EXHIBIT 10.3.21
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is made as of the 28th day of
October, 2002, by and between MASSBANK, a Massachusetts savings bank with its
main office in Reading, Massachusetts (the "Bank"), and Thomas J. Queeney (the
"Executive").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to provide for the Executive's continued
employment by the Bank and to delineate the Executive's and the Bank's rights
and obligations arising in connection therewith, including in the event of a
Change in Control (as defined herein) subject to the amended terms and
conditions set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Bank and the Executive agree
as follows:
1. Employment. The Bank agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive
agrees to serve in the employ of the Bank on the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth.
2. Capacity. The Executive shall serve as an officer of the Bank in such
capacity as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. In such
capacity the Executive shall, subject to the By-laws of the Bank and to the
direction of its President, Board of Directors and other appropriate officers,
have responsibility for such functions and duties as he may be directed from
time to time by the President or other appropriate officer of the Bank.
3. Term. Subject to the applicable provisions herein, the term of the
Executive's employment hereunder shall be for two years from the date hereof;
provided, however, that the term shall be extended automatically by an
additional one day commencing on the first day following the date hereof and on
each subsequent day thereafter, unless either the Executive or the Bank gives
written notice to the other of such party's election not to extend the term of
this Agreement. The last day of the term of the Executive's employment
hereunder, as so extended from time to time, is herein sometimes referred to as
the "Expiration Date."
4. Compensation and Benefits. The regular compensation and benefits
payable to the Executive under this Agreement shall be as follows:
(a) Salary. For all services rendered by the Executive under this
Agreement, the Bank shall pay the Executive a salary equal to his present salary
at the Bank, subject to increase from time to time in the sole discretion of the
Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee or the
Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. The Executive's salary shall be payable in
periodic installments in accordance with the Bank's usual practices for its
executives.
(b) Regular Benefits. The Executive shall also be entitled to
participate in those medical insurance plans, life insurance plans, disability
income plans, retirement plans, bonus incentive plans and other benefit plans
from time to time in effect generally for executives of the Bank. Such
participation shall be subject to (i) the terms of the applicable plan
documents, (ii) generally applicable policies of the Bank and (iii) the
discretion of the Board of Directors of the Bank or any administrative or other
committee provided for in or contemplated by such plan.
(c) Business Expenses. The Bank shall reimburse the Executive for all
reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred by him in the performance
of his duties and responsibilities, subject to the Bank's usual practices and
policies in connection therewith and to such reasonable requirements with
respect to substantiation and documentation as may from time to time be
specified by the Bank.
(d) Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to vacation in
accordance with the Bank's usual practices for its executives.
5. Extent of Service. During his employment hereunder, the Executive
shall devote his full business time, best efforts and business judgment, skill
and knowledge to the advancement of the interests of the Bank and to the
discharge of his duties and responsibilities hereunder. The Executive shall
comply at all times with all Bank policies. He shall not engage in any other
business activity, except as may be approved by the President of the Bank or its
Board of Directors; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as
preventing the Executive from:
(a) Investing his assets in a manner not prohibited by Section 9
hereof, and in such form or manner as shall not require any material services on
his part in the operations or affairs of the companies or other entities in
which such investments are made;
(b) Serving on the board of directors of any company, subject to the
approval of the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and the prohibitions set
forth in Section 9 and provided that he shall not be required to render any
material services with respect to the operations or affairs of any such company;
or
(c) Engaging in religious, charitable or other community or
non-profit activities which do not impair his ability to fulfill his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement.
6. Termination. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3 hereof, the
Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated without any breach of this
Agreement under the following circumstances:
(a) Death. In the event of the Executive's death during the
Executive's employment hereunder, the Executive's employment shall terminate on
the date of his death.
(b) Disability. In the event of the Executive's "disability" during
the Executive's employment hereunder, the Executive's employment may be
terminated by the Bank. For purposes of this Agreement, "disability" shall mean
the Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness which has caused
the Executive to be absent from the full-time performance of his
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duties with the Bank for a period of six consecutive months if the Bank shall
have given the Executive a notice of termination and, within 30 days after such
notice is given, the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time
performance of his duties.
(c) Termination by the Bank for Cause. The Executive's employment
hereunder may be terminated for "cause" without further liability on the part of
the Bank effective immediately upon a determination of the President or the
Board of Directors that such "cause" exists. For purposes hereof, any one or
more of the following shall constitute "cause" for such termination:
(i) Dishonesty of the Executive with respect to the Bank or any
affiliate thereof;
(ii) Commission by the Executive of a crime punishable as a
felony;
(iii) Failure by the Executive to perform in a satisfactory
manner a substantial portion of his duties and responsibilities hereunder;
or
(iv) Breach by the Executive of any term of this Agreement,
including without limitation Section 9 hereof.
(d) Termination by the Bank Without Cause. The Executive's employment
with the Bank may be terminated without cause at any time by the Bank.
(e) Termination by the Executive. The Executive's employment with the
Bank may be terminated by Executive at any time, including for Good Reason
following a Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason shall
mean the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) A substantial adverse change, not consented to by the
Executive, in the nature or scope of the Executive's title,
responsibilities, authorities, powers, reporting relationship, functions or
duties from the title, responsibilities, authorities, powers, reporting
relationship, functions or duties exercised by the Executive immediately
prior to the Change in Control; or
(ii) A reduction in the Executive's annual base salary as in
effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to
time; or
(iii) The relocation of the Bank's offices at which the Executive
is principally employed immediately prior to the date of a Change in
Control to a location more than 25 miles from such offices, or the
requirement by the Bank for the Executive to be based anywhere other than
the Bank's offices at such location, except for required travel on the
Bank's business to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive's
business travel obligations immediately prior to the Change in Control; or
(iv) The failure by the Bank to pay to the Executive any portion
of his compensation or to pay to the Executive any portion of
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an installment of deferred compensation under any deferred compensation
program of the Bank within 15 days of the date such compensation is due
without prior written consent of the Executive; or
(v) Breach by the Bank of any provision of this Agreement or
any other agreement that may exist from time to time between the Executive
and the Bank that provides for the payment of any compensation or benefits
to Executive; or
(vi) The failure by the Bank to obtain and deliver to the
Executive an effective agreement from any successor to assume and agree to
perform this Agreement.
(f) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" shall mean: (A) if
Executive's employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death; (B) if
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of his disability, 30 days after
the date on which a notice of termination is given, (C) if Executive's
employment is terminated by the Bank without cause, 60 days after the date on
which a notice of termination is given; and (D) if Executive's employment is
terminated for any other reason, the date on which a notice of termination is
given.
7. Compensation Upon Termination.
(a) Termination Due to Death. If Executive's employment terminates by
reason of his death, the Bank shall, within 90 days of death, pay in a lump sum
cash payment to such person as Executive shall designate in a notice filed with
the Bank or, if no such person is designated, to Executive's estate, Executive's
accrued and unpaid salary to the date of his death, plus his accrued and unpaid
incentive compensation, if any. Upon the death of Executive, all unvested stock
options granted to Executive shall immediately vest and become fully
exercisable, and Executive's estate or other legal representatives shall have
one year from the Date of Termination, to exercise all stock options granted to
Executive. All other stock-based grants and awards held by Executive shall vest
upon the death of Executive. For a period of one year following the Date of
Termination, the Bank shall pay such health insurance premiums as may be
necessary to allow Executive's spouse and dependents to receive health insurance
coverage substantially similar to coverage they received prior to the Date of
Termination. In addition to the foregoing, any payments to which Executive's
spouse, beneficiaries, or estate may be entitled under any employee benefit plan
shall also be paid in accordance with the terms of such plan or arrangement.
Such payments, in the aggregate, shall fully discharge the Bank's obligations
hereunder.
(b) Disability. In the event of termination pursuant to Section 6(b),
the Bank shall, within 90 days of the Date of Termination, pay to the Executive
in a lump sum cash payment Executive's accrued and unpaid salary to the Date of
Termination, plus his accrued and unpaid incentive compensation, if any. In
addition, the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits, subject to
the Executive signing a general release of claims (other than claims for the
right to receive the payments or benefits set forth in this Section 7(b)) in a
form and manner satisfactory to the Bank:
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(i) The Executive shall continue to receive his full salary
under Section 4(a) of this Agreement until the earlier of his death, his
becoming eligible for disability income under the Bank's disability income
plan or two years following the Date of Termination;
(ii) For a period of two years following the Date of
Termination, the Bank shall pay such health insurance premiums as may be
necessary to allow Executive and Executive's spouse and dependents to
receive health insurance coverage substantially similar to coverage they
received immediately prior to the Date of Termination; and
(iii) All unvested stock options granted to Executive shall
immediately vest and become exercisable, and the Executive or his legal
representative shall have one year from the Date of Termination to exercise
all stock options, subject to the provisions of Section 9(c). All other
stock-based grants and awards held by Executive shall immediately vest upon
the Date of Termination.
(c) Termination by the Bank for Cause. In the event of termination
pursuant to Section 6(c), the Bank shall, within 90 days of the Date of
Termination, pay to the Executive in a lump sum cash payment Executive's accrued
and unpaid salary to the Date of Termination. Thereafter, the Bank shall have no
further obligation to Executive except as otherwise expressly provided under
this Agreement, provided that any such termination shall not adversely affect or
alter Executive's rights under any employee benefit plan of the Bank in which
Executive, at the Date of Termination, has a vested interest, unless otherwise
provided in such employee benefit plan or any agreement or other instrument
attendant thereto. In addition, all stock options held by Executive as of the
Date of Termination shall immediately terminate and be of no further force and
effect, and all other stock-based grants and awards shall be cancelled or
terminated in accordance with their terms.
(d) Termination by the Bank Without Cause. In the event of
termination pursuant to Section 6(d), the Bank shall, within 90 days of the Date
of Termination, pay to the Executive in a lump sum cash payment Executive's
accrued and unpaid salary to the Date of Termination, plus his accrued and
unpaid incentive compensation, if any. In addition, the Executive shall be
entitled to the following benefits, subject to the Executive signing a general
release of claims (other than claims for the right to receive the payments or
benefits set forth in this Section 7(d)) in a form and manner satisfactory to
the Bank:
(i) The Bank shall within 30 days following the Date of
Termination pay Executive in a lump sum cash payment an amount equal to two
times the sum of (A) Executive's current base salary and (B) the greater of
(1) his immediate prior fiscal year's bonus or (2) the average of the
Executive's bonus for the immediate past three fiscal years;
(ii) Upon the Date of Termination, each unvested stock option
and any other stock-based grants and awards held by Executive shall
immediately vest and become exercisable by the Executive. Subject to the
provisions of Section 9(c), each such stock option may be exercised by
Executive within 180 days after the Date of Termination;
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(iii) In addition to any other benefits to which Executive may be
entitled in accordance with the Bank's then existing severance policies,
the Bank shall, for a period of two years commencing on the Date of
Termination, pay such health insurance premiums as may be necessary to
allow Executive and Executive's spouse and dependents to continue to
receive health insurance coverage substantially similar to coverage they
received immediately prior to the Date of Termination; and
(iv) Except as expressly set forth in this Section 7(d) or
required by applicable law, the Executive shall not be entitled to any
other payments or benefits from the Bank following his termination without
cause.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms of this Section 7(d) shall not apply to
a termination with respect to which Executive is entitled to receive benefits
pursuant to Section 8(c).
(e) Termination by the Executive. In the event of termination
pursuant to Section 6(e), the Bank shall, within 90 days of the Date of
Termination, pay to the Executive in a lump sum cash payment Executive's accrued
and unpaid salary to the Date of Termination. Thereafter, the Bank shall have no
further obligation to Executive except as otherwise expressly provided under
this Agreement, provided that any such termination shall not adversely affect or
alter Executive's rights under any employee benefit plan of the Bank in which
Executive, at the Date of Termination, has a vested interest, unless otherwise
provided in such employee benefit plan or any agreement or other instrument
attendant thereto. In addition, subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all
vested but unexercised stock options held by Executive as of the Date of
Termination must be exercised by Executive within three months following the
Date of Termination or by the end of the option term, if earlier. All other
stock-based grants and awards held by Executive shall vest or be canceled upon
the Date of Termination in accordance with their terms. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the terms of this Section 7(e) shall not apply to a termination with
respect to which Executive is entitled to receive benefits pursuant to Section
8(c).
8. Certain Change in Control Payments.
(a) Purpose. The provisions of this Section 8 shall apply if the Date
of Termination is within 24 months after the first event constituting a Change
in Control. The provisions of this Section 8 shall terminate and be of no
further force or effect beginning on the second anniversary of a Change in
Control.
(b) A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred in any one
of the following events:
(i) Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act")) becomes a
"beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
the Act) (other than MASSBANK Corp. ("the Company"), any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company,
or any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of
the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of
stock of the Company), directly
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or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent
(50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then
outstanding securities;
(ii) Persons who, as of October 1, 2002, constituted the
Company's Board of Directors (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason,
including without limitation as a result of a tender offer, proxy contest,
merger or similar transaction, to constitute at least a majority of the
Board of Directors of the Company, provided that any person becoming a
director of the Company subsequent to October 1, 2002 whose election was
approved by at least a majority of the directors then comprising the
Incumbent Board shall, for purposes of this Agreement, be considered a
member of the Incumbent Board;
(iii) The stockholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or other entity,
other than (A) 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) more than 60% of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving
entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (B) a
merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the
Company (or similar transaction) in which no "person" (as hereinabove
defined) acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the
Company's then outstanding securities; or
(iv) The stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by
the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
(c) Severance Payment. In the event within 24 months after a Change
in Control the Executive's employment is terminated by the Bank without cause
(pursuant to Section 6(d)) or by the Executive for Good Reason (pursuant to
Section 6(e)), then in lieu of the benefits provided in Sections 7(d) and 7(e)
above the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits, subject to
signing by Executive of a general release of claims (other than claims for the
right to receive the payments or benefits set forth in this Section 8) in a form
and manner satisfactory to the Bank:
(i) The Bank shall pay to the Executive an amount equal to
three times the "base amount" (as such term is defined in Section
280G(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"))
applicable to the Executive, payable in one lump-sum cash payment no later
than 30 days following the Date of Termination (as such term is defined in
Section 6(f)); and
(ii) All unvested stock options and other stock based awards
granted to Executive shall immediately vest and become exercisable by the
Executive. Each such stock option, may be exercised by Executive within 180
days after the Date of Termination
(iii) In addition to any other benefits to which the Executive
may be entitled in accordance with the Bank's then existing
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severance policies, the Bank shall, for a period of three years commencing
on the Date of Terminations, pay such health insurance premiums as may be
necessary to allow Executive and Executive's spouse and dependents to
continue to receive health insurance coverage substantially similar to
coverage they received immediately prior to the Date of Termination.
(d) Additional Limitation.
(i) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
in the event that any compensation, payment or distribution by the Bank to
or for the benefit of Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (the
"Severance Payments"), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code the following provisions shall apply:
(A) If the Severance Payments, reduced by the sum of (1)
the Excise Tax and (2) the total of the Federal, state, and local
income and employment taxes payable by Executive on the amount of the
Severance Payments which are0 in excess of the Threshold Amount (as
defined below), are greater than or equal to the Threshold Amount,
Executive shall be entitled to the full benefits payable under this
Agreement.
(B) If the Threshold Amount is less than (x) the Severance
Payments, but greater than (y) the Severance Payments reduced by the
sum of (1) the Excise Tax and (2) the total of the Federal, state, and
local income and employment taxes on the amount of the Severance
Payments which are in excess of the Threshold Amount, then the benefits
payable under this Agreement shall be reduced (but not below zero) to
the extent necessary so that the maximum Severance Payments shall not
exceed the Threshold Amount. To the extent that there is more than one
method of reducing the payments to bring them within the Threshold
Amount, Executive shall determine which method shall be followed;
provided that if Executive fails to make such determination within 45
days after the Bank has sent Executive written notice of the need for
such reduction, the Bank may determine the amount of such reduction in
its sole discretion.
For the purposes of this Paragraph 8(d)(iv), "Threshold Amount" shall mean
three times Executive's "base amount" within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(3) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder less one
dollar ($1.00); and "Excise Tax" shall mean the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code, and any interest or penalties incurred by
Executive with respect to such excise tax.
(ii) The determination as to which of the alternative provisions
of Paragraph 8(d)(iv)(A) shall apply to Executive shall be made by KPMG LLP
or any other nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Bank
(the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Bank and Executive within 15 business days of the
Date of Termination, if applicable, or at such earlier time as is
reasonably requested by the Bank or Executive. For purposes of determining
which of the alternative provisions of
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Paragraph 8(d)(iv)(A) shall apply, Executive shall be deemed to pay federal
income taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income taxation
applicable to individuals for the calendar year in which the determination
is to be made, and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal
rates of individual taxation in the state and locality of Executive's
residence on the Date of Termination, net of the maximum reduction in
federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state
and local taxes. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding
upon the Bank and Executive.
(e) Fees and Expenses. The Bank shall pay to the Executive all
reasonable legal and arbitration fees and expenses incurred by Executive in
successfully obtaining or enforcing any right or benefit provided in Section 8
of this Agreement.
9. Non-competition and Confidential Information.
(a) Non-competition. During the term of Executive's employment with the
Bank, and, if Executive's employment with the Bank terminates for any reason at
least 90 days prior to a Change in Control, then during the period after such
termination of employment equal to the longer of (x) one year following the Date
of Termination, and (y) two years following the Date of Termination if the
Executive receives payments or benefits pursuant to Sections 7(b), 7(d) or 8(c)
hereof, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner,
partner, shareholder, consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer or otherwise, or
through any person, association or entity, become an employee of or a consultant
to, become a Director of or acquire any ownership interest in, or carry on,
operate, manage, control, or become involved in any manner with any bank (or any
financial institution that engages in consumer banking) that maintains or
operates an office or branch in any city or town where the Bank maintains or
operates an office or branch as of the Date of Termination, nor will Executive
attempt to hire any employee of the Bank, assist (but not including giving
references) in such hiring by any other person, association or entity, encourage
any such employee to terminate his or her relationship with the Bank, or solicit
or encourage any customer of the Bank to terminate or reduce its relationship
with the Bank, or to conduct with any other person, association or entity any
business or activity which such customer conducts or could conduct with the
Bank, whether or not the Bank's relationship with such customer was originally
established in whole or in part by the Executive; provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not prohibit the Executive from owning up to two percent (2%) of
the outstanding stock of a publicly traded company engaged in the banking or
financial services industry.
(b) Confidential Information. The Executive will not at any time
disclose to any other person, association or entity (except as required by
applicable law or in connection with the performance of his duties and
responsibilities hereunder), or use for his own benefit or gain, any
confidential information of the Bank obtained by him incident to his employment
with the Bank. The term "confidential information" includes, without limitation,
financial information, business plans, business practices, customer lists,
prospects and opportunities (such as lending relationships, trust relationships,
financial product developments, or possible acquisitions or dispositions of
businesses or facilities) which have been implemented, discussed or considered
by the Bank but does not include
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any information which has become part of the public domain by means other than
the Executive's non-observance of his obligations hereunder.
(c) Relief. The Executive agrees that the Bank shall be entitled to
injunctive relief for any breach by him of the covenants contained in Section
9(a) or 9(b). In addition, notwithstanding anything herein or in any option plan
or agreement to the contrary, with respect to any stock option granted to the
Executive by the Bank on or after the date hereof (the "New Options"), upon any
breach by Executive of the covenants contained in Section 9(a) then (i) all New
Options shall immediately terminate and be of no further force and effect, and
(ii) with respect to any New Options that were exercised during the one year
period immediately prior to such breach (A) to the extent Executive owns any
shares that he received as a result of such option exercise, then Executive
shall sell to the Bank (and the Bank shall purchase from Executive) such shares
for an aggregate purchase price equal to the lesser of (x) the aggregate
exercise price paid by Executive for such shares, or (y) the fair market value
of such shares, and (B) to the extent Executive no longer owns any shares that
he received as a result of such option exercise, the Executive shall pay to the
Bank an amount of cash equal to the sum of (x) any gain realized upon the
exercise of such option, and (y) any gain realized upon the sale or transfer of
such shares.
(d) Interpretation. In the event that any provision of this Section 9
shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable
by reason of its being extended over too great a period of time, too large a
geographic area, or too great a range of activities, it shall be interpreted to
extend only over the maximum period of time, geographic area, or range of
activities as to which it may be enforceable. As used in this Section 9, the
term "Bank" means the Bank and its affiliates.
10. Conflicting Agreements. The Executive hereby represents and warrants
that the execution of this Agreement and the performance of his obligations
hereunder will not breach or be in conflict with any other agreement to which he
is a party or is bound, and that he is not now subject to any covenants against
competition or similar covenants which would affect the performance of his
obligations hereunder.
11. Withholding. All payments made by the Bank under this Agreement shall
be net of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Bank under
applicable law.
12. Arbitration of Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof shall be settled by arbitration
in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association in the City
of Boston. Such arbitration shall be conducted in the City of Boston in
accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon
the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof.
13. Assignment; Successors and Assigns, etc. Neither the Bank nor the
Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by
operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other
party; provided, however, that the Bank may assign its rights under this
Agreement without the consent of the Executive in the event the Bank shall
hereafter effect a reorganization, consolidate with or merge into
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any other party, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or
assets to any other party.
14. Waiver. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless
made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of any party to
require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the
waiver by any party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent any
subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any
subsequent breach.
15. Enforceability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement shall to
any extent be declared illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, then the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such
portion or provision in circumstances other than those as to which it is so
declared illegal or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each
portion and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the
fullest extent permitted by law. The provisions of Sections 8(d), 8(e), 9 and 12
shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
16. Notices. Any notices, requests, demands and other communications
provided for by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered
in person or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the
Executive at the last address the Executive has filed in writing with the Bank
or, in the case of the Bank, at its main office, attention of the President.
17. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written
instrument signed by the Executive and by duly authorized representatives of the
Bank.
18. Governing Law. This is a Massachusetts contract and shall be construed
under and be governed in all respects by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
19. Prior Agreements. All agreements that may exist between the Bank and
Executive that provide for the payment of any compensation or benefits to
Executive shall survive.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as a sealed
instrument by the Bank and the Executive, as of the date first above written.
MASSBANK
By: /s/ Gerard H. Brandi
-------------------------------
Gerard H. Brandi
Title: President & CEO
/s/ Thomas J. Queeney
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Thomas J. Queeney
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