Exhibit 10.3

 


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


 


THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”)
dated as of February 29, 2016, is made by and among HCSB Financial Corporation, a South Carolina corporation (the “Company”),
Horry County State Bank, a South Carolina state-chartered commercial bank, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
(the “Bank” and collectively, with the Company, the “Employer”), and Janet H. Hollar, an individual
resident of South Carolina (the “Executive”).


 


WHEREAS, the Employer is engaged in the business
of commercial banking, and the Executive is knowledgeable with respect to, and experienced in, that business and the Employer desires
to employ the Executive, and the Executive is willing to serve, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank on the terms
and conditions herein provided;


 


WHEREAS, the Company is currently contemplating
an offering of equity securities for gross proceeds of at least $30 million (the “Offering”);


 


WHEREAS, the Executive presently serves as a
consultant to the Company and the Bank pursuant to that certain independent contractor agreement dated October 19, 2015 (the “Consulting
Agreement”), and this Agreement will become effective and replace the Consulting Agreement in its entirety immediately upon
such time that both (i) the Company shall have consummated the Offering and (ii) the Company and the Bank shall have obtained all
requisite approvals or nonobjections from their respective regulatory agencies for the Executive to begin service as Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and the Bank on the terms and conditions herein provided (the “Effective Time”); and


 


WHEREAS, certain terms used in this Agreement
are defined in Section 18 hereof.


 


In consideration of the foregoing, the mutual
covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:


 


1.      Employment. The Employer shall
employ the Executive, and the Executive shall serve the Employer, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank upon the
terms and conditions set forth herein. The Executive shall have such authority and responsibilities consistent with her positions
as are set forth in the Company’s and Bank’s Bylaws or assigned by the Company’s and Bank’s Board of Directors
(the “Board”) from time to time. The Executive shall report to the Board and shall devote her full business time, attention,
skill and efforts to the performance of her duties hereunder, except during periods of illness or periods of vacation and leaves
of absence consistent with Employer policy. Further, the Executive’s service on the boards of directors (or similar body)
of other business or charitable entities is subject to the prior approval of the Board. The Employer shall have the right to require
the Executive to resign from any board or similar body on which the Executive may then serve if the Board determines that such
activity (i) interferes with the effective discharge of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities to the Employer or that
any business related to such service is then in competition with any business of the Company or the Bank, their successors or assigns
or (ii) could adversely affect the reputation of the Company or the Bank.


 


The Company shall nominate the Executive for
election as a director at such times as necessary so that the Executive will, if elected by shareholders, remain a director of
the Company throughout the term of this Agreement. The Executive hereby consents to serving as a director and to being named as
a director of the Company in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board shall undertake every lawful
effort to ensure that the Executive continues throughout the term of employment to be elected or reelected as a director of the
Bank.


 






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Exhibit 10.3

 

2.      Term. Unless earlier terminated
as provided herein, the Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be for the period commencing upon the Effective
Date of this Agreement and ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Date of this Agreement. On each anniversary of the
effective date of this Agreement, the term hereof shall automatically be extended for an additional one-year period beyond the
then-effective expiration date unless a written Notice of Termination from the Employer or the Executive is received 90 days prior
to such anniversary advising the other that this Agreement shall not be further extended. If either party provides timely notice
of non-renewal of the Agreement, but the Executive continues to provide services to the Employer as an employee, such post-expiration
employment shall be deemed to be performed on an “at-will” basis and either party may thereafter terminate such employment
with or without notice and for any or no reason and without any obligations determined by reference to this Agreement.


 



3.      Compensation and Benefits.


 


(a)      As of the Effective Date, the Employer
shall pay the Executive an annual base salary rate of $225,000, which shall be paid in accordance with the Employer’s standard
payroll procedures. The Board (or an appropriate committee of the Board) shall evaluate the Executive’s performance at least
annually and make compensation adjustments as determined by the Board based on its
evaluation of the Executive’s performance.


 


(b)      The Executive shall be eligible each
year to receive a cash bonus equaling up to 20% of her annual base salary if the Employer achieves certain performance levels established
from time to time by the Board. Any bonus payment made pursuant to this Section 3(b) shall be made the earlier of (i) 70 days after
the previous year end for which the bonus was earned by the Executive and became a payable of the Employer or (ii) the first pay
period following the Employer’s press release announcing its previous year’s financial performance.


 


(c)      The Executive shall be eligible to participate
in the Company’s long-term equity incentive program and for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, and other awards
thereunder or under any similar plan adopted by the Company. The Board anticipates adopting an appropriate equity incentive plan
in which the Company’s and the Bank’s employees will be eligible to participate. The Board anticipates granting to
Employee significant to-be-determined equity award(s) under such plan. The award agreements for such equity award(s) would vest
upon achievement of certain performance and time vesting metrics and would contain other customary terms and conditions. Any options
or similar awards shall be issued to the Executive at an exercise price of not less than the stock’s current fair market
value (as determined in compliance with Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)) as of the date of grant, and the number
of shares subject to such grant shall be fixed on the date of grant.


 


(d)      In
addition to the benefits specifically described in this Agreement, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in all
retirement, welfare, health or other benefits plans or programs of the Employer now or hereafter applicable generally to employees
of the Employer or to a class of employees that includes senior executives of the Employer. The parties agree that the benefits
stated in this Section 3(d) shall be subject to the terms of such plans or programs applicable generally to employees of the Employer
or to a class of employees that includes senior executives of the Employer.


 


(e)      The Employer shall reimburse the Executive
for reasonable and necessary travel, mobile cellular and data plan, and other business expenses related to the Executive’s
duties in accordance with the Employer’s business expense reimbursement policy; provided
however that the Executive shall, as a condition of any such reimbursement, submit verification of the nature and amount of such
expenses in accordance with such reimbursement policies and in sufficient detail to comply with rules and regulations promulgated
by the United States Treasury Department. In addition, the Employer shall reimburse the Executive for educational expenses related
to the Executive’s professional development and for membership in professional and civic organizations to the extent such
activities are consistent with the Employer’s strategic objectives. 


 






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Exhibit 10.3

 

All expenses eligible for reimbursements described
in this Agreement must be incurred by the Executive during the Term of this Agreement to be eligible for reimbursement. All in-kind
benefits described in this Section 3 must be provided by the Employer during the Term
of this Agreement. The amount of reimbursable expenses incurred, and the amount of in-kind benefits provided, in one taxable year
shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, in any other taxable year. Each category
of reimbursement shall be paid as soon as administratively practicable, but in no event shall any such reimbursement be paid after
the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred. Neither rights to reimbursement
nor in-kind benefits are subject to liquidation or exchanges for other benefits.


 


(f)      The Employer
shall provide Executive with a $500 monthly automobile allowance, paid in accordance with Employer’s
standard payroll procedures, but in any case, no less frequently than monthly.


 


(g)      The Employer
shall provide the Executive with four weeks’ paid vacation per year, which shall be taken in accordance with (i) any banking
rules or regulations governing vacation and (ii) the Employer’s vacation or other
paid time off policy. Any payments made by the Employer to the Executive as compensation
for paid vacation shall be paid in accordance with the Employer’s standard payroll
procedures.


 


(h)      The Bank and the Company shall apportion
any payments or benefits paid to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement among themselves as they may agree from time to time
in proportion to services actually rendered by the Executive for such entity; provided, however, that they must satisfy in full
all such obligations in a timely manner as set forth in this Agreement regardless of any agreed-upon apportionment. Executive’s
receipt of satisfaction in full of any such obligation from the Company or the Bank shall extinguish the obligations of the other
with respect to such obligation.


 


(i)       The Executive agrees to repay any compensation
previously paid or otherwise made available to the Executive under this Agreement that is subject to recovery under any applicable
law (including any rule of any exchange or service through which the securities of the Company are then traded), including, but
not limited to, the following circumstances:


 


(i)      where such compensation was
in excess of what should have been paid or made available because the determination of the amount due was based, in whole or in
part, on materially inaccurate financial information of the Company or the Bank, including but not limited to, when the Company
shall have a restatement of financial results attributable to the Executive’s actions, whether intentional or negligent;


 


(ii)      where such compensation constitutes
“excessive compensation” within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. Section 263;


 


(iii)      where the Executive has committed,
is substantially responsible for, or has violated, the respective acts, omissions, conditions, or offenses outlined under 12 C.F.R.
Section 359.4(a)(4); and


 


(iv)      if, while the Executive is
also a senior executive officer of the Bank, the Bank becomes, and for so long as the Bank remains, subject to the provisions of
12 U.S.C. Section 1831o(f), where such compensation exceeds the restrictions imposed on the senior executive officers of such an
institution.


 






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Exhibit 10.3

 

The Executive agrees to return promptly any
such compensation identified by the Employer by written notice provided pursuant to Section 11. If the Executive fails to return
such compensation promptly, the Executive agrees that the amount of such compensation may be deducted from any and all other compensation
owed to the Executive by the Employer. If the Executive is then employed by the Employer, the Executive acknowledges that the Employer
may take appropriate disciplinary action (up to, and including, Termination of Employment) if the Executive fails to return such
compensation. The Executive acknowledges the Employer’s rights to engage in any legal or equitable action or proceeding in
order to enforce the provisions of this Section 3(i). The provisions of this Section 3(i) shall be modified to the extent, and
remain in effect for the period, required by applicable law.


 


4.      Termination.


 


(a)      The Executive’s employment under
this Agreement may be terminated prior to the end of the term of this Agreement, if applicable, only as follows (each a “Terminating
Event”):


 


(i)      upon the death of the Executive.
If the Executive’s employment is terminated because of the Executive’s death, the Employer shall pay the Executive’s
estate any sums due her as base salary or reimbursement of expenses through the end of the month during which death occurred in
accordance with the Employer’s standard payroll procedures. The Employer shall also pay the Executive’s estate any
bonus earned through the date of death. Any bonus for previous years which was not yet paid will be paid pursuant to the terms
as set forth in Section 3(b) of this Agreement. Any bonus that is earned in the year of death will be paid on the earlier of (i)
70 days after the year end in which the Executive died or (ii) the first pay period following the Company’s press release
announcing its financial performance for the year in which the Executive died. To the extent that the bonus is performance-based,
the amount of the bonus will be calculated by taking into account the performance of the Company for the entire year and prorated
through the date of the Executive’s death.


 


(ii)      upon the Disability of the
Executive for a period of 90 days, which includes any period of payment under the Employer’s accident and health plan. During
the period of any Disability leading up to the termination of the Executive’s employment under this provision, the Employer
shall continue to pay the Executive her full base salary at the rate then in effect and all perquisites and other benefits (other
than any bonus) in accordance with the Employer’s standard payroll procedures until the Executive becomes eligible for benefits
under any long-term disability plan or insurance program maintained by the Employer; provided, however that, the amount of any
such payments to the Executive shall be reduced by the sum of the amounts, if any, payable to the Executive for the same period
under any other disability benefit or pension plan covering the Executive. Furthermore, the Employer shall pay the Executive any
bonus earned through the date of onset of the physical or mental impairment that led to the Disability. Any bonus for previous
years which was not yet paid will be paid pursuant to the terms as set forth in Section 3(b) of this Agreement. Any bonus that
is earned in the year which includes the date of onset of the physical or mental impairment that led to the Disability will be
paid on the earlier of (i) 70 days after the year end in which the Executive became Disabled or (ii) the first pay period following
the Company’s press release announcing its financial performance for the year in which the Executive became Disabled.


 






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Exhibit 10.3

 

(iii)      by the Employer for Cause
upon delivery of a Notice of Termination to the Executive. If the Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause under this
provision, the Executive shall receive only any sums due her as base salary and reimbursement of expenses through the date of such
termination, which shall be paid in accordance with the Employer’s standard payroll procedures.


 


(iv)       by the Employer without Cause
upon delivery of a Notice of Termination. If the Executive’s employment is terminated without Cause under this provision,
the Executive shall receive any sums due her as base salary or reimbursement of expenses through the date of such termination,
which shall be paid in accordance with the Employer’s standard payroll procedures.


 


(v)      by the Executive effective
upon the 30th day after delivery of a Notice of Termination. If the Executive resigns under this provision, the Executive shall
receive any sums due her as base salary or reimbursement of expenses through the date of such termination, which shall be paid
in accordance with the Employer’s standard payroll procedures.


 


(b)      With the exceptions of the provisions
of this Section 4, and the express terms of any benefit plan under which the Executive is a participant, it is agreed that, upon
termination of the Executive’s employment, the Employer shall have no obligation to the Executive for, and the Executive
waives and relinquishes, any further compensation or benefits (exclusive of COBRA benefits). Unless otherwise stated in this Section
4, the effect of termination on any outstanding incentive awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units,
or other incentives shall be governed by the terms of the applicable benefit or incentive plan and/or the agreements governing
such incentives. Within 60 days of termination of the Executive’s employment, and as a condition to the Employer’s
obligation to pay any severance hereunder, the Employer and the Executive shall enter into a release in the form provided by the
Employer, and Executive may not revoke such release within the revocation period stated in such release, which shall acknowledge
such remaining obligations and discharge the Employer and its officers, directors and employees with respect to their actions for
or on behalf of the Employer, from any other claims or obligations arising out of or in connection with the Executive’s employment
by the Employer, including the circumstances of such termination. In addition, if such severance payment is made by the Employer,
and if the 60 day period spans two calendar years, regardless of when such release is executed by the Executive, such severance
payment must be made in the subsequent calendar year, regardless of when the release is executed by the Executive.


 


(c)      As a condition to the Employer’s
obligation to pay any amounts hereunder, regardless of the reason for the termination of the Executive’s employment, the
Executive shall resign as a director of the Company and any of its subsidiaries, if the Executive is then serving in any such position.


 


(d)      Notwithstanding anything contained in
this Agreement to the contrary,


 


(i)       if the Executive is suspended
or temporarily prohibited from participating, in any way or to any degree, in the conduct of the Company’s or the Bank’s
affairs by (1) a notice served under Section 8(e) or (g) of Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”) (12 U.S.C. Section
1818 (e) or (g)) or (2) as a result of any other regulatory or legal action directed at the Executive by any regulatory or law
enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the Executive (each of the foregoing referred to herein as a “Suspension Action”),
and if this Agreement is not terminated, the Employer’s obligations under this Agreement shall be suspended as of the earlier
of the effective date of such Suspension Action or the date on which the Executive was provided notice of the Suspension Action,
unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges underlying the Suspension Action are dismissed, the Employer shall (i)
      pay on the first day of the first month following such dismissal of charges (or as provided elsewhere in this Agreement) the
Executive all of the compensation withheld while the obligations under this Agreement were suspended; and (ii) reinstate any such
obligations which were suspended.


 






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Exhibit 10.3

 


(ii)      if the Executive is removed
or permanently prohibited from participating, in any way or to any degree, in the conduct of the Company’s or the Bank’s
affairs by (1) an order issued under Section 8(e)(4) or (g)(1) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. Section 1818 (e)(4) or (g)(1)) or (2) any
other legal or law enforcement action (each of the foregoing referred to herein as a “Removal Action”), all obligations
of the Executive under this Agreement shall terminate as of the effective date of the Removal Action, but any vested rights of
the parties hereto shall not be affected.


 


(iii)      if the Company or the Bank
is in default (as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA, 12 U.S.C. Section 1813(x)(1)), all obligations under this Agreement shall
terminate as of the date of default, but this Section (4)(f) shall not affect any vested rights of the parties hereto.


 


(iv)      if
the FDIC is appointed receiver or conservator under Section 11(c) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. Section 1821(c)) of any depository institution
controlled by the Company, the Company shall have the right to terminate all obligations of the Company under this Agreement as
of the date of such receivership or conservatorship, other than any rights of the Executive that vested prior to such appointment.
Any vested rights of the Executive may be subject to such modifications that are consistent with the authority of the FDIC.


 


(e)      If the FDIC
provides open bank assistance under Section 13(c) of the FDIA (12 


U.S.C. 1823(c)) to the Company
or any depository institution controlled by the Company, but excluding any such assistance provided to the industry generally,
the Company shall have the right to terminate all obligations of the Company under this Agreement as of the date of such assistance,
other than any rights of the Executive that vested prior to the FDIC action. Any vested rights of the Executive may be subject
to such modifications that are consistent with the authority of the FDIC.


 


(f)      If
the FDIC requires a transaction under Section 13(f) or 13(k) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. 1823(f) and (k)) by the Company or any depository
institution controlled by the Company, the Company shall have the right to terminate all obligations of the Company under this
Agreement as of the date of such transaction, other than any rights of the Executive that vested prior to the transaction. Any
vested rights of the Executive may be subject to such modifications that are consistent with the authority of the FDIC.


 


(g)      Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise,
are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k) and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
In addition, all obligations under this Agreement are further subject to such conditions,
restrictions, limitations and forfeiture provisions as may separately apply pursuant to any applicable state banking laws.


 


(h)      In
the event that the Company or the Bank is subject to Part 359 of the FDIC Rules and Regulations (12 C.F.R. Section 359, et
seq.), then notwithstanding the timing for the payment of any severance amounts described in this Section 4, no such payments
shall be made or commence, as applicable, that require the concurrence or consent of the appropriate federal banking agency of
the Company or the Bank pursuant to Part 359 prior to the receipt of such concurrence or consent. Any payments suspended by operation
of this Section 4(h) shall be paid as a lump sum within 30 days following receipt of the concurrence or consent of the appropriate
federal banking agency of the Company or the Bank or as otherwise directed by such federal banking agency.


 






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Exhibit 10.3

 


5.      Ownership of Work Product.
The Employer shall own all Work Product arising during the course of the Executive’s employment (prior, present or future).
For purposes hereof, “Work Product” shall mean all intellectual property rights, including all Trade Secrets, U.S.
and international copyrights, patentable inventions, and other intellectual property rights in any programming, documentation,
technology or other work product that relates to the Company or any Affiliates, their business or customers and that the Executive
conceives, develops, or delivers to the Employer at any time during her employment, during or outside normal working hours, in
or away from the facilities of the Employer, and whether or not requested by the Employer. If the Work Product contains any materials,
programming or intellectual property rights that the Executive conceived or developed prior to, and independent of, the Executive’s
work for the Employer, the Executive agrees to point out the pre-existing items to the Employer and the Executive grants the Employer
a worldwide, unrestricted, royalty-free right, including the right to sublicense such items. The Executive agrees to take such
actions and execute such further acknowledgments and assignments as the Employer may reasonably request to give effect to this
provision.


 


6.      Protection of Trade Secrets. The
Executive agrees to maintain in strict confidence and, except as necessary to perform her duties for the Employer, the Executive
agrees not to use or disclose any Trade Secrets of the Company or any Affiliates during or after her employment. “Trade Secret”
means information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, process, drawing, cost data or
customer list, that (i) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable
by proper means by other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (ii) is the subject of efforts that
are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.


 


7.      Protection of Other Confidential Information.
In addition, the Executive agrees to maintain in strict confidence and, except as necessary to perform her duties for the Employer,
not to use or disclose any Confidential Business Information of the Company or any Affiliates during her employment and for a period
of 24 months following termination of the Executive’s employment. “Confidential Business Information” shall mean
any internal, non-public information (other than Trade Secrets already addressed above) concerning the Company’s or its Affiliate’s
financial position and results of operations (including revenues, assets, net income, etc.); annual and long-range business plans,
product or service plans; marketing plans and methods; training, education and administrative manuals; customer and supplier information
and purchase histories; and employee lists. The provisions of Sections 6 and 7 shall also apply to protect Trade Secrets and Confidential
Business Information of third parties provided to the Employer under an obligation of secrecy.


 


8.      Return of Materials. The Executive
shall surrender to the Employer, promptly upon its request and in any event upon termination of the Executive’s employment,
all media, documents, notebooks, computer programs, handbooks, data files, models, samples, price lists, drawings, customer lists,
prospect data, or other material of any nature whatsoever (in tangible or electronic form) in the Executive’s possession
or control, including all copies thereof, relating to the Company or its Affiliates, their businesses or customers. Upon the request
of the Employer, the Executive shall certify in writing compliance with the foregoing requirement.


 


9.      Withholding. The
Employer may deduct from each payment of compensation hereunder all amounts required to be deducted and withheld in accordance
with applicable federal and state income, FICA and other withholding requirements.


 


10.      Successors;
Binding Agreement. The rights and obligations of this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the surviving entity
in any merger or consolidation in which the Company or the Bank is a party, or any assignee of all or substantially all of the
Company’s or the Bank’s business and properties. The Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement
may not be assigned by her, except that her right to receive accrued but unpaid compensation, unreimbursed expenses and other rights,
if any, provided under this Agreement, which survive termination of this Agreement shall pass after death to the personal representatives
of her estate.


 






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Exhibit 10.3

 


11.      Notice. For the purposes of this
Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given when personally delivered or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the
respective addresses last given by each party to the other; provided however that all notices to the Employer shall be directed
to the attention of the Employer with a copy to the Secretary(ies) of the Company and the Bank. All notices and communications
shall be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery thereof.


 


12.      Governing Law. This Agreement
and all rights hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of South Carolina, except to the extent governed by the laws
of the United States of America in which case federal laws shall govern. The parties agree
that any appropriate state court located in Horry County, South Carolina or federal court for the District of South Carolina shall
have exclusive jurisdiction of any case or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be a proper forum
in which to adjudicate such case or controversy. The parties consent and waive any objection to the jurisdiction or venue of such
courts.


 


13.      Non-Waiver. Failure of the Employer
to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement or any rights with respect thereto shall in no way be considered to be a waiver
of such provisions or rights, or in any way affect the validity of this Agreement.


 


14.      Saving Clause. The provisions
of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision or clause of this Agreement, or portion thereof, shall be held
by any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, the remainder
of such provision shall not be thereby affected and shall be given full effect, without regard to the invalid portion. It is the
intention of the parties that, if any court construes any provision or clause of this Agreement, or any portion thereof, to be
illegal, void, or unenforceable because of the duration of such provision or the area or matter covered thereby, such court shall
reduce the duration, area, or matter of such provision, and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and
shall be enforced.


 


15.      Compliance
with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. All payments that may be made and benefits that may be provided pursuant to this
Agreement are intended to qualify for an exclusion from Section 409A of the Code and any related regulations or other pronouncements
thereunder and, to the extent not excluded, to meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Any payments made under Sections
3 and 4 of this Agreement which are paid on or before the last day of the applicable period for the short-term deferral exclusion
under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(4) are intended to be excluded under such short-term deferral exclusion. Any remaining
payments under Sections 3 and 4 are intended to qualify for the exclusion for separation pay plans under Treasury Regulation §
1.409A-1(b)(9). Each payment made under Sections 3 and 4 shall be treated as a “separate payment”, as defined in Treasury
Regulation § 1.409A-2(b)(2), for purposes of Code Section 409A. Further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, all severance
payments payable under the provisions of Section 4 shall be paid to the Executive no later than the last day of the second calendar
year following the calendar year in which occurs the date of Executive’s termination of employment. None of the payments
under this Agreement are intended to result in the inclusion in Executive’s federal gross income on account of a failure
under Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. The parties intend to administer and interpret this Agreement to carry out such intentions.
However, the Employer does not represent, warrant or guarantee that any payments that may be made pursuant to this Agreement will
not result in inclusion in the Executive’s gross income, or any penalty, pursuant to Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code or any
similar state statute or regulation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that the right to any
payment (including the provision of benefits) hereunder provides for the “deferral of compensation” within the meaning
of Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code, the payment shall be paid (or provided) in accordance with the following:


 






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Exhibit 10.3

 


(a)      If the Executive is a “Specified
Employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code on the date of the Executive’s termination (the
“Separation Date”), and if an exemption from the six month delay requirement of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) is not
available, then no such payment that is payable on account of the Executive’s termination shall be made or commence during the
period beginning on the Separation Date and ending on the date that is six months following the Separation Date or, if earlier,
on the date of the Executive’s death. The amount of any payment that would otherwise be paid to the Executive during this
period shall instead be paid to the Executive on the first day of the first calendar month following the end of the period.


 


(b)      Payments with respect to reimbursements
of expenses or benefits or provision of fringe or other in-kind benefits shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar
year following the calendar year in which the relevant expense or benefit is incurred. The amount of expenses or benefits eligible
for reimbursement, payment or provision during a calendar year shall not affect the expenses or benefits eligible for reimbursement,
payment or provision in any other calendar year.


 


16.      Compliance
with the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein,
any incentive payments to the Executive shall be limited to the extent required under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), including, but not limited to, clawbacks for such incentive payments as required
by the Dodd-Frank Act and Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Executive agrees to such amendments, agreements,
or waivers that are required by the Dodd-Frank Act or requested by the Employer to comply with the terms of the Dodd-Frank Act.


17.      Compliance with Regulatory Restrictions.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, and in addition to any restrictions stated above, any compensation or other benefits
paid to the Executive shall be limited to the extent required by any federal or state regulatory agency having authority over the
Company or, if applicable, the Bank. The Executive agrees that compliance by the Company or the Bank with such regulatory restrictions,
even to the extent that compensation or other benefits paid to the Executive are limited, shall not be a breach of this Agreement
by the Company or the Bank.  The Executive agrees that such restrictions include any restrictions applicable due
to the Company’s participation in the Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program - Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”).


 


18.      Certain Definitions.


 


(a)      “Affiliate” shall
mean any business entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company, including but not limited to the
Bank.


 






    	 	9	 



     

    
Exhibit 10.3

 

(b)      “Cause” shall consist
of any of (i) the commission by the Executive of a willful act (including, without limitation, a dishonest or fraudulent act) or
a grossly negligent act, or the willful or grossly negligent omission to act by the Executive, which is intended to cause, does
cause or is reasonably likely to cause material harm to the Company or any Affiliate (including harm to its business reputation);
(ii) the indictment of the Executive for the commission or perpetration by the Executive of any felony or any crime involving dishonesty,
moral turpitude or fraud; (iii) the material breach by the Executive of this Agreement that, if susceptible of cure, remains uncured
10 days following written notice to the Executive of such breach; (iv) the receipt of any formal written notice that any regulatory
agency having jurisdiction over the Company or the Bank intends to institute any form of formal regulatory action against the Executive,
the Company or the Bank (provided that the Board determines in good faith, with the Executive abstaining from participating in
the consideration of and vote on the matter, that the subject matter of such action involves acts or omissions by the Executive
and further provided that, the parties acknowledge that any regulatory action currently issued to the Company or the Bank shall
not constitute the basis for a determination of cause by the Board); (v) the exhibition by the Executive of a standard of behavior
within the scope of her employment that is materially disruptive to the orderly conduct of the Employer’s business operations
(including, without limitation, substance abuse or sexual misconduct) to a level which, in the Board’s good faith and reasonable
judgment, with the Executive abstaining from participating in the consideration of and vote on the matter, is materially detrimental
to the Employer’s best interest, that, if susceptible of cure remains uncured 10 days following written notice to the Executive
of such specific inappropriate behavior; or (vi) the failure of the Executive to devote her full business time and attention to
her employment as provided under this Agreement that, if susceptible of cure, remains uncured 30 days following written notice
to the Executive of such failure. In order for the Board of Directors to make a determination that termination shall be for Cause,
the Board must provide the Executive with notice of the grounds providing the purported basis for termination and provide the Executive
an opportunity to meet with the Board in person to address the proposed grounds.


 


(c)      “Code” shall mean
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.


 


(d)      “Disability” or “Disabled”
shall mean as defined by Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(4); provided however that, for purposes of this definition, the
accident and health plan covering the Executive shall only be the long term disability plan and not any other the accident and
health plan.


 


(e)      “Notice of Termination”
shall mean a written notice of termination from the Employer or the Executive which specifies an effective date of termination
(not less than 30 days from the date of the notice), indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon
and sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s
employment under the provision so indicated.


 


(f)      “Standard payroll procedures”
shall mean payment no less frequently than monthly.


 


(g)      “Terminate,” “terminated,”
“termination,” or “termination of the Executive’s employment” shall mean separation
from service as defined by Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h).


 


19.      Entire Agreement. This Agreement
constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements, if any understandings and arrangements,
oral or written, including the Consulting Agreement, between the parties hereto with respect the subject matter hereof.


 


20.      Survival. The obligations of the
parties pursuant to Sections 3(g), 5 through 8, and 12, as applicable, shall survive the Executive’s Termination of Employment
hereunder for the period designated under each of those respective sections.


 


23.       Counterparts. This Agreement
may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.


 


[signatures appear on following page]


 






    	 	10	 



     

    
Exhibit 10.3

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Bank
each have caused this Agreement to be executed and its seal to be affixed hereunto by its respective officers thereunto duly authorized
and the Executive has signed and sealed this Agreement, effective as of the date described above.


 


 


	 	HCSB FINANCIAL CORPORATION
	 	 


ATTEST:


	By: 	/s/ J. Alex Gordon	 	By:	 /s/ Michael S. Addy
	 	 	 	 	 
	Name:   	J. Alex Gordon  	 	Name:  	Michael S. Addy
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	Title: 	Chairman


 





	 	HORRY COUNTY STATE BANK
	 	 



ATTEST:


	By:	 /s/ J. Alex Gordon	 	By:	 /s/ Michael S. Addy
	 	 	 	 	 
	Name:  	J. Alex Gordon 	 	Name:  	Michael S. Addy
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	Title:	Chairman


 


 


	 	EXECUTIVE
	 	 
	 	 /s/ Janet H. Hollar
	 	Janet H. Hollar 


 






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