POCAHONTAS BANCORP INC
8-K/A, 1999-03-25
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                   FORM 8-K/A

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 2, 1999


                            Pocahontas Bancorp, Inc.
          ------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

         Delaware                          0-23969              71-0806097  
- ----------------------------      ------------------------    ------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction      (Commission File Number)     (I.R.S. Employer
      of Incorporation)                                      Identification No.)


203 West Broadway, Pocahontas, Arkansas                                 72455  
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                              (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:           (870) 892-4595
                                                              --------------



                                 Not Applicable
          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)




<PAGE>



Item 5. Other Events.
        ------------

     This report amends the report on Form 8-K filed on March 2, 1999.

     On March 2, 1999, Pocahontas Bancorp, Inc. (the "Registrant") announced the
retirement of Skip Martin,  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer,  effective
April 30, 1999.  Mr.  Martin will continue to serve on the Board of Directors of
the  Registrant  and its  savings  association  subsidiary,  Pocahontas  Federal
Savings and Loan  Association  (the  "Bank").  The Board of Directors  appointed
James A. Edington, currently Executive Vice President of the Company, to succeed
Mr. Martin as President and Chief Executive Officer.

     In connection with Mr. Martin's  retirement,  the Company, the Bank and Mr.
Martin  entered  into  an  Employment  Separation  Agreement  and  Release  (the
"Agreement"). The Agreement provides, among other things, for the payment by the
Company  to Mr.  Martin  of $2.75  million,  in  installments  of not less  than
$150,000  annually,  with the entire unpaid amount due upon Mr.  Martin's death.
The Agreement  provides that Mr. Martin will be entitled to an additional payout
equal to $550,000 should there be a change in control of the Company or the Bank
on or before April 30, 2003.

     Pursuant to the  Agreement,  Mr.  Martin  forfeits all shares of restricted
stock awarded to him under the Company's current  Recognition and Retention Plan
and  foregoes  any  additional  benefits  accruals  or  contributions  under the
Company's Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement.  Pursuant to the
Agreement,  Mr.  Martin's  employment  agreement will be terminated  (except for
certain  specified  provisions)  and no  further  payouts  under the  Employment
Agreement will be due to him.

     The Company has estimated  that the provisions of the Agreement will result
in an approximate  $1.8 million  charge to the earnings of the Company,  or $.30
per share,  which the Company  anticipates  will be reflected  in the  Company's
earnings for the quarter ending March 31, 1999.

     The foregoing  discussion is qualified in its entirety by the Agreement,  a
full copy of which is included as Exhibit 99.2 to this report.

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
        ------------------------------------------------------------------

     The following Exhibit is filed as part of this report:

     Exhibit 99.1 Employment Separation Agreement and Release




<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.


                                               POCAHONTAS BANCORP, INC.



DATE: March 24, 1999                  By:      /s/  James A. Edington         
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               James A. Edington
                                               Executive Vice President



<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

     The following Exhibit is filed as part of this report:

          Exhibit 99.1 Employment Separation Agreement and Release


<PAGE>














                                  EXHIBIT 99.1

                   EMPLOYMENT SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE









                   EMPLOYMENT SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
                   -------------------------------------------



     THIS AGREEMENT AND RELEASE,  is effective as of the 2nd day of March,  1999
by and between SKIP MARTIN ("Executive") and POCAHONTAS FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN
ASSOCIATION  (  the  "Bank")  and  POCAHONTAS   BANCORP,   INC.  ("Bancorp"  and
collectively with the Bank, "Pocahontas").

     WHEREAS,  Executive  has  served in the  position  of  President  and Chief
Executive  Officer  of  the  Bank  since  1990  and  of the  Bancorp  since  its
organization in 1998; and

     WHEREAS,   Executive  has  elected  to  retire  early  and  to  discontinue
Executive's  employment with the Bank and Bancorp, and the Bank and Bancorp have
consented  to  Executive's  early   retirement,   on  the  following  terms  and
conditions,  which contain the entire  agreement of the parties  relating to the
termination of Executive's employment,  and any prior agreements,  including the
Employment  Agreement  entered into by and between  Executive and the Bank as of
October 1, 1996, ("Employment Agreement"), shall be superceded by this Agreement
and Release as of April 30, 1999,  unless otherwise  provided  herein,  and that
certain  Employment  Separation  Agreement  and Release dated March 2, 1999 (the
"March 2, 1999 Release").

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the promises and payments stated and
other good and  valuable  consideration,  the receipt  and  adequacy of which is
acknowledged  by each of the parties,  all of whom intend to be legally bound by
this Agreement and Release, the parties state and agree as follows:

     1. Executive shall resign from  employment with Pocahontas  effective April
30, 1999 and shall have no further obligation to perform services as an employee
of Pocahontas  following  said date.  Executive  shall continue as a director of
each of the Bank and Bancorp for the remainder of his term, and such  additional
terms to which Executive may be elected.

     2. (a) Executive  shall be entitled to receive  bi-weekly  salary  payments
from Pocahontas,  at the rate of salary payment in effect as of the date of this
Agreement  and  Release,  through  April  30,  1999,  paid  in  accordance  with
Pocahontas's regular payroll practices,  including tax withholdings. All current
benefits shall continue until April 30, 1999.

         (b)  As of the date  of  this  Agreement  and  Release, Executive  is a
participant  in the  Pocahontas  Bancorp,  Inc.  Stock Option Plan,  approved by
shareholders of Bancorp on October 23, 1998.  Executive has received an award of
80,000 options under said plan,  which award shall vest,  pursuant to its terms,
in five equal  installments  commencing on October 23, 1999.  The parties hereby
agree that the stock options awarded to Executive under said plan shall continue
to vest in  Executive  so long as  Executive  maintains  Continuous  Service (as
defined in said plan) as a Director of the Bank or Bancorp.



<PAGE>



     (c) As of the date of this Agreement and Release Executive is a participant
in the Pocahontas  Bancorp,  Inc.  Recognition and Retention  Plan,  approved by
shareholders of Bancorp on October 23, 1998.  Executive has received an award of
35,707  shares of  restricted  stock  under said plan,  which  award shall vest,
pursuant to its terms, in five equal installments commencing on January 3, 2000.
Executive and Bancorp  hereby agree that  Executive  shall forfeit all shares of
restricted stock awarded under said plan, effective as of April 30, 1999.

     (d) Bancorp agrees that as of April 30, 1999, it will allocate on its books
and records  $2.75 million  dollars for the benefit of Executive.  The amount so
allocated  shall earn interest at the Federal  Funds rate,  as  determined  each
month  at  the  close  of  business  on the  first  business  day of the  month,
compounded  monthly,   until  distributed.   Each  year  following   Executive's
termination of employment,  Bancorp shall pay Executive no less than One Hundred
Fifty  Thousand  Dollars  ($150,000),  until the $2.75  million,  plus  earnings
thereon,  shall be  fully  distributed.  Such  amount  shall be paid in  monthly
installments  commencing in May, 1999, no later than the fifth day of each month
following  Executive's  termination  of  employment.  Executive may request that
Bancorp pay him an additional amount in any year, and such additional amount, or
portion thereof, may be paid to Executive in the sole discretion of the Board of
Directors.  Payments to  Executive  shall be subject to  applicable  federal and
state  tax  withholding.  In  the  event  of  Executive's  death  prior  to  the
distribution in full of amounts owed to Executive,  the balance remaining at his
death shall be  distributed  to the  beneficiary  designated  by  Executive,  in
writing, in the manner designated by the Executive.

     (e) In the event of a Change in Control  (as  defined  in the  Pocahontas
Bancorp,  Inc. Stock Option Plan) of the Bank or Bancorp, on or before April 30,
2003,  Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment from Bancorp
equal to Five Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($550,000).  Such Change in Control
Payment  shall be in addition to any  payments  to which  Executive  is entitled
under sub-paragraph 2(d) above and shall be made on or before the effective time
of the Change in Control.

     (f) At the time of this  Agreement  and Release,  Executive is a party to a
Restated  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement  Agreement between  Pocahontas and
Executive dated January 1, 1998 ("SERP").  Following Executive's  termination of
employment,  Executive  shall be  entitled  to no further  benefits  accruals or
contributions  under  said  SERP,  provided,  however,  that  any  contributions
previously made to said SERP and  transferred to the  Executive's  grantor trust
shall be the sole property of Executive.

     3. (a) The  provisions  of this  Agreement  and Release  shall  satisfy all
obligations  of Pocahontas to Executive that now exist or  hereinbefore  existed
relating to the employment of Executive by Pocahontas and the termination of the
employment  of  Executive,   including  without  limitation,  any  rights  under
Executive's  Employment  Agreement  and the  March 2,  1999  Release,  provided,
however,  that Executive's  rights to contributions made to Executive's SERP and
his right under any  tax-qualified  plans  maintained by Pocahontas shall not be
affected hereby.



<PAGE>


     (b) In  consideration  of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  and Release,
Executive   hereby   irrevocably  and   unconditionally,   waives  and  releases
Pocahontas,   its  affiliates  and  subsidiaries,   officers,   directors,   and
executives,  from any and all  causes  of  action,  debts and  claims,  known or
unknown,  which  Executive  may now have or may have in the  future,  concerning
Executive's  employment  under the  Employment  Agreement,  or  separation  from
service  thereunder,  including but not limited to any claims for alleged breach
of contract,  wrongful  discharge,  or any rights or claims arising out of title
VII of the Civil  Rights Act of 1964,  as  amended,  the Age  Discrimination  in
Employment Act ("ADEA"),  the Americans with  Disabilities  Act ("ADA"),  or any
other   federal,   state  or  municipal   statute  or   ordinance   relating  to
discrimination in employment.  However, Executive may pursue claims or institute
legal action to enforce the  provisions of this  Agreement and Release.  Nothing
herein contained shall be construed to require Executive's release of any rights
granted to him as a former employee, officer or director of Pocahontas under its
Charter and Bylaws or under federal or Delaware law. Executive shall continue to
be indemnified  by Pocahontas  for any actions taken as an employee,  officer or
director to the fullest extent provided by  Pocahontas's  Charter and Bylaws and
federal or Delaware law.

     4. Executive  further  covenants that Executive will neither file nor cause
nor permit to be filed on  Executive's  behalf and,  as the case may be,  waives
Executive's right to recover in his own right upon filing, any lawsuits, claims,
grievances,  complaints,  or  charges  with any Court,  State,  federal or local
agency,  concerning  or relating to any  dispute  arising out of the  employment
relationship, alleged breaches of employment, covenants or contracts, abusive or
wrongful and constructive  discharge,  unlawful  employment  discrimination,  or
otherwise relating to Executive's employment or resignation from that employment
with Pocahontas.

     5. (a) Executive  further  states that  Executive  has  carefully  read the
foregoing,  has had sufficient opportunity to review and deliberate the terms of
this Agreement and Release with or without  counsel of Executive's own choosing,
knows and understands its contents,  and signs the same as Executive's  free and
independent act. No inducements,  representations,  or agreements have been made
or  relied  upon to make this  Agreement  and  Release  except as stated in this
Agreement and Release.

     (b) Executive has twenty-one  (21) days from March 1, 1999 (the date of the
initial  receipt of these terms)  within which to consider  accepting  and being
bound by the terms of this  Agreement  and Release.  Executive  understands  and
acknowledges  that this  release  and  waiver of  claims  is  exchanged  for the
payments described in Paragraph 2. Executive also understands that he may revoke
this waiver and release of claims  under the ADEA for a period of seven (7) days
following the date the Executive  signs this  Agreement and Release and that the
Executive's  waiver  of the ADEA  claims  will not  become  effective  until the
revocation period has expired.  Such date that is seven (7) days after Executive
signs  this  Agreement  and  Release  is  referred  to as  the  "Waiting  Period
Expiration Date."

     6.  Section  9 of the  Employment  Agreement  shall  remain in effect as to
Executive for the one year period from April 30, 1999.



<PAGE>



     7. Executive  shall continue to preserve the  confidences  and  proprietary
information  of  Pocahontas  and  its  subsidiaries,   parent  corporations  and
affiliates,  including information that has been disclosed to Executive relating
to  Pocahontas's  business  activities,  as  set  forth  in  Section  10 of  the
Employment Agreement which Section is incorporated herein by reference.

     8. This  Agreement  and Release may not be amended or modified  except in a
writing  signed  by  the  party  to  be  charged.  This  Agreement  and  Release
constitutes the entire  understanding of the parties,  and all prior discussions
and agreements between the parties are merged herein.

     9. Any term or provision of this  Agreement and Release which is held to be
invalid or  unenforceable  shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity
or  unenforceability  without  rendering  invalid or unenforceable the remaining
terms and provisions of this Agreement and Release.

     10. The terms and provisions of, and the obligations  under, the Employment
Agreement shall be superceded by this Agreement and Release,  and shall be of no
further force or effect, unless otherwise expressly stated herein.

                     [Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]


<PAGE>



     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have signed their  Agreement  and
Release.


SKIP MARTIN                                          DATE:


\s\ Skip Martin                                      March 25,  1999      
- ---------------------------                          ---------------------------


POCAHONTAS FEDERAL SAVINGS                           DATE:
 AND LOAN ASSOCIATION

By:

/s/Ralph P. Baltz                                    March 25,  1999      
- ---------------------------                          ---------------------------
Ralph P. Baltz


POCAHONTAS BANCORP, INC.                             DATE:


By:

/s/Ralph P. Baltz                                    March 25, 1999  
- ---------------------------                          ---------------------------
Ralph P. Baltz









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