Document:

exv10w4

 

Exhibit 10.4

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of January 12, 2006, between
the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (the “Bank”) and Neil Fruechte (“Executive”).

     A. The Bank currently has a vacancy in the office of President and Chief Executive Officer,
and the Board of Directors of the Bank (the “Board”) has commenced a search to fill that position.

     B. The Board has determined that, until a new President and Chief Executive Officer is
identified, hired, and assumes office, it would be in the best interests of the Bank to fill that
position on an interim basis.

     C. Executive, who has held significant positions of leadership within the banking and
financial industries and who has previously served as a member of the Board for many years, has
agreed to serve in the role of Interim President and Chief Executive Officer until a replacement is
hired and assumes office.

     D. The Bank and Executive wish to establish certain terms and conditions of Executive’s
employment.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, and for other good
and valuable consideration the sufficiency and receipt of which is stipulated, the parties
therefore agree as follows:

1. Employment. The Bank employs Executive, and Executive accepts employment, on the terms and
conditions contained in this Agreement. Executive shall serve as the Interim President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Bank during the term of employment set forth in Section 2 below.
Executive shall report to the Board, and subject to the oversight and direction of the Board, he
shall be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Bank, with all of the authority normally
vested in the office of President and Chief Executive Officer, and his primary functions and major
areas of accountability are set forth in Exhibit A hereto. During the term of this Agreement,
Executive agrees to devote his full attention and working time to the business and affairs of the
Bank. Notwithstanding this Agreement, the parties agree that Executive is an employee-at-will and
serves at the pleasure of the Board.

2. Term. The term of this Agreement commenced on December 22, 2005 and, unless modified by mutual
agreement of the parities or terminated pursuant to Section 6 below, will continue through March
31, 2006 (the “Initial Term”). Upon expiration of the Initial Term, this Agreement may be renewed
for successive one (1) month periods as mutually agreed to by the parties (“Renewal Term or
Terms”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement will immediately terminate as of the date
the Board of Directors hires a new President and Chief Executive Officer and such person assumes
his or her duties.

 

 

3. Compensation.

     3.1 Salary Initial Term. During the Initial Term, the Bank shall pay Executive a total salary
of Ninety Thousand Dollars ($90,000). Said salary will be paid in installments on regular payroll
days applicable to other employees of the Bank. This salary amount shall be due Executive in the
event that Executive does not serve the entire Initial Term, where such failure to serve the entire
Initial Term is due to the fact that a new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank has
been hired and has assumed office during the Initial Term. In addition to the foregoing, Executive
shall be eligible to be considered for a performance related bonus of up to Thirty Thousand Dollars
($30,000), to be determined in the sole discretion of the Board. Any such bonus shall be
determined by the Board within 60 days of the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term or
Terms, if applicable. All amounts to be paid hereunder shall be reduced by all amounts required by
law to be withheld, deducted, or collected.

     3.2 Salary Renewal Terms (if any). If this Agreement is renewed for one or more successive
one (1) month periods in accordance with Section 1, then for each such Renewal Term, Executive
shall be paid a salary of Thirty Thousand, less all amounts required by law to be withheld,
deducted, or collected, payable in installments on regular payroll days applicable to other
employees of the Bank. In connection with any such Renewal Term, the salary amount due for any
such month shall be due Executive in the event that Executive does not serve the entire Renewal
Term where such failure to serve the Renewal Term is due to the fact that a new President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Bank has been hired and has assumed office during the Renewal Term.

     3.3 Business Expense Reimbursement. The Bank will reimburse Executive for necessary,
customary, and reasonable living, business, and travel expenses incurred by Executive that are
related to his employment with the Bank, in accordance with Bank policies.

     3.4 No other Benefits. Except as specifically set forth in Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3,
Executive shall have no rights to any salary, bonuses, incentive compensation, employee benefits,
severance, or other compensation, benefits, fringe benefits, health insurance benefits or payments
from the Bank. The Executive understands and agrees that he shall not be eligible to participate
in the Gainsharing Plan or the Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan. In addition, the Executive
shall not make contributions to, and waives any right he may have to, the Pentegra Defined
Contribution Plan for Financial Institutions, the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial
Institutions, and the Benefit Equalization Plan from the salary payments described in Sections 3.1
and 3.2 this Agreement.

4. Confidentiality. Executive shall follow and be governed by all existing laws, regulations and
Bank policies regarding the unauthorized disclosure or dissemination of the Bank’s Confidential
Information. Executive acknowledges that the existing laws, regulations and Bank policies
regarding the unauthorized disclosure or dissemination of Confidential Information may change and,
to the extent they do change, Executive agrees to follow and be governed by such changed laws,
regulations and policies. As used in this Section, “Confidential Information” shall mean

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any
information relating to the business or affairs of the Bank or its customers, including, but not
limited to, information relating to financial statements, identities of members and potential
members, employees, suppliers, software tools, business methods, equipment, programs,
methodologies, strategies and information, analyses, reports, models, calculations, profit margins,
exam findings, Board of Directors’ matters, or other proprietary information used by the Bank in
connection with its business; provided, however, that Confidential Information shall not include
any information which is in the public domain or becomes known in the industry through no wrongful
act on the part of Executive. Executive acknowledges that the Confidential Information is vital,
sensitive, confidential and proprietary to the Bank.

5. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest. Executive represents and warrants to the Bank that
Executive has no current commitments or obligations that will conflict or otherwise interfere with
Executive’s ability to perform the services described in this Agreement, or that will conflict or
interfere with the rights or interests of the Bank. During the term of this Agreement, Executive
will disclose to the Bank any circumstance or activity that could result in any such conflict of
interest.

6. Termination. Either party may terminate this Agreement for any reason at any time. Upon
termination of this Agreement, the Bank will be liable to Executive only for salary and other
amounts payable under this Agreement that accrue before the effective date of termination, unless
the Executive’s employment terminates because the Bank hires a new President and Chief Executive
Officer, in which case Executive shall receive the entire salary for the Initial Term or any
Renewal Term, if applicable, as specified in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 of this Agreement.

7. Insurance and Indemnity. During the term of this Agreement, the Bank shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable law and regulations, include Executive under any director and officer
liability insurance policy maintained for its directors and officers, with coverage at least as
favorable to Executive in amount and every other material respect as the coverage afforded to other
executive officers covered thereby. The Bank shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless to the
fullest extent authorized by the Bank’s Bylaws. The Bank’s obligation to provide insurance and
indemnify Executive under this Section 7 shall survive expiration or termination of this Agreement
with respect to proceedings or threatened proceedings based on acts or omissions of Executive
acting in his capacity as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank during the
period of his employment under this Agreement.

8. Miscellaneous.

     8.1 Neither party may assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without
the prior written approval of the other party.

     8.2 This Agreement is subject to applicable provisions of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act and
regulations of the Federal Housing Finance Board. With respect to matters not covered by the
Federal Home Loan Bank Act or regulations of the Federal Housing Finance Board, this Agreement
shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa, without regard to its
conflict of laws. Any lawsuit between the parties arising out of this Agreement shall be brought
in the Iowa District Court in and for Polk County, or in the United States District Court,

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Southern
District of Iowa, Central Division, if appropriate federal jurisdiction exists. The language of
this Agreement shall be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning.

     8.3 This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties related to Executive’s
employment by the Bank, and supersedes any and all prior representations, proposals, discussions,
communications or agreements, written or otherwise, between the parties with respect thereto. No
amendment of any provision of this Agreement will be effective unless set forth in a written
instrument signed by both parties.

     8.4 No provision in this Agreement shall be deemed waived unless such waiver is in a written
form, signed by Executive and the Chairman of the Bank.

     8.5 All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing addressed to
the respective parties as set forth herein.

     8.6 This Agreement may be executed in counterparts.

     8.7 It is understood and agreed that if any provisions of this Agreement are held to be
invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless continue to
be fully valid and enforceable.

     8.8 Executive acknowledges that he has read and understands this Agreement and all of the
provisions hereof, and that adequate opportunity has been afforded Executive to consult with his
own legal counsel before signing this Agreement.

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Executed as of the date first above written.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	BANK:	 	 	 	EXECUTIVE:
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF DES MOINES	 	 	 	Neil Fruechte
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	     /s/ Randy L. Newman
	 	 	 	     /s/ Neil N. Fruechte
	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 

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EXHIBIT A

     This Exhibit A to the Employment Agreement (the “Agreement) by and between the Federal Home
Loan Bank of Des Moines (the “Bank”) and Neil Fruechte (“Executive”) sets forth what will be the
Executive’s primary functions and major areas of accountability during his employment as the Bank’s
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer and supplements the more general duties and
responsibilities as described in paragraph 1 of the Agreement.

Primary Function:

To provide direction and leadership to the Bank and Bank staff toward achievement of the Bank’s
mission, strategies, goals, and priorities.

To assist the Chairman of the Bank’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) in enabling the Board to
fulfill its governance function.

Major Accountabilities:

1. Provide management leadership in regard to the Bank’s strategic objectives and their execution.

2. Support the operation and administration of the Board and Board Committees.

3. Provide leadership to the Bank staff through personal example, coaching and counseling. Develop
an organizational culture that promotes effective communication, teamwork, and desired Bank results
among key executives.

4. Carry out Board policies and Bank programs and procedures that fully comply with current laws
and regulations.

5. Manage the Bank’s resources within approved budget guidelines.

6. Oversee the promotion and delivery of high quality Bank programs and services to its members.

7. In coordination with the Board Chair and approved consultants, represent the Bank to its
members, regulators, and other relevant stakeholders in a manner that contributes to a strong,
positive image of the Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank System.

6exv10w4w1

 

Exhibit 10.4.1

FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This First Amendment to Employment Agreement (“Amendment”) is entered into as of the date set
forth below by and between the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (the “Bank”) and Neil Fruechte
(“Executive”) and amends that certain Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) between the Bank and
Fruechte entered into as of January 12, 2006.

RECITALS

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Bank has determined that it is in the Bank’s continued
best interest to continue to employ Executive as Acting President and Chief Executive Officer
beyond the term set forth in the Agreement;

     WHEREAS, Fruechte is willing to extend his employment with the Bank beyond the initial term
set forth in the Agreement upon the terms set forth below;

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein and to reflect the
Bank’s and Fruechte’s additional agreements, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

	 	1.	 	All references to Interim President and Chief Executive Officer shall be
changed to Acting President and Chief Executive Officer.
	 
	 	2.	 	Section 2.Term is amended by changing March 31, 2006 to May 31, 2006.
	 
	 	3.	 	Section 3.1 Salary Initial Term is amended by changing the first sentence
thereof following the Section heading to read in its entirety as follows:
	 
	 	 	 	“During the Initial Term, the Bank shall pay Executive a total salary of One
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000).”

     Unless otherwise amended herein, the Agreement, as amended, shall remain in full force and
effect.

     This Amendment may be executed in duplicate original counterparts with faxed signatures, each
of which shall constitute an original and which together shall constitute one and the same
document.

 

 

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK DES MOINES

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	BY:

	 	/s/ Randy L. Newman
	 	 	 	DATE:
	 	          4-6-06
	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	NEIL FRUECHTE	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	BY:

	 	/s/ Neil N. Fruechte
	 	 	 	DATE:
	 	          4-6-06

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