The Illinois Stock Option Agreement between Northern Bank of Commerce and Cowling Ban corporation is a legally binding contract that outlines the terms and conditions of stock options granted to employees or individuals associated with the two entities. This agreement allows employees the right to purchase a specified number of shares of their employer's stock at a predetermined price (the exercise price) within a specified period. Keywords: Illinois Stock Option Agreement, Northern Bank of Commerce, Cowling Ban corporation, stock options, terms and conditions, employees, exercise price. There may be different types of Illinois Stock Option Agreements between Northern Bank of Commerce and Cowling Ban corporation, depending on the specifics and variations in terms. Some possible variations or types include: 1. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement: This type of agreement grants employees the right to purchase company stock at a predetermined price. The option price paid for the stock is subject to ordinary income tax upon exercise. 2. Incentive Stock Option Agreement: These agreements are granted to employees as an incentive and can have tax advantages. They allow employees to purchase company stock at a predetermined price, and if certain holding period requirements are met, the gain from the sale of the stock may be taxed at a lower capital gains rate. 3. Restricted Stock Option Agreement: This type of agreement grants stock options that are subject to certain restrictions or conditions. These restrictions might include a vesting period, which means the stock options cannot be exercised until a specified period has passed or specific performance goals have been achieved. 4. Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement: While not technically a stock option agreement, Stock Appreciation Rights (SARS) agreements are similar in that they provide employees with the ability to benefit from the appreciation in the company's stock price. Instead of granting actual stock options, SARS agreements provide employees with cash or stock equity equal to the increase in the stock price. These are just a few examples of potential Illinois Stock Option Agreements between Northern Bank of Commerce and Cowling Ban corporation. The specific terms and conditions of each agreement would vary based on factors such as the employee's position, duration of the agreement, and the goals and objectives of the organizations involved.