EX-10.97


 Exhibit 10.97 
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the
“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 18th day of April, 2013, by and among Steven K. Buster (the “Executive”), on the one hand, and Pacific Mercantile Bancorp, a California corporation (“PMB”) and Pacific Mercantile Bank, a
California banking corporation (the “Bank”), on the other hand (Executive, PMB and the Bank collectively, the “Parties”). 
 RECITALS 
 WHEREAS, PMB is a bank holding company registered under the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, subject to the primary supervision and regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”). 
 WHEREAS, Bank is a California chartered commercial bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of PMB, subject to the primary supervision and regulation of the California Department of Financial Institutions
(“CDFI”) and the FRB by virtue of its membership in the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. 
 WHEREAS, it is the
intention of the Parties to enter an employment agreement for the purposes of assuring the services of Executive as the President and Chief Executive Officers of PMB and the Bank on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, based on the foregoing premises and in consideration of the mutual covenants and representations
contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows: 
 1. Term. Bank and PMB (collectively and individually referring
to each of the Bank and PMB (the “Employer”) hereby employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment with Employer, under the terms of this Agreement. The term of this Agreement shall be for a period of three (3) years (the
“Initial Term”), commencing as of April 29, 2013 (the “Effective Date”) subject to the termination provisions of paragraph 4. Upon the occurrence of the third annual anniversary of the Effective Date, and on each anniversary
date thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall be deemed automatically extended for an additional twelve (12) month term (each an “Extended Term”), subject to the termination provisions of paragraph 4, unless, not later than sixty
(60) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term, or any Extended Term, Employer or Executive shall have given notice to the other that the Initial Term or any Extended Term shall not be so extended. The term of this Agreement, as in
effect from time to time in accordance with the foregoing, shall be referred to herein as the “Term”. The period of time between the Effective Date and the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder shall be referred to
herein as the “Employment Period.” 
 2. Employment. 

(a) Positions and Reporting. Executive shall be employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and PMB,
respectively. During the Employment Period, Executive shall report directly to the boards of directors of the Bank and PMB (the “Board”), or a committee thereof, specifically authorized to direct the Executive. Executive shall also serve
as a director of the Bank and PMB, subject to satisfaction of applicable election requirements additional compensation (excluding the payment or reimbursement of any expenses incurred by the Executive) for his services as a director of the Bank, PMB
or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates. 
 (b) Authority and Duties. Executive shall exercise such authority, perform
such executive duties and functions and discharge such responsibilities as are reasonably associated with Executive’s position as President and Chief Executive Officer, commensurate with the authority vested in Executive pursuant to this
Agreement and consistent with the bylaws of the Bank and PMB. During the Employment Period, Executive shall devote his full business time, skill and efforts to the business of Employer and shall not during the Employment Period engage in any other
business activities, duties, or pursuits whatsoever, or directly or indirectly render any services of a business, commercial, or professional nature to any other person or organization, whether for compensation or otherwise, without the prior
written consent of the Board of Directors of Employer (the “Board”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may (i) serve in any capacity with any civic, educational or charitable organization, or any trade association, without
seeking or obtaining approval by the Board, provided such activities and service do not materially interfere or 






 
conflict with the performance of his duties hereunder and (ii) with the approval of the Board serve on the boards of directors of other corporations that are not involved in commercial
banking or similar business activities; provided, however, Executive shall not directly or indirectly acquire, hold, or retain any beneficial interest in any business competing with or similar in nature to the business of Employer except passive
shareholder investments in other financial institutions and their respective affiliates which no not exceed three percent (3%) of the outstanding voting securities in the aggregate in any single financial institution and its affiliates on a
consolidated basis. 
 (c) Executive hereby represents and agrees that the services to be performed hereunder are of a special,
unique, unusual, extraordinary, and intellectual character that gives them a peculiar value, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in damages in an action at law. Executive therefore expressly agrees that Employer, in
addition to any other rights or remedies that Employer may possess, shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief to prevent or remedy a breach of this Agreement by Executive. 

3. Compensation and Benefits. 
 (a) Salary. During the Initial Term Executive shall receive an annual base salary of $450,000 payable in equal semimonthly payments (the “Base Salary”). Such Base Salary shall be subject
to review in the eleventh (11th) month after the Effective Date, and at each anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter, or during Employee’s normal officer review period, for possible adjustment by the Board in its sole discretion based
on various factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, the consolidated results of operations of PMB and the performance of Executive, but shall in no event be decreased from the level set forth above during the Initial Term. All
payments of Base Salary shall be subject to applicable adjustments for withholding taxes, pro-rations for any partial payment periods and such other applicable payroll procedures of the Bank. 

(b) Salary Continuation During Disability. If Executive for any reason (except as expressly provided below) becomes temporarily or
permanently disabled so that he is unable to perform the duties under this Agreement, Executive shall be paid the Base Salary otherwise payable to Executive pursuant to subparagraph 3(a) of this Agreement, reduced by the amounts received by
Executive from state disability insurance, or worker’s compensation or other similar insurance benefits through policies provided by Employer, for a period of six (6) months from the date of disability. For purposes of this paragraph 3(b),
“disability” shall be defined as provided in the Employer’s disability insurance program. 
 (c) Cash
Incentive Payments. Executive shall be eligible to receive annual incentive amounts in the form of cash awards based upon the satisfaction of performance criteria (the “Performance Goals”) that will be established by the Board in its
sole discretion and in consultation with the Executive at the beginning of each year. The maximum target incentive payments available shall be up to 50% of Executive’s annual Base Salary then in effect, as determined in the sole discretion of
the Board. Performance Goals will include goals consistent with the Bank’s business plan for the year, as established by the Bank’s management and subject to the review and approval of the Board. The final determinations as to the actual
corporate and individual performance against the Performance Goals shall be made by the Board in its sole discretion. Executive’s bonus, if any, shall be paid in one lump sum to Executive at such time as other executive bonuses are paid. The
Board retains the discretion to determine whether a pro- rata bonus is appropriate if the Executive is terminated or leaves the employ of the Bank prior to the annual determination of bonuses. All cash incentive payments shall be subject to
applicable adjustments for applicable withholding and payroll taxes. Notwithstanding any provision of any incentive plan or arrangement, no right of continued employment or any modification of the “at will” nature of Executive’s
employment with Employer shall be conferred upon Executive thereunder or result therefrom. 
 (d) Insurance Benefits.
During the Employment Period, Executive shall receive such group life, disability, and health (including medical, dental, vision and hospitalization), accident and disability insurance coverage and other benefits which Employer extends, as a matter
of policy, to all of its executive employees, except as otherwise provided herein, and shall be entitled to participate in all benefit and other incentive plans of the Employer, on the same basis as other like employees of Employer. 

(e) Vacation. After the first six (6) months of the Initial Term Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of annual
vacation during the Employment Period at his then existing rate of Base Salary, which shall be scheduled in Executive’s discretion, subject to and taking into account applicable banking laws and regulations and business needs. Vacation will
accrue in accordance with the Bank’s personnel policies. 

  
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 (f) Business Expenses. During the Employment Period, Employer shall promptly
reimburse the Executive for all documented ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of his duties under this Agreement. Executive shall also be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in activities
associated with promoting the business of Employer, including expenses for entertainment, travel, conventions, and educational programs. All such expenses described above will be subject to compliance with applicable policies of Employer. All such
reimbursements shall be made upon presentation and approval of receipts, invoices or other appropriate evidence of such expense in accordance with the policies of Employer in effect from time to time. 

(g) Car Allowance. The Bank shall provide the Executive with a monthly automobile allowance of $1,250.00 per month during the
Employment Period. Executive shall (A) obtain and maintain public liability insurance and property damage insurance policies with insurer(s) acceptable to Employer and with such coverage in such amounts as may be reasonably acceptable to
Employer, and (B) provide copies of such policies, endorsements or other evidence of insurance acceptable to Employer. 

(h) Club Membership. Executive and Employer agree that the Executive’s participation in the membership of a country club or
similar club will assist in promoting Employer’s business. For this reason, Employer shall be reimburse Executive for the monthly dues and expenses related to such membership up to $850 per month, as well as those reasonable entertainment
costs that are business related (without regard, however, to whether such costs are deductible for income tax purposes), provided that appropriate documentation is provided regarding the entertainment costs. 

(i) Stock Options. PMB shall grant to Executive one or more non-qualified stock options (the “Stock
Option Agreement”) to purchase up to 400,000 of the PMB’s duly authorized and reserved shares of common stock pursuant to PMB’s 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The exercise price of such Stock Option Agreement shall
be equal to the fair market value price of such the shares covered by the Stock Option Agreement at the date of grant. The Stock Option Agreement shall have a term of ten (10) years. Thirty-three and one-third percent (33 1/3%) of the granted options shall vest and become exercisable on each of the annual anniversary dates of the grant date. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement or this
Agreement or any other stock option or equity award agreement to the contrary, no right of continued employment or any modification of the “at will” nature of Executive’s employment with Employer shall be conferred upon Executive
thereunder or result therefrom. 
 (j) Moving Expenses. Employer shall directly pay for the reasonable direct
moving expenses incurred by Executive and his family to relocate once from Lafayette, California, to a location in Orange County. For purposes of this subparagraph 3(j) “moving expenses” means the standard cost of packing, shipping
household items, furniture, appliances, clothing, and the like. All such reimbursements shall be made upon presentation and approval of receipts, invoices or other appropriate evidence of such expenses, which approval will not be withheld
unreasonably. 
 4. Termination of Employment. 
 (a) Termination for Cause. The Board of Bank and/or PMB may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for “Cause” or without “Cause.” For purposes of this Agreement
termination for “Cause” shall mean (i) conviction of a crime directly related to his employment hereunder, (ii) conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, (iii) willful and gross mismanagement of the business and
affairs of Employer, (iv) willful and intentional violation of any state or federal banking or securities laws, or of the bylaws, rules, policies or resolutions of Bank or PMB, or the rules or regulations of or any final order issued by the
FRB, the CDFI, or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and (v) breach of any material provision of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, no act, or the failure to act, on Executive’s part shall be considered
“willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the action or omission was in the best interests of Employer. Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and
until there shall have been delivered to him a notice of termination, which shall include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the members of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held
for that purpose (which may be telephonic) finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, Executive engaged in conduct justifying termination for Cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. In the event employment of Executive is
terminated pursuant to this subparagraph 4(a), Employer shall have no further liability to Executive other than for compensation accrued and for reimbursement of business expenses incurred through the date of termination but not yet paid.
Termination under this subparagraph 4(a) shall not prejudice any remedy that the Employer may have at law, in equity, or under this Agreement. 

  
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 (b) Termination by Employer Without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason. Employer
may terminate the employment of Executive without “Cause” (as defined in subparagraph 4(a)) at any time during the Employment Period by giving written notice to Executive specifying therein the effective date of termination. Executive
shall have the right at any time to terminate his employment with the Bank for any reason or for no reason. For purposes of this Agreement, and subject to Employer’s opportunity to cure as provided in Section 4(c) hereof, Executive shall
have “Good Reason” to terminate his employment hereunder if such termination shall be the result of: 
 (i) a
material diminution during the Employment Period in the Executive’s title, duties or responsibilities as set forth in Section 2 hereof without Executive’s consent; 

(ii) a material breach by Employer of the compensation and benefits provisions set forth in Section 3 hereof; 

(iii) a material breach by Employer of any material terms of this Agreement; or 

(iv) the relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment to any location more than 50 miles from the Bank’s
headquarters at the Effective Date. 
 (c) Notice and Opportunity to Cure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be a
condition precedent to Employer’s right to terminate this Agreement under subparagraph 4(a)(iv) and Executive’s right to terminate his employment for “Good Reason” that (1) the party alleging a breach shall first have given
the other party written notice stating with specificity the reason for the termination (“breach”) and (2) if such breach is susceptible of cure or remedy, a period of 30 days from and after the giving of such notice to cure the
breach. If the breach cannot reasonably be cured or remedied within 30 days, the period for remedy or cure shall be extended for a reasonable time (not to exceed 30 days), provided the party against whom a breach is alleged has made and continues to
make a diligent effort to effect such remedy or cure. 
 (d) Termination Upon Death or Permanent Disability. This
Agreement shall terminate automatically upon: (i) the death of Executive, and (ii) the “permanent disability” of Executive as such term is defined in the disability insurance provided by Employer, or if such insurance is not
provided by Employer, the term shall mean that Executive has been unable to perform or is likely to be unable to perform his duties under this Agreement for a period of at least 90 consecutive days or 120 days in any 180 day period. If the
Employment Period is terminated by reason of the permanent disability of the Executive, Employer shall give 30-days’ advance written notice to that effect to the Executive or his representative. 

5. Consequences of Termination. The following are the severance pay and benefits to which Executive is entitled upon termination
of employment in all positions with Employer, and such payments and benefits shall be the exclusive payments and benefits to which Executive is entitled upon such termination. Except in the case of termination of employment by Employer for Cause, or
due to death, the post-termination payments (other than those required by law) and benefits shall only be provided if the Executive first enters into a form of general release agreement reasonably satisfactory to Employer releasing Employer from any
and all claims, known and unknown, related to the Executive’s employment with the Bank. 
 (a) Termination Without Cause
or for Good Reason. In the event of termination of Executive’s employment hereunder (i) by Employer without “Cause” (other than upon death or permanent disability), or (ii) by Executive for “Good Reason,”
Executive shall be entitled to the following severance pay and benefits: 
 (i) Severance Pay – a lump sum amount
equal to twelve (12) months of the Executive’s annual Base Salary. 
 (ii) Benefits Continuation – 

 (b) Termination Upon Disability. In the event of termination of Executive’s employment hereunder by Employer on
account of permanent disability, Executive shall be entitled to the following severance pay and benefits. 

  
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 (i) Severance Pay – severance payments in the form of continuation of the
Executive’s Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to such termination for a period of 6 months following the first date of disability; and 
 (ii) Benefits Continuation – the same benefits as provided in Section 5(a)(ii) above, to be provided during the Employment Period while Executive is suffering from a permanent disability
and for a period of 6 months following the effective date of termination of employment by reason of permanent disability. 
 (c)
Termination Upon Death. In the event of termination of Executive’s employment hereunder on account of Executive’s death, Employer shall pay to Executive’s beneficiary or beneficiaries or his estate, as the case may be, the
accrued Base Salary and accrued and unused vacation earned through the date of death. Such payment shall be made no later than sixty (60) days after the date of death. In addition, Executive’s beneficiary(ies) or his estate shall be
entitled to the payment of benefits pursuant to any life insurance policy of Executive, as provided for in Section 3(c) above. Executive’s beneficiary or estate shall not be required to remit to Employer any payments received pursuant to
any life insurance policy purchased pursuant to Section 3(c) above. 
 (d) Termination for Cause or Due to End of the
Term. In the event the employment of Executive is terminated by Employer for Cause, no severance payment or benefit shall be provided in such instance. In the event the employment of Executive is terminated as a result of the expiration of the
Term, Executive shall be entitled to no severance payment or benefit of any kind notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Employer’s employee manual or policies then in effect, except as to matters such as coverage under The
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) and unused vacation required by law without reference to such manual or policies. 
 (e) Accrued Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, in the event of termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason or for no reason, Executive
shall be entitled to payment of any unpaid portion of his Base Salary through the effective date of termination, payment of any unreimbursed business expenses incurred pursuant to Section 3(d) above, and payment of any accrued but unpaid
benefits solely in accordance with the terms of any incentive bonus or employee benefit plan or program of Employer. 
 (f)
Non-assignability. Neither Executive nor any other person or entity acting on his behalf or as his representative shall have any power or right to transfer, assign, anticipate, hypothecate, mortgage, commute, modify, or otherwise encumber in
advance any of the rights or benefits of Executive under this Section 5, nor shall any of said rights or benefits be subject to seizure for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony or separate maintenance, owed by Executive or any other
person or entity, or be transferable by operation of law in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise. The terms of this Section 5(f) shall not affect the interpretation of any other provision of this Agreement. 

(g) Regulatory Restrictions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement: 

(i) If Executive is removed and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of Employer’s affairs by an order
issued under Section 8(e)(4) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”) (12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(4) and (g)(1)), all obligations of Employer under this Agreement shall terminate, as of the effective date of such order, except
for the payment of Base Salary due and owing on the effective date of said order, reimbursement of business expenses incurred as of the effective date of termination and such matters required by law. 

(ii) If Executive is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of Employer’s affairs by a notice
served under Section 8(e)(3) or 8(g)(1) of the FDIA (12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(3) and (g)(1)), all obligations of Employer under this Agreement shall be suspended as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in
the notice are dismissed, Employer shall (i) pay Executive all or part of the compensation withheld while its contract obligations were suspended and (ii) reinstate (in whole or in part) any of its obligations which were suspended.

 (iii) If Bank is in default (as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the FDIA), all obligations under this Agreement shall
terminate as of the date of default, but the vested rights of the parties shall not be affected. 
 (iv) All obligations under
this Agreement shall be terminated, except to the extent a determination is made that continuation of the contract is necessary for the continued operation of Employer (i) by the 

  
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director of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) or his or her designee (the “Director”), at the time the FDIC enters into an agreement to provide assistance
to or on behalf of Employer under the authority contained in 13(c) of the FDIA; or (ii) by the Director, at the time the Director approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of Employer when the Employer is determined
by the Director to be in an unsafe and unsound condition. Any rights of the Executive that have already vested, however, shall not be affected by such action. 
 (v) No payments shall be made pursuant to this paragraph 5 or any other provision herein in violation of the requirements of Section 18(k) (12 U.S.C. §1828(k)). 

(h) IRC Section 280G. In no event shall the payment(s) described in this paragraph 5 exceed the amount permitted by
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 280G”). Therefore, if the aggregate present value (determined as of the date of the change of control in accordance with the provisions of Section 280G) of
both the severance payment and all other payments to Executive in the nature of compensation which are contingent on a change in ownership or effective control of Bank or PMB or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank or
PMB (the “Aggregate Severance”) would result in a “parachute payment,” as defined under Section 280G, then the Aggregate Severance shall not be greater than an amount equal to 2.99 multiplied by Executive’s “base
amount” for the “base period,” as those terms are defined under Section 280G. In the event the Aggregate Severance is required to be reduced pursuant to this subparagraph 5(h), the last payments in time shall be reduced first.

 (i) Conditions to Severance Benefits. The Bank shall have the right to seek repayment of the severance payments and
benefits or to terminate payments or benefits provided by this paragraph 5 in the event that the Executive fails to honor, in accordance with their terms, the provisions of paragraphs 6 or 9 hereof. 

(j) Allocation of Payment Obligations Between Bank and PMB. Employer’s payment obligations to Executive hereunder shall be
allocated between them to reflect the relative responsibilities, time spent by Executive between the two entities and their affiliates, as well as other factors deemed relevant by the Boards of Bank and PMB; provided, however, each of Bank and PMB
shall be jointly and severally liable to Executive for Employer’s obligations hereunder. 
 6. Confidentiality.
Executive agrees that he will not at any time during the Employment Period or at any time thereafter for any reason, in any fashion, form or manner, except as required by law to comply with legal process, either directly or indirectly, divulge,
disclose or communicate to any person, firm, corporation or other business entity, in any manner whatsoever, any financial information or trade or business secrets, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the techniques, methods
or systems of its operation or management, any information regarding its financial matters, customer lists, computer software, or any other information concerning the business or operations of Employer, its subsidiaries, affiliates and any of its
customers, governmental relations, customer contacts, underwriting methodology, loan program configuration and qualification strategies, marketing strategies and proposals, its manner of operation, its plans or other material data, or any other
information concerning the business of the Employer, its subsidiaries or affiliates, and the Employer’s goodwill (the “Business”). The provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply to (i) information disclosed in the
performance of Executive’s duties to Employer based on his good faith belief that such a disclosure is in the best interests of Employer; (ii) information that is, at the time of the disclosure, public knowledge; (iii) information
disseminated by Employer to third parties in the ordinary course of business; (iv) information lawfully received by Executive from a third party who, based upon inquiry by Executive, is not bound by a confidential relationship to Employer or
otherwise improperly received the information; or (v) information disclosed under a requirement of law or as directed by applicable legal authority having jurisdiction over Executive. In the event Executive is required by law to disclose such
information described above, Executive will provide Employer and their counsel with immediate notice of such request so that they may consider seeking a protective order. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may disclose such information
concerning the business or operations of Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates as may be required by the FRB, CDFI, FDIC or other regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the operations of Employer in connection with an examination of Bank
or PMB or other proceeding conducted by such regulatory agency. 
 Executive agrees that all written, printed or electronic
material, notebooks and records including, without limitation, computer disks, used and/or developed by Executive for Employer during the Term of this Agreement, other than Executive’s personal address lists, telephone lists, notes and diaries,
are solely the property of Employer, and that Executive has no right, title or interest therein. Upon termination of Executive’s employment, Executive or Executive’s representative shall promptly deliver possession of all such materials
(including any copies thereof) to the Bank. 

  
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 7. Key-man Life Insurance. Employer shall have the right to obtain and hold a
“key- man” life insurance policy on the life of Executive with the Bank as beneficiary of the policy. Executive agrees to provide any information required for the issuance of such policy and submit himself to any physical examination
required for such policy. 
 8. Unsecured General Creditor. Neither Executive nor any other person or entity shall have
any legal right or equitable rights interests or claims in or to any property or assets of Employer under the provisions of this Agreement. No assets of Employer shall be held under any trust for the benefit of Executive or any other person or
entity or held in any way as security for the fulfilling of the obligations of Employer under this Agreement. All of Employer’s assets shall be and remain the general, unpledged, unrestricted assets of Employer. Employer’s obligations
under this Agreement are unfunded and unsecured promises, and to the extent such promises involve the payment of money, they are promises to pay money in the future. Executive and any person or entity claiming through him shall be unsecured general
creditors with respect to any rights or benefits hereunder. 
 9. Business Protection Covenants. 

(a) Covenant Not to Compete. Executive agrees that he will not, during the Employment Period, voluntarily or involuntarily,
directly or indirectly, (i) engage in any banking or financial products or service business, loan origination or deposit-taking business or any other business competitive with that of the Bank, PMB or their subsidiaries or affiliates
(“Competitive Business”) within Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County and San Bernardino County (the “Market Area”), (ii) directly or indirectly own any interest in (other than less than three percent
(3%) of any publicly traded company or mutual fund), manage, operate, control, be employed by, or provide management or consulting services in any capacity to any firm, corporation, or other entity (other than Employer or its subsidiaries or
affiliates) engaged in any Competitive Business in the Market Area, or (iii) directly or indirectly solicit or otherwise intentionally cause any employee, officer, or member of the Board or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to engage in any
action prohibited under (i) or (ii) of this paragraph 9(a). 
 (b) Inducing Employees To Leave The Bank; Employment
of Employees. Any attempt on the part of the Executive to induce others to leave Employer’s employ, or the employ of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or any effort by Executive to interfere with Employer’s relationship with its
other employees would be harmful and damaging to Employer. Executive agrees that during the Employment Period and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, Executive will not in any way, directly or indirectly: (i) induce or attempt
to induce any employee of the Employer or any of its subsidiaries of affiliates to quit employment with Employer or the relevant subsidiary or affiliate; (ii) otherwise interfere with or disrupt the relationships between Employer and its
subsidiaries and affiliates and their respective employees; (iii) hire or engage any employee of Employer or any subsidiary or affiliate or any former employee of Employer or any subsidiary or affiliate whose employment with Employer or the
relevant subsidiary or affiliate ceased less than twelve (12) months before the date of such hiring or engagement. 
 (c)
Nonsolicitation of Business. For a period of twelve (12) months from the date of termination of employment, Executive will not divert or attempt to divert from Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, any business Employer or a
relevant subsidiary or affiliate had enjoyed or solicited from its customers, borrowers, depositors or investors during the twelve (12) months prior to termination of his employment. 

(d) Bank’s Ownership of Inventions. To the extent that Executive has intellectual property rights of any kind in any
pre-existing works which are subsequently incorporated in any work or work product produced in rendering services to Bank, PMB or any their subsidiaries or affiliates, Executive hereby grants Bank a royalty-free, irrevocable, world- wide, perpetual
non-exclusive license (with the right to sublicense), to make, have made, copy, modify, use, sell, license, disclose, publish or otherwise disseminate or transfer such subject matter. Similarly, Executive agrees that all inventions, discoveries,
improvements, trade secrets, original works of authorship, developments, formulae, techniques, processes, and know-how, whether or not patentable, and whether or not reduced to practice, that are conceived, developed or reduced to practice during
Executive’s employment with Employer, either alone or jointly with others, if on Employer’s time, using Employer’s facilities, or relating to Employer shall be owned exclusively by the Bank, and Executive hereby assigns to the Bank
all of Executive’s right, title and interest throughout the world in all such intellectual property. Executive agrees that the Bank shall be the sole owner of all domestic and foreign patents or other rights pertaining thereto, and further
agrees to execute all documents that the Bank 

  
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reasonably determines to be necessary or convenient for use in applying for, prosecuting, perfecting, or enforcing patents or other intellectual property rights, including the execution of any
assignments, patent applications, or other documents that the Bank may reasonably request. This provision is intended to apply to the extent permitted by applicable law and is expressly limited by Section 2870 of the California Labor Code,
which is set forth in its entirety in Exhibit A to this Agreement. By signing this Agreement, Executive acknowledges that this Paragraphs shall constitute written notice of the provisions of Section 2870. 

(e) Bank’s Ownership of Copyrights. Executive agrees that all original works of authorship not otherwise within the scope of
paragraph 9(d) above that are conceived or developed during Executive’s employment with Employer, either alone or jointly with others, if on Employer’s time, using Employer facilities, or relating to Employer, or its subsidiaries or
affiliates, are “works for hire” to the greatest extent permitted by law and shall be owned exclusively by the Bank, and Executive hereby assigns to the Bank all of Executive’s right, title, and interest in all such original works of
authorship. Executive agrees that the Bank shall be the sole owner of all rights pertaining thereto, and further agrees to execute all documents that the Bank reasonably determines to be necessary or convenient for establishing in the Bank’s
name the copyright to any such original works of authorship. 
 10. Resignations. The Executive agrees that upon
termination of employment, for any reason, he will submit his resignations from all offices and directorships with the Bank, PMB and all of their subsidiaries and affiliates. 
 11. Other Agreements. The Parties further agree that to the extent of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any employee manual or policy of Employer, that the terms of this Agreement shall
supersede the terms of such employee manual or policy. 
 12. Notice. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices,
demands and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or (unless otherwise specified) mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, or sent by facsimile, provided that the facsimile cover sheet contains a notation of the date and time of transmission, and shall be deemed received: (i) if personally delivered, upon the date of delivery to the address of the person
to receive such notice, (ii) if mailed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 13, two (2) business days after the date placed in the United States mail, (iii) if mailed other than in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 13 or mailed from outside the United States, upon the date of delivery to the address of the person to receive such notice, or (iv) if given by facsimile, when sent. Notices shall be addressed as follows: 

If to the Employer: 
 Pacific Mercantile Bank 
 949 South Coast Drive 

Third Floor 

Costa Mesa, California, 92626 
 Attn: Chairman of the Board of Directors 
 If to the Executive, to: 

At his address as set forth in the employment records of the Bank. 
 or to such other respective addresses as the Parties hereto shall designate to the other by like notice, provided that notice of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt thereof.

 13. Arbitration. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement, the inception or
termination of the Executive’s employment, or any alleged discrimination or tort claim related to such employment, including issues raised regarding the Agreement’s formation, interpretation or breach, shall be settled exclusively by
binding arbitration in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). Without limiting the foregoing, the following potential claims by Executive would be
subject to arbitration under the Arbitration Agreement: claims for wages or other compensation due; claims for breach of any contract or covenant (express or implied) under which the Executive believes he would be entitled to compensation or
benefits; tort claims related to such employment; claims for discrimination and harassment (including, but not limited to, race, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status or medical condition, disability,


  
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sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law); claims for benefits (except where an employee benefit or pension plan specifies that its claims
procedure shall culminate in an arbitration or other procedure different from this one); and claims for violation of any public policy, federal, state or other governmental law, statute, regulation or ordinance. The arbitration will be conducted in
Orange County, California. The arbitration shall provide for written discovery and depositions adequate to give the Parties access to documents and witnesses that are essential to the dispute. The arbitrator shall have no authority to add to or to
modify this Agreement, shall apply all applicable law, and shall have no lesser and no greater remedial authority than would a court of law resolving the same claim or controversy. The arbitrator shall issue a written decision that includes the
essential findings and conclusions upon which the decision is based, which shall be signed and dated. Executive and the Bank shall each bear his or its own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in conducting the arbitration and, except in such
disputes where Executive asserts a claim otherwise under a state or federal statute prohibiting discrimination in employment (“a Statutory Claim”), or unless required otherwise by applicable law, shall split equally the fees and
administrative costs charged by the arbitrator and AAA. In disputes where Executive asserts a Statutory Claim against the Bank, Executive shall be required to pay only the AAA filing fee to the extent such filing fee does not exceed the fee to file
a complaint in state or federal court. Executive shall pay the balance of the arbitrator’s fees and administrative costs. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction. 

14. Waiver of Breach. Any waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall not be construed to be a continuing waiver or consent to
any subsequent breach on the part either of the Executive or of Employer. No delay or omission in the exercise of any power, remedy, or right herein provided or otherwise available to any party shall impair or affect the right of such party
thereafter to exercise the same. Any extension of time or other indulgence granted to a party hereunder shall not otherwise alter or affect any power, remedy or right of any other party, or the obligations of the party to whom such extension or
indulgence is granted except as specifically waived. 
 15. Non-Assignment; Successors. Neither party hereto may assign
his or its rights or delegate his or its duties under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however, that: (i) this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns
of Employer upon any sale of all or substantially all of Employer’s assets, or upon any merger, consolidation or reorganization of Bank or PMB with or into any other corporation, all as though such successors and assigns of the Bank and PMB and
their respective successors and assigns were the Bank or PMB; and (ii) this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs, assigns or designees of Executive to the extent of any payments due to them hereunder. As used in
this Agreement, the term “Bank”, “PMB” or “Employer” shall be deemed to refer to any such successor or assign of the Bank, PMB or Employer referred to in the preceding sentence. 

16. Withholding of Taxes. All payments required to be made by Employer to the Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to
the withholding and deduction of such amounts, if any, relating to tax, and other payroll deductions as Employer may reasonably determine it should withhold and/or deduct pursuant to any applicable law or regulation (including, but not limited to,
Executive’s portion of social security payments and income tax withholding) now in effect or which may become effective any time during the term of this Agreement. 
 17. Section 409A. If Executive determines, in good faith, that any compensation or benefits provided by this Agreement may result in the application of Section 409A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Executive shall provide written notice thereof (describing in reasonable detail the basis therefor) to Employer, and Employer shall, in consultation with Executive, modify this Agreement in
the least restrictive manner necessary in order to exclude such compensation from the definition of “deferred compensation” within the meaning of such Section 409A of the Code or in order to comply with the provisions of
Section 409A of the Code, other applicable provision(s) of the Code and/or any rules, regulations or other regulatory guidance issued under such statutory provisions and without any diminution in the value of the payments to Executive. Any
payments that, under the terms of this Agreement, qualify for the “short-term” deferral exception under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), the “separation pay” exception under Treasury Regulations
Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) or another exception under Section 409A of the Code will be paid under the applicable exceptions to the greatest extent possible. Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for
purposes of Section 409A of the Code. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of Executive’s separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, Executive is considered a
“specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, and if any payment that Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement is considered deferred compensations subject to interest, penalties and
additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A of the Code as a result of the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then no such payment shall be payable 

  
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prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day Executive’s separation from service or (ii) Executive’s death. In no event shall the date of termination of
Executive’s employment be deemed to occur until Executive experiences a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the date on which
such separation from service takes place shall be the Date of Termination. All reimbursements provided under this Agreement shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, including, where applicable, the
requirement that (A) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement during one calendar year will not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year; (B) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will
be made no later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense is incurred; and (C) the right to any reimbursement will not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Employer makes no representation or covenant to ensure that the payments and benefits under this Agreement are exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code. 

18. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, regulation, and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Bank and
PMB, Bank and PMB as appropriate shall pay as and when incurred all expenses, including legal and attorney costs, incurred by, or shall satisfy as and when entered or levied a judgment or fine rendered or levied against, Executive in an action
brought by a third party against Executive (whether or not the Bank is joined as a party defendant) to impose a liability or penalty on Executive for an act alleged to have been committed by Executive while an officer of the Bank; provided, however,
that Executive was acting in good faith, within what Executive reasonably believed to be the scope of Executive’s employment or authority and for a purpose which the Executive reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Bank or the
Bank’s shareholders, and in the case of a criminal proceeding, that the Executive had no reasonable cause to believe that Executive’s conduct was unlawful. Payments authorized hereunder include amounts paid and expenses incurred in
settling any such action or threatened action. All rights hereunder are limited by any applicable state or Federal laws. 
 19.
Severability. To the extent any provision of this Agreement or portion thereof shall be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be considered deleted therefrom (but only for so long as such provision or portion thereof shall be invalid or
unenforceable) and the remainder of such provision and of this Agreement shall be unaffected and shall continue in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law if enforcement would not frustrate the overall intent of the Parties (as
such intent is manifested by all provisions of the Agreement including such invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable portion). 

20. Payment. All amounts payable by the Bank to Executive under this Agreement shall be paid promptly on the dates required for
such payment in this Agreement without notice or demand. Any salary, benefits or other amounts paid or to be paid to Executive or provided to or in respect of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall not be reduced by amounts owing from
Executive to Bank. 
 21. Expenses. Each party shall pay his or its own fees and expenses incurred by him or it in the
drafting, review and negotiation of this Agreement. 
 22. Authority. Each of the Parties hereto hereby represents that
each has taken all actions necessary in order to execute and deliver this Agreement. 
 23. Counterparts. This Agreement
may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. 
 24. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to the choice of law principles thereof.

 25. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement and written agreements, if any, entered into concurrently herewith
constitute the entire agreement by Employer, on the one hand, and Executive on the other hand with respect to the subject matter hereof and merges and supersedes any and all prior discussions, negotiations, agreements or understandings between
Executive and Employer with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by Executive and Employer. With regard to such amendments, alterations, or
modifications, facsimile signatures shall be effective as original signatures. Any amendment, alteration, or modification requiring the signature of more than one party may be signed in counterparts. 

  
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 26. Further Actions. Each party agrees to perform any further acts and execute and
deliver any further documents reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement. 
 27. Time of Essence.
Time is of the essence of each and every term, condition, obligation and provision hereof. 
 28. No Third Party
Beneficiaries. This Agreement and each and every provision hereof is for the exclusive benefit of the Parties and not for the benefit of any third party. 
 29. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience, and in no way define, limit, or extend or interpret the scope of this Agreement or of any particular
provision hereof. 
 30. Regulatory Approval of this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge and agree that entry into this
Agreement is and payment of severance under paragraph 5 may be subject to receipt of approval from the FRB pursuant to Section 1828(k) and Part 359 of the FDIC Rules and Regulations and the CDFI. If such approval is not obtained or is subject
to modifications specified by the FRB or the CDFI the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith to amend this Agreement to provide for substantially equivalent terms consistent with regulatory requirements. 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written
above. 
  

			
	 PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANK

		
	By:	 	 /s/ EDWARD J. CARPENTER

	Name:	 	Edward J. Carpenter
	Title:	 	Chairman of the Board
	
	PACIFIC MERCANTILE BANCORP
		
	By:	 	 /s/ EDWARD J. CARPENTER

	Name:	 	Edward J. Carpenter
	Title:	 	Chairman of the Board
	
	EXECUTIVE:
	
	 /s/ STEVEN K. BUSTER

	Steven K. Buster


  
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 EXHIBIT A 

California Labor Code § 2870 Employment agreements; assignment of rights 

(a) Any provision in an employment agreement which provides that an employee shall assign, or offer to assign, any of his or her rights
in an invention to his or her employer shall not apply to an invention that the employee developed entirely on his or her own time without using the employer’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information except for those
inventions that either: 
 (1) Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the invention to the employer’s
business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the employer; or 
 (2) Result from any work
performed by the employee for the employer. 
 (b) To the extent a provision in an employment agreement purports to require an
employee to assign an invention otherwise excluded from being required to be assigned under subdivision (a), the provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable. 

  
 A-1