Exhibit
10.13


 


TIDELANDS BANK


SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT


 


This SALARY
CONTINUATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of this
1  day of May, 2008, by and between Tidelands Bank, a South
Carolina-chartered bank (the “Bank”), and James M. Bedsole, its Senior Vice
President and Chief Risk Officer (the “Executive”).


 


WHEREAS, the Executive has contributed
substantially to the Bank’s success and the Bank desires that the Executive
continue in its employ,


 


WHEREAS, to encourage the Executive to remain an
employee, the Bank is willing to provide to the Executive salary continuation
benefits payable from the Bank’s general assets,


 


WHEREAS, none of the conditions or events
included in the definition of the term “golden parachute payment” that is set forth
in section 18(k)(4)(A)(ii) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C.
1828(k)(4)(A)(ii)] and in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Rule 359.1(f)(1)(ii) [12
CFR 359.1(f)(1)(ii)] exists or, to the best knowledge of the Bank, is
contemplated insofar as the Bank is concerned, and


 


WHEREAS, the parties hereto intend that this
Agreement shall be considered an unfunded arrangement maintained primarily to
provide supplemental retirement benefits for the Executive, and to be
considered a non-qualified benefit plan for purposes of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).  The Executive is fully advised of the Bank’s
financial status.


 


NOW
THEREFORE, in
consideration of these premises and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Executive and the
Bank hereby agree as follows.


 


ARTICLE 1


DEFINITIONS


 


1.1          “Accrual Balance” means the liability that should be accrued
by the Bank under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for the
Bank’s obligation to the Executive under this Agreement, applying Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 12, as amended by Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 106.  The
Accrual Balance shall be calculated such that when it is credited with interest
each month the Accrual Balance at Normal Retirement Age equals the present
value of the normal retirement benefits. 
The discount rate means the rate used by the Plan Administrator for
determining the Accrual Balance.  In its
sole discretion the Plan Administrator may adjust the discount rate to maintain
the rate within reasonable standards according to GAAP.


 


1.2          “Beneficiary” means each designated person, or the estate of
the deceased Executive, entitled to benefits, if any, upon the death of the
Executive, as provided in Article 4.


 

















 


1.3          “Beneficiary Designation Form” means the form established
from time to time by the Plan Administrator that the Executive completes,
signs, and returns to the Plan Administrator to designate one or more
Beneficiaries.


 


1.4          “Change in Control” shall mean a change in control as defined
in Internal Revenue Code section 409A and rules, regulations, and guidance of
general application thereunder issued by the Department of the Treasury, including
—


 


(a)           Change in ownership:
a change in ownership of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc., a South Carolina
corporation of which the Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary, occurs on the date
any one person or group accumulates ownership of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc.
stock constituting more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting
power of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. stock, or


 


(b)           Change in effective
control: (x) any one person or more than one person acting as a
group acquires within a 12-month period ownership of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc.
stock possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc.,
or (y) a majority of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc.’s board of directors
is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or
election is not endorsed in advance by a majority of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc.’s
board of directors, or


 


(c)           Change in ownership of a
substantial portion of assets: a change in ownership of a
substantial portion of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc.’s assets occurs if in a
12-month period any one person or more than one person acting as a group
acquires from Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. assets having a total gross fair
market value equal to or exceeding 40% of the total gross fair market value of
all of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc.’s assets immediately before the
acquisition or acquisitions.  For this
purpose, gross fair market value means the value of Tidelands Bancshares, Inc.’s
assets, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard
to any liabilities associated with the assets.


 


1.5          “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and rules, regulations, and guidance of general application issued thereunder
by the Department of the Treasury.


 


1.6          “Disability”  means, because
of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected
to result in death or that can be expected to last for a continuous period of
at least 12 months, (x) the Executive is unable to engage in any
substantial gainful activity, or (y) the Executive is receiving income
replacement benefits for a period of at least three months under an accident
and health plan of the employer.  Medical
determination of disability may be made either by the Social Security
Administration or by the provider of an accident or health plan covering
employees of the Bank.  Upon request of
the Plan Administrator, the Executive must submit proof to the Plan
Administrator of the Social Security Administration’s or provider’s
determination.


 


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1.7          “Early Termination” means Separation from Service before
Normal Retirement Age for reasons other than death, Disability, or Termination
with Cause, but Early Termination excludes a Separation from Service governed
by section 2.4.


 


1.8          “Effective Date” means                                        ,
2008.


 


1.9          “Intentional,” for purposes of this Agreement, no act or
failure to act on the Executive’s part shall be deemed to have been intentional
if it was due primarily to an error in judgment or negligence.  An act or failure to act on the Executive’s
part shall be considered intentional if it is not in good faith and if it is
without a reasonable belief that the action or failure to act is in the Bank’s
best interests.


 


1.10        “Normal Retirement Age” means the Executive’s 65th birthday.


 


1.11        “Plan Administrator” or “Administrator”
means the plan administrator described in Article 8.


 


1.12        “Plan Year” means a twelve-month period commencing on January 1
and ending on December 31 of each year. 
The initial Plan Year shall commence on the effective date of this
Agreement.


 


1.13        “Separation from Service” means the Executive’s service as an
executive and independent contractor to the Bank and any member of a controlled
group, as defined in Code section 414, terminates for any reason, other than
because of a leave of absence approved by the Bank or the Executive’s
death.  For purposes of this Agreement,
if there is a dispute about the employment status of the Executive or the date
of the Executive’s Separation from Service, the Bank shall have the sole and
absolute right to decide the dispute unless a Change in Control shall have
occurred.


 


1.14        “Termination with Cause” and “Cause”
shall have the same meaning specified in any effective severance or employment
agreement existing on the date hereof or hereafter entered into between the
Executive and the Bank or between the Executive and Tidelands Bancshares, Inc.  If the Executive is not a party to a
severance or employment agreement containing a definition of termination with
cause, Termination with Cause means the Executive’s employment is terminated
for any of the following reasons —


 


(a)           the Executive’s gross negligence or
gross neglect of duties or intentional and material failure to perform stated
duties after written notice thereof, or


 


(b)           disloyalty or dishonesty by the
Executive in the performance of the Executive’s duties, or a breach of the
Executive’s fiduciary duties, in any case whether in the Executive’s capacity
as a director or officer, or


 


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(c)           intentional wrongful damage by the
Executive to the business or property of the Bank or its affiliates, including
without limitation the reputation of the Bank, which in the judgement of the
Bank causes material harm to the Bank or affiliates, or


 


(d)           a willful violation by the Executive
of any applicable law or significant policy of the Bank or an affiliate that,
in the Bank’s judgement, results in an adverse effect on the Bank or the
affiliate, regardless of whether the violation leads to criminal prosecution or
conviction.  For purposes of this
Agreement applicable laws include any statute, rule, regulatory order,
statement of policy, or final cease-and-desist order of any governmental agency
or body having regulatory authority over the Bank, or


 


(e)           an intentional act of fraud,
embezzlement, or theft by the Executive in the course of employment.  For purposes of this Agreement no act or
failure to act on the part of the Executive shall be deemed to have been
intentional if it was due primarily to an error in judgment or negligence.  An act or failure to act on the Executive’s
part shall be considered intentional if it is not in good faith and if it is
without a reasonable belief that the action or failure to act is in the best
interests of the Bank, or


 


(f)            the occurrence of any event that
results in the Executive being excluded from coverage, or having coverage
limited for the Executive as compared to other executives of the  Bank, under the Bank’s blanket bond or other
fidelity or insurance policy covering its directors, officers, or employees, or


 


(g)           the Executive is removed from office
or permanently prohibited from participating in the Bank’s affairs by an order
issued under section 8(e)(4) or section 8(g)(1) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(4) or (g)(1), or


 


(h)           conviction of the Executive for or
plea of no contest to a felony or conviction of or plea of no contest to a
misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or the actual incarceration of the
Executive for seven consecutive days or more.


 


ARTICLE 2


LIFETIME BENEFITS


 


2.1          Normal Retirement Benefit. 
Unless Separation from Service occurs before Normal Retirement Age, when
the Executive attains Normal Retirement Age the Bank shall pay to the Executive
the benefit described in this section 2.1 instead of any other benefit under
this Agreement.  If the Executive’s
Separation from Service thereafter is a Termination with Cause or if this
Agreement terminates under Article 5, no further benefits shall be paid to
the Executive.


 


2.1.1        Amount of benefit.  The annual benefit under this section 2.1 is
$81,938.


 


2.1.2        Payment of benefit.  Beginning with the month immediately after
the month in which the Executive attains Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall
pay the annual 


 


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benefit to the Executive
in equal monthly installments on the first day of each month.  The annual benefit shall be paid to the
Executive for ten years.


 


2.2          Early Termination Benefit. 
If Early Termination occurs before Normal Retirement Age but on or after
the date the Executive attains age 55, the Bank shall pay to the Executive the
benefit described in this section 2.2 instead of any other benefit under this
Agreement.  If Early Termination occurs
before the Executive attains age 55, no benefit shall be payable under this
Agreement.  Additionally, no benefits
shall be payable if the Executive’s Separation from Service is a Termination
with Cause or if this Agreement terminates under Article 5.  Neither the Bank nor the Executive shall be
entitled to elect in the 24-month period after a Change in Control between the
benefit under this section 2.2 versus the benefit under section 2.4.  If the Executive’s Separation from Service
within 24 months after a Change in Control is an involuntary termination
without Cause or a Voluntary Termination with Good Reason, no benefit shall be
payable under this section 2.2 and the Executive shall instead be entitled to
the benefit under section 2.4 or, if the Executive first attained Normal
Retirement Age, section 2.1.


 


2.2.1        Amount of benefit.  The annual benefit under this section 2.2 is
calculated as the amount that fully amortizes the Accrual Balance existing at
the end of the month immediately before the month in which Separation from
Service occurs, amortizing that Accrual Balance over ten years and taking into
account interest at the discount rate or rates established by the Plan
Administrator.


 


2.2.2        Payment of benefit.  Beginning with the later of (x) the
seventh month after the month in which the Executive’s Separation from Service
occurs, or (y) the month immediately after the month in which the
Executive attains Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall pay the benefit under
this section 2.2 to the Executive in equal monthly installments on the first
day of each month.  The annual benefit
shall be paid to the Executive for ten years.


 


2.3          Disability Benefit. 
For Separation from Service because of Disability before Normal
Retirement Age the Bank shall pay to the Executive the benefit described in
this section 2.3 instead of any other benefit under this Agreement.


 


2.3.1        Amount of benefit.  The annual benefit under this section 2.3 is
calculated as the amount that fully amortizes the Accrual Balance existing at
the end of the month immediately before the month in which Separation from
Service occurs, amortizing that Accrual Balance over ten years and taking into
account interest at the discount rate or rates established by the Plan
Administrator.


 


2.3.2        Payment of benefit.  Beginning with the later of (x) the
seventh month after the month in which the Executive’s Separation from Service
occurs, or (y) the month immediately after the month in which the
Executive attains Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall pay the benefit under
this section 2.3 to the Executive in equal monthly 


 


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installments on the first
day of each month.  The annual benefit
shall be paid to the Executive for ten years.


 


2.4          Change-in-Control Benefit. 
If the Executive’s Separation from Service is an involuntary termination
without Cause or a Voluntary Termination with Good Reason, in either case
within 24 months after a Change in Control, the Bank shall pay to the Executive
the benefit described in this section 2.4 instead of any other benefit under
this Agreement.  However, no benefits
shall be payable if the Executive’s Separation from Service is a Termination
with Cause or if this Agreement terminates under Article 5.  Neither the Bank nor the Executive shall be
entitled to elect in the 24-month period after a Change in Control between the
benefit under this section 2.4 versus the Early Termination benefit under
section 2.2.  If the Executive’s Separation
from Service within 24 months after a Change in Control is an involuntary
termination without Cause or a Voluntary Termination with Good Reason, no
benefit shall be payable under section 2.2 and the Executive shall instead be
entitled to the benefit under this section 2.4. 
But if the Executive shall have attained Normal Retirement Age when
Separation from Service within 24 months after a Change in Control occurs,
whether Separation from Service is voluntary or involuntary for any reason
other than Termination with Cause, the Executive shall be entitled solely to
the benefit provided by section 2.1, not this section 2.4.


 


2.4.1        Amount of benefit.  The benefit under this section 2.4 is the
Accrual Balance maintained by the Bank when Separation from Service occurs.


 


2.4.2        Payment of benefit.  The Bank shall pay the Change-in-Control
benefit under this section 2.4 to the Executive in a single lump sum on the
first day of the seventh month after the month in which Separation from Service
occurs.


 


2.4.3        Preservation of
Change-in-Control benefit if the Executive is preemptively terminated without
Cause.  If before the
Executive attains Normal Retirement Age the Executive is involuntarily
terminated without Cause after a Change in Control is announced but before the
Change in Control occurs, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefit under
this section 2.4 instead of any other benefit under this Agreement, including
the benefit under section 2.2.  The Bank
shall pay the Change-in-Control benefit to the Executive in a single lump sum
on the later of (x) the first day of the seventh month after the month in
which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs or (y) the day of the
Change in Control.  A Change in Control
shall be considered to have been announced on the date a press release is
issued by the Bank or by Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. concerning the Change
in Control, on the date a Form 8-K Current Report is filed by Tidelands
Bancshares, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission to report the
Change in Control event, on the date an annual or quarterly report or proxy
statement is filed by Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. with the Securities and
Exchange Commission disclosing the Change in Control event, or on the date
information concerning the Change in Control is publicly disseminated by the
Bank or by Tidelands Bancshares, Inc. in any other manner, whichever
occurs first.


 


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2.5          Lump-sum Payment of Normal Retirement Benefit, Early Termination Benefit,
or Disability Benefit Being Paid to the Executive when a Change in Control
Occurs.  If when a Change in
Control occurs the Executive is receiving the benefit under section 2.1, the
Bank shall pay the remaining salary continuation benefits to the Executive in a
single lump sum on the date of the Change in Control.  If when a Change in Control occurs the
Executive is receiving or is entitled at Normal Retirement Age to receive the
benefit under sections 2.2 or 2.3, the Bank shall pay the remaining salary
continuation benefits to the Executive in a single lump sum on the later of (x) the
date of the Change in Control or (y) the first day of the seventh month
after the month in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs.  The lump-sum payment due to the Executive as
a result of a Change in Control shall be an amount equal to the Accrual Balance
amount corresponding to the particular benefit when the Change in Control
occurs.


 


2.6          Annual Benefit Statement. 
Within 120 days after the end of each Plan Year the Plan Administrator
shall provide or cause to be provided to the Executive an annual benefit
statement showing benefits payable or potentially payable to the Executive
under this Agreement.  Each annual benefit
statement shall supersede the previous year’s annual benefit statement.  If there is a contradiction between this
Agreement and the annual benefit statement concerning the amount of a
particular benefit payable or potentially payable to the Executive under sections
2.2, 2.3, or 2.4 hereof, the amount of the benefit determined under the
Agreement shall control.


 


2.7          Savings Clause Relating to Compliance with Code Section 409A.  Despite any contrary provision of this
Agreement, if when the Executive’s employment terminates the Executive is a specified
employee, as defined in Code section 409A, and if any payments under Article 2
of this Agreement will result in additional tax or interest to the Executive
because of section 409A, the Executive shall not be entitled to the payments
under Article 2 until the earliest of (x) the date that is at least
six months after termination of the Executive’s employment for reasons other
than the Executive’s death, (y) the date of the Executive’s death, or (z) any
earlier date that does not result in additional tax or interest to the
Executive under section 409A.  If any
provision of this Agreement would subject the Executive to additional tax or
interest under section 409A, the Bank shall reform the provision.  However, the Bank shall maintain to the
maximum extent practicable the original intent of the applicable provision
without subjecting the Executive to additional tax or interest, and the Bank
shall not be required to incur any additional compensation expense as a result
of the reformed provision.


 


2.8          One Benefit Only. 
Despite anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Executive and
Beneficiary are entitled to one benefit only under this Agreement, which shall
be determined by the first event to occur that is dealt with by this
Agreement.  Except as provided in section
2.5 or Article 3, subsequent occurrence of events dealt with by this
Agreement shall not entitle the Executive or Beneficiary to other or additional
benefits under this Agreement.


 


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ARTICLE 3


DEATH BENEFITS


 


3.1          Death Before Separation from Service.  Except as provided in section 5.2, if the
Executive dies before Separation from Service, at the Executive’s death the
Executive’s Beneficiary shall be entitled to an amount in cash equal to the
Accrual Balance existing at the Executive’s death, unless the Change-in-Control
benefit shall have been paid to the Executive under section 2.4 or unless a
Change-in-Control payout shall have occurred under section 2.5.  No benefit shall be paid if the Change-in-Control
benefit shall have been paid to the Executive under section 2.4 or if a
Change-in-Control payout shall have occurred under section 2.5.  If a benefit is payable to the Executive’s
Beneficiary, the benefit shall be paid in a single lump sum 90 days after the
Executive’s death.  However, no benefits
under this Agreement shall be paid or payable to the Executive or the Executive’s
Beneficiary if this Agreement is terminated under Article 5.


 


3.2          Death after Separation from Service.  If the Executive dies after Separation from
Service, if Separation from Service was not a Termination with Cause, and if at
death the Executive was receiving the benefit under section 2.1 or was
receiving or was entitled at Normal Retirement Age to receive the benefit under
sections 2.2 or 2.3, at the Executive’s death the Executive’s Beneficiary shall
be entitled to an amount in cash equal to the Accrual Balance remaining at the
Executive’s death, unless the Change-in-Control benefit shall have been paid to
the Executive under section 2.4 or unless a Change-in-Control payout shall have
occurred under section 2.5.  No benefit
shall be paid if the Change-in-Control benefit shall have been paid to the
Executive under section 2.4 or if a Change-in-Control payout shall have
occurred under section 2.5.  If a benefit
is payable to the Executive’s Beneficiary, the benefit shall be paid in a
single lump sum 90 days after the Executive’s death.  However, no benefits under this Agreement
shall be paid or payable to the Executive or the Executive’s Beneficiary if
this Agreement is terminated under Article 5.


 


ARTICLE 4


BENEFICIARIES


 


4.1          Beneficiary Designations. 
The Executive shall have the right to designate at any time a
Beneficiary to receive any benefits payable under this Agreement at the
Executive’s death.  The Beneficiary
designated under this Agreement may be the same as or different from the
beneficiary designation under any other benefit plan of the Bank in which the
Executive participates.


 


4.2          Beneficiary Designation: Change.  The Executive shall designate a Beneficiary
by completing and signing the Beneficiary Designation Form and delivering
it to the Plan Administrator or its designated agent.  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.  The Executive shall have the
right to change a Beneficiary by completing, signing, and otherwise complying
with the terms of


 


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the Beneficiary
Designation Form and the Plan Administrator’s rules and procedures,
as in effect from time to time.  Upon the
acceptance by the Plan Administrator of a new Beneficiary Designation Form, all
Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be cancelled.  The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to
rely on the last Beneficiary Designation Form filed by the Executive and
accepted by the Plan Administrator before the Executive’s death.


 


4.3          Acknowledgment.  No
designation or change in designation of a Beneficiary shall be effective until
received, accepted, and acknowledged in writing by the Plan Administrator or
its designated agent.


 


4.4          No Beneficiary Designation. 
If the Executive dies without a valid beneficiary designation or if all
designated Beneficiaries predecease the Executive, the Executive’s spouse shall
be the designated Beneficiary.  If the
Executive has no surviving spouse, the benefits shall be paid to the Executive’s
estate.


 


4.5          Facility of Payment. 
If a benefit is payable to a minor, to a person declared incapacitated,
or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of his or her property,
the Bank may pay the benefit to the guardian, legal representative, or person
having the care or custody of the minor, incapacitated person, or incapable
person.  The Bank may require proof of
incapacity, minority, or guardianship as it may deem appropriate before
distribution of the benefit. 
Distribution shall completely discharge the Bank from all liability for
the benefit.


 


ARTICLE 5


GENERAL LIMITATIONS


 


5.1          Termination with Cause. 
Despite any contrary provision of this Agreement, the Bank shall not pay
any benefit under this Agreement and this Agreement shall terminate if
Separation from Service is a Termination with Cause.


 


5.2          Suicide or Misstatement. 
The Bank shall not pay any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive
commits suicide within two years after the date of this Agreement or if the
Executive makes any material misstatement of fact on any application or resume
provided to the Bank or on any application for benefits provided by the Bank.


 


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


 


5.4          Default.  Despite any
contrary provision of this Agreement, if the Bank is in “default” or “in danger
of default,” as those terms are defined in section 3(x) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1813(x), all obligations under this Agreement
shall terminate.


 


5.5          FDIC Open-Bank Assistance. 
All obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, except to the
extent determined that continuation of the contract is necessary for the


 


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continued operation of
the Bank, when the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation enters into an
agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority
contained in Federal Deposit Insurance Act section 13(c).  12 U.S.C. 1823(c).  Rights of the parties that have already vested
shall not be affected by such action, however.


 


ARTICLE 6


CLAIMS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES


 


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


 


6.1.1                        Initiation — written claim. 
The claimant initiates a claim by submitting to the Administrator a
written claim for the benefits.  If the
claim relates to the contents of a notice received by the claimant, the claim
must be made within 60 days after the notice was received by the claimant.  All other claims must be made within 180 days
after the date of the event that caused the claim to arise.  The claim must state with particularity the
determination desired by the claimant.


 


6.1.2                        Timing of Bank response. 
The Bank shall respond to the claimant within 90 days after receiving
the claim.  If the Bank determines that
special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the
Bank may extend the response period by an additional 90 days by notifying the
claimant in writing before the end of the initial 90-day period that an
additional period is required.  The
notice of extension must state the special circumstances and the date by which
the Bank expects to render its decision.


 


6.1.3                        Notice of decision. 
If the Bank denies part or all of the claim, the Bank shall notify the
claimant in writing of the denial.  The
Bank shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by
the claimant.  The notification shall set
forth —


 


6.1.3.1                                                             the specific reasons for the denial,


 


6.1.3.2                                                             a reference to the specific provisions of
the Agreement on which the denial is based,


 


6.1.3.3                                                             a description of any additional
information or material necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an
explanation of why it is needed,


 


6.1.3.4                                                             an explanation of the Agreement’s review
procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, and


 


6.1.3.5                                                             a statement of the claimant’s right to
bring a civil action under ERISA section 502(a) following an adverse
benefit determination on review.


 


6.2                               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 —


 


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6.2.1        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.


 


6.2.2        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
documents, records, and other information relevant (as defined in applicable
ERISA regulations) to the claimant’s claim for benefits.


 


6.2.3        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 the information was submitted or considered in the initial
benefit determination.


 


6.2.4        Timing of Bank response. 
The Bank shall respond in writing to the 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 may extend the response period by an additional
60 days by notifying the claimant in writing before the end of the initial 60-day
period that an additional period is required. 
The notice of extension must state the special circumstances and the
date by which the Bank expects to render its decision.


 


6.2.5        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 —


 


6.2.5.1                     the specific reason for the denial,


6.2.5.2                     a reference to the specific provisions of the Agreement
on which the denial is based,


6.2.5.3                     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


6.2.5.4                     a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil
action under ERISA section 502(a).


 


ARTICLE 7


MISCELLANEOUS


 


7.1          Amendments and Termination.  Subject to
section 7.14, this Agreement may be amended solely by a written agreement
signed by the Bank and by the Executive, and except for termination occurring
under Article 5 this Agreement may be terminated solely by a written
agreement signed by the Bank and by the Executive.


 


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


 


7.3          No Guarantee of Employment.  This
Agreement is not an employment policy or contract.  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 or interfere with the Executive’s
right to terminate employment at any time.


 


7.4          Non-Transferability.  Benefits
under this Agreement may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached,
or encumbered.


 


7.5          Successors; Binding Agreement.  By an
assumption agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Executive, the
Bank shall 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 had no succession occurred.


 


7.6          Tax Withholding.  The Bank shall withhold any
taxes that are required to be withheld from the benefits provided under this
Agreement.


 


7.7          Applicable Law.  This Agreement and all rights
hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of South Carolina, except
to the extent preempted by the laws of the United States of America.


 


7.8          Unfunded Arrangement.  The Executive
and Beneficiary are general unsecured creditors of the Bank for the payment of
benefits.  The benefits represent the
mere promise by the Bank to pay benefits. 
Rights to benefits are not subject 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
Beneficiary have no preferred or secured claim.


 


7.9          Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the
entire agreement between the Bank and the Executive concerning the subject
matter.  No rights are granted to the
Executive under this Agreement other than those specifically set forth.


 


7.10        Severability.  If any
provision of this Agreement is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect
any other provision of this Agreement not held invalid, and each such other
provision shall continue in full force and effect to the full extent consistent
with law.  If any provision of this
Agreement is held invalid in part, such invalidity shall not affect the
remainder of the provision not held invalid, and the remainder of such
provision together with all other provisions of this Agreement shall continue
in full force and effect to the full extent consistent with law.


 


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7.11        Headings.  Caption headings and subheadings herein are
included solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning
or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.


 


7.12        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.  If to the Bank, notice shall be given to the
board of directors, Tidelands Bank, 875 Lowcountry Boulevard, Mount Pleasant,
South Carolina 29464, or to such other or additional person or persons as the
Bank shall have designated to the Executive in writing.  If to the Executive, notice shall be given to
the Executive at the Executive’s address appearing on the Bank’s records, or to
such other or additional person or persons as the Executive shall have
designated to the Bank in writing.


 


7.13        Payment of Legal Fees.  The Bank is
aware that after a Change in Control management of the Bank could cause or
attempt to cause the Bank to refuse to comply with its obligations under this
Agreement, or could institute or cause or attempt to cause the Bank to
institute litigation seeking to have this Agreement declared unenforceable, or
could take or attempt to take other action to deny Executive the benefits
intended under this Agreement.  In these
circumstances the purpose of this Agreement would be frustrated.  The Bank desires that the Executive not be
required to incur the expenses associated with the enforcement of rights under
this Agreement, whether by litigation or other legal action, because the cost
and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to
be granted to the Executive hereunder. 
The Bank desires that the Executive not be forced to negotiate
settlement of rights under this Agreement under threat of incurring
expenses.  Accordingly, if after a Change
in Control occurs it appears to the Executive that (x) the Bank has failed
to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement, or (y) the
Bank or any other person has taken any action to declare this Agreement void or
unenforceable, or instituted any litigation or other legal action designed to
deny, diminish, or to recover from the Executive the benefits intended to be
provided to the Executive hereunder, the Bank irrevocably authorizes the
Executive from time to time to retain counsel of the Executive’s choice, at the
Bank’s expense as provided in this section 7.13, to represent the Executive in
the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by
or against the Bank or any director, officer, stockholder, or other person
affiliated with the Bank, in any jurisdiction. 
Despite any existing or previous attorney-client relationship between
the Bank and any counsel chosen by the Executive under this section 7.13, the
Bank irrevocably consents to the Executive entering into an attorney-client
relationship with that counsel, and the Bank and the Executive agree that a
confidential relationship shall exist between the Executive and that counsel.  The fees and expenses of counsel selected
from time to time by the Executive as provided in this section shall be paid or
reimbursed to the Executive by the Bank on a regular, periodic basis upon
presentation by the Executive of a statement or statements prepared by counsel
in accordance with counsel’s customary practices, up to a maximum aggregate
amount of $100,000, whether suit be brought or not, and whether or not incurred
in trial, bankruptcy, or appellate proceedings. 
The Bank’s obligation to pay the Executive’s legal fees provided by this
section 7.13 operates separately from and in addition to any legal fee


 


13

















 


reimbursement obligation
the Bank may have with the Executive under any separate employment, severance,
or other agreement between the Executive and the Bank.  Despite any contrary provision within this
Agreement however, the Bank shall not be required to pay or reimburse the
Executive’s legal expenses if doing so would violate section 18(k) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1828(k)] and Rule 359.3 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation [12 CFR 359.3].


 


7.14        Termination or Modification of Agreement Because of Changes in Law, Rules or
Regulations.  The Bank is entering into this Agreement on
the assumption that certain existing tax laws, rules, and regulations will
continue in effect in their current form. 
If that assumption materially changes and the change has a material
detrimental effect on this Agreement, then the Bank reserves the right to
terminate or modify this Agreement accordingly, subject to the written consent
of the Executive, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.  This section 7.14 shall become null and void
effective immediately upon a Change in Control.


 


ARTICLE 8


ADMINISTRATION OF AGREEMENT


 


8.1          Plan Administrator Duties.  This
Agreement shall be administered by a Plan Administrator consisting of the Bank’s
board of directors or such committee or person(s) as the board shall
appoint.  The Executive may not be a
member of the Plan Administrator.  The
Plan Administrator shall have the discretion and authority to (x) make,
amend, interpret, and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for
the administration of this Agreement and (y) decide or resolve any and all
questions that may arise, including interpretations of this Agreement.


 


8.2          Agents.  In the administration of this Agreement, the
Plan Administrator may employ agents and delegate to them such administrative
duties as it sees fit (including acting through a duly appointed
representative) and may from time to time consult with counsel, who may be
counsel to the Bank.


 


8.3          Binding Effect of Decisions.  The decision
or action of the Plan Administrator concerning any question arising out of the
administration, interpretation, and application of the Agreement and the rules and
regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding
upon all persons having any interest in the Agreement.  No Executive or Beneficiary shall be deemed
to have any right, vested or nonvested, regarding the continued use of any
previously adopted assumptions, including but not limited to the discount rate
and calculation method described in section 1.1.


 


8.4          Indemnity of Plan Administrator.  The Bank shall
indemnify and hold harmless the members of the Plan Administrator against any
and all claims, losses, damages, expenses, or liabilities arising from any
action or failure to act with respect to this Agreement, except in the case of
willful misconduct by the Plan Administrator or any of its members.


 


8.5          Bank Information.  To enable the Plan
Administrator to perform its functions, the Bank shall supply full and timely
information to the Plan Administrator on all matters relating to the date and
circumstances of the retirement, Disability, death, or Separation from


 


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Service of the Executive
and such other pertinent information as the Plan Administrator may reasonably
require.


 


ARTICLE 9


COMPETITION AFTER SEPARATION FROM SERVICE


 


9.1          Covenant Not to Solicit Employees.  The Executive
agrees not to solicit the services of any officer or employee of the Bank for
12 months after the Executive’s Separation from Service.


 


9.2          Covenant Not to Compete.  (a) 
Without advance written consent of the Bank, the Executive covenants and agrees
not to compete directly or indirectly with the Bank for 12 months after
Separation from Service, plus any period during which the Executive is in
violation of this covenant not to compete and any period during which the Bank
seeks by litigation to enforce this covenant not to compete.  For purposes of this section —


 


(1)           the term “compete” means


 


(a)           providing financial products or services on behalf of
any financial institution for any person residing in the territory,


 


(b)           assisting (other than through the performance of
ministerial or clerical duties) any financial institution in providing
financial products or services to any person residing in the territory, or


 


(c)           inducing or attempting to induce any person who was a
customer of the Bank at the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service to
seek financial products or services from another financial institution.


 


(2)           the phrase “compete directly or indirectly” means —


 


(a)           acting as a consultant, officer, director, independent
contractor, incorporator, organizer, or employee of any financial institution
in competition with the Bank in the territory, or


 


(b)           ownership of more than 5% of the voting shares of any
financial institution in competition with the Bank in the territory, or


 


(c)           communicating to such financial institution the names
or addresses or any financial information concerning any person who was a
customer of the Bank at the Executive’s Separation from Service.


 


(3)           the term “customer” means any person to whom the Bank
is providing financial products or services on the date of the Executive’s
Separation from Service.


 


15

















 


(4)           the term “financial institution” means any bank,
savings association, or bank or savings association holding company, or any
other institution, including a financial institution in organization, the
business of which is or will be engaging in activities that are financial in
nature or incidental to such financial activities as described in section 4(k) of
the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, other than the Bank or its affiliated
corporations.


 


(5)           “financial product or service” means any product or
service that a financial institution or a financial holding company could offer
by engaging in any activity that is financial in nature or incidental to such a
financial activity under section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act of
1956 and that is offered by the Bank or an affiliate on the date of the Executive’s
Separation from Service, including but not limited to banking activities and
activities that are closely related to and a proper incident to banking.


 


(6)           the term “person” means any individual or individuals,
corporation, partnership, fiduciary or association.


 


(7)           the term “territory” means all of Charleston,
Dorchester, and Berkeley Counties in South Carolina and the area within a
50-mile radius of any full-service banking office of the Bank on the date of
the Executive’s Separation from Service.


 


(b)           If any provision of this section or any word, phrase,
clause, sentence or other portion thereof (including without limitation the
geographical and temporal restrictions contained therein) is held to be
unenforceable or invalid for any reason, the unenforceable or invalid provision
or portion shall be modified or deleted so that the provision, as modified, is
legal and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law.


 


9.3          Remedies.  Because of the unique character of the
services to be rendered by the Executive hereunder, the Executive understands
that the Bank would not have an adequate remedy at law for the material breach
or threatened breach by the Executive of any one or more of the Executive’s
covenants set forth in this Article 9. 
Accordingly, the Executive agrees that the Bank’s remedies for a
material breach or threatened breach of this Article 9 include but are not
limited to (x) forfeiture of any money representing accrued salary,
contingent payments, or other fringe benefits due and payable to the Executive,
(y) forfeiture of any unpaid benefits under Article 2 of this
Agreement, and (z) a suit in equity by the Bank to enjoin the Executive
from the breach or threatened breach of such covenants.  The Executive hereby waives the claim or
defense that an adequate remedy at law is available to the Bank and the
Executive agrees not to urge in any such action the claim or defense that an
adequate remedy at law exists.  Nothing
herein shall be construed to prohibit the Bank from pursuing any other remedies
for the breach or threatened breach.


 


9.4          Article 9 Survives Termination But Is Void After a Change in
Control.  The rights and obligations set forth in this Article 9
shall survive termination of this Agreement. 
However, Article 9 shall be null and void if a Change in Control
occurs before Separation from Service.


 


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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Bank have executed this
Salary Continuation Agreement as of the date first written above.


 


	
  EXECUTIVE:

  	
   

  	
  BANK:

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Tidelands Bank

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  /s/ James M. Bedsole

  	
   

  	
  By: 

  	
  /s/ Robert E.
  Coffee, Jr.

  
	
  James M. Bedsole

  	
   

  	
   

  	
  Robert E. Coffee Jr.

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Its:

  	
  President and CEO

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  And By: 

  	
  /s/ Alan W. Jackson

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Its:

  	
  Chief Financial Officer

  
						



 


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