Unassociated Document



Exhibit 10.5


 


November 5, 2009


 


Kit M. Cole


32 Heron Drive


Mill Valley, Ca. 94941


 


RE: Offer of Employment: Chief Executive Officer Circle Bancorp


 


Dear Kit:


 


    Circle Bank is pleased to present this offer of employment for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), reporting to the Board of Directors of Circle Bancorp. This is an exempt position carrying considerable responsibility and is integral to our continued business development and success. We are excited about your interest in joining Circle Bancorp and are confident that you will be an important addition to our team. This Letter formally presents the specifics of our offer of employment with important details that you will want to consider:


 




	 	

Title:



	

Chief Executive Officer, Circle Bancorp




	 	

Duties:



	

Direct the Growth and Acquisition Activities and Capital




	 	  	

Raising Activities of the Firm




	 	

Rate of Pay:



	

$175,000 annual base salary (14,583.33 monthly)




	 	

Status:



	

Regular, Employee; Exempt




	 	

Supervisor:



	

Board of Directors Circle Bancorp




	 	

Start Date:



	

November 5, 2009




	 	

Location:



	

Novato




	 	

Benefits:



	

In accordance with company policies as specified in the Employee Handbook, plan guidelines, and elsewhere from time to time. Also, note any exceptions to policy agreed to during negotiations.











 


Professional Contribution


 


    You agree that you will, at all times and to the best of your abilities, loyally and conscientiously perform all of the duties and obligations required of you pursuant to the express and implicit terms of this Letter, and to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company.


 


At-Will Employment Status


 


    Your employment with the Company is “at-will” and will continue only so long as continued employment is mutually agreeable to you and the Company. Either you or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause.


 




  





  











  







Kit M. Cole 


Page 2



 


Compensation




  


 




	 	1.	Base Salary. You will be paid a monthly Base Salary of $14,583.33. Your salary will be payable in two equal payments per month pursuant to the Company’s regular payroll policy.
	 	 	 
	 	2.	Bonus.
	 	 	 
	 	 	

Cash Compensation:







 



	 	 	 	●	$125,000 for managing the Preferred Stock Capital raise of Circle Bancorp, to be earned and paid ratably upon an initial $10,000,000 goal. Bonus payable at close of offering.
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	●	$175,000 per $100 million in assets, deposits, branches, financial institutions, including FDIC assisted transactions for managing Board approved acquisitions.1 Bonuses are calculated ratably and are payable at the close of each transaction.
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	●	Auto allowance - The Company will pay $500 per month for a car allowance.
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	3. 	Warrants (or equivalent)
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	●	

60,000 warrants (or warrant equivalent) entitling the holder to acquire 60,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.58,2 exercisable until November 5, 2019, earned on the first day of employment.


	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	●	

Up to an additional 100,000 warrants (or warrant equivalents) entitling the holder to acquire up to an additional 100,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $ 1.58 exercisable until November 5, 2019, to be issued ratably with the cash bonuses, allocated at 41.67% available for leading the capital raise and 58.33% for closing acquisitions as those Performance Goals are met.





  


Benefits








 


    The Company will provide you with a benefit package that includes, but is not limited to, health and dental benefits that begins upon the date of hire in addition to holidays, and paid time off (e.g., vacation, sick time.) The details of the Company’s health and welfare benefit policies are described in a separate letter, and any applicable Summary Plan Descriptions.


 



 





	 	1.	Paid Holidays. The Company has identified 10 days of paid holiday benefits per calendar year.
	 	 	 
	 	2.	Paid Time Off (PTO). The Company recognizes the importance of time off for vacation, illness or to attend personal commitments. You will be eligible to accrue 13.33 hours of paid vacation per month (20 days per full year worked). In addition you will be eligible for a grant of 4 hours of paid sick time per month.





 




  







1  Compensation will continue to be earned on a prorated basis if the maximum targets are exceeded.




2 The book value per share as of September 30, 2009.


 




  





  











  






Kit M. Cole 


Page 3


 



 


	 	3.	401K. The Company will match up to 5% of employee contribution per the guidelines of the Plan.





 


Confidential Information and invention Assignment Agreement


 


Your acceptance of this offer and commencement of employment with the Company is contingent upon the maintenance of an executed copy of the Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement and the “Proprietary Agreement” signed copies of which are currently on file.


 


Arbitration


 


    You agree to make arbitration the exclusive remedy for the resolution of any disputes, which may arise between the Company and you. Your signature below and on the enclosed Dispute Resolution/Arbitration Agreement confirms your agreement to utilize the arbitration procedure specified in both the Employment Application and the Employee Handbook for resolution of any disputes related to your employment. Please take the time necessary to review these policies, and ask any questions before signing this document and the Dispute Resolution/Arbitration Agreement.


 


    Kit, we are delighted to be able to extend this offer of employment to you and sincerely feel Circle Bancorp can provide you with the opportunity to achieve rewarding results for both you and the Company. Please contact me with any questions. We look forward to working with you.


 


Sincerely,





Arthur Chatham, Chairman, Compensation Committee 


Board of Directors of Circle’ Bancorp


 


The undersigned individually hereby accepts the Company’s employment offer as detailed above. The undersigned acknowledges that there is no agreement between the Company and the undersigned for any definite period of employment and that the undersigned’s employment may be terminated at any time, with or without cause.


 



 




	SIGNATURE: 		 	DATE: 11/5/09
	 	 	 	 
	PRINT NAME:	KIT M COLE