Exhibit 10.1
AMENDED NARA BANCORP, INC.
2007 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
(Effective July 25, 2007)
Nara Bancorp, Inc. hereby adopts in its entirety the Nara Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive (“Plan”), as of March 1, 2007 (“Plan Adoption Date”), and as later amended on July 25, 2007. Unless otherwise defined, terms with initial capital letters are defined in Section 2 below.
SECTION 1
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
1.1Background. The Plan permits the grant of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs), Restricted Stock, Performance Shares and Performance Units.
1.2Purpose of the Plan. The Plan is intended to attract, motivate and retain the following individuals: (a) employees of the Company or its Affiliates; (b) directors of the Company or any of its Affiliates who are employees of neither the Company nor any Affiliate, and (c) consultants who provide significant services to the Company or its Affiliates. The Plan is also designed to encourage stock ownership by such individuals, thereby aligning their interests with those of the Company’s shareholders.
SECTION 2
DEFINITIONS
The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:
2.1 “1934 Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Act shall include such section, any valid rules or regulations promulgated under such section, and any comparable provisions of any future legislation, rules or regulations amending, supplementing or superseding any such section, rule or regulation.
2.2 “Administrator” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.3 “Affiliate” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, Subsidiaries, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.
2.4 “Applicable Law” means the legal requirements relating to the administration of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Performance Shares and Performance Units and similar incentive plans under any applicable laws, including but not limited to federal and state employment, labor, privacy and securities laws, the Code, and applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the NASDAQ, New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or the requirements of any other stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or quoted.
2.5 “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Performance Shares and/or Performance Units.
2.6 “Award Agreement” means the written agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan, including the Grant Date.
2.7 “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.8 “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;
(b) The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;
(c) The consummation of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(d) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
(e) Other events specified by the Board in the Participant’s Award Agreement.
2.9 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.
2.10 “Committee” means one or more Committees appointed by the Board with express and limited authority to administer certain aspects of the Plan. Upon appointment of a Committee, the Board shall specify the precise authority of the Committee with respect to the administration of the Plan.
2.11 “Company” means Nara Bancorp, Inc., or any successor thereto.
2.12 “Consultant” means any consultant, independent contractor or other person who provides significant services to the Company or its Affiliates or any employee or affiliate of any of the foregoing, but who is neither an Employee nor a Director.
2.13 “Continuous Status” as an Employee or Consultant means that a Participant’s employment or service relationship with the Company or any Affiliate is not interrupted or terminated. “Continuous Status” shall not be considered interrupted in the following cases: (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company and any Subsidiary or successor. A leave of absence approved by the Company shall include sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave approved by an authorized representative of the Company. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no leave of absence may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If such reemployment is not so guaranteed, then on the one hundred eighty-first (181st) day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock Option.
2.14 “Director” means any individual who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
2.15 “Disability” means a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Board in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Board from time to time.
2.16 “Employee” means any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company or of an Affiliate.
2.17 “Exercise Price” means the price at which a Share may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to the exercise of an Option, and the price used to determine the number of Shares payable to a Participant upon the exercise of a SAR.
2.18 “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, provided the Common Stock is listed on an established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation (“NASDAQ”) System, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price for such stock on the Grant Date of the Award. If no sales were reported on the Grant Date of the Award, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing price for such stock as quoted on the NASDAQ (or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the last market trading day with reported sales prior to the date of determination.
2.19 “Fiscal Year” means a fiscal year of the Company.
2.20 “Grant Date” means the date the Board of Directors of the Company approves the Award or the first day if employment, whichever is later.
2.21 “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option to purchase Shares, which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
2.22 “Independent Director” means a Nonemployee Director who is (i) a “nonemployee director” within the meaning of Section 16b-3 of the 1934 Act, (ii) “independent” as determined under the applicable rules of the NASDAQ, and (iii) an “outside director” under Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(3), as any of these definitions may be modified or supplemented from time to time.
2.23 “Individual Objectives” means as to a Participant, the objective and measurable goals set by a “management by objectives” process and approved by the Board in its discretion.
2.24 “Misconduct” shall include commission of any act in competition with any activity of the Company (or any Affiliate) or any act contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company (or any Affiliate) and shall include, without limitation: (a) conviction of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, (b) violation of Company (or any Affiliate) policies, with or acting against the interests of the Company (or any Affiliate), including employing or recruiting any present, former or future employee of the Company (or any Affiliate), (c) misuse of any confidential, secret, privileged or non-public information relating to the Company’s (or any Affiliate’s) business, or (d) participating in a hostile takeover attempt of the Company or an Affiliate. The foregoing definition shall not be deemed to be inclusive of all acts or omissions that the Company (or any Affiliate) may consider as Misconduct for purposes of the Plan.
2.25 “NASDAQ” means The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.
2.26 “Nonemployee Director” means a Director who is not employed by the Company or an Affiliate.
2.27 “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an option to purchase Shares that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
2.28 “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.
2.29 “Participant” means an Employee, Nonemployee Director or Consultant who has an outstanding Award.
2.30 “Performance Goals” means the goal(s) (or combined goal(s)) determined by the Board (in its discretion) or by a Board authorized Committee, to be applicable to a Participant with respect to an Award. As determined by the Board or Committee, the Performance Goals applicable to an Award may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement, including without limitation goals tied to Individual Objectives and/or the Company’s (or a business unit’s) return on assets, return on shareholders’ equity, efficiency ratio, earnings per share, net income, or other financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), with or without adjustments determined by the Board. The foregoing definition shall not be deemed to be inclusive of all Performance Goals for purposes of this Plan. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award.
2.31 “Performance Shares” mean an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan that entitles the Participant to receive a prescribed number of Shares, or the equivalent value in cash, upon achievement of performance objectives associated with such Award. The Notice of Grant shall specify whether the Performance Shares will be settled in Shares or cash.
2.32 “Performance Units” mean an Award granted to Participant pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan that entitles the Participant to a cash payment equal to the value of a prescribed number of Shares upon achievement of performance objectives associated with such Award.
2.33 “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions that subject the Shares to a substantial risk of forfeiture. As provided in Section 7, such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of Performance Goals, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Board or duly authorized Committee, in its discretion.
2.34 “Plan” means this Nara Bancorp, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as set forth in this instrument and as hereafter amended from time to time.
2.35 “Restricted Stock” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7. An Award of Restricted Stock constitutes a transfer of ownership of Shares to a Participant from the Company subject to restrictions against transferability, assignment, and hypothecation. Under the terms of the Award, the restrictions against transferability are removed when the Participant has met the specified vesting requirement. Vesting can be based on continued employment or service over a stated service period, or on the attainment of specified Performance Goals. If employment or service is terminated prior to vesting, the unvested restricted stock reverts back to the Company.
2.36 “Rule 16b-3” means a person promulgated under the 1934 Act, and any future regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such regulation.
2.37 “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
2.38 “Section 16 Person” means a person who, with respect to the Shares, is subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act.
2.39 “Shares” means shares of common stock of the Company.
2.40 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6. Upon exercise, a SAR gives a Participant a right to receive a payment in cash, or the equivalent value in Shares, equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the exercise date and the Exercise Price. Both the number of SARs and the Exercise Price are determined on the Grant Date. For example, assume a Participant is granted 100 SARs at an Exercise Price of $10 and the notice of grant specifies that the SARs will be settled in Shares. Also assume that the SARs are exercised when the underlying Shares have a Fair Market Value of $20 per Share. Upon exercise of the SAR, the Participant is entitled to receive 50 Shares [(($20-$10)*100)/$20].
2.41 “Subsidiary” means any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain then owns stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
SECTION 3
ADMINISTRATION
3.1The Administrator. The Board of Directors of the Company shall be the Administrator of the Plan.
3.2Authority of the Administrator. It shall be the duty of the Board to administer the Plan in accordance with the Plan’s provisions and in accordance with Applicable Law. The Board shall have all powers and discretion necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and to control its operation, including, but not limited to: (a) determining which Employees, Directors and Consultants shall be granted Awards and the terms and conditions of such Awards, (b) interpreting the Plan and adopting rules for the administration and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith, (c) the interpretation, amendment or revocation of any such rules, and (d) the authority to appoint one or more Committees to administer certain aspects of the Plan, as expressly provided by the Board.
3.3Delegation by the Administrator. The Board, in its discretion and on such terms and conditions as it may provide, may delegate all or any part of its authority and powers under the Plan to two or more Nonemployee Directors acting as a Committee to administer certain aspects of the Plan, as expressly provided by the Board; provided, however, that the Board may not delegate its authority and powers (a) with respect to Section 16 Persons, or (b) in any way which would jeopardize the Plan’s qualification under Section 162(m) of the Code or Rule 16b-3.
3.3.1 All discretionary grants to Nonemployee Directors shall be administered by an independent committee of the Board made up of only Nonemployee Directors.
3.4Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions made by the Board and any delegate of the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by Applicable Law.
SECTION 4
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
4.1Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment, as provided in Section 4.3, the total number of Shares initially available for grant under the Plan shall be 1,070,000, plus the Shares available for grant under the Nara Bancorp, Inc. 2001 Nara Bank 2000 Continuation Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2000 Plan”) (not to exceed 230,000), for a maximum total of 1,300,000 Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Upon stockholder approval of the Plan, no further Shares will be issued under the Nara Bancorp, Inc. 2001 Nara Bank 2000 Continuation Long Term Incentive Plan. Shares granted under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Shares or reacquired Shares bought on the market or otherwise.
4.2Lapsed Awards. If any Award made under the Plan expires, or is forfeited or cancelled, or otherwise exercised without delivery of Shares (“Lapsed Awards”), such undelivered Shares shall become available for future Awards under the Plan. Lapsed Awards granted under the 2000 Plan shall immediately expire and no longer be available for issuance.
4.3Adjustments in Awards and Authorized Shares. Except as provided under Section 4.3.1, subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the per Share exercise price of each such Award, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of common stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, the payment of a stock dividend on the common stock or any other increase or decrease in the number of such Shares of common stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issue by the Company of Shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into Shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of common stock subject to an Option.
4.3.1Incentive Stock Options. Except as provided in Sections 4.3.2, any adjustment to the maximum aggregate number of Shares to be issued through the exercise of Incentive Stock Options must be approved by shareholders of the Company within 12 months before or after the date a resolution is adopted by the Board to adjust the maximum aggregate number of Shares to be issued through the exercise of Incentive Stock Options.
4.3.2Increase to Reflect Outstanding Shares. Any adjustment described in Section 4.3 which merely reflects a change in the outstanding Shares, such as a stock dividend or stock split, will be effective without shareholder approval.
4.4Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the making or exercise of an Award unless the exercise of Options and rights and the issuance and delivery of Shares shall comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the 1934 Act and other Applicable Law, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. Any Award made in violation hereof shall be null and void.
4.5Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Option or other right, the Company may require the person exercising such Option or right to represent and warrant at the time of exercise that the Shares are being acquired only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
SECTION 5
STOCK OPTIONS
The provisions of this Section 5 are applicable to Options granted to Employees, Directors, Nonemployee Directors and Consultants. Such Participants shall also be eligible to receive other types of Awards as set forth in the Plan.
5.1Grant of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Board. The Board may grant Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, or a combination thereof, and the Board, in its discretion and subject to Sections 4.1, shall determine the number of Shares subject to each Option.
5.2Award Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Exercise Price, the expiration date of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, any conditions to exercise the Option, and such other terms and conditions as the Board, in its discretion, shall determine. The Award Agreement shall also specify whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.
5.3Exercise Price. The Board shall determine the Exercise Price for each Option subject to the provisions of this Section 5.3.
5.3.1Nonqualified Stock Options. Unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, in the case of a Nonqualified Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.
5.3.2Incentive Stock Options. The grant of Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to the following limitations:
(a) The Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date; provided, however, that if on the Grant Date, the Employee (together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Exercise Price shall be not less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date;
(b) Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to persons who are, as of the Grant Date, Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary, and may not be granted to Nonemployee Directors or Consultants. In the event the Company fails to obtain shareholder approval of the Plan within twelve (12) months from the Plan Adoption Date, all Options granted under this Plan designated as Incentive Stock Options shall become Nonqualified Stock Options and shall be subject to the applicable provisions of this Section 5.
(c) To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this
Section 5.3.2(c), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted; and
(d) In the event of a Participant’s change of status from Employee to Director or Consultant, an Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonqualified Stock Option three (3) months and one (1) day following such change of status.
5.3.3Substitute Options. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5.3.1 and 5.3.2, in the event that the Company or an Affiliate consummates a transaction described in Section 424(a) of the Code (e.g., the acquisition of property or stock from an unrelated corporation), persons who become Employees, Directors or Consultants on account of such transaction may be granted Options in substitution for options granted by their former employer. If such substitute Options are granted, the Board, in its discretion and consistent with Section 424(a) of the Code, may determine that such substitute Options shall have an exercise price of no less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Grant Date.
5.4Expiration of Options
5.4.1Expiration Dates. Unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement, but in no event no later than ten (10) years from the Grant Date, each Option shall terminate no later than the first to occur of the following events:
(a)Date in Award Agreement. The date for termination of the Option set forth in the written Award Agreement;
(b)Termination of Continuous Status as Employee, Nonemployee Director or Consultant. The last day of the three (3)-month period following the date the Participant ceases his/her/its Continuous Status as an Employee, Nonemployee Director or Consultant (other than termination for a reason described in subsections (c), (d), (e) or (f) below);
(c)Misconduct. In the event a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Nonemployee Director or Consultant terminates because the Participant has performed an act of Misconduct as determined by the Board or by a duly authorized Committee, all unexercised Options held by such Participant shall immediately expire upon Participant’s receipt of written notice from the Company to the Participant of such termination due to Misconduct; provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, within thirty (30) days of such termination, reinstate the Options by giving written notice of such reinstatement to Participant. The Board will be guided by the Company’s bylaws, human resource policies and business judgment rule and may seek the advice of inside and/or outside counsel to assist in their determination as to the reasonableness of the forfeiture and nature of the misconduct. In the event of such reinstatement, the Participant may exercise the Option only to such extent, for such time, and upon such terms and conditions as if the Participant had ceased to be employed by or affiliated with the Company or a Subsidiary upon the date of such termination for a reason other than Misconduct, disability or death;
(d)Disability. In the event that a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee, Nonemployee Director or Consultant terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option at any time within twelve (12) months from the date of such termination, but only to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). If, at
the date of termination, the Participant is not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan;
(e)Death. In the event of the death of a Participant, the Option may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of death. If, at the time of death, the Participant was not entitled to exercise his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unexercisable portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If, after death, the Participant’s estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance does not exercise the Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan;
(f)10 Years from Grant. Unless otherwise specified above, an Option shall expire no more than ten (10) years from the Grant Date; provided, however, that if an Incentive Stock Option is granted to an Employee who, together with persons whose stock ownership is attributed to the Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, such Incentive Stock Option may not be exercised after the expiration of five (5) years from the Grant Date.
(g)Change in Status. In the event a Participant’s status has changed from Consultant to Employee, or vice versa, a Participant’s Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant shall not automatically terminate solely as a result of such change in status.
5.5Exercisability of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such times and be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Board or duly authorized Committee shall determine in its discretion.
5.6Exercise and Payment. Options shall be exercised by the Participant’s delivery of a written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the Company (or its designee), setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares.
5.6.1Form of Consideration. Upon the exercise of any Option, the Exercise Price shall be payable to the Company in full in cash or its equivalent. The Board, in its discretion, also may permit the same-day exercise and sale of Options and related Shares, or exercise by tendering previously acquired Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the total Exercise Price (such previously acquired Shares must have been held for the requisite period necessary to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes, unless otherwise determined by the Board), or by any other means which the Board, in its discretion, determines to provide legal consideration for the Shares, and to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan.
5.6.2Delivery of Shares. As soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full payment for the Shares purchased, the Company shall deliver to the Participant (or the Participant’s designated broker), Share certificates (which may be in book entry form) representing such Shares.
SECTION 6
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
6.1Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms of the Plan, a SAR may be granted to Employees, Directors, Nonemployee Directors and Consultants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Board.
6.1.1Number of Shares. The Board shall have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs granted to any Participant.
6.1.2Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Board, subject to the provisions of the Plan, shall have discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the Plan, including whether upon exercise the SARs will be settled in Shares or cash. However, the Exercise Price of a SAR shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.
6.2Exercise of SARs. SARs shall be exercisable on such terms and conditions as the Board, in its discretion, shall determine.
6.3SAR Agreement. Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Exercise Price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise and such other terms and conditions as the Board shall determine.
6.4Expiration of SARs. A SAR granted under the Plan shall expire upon the date determined by the Board in its discretion as set forth in the Award Agreement, or otherwise pursuant to the provisions relating to the expiration of Options as set forth in Sections 5.4.
6.5Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to Shares, or the equivalent value in cash, from the Company in an amount determined by dividing the Fair Market Value of a Share on the exercise date by the following: (a) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the SAR Exercise Price, multiplied by (b) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. If the Board designates in the Award Agreement that the SAR will be settled in cash, upon Participant’s exercise of the SAR the Company shall make a cash payment to Participant as soon as reasonably practical.
SECTION 7
RESTRICTED STOCK
7.1Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Board, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Employees, Nonemployee Directors and Consultants in such amounts as the Board, in its discretion, shall determine. The Board shall determine the number of Shares to be granted to each Participant.
7.2Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Board, in its discretion, shall determine. Unless the Board determines otherwise, Shares of Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.
7.3Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 7, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until expiration of the applicable Period of Restriction.
7.4Other Restrictions. The Board, in its discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate, in accordance with this Section 7.4, including, without limitation, provisions relating to expiration of restrictions equivalent to the provisions relating to expiration of Options as set forth in Section 5.4.
7.4.1General Restrictions. The Board may set restrictions based upon the achievement of specific Performance Goals (Company-wide, business unit, or individual), or any other basis determined by the Board in its discretion.
7.4.2Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions. For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Board, in its discretion, may set restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals. The Performance Goals shall be set by the Board on or before the latest date permissible to enable the Restricted Stock to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. In granting Restricted Stock which is intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Board shall follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the Restricted Stock under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).
7.4.3Legend on Certificates. The Board, in its discretion, may legend the certificates representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions.
7.4.4Minimum Restriction Period. The minimum Period of Restriction applicable to Restricted Stock awards shall not be (a) less than one year for performance based awards and (b) less than three years from the date of grant for time-based vesting of grants.
7.5Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan shall be released from escrow as soon as practicable after expiration of the Period of Restriction. After the restrictions have lapsed, the Participant shall be entitled to have any legend or legends under Section 7.4.3 removed from his or her Share certificate, and the Shares shall be freely transferable by the Participant, subject to Applicable Law.
7.6Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Board determines otherwise.
7.7Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
7.8Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed shall revert to the Company and again shall become available for grant under the Plan.
SECTION 8
PERFORMANCE SHARES AND PERFORMANCE UNITS
8.1Grant of Performance Shares/Units. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Performance Shares and Performance Units may be granted to Employees, Nonemployee Directors and Consultants at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Board in its discretion.
8.1.1Number of Shares or Units. The Board will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Shares and Performance Units granted to any Participant, subject to the limitations in Sections 4.1.
8.1.2Value of Performance Shares/Units. Each Performance Share/Unit will have an value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share.
8.2Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Board will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions, including, without limitation, time-based vesting provisions, in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Performance Shares/Units that will be paid out to Participants. The time period during which the Performance Goals or other vesting provisions must be met will be called the “Performance Period.” Each Award of Performance Shares/Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Board, in its discretion, will determine. The Board or a duly authorized Committee may set Performance Goals based upon the achievement of Company-wide or Individual Objectives or any other basis determined by the Board in its discretion.
8.3Earning of Performance Shares/Units. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Shares/Units will be entitled to receive a payment based on the number of Performance Shares/Units earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Share/Unit, the Board, in its discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Performance Share/Unit, however; in no case may the Performance Period be less than one year from the date of grant for performance based awards or less than three years from the date of grant for time-based vesting of grants.
8.4Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Shares/Units. Payment with respect to earned Performance Shares/Units shall be made as soon as reasonably practical after the expiration of the Performance Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”), any payments that are to be made pursuant to this Plan that are considered to be non-qualified deferred compensation distributable in connection with the Participant’s separation from service with the Company for purposes of Section 409A and that are due during the first six (6) months following the date of such separation from service shall not be paid when due, but rather shall be accumulated and paid on the first normal payroll date following the date that is six months after Participant’s separation from service. This Plan shall be construed to comply with the requirements of Section 409A and all other guidance issued by governmental authorities with respect to Section 409A.
8.5Cancellation of Performance Shares Units. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Shares/Units will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.
SECTION 9
MISCELLANEOUS
9.1Change In Control. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, in the event of a Change in Control, unless an Award is assumed or substituted by the successor corporation, then (i) such Awards shall become fully exercisable as of the date of the Change in Control, whether or not then exercisable and (ii) all restrictions and conditions on any Award then outstanding shall lapse as of the date of the Change in Control.
9.2Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan or in any Award Agreement, the Participant shall have the right to exercise his or her Award until ten (10) days prior to such dissolution or transaction as to all of the Shares covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be exercisable.
9.3No Effect on Employment or Service. Nothing in the Plan shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate any Participant’s employment or service at any time, with or without cause. Unless otherwise provided by written contract, employment or service with the Company or any of its Affiliates is on an at-will basis only. Additionally, the Plan shall not confer upon any Nonemployee Director any right with respect to continuation of service as a Director or nomination to serve as a Director, nor shall it interfere in any way with any rights which such Nonemployee Director or the Company may have to terminate his or her directorship at any time.
9.4Limitations on Awards. No Participant shall be granted an Award in any Fiscal Year for where the underlying Shares of such Award represents more than the lesser of: (i) one percent (1%) of the Company’s total number of outstanding Shares immediately prior to the issuance of such Award, or (ii) two hundred thousand (200,000) Shares; provided, however, that such limitation shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 4.3.
9.5Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan, with respect to Awards granted hereunder, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or, otherwise, sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company.
9.6Beneficiary Designations. If permitted by the Board, a Participant under the Plan may name a beneficiary or beneficiaries to whom any vested but unpaid Award shall be paid in the event of the Participant’s death. Each such designation shall revoke all prior designations by the Participant and shall be effective only if given in a form and manner acceptable to the Board. In the absence of any such designation, any vested benefits remaining unpaid at the Participant’s death shall be paid to the Participant’s estate and, subject to the terms of the Plan and of the applicable Award Agreement, any unexercised vested Award may be exercised by the Board or executor of the Participant’s estate.
9.7Limited Transferability of Awards. No Award granted under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All rights with respect to an Award granted to a Participant shall be available during his or her lifetime only to the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant may, in a manner specified by the Board, (a) transfer a Nonqualified Stock Option to a Participant’s spouse, former spouse or dependent pursuant to a court-approved domestic relations order which relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments or marital property rights and (b) transfer a Nonqualified Stock Option by bona fide gift and not for any consideration to (i) a member or members of the Participant’s immediate family, (ii) a trust established for the exclusive benefit of the Participant and/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family, (iii) a partnership, limited liability company of other entity whose only partners or members are the Participant and/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family or (iv) a foundation in which the Participant an/or member(s) of the Participant’s immediate family control the management of the foundation’s assets.
9.8Restrictions on Share Transferability. The Board may impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Award as it may deem advisable, including, but not limited to, restrictions related to applicable federal securities laws, the requirements of any national securities exchange or system upon which Shares are then listed or traded or any blue sky or state securities laws.
9.9Intentionally Deleted.
9.10Transfers Upon a Change in Control. In the sole and absolute discretion of the Board, an Award Agreement may provide that in the event of certain Change in Control events, which may include any or all of the Change in Control events described in Section 2.8, Shares obtained pursuant to this Plan shall be subject to certain rights and obligations, which include but are not limited to the following: (i) the obligation to vote all such Shares in favor of such Change in Control transaction, whether by vote at a meeting of the Company’s shareholders or by written consent of such shareholders; (ii) the obligation to sell or exchange all such Shares and all rights to acquire Shares, under this Plan pursuant to the terms and conditions of such Change in Control transaction; (iii) the right to transfer less than all but not all of such Shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of such Change in Control transaction, and (iv) the obligation to execute all documents and take any other action reasonably requested by the Company to facilitate the consummation of such Change in Control transaction.
9.11Performance-Based Awards. Each agreement for the grant of Performance Shares or other performance-based awards shall specify the number of Shares or Units underlying the Award, the Performance Period and the Performance Objectives (each as defined below), and each agreement for the grant of any other award that the Board or duly authorized Committee determine to make subject to a Performance Objective similarly shall specify the applicable number of shares of Common Stock, the period for measuring performance and the Performance Objective. As used herein, “Performance Objectives” means performance objectives specified in the agreement for a Performance Share, or for any other award which the Board or duly authorized Committee determine to make subject to Performance Objectives, upon which the vesting or settlement of such award is conditioned and “Performance Period” means the period of time specified in an agreement over which Performance Shares, or another award which the Board or duly authorized Committee determine to make subject to a Performance Objective, are to be earned. Each agreement for a performance-based award shall specify in respect of a Performance Objective the minimum level of performance below which no payment will be made, shall describe the method of determining the amount of any payment to be made if performance is at or above the minimum acceptable level, but falls short of full achievement of the Performance Objective, and shall specify the maximum percentage payout under the agreement. Such maximum percentage in no event shall exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the Shares underlying the Award.
9.11.1Performance Metrics. The Board or duly authorized Committee shall determine and specify, in their discretion, the Performance Objectives in the agreement for a Performance Share or for any other performance-based award, which Performance Objective shall consist of: (i) one or more business criteria, including (except as limited under Section 9.11.2 below for awards to Covered Employees (as defined below)) financial, service level and individual performance criteria; and (ii) a targeted level or levels of performance with respect to such criteria. Performance Objectives may differ between Plan Participants and between types of awards from year to year.
9.11.2Performance Objectives. The Performance Objectives for Performance Shares and any other performance-based award granted to a Covered Employee, if deemed appropriate by the Board or duly authorized Committee, shall be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, and shall be based upon one or more of the following performance-based business criteria, either on a business unit or Company-specific basis or in comparison with peer group performance: revenue; revenue growth; total assets; growth of total assets; return on net assets; return on assets; return on equity; return on capital; economic value added; total stockholder return; net income; net income growth; pre-tax income; operating profit
margin; net income margin; market share; capacity utilization; increase in customer accounts; cash flow; book value; earnings per share; stock price earnings ratio. Achievement of any such Performance Objective shall be measured over a period of years not to exceed ten (10) as specified by the Board or duly authorized Committee in the agreement for the performance-based award. No business criterion other than those named above in this Section 9.11.2 may be used in establishing the Performance Objective for an award to a Covered Employee under this Section 9.11. For each such award relating to a Covered Employee, the Board or duly authorized Committee shall establish the targeted level or levels of performance for each such business criterion. The Board or duly authorized Committee may, in their discretion, reduce the amount of a payout otherwise to be made in connection with an award under this Section 9.11, but may not exercise discretion to increase such amount, and the Board or duly authorized Committee may consider other performance criteria in exercising such discretion. All determinations by the Board or duly authorized Committee as to the achievement of Performance Objectives under this Section 9.11 shall be made in writing. The Board or duly authorized Committee may not delegate any responsibility under this Section 9.11. As used herein, “Covered Employee” shall mean, with respect to any grant of an award, an executive of the Company or any subsidiary who is a member of the executive compensation group under the Company’s compensation practices (not necessarily an executive officer) whom the the Board or duly authorized Committee deem may be or become a covered employee as defined in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code for any year that such award may result in remuneration over $1 million which would not be deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code but for the provisions of the Plan and any other “qualified performance-based compensation” plan (as defined under Section 162(m) of the Code) of the Company; provided, however, that the Board or duly authorized Committee may determine that a Plan Participant has ceased to be a Covered Employee prior to the settlement of any award.
9.11.3Mandatory Deferral of Income. The Board, in their sole discretion, may require that one or more award agreements contain provisions which provide that, in the event Section 162(m) of the Code, or any successor provision relating to excessive employee remuneration, would operate to disallow a deduction by the Company with respect to all or part of any award under the Plan, a Plan Participant’s receipt of the benefit relating to such award that would not be deductible by the Company shall be deferred until the next succeeding year or years in which the Plan Participant’s remuneration does not exceed the limit set forth in such provisions of the Code; provided, however, that such deferral does not violate Code Section 409A.
SECTION 10
AMENDMENT, SUSPENSION, AND TERMINATION
10.1Amendment, Suspension, or Termination. Except as provided in Section 10.2, the Board, in its sole discretion, may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall not, without the consent of the Participant, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted to such Participant. No Award may be granted during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan.
10.2No Amendment without Shareholder Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any material Plan amendment (including but not limited to any provision to reduce the exercise or purchase price of any outstanding Options or other Awards after the Grant Date (other than for adjustments made pursuant Section 4.3), or to cancel and re-grant Options or other rights at a lower exercise price), to the extent necessary or desirable to comply with the rules of the NASDAQ, the Exchange Act, Section 422 of the Code, or other Applicable Law.
10.3Plan Effective Date and Duration of Awards. The Plan shall be effective as of the Plan Adoption Date subject to the shareholders of the Company approving the Plan by the required vote), subject to Sections 10.1 and 10.2 (regarding the Board’s right to amend or terminate the Plan), and shall remain in effect thereafter. However, without further shareholder approval, no Award may be granted under the Plan more than ten (10) years after the Plan Adoption Date.
SECTION 11
TAX WITHHOLDING
11.1Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).
11.2Withholding Arrangements. The Board or duly authorized Committee, in its discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (a) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares or (b) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement shall be deemed to include any amount which the Board or duly authorized Committee agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the statutory minimum federal, state or local income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered shall be determined as of the date taxes are required to be withheld.
SECTION 12
LEGAL CONSTRUCTION
12.1Liability of Company. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful grant or any Award or the issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company, its officers, Directors and Employees of any liability in respect of the failure to grant such Award or to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
12.2Grants Exceeding Allotted Shares. If the Shares covered by an Award exceed, as of the date of grant, the number of Shares, which may be issued under the Plan without additional shareholder approval, such Award shall be void with respect to such excess Shares, unless shareholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing the number of Shares subject to the Plan is timely obtained.
12.3Gender and Number. Except where otherwise indicated by the context, any masculine term used herein also shall include the feminine; the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.
12.4Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
12.5Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
12.6Governing Law. The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of California.
12.7Captions. Captions are provided herein for convenience only, and shall not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.
SECTION 13
EXECUTION
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, by its duly authorized officer, has executed this Plan on the date indicated below.
| NARA BANCORP, INC. | ||||||||
| Dated: ________ __, 2007 | By: | |||||||
.