Bank may assign this Agreement and its rights hereunder, and may delegate is duties and obligations under this Agreement, in each case without the consent of Employee, including by way of merger. This Agreement is a personal contract, and neither this Agreement nor the rights, interest, duties, or obligations of Employee hereunder may be assigned or delegated by Employee. Subject to the preceding provisions of this Section 12 , this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.