Document:

homb-ex101_9.htm

Exhibit 10.1

 

 
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN AGREEMENT
 

This Executive Chairman Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into this 1st day of March, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), by and between John W. Allison (“Executive”) and Home Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”). 

 

WHEREAS, Executive is currently employed as Executive Chairman of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Company deems Executive’s continued service to the Company to be valuable to and in the Company’s best interest, and therefore, the Company desires to continue to employ the Executive and to enter into an agreement embodying the terms of such employment; and

 

WHEREAS, the Executive desires to accept such continuation of employment with the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Executive and Company agree:

1.Term of Agreement.  This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall terminate on December 31, 2030, unless terminated earlier or extended in accordance herewith (the “Term”); provided, however, that in the event that prior to December 31, 2030 either the Executive or the Board of Directors of Home Bancshares, Inc. (the “Board”) determines that the Executive shall no longer serve as Executive Chairman, Executive Chairman shall become the Chairman Emeritus of the Board subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and the Term of this Agreement shall end on the first anniversary of Executive’s death; provided that any Company obligation not satisfied by such date shall survive the termination of this Agreement.    

 

2.Executive Chairman and Chairman Emeritus.  

 

a.Executive Chairman.  During the Term and subject to the Board’s right to remove Executive as Executive Chairman and appoint him as Chairman Emeritus as provided herein, Executive shall serve as Executive Chairman of the Company and Board.  Executive shall report to the Board and shall perform such duties and responsibilities as set forth in the Company’s bylaws, as may be amended from time to time, and as requested by the Board.  

 

b.Chairman Emeritus.  At any time during the Term, Executive may resign as Executive Chairman or the Board may remove Executive as Executive Chairman (and from such other executive capacities in which Executive is then serving) for any or no reason.  In such event, Executive shall be appointed Chairman Emeritus of the Company.  As Chairman Emeritus, Executive shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, attend in person or remotely and participate in an advisory capacity in all Board meetings and those committee meetings for which his attendance is requested by the Board and shall consult with and advise the Board and perform such other tasks and duties as requested by the Board.  As Chairman Emeritus, Executive shall be entitled to the compensation and benefits provided in Section 4.  

 

 

 

3.Compensation and Benefits for Services as Executive Chairman.  The compensation and benefits set forth in this Section 3 are in consideration for the Executive’s service as Executive Chairman of the Company.  The Executive’s service to the Company in any one or more additional capacities (including without limitation as Chief Executive Officer) shall not entitle the Executive to any additional compensation or benefits, and termination of the Executive’s service in any such additional capacity or capacities, shall not result in any decrease of the compensation and benefits set forth in this Section 3. 

 

a.Base Salary as Executive Chairman.  During the Term for so long as the Executive is serving as the Executive Chairman, the Executive shall be paid an annual base salary of $500,000 per year, as the same may be increased from time-to-time by the Board (or the compensation committee thereof) (“Base Salary”), to be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices for executive salaries generally.

 

b.Annual Cash Bonus Award.  During the Term for so long as the Executive is serving as the Executive Chairman, Executive will be eligible to receive an annual short-term incentive cash payment in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Company’s Performance-Based Executive Incentive Plan (or similar program that may be adopted) made available to the Company’s senior level executives generally (the “Executive Incentive Plan”), as such programs may be in effect from time to time (“Annual Cash Bonus Award”); provided that nothing herein shall prevent the Company from amending or terminating any such plans.  

 

c.Time-Based Equity Incentive Award.  During the Term for so long as the Executive is serving as the Executive Chairman, Executive will be eligible to receive an annual equity incentive award representing up to 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Time-Based Equity Award”) granted under the Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Option and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended, or any other future equity incentive plan adopted by the Company from time to time (the “Equity Incentive Plan”), the vesting of which shall occur on the third anniversary of the grant and shall be subject to the other terms and conditions as set forth in any applicable award agreement pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan.  

 

d.Performance Equity Incentive Award.  

 

	
 
	
i.
	
During the Term for so long as the Executive is serving as the Executive Chairman, Executive will be eligible to receive an annual equity incentive award representing up to 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Performance Equity Award”) granted under Equity Incentive Plan, the vesting of which  shall be based on the Company’s performance over a three-year performance period and shall be subject to the other terms and conditions as set forth in this Section 3(c) and in any applicable award agreement pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan. 

 

	
 
	
ii.
	
The vesting of each Performance Equity Award shall be subject to the certification by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board 

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of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) that certain applicable performance conditions over the performance period have been satisfied.  The applicable performance measures for the Executive’s 2021 Performance Equity Award (“Performance Measures”), the relative weighting of each such Performance Measure and the applicable performance goal for each such Performance Measure are set forth in the following table.  For the 2021 Performance Equity Award, the “Performance Period” shall begin on January 1, 2021 and shall end on December 31, 2023.  The Compensation Committee shall designate the applicable performance conditions for each future annual Performance Equity Award, which may be in addition to or different from the following performance conditions, and which shall be set forth in the applicable award agreement for such award: 

 

			
	
Performance Measure (and Relative Weighting)
	
Performance Goal
(Ranking among Peer Group, measured over the Performance Period)
	
Payout for each Performance Measure 
(Based on performance over the Performance Period)  

	
Net Interest Margin (NIM) (25% – 25,000 shares)
	
Top 75th percentile  of Peer Group
	
100% 

25,000 shares

	
50th percentile of Peer Group
	
75% 

18,750 shares 

	
25th percentile of Peer Group
	
50% 

12,500 shares 

	
Below 25th percentile of Peer Group
	
None

	
Return on Tangible Common Equity (ROTCE) 

(25% – 25,000 shares)
	
Top 75th percentile of Peer Group
	
100% 

25,000 shares

 

	
50th percentile of Peer Group
	
75% 

18,750 shares 

	
25th percentile of Peer Group
	
50% 

12,500 shares 

	
Below 25th percentile of Peer Group
	
None

	
Efficiency Ratio 

(25% – 25,000 shares)
	
Top 75th percentile of Peer Group
	
100% 

25,000 shares

	
50th percentile of Peer Group
	
75% 

18,750 shares 

	
25th percentile of Peer Group
	
50% 

12,500 shares 

	
Below 25th percentile of Peer Group
	
None

	
Return on Assets (25% – 25,000 shares)
	
Top 75th percentile of Peer Group
	
100% 

25,000 shares

	
50th percentile of Peer Group
	
75% 

18,750 shares 

	
25th percentile of Peer Group
	
50% 

12,500 shares 

	
Below 25th percentile of Peer Group
	
None

 

	
 
	
iii.
	
The Peer Group and the Performance Measures as set forth above shall be the same as defined in the Executive Incentive Plan (notwithstanding the fact that the Performance Equity Award is not being made under such Executive Incentive Plan), unless otherwise provided in the award agreement for the Performance Equity Award.  This includes without limitation that the calculation of Performance Measures may be adjusted to disregard or exclude unusual or infrequently occurring items and the effects of changes in applicable tax laws or accounting principles as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate including without limitation any effect or impact of CECL, other regulatory changes, changes in applicable tax laws and mergers and acquisitions.  The award agreement for each Performance Equity Award may contain other terms and conditions applicable to such award.

	
 
	
iv.
	
The Performance Measures will be measured cumulatively over the Performance Period. 

	
 
	
v.
	
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Compensation Committee has received the Company’s financial statements for the third year of the Performance Period but the Peer Group information for the fourth quarter of such year of the Performance Period is not yet available for determination of whether the Performance Measures have been satisfied, the Compensation Committee may apply the Performance Measures set forth in this subsection 3(c) based on the Company’s and the Peer Group’s performance as of and through the period ended September 30 of such year of the Performance Period, as applicable, for purposes of determining whether each applicable Performance Measure has been met and the corresponding amount, if any, of the Performance Equity Award that is not forfeited; provided, however, that any such determination is subject to clawback as provided in Section 10 hereof.

 

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e.Employee Benefit Plans.  During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, practices, and programs maintained by the Company, as in effect from time to time (collectively, “Employee Benefit Plans”), to the extent consistent with applicable law and the terms of the applicable Employee Benefit Plans including without limitation all group medical, dental, vision and life insurance plans (“Group Insurance”). The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate any Employee Benefit Plans at any time in its sole discretion, subject to the terms of such Employee Benefit Plan and applicable law.

 

f.Vacation.  In addition to any paid holidays recognized by the Company, during the Term, Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company applicable to its senior executives, but in no event shall the Executive receive less than four (4) weeks of vacation per calendar year (pro-rated for any partial year of service).  Any earned, but unused vacation will be subject to carryover in accordance with the Company’s plans, policies, programs and practices applicable to its senior executives.

 

	
 
	
4.
	
Compensation and Benefits for Services as Chairman Emeritus.

 

a.Base Salary as Chairman Emeritus.  Effective upon Executive’s appointment as Chairman Emeritus, the Executive shall be paid an annual base salary of $400,000 per year to be paid in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices for executive salaries generally through the date of Executive’s death or Disability.  An amount equal to two years of annual base salary shall be paid to Executive’s executor, legal representative, administrator or designated beneficiary, as applicable, within ninety (90) days of Executive’s death or Disability.  

 

b.Other Benefits.  As Chairman Emeritus, Executive shall continue to be employed by the Company and participate in the Employee Benefit Plans.  Executive shall continue to receive reimbursement of club dues, cell phone and other items for which he received reimbursement as Executive Chairman.  Executive shall continue to have access to his office and an administrative assistant (both at no cost to Executive) and the pilots retained by Company (at Executive’s cost for any personal travel).  

 

c.Performance Equity Awards.  Appointment as Chairman Emeritus shall have no effect on previously-awarded Performance Equity Awards.  Once appointed as Chairman Emeritus, Executive will not be entitled to receive any additional Performance Equity Awards. 

 

d.Group Insurance after Death and Disability.  Executive’s spouse shall continue to be covered by the Company’s Group Insurance until the age of 65 in the event of Executive’s death or Disability prior to such date (with such spouse continuing to pay only the employee portion of such premiums).  This obligation shall survive the termination of this Agreement.  

 

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5.
	
Termination of Agreement.

 

a.Death or Disability.  The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death or Disability during the Term.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean that the Executive cannot substantially perform any of his or her job duties by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for one hundred eighty (180) days out of any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period or one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days; provided, however, that the determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Board, and the Board may rely on any determination that Executive is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any affiliate in which Executive participates.

 

b.Board Termination For Cause.  The Company may terminate Executive’s employment hereunder at any time for Cause by written notice of termination to Executive.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following events: (i) Executive’s commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or material fiduciary breach with respect to the Company or an affiliate; (ii) Executive’s conduct that brings or is reasonably likely to bring the Company or an affiliate material negative publicity or into public disgrace, embarrassment, or disrepute; (iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an affiliate; or (iv) material violation of state or federal securities laws.  The termination is not considered “for Cause” unless: (1) the Company provides the Executive with written notice setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed by the Company to constitute Cause within sixty (60) days after the date of the occurrence of any event that the Company knows or should reasonably have known to constitute Cause; (2) the Executive fails to cure such acts or omissions within thirty (30) days following his receipt of such notice; and (3) the effective date of the Executive’s termination for Cause occurs no later than sixty (60) days after the expiration of the Executive’s cure period.        

 

c.Termination by the Executive. Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Board.  Resignation as Executive Chairman to become Chairman Emeritus shall not be deemed a termination of employment hereunder.     

 

6.Effects of Termination upon Death or Disability.  In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated due to the Executive’s death or Disability as provided in Section 5(a), this Agreement shall not terminate and Executive or Executive’s executor, legal representative, administrator or designated beneficiary, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive at least the following:

 

a.A lump sum amount equal to two times the Chairman Emeritus salary payable within ninety (90) days following the Executive’s death or Disability; 

 

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b.Any Annual Cash Bonus Awards payable as provided under the Executive Incentive Plan; 

 

c.Continued Group Insurance for Executive’s spouse as provided in Section 4(c);

 

d.All vested Performance Equity Awards; and

 

e.Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, (i) the Time-Based Equity Award, (ii) up to two-thirds of any unvested Performance Equity Award if the Executive’s death or Disability occurs after the end of the second year of the performance period but before the end of the third year of the performance period for such award (to the extent that the Performance Equity Award would have vested based on satisfaction of the Performance Measures as applied to the completed two-year period), and (iii) up to one-third of any Performance Equity Award if the Executive’s death or Disability occurs after the end of the first year of the performance period but before the end of the second year of the performance period for such award (to the extent that the Performance Equity Award would have vested based on satisfaction of the Performance Measures as applied to the completed one-year period).  Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, any Performance Equity Awards that were awarded within one year of Executive’s death or Disability will be forfeited in their entirety.  

 

7.Effects of Termination upon Voluntary Resignation or Termination for Cause.  In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment due to voluntary resignation by Executive or the Company’s termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, this Agreement shall terminate, all unvested Performance Equity Awards and unpaid Annual Cash Bonus Amounts shall be forfeited, and the Company shall have no obligation to pay any continued salary (after death or otherwise) or provide Continued Group Insurance for Executive’s spouse. 

 

8.Non-Disparagement.  The Company and Executive each acknowledge that any disparaging comments by either party against the other are likely to substantially depreciate the business reputation of the other party.  The Company and Executive further agree that neither party will directly or indirectly defame, disparage, or publicly criticize the services, business, integrity, veracity or reputation of the other party, including but not limited to, the Company or its owners, officers, directors, or employees in any forum or through any medium of communication.  Nothing in this Agreement will preclude Executive or the Company from supplying truthful information to any governmental authority or in response to any lawful subpoena or other legal process.

 

9.Survivorship.  The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, including, without limitation, Sections 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 shall survive any termination of the Executive’s employment and the termination or expiration of this Agreement to the extent necessary to preserve the rights and obligations set forth herein.

 

10.Clawback. All Annual Cash Bonus Awards and all Performance Equity Awards (collectively “Awards”) are subject to (a) any Company clawback policy as may be in effect from time to time which may require the Awards to be repaid or forfeited to the Company after 

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they have been paid or issued to the Executive, (b) the Compensation Committee’s right to rescind or clawback an Award in its reasonable discretion on the basis that the Award would not have been paid or have vested, as applicable, had the Compensation Committee known of an action or omission of Executive, (c) clawback if the Compensation Committee makes a determination that a Performance Measure was satisfied based on Peer Comparison data that does not include fourth quarter data under Section 5.1(c)(iii) and ultimately it is determined that the Performance Measure was not satisfied once fourth quarter data is received, or (d) clawback in the event the Company restates its financial statements and the Compensation Committee determines that the Award paid or issued to the Executive would not have been paid or have vested, as applicable, had it been based on the restated results.  The action permitted to be taken by the Compensation Committee under this Section 10 is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any and all other rights of the Compensation Committee, Board and/or the Company under applicable law and shall apply notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement.

 

11.Indemnification and Liability Insurance. The Company hereby agrees that the Executive shall be covered by any general liability insurance policy that other directors and officers of the Company are covered by and agrees to indemnify and defend the Executive and hold him harmless, both during the Term and thereafter, to the fullest extent permitted by law and under the bylaws of the Company against and in respect to any and all actions, suits, proceedings, appeals, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), losses, and damages resulting from the Executive’s good faith performance of his duties as a director or officer of the Company. 

 

12.Assignability; Binding Nature.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors, heirs (in the case of the Executive) and assigns.  

 

13.Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.

 

14.Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

15.Section 409A of the Code.

 

a.To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder (together, “Section 409A”). Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Company determines that any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement may be subject to Section 409A, the Company shall work in good faith with the Executive to adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of taxes under Section 409A, including without limitation, actions intended to (i) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement from Section 409A, and/or (ii) comply 

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with the requirements of Section 409A; provided, however, that this Section 14 shall not create an obligation on the part of the Company to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action, nor shall the Company have any liability for failing to do so.

 

b.Any right to a series of installment payments pursuant to this Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. To the extent permitted under Section 409A, any separate payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise shall not be deemed “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) or any other applicable exception or provision of Section 409A.

 

c.To the extent that any payments or reimbursements provided to the Executive under this Agreement are deemed to constitute compensation to the Executive to which Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) would apply, such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed reasonably promptly, but not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of any such payments eligible for reimbursement in one year shall not affect the payments or expenses that are eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other taxable year, and the Executive’s right to such payments or reimbursement of any such expenses shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

 

16.Counterparts and Facsimile Execution.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  To facilitate the execution of this Agreement, this Agreement may be executed by facsimile signature which shall have the same effect as an original signature.

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and Company have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.  

 

EXECUTIVE: 

 

 

  /s/ John W. Allison

John W. Allison

 

THE COMPANY:

 

HOME BANCSHARES, INC.

 

 

By:   /s/ Donna J. Townsell

       Donna J. Townsell, Corporate Secretary

 

 

 

 

9homb-ex102_10.htm

Exhibit 10.2

HOME BANCSHARES, INC.

2021 PERFORMANCE-BASED 

EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN 

1.Purpose; Effective Date.

1.1General Purpose. The name of this plan is the Home BancShares, Inc. Performance-Based Executive Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purposes of the Plan are to (a) enable the Company to attract and retain superior employees who will contribute to the Company’s long-range success; (b) provide an opportunity for annual cash incentives to eligible officers of the Company; and (c) focus executives on achieving the strategic and performance objectives of the Company.  The Plan provides award opportunities and is intended to provide rewards to the executive team for exceptional corporate performance. 

1.2Effective Date. The Plan is hereby adopted this March 1, 2021, but shall be deemed effective as of January 1, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) and shall remain effective until it has been terminated pursuant to Section 8.6.

2.Definitions.

“Affiliate” means any corporation or other entity controlled by the Company.

“Annual Cash Bonus Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Plan. 

 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted at any time. 

“Cash Bonus Award” means a cash incentive award granted under the Plan including without limitation an Annual Cash Bonus Amount and Deferred Cash Bonus Amount.

“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time. Any reference to a section of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 of this Plan. 

“Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share.  

“Company” means Home BancShares, Inc., an Arkansas corporation, and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, and any respective successor thereto, including by merger, acquisition of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Common Stock or acquisition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. 

 

 

“Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an employee, consultant or director, is not interrupted or terminated. The Participant’s Continuous Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an employee, consultant or director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service; provided further that if any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, this sentence shall only be given effect to the extent consistent with Section 409A of the Code. For example, a change in status from an employee of the Company to a director of an Affiliate will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal or family leave of absence. The Committee or its delegate, in its sole discretion, may determine whether a Company transaction, such as a merger, sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in a termination of Continuous Service for purposes of affected Cash Bonus Awards, and such decision shall be final, conclusive and binding.

“Deferred Cash Bonus Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2 of this Plan.

“Determination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Plan.

“Disability” means that the Participant cannot substantially perform any of his or her job duties by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for one hundred eighty (180) days out of any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period or one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days; provided, however, that the determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee, and the Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or any Affiliate in which a Participant participates.

“Efficiency Ratio” means the Company’s efficiency ratio, calculated by dividing non-interest expense less amortization of core deposit intangibles by the sum of net interest income on a tax equivalent basis and non-interest income. 

“Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2. 

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

“Executive Chairman” shall mean the person appointed as the Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company.  

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles then in effect in the United States. 

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“Net Charge-Off Ratio” means the percentage of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding. 

“NIM” means the Company’s annualized net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent, or FTE, basis.

 “Participant” means an executive officer of the Company designated by the Committee as eligible to receive a Cash Bonus Award for a particular Performance Year and whose interest in such Cash Bonus Award has not been fully paid or forfeited. 

“Peer Group” means initially those banks on Schedule A hereto, which may be amended from time to time by the Committee but shall include U.S. banks and bank holding companies (excluding banks and bank holding companies in Puerto Rico) with $10 - $50 billion in assets and not including banks that are not traditional banks primarily offering both depository and lending services. 

“Performance Measures” means the consolidated financial or operational performance metrics of the Company and the performance objectives for individual Participants set forth in Section 5 of this Plan and such other Company and individual performance measures and objectives as the Committee may designate in its sole and absolute discretion.  

“Performance Year” means the Company’s fiscal year during which the services giving rise to an Award are rendered.

“Person” means a person as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

“ROA” means the Company’s return on average assets, calculated by dividing the Company’s net income by average assets. 

“ROTCE” means the Company’s return on tangible common equity, calculated by dividing the Company’s net income by the result of average equity minus average goodwill, core deposits and other intangible assets.

“Total RBCR” means the Company’s total risk-based capital ratio determined in accordance with Federal Reserve Board rules and guidelines.

3.Administration.

3.1Administration by the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”).  The Committee will determine and approve each Cash Bonus Award as early in the calendar year as possible which shall include the following as applicable: 

(a)Each Participant;

(b)The applicable performance goals for each Performance Measure if different from those set forth herein; 

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(c)The amount of the Cash Bonus Award (including the Annual Cash Bonus Amount and the Deferred Cash Bonus Amount) as a percentage of base salary; and

(d)Any other terms or conditions of the Cash Bonus Award. 

Following the end of the Performance Year, the Committee will review the Company’s performance and each Participant’s individual performance for the applicable Performance Year to determine whether the applicable Performance Measures have been satisfied and to direct whether and to what extent the Cash Bonus Award shall be paid in accordance with the terms provided herein.  

3.2Authority of the Committee. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have the power, in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, to: (a) designate Participants; (b) determine the terms and conditions of any Cash Bonus Award; (c) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Cash Bonus Awards may be forfeited or suspended; (d) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency, correct any defect and/or supply any omission in the Plan or any instrument or agreement relating to, or Cash Bonus Award granted under, the Plan; (e) establish, amend, suspend, or waive any rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan; and (f) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

3.3Committee Decisions Binding.  All determinations and decisions made by the Committee, the Board, and any delegate of the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by law.

3.4Delegation by the Committee. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may delegate all or part of its authority and powers under the Plan to one or more directors of the Company who is independent under the applicable listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

3.5Agents; Limitations of Liability.  The Committee may appoint agents to assist in administering the Plan. The Committee and each member thereof shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to it or him by any officer or employee of the Company, the Company’s certified public accountants, consultants or any other agent assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee and any officer or employee of the Company acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action or determination.

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4.Eligibility.  The Committee shall designate each executive officer of the Company who shall be eligible to receive a Cash Bonus Award under this Plan for a particular Performance Year.

5.Determination of Award Amounts.  Each Participant shall be eligible to receive a Cash Bonus Award in an amount up to 60% of his or her annual base salary for the applicable Performance Year (or up to 100% in the case of the Executive Chairman), including an Annual Cash Bonus Amount and a Deferred Cash Bonus Amount, subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the achievement of certain Company and individual performance objectives as described in this Section 5.

5.1Annual Cash Bonus Amount.  A portion of the Cash Bonus Award representing up to 50% of the Participant’s annual base salary (or the entire Cash Bonus Award representing up to 100% of annual base salary in the case of the Executive Chairman) for the applicable Performance Year shall vest and become payable following the completion of the Performance Year upon the Committee’s certification that one or more of the absolute and relative Performance Measures set forth in this Section 5.1 have been satisfied (the “Annual Cash Bonus Amount”).

(a)Absolute Performance Measures.  50% of the Annual Cash Bonus Amount (representing up to 25% of the Participant’s annual base salary for the Performance Year), or 100% of the Annual Cash Bonus Amount in the case of the Executive Chairman (representing up to 100% of the Executive Chairman’s annual base salary for the Performance Year), shall be based on achievement of certain absolute Company and individual Performance Measures as of the end of the Performance Year.  The applicable Performance Measures, the relative weighting of each such Performance Measure and the applicable performance goal for each such Performance Measure are set forth in the following table: 

 

			
	
Performance Measure
	
Relative Weighting 
(as a % of Annual Cash Bonus Amount)
	
Performance Goal

	
ROA*
	
10% (5% of base salary)
	
≥  1.20

	
ROTCE*
	
10% (5% of base salary)
	
≥  10%

	
Efficiency Ratio*
	
10% (5% of base salary)
	
Under 47%

	
Net Charge-Off Ratio*
	
10% (5% of base salary)
	
≤ 1% 

	
Individual Performance Component 
	
10% (5% of base salary)
	
**

	
* May be adjusted to disregard or exclude unusual or infrequently occurring items and the effects of changes in applicable tax laws or accounting principles as the Committee deems appropriate including without limitation any effect or impact of CECL, other regulatory changes, changes in applicable tax laws and mergers and acquisitions.

	
** The Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether the Participant has satisfied this Performance Measure based on the individual’s performance and contributions to the Company during the Performance Year.

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(b)Peer Comparison Performance Measures.  50% of the Annual Cash Bonus Amount (representing up to 25% of the Participant’s annual base salary for the Performance Year) shall be based on achievement of certain Company Performance Measures relative to the performance of the Peer Group as of the end of the Performance Year (the Executive Chairman shall not receive any Annual Cash Bonus under this subsection (b)).  The applicable Performance Measures, the relative weighting of each such Performance Measure and the applicable performance goal for each such Performance Measure are set forth in the following table: 

			
	
Performance Measure
	
Relative Weighting 
(as a % of Annual Cash Bonus Amount)
	
Performance Goal
(Ranking among Peer Group)

	
ROA*
	
12.5% (6.25% of base salary)
	
50th percentile or above

	
ROTCE*
	
12.5% (6.25% of base salary)
	
50th percentile or above

	
Efficiency Ratio*
	
12.5% (6.25% of base salary)
	
50th percentile or above

	
NIM*
	
12.5% (6.25% of base salary)
	
50th percentile or above

	
* May be adjusted to disregard or exclude unusual or infrequently occurring items and the effects of changes in applicable laws or accounting principles as the Committee deems appropriate including without limitation any effect or impact of CECL, other regulatory changes, changes in applicable tax laws and mergers and acquisitions.

 

(c)Determination of Annual Cash Bonus Amount.  

 

(i)As soon as practicable following the end of the Performance Year, the Committee shall determine (the date of such determination being the “Determination Date”) whether each Performance Measure has been achieved as of the end of the Performance Year and the final dollar amount, if any, of the Annual Cash Bonus Amount payable to each Participant under the Plan.  The Committee may rely on the Company’s internally-prepared profit and loss statements to determine whether each Performance Measure has been satisfied and the related calculations and adjustments.

 

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(ii) If the Committee determines that any Performance Measure listed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 5.1 is not satisfied for the applicable Performance Year, the corresponding portion of the Annual Cash Bonus Amount will be deemed forfeited and will result in 0% being earned and paid to the Participant for that portion of the Cash Bonus Award.  In no case shall the Annual Cash Bonus Amount exceed 50% of the Participant’s annual base salary for the applicable Performance Year (or 100% of annual base salary in the case of the Executive Chairman).  

 

(iii)Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Committee has received the Company’s financial statements for the Performance Year but the Peer Group information is not yet available for determination of whether the relative Performance Measures described in paragraph (b) of this Section 5.1 have been satisfied as of the end of the Performance Year, the Committee may apply the Performance Measures set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section 5.1 based on the Company’s and the Peer Group’s performance as of and for the nine-month period ended September 30 of the Performance Year for purposes of determining whether each applicable performance goal has been met and the corresponding amount, if any, of the Annual Cash Bonus Amount payable to each Participant; provided, however, that any such determination is subject to clawback as provided in Section 8.18. 

 

(iv)The Annual Cash Bonus Amount shall be paid in accordance with Section 6 of this Plan.

 

5.2Deferred Cash Bonus Amount.  If the Committee determines that the Participant has earned the maximum eligible Annual Cash Bonus Amount under Section 5.1 above, then subject to Section 6.3 of the Plan, the Participant (other than the Executive Chairman) shall be entitled to an additional cash bonus amount equal to 10% of the Participant’s annual base salary for the Performance Year, which shall vest at the end of the second full calendar year following the completion of the Performance Year, subject to the Participant’s Continuous Service with the Company as described in Section 6.3 hereto (the “Deferred Cash Bonus Amount”).  For example, for the 2021 Performance Year, such Deferred Cash Bonus Amount would vest on December 31, 2023 and become payable in the first quarter of 2024.  Such Deferred Cash Bonus Amount shall only be payable if the Participant has earned the maximum eligible Annual Cash Bonus Amount under Section 5.1 above.  

 

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6.Payment of Cash Bonus Awards.

6.1Form of Cash Bonus Award Payments. Subject to any withholding obligations as described in Section 7.5 hereof, all Cash Bonus Awards shall be settled and paid in full in cash.

6.2Timing of Cash Bonus Award Payments.  The Annual Cash Bonus Amount shall be paid in cash in a single lump sum as soon as reasonably practicable following the Determination Date, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third calendar month following the end of each Performance Year. Subject to Sections 5.2 and 6.3 hereof, promptly following the second anniversary of the last day of the Performance Year, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third calendar month following such anniversary date, the Company shall pay to the Participant the Deferred Cash Bonus Amount, if any, to which the Participant is entitled. 

6.3Continuous Service Requirement during Performance Year or for Deferred Cash Bonus Amount.  Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, a Participant shall not be entitled to any Cash Bonus Award for that Performance Year if such Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for any reason (other than for death or Disability as described herein) during such Performance Year.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 7 of the Plan, in order to be eligible to receive payment for any Deferred Cash Bonus Amount, a Participant’s Continuous Service must not be terminated on or before the date on which the Deferred Cash Bonus Amount vests in accordance with Sections 5.2 and 6.2 of the Plan.

7.Termination of Continuous Service.

7.1Termination of Continuous Service Due to Death or Disability.  If the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death or Disability during a Performance Year, the Cash Bonus Award shall be paid to or on behalf of the Participant, as the case may be, if and at such time as it would have been paid to the Participant if the death or Disability had not occurred, except that unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise, no Deferred Cash Bonus Amount shall be payable, regardless of whether the maximum eligible Annual Cash Bonus Amount is earned pursuant to Section 5.1.  Unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, if the Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death or Disability after the end of a Performance Year in which a Deferred Cash Bonus Amount was earned but prior to the date the Deferred Cash Bonus Amount vests under Section 5.2 of the Plan, one-third of the Deferred Cash Bonus Amount shall vest immediately if the death or Disability occurs in the first year following the Performance Year or two-thirds of the Deferred Cash Bonus Amount shall vest immediately if the death or Disability occurs in the second year following the Performance Year, and the remaining two-thirds of the Deferred Cash Bonus Amount (in the case of death or Disability occurring in the first year following the Performance Year) or the remaining one-third of the Deferred Cash Bonus Amount (in the case of death or Disability occurring in the second year following the Performance Year) shall be forfeited.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant dies by suicide, while 

8

 

 

sane or insane, the unpaid Deferred Cash Bonus Amount shall be forfeited.  For purposes of this Section 7.1, “suicide” shall include situations where the Participant (i) causes his or her own death in an obvious manner (where the Participant is clearly responsible for taking his or her own life), or (ii) dies while carrying out acts of felony.  

7.2Other Terminations of Continuous Service. If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than set forth in Section 7.1 following the completion of the Performance Year but prior to the date the Deferred Cash Bonus Amount vests under Section 5.2 of the Plan, then the Participant will forfeit all rights to such Deferred Cash Bonus Amount, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee.

8.General Provisions.

8.1Compliance with Legal Requirements. The Plan and the payment of Cash Bonus Awards shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any regulatory or governmental agency as may be required. 

8.2Non-Transferability. A Participant’s rights and interests under the Plan, including any Cash Bonus Award previously made to such person or any amounts payable under the Plan, may not be assigned, pledged, or transferred, except in the event of the Participant’s death, to a designated beneficiary in accordance with the Plan, or in the absence of such designation, by will or the laws of descent and distribution. 

8.3No Right to Employment. Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon any Participant the right to continue in the employment of the Company or any Affiliate or affect the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment of any Participant. 

8.4No Right to Cash Bonus Award.  Unless otherwise expressly set forth in an employment agreement signed by the Company and a Participant, a Participant shall not have any right to any Cash Bonus Award under the Plan until such Cash Bonus Award has vested and become payable to such Participant under the terms of this Plan, and participation in the Plan in one year does not connote any right to become a Participant in the Plan in any future year. 

8.5Withholding. The Company shall have the right to withhold from any Cash Bonus Award, any federal, state or local income and/or payroll taxes required by law to be withheld and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to a Cash Bonus Award. 

8.6Amendment or Termination of the Plan. The Board may, at any time, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan in whole or in part.  

8.7Unfunded Status. Nothing contained in the Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, beneficiary or legal representative or 

9

 

 

any other person. To the extent that a person acquires a right to receive payments under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company. All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general funds of the Company and no special or separate fund shall be established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth in the Plan. The Plan is not intended to be subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). 

8.8Governing Law. The Plan shall be construed, administered, and enforced in accordance with the laws of Arkansas without regard to conflicts of law. 

8.9Beneficiaries. To the extent that the Committee permits beneficiary designations, any payment of Cash Bonus Awards due under the Plan to a deceased Participant shall be paid to the beneficiary duly designated by the Participant in accordance with the Company’s practices. If no such beneficiary has been designated, or in the event no designated beneficiary is living on the date on which any amount becomes payable, payment shall be made to the Participant’s estate. 

8.10Section 409A of the Code. It is intended that payments under the Plan qualify as short-term deferrals exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. In the event that any Cash Bonus Award does not qualify for treatment as an exempt short-term deferral, it is intended that such amount will be paid in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The Plan shall be interpreted and construed accordingly. 

8.11Expenses. All costs and expenses in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company. 

8.12Section Headings. The headings of the Plan have been inserted for convenience of reference only and in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such headings, shall control. 

8.13Severability. In the event that any provision of the Plan shall be considered illegal or invalid for any reason, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of the Plan, but shall be fully severable, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had never been contained therein. 

8.14Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, wherever used, the masculine pronoun includes the feminine pronoun; the plural shall include the singular, and the singular shall include the plural. 

8.15Non-Exclusive. Nothing in the Plan shall limit the authority of the Company, the Board or the Committee to adopt such other compensation arrangements as it may deem desirable for any Participant. 

8.16Notice. Any notice to be given to the Company or the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be in writing and directed to the Chief Executive Officer of 

10

 

 

the Company, in the case of the Company, and to the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, in the case of the Committee, both at 719 Harkrider Street, Conway, Arkansas 72032. 

8.17Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Cash Bonus Awards granted hereunder shall be binding upon any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of shares of the Company’s Common Stock or of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. 

8.18Clawback. All Cash Bonus Awards are subject to (a) any Company clawback policy as may be in effect from time to time which may require the Cash Bonus Awards to be repaid to the Company after they have been paid to the Participant, (b) the Committee’s right to rescind or clawback a Cash Bonus Award in its reasonable discretion on the basis that the Cash Bonus Award would not have been paid or have vested, as applicable, had the Committee known of an action or omission of Participant, (c) clawback if the Committee makes a determination that a Performance Measure was satisfied based on Peer Comparison data that does not include fourth quarter data under Section 5.1(c)(iii) and ultimately it is determined that the Performance Measure was not satisfied once fourth quarter data is received, or (d) clawback in the event the Company restates its financial statements and the Committee determines that the Cash Bonus Award paid to the Participant would not have been paid or have vested, as applicable, had it been based on the restated results.  The action permitted to be taken by the Board under this Section 8.18 is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any and all other rights of the Board and/or the Company under applicable law and shall apply notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan.

 

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