Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC.

NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

2015 PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

THIS PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is by and between Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the "Company"), and ___________ (the "Grantee").  Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan").

 

      Section 1.  Performance Unit Award.

 

	
                    (a)

	
Grant of Performance Units.  The Company hereby grants to the Grantee, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan, ____ Performance Units (the "Target Amount of Performance Units") (subject to adjustment under Section 4.2 of the Plan) which may be earned by the Grantee in the event that (i) the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets (as defined in Exhibit A) for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017 (each such fiscal year a "Performance Period" and collectively, the "Performance Periods") is equal to or greater than those levels set forth in the Performance Measures attached hereto as Exhibit A and (ii) the Grantee remains employed by the Company, or a Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof, through the one year anniversary of the last day of the applicable Performance Period (the "Required Employment Period"); provided that to the extent that the Grantee vests in greater than one hundred percent (100%) of the Target Amount of Performance Units (as provided for in this Section 1(a) and Exhibit A), additional Performance Units will be issued to the Grantee hereunder.  For purposes of clarity and for the avoidance of doubt, the actual number of Performance Units earned by the Grantee pursuant to this Agreement may be a higher or lower number of Performance Units than the Target Amount of Performance Units.   Subject to adjustment under Section 4.2 of the Plan and as provided for in Section 3 of this Agreement, the maximum number of Performance Units that the Grantee may earn under this Agreement shall be ___ (the "Maximum Amount of Performance Units"). Pursuant to terms of Section 1(b) of this Agreement, the Company shall issue to the Grantee one share of the Company's common stock, $1.00 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), for each Performance Unit that is earned by the Grantee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  The Compensation Committee shall certify, which certification may be reflected in the minutes of a meeting of the Compensation Committee, whether the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets exceeds the threshold levels of the Performance Measures set forth on Exhibit A with respect to a Performance Period.

	
                   (b)

	
Settlement of Performance Units.  The Performance Units earned pursuant to Section 1(a) shall not be settled in shares of the Company's Common Stock pursuant to Section 1(a) unless the ratio of Pinnacle Bank's nonperforming assets to its loans plus other real estate owned as described on Exhibit A (the "NPA Ratio") is equal to or less than [     ] as of December 31, 2019.  Subject to the Compensation Committee's certification, which certification may be reflected in minutes of a meeting of the Compensation Committee, that Pinnacle Bank's NPA Ratio as of December 31, 2019 was equal to or less than [     ], on a date selected by the Company as soon as practicable after filing the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), but in no event later than March 15, 2020, the Company shall issue, or cause the Company's stock transfer agent to issue, in the name of the Grantee, a stock certificate representing the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock into which the Performance Units (and any additional Performance Units issued pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, if any) are to be settled in accordance with Section 1(a) of this Agreement and the Performance Measures attached hereto as Exhibit A. Until shares of the Company's Common Stock are delivered to the Grantee in settlement of the Performance Units (and any additional Performance Units issued pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, if any), the Grantee shall have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable in settlement of the Performance Units (and any additional Performance Units, issued pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, if any), including the right to vote such shares. The Grantee's rights with respect to distributions or dividends declared or paid on the Company's Common Stock prior to the issuance of the shares of the Company's Common Stock are set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.  Compensation Committee Discretionary Authority.  In the event that the Compensation Committee determines that an event has occurred during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 which is outside the ordinary course and has impacted Pinnacle Bank's NPA Ratio for such fiscal year, the Compensation Committee shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to increase or decrease the NPA Ratio to reflect such event for purposes of determining whether shares of the Company's Common Stock shall be issuable in settlement of the Performance Units earned for a Performance Period.

Section 3.  Dividend Equivalents and Dividends.

(a) Crediting of Dividend Equivalents on Performance Units. Subject to this Section 3, dividend equivalents shall be credited on the Grantee's Performance Units (other than Performance Units that, at the relevant record date, previously have been settled or forfeited) as follows:

(i) Cash Dividends. If the Company declares and pays a dividend or distribution on shares of the Company's Common Stock in the form of cash, then the Grantee shall be credited with an amount equal to (A) the amount of such dividend on each outstanding share of Common Stock, multiplied by (B) the Maximum Amount of Performance Units that may still vest under this Agreement as of the record date for such dividend or distribution.

            

(ii) Non-Share Dividends. If the Company declares and pays a dividend or distribution on shares of the Company's Common Stock in the form of property other than shares, then a number of additional Performance Units shall be credited to the Grantee as of the payment date for such dividend or distribution equal to (A) the Maximum Amount of Performance Units that may still vest under this Agreement as of the record date for such dividend or distribution multiplied by (B) the fair market value (as determined by the Compensation Committee) of such property actually paid as a dividend or distribution on each outstanding share of Common Stock at such payment date, divided by (C) the Fair Market Value of a share of the Company's Common Stock at such payment date.

(iii) Common Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company declares and pays a dividend or distribution on shares of the Company's Common Stock in the form of additional shares of Common Stock, or there occurs a forward split of the Company's Common Stock, then a number of additional Performance Units shall be credited to the Grantee as of the payment date for such dividend or distribution or forward split equal to (A) the Maximum Amount of Performance Units that may still vest under this Agreement as of the record date for such dividend or distribution, multiplied by (B) the number of additional shares actually paid as a dividend or distribution or issued in such split in respect of each outstanding share of Common Stock.

(b) Adjustment of Dividend Equivalents on Performance Units. If any Performance Unit granted under this Agreement is not earned (or is otherwise forfeited) for any reason, including as a result of (i) the failure of the Company to achieve Return on Average Tangible Assets for any Performance Period at or above any minimum or threshold level required pursuant to the Performance Measures attached hereto as Exhibit A; (ii) the failure of Pinnacle Bank's NPA Ratio as of December 31, 2019 to be equal to or less than [__]%; or (iii) the Grantee's employment with the Company, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof, terminating prior to the one-year anniversary of the last day of an applicable Performance Period, any dividend or distribution previously credited with respect to such Performance Unit, whether in the form of cash, property or additional Performance Units, shall be forfeited on the date on which the underlying Performance Units are forfeited.

(c) Payment of Dividend Equivalents on Performance Units. Any cash credited to the Grantee under Section 3(a)(i) of this Agreement prior to the vesting of the Performance Units on which such cash is credited shall be accrued (without interest and earnings) rather than paid to the Grantee when such dividend or distribution is paid.  At the time a Performance Unit is settled into shares of the Company's Common Stock pursuant to Section 1(b) of this Agreement, the Company shall pay any amounts accrued in respect of dividends or distributions on those Performance Units that are so settled. Any additional Performance Units credited to the Grantee pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii) or (iii) of this Agreement shall vest and, thereafter be settled in a like number of shares of the Company's Common Stock, only if (i) the Performance Measures applicable to the Performance Units on which such additional Performance Units were payable are achieved (ii) Pinnacle Bank's NPA Ratio as of December 31, 2019 is equal to or lower than [__]%; and (iii) the Grantee's employment with the Company, or an Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof, did not terminate prior to the one-year anniversary of the last day of the Performance Period applicable to such Performance Units.

Section 4.  Termination/Change of Status.

(a) Termination Other Than for Death, Disability or Retirement.  In the event that the Grantee's employment by the Company (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company) terminates for any reason, other than death, Disability or Retirement, all Performance Units for which the Performance Measures set forth in Exhibit A have not been achieved and for which the Grantee has not been employed for the Required Employment Period, in each case, as of the date the Grantee's employment terminates (but not shares of the Company's Common Stock that may be issuable in settlement of Performance Units that have been earned pursuant to Section 1(a) as of such date) shall be immediately forfeited and the Grantee shall have no further rights with respect to such Performance Units or shares of the Company's Common Stock that may have been issuable in settlement of such forfeited Performance Units.  The Grantee, however, shall remain entitled to receive shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable in settlement of Performance Units for which the Performance Measures set forth on Exhibit A and the Required Employment Period had been achieved as of the date the Grantee's employment terminates, but only if Pinnacle Bank's NPA Ratio as of December 31, 2019  is equal to or less than [__]%.  Any shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Section 4(a) shall be issued in accordance with the terms of Section 1(b) of this Agreement.

(b) Termination for Death or Disability. In the event that the Grantee's employment terminates by reason of death or Disability the forfeiture restrictions on those Performance Units earned by the Grantee for any Performance Period ended prior to the date that the Grantee's employment terminates by reason of death or disability shall lapse, without regard to whether the Grantee shall have completed the applicable Required Employment Period, and the Grantee or in the case of the Grantee's death, his or her estate or heirs, shall be entitled to receive a like number of shares of the Company's Common Stock, without regard to whether Pinnacle Bank's NPA Ratio as of December 31, 2019 will be equal to or less than [__]%.  Such shares shall be issued to the Grantee, or in the case of the Grantee's death, his or her estate or heirs, on a date selected by the Company but in no event later than the ninetieth (90th) day following the date of the Grantee's death or the date the Company determined the Grantee was disabled.  In addition, as of the date of the Grantee's death or the date that the Company determines that the Grantee is disabled, as applicable, the forfeiture restrictions shall lapse on that number of Performance Units granted under this Agreement for which the Performance Period was not completed as of such date as the Compensation Committee may in determine, based on the Company's actual performance in respect of the Performance Measures related to the Performance Units for the period from the date of this Agreement through the date the Grantee dies or the Company determines that the Grantee has become disabled, as applicable, as would be expected to lapse for those Performance Periods that are not yet completed, or if such number of Performance Units is not then determinable, in the Target Amount of Performance Units, and the Grantee ,or in the case of the Grantee's death, his or her estate or heirs, shall be entitled to receive a like number of shares of the Company's Common Stock, without regard to whether Pinnacle Bank's NPA Ratio as of December 31, 2019 will be equal to or less than [__]%.  Any shares of the Company's Common Stock issued pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be issued on a date selected by the Company but in no event later than the ninetieth (90th) day following the date of the Grantee's death or the date the Company determines that the Grantee is disabled.

(c) Termination for Retirement.  In the event that the Grantee's employment by the Company (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company) terminates by reason of Retirement, the forfeiture restrictions on those Performance Units earned by the Grantee for any Performance Period ended prior to the date of the Grantee's Retirement shall lapse, without regard to whether the Grantee shall have completed the applicable Required Employment Period, and, subject to Pinnacle Bank's NPA Ratio as of December 31, 2019 being equal to or less than [__]%, the Grantee shall be entitled to receive in settlement of such Performance Units a like number of shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with the terms of Section 1(b) of this Agreement. In addition, in the event that the Grantee's employment by the Company (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof) terminates by reason of Retirement, the forfeiture restrictions on a pro rata portion of the Performance Units that would have vested for the Performance Period in which the Grantee's Retirement occurred but for the fact that the Grantee was not employed for the entire Performance Period shall lapse, without regard to whether the Grantee shall have completed the applicable Required Employment Period, and the Grantee shall vest in that number of Performance Units as shall equal the product of (i) the number of  Performance Units granted under this Agreement for the Performance Period in which the Grantee's employment terminates by reason of Retirement that would have vested based on the Company's actual performance for the Performance Period and (ii) the quotient, expressed as a percentage, resulting from dividing (A) the number of days that have lapsed as of the Grantee's date of Retirement from the first day of the applicable Performance Period and (B) 365, and, subject to Pinnacle Bank's NPA Ratio as of December 31, 2019 being equal to or less than [__]%, the Grantee shall be entitled to receive in settlement of such Performance Units a like number of shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with the terms of Section 1(b) of this Agreement.  In the event that the Grantee dies following the termination of his employment for Retirement but before shares of the Company's Common Stock are issued to the Grantee in accordance with this Section (4(c) and Section 1(b) of this Agreement, all such shares shall, on a date selected by the Company that is not later than the ninetieth (90th) day after the Grantee's death, be issued to the Grantee without regard to whether Pinnacle Bank's NPA Ratio as of December 31, 2019 will be equal to or less than [__]%.

Section 5.  No Transfer or Pledge of Units.  The Performance Units issued hereunder may not be assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or disposed of.

Section 6.  Withholding of Taxes.   Upon the issuance of shares of the Company's Common Stock (or other property distributed with respect thereto) pursuant to Section 1(b), the Company shall cancel such shares of the Company's Common Stock (or withhold property) having an aggregate Fair Market Value, on the date of such withholding, in an amount required to satisfy the applicable withholding obligations or withholding taxes of the Grantee (the "Withholding Taxes") as set forth by Internal Revenue Service guidelines for the employer's minimum statutory withholding with respect to the Grantee.  The Company shall deduct from any distribution of cash (whether or not related to the Award including, without limitation, salary payments) to the Grantee an amount as shall be reasonably required to satisfy the required Withholding Taxes as set forth by Internal Revenue Service guidelines for the employer's minimum statutory withholding with respect to the Grantee pertaining to cash payments under the Award (including any cash dividends made in respect of Performance Units).

Section 7.  Change in Control.  Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan) prior to the vesting of a portion of the Performance Units awarded hereunder, the Compensation Committee, prior to consummation of such Change in Control, shall determine, based on the Company's actual performance in respect of the Performance Measures related to the Performance Units for the period from the date of this Agreement through the date the Compensation Committee makes such determination, the number of Performance Units for which the forfeiture restrictions would be expected to lapse for the Performance Periods that are not yet completed at such time as the Committee makes its determination and the Grantee shall vest, immediately prior to the consummation of such Change in Control, in the greater of (i) such number of Performance Units as the Compensation Committee shall determine and (ii) the Target Amount of Performance Units for such Performance Periods as are not then completed.  The Grantee shall be entitled to receive, immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control, in settlement of such Performance Units a like number of shares of the Company's Common Stock, without regard to whether the Grantee's employment continued for any Required Employment Period or Pinnacle Bank's NPA Ratio as of December 31, 2019 will be equal to or less than [__]%.

Section 8.  No Right to Continued Employment.  This Agreement shall not be construed as giving the Grantee the right to be retained in the employ of the Company (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company), and the Company (or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company) may at any time dismiss the Grantee from employment, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan or this Agreement.

Section 9.  Governing Provisions.  This Agreement is made under and subject to the provisions of the Plan, and all of the provisions of the Plan are also provisions of this Agreement.  If there is a difference or conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern.  By signing this Agreement, the Grantee confirms that he or she has received a copy of the Plan.

Section 10.  Section 409A.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the compensation to be paid to the Grantee pursuant to this Agreement is intended to qualify as a "short-term deferral" pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Regulations or to otherwise be exempt from the scope of "deferred compensation" under Section 409A of the Code as restricted property governed by Section 83 of the Code, and this Agreement shall be interpreted consistently therewith.  However, to the extent the payment of any compensation hereunder in connection with the Grantee's termination of employment does not qualify for an exception from treatment as "deferred compensation" subject to Section 409A of the Code, then (a) such amount shall not be payable unless the Grantee's termination of employment constitutes a "separation from service" within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Regulations and (b) if the Grantee is a "specified employee" at such time for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then to the extent delayed payment of any portion of the Performance Units or shares of the Company's Common Stock to which the Grantee is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of the Performance Units or shares of the Company's Common Stock shall not be paid to Grantee prior to the earlier of (x) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Grantee's "separation from service" with the Company or (y) the date of the Grantee's death.  Upon the earlier of such dates, settlement of all Performance Units shall occur as otherwise provided in this Agreement.  In the event compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement is otherwise determined to constitute "deferred compensation" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, this Agreement shall be interpreted and administered consistently with the terms thereof.

Section 11.  Miscellaneous.

11.1  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Plan contain the entire understanding and agreement between the Company and the Grantee concerning the Performance Unit and the shares of the Company's Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to this Agreement, and supersede any prior or contemporaneous negotiations and understandings.  The Company and the Grantee have made no promises, agreements, conditions or understandings relating to the Performance Units or the shares of the Company's Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to this Agreement, either orally or in writing, that are not included in this Agreement or the Plan.

11.2  Captions.  The captions and section numbers appearing in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience.  They do not define, limit, construe or describe the scope or intent of the provisions of this Agreement.

11.3  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when signed by the Company and the Grantee will be deemed an original and all of which together will be deemed the same Agreement.

11.4  Compliance With Laws and Regulations.  The award of Performance Units (and, if issued in settlement of Performance Units, shares of the Company's Common Stock) evidenced hereby shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required.

11.5  Notice.  Any notice or communication having to do with this Agreement must be given by personal delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed, if to the Company, to the principal office of the Company, and, if to the Grantee, to the Grantee's last known address provided by the Grantee to the Company.

11.6  Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended by the Company, provided that unless the Grantee consents in writing, the Company cannot amend this Agreement if the amendment will materially change or impair the Grantee's rights under this Agreement and such change is not to the Grantee's benefit.

11.7  Successors and Assignment.  Each and all of the provisions of this Agreement are binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Grantee and their heirs, successors, and assigns.  However, the Performance Units may not be assigned or transferred except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement or the Plan.

11.8  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee applicable to agreements to be performed in the State of Tennessee.

[Signature page to follow.]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Grantee have executed this Agreement to be effective as of ________ __, 2015.

 

 

		
PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC.

	 
	 	 	 
	 	
By:

	 
	 	
Name: Hugh M. Queener

	 
	 	
Title: Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary

	 
	 	
 

	 
	 		
	 	
GRANTEE: 

	
	 	By:	
	 	Name:	

 

EXHIBIT A

Performance Measures

Award Tied to Fiscal 2015 Performance. Should the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 ("Fiscal 2015") be less than [     ]% (the "Fiscal 2015 Threshold Amount of ROATA"), then one-third of the Performance Units awarded under the Agreement shall be forfeited as of the earlier of the date that the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2015 is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or the last date that such Form 10-K could be timely filed with the SEC and no shares of the Common Stock shall be issued to the Grantee in regards to the portion of the Performance Units granted hereunder related to the Company's Fiscal 2015 Performance Period. Should the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for Fiscal 2015 equal [__]% (the "Fiscal 2015 Target Amount of ROATA") then so long as the Required Employment Period applicable thereto is met by the Grantee the portion of the Performance Units granted pursuant to the Agreement related to the Company's Fiscal 2015 Performance Period shall be settled by the issuance to the Grantee of ____ shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with Section 1(b) of the Agreement. Should the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for Fiscal 2015 be equal to or greater than [     ]% (the "Fiscal 2015 Maximum Amount of ROATA") then so long as the Required Employment Period applicable thereto is met by the Grantee the portion of the Performance Units granted pursuant to the Agreement related to the Company's Fiscal 2015 Performance Period shall be settled by the issuance to the Grantee of ____ shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with Section 1(b) of the Agreement.  In the event that the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for the Fiscal 2015 Performance Period is between the Fiscal 2015 Threshold Amount of ROATA and the Fiscal 2015 Target Amount of ROATA or between the Fiscal 2015 Target Amount of ROATA and the Fiscal 2015 Maximum Amount of ROATA, straight line interpolation, rounded up to the next whole share of Common Stock, will be used to determine the number of Performance Units that shall vest and, subject to Grantee's satisfying the Required Employment Period, be settled in shares of the Company's Common Stock based on the Fiscal 2015 Performance Period.

Award Tied to Fiscal 2016 Performance. Should the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 ("Fiscal 2016") be less than [     ]% (the "Fiscal 2016 Threshold Amount of ROATA"), then one-third of the Performance Units awarded under the Agreement shall be forfeited as of the earlier of the date that the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2016 is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or the last date that such Form 10-K could be timely filed with the SEC and no shares of the Common Stock shall be issued to the Grantee in regards to the portion of the Performance Units granted hereunder related to the Company's Fiscal 2016 Performance Period. Should the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for Fiscal 2016 equal [__]% (the "Fiscal 2016 Target Amount of ROATA") then so long as the Required Employment Period applicable thereto is met by the Grantee the portion of the Performance Units granted pursuant to the Agreement related to the Company's Fiscal 2016 Performance Period shall be settled by the issuance to the Grantee of ____ shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with Section 1(b) of the Agreement. Should the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for Fiscal 2016 be equal to or greater than [     ]% (the "Fiscal 2016 Maximum Amount of ROATA") then so long as the Required Employment Period applicable thereto is met by the Grantee the portion of the Performance Units granted pursuant to the Agreement related to the Company's Fiscal 2016 Performance Period shall be settled by the issuance to the Grantee of ____ shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with Section 1(b) of the Agreement.  In the event that the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for the Fiscal 2016 Performance Period is between the Fiscal 2016 Threshold Amount of ROATA and the Fiscal 2016 Target Amount of ROATA or between the Fiscal 2016 Target Amount of ROATA and the Fiscal 2016 Maximum Amount of ROATA, straight line interpolation, rounded up to the next whole share of Common Stock, will be used to determine the number of Performance Units that shall vest and, subject to Grantee's satisfying the Required Employment Period, be settled in shares of the Company's Common Stock based on the Fiscal 2016 Performance Period.

Award Tied to Fiscal 2017 Performance. Should the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 ("Fiscal 2017") be less than [     ]% (the "Fiscal 2017 Threshold Amount of ROATA"), then one-third of the Performance Units awarded under the Agreement shall be forfeited as of the earlier of the date that the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2017 is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or the last date that such Form 10-K could be timely filed with the SEC and no shares of the Common Stock shall be issued to the Grantee in regards to the portion of the Performance Units granted hereunder related to the Company's Fiscal 2017 Performance Period. Should the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for Fiscal 2017 equal [__]% (the "Fiscal 2017 Target Amount of ROATA") then so long as the Required Employment Period applicable thereto is met by the Grantee the portion of the Performance Units granted pursuant to the Agreement related to the Company's Fiscal 2017 Performance Period shall be settled by the issuance to the Grantee of ____ shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with Section 1(b) of the Agreement. Should the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for Fiscal 2017 be equal to or greater than [     ]% (the "Fiscal 2017 Maximum Amount of ROATA") then so long as the Required Employment Period applicable thereto is met by the Grantee the portion of the Performance Units granted pursuant to the Agreement related to the Company's Fiscal 2017 Performance Period shall be settled by the issuance to the Grantee of ____ shares of the Company's Common Stock in accordance with Section 1(b) of the Agreement.  In the event that the Company's Return on Average Tangible Assets for the Fiscal 2017 Performance Period is between the Fiscal 2017 Threshold Amount of ROATA and the Fiscal 2017 Target Amount of ROATA or between the Fiscal 2017 Target Amount of ROATA and the Fiscal 2017 Maximum Amount of ROATA, straight line interpolation, rounded up to the next whole share of Common Stock, will be used to determine the number of Performance Units that shall vest and, subject to Grantee's satisfying the Required Employment Period, be settled in shares of the Company's Common Stock based on the Fiscal 2017 Performance Period.

Return on Average Tangible Assets. For purposes of this Exhibit A, "Return on Average Tangible Assets" means the quotient, expressed as a percentage rounded to two decimal points, of (I) the Company's net income for the applicable Performance Period as reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the applicable Performance Period divided by (II) the Company's average tangible assets for the applicable Performance Period as reflected in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the applicable Performance Period, as adjusted to eliminate the effects of the following: (a) gains or losses on the sale of a business or a business segment, (b) gains or losses on the extinguishment of debt or the sale of investment securities, (c) asset or investment impairment charges (other than those related to the Company's loan portfolio in the ordinary course of business), (d) restructuring charges, (e) changes in law or accounting principles, and (f) any other expenses or losses resulting from significant, unusual and/or nonrecurring events, as described in management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company's annual report for the Performance Period, in each case as determined in good faith by the Compensation Committee. Moreover, Return on Average Tangible Assets will be adjusted to appropriately account for the effects of any merger or acquisition affecting the Company, any change in the capital structure of the Company or any other corporate transaction affecting the shares of the Company's Common Stock as described in Section 4.2 of the Plan.

NPA Ratio. When calculating the NPA Ratio for purposes of the Agreement, in the event that the Company or a subsidiary of the Company acquires a finance company, financial institution or a holding company of a financial institution or a branch office thereof, by way of merger or otherwise, or in the event the Company or a subsidiary of the Company shall acquire in an arms-length purchase from a third party any low-quality asset, such acquired non-performing assets or purchased low-quality assets shall be excluded from the calculation.Exhibit 10.2

 

PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC.

2015 ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE PLAN

As approved by the Human Resources and Compensation

Committee of Pinnacle Financial Partners on

January 13, 2015

PLAN OBJECTIVES:

The overall objectives of the 2015 Annual Cash Incentive Plan (the "Plan") are to:

	
1.

	
Motivate participants to ensure that important corporate soundness thresholds and corporate profitability objectives for 2015 are achieved, and

	
2.

	
Provide a reward system that encourages teamwork and cooperation in the achievement of firm-wide goals.

This Plan shall be administered pursuant to the Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2014 Equity Incentive Plan").  All provisions hereof shall be interpreted accordingly.  Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.

EFFECTIVE DATES OF THE PLAN:

The Plan is effective from January 1, 2015 (Effective Date) through December 31, 2015 (the "Performance Period").

ADMINISTRATION:

The Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "HRCC") is responsible for the overall administration of the Plan and shall have the authority to select the associates who are eligible for participation in the Plan.  The CFO, with the oversight of the CEO, shall provide the HRCC with periodic updates as to the status of the Plan as follows:

	
·

	
Produces status reports on a periodic basis to the CEO, the Leadership Team and the HRCC in order to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the Plan.  The CEO has discretion related to communication of the status of the incentive plan to all Plan participants.

	
·

	
Makes recommendations for any Plan modifications (including target performance or payout awards) as a result of substantial changes to the organization or participants' responsibilities to ensure fairness to all Plan participants.

	
·

	
At the end of the Plan period, prepares, verifies, approves and submits the appropriate award calculations and payout authorizations to the CEO and, ultimately the HRCC, for approval and distribution.

The Company's Chief Risk Officer at least annually shall evaluate, report and discuss with the HRCC whether features of the Plan should be limited in order to ensure that the Plan does not pose imprudent risks to the Company and that the Plan does not encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of the Company to enhance any employee's compensation.

The HRCC is authorized to interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and / or rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and to make any other determinations that it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.  The HRCC may correct any defect or omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan in the manner and to the extent the HRCC deems necessary or desirable.  Any decision of the HRCC in the interpretation and administration of Plan, as described herein, shall lie within its sole and absolute discretion and shall be final conclusive and binding on all parties concerned.  Nothing in this Plan shall preclude the HRCC from granting awards to participants pursuant to other compensation arrangements of the Company.

ELIGIBILITY:

Except as otherwise provided below, all associates who are compensated via a predetermined salary or hourly wage and are not included in any other annual cash incentive or performance-based compensation program or plan are eligible for participation in the Plan.   Participants who are not eligible for a full award due to their performance evaluation (see below – Target Award) should be notified by their Leadership Team member as soon as possible prior to distribution of awards.

Certain associates that are compensated via a commission schedule or commission grid have an opportunity to achieve significant variable pay compensation due to escalating payouts pursuant to the commission schedule or grid based on their individual performance.  As a result, such commission-based associates are not eligible for participation in the Plan unless otherwise authorized under special arrangement approved by the HRCC.

FORFEITURE OF AWARDS:

Any participant whose employment terminates for any reason (e.g., voluntary separation or termination due to misconduct) prior to distribution of awards in January 2015 will not be eligible for distribution of awards under the Plan unless approved by the HRCC.

ETHICS:

The intent of this Plan is to fairly reward individual and team achievement.  Any associate who manipulates or attempts to manipulate the Plan for personal gain at the expense of clients, other associates or Company objectives will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including the non-payment of any award otherwise due or paid to such associate under this Plan.

In addition and upon the approval of the Company's board of directors or the HRCC, payments under the Plan paid to an associate will be subject to recovery and "clawback" by the Company, and repaid by such employee, if the payments are based on materially inaccurate financial statements or other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria.

PLAN FUNDING:

The Plan assets will be funded from the results of operations of the Company with all assets being commingled with the assets of the Company.

TIMING OF AWARDS:

During January 2016, the HRCC will review all proposed awards pursuant to the Plan and shall certify whether the performance goal for the Performance Period has been achieved (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code). Any awards to be distributed pursuant to the Plan shall be distributed prior to January 31, 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter, but in no event later than March 15, 2016. No award will be distributed prior to January 1, 2016

TARGET AWARD:

Each participant will be assigned an "award tier" based on their position within the Company, their experience level or other factors.  Each participant's Leadership Team member is responsible for notifying each participant of his or her "award tier".  The "award tier" will be expressed as a percentage of the participant's base salary ranging from 10% to 125%.  In order to determine the "target award", participants will multiply their "award tier percentage" by their actual YTD base salary paid for 2015 as of December 31, 2015.  Overtime or other wage components are not considered in these calculations.

The incentive for participants that begin their employment with the Company during the period from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 will be calculated using the same formula.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Awards under the Plan shall be conditioned on the attainment of one or more corporate performance goals recommended by the CEO and approved by the HRCC for the 2015 fiscal year.  Additionally, the CEO, based on input from any participant's team leader, may include performance criteria for any individual or groups of participants as he deems appropriate, subject to the review of the HRCC.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall have the sole discretion to establish such goals for Covered Officers and other Named Executive Officers and the CEO shall have no involvement in setting the performance goals applicable to participation in the Plan for himself or the other Covered Officers or Named Executive Officers, and such goals shall be established solely by the HRCC.

After December 31, 2015, the HRCC shall determine whether and to what extent each performance goal has been met.  In determining whether and to what extent a performance goal has been met, the HRCC may consider such matters as the HRCC deems appropriate.

DISCRETIONARY INCREASES AND REDUCTIONS:

The CEO may award up to an additional 10% of base pay to any participant in the Plan, other than the CEO, based on extraordinary individual performance.  Likewise, the CEO may reduce a participant's, other than the CEO's, award by up to 100% of the calculated award for individual performance, if the participant did not exhibit a strong commitment to the Company's mission or values.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the HRCC shall have the sole discretion to accept the CEO's recommendations for increases or decreases of awards pursuant to this paragraph with respect to Covered Officers (as defined in the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan).

Discretionary adjustments outside these parameters shall be approved by the HRCC prior to distribution; however any discretionary adjustment with respect to payments to the Company's Named Executive Officers, including the CEO, must be approved by the HRCC prior to distribution.

 

AMENDMENTS, TERMINATIONS AND OTHER MATTERS:

The HRCC has the right to amend or terminate this Plan in any manner they may deem appropriate in its discretion at any time, including, but not limited to the ability to include or exclude any associate or group of associates from participation in the Plan, modify the award tiers or percentages or modify or waive performance targets.

Should the Company enter into any merger or purchase agreement (including a change of control of the Company), significant market expansion or other materially significant strategic event, the HRCC may amend the Plan (including the performance criteria) as it may deem appropriate under the circumstances; in addition, the HRCC may amend the Plan (including the performance criteria) for any non-recurring transaction which may materially impact the Company's financial position or results of operations for the fiscal year (e.g., capital transactions, divestiture of assets at gains or losses, branch acquisitions, etc.) and in each case as may be consistent with the terms of the Plan.

Furthermore, the Committee may amend the Plan, including the performance goals, at any time to consider the impact of regulatory matters or if required or appropriate to conform to regulatory requirements, guidance or advice or if a change in regulations or regulatory guidance materially impacts performance criteria as may be consistent with the terms of the Plan.

Furthermore, this Plan does not, nor should any participant imply that it shall, create a contractual relationship or rights between the Plan, the Company or any associate of the Company.  No associate should rely on this Plan as to any awards that the associate believes they might otherwise be entitled to receive.  This Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee, without regard to any conflicts of laws or principles.

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