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Exhibit 10.20
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT entered into effective as of the 1st day of
December, 1998, by and between John R. Cochran ("Executive") and FirstMerit
Corporation, an Ohio corporation ("FirstMerit").
R E C I T A L S:
A. FirstMerit and the Executive entered in to an Employment Agreement,
dated February 16, 1995 (the "Old Employment Agreement"), and a certain Amended
and Restated FirstMerit Corporation Termination Agreement, dated December 18,
1997 (the "Old Termination Agreement"), which superseded an Amended and Restated
FirstMerit Corporation Termination Agreement, dated May 1, 1996, between
FirstMerit and the Executive, which, in turn, superseded the FirstMerit
Termination Agreement, dated March 1, 1995, also between FirstMerit and the
Executive.
B. FirstMerit and the Executive desire to supersede the Old Employment
Agreement and the Old Termination Agreement as hereinafter provided in order to
reflect certain changed circumstances and agreements with respect to the
Executive's employment with FirstMerit.
IN CONSIDERATION OF THE FOREGOING, the mutual covenants contained
herein, and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
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1.1 "Accountants" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.4(B)(i).
1.2 "Base Salary" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
1.3 "Cause" means the termination of Executive's employment by
FirstMerit for any of the following reasons:
(A) Felonious criminal activity whether or not affecting
FirstMerit;
(B) Disclosure to unauthorized persons of FirstMerit
information which is believed by the Board of Directors of FirstMerit,
acting in good faith, to be confidential; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any
such disclosure shall not be considered to be "cause" for termination
to the extent that:
(i) it is required of Executive pursuant to an order
of a court having competent jurisdiction or a subpoena from an
appropriate governmental agency; or
(ii) it is made by Executive in the ordinary course
of business within the scope of his authority;
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(C) Dishonesty or the breach of any contract with or violation
of any legal obligation to FirstMerit; or
(D) Gross negligence or insubordination in the performance of
the duties held by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
FirstMerit.
1.4 "Change of Control" means a change in control of a nature that
would be required to be reported by persons or entities subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in response
to item 5(f) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14(A) as in effect on the date
hereof, or successor provisions thereto, provided that, without limitation, such
a change in control shall be deemed to have occurred if (A) any unaffiliated
"person," "entity," or "group" (as defined in Rule 13(d)-3 issued under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) directly or indirectly becomes the owner of
securities of FirstMerit representing 30% or more of the combined voting power
of FirstMerit's then outstanding securities or (B) at any time during any period
of two (2) consecutive calendar years, individuals, who at the beginning of such
period constitute the Board of Directors of FirstMerit, cease for any reason to
constitute at least the majority of such Board unless the election, or the
nomination for election, by FirstMerit's shareholders of each new director was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors still in office who
were directors of FirstMerit at the beginning of such two-year period.
1.5 "Change of Control Benefits" has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.1.
1.6 "Code" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.4(A).
1.7 "Covered Payments" has the meaning set forth in Section
11.4(A).
1.8 "Disability" or "Disabled" means eligibility for disability
benefits under the terms of FirstMerit's Long-Term Disability Plan for executive
level employees in effect at the time of termination of Executive's employment.
1.9 "Excise Tax" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.4(A).
1.10 "Excise Tax Reimbursement" has the meaning set forth in
Section 11.4(A).
1.11 "Executive Life Insurance Policy" has the meaning set forth in
Section 7.2.
1.12 "FirstMerit" means FirstMerit Corporation and each of the
affiliates of FirstMerit Corporation (meaning any entity that directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is
under common control with, FirstMerit Corporation), along with all successors
and assigns of each of such entities.
1.13 "Good Reason" means the termination of Executive's employment by
Executive for any of the following reasons:
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(A) Involuntary reduction in Executive's Base Salary unless
such reduction occurs simultaneously with a company-wide reduction in
officers' salaries;
(B) Involuntary discontinuance or reduction in Executive's
incentive compensation award opportunities under FirstMerit's plan
unless a company-wide reduction of all officers' incentive compensation
awards occurs simultaneously with such discontinuance or reduction;
(C) Significant reduction in Executive's responsibilities and
status within the FirstMerit organization, or a change in his title or
office without written consent of Executive;
(D) Involuntary discontinuance of Executive's participation in
any employee benefit plans maintained by FirstMerit unless such plans
are discontinued by reason of law or loss of tax deductibility to
FirstMerit with respect to contributions to such plans, or are
discontinued as a matter of FirstMerit policy applied equally to all
participants in such plans;
(E) Failure to obtain an assumption of FirstMerit's
obligations under this Agreement by any successor to FirstMerit,
regardless of whether such entity becomes a successor to FirstMerit as
a result of a merger, consolidation, sale of assets of FirstMerit, or
other form of reorganization;
(F) Termination of employment which is not effected pursuant
to a notice of termination satisfying the requirements of Section 9
hereof; or
(G) A material breach of this Agreement by FirstMerit, which
breach is not corrected within a reasonable time after notice.
1.14 "ICP" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2 hereof.
1.15 "Membership Agreement" has the meaning set forth in Section
7.1(C) hereof.
1.16 "Old Employment Agreement has the meaning set forth in Recital
A above.
1.17 "Old Termination Agreement" has the meaning set forth in
Recital A above.
1.18 "Pension Plan" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(A)
hereof.
1.19 "Retirement Plan" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(B)
hereof.
1.20 "Retirement" means termination of employment by the Executive in
accordance with FirstMerit's retirement policy (including early retirement
policy) which is in effect from time to time and is generally applicable to
FirstMerit's salaried employees.
1.21 "SERP" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(C) hereof.
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1.22 "Term" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.
1.23 "Termination Date" means the date on which the termination of
the Executive's employment with FirstMerit becomes effective.
1.24 "Top Hat Plan" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(D)
hereof.
2. Termination of Prior Agreements.
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The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, effective as of December
1, 1998, the Old Employment Agreement and the Old Termination Agreement are each
hereby terminated and each and every provision of each of such agreements is,
and shall be, rendered void and of no further force or effect whatsoever.
3. Employment.
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FirstMerit hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts
employment, according to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement
and for the period specified in Section 5 of this Agreement.
4. Duties.
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During the Term, Executive shall serve FirstMerit as its Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer in accordance with directions from FirstMerit's Board of
Directors and in accordance with FirstMerit's Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation and Amended and Restated Code of Regulations, as both may be
amended from time to time. Executive will report directly to the Board of
Directors. While Executive is employed by FirstMerit as a full-time employee,
Executive shall serve FirstMerit, faithfully, diligently, competently and to the
best of his ability, and will exclusively devote his full time, energy and
attention to the business of FirstMerit and to the promotion of its interests.
Executive shall not, without the written consent of the Board of Directors of
FirstMerit, render services to or for any person, firm, corporation or other
entity or organization in exchange for compensation, regardless of the form in
which such compensation is paid and whether or not it is paid directly or
indirectly to Executive. Nothing in this Section 4 shall preclude Executive from
managing his personal investments and affairs, provided that such activities in
no way interfere with the proper performance of his duties and responsibilities
as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
5. Term of Employment.
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The term of this Agreement (the "Term") shall commence as of December
1, 1998 and shall continue for a period of five (5) years ending on November 30,
2003, unless this Agreement has been earlier terminated in accordance with the
provisions of Section 9 hereof. Following expiration of the Term, Executive's
employment status will be "at will."
6. Compensation.
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6.1 BASE SALARY. While employed under this Agreement, Executive will
receive as his compensation for the performance of his duties and obligations to
FirstMerit under this Agreement a base salary of Five Hundred Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($550,000) per year, which will be payable in semi-monthly installments,
and which will be subject to annual review by the Compensation Committee as
approved by the Board of Directors (the base salary, as it may be adjusted from
time to time, is referred to herein as the "Base Salary").
6.2 BONUS. In addition to the Base Salary, Executive will receive with
respect to each calendar year a bonus in accordance with FirstMerit's Annual
Incentive Compensation Plan ("ICP"), as it may be amended from time to time, a
copy of which has been delivered to Executive. The Executive's target award
under the ICP shall be at least sixty percent (60%) of his Base Salary. The
Compensation Committee will evaluate the Executive's performance based upon
performance goals and criteria established by the Compensation Committee in good
faith. FirstMerit's corporate goals will be established annually in accordance
with the procedures set forth in the ICP.
6.3 WITHHOLDING. All compensation payable to Executive pursuant to this
Section 6 shall be paid net of amounts withheld for federal, state, municipal or
local income taxes, the Executive's share, if any, of any payroll taxes and such
other federal, state, municipal or local taxes as may be applicable to amounts
paid by an employer to its employee or to the employer/employee relationship.
7. Other Benefits of Employment.
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7.1 Retirement Benefits.
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(A) PENSION PLAN. Executive will participate in the FirstMerit
Corporation Pension Plan (the "Pension Plan"), a copy of which has been
provided to Executive, in accordance with the provisions of the Pension
Plan, as amended from time to time.
(B) EMPLOYEES' SALARY SAVINGS RETIREMENT PLAN. Executive will
be entitled to participate in the FirstMerit Corporation Employees'
Salary Savings Retirement Plan (the "Retirement Plan"), a copy of which
has been provided to Executive, in accordance with the provisions of
the Retirement Plan, as amended from time to time.
(C) SERP. Executive will participate in FirstMerit
Corporation's Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (the "SERP"), a
copy of which has been provided to Executive, in accordance with the
provisions of the SERP, as may be amended from time to time; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Executive's participation in the SERP will be subject
to the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Membership
Agreement, dated as of December 1, 1998 (the "Membership Agreement"),
between FirstMerit and the Executive. The Membership Agreement will
include the following provisions:
(i) Executive will have the right to receive payments
from the SERP in the form of a lump sum, but only to the
extent permitted by the SERP.
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(ii) If the Executive's employment with FirstMerit
terminates following a Change of Control and if, as a result
of such termination of employment, the Executive is entitled
to receive the Change of Control Benefits described in Section
11.2 of this Agreement, then, for purposes of calculating the
Executive's Monthly Retirement Income (as defined in the SERP)
under any provision of the SERP:
(a) the Executive shall be deemed to have
attained age 65 on the effective date of the
termination of his employment with FirstMerit
regardless of his actual Attained Age (as defined in
the SERP) as of such date;
(b) the Executive shall be deemed to have
earned ten (10) Years of Service (as defined in the
SERP) on the effective date of the termination of his
employment with FirstMerit regardless of his actual
Years of Service under the SERP as of such date; and
(c) the Executive's Average Monthly Earnings
(as defined in the SERP) shall be determined by
dividing 12 into the annual Base Salary applicable to
the Executive as of the effective date of the
termination of his employment.
(D) TOP HAT PLAN. Executive will be entitled to participate in
the FirstMerit Corporation Unfunded Supplemental Benefits Plan (the
"Top Hat Plan"), a copy of which has been provided to Executive, in
accordance with the provisions of the Top Hat Plan, as amended from
time to time.
7.2 EXECUTIVE LIFE INSURANCE. During such time as Executive is employed
by FirstMerit, FirstMerit shall pay to the Executive an amount equal to the
premiums payable by the Executive on a permanent whole life insurance policy
(the "Executive Life Insurance Policy"), which shall be owned by Executive and
which shall provide Executive with One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in life
insurance ), plus forty percent (40%) of such premiums as a gross up amount to
cover the income taxes with respect to such premium reimbursement. Executive
will be responsible for the payment of all taxes associated with the payment of
the premiums and the gross up amount. FirstMerit's obligations under this
Section 7.2 will cease upon the termination of Executive's employment for any
reason other than the Executive's Retirement and except to the extent provided
otherwise in Sections 11.2 and 12.3. If the Executive's employment is terminated
due to his Retirement, FirstMerit shall continue to pay to the Executive an
amount equal to the premiums payable by the Executive on the Executive Life
Insurance Policy, plus 40% of such premiums as a gross up amount, until such
time as Executive Life Insurance Policy becomes a fully-paid and non-assessable
policy. The Executive acknowledges that a physical examination will be required
by the insurer.
7.3 DISABILITY. Executive will be entitled to participate in
FirstMerit's Long Term Disability program applicable to executive level
employees of FirstMerit, and in FirstMerit's Short Term Illness Program, all in
accordance with the provisions of such programs as they may be
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amended from time to time.
7.4 MISCELLANEOUS BENEFITS. Executive will be entitled to participate
in such hospitalization, life insurance, and other employee benefit plans and
programs, if any, as may be adopted by FirstMerit from time to time, in
accordance with the provisions of such plans and programs and on the same basis
as other full-time salaried employees of FirstMerit who participate in such
employee benefit plans (except to the extent that the benefits provided under
any of such plans or programs are expressly offset by any of the benefits
provided under or pursuant to this Agreement).
7.5 STOCK OPTIONS AND GRANTS. Executive shall continue to be eligible
to receive awards of stock options and restricted stock in accordance with the
provisions of the FirstMerit Corporation 1997 Stock Plan, as the same may be
amended or superseded from time to time. The terms of such awards shall be
determined by the Compensation Committee and shall be subject to approval by the
Board of Directors.
7.6 INCOME TAX PREPARATION. FirstMerit will reimburse Executive for
income tax preparation and financial planning fees in accordance with the
policies of FirstMerit applicable to all of its executives.
7.7 CLUB DUES. FirstMerit will pay, or reimburse Executive for, all
membership dues and special assessments, and any sales tax assessed or payable
with respect to such dues or assessments, incurred in connection with the
Executive's membership in a country club chosen by the Executive in his sole
discretion.
7.8 POST-RETIREMENT MEDICAL. If (a) the Executive retires prior to age
65 or (b) if the Executive's employment is terminated following a Change of
Control and the Executive satisfies any of the conditions set forth in Sections
11.1(A), (B) or (C), FirstMerit will provide the following:
(A) Until the Executive attains age sixty five (65),
FirstMerit will provide the Executive and his dependents with health
care and major medical coverage that is comparable to the coverage that
the Executive and his dependents are receiving on the date of the
Executive's retirement or termination of employment. FirstMerit will
pay one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of such coverage.
(B) On and after the Executive's sixty-fifth (65th) birthday,
FirstMerit will provide the Executive and his dependents with the same
health care and major medical coverage as the Executive and his
dependents would have been eligible to receive under the FirstMerit
Retiree Medical Plan had the Executive otherwise met the requirements
for participation in such plan on the date of his retirement or
termination of employment. FirstMerit and the Executive will share the
cost of such coverage with the Executive paying the same percentage or
amount of such cost as he would be required to pay under the FirstMerit
Retiree Medical Plan, as in effect on his sixty-fifth birthday, based
upon his years of service with FirstMerit.
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7.9 TAXES AND WITHHOLDING. Executive shall be responsible for paying
all federal, state, municipal or local taxes payable by him with respect to any
benefits provided under this Section 7, and FirstMerit will, when required by
law or when otherwise appropriate or customary, withhold from the benefits or
other compensation amounts sufficient to satisfy such taxes.
8. Other Provisions Relating to Employment.
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8.1 EXECUTIVE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. Approximately every two years,
Executive will have an executive physical examination performed on him by
physicians (not including any physicians who have performed or are then
performing medical services for Executive) of the Cleveland Clinic or comparable
facility. The expenses of the physical examinations required under this Section
8.1 (but not any treatment in connection therewith), which are not otherwise
covered by FirstMerit-sponsored medical plans, will be borne by FirstMerit.
8.2 VACATION. Executive will be entitled to five (5) weeks paid
vacation and ten (10) bank holidays.
8.3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FirstMerit will agree to nominate the Executive
at such times as necessary so that Executive remains a director of FirstMerit
during his employment by FirstMerit. Nothing in this Section 8.3 shall require
FirstMerit or its Board to decline to nominate an existing Director at the
expiration of such Director's term.
9. Termination.
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9.1 Termination by FirstMerit.
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(A) This Agreement shall automatically terminate effective
upon (i) the date of Executive's death; (ii) the date that the
Executive is determined to be Disabled or (iii) the date of the
Executive's Retirement.
(B) FirstMerit may terminate this Agreement, and the
Executive's employment with FirstMerit, without Cause upon ninety (90)
days prior written notice to the Executive.
(C) FirstMerit may terminate this Agreement, and the
Executive's employment with FirstMerit, with Cause effective
immediately and without the requirement of prior notice to the
Executive.
9.2 TERMINATION BY EXECUTIVE. Executive may terminate this Agreement,
and his employment with FirstMerit, with or without Good Reason, upon ninety
(90) days prior written notice to FirstMerit.
9.3 NOTICE. An purported termination of this Agreement by FirstMerit or
the Executive shall be communicated by written notice of termination to the
other party. Such notice shall indicate the specific termination provision in
this Agreement relied upon, shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment
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under the provisions so indicated, shall specify the Termination Date (which
shall not be earlier than the date of the notice), and, if the notice is from
FirstMerit, shall specify whether the provisions of Section 12.3 shall apply to
the Executive following the Termination Date.
10. Compensation and Benefits Upon Termination of Employment.
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10.1 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT UPON DEATH. If Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death, his estate shall be entitled to receive only the
Base Salary to which the Executive was entitled through the Termination Date,
any unpaid bonus or incentive compensation due to the Executive with respect to
the calendar year prior to a calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs,
and such other benefits as may be available to the Executive or his estate
through FirstMerit's benefit plans and policies.
10.2 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT UPON DISABILITY. If Executive's
employment is terminated due to his Disability, Executive shall be entitled to
receive only the Base Salary to which he was entitled through the Termination
Date, any unpaid bonus or incentive compensation due to the Executive with
respect to the calendar year prior to the calendar year in which the Termination
Date occurs, and such other benefits as may be available to the Executive
through FirstMerit's benefit plans and policies.
10.3 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY FIRSTMERIT FOR CAUSE. If Executive's
employment is terminated for Cause as provided in Section 9.1(C), Executive
shall be entitled to receive the Base Salary to which he was entitled through
the Termination Date and such other benefits as may be available to him through
FirstMerit's benefit plans and policies in effect on the Termination Date.
10.4 TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR TERMINATION FOR GOOD REASON.
(A) If FirstMerit terminates the Executive's employment
without Cause pursuant to Section 9.1(B) or if the Executive terminates
his employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 9.2, and the
Termination Date is prior to the expiration of the Term, Executive's
Base Salary and benefits (excluding credit for Years of Service under
the SERP) shall continue for a period of one (1) year from the
Termination Date. In addition, if the Executive is entitled to receive
the severance benefits payable under the preceding sentence, the
Executive shall also be credited with two (2) additional Years of
Service under the SERP.
(B) If FirstMerit terminates the Executive's employment
without Cause pursuant to Section 9.1(B) or if the Executive terminates
his employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 9.2, and the
Termination Date is after the expiration of the Term, Executive shall
be entitled to receive only the Base Salary to which he was entitled
through the Termination Date and such other benefits as may be
available to him through FirstMerit's benefit plans and policies.
10.5 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If Executive
terminates employment with FirstMerit pursuant to Section 9.2 other than for
Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to receive only the Base Salary to
which he was entitled through the Termination Date and
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such other benefits as may be available to him through FirstMerit's benefit
plans and policies.
10.6 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. Upon termination of Executive's employment,
the obligations of each of the parties under this Agreement shall expire as of
the Termination Date, including, without limitation, the obligations of
FirstMerit to pay any compensation to Executive, except to the extent otherwise
specifically provided in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
obligations contained in Section 12 of this Agreement and the provisions hereof
relating to the obligations of FirstMerit described in the preceding sentence,
shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement in accordance with
the terms set forth therein.
11. Termination of Employment Following Change of Control.
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11.1 CONDITIONS TO PAYMENT OF CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10, upon the occurrence of a Change of
Control, the compensation and benefits described in Section 11.2 (the "Change of
Control Benefits") shall be paid and provided to the Executive if any of the
following circumstances apply:
(A) The Executive's employment with FirstMerit, or its
successor, is terminated without Cause pursuant to Section 9.1(B) prior
to the third (3rd) anniversary of the date that the Change of Control
becomes effective;
(B) The Executive terminates his employment with FirstMerit,
or its successor, with Good Reason pursuant to Section 9.2 prior to the
third (3rd) anniversary of the date that the Change of Control becomes
effective; or
(C) The Executive terminates his employment with FirstMerit,
or its successor, with or without Good Reason pursuant to Section 9.2
prior to the first (1st) anniversary of the date that the Change of
Control becomes effective.
The Executive will not be eligible to receive the Change of Control Benefits
under the following circumstances:
(X) The Executive's employment with FirstMerit, or it
successor, is terminated with Cause at any time by FirstMerit, or its
successor;
(Y) The Executive's employment with FirstMerit, or its
successor, is terminated at any time as a result of the Executive's
death, Disability or Retirement (unless he retires prior to his
attainment of age 65 in which case he may be eligible for Change of
Control Benefits if he otherwise satisfies the condition set forth in
Sections 11.1(B) or (C) above); or
(Z) The Executive terminates his employment with FirstMerit,
or its successor, without Good Reason pursuant to Section 9.2 on or
after the first (1st) anniversary of the date that the Change of
Control becomes effective.
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11.2 Change of Control Benefits.
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If the Executive satisfies any of the conditions set forth in Sections
11.1(A), (B) or (C), FirstMerit, or its successor, shall pay or provide the
following to the Executive:
(A) BASE SALARY TO TERMINATION DATE. FirstMerit will pay the
Executive his full Base Salary through the Termination Date at the rate
in effect at the Termination Date or immediately preceding the date on
which the Change in Control becomes effective, whichever is higher.
(B) BASE SALARY. FirstMerit will pay to the Executive an
amount equal to (i) the Executive's annual Base Salary (at the rate in
effect at the Termination Date or immediately preceding the date on
which the Change in Control becomes effective, whichever is higher)
multiplied by (ii) the lesser of the number one (1) or a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of months from and including the month
in which the Termination Date occurs to and including the month in
which the Executive will attain the age of sixty-five (65) and the
denominator of which is twelve (12).
(C) INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. FirstMerit will pay to the
Executive an incentive award in an amount equal to (i) the highest
incentive compensation award earned by the Executive with respect to
the three (3) calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year in
which the Change of Control becomes effective (except that the parties
agree that for purposes of this calculation, the Executive shall be
deemed to have received incentive compensation of $140,000 for calendar
year 1996) multiplied by (ii) the lesser of the number one (1) or a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of months from and
including the month in which the Termination Date occurs to and
including the month in which the Executive will attain the age of
sixty-five (65) and the denominator of which is twelve (12).
(D) STOCK PLANS. The Executive shall be entitled to immediate
vesting of all stock options, restricted stock awards, and other stock,
phantom stock, stock appreciation rights or similar arrangements in
which he participates. Notwithstanding any plan provisions to the
effect that rights under any such plan terminate upon termination of
employment, the Executive shall be given the longer of any period
stated in such plan or agreement or ninety (90) days after the
Termination Date to realize or exercise all rights or options provided
under such plans.
(E) ACCIDENT, DISABILITY AND LIFE INSURANCE. FirstMerit will
pay to the Executive in a lump sum an amount equal to the lesser of (i)
one times the annual cost of all accident, disability, and life
insurance (including conversion rights) with coverage and limits
identical to those in effect with respect to the Executive immediately
prior to the Change of Control or (ii) the amount determined under
clause (i) above multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the
number of months from and including the month in which the Termination
Date occurs to and including the month in which the Executive will
attain the age of sixty-five (65) and the denominator of which is
twelve (12). Without limiting the foregoing, FirstMerit shall continue
to pay to the Executive an amount equal to the premiums payable by the
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Executive with respect to the Executive Life Insurance Policy, plus
forty percent (40%) of such premiums as a gross up amount, until such
time as the Executive Life Insurance Policy becomes a fully-paid and
non-assessable policy.
(F) MEDICAL. Executive will be provided with continued health
care and medical coverage in accordance with the provisions of Section
7.8.
(G) OUTPLACEMENT FEES. For a period not to exceed one (1) year
after the Termination Date, FirstMerit will pay the reasonable expenses
associated with the outplacement of the Executive into a position
comparable to that held by the Executive prior to the Change of Control
through a professional placement firm and in an amount not to exceed
Thirty-five Thousand Dollars ($35,000).
The compensation described in subparagraphs 11.2(A), (B), (C) and the first
sentence of subparagraph 11.2(E) shall be paid by FirstMerit to the Executive in
a lump sum on or before the fifth (5th) day following the Termination Date. For
purposes of this Section 11, the term "month" shall mean a period of thirty (30)
days.
11.3 NON-DUPLICATION OF COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, to avoid duplication of the benefits provided under this Section
11.2, amounts payable, and benefits provided, to the Executive pursuant to this
paragraph 11.2 shall be offset and reduced by amounts that are paid, and
benefits that are provided, to the Executive, following termination of his
employment with FirstMerit (including a termination of employment as a result of
Retirement) and regardless of whether there is a Change of Control, under any
other employment agreement or Executive benefit plan or program to which the
Executive is a party or in which he participates, including, without limitation,
amounts paid and benefits provided to the Executive upon termination of his
employment pursuant to Section 10.
11.4 CERTAIN FURTHER PAYMENTS BY FIRSTMERIT
(A) In the event that any amount or benefit paid or
distributed to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement, taken together
with any amounts or benefits otherwise paid or distributed to the
Executive by FirstMerit or any affiliated company (collectively, the
"Covered Payments"), are or become subject to the tax (the "Excise
Tax") imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), or any similar tax that may hereafter be
imposed, FirstMerit shall pay to the Executive at the time specified in
this Section 11.4 an additional amount (the "Excise Tax Reimbursement")
such that the net amount retained by the Executive with respect to such
Covered Payments, after deduction of any Excise Tax on the Covered
Payments and any Federal, state and local income or employment tax and
Excise Tax on the Excise Tax Reimbursement provided for by this Section
11.4, but before deduction for any Federal, state or local income or
employment tax withholding on such Covered Payments, shall be equal to
the amount of the Covered Payments. By way of example and without
limiting the foregoing, if the Executive's Covered Payments is
$2,500,000, his "base amount" is $500,000, his combined Federal, state
and local income tax marginal rate is 50% and the computed Excise Tax
is $400,000, then Executive
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will receive an Excise Tax Reimbursement of $1,333,333, computed as
Excise Tax time (1 divided by (1 minus the aggregate individual tax
rate minus excise tax rate)), in addition to the Covered Payments of
$2,500,000.
(B) For purposes of determining whether any of the Covered
Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such
Excise Tax:
(i) such Covered Payments will be treated as
"parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the
Code, and all "parachute payments" in excess of the "base
amount" (as defined under Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code)
shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless, and
except to the extent that, in the good faith judgment of
FirstMerit's independent certified public accountants
appointed prior to the date upon which the Change of Control
became effective or tax counsel selected by such accountants
(the "Accountants"), FirstMerit has a reasonable basis to
conclude that such Covered Payments (in whole or in part)
either do not constitute "parachute payments" or represent
reasonable compensation for personal services actually
rendered (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the
Code) in excess of the "base amount," or such "parachute
payments" are otherwise not subject to such Excise Tax; and
(ii) the value of any non-cash benefits or any
deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the
Accountants in accordance with the principles of Section 280G
of the Code.
(C) For purposes of determining the amount of the Excise Tax
Reimbursement, the Executive shall be deemed to pay:
(i) Federal income taxes at the highest applicable
marginal rate of Federal income taxation for the calendar year
in which the Excise Tax Reimbursement is to be made; and
(ii) any applicable state and local income taxes at
the highest applicable marginal rate of taxation for the
calendar year in which the Excise Tax Reimbursement is to be
made, net of the maximum reduction in Federal income taxes
which could be obtained from the deduction of such state or
local taxes if paid in such year.
(D) In the event that the Excise Tax is subsequently
determined by the Accountants or pursuant to any proceeding or
negotiations with the Internal Revenue Service to be less than the
amount taken into account hereunder in calculating the Excise Tax
Reimbursement made, the Executive shall repay to FirstMerit, at the
time that the amount of such reduction in the Excise Tax is finally
determined, the portion of such prior Excise Tax Reimbursement that
would not have been paid if such Excise Tax had been applied in
initially calculating such Excise Tax Reimbursement, plus interest on
the amount of such repayment at the rate provided in Section
1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
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in the event any portion of the Excise Tax Reimbursement to be refunded
to FirstMerit has been paid to any Federal, state or local tax
authority, repayment thereof shall not be required until actual refund
or credit of such portion has been made to the Executive, and interest
payable to FirstMerit shall not exceed interest received or credited to
the Executive by such tax authority for the period it held such
portion. The Executive and FirstMerit shall mutually agree upon the
course of action to be pursued (and the method of allocating the
expenses thereof) if the Executive's good faith claim for refund or
credit is denied.
(E) In the event that the Excise Tax is later determined by
the Accountants or pursuant to any proceeding or negotiations with the
Internal Revenue Service to exceed the amount taken into account
hereunder at the time the Excise Tax Reimbursement is made (including,
but not limited to, by reason of any payment the existence or amount of
which cannot be determined at the time of the Excise Tax
Reimbursement), FirstMerit shall make an additional Excise Tax
Reimbursement in respect of such excess (plus any interest or penalty
payable with respect to such excess) at the time that the amount of
such excess is finally determined.
(F) The Excise Tax Reimbursement (or portion thereof) provided
for in Section 11.4(A) above shall be paid to the Executive not later
than ten (10) business days following the payment of the Covered
Payments; provided, however, that if the amount of such Excise Tax
Reimbursement (or portion thereof) cannot be finally determined on or
before the date on which payment is due, FirstMerit shall pay to the
Executive by such date an amount estimated in good faith by the
Accountants to be the minimum amount of such Excise Tax Reimbursement
and shall pay the remainder of such Excise Tax Reimbursement (together
with interest at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the
Code) as soon as the amount thereof can be determined, but in no event
later than forty five (45) calendar days after payment of the related
Covered Payment. In the event that the amount of the estimated Excise
Tax Reimbursement exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have
been due, such excess shall constitute a loan by FirstMerit to the
Executive, payable on the fifth (5th) business day after written demand
by FirstMerit for payment (together with interest at the rate provided
in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code).
11.5 OTHER EMPLOYMENT. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate
the amount of any payment provided for in this Section 11 by seeking other
employment. Moreover, the amount of any payment provided for in this Section 11
shall not be reduced by any compensation earned or benefits provided as the
result of employment of the Executive by another employer or as a result of the
Executive being self-employed after the Termination Date.
12. Confidentiality and Non-Compete
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12.1 NON-DISCLOSURE. Executive expressly covenants and agrees that he
will not reveal, divulge or make known to any person, firm, company or
corporation any secret or confidential information of any nature concerning
FirstMerit or its business, or anything connected therewith.
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12.2 RETURN OF MATERIALS. Executive agrees to deliver or return to
FirstMerit upon termination or expiration of this Agreement or as soon
thereafter as possible, all written information and any other similar items
furnished by FirstMerit or prepared by Executive in connection with his services
hereunder. Executive will retain no copies thereof after termination of this
Agreement or Executive's employment with FirstMerit.
12.3 Non-Competition.
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(A) If FirstMerit satisfies the conditions set forth in
Section 12.3(B) below, then, for a period after termination or
expiration of this Agreement equal to twenty four (24) months,
regardless of whether such termination is by FirstMerit with or without
Cause or the Executive with or without Good Reason, the Executive shall
not (except as an officer, director, employee, agent or consultant of
FirstMerit) directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, join, or have
a financial interest in, control or participate in the ownership,
management, operation or control of, or be employed as an employee,
agent or consultant, or in any other individual or representative
capacity whatsoever, or use or permit his name to be used in connection
with, or be otherwise connected in any manner with any business or
enterprise that is actively engaged in any business which is in
competition with FirstMerit or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in
any geographic area in which FirstMerit or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates does business on the Termination Date; PROVIDED that the
foregoing restriction shall not be construed to prohibit the ownership
by the Executive of not more than one percent (1%) of any class of
securities of any corporation which is engaged in any of the foregoing
businesses, having a class of securities registered pursuant to the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which securities are publicly owned
and regularly traded on any national exchange or in the
over-the-counter market, PROVIDED, FURTHER, that such ownership
represents a passive investment and that neither the Executive nor any
group of persons including the Executive in any way, either directly or
indirectly, manages or exercises control of any such corporation,
guarantees any of its financial obligations, otherwise takes part in
its business other than exercising his rights as a shareholder, or
seeks to do any of the foregoing.
(B) In consideration of the Executive's covenants as contained
in Section 12.3(A), FirstMerit shall pay or provide the items set forth
below in the event of the Executive's termination of employment,
provided that in the event that the Executive's employment is
terminated by FirstMerit for Cause or voluntarily terminated by
Executive, FirstMerit may elect to forego the benefit of the provisions
of Section 12.3(A) and not make any payment under the provisions of
this Section 12.3(B) by written notice delivered to the Executive at
the time notice of termination for Cause is given or within ten (10)
calendar days of the date the Executive's voluntary resignation is
effective.
(i) BASE SALARY. FirstMerit shall pay the Executive,
in equal semi-monthly installments, an amount equal to the
Executive's then current annual Base Salary (or, if higher,
the highest rate thereof as in effect at any time during the
six month period prior to the date of such termination) until
the second (2nd) anniversary of the Termination Date or, if
sooner, until the end of the month in which the Executive will
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attain the age of sixty-five (65).
(ii) INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. FirstMerit will pay the
Executive, in equal semi-monthly installments, an incentive
award in an amount equal to (a) the highest incentive
compensation award earned by the Executive with respect to the
three (3) calendar years immediately preceding the calendar
year in which the Termination Date occurs (except that the
parties agree that for purposes of this calculation, the
Executive shall be deemed to have received incentive
compensation of $140,000 for calendar year 1996) multiplied by
(b) the lesser of the number two (2) or a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of months from and including
the month in which the Termination Date occurs to and
including the month in which the Executive will attain the age
of sixty-five (65) and the denominator of which is twelve
(12).
(iii) ACCIDENT, DISABILITY AND LIFE INSURANCE.
FirstMerit shall maintain in full force and effect for the
Executive's continued benefit, until the earlier of the second
(2nd) anniversary of the Termination Date or the calendar
month in which the Executive attains the age of sixty-five
(65), all accident, disability and life insurance (including
conversion rights) with coverage and limits identical to those
in effect with respect to the Executive immediately prior to
the Termination Date. Without limiting the foregoing and
except to the extent that the provisions of Section 11.2(E)
are applicable, FirstMerit shall continue to pay to the
Executive an amount equal to the premiums payable by the
Executive with respect to the Executive Life Insurance Policy,
plus forty percent (40%) of such premiums as a gross up
amount, for a period ending the earlier of two (2) years after
the Termination Date or the calendar month in which the
Executive reaches the age of sixty-five (65). For the sole
purpose of determining the Executive's eligibility to
participate in FirstMerit's life, accidental death and
dismemberment insurance plans, the Executive shall be
considered to be on a paid leave of absence as long as he is
receiving benefits under this Section.
(iv) MEDICAL. (a) Until the second (2nd) anniversary
of the Termination Date or, if sooner, until the Executive
attains age sixty-five (65), FirstMerit will provide the
Executive and his dependents with health care and major
medical coverage that is comparable to the coverage that the
Executive and his dependents are receiving on the date of the
Executive's termination of employment. FirstMerit will pay one
hundred percent (100%) of the cost of such coverage.
(b) On and after the Executive's sixth-fifth (65th)
birthday, but not beyond the second (2nd) anniversary of the
Termination Date, FirstMerit will provide the Executive and
his dependents with the same health care and major medical
coverage as the Executive and his dependents would have been
eligible to receive under the FirstMerit Retiree Medical Plan
had the Executive otherwise met the requirements for
participation in such plan on the date of his termination of
employment. FirstMerit and the Executive will share the cost
of such coverage with the Executive paying the same percentage
or amount of such cost as he would be required to pay under
the FirstMerit Retiree Medical Plan, as in effect on his
sixty-fifth (65th) birthday, based
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upon his years of service with FirstMerit.
12.4 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. Executive acknowledges that it is impossible to
measure in money the damages that will accrue to FirstMerit by reason of
Executive's failure to observe any of the obligations imposed on him by this
paragraph 12. Accordingly, if FirstMerit shall institute an action to enforce
the provisions hereof, Executive hereby waives the claim or defense that an
adequate remedy at law is available to FirstMerit, and Executive agrees not to
urge in any such action the claim or defense that such remedy at law exists.
Further, if a final determination is made by a court having competent
jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other restriction contained in
Section 12.3(A) is an unenforceable restriction on the Executive's activities,
the provisions of Section 12.3(A) shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed
amended to apply such maximum time and territory and such other restrictions as
such court may judicially determine or otherwise indicate to be reasonable.
13. Miscellaneous
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13.1 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties
hereto, their respective heirs, personal representatives, executors,
administrators and successors; provided, however, that Executive shall not
assign this Agreement.
13.2 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed under and
governed by the internal laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any
choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Ohio
or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the State of Ohio.
13.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement
of the parties concerning the employment of Executive by FirstMerit, and any
oral or written statements, representations, agreements, or understandings made
or entered into prior to or contemporaneously with the execution of this
Agreement, are hereby rescinded, revoked, and rendered null and void by the
parties. Both parties hereto have participated in the selection of the words and
phrases set forth in this Agreement in order to express their joint intentions
in entering into this employment relationship, and the parties hereto agree that
there shall not be strict interpretation against either party in connection with
any review of this Agreement in which interpretation thereof is an issue.
13.4 NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement
shall be deemed to have been effectively made or given if in writing and
personally delivered, or mailed properly addressed in a sealed envelope, postage
prepaid by certified or registered mail, delivered by a reputable overnight
delivery service or sent by facsimile. Unless otherwise changed by notice,
notice shall be properly addressed to the Executive if addressed to the address
of the Executive on the books and records of FirstMerit at the time of the
delivery of such notice, and properly addressed to FirstMerit if addressed to:
FirstMerit Corporation
III Cascade Plaza
Seventh Floor
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Akron, Ohio 44308
Attention: General Counsel
13.5 SEVERABILITY. Wherever there is any conflict between any provision
of this Agreement and any statute, law regulation or judicial precedent, the
latter shall prevail, but in such event the provisions of this Agreement thus
affected shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring
them within the requirements of law. In the event that any provision of this
Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be indefinite,
invalid, void or voidable or otherwise unenforceable, the balance of this
Agreement shall continue in full force and effect unless such construction would
clearly be contrary to the intentions of the parties or would result in an
unconscionable injustice.
13.6 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed the 2nd day of December, 1998.
FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION
By: /s/ Clifford J. Isroff
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Its: Director
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(pursuant to special resolution of
Board of Directors)
/s/ John R. Cochran
-----------------------------------------
John R. Cochran
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