Exhibit
10.16

 

 




 

Directors’
Deferred Compensation Plan

 

of

 

Merrill
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.

 

_____________________________





 







Adopted
on April 27, 2005

Effective
as of April 27, 2005































	
      TABLE
      OF CONTENTS

	
       
	
       
	
       

	
      Article
      I

	
      Definitions

	 
	
      Section
      1.1
	
      Acceleration
      Event
	
      1

	
      Section
      1.2
	
      Administrator
	
      1

	
      Section
      1.3
	
      Beneficiary
	
      1

	
      Section
      1.4
	
      Board
	
      1

	
      Section
      1.5
	
      Code
	
      1

	
      Section
      1.6
	
      Company
	
      1

	
      Section
      1.7
	
      Change
      in Control Event
	
      1

	
      Section
      1.8
	
      Cash
      Compensation
	
      1

	
      Section
      1.9
	
      Committee
	
      1

	
      Section
      1.10
	
      Compensation
	
      1

	
      Section
      1.11
	
      Disability
	
      2

	
      Section
      1.12
	
      Effective
      Date
	
      2

	
      Section
      1.13
	
      Equity
      Compensation
	
      2

	
      Section
      1.14
	
      Fair
      Market Value
	
      2

	
      Section
      1.15
	
      Investment
      Benchmark
	
      2

	
      Section
      1.16
	
      ISO
      Share
	
      3

	
      Section
      1.17
	
      Memorandum
      Account
	
      3

	
      Section
      1.18
	
      Memorandum
      Subaccount
	
      3

	
      Section
      1.19
	
      Non-Employee
      Director
	
      3

	
      Section
      1.20
	
      Option-Related
      Compensation
	
      3

	
      Section
      1.21
	
      Participant
	
      3

	
      Section
      1.22
	
      Participating
      Company
	
      3

	
      Section
      1.23
	
      Phantom
      Share
	
      3

	
      Section
      1.24
	
      Plan
	
      3

	
      Section
      1.25
	
      Previously
      Acquired Share
	
      3

	
      Section
      1.26
	
      Share
	
      3

	
      Section
      1.27
	
      Service
      Recipient
	
      4

	
      Section
      1.28
	
      Unforeseeable
      Emergency
	
      4

	
       
	
       
	
       

	
      Article
      II

	
      Participation

	
       

	
      Section
      2.1
	
      Election
      to Participate.
	
      4

	
      Section
      2.2
	
      Election
      to Defer Cash Compensation.
	
      4

	
      Section
      2.3
	
      Election
      to Defer Equity Compensation.
	
      5

	
      Section
      2.4
	
      Election
      to Defer Option-Related Compensation.
	
      5

	
      Section
      2.5
	
      Changes
      in Participation.
	
      5

	
      Section
      2.6
	
      Revocability
      of 2005 Elections.
	
      6




 







i












 



	
      Article
      III

	
      Accounting
      for Deferred Amounts

	
       

	
      Section
      3.1
	
      In
      General.
	
      6

	
      Section
      3.2
	
      Adjustments
      to Memorandum Accounts.
	
      7

	
      Section
      3.3
	
      Vesting.
	
      8

	
       
	
       
	
       

	
      Article
      IV

	
      Trust

	
       

	
      Section
      4.1
	
      Establishment
      of Trust.
	
      9

	
      Section
      4.2
	
      Contributions
      to Trust; Investments.
	
      9

	
      Section
      4.3
	
      Unfunded
      Character of Plan.
	
      9

	
       
	
       
	
       

	
      Article
      V

	
      Life
      Insurance

	
       
	
       
	
       

	
      Section
      5.1
	
      Authority
      to Purchase Life Insurance.
	
      9

	
      Section
      5.2
	
      Cooperation
      to Effect Purchases.
	
      10

	
      Section
      5.3
	
      Ownership
      of Policies.
	
      10

	
      Section
      5.4
	
      Effect
      of Termination of Participation.
	
      10

	
       
	
       
	
       

	
      Article
      VI

	
      Distributions

	
       

	
      Section
      6.1
	
      Early
      Distributions.
	
      11

	
      Section
      6.2
	
      Scheduled
      Distributions to Participants.
	
      11

	
      Section
      6.3
	
      Distributions
      to Beneficiaries.
	
      12

	
      Section
      6.4
	
      Mandatory
      Cashout of Small Balances.
	
      12

	
      Section
      6.5
	
      Restrictions
      on Payments to Key Employees.
	
      13

	
       
	
       
	
       

	
      Article
      VII

	
      Administration

	
       

	
      Section
      7.1
	
      Administrator.
	
      13

	
      Section
      7.2
	
      Committee
      Responsibilities.
	
      14

	
      Section
      7.3
	
      Claims
      Procedure.
	
      15

	
      Section
      7.4
	
      Claims
      Review Procedure.
	
      15

	
      Section
      7.5
	
      Other
      Administrative Provisions.
	
      16

	
       
	
       
	
       

	
      Article
      VIII

	
      Amendment
      And Termination

	
       

	
      Section
      8.1
	
      Amendment
      by the Company.
	
      16

	
      Section
      8.2
	
      Termination.
	
      17

	
      Section
      8.3
	
      Amendment
      or Termination by Other Companies.
	
      17




 







ii












 


	
      Article
      IX

	
      Miscellaneous
      Provisions

	
       

	
      Section
      9.1
	
      Notice
      and Election.
	
      18

	
      Section
      9.2
	
      Construction
      and Language.
	
      18

	
      Section
      9.3
	
      Headings.
	
      18

	
      Section
      9.4
	
      Non-Alienation
      of Benefits.
	
      18

	
      Section
      9.5
	
      Indemnification.
	
      18

	
      Section
      9.6
	
      Severability.
	
      19

	
      Section
      9.7
	
      Waiver.
	
      19

	
      Section
      9.8
	
      Governing
      Law.
	
      19

	
      Section
      9.9
	
      Withholding.
	
      19

	
      Section
      9.10
	
      No
      Deposit Account.
	
      19

	
      Section
      9.11
	
      Rights
      of Participants.
	
      20

	
      Section
      9.12
	
      Status
      of Plan Under ERISA.
	
      20

	
      Section
      9.13
	
      Successors
      and Assigns.
	
      20

	
      Section
      9.14
	
      Non-dilution
      Provisions.
	
      20

	
      Section
      9.15
	
      Compliance
      with Section 409A of the Code.
	
      20







 







iii















DIRECTORS'
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

 

OF




MERRILL
MERCHANTS BANCSHARES, INC.




Article
I

 

Definitions

 

The
following definitions shall apply for the purposes of this Plan unless a
different meaning is clearly indicated by the context:

 

Section
1.1  Acceleration
Event means,
with respect to a Participant, any of the events described in section 6.1 on the
basis of which the Administrator may permit acceleration of the payment of the
balance credited to the Participant's Memorandum Account. 

 

Section
1.2  Administrator means
any person, committee, corporation or organization appointed by the Committee to
perform the responsibilities assigned to the Administrator
hereunder.

 

Section
1.3  Beneficiary
means the
person or persons designated by a Participant under section 6.3 of the
Plan.

 

Section
1.4  Board
means the
Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Section
1.5  Code means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (including the corresponding provisions of any
succeeding law).

 

Section
1.6  Company means
Merrill Merchants Bancshares, Inc. or any successor thereto.

 

Section
1.7  Change
in Control Event means,
with respect to a Participant: (a) a change in ownership of the Participant's
Service Recipient; (b) a change in effective control of the Participant’s
Service Recipient; or (c) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of
the assets of the Participant's Service Recipient. The existence of a Change in
Control Event shall be determined by the Administrator in accordance with
section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

 

Section
1.8  Cash
Compensation means
the monetary compensation payable to a Non-Employee Director for service as a
member of the board of directors of a Participating Company, including retainer
payments and fees for attendance at board and committee meetings. 

 

Section
1.9  Committee means
the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

Section
1.10  Compensation means,
during any period, the compensation payable to a Non-Employee Director by any
Participating Company that is reportable to the Internal Revenue Service as
compensation for such period on Form 1099 in the absence of an election to defer
receipt thereof under the terms of this Plan. Compensation shall include Cash
Compensation, Equity Compensation and Option-Related Compensation. Compensation
shall not include amounts that become payable under this Plan.

 







1












Section
1.11  Disability means,
with respect to a Participant, any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment which can be expected to result in death or to last for a continuous
period of at least twelve (12) months and as a result of which either: (a) the
Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity or (b) the
Participant has been receiving income replacement benefits for a period of at
least three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees of
the Participant’s employer. The existence of a Disability shall be determined by
the Administrator in accordance with section 409A and the regulations
thereunder.

 

Section
1.12  Effective
Date means
April 27, 2005.

 

Section
1.13  Equity
Compensation means,
with respect to any Participant, that portion of the Participant’s Compensation,
other than Option-Related Compensation, that is paid to him in Shares or the
amount of which is based upon the value, or increase in value, of a
Share.

 

Section
1.14  Fair
Market Value means,
with respect to a Share on a specified date:

 

(a)  the final
reported sales price on the date in question (or if there is no reported sale on
such date, on the last preceding date on which any reported sale occurred) as
reported in the principal consolidated reporting system with respect to
securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal United States
securities exchange on which the Shares are listed or admitted to trading;
or

 

(b)  if the
Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any such exchange, the closing
bid quotation with respect to a Share on such date on the National Association
of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System, or, if no such quotation is
provided, on another similar system, selected by the Committee, then in use;
or

 

(c)  if
sections 1.14(a) and (b) are not applicable, the fair market value of a Share as
the Administrator may determine.

 

Section
1.15  Investment
Benchmark means
a hypothetical investment classification in which a Participant’s
Memorandum Account shall be deemed to be invested for purposes of crediting or
charging earnings, losses, appreciation or depreciation with respect to the
Participant’s Memorandum Account, in accordance with section 3.2. The Investment
Benchmark shall be interest at an annual rate equal to the average one-year
Treasury rate for the applicable year or any other investment classification set
as an option by the Committee for this Plan.

 







2












Section
1.16  ISO
Share means
a Share acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option (within the meaning
of section 422 of the Code).

 

Section
1.17  Memorandum
Account means,
with respect to a Participant, a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company
to which is credited the amount of the Participant’s deferred Compensation,
together with any earnings and appreciation thereon, and against which are
charged any losses, depreciation or distributions thereof, pursuant to Article
III.

 

Section
1.18  Memorandum
Subaccount means,
with respect to a Participant, a portion of the Participant’s Memorandum Account
that is separately accounted for by the Company due to the application of unique
provisions relating to the applicable distribution schedule or Investment
Benchmark(s).

 

Section
1.19  Non-Employee
Director means
a voting member of the board of directors of a Participating Company who is not
an officer or employee of any Participating Company.

 

Section
1.20  Option-Related
Compensation means,
with respect to an option to purchase Shares that is exercised by paying the
entire exercise price therefor by actual or constructive delivery of Previously
Acquired Shares, a number of Shares equal to the excess of (a) the total number
of Shares as to which the option is exercised, over (b) the number of Shares
actually or constructively delivered in payment of the exercise
price.

 

Section
1.21  Participant means
a Non-Employee Director or former Non-Employee Director who has a Memorandum
Account under the Plan.

 

Section
1.22  Participating
Company means
the Company, Merrill Merchants Bank, and any other company which, with the prior
approval of the Board, may adopt this Plan.

 

Section
1.23  Phantom
Share a
unit of value that, at any relevant date, corresponds to the Fair Market Value
of a Share.

 

Section
1.24  Plan means
the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan of Merrill Merchants Bancshares,
Inc.

 

Section
1.25  Previously
Acquired Share means,
with respect to a Participant on any date: (a) a Share (other than an ISO Share)
that was acquired by the Participant more than six (6) months prior to such date
and has been held by the Participant continuously since such acquisition and (b)
an ISO Share that was acquired by the Participant upon the exercise, at least
one year prior to such date, of an incentive stock option (within the meaning of
section 422 of the Code) that was granted to him at least two (2) years prior to
such date and has been held by the Participant continuously since such
acquisition.

 

Section
1.26  Share means
a share of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company.

 







3












Section
1.27  Service
Recipient means
with respect to a Participant on any date: (a) the corporation for which the
Participant is performing services on such date; (b) all corporations that are
liable to the Participant for the benefits due to him under the Plan; (c) a
corporation that is a majority shareholder of a corporation described in section
1.27(a) or (b); or (d) any corporation in a chain of corporations each of which
is a majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending in a
corporation described in section 1.27(a) or (b).

 

Section
1.28  Unforeseeable
Emergency means,
with respect to a Participant, a severe financial hardship to the Participant
resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s
spouse or a dependent (within the meaning of section 152(e) of the Code) of the
Participant, loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty, or other
similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of
events beyond the control of the Participant. The existence of an Unforeseeable
Emergency shall be determined by the Administrator in accordance with section
409A of the Code and the regulations hereunder.

 

Article
II

Participation

 

Section
2.1  Election
to Participate.

 

Any
Non-Employee Director may elect to become a Participant in the Plan by
submitting to the Administrator a written election, on a form prescribed by the
Administrator, to defer the receipt of all or any portion of his Compensation;
provided,
however, that no
Non-Employee Director shall be permitted to defer receipt of Compensation that
is required to be withheld and remitted to any federal, state or local taxing
authority pursuant to any requirement for the collection of tax at the source or
that is required to fund any contribution or premium payment or co-payment
required of the Non-Employee Director as a condition of participation in any
employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any other Participating
Company at the time the election is made. A Non-Employee Director who elects to
become a Participant may make separate deferral elections with respect to Cash
Compensation, Equity Compensation and Option-Related Compensation. The
Administrator may deny participation to any Non-Employee Director whose initial
election to become a Participant does not contemplate the deferral of a minimum
of $2,000 on an annualized basis.

 

Section
2.2  Election
to Defer Cash Compensation.

 

An
election to defer Cash Compensation shall specify the amount or percentage of
each payment of Cash Compensation to be deferred, shall be made on or before the
last day of any calendar year and shall be effective for the calendar year
following the calendar year in which such election is made and all subsequent
calendar years unless status as a Non-Employee Director ceases or a change in
the rate of deferral is elected pursuant to section 2.5;
provided, however, that an
initial election to defer Cash Compensation made by a Non-Employee Director and
filed with the Administrator during the thirty (30) day period immediately
following the later of the Effective Date of the Plan or the date the
Non-Employee Director first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan shall
take effect with the first payment of Compensation that relates to a period of
service that begins after such election is made, or such later date as the
Non-Employee Director shall specify in his election. 

 







4












Section
2.3  Election
to Defer Equity Compensation.

 

An
election to defer Equity Compensation shall specify the amount or percentage of
each payment of Equity Compensation that is to be deferred, shall be made on or
before the first day of the calendar year in which such Equity Compensation will
be paid and prior to the first day of the period of service for which such
Equity Compensation is earned, and shall be effective for all subsequent
calendar years and service periods, unless status as a Non-Employee Director
ceases or a change in the rate of deferral is elected pursuant to section 2.5;
provided,
however, that an
initial election to defer Equity Compensation made by a Non-Employee Director
and filed with the Administrator during the thirty (30) day period immediately
following the later of the Effective Date or the date the Non-Employee Director
first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan shall take effect with the
first payment of Equity Compensation that relates to a period of service that
begins after such election is made, or such later date as the Non-Employee
Director shall specify in his election. Acceptance of an election to defer
Equity Compensation shall not be held or construed as a guarantee that any
conditions precedent to the payment thereof (including but not limited to
continued employment) will be met or the amount to be deferred will in fact be
earned. In the event the dollar amount of Equity Compensation actually paid is
less than the dollar amount for which a deferral election has been made, the
election shall be deemed effective to defer the maximum permissible amount.
Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, no person shall elect to
defer Equity Compensation until the Board shall permit such deferral by
resolution.

 

Section
2.4  Election
to Defer Option-Related Compensation.

 

Notwithstanding
anything in this Plan to the contratry, no person shall elect to defer
Option-Related Compensation until such time as the Plan is amended to provide
for such elections.

 

Section
2.5  Changes
in Participation.

 

(a)  An
election by a Participant pursuant to section 2.2 shall continue in effect until
termination of status as a Participant; provided,
however, that the
Participant may, by written election filed with the Administrator, increase or
decrease the portion of his Cash Compensation to be deferred, or discontinue
such deferral altogether. Such election shall be effective with respect to Cash
Compensation payable for services rendered after the end of the calendar year in
which such election is filed with the Administrator; provided,
however, that if
an election provides for the decrease or discontinuance of the Participant’s
deferral of Cash Compensation and is made on account of Disability or an
Unforeseeable Emergency or an Acceleration Event, such election shall, to the
extent permitted under section 409A of the Code, be effective with respect to
Cash Compensation payable after the filing of such election.

 

(b)  An
election by a Participant pursuant to section 2.3 or 2.4 shall continue in
effect until termination of status as a Participant; provided,
however, that
the Participant may, by written election filed with the Administrator, increase
or decrease the portion of his Equity Compensation to be deferred, or
discontinue such deferral altogether. Such election shall be effective with
respect to Equity Compensation payable after the calendar year in which, and on
account of a period of service that begins after, such election is filed with
the Administrator; provided,
however, that if
an election provides for the decrease or discontinuance of the Participant’s
deferral of Equity Compensation and is made on account of Disability or an
Unforeseeable Emergency or an Acceleration Event, such election shall be
effective with respect to Equity Compensation, payable after the filing of such
election.

 







5












(c)  In the
event that a Participant ceases to be a Non-Employee Director or in the event
that a Non-Employee Director ceases to defer receipt of his Compensation, the
balance in his Memorandum Account shall continue to be adjusted in accordance
with Article III. A Non-Employee Director who has filed a written election to
cease deferring receipt of any portion of his Compensation may thereafter again
file an election to defer receipt of his Compensation in the manner described in
sections 2.2 through 2.5.

 

Section
2.6  Revocability
of 2005 Elections.

 

Notwithstanding
anything in the Plan to the contrary, every election under the Plan to defer
Compensation earned and payable in 2005 shall, to the maximum extent permitted
and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Internal Revenue Service
Notice 2005-1, be revocable at any time during 2005. Such a revocation shall be
effected by written notice given to and actually received by the Administrator
on or before December 31, 2005 and shall result in the distribution of the
entire balance credited to the Memorandum Account of the person revoking the
election and in the inclusion of the entire amount distributed in gross income
for federal income tax purposes in the 2005 taxable year.

 

Article
III

Accounting
for Deferred Amounts

 

Section
3.1  In
General.

 

The
Administrator shall maintain a separate Memorandum Account for each Participant
and may establish within such Memorandum Account two or more Memorandum
Subaccounts as may be necessary or appropriate to properly administer the Plan,
including, but not limited to:

 

(a)  A
separate Memorandum Subaccount for each portion of a Participant’s Memorandum
Account to which a unique distribution schedule is applicable;

 

(b)  A
separate Memorandum Subaccount for that portion of a Participant’s Memorandum
Account that is attributable to Equity Compensation or Option-Related
Compensation that has been deferred; and

 

(c)  A
separate Memorandum Subaccount for that portion of a Participant’s Memorandum
Account that is required to be adjusted for earnings and losses on the basis of
an Investment Benchmark that is different from the Investment Benchmark(s)
applicable to other portions of the Memorandum Account.

 







6












Credits,
charges, and other adjustments to each Participant’s Memorandum Account and any
Memorandum Subaccounts shall be made in accordance with this Article III.
Neither the Company nor any Participating Company shall fund its liability for
the balances credited to a Memorandum Account or Memorandum Subaccount, but each
shall reflect its liability for such balances on its books.

 

Section
3.2  Adjustments
to Memorandum Accounts.

 

(a)  Each
Participant’s Memorandum Account and applicable Memorandum Subaccount(s) shall
be credited with amounts of Compensation deferred by the Participant as of the
date on which such Compensation would have been paid to the Participant in the
absence of a deferral election. For purposes of this section
3.2(a):

 

(i)  Equity
Compensation consisting of Shares or other property which would be taxable for
federal income tax purposes pursuant to section 83 of the Code that is being
deferred shall be credited as of the date on which such Shares or other property
become vested or, if later, the date on which such Shares or other property are
contractually required to be transferred to the Participant; and

 

(ii)  Option-Related
Compensation that is being deferred shall be credited as of the earliest date on
which all actions have been taken and conditions satisfied to effectively
exercise the related options;

 

all as
determined by the Administrator, whose determination shall be conclusive and
binding in the absence of manifest error.

 

(b)  Each
Participant’s Memorandum Account shall be adjusted to reflect the amount of
earnings, losses, appreciation or depreciation, as appropriate that would result
if the balances credited to the Participant’s Memorandum Account, were actually
invested in Investment Benchmarks according to the following
guidelines:

 

(i)  That
portion of a Participant’s Memorandum Account that is attributable to the
deferral of Option-Related Compensation shall at all times be deemed to be
invested in Phantom Shares. The number of Phantom Shares credited in connection
with each deferral of Option-Related Compensation shall be equal to the number
of Shares corresponding to the Option-Related Compensation that is being
deferred. Additional Phantom Shares shall be credited to account for any stock
dividends to holders of record of Shares in an amount equal to the product of
(A) the number of Shares issued as a stock dividend to the holder of record of
one Share, multiplied by (B) the number of Phantom Units credited to the
Participant’s Memorandum Account as of the record date for the stock dividend.
Additional Phantom Shares shall be credited to account for cash dividends paid
to holders of record of Shares in an amount equal to the quotient of (A) the
cash dividend per Share multiplied by the number of Phantom Shares credited to
the Participant’s Memorandum Account as of the record date for the cash
dividend, divided by (B) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the payment date
for the cash dividend.

 







7












(ii)  That
portion of a Participant’s Memorandum Account that is attributable to the
deferral of Equity Compensation shall be deemed to be invested in Phantom Shares
for so long as the Administrator may require.

 

(iii)  Any
portion of the Participant’s Memorandum Account that is not subject to section
3.2(b)(i) or (ii) shall be deemed to be invested in such Investment Benchmarks
as the Participant, by notice given in such form and manner and subject to such
terms, conditions and procedures as the Administrator may prescribe, shall
designate from time to time. If one of the Investment Benchmarks is Phantom
Shares, such terms, conditions and procedures shall be designed to prevent the
occurrence of non-exempt short-swing transactions described in section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to assure compliance with the
Company’s securities trading policy and applicable federal and state securities
laws, and unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, to permit the
Company to account for its liability with respect to such portion of the
Memorandum Account on the basis of EITF 94-6 or corresponding guidance in
subsequent accounting standards.

 

(c)  The
Memorandum Account established for each Participant shall be adjusted from time
to time, but in no event less frequently than annually, to reflect:

 

(i)  credits
of deferred Compensation;

 

(ii)  credits
reflecting income, dividends and appreciation attributable to the applicable
Investment Benchmarks;

 

(iii)  charges
for losses or depreciation attributable to the applicable Investment Benchmarks;
and

 

(iv)  charges
for payments to the Participant or his Beneficiary.

 

Except to
the extent otherwise provided by the Administrator, all such adjustments in
respect of activity during a month shall be made as of the last business of each
month.

 

Section
3.3  Vesting.

 

Subject
to section 5.3, all amounts credited to a Participant’s Memorandum Account shall
be 100% vested at all times.

 







8












 

Article
IV

 

Trust

 

Section
4.1  Establishment
of Trust.

 

The
Company may establish a trust fund which may be used to accumulate funds to
satisfy benefit liabilities to Participants, former Participants and their
Beneficiaries under the Plan; provided,
however, that
the assets of such trust shall be subject to the claims of the creditors of the
Company in the event that it is determined that the Company is insolvent; and
provided,
further, that
the trust agreement shall contain such terms, conditions and provisions as shall
be necessary to cause the Company to be considered the owner of the trust fund
for federal, state or local income tax purposes with respect to all amounts
contributed to the trust fund or any income attributable to the investments of
the trust fund. The Company shall pay all costs and expenses incurred in
establishing and maintaining such trust. Any payments made to a Participant,
former Participant or Beneficiary from a trust established under this section
4.1 shall offset payments which would otherwise be payable by the Company in the
absence of the establishment of such trust. Any such trust will conform to the
terms of the model trust prescribed by Revenue Procedure 92-64, as the same may
be modified from time to time.

 

Section
4.2  Contributions
to Trust; Investments.

 

If a
trust is established in accordance with section 4.1, each Participating Company
shall make contributions to such trust in such amounts and at such times as may
be specified by the Committee or required pursuant to the terms any trust
agreement between the Company and the trustee that has been authorized by the
Committee.

 

Section
4.3  Unfunded
Character of Plan.

 

Notwithstanding
the establishment of a trust pursuant to section 4.1, the Plan shall be
unfunded. Any liability of the Company or another Participating Company to any
person with respect to benefits payable under the Plan shall be based solely
upon such contractual obligations, if any, as shall be created by the Plan, and
shall give rise only to a claim against the general assets of the Company or
such Participating Company. No such liability shall be deemed to be secured by
any pledge or any other encumbrance on any specific property of the Company or a
Participating Company.

 

Article
V

Life
Insurance

 

Section
5.1  Authority
to Purchase Life Insurance.

 

To assist
it in meeting its financial obligations under the Plan, the Company may purchase
and hold, or may cause the trustee of a trust described in Article IV to
purchase and hold, insurance on the life or lives of such Participant or
Participants in such amounts as the Committee may determine. By electing to
defer Compensation under the Plan, a Participant shall be deemed to have
authorized and consented to such purchase.

 







9












Section
5.2  Cooperation
to Effect Purchases.

 

Each
Participant shall take such actions (including but not limited to submitting to
such physical examinations, providing such medical information and executing
such applications, consents to the purchase of insurance and other documents and
instruments) as the Administrator may reasonably request to facilitate the
purchase of insurance authorized by the Committee. Any person who fails or
refuses to cooperate in the purchase of such insurance may, in the discretion of
the Committee, be denied the right of future participation in the Plan, such
denial to be effected in a manner that complies with the requirements of section
409A of the Code. No person shall be denied eligibility to participate in the
Plan solely because he is deemed uninsurable by the carrier or carriers
designated by the Committee.

 

Section
5.3  Ownership
of Policies.

 

The
Company (or, if applicable, a trust described Article IV) shall be the legal
owner of any life insurance policies purchased under the Plan and shall have and
enjoy all of the incidents of ownership, including, but not limited to, the
right to cancel, surrender, extend or assign the policy in whole or in part, the
right to exercise borrowing privileges against the cash value of the policy, the
right designate the beneficiary of any death benefit proceeds that may become
payable thereunder, the right to receive policy dividends, the right exercise
voting rights with respect to all matters on which the holder of the policy may
vote, and, in the case of a mutual insurance company, the right to participate
in and receive and hold any proceeds distributed in relation to the policy in
connection with any demutualization transaction. In no event shall the
Participant, his Beneficiary or his heirs, successors or assigns have any rights
in, to or under any such policy, including but not limited to the right to
receive any portion of any death benefit proceeds that may be payable upon the
death of the Participant. In the event that the Participant, his designated
Beneficiary or any of his heirs, successors or assigns attempts to challenge the
rights of the Company (or, if applicable, a trust described Article IV), then,
in addition to any other rights and remedies that may be available, any balance
credited to the Participant’s Memorandum Account that is then unpaid shall be
forfeited.

 

Section
5.4  Effect
of Termination of Participation.

 

Neither
the cessation of a Participant’s performance of services for the Company or any
Participating Employer, nor the cessation of a Participant’s deferrals of
Compensation under the Plan, nor the complete distribution of the balance
credited to the Participant’s Memorandum Account shall have any effect on the
authority of the Company (or, if applicable, a trust described Article IV) to
continue any life insurance policy then in effect on the life of such
Participants for such future period as the Committee may determine, including
but limited to the period extending through the date of the Participant’s
death.

 







10












Article
VI

Distributions

 

Section
6.1  Early
Distributions.

 

(a)  In the
event that a Participant has suffered an Unforeseeable Emergency, the
Administrator may, in its sole discretion and to the extent permitted under
section 409A of the Code, allow such Participant to obtain a lump sum withdrawal
of an amount credited to his Memorandum Account that does not exceed the amount
necessary to alleviate the Unforeseeable Emergency. 

 

(b)  In the
event of a Participant’s Disability, the Administrator may, in its sole
discretion and to the extent permitted under section 409A of the Code, allow the
Participant to obtain a lump sum withdrawal of the entire balance credited to
his Memorandum Account.

 

(c)  To the
extent required to comply with the terms of a domestic relations order (within
the meaning of section 414(p) of the Code) directed to and served upon the Plan,
the Administrator may direct the payment of all or any portion of the balance
credited to a Participant’s Memorandum Account at any time or in accordance with
any payment schedule set forth in said order.

 

(d)  To the
extent necessary to effect compliance with a certificate of divestiture (within
the meaning of section 1043(b)(2) of the Code), the Administrator may permit the
distribution of all or a portion of the balance credited to a Participant’s
Memorandum Account earlier than the times determined under section
6.2.

 

Section
6.2  Scheduled
Distributions to Participants.

 

(a)  Upon a
Participant’s termination of service with the Company and all Participating
Companies, an amount equal to the balance credited to such Participant’s
Memorandum Account shall be paid to the Participant in a single payment within
thirty (30) days after the end of the calendar year in which such termination of
service occurs; provided,
however, that if
a Participant so elects in his initial election to participate or in any
subsequent deferral election, payment of balances attributable to amounts
deferred pursuant to such election may be made in a single payment as of some
other date specified by the Participant in his election.

 

(b)  Notwithstanding
section 6.2(a), each Participant may, by written election given in such form and
manner as the Administrator may prescribe, elect to change the time and manner
of distribution of the balance credited to any Memorandum Subaccount;
provided,
however, that


 

(i)    Any such
election shall not take effect until twelve (12) months after it is received by
the Administrator; and

 

(ii)    In the
case of an election to defer a payment to be made on account of an event other
than the Participant's death, Disability or Unforeseeable Emergency, the first
payment made under such election shall not occur until at least five (5) years
later than such payment would otherwise have been made; and

 







11












(iii)   In the
case of an election to defer a payment to be made on account of a Change in
Control Event, such election shall be made at least twelve (12) months prior to
the date of the first payment scheduled to be made on account of the Change in
Control Event. 

 

(c)  Distributions
shall be made, or commence, within 30 days after the date the Participant
becomes entitled to payment pursuant to this section 6.2. Distributions of
balances attributable to the deferral of Option-Related Compensation shall be
made in whole Shares (with cash paid in lieu of fractional shares),
distributions of the balances deemed to be invested in Phantom Shares shall,
unless the Administrator determines otherwise, be made in whole Shares (with
cash paid in lieu of fractional Shares); and all other distributions shall be
made in cash unless the Administrator, in its discretion, permits other forms of
distribution. 

 

Section
6.3  Distributions
to Beneficiaries.

 

(a)  A
Participant may designate a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries by filing a written
notice with the Administrator prior to the Participant’s death, in such form and
manner as the Administrator may prescribe. A Participant who has designated a
Beneficiary or Beneficiaries may change or revoke such designation prior to the
Participant’s death by means of a similar written instrument.

 

(b)  In the
event that a Participant dies before receiving payment of his entire Memorandum
Account, payment of the value of the deceased Participant’s Memorandum Account
shall be made in a lump sum to his Beneficiary or Beneficiaries within ninety
(90) days after the Administrator receives satisfactory evidence of the
Participant’s death. If no Beneficiary shall have been designated or if any such
designation shall be ineffective, or in the event that no designated Beneficiary
survives the Participant, payment of the value of the Participant’s Memorandum
Account shall be made to the Participant’s personal representative, or if no
personal representative is appointed within six (6) months after the
Participant’s death or such longer period as the Administrator deems reasonable
in its discretion, to his surviving spouse, or if he has no surviving spouse, to
his then living descendants, per
stirpes, in the
same manner and at the same time as the Participant’s Memorandum Account would
have been paid to a Beneficiary. If any Participant and any one or more of his
designated Beneficiary(ies) shall die in circumstances that leave substantial
doubt as to who shall have been the first to die, the Participant shall be
deemed to have survived the deceased Beneficiary(ies). The presence of
substantial doubt for such purposes shall be determined by the Administrator in
its sole and absolute discretion.

 

Section
6.4  Mandatory
Cashout of Small Balances.

 

Notwithstanding
anything in the Plan to the contrary, except as provided in section 6.5, if, as
of December 31 of any calendar year following a Participant’s termination of
service with all Participating Companies, the balance credited to his Memorandum
Account is $10,000 or less, the entire balance credited to his Memorandum
Account shall be distributed in a single lump sum payment as soon as practicable
during the immediately following calendar year.

 







12












Section
6.5  Restrictions
on Payments to Key Employees.

 

Notwithstanding
anything in the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required under section 409A
of the Code, no payment to be made to a key employee (within the meaning of
section 409A of the Code) on or after the date of his termination of service
shall be made sooner than six (6) after such termination of
service.

 

Article
VII

Administration

 

Section
7.1  Administrator.

 

The
Administrator shall, subject to the responsibilities of the Committee and the
Board, have the responsibility for the day-to-day control, management, operation
and administration of the Plan. The Administrator shall have the following
responsibilities:

 

(a)  To
maintain records necessary or appropriate for the administration of the
Plan;

 

(b)  To give
and receive such instructions, notices, information, materials, reports and
certifications as may be necessary or appropriate in the administration of the
Plan;

 

(c)  To
prescribe forms and make rules and regulations consistent with the terms of the
Plan and with the interpretations and other actions of the
Committee;

 

(d)  To
require such proof or evidence of any matter from any person as may be necessary
or appropriate in the administration of the Plan;

 

(e)  To
determine any question arising in connection with the Plan, including any
question of Plan interpretation, and the Administrator’s decision or action in
respect thereof shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons
having an interest under the Plan; provided
however, that any
question relating to inconsistency or omission in the Plan, or interpretation of
the provisions of the Plan, shall be referred to the Committee by the
Administrator and the decision of the Committee in respect thereof shall be
final;

 

(f)  To review
and dispose of claims under the Plan filed pursuant to section 7.3 and appeals
of claims decisions pursuant to section 7.4;

 

(g)  If the
Administrator shall determine that by reason of illness, senility, insanity, or
for any other reason, it is undesirable to make any payment to the person
entitled thereto, to direct the application of any amount so payable to the use
or benefit of such person in any manner that the Administrator may deem
advisable or to direct in the Administrator’s discretion the withholding of any
payment under the Plan due to any person under legal disability until a
representative competent to receive such payment in his behalf shall be
appointed pursuant to law;

 







13












(h)  To
discharge such other responsibilities or follow such directions as may be
assigned or given by Committee or the Board; and

 

(i)  To
perform any duty or take any action which is allocated to the Administrator
under the Plan.

 

The
Administrator shall have the power and authority necessary or appropriate to
carry out his responsibilities. The Administrator may resign only be giving at
least 30 days’ prior written notice of resignation to the Committee, and such
resignation shall be effective on the date specified in such
notice.

 

Section
7.2  Committee
Responsibilities.

 

The
Committee shall, subject to the responsibilities of the Board, have the
following responsibilities:

 

(a)  To review
the performance of the Administrator;

 

(b)  To hear
and decide appeals, pursuant to the claims procedure contained in section 7.4 of
the Plan, taken from the decisions of the Administrator;

 

(c)  To hear
and decide questions, including interpretation of the Plan, as may be referred
to the Committee by the Administrator;

 

(d)  To report
and make recommendations to the Board regarding changes in the Plan, including
changes in the operation and management of the Plan;

 

(e)  To
designate an alternate Administrator to serve in the event that the
Administrator is absent or otherwise unable to discharge his
responsibilities;

 

(f)  To remove
and replace the Administrator or alternate, or both of them, and to fill a
vacancy in either office;

 

(g)  To
discharge such other responsibilities or follow such directions as may be
assigned or given by the Board; and

 

(h)  To
perform any duty or to take any action which is allocated to the Committee under
the Plan.

 

The
Committee shall have the power and authority necessary or appropriate to carry
out its responsibilities. The Committee may take action under the Plan by vote
of a majority of the members present at any meeting of the Committee at which a
quorum is present or by unanimous written consent in lieu of meeting. No member
of the Committee shall participate in any action or decision in which he has a
personal interest unless all members of the Committee voting on such matter are
similarly interested. The Committee may delegate to one of its members, to the
Administrator or to any Non-Employee Director of the Company or any other
Participating Company the power and responsibility, to the extent not expressly
allocated under the Plan to the Administrator, to sign instruments and other
communications in its behalf and to take appropriate action to implement the
Committee’s decisions.

 







14












Section
7.3  Claims
Procedure.

 

Any claim
relating to benefits under the Plan shall be filed with the Administrator on a
form prescribed by it. If a claim is denied in whole or in part, the
Administrator shall give the claimant written notice of such denial, which
notice shall specifically set forth:

 

(a)  The
reasons for the denial;

 

(b)  The
pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial was based;

 

(c)  Any
additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect his
claim and an explanation of why such material or information is needed;
and

 

(d)  An
explanation of the Plan’s procedure for review of the denial of the
claim.

 

In the
event that the claim is not granted and notice of denial of a claim is not
furnished by the 30th day after such claim was filed, the claim shall be deemed
to have been denied on that day for the purpose of permitting the claimant to
request review of the claim.

 

Section
7.4  Claims
Review Procedure.

 

Any
person whose claim filed pursuant to section 7.3 has been denied in whole or in
part by the Administrator may request review of the claim by the Committee, upon
a form prescribed by the Administrator. The claimant shall file such form
(including a statement of his position) with the Committee no later than 60 days
after the mailing or delivery of the written notice of denial provided for in
section 7.3, or, if such notice is not provided, within 60 days after such claim
is deemed denied pursuant to section 7.3. The claimant shall be permitted to
review pertinent documents. A decision shall be rendered by the Committee and
communicated to the claimant not later than 30 days after receipt of the
claimant’s written request for review. However, if the Committee finds it
necessary, due to special circumstances (for example, the need to hold a
hearing), to extend this period and so notifies the claimant in writing, the
decision shall be rendered as soon as practicable, but in no event later than
120 days after the claimant’s request for review. The Committee’s decision shall
be in writing and shall specifically set forth:

 

(a)  The
reasons for the decision; and

 

(b)  The
pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based.

 







15












Any such
decision of the Committee shall be binding upon the claimant and the
Participating Company, and the Administrator shall take appropriate action to
carry out such decision.

 

Section
7.5  Other
Administrative Provisions.

 

(a)  Any
person whose claim has been denied in whole or in part must exhaust the
administrative review procedures provided in section 7.4 prior to initiating any
claim for judicial review.

 

(b)  neither
the members of the Committee, the Administrator, nor any Non-Employee Director
or employee of a Participating Company to whom responsibilities are assigned
under the Plan shall be liable for any act of omission or commission by himself
or by another person, except for his own individual willful and intentional
malfeasance.

 

(c)  The
Administrator or the Committee may, shorten, extend or waive the time (but not
beyond 60 days) required by the Plan for filing any notice or other form with
the Administrator or Committee, or taking any other action under the Plan;
provided, however, that no such shortening, extension or waiver shall be done
that would cause any Participant to be in constructive receipt of the balance
credited his Memorandum Account prior to the date on which such balance is
scheduled to be paid.

 

(d)  Any
person, group of persons, committee, corporation or organization may serve in
more than one fiduciary capacity with respect to the Plan.

 

(e)  Any
action taken or omitted by the Administrator or the Committee or any delegate of
the Committee with respect to the Plan, including any decision, interpretation,
claim denial or review on appeal, shall be conclusive and binding on and all
interested parties and shall be subject to judicial modification or reversal
only to the extent it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that
such action or omission was arbitrary and capricious and contrary to the terms
of the Plan.

 

Article
VIII

Amendment
And Termination

 

Section
8.1  Amendment
by the Company.

 

The
Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, at any time and
from to time, by action of the Board, to amend the Plan in whole or in part. In
no event, however, shall any such amendment adversely affect the right of any
Participant, former Participant or Beneficiary to receive any benefits under the
Plan in respect of participation for any period ending on or before the later of
the date on which such amendment is adopted or the date on which it is made
effective.

 







16












Section
8.2  Termination.

 

(a)    The
Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, by action of
the Board, to terminate the Plan, but only in the following
circumstances:

 

(i) Within
twelve (12) months of any Change in Control Event; and

 

(ii) At such
other time and in such other circumstances as may be permitted under section
409A of the Code.

 

In such
event, undistributed benefits attributable to participation prior to the date of
termination shall be distributed in lump sum payments as soon as practicable
following the effective date of termination.

 

(b)    The
Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, by action of
the Board, to suspend the operation of the Plan, but only in the following
circumstances:

 

(i) With
respect to Compensation to be earned and paid in calendar years beginning after
the date of adoption of the resolution suspending the operation of the Plan;
and

 

(ii) At such
other time and in such other circumstances as may be permitted under section
409A of the Code.

 

In such
event, no further Compensation shall be deferred following the effective date of
the suspension and memorandum Accounts in existence prior to such date shall
continue to be maintained, and payments shall continue to be made, in accordance
with the provisions of the Plan.

 

Section
8.3  Amendment
or Termination by Other Companies.

 

In the
event that a corporation or trade or business other than the Company shall adopt
this Plan, such corporation or trade or business shall, by adopting the Plan,
empower the Company to amend or terminate the Plan, insofar as it shall cover
employees of such corporation or trade or business, upon the terms and
conditions set forth in sections 8.1 and 8.2; provided,
however, that
any such corporation or trade or business may, by action of its board of
directors or other governing body, amend or terminate the Plan, insofar as it
shall cover employees of such corporation or trade or business, at different
times and in a different manner. In the event of any such amendment or
termination by action of the board of directors or other governing body of such
a corporation or trade or business, a separate plan shall be deemed to have been
established for the employees of such corporation or trade or business, and any
amounts set aside to provide for the satisfaction of benefit liabilities with
respect to employees of such corporation or trade or business shall be
segregated from the assets set aside for the purposes of this Plan at the
earliest practicable date and shall be dealt with in accordance with the
documents governing such separate plan.

 







17












 

Article
IX

Miscellaneous
Provisions

 

Section
9.1  Notice
and Election.

 

The
Administrator shall provide a copy of this Plan and the resolutions of adoption
to each Non-Employee Director who becomes eligible to participate, together with
a form on which the Non-Employee Director may notify the Administrator of his
election whether to become a Participant, which form, if he so elects, he may
complete, sign and return to the Administrator.

 

Section
9.2  Construction
and Language.

 

Wherever
appropriate in the Plan, words used in the singular may be read in the plural,
words used in the plural may be read in the singular, and the masculine gender
may be read as referring equally to the feminine gender or the
neuter.

 

Section
9.3  Headings.

 

The
headings of Articles and sections are included solely for convenience of
reference. If there is any conflict between such headings and the text of the
Plan, the text shall control.

 

Section
9.4  Non-Alienation
of Benefits.

 

Except as
may otherwise be required by law, no distribution or payment under the Plan to
any Participant, former Participant or Beneficiary shall be subject in any
manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge,
encumbrance or charge, whether voluntary or involuntary, and any attempt to so
anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge the
same shall be void; nor shall any such distribution or payment be in any way
liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts
of any person entitled to such distribution or payment. If any Participant,
former Participant or Beneficiary is adjudicated bankrupt or purports to
anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge encumber or charge any such
distribution or payment, voluntarily or involuntarily, the Committee, in its
sole discretion, may cancel such distribution or payment or may hold or cause to
be held or applied such distribution or payment, or any part thereof, to or for
the benefit of such Participant, former Participant or Beneficiary, in such
manner as the Committee shall direct; provided,
however, that no
such action by the Committee shall cause the acceleration or deferral of any
benefit payments from the date on which such payments are scheduled to be
made.

 

Section
9.5  Indemnification.

 

The
Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Participant, former
Participant and Beneficiary, against their reasonable costs, including legal
fees, incurred by them or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which
they may be involved, as a result of their efforts, in good faith, to defend or
enforce the obligations of the Company and any other Participating Employer
under the terms of the Plan.

 







18












Section
9.6  Severability.

 

A
determination that any provision of the Plan is invalid or unenforceable shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
hereof.

 

Section
9.7  Waiver.

 

Failure
to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants or conditions
of the Plan shall not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant or condition. A
waiver of any provision of the Plan must be made in writing, designated as a
waiver, and signed by the party against whom its enforcement is sought. Any
waiver or relinquishment of any right or power hereunder at any one or more
times shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at
any other time or times.

 

Section
9.8  Governing
Law.

 

The Plan
shall be construed, administered and enforced according to the laws of the State
of Maine without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof,
except to the extent that such laws are preempted by federal law. The federal
and state courts having jurisdiction in Penobscot County, Maine shall have
exclusive jurisdiction over any claim, action, complaint or lawsuit brought
under the terms of the Plan or in any way relating to the rights or obligations
of any person under, or the acts or omissions of the Company, the Board, the
Administrator, the Committee on any duly authorized person acting in their
behalf in relation to, the Plan. By electing to participate in this Plan, the
Participant, for himself and any other person claiming any rights under the Plan
through him, agrees to submit himself, and any such legal action described
herein that he shall bring, to the sole jurisdiction of such courts for the
adjudication and resolution of such disputes. Any payments made pursuant to this
Plan are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with 12 U.S.C. §
1828(k) and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Section
9.9  Withholding.

 

Payments
from this Plan shall be subject to all applicable federal, state and local
income withholding taxes. The Company, Merrill Merchants Bank, any other
Participating Company or the Committee shall have the right to require any
person entitled to receive a distribution in Shares under this Plan to pay the
amount of any tax which is required to be withheld with respect to such Shares,
or, in lieu thereof, to cancel without notice, a sufficient number of Phantom
Shares to cover the amount required to be withheld.

 

Section
9.10  No
Deposit Account.

 

Nothing
in this Plan shall be held or construed to establish any deposit account for any
Participant or any deposit liability on the part of the Company or any
Participating Company. Participants’ rights hereunder shall be equivalent to
those of a general unsecured creditor of each Participating
Company.

 







19












 

Section
9.11  Rights
of Participants.

 

No
Participant shall have any right or claim to any benefit under the Plan except
in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. The establishment of the Plan
shall not be construed as conferring upon any Participant or other person any
legal right to a continuation of service or to any terms or conditions of
service, nor as limiting or qualifying the right of a Participating Company, its
board of directors or its stockholders to remove any Non-Employee Director or to
fail to re-elect him or her or decline to nominate him or her for
re-election.

 

Section
9.12  Status
of Plan Under ERISA.

 

The Plan
is intended to be a non-qualified deferred compensation plan maintained
exclusively for non-employees. The Plan is not intended to comply with the
requirements of section 401(a) of the Code or to be subject to Parts 2, 3 and 4
of Title I of ERISA. The Plan shall be administered and construed so as to
effectuate this intent.

 

Section
9.13  Successors
and Assigns.

 

The
provisions of the Plan will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Participants and their respective legal representatives and testate or intestate
distributes, and each Participating Company and their respective successors and
assigns, including any successor by merger or consolidation or a statutory
receiver or any other person or firm or corporation to which all or
substantially all of the assets and business of any Participating Company may be
sold or otherwise transferred.

 

Section
9.14  Non-dilution
Provisions.

 

In the
event of any merger, consolidation, or other business reorganization involving
the Company, and in the event of any stock split, stock dividend or other event
generally affecting the number of Shares held by each person who is then a
holder of record of Shares, and in the event of any other occurrence which, in
the judgment of the Committee warrants an adjustment to avoid unintended
enhancement or dilution of the rights of one or more Participants under the
Plan, the number of Phantom Units credited to each Participant’s Memorandum
Account, and the unit value thereof, shall be adjusted to account for such
event. Such adjustment shall be effected in such manner as the Committee shall
determine to e appropriate in order to prevent the enlargement or diminution of
any Participant’s rights under the Plan.

 

Section
9.15  Compliance
with Section 409A of the Code.

 

The Plan
is intended to be a non-qualified deferred compensation plan described in
section 409A of the Code. The Plan shall be operated, administered and construed
to give effect to such intent. In addition, the Plan shall be subject to
amendment, with or without advance notice to Participants and other interested
parties, and on a prospective or retroactive basis, including but not limited
amendment in a manner that adversely affects the rights of participants and
other interested parties, to the extent necessary to effect such
compliance.

 







20