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Exhibit 10.27    
    

 
  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT    
    

        THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of December 19, 2003 (the "Effective Date"), by and among  DOLLAR FINANCIAL GROUP,
 INC., a New York corporation ("DFG"), DFG HOLDINGS, INC., a
Delaware corporation ("Holdings" and, together with DFG, the "Employer") and DONALD F. GAYHARDT, who resides at 511 Lynmere Road, Bryn Mawr,
Pennsylvania 19010-3637 (the "Executive"). 

 
 

W I T N E S S E T H:    
    

        WHEREAS, Employer and Executive are parties to a certain Employment Agreement, dated as of November 13, 1998 (the "Prior Agreement"); 

        WHEREAS,
Employer desires to continue to employ Executive, and Executive desires to accept employment by Employer upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and 

        NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows: 

        1.    Termination of Prior Agreement.    The Prior Agreement is superseded by this Agreement. Employer and Executive
shall have no further obligations under the Prior Agreement. 

        2.    Employment.    

        a.     Employer
agrees to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to be so employed, in the capacity of President and Chief Financial Officer of each of Holdings and DFG, for the
Term (as defined herein), unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. 

        b.     Each
of Holdings and DFG agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts, subject to stockholder vote, to nominate Executive to the boards of directors of both DFG and
Holdings for so long as he is employed by Employer in the capacity of President. 

        c.     Executive's
employment hereunder shall be principally based in the Berwyn, Pennsylvania area or within reasonable commuting distance of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. 

        3.    Term and Termination.    

        a.     The
term of Executive's employment hereunder shall be for a period of three (3) years, commencing on the Effective Date (the "Term"). Unless not later than
270 days prior to the expiration of the Term (or of any renewal Term) either party shall give notice to the other of its or his intention not to renew the Term, then the Term shall thereupon be
deemed automatically extended for an additional renewal Term of one year. 

        b.     Upon
Executive's decision to terminate his employment, Employer shall have no further obligation to Executive, except as otherwise expressly provided herein. 

        c.     Notwithstanding
any other provisions herein, Executive's employment under this Agreement may be terminated by the Employer without further obligation to Executive, at any
time for Cause (defined, for purposes of this Agreement, as (i) Executive's failure to cure or remedy any material mismanagement or negligence in the management of Employer's business within
fifteen (15) days after written notice by Employer of such mismanagement or negligence; (ii) Executive's willful refusal, after written notice by Employer, to cure within a period of
fifteen (15) days any material breach of this Agreement or failure to perform any material obligation set forth herein; (iii) an act of fraud, theft, dishonesty or deceit committed
against the Employer, including any intentional material misrepresentation to the board of directors of either Holdings or DFG; or (iv) a final non-appealable adjudication in a
criminal or civil proceeding (including any settlement or plea of nolo contendere) that Executive has committed a fraud, dishonest act, an act of moral turpitude or any other felony or misdemeanor
relating to or adversely affecting 

 

Executive's
employment, the business of the Employer or the ability of Executive to perform his obligations herein). 

        d.     In
the event that Executive is terminated by the Employer, other than for Cause, in relation to a Change of Control (as defined herein), Executive shall have the right to
demand payment in full, discounted to present value at the prime rate of interest charged by the Employer's primary lender, of any unpaid Base Salary for the Term, without mitigation (the "Severance
Benefit"). 

        e.     In
the event Executive is terminated by the Employer, other than for Cause, under any circumstances not related to a Change of Control, Executive shall be paid his Base
Salary in equal installments in accordance with past payroll practices of Employer for the remainder of the Term. Executive shall not be required to seek alternative employment following the payment
to him of any such Base Salary pursuant to this paragraph 3(e); however, any compensation earned or amounts paid to Executive in any such alternate employment shall serve to mitigate Employer's
severance obligations to Executive hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employer shall be responsible for not less than the lesser of one (1) year's Base Salary or the Base Salary
remaining unpaid for the Term, regardless of mitigation offsets. 

        f.      For
purposes of this Agreement, a Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred if and when: 

        i)     a
person or entity other than Green Equity Investors II, L.P., or any affiliate, related party or entity controlled by Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., or sponsored
fund thereof (collectively "GEI II") owns equity securities having at least 51% of the voting power of Holdings (or any successor or surviving entity); 

        ii)    either
DFG or Holdings becomes a subsidiary of an entity unaffiliated with GEI II or shall be merged or consolidated into another entity and the voting power of the
surviving entity is owned at least 51% by a person or entity other than GEI II; or 

        iii)   all
or substantially all of the assets of either DFG or Holdings shall have been sold to a party or parties the equity of which is owned at least 51% by a person or
entity other than GEI II. 

        g.     Except
as otherwise required by law, (i) in the event of Executive's termination with Cause, the benefits payable to Executive pursuant to paragraph 6 of
this Agreement shall cease effective as of the date of termination and (ii) in the event of Executive's termination without Cause, Employer shall maintain the health benefits provided to
Executive by Employer at the time of termination for the remainder of the Term, unless and until health benefits are provided to Executive by a successor
employer (provided, that Executive shall not be required to seek to mitigate by pursuing alternative employment). 

        h.     In
addition to any other right to terminate his employment otherwise provided in this Agreement, Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean: (a) any failure by Employer to pay the compensation and benefits provided for in this Agreement or any other material breach by Employer of any
provision of this Agreement, after written notice by Executive to cure such failure or breach, and failure by Employer to cure, within a period of fifteen (15) days following such written
notice; (b) the failure of the board of directors of Employer to elect and continue Executive as the President of Employer; or (c) any material adverse change in Executive's duties or
working conditions following a Change in Control, after written notice by Executive to cure such material adverse change, and failure by Employer to cure, within a period of fifteen (15) days
following such written notice. If Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason in connection with a Change in Control, then Executive shall, subject to the conditions set forth herein, receive
the compensation and 

2

 

benefits
set forth in Section 3(d) applicable to termination of the Executive's employment in relation to a Change in Control. If Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason otherwise
than in connection with a Change in Control, then Executive shall, subject to the conditions set forth herein, receive the compensation and benefits set forth in Section 3(e) applicable to
termination of the Executive's employment by Employer without Cause. 

        4.    Time and Efforts.    

        a.     Executive
shall diligently and conscientiously devote substantially all of his business time and attention and best efforts to the business affairs of Employer and the
discharge of his duties hereunder. 

        b.     Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Employer acknowledges and agrees that Executive may: 

        i)     maintain
current board memberships in companies that do not compete against Employer or any subsidiaries. Executive must obtain prior consent of Employer to engage in
additional board memberships, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; and 

        ii)    reasonably
maintain or add to current personal investments; 

provided,
however, any involvement or additional activities allowed under this paragraph 4(b), including any investment holdings or activities, shall not be competitive or detrimental to
Employer or otherwise interfere in any manner with Executive's performance of his duties under this Agreement. 

        5.    Compensation.    

        a.    Base Salary.    In consideration of the services of the Executive, Holdings shall pay or cause one of its
subsidiaries to pay to Executive a salary at an annual rate of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000) (the "Base Salary"), in equal installments in accordance with the past payroll practices of
Employer, but in no event less frequently than monthly. The Base Salary will be reviewed bi-annually by the board of directors of Holdings in good faith and may be increased in the
discretion of the board of directors of Holdings, or a committee thereof. 

        b.    Bonus and Incentive Compensation.    As additional compensation for the services of Executive, Holdings shall
pay or cause one of its subsidiaries to pay to Executive a cash bonus with respect to each fiscal year payable within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the financial audit of the
relevant fiscal year. 

        i)     The
actual bonus due Executive shall be determined based on the achievement by Employer of target annual income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization
and management fees ("EBITDA") as determined by the aforesaid independent audit. EBITDA targets shall be determined by the board of directors of Holdings, in good faith, and shall be adjusted
equitably for acquisitions, divestitures or other significant events occurring in the fiscal year. 

        ii)    The
amount of the bonus due Executive shall be a percentage of Executive's Base Salary, with the percentage determined as follows: (a) if Employer achieves EBITDA
of greater than or equal to 95% of target EBITDA, 35% of Base Salary plus 7% of Base Salary for each 1% that EBITDA exceeds 95% of target EBITDA, up to a maximum of 35% of Base Salary (bringing the
total cash bonus payable under this section 5(b)(iii)(a) to a total of 70% of Base Salary if Employer achieves 100% of target EBITDA); plus (b) if Employer achieves EBITDA of greater
than or equal to 101% of target EBITDA, 2% of Base Salary for each 1% that EBITDA exceeds 100% of target EBITDA, up to a maximum of 10% of Base Salary; plus (c) if Employer achieves EBITDA of
greater than or equal to 106% of target EBITDA, 

3

 

2.5%
of Base Salary for each 1% that EBITDA exceeds 105% of target EBITDA, up to a maximum of 37.5% of Base Salary. Thus, by way of example, if Employer achieves EBITDA of 120% of target, Executive's
bonus will be 35% + 35% +10% + 37.5% = 117.5% of Base Salary. 

        iii)    Bonus, incentive compensation and termination.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:
(i) in the event Executive's employment is terminated by reason of Cause, or by Executive's decision to terminate his employment other than for Good Reason, no bonus or incentive compensation
for the year in which termination or resignation occurs shall be payable; and (ii) if Executive's employment terminates for any other reason, Executive's bonus and incentive compensation for
the year in which termination occurs shall be calculated on the basis of the EBITDA results for the full fiscal year in which termination occurs, but Executive's bonus and incentive compensation shall
be pro rated based upon the number of days in such year in which he was employed by Employer. 

        iv)    Compliance with debt payment obligations.    Regardless of whether an EBITDA target is achieved, no bonus or
incentive compensation will be paid or payable to Executive if the Employer has defaulted or is not current on its debt payment obligations under any of its then outstanding credit facilities,
indentures or other debt instruments; provided, that such withheld compensation shall be paid if such default is of a technical and non-substantive nature and is cured within thirty
(30) days of notice thereof. 

        6.    Benefits.    Executive shall be entitled to full benefits as historically provided to Executive by Employer,
subject to compliance with all applicable laws. Executive shall be eligible to participate in all fringe benefit programs of Employer offered from time to time to its senior management employees
including: i) auto allowance at present rate; ii) club memberships at present rate; iii) appropriate class of travel; iv) up to $25,000 annually for Executive to purchase
term life insurance and disability insurance (the "Executive Insurance Policy"); v) reimbursement of tax and financial planning costs, not to exceed $10,000 annually; vi) uninsured
medical and dental costs, not to exceed $15,000 annually; vii) participation in any non-discriminatory profit-sharing or ERISA pension, 401(k) and related plans as they are or may
be in effect; and viii) one month paid vacation. 

        7.    Expenses.    Employer will reimburse Executive for all reasonable, ordinary and necessary expenses (including
travel, business entertainment and business development) incurred by him in carrying out his duties under this Agreement. Executive shall present Employer with an itemized statement of such expenses
in such form as the Employer may request or consistent with policies of the Employer. The availability of such reimbursements from the Employer is subject to compliance with all applicable laws. 

        8.    Equity Obligations and Rights.    

        a.     Executive
owns 169 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $.001, of Holdings (the "Shares") and options to purchase 399.4319 Class A shares, which
options were issued pursuant to Holdings' 1999 Incentive Stock Option Plan; the shares of stock issuable pursuant to any exercise of such options, and any other shares that may be issued pursuant to
any subdivision, split, stock dividend or other adjustment, are hereinafter referred to as the "Additional Shares." The Shares and Additional Shares shall be subject to the following terms and
provisions: 

        i)     In
the event Executive's employment is terminated by Employer for Cause or by Executive's decision to terminate his employment, or in the event of Executive's death or
disability, then Employer (or GEI II) shall have the option to repurchase from Executive the Shares and the Additional Shares. The repurchase price of such Shares and Additional Shares shall be
their then fair market value as determined in good faith by the board of directors of Holdings in accordance with Schedule 1 attached hereto. The purchase price to be paid by 

4

 

Employer
shall be applied against the outstanding balance of the Executive Loan hereinafter referred to. 

        ii)    Subject
to the provisions of paragraph 8(e) below, in the event of Executive's death or disability during the Term, at the election of the Executive or his legal
representative, the Employer shall be obligated to repurchase the Shares and Additional Shares with the purchase price being applied against the outstanding balance of the Executive Loan (the "D&D
Put"). The repurchase price of the Shares and Additional Shares subject to the D&D Put shall be determined in accordance with the provision of paragraph 8(a)(i) above. The obligation of
Employer to repurchase the Shares or Additional Shares is subject to Employer's compliance with certain covenants and other obligations under its credit agreements, indentures and other debt
instruments. The Shares and Additional Shares subject to repurchase shall be free and clear of any and all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances. 

        iii)   In
the event that the repurchase of the equity securities of Holdings would result in a violation of applicable law or of any contract of Holdings (including, without
limitation, a violation of any covenants in an indenture, credit agreement or other debt instrument) such repurchase right or obligation shall be tolled for up to six (6) months to allow
Holdings to take reasonable actions to avoid or cure such violation. If Holdings is unable to avoid or cure such violation within the six (6) month period, the repurchase right or obligation
shall terminate and expire. 

        b.     GEI
II, Holdings and its stockholders have previously executed a Stockholder's Agreement (the "Stockholder's Agreement"). All equity securities now owned or subsequently
acquired by Executive shall be subject to the terms of the Stockholder's Agreement. These rights are personal to the Executive and are non-transferable. 

        c.     The
repurchase price and the number of shares subject to the repurchase rights or obligations of Holdings are subject to equitable adjustment to take into account stock
dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations and other dilutive events, all as reasonably determined in good faith by the board of directors of Holdings. 

        9.    Executive Loan.    Employer has heretofore made available to Executive a loan of $96,525 (the "Executive Loan").
The Executive Loan is secured by a pledge of 44.8953 shares of Class A Common Stock of Holdings. The Executive Loan shall be repayable as provided in the existing promissory note
representing the Executive Loan; provided, however, subject to the rights of the Employer (or GEI II) to repurchase the equity securities of Executive, the Executive Loan shall be repayable
immediately in the event that Executive is terminated, Executive terminates his employment or Executive dies or becomes disabled; provided, further, however, in the event of a termination by Employer
not for Cause or the death or disability of Executive, such acceleration and repayment obligation shall be reasonably held in abeyance (not to exceed 150 days) if the Executive or his legal
representative requires such additional 150 days to liquidate the equity securities in order to repay such Executive Loan. The shares pledged in connection with the Executive Loan will be
valued at the then current fair market value, in accordance with Schedule 1 attached hereto for purposes hereof and in the event of foreclosure. Subject to compliance with this Agreement and
the Stockholder's Agreement, in the event of a sale by the Executive of the equity securities pledged pursuant to the Equity Loan, the proceeds of such sale shall first be applied to immediately repay
the Executive Loan, regardless of the maturity date of the Executive Loan. 

        10.    Corporate Opportunities.    If Executive receives notice of or otherwise obtains information regarding
potential acquisitions and other corporate opportunities within Employer's then current and prospective lines of business, Executive agrees to offer such acquisitions and other corporate opportunities
first to Employer and second to GEI II, after which Executive shall be free to proceed 

5

 

independently
to exploit such acquisitions and other corporate opportunities, subject to the provisions of paragraph 4 hereof. 

        11.    Covenant Not to Compete.    In consideration of the compensation and other benefits to be paid to Executive
pursuant to this Agreement, Executive agrees that he will not, without prior written consent of the board of directors of Holdings, for a period the greater of: (i) two (2) years
following the termination of Executive's employment with Employer for any reason whatsoever or (ii) one (1) year beyond any payment or repurchase made pursuant to this Agreement by
Employer (or to such lesser extent and for such lesser period as may be deemed enforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, it being the intention of the parties that this paragraph 11
shall be so enforced): 

        a.     directly
or indirectly engage in the United States, Canada or any other country in which the Employer now or hereafter conducts business, in any business in direct
competition with the business conducted by Employer at the time of termination or any business that Employer has a bona fide plan to commence or enter into, either as an officer, director, employee,
independent contractor or as a 2% or greater owner, partner, or stockholder in a publicly traded entity; 

        b.     directly
or indirectly cause or request a curtailment or cancellation of any significant business relationship that Employer has with a current or prospective vendor,
business partner, supplier or other service or goods provider that would have a material adverse impact on the business of Employer; or 

        c.     directly
or indirectly induce or attempt to influence any employee of Employer to terminate his or her employment with Employer. 

        d.     In
addition to and without limiting the foregoing, upon the termination of the Executive's employment by the Employer for any reason, whether before or after the
expiration of the Term, Executive shall not at any time directly or indirectly disclose, use, transfer or sell to any person, firm or other entity any trade, technical or technological secrets, any
details of organization or business affairs, or any confidential or proprietary information of Employer. For the purposes of this paragraph 11, the term Employer shall be deemed to include
Employer and all of its subsidiaries. 

        12.    Inventions.    All patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, inventions, discoveries, financial models,
computer software, graphics products, advertising products, promotional materials, market studies and business plans (collectively, the "Intellectual Property") relating to Employer's business that
Executive may make, conceive or learn during the term of his employment by the Employer (whether before, during or after the Term, whether during working hours or otherwise, or within six
(6) months following the termination of his employment for any reason) shall be the exclusive property of Employer. Executive agrees to disclose any such Intellectual Property to the board of
directors of Holdings and to do at Employer's expense all lawful things necessary or useful to assist Employer in securing their full enjoyment and protection. In the event of any breach or threatened
breach of the provisions of this paragraph 12 or the preceding paragraph 11, Employer may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin such breach. Any such remedy shall be in
addition to Employer's remedies at law under such circumstances. 

        13.    Notices.    Any notice given hereunder shall be in writing and delivered or mailed by certified mail or
overnight courier service (with proof of delivery) and addressed to the appropriate party at the 

6

 

address
set forth below or at such other address as the party shall designate from time to time in a notice. 

If
to Executive: 

Mr. Donald
F. Gayhardt

511 Lynmere Road

Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-3637

Telephone: (610) 519-9782 

If
to Employer: 

DFG
Holdings, Inc.

1436 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 300

Berwyn, PA 19312-1288

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Telephone: (610) 296-3400 

With
a copy to: 

Green
Equity Investors II, L.P.

11111 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 2000

Los Angeles, CA 90025

Attention: Jonathan Seiffer

Telephone: (310) 954-0404 

        14.    Binding Effect.    This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon Employer, and its
successors and assigns. Executive acknowledges that these services are unique and personal. Accordingly, Executive may not assign any of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under
this Agreement. 

        15.    Waiver.    Failure to insist in any one or more instances on strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement
shall not be deemed a waiver. Waiver of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach. 

        16.    Governing Law; Disputes.    This Agreement is made and delivered in, and shall be construed in accordance with
the substantive laws of, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States of America without regard to conflict of law principles. Any claims, controversies, demands, disputes or differences
between or among the parties hereto arising out of, or by virtue of, or in connection with, or otherwise relating to this Agreement shall be submitted to and settled by arbitration conducted in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before three arbitrators, each of whom shall be knowledgeable in the field of
employment law. Such arbitration shall otherwise be conducted in accordance with the rules then obtaining of the American Arbitration Association. The parties hereto agree to share equally the
responsibility for all fees of the arbitrators, abide by any decision rendered as final and binding, and waive the right to appeal the decision or otherwise submit the dispute to a court of law for a
jury or non-jury trial. The parties hereto specifically agree that neither party may appeal or subject the award or decision of any such arbitrator to appeal or review in any court of law
or in equity or by any other tribunal, arbitration system or otherwise. Judgment upon any award granted by such an arbitrator may be enforced in any court having jurisdiction thereof. 

        17.    Severability.    In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid by a court
of competent jurisdiction, such determination shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions hereof. 

        18.    Entire Agreement; Miscellaneous.    The parties acknowledge and agree that they are not relying on any
representations, oral or written, other than those expressly contained herein. This Agreement 

7

 

supersedes
all proposals, oral or written, all negotiations, conversations or discussions between the parties and all course of dealing. All prior understandings and agreements between the parties
regarding employment matters are hereby merged in this Agreement, which alone is the complete and exclusive statement of their understanding as to employment. No waiver or modification of this
Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the party sought to be charged therewith. Time is of the essence in this Agreement and each and every provision hereof. This
is a personal services agreement; no agency, partnership, joint venture or other joint relationship is created hereby. The parties acknowledge that they each participated in drafting this Agreement,
and there shall be no presumption against any party on the ground that such party was responsible for preparing this Agreement or any part hereof. Paragraph headings are for convenience of reference
only and are not intended to create substantive rights or obligations. 

        IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the undersigned as of the day and year first above written. 

	 	 	DFG HOLDINGS, INC.
	

 	
 	

 	

 
	 	 	By:	/s/  JEFFREY A. WEISS      
 JEFFREY A. WEISS
	 	 	 	 
	

 	
 	

DOLLAR FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	/s/  JEFFREY A. WEISS      
 JEFFREY A. WEISS
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	/s/  DONALD F. GAYHARDT      
 DONALD F. GAYHARDT

8

 
 
 

Schedule 1    
    

        Fair market value of the Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 (the "Common Stock"), of DFG Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") shall be determined as
follows: 

        (a)   for
the purposes of the Agreement, the "fair market value" of each of the shares of the Common Stock of the Company shall be determined on the basis of the fair market
value of the entire common equity of the Company as of the date of valuation, less an appropriate discount for lack of liquidity and minority interest; provided however, such discount for lack of
liquidity and minority interest shall not apply in the event such stockholder owns on the closing date of the Merger at least ten percent (10%) of the entire common equity of the Company; 

        (b)   during
the 60 day period following the date of termination or the date on which an option or other repurchase event occurs or a repurchase right is exercised (as
the case may be), the Executive with respect to whom such event occurred or such right was exercised (as the case may be), or his personal representative, on the one hand, and the Board of Directors
of the Company (the "Board of Directors") (following consultations with GEI II, if GEI II other than the Company is exercising a repurchase right), on the other hand, shall attempt, reasonably and in
good faith, to agree upon the fair market value; 

        (c)   in
the event the Executive (or his personal representative, as the case may be) and the Board of Directors are unable to so agree, than within ten (10) business
days after the expiration of said sixty (60) day period, the Board of Directors and such Executive (or his personal representative, as the case may be) shall mutually agree upon, and retain, a
nationally recognized independent appraiser of closely held businesses (the "Appraiser"). The Executive (or his personal representative, as the case may be), on the one hand, and the Board of
Directors, on the other hand, shall each submit to the Appraiser such parties' respective opinions as to the fair market value, together with such supporting data as such party deems relevant. The
Appraiser shall then conduct its own evaluation of such opinions and such data, and shall conduct such independent procedures and investigation as the Appraiser shall deem necessary in order to form
an opinion as to the fair market value. However, the Appraiser shall be limited to selecting, as the fair market value, either (x) the opinion of the Executive (or his personal representative,
as the case may be), or (y) the opinion of the Board of Directors. The Appraiser shall give written notice of its determination to the Executive (or his personal representative, as the case may
be) and the Company. The fair market value as determined by the Board of Directors shall be the "Board Fair Market Value" and the fair market value as determined by the Executive (or his personal
representative) shall be the "Executive Fair Market Value." If the Appraiser shall select the Board Fair Market Value, the fees and costs of the Appraiser shall be paid by the Executive (or his
personal representative, as the case may be). If the Appraiser shall select the Executive Fair Market Value, the fees and costs of the Appraiser shall be paid by the Company. 

9

QuickLinks

Exhibit 10.27

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

W I T N E S S E T H

Schedule 1Exhibit 10.3.3

 

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS STOCK OPTION
AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as
of     , 2003, between INVESTMENT TECHNOLOGY GROUP,
INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”)
and                                ,
an employee of the Company (“Employee”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company has
determined that it is in the interest of the Company to provide the Employee
with an option to purchase the common stock of the Company:

 

NOW THEREFORE, the
parties agree as follows:

 

1.1.  The Company has granted to
the Employee a nonqualified stock option (the “Option”) to
purchase               shares
of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Common Stock”), for a price per share equal
to $           per share (the
“Option Price”).  The date of grant of
the Option
is             ,
2003 (“Grant Date”).  This Option is
intended to be a nonqualified stock option and shall not be treated as an
incentive stock option under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.

 

1.2.  The Option is granted under
Section 6.1 of the Company’s 1994 Stock Option and Long-Term Incentive
Plan, as amended (the “Plan”).  All of
the terms and conditions of the Plan are hereby incorporated by reference in
this Agreement as though fully set forth herein.  Terms defined in the Plan but not in this Agreement shall have
the meanings set forth in the Plan.  To
the extent of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those
of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall govern.  Employee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan, accepts the
Option subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this
Agreement, and consents to and agrees to comply with such terms and conditions.

 

1.3.  This Option is granted for
no consideration other than the services of Employee and Employee’s agreements
set forth herein.

 

1.4.  The grant of the Option is
exempt from the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) pursuant to the provisions of Rule l6b-3, all of
the requirements of which have been satisfied.

 

2.1.  Except as otherwise
provided herein, a percentage between 0% and 100% of the Option will vest and
become exercisable on January 1, 2006 
provided the Employee has remained continuously employed by the Company
or any Subsidiary (as defined below) through such date, based on the amount of
the Company’s “Cumulative Three Year Pre-Tax Operating Income” (as defined
below) determined in accordance with the following schedule:

 

 

	
  Vesting
  Thresholds  - Cumulative Three Year

  Pre-Tax Operating Income

  	
   

  	
  Percentage of Options that

  Vest

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  Less than $

  	
   

  	
  0

  	
  %

  
	
  $

  	
   

  	
  25

  	
  %

  
	
  $

  	
   

  	
  50

  	
  %

  
	
  $

  	
   

  	
  75

  	
  %

  
	
  $

  	
   

  	
  100

  	
  %

  

 

In the event the amount of Cumulative Three Year
Pre-Tax Operating Income is between two of the thresholds set forth in the schedule above,
the percentage of the Option that will vest and become exercisable will be
determined by multiplying (A) 25% by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is
the excess of the actual Cumulative Three Year Pre-Tax Operating Income over
the next lowest vesting threshold and the denominator of which is the excess of
the next higher vesting threshold over the next lower vesting threshold and
adding the product to the percentage corresponding to the next lowest vesting
threshold .

 

To the extent the Option does not vest and become
exercisable on January 1, 2006 , the Option will be forfeited.  Except as set forth below in this
Section 2.1, in the event of termination of Employee’s employment with the
Company or any Subsidiary for any reason prior to January 1, 2006 , the
Option shall be forfeited. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
(i) in the event of a Change of Control (as defined in Section 3.2
below) prior to January 1, 2006 , 50% of the Option will become vested and
exercisable at the time of such Change of Control and the remaining 50% of the
Option will vest (if at all) and become exercisable on January 1,
2006  in accordance with the vesting
thresholds outlined in this Section 2.1, provided in each case that the Employee’s
employment with the Company or any Subsidiary has not terminated prior to such
time; provided, however, that if, following a Change of Control,
the Employee’s employment with the Company or any Subsidiary terminates due to
his disability or death or due to termination by the Company not for Cause (as
defined below), any unvested portion of the Option shall become vested and
exercisable upon such termination of employment.

 

For purposes hereof, (i) “Cumulative Three Year Pre-Tax Operating
Income” shall mean the Company’s “Pre-Tax Operating Income” for the period
beginning January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2005, and (ii)
“Pre-Tax Operating Income” means the consolidated pre-tax income of the Company
and its subsidiaries, computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, (A) prior to reduction for income taxes and (B) excluding one time
gains, nonrecurring restructuring charges and non-cash charges (including
impairment of good will).  The
determination of “Cumulative Three Year Pre-Tax Operating Income” shall be made
by the Committee in good faith, which determination shall be binding on the
Employee.

 

For purposes hereof “Cause” shall be deemed to exist where Employee:
(i) commits any act of fraud, willful misconduct or dishonesty in
connection with their employment; (ii) fails, refuses or neglects to
timely perform any material duty or job responsibility and such failure,
refusal or neglect is not cured after appropriate warning; (iii) commits a
material violation of any law, rule, regulation or by-law of any governmental
authority (state, federal or foreign), any securities exchange or association
or other regulatory or

 

2

 

self-regulatory
body or agency applicable to Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates
or any general written policy or directive of Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates; (v) commits a crime involving dishonesty,
fraud or unethical business conduct, or a felony; or (vii) is expelled or suspended,
or is subject to an order temporarily or permanently enjoining Employee from an
area of activity which constitutes a significant portion of Employee’s
activities by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association
of Securities Dealers Regulation, Inc., any national securities exchange or any
self-regulatory agency or governmental authority, state, foreign or federal.

 

For purposes hereof a “Subsidiary” shall mean any
corporation or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated,
(i) of which the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company is a
general partner (excluding partnerships, the general partnership interests of
which held by the Company any Subsidiary do not have a majority of the voting
interests in such partnership), or (ii) at least a majority of the
securities or other interests of which having by their terms ordinary voting
power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing
similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is
directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the Company or by any one or more
of its Subsidiaries.

 

2.2.  The Option (to the extent
not earlier exercised or forfeited) will expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on
the earliest of (i) the fifth anniversary of the Grant Date, (ii) if Employee’s
employment with the Company (including all subsidiaries) terminates by reason
of death or disability, one year following such termination of employment, or
(iii) if Employee’s employment with the Company (including all subsidiaries)
terminates for any other reason, 60 days after the date of such termination.

 

3.1.  To the extent the Option
is exercisable under the provisions of Sections 2.1 and 2.2 hereof, the Option
may be exercised by giving written notice of exercise of the Option to the
Secretary of the Company, and it shall be deemed to have been received either
when delivered personally to the office of the Secretary or at 11:58 p.m. on
the date of any U.S. Postal Service postmark on the notice, whichever is
earlier (the “Exercise Date”).  Such
notice shall be irrevocable and must be accompanied by the payment of the
purchase price as provided in Section 4 below.  Upon the exercise of the Option, the Company will transfer or
will cause to be issued a certificate or certificates for the Common Stock
being purchased as promptly as practicable.

 

3.2.  “Change of Control” means
and shall be deemed to have occurred if:

 

(a)                                  any
person (within the meaning of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or a
Related Party, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of Voting Securities representing
30% percent or more of the total voting power of all the then-outstanding
Voting Securities; or

 

(b)                                 the
individuals who, as of the Grant Date, constitute the Board, together with
those who first become directors subsequent to such date and whose
recommendation, election or nomination for election to the Board was approved
by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who
either were directors as of the Grant Date or whose recommendation,

 

3

 

election or nomination
for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the members of the Board; or

 

(c)                                  the
stockholders of the Company approve a merger, consolidation, recapitalization
or reorganization of the Company or one of its subsidiaries, reverse split of
any class of Voting Securities, or an acquisition of securities or assets by
the Company or one of its subsidiaries, or consummation of any such transaction
if stockholder approval is not obtained, other than (i) any such transaction in
which the holders of outstanding Voting Securities immediately prior to the
transaction receive (or retain), with respect to such Voting Securities, voting
securities of the surviving or transferee entity representing more than 50
percent of the total voting power outstanding immediately after such
transaction, with the voting power of each such continuing holder relative to
other such continuing holders not substantially altered in the transaction, or
(ii) any such transaction which would result in a Related Party beneficially
owning more than 50 percent of the voting securities of the surviving or
transferee entity outstanding immediately after such transaction; or

 

(d)                                 the
stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the
Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company’s assets other than any such transaction which
would result in a Related Party owning or acquiring more than 50 percent of the
assets owned by the Company immediately prior to the transaction.

 

“Related Party” means (a) a Subsidiary ; (b) an
employee or group of employees of the Company or any Subsidiary ; (c) a trustee
or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company or any Subsidiary ; or (d) a corporation owned directly or indirectly
by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as
their ownership of Voting Securities.

 

“Voting Securities or Security” means any securities
of the Company which carry the right to vote generally in the election of
directors.

 

4.1.  The purchase price of
Common Stock purchased by the Employee upon exercise of the Option (the “Option
Shares”) shall be paid in full to the Company at the time of such exercise in
cash (including by check) or by the surrender of Common Stock of the Company or
a combination thereof, in accordance with Section 9.3 of the Plan,
provided that Common Stock held for less than six months may be surrendered
only with the approval of the Committee.

 

5.1.  The number and kind of
shares purchasable upon exercise of the Option, and other terms of the Option,
may be appropriately adjusted, in the discretion of the Committee, in
accordance with Section 5.5 of the Plan, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement
of the rights of the Employee.

 

6.1.  The Employee represents
and warrants that the Employee is acquiring the Option for his/her own account
and not with a view to distribution of this Option or the Option Shares.  As a condition to the exercise of the
Option, and in the event that the Option Shares have not yet been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) at the time

 

4

 

they are
issued, the Company may require the Employee to make any representation and/or
warranty to the Company as may, in the judgment of counsel to the Company, be
required under any applicable law or regulation, including but not limited to a
representation and warranty that the Option Shares are being acquired only for
investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares
if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is
required under the Act or any other applicable law, regulation or rule of any
governmental agency.

 

7.1.  Neither the Employee nor
any other person shall have any right to commute, sell, assign, transfer,
pledge, anticipate, mortgage or otherwise encumber, transfer, hypothecate or
convey the Option or any amounts payable pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement, which Option and amounts are, and all rights under this Agreement
are, expressly declared to be unassignable and nontransferable, other than by
will or under the laws of descent and distribution.  No part of the Option or such amounts payable shall be subject to
seizure or sequestration for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony or
separate maintenance owed by the Employee or any other person, nor be
transferable by operation of law in the event of the Employee’s or any other
person’s bankruptcy or insolvency.

 

8.1.  Neither the Employee nor
any other person shall acquire by reason of the Option or the Option Shares any
right in or title to any assets, funds or property of the Company whatsoever
including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any specific funds
or assets which the Company, in its sole discretion, may set aside in
anticipation of a liability.  No trust
shall be created in connection with or by the granting of the Option or the
purchase of any Option Shares, and any benefits which become payable hereunder
shall be paid from the general assets of the Company.  The Employee shall have only a contractual right to the amounts,
if any, payable pursuant to this Agreement, unsecured by any asset of the
Company or any of its affiliates.

 

9.1.  Nothing herein will limit
the Company’s right to issue Common Stock, or options or other rights to
purchase Common Stock, to its employees, subject to vesting, expiration and
other terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Company and its
affiliates.

 

10.1.  The Employee authorizes
the Company to withhold, in accordance with any applicable law, from any
compensation payable to him/her any taxes required to be withheld by federal,
state or local law upon the issuance of Option Shares or the payment of money
pursuant to the exercise of the Option. 
The Employee may elect to have the Company withhold Option Shares to pay
any applicable withholding taxes resulting from the exercise of the Option, in
accordance with any rules or regulations of the Committee then in effect.

 

11.1.  Shares issued pursuant to
exercise of the Options shall be shares of Common Stock, the issuance of which
is registered under the Act.

 

12.1.  The terms of this
Agreement shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs,
successors, transferees and assignees of the Employee and the Company.

 

13.1.  In any action at law or
in equity to enforce any of the provisions or rights under this Agreement,
including any arbitration proceedings to enforce such provisions or rights,

 

5

 

the
unsuccessful party to such litigation or arbitration, as determined by the
court in a final judgment or decree, or by the panel of arbitrators in its
award, shall pay the successful party or parties all costs, expenses and reasonable
attorneys’ fees incurred by the successful party or parties (including without
limitation costs, expenses and fees on any appeals), and if the successful
party recovers judgment in any such action or proceeding such costs, expenses
and attorneys’ fees shall be included as part of the judgment.

 

14.1.  The Employee agrees to
perform all acts and execute and deliver any documents that may be reasonably
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement, including but not
limited to all acts and documents related to compliance with federal and/or
state securities laws.

 

15.1.  For convenience, this
Agreement may be executed in any number of identical counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed a complete original in itself and may be introduced in evidence
or used for any other purposes without the production of any other counterparts.

 

16.1.  This Agreement shall be
construed and enforced in accordance with Section 10 of the Plan.

 

17.1.  This Agreement, together
with the Plan, sets forth the entire agreement between the parties with
reference to the subject matter hereof, and there are no agreements,
understandings, warranties, or representations, written, express, or implied,
between them with respect to the Option other than as set forth herein or
therein, all prior agreements, promises, representations and understandings
relative thereto being herein merged.

 

18.1.  Nothing expressed or
implied herein is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give to any
person, other than the parties hereto, any right, remedy or claim under or by
reason of this Agreement or of any term, covenant or condition hereof.

 

19.1.  This Agreement may be
amended, modified, superseded, canceled, renewed or extended and the terms or
covenants hereof may be waived only by a written instrument executed by the
parties hereto or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance.  Any such written instrument must be approved
by the Committee to be effective as against the Company.  The failure of any party at any time or
times to require performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect
the right at a later time to enforce the same. 
No waiver by any party of the breach of any term or provision contained
in this Agreement, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more
instances, shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further or continuing
waiver of any such breach, or a waiver of the breach of any other term or
covenant contained in this Agreement.

 

20.1.  Any notice to be given
hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, and, if to the Company, addressed to it at 380
Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attn: General Counsel, and, if to the
Employee, addressed to him/her at the address set forth in his/her offer
letter, or to such other address of such party as that party may designate by
written notice to the other.

 

6

 

21.1.  Any provision of this
Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to
such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any
such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate
or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

22.1.  Neither this Agreement
nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving Employee the right
to be retained in the employ of the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) nor
shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company (or any of its subsidiaries)
to terminate Employee’s employment at any time.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties hereto have executed this Stock Option Agreement as of the date first
above written.

 

 

	
   

  	
  INVESTMENT
  TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Robert J. Russel,

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Chief Executive
  Officer

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  EMPLOYEE

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
					

 

7

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