EXHIBIT 10.17
FORM OF EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
The following individuals have entered into an Executive
Severance Agreement in the following form, all of which are identical
except for the names and dates of the respective individual employee:
Kevin T. Kabat
Robert L. Sadler
B.P. Sherwood, III
David J. Wagner
Robert H. Warrington
Thomas D. Wisnom
Executive Severance
Agreement for
OLD KENT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
DATE
CONTENTS
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Page
Article 1. Establishment, Term, and Purpose 2
Article 2. Definitions 2
Article 3. Severance Benefits 6
Article 4. Form and Timing of Severance Benefits 9
Article 5. Excise Tax Equalization Payment 9
Article 6. Establishment of Trust 11
Article 7. The Company's Payment Obligation 11
Article 8. Legal Remedies 12
Article 9. Outplacement Assistance 12
Article 10. Successors and Assignment 12
Article 11. Miscellaneous 13
Old Kent Financial Corporation
Executive Severance Agreement
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the DAY OF
1997, by and between Old Kent Financial Corporation
(hereinafter referred to as the "Company") and
(hereinafter referred to as the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has approved the Company
entering into severance agreements with certain key executives of the
Company;
WHEREAS, the Executive is a key executive of the Company;
WHEREAS, should the possibility of a Change in Control of the Company
arise, the Board believes it is imperative that the Company and the Board
should be able to rely upon the Executive to continue in his position, and
that the Company should be able to receive and rely upon the Executive's
advice, if requested, as to the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders without concern that the Executive might be distracted by the
personal uncertainties and risks created by the possibility of a Change in
Control;
WHEREAS, should the possibility of a Change in Control arise, in
addition to [his/her] regular duties, the Executive may be called upon to
assist in the assessment of such possible Change in Control, advise
management and the Board as to whether such Change in Control would be in
the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and to take such
other actions as the Board might determine to be appropriate; and
WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company desire that the terms of this
Agreement shall completely replace and supersede the provisions set forth
in the Executive Severance Agreement, entered into by and between the
Company and the Executive on , setting forth the terms and
provisions with respect to the Executive's entitlement to payments and
benefits following a Change in Control of the Company.
NOW THEREFORE, to assure the Company that it will have the continued
dedication of the Executive and the availability of [his/her] advice and
counsel notwithstanding the possibility, threat, or occurrence of a Change
in Control of the Company, and to induce the Executive to remain in the
employ of the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
Company and the Executive agree as follows:
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ARTICLE 1. ESTABLISHMENT, TERM, AND PURPOSE
This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and shall continue
in effect for three (3) full calendar years. However, at the end of such
three (3) year period and, if extended, at the end of each additional year
thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall be extended automatically for
one (1) additional year, unless the Committee delivers written notice six
(6) months prior to the end of such term, or extended term, to each
Executive, that the Agreement will not be extended. In such case, the
Agreement will terminate at the end of the term, or extended term, then in
progress.
However, in the event a Change in Control occurs during the original or
any extended term, this Agreement will remain in effect for the longer of:
(i) twenty-four (24) months beyond the month in which such Change in
Control occurred; or (ii) until all obligations of the Company hereunder
have been fulfilled, and until all benefits required hereunder have been
paid to the Executive.
Article 2. Definitions
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below and, when the meaning is intended, the initial
letter of the word is capitalized.
2.1 "Base Salary" means the salary of record paid to an Executive as
annual salary, excluding amounts received under incentive or other
bonus plans, whether or not deferred.
2.2 "Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act.
2.3 "Beneficiary" means the persons or entities designated or deemed
designated by the Executive pursuant to Section 11.2 herein.
2.4 "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5 "Cause" means: (a) the Executive's willful and continued failure to
substantially perform [his/her] duties with the Company (other than
any such failure resulting from Disability or occurring after
issuance by the Executive of a Notice of Termination for Good
Reason), after a written demand for substantial performance is
delivered to the Executive that specifically identifies the manner
in which the Company believes that the Executive has willfully
failed to substantially perform [his/her] duties, and after the
Executive has failed to resume substantial performance of [his/her]
duties on a continuous basis within fourteen (14) calendar days of
receiving such demand; (b) the Executive's willfully engaging in
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conduct (other than conduct covered under (a) above) which is
demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or
otherwise; or (c) the Executive's having been convicted of a
felony. For purposes of this subparagraph, no act, or failure to
act, on the Executive's part shall be deemed "willful" unless done,
or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and
without reasonable belief that the action or omission was in the
best interests of the Company.
2.6 "Change in Control" of the Company means an occurrence of a nature
that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of
Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act.
Without limiting the inclusiveness of the definition in the
preceding sentence, a Change in Control of the Corporation shall be
deemed to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of
the following conditions is satisfied:
(a) Any Person is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent
(25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company's
then outstanding securities; or
(b) The failure at any time of the Continuing Directors to
constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the
Company; and for this purpose, the term "Continuing Directors"
means the individuals who were either (i) first elected or
appointed as a director prior to the Effective Date, or (ii)
subsequently appointed as a director, if appointed or nominated
by at least a majority of the Continuing Directors in office at
the time of the nomination or appointment, but specifically
excluding any individual whose initial assumption of office
occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election
contest (as the term is used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A
promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or
threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf
of a Person other than the Board of Directors; or
(c) Any of the following occur:
(i) Any merger or consolidation of the Company, other than a
merger or consolidation in which the voting securities of
the Company immediately prior to the merger or
consolidation continue to represent (either by remaining
outstanding or being converted into securities of the
surviving entity) sixty percent (60%) or more of the
combined voting power of the Company or surviving entity
immediately after the merger or consolidation with another
entity;
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(ii) Any sale, exchange, lease, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or
other disposition (in a single transaction or a series of
related transactions) of assets or earning power
aggregating more than fifty percent (50%) of the assets or
earning power of the Company on a consolidated basis;
(iii) Any complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(iv) Any reorganization, reverse stock split, or
recapitalization of the Company which would result in a
Change in Control as otherwise defined herein; or
(v) Any transaction or series of related transactions having,
directly or indirectly, the same effect as any of the
foregoing.
2.7 "Code" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.
2.8 "Committee" means the Personnel Committee of the Board or any other
committee appointed by the Board to perform the functions of the
Personnel Committee.
2.9 "Company" means Old Kent Financial Corporation, or any successor
thereto as provided in Article 10 herein.
2.10 "Disability" means that, as a result of the Executive's incapacity
due to physical or mental illness, the Executive shall have been
absent from the full-time performance of [his/her] duties with the
Company for twelve (12) consecutive months and, within thirty (30)
calendar days after written notice of suspension due to Disability
is given, the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time
performance of his duties.
2.11 "Effective Date" means the date of this Agreement set forth above.
2.12 "Effective Date of Termination" means the date on which a
Qualifying Termination occurs which triggers the payment of
Severance Benefits hereunder.
2.13 "Exchange Act" means the United States Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
2.14 "Good Reason" shall mean, without the Executive's express written
consent, the occurrence of any one or more of the following:
(a) The assignment of the Executive to duties materially
inconsistent with the Executive's authorities, duties,
responsibilities, and status (including offices, titles, and
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reporting requirements) as an employee of the Company, or a
reduction or alteration in the nature or status of the
Executive's authorities, duties, or responsibilities from
those in effect during the immediately preceding fiscal year;
(b) The Company's requiring the Executive to be based at a
location which is at least fifty (50) miles further from the
current primary residence than is such residence from the
Company's current headquarters, except for required travel on
the Company's business to an extent substantially consistent
with the Executive's business obligations as of the Effective
Date;
(c) A reduction by the Company in the Executive's Base Salary as
in effect on the Effective Date or as the same shall be
increased from time to time;
(d) A material reduction in the Executive's level of participation
in any of the Company's short- and/or long-term incentive
compensation plans, or employee benefit or retirement plans,
policies, practices, or arrangements in which the Executive
participates as of the Effective Date; provided, however, that
reductions in the levels of participation in any such plans
shall not be deemed to be "Good Reason" if the Executive's
reduced level of participation in each such program remains
substantially consistent with the average level of
participation of other executives who have positions
commensurate with the Executive's position;
(e) The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement
from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to
perform this Agreement, as contemplated in Article 10 herein;
or
(f) Any termination of Executive's employment by the Company that
is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination.
The existence of Good Reason shall not be affected by the
Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness. The
Executive's continued employment shall not constitute a waiver of
the Executive's rights with respect to any circumstance
constituting Good Reason.
2.15 "Person" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) thereof, including a "group" as provided in Section 13(d).
2.16 "Potential Change in Control" means the Company's entering into,
or the Board of Directors authorizing, an agreement, the
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consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change
in Control; or (ii) adoption by the Board of Directors of a
resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a
Potential Change in Control has occurred.
2.17 "Qualifying Termination" means any of the events described in
Section 3.2 herein, the occurrence of which triggers the payment
of Severance Benefits hereunder.
2.18 "Retirement" shall mean Early, Normal or Late Retirement as
defined in the Old Kent Retirement Income Plan.
2.19 "Severance Benefits" means the payment of severance compensation
as provided in Section 3.3 herein.
2.20 "Trust" means the Company grantor trust to be created pursuant to
Article 6 of this Agreement.
Article 3. Severance Benefits
3.1 RIGHT TO SEVERANCE BENEFITS. The Executive shall be entitled to
receive from the Company Severance Benefits, as described in Section 3.3
herein, if there has been a Change in Control of the Company and if, within
the six (6) full calendar month period prior to the effective date of a
Change in Control, or within twenty-four (24) calendar months following the
effective date of a Change in Control, the Executive's employment with the
Company shall end for any reason specified in Section 3.2 herein.
The Executive shall not be entitled to receive Severance Benefits if
[he/she] is terminated for Cause, or if [his/her] employment with the
Company ends due to death or Disability, or due to a voluntary termination
of employment by the Executive without Good Reason.
3.2 QUALIFYING TERMINATION. The occurrence of any one or more of the
following events within the six (6) full calendar month period prior to the
effective date of a Change in Control, or within twenty-four (24) calendar
months following the effective date of a Change in Control of the Company
shall trigger the payment of Severance Benefits to the Executive under this
Agreement:
(a) An involuntary termination of the Executive's employment by
the Company for reasons other than Cause;
(b) A voluntary termination by the Executive for Good Reason;
(c) A successor company fails or refuses to assume the Company's
obligations under this Agreement, as required by Article 10
herein; or
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(d) The Company or any successor company breaches any of the
provisions of this Agreement.
3.3 DESCRIPTION OF SEVERANCE BENEFITS. In the event the Executive
becomes entitled to receive Severance Benefits, as provided in Sections 3.1
and 3.2 herein, the Company shall pay to the Executive and provide
[him/her] with the following:
(a) An amount equal to three (3) times the highest rate of the
Executive's annualized Base Salary rate in effect at any time
up to and including the Effective Date of Termination.
(b) An amount equal to three (3), times the greater of: (i) the
Executive's average annual bonus earned over the three (3)
full fiscal years prior to the Effective Date of Termination;
or (ii) the Executive's target annual bonus established for
the bonus plan year in which the Executive's Effective Date of
Termination occurs.
(c) An amount equal to the Executive's unpaid Base Salary and
accrued vacation pay through the Effective Date of
Termination.
(d) An amount equal to the Executive's unpaid targeted annual
bonus, established for the plan year in which the Executive's
Effective Date of Termination occurs, multiplied by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days
completed in the then-existing fiscal year through the
Effective Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is
three hundred sixty-five (365).
(e) A continuation of the welfare benefits of health care, life
and accidental death and dismemberment, and disability
insurance coverage for three (3) full years after the
Effective Date of Termination. These benefits shall be
provided to the Executive at the same premium cost, and at the
same coverage level, as in effect as of the Executive's
Effective Date of Termination. However, in the event the
premium cost and/or level of coverage shall change for all
employees of the Company, the cost and/or coverage level,
likewise, shall change for each Executive in a corresponding
manner.
The continuation of these welfare benefits shall be
discontinued prior to the end of the three (3) year period in
the event the Executive has available substantially similar
benefits from a subsequent employer, as determined by the
Committee.
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(f) A lump-sum cash payment of the actuarial present value
equivalent of the aggregate benefits accrued by the Executive
as of the Effective Date of Termination under the Old Kent
Executive Retirement Income Plan. For this purpose, such
benefits shall be calculated under the assumption that the
Executive's employment continued following the Effective Date
of Termination for three (3) full years (i.e., three (3)
additional years of age and service credits shall be added);
provided, however, that for purposes of determining "final
average pay" under such programs, the Executive's actual pay
history as of the effective date of termination shall be used.
(g) A lump-sum cash payment of the entire balance of the
Executive's compensation which has been deferred under the Old
Kent Deferred Compensation Plan, the Old Kent Executive Thrift
Plan, and the Old Kent Deferred Stock Compensation Plan, as
applicable, together with all interest that has been credited
with respect to any such deferred compensation balances
pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan.
3.4 TERMINATION FOR DISABILITY. Following a Change in Control of the
Company, if an Executive's employment is terminated due to Disability, the
Executive shall receive [his/her] Base Salary through the Effective Date of
Termination, at which point in time the Executive's benefits shall be
determined in accordance with the Company's disability, retirement,
insurance, and other applicable plans and programs then in effect.
3.5 TERMINATION FOR RETIREMENT OR DEATH. Following a Change in Control
of the Company, if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
[his/her] Retirement or death, the Executive's benefits shall be determined
in accordance with the Company's retirement, survivor's benefits,
insurance, and other applicable programs of the Company then in effect.
3.6 TERMINATION FOR CAUSE, OR OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON OR
RETIREMENT. Following a Change in Control of the Company, if the
Executive's employment is terminated either: (a) by the Company for Cause;
or (b) by the Executive (other than for Retirement) and other than for
Good Reason, the Company shall pay the Executive [his/her] full Base Salary
and accrued vacation through the Effective Date of Termination, at the rate
then in effect, plus all other amounts to which the Executive is entitled
under any compensation plans of the Company, at the time such payments are
due, and the Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive
under this Agreement.
3.7 NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for Cause or
by the Executive for Good Reason shall be communicated by a Notice of
Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination"
shall mean a written notice which shall indicate the specific termination
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provision in this Agreement relied upon, and shall set forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated.
Article 4. Form and Timing of Severance Benefits
4.1 FORM AND TIMING OF SEVERANCE BENEFITS. The Severance Benefits
described in Sections 3.3(a), 3.3(b), 3.3(c), 3.3(d), 3.3(f), and 3.3(g)
herein shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum as soon
as practicable following the Effective Date of Termination, but in no event
beyond thirty (30) days from such date.
4.2 WITHHOLDING OF TAXES. The Company shall be entitled to withhold
from any amounts payable under this Agreement all taxes as legally shall be
required (including, without limitation, any United States federal taxes
and any other state, city, or local taxes).
Article 5. Excise Tax Equalization Payment
5.1 EXCISE TAX EQUALIZATION PAYMENT. In the event that the Executive
becomes entitled to Severance Benefits or any other payment or benefit
under this Agreement, or under any other agreement with or plan of the
Company (in the aggregate, the "Total Payments"), if all or any part of the
Total Payments will be subject to the tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code (or any similar tax that may hereafter be
imposed), the Company shall pay to the Executive in cash an additional
amount (the "Gross-Up Payment") such that the net amount retained by the
Executive after deduction of any Excise Tax upon the Total Payments and any
federal, state, and local income tax, penalties, interest, and Excise Tax
upon the Gross-Up Payment provided for by this Section 5.1 (including FICA
and FUTA), shall be equal to the Total Payments. Such payment shall be made
by the Company to the Executive as soon as practical following the
effective date of termination, but in no event beyond thirty (30) days from
such date.
5.2 TAX COMPUTATION. For purposes of determining whether any of the
Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amounts of such
Excise Tax:
(a) Any other payments or benefits received or to be received by
the Executive in connection with a Change in Control of the
Company or the Executive's termination of employment (whether
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan,
arrangement, or agreement with the Company, or with any Person
whose actions result in a Change in Control of the Company or
any Person affiliated with the Company or such Persons) shall
be treated as "parachute payments" within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all "excess parachute
payments" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) shall be
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treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless in the opinion of
tax counsel as supported by the Company's independent auditors
and acceptable to the Executive, such other payments or
benefits (in whole or in part) do not constitute parachute
payments, or unless such excess parachute payments (in whole
or in part) represent reasonable compensation for services
actually rendered within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of
the Code in excess of the base amount within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code, or are otherwise not subject
to the Excise Tax;
(b) The amount of the Total Payments which shall be treated as
subject to the Excise Tax shall be equal to the lesser of: (i)
the total amount of the Total Payments; or (ii) the amount of
excess parachute payments within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(1) (after applying clause (a) above); and
(c) The value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or
benefit shall be determined by the Company's independent
auditors in accordance with the principles of
Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the
Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of federal income taxation in the calendar year in which the
Gross-Up Payment is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the
highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the
Executive's residence on the Effective Date of Termination, net of the
maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from
deduction of such state and local taxes.
5.3 SUBSEQUENT RECALCULATION. In the event the Internal Revenue
Service adjusts the computation of the Company under Section 5.2 herein so
that the Executive did not receive the greatest net benefit, the Company
shall reimburse the Executive for the full amount necessary to make the
Executive whole, plus a market rate of interest, as determined by the
Committee.
Article 6. Establishment of Trust
As soon as practicable following the Effective Date hereof, the Company
shall create a Trust (which shall be an irrevocable grantor trust within
the meaning of Sections 671-678 of the Internal Revenue Code) for the
benefit of the Executive and Beneficiaries, as appropriate. The Trust shall
have a Trustee as selected by the Company, and shall have certain
restrictions as to the Company's ability to amend the Trust or cancel
benefits provided thereunder. Any assets contained in the Trust shall, at
all times, be specifically subject to the claims of the Company's general
creditors in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency; such terms to be
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specifically defined within the provisions of the Trust, along with the
required procedure for notifying the Trustee of any bankruptcy or
insolvency.
At any time following the Effective Date hereof, the Company may deposit
assets in the Trust in an amount equal to or less than the aggregate
Severance Benefits which may become due to the Executive under Sections
3.1, 3.2, and 5.1 of this Agreement.
Upon the first to occur of a Potential Change in Control or Change in
Control, the Company shall deposit assets in such Trust in an amount equal
to the aggregate Severance Benefits which may become due to the Executive
under Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 5.1 of this Agreement, except to the extent
that assets equal to any Severance Benefits payable pursuant to Sections
3.3(f) or 3.3(g) are held in or required to be deposited in a separate
grantor trust which is in effect as of the Potential Change in Control or
Change in Control, as applicable.
Article 7. The Company's Payment Obligation
The Company's obligation to make the payments and the arrangements
provided for herein shall be absolute and unconditional, and shall not be
affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any offset,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense, or other right which the Company may
have against the Executive or anyone else. All amounts payable by the
Company hereunder shall be paid without notice or demand. Each and every
payment made hereunder by the Company shall be final, and the Company shall
not seek to recover all or any part of such payment from the Executive or
from whomsoever may be entitled thereto, for any reasons whatsoever.
The Executive shall not be obligated to seek other employment in
mitigation of the amounts payable or arrangements made under any provision
of this Agreement, and the obtaining of any such other employment shall in
no event effect any reduction of the Company's obligations to make the
payments and arrangements required to be made under this Agreement, except
to the extent provided in Section 3.3(e) herein.
Article 8. Legal Remedies
8.1 PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES. To the extent permitted by law, the Company
shall pay all legal fees, costs of litigation, prejudgment interest, and
other expenses incurred in good faith by the Executive as a result of the
Company's refusal to provide the Severance Benefits to which the Executive
becomes entitled under this Agreement, or as a result of the Company's
contesting the validity, enforceability, or interpretation of this
Agreement, or as a result of any conflict between the parties pertaining to
this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company shall be reimbursed by
the Executive for all such fees and expenses in the event the Executive
fails to prevail with respect to any one material issue of dispute in
connection with such legal action.
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8.2 ARBITRATION. The Executive shall have the right and option to
elect (in lieu of litigation) to have any dispute or controversy arising
under or in connection with this Agreement settled by arbitration,
conducted before a panel of three (3) arbitrators sitting in a location
selected by the Executive within fifty (50) miles from the location of his
employment with the Company, in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association then in effect.
Judgment may be entered on the award of the arbitrator in any court
having proper jurisdiction. All expenses of such arbitration, including the
fees and expenses of the counsel for the Executive, shall be borne by the
Company; provided, however, that the Company shall be reimbursed by the
Executive for all such fees and expenses in the event the Executive fails
to prevail with respect to any one material issue of dispute in connection
with such legal action.
Article 9. Outplacement Assistance
Following a Qualifying Termination (as described in Section 3.2 herein),
the Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for the costs of all
outplacement services obtained by the Executive within the two (2) year
period after the effective date of termination; provided, however, that the
total reimbursement shall be limited to an amount equal to fifteen percent
(15%) of the Executive's Base Salary as of the effective date of
termination.
Article 10. Successors and Assignment
10.1 SUCCESSORS TO THE COMPANY. The Company will require any successor
(whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or
otherwise) of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company or of any division or subsidiary thereof to expressly assume and
agree to perform the Company's obligations under this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform
them if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to
obtain such assumption and agreement prior to the effective date of any
such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the
Executive to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the
same terms as [he/she] would be entitled to hereunder if they had
terminated [his/her] employment with the Company voluntarily for Good
Reason. Except for the purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on
which any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Effective
Date of Termination.
10.2 ASSIGNMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributees, devisees, and legatees. If the Executive dies while any
amount would still be payable to [him/her] hereunder had [he/she] continued
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to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive's
Beneficiary. If the Executive has not named a Beneficiary, then such
amounts shall be paid to the Executive's devisee, legatee, or other
designee, or if there is no such designee, to the Executive's estate.
Article 11. Miscellaneous
11.1 EMPLOYMENT STATUS. Except as may be provided under any other
agreement between the Executive and the Company, the employment of the
Executive by the Company is "at will," and, prior to the effective date of
a Change in Control, may be terminated by either the Executive or the
Company at any time, subject to applicable law.
11.2 BENEFICIARIES. The Executive may designate one or more persons or
entities as the primary and/or contingent Beneficiaries of any Severance
Benefits owing to the Executive under this Agreement. Such designation must
be in the form of a signed writing acceptable to the Committee. The
Executive may make or change such designations at any time.
11.3 SEVERABILITY. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall
be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity
shall not affect the remaining parts of the Agreement, and the Agreement
shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had
not been included. Further, the captions of this Agreement are not part of
the provisions hereof and shall have no force and effect.
11.4 MODIFICATION. No provision of this Agreement may be modified,
waived, or discharged unless such modification, waiver, or discharge is
agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and by an authorized
member of the Committee, or by the respective parties' legal
representatives and successors.
11.5 APPLICABLE LAW. To the extent not preempted by the laws of the
United States, the laws of the state of Michigan shall be the controlling
law in all matters relating to this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement as of the day
and year written above.
OLD KENT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By ________________________________
Mary E. Tuuk
Its Vice President and Secretary
___________________________________
"Employee"
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