Document:

ex10-1.htm

Exhibit 10.1

THOMAS D. CESTARE

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), is made this 16th day of June, 2010, by and between BENEFICIAL MUTUAL BANCORP, INC., a federally chartered corporation (the “Company”), BENEFICIAL MUTUAL SAVINGS BANK, a Pennsylvania chartered savings bank (the “Bank”), and THOMAS D. CESTARE (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Executive has accepted employment with the Company and the Bank in  positions of substantial responsibility;

WHEREAS, the Company, the Bank and the Executive wish to set forth the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and upon the other terms and conditions provided for in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.            Employment. The Executive shall be employed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank. The Executive shall perform all duties and shall have all powers which are commonly incident to the offices of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank, or which, consistent with those offices, are delegated to him by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank.  (All subsequent references herein to the Board shall be to the Board of the Bank, unless otherwise indicated.)

2.            Location and Facilities. The Executive will be furnished with the working facilities and staff customary for executive officers with the title and duties set forth in Section 1 and as are necessary for him to perform his duties.  The location of such facilities and staff shall be at the principal administrative offices of the Company and the Bank, or at such other site or sites customary for such offices.

3.            Term.

a.            The term of this Agreement shall be (i) the initial term, consisting of the period commencing on July 6, 2010, the Executive’s first day of employment with the Company and the Bank (the “Effective Date”) and ending on May 20, 2012, plus (ii) any and all extensions of the initial term made pursuant to this Section 3.

b.            Commencing on May 20, 2011, and continuing on each May 20th (the “anniversary date”) thereafter, the disinterested members of the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank may extend the Agreement an additional year unless the Executive elects not to extend the term of this Agreement by giving written notice in accordance with Section 19 of this Agreement.  The Compensation Committee of the Board will review this Agreement and the Executive’s performance annually prior to each anniversary date for purposes of determining whether to recommend an extension of the Agreement to the Board.  The rationale and results of the Board’s discussion shall be included in the minutes of the Board’s meeting.  The Board shall give notice to the Executive as soon as possible after such review as to whether the Agreement is to be extended.

 

  

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4.             Base Compensation.

a.             The Company and the Bank agree to pay the Executive a base salary at the rate of $325,000 per year, payable in accordance with customary payroll practices.

b.            The Board shall review at least annually the rate of the Executive’s base salary based upon factors they deem relevant.

c.             In the absence of action by the Board, the Executive shall continue to receive salary at the annual rate specified on the Effective Date or, if another rate has been established under the provisions of this Section 4, the rate last properly established by action of the Board under the provisions of this Section 4.

5.            Bonuses.  The Executive shall be entitled to participate in discretionary bonuses or other incentive compensation programs that the Company and the Bank may award from time to time to senior management employees pursuant to bonus plans or otherwise; provided, however, that the Executive’s incentive compensation opportunity in the 2010 calendar year shall not be less than $75,000.  The determination of the amount payable to the Executive as incentive compensation (if any) for calendar years after 2010, shall be determined at the Board’s discretion or pursuant to the terms of any incentive compensation plan adopted by the Board and such amount, if any, shall be payable not later December 31 of each year or as specified in the applicable plan.

In addition to the foregoing, the Executive shall receive a $75,000 lump sum signing bonus, less applicable withholding, payable 90 business days after the Executive’s first day of employment with the Company and the Bank, provided he is still employed by the Company and the Bank on such date.

6.            Benefit Plans.  The Executive shall be entitled to participate in such employee welfare benefit plans, pension, profit sharing, retirement and stock-based compensation plans and other programs and arrangements as may be approved from time to time by the Company and the Bank for the benefit of their employees on such terms as the Board of the Company or the Bank may specify.

In addition to the foregoing, the Executive will be awarded 2,500 shares of Restricted Stock and a Non-Statutory Stock Option to purchase 2,500 shares of Company common stock under the terms and conditions set forth in the Beneficial Mutual Bancorp, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”).  The Restricted Stock and Non-Statutory Stock Option will be awarded to the Executive on his first day of employment with the Company and the Bank (the “grant date”).  In accordance with the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan, the Restricted Stock and Non-Statutory Stock Option will vest ratably over a five-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.

  

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7.            Vacation and Leave.

a.            The Executive shall be entitled to vacations and other leave in accordance with policy for senior executives, or otherwise as approved by the Board, but, in any event, not less than four (4) weeks of paid vacation leave annually.  The Executive’s vacation time will be pro-rated for the 2010 calendar year based on his date of hire.

b.            In addition to paid vacations and other leave, the Executive shall be entitled, without loss of pay, to absent himself voluntarily from the performance of his employment for such additional periods of time and for such valid and legitimate reasons as the Board may, in its discretion, determine.  Further, the Board may grant to the Executive a leave or leaves of absence, with or without pay, at such time or times and upon such terms and conditions as the Board in its discretion may determine.

8.             Expenses and Reimbursements.  The Executive shall be reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses that he shall incur in connection with his services under this Agreement upon substantiation of such expenses in accordance with applicable policies of the Company and the Bank.

9.            Perquisites.  In connection with the performance of his duties under this Agreement, the Bank shall provide the Executive with the following perquisites: (i) use of an automobile and payment of related expenses including paid parking and (ii) a laptop computer, cell phone and other wireless devices of the Executive’s choosing.  To the extent required by applicable law, the Bank shall report as income to the Executive the value of his personal use of any perquisites.

10.          Loyalty and Confidentiality.

	  	
a.

	
During the term of this Agreement the Executive:  (i) shall devote all his time, attention, skill, and efforts to the faithful performance of his duties hereunder; provided, however, that from time to time, the Executive may serve on the boards of directors of, and hold any other offices or positions in, companies or organizations which will not present any conflict of interest with the Company and the Bank or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, unfavorably affect the performance of the Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement, or violate any applicable statute or regulation and (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity contrary to the business affairs or interests of the Company and the Bank.

	  	  	  
	  	
b.

	
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive’s right to invest in the capital stock or other securities of any business dissimilar from that of the Company and the Bank, or, solely as a passive, minority investor, in any business.

	  	  	  
	  	
c.

	
The Executive agrees to maintain the confidentiality of any and all information concerning the operation or financial status of the Company and the Bank; the names or addresses of any of its borrowers, depositors and other customers; any information concerning or obtained from such customers; and any other information concerning the Company and the Bank to which he may be exposed during the course of his employment.  The Executive further agrees that, unless required by law or specifically permitted by the Board in writing, he will not disclose to any person or entity, either during or subsequent to his employment, any of the above-mentioned information which is not generally known to the public, nor shall he employ such information in any way other than for the benefit of the Company and the Bank.

 

  

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11.           Termination and Termination Pay.  Subject to Section 12 of this Agreement, the Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated in the following circumstances:

	  	
a.

	
Death.  The Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall terminate upon his death during the term of this Agreement, in which event the Executive’s estate shall be entitled to receive the compensation due to the Executive through the last day of the calendar month in which his death occurred.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	
b.

	
Retirement.  This Agreement will terminate on the Executive’s Retirement Date.  For purposes of this Agreement, Retirement Date is defined as the date the Executive retires from the Bank under the retirement benefit plan or plans in which he participates pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	
c.

	
Disability.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
i.

	
The Board or the Executive may terminate the Executive’s employment after having determined the Executive has a Disability.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means a physical or mental infirmity that impairs  the Executive’s ability to substantially perform his duties under this Agreement and that results in  becoming eligible for long-term disability benefits under any long-term disability plans of the Company and the Bank (or, if there are no such plans in effect, that impairs the Executive’s ability to substantially perform his duties under this Agreement for a period of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days).  The Board shall determine whether or not the Executive is and continues to be permanently disabled for purposes of this Agreement in good faith, based upon competent medical advice and other factors that they reasonably believe to be relevant.  As a condition to any benefits, the Board may require the Executive to submit to such physical or mental evaluations and tests as it deems reasonably appropriate.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
ii.

	
In the event of such Disability, the Executive’s obligation to perform services under this Agreement will terminate.  The Bank will pay the Executive, as Disability pay, an amount equal to sixty-six and two thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Executive’s bi-weekly rate of base salary in effect as of the date of his termination of employment due to Disability.  Disability payments will be made on a monthly basis and will commence on the first day of the month following the effective date of the Executive’s termination of employment for Disability and end on the earlier of:  (A) the date the Executive returns to full-time employment at the Bank in the same capacity as he was employed prior to his termination for Disability; (B) the Executive’s death; (C) the Executive’s attainment of age 65; or (D) the date the Agreement would have expired had the Executive’s employment not terminated by reason of Disability.  Such payments shall be reduced by the amount of any short- or long-term disability benefits payable to the Executive under any other disability programs sponsored by the Company and the Bank.  In addition, during any period of the Executive’s Disability, the Executive and his dependents shall, to the greatest extent possible, continue to be covered under all benefit plans (including, without limitation, retirement plans and medical, dental and life insurance plans) of the Company and the Bank, in which the Executive participated prior to his Disability on the same terms as if the Executive were actively employed by the Company and the Bank.

 

  

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d.

	
Termination for Cause.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
i.

	
The Board may, by written notice to the Executive in the form and manner specified in this paragraph, immediately terminate his employment at any time, for “Cause.”  The Executive shall have no right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for Cause except for vested benefits.  Termination for Cause shall mean termination because of, in the good faith determination of the Board, the Executive’s:

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(1)

	
Personal dishonesty;

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(2)

	
Incompetence;

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(3)

	
Willful misconduct;

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(4)

	
Breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit;

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(5)

	
Intentional failure to perform stated duties under this Agreement;

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(6)

	
Willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) that reflects adversely on the reputation of the Company and the Bank, any felony conviction, any violation of law involving moral turpitude, or any violation of a final cease-and-desist order; or

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(7)

	
Material breach by the Executive of any provision of this Agreement.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
ii.

	
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause by the Company and the Bank unless there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of such Board called and held for the purpose (after reasonable notice to the Executive and an opportunity for the Executive to be heard before the Board with counsel), of finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive was guilty of the conduct described above and specifying the particulars thereof.

 

  

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e.

	
Voluntary Termination by the Executive.  In addition to his other rights to terminate under this Agreement, the Executive may voluntarily terminate employment during the term of this Agreement upon at least sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Board, in which case the Executive shall receive only his compensation, vested rights and employee benefits up to the date of his termination of employment.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	
f.

	
Without Cause or With Good Reason.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
i.

	
In addition to termination pursuant to Sections 11a. through 11e., the Board may, by written notice to the Executive, immediately terminate his employment at any time for a reason other than Cause (a termination “Without Cause”) and the Executive may, by written notice to the Board, immediately terminate this Agreement at any time within ninety (90) days following an event constituting “Good Reason,” as defined below (a termination “With Good Reason”).

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
ii.

	
Subject to Section 12 of this Agreement, in the event of termination under this Section 11f., the Executive shall be entitled to receive a severance benefit equal to the sum of two (2) times the sum of the Executive’s (i) current base salary and (ii) the most recent bonus paid to the Executive by the Company and/or the Bank.  The Executive’s severance benefit shall be payable ratably over a two (2) year period through the Bank’s regular payroll.  In addition,  the Executive shall receive continued medical, dental and life insurance coverage, upon terms no less favorable than the most favorable terms provided to senior executives of the Company and the Bank during the twenty-four (24) month period following his termination date.  In the event that the Company and the Bank are unable to provide such coverage by reason of the Executive no longer being an employee, the Company and the Bank shall provide the Executive with comparable coverage on an individual policy basis.  The severance payments and benefits provided under this subparagraph (ii) are subject to Section 11f.(v) of this Agreement.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
iii.

	
“Good Reason” shall exist if, without the Executive’s express written consent, the Company and the Bank materially breach any of their respective obligations under this Agreement.  Without limitation, such a material breach shall be deemed to occur upon any of the following:

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(1)

	
A material reduction in the Executive’s responsibilities or authority in connection with his employment with the Company or the Bank;

 

  

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(2)

	
Assignment to the Executive of duties of a non-executive nature or duties for which he is not reasonably equipped by his skills and experience;

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(3)

	
A reduction in salary or benefits contrary to the terms of this Agreement, or, following a Change in Control as defined in Section 12 of this Agreement, any reduction in salary or material reduction in benefits below the amounts to which the Executive was entitled prior to the Change in Control;

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(4)

	
Termination of incentive and benefit plans (other than the Bank’s tax-qualified plans), programs or arrangements, or reduction of the Executive’s participation to such an extent as to materially reduce their aggregate value below their aggregate value as of the Effective Date;

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(5)

	
A relocation of the Executive’s principal business office by more than thirty (30) miles from its current location; or

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	
(6)

	
Liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the Bank.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
iv.

	
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a reduction or elimination of the Executive’s benefits under one or more benefit plans maintained by the Company or the Bank as part of a good faith, overall reduction or elimination of such plans or benefits thereunder applicable to all participants in a manner that does not discriminate against the Executive (except as such discrimination may be necessary to comply with law) shall not constitute an event of Good Reason or a material breach of this Agreement, provided that benefits of the same type or to the same general extent as those offered under such plans are not available to other officers of the Company and the Bank, or any company that controls either of them, under a plan or plans in or under which the Executive is not entitled to participate subsequent to such reduction or elimination of benefits.

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
v.

	
The parties to this Agreement intend for the payments to satisfy the short-term deferral exception under Section 409A of the Code or, in the case of health and welfare benefits, not constitute deferred compensation (since such amounts are not taxable to the Executive).  However, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent payments do not meet the short-term deferral exception of Section 409A of the Code and, in the event the Executive is a “Specified Employee” (as defined herein) no payment shall be made to the Executive under this Agreement prior to the first day of the seventh month following the Event of Termination in excess of the “permitted amount” under Section 409A of the Code.  For these purposes the “permitted amount” shall be an amount that does not exceed two times the lesser of: (A) the sum of the Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay for services provided to the Company for the calendar year preceding the year in which the Executive has an Event of Termination, or (B) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a tax-qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the calendar year in which occurs the Event of Termination.  The payment of the “permitted amount” shall be made within sixty (60) days of the occurrence of the Event of Termination.  Any payment in excess of the permitted amount shall be made to the Executive on the first day of the seventh month following the Event of Termination.  “Specified Employee” shall be interpreted to comply with Section 409A of the Code and shall mean a key employee within the meaning of Section 416(i) of the Code (without regard to paragraph 5 thereof), but an individual shall be a “Specified Employee” only if the Company is a publicly-traded institution or the subsidiary of a publicly-traded holding company.

 

  

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g.

	
Continuing Covenant Not to Compete or Interfere with Relationships.  Regardless of anything herein to the contrary, following a termination by the Company and the Bank or the Executive pursuant to Section 11f.:

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
i.

	
The Executive’s obligations under Section 10c. of this Agreement will continue in effect; and

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
ii.

	
During the period ending one year after such termination of employment, the Executive shall not serve as an officer, director or employee of any bank holding company, bank, savings bank, savings and loan holding company, or mortgage company (any of which, a “Financial Institution”) which Financial Institution offers products or services competing with those offered by the Bank from any office within thirty (30) miles from the main office or any branch of the Bank and shall not interfere with the relationship of the Company and the Bank and any of its employees, agents, or representatives.

12.          Termination in Connection with a Change in Control.

	  	
a.

	
For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” means any of the following events:

	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
i.

	
Merger:  The Company or the Bank merges into or consolidates with another corporation, or merges another corporation into the Company or the Bank, and as a result less than a majority of the combined voting power of the resulting corporation immediately after the merger or consolidation is held by persons who were stockholders of the Company or the Bank immediately before the merger or consolidation.

 

  

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ii.

	
Acquisition of Significant Share Ownership:  There is filed, or required to be filed, a report on Schedule 13D or another form or schedule (other than Schedule 13G) required under Sections 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if the schedule discloses that the filing person or persons acting in concert has or have become the beneficial owner of 25% or more of a class of the Company’s voting securities, but this clause (b) shall not apply to beneficial ownership of Company voting shares held in a fiduciary capacity by an entity of which the Company directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of its outstanding voting securities.

	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
iii.

	
Change in Board Composition:  During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who constitute the Company’s or the Bank’s Board of Directors at the beginning of the two-year period cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Company’s or the Bank’s Board of Directors; provided, however, that for purposes of this clause (iii), each director who is first elected by the board (or first nominated by the board for election by the stockholders) by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors who were directors at the beginning of the two-year period shall be deemed to have also been a director at the beginning of such period; or

	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
iv.

	
Sale of Assets:  The Company or the Bank sells to a third party all or substantially all of its assets.

	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the reorganization of the Bank from the mutual holding company form of organization to the full stock holding company form of organization (including the elimination of the mutual holding company) constitute a “Change in Control” for purposes of this Agreement.

	  	  	  	  
	  	
b.

	
Termination.  If within the period ending  twelve (12) months after a Change in Control, (i) the Company and the Bank shall terminate the Executive’s employment Without  Cause, or (ii) the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment With Good Reason, the Company and the Bank shall, within ten (10) calendar days of the termination of the Executive’s employment, make a lump-sum cash payment to him equal to three (3) times the sum of the Executive’s (i) base salary and (ii) the most recent bonus paid by the Company and/or Bank.  Also, in such event, the Executive shall, for a thirty-six (36) month period following his termination of employment, receive continued medical, dental and life insurance coverage upon terms no less favorable than the most favorable terms provided to senior executives of the Bank during such period.  In the event that the Company or the Bank is unable to provide such coverage by reason of the Executive no longer being an employee, the Company and the Bank shall provide the Executive with comparable coverage under an individual policy.  The parties to this Agreement intend for the payments to satisfy the short-term deferral exception under Section 409A of the Code or, in the case of health and welfare benefits, not constitute deferred compensation (since such amounts are not taxable to the Executive).  However, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent payments do not meet the short-term deferral exception of Section 409A of the Code and, in the event the Executive is a “Specified Employee” (as defined herein) no payment shall be made to the Executive under this Agreement prior to the first day of the seventh month following the Event of Termination in excess of the “permitted amount” under Section 409A of the Code.  For these purposes the “permitted amount” shall be an amount that does not exceed two times the lesser of: (A) the sum of the Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay for services provided to the Company for the calendar year preceding the year in which the Executive has an Event of Termination, or (B) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a tax-qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the calendar year in which occurs the Event of Termination.  The payment of the “permitted amount” shall be made within sixty (60) days of the occurrence of the Event of Termination.  Any payment in excess of the permitted amount shall be made to the Executive on the first day of the seventh month following the Event of Termination.  “Specified Employee” shall be interpreted to comply with Section 409A of the Code and shall mean a key employee within the meaning of Section 416(i) of the Code (without regard to paragraph 5 thereof), but an individual shall be a “Specified Employee” only if the Company is a publicly-traded institution or the subsidiary of a publicly-traded holding company.

 

  

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c.

	
The provisions of Section 12 and Sections 14 through 27, including the defined terms used in such sections, shall continue in effect until the later of the expiration of this Agreement or one (1) year following a Change in Control.

	
  

	
13.

	
Indemnification and Liability Insurance.

	  	
a.

	
Indemnification.  The Company and the Bank agree to indemnify the Executive (and his heirs, executors, and administrators), and to advance expenses related thereto, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law and regulations against any and all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by him in connection with or arising out of any action, suit, or proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of his having been a director or executive of the Company, the Bank or any of their subsidiaries (whether or not he continues to be a director or executive at the time of incurring any such expenses or liabilities) such expenses and liabilities to include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs, and attorneys’ fees and the costs of reasonable settlements, such settlements to be approved by the Board, if such action is brought against the Executive in his capacity as an executive or director of the Company and the Bank or any of their subsidiaries.  Indemnification for expenses shall not extend to matters for which the Executive has been terminated for Cause.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to provide indemnification prohibited by applicable law or regulation.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the obligations of this Section 13 shall survive the term of this Agreement by a period of six (6) years.

 

  

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b.

	
Insurance.  During the period in which indemnification of the Executive is required under this Section, the Company and the Bank shall provide the Executive (and his heirs, executors, and administrators) with coverage under a directors’ and officers’ liability policy at the expense of the Company and the Bank, at least equivalent to such coverage provided to directors and senior executives of the Company and the Bank.

14.           Reimbursement of the Executive’s Expenses to Enforce this Agreement. The Company and the Bank shall reimburse the Executive for all out-of-pocket expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the Executive in connection with successful enforcement by the Executive of the obligations of the Company and the Bank to the Executive under this Agreement.  Successful enforcement shall mean the grant of an award of money or the requirement that the Company and the Bank take some action specified by this Agreement:  (i) as a result of court order; or (ii) otherwise by the Company and the Bank following an initial failure of the Company and the Bank to pay such money or take such action promptly after written demand therefor from the Executive stating the reason that such money or action was due under this Agreement at or prior to the time of such demand.

15.           Limitation of Benefits under Certain Circumstances.  If the payments and benefits pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement, either alone or together with other payments and benefits which the Executive has the right to receive from the Company and the Bank, would constitute a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, the payments and benefits pursuant to Section 12 shall be reduced or revised, in the manner determined by the Executive, by the amount, if any, which is the minimum necessary to result in no portion of the payments and benefits under Section 12 being non-deductible to the Company and the Bank pursuant to Section 280G of the Code and subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code.  The determination of any reduction in the payments and benefits to be made pursuant to Section 12 shall be based upon the opinion of the Company and the Bank’s independent public accountants and paid for by the Company and the Bank.  In the event that the Company, the Bank and/or the Executive do not agree with the opinion of such counsel, (i) the Company and the Bank shall pay to the Executive the maximum amount of payments and benefits pursuant to Section 12, as selected by the Executive, which such opinion indicates there is a high probability do not result in any of such payments and benefits being non-deductible to the Company and the Bank and subject to the imposition of the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code and (ii) the Company and the Bank may request, and the Executive shall have the right to demand that they request, a ruling from the IRS as to whether the disputed payments and benefits pursuant to Section 12 have such consequences.  Any such request for a ruling from the IRS shall be promptly prepared and filed by the Company and the Bank, but in no event later than thirty (30) days from the date of the opinion of counsel referred to above, and shall be subject to the Executive’s approval prior to filing, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.  The Company, the Bank and the Executive agree to be bound by any ruling received from the IRS and to make appropriate payments to each other to reflect any such rulings, together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.  Nothing contained herein shall result in a reduction of any payments or benefits to which the Executive may be entitled upon termination of employment other than pursuant to Section 12 hereof, or a reduction in the payments and benefits specified in Section 12 below zero.

 

  

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16.           Injunctive Relief.  If there is a breach or threatened breach of Section 11g. of this Agreement or the prohibitions upon disclosure contained in Section 10c. of this Agreement, the parties agree that there is no adequate remedy at law for such breach, and that the Company and the Bank shall be entitled to injunctive relief restraining the Executive from such breach or threatened breach, but such relief shall not be the exclusive remedy hereunder for such breach.  The parties hereto likewise agree that the Executive, without limitation, shall be entitled to injunctive relief to enforce the obligations of the Company and the Bank under this Agreement.

17.           Successors and Assigns.

	  	
a.

	
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any corporate or other successor to the Company and the Bank which shall acquire, directly or indirectly, by merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise, all or substantially all of the assets or stock of the Company and the Bank.

	  	  	  
	  	
b.

	
Since the Company and the Bank are contracting for the unique and personal skills of the Executive, the Executive shall be precluded from assigning or delegating his rights or duties hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of the Company and the Bank.

18.           No Mitigation.  The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise and no such payment shall be offset or reduced by the amount of any compensation or benefits provided to the Executive in any subsequent employment.

19.           Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications in connection with this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered by hand or 48 hours after mailing at any general or branch United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Company and/or the Bank at their principal business offices and to the Executive at his home address as maintained in the records of the Company and the Bank.

20.           No Plan Created by this Agreement.  The Executive, the Company and the Bank expressly declare and agree that this Agreement was negotiated among them and that no provision or provisions of this Agreement are intended to, or shall be deemed to, create any plan for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or any other law or regulation, and each party expressly waives any right to assert the contrary.  Any assertion in any judicial or administrative filing, hearing, or process that such a plan was so created by this Agreement shall be deemed a material breach of this Agreement by the party making such an assertion.

21.           Amendments.  No amendments or additions to this Agreement shall be binding unless made in writing and signed by all of the parties, except as herein otherwise specifically provided.

 

  

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22.           Applicable Law.  Except to the extent preempted by federal law, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall govern this Agreement in all respects, whether as to its validity, construction, capacity, performance or otherwise.

23.           Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

24.           Headings.  Headings contained herein are for convenience of reference only.

25.           Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with any understanding or modifications thereof as agreed to in writing by the parties, shall constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, other than written agreements with respect to specific plans, programs or arrangements described in Sections 5 and 6.

26.           Arbitration.  Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel of three arbitrators sitting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect.  Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction; provided, however, that the Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of his right to be paid until the date of termination during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.

27.           Required Provisions.  In the event any of the foregoing provisions of this Section 27 are in conflict with the terms of this Agreement, this Section 27 shall prevail.

	  	  	  
	  	
a.

	
The Board may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time, but any termination by the Bank, other than termination for Cause, shall not prejudice the Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits under this Agreement.  The Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for Cause.

	  	  	  
	  	
b.

	
If the Executive is suspended from office and/or temporarily prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by a notice served under Section 8(e)(3) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. §1818(e)(3) or (g)(1); the Bank’s obligations under this Agreement shall be suspended as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate proceedings.  If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Bank may in its discretion:  (i) pay the Executive all or part of the compensation withheld while its contract obligations were suspended; and (ii) reinstate (in whole or in part) any of the obligations which were suspended.

 

  

13

  

 

	  	
c.

	
If the Executive is removed and/or permanently prohibited from participating in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs by an order issued under Section 8(e)(4) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. §1818(e)(4) or (g)(1), all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate as of the effective date of the order, but vested rights of the contracting parties shall not be affected.

	  	  	  
	  	
d.

	
If the Bank is in default as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. §1813(x)(1) all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default, but this paragraph shall not affect any vested rights of the contracting parties.

	  	  	  
	  	
e.

	
All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated, except to the extent determined that continuation of the contract is necessary for the continued operation of the Bank:  (i) by the Director of the OTS (or his or her designee), at the time the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) enters into an agreement to provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in Section 13(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. §1823(c); or (ii) by the Director of the OTS (or his or her designee) at the time the Director (or his designee) approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to the operations of the Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Director to be in an unsafe or unsound condition.  Any rights of the parties that have already vested, however, shall not be affected by such action.

	  	  	  
	  	
f.

	
Any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with 12 U.S.C. §1828(k) and FDIC regulation 12 C.F.R. Part 359, Golden Parachute and Indemnification Payments.

[Signature page to follow]

  

14

  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date first set forth above.

	
ATTEST:

	  	
BENEFICIAL MUTUAL BANCORP, INC.

	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	/s/ Amy Hannigan	  	
By:

	/s/ Gerard P. Cuddy	  
	  	  	  	
For the Entire Board of Directors

	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	
ATTEST:

	  	
BENEFICIAL MUTUAL SAVINGS BANK

	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	/s/ Amy Hannigan	  	
By:

	/s/ Gerard P. Cuddy	  
	  	  	  	
For the Entire Board of Directors

	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	
WITNESS:

	  	
EXECUTIVE

	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	/s/ Thomas D. Cestare	  
	  	  	Thomas D. Cestare	  

15ex4-1.htm

Exhibit 4.1

 

CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

CHARTER

 

Section 1:          Corporate Title.  The full corporate title of the MHC subsidiary holding company is Charter Financial Corporation (the “Company”).

 

Section 2:          Domicile.  The domicile of the Company shall be located in the City of West Point, County of Troup, in the State of Georgia.

 

Section3:           Duration.  The duration of the Company is perpetual.

 

Section 4:          Purpose and Powers.  The purpose of the Company is to pursue any or all of the lawful objectives of a federal mutual holding company chartered under section 10(o) of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, 12 U.S.C. 1467a(o), and to exercise all of the express, implied, and incidental powers conferred thereby and by all acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, subject to the Constitution and the laws of the United States as they are now in effect, or as they may hereafter be amended, and subject to all lawful and applicable rules, regulations, and orders of the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”).

 

Section 5:          Capital Stock.  The total number of shares of all classes of the capital stock that the Company has the authority to issue is 60,000,000 of which 50,000,000 shares shall be common stock, par value $.01 per share, and of which 10,000,000 shares shall be serial preferred stock, no par value per share.  The shares may be issued from time to time as authorized by the Board of Directors without the approval of the shareholders, except as otherwise provided in this Section 5 or to the extent that such approval is required by governing law, rule, or regulation.  The consideration for the issuance of the shares shall be paid in full before their issuance and shall not be less than the par or stated value.  Neither promissory notes nor future services shall constitute payment or part payment for the issuance of shares of the Stock Holding Company.  The consideration for the shares shall be cash, tangible or intangible property (to the extent direct investment in such property would be permitted to the Company), labor or services actually performed for the Company, or any combination of the foregoing.  In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the value of such property, labor, or services, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, shall be conclusive.  Upon payment of such consideration, such shares shall be deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable.  In the case of a stock dividend, that part of the retained earnings of the Company which is transferred to common stock or paid-in capital accounts upon the issuance of shares as a stock dividend shall be deemed to be the consideration for their issuance.

 

Except for shares issued in the initial organization of the Company, no shares of capital stock (including shares issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of other securities) shall be issued, directly, or indirectly, to officers, directors, or controlling persons (except for shares issued to the parent mutual holding company) of the Company other than as part of a general public offering or as qualifying shares to a director, unless their issuance or the plan under which they would be issued has been approved by a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast at a legal meeting.

 

  

-1-

  

 

Nothing contained in Section 5 (or in any supplementary sections hereto) shall entitle the holders of any class or series of capital stock to vote as a separate class or series or to more than one vote per share, and there shall be no cumulation of votes for the election of directors. Provided, that this restriction on voting separately by class or series shall not apply:

 

	
  

	
(i)

	
To any provision which would authorize the holders of preferred stock, voting as a class or series, to elect some members of the board of directors, less than a majority thereof, in the event of default in the payment of dividends on any class or series of preferred stock;

 

	
  

	
(ii)

	
To any provision which would require the holders of preferred stock, voting as a class or series, to approve the merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation or the sale, lease, or conveyance (other than by mortgage or pledge) of properties or business in exchange for securities of such other corporation; Provided, that no provision may require such approval for transactions undertaken with the assistance or pursuant to the direction of the Office or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

 

	
  

	
(iii)

	
To any amendment which would adversely change the specific terms of any class or series of capital stock as set forth in this Section 5 (or in any supplementary sections hereto), including any amendment which would create or enlarge any class or series of capital stock ranking prior thereto in rights and preferences. An amendment which increases the number of authorized shares of any class or series of capital stock, or substitutes the surviving savings bank in a merger or consolidation for me Company, shall not be considered to be such an adverse change.

 

A description of the different classes and series if any, of the Company’s capital stock and a statement of the designations, and the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each class of and series if any of capital stock are as follows:

 

A.    Common Stock.  Except as provided in this Section 5 (or in any supplementary sections thereto) the holders of common stock shall exclusively possess all voting power. Each holder of shares of common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held by such holder.

 

Whenever there shall have been paid, or declared and set aside for payment, to the holders of the outstanding shares of any class of stock having preference over the common stock as to payment of dividends, the full amount of dividends and of sinking fund, retirement fund or other retirement payments, if any, to which such holders are respectively entitled in preference to the common stock, then dividends may be paid on the common stock and on any class or series of stock entitled to participate therewith as to dividends out of any assets legally available for the payment of dividends.

 

  

-2-

  

 

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, the holders of the common stock (and the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to participate with the common stock in the distribution of assets) shall be entitled to receive, in cash or in kind, the assets of the Company available for distribution remaining after: (i) payment or provision for payment of the Company’s debts and liabilities; (ii) distributions or provision for distributions in settlement of its liquidation account; and (iii) distributions or provisions for distributions to holders of any class or series of stock having preference over the common stock in the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company.  Each share of common stock shall have the same rights and be identical in all respects with all the other snares of common stock.

 

B.    Preferred Stock. The Company may provide in supplementary sections to its charter for one or more classes of preferred stock, which shall be separately identified. The shares of any class may be divided into and issued in series, with each series separately designated so as to distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of all other series and classes. The terms of each series shall be set forth in a supplementary section to the charter. All shares of the same class shall be identical, except as to the following relative rights and preferences, as to which there may be variations between different series:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
The distinctive serial designation and the number of shares constituting such series;

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
The dividend rate or the amount of dividends to be paid on the shares of such series, whether dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, from date(s), the payment date(s) for dividends, and the participating or other special rights, if any, with respect to dividends;

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
The voting powers, full or limited, if any, of shares of such series;

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
Whether the shares of such series shall be redeemable and, if so, the price(s) at which, and the terms and conditions of which, such shares may be redeemed;

 

	
  

	
(e)

	
The amount(s) payable upon the shares of such series in the event of voluntary or m involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company;

 

	
  

	
(f)

	
Whether the shares of such series shall be entitled to the benefit of a sinking or retirement fund to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares, and if so entitled, the amount of such fund and the manner of its application, including the price(s) at which such shares may be redeemed or purchased through the application of such fund;

 

	
  

	
(g)

	
Whether the shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of stock of the Company and, if so, the conversion price(s), or the rate(s) of exchange, and the adjustments thereof, if any, at which such conversion or exchange may be made, and any other terms and conditions of such conversions or exchange;

 

  

-3-

  

 

	
  

	
(h)

	

The price or other consideration for which the shares of such series shall be issued; and;

 

	
  

	
(i)

	
Whether the shares of such series which are redeemed or converted shall have the status of authorized but unissued shares of serial preferred stock and whether such shares may be reissued as shares of the same or any other series of serial preferred stock.

 

Each share of each series of serial preferred stock shall have the same relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all the other shares of the same series.

 

The board of directors shall have authority to divide, by the adoption of supplementary charter sections, any authorized class of preferred stock into series and, within the limitations set forth in this section and the remainder of this charter, fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of the shares of any series so established.

 

Prior to the issuance of any preferred shares of a series established by a supplementary charter section adopted by the board of directors, the Company shall file with the Secretary to the Office a dated copy of that supplementary section of this charter establishing and designating the series and fixing and determining the relative rights and preferences thereof.

 

Section 6:          Preemptive Rights.  Holders of the capital stock of the Company shall not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares of the Company which may be issued.

 

Section 7:          Directors.  The Company shall be under the direction of a board of directors. The authorized number of directors, shall not be fewer than five nor more than fifteen except as stated in the Company’s bylaws that the number of directors may be decreased to a. number less than five or increased to a number greater than fifteen with the prior approval of the Director of the OTS or his or her delegate.

 

Section 8:          Beneficial Ownership Limitation. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Stock Holding Company’s charter or bylaws to the contrary, for a period of five years from the date of me Bank’s reorganization into a Mutual Holding Company no person, other than the Mutual Holding Company, shall directly or indirectly offer to acquire or acquire the beneficial ownership of more than 10 percent of any class of an equity security of the Stock Holding Company. This limitation shall not apply to a transaction in which the Stock Holding Company forms a holding company without change in the respective beneficial ownership interests of its shareholders other than pursuant to the exercise of any dissenter and appraisal rights, the purchase of shares by underwriters in connection with a public offering, or the purchase of shares by a tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan which is exempt from the approval requirements under 574.3(c)(l)(vii) of the Office’s regulations,

 

In the event shares are acquired in violation of this Section 8, all shares beneficially owned by any person in excess of 10% shall be considered “excess shares” and shall not be counted as shares entitled to vote and shall not be voted by any person or counted as voting snares in connection with any matters submitted to the shareholders for a vote.

 

  

-4-

  

 

              For the purposes of this Section 8, the following definitions apply:

 

(1)    This term “person” includes an individual, a group acting in concert, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or similar company, a syndicate or any other group formed for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of the equity securities of the Stock Holding Company.

 

(2)    The term “offer” includes every offer to buy or otherwise acquire, solicitation of an offer to sell, tender offer for, or request or invitation for tenders of, a security or interest in a security for value.

 

(3)    The term “acquire” includes every type of acquisition, whether effected by purchase, exchange, operation of law or otherwise.

 

(4)    The term “acting in concert” means (a) knowing participation in a joint activity or conscious parallel action towards a common goal whether or not pursuant to an express agreement, or (b) a combination or pooling of voting or other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose pursuant to any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangements, whether written or otherwise.

 

Section 9.           Cumulative Voting Limitation.  Shareholders shall not be permitted to cumulate their votes for election of directors.

 

Section 10.        Call for Special Meeting.  For a period of five years from the effective date of the Bank’s reorganization into the Mutual Holding Company, special meetings of shareholders relating to changes in control of the Stock Holding Company or amendments to its charter shall be called only upon direction of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 11.        Amendment of Charter.  Except as provided in Section 5, no amendment, addition, alteration, change or repeal of this charter shall be made, unless such is proposed by the board of directors of the Company, approved by the shareholders by a majority of votes eligible to be cast at a legal meeting, unless a higher vote is required, and approved or preapproved by the OTS.

 

  

-5-

  

 

	 	 	 	CHARTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Attest: 	
/s/ William C. Gladden

	 	     By: 	
/s/ Robert L. Johnson

	 
	 	
William C. Gladden

	 	 	
Robert L. Johnson

	 
	 	
Secretary

	 	 	
President and Chief Executive Officer

	 

 

	 	 	 	     OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Attest: 	
/s/ Brenda Proctor

	 	     By: 	
/s/ Ellen Seidman

	 
	 	
for the Corporate Secretary

	 	 	
Director

	 

 

Date: October 16, 2001

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