Definitive Proxy Statement
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Farmers National Banc Corp.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP.
20 SOUTH BROAD STREET
CANFIELD, OHIO 44406
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Thursday,
June 17, 2010
3:30 p.m. Eastern Time
TO THE HOLDERS OF COMMON SHARES:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a call of its Board of Directors, a Special Meeting of
the Shareholders (the Special Meeting) of FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP. (the Corporation) will be
held at St. Michaels Family Life Center, 340 North Broad
Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406 on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at three-thirty
oclock (3:30) P.M., Eastern Time, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the following
matters:
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To amend Article IV of the Corporations Articles of Incorporation, as amended
(the Articles), to authorize the issuance of 1,000,000 preferred shares as described
in the accompanying Proxy Statement. |
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To amend Article XIII of the Articles to eliminate pre-emptive rights as
described in the accompanying Proxy Statement. |
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To amend Article XIV of the Articles to eliminate shareholder approval required
to leverage the assets of the Corporation to secure payment or performance of any
contract, note, bond or other obligation of the Corporation as described in the
accompanying Proxy Statement. |
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To amend the Articles to add Article XVI to provide for simple majority voting
to amend the Articles as described in the accompanying Proxy Statement. |
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To amend Article XI of the Corporations Code of Regulations, as amended (the
Code of Regulations), to permit the directors to further amend the Code of
Regulations without shareholder consent to the extent permitted by Ohio law as
described in the accompanying Proxy Statement. |
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To amend Article II, Section 6 of the Code of Regulations to provide that those
shareholders present in person, by proxy, or by the use of communications equipment at
any meeting of the shareholders shall constitute a quorum as described in the
accompanying Proxy Statement. |
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To approve and adopt the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan, as described in the
accompanying Proxy Statement. |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting
or any adjournment thereof. |
Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 19, 2010 are the only shareholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting.
The Corporation is pleased to announce that pursuant to recent Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC) rules pertaining to e-proxies the enclosed proxy materials will also be
available to our shareholders on the Internet at
http://www.fnbcanfield.com/privacy/SpecialProxy.html.
You are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting in person. However, to ensure that
your vote is counted at the Special Meeting, please vote as promptly as possible.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Frank L. Paden, President & Secretary
Canfield, Ohio
May
14, 2010
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO BE
PRESENT IN PERSON AT THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND COMPLETE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND
RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE.
2
FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP.
20 SOUTH BROAD STREET
CANFIELD, OHIO 44406
PROXY STATEMENT
JUNE 17, 2010 SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Time and Place of the Meeting
Farmers National Banc Corp. (hereinafter referred to as Farmers or the Corporation) is
furnishing this Proxy Statement to you in connection with the solicitation, by order of the Board
of Directors of the Corporation (the Board), of proxies to be used at a Special Meeting of
Shareholders (the Special Meeting) to be held on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 3:30 P.M., Eastern
Time, at St. Michaels Family Life Center, 340 North Broad Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406, and at any adjournments thereof. This
Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Special Meeting are being mailed to shareholders on
or about May 14, 2010.
The Corporation is a multi-bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act
of 1956, as amended. The Corporation has three subsidiaries, Farmers National Bank of Canfield (the
Bank), an independent community bank with 16 offices; Farmers Trust Company, a non-depository
trust bank; and Farmers National Insurance, LLC. The Corporation and its subsidiaries operate in
one industry, domestic banking.
Purpose of the Special Meeting
The Special Meeting is being held to approve the proposed amendments to the Corporations
Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the Articles), and to the Corporations Code of
Regulations, as amended (Code of Regulations), and to adopt the Corporations 2010 Replacement
Equity Plan.
What matters will be voted upon at the Special Meeting?
Shareholders will be voting on the following matters:
1. To amend Article IV of the Articles to authorize a class of 1,000,000 Preferred Shares,
without par value (Preferred Shares), which may be issued in one or more series, with such
rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions as shall be fixed by the Board,
available for issuance by the Corporation (Proposal 1).
2. To amend Article XIII of the Articles to eliminate pre-emptive rights (Proposal 2).
3. To amend Article XIV of the Articles to eliminate shareholder approval required to leverage
the assets of the Corporation to secure payment or performance of any contract, note, bond or other
obligation of the Corporation (Proposal 3).
4. To add Article XVI to the Articles to provide for simple majority voting to amend the
Articles, unless otherwise expressly provided therein (Proposal 4).
5. To amend Article XI of the Code of Regulations to permit the Board to amend the Code of
Regulations without shareholder consent to the extent permitted by Ohio law (Proposal 5).
6. To amend Article II, Section 6 of the Code of Regulations to provide that those
shareholders present in person, by proxy, or by the use of communications equipment at any meeting
of the shareholders shall constitute a quorum (Proposal 6).
7. To approve and adopt the Corporations 2010 Replacement Equity Plan (Proposal 7).
1
Why does the Corporation need to amend its Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations?
In order to provide the Corporation with the necessary flexibility to timely adapt to the ever
changing financial and regulatory landscape, the Board believes that the Corporations governance
documents should be updated. The Corporations current Articles and Code of Regulations limit the
Corporations ability to timely and efficiently raise capital, respond to economic conditions, and
act to hinder the Corporations competitive position within its geographic market.
The current Articles do not provide for the issuance of preferred shares, require the
Corporation to satisfy limited pre-emptive rights prior to the issuance for sale of securities for
cash, require shareholder approval prior to leveraging the assets of the Corporation and limit the
Corporations ability to timely and efficiently respond to changes in the market and its own
capital needs.
In view of the current national and local economic conditions and continuing turmoil in the
financial markets, the Corporation believes that the proposed amendments are necessary to
strengthen the Corporation, grant it the necessary authority to issue additional equity to solidify
the Bank as a well-capitalized bank for regulatory purposes and respond quickly and efficiently
to the capital and corporate needs of the Corporation, while adding value for the Corporations
shareholders and enhancing the Corporations competitive position.
Why does the Corporation need shareholders to adopt the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan?
The Corporations previous stock option plan expired in March 2009. Since then, the
Corporation has been unable to grant stock options to members of its executive team, its employees
or its directors upon whose judgment, skill and effort the Corporations success depends. Offering
stock options to employees is a part of the overall compensation program approved by the Board.
The 2010 Replacement Equity Plan was recently presented for shareholder approval at the
Corporations 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on March 13, 2010. Approval by the shareholders
holding a majority of the shares was required to approve the plan. While those voting on the plan
approved the plan by a better than 3 to 1 margin; the volume of votes was not sufficient to approve
the plan. For that reason, the Board has submitted the plan to shareholders for approval with
additional time before the Special Meeting to obtain the required number of approval votes.
The Corporation believes that the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan is necessary to attract and
retain the services of a qualified team of employees, executives and directors. Without
shareholder approval, the Corporation is unable to offer participant in the plan incentive stock
options as part of their compensation plan. This will hinder our ability to compete for talented
employees within our geographic region and banking peer group.
The authorization of the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan would not, by itself, authorize the
award of any stock options or shares to any employee, executive or director. No awards have been
made under the plan. No discretionary awards to employees or directors are currently contemplated.
Upon approval of the plan, an equity award to an employee under the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan
may only be authorized by the Compensation Committee of the Board. Also, the amounts of any
equity awards to non-employee members of the Board must be established by the entire Board.
In view of the fact that the Corporation is unable to currently offer stock options as a part
of its compensation plan, the Corporation believes that the proposed 2010 Replacement Equity Plan
is necessary to strengthen the Corporation, grant it the necessary authority to issue stock options
to its employees, executives and directors and allow the Banks equity compensation packages to be
competitive with its industry peers.
2
What will happen if the proposed amendments to the Corporations Articles of Incorporation and Code
of Regulations are not adopted?
Failure by the shareholders to approve the proposed amendments to the Articles and Code of
Regulations set forth in Proposals 1-6 will prevent the Corporation from accessing a potential
source of capital to improve the Corporations capital position and will diminish the Corporations
ability to timely and efficiently respond to current economic and financial conditions.
What will happen if the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan is not adopted?
Failure by the shareholders to approve the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan set forth in Proposal
7 will prevent the Corporation from providing its employees, executives and directors a key element
of compensation as part of an overall integrated, balanced, fair, and competitive compensation
plan.
How many votes are needed to approve the Proposals?
The vote required to approve each of the proposals that are scheduled to be presented at the
Special Meeting is as follows:
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Vote Required |
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Proposals 1, 2, and 4
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Proposals 1, 2 and 4 each require the affirmative
vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding
common shares. Abstentions and broker non-votes with
respect to a proposal will have the same effect as
votes against the proposal. |
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Proposal 3
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Proposal 3 requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of seventy-five percent (75%) of the
outstanding common shares. Abstentions and broker
non-votes with respect to a proposal will have the
same effect as votes against the proposal. |
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Proposals 5, 6 and 7
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Proposals 5 and 6 to amend the Code of Regulations
and Proposal 7 to adopt the 2010 Replacement Equity
Plan each require the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding common
shares. Abstentions and broker non-votes with
respect to a proposal will have the same effect as
votes against the proposal. |
What constitutes a quorum for the Special Meeting?
Under the Code of Regulations, the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a majority of
the voting power of the Corporation, present in person or represented by proxy, constitute a
quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as being present for purposes of determining
the presence of a quorum.
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How can I vote my shares?
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Vote by Telephone |
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Vote by Internet |
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Vote by Mail |
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Vote in Person |
Call Toll-Free
1-800-690-6903
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Vote online at:
www.proxyvote.com
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Sign and return
your proxy in the
postage paid
envelope provided
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Appear and vote in
person on
June 17, 2010 |
Voting Procedure
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 19, 2010 will be entitled to
vote at the Special Meeting. As of April 19, 2010, the Corporation had issued and outstanding
13,546,248 common shares held by approximately 3,750 shareholders of record eligible to vote. Each
outstanding share entitles the record holder to one vote. It is important that your shares be
represented at the Special Meeting, regardless of the number of shares you may own. We would
appreciate you signing and returning the enclosed proxy or voting by one of the methods indicated
above. The shares represented by each proxy that are properly executed and returned to the
Corporation will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated in such proxy. If no
instructions are indicated, shares represented by your proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1-7.
The proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise, by delivering notice of revocation
or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the Treasurer of the Corporation at any time
before the proxy is voted. In addition, shareholders who attend the Special Meeting in person may
vote their stock even though they may have sent in a proxy. No officer or employee of the
Corporation may be named as a proxy. If you received two or more proxy forms because of a
difference in addresses or registration of shareholdings, each should be executed and returned in
order to assure a complete tabulation of shares.
The Corporation will appoint two employees to act as inspectors for the purpose of tabulating
the votes cast by proxy. Broker non-votes and abstentions are not treated as votes cast for
purposes of any of the matters to be voted on at the meeting. The Board knows of no other business
that will be presented for consideration at the Special Meeting other than the matters described in
this Proxy Statement. If any other matters should come before the meeting, the proxy holders will
vote upon them in accordance with their best judgment.
Can the Proxy materials be accessed electronically?
Compliant with rules adopted by the SEC, the Corporation has elected to provide its
shareholders with a hard copy of all of its proxy materials as it has previously provided in the
past and also provide its shareholders with access to its proxy materials over the Internet at
http://www.fnbcanfield.com/privacy/SpecialProxy.html. Accordingly, a Notice of Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials (the Notice), the proxy statement and the form of proxy are being
mailed on or about May 14, 2010, or as soon thereafter as practicable to all shareholders entitled
to vote at the meeting. All shareholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on
the website referred to in the Notice. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the
Internet may be found in the Notice.
Who is paying for the cost of this proxy solicitation?
The Corporation will bear the cost for solicitation of proxies for the Special Meeting.
Brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries may be requested to forward
soliciting material to their principals and to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies.
The Corporation will, upon request, reimburse brokerage firms, and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for the execution of proxies and for their expenses in forwarding proxy material to
their principals.
4
In addition to use of mails, proxies may be solicited by officers, directors, and employees of
Farmers by personal interview, telephone or other forms of direct communication. Morrow and Co.,
LLC has been engaged to solicit proxies on behalf of the Corporation for a fee, excluding expenses,
of approximately $10,000.
Who could help answer my questions about proxy materials, the Special Meeting or the procedures for
voting my shares?
Shareholders who have questions about proxy materials or need additional copies or require
assistance with the procedures for voting shares may call our proxy solicitor as follows:
Morrow and Co., LLC
407 West Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
800-607-0088 (toll free)
or the Corporation as follows:
Investor Relations
Farmers National Bank
20 South Broad Street
PO Box 555
Canfield, Ohio 44406
1-888-988-3276 (toll free)
5
PROPOSAL NO. 1
AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IV OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF UP TO
1,000,000 PREFERRED SHARES
Under Proposal 1, the Corporation is asking shareholders to approve an amendment to the
Articles to authorize the issuance of 1,000,000 Preferred Shares, without par value (the Preferred
Shares). The Corporation currently has the authority to issue 25,000,000 shares, but it is not
authorized to issue preferred shares. The Board adopted, subject to shareholder approval, an
amendment to the Articles that authorizes the issuance of 1,000,000 Preferred Shares. The full
text of the proposed amendment is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A, and the
following description is qualified in its entirety by Appendix A. Proposal 1 only
authorizes the issuance of Preferred Shares. Proposal 1 does not make an issuance of such shares.
Terms of the Preferred Shares
Proposal 1 authorizes the Board to provide for the issuance of all or any of the Preferred
Shares in one or more series, specifying the number of shares to be included in the series, the
distinguishing designations of each series and the designations, preferences, limitations and
relative rights, including voting rights, applicable to each series, subject to the limitations of
Ohio law and the Articles. The authority of the Board with respect to each series will include,
without limitation, the right to determine:
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The number of shares constituting such series, including the authority to increase or
decrease such number, and the distinctive designation of the series. |
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The dividend rate, if any, of the series, the conditions and dates upon which any
dividends shall be payable, the relation which the dividends payable on the series shall
bear to the dividends payable on any other class or classes of shares or any other series
of Preferred Shares, and whether the dividends shall be cumulative, noncumulative or
partially cumulative. |
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Whether the shares of the series shall be subject to redemption by the Corporation and
whether such redemption is at the option of the Corporation, the holder of shares of the
series or any other person, and, if made subject to redemption, the times, prices and other
terms and conditions of the redemption. |
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The rights of the holders of the shares of the series upon the dissolution of, or upon
the distribution of assets of, the Corporation, and the amount payable on the shares of the
series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation of the Corporation. |
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The terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of the
shares of the series. |
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Whether or not the shares of the series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for
shares of any other classes or of any other series of any class or classes of shares of the
Corporation and, if provision be made for conversion or exchange, the times, prices, rates,
adjustments, and other terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange. |
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The extent, if any, to which the holders of the shares of the series shall be entitled
to vote with respect to the election of directors or otherwise. |
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Any other rights, preferences or limitations of the shares of such series as may be
permitted by law. |
No further authorization will be required from the shareholders for any of the above-described
actions, except as may be required for a particular transaction by applicable law or regulation.
Under
the proposed amendment, the Corporations capital stock will remain at 25,000,000 authorized
shares, of which 24,000,000 are common shares and 1,000,000 Preferred Shares.
6
Why amend the Articles to authorize the issuance of Preferred Shares?
The Corporation currently has only one authorized class of capital stock, its common shares.
The Board believes that it is advisable to change the Corporations authorized capital to include a
class of Preferred Shares. This will increase the Corporations flexibility to engage in preferred
stock financing on the terms and conditions that it believes are favorable to the Corporation and
desirable to investors, or to enter into arrangements that provide for the potential issuance of
Preferred Shares in the future.
The authorization of Preferred Shares will provide the Corporation with flexibility to raise
capital, structure acquisitions, and to otherwise adequately meet its corporate and capital needs.
The proposed Preferred Shares will allow the Board to determine the exact terms of the series of
preferred shares at the time of issuance and to timely issue such stock to take advantage of market
conditions and other favorable opportunities without incurring the delay and expense associated
with calling a special shareholders meeting to approve a contemplated issuance of shares, thereby
providing the Corporation with maximum flexibility in respect to capital matters. The Corporations
ability to timely raise capital using Preferred Shares is also conditioned upon shareholders
approving Proposal 3 to eliminate pre-emptive rights.
The Board believes the flexibility to issue Preferred Shares can also enhance the
Corporations arms-length bargaining capability on behalf of the Corporations shareholders in a
takeover situation. However, in some circumstances, the ability to designate the rights of, and
issue, Preferred Shares could be used by the Board to make a change in control of the Corporation
more difficult. The Board is not aware of any attempt to take control of the Corporation and the
Board has not presented this proposal to our shareholders with the intent that it be utilized as an
anti-takeover device.
The authorization of additional Preferred Shares would not, by itself, have any effect on your
rights as a shareholder. Your rights as holders of common shares will be subject to, and may be
adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any Preferred Shares that may be issued in the
future. To the extent that dividends would be payable on any issued Preferred Shares, the result
would be to reduce the amount otherwise available for payment of dividends on outstanding common
shares and there might be restrictions placed on the Corporations ability to declare dividends on
the common shares or to repurchase common shares.
The issuance of Preferred Shares having voting rights would dilute the voting power of the
holders of common shares. To the extent that Preferred Shares are convertible into common shares,
the effect, upon such conversion, would also be to dilute the voting power and ownership percentage
of the holders of common shares. In addition, holders of Preferred Shares normally receive superior
rights in the event of any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Corporation, thereby
diminishing the rights of the holders of common shares to distribution of the Corporations assets.
The Corporations management acknowledges that an issuance of Preferred Shares may be a
component in future capital raising initiatives if Proposal 1 passes. However, the terms and
conditions of such an offering have not been determined as of the date of this proxy statement.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of common shares of the Corporation entitling them to
exercise two-thirds of the voting power of such shares is necessary to adopt Proposal 1. Proxies
representing common shares will be voted in favor of this proposal unless otherwise instructed by
the shareholder. Abstentions and shares not voted by brokers and other entities holding shares on
behalf of beneficial owners will have the same effect as votes cast against Proposal 1.
7
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL 1 TO AMEND ARTICLE IV OF THE
CORPORATIONS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF A CLASS OF 1,000,000 PREFERRED
SHARES.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XIII OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO ELIMINATE PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS
Under Proposal 2, the Corporation is asking shareholders to consider and approve an amendment
to the Articles to eliminate pre-emptive rights under Article XIII.
Pre-emptive rights under Article XIII provide shareholders the right to subscribe for
additional shares of stock of the Corporation if additional shares of stock are to be sold for cash
by the Corporation, under limited circumstances. Shareholders may subscribe for additional shares
in proportion to the number of shares of stock owned by them. Pre-emptive rights allow a
shareholder the right to maintain their percentage ownership of a corporation if the corporation
issues additional shares and the shareholder elects to exercise these rights and subscribe for and
purchase additional shares. Currently, upon the offering or sale for cash of shares of stock of
the Corporation, the Corporation must provide shareholders with certain limited pre-emptive rights.
Pre-emptive rights do not exist with respect to shares that are offered or sold that are (i)
treasury shares, (ii) issued as a share dividend, (iii) for consideration other than money, (iv)
issued by the Board, (v) issued upon the conversion of convertible shares; (vi) issued as
satisfaction of pre-emptive rights, or (vii) released from pre-emptive rights. In addition, no
pre-emptive rights are provided if shares are issued in exchange for the outstanding securities of
another corporation or if securities are issued pursuant to the terms of a dividend reinvestment
plan.
The Board believes it is important to maintain maximum flexibility to raise capital from any
appropriate source. The limited pre-emptive rights provision serves as a significant impediment to
any sale of equity or convertible securities to investors. In obtaining capital on the most
advantageous terms, it is extremely important for a Corporation to have available a wide variety of
financing alternatives. The Board believes that the Corporation will be strengthened by an enhanced
ability to negotiate the most favorable financing terms available at potentially critical times in
light of the then prevailing circumstances and market conditions.
The primary effect of current Article XIII is to restrict the Corporations ability to utilize
the most effective means of raising equity capital in a timely and efficient manner. The Board has
determined that the elimination of pre-emptive rights is in the best interests of the Corporation.
The elimination of pre-emptive rights will give the Corporation greater flexibility in raising
additional capital if necessary and provide the Corporation with opportunities in the marketplace
which require the timing of aggressive actions of the Corporation such as the purchase of financial
institutions offered for sale by the FDIC. The Corporation cannot currently react quickly enough
to acquire such institutions if additional capital is required. Elimination of pre-emptive rights
will provide the Corporation the opportunity to consider such corporate opportunities.
In addition, due to the continuing growth in the Banks business and the increase in its
allowance for loan losses associated with current economic conditions, senior management and the
Board have determined that higher levels of capital are appropriate. The OCC concurred in the Boards view that additional capital would be
beneficial in supporting its continued growth and operations. As a result, effective February 2,
2010, the OCC proposed and the Bank accepted the following individual minimum capital requirements
for the Bank: Tier I Capital to Adjusted Total Assets of 7.20% and Total Capital to Risk-Weighted
Assets of 11.00%. In order to meet, maintain and exceed these individual minimum capital
requirements and provide additional capital necessary to support the continued growth of our
business, the Corporation has initiated a process to identify and evaluate alternatives to
strengthen its capital base and enhance
shareholder value, including capital-raising transactions involving public and/or private
offerings of securities. While no definitive agreements for the issuance of any securities are in
place, the Corporation anticipates that its capital raising transactions are likely to involve the
issuance of common shares or securities convertible into common shares. The Board believes that
the existence of preemptive rights will hinder the Corporations ability to pursue the full range
and extent of capital-raising opportunities that the Board may ultimately determine to be in the
best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders.
8
The elimination of pre-emptive rights may, however, prevent shareholders from maintaining
their percentage ownership of the Corporation, should it decide to issue additional shares.
The Board has determined that it would be in the best interests of the Corporation and its
shareholders to eliminate these limited pre-emptive rights. The Board has adopted, subject to
shareholder approval, an amendment to the Articles to amend Article XIII to eliminate pre-emptive
rights.
A copy of the proposed amendment to the Articles is attached to this Proxy Statement as
Appendix B. The Board believes that by eliminating these limited pre-emptive rights, the
Corporation will achieve highly desirable additional financing flexibility.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of common shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of
the voting power of such shares is necessary to adopt Proposal 2. Proxies representing common
shares will be voted in favor of this proposal unless otherwise instructed by the shareholder.
Abstentions and shares not voted by brokers and other entities holding shares on behalf of
beneficial owners will have the same effect as votes cast against Proposal 2.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL 2 TO AMEND ARTICLE XIII OF THE
CORPORATIONS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO ELIMINATE PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS.
PROPOSAL NO. 3
AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XIV OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO ELIMINATE
SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL TO LEVERAGE THE ASSETS OF THE CORPORATION TO SECURE PAYMENT OR
PERFORMANCE OF ANY CONTRACT, NOTE, BOND OR OTHER OBLIGATION OF THE CORPORATION
Under Proposal 3, the Corporation is asking shareholders to eliminate shareholder approval to
leverage the assets of the Corporation. Currently under Article XIV of the Articles the Board may
not authorize any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, or hypothecation of all or any part of the
property of the Corporation, real or personal, for the purpose of securing the payment or
performance of any contract, note, bond or other obligation of the Corporation, without first
obtaining the vote or written consent of the holders of 75% of the issued and outstanding shares of
stock of the Corporation.
The Board considers this amendment to the Articles to be in the best interest of the
Corporation. This amendment will allow the Board to promptly and efficiently respond to various
corporate, capital and financial needs of the Corporation without incurring time delays or the
expense involved in holding a special shareholders meeting to obtain shareholder approval prior to
leveraging the Corporations assets. This will allow the Corporation to respond promptly to the
ever changing financial markets and maintain its corporate advantage within the marketplace.
In light of the current financial and economic conditions in the marketplace as well as
increased organizational, regulatory and financial complexities that have evolved over time and
currently affect the Corporation, the Board believes that the Corporations management will benefit
from eliminating the shareholder approval currently required under Article XIV.
9
The Board has determined that it would be in the best interests of the Corporation to
eliminate the requisite shareholder approval required under Article XIV. The Board has adopted,
subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to the Articles to eliminate shareholder approval to
leverage the Corporations assets prior to securing the payment or performance of any contract,
note, bond or other obligation of the Corporation and replace such article with: [Deleted]
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of common shares entitling them to exercise seventy-five
percent of the voting power of such shares is necessary to adopt Proposal 3. Proxies representing
common shares will be voted in favor of this proposal unless otherwise instructed by the
shareholder. Abstentions and shares not voted by brokers and other entities holding shares on
behalf of beneficial owners will have the same effect as votes cast against Proposal 3.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL 3 TO AMEND ARTICLE XIV OF THE
CORPORATIONS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO ELIMINATE SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL TO LEVERAGE THE ASSETS OF
THE CORPORATION TO SECURE PAYMENT OR PERFORMANCE OF ANY CONTRACT, NOTE, BOND OR OTHER OBLIGATION OF
THE CORPORATION.
PROPOSAL NO. 4
AMENDMENT TO ADD ARTICLE XVI TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO PROVIDE FOR SIMPLE
MAJORITY VOTING TO AMEND THE TERMS OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Under Proposal 4, the Corporation is asking the shareholders to authorize an amendment to add
Article XVI to Articles to allow for simple majority voting by the shareholders to amend the
Articles, except as to Article XV, Control Share Acquisitions.
Except as to Article XIV and Article XV which require the affirmative vote of seventy-five
percent of the voting power to amend, the Articles currently require the affirmative vote of the
holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of the voting power of the Corporation to
approve an amendment to the Articles.
The Board recommends that the Articles be amended to remove all supermajority voting
requirements except as to Article XV and reduce the shareholder approval threshold for amending the
Articles to a simple majority of outstanding shares.
The Board believes that meaningful shareholder participation is critical to the Corporations
success. The current supermajority voting requirements provide the Corporation some protection
against self-interested actions by one or a few large shareholders. However, the Board recognizes
growing public sentiment that elimination of the supermajority voting requirements would increase
Board accountability to its shareholders as well as provide shareholders with increased access to
shape their role in the Corporation. In light of corporate governance trends and growing public
sentiment, the Board has determined that the supermajority requirements should now be eliminated.
Accordingly, the Board has determined that it would be in the best interests of the
Corporation and its shareholders to add Article XVI to allow for simple majority voting, except as
to Article XV. Lowering the threshold to simple majority voting will allow for greater efficiency
and speed in which the Corporation can respond to the changing economic and financial markets. The
lower threshold will also make it easier for shareholders to propose and seek passage of changes to
the Articles.
10
The Board has adopted, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to the Articles to add
Article XVI to the Articles to allow for simple majority voting by the shareholders to amend the
Articles, except as to Article XV, Control Share Acquisitions. A copy of the proposed amendment to
the Articles is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix C.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of common shares of the Corporation entitling them to
exercise two-thirds of the voting power of such shares is necessary to adopt Proposal 4. Proxies
representing common shares will be voted in favor of this proposal unless otherwise instructed by
the shareholder. Abstentions and shares not voted by brokers and other entities holding shares on
behalf of beneficial owners will have the same effect as votes cast against Proposal 4.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL 4 TO ADD ARTICLE XVI TO THE
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO PROVIDE FOR SIMPLE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL TO AMEND THE ARTICLES
OF INCORPORATION.
PROPOSAL NO. 5
AMENDMENT TO THE CODE OF REGULATIONS TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO AMEND THE CODE OF
REGULATIONS TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE OHIO GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
The Board recommends that the Code of Regulations be amended by adding a provision authorizing
the Board, in addition to shareholders, to make future amendments to the Code of Regulations to the
extent permitted by the Ohio General Corporation Law.
Currently, the Board is not permitted to amend the Code of Regulations without shareholder
approval. Prior to 2006, Ohio law did not permit the board of directors of any corporation to
amend its code of regulations. However, in 2006, Ohio law was amended to allow a corporations
board of directors to amend its code of regulations without shareholder approval, within certain
statutory limitations.
Under the 2006 amendments to the Ohio General Corporation Law, a corporations board of
directors is not permitted to amend the code of regulations in various areas that impact
fundamental shareholder rights. Specifically, the board may not delegate the authority to amend the
code of regulations to a board committee. Proposal 5 does not seek to change or avoid in any way
these limitations placed on the Board under the Ohio General Corporation Law with respect to
amendments to the Code of Regulations and would only allow the Board to amend the Code of
Regulations to the extent permitted by the Ohio General Corporation Law.
Under Ohio law, shareholders can always override amendments made by the Board and the Code of
Regulations may never divest shareholders of the power to adopt, amend or repeal the Code of
Regulations. Therefore, the proposed amendment to the Code of Regulations would give the Board more
power, without reducing the powers of shareholders.
The Board has adopted, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to the Code of
Regulations to make future amendments to the Code of Regulations to the extent permitted by the
Ohio General Corporation Law. A copy of the proposed amendment to the Code of Regulations is
attached to this proxy statement as Appendix D.
11
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of common shares entitling them to exercise a majority of
the voting power of such shares is necessary to adopt the proposal to amend the Code of
Regulations.
Proxies representing common shares will be voted in favor of this proposal unless otherwise
instructed by the shareholder. Abstentions and shares not voted by brokers and other entities
holding shares on behalf of beneficial owners will have the same effect as votes cast against the
proposed amendment to the Code of Regulations.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL 5 TO AMEND THE CORPORATIONS
CODE OF REGULATIONS TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO AMEND THE CODE OF REGULATIONS TO THE
EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER THE OHIO GENERAL CORPORATION LAW.
PROPOSAL NO. 6
AMENDMENT TO THE CODE OF REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE THAT THOSE SHAREHOLDERS PRESENT IN PERSON, BY
PROXY, OR BY THE USE OF COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AT ANY MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS SHALL
CONSTITUTE A QUORUM
The Board recommends that Article II, Section 6 of the Code of Regulations be amended to allow
for consistency with Ohio General Corporation Law, which provides that any meeting of the
shareholders, the shareholders present in person, by proxy, or use of communications equipment
shall constitute a quorum.
Currently, the Code of Regulations provides that the shareholders present in person or by
proxy at any meeting for the determination of the number of directors or the election of directors,
or for the consideration or action upon reports required to be laid before such meeting, shall
constitute a quorum. At any meeting called for any other purpose, however, the holders of shares
entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the Corporation, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. While this proposal would reduce the voting power
required to be represented at a shareholder meeting for quorum purposes, it would not affect the
vote requirement to approve any action to be taken at a shareholder meeting.
The Board has adopted, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to the Code of
Regulations to amend Article II, Section 6 as provided herein. A copy of the proposed amendment to
the Code of Regulations is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix E.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of common shares entitling them to exercise a majority of
the voting power of such shares is necessary to adopt the proposal to amend the Code of
Regulations. Proxies representing common shares will be voted in favor of this proposal unless
otherwise instructed by the shareholder. Abstentions and shares not voted by brokers and other
entities holding shares on behalf of beneficial owners will have the same effect as votes cast
against the proposed amendment to the Code of Regulations.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL 6 TO PROVIDE THAT THOSE
SHAREHOLDERS PRESENT IN PERSON, BY PROXY, OR BY THE USE OF COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AT ANY MEETING
OF THE SHAREHOLDERS SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM.
12
PROPOSAL NO. 7
ADOPTION OF THE 2010 REPLACEMENT EQUITY PLAN
Under Proposal 7, the Corporation is asking the shareholders to authorize the 2010 Replacement
Equity Plan. Upon shareholder approval, the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan would replace the 1999
Stock Option Plan which expired in March 2009.
Currently, with the expiration of the 1999 Stock Option Plan, the Corporation is not able to
offer its employees, executives or directors stock options as part of their overall compensation
package. The Board believes that in order to provide its employees and executive team with a
competitive compensation package, it must offer them various forms of equity awards under a stock
option plan.
In contrast to the 1999 Stock Option Plan, which expired in March 2009 and which provided
solely for stock option awards and stock appreciation rights, the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan
gives the Corporation the authority to make awards of stock options and stock appreciation rights
as well as restricted stock and performance share awards. Awards may be made to our employees and
employees of our subsidiaries. Awards of stock options and restricted stock may also be made to
directors who are not employees of the Corporation or any of our subsidiaries. The 2010 Replacement
Equity Plan will enhance our ability to attract and retain the services of employees and directors
upon whose judgment, skill, and efforts the successful conduct of our business depends. The variety
of awards that may be made gives us flexibility to respond to changes in equity compensation
practices to attract talented employees within our competitive banking market.
The 2010 Replacement Equity Plan contains provisions that the Board believes are consistent
with the interests of shareholders and principles of good corporate governance. For example, stock
options and stock appreciation rights must have an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair
market value of the Corporations common stock on the date the award is made. Similarly, the plan
prohibits repricing of stock options and stock appreciation rights without shareholder approval. In
other words, if the fair market value of the Corporations stock experiences a sustained decline to
a price less than the exercise price of a stock option, for example, we cannot freely adjust the
exercise price of the option to compensate for loss of the options value.
The tax-advantaged treatment of incentive stock options provided by Internal Revenue Code
section 422 is conditional upon approval of the plan by shareholders. The exemption for
performance-based compensation from the $1,000,000 compensation deduction limitation of Internal
Revenue Code section 162(m) likewise is conditioned upon shareholder approval. Additional
information about the tax treatment of incentive stock options under section 422 and
performance-based compensation under section 162(m) is contained in this discussion under the
subheading Federal Income Tax Consequences. Finally, approval of the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan
by our shareholders is necessary to ensure that shares awarded under the 2010 Replacement Equity
Plan are released from preemptive rights that currently exist under Article XIII of the Articles.
The principal features of the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan are summarized below, but a copy of
the plan is included as Appendix F. We encourage you to read the plan in its entirety.
References in this summary to the Code mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Authorized Shares
The 2010 Replacement Equity Plan authorizes the issuance of 1,200,000 common shares pursuant
to the terms and conditions of the plan. Approval of the plan by shareholders does not authorize
the issuance of any shares. Options for shares can only be authorized by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors. The authorized number of shares subject to the plan amounts
to approximately 9% of our total outstanding shares. Common shares issued under the plan may
consist in whole or in part of treasury shares or authorized and unissued shares not reserved for
any other purpose. If an award made under the plan is later forfeited, terminated, exchanged, or
otherwise settled without the issuance of shares or payment of cash, the shares associated with
that award may again become available for future grants.
13
Awards
Awards to Employees. Awards to employees under the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan may take the
form of:
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incentive stock options that qualify for favored tax treatment under Code section 422, |
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stock options that do not qualify under Code section 422, |
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stock appreciation rights, |
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restricted stock, including restricted stock units, and |
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performance shares. |
Each of these awards is described in more detail below.
Awards to Non-Employee Directors. In contrast to the kinds of awards that may be made to
employees, non-employee directors are eligible for awards of non-qualified stock options and
restricted stock only.
Award Agreements. The terms of each award will be described in an award agreement between the
Corporation and the person to whom the award is granted. By accepting an award, the person to whom
the award is granted agrees to be bound by the terms of the plan and the award agreement. If there
is a conflict between the terms of the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan and the terms of the associated
award agreement, the terms of the plan will govern.
Plan Administration
A committee of our Board will administer the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan. Known as the Plan
Committee, the committee must consist of at least three individuals, each of whom must be:
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an outside director within the meaning of Code section 162(m),
receiving no compensation from us or from a related entity in any capacity other
than as a director, except as permitted by the Code, |
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a non-employee director within the meaning of the Securities and
Exchange Commissions Rule 16b-3, and |
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an independent director within the meaning of Nasdaqs Marketplace
Rules, specifically Rule 5605(a)(2). |
The Board designated its Compensation Committee to serve as the Plan Committee. The Board
believes that each of the individual members of that committee satisfies the independence
requirements of Code section 162(m), SEC Rule 16b-3, and Nasdaq rules.
The Plan Committee has final authority to make awards to employees and establish award terms.
The amount and terms of equity awards to non-employee directors, however, must be established by
the entire Board. Accordingly, when the term Plan Committee is used in reference to grants to
non-employee directors, the term means the entire Board. The Plan Committees authority includes
the power to:
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construe and interpret the plan, |
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adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to administration of the plan, |
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determine the types of awards to be made to employees, |
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designate the employees to whom the awards will be made, |
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specify the terms and conditions of each award, including the
procedures for exercising an award, and |
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administer any performance-based awards, including certifying that
applicable performance objectives are satisfied. |
Under section 14.5 of the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan, directors are entitled to
indemnification for liabilities arising under the plan.
14
Award Eligibility
The Plan Committee may make awards to any employee of the Corporation or any of our
subsidiaries. There are approximately 287 full-time employees of the Corporation, Bank, Trust and
Insurance Agency who will be eligible for an award, including their officers. The Corporation
currently has 7 non-employee directors who likewise will be eligible for awards. The selection of
participants and the nature and size of awards are within the discretion of the Plan Committee in
the case of awards to employees, and they are within the discretion of the Board in the case of
awards to non-employee directors. No awards have been made under the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan.
No discretionary awards to employees or directors are currently determinable.
Award Limits
Of the shares authorized for issuance under the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan, up to 600,000
may be reserved for issuance under incentive stock options. The aggregate number of shares
underlying awards granted to an individual participant in a single year may not exceed 5% (60,000
shares) of the aggregate amount authorized to be issued under the plan.
Adjustments
If a corporate transaction such as a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, merger, or
other similar corporate change affects our outstanding shares of common stock, the Plan Committee
will make adjustments to prevent dilution or enlargement of benefits provided under the 2010
Replacement Equity Plan, including adjustment of the number of shares authorized under the plan,
adjustment of award limits, and adjustments of the terms of outstanding awards.
Description of Awards
Options. An option is the right to acquire shares of our common stock during a stated period
at a specified exercise price. An option may be an incentive stock option or ISO - qualifying for
favored tax treatment under Code section 422. ISOs may be granted to employees only. Any option
that is not an ISO is known as a non-qualified stock option or NQSO. An NQSO may be granted to
employees or non-employee directors.
The exercise price of an option is determined by the Plan Committee. However, an options
exercise price may not be less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the
date the option is granted. Fair market value in this context is determined according to the
following rules:
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if our common stock is traded on an exchange or on an automated
quotation system giving closing prices, fair market value means the reported
closing price on the relevant date if the date is a trading day and otherwise on
the next trading day, or |
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if our common stock is traded over-the-counter with no reported closing
price, fair market value is the mean between the highest bid and the lowest asked
prices on that quotation system on the relevant date if the date is a trading day
and otherwise on the next trading day, or |
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if neither of the above circumstances exists, fair market value is
determined by the Plan Committee in good faith and, for ISOs, consistent with Code
section 422 and, for NQSOs, consistent with Code section 409A and other applicable
tax authority. |
Our common stock is currently traded over-the-counter on the OTC Bulletin Board. The closing
price of the stock on May 10, 2010 was $4.25. The Plan Committee will establish the term of each
option, but the term of an ISO may not exceed ten years. Likewise, the term of an option granted to
a non-employee director may not exceed ten years. However, an NQSO granted to an employee may have
any term specified in the award agreement. The exercise price of an option must be paid in a form
allowed by the Plan Committee, which may allow payment in cash or a cash equivalent, actual or
constructive surrender of unrestricted shares of our common stock, or a combination of these
payment methods. The Plan Committee may also allow a cashless stock option exercise. A cashless
stock option exercise can take a variety of forms, but in essence it means the participant
would pay no cash and surrender no other assets when he or she exercises the stock option and,
rather than issuing to the participant the full number of shares for which the option is exercised,
we would withhold and not issue to the participant a number of shares having a value equal to the
exercise price. We would issue to the participant a net number of shares equal to the difference
between the value of the entire option and the exercise price.
15
The aggregate fair market value of our common stock for which a participants ISOs are
exercisable for the first time in any calendar year under all of our stock option plans may not
exceed $100,000. Fair market value for purposes of the ISO annual exercisability limit is
determined as of the date the option is granted. The exercise price of an ISO granted to an
employee who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the voting power of our outstanding stock may
not be less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. The
term of an ISO may not exceed five years if the employee owns stock possessing more than 10% of the
voting power of our outstanding stock.
Stock Appreciation Rights. A stock appreciation right or SAR - is the right to receive cash
equal to the difference between the fair market value of a share of the Corporations common stock
on the date the SAR is exercised, on one hand, and the SARs exercise price on the other. The
exercise price of an SAR may not be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date
the SAR is granted. In other words, an SAR ordinarily is intended to yield the same value on the
date of exercise as a stock option, although SARs ordinarily are more likely to be settled in cash
rather than stock and the exercise of an SAR does not require delivery of consideration by the
award recipient. As an alternative to cash settlement of an SAR, the award agreement may permit or
require a participant to receive common stock having an aggregate fair market value on the exercise
date equal to the amount of cash the participant would have received had the SAR been exercised for
cash instead of stock, with any fractional share settled in cash. In contrast to the typical stock
option, the expense of SARs is accounted for using liability accounting if the SAR can be settled
in cash. The accounting expense of a typical stock option is fixed at the date of grant by an
estimate of the options value on that date. The expense associated with an SAR that may be settled
in cash will vary with time as the value of the SAR varies, depending on changes in the stocks
value during the life of the SAR.
Restricted Stock. A restricted stock award is an award of common stock that is subject to
transfer restrictions and subject to the risk of forfeiture if conditions specified in the award
agreement are not satisfied by the end of a specified period. During the restriction period
established by the Plan Committee, restricted stock is considered to be held in escrow and may not
be sold, transferred, or hypothecated. Restricted stock vests when the conditions to vesting stated
in the award agreement are satisfied, and at that time the transfer restrictions and risk of
forfeiture lapse and the shares are released to the participant.
Restricted stock is forfeited if the vesting conditions are not satisfied, and if that occurs
the shares again become available under the plan for future awards. Unless an award agreement for
restricted stock specifies otherwise, a participant who holds restricted stock has the right to
receive dividends or other distributions on the shares and the right to vote the shares during the
restriction period. Dividends or other distributions payable in the form of stock would themselves
be considered shares of restricted stock and would be subject to the same restrictions and
conditions as the original restricted stock award. Restricted stock unit awards are essentially the
same as restricted stock awards, except that the holder of a restricted stock unit has no
associated voting rights or the right to receive dividends. Dividends paid on shares may be
credited to a restricted stock unit award, however, in the form of dividend equivalent units.
Unvested awards generally are not transferable except as specified in the 2010 Replacement Equity
Plan.
Awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units are most likely to be made at no cost to
the participant. However, the Plan Committee could make an award conditional upon the participant
paying a purchase price for shares, in addition to other conditions that could be imposed. Although
the Plan places no limitations on the conditions that may be imposed on awards, we expect that the
principal condition imposed would consist of a time-vesting feature, meaning the award recipient
would
become fully vested in and the owner of unencumbered shares of common stock if the participant
remains employed with us or the Bank for a specified period.
16
Performance Shares. Performance shares bear some similarities to restricted stock awards but
also are distinct from restricted stock awards in some significant ways. Like the recipient of a
restricted stock award, a performance share award recipient becomes fully vested in and acquires
unencumbered ownership of shares if conditions imposed in the award agreement are satisfied by the
end of the period specified in the award agreement. But as the name suggests, performance awards
ordinarily become vested if and only if corporate goals or individual performance goals, or both,
stated in the award agreement are satisfied by the end of the performance period, also specified in
the award agreement. In contrast, and although this is not necessarily always the case, restricted
stock awards ordinarily become vested with the mere passage of time, so long as the award recipient
remains employed with the company. In contrast to stock option awards and to a lesser degree
restricted stock awards, which ordinarily have terms that are more or less uniform from one grant
to the next and from one award recipient to the next, the terms of performance share awards can
vary quite widely. Terms having to do with such things as performance criteria and the duration of
the period in which performance is measured need not be uniform and are likely to be influenced by
the particular award recipients responsibilities, our or the Banks corporate goals and operating
results, and other factors. Virtually every term of performance share awards can be customized for
individual award recipients, with the only common denominator being the right to become the owner
of unencumbered shares of our common stock if the performance criteria are satisfied. The
performance criteria are likely to include a combination of some or all of these factors:
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Net earnings or net income (before or after taxes) |
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Earnings per share
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Share price (including, but not limited to growth measures and total shareholder return) |
Deposit or asset growth
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Expense targets |
Net operating income
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Credit quality |
Return on assets and return on equity
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Efficiency ratio |
Earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation and/or amortization
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Market share |
Interest spread
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Customer satisfaction |
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Net income after cost of capital |
The Board may award restricted stock to non-employee directors but performance shares may be
awarded solely to employees. If the Plan Committee makes performance share awards, it will
establish the performance criteria, select the participants or class of participants to whom the
performance criteria apply, and designate the period over which performance will be measured.
Unless the associated award agreement specifies otherwise, a participant may not exercise voting
rights over shares subject to a performance award. But shares subject to a performance award may be
credited with an allocable portion of dividends and other distributions paid on common stock.
Dividends and other distributions allocable to unvested performance shares will be held by us as
escrow agent during the period in which satisfaction of the performance criteria is determined,
without interest crediting or other accruals while held in escrow. If dividends or other
distributions are paid in the form of shares of common stock, those shares would themselves be
considered performance shares and would be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the
original performance share award.
The Plan Committee will make appropriate adjustments to performance criteria to account for
the impact of a stock dividend or stock split affecting the common stock or a recapitalization,
merger, consolidation, combination, spin-off, distribution of assets to shareholders, exchange of
shares, or similar corporate change. Unless otherwise provided in the plan or an employee
participants award agreement, at the end of the period in which satisfaction of the performance
criteria is determined, the Plan Committee will certify that the employee has or has not satisfied
the performance criteria. The shares will then be forfeited if the performance criteria are not
satisfied. If the performance criteria are satisfied, the shares of our common stock will be issued
to the employee participant.
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Effect of Termination of Service on Awards
Unless the participants award agreement provides otherwise, when a participant employees
service terminates or when a non-employee director participants service terminates, the portion of
any award held by the participant that is not exercisable is forfeited. All NQSOs, SARs, and ISOs
held by the participant that are exercisable will be forfeited if not exercised before the earlier
of the expiration
date specified in the award agreement or 90 days after termination occurs. However, all of a
participants outstanding awards are forfeited if the participants employment or director service
terminates for cause or if in our judgment a basis for termination for cause exists, regardless of
whether the awards are exercisable and regardless of whether the participants employment or
director service actually terminates. Defined in section 10.1(b) of the 2010 Replacement Equity
Plan, the term cause includes a violation of our or the Banks code of ethics. However, shares of
restricted stock or performance shares that have been released from escrow and distributed to the
participant are not affected by a termination for cause.
Effect of a Change in Control
If a change in control of the Corporation occurs, the Plan Committee has broad authority and
sole discretion to take actions it deems appropriate to preserve the value of participants awards.
If a change in control occurs, the Plan Committee may for example:
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accelerate the exercisability or vesting of any or all awards, despite
any limitations stated in the plan or in an award agreement, or |
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cancel any or all outstanding options, SARs, restricted stock, and
performance share awards in exchange for the kind and amount of consideration that
the holder of the award would have received had the award been converted into our
stock before the change in control (less the exercise price of the award), or |
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convert any or all option, SAR, restricted stock, or performance share
awards into the right to receive at exercise or vesting the kind and amount of
consideration that the holder of the award would have received had the award been
converted into our stock before the change in control (less the exercise price of
the award). |
The Plan Committee may provide for these results in advance in an award agreement or may
provide for these results when a change in control actually occurs, or both. Alternatively, the
Plan Committee also has the right to require the acquiring company in a change in control to take
any of these actions. Events that would constitute a change in control are defined in section 11.1
of the Plan, but the Plan defers to any competing definition contained in another agreement to
which a participant may be a party, such as an employment agreement, or the competing definition
contained in Code section 409A if that provision of the Federal tax code is deemed to apply to the
participants award. In general, a change in control means one or more of the following events:
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a change in the composition of our Board, after which the incumbent
members of the Board on the effective date of the Plan including their successors
whose election or nomination was approved by those incumbent directors and their
successors no longer represent a majority of the Board, or |
|
|
|
a person (other than persons such as subsidiaries or benefit plans)
becomes a beneficial owner of our securities representing 25% or more of the
combined voting power of all securities eligible to vote for the election of
directors, excepting business combinations after which our shareholders own more
than 50% of the resulting |
|
|
|
company and excepting stock issuances approved by incumbent directors
and their successors, or |
18
|
|
|
a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or similar form of business
combination transaction requiring approval of our shareholders, excepting business
combinations after which our shareholders own more than 50% of the resulting
company, or |
|
|
|
our shareholders approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution
or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. |
Amendment, Modification and Termination of the Plan
The 2010 Replacement Equity Plan was adopted by the Corporations Board but will not become
effective unless it is also approved by our shareholders at the Special Meeting. If approved, the
plan will remain in effect until the tenth anniversary of the date the plan was approved by the
Board. The Board approved the plan on April 13, 2010.
We may terminate, suspend, or amend the plan at any time without shareholder approval, unless
shareholder approval is necessary to satisfy applicable requirements of SEC Rule 16b-3, the Code,
or any securities exchange, market, or other quotation system on which our securities are listed or
traded. But no amendment of the plan may (x) result in the loss of a Plan Committee members status
as a non-employee director as defined in SEC Rule 16b-3, (y) cause the plan to fail to satisfy the
requirements of Rule 16b-3, or (z) adversely affect outstanding awards. However, we may amend the
plan as necessary to comply with Code section 409A even if the amendment does adversely affect
participants rights.
Transfers
Awards generally are not transferable except as specified in the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan.
During a participants lifetime, awards are exercisable solely by the participant or the
participants guardian or legal representative. Plan awards may be transferred by will and by the
laws of descent and distribution.
Accounting for Share-Based Payments
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) published FASB Statement No.
123 (revised): Share Based Payment (SFAS 123 (R)). SFAS 123 (R) requires that the compensation cost
relating to share-based payment transactions, including grants of stock options, be recognized as
an expense in financial statements. Cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity
instrument issued, according to any option-pricing model satisfying the fair value objective of
SFAS 123(R).
Release from Shareholder Preemptive Rights
With some exceptions, our shareholders generally have the preemptive right to purchase common
shares offered by the Corporation for cash. In other words, shares offered for sale generally must
first be offered to existing shareholders before the shares can be sold to others. Preemptive
rights give existing shareholders the ability to prevent dilution of their percentage ownership
when additional shares are proposed for issuance and sale, granting each shareholder the right
during a reasonable time and on reasonable terms fixed by the directors to purchase shares in
proportion to the shareholders holdings. Provided under Article XIII of the Articles, there are
limited exceptions to shareholders preemptive right to purchase shares offered for sale. One
exception, in subparagraph (h) of Article XIII, provides that shares offered for sale to employees,
including shares issuable by exercise of stock options, are not subject to preemptive rights if the
holders of a majority of the shares entitled to preemptive rights vote in favor of releasing the
shares from preemptive rights. Approval of the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan will constitute
approval of the release of shares subject to the plan from preemptive rights. This exception only
allows for sales and issuances of shares to employees, however, not issuances and sales to
directors. Another exception, in subparagraph (a) of Article XIII, provides that treasury shares
are not subject to shareholders preemptive rights and may therefore be issued and sold without
first being offered for sale to shareholders. Accordingly, the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan
provides in section 5.1 that in the case of an award issued to any person who is not an employee,
the shares of the Corporations common stock to be delivered under the plan may consist solely of
treasury stock and may not consist of authorized but unissued shares.
19
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion briefly summarizes the U.S. federal income and employment tax
consequences relating to the plan. This summary is based on existing provisions of the Code, final,
temporary, and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, existing judicial
decisions, and current administrative rulings and practice, all of which are subject to change,
possibly retroactively. Included for general informational purposes only, this summary is not a
complete description of the applicable U.S. federal income or employment tax laws and this summary
does not address state or local tax consequences and other tax consequences. Generally, we will
withhold from distributions under the plan the amount of cash or shares we determine is necessary
to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations. Alternatively, we may require participants to
pay to us the amount necessary to satisfy applicable tax withholding obligations.
Tax Consequences of ISOs.
ISOs qualify for special treatment under Code section 422. A participant recognizes no income
when an ISO is granted or exercised and we are entitled to no compensation deduction at either of
those times. Also, ISOs are not subject to employment taxes. If a participant acquires our common
stock by exercising an ISO and continues to hold that stock for one year or, if longer, until the
second anniversary of the grant date, the amount the participant receives when he or she finally
disposes of the stock minus the exercise price is taxed at long-term capital gain or loss
rates. This is referred to as a qualifying disposition. We are entitled to no deduction for a
qualifying disposition. If a participant disposes of the common stock within one year after
exercising the ISO or within two years after the grant date, this is referred to as a disqualifying
disposition. When a disqualifying disposition occurs, the participant recognizes ordinary income
equal to the excess of (x) the fair market value of the stock on the date the ISO is exercised, or
the amount received on the disposition if less, over (y) the exercise price. We are entitled to a
deduction equal to the income that the participant recognizes on the disqualifying disposition. The
participants additional gain is taxed at long-term or short-term capital gain rates, depending on
whether the participant held the common stock for more than one year. The rules that generally
apply to ISOs do not apply when calculating any alternative minimum tax liability. When an ISO is
exercised, a participant must treat the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on
the date of exercise over the exercise price as a tax preference item for purposes of the
alternative minimum tax. The rules affecting the application of the alternative minimum tax are
complex and their effect depends on individual circumstances, including whether a participant has
tax preference items other than those derived from ISOs.
Tax Consequences of NQSOs. NQSOs are not entitled to the special tax treatment granted to
ISOs. Nevertheless, a participant recognizes no income when an NQSO is granted and we are entitled
to no compensation deduction at that time. Unlike an ISO, when an NQSO is exercised, the
participant recognizes ordinary income equal to the excess of the stocks fair market value on the
date of exercise over the exercise price. Also unlike an ISO, this same amount is subject to
employment taxes, including social security and Medicare taxes. If a participant uses common stock
or a combination of common stock and cash to pay the exercise price of an NQSO, he or she will have
ordinary income equal to the value of the excess of the number of shares of common stock that the
participant purchases over the number he or she surrenders, less any cash the participant uses to
pay the exercise price. This same amount is subject to employment taxes, including social security
and Medicare taxes. When an NQSO is exercised, we are entitled to a deduction equal to the ordinary
income that the participant recognizes.
A participants cost, also known as basis, for shares acquired by exercising an NQSO generally
is the fair market value of the stock on the date the NQSO is exercised, recognizing that the
participant is taxed at ordinary income rates at that time. And when the participant finally
disposes of stock acquired by exercising an NQSO, the participant will have a long-term capital
gain or loss or a short-term capital gain or loss, depending on whether the participant held the
stock after option exercise for more than one year and whether the sale price exceeds the
participants cost basis.
20
Tax Consequences of SARs. A participant recognizes no income when a SAR is granted. Likewise,
we are entitled to no compensation deduction at that time. But when a SAR is exercised, the
participant recognizes ordinary income equal to the cash received upon exercise, or the fair market
value of the stock received at exercise if the SAR is settled with stock. We are entitled to a
compensation deduction equal to the ordinary income that the participant recognizes. Also, the same
amount is subject to employment taxes, including social security and Medicare taxes. If the
SAR is settled with stock, the participant will have a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss
when he or she finally disposes of the stock, depending on whether the participant held the stock
for more than one year after the SAR was exercised and depending on the price at which the stock is
sold.
Tax Consequences of Restricted Stock. Unless a participant makes an election under Code
section 83(b) to recognize taxable income, a participant generally does not have taxable income
when restricted stock is granted. Likewise, we are not entitled to a compensation deduction at that
time. Instead, a participant recognizes ordinary income when the shares of restricted stock vest,
meaning when the shares are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. The income
recognized at that time is equal to the fair market value of the stock the participant receives
when the restrictions lapse, less any consideration paid for the restricted stock. We generally are
entitled to a deduction equal to the income that the participant recognizes. Also, the same amount
is subject to employment taxes, including social security and Medicare taxes. When a participant
finally disposes of restricted stock that has become vested, the participant will have a long-term
or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the amount of time the participant held the stock
after the stock vested and depending on the sale price.
If a participant makes an election under Code section 83(b), the participant recognizes
ordinary income on the grant date equal to the fair market value of the shares of restricted stock
on the grant date. We are entitled to a deduction equal to the income that the participant
recognizes at that time. Also, the same amount is subject to employment taxes, including social
security and Medicare taxes. However, the participant recognizes no income when the restrictions
finally lapse. If a participant becomes vested in the shares, any appreciation between the grant
date and the date the participant disposes of the shares is treated as a long-term or short-term
capital gain or loss, depending on whether he or she held the shares for more than one year after
the grant date and depending on the sale price. If a participant forfeits restricted stock, the
participant cannot take a tax deduction for that forfeiture.
Tax Consequences of Performance Shares. A participant recognizes no taxable income when he or
she receives a performance share award and we are entitled to no compensation deduction at that
time. However, when a participant satisfies the conditions imposed on the award he or she must
recognize ordinary income equal to the cash or the fair market value of the common stock he or she
receives. Also, the same amount is subject to employment taxes, including social security and
Medicare taxes. We generally are entitled to a compensation deduction equal to the income that the
participant recognizes. The participant will thereafter have a long-term or short-term capital gain
or loss when he or she finally disposes of the common stock acquired in settlement of the
performance share award, depending on the amount of time the participant held the shares after they
were issued and depending on the price at which the shares are sold.
Code Section 162(m). Code section 162(m) imposes an annual $1,000,000 limit on the tax
deduction allowable for compensation paid to the chief executive officer and to the three other
highest-paid executives other than the Chief Financial Officer of a company whose equity
securities are required to be registered under section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. with an exception for compensation that constitutes so-called performance-based compensation.
To qualify as performance-based compensation, grants must be made by a committee consisting solely
of two or more outside directors, the material terms of the performance-based compensation must be
disclosed to and approved in advance by the companys shareholders and the committee must certify
that the performance standards are satisfied. For grants other than options and SARs to qualify as
performance-based compensation, the granting, issuance, vesting, or retention of the grant must be
contingent upon satisfying one or more performance criteria. Stock options and SARs may be treated
as performance-based compensation if the exercise price is at least equal to the fair market value
of the stock on the grant date and if the plan states the maximum number of shares acquirable under
options or SARs granted to any one individual in any single year. We expect that stock options as
well as awards with a performance component generally will satisfy the requirements for
performance-based compensation under section 162(m), but the Plan Committee will have authority to
grant non-performance-based awards, including restricted stock awards.
21
Performance share awards may be made in a manner that qualifies as performance-based
compensation under Code section 162(m) in the case of awards to our Chief Executive Officer and to
the three most highly compensated executives other than the Chief Financial Officer. To ensure
compliance with section 162(m), (x) the applicable performance criteria for performance-based
compensation such as performance share awards must be established in the associated award agreement
as soon as administratively practicable, but no later than the earlier of 90 days after the
beginning of the applicable performance period and the expiration of 25% of the applicable
performance period and (y) vesting will be contingent on satisfaction of the performance criteria
outlined in this proxy statements discussion of performance share awards. The Plan Committee may
make appropriate adjustments to performance criteria to reflect a substantive change in an
employees job description or assigned duties and responsibilities. Vesting of performance share
awards made to other employees need not comply with the requirements of Code section 162(m), but
nevertheless we expect that performance share awards to those other employees will be based on
similar performance criteria.
Code Sections 280G and 4999. Code sections 280G and 4999 impose penalties on persons who pay
and persons who receive so-called excess parachute payments. A parachute payment is the value of
any amount that is paid to company officers on account of a change in control. If total parachute
payments from all sources including but not limited to stock-based compensation plans equal or
exceed three times an officers base amount, meaning his or her five-year average taxable
compensation, a portion of the parachute payments will constitute an excess parachute payment.
Specifically, the amount of the parachute payments exceeding one times the base amount constitutes
an excess parachute payment. Because of Code section 4999, the officer must pay an excise tax equal
to 20% of the total excess parachute payments. This tax is in addition to other federal, state, and
local income, wage, and employment taxes imposed on the individuals change-in-control payments.
Moreover, because of section 280G, the company paying the compensation is unable to deduct the
excess parachute payment, and the $1,000,000 limit on deductible compensation under Code section
162(m) is reduced by the amount of the excess parachute payment.
Benefits to which participants are entitled under the Plan and associated award agreements
could constitute parachute payments under sections 280G and 4999 if a change in control occurs. If
this happens, the value of each participants parachute payment arising under the Plan must be
combined with other parachute payments the same participant may be entitled to receive under other
agreements or plans with us or a subsidiary, such as an employment agreement or a severance
agreement.
Code Section 409A. Code section 409A was added to the Internal Revenue Code by the American
Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Section 409A creates new rules for amounts deferred under so-called
nonqualified deferred compensation plans. Section 409A includes a broad definition of nonqualified
deferred compensation plans, which may extend to various types of awards granted under the Plan.
The proceeds of any grant that is governed by section 409A are subject to a 20% excise tax if those
proceeds are distributed before the recipient separates from service or before the occurrence of
other specified events such as death, disability, or a change of control, all as defined in section
409A. The Plan Committee intends to administer the plan to avoid or minimize the impact of section
409A, which is borne principally by the employee, not the employer. If necessary, the Plan
Committee will amend the plan to comply with section 409A. By accepting an award, a participant
agrees that the Plan Committee (or our Board, as appropriate) may amend the plan and the award
agreement without any additional consideration if necessary to avoid penalties arising under
section 409A, even if the amendment reduces, restricts, or eliminates rights that were granted
under the plan, the award agreement, or both before the amendment.
22
ANY U.S. FEDERAL TAX ADVICE CONTAINED IN THE PRECEDING SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN BY
THE PREPARER OF SUCH ADVICE TO BE USED, AND IT CANNOT BE USED BY THE RECIPIENT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON THE RECIPIENT. THIS DISCLOSURE IS INTENDED TO SATISFY
U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS.
Shares Currently Authorized for Issuance Under Our Existing Stock Option Plans. The following
table summarizes all compensation plans and individual compensation arrangements in effect on March
31, 2010 under which common shares have been authorized for issuance.
23
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
future issuance under |
|
|
|
Number of securities to |
|
|
Weighted-average |
|
|
equity compensation |
|
|
|
be issued upon exercise |
|
|
exercise price of |
|
|
plans (excluding |
|
|
|
of outstanding options, |
|
|
outstanding options, |
|
|
securities reflected in |
|
Plan Category |
|
warrants, and rights |
|
|
warrants, and rights |
|
|
column (a)) |
|
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders
(1) |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The 1999 Stock Option Plan expired in March 2009. No further awards may be made under
the 1999 Stock Option Plan, but awards made under the Plan remain outstanding until those
awards expire by their terms. See Outstanding Equity at Fiscal Year End below. |
The Board has adopted, subject to shareholder approval, the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan. A
copy of the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix F.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of the holders of common shares entitling them to exercise a majority of
the voting power of such shares is necessary to adopt the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan. Proxies
representing common shares will be voted in favor of this proposal unless otherwise instructed by
the shareholder. Abstentions and shares not voted by brokers and other entities holding shares on
behalf of beneficial owners will have the same effect as votes cast against the proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE 2010 REPLACEMENT EQUITY PLAN.
24
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership as of December 31,
2009 of the common shares by (i) each person the Corporation believes beneficially holds more than
5% of the outstanding common shares (none); (ii) each Director; (iii) each named Executive Officer;
and (iv) all Executive Officers and all Directors as a group. In addition, unless otherwise
indicated, all persons named below can be reached at Farmers National Banc Corp., 20 South Broad
Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
|
Percent of Outstanding |
|
Name |
|
(A) |
|
|
Shares |
|
Benjamin R. Brown |
|
|
65,232 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Joseph D. Lane |
|
|
267,072 |
|
|
|
1.98 |
% |
Ralph D. Macali |
|
|
101,690 |
|
|
|
* |
|
James R. Fisher |
|
|
10,725 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Frank L. Paden, President and CEO |
|
|
48,655 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Earl R. Scott |
|
|
9,913 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Anne Frederick Crawford |
|
|
46,708 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Ronald V. Wertz |
|
|
106,957 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Carl D. Culp, EVP & CFO |
|
|
3,143 |
|
|
|
* |
|
John S.
Gulas, EVP & COO |
|
|
3,500 |
(B) |
|
|
* |
|
Mark L. Graham, Senior VP |
|
|
4,881 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Kevin J. Helmick, Senior VP |
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group |
|
|
670,776 |
(C) |
|
|
4.96 |
% |
|
|
|
(A) |
|
Information relating to beneficial ownership is based upon information
available to Farmers and uses Beneficial Ownership concepts set forth in the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Under such
rules, Beneficial Ownership includes those shares over which an individual has
sole or shared voting, and/or investment powers such as beneficial interest of a
spouse, minor children, or other relatives living in the home of the named
individual, trusts, estates and certain affiliated companies. |
|
(B) |
|
Includes 1,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of the
Record Date. |
|
(C) |
|
Includes 48,655 shares held by Frank L. Paden; 3,143 shares held by Carl
D. Culp; 3,500 shares held by John S. Gulas; 4,881 shares held by Mark L. Graham
and 2,300 shares held by Kevin J. Helmick. |
|
(*) |
|
Represents less than 1% of the issued and outstanding shares of the
Corporations common stock as of December 31, 2009. |
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Directors Fisher, Crawford, and Wertz.
Each member each served during fiscal year 2009. The Board has determined that each of the members
of the Compensation Committee is independent as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards. None of
these individuals are officers or former officers of the Corporation or the Bank. No corporate or
committee interlocks exist which require disclosure under SEC regulations.
25
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the disclosures
contained in the section entitled Compensation Discussion and Analysis and Report of Compensation
Committee and, based on such discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that
the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and Report of Compensation Committee be included in this
proxy statement for the special meeting of shareholders. No member has registered a disagreement
with this report. Members of the Compensation Committee are: James R. Fisher, Chairman, Anne
Frederick Crawford and Ronald V. Wertz.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis and Report of Compensation Committee
This section explains the material elements of the Corporations executive compensation
program as it relates to its executive officers. Specific compensation information for the named
executive officers is presented in the tables following this discussion in accordance with
Commission rules.
Responsibility. The policy and decision-making relating to goals and objectives relevant to
the compensation of the Corporations executives, evaluating such executive officers in light of
those goals and objectives and determining their compensation rest with the Compensation Committee
of the Board, which is made up of all of the independent directors. The Compensation Committee may
not delegate its authority. No officers of the Corporation sit on the Compensation Committee, nor
do any officers have a role in determining executive compensation. The Compensation Committee
reports to the full Board, but its decisions are not subject to full Board approval. The
Compensation Committee sets the limits for compensation increases in the aggregate for all staff,
reviews performance of executive officers and sets their salaries for the coming year. The
Compensation Committee also negotiated the terms of the executive contracts referred to as
Employment Contracts of Executives, discussed below. In addition, the Compensation Committee
recommends any incentive or bonus program to the Board.
Objectives. The Compensation Committee oversees an integrated compensation program designed
to attract and retain a talented and capable executive team. With respect to each element
of executive compensation, the Compensation Committee has the objectives of providing the Bank, its
staff and the communities it serves with consistent long-term leadership of the highest quality
possible while protecting the interests of the shareholders.
What the Compensation Programs are Designed to Reward. The executive compensation programs
are designed to reward: (1) specific job performance by the individual in question;
(2) contribution to target levels of growth, profitability, stability and capital; and, (3) two
additional specific items of corporate performance in the banking industry: return on equity
(ROE) and return on assets (ROA). Also considered is the executives contribution to the
general success of the Bank and its business plan. Successful bank operations depend upon
accomplishment in all areas and integration with the business communitys direction and success in
the Banks market areas. Executive performance is therefore evaluated using these factors as well.
Specific results of each executives area of responsibility are evaluated and considered. The
Compensation Committee evaluates the President (Principal Executive Officer) on the same basis as
other executive officers with weight being given to the achievement of target levels of growth,
capital and return on equity, and, in addition, specific target goals of the overall strategic plan
of the Bank.
26
Elements of Compensation. The following elements of compensation currently used by the
Compensation Committee are: (1) base salary, (2) participation in the 2010 Replacement Equity
Plan, (3) Deferred Compensation Agreements, (4) annual performance-based cash incentives under an
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan and (5) the Corporations non-discriminatory 401(k) Plan.
|
a. |
|
The Role of Cash Compensation. |
Base Salaries.
The Compensation Committee believes that a fair and equitable base salary component of the
compensation plan for the Corporations executive officers provides a predictable and reliable
compensation sufficient to attract and retain a highly skilled executive team and to recognize and
reward such for their individual performances.
Performance-Based Cash Incentives.
The Compensation Committee believes that performance-based cash incentives are an effective
way to compensate executives for working together as a team to achieve short-term specific
financial goals. The 2009 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan was adopted by the Board on
August 11, 2009 and approved by the Compensation Committee (the Plan). This Plan is in effect
for the calendar year 2009 and authorizes the committee to pay plan-based cash incentive awards to
the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer if the Bank
achieves specific financial and operative goals or if the individual participant under the Plan
performs in certain categories to a level deemed by the Compensation Committee to be acceptable. A
participants right to payment under the Plan is contingent upon the achievement of pre-established
performance goals relating to four objective performance criteria established by the Compensation
Committee for the performance period of the award. Each participant under the Plan is eligible to
receive a cash incentive bonus of up to 35% of his yearly base salary. For detailed information on
awards earned in fiscal 2009 see Grant of Plan-Based Awards Fiscal 2009.
The first benchmark of the Plan is based on the Bank achieving its target net income for the
fiscal year. Net income is defined as net income before the payment of taxes and gains or losses
recognized from the sale or impairment of securities. For 2009, the target net income for the Bank
was set at $7.654 million. This amount is based upon internal budget goals as set forth in the
Corporations internal business plan. This factor has a weight of 30% of the overall incentive
payment for each of the Plans participants. If the minimum target is not attained, no allocation
of this benchmark is paid.
The second benchmark of the Plan for the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial
Officer is based on the Bank achieving its targeted earnings per share of $0.58. This amount is
based upon internal budget goals as set forth in the Corporations internal business plan. This
factor has a weight of 30% of the overall incentive payment for each of the Plans participants.
The second benchmark for the Chief Operating Officer is based on the Bank achieving year over year
loan growth of 5%, deposit growth of 3%, and gross income of $830,000 generated from Farmers
National Investments, a retail wealth management and brokerage department of the Bank and net
income of $474,000 (excluding amortization expenses) of Farmers Trust Company. Each of these three
components for the Chief Operating Officer has a weight of 10%. If the minimum target is not
attained, no allocation of this benchmark is paid.
The third benchmark of the Plan is based on the participants leadership and communication
skills, both internally within the Bank and externally within the community. Each participant will
be evaluated by the Compensation Committee on a subjective basis and given an overall score. This
factor has a weight of 20% of the overall Plan. Each participant under the Plan will receive his
proportionate amount of the 20% allocation based on the score given to him by the Compensation
Committee.
The fourth benchmark of the Plan is based on the participants development and implementation
of strategic initiatives set forth by the Bank throughout the year. Each participant will be
evaluated by the Compensation Committee on a subjective basis and given an overall score. This
factor has a weight of 20% of the overall Plan. Each participant under the Plan will receive his
proportionate amount of the 20% based on the score given to him by the Compensation Committee.
27
Based on the participants current base salaries, the maximum compensation available under the
Plan that would be available to participants if 100% of the benchmarks were reached is $211,540.
The maximum compensation available under the Plan to the Chief Executive Officer is $83,510, the
Chief Operating Officer is $78,750 and the Chief Financial Officer is $49,280. In no event shall a
participants actual bonus payment under the Plan exceed 35% of such participants base salary.
The Compensation Committee may increase, reduce, or eliminate individual performance targets
or other factors in the Plan as it deems appropriate based on the economic climate or any other
factors it deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee must certify each payment under the Plan
before it is paid. Any such changes and the factors involved therein will be described in future
filings with the SEC.
The Compensation Committee has delegated non-equity performance compensation of the Banks
remaining senior officers to a committee made up of the Banks Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Executive Committee). The Compensation Committee
reviews these incentive compensation plans but does not authorize each one on an individual basis.
Discretion of the non-equity performance compensation is delegated to the Executive Committee.
These incentive plans are in effect for the calendar year 2009 and authorize the payment of
plan-based cash incentive awards if the Bank achieves specific financial and operative goals or if
the individual participant under such plan performs in certain categories to a level deemed by the
committee to be acceptable. Each of the participants right to payment under their respective plan
is contingent upon the achievement of pre-established performance goals for the performance period
of the award. For detailed information on all awards earned by executive officers in fiscal 2009
see Grant of Plan-Based Awards Fiscal 2009.
The Executive Committee has authorized the following incentive-compensation plan for the
Banks Senior Vice President, Mark Graham for 2009. The maximum compensation available under the
plan that would be available to the Senior Vice President if 100% of the plans benchmarks were
reached is 40% of his base salary of $117,000 for 2009 or $46,800.
The first benchmark of the Senior Vice Presidents plan (SVP Plan) is based on the Bank
achieving its target net loan growth for the fiscal year. For 2009, the target net loan amount for
the Bank was set at $574,213,367. This amount is based upon internal budget goals as set forth in
the Corporations internal business plan. This factor has a weight of 30% of the overall incentive
payment. If the minimum target is not attained, no allocation of this benchmark is paid.
The second benchmark of the SVP Plan is based on the Bank achieving its targeted bank net
operating income for the fiscal year. Bank net operating income is defined as net income before
the payment of federal income taxes and gains or losses on the sale of securities. For 2009, the
target bank net operating income for the Bank was set at $10,025,000. This amount is based upon
internal budget goals as set forth in the Corporations internal business plan. This factor has a
weight of 20% of the overall incentive payment. If the minimum target is not attained, no
allocation of this benchmark is paid.
The third benchmark of the SVP Plan is based on the Bank achieving its targeted net loans for
the fiscal year. The Banks net loans are defined as the current loan portfolio balance less the
amount set aside for loan loss provisions. For 2009, the net loan balance for the Bank was set at
$546,451,995. This amount is based upon internal budget goals as set forth in the Corporations
internal business plan. This factor has a weight of 15% of the overall incentive payment. If the
minimum target is not attained, no allocation of this benchmark is paid.
The fourth benchmark of the SVP Plan is based on the Bank achieving its targeted asset quality
ratio for non-accrual loans for the fiscal year. The Banks asset quality ratio is based on the
Banks non-accrual loans as a percentage of total loans. For 2009, the target for non-accrual
loans as a percentage of total loans was 0.85%. This amount is based upon internal budget goals as
set forth in the Corporations internal business plan. This factor has a weight of 15% of the
overall incentive payment. If the minimum target is not attained, no allocation of this benchmark
is paid.
28
The fifth benchmark of the SVP Plan is based on the participants leadership and communication
skills, both internally within the Bank and externally within the community. The participant will
be evaluated by the Executive Committee on a subjective basis and given an overall score. This
factor has a weight of 20% of the overall SVP Plan. The participant will receive his proportionate
amount of the 20% based on the score given to him by the committee. If the minimum target is not
attained, no allocation of this benchmark is paid.
|
b. |
|
The Role of Equity Awards |
The Compensation Committee believes that long-term equity awards are also an effective way to
attract, retain and motivate the Corporations executive team. The Corporations 1999 Stock Option
Plan expired in 2009. No new awards may be granted from this plan. The Compensation Committee
and the Board have approved the adoption of the proposed 2010 Replacement Equity Plan set forth in
Proposal No. 7. If approved by our shareholders the Compensation Committee will review for 2010
the current compensation plans of our employees and Executive Officers to determine if an equity
award as part of their compensation package is in the Corporations long-term business objectives.
The Corporation relies on a mix of each of these elements because it believes each element
contributes to an integrated, balanced, fair, and competitive compensation program. Such a program
is necessary for the Bank to attract and retain the consistent, long-term leadership that is
required for the Bank to succeed. The Compensation Committee recommends and determines the amounts
for each element based upon its straightforward judgments about the performance of individuals and
the long-term interests of the Corporations shareholders. The Compensation Committees policy for
allocating between long-term and currently paid out compensation is to emphasize a competitive
salary structure. Each element of compensation is presented in the Summary Compensation Table
provided below.
There are no additional Deferred Compensation Agreements or amendments to the Employment
Contracts of Executives presently contemplated by the Compensation Committee.
Determination of Amounts of Compensation and the Role of Surveys and Benchmarking. The
Compensation Committee does not engage in any benchmarking of the Corporations compensation
against any other institution; however, it is aware of the levels of compensation for banking
executives in the Corporations geographic market. The Corporations compensation program for the
cash and equity compensation must be competitive in the relevant market. The competitive market is
a primary consideration in setting levels of salaries and grants under our former 1999 Stock Option
Plan and under the proposed 2010 Replacement Equity Plan.
The Compensation Committee selected and retained the services of J.L. Nick & Associates, Inc.
(J.L. Nick), an independent consulting firm in 2008 to help ensure that the Corporations
executive compensation was within a reasonably competitive range. The Compensation Committee
sought input from J.L. Nick on a range of external market factors, including evolving compensation
trends, appropriate comparable banks, and analyzing various market survey data. J.L. Nick provided
the Corporation with general observations on its compensation programs.
In 2009, the Compensation Committee reviewed the current compensation practices of the
Corporation and the reports submitted by J.L. Nick for 2008. Since there were no material
increases to the compensation packages for the employees and executive officers of the Corporation,
the Compensation Committee did not retain the services of an independent consulting firm for 2009.
In setting compensation packages for 2009, the Compensation Committee took into account the 2008
reports submitted by J.L. Nick as well as its own internal review and analysis as set forth herein
to ensure that its compensation packages are within a reasonable competitive range.
Although the Compensation Committee reviews the compensation practices at the peer companies
(gathered from SEC filings) and the various compensation surveys and analysis described above it
does not adhere to a strict formula to determine the executive officers compensation
package. Instead, as described above, it relies on a variety of factors including
experience, responsibility, individual performance and the overall financial performance of the
Corporation.
29
Risk Management of the Compensation Programs
The Compensation Committee oversees the implementation and enforcement of the Corporations
policies, procedures and practices related to its various compensation programs as part of its
duties. This is designed to monitor the Corporations compensation policies to ensure that the
compensation packages offered to its employees and executive officers do not present such
individuals with the potential to engage in excessive or inappropriate risk taking activities that
would reasonably lead to a material adverse effect on the Corporation.
The Compensation Committee believes that the Corporations current compensation structure for
its employees and its executive officers does not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking to
the extent that it would reasonably likely lead to a material adverse effect on the Corporation.
The current compensation programs appropriately balance risk and the desire to focus on the
short-term and the long-term goals of the Corporation and does not encourage unnecessary or
excessive risk taking.
Fiscal 2009 Compensation Decisions
1. Equity Grants. As a result of the 1999 Stock Option Plan expiring, in 2009, the
Compensation Committee did not authorize any equity grant to its named executive officers.
2. Performance-Based Cash Incentives Plan
In 2009, the Compensation Committee implemented the 2009 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan
as described under the Section Performance-Based Cash Incentives above. In addition, the
Compensation Committee authorized the Executive Committee to implement incentive compensation
packages for the Banks senior officers not covered under the 2009 Executive Incentive Compensation
Plan. The Executive Committee implemented the SVP Plan as described above under the Section
Performance-Based Cash Incentives above. The Compensation Committee believes that the plans will
allow for more flexibility in providing compensation to executive officers as members of a team,
which will allow the Corporation to continue to achieve its business objectives. This will allow
the Corporation to retain current executive officers and provide an additional compensation
arrangement to attract new executives. The specific payment amounts for fiscal 2009 are shown in
the table entitled Summary Compensation Table Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008 below.
Fiscal 2010 Compensation Decisions
The Corporation has not authorized the 2010 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan or made any
material changes to the executive officers compensation packages for 2010 as of the date of this
proxy statement.
30
Summary Compensation Table Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008
Summary Compensation Table. Listed below for fiscal years 2009 and 2008 is the total
compensation paid by the Corporations subsidiary Bank to the named person(s) for their respective
services in all capacities, specifically setting forth the direct compensation to the President &
CEO (who is also the Corporations Principal Executive Officer), the Principal Financial Officer
and three other executive officers who received cash and cash equivalent compensation in excess of
$100,000 or who was employed in 2009 and is intended to serve thereafter as an executive officer.
The table entitled Summary Compensation Table Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008 should be read in
conjunction with the tables and narrative descriptions that follow. The Compensation Committee has
recommended and approved the compensation set forth below.
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Annual |
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401(k) |
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Stock |
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Non-Equity |
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Salary and |
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Corporation |
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Option |
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Incentive Plan |
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All Other |
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Name and |
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Director |
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Bonus |
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Contribution |
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Awards |
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Compensation |
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Compensation |
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Principal Position |
|
Year |
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|
Fees (a) |
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(b) |
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(c) |
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(d) |
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(e) |
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(f) |
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Total |
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Frank L. Paden |
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2009 |
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250,600 |
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6,640 |
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18,200 |
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7,499 |
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282,939 |
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President & CEO |
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2008 |
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233,088 |
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6,188 |
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|
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39,043 |
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9,631 |
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287,950 |
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Principal Executive
Officer |
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Carl D. Culp |
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2009 |
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140,800 |
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4,941 |
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|
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13,375 |
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558 |
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159,674 |
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Executive VP & CFO |
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2008 |
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136,196 |
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4,086 |
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|
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|
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23,439 |
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|
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652 |
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|
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164,373 |
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Principal Financial
Officer |
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John S. Gulas (f) |
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2009 |
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204,167 |
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4,830 |
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1,633 |
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38,973 |
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1,546 |
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251,149 |
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EVP & Chief
Operating Officer |
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2008 |
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84,849 |
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2,300 |
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15,231 |
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102,470 |
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Mark L. Graham |
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2009 |
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117,861 |
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3,659 |
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46,800 |
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904 |
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169,244 |
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Senior Vice
President |
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2008 |
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110,423 |
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3,763 |
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18,752 |
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859 |
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133,797 |
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Kevin J. Helmick (h) |
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2009 |
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94,923 |
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37,883 |
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3,303 |
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0 |
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420 |
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136,529 |
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Sr. Vice President |
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2008 |
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55,860 |
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50,339 |
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3,426 |
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13,543 |
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341 |
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123,509 |
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(a) |
|
The amount of Director Fees included in this annual amount is for Mr.
Paden ($12,000 for 2009 and 2008). |
|
(b) |
|
Pursuant to the terms of his employment contract, Mr. Helmicks annual
salary is comprised of a base salary and a monthly commission which is based on
the amount of production generated from the PrimeVest Financial Services
Department (PrimeVest). Mr. Helmick is paid a commission of 5% on all
PrimeVest gross monthly revenue up to $48,000, and a commission of 7.5% on all
PrimeVest gross monthly revenue which exceeds $48,000. For 2009, Mr. Helmick was
paid a base salary of $94,923 a commission of $37,883 for an annual salary of
$132,806. For 2008, Mr. Helmicks base salary was $55,860 and his commission was
$50,339 for an annual salary of $106,199. |
|
(c) |
|
In May 1996, the Corporation adopted a 401(k) Profit Sharing Retirement
Savings Plan. All employees of the Bank who have completed at least one year of
service and meet certain other eligibility requirements are eligible to
participate in the Plan. Under the terms of the Plan, employees may voluntarily
defer a portion of their annual compensation, not to exceed 15%, pursuant to
Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Bank matches a percentage of the
participants voluntary contributions up to 6% of gross wages. In addition,
at the discretion of the Board, the Bank may make an additional profit sharing
contribution to the Plan. The Banks contributions are subject to a vesting
schedule and the Plan meets the requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code and Department of Labor Regulations under ERISA. |
|
(d) |
|
Represents the aggregate fair market value amount as of the grant date
that was recognized for the stock award. |
|
(e) |
|
See section Executive Compensation Performance-Based Cash Incentives
above for description of the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. The named
executive officers annual incentive bonuses are derived based on the performance
of the Corporation relative to pre-established objectives set forth in the above
section. All non-equity incentive compensation was earned in 2009 and paid out in
2010. |
|
(f) |
|
Amounts represent cost of group term life insurance and other benefits,
and for Mr. Paden, accrued amounts under his deferred compensation agreement. |
|
(g) |
|
The increase for Mr. Gulas salary for 2009 is due to the fact that Mr.
Gulas was hired July 7, 2008 and therefore only a pro-rata portion of his salary
was paid in 2008. |
The primary elements of each executive officers total compensation reported in the above
table are the executive officers base salary, annual incentive bonus, and long-term equity awards
of stock options. Each executive officer also received other benefits as listed in column (b) and
(e) and described in the footnotes to the table. Each of the executive officers is under an
Employment Contract with the Corporation as described in the section entitled EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
OF EXECUTIVES below.
31
Grants of Plan Based Awards Fiscal 2009
The following table sets forth information regarding incentive awards granted to the named
executive officers for the fiscal year ending 2009 and should be read in conjunction with the
Summary Compensation Table.
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Estimated Future Payouts Under |
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Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (a) |
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All Other Options |
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Exercise or |
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Grant Date |
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Actual |
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Awards: Number |
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Base Price |
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Fair Value of |
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Minimum |
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Maximum |
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Maximum |
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of Securities |
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of Option |
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Stock and |
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Grant |
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Threshold |
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Threshold |
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Received |
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Underlying |
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Awards |
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Option Awards |
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Name |
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Date |
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($) (b) |
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($) (c) |
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($) (d) |
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Options (#) |
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($) |
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($) |
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Frank L. Paden |
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16,702 |
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83,510 |
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18,200 |
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Carl D. Culp |
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9,856 |
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49,280 |
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13,375 |
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John S. Gulas |
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7,875 |
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78,750 |
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38,973 |
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Mark Graham |
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11,834 |
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46,800 |
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46,800 |
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(a) |
|
For 2009, there were two different performance-based incentive
compensation plans in place for the executive officers. Mr. Paden, Mr. Culp and
Mr. Gulas participated in the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan and Mr. Graham
participated in the SVP Plan. |
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|
Payments under the Corporations Executive Incentive Plan for Mr. Paden, Mr. Culp
and Mr. Gulas are based upon a pool of funds equal to 35% of the participants 2009
base salary. There is no minimum payout amount and the maximum payment would be
$211,540 assuming all Plan criteria are fully accomplished for 2009. Each one of
the four components measured under this Plan carries a different weight. |
|
|
|
Mr. Paden did not achieve the minimum targets in benchmark one or two. Mr. Paden
achieved 55.8% of the third benchmark for a payment of $9,319 and 53.5% of the
fourth benchmark for a payment of $8,943 all of which totaled $18,200. |
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|
|
Mr. Gulas did not achieve the minimum target in benchmark one. Mr. Gulas achieved
the maximum target of two of the three components in benchmark two (loan growth and
deposit growth) for a payment of $15,750; 80.45% of benchmark three for a payment
of $12,671 and 67% of benchmark four for a payment of $10,553 all of which totaled
$38,973. |
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|
|
Mr. Culp did not achieve the minimum targets in benchmark one or two. Mr. Culp
achieved 69% of benchmark three for a payment of $6,800 and 66.7% of benchmark four
for a payment of $6,574 all of which totaled $13,375. |
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|
The payment under the SVP Plan to Mr. Graham is based upon a pool of funds equal to
40% of his 2009 base salary. There is no minimum payout amount and the maximum
payment to Mr. Graham would be $46,800 assuming all plan criteria are fully
accomplished for 2009. Each one of the five components measured under this Plan
carries a different weight. During 2009, Mr. Graham achieved the maximum target
under the first, third and fifth benchmarks all of which totaled $51,779.
However, pay out under the plan is capped at 40% of his base salary of $117,000.
This equated to a total payment of $46,800. |
|
(b) |
|
The minimum threshold payout available to each of the executive officers
based on the total incentive compensation pool available in 2009 of $211,540 if
each participant reached a minimum of one of the target goals for one of the four
benchmarks available to him. The minimum payout would be the percentage allocated
to that achieved benchmark based upon 35% of that participants 2009 base salary. |
|
(c) |
|
The maximum payout available to each of the executive officers based on
the total incentive compensation pool available in 2009 of $211,540 if the
participants reach 100% of each of the four benchmarks under the plan up to a
maximum of 35% of each participants base salary for 2009. |
|
(d) |
|
The actual amount paid to each executive officer under the 2009
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan in 2009 based on the total incentive
compensation pool available in 2009 of $211,540. Each participants actual bonus
payment under the Plan shall not exceed 35% of such participants base salary for
2009. The salary for each of the above named participants is set forth in the
table Summary Compensation Table Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008 above. |
Each of the non-equity incentive plan awards reported in the above table were granted under
the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. The material terms of these incentive awards are
described under Executive Compensation above.
32
Deferred Compensation Agreements
In 1991, as a result of certain changes in the Internal Revenue Code, the Banks former
pension plan was amended to reduce significantly the benefits of several key employees, including
those of Mr. Paden. As a result, the Bank has entered into Deferred Compensation Agreements with
Mr. Paden. Under the terms of the Deferred Compensation Agreements, upon retirement, Mr. Paden
will receive monthly payments of $930.00 each for a period of two hundred and four (204)
consecutive months. In the event that any payments remain payable to the executive officer at the
time of his death, the remaining payments will be discounted to present value (at the rate of 6%
compounded annually) and paid to his surviving spouse in a lump sum. If there is no surviving
spouse, the lump sum payment will be made to the estate of the deceased executive. Payments will
be prorated in the event the employee retires before the age of 65, and will be increased if he
retires after the age of 65. These agreements are funded by life insurance policies owned by the
Bank, on which the Bank is the beneficiary and on which the Bank pays the premiums. These
agreements also provide that these executive officers will be available to perform consulting
services for the Bank during the period they are receiving these payments, and prohibit them from
entering into competition with the Bank during that same period.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS OF EXECUTIVES
The Corporation has entered into employment contracts with Frank L. Paden, Carl D. Culp, Mark
L. Graham, and Kevin J. Helmick in December of 2008 and John S. Gulas in January of 2009. The
Corporation desires to provide for the continued employment of these executives resulting in
continuity of management for the future. Each employment contract for each respective executive
provides the following terms and conditions of employment:
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|
|
Each executive shall have a term of employment commencing on the date of the employment
contract and continuing for a period of 36 months. The term of the contract shall
automatically be renewed in 36-month increments, unless written notice of termination is
provided by either party at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the then current term.
The agreement shall continue until terminated pursuant to its terms. |
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The base salary of each executive will be reviewed by the Bank on an annual basis. |
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|
Each executive is eligible to participate in the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan,
according to terms and conditions applicable to all other executives and the stock option
plan of the Bank and any successor plan. |
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|
Each agreement also contains customary provisions regarding post-employment competition
and anti-solicitation, vacations, insurance and expense reimbursements. |
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|
The executive may be terminated without cause provided that 30 days advance written
notice is provided to the other party and for cause without advance notice as that term is
described in the agreement. |
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|
If the executives employment is terminated by the Bank without cause, or by executive
for good cause or a change in control of the Corporation occurs and the executive is not
offered a position that is substantially similar in terms of duties, responsibilities, pay
and benefits, in addition to the above compensation, the executive shall receive (i) a lump
sum payment payable within 30 days of termination equal to any unused vacation time, (ii) 72
bi-monthly severance installment payments equal to the greater of (A) the bi-monthly
installment payment in executives Employment Agreement in effect as of the date hereof (*
see below for payment amounts), or (B) 1/24 of his highest annual salary in effect within 12
months of termination, less appropriate withholdings and (iii) participation in the
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan or other similar programs then in effect on a pro-rata
basis for a portion of the incentive period proceeding termination. |
|
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If the executives employment is terminated for cause by the Bank or by the executive
without cause the executive is not entitled to any severance payments. Upon termination
for disability or death, the executive or the executives estate is entitled to receive only
a lump sum payment for unused vacation time and a pro-rata participation in the Executive
Incentive Compensation Plan. |
33
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
The Bank has entered into an employment agreement with each of the executive officers as
described in the section above entitled EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS OF EXECUTIVES. See also the section
Deferred Compensation Agreements.
Under the employment agreement, for each executive other than Mr. Helmick, if the executives
employment is terminated by the Bank without cause, or by executive for good cause (as defined
in the agreement) or if a change in control of the Corporation occurs and the executive is not
offered a position that is substantially similar in terms of duties, responsibilities, pay and
benefits, the executive shall receive (i) a lump sum payment payable within 30 days of termination
equal to any unused vacation time, (ii) 72 bi-monthly severance installment payments equal to the
greater of (A) the bi-monthly installment payment in executives Employment Agreement in effect as
of the date hereof (* see below for payment amounts), or (B) 1/24 of his highest annual salary in
effect within 12 months of termination, less appropriate withholdings and (iii) that amount earned
for participation in the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan or other similar programs then in
effect on a pro-rata basis for a portion of the incentive period preceding termination.
Under Mr. Helmicks employment agreement, if he is terminated by the Bank without cause, or
by executive for good cause (as defined in the agreement) or if a change in control of the
Corporation occurs and the executive is not offered a position that is substantially similar in
terms of duties, responsibilities, pay and benefits, the executive shall receive (i) a lump sum
payment payable within 30 days of termination equal to any unused vacation time, (ii) 72 bi-monthly
severance installment payments equal to 1/24 of his annualized W-2 income at the time of his
termination and (iii) that amount earned for participation in the Executive Incentive Compensation
Plan or other similar programs then in effect on a pro-rata basis for a portion of the incentive
period preceding termination.
Upon termination due to disability or death, each executives estate will be entitled to a
lump sum payment equal to any unused vacation time and that amount earned for participation in the
Executive Incentive Compensation Plan or any other similar program then in effect on a pro-rata
basis for the portion of the inventive period preceding death or disability.
The following table lists the named executives and the estimated amounts they would have
become entitled to receive upon termination or a change of control if such event had occurred on
December 31, 2009.
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Bank terminates |
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Bank terminates |
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executives |
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executives employment |
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employment for cause |
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Executives |
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without cause or by |
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Total Compensation |
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or executive |
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employment is |
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executive for good |
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prior to termination or |
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terminates without |
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terminated due to |
|
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reason or upon change |
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Name |
|
a change in control (1) |
|
|
good reason (2) |
|
|
disability or death (3) |
|
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in control (4) |
|
Frank L. Paden |
|
$ |
282,939 |
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$ |
734,024 |
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John S. Gulas |
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$ |
249,516 |
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$ |
651,477 |
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Carl D. Culp |
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$ |
159,674 |
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$ |
435,799 |
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Mark L. Graham |
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$ |
169,244 |
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$ |
400,392 |
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Kevin J. Helmick |
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$ |
136,529 |
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$ |
398,448 |
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(1) |
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See Summary Compensation Table Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008 above. |
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(2) |
|
If the Bank terminates any of the named Executive Officers for cause or
executive terminates his employment without good reason, the Bank shall have no
obligations to pay severance to the executive after the date of termination. |
|
(3) |
|
Unused vacation time at the time of disability or death and a pro-rata portion
of his portion of the 2009 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. |
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(4) |
|
Total value is comprised of the following three sums: |
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Each of the executive officers unused vacation time is equal to $0. |
34
|
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72 bi-monthly installment payments of the following: Mr. Padens bi-monthly
installment payment is equal to $9,942; Mr. Gulas bi-monthly installment payment is
equal to $8,507; Mr. Culps bi-monthly installment payment is equal to $5,867; Mr.
Grahams bi-monthly installment payment is equal is $4,911; and Mr. Helmicks
bi-monthly installment payment is equal to $5,534. |
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The Executive Incentive Compensation Plan is based on calendar year results and
therefore allocation of such compensation for each executive officers as of
December 31, 2009 is the full year for such compensation plan. Mr. Padens portion
of the 2009 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan is equal to $18,200; Mr. Gulas
portion of the 2009 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan is equal to $38,973; Mr.
Culps portion of the 2009 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan is equal to
$13,375; and Mr. Grahams portion of the SVP Plan for 2009 is equal to $46,800. |
|
(5) |
|
In addition to the compensation listed, upon retirement, Mr. Paden is
entitled to receive additional compensation pursuant to his Deferred Compensation
Agreement. See Deferred Compensation Agreements above. |
Upon termination for any reason, each of the executive officers shall be subject to a one-year
non-compete which shall prevent such individual from working for a competitor of the Corporation or
the Bank unless such executives term of employment was not renewed.
Upon termination for any reason, each of the executive officers shall be subject to a one-year
non-solicitation of customers which shall prevent such individual from soliciting business from any
customer or client of the Bank at the time of executives termination.
Upon termination for any reason, each of the executive officers shall be subject to a two-year
non-solicitation of employees which shall prevent such individual from employing, attempting to
employ or soliciting for employment any individual who is employed by the Bank at the time of
executives termination.
The Compensation Committee of the Board has approved the terms of each of the executives
officers employment contracts.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END
The following table sets forth the incentive stock options granted to the Corporations Chief
Operating Officer under the Farmers National Banc Corp. 1999 Stock Option Plan. This plan has
subsequently been terminated in March 2009. The Compensation Committee of the Board has approved
the grants of incentive stock options described below. No options have been exercised.
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Number of Securities |
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Underlying Unexercised |
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Options Which are |
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Exercise Price (2) |
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Name |
|
Exercisable (1) |
|
|
Per Share |
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|
Expiration Date |
|
John S. Gulas |
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.55 |
|
|
|
7/22/2013 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
As part of his Employment Agreement with the Bank, the Options granted to
Mr. Gulas on July 22, 2008 are incentive stock options, and are exercisable
equally over a five-year vesting period; however, all options become immediately
exercisable in the event of a change in control of the Corporation. These options
were granted for a term of ten years, subject to earlier termination in certain
events related to termination of employment. All options granted have been vested
and are exercisable. |
|
(2) |
|
Exercise price is the fair market value on the date of the grant. |
35
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table presents information regarding the compensation paid during the fiscal
year 2009 to its Non-Employee Directors. The compensation paid to Mr. Paden, the CEO, for director
services, is included in the Summary Compensation Table and the related explanatory tables herein.
|
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Name of Director |
|
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)* |
|
|
Total ($) |
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Benjamin R. Brown |
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
|
27,000 |
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Anne Frederick Crawford |
|
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28,000 |
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28,000 |
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James R. Fisher |
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28,000 |
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28,000 |
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Joseph D. Lane |
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28,000 |
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28,000 |
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Ralph D. Macali |
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29,000 |
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29,000 |
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Earl R. Scott |
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29,000 |
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29,000 |
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Ronald V. Wertz |
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28,000 |
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28,000 |
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* |
|
Directors received a monthly retainer of $1,000 for serving on the Board.
In addition, these directors received a $500 fee for each of the committee meetings
attended. |
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Corporation is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and in
accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission.
Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Corporation can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Commissions regional offices at 175 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 900,
Chicago, Illinois 60604. Copies of such material may be obtained by mail from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. The
Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The address of such
site is http://www.sec.gov.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The following documents and information filed by the Corporation are hereby incorporated by
reference herein:
(i) Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2010 for its most recent fiscal year;
(ii) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed since its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K;
(iii) Proxy Statement filed in connection with its most recent Annual Meeting of Shareholders;
and all documents subsequently filed by the Corporation pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this proxy statement and prior to the Special Meeting
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of
filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
proxy statement to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this proxy statement.
36
The Corporation will provide upon oral or written request and without charge to each person to
whom this proxy statement is delivered, including any beneficial owner, a copy of any or all of the
foregoing documents incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to such documents). The
public may read and copy any materials so filed with the Commission at the Public Reference Room at
100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 and/or obtain information on the operation of the
public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Additionally, the Commission
maintains an Internet site that contains reports and other information regarding registrants
that file electronically with the Commission, which can be obtained at http://www.sec.gov. Written
requests for documents should be directed to the Corporation at:
Farmers National Bank of Canfield
20 South Broad Street
P. O. Box 555
Canfield, Ohio 44406
Attn: Carl D. Culp
(330) 533-3341
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Crowe Horwath LLP has served as the Corporations independent public accountant for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2009. They have served in that capacity since 2003. Crowe Horwath LLP is
expected to have a representative present at the Special Meeting, will be available to respond to
appropriate shareholder questions, and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire
to do so.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any shareholder proposal intended to be placed in the proxy statement for the 2011 Annual
Meeting to be held in April 2011 must be received by the Corporation no later than November 19,
2010. Written proposals should be sent to Carl D. Culp, Executive Vice President and Treasurer,
Farmers National Banc Corp., 20 South Broad Street, PO Box 555, Canfield, Ohio 44406. Each
proposal submitted should be accompanied by the name and address of the shareholder submitting the
proposal and the number of shares owned. If the proponent is not a shareholder of record, proof of
beneficial ownership should also be submitted. All proposals must be a proper subject for action
and comply with the proxy rules of the Commission. Reference is made to Rule 14a-8 under the
Exchange Act for information concerning the content and form of such proposal and the manner in
which such proposal must be made.
SHAREHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
The Corporation has adopted a procedure called householding which is approved by the
Commission. Under this procedure, the Corporation is delivering one copy of this proxy statement
to multiple shareholders who share the same mailing address unless the Corporation has received
contrary instructions from an affected shareholder. By adopting this procedure, the Corporation
will reduce its printing costs, mailing costs and fees. Shareholders will continue to receive
separate proxy cards.
The Corporation will promptly deliver without charge a separate copy of the proxy statement to any
shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the proxy statement was delivered upon
receipt of an oral or written request. To receive a separate copy of the proxy statement, a
shareholder may write or call the Corporation at:
Investor Relations
Farmers National Bank
20 South Broad Street
PO Box 555
Canfield, Ohio 44406
1-888-988-3276
37
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board does not know of any other business to be presented at the Special Meeting and does
not intend to bring other matters before the Special Meeting. However, if any other matters
properly come before the Special Meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the proxy will
vote thereon according to their best judgment and interest of the Corporation.
May 14, 2010
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
FRANK L. PADEN, PRESIDENT & SECRETARY
38
FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP.
ATTN: SUSAN E. BETTER
20 SOUTH BROAD STREET
P.O.
BOX 555
CANFIELD, OH 44406
VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to transmit your voting
instructions and for electronic delivery of
information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day
before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your
proxy card in hand when you access the web site and
follow the instructions to obtain your records and to
create an electronic voting instruction form.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by
our company in mailing proxy materials, you can
consent to receiving all future proxy statements,
proxy cards and annual reports electronically via
e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic
delivery, please follow the instructions above to
vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate
that you agree to receive or access proxy materials
electronically in future years.
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your
voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have
your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow
the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return
it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or
return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge,
51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
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M24728-Z52890
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KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
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THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
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DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
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FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP.
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The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: |
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For |
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Against |
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Abstain |
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1. To approve an amendment to Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation authorizing a class of 1,000,000
Preferred Shares, without par value. Please give your instructions by marking the box of your choosing.
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o
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o
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o |
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2. To approve an amendment to Article XIII of the Articles of Incorporation to eliminate pre-emptive rights.
Please give your instructions by marking the box of your choosing.
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3. To approve an amendment to Article XIV of the Articles of Incorporation to eliminate shareholder approval
required to leverage the assets of the Corporation to secure payment or performance of any contract, note,
bond or other obligation of the Corporation.
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o
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o
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4. To approve an amendment to add Article XVI to the Articles of Incorporation to provide for simple majority
voting to amend the terms of the Articles of Incorporation. Please give your instructions by marking the box
of your choosing.
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o
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o
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5. To approve an amendment to Article XI of the Code of Regulations to authorize the Board of Directors to amend the
Code of Regulations, to the extent permitted under Ohio law. Please give your instructions by marking the box
of your choosing.
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o
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6. To approve an amendment to Article II, Section 6 of the Code of Regulations to provide that those shareholders
present in person, by proxy, or by the use of communications equipment at any meeting of shareholders shall
constitute a quorum. Please give your instructions by marking the box of your choosing.
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7. To approve the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan. Please give your instructions by marking the box of your choosing.
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NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
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Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners must each sign
personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate
or partnership name, by authorized officer.
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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN
BOX] |
Date |
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Signature (Joint Owners) |
Date |
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting:
The Notice and Proxy Statement is available at www.proxyvote.com.
M24729-Z52890
FARMERS
NATIONAL BANC CORP.
Special Meeting of Shareholders
June 17, 2010 3:30 PM
This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors
The undersigned shareholder hereby appoints Barbara C. Fisher, Edward A. Ort and Robert N.
Rusu, Jr. or any one of them (each with full power to act alone), my true and lawful attorney(s)
with full power of substitution, to vote as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of
the common shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. standing in my name on its books on April 19, 2010
that the shareholder is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of its Shareholders to be held at
the St. Michaels Family Life Center, 340 North Broad Street, Canfield, Ohio
44406 on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at three-thirty oclock (3:30) P.M. Eastern Time and any
adjournment or postponement thereof with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally
present.
In the absence of instructions to the contrary, this proxy confers authority to the vote and will
be voted For each proposal listed. If any other business is presented at said meeting, this proxy
shall be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors.
If you do attend the Special Meeting, you may then withdraw your proxy. The proxy may be revoked at
any time prior to its exercise.
Continued and to be signed on reverse side
Appendix A
Amendment
to the
Articles of Incorporation
Of
Farmers National Banc Corp.
RESOLVED, that Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of Farmers National Banc
Corp. be, and it hereby is, amended in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE IV
The aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes which the corporation shall have authority
to issue is twenty-five million (25,000,000) shares, of which twenty-four million (24,000,000)
shall be common shares, without par value (Common Shares) and of which one million (1,000,000)
shall be preferred shares, without par value (Preferred Shares). Furthermore, the corporation,
through its Board of Directors shall have the power to purchase, hold, sell and transfer its own
shares.
The shares of such classes shall have the following express terms:
EXPRESS TERMS OF THE COMMON SHARES
The Common Shares shall be subject to the express terms of the Preferred Shares and any series
thereof. Each Common Share shall be equal to every other Common Share and except as otherwise
provided by law, the holders thereof shall be entitled to one vote for each Common Share on all
matters voted upon by shareholders of the corporation.
EXPRESS TERMS OF THE PREFERRED SHARES
(A) The Board of Directors of the corporation is hereby granted the authority, subject to the
provisions of this Article IV and to the limitations prescribed by law, to classify the unissued
Preferred Shares into one or more series and with respect to each such series to fix by resolution
providing for the issuance of such series the terms, including the preferences, rights and
limitations, of such series. Each series shall consist of such number of shares as shall be stated
in the resolution providing for the issuance of such series together with such additional number of
shares as the Board of Directors by resolution may from time to time determine to issue as a part
of the series. The Board of Directors may from time to time decrease the number of shares of any
series of Preferred Shares (but not below the number thereof then outstanding) by providing that
any unissued shares previously assigned to such series shall no longer constitute a part thereof
and restoring such unissued shares to the status of authorized but unissued Preferred Shares.
The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series of Preferred Shares shall
include, but not be limited to, the determination or fixing of the following:
(i) The number of shares constituting such series, including the authority to increase or decrease
such number, and the distinctive designation of the series.
(ii) The dividend rate, if any, of the series, the conditions and dates upon which any dividends
shall be payable, the relation which the dividends payable on the series shall bear to the
dividends payable on any other class or classes of shares or any other series of Preferred Shares,
and whether the dividends shall be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative.
(iii) Whether the shares of the series shall be subject to redemption by the corporation and
whether such redemption is at the option of the corporation, the holder of shares of the series or
any other person, and, if made subject to redemption, the times, prices and other terms and
conditions of the redemption.
41
(iv) The rights of the holders of the shares of the series upon the dissolution of, or upon the
distribution of assets of, the corporation, and the amount payable on the shares of the series in
the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation of the corporation.
(v) The terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of the shares
of the series.
(vi) Whether or not the shares of the series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for shares
of any other classes or of any other series of any class or classes of shares of the corporation
and, if provision be made for conversion or exchange, the times, prices, rates, adjustments, and
other terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange.
(vii) The extent, if any, to which the holders of the shares of the series shall be entitled to
vote with respect to the election of directors or otherwise.
(viii) Any other rights, preferences or limitations of the shares of such series as may be
permitted by law.
The Board of Directors is authorized to adopt from time to time amendments to the Articles of
Incorporation fixing, with respect to each such series, the matters described in clauses (i)
through (viii), inclusive, of this Section A.
(B) The holders of shares of each series of Preferred Shares shall be senior to the Common Shares
in payment of dividends and payment in respect of liquidation or dissolution.
(C) Except as otherwise required by law or as may be stated in the resolution or resolutions of the
Board of Directors providing for the issuance of any series of Preferred Shares, no holder of
Preferred Shares of any series shall have any right to vote Preferred Shares on any matters voted
upon by shareholders of the corporation.
42
Appendix B
Amendment
to the
Articles of Incorporation
Of
Farmers National Banc Corp.
RESOLVED, that Article XIII of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of Farmers National Banc
Corp. be, and it hereby is, amended in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE XIII
Except as may be specifically designated by the Board of Directors pursuant to Article IV, no
holder of shares of the corporation of any class, as such, shall have the preemptive right to
subscribe for or to purchase any shares of any class of the corporation or any other securities of
the corporation, including any warrant, right or option to any share or other security, whether
such share or security of such class are now or hereafter authorized.
43
Appendix C
Amendment
to the
Articles of Incorporation
Of
Farmers National Banc Corp.
RESOLVED, that Article XVI of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of Farmers National Banc
Corp. be, and it hereby is, amended in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE XVI
Unless otherwise provided herein, any amendments to the Articles of Incorporation may be made from
time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting stock
of the corporation.
44
Appendix D
Amendment
to the
Amended Code of Regulations
Of
Farmers National Banc Corp.
RESOLVED, that Article XI of the Code of Regulations, as amended, of Farmers National Banc Corp.
be, and it hereby is, added in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE XI
These Regulations may be amended or repealed at any meeting of shareholders called for that
purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders of record of shares entitling them to exercise a
majority of the voting power on such proposal, or, by the Board of Directors unless a provision of
the Ohio Revised Code reserves the authority to amend such proposal to the shareholders.
45
Appendix E
Amendment
to the
Amended Code of Regulations
Of
Farmers National Banc Corp.
RESOLVED, that Article II, Section 6 of the Code of Regulations, as amended, of Farmers National
Banc Corp. be, and it hereby is, added in its entirety to read as follows:
Article II
Section 6. QUORUM.
The shareholders present in person, by proxy, or by the use of communications equipment at any
meeting of shareholders shall constitute a quorum for such meeting, but no action required by law,
the articles, or the regulations to be authorized or taken by the holders of a designated
proportion of the shares of any particular class or of each class, may be authorized or taken by a
lesser proportion, except when a greater proportion is required by law or the Articles of
Incorporation.
At any meeting at which a quorum is present, all questions and business which shall come before the
meeting shall be determined by the vote of the holders of a majority of such voting shares as are
represented in person or by proxy, except when a greater proportion is required by law or the
Articles of Incorporation.
The holders of a majority of the voting shares represented at any meeting, whether or not a quorum
is present, may adjourn such meeting from time to time and from place to place without notice other
than by announcement at the meeting, except when a greater proportion is required by law or the
Articles of Incorporation.
46
Appendix F
2010 Replacement Equity Plan
Farmers National Banc Corp.
Article 1
Purpose and Effective Date
1.1 Purpose. The purpose of this 2010 Replacement Equity Plan of Farmers National Banc Corp.
is to promote the long-term financial success of Farmers National Banc Corp., increasing
stockholder value by providing employees and directors the opportunity to acquire an ownership
interest in Farmers National Banc Corp. and enabling Farmers National Banc Corp. and its related
entities to attract and retain the services of the employees and directors upon whom the successful
conduct of Farmers National Banc Corp.s business depends.
1.2 Effective Date. This Plan shall be effective when it is adopted by Farmers National Banc
Corp.s board of directors and approved thereafter by the affirmative vote of Farmers National Banc
Corp. stockholders in accordance with applicable rules and procedures, including those in Internal
Revenue Code section 422 and Treasury Regulation section 1.422-3. Any award granted under this
Plan before stockholder approval shall be null and void if stockholders do not approve the Plan
within 12 months after the Plans adoption by Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors.
Subject to Article 12, the Plan shall continue until the tenth anniversary of the date it is
approved by Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors.
Article 2
Definitions
When used in this Plan, the following words, terms, and phrases have the meanings given in
this Article 2 unless another meaning is expressly provided elsewhere in this document or is
clearly required by the context. When applying these definitions and any other word, term, or
phrase used in this Plan, the form of any word, term, or phrase shall include any and all of its
other forms.
2.1 Award means a grant of (a) the right under Article 6 to purchase Farmers National Banc
Corp. common stock at a stated price during a specified period (an Option), which Option may be
(x) an Incentive Stock Option that on the date of the Award is identified as an Incentive Stock
Option, satisfies the conditions imposed under Internal Revenue Code section 422, and is not later
modified in a manner inconsistent with Internal Revenue Code section 422 or (y) a Nonqualified
Stock Option, meaning any Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option, or (b) Restricted Stock or
Restricted Stock Unit, meaning a share or right to receive a share of Farmers National Banc Corp.
common stock granted to a Participant contingent upon satisfaction of conditions described in
Article 7, or (c) Performance Shares, meaning shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock
granted to a Participant contingent upon satisfaction of conditions described in Article 8, or (d)
a Stock Appreciation Right or SAR, meaning an Award granted under Article 9 and consisting of the
potential appreciation of the shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock underlying the
Award.
2.2 Award Agreement means the written or electronic agreement between Farmers National Banc
Corp. and each Participant containing the terms and conditions of an Award and the manner in which
it will or may be settled if earned. If there is a conflict between the terms of this Plan and the
terms of the Award Agreement, the terms of this Plan shall govern.
2.3 Covered Officer means those Employees whose compensation is or likely will be subject to
limited deductibility under Internal Revenue Code section 162(m) as of the last day of any calendar
year.
2.4 Director means a person who, on the date an Award is made to him or to her, is not an
Employee but who is a member of Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors, a member of the
board of directors of a Related Entity, or a member of the governing body of any unincorporated
Related Entity. For purposes of applying this definition, a Directors status shall be determined
as of the date an Award is made to him or to her.
47
2.5 Employee means any person who, on any applicable date, is a common law employee of Farmers
National Banc Corp. or a Related Entity. A worker who is not classified as a common law employee
but who is subsequently reclassified as a common law employee for any reason and on any basis shall
be treated as a common law employee solely from the date reclassification occurs. Reclassification
shall not be applied retroactively for any purpose of this Plan.
2.6 Exercise Price means the amount, if any, a Participant must pay to exercise an Award.
2.7 Fair Market Value means the value of one share of Farmers National Banc Corp. common
stock, determined according to the following rules: (x) if Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock
is traded on an exchange or on an automated quotation system giving closing prices, the reported
closing price on the relevant date if the date is a trading day and otherwise on the next trading
day, (y) if Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock is traded over-the-counter with no reported
closing price, the mean between the highest bid and the lowest asked prices on that quotation
system on the relevant date if the date is a trading day and otherwise on the next trading day, or
(z) if neither clause (x) nor clause (y) applies, the fair market value as determined by the Plan
Committee in good faith and, for Incentive Stock Options, consistent with the rules prescribed
under Internal Revenue Code section 422.
2.8 Farmers National Banc Corp. means Farmers National Banc Corp., an Ohio corporation.
Except for purposes of determining whether a Change in Control has occurred (according to Article
11), the term Farmers National Banc Corp. also means any corporation or entity that is a successor
to Farmers National Banc Corp. or substantially all of its assets and that assumes the obligations
of Farmers National Banc Corp. under this Plan by operation of law or otherwise.
2.9 Internal Revenue Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or superseded
after the date this Plan becomes effective under section 1.2, and any applicable rulings or
regulations issued under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
2.10 Participant means an Employee or Director to whom an Award is granted, for as long as the
Award remains outstanding.
2.11 Plan means this 2010 Replacement Equity Plan of Farmers National Banc Corp., as amended
from time to time.
2.12 Plan Committee means a committee of Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors
consisting entirely of individuals (a) who are outside directors as defined in Treasury Regulation
section 1.162-27(e)(3)(i), (b) who are non-employee directors within the meaning of Rule 16b-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (c) who do not receive remuneration from Farmers
National Banc Corp. or any Related Entity in any capacity other than as a director, except as
permitted under Treasury Regulation section 1.162-27(e)(3), and (d) who are independent directors
within the meaning of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.s rules. The Plan Committee shall consist of
at least three individuals.
2.13 Plan Year means Farmers National Banc Corp.s fiscal year.
2.14 Related Entity means an entity that is or becomes related to Farmers National Banc Corp.
through common ownership, as determined under Internal Revenue Code section 414(b) or (c) but
modified as permitted under Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E) and any successor to
those regulations.
2.15 Restricted Stock means a share of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock, without par
value, granted under Article 7 of this Plan or a Restricted Stock Unit representing the right
to receive a share of Farmers National Banc Corp., without par value, granted under Article 7 of
this Plan.
48
Article 3
Participation
3.1 Awards to Employees. Consistent with the terms of the Plan and subject to section 3.3,
the Plan Committee alone shall decide which Employees will be granted Awards, shall specify the
types of Awards granted to Employees, and shall determine the terms upon which Awards are granted
and may be earned. The Plan Committee may establish different terms and conditions for each type
of Award granted to an Employee and for each Employee receiving the same type of Award, regardless
of whether the Awards are granted at the same or different times. The Plan Committee shall have
exclusive authority to determine whether an Award qualifies or is intended to qualify for the
exemption from the deduction limitations of Internal Revenue Code section 162(m) for
performance-based compensation.
3.2 Awards to Directors. Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors alone may grant to
Directors Nonqualified Stock Options under section 6.1 and Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock
Units under section 7.1.
3.3 Conditions of Participation. By accepting an Award, each Employee and Director agrees (x)
to be bound by the terms of the Award Agreement and the Plan and to comply with other conditions
imposed by the Plan Committee (or Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors, as
appropriate), and (y) that the Plan Committee (or Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors,
as appropriate) may amend the Plan and the Award Agreements without any additional consideration if
necessary to avoid penalties arising under Internal Revenue Code section 409A, even if the
amendment reduces, restricts, or eliminates rights that were granted under the Plan, the Award
Agreement, or both before the amendment.
Article 4
Administration
4.1 Duties. The Plan Committee is responsible for administering the Plan and shall have all
powers appropriate and necessary for that purpose. Consistent with the Plans objectives, Farmers
National Banc Corp.s board of directors and the Plan Committee may adopt, amend, and rescind rules
and regulations relating to the Plan to protect Farmers National Banc Corp.s and Related Entities
interests. Consistent with the Plans objectives, Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors
and the Plan Committee shall have complete discretion to make all other decisions necessary or
advisable for the administration and interpretation of the Plan. Actions of Farmers National Banc
Corp.s board of directors and the Plan Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive for all
purposes and upon all persons.
4.2 Delegation of Duties. In its sole discretion, Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of
directors and the Plan Committee may delegate ministerial duties associated with the Plan to any
person that it deems appropriate, including an Employee. However, neither Farmers National Banc
Corp.s board of directors nor the Plan Committee shall delegate a duty it must discharge to comply
with the conditions for exemption of performance-based compensation from the deduction limitations
of section 162(m).
4.3 Award Agreement. As soon as administratively practical after an Award is made, the Plan
Committee or Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors shall prepare and deliver an Award
Agreement to each affected Participant. The Award Agreement shall
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(a) |
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describe the terms of the Award, including the type of Award and when and how the Award
may be exercised or earned, |
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(b) |
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state the Exercise Price, if any, associated with the Award, |
49
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(c) |
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state how the Award will or may be settled, |
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(d) |
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if different from the terms of the Plan, describe (x) any conditions that must
be satisfied before the Award is earned or may be exercised, (y) any objective
restrictions placed on the Award and any performance-related conditions and performance
criteria that must be satisfied before those restrictions are released, and (z) any
other applicable terms and conditions affecting the Award. |
4.4 Restriction on Repricing. Regardless of any other provision of this Plan or an Award
Agreement, neither Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors nor the Plan Committee may
reprice (as defined under rules of the New York Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market) any
Award unless the repricing is approved in advance by Farmers National Banc Corp.s stockholders
acting at a meeting.
Article 5
Limits on Stock Subject to Awards
5.1 Number of Authorized Shares of Stock. With any adjustments required by section 5.4, the
maximum number of shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock that may be subject to Awards
under this Plan is 1,200,000. The shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock to be
delivered under this Plan may consist in whole or in part of treasury stock or authorized but
unissued shares not reserved for any other purpose. In the case of Awards issued to any person who
is not an Employee, however, the shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock to be delivered
under this Plan may consist solely of treasury stock and may not consist of authorized but unissued
shares, unless preemptive rights are eliminated from the Articles of Incorporation of Farmers
National Banc Corp.
5.2 Award Limits and Annual Participant Limits. (a) Award Limits. Of the shares authorized
under section 5.1, up to 600,000 may be reserved for issuance under Incentive Stock Options.
(b) Annual Participant Limits. The aggregate number of shares of Farmers National Banc Corp.
common stock underlying Awards granted under this Plan to an individual Participant in any Plan
Year (including but not limited to Options and SARs), regardless of whether the Awards are
thereafter canceled, forfeited, or terminated, shall not exceed 5% of the total number of shares
issuable under the Plan (60,000 shares). This annual limitation is intended to include the grant
of all Awards, including but not limited to Awards representing performance-based compensation
described in Internal Revenue Code section 162(m)(4)(C).
5.3 Share Accounting. (a) As appropriate, the number of shares of Farmers National Banc
Corp. common stock available for Awards under this Plan shall be conditionally reduced by the
number of shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock subject to outstanding Awards,
including the full number of shares underlying SARs.
(b) As appropriate, the number of shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock available
for Awards under this Plan shall be absolutely reduced by (x) the number of shares of Farmers
National Banc Corp. common stock issued through Option exercises, (y) the number of shares of
Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock issued because of satisfaction of the terms of an Award
Agreement for Performance Shares or Restricted Stock that, by the terms of the applicable Award
Agreement, are to be settled in shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock, and (z) the
full number of shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock underlying an earned and
exercised SAR.
50
(c) As appropriate, shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock subject to an Award
that for any reason is forfeited, cancelled, terminated, relinquished, exchanged, or otherwise
settled without the issuance of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock or without
payment of cash equal to the Awards Fair Market Value or the difference between the Awards Fair
Market Value and the Awards Exercise Price, if any, may again be granted under the Plan. If the
Exercise Price of an Award is paid in shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock, the
shares received by Farmers National Banc Corp. in payment shall not be added to the maximum
aggregate number of shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock that may be issued under
section 5.1.
5.4 Adjustment in Capitalization. If after the date this Plan becomes effective under section
1.2 there is a stock dividend or stock split, recapitalization (including payment of an
extraordinary dividend), merger, consolidation, combination, spin-off, distribution of assets to
stockholders, exchange of shares, or other similar corporate change affecting Farmers National Banc
Corp. common stock, then consistent with the applicable provisions of Internal Revenue Code
sections 162(m), 409A, 422, and 424 and associated regulations and to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Plan,
the Plan Committee shall, in a manner the Plan Committee considers equitable, adjust (a) the number
of Awards that may be granted to Participants during a Plan Year, (b) the aggregate number of
shares available for Awards under section 5.1 or subject to outstanding Awards, as well as any
share-based limits imposed under this Plan, (c) the respective Exercise Price, number of shares,
and other limitations applicable to outstanding or subsequently granted Awards, and (d) any other
factors, limits, or terms affecting any outstanding or subsequently granted Awards.
Article 6
Options
6.1 Grant of Options. Subject to Article 10 and the terms of the Plan and the associated
Award Agreement, at any time during the term of this Plan the Plan Committee may grant Incentive
Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options to Employees and Farmers National Banc Corp.s board
of directors may grant Nonqualified Stock Options to Directors. Unless an Award Agreement provides
otherwise, Options awarded under this Plan are intended to satisfy the requirements for exclusion
from coverage under Internal Revenue Code section 409A. All Option Award Agreements shall be
construed and administered consistent with that intention.
6.2 Exercise Price. Except as necessary to implement section 6.6, each Option shall have an
Exercise Price per share at least equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Farmers National
Banc Corp. common stock on the date of grant, meaning the closing price on the date of grant if
Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock is traded on an exchange or on an automated quotation
system giving closing prices (or the closing price on the next trading day if the grant date is not
a trading day). However, the Exercise Price per share of an Incentive Stock Option shall be at
least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock on the
date of grant for any Incentive Stock Option issued to an Employee who, on the date of grant, owns
(as defined in Internal Revenue Code section 424(d)) Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock
possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock (or the
combined voting power of any Related Entity), determined according to rules issued under Internal
Revenue Code section 422.
6.3 Exercise of Options. Subject to Article 10 and any terms, restrictions, and conditions
specified in the Plan and unless specified otherwise in the Award Agreement, Options shall be
exercisable at the time or times specified in the Award Agreement, but (x) no Incentive Stock
Option may be exercised more than ten years after it is granted, or more than five years after it
is granted in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who on the date of grant
owns (as defined in Internal Revenue Code section 424(d)) Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock
possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or the combined
voting power of any Related Entity, determined under rules issued under Internal Revenue Code
section 422, (y) no Nonqualified Stock Option granted to a Director shall be exercisable more than
ten years after it is granted, and (z) Nonqualified Stock Options not granted to Directors shall be
exercisable for the period specified in the Award Agreement, but not more than ten years after the
grant date if no period is specified in the Award Agreement.
51
6.4 Incentive Stock Options. Despite any provision in this Plan to the contrary
(a) no provision of this Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted,
amended, or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be exercised, in
a manner that is inconsistent with Internal Revenue Code section 422 or, without the consent of the
affected Participant, to cause any Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify for the federal income
tax treatment provided by Internal Revenue Code section 421,
(b) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock
(determined as of the date of grant) for which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the
first time by a Participant in any calendar year under all stock option plans of Farmers National
Banc Corp. and all Related Entities shall not exceed $100,000 (or other amount specified in
Internal Revenue Code section 422(d)), determined under rules issued under Internal Revenue Code
section 422, and
(c) no Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to a person who is not an Employee on the grant
date.
6.5 Exercise Procedures and Payment for Options. The Exercise Price associated with each
Option must be paid according to procedures described in the Award Agreement. The Plan Committee
shall establish acceptable methods and forms of payment of the Exercise Price, which may include
but are not limited to: (x) payment in cash or a cash equivalent, (y) actual or constructive
transfer by the Participant to Farmers National Banc Corp. of unrestricted shares of Farmers
National Banc Corp. common stock as partial or full payment of the Exercise Price, either by actual
delivery of the shares or by attestation, with each share valued at the Fair Market Value of a
share of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock on the exercise date, or (z) a form of cashless
exercise or net exercise of the Option. In its sole discretion the Plan Committee may withhold its
approval for any method of payment for any reason, including but not limited to concerns that the
proposed method of payment will result in adverse financial accounting treatment, adverse tax
treatment for Farmers National Banc Corp. or the Participant, or a violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, as amended from time to time, and related regulations and guidance. A Participant may
exercise an Option solely by sending to the Plan Committee or its designee a completed exercise
notice in the form prescribed by the Plan Committee along with payment, or designation of an
approved payment procedure, of the Exercise Price.
6.6 Substitution of Options. In Farmers National Banc Corp.s discretion, persons who become
Employees as a result of a transaction described in Internal Revenue Code section 424(a) may
receive Options in exchange for options granted by their former employer or the former Related
Entity subject to the rules and procedures prescribed under section 424.
6.7 Rights Associated With Options. A Participant holding an unexercised Option shall have no
voting or dividend rights associated with shares underlying the unexercised Option. The Option
shall be transferable solely as provided in section 14.1. Unless otherwise specified in the Award
Agreement or as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan, Farmers National Banc Corp. common
stock acquired by Option exercise shall have all dividend and voting rights associated with Farmers
National Banc Corp. common stock and shall be transferable, subject to applicable federal
securities laws, applicable requirements of any national securities exchange or system on which
shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock are then listed or traded, and applicable blue
sky or state securities laws.
52
Article 7
Restricted Stock
7.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms, restrictions, and conditions specified
in the Plan and the associated Award Agreement, at any time during the term of this Plan the Plan
Committee may grant shares of Restricted Stock to Employees and Farmers National Banc Corp.s board
of directors may grant shares of Restricted Stock to Directors. Restricted Stock may be
granted at no cost or at a price per share determined by the Plan Committee or the board of
directors, which may be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Farmers National Banc Corp.
common stock on the date of grant.
7.2 Earning Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms, restrictions, and conditions specified in
the Plan and the associated Award Agreement and unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement
(a) terms, restrictions, and conditions imposed on Restricted Stock granted to Employees and
Directors shall lapse as described in the Award Agreement,
(b) during the period in which satisfaction of the conditions imposed on Restricted Stock is
to be determined, Restricted Stock and any shares of common stock issuable as a dividend or other
distribution on the Restricted Stock shall be held by Farmers National Banc Corp. as escrow agent,
(c) at the end of the period in which satisfaction of the conditions imposed on Restricted
Stock is to be determined, the Restricted Stock shall be (x) forfeited if all terms, restrictions,
and conditions described in the Award Agreement are not satisfied (with a refund, without interest,
of any consideration paid by the Participant), or (y) released from escrow and distributed to the
Participant as soon as practicable after the last day of the period in which satisfaction of the
conditions imposed on Restricted Stock is to be determined if all terms, restrictions, and
conditions specified in the Award Agreement are satisfied. Any Restricted Stock Award relating to
a fractional share of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock shall be rounded to the next whole
share when settled.
7.3 Rights Associated With Restricted Stock. During the period in which satisfaction of the
conditions imposed on Restricted Stock is to be determined and unless the Restricted Stock Award
Agreement specifies otherwise, Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or
otherwise alienated or hypothecated. Except as otherwise required for compliance with the
conditions for exemption of performance-based compensation from the deduction limitations of
Internal Revenue Code section 162(m) and except as otherwise required by the terms of the
applicable Award Agreement, during the period in which satisfaction of the conditions imposed on
Restricted Stock is to be determined each Participant to whom Restricted Stock is issued may
exercise full voting rights associated with that Restricted Stock and shall be entitled to receive
all dividends and other distributions on that Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if a
dividend or other distribution is paid in the form of shares of common stock, those shares shall
also be considered Restricted Stock and shall be subject to the same restrictions on
transferability and forfeitability as the shares of Restricted Stock to which the dividend or
distribution relates.
7.4 Internal Revenue Code Section 83(b) Election. The Plan Committee may provide in an Award
Agreement that the Award of Restricted Stock is conditioned upon the Participant making or
refraining from making an election under Internal Revenue Code section 83(b). If a Participant
makes an election under Internal Revenue Code section 83(b) concerning a Restricted Stock Award,
the Participant must promptly file a copy of the election with Farmers National Banc Corp.
53
Article 8
Performance Shares
8.1 Generally. Subject to the terms, restrictions, and conditions specified in the Plan or
the Award Agreement, the granting or vesting of Performance Shares shall, in the Plan Committees
sole discretion, be based on achievement of performance objectives derived from one or more of the
Performance Criteria specified in section 8.2. Performance Shares may be granted (x) to Covered
Officers on terms and in a manner that qualifies as performance-based compensation under Internal
Revenue Code section 162(m) or (y) to Employees who are not Covered Officers on terms and in any
manner reasonably determined by the Plan Committee. Unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise,
Performance Shares awarded under this Plan are intended to satisfy the requirements for exclusion
from coverage under Internal Revenue Code section 409A. All Performance Share Award
Agreements shall be construed and administered consistent with that intention. Despite any
contrary provision in this Plan, the Plan Committee shall not have the authority to accelerate the
vesting of or to amend a Covered Officers Performance Share award (including but not limited to
waiver of performance conditions to vesting) if (x) accelerated vesting or amendment of the award
would disqualify the award from performance-based compensation treatment under Internal Revenue
Code section 162(m) and (y) all or part of the award would as a result be non-deductible by Farmers
National Banc Corp. under section 162(m).
8.2 Performance Criteria. (a) Vesting of Performance Shares that are intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation under Internal Revenue Code section 162(m) shall be based on one or
more or any combination of the following criteria (the Performance Criteria) and may be applied
solely with reference to Farmers National Banc Corp., to a Related Entity, to Farmers National Banc
Corp. and a Related Entity, or relatively between Farmers National Banc Corp., a Related Entity, or
both and one or more unrelated entities
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1) |
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net earnings or net income (before or after taxes), |
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2) |
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earnings per share, |
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3) |
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deposit or asset growth, |
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4) |
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net operating income, |
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5) |
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return measures (including return on assets and equity), |
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6) |
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fee income, |
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7) |
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earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation and/or amortization, |
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8) |
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interest spread, |
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9) |
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productivity ratios, |
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10) |
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share price, including but not limited to growth measures and
total stockholder return, |
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11) |
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expense targets, |
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12) |
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credit quality, |
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13) |
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efficiency ratio, |
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14) |
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market share, |
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15) |
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customer satisfaction, and |
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16) |
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net income after cost of capital. |
(b) Vesting of Performance Shares granted to Participants who are not Covered Officers may be
based on one or more or any combination of the Performance Criteria listed in section 8.2(a) or on
other factors the Plan Committee considers relevant and appropriate.
(c) Different Performance Criteria may be applied to individual Employees or to groups of
Employees and, as specified by the Plan Committee, may be based on the results achieved (x)
separately by Farmers National Banc Corp. or any Related Entity, (y) by any combination of Farmers
National Banc Corp. and Related Entities, or (z) by any combination of segments, products, or
divisions of Farmers National Banc Corp. and Related Entities.
(d) The Plan Committee shall make appropriate adjustments of Performance Criteria to reflect
the effect on any Performance Criteria of any stock dividend or stock split affecting Farmers
National Banc Corp. common stock, a recapitalization (including without limitation payment of an
extraordinary dividend), merger, consolidation, combination, spin-off, distribution of assets to
stockholders, exchange of shares, or similar corporate change. Also, the Plan Committee shall make
a similar adjustment to any portion of a Performance Criterion that is not based on Farmers
National Banc Corp. common stock but that is affected by an event having an effect similar to those
described. As permitted under Internal Revenue Code section 162(m), the Plan Committee may make
appropriate adjustments of Performance Criteria to reflect a substantive change in an Employees
job description or assigned duties and responsibilities.
54
(e) Performance Criteria shall be established in an associated Award Agreement as soon as
administratively practicable after the criteria are established, but in the case of Covered
Officers no later than the earlier of (x) 90 days after the beginning of the applicable Performance
Period and (y) the expiration of 25% of the applicable period in which satisfaction of the
applicable Performance Criteria is to be determined.
8.3 Earning Performance Shares. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or the Award
Agreement, at the end of each applicable period in which satisfaction of the Performance Criteria
is to be determined, the Plan Committee shall certify that the Employee has or has not satisfied
the Performance Criteria. Performance Shares shall then be
(a) forfeited to the extent the Plan Committee certifies that the Performance Criteria are not
satisfied, or
(b) to the extent the Performance Criteria are certified by the Plan Committee as having been
satisfied, distributed to the Employee in the form of shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common
stock (unless otherwise specified in the Award Agreement) on or before the later of (x) the
15th day of the third month after the end of the Participants first taxable year in
which the Plan Committee certifies that the related Performance Criteria are satisfied and (y) the
15th day of the third month after the end of Farmers National Banc Corp.s first taxable
year in which the Plan Committee certifies that the related Performance Criteria are satisfied.
However, the Performance Shares may be distributed later if Farmers National Banc Corp. reasonably
determines that compliance with that schedule is not administratively practical and if the
distribution is made as soon as practical.
8.4 Rights Associated with Performance Shares. During the applicable period in which
satisfaction of the Performance Criteria is to be determined, Performance Shares may not be sold,
transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated. During the applicable
period in which satisfaction of the Performance Criteria is to be determined and unless the Award
Agreement provides otherwise, Employees may not exercise voting rights associated with their
Performance Shares and all dividends and other distributions paid on Performance Shares shall be
held by Farmers National Banc Corp. as escrow agent. At the end of the period in which
satisfaction of the applicable Performance Criteria is to be determined, dividends or other
distributions held in escrow shall be distributed to the Participant or forfeited as provided in
section 8.3. No interest or other accretion shall be credited on dividends or other distributions
held in escrow. If a dividend or other distribution is paid in the form of shares of common stock,
the shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the
shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock to which the dividend or distribution relates.
Article 9
Stock Appreciation Rights
9.1 SAR Grants. Subject to the terms of the Plan and the associated Award Agreement, the Plan
Committee may grant SARs to Employees at any time during the term of this Plan. Unless an Award
Agreement provides otherwise, SARs awarded under this Plan are intended to satisfy the requirements
for exclusion from coverage under Internal Revenue Code section 409A. All SAR Award Agreements
shall be construed and administered consistent with that intention.
9.2 Exercise Price. The Exercise Price specified in the Award Agreement shall not be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock on the
date of grant.
9.3 Exercise and Settling of SARs. SARs shall be exercisable according to the terms specified
in the Award Agreement. A Participant exercising an SAR shall receive whole shares of Farmers
National Banc Corp. common stock or cash (as determined in the Award Agreement) having a value
equal to (a) the excess of (x) the Fair Market Value of a share of Farmers National Banc Corp.
common stock on the exercise date over (y) the Exercise Price, multiplied by (b) the number of
shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock for which the SAR is exercised. The value of
any fractional share of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock produced by this formula shall be
settled in cash.
55
Article 10
Termination
10.1 Termination for Cause. (a) If a Participants employment or director service terminates
for Cause or if in Farmers National Banc Corp.s judgment a basis for termination for Cause exists,
all Awards held by the Participant that are outstanding shall be forfeited, regardless of whether
the Awards are exercisable and regardless of whether Participants employment or director service
with Farmers National Banc Corp. or a Related Entity actually terminates, except that Restricted
Stock or Performance Shares that have been released from escrow and distributed to the Participant
shall not be affected by termination for Cause.
(b) The term Cause shall mean one or more of the acts described in this section 10.1.
However, Cause shall not be deemed to exist merely because the Participant is absent from active
employment during periods of paid time off, consistent with the applicable paid time-off policy of
Farmers National Banc Corp. or the Related Entity with which the Participant is employed, as the
case may be, sickness or illness or while suffering from an incapacity due to physical or mental
illness, including a condition that does or may constitute a Disability, or other period of absence
approved by Farmers National Banc Corp. or the Related Entity, as the case may be:
1) an act of fraud, intentional misrepresentation, embezzlement, misappropriation, or
conversion by the Participant of the assets or business opportunities of Farmers National
Banc Corp. or a Related Entity,
2) conviction of the Participant of or plea by the Participant of guilty or no contest
to a felony or a misdemeanor,
3) violation by the Participant of the written policies or procedures of Farmers
National Banc Corp. or the Related Entity with which the Participant is employed or serves,
including but not limited to violation of Farmers National Banc Corp.s or the Related
Entitys code of ethics,
4) unless disclosure is inadvertent, disclosure to unauthorized persons of any
confidential information not in the public domain relating to Farmers National Banc Corp.s
or a Related Entitys business, including all processes, inventions, trade secrets, computer
programs, technical data, drawings or designs, information concerning pricing and pricing
policies, marketing techniques, plans and forecasts, new product information, information
concerning methods and manner of operations, and information relating to the identity and
location of all past, present, and prospective customers and suppliers,
5) intentional breach of any contract with or violation of any legal obligation owed to
Farmers National Banc Corp. or a Related Entity,
6) dishonesty relating to the duties owed by the Participant to Farmers National Banc
Corp. or a Related Entity,
7) the Participants willful and continued refusal to substantially perform assigned
duties, other than refusal resulting from sickness or illness or while suffering from an
incapacity due to physical or mental illness, including a condition that does or may
constitute a Disability,
8) the Participants willful engagement in gross misconduct materially and demonstrably
injurious to Farmers National Banc Corp. or a Related Entity,
9) the Participants breach of any term of this Plan or an Award Agreement,
56
10) intentional cooperation with a party attempting a Change in Control of Farmers
National Banc Corp., unless Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors approves or
ratifies the Participants action before the Change in Control or unless the Participants
cooperation is required by law, or
11) any action that constitutes cause as defined in any written agreement between the
Participant and Farmers National Banc Corp. or a Related Entity.
10.2 Termination for any Other Reason. Unless specified otherwise in the Award Agreement or
in this Plan and except as provided in section 10.1, the portion of a Participants outstanding
Award that is unvested and unexercisable when the Participants employment or director service
terminates shall be forfeited and the portion of any Restricted Stock Award or Performance Share
Award that is unvested and held in escrow shall be forfeited. Options and SARs that are
exercisable when termination occurs shall be forfeited if not exercised before the earlier of (x)
the expiration date specified in the Award Agreement or (y) 90 days after the termination date.
Article 11
Effect of a Change in Control
11.1 Definition of Change in Control. The term Change in Control shall have the
meaning given in any written agreement between the Participant and Farmers National Banc Corp. or a
Related Entity. However, if an Award is subject to Internal Revenue Code section 409A, the term
Change in Control shall have the meaning given in section 409A. If an Award is not subject to
Internal Revenue Code section 409A and if the term Change in Control is not defined in a written
agreement between the Participant and Farmers National Banc Corp. or a Related Entity, any of the
following events occurring on or after the date this Plan becomes effective under section 1.2 shall
constitute a Change in Control
(a) Change in board composition. If individuals who constitute Farmers National Banc Corp.s
board of directors on the date this Plan becomes effective under section 1.2 (the Incumbent
Directors) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the board of directors. A person who
becomes a director after the date this Plan becomes effective and whose election or nomination for
election is approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Incumbent Directors on the board
of directors shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director. The necessary two-thirds approval may
take the form of a specific vote on that persons election or nomination or approval of Farmers
National Banc Corp.s proxy statement in which the person is named as a nominee for director
without written objection by Incumbent Directors to the nomination. A person elected or nominated
as a director of Farmers National Banc Corp. initially as the result of an actual or threatened
director-election contest or any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf
of any person other than Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors shall never be considered
an Incumbent Director unless at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Incumbent Directors specifically vote
to treat that person as an Incumbent Director.
(b) Significant ownership change. If any person directly or indirectly is or becomes the
beneficial owner of securities whose combined voting power in the election of Farmers National Banc
Corp.s directors is
1) 50% or more of the combined voting power of all of Farmers National Banc Corp.s
outstanding securities eligible to vote for the election of Farmers National Banc Corp.
directors,
2) 25% or more, but less than 50%, of the combined voting power of all of Farmers
National Banc Corp.s outstanding securities eligible to vote in the election of Farmers
National Banc Corp.s directors, except that an event described in this paragraph (b)(2)
shall not constitute a Change in Control if it is the result of any of the following
acquisitions of Farmers National Banc Corp.s securities
57
(a) by Farmers National Banc Corp. or a Related Entity, reducing the number of
Farmers National Banc Corp. securities outstanding (unless the person thereafter
becomes the beneficial owner of additional securities that are eligible to vote in
the election of Farmers National Banc Corp. directors, increasing the persons
beneficial ownership by more than one percent),
(b) by or through an employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by Farmers
National Banc Corp. or a Related Entity and described (or intended to be described)
in Internal Revenue Code section 401(a),
(c) by or through an equity compensation plan maintained by Farmers National
Banc Corp. or a Related Entity, including this Plan and any program described in
Internal Revenue Code section 423,
(d) by an underwriter temporarily holding securities in an offering of
securities,
(e) in a Non-Control Transaction, as defined in section 11.1(c), or
(f) in a transaction (other than one described in section 11.1(c)) in which
securities eligible to vote in the election of Farmers National Banc Corp. directors
are acquired from Farmers National Banc Corp., if a majority of the Incumbent
Directors approves a resolution providing expressly that the acquisition shall not
constitute a Change in Control.
(c) Merger. Consummation of a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or similar form of
corporate transaction involving Farmers National Banc Corp. or a Related Entity and requiring
approval of Farmers National Banc Corp.s stockholders, whether for the transaction or for the
issuance of securities in the transaction (a Business Combination), unless immediately after the
Business Combination
1) more than 50% of the total voting power of either (x) the corporation resulting from
consummation of the Business Combination (the Surviving Corporation) or, if applicable,
(y) the ultimate parent corporation that directly or indirectly beneficially owns 100% of
the voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Surviving Corporation (the Parent
Corporation) is represented by securities that were eligible to vote in the election of
Farmers National Banc Corp. directors and that were outstanding immediately before the
Business Combination (or, if applicable, represented by securities into which the Farmers
National Banc Corp. securities were converted in the Business Combination), and that voting
power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power
of securities eligible to vote in the election of Farmers National Banc Corp. directors
among the holders thereof immediately before the Business Combination,
2) no person (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the
Surviving Corporation or the Parent Corporation or any employee stock benefit trust created
by the Surviving Corporation or the Parent Corporation) directly or indirectly is or becomes
the beneficial owner of 25% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting
securities eligible to elect directors of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent
Corporation, the Surviving Corporation), and
3) a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Parent Corporation (or,
if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation) were Incumbent Directors when
the initial agreement providing for the Business Combination was approved by Farmers
National Banc Corp.s board of directors.
A Business Combination satisfying all of the criteria specified in clauses (1), (2), and (3) of
this section 11.1(c) shall constitute a Non-Control Transaction, or
(d) Sale of Assets. If Farmers National Banc Corp.s stockholders approve a plan of complete
liquidation or dissolution of Farmers National Banc Corp. or a sale of all or substantially all of
its assets, but in any case if and only if Farmers National Banc Corp.s assets are transferred to
an entity not owned directly or indirectly by Farmers National Banc Corp. or its stockholders.
58
11.2 Effect of Change in Control. If a Change in Control occurs, the Plan Committee shall
have the right in its sole discretion to
(a) accelerate the exercisability of any or all Options or SARs, despite any
limitations contained in the Plan or Award Agreement,
(b) accelerate the vesting of Restricted Stock, despite any limitations contained in
the Plan or Award Agreement,
(c) accelerate the vesting of Performance Shares, despite any limitations contained
in the Plan or Award Agreement,
(d) cancel any or all outstanding Options, SARs, unvested Restricted Stock, and
Performance Shares in exchange for the kind and amount of shares of the surviving or
new corporation, cash, securities, evidences of indebtedness, other property, or any
combination thereof that the holder of the Option, SAR, unvested Restricted Stock,
or Performance Share would have received upon consummation of the Change-in-Control
transaction (the Acquisition Consideration) had the Restricted Stock been vested
or had the Option, SAR, or Performance Share been exercised or converted into shares
of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock before the transaction, less the
applicable exercise or purchase price,
(e) cause the holders of any or all Options, SARs, and Performance Shares to have
the right during the term of the Option, SAR, or Performance Share to receive upon
exercise or cause the holders of unvested Restricted Stock to receive the
Acquisition Consideration receivable upon consummation of the transaction by a
holder of the number of shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock that
might have been obtained upon exercise or conversion of all or any portion thereof,
less the applicable exercise or purchase price therefor, or to convert the Stock
Option, SAR, unvested Restricted Stock, or Performance Share into a stock option,
appreciation right, restricted share, or performance share relating to the surviving
or new corporation in the transaction, or
(f) take such other action as the Plan Committee deems appropriate to preserve the
value of the Award to the Participant.
The Plan Committee may provide for any of the foregoing actions in an Award Agreement in
advance, may provide for any of the foregoing actions in connection with the Change in Control, or
both. Alternatively, the Plan Committee shall also have the right to require any purchaser of
Farmers National Banc Corp.s assets or stock, as the case may be, to take any of the foregoing
actions as such purchaser may determine to be appropriate or desirable. The manner of application
and interpretation of the provisions of this section 11.2 shall be determined by the Plan Committee
in its sole and absolute discretion. Despite any provision of this Plan or an Award Agreement to
the contrary, a Participant shall not be entitled to any amount under this Plan if he or she acted
in concert with any person to effect a Change in Control, unless the Participant acted at the
specific direction of Farmers National Banc Corp.s board of directors and in his or her capacity
as an employee of Farmers National Banc Corp. or a Related Entity. For purposes of this Plan the
term person shall be as defined in section 3(a)(9) and as used in sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d) (2)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the terms beneficial owner and beneficial ownership
shall have the meaning given in the Securities and Exchange Commissions Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The Plan Committee shall not have the discretion, however, to accelerate the vesting or
exercisability of any Award held by a Covered Officer to the extent that (x) the Award is eligible
for the exemption of performance-based compensation from the deduction limitation of Internal
Revenue Code section 162(m) and (y) the existence of the Plan Committees authority to accelerate
vesting or exercisability or actual acceleration of vesting or exercisability would render
unavailable for the Award
the exemption of performance-based compensation from the deduction limitation of Internal Revenue
Code section 162(m).
59
Article 12
Amendment, Modification, and Termination of this Plan
Farmers National Banc Corp. may terminate, suspend, or amend the Plan at any time without
stockholder approval, unless stockholder approval is necessary to satisfy applicable requirements
imposed by (a) Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor rule or
regulation, (b) the Internal Revenue Code, which requirements may include qualification of an Award
as performance-based compensation under Internal Revenue Code section 162(m), or (c) any securities
exchange, market, or other quotation system on or through which Farmers National Banc Corp.s
securities are listed or traded. However, no Plan amendment shall (x) result in the loss of a Plan
Committee members status as a non-employee director, as that term is defined in Rule 16b-3 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any successor rule or regulation, (y) cause the Plan to fail
to satisfy the requirements imposed by Rule 16b-3, or (z) without the affected Participants
consent (and except as specifically provided otherwise in this Plan or the Award Agreement),
adversely affect any Award granted before the amendment, modification, or termination. Despite any
provision in the Plan, including this Article 12, to the contrary, Farmers National Banc Corp.
shall have the right to amend the Plan and any Award Agreements without additional consideration to
affected Participants if amendment is necessary to avoid penalties arising under Internal Revenue
Code section 409A, even if the amendment reduces, restricts, or eliminates rights granted under the
Plan, the Award Agreement, or both before the amendment.
Article 13
Issuance of Shares and Share Certificates
13.1 Issuance of Shares. Farmers National Banc Corp. shall issue or cause to be issued shares
of its common stock as soon as practicable upon exercise or conversion of an Award that is payable
in shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock. No shares shall be issued until full
payment is made, if payment is required by the terms of the Award. Until a stock certificate
evidencing the shares is issued and except as otherwise provided in this Plan, no right to vote or
receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist for the shares of Farmers
National Banc Corp. common stock to be issued, despite the exercise or conversion of the Award
payable in shares, except as may be otherwise provided in this Plan. Issuance of a stock
certificate shall be evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of Farmers National Banc Corp.
or of a duly authorized transfer agent of Farmers National Banc Corp.
13.2 Delivery of Share Certificates. Farmers National Banc Corp. shall not be required to
issue or deliver any certificates until all of the following conditions are fulfilled
(a) payment in full for the shares and for any tax withholding,
(b) completion of any registration or other qualification of the shares the Plan Committee in
its discretion deems necessary or advisable under any Federal or state laws or under the rulings or
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulating body,
(c) if Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market or
another exchange, admission of the shares to listing on The Nasdaq Stock Market or the other
exchange,
(d) if the offer and sale of shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock is not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, qualification of the offer and sale as a private
placement under the Securities Act of 1933 or qualification under another registration exemption
under the Securities Act of 1933,
60
(e) obtaining any approval or other clearance from any Federal or state governmental agency
the Plan Committee in its discretion determines to be necessary or advisable, and
(f) the Plan Committee is satisfied that the issuance and delivery of shares of Farmers
National Banc Corp. common stock under this Plan complies with applicable Federal, state, or local
law, rule, regulation, or ordinance or any rule or regulation of any other regulating body, for
which the Plan Committee may seek approval of Farmers National Banc Corp.s counsel.
13.3 Applicable Restrictions on Shares. Shares of Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock
issued may be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the Plan Committee
may determine are necessary or advisable under any applicable Federal or state securities law
rules, regulations and other requirements, the rules, regulations and other requirements of The
Nasdaq Stock Market or any stock exchange upon which Farmers National Banc Corp. common stock is
listed, and any other applicable Federal or state law. Certificates for the common stock may bear
any restrictive legends the Plan Committee considers appropriate.
13.4 Book Entry. Instead of issuing stock certificates evidencing shares, Farmers National
Banc Corp. may use a book entry system in which a computerized or manual entry is made in the
records of Farmers National Banc Corp. to evidence the issuance of shares of Farmers National Banc
Corp. common stock. Farmers National Banc Corp.s records are binding on all parties, unless
manifest error exists.
Article 14
Miscellaneous
14.1 Assignability. Except as described in this section or as provided in section 14.2, an
Award may not be transferred except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and an
Award may be exercised during the Participants lifetime solely by the Participant or by the
Participants guardian or legal representative. However, with the permission of the Plan
Committee, a Participant or a specified group of Participants may transfer Awards other than
Incentive Stock Options to a revocable inter vivos trust of which the Participant is the settlor,
or may transfer Awards other than Incentive Stock Options to a member of the Participants
immediate family, a revocable or irrevocable trust established solely for the benefit of the
Participants immediate family, a partnership or limited liability company whose only partners or
members are members of the Participants immediate family, or an organization described in Internal
Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). An Award transferred to one of these permitted transferees shall
continue to be subject to all of the terms and conditions that applied to the Award before the
transfer and to any other rules prescribed by the Plan Committee. A permitted transferee may not
retransfer an Award except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and the transfer by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution must be a transfer to a person who would be a
permitted transferee according to this section 14.1.
14.2 Beneficiary Designation. Each Participant may name a beneficiary or beneficiaries to
receive or to exercise any vested Award that is unpaid or unexercised at the Participants death.
Beneficiaries may be named contingently or successively. Unless otherwise provided in the
beneficiary designation, each designation made shall revoke all prior designations made by the same
Participant. A beneficiary designation must be made on a form prescribed by the Plan Committee and
shall not be effective until filed in writing with the Plan Committee. If a Participant has not
made an effective beneficiary designation, the deceased Participants beneficiary shall be his or
her surviving spouse or, if none, the deceased Participants estate. None of Farmers National Banc
Corp., its board of directors, or the Plan Committee is required to infer a beneficiary from any
other source. The identity of a Participants designated beneficiary shall be based solely on the
information included in the latest beneficiary designation form completed by the Participant and
shall not be inferred from any other evidence.
61
14.3 No Implied Rights to Awards or Continued Services. No potential participant has any
claim or right to be granted an Award under this Plan. There is no obligation of uniformity of
treatment of participants under this Plan. Nothing in the Plan guarantees or shall be construed to
guarantee that any Participant will receive a future Award. Neither this Plan nor any Award shall
be construed as giving any individual any right to continue as an Employee or Director of Farmers
National Banc Corp. or a Related Entity. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall constitute a
contract of employment, and Farmers National Banc Corp. expressly reserves to itself and all
Related Entities the right at any time to terminate employees free from liability or any claim
under this Plan, except as may be specifically provided in this Plan or in an Award Agreement.
14.4 Tax Withholding. (a) Farmers National Banc Corp. shall withhold from other amounts owed
to the Participant or require a Participant to remit to Farmers National Banc Corp. an amount
sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local withholding tax requirements on any Award,
exercise, or cancellation of an Award or purchase of stock. If these amounts are not to be
withheld from other payments due to the Participant or if there are no other payments due to the
Participant, Farmers National Banc Corp. shall defer payment of cash or issuance of shares of stock
until the earlier of (x) 30 days after the settlement date, or (y) the date the Participant remits
the required amount.
(b) If the Participant does not remit the required amount within 30 days after the settlement
date, Farmers National Banc Corp. shall permanently withhold from the value of the Awards to be
distributed the minimum amount required to be withheld to comply with applicable federal, state,
and local income, wage, and employment taxes, distributing the remainder to the Participant.
(c) In its sole discretion, which may be withheld for any reason or for no reason, the Plan
Committee may permit a Participant to reimburse Farmers National Banc Corp. for this tax
withholding obligation through one or more of the following methods, subject to conditions the Plan
Committee establishes
1) having shares of stock otherwise issuable under the Plan withheld by Farmers
National Banc Corp., but only to the extent of the minimum amount that must be withheld to
comply with applicable state, federal, and local income, employment, and wage tax laws,
2) delivering to Farmers National Banc Corp. previously acquired shares of Farmers
National Banc Corp. common stock,
3) remitting cash to Farmers National Banc Corp., or
4) remitting a personal check immediately payable to Farmers National Banc Corp.
14.5 Indemnification. Each individual who is or was a member of Farmers National Banc Corp.s
board of directors or Plan Committee shall be indemnified and held harmless by Farmers National
Banc Corp. against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or
reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or
proceeding to which he or she may be made a party or in which he or she may be involved because of
any action taken or not taken under the Plan as a director of Farmers National Banc Corp. or as a
Plan Committee member and against and from any and all amounts paid, with Farmers National Banc
Corp.s approval, by him or her in settlement of any matter related to or arising from the Plan as
a Farmers National Banc Corp. director or as a Plan Committee member or paid by him or her in
satisfaction of any judgment in any action, suit or proceeding relating to or arising from the Plan
against him or her as a Farmers National Banc Corp. director or as a Plan Committee member, but
only if he or she gives Farmers National Banc Corp. an opportunity at its expense to handle and
defend the matter before he or she undertakes to handle and defend the matter on his or her own
behalf. The right of indemnification described in this section is not exclusive and is independent
of any other rights of indemnification to which the individual may be entitled under Farmers
National Banc Corp.s organizational documents, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise.
62
14.6 No Limitation on Compensation. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right
of Farmers National Banc Corp. to establish other plans or to pay compensation to its employees or
directors in cash or property in a manner not expressly authorized under the Plan.
14.7 Governing Law. The Plan and all agreements hereunder shall be construed in accordance
with and governed by the laws, other than laws governing conflict of laws, of the State of Ohio.
This Plan is not intended to be governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
The Plan shall be construed and administered in a manner consistent with that intent.
14.8 No Impact on Benefits. Plan Awards are not compensation for purposes of calculating a
Participants rights under any employee benefit plan that does not specifically require the
inclusion of Awards in benefit calculations.
14.9 Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 16b-3. The Plan is intended to comply with all
applicable conditions of Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 16b-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as that rule may be amended from time to time. All transactions involving a
Participant who is subject to beneficial ownership reporting under section 16(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 shall be subject to the conditions set forth in Rule 16b-3, regardless of
whether the conditions are expressly set forth in this Plan, and any provision of this Plan that is
contrary to Rule 16b-3 shall not apply to that Participant.
14.10 Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). The Plan is intended to comply with applicable
requirements of section 162(m) for exemption of performance-based compensation from the deduction
limitations of section 162(m). Unless the Plan Committee expressly determines otherwise, any
provision of this Plan that is contrary to those section 162(m) exemption requirements shall not
apply to an Award that is intended to qualify for the exemption for performance-based compensation.
14.11 Successors. All obligations of Farmers National Banc Corp. under Awards granted under
this Plan are binding on any successor to Farmers National Banc Corp., whether as a result of a
direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise of all or substantially all of the
business or assets of Farmers National Banc Corp.
14.12 Severability. If any provision of this Plan or the application thereof to any person or
circumstances is held to be illegal or invalid, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the
remaining parts of this Plan or other applications, and this Plan is to be construed and enforced
as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
14.13 No Golden Parachute Payments. Despite any provision in this Plan or in an Award
Agreement to the contrary, Farmers National Banc Corp. shall not be required to make any payment
under this Plan or an Award Agreement that would be a prohibited golden parachute payment within
the meaning of section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
This 2010 Replacement Equity Plan of Farmers National Banc Corp. was adopted by Farmers
National Banc Corp.s board of directors on , 20 . This 2010 Replacement Equity Plan was thereafter approved by stockholders of Farmers
National Banc Corp. at a meeting on , 20 .
63
Farmers National Banc Corp.
20 South Broad Street
Canfield, Ohio 44406
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
For the Special Meeting To Be Held on June 17, 2010
To our shareholders:
Pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission rules, you are receiving this Notice that the
proxy materials attached hereto for the Farmers National Banc Corp. Special Meeting are also
available on the Internet. Follow the instructions below to view the proxy materials online. The
items to be voted on, methods of voting, and the location of the Special Meeting are indicated
below.
The Special Meeting
of Farmers National Banc Corp. will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2010, at the
St. Michaels Family Life Center, 340 North Broad Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
THIS IS NOT A PROXY CARD. You may not use this form to vote your shares. This
communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to
you on the Internet, a copy of such materials is also attached hereto. We encourage you to access
and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.
The Proxy Statement, Form of Proxy, 2010 Replacement Equity Plan and Notice of Internet
Availability as well as directions to the Special Meeting are available at
http://www.fnbcanfield.com/privacy/SpecialProxy.html or by calling 1-888-988-3276.
Proposals to be voted on at the Special Meeting are listed below along with the Board of Directors
recommendations.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the following proposals:
|
1. |
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To approve an amendment to Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation
authorizing a class of 1,000,000 Preferred Shares, without par value. |
|
|
2. |
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To approve an amendment to Article XIII of the Articles of Incorporation to
eliminate pre-emptive rights. |
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|
3. |
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To approve an amendment to Article XIV of the Articles of Incorporation to
eliminate shareholder approval required to leverage the assets of the Corporation to
secure payment or performance of any contract, note, bond or other obligation of the
Corporation. |
|
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4. |
|
To approve an amendment to add Article XVI to the Articles of Incorporation
to provide for simple majority voting to amend the terms of the Articles of
Incorporation. |
|
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5. |
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To approve an amendment to Article XI of the Code of Regulations to authorize
the Board of Directors to amend the Code of Regulations, to the extent permitted under
Ohio law. |
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6. |
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To approve an amendment to Article II, Section 6 of the Code of Regulations
to provide that those shareholders present in person, by proxy, or by the use of
communications equipment at any meeting of shareholders shall constitute a quorum. |
|
|
7. |
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To approve the 2010 Replacement Equity Plan. |
How can I access the proxy and vote?
VOTE BY INTERNET www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and
for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting
date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web
site and follow the instructions to obtain your records
and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our
company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to
receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and
annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet.
To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the
instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when
prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access
proxy materials electronically in future years.
VOTE BY PHONE 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting
instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day
before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy
card in hand when you call and then follow the
instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the
postage-paid
envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing,
c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
If you are voting by telephone or the Internet, please enter the control number when prompted
and follow the simple instructions to record your vote.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Frank L. Paden, President & Secretary
Canfield, Ohio
May 14 , 2010