TALBOT BANCSHARES INC
S-8, 1999-07-14
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 14, 1999
                                                     Registration No. 333-_____


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             TALBOT BANCSHARES, INC.
                 (Name of Small Business Issuer in its Charter)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Maryland                           6712                        52-2033630
<S>                                <C>                             <C>
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Primary Standard Industrial    (I.R.S. Employer Identification
incorporation or organization)    Classification Code Number)                     Number)

</TABLE>



                 Talbot Bancshares, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan

                            (Full title of the plan)

                              18 East Dover Street
                             Easton, Maryland 21601
                                 (410) 822-1400
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)

                              W. Moorhead Vermilye
                                    President
                             Talbot Bancshares, Inc.
                  18 East Dover Street, Easton, Maryland 21601
                                 (410) 822-1400
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                                   Copies to:
                          Abba David Poliakoff, Esquire
                           Michael A. Refolo, Esquire
                           Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman,
                           Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC
                              233 E. Redwood Street
                            Baltimore, Maryland 21202
                                 (410) 576-4000



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===============================================================================================================================
                                               CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
===============================================================================================================================
                                                              Proposed              Proposed Maximum           Amount of
    Title of Shares to be           Amount to be          Maximum Offering         Aggregate Offering         Registration
         Registered                  Registered          Price Per Share(1)             Price(1)                  Fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                         <C>                   <C>                        <C>
Common Stock,
par value $.01 per share            85,000 shares               $55.00                 $4,675,000                $1,299.65
===============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)      Plus  such  additional  number  of Shares  as may  become  issuable  by
         operation of the anti-dilutional provisions of the plan.

(2)      Estimated solely for purposes of determining the registration  fee. The
         proposed maximum  aggregate  offering price per Share has been computed
         pursuant to Rule 457(h) based upon the market price of the Shares as of
         July 8, 1999.


<PAGE>



          PART I. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS




Item 1.  Plan Information.

         Omitted pursuant to the instructions and provisions of Form S-8.


Item 2.  Registrant Information and Employee Plan Information.

         Omitted pursuant to the instructions and provisions of Form S-8.



<PAGE>



           PART II. INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT


Item 3.  Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

         The  following  documents  previously  filed  with the  Securities  and
Exchange   Commission  (the  "Commission")  by  Talbot  Bancshares,   Inc.  (the
"Company")  pursuant to the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended (the
"Exchange  Act") are,  as of their  respective  dates,  hereby  incorporated  by
reference in this Registration Statement:

                  (i)  Annual  Report on Form  10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended
December 31, 1998 (which includes certain information contained in the Company's
definitive  Proxy  Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 28,
1999 and incorporated therein by reference);

                  (ii) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1999;

                  (iii)  Description of the Company's Common Stock which appears
at page 1 of the  Company's  Form 8-A, or any  description  of the Common  Stock
which appears in any prospectus  forming a part of any  subsequent  registration
statement  of the Company or in any  registration  statement  filed  pursuant to
Section 12 of the Exchange Act,  including  any  amendments or reports filed for
the purpose of updating such description.

         All other documents  filed by the Company with the Commission  pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date
of this Prospectus and prior to the filing of a  post-effective  amendment which
indicates that all of the Company's  shares of common stock,  par value $.01 per
share (the  "Shares"),  offered  hereby  have been sold or that all Shares  then
remaining  unsold have been  deregistered  shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference  in and made a part of this  Registration  Statement  from the date of
filing of such documents.  Any statement contained in a document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference  herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded  for  purposes  of this  Prospectus  to the extent  that a  statement
contained herein or in a document subsequently filed modifies or supersedes such
statement.  Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,  except
as so  modified  or  superseded,  to  constitute  a part  of  this  Registration
Statement.

         The Company  will  provide  without  charge to each person to whom this
Prospectus  is delivered,  on the written or oral request of any such person,  a
copy of any and all  documents  incorporated  herein by  reference  (other  than
exhibits  to such  documents).  Written  requests  should be  directed to Talbot
Bancshares,  Inc.,  Secretary,  18 East Dover Street,  Easton,  Maryland  21601.
Telephone requests may be directed to the Company at (410) 822-1400.


Item 4.  Description of Shares.

         Not applicable.


Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel

         Not applicable.


Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

         Under Maryland law, a corporation  is permitted to limit,  by provision
in its Articles of  Incorporation,  the  liability of directors  and officers so
that no  director  or  officer  shall be  liable  to the  corporation  or to any
shareholder for money damages except (i) for and to the extent of actual receipt
of an improper  personal  benefit in money,  property or  services,  or (ii) for
active  and  deliberate  dishonesty  established  by a final  judgment  as being
material  to the  cause of  action.  The  Company's  Articles  of  Incorporation
includes this provision.

         The  Company's  Articles  of  Incorporation  requires  the  Company  to
indemnify  its  directors  and officers to the maximum  extent  permitted  under
Maryland  law. As a result,  the Company is required to indemnify any present or
former  director  or  officer  against  any claim or  liability,  including  all
judgments,

                                      II-1

<PAGE>



penalties,  fines,  settlements and expenses,  unless it is established that (i)
his act or omission  was  committed in bad faith or was the result of active and
deliberate dishonesty, (ii) he actually received an improper personal benefit in
money,  property or services or (iii) in the case of a criminal  proceeding,  he
had  reasonable  cause to believe  that his act or  omission  was  unlawful.  In
addition,  the  Company is  required  to pay or  reimburse,  in advance of final
disposition  of a  proceeding,  reasonable  expenses  incurred  by such a person
provided that the Company shall have received (i) a written  affirmation  by the
director  or officer of his good faith  belief  that he has met the  standard of
conduct  necessary  for  indemnification  by the  Company,  and  (ii) a  written
undertaking  by or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or  reimbursed  by the
Company if it shall  ultimately be  determined  that the standard of conduct was
not met. The Company's  Articles of  Incorporation  also requires the Company to
provide  indemnification,  payment or  reimbursement of expenses to a present or
former  director  or officer  who served a  predecessor  of the  Company in such
capacity,  and to any employee or agent of the Company or a  predecessor  of the
Company.

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted of directors  and officers of the Company  pursuant
to the foregoing  provisions  or  otherwise,  the Company has been advised that,
although the validity and scope of the governing  statute has not been tested in
court, in the opinion of the SEC, such  indemnification is against public policy
as  expressed  in such  Act  and  is,  therefore,  unenforceable.  In  addition,
indemnification may be limited by state securities laws.

Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.

         Not applicable.


Item 8.  Exhibits.

         Exhibit
         Number   Description of Exhibits

         5          Opinion  of  Gordon,   Feinblatt,   Rothman,   Hoffberger  &
                    Hollander, LLC as to legality of Shares to be issued

         23.1       Consent  of  Gordon,   Feinblatt,   Rothman,   Hoffberger  &
                    Hollander, LLC (included in their opinion in Exhibit 5)

         23.2       Consent of Stegman & Company,  independent  certified public
                    accountants

         99         1999 Stock Option Plan


Item 9.  Undertakings.

(a)      The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a  post-effective  amendment  to this  registration  statement  to  include  any
material  information  with respect to the plan of  distribution  not previously
disclosed  in  the  registration  statement  or  any  material  change  to  such
information in the registration statement.

         (2) That,  for the  purpose  of  determining  any  liability  under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

         (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective  amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.

(b)  The  undersigned   registrant  hereby  undertakes  that,  for  purposes  of
determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's  annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934 that is  incorporated  by  reference  in the  registration
statement shall

                                      II-2

<PAGE>



be deemed to be a new registration  statement relating to the securities offered
therein,  and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification  for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling  persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,  the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
such  indemnification  is against  public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities  (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling  person of the registrant in the
successful  defense of any  action,  suit or  proceeding)  is  asserted  by such
director,  officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been  settled by  controlling  precedent,  submit to a court of  appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such  indemnification  by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.




                                      II-3

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the City of Easton, State of Maryland,  on the 16th day of June,
1999.

                            TALBOT BANCSHARES, INC.


                            By: /s/ W. Moorhead Vermilye
                                ------------------------
                                W. Moorhead Vermilye, President


                            By: /s/ Susan E. Leaverton
                                ----------------------
                                Susan E. Leaverton, Treasurer

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
registration  statement has been signed by the following  persons as of the date
indicated below.

          Signature                         Title           Date


/s/ Herbert L. Andrew                       Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Herbert L. Andrew, III

/s/ Blenda W. Armistead                     Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Blenda W. Armistead

/s/ Lloyd L. Beatty, Jr.                    Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Lloyd L. Beatty, Jr.

/s/ Donald D. Casson                        Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Donald D. Casson

/s/ Gary L. Fairbank                        Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Gary L. Fairbank

/s/ Ronald N. Fox                           Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Ronald N. Fox

/s/ Richard C. Granville                    Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Richard C. Granville


- ------------------------------------        Director
Jerome M. McConnell

/s/ Shari L. McCord                         Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Shari L. McCord

/s/ William H. Myers                        Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
William H. Myers

/s/ David L. Pyles                          Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
David L. Pyles

/s/ Christopher F. Spurry                   Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
Christopher F. Spurry

/s/ W. Moorhead Vermilye                    Director        June 16, 1999
- ------------------------------------
W. Moorhead Vermilye

F7364.641

                                      II-4

<PAGE>



                                  Exhibit Index


Exhibit
Number   Description of Exhibits

5                 Opinion of Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander,
                  LLC as to legality of Shares to be issued

23.1              Consent of Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander,
                  LLC (included in their opinion in Exhibit 5)

23.2              Consent  of Stegman & Company,  independent  certified  public
                  accountants

99                1999 Stock Option Plan

<PAGE>




                                    Exhibit 5


<PAGE>



                                   LAW OFFICES
             GORDON, FEINBLATT, ROTHMAN, HOFFBERGER & HOLLANDER, LLC
                              THE GARRETT BUILDING
                             233 EAST REDWOOD STREET
                         BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21202-3332

                                  410-576-4000
                                  ------------

                                Telex 908041 BAL
                                Fax 410-576-4246





                                  July 14, 1999


Talbot Bancshares, Inc.
18 East Dover Street
Easton, MD  21601

                  Re:      Talbot Bancshares, Inc.
                           Registration Statement on Form S-8 for the
                           Talbot Bancshares, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have  acted as  counsel  to  Talbot  Bancshares,  Inc.,  a  Maryland
corporation (the  "Company"),  in connection with the issuance by the Company of
up to 85,000  shares of common stock,  par value $.01 per share (the  "Shares"),
under the  Company's  1999  Stock  Option  Plan (the  "Plan"),  pursuant  to the
above-referenced Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), filed on this date by
the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").

         We have  examined  copies of (i) the Articles of  Incorporation  of the
Company,  as amended  (the  "Charter"),  certified  by the State  Department  of
Assessments and Taxation of Maryland,  (ii) the Bylaws of the Company, (iii) the
Plan,  and (iv)  resolutions  adopted by the Board of  Directors  of the Company
relating  to  the  matters  referred  to  herein.  We  have  also  examined  the
Registration  Statement and Exhibits thereto  (collectively,  with the documents
described in the preceding sentence, referred to as the "Documents").

         In expressing the opinions set forth below, we have assumed, and so far
as is known to us there are no facts inconsistent therewith,  that all Documents
submitted to us as originals are  authentic,  all  documents  submitted to us as
certified  or  photostatic  copies  conform  to  the  original  documents,   all
signatures on all such  Documents are genuine,  all public  records  reviewed or
relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete, and all statements and
information contained in the Documents are true and complete.

         Based on the  foregoing,  it is our  opinion  that  Shares  sold by the
Company  to  participants  under the Plan,  upon  receipt  of the  consideration
required to be paid therefor,  will be duly and validly  issued,  fully paid and
nonassessable.

         The  foregoing  opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland
and of the United  States of America and we do not  express  any opinion  herein
concerning any other law. We assume no obligation to supplement  this opinion if
any  applicable  law changes  after the date hereof or if we become aware of any
fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

         This opinion is being furnished to you for your benefit, and may not be
relied upon by any other person without our prior written consent.



<PAGE>



         We hereby  consent to the  filing of this  opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving
this  opinion,  we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose
consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933.

                                      Very truly yours,

                                      GORDON, FEINBLATT, ROTHMAN,
                                      HOFFBERGER & HOLLANDER, LLC


<PAGE>





                                  Exhibit 23.2


<PAGE>



               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



         We  hereby   consent  to  the   incorporation   by  reference  in  this
Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Talbot Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") of
our report dated January 15, 1999, on the 1998 consolidated financial statements
of the Company and related notes, which appear on pages 16-36 of the 1998 Annual
Report to Stockholders  of the Company that is included in the Company's  annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.


                                               /s/Stegman & Company




Baltimore, Maryland
July 2, 1999




F7364.641


<PAGE>




                                   Exhibit 99


<PAGE>



                             TALBOT BANCSHARES, INC.
                             1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                  1.  Purpose.  The  purpose  of this  1999  STOCK  OPTION  PLAN
("Plan") is to further the  interests  of TALBOT  BANCSHARES,  INC.,  a Maryland
corporation, and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the "Company") by
providing incentives for executive officers and key employees of the Company who
may be designated for participation in the Plan, and to provide additional means
of attracting and retaining competent personnel.

                  2.  Administration.  The  Plan  shall be  administered  by the
Company's  Board of Directors  (the  "Board").  Subject to the provisions of the
Plan and  applicable  law, the Board is  authorized to interpret the Plan and to
prescribe,  amend and rescind rules and regulations  relating to the Plan and to
any  options  granted  under  the  Plan,  and to make all  other  determinations
necessary  or advisable  for the  administration  of the Plan.  No member of the
Board  shall vote upon or decide any matter  relating  to himself or a member of
his immediate  family or to any of his rights or benefits (or rights or benefits
of a member of his  immediate  family) under the Plan,  and in such case,  shall
instead abstain from voting.


                  3. Limitation on Aggregate  Shares;  Adjustments.  The Company
has  reserved  85,000  shares of common  stock,  par value  $.01 per share  (the
"Shares"),  for issuance upon the exercise of options granted under the Plan. If
any  option  granted  under the Plan shall  terminate,  be  forfeited  or expire
unexercised, in whole or in part, the Shares so released from option may be made
the subject of  additional  options  granted  under the Plan.  The Company shall
reserve  and  keep   available  such  number  of  Shares  as  will  satisfy  the
requirements  of all  outstanding  options  granted under the Plan.  Appropriate
adjustment  shall be made to the  number  of Shares  available  for the grant of
options  and the  number of Shares  which are  subject  to  outstanding  options
granted under the Plan to give effect to any stock splits,  stock dividends,  or
other relevant changes in the  capitalization of the Company occurring after the
adoption  of the Plan by the Board.  The  decision of the Board as to the amount
and timing of any such adjustment shall be conclusive.

                  4.       Accelerated Exercise.

                 (a)  Anything  in the Plan or in any  Option  Agreement  to the
contrary  notwithstanding,  in the event of the  commencement  of a tender offer
(other  than  by the  Company)  for  any  Shares  of the  Company,  or a sale or
transfer,  in one or a series of  transactions,  of assets  having a fair market
value of 50% or more of the fair market value of all assets of the Company, or a
merger,  consolidation  or share  exchange  pursuant  to which the Shares of the
Company  are  or may be  exchanged  for or  converted  into  cash,  property  or
securities  of  another   issuer,   or  the   liquidation  of  the  Company  (an
"Extraordinary  Event"),  then regardless of whether any option granted pursuant
to the Plan has vested or become fully exercisable, all options granted pursuant
to the Plan shall  immediately  vest and become fully  exercisable  for the full
number of Shares subject to any such option.

                 (b) The  accelerated  exercise right pursuant to subsection (a)
shall  be  effective  on  and  at  all  times  after  the  "Event  Date"  of the
Extraordinary  Event.  The  "Event  Date" is the date of the  commencement  of a
tender offer, if the  Extraordinary  Event is a tender offer, and in the case of
any other  Extraordinary  Event, the day preceding the record date in respect of
such  Extraordinary  Event, or if no record date is fixed, the day preceding the
date as of which  shareholders  of record become  entitled to the  consideration
payable in respect of such Extraordinary Event.

                 (c) If in the  case  of an  Extraordinary  Event  other  than a
tender  offer,  notice that is given by an optionee of the exercise of an option
pursuant to this  Section 4 prior to the Event Date shall be effective on and as
of the Event Date.  Upon the  exercise of an option after the  occurrence  of an
Extraordinary Event, the Company shall issue, on and as of the effective date of
such  exercise,  all Shares  with  respect  to which the option  shall have been
exercised.

                 (d) If an  optionee  fails to exercise  his or her  option,  in
whole or in part,  pursuant to this Section upon an  Extraordinary  Event, or if
there shall be any capital reorganization or reclassification of the Shares, the
Company  shall take such action as may be necessary  to enable each  optionee to
receive  such  options upon any  subsequent  exercise of his or her options,  in
whole or in part, in lieu of Shares, securities or other assets as were issuable
or payable upon such Extraordinary Event in respect of, or in exchange for, such
Shares.



<PAGE>



                  5.       Participants; Grant of Options.

                 (a) The Board shall  determine and designate  from time to time
those executive officers and key employees of the Company to whom options are to
be granted and who thereby become  participants in the Plan. The Board may grant
to such executive  officers and key employees options to purchase Shares in such
amounts as the Board  shall from time to time  determine.  Participation  in the
Plan shall not confer any right of continuation of service as an employee of the
Company.

                 (b) The  granting  of an option  shall  take place only when an
appropriate  written Option Agreement  substantially in the form of Exhibit A or
Exhibit B attached to the Plan is executed by the Company and the  optionee  and
delivered to the optionee. All options under the Plan shall be evidenced by such
written  Option  Agreement  between the Company  and the  optionee.  Such Option
Agreement shall contain such further terms and conditions, not inconsistent with
the Plan,  related to the grant or the time or times of  exercise  of options as
the Board shall prescribe.

                 (c) An option  granted  under  the Plan may be a  non-qualified
stock option or an "incentive stock option"  ("Incentive  Stock Options") within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"),  and, if not  otherwise  specified,  shall be deemed to be an Incentive
Stock Option unless it does not meet the requirements of the Code.

                 (d) An  Incentive  Stock Option shall not result in income upon
the  receipt  of the shares  subject  to the  option to the extent  that (i) the
aggregate  fair market value  (determined  at the time the option is granted) of
the Shares that may be purchased by the optionee during any calendar year (under
the Plan and all other plans of the Company) does not exceed $100,000;  and (ii)
the optionee  (other than the optionee's  estate where the optionee is deceased)
does not  dispose of the Shares (A) two years from and after the date the option
is  granted,  and (B) one year  after  the date the  Shares  are  issued  to the
optionee.  In the event of a disposition of Shares  received upon exercise of an
Incentive  Stock Option where the  disposition  occurs within two years from the
date the  option is  granted or one year from the  receipt  of the  shares,  the
optionee shall notify the Secretary of the Company in writing promptly as to the
date of such  disposition,  the sale  price (if any),  and the  number of Shares
involved.

                  6.       Option Price; Fair Market Value.

                 (a) The price at which Shares may be purchased upon exercise of
an Option shall be equal to the "Fair Market Value" (as hereinafter  defined) on
the date the option is granted; provided, however, that in the case of Incentive
Stock Options,  if at the time the option is granted the participant owns Shares
possessing  more than 10% of the total  combined  voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company (a "10%  Shareholder"),  then the option price shall be not
less than 110% of the Fair Market  Value of the Shares on the date the option is
granted.

                 (b) The "Fair Market Value" per Share as of any particular date
shall be the  closing  market  price per Share on the  trading  day  immediately
preceding such date, as reported on the principal  securities exchange or market
on which  the  Shares  are then  listed or  admitted  to  trading,  or if not so
reported,  the  average  of  the  bid  and  asked  prices  on the  trading  date
immediately preceding such date as reported by Nasdaq, or if not so reported, as
determined by the Board in good faith.

                  7. Exercise Period. Except as otherwise specified by the Board
in the Option  Agreement,  each option granted under the Plan will expire on the
tenth anniversary of the date the option was granted; provided, however, that an
Incentive  Stock  Option  granted  to a 10%  Shareholder  shall  in no  event be
exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date it is granted.

                  8. Exercise of Options. Unless otherwise provided by the Board
and specified in the Option Agreement (and except as otherwise stated in Section
4 of the Plan),  any option granted under the Plan will become  exercisable with
respect to 20% of the Shares subject to such option on each  anniversary date of
the grant of the option,  plus in each case the number of Shares that previously
became  eligible  for purchase  under the Plan,  so that the option shall become
fully exercisable on the fifth anniversary of the date the option was granted.

                  9.  Limitation  Upon  Transfer of Options.  No option shall be
transferable  by an  optionee  other  than by will and the laws of  descent  and
distribution.  Options shall be exercisable  only by the optionee  during his or
her  lifetime  and only in the manner set forth in the Plan.  Options may not be
assigned,  pledged  or  hypothecated,  and shall not be  subject  to  execution,
attachment  or similar  process.  Upon any attempt to transfer an option,  or to
assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of an option


<PAGE>



in violation of this  provision,  or upon the levy of any  attachment or similar
process upon such option or such rights,  the option shall immediately lapse and
become null and void.

                  10.  Termination  and  Forfeiture of Options.  In the event of
termination of an optionee of employment for cause,  all unexercised  options of
the optionee shall  immediately  terminate.  In the event of the  termination of
employment of an optionee for any other  reason,  except the death or disability
of the optionee,  all  unexercised  options of the optionee will  terminate,  be
forfeited and will lapse, provided that the optionee,  within three months after
the  optionee's  termination  of employment  with the Company,  may exercise the
option to purchase that number of Shares that were  purchasable  by the optionee
at the time of his or her termination of employment.

                  11. Death or Disability of Optionee. In the event of the death
of  an  optionee,  or if an  optionee's  employment  is  terminated  because  of
permanent  and total  disability,  the option may be  exercised  by the personal
representative, administrator or a person who acquired the right to exercise any
such option by bequest, inheritance or death of the optionee, or by the disabled
optionee, as the case may be, within one year after the death of the optionee or
termination  of his or her  employment,  as the case may be,  to  purchase  that
number of Shares that were purchasable by the optionee at the time of his or her
death or disability.

                  12. Leaves of Absences.  The Board shall determine such rules,
regulations,  and  determinations as it deems appropriate with respect to leaves
of absences  taken by any  optionee.  Without  limiting  the  generality  of the
foregoing,  the Board shall  determine  whether any such leave of absence  shall
constitute a termination of employment for purposes of the Plan.

                  13.  Method of Exercise.  To exercise an option,  the optionee
(or his or her successor)  shall give written notice to the Company's  Secretary
at the Company's principal place of business accompanied by full payment for the
Shares being purchased and a written statement that the Shares are purchased for
investment and not with a view toward distribution; however, this statement will
not be  required  in the event the Shares  subject to the option are  registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  If the option is exercised by the
successor of an optionee  following his or her death,  proof shall be submitted,
satisfactory  to the  Board,  of the right of the  successor  to  exercise  such
deceased optionee's option.

                  14. Manner of Payment.  An optionee may pay the exercise price
for the Shares  being  purchased  either (i) in cash or by check made payable to
the order of the  Company,  (ii) with  Shares of the  Company,  to the extent of
their  Fair  Market  Value on the date of  exercise  (iii) by  surrender  to the
Company of options to purchase Shares,  to the extent of the difference  between
the  exercise  price of such  options  and the Fair  Market  Value of the Shares
subject to such options (the  "spread"),  or (iv) a combination of (i), (ii) and
(iii) above.  The Company shall have the right, and the optionee may require the
Company,  to withhold and deduct from the number of Shares  deliverable upon the
exercise of any options  under the Plan a number of Shares  having an  aggregate
Fair Market  Value equal to the amount of any taxes and other  charges  that the
Company  is  obligated  to  withhold  or  deduct  from  amounts  payable  to the
participant.

                  15.  Share  Certificates.   Certificates  representing  Shares
issued pursuant to the Plan which have not been registered  under the Securities
Act of 1933 shall bear a legend to the following effect:

                  "The  shares  represented  by this  certificate  have not been
                  registered  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933 and any  state
                  securities laws, and may not be assigned, transferred, pledged
                  or  otherwise  disposed  of without  registration  except upon
                  presentation  of evidence  satisfactory to the Company that an
                  exemption from registration is available."

                  The  Company  shall not be required to transfer or deliver any
certificate or certificates for Shares purchased upon any exercise of an option:
(i) until after  compliance  with all then  applicable  requirements of law; and
(ii) prior to admission of such Shares to listing on any stock exchange on which
the  Company's  outstanding  Shares  may then be listed.  In no event  shall the
Company be required to issue fractional Shares to an optionee.

                  16.  Registration.  If the  Company  shall be  advised  by its
counsel that Shares  deliverable  upon any exercise of an option are required to
be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, or that the consent of any other
authority is required for their issuance, the Company may effect such


<PAGE>




registration  or obtain such consent,  and delivery of the Shares by the Company
may be deferred until registration is effected or consent obtained.

                  17.  Issuance of Shares.  No Shares will be issued  until full
payment  for such Shares has been made.  An  optionee  shall have no rights as a
shareholder with respect to optioned Shares until the date the option shall have
been  properly  exercised  and all  conditions to the exercise of the option and
purchase  of  Shares  shall  have  been  complied  with in all  respects  to the
satisfaction of the Company. No adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary
or   extraordinary,   whether  in  cash,   securities  or  other   property)  or
distributions  or other  rights for which the  record  date is prior to the date
such option is exercised, except as otherwise provided in the Plan.

                  18. Amendments and Termination.  The Board may amend, suspend,
discontinue or terminate the Plan,  but no such action may,  without the consent
of the holder of any option granted under the Plan, alter or impair such option.

                  19. Period of Plan.  The Plan has been adopted by the Board of
the  Company  on  March  17,  1999  subject  to  approval  of  the  Plan  by the
stockholders  of the Company  within 12 months of the date the Plan was adopted.
The  stockholders of the Company approved the Plan on, and the effective date of
the Plan is,  April 28,  1999.  No option shall be granted on or after the tenth
anniversary of the date of adoption of the Plan by the Board of the Company.

f7063.600


<PAGE>




                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                        INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                    under the
                             TALBOT BANCSHARES, INC.
                             1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN

         THIS AGREEMENT is made this ____________________,  ____, by and between
Talbot   Bancshares,   Inc.,  a  Maryland   corporation  (the  "Company"),   and
___________________________ (the "Optionee").

         WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") considers
it  desirable  and in the  Company's  interest  that  the  Optionee  be given an
opportunity  to purchase  its shares of common  stock,  par value $.01 per share
("Shares"),  pursuant to the terms and  conditions of the  Company's  1999 Stock
Option  Plan (the  "Plan"),  to provide an  incentive  for the  Optionee  and to
promote the interests of the Company.

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:

         1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to the Optionee an option
to purchase from the Company  ________________  Shares ("Option  Shares") at the
exercise  price per Share set forth  below.  Subject  to earlier  expiration  or
termination of the option granted under this Agreement, this option shall expire
on the 10th anniversary of the date hereof.

         2.  Period of  Exercise of Option.  The  Optionee  shall be entitled to
exercise the option granted under this Agreement to purchase Option Shares:

         ______ immediately; or

         ______ subject to the following vesting requirements:

                                                            Exercise
         Exercise Date             No. of Shares         Price Per Share

First Anniversary of Grant Date     ___________           __________
Second Anniversary of Grant Date    ___________           __________
Third Anniversary of Grant Date     ___________           __________
Fourth Anniversary of Grant Date    ___________           __________
Fifth Anniversary of Grant Date     ___________           __________

in each case,  together  with the number of Option Shares which the Optionee was
theretofore  entitled to purchase.  Appropriate  adjustment shall be made to the
number of Shares  available  for the grant of  options  and the number of Shares
which are subject to outstanding  options  granted under the Plan to give effect
to  any  stock  splits,  stock  dividends,  or  other  relevant  changes  in the
capitalization  of the Company  occurring  after the adoption of the Plan by the
Board.  The  decision  of the  Board as to the  amount  and  timing  of any such
adjustment shall be conclusive.

         3. Accelerated  Exercise.  In the event of an  Extraordinary  Event (as
defined in the Plan)  involving  the  Company,  then  regardless  of whether any
option granted pursuant to the Plan has vested or become fully exercisable,  all
Option Shares granted under this  Agreement  shall  immediately  vest and become
fully exercisable for the full number of Shares subject to such option on and at
all times after the "Event  Date" (as defined in the Plan) of the  Extraordinary
Event, in accordance with the terms and conditions described in the Plan.

         4. Exercise  Periods.  In the event of termination of employment of the
Optionee for cause,  all  unexercised  options  shall  immediately  lapse and be
forfeited. In the event of the death or disability


<PAGE>




of the Optionee,  or in the event of termination of his or her employment  other
than for cause, the Plan permits certain extended exercise periods.

         5. Method of Exercise.  In order to exercise the Option Shares  granted
under this Agreement,  the Optionee must give written notice to the Secretary of
the Company at the Company's  principal place of business,  substantially in the
form of Exhibit 1 attached to this Agreement, accompanied by full payment of the
exercise  price for the Option Shares being  purchased,  in accordance  with the
terms and provisions of the Plan.

         6. Manner of Payment. An Optionee may pay the exercise price for Option
Shares  purchased under this Agreement either (i) in cash or by check payable to
the order of the  Company,  (ii) with  Shares of the  Company,  to the extent of
their Fair  Market  Value on the date of  exercise,  (iii) by  surrender  to the
Company of Options to purchase Shares,  to the extent of the difference  between
the  exercise  price of such  Options  and the Fair  Market  Value of the Shares
subject to such options (the  "spread"),  or (iv) a combination of (i), (ii) and
(iii) above.  The Company shall have the right, and the Optionee may require the
Company,  to withhold  and deduct from the number of Option  Shares  deliverable
upon the  exercise of the option a number of Option  Shares  having an aggregate
Fair  Market  Value  equal to the  amount of taxes and  other  charges  that the
Company  is  obligated  to  withhold  or  deduct  from  amounts  payable  to the
participant.

         7. Limitation upon Transfer.  This option may not be transferred by the
Optionee other than by will and the laws of descent and distribution, may not be
assigned,  pledged  or  hypothecated,  and shall not be  subject  to  execution,
attachment or similar  process.  This option is exercisable only by the Optionee
during his or her lifetime,  and only in the manner set forth in this Agreement.
Upon any attempt to transfer this option, or to assign,  pledge,  hypothecate or
otherwise  dispose of this option in  violation of this  provision,  or upon the
levy of any  attachment or similar  process upon this option or any rights under
this Agreement, this option shall immediately lapse and become null and void.

         8.  Incentive  Stock  Option.  This option is intended to qualify as an
incentive  stock option under Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code").

         9.  Disposition of Shares.  In the event of a disposition of the Option
Shares  received under this Agreement  where the  disposition  occurs within two
years  after the date of this  Agreement  or one year  after the  receipt of the
Shares,  the  Optionee  shall  notify the  Secretary  of the  Company in writing
promptly as to the date of such  disposition,  the sale price (if any),  and the
number of Shares involved.

         10. Plan;  Applicable Law. This Agreement is subject in all respects to
the  provisions  of the Plan, a copy of which has been provided to the Optionee.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Maryland, excluding its provisions relating to conflicts of laws.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  have caused  this  Agreement  to be
executed under seal,  intending this to be a sealed  instrument,  as of the date
first above written.

ATTEST:                              TALBOT BANCSHARES, INC.


______________________________       By:_____________________________(SEAL)


WITNESS:                             OPTIONEE:


______________________________       ________________________________(SEAL)

f7063.600


<PAGE>




                                                                      EXHIBIT 1


                           Date:_____________________

Corporate Secretary
TALBOT BANCSHARES, INC.

To the Secretary:

                  I hereby exercise my option to purchase  ______________ shares
of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Shares"), of Talbot Bancshares, Inc.
(the  "Company") in accordance  with the terms set forth in the Incentive  Stock
Option Agreement under the Company's 1999 Stock Option Plan.

                  In full payment for such exercise, please find enclosed

               |_|  check in the amount of $____________

               |_|  Shares having a Fair Market Value of $__________

               |_|  Options having an exercise price of $__________, to purchase
                    ______  Shares  having a Fair  Market  Value of  $_________,
                    resulting in a "spread" of $-----------.

I represent  that I am obtaining  these shares for my own account and not with a
view to  distribution  within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act
of 1933.

I authorize  the  Company/|_|  direct the Company to withhold a number of Shares
equal to any withholding obligation applicable to me.

                                       Very truly yours,


                                       -----------------------------------

                                       -----------------------------------
                                                         Print Name





f7063.600



<PAGE>




                                                                      EXHIBIT B


                    AGREEMENT FOR NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION
                                    under the
                             TALBOT BANCSHARES, INC.
                             1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN

         THIS AGREEMENT is made this ____________________,  ____, by and between
Talbot   Bancshares,   Inc.,  a  Maryland   corporation  (the  "Company"),   and
___________________________ (the "Optionee").

         WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") considers
it  desirable  and in the  Company's  interest  that  the  Optionee  be given an
opportunity  to purchase  its shares of common  stock,  par value $.01 per share
("Shares"),  pursuant to the terms and  conditions of the  Company's  1999 Stock
Option  Plan (the  "Plan"),  to provide an  incentive  for the  Optionee  and to
promote the interests of the Company.

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:

         1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to the Optionee an option
to purchase from the Company  ________________  Shares ("Option  Shares") at the
exercise  price per Share set forth  below.  Subject  to earlier  expiration  or
termination of the option granted under this Agreement, this option shall expire
on the 10th anniversary of the date hereof.

         2.  Period of  Exercise of Option.  The  Optionee  shall be entitled to
exercise the option granted under this Agreement to purchase Option Shares:

         ______ immediately; or

         ______ subject to the following vesting requirements:

                                                                   Exercise
         Exercise Date                      No. of Shares       Price Per Share

First Anniversary of Grant Date             ___________           __________
Second Anniversary of Grant Date            ___________           __________
Third Anniversary of Grant Date             ___________           __________
Fourth Anniversary of Grant Date            ___________           __________
Fifth Anniversary of Grant Date             ___________           __________

in each case,  together  with the number of Option Shares which the Optionee was
theretofore  entitled to purchase.  Appropriate  adjustment shall be made to the
number of Shares  available  for the grant of  options  and the number of Shares
which are subject to outstanding  options  granted under the Plan to give effect
to  any  stock  splits,  stock  dividends,  or  other  relevant  changes  in the
capitalization  of the Company  occurring  after the adoption of the Plan by the
Board.  The  decision  of the  Board as to the  amount  and  timing  of any such
adjustment shall be conclusive.

         3. Accelerated  Exercise.  In the event of an  Extraordinary  Event (as
defined in the Plan)  involving  the  Company,  then  regardless  of whether any
option granted pursuant to the Plan has vested or become fully exercisable,  all
Option Shares granted under this  Agreement  shall  immediately  vest and become
fully  exercisable  for the full number of Shares  subject to any such option on
and at all  times  after  the  "Event  Date"  (as  defined  in the  Plan) of the
Extraordinary  Event, in accordance  with the terms and conditions  described in
the Plan.



<PAGE>




         4. Exercise  Periods.  In the event of termination of employment of the
Optionee for cause,  all  unexercised  options  shall  immediately  lapse and be
forfeited.  In the event of the death or disability  of the Optionee,  or in the
event of  termination of his or her  employment  other than for cause,  the Plan
permits certain extended exercise periods.

         5. Method of Exercise.  In order to exercise the Option Shares  granted
under this Agreement,  the Optionee must give written notice to the Secretary of
the Company at the Company's  principal place of business,  substantially in the
form of Exhibit 1 attached to this Agreement, accompanied by full payment of the
exercise  price for the Option Shares being  purchased,  in accordance  with the
terms and provisions of the Plan.

         6. Manner of Payment. An Optionee may pay the exercise price for Shares
purchased  under this  Agreement  either (i) in cash or by check  payable to the
order of the Company,  (ii) with Shares of the  Company,  to the extent the Fair
Market Value of such Shares on the date of exercise  equals the  exercise  price
for the Option Shares purchased, (iii) by surrender to the Company of options to
purchase Shares,  to the extent of the difference  between the exercise price of
such  options and the Fair Market  Value of the Shares  subject to such  options
(the "spread"),  or (iv) a combination of (i), (ii) and (iii) above. The Company
shall have the right, and the Optionee may require the Company,  to withhold and
deduct from the number of Option Shares  deliverable  upon the exercise hereof a
number of Option  Shares  having an  aggregate  Fair  Market  Value equal to the
amount of taxes and other  charges  that the Company is obligated to withhold or
deduct from amounts payable to the participant.

         7. Limitation  upon Transfer.  The Option Shares may not be transferred
by the Optionee other than by will and the laws of descent and distribution, may
not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated, and shall not be subject to execution,
attachment or similar  process.  This option is exercisable only by the Optionee
during his or her lifetime,  and only in the manner set forth in this Agreement.
Upon any attempt to transfer any Option Share, or to assign, pledge, hypothecate
or otherwise dispose of this option in violation of this provision,  or upon the
levy of any  attachment or similar  process upon this option or any rights under
this Agreement, this option shall immediately lapse and become null and void.

         8. Plan;  Applicable  Law. This Agreement is subject in all respects to
the  provisions  of the Plan, a copy of which has been provided to the Optionee.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Maryland, excluding its provisions relating to conflicts of laws.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  have caused  this  Agreement  to be
executed under seal,  intending this to be a sealed  instrument,  as of the date
first above written.

ATTEST:                              TALBOT BANCSHARES, INC.


______________________________       By:_____________________________(SEAL)


WITNESS:                             OPTIONEE:


______________________________       ________________________________(SEAL)

f7063.600




<PAGE>


                                                                      EXHIBIT 1


                           Date:_____________________

Corporate Secretary
TALBOT BANCSHARES, INC.

To the Secretary:

                  I hereby exercise my option to purchase  ______________ shares
of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Shares"), of Talbot Bancshares, Inc.
(the  "Company")  in  accordance  with the terms set forth in the  Agreement for
Non-Qualified Stock Option under the Company's 1999 Stock Option Plan.

                  In full payment for such exercise, please find enclosed

               |_|  check in the amount of $____________

               |_|  Shares having a Fair Market Value of $__________

               |_|  Options having an exercise price of $__________, to purchase
                    ______  Shares  having a Fair  Market  Value of  $_________,
                    resulting in a "spread" of $-----------.


I represent  that I am obtaining  these shares for my own account and not with a
view to  distribution  within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act
of 1933.

I authorize  the  Company/|_|  direct the Company to withhold a number of Shares
equal to any withholding obligation applicable to me.

                                 Very truly yours,


                                 -----------------------------------

                                 -----------------------------------
                                                   Print Name




f7063.600


<PAGE>


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