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Document

EAGLE BANCORP, INC.
2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Section 1.    Purpose; Definitions.  The purposes of the Eagle Bancorp, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) are to: (a) enable Eagle Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) and its affiliated companies to recruit and retain highly qualified employees, directors and consultants; (b) provide those employees, directors and consultants with an incentive for productivity; and (c) provide those employees, directors and consultants with an opportunity to share in the growth and value of the Company.
For purposes of the Plan, the following terms will have the meanings defined below, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:
(a)    “Affiliate” means, with respect to a Person, a Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person.
(b)    “Applicable Law” means the legal requirements relating to the administration of and issuance of securities under stock incentive plans, including, without limitation, the requirements of state corporations law, federal, state and foreign securities law, federal, state and foreign tax law, and the requirements of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or quoted.
(c)    “Award” means an award of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock Based Awards made under this Plan.
(d)    “Award Agreement” means, with respect to any particular Award, the written document that sets forth the terms of that particular Award.
(e)    “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.
(f)    “Other Stock Based Award” means an award that is granted under Section 10. 
(g)     “Cause” means (i) Participant’s refusal to comply with any lawful directive or policy of the Company which refusal is not cured by the Participant within ten (10) days of such written notice from the Company; (ii) the Company’s determination that Participant has committed any act of dishonesty, embezzlement, unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or other intellectual property or trade secrets, common law fraud or other fraud against the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate; (iii) a material breach by the Participant of any written agreement with or any fiduciary duty owed to any Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate; (iv) Participant’s conviction (or the entry of a plea of a nolo contendere or equivalent plea) of a felony or any misdemeanor involving material dishonesty or moral turpitude; or (v) Participant’s habitual or repeated misuse of, or habitual or repeated performance of Participant’s duties under the influence of, alcohol, illegally obtained prescription controlled substances or non-prescription controlled substances.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant and the Company (or any of its Affiliates) have entered into an employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement that specifically defines “Cause,” then with respect to such Participant, “Cause” shall have the meaning defined in such other agreement.
(h)    “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total power to vote for the election of directors of the Company; (ii) during any twelve month period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute 
						
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the Board and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 1(h)(i), Section 1(h)(iii), Section 1(h)(iv) or Section 1(h)(v) hereof) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period of whose election or nomination for election was previously approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; (iii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation where the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not beneficially own, immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares entitling such stockholders to 50% or more of all votes to which all stockholders of the surviving corporation (or its ultimate parent) would be entitled in the election of directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect directors by a separate class vote); (iv) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (v) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, if an Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, no event that, but for the application of this paragraph, would be a Change in Control as defined in the Plan or the Award Agreement, as applicable, shall be a Change in Control unless such event is also a “change in control event” as defined in Section 409A of the Code.
(i)    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.
(j)    “Committee” means the committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan under Section 2.  To the extent required under Applicable Law, the Committee shall have at least two members and each member of the Committee shall be a Non-Employee Director.
(k)    “Director” means a member of the Board.
(l)    “Disability” means a condition rendering a Participant Disabled.
(m)    “Disabled” will have the same meaning as set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(n)    “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(o)    “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows: (i) if the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including, without limitation, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on that system or exchange (or the system or exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Shares) at the close of regular hours trading on the day of determination (or if such day is not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day); (ii) if the Shares are regularly quoted by recognized securities dealers but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for Shares at the close of regular hours trading on the day of determination; or (iii) if Shares are not traded as set forth above, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Committee taking into consideration such factors as the Committee considers appropriate, such determination by the Committee to be final, conclusive and binding.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with a Change in Control, Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee, such determination by the Committee to be final conclusive and binding.
(p)    “Non-Employee Director” will have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
						
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(q)    “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Option that is not intended to be an “Incentive Stock Option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code. 
(r)    “Option” means any option to purchase Shares (including an option to purchase Restricted Stock, if the Committee so determines) granted pursuant to Section 5 hereof.
(s)    “Participant” means an employee, consultant, Director, or other service provider of or to the Company or any of its respective Affiliates to whom an Award is granted.
(t)    “Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, unincorporated association, or other entity or association.
(u)    “Restricted Stock” means Shares that are subject to restrictions pursuant to Section 8 hereof.
(v)    “Restricted Stock Unit” means a right granted under and subject to restrictions pursuant to Section 9 hereof.
(w)    “Shares” means shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 subject to substitution or adjustment as provided in Section 3(d) hereof.
(x)    “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted under and subject to Section 6 hereof.
(y)    “Subsidiary” means, in respect of the Company, a subsidiary company as defined in Sections 424(f) and (g) of the Code.

Section 2.    Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  Any action of the Committee in administering the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, their respective employees, the Participants, persons claiming rights from or through Participants and stockholders of the Company.
The Committee will have full authority to grant Awards under this Plan and determine the terms of such Awards.  Such authority will include the right to:
(a)    select the individuals to whom Awards are granted (consistent with the eligibility conditions set forth in Section 4);
(b)    determine the type of Award to be granted;
(c)    determine the number of Shares, if any, to be covered by each Award;
(d)    establish the other terms and conditions of each Award;
(e)    approve forms of agreements (including Award Agreements) for use under the Plan; 
(f)    accelerate the vesting or exercisability of an Award; and
(g)    modify or amend each Award, subject to the Participant’s consent if such modification or amendment would adversely change the terms of such Award.
The Committee will have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it, from time to time, deems advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any Award Agreement); and to otherwise take any action that may be necessary or desirable to facilitate the administration of the Plan.  The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent it deems necessary to carry out the intent of the Plan.
						
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To the extent permitted by Applicable Law and the Company’s governing documents, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant Awards to Participants who are not subject to the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.  The Committee may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time for any reason with or without prior notice.

Section 3.    Shares Subject to the Plan.
(a)    Shares Subject to the Plan.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b) and Section 3(d) of the Plan, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued in respect of Awards under the Plan is 1,300,000 Shares (the “Plan Limit”).  Any Shares issued hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or treasury shares.  Any Shares issued by the Company through the assumption or substitution of outstanding grants in connection with the acquisition of another entity shall not reduce the maximum number of Shares available for delivery under the Plan. 
(b)    Effect of the Expiration or Termination of Awards.  If and to the extent that an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right expires, terminates or is canceled or forfeited for any reason without having been exercised in full, the Shares associated with that Award will again become available for grant under the Plan. Similarly, if and to the extent an Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units is canceled or forfeited for any reason, the Shares subject to that Award will again become available for grant under the Plan.  In addition, if any award granted under the Eagle Bancorp, Inc. 2016 Stock Plan expires, terminates, is canceled or is forfeited for any reason after the Effective Date, the Shares subject to that award will be added to the Plan Limit and become available for issuance hereunder.
(c)    Shares Withheld in Satisfaction of Taxes or Exercise Price.  Shares withheld following the Effective Date in settlement of a tax withholding obligation associated with an Award or in satisfaction of the exercise price payable upon exercise of an option will not again become available for grant under the Plan.
(d)    Other Adjustment.  In the event of any corporate event or transaction such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend, dividend in kind, or other like change in capital structure (other than ordinary cash dividends) to stockholders of the Company, or other similar corporate event or transaction affecting the Shares, the Committee, to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’ rights under the Plan, shall, in such manner as it deems equitable, substitute or adjust, in its sole discretion, the number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan or under any outstanding Awards, the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards, the exercise price, grant price or purchase price applicable to outstanding Awards, and/or any other affected terms and conditions of this Plan or outstanding Awards.
(e)    Change in Control.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan, upon or in anticipation of any Change in Control, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the need for the consent of any Participant, take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of that Change in Control:
(i)    cause any or all outstanding Awards to become vested and immediately exercisable (as applicable), in whole or in part;
						
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(ii)    cause any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to become fully vested and immediately exercisable for a reasonable period in advance of the Change in Control and, to the extent not exercised prior to that Change in Control, cancel that Option or Stock Appreciation Right upon closing of the Change in Control;
(iii)    cancel any Award in exchange for a substitute award;
(iv)    redeem any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit for cash and/or other substitute consideration with value equal to the Fair Market Value of an unrestricted Share on the date of the Change in Control; and/or
(v)    cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to: (A) the number of Shares subject to that Option or Stock Appreciation Right, multiplied by (B) the difference, if any, between the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the Change in Control and the exercise price of that Option or the base price of the Stock Appreciation Right; provided, that if the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the Change in Control does not exceed the exercise price of any such Option or the base price of any such Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee may cancel that Option or Stock Appreciation Right without any payment of consideration therefor.
In the discretion of the Committee, any cash or substitute consideration payable upon cancellation of an Award may be subjected to (i) vesting terms substantially identical to those that applied to the cancelled Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (ii) earn-out, escrow, holdback or similar arrangements, to the extent such arrangements are applicable to any consideration paid to stockholders in connection with the Change in Control.

Section 4.    Eligibility.  Employees, Directors, consultants, and other individuals who provide services to the Company or its Affiliates are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan.

Section 5.    Options.  Options granted under the Plan are Non-Qualified Stock Options.  
The Award Agreement evidencing any Option will incorporate the following terms and conditions and will contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion:
(a)    Option Price.  The exercise price per Share under an Option will be determined by the Committee and will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of the grant.  
(b)    Option Term.  The term of each Option will be fixed by the Committee, but no Option will be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Option is granted.  No Option may be exercised by any Person after expiration of the term of the Option.
(c)    Exercisability.  Options will vest and be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee.  Such terms and conditions may include the continued employment or service of the Participant, the attainment of specified individual or corporate performance goals, or such other factors as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion (the “Vesting Conditions”).
(d)    Method of Exercise.  Subject to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, the exercisability provisions of Section 5(c) and the termination provisions of Section 7, Options may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time during their term by the delivery of written notice to the Company specifying the number of Shares to be purchased.  Such notice will be accompanied by 
						
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payment in full of the purchase price, either by certified or bank check, or such other means as the Committee may accept.  The Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit payment of the exercise price of an Option in the form of previously acquired Shares based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Option is exercised or by means of a “net settlement,” whereby the Option exercise price will not be due in cash and where the number of Shares issued upon such exercise will be equal to: (A) the product of (i) the number of Shares as to which the Option is then being exercised, and (ii) the excess, if any, of (a) the then current Fair Market Value per Share over (b) the Option exercise price, divided by (B) the then current Fair Market Value per Share.  
An Option will not confer upon the Participant any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder in the Company unless and until the Participant is issued Shares following Participant’s exercise of the Option. 
(e)    Termination of Service.  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement or as otherwise provided by the Committee at or after the time of grant, Options will be subject to the terms of Section 7 with respect to exercise upon or following termination of employment or other service.

Section 6.    Stock Appreciation Right.  Subject to the other terms of the Plan, the Committee may grant Stock Appreciation Rights to eligible individuals.  Each Stock Appreciation Right shall represent the right to receive, upon exercise, an amount equal to the number of Shares subject to the Award that is being exercised multiplied by the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Award is exercised, over (ii) the base price specified in the applicable Award Agreement.  Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, distributions may be made in cash, Shares, or a combination of both, at the discretion of the Committee.  The Award Agreement evidencing each Stock Appreciation Right shall indicate the base price, the term and the Vesting Conditions for such Award.  A Stock Appreciation Right base price may never be less than the Fair Market Value of the underlying common stock of the Company on the date of grant of such Stock Appreciation Right.  The term of each Stock Appreciation Right will be fixed by the Committee, but no Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement, Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time during their term by the delivery of written notice to the Company specifying the portion of the Award to be exercised.  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement or as otherwise provided by the Committee at or after the time of grant, Stock Appreciation Rights will be subject to the terms of Section 7 with respect to exercise upon or following termination of employment or other service.

Section 7.    Termination of Service.  Unless otherwise specified with respect to a particular Option or Stock Appreciation Right in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, any portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is not exercisable upon termination of service will expire immediately and automatically upon such termination and any portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is exercisable upon termination of service will expire on the date it ceases to be exercisable in accordance with this Section 7.
(a)    Termination by Reason of Death.  If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate terminates by reason of death, any Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of his or her death or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant, by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of the Participant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Committee, then 12 months from the date of 
						
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death, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
(b)    Termination by Reason of Disability.  If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate terminates by reason of Disability, any Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant or his or her personal representative, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Committee, then 12 months from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
(c)    Cause.  If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate is terminated for Cause: (i) any Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or portion thereof, not already exercised will be immediately and automatically forfeited as of the date of such termination, and (ii) any Shares for which the Company has not yet delivered share certificates will be immediately and automatically forfeited and the Company will refund to the Participant the Option exercise price paid for such Shares, if any.
(d)    Other Termination.  If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate terminates for any reason other than death, Disability or Cause, any Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Committee, then 90 days from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

Section 8.    Restricted Stock.
(a)    Issuance.  Restricted Stock may be issued either alone or in conjunction with other Awards.  The Committee will determine the time or times within which Restricted Stock may be subject to forfeiture, and all other conditions of such Awards.  The purchase price for Restricted Stock may, but need not, be zero.
(b)    Certificates.  Upon the Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may direct that a certificate or certificates representing the number of Shares subject to such Award be issued to the Participant or placed in a restricted stock account (including an electronic account) with the transfer agent and in either case designating the Participant as the registered owner.  The certificate(s), if any, representing such shares shall be physically or electronically legended, as applicable, as to sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or other encumbrances during the Restriction Period.  If physical certificates are issued, they will be held in escrow by the Company or its designee during the Restriction Period.  As a condition to any Award of Restricted Stock, the Participant may be required to deliver to the Company a share power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Shares covered by such Award.
(c)    Restrictions and Conditions.  The Award Agreement evidencing the grant of any Restricted Stock will incorporate the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion:
(i)    During a period commencing with the date of an Award of Restricted Stock and ending at such time or times as specified by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”), the 
						
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Participant will not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise encumber Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan.  The Committee may condition the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock upon one or more Vesting Conditions.
(ii)    While any Share of Restricted Stock remains subject to restriction, the Participant will have, with respect to the Restricted Stock, the right to vote the Shares.  If any cash distributions or dividends are payable with respect to the Restricted Stock, the  Committee, in its sole discretion, may require the cash distributions or dividends to be subjected to the same Restriction Period as is applicable to the Restricted Stock with respect to which such amounts are paid, or, if the Committee so determines, reinvested in additional Restricted Stock to the extent Shares are available under Section 3(a) of the Plan.  A Participant shall not be entitled to interest with respect to any dividends or distributions subjected to the Restriction Period.  Any distributions or dividends paid in the form of securities with respect to Restricted Stock will be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid, including, without limitation, the same Restriction Period.

						
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(iii)    Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement or as otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant’s service with the Company and its Affiliates terminates prior to the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period, the Participant’s Restricted Stock that then remains subject to forfeiture will then be forfeited automatically.

Section 9.    Restricted Stock Units.  Subject to the other terms of the Plan, the Committee may grant Restricted Stock Units to eligible individuals and may impose one or more Vesting Conditions on such units.  Each Restricted Stock Unit will represent a right to receive from the Company, upon fulfillment of any applicable conditions, an amount equal to the Fair Market Value (at the time of the distribution) of one Share.  Distributions may be made in Shares.  All other terms governing Restricted Stock Units, such as Vesting Conditions, time and form of payment and termination of units shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.  The Participant shall not have any stockholder rights with respect to the Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award until that Award vests and the Shares are actually issued thereunder.  Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement or as otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant’s service with the Company terminates prior to the Restricted Stock Unit Award vesting in full, any portion of the Participant’s Restricted Stock Units that then remain subject to forfeiture will then be forfeited automatically.

Section 10.    Other Stock Based Awards.  Subject to the other terms of the Plan, the Committee may grant Other Stock Based Awards (including Awards to receive unrestricted Shares or immediate cash payments) to eligible individuals.  The Award Agreement evidencing an Other Stock Based Award shall set forth the terms and conditions of such Other Stock Based Award, including, as applicable, the term, any exercise or purchase price, performance goals, Vesting Conditions and other terms and conditions.  Payment in respect of an Other Stock Based Award may be made in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Committee.

Section 11.    Amendments and Termination.  Subject to any stockholder approval that may be required under Applicable Law, the Plan may be amended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment may be made which would adversely change the terms of an outstanding Award, without that Participant’s consent.  

Section 12.    Prohibition on Repricing Programs.  Neither the Committee nor the Board shall (i) implement any cancellation/re-grant program pursuant to which outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan are cancelled and new Options or Stock Appreciation Rights are granted in replacement with a lower exercise or base price per share, (ii) cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan with exercise prices or base prices per share in excess of the then current Fair Market Value per Share for consideration payable in equity securities of the Company or (iii) otherwise directly reduce the exercise price or base price in effect for outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan, without in each such instance obtaining stockholder approval.

						
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Section 13.    Conditions Upon Grant of Awards and Issuance of Shares.
(a)    The implementation of the Plan, the grant of any Award and the issuance of Shares in connection with the issuance, exercise or vesting of any Award made under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s procurement of all approvals and permits required by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the Awards made under the Plan and the Shares issuable pursuant to those Awards.
(b)    No Shares or other assets shall be issued or delivered under the Plan unless and until there shall have been compliance with all applicable requirements of Applicable Law.

Section 14.    Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries.  No Award or other right or interest of a Participant under the Plan shall be pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated to, or in favor of, or subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant to, any party, other than the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or assigned or transferred by such Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and such Awards and rights shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide that Awards or other rights or interests of a Participant granted pursuant to the Plan be transferable, without consideration, to immediate family members (i.e., children, grandchildren or spouse), to trusts for the benefit of such immediate family members and to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners.  The Committee may attach to such transferability feature such terms and conditions as it deems advisable.  In addition, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary (which may be a person or a trust) to exercise the rights of the Participant, and to receive any distribution, with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant.  A beneficiary, guardian, legal representative or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.

Section 15.    Withholding of Taxes.   No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant for federal income tax purposes with respect to any Award under the Plan, the Participant will pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount.  To the extent authorized by the Committee, the required tax withholding may be satisfied by the withholding of Shares subject to the Award based on the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the date of withholding, but in any case not in excess of the amount determined based on the maximum statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction.  The obligations of the Company under the Plan will be conditioned on such payment or arrangements and the Company will have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant.

Section 16.    General Provisions.
(a)    The Committee may require each Participant to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring securities of the Company for investment purposes and without a view to distribution thereof and as to such other matters as the Committee believes are appropriate.
(b)    The Awards shall be subject to the Company’s stock ownership policies, as in effect from time to time.
						
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(c)    All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan will be subject to such share-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board or the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any other Applicable Law, and the Board or the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(d)    Nothing contained in the Plan will prevent the Board or the Committee from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required.
(e)    Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the execution of any document in connection with the Plan will: (i) confer upon any employee or other service provider of the Company or an Affiliate any right to continued employment or engagement with the Company or such Affiliate, or (ii) interfere in any way with the right of the Company or such Affiliate to terminate the employment or engagement of any of its employees or other service providers at any time.
(f)    The Awards (whether vested or unvested) shall be subject to rescission, cancellation or recoupment, in whole or in part, under any current or future “clawback” or similar policy of the Company that is applicable to the Participant.  Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Plan, any Award which is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement will be subject to such deductions and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation or stock exchange listing requirement.

Section 17.    Effective Date of Plan.  The Plan will become effective upon its approval by the stockholders of the Company (the “Effective Date”).

Section 18.    Term of Plan.  Unless the Plan shall have been previously terminated in accordance with Section 11, the Plan shall terminate on the 10-year anniversary of the Effective Date, and no Awards under the Plan shall be granted after such termination.

Section 19.    Invalid Provisions.  In the event that any provision of this Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable under any Applicable Law, such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed as rendering any other provisions contained herein as invalid or unenforceable, and all such other provisions will be given full force and effect to the same extent as though the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained herein.

Section 20.    Governing Law.  The Plan and all Awards granted hereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws and judicial decisions of the State of Maryland, without regard to the application of the principles of conflicts of laws.

						
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Section 21.    Notices.  Any notice to be given to the Company pursuant to the provisions of this Plan must be given in writing and addressed, if to the Company, to its principal executive office to the attention of its Chief Financial Officer (or such other Person as the Company may designate in writing from time to time), with a copy to the Company’s Chief Legal Officer, and, if to a Participant, to the address contained in the Company’s personnel files, or at such other address as that Participant may hereafter designate in writing to the Company.  Any such notice will be deemed duly given: if delivered personally or via recognized overnight delivery service, on the date and at the time so delivered; if sent via telecopier or email, on the date and at the time telecopied or emailed with confirmation of delivery; or, if mailed, five (5) days after the date of mailing by registered or certified mail.
						
		12ex442021espp

1    EAGLE BANCORP, INC.  2021 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN    1. Purpose.  The Eagle Bancorp, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as may be amended from time to time (the  “Plan”) is intended to encourage and facilitate the purchase of Shares of the common stock of Eagle  Bancorp, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) by employees of the Company and any  Participating Companies, thereby providing employees with a personal stake in the Company and a long  range inducement to remain in the employ of the Company and Participating Companies.  It is the intention  of the Company that the Plan qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section  423 of the Code.    2. Definitions.  (a) “Account” means a bookkeeping account established by the Committee on behalf of a  Participant to hold Payroll Deductions.  (b) “Approved Leave of Absence” means a leave of absence that has been approved by the  applicable Participating Company in such a manner as the Board may determine from time to time.  (c) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.  (d) “Business Day” means a day on which the NASDAQ System is open for trading.  (e) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  (f) “Committee” means the Committee appointed pursuant to Section 14 of the Plan.  (g) “Compensation” means the regular base salary and any commission paid to a Participant  by one or more Participating Companies during such individual’s period of participation in the Plan, plus any  pretax contributions made by the Participant to any cash-or-deferred arrangement that meets the  requirements of section 401(k) of the Code or any cafeteria benefit program that meets the requirements of  section 125 of the Code, now or hereafter established by any Participating Company. The following items of  compensation shall not be included in Compensation: (i) all overtime payments, bonuses, , profit sharing  distributions and other incentive type payments and (ii) any and all contributions (other than contributions  subject to sections 401(k) and 125 of the Code) made on the Participant’s behalf by a Participating  Company under any employee benefit or welfare plan now or hereafter established.  (h) “Election Form” means the form acceptable to the Committee which an Employee shall use  to make an election to purchase Shares through Payroll Deductions pursuant to the Plan.  (i) “Eligible Employee” means an Employee who meets the requirements for eligibility under  Section 3 of the Plan.  (j) “Employee” means any person, including an officer, whose wages and other salary is  required to be reported by a Participating Company on Internal Revenue Service Form W-2 for federal  income tax purposes.  (k) “Enrollment Date” means, with respect to a given Offering Period, a date established from  time to time by the Committee or the Board, which shall not be later than the first day of such Offering Period.  

 

2    (l) “Fair Market Value” means the closing price per Share on the principal national securities  exchange on which the Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or traded on any such  exchange, the fair market value as reasonably determined by the Board, which determination shall be in  accordance with the standards set forth in Treasury Regulation §1.421-1(e)(2) and shall be conclusive.  (m) “Five Percent Owner” means an Employee who, with respect to a Participating Company,  is described in Section 423(b)(3) of the Code.  (n) “Offering” means an offering of Shares to Eligible Employees pursuant to the Plan.  (o) “Offering Commencement Date” means the first Business Day on or after January 1, April 1,  July 1 and October 1 of each year.  (p) “Offering Period” means the period extending from an Offering Commencement Date  through the following Offering Termination Date.  (q) “Offering Termination Date” means March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31 of  each year (or if such date is not a Business Day, the last Business Day preceding such date), or the date of a  Change in Control (as defined in the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan), which occurs in an Offering  Period.  (r) “Option Price” means, with respect to a particular Offering Period, an amount equal to 85%  of the lesser of the Fair Market Value per Share determined on the Offering Commencement Date or the  Offering Termination Date.   (s) “Participant” means an Employee who meets the requirements for eligibility under Section  3 of the Plan and who has timely delivered an Election Form to the Committee.  (t) “Participating Company” means the Company, and its parent or subsidiary corporations  within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code, if any, that are approved by the Board from time to time  in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan.  (u) “Payroll Deductions” means amounts withheld from a Participant’s Compensation pursuant  to the Plan, as described in Section 5 of the Plan.  (v) “Plan Termination Date” means the earlier of: (1) the Offering Termination Date for the  Offering in which the maximum number of Shares specified in Section 4 of the Plan have been issued pursuant  to the Plan; (2) the date as of which the Board chooses to terminate the Plan as provided in Section 15 of  the Plan; (3) the date of a Change in Control or (4) in the event that the Company’s shareholders do not  approve the Plan at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders that immediately follows the Effective  Date, the date of such annual meeting.  (w) “Shares” means shares of common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per Share.  (x) “Successor in Interest” means the Participant’s executor or administrator, or such other  person or entity to whom the Participant’s rights under the Plan shall have passed by will or the laws of  descent and distribution.  (y) “Termination Form” means the form acceptable to the Committee which an Employee shall  use to withdraw from an Offering pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.      

 

3    3. Eligibility and Participation.  (a) Initial Eligibility.  Except as provided in Section 3(b) of the Plan, each individual who is an  Employee on an Offering Commencement Date shall be eligible to participate in the Plan with respect to  the Offering that commences on that date.  (b) Ineligibility.  An Employee shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan if such Employee:  (i) is a Five Percent Owner;  (ii) has not customarily worked more than 20 hours per week;  (iii) has not customarily worked more than 5 months in any calendar year;  (iv) has been employed with a Participating Company for less than 12 months; or  (v) is restricted from participating under Section 3(d) of the Plan.  (c) Leave of Absence.  An Employee on an Approved Leave of Absence shall be eligible to  participate in the Plan, subject to the provisions of Sections 5(d) and 8(d) of the Plan.  An Approved Leave  of Absence shall be considered active employment for purposes of Sections 3(b)(ii) and 3(b)(iii) of the Plan.  (d) Restrictions on Participation.  Notwithstanding any provisions of the Plan to the contrary, no  Employee shall be granted an option to participate in the Plan if:  (i) immediately after the grant, such Employee would be a Five Percent Owner; or  (ii) such option would permit such Employee’s rights to purchase stock under all  employee stock purchase plans of the Participating Companies which meet the  requirements of Section 423(b) of the Code to accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 in  fair market value (as determined pursuant to Section 423(b)(8) of the Code) for each  calendar year in which such option is outstanding.  (e) Commencement of Participation.  An Employee who is eligible to participate in the Plan  under Sections 3(a) and 3(b) as of an applicable Enrollment Date and whose participation is not restricted  under Section 3(d) of the Plan shall become a Participant by completing an Election Form and filing it with  the Committee on or before the applicable Enrollment Date.  Payroll Deductions for a Participant shall  commence on the applicable Offering Commencement Date when the Participant’s authorization for  Payroll Deductions becomes effective, and shall end on the Plan Termination Date, unless sooner terminated  by the Participant pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, to the extent  necessary to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 3(d) of the Plan, a Participant’s payroll  deductions may be decreased to zero percent (0%) at any time during an Offering Period; provided, that  such Payroll Deductions shall recommence at the rate as provided in such Participant’s Enrollment Form at  the beginning of the first Offering Period that is scheduled to end in the following calendar year, unless  terminated by the Participant as provided in Section 8 of the Plan.    4. Shares Per Offering.  The Plan shall be implemented by a series of Offerings that shall terminate on the Plan Termination Date.   Offerings shall be made with respect to Compensation payable for each Offering Period occurring on or  after adoption of the Plan by the Board and ending with the Plan Termination Date.  Shares available for any  Offering shall be the difference between the maximum number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan,  

 

4    as determined pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Plan, for all of the Offerings, less the actual number of Shares  purchased by Participants pursuant to prior Offerings.  If the total number of Shares for which options are  exercised on any Offering Termination Date exceeds the maximum number of Shares available, the  Committee shall make a pro rata allocation of Shares available for delivery and distribution in as nearly a  uniform manner as practicable, and as it shall determine to be fair and equitable, and the unapplied  Account balances shall be returned to Participants as soon as practicable following the Offering Termination  Date.    5. Payroll Deductions.  (a) Amount of Payroll Deductions.  An Eligible Employee who wishes to participate in the Plan  shall file an Election Form (authorizing payroll deductions) with the Committee prior to the applicable  Enrollment Date.  (b) Participants’ Accounts.  All Payroll Deductions with respect to a Participant pursuant to  Section 5(a) of the Plan shall commence on the first payroll following the Enrollment Date and shall end of  the last payroll in the Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner terminated by  the Participant as provided in Section 8.  All Payroll Deductions will be credited to the Participant’s Account  under the Plan.  The amounts collected from the Participant shall not be held in any segregated account or  trust fund and may be commingled with the general assets of the Company and used for general corporate  purposes.  (c) Changes in Payroll Deductions.  A Participant may discontinue such Participant’s  participation in the Plan as provided in Section 8(a) of the Plan, but no other change can be made during  an Offering Period, including, but not limited to, changes in the amount of Payroll Deductions for such  Offering.  A Participant may change the amount of Payroll Deductions for subsequent Offerings by giving  written notice of such change to the Committee on or before the applicable Enrollment Date for such  Offering Period.  (d) Leave of Absence.  A Participant who goes on an Approved Leave of Absence before the  Offering Termination Date after having filed an Election Form with respect to such Offering may:  (i) withdraw the balance credited to the Participant’s Account pursuant to  Section 8(b) of the Plan;  (ii) discontinue contributions to the Plan but remain a Participant in the Plan  through the earlier of (i) the Offering Termination Date or (ii) the close of business on the  90th day of such Approved Leave of Absence unless such Employee shall have returned  to regular non temporary employment before the close of business on such 90th day; or  (iii) remain a Participant in the Plan during such Approved Leave of Absence  through the earlier of (i) the Offering Termination Date or (ii) the close of business on the  90th day of such Approved Leave of Absence unless such Participant shall have returned  to regular non temporary employment before the close of business on such 90th day, and  continue the authorization for the Participating Company to make Payroll Deductions for  each payroll period out of continuing payments to such Participant, if any.      

 

5    6. Granting of Options.  On each Offering Termination Date, each Participant shall be deemed to have been granted an option to  purchase a minimum of one (1) Share and a maximum number of Shares that shall be a number of whole  Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the balance credited to the Participant’s Account as of  the Offering Termination Date, by the Option Price.  Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to the  limitations described in Section 3(d)(ii), on each applicable Offering Termination Date, no Participant may  purchase more than the number of Shares obtained by dividing (i) $6,250 by (ii) the Fair Market Value as of  the applicable Offering Termination Date. If a Participant’s contributions with respect to an Offering Period  would allow the Participant to purchase a number of Shares that exceed this limit, then any such excess  contributions will be returned to the Participant without interest and will not be used to purchase Shares under  the Plan.      7. Exercise of Options.  (a) Automatic Exercise.  With respect to each Offering, a Participant’s option for the purchase  of Shares granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan shall be deemed to have been exercised automatically  on the Offering Termination Date applicable to such Offering.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the  occurrence of a Plan Termination Date as described in clauses (3) or (4) of Section 2(v), all Shares or Payroll  Deductions (to the extent not yet applied to the purchase of Shares) under the Plan shall be distributed to  the Participants as soon as administratively practicable following such Plan Termination Date.  (b) Fractional Shares and Minimum Number of Shares.  Fractional Shares shall not be issued  under the Plan.  Amounts credited to an Account remaining after the application of such Account to the  exercise of options for a minimum of one (1) full Share shall be credited to the Participant’s Account for the  next succeeding Offering, or, at the Participant’s election, returned to the Participant as soon as practicable  following the Offering Termination Date, without interest.  (c) Transferability of Option.  No option granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan shall be  transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and no such option shall be  exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime other than by the Participant.  (d) Delivery of Certificates for Shares.  The Company shall deliver certificates for Shares acquired  on the exercise of options during an Offering Period as soon as practicable following the Offering Termination  Date.    8. Withdrawals.  (a) Withdrawal of Account.  A Participant may elect to withdraw the balance credited to the  Participant’s Account by providing a Termination Form to the Committee at any time before the Offering  Termination Date applicable to any Offering.  (b) Amount of Withdrawal.  A Participant may withdraw all, but not less than all, of the amounts  credited to the Participant’s Account by giving a Termination Form to the Committee.  All amounts credited  to such Participant’s Account shall be paid as soon as practicable following the Committee’s receipt of the  Participant’s Termination Form, and no further Payroll Deductions will be made with respect to the Participant.  

 

6    (c) Termination of Employment. Upon termination of a Participant’s employment for any reason  other than death, including termination due to disability or continuation of a leave of absence beyond 90  days, all amounts credited to such Participant’s Account shall be returned to the Participant.  In the event of  a Participant’s (1) termination of employment due to death or (2) death after termination of employment  but before the Participant’s Account has been returned, all amounts credited to such Participant’s Account  shall be returned to the Participant’s Successor in Interest.  (d) Leave of Absence.  A Participant who is on an Approved Leave of Absence shall, subject  to the Participant’s election pursuant to Section 5(d) of the Plan, continue to be a Participant in the Plan until  the earlier of (i) the end of the first Offering ending after commencement of such Approved Leave of  Absence or (ii) the close of business on the 90th day of such Approved Leave of Absence unless such  Employee shall have returned to regular non temporary employment before the close of business on such  90th day.  A Participant who has been on an Approved Leave of Absence for more than 90 days shall not  be eligible to participate in any Offering that begins on or after the commencement of such Approved  Leave of Absence so long as such leave of absence continues.    9. Interest.  No interest shall be paid or allowed with respect to amounts paid into the Plan or credited to any Participant’s  Account.    10. Shares.  (a) Maximum Number of Shares.  No more than 200,000 Shares may be issued under the Plan.   Such Shares shall be authorized but unissued or reacquired Shares of the Company, including Shares  purchased on the open market.  The number of Shares available for any Offering and all Offerings shall be  adjusted if the number of outstanding Shares of the Company is increased or reduced by split up,  reclassification, stock dividend or the like.  All Shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall be validly issued, fully  paid and nonassessable.  (b) Participant’s Interest in Shares.  A Participant shall have no interest in Shares subject to an  option until such option has been exercised.  (c) Registration of Shares.  Shares to be delivered to a Participant under the Plan shall be  registered in the name of the Participant.  (d) Restrictions on Exercise.  The Board may, in its discretion, require as conditions to the exercise  of any option such conditions as it may deem necessary to assure that the exercise of options is in  compliance with applicable securities laws.    11. Expenses.  The Participating Companies shall pay all fees and expenses incurred (excluding individual federal, state,  local or other taxes) in connection with the Plan.  No charge or deduction for any such expenses will be  made to a Participant upon termination of participation under the Plan or upon the distribution of certificates  representing Shares purchased with the Participant’s contributions.    

 

7    12. Taxes.  The Participating Companies shall have the right to withhold from each Participant’s Compensation an  amount equal to all federal, state, city and/or other taxes as the Participating Companies shall determine  are required to be withheld in connection with the grant or exercise of the option, or disposition of Shares.  In  connection with such withholding, the Participating Companies may make any such arrangements as they  may deem appropriate (provided they are consistent with the Plan and permitted by applicable law),  including the right to withhold from Compensation paid to a Participant other than in connection with the  Plan and the right to withdraw such amount from the amount standing to the credit of the Participant’s  Account.    13. Plan and Contributions Not to Affect Employment.  The Plan shall not confer upon any Eligible Employee any right to continue in the employ of the Participating  Companies.    14. Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by the Board, which may delegate responsibility for such administration to a  committee of the Board (the “Committee”).  If the Board fails to appoint the Committee, any references in  the Plan to the Committee shall be treated as references to the Board.  The Board, or the Committee, shall  have authority to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to it, and  to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable in administering the Plan, with or without  the advice of counsel.  The determinations of the Board or the Committee on the matters referred to in this  paragraph shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons in interest.    15. Amendment and Termination.  The Board may terminate the Plan at any time and may amend the Plan from time to time in any respect;  provided, however, that upon any termination of the Plan, all Shares or Payroll Deductions (to the extent not  yet applied to the purchase of Shares) under the Plan shall be distributed to the Participants, provided further,  that no amendment to the Plan shall affect the right of a Participant to receive a proportionate interest in  the Shares or Payroll Deductions (to the extent not yet applied to the purchase of Shares) under the Plan,  and provided further, that the Company may seek shareholder approval of an amendment to the Plan if  such approval is determined to be required by or advisable under the regulations of the Securities or  Exchange Commission or the Internal Revenue Service, the rules of any stock exchange or system on which  the Shares are listed or other applicable law or regulation.    16. Effective Date.  The Plan shall be effective on March 31, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), with its initial Offering Period beginning  April 1, 2021.    17. Government and Other Regulations.  (a) In General. The purchase of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws,  rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies as may be required.  

 

8    (b) Securities Law.  The Committee shall have the power to make each grant under the Plan  subject to such conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate to comply with the then existing requirements  of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including  Rule 16b 3 (or any similar rule) of the Securities and Exchange Commission.    18. Non Alienation.  No Participant shall be permitted to assign, alienate, sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber such  Participant’s interest under the Plan prior to the distribution of Share certificates to such Participant.  Any  attempt at assignment, alienation, sale, transfer, pledge or other encumbrance shall be void and of no  effect.    19. Notices.  Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be sufficiently given only if delivered personally, telecopied,  or sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, and addressed:    If to the Company:  Eagle Bancorp, Inc.  7830 Old Georgetown Road  Bethesda, MD 20814    Attention:  Val Brandenburg, SVP, Director of Human Resources  With a copy to: Paul Saltzman, EVP, Chief Legal Officer  or any other address provided pursuant to written notice.    If to the Participant:  At the address on file with the Company from time to time, or to such  other address as either party may hereafter designate in writing by notice similarly given by  one party to the other.    20. Successors.  The Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor, successors or assigns of the  Company.    21. Severability.  If any part of this Plan shall be determined to be invalid or void in any respect, such determination shall not  affect, impair, invalidate or nullify the remaining provisions of this Plan which shall continue in full force and  effect.    

 

9    22. Acceptance.  The election by any Eligible Employee to participate in this Plan constitutes such individual’s acceptance of  the terms of the Plan and agreement to be bound hereby.    23. Applicable Law.  This Plan shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland, to the extent not  preempted by applicable federal law.     SCHEDULE A  Participating Companies    Eagle Bancorp, Inc.  EagleBank

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