Except to the extent superseded by laws of the United States, the laws of Texas will be controlling in all matters relating to the Plan without regard to the choice of law principles therein. The Plan and all Awards are intended to comply, and will be construed by the Bank in a manner in which they are exempt from or comply with the applicable provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To the extent there is any conflict between a provision of the Plan or an Award and a provision of Code Section 409A, the applicable provision of Code Section 409A will control.