EX-10.2







Exhibit 10.2




FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION




DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN




Amended and Restated Effective as of December 15, 2008





 









 










TABLE OF CONTENTS




	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	PAGE	 
	ARTICLE 1—PURPOSES
	 	 	1	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE II—DEFINITIONS
	 	 	1	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	2.1 Accounts
	 	 	1	 
	2.2 Affiliates
	 	 	1	 
	2.3 Aggregated Plan
	 	 	1	 
	2.4 Asset Account
	 	 	1	 
	2.5 Beneficiary
	 	 	2	 
	2.6 Board
	 	 	2	 
	2.7 Business Day
	 	 	2	 
	2.8 Cash Account
	 	 	2	 
	2.9 Closing Price
	 	 	2	 
	2.10 Code
	 	 	2	 
	2.11 Committee
	 	 	2	 
	2.12 Common Stock
	 	 	2	 
	2.13 Compensation
	 	 	2	 
	2.14 Corporation
	 	 	3	 
	2.15 Deferral Election
	 	 	3	 
	2.16 Director
	 	 	3	 
	2.17 Exchange Act
	 	 	3	 
	2.18 Investment Fund
	 	 	3	 
	2.19 Participant
	 	 	3	 
	2.20 Participation Agreement
	 	 	3	 
	2.21 Plan
	 	 	3	 
	2.22 Plan Year
	 	 	3	 
	2.23 Reamortization Date
	 	 	4	 
	2.24 Separation from Service
	 	 	4	 
	2.25 Stated Interest Rate
	 	 	4	 
	2.26 Stock Account
	 	 	4	 
	2.27 Stock Credit
	 	 	4	 
	2.28 Valuation Date
	 	 	4	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE III—PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN
	 	 	4	 
	 
	3.1 Eligibility
	 	 	4	 
	3.2 Participation
	 	 	4	 
	3.3 Initial Year of Eligibility
	 	 	5	 
	3.4 Deferral Elections
	 	 	5	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE IV—ACCOUNTS
	 	 	5	 
	 
	4.1 Crediting Accounts
	 	 	5	 
	4.2 Cash Account
	 	 	5	 
	4.3 Stock Account
	 	 	5	 






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TABLE OF CONTENTS





	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	PAGE	 
	4.4 Asset Account
	 	 	6	 
	4.5 Transfers Among Investment Funds and Between Accounts
	 	 	6	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE V—DISTRIBUTIONS
	 	 	8	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	5.1 Distributions upon Separation from Service (Other Than Death)
	 	 	8	 
	5.2 Distributions from Cash Accounts and Asset Accounts
	 	 	8	 
	5.3 Distributions from Stock Accounts
	 	 	8	 
	5.4 Small Accounts
	 	 	9	 
	5.5 In-Service Distributions
	 	 	9	 
	5.6 Accelerated Distribution
	 	 	10	 
	5.7 Distribution upon Death
	 	 	11	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE VI—BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION
	 	 	11	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	6.1 Beneficiary Designation
	 	 	11	 
	6.2 Amendments
	 	 	11	 
	6.3 No Beneficiary Designation or Death of Beneficiary
	 	 	11	 
	6.4 Effect of Payment
	 	 	12	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE VII—THE COMMITTEE
	 	 	12	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	7.1 Authority
	 	 	12	 
	7.2 Elections, Notices
	 	 	12	 
	7.3 Agents
	 	 	12	 
	7.4 Binding Effect of Decisions
	 	 	12	 
	7.5 Indemnity of Committee
	 	 	12	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE VIII—SHARES AVAILABLE
	 	 	12	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	8.1 Number
	 	 	12	 
	8.2 Adjustments
	 	 	13	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE IX—MISCELLANEOUS
	 	 	13	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	9.1 Unfunded Plan
	 	 	13	 
	9.2 Non-alienation of Benefits
	 	 	13	 
	9.3 Invalidity
	 	 	14	 
	9.4 Governing Law
	 	 	14	 
	9.5 Amendment, Modification and Termination of the Plan
	 	 	14	 
	9.6 Successors and Heirs
	 	 	14	 
	9.7 Status as Shareholders
	 	 	14	 
	9.8 Rights
	 	 	14	 
	9.9 Use of Terms
	 	 	14	 
	9.10 Statement of Accounts
	 	 	15	 
	9.11 Compliance with Laws
	 	 	15	 
	9.12 Plan Construction
	 	 	15	 






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TABLE OF CONTENTS





	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	PAGE	 
	9.13 Headings Not Part of Plan
	 	 	15	 
	9.14 Extension of Plan to Affiliates
	 	 	15	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE X—CODE SECTION 409A
	 	 	15	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	10.1 Compliance with Code Section 409A
	 	 	15	 
	10.2 Payments Upon Income Inclusion Under Code Section 409A
	 	 	16	 







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FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION




DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2008




     This Plan is hereby amended and restated as of December 15, 2008 in order to comply with the
requirements of Code Section 409A, to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for
issuance under the Plan and to combine into a single plan the FirstMerit Corporation Director
Deferred Compensation Cash Plan and the FirstMerit Corporation Director Deferred Compensation Stock
Plan, both of which were effective as of January 1, 2001.



ARTICLE 1—PURPOSES




     The purposes of the Plan are (i) to provide Directors with flexibility with respect to the
form and timing of the payment of Compensation, (ii) to more closely align the interests of
Directors with the interests of the Corporation’s shareholders, and (iii) to assist the Corporation
and its Affiliates in attracting and retaining qualified individuals to serve as Directors.



ARTICLE II—DEFINITIONS




     Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth or referenced
below:



2.1 Accounts




     “Accounts” means a Participant’s Cash Accounts, Stock Accounts and Asset Accounts.



2.2 Affiliates




     “Affiliates” means affiliated or subsidiary entities of the Corporation as defined in Code
Sections 414(b) and (c). An Affiliate may elect to participate in the Plan and the Board may
approve such election in its sole discretion.



2.3 Aggregated Plan




     “Aggregated Plan” means any agreement, method, program or other arrangement that, along with
the Plan, would be treated as a single nonqualified deferred compensation plan under Code Section
409A.



2.4 Asset Account




     “Asset Account” means the sub-account(s) maintained by the Committee in the name of a
Participant pursuant to Section 4.4.



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2.5 Beneficiary




     “Beneficiary” means the person, persons, or entity (including without limitation any trustee)
last designated by the Participant to receive benefits specified hereunder in the event of the
Participant’s death.



2.6 Board




     “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.



2.7 Business Day




     “Business Day” means a day, except for a Saturday, Sunday, a legal holiday or a day when the
primary stock exchange on which the Common Stock is traded is not open.



2.8 Cash Account




     “Cash Account” means the sub-account(s) maintained by the Committee in the name of a
Participant pursuant to Section 4.2.



2.9 Closing Price




     “Closing Price” means the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System.



2.10 Code




     “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and including any rules or
regulations promulgated thereunder.



2.11 Committee




     “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.



2.12 Common Stock




     “Common Stock” means the common shares, no par value, of the Corporation.



2.13 Compensation




     “Compensation” means all fees payable to a Director for services to the Corporation and/or an
Affiliate as a director, including retainer fees for service on, and fees for attendance at
meetings of, the Board and any committees thereof, as established by the Board from time to time,
but excluding reimbursements for expenses.



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2.14 Corporation




     “Corporation” means FirstMerit Corporation, an Ohio corporation, and any successor to the
business thereto.



2.15 Deferral Election




     “Deferral Election” means an irrevocable annual election to defer Compensation and the
corresponding distribution elections, made by a Participant pursuant to Articles III, IV and V and
for which a Participation Agreement has been submitted by the Participant to the Committee.



2.16 Director




     “Director” means any individual serving on the Board or on the board of directors of an
Affiliate, who is not an employee of the Corporation or an Affiliate, or any individual serving as
a Community Board Advisor (or like designation).



2.17 Exchange Act




     “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.



2.18 Investment Fund




     “Investment Fund” means an investment fund in which Accounts may be deemed to be invested. An
Investment Fund may be any open-ended fund, closed-end fund, a fund which is deemed to be invested
in a particular stock or other investment except Common Stock, or a fund which credits a fixed or
variable interest rate determined by the Committee.



2.19 Participant




     “Participant” means a Director who has made a Deferral Election, or a former Director who has
an Account.



2.20 Participation Agreement




     “Participation Agreement” means the agreement, whether written or provided through electronic
means, to make a Deferral Election, which, except as provided in Section 3.3, must be submitted by
a Director to the Committee or its delegates prior to the Plan Year to which the Deferral Election
applies.



2.21 Plan




     “Plan” means the FirstMerit Corporation Director Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended from
time to time.



2.22 Plan Year




     “Plan Year” means the calendar year.



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2.23 Reamortization Date




     “Reamortization Date” means the date on which benefit payments are recalculated to account for
changes in investment performance or interest rates. This date shall be the last Business Day of
October, effective on January 1 of the next Plan Year.



2.24 Separation from Service




     “Separation from Service” means the Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in
Code Section 409A) with the Corporation and all Affiliates.



2.25 Stated Interest Rate




     “Stated Interest Rate” means, with respect to any calendar month, two (2) percentage points
over the average of the composite yield on Moody’s Average Corporate Bond Yield for the month of
October immediately preceding the Plan Year as determined from Moody’s Bond Record published by
Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (or any successor thereto), or, if such monthly yield is no longer
published, a substantially similar average selected by the Corporation. The Committee shall
establish the Stated Interest Rate effective as of January 1 of each Plan Year, which, once
established, shall be used for all interest determinations during such Plan Year.



2.26 Stock Account




     “Stock Account” means the sub-account(s) maintained by the Committee in the name of a
Participant pursuant to Section 4.3.



2.27 Stock Credit




     “Stock Credit” means a credit to a Participant’s Stock Account, calculated pursuant to Section
4.3(b) of this Plan.



2.28 Valuation Date




     “Valuation Date” means the last Business Day of the month in which the Participant has a
Separation from Service or dies.



ARTICLE III—PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN




3.1 Eligibility




     All Directors of the Company and a participating Affiliate shall be eligible to participate in
the Plan.



3.2 Participation




     A Director may elect to participate in the Plan each Plan Year by filing with the Committee a
Deferral Election in a Participation Agreement prior to January 1 of the Plan Year in which
Compensation is earned for services performed during such Plan Year, except as set forth in Section
3.3 herein. Such



PAGE 4 - DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN









 







Deferral Election shall be irrevocable as of the December 31 immediately
preceding the Plan Year for which the election is made and shall remain in effect for one (1) Plan
Year only.



3.3 Initial Year of Eligibility




     An individual who becomes a Director between January 1 and June 30 shall be eligible to
participate in the Plan on the July 1 immediately following the date he becomes a Director. Such
Director
may elect to participate in the Plan by filing with the Committee a Deferral Election in a
Participation Agreement no later than thirty (30) days after the date on which the individual
becomes a Director. Such Deferral Election shall be applicable only with respect to Compensation
for services performed after the later of July 1 or the date such election is made, and shall be
irrevocable thirty (30) days after the date on which the individual becomes a Director.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 3.3 shall not apply if, at the time the individual
becomes a Director, the individual also is eligible to participate in any Aggregated Plan.



3.4 Deferral Elections




     Except as provided in Section 3.3, a Director may make a Deferral Election with respect to
Compensation earned for services performed during the immediately succeeding Plan Year by filing a
Participation Agreement with the Committee pursuant to Section 3.2. The amount to be deferred shall
be stated as a whole percentage up to one hundred percent (100%) of Compensation.



ARTICLE IV—ACCOUNTS




4.1 Crediting Accounts




     A Director’s deferred Compensation shall be credited to such Director’s Account(s) as of the
date such amount, absent the Deferral Election, would otherwise have been paid to such Director.



4.2 Cash Account





     (a) Establishing a Cash Account. A Participant may elect to establish an annual Cash
Account which shall be maintained solely for recordkeeping purposes pursuant to a Deferral
Election. A Participant shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in his Cash Account at
all times.




     (b) Earnings. As of the last day of each calendar month, the Participant’s Cash
Account(s) shall be credited with earnings equal to the product of the average daily balance
of the Cash Account(s) during such month (determined after adjustment for any deferred
Compensation credited thereto and any amount distributed therefrom) and an interest rate
equal to the Stated Interest Rate.



4.3 Stock Account





     (a) Establishing a Stock Account. A Participant may elect to establish an annual Stock
Account which shall be maintained solely for recordkeeping purposes pursuant to a Deferral
Election. A Participant shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in his Stock Account(s)
at all times.



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     (b) Stock Credits. Each Participant’s Stock Account shall be credited with Stock
Credits equal to the number of shares of Common Stock (including fractions of a share) that
could have been purchased with the amount of such Compensation the Participant elected to
allocate to the Stock Account at the Closing Price on the day as of which such Stock Account
is so credited.




     (c) Dividends. As of the date any cash dividend is paid to holders of shares of Common
Stock, a Participant’s Stock Account(s) shall be credited with additional Stock Credits
equal to
the number of shares of Common Stock (including fractions of a share) that could have been
purchased at the Closing Price on such date with the amount that would have been paid as
dividends on that number of shares of Common Stock (including fractions of a share) which is
equal to the number of Stock Credits attributable to the Participant’s Stock Account(s) as
of the record date of such dividend. In the case of dividends paid in shares of Common
Stock, the Participant’s Stock Account(s) shall be credited with additional Stock Credits
equal to the number of dividend shares that would have been received with respect to that
number of shares of Common Stock (including fractions of a share) which is equal to the
number of Stock Credits attributable to the Participant’s Stock Account(s) as of the record
date of such dividend.



4.4 Asset Account





     (a) Establishing an Asset Account. With respect to each Plan Year commencing on or
after January 1, 2009, a Participant may elect to establish an annual Asset Account, which
shall be maintained solely for recordkeeping purposes, pursuant to a Deferral Election
allocation to one (1) or more Investment Funds. A Participant shall be one hundred percent
(100%) vested in his Asset Account at all times.




     (b) Selection of Investment Funds. The Committee shall have sole discretion in the
selection, number and types of Investment Funds for this Plan and may change or eliminate
Investment Funds from time to time in its sole discretion.




     (c) Investment Fund Performance. The deemed earnings, gains and losses of each
Investment Fund shall be determined by the Committee, in its reasonable discretion, based on
the performance of the Investment Funds themselves. The balance of a Participant’s Asset
Accounts shall be credited or debited on a daily basis based on the performance of each
Investment Fund in which a Participant’s Asset Accounts are deemed to be invested, such
performance and the crediting of such performance being determined by the Committee in its
sole discretion.



4.5 Transfers Among Investment Funds and Between Accounts





     (a) No Transfers. No amount credited to any Stock Account or Cash Account may be
transferred and credited to any Investment Fund, and no amount credited to an Investment
Fund may be transferred and credited to any Stock Account or Cash Account.




     (b) Investment Funds. Any amount credited to an Investment Fund may be transferred and
credited to any other Investment Fund at the direction of the Participant. Any such
direction from a Participant will become effective as of the first day of the next month
following the Participant’s request for a change.




     (c) Committee Procedures. The Committee may establish such rules and procedures as it
determines to be appropriate for the crediting of deferrals and transfers to Investment
Funds, for



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     transfers among Investment Funds and for crediting deemed earnings, gains and
losses of an Investment Fund.



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ARTICLE V—DISTRIBUTIONS




5.1 Distributions upon Separation from Service (Other Than Death)




     Upon the Participant’s Separation from Service except due to death, distribution of the
Participant’s Account(s) shall be made or commence in accordance with such Participant’s applicable
Deferral Elections no later than thirty (30) days following the Valuation Date; provided, however,
that if the Participant elected a later month for distribution of his Compensation earned for
services performed prior to January 1, 2005 and deemed earnings credited thereon in accordance with
the terms of the Plan as of October 3, 2004, distribution of such amounts shall be distributed on
the date specified in accordance with the terms of the Plan as of October 3, 2004. Distributions
from the Cash Accounts and Asset Accounts shall be made in cash, and distributions from the Stock
Accounts shall be made in Common Stock, in an amount equal to the balance of each such Account as
further described in this Article V.



5.2 Distributions from Cash Accounts and Asset Accounts





     (a) Manner of Payment




     (i) A Participant may elect in the Participation Agreement relating to a Cash
Account or Asset Account to receive such Account in monthly installments not to exceed
one hundred twenty (120) separate installments or in a single, lump sum distribution.
The Committee shall distribute such Account in accordance with such election or, if no
such election is made, in a single, lump sum distribution.




     (ii) Solely with respect to Deferral Elections attributable to Compensation earned
for services performed prior to January 1, 2005 and deemed earnings credited thereon,
the Participant may change a previously made election or make a new election which
shall become effective one (1) year after the date such election is submitted to the
Committee.




     (b) Installment Payments. The amount of a monthly installment from a Cash Account or
Asset Account shall be equal to the product of the current balance in such Account on the
Valuation Date and/or Reamortization Date and a fraction, the numerator of which is one (1)
and the denominator of which is the total number of installments elected, minus the number
of installments previously paid.



5.3 Distributions from Stock Accounts





     (a) Manner of Payment




     (i) Solely with respect to Deferral Elections attributable to Compensation earned
for services performed prior to January 1, 2005 and deemed earnings credited thereon, a
Participant may elect to receive a Stock Account in monthly installments not to exceed
one hundred twenty (120) separate installments or in a single, lump sum distribution.
The Committee shall distribute such Account in accordance with the Participant’s
election, or if no such election is made, in a single, lump sum distribution. If the
Participant’s Stock Account includes a fractional Stock Credit, the number of Stock
Credits in such Stock Account shall be increased to the next highest whole number. The
Participant shall receive one (1) share of Common Stock with respect to each Stock
Credit allocated to such Participant’s Stock Account.



PAGE 8 - DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN









 






     (ii) With respect to Deferral Elections attributable to Compensation earned for
services performed after December 31, 2004 and deemed earnings credited thereon after
that date, a Participant may elect to receive a Stock Account in annual installments
not to exceed ten (10) separate installments or in a single, lump sum distribution.
The Committee shall distribute such Account in accordance with the Participant’s
election, or if no such election is made, in a single, lump sum distribution. If the
Participant’s Stock Account includes a fractional Stock Credit, the number of Stock
Credits shall be increased to the next highest whole number. The Participant shall
receive one (1) share of Common Stock with respect to each Stock Credit allocated to
such Participant’s Stock Account.




     (iii) Solely with respect to Deferral Elections attributable to Compensation
earned for services performed prior to January 1, 2005 and deemed earnings credited
thereon, the Participant may change a previously made election or make a new election
which shall become effective one (1) year after the date such election is submitted to
the Committee.




     (b) Installment Payments. The amount of each installment from a Stock Account shall be
equal to the product of the current number of Stock Credits in such Stock Account on the
Valuation Date and/or Reamortization Date and a fraction, the numerator of which is one (1)
and the denominator of which is the total number of installments elected, minus the number
of installments previously paid.



5.4 Small Accounts





     (a) Solely with respect to Deferral Elections attributable to Compensation earned for
services performed prior to January 1, 2005 and deemed earnings credited thereon, and
notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, if the Participant’s Account balance is
five thousand dollars ($5,000) or less on the Valuation Date, such Account balance shall be
paid in a single, lump sum distribution.




     (b) Solely with respect to Deferral Elections attributable to Compensation earned for
services performed after December 31, 2004 and deemed earnings credited thereon after that
date, and notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if the aggregate combined value
of the Participant’s Account(s) and amounts under any Aggregated Plan is not greater than
the Code Section 402(g)(1)(B) limit on elective deferrals on the Valuation Date, such
Account balance shall be paid in a single, lump sum distribution in cash and/or Common
Stock, as applicable.




     (c) Any payment under Section 5.4(b) must result in the termination and liquidation of
the entirety of the Participant’s interest under the Plan and all Aggregated Plans.



5.5 In-Service Distributions





     (a) Solely with respect to Deferral Elections attributable to Compensation earned for
services performed prior to January 1, 2005 and deemed earnings credited thereto, a
Participant may elect to withdraw all or a portion of his Accounts in substantially equal
annual installments of the Accounts amortized over a period of up to five (5) years or, if
approved by the Committee in its sole discretion, in a single, lump sum distribution. If a
Participant elects to withdraw all of such Accounts, the amount to be distributed in
installment payments shall be determined in the same manner as that set forth in Section
5.2(b) and 5.3(b), as of January 1 of each year in which



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an installment is to be received,
based on the remaining Account balances, as adjusted for gains
and losses, and the remaining number of installment payments. Adjustments for investment
gains and losses shall continue on the undistributed Account balances. Any such election
must be in writing and delivered to the Committee not less than one (1) year in advance of
the payment date.




     (b) Solely with respect to Deferral Elections attributable to Compensation earned for
services performed after December 31, 2004 and earnings credited thereon after that date, a
Participant may make an election in a Participation Agreement to receive amounts deferred in
the applicable Plan Year on a specified date that is no sooner than a date in the third
(3rd) Plan Year following the Plan Year to which the Deferral Election applies.
Such distribution shall be made in a lump sum within thirty (30) days after the specified
date.




     (c) The Participant may subsequently elect to change the date of the in-service
distribution under Section 5.5(b) subject to the following restrictions:




     (i) The new election shall be effective twelve (12) months following the date the
Participant files such election with the Committee;




     (ii) The new election is made at least twelve (12) months prior to the date an
amount is due to be paid pursuant to a prior election; and




     (iii) The new specified date of distribution is not less than five (5) years later
than the date the amount would otherwise have been paid to the Participant.




     (d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Participant has a
Separation from Service or dies prior to the specified payment date, such election shall be
null and void and the Participant’s Accounts shall be distributed pursuant to Section 5.1,
5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and/or 5.7.



5.6 Accelerated Distribution





     (a) Solely with respect to Deferral Elections attributable to Compensation earned for
services performed prior to January 1, 2005 and deemed earnings credited thereon, a
Participant may elect to receive, upon written request to the Committee, a single, lump sum
distribution of more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or if less, the entire balance
held in such Accounts, from the Participant’s Accounts as of the end of the calendar month
prior to the month in which the Committee receives the written request. The amount requested
by the Participant under this Section 5.6 shall be paid in a single, lump sum distribution
within thirty (30) days following the receipt of the notice by the Committee from the
Participant. The Participant shall permanently forfeit ten percent (10%) of the amount
requested. The Corporation shall have no obligation to the Participant or his Beneficiary
with respect to such forfeited amount.




     (b) If a Participant receives a distribution pursuant to this Section 5.6, such
Participant shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan in the Plan Year immediately
following the Plan Year in which the accelerated distribution is requested. In addition, a
Participant who receives an accelerated distribution shall not receive another accelerated
distribution for a period of at least one (1) year from the date of distribution.



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5.7 Distribution upon Death




     Upon the death of a Participant, the Beneficiary shall be entitled to receive an amount equal
to the Participant’s Account balance, plus earnings, gains, losses and dividends on such Accounts
until all
benefits have been paid. Payments shall commence within thirty (30) days of the Participant’s date
of death.



     Each Participant may elect, on a Participation Agreement, to have death benefits covered by
such Participation Agreement paid in any manner described in Sections 5.2 and 5.3. If the
Participant dies after installment payments have commenced, the Committee shall pay the
Participant’s Beneficiary any remaining installment payments that would have been paid had the
Participant survived.



ARTICLE VI—BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION




6.1 Beneficiary Designation




     Each Participant shall have the right, at any time, to designate one (1) or more persons as
the primary or contingent Beneficiary(ies) to whom benefits under this Plan shall be paid in the
event of the Participant’s death prior to complete distribution to the Participant of the benefits
due under the Plan. Unless stated otherwise in writing in the form provided by the Committee,
payments hereunder shall be paid in equal shares to surviving Beneficiaries if more than one (1)
Beneficiary has been chosen. Each Beneficiary designation shall be in a written form prescribed by
the Committee and shall be effective only when filed with the Committee during the Participant’s
lifetime. If a Participant’s Compensation is community property, any Beneficiary designation shall
be valid or effective only as permitted under applicable law.



6.2 Amendments




     Any Beneficiary designation may be changed by a Participant without the consent of any
Beneficiary by the filing of a new Beneficiary designation with the Committee.



6.3 No Beneficiary Designation or Death of Beneficiary




     In the absence of an effective Beneficiary designation, or if all designated Beneficiaries
predecease the Participant, the Participant’s Beneficiary shall be the person in the first of the
following classes in which there is a survivor:




     (a) The surviving spouse; and




     (b) The Participant’s estate.



     In the event of the death of a Beneficiary after payments commence but prior to the
Beneficiary receiving all benefit payments hereunder, the remaining balance shall be paid in a lump
sum to the estate of the Beneficiary.



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6.4 Effect of Payment




     Payment to the Beneficiary (or to the Beneficiary’s estate) shall completely discharge the
Corporation’s obligations under this Plan.



ARTICLE VII—THE COMMITTEE




7.1 Authority




     The Committee shall have full power and authority to administer the Plan, including the power
to (i) promulgate forms to be used with respect to the Plan, (ii) promulgate rules of Plan
administration, (iii) settle any disputes as to rights or benefits arising from the Plan, (iv)
interpret the terms of the Plan and (v) make such decisions or take such action as the Committee,
in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to aid in the proper administration of the
Plan.



7.2 Elections, Notices




     All elections and notices required to be provided to the Committee under the Plan must be on
such form or forms prescribed by, and contain such information as is required by, the Committee.



7.3 Agents




     The Committee may appoint an individual or individuals to be the Committee’s agent with
respect to the day-to-day administration of the Plan. In addition, the Committee may, from time to
time, employ other agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as it sees fit, and may
from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Corporation.



7.4 Binding Effect of Decisions




     The decision or action of the Committee with respect to any question arising out of or in
connection with the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and the rules and
regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and binding upon all persons having any interest
in the Plan.



7.5 Indemnity of Committee




     The Corporation has entered into Indemnification Agreements with each of the members of the
Committee protecting them against such claims, losses, damages, expenses or liabilities arising
from any action or failure to act with respect to this Plan, except as otherwise indicated in such
Indemnification Agreement.



ARTICLE VIII—SHARES AVAILABLE




8.1 Number




     Seven hundred fifty thousand (750,000) shares of Common Stock are available for issuance under
the Plan in accordance with the provisions hereof and such other provisions as the Committee may
from time to time deem necessary. This authorization may be increased from time to time by approval
of the Board and by the shareholders of the Corporation if, in the opinion of counsel for the
Corporation, such



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shareholder approval is required. Stock Credits allocated to a Participant’s
Accounts shall be applied to reduce the maximum number of shares of Common Stock remaining
available under the Plan. Shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan may be taken either from
authorized but unissued or treasury shares, as determined by the Corporation.



8.2 Adjustments





     (a) If at any time the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be increased
as the result of any stock dividend, stock split, subdivision or reclassification of shares,
the number of shares of Common Stock available under Section 8.1 and the number of Stock
Credits with which each Participant’s Account is credited shall be increased in the same
proportion as the outstanding number of shares of Common Stock is increased. If the number
of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall at any time be decreased as the result of any
combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of shares, the number of shares of
Common Stock available under Section 8.1 and the number of Stock Credits with which each
Participant’s Account is credited shall be decreased in the same proportion as the
outstanding number of shares of Common Stock is decreased.




     (b) In the event the Corporation shall at any time be consolidated with or merged into
any other corporation and holders of shares of Common Stock receive shares of the capital
stock of the resulting or surviving corporation, there shall be credited to each
Participant’s Stock Account, in place of the Stock Credits then credited thereto, new Stock
Credits in an amount equal to the product of the number of shares of capital stock exchanged
for one (1) share of Common Stock upon such consolidation or merger and the number of Stock
Credits with which the Participant’s Account then is credited, and the number of shares of
Common Stock available under Section 8.1 shall be similarly adjusted. If in such a
consolidation or merger, holders of shares of Common Stock shall receive any consideration
other than shares of the capital stock of the resulting or surviving corporation or its
parent corporation, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the appropriate
change in Participants’ Accounts.



ARTICLE IX—MISCELLANEOUS




9.1 Unfunded Plan




     No promise hereunder shall be secured by any specific assets of the Corporation or any
Affiliate, nor shall any assets of the Corporation or its Affiliates be designated as attributable
or allocated to the satisfaction of such promises. Participants shall have no rights under the Plan
other than as unsecured general creditors of the Corporation and its Affiliates.



9.2 Non-alienation of Benefits




     No benefit under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale,
transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or charge, and any attempt to do so shall be void. No
such benefit, prior to receipt thereof pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, shall be in any
manner liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of the
Participant.



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9.3 Invalidity




     If any term or provision contained herein is to any extent invalid or unenforceable, such term
or provision will be reformed so that it is valid, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not
affect any other provision or part hereof.



9.4 Governing Law




     This Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to the conflict
of law provisions thereof.



9.5 Amendment, Modification and Termination of the Plan




     The Board at any time may terminate and in any respect amend or modify the Plan; provided,
however, that no such termination, amendment or modification shall adversely affect the rights of
any Participant or Beneficiary, including his rights with respect to Cash and Stock Account
balances credited prior to such termination, amendment or modification, without his consent.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Plan that determine the amount, price or
timing of benefits related to Stock Credits shall not be amended more than once every six (6)
months (other that as may be necessary to conform to any applicable changes in the Code), unless
such amendment would be consistent with the provisions of Rule 16b-3 (or any successor provisions)
promulgated under the Exchange Act. Following termination of the Plan, the Committee may distribute
Participants’ Account balances attributable to Deferred Compensation after December 31, 2004 and
deemed earnings, gains and losses credited thereon if such distribution is permissible under, and
would not result in any Participant being subject to tax penalties pursuant to, Code Section 409A.



9.6 Successors and Heirs




     The Plan and any properly executed elections hereunder shall be binding upon the Corporation,
its Affiliates and Participants, and upon any assignee or successor in interest to the Corporation
or any Affiliate and upon the heirs, legal representatives and Beneficiaries of any Participant.



9.7 Status as Shareholders




     Stock Credits are not, and do not constitute, shares of Common Stock, and no right as a holder
of shares of Common Stock shall devolve upon a Participant unless and until such shares are issued
to the Participant or Beneficiary.



9.8 Rights




     Participation in this Plan shall not give any Director the right to continue to serve as a
member of the Board or the board of directors of any Affiliate or any rights or interests other
than as herein provided.



9.9 Use of Terms




     The masculine includes the feminine and the plural includes the singular, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise.



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9.10 Statement of Accounts




     Each Participant in the Plan during the immediately preceding Plan Year shall receive a
statement of his Accounts under the Plan as of December 31 of such preceding Plan Year. Such
statement shall be in a form and contain such information as is deemed appropriate by the
Committee.



9.11 Compliance with Laws




     This Plan and the payment and deferral of Compensation under this Plan are subject to
compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations (including but not
limited to state and federal reporting, registration, insider trading and other securities laws)
and to such approvals by any listing agency or any regulatory or governmental authority as may, in
the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any
securities delivered under this Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person
acquiring the securities shall, if requested by the Corporation, provide such assurances and
representations to the Corporation as the Corporation may deem necessary or desirable to assure
compliance with all applicable legal requirements.



9.12 Plan Construction




     Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, it is the intent of the Corporation
that all transactions under the Plan satisfy the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated
under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that a Director who is or becomes a member of a committee
administering stock compensation plans of the Corporation will be “disinterested” as defined in
Rule 16b-3 for purposes of administering such plans, will be entitled to the benefits of Rule 16b-3
or other exemptive rules under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subjected to
avoidable liability thereunder. To the extent any provision of the Plan, action by the Committee or
election by a Director fails to so comply, it shall be deemed null and void to the extent permitted
by law.



9.13 Headings Not Part of Plan




     Headings and subheadings in the Plan are inserted for reference only and are not to be
considered in the construction of the Plan.



9.14 Extension of Plan to Affiliates.



     By action of its Board, the Corporation may terminate an Affiliate’s eligibility to
participate in the Plan; provided, however, that such termination shall not be effective until the
last day of the calendar year in which such action was taken. Upon termination of an Affiliate’s
eligibility, the Affiliate shall remain obligated to pay such deferred compensation in accordance
with the provisions of the Plan in effect immediately prior to the date of such termination.



ARTICLE X—CODE SECTION 409A




10.1 Compliance with Code Section 409A




     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, all provisions in this document shall be
interpreted, to the extent possible, to be in compliance with Code Section 409A. However, in the
event any provision of this Plan is determined to not be in compliance with Code Section 409A and
any



PAGE 15 - DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN









 







guidance promulgated thereunder, such provision shall be null and void to the extent of such
noncompliance. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed as an entitlement to or guarantee of any
particular tax treatment for any Participant, and none of the Corporation, any of its Affiliates,
the Board or the Committee shall have any liability with respect to any failure to comply with the
requirements of Code Section 409A.



10.2 Payments Upon Income Inclusion Under Code Section 409A




     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Corporation may accelerate the
time or schedule of a distribution to a Participant at any time the Plan fails to meet the
requirements of Code Section 409A. Such distribution may not exceed the amount required to be
included in income as a result of the failure to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:

	 	/s/ Christopher J. Maurer
 


	 	 
	 

	 	 
Its:
	 	

Executive Vice President
	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Dated:
	 	12/16/2008	 	 







PAGE 16 - DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN