Document:

exhibit_10-4.htm

    
 

    
 

    EXHIBIT
10.4

    

    The
Brink’s Company

    Richmond,
Virginia

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    Directors’
Stock Accumulation Plan

    as
Amended and Restated as of November 16, 2007

     

     

     

     

     

     

    

    

    

    
 

    
      
         

      

      
         

        
          

        

      

      
         

      

    

    

    TABLE OF
CONTENTS

    

    
      	 
      	
              Page

            
	
              PREAMBLE                                                                                                                        

            	
              1

            
	
              ARTICLE
      I  DEFINITIONS                                                                                                                        

            	
              3

            
	
              ARTICLE
      II  ADMINISTRATION                                                                                                                        

            	
              7

            
	
              SECTION
      1.Authorized
      Shares                                                                                                                

            	
              7

            
	
              SECTION
      2.Administration                                                                                                                

            	
              7

            
	
              ARTICLE
      III  PARTICIPATION                                                                                                                        

            	
              8

            
	
              ARTICLE
      IV  ALLOCATIONS                                                                                                                        

            	
              8

            
	
              SECTION
      1.Initial
      Allocation                                                                                                                

            	
              8

            
	
              SECTION
      2.Additional
      Allocations                                                                                                                

            	
              8

            
	
              SECTION
      3.Conversion of Existing Incentive Accounts to Brink’s
    Units

            	
              9

            
	
              SECTION
      4.Adjustments                                                                                                                

            	
              9

            
	
              SECTION
      5.Dividends and
      Distributions                                                                                                                

            	
              9

            
	
              ARTICLE
      V  DISTRIBUTIONS                                                                                                                        

            	
              10

            
	
              SECTION
      1.Entitlement to
      Benefits                                                                                                                

            	
              10

            
	
              SECTION
      2.Distribution of
      Shares                                                                                                                

            	
              10

            
	
              ARTICLE
      VI  DESIGNATION OF
      BENEFICIARY                                                                                                                        

            	
              12

            
	
              ARTICLE
      VII  MISCELLANEOUS                                                                                                                        

            	
              14

            
	
              SECTION
      1.Nontransferability of
      Benefits                                                                                                                

            	
              14

            
	
              SECTION
      2.Limitation of Rights of Non-Employee Director

            	
              14

            
	
              SECTION
      3.Term, Amendment and
      Termination                                                                                                                

            	
              14

            
	
              SECTION
      4.Funding                                                                                                                

            	
              15

            
	
              SECTION
      5.Governing
      Law                                                                                                                

            	
              15

            
	
              SCHEDULE
      A

            	 
      

    

    

    

    

    
      
         

      

      
         

        
          

        

      

      
         

      

    

    The Brink’s Company
Directors' Stock Accumulation Plan

    As Amended and Restated as
of November 16,
2007

    

    PREAMBLE

    

    The
Brink’s Company Directors' Stock Accumulation Plan, effective June 1, 1996,
is designed to more closely align the interests of non-employee directors to the
long-term interests of The Brink’s Company and its shareholders. The Plan is
intended to replace the Pittston Retirement Plan for Non-Employee Directors
which was terminated as of May 31, 1996, with the consent of the
participants therein, and the benefits accrued thereunder as of May 31,
1996, were transferred to the Plan.

    Effective
January 14, 2000, the Plan was amended and restated to reflect the exchange
of .4848 of a share of Brink’s Common Stock for each outstanding share of
Pittston BAX Group Common Stock and .0817 of a share of Brink’s Common Stock for
each outstanding share of Pittston Minerals Group Common Stock.

    Effective
May 5, 2003, the Plan was amended and restated to reflect the Company’s name
change from “The Pittston Company” to “The Brink’s Company.”

    Effective
March 11, 2004, the Plan was amended and restated to increase the maximum number
of units that may be offered under the Plan, subject to the approval of the
Company’s shareholders, and to provide for a fixed term for the Plan, unless it
is extended by the Company’s shareholders.

    Effective January 1, 2005, the Plan was
amended to comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A and the Proposed
Treasury Regulations and other guidance, including transition rules and election
procedures, issued thereunder (together, “Code Section 409A”).

    
      
         

      

      
         

        
          

        

      

      
         

      

    

    Effective
November 16, 2007 the Program was further amended to clarify certain provisions
in compliance with the Final Treasury Regulations issued under Code Section
409A.  Each provision and term of the amendment should be interpreted
accordingly, but if any provision or term of such amendment would be prohibited
by or be inconsistent with Code Section 409A or would constitute a material
modification to the Plan, then such provision or term shall be deemed to be
reformed to comply with Code Section 409A or be ineffective to the extent it
results in a material modification to the Plan, without affecting the remainder
of such amendment.  The amendments apply solely to amounts allocated
on and after January 1, 2005, plus any amounts allocated prior to January 1,
2005, that are not earned and vested as of such date (plus earnings on such
amounts deferred).  Amounts allocated prior to January 1, 2005, that
are earned and vested as of December 31, 2004, including any earnings on such
amounts credited prior to, and on or after January 1, 2005, shall remain subject
to the terms of the Plan as in effect prior to January 1, 2005.

    Effective July 8, 2005, the Plan was
amended to provide that all annual allocations to Non-Employee Directors shall
be equal to 50% of the annual retainer then in effect.

    Effective November 16, 2007, the Plan
was amended and restated to (i) revise the vesting schedule set forth in Section
1 of Article V of the Plan and (ii) eliminate the supplemental allocations to
each Non-Employee Director’s Account in connection with any increases in the
annual retainer paid to the Non-Employee Director.

    The Plan
continues to provide a portion of the overall compensation package of
participating directors in the form of deferred stock equivalent units which
will be distributed in the form of Brink’s Common Stock upon the occurrence of
certain events.

    
      
         

      

      
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    ARTICLE I

    Definitions

    Wherever
used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:

    Account:  The
account maintained by the Company for a Non-Employee Director to document the
amounts credited under the Plan and the Units into which such amounts shall be
converted. Effective January 1, 2005, the Company shall maintain a Pre-2005
Account and a Post-2004 Account for each Non-Employee Director participating in
the Plan.  A Non-Employee Director’s Pre-2005 Account shall document
the amounts allocated under the Plan by the Non-Employee Director and any other
amounts credited hereunder which are earned and vested prior to January 1,
2005.  A Non-Employee Director’s Post-2004 Account shall document the
amounts allocated under the Plan by the Non-Employee Director and any other
amounts credited hereunder on and after January 1, 2005, plus any amounts
allocated or credited prior to January 1, 2005, which are not earned or vested
as of December 31, 2004.  For the avoidance of doubt, all amounts
credited under the Plan to any Non-Employee Director who is a member of the
Board of Directors as of November 16, 2007 shall be deemed to be maintained in a
Post-2004 Account.

    BAX Exchange
Ratio:  The ratio whereby .4848 of a share of Brink’s
Stock was exchanged for each outstanding share of BAX Stock on the Exchange
Date.

    BAX
Stock:  Prior to the Exchange Date, Pittston BAX Group Common
Stock, par value $1.00 per share.

    BAX
Unit:  The equivalent of one share of BAX Stock credited to a
Non-Employee Director's Account.

    Board of
Directors:  The board of directors of the Company.

    Brink’s
Stock:  The Brink's Company Common Stock, par value $1.00 per
share.

     

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    Brink’s
Unit:  The equivalent of one share of Brink’s Stock credited to
a Non-Employee Director's Account.

    Change in
Control:  A Change in Control shall mean the occurrence
of:

    (a) (i)
any consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is not the
continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which the shares of Brink’s
Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property other than a
consolida­tion or merger in which holders of the total voting power in the
election of directors of the Company of Brink’s Stock outstanding (exclusive of
shares held by the Company's affiliates) (the "Total Voting Power") immediately
prior to the consolidation or merger will have the same proportionate ownership
of the total voting power in the election of directors of the surviving
corporation immediately after the consolidation or merger, or (ii) any sale,
leases, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of
transactions) of all or substantially all the assets of the Company; provided, however, that with
respect to any Units (including any dividends or distributions credited with
respect thereto) credited to a Non-Employee Director under this Plan as of
November 16, 2007, a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the
approval of the shareholders of the Company (or if such approval is not
required, the approval of the Board of Directors) of any of the
transactions set forth in clauses (i) or (ii) of this sub-paragraph
(a);

    (b) any
"person" (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act") other than the Company, its affiliates or an employee
benefit plan or trust maintained by the Company or its affiliates, shall become
the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly
or indirectly, of more than 20% of the Total Voting Power; or

    
      
         

      

      
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    (c) at
any time during a period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors shall cease for any
reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election by the
Company's shareholders of each new director during such two-year period was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office
who were directors at the beginning of such two-year period.

    Committee:  The
Administrative Committee of the Company.

    Company:  The
Brink’s Company.

    Disability:  The
Non-Employee Director is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by
reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be
expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period
of not less than 12 months.

    Effective
Date:  June 1, 1996.

    Exchange:  The
exchange of Brink’s Stock for outstanding shares of BAX Stock and Minerals Stock
as of the Exchange Date.

    Exchange
Date:  January 14, 2000, the date as of which the Exchange
occurred.

    Initial
Allocation:  The amount set forth in
Schedule A.

    Minerals Exchange
Ratio:  The ratio whereby .0817 of a share of Brink’s Stock was
exchanged for each outstanding share of Minerals Stock on the Exchange
Date.

    Minerals
Stock:  Prior to the Exchange Date, Pittston Minerals Group
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share.

    Minerals
Unit:  The equivalent of one share of Minerals Stock credited
to a Non-Employee Director's Account.

    
      
         

      

      
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    Non-Employee
Director:  Any member of the Board of Directors who is not an
employee of the Company or a Subsidiary.

    Plan:  The
Brink’s Company Directors' Stock Accumulation Plan as set forth herein and as
amended from time to time.

    Shares:  On
and after January 19, 1996, and prior to the Exchange Date, Brink’s Stock, BAX
Stock or Minerals Stock, as the case may be and on and after the Exchange Date,
Brink’s Stock.

    Subsidiary:  Any
corporation, whether or not incorporated in the United States of America, more
than 80% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned by the Company, by
the Company and one or more subsidiaries or by one or more
subsidiaries.

    Unit:  On
and after January 19, 1996, and prior to the Exchange Date, a Brink’s Unit, BAX
Unit or Minerals Unit, as the case may be, and on and after the Exchange Date, a
Brink’s Unit.

    Year of
Service:  Each consecutive 12-month period of service as a
Non-Employee Director, commencing on the date that a Non-Employee Director
commences service on the Board of Directors, including periods prior to the
Effective Date.  Years of Service prior to the Effective Date shall be
rounded to the nearest year.

    
      
         

      

      
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    ARTICLE
II

    Administration

    SECTION
1.  Authorized
Shares.  The maximum number of Units that may be credited
hereunder from and after May 7, 2004 is 109,654 Brink’s
Units.  The number of Shares that may be issued or otherwise
distributed hereunder will be equal to the number of Units that may be credited
hereunder.

    In the
event of any change in the number of shares of Brink’s Stock outstanding by
reason of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, reorganization, combination, or exchange of shares, split-up,
split-off, spin-off, liquidation or other similar change in capitalization, any
distribution to common shareholders other than cash dividends, a corresponding
adjustment shall be made to the number of shares that may be deemed issued under
the Plan by the Committee.  Such adjustment shall be conclusive and
binding for all purposes of the Plan.

    SECTION
2.  Administration.  The
Committee is authorized to construe the provisions of the Plan and to make all
determinations in connection with the administration of the Plan.  All
such determinations made by the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding
on all parties, including Non-Employee Directors participating in the
Plan.

    All
authority of the Committee provided for in, or pursuant to, this Plan, may also
be exercised by the Board of Directors.  In the event of any conflict or
inconsistency between determinations, orders, resolutions or other actions of
the Committee and the Board of Directors taken in connection with this Plan, the
actions of the Board of Directors shall control.

    
      
         

      

      
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    ARTICLE
III

    Participation

    Each
Non-Employee Director on the Effective Date shall be eligible to participate in
the Plan on such date.  Thereafter, each Non-Employee Director shall
be eligible to participate as of the date on which he becomes a Non-Employee
Director.

    

    ARTICLE
IV

    Allocations

    SECTION
1.  Initial
Allocation.  As of
the Effective Date, an amount equal to the Initial Allocation was credited to
his or her Account.  The amount of each Non-Employee Director's
Initial Allocation was converted into Units in the following
proportions:  50% was converted into Brink’s Units, 30% was converted
into BAX Units and 20% was converted into Minerals Units.  The Units
were credited to each Non-Employee Director's Account as of June 3,
1996.  The number (computed to the second decimal place) of Units so
credited was determined by dividing the portion of the Initial Allocation for
each Non-Employee Director to be allocated to each class of Units by the average
of the high and low per share quoted sale prices of Brink’s Stock, BAX Stock or
Minerals Stock, as the case may be, as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange Composite Transaction Tape on June 3, 1996.

    SECTION
2.  Additional
Allocations.  As of each June 1, each Non-Employee
Director (including Non-Employee Directors elected to the Board of Directors
after the Effective Date) shall be entitled to an additional allocation to his
or her Account (which allocation shall be in addition to any retainer fees paid
in cash) equal to 50% of the annual retainer in effect for such Non-Employee
Director on such June 1.  For each calendar year after 1999, such
additional

     

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    allocations
shall be converted on the first trading day in June into Brink’s
Units.  The number (computed to the second decimal place) of Brink’s
Units so credited shall be determined by dividing the amount of the additional
allocation for each Non-Employee Director for the year by the average of the
high and low per share quoted sale prices of Brink’s Stock, as reported on the
New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape on the first trading date in
June.

    SECTION
3.  Conversion of Existing
Incentive Accounts to Brink’s Units.  As of
the Exchange Date, all BAX Units and Minerals Units in a Non-Employee Director's
Account were converted into Brink’s Units by multiplying the number of BAX Units
and Minerals Units in the Non-Employee Director's Account by the BAX Exchange
Ratio or the Minerals Exchange Ratio, respectively.

    SECTION
4.  Adjustments. The
Committee shall determine such equitable adjustments in the Units credited to
each Account as may be appropriate to reflect any stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination, or
exchange of shares, split-up, split-off, spin-off, liquidation or other similar
change in capitalization, or any distribution to common shareholders other than
cash dividends.

    SECTION
5.  Dividends and
Distributions.  Whenever a cash dividend or any other
distribution is paid with respect to shares of Brink’s Stock, the Account of
each Non-Employee Director will be credited with an additional number of Brink’s
Units, equal to the number of shares of Brink’s Stock including fractional
shares (computed to the second decimal place), that could have been purchased
had such dividend or other distribution been paid to the Account on the payment
date for such dividend or distribution based on the number of Shares giving rise
to the dividend or distribution represented by Units in such Account as of such
date and assuming the amount of such dividend or value of such distribution
had been used to acquire 

     

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    additional
Brink’s Units.  Such additional Units shall be deemed to be purchased
at the average of the high and low per share quoted sale prices of Brink’s
Stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction
Tape on the payment date for the dividend or other distribution.  The
value of any distribution will be determined by the Committee.

    

    ARTICLE
V

    Distributions

    SECTION
1.  Entitlement to
Benefits.  Each Non-Employee Director who received an Initial
Allocation of Units pursuant to Section 1 of Article IV of the Plan shall be
fully vested with respect to such Units (including any dividends or
distributions credited with respect thereto pursuant to Section 5 of Article IV
of the Plan).  Each Non-Employee Director who receives an allocation
of Units pursuant to Section 2 of Article IV of the Plan shall be fully vested
with respect to each such allocation of Units (including any dividends or
distributions credited with respect thereto pursuant to Section 5 of Article IV
of the Plan) on the one year anniversary of each respective allocation of Units,
or, if earlier, upon the Non-Employee Director’s termination of service or a
Change in Control.

    SECTION
2.  Distribution of
Shares.  Effective with respect to distributions from a
Non-Employee Director’s Pre-2005 Account, each Non-Employee Director who is
entitled to a distribution of Shares pursuant to Section 1 of this
Article V shall receive a distribution in Brink’s Stock, in respect of all
Brink’s Units standing to the credit of such Non-Employee Director's Account, in
a single lump-sum distribution as soon as practicable following his or her
termination
of service as a Non-Employee Director; provided, however, that a
Non-Employee Director may elect, at least 12 months prior to his or her
termination of service, to receive

     

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    distribution
of the Shares represented by the Units credited to his or her Account in
substantially equal annual installments (not more than 10) commencing on the
first day of the month next following the date of his or her termination of
service (whether by death, disability, retirement or otherwise) or as promptly
as practicable thereafter.  Such Non-Employee Director may at any time
elect to change the manner of such payment, provided that any such election is
made at least 12 months in advance of his or her termination of service as a
Non-Employee Director.

    Effective with respect to distributions
from a Non-Employee Director’s Post-2004 Account, each Non-Employee Director
shall receive a distribution of such Account in Brink’s Stock in respect of all
Brink’s Units standing to the credit of such Non-Employee Director’s Account in
a single-lump sum distribution within 75 days following his or her termination
of service as a Non-Employee Director.  A Non-Employee Director may
elect, at least 12 months prior to his or her termination of service, to receive
a distribution of the Shares represented by the Units credited to his or her
Account in equal annual installments (not more than ten) commencing not earlier
than the last day of the month next following the fifth anniversary of the date
of his or her termination of service (whether by death, Disability, retirement
or otherwise) or as promptly as practicable thereafter.

    The
number of shares of Brink’s Stock to be included in each installment payment
shall be determined by multiplying the number of Brink’s Units in the
Non-Employee Director's Account (including any dividends or distributions
credited to such Account pursuant to Section 5 of Article IV of the
Plan whether before or after the initial installment payment date) as of the
lst

    day of
the month preceding the initial installment payment and as of each succeeding
anniversary of such date by a fraction, the numerator or which is one and the
denominator of which is the number of remaining installments (including the
current installment).

     

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    Any
fractional Units shall be converted to cash based on the average of the high and
low per share quoted sale prices of the Brink’s Stock as reported on the New
York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape, on the last trading day of the
month preceding the month of distribution and shall be paid in
cash.

    

    ARTICLE
VI

    Designation of
Beneficiary

    A
Non-Employee Director may designate in a written election filed with the
Committee a beneficiary or beneficiaries (which may be an entity other than a
natural person) to receive all distributions and payments under the Plan after
the Non-Employee Director's death.  Any such designation may be
revoked, and a new election may be made, at any time and from time to time, by
the Non-Employee Director without the consent of any beneficiary.  If
the Non-Employee Director designates more than one beneficiary, any
distributions and payments to such beneficiaries shall be made in equal
percentages unless the Non-Employee Director has designated otherwise, in which
case the distributions and payments shall be made in the percentages designated
by the Non-Employee Director within 75 days following the date of
death.  If no beneficiary has been named by the Non-Employee Director
or no beneficiary survives the Non-Employee Director, the remaining Shares
(including fractional Shares) in the Non-Employee Director's Account shall be
distributed or paid in a single sum to the Non-Employee Director's estate within
75 days following the date of death.  In the event of a beneficiary's
death, the remaining installments will be paid to a contingent beneficiary, if
any, designated by the Non-Employee Director or, in the absence of a surviving
contingent beneficiary, the remaining Shares (including fractional Shares) shall
be distributed or paid to the 

     

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    primary
beneficiary's estate in a single distribution within 75 days following the date
of the primary beneficiary’s death.  All distributions shall be made
in Shares except that fractional shares shall be paid in cash.

    

    
      
         

      

      
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    ARTICLE
VII

    Miscellaneous

    SECTION
1.  Nontransferability of
Benefits.  Except as provided in Article VI, Units
credited to an Account shall not be transferable by a Non-Employee Director or
former Non-Employee Director (or his or her beneficiaries) other than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations
order.  No Non-Employee Director, no person claiming through a
Non-Employee Director, nor any other person shall have any right or interest
under the Plan, or in its continuance, in the payment of any amount or
distribution of any Shares under the Plan, unless and until all the provisions
of the Plan, any determination made by the Committee thereunder, and any
restrictions and limitations on the payment itself have been fully complied
with.  Except as provided in this Section 1, no rights under the
Plan, contingent or otherwise, shall be transferable, assignable or subject to
any pledge or encumbrance of any nature, nor shall the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries be obligated, except as otherwise required by law, to recognize or
give effect to any such transfer, assignment, pledge or
encumbrance.

    SECTION
2.  Limitation on Rights of
Non-Employee Director.  Nothing in this Plan shall confer upon
any Non-Employee Director the right to be nominated for reelection to the Board
of Directors.  The right of a Non-Employee Director to receive any
Shares shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of
the Company.

    SECTION
3.  Term,
Amendment and Termination.

    (a)           The
Plan shall terminate on May 15, 2014, unless the Company’s shareholders approve
its extension.

     

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
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    (b)           The
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors may from
time to time amend any of the provisions of the Plan, or may at any time
terminate the Plan; provided, however, that the
allocation formulas included in Article IV may not be amended more than
once in any six-month period.  No amendment or termination shall
adversely affect any Units (or distributions in respect thereof) which shall
theretofore have been credited to any Non-Employee Director's Account without
the prior written consent of the Non-Employee Director.

    SECTION
4.  Funding.  The
Plan shall be unfunded.  Shares shall be acquired (a) from the
trustee under the Employee Benefits Trust Agreement made December 7, 1992,
as amended from time to time, (b) by purchases on the New York Stock
Exchange or (c) in such other manner, including acquisition of Brink’s
Stock, otherwise than on said Exchange, at such prices, in such amounts and at
such times as the Company in its sole discretion may determine.

    SECTION
5.  Governing
Law.  The Plan and all provisions thereof shall be construed
and administered according to the laws of the Commonwealth of
Virginia.

    
      
         

      

      
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    Schedule
A

    

    The Initial Allocation for each
Non-Employee Director shall be the amount set forth in a report prepared by
Foster Higgins dated February 7, 1996.

    

    
      
         

      

      
        16EXHIBIT 10.5

 

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

FOR PURCHASE OF STOCK UNDER THE 

UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY 2008 STOCK PLAN 

 

Grant Number 002

 

1.        Grant of Option.  United Fire & Casualty Company (hereinafter the “Company”), in the exercise of its sole discretion pursuant to the United Fire & Casualty 2008 Stock Plan (the “Plan”), does on May 21, 2008 (the “Grant Date”) hereby grant to Randy A. Ramlo (the “Optionee”) the option to purchase 14,340 shares of the common stock of the Company for a price of $33.43 per share upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter contained.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan.  This agreement is not intended to be an incentive stock option agreement as defined in Section 422 of the Code.    

 

	
             
 	
            2.
 	
            Vesting Schedule.  
 

 

a.         Subject to the terms of this Award Agreement and the Plan and provided that the Awardee remains continuously employed throughout the vesting periods set out below, the right to exercise this option shall vest as follows: 

 

	
            Vesting Date
 	
              
 	
            Annual Percentage of Vesting
 
	
            One (1) year from the Award Date
 	
              
 	
            20%
 
	
            Two (2) years from the Award Date
 	
              
 	
            20%
 
	
            Three (3) years from the Award Date
 	
              
 	
            20%
 
	
            Four (4) years from the Award Date
 	
              
 	
            20%
 
	
            Five (5) years from the Award Date
 	
              
 	
            20%
 

 

b.         THIS OPTION WILL BE AFFECTED, WITH REGARD TO BOTH VESTING SCHEDULE AND TERMINATION, BY LEAVES OF ABSENCE, CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED, PARTIAL DISABILITY, AND OTHER CHANGES IN THE OPTIONEE’S EMPLOYMENT STATUS AS PROVIDED IN THE COMPANY’S CURRENT POLICIES IN SUCH MATTERS.  THESE POLICIES MAY CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME WITHOUT NOTICE IN THE COMPANY’S SOLE DISCRETION, AND THE OPTIONEE’S RIGHTS WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE POLICIES IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF ANY EMPLOYMENT STATUS CHANGE. CONTACT HUMAN RESOURCES FOR A COPY OF THE MOST CURRENT POLICY STATEMENT AT ANY POINT IN TIME. 

 

	
             
 	
            3.
 	
            Expiration Date.  This option shall expire ten (10) years from the Grant Date.
 

 

4.         Termination of Optionee’s Status as an Employee.  Upon termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee (as such term is defined in the Plan), the Optionee may exercise this option to the extent exercisable on the date of termination.  Such exercise must occur within twenty-four (24) months after the date of such termination (but in no event later than the date of expiration of the term of this option as set forth in Section 3 above).  To the extent that the Optionee does not exercise this option within the time specified in this Section 4, this option shall terminate. 

 

5.         Disability of Optionee.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4 above, upon termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee as a result of total and permanent disability (as such term is 

 

defined in the Plan), the Optionee may exercise this option, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that would have accrued had the Optionee remained in Continuous Status as an Employee for a period of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Optionee ceased working as a result of the total and permanent disability.  If the Optionee’s disability originally required him or her to take a short-term disability leave that was later converted into long-term disability, then for the purposes of the preceding sentence the date on which Optionee ceased working shall be deemed to be the date of commencement of the short-term disability leave.  Such exercise must occur within eighteen (18) months from the date on which the Optionee ceased working as a result of the total and permanent disability (but in no event later than the date of expiration of the term of this option as set forth in Section 3
above).  To the extent that the Optionee does not exercise this option within the time specified in this Section 5, this option shall terminate. 

 

6.         Death of Optionee.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4 above, upon the death of the Optionee: 

 

a.         If the Optionee is, at the time of death, an employee of the Company, this option may be exercised, at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of expiration of the term of this option as set forth in Section 3 above), by the Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise this option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that would have accrued had Optionee continued living and remained in Continuous Status as an Employee for twelve (12) months after the date of death; or 

 

b.         If, at the time of death, this option has not yet expired but Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee terminated prior to the date of death, this option may be exercised, at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of expiration of the term of this option as set forth in Section 3 above), by the Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise this option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that had accrued at the date of termination. 

 

c.         To the extent that this option is not exercised by an authorized representative of Optionee within the time specified in this Section 6, this option shall terminate. 

 

7.         Value of Unvested Options.  In consideration of the grant of this option, the Optionee agrees that upon and following termination of the Optionee’s Continuous Status as an Employee for any reason, and regardless of whether Optionee is terminated with or without cause, notice, or pre-termination procedure or whether Optionee asserts or prevails on a claim that Optionee’s employment was terminable only for cause or only with notice or pre-termination procedure, any unvested portion of this option shall be deemed to have a value of zero dollars ($0.00). 

 

	
             
 	
            8.
 	
            Exercise of Option.
 

 

a.         The Optionee shall indicate the intention to exercise this option by notifying the Company electronically, telephonically, or in writing of the intention to do so, indicating the number of shares the Optionee intends to purchase.  Payment sufficient to cover the aggregate option exercise price and any federal, state, and local taxes required to be withheld by the Company must accompany the notice of exercise, in one of the three acceptable forms listed in the first sentence of Section 8(b) below. 

 

b.         Payment of the option exercise price may be made by cash, by check, or by instructing a broker to promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale proceeds necessary to pay the aggregate exercise price, all in accordance with Section 11(c) of the Plan. If the Optionee is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), the Optionee may in addition be allowed to pay all or part of the exercise price with shares of the Company’s common stock which, as of the exercise date, the officer has owned for six (6) months or more.  Shares used by officers to pay the exercise price shall be valued at their fair market value on the exercise date. 

 

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c.         Prior to the issuance of shares upon exercise of this option, the Optionee shall pay any federal, state, and local income and employment tax withholding obligations applicable to such exercise.  If the Optionee is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Optionee may elect to pay such withholding tax obligations by having the Company withhold shares of the Company’s common stock having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld.  Such an election shall be made in accordance with Section 11(d) of the Plan. 

 

d.         This option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share or for fewer than the lesser of ten Shares or the amount of shares subject to this option. 

 

e.         An exercise of this option shall be deemed to have occurred upon the satisfaction of the requirements of subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 8.  Until the issuance (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing the shares as to which this option was exercised, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to such shares, notwithstanding the exercise of this option.  The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly upon exercise of this option.  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 14 of the Plan. 

 

9.         Non-Transferability of Option.  This option may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee. 

 

10.       No Employment Right.  The Optionee acknowledges that neither the fact of this option grant nor any provision of this option Agreement or the Plan or the policies adopted pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee any right with respect to continuation of employment with the Company or to employment that is not terminable at will.  The Optionee further acknowledges and agrees that the Optionee’s employment with the Company is not for any minimum or fixed period, is subject to the mutual consent of the Optionee and the Company, and may be terminated by either the Optionee or the Company at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without cause or notice or any kind of pre- or post-termination warning, discipline or procedure. 

 

11.       No Right to Damages.  The Optionee acknowledges and agrees that, regardless of whether the Optionee is terminated with or without cause, notice or pre-termination procedure or whether the Optionee asserts or prevails on a claim that the Optionee’s employment was terminable only for cause or only with notice or pre-termination procedure, the Optionee has no right to, and will not bring any legal claim or action for, any damages for (a) having to exercise any vested portion of this option within any period after termination as specified in Section 4 or (b) cancellation of any unvested, or vested but unexercised, portion of this option. 

 

12.       Acknowledgment.  By the Optionee’s acceptance below, the Optionee acknowledges that the Optionee has received and has read, understood, and accepted all the terms, conditions, and restrictions of this Agreement, the Plan, and the current policies referenced in paragraph 2(b) of this Agreement.  The Optionee understands and agrees that this option is subject to all the terms, conditions, and restrictions stated in this Agreement and in the other documents referenced in the preceding sentence, as the latter may be amended from time to time in the Company’s sole discretion. 

 

13.       Board Approval.  This option has been granted pursuant to the Plan and accordingly is subject to approval by an authorized committee of the Board of Directors.  If this option has not already been approved, the Company agrees to submit this grant for approval as soon as practical.  If such approval is not obtained, this award is null and void.

 

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            14.
 	
            Governing Law.  This option shall be governed by the laws of the state of Iowa.
 

 

Executed at Cedar Rapids, Iowa the day and year first above written. 

 

	
             
 	
            UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY
 
	
             
 	
             
 
	
             
 	
             
 
	
             
 	
            Michael T. Wilkins, Executive Vice President
 

 

 

OPTIONEE'S ACCEPTANCE: 

 

I have read and fully understood this option Agreement and, as referenced in Section 12 above, I accept and agree to be bound by all of the terms, conditions, and restrictions contained in this option Agreement and the other documents referenced in it.

 

 

	
             
 	
            OPTIONEE
 
	
             
 	
             
 
	
            Date: May 21, 2008
 	
             
 
	
             
 	
            Print Name: Randy A. Ramlo
 

 

 

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