Document:

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

 

 

This
Consulting Agreement (“Agreement”) is dated as of the 2nd of November, 2011, by and between Amextel
S.A. de C.V., (“Consultant”), and IVEDA SOLUTIONS, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”).

 

RECITAL:

 

The Company desires
to retain Consultant and Consultant desires to provide services upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT:

 

1.Engagement.

 

1.1.Consulting
Services. The Company hereby engages Consultant upon the terms and conditions set forth herein and Consultant accepts such
engagement. This Agreement does not employ the Consultant and therefore not entitled to benefits provided to Company employees.
Likewise, Consultant is responsible for reporting and paying all necessary state and federal taxes for fees received from Company.

 

1.1.1.Sales
and Business Development - During the term hereof, Consultant will assist Company, with new sales, strategic partnership, and
business development activities including, but not limited to: a) contract negotiations b) strategic planning; c) sales assistance,
both direct and in a mentoring role; d) conduct project management as directed; e) engage and manage independent agents and brokers.

 

1.1.2.Facilitate
strategic partnership contract signing with Telmex and implementation of the contract.

 

1.1.3.Fund Raising - During the term hereof, Consultant will assist the Company in attempting
to find funding sources to provide one or more “Financing Arrangements” as the Company requires. Consultant will assist
in identifying funding sources and/or agents; arranging and participating in meetings with such parties; developing business and
marketing plans, financial models and strategies; and providing other similar consulting services.

 

1.1.4.Mergers
and Acquisitions – Assist Company in identifying potential M&A target companies and assist in the M&A process
when necessary.

 

1.2.No Broker-Dealer
Services. Consultant is not a registered broker/dealer and Consultant is not being retained to offer, sell or place any securities
of the Company. While Consultant has relationships and contacts with various investors, Consultant’s participation in the
actual offer, placement or sale of the Company’s securities shall be limited to that of an advisor to the Company and as
a “finder” of suitable candidates for a Financing Arrangement. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the solicitation
and consummation of any offer, placement or sale of the Company’s securities shall be handled by the Company or by one or
more FINRA member firms engaged by the Company for such purpose. Consultant is not vested with authority, and shall not be required,
to participate in any negotiations relating to the placement or sale of securities. No fees or other remuneration paid pursuant
hereto shall relate to commissions for the placement or sale of securities and the fees due hereunder are not contingent on the
placement or sale of securities. Consultant’s activities will not involve recommendations as to the investment potential
of a Financing Arrangement. The Company acknowledges and agrees that all compensation to be paid to Consultant hereunder shall
be in consideration for bona fide consulting services.

 

    	 

    	 	

    
 

2.Compensation
to Consultant. The Company will pay Consultant 250,000 restricted shares of Company common stock for facilitating contract
signing with large international strategic partners and for bringing enterprise-class and government sales opportunities to the
Company. In addition, the Company shall pay to Consultant up to 20% of revenue derived from customers, facilitated by Consultant.
Actual revenue share is negotiable based on specific gross margins realized by the Company. For funding sources brought to the
Company, the Consultant will receive warrants to purchase company stock to be negotiated as opportunities arisee. Other compensation
may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

 

3.No Obligation
to Consummate Transactions. The Company shall not be obligated to enter into any Arrangement which may be presented to
it by Consultant and Consultant shall have no authority to make any representations on behalf of the Company or to otherwise bind
the Company in any manner whatsoever. If the Company elects to consummate an Arrangement presented to it by or as a result of the
efforts of Consultant, the final terms of the transaction shall be subject to negotiation by the Company and its legal counsel.
Neither party has represented to or assured the other when, if at all, a Financing Arrangement may occur.

 

4.Cooperation
of Parties. Each party shall cooperate with the other (and their respective employees, attorneys and agents) with respect
to any due diligence of the Company, the preparation of any Company business and marketing plans, financial models and strategies,
and the preparation of any related documentation as may be required as a result of Consultant’s services hereunder.

 

5.Representations
and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to Consultant that (a) to the best of the Company officers’
knowledge and belief, any information furnished or to be furnished to Consultant for use in any business or marketing plans, financial
models or strategies, will contain no untrue statement of any material fact nor omit to state any material fact necessary to make
the information furnished not misleading, except to the extent subsequently corrected prior to the date of use of such information
with third parties; and (b) that if the circumstances or facts relating to information or documents furnished to Consultant
change at any time subsequent to the furnishing of such document or information to Consultant and prior to the date of the consummation
of any transaction, the Company will inform Consultant promptly of such changes and forthwith deliver to Consultant documents or
information necessary to ensure the continued accuracy and completeness of all information and documents previously furnished.

 

6.Representations
and Warranties of Consultant. Consultant represents to the Company that during the term of this Agreement that (a) neither
Consultant nor its employees or agents, if any, will make any untrue statement of material fact, and (b) all actions taken by Consutlant
and its employees and agents on behalf of the Company, in connection with any consulting services, will be conducted in compliance
with all applicable state and federal laws.

 

7.Term and
Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall remain in full force until either party terminates this Agreement for breach
of this agreement, misconduct, and upon mutual consent of both Parties. The obligations described in Sections 5 and 6 set
forth herein shall survive any termination of the Consultant’s engagement hereunder.

 

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8.Relationship
of the Parties. The parties agree the relationship between them contemplated by this Agreement is that Consultant is an
independent contractor of the Company. Consultant shall not be responsible for the preparation or accuracy of the financial and
business information provided by the Company to or for the use of any potential funding source. The Company shall keep Consultant
apprised of all communications and correspondence with any potential funding source.

 

9.Miscellaneous.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted as creating a partnership or joint venture. Neither party to this Agreement shall
be entitled to transfer or assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party.
Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors
and assigns. The parties each acknowledge they have had the opportunity to consider the terms of this Agreement with their respective
legal counsel and have either obtained the advice of legal counsel in connection with their execution hereof or do hereby expressly
waive their right to seek such legal counsel in connection with this transaction. This
Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with its terms and otherwise in accordance with the laws of the State of ARIZONA.
The ability to enforce any provision of this Agreement or obtain any remedy with respect hereto may be brought in the Superior
Court for MARICOPA County, ARIZONA.  This Agreement represents the entire
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, representations
and statements, if any, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof. No modifications of this Agreement
shall be valid or binding upon the parties unless made in writing and signed on behalf of each party hereto by its authorized representative.
The headings used in this Agreement have been inserted for convenience only and are not to be considered in interpreting the meaning
of this Agreement.

 

In
witness whereof, the parties have signed this Agreement.

 

 

	 	“CONSULTANT”
	 	Amextel S.A. de C.V.
	 	 
	 	 
	 	By: 	 
	 	 	Alejandro Lopez Franco
	 	 	 
	 	Its:	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	“THE
COMPANY”
	 	IVEDA SOLUTIONS, INC., a Nevada corporation
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	 	By:	 
	 	 	David Ly
	 	 	 
	 	Its:	 

 

    	3a50269943ex10-1.htm

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE SALARY

CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 17th day of October, 2007, by and between Wellesley Bank, a bank organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (hereinafter referred to as the “Bank”), and Thomas J. Fontaine, an Executive of the Bank (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive”), a member of a select group of management and highly compensated employees of the Bank shall amend and restate the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement effective June 1, 2007.

 

WHEREAS, the Executive has been and continues to be a valued Executive of the Bank;

 

WHEREAS, the purpose of this Agreement is to further the growth and development of the Bank by providing the Executive with supplemental retirement income, and thereby encourage the Executive’s productive efforts on behalf of the Bank and the Bank’s depositors, and to align the interests of the Executive and those depositors.

 

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Bank and the Executive to enter into this Agreement under which the Bank will agree to make certain payments to the Executive at retirement or the Executive’s Beneficiary in the event of the Executive’s death pursuant to this Agreement;

 

ACCORDINGLY, it is intended that the Agreement be “unfunded” for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) and not be construed to provide income to the participant or Beneficiary under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), particularly Section 409A of the Code and guidance or regulations issued thereunder, prior to actual receipt of benefits; and

 

THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:

 

I.      EFFECTIVE DATE

 

The Effective Date of this Agreement shall be June 1,2007.

 

II.    FRINGE BENEFITS

 

The salary continuation benefits provided by this Agreement are granted by the Bank as a fringe benefit to the Executive and are not part of any salary reduction plan or an arrangement deferring a bonus or a salary increase. The Executive has no option to take any current payment or bonus in lieu of these salary continuation benefits except as set forth hereinafter.

 

  

  

  

 

III.  DEFINITIONS

 

       A.      Beneficiary:

 

The Executive shall have the right to name a Beneficiary of the Death Benefit. The Executive shall have the right to name such Beneficiary at any time prior to the Executive’s death and submit it to the Plan Administrator (or Plan Administrator’s representative) on the form provided. Once received and acknowledged by the Plan Administrator, the form shall be effective. The Executive may change a Beneficiary designation at any time by submitting a new form to the Plan Administrator. Any such change shall follow the same rules as for the original Beneficiary designation and shall automatically supersede the existing Beneficiary form on file with the Plan Administrator.

 

If the Executive dies without a valid Beneficiary designation on file with the Plan Administrator, death benefits shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.

 

If the Plan Administrator determines in its discretion that a benefit is to be paid to a minor, to a person declared incompetent, or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of that person’s property, the Plan Administrator may direct distribution of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care or custody of such minor, incompetent person or incapable person. The Plan Administrator may require proof of incompetence, minority or guardianship as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Any distribution of a benefit shall be a distribution for the account of the Executive and the Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall be a complete discharge of any liability under the Agreement for such distribution amount.

 

       B.      Change in Control:

 

“Change in Control” shall mean a change in ownership or control of the Bank as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) or any subsequently applicable Treasury Regulation. The formation of a mutual holding company shall not constitute a Change in Control event.

 

       C.      Discharge For Cause:

 

The term “For Cause” shall mean any of the following that result in an adverse effect on the Bank: (i) the commission of a felony or gross misdemeanor involving fraud or dishonesty; (ii) the willful violation of any banking law, rule, or banking regulation (other than a traffic violation or similar offense); (iii) an intentional failure to perform stated duties; or (iv) a breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit. If a dispute arises as to discharge “For Cause,” such dispute shall be resolved by arbitration as set forth in this Agreement. In the alternative, if the Executive is permitted to resign due to inappropriate conduct as defined above, the Board of Directors may vote to deny all benefits. A majority decision by the Board of Directors is required for forfeiture of the Executive’s benefits.

 

  

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       D.      Plan Year:

 

Any reference to “Plan Year” shall mean a calendar year from January 1st to December 31st. In the year of implementation, the term “Plan Year” shall mean the period from the Effective Date to December 31st of the year of the Effective Date.

 

       E.      Restriction on Timing of Distribution:

 

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, distributions to the Executive may not commence earlier than six (6) months after the date of a Separation from Service, as that term is used under Section 409A if, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, the Executive is considered a “specified employee” under Internal Revenue Code Section 416(i), of the Bank if any stock of the Bank is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. In the event a distribution is delayed pursuant to this paragraph, the originally scheduled payment shall be delayed for six (6) months, and shall commence instead on the first day of the seventh month following Separation from Service. If payments are scheduled to be made in installments, the first six (6) months of installment payments shall be delayed, aggregated, and paid instead on the first day of the seventh month, after which all installment payments shall be made on their regular schedule. If payment is scheduled to be made in a lump sum, the lump payment shall be delayed for six (6) months and instead be made on the first day of the seventh month.

 

       F.      Retirement Date:

 

“Retirement Date” shall mean the later of the Executive’s sixty-fifth (65th) birthday or Separation from Service.

 

       G.      Normal Retirement Age:

 

“Normal Retirement Age” shall mean the date on which the Executive attains age sixty-five (65).

 

  

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       H.      Separation from Service:

 

“Separation from Service” shall mean the Executive has experienced a termination of employment with the Bank. For purposes of this Agreement, whether a termination of employment or service has occurred is determined based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the Bank and Executive reasonably anticipated that no further services would be performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Executive would perform after such date (whether as an Executive or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an Executive or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or the full period of services to the Bank if the Executive has been providing services to the Bank less than 36 months). Facts and circumstances to be considered in making this determination include, but are not limited to, whether the Executive continues to be treated as an Executive for other purposes (such as continuation of salary and participation in Executive benefit programs), whether similarly situated service providers have been treated consistently, and whether the Executive is permitted, and realistically available, to perform services for other service recipients in the same line of business. An Executive will be presumed not to have separated from service where the level of bona fide services performed continues at a level that is fifty percent (50%) or more of the average level of service performed by the Executive during the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period.

 

IV.  RETIREMENT BENEFIT

 

Upon attainment of the Retirement Date, the Bank, shall pay the Executive a lump sum benefit amount, equivalent to a fifteen (15) year benefit, equal to eighty-five percent (85%) of the Executive’s highest W-2 compensation earned by the Executive in any calendar year of employment with the Bank plus any reductions from the Executive’s personal contributions to a qualified retirement plan (401(k), less the following: (i) the Bank’s portion of social security benefits; (ii) the Bank’s qualified defined benefit plan; and (iii) the Bank’s match in the Bank provided 401(k) plan. W-2 wages shall include all compensation including salary, bonuses, and other compensation plus any reductions for salary deferred as a contribution by the Executive to the Bank provided 401(k) plan and any salary reductions attributed to the Executive’s contributions to the Bank’s medical savings plan. Said benefit shall be paid thirty (30) days following the Executive’s Separation from Service.

 

V.   DEATH BENEFIT

 

In the event the Executive should die at any time after the Effective Date of this Agreement, the Bank will pay the accrued balance on the date of death, of the Executive’s Accrued Liability Retirement Account in one (l) lump sum to the Executive’s Beneficiary. Said payment due hereunder shall be made within sixty (60) days of the Executive’s death.

 

  

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VI.  BENEFIT ACCOUNTING/ ACCRUED LIABILITY RETIREMENT ACCOUNT

 

The Bank shall account for this benefit using the regulatory accounting principles of the Bank’s primary federal regulator. The Bank shall establish an Accrued Liability Retirement Account for the Executive into which appropriate reserves shall be accrued. The Bank and the Executive agree that calculations impacting the reserve account and payment under this Agreement shall be made, when applicable, using a discount rate of six and one quarter percent (6.25%).

 

VII.VESTING

 

The Executive shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in the Accrued Liability Retirement Account from the Effective Date of this Agreement.

 

VIII. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

In the event that the employment of the Executive shall terminate prior to the Normal Retirement Age, by the Executive’s voluntary action, or by the Executive’s discharge by the Bank with or without cause, then the Bank shall pay to the Executive an amount of money equal to balance of the Executive’s Accrued Liability Retirement Account on the date of Separation from Service. Such balance shall be paid in one (1) lump sum the first day of the second month following said Separation from Service.

 

IX.  CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

Upon a Change in Control, the Executive shall become one hundred percent (100%) vested in the Retirement Benefit. The Executive shall receive the Retirement Benefit as if the Executive had been continuously employed by the Bank until the Executive’s Normal Retirement Age. Such benefit shall be paid in accordance with Paragraph IV, commencing on the first day of the month following the Executive’s Normal Retirement Age.

 

X.   RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDING

 

The Bank shall have no obligation to set aside, earmark or entrust any fund or money with which to pay its obligations under this Agreement. The Executive, their beneficiary(ies), or any successor in interest shall be and remain simply a general creditor of the Bank in the same manner as any other creditor having a general claim for matured and unpaid compensation.

 

  

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The Bank reserves the absolute right, at its sole discretion, to either fund the obligations undertaken by this Agreement or to refrain from funding the same and to determine the extent, nature and method of such funding. Should the Bank elect to fund this Agreement, in whole or in part, through the purchase of life insurance, mutual funds, disability policies or annuities, the Bank reserves the absolute right, in its sale discretion, to terminate such funding at any time, in whole or in part. At no time shall any Executive be deemed to have any lien, right, title or interest in any specific funding investment or assets of the Bank.

 

If the Bank elects to invest in a life insurance, disability or annuity policy on the life of the Executive, then the Executive shall assist the Bank by freely submitting to a physical exam and supplying such additional information necessary to obtain such insurance or annuities.

 

XII.  MISCELLANEOUS

 

       A.     Alienability and Assignment Prohibition:

 

Neither the Executive nor any Beneficiary under this Agreement shall have any power or right to transfer, assign, anticipate, hypothecate, mortgage, commute, modify or otherwise encumber in advance any of the benefits payable hereunder nor shall any of said benefits be subject to seizure for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony or separate maintenance owed by the Executive or the Executive’s Beneficiary, nor be transferable by operation of law in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise.

 

       B.      Amendment or Revocation:

 

Subject to Paragraph XIV, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto that, during the lifetime of the Executive, this Agreement may be amended or revoked at any time or times, in whole or in part, by the mutual written consent of the Executive and the Bank. Any such amendment shall not be effective to decrease or restrict any Executive’s accrued benefit under this Agreement, determined as of the date of amendment, unless agreed to in writing by the Executive, and provided further, no amendment shall be made, or if made, shall be effective, if such amendment would cause the Agreement to violate Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.

 

       C.      Applicable Law:

 

The validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

  

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       D.      Binding Obligation of the Bank and any Successor in Interest:

 

The Bank shall not merge or consolidate into or with another bank or sell substantially all of its assets to another bank, firm or person until such bank, firm or person expressly agree, in writing, to assume and discharge the duties and obligations of the Bank under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their successors, beneficiaries, heirs and personal representatives.

 

       E.      Gender:

 

Whenever in this Agreement words are used in the masculine or neutral gender, they shall be read and construed as in the masculine, feminine or neutral gender, whenever they should so apply.

 

       F.      Headings:

 

Headings and subheadings in this Agreement are inserted for reference and convenience only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.

 

       G.      Not a Contract of Employment:

 

This Agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between the parties hereto, nor shall any provision hereof restrict the right of the Bank to discharge the Executive, or restrict the right of the Executive to terminate employment.

 

       H.      Opportunity to Consult with Independent Advisors:

 

The Executive acknowledges that he has been afforded the opportunity to consult with independent advisors of his choosing including, without limitation, accountants or tax advisors and counsel regarding both the benefits granted to him under the terms of this Agreement and the: (i) terms and conditions which may affect the Executive’s right to these benefits; and (ii) personal tax effects of such benefits including, without limitation, the effects of any federal or state taxes, Section 280G of the Code, Section 409A of the Code and guidance or regulations thereunder, and any other taxes, costs, expenses or liabilities whatsoever related to such benefits, which in any of the foregoing instances the Executive acknowledges and agrees shall be the sole responsibility of the Executive notwithstanding any other term or provision of this Agreement. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that the Bank shall have no liability whatsoever related to any such personal tax effects or other personal costs, expenses, or liabilities applicable to the Executive and further specifically waives any right for himself or herself, and his or her heirs, beneficiaries, legal representative, agents, successor and assign to claim or assert liability on the part of the Bank related to the matters described above in this paragraph. The Executive further acknowledges that he has read, understands and consents to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and that he enters into this Agreement with a full understanding of its terms and conditions.

 

  

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       I.      Partial Invalidity:

 

If any term, provision, covenant, or condition of this Agreement is determined by an arbitrator or a court, as the case may be, to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, such determination shall not render any other term, provision, covenant, or condition invalid, void, or unenforceable, and the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such partial invalidity.

 

       J.      Permissible Acceleration Provision:

 

Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4), a payment of deferred compensation may not be accelerated except as provided in regulations by the Internal Revenue Code. This Agreement allows all permissible payment accelerations under 1.409A-3(j)(4) that include but are not limited to payments necessary to comply with a domestic relations order, payments necessary to comply with certain conflict of interest rules, payments intended to pay employment taxes, and other permissible payments are allowed as permitted by statute or regulation.

 

       K.     Subsequent Changes to Time and Form of Payment:

 

The Bank may permit subsequent changes to the time and form of payment. Any such change shall be considered made only when it becomes irrevocable under the terms of the Agreement. Any subsequent time and form of payment changes will be considered irrevocable not later than thirty (30) days following acceptance of the change by the Plan Administrator, subject to the following rules:

 

	 	
a. 

	
the subsequent change may not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the change is made;

 

	 	
b. 

	
the payment (except in the case of death, disability, or unforeseeable emergency) upon which the change is made is deferred for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date such payment would otherwise have been paid; and

 

	 	
c. 

	
in the case of a payment made at a specified time, the change must be made not less than twelve (12) months before the date the payment is scheduled to be paid.

 

  

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       L.      Tax Withholding:

 

The Bank shall withhold any taxes that are required to be withheld from the benefits provided under this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that the Bank’s sole liability regarding taxes is to forward any amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authority(ies).

 

XIII. ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLAIMS PROVISIONS

 

       A.     Plan Administrator:

 

The “Plan Administrator” of this Agreement shall be Wellesley Bank. As Plan Administrator, the Bank shall be responsible for the management, control and administration of the Agreement. The Plan Administrator may delegate to others certain aspects of the management and operation responsibilities of the Agreement including the employment of advisors and the delegation of ministerial duties to qualified individuals.

 

       B.      Claims Procedure:

 

a.     Filing a Claim for Benefits:

 

Any insured, Beneficiary, or other individual, (“Claimant”) entitled to benefits under this Agreement will file a claim request with the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator will, upon written request of a Claimant, make available copies of all forms and instructions necessary to file a claim for benefits or advise the Claimant where such forms and instructions may be obtained. If the claim relates to disability benefits, then the Plan Administrator shall designate a sub-committee to conduct the initial review of the claim (and applicable references below to the Plan Administrator shall mean such sub-committee).

 

	 	
b. 

	
Denial of Claim:

 

A claim for benefits under this Agreement will be denied if the Bank determines that the Claimant is not entitled to receive benefits under the Agreement. Notice of a denial shall be furnished the Claimant within a reasonable period of time after receipt of the claim for benefits by the Plan Administrator. This time period shall not exceed more than ninety (90) days after the receipt of the properly submitted claim. In the event that the claim for benefits pertains to disability, the Plan Administrator shall provide written notice within forty-five (45) days. However, if the Plan Administrator determines, in its discretion, that an extension of time for processing the claim is required, such extension shall not exceed an additional ninety (90) days. In the case of a claim for disability benefits, the forty-five (45) day review period may be extended for up to thirty (30) days if necessary due to circumstances beyond the Plan Administrator’s control, and for an additional thirty (30) days, if necessary. Any extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to render the determination on review.

 

  

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c. 

	
Content of Notice:

 

The Plan Administrator shall provide written notice to every Claimant who is denied a claim for benefits which notice shall set forth the following:

 

(i.)  The specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

	 	
(ii.) 

	
Specific reference to pertinent Agreement provisions on which the denial is based;

 

	 	
(iii.) 

	
A description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim, and any explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and

 

	 	
(iv.) 

	
Any other information required by applicable regulations, including with respect to disability benefits.

 

	 	
d. 

	
Review Procedure:

 

The purpose of the Review Procedure is to provide a method by which a Claimant may have a reasonable opportunity to appeal a denial of a claim to the Plan Administrator for a full and fair review. The Claimant, or his duly authorized representative, may:

 

	 	
(i.) 

	
Request a review upon written application to the Plan Administrator. Application for review must be made within sixty (60) days of receipt of written notice of denial of claim. If the denial of claim pertains to disability, application for review must be made within one hundred eighty (180) days of receipt of written notice of the denial of claim;

 

	 	
(ii.) 

	
Review and copy (free of charge) pertinent Agreement documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits;

 

  

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(iii.) 

	
Submit issues and concerns in writing, as well as documents, records, and other information relating to the claim.

 

	 	
e. 

	
Decision on Review:

 

A decision on review of a denied claim shall be made in the following manner:

 

	 	
(i.) 

	
The Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, hold a hearing on the denied claim. If the Claimant’s initial claim is for disability benefits, any review of a denied claim shall be made by members of the Plan Administrator other than the original decision maker(s) and such person(s) shall not be a subordinate of the original decision maker(s). The decision on review shall be made promptly, but generally not later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the application for review. In the event that the denied claim pertains to disability, such decision shall not be made later than forty-five (45) days after receipt of the application for review. If the Plan Administrator determines that an extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the termination of the initial sixty (60) day period. In no event shall the extension exceed a period of sixty (60) days from the end of the initial period. In the event the denied claim pertains to disability, written notice of such extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the termination of the initial forty-five (45) day period. In no event shall the extension exceed a period of thirty (30) days from the end of the initial period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to render the determination on review.

 

	 	
(ii.) 

	
The decision on review shall be in writing and shall include specific reasons for the decision written in an understandable manner with specific references to the pertinent Agreement provisions upon which the decision is based.

 

	 	
(iii.) 

	
The review will take into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination. Additional considerations shall be required in the case of a claim for disability benefits. For example, the claim will be reviewed without deference to the initial adverse benefits determination and, if the initial adverse benefit determination was based in whole or in part on a medical judgment, the Plan Administrator will consult with a health care professional with appropriate training and experience in the field of medicine involving the medical judgment. The health care professional who is consulted on appeal will not be the same individual who was consulted during the initial determination or the subordinate of such individual. If the Plan Administrator obtained the advice of medical or vocational experts in making the initial adverse benefits determination (regardless of whether the advice was relied upon), the Plan Administrator will identify such experts.

 

  

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(iv.) 

	
The decision on review will include a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records or other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits.

 

	 	
f. 

	
Exhaustion of Remedies:

 

A Claimant must follow the claims review procedures under this Agreement and exhaust his or her administrative remedies before taking any further action with respect to a claim for benefits.

 

	 	
C. 

	
Arbitration:

 

If claimants continue to dispute the benefit denial based upon completed performance of this Agreement or the meaning and effect of the terms and conditions thereof, then claimants may submit the dispute to an Arbitrator for final arbitration. The Arbitrator shall be selected by mutual agreement of the Bank and the claimants. The Arbitrator shall operate under any generally recognized set of arbitration rules. The parties hereto agree that they and their heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns shall be bound by the decision of such Arbitrator with respect to any controversy properly submitted to it for determination.

 

Where a dispute arises as to the Bank’s discharge of the Executive “For Cause,” such dispute shall likewise be submitted to arbitration as above described and the parties hereto agree to be bound by the decision thereunder.

 

  

12

  

XIV. TERMlNATION OR MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT BY REASON OF CHANGES IN THE LAW, RULES OR REGULATIONS

 

The Bank is entering into this Agreement upon the assumption that certain existing tax laws, rules and regulations will continue in effect in their current form. If any said assumptions should change and said change has a detrimental effect on this Agreement, then the Bank reserves the right to terminate or modify this Agreement accordingly. Any such termination or modification shall not be effective to decrease or restrict the Executive’s Accrued Liability Retirement Account under this Agreement, determined as of the date of amendment, unless agreed to in writing by the Executive, and provided further, no amendment shall be made, or if made, shall be effective, if such termination or modification would cause the Agreement to violate Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Upon a Change in Control, this paragraph shall become null and void effective immediately upon said Change in Control.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto acknowledge that each has carefully read this Agreement and executed the original thereof on the first day set forth hereinabove, and that, upon execution, each has received a conforming copy.

 

	
  

	
WELLESLEY BANK

	
  

	
Wellesley, Massachusetts

 

	  	  	  	  	  
	

/s/ Eloise C. Thibault

	  	
By:

	  	

/s/ Theodore F. Parker

	
Witness

	  	  	  	
(Bank Officer other than Executive) Title

	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	

/s/ Eloise C. Thibault

	  	  	  	

/s/ Thomas J. Fontaine

	
Witness

	  	  	  	
Thomas J. Fontaine

 

 

 

  

13

  

 

SECOND AMENDMENT

AMENDED AND RESTATED EXECUTIVE SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDMENT, made and entered into as of the 20th day of March, 2012, by and between Wellesley Bank, a bank organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the “Bank”) and Thomas J. Fontaine, an executive of the Bank (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Bank entered into an Amended and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Plan, dated as of October 17, 2007 (the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Agreement was previously amended to clarify the definition of a change in control for purposes of the Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Agreement provides for a retirement benefit based on 85% of the Executive’s highest Form W-2 compensation, modified by certain enumerated items; and

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Bank desire to amend the retirement benefit provision of the Agreement to modify the applicable percentage of Form W-2 compensation from 85% to 75%.

ACCORDINGLY, the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the first sentence of Section IV  and replacing it with the following new sentence:

“Upon attainment of the Retirement Date, the Bank shall pay  the Executive a lump sum benefit amount, equivalent to a fifteen (15) year benefit, equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of the Executive’s highest W-2 compensation earned by the Executive in any calendar year of employment with the Bank plus any reductions from the Executive’s personal contributions to a qualified retirement plan (i.e., a 401(k) plan), less the following: (i) the Bank’s portion of social security benefits; (ii) the Bank’s qualified defined benefit plan; and (iii) the Bank’s match in the Bank provided 401(k) plan.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto each acknowledge that each has carefully read this amendment to the Agreement and executed the original on the date first set forth above.

	  	  	
WELLESLEY BANK

	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	
/s/ Leslie B. Shea

	  	
/s/ Theodore F. Parker

	
Witness

	  	
For the Bank

	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	
EXECUTIVE

	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	
/s/ Leslie B. Shea

	  	
/s/ Thomas J. Fontaine

	
Witness

	  	
Thomas J. Fontaine

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