Exhibit 10.8



 





Amended and Restated

Supplemental Agreement

for Robert E. James




     THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT, effective as of November 2, 2007, by and
between First Charter Corporation, a corporation organized under the State of North Carolina
(“First Charter”), and Robert E. James, a resident of the City of Charlotte, County of Mecklenburg,
and State of North Carolina (“the “Executive”).



Preamble




     First Charter employs the Executive as its President and Chief Executive Officer, and the
Executive devotes his time, attention, skill and efforts to the performance of duties on behalf of
First Charter as described in his Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with First Charter
dated November 2, 2007 (the “Employment Agreement”). In consideration of services rendered on
behalf of First Charter and as an inducement for ongoing valuable services until retirement, First
Charter agreed to provide a deferred compensation benefit to the Executive. First Charter and the
Executive first entered into a Supplemental Agreement to provide that benefit on June 21, 1999,
restated that document effective December 19, 2001, and now agree to again amend and restate the
Supplemental Agreement, as permitted under its terms.



     In consideration of the Supplemental Agreement and mutual promises hereinafter contained, the
parties hereto agree to the following Amended and Restated Supplemental Agreement:



ARTICLE I — DEFINITIONS




     The following definitions shall govern this Supplemental Agreement:



     1.1 “Beneficiary” means the person designated in writing by the Executive to receive any
benefits due the Executive upon his death. If no such designation is made or if the designated
person is not living at the death of the Executive, the Beneficiary shall be the Executive’s
spouse, if living; otherwise, the Beneficiary shall be his estate.



     1.2 “Benefit” means the benefit that will be available to the Executive as described in
Article III.



     1.3 “Benefit Distribution Date” means the first day of the first month beginning on or after
the date the Executive has attained age 65 and terminated employment with First Charter.



     1.4 “Board of Directors’ means the board of directors of First Charter.



     1.5 “Disabled” means any of (a), (b), or (c) below:



 









 





          (a) The Executive’s inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or
can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or entitlement to and
receipt of disability benefits under a disability insurance program that pays benefits on the basis
of the foregoing definition;




          (b) The Executive is, by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment
which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not
less than 12 months, receiving either (1) income replacement benefits for a period of not less than
3 months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Executive ‘s employer or (2)
disability benefits under a disability insurance program that pays benefits on the basis of the
foregoing definition; or




          (c) The Executive is determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration.




     The Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, shall determine if the Executive is Disabled
upon certification thereof by a qualified physician selected by the Board of Directors after such
physician examines the Executive.



     1.6 “Distribution Event” means an event upon which the Executive may become entitled to
receive his Benefit as described in Article IV.



     1.7 “First Charter” means First Charter Corporation.



ARTICLE II  — VESTING




     The Executive became 50% vested in his Benefit on January 1, 2004. On each January 1
thereafter on which the Executive has continued to be an employee of First Charter, Executive
became and will continue to become vested in an additional 10% of his Benefit. The Executive shall
vest in 100% of his Benefit on January 1, 2009 if he remains an employee of First Charter through
such date, subject all times to the forfeiture provisions of Article VI.



     Furthermore, the Executive shall become 100% vested in his Benefit before January 1, 2009 if
(i) he dies, (ii) he becomes Disabled or (iii) First Charter has a Change in Control (as such is
defined in the Employment Agreement).



ARTICLE III — AMOUNT OF THE BENEFIT




     3.1 Following a Distribution Event, the Executive, if fully vested, shall receive a monthly
benefit payment in the form of 120 monthly installments of $6,541.67 each, with a total of payments
of $785,000 (the “Benefit”).



     3.2 Following a Distribution Event, the Executive, if not fully vested, shall receive a
reduced monthly benefit payment in the form of 120 monthly installments. The amount of the monthly
benefit payment is determined by the percent vested as indicated on the following table:



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	 	 	 	 	 	 	Monthly Benefit	 	 
	Vesting Adjustment	 	 	 	 	 	Payment to	 	 
	Date	 	Percent Vested	 	Executive	 	Total of Payments
	1/01/04

	 	 	50	%	 	$	3,270.83	 	 	$	392,500	 
	1/01/05

	 	 	60	%	 	$	3,925.00	 	 	$	471,000	 
	1/01/06

	 	 	70	%	 	$	4,579.17	 	 	$	549,500	 
	1/01/07

	 	 	80	%	 	$	5,233.33	 	 	$	628,000	 
	1/01/08

	 	 	90	%	 	$	5,887.50	 	 	$	706,500	 
	1/01/09

	 	 	100	%	 	$	6,541.67	 	 	$	785,000	 






ARTICLE IV — DISTRIBUTION EVENTS




     The Benefit shall be paid to the Executive or the Executive’s Beneficiary upon the following
events:




	 	•	 	If the Executive’s employment is terminated on or after the Benefit Distribution
Date, the Executive shall be entitled to payment of Six Thousand Five Hundred
Forty-One Dollars and 67 Cents ($6,541.67) per month for 120 monthly installments.
Payment will begin as soon as practicable following the Executive’s termination of
employment and in all events within ninety (90) days of such termination.
	 
	 	•	 	If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of his death or if the
Executive’s death occurs after a Distribution Event but before full payment of the
Benefit has been made to the Executive, the Beneficiary shall be entitled to the
continuation of monthly installments of Six Thousand Five Hundred Forty-One Dollars
and 67 Cents ($6,541.67) per month, so that a total of 120 such installments are
paid to the Executive and the Executive’s Beneficiary. Payment to the Beneficiary
will begin (or continue to the Beneficiary) as soon as practicable following the
Executive’s death and in all events within ninety (90) days of such death.
	 
	 	•	 	If the Executive becomes Disabled before reaching his Benefit Distribution Date
and while in the employ of First Charter, the Executive shall be entitled to
payment of Six Thousand Five Hundred Forty-One Dollars and 67 Cents ($6,541.67) per
month for 120 monthly installments. Payment will begin as soon as practicable
following the date the Executive becomes Disabled and in all events within ninety
(90) days of such event.
	 
	 	•	 	If the Executive’s employment is terminated before the Executive attains his
Benefit Distribution Date for any reason other than the Executive’s death or
becoming Disabled, the Executive shall be entitled to payment of the vested portion
of the Benefit in 120 equal monthly installments in the amount indicated in Section
3.2. Payment will begin as soon as practicable following the date the




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	 	 	 	Executive’s termination of employment and in all events within ninety (90) days of
such termination and in all events within ninety (90) days of such event.





ARTICLE V — PAYMENT OF BENEFIT




     5.1 Form of Payment. As stated in Article IV, the Executive will receive his Benefit
in 120 equal monthly installments in the applicable amount indicated in Article III. All monthly
benefit installments will be paid in cash.



     5.2 Alternate Recipients. If, in the sole opinion of First Charter, the Executive or
Beneficiary is physically or mentally incapacitated to properly receive such payments, First
Charter may make (or cause to be made) payments to any member of the family of the Executive or
Beneficiary, or for the use and benefit of the Executive or Beneficiary, or to any person or
institution providing care for the Executive or Beneficiary. All payments so made shall fully
discharge and acquit First Charter of its obligation to provide the Benefit to the amounts thereof.



     5.3 Withholding for Taxes. First Charter (or its paying agent, if payments are made
by an insurance company or other provider under an annuity) shall withhold from any benefits
payable under this Supplemental Agreement all federal, state, city, or other taxes, or qualified
domestic relations order or divorce decree as shall be required pursuant to any law, government
regulation or ruling, or court order.



ARTICLE VI — FORFEITURE OF BENEFIT




     Rights to any unvested payments of the Executive’s Benefit pursuant to this Supplemental
Agreement shall be immediately forfeited if the Executive engages in any act that results in the
Executive’s Termination for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or the breach of any
covenant in the Employment Agreement.



ARTICLE VII — STATUS OF BENEFIT




     7.1 Accrual of Benefit. First Charter may use any reasonable accounting policy in
accruing the Benefit, and shall accrue the Benefit on its books on a monthly basis. The amount
accrued shall be segregated from other accounts on the books and records of First Charter as a
contingent liability of First Charter to the Executive.



     7.2 General Creditor. The Executive shall be regarded as a general creditor of First
Charter with respect to any rights derived by the Executive from the existence of this Supplemental
Agreement or the existence or amount of the liability. Title to and beneficial ownership of any
assets, whether cash, investments, life insurance policies, or other assets that First Charter may
intend to use as a source of payment, shall at all times remain with First Charter. The Executive
and his Beneficiary shall not have any property interest whatsoever in any specific assets of First
Charter.



     7.3 Liability of First Charter. Nothing in this Supplemental Agreement shall
constitute the creation of a trust or other fiduciary relationship between First Charter and the



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Executive or between First Charter and the Beneficiary or any other person. First Charter
shall not be considered a trustee by reason of this Supplemental Agreement.



ARTICLE VIII — CLAIMS AND REVIEW PROCEDURE




     In the event that any claim for benefits that must initially be submitted in writing to the
Board of Directors, is denied (in whole or in part) hereunder, the claimant shall receive from
First Charter a notice of denial in writing within 60 days, written in a manner calculated to be
understood by the claimant, setting forth the specific reasons for denial, with specific reference
to pertinent provisions of this Supplemental Agreement.



     Any disagreements about such interpretations and construction shall be submitted to an
arbitrator subject to the rules and procedures established by the American Arbitration Association.
The arbitrator shall be acceptable to both First Charter and the Executive (or Beneficiary); if
the parties cannot agree on a single arbitrator, the disagreement shall be heard by a panel of
three arbitrators, with each party to appoint one arbitrator and the third to be chosen by the
other two.



     No member of the Board of Directors shall be liable to any person for any action taken under
Article VIII except those actions undertaken with lack of good faith.



ARTICLE IX — THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT




     9.1 Assignment. Except for the designation of the Beneficiary by the Executive, no
rights under this Supplemental Agreement may be assigned, transferred, pledged or encumbered by the
Executive or the Beneficiary except by will or by North Carolina interstate laws or other laws of
descent and distribution. This Supplemental Agreement may be assigned by First Charter only (i) if
First Charter or substantially all of its assets are purchased by another entity or are merged into
the assets of another entity, and such entity specifically assumes First Charter’s obligations
thereunder, or (ii) with the prior written consent of the Executive.



     9.2 Supplemental Agreement Binding. This Supplemental Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective next of kin, successors,
assigns, heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators, and legatees. First Charter
shall not merge or consolidate with any other entity or reorganize unless and until such succeeding
and continuing entity agrees to assume and discharge the obligations of First Charter under this
Supplemental Agreement. Upon such assumption, the term First Charter as used in this Supplemental
Agreement shall be deemed to refer to such successor to First Charter. The Board of Directors, at
its sole discretion, reserves the right to amend, revise, or terminate this Supplemental Agreement
with respect to future benefits only, but the Executive’s consent must be obtained for all other
amendments or revisions.



     9.3 Entire Agreement. This document constitutes the entire understanding between the
parties as to the provision of supplemental retirement benefits hereunder by First Charter to the
Executive. This Amended and Restated Supplemental Agreement supersedes the Supplemental Agreement
that was entered into between the parties effective June 30, 1999 and



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the Amended and Restated Supplemental Agreement that was entered into between the parties
effective December 19, 2001, and may only be modified, altered, or amended by prior written
approval and consent of Executive and First Charter with respect to Executive’s right to or the
payment of vested Benefits.



ARTICLE X — MISCELLANEOUS




     10.1 No Guarantee of Employment. Nothing in this Supplemental Agreement shall be
construed as guaranteeing future employment to the Executive. The Executive continues to be an
employee of First Charter subject to the Employment Agreement.



     10.2 Not “Compensation” for Other Purposes. Any deferred compensation payable under
this Supplemental Agreement (or the actuarial or the net present value of any such payments) shall
not be deemed salary or other compensation to the Executive for purposes of any qualified
retirement plans maintained by First Charter, any incentive bonus plans, or for purposes of any
other fringe benefit obligations of First Charter.



     10.3 Governing Law. This Supplemental Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
and governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, except to the extent such laws are
preempted by federal laws and regulations.



     10.4 Plan to Comply with Code Section 409A.



          (a) This Supplemental Agreement is intended to comply with section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the guidance issued thereunder to the extent that
such section is applicable. Accordingly, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the
Board of Directors may amend this Supplemental Agreement at any time to the extent required to
comply with Code section 409A and the guidance issued thereunder or to ensure that any portion, or
all, of the compensation provided under this Supplemental Agreement will not be subject to section
409A, as the Board of Directors may determine to be necessary or appropriate.




          (b) Each provision of this Supplemental Agreement that involves the deferral of compensation
that is subject to Code section 409A shall be interpreted in a manner that complies with such
section, and each provision that conflicts with such requirements shall be neither valid nor
enforceable. This Supplemental Agreement may not be amended in any way to accelerate the payment
of any amounts credited to the Executive’s Benefit as of the effective date of such amendment,
except as may be permitted by Code section 409A and the guidance issued thereunder.




          (c) Notwithstanding any provision of this Supplemental Agreement, the Board of Directors may
terminate this Supplemental Agreement at any time under any circumstances permitted by section 409A
(and the guidance issued thereunder) and, if the Board of Directors so desires, cause the Benefit
(or the remaining, unpaid portion thereof) to be paid out in lump sum payments in cash as soon as
practicable following such termination.




          (d) First Charter and the Executive further acknowledge that if the Executive is determined to
be a “specified employee” as such term is defined in section 409A of the Code





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on the termination of the Executive’s employment, that certain payments to the Executive under
this Agreement may be required to be postponed to comply with section 409A. Thus, the parties
agree that, in such event, any payments that are so postponed will be paid to the Executive,
without interest, on the first day of the calendar month following the end of the required

postponement period.




          (e) Executive acknowledges that any tax, interest and/or penalty resulting from non-compliance
with section 409A of the Code is his responsibility and not that of First Charter or any successor.




     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have entered into this amended and restated Supplemental
Agreement as of the 2nd day of November, 2007.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	FIRST CHARTER CORPORATION
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:
	 	/s/ Josephine P. Sawyer	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	 

Josephine P. Sawyer
	 	 
	 

	 	Title:
	 	Executive Vice President	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Human Resources	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	/s/ Robert E. James	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Robert E. James
	 	 	President and Chief Executive Officer







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