EXHIBIT 4.1
Quitman Bancorp, Inc.
1999 Stock Option Plan
QUITMAN BANCORP, INC.
1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN
1. Purpose of the Plan. The Plan shall be known as the Quitman Bancorp,
Inc. ("Company") 1999 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 Company, or any present or
future parent or subsidiary of the Company 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 Company,
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 Company; (ii) the merger or
recapitalization of the Company whereby the Company is not the surviving entity;
(iii) a change in control of the Company, 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 Company 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 Company stock,
or the purchase of shares of up to 25% of any class of securities of the Company
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.
(e) "Committee" shall mean the Board or the Stock Option
Committee appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 5(a) of the Plan.
1
(f) "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company,
or any successor or parent corporation thereto.
(g) "Company" shall mean the Quitman Bancorp, Inc., the parent
corporation of the Savings Bank, or any successor or Parent thereof.
(h) "Continuous Employment" or "Continuous Status as an
Employee" shall mean the absence of any interruption or termination of
employment with the Company or any present or future Parent or Subsidiary of the
Company. Employment shall not be considered interrupted in the case of sick
leave, military leave or any other leave of absence approved by the Company or
in the case of transfers between payroll locations, of the Company or between
the Company, its Parent, its Subsidiaries or a successor.
(i) "Director" shall mean a member of the Board of the
Company, 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 Company 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
15 hereof.
(m) "Employee" shall mean any person employed by the Company
or any present or future Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
(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.
2
(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 Sections 424(e) and (g) of
the Code.
(u) "Participant" means any director, officer or key employee
of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company or any other person
providing a service to the Company 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 Quitman Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock
Option Plan.
(w) "Retirement" shall mean termination of service in all
capacities as an Employee, Director and Director Emeritus following attainment
of not less than age 55 and completion of not less than ten years of Service to
the Company or the Savings Bank. Service to the Company or the Savings Bank
rendered prior to the Effective Date shall be recognized in determining
eligibility to meet the requirements of Retirement under the Plan.
(x) "Savings Bank" shall mean Quitman Federal Savings Bank,
Quitman, Georgia, or any successor corporation thereto.
(y) "Share" shall mean one share of the Common Stock.
(z) "Subsidiary" shall mean any present or future corporation
which constitutes a "subsidiary corporation" as defined in Sections 424(f) and
(g) of the Code.
3. Shares Subject to the Plan. Except as otherwise required by the
provisions of Section 13 hereof, the aggregate number of Shares with respect to
which Awards may be made pursuant to the Plan shall not exceed 66,125 Shares.
Such Shares may either be from authorized but unissued 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.
3
4. Six Month Holding Period. Subject to vesting requirements, if
applicable, except in the event of death or Disability of the Optionee or a
Change in Control of the Company, 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.
5. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Composition of the Committee. The Plan shall be
administered by the Board of Directors of the Company or a Committee which shall
consist of not less than two Directors of the Company appointed by the Board and
serving at the pleasure of the Board. All persons designated as members of the
Committee shall meet the requirements of a "Non-Employee Director" within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as
found at 17 CFR ss.240.16b-3.
(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 Company and such other officers as shall
be designated by the Committee are hereby authorized to execute written
agreements evidencing Awards on behalf of the Company 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 persons, 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 prior and anticipated
future services rendered by each such Participant, each such Participant's
current and potential contribution to the Company 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.
4
(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 Company or any present or future Parent or Subsidiary of the
Company) 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 6% to any individual non-employee Director. In no
event shall Shares subject to Options granted to any Employee exceed more than
35% 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 18 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 Company 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 Company, and no Optionee
shall have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company until Shares of
Common Stock are issued to the Optionee.
5
(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 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 Company 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 50% on the date of
grant and 50% 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 shall give the Company 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 Company 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
Company 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 Company.
(f) Transferability. An 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 3,967 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 immediately exercisable
on the Effective Date. 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
6
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time such Options are granted.
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 Company 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 Company and no
Optionee shall have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company 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 50% on the date of grant and 50% 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 shall give the Company 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 Company 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
Company 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 Company.
(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.
7
10. Effect of Termination of Employment, Disability, Death and
Retirement on Incentive Stock Options.
(a) Termination of Employment. In the event that any
Optionee's employment with the Company 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
Company, 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 Company, the employment of all of its employees who are not
immediately thereafter employees of the Company shall be deemed to terminate
upon the date such Subsidiary so ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company.
(b) Disability. In the event that any Optionee's employment
with the Company 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; Vesting Upon
Retirement. 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 Company terminates
8
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. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Committee may authorize at the time of the grant of an Option
that such Award shall be immediately 100% exercisable upon the Retirement of the
Optionee.
11. Effect of Termination of Employment, Disability, Death or
Retirement on Non-Incentive Stock Options. The terms and conditions of
Non-Incentive Stock Options relating to the effect of the Retirement or other
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.
12. Withholding Tax. The Company shall have the right to deduct from
all amounts paid in cash with respect to the cashless exercise of Options 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 Company shall have the right to require the
Participant or such other person to pay the Company the amount of any taxes
which the Company 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.
13. Recapitalization, Merger, Consolidation, Change in Control and
Other Transactions.
(a) Adjustment. Subject to any required action by the
stockholders of the Company, 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 Company (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 Company. 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
9
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 Company 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 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 Company, 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 Company 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.
(d) Acceleration. The Committee shall at all times have the
power to accelerate the exercise date of Options previously granted under the
Plan.
(e) Non-recurring Dividends. Upon the payment of a special or
non-recurring cash dividend that has the effect of a return of capital to the
stockholders, the Option exercise price per share shall be adjusted
proportionately and in an equitable manner.
Except as expressly provided in Sections 13(a), 13(b) and 13(e) hereof,
no Optionee shall have any rights by reason of the occurrence of any of the
events described in this Section 13.
10
14. 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.
15. Effective Date. The Plan shall become effective upon the date of
approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company. 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.
16. Approval by Stockholders. The Plan shall be approved by
stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or after the date
the Plan is approved by the Board.
17. 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 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 18 hereof.
18. 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 13 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 Company.
(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 Company 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.
19. 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.
11
(b) The inability of the Company to obtain any necessary
authorizations, approvals or letters of non-objection from any regulatory body
or authority deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares issuable hereunder shall relieve the Company of
any liability with respect to the non-issuance or sale of such Shares.
(c) As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the
Company 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 Company 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
Company under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
20. Reservation of Shares. During the term of the Plan, the Company
will reserve and keep available a number of Shares sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Plan.
21. Unsecured Obligation. No Participant under the Plan shall have
any interest in any fund or special asset of the Company 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.
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 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 Company, 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 Georgia, except to the extent that
federal law shall be deemed to apply.
12