claim with respect to which the Executive may have
knowledge that is made against or by the Company or its Affiliates (other than
by or against the Executive), or in connection with any ongoing or future
investigation by, or any proceeding before, any arbitral, administrative,
regulatory, self-regulatory, judicial, legislative, or other body or agency
involving the Company or any Affiliate. The Company shall pay reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses (including travel expenses) incurred in connection with
providing such assistance. The Company and the Executive agree that, following
the Executive’s termination of employment, the Executive’s cooperation pursuant
to this Section 10(f) shall be at mutually agreed upon times in light of the
Executive’s other professional responsibilities and pursuant to a reasonable
schedule.
11.Legal and Equitable Remedies.
(a)Because the Executive’s services are personal and unique and the Executive
has had and will continue to have access to and has become and will continue to
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become acquainted with the Proprietary Information of the Company and its
Affiliates, and because any breach by the Executive of any of the restrictive
covenants contained in Section 10 would result in irreparable injury and damage
for which money damages would not provide an adequate remedy, the Company shall
have the right to enforce Section 10 and any of its provisions by injunction,
specific performance or other equitable relief, without prejudice to any other
rights and remedies that the Company may have for a breach, or threatened
breach, of the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 10.
(b)The Executive irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that any dispute arising
as to the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder shall be resolved by
confidential binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the Judicial
Arbitration & Mediation Services, Inc. (JAMS). Such arbitration will take place
in the City of New York. The arbitrator shall be empowered to decide the
arbitrability of all disputes, and shall apply the substantive federal, state,
or local law and statute of limitations governing any dispute submitted to
arbitration and any arbitration demand must be filed within the applicable
limitations period for the claim or claims asserted. In ruling on any dispute
submitted to arbitration, the arbitrator shall have the authority to award only
such remedies or forms of relief as are provided for under the substantive law
governing such dispute. The arbitrator shall issue a written decision that shall
include the essential findings and conclusions on which the decision is based (a
standard award). Each party consents to the jurisdiction of the state of New
York for injunctive, specific enforcement or other relief in aid of the
arbitration proceedings or to enforce judgment of the award in such arbitration
proceeding, but not otherwise. The award entered by the arbitrator shall be
final and binding on all parties to arbitration, and may be entered in any court
of competent jurisdiction. The parties shall equally bear all fees and costs
unique to the arbitration forum (e.g., filing fees, transcript costs and
arbitrator’s fees), except as provided otherwise in statutory claims. The
parties shall be responsible for their own attorneys’ fees and costs, except as
provided otherwise in statutory claims. The parties agree that any dispute
between the parties that is determined to be not subject to arbitration shall be
subject to exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the New York State Supreme Court
sitting in New York County.
12.Acknowledgement of Satisfaction of All Pre-Employment Conditions.
(a)Right to Work. For purposes of federal immigration law, the Executive will be
required to provide to the Company documentary evidence of the Executive’s
identity and eligibility for employment in the United States. Such documentation
must be provided to the Company within three days following the Effective Date,
or the Company’s employment relationship with the Executive may be terminated
and this Agreement will be void.
(b)Verification of Information. By entering into this Agreement, the Executive
warrants that all information provided by the Executive is true and correct to
the best of the Executive’s knowledge, and the Executive expressly releases all
parties from any and all liability for damages that may result from obtaining,
furnishing, collecting or verifying such information, as well as from the use of
or disclosure of such information by the Company or its agents.
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13.Survival. The respective rights and obligations of the parties under this
Agreement (including, but not limited to, under Sections 10 and 11) shall
survive any termination of the Executive’s employment or termination or
expiration of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the intended
preservation of such rights and obligations.
14.No Mitigation or Set-Off. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to
seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement,
and such amounts shall not be reduced regardless of whether the Executive
obtains other employment. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided
for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall
not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any
set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may
have against the Executive or others.
15.Section 280G. In the event of a change in ownership or control under Section
280G of the Code, if it shall be determined that any payment or distribution in
the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the
Code) to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise (a “Payment”), would constitute an “excess parachute payment” within
the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, the aggregate present value of the
Payments under the Agreement shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the
Reduced Amount (defined below) if and only if the Accounting Firm (described
below) determines that the reduction will provide the Executive with a greater
net after-tax benefit than would no reduction. No reduction shall be made unless
the reduction would provide the Executive with a greater net after-tax benefit.
The determinations under this Section shall be made as follows:
(a)The “Reduced Amount” shall be an amount expressed in present value which
maximizes the aggregate present value of Payments under this Agreement without
causing any Payment under this Agreement to be subject to the Excise Tax
(defined below), determined in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.
The term “Excise Tax” means the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the
Code, together with any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such
excise tax.
(b)Payments under this Agreement shall be reduced on a nondiscretionary basis in
such a way as to minimize the reduction in the economic value deliverable to the
Executive. Where more than one payment has the same value for this purpose and
they are payable at different times, they will be reduced on a pro rata basis.
Only amounts payable under this Agreement shall be reduced pursuant to this
Section.
(c)All determinations to be made under this Section shall be made by an
independent certified public accounting firm selected by the Company and agreed
to by the Executive immediately prior to the change-in-ownership or -control
transaction (the “Accounting Firm”). The Accounting Firm shall provide its
determinations and any supporting calculations both to the Company and the
Executive within 10 days of the transaction. Any such determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.
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All of the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm in performing the
determinations referred to in this Section shall be borne solely by the Company.
16.Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted under
this Agreement or necessary or convenient in connection herewith shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been given when hand delivered or mailed by
registered or certified mail, as follows (provided that notice of change of
address shall be deemed given only when received):
If to the Company, to:
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Attn: Chief Legal Officer
If to the Executive, to the most recent address on file with the Company or to
such other names or addresses as the Company or the Executive, as the case may
be, shall designate by notice to each other person entitled to receive notices
in the manner specified in this Section.
17.Withholding. All payments under this Agreement shall be made subject to
applicable tax withholding, and the Company shall withhold from any payments
under this Agreement all federal, state and local taxes as the Company is
required to withhold pursuant to any law or governmental rule or regulation. The
Executive shall bear all expense of, and be solely responsible for, all federal,
state and local taxes due from the Executive with respect to any payment
received under this Agreement. The Company will use commercially reasonable
efforts to establish a relationship with a broker-dealer to facilitate the sale
of Shares acquired on the vesting or exercise of any equity or equity-based
compensation granted to the Executive by the Company to enable the Executive to
satisfy all applicable withholding taxes due in connection with such vesting or
exercise; provided that if the Company does not establish any such relationship,
the Executive may satisfy such withholding obligations through an automatic
Share withholding procedure pursuant to which the Company will withhold, at the
time of such vesting or exercise, a portion of the Shares otherwise deliverable
to the Executive upon such vesting or exercise with a fair market value not
exceeding the minimum amount required to be withheld by applicable law.
18.Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver. No remedy conferred upon a party by this
Agreement is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and every
such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to any other remedy
given under this Agreement or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity. No
delay or omission by a party in exercising any right, remedy or power under this
Agreement or existing at law or in equity shall be construed as a waiver
thereof, and any such right, remedy or power may be exercised by such party from
time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient or necessary by such party
in its sole discretion.
19.Assignment. All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective
heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns
of the parties hereto, except that the duties and responsibilities of the
Executive under this Agreement are of a personal nature and
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shall not be assignable or delegable in whole or in part by the Executive. The
Company may assign its rights, together with its obligations hereunder, in
connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially
all of its business and assets, and such rights and obligations shall inure to,
and be binding upon, any successor to the business or any successor to
substantially all of the assets of the Company, whether by merger, purchase of
stock or assets or otherwise, which successor shall expressly assume such
obligations, and the Executive acknowledges that in such event the obligations
of the Executive hereunder, including but not limited to those under Section 10,
will continue to apply in favor of the successor.
20.Company Policies. This Agreement and the compensation payable hereunder shall
be subject to any applicable share trading policies, and other policies that may
be implemented by the Board from time to time with respect to officers or
executives of the Company that do not conflict with this Agreement.
21.Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the
parties hereto and supersedes the Prior Agreements and any and all other prior
agreements and understandings concerning the Executive’s employment by the
Company and its subsidiaries, other than (a) all employee retention and
severance policies applicable for all employees of Company (including the
Executive Retention and Severance Policy), (b) RSU and (if applicable) PSU award
agreements with respect to the 2020 Bonus, 2020 LTI RSUs, and 2020 PSUs, and (c)
any separate indemnification agreement entered into between the Company and the
Executive and any indemnification obligations set forth in the Company’s bylaws.
This Agreement may be changed only by a written document signed by the Executive
and the Company.
22.Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or application thereof to
anyone or under any circumstances is adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable
in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any
other provision or application of this Agreement, which can be given effect
without the invalid or unenforceable provision or application, and shall not
invalidate or render unenforceable such provision or application in any other
jurisdiction. If any provision is held void, invalid or unenforceable with
respect to particular circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain in full force
and effect in all other circumstances.
23.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and
enforced in accordance with, the substantive and procedural laws of New York
without regard to rules governing conflicts of law.
24.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts
(including facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be an original, but all
of which together shall constitute one instrument.
(Signature Page Follows)

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

                ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

                /s/ Donnell A. Segalas        
                Name: Donnell A. Segalas
                Title: Chair of the Management Development and Compensation
Committee
                Date:    November 9, 2020
                

                EXECUTIVE
                /s/ David L. Finkelstein    
                Name: David L. Finkelstein
                Date: November 9, 2020

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EXHIBIT A
2020 LTI RSUs
Vesting Date:
•One-third on the first anniversary of closing of Internalization
•One-third on the second anniversary of closing of Internalization
•One-third on the third anniversary of closing of Internalization
Accelerated vesting if (1) the Company terminates the Executive’s employment
during the Term other than for Cause, (2) the Executive’s employment ends during
the Term as a result of death or Disability, or (3) the Executive resigns for
Good Reason during the Term. Accelerated vesting is subject (except in case of
death) to the Executive signing and not revoking a Release.
2020 PSUs
Vesting Date:
•December 31, 2022
•Subject to adjustment for performance for the three-year performance 2020-2022
based on formulaic performance goal(s) to be established by the Board before the
grant date, with payout ranging from 0% (for performance below threshold of the
goals set by the Board) to 150% of the target number of PSUs (for performance at
or above maximum of the goals set by the Board).
Continued vesting as of December 31, 2022 determined based on the achievement of
the performance results for the performance period, prorated for the period the
Executive remained employed during the performance period, if (1) the Company
terminates the Executive’s employment during the Term other than for Cause, (2)
the Executive’s employment ends during the Term as a result of Disability, or
(3) the Executive resigns for Good Reason during the Term.
Vesting on those cases is subject to the Executive signing and not revoking a
Release. In case of the Executive’s death during the performance period, a pro
rata portion of the PSUs will vest and pay immediately based on assumed target
performance (with no release requirement).
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