UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  June 11, 2009

 

HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (408) 947-6900

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o		Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o		Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

Item 5.02                                           Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On June 11, 2009, Heritage Commerce Corp (“Company”) and Heritage Bank of Commerce, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Bank”), entered into an Employment Agreement with Dan T. Kawamoto to be the Executive Vice-President/Chief Administrative Officer of the Company and the Bank.  The employment contract becomes effective on July 13, 2009 when Mr. Kawamoto will commence his employment.  The agreement is for one year and is automatically renewed annually for one year terms.  Mr. Kawamoto will receive an annual salary of $240,000 with annual increases, if any, as determined by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors Compensation Committee’s annual review of executive salaries.  Mr. Kawamoto will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Management Incentive Compensation Plan.  Mr. Kawamoto will also be eligible to participate in Company’s 401(k) plan, under which he may receive matching contributions.  He will also have the option to participate in Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  Mr. Kawamoto will receive at no cost to him group life, health, accident and disability insurance coverage for himself and his dependents.  Mr. Kawamoto will also receive an automobile allowance in the amount of $700 per month, together with reimbursements for gasoline and up to $2,400 per year for automobile repairs and maintenance.

 

Mr. Kawamoto will receive stock options to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under the Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Plan at an exercise price determined at the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant (July 13, 2009 when Mr. Kawamoto commences his employment).

 

If Mr. Kawamoto’s employment is terminated without Cause, he will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to one times the sum of his Base Salary and his Highest Annual Bonus.  During a Change of Control Period if Mr. Kawamoto’s employment is terminated or there occurs, without Mr. Kawamoto’s written consent, a material adverse change in the nature and scope of his position, responsibilities, duties or a change of 10 miles or more in his location of employment, or any material reduction in his compensation or benefits and Mr. Kawamoto voluntarily terminates his employment (a good reason resignation), he will be entitled to a lump sum payment of two times the sum of this Base Salary and his Highest Annual Bonus.  Mr. Kawamoto is entitled to participate in or receive benefits under each benefit plan or arrangement applicable to the other executive officers; provided, however, that if his employment agreement is terminated without Cause, these benefits will continue for an additional 12 months from the date of termination.  If Mr. Kawamoto’s employment is terminated as a result of a Change in Control during the Change of Control Period, or for a good reason resignation as a result of a Change in Control, these benefits will continue for an additional 24 months from the date of termination.

 

In the event that the amounts payable to Mr. Kawamoto under the agreement constitute an excess parachute payment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that are subject to an exercise or similar tax, the amounts payable to Mr. Kawamoto will be increased so that he receives substantially the same economic benefit under the agreement had there been no such tax imposed.

 

The employment agreement provides that the payment of any amounts under the agreement are subject to the requirements of the Emergency Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and any regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) so long as the Treasury owns the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock.

 

Additionally, following the termination of his employment, Mr. Kawamoto has agreed to refrain from certain activities that would be competitive with the Company and the Bank within the counties in California in which the Bank has located its headquarters or branch offices.

 

A copy of the employment agreement is attached to this report as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01.                                         Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(D)                               Exhibits

 

10.1                           Dan T. Kawamoto Employment Agreement dated June 11, 2009

99.1                           Press Release dated June 15, 2009

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

	HERITAGE COMMERCE CORP
DATED: June 15, 2009	By:	/s/ Walter Kaczmarek
		Walter Kaczmarek
		Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit		Description
10.1		Dan T. Kawamoto Employment Agreement dated June 11, 2009
99.1		Press Release dated June 15, 2009

 

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