**EXHIBIT (10)(ix)**

 

**LIFE INSURANCE**

 

**ENDORSEMENT METHOD SPLIT DOLLAR PLAN**

 

**AGREEMENT**

 

 

The respective rights and duties ofthe Bank and the Insured in the above-referenced policy shall be pursuant to the terms set forth below: 

 

 

Refer to the policy contract for the definition of any terms in this Agreement that are not defined herein. If a definition of a term in the policy isinconsistent with the definition of a term in this Agreement, then the definition of the term as set forth in this Agreement shall supersede and replace the definition of the terms as set forth in the policy. 

 

 

Title and ownership shall reside in the Trustee for the Rabbi Trust for the Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreement, Director SupplementalRetirement Plan Agreement, and the Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan Agreement for its use and for the use of the Insured all in accordance with this Agreement. The Trustee at the direction of the Bank may, to the extent of its interest, exercisethe right to borrow or withdraw on the policy cash values. 

Where the Trustee at the direction of the Bank and the Insured (or assignee, with the consent of theInsured) mutually agree to exercise the right to increase the coverage under the subject Split Dollar policy, then, in such event, the rights, duties and benefits of the parties to such increased coverage shall continue to be subject to the terms ofthis Agreement. 

 
**III.****BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION RIGHTS**
 

The Insured (or assignee) shall have the right and power to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive the Insured’s share of the proceedspayable upon the death of the Insured, and to elect and change a payment option for such beneficiary, subject to any right or interest the Trustee at the direction of the Bank or the Trust may have in such proceeds, as provided in this Agreement.

 
**IV.****PREMIUM PAYMENT METHOD**
 

Subject to the Bank’s absolute right to surrender or terminate the policy at any time and for any reason, the Bank or the Trustee at the direction ofthe Bank shall pay an amount equal to the planned premiums and any other premium payments that might become necessary to keep the policy in force. 

 
**V.****TAXABLE BENEFIT**
 

Annually the Insured will receive a taxable benefit equal to the assumed cost of insurance as required by the Internal Revenue Service. The Bank or theTrustee at the direction of the Bank will report to the Insured the amount of imputed income each year on Form W-2 or its equivalent. 

 
**VI.****DIVISION OF DEATH PROCEEDS**
 

Subject to Paragraphs VII and IX herein, the division of the death proceeds of the policy is as follows: 

 
 A.Should the Insured be employed by the Bank at death, the Insured’s beneficiary(ies), designated in accordance with Paragraph III, shall be entitled to an amount equal toninety-five percent (95%) of the net-at-risk insurance portion of the proceeds. The net-at-risk insurance portion is the total proceeds less the cash value of the policy. 
 
 B.Should the Insured not be employed by the Bank at the time of his or her death, the Insured’s beneficiary(ies), designated in accordance with Paragraph III, shall be entitledto the percentage as set forth hereinbelow of the proceeds described in Subparagraph VI (A) above that corresponds to the number of full years the Insured has been employed by the Bank since the date of first employment and the Insured’s agewhile employed by the Bank. 
 

 

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**Number of full years from date of first employment**
 
**Vested percent**

1-16 or more and less than 60

while employed by Bank only
 
5% per year

to a maximum of 80%

Age 60 or older while

employed by Bank
 100%
 
 C.The Bank shall be entitled to the remainder of such proceeds. 
 
 D.The Bank and the Insured (or assignees) shall share in any interest due on the death proceeds on a pro rata basis as the proceeds due each respectively bears to the total proceeds,excluding any such interest. 
 
**VII.****DIVISION OF THE CASH SURRENDER VALUE OF THE POLICY**
 

The Bank or the Trust shall at all times be entitled to an amount equal to the policy’s cash value, as that term is defined in the policy contract,less any policy loans and unpaid interest or cash withdrawals previously incurred by the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank and any applicable surrender charges. Such cash value shall be determined as of the date of surrender or deathas the case may be. 

 
**VIII.****RIGHTS OF PARTIES WHERE POLICY ENDOWMENT OR ANNUITY ELECTION EXISTS**
 

In the event the policy involves an endowment or annuity element, the Bank’s or the Trust’ right and interest in any endowment proceeds orannuity benefits, on expiration of the deferment period, shall be determined under the provisions of this Agreement by regarding such endowment proceeds or the commuted value of such annuity benefits as the policy’s cash value. Such endowmentproceeds or annuity benefits shall be considered to be like death proceeds for the purposes of division under this Agreement. 

 
**IX.****TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT**
 

This Agreement shall terminate upon the occurrence of any one of the following: 

 
 A.The Insured shall be discharged from employment with the Bank for cause. The term “for cause” shall mean any of the following that result in an adverse effect on the Bank:(i) gross negligence or gross neglect; (ii) the commission of a felony or gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, fraud, or dishonesty; (iii) the willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than a traffic violation or similaroffense); (iv) an intentional failure to perform stated duties; or (v) a breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit; or 
 

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 B.Surrender, lapse, or other termination of the Policy by the Bank. 
 

Upon such termination, the Insured (or assignee) shall have a fifteen (15) day option to receive from the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bankan absolute assignment of the policy in consideration of a cash payment to the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank, whereupon this Agreement shall terminate. Such cash payment referred to hereinabove shall be the greater of: 

 
 A.The Bank’s or the Trust’s share of the cash value of the policy on the date of such assignment, as defined in this Agreement; or 
 
 B.The amount of the premiums which have been paid by the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank prior to the date of such assignment. 
 

If, within said fifteen (15) day period, the Insured fails to exercise saidoption, fails to procure the entire aforestated cash payment, or dies, then the option shall terminate and the Insured (or assignee) agrees that all of the Insured’s rights, interest and claims in the policy shall terminate as of the date ofthe termination of this Agreement. 

 

The Insured expresslyagrees that this Agreement shall constitute sufficient written notice to the Insured of the Insured’s option to receive an absolute assignment of the policy as set forth herein. 

 

Except as provided above, this Agreement shall terminate upon distribution of the death benefit proceeds in accordance withParagraph VI above. 

 
**X.****INSURED’S OR ASSIGNEE’S ASSIGNMENT RIGHTS**
 

The Insured may not, without the written consent of the Bank, assign to any individual, trust or other organization, any right, title or interest in thesubject policy nor any rights, options, privileges or duties created under this Agreement. 

 
**XI.****AGREEMENT BINDING UPON THE PARTIES**
 

This Agreement shall bind the Insured and the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank, their heirs, successors, personal representatives andassigns. 

 

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**XII.****ERISA PROVISIONS**
 

****The following provisions are part of this Agreement and are intended to meet the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of1974 (“ERISA”): 

 
 A.Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator.****
 

The “Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator” of this Endorsement Method Split Dollar Agreement shall be Home Savings Bank of Albemarle, SSBuntil its resignation or removal by the Board of Directors. As Named Fiduciary and Plan Administrator, the Bank or the Trustee at the direction of the Bank shall be responsible for the management, control, and administration of this Split DollarPlan as established herein. The Named Fiduciary may delegate to others certain aspects of the management and operation responsibilities of the Plan, including the employment of advisors and the delegation of any ministerial duties to qualifiedindividuals. 

 
 B.Funding Policy.****
 

Subject to the Bank’s absolute right to surrender or terminate the policy at any time and for any reason, the funding policy for this Split DollarPlan shall be to maintain the subject policy in force by paying, when due, all premiums required. 

 
 C.Basis of Payment of Benefits. 
 

Direct payment by the Insurer is the basis of payment of benefits under this Agreement, with those benefits in turn being based on the payment ofpremiums as provided in this Agreement. 

 
 D.Claim Procedures.****
 

Claim forms or claim information as to the subject policy can be obtained by contacting Benmark, Inc. (800-544-6079). When the Named Fiduciary has aclaim which may be covered under the provisions described in the insurance policy, they should contact the office named above, and they will either complete a claim form and forward it to an authorized representative of the Insurer or advise thenamed Fiduciary what further requirements are necessary. The Insurer will evaluate and make a decision as to payment. If the claim is payable, a benefit check will be issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. 

 

In the event that a claim is not eligible under the policy, the Insurerwill notify the Named Fiduciary of the denial pursuant to the requirements under the terms of the policy. If the Named Fiduciary is dissatisfied with the denial of the claim and wishes to contest such claim denial, they should contact the officenamed above and they will assist in making an inquiry to the Insurer. All objections to the Insurer’s actions should be in writing and submitted to the office named above for transmittal to the Insurer. 

 

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**XIII.****GENDER**
 

Whenever in this Agreement words are used in the masculine or neuter gender, they shall be read and construed as in the masculine, feminine or neutergender, whenever they should so apply. 

 
**XIV.****INSURANCE COMPANY NOT A PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT**
 

The Insurer shall not be deemed a party to this Agreement, but will respect the rights of the parties as herein developed upon receiving an executed copyof this Agreement. Payment or other performance in accordance with the policy provisions shall fully discharge the Insurer from any and all liability. 

 
**XV.****CHANGE OF CONTROL**
 

Change of Control shall be deemed to be the cumulative transfer of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Bank from the date of thisAgreement. For the purposes of this Agreement, transfers on account of death or gifts, transfers between family members, or transfers to a qualified retirement plan maintained by the Bank shall not be considered in determining whether there has beena Change of Control. Upon a Change of Control, if the Insured’s employment is subsequently terminated, except for cause, then the Insured shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in the benefits promised in this Agreement and, therefore, uponthe death of the Insured, the Insured’s beneficiary(ies) (designated in accordance with Paragraph III) shall receive the death benefit provided herein as if the Insured had died while employed by the Bank (See Subparagraph VI [A]). 

 
**XVI.****AMENDMENT OR REVOCATION**
 

Subject to the Bank’s absolute right to surrender or terminate the policy at any time and for any reason, it is agreed by and between the partieshereto that, during the lifetime of the Insured, this Agreement may be amended or revoked at any time or times, in whole or in part, by the mutual written consent of the Insured and the Bank. 

 
**XVII.****EFFECTIVE DATE**
 

The Effective Date of this Agreement shall be February 18, 2003. 

 
**XVIII.****SEVERABILITY AND INTERPRETATION**
 

If a provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall nonetheless be enforceable according to theirterms. Further, in the event that any provision is held to be over broad as written, such provision shall be deemed amended to narrow its application to the extent necessary to make the provision enforceable according to law and enforced as amended.

 

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**XIX.****APPLICABLE LAW**
 

****The validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina. 

 

Executed at Albemarle, North Carolina this 27th day of June, 2003. 

 
  **HOME SAVINGS BANK OF ALBEMARLE, SSB**  
Albemarle, North Carolina

 
 
By:
 
 

Witness
 
Title
  
 
   
/s/ R. Ronald Swanner

Witness
   
R. Ronald Swanner

 

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**BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FORM**

**FOR THE LIFE INSURANCE ENDORSEMENT METHOD**

**SPLIT DOLLAR PLAN AGREEMENT**

 
**I.****PRIMARY DESIGNATION**
*(You may refer to thebeneficiary designation information prior to completion.)*

 
 **A.****Person(s) as a Primary Designation:**
(Please indicate the percentage for each beneficiary.) 

 

Name                                                                                            Relationship                                                         /             % 

 

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                    (Street)                                                                (City)                                (State)                    (Zip) 

 

Name                                                                                            Relationship                                                         /             % 

 

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                    (Street)                                                                (City)                                (State)                    (Zip) 

 

Name                                                                                            Relationship                                                         /             % 

 

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                                    (Street)                                                                (City)                                (State)                    (Zip) 

 

Name                                                                                            Relationship                                                         /             % 

 

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                        

                                                    (Street)                                                                (City)                                (State)                    (Zip) 

 
 **B.****Estate as a Primary Designation:**
 

My Primary Beneficiary is The Estate of                                                             as set forth in the last will and testament dated the      day of                    ,              and any codicils thereto. 

 
 **C.****Trust as a Primary Designation:**
 

Name of the Trust:                                                                                                                                                                      

 

Execution Date of theTrust:      /      /             

 

Name of the Trustee:                                                                                                                                                                  

 

Beneficiary(ies) of the Trust (please indicatethe percentage for each beneficiary): 

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

Is this an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust?             Yes              No 

(If yes and this designation is for a Split Dollar agreement, an Assignment of Rights form should be completed.) 

 
**II.****SECONDARY (CONTINGENT) DESIGNATION**
 
 **A.****Person(s) as a Secondary (Contingent) Designation:**
(Please indicate the percentage for each beneficiary.) 

 

Name                                                                                            Relationship                                                         /             % 

 

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                    (Street)                                                                (City)                                (State)                    (Zip) 

Name                                                                                            Relationship                                                         /             % 

 

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                    (Street)                                                                (City)                                (State)                    (Zip) 

 

Name                                                                                            Relationship                                                         /             % 

 

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                    (Street)                                                                (City)                                (State)                    (Zip) 

 

Name                                                                                            Relationship                                                         /             % 

 

Address:                                                                                                                                                                                        

                                                    (Street)                                                                (City)                                (State)                    (Zip) 

 
 **B.****Estate as a Secondary (Contingent) Designation:**
 

My Secondary Beneficiary is The Estate of                                                             as set forth in my last will and testament dated the      day of                    ,              and any codicils thereto. 

 
 **C.****Trust as a Secondary (Contingent) Designation:**
 

Name of the Trust:                                                                                                                                                                      

 

Execution Date of theTrust:      /      /             

 

Name of the Trustee:                                                                                                                                                                  

 

Beneficiary(ies) of the Trust (please indicatethe percentage for each beneficiary): 

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

All sums payable under the Life Insurance Endorsement Method Split DollarPlan Agreement by reason of my death shall be paid to the Primary Beneficiary(ies), if he or she survives me, and if no Primary Beneficiary(ies) shall survive me, then to the Secondary (Contingent) Beneficiary(ies). This beneficiary designation isvalid until the participant notifies the bank in writing. 

 

 
  
R. Ronald Swanner
  Date