1996 Stock Incentive Plan - NetBank Inc.
1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN OF THE REGISTRANT
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NET.B@NK, INC.
1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS....................................................... 1
1.1 Definitions........................................................ 1
SECTION 2 THE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN.......................................... 5
2.1 Purpose of the Plan................................................ 5
2.2 Stock Subject to the Plan.......................................... 5
2.3 Administration of the Plan......................................... 5
2.4 Eligibility and Limits............................................. 6
SECTION 3 TERMS OF STOCK INCENTIVES......................................... 6
3.1 Terms and Conditions of All Stock Incentives....................... 6
3.2 Terms and Conditions of Options.................................... 8
(a) Option Price.................................................. 8
(b) Option Term................................................... 8
(c) Payment....................................................... 8
(d) Conditions to the Exercise of an Option....................... 9
(e) Termination of Incentive Stock Option......................... 9
(f) Special Provisions for Certain Substitute Options............. 9
3.3 Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights.................. 9
(a) Settlement.................................................... 10
(b) Conditions to Exercise........................................ 10
3.4 Terms and Conditions of Stock Awards............................... 10
3.5 Terms and Conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights................. 10
(a) Payment....................................................... 10
(b) Conditions to Payment......................................... 10
3.6 Terms and Conditions of Performance Unit Awards.................... 11
(a) Payment....................................................... 11
(b) Conditions to Payment......................................... 11
3.7 Terms and Conditions of Phantom Shares............................. 11
(a) Payment....................................................... 11
(b) Conditions to Payment......................................... 11
3.8 Treatment of Awards Upon Termination of Service.................... 11
SECTION 4 RESTRICTIONS ON STOCK............................................ 12
4.1 Escrow of Shares................................................... 12
4.2 Forfeiture of Shares............................................... 12
4.3 Restrictions on Transfer........................................... 12
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SECTION 5 GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................... 13
5.1 Withholding........................................................ 13
5.2 Changes in Capitalization; Merger; Liquidation..................... 13
5.3 Cash Awards........................................................ 14
5.4 Compliance with Code............................................... 14
5.5 Right to Terminate Service......................................... 14
5.6 Restrictions on Delivery and Sale of Shares; Legends............... 14
5.7 Non-alienation of Benefits......................................... 15
5.8 Termination and Amendment of the Plan.............................. 15
5.9 Stockholder Approval............................................... 15
5.10 Choice of Law...................................................... 15
5.11 Effective Date of Plan............................................. 15
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NET.B@NK, INC.
1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS
1.1 DEFINITIONS. Whenever used herein, the masculine pronoun shall be
deemed to include the feminine, and the singular to include the plural, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise, and the following capitalized words and
phrases are used herein with the meaning thereafter ascribed:
(a) "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means the board of directors of the Company.
(b) "CAUSE" has the same meaning as provided in the employment
agreement between the Participant and the Company or, if applicable, any
affiliate of the Company on the date of Termination of Service, or if no such
definition or employment agreement exists, "Cause" means conduct amounting to
(1) fraud or dishonesty against the Company or its affiliates, (2) Participant's
willful misconduct, repeated refusal to follow the reasonable directions of the
board of directors of the Company or its affiliates, or knowing violation of law
in the course of performance of the duties of Participant's service with the
Company or its affiliates, (3) repeated absences from work without a reasonable
excuse, (4) repeated intoxication with alcohol or drugs while on the Company or
affiliates' premises during regular business hours, (5) a conviction or plea of
guilty or NOLO CONTENDERE to a felony or a crime involving dishonesty, or (6) a
breach or violation of the terms of any agreement to which Participant and the
Company or its affiliates are party.
(c) "CHANGE IN CONTROL" means any one of the following events which
may occur following completion of the initial public offering, if any, of the
Company:
(1) the acquisition by any individual, entity or "group", within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of
voting securities of the Company where such acquisition causes any such Person
to own twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities then entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (the "Outstanding Voting Securities"); provided, however,
that for purposes of this Section 1(c)(1), the following shall not be deemed to
result in a Change in Control, (i) any acquisition directly from the Company,
unless such a Person subsequently acquires additional shares of Outstanding
Voting Securities other than from the Company, in which case any such subsequent
acquisition shall be deemed to be a Change in Control; (ii) any acquisition by
any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the
Company or any corporation controlled by the Company; or (iii) any acquisition
by merger, consolidation, share exchange, combination, reorganization, sale or
transfer or like transaction that is NOT otherwise described in Section 1(c)(2)
or 1(c)(4) below as long as no Person (other than an employee benefit plan or
related trust sponsored or maintained by the Company, any corporation controlled
by the Company or any company resulting from such business combination) obtains
beneficial ownership of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the then
Outstanding Voting Securities;
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(2) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, combination,
reorganization or like transaction involving the Company in which the
stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction do not own at
least fifty percent (50%) of the value or voting power of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Company or its successor immediately after such
transaction;
(3) the sale or transfer (other than as security for the
Company's obligations) of more than fifty percent (50%) of the assets of the
Company in any one transaction, a series of related transactions or a series of
transactions occurring within a one (1) year period in which the Company, any
corporation controlled by the Company or the stockholders of the Company
immediately prior to the transaction do not own at least fifty percent (50%) of
the value or voting power of the issued and outstanding equity securities of the
acquiror immediately after the transaction;
(4) the sale or transfer of more than fifty percent (50%) of the
value or voting power of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company
by the holders thereof in any one transaction, a series of related transactions
or a series of transactions occurring within a one (1) year period in which the
Company, any corporation controlled by the Company or the stockholders of the
Company immediately prior to the transaction do not own at least fifty percent
(50%) of the value or voting power of the issued and outstanding equity
securities of the acquiror immediately after the transaction; or
(5) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.
(d) "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(e) "COMMITTEE" means the committee appointed by the Board of
Directors to administer the Plan pursuant to Plan Section 2.3.
(f) "COMPANY" means Net.B@nk, Inc., a Georgia corporation.
(g) "DISABILITY" has the same meaning as provided in the long-term
disability plan or policy maintained or, if applicable, most recently
maintained, by the Company or, if applicable, any affiliate of the Company for
the Participant. If no long-term disability plan or policy was ever maintained
on behalf of the Participant or, if the determination of Disability relates to
an Incentive Stock Option, Disability shall mean that condition described in
Code Section 22(e)(3), as amended from time to time. In the event of a dispute,
the determination of Disability shall be made by the Board of Directors and
shall be supported by advice of a physician competent in the area to which such
Disability relates.
(h) "DISPOSITION" means any conveyance, sale, transfer, assignment,
pledge or hypothecation, whether outright or as security, inter vivos or
testamentary, with or without consideration, voluntary or involuntary.
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(i) "DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS" means certain rights to receive cash
payments as described in Plan Section 3.5.
(j) "FAIR MARKET VALUE" refers to the determination of value of a
share of Stock. If the Stock is actively traded on any national securities
exchange or any Nasdaq quotation or market system, Fair Market Value shall mean
the closing price at which sales of Stock shall have been sold on the most
recent trading date immediately prior to the date of determination, as reported
by any such exchange or system selected by the Committee on which the shares of
Stock are then traded. If the shares of Stock are not actively traded on any
such exchange or system, Fair Market Value shall mean the arithmetic mean of the
bid and asked prices for the shares of Stock on the most recent trading date
within a reasonable period prior to the determination date as reported by such
exchange or system. If there are no bid and asked prices within a reasonable
period or if the shares of Stock are not traded on any exchange or system as of
the determination date, Fair Market Value shall mean the fair market value of a
share of Stock as determined by the Committee taking into account such facts and
circumstances deemed to be material by the Committee to the value of the Stock
in the hands of the Participant; provided that, for purposes of granting awards
other than Incentive Stock Options, Fair Market Value of a share of Stock may be
determined by the Committee by reference to the average market value determined
over a period certain or as of specified dates, to a tender offer price for the
shares of Stock (if settlement of an award is triggered by such an event) or to
any other reasonable measure of fair market value and provided further that, for
purposes of granting Incentive Stock Options, Fair Market Value of a share of
Stock shall be determined in accordance with the valuation principles described
in the regulations promulgated under Code Section 422.
(k) "INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION" means an incentive stock option, as
defined in Code Section 422, described in Plan Section 3.2.
(l) "NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION" means a stock option, other than an
option qualifying as an Incentive Stock Option, described in Plan Section 3.2.
(m) "OPTION" means a Non-Qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock
Option.
(n) "OVER 10% OWNER" means an individual who at the time an Incentive
Stock Option is granted owns Stock possessing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of the Company or one of its Parents or Subsidiaries,
determined by applying the attribution rules of Code Section 424(d).
(o) "PARENT" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an
unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if, with respect to
Incentive Stock Options, at the time of granting of the Option, each of the
corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other
corporations in the chain.
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(p) "PARTICIPANT" means an individual who receives a Stock Incentive
hereunder.
(q) "PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARD" refers to a performance unit award
described in Plan Section 3.6.
(r) "PHANTOM SHARES" refers to the rights described in Plan Section
3.7.
(s) "PLAN" means the Net.B@nk, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.
(t) "STOCK" means the Company's common stock, without par value.
(u) "STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHT" means a stock appreciation right
described in Plan Section 3.3.
(v) "STOCK AWARD" means a stock award described in Plan Section 3.4.
(w) "STOCK INCENTIVE AGREEMENT" means an agreement between the
Company and a Participant or other documentation evidencing an award of a Stock
Incentive.
(x) "STOCK INCENTIVE PROGRAM" means a written program established by
the Committee pursuant to which Stock Incentives, other than Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights, are awarded under the Plan under uniform terms, conditions
and restrictions set forth in such written program and distributed among
eligible officers, employees and directors.
(y) "STOCK INCENTIVES" means, collectively, Dividend Equivalent
Rights, Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Performance Unit
Awards, Phantom Shares, Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock Awards.
(z) "SUBSIDIARY" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an
unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, with respect to
Incentive Stock Options, at the time of the granting of the Option, each of the
corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock
possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.
(aa) "TERMINATION OF SERVICE" means the termination of the service
relationship, whether employment or otherwise, between a Participant and the
Company and its affiliates, regardless of the fact that severance or similar
payments are made to the Participant for any reason, including, but not by way
of limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability or
retirement. The Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, determine the
effect of all matters and questions relating to Termination of Service,
including, but not by way of limitation, the question of whether a leave of
absence constitutes a Termination of Service, or whether a Termination of
Service is for Cause.
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SECTION 2 THE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
2.1 PURPOSE OF THE PLAN. The Plan is intended to (a) provide incentive to
officers, employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates
to stimulate their efforts toward the continued success of the Company and to
operate and manage the business in a manner that will provide for the long-term
growth and profitability of the Company; (b) encourage stock ownership by
officers, employees, directors and consultants by providing them with a means to
acquire a proprietary interest in the Company by acquiring shares of Stock or to
receive compensation which is based upon appreciation in the value of Stock; and
(c) provide a means of obtaining and rewarding key personnel.
2.2 STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to adjustment in accordance with
Section 5.2, 12,000 shares of Stock (the "Maximum Plan Shares") are hereby
reserved exclusively for issuance pursuant to Stock Incentives. At no time
shall the Company have outstanding Stock Incentives and shares of Stock issued
in respect of Stock Incentives in excess of the Maximum Plan Shares. The shares
of Stock attributable to the nonvested, unpaid, unexercised, unconverted or
otherwise unsettled portion of any Stock Incentive that is forfeited or
cancelled or expires or terminates for any reason without becoming vested, paid,
exercised, converted or otherwise settled in full shall again be available for
purposes of the Plan.
2.3 ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN. The Plan shall be administered by the
Committee. The Committee shall have full authority in its discretion to
determine the officers, employees, directors and consultants of the Company or
its affiliates to whom Stock Incentives shall be granted and the terms and
provisions of Stock Incentives, subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions
of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and conclusive authority to interpret
the Plan; to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the
Plan; to determine the terms and provisions of the respective Stock Incentive
Agreements or Stock Incentive Programs and to make all other determinations
necessary or advisable for the proper administration of the Plan. The
Committee's determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by
it selectively among persons who receive, or are eligible to receive, awards
under the Plan (whether or not such persons are similarly situated). The
Committee's decisions shall be final and binding on all Participants.
As to any matter involving a Participant who is not a "reporting person"
for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Committee
may delegate to any member of the Board of Directors or officer of the Company
the administrative authority to (a) interpret the provisions of the
Participant's Stock Incentive Agreement and (b) determine the treatment of Stock
Incentives upon a Termination of Service, as contemplated by Plan Section 3.8.
The Committee shall consist of at least two members of the Board of
Directors and, during those periods that the Company is subject to the
provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Board of
Directors shall consider the advisability of whether each such appointee shall
qualify as a "non-employee director", as that term is defined in Rule 16b-3 as
then in effect under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and, during those
periods that the Company has issued equity securities required to be registered
under Section 12 of the Securities
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Exchange Act of 1934, the Board of Directors shall consider the advisability of
whether each such appointee shall separately qualify as an "outside director",
within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and the regulations promulgated
thereunder. The Board of Directors may from time to time remove members from or
add members to the Committee. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the
Board of Directors.
2.4 ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITS. Stock Incentives may be granted only to
officers, employees, directors and consultants of the Company or an affiliate;
provided, however, that an Incentive Stock Option may only be granted to an
employee of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary. In the case of Incentive
Stock Options, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as at the date an
Incentive Stock Option is granted) of stock with respect to which stock options
intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 422 become exercisable for the
first time by an individual during any calendar year under all plans of the
Company and its Parents and Subsidiaries shall not exceed $100,000; provided
further, that if the limitation is exceeded, the Incentive Stock Option(s) which
cause the limitation to be exceeded shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock
Option(s); except as the terms of the Stock Incentive Agreement may expressly
provide otherwise. To the extent required under Code Section 162(m) and
regulations thereunder for compensation to be treated as qualified
performance-based compensation, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section
5.2, the maximum number of shares Stock with respect to which Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights may be granted during any single fiscal year of the Company
to any employee shall not exceed 6,000.
SECTION 3 TERMS OF STOCK INCENTIVES
3.1 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ALL STOCK INCENTIVES.
(a) The number of shares of Stock as to which a Stock Incentive shall
be granted shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, subject
to the provisions of Section 2.2 as to the total number of shares available for
grants under the Plan. If a Stock Incentive Agreement so provides, a
Participant may be granted a new Option to purchase a number of shares of Stock
equal to the number of previously owned shares of Stock tendered in payment of
the Exercise Price (as defined below) for each share of Stock purchased pursuant
to the terms of the Stock Incentive Agreement.
(b) Each Stock Incentive shall be evidenced either by a Stock
Incentive Agreement in such form and containing such terms, conditions and
restrictions as the Committee may determine is appropriate or be made subject to
the terms of a Stock Incentive Program, containing such terms, conditions and
restrictions as the Committee may determine is appropriate. Each Stock
Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program shall be subject to the terms of
the Plan and any provision in a Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive
Program that is inconsistent with the Plan shall be null and void.
(c) The date a Stock Incentive is granted shall be the date on which
the Committee has approved the terms and conditions of the Stock Incentive
Agreement or Stock Incentive Program and has determined the recipient of the
Stock Incentive and the number of
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shares covered by the Stock Incentive and has taken all such other action
necessary to complete the grant of the Stock Incentive.
(d) The Committee may provide in any Stock Incentive Agreement or
pursuant to any Stock Incentive Program (or subsequent to the award of a Stock
Incentive but prior to its expiration or cancellation, as the case may be) that,
in the event of a Change in Control, the Stock Incentive shall or may be cashed
out on the basis of any price not greater than the highest price paid for a
share of Stock in any transaction reported by any market or system selected by
the Committee on which the shares of Stock are then actively traded during a
specified period immediately preceding or including the date of the Change in
Control or offered for a share of Stock in any tender offer occurring during a
specified period immediately preceding or including the date the tender offer
commences; provided that, in no case shall any such specified period exceed one
(1) year (the "Change in Control Price"). For purposes of this Subsection, the
cash-out of a Stock Incentive shall be determined as follows:
(1) Options shall be cashed out on the basis of the excess, if
any, of the Change in Control Price (but not more than the Fair Market Value of
the Stock on the date of the cash-out in the case of Incentive Stock Options)
over the Exercise Price with or without regard to whether the Option may
otherwise be exercisable only in part;
(2) Stock Awards and Phantom Shares shall be cashed out in an
amount equal to the Change in Control Price with or without regard to any
conditions or restrictions otherwise applicable to any such Stock Incentive; and
(3) Stock Appreciation Rights, Dividend Equivalent Rights and
Performance Unit Awards shall be cashed out with or without regard to any
conditions or restrictions otherwise applicable to any such Stock Incentive and
the amount of the cash out shall be determined by reference to the number of
shares of Stock that would be required to pay the Participant in kind for the
value of the Stock Incentive as of the date of the Change in Control multiplied
by the Change in Control Price.
(e) Any Stock Incentive may be granted in connection with all or any
portion of a previously or contemporaneously granted Stock Incentive. Exercise
or vesting of a Stock Incentive granted in connection with another Stock
Incentive may result in a pro rata surrender or cancellation of any related
Stock Incentive, as specified in the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or
Stock Incentive Program.
(f) Stock Incentives shall not be transferable or assignable except
by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable,
during the Participant's lifetime, only by the Participant; in the event of the
Disability of the Participant, by the legal representative of the Participant;
or in the event of the death of the participant, by the personal representative
of the Participant's estate or if no personal representative has been appointed,
by the successor in interest determined under the Participant's will.
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3.2 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS. Each Option granted under the Plan
shall be evidenced by a Stock Incentive Agreement. At the time any Option is
granted, the Committee shall determine whether the Option is to be an Incentive
Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option, and the Option shall be clearly
identified as to its status as an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified
Stock Option. At the time any Incentive Stock Option is exercised, the Company
shall be entitled to place a legend on the certificates representing the shares
of Stock purchased pursuant to the Option to clearly identify them as shares of
Stock purchased upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. An Incentive Stock
Option may only be granted within ten (10) years from the earlier of the date
the Plan is adopted by the Board of Directors or approved by the Company's
stockholders.
(a) OPTION PRICE. Subject to adjustment in accordance with
Section 5.2 and the other provisions of this Section 3.2, the exercise price
(the "Exercise Price") per share of Stock purchasable under any Option shall be
as set forth in the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement. With respect to each
grant of an Incentive Stock Option to a Participant who is not an Over 10% Owner
or to each grant of any Option to a Participant who is then a "covered
employee," within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), the Exercise Price per
share shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date the Option is
granted. With respect to each grant of an Incentive Stock Option to a
Participant who is an Over 10% Owner, the Exercise Price shall not be less than
110% of the Fair Market Value on the date the Option is granted.
(b) OPTION TERM. The term of an Option shall be as specified in the
applicable Stock Incentive Agreement; provided, however that any Incentive Stock
Option granted to a Participant who is not an Over 10% Owner shall not be
exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the date the Option is
granted and any Incentive Stock Option granted to an Over 10% Owner shall not be
exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years after the date the Option is
granted.
(c) PAYMENT. Payment for all shares of Stock purchased pursuant to
exercise of an Option shall be made in any form or manner authorized by the
Committee in the Stock Incentive Agreement or by amendment thereto, including,
but not limited to, cash or, if the Stock Incentive Agreement provides, (1) by
delivery to the Company of a number of shares of Stock which have been owned by
the holder for at least six (6) months prior to the date of exercise having an
aggregate Fair Market Value of not less than the product of the Exercise Price
multiplied by the number of shares the Participant intends to purchase upon
exercise of the Option on the date of delivery; (2) in a cashless exercise
through a broker; or (3) by having a number of shares of Stock withheld, the
Fair Market Value of which as of the date of exercise is sufficient to satisfy
the Exercise Price. In its discretion, the Committee also may authorize (at
the time an Option is granted or thereafter) Company financing to assist the
Participant as to payment of the Exercise Price on such terms as may be offered
by the Committee in its discretion. Payment shall be made at the time that the
Option or any part thereof is exercised, and no shares shall be issued or
delivered upon exercise of an option until full payment has been made by the
Participant. The holder of an Option, as such, shall have none of the rights of
a stockholder.
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(d) CONDITIONS TO THE EXERCISE OF AN OPTION. Each Option granted
under the Plan shall be exercisable by whom, at such time or times, or upon the
occurrence of such event or events, and in such amounts, as the Committee shall
specify in the Stock Incentive Agreement; provided, however, that subsequent to
the grant of an Option, the Committee, at any time before complete termination
of such Option, may accelerate the time or times at which such Option may be
exercised in whole or in part, including, without limitation, upon a Change in
Control and may permit the Participant or any other designated person to
exercise the Option, or any portion thereof, for all or part of the remaining
Option term notwithstanding any provision of the Stock Incentive Agreement to
the contrary.
(e) TERMINATION OF INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION. With respect to an
Incentive Stock Option, in the event of the Termination of Service of a
Participant, the Option or portion thereof held by the Participant which is
unexercised shall expire, terminate, and become unexercisable no later than the
expiration of three (3) months after the date of Termination of Service;
provided, however, that in the case of a holder whose Termination of Service is
due to death or Disability, one (1) year shall be substituted for such three (3)
month period. For purposes of this Subsection (e), Termination of Service of
the Participant shall not be deemed to have occurred if the Participant is
employed by another corporation (or a parent or subsidiary corporation of such
other corporation) which has assumed the Incentive Stock Option of the
Participant in a transaction to which Code Section 424(a) is applicable.
(f) SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR CERTAIN SUBSTITUTE OPTIONS.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.2, any Option issued
in substitution for an option previously issued by another entity, which
substitution occurs in connection with a transaction to which Code
Section 424(a) is applicable, may provide for an exercise price computed in
accordance with such Code Section and the regulations thereunder and may contain
such other terms and conditions as the Committee may prescribe to cause such
substitute Option to contain as nearly as possible the same terms and conditions
(including the applicable vesting and termination provisions) as those contained
in the previously issued option being replaced thereby.
3.3 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. Each Stock
Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock
Incentive Agreement. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted in connection
with all or any portion of a previously or contemporaneously granted Stock
Incentive or not in connection with a Stock Incentive. A Stock Appreciation
Right shall entitle the Participant to receive the excess of (a) the Fair Market
Value of a specified or determinable number of shares of the Stock at the time
of payment or exercise over (b) a specified price (1) which, in the case of a
Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with an Option, shall be not less
than the Exercise Price for that number of shares and (2) which, in the case of
a Stock Appreciation Right that is granted to a Participant who is then a
"covered employee," within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), shall not be less
than the Fair Market Value of the Stock at the time of the award. A Stock
Appreciation Right granted in connection with a Stock Incentive may only be
exercised to the extent that the related Stock Incentive has not been exercised,
paid or otherwise settled. The exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right granted
in connection with a Stock Incentive shall result in a pro rata surrender or
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cancellation of any related Stock Incentive to the extent the Stock Appreciation
Right has been exercised.
(a) SETTLEMENT. Upon settlement of a Stock Appreciation Right, the
Company shall pay to the Participant the appreciation in cash or shares of Stock
(valued at the aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of payment or exercise)
as provided in the Stock Incentive Agreement or, in the absence of such
provision, as the Committee may determine.
(b) CONDITIONS TO EXERCISE. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted
under the Plan shall be exercisable or payable at such time or times, or upon
the occurrence of such event or events, and in such amounts, as the Committee
shall specify in the Stock Incentive Agreement; provided, however, that
subsequent to the grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee, at any
time before complete termination of such Stock Appreciation Right, may
accelerate the time or times at which such Stock Appreciation Right may be
exercised or paid in whole or in part.
3.4 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK AWARDS. The number of shares of Stock
subject to a Stock Award and restrictions or conditions on such shares, if any,
shall be as the Committee determines, and the certificate for such shares shall
bear evidence of any restrictions or conditions. Subsequent to the date of the
grant of the Stock Award, the Committee shall have the power to permit, in its
discretion, an acceleration of the expiration of an applicable restriction
period with respect to any part or all of the shares awarded to a Participant.
The Committee may require a cash payment from the Participant in an amount no
greater than the aggregate Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock awarded
determined at the date of grant in exchange for the grant of a Stock Award or
may grant a Stock Award without the requirement of a cash payment.
3.5 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS. A Dividend
Equivalent Right shall entitle the Participant to receive payments from the
Company in an amount determined by reference to any cash dividends paid on a
specified number of shares of Stock to Company stockholders of record during the
period such rights are effective. The Committee may impose such restrictions
and conditions on any Dividend Equivalent Right as the Committee in its
discretion shall determine, including the date any such right shall terminate
and may reserve the right to terminate, amend or suspend any such right at any
time.
(a) PAYMENT. Payment in respect of a Dividend Equivalent Right may
be made by the Company in cash or shares of Stock (valued at Fair Market Value
on the date of payment) as provided in the Stock Incentive Agreement or, in the
absence of such provision, as the Committee may determine.
(b) CONDITIONS TO PAYMENT. Each Dividend Equivalent Right granted
under the Plan shall be payable at such time or times, or upon the occurrence of
such event or events, and in such amounts, as the Committee shall specify in the
Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program; provided, however, that
subsequent to the grant of a Dividend Equivalent Right, the Committee, at any
time before complete termination of such Dividend Equivalent Right, may
accelerate the time or times at which such Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid
in whole or in part.
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3.6 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS. A Performance Unit
Award shall entitle the Participant to receive, at a future date, payment of an
amount equal to all or a portion of the value of a number of units (stated in
terms of a designated dollar amount per unit) granted by the Committee, all as
the Committee shall specify in the Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive
Program. At the time of the grant, the Committee must determine the base value
of each unit, the number of units subject to a Performance Unit Award, the
performance factors applicable to the determination of the ultimate payment
value of the Performance Unit Award and the period over which Company
performance shall be measured. The Committee may provide for an alternate base
value for each unit under certain specified conditions.
(a) PAYMENT. Payment in respect of Performance Unit Awards may be
made by the Company in cash or shares of Stock (valued at Fair Market Value on
the date of payment) as provided in the Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock
Incentive Program or, in the absence of such provision, as the Committee may
determine.
(b) CONDITIONS TO PAYMENT. Each Performance Unit Award granted under
the Plan shall be payable at such time or times, or upon the occurrence of such
event or events, and in such amounts, as the Committee shall specify in the
Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program; provided, however, that
subsequent to the grant of a Performance Unit Award, the Committee, at any time
before complete termination of such Performance Unit Award, may accelerate the
time or times at which such Performance Unit Award may be paid in whole or in
part.
3.7 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PHANTOM SHARES. Phantom Shares shall entitle
the Participant to receive, at a future date, payment of an amount equal to all
or a portion of the Fair Market Value of a number of shares of Stock at the end
of a certain period, all as the Committee shall specify in the Stock Incentive
Agreement or Stock Incentive Program. At the time of the grant, the Committee
shall determine the factors which will govern the portion of the rights so
payable, including, at the discretion of the Committee, any performance criteria
that must be satisfied as a condition to payment.
(a) PAYMENT. Payment in respect of Phantom Shares may be made by the
Company in cash or shares of Stock (valued at Fair Market Value on the date of
payment) as provided in the Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program
or, in the absence of such provision, as the Committee may determine.
(b) CONDITIONS TO PAYMENT. Each Phantom Share granted under the Plan
shall be payable at such time or times, or upon the occurrence of such event or
events, and in such amounts, as the Committee shall specify in the Stock
Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program; provided, however, that
subsequent to the grant of a Phantom Share, the Committee, at any time before
complete termination of such Phantom Share, may accelerate the time or times at
which such Phantom Share may be paid in whole or in part.
3.8 TREATMENT OF AWARDS UPON TERMINATION OF SERVICE. Except as otherwise
provided by Plan Section 3.2(e), any award under this Plan to a Participant who
suffers a Termination of Service may be cancelled, accelerated, paid or
continued, as provided in the Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive
Program or, in the absence of such provision, as the Committee
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may determine. The portion of any award exercisable in the event of
continuation or the amount of any payment due under a continued award may be
adjusted by the Committee to reflect the Participant's period of service from
the date of grant through the date of the Participant's Termination of Service
or such other factors as the Committee determines are relevant to its decision
to continue the award.
SECTION 4 RESTRICTIONS ON STOCK
4.1 ESCROW OF SHARES. Any certificates representing the shares of Stock
issued under the Plan shall be issued in the Participant's name, but, if the
Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program so provides, the shares of
Stock shall be held by a custodian designated by the Committee (the
"Custodian"). Each applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive
Program providing for transfer of shares of Stock to the Custodian shall appoint
the Custodian as the attorney-in-fact for the Participant for the term specified
in the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program, with
full power and authority in the Participant's name, place and stead to transfer,
assign and convey to the Company any shares of Stock held by the Custodian for
such Participant, if the Participant forfeits the shares under the terms of the
applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program. During the
period that the Custodian holds the shares subject to this Section, the
Participant shall be entitled to all rights, except as provided in the
applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program, applicable to
shares of Stock not so held. Any dividends declared on shares of Stock held by
the Custodian shall, as the Committee may provide in the applicable Stock
Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program, be paid directly to the
Participant or, in the alternative, be retained by the Custodian until the
expiration of the term specified in the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or
Stock Incentive Program and shall then be delivered, together with any proceeds,
with the shares of Stock to the Participant or to the Company, as applicable.
4.2 FORFEITURE OF SHARES. Notwithstanding any vesting schedule set forth
in any Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program, in the event that
the Participant violates a noncompetition agreement as set forth in the Stock
Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program, all Stock Incentives and shares
of Stock issued to the holder pursuant to the Plan shall be forfeited; provided,
however, that the Company shall return to the holder the lesser of any
consideration paid by the Participant in exchange for Stock issued to the
Participant pursuant to the Plan or the then Fair Market Value of the Stock
forfeited hereunder.
4.3 RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER. The Participant shall not have the right to
make or permit to exist any Disposition of the shares of Stock issued pursuant
to the Plan except as provided in the Plan or the applicable Stock Incentive
Agreement or Stock Incentive Program. Any Disposition of the shares of Stock
issued under the Plan by the Participant not made in accordance with the Plan or
the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program shall be
void. The Company shall not recognize, or have the duty to recognize, any
Disposition not made in accordance with the Plan and the applicable Stock
Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program, and the shares so transferred
shall continue to be bound by the Plan and the applicable Stock Incentive
Agreement or Stock Incentive Program.
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SECTION 5 GENERAL PROVISIONS
5.1 WITHHOLDING. The Company shall deduct from all cash distributions
under the Plan any taxes required to be withheld by federal, state or local
government. Whenever the Company proposes or is required to issue or transfer
shares of Stock under the Plan or upon the vesting of any Stock Award, the
Company shall have the right to require the recipient to remit to the Company an
amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state and local withholding tax
requirements prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for such
shares or the vesting of such Stock Award. A Participant may pay the
withholding tax in cash, or, if the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or
Stock Incentive Program provides, a Participant may elect to have the number of
shares of Stock he is to receive reduced by, or with respect to a Stock Award,
tender back to the Company, the smallest number of whole shares of Stock which,
when multiplied by the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock determined as of
the Tax Date (defined below), is sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local,
if any, withholding taxes arising from exercise or payment of a Stock Incentive
(a "Withholding Election"). A Participant may make a Withholding Election only
if both of the following conditions are met:
(a) The Withholding Election must be made on or prior to the date on
which the amount of tax required to be withheld is determined (the "Tax Date")
by executing and delivering to the Company a properly completed notice of
Withholding Election as prescribed by the Committee; and
(b) Any Withholding Election made will be irrevocable; however, the
Committee may in its sole discretion disapprove and give no effect to the
Withholding Election.
5.2 CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION; MERGER; LIQUIDATION.
(a) The number of shares of Stock reserved for the grant of Options,
Dividend Equivalent Rights, Performance Unit Awards, Phantom Shares, Stock
Appreciation Rights and Stock Awards; the number of shares of Stock reserved for
issuance upon the exercise or payment, as applicable, of each outstanding
Option, Dividend Equivalent Right, Performance Unit Award, Phantom Share and
Stock Appreciation Right and upon vesting or grant, as applicable, of each Stock
Award; the Exercise Price of each outstanding Option and the specified number of
shares of Stock to which each outstanding Dividend Equivalent Right, Phantom
Share and Stock Appreciation Right pertains shall be proportionately adjusted
for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Stock resulting
from a subdivision or combination of shares or the payment of an ordinary stock
dividend in shares of Stock to holders of outstanding shares of Stock or any
other increase or decrease in the number of shares of Stock outstanding effected
without receipt of consideration by the Company.
(b) In the event of any merger, consolidation, extraordinary dividend
(including a spin-off), reorganization or other change in the corporate
structure of the Company or its Stock or tender offer for shares of Stock, the
Committee, in its sole discretion, may make such adjustments with respect to
awards and take such other action as it deems necessary or appropriate to
reflect or in anticipation of such merger, consolidation, extraordinary
dividend, reorganization, other change in corporate structure or tender offer,
including, without limitation, the substitution of new awards, the termination
or adjustment of outstanding awards, the
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acceleration of awards or the removal of restrictions on outstanding awards, all
as may be provided in the applicable Stock Incentive Agreement or Stock
Incentive Program or, if not expressly addressed therein, as the Committee
subsequently may determine in the event of any such merger, consolidation,
extraordinary dividend (including a spin-off), reorganization or other change in
the corporate structure of the Company or its Stock or tender offer for shares
of Stock. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 5.2 may provide, in the
Committee's discretion, for the elimination without payment therefor of any
fractional shares that might otherwise become subject to any Stock Incentive.
(c) The existence of the Plan and the Stock Incentives granted
pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the
Company to make or authorize any adjustment, reclassification, reorganization or
other change in its capital or business structure, any merger or consolidation
of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities having preferences or
priorities as to the Stock or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation
of the Company, any sale or transfer of all or any part of its business or
assets, or any other corporate act or proceeding.
5.3 CASH AWARDS. The Committee may, at any time and in its discretion,
grant to any holder of a Stock Incentive the right to receive, at such times and
in such amounts as determined by the Committee in its discretion, a cash amount
which is intended to reimburse such person for all or a portion of the federal,
state and local income taxes imposed upon such person as a consequence of the
receipt of the Stock Incentive or the exercise of rights thereunder.
5.4 COMPLIANCE WITH CODE. All Incentive Stock Options to be granted
hereunder are intended to comply with Code Section 422, and all provisions of
the Plan and all Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be construed in
such manner as to effectuate that intent.
5.5 RIGHT TO TERMINATE SERVICE. Nothing in the Plan or in any Stock
Incentive Agreement or Stock Incentive Program shall confer upon any Participant
the right to continue as an employee, officer, director or consultant of the
Company or any of its affiliates or affect the right of the Company or any of
its affiliates to terminate the Participant's service at any time.
5.6 RESTRICTIONS ON DELIVERY AND SALE OF SHARES; LEGENDS. Each Stock
Incentive is subject to the condition that if at any time the Committee, in its
discretion, shall determine that the listing, registration or qualification of
the shares covered by such Stock Incentive upon any securities exchange or under
any state or federal law is necessary or desirable as a condition of or in
connection with the granting of such Stock Incentive or the purchase or delivery
of shares thereunder, the delivery of any or all shares pursuant to such Stock
Incentive may be withheld unless and until such listing, registration or
qualification shall have been effected. If a registration statement is not in
effect under the Securities Act of 1933 or any applicable state securities laws
with respect to the shares of Stock purchasable or otherwise deliverable under
Stock Incentives then outstanding, the Committee may require, as a condition of
exercise of any Option or as a condition to any other delivery of Stock pursuant
to a Stock Incentive, that the Participant or other recipient of a Stock
Incentive represent, in writing, that the shares received pursuant to the Stock
Incentive are being acquired for investment and not with a view to distribution
and agree that the shares will not be disposed of except pursuant to an
effective registration statement, unless the Company shall have received an
opinion of counsel that such
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disposition is exempt from such requirement under the Securities Act of 1933 and
any applicable state securities laws. The Company may include on certificates
representing shares delivered pursuant to a Stock Incentive such legends
referring to the foregoing representations or restrictions or any other
applicable restrictions on resale as the Company, in its discretion, shall deem
appropriate.
5.7 NON-ALIENATION OF BENEFITS. Other than as specifically provided with
regard to the death of a Participant, no benefit under the Plan shall be subject
in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge,
encumbrance or charge; and any attempt to do so shall be void. No such benefit
shall, prior to receipt by the Participant, be in any manner liable for or
subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of the
Participant.
5.8 TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN. The Board of Directors at any
time may amend or terminate the Plan without stockholder approval; provided,
however, that the Board of Directors may condition any amendment on the approval
of stockholders of the Company if such approval is necessary or advisable with
respect to tax, securities or other applicable laws. No such termination or
amendment without the consent of the holder of a Stock Incentive shall adversely
affect the rights of the Participant under such Stock Incentive.
5.9 STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. The Plan shall be submitted to the stockholders
of the Company for their approval within twelve (12) months before or after its
adoption by the Board of Directors. If such approval is not obtained, any Stock
Incentive granted under the Plan shall be void.
5.10 CHOICE OF LAW. The laws of the State of Georgia shall govern the
Plan, to the extent not preempted by federal law.
5.11 EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective upon the date
the Plan is approved by the Board of Directors.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Plan to be executed as of
this 25th day of November, 1996.
NET.B@NK, INC.
By: /s/ Donald S. Shapleigh, Jr.
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Title: President
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Attest:
/s/ Mary E. Johnson
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Secretary
[CORPORATE SEAL]
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