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Scor Holding (Switzerland) Ltd – ‘20-F’ for 12/31/06 – EX-4.51

On:  Thursday, 6/14/07, at 1:19pm ET   ·   For:  12/31/06   ·   Accession #:  1156973-7-968   ·   File #:  1-15268

Previous ‘20-F’:  ‘20-F’ on 6/29/06 for 12/31/05   ·   Latest ‘20-F’:  This Filing

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  As Of                Filer                Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size              Issuer               Agent

 6/14/07  Scor Holding (Switzerland) Ltd    20-F       12/31/06   15:3.4M                                   Bowne - Bol/FA

Annual Report of a Foreign Private Issuer   —   Form 20-F
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 20-F        Annual Report of a Foreign Private Issuer           HTML   1.82M 
 2: EX-1.2      Underwriting Agreement                              HTML    188K 
 3: EX-1.3      Underwriting Agreement                              HTML     45K 
 4: EX-4.47     Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML    237K 
 5: EX-4.48     Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML    113K 
 6: EX-4.49     Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML    223K 
 7: EX-4.50     Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML     34K 
 8: EX-4.51     Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML     36K 
 9: EX-4.52     Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML     69K 
10: EX-4.53     Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML    226K 
11: EX-7.1      Letter re: Non-Reliance upon a Previously Issued    HTML     14K 
                          Audit Report or Completed Interim Review               
12: EX-8.1      Opinion re: Tax Matters                             HTML      9K 
13: EX-12.1     Statement re: Computation of Ratios                 HTML     12K 
14: EX-12.2     Statement re: Computation of Ratios                 HTML     12K 
15: EX-13.0     Annual or Quarterly Report to Security Holders      HTML     10K 


EX-4.51   —   Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders


This exhibit is an HTML Document rendered as filed.  [ Alternative Formats ]



  exv4w51  

 

Exhibit 4.51
Standard Stock Option Plan
of Converium Holding AG, Zug, Switzerland
December 2006
1   Introduction
 
1.1   The Converium Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) is an incentive scheme of Converium Holding AG, Zug, Switzerland (the “Company”).
 
1.2   The Plan shall provide an increased incentive for selected employees and members of the board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) of the Company and of its subsidiaries to contribute to the future success and prosperity of the Company, which will enhance the value of the stock of the Company for the benefit of the Company’s shareholders and increase the ability of the Company to attract and retain employees of exceptional skill and experience.
 
1.3   The Plan shall provide these employees and members of the Board of Directors an opportunity to obtain options to acquire shares of the Company (the “Shares”). An option shall mean a right granted under this Plan to purchase one Share (the “Option(s)”). The Options will be issued by the Company.
 
1.4   All rights and obligations of the participant(s) in the Plan (the “Participant(s)”) are as described in these terms and conditions of the Plan.
 
2   Participation in the Plan
 
2.1   Eligible Participants of this Plan are generally selected executive staff and other key personal as well as members of the Board of Directors. Participants will be determined by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) and/or other bodies of the Converium group.
 
2.2   The holding of one of the positions mentioned in clause 2.1 shall grant no right to participate or to a continued participation in the Plan or to employment with the Company or a subsidiary of the Company. The Committee shall have full discretion to elect persons other than those mentioned in clause 2.1 as Participants.
Standard Stock Option Plan rev. December 2006
1/6

 



 

3   Grant of Options
 
3.1   Options are granted to Participants free of charge, subject to any payments made on
 
3.2   account of social insurance, pension fund or similar contributions or other payments or deductions to be made by an employer on salary payments in general which payments or deductions will be shared between the Participant and the Company (or other employer of the Participant) on the same basis as ordinary salary payments of Participants of the relevant employer (or fees of members of the Board of Directors).
 
3.3   Depending on the Plan, Option grants are scheduled to take place once or twice a year. The time of the grant of Options and the number of Options granted to a Participant will be determined by the Committee and/or other bodies of the Converium group and communicated to each Participant in the form of a grant notice (the “Grant Notice”). The Grant Notice shall also set forth the other terms and conditions of the Options which are not specified in this Plan. In the event of any discrepancy between the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice and those of this Plan, the terms and conditions of the Grant Notice shall prevail.
 
4   Strike Price of Options
 
    The strike price of a particular Option is the price at which one Share may be purchased under the Option (the “Strike Price”). The Strike Price will be as set forth in the Grant Notice and shall in general correspond to the closing price of the Shares on the SWX Swiss Exchange on or about the date of the Grant Notice or the closing price of the Shares on the SWX Swiss Exchange on the beginning and/or end of the respective grant period.
 
5   Exercise of Options
 
5.1   Subject to Section 7, Options may be exercised in one or more installments at any time after the expiry of the applicable vesting period until the expiration of the Options as stated in the relevant Grant Notice.
 
5.2   In order to exercise Options, Participants will have to complete and send to the plan administrator appointed by the Committee (the “Plan Administrator”) an exercise notice (the “Exercise Notice”). Upon receipt of the duly completed exercise notice by the Plan Administrator, the exercise of the respective Options will become binding on and irrevocable by the Participant.
 
5.3   Unless provided for differently in the Grant Notice, the Participant shall, at the time of sending the exercise notice, transfer the Strike Price applicable to the Options exercised to the bank account indicated in the Exercise Notice. If the exercise of the Options and/or the delivery of the Shares is, at the time of exercise, subject to stamp duty,
Standard Stock Option Plan rev. December 2006
2/6

 



 

    similar tax or levy, the Participant shall, simultaneously with the transfer of the Strike Price, also transfer the amount necessary to pay such stamp duty, similar tax or levy. The Plan Administrator will inform the Participants from time to time accordingly.
 
6   Delivery of Shares
 
6.1   The Shares will be delivered as soon as possible after receipt by the Plan Administrator of the Exercise Notice and with all rights (such as dividend rights) pertaining to such Shares on the date of delivery. Delivery of the Shares on that date is conditional upon receipt by the Plan Administrator of a duly completed Exercise Notice and the Strike Price applicable to the Options exercised (as well as stamp duty, similar tax or levy, if any).
 
6.2   The Shares will be delivered to the securities account of the Participant opened with the Plan Administrator or its correspondent bank.
 
7   Vesting Period
 
7.1   The right to the Options is conditional upon the Participant being an Employee (as defined below) on the dates specified in the Grant Notice under “Vesting”:
 
    For the purposes of this Section 7, the expression “Employee” shall mean a Participant who is employed (and who is not an employee with an hourly wage) by the Company, a company directly or indirectly controlled by the Company (or any other company or business as determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion), provided, however, that on the relevant date, no notice of termination has been given or termination agreement concluded in respect of the employment agreement of such Employee, other than as provided for in Section 7.2.3. A transfer of an Employee from the Company or an affiliated company to the Company or another affiliated company, and a leave of absence, duly authorized in writing by the relevant employer, for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Committee shall not be deemed a termination of employment unless employment is terminated during such leave of absence.
 
7.2   Disregarding the provisions of Section 7.1, the right of a Participant to the Options shall become unconditional at the time one of the following events occurs:
  7.2.1   Normal retirement of the Participant;
 
  7.2.2   permanent disability of the Participant, as determined by the Company;
 
  7.2.3   death of the Participant;
 
  7.2.4   termination of employment based on grounds for which the employer of the Participant, the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries are solely responsible;
 
  7.2.5   transfer of a Participant from the Company or an affiliated company to the Company or another affiliated company in another tax jurisdiction, if the
Standard Stock Option Plan rev. December 2006
3/6

 



 

     Committee decides, in its sole discretion, that the right of a Participant to the Options shall become unconditional.
    1If a Participant ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than those set out in Section 7.2.1 and 7.2.2, the Options held by such Participant or its successors may be only exercised within three months after such event (one year in case of death) and not later than their expiration date as stated in the relevant Grant Notice. Options not exercised during this three months period (one year in case of death) shall lapse.
 
8   Adjustment of the Plan and of Options
 
8.1   In the event of a Potential Adjustment Event (as defined below), the Board of Directors of the Company shall, if deemed necessary by the Board of Directors, adjust the rights under the Plan and the Options outstanding, by applying adjustment methods customary in the market at that time. For the purposes hereof, a “Potential Adjustment Event” includes:
  8.1.1   a sub-division, consolidation or reclassification of the Shares;
 
  8.1.2   a grant or distribution to existing holders of Shares of subscription or other rights for the acquisition of Shares or other securities or rights granting the right to payment of dividends and/or the proceeds of liquidation of the Company, in any case for free or for payment (cash or other) at less than the prevailing market price as determined by the Committee;
 
  8.1.3   a reduction of the share capital or of other securities or rights granting the right to payment of dividends and/or the proceeds of liquidation of the Company (in any case by way of a cancellation of Shares or such other securities or rights);
 
  8.1.4   any similar event that may have a diluting or concentrative effect on the market value of the Shares;
 
  8.1.5   a consolidation, amalgamation or merger of the Company, in which the Company is not the continuing corporation;
 
  8.1.6   a sale by the Company of all or substantially all of its business and / or assets to a person or entity which is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company;
8.2   In the event of a Potential Adjustment Event, the Board of Directors shall also have the right to decide that Options shall vest or to terminate the Plan and buy back or cancel outstanding Options against such cash or other compensation to the Participants as the Board of Directors shall determine in its sole discretion.
8.3   Any Additional Taxes (as defined below) that may be imposed on the Participant as a
 
1   amended August 23, 2003
Standard Stock Option Plan rev. December 2006
4/6

 



 

    result of such a modification of the terms and conditions of the Options or of the Plan and/or, following such modification, an exercise of Options, shall be borne by the Company. In this context, “Additional Taxes” means such taxes, social contributions and similar duties in excess of those which would have been borne by the Participant absent such a modification of the terms and conditions of the Options.
 
9   Take-over situation1
Upon the occurrence of a Take-over Situation (as defined below) all outstanding Options granted shall immediately vest. For the purposes hereof, a “Take-over Situation” shall mean the conclusion of a binding tender offer for more than 33 1/3 per cent of the total voting power (whether exercisable or not) of the Company by a person (or two or more persons acting in concert), provided that the conditions, if any, for such offer have been met or waived.
10   Taxes / Social Security / Brokerage Fees
 
10.1   All taxes, duties and similar charges imposed or levied in connection with the exercise of Options and the holding and transfer of Shares, such as stamp duties, value added taxes, direct taxes of the Participant (excluding direct taxes imposed on the Company or the relevant employer), will be payable by the Participant.
 
10.2   Unless provided for differently in the Grant Notice, all payments on account of social insurance, pension fund or similar contributions to be made in connection with the exercise of Options, the holding of Shares as a result of such exercise and the transfer or disposal of Shares acquired through the exercise of Options will be payable by the Participant.
 
10.3   All brokerage fees charged by the Plan Administrator in connection with the exercise of Options and the transfer of the Shares resulting from such exercise to the account of the Participant with the Plan Administrator or its correspondent bank will be borne by the Company. Brokerage fees and costs and expenses related to a later transfer or sale of such Shares will be borne by the Participant.
 
11   Transfer Restriction / Forfeiture
 
11.1   The Options granted under the Plan may not be transferred or pledged by the Participant, except that the Board of Directors, in its absolute discretion, may permit a transfer or pledge thereof, which transfer or pledge shall become effective only upon registration thereof in the relevant register.
 
11.2   Grant Notices may provide for immediate forfeiture of an Option, or Shares acquired upon exercise of an Option, or clawback of any gain realized thereon, in the event that
 
1   inserted April 20, 2004/amended by NRC on November 29, 2006
Standard Stock Option Plan rev. December 2006
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    the relevant Participant engages in activities inimical to the interests of the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries, as determined by the Committee.
 
12   No Segregation
 
    The Company will not and shall not be required to segregate any Shares or any cash which may at any time be represented by the Options and the Plan shall constitute an unfunded plan of the Company.
 
13   Amendment and Administration of the Plan
 
13.1   The Board of Directors shall have the right to amend or terminate the Plan or to decide on modifications thereof in a particular case at any time. On termination, the Plan remains applicable to Options outstanding at that time unless such Options are terminated by the Board of Directors at the same time.
 
13.2   Unless provided for differently in this Plan, decisions with respect to this Plan shall be taken by the Committee who shall delegate administrative functions to the Plan Administrator.
 
13.3   The Plan Administrator shall administer the Plan and maintain a register setting out, inter alia, the details of each Participant and the number of vested and unvested Options to which such Participant is entitled to, showing their vesting date and expiration date and Strike Price.
 
13.4   The Plan Administrator shall establish rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, in particular the exercise of Options, the allotment of Shares and the sale or transfer of Shares.
 
14   Applicable law / jurisdiction
 
14.1   The Plan and the rights granted thereunder shall be subject to and governed by Swiss law.
 
14.2   Exclusive place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Plan shall, to the extent legally possible, be the commercial courts of Zurich, Switzerland.
 
15   Acceptance of the Plan
 
    By accepting any Option or any related right, the Participant explicitly accepts the terms and conditions of the Plan, in particular the choice of law and jurisdiction clause.
Standard Stock Option Plan rev. December 2006
6/6

 


Dates Referenced Herein   and   Documents Incorporated by Reference

This ‘20-F’ Filing    Date    Other Filings
Filed on:6/14/07
For Period End:12/31/066-K
11/29/066-K
4/20/04
8/23/03
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Filing Submission 0001156973-07-000968   –   Alternative Formats (Word / Rich Text, HTML, Plain Text, et al.)

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