EXHIBIT 4.1
Little Falls Bancorp, Inc.
1996 Stock Option Plan
LITTLE FALLS BANCORP, INC.
1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. Purpose of the Plan. The Plan shall be known as the Little Falls
Bancorp, Inc. ("Corporation") 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). The purpose
of the Plan is to attract and retain qualified personnel for positions of
substantial responsibility and to provide additional incentive to officers,
directors, key employees and other persons providing services to the
Corporation, or any present or future parent or subsidiary of the Corporation to
promote the success of the business. The Plan is intended to provide for the
grant of "Incentive Stock Options," within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and Non-Incentive Stock
Options, options that do not so qualify. The provisions of the Plan relating to
Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted to conform to the requirements of
Section 422 of the Code.
2. Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in this Plan
with an initial capital letter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise,
shall have the meaning as set forth below. Wherever appropriate, the masculine
pronoun shall include the feminine pronoun and the singular shall include the
plural.
(a) "Award" means the grant by the Committee of an Incentive
Stock Option or a Non-Incentive Stock Option, or any combination thereof, as
provided in the Plan.
(b) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
Corporation, or any successor or parent corporation thereto.
(c) "Change in Control" shall mean: (i) the sale of all, or a
material portion, of the assets of the Corporation; (ii) a merger or
recapitalization in the Corporation whereby the Corporation is not the surviving
entity; (iii) a change in control of the Corporation, 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 Corporation by any person, trust, entity or group. This
limitation shall not apply to the purchase of shares by underwriters in
connection with a public offering of Corporation stock, or the purchase of
shares of up to 25% of any class of securities of the Corporation by a
tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan which is exempt from the approval
requirements, set forth under 12 C.F.R. ss.574.3(c)(1)(vi) as now in effect or
as may hereafter be amended. The term "person" refers to an individual 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 decision of the Committee as to whether a Change
in Control has occurred shall be conclusive and binding.
(d) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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(e) "Committee" shall mean the Stock Option Committee
appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 5(a) of the Plan.
(f) "Common Stock" shall mean common stock, par value $.10 per
share, of the Corporation, or any successor or parent corporation thereto.
(g) "Continuous Employment" or "Continuous Status as an
Employee" shall mean the absence of any interruption or termination of
employment with the Corporation or any present or future Parent or Subsidiary of
the Corporation. Employment shall not be considered interrupted in the case of
sick leave, military leave or any other leave of absence approved by the
Corporation or in the case of transfers between payroll locations, of the
Corporation or between the Corporation, its Parent, its Subsidiaries or a
successor.
(h) "Corporation" shall mean the Little Falls Bancorp, Inc.,
the parent corporation of the Savings Bank, or any successor or Parent thereof.
(i) "Director" shall mean a member of the Board of the
Corporation, or any successor or parent corporation thereto.
(j) "Director Emeritus" shall mean a person serving as a
director emeritus, advisory director, consulting director or other similar
position as may be appointed by the Board of Directors of the Savings Bank or
the Corporation from time to time.
(k) "Disability" means (a) with respect to Incentive Stock
Options, the "permanent and total disability" of the Employee as such term is
defined at Section 22(e)(3) of the Code; and (b) with respect to Non-Incentive
Stock Options, any physical or mental impairment which renders the Participant
incapable of continuing in the employment or service of the Savings Bank or the
Parent in his then current capacity as determined by the Committee.
(l) "Effective Date" shall mean the date specified in Section
14 hereof.
(m) "Employee" shall mean any person employed by the
Corporation or any present or future Parent or Subsidiary of the Corporation.
(n) "Fair Market Value" shall mean: (i) if the Common Stock is
traded otherwise than on a national securities exchange, then the Fair Market
Value per Share shall be equal to the mean between the last bid and ask price of
such Common Stock on such date or, if there is no bid and ask price on said
date, then on the immediately prior business day on which there was a bid and
ask price. If no such bid and ask price is available, then the Fair Market Value
shall be determined by the Committee in good faith; or (ii) if the Common Stock
is listed on a national securities exchange, then the Fair Market Value per
Share shall be not less than the average of the highest and lowest selling price
of such Common Stock on such exchange on such date, or if there were no sales on
said date, then the Fair Market Value shall be not less than the mean between
the last bid and ask price on such date.
(o) "Incentive Stock Option" or "ISO" shall mean an option to
purchase Shares granted by the Committee pursuant to Section 8 hereof which is
subject to the limitations and restrictions of Section 8 hereof and is intended
to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.
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(p) "Non-Incentive Stock Option" or "Non-ISO" shall mean an
option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof, which option is
not intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code.
(q) "Option" shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or
Non-Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to this Plan providing the holder of
such Option with the right to purchase Common Stock.
(r) "Optioned Stock" shall mean stock subject to an Option
granted pursuant to the Plan.
(s) "Optionee" shall mean any person who receives an Option or
Award pursuant to the Plan.
(t) "Parent" shall mean any present or future corporation
which would be a "parent corporation" as defined in Subsections 424(e) and (g)
of the Code.
(u) "Participant" means any director, officer or key employee
of the Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Corporation or any other
person providing a service to the Corporation who is selected by the Committee
to receive an Award, or who by the express terms of the Plan is granted an
Award.
(v)"Plan" shall mean the Little Falls Bancorp, Inc. 1996 Stock
Option Plan.
(w) "Savings Bank" shall mean Little Falls Bank, Little Falls,
New Jersey, or any successor corporation thereto.
(x) "Share" shall mean one share of the Common Stock.
(y) "Subsidiary" shall mean any present or future corporation
which constitutes a "subsidiary corporation" as defined in Subsections 424(f)
and (g) of the Code.
3. Shares Subject to the Plan. Except as otherwise required by the
provisions of Section 12 hereof, the aggregate number of Shares with respect to
which Awards may be made pursuant to the Plan shall not exceed 304,175. Such
Shares may either be from authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares or
shares purchased in the market for Plan purposes.
If an Award shall expire, become unexercisable, or be forfeited for any
reason prior to its exercise, new Awards may be granted under the Plan with
respect to the number of Shares as to which such expiration has occurred.
4. Six Month Holding Period.
Subject to vesting requirements, if applicable, except in the
event of death or disability of the Optionee, a minimum of six months must
elapse between the date of the grant of an Option and the date of the sale of
the Common Stock received through the exercise of such Option.
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5. Administration of the Plan.
(a) (i) Composition of the Committee. Except as indicated in
Section 5(a)(ii) below, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee which
shall consist of at least three non-employee Directors of the Corporation
appointed by the Board and serving at the pleasure of the Board. All persons
designated as members of the Committee shall be "disinterested persons" within
the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(ii) For the purpose of granting Awards to directors,
the selection of any Director to whom Awards may be granted, as well as the
number of Shares subject to Awards, must be determined by a "disinterested
committee", as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(b) Powers of the Committee. The Committee is authorized (but
only to the extent not contrary to the express provisions of the Plan or to
resolutions adopted by the Board) to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and
rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to determine the form and
content of Awards to be issued under the Plan and to make other determinations
necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan, and shall have and
may exercise such other power and authority as may be delegated to it by the
Board from time to time. A majority of the entire Committee shall constitute a
quorum and the action of a majority of the members present at any meeting at
which a quorum is present shall be deemed the action of the Committee. In no
event may the Committee revoke outstanding Awards without the consent of the
Participant.
The President of the Corporation and such other officers as
shall be designated by the Committee are hereby authorized to execute written
agreements evidencing Awards on behalf of the Corporation and to cause them to
be delivered to the Participants. Such agreements shall set forth the Option
exercise price, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Option, the
expiration date of such Options, and such other terms and restrictions
applicable to such Award as are determined in accordance with the Plan or the
actions of the Committee.
(c) Effect of Committee's Decision. All decisions,
determinations and interpretations of the Committee shall be final and
conclusive on all persons affected thereby.
6. Eligibility for Awards and Limitations.
(a) The Committee shall from time to time determine
the officers, Directors, key employees and other persons who shall be granted
Awards under the Plan, the number of Awards to be granted to each such officer,
Director, key employee and other persons under the Plan, and whether Awards
granted to each such Participant under the Plan shall be Incentive and/or
Non-Incentive Stock Options. In selecting Participants and in determining the
number of Shares of Common Stock to be granted to each such Participant, the
Committee may consider the nature of the services rendered by each such
Participant, each such Participant's current and potential contribution to the
Corporation and such other factors as the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
deem relevant. Participants who have been granted an Award may, if otherwise
eligible, be granted additional Awards.
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(b) The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined
as of the date the Option is granted) of the Shares with respect to which
Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by each Employee
during any calendar year (under all Incentive Stock Option plans, as defined in
Section 422 of the Code, of the Corporation or any present or future Parent or
Subsidiary of the Corporation) shall not exceed $100,000. Notwithstanding the
prior provisions of this Section 6, the Committee may grant Options in excess of
the foregoing limitations, provided said Options shall be clearly and
specifically designated as not being Incentive Stock Options.
(c) In no event shall Shares subject to Options
granted to non-employee Directors
in the aggregate under this Plan exceed more than 30% of the total number of
Shares authorized for delivery under this Plan pursuant to Section 3 herein or
more than 5% to any individual non-employee Director. In no event shall Shares
subject to Options granted to any Employee exceed more than 25% of the total
number of Shares authorized for delivery under the Plan.
7. Term of the Plan. The Plan shall continue in effect for a term of
ten (10) years from the Effective Date, unless sooner terminated pursuant to
Section 17 hereof. No Option shall be granted under the Plan after ten (10)
years from the Effective Date.
8. Terms and Conditions of Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock
Options may be granted only to Participants who are Employees. Each Incentive
Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an instrument in
such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve. Each Incentive Stock
Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall comply with, and be subject to, the
following terms and conditions:
(a) Option Price.
(i) The price per Share at which each Incentive
Stock Option granted by the Committee under the Plan may be exercised shall not,
as to any particular Incentive Stock Option, be less than the Fair Market Value
of the Common Stock on the date that such Incentive Stock Option is granted.
(ii) In the case of an Employee who owns Common
Stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Common Stock
at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the Incentive Stock Option
exercise price shall not be less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date that the Incentive Stock
Option is granted.
(b) Payment. Full payment for each Share of Common Stock
purchased upon the exercise of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan
shall be made at the time of exercise of each such Incentive Stock Option and
shall be paid in cash (in United States Dollars), Common Stock or a combination
of cash and Common Stock. Common Stock utilized in full or partial payment of
the exercise price shall be valued at the Fair Market Value at the date of
exercise. The Corporation shall accept full or partial payment in Common Stock
only to the extent permitted by applicable law. No Shares of Common Stock shall
be issued until full payment has been received by the Corporation, and no
Optionee shall have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Corporation until
Shares of Common Stock are issued to the Optionee.
(c) Term of Incentive Stock Option. The term of exercisability
of each Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be not more
than ten (10) years from the date each such
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Incentive Stock Option is granted, provided that in the case of an Employee who
owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the Common Stock
outstanding at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the term of
exercisability of the Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed five (5) years.
(d) Exercise Generally. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 10 hereof, no Incentive Stock Option may be exercised unless the
Optionee shall have been in the employ of the Corporation at all times during
the period beginning with the date of grant of any such Incentive Stock Option
and ending on the date three (3) months prior to the date of exercise of any
such Incentive Stock Option. The Committee may impose additional conditions upon
the right of an Optionee to exercise any Incentive Stock Option granted
hereunder which are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan or the
requirements for qualification as an Incentive Stock Option. Except as otherwise
provided by the terms of the Plan or by action of the Committee at the time of
the grant of the Options, the Options will be first exercisable at the rate of
20% on the one year anniversary of the date of grant and 20% annually thereafter
during such periods of service as an Employee, Director or Director Emeritus.
(e) Cashless Exercise. Subject to vesting requirements, if
applicable, an Optionee who has held an Incentive Stock Option for at least six
months may engage in the "cashless exercise" of the Option. Upon a cashless
exercise, an Optionee gives the Corporation written notice of the exercise of
the Option together with an order to a registered broker-dealer or equivalent
third party, to sell part or all of the Optioned Stock and to deliver enough of
the proceeds to the Corporation to pay the Option exercise price and any
applicable withholding taxes. If the Optionee does not sell the Optioned Stock
through a registered broker-dealer or equivalent third party, the Optionee can
give the Corporation written notice of the exercise of the Option and the third
party purchaser of the Optioned Stock shall pay the Option exercise price plus
any applicable withholding taxes to the Corporation.
(f) Transferability. Any Incentive Stock Option granted
pursuant to the Plan shall be exercised during an Optionee's lifetime only by
the Optionee to whom it was granted and shall not be assignable or transferable
otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
9. Terms and Conditions of Non-Incentive Stock Options. Each
Non-Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an
instrument in such form as the Committee shall from time to time approve. Each
Non-Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall comply with and be
subject to the following terms and conditions.
(a) Options Granted to Directors. Subject to the limitations
of Section 6(c), Non- Incentive Stock Options to purchase 15,208 shares of
Common Stock will be granted to each Director who is not an Employee as of the
Effective Date, at an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock on such date of grant. The Options will be first exercisable at the
rate of 20% on the one year anniversary of the Effective Date and 20% annually
thereafter during such periods of service as a Director or Director Emeritus.
Upon the death or Disability of the Director or Director Emeritus, such Option
shall be deemed immediately 100% exercisable. Such Options shall continue to be
exercisable for a period of ten years following the date of grant without regard
to the continued services of such Director as a Director or Director Emeritus.
In the event of the Optionee's death, such Options may be exercised by the
personal representative of his estate or person or persons to whom his rights
under such Option shall have passed by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. Options may be granted to newly appointed or elected non-employee
Directors within the sole discretion of the Committee. The exercise price per
Share of such Options granted shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock at the time such Options are granted. All outstanding Awards shall
become
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immediately exercisable in the event of a Change in Control of the Savings Bank
or the Corporation, provided that such accelerated vesting is not inconsistent
with applicable regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision or other
appropriate banking regulator at the time of such Change in Control. Unless
otherwise inapplicable, or inconsistent with the provisions of this paragraph,
the Options to be granted to Directors hereunder shall be subject to all other
provisions of this Plan.
(b) Option Price. The exercise price per Share of Common Stock
for each Non-Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be at
such price as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, but in no
event less than the Fair Market Value of such Common Stock on the date of grant
as determined by the Committee in good faith.
(c) Payment. Full payment for each Share of Common Stock
purchased upon the exercise of any Non-Incentive Stock Option granted under the
Plan shall be made at the time of exercise of each such Non-Incentive Stock
Option and shall be paid in cash (in United States Dollars), Common Stock or a
combination of cash and Common Stock. Common Stock utilized in full or partial
payment of the exercise price shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the
date of exercise. The Corporation shall accept full or partial payment in Common
Stock only to the extent permitted by applicable law. No Shares of Common Stock
shall be issued until full payment has been received by the Corporation and no
Optionee shall have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Corporation until
the Shares of Common Stock are issued to the Optionee.
(d) Term. The term of exercisability of each Non-Incentive
Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan shall be not more than ten (10) years
from the date each such Non-Incentive Stock Option is granted.
(e) Exercise Generally. The Committee may impose additional
conditions upon the right of any Participant to exercise any Non-Incentive Stock
Option granted hereunder which is not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.
Except as otherwise provided by the terms of the Plan or by action of the
Committee at the time of the grant of the Options, the Options will be first
exercisable at the rate of 20% on the one year anniversary of the date of grant
and 20% annually thereafter during such periods of service as an Employee,
Director or Director Emeritus.
(f) Cashless Exercise. Subject to vesting requirements, if
applicable, an Optionee who has held a Non-Incentive Stock Option for at least
six months may engage in the "cashless exercise" of the Option. Upon a cashless
exercise, an Optionee gives the Corporation written notice of the exercise of
the Option together with an order to a registered broker-dealer or equivalent
third party, to sell part or all of the Optioned Stock and to deliver enough of
the proceeds to the Corporation to pay the Option exercise price and any
applicable withholding taxes. If the Optionee does not sell the Optioned Stock
through a registered broker-dealer or equivalent third party, the Optionee can
give the Corporation written notice of the exercise of the Option and the third
party purchaser of the Optioned Stock shall pay the Option exercise price plus
any applicable withholding taxes to the Corporation.
(g) Transferability. Any Non-Incentive Stock Option granted
pursuant to the Plan shall be exercised during an Optionee's lifetime only by
the Optionee to whom it was granted and shall not be assignable or transferable
otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
10. Effect of Termination of Employment, Disability or Death on
Incentive Stock Options.
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(a) Termination of Employment. In the event that any
Optionee's employment with the Corporation shall terminate for any reason, other
than Disability or death, all of any such Optionee's Incentive Stock Options,
and all of any such Optionee's rights to purchase or receive Shares of Common
Stock pursuant thereto, shall automatically terminate on (A) the earlier of (i)
or (ii): (i) the respective expiration dates of any such Incentive Stock
Options, or (ii) the expiration of not more than three (3) months after the date
of such termination of employment; or (B) at such later date as is determined by
the Committee at the time of the grant of such Award based upon the Optionee's
continuing status as a Director or Director Emeritus of the Savings Bank or the
Corporation, but only if, and to the extent that, the Optionee was entitled to
exercise any such Incentive Stock Options at the date of such termination of
employment, and further that such Award shall thereafter be deemed a
Non-Incentive Stock Option. In the event that a Subsidiary ceases to be a
Subsidiary of the Corporation, the employment of all of its employees who are
not immediately thereafter employees of the Corporation shall be deemed to
terminate upon the date such Subsidiary so ceases to be a Subsidiary of the
Corporation.
(b) Disability. In the event that any Optionee's employment
with the Corporation shall terminate as the result of the Disability of such
Optionee, such Optionee may exercise any Incentive Stock Options granted to the
Optionee pursuant to the Plan at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the
respective expiration dates of any such Incentive Stock Options or (ii) the date
which is one (1) year after the date of such termination of employment, but only
if, and to the extent that, the Optionee was entitled to exercise any such
Incentive Stock Options at the date of such termination of employment.
(c) Death. In the event of the death of an Optionee, any
Incentive Stock Options granted to such Optionee may be exercised by the person
or persons to whom the Optionee's rights under any such Incentive Stock Options
pass by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (including the
Optionee's estate during the period of administration) at any time prior to the
earlier of (i) the respective expiration dates of any such Incentive Stock
Options or (ii) the date which is two (2) years after the date of death of such
Optionee but only if, and to the extent that, the Optionee was entitled to
exercise any such Incentive Stock Options at the date of death. For purposes of
this Section 10(c), any Incentive Stock Option held by an Optionee shall be
considered exercisable at the date of his death if the only unsatisfied
condition precedent to the exercisability of such Incentive Stock Option at the
date of death is the passage of a specified period of time. At the discretion of
the Committee, upon exercise of such Options the Optionee may receive Shares or
cash or a combination thereof. If cash shall be paid in lieu of Shares, such
cash shall be equal to the difference between the Fair Market Value of such
Shares and the exercise price of such Options on the exercise date.
(d) Incentive Stock Options Deemed Exercisable. For purposes
of Sections 10(a), 10(b) and 10(c) above, any Incentive Stock Option held by any
Optionee shall be considered exercisable at the date of termination of
employment if any such Incentive Stock Option would have been exercisable at
such date of termination of employment without regard to the Disability or death
of the Participant.
(e) Termination of Incentive Stock Options. Except as may be
specified by the Committee at the time of grant of an Option, to the extent that
any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan to any Optionee whose
employment with the Corporation terminates shall not have been exercised within
the applicable period set forth in this Section 10, any such Incentive Stock
Option, and all rights to purchase or receive Shares of Common Stock pursuant
thereto, as the case may be, shall terminate on the last day of the applicable
period.
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11. Effect of Termination of Employment, Disability or Death on
Non-Incentive Stock Options. The terms and conditions of Non-Incentive Stock
Options relating to the effect of the termination of an Optionee's employment or
service, Disability of an Optionee or his death shall be such terms and
conditions as the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, determine at the time
of termination of service, unless specifically provided for by the terms of the
Agreement at the time of grant of the Award. Except as provided at Section
12(b), the exerciseability of such Options shall not accelerate upon termination
of employment or service other than upon the death or Disability of the
Optionee.
12. Recapitalization, Merger, Consolidation, Change in Control and
Other Transactions.
(a) Adjustment. Subject to any required action by the
stockholders of the Corporation, within the sole discretion of the Committee,
the aggregate number of Shares of Common Stock for which Options may be granted
hereunder, the number of Shares of Common Stock covered by each outstanding
Option, and the exercise price per Share of Common Stock of each such Option,
shall all be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number
of issued and outstanding Shares of Common Stock resulting from a subdivision or
consolidation of Shares (whether by reason of merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, reclassification, split-up, combination of shares, or
otherwise) or the payment of a stock dividend (but only on the Common Stock) or
any other increase or decrease in the number of such Shares of Common Stock
effected without the receipt or payment of consideration by the Corporation
(other than Shares held by dissenting stockholders).
(b) Change in Control. All outstanding Awards shall become
immediately exercisable in the event of a Change in Control of the Corporation,
as determined by the Committee, provided that such accelerated vesting is not
inconsistent with applicable regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision or
other appropriate banking regulator at the time of such Change in Control. In
the event of such a Change in Control, the Committee and the Board of Directors
will take one or more of the following actions to be effective as of the date of
such Change in Control:
(i) provide that such Options shall be assumed, or equivalent
options shall be substituted, ("Substitute Options") by the acquiring or
succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), provided that: (A) any such
Substitute Options exchanged for Incentive Stock Options shall meet the
requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code, and (B) the shares of stock issuable
upon the exercise of such Substitute Options shall constitute securities
registered in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, ("1933
Act") or such securities shall be exempt from such registration in accordance
with Sections 3(a)(2) or 3(a)(5) of the 1933 Act, (collectively, "Registered
Securities"), or in the alternative, if the securities issuable upon the
exercise of such Substitute Options shall not constitute Registered Securities,
then the Optionee will receive upon consummation of the Change in Control
transaction a cash payment for each Option surrendered equal to the difference
between (1) the Fair Market Value of the consideration to be received for each
share of Common Stock in the Change in Control transaction times the number of
shares of Common Stock subject to such surrendered Options, and (2) the
aggregate exercise price of all such surrendered Options, or
(ii) in the event of a transaction under the terms of which
the holders of the Common Stock of the Corporation will receive upon
consummation thereof a cash payment (the "Merger Price") for each share of
Common Stock exchanged in the Change in Control transaction, to make or to
provide for a cash payment to the Optionees equal to the difference between (A)
the Merger Price times the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such
Options held by each Optionee (to the extent then
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exercisable at prices not in excess of the Merger Price) and (B) the aggregate
exercise price of all such surrendered Options in exchange for such surrendered
Options.
(c) Extraordinary Corporate Action. Notwithstanding any
provisions of the Plan to the contrary, subject to any required action by the
stockholders of the Corporation, in the event of any Change in Control,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, exchange of Shares, spin-off,
reorganization, tender offer, partial or complete liquidation or other
extraordinary corporate action or event, the Committee, in its sole discretion,
shall have the power, prior or subsequent to such action or event to:
(i) appropriately adjust the number of Shares of
Common Stock subject to each Option, the Option exercise price per Share of
Common Stock, and the consideration to be given or received by the Corporation
upon the exercise of any outstanding Option;
(ii) cancel any or all previously granted Options,
provided that appropriate consideration is paid to the Optionee in connection
therewith; and/or
(iii) make such other adjustments in connection
with the Plan as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary,
desirable, appropriate or advisable; provided, however, that no action shall be
taken by the Committee which would cause Incentive Stock Options granted
pursuant to the Plan to fail to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code
without the consent of the Optionee.
Except as expressly provided in Sections 12(a) and 12(b)
hereof, no Optionee shall have any rights by reason of the occurrence of any of
the events described in this Section 12.
(d) Acceleration. The Committee shall at all times have the
power to accelerate the exercise date of Options previously granted under the
Plan; provided that such action is not contrary to regulations of the OTS or
other appropriate banking regulator then in effect. Except as provided at
Section 12(b), the exerciseability of such Options shall not be accelerate other
than upon the death or Disability of the Optionee.
13. Time of Granting Options. The date of grant of an Option under the
Plan shall, for all purposes, be the date on which the Committee makes the
determination of granting such Option. Notice of the grant of an Option shall be
given to each individual to whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable
time after the date of such grant in a form determined by the Committee.
14. Effective Date. The Plan shall become effective upon the date of
approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Corporation, subject to approval
or non-objection by the Office of Thrift Supervision, if applicable. The
Committee may make a determination related to Awards prior to the Effective Date
with such Awards to be effective upon the date of stockholder approval of the
Plan.
15. Approval by Stockholders. The Plan shall be approved by
stockholders of the Corporation within twelve (12) months before or after the
date the Plan is approved by the Board.
16. Modification of Options. At any time and from time to time, the
Board may authorize the Committee to direct the execution of an instrument
providing for the modification of any outstanding Option, provided no such
modification, extension or renewal shall confer on the holder of said Option any
right or benefit which could not be conferred on the Optionee by the grant of a
new Option at such
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time, or shall not materially decrease the Optionee's benefits under the Option
without the consent of the holder of the Option, except as otherwise permitted
under Section 17 hereof.
17. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Action by the Board. The Board may alter, suspend or
discontinue the Plan, except that no action of the Board may increase (other
than as provided in Section 12 hereof) the maximum number of Shares permitted to
be optioned under the Plan, materially increase the benefits accruing to
Participants under the Plan or materially modify the requirements for
eligibility for participation in the Plan unless such action of the Board shall
be subject to approval or ratification by the stockholders of the Corporation.
(b) Change in Applicable Law. Notwithstanding any other
provision contained in the Plan, in the event of a change in any federal or
state law, rule or regulation which would make the exercise of all or part of
any previously granted Option unlawful or subject the Corporation to any
penalty, the Committee may restrict any such exercise without the consent of the
Optionee or other holder thereof in order to comply with any such law, rule or
regulation or to avoid any such penalty.
18. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares; Limitations on Option Exercise;
Cancellation of Option Rights.
(a) Shares shall not be issued with respect to any Option granted under
the Plan unless the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with all
relevant provisions of applicable law, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, any applicable state securities laws and the requirements of any
stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be listed.
(b) The inability of the Corporation to obtain any necessary
authorizations, approvals or letters of non-objection from any regulatory body
or authority deemed by the Corporation's counsel to be necessary to the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder shall relieve the Corporation of any
liability in respect of the non-issuance or sale of such Shares.
(c) As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Corporation may
require the person exercising the Option to make such representations and
warranties as may be necessary to assure the availability of an exemption from
the registration requirements of federal or state securities law.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the
termination of employment or service of an Optionee by the Corporation or its
Subsidiaries for "cause" as defined at 12 C.F.R. 563.39(b)(1) as determined by
the Board of Directors, all Options held by such Participant shall cease to be
exercisable as of the date of such termination of employment or service.
(e) Upon the exercise of an Option by an Optionee (or the Optionee's
personal representative), the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion,
may make a cash payment to the Optionee, in whole or in part, in lieu of the
delivery of shares of Common Stock. Such cash payment to be paid in lieu of
delivery of Common Stock shall be equal to the difference between the Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of the Option exercise and the
exercise price per share of the Option. Such cash payment shall be in exchange
for the cancellation of such Option. Such cash payment shall not be made in the
event that such transaction would result in liability to the Optionee or the
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Corporation under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder.
19. Reservation of Shares. During the term of the Plan, the Corporation
will reserve and keep available a number of Shares sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan.
20. Unsecured Obligation. No Participant under the Plan shall have any
interest in any fund or special asset of the Corporation by reason of the Plan
or the grant of any Option under the Plan. No trust fund shall be created in
connection with the Plan or any grant of any Option hereunder and there shall be
no required funding of amounts which may become payable to any Participant.
21. Withholding Tax. The Corporation shall have the right to deduct
from all amounts paid in cash with respect to the cashless exercise of Options
under the Plan any taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such
cash payments. Where a Participant or other person is entitled to receive Shares
pursuant to the exercise of an Option, the Corporation shall have the right to
require the Participant or such other person to pay the Corporation the amount
of any taxes which the Corporation is required to withhold with respect to such
Shares, or, in lieu thereof, to retain, or to sell without notice, a number of
such Shares sufficient to cover the amount required to be withheld.
22. No Employment Rights. No Director, Employee or other person shall
have a right to be selected as a Participant under the Plan. Neither the Plan
nor any action taken by the Board or the Committee in administration of the Plan
shall be construed as giving any person any rights of employment or retention as
an Employee, Director or in any other capacity with the Corporation, the Savings
Bank or other Subsidiaries.
23. Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, except to the extent that
federal law shall be deemed to apply.
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