EXHIBIT 10.10
Form of Indemnification Agreements dated December 14 and 15, 2005 by and between
Southwest Bancorp, Inc. and each of Rick Green, Kerby E. Crowell, David Dietz,
Allen Glenn, Steve Gobel, Steven N. Hadley, Jerry L. Lanier, Randy Mills,
Kimberly Sinclair, Kay Smith, and Charles H. Westerheide, each identical except
for the date and the name and title of the Indemnitee.
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made this ___th day of December 2005,
by and between Southwest Bancorp, Inc., a registered bank holding company
("Southwest") and __________________________ ("Indemnitee").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, it is essential to Southwest to attract and retain as directors,
officers, and agents the most capable persons available.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Southwest (the "Board") and Indemnitee
recognize the increased risk of litigation and other claims being asserted
against directors and officers of public corporations.
WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Board that in certain circumstances
highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly held
corporations as directors, officers, or agents unless they are provided with
adequate protection from the risk of liability due to claims and actions against
them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such
corporations.
WHEREAS, the Board understands that a delay in providing advancement of expenses
or uncertainty regarding the availability of indemnification may place
significant financial and other pressures on a director of Southwest, which may
cause such person to settle an action for reasons other than its merits to the
ultimate detriment of such person and of Southwest, and, accordingly, Southwest
and the Indemnitee wish to ensure that any assertion that Indemnitee is not
entitled to indemnification, advancement of expenses, insurance, or other rights
provided hereunder is resolved in a timely manner, such that Indemnitee is not
subject to such undue pressure to settle any actions because of the burden of
legal costs and potentially unindemnifiable liabilities.
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests of Southwest
to provide contractual protection for Indemnitee in order to (i) enhance
Indemnitee's continued service to Southwest in an effective manner; (ii)
encourage Indemnitee to resist what he considers unjustifiable suits and claims
made against the Indemnitee in connection with the good faith performance of
Indemnitee's duties to Southwest and its shareholders; and (iii) encourage
Indemnitee to exercise his or her best business judgment regarding matters which
come before the board of directors without undue concern for the risk that
claims may be made against Indemnitee based on such actions.
WHEREAS, Southwest and Indemnitee wish to enter this agreement to establish such
specific contractual assurance (i) to ensure indemnification protection provided
by Southwest's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws will be available to
Indemnitee (regardless of, among other things, any amendment of or revocation of
provisions in such Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws or any change in the
composition of the Board);
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(ii) to provide for the indemnification of and the advancement of expenses to
Indemnitee to the full extent (whether partial or complete) permitted by law and
as set forth in this Agreement; and (iii) to the extent any insurance is
maintained, to provide for the continued coverage of Indemnitee under
Southwest's directors' and officers' liability insurance policies.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein
contained, it is agreed as follows:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this Agreement:
(a) "Expenses" shall mean all expenses, including, without limitation,
legal and professional fees and expenses, actually and reasonably
incurred by Indemnitee.
(b) "Proceeding" shall mean any threatened, pending, or completed action
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or
investigative.
(c) "Southwest Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, or other entity directly or indirectly
controlled by Southwest.
2. SERVICES BY INDEMNITEE; COOPERATION.
(a) Indemnitee agrees to serve or continue to serve as a director of
Southwest and, at its request, as a director of certain other related
corporations and entities so long as he is duly elected or appointed
or until such time as he resigns in writing. Indemnitee may at any
time and for any reason resign from any such position (subject to any
other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of
law).
(b) Indemnitee agrees to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with
Southwest in the investigation and defense of any action or claim that
is subject to indemnification hereunder.
3. INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL.
To the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his status with Southwest, a
party to and is successful in, on the merits or otherwise, any Proceeding,
he shall be indemnified against all Expenses in connection therewith. If
Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful,
on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims,
issues, or matters in such Proceeding, Southwest shall indemnify Indemnitee
against all Expenses in connection with each successfully resolved claim,
issue, or matter. For the purposes of this Section 3 and without limiting
the foregoing, the termination of any claim, issue, or matter in any such
Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a
successful result as to such claim, issue, or matter except as prohibited
by law.
4. INDEMNIFICATION OF EXPENSES OF A WITNESS. In addition to the Indemnitees
other rights hereunder, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his
status with Southwest or any Southwest Subsidiary, a witness in any
Proceeding as to which he is not, and is not threatened to be made, a
party, he shall be indemnified against all Expenses in connection
therewith.
5. PROCEEDINGS OTHER THAN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF SOUTHWEST.
Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in
this Section 5 if, by
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reason of his status with Southwest or a Southwest Subsidiary, he is, or is
threatened to be made, a party to any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding
by or in the right of Southwest. Pursuant to this Section 5, Indemnitee
shall be indemnified against Expenses and against judgments, penalties,
fines, and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any such
Proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably
believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of Southwest and,
with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe
his conduct was unlawful.
6. PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF SOUTHWEST. Indemnitee shall be entitled
to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 6 if, by reason
of his status with Southwest or a Southwest Subsidiary, he is, or is
threatened to be made, a party to any Proceeding brought by or in the right
of Southwest to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section
6, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against Expenses in connection with any
such Proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably
believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of Southwest.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification against such Expenses
shall be made in respect of any such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee
shall have been adjudged to be liable to Southwest except to the extent, if
any, that, the court in which such Proceeding shall have been brought, upon
application, determines that despite the adjudication, but in view of all
the circumstance, he is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.
7. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES.
(a) Unless and until, and except to the extent that, (i) a final
determination has been made the indemnification of Expenses pursuant
to Sections 3, 4, 5, and 6 is impermissible under applicable law, or
(ii) Southwest obtains a legal opinion of independent legal counsel
that advancement of Expenses is both expressly prohibited by
applicable law and would subject Southwest or the Board to possible
legal sanctions, Southwest shall advance all Expenses in connection
with any Proceeding within thirty (30) days after the receipt by
Southwest of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such
advancement, whether prior to or after final disposition of such
Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the
expenses incurred by Indemnitee. For purposes of this Section 7(a),
final determination shall mean an express determination by a court of
competent jurisdiction which is no longer subject to possible or
pending appeal or other form of review.
(b) Southwest shall act promptly and in good faith to conduct such
investigation and consideration, and, if warranted by such
investigation and consideration, to make and issue such
determinations, as are necessary for advancement of Expenses pursuant
to 12 U.S.C. 1828(k) or applicable regulations thereunder.
(c) The Indemnitee hereby agrees that he will repay expenses advanced,
without interest, by the later of 90 days after the termination of the
Proceeding or thirty (30) days after demand by Southwest, if it shall
ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be
indemnified against such expenses.
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8. PAYMENT OF INDEMNIFIED AMOUNTS. Payment of all other amounts, other than
Advanced Expenses, shall be made no later than thirty (30) days after
receipt of the written request, of the Indemnitee therefor, unless, in the
case of an indemnification, a determination is made within said thirty (30)
day period by:
(a) The Board by a majority vote of a quorum thereof consisting of
directors who were not parties to such Proceedings, or
(b) Independent legal counsel in a written opinion (which counsel shall be
appointed if such a quorum is not obtainable),
that the Indemnitee has not met the relevant standards for indemnification set
forth in this agreement.
9. PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECTS OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS. The termination of any
Proceeding or of any claim, issue, or matter therein, by judgment, order,
settlement, or conviction, or upon plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided there or in
this Agreement or mandated by applicable law or regulation) of itself
create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a
manner which he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to the best
interests of, Southwest or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that
Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
10. REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE.
(a) In the event that a determination by independent legal counsel or the
Board is made pursuant to Sections 6, 7, or 19 that Indemnitee is not
entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this
Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to adjudication of his
entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses.
(b) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 10, seeks a
judicial adjudication of his rights under, or to recover damages for
breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover
from Southwest, and shall be indemnified by Southwest against, any and
all Expenses in such judicial adjudication, but only if he prevails
therein. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication that
Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the
indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, the expenses
incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication
shall be appropriately prorated.
11. FUNDING OF TRUST. Upon the earlier of the tenth business day following (i)
the filing of any action for which indemnification is called for hereunder
or (ii) the failure of Southwest to reimburse amounts as required
hereunder, Southwest shall (A) establish a valid trust under the law of the
State of Oklahoma and qualifying as a "Rabbi Trust" for federal income tax
purposes with an independent trustee that has or may be granted corporate
trust powers under Oklahoma law, (B) deposit in such trust the sum of
$100,000, and (C) provide the trustee of the trust with a written direction
to hold said amount and any investment return thereon in a segregated
account, and to pay such amounts as demanded by Indemnitee from the trust
upon written demand from Indemnitee stating the amount of the payment
demanded from the trust and the basis for his rights to such payment
hereunder; provided that Southwest shall not be required
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hereby to create, and shall not create, any such trust by reason of a claim
for indemnification of liabilities, fines, or penalties prohibited by
Section 19 of this Agreement. Southwest shall restore the balance therein
within two business days following notice from the Trustee of payments
therefrom so that that the total amount held in such trust is at least
$100,000. Upon the earlier of the final judgment or binding settlement of
any and all such claims for which indemnification is then called for
hereunder, the trustee of the trust shall pay to Southwest, as applicable,
the entire balance remaining in the trust. Payments from the trust to
Indemnitee shall be considered payments made by Southwest for purposes of
this Agreement. Payment of such amounts to Indemnitee from the trust,
however, shall not relieve Southwest from any obligation to pay amounts in
excess of those paid from the trust, or from any obligation to take actions
or refrain from taking actions otherwise required by this Agreement.
Indemnitee's rights under this Agreement shall be those of a general,
unsecured creditor, and he shall have no claim against the assets of the
trust, and the assets of the trust shall remain subject to the claims of
creditors of Southwest.
12. NOTICE BY INDEMNITEE; PURSUIT OF DEFENSE.
(a) Indemnitee agrees to notify Southwest promptly in writing upon being
served with any summons, subpoena, complaint, indictment or other
document relating to any Proceeding which may be subject to
indemnification or advancement of expenses covered hereunder and
Southwest shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment
of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee and the payment of
all expenses; provided, however, that the failure to so notify
Southwest shall relieve it from any liability which it may have to
Indemnitee only to the extent, if any, that it is prejudiced thereby.
(b) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such
action and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and
expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of Indemnitee unless
(i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized by
Southwest in writing, (ii) if he is, or is threatened to be made a
party to a Proceeding brought by or in the right of Southwest to
procure a judgment in its favor, (iii) Southwest has failed to assume
the defense or to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to
Indemnitee, or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including
any impleaded parties) include both Indemnitee and Southwest and
Indemnitee shall have been advised by such counsel that there may be
one or more legal defenses available to him that are different from or
in addition to those available to Southwest (in which case, if
Indemnitee notifies Southwest in writing that he elects to employ
separate counsel at the expense of Southwest, Southwest shall not have
the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of
Indemnitee); it being understood, however, that Southwest shall not,
in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially
similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the
same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time and
such firm shall be designated in writing by Indemnitee.
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13. NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS: INSURANCE; SUBROGATION.
(a) The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of expenses
as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any
other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under
applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of
Southwest, any agreement, resolution of directors, or otherwise. No
amendment, alteration, or repeal of this Agreement or any provision
hereof shall be effective as to Indemnitee with respect to any action
taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his corporate capacity prior to
such amendment, alteration, or repeal.
(b) To the extent that Southwest maintains an insurance policy providing
liability insurance of persons serving Southwest, Indemnitee shall be
covered by such policy in accordance with its terms for the maximum
extent of the coverage available for any person under such policy. If
any such policy contains a provision which limits coverage under such
policy to the extent of Southwest's contractual obligations of
indemnification Southwest shall have no obligations hereunder to the
extent that Indemnitee shall have been afforded coverage under such
policy.
(c) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, Southwest shall be
subrogated to the extent of such payment of all rights of recovery of
Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and take all
actions necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such
documents as are necessary to enable Southwest to bring suit to
enforce such rights.
14. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
(a) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any
corporate or other successor of Southwest which shall acquire,
directly or indirectly, by merger, consolidation, purchase, or
otherwise, all or substantially all of the assets or stock of
Southwest. Southwest shall not enter into any agreement to effect any
such transaction without obtaining a binding contractual commitment
from the acquirer to honor the terms of this agreement.
(b) The rights to indemnification and enforcement of this agreement may be
exercised by the Indemnitee's personal representative on behalf of his
estate in the event of his death during the term hereof.
15. SEVERABILITY. If any portion of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, the remaining
provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired
thereby.
16. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first written
above and shall extend until the seventh anniversary of the day upon which
Indemnitee last served as a member of the Board.
17. SETTLEMENT.
(a) Southwest shall have no obligation to indemnify Indemnitee hereunder
for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding effected without
Southwest's written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(b) Southwest shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee,
settle, compromise, or consent to the entry of any judgment in any
Proceeding in respect
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of which indemnity may be sought hereunder (whether or not Indemnitee
is a party to such claim, action, suit or proceeding), unless such
settlement, compromise, or consent includes a release of Indemnitee,
reasonably satisfactory to him, from all liability arising out of such
Proceeding or unless Southwest shall confirm in a written agreement of
Southwest to Indemnitee, that such settlement, compromise, or consent
shall not alter the right of Indemnitee to indemnification as provided
in this Agreement.
18. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER. No supplement, modification, amendment, or
termination of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing
by both of the parties hereto. No failure or delay in exercising any right,
power, or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall
any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or future
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, or privilege
hereunder. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be
deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof nor
shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
19. CERTAIN LEGAL AND REGULATORY LIMITATIONS. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary:
(a) If the Board, with the advice of legal counsel determines in good
faith that (i) a claim for indemnification hereunder has arisen under
the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act"), and (ii) that Southwest is
legally required to submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question of whether or not such indemnification by it is against
public policy, as expressed in the 1933 Act, and is, therefore,
prohibited, then Southwest may defer payment of such amounts until
thirty days following final adjudication of such question. Southwest
shall (i) make any such determination under clause and provide notice
to Indemnitee of its determination within thirty days of the assertion
of such claim, and (ii) vigorously pursue the adjudication of such
question at its own cost and expense in a manner, and in such forum or
forums, as it determines in good faith are most likely to result in
the swiftest judicial determination. To the extent allowed by law,
Indemnitee shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in such
adjudicatory process. Notwithstanding the above, this Section 19(a)
shall not affect the rights of Indemnitee for (i) indemnification of
expenses incurred or paid by him in the successful defense of any
Proceeding, or (ii) unless and to the extent it is determined by
opinion of independent counsel to be prohibited by law, for
advancement of expenses under Section 7 hereof.
(b) This Agreement is not intended to be, and is not, an agreement to make
any indemnification payment to any institution affiliated party of the
type prohibited pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1828(k) (relating to
indemnification payments with respect to certain administrative
proceedings or civil actions initiated by any Federal banking agency)
and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, regardless of any other
requirement of this agreement to the contrary, to the extent required
by such section and regulations, Southwest shall not indemnify
Indemnitee for that portion of the costs sustained by him with regard
to an administrative or civil enforcement action commenced by any
federal banking agency which results in a final order or settlement
pursuant to which the Indemnitee is assessed a civil money penalty,
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removed from office, prohibited from participating in the affairs of
an insured depository institution, or required to cease and desist
from or take an affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b).
This Section 19(b) does not, however, prohibit Southwest from
purchasing insurance to cover other expenses (that is, excluding
judgments and penalties) in connection with any such action, or from
advancement legal and professional expenses pursuant to Section 7 of
this agreement.
20. NOTICES.
(a) All notices, requests, demands and other communications in connection
with this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to
have been given three business days after mailing at any general or
branch United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows or to such other address
provided in writing by the party, except that a change in address will
not be deemed given until it is actually received. Notices also may be
given by facsimile transmission, hand delivery, or next business day
delivery by a nationally recognized delivery service such as FedEx or
UPS and, in that event, will be deemed to be given as of the date they
are actually received.
If to Southwest:
Southwest Bancorp, Inc.
608 S. Main Street
Stillwater, Oklahoma 74076
Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer
Copy to: Corporate Secretary
If to Indemnitee:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
(b) Southwest will provide copies of any and all notices received by it
hereunder to the Board promptly following receipt.
21. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. It is understood and agreed that money damages would not
be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Agreement by Southwest, and
that Indemnitee shall be entitled to equitable relief, including injunction
and specific performance, as a remedy for any such breach. Such remedies
shall not be deemed to be the exclusive remedies for a breach by Southwest
of this agreement but shall be in addition to all other remedies available
at law or equity to Indemnitee.
22. GOVERNING LAW, OKLAHOMA COURTS. Except to the extent preempted by Federal
law, the laws of the State of Oklahoma (without regard to its conflict of
laws principles) shall govern this Agreement in all respects, whether as to
its validity, construction, capacity, performance or otherwise. Southwest
and any of its successors or assigns each agrees that any suit or other
action to enforce or otherwise with respect to this
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Agreement will be instituted and maintained in the courts of the State of
Oklahoma or federal courts located in the State of Oklahoma, and not to
seek removal or transfer of any such suit or action to a court located
outside of Oklahoma by objection based upon inconvenience of the forum or
otherwise.
23. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE PARTIES HERETO FULLY, VOLUNTARILY, KNOWINGLY,
IRREVOCABLY, AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OR TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN
ANY DISPUTE, ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS (WHETHER
BASED UPON STATUE, REGULATION, RULING, CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE) UNDER
THIS AGREEMENT. ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT
AND NOT BEFORE A JURY.
24. HEADINGS. Headings contained herein are for convenience of reference only.
25. COUNTERPARTS. This agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date
first set forth above.
SOUTHWEST BANCORP, INC.
By:
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Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
______________________, INDEMNITEE
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Title:
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