EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, is entered into this 1st day of July, 2005, ("Effective
Date") by and between Kearny Federal Savings Bank, Kearny, New Jersey (the
"Bank") and Craig Montanaro (the "Executive").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Executive has heretofore been employed by the Bank as a Senior
Vice President and is experienced in all phases of the business of the Bank; and
WHEREAS, the Bank desires to be ensured of the Executive's continued active
participation in the business of the Bank; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce the Executive to remain in the employ of the
Bank and in consideration of the Executive's agreeing to remain in the employ of
the Bank, the parties desire to specify the continuing employment relationship
between the Bank and the Executive;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and the mutual agreements
herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT. The Bank hereby employs the Executive in the capacity of
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Senior Vice President. The Executive hereby accepts said employment and agrees
to render such administrative and management services to the Bank and Kearny
Financial Corp., its parent holding company and any successor thereto ("Parent")
as are currently rendered and as are customarily performed by persons situated
in a similar executive capacity. The Executive shall promote the business of the
Bank and Parent. The Executive's other duties shall be such as the Board of
Directors for the Bank (the "Board of Directors" or "Board") may from time to
time reasonably direct, including normal duties as an officer of the Bank. The
Executive's employment shall be for no definite period of time, and the
Executive or the Bank may terminate such employment relationship at any time for
any reason or no reason. The employment at-will relationship remains in full
force and effect regardless of any statements to the contrary made by company
personnel or set forth in any documents other than those explicitly made to the
contrary and signed by an authorized representative of the Board.
2. TERM OF AGREEMENT. The term of this Agreement shall be for the period
commencing on the Effective Date and ending twenty-four (24) months thereafter
("Term"). Additionally, on, or before, each annual anniversary date from the
Effective Date, the Term of this Agreement shall be extended for up to an
additional period beyond the then effective expiration date upon a determination
and resolution of the Board of Directors that the performance of the Executive
has met the requirements and standards of the Board, and that the Term of such
Agreement shall be extended. If a determination is made by the Board to not
renew such Term at the time of such renewal interval, the Board shall furnish
the Executive of written notice of such determination not to renew the Term and
the reason for such action or failure to take such action by the Board within
10 calendar days of such Board action. References herein to the Term of this
Agreement shall refer both to the initial term and successive terms.
3. COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND EXPENSES.
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(a) BASE SALARY. The Bank shall compensate and pay the Executive
during the Term of this Agreement a minimum base salary at the rate of $156,000
per annum ("Base Salary"), payable in cash not less frequently than monthly;
provided, that the rate of such salary shall be reviewed by the Board of
Directors not less often than annually, and the Executive shall be entitled to
receive increases at such percentages or in such amounts as determined by the
Board of Directors. The base salary may not be decreased without the Executive's
express written consent.
(b) DISCRETIONARY BONUS. The Executive shall be entitled to
participate in an equitable manner with all other senior management employees of
the Bank in discretionary bonuses that may be authorized and declared by the
Board of Directors to its senior management executives from time to time. No
other compensation provided for in this Agreement shall be deemed a substitute
for the Executive's right to participate in such discretionary bonuses when and
as declared by the Board.
(c) PARTICIPATION IN BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT PLANS. The Executive shall
be entitled to participate in and receive the benefits of any plan of the Bank
which may be or may become applicable to senior management relating to pension
or other retirement benefit plans, profit-sharing, stock options or incentive
plans, or other plans, benefits and privileges given to employees and executives
of the Bank, to the extent commensurate with his then duties and
responsibilities, as fixed by the Board of Directors of the Bank.
(d) PARTICIPATION IN MEDICAL PLANS AND INSURANCE POLICIES. The
Executive shall be entitled to participate in and receive the benefits of any
plan or policy of the Bank which may be or may become applicable to senior
management relating to life insurance, short and long term disability, medical,
dental, eye-care, prescription drugs or medical reimbursement plans.
Additionally, Executive's dependent family shall be eligible to participate in
medical and dental insurance plans sponsored by the Bank or Parent with the cost
of such premiums paid by the Bank.
(e) VACATIONS AND SICK LEAVE. The Executive shall be entitled to paid
annual vacation leave in accordance with the policies as established from time
to time by the Board of Directors, which shall in no event be less than four
weeks per annum. The Executive shall also be entitled to an annual sick leave
benefit as established by the Board for senior management employees of the Bank.
The Executive shall not be entitled to receive any additional compensation from
the Bank for failure to take a vacation or sick leave, nor shall he be able to
accumulate unused vacation or sick leave from one year to the next; provided,
however, such Executive may carry forward from year to year a maximum of ten
days of unused vacation leave.
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(f) EXPENSES. The Bank shall reimburse the Executive or otherwise
provide for or pay for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in
furtherance of, or in connection with the business of the Bank, including, but
not by way of limitation, automobile and traveling expenses, and all reasonable
entertainment expenses, subject to such reasonable documentation and other
limitations as may be established by the Board of Directors of the Bank. If such
expenses are paid in the first instance by the Executive, the Bank shall
reimburse the Executive therefor.
(g) CHANGES IN BENEFITS. The Bank shall not make any changes in such
plans, benefits or privileges previously described in Section 3(c), (d) and (e)
which would adversely affect the Executive's rights or benefits thereunder,
unless such change occurs pursuant to a program applicable to all executive
officers of the Bank and does not result in a proportionately greater adverse
change in the rights of, or benefits to, the Executive as compared with any
other executive officer of the Bank. Nothing paid to Executive under any plan or
arrangement presently in effect or made available in the future shall be deemed
to be in lieu of the salary payable to Executive pursuant to Section 3(a)
hereof.
(h) POST-RETIREMENT MEDICAL COVERAGE. Upon the termination of
employment with the Bank at any time on or after attainment of age 62, the
Executive shall be eligible to maintain participation in the group medical
insurance plan sponsored by the Bank from time to time for the benefit of the
Executive and Executive's dependent family at the Bank's expense, until such
time that the Executive and Executive's spouse shall be eligible for coverage
under the Federal Medicare System, or any successor program. The provisions of
this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
4. LOYALTY.
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(a) The Executive shall devote his full time and attention to the
performance of his employment under this Agreement. During the term of the
Executive's employment under this Agreement, the Executive shall not engage in
any business or activity contrary to the business affairs or interests of the
Bank or Parent.
(b) Nothing contained in this Section 4 shall be deemed to prevent or
limit the right of Executive to invest in the capital stock or other securities
of any business dissimilar from that of the Bank or Parent, or, solely as a
passive or minority investor, in any business.
5. STANDARDS. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall
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perform his duties in accordance with such reasonable standards expected of
executives with comparable positions in comparable organizations and as may be
established from time to time by the Board of Directors.
6. TERMINATION AND TERMINATION PAY. The Executive's employment under this
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Agreement shall be terminated upon any of the following occurrences:
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(a) The death of the Executive during the term of this Agreement, in
which event the Executive's estate shall be entitled to receive the compensation
due the Executive through the last day of the calendar month in which
Executive's death shall have occurred.
(b) The Bank's Board of Directors may terminate the Executive's
employment at any time, but any termination by the Bank's Board of Directors
other than termination for Cause shall not prejudice the Executive's right to
compensation or benefits under the Agreement. The Executive shall have no right
to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for
Cause. Termination for "Cause" shall include termination because of the
Executive's personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of
fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated
duties, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than traffic
violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist order, or material
breach of any provision of the Agreement. The Bank's Board of Directors may
within its sole discretion, acting in good faith, terminate the Executive for
Cause and shall notify such Executive accordingly; provided that any such
determination shall not be effective unless it is adopted by an affirmative vote
of not less than a majority of the members of the full Board of Directors at a
meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable written
notice has been delivered to the Executive of such meeting, the purpose of such
meeting and the preliminary basis for such Cause termination and an opportunity
for such Executive, together with personal counsel, to be heard before the Board
on the matter prior to such vote by the Board).
(c) Except as provided pursuant to Section 9 hereof, in the event
Executive's employment under this Agreement is terminated by the Bank without
Cause, the Bank shall be obligated to continue to pay the Executive the salary
provided pursuant to Section 3(a) herein, up to the date of termination of the
remaining Term of this Agreement, and the cost of Executive obtaining all
health, life, disability, and other benefits which the Executive would be
eligible to participate in through such date based upon the benefit levels
substantially equal to those being provided Executive at the date of termination
of employment. The provisions of this Section 6(c) shall survive the expiration
of this Agreement.
(d) The voluntary termination by the Executive during the term of this
Agreement with the delivery of no less than 60 days written notice to the Board
of Directors, other than pursuant to Section 9(b), in which case the Executive
shall be entitled to receive only the compensation, vested rights, and all
employee benefits up to the date of such termination.
7. REGULATORY EXCLUSIONS.
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(a) If the Executive is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by a notice served under
Section 8(e)(3) or (g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ("FDIA") (12
U.S.C. 1818(e)(3) and (g)(1)), the Bank's obligations under the Agreement shall
be suspended as of the date of service, unless stayed by appropriate
proceedings. If the charges in the notice are dismissed, the Bank may in its
discretion (i) pay the
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Executive all or part of the compensation withheld while its contract
obligations were suspended and (ii) reinstate (in whole or in part) any of its
obligations which were suspended.
(b) If the Executive is removed and/or permanently prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by an order issued under
Sections 8(e)(4) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
1818(e)(4) and (g)(1)), all obligations of the Bank under this Agreement shall
terminate, as of the effective date of the order, but the vested rights of the
contracting parties shall not be affected.
(c) If the Bank is in default (as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of FDIA)
all obligations under this Agreement shall terminate as of the date of default,
but this paragraph shall not affect any vested rights of the contracting
parties.
(d) All obligations under this Agreement shall be terminated, except to
the extent determined that continuation of this Agreement is necessary for the
continued operation of the Bank: (i) by the Director of the Office of Thrift
Supervision ("Director of OTS"), or his or her designee, at the time that the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") enters into an agreement to
provide assistance to or on behalf of the Bank under the authority contained in
Section 13(c) of FDIA; or (ii) by the Director of the OTS, or his or her
designee, at the time that the Director of the OTS, or his or her designee
approves a supervisory merger to resolve problems related to operation of the
Bank or when the Bank is determined by the Director of the OTS to be in an
unsafe or unsound condition. Any rights of the parties that have already vested,
however, shall not be affected by such action.
(e) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any payments made
to the Executive pursuant to the Agreement, or otherwise, shall be subject to
and conditioned upon compliance with 12 USC ss.1828(k) and FDIC Regulation 12
CFR 359, Golden Parachute Indemnification Payments promulgated thereunder.
8. DISABILITY. If the Executive shall become disabled or incapacitated to
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the extent that he is unable to perform his duties hereunder, by reason of
medically determinable physical or mental impairment, as determined by a doctor
engaged by the Board of Directors, Executive shall nevertheless continue to
receive the compensation and benefits provided under the terms of this Agreement
as follows: 100% of such compensation and benefits for a period of 12 months,
but not exceeding the remaining term of the Agreement, and 65% thereafter for
the remainder of the term of the Agreement. Such benefits noted herein shall be
reduced by any benefits otherwise provided to the Executive during such period
under the provisions of disability insurance coverage in effect for Bank
employees. Thereafter, Executive shall be eligible to receive benefits provided
by the Bank under the provisions of disability insurance coverage in effect for
Bank employees. Upon returning to active full-time employment, the Executive's
full compensation as set forth in this Agreement shall be reinstated as of the
date of commencement of such activities. In the event that the Executive returns
to active employment on other than a full-time basis, then his
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compensation (as set forth in Section 3(a) of this Agreement) shall be reduced
in proportion to the time spent in said employment, or as shall otherwise be
agreed to by the parties.
9. CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE PROTECTION.
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(a) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, in the event
of the involuntary termination of Executive's employment during the term of this
Agreement following any Change in Control of the Bank or Parent, or within 24
months thereafter of such Change in Control, absent Cause, Executive shall be
paid an amount equal to the product of two times the total compensation paid to
the Executive or accrued by the Bank (including amounts attributable to salary,
bonus, deferred compensation and retirement plans) with respect to the Executive
for the most recently completed calendar year ending on or prior to such date of
termination of employment of such Executive. Said sum shall be paid in one (1)
lump sum not later than the date of such termination of service, and such
payments shall be in lieu of any other future payments which the Executive would
be otherwise entitled to receive under Section 6 of this Agreement.
Additionally, the Executive and his or her dependents shall remain eligible to
participate in the medical and dental insurance programs offered by the Bank to
its employees for a period of not less than through the remaining term of the
Agreement. Notwithstanding the forgoing, all sums payable hereunder shall be
reduced in such manner and to such extent so that no such payments made
hereunder when aggregated with all other payments to be made to the Executive by
the Bank or the Parent shall be deemed an "excess parachute payment" in
accordance with Section 280G of the Code and be subject to the excise tax
provided at Section 4999(a) of the Code. The term "Change in Control" shall
refer to: (i) the sale of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Bank
or the Parent; (ii) the merger or recapitalization of the Bank or the Parent
whereby the Bank or the Parent is not the surviving entity; (iii) a change in
control of the Bank or the Parent, as otherwise defined or determined by the
Office of Thrift Supervision or regulations promulgated by it; or (iv) the
acquisition, directly or indirectly, of the beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of that term as it is used in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) of twenty-five
percent (25%) or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Bank or the
Parent by any person, trust, entity or group. The term "person" means an
individual other than the Executive, or a corporation, partnership, trust,
association, joint venture, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated
organization or any other form of entity not specifically listed herein. The
reorganization of the Bank from its mutual holding company form to a parent
holding company form whereby such parent company shall own 100% of the stock of
the Bank and public stockholders shall own 100% of the parent company common
stock shall not be deemed a Change in Control. The provisions of this Section
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9(a) shall survive the expiration of this Agreement occurring after a Change in
Control.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment during the term of
this Agreement following a Change in Control of the Bank or Parent, or within
twenty-four months following such Change in Control, and upon the occurrence, or
within 120 days thereafter, of any of the following events enumerated
hereinafter, which have not been consented to in advance by the Executive in
writing: (i) if Executive would be required to move his personal residence or
perform his principal executive
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functions more than thirty-five (35) miles from the Executive's primary office
as of the signing of this Agreement; (ii) if the Bank should fail to maintain
Executive's base compensation in effect as of the date of the Change in Control
and the existing employee benefits plans, including material fringe benefit,
stock option and retirement plans, except to the extent that such reduction in
benefit programs is part of an overall adjustment in benefits applicable to all
employees of the Bank and does not disproportionately adversely impact the
Executive; (iii) if Executive would be assigned duties and responsibilities
other than those normally associated with his position as referenced at Section
1, herein; or (iv) if Executive's responsibilities or authority have in any way
been materially diminished or reduced. Upon such voluntary termination of
employment by the Executive in accordance with this subsection, Executive shall
thereupon be entitled to receive the payments described in Section 9(a) of this
Agreement. The provisions of this Section 9(b) shall survive the expiration of
this Agreement occurring after a Change in Control.
10. WITHHOLDING. All payments required to be made by the Bank hereunder to
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the Executive shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts, if any,
relating to tax and other payroll deductions as the Bank may reasonably
determine should be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
11. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
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(a) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
any corporate or other successor of the Bank or Parent which shall acquire,
directly or indirectly, by merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise, all or
substantially all of the assets or stock of the Bank or Parent.
(b) Since the Bank is contracting for the unique and personal skills
of the Executive, the Executive shall be precluded from assigning or delegating
his rights or duties hereunder without first obtaining the written consent of
the Bank.
12. AMENDMENT; WAIVER. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified,
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waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to
in writing, signed by the Executive and such officer or officers as may be
specifically designated by the Board of Directors of the Bank to sign on its
behalf. No waiver by any party hereto at any time of any breach by any other
party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of
similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or
subsequent time.
13. GOVERNING LAW. The validity, interpretation, construction and
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performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States
where applicable and otherwise by the substantive laws of the State of New
Jersey.
14. NATURE OF OBLIGATIONS. Nothing contained herein shall create or require
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the Bank to create a trust of any kind to fund any benefits which may be payable
hereunder, and to the extent
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that the Executive acquires a right to receive benefits from the Bank hereunder,
such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor
of the Bank.
15. HEADINGS. The section headings contained in this Agreement are for
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reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
16. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed
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severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other
provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
17. ARBITRATION. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to
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this Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled exclusively by
arbitration in accordance with the rules then in effect of the district office
of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") nearest to the home office of
the Bank, and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered in any court
having jurisdiction thereof, except to the extent that the parties may otherwise
reach a mutual settlement of such issue. The provisions of this Section 17 shall
survive the expiration of this Agreement.
18. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Executive acknowledges that during his or
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her employment he or she will learn and have access to confidential information
regarding the Bank and the Parent and its customers and businesses
("Confidential Information"). The Executive agrees and covenants not to disclose
or use for his or her own benefit, or the benefit of any other person or entity,
any such Confidential Information, unless or until the Bank or the Parent
consents to such disclosure or use, or such information becomes common knowledge
in the industry or is otherwise legally in the public domain. The Executive
shall not knowingly disclose or reveal to any unauthorized person any
Confidential Information relating to the Bank, the Parent, or any subsidiaries
or affiliates, or to any of the businesses operated by them, and the Executive
confirms that such information constitutes the exclusive property of the Bank
and the Parent. The Executive shall not otherwise knowingly act or conduct
himself (a) to the material detriment of the Bank or the Parent, or its
subsidiaries, or affiliates, or (b) in a manner which is inimical or contrary to
the interests of the Bank or the Parent. Executive acknowledges and agrees that
the existence of this Agreement and its terms and conditions constitutes
Confidential Information of the Bank, and the Executive agrees not to disclose
the Agreement or its contents without the prior written consent of the Bank;
provided, however, the Executive may disclose this Agreement to his personal
attorney and personal tax advisor without prior consent from the Bank.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bank reserves the right in its sole
discretion to make disclosure of this Agreement as it deems necessary or
appropriate in compliance with its regulatory reporting requirements.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, failure by the Executive to
comply with the provisions of this Section may result in the immediate
termination of the Agreement within the sole discretion of the Bank,
disciplinary action against the Executive taken by the Bank, including but not
limited to the termination of employment of the Executive for breach of the
Agreement and the provisions of this Section, and other remedies that may be
available in law or in equity. The provisions of this Section shall survive the
expiration of this Agreement.
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19. INDEMNIFICATION; INSURANCE
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(a) Indemnification. The Bank agrees to indemnify the Executive and
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his heirs, executors, and administrators to the fullest extent permitted under
applicable law and regulations, including, without limitation 12 U.S.C. Section
1828(k), against any and all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by the
Executive in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in
which the Executive may be involved by reason of his having been a director or
officer of the Bank or any of its subsidiaries, whether or not the Executive is
a director or officer of the Bank at the time of incurring any such expenses or
liabilities. Such expenses and liabilities shall include, but shall not be
limited to, judgments, court costs and attorney's fees and the cost of
reasonable settlements. The Executive shall be entitled to indemnification in
respect of a settlement only if the Board of Directors of the Bank has approved
such settlement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i)
indemnification for expenses shall not extend to matters for which the
Executive's employment or service has been terminated, and (ii) the obligations
of this Section 19 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Nothing
contained herein shall be deemed to provide indemnification prohibited by
applicable law or regulation.
(b) Insurance. During the Term of the Agreement, the Bank shall
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provide the Executive (and his heirs, executors, and administrators) with
coverage under a directors' and officers' liability policy at the Bank's
expense, at least equivalent to such coverage otherwise provided to the other
directors and senior officers of the Bank.
(c) Compliance with Regulatory Limitations. Notwithstanding anything
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herein to the contrary, the provisions of this Section 19 shall be subject to
the limitations and restrictions provided at 12 CFR 545.121 as it may be amended
from time to time.
20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement together with any understanding or
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modifications thereof as agreed to in writing by the parties, shall constitute
the entire agreement between the parties hereto. This Agreement shall supersede
any prior employment agreements and/or change in control severance agreements
between the Executive and the Bank.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date
first hereinabove written.
Kearny Federal Savings Bank
By: /s/ John N. Hopkins
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ATTEST: John N. Hopkins
President
/s/ Sharon Jones
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Sharon Jones, Secretary
/s/ Craig Montanaro
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Craig Montanaro
Senior Vice President