Exhibit 10.2


 


EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


 


THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(the “Agreement”) is made as of the 12th day of March, 2017, between Howard Bank (the “Bank” or “Employer”),
a Maryland-chartered trust Company, and Steven M. Poynot, a resident of the State of Maryland (the “Executive”).


 


RECITALS:


 


WHEREAS, the Executive
is currently employed as a Senior Vice President with Employer and has been an employee of Employer since January 31, 2005; and


 


WHEREAS, both the Employer
and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement regarding the employment of Executive by Employer.


 


In consideration of
the above premises, the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth and the continued employment by Employer of Executive, the parties
hereby agree as follows:


 


1.            DEFINITIONS.
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms and their variant forms will have the meaning set forth below:


 


1.1           “Agreement”
means this Agreement and any exhibits incorporated herein together with any amendments hereto made in the manner described in this
Agreement.


 


1.2           “Affiliate”
means any business entity which controls the Employer, is controlled by or is under common control with the Employer. Unless the
context requires otherwise, the term “Employer” used in this Agreement shall include all Affiliates.


 


1.3           “Area”
means the geographic area within a radius of 20 miles of any office or facility maintained by the Employer from time to time. It
is the express intent of the parties that the Area as defined herein is the area where the Executive performs or performed services
on behalf of the Employer under this Agreement as of, or within a reasonable time prior to, the termination of the Executive's
employment hereunder.


 


1.4           “Board”
means the board of directors of the Bank.


 


1.5           “Business
of the Employer” means the business conducted by the Employer.


 


1.6           “Cause”
means any of the following events or conduct preceding a termination of employment initiated by the Employer:


 


(a)           any
act on the part of the Executive that constitutes, in the reasonable judgment of the Board after consultation with legal counsel,
fraud or dishonesty toward the Employer, toward any employee, officer or director of the Employer, or toward any person doing business
with the Employer;


 


(b)           the
conviction of the Executive of any felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude;


 




     


     


    

 


(c)           the
Executive’s entering into any transaction or contractual relationship (other than this Agreement) with, or diversion of business
opportunity from, the Employer (other than on behalf of the Employer or with the prior written consent of the Board); provided,
however, such conduct will not constitute Cause unless the Board delivers to the Executive written notice setting forth (1) the
conduct deemed to qualify as Cause, (2) reasonable remedial action that might remedy such objection, and (3) a reasonable
time (not less than 30 days) within which the Executive may take such remedial action, and the Executive has not taken the specified
remedial action with the specified reasonable time;


 


(d)           the
Executive breaches any of the covenants contained in Sections 5, 6, 7 or 8 hereof;


 


(e)           the
Executive fails to discharge his material duties and obligations contained in this Agreement; and


 


(f)            conduct
by the Executive that results in removal of the Executive as an officer or employee of the Employer pursuant to a written order
by any regulatory agency with authority or jurisdiction over the Employer.


 


1.7           “Change
in Control” means the first to occur of any one of the following events:


 


(a)           the
acquisition by any person, persons acting in concert or by an entity of the then outstanding voting securities of either the Bank
or the Company, if, as the result of the transaction, the acquiring person, persons or entity owns securities representing more
than 50% of the total voting power of the Bank or the Company, as the case may be;


 


(b)           within
any 12-month period (beginning on or after the Effective Date) the persons who were directors of either the Bank or the Company
immediately before the beginning of such 12-month period (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease to constitute at least a
majority of such board of directors; provided that any director who was not a director as of the Effective Date will be deemed
to be an Incumbent Director if that director was elected to such board of directors by, or on the recommendation of or with the
approval of, at least two-thirds of the directors who then qualified as Incumbent Directors;


 


(c)           the
approval by the stockholders of either the Bank or the Company of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, with respect to which
those persons who were the stockholders of either the Bank or the Company, as the case may be, immediately prior to such reorganization,
merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the
election of directors of the reorganized, merged or consolidated entities; or


 


(d)           the
sale, transfer or assignment of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the Bank to any third party.


 


1.8           “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.


 


1.9           “Company”
means any entity that, on or after the Effective Date, controls the Bank.


 




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1.10         “Company
Information” means Confidential Information and Trade Secrets.


 


1.11         “Confidential
Information” means data and information relating to the business of the Employer (which does not rise to the status of
a Trade Secret) that is or has been disclosed to the Executive or of which the Executive became aware as a consequence of or through
the Executive’s relationship to the Employer and which has value to the Employer and is not generally known to its competitors.
Confidential Information does not include any data or information that has been voluntarily disclosed to the public by the Employer
(except where such public disclosure has been made by the Executive without authorization), that has been independently developed
and disclosed by others, or that otherwise enters the public domain through lawful means.


 


1.12         “Effective
Date” means March 12, 2017.


 


1.13         “Good
Reason” means the existence of any of the following conditions preceding a termination of employment initiated by the
Executive:


 


(a)           a
material diminution in the powers, responsibilities or duties of the Executive hereunder or a material change as to whom the Executive
reports, which in the case of the Executive is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank;


 


(b)          the
failure to elect the Executive, or the removal of the Executive, as Senior Vice President of the Bank and of the Company;


 


(c)           a
material breach of the terms of this Agreement by the Employer;


 


(d)           a
change in the location of the principal office of the Executive more than 20 miles from its existing location, which the Employer
and Executive hereby agree to be a material change in the location at which the Executive provides services under this Agreement;
or


 


(e)           a
material reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary, as defined in Section 4.1(a) hereof;


 


provided, however, that no termination
of employment that is triggered by any conduct or event described in this Section 1.13 shall constitute a termination of employment
for Good Reason unless (i) the termination occurs within one year following the initial existence of one or more of the conditions
set forth above, and (ii) the Executive has first provided the Employer with the opportunity to cure the event or conduct by giving
the Employer a written notice within 90 days of the initial existence of one or more of the conditions set forth above describing
in sufficient detail the Executive’s belief that a Good Reason exists, and the Employer fails to cure the condition prior
to the expiration of a 30-day cure period, beginning with the date such notice is received by the Employer.


 




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1.14         “Permanent
Disability” means that the Executive is unable 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, as certified by a physician chosen by the Employer and reasonably acceptable to the Executive.
Permanent Disability shall also include a determination of disability that qualifies the Executive for receiving payments under
any long-term disability insurance policy maintained by the Employer under which the Executive is entitled to benefits, provided
that the definition of disability applied under that policy complies with the requirements of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(4).


 


1.15         “Trade
Secrets” means information including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data, formulas, patterns, compilations,
programs, devices, methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, financial plans, product plans or lists of actual
or potential customers or suppliers which:


 


(a)           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


 


(b)           is
the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.


 


1.16         “Treasury
Regulation” means 26 C. F. R., the regulations promulgated under the Code.


 


2.            DUTIES.


 


2.1           The
Executive is employed as a Senior Vice President of Howard Bank and Chief Credit Officer, reports to and is subject to the direction
of the Chief Executive Officer, and must perform and discharge well and faithfully the duties which may be assigned to the Executive
from time to time by the Employer in connection with the conduct of its business.


 


2.2           In
addition to the duties and responsibilities specifically assigned to the Executive pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the Executive
must:


 


(a)           devote
substantially all of the Executive’s time, energy and skill during regular business hours to the performance of the duties
of the Executive’s employment (reasonable vacations and reasonable absences due to illness excepted) and faithfully and industriously
perform such duties;


 


(b)           diligently
follow and implement all management policies and decisions communicated to the Executive by the Chief Executive Officer and the
Board; and


 


(c)           timely
prepare and forward to the Chief Executive Officer and to the Board all reports and accounting as may be requested of the Executive.


 


2.3           The
Executive must devote the Executive’s entire business time, attention and energies to the Business of the Employer and must
not during the Term of this Agreement be engaged (whether or not during normal business hours) in any other business or professional
activity, whether or not such activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage; but this will not be construed
as preventing the Executive from:


 




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(a)           investing
the Executive’s personal assets in businesses which are not in competition with the Business of the Employer and which will
not require any services on the part of the Executive in their operation or affairs and in which the Executive’s participation
is solely that of an investor;


 


(b)           purchasing
securities in any corporation whose securities are regularly traded provided that such purchase will not result in Executive collectively
owning beneficially at any time five percent (5%) or more of the equity securities of any business in competition with the Business
of the Employer; and


 


(c)           participating
in civic and professional affairs and organizations and conferences, preparing or publishing papers or books or teaching, subject
to any directions or limitations that might be established by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board from time to time.


 


3.            TERM
AND TERMINATION.


 


3.1           Term.
The initial term of this Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and expire on March 11, 2018. Commencing on March 12, 2018
and continuing on each March 12th thereafter (in each case an “Anniversary Date”), this Agreement shall be extended
for one additional year unless written notice that the Agreement will not be extended is provided to the Executive at least 60
days prior to such Anniversary Date. The initial term and any extensions thereof made pursuant to this Section 3.1 are referred
to as the “Term.” The Employer’s election not to extend this Agreement shall not constitute termination of the
Executive’s employment for purposes of this Agreement, including termination for Cause, and shall not constitute “Good
Reason” in connection with any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Executive.


 


3.2           Termination.
The employment of the Executive under this Agreement may be terminated prior to the expiration of the Term only as follows, subject
to the conditions set forth below:


 


3.2.1        By
the Employer:


 


(a)         for
Cause at any time, upon written notice to the Executive, including the notice provided for in Section 1.6(c), in which event the
Employer will have no further obligation to the Executive except for the payment of any amounts due and owing under Section 4 on
the effective date of the termination; or


 


(b)         without
Cause at any time, upon written notice to the Executive, in which event the Employer will be required to make the termination payments
(i) under Section 3.7(b) if the termination is effective within 12 months following a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise under
Section 3.7(a).


 


3.2.2        By
the Executive:


 


(a)         for
Good Reason as provided in Section 1.13, in which event the Employer will be required to make the termination payments (i) under
Section 3.7(b) if the termination is effective within 12 months following a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise under Section 3.7(a);
or


 




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(b)         without
Good Reason, in which event the Employer will have no further obligation to the Executive except for payment of any amounts due
and owing under Section 4 on the effective date of the termination.


 


3.2.3        By
the Executive within 12 months following a Change in Control; provided that the Executive gives at least 30 days’ prior written
notice to the Employer of the Executive’s intention to terminate employment with such resignation to be effective immediately
at the end of such 30-day period, in which event the Employer will have no further obligation to the Executive except for payment
of any amounts due and owing under Section 4 on the effective date of the termination.


 


3.2.4        At
any time upon mutual, written agreement of the parties, in which event the Employer will have no further obligation to the Executive
except for the payment of any amounts due and owing under Section 4 on the effective date of termination unless otherwise set forth
in the written agreement.


 


3.2.5        Immediately
upon the Executive’s death, in which event the Employer will have no further obligation to the Executive except for the payment
of any amounts due and owing under Section 4 on the effective date of termination. Additionally, in such event, all of the Executive’s
stock awards and stock options shall immediately vest upon the effective date of such termination.


 


3.2.6        By
either the Employer or the Executive upon the Permanent Disability of the Executive, in which event the Employer will be required
to make the termination payments under Section 3.7(c).


 


3.3           Effect
of Termination. Termination of the employment of the Executive pursuant to Section 3.2 will be without prejudice to any right
or claim that may have previously accrued to either the Employer or the Executive hereunder and will not terminate, alter, supersede
or otherwise affect the terms and covenants and the rights and duties prescribed in this Agreement.


 


3.4           Suspension
With Pay. Nothing contained herein will preclude the Employer from releasing the Executive of the Executive’s normal
duties and suspending the Executive, with pay, during the pendency of any investigation or examination to determine whether or
not Cause exists for termination of the Executive.


 


3.5           Suspension
Without Pay. If Executive is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Employer’s
affairs by a notice served under Section 8(e)(3) or (g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the Employer’s
obligations under this Agreement will be suspended as of the date of service thereof, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings.
If the charges in such notice are dismissed, the Employer may in its sole discretion:


 


(a)           pay
the Executive all or part of the compensation withheld while its contract obligations were suspended; and/or


 




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(b)           reinstate
(in whole or in part) any of its obligations that were suspended.


 


3.6           Other
Regulatory Requirements.


 


(a)           If
the Bank is in default, as defined in Section (3)(x)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, all obligations under this Agreement
will terminate as of the date of such default, but no vested rights of the Executive will be affected. Further, all obligations
under this Agreement will be terminated, except, to the extent determined that continuation of the Agreement is necessary for the
continued operation of the Bank:


 


(i)          by
the Director (the “Director”) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or his or her designee,
at the time the FDIC enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act; or


 


(ii)         by
the Director or his or her designee, at the time the Director or his or her designee approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems
relating to the operation of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Director to be in an unsafe or unsound condition.


 


(b)           If
any payment hereunder is determined to violate any regulatory requirement applicable to the Employer, the Employer may decline
to make such payment or amend the amount or timing of such payment to comply with such regulatory requirements.


 


3.7           Termination
Payments.


 


(a)           In
the event and only in the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer pursuant to Section 3.2.1(b)
or by the Executive pursuant to Section 3.2.2(a) and a Change in Control has not occurred, then, in addition to any amounts due
and owing to the Executive under Section 4, commencing with the first payroll date immediately following the effective date of
such termination the Employer will pay to the Executive as severance pay and liquidated damages a monthly amount equal to 1/12th
of the sum of (i) the Executive’s average Base Salary (as defined below) during the current and two prior fiscal years and
(ii) the average bonus paid to the Executive by the Employer (not including the payment provided for under Section 4.1(a)(ii))
during the current and two prior fiscal years, in accordance with the Employer’s normal payroll practices for a period equal
to the greater of (A) the remaining Term or (B) one year.


 


(b)          In
the event and only in the event that a Change in Control has occurred and within 12 months of such Change in Control the Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Employer pursuant to Section 3.2.1(b) or by the Executive pursuant to Section 3.2.2(a), the Executive
shall be entitled to payment of any amounts due and owing to the Executive under Section 4 on the effective date of such termination
and a lump sum payment equal to 1.5 times the sum of (i) the Executive’s average Base Salary (as defined below) during the
current and two prior fiscal years and (ii) the average bonus paid to the Executive by the Employer (not including the payment
provided for under Section 4.1(a)(ii)) during the current and two prior fiscal years, and shall be paid such lump sum payment by
the Employer within ten days of the effective date of termination of employment. In addition: (i) all of the Executive’s
stock awards shall immediately vest; (ii) all of the Executive’s unexercised stock options shall become immediately exercisable;
and (iii) Employer shall continue the Executive’s medical coverage for a period of 18 months following the Executive’s
termination at the same level as available to employees of the Employer.


 




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(c)           In
the event and only in the event that the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer or the Executive pursuant to
Section 3.2.6, then the Employer will pay to the Executive any amounts due and owing under Section 4 on the effective date of termination
and, commencing with the first payroll date immediately following the effective date of such termination, the Employer will pay
to the Executive as severance pay and liquidated damages: (i) a one-time payment of an amount equal to the greater of the Executive’s
target or actual bonus for the year in which employment terminates, pro-rated for the months elapsed in the annual bonus period
at the time employment terminates; and (ii) a monthly amount equal to 1/12th of the Executive’s then-current Base
Salary (as defined below) in accordance with the Employer’s normal payroll practices for a period equal to the lesser of
(A) the remaining Term or (B) the date on which the Executive begins to receive payments under any disability insurance or other
program maintained by the Employer. The Employer will also continue all health, dental, vision and disability insurance, profit-sharing
plans, retirement, and all other benefits that the Executive was receiving at the time the Executive’s employment is terminated
pursuant to Section 3.2.6 or pay to the executive, in accordance with the Employer’s normal payroll practices, the value
thereof for a period equal to the lesser of (i) the remaining Term or (ii) the date on which the Executive begins to receive payments
under any disability insurance or other program maintained by the Employer. Additionally in such event, all of the Executive’s
stock awards shall immediately vest and all of the Executive’s unexercised stock options shall become immediately exercisable.


 


(d)           Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if the Executive is a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, no amount payable under
Section 3.7(a), (b) or (c) shall be paid before the date that is six months after the effective date of termination of employment,
or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s death, except to the extent that this Agreement may permit payments within that
period without causing any amount payable pursuant to this Agreement to be included in the Executive’s gross income pursuant
to Section 409A(a)(1)(A) of the Code prior to the year in which the payments are received by the Executive. Any payment deferred
under this Section 3.7(d) shall be paid on the Employer’s first normal payroll date after the six-month date or the date
of the Executive’s death, as applicable.


 


3.8           Calculation
of Payment Amount; Certain Adjustments of Payment Amount. If it is determined that any payment or distribution by the Employer
to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or otherwise) is subject to the limitations of Section 280G of the Code (a “Parachute Payment”), the following provisions
will apply:


 


(a)           If
the aggregate present value of Parachute Payments is less than or equal to the 280G limit, then no adjustment to the amount of
such Parachute Payments shall be made.


 


(b)           If
the aggregate present value of Parachute Payments is greater than the 280G limit, such Parachute Payments shall be reduced to an
amount, the present value of which maximizes the aggregate present value of Parachute Payments without causing such Parachute Payments
to exceed the 280G limit.


 




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For purposes of this Section
3.8, “present value” shall be determined in accordance with Code Section 280G(d)(4), and the “280G limit”
is the amount that can be paid under this Agreement or otherwise without causing any amount to be nondeductible under Code Section
280G or subject to excise tax under Code Section 4999.


 


4.            COMPENSATION
AND BENEFITS.


 


4.1           Compensation.
The Executive will receive the following salary and benefits:


 


(a)           Base
Salary.


 


(i)          During
the Term, the Executive will receive a base salary at the rate of $210,000.00 per annum, payable in substantially equal installments
in accordance with the Bank’s regular payroll practices (“Base Salary”). The Executive’s Base Salary will
be reviewed by the Board (or a committee of the Board comprised solely of disinterested members, hereinafter the “Committee”)
annually, and the Executive will be entitled to receive annually an increase in such amount, if any, as may be determined by the
Board or the Committee.


 


(b)           Incentive
Compensation. The following bonuses and other compensation to which the Executive is entitled are referred to herein as
“Incentive Compensation”:


 


(i)          The
Executive will also be entitled to participate in such bonus, incentive and other executive compensation programs as are made available
to executive management of the Employer from time to time including the Howard Bank Executive Incentive Plan; and


 


4.2           Business
Expenses; Memberships. The Employer agrees to reimburse the Executive for (a) reasonable business (including travel) expenses
incurred by the Executive in the performance of the Executive’s duties hereunder and (b) the dues and business related
expenditures, including initiation fees, associated with membership in professional associations which are commensurate with the
Executive’s position; provided, however, that the Executive must, as a condition of reimbursement, submit verification of
the nature and amount of such expenses in accordance with reimbursement policies from time to time adopted by the Employer and
in sufficient detail to comply with rules and regulations promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service.


 


4.3           Vacation.
On a non-cumulative basis the Executive will be entitled to vacation in each year of this Agreement in accordance with the Bank’s
vacation policy as then in effect, during which the Executive’s Base Salary will be paid in full.


 


4.4           Benefits.
In addition to the Base Salary and Incentive Compensation, the Executive will be entitled to such benefits as may be available
from time to time for employees of the Employer. All such benefits will be awarded and administered in accordance with the Employer’s
standard policies and practices. Such benefits may include, by way of example only, health, dental, vision, profit-sharing plans,
retirement, and disability insurance benefits and such other benefits as the Employer deems appropriate.


 




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4.5           Car
Allowance. Employer shall pay the Executive $750.00 per month as a car allowance.


 


4.6           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.


 


4.7           Repayment.
In the event within 12 months of the Effective Date the Executive is terminated for Cause or voluntarily terminates employment
with the Employer without Good Reason, the Executive shall repay to the Employer any lump-sum payments made to the Executive under
Section 4 of this Agreement, within five days of such termination of employment.


 


5.            COMPANY
INFORMATION.


 


5.1           Ownership
of Information. All Company Information received or developed by the Executive while employed by the Employer will remain the
sole and exclusive property of the Employer.


 


5.2           Obligations
of the Executive. The Executive agrees (a) to hold Company Information in strictest confidence, (b) not to use, duplicate,
reproduce, distribute, disclose or otherwise disseminate Company Information or any physical embodiments thereof and (c) not to
take or fail to take any action with respect to Confidential Information that would result in any Company Information losing its
character or ceasing to qualify as Confidential Information or a Trade Secret. In the event that the Executive is required by law
to disclose any Company Information, the Executive will not make such disclosure unless (and then only to the extent that) the
Executive has been advised by the Company’s legal counsel that such disclosure is required by law and then only after prior
written notice is given to the Employer when the Executive becomes aware that such disclosure has been requested and is required
by law. This Section 5 will survive the termination of employment with respect to Confidential Information for so long as it remains
Confidential Information, but for no longer than three (3) years following termination of employment, and this Section 5 will
survive termination of employment with respect to Trade Secrets for so long as is permitted by the then-current Maryland Trade
Secrets Act.


 


5.3           Delivery
upon Request or Termination. Upon request by the Employer, and in any event upon termination of employment with the Employer,
the Executive will promptly deliver to the Employer all property belonging to the Employer, including without limitation, all Company
Information then in the Executive’s possession or control.


 




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6.            NON-COMPETITION.
The Executive agrees that during the Term hereunder and, in the event of the Executive’s termination of employment, by the
Employer for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason, during the period of one (1) year from and after the effective date
of such termination, the Executive will not (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of the Employer), within the
Area, either directly or indirectly, on the Executive’s own behalf or in the service or on behalf of others, as a principal,
partner, officer, director, manager, supervisor, administrator, consultant, executive employee or in any other capacity which involves
duties and responsibilities similar to those undertaken for the Employer, engage in any business which is the same as or essentially
the same as the Business of the Employer. In the event that the employment relationship is terminated by the Employer without Cause
or by the Executive for Good Reason, the duration of the non-competition obligation set forth in this Paragraph 6 shall be equal
to the number of months of any severance pay and/or liquidated damages that the Employer may, in its sole discretion, pay to the
Executive.


 


7.            NON-SOLICITATION
OF CUSTOMERS. The Executive agrees that during the Term hereunder and, in the event of the Executive’s termination of
employment for any reason, during the period of one (1) year from and after the effective date of such termination, the Executive
will not (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of the Employer), within the Area, on the Executive’s own
behalf or in the service or on behalf of others, solicit, divert or appropriate or attempt to solicit, divert or appropriate,
directly or by assisting others, any business from any of the Employer’s customers, including actively sought prospective
customers, with whom the Executive has or had material contact during the last two (2) years of the Executive’s employment,
for purposes of providing products or services that are competitive with those provided by the Employer.


 


8.            NON-SOLICITATION
OF EXECUTIVES. The Executive agrees that during the Term hereunder and, in the event of the Executive’s termination
of employment for any reason, during the period of (1) year from and after the effective date of such termination, the Executive
will not, except for Executive’s Administrative Assistant, within the Area, on the Executive’s own behalf or in the
service or on behalf of others, solicit, recruit or hire away or attempt to solicit, recruit or hire away, directly or by assisting
others, any employee of the Employer, whether or not such employee is a full-time employee or a temporary employee of the Employer
and whether or not such employment is pursuant to written agreement and whether or not such employment is for a determined period
or is at will.


 


9.            REMEDIES.
The Executive agrees that the covenants contained in Sections 5 through 9 of this Agreement are of the essence of this Agreement;
that each of the covenants is reasonable and necessary to protect the business, interests and properties of the Employer; and
that irreparable loss and damage will be suffered by the Employer should the Executive breach any of the covenants. Therefore,
the Executive agrees and consents that, in addition to all the remedies provided by law or in equity, the Employer will be entitled
to a temporary restraining order and temporary and permanent injunctions to prevent a breach or contemplated breach of any of
the covenants. The Employer and the Executive agree that all remedies available to the Employer or the Executive, as applicable,
will be cumulative.


 


10.          SEVERABILITY.
The parties agree that each of the provisions included in this Agreement is separate, distinct and severable from the other provisions
of this Agreement and that the invalidity or unenforceability of any Agreement provision will not affect the validity or enforceability
of any other provision of this Agreement. Further, if any provision of this Agreement is ruled invalid or unenforceable by a court
of competent jurisdiction because of a conflict between the provision and any applicable law or public policy, the provision will
be redrawn to make the provision consistent with and valid and enforceable under the law or public policy.


 




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11.          NO
SET-OFF BY THE EXECUTIVE. The existence of any claim, demand, action or cause of action by the Executive against the Employer,
or any Affiliate of the Employer, whether predicated upon this Agreement or otherwise, will not constitute a defense to the enforcement
by the Employer of any of its rights hereunder.


 


12.          NOTICE.
All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing and, if mailed by prepaid first-class
mail or certified mail, return receipt requested, will be deemed to have been received on the earlier of the date shown on the
receipt or three business days after the postmarked date thereof. In addition, notices hereunder may be delivered by hand,
facsimile transmission or overnight courier, in which event the notice will be deemed effective when delivered or transmitted.
All notices and other communications under this Agreement must be given to the parties hereto at the following addresses:


 


If to the Employer:


 


Howard Bank


 


6011 University Boulevard


Suite 370


Ellicott City, MD 21043


 


Attn: Chief Executive Officer,
Lead Independent Director and Governance Committee Chair


 


With copy to:


 


Frank C. Bonaventure,
Jr.


Baker Donelson


100 Light Street


Baltimore, Maryland
21202


 


If to the Executive:


 


Steven M. Poynot


2419 Valley View Way


Ellicott City, MD
21043


 


13.          ASSIGNMENT.
Neither party hereto may assign or delegate this Agreement or any of its rights and obligations hereunder without the written
consent of the other party hereto.


 


14.          WAIVER.
A waiver by the Employer of any breach of this Agreement by the Executive will not be effective unless in writing, and no waiver
will operate or be construed as a waiver of the same or another breach on a subsequent occasion.


 




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15.          ARBITRATION.
Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, will be settled by binding arbitration
before a single arbitrator in accordance with the Employment Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The decision
of the arbitrator will be final and binding on the parties, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered
by any court having jurisdiction thereof.


 


16.          ATTORNEYS’
FEES. In the event that the parties have complied with this Agreement with respect to arbitration of disputes and litigation
ensues between the parties concerning the enforcement of an arbitration award and the Executive must employ separate legal counsel,
the Employer shall advance to the Executive, within 30 days after receiving copies of invoices submitted by Executive, any and
all reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred with preparing, investigating and litigating such action, proceeding
or suit. The Executive must reimburse the Employer for any and all advances that exceed the first $5,000 advanced to the Executive
for such legal expenses only if and to the extent that a final decision by a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that
the Executive is not entitled to receive any amounts due or to enforce any of the rights under this Agreement.


 


17.          APPLICABLE
LAW. This Agreement will be construed and enforced under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland. The parties
agree that any appropriate state court located in Howard County, Maryland, will have jurisdiction of any case or controversy arising
under or in connection with this Agreement and will be a proper forum in which to adjudicate such case or controversy. The parties
consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.


 


18.          INTERPRETATION.
Words importing the singular form shall include the plural and vice versa. The terms “herein”, “hereunder”,
“hereby”, “hereto”, “hereof” and any similar terms refer to this Agreement. Any captions,
titles or headings preceding the text of any article, section or subsection herein are solely for convenience of reference and
will not constitute part of this Agreement or affect its meaning, construction or effect.


 


19.          ENTIRE
AGREEMENT. This Agreement embodies the entire and final agreement of the parties on the subject matter stated in the Agreement.
No amendment or modification of this Agreement will be valid or binding upon the Employer or the Executive unless made in writing
and signed by both parties. All prior understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter of this Agreement are hereby
expressly terminated.


 


20.          RIGHTS
OF THIRD PARTIES. Nothing herein expressed is intended to or will be construed to confer upon or give to any person, firm
or other entity, other than the parties hereto and their permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this
Agreement.


 


21.          SURVIVAL.
The obligations of the Executive pursuant to Sections 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 will survive the termination of the employment of the Executive
hereunder for the period designated under each of those respective sections.


 


[Signature Page Follows]


 




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IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the Employer and the Executive have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first shown above.


 


	 	Employer:
	 	 	 
	 	HOWARD BANK
	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Mary Ann Scully
	 	 	Mary Ann Scully
	 	 	Chief Executive Officer


 


	 	Executive:
	 	 
	 	/s/ Steven M. Poynot
	 	Steven M. Poynot


 




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