Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP
 2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

NOTICE OF GRANT AND
 RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT

 

Participant has been granted the number of Common Shares of Restricted Stock of Heritage Commerce Corp (the “Company”), as set forth below (“Common Shares”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Heritage Commerce Corp 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (“Plan”), and this Notice of Grant and Restricted Stock Agreement including the attachments hereto (collectively, “Notice and Agreement”).  Unless otherwise defined in the Notice and Agreement, terms with initial capital letters shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

 

	
Name   of Participant:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Number   of Common Shares of Restricted Stock Granted:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Grant   Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Fair   Market Value:
    	
 
    	
$                     . The Fair Market Value   is the closing price of Company Common shares on the Grant Date as provided   in the Plan.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Period   of Restriction and Release of Common Shares from Company’s Return Right (see Sections   2 and 3 of attached Agreement)
    	
 
    	
The   Period of Restriction, during which the Common Shares shall be subject to the   Company’s Return Right, shall lapse upon the second anniversary of the Grant   Date.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
However,   upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined herein) or the death   or Disability of Participant, the Company’s Return Right shall lapse   immediately.
    

 

By acknowledging below, Participant accepts this grant of Restricted Stock and hereby represents that he or she: (i) agrees to the terms and conditions of this Notice and Agreement and the Plan; (ii) has reviewed the Plan, the Plan Prospectus and this Notice and Agreement in their entirety, and has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of legal counsel and/or tax advisor with respect thereto; (iii) fully understands and accepts all provisions hereof; (iv) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all of the Company’s decisions regarding, and all interpretations of, the Plan and the Notice and Agreement; and (v) agrees to notify the Company upon any change in his or her home address indicated below.

 

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HERITAGE   COMMERCE CORP
    	
PARTICIPANT
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Signature
    
	
Its:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Date
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Address:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

ATTACHMENTS:                                           2013 Equity Incentive Plan; 2013 Equity Incentive Plan Prospectus; Restricted Stock Agreement, Assignment Separate from Certificate and Form of Section 83(b) Election

 

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HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP
 2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT

 

1.                                      Grant of Restricted Stock.  The Company has granted to Participant the number of Common Shares of Restricted Stock specified in the Notice of Grant on the preceding page (“Notice of Grant”), subject to the following terms and conditions.  In consideration of such grant, Participant agrees to be bound by such terms and conditions, and by the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

2.                                      Period of Restriction.  During the Period of Restriction specified in the Notice of Grant, the Common Shares shall remain subject to the Company’s Return Right set forth herein.  The Period of Restriction shall expire and the Company’s Return Right shall lapse as to the Common Shares granted in the amount(s) and on the date(s) specified in the Notice of Grant (each, a “Release Date”); provided, however, that no Common Shares shall be released on any Release Date if the Participant has ceased Continuous Status as a Director, Employee or Consultant on or prior to such date.  Any and all Common Shares subject to the Company’s Return Right at any time shall be defined in this Notice and Agreement as “Unreleased Common Shares.”

 

3.                                      Return of Restricted Stock to Company.  If Participant ceases Continuous Status as a Director, Employee or Consultant for any reason (a “Return Event”), all of the Unreleased Common Shares shall be forfeited by Participant.  The ownership of all such Unreleased Common Shares shall transfer back to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to retire such Unreleased Common Shares and such shares shall return to the status of authorized unissued shares under the Plan.

 

4.                                      Restriction on Transfer.  None of the Common Shares of Restricted Stock issued hereunder or any beneficial interest therein may be sold, transferred, pledged, donated, exchanged, encumbered or otherwise disposed of in any way until the Release Date for such Common Shares set forth in this Notice and Agreement.  In addition, as a condition to any transfer of the Common Shares after such Release Date, the Company may, in its discretion, require: (i) that the Common Shares shall have been duly listed upon any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Company’s Common Stock may then be listed or quoted; (ii) that either (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Shares shall be effective, or (b) in the opinion of counsel for the Company, the proposed purchase shall be exempt from registration under the Securities Act and the Participant shall have entered into agreements with the Company as reasonably required; and (iii) fulfillment of any other requirements deemed necessary by counsel for the Company to comply with applicable law.

 

5.                                      Retention of Restricted Stock or Certificate for Restrictive Stock.  Any certificate or certificates evidencing any Common Shares of Restricted Stock shall be deposited with the Secretary of the Company.  However, instead of issuing physical stock certificates, the Company may also hold the Common Shares of Restricted Stock in a book entry

 

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account in the name of Participant.  Any such certificates or such book entry shares shall be held by the Company until such times as the Release Date occurs, after which the Company shall release to the Participant the Common Shares of Restricted Stock as to which restrictions have lapsed.

 

6.                                      Shareholder Rights. Subject to the terms hereof, the Participant shall have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Common Shares while they are retained by the Company pursuant to Section 5, including without limitation, the right to vote the Common Shares and to receive any cash dividends declared thereon.  If, from time to time prior to the Release Date, there is (i) any stock dividend, stock split or other change in the Common Shares, or (ii) any merger or sale of all or substantially all of the assets or other acquisition of the Company, any and all new, substituted or additional securities to which the Participant shall be entitled by reason of the Participant’s ownership of the Common Shares shall be immediately subject to the terms of this Notice and Agreement and included thereafter as “Common Shares” for purposes of this Notice and Agreement.

 

7.                                      Legends. The share certificate evidencing the Common Shares, if any, issued hereunder shall be endorsed with the following legend (in addition to any legend required under applicable law):

 

THE COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS UPON TRANSFER, OBLIGATIONS TO RETURN TO AND THE COMPANY, AS SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE HOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.

 

8.                                      Definition of Change of Control.  A Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred upon any of the following events (as such terms are defined and interpreted under the Department of Treasury Regulations 26 CFR 1.280G-1, Q&A 27 through Q&A-29 or as defined in 26 CFR 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i)):

 

(a)                                 A Change in the Ownership of a Corporation. A change in the ownership of the Company occurs on the date that any one person or persons acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. The acquisition of additional stock by the same person or group is not considered to cause a change in the ownership of the corporation.

 

(b)                                 Change in the Effective Control of a Corporation. A change in the effective control of the Company shall be deemed to occur on either of the following dates:

 

(i)                                     The date any one person, or persons acting as a group acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or group) ownership of stock of the Company possessing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; or

 

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(ii)                                  The date a majority of members of the Company’s board of directors is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company’s board of directors before the date of the appointment or election.

 

(c)                                  Change in the Ownership of a Substantial Portion of a Corporation’s Assets.  A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets shall be deemed to occur on the date that any one person or group acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than forty percent (40%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. No Change in Control shall result if the assets are transferred to certain entities controlled directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company.

 

9.                                      U.S. Tax Consequences.

 

(a)                                 Participant shall be liable for any and all taxes, including withholding taxes.  The Company shall have the right to require the Participant to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local or other withholding tax requirements if, when, and to the extent required by law (whether so required to secure for the Company an otherwise available tax deduction or otherwise).  The obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Notice and Agreement shall be conditioned on satisfaction of all such withholding obligations and the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant.

 

(b)                                 Participant may elect to satisfy an applicable withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Common Shares of Restricted Stock otherwise due to the Participant following a Release, or to submit shares of stock previously owned by the Participant.  Participants may only elect to have shares withheld having a market value on the date of the tax is to be determined equal to the minimum statutory total tax which could be imposed as a result of the transaction.  All elections shall be irrevocable, made in writing, signed by the Participant, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitation that the committee deems appropriate.

 

(c)                                  The Participant has reviewed with the Participant’s own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Notice and Agreement.  The Participant is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its employees or agents. The Participant understands that the Participant (and not the Company) shall be responsible for the Participant’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Notice and Agreement.  The Participant understands that for U.S. taxpayers, Section 83 of the

 

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Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), taxes as ordinary income the difference between the purchase price for the Common Shares, if any, and the fair market value of the Common Shares as of the date any restrictions on the Common Shares lapse. In this context, “restriction” includes the right of the Company to the return of the Common Shares upon a Return Event. The Participant understands that if he or she is a U.S. taxpayer, the Participant may elect to be taxed at the time the Common Shares are awarded as Restricted Stock rather than when and as the Return Right expires by filing an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with the IRS within 30 days from the date of acquisition, providing a copy of the election to the Company, and including a copy of the election with the Participant’s income tax return for taxable year of the acquisition.  The form for making this election is attached as Exhibit B hereto.

 

THE PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS THE PARTICIPANT’S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT THE COMPANY’S TO FILE TIMELY THE ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b), IF APPLICABLE, EVEN IF THE PARTICIPANT REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE THIS FILING ON THE PARTICIPANT’S BEHALF.

 

10.                               Fractional Restricted Stock.  No fraction of a share of Restricted Stock shall be purchasable or deliverable hereunder, but in the event any adjustment hereunder of the number of shares covered by this Agreement shall cause such number to include a fraction of a share, such number of shares shall be adjusted to the nearest smaller whole number of shares.

 

11.                               No Employment or Guarantee of Continued Relationship.  Nothing contained in the Plan or in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to the continuation of employment or other association with the Company or with any Affiliate of the Company).

 

12.                               General.

 

(a)                                 This Notice and Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of California.  The Notice and Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference, represents the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the Common Shares of Restricted Stock granted to the Participant.  In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Notice and Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

 

(b)                                 Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be delivered by either the Company or the Participant pursuant to the terms of this Notice and Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally, deposited with an international courier service, or deposited in the U.S. Mail, First Class with postage prepaid, and addressed to the parties at the addresses set forth in the Notice of Grant, or such other address as a party may request by notifying the other in writing.

 

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(c)                                  The rights of the Company under this Notice and Agreement and the Plan shall be transferable to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the Company’s successors and assigns.  The rights and obligations of the Participant under this Notice and Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the Company.

 

(d)                                 The Participant agrees upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes or intent of this Notice and Agreement.

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned does hereby sell, assign and transfer unto                                                                                                                                                                     (                                  ) shares of the Common Stock of Heritage Commerce Corp standing in the undersigned’s name on the books of said corporation represented by Certificate No.                             herewith and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                                                  attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of said corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Signature
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Print   Name
    	
 
    	
 
    
					

 

Instructions:  Please do not fill in any blanks other than the signature line.  The purpose of this assignment is to enable the Company to exercise its Company Return Right set forth in the Restricted Stock Agreement without requiring additional signatures on the part of the Participant.

 

A-1

 

EXHIBIT B

 

SECTION 83(b) ELECTION

 

When you receive stock from the company in connection with your performance of services the full enjoyment of which is conditioned upon the future performance of substantial services by you, your income tax consequences are determined under Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

The general rule of Section 83 is that you have a taxable event at the time the stock vests or the risk of forfeiture lapses. At that time, you have ordinary income equal to the excess (the “Delta”) of the fair market value of the stock at the time of vesting over the price paid by the person for the stock, if any. If the stock has appreciated between the time of acquisition and the time of vesting, the appreciation would be ordinary income to you (as would any delta that existed when the stock was acquired). The tax holding period of the stock commences when the stock vests and upon a subsequent sale of the stock, any appreciation since the vesting date would be capital gain. If the stock is held for more than one year from the vesting date any capital gain would be long-term capital gain.

 

You may view this tax treatment as undesirable for two reasons. First, the appreciation of the shares between the grant date and the vesting date would be ordinary income to you. Ordinary income is currently taxed at federal rates up to 39.6%, while the maximum federal rate on long-term capital gain is currently 20%.  Such income or gain could also be subject to a 3.8% tax on net investment income. Second, the taxable event that occurs on the vesting date may not coincide with a liquidity event, such as the sale of the corporation or shares of the company. In the absence of a liquidity event, you may have a taxable event but no cash with which to pay the taxes.

 

For unvested stock, Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code offers a solution to the above-described tax consequences. A person who receives unvested stock may elect to be taxed at the time the stock is granted. If you timely make the Section 83(b) election, you would have ordinary income equal to the delta at the time of grant (rather than at the time the stock vests). The holding period would commence at the grant date and any subsequent appreciation would be capital gain. If the one-year tax holding period is satisfied, all of the gain would be long-term capital gain. Thus, the Section 83(h) election can result in all of your gain being capital gain; however, tax would be due with respect to the delta at the time you make the election.

 

In order to timely make an election under Section 83(b), YOU MUST FILE the Section 83(b) election with the Internal Revenue Service Center where you file your income tax returns, provide a copy of the election to the Company, and include a copy of the election with your income tax return for the taxable year in which the common shares of restricted stock were transferred to you. YOU MUST FILE THE ELECTION NOT LATER THAN 30 DAYS AFTER THE COMMON SHARES OF RESTRICTED STOCK ARE GRANTED. There is no relief for failing to timely file the election. If you make this election, you must provide the election to us and you must include a copy of the election with your tax return for the taxable year in which the stock is acquired.

 

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NOTE: The foregoing is not a complete or thorough discussion of income and other tax consequences of the receipt of stock, and the company is not hereby rendering any such advice. You are strongly urged to consult your own tax advisors. Stock acquired from the exercise of stock options may subject you to additional and different income and tax consequences, none of which is discussed above.

 

B-2

 

ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(B)
 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986

 

The undersigned taxpayer hereby elects, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to include in gross income as compensation for services the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the shares described below over the amount paid for those shares.

 

1.                                      The name, taxpayer identification number, address of the undersigned and taxable year for which this election is being made are:

 

NAME OF TAXPAYER:

 

TAXPAYER’S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

 

NAME OF SPOUSE:

 

SPOUSE’S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

 

ADDRESS:

 

TAXABLE YEAR:

 

2.                                      The property with respect to which the election is made is described as follows:

 

shares of Restricted Stock of Heritage Commerce Corp (the “COMPANY”) received pursuant to a Notice of Grant and Restricted Stock Agreement, dated                     , 20     between the Company and the taxpayer.

 

3.                                      The date on which the property was transferred is:                      , 20    .

 

4.                                      The property is subject to the following restrictions:

 

The shares vest over time, subject to the taxpayer’s continuous relationship as an employee or director with the Company. Upon the termination of the taxpayer’s relationship with the Company, all of the unvested shares outstanding immediately prior to such termination shall be forfeited by the taxpayer, ownership of all such unvested shares shall transfer back to the Company and the taxpayer would have no further rights with respect to any of such unvested shares.

 

5.                                      The aggregate fair market value of the property at the time of transfer, determined without regard to any restriction other than a nonlapse restriction as defined in Section 1.83-3(h) of the Income Tax Regulations, is $                     per share times            shares which equals $                    .

 

6.                                      The amount (if any) paid for such property:  $0.

 

7.                                      The amount to include in gross income is $                   (which is the amount shown in Item 5 less the amount shown in Item 6).

 

B-3

 

The undersigned taxpayer will file this election with the Internal Revenue Service office with which taxpayer files his or her annual income tax return not later than 30 days after the date of transfer of the property.  A copy of the election will also be furnished to the Company.  Additionally, the undersigned will include a copy of the election with his or her income tax return for the taxable year in which the property was transferred.  The undersigned is the person performing the services in connection with  which the property was transferred.

 

THE UNDERSIGNED UNDERSTANDS THAT THE FOREGOING ELECTION MAY NOT BE REVOKED EXCEPT WITH THE CONSENT OF THE COMMISSIONER.

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
PRINT   NAME:
    	
 
    

 

The undersigned spouse of taxpayer joins in this election.

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Spouse   of Taxpayer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
PRINT   NAME:
    	
 
    

 

B-4Exhibit 10.2

 

HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP
 2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
 STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

Capitalized terms used without definition in this Stock Option Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) shall have the meanings given such terms in the Heritage Commerce Corp 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

 

I.
 NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT
  TO:

 

1.                                      Option.  You have been granted an option to purchase shares of common stock (the “Shares”) of Heritage Commerce Corp, a California corporation (the “Company”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as follows:

 

	
Date of Grant:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Exercise Price per Share:
    	
 
    	
$
    
	
Total Number of Shares Granted:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Total Exercise Price:
    	
 
    	
$
    
	
Expiration Date:
    	
 
    	
10 Years From Date of Grant
    

 

2.                                      Vesting and Expiration: Vesting at 1/1460th of the grant per day until vested.

 

3.                                      Termination. So long as the Optionee maintains Service as a Director, Employee or Consultant, the Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, with respect to any vested Shares, anytime prior to the Expiration Date. If the Optionee’s Service as a Director, Employee or Consultant terminates for any reason, the Optionee shall have that amount of time set forth in Section 6.4 of the Plan to exercise any vested Shares, after which time the Option shall expire.

 

II.
 AGREEMENT

 

1.                                      Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to the Optionee (the “Optionee”) named in the Notice of Stock Option Grant set forth above (the “Notice of Grant”) an option (the “Option”) to purchase the total number of Shares set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”), subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

2.                                      Exercise of Option.

 

(a)                                 Right to Exercise. The Option shall be exercisable prior to its expiration date only, in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and with the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

 

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(b)                                 Method of Exercise. The Option shall be exercisable by written notice which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to the Optionee’s investment intent with respect to the Shares as may be required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Such notice is attached hereto as Exhibit A. The written notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price.

 

(c)                                  Compliance with Law. No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of any Option unless such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of law and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such shares.

 

3.                                      Method of Payment.  Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the Exercise Price must be made (i) in cash, by check or in cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Company common stock owned by the Optionee having a Fair Market Value not less than the exercise price, (iii) by delivery of a properly executed notice of exercise together with irrevocable instructions to a broker providing for the assignment to the Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the Option (including, without limitation, through an exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) (a “Cashless Exercise”), (iv) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Committee from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law, or (v) by any combination thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of common stock to the extent such tender or attestation would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of common stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months (and not used for another Option exercise by attestation during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the Company.  The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise, including with respect to one or more Optionees specified by the Company notwithstanding that such program or procedures may be available to other Optionees.

 

4.                                      Non-Transferability of Option. The Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee; provided, however, that any Nonstatutory Stock Option may be transferred by Optionee to any member of Optionee’s immediate family, to a partnership the members of which (other than Optionee) are all members of Optionee’s immediate family, or to a family trust the beneficiaries of which (other than Optionee) are all members of Optionee’s immediate family. The terms of the Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of Optionee.

 

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5.                                      Restrictions on Transfer. All certificates representing Shares purchased under this Option Agreement may be imprinted with an appropriate legend with respect to any applicable restriction on transfer. The Company may issue appropriate stop-transfer instructions to its transfer agent to ensure compliance with these transfer restrictions.  The Company shall not be required to transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or transferred in violation of any of the provisions of the Plan or this Option Agreement, or to treat as the owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser or transferee to whom such Shares has been sold or transferred.

 

6.                                      Acknowledgments of Optionee.

 

(a)                                 NO RIGHT OF EMPLOYMENT. OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OPTION IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THE OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP 2013 INCENTIVE EQUITY PLAN THAT IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE’S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY’S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE’S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

 

(b)                                 Receipt of Plan. Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and the Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing the Option and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee upon any questions arising under the Plan or the Option. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated above.

 

7.                                      Notice. Any notice required or permitted under this Option Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the party at its address as shown below, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

 

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8.                                      Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Optionee with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Optionee. In case of conflict between the provisions in the Plan and this Option Agreement, the provisions in the Plan shall prevail. This Option Agreement is governed by California law except for that body of law pertaining to conflict of laws.

 

	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
PARTICIPANT
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    

 

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Exhibit A

 

HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP
 2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
 EXERCISE NOTICE

 

TO:                                                                           Heritage Commerce Corp

150 Almaden Boulevard

San Jose, California 95113

ATTN:

 

SUBJECT:                                     NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTION

 

In respect to the stock option granted to the undersigned on , to purchase an aggregate of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, this is official notice that the undersigned hereby elects to exercise such option to purchase shares as follows:

 

NUMBER OF SHARES:

 

DATE OF PURCHASE:

 

MODE OF PAYMENT:

 

(Certified check, cash or other [specify])

 

The shares should be issued as follows:

 

	
NAME:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ADDRESS:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signed:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

Please send this notice of exercise to:

 

Heritage Commerce Corp

150 Almaden Boulevard

San Jose, California 95113

Attn:

 

A-1

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