<PAGE> 1
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 1999
Registration No. 333-________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
WEST ESSEX BANCORP, INC.
(exact name of registrant as specified in its certificate of incorporation)
UNITED STATES 6035 22-3597632
(state or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification No.)
417 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE
CALDWELL, NJ 07006
(973) 226-7911
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
WEST ESSEX BANCORP, INC.
1999 STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
--------------------------------
LEOPOLD W. MONTANARO COPIES TO:
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LORI M. BERESFORD, ESQUIRE
417 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE SUZANNE A. WALKER, ESQUIRE
CALDWELL, NJ 07006 MULDOON, MURPHY & FAUCETTE LLP
(973) 226-7911 5101 WISCONSIN AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20016
(202) 362-0840
(Name, address, including zip code, and
telephone number, including area
code, of agent for service)
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. / X /
----
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================
PROPOSED
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO BE PURCHASE PRICE ESTIMATED AGGREGATE REGISTRATION
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED (1) PER SHARE OFFERING PRICE(2) FEE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock 184,711
$.01 par Value Shares(3) $9.50(4) $1,754,755 $488
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock 73,884
$.01 par Value Shares(5) $9.75(6) $ 720,369 $201
====================================================================================================
(1)Together with an indeterminate number of additional shares which may be
necessary to adjust the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to
the West Essex Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock-Based Incentive Plan (the "Plan") as
the result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment of the
outstanding Common Stock of West Essex Bancorp, Inc. pursuant to 17 C.F.R.
Section 230.416(a).
(2)Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee.
(3)Pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 230.457(h)(1), represents the total number of
shares currently reserved or available for issuance upon the exercise of
stock options pursuant to the Plan.
(4)Weighted average price of $9.50 per share at which options for 166,798 shares
have been granted to date under the Plan and by $9.75 the market value of the
Common Stock on July 30, 1999, as determined by the closing price on the
Nasdaq Stock Market as reported in the Wall Street Journal for 20,613 shares
for which options have not yet been granted under the Plan.
(5)Pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 230.457(h)(1), 73,884 represents the total
number of shares currently available for issuance as stock awards under the
Plan.
(6)The closing price on the Nasdaq Stock Market as reported in the Wall Street
Journal on July 30,1999 for 73,884 shares of restricted stock reserved for
awards under the Plan.
</TABLE>
THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON FILING IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (THE
"SECURITIES ACT") AND 17 C.F.R. SS.230.462.
Number of Pages 27
Exhibit Index begins on Page 4
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WEST ESSEX BANCORP, INC.
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS
ITEMS 1 & 2. The documents containing the information for the West Essex
Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock- based Incentive Plan ("Incentive Plan") required by
Part I of the Registration Statement will be sent or given to the participants
in the Incentive Plan as specified by Rule 428(b)(1). Such documents are not
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") either as a part
of this Registration Statement or as a prospectus or prospectus supplement
pursuant to Rule 424 in reliance on Rule 428.
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed or to be filed with the SEC are incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement:
(a) West Essex Bancorp, Inc.'s (the "Company" or the "Registrant") Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, which includes
the consolidated statements of financial condition of the Company and
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated
statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1998, together with the related notes and the report of the independent auditors
filed with the SEC on March 30, 1999 (File No.001-14383).
(b) The Form 10-Q report filed by the Registrant for the fiscal quarter
ended September 30, 1998 (File No. 001-14383), filed with the SEC on November
13, 1998.
(c) The Form 10-Q report filed by the Registrant for the fiscal quarter
ended March 31, 1999 (File No. 001-14383), filed with the SEC on May 14, 1999.
(d) The description of Registrant's Common Stock contained in Registrant's
Form 8-A (File No. 000-29770), as filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 12(g)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and rule 12b-15
promulgated thereunder, on August 6, 1998, and declared effective August 13,
1998 as incorporated by reference from the Company's Form S-1 (File No.
333-56729) declared effective on August 13, 1998.
(e) All documents filed by the Company and the Incentive Plan, where
applicable, pursuant to Section 13(a) and (c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
after the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold.
ANY STATEMENT CONTAINED IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT, OR IN A DOCUMENT
INCORPORATED OR DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN, SHALL BE DEEMED
TO BE MODIFIED OR SUPERSEDED FOR PURPOSES OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO THE
EXTENT THAT A STATEMENT CONTAINED HEREIN, OR IN ANY OTHER SUBSEQUENTLY FILED
DOCUMENT WHICH ALSO IS INCORPORATED OR DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
HEREIN, MODIFIES OR SUPERSEDES SUCH STATEMENT. ANY SUCH STATEMENT SO MODIFIED OR
SUPERSEDED SHALL NOT BE DEEMED, EXCEPT AS SO MODIFIED OR SUPERSEDED, TO
CONSTITUTE A PART OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
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ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
The Common Stock to be offered pursuant to the Incentive Plan has been
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, a
description of the Common Stock is not required herein.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
The validity of the common stock offered hereby has been passed upon by
the firm of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP, Washington, D.C. for the Registrant.
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Registration
Statement by reference from the Company's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1998 have been audited by Radics & Co., LLC, independent
auditors, as stated in their reports, which is incorporated herein by reference,
and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given
upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS AND PLAN ADMINISTRATOR.
Article XII of the Registrant's Bylaws provides as follows:
ARTICLE XII: INDEMNIFICATION
The Holding Company shall indemnify all officers, directors and employees
of the Holding Company, and their heirs, executors and administrators, to the
fullest extent permitted under federal law against all expenses and liabilities
reasonably incurred by them in connection with or arising out of any action,
suit or proceeding in which they may be involved by reason of their having been
a director or officer of the Holding Company, whether or not they continue to be
a director or officer at the time of incurring such expenses or liabilities,
such expenses and liabilities to include, but not be limited to, judgments,
court costs and attorneys' fees and the cost of reasonable settlements.
This indemnification provision is consistent with the Office of Thrift
Supervision Regulation 12 C.F.R. Section 545.121.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
Not applicable.
3
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ITEM 8. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference into
this Registration Statement on Form S-8 (numbering corresponds generally to
Exhibit Table in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of West Essex Bancorp, Inc.1
3.2 Bylaws of West Essex Bancorp, Inc.1
4.0 West Essex Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock-based Incentive Plan
5.0 Opinion of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP as to the legality of
the Common Stock registered hereby.
23.1 Consent of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP (contained in the
opinion included as Exhibit 5)
23.2 Consent of Radics & Co., LLC
24 Powers of Attorney (contained on the signature pages).
- -----------------------
1 Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibit of the same number contained
in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (SEC No. 333-56729), as amended.
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which it offers or sells securities, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to:
(i) Include any Prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(ii) Reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events which,
individually or together, represent a fundamental change in
the information in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of
securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities
offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table
in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) Include any additional or changed material information on the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
Registration Statement or any material change to such
information in the Registration Statement unless the
information required by (i) and (ii) is contained in periodic
reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference
into this Registration Statement;
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(2) For determining liability under the Securities Act, to treat each
post-effective amendment as a new Registration Statement of the
securities offered, and the offering of the securities at that time
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To file a post-effective amendment to remove from registration any
of the securities that remain unsold at the end of the Offering.
(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each filing of the Registrant's or the Plan's annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement 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.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, 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 SEC 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 trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
trustee, 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.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, West Essex
Bancorp, Inc. certifies that is 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 Caldwell, New Jersey on August 9, 1999.
WEST ESSEX BANCORP, INC.
By: /s/ Leopold W. Montanaro
--------------------------------------
Leopold W. Montanaro
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Leopold W. Montanaro and Dennis A. Petrello, as
his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities to sign any or all amendments to the Form S-8 Registration Statement,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,
respectively, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and things requisite and
necessary to be done as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and
agent or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
Name Title Date
---- ----- ----
/s/ Leopold W. Montanaro Director, President and Chief August 9, 1999
- -------------------------- Executive Officer
Leopold W. Montanaro (principal executive officer)
/s/ Dennis A. Petrello Executive Vice President and August 9, 1999
- -------------------------- Chief Financial Officer
Dennis A. Petrello (principal accounting and
financial officer)
/s/ William J. Foody Director and Chairman of the August 9, 1999
- -------------------------- Board
William J. Foody
/s/ David F. Brandley Director August 9, 1999
- --------------------------
David F. Brandley
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/s/ Everett N. Leonard Director August 9, 1999
- ---------------------------
Everett N. Leonard
/s/ James P. Vreeland Director August 9,1999
- ---------------------------
James P. Vreeland
/s/ John J. Burke Director August 9, 1999
- ---------------------------
John J. Burke
7
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 4.0
WEST ESSEX BANCORP, INC.
1999 STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE PLAN
<PAGE> 2
WEST ESSEX BANCORP, INC.
1999 STOCK-BASED INCENTIVE PLAN
1. DEFINITIONS.
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(a) "Affiliate" means any "parent corporation" or "subsidiary
corporation" of the Holding Company, as such terms are defined in Sections
424(e) and 424(f) of the Code.
(b) "Award" means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan
of Non-Statutory Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options and Stock Awards.
(c) "Award Agreement" means an agreement evidencing and setting forth
the terms of an Award.
(d) "Bank" means West Essex Bank.
(e) "Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the Holding
Company.
(f) "Change in Control" of the Holding Company or the Bank shall mean
an event of a nature that: (i) would be required to be reported in response to
Item 1(a) of the current report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof,
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act"); or (ii) results in a Change in Control of the Institution or
the Holding Company within the meaning of the Home Owners' Loan Act of 1933, as
amended, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and the Rules and Regulations
promulgated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (or its predecessor agency), as
in effect on the date hereof (provided, that in applying the definition of
change in control as set forth under the rules and regulations of the OTS, the
Board shall substitute its judgment for that of the OTS); or (iii) without
limitation such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such
time as (A) any "person" (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of voting securities of the
Institution or the Holding Company representing 20% or more of the Institution's
or the Holding Company's outstanding voting securities or right to acquire such
securities except for any voting securities of the Institution purchased by the
Holding Company and any voting securities purchased by any employee benefit plan
of the Holding Company or its Subsidiaries, or (B) individuals who constitute
the Board on the date hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of
at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or
whose nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a
Nominating Committee solely composed of members which are Incumbent Board
members, shall be, for purposes of this clause (B), considered as though he were
a member of the Incumbent Board, or (C) a plan of reorganization, merger,
consolidation, sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Institution or
the Holding Company or similar transaction occurs or is effectuated in which the
Institution or Holding Company is not the resulting entity; provided, however,
that such an event listed above will be deemed to have occurred or to have been
effectuated upon the receipt of all required federal regulatory approvals not
including the lapse of any statutory waiting periods, or (D) a proxy statement
has been distributed soliciting proxies from stockholders of the Holding
Company, by someone other than the current management of the Holding Company,
seeking stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or
consolidation of the Holding Company or Institution with one or more
corporations as a result of which the outstanding shares of the class of
securities then subject to such plan or transaction are exchanged for or
converted into cash or property or securities not issued by the Institution or
the Holding Company shall be distributed, or (E) a tender offer is made for 20%
or more of the voting securities of the Institution or Holding Company then
outstanding. A Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur if West Essex
Bancorp, M.H.C. converts from mutual to stock form of organization.
(g) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(h) "Committee" means the committee designated by the Board of
Directors, pursuant to Section 2 of the Plan, to administer the Plan.
(i) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Holding Company, par
value, $.01 per share.
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(j) "Date of Grant" means the effective date of an Award.
(k) "Disability" means any mental or physical condition with respect to
which the Participant qualifies for and receives benefits for under a long-term
disability plan of the Holding Company or an Affiliate, or in the absence of
such a long-term disability plan or coverage under such a plan, "Disability"
shall mean a physical or mental condition which, in the sole discretion of the
Committee, is reasonably expected to be of indefinite duration and to
substantially prevent the Participant from fulfilling his duties or
responsibilities to the Holding Company or an Affiliate.
(l) "Effective Date" means the earlier of the date the Plan is approved
by shareholders or October 8, 1999.
(m) "Employee" means any person employed by the Holding Company or an
Affiliate. Directors who are employed by the Holding Company or an Affiliate
shall be considered Employees under the Plan.
(n) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(o) "Exercise Price" means the price at which a Participant may
purchase a share of Common Stock pursuant to an Option.
(p) "Fair Market Value" means the market price of Common Stock,
determined by the Committee as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock was traded on the date in question on The
Nasdaq Stock Market then the Fair Market Value shall be equal
to the closing price reported for such date;
(ii) If the Common Stock was traded on a stock exchange on the date
in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the
closing price reported by the applicable composite
transactions report for such date; and
(iii) If neither of the foregoing provisions is applicable, then the
Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good
faith on such basis as it deems appropriate.
Whenever possible, the determination of Fair Market Value by the Committee
shall be based on the prices reported in The Wall Street Journal. The
-----------------------
Committee's determination of Fair Market Value shall be conclusive and binding
on all persons.
(q) "Holding Company" means West Essex Bancorp, Inc.
(r) "Incentive Stock Option" means a stock option granted to a
Participant, pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan, that is intended to meet the
requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
(s) "Non-Statutory Stock Option" means a stock option granted to a
Participant pursuant to the terms of the Plan but which is not intended to be
and is not identified as an Incentive Stock Option or a stock option granted
under the Plan which is intended to be and is identified as an Incentive Stock
Option but which does not meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
(t) "Option" means an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Statutory Stock
Option.
(u) "Outside Director" means a member of the board(s) of directors of
the Holding Company or an Affiliate who is not also an Employee of the Holding
Company or an Affiliate.
(v) "Participant" means any person who holds an outstanding Award.
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(w) "Performance Award" means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant
to Section 9 of the Plan.
(x) "Plan" means this West Essex Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock-Based
Incentive Plan.
(y) "Retirement" means retirement from employment with the Holding
Company or an Affiliate in accordance with the then current retirement policies
of the Holding Company or Affiliate, as applicable. "Retirement" with respect to
an Outside Director means the termination of service from the board(s) of
directors of the Holding Company and any Affiliate following written notice to
such board(s) of directors of the Outside Director's intention to retire.
(z) "Stock Award" means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to
Section 8 of the Plan.
(aa) "Termination for Cause" shall mean, in the case of an Outside
Director, removal from the board(s) of directors of the Holding Company and its
Affiliates in accordance with the applicable by-laws of the Holding Company and
its Affiliates or, in the case of an Employee, as defined under any employment
agreement with the Holding Company or an Affiliate; provided, however, that if
no employment agreement exists with respect to the Employee, Termination for
Cause shall mean termination of employment because of a material loss to the
Holding Company or an Affiliate, as determined by and in the sole discretion of
the Board of Directors or its designee(s).
(bb) "Trust" means a trust established by the Board of Directors in
connection with this Plan to hold Common Stock or other property for the
purposes set forth in the Plan.
(cc) "Trustee" means any person or entity approved by the Board of
Directors or its designee(s) to hold any of the Trust assets.
2. ADMINISTRATION.
--------------
(a) The Committee shall administer the Plan. The Committee shall consist
of two or more disinterested directors of the Holding Company, who shall be
appointed by the Board of Directors. A member of the Board of Directors shall be
deemed to be "disinterested" only if he satisfies (i) such requirements as the
Securities and Exchange Commission may establish for non-employee directors
administering plans intended to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3 (or its
successor) under the Exchange Act and (ii) such requirements as the Internal
Revenue Service may establish for outside directors acting under plans intended
to qualify for exemption under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code. The Board of
Directors may also appoint one or more separate committees of the Board of
Directors, each composed of one or more directors of the Holding Company or an
Affiliate who need not be disinterested and who may grant Awards and administer
the Plan with respect to Employees and Outside Directors who are not considered
officers or directors of the Holding Company under Section 16 of the Exchange
Act or for whom Awards are not intended to satisfy the provisions of Section
162(m) of the Code.
(b) The Committee shall (i) select the Employees and Outside Directors who
are to receive Awards under the Plan, (ii) determine the type, number, vesting
requirements and other features and conditions of such Awards, (iii) interpret
the Plan and Award Agreements in all respects and (iv) make all other decisions
relating to the operation of the Plan. The Committee may adopt such rules or
guidelines as it deems appropriate to implement the Plan. The Committee's
determinations under the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons.
(c) Each Award shall be evidenced by a written agreement ("Award
Agreement") containing such provisions as may be required by the Plan and
otherwise approved by the Committee. Each Award Agreement shall constitute a
binding contract between the Holding Company or an Affiliate and the
Participant, and every Participant, upon acceptance of an Award Agreement, shall
be bound by the terms and restrictions of the Plan and the Award Agreement. The
terms of each Award Agreement shall be in accordance with the Plan, but each
Award Agreement may include any additional provisions and restrictions
determined by the Committee, in its discretion, provided that such additional
provisions and restrictions are not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan.
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In particular and at a minimum, the Committee shall set forth in each Award
Agreement: (i) the type of Award granted; (ii) the Exercise Price of any Option;
(iii) the number of shares subject to the Award; (iv) the expiration date of the
Award; (v) the manner, time, and rate (cumulative or otherwise) of exercise or
vesting of such Award; and (vi) the restrictions, if any, placed upon such
Award, or upon shares which may be issued upon exercise of such Award. The
Chairman of the Committee and such other directors and officers as shall be
designated by the Committee is hereby authorized to execute Award Agreements on
behalf of the Company or an Affiliate and to cause them to be delivered to the
recipients of Awards.
(d) The Committee may delegate all authority for: (i) the determination of
forms of payment to be made by or received by the Plan and (ii) the execution of
any Award Agreement. The Committee may rely on the descriptions,
representations, reports and estimates provided to it by the management of the
Holding Company or an Affiliate for determinations to be made pursuant to the
Plan, including the satisfaction of any conditions of a Performance Award.
However, only the Committee or a portion of the Committee may certify the
attainment of any conditions of a Performance Award intended to satisfy the
requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.
3. TYPES OF AWARDS AND RELATED RIGHTS.
----------------------------------
The following Awards may be granted under the Plan:
(a) Non-Statutory Stock Options.
(b) Incentive Stock Options.
(c) Stock Awards.
4. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
-------------------------
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14 of the Plan, the maximum
number of shares reserved for Awards under the Plan is 258,595, which number
shall not exceed 14% of the publicly traded shares of the Common Stock
determined immediately as of the Effective Date. Subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 14 of the Plan, the maximum number of shares reserved hereby
for purchase pursuant to the exercise of Options granted under the Plan is
184,711, which number shall not exceed 10% of the publicly traded shares of
Common Stock as of the Effective Date. The maximum number of the shares reserved
for Stock Awards is 73,884, which number shall not exceed 4% of the publicly
traded shares of Common Stock as of the Effective Date. The shares of Common
Stock issued under the Plan may be either authorized but unissued shares or
authorized shares previously issued and acquired or reacquired by the Trustee or
the Holding Company, respectively. To the extent that Options and Stock Awards
are granted under the Plan, the shares underlying such Awards will be
unavailable for any other use including future grants under the Plan except
that, to the extent that Stock Awards or Options terminate, expire or are
forfeited without having vested or without having been exercised, new Awards may
be made with respect to these shares.
5. ELIGIBILITY.
-----------
Subject to the terms of the Plan, all Employees and Outside Directors
shall be eligible to receive Awards under the Plan. In addition, the Committee
may grant eligibility to consultants and advisors of the Holding Company or an
Affiliate, as it sees fit.
6. NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS.
---------------------------
The Committee may, subject to the limitations of this Plan and the
availability of shares of Common Stock reserved but not previously awarded under
the Plan, grant Non-Statutory Stock Options to eligible individuals upon such
terms and conditions as it may determine to the extent such terms and conditions
are consistent with the following provisions:
(a) Exercise Price. The Committee shall determine the Exercise Price of
--------------
each Non-Statutory Stock Option. However, the Exercise Price shall not be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.
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(b) Terms of Non-statutory Stock Options. The Committee shall determine
------------------------------------
the term during which a Participant may exercise a Non-Statutory Stock Option,
but in no event may a Participant exercise a Non-Statutory Stock Option, in
whole or in part, more than ten (10) years from the Date of Grant. The Committee
shall also determine the date on which each Non-Statutory Stock Option, or any
part thereof, first becomes exercisable and any terms or conditions a
Participant must satisfy in order to exercise each Non-Statutory Stock Option.
The shares of Common Stock underlying each Non-Statutory Stock Option may be
purchased in whole or in part by the Participant at any time during the term of
such Non-Statutory Stock Option, or any portion thereof, once the Non-Statutory
Stock Option becomes exercisable.
(c) Non-Transferability. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in
-------------------
accordance with this Section 6(c), a Participant may not transfer, assign,
hypothecate, or dispose of in any manner, other than by will or the laws of
intestate succession, a Non-Statutory Stock Option. The Committee may, however,
in its sole discretion, permit transferability or assignment of a Non-Statutory
Stock Option if such transfer or assignment is, in its sole determination, for
valid estate planning purposes and such transfer or assignment is permitted
under the Code and Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. For purposes of this
Section 6(c), a transfer for valid estate planning purposes includes, but is not
limited to: (a) a transfer to a revocable intervivos trust as to which the
Participant is both the settlor and trustee, (b) a transfer for no consideration
to: (i) any member of the Participant's Immediate Family, (ii) any trust solely
for the benefit of members of the Participant's Immediate Family, (iii) any
partnership whose only partners are members of the Participant's Immediate
Family, and (iv) any limited liability corporation or corporate entity whose
only members or equity owners are members of the Participant's Immediate Family,
or (c) a transfer to the West Essex Bancorp Charitable Foundation. For purposes
of this Section 6(c), "Immediate Family" includes, but is not necessarily
limited to, a Participant's parents, grandparents, spouse, children,
grandchildren, siblings (including half bothers and sisters), and individuals
who are family members by adoption. Nothing contained in this Section 6(c) shall
be construed to require the Committee to give its approval to any transfer or
assignment of any Non-Statutory Stock Option or portion thereof, and approval to
transfer or assign any Non-Statutory Stock Option or portion thereof does not
mean that such approval will be given with respect to any other Non-Statutory
Stock Option or portion thereof. The transferee or assignee of any Non-Statutory
Stock Option shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions applicable to
such Non-Statutory Stock Option immediately prior to the transfer or assignment
and shall be subject to any other conditions proscribed by the Committee with
respect to such Non-Statutory Stock Option.
(d) Termination of Employment or Service (General). Unless otherwise
----------------------------------------------
determined by the Committee, upon the termination of a Participant's employment
or other service for any reason other than Retirement, Disability or death, a
Change in Control, or Termination for Cause, the Participant may exercise only
those Non-Statutory Stock Options that were immediately exercisable by the
Participant at the date of such termination and only for a period of three (3)
months following the date of such termination.
(e) Termination of Employment or Service (Retirement). In the event of a
-------------------------------------------------
Participant's Retirement, the Participant may exercise only those Non-Statutory
Stock Options that were immediately exercisable by the Participant at the date
of Retirement and only for a period of one (1) year following the date of
Retirement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that upon the Participant's Retirement, the
Committee, in its discretion, may determine that all Non-Statutory Stock Options
that were not exercisable by the Participant as of such date shall continue to
become exercisable in accordance with the terms of the Award Agreement if the
Participant is immediately engaged by the Holding Company or an Affiliate as a
consultant or advisor or continues to serve the Holding Company or an Affiliate
as a director, advisory director, or director emeritus.
(f) Termination of Employment or Service (Disability or death). Unless
----------------------------------------------------------
otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of the termination of a
Participant's employment or other service due to Disability or death, all
Non-Statutory Stock Options held by such Participant shall immediately become
exercisable and remain exercisable for a period one (1) year following the date
of such termination.
(g) Termination of Employment or Service (Change in Control). Unless
--------------------------------------------------------
otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of the termination of a
Participant's employment or service due to a Change in Control, whether such
termination is actual, constructive, or otherwise, the Participant may exercise
only those
6
<PAGE> 7
Non-Statutory Stock Options that were immediately exercisable by the Participant
at the date of such termination and only for a period of one (1) year following
the date of such termination.
(h) Termination of Employment or Service (Termination for Cause). Unless
------------------------------------------------------------
otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of a Participant's
Termination for Cause, all rights with respect to the Participant's
Non-Statutory Stock Options shall expire immediately upon the effective date of
such Termination for Cause.
(i) Payment. Payment due to a Participant upon the exercise of a
-------
Non-Statutory Stock Option shall be made in the form of shares of Common Stock.
(j) Maximum Individual Award. No individual Employee shall be granted an
------------------------
amount of Non- Statutory Stock Options which exceeds 25% of all Options eligible
to be granted under the Plan within any 60- month period.
7. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS.
-----------------------
The Committee may, subject to the limitations of the Plan and the
availability of shares of Common Stock reserved but unawarded under this Plan,
grant Incentive Stock Options to an Employee upon such terms and conditions as
it may determine to the extent such terms and conditions are consistent with the
following provisions:
(a) Exercise Price. The Committee shall determine the Exercise Price of
--------------
each Incentive Stock Option. However, the Exercise Price shall not be less than
100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if at the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted, the
Employee owns or is treated as owning, for purposes of Section 422 of the Code,
Common Stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting securities
of the Holding Company ("10% Owner"), the Exercise Price shall not be less than
110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.
(b) Amounts of Incentive Stock Options. To the extent the aggregate Fair
----------------------------------
Market Value of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock
Options that are exercisable for the first time by an Employee during any
calendar year under the Plan and any other stock option plan of the Holding
Company or an Affiliate exceeds $100,000, or such higher value as may be
permitted under Section 422 of the Code, such Options in excess of such limit
shall be treated as Non-Statutory Stock Options. Fair Market Value shall be
determined as of the Date of Grant with respect to each such Incentive Stock
Option.
(c) Terms of Incentive Stock Options. The Committee shall determine the
--------------------------------
term during which a Participant may exercise an Incentive Stock Option, but in
no event may a Participant exercise an Incentive Stock Option, in whole or in
part, more than ten (10) years from the Date of Grant; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
if at the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted to an Employee who is a 10%
Owner, the Incentive Stock Option granted to such Employee shall not be
exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the Date of Grant. The
Committee shall also determine the date on which each Incentive Stock Option, or
any part thereof, first becomes exercisable and any terms or conditions a
Participant must satisfy in order to exercise each Incentive Stock Option. The
shares of Common Stock underlying each Incentive Stock Option may be purchased
in whole or in part at any time during the term of such Incentive Stock Option
after such Option becomes exercisable.
(d) Non-Transferability. No Incentive Stock Option shall be transferable
-------------------
except by will or the laws of descent and distribution and is exercisable,
during his lifetime, only by the Employee to whom the Committee grants the
Incentive Stock Option. The designation of a beneficiary does not constitute a
transfer of an Incentive Stock Option.
(e) Termination of Employment (General). Unless otherwise determined by
-----------------------------------
the Committee, upon the termination of a Participant's employment or other
service for any reason other than Retirement, Disability or death, a Change in
Control, or Termination for Cause, the Participant may exercise only those
Incentive Stock Options that were immediately exercisable by the Participant at
the date of such termination and only for a period of three (3) months following
the date of such termination.
7
<PAGE> 8
(f) Termination of Employment (Retirement). In the event of a
--------------------------------------
Participant's Retirement, the Participant may exercise only those Incentive
Stock Options that were immediately exercisable by the Participant at the date
of Retirement and only for a period of one (1) year following the date of
Retirement; PROVIDED HOWEVER, that upon the Participant's Retirement, the
Committee, in its discretion, may determine that all Incentive Stock Options
that were not otherwise exercisable by the Participant as of such date shall
continue to become exercisable in accordance with the terms of the Award
Agreement if the Participant is immediately engaged by the Holding Company or an
Affiliate as a consultant or advisor or continues to serve the Holding Company
or an Affiliate as a director, advisory director, or director emeritus. Any
Option originally designated as an Incentive Stock Option shall be treated as a
Non-Statutory Stock Options to the extent the Participant exercises such Option
more than three (3) months following the Date of the Participant's Retirement.
(g) Termination of Employment (Disability or Death). Unless otherwise
-----------------------------------------------
determined by the Committee, in the event of the termination of a Participant's
employment or other service due to Disability or death, all Incentive Stock
Options held by such Participant shall immediately become exercisable and remain
exercisable for a period one (1) year following the date of such termination.
(h) Termination of Employment (Change in Control). Unless otherwise
---------------------------------------------
determined by the Committee, in the event of the termination of a Participant's
employment or service due to a Change in Control, the Participant may exercise
only those Incentive Stock Options that were immediately exercisable by the
Participant at the date of such termination and only for a period of three (3)
months following the date of such termination.
(i) Termination of Employment (Termination for Cause). Unless otherwise
-------------------------------------------------
determined by the Committee, in the event of an Employee's Termination for
Cause, all rights under such Employee's Incentive Stock Options shall expire
immediately upon the effective date of such Termination for Cause.
(j) Payment. Payment due to a Participant upon the exercise of an
-------
Incentive Stock Option shall be made in the form of shares of Common Stock.
(k) Maximum Individual Award. No individual Employee shall be granted an
------------------------
amount of Incentive Stock Options which exceeds 25% of all Options eligible to
be granted under the Plan within any 60-month period.
(l) Disqualifying Dispositions. Each Award Agreement with respect to an
--------------------------
Incentive Stock Option shall require the Participant to notify the Committee of
any disposition of shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of
such Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code
(relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), within 10 days of such
disposition.
16
<PAGE> 9
8. STOCK AWARDS.
------------
The Committee may make grants of Stock Awards, which shall consist of the
grant of some number of shares of Common Stock, to a Participant upon such terms
and conditions as it may determine to the extent such terms and conditions are
consistent with the following provisions:
(a) Grants of the Stock Awards. Stock Awards may only be made in whole
--------------------------
shares of Common Stock. Stock Awards may only be granted from shares reserved
under the Plan and available for award at the time the Stock Award is made to
the Participant.
(b) Terms of the Stock Awards. The Committee shall determine the dates
-------------------------
on which Stock Awards granted to a Participant shall vest and any terms or
conditions which must be satisfied prior to the vesting of any Stock Award or
portion thereof. Any such terms or conditions shall be determined by the
Committee as of the Date of Grant.
(c) Termination of Employment or Service (General). Unless otherwise
----------------------------------------------
determined by the Committee, upon the termination of a Participant's employment
or service for any reason other than Retirement, Disability or death, a Change
in Control, or Termination for Cause, any Stock Awards in which the Participant
has not become vested as of the date of such termination shall be forfeited and
any rights the Participant had to such Stock Awards shall become null and void.
(d) Termination of Employment or Service (Retirement). In the event of
-------------------------------------------------
a Participant's Retirement, any Stock Awards in which the Participant has not
become vested as of the date of Retirement shall be forfeited and any rights the
Participant had to such unvested Stock Awards shall become null and void;
PROVIDED HOWEVER, that upon the Participant's Retirement, the Committee, in its
discretion, may determine that all unvested Stock Awards shall continue to vest
in accordance with the Award Agreement if the Participant is immediately engaged
by the Holding Company or an Affiliate as a consultant or advisor or continues
to serve the Holding Company or an Affiliate as a director, advisory director,
or director emeritus.
(e) Termination of Employment or Service (Disability or death). Unless
----------------------------------------------------------
otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of a termination of the
Participant's service due to Disability or death all unvested Stock Awards held
by such Participant shall immediately vest as of the date of such termination.
(f) Termination of Employment or Service (Change in Control). Unless
--------------------------------------------------------
otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of a termination of the
Participant's service due to a Change in Control any Stock Awards in which the
Participant has not become vested as of the date of such termination shall be
forfeited and any rights the Participant had to such unvested Stock Awards shall
become null and void.
(g) Termination of Employment or Service (Termination for Cause). Unless
------------------------------------------------------------
otherwise determined by the Committee, or in the event of the Participant's
Termination for Cause, all Stock Awards in which the Participant had not become
vested as of the effective date of such Termination for Cause shall be forfeited
and any rights such Participant had to such unvested Stock Awards shall become
null and void.
(h) Maximum Individual Award. No individual Employee shall be granted an
------------------------
amount of Stock Awards which exceeds 25% of all Stock Awards eligible to be
granted under the Plan within any 60-month period.
(i) Issuance of Certificates. Unless otherwise held in Trust and
------------------------
registered in the name of the Trustee, reasonably promptly after the Date of
Grant with respect to shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award, the
Holding Company shall cause to be issued a stock certificate, registered in the
name of the Participant to whom such Stock Award was granted, evidencing such
shares; provided, that the Holding Company shall not cause such a stock
certificate to be issued unless it has received a stock power duly endorsed in
blank with respect to such shares. Each such stock certificate shall bear the
following legend:
16
<PAGE> 10
"The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock
represented hereby are subject to the restrictions, terms and
conditions (including forfeiture provisions and restrictions against
transfer) contained in the West Essex Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock-Based
Incentive Plan and Award Agreement entered into between the
registered owner of such shares and West Essex Bancorp, Inc. or its
Affiliates. A copy of the Plan and Award Agreement is on file in the
office of the Corporate Secretary of West Essex Bancorp, Inc.
located at 417 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, New Jersey 07006.
Such legend shall not be removed until the Participant becomes vested in such
shares pursuant to the terms of the Plan and Award Agreement. Each certificate
issued pursuant to this Section 8(i), in connection with a Stock Award, shall be
held by the Holding Company or its Affiliates, unless the Committee determines
otherwise.
(j) Non-Transferability. Except to the extent permitted by the Code, the
-----------------
rules promulgated under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or any successor
statutes or rules:
(i) The recipient of a Stock Award shall not sell, transfer,
assign, pledge, or otherwise encumber shares subject to the
Stock Award until full vesting of such shares has occurred.
For purposes of this section, the separation of beneficial
ownership and legal title through the use of any "swap"
transaction is deemed to be a prohibited encumbrance.
(ii) Unless determined otherwise by the Committee and except in the
event of the Participant's death or pursuant to a domestic
relations order, a Stock Award is not transferable and may be
earned in his lifetime only by the Participant to whom it is
granted. Upon the death of a Participant, a Stock Award is
transferable by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
The designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute a
transfer.
(iii) If a recipient of a Stock Award is subject to the provisions
of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shares of Common Stock
subject to such Stock Award may not, without the written
consent of the Committee (which consent may be given in the
Award Agreement), be sold or otherwise disposed of within six
(6) months following the date of grant of the Stock Award.
(k) Accrual of Dividends. To the extent Stock Awards are held in Trust
-------------------
and registered in the name of the Trustee, unless otherwise specified by the
Trust Agreement whenever shares of Common Stock underlying a Stock Award are
distributed to a Participant or beneficiary thereof under the Plan, such
Participant or beneficiary shall also be entitled to receive, with respect to
each such share distributed, a payment equal to any cash dividends and the
number of shares of Common Stock equal to any stock dividends, declared and paid
with respect to a share of the Common Stock if the record date for determining
shareholders entitled to receive such dividends falls between the date the
relevant Stock Award was granted and the date the relevant Stock Award or
installment thereof is issued. There shall also be distributed an appropriate
amount of net earnings, if any, of the Trust with respect to any dividends paid
out on the shares related to the Stock Award.
(l) Voting of Stock Awards. After a Stock Award has been granted but for
----------------------
which the shares covered by such Stock Award have not yet been vested, earned
and distributed to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, the Participant shall
be entitled to vote or to direct the Trustee to vote, as the case may be, such
shares of Common Stock which the Stock Award covers subject to the rules and
procedures adopted by the Committee for this purpose and in a manner consistent
with the Trust agreement.
(m) Payment. Payment due to a Participant upon the redemption of a Stock
-------
Award shall be made in the form of shares of Common Stock.
17
<PAGE> 11
9. PERFORMANCE AWARDS.
------------------
(a) The Committee may determine to make any Award under the Plan
contingent upon the satisfaction of any conditions related to the performance
of the Holding Company, an Affiliate of the Participant. Each Performance Award
shall be evidenced in the Award Agreement, which shall set forth the applicable
conditions, the maximum amounts payable and such other terms and conditions as
are applicable to the Performance Award. Unless otherwise determined by the
Committee, each Performance Award shall be granted and administered to comply
with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and subject to the following
provisions:
(b) Any Performance Award shall be made not later than 90 days after the
start of the period for which the Performance Award relates and shall be made
prior to the completion of 25% of such period. All determinations regarding the
achievement of any applicable conditions will be made by the Committee. The
Committee may not increase during a year the amount of a Performance Award that
would otherwise be payable upon satisfaction of the conditions but may reduce or
eliminate the payments as provided for in the Award Agreement.
(c) Nothing contained in the Plan will be deemed in any way to limit or
restrict the Committee from making any Award or payment to any person under any
other plan, arrangement or understanding, whether now existing or hereafter in
effect.
(d) A Participant who receives a Performance Award payable in Common Stock
shall have no rights as a shareholder until the Company Stock is issued pursuant
to the terms of the Award Agreement. The Common Stock may be issued without cash
consideration.
(e) A Participant's interest in a Performance Award may not be sold,
assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered.
(f) No Award or portion thereof that is subject to the satisfaction of any
condition shall be distributed or considered to be earned or vested until the
Committee certifies in writing that the conditions to which the distribution,
earning or vesting of such Award is subject have been achieved.
10. DEFERRED PAYMENTS.
-----------------
The Committee, in its discretion, may permit a Participant to elect to
defer receipt of all or any part of any cash or stock payment under the Plan, or
the Committee may determine to defer receipt by some or all Participants, of all
or part of any such payment. The Committee shall determine the terms and
conditions of any such deferral, including the period of deferral, the manner of
deferral, and the method for measuring appreciation on deferred amounts until
their payout.
11. METHOD OF EXERCISE OF OPTIONS.
-----------------------------
Subject to any applicable Award Agreement, any Option may be exercised by
the Participant in whole or in part at such time or times, and the Participant
may make payment of the Exercise Price in such form or forms permitted by the
Committee, including, without limitation, payment by delivery of cash, Common
Stock or other consideration (including, where permitted by law and the
Committee, Awards) having a Fair Market Value on the day immediately preceding
the exercise date equal to the total Exercise Price, or by any combination of
cash, shares of Common Stock and other consideration, including exercise by
means of a cashless exercise arrangement with a qualifying broker-dealer, as the
Committee may specify in the applicable Award Agreement.
12. RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS.
----------------------
No Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any
shares of Common Stock covered by an Option until the date of issuance of a
stock certificate for such Common Stock. Nothing contained herein or in any
Award Agreement confers on any person any right to continue in the employ or
service of the
18
<PAGE> 12
Holding Company or an Affiliate or interferes in any way with the right of the
Holding Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Participant's services.
13. DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY.
--------------------------
A Participant may, with the consent of the Committee, designate a person
or persons to receive, in the event of death, any Award to which the Participant
would then be entitled. Such designation will be made upon forms supplied by and
delivered to the Holding Company and may be revoked in writing. If a Participant
fails effectively to designate a beneficiary, then the Participant's estate will
be deemed to be the beneficiary.
14. DILUTION AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS.
------------------------------
In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock by
reason of any stock dividend or split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation,
spin-off, reorganization, combination or exchange of shares, or other similar
corporate change, or other increase or decrease in such shares without receipt
or payment of consideration by the Holding Company, or in the event an
extraordinary capital distribution is made, the Committee may make such
adjustments to previously granted Awards, to prevent dilution, diminution, or
enlargement of the rights of the Participant, including any or all of the
following:
(a) adjustments in the aggregate number or kind of shares of Common
Stock or other securities that may underlie future Awards under the
Plan;
(b) adjustments in the aggregate number or kind of shares of Common
Stock or other securities underlying Awards already made under the
Plan;
(c) adjustments in the Exercise Price of outstanding Incentive and/or
Non-Statutory Stock Options.
No such adjustments may, however, materially change the value of benefits
available to a Participant under a previously granted Award. All Awards under
this Plan shall be binding upon any successors or assigns of the Holding
Company. Notwithstanding the above, in the event of an extraordinary capital
distribution, any adjustment under this Section 14 shall be subject to required
approval by the Office of Thrift Supervision.
15. TAX WITHHOLDING.
---------------
(a) Whenever under this Plan, cash or shares of Common Stock are to be
delivered upon exercise or payment of an Award or any other event with respect
to rights and benefits hereunder, the Committee shall be entitled to require as
a condition of delivery (i) that the Participant remit an amount sufficient to
satisfy all federal, state, and local withholding tax requirements related
thereto, (ii) that the withholding of such sums come from compensation otherwise
due to the Participant or from any shares of Common Stock due to the Participant
under this Plan or (iii) any combination of the foregoing PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that no amount shall be withheld from any cash payment or shares of Common Stock
relating to an Award which was transferred by the Participant in accordance with
this Plan.
(b) If any disqualifying disposition described in Section 7(l) is made
with respect to shares of Common Stock acquired under an Incentive Stock Option
granted pursuant to this Plan, or any transfer described in Section 6(c) is
made, or any election described in Section 16 is made, then the person making
such disqualifying disposition, transfer, or election shall remit to the Holding
Company or its Affiliates an amount sufficient to satisfy all federal, state,
and local withholding taxes thereby incurred; provided that, in lieu of or in
addition to the foregoing, the Holding Company or its Affiliates shall have the
right to withhold such sums from compensation otherwise due to the Participant,
or, except in the case of any transfer pursuant to Section 6(c), from any shares
of Common Stock due to the Participant under this Plan.
19
<PAGE> 13
16. NOTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 83(b).
--------------------------------
The Committee may, on the Date of Grant or any later date, prohibit a
Participant from making the election described below. If the Committee has not
prohibited such Participant from making such election, and the Participant
shall, in connection with the exercise of any Option, or the grant of any Stock
Award, make the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code, such
Participant shall notify the Committee of such election within 10 days of filing
notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service, in addition to any
filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under the
authority of Section 83(b) of the Code.
17. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND AWARDS.
--------------------------------
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this Section 17, the Board of
Directors may at any time, and from time to time, modify or amend the Plan in
any respect, prospectively or retroactively; provided however, that provisions
governing grants of Incentive Stock Options shall be submitted for shareholder
approval to the extent required by such law, regulation or otherwise. Failure to
ratify or approve amendments or modifications by shareholders shall be effective
only as to the specific amendment or modification requiring such ratification.
Other provisions of this Plan will remain in full force and effect. No such
termination, modification or amendment may adversely affect the rights of a
Participant under an outstanding Award without the written permission of such
Participant.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this Section 17, the Committee
may amend any Award Agreement, prospectively or retroactively; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that no such amendment shall adversely affect the rights of any
Participant under an outstanding Award without the written consent of such
Participant.
(c) In no event shall the Board of Directors amend the Plan or shall the
Committee amend an Award Agreement in any manner that has the effect of:
(i) Allowing any Option to be granted with an exercise below the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.
(ii) Allowing the exercise price of any Option previously granted
under the Plan to be reduced subsequent to the Date of Award.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Plan or any Award Agreement to the
contrary, if any Award or right under this Plan would, in the opinion of the
Holding Company's accountants, cause a transaction to be ineligible for pooling
of interest accounting that would, but for such Award or right, be eligible for
such accounting treatment, the Committee, at its discretion, may modify, adjust,
eliminate or terminate the Award or right so that pooling of interest accounting
is available.
18. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.
----------------------
The Plan shall become effective upon approval by the Holding Company's
shareholders in accordance with OTS and Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
regulations or October 8, 1999, whichever is earlier. The failure to obtain
shareholder ratification for such purposes will not effect the validity of the
Plan and any Awards made under the Plan; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Plan is
not ratified by stockholders in accordance with IRS regulations, the Plan shall
remain in full force and effect, and any Incentive Stock Options granted under
the Plan shall be deemed to be Non-Statutory Stock Options and any Award
intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code shall not comply with Section
162(m) of the Code.
20
<PAGE> 14
19. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
-----------------------
The right to grant Awards under the Plan will terminate upon the earlier
of: (i) ten (10) years after the Effective Date; (ii) the issuance of a number
of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of Options or the
distribution of Stock Awards (is equivalent to the maximum number of shares
reserved under the Plan as set forth in Section 4 hereof. The Board of Directors
has the right to suspend or terminate the Plan at any time, provided that no
such action will, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect a
Participant's vested rights under a previously granted Award.
20. APPLICABLE LAW.
--------------
The Plan will be administered in accordance with the laws of the state of
Delaware to the extent not pre- empted by applicable federal law.
21. COMPLIANCE WITH OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION REGULATIONS.
--------------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Plan:
(a) No Award under the Plan shall be made which would be prohibited by
12 CFRss.563b.3(g)(4);
(b) Unless the Plan is approved by a majority vote of the outstanding
shares of the total votes eligible to be cast at a duly called
meeting of stockholders to consider the Plan, as required by 12 CFR
ss.563b.3(g)(4)(vii), the Plan shall not become effective or
implemented prior to one year from the date of the Bank's
reorganization.
(c) No Option or Stock Award granted prior to one year from the date of
the Bank's reorganization shall become vested or exercisable at a
rate in excess of 20% per year of the total number of Stock Awards
or Options (whichever may be the case) granted to such Participant,
provided, that Awards shall become fully vested or immediately
exercisable in the event of a Participant's termination of service
due to death or Disability;
(d) No Option or Stock Award granted to any individual Employee prior to
one year from the date of the Bank's reorganization may exceed 25%
of the total amount of Stock Awards or Options (whichever may be the
case) which may be granted under the Plan;
(e) No Option or Stock Award granted to any individual Outside Director
prior to one year from the date of the Bank's reorganization may
exceed 5% of the total amount of Stock Awards or Options (whichever
may be the case) which may be granted under the Plan; and
(f) The aggregate amount of Option or Stock Award granted to all Outside
Directors prior to one year from the date of the Bank's
reorganization may not exceed 30% of the total amount of Stock
Awards or Options (whichever may be the case) which may be granted
under the Plan.
21
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5.0
OPINION OF MULDOON, MURPHY & FAUCETTE LLP
AS TO THE LEGALITY OF THE COMMON STOCK REGISTERED HEREBY
<PAGE> 2
August 9, 1999
Board of Directors
West Essex Bancorp, Inc.
417 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, New Jersey 07006
Re: West Essex Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock-Based Incentive Plan Registration
Statement on Form S-8 for Offer and Sale of 258,595 Shares of Common
Stock
Gentlemen:
We have been requested by West Essex Bancorp, Inc., a federal
corporation, (the "Company") to issue a legal opinion in connection with the
registration under the Securities Act of 1933 on Form S-8 of 258,595 shares of
the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Shares"), that may be
issued under the West Essex Bancorp, Inc. 1999 Stock-Based Incentive Plan (the
"Plan").
We have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries as we
deemed advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion. In our examination,
we have assumed and have not verified (i) the genuineness of all signatures,
(ii) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (iii) the
conformity to the originals of all documents supplied to us as copies, and (iv)
the accuracy and completeness of all corporate records and documents and of all
certificates and statements of fact, in each case given or made available to us
by the Company or its subsidiary, West Essex Bank.
Based on the foregoing and limited in all respects to federal law, it is
our opinion that the Shares reserved under the Plan have been duly authorized
and upon payment for and issuance of the Shares in the manner described in the
Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
<PAGE> 3
We note that, although certain portions of the registration statement on
Form S-8 (the financial statements and schedules) have been included therein
(through incorporation by reference) on the authority of "experts" within the
meaning of the Securities Act, we are not experts with respect to any portion of
the Registration Statement, including without limitation the financial
statements or schedules or the other financial information or data included
therein.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to, and the
reference to this firm in, the Company's registration statement on Form S-8.
Very truly yours,
/s/MULDOON, MURPHY & FAUCETTE LLP
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF MULDOON, MURPHY & FAUCETTE LLP
(CONTAINED IN THE OPINION AS EXHIBIT 5)
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF RADICS & CO., LLC
<PAGE> 2
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
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The Board of Directors
West Essex Bancorp, Inc.
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement on Form
S-8 of West Essex Bancorp, Inc. of our report dated February 5, 1999, relating
to the consolidated statements of financial condition of West Essex Bancorp,
Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related
consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1998, together with related notes and to the reference
to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Registration Statement.
/s/ Radics & Co., LLC
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Radics & Co., LLC
Pine Brook, New Jersey
August 9, 1999
