EXHIBIT 10.1
Form of Employment Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and
Michael J. Chewens made as of June 1, 2000
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made and entered into as of
the first day of June, 2000, by and between MICHAEL J. CHEWENS ("Executive") and
NBT BANCORP INC., a Delaware corporation having its principal office in Norwich,
New York ("NBTB")
W I T N E S S E T H T H A T :
WHEREAS, Executive is an executive vice president and the chief
financial officer of NBTB and NBT Bank, National Association, a national banking
association which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBTB ("NBT Bank");
WHEREAS, NBTB desires to secure the continued employment of Executive,
subject to the provisions of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Executive is desirous of entering into the Agreement for such
periods and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
and agreements hereinafter set forth, intending to be legally bound, the parties
agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT; RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES.
(a) NBTB hereby agrees to employ Executive and to cause NBT
Bank and any successor organization to NBT Bank to employ Executive, and
Executive hereby agrees to serve as an executive vice president and the chief
financial officer of NBTB and NBT Bank, and of any successor organization to
NBTB or NBT Bank, as applicable, during the Term of Employment. Executive shall
have such executive duties, responsibilities, and authority as shall be set
forth in the bylaws of NBTB and NBT Bank or as may otherwise be determined by
NBTB. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall report directly to the
chief executive officer of NBTB.
(b) Executive shall devote his full working time and best efforts to the
performance of his responsibilities and duties hereunder. During the Term of
Employment, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board
of Directors of NBTB, render services as an employee, independent contractor, or
otherwise, whether or not compensated, to any person or entity other than NBTB
or its affiliates; provided that Executive may, where involvement in such
activities does not individually or in the aggregate significantly interfere
with the performance by Executive of his duties or violate the provisions of
section 4 hereof, (i) render services to charitable organizations, (ii) manage
his personal investments, and (iii) with the prior permission of the Board of
Directors of NBTB or the president and chief executive officer of NBTB, hold
such other directorships or part-time academic appointments or have such other
business affiliations as would otherwise be prohibited under this section 1.
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2. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) The term of this Agreement ("Term of Employment") shall be
the period commencing on the date of this Agreement (the "Commencement Date")
and continuing until the Termination Date, which shall mean the earliest to
occur of:
(i) January 1, 2003, provided, however, that on
January 1, 2002, and on each January 1 thereafter, the Term of Employment shall
automatically extend itself by one additional year;
(ii) the death of Executive;
(iii) Executive's inability to perform his duties
hereunder, as a result of physical or mental disability as reasonably determined
by the personal physician of Executive, for a period of at least 180 consecutive
days or for at least 180 days during any period of twelve consecutive months
during the Term of Employment; or
(iv) the discharge of Executive by NBTB "for
cause," which shall mean one or more of the following:
(A) any willful or gross misconduct by
Executive with respect to the business and affairs of NBTB or NBT Bank, or with
respect to any of its affiliates for which Executive is assigned material
responsibilities or duties;
(B) the conviction of Executive of a
felony (after the earlier of the expiration of any applicable appeal period
without perfection of an appeal by Executive or the denial of any appeal as to
which no further appeal or review is available to Executive) whether or not
committed in the course of his employment by NBTB;
(C) Executive's willful neglect,
failure, or refusal to carry out his duties hereunder in a reasonable manner
(other than any such failure resulting from disability or death or from
termination by Executive for Good Reason, as hereinafter defined) after a
written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Executive that
specifically identifies the manner in which NBTB believes that Executive has not
substantially performed his duties and Executive has not resumed substantial
performance of his duties on a continuous basis within thirty days of receiving
such demand; or
(D) the breach by Executive of any
representation or warranty in section 6(a) hereof or of any agreement contained
in section 1, 4, 5, or 6(b) hereof, which breach is material and adverse to NBTB
or any of its affiliates for which Executive is assigned material
responsibilities or duties; or
(v) Executive's resignation from his position as
executive vice president and chief financial officer of NBTB or NBT Bank other
than for "Good Reason," as hereinafter defined; or
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(vi) the termination of Executive's employment by
NBTB "without cause," which shall be for any reason other than those set forth
in subsections (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (v) of this section 2(a), at any time,
upon the thirtieth day following notice to Executive; or
(vii) Executive's resignation for "Good Reason."
"Good Reason" shall mean, without Executive's express written consent,
reassignment of Executive to a position other than executive vice president and
chief financial officer of NBTB or NBT Bank other than for "Cause," or a
decrease in the amount or level of Executive's salary or benefits from the
amount or level established in section 3 hereof.
(b) In the event that the Term of Employment shall be
terminated for any reason other than that set forth in section 2(a)(vi) or
2(a)(vii) hereof, Executive shall be entitled to receive, upon the occurrence of
any such event:
(i) any salary (as hereinafter defined) payable
pursuant to section 3(a)(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the
Termination Date; and
(ii) such rights as Executive shall have accrued
as of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans or arrangements in which
he participates pursuant to section 3(b) hereof, any right to reimbursement for
expenses accrued as of the Termination Date payable pursuant to section 3(g)
hereof, and the right to receive the cash equivalent of paid annual leave and
sick leave accrued as of the Termination Date pursuant to section 3(d) hereof,
and
(c) In the event that the Term of Employment shall be
terminated for the reason set forth in section 2(a)(vi) or 2(a)(vii) hereof,
Executive shall be entitled to receive:
(i) any salary payable pursuant to section 3(a)
(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the Termination Date, and, for the
period commencing on the date immediately following the Termination Date and
ending upon and including the latest of the third anniversary of the
Commencement Date, the date to which the Term of Employment shall (as of the
Termination Date) have automatically extended itself under section 2(a)(i)
hereof, or the first anniversary of the Termination Date, salary payable at the
rate established pursuant to section 3(a)(i) hereof, in a manner consistent with
the normal payroll practices of NBTB with respect to executive personnel as
presently in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time;
(ii) such rights as Executive may have accrued as
of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans or arrangements in which he
participates pursuant to section 3(b) hereof, any right to reimbursement for
expenses accrued as of the Termination Date payable pursuant to section 3(g)
hereof, and the right to receive the cash equivalent of paid annual leave and
sick leave accrued as of the Termination Date pursuant to section 3(d) hereof;
and
(iii) if, within eighteen (18) months following
the Termination Date, Executive should sell his principal residence in the
Binghamton Ranally Metropolitan Area as determined by Rand McNally & Company
(the "Binghamton RMA") and relocate to a place outside of the Binghamton RMA,
(A) reimbursement for any shortfall between the net proceeds on the sale of his
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principal residence and the purchase price, including direct, necessary and
reasonable transaction costs incurred in connection with such purchase, as
determined by the controller's division of NBT Bank, for such residence, and
including direct, necessary and reasonable expenses, as determined by the
controller's division of NBT Bank, incurred to prepare the residence for sale,
(B) reimbursement for direct, necessary and reasonable expenses, as determined
by the controller's division of NBT Bank, incurred in connection with the sale
of such residence not already included as part of the reimbursement under (A)
above, and (C) an amount necessary to pay all federal, state and local income
taxes resulting from any reimbursement made pursuant to (A) and (B) (including
any additional federal, state and local income taxes resulting from the payment
hereunder of such taxes), the intent being that Executive shall be paid an
additional amount (the "Gross-Up") such that the net amount retained by the
Executive, after deduction of such federal, state and local income taxes
resulting from the reimbursement under (A) and (B) shall be equal to the amount
of the reimbursement under (A) and (B) before payment of such taxes; for
purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up, Executive shall be deemed to
pay federal, state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
taxation in effect in the calendar year in which the reimbursement is made.
Amounts due under this subsection shall be paid as soon as administratively
practicable, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the date of the
sale of Executive's principal residence.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Executive is
reimbursed, entitled to reimbursement, or is paid any amounts by an entity or
entities other than NBTB or NBT Bank of any affiliate or successor thereof (the
"Third Party"), for any amounts for which Executive has received, or is entitled
to receive, reimbursement under (A) or (B) above with respect to the sale of his
principal residence or any Gross-Up under (C) above, the Executive agrees:
(1) with regard to amounts already paid by NBTB or NBT Bank or any
affiliate or successor thereof (hereinafter referred to collectively as
the "Company"), the Executive shall notify the Company of all amounts
received or due from the Third Party, and shall reimburse the Company
in an amount equal to the amount so received or due from the Third
Party up to the amount the Company paid to the Executive under (A),
(B), and (C) above; and
(2) with regard to amounts due but not yet paid by the Company to the
Executive, the Executive shall notify the Company of any amounts
received or due from the Third Party, and the Executive agrees that the
Company shall reduce the amount due under (A), (B), and (C) above by
the amount the Executive has been paid or is entitled to be paid by the
Third Party up to the amount due the Executive from the Company.
(d) Any provision of this section 2 to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event that the employment of Executive with NBTB is
terminated in any situation described in section 3 of the change-in-control
letter agreement dated January 1, 2000 between NBTB and Executive (the
"Change-in-Control Agreement") so as to entitle Executive to a severance payment
and other benefits described in section 3 of the Change-in-Control Agreement,
then Executive shall be entitled to receive the following, and no more, under
this section 2:
(i) any salary payable pursuant to section 3(a)
(i) hereof which shall have accrued as of the Termination Date;
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(ii) such rights as Executive shall have accrued
as of the Termination Date under the terms of any plans or arrangements in which
he participates pursuant to section 3(b) hereof, any right to reimbursement for
expenses accrued as of the Termination Date payable pursuant to section 3(g)
hereof, and the right to receive the cash equivalent of paid annual leave and
sick leave accrued as of the Termination Date pursuant to section 3(d) hereof;
(iii) the severance payment and other benefits
provided in the Change- in-Control Agreement; and
(iv) if, within eighteen (18) months following
the Termination Date, Executive should sell his principal residence in the
Binghamton RMA and relocate to a place outside of the Binghamton RMA, (A)
reimbursement for any shortfall between the net proceeds on the sale of his
principal residence and the purchase price, including direct, necessary and
reasonable transaction costs incurred in connection with such purchase, as
determined by the controller's division of NBT Bank, for such residence, and
including direct, necessary and reasonable expenses, as determined by the
controller's division of NBT Bank, incurred to prepare the residence for sale,
(B) reimbursement for direct, necessary and reasonable expenses, as determined
by the controller's division of NBT Bank, incurred in connection with the sale
of such residence not already included as part of the reimbursement under (A)
above, and (C) the Gross-Up, the intent being that the net amount retained by
the Executive, after deduction of such federal, state and local income taxes
resulting from the reimbursement under (A) and (B) shall be equal to the amount
of the reimbursement under (A) and (B) before payment of such taxes; for
purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up, Executive shall be deemed to
pay federal, state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
taxation in effect in the calendar year in which the reimbursement is made.
Amounts due under this subsection shall be paid as soon as administratively
practicable, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the date of the
sale of Executive's principal residence.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Executive is
reimbursed, entitled to reimbursement, or is paid any amounts by a Third Party,
for any amounts for which Executive has received, or is entitled to receive,
reimbursement under (A) or (B) above with respect to the sale of his principal
residence or any Gross-Up under (C) above, the Executive agrees:
(1) with regard to amounts already paid by the Company, the Executive shall
notify the Company of all amounts received or due from the Third Party,
and shall reimburse the Company in an amount equal to the amount so
received or due from the Third Party up to the amount the Company paid
to the Executive under (A), (B), and (C) above; and
(2) with regard to amounts due but not yet paid by the Company to the
Executive, the Executive shall notify the Company of any amounts
received or due from the Third Party, and the Executive agrees that the
Company shall reduce the amount due under (A), (B), and (C) above by
the amount the Executive has been paid or is entitled to be paid by the
Third Party up to the amount due the Executive from the Company.
3. COMPENSATION. For the services to be performed by Executive
for NBTB and its affiliates under this Agreement, Executive shall be compensated
in the following manner:
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(a) SALARY. During the Term of Employment:
(i) NBTB shall pay Executive a salary which, on
an annual basis, shall not be less than $190,000 during the Term of Employment,
assuming Executive performs competently. Salary shall be payable in accordance
with the normal payroll practices of NBTB with respect to executive personnel as
presently in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time.
(ii) Executive shall be entitled to annual salary
increases of 8 percent during the Term of Employment, beginning in January 2001,
and shall be eligible to be considered for further salary increases, upon
review, in accordance with the compensation policies of NBTB with respect to
executive personnel as presently in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB
from time to time.
(iii) Executive shall be eligible to be considered
for performance bonuses of up to 50 percent of salary, in accordance with the
compensation policies of NBTB with respect to executive personnel as presently
in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from time to time.
(b) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS OR ARRANGEMENTS. During the Term of
Employment, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee benefit
plans of NBTB, as presently in effect or as they may be modified by NBTB from
time to time, under such terms as may be applicable to officers of Executive's
rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates, including, without limitation, plans
providing retirement benefits, stock options, medical insurance, life insurance,
disability insurance, and accidental death or dismemberment insurance, provided
that there be no duplication of such benefits as are provided under any other
provision of this Agreement.
(c) STOCK OPTIONS. Each January or February annually during
the Term of Employment, NBTB will cause Executive to be granted a non-statutory
("non-qualified") stock option (each an "Option") to purchase the number of
shares of the common stock of NBTB, $0.01 par value (the "NBTB Common Stock"),
pursuant to the NBT Bancorp Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan, as amended, or any
appropriate successor plan (the "Stock Option Plan"), computed by dividing 200
percent of the annualized salary of Executive on the date of grant of the Option
by the "Fair Market Value" of NBTB Common Stock (as defined in the Stock Option
Plan). The option exercise price per share of the shares subject to each Option
shall be such Fair Market Value, and the terms, conditions of exercise, and
vesting schedule of such Option shall be as set forth in section 8 of the Stock
Option Plan.
(d) VACATION AND SICK LEAVE. During the Term of Employment,
Executive shall be entitled to paid annual vacation periods and sick leave in
accordance with the policies of NBTB as in effect as of the Commencement Date or
as may be modified by NBTB from time to time as may be applicable to officers of
Executive's rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates, but in no event less than
four weeks of paid vacation per year.
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(e) COUNTRY CLUB DUES. During the Term of Employment,
Executive shall be reimbursed for dues and assessments incurred in relation to
Executive's membership at [ ].
(f) WITHHOLDING. All compensation to be paid to
Executive hereunder shall be subject to required withholding and other taxes.
(g) EXPENSES. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall
be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred or paid by
Executive in connection with the performance of his services under this
Agreement, upon presentation of expense statements or vouchers or such other
supporting information as may from time to time be requested, in accordance with
such policies of NBTB as are in effect as of the Commencement Date and as may be
modified by NBTB from time to time, under such terms as may be applicable to
officers of Executive's rank employed by NBTB or its affiliates.
4. CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS INFORMATION; NON-COMPETITION.
(a) Executive acknowledges that certain business methods,
creative techniques, and technical data of NBTB and its affiliates and the like
are deemed by NBTB to be and are in fact confidential business information of
NBTB or its affiliates or are entrusted to third parties. Such confidential
information includes but is not limited to procedures, methods, sales
relationships developed while in the service of NBTB or its affiliates,
knowledge of customers and their requirements, marketing plans, marketing
information, studies, forecasts, and surveys, competitive analyses, mailing and
marketing lists, new business proposals, lists of vendors, consultants, and
other persons who render service or provide material to NBTB or NBT Bank or
their affiliates, and compositions, ideas, plans, and methods belonging to or
related to the affairs of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates. In this regard,
NBTB asserts proprietary rights in all of its business information and that of
its affiliates except for such information as is clearly in the public domain.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, information that would be generally known or
available to persons skilled in Executive's fields shall be considered to be
"clearly in the public domain" for the purposes of the preceding sentence.
Executive agrees that he will not disclose or divulge to any third party, except
as may be required by his duties hereunder, by law, regulation, or order of a
court or government authority, or as directed by NBTB, nor shall he use to the
detriment of NBTB or its affiliates or use in any business or on behalf of any
business competitive with or substantially similar to any business of NBTB or
NBT Bank or their affiliates, any confidential business information obtained
during the course of his employment by NBTB. The foregoing shall not be
construed as restricting Executive from disclosing such information to the
employees of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates. On or before the Termination
Date, Executive shall promptly deliver to NBTB any and all tangible,
confidential information in his possession.
(b) Executive hereby agrees that from the Commencement Date
until the first anniversary of the Termination Date, Executive will not (i)
interfere with the relationship of NBTB or NBT Bank or their affiliates with any
of their employees, suppliers, agents, or representatives (including, without
limitation, causing or helping another business to hire any employee of NBTB or
NBT Bank or their affiliates), or (ii) directly or indirectly divert or attempt
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to divert from NBTB, NBT Bank or their affiliates any business in which any of
them has been actively engaged during the Term of Employment, nor interfere with
the relationship of NBTB, NBT Bank or their affiliates with any of their
customers or prospective customers. This paragraph 4(b) shall not, in and of
itself, prohibit Executive from engaging in the banking, trust, or financial
services business in any capacity, including that of an owner or employee.
(c) Executive acknowledges and agrees that irreparable injury
will result to NBTB in the event of a breach of any of the provisions of this
section 4 (the "Designated Provisions") and that NBTB will have no adequate
remedy at law with respect thereto. Accordingly, in the event of a material
breach of any Designated Provision, and in addition to any other legal or
equitable remedy NBTB may have, NBTB shall be entitled to the entry of a
preliminary and permanent injunction (including, without limitation, specific
performance) by a court of competent jurisdiction in Chenango County, New York,
or elsewhere, to restrain the violation or breach thereof by Executive, and
Executive submits to the jurisdiction of such court in any such action.
(d) It is the desire and intent of the parties that the
provisions of this section 4 shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible
under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which
enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this section
4 shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be
deemed amended to delete therefrom the portion thus adjudicated to be invalid or
unenforceable, such deletion to apply only with respect to the operation of such
provision in the particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. In
addition, should any court determine that the provisions of this section 4 shall
be unenforceable with respect to scope, duration, or geographic area, such court
shall be empowered to substitute, to the extent enforceable, provisions similar
hereto or other provisions so as to provide to NBTB, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, the benefits intended by this section 4.
5. LIFE INSURANCE. In light of the unusual abilities and experience of
Executive, NBTB in its discretion may apply for and procure as owner and for its
own benefit insurance on the life of Executive, in such amount and in such form
as NBTB may choose. NBTB shall make all payments for such insurance and shall
receive all benefits from it. Executive shall have no interest whatsoever in any
such policy or policies but, at the request of NBTB, shall submit to medical
examinations and supply such information and execute such documents as may
reasonably be required by the insurance company or companies to which NBTB has
applied for insurance.
6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
(a) Executive represents and warrants to NBTB that his
execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement will not result in or
constitute a breach of or conflict with any term, covenant, condition, or
provision of any commitment, contract, or other agreement or instrument,
including, without limitation, any other employment agreement, to which
Executive is or has been a party.
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(b) Executive shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless NBTB
for, from, and against any and all losses, claims, suits, damages, expenses, or
liabilities, including court costs and counsel fees, which NBTB has incurred or
to which NBTB may become subject, insofar as such losses, claims, suits,
damages, expenses, liabilities, costs, or fees arise out of or are based upon
any failure of any representation or warranty of Executive in section 6(a)
hereof to be true and correct when made.
7. NOTICES. All notices, consents, waivers, or other communications
which are required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and deemed to have
been duly given if delivered personally or by messenger, transmitted by telex or
telegram, by express courier, or sent by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid. All communications shall be addressed to the
appropriate address of each party as follows:
If to NBTB:
NBT Bancorp Inc.
52 South Broad Street
Norwich, New York 13815
Attention: Mr. Daryl R. Forsythe
President and Chief Executive Officer
With a required copy to:
Brian D. Alprin, Esq.
Duane, Morris & Heckscher LLP
1667 K Street, N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20006
If to Executive:
Mr. Michael J. Chewens
124 Cassie Drive
Norwich, New York 13815
All such notices shall be deemed to have been given on the date delivered,
transmitted, or mailed in the manner provided above.
8. ASSIGNMENT. Neither party may assign this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder without the consent of the other party.
9. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to the principles of conflict of law thereof. The parties hereby
designate Chenango County, New York to be the proper jurisdiction and venue for
any suit or action arising out of this Agreement. Each of the parties consents
to personal jurisdiction in such venue for such a proceeding and agrees that it
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may be served with process in any action with respect to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated thereby by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, or to its registered agent for service of process in the
State of New York. Each of the parties irrevocably and unconditionally waives
and agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by law, not to plead any objection
that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue or the convenience of
the forum of any action or claim with respect to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated thereby brought in the courts aforesaid.
10. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire
understanding among NBTB and Executive relating to the subject matter hereof.
Any previous agreements or understandings between the parties hereto or between
Executive and NBT Bank or any of its affiliates regarding the subject matter
hereof, including without limitation the terms and conditions of employment,
compensation, benefits, retirement, competition following employment, and the
like, are merged into and superseded by this Agreement. Neither this Agreement
nor any provisions hereof can be modified, changed, discharged, or terminated
except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom any waiver,
change, discharge, or termination is sought.
11. ILLEGALITY; SEVERABILITY.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, this Agreement is not intended and shall not be construed to
require any payment to Executive which would violate any federal or state
statute or regulation, including without limitation the "golden parachute
payment regulations" of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation codified to
Part 359 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations.
(b) If any provision or provisions of this Agreement
shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason
whatsoever:
(i) the validity, legality, and enforceability
of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation,
each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held
to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby; and
(ii) to the fullest extent possible, the
provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any
section of this Agreement containing any such provisions held to be invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent
manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable.
12. ARBITRATION. Subject to the right of each party to seek specific
performance (which right shall not be subject to arbitration), if a dispute
arises out of or related to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, such dispute
shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"). A dispute subject to the
provisions of this section will exist if either party notifies the other party
in writing that a dispute subject to arbitration exists and states, with
reasonable specificity, the issue subject to arbitration (the "Arbitration
Notice"). The parties agree that, after the issuance of the Arbitration Notice,
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the parties will try in good faith to resolve the dispute by mediation in
accordance with the Commercial Rules of Arbitration of AAA between the date of
the issuance of the Arbitration Notice and the date the dispute is set for
arbitration. If the dispute is not settled by the date set for arbitration, then
any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement or the breach hereof
shall be resolved by binding arbitration and judgment upon any award rendered by
arbitrator(s) may be entered in a court having jurisdiction. Any person serving
as a mediator or arbitrator must have at least ten years' experience in
resolving commercial disputes through arbitration. In the event any claim or
dispute involves an amount in excess of $100,000, either party may request that
the matter be heard by a panel of three arbitrators; otherwise all matters
subject to arbitration shall be heard and resolved by a single arbitrator. The
arbitrator shall have the same power to compel the attendance of witnesses and
to order the production of documents or other materials and to enforce discovery
as could be exercised by a United States District Court judge sitting in the
Northern District of New York. In the event of any arbitration, each party shall
have a reasonable right to conduct discovery to the same extent permitted by the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, provided that such discovery shall be
concluded within ninety days after the date the matter is set for arbitration.
In the event of any arbitration, the arbitrator or arbitrators shall have the
power to award reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party. Any provision
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, this section shall be
governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and the parties have entered into this
Agreement pursuant to such Act.
13. COSTS OF LITIGATION. In the event litigation is commenced to
enforce any of the provisions hereof, or to obtain declaratory relief in
connection with any of the provisions hereof, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees. In the event this Agreement is
asserted in any litigation as a defense to any liability, claim, demand, action,
cause of action, or right asserted in such litigation, the party prevailing on
the issue of that defense shall be entitled to recovery of reasonable attorney's
fees.
14. AFFILIATION. A company will be deemed to be "affiliated" with
NBTB or NBT Bank according to the definition of "Affiliate" set forth in Rule
12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
15. HEADINGS. The section and subsection headings herein have
been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall in no way modify or
restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto executed or caused this
Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
NBT BANCORP INC.
By: /S/ DARYL R. FORSYTHE
Daryl R. Forsythe
President and Chief Executive Officer
MICHAEL J. CHEWENS
/S/ MICHAEL J. CHEWENS
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