Filed by the Registrant x | Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
o
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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o
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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x
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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o
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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o
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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CHEVIOT FINANCIAL CORP. |
(Name
of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
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x
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No
fee required.
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||
o
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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(1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
N/A
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(2)
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
N/A
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(3)
|
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule | ||
0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |||
N/A | |||
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(4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction: N/A
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(5)
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Total
fee paid: N/A
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|||
o
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the | ||
filing
for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify
the previous filing by registration statement number,
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|||
or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing:
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|||
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(1)
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Amount
previously paid: N/A
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(2)
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.: N/A
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(3)
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Filing
party: N/A
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(4)
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Date
Filed: N/A
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1.
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To
elect two directors each to serve a three year term;
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2.
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To
ratify the selection of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm; and
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3.
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To
consider any other matters that may properly come before the meeting
or
any adjournments or postponements of the
meeting.
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By
Order of the Board of Directors
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James
E. Williamson
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Executive
Secretary
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Cheviot,
Ohio
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March
26, 2007
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Name
and Address of
|
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Amount
and Nature of
|
|
|
||||
Beneficial
Owner(1)
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Beneficial
Ownership
|
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Percent
of Class(2)
|
||||
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|||||||
Cheviot
Mutual Holding Company
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5,455,313
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55.00
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%
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|||||
Cheviot
Financial Corp. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”)
|
357,075
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(3)
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3.60
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%
|
||||
Steven
R. Hausfeld
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2,377
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(4)
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*
|
|||||
Edward
L. Kleemeier
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23,918
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(5)
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*
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Thomas
J. Linneman
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93,968
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(6)
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*
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John
T. Smith
|
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27,490
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(7)
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|
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*
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Robert
L. Thomas
|
|
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22,690
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(8)
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|
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*
|
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James
E. Williamson
|
|
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19,789
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(9)
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*
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Deborah
A. Fischer
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34,756
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(10)
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*
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|||||
Kevin
M. Kappa
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61,645
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(11)
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|
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*
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Jeffrey
J. Lenzer
|
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49,112
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(12)
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|
|
*
|
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Scott
T. Smith
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53,844
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(13)
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*
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|||||
All
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (10 persons)
|
|
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389,589
|
(14)
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|
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3.93
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%
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*
|
Indicates
beneficial ownership of less than 1%.
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(1)
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The
address of all persons listed is: c/o Cheviot Financial Corp., 3723
Glenmore Avenue, Cheviot, Ohio 45211.
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(2)
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Based
on 9,918,751 shares of common stock outstanding on March 15,
2007.
|
(3)
|
These
shares are held in a suspense account and are allocated among participants
annually on the basis of compensation as the ESOP debt is repaid.
As of
the Record Date, 107,121 shares have been allocated to ESOP
participants. Messrs. Thomas J. Linneman and Scott T. Smith have
been
appointed to serve as ESOP Administrator for the ESOP. First Bankers
Trust
is the ESOP Trustee. The ESOP Committee directs the vote of all
unallocated shares and shares allocated to participants if timely
voting
directions are not received for such shares. Messrs. Linneman and
Smith
disclaim beneficial ownership for share voted by the ESOP
Committee.
|
(4)
|
These
shares include 200 shares as to which Mr. Hausfeld has shared voting
and investment power. Includes 285 shares of restricted stock and
options
to acquire 892 shares which were exercisable within 60 days of the
Record
Date.
|
(5)
|
These
shares include 1,428 shares owned by jointly Mr. Kleemeier’s spouse
and a third person for which he does not have voting or investment
power
and disclaims beneficial ownership. Includes 3,570 shares of
restricted stock and options to acquire 8,920 shares which were
exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
|
(6)
|
These
shares include 12,500 shares owned by Mr. Linneman’s spouse for
which he does not have voting or investment power and as to which
he
disclaims beneficial ownership, and 11,118 ESOP shares over which
Mr. Linneman has shared voting power, but no investment power. In
addition, includes 17,850 shares of restricted stock and options to
acquire 40,000 shares which are exercisable within 60 days of the
Record Date. (Footnotes continued on next
page)
|
(7)
|
These
shares include (a) 2,500 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Smith’s
spouse for which he does not have voting or investment power and
as to
which he disclaims beneficial ownership and (b) 12,500 shares of
common stock held for the benefit of Mr. Smith under the Hawkstone
Retirement Plan. Includes 3,570 shares of restricted stock and
options to acquire 8,920 shares of common stock which were
exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
|
(8)
|
Includes
3,570 shares of restricted stock and options to acquire 8,920
shares of common stock which were exercisable within 60 days of the
Record
Date.
|
(9)
|
These
shares include 877 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Williamson’s
spouse for which he does not have voting or investment power. Includes
3,570 shares of restricted stock and options to acquire 8,920
shares of common stock which were exercisable within 60 days of the
Record
Date.
|
(10)
|
These
shares include 5,567 shares owned by Mrs. Fischer’s spouse for which she
does not have voting or investment power and as to which she disclaims
beneficial ownership, and 4,371 ESOP shares. Includes 2,140 shares
of
restricted stock and options to acquire 4,800 shares which are exercisable
within 60 days of the Record Date.
|
(11)
|
These
shares include (a) 8,385 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Kappa’s
spouse for which he does not have voting or investment power and
as to
which he disclaims beneficial ownership and (b) 2,801 shares of
common stock allocated to Mr. Kappa’s account under the Cheviot Savings
Bank 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan and (c) 6,699 ESOP shares.
Includes 10,700 shares of restricted stock and options to acquire
23,200 shares which are exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date.
|
(12)
|
These
shares include 4,402 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Lenzer’s
spouse for which he does not have voting or investment power and
as to
which he disclaims beneficial ownership and 7,066 ESOP shares.
Includes 9,042 shares of restricted stock and options to acquire
24,200 shares which are exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date.
|
(13)
|
These
shares include 11,750 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Smith’s
spouse for which he does not have voting or investment power, 1,500
shares owned by Mr. Smith’s children and 5,704 ESOP shares. Includes
7,140 shares of restricted stock and options to acquire 16,000
shares which are exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date.
|
(14)
|
These
shares include shares of common stock held directly as well as by
spouses
or minor children, in trust and other indirect ownership. In the
aggregate, our directors and executive officers disclaim beneficial
ownership of and do not have voting or investment power for 43,542
of the shares.
|
Summary
Compensation Table
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Name
and
Principal
Position
|
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
Stock
awards(1)
($)
|
|
Option
awards(2)
($)
|
|
All
other compensation ($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|||||||||
Thomas
J. Linneman,
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
2006
|
$
|
187,916(3)
|
|
$
|
14,094
|
$
|
103,262
|
$
|
67,200
|
$
|
48,633(8)
|
|
$
|
421,105
|
|||||||
Kevin
M. Kappa,
Vice
President--Compliance of the Bank
|
2006
|
$
|
107,940(4)
|
|
$
|
8,096
|
$
|
61,900
|
$
|
38,976
|
$
|
30,160(9)
|
|
$
|
247,072
|
|||||||
Jeffrey
J. Lenzer,
Vice
President--
Operations
of the Bank
|
2006
|
$
|
120,003(5)
|
|
$
|
9,000
|
$
|
61,900
|
$
|
40,656
|
$
|
32,709(10)
|
|
$
|
264,268
|
|||||||
Scott
T. Smith,
Chief
Financial Officer of the Bank
|
2006
|
$
|
97,904(6)
|
|
$
|
7,343
|
$
|
41,305
|
$
|
26,880
|
$
|
25,480(11)
|
|
$
|
198,912
|
|||||||
Deborah
A. Fischer,
Vice
President of Lending
|
2006
|
$
|
84,148(7)
|
|
$
|
6,311
|
$
|
12,380
|
$
|
8,064
|
$
|
18,146(12)
|
|
$
|
129,049
|
(1)
|
The
amounts reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement
reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, in
accordance with FAS 123 (R) of awards pursuant to the Stock-Based
Incentive Plan and this includes amounts from awards granted prior
to 2006.
|
(2)
|
The
amounts reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement
reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, in
accordance with FAS 123 (R) of awards pursuant to the Stock-Based
Incentive Plan and this includes amounts from awards granted prior
to
2006.
|
(3)
|
The
amounts include salary earned during the fiscal year ended December
31,
2006. In relation to the salary amounts earned Mr. Linneman contributed
$4,122 to the Bank’s 401(k) Plan.
|
(4)
|
The
amounts include salary earned during the fiscal year ended December
31,
2006. In relation to the salary amounts earned Mr. Kappa contributed
$11,128 to the Bank’s 401(k) Plan.
|
(5)
|
The
amounts include salary earned during the fiscal year ended December
31,
2006. In relation to the salary amounts earned Mr. Lenzer contributed
$8,229 to the Bank’s 401(k) Plan.
|
(6)
|
The
amounts include salary earned during the fiscal year ended December
31,
2006. In relation to the salary amounts earned Mr. Smith contributed
$11,208 to the Bank’s 401(k) Plan.
|
(7)
|
The
amounts shown include s alary earned during the fiscal year ended
December
31, 2006. In relation to the salary amounts earned Mrs. Fischer
contributed $15,000 to the Bank’s 401(k)
Plan.
|
(8)
|
The
amounts include dividends paid on stock awards, contributions by
the Bank
to the Bank’s 401(k) Plan and ESOP plan and premiums paid
on behalf of Mr. Linneman of $11,156, $13,580, $23,323 and
$574.
|
(9)
|
The
amounts include dividends paid on stock awards, contributions by
the Bank
to the Bank’s 401(k) Plan and ESOP plan and premiums paid
on behalf of Mr. Kappa of $6,688, $9,715, $13,380 and
$377.
|
(10)
|
The
amounts include dividends paid on stock awards, contributions by
the Bank
to the Bank’s 401(k) Plan and ESOP plan and premiums paid
on behalf of Mr. Lenzer of $6,688, $10,930, $14,841 and
$250.
|
(11)
|
The
amounts include dividends paid on stock awards, contributions by
the Bank
to the Bank’s 401(k) Plan and ESOP plan and premiums paid
on behalf of Mr. Smith of $4,463, $8,674, $12,129 and
$214.
|
(12)
|
The
amounts include dividends paid on stock awards, contributions by
the Bank
to the Bank’s 401(k) Plan and ESOP plan and premiums paid
on behalf of Mrs. Fischer of $1,338, $6,385, $9,987 and
$436.
|
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Option
awards
|
Stock
awards
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name
|
Number
of securities
underlying
unexercised options (#) exercisable
|
Number
of securities underlying unexercised options (#)(1)
unexercisable
|
Equity
incentive plan awards: number of securities underlying unexercised
earned
options (#)
|
|
Option
exercise price ($)
|
|
Option
expiration
date
|
Number
of shares or units of stock that have not vested
(#)(2)
|
|
Market
value of shares or units of stock that have not vested ($)
|
|
Equity
incentive plan awards: number of unearned shares, units or other
rights
that have not vested (#)
|
|
Equity
incentive plan awards: market or payout value of unearned shares,
units or
other rights that have not
vested
($)
|
|
|||||||||||||
Thomas
J. Linneman,
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
20,000
|
80,000
|
—
|
$
|
11.15
|
5/5/2015
|
35,700
|
$
|
471,954
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
||||||||||||||||
Kevin
M. Kappa,
Vice
President--Compliance of the Bank
|
11,600
|
46,400
|
—
|
$
|
11.15
|
5/5/2015
|
21,400
|
$
|
282,908
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
||||||||||||||||
Jeffrey
J. Lenzer,
Vice
President--
Operations
of the Bank
|
12,100
|
48,400
|
—
|
$
|
11.15
|
5/5/2015
|
21,400
|
$
|
282,908
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
||||||||||||||||
Scott
T. Smith,
Chief
Financial Officer of the Bank
|
8,000
|
32,000
|
—
|
$
|
11.15
|
5/5/2015
|
14,280
|
$
|
188,782
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
||||||||||||||||
Deborah
A. Fischer,
Vice
President of Lending
|
2,400
|
9,600
|
—
|
$
|
11.15
|
5/5/2015
|
4,280
|
$
|
56,582
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
(1) | All options awards listed above vest at a rate of 20% per year over the first five years commencing on May 5, 2005 of the ten year option term. |
(2)
|
All
stock awards listed above vest at a rate of 20% per year over five
years
commencing on May 5, 2005.
|
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
|
|||||||||||||
Option
awards
|
Stock
awards
|
||||||||||||
Name
|
Number
of shares acquired on exercise (#)
|
|
Value
realized on exercise ($)
|
|
Number
of shares acquired on vesting (#)
|
|
Value
realized on vesting ($)
|
|
|||||
Thomas
J. Linneman,
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
—
|
—
|
8,925
|
$
|
106,654
|
||||||||
Kevin
M. Kappa,
Vice
President--Compliance
|
—
|
—
|
5,350
|
$
|
63,933
|
||||||||
Jeffrey
J. Lenzer,
Vice
President--
Operations
|
—
|
—
|
5,350
|
$
|
63,933
|
||||||||
Scott
T. Smith,
Chief
Financial Officer
|
—
|
—
|
3,570
|
$
|
42,622
|
||||||||
Deborah
A. Fischer,
Vice
President of Lending
|
—
|
—
|
1,070
|
$
|
12,787
|
Director
Compensation
|
Name
|
Fees
earned or paid in cash ($)
|
|
Stock
awards
($)(1)
|
|
Option
awards
($)(2)
|
|
Non-equity
incentive plan compensation ($)
|
|
Change
in pension value and non-qualified deferred compensation
earnings
($)
|
|
All
other compensation ($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
||||||||
Steven
R. Hausfeld
|
$
|
19,000
|
$
|
10,992
|
$
|
1,766
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
31,758
|
|||||||||
Edward
L. Kleemier
|
$
|
19,000
|
$
|
20,652
|
$
|
14,986
|
—
|
$
|
4,868
|
$
|
2,231(3
|
)
|
$
|
61,737
|
||||||||
John
T. Smith
|
$
|
19,000
|
$
|
20,652
|
$
|
14,986
|
—
|
$
|
2,979
|
$
|
2,231(3
|
)
|
$
|
59,848
|
||||||||
Robert
L. Thomas
|
$
|
19,000
|
$
|
20,652
|
$
|
14,986
|
—
|
$
|
3,430
|
$
|
8,654(4
|
)
|
$
|
66,722
|
||||||||
James
E. Williamson
|
$
|
19,000
|
$
|
20,652
|
$
|
14,986
|
—
|
$
|
2,996
|
$
|
7,253(5
|
)
|
$
|
64,887
|
(1) | The amounts reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 12006, in accordance with FAS 123(R) of awards pursuant to the Stock-Based Incentive Plan and thus may include amounts from awards granted prior to 2006 |
(2)
|
The
amounts reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement
reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 12006,
in
accordance with FAS 123(R) of awards pursuant to the Stock-Based
Incentive
Plan and thus may include amounts from awards granted prior
to 2006.
|
(3) | The amounts reflect dividends paid on stock awards during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. |
(4)
|
The
amounts reflect dividends paid on stock awards during the fiscal
year
ended December 31, 2006 totaling $2,231. It also includes $6,423
which represents 50% of health insurance premiums paid by the
Company.
|
(5) | The amounts reflect dividends paid on stock awards during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 totaling $2,231. It also includes $5,022 which represents 50% of health insurance premiums paid by the Company. |
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Audit
Fees
|
$
|
54,900
|
$
|
46,900
|
|||
Audit
Related Fees
|
19,415
|
23,436
|
|||||
Tax
Fees
|
4,843
|
5,000
|
|||||
All
Other Fees
|
—
|
—
|
|||||
$
|
79,158
|
$
|
75,336
|
|
By
Order of the Board of Directors
|
|
James
E. Williamson
|
|
Executive
Secretary
|
March
26, 2007
|
|
FOR
|
WITHHELD
|
||||
1.
|
The
election as Directors of the nominees listed below each to serve
for a
three-year term.
Edward
L. Kleemeier
James
E. Williamson
INSTRUCTION:
To withhold your vote for one or more nominees, write the name of
the
nominee(s)
on the line(s) below.
__________________________________
__________________________________
|
o
|
o
|
|||
FOR
|
WITHHELD
|
ABSTAIN
|
||||
2.
|
The
ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending
December
31, 2007.
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
Dated: ________________________ |
o
|
Check
Box if You Plan
to
Attend Annual Meeting
|
|
|
PRINT
NAME OF SHAREHOLDER
|
PRINT NAME OF SHAREHOLDER |
PRINT
NAME OF SHAREHOLDER
|
SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER |