Document:

ex_236295.htm

EXHIBIT 10.4

 

 

SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

 

This Salary Continuation Agreement (the “Agreement”), by and between Oak Valley Community Bank, located in Oakdale, California (the “Employer”), and _____________________ (the “Executive”), made this ___ day of ______________________, formalizes the agreements and understanding between the Employer and the Executive.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the Employer;

 

WHEREAS, the Employer recognizes the valuable services the Executive has performed for the Employer and wishes to encourage the Executive’s continued employment and to provide the Executive with additional incentive to achieve corporate objectives;

 

WHEREAS, the Employer wishes to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Employer shall pay additional retirement benefits to the Executive;

 

WHEREAS, the Employer and the Executive intend this Agreement shall at all times be administered and interpreted in compliance with Code Section 409A; and

 

WHEREAS, the Employer intends this Agreement shall at all times be administered and interpreted in such a manner as to constitute an unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement, maintained primarily to provide supplemental retirement benefits for the Executive, a member of select group of management or highly compensated employee of the Employer.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual promises herein contained, the Employer and the Executive agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

 

For the purpose of this Agreement, the following phrases or terms shall have the indicated meanings:

 

1.1    “Accrued Benefit” means the dollar value of the liability that should be accrued by the Employer, under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, for the Employer’s obligation to the Executive under this Agreement, calculated by applying Accounting Standards Codification 710-10 and the Discount Rate.

 

1.2    “Administrator” means the Board or its designee.

 

 

 

 

 

1.3    “Affiliate” means any business entity with whom the Employer would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code. Such term shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the definition of “service recipient” contained in Code Section 409A.

 

1.4    “Beneficiary” means the person or persons designated in writing by the Executive to receive benefits hereunder in the event of the Executive’s death.

 

1.5    “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Employer.

 

1.6    “Cause” means any of the following acts or circumstances: gross negligence or gross neglect of duties to the Employer; conviction of a felony or of a gross misdemeanor involving moral turpitude in connection with the Executive’s employment with the Employer; or fraud, disloyalty, dishonesty or willful violation of any law or significant Employer policy committed in connection with the Executive's employment and resulting in a material adverse effect on the Employer.

 

1.7    “Change in Control” means a change in the ownership or effective control of the Employer, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Employer, as such change is defined in Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder.

 

1.8    “Claimant” means a person who believes that he or she is being denied a benefit to which he or she is entitled hereunder.

 

1.9    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

1.10    “Disability” means a condition of the Executive whereby the Executive either: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer. The Administrator will determine whether the Executive has incurred a Disability based on its own good faith determination and may require the Executive to submit to reasonable physical and mental examinations for this purpose. The Executive will also be deemed to have incurred a Disability if determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or in accordance with a disability insurance program, provided that the definition of disability applied under such disability insurance program complies with the initial sentence of this Section.

 

1.11    “Discount Rate” means the rate used by the Administrator for determining the Accrued Benefit. The initial Discount Rate is four and one-half per cent (4.5%). The Administrator may adjust the Discount Rate to maintain the rate within reasonable standards according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and applicable bank regulatory guidance.

 

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1.12    “Early Termination” means Separation from Service before Normal Retirement Age except when such Separation from Service occurs within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control or due to termination for Cause or Disability.

 

1.13    “Effective Date” means January 1, 2021.

 

1.14    “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

1.15    “Normal Retirement Age” means the date the Executive attains age sixty-five (65).

 

1.16    “Plan Year” means each twelve (12) month period commencing on January 1 and ending on December 31 of each year. The initial Plan Year shall commence on the Effective Date and end on the following December 31.

 

1.17    “Schedule A” means the schedule attached hereto and made a part hereof. Schedule A shall be updated upon a change to any of the benefits described in Article 2 hereof.

 

1.18    Separation from Service” means a termination of the Executive’s employment with the Employer and its Affiliates for reasons other than death. A Separation from Service may occur as of a specified date for purposes of the Agreement even if the Executive continues to provide some services for the Employer or its Affiliates after that date, provided that the facts and circumstances indicate that the Employer and the Executive reasonably anticipated at that date that either no further services would be performed after that date, or that the level of bona fide services the Executive would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or the full period during which the Executive performed services for the Employer, if that is less than thirty-six (36) months). A Separation from Service will not be deemed to have occurred while the Executive is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six (6) months or, if longer, the period for which a statute or contract provides the Executive with the right to reemployment with the Employer. If the Executive’s leave exceeds six (6) months but the Executive is not entitled to reemployment under a statute or contract, the Executive incurs a Separation of Service on the next day following the expiration of such six (6) month period. In determining whether a Separation of Service occurs the Administrator shall take into account, among other things, the definition of “service recipient” and “employer” set forth in Treasury regulation §1.409A-1(h)(3). The Administrator shall have full and final authority, to determine conclusively whether a Separation from Service occurs, and the date of such Separation from Service.

 

1.19    “Specified Employee” means an individual that satisfies the definition of a “key employee” of the Employer as such term is defined in Code §416(i) (without regard to Code §416(i)(5)), provided that the stock of the Employer is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise, as defined in Code §1.897-1(m). If the Executive is a key employee at any time during the twelve (12) months ending on December 31, the Executive is a Specified Employee for the twelve (12) month period commencing on the first day of the following April.

 

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ARTICLE 2

PAYMENT OF BENEFITS

 

2.1         Normal Retirement Benefit. Upon Separation from Service after Normal Retirement Age, the Employer shall pay the Executive an annual benefit in the amount of Sixty-One Thousand One Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars ($61,125) in lieu of any other benefit hereunder. The annual benefit will be paid for fifteen (15) years in equal monthly installments commencing the month following Separation from Service.

 

2.2         Early Termination Benefit. If Early Termination occurs, the Employer shall pay the Executive the Early Termination benefit amount shown on Schedule A for the Plan Year ending immediately prior to Separation from Service in lieu of any other benefit hereunder. The benefit will be paid in a lump sum within sixty (60) days following Separation from Service, with the precise payment date determined by the Employer in its sole discretion.

 

2.3         Disability Benefit. In the event Separation from Service occurs prior to Normal Retirement Age and following a Disability, the Employer shall pay the Executive the Disability benefit amount shown on Schedule A for the Plan Year ending immediately prior to Separation from Service in lieu of any other benefit hereunder. The benefit will be paid in a lump sum within sixty (60) days following Separation from Service, with the precise payment date determined by the Employer in its sole discretion.

 

2.4         Change in Control Benefit. If a Change in Control occurs, followed within twenty-four (24) months by Separation of Service prior to Normal Retirement Age, the Employer shall pay the Executive an annual benefit shown on Schedule A for the Plan Year ending immediately prior to Separation from Service in lieu of any other benefit hereunder. The annual benefit will be paid for fifteen (15) years in equal monthly installments commencing the month following Separation from Service.

 

2.5         Death Prior to Commencement of Benefit Payments. In the event the Executive dies prior to Separation from Service and the Employer owns a life insurance policy on the life of the Executive at the time of the Executive’s death, the Employer shall pay the Beneficiary the Death benefit amount shown on Schedule A for the Plan Year ending immediately prior to the Executive’s death in lieu of any other benefit hereunder. In the event the Executive dies prior to Separation from Service and the Employer does not own a life insurance policy on the life of the Executive at the time of the Executive’s death, the Employer shall pay the Beneficiary the Accrued Benefit determined as of the end of the Plan Year ending immediately prior to the Executive’s death in lieu of any other benefit hereunder. In either event, the benefit will be paid in a lump sum within sixty (60) days following the Executive’s death, with the precise payment date determined by the Employer in its sole discretion.

 

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2.6         Death Subsequent to Commencement of Benefit Payments. In the event the Executive dies while receiving payments, but prior to receiving all payments due and owing hereunder, the Employer shall pay the Beneficiary the same amounts at the same times as the Employer would have paid the Executive had the Executive survived.

 

2.7         Termination for Cause. If the Employer terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, then the Executive shall not be entitled to any benefits under the terms of this Agreement.

 

2.8       Restriction on Commencement of Distributions.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is considered a Specified Employee at the time of Separation from Service, the provisions of this Section shall govern all distributions hereunder. Distributions which would otherwise be made to the Executive due to Separation from Service shall not be made during the first six (6) months following Separation from Service. Rather, any distribution which would otherwise be paid to the Executive during such period shall be accumulated and paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month following Separation from Service, or if earlier, upon the Executive’s death. All subsequent distributions shall be paid as they would have had this Section not applied.

 

2.9       Acceleration of Payments. Except as specifically permitted herein, no acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment may be made hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments may be accelerated, in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(j)(4) in the following circumstances: (i) as a result of certain domestic relations orders; (ii) in compliance with ethics agreements with the federal government; (iii) in compliance with the ethics laws or conflicts of interest laws; (iv) in limited cashouts (but not in excess of the limit under Code §402(g)(1)(B)); (v) to pay employment-related taxes; or (vi) to pay any taxes that may become due at any time that the Agreement fails to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

2.10       Delays in Payment by Employer. A payment may be delayed to a date after the designated payment date under any of the circumstances described below, and the provision will not fail to meet the requirements of establishing a permissible payment event. The delay in the payment will not constitute a subsequent deferral election, so long as the Employer treats all payments to similarly situated participants on a reasonably consistent basis.

 

(a)         Payments that would violate Federal securities laws or other applicable law. A payment may be delayed where the Employer reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will violate Federal securities laws or other applicable law provided that the payment is made at the earliest date at which the Employer reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will not cause such violation. The making of a payment that would cause inclusion in gross income or the application of any penalty provision of the Internal Revenue Code is not treated as a violation of law.

 

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(b)         Solvency. Notwithstanding the above, a payment may be delayed where the payment would jeopardize the ability of the Employer to continue as a going concern.

 

2.11       Treatment of Payment as Made on Designated Payment Date. Solely for purposes of determining compliance with Code Section 409A, any payment under this Agreement made after the required payment date shall be deemed made on the required payment date provided that such payment is made by the latest of: (i) the end of the calendar year in which the payment is due; (ii) the 15th day of the third calendar month following the payment due date; (iii) if Employer cannot calculate the payment amount on account of administrative impracticality which is beyond the Executive’s control, the end of the first calendar year which payment calculation is practicable; and (iv) if Employer does not have sufficient funds to make the payment without jeopardizing the Employer’s solvency, in the first calendar year in which the Employer’s funds are sufficient to make the payment.

 

2.12       Facility of Payment. If a distribution is to be made to a minor, or to a person who is otherwise incompetent, then the Administrator may make such distribution: (i) to the legal guardian, or if none, to a parent of a minor payee with whom the payee maintains his or her residence; or (ii) to the conservator or administrator or, if none, to the person having custody of an incompetent payee. Any such distribution shall fully discharge the Employer and the Administrator from further liability on account thereof.

 

2.13       Excise Tax Limitation. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any benefit payment hereunder would be treated as an “excess parachute payment” under Code Section 280G, the Employer shall reduce such benefit payment to the extent necessary to avoid treating such benefit payment as an excess parachute payment. The Executive shall be entitled to only the reduced benefit and shall forfeit any amount over and above the reduced amount.

 

2.14       Changes in Form or Timing of Benefit Payments. The Employer and the Executive may, subject to the terms hereof, amend this Agreement to delay the timing or change the form of payments. Any such amendment:

 

(a)         must take effect not less than twelve (12) months after the amendment is made;

(b)         must, for benefits distributable due solely to the arrival of a specified date, or on account of Separation from Service or Change in Control, delay the commencement of distributions for a minimum of five (5) years from the date the first distribution was originally scheduled to be made;

(c)         must, for benefits distributable due solely to the arrival of a specified date, be made not less than twelve (12) months before distribution is scheduled to begin; and

(d)         may not accelerate the time or schedule of any distribution.

 

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ARTICLE 3

BENEFICIARIES

 

3.1         Designation of Beneficiaries. The Executive may designate any person to receive any benefits payable under the Agreement upon the Executive’s death, and the designation may be changed from time to time by the Executive by filing a new designation. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the Executive, shall be in the form prescribed by the Administrator, and shall be effective only when filed in writing with the Administrator during the Executive’s lifetime. If the Executive names someone other than the Executive’s spouse as a Beneficiary, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, determine that spousal consent is required to be provided in a form designated by the Administrator, executed by the Executive’s spouse and returned to the Administrator. The Executive’s beneficiary designation shall be deemed automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases the Executive or if the Executive names a spouse as Beneficiary and the marriage is subsequently dissolved.

 

3.2         Absence of Beneficiary Designation. In the absence of a valid Beneficiary designation, or if, at the time any benefit payment is due to a Beneficiary, there is no living Beneficiary validly named by the Executive, the Employer shall pay the benefit payment to the Executive’s spouse. If the spouse is not living then the Employer shall pay the benefit payment to the Executive’s living descendants per stirpes, and if there are no living descendants, to the Executive’s estate. In determining the existence or identity of anyone entitled to a benefit payment, the Employer may rely conclusively upon information supplied by the Executive’s personal representative, executor, or administrator.

 

ARTICLE 4

ADMINISTRATION

 

4.1         Administrator Duties. The Administrator shall be responsible for the management, operation, and administration of the Agreement. When making a determination or calculation, the Administrator shall be entitled to rely on information furnished by the Employer, Executive or Beneficiary. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed as imposing on the Administrator any fiduciary duty under ERISA or other law, or any duty similar to any fiduciary duty under ERISA or other law.

 

4.2         Administrator Authority. The Administrator shall enforce this Agreement in accordance with its terms, shall be charged with the general administration of this Agreement, and shall have all powers necessary to accomplish its purposes.

 

4.3         Binding Effect of Decision. The decision or action of the Administrator with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation or application of this Agreement and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in this Agreement.

 

4.4         Compensation, Expenses and Indemnity. The Administrator shall serve without compensation for services rendered hereunder. The Administrator is authorized at the expense of the Employer to employ such legal counsel and/or recordkeeper as it may deem advisable to assist in the performance of its duties hereunder. Expense and fees in connection with the administration of this Agreement shall be paid by the Employer.

 

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4.5      Employer Information. The Employer shall supply full and timely information to the Administrator on all matters relating to the Executive’s compensation, death, Disability or Separation from Service, and such other information as the Administrator reasonably requires.

 

4.6        Termination of Participation. If the Administrator determines in good faith that the Executive no longer qualifies as a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees, as determined in accordance with ERISA, the Administrator shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to cease further benefit accruals hereunder.

 

4.7         Compliance with Code Section 409A. The Employer and the Executive intend that the Agreement comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A to prevent the inclusion in gross income of any amounts deferred hereunder in a taxable year prior to the year in which amounts are actually paid to the Executive or Beneficiary. This Agreement shall be construed, administered and governed in a manner that affects such intent, and the Administrator shall not take any action that would be inconsistent therewith.

 

ARTICLE 5

CLAIMS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

 

5.1         Claims Procedure. A Claimant who has not received benefits under this Agreement that he or she believes should be distributed shall make a claim for such benefits as follows.

 

(a)         Initiation – Written Claim. The Claimant initiates a claim by submitting to the Administrator a written claim for the benefits. If such a claim relates to the contents of a notice received by the Claimant, the claim must be made within sixty (60) days after such notice was received by the Claimant. All other claims must be made within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date on which the event that caused the claim to arise occurred. The claim must state with particularity the determination desired by the Claimant.

(b)         Timing of Administrator Response. The Administrator shall respond to such Claimant within forty-five (45) days after receiving the claim. If the Administrator determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Administrator can extend the response period by an additional thirty (30) days by notifying the Claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial forty-five (45) day period, that an additional period is required. The extension notice shall specifically explain the standards on which entitlement to a disability benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim and the additional information needed from the Claimant to resolve those issues, and the Claimant shall be afforded at least forty-five (45) days within which to provide the specified information.

 

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(c)         Notice of Decision. If the Administrator denies all or a part of the claim, the Administrator shall notify the Claimant in writing of such denial in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. The Administrator shall write the notification in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant. The notification shall set forth: (i) the specific reasons for the denial; (ii) a reference to the specific provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based; (iii) a notice that the Claimant has a right to request a review of the claim denial and an explanation of the Agreement’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures; (iv) a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on review, and a description of any time limit for bringing such an action; (v) for any Disability claim, a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: (A) the views presented by the Claimant of health care professionals treating the Claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the Claimant; (B) the views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Employer in connection with a Claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the benefit determination; or (C) a disability determination regarding the Claimant presented by the Claimant made by the Social Security Administration (vi) for any Disability claim, the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria relied upon in making the adverse determination or, alternatively, a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria do not exist; and (viii) for any Disability claim, a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits. Whether a document, record, or other information is relevant to a claim for benefits shall be determined by Department of Labor Regulation Section 2560.503-1(m)(8).

 

5.2         Review Procedure. If the Administrator denies all or a part of the claim, the Claimant shall have the opportunity for a full and fair review by the Administrator of the denial as follows.

 

(a)         Additional Evidence. Prior to the review of the denied claim, the Claimant shall be given, free of charge, any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon, or generated by the Administrator, or any new or additional rationale, as soon as possible and sufficiently in advance of the date on which the notice of adverse benefit determination on review is required to be provided, to give the Claimant a reasonable opportunity to respond prior to that date.

(b)         Initiation – Written Request. To initiate the review, the Claimant, within sixty (60) days after receiving the Administrator’s notice of denial, must file with the Administrator a written request for review.

(c)        Additional Submissions – Information Access. After such request the Claimant may submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim. The Administrator shall also provide the Claimant, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the Claimant’s claim for benefits.

 

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(d)         Considerations on Review. In considering the review, the Administrator shall consider all materials and information the Claimant submits relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination. Additional considerations shall be required in the case of a claim for Disability benefits. The claim shall be reviewed by an individual or committee who did not make the initial determination that is subject of the appeal and who is not a subordinate of the individual who made the determination. Additionally, the review shall be made without deference to the initial adverse benefit determination. If the initial adverse benefit determination was based in whole or in part on a medical judgment, the Administrator will consult with a health care professional with appropriate training and experience in the field of medicine involving the medical judgment. The health care professional who is consulted on appeal will not be the same individual who was consulted during the initial determination and will not be the subordinate of such individual. If the Administrator obtained the advice of medical or vocational experts in making the initial adverse benefits determination (regardless of whether the advice was relied upon), the Administrator will identify such experts.

(e)         Timing of Administrator Response. The Administrator shall respond in writing to such Claimant within forty-five (45) days after receiving the request for review. If the Administrator determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Administrator can extend the response period by an additional forty-five (45) days by notifying the Claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial forty-five (45) day period, that an additional period is required. The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Administrator expects to render its decision.

(f)         Notice of Decision. The Administrator shall notify the Claimant in writing of its decision on review. The Administrator shall write the notification in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant. The notification shall set forth: (i) the specific reasons for the denial; (ii) a reference to the specific provisions of this Agreement on which the denial is based; (iii) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the Claimant’s claim for benefits; (iv) a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a); (v) for any Disability claim, a discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: (A) the views presented by the Claimant of health care professionals treating the Claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the Claimant; (B) the views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Employer in connection with a Claimant’s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the benefit determination; or (C) a disability determination regarding the Claimant presented by the Claimant made by the Social Security Administration; and (vi) for any Disability claim, the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria relied upon in making the adverse determination or, alternatively, a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria do not exist.

 

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5.3         Exhaustion of Remedies. The Claimant must follow these claims review procedures and exhaust all administrative remedies before taking any further action with respect to a claim for benefits.

 

5.4         Failure to Follow Procedures. In the case of a claim for Disability benefits, if the Administrator fails to strictly adhere to all the requirements of this claims procedure with respect to a Disability claim, the Claimant is deemed to have exhausted the administrative remedies available under the Agreement, and shall be entitled to pursue any available remedies under ERISA Section 502(a) on the basis that the Administrator has failed to provide a reasonable claims procedure that would yield a decision on the merits of the claim, except where the violation was: (a) de minimis; (b) non-prejudicial; (c) attributable to good cause or matters beyond the Administrator’s control; (d) in the context of an ongoing good-faith exchange of information; and (e) not reflective of a pattern or practice of noncompliance. The Claimant may request a written explanation of the violation from the Administrator, and the Administrator must provide such explanation within ten (10) days, including a specific description of its basis, if any, for asserting that the violation should not cause the administrative remedies to be deemed exhausted. If a court rejects the Claimant’s request for immediate review on the basis that the Administrator met the standards for the exception, the claim shall be considered as re-filed on appeal upon the Administrator’s receipt of the decision of the court. Within a reasonable time after the receipt of the decision, the Administrator shall provide the claimant with notice of the resubmission.

 

ARTICLE 6

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

6.1         Agreement Amendment Generally. Except as provided in Section 6.2, this Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by both the Employer and the Executive.

 

6.2         Amendment to Insure Proper Characterization of Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Agreement may be amended by the Employer at any time, if found necessary in the opinion of the Employer, (i) to ensure that the Agreement is characterized as plan of deferred compensation maintained for a select group of management or highly compensated employees as described under ERISA, (ii) to conform the Agreement to the requirements of any applicable law or (iii) to comply with the written instructions of the Employer’s auditors or banking regulators.

 

6.3         Agreement Termination Generally. This Agreement may be terminated only by a written agreement signed by the Employer and the Executive. No such termination shall cause a distribution of benefits under this Agreement. Rather, after termination benefit payments will be made at the earliest distribution event permitted under Article 2.

 

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ARTICLE 7

MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1         No Effect on Other Rights. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Employer and the Executive as to the subject matter hereof. No rights are granted to the Executive by virtue of this Agreement other than those specifically set forth herein. Nothing contained herein will confer upon the Executive the right to be retained in the service of the Employer nor limit the right of the Employer to discharge or otherwise deal with the Executive without regard to the existence hereof.

 

7.2         State Law. To the extent not governed by ERISA, the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted according to the internal law of the State of California without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

 

7.3         Validity. In case any provision of this Agreement shall be illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts hereof, but this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had never been inserted herein.

 

7.4         Nonassignability. Benefits under this Agreement cannot be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, attached or encumbered in any manner.

 

7.5         Unsecured General Creditor Status. Payment to the Executive or any Beneficiary hereunder shall be made from assets which shall continue, for all purposes, to be part of the general, unrestricted assets of the Employer and no person shall have any interest in any such asset by virtue of any provision of this Agreement. The Employer’s obligation hereunder shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future. In the event that the Employer purchases an insurance policy insuring the life of the Executive to recover the cost of providing benefits hereunder, neither the Executive nor the Beneficiary shall have any rights whatsoever in said policy or the proceeds therefrom.

 

7.6         Life Insurance. If the Employer chooses to obtain insurance on the life of the Executive in connection with its obligations under this Agreement, the Executive hereby agrees to take such physical examinations and to truthfully and completely supply such information as may be required by the Employer or the insurance company designated by the Employer.

 

7.7         Unclaimed Benefits. The Executive shall keep the Employer informed of the Executive’s current address and the current address of the Beneficiary. If the location of the Executive is not made known to the Employer within three years after the date upon which any payment of any benefits may first be made, the Employer shall delay payment of the Executive’s benefit payment(s) until the location of the Executive is made known to the Employer; however, the Employer shall only be obligated to hold such benefit payment(s) for the Executive until the expiration of three (3) years. Upon expiration of the three (3) year period, the Employer may discharge its obligation by payment to the Beneficiary. If the location of the Beneficiary is not made known to the Employer by the end of an additional two (2) month period following expiration of the three (3) year period, the Employer may discharge its obligation by payment to the Executive’s estate. If there is no estate in existence at such time or if such fact cannot be determined by the Employer, the Executive and Beneficiary shall thereupon forfeit all rights to any benefits provided under this Agreement.

 

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7.8         Suicide or Misstatement. No benefit shall be distributed hereunder if the Executive commits suicide within two (2) years after the Effective Date, or if an insurance company which issued a life insurance policy covering the Executive and owned by the Employer denies coverage (i) for material misstatements of fact made by the Executive on an application for life insurance, or (ii) for any other reason.

 

7.9         Removal. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Employer shall not distribute any benefit under this Agreement if the Executive is subject to a final removal or prohibition order issued pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Furthermore, any payments made to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall, if required, comply with 12 U.S.C. 1828, FDIC Regulation 12 CFR Part 359 and any other regulations or guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

7.10         Notice. Any notice, consent or demand required or permitted to be given to the Employer or Administrator under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by registered or certified mail to the Employer’s principal business office. Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Executive or Beneficiary under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered or sent by mail to the last known address of the Executive or Beneficiary, as appropriate. Any notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark or on the receipt for registration or certification.

 

7.11         Headings and Interpretation. Headings and sub-headings in this Agreement are inserted for reference and convenience only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement. Wherever the fulfillment of the intent and purpose of this Agreement requires and the context will permit, the use of the masculine gender includes the feminine and use of the singular includes the plural.

 

7.12         Alternative Action. In the event it becomes impossible for the Employer or the Administrator to perform any act required by this Agreement due to regulatory or other constraints, the Employer or Administrator may perform such alternative act as most nearly carries out the intent and purpose of this Agreement and is in the best interests of the Employer, provided that such alternative act does not violate Code Section 409A.

 

7.13         Coordination with Other Benefits. The benefits provided for the Executive or the Beneficiary under this Agreement are in addition to any other benefits available to the Executive under any other plan or program for employees of the Employer. This Agreement shall supplement and shall not supersede, modify, or amend any other such plan or program except as may otherwise be expressly provided herein.

 

7.14         Inurement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Employer, its successor and assigns, and the Executive, the Executive’s successors, heirs, executors, administrators, and the Beneficiary.

 

13

 

 

7.15         Tax Withholding. The Employer may make such provisions and take such action as it deems necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes which the Employer is required by any law or regulation to withhold in connection with any benefits under the Agreement. The Executive shall be responsible for the payment of all individual tax liabilities relating to any benefits paid hereunder.

 

7.16         Aggregation of Agreement. If the Employer offers other non-qualified deferred compensation plans, this Agreement and those plans shall be treated as a single plan to the extent required under Code Section 409A.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and a representative of the Employer have executed this Agreement document as indicated below:

 

	Executive:	 	 	Employer:
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By:	 
	 	 	Its:	 

 

14

 

 

SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENT

 

Beneficiary Designation

 

I, ___________________, designate the following as Beneficiary under this Agreement:

 

Primary

 

____________________________________________________________________________________         _______%

 

____________________________________________________________________________________         _______%

 

Contingent

 

____________________________________________________________________________________         _______%

 

____________________________________________________________________________________         _______%

 

 

I understand that I may change this beneficiary designation by delivering a new written designation to the Administrator, which shall be effective only upon receipt by the Administrator prior to my death. I further understand that the designation will be automatically revoked if the Beneficiary predeceases me or if I have named my spouse as Beneficiary and our marriage is subsequently dissolved.

 

Signature:         _______________________________                  Date:  _______

 

	
			SPOUSAL CONSENT (Required only if Administrator requests and someone other than spouse is named Beneficiary)

			 

			I consent to the beneficiary designation above. I also acknowledge that if I am named Beneficiary and my marriage is subsequently dissolved, the beneficiary designation will be automatically revoked.

			 

			Spouse Name:         _______________________________

			 

			Signature:         _______________________________         Date:  _______        

			

         

 

 

Received by the Administrator this ________ day of ___________________, 20__

 

By:       ________________________________                                    

Title:   _________________________________

 

15ex_236296.htm

EXHIBIT 10.5

 

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

Oak Valley Community Bank, a California Banking Corporation, having its principal place of business at 125 North Third Avenue, Oakdale, California, hereinafter referred to as “Employer” and Richard A. McCarty, hereinafter referred to as “Executive”, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, hereby enter into this agreement (“Agreement”) as of the date first written below (“Effective Date”):

 

Term of Employment

	 	
			1.01.

				
			Employer hereby employs Executive and Executive hereby accepts employment with Employer for a period of three (3) years beginning March 19, 2021 and ending on March 18, 2024.

			

 

Duties and Obligations of Executive

	 	
			2.01.

				
			Executive shall serve as the Senior Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer of Employer. In this capacity, he shall perform the customary duties of a COO of a commercial bank including but not limited to:

			

 

	 	
			1.

				
			Act as a member of the following Board Committees: Loan Committee, Investment Committee and CRA Committee;

			

	 	
			2.

				
			Participate in community affairs that are beneficial to the Employer;

			

	 	
			3.

				
			Maintain a good relationship with Employer, customers and shareholders;

			

	 	
			4.

				
			Maintain a good relationship with regulatory authorities;

			

	 	
			5.

				
			Provide leadership in planning and implementing the affairs of the Employer;

			

	 	
			6.

				
			Supervise operations and operate the Bank in a safe and sound manner consistent with all applicable provisions of the Articles and Bylaws of the Bank and all laws, rules and regulations;

			

	 	
			7.

				
			Such other duties as may, from time to time, be reasonably requested of him by the President and CEO and the Board of Directors of Employer, including but not limited to the hiring and firing of employees, subject at all times to the policies set by Employer’s Board of Directors.

			

 

Devotion to Employer’s Business

	 	
			2.02.

				
			Executive shall devote his full time, ability, and attention to the business of Employer during the term of this contract. Executive shall not engage in any other business duties or pursuits whatsoever, or directly or indirectly render any services of a business, commercial, or professional nature to any other person or organization, whether for compensation or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Employer’s Board of Directors.

			

 

1

 

 

Competitive Activities

 

	 	
			2.03.

				
			During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either as an employee, Employer, consultant, agent, principal, partner, stockholder, corporate officer, director, or in any other individual or representative capacity, engage or participate in any business that is in competition in any manner whatsoever with the business of Employer.

			

 

Indemnification 

	 	
			2.04.

				
			Employer shall indemnify Executive to the full extent permitted by law from all liability, cost or expense incurred by or paid by Executive in connection with any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or related to the performance by Executive of his duties or responsibilities for Employer.

			

 

Disclosure of Information

	 	
			2.05.

				
			Executive shall not, unless required by law, either before or after termination of this Agreement, disclose to anyone any information relating to Employer or any financial information, trade and business secrets or know-how germane to the business and operation of Employer that is not otherwise public. Executive recognizes and acknowledges that any financial information concerning any of Employer’s customers, as it may exist from time to time, is strictly confidential and is a valuable, special and unique asset of Employer’s business. Executive shall not, either before or after termination of this Agreement, disclose to anyone said financial information or any part thereof, for any reason or purpose whatsoever.

			

 

Surety Bond

	 	
			2.06.

				
			Executive agrees that he will furnish all information and take any other steps necessary to enable the Employer to obtain or maintain a fidelity bond conditional on the rendering of a true account by the Executive of all moneys, goods, or other property which may come into the custody, charge, or possession of the Executive during the term of his employment. The surety company issuing the bond and the amount of the bond must be acceptable to the Employer. All premiums on the bond are to be paid by the Employer. If Executive cannot qualify for a surety bond at any time during the term of this Agreement, Employer shall have the option to terminate this Agreement immediately.

			

 

Compensation

	 	
			3.01.

				
			As compensation for the services to be performed hereunder, Executive shall receive a salary of $297,000 for the year subject to usual withholding for taxes, payable in equal installments not less than twice a month, during the employment term, subject to annual adjustment as determined by the Board of Directors. Executive’s performance shall be reviewed and discussed with Executive at least once each year during the term of this Agreement.

			

 

2

 

 

Bonus

	 	
			3.02.

				
			Executive shall be entitled to a cash bonus, as outlined in the Employer’s Bonus Plan, as in effect from time to time.

			

 

Benefits

	 	
			4.01.

				
			Executive shall be entitled to standard benefits available to other executive employees, including but not limited to:

			

	 	
			4.01.1.

				
			Participation in incentive equity plans as adopted from time to time.

			

	 	
			4.01.2.

				
			Participation in salary continuation and retirement benefits programs.

			

	 	
			4.01.3.

				
			Automobile allowance and expense account.

			

 

.

 

Vacation and PTO

	 	
			5.01.

				
			Executives shall be entitled to vacation and paid time off benefits as generally available from time to time to the executive employees of the Employer.

			

 

Business Expenses

	 	
			6.01

				
			It is understood and agreed by the parties that the services required of Employer will require Executive to incur entertainment and other expenses on behalf of Employer. Employer hereby agrees to reimburse Executive for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred or to be incurred by Executive in carrying out his duties.

			

 

Executive shall, however, furnish to Employer adequate records and other documentary evidence required by Federal and State Statutes and regulations for the substantiation of each such expenditure as an income tax deduction or other records as may be required by the Board of Directors.

 

Termination at the Will of Employer

	 	
			7.01.

				
			One of the primary needs of the Employer is to maintain flexibility in its upper management. Employer shall therefore have the right, at Employer’s sole discretion, to terminate the employment of Executive at the will of Employer. In the event of such termination, provided that such termination is not for Cause, and except as provided in Section 7.04 below, Executive shall be entitled to severance pay in the total amount equal to three (3) months of Employee’s current annual salary, payable in three (3) equal monthly payments from date of such termination. The severance pay shall cease upon the end of the three (3) months. Such severance pay is the sole and exclusive remedy for Employee terminated at the will of Employer.

			

 

Termination for Cause

	 	
			7.02.

				
			This Agreement shall terminate immediately upon the occurrence of any one of the following events:

			

	 	
			(1)

				
			The occurrence of circumstances that make it impossible or impractical for the business of the Employer to be continued.

			

	 	
			(2)

				
			The death of the Executive.

			

 

3

 

 

	 	
			(3)

				
			The loss by Executive of legal capacity.

			

	 	
			(4)

				
			The willful breach of duty by the Executive in the course of his employment, unless waived by the Employer.

			

	 	
			(5)

				
			The habitual neglect by the Executive of his employment duties, unless waived by the Employer.

			

	 	
			(6)

				
			Executive is disabled for a period in excess of six (6) months unless waived by the Employer.

			

	 	
			(7)

				
			The continued unsatisfactory performance of duties by Executive as determined solely by the Board of Directors of Employer.

			

 

 

In the event of the termination of this Agreement prior to the completion of the term of employment specified herein for one of the causes enumerated in this paragraph, no severance pay is due or payable to employee, except for salary and car allowance to date of termination.

 

Termination at Will by Executive

	 	
			7.03

				
			Executive shall have the right at Executive’s sole discretion to terminate his employment at the will of Executive. In such event, Executive shall give three (3) months (90 days) notice to Employer of said determination to sever employment.

			

 

Effect of Merger, Transfer of Assets, or Dissolution

	 	
			7.04

				
			A Change in Control means the occurrence of any of the following:

			

	 	
			(a)

				
			any acquisition of the Employer’s stock or any reorganization as defined in section 368 (a) (1) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) to which Employer is a party and in which the Employer is not the surviving corporation or is not immediately after the reorganization engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business or in which the stockholders of the Company will own; less than fifty (50%) of the voting securities of the surviving corporation; or

			

	 	
			(b)

				
			any sale or conveyance of substantially all of the net assets of the Employer, unless immediately after such sale Employer is engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business.

			

 

In the event of a Change in Control, this Agreement shall automatically be terminated, in which case Executive shall be entitled as severance pay under this Agreement to an amount such that the net amount received by Executive, after taking into account federal, state and local income taxes payable as a result of such severance payments equals two (2) years salary based on the compensation in effect under this Agreement plus the amount equal to the sum of the prior two (2) years bonus (the “Severance Payment”). Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation, as the case may be (the “Acquiring Corporation”), enters into a new employment agreement with Executive (the “Replacement Agreement”) on terms acceptable to Executive, which acceptance shall not be unreasonable withheld, this Agreement shall be terminated but no Severance Payment shall be due to Executive. Unless a Replacement Agreement is entered into on or before the Change in Control, Employer shall pay the Severance Payment to Executive in a single lump sum payment on or before any such Change in Control.

 

4

 

 

General Provisions

 

Notices

	 	
			8.01.

				
			Any notices to be given hereunder by either party to the other shall be in writing and may be transmitted by personal delivery or by mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested. Mailed notices shall be addressed to the parties at the addresses listed as follows:

			

 

 

Employer:                 125 N Third Ave., Oakdale, CA 95361

 

Executive:                  P.O. Box 279, Clements, CA 95227

 

but each party may change that address by written notice in accordance with this section. Notices delivered personally shall be deemed communicated as of the date of actual receipt; mailed notices shall be deemed communicated as of the date of mailing.

 

Arbitration

	               8.02.	(a)	Any controversy between Employer and Executive involving the construction or application of any of the terms, provisions, or conditions of this Agreement shall on the written request of either party served on the other be submitted to arbitration. Arbitration shall comply with and be governed by the provisions of the California Arbitration Act and shall be governed by California law.
	 	
			(b)

				
			Employer and Executive shall each appoint one person to hear and determine the dispute. If the two persons so appointed are unable to agree, then those persons shall select a third impartial arbitrator whose decision shall be final and conclusive upon both parties.

			

	 	
			(c)

				
			The cost of arbitration shall be borne by the losing party or in such proportions as the arbitrators decide.

			

 

Entire Agreement

	 	
			8.03.

				
			This Agreement supersedes any and all other agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties hereto with respect to the employment of Executive by Employer and contains all of the covenants and agreements between the parties with respect to that employment in any manner whatsoever. Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no other representation, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement, statement, or promise not contained in this Agreement shall be valid or binding on either party.

			

 

5

 

 

Modifications

	 	
			8.04.

				
			Any modification of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing and signed by both parties.

			

 

Effect of Waiver

	 	
			8.05.

				
			The failure of either party to insist on strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants, or conditions of this Agreement by the other party will not be deemed a waiver of that term, covenant, or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of any right or power at any one time or times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of that right or power for all or any other times.

			

 

Partial Invalidity

	 	
			8.06.

				
			If any provision in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless continue in full force without being impaired or invalidated in any way.

			

 

Law Governing Agreement

	 	
			8.07.

				
			This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

			

 

Sums Due Deceased Executive

	 	
			8.08.

				
			If Executive dies prior to the expiration of the term of his employment, any sums that may be due him from Employer under this Agreement as of the date of death shall be paid to Executive’s executors, administrators, heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns.

			

 

 

This Amended Employment Agreement is effective as of March 19, 2021.

 

 

 

 

OAK VALLEY COMMUNITY BANK

 

 

By:  /s/ Chris Courtney        

Chris Courtney

 

Title: President & CEO

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

 

/s/ Richard A. McCarty         

Richard A. McCarty

 

Date: March 19, 2021            

 

6

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