f10kprwt031609draft.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing


 



Exhibit 10.14.1

PREMIERWEST BANK

EXECUTIVE SURVIVOR INCOME AGREEMENT

          THIS EXECUTIVE SURVIVOR INCOME AGREEMENT is made this 12th day of November, 2002, by and between PremierWest Bank, an Oregon-chartered, FDIC-insured bank with its main office in Medford, Oregon (the “Bank”), and Rich Hieb (the “Executive”).

          WHEREAS, to encourage the Executive to remain an employee of the Bank, the Bank is willing to provide benefits to the Executive’s beneficiary(ies) if (i) the Executive dies prior to terminating employment, or (ii) if the Executive dies after Termination of Employment provided the Executive terminated employment due to Disability, Change in Control, or attaining Normal Retirement Age. The Bank will pay the benefits from its general assets, but only so long as one of its general assets is a life insurance policy on the Executive’s life.

AGREEMENT

              The Executive and the Bank agree as follows:

Article 1

Definitions

                  Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings specified:



                   1.1         “Change in Control” means if any one of the following events occurs:



                                  (a) Merger. Premier West Bancorp (“Bancorp”) merges into or consolidates with another

                   corporation, or merges another corporation into Bancorp, and as a result less than 50% of the combined

                   voting power of the resulting corporation immediately after the merger or consolidation is held by persons

                   who were the holders of Bancorp’s voting securities immediately before the merger or consolidation,



                                  (b) Acquisition of Significant Share Ownership. (1) a report on Schedule 13D or another form or

                   schedule (other than Schedule 13G) is filed or is required to be filed under sections 13(d) or 14(d) of the

                   Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if the schedule discloses that the filing person or persons acting in

                   concert has or have become the beneficial owner of 25% or more of a class of Bancorp’s voting securities,

                   or (2) a person or persons acting in concert has or have become the beneficial owner of 10% or more of a

                   class of Bancorp’s voting securities and the person or the person’s or group’s nominee becomes the

                   Chairman of the Board of Bancorp, but this paragraph (b) shall not apply to beneficial ownership of voting

                   shares of Bancorp held in a fiduciary capacity by an entity in which Bancorp directly or indirectly

                   beneficially owns 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities,



                                  (c) Change in Board Composition. during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who

                   constitute Bancorp’s board of directors at the beginning of the two-year period cease for any reason to

                   constitute at least a majority thereof; provided, however, that — for purposes of this paragraph (c) — each

                   director who is first elected by the board (or first nominated by the board for election by stockholders) by a

                   vote of at least two-thirds (b) of the directors who were directors at the beginning of the period shall be

                   deemed to have been a director at the beginning of the two-year period, or



                                 (d) Sale of Assets. Bancorp sells to a third party all or substantially all of Bancorp’s assets. For

                   this purpose, sale of all or substantially all of Bancorp’s assets includes sale of the shares or assets of the

                   Bank.

              1.2        “Disability” means the Executive suffers a sickness, accident, or injury which has been determined by the carrier of any individual or group disability insurance policy covering the Executive, or by the Social Security Administration, to be a disability rendering the Executive disabled. The Executive must submit proof to the Bank of the carrier’s or the Social Security Administration’s determination upon the request of the Bank.




 

                   1.3      “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the events or conditions described in clauses (a)

through (f) hereof without the Executive’s express written consent –



                   (a)        a material reduction in Executive’s title or responsibilities;



                   (b)        a reduction in base salary as in effect on the date of a Change in Control;



                   (c)         relocation of the Bank’s principal executive offices, or requiring the Executive to change his

                   principal work location, to any location that is more than 15 miles from the location of the Bank’s principal

                   executive offices on the date of this Agreement;



                   (d)         the failure by the Bank to continue to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits

                   substantially similar to those provided to him under any of the employee benefit plans in which the

                   Executive becomes a participant, or the taking of any action by the Bank which would directly or indirectly

                   materially reduce any of such benefits or deprive the Executive of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by

                   him at the time of the Change in Control; or



                   (e)         the failure of the Bank to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor or assignee of the

                   Bank to assume and agree to perform this Agreement.



                   1.4         "Normal Retirement Age" means the Executive’s 62nd birthday.



                   1.5         "Normal Retirement Date" means the later of the Normal Retirement Age or Termination of Employment.

              1.6         “Termination for Cause” means the definition of termination for cause specified in any employment agreement existing on the date hereof or hereafter entered into between the Executive and the Bank. If the Executive is not a party to an employment agreement containing a definition of termination for cause, Termination for Cause means the Bank has terminated the Executive’s employment for any of the following reasons:

                   (a)           Gross negligence or gross neglect of duties;



                   (b)           Commission of a felony or of a gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; or



                   (c)           Fraud, disloyalty, or willful violation of any law or significant Bank policy committed in

                                  connection with the Executive’s employment and resulting in an adverse effect on the Bank.

                   1.7          “Termination of Employment” with the Bank means that the Executive shall have ceased to be employed by the Bank for any reason whatsoever, excepting a leave of absence approved by the Bank. For purposes of this Agreement, if there is a dispute over the employment status of the Executive or the date of termination of the Executive’s employment, the Bank shall have the sole and absolute right to decide the dispute, unless a Change in Control shall have occurred.

Article 2

Entitlement to Benefit

               2.1           Pre-Termination of Employment Survivor Income Benefit. If the Executive dies in active service to the Bank, the Bank shall pay to the Executive’s designated beneficiary in a single lump sum the survivor income benefit described in Section 2.5.1.

               2.2           Disability Continuation. If the Executive terminates employment due to Disability and then dies, the Bank shall pay to the Executive’s designated beneficiary in a single lump sum the survivor income benefit described in Section 2.5.2.

2




 

             2.3        Change in Control Continuation. If the Executive’s employment with the Bank terminates involuntarily within 24 months after a Change in Control (excepting Termination for Cause) or in the event the Executive terminates employment voluntarily for Good Reason within 24 months after such Change in Control, the Bank shall pay the Executive’s designated beneficiary the survivor income benefit described in Section 2.5.2 following the Executive’s death.

             2.4        Normal Retirement Benefit. If the Executive terminates employment on or after Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall pay to the Executive’s designated beneficiary in a single lump sum the survivor income benefit described in Section 2.5.2 following the Executive’s death.

             2.5        Amount of Benefits. The Bank shall pay one of the following benefits to the Executive’s beneficiary in a single lump sum within 90 days following submission of a proof of a claim substantiating the Executive’s death.

                  2.5.1     Pre-Retirement Death Benefit. If the Executive was employed by the Bank at the time of death,

                               the death benefit shall be $250,000.



                  2.5.2     Post-Retirement Death Benefit. If the Executive was no longer employed by the Bank at the time

                               of death but had terminated employment

                               •          due to Disability,

                               •           involuntarily within two years after Change in Control, or in the event the Executive had

                                           terminated employment voluntarily for Good Reason within two years of such Change in

                                           Control, or

                               •           on or after Normal Retirement Age,

                               the death benefit shall be $250,000.

Article 3

Beneficiaries

              3.1      Beneficiary Designations. The Executive shall designate a beneficiary by filing a written designation with the Bank. The Executive's beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the beneficiary predeceases the Executive or if the Executive names a spouse as beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved. If the Executive dies without a valid beneficiary designation, all payments shall be made to the Executive's estate.

              3.2      Facility of Payment. If a benefit is payable to a minor, to a person declared incompetent, or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of his or her property, the Bank may pay such benefit to the guardian, legal representative, or person having the care or custody of such minor, incompetent person or incapable person. The Bank may require proof of incompetence, minority, or guardianship as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Such distribution shall completely discharge the Bank from all liability with respect to such benefit.

Article 4

General Limitations

             4.1      Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not pay any benefit under this Agreement if Termination of Employment is due to the Executive’s actions resulting in Termination for Cause.

             4.2      Suicide or Misstatement. The Bank shall not pay any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive commits suicide within three years after the date of this Agreement. In addition, the Bank shall not pay any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive has made any material misstatement of fact on any application or resume provided to the Bank, or on any application for any benefits provided by the Bank to the Executive.

                 4.3       Removal. If the Executive is removed from office or permanently prohibited from participating in

3




 

the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e)(4) or (g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. §1818(e)(4) or (g)(1), all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate as of the effective date of the order.

                4.4            Insolvency. If the Commissioner of the Oregon Department of Banking appoints the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as receiver for the Bank under Oregon Revised Statutes section 711.405, all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of the Bank’s declared insolvency.

                4.5            Termination of Participation. The Executive’s rights under this Agreement shall cease if the Executive’s employment with the Bank is terminated prior to the Normal Retirement Age, except as provided in section 2.2 (termination because of Disability) or section 2.3 (termination within 24 months after a Change in Control).

Article 5

Claims and Review Procedures

                5.1             Claims Procedure. A participant or beneficiary (“claimant”) who has not received benefits under the Agreement that he or she believes should be paid shall make a claim for such benefits as follows:

                      5.1.1          Initiation – Written Claim. The claimant initiates a claim by submitting to the Bank a written

                                        claim for the benefits.



                      5.1.2          Timing of Bank Response. The Bank shall respond to such claimant within 90 days after receiving

                                        the claim. If the Bank determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing

                                        the claim, the Bank can extend the response period by an additional 90 days by notifying the

                                        claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 90-day period, that an additional period is

                                        required. The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which

                                        the Bank expects to render its decision.



                      5.1.3          Notice of Decision. If the Bank denies part or all of the claim, the Bank shall notify the claimant in

                                        writing of such denial. The Bank shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be

                                        understood by the claimant. The notification shall set forth:



                                        (a) The specific reasons for the denial;



                                        (b) A reference to the specific provisions of the Agreement on which the denial is based;



                                        (c) A description of any additional information or material necessary for the claimant to perfect

                                         the claim and an explanation of why it is needed;



                                        (d) An explanation of the Agreement’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such

                                         procedures; and



                                        (e) A statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA (Employee Retirement

                                          Income Security Act) Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on review.

                      5.2               Review Procedure. If the Bank denies part or all of the claim, the claimant shall have the opportunity for a full and fair review by the Bank of the denial, as

                                          follows:



                      5.2.1            Initiation – Written Request. To initiate the review, the claimant, within 60 days after receiving the Bank’s notice of denial, must file with the Bank a written 

                                          request for review.

                      5.2.2            Additional Submissions – Information Access. The claimant shall then have the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records, 

                                           and other information relating to the claim. The Bank shall also provide the claimant, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all

4



 
 

documents, records, and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the

claimant’s claim for benefits.



5.2.3     Considerations on Review. In considering the review, the Bank shall take into account all

materials and information the claimant submits relating to the claim, without regard to whether such

information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.



5.2.4     Timing of Bank Response. The Bank shall respond in writing to such claimant within 60 days

after receiving the request for review. If the Bank determines that special circumstances require

additional time for processing the claim, the Bank can extend the response period by an additional 60

days by notifying the claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 60-day period, that an additional

period is required. The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which

the Bank expects to render its decision.



5.2.5     Notice of Decision. The Bank shall notify the claimant in writing of its decision on review. The

Bank shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant. The

notification shall set forth:



             (a) The specific reasons for the denial;



             (b) A reference to the specific provisions of the Agreement on which the denial is based;



             (c) A statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable

             access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant (as defined in

             applicable ERISA regulations) to the claimant’s claim for benefits; and



             (d) A statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a).

Article 6

Miscellaneous

               6.1      Amendments and Termination. The Bank may amend or terminate this Agreement at any time if, pursuant to legislative, judicial, or regulatory action, continuation of the Agreement would (i) cause benefits to be taxable to the Executive prior to actual receipt, or (ii) result in significant financial penalties or other significantly detrimental ramifications to the Bank (other than the financial impact of paying the benefits).

               6.2      Binding Effect. This Agreement shall bind the Executive and the Bank and their beneficiaries, survivors, executors, administrators and transferees.

               6.3      No Guarantee of Employment. This Agreement is not a contract for employment. It does not give the Executive the right to remain an employee of the Bank, nor does it interfere with the Bank's right to discharge the Executive. It also does not require the Executive to remain an employee nor interfere with the Executive's right to terminate employment at any time.

               6.4      Non-Transferability. Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or encumbered in any manner.

               6.5      Successors; Binding Agreement. By an assumption agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive, the Bank will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Bank to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank would be required to perform this Agreement if no such succession had occurred.

                    6.6      Tax Withholding. The Bank shall withhold any taxes that are required to be withheld from

                    thebenefits provided under this Agreement.

5




 

6.7      Applicable Law. Except to the extent preempted by the laws of the United States of America, the

validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and

construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Oregon, without giving effect to the principles of

conflict of laws of such state.



6.8      Unfunded Arrangement. The Executive’s beneficiary(ies) are general unsecured creditors of

theBank for the payment of benefits under this Agreement. The benefits represent the mere promise by the

Bank to pay such benefits. The rights to benefits are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation,

sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by creditors. Any insurance on

the Executive's life is a general asset of the Bank to which the Executive and the Executive’s

beneficiary(ies) have no preferred or secured claim.



6.9      Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Bank and

theExecutive as to the subject matter hereof. No rights are granted to the Executive’s beneficiary by virtue

of this Agreement other than those specifically set forth herein.

                 6.10    Administration. The Bank shall have all powers which are necessary to administer this 

Agreement, including but not limited to:

           (a) Interpreting the provisions of the Agreement;



           (b) Establishing and revising the method of accounting for the Agreement;



           (c) Maintaining a record of benefit payments; and



           (d) Establishing rules and prescribing any forms necessary or desirable to administer the

           Agreement.



6.11     Named Fiduciary. For purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, if

            applicable, the Bank shall be the named fiduciary and plan administrator under this Agreement

            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 ministerial

            duties to qualified individuals.

                 6.12       Severability. If for any reason any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement not held so invalid, and each such other provision shall, to the full extent consistent with the law, continue in full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid in part, such invalidity shall in no way affect the remainder of such provision, not held so invalid and the remainder of such provision, together with all other provisions of this Agreement shall, to the full extent consistent with the law, continue in full force and effect.

                 6.13       Headings. The headings of Sections herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

                 6.14       Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand or mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, with postage prepaid, to the following addresses or to such other address as either party may designate by like notice.

                                                   (a) If to the Bank, to:

6




 

             Board of Directors

             PremierWest Bank

             P.O.Box40

             Medford, Oregon 97501-0003



(b)        If to the Executive, to:

             _________________________________

             _________________________________

             _________________________________



            and to such other or additional person or persons as either party shall have

            designated to the other party in writing by like notice.

                    6.15     IRC §1035 Exchanges. The Executive recognizes and agrees that the Bank may after this

Agreement is adopted wish to exchange the policy of life insurance on the Executive’s life for another contract of

life insurance insuring the Executive’s life. Provided that the policy is replaced (or intended to be replaced) with a

comparable policy of life insurance, the Executive agrees to provide medical information and cooperate with

medical insurance-related testing required by a prospective insurer for implementing the policy or, if necessary, for

modifying or updating to a comparable insurer.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a duly authorized Bank officer have signed this Agreement.

				
	                   Executive: 	 	 	Bank: 
				
	 	 	 	PremierWest Bank 
	By________________________________ 	 	By:_______________________________
	John L. Anhorn 	                             Its:__________________________________
	Title______________________________ 	 	 	 



AGREEMENT TO COOPERATE WITH INSURANCE UNDERWRITING INCIDENT TO I.R.C. §1035 EXCHANGE

     I acknowledge that I have read the Executive Income Survivor Agreement and agree to be bound by its terms, particularly the covenant on my part set forth in section 6.15 of the Executive Income Survivor Agreement to provide medical information and cooperate with medical insurance-related testing required by an insurer to issue a comparable insurance policy to cover the benefit provided under this Executive Income Survivor Agreement.

 ___________________________                                                             ___________________________

 Witness                                                                                                             Executive

7




 

Beneficiary Designation

PremierWest Bank

EXECUTIVE SURVIVOR INCOME AGREEMENT

     I designate the following as beneficiary of benefits under this Agreement payable following my death:



          Primary: _______________________________________________________________________

          ________________________________________________________________________________



          Contingent: _____________________________________________________________________

          ________________________________________________________________________________



Note: To name a trust as beneficiary, please provide the name of the trustee(s) and the exact name and date

          of the trust agreement.



          I understand that I may change these beneficiary designations by filing a new written designation with the

Bank. I further understand that the designations will be automatically revoked if the beneficiary predeceases me, or

if I have named my spouse as beneficiary and our marriage is subsequently dissolved.

	Signature_____________________________ 	 
		
	Date_________________________________ 	 
		
	Received by the Bank this_________ day of ___________________, 2006. 
		
	By__________________________________ 	 
		
	Title_________________________________ 	 



8