###### **Exhibit10.23**

 

**HERITAGE OAKS BANK**

**SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT**

 

THIS AGREEMENT is adopted this1st day of February 2002, by and between HERITAGE OAKS BANK, a state-charteredcommercial bank located in Paso Robles, California (the “Bank”), and PAULTOGNAZZINI (the “Executive”).

 

**INTRODUCTION**

 

To encourage the Executive toremain an employee of the Bank, the Bank is willing to provide salarycontinuation benefits to the Executive. The Bank will pay the benefits from its general assets.

 

**AGREEMENT**

 

The Bank and the Executive agreeas follows:

 

**Article 1**

**Definitions**

 

**Whenever used in thisAgreement, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings specified:**

 

1.1           *“Change of Control”* means:

 

(a)           A change in theownership of the capital stock of the Company, whereby another corporation,person, or group acting in concert (hereinafter this Agreement shallcollectively refer to any combination of these three [another corporation,person, or group acting in concert] as a “Person”) as described in Section 14(d)(2)of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”),acquires, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership (within the meaning ofRule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of a number of shares of capitalstock of the Company which constitutes fifty percent (50%) or more of thecombined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding capital stock then entitled to vote generally in theelection of directors; or

 

(b)           The persons who weremembers of the Board of Directors of the Company immediately prior to a tenderoffer, exchange offer, contested election or any combination of the foregoing,cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors; or

 

(c)           The adoption by theBoard of Directors of the Company of a merger, consolidation or reorganizationplan involving the Company in which the Company is not the surviving entity, ora sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.  For purposes of this Agreement, a sale of allor substantially all of the assets of the Company shall be deemed to occur ifany Person acquires (or during the 12-month period ending on the date of themost recent acquisition by such Person, has acquired) gross assets of theCompany that have an aggregate fair market value equal to fifty percent (50%)or more of the fair market value of all of the respective gross assets of theCompany immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; or

 

(d)           A tender offer orexchange offer is made by any Person which results in such Person beneficiallyowning (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act)either fifty percent (50%) or more of the Company’s outstanding shares ofCommon Stock or shares of capital stock having fifty percent (50%) or more thecombined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding capital stock (otherthan an offer made by the Company), and sufficient shares are acquired underthe offer to cause such person to own fifty percent (50%) or more of the votingpower; or

 

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(e)           Any othertransactions or series of related transactions occurring which havesubstantially the same effect as the transactions specified in any of thepreceding clauses of this Section 1.1.

 

Notwithstandingthe above, certain transfers are permitted within Section 318 of the Code andsuch transfers shall not be deemed a Change of Control under this Section 1.2.

 

1.2. *“Code”* means theInternal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

1.1           *“Company”*means Heritage Oaks Bancorp

 

1.2           “*Bank”*means Heritage Oaks Bank

 

1.3                                 *“Disability”* means the Executive’s suffering a sickness,accident or injury which has been determined by the carrier of any individualor group disability insurance policy covering the Executive, or by the SocialSecurity Administration, to be a disability rendering the Executive totally andpermanently disabled.  The Executivemust submit proof to the Bank of the carrier’s or Social SecurityAdministration’s determination upon the request of the Bank.

 

1.4                                 *“Early Termination”* means the Termination of Employment before NormalRetirement Age for reasons other than death, Disability, Termination for Causeor following a Change of Control.

 

1.5                                 *“Early Termination Date”* means the month, day and year in which EarlyTermination occurs.

 

1.6                                 *“Effective Date”* means February 1, 2002.

 

1.7                                 *“Normal Retirement Age”* means the Executive’s 62nd birthday.

 

1.8                                 *“Normal Retirement Date”* means the later of the Normal Retirement Age orTermination of Employment.

 

1.9                                 *“Plan Year”* means each 12-month period from the EffectiveDate.

 

1.10                           “Termination for Cause” See Article 5.

 

1.11                           *“Termination of Employment”* means that the Executive ceases to be employed bythe Bank for any reason, voluntary or involuntary, other than by reason of aleave of absence approved by the Bank.

 

**Article 2**

**Lifetime Benefits**

 

2.1           *Normal Retirement Benefit*.  Upon Termination of Employment on or afterthe Normal Retirement Age****for reasons other than death, the Bankshall pay to the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.1 in lieu ofany other benefit under this Agreement.

 

2.1.1        *Amount of Benefit*. The annual benefit under this Section 2.1 is $18,000 (Eighteen ThousandDollars).  The Bank’s Board ofDirectors, in its sole discretion, may increase the annual benefit under thisSection 2.1.1; however, an increase shall require the recalculation of ScheduleA.

 

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2.1.2        *Payment of Benefit*. The Bank shall pay the annual benefit to the Executive in 12 equalmonthly installments commencing with the month following the Executive’s NormalRetirement Date, paying the annual benefit to the Executive for a period of 15years.

 

2.2           *Early Termination Benefit*.  Upon Early Termination, the Bank shall payto the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.2 in lieu of any otherbenefit under this Agreement.

 

2.2.1*        Amountof Benefit*.  The benefitunder this Section 2.2 is the Early Termination Lump Sum set forth on ScheduleA for the Plan Year ending immediately prior to the Early Termination Date,determined by vesting the Executive in 10 percent of the Accrual Balance setforth on Schedule A for the first Plan Year and an additional 10 percent ofsaid amount for each succeeding year thereafter until the Executive becomes 100percent vested in the Accrual Balance.

 

2.2.2*        Paymentof Benefit*.  The Bank shallpay the benefit to the Executive in a lump sum amount pursuant to Schedule A,within 90 days following the Early Termination date.

 

2.3           *Disability Benefit.*  If the Executive terminates employment dueto Disability prior to Normal Retirement Age, the Bank shall pay to theExecutive the benefit described in this Section 2.3 in lieu of any otherbenefit under this Agreement.

 

2.3.1*        Amountof Benefit.*  The benefitunder this Section 2.3 is the Disability Annual Benefit set forth on Schedule Afor the Plan Year ending immediately prior to the date in which the Terminationof Employment occurs (except during the first Plan Year, the benefit is theamount set forth for Plan Year 1), determined by vesting the Executive in  100 percent of the Accrual Balance.

 

2.3.2        *Payment of Benefit.* The Bank shall pay the annual benefit to the Executive in 12 equalmonthly installments commencing with the month following the Normal RetirementAge, paying the annual benefit to the Executive for a period of 15 years.

 

2.4*           Change of*Control*Benefit*.  Upon a Change of Control, the Bank shall payto the Executive the benefit described in this Section 2.4 in lieu of any otherbenefit under this Agreement.

 

2.4.1*        Amountof Benefit.*  The benefitunder this Section 2.4 is the Change of Control Annual Benefit set forth onSchedule A for the Plan Year ending immediately prior to the date in whichTermination of Employment occurs (except during the first Plan Year, thebenefit is the amount set forth for Plan Year 1), determined by vesting theExecutive in the Normal Retirement Benefit described in Section 2.1.1.

 

2.4.2*        Paymentof Benefit**.******* The Bank shall pay the annual benefit to theExecutive in 12 equal monthly installments commencing with the month followingthe Normal Retirement Age, paying the annual benefit to the Executive for aperiod of 15 years.

 

2.4.3        *Excess Parachute Payment*. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, theBank shall not pay any benefit under this Agreement to the extent the benefitwould create an excise tax under the excess parachute rules of Section 280G ofthe Code.

 

**Article 3**

**Death Benefits**

 

3.1           *Death During Active Service*.  If the Executive dies while in the activeservice of the Bank, the Bank shall pay to the Executive’s beneficiary thebenefit described in this Section 3.1. This benefit

 

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shallbe paid in lieu of the benefits under Article 2.

 

3.1.1        *Amount of Benefit*. The annual benefit underthis Section 3.1 is the Normal Retirement Benefit amount described in Section2.1.1.

 

3.1.2        *Payment of Benefit*. The Bank shall pay theannual benefit to the Executive’s beneficiary in 12 equal monthly installmentscommencing with the month following the Executive’s death, paying the annualbenefit to the Executive’s beneficiary for a period of 15 years.

 

3.2           *Death During Payment of a LifetimeBenefit*.  If the Executivedies after any Lifetime Benefit payments have commenced under this Agreementbut before receiving all such payments, the Bank shall pay the remainingbenefits to the Executive’s beneficiary at the same time and in the sameamounts they would have been paid to the Executive had the Executive survived.

 

3.3           *Death After Termination of EmploymentBut Before Payment of a Lifetime Benefit Commences.*** **If the Executive is entitled to aLifetime Benefit under this Agreement, but dies prior to the commencement ofsaid benefit payments, the Bank shall pay the same benefit payments to theExecutive’s beneficiary that the Executive was entitled to prior to deathexcept that the benefit payments shall commence on the first day of the monthfollowing the date of the Executive’s death.

 

**Article 4**

**Beneficiaries**

 

4.1           *Beneficiary Designations*.  The Executive shall designate a beneficiaryby filing a written designation with the Bank. The Executive may revoke or modify the designation at any time by filinga new designation.  However,designations will only be effective if signed by the Executive and received bythe Bank during the Executive’s lifetime. The Executive’s beneficiary designation shall be deemed automaticallyrevoked if the beneficiary predeceases the Executive, or if the Executive namesa spouse as beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved.  If the Executive dies without a validbeneficiary designation, all payments shall be made to the Executive’s estate.

 

4.2           *Facility of Payment*.  If a benefit is payable to a minor, to aperson declared incompetent, or to a person incapable of handling thedisposition of his or her property, the Bank may pay such benefit to theguardian, legal representative or person having the care or custody of suchminor, incompetent person or incapable person. The Bank may require proof of incompetence, minority or guardianship asit may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit.  Such distribution shall completely dischargethe Bank from all liability with respect to such benefit.

 

**Article 5**

**General Limitations**

 

5.1           *Termination for Cause*.  Notwithstanding any provision of thisAgreement to the contrary, the Bank shall not pay any benefit under thisAgreement if the Bank terminates the Executive’s employment for:

 

(a)           Grossnegligence or gross neglect of duties;

 

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

 

(c)           Fraud,disloyalty, dishonesty or willful violation of any law or significant Bankpolicy committed in connection with the Executive’s employment and resulting inan adverse effect on the Bank.

 

5.2           *S**uicide or Misstatement*.  The Bank shall not pay any benefit underthis Agreement if the

 

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Executivecommits suicide within three years after the date of this Agreement.  In addition, the Bank shall not pay anybenefit under this Agreement if the Executive has made any materialmisstatement of fact on an employment application or resume provided to theBank, or on any application for any benefits provided by the Bank to theExecutive.

 

**Article 6**

**Claims and Review Procedure**

 

6.1           *Claims Procedure*.  Any person or entity (“claimant”) who hasnot received benefits under the Agreement that he or she believes should bepaid shall make a claim for such benefits as follows:

 

6.1.1        *Initiation – Written Claim*.  The claimant initiates a claim by submittingto the Bank a written claim for the benefits.

 

6.1.2        *Timing of Bank Response.*  The Bank shall respond to such claimantwithin 90 days after receiving the claim. If the Bank determines that special circumstances require additionaltime for processing the claim, the Bank can extend the response period by anadditional 90 days by notifying the claimant in writing, prior to the end ofthe initial 90-day period, that an additional period is required.  The notice of extension must set forth thespecial circumstances and the date by which the Bank expects to render itsdecision.

 

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 such denial.  The Bank shall write the notification in amanner calculated to be understood by the claimant.  The notification shall set forth:

 

(a)           Thespecific reasons for the denial;

 

(b)           Areference to the specific provisions of the Agreement on which the denial isbased;

 

(c)           Adescription of any additional information or material necessary for theclaimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why it is needed;

 

(d)           Anexplanation of the Agreement’s review procedures and the time limits applicableto such procedures; and

 

(e)           Astatement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section502(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 Bankof the denial, as follows:

 

6.2.1        *Initiation – Written Request*.  To initiate the review, the claimant, within60 days after receiving the Bank’s notice of denial, must file with the Bank awritten request for review.

 

6.2.2        *Additional Submissions – Information Access*.  The claimant shall then have the opportunityto submit written comments, documents, records and other information relatingto the claim.  The Bank shall alsoprovide the claimant, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to,and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (asdefined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the claimant’s claim for benefits.

 

6.2.3        *Considerations on Review*.  In considering the review, the Bank shalltake into account all materials and information the claimant submits relatingto the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted orconsidered in the initial benefit determination.

 

6.2.4        *Timing of Bank Response*.  The Bank shall respond in writing to suchclaimant

 

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within 60 days after receiving the request for review.  If the Bank determines that specialcircumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Bank canextend the response period by an additional 60 days by notifying the claimantin writing, prior to the end of the initial 60-day period, that an additionalperiod is required.  The notice ofextension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which theBank expects to render its decision.

 

6.2.5        *Notice of Decision*.  The Bank shall notify the claimant inwriting of its decision on review.  TheBank shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood bythe claimant.  The notification shallset forth:

 

(a)           Thespecific reasons for the denial;

 

(b)           Areference to the specific provisions of the Agreement on which the denial isbased;

 

(c)           Astatement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free ofcharge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and otherinformation relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to theclaimant’s claim for benefits; and

 

(d)           Astatement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section502(a).

 

**Article 7**

**Amendments and Termination**

 

This Agreement may be amended or terminated only by a written agreementsigned by the Bank and the Executive.

 

**Article 8**

**Miscellaneous**

 

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

 

8.2           *No Guarantee of Employment*.  This Agreement is not an employment policyor contract.  It does not give theExecutive the right to remain an employee of the Bank, nor does it interferewith the Bank’s right to discharge the Executive.  It also does not require the Executive to remain an employee norinterfere with the Executive’s right to terminate employment at any time.

 

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

 

8.4           *Reorganization. *The Bank shall not merge orconsolidate into or with another Bank, or reorganize, or sell substantially allof its assets to another Bank, firm, or person unless such succeeding orcontinuing Bank, firm, or person agrees to assume and discharge the obligationsof the Bank under this Agreement.  Uponthe occurrence of such event, the term “Bank” as used in this Agreement shallbe deemed to refer to the successor or survivor Bank.

 

8.5           *Tax Withholding*.  The Bank shall withhold any taxes that arerequired to be withheld from the benefits provided under this Agreement.

 

8.6           *Applicable Law*.  The Agreement and all rights hereunder shallbe governed by the laws of the State of California, except to the extentpreempted by the laws of the United States of America.

 

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8.7           *Unfunded Arrangement*.  The Executive and beneficiary are generalunsecured creditors of the Bank for the payment of benefits under thisAgreement.  The benefits represent themere promise by the Bank to pay such benefits. The rights to benefits are not subject in any manner to anticipation,alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, orgarnishment by creditors.  Any insuranceon the Executive’s life is a general asset of the Bank to which the Executiveand beneficiary have no preferred or secured claim.

 

8.8*           Entire Agreement. *This Agreement constitutes theentire agreement between the Bank and the Executive as to the subject matterhereof.  No rights are granted to theExecutive by virtue of this Agreement other than those specifically set forthherein.

 

8.9           *Administration. *The Bank shall have powers whichare necessary to administer this Agreement, including but not limited to:

 

(a)                      Establishing and revising the method ofaccounting for the Agreement;

 

(b)                     Maintaining a record of benefit payments;

 

(c)                      Establishing rules and prescribing any formsnecessary or desirable to administer the Agreement; and

 

8.10         *Named Fiduciary.*The Bankshall be the named fiduciary and plan administrator under this Agreement.  It may delegate to others certain aspects ofthe management and operational responsibilities including the employment ofadvisors and the delegation of ministerial duties to qualified individuals.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and the Bank have signed thisAgreement.

 

 
| **EXECUTIVE:**      |   | **BANK:**              |
|---------------------|--------|------------------------|
|                |   | **HERITAGE OAKS BANK** |
|                |   |                   |
|                |   | **By**                 |
|                |   |                   |
| **Paul Tognazzini** |   |                   |
|                |   | **Title**              |
|                |   |                   |

 

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