Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.1
NORTHWEST BANK
AND NORTHWEST BANCSHARES, INC.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
FOR
RONALD J. SEIFFERT
This Agreement is made effective as of the 18th day of July, 2018 (“Effective Date”) by and between (i) Northwest Bank (the “Bank”), a Pennsylvania-chartered stock savings bank and Northwest Bancshares, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), each with its principal administrative office at 100 Liberty Street, Warren, Pennsylvania 16365, (all collectively referred to as “Employer”) and (ii) Ronald J. Seiffert (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Employer and the Executive entered into an employment agreement dated November 13, 2017 (“Prior Agreement”), pursuant to which the Executive was employed as an officer of the Employer; and
WHEREAS, the Employer believes it is in the best interests of the Employer to enter into a new employment agreement (the “Agreement”), which replaces the Prior Agreement in its entirety and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to set forth the terms of the revised Agreement and the continuing employment relationship of the Employer and the Executive.  
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1.POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
During the period of his employment hereunder, the Executive agrees to serve as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Employer. During said period, Executive also agrees to serve, if elected, as an officer and director of any subsidiary or affiliate of the Employer. Failure to reelect Executive as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Employer, or failure to nominate the Executive as a Director of the Company, without the consent of the Executive during the term of this Agreement shall constitute a breach of this Agreement.
2.    TERMS AND DUTIES
(a)    The period of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall begin as of the Effective Date and shall continue for twenty-four (24) month periods as set forth herein.  Commencing on November 1, 2018 (“Anniversary Date”) and continuing on each Anniversary Date thereafter, this Agreement shall renew for an additional twelve (12) months such that the remaining term shall be twenty-four (24) months from the applicable November 1, unless written notice of non-renewal (“Non-Renewal Notice”) is provided to the Executive at least thirty (30) days and not more than sixty (60) days prior to any such Anniversary Date, that this Agreement shall not be renewed. If a Non-Renewal Notice is given, the Agreement shall expire twelve (12) months following the Anniversary Date.  Prior to each notice period for non-renewal, the disinterested members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (“Committee”) will conduct a comprehensive performance evaluation and review of the Executive for purposes of determining whether to extend the Agreement, and the results thereof shall be included in the minutes of the Committee’s meeting.  The failure of the disinterested members of the Committee to take the actions set forth herein before any Anniversary Date will result in the automatic non-renewal of this Agreement.  If the Committee fails to inform the Executive of its determination regarding the renewal or non-renewal of this Agreement, the Executive may request, in writing, the results of the Committee’s action (or non-action) and the Committee Board shall, within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such request, provide a written response to the Executive.  Reference herein to the term of this Agreement shall refer to both such initial term and such extended terms. 

(b)    During the period of his employment hereunder, except for periods of absence occasioned by illness, reasonable vacation periods, and reasonable leaves of absence, the Executive shall faithfully perform his duties hereunder, to the best of his abilities, including activities and services related to the organization, operation and management of the Employer.
3.    COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT
(a)    The compensation specified under this Agreement shall constitute the salary and benefits paid for the duties described in Section 1. The Employer shall pay the Executive as compensation a salary of not less than $650,000 per year (“Base Salary”). Such Base Salary shall be payable biweekly. During the period of this Agreement, the Executive’s Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually. Such review shall be conducted by the Committee, and the Committee may increase, but not decrease, the Executive’s Base Salary other than pursuant to an employer-wide reduction of compensation of all officers of the Employer and not in excess of the average percentage of the employer-wide reduction (any increase in Base Salary shall become the “Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement). In addition to the Base Salary provided in this Section 3(a), the Employer shall provide the Executive with all such other benefits as are provided uniformly to executive officers of the Employer.
(b)    The Employer will provide the Executive with employee benefit plans, arrangements and perquisites substantially equivalent to those in which the Executive was participating or otherwise deriving benefit from immediately prior to the beginning of the term of this Agreement, and the Employer will not, without the Executive’s prior written consent, make any changes to such plans, arrangements or perquisites which would adversely affect the Executive’s rights or benefits thereunder, unless any such change is broad-based and affects substantially all executive officers of the Employer. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Subsection (b), the Executive will be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under any employee benefit plans including but not limited to the retirement plan, 401(k) plan, supplemental pension plan, disability plans, medical and dental coverage or any other employee benefit plan or arrangement made available by the Employer in the future to its senior executives and key management employees, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans and arrangements. The Executive will be entitled to incentive compensation and bonuses as provided in any plan of the Employer in which the Executive is eligible to participate. Nothing paid to the Executive under any such plan or arrangement will be deemed to be in lieu of other compensation to which the Executive is entitled under this Agreement.
(c)    In addition to the Base Salary provided for by paragraph (a) of this Section 3, the Employer shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive performing his obligations under this Agreement, upon substantiation of such expenses in accordance with applicable policies and procedures of the Employer.  All reimbursements pursuant to this Section shall be paid promptly by the Employer and in any event no later than sixty (60) days following the date on which the expense was incurred.  The Employer may provide such additional compensation in such form and such amounts as the Committee may from time to time determine.
(d)    Compensation and reimbursement to be paid pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 3 shall be paid by the Bank and the Company, respectively, on a pro rata basis, based upon the amount of service the Executive devotes to the Bank and Company, respectively.
(e)    To the extent not specifically set forth in this Section 3, any compensation payable or provided under this Section 3 shall be paid or provided no later than two and one-half (2.5) months after the calendar year in which such compensation is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(d).
4.    PAYMENTS TO EXECUTIVE UPON AN EVENT OF TERMINATION
(a)    The provisions of this Section shall apply upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination (as herein defined) during the Executive’s term of employment under this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, an “Event of Termination” shall mean and include any one or more of the following:

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(i)    the termination by the Employer of the Executive’s full-time employment hereunder for any reason other than (A) Disability as defined in Section 5 below, or (B) Termination for Just Cause as defined in Section 6 hereof; or
(ii)    the Executive’s resignation from the Employer’s employ, upon any of the following (“Good Reason”):
(A)    reduction in the Executive’s Base Salary or a reduction in the benefits and perquisites to the Executive from those being provided as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, provided however that a reduction in benefits or perquisites that is broad based and affects substantially all executives of the Employer shall not be deemed an Event of Termination hereunder unless such reduction in benefits or perquisites occurs coincident with or following a Change in Control,
(B)    failure to elect or reelect or to appoint or reappoint the Executive as Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Bank, or the Company, or failure to nominate the Executive as a director of the Company, or
(C)    change in the Executive’s function, duties, or responsibilities, which change would cause the Executive’s position to become one of lesser responsibility, importance, or scope from the position described in Section 1, above,
(D)    a relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment by more than thirty (30) miles from its location as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, or
(E)    liquidation or dissolution of the Bank or Company other than liquidations or dissolutions that are caused by reorganizations that do not affect the status of the Executive, or
(F)    breach of this Agreement by the Bank or the Company.
Upon the occurrence of any event described in clauses (ii) (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) or (F) above, the Executive shall have the right to elect to terminate his employment under this Agreement by resignation upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice given within a reasonable period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days after the initial event giving rise to said right to elect.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in the event of a continuing breach of this Agreement by the Bank or the Company, the Executive, after giving due notice within the prescribed time frame of an initial event specified above, shall not waive any of his rights solely under this Agreement and this Section 4 by virtue of the fact that the Executive has submitted his resignation but has remained in the employment of the Bank or the Company and is engaged in good faith discussions to resolve any occurrence of an event described in clauses (ii) (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) or (F) above.  The Employer shall have at least thirty (30) days to remedy any condition set forth in clause (ii) (A) through (F), provided, however, that the Employer shall be entitled to waive such period and make an immediate payment hereunder.   
(iii)    The Executive’s involuntary termination of employment without Just Cause or voluntary resignation for Good Reason as described above from the Employer’s employ on the effective date of, or within twenty-four (24) months following, a Change in Control during the term of this Agreement. For these purposes, a Change in Control of the Bank or the Company shall mean a change in control of a nature that: 
(A)    would be required to be reported in response to Item 5.01 of the current report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”); or
(B)    results in a Change in Control of the Bank or the Company within the meaning of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect at the time of the Change in Control (collectively, the “HOLA”); or
(C)    without limitation such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as 

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	(a)
	any “person” (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of Company’s outstanding securities except for any securities purchased by the Company or Bank for any Company or Bank stock benefit plan; or 

		
	(b)
	individuals who constitute the Board of Directors on the date hereof (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of at least three quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the same Nominating Committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for purposes of this clause (b), considered as though he were a member of the Incumbent Board; or 

		
	(c)
	a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Bank or the Company or similar transaction in which the Bank or Company is not the surviving institution occurs; or 

		
	(d)
	a proxy statement soliciting proxies from stockholders of the Company, by someone other than the current management of the Company, seeking stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company or similar transaction with one or more corporations or financial institutions, and as a result of such proxy solicitation, a plan of reorganization, merger consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company is approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders; or 

		
	(e)
	a tender offer is made for 25% or more of the voting securities of the Company and the shareholders owning beneficially or of record 25% or more of the outstanding securities of the Company have tendered or offered to sell their shares pursuant to such tender offer and such tendered shares have been accepted by the tender offeror.

(b)    Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, on the Date of Termination, as defined in Section 7, the Employer shall pay Executive, or, in the event of his subsequent death, his estate, as the case may be, as severance pay or liquidated damages, or both, a cash lump sum equal to the sum of (i) three (3) times the Executive’s highest rate of base salary plus (ii) three (3) times the highest rate of cash bonus paid to the Executive during the prior three (3) years.  Such payment shall be made in a cash lump sum and shall not be reduced in the event the Executive obtains other employment following an Event of Termination.  All amounts payable to the Executive shall be paid within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination or, if the Executive is a Specified Employee (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations §1.409A-1(i)), to the extent required to avoid penalties under Code Section 409A, on the first business day of the seventh month following the Date of Termination. 
(c)    Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination, the Employer will cause to be continued non-taxable medical and dental coverage substantially identical to the coverage maintained by the Employer for Executive and his eligible dependents prior to his termination. Such coverage shall continue for thirty-six (36) months from the Date of Termination unless the Executive obtains other employment following termination of employment under which substantially similar benefits are provided and in which the Executive and his eligible dependents are eligible to participate. Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, if applicable law (including, but not limited to, laws prohibiting discriminating in favor of highly compensated employees), or, if participation by the Executive or his eligible dependents is not permitted under the terms of the applicable health plans, or if providing such benefits would subject the Employer to penalties, then the Employer shall pay the Executive a cash lump sum payment reasonably estimated to be equal to the value of such non-taxable medical and dental benefits, with such payment to be made by lump sum within thirty (30) business days of the Date of Termination, or if later, the date on which the Employer 

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determines that such insurance coverage (or the remainder of such insurance coverage) cannot be provided for the foregoing reasons.
(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits under this Section 4 unless and until the Executive executes a release of his claims against the Bank, the Company and any affiliate, and their officers, directors, successors and assigns, releasing said persons from any and all claims, rights, demands, causes of action, suits, arbitrations or grievances relating to the employment relationship, including claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), but not including claims for benefits under tax-qualified plans or other benefit plans in which the Executive is vested, claims for benefits required by applicable law or claims with respect to obligations set forth in this Agreement that survive the termination of this Agreement.  In order to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and the ADEA, the release shall be provided to the Executive no later than the date of his Separation from Service and the Executive shall have no fewer than twenty-one (21) days to consider the release, and following the Executive’s execution of the release, the Executive shall have seven (7) days to revoke said release.
(e)    For purposes of Section 4, “Event of Termination” as used herein shall mean “Separation from Service” as defined in Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, provided, however, that the Employer and the Executive reasonably anticipate that the level of bona fide services the Executive would perform after termination would permanently decrease to a level that is less than 50% of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding 36-month period.  
(f)    Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs of this Section 4, if the aggregate payments or benefits to be made or afforded to the Executive under said paragraphs (the “Termination Benefits”) would be deemed to include an “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code or any successor thereto, such Termination Benefits will be reduced to an amount (the “Non-Triggering Amount”), the value of which is one dollar ($1.00) less than an amount equal to the total amount of payments permissible under Section 280G of the Code or any successor thereto. In the event any change in the Code or regulations thereunder should reduce the amount of payments permissible under Section 280G of the Code in effect on the date of this Agreement, then the Termination Benefits to be paid to the Executive shall be determined as if such change in the Code or regulations had not been made.  The allocation of the reduction required hereby among Termination Benefits provided by the preceding paragraphs of this Section 4 shall be determined by the Executive, provided however that if it is determined that such election by the Executive shall be in violation of Code Section 409A, the allocation of the required reduction shall be pro-rata.  

5.    TERMINATION UPON DISABILITY OR DEATH
(a)    “Disability” or “Disabled” shall be construed to comply with Code Section 409A and shall be deemed to have occurred if: (i) Executive is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death, or last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; (ii) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death, or last for continuous period of not less than 12 months, the Executive is receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer; or (iii) the Executive is determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration.  The Executive shall be entitled to receive benefits under any short or long-term disability plan maintained by the Employer.  To extent that such benefits are less than the Executive’s Base Salary, the Employer shall pay the Executive an amount equal to the difference between such disability plan benefits and the amount of the Executive’s Base Salary for the longer of (i) the remaining term of this Agreement, or (ii) one year following the termination of his employment due to Disability.  Accordingly, any payments required hereunder shall commence within thirty (30) days from the Date of Termination.
(b)    In the event of the Executive’s death during the term of the Agreement, his estate shall be paid the Executive’s Base Salary as defined in Paragraph 3(a) at the rate in effect at the time the Executive’s death in accordance with its regular payroll practice for a period of one (1) year from the date of the Executive’s death, and the Employer will continue to provide nontaxable medical and dental benefits previously provided for the Executive’s eligible dependents for three (3) years after the Executive’s death. Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the 

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contrary, if applicable law (including, but not limited to, laws prohibiting discriminating in favor of highly compensated employees), or, if participation by the Executive’s eligible dependents is not permitted under the terms of the applicable health plans, or if providing such benefits would subject the Employer to penalties, then the Employer shall pay the Executive’s surviving spouse or surviving eligible dependents a cash lump sum payment reasonably estimated to be equal to the value of such non-taxable medical and dental benefits, with such payment to be made by lump sum within thirty (30) business days of the Executive’s death, or if later, the date on which the Employer determines that such insurance coverage (or the remainder of such insurance coverage) cannot be provided for the foregoing reasons.
6.    TERMINATION FOR CAUSE
“Termination for Just Cause” shall mean termination because of the Executive’s personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist order, or material breach of any provision of this Agreement. In determining incompetence, the acts or omissions shall be measured against standards generally prevailing in the savings institutions industry. For purposes of this paragraph, no act or failure to act on the part of the Executive shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Employer. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be deemed to have been Terminated for Just Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-fourths of the members of the Committee  at a meeting of the Committee  called and held for that purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for him, together with counsel, to be heard before the Committee), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Committee, the Executive was guilty of conduct justifying Termination for Just Cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. The Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after Termination for Just Cause. Any stock benefits granted to the Executive under any stock benefit plan of the Employer or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, that have not yet vested shall become null and void effective upon the Executive’s receipt of Notice of Termination for Just Cause pursuant to Section 7 hereof, and shall not be exercisable by the Executive at any time subsequent to such Termination for Just Cause.
7.    NOTICE
(a)    Any purported termination by the Bank, the Company, or by the Executive shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated.
(b)    “Date of Termination” shall mean (A) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Disability, thirty (30) days after a Notice of Termination is given (provided that he shall not have returned to the performance of his duties on a full-time basis during such thirty (30) day period), (B) if his employment is terminated due to the occurrence of an Event of Termination set forth under Section 4, thirty (30) days after a Notice of Termination is given unless the Employer waives its right to cure and agrees to the Event of Termination, and (C) if his employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which, in the case of a Termination for Just Cause, shall not be less than thirty (30) days from the date such Notice of Termination is given).
(c)    If, within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is given, the party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, except upon the voluntary termination by the Executive in which case the Date of Termination shall be the date specified in the Notice, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either by mutual written agreement of the parties, by a binding arbitration award, or by a final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the time for appeal having expired and no appeal having been perfected) and provided further that the Date of Termination shall be extended by a notice of dispute only if such notice is given in good faith and the party giving such notice pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence. Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the Employer will continue to pay the Executive his full compensation in effect when the notice giving rise to the 

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dispute was given (including, but not limited to, Base Salary) and continue the Executive as a participant in all compensation, benefit and insurance plans in which he was participating when the notice of dispute was given, until the dispute is finally resolved in accordance with this Agreement, provided such dispute is resolved within the term of this Agreement. If such dispute is not resolved within the term of the Agreement, the Employer shall not be obligated, upon final resolution of such dispute, to pay the Executive compensation and other payments accruing beyond the term of the Agreement. Amounts paid under this Section shall be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under this Agreement.
8.    POST-TERMINATION OBLIGATIONS
(a)    All payments and benefits to the Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to Executive’s compliance with paragraph (b) of this Section 8 during the term of this Agreement and for two (2) full years after the expiration or termination hereof.
(b)    Executive shall, upon reasonable notice, furnish such information and assistance to the Employer as may reasonably be required by the Employer in connection with any litigation in which it or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is, or may become, a party.
9.    NON-COMPETITION
(a)    Upon any termination (whether voluntary or involuntary) of the Executive’s employment, other than a termination (whether voluntary or involuntary) in connection with a Change in Control, the Executive agrees not to compete with the Bank and the Company for a period of one (1) year following such termination within fifty (50) miles of the Executive’s principal place of employment. The Executive agrees that during such period, the Executive shall not work for or advise, consult or otherwise serve with, directly or indirectly, any entity whose business materially competes with the depository, lending or other business activities of the Bank and/or the Company within fifty (50) miles of the Executive’s principal place of employment. The parties hereto, recognizing that irreparable injury will result to the Bank and/or the Company, its business and property in the event of the Executive’s breach of this Subsection 9(a) agree that in the event of any such breach by the Executive, the Bank and/or the Company will be entitled, in addition to any other remedies and damages available, to an injunction to restrain the violation hereof by the Executive. The Executive represents and admits that the Executive’s experience and capabilities are such that the Executive can obtain employment in a business engaged in other lines and/or of a different nature than the Bank and/or the Company, and that the enforcement of a remedy by way of injunction will not prevent the Executive from earning a livelihood. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting the Bank and/or the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to the Bank and/or the Company for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from the Executive.
(b)    The Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the knowledge of the business activities and plans for business activities of the Bank, the Company and affiliates thereof, as it may exist from time to time, is a valuable, special and unique asset of the business of the Bank and the Company. The Executive will not, during or after the term of his employment, disclose any knowledge of the past, present, planned or considered business activities of the Bank, the Company or affiliates thereof to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever (except for such disclosure as may be required to be provided to any federal banking agency with jurisdiction over, the Bank, the Company or the Executive). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may disclose any knowledge of banking, financial and/or economic principles, concepts or ideas which are not solely and exclusively derived from the business plans and activities of the Bank or the Company, and the Executive may disclose any information regarding the Bank or the Company which is otherwise publicly available. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by the Executive of the provisions of this Section 9, the Bank and/or the Company will be entitled to an injunction restraining the Executive from disclosing, in whole or in part, the knowledge of the past, present, planned or considered business activities of the Bank, the Company or affiliates thereof, or from rendering any services to any person, firm, corporation, other entity to whom such knowledge, in whole or in part, has been disclosed or is threatened to be disclosed. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting the Bank or the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to the Bank or the Company for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from the Executive.

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10.    SOURCE OF PAYMENTS
All payments provided in this Agreement shall be timely paid in cash, check or direct deposit from the general funds of the Bank. The Company, however, guarantee payment and provision of all amounts and benefits due hereunder to the Executive and, if such amounts and benefits due from the Bank are not timely paid or provided by the Bank, such amounts and benefits shall be paid or provided by the Company.
11.    EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND EXISTING BENEFITS PLANS
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior employment agreement between the Bank, the Company or any predecessor of the Bank or Company and the Executive, except that this Agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation inuring to the Executive of a kind elsewhere provided. No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted to mean that Executive is subject to receiving fewer benefits than those available to him without reference to this Agreement.
12.    NO ATTACHMENT
(a)    Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to affect any such action shall be null, void, and of no effect.
(b)    This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, Executive and the Bank and the Company and their respective successors and assigns.
13.    MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
(a)    This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
(b)    No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor shall there be any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such waiver or estoppel. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition for the future as to any act other than that specifically waived.
14.    SEVERABILITY
If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement, or any part of any provision, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any part of such Provision not held so invalid, and each such other provision and part thereof shall, to the full extent consistent with law, continue in full force and effect.
15.    HEADINGS FOR REFERENCE ONLY
The headings of sections and paragraphs herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
16.    GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania but only to the extent not superseded by federal law.

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17.    REQUIRED PROVISIONS
Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, any payments to the Executive by the Bank, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon their compliance with Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k), and the regulations promulgated thereunder in 12 C.F.R. Part 359.
18.    ARBITRATION
Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel of three arbitrators sitting in a location selected by the employee within one hundred (100) miles from the location of the Bank, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction; provided, however, that the Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of his right to be paid until the Date of termination during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
19.    PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES
All reasonable legal fees paid or incurred by Executive pursuant to any dispute or question of interpretation relating to this Agreement shall be paid or reimbursed by the Bank or the Company, provided that the dispute or interpretation has been settled by Executive and the Bank or Company or resolved in the Executive’s favor, and that such reimbursement shall occur, upon substantiation of such expenses in accordance with applicable policies and procedures of the Employer.  All reimbursements pursuant to this Section shall be paid promptly by the Employer and in any event no later than sixty (60) days following the date on which the expense was incurred.  
20.    INDEMNIFICATION
The Employer shall provide the Executive (including his heirs, executors and administrators) with coverage under a standard directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy at its expense, and shall indemnify the Executive (and his heirs, executors and administrators) to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by him in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of his having been a director or officer of the Employer (whether or not he continues to be a director or officer at the time of incurring such expenses or liabilities), such expenses and liabilities to include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and attorneys’ fees and the cost of reasonable settlements (such settlements must be approved by the Board of Directors or Trustees of the Employer). If such action, suit or proceeding is brought against the Executive in his capacity as an officer or director of the Employer, however, such indemnification shall not extend to matters as to which the Executive is finally adjudged to be liable for willful misconduct in the performance of his duties.
21.    SUCCESSOR TO THE BANK
The Bank and the Company shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all the business or assets of the Bank or the Company, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Bank and/or Company’s obligations under this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank and/or the Company would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place.

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SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Bank and the Company have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers, and the Executive has signed this Agreement, on the dates set forth below.

	
					
	 
	 
	NORTHWEST BANK

	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 

	DATE:
	July 18, 2018
	 
	By:
	 /s/ Julia W. McTavish

	 
	 
	 
	Julia W. McTavish

	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	NORTHWEST BANCSHARES, INC.

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	DATE:
	July 18, 2018
	 
	By:
	 /s/ Julia W. McTavish

	 
	 
	 
	 
	Julia W. McTavish

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	EXECUTIVE

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	 
	 
	 
	 
	 

	DATE:
	July 18, 2018
	 
	By:
	/s/ Ronald J. Seiffert

	 
	 
	 
	 
	Ronald J. Seiffert

10EX-10.1

 Exhibit 10.1 

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is entered into and executed on July 19, 2018,
and effective as of June 27, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between RAIT Financial Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Company”), with a principal office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and
John J. Reyle (“Executive”). 
 WHEREAS, Executive has been employed by the Company since August 2009; 

WHEREAS, Executive was employed as the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Interim President, and General Counsel of the Company
until the Effective Date, pursuant to that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2017, by and between the Company and Executive, as modified by that certain Letter Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2018, by and between the
Company and Executive (collectively, the “Prior Agreement”); 
 WHEREAS, as of the Effective Date, the Board of
Trustees of the Company (the “Board”) approved changing the Executive’s titles from Interim Chief Executive Officer to Chief Executive Officer and from Interim President to President, and to retain Executive as the General
Counsel of the Company; 
 WHEREAS, the Company desires to enter into an amended and restated employment agreement with Executive and
employ Executive as Chief Executive Officer, President and General Counsel of the Company, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; 

WHEREAS, Executive desires to be employed by the Company, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and 

WHEREAS, Executive agrees to be bound by the non-competition,
non-solicitation, intellectual property and confidentiality provisions as set forth in this Agreement. 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows: 

1. Employment. The Company continues to employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such continued employment and agrees to perform
Executive’s duties and responsibilities, in accordance with the terms, conditions and provisions hereinafter set forth. 

1.1 Employment Term. This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and shall continue for an initial period
of three (3) years, unless Executive’s employment and this Agreement are terminated sooner in accordance with Section 2; and shall be effective for two (2) successive one (1) year periods thereafter, for
a maximum term of five (5) years, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (subject to termination as aforesaid) unless either party notifies the other party of non-renewal in writing prior to three
(3) months before the expiration of each renewal. The period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the date on which the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall terminate is hereinafter referred to as the
“Employment Term.” 

 1.1 Duties and Responsibilities. Executive’s title shall be Chief
Executive Officer, President and General Counsel of the Company, and in that capacity he shall perform all duties and accept all responsibilities and limitations incident to such position as may be reasonably assigned to him by the Board, including
without limitation, those customarily associated with these positions at a publicly traded company and those set forth in the Bylaws of the Company. Executive shall serve as a member of the Board during the Employment Term, subject to the
shareholders’ election of the Executive to the Board. During the Employment Term, the Company agrees to nominate the Executive for election to the Board at any meeting of the shareholders of the Company where the election of the members of the
Board is included in the purposes of such meeting. 
 1.2 Extent of Service. Executive agrees to use Executive’s
best efforts to carry out Executive’s duties and responsibilities under Section 1.2 hereof and, consistent with the other provisions of this Agreement, to devote all of his business time, attention and energy to the
performance of his duties hereunder. The term “devote all of his business time, attention and energy” in the preceding sentence is not intended to prevent Executive from: 

(a) serving as a director or trustee of a non-profit organization, subject to the prior and ongoing
approval of the Board of Trustees, which will not be unreasonably withheld; and 
 (b) spending time during the business day to attend to
personal or family businesses or investments, so long as in the aggregate of Section 1.3(a) and this Section 1.3(b), such time does not interfere with the performance of his duties for the Company.

 1.3 Base Salary. For all of the services rendered by Executive hereunder, the Company shall pay Executive a base
salary (“Base Salary”), which shall be at the annual rate of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), payable in installments at such times as the Company customarily pays its other senior level executives. Executive’s Base
Salary shall be reviewed annually for appropriate increases by the Board of Trustees of the Company (the “Board”) or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”), pursuant to the Committee’s
delegated authority, pursuant to the Board’s or the Committee’s, as applicable, normal performance review policies for senior level executives but shall not be decreased. 

1.4 Bonus. Executive shall continue to be eligible to receive annual bonuses in such amounts as the Board or the
Committee, as applicable, may approve in its sole discretion or under the terms of any annual incentive plan of the Company maintained for other senior level executives. 

1.5 Retirement and Welfare Plans and Perquisites. Executive shall continue to be entitled to participate in all employee
retirement and welfare benefit plans and programs or executive perquisites made available to the Company’s senior level executives as a group or to its employees generally, as such retirement and welfare plans or perquisites may be in effect
from time to time and subject to the eligibility requirements of the plans. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Company from amending or terminating any retirement, welfare or other employee benefit plans or programs from time to time as the
Company deems appropriate. 

  
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 1.6 Reimbursement of Expenses; Vacation. Executive shall continue to be
provided with reimbursement of reasonable expenses related to Executive’s employment by the Company on a basis no less favorable than that which may be authorized from time to time for senior level executives as a group, and shall be entitled
to vacation and sick leave in accordance with the Company’s vacation, holiday and other pay for time not worked policies. In addition, the Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses in connection with the performance of his duties and responsibilities. 

1.7 Incentive Compensation. Executive shall be entitled to participate in any short-term and long-term incentive
programs (including without limitation any equity compensation plans) established by the Company for its senior level executives generally, at levels commensurate with the benefits provided to other senior executives and with adjustments appropriate
for his position and performance. 
 2. Termination. Executive’s employment shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following
events: 
 2.1 Termination Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason;
Non-Renewal. 
 (a) The Company may remove Executive at any time without Cause
(as defined in Section 3) from the position in which Executive is employed hereunder upon not less than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to Executive. In addition, Executive may initiate a termination of
employment by resigning under this Section 2.1 for Good Reason (as defined in Section 3). Executive shall give the Company not less than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice of such
resignation. In either event, the Company may relieve Executive of all responsibilities and authority during any portion or all of this notice period with the understanding that Executive shall remain an employee and receive all pay and
benefits to which he is entitled during such period.  
 (b) Upon any termination without Cause by the Company or
resignation for Good Reason by the Executive as described in Section 2.1(a), Executive shall be entitled to receive only the amount due to Executive under the Company’s then-current severance pay plan for employees, if
any. No other payments or benefits shall be due under this Agreement to Executive, but Executive shall be entitled to any benefits accrued and earned in accordance with the terms and conditions of any applicable benefit plans and programs of the
Company in which Executive participated prior to his termination of employment. 
 (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 2.1(b), in the event that Executive executes and does not revoke a written mutual release upon such termination without Cause by the Company or resignation for Good Reason by the Executive as described in
Section 2.1(a), in a form acceptable to the Company (the “Release ”) which will be provided by the Company, whereby Executive releases any and all claims against the Company and all related parties with
respect to all matters arising out of Executive’s employment by the Company, or the termination thereof (other than claims for any entitlements under the terms of this Agreement or under any plans or programs of the Company under which
Executive has accrued and is due a benefit), and whereby the Company releases any claims against Executive for actions within the scope of his employment by the Company, Executive shall be entitled to receive (in exchange for the Company’s
undertakings in this Section 2.1(c)), in lieu of the payment described in Section 2.1(b), the following: 

  
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 (i) Executive shall receive a lump sum cash payment equal to one and one half
(1.5) times the sum of (x) Executive’s Base Salary, as in effect immediately prior to his termination of employment and (y) the average annual cash bonus Executive received for and applicable to the Company’s three
(3) completed fiscal years immediately prior to the Executive’s last day of employment (or, if he was not employed for the entire period covered by the three (3) completed fiscal years of the Company immediately prior to his
termination, the average annual cash bonus Executive received for and applicable to those completed fiscal years of the Company for which he was employed for the entire fiscal year). Unless the payment is required to be delayed pursuant to
Section 17.2, the payment shall be made on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s last day of employment with the Company, provided that Executive executes the Release during the forty-five
(45) day period following Executive’s last day of employment and the revocation period for the Release has expired without revocation by Executive. 

(ii) Executive shall receive a lump sum cash payment equal to a pro rata portion of Executive’s target annual cash bonus
for and applicable to the fiscal year of his termination (or, in the absence of a target bonus opportunity for and applicable to the fiscal year of his termination, the lump sum cash payment shall be equal to a pro rata portion of the average annual
cash bonus Executive received for the Company’s three (3) completed fiscal years immediately prior to Executive’s last day of employment) (the “Cash Bonus”). In the absence of a target annual cash bonus opportunity
for and applicable to the fiscal year of his termination and in the event that the Executive was not employed for the entire period covered by the three (3) completed fiscal years of the Company immediately prior to his termination, the Cash
Bonus shall be calculated on the basis of the annual cash bonus received for and applicable to those completed fiscal years of the Company for which he was employed for the entire fiscal year). The pro-rated
Cash Bonus shall be determined by multiplying the Cash Bonus by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during which Executive was employed by the Company in the fiscal year of his termination of employment and the denominator of
which is three hundred sixty-five (365). Unless the payment is required to be delayed pursuant to Section 17.2, the payment shall be made on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s last day of employment with the
Company, provided that Executive executes the Release during the forty-five (45) day period following Executive’s last day of employment and the revocation period for the Release has expired without revocation by Executive.

 (iii) For a period of eighteen (18) months following the date of termination, Executive shall continue to receive the
medical coverage in effect at the date of his termination (or generally comparable coverage) for himself and, where applicable, his spouse and dependents, at the same premium rate as may be charged from time to time for employees generally, as if
Executive had continued in employment with the Company during such period. The COBRA health care continuation coverage period under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), shall run
concurrently with the foregoing eighteen (18) month benefit period. 

  
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 (iv) Solely for purposes of this Section 2.1(c)(iv),
upon (1) a termination without Cause by the Company, (2) the Company elects not to renew Executive’s Employment Term pursuant to Section 1.1, or (3) a resignation for Good Reason by the Executive as
described in Section 2.1(a), all outstanding equity-based compensation awards that are not intended to operate in a manner substantially similar to “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m)(4)(C)
of the Code (whether or not meeting timing and other requirements thereof) shall become fully vested, immediately exercisable and any restrictions thereon shall lapse, as the case may be; provided, that any delays in the settlement or payment
of such awards that are set forth in the applicable award agreement and that are required under Section 409A of the Code shall remain in effect, and all outstanding equity-based compensation awards that are intended to operate in a manner
substantially similar to “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code (whether or not meeting timing and other requirements thereof) under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall remain outstanding and
shall vest or be forfeited in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreements, if the applicable performance goals are satisfied. 

For clarity, the foregoing payments and benefits referenced in Sections 2.1(c)(i)-(iv), which Executive shall receive if he
executes and does not revoke the Release required by this Section 2.1(c), shall be in addition to any other amounts earned, accrued and owing to Executive but not yet paid under Section 1 and under
any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company (other than severance plans or programs) in which Executive participated prior to his termination of employment, subject to the terms and conditions of any such plans and programs, without
regard to whether Executive executes and does not revoke the Release. For the avoidance of doubt, neither non-renewal of this Agreement by either party nor the expiration of the term of this Agreement shall
entitle Executive to the payments and benefits set forth in this Section 2.1(c). 
 2.2
Voluntary Termination. Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment for any reason upon sixty (60) days’ prior written notice or by sending a notice of non-renewal of this Agreement to
the Company, as described in Section 1.1. In any such event, after the effective date of such termination, except as provided in Section 2.1 with respect to a resignation for Good Reason, no
further payments shall be due under this Agreement, except that Executive shall be entitled to any amounts earned, accrued and owing to Executive but not yet paid under Section 1 and any benefits accrued and due in
accordance with the terms and conditions of any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company in which Executive participated prior to his termination of employment. 

2.3 Disability. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment, to the extent permitted by applicable law, if
Executive has been unable to perform the material duties of his employment and has been formally determined to be eligible for disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan (“Disability”);
provided, however, that the Company shall continue to pay Executive’s Base Salary until the Company acts to terminate Executive’s employment. Executive agrees, in the event of a dispute under this
Section 2.3 relating to Executive’s Disability, to submit to a physical examination by a licensed physician jointly selected by the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and Executive. If the Company terminates
Executive’s employment for Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive the following: 

  
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 (a) Executive shall receive a lump sum cash payment equal to a pro rata portion
of Executive’s Cash Bonus (as Cash Bonus is defined in Section 2.1(c)(ii)). The pro-rated Cash Bonus (the “Pro-Rata Cash
Bonus”) shall be determined by multiplying the Cash Bonus by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during which Executive was employed by the Company in the fiscal year of his termination of employment and the denominator
of which is three hundred sixty-five (365). Except as otherwise required to comply with the requirements of Section 17, payment shall be made on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s last day of employment with
the Company. 
 (b) The Company shall pay to Executive any amounts earned, accrued and owing but not yet paid under
Section 1 and any other benefits accrued and earned in accordance with the terms and conditions of any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company in which Executive participated prior to his termination of
employment. 
 2.4 Death. If Executive dies while employed by the Company, the Company shall pay to Executive’s
executor, legal representative, administrator or designated beneficiary, as applicable, (i) any amounts earned, accrued and owing but not yet paid under Section 1 and any benefits accrued and earned under the
Company’s benefit plans and programs in which Executive participated prior to his termination of employment, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and programs, and (ii) a
Pro-Rata Cash Bonus (determined according to Section 2.3(a)) for the Company’s fiscal year in which Executive’s death occurs and, except as otherwise required to comply with
the requirements of Section 17, such amounts shall be paid on the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of Executive’s death. Otherwise, the Company shall have no further liability or obligation under this Agreement
to Executive’s executors, legal representatives, administrators, heirs or assigns or any other person claiming under or through Executive. 

2.5 Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time for Cause upon written notice to Executive,
in which event all payments under this Agreement shall cease, except for Base Salary to the extent already accrued. Executive shall be entitled to any benefits accrued and earned before his termination in accordance with the terms and conditions of
any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company in which Executive participated prior to his termination of employment. 

2.6 Notice of Termination. Any termination of Executive’s employment shall be communicated by a written notice of
termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 9. The notice of termination shall (i) indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) briefly summarize the
facts and circumstances deemed to provide a basis for a termination of employment and the applicable provision hereof, and (iii) specify the termination date in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement. 

  
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 3. Definitions and References. 

3.1 “Cause ” shall mean any of the following grounds for termination of Executive’s employment:

 (a) Executive’s commission of, or indictment for, or formal admission to a felony, any crime of moral turpitude,
dishonesty, or any crime involving the Company; or Executive’s breach of the Company’s Code of Ethics; 
 (b)
Executive’s engagement in fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement; 
 (c) Executive’s continual failure to
substantially perform his reasonably assigned material duties to the Company (other than a failure resulting from Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), and such failure has continued for a period of at least thirty
(30) days after a written notice of demand for performance, signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, has been delivered to Executive specifying the manner in which Executive has failed to substantially perform; or 

(d) Executive’s breach of Section 4 of this Agreement. 

3.2 “Good Reason” shall mean, without Executive’s consent: 

(a) the material reduction of Executive’s title, authority, duties and responsibilities or the assignment to Executive of
duties materially inconsistent with Executive’s position or positions with the Company; 
 (b) a reduction in Base
Salary of the Executive; 
 (c) a relocation of Executive’s regular office location at Two Logan Square, 100 N. 18th Street, 23rd Floor,
Philadelphia, PA 19103 for the performance of his duties to a location more than thirty (30) miles from such office; or 
 (d) the
Company’s material and willful breach of this Agreement. 
 Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) Good Reason shall not be deemed to
exist unless notice of termination on account thereof (specifying a termination date of at least forty-five (45) days but no more than sixty (60) days from the date of such notice) is given no later than thirty (30) days after the
time at which the event or condition purportedly giving rise to Good Reason first occurs or arises and (ii) if there exists an event or condition that constitutes Good Reason, the Company shall have thirty (30) days from the date notice of
such a termination is given to cure such event or condition and, if the Company does so, such event or condition shall not constitute Good Reason hereunder. 

3.3 “Code of Ethics” shall mean the RAIT Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the Company’s Equal Employment
Opportunity Policy (including without limitation its provisions relating to Prohibition of Sexual Harassment and Prohibition of Harassment of Legally Protected Groups), the RAIT Insider Trading Policy, the Company’s Section 16 Compliance
Policy, the RAIT Stock Ownership Guidelines, the Company’s Restricted List of Securities and Limitation of Personal Trading, the Company’s Travel and Business Expense Policy & Procedure, and the RAIT Procedure to Communicate with
Audit Committee. 

  
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 3.4 References to “termination” and “terminate” (whether or
not these words are capitalized) shall include separations from the Company for any reason and under any circumstances, whether initiated by the Company, by Executive or by mutual agreement, unless it is clear from the context in which such word is
used that the reference is intended to relate to a specific separation or type of separation. 
 4.
Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, Intellectual Property and Confidentiality. Executive hereby acknowledges that, during and solely as a result of his
employment by the Company, Executive will receive special information with respect to the operation of the businesses of the Company, and/or its affiliates, and other related matters not generally available to other executives of the Company, and
access to confidential information and business and professional contacts. Executive hereby agrees to abide by the terms of the non-competition, non-solicitation,
intellectual property and confidentiality provisions below, in consideration of Executive’s employment as an executive officer of the Company and the public stature which accompanies such position, as well as access to confidential information
and business and professional contacts, and unique opportunities afforded by the Company to Executive as a result of Executive’s employment in such position; Executive’s eligibility for the benefits set forth in this Agreement (including
without limitation the opportunity for the payment of additional salary and bonuses as well as Company paid or subsidized medical insurance referenced in Section 2.1(c) and the opportunity to participate in any long term
incentive programs); and the Company’s entering into this Agreement. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the foregoing, whether treated separately or together, constitute full, adequate and sufficient consideration for the restrictions and
obligations set forth in those provisions. 
 4.1 Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation. Executive agrees that during his employment with the Company and, with respect to Section 4.1(a), for a period of nine (9) months after the termination of
Executive’s employment under any circumstances (other than at the expiration of the maximum Employment Term of five (5) years, as set forth in Section 1.1, or in the event that the Company elects not to renew
Executive’s Employment Term pursuant to Section 1.1, in which case this Section 4.1(a) will not be applicable to Executive) and, with respect to Sections 4.1(b) and (c), for a
period of nine (9) months after the termination of Executive’s employment under any circumstances, Executive (without regard to the state in which Executive lives or works) shall not, unless acting pursuant hereto or with the prior written
consent of the Board: 
 (a) directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, finance, join, control or participate in the
ownership, management, operation, financing or control of, or be connected as an officer, director, employee, partner, principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, or use or permit Executive’s name to be used, or perform work
in connection with or on behalf of any Competing Business (defined below) with respect to the activities of a Competing Business within any state in which the Company, and/or its affiliates, then currently engages in any Substantial Business
Activity (defined below) or with respect to any state in which the Company, and/or its affiliates, engaged in any Substantial Business Activity during the twelve (12) month period preceding Executive’s last day of employment

  
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with the Company; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision shall not be construed to prohibit the passive ownership by Executive of not
more than five percent (5%) of the capital stock of any entity which is engaged in any Competing Business having a class of securities registered pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; or 

(b) solicit or divert, or attempt to solicit or divert, to any Competing Business any individual or entity which is an active
or prospective customer, agent, mortgage broker, loan originator or borrower of, with or from the Company, and/or its affiliates, or was such an active or prospective customer, agent, mortgage broker, loan originator or borrower at any time during
the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding Executive’s termination of employment; or 
 (c) employ, attempt
to employ, solicit or assist any Competing Business in employing (or engaging as a consultant) any individual who is a current employee of or consultant to the Company, and/or its affiliates, or who was an employee or consultant to the Company
and/or its affiliates during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding Executive’s termination of employment; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this
Section 4 shall prohibit Executive from (i) making general employment solicitations, such as through advertisements in publicly available media, so long as such advertisements are not specifically targeted at employees
of the Company or any of its affiliates and/or (ii) engaging lawyers or law firms that then currently represent or previously represented the Company to represent Executive and/or any new employer of Executive, subject to there being no
conflicts of interest as to the Company that may arise as a result of such representation. 
 The phrase “Competing
Business” shall mean any entity or enterprise actively engaged or planning to engage in any business or businesses the Company and/or its affiliates are actively engaged in (or are expected to be actively engaged in within twelve
(12) months) at the time of Executive’s termination of employment (the “Company Business”). Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, the phrase “Competing Business” includes the solicitation,
origination, aggregation, pricing, negotiation and/or sale of (i) loans secured by mortgages on commercial real estate, and/or (ii) loans to entities engaged in the commercial real estate business, whether to hold these assets for
investment or for sale individually or by combining them in one or more entities for sale as an investment (the process referred to as “securitization”). The securitizations, depending upon the
make-up of the assets, are often referred to by their acronyms such as “CMBS” (Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities), “CDO” (Collateralized Debt Obligations), “CLO”
(Collateralized Loan Obligations) or other current or future similar acronyms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an entity or enterprise shall be deemed not to be a Competing Business if the Executive recuses himself from participating in the
management by such entity or enterprise of any business substantially similar to the Company Business and provides reasonable assurances to the Company of the same, upon request by the Company. 

The phrase “Substantial Business Activity” shall mean that the Company, and/or its affiliates: (i) has, has had, or is
taking action to establish a business office; (ii) solicits, has solicited, makes or has made, loans secured by real estate, or is or has reviewed applications 

  
 9 

 
by borrowers or brokers to engage in these activities; (iii) solicits, has solicited, makes or has made, loans to real estate developers and/or owners, or is or has reviewed applications by
borrowers or brokers to engage in these activities; (iv) owns, services or manages real estate, or has owned, serviced or managed real estate; and/or (v) has or has had a recorded and unsatisfied mortgage or other lien upon real estate or
personal property. 
 In the event that the provisions of this Section 4.1 should ever be adjudicated to exceed the
time, geographic, business activities or other limitations permitted by applicable law in any jurisdiction, then such provisions shall be deemed reformed in such jurisdiction to the maximum time, geographic, business activities or other limitations
permitted by applicable law. 
 4.2 Developments. Executive shall disclose fully, promptly and in writing to the
Company any and all inventions, discoveries, improvements, modifications and other intellectual property rights, whether patentable or not, which Executive has conceived, made or developed, solely or jointly with others, while employed by the
Company and which (i) relate to the businesses, work or activities of the Company, and/or its affiliates or (ii) result from or are suggested by the carrying out of Executive’s duties hereunder or from or by any information that
Executive may receive as an employee of the Company. Executive hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to the Company all of Executive’s right, title and interest in and to any and all such inventions, discoveries, improvements, modifications and
other intellectual property rights and agrees to take all such actions as may be requested by the Company at any time and with respect to any such invention, discovery, improvement, modification or other intellectual property rights to confirm or
evidence such assignment, transfer and conveyance. Furthermore, at any time and from time to time, upon the request of the Company, Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company, any and all instruments, documents and papers, give evidence and
do any and all other acts that, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, are or may be necessary or desirable to document such assignment, transfer and conveyance or to enable the Company to file and prosecute applications for and to acquire,
maintain and enforce any and all patents, trademark registrations or copyrights under United States or foreign law with respect to any such inventions, discoveries, improvements, modifications or other intellectual property rights or to obtain any
extension, validation, reissue, continuance or renewal of any such patent, trademark or copyright. The Company shall be responsible for the preparation of any such instruments, documents and papers and for the prosecution of any such proceedings and
shall pay for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in compliance with the provisions of this Section 4.2, promptly upon Executive’s submission of proper invoices therefor. 

4.3 Confidentiality. 

(a) Executive acknowledges that, by reason of Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive will have access to
confidential information of the Company, and/or its affiliates, including, without limitation, information and knowledge pertaining to products, inventions, discoveries, improvements, innovations, designs, ideas, trade secrets, proprietary
information, manufacturing, packaging, advertising, distribution and sales methods, sales and profit figures, customer and client lists and relationships between the Company, and/or its affiliates, and dealers, distributors, sales representatives,
wholesalers, customers, clients, real 

  
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estate developers and/or owners, mortgage brokers, suppliers and others who have business dealings with them (“Confidential Information”). Executive acknowledges that such
Confidential Information is a valuable and unique asset of the Company, and/or its affiliates, and covenants that, both during his employment with the Company and following his termination of employment under any circumstances, Executive will not
disclose any Confidential Information to any person (except as Executive’s duties as an officer of the Company may require or as required by law or in a judicial or administrative proceeding) without the prior written authorization of the
Board. The obligation of confidentiality imposed by this Section 4.3 shall not apply to information that becomes generally known to the public through no act of Executive in breach of this Agreement. 

(b) Executive acknowledges that all documents, files and other materials received from the Company, and/or its affiliates,
during his employment (with the exception of documents relating to Executive’s compensation or benefits to which Executive is entitled following the termination of his employment) are for use of Executive solely in discharging Executive’s
duties and responsibilities hereunder and that Executive has no claim or right to the continued use or possession of such documents, files or other materials following termination of Executive’s employment by the Company. Executive agrees that,
upon termination of employment, Executive will not retain any such documents, files or other materials and will promptly return to the Company any documents, files or other materials in Executive’s possession or custody. Notwithstanding the
foregoing or anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Executive shall be entitled to a copy of his full list of contacts and certain legal forms/form documents for use in activities which do not violate this Agreement. 

4.4 Equitable Relief. Executive acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and
4.3 hereof are, in view of the nature of the businesses of the Company, and/or its affiliates, reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company, and/or its affiliates, and that any violation of any provision of
those Sections will result in irreparable injury to the Company and/or its affiliates. Executive also acknowledges that in the event of any such violation, the Company shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, without the
necessity of proving actual damages, and to an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits arising from any such violation, which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which the Company
may be entitled. Executive agrees that in the event of any such violation, an action may be commenced for any such preliminary and permanent injunctive relief and other equitable relief in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania or the Common Pleas Court of Philadelphia. Executive hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that Executive may now or hereafter have to such jurisdiction or to the laying of the venue of any such suit,
action or proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such suit, action or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Executive agrees that effective service of process may be made upon Executive by mail under the notice
provisions contained in Section 9 hereof. 

  
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 5. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent or limit Executive’s continuing or future participation in or rights under any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided by the Company and for which Executive may qualify; provided,
however, that if Executive becomes entitled to and receives the payments provided for in Section 2.1(c) of this Agreement, Executive hereby waives Executive’s right to receive payments under any
severance plan or similar program applicable to all employees of the Company. 
 6. Survivorship. The respective rights and obligations of the
parties under this Agreement shall survive any termination of Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations, including, without limitation, Section 4 (Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, Intellectual Property and Confidentiality), Section 8 (Arbitration; Expenses) and
Section 18 (Claw-Back). 
 7. Mitigation. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or
benefit provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise and there shall be no offset against amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment, insurance or
other proceeds that Executive may obtain. 
 8. Arbitration; Expenses. In the event of any dispute under the provisions of this Agreement,
other than a dispute in which the primary relief sought is an equitable remedy such as an injunction, the parties shall be required to have the dispute, controversy or claim settled by arbitration in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in accordance with the
National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration Association, before a panel of three arbitrators, two of whom shall be selected by the Company and Executive, respectively, and the third of whom
shall be selected by the other two arbitrators. Any award entered by the arbitrators shall be final, binding and nonappealable and judgment may be entered thereon by either party in accordance with applicable law in any court of competent
jurisdiction. This arbitration provision shall be specifically enforceable. The arbitrators shall have no authority to modify any provision of this Agreement or to award a remedy for a dispute involving this Agreement other than a benefit
specifically provided under or by virtue of the Agreement. Each party shall be responsible for its own expenses relating to the conduct of the arbitration (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and shall share the fees and expenses
of the arbitrators and the American Arbitration Association. 
 9. Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted under
this Agreement or necessary or convenient in connection herewith shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail or overnight national courier, as follows (provided that notice
of change of address shall be deemed given only when received): 
 If to the Company, to: 

RAIT Financial Trust 
 Two Logan
Square 
 100 N. 18th Street, 23rd Floor 

Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Attention: Chief Executive Officer 

  
 12 

 If to Executive, to: 

John J. Reyle at his most recent home address set forth in the records of the Company. 

or to such other names or addresses as the Company or Executive, as the case may be, shall designate by notice to each other person entitled to receive notices
in the manner specified in this Section. 
 10. Contents of Agreement; Amendment and Assignment. 

10.1 This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
and cannot be changed, modified, extended or terminated except upon written amendment approved by the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and executed on its behalf by a duly authorized officer of the Company and by Executive. This Agreement
supersedes the provisions of any employment or other agreement between Executive and the Company that relate to any matter that is also the subject of this Agreement, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Prior Agreement, and such provisions in
such other agreements are null and void; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any equity compensation/incentive agreements and/or indemnification agreements entered into between Executive and the Company, which such
agreements shall continue in accordance with their terms. 
 10.2 All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto, except that the duties and responsibilities of Executive under this
Agreement are of a personal nature and shall not be assignable or delegable in whole or in part by Executive. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, within fifteen (15) days of such succession, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required
to perform if no such succession had taken place. 
 11. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or application thereof to anyone or
under any circumstances is adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or application of this Agreement which can be given effect without the invalid or
unenforceable provision or application and shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision or application in any other jurisdiction. If any provision is held void, invalid or unenforceable with respect to particular circumstances, it
shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect in all other circumstances. 

  
 13 

 12. Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver. No remedy conferred upon a party by this Agreement is intended
to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to any other remedy given under this Agreement or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity. No delay or omission by a party in
exercising any right, remedy or power under this Agreement or existing at law or in equity shall be construed as a waiver thereof, and any such right, remedy or power may be exercised by such party from time to time and as often as may be deemed
expedient or necessary by such party in its sole discretion. 
 13. Beneficiaries/References. Executive shall be entitled, to the extent
permitted under any applicable law, to select and change a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit payable under this Agreement following Executive’s death by giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event
of Executive’s death or a judicial determination of Executive’s incompetence, reference in this Agreement to Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to Executive’s beneficiary, estate or other legal representative. 

14. Miscellaneous. All section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which is an original. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement or any counterpart hereof to produce or account for any of the other counterparts. 

15. Withholding. All payments under this Agreement shall be made subject to applicable tax withholding, and the Company shall withhold from any
payments under this Agreement all federal, state and local taxes as the Company is required to withhold pursuant to any law or governmental rule or regulation. Except as specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement, Executive shall bear all
expense of, and be solely responsible for, all federal, state and local taxes due from Executive with respect to any payment received under this Agreement. 

16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect
to any conflict of laws provisions. 
 17. Section 409A. 

17.1 Interpretation. Notwithstanding the other provisions hereof, this Agreement is intended to comply with the
requirements of section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, and this Agreement shall be interpreted to avoid any penalty sanctions under section 409A of the Code. Accordingly, all provisions herein, or incorporated by reference, shall be
construed and interpreted to comply with section 409A and, if necessary, any such provision shall be deemed amended to comply with section 409A of the Code and regulations thereunder. If any payment or benefit cannot be provided or made at the time
specified herein without incurring sanctions under section 409A of the Code, then such benefit or payment shall be provided in full at the earliest time thereafter when such sanctions will not be imposed. For purposes of section 409A of the Code,
each payment made under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. In no event may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of payment. 

  
 14 

 17.2 Payment Delay. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this
Agreement, if on the date of the Executive’s termination of employment, the Executive is a “specified employee” (as such term is defined in section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and its corresponding regulations) as determined by the
Board (or its delegate) in its sole discretion in accordance with its “specified employee” determination policy, then all cash severance payments payable to the Executive under this Agreement that are deemed as deferred compensation
subject to the requirements of section 409A of the Code shall be postponed for a period of six (6) months following the Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company (or any successor thereto). The postponed amounts
shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day following the Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company (or any successor thereto). If the Executive dies during
such six-month period and prior to payment of the postponed cash amounts hereunder, the amounts delayed on account of section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the personal representative of the
Executive’s estate on the sixtieth (60th) day after Executive’s death. If any of the cash payments payable pursuant to this Agreement are delayed due to the requirements of section 409A of the Code, there shall be added to such payments
interest during the deferral period at an annualized rate of interest equal to the prime rate as reported in the Wall Street Journal (or, if unavailable, a comparable source) at the relevant time. 

18. Reimbursements. All reimbursements provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of section
409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter period of time specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible
for reimbursement during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the taxable year following the
year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. 
 19.
Claw-Back. Executive acknowledges that all compensation paid or payable to Executive shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy that is adopted by the Company in response to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform
and Consumer Protection Act and any other relevant laws and their rules and regulations (including stock exchange rules), and is applicable to a group of the Company’s senior level executives determined by the Company that includes,
at a minimum, the Chief Executive Officer, the President and the Chief Financial Officer. 

  
 15 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, have executed this Agreement
as of the date first above written. 
  

			
	RAIT FINANCIAL TRUST:
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Michael J. Malter

	Name: Michael J. Malter
	Title: Chairman of the Board of Trustees

  

			
	EXECUTIVE:
		
	By:	 	 /s/ John J. Reyle

	Name: John J. Reyle

 [Signature Page to Executive Employment Agreement]

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