Document:

Employment Agreement

    EXHIBIT
      10.1

    EMPLOYMENT
      AGREEMENT

    This
      Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into this 22nd day
      of
      April, 2007, by and between First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. ("the Company"),
      a corporation with its principal place of business located in Mattoon, Illinois,
      and Charles A. LeFebvre (“Manager”).

     

    In
      consideration of the promises and mutual covenants and agreements contained
      herein, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree as follows:

     

    ARTICLE
      ONE  

    

    TERM
      AND NATURE OF AGREEMENT

     

    1.01  Term
      of Agreement.
      The
      term of this Agreement shall commence as of April 22nd, 2007 and shall continue
      for three (3) years, until April 30, 2010. Thereafter, unless Manager’s
      employment with the Company has been previously terminated, Manager shall
      continue his employment with the Company on an at will basis and, except as
      provided in Articles Five, Six and Seven, this Agreement shall terminate unless
      extended by mutual written agreement.

     

    1.02  Employment.
      The
      Company agrees to employ Manager as Executive Vice President and Manager accepts
      such employment by the Company on the terms and conditions herein set forth.
      The
      duties of Manager shall be determined by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer
      and shall adhere to the policies and procedures of the Company and shall follow
      the supervision and direction of the Chief Executive Officer or his designee
      in
      the performance of such duties. During the term of his employment, Manager
      agrees to devote his full working time, attention and energies to the diligent
      and satisfactory performance of his duties hereunder. Manager shall not, while
      he is employed by the Company, engage in any activity which would (a) interfere
      with, or have an adverse effect on, the reputation, goodwill or any business
      relationship of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (b) result in economic
      harm to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or (c) result in a breach of
      Section Six of the Agreement.

     

    ARTICLE
      TWO  

    

    COMPENSATION
      AND BENEFITS

    While
      Manager is employed with the Company during the term of this Agreement, the
      Company shall provide Manager with the following compensation and
      benefits:

     

    2.01  Base
      Salary.
      The
      Company shall pay Manager an annual base salary of $135,000 per fiscal year,
      payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for
      management employees. The Chief Executive Officer or his designee may review
      and
      adjust Manager's base salary from year to year; provided, however, that during
      the term of Manager's employment, the Company shall not decrease Manager's
      base
      salary.

     

    2.02  Incentive
      Compensation Plan.
      Manager
      shall be entitled to receive a bonus of up to 25% of base salary based upon
      the
      profitability of the Trust and Wealth Management Division. The amount of such
      bonus will be determined and paid as soon as practicable following the end
      of
      the Company’s fiscal year. For each new Trust and Wealth Management relationship
      developed by Manager, Manager shall also be entitled to receive 25% of the
      estimated annual revenues the Company is likely to receive during the first
      year
      following acceptance of the relationship. This amount will be paid as soon
      as
      practicable following the end of the fiscal quarter in which the customer
      relationship is accepted.

     

    2.03  Deferred
      Compensation Plan.
      Manager
      shall be eligible to participate in the First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc.
      Deferred Compensation Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions of such
      Plan.

     

    2.04  Vacation.
      Manager
      shall be entitled to three (3) weeks of paid vacation each year during the
      term
      of this Agreement.

     

    2.05  Fringe
      Benefits.
      The
      Company shall provide the following additional fringe benefits to
      Executive:

     

    
      	a)  	
              Use
                of a Company-owned or leased vehicle for professional and personal
                use.

            

    

    
      	b)  	
              An
                amount equal to the annual dues for a Class “H” membership at the Mattoon
                Golf and country Club.

            

    

    
      	c)  	
              Use
                of a cellular phone for work-related calls and calls associated with
                Internet connection for Executive’s
                home.

            

    

    

    2.06  Other
      Benefits.
      Manager
      shall be eligible (to the extent he qualified) to participate in any other
      retirement, health, accident and disability insurance, or similar employee
      benefit plans as may be maintained from time to time by the Company for its
      other management employees subject to and on a consistent basis with the terms,
      conditions and overall administration of such plans.

     

    2.07  Business
      Expenses.
      Manager
      shall be entitled to reimbursement by the Company for all reasonable expenses
      actually and necessarily incurred by him on its behalf in the course of his
      employment hereunder and in accordance with expense reimbursement plans and
      policies of the Company from time to time in effect for management
      employees.

     

    2.08  Withholding.
      All
      salary, incentive compensation and other benefits provided to Manager pursuant
      to this Agreement shall be subject to withholding for federal, state or local
      taxes, amounts withheld under applicable employee benefit plans, policies or
      programs, and any other amounts that may be required to be withheld by law,
      judicial order or otherwise or by agreement with, or consent of,
      Manager.

    

    ARTICLE
      THREE  

    

    DEATH
      OF MANAGER

     

    This
      Agreement shall terminate prior to the end of the term described in Section
      1.01
      upon Manager’s termination of employment with the Company due to his death. Upon
      Manager’s termination due to death, the Company shall pay Manager’s estate the
      amount of Manager’s base salary plus his accrued but unused vacation time earned
      through the date of such death and any incentive compensation earned for the
      preceding fiscal year that is not yet paid as of the date of such
      death.

     

    ARTICLE
      FOUR  

    

    TERMINATION
      OF EMPLOYMENT

     

    Manager’s
      employment with the Company may be terminated by Manager or by the Company
      at
      any time for any reason. Upon Manager’s termination of employment prior to the
      end of the term of the Agreement, the Company shall pay Manager as
      follows:

     

    4.01  Termination
      by the Company for Other than Cause.
      If the
      Company terminates Manager’s employment for any reason other than Cause, the
      Company shall pay Manager the following:

     

    (a)  An
      amount
      equal to Manager’s monthly base salary in effect at the time of such termination
      of employment for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter. Such amount shall
      be paid to Manager periodically in accordance with the Company’s customary
      payroll practices for management employees.

    (b)  The
      base
      salary and accrued but unused paid vacation time earned through the date of
      termination and any incentive compensation earned for the preceding fiscal
      year
      that is not yet paid.

    (c)  Continued
      coverage for Manager and/or Manager’s family under the Company’s health plan
      pursuant to Title I, Part 6 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
      of
      1974 (“COBRA”) and for such purpose the date of Manager’s termination of
      employment shall be considered the date of the “qualifying event” as such term
      is defined by COBRA. During the period beginning on the date of such termination
      and ending at the end of the period described in Section 4.01(a), Manager shall
      be charged for such coverage in the amount that he would have paid for such
      coverage had he remained employed by the Company, and for the duration of the
      COBRA period, Manager shall be charged for such coverage in accordance with
      the
      provisions of COBRA.

     

    For
      purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean Manager’s (i) conviction in a
      court of law of (or entering a plea of guilty or no contest to) any crime or
      offense involving fraud, dishonesty or breach of trust or involving a felony;
      (ii) performance of any act which, if known to the customers, clients,
      stockholders or regulators of the Company, would materially and adversely impact
      the business of the Company; (iii) act or omission that causes a regulatory
      body
      with jurisdiction over the Company to demand, request, or recommend that Manager
      be suspended or removed from any position in which Manager serves with the
      Company; (iv) substantial nonperformance of any of his obligations under this
      Agreement; (v) misappropriation of or intentional material damage to the
      property or business of the Company or any affiliate; or (vi) breach of Article
      Five or Six of this Agreement.

     

    4.02  Termination
      Following a Change in Control.
      Notwithstanding Section 4.01, if, following a Change in Control, and prior
      to
      the end of the term of this Agreement, Manager’s employment is terminated by the
      Company (or any successor thereto) for any reason other than Cause, or if
      Manager terminates his employment because of a decrease in his then current
      base
      salary or a substantial diminution in his position and responsibilities, the
      Company (or any successor thereto) shall pay Manager the following:

     

    (a)  An
      amount
      equal to Manager’s monthly base salary in effect at the time of such termination
      for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter. Such amount shall be paid in
      accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for Manager
      employees.

    (b)  An
      amount
      equal to the incentive compensation earned by or paid to Manager for the fiscal
      year immediately preceding the year in which Manager’s termination of employment
      occurs. Such amount shall be paid to Manager in a lump sum as soon as
      practicable after the date of his termination.

    (c)  The
      base
      salary and accrued but unused paid vacation time earned through the date of
      termination and any incentive compensation earned for the preceding fiscal
      year
      that is not yet paid.

    (d)  Continued
      coverage for Manager and/or Manager’s family under the Company’s health plan
      pursuant to Title I, Part 6 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
      of
      1974 (“COBRA”) and for such purpose the date of Manager’s termination of
      employment shall be considered the date of the “qualifying event” as such term
      is defined by COBRA. During the period beginning on the date of such termination
      and ending at the end of the period described in Section 4.02(a), Manager shall
      be charged for such coverage in the amount that he would have paid for such
      coverage had he remained employed by the Company, and for the duration of the
      COBRA period, Manager shall be charged for such coverage in accordance with
      the
      provisions of COBRA.

     

    For
      purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall have the meaning as set
      forth in the First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
      (or
      successor stock incentive plan maintained by the Company).

     

    4.03  Other
      Termination of Employment.
      If,
      prior to the end of the term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Manager’s
      employment for Cause, or if Manager terminates his employment for any reason
      other than as described in Section 4.02 above, the Company shall pay Manager
      the
      base salary and accrued but unused paid vacation time earned through the date
      of
      such termination and any incentive compensation earned for the preceding fiscal
      year that is not yet paid.

     

    4.04  Key
      Employee Status.
      If at
      the time of such termination of employment Manager is a “Key Employee” as
      defined in Section 416(i) of the Internal Revenue Code (without reference to
      paragraph 5 thereof), and the amounts payable to Manager pursuant to Article
      Four are subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, payment of such
      amounts shall not commence until six months following Manager’s termination of
      employment, with the first payment to include the payments that otherwise would
      have been made during such six-month period.

     

    ARTICLE
      FIVE  

    

    CONFIDENTIAL
      INFORMATION

     

    5.01  Non-Disclosure
      of Confidential Information.
      During
      his employment with the Company, and after his termination of such employment
      with the Company, Manager shall not, in any form or manner, directly or
      indirectly, use, divulge, disclose or communicate to any person, entity, firm,
      corporation or any other third party, any Confidential Information, except
      as
      required in the performance of Manager’s duties hereunder, as required by law or
      as necessary in conjunction with legal proceedings.

     

    5.02  Definition
      of Confidential Information.
      For the
      purposes of this Agreement, the term "Confidential Information" shall mean
      any
      and all information either developed by Manager during his employment with
      the
      Company and used by the Company or its affiliates or developed by or for the
      Company or its affiliates of which Manager gained knowledge by reason of his
      employment with the Company that is not readily available in or known to the
      general public or the industry in which the Company or any affiliate is or
      becomes engaged. Such Confidential Information shall include, but shall not
      be
      limited to, any technical or non-technical data, formulae, compilations,
      programs, devices, methods, techniques, procedures, manuals, financial data,
      business plans, lists of actual or potential customers, lists of employees
      and
      any information regarding the Company's or any affiliate’s products, marketing
      or database. The Company and Manager acknowledge and agree that such
      Confidential Information is extremely valuable to the Company and may constitute
      trade secret information under applicable law. In the event that any part of
      the
      Confidential Information becomes generally known to the public through
      legitimate origins (other than by the breach of this Agreement by Manager or
      by
      other misappropriation of the Confidential Information), that part of the
      Confidential Information shall no longer be deemed Confidential Information
      for
      the purposes of this Agreement, but Manager shall continue to be bound by the
      terms of this Agreement as to all other Confidential Information.

     

    5.03  Delivery
      upon Termination.
      Upon
      termination of Manager's employment with the Company for any reason, Manager
      shall promptly deliver to the Company all correspondence, files, manuals,
      letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial
      documents, and any other documents or data concerning the Company's or any
      affiliate’s customers, database, business plan, marketing strategies, processes
      or other materials which contain Confidential Information, together with all
      other property of the Company or any affiliate in Manager's possession, custody
      or control.

     

    ARTICLE
      SIX  

    

    NON-COMPETE
      AND NON-SOLICITATION COVENANTS

     

    6.01  Covenant
      Not to Compete.
      During
      the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year following the later
      of the termination of Manager's employment for any reason or the last day of
      the
      term of the Agreement, Manager shall not, on behalf of himself or on behalf
      of
      another person, corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, within the
      counties of Coles, Moultrie, Douglas, Cumberland, Effingham, Champaign,
      Christian, Madison, Macon, Bond or Piatt, Illinois, or any other county in
      which
      the Company or any affiliate conducts business:

     

    (a)  Directly
      or indirectly own, manage, operate, control, participate in the ownership,
      management, operation or control of, be connected with or have any financial
      interest in, or serve as an officer, employee, advisor, consultant, agent or
      otherwise to any person, firm, partnership, corporation, trust or other entity
      which owns or operates a business similar to that of the Company or its
      affiliates.

    (b)  Solicit
      for sale, represent, and/or sell Competing Products to any person or entity
      who
      or which was the Company’s customer or client during the last year of Manager's
      employment. "Competing Products," for purposes of this Agreement, means products
      or services which are similar to, compete with, or can be used for the same
      purposes as products or services sold or offered for sale by the Company or
      any
      affiliate or which were in development by the Company or any affiliate within
      the last year of Manager's employment.

     

    6.02  Covenant
      Not to Solicit.
      For a
      period of one year following the later of the termination of Manager’s
      employment for any reason or the last day of the term of this Agreement, Manager
      shall not:

     

    (a)  Attempt
      in any manner to solicit from any client or customer business of the type
      performed by the Company or any affiliate or persuade any client or customer
      of
      the Company or any affiliate to cease to do such business or to reduce the
      amount of such business which any such client or customer has customarily done
      or contemplates doing with the Company or any affiliate, whether or not the
      relationship between the Company or affiliate and such client or customer was
      originally established in whole or in part through Manager’s efforts.

    (b)  Render
      any services of the type rendered by the Company or any affiliate for any client
      or customer of the Company. 

    (c)  Solicit
      or encourage, or assist any other person to solicit or encourage, any employees,
      agents or representatives of the Company or an affiliate to terminate or alter
      their relationship with the Company or any affiliate.

    (d)  Do
      or
      cause to be done, directly or indirectly, any acts which may impair the
      relationship between the Company or any affiliate with their respective clients,
      customers or employees.

     

    ARTICLE
      SEVEN  

    

    REMEDIES

     

    Manager
      acknowledges that compliance with the provisions of Articles Five and Six herein
      is necessary to protect the business, goodwill and proprietary information
      of
      the Company and that a breach of these covenants will irreparably and
      continually damage the Company for which money damages may be inadequate.
      Consequently, Manager agrees that, in the event that he breaches or threatens
      to
      breach any of these provisions, the Company shall be entitled to both (a) a
      temporary, preliminary or permanent injunction in order to prevent the
      continuation of such harm; and (b) money damages insofar as they can be
      determined. In addition, the Company will cease payment of all compensation
      and
      benefits under Articles Three and Four hereof. In the event that any of the
      provisions, covenants, warranties or agreements in this Agreement are held
      to be
      in any respect an unreasonable restriction upon Manager or are otherwise
      invalid, for whatsoever cause, then the court so holding shall reduce, and
      is so
      authorized to reduce, the territory to which it pertains and/or the period
      of
      time in which it operates, or the scope of activity to which it pertains or
      effect any other change to the extent necessary to render any of the
      restrictions of this Agreement enforceable.

     

    ARTICLE
      EIGHT  

    

    MISCELLANEOUS

     

    8.01  Successors
      and Assignability.

     

    (a)  No
      rights
      or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be assigned or
      transferred except that the Company will require any successor (whether direct
      or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
      substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly
      assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
      extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
      had taken place.

    (b)  No
      rights
      or obligations of Manager under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred
      by
      Manager other than his rights to payments or benefits hereunder which may be
      transferred only by will or the laws of descent and distribution. 

     

    8.02  Entire
      Agreement.
      This
      Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to
      the
      subject matter hereof and may not be modified except in writing by the parties
      hereto. Furthermore, the parties hereto specifically agree that all prior
      agreements, whether written or oral, relating to Manager's employment by the
      Company shall be of no further force or effect from and after the date
      hereof.

     

    8.03  Severability.
      If any
      phrase, clause or provision of this Agreement is deemed invalid or
      unenforceable, such phrase, clause or provision shall be deemed severed from
      this Agreement, but will not affect any other provisions of this Agreement,
      which shall otherwise remain in full force and effect. If any restriction or
      limitation in this Agreement is deemed to be unreasonable, onerous or unduly
      restrictive, it shall not be stricken in its entirety and held totally void
      and
      unenforceable, but shall be deemed rewritten and shall remain effective to
      the
      maximum extent permissible within reasonable bounds.

     

    8.04  Controlling
      Law and Jurisdiction.
      This
      Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted and construed according to the
      laws of the State of Illinois. The parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction
      of
      the state and federal courts in the State of Illinois in the event that any
      disputes arise under this Agreement.

     

    8.05  Notices.
      All
      notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall
      be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of
      service if served personally on the party to whom notice is to be given; (b)
      on
      the day after delivery to an overnight courier service; (c) on the day of
      transmission if sent via facsimile to the facsimile number given below; or
      (d)
      on the third day after mailing, if mailed to the party to whom notice is to
      be
      given, by first class mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid and
      properly addressed, to the party as follows:

     

    

    If
      to
      Manager:  Charles
      A. LeFebvre

    R.
      R. #1,
      Box 301A

    Sullivan,
      IL 61951

    

    If
      to the
      Company: First
      Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc.

    1515
      Charleston Avenue

    Mattoon,
      Illinois 61938

    

    Facsimile:
      217-258-0485

    Attention:
      Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

    

    Any
      party
      may change its address for the purpose of this Section by giving the other
      party
      written notice of its new address in the manner set forth above.

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

    

    
      	 	 	 	 	
              FIRST
                MID-ILLINOIS BANCSHARES,
                INC.

            

    

     

    
      	 	 	 	 	
              By:
                /s/ William S. Rowland

            

    

    
      	 	 	 	 	
              Title:
                Chairman and Chief Executive
                Officer

            

    

     

    
      	 	 	 	 	
              MANAGER:

            

    

     

    
      	 	 	 	 	
              /s/
                Charles A. LeFebvreExhibit 10.1

 

 

Total System Services, Inc.

 

2007 Omnibus Plan

 

Effective April 24, 2007

 

 

Contents

	
            Article 1. Establishment, Purpose, and Duration
 	
            1
 

	
            Article 2. Definitions
 	
            1
 

	
            Article 3. Administration
 	
            6
 

	
            Article 4. Shares Subject to This Plan and Maximum Awards
 	
            7
 

	
            Article 5. Eligibility and Participation
 	
            9
 

	
            Article 6. Stock Options
 	
            9
 

	
            Article 7. Stock Appreciation Rights
 	
            11
 

	
            Article 8. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
 	
            12
 

	
            Article 9. Performance Units/Performance Shares
 	
            13
 

	
            Article 10. Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards
 	
            14
 

	
            Article 11. Transferability of Awards
 	
            15
 

	
            Article 12. Performance Measures
 	
            15
 

	
            Article 13. Nonemployee Director Awards
 	
            16
 

	
            Article 14. Dividends and Dividend Equivalents
 	
            17
 

	
            Article 15. Change of Control
 	
            17
 

	
            Article 16. Rights of Participants
 	
            17
 

	
            Article 17. Amendment, Modification, Suspension, and Termination
 	
            18
 

	
            Article 18. Withholding
 	
            18
 

	
            Article 19. Successors
 	
            19
 

	
            Article 20. General Provisions
 	
            19
 

 

 

 

 

Total System Services, Inc.

2007 Omnibus Plan

Effective April 24, 2007

 

Article 1. Establishment, Purpose, and Duration

1.1        Establishment. Total System Services, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) hereby establishes an incentive compensation plan to be known as Total System Services, Inc. 2007 Omnibus Plan (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”), as set forth in this document.   

The Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Covered Employee annual incentive awards, Cash-Based Awards, and Other Stock-Based Awards. 

The Plan shall become effective on the date that it is approved by the Company’s shareholders  (the “Effective Date”) and shall remain in effect as provided in Section 1.3 hereof. 

1.2        Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its shareholders through Awards that give Employees and Directors a personal stake in the Company’s growth, development and financial success.  Awards under the Plan will motivate Employees and Directors to devote their best efforts to the business of the Company.  They will also help the Company attract and retain the services of Employees and Directors who are in a position to make significant contributions to the Company’s future success.

1.3        Duration of the Plan. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, the Plan shall terminate ten (10) years from the Effective Date. After the Plan’s termination, no new Awards may be granted, but Awards previously granted shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions, including the terms and conditions of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incentive Stock Options may be granted more than ten (10) years after the earlier of: (a) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (b) the Effective Date.

1.4        No More Grants Under Prior Plan.  After the Effective Date, no more grants will be made under the Prior Plan.  

Article 2. Definitions

Whenever used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, and when the meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word shall be capitalized:

	
             
 	
            2.1
 	
            “Affiliate” shall mean any corporation or other entity (including, but not limited to, a partnership or a limited liability company) that is affiliated with the Company through stock or equity ownership or otherwise, and is designated as an Affiliate for purposes of this Plan by the Committee.
 

	
             
 	
            2.2
 	
            “Annual Award Limit” or “Annual Award Limits” have the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
 

 

	
             
 	
            1
 

TSYS 2007 Omnibus Plan

 

 

	
             
 	
            2.3
 	
            “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under this Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Covered Employee annual incentive awards, Cash-Based Awards, or Other Stock-Based Awards, in each case subject to the terms of this Plan. 
 

	
             
 	
            2.4
 	
            “Award Agreement” means either: (a) a written agreement entered into by the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under this Plan, or (b) a written or electronic statement issued by the Company to a Participant describing the terms and provisions of such Award, including any amendment or modification thereof. The Committee may provide for the use of electronic, Internet, or other nonpaper Award Agreements, and the use of electronic, Internet, or other nonpaper means for the acceptance thereof and actions thereunder by a Participant.
 

	
             
 	
            2.5
 	
            “Beneficial Owner” or “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
 

	
             
 	
            2.6
 	
            “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
 

	
             
 	
            2.7
 	
            “Cash-Based Award” means an Award, denominated in cash, granted to a Participant as described in Article 10.
 

	
             
 	
            2.8
 	
            “Change of Control” means any of the following events: (a) the acquisition by any “person,” as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act  (other than the Company or a subsidiary or any Company employee benefit plan (including its trustee)), of “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the total number of shares of the Company’s then outstanding securities; (b) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose
election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; (c) consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of the Company (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the total number of shares of the
Company’s outstanding securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than sixty percent (60%) of, respectively, the total number of shares of the then outstanding securities of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, 
 

 

	
             
 	
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immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the total number of shares of the Company’s outstanding securities, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination, or any employee benefit plan (including its trustee) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the total number of shares of the then outstanding securities of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the board of directors of the Corporation resulting from such Business Combination.

A “Change of Control” shall not result from any transaction precipitated by the Company’s insolvency, appointment of a conservator, or determination by a regulatory agency that the Company is insolvent, nor from any transaction initiated by the Company in regard to converting from a publicly traded company to a privately held company.

For purposes of this Section 2.8 of the Plan only, “Company” shall be defined as Synovus Financial Corp. or Total System Services, Inc.  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, a “Change of Control” of Total System Services, Inc. shall not result from (1) a spin-off of Total System Services, Inc. stock to Synovus Financial Corp. shareholders or (2) any transaction (including, without limitation, any transaction described in this Section 2.8 of the Plan) if Synovus Financial Corp. continues to own more than 50% of the total number of shares of Total System Services, Inc.’s outstanding securities. 

	
             
 	
            2.9
 	
            “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. For purposes of this Plan, references to sections of the Code shall be deemed to include references to any applicable regulations thereunder and any successor or similar provision. 
 

	
             
 	
            2.10
 	
            “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof, or any other committee designated by the Board to administer this Plan. The members of the Committee shall be appointed from time to time and shall serve at the discretion of the Board.  If the Committee does not exist or cannot function for any reason, the Board may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee. 
 

	
             
 	
            2.11
 	
            “Company” means Total System Services, Inc., a Georgia corporation, and any successor thereto as provided in Article 19 herein. 
 

	
             
 	
            2.12
 	
            “Covered Employee” means any key Employee who is or may become a “Covered Employee,” as defined in Code Section 162(m), and who is designated, either as an individual Employee or class of Employees, by the Committee within the shorter of: (a) ninety (90) days after the beginning of the Performance Period, or (b) twenty-five percent (25%) of the Performance Period has elapsed, as a “Covered Employee” under this Plan for such applicable Performance Period.
 

	
             
 	
            2.13
 	
            “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.
 

 

	
             
 	
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TSYS 2007 Omnibus Plan

 

 

	
             
 	
            2.14
 	
            “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1.
 

	
             
 	
            2.15
 	
            “Employee” means any individual designated as an employee of the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries on the payroll records thereof.  An Employee shall not include any individual during any period he or she is classified or treated by the Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary as an independent contractor, a consultant, or any employee of an employment, consulting, or temporary agency or any other entity other than the Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary, without regard to whether such individual is subsequently determined to have been, or is subsequently retroactively reclassified as, a common-law employee of the Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary during such period.
 

	
             
 	
            2.16
 	
            “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor act thereto.
 

	
             
 	
            2.17
 	
            “Fair Market Value” or “FMV” means a price that is based on the closing price of a Share reported on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or other established stock exchange (or exchanges) on the applicable date, or an average of trading days, as determined by the Committee in its discretion. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, Fair Market Value shall be deemed to be equal to the reported closing price of a Share on the most recent date on which Shares were publicly traded. In the event Shares are not publicly traded at the time a determination of their value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of their Fair Market Value shall be made by the Committee in such manner as it deems appropriate. 
 

	
             
 	
            2.18
 	
            “Freestanding SAR” means a SAR that is granted independently of any Options, as described in Article 7.
 

	
             
 	
            2.19
 	
            “Full-Value Award” means an Award other than in the form of an ISO, NQSO, or SAR, and which is settled by the issuance of Shares.
 

	
             
 	
            2.20
 	
            “Grant Price” means the price established at the time of grant of a SAR pursuant to Article 7, used to determine whether there is any payment due upon exercise of the SAR.
 

	
             
 	
            2.21
 	
            “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means an Option to purchase Shares granted under Article 6 to an Employee and that is designated as an Incentive Stock Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422 or any successor provision.
 

	
             
 	
            2.22
 	
            “Insider” shall mean an individual who is, on the relevant date, an officer or Director of the Company, or a more than ten percent (10%) Beneficial Owner of any class of the Company’s equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as determined by the Board in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
 

	
             
 	
            2.23
 	
            “Nonemployee Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.
 

	
             
 	
            2.24
 	
            “Nonemployee Director Award” means any NQSO, SAR, or Full-Value Award granted, whether singly, in combination, or in tandem, to a Participant who is a 
 

 

	
             
 	
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Nonemployee Director pursuant to such applicable terms, conditions, and limitations as the Board or Committee may establish in accordance with this Plan.

	
             
 	
            2.25
 	
            “Nonqualified Stock Option” or “NQSO” means an Option that is not intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422, or that otherwise does not meet such requirements.
 

	
             
 	
            2.26
 	
            “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option, as described in Article 6.
 

	
             
 	
            2.27
 	
            “Option Price” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to an Option.
 

	
             
 	
            2.28
 	
            “Other Stock-Based Award” means an equity-based or equity-related Award not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan, granted pursuant to Article 10.
 

	
             
 	
            2.29
 	
            “Participant” means any eligible individual as set forth in Article 5 to whom an Award is granted.
 

	
             
 	
            2.30
 	
            “Performance-Based Compensation” with respect to Covered Employees, means compensation under an Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for certain performance-based compensation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Plan shall be construed to mean that an Award which does not satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m) does not constitute performance-based compensation for other purposes, including Code Section 409A.
 

	
             
 	
            2.31
 	
            “Performance Measures” means measures as described in Article 12 on which the performance goals are based and which are approved by the Company’s shareholders pursuant to this Plan in order to qualify Awards as Performance-Based Compensation.
 

	
             
 	
            2.32
 	
            “Performance Period” means the period of time during which the performance goals must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to an Award.
 

	
             
 	
            2.33
 	
            “Performance Share” means an Award under Article 9 herein and subject to the terms of this Plan, denominated in Shares, the value of which at the time it is payable is determined as a function of the extent to which corresponding performance criteria have been achieved.
 

	
             
 	
            2.34
 	
            “Performance Unit” means an Award under Article 9 herein and subject to the terms of this Plan, denominated in units, the value of which at the time it is payable is determined as a function of the extent to which corresponding performance criteria have been achieved.
 

	
             
 	
            2.35
 	
            “Period of Restriction” means the period when Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (based on the passage of time, the achievement of performance goals, or upon the occurrence of other events as determined by the Committee, in its discretion), as provided in Article 8.
 

 

	
             
 	
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            2.36
 	
            “Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.
 

	
             
 	
            2.37
 	
            “Plan” means the Total System Services, Inc. 2007 Omnibus Plan.
 

	
             
 	
            2.38
 	
            “Plan Year” means the calendar year.
 

	
             
 	
            2.39
 	
            “Restricted Stock” means an Award of Shares granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8.  
 

	
             
 	
            2.40
 	
            “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 8, except no Shares are actually awarded to the Participant on the date of grant.
 

	
             
 	
            2.41
 	
            “Share” means a share of common stock of the Company, par value $.10 per share. 
 

	
             
 	
            2.42
 	
            “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award, designated as a SAR, pursuant to the terms of Article 7 herein. 
 

	
             
 	
            2.43
 	
            “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity, whether domestic or foreign, in which the Company has or obtains, directly or indirectly, a proprietary interest of more than fifty percent (50%) by reason of stock ownership or otherwise. 
 

Article 3. Administration

3.1     General. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, subject to this Article 3 and the other provisions of this Plan. The Committee may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, agents, and other individuals or entities, any of which may be an Employee, and the Committee, the Company, and its officers and Directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions, or valuations of any such persons.  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Participants, the Company, and all other interested individuals. 

3.2        Authority of the Committee. The Committee is authorized and empowered to administer the Plan and, subject to the provisions of the Plan, shall have full power to (i) designate Employees and Directors to be recipients of Awards; (ii) determine the type and size of Awards; (iii) determine the terms and conditions of Awards; (iv) certify satisfaction of performance goals for purposes of satisfying the requirements of Code Section 162(m); (v) construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and any Award Agreement or other instrument entered into under the Plan; (vi) establish, amend, or waive rules and regulations for the Plan’s administration; (vii) subject to the provisions of Section 4.4., authorize conversion or substitution under the Plan of any or all outstanding
option or other awards held by service providers of an entity acquired by the Company on terms determined by the Committee (without regard to limitations set forth in Section 6.3 and 7.5); (viii) subject to the provisions of Articles 15 and 17, amend the terms and conditions of any outstanding Award; (ix) grant Awards as an alternative to, or as the form of payment for, grants or rights earned or due under compensation plans or similar arrangements of the Company; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. 

 

	
             
 	
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3.3        Delegation. To the extent permitted by law and applicable rules of a stock exchange, the Committee may, by resolution, authorize one or more officers of the Company to do one or both of the following on the same basis as can the Committee: (a) designate Employees to be recipients of Awards; and (b) determine the type and size of any such Awards; provided, however: (i) the authority to make Awards to any Nonemployee Director or to any Employee who is considered an Insider may not be delegated; (ii) the resolution providing such authorization shall set forth the total number of Shares and Awards such officer(s) may grant; and (iii) the officer(s) shall report periodically to the Committee regarding the nature and scope of
the Awards granted pursuant to the authority delegated.

Article 4. Shares Subject to This Plan and Maximum Awards

	
             
 	
            4.1
 	
            Number of Shares Available for Awards.
 

	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.4 herein, the maximum number of Shares available for issuance to Participants under this Plan (the “Share Authorization”) shall be 5,000,000 Shares.
 

	
             
 	
            (b) 
 	
            The maximum number of Shares of the Share Authorization that may be issued pursuant to ISOs under this Plan shall be 5,000,000. 
 

	
             
 	
            (c)
 	
            Subject to adjustment in Section 4.4, the maximum number of Shares of the Share Authorization that may be issued to Nonemployee Directors shall be 500,000 Shares, and no Nonemployee Director may be granted an Award covering more than 10,000 Shares in any Plan Year, except that this annual limit on Nonemployee Director Awards shall be increased to 50,000 Shares for any Nonemployee Director serving as Chairman of the Board; provided, however, that in the Plan Year in which an individual is first appointed or elected to the Board as a Nonemployee Director, such individual may be granted an Award covering up to an additional 50,000 Shares (a “New Nonemployee Director Award”).
 

	
             
 	
            (d)
 	
            Except with respect to a maximum of five percent (5%) of the Share Authorization, any Full Value Awards which vest on the basis of the Employee’s continued employment with or provision of service to the Company shall not provide for vesting which is any more rapid than annual pro rata vesting over a three- (3-) year period and any Full Value Awards which vest upon the attainment of performance goals shall provide for a Performance Period of at least twelve (12) months.
 

4.2        Share Usage. Shares covered by an Award shall only be counted as used to the extent they are actually issued. Any Shares related to Awards which terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such Shares, are settled in cash in lieu of Shares, or are exchanged with the Committee’s permission, prior to the issuance of Shares, for Awards not involving Shares, shall be available again for grant under this Plan. However, the full number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted that are to be settled by the issuance of Shares shall be counted against the number of Shares available for award under the Plan, regardless of the number of Shares actually issued upon settlement of such Stock Appreciation Rights. Further, any Shares
withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations on Awards issued under the Plan, Shares tendered to pay the 

 

	
             
 	
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exercise price of Awards under the Plan, and Shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an Option exercise will no longer be eligible to be returned as available Shares under the Plan. Any Shares related to Awards which terminate by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such Shares, are settled in cash in lieu of Shares, or are exchanged with the Committee’s permission, prior to the issuance of Shares, for Awards not involving Shares, shall be available again for grant under this Plan. The Shares available for issuance under this Plan may be authorized and unissued Shares or treasury Shares. 

 

4.3        Annual Award Limits. Unless and until the Committee determines that an Award to a Covered Employee shall not be designed to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the following limits (each an “Annual Award Limit” and, collectively, “Annual Award Limits”) shall apply to grants of such Awards under this Plan: 

	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            Options: The maximum aggregate number of Shares subject to Options granted in any one Plan Year to any one Participant shall be 4,000,000. 
 

	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            SARs: The maximum number of Shares subject to Stock Appreciation Rights granted in any one Plan Year to any one Participant shall be 4,000,000.
 

	
             
 	
            (c)
 	
            Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units: The maximum aggregate grant with respect to Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units in any one Plan Year to any one Participant shall be 2,000,000.
 

	
             
 	
            (d)
 	
            Performance Units or Performance Shares: The maximum aggregate Award of Performance Units or Performance Shares that a Participant may receive in any one Plan Year shall be 2,000,000 Shares if such Award is payable in Shares, or equal to the value of 100,000 Shares if such Award is payable in cash or property other than Shares, determined as of the earlier of the vesting or the payout date, as applicable.
 

	
             
 	
            (e)
 	
            Cash-Based Awards: The maximum aggregate amount awarded or credited with respect to Cash-Based Awards to any one Participant in any one Plan Year may not exceed $2,000,000.00.
 

	
             
 	
            (f)
 	
            Other Stock-Based Awards. The maximum aggregate grant with respect to Other Stock-Based Awards pursuant to Section 10.2 in any one Plan Year to any one Participant shall be 2,000,000.
 

4.4        Adjustments in Authorized Shares. In the event of any corporate event or transaction (including, but not limited to, a change in the Shares of the Company or the capitalization of the Company) such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, separation, partial or complete liquidation, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, or other distribution of stock or property of the Company, combination of Shares, exchange of Shares, dividend in-kind, or other like change in capital structure, number of outstanding Shares or distribution (other than normal cash dividends) to shareholders of the Company, or any similar corporate event or transaction, the Committee, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’
rights under this Plan, shall substitute or adjust the number and kind of Shares that may be issued under this Plan or under particular forms of Awards, the number and kind of Shares subject 

 

	
             
 	
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to outstanding Awards, the Option Price or Grant Price applicable to outstanding Awards, the Annual Award Limits, or other value determinations applicable to outstanding Awards, with the specific adjustments to be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

The Committee shall make appropriate adjustments to any other terms of any outstanding Awards under this Plan to reflect such changes or distributions, including modifications of performance goals and changes in the length of Performance Periods.  The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, shall be conclusive and binding on Participants under this Plan. 

Subject to the provisions of Article 17 and notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, without affecting the number of Shares reserved or available hereunder, the Committee may authorize the issuance or assumption of benefits under this Plan in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate (including, but not limited to, a conversion of equity awards into Awards under this Plan in a manner consistent with paragraph 53 of FASB Interpretation No. 44), subject to compliance with the rules under Code Sections 422 and 424, as and where applicable. 

Article 5. Eligibility and Participation

5.1        Eligibility. Individuals eligible to participate in this Plan include all Employees and Directors.

5.2        Actual Participation. Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee may, from time to time in its sole discretion, select from the individuals eligible to participate, those to whom Awards shall be granted.  

Article 6. Stock Options

6.1     Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, Options may be granted to Participants in such number, and upon such terms, and at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, provided that ISOs may be granted only to eligible Employees of the Company or of any parent or subsidiary corporation (as permitted under Code Sections 422 and 424).  However, an Employee who is employed by an Affiliate and/or Subsidiary and is subject to Code Section 409A may only be granted Options to the extent the Affiliate and/or Subsidiary is part of the Company’s consolidated group for United States federal tax purposes.

6.2        Award Agreement. Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Option Price, the maximum duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, the conditions upon which an Option shall become vested and exercisable, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan. The Award Agreement also shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or an NQSO.

6.3        Option Price. The Option Price for each grant of an Option under this Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and shall be specified in the Award Agreement; provided, however, the Option Price on the date of grant must be at least equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the FMV of the Shares as determined on the date of grant.

 

	
             
 	
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6.4        Term of Options. Each Option granted to a Participant shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant; provided, however, no Option shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary date of its grant. 

6.5        Exercise of Options. Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Committee shall in each instance approve, which terms and restrictions need not be the same for each grant or for each Participant.

Options granted under this Article 6 shall be exercised by the delivery of a notice of exercise to the Company or an agent designated by the Company in a form specified or accepted by the Committee setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares, or by complying with any alternative exercise procedures the Committee may authorize.

6.6        Payment. A condition of the issuance of the Shares as to which an Option shall be exercised shall be the payment of the Option Price. The Option Price of any Option shall be payable to the Company in full either: (a) in cash or its equivalent; (b) by tendering (either by actual delivery or attestation) previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the Option Price (provided that except as otherwise determined by the Committee, the Shares that are tendered must have been held by the Participant for at least six (6) months (or such other period, if any, as the Committee may permit) prior to their tender to satisfy the Option Price if acquired under this Plan or any other compensation plan maintained by the
Company or have been purchased on the open market); (c) by a cashless (broker-assisted) exercise; (d) by a combination of (a), (b), and/or (c); or (e) any other method approved or accepted by the Committee in its sole discretion.

Subject to any governing rules or regulations, as soon as practicable after receipt of written notification of exercise and full payment (including satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding), the Company shall deliver to the Participant evidence of book entry Shares, or upon the Participant’s request, Share certificates in an appropriate amount based upon the number of Shares purchased under the Option(s).

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all payments under all of the methods indicated above shall be paid in United States dollars.

6.7        Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Committee may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under this Article 6 as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, minimum holding period requirements, restrictions under applicable federal securities laws, under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are then listed and/or traded, or under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares.

6.8        Termination of Employment/Service. Each Participant’s Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Participant’s employment or provision of services to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be.  Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need 

 

TSYS 2007 Omnibus Plan

	
             
 	
            10
 

 

 

 

not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to this Article 6, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

Article 7. Stock Appreciation Rights

7.1     Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, Freestanding SARs may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. However, an Employee who is employed by an Affiliate and/or Subsidiary and is subject to Code Section 409A may only be granted SARs to the extent the Affiliate and/or Subsidiary is part of the Company’s consolidated group for United States federal tax purposes.

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, the Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of SARs granted to each Participant and, consistent with the provisions of this Plan, in determining the terms and conditions pertaining to such SARs. 

The Grant Price for each grant of a Freestanding SAR shall be determined by the Committee and shall be specified in the Award Agreement; provided, however, the Grant Price on the date of grant must be at least equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the FMV of the Shares as determined on the date of grant. 

7.2        SAR Agreement. Each SAR Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Grant Price, the term of the SAR, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.

7.3        Term of SAR. The term of a SAR granted under this Plan shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, and except as determined otherwise by the Committee and specified in the SAR Award Agreement, no SAR shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary date of its grant.

7.4        Exercise of Freestanding SARs. Freestanding SARs may be exercised upon whatever terms and conditions the Committee, in its sole discretion, imposes.

7.5        Settlement of SAR Amount. Upon the exercise of a SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            The excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the Grant Price; by
 

	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            The number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.
 

At the discretion of the Committee, the payment upon SAR exercise may be in cash, Shares, or any combination thereof, or in any other manner approved by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee’s determination regarding the form of SAR payout shall be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the grant of the SAR.

7.6        Termination of Employment/Service. Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the SAR following termination of the Participant’s employment with or provision of services to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the 

 

	
             
 	
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Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with Participants, need not be uniform among all SARs issued pursuant to this Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

7.7        Other Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any Shares received upon exercise of a SAR granted pursuant to this Plan as it may deem advisable or desirable. These restrictions may include, but shall not be limited to, a requirement that the Participant hold the Shares received upon exercise of a SAR for a specified period of time.

Article 8. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

8.1     Grant of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units to Participants in such amounts as the Committee shall determine. Restricted Stock Units shall be similar to Restricted Stock except that no Shares are actually awarded to the Participant on the date of grant. 

8.2        Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Unit grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period(s) of Restriction, the number of Shares of Restricted Stock or the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. 

8.3        Other Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to this Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each Share of Restricted Stock or each Restricted Stock Unit, restrictions based upon the achievement of specific performance goals, time-based restrictions on vesting following the attainment of the performance goals, time-based restrictions, and/or restrictions under applicable laws or under the requirements of any stock exchange or market upon which such Shares are listed or traded, or holding requirements or sale restrictions placed on the Shares by the Company upon
vesting of such Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.

To the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, the Company may retain the certificates representing Shares of Restricted Stock in the Company’s possession until such time as all conditions and/or restrictions applicable to such Shares have been satisfied or lapse. 

Except as otherwise provided in this Article 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock Award shall become freely transferable by the Participant after all conditions and restrictions applicable to such Shares have been satisfied or lapse (including satisfaction of any applicable tax withholding obligations), and Restricted Stock Units shall be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. 

8.4        Certificate Legend. In addition to any legends placed on certificates pursuant to Section 8.3, each certificate representing Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to this Plan may bear a legend such as the following or as otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion:

	
             
 	
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"The
transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions
 (including forfeiture) of the Synovus Financial Corp. 2007 Omnibus Plan and a Restricted Stock Award Agreement entered into
between the registered owner and Synovus Financial Corp. Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file in the offices of Synovus
Financial Corp., 1111 Bay Avenue, Suite 500, Columbus, Georgia, 31901."

8.5        Voting Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement, to the extent permitted or required by law, as determined by the Committee, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may be granted the right to exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares during the Period of Restriction. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder.

8.6        Termination of Employment/Service. Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units following termination of the Participant’s employment with or provision of services to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units issued pursuant to this Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

8.7        Section 83(b) Election. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement that the Award of Restricted Stock is conditioned upon the Participant making or refraining from making an election with respect to the Award under Code Section 83(b). If a Participant makes an election pursuant to Code Section 83(b) concerning a Restricted Stock Award, the Participant shall be required to file promptly a copy of such election with the Company. 

Article 9. Performance Units/Performance Shares

9.1        Grant of Performance Units/Performance Shares. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance Units and/or Performance Shares to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine.

9.2        Value of Performance Units/Performance Shares. Each Performance Unit shall have an initial value that is established by the Committee at the time of grant. Each Performance Share shall have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the value and/or number of Performance Units/Performance Shares that will be paid out to the Participant. 

9.3        Earning of Performance Units/Performance Shares. Subject to the terms of this Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Performance Shares shall be entitled to receive payout on the value and number of Performance Units/Performance Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved.

 

	
             
 	
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9.4 
       Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Performance Shares.
 Payment of earned Performance Units/Performance Shares shall be as determined by the Committee and as evidenced in the Award Agreement.
 Subject to the terms of this Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Performance Shares in the form of cash or in Shares
 (or in a combination thereof) equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Performance Shares at the
close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as practicable after the end of the Performance Period.
 Any Shares may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. The determination of the
Committee with respect to the form of payout of such Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement pertaining to the
 grant of the Award.

9.5        Termination of Employment/Service. Each Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to retain Performance Units and/or Performance Shares following termination of the Participant’s employment with or provision of services to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, shall be included in the Award Agreement entered into with each Participant, need not be uniform among all Awards of Performance Units or Performance Shares issued pursuant to this Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

Article 10. Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards

10.1      Grant of Cash-Based Awards. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Cash-Based Awards to Participants in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee may determine.

10.2      Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related Awards not otherwise described by the terms of this Plan (including the grant or offer for sale of unrestricted Shares) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. Such Awards may involve the transfer of actual Shares to Participants, or payment in cash or otherwise of amounts based on the value of Shares, and may include, without limitation, Awards designed to comply with or take advantage of the applicable local laws of jurisdictions other than the United States. 

10.3      Value of Cash-Based and Other Stock-Based Awards. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a payment amount or payment range as determined by the Committee. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be expressed in terms of Shares or units based on Shares, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may establish performance goals in its discretion. If the Committee exercises its discretion to establish performance goals, the number and/or value of Cash-Based Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards that will be paid out to the Participant will depend on the extent to which the performance goals are met.

10.4      Payment of Cash-Based Awards and Other Stock-Based Awards. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award or any Other Stock-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award, in cash or Shares as the Committee determines.

10.5 
     Termination of Employment/Service.
The Committee shall determine the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to receive Cash-Based
Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards following termination of the Participant’s employment with or provision
of services to the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be. Such provisions shall be

 

	
             
 	
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determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, such provisions may be included in an agreement entered into
with each Participant, but need not be uniform among all Awards of Cash-Based Awards or Other
Stock-Based Awards issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination.

 

Article 11. Transferability of Awards

11.1      Transferability. Except as provided in Section 11.2 below, during a Participant’s lifetime, his or her Awards shall be exercisable only by the Participant. Awards shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; no Awards shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind; and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void. The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate for a Participant to designate a beneficiary to whom any amounts payable or Shares deliverable in the event of, or following, the Participant’s death may be provided. 

11.2      Committee Action. The Committee may, in its discretion, determine that notwithstanding Section 11.1, any or all Awards (other than ISOs) shall be transferable to and exercisable by such transferees, and subject to such terms and conditions, as the Committee may deem appropriate; provided, however, no Award may be transferred for value (as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8).

Article 12. Performance Measures

12.1   Performance Measures. The performance goals upon which the payment or vesting of an Award to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be limited to the following Performance Measures:

	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            Net earnings or net income (before or after taxes);
 

	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            Earnings per share;
 

	
             
 	
            (c)
 	
            Net sales or revenue growth;
 

	
             
 	
            (d)
 	
            Net operating profit;
 

	
             
 	
            (e)
 	
            Return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, invested capital, equity, sales, or revenue);
 

	
             
 	
            (f)
 	
            Cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, cash generation, cash flow return on equity, and cash flow return on investment);
 

	
             
 	
            (g)
 	
            Earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and/or amortization;
 

	
             
 	
            (h)
 	
            Gross or operating margins;
 

	
             
 	
            (i)
 	
            Productivity ratios;
 

	
             
 	
            (j)
 	
            Share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total shareholder return);
 

	
             
 	
            (k)
 	
            Expense targets;
 

	
             
 	
            (l)
 	
            Margins;
 

	
             
 	
            (m)
 	
            Operating efficiency;
 

	
             
 	
            (n)
 	
            Market share;
 

	
             
 	
            (o)
 	
            Customer satisfaction; 
 

	
             
 	
            (p)
 	
            Unit volume; 
 

	
             
 	
            (q)
 	
            Working capital targets and change in working capital;
 

	
             
 	
            (r)
 	
            Economic value added or EVA® (net operating profit after tax minus the sum of capital multiplied by the cost of capital);
 

	
             
 	
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            (s)
 	
            Asset growth;
 

	
             
 	
            (t)
 	
            Non-interest expense as a percentage of total expense;
 

	
             
 	
            (u)
 	
            Loan charge-offs as a percentage of total loans;
 

	
             
 	
            (v)
 	
            Number of cardholder, merchant and/or other customer accounts processed or converted; and
 

	
             
 	
            (w)
 	
            Successful negotiation or renewal of contracts with new or existing customers.
 

 

Any Performance Measure(s) may be used to measure the performance of the Company, Subsidiary, and/or Affiliate as a whole or any business unit of the Company, Subsidiary, and/or Affiliate or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Measures as compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies, or published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or the Company may select Performance Measure (j) above as compared to various stock market indices. The Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Award based on the achievement of performance goals pursuant to the Performance Measures specified in this Article 12. 

12.2      Evaluation of Performance. The Committee may provide in any such Award that any evaluation of achievement of Performance Measures may include or exclude any of the following events that occur during a Performance Period: (a) asset write-downs, (b) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (c) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or provisions affecting reported results, (d) any reorganization and restructuring programs, (e) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to shareholders for the applicable year, (f) acquisitions or divestitures, and (g)
foreign exchange gains and losses. To the extent such inclusions or exclusions affect Awards to Covered Employees, they shall be prescribed in a form that meets the requirements of Code Section 162(m) for deductibility.

12.3      Adjustment of Performance-Based Compensation. Awards that are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation may not be adjusted upward. The Committee shall retain the discretion to adjust such Awards downward, either on a formula or discretionary basis, or any combination, as the Committee determines.

12.4      Committee Discretion. In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Measures without obtaining shareholder approval of such changes, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such changes without obtaining shareholder approval. In addition, in the event that the Committee determines that it is advisable to grant Awards that shall not qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Committee may make such grants without satisfying the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and base vesting on Performance Measures other than those set forth in Section 12.1.

Article 13. Nonemployee Director Awards

From time to time, the
Board shall set the amount(s) and type(s) of equity awards that shall be granted to all Nonemployee Directors on a periodic,
nondiscriminatory basis pursuant to the Plan, as well as any additional amount(s), if any, to be awarded, also on a periodic,
nondiscriminatory basis, based on each of the following:  (i) the number of Board committees on which a Nonemployee Director
 serves; (ii) service of a Nonemployee Director as the chair of a Board committee; (iii) 

 

	
             
 	
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service of a Nonemployee Director as
 Chairman of the Board; or (iv) the initial selection or appointment of an individual to the Board as a Nonemployee Director.
 Subject to the foregoing, the Board shall grant such Awards to Nonemployee Directors, as it shall from time to time determine.

Article 14. Dividends and Dividend Equivalents

Any Participant selected by the Committee may be granted dividends or dividend equivalents based on the dividends declared on Shares that are subject to any Award, to be credited as of dividend payment dates, during the period between the date the Award is granted and the date the Award is exercised, vests, or expires, as determined by the Committee. The dividends or dividend equivalents may be subject to any limitations and/or restrictions determined by the Committee. Such dividend equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee.

Article 15. Change of Control

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless the Committee specifies otherwise in an Award Agreement, in the event of a Change of Control:  (i) any Options and Stock Appreciation Rights which are outstanding immediately prior to the date such Change of Control is determined to have occurred, and which are not then exercisable and vested, shall become fully exercisable and vested to the full extent of the original grant; (ii) the restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to any Restricted Stock shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall become free of all restrictions and limitations and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant; and (iii) the restrictions and deferral limitations and other conditions applicable to any other Awards under the Plan shall lapse, and such other Awards shall become free of all restrictions,
limitations or conditions and become fully vested and transferable to the full extent of the original grant.

Article 16. Rights of Participants

16.1   Employment/Service. Nothing in this Plan or an Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries to terminate any Participant’s employment or service on the Board or to the Company at any time or for any reason not prohibited by law, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue his employment or service as a Director for any specified period of time. 

Neither an Award nor any benefits arising under this Plan shall constitute an employment contract with the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries and, accordingly, subject to Articles 3 and 17, this Plan and the benefits hereunder may be terminated at any time in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Committee without giving rise to any liability on the part of the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries. 

16.2      Participation. No individual shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under this Plan or, having been so selected, to be selected to receive a future Award.

16.3 
     Rights as a Shareholder. Except as
otherwise provided herein or in any Award Agreement, a Participant shall have none of the rights of a shareholder
with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Participant becomes the record holder of such Shares.

 

	
             
 	
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Article 17. Amendment, Modification, Suspension, and Termination

17.1   Amendment, Modification, Suspension, and Termination. Subject to Section 17.3, the Committee may, at any time and from time to time, alter, amend, modify, suspend, or terminate this Plan and any Award Agreement in whole or in part; provided, however, that without the prior approval of the Company’s shareholders and except as provided in Section 4.4, Options or SARs issued under this Plan will not be repriced, replaced, repurchased for cash when the Fair Market Value of a Share is lower than the Option Price of a previously granted Option or the Grant Price of a previously granted SAR, or regranted through cancellation, or by lowering the Option Price of a previously granted Option or the Grant Price of a previously granted SAR, and no material
amendment of this Plan shall be made without shareholder approval if shareholder approval is required by law, regulation, or stock exchange rule.

17.2      Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events. The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events, other than those described in Section 4.4 hereof, affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent unintended dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Plan. The determination of the Committee as to the foregoing adjustments, if any, shall be conclusive and binding on Participants under this Plan.  

17.3      Awards Previously Granted. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary (other than Section 17.4), no termination, amendment, suspension, or modification of this Plan or an Award Agreement shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted under this Plan, without the written consent of the Participant holding such Award.

17.4      Amendment to Conform to Law. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Board of Directors may amend the Plan or an Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of conforming the Plan or an Award Agreement to any present or future law relating to plans of this or similar nature (including, but not limited to, Code Section 409A), and to the administrative regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder.

Article 18. Withholding

18.1   Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, the minimum statutory amount to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of this Plan.

18.2      Share Withholding. With respect to withholding required upon the exercise of Options or SARs, upon the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units, or upon the achievement of performance goals related to Performance Shares, or any other taxable event arising as a result of an Award granted hereunder, Participants may elect, subject to the approval of the Committee, to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to the minimum statutory total tax that could be imposed on the transaction. All such elections shall be 

 

	
             
 	
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TSYS 2007 Omnibus Plan

 

 

irrevocable, made in writing, and signed by the Participant, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. 

Article 19. Successors

All obligations of the Company under this Plan with respect to Awards granted hereunder shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

Article 20. General Provisions

	
             
 	
            20.1
 	
            Forfeiture Events.
 

	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events may include, but shall not be limited to, termination of employment for cause, termination of the Participant’s provision of services to the Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary, violation of material Company, Affiliate, and/or Subsidiary policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct by the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company, its Affiliates, and/or
its Subsidiaries. 
 

	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, any Participant who is subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall reimburse the Company the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award earned or accrued during the twelve (12) month period following the first public issuance or filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (whichever just occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement.
 

In addition, in the event of an accounting restatement, the Committee in its sole and exclusive discretion may require that any Participant reimburse the Company all or part of the amount of any payment in settlement of any Award granted hereunder.

20.2      Legend. The certificates for Shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer of such Shares.

20.3      Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine, the plural shall include the singular, and the singular shall include the plural.

 

	
             
 	
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20.4      Severability. In the event any provision of this Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of this Plan, and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

20.5      Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under this Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies, the NYSE or other national securities exchanges as may be required. 

20.6      Delivery of Title. The Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver evidence of title for Shares issued under this Plan prior to:

	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            Obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and
 

	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            Completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any applicable national or foreign law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable.
 

20.7      Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

20.8      Investment Representations. The Committee may require any individual receiving Shares pursuant to an Award under this Plan to represent and warrant in writing that the individual is acquiring the Shares for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares.

20.9      Employees Based Outside of the United States. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company, its Affiliates, and/or its Subsidiaries operate or have Employees or Directors, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to:

	
             
 	
            (a)
 	
            Determine which Affiliates and Subsidiaries shall be covered by this Plan.
 

	
             
 	
            (b)
 	
            Determine which Employees or Directors outside the United States are eligible to participate in this Plan.
 

	
             
 	
            (c)
 	
            Modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Employees or Directors outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws.
 

	
             
 	
            (d)
 	
            Establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable. Any subplans and modifications to Plan terms and procedures established under this Section 20.9 by the Committee shall be attached to this Plan document as appendices.
 

 

	
             
 	
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            (e)
 	
            Take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local government regulatory exemptions or approvals.
 

Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted that would violate applicable law.  

20.10   Uncertificated Shares. To the extent that this Plan provides for issuance of certificates to reflect the transfer of Shares, the transfer of such Shares may be effected on a noncertificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange.

20.11   Unfunded Plan. Participants shall have no right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to any investments that the Company and/or its Subsidiaries and/or its Affiliates may make to aid it in meeting its obligations under this Plan. Nothing contained in this Plan, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any Participant, beneficiary, legal representative, or any other individual. To the extent that any individual acquires a right to receive payments from the Company, its Subsidiaries, and/or its Affiliates under this Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company, a Subsidiary, or
an Affiliate, as the case may be. All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid from the general funds of the Company, a Subsidiary, or an Affiliate, as the case may be, and no special or separate fund shall be established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth in this Plan.

20.12   No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to this Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

20.13   Retirement and Welfare Plans. Neither Awards made under this Plan nor Shares or cash paid pursuant to such Awards, except pursuant to Covered Employee annual incentive awards, may be included as “compensation” for purposes of computing the benefits payable to any Participant under the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s retirement plans (both qualified and nonqualified) or welfare benefit plans unless such other plan expressly provides that such compensation shall be taken into account in computing a Participant’s benefit. 

20.14   Deferred Compensation. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Committee may cause any Award to comply with or to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and may interpret this Plan in any manner necessary to ensure that Awards under the Plan comply with or are exempt from Section 409A of the Code. In the event that the Committee determines that an Award should comply with or be exempt from Section 409A and that a Plan provision or Award Agreement provision is necessary to ensure that such Award complies with or is exempt from Section 409A of the Code, such provision shall be deemed included in the Plan or such Award Agreement.

20.15   Nonexclusivity of This Plan. The adoption of this Plan shall not be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or Committee to adopt such other compensation arrangements as it may deem desirable for any Participant. 

 

	
             
 	
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20.16   No Constraint on Corporate Action. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to: (a) limit, impair, or otherwise affect the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s or an Affiliate’s right or power to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure, or to merge or consolidate, or dissolve, liquidate, sell, or transfer all or any part of its business or assets; or, (b) limit the right or power of the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate to take any action which such entity deems to be necessary or appropriate.

20.17   Governing Law. The Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Plan to the substantive law of another jurisdiction. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, recipients of an Award under this Plan are deemed to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the federal or state courts of Georgia to resolve any and all issues that may arise out of or relate to this Plan or any related Award Agreement.

20.18   Indemnification. Subject to requirements of Georgia law, each individual who is or shall have been a member of the Board, or a committee appointed by the Board, or an officer of the Company to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Article 3, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by the Participant in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which the Participant may be a party or in which the Participant may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under this Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by the Participant in settlement thereof, with the
Company’s approval, or paid by the Participant in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against the Participant, provided the Participant shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before the Participant undertakes to handle and defend it on the Participant’s own behalf, unless such loss, cost, liability, or expense is a result of the Participant’s own willful misconduct or except as expressly provided by statute.

The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such individuals may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

 

 

	
             
 	
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