Southern Michigan Exhibit 10.6 to Form S-4 - 07/13/07



EXHIBIT 10.6


SOUTHERN MICHIGAN BANK & TRUST

DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT




          THIS AGREEMENT is made this _________ day of ___________________, 20__, by and between Southern Michigan Bank & Trust (the "Company"), and [NAME OF EXECUTIVE] (the "Executive").




INTRODUCTION


          To encourage the Executive to remain an employee of the Company, the Company is willing to provide to the Executive a deferred compensation opportunity. The Company will pay the Executive's benefits from the Company's general assets. This Agreement between the Executive and the Company modifies the terms of the Executive's participation in the Plan, replaces all benefits which otherwise were payable under the Plan, and supercedes all previous Agreements under this Plan.




AGREEMENT


          The Executive and the Company agree as follows:


Article 1

Definitions


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


          1.1   "Change of Control" means the transfer of shares of the Company's voting common stock such that one entity or one person acquires (or is deemed to acquire when applying Section 318 of the Code) more than 50 percent of the Company's outstanding voting common stock followed within twelve (12) months by the Executive's Termination of Employment for reasons other than death, Disability or retirement.


          1.2   "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. References to a Code section shall be deemed to be to that section as it now exists and to any successor provision.


          1.3   "Compensation" means the total annual base salary paid to the Executive during a Plan Year.


          1.4   "Deferral Account" means the Company's accounting of the Executive's accumulated Deferrals plus accrued interest. 












          1.5   "Deferrals" means the amount of the Executive's Compensation, which the Executive elects to defer according to this Agreement.


          1.6   "Disability" means the Participant's suffering a sickness, accident or injury which has been determined by the carrier of any individual or group disability insurance policy covering the Participant, or by the Social Security Administration, to be a disability rendering the Participant totally and permanently disabled. The Participant must submit proof to the Company of the carrier's or Social Security Administration's determination upon the request of the Company.


          1.7   "Early Retirement Date" means the Executive attaining age 60.


          1.8   "Effective Date" means January 1, 20__.


          1.9   "Election Form" means the Form attached as Exhibit 1.


          1.10   "Normal Retirement Age" means the Executive's 65th birthday.


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


          1.12   "Plan Year" means the calendar year. 


          1.13   "Termination of Employment" means that the Executive ceases to be employed by the Company for any reason whatsoever other than by reason of a leave of absence, which is approved by the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, if there is a dispute over the employment status of the Executive or the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment, the Company shall have the sole and absolute right to decide the dispute.


          1.14   "Years of Service" means the total number of twelve-month periods during which the Executive is employed on a full-time basis by the Company, inclusive of any approved leaves of absence.


          1.15   "Net Death Proceeds" means the amount of total death proceeds that exceeds cash surrender value for any bank-owned life insurance policy on the Executive's life for which the Company is owner and beneficiary. Any such policy shall be a general asset of the Company, and neither the Executive nor his/her beneficiaries shall have any preferred or secured claim to such policy.


          1.16   "Projected Benefit" means the amount the Deferral Account would have been assuming (i) the Executive lived to Normal Retirement Age; (ii) the Executive continued to make contributions from the date of death until Normal Retirement Age at a contribution rate equal to the average of the Executive's deferrals for the twelve (12) months prior to death; and (iii) interest continued to be credited at the rate in effect as of the date of death, with such rate not to exceed seven percent (7%).





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Article 2

Deferral Election


          2.1   Initial Election. The Executive shall make an initial deferral election under this Agreement by filing with the Company a signed Election Form within thirty (30) days after the Effective Date of this Agreement. The Election Form shall set forth the amount of Compensation to be deferred and shall be effective to defer only Compensation earned after the date the Election Form is received by the Company.


          2.2   Election Changes


          2.2.1   Generally. The Executive may modify the amount of Compensation to be deferred annually by filing a new Election Form with the Company prior to the beginning of the Plan Year in which the Compensation is to be deferred. The modified deferral election shall not be effective until the calendar year following the year in which it received and approved by the Company. 


          2.2.2   Hardship. If an unforeseeable financial emergency arising from the death of a family member, divorce, sickness, injury, catastrophe or similar event outside the control of the Executive occurs, the Executive, by written instructions to the Company, may reduce future deferrals under this Agreement.



Article 3

Deferral Account


          3.1   Establishing and Crediting. The Company shall establish a Deferral Account on its books for the Executive and shall credit to the Deferral Account the following amounts:


          3.1.1   Deferrals. The Compensation deferred by the Executive as of the time the Compensation would have otherwise been paid to the Executive.


          3.1.2   Interest. On the first day of each month and immediately prior to the payment of any benefits, interest on the account balance since the preceding credit under this Section 3.1.2, if any, at an annual rate, compounded monthly, equal to the Merrill Lynch 10+ year high quality corporate bond rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day following January 1.



          3.2   Statement of Accounts. The Company shall provide to the Executive, within one hundred twenty (120) days after each Anniversary Date, a statement setting forth the Deferral Account balance.




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          3.3   Accounting Device Only. The Deferral Account is solely a device for measuring amounts to be paid under this Agreement. The Deferral Account is not a trust fund of any kind. The Executive is a general unsecured creditor of the Company for the payment of benefits. The benefits represent the mere Company promise to pay such benefits. The Executive's rights are not subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by the Executive's creditors.


Article 4

Lifetime Benefits


          4.1   Normal Retirement Benefit. If the Executive's Termination of Employment occurs after the Early Retirement Date for reasons other than death or Disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive the benefit in this Section 4.1.


          4.1.1   Amount of Benefit. The benefit under this Section 4.1 is the Deferral Account balance at the Executive's Termination of Employment Date.


          4.1.2   Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the benefit to the Executive in the manner elected by the Executive on the Form of Benefit Election, attached as Exhibit II. The Company shall continue to credit interest under Section 3.1.2 on the remaining account balance, if applicable, during any installment period.



          4.2   Early Termination Benefit. If the Executive's Termination of Employment occurs before the Early Retirement Date for reasons other than death and Disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive the benefit in this Section 4.2.


          4.2.1   Amount of Benefit. The benefit under this Section 4.2 is the Deferral Account balance at the Executive's Termination of Employment Date.


          4.2.2   Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum within 90 days after the Executive's Termination of Employment. 



          4.3   Disability Benefit. If the Executive terminates employment due to Disability prior to Normal Retirement Age, the Company shall pay to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 4.3 in lieu of any other benefit under this Agreement.


          4.3.1   Amount of Benefit. The benefit under this Section 4.3 is the Deferral Account balance at the Executive's Termination of Employment. 


          4.3.2   Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the benefit to the Executive in the manner elected by the Executive on the Form of Benefit Election, attached as Exhibit II. The Company shall continue to credit interest under Section 3.1.2 on the remaining account balance, if applicable, during any installment period.





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          4.4   Change of Control Benefit. Upon a Change of Control, followed within twelve (12) months by the Executive's Termination of Employment for reasons other than death, Disability or retirement, the Company shall pay to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 4.4 in lieu of any other benefit under this Agreement. 


          4.4.1   Amount of Benefit. The benefit under this Section 4.4 shall be the Deferral Account balance on the Executive's Termination of Employment.


          4.4.2   Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the benefit to the Executive in the manner elected by the Executive on the Form of Benefit Election, attached as Exhibit II. The Company shall continue to credit interest under Section 3.1.2 on the remaining account balance, if applicable, during any installment period. 



          4.5   Hardship Distribution. Upon the Board of Director's determination (following petition by the Executive) that the Executive has suffered an unforeseeable financial emergency as described in Section 2.2.2, the Company shall distribute to the Executive all or a portion of the Deferral Account balance as determined by the Company, but in no event shall the distribution be greater than is necessary to relieve the financial hardship. 


Article 5

Death Benefits


          5.1          Death During Active Service. If the Executive dies while in the active service of the Company, the Company shall pay to the Executive's beneficiary the benefit described in this Section 5.1 in lieu of any other benefit under this Agreement.


                    5.1.1   Amount of Benefit. The benefit under Section 5.1 is the Deferral Account balance at the date of the Executive's death.


                    5.1.2   Payment of Benefit. The Company shall pay the benefit to the beneficiary in the form of a lump sum amount payable within 90 days of the death of the Executive.


                    5.1.3   Supplemental Death Benefit. The Company shall pay to the beneficiary a Supplemental Death Benefit. This Supplemental Death Benefit will be the Projected Benefit as defined in Section 1.15. However, the Projected Benefit shall not exceed the amount of Net Death Proceeds of any insurance policy(ies) in which the Company is the owner and the Executive is the insured. The Company shall pay the benefit to the beneficiary in One Hundred Eighty (180) consecutive equal monthly installments commencing within sixty (60) days of the Executive's death and payable on the first of each month thereafter.


          5.2   Death During Benefit Period. If the Executive dies after benefit payments have commenced under this Agreement but before receiving all such payments, the Company shall pay the remaining benefits to the Executive's beneficiary at the same time and in the same amounts they would have been paid to the Executive had the Executive survived.




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          5.3   Death After Termination of Employment But Before Benefit Payments Commence. If the Executive is entitled to benefit payments under this Agreement, but dies prior to the commencement of said benefit payments, the Company shall pay the benefit payments to the Executive's beneficiary that the Executive was entitled to prior to death except that the benefit payments shall commence on the first day of the month following the date of the Executive's death.


Article 6

Beneficiaries


          6.1   Beneficiary Designations. The Executive shall designate a beneficiary by filing a written designation with the Company. The Executive may revoke or modify the designation at any time by filing a new designation. However, designations will only be effective if signed by the Executive and accepted by the Company during the Executive's lifetime. 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.


          6.2   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 Company 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 Company 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 Company from all liability with respect to such benefit.


Article 7

General Limitations


          7.1   Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not pay any benefit under this Agreement that is in excess of the Executive's Deferrals if the Company terminates the Executive's employment for:


          (a)          Gross negligence or gross neglect of duties to the Company;


          (b)          Commission of a felony or of a gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude in connection with the Executive's employment with the Company; or


          (c)          Fraud, disloyalty, dishonesty or willful violation of any law or significant Company policy committed in connection with the Executive's employment and resulting in an adverse effect on the Company.



          7.2   Suicide or Misstatement. The Company 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







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Executive has made any material misstatement of fact on any application for life insurance purchased by the Company. 


          7.3   Excess Parachute Payment Gross-up. If any benefit payable under this Agreement would create an excise tax under the excess parachute rules of Section 280G of the Code, the Company shall pay to the Executive an additional amount (the "Gross-up") equal to the Executive's excise penalty tax amount divided by the sum of (one minus the sum of the penalty tax rate plus the Executive's marginal income tax rate). The Gross-up shall be paid in the same manner as elected by the Executive under Section 4.4.2.


          7.4   Deferral Unwind Provision. If, for any reason, all or any portion of the Executive's benefits becomes taxable prior to receipt, the Executive may petition the Company for a distribution of that portion of the Executive's benefit that has become taxable. Upon the grant of such a petition, the Company shall distribute to the Executive immediately available funds in an amount equal to the taxable portion of the benefit. If the petition is granted, the tax liability distribution shall be made within 90 days of the date when the Executive's petition is granted.


Article 8

Claims and Review Procedures


          8.1   Claims Procedure. A Participant or beneficiary ("claimant") who has not received benefits under the Plan that he or she believes should be paid shall make a claim for such benefits as follows:


                    8.1.1.   Initiation - Written Claim. The claimant initiates a claim by submitting to the Company a written claim for the benefits.


                    8.1.2.   Timing of Company Response. The Company shall respond to such claimant within 90 days after receiving the claim. If the Company determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Company 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 Company expects to render its decision.


                    8.1.3.   Notice of Decision. If the Company denies part or all of the claim, the Company shall notify the claimant in writing of such denial. The Company shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant. The notification shall set forth:


	
 
	
8.1.3.1
	
The specific reasons for the denial.

	
 
	
8.1.3.2
	
A reference to the specific provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based.

	
 
	
8.1.3.3
	
A description of any additional information or material necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why it is needed.








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8.1.3.4
	
An explanation of the Plan's review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, and

	
 
	
8.1.3.5
	
A statement of the claimant's right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502 (a) following an adverse benefit determination on review.





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


                    8.2.1   Initiation - Written Request. To initiate the review, the claimant, within 60 days after receiving the Company's notice of denial, must file with the Company a written request for review.


                    8.2.2.   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 Company 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.


                    8.2.3.   Considerations on Review. In considering the review, the Company 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. 


                    8.2.4.   Timing of Company Response. The Company shall respond in writing to such claimant within 60 days after receiving the request for review. If the Company determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Company 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 Company expects to render its decision.


                    8.2.5.   Notice of Decision. The Company shall notify the claimant in writing of its decision on review. The Company shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant. The notification shall set forth:


	
 
	
8.2.5.1
	
The specific reasons for the denial.

	
 
	
8.2.5.2
	
A reference to the specific provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based.

	
 
	
8.2.5.3
	
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 (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the claimant's claim for benefits, and

	
 
	
8.2.5.4
	
A statement of the claimant's right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502 (a).






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Article 9

Amendments and Termination


          The Company may amend or terminate this Agreement at any time prior to the Executive's Termination of Employment by written notice to the Executive. In no event shall this Agreement be terminated without payment to the Executive of the Deferral Account balance attributable to the Executive's deferrals and interest credited on such amounts.


Article 10

Miscellaneous


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


          10.2   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 Company, nor does it interfere with the shareholders' rights to replace 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.


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


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


          10.5   Applicable Law. The Agreement and all rights hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan, except to the extent preempted by the laws of the United States of America.


          10.6   Unfunded Arrangement. The Executive and the Executive's beneficiary are general unsecured creditors of the Company for the payment of benefits under this Agreement. The benefits represent the mere promise by the Company 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 Company to which the Executive and the Executive's beneficiary have no preferred or secured claim.


          10.7   Reorganization. The Company shall not merge or consolidate into or with another company, or reorganize, or sell substantially all of its assets to another company, firm, or person unless such succeeding or continuing company, firm, or person agrees to assume and discharge the obligations of the Company under this Agreement.




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          10.8   Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and the Executive as to the subject matter hereof. No rights are granted to the Executive by virtue of this Agreement other than those specifically set forth herein.


          10.9   Administration. The Company shall have 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.



          10.10   Named Fiduciary. For purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, if applicable, the Company shall be the named fiduciary and plan administrator under the 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.


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


	
 
	
 
	
COMPANY:

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
EXECUTIVE:
	
 
	
Southern Michigan Bank & Trust

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
By
	
 


	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
Name of Executive
	
 
	
Title
	
 











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SOUTHERN MICHIGAN BANK & TRUST

EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT


Deferral Election


I elect to defer my Compensation received under the Executive Deferred Compensation Agreement with the Company, as follows:


	
 
	
Amount of Deferral

	
Duration

	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
[Initial and Complete one]
	
[Initial One]
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
____
	
 
	
I elect to defer ____% of my

Compensation.
	
____
	
 
	
One Year only
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
____
	
 
	
I elect to defer $______ of all

Compensation.
	
____
	
 
	
For ______ [Insert

Number] Years
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
____
	
 
	
I elect not to defer any of my

Compensation.
	
____
	
 
	
Until Termination

of Employment
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
____
	
 
	
Until ___________,

___________ (date)
	
 






I understand that I may change the amount and duration of my deferrals by filing a new election form with the Company; provided, however, that any subsequent election will not be effective until the calendar year following the year in which the new election is received by the Company. 


Signature   ____________________________________


Date   ____________________________




Accepted by the Company this ________ day of ___________________, 20__.


By  __________________________________________


Title  ______________________________




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Beneficiary Designation


SOUTHERN MICHIGAN BANK & TRUST

EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT


I designate the following as beneficiary of benefits under the Executive Deferred Compensation 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 Company. 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   _____________________________






Accepted by the Company this ________ day of ___________________, 20__.




By  __________________________________________


Title  _________________________________




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EXHIBIT 2

FORM OF BENEFIT ELECTION

FOR

SOUTHERN MICHIGAN BANK & TRUST

DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT




I elect to receive benefits under the Agreement in the following form:




	
4.1.2
	
Normal Retirement Benefit

	
 
	
 

	
____
	
The Company shall pay the benefit to the Executive in 180 equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following the Executive's Termination of Employment. The Company shall credit interest on the remaining account balance at the rate determined in Section 3.1.2.

	
 
	
 

	
____
	
The Company shall pay the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum within 90 days from the Executive's Normal Retirement Date.

	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 

	
4.3.2
	
Disability Benefit

	
 
	
 

	
____
	
The Company shall pay the benefit to the Executive in 180 equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following the Executive's Termination of Employment. The Company shall credit interest on the remaining account balance at the rate determined in Section 3.1.2.

	
 
	
 

	
____
	
The Company shall pay the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum within 90 days from the Executive's Termination of Employment.

	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 

	
4.4.2
	
Change of Control Benefit

	
 
	
 

	
____
	
The Company shall pay the benefit to the Executive in 180 equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the month following the Executive's Termination of Employment. The Company shall credit interest on the remaining account balance at the rate determined in Section 3.1.2.

	
 
	
 

	
____
	
The Company shall pay the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum within 90 days from the Executive's Termination of Employment.






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Signature
	
 

	
 

	
 
	
Bank Executive
	
 





Date   _______________________________


Received by the Company this ________ day of ___________________, 20__.




By  _________________________________


Title  ________________________________




















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