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

 

xFiled by the Registrant
¨Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
xDefinitive Proxy Statement
¨Definitive Additional Materials
¨Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12

 

  FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION  
  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)  
     
     
  (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than Registrant)  

 

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¨Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

¨Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

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First Keystone Corporation

 

111 West Front Street

Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603

 

March 22, 2017

 

Dear Fellow Shareholders of First Keystone Corporation:

 

It is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of First Keystone Corporation (the “Corporation”) to be held on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time. The Annual Meeting this year will be held at the McBride Memorial Library, Community Room, 500 Market Street, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603.

 

The Notice of the Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement on the following pages address the formal business of the meeting. The formal business schedule includes:

 

The election of 3 Class C Directors;
The ratification of the selection of BDO USA, LLP, as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Corporation for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017;
Advisory vote on executive compensation;
Advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation; and
Other business which might come before the meeting.

 

At the meeting, members of the Corporation’s management will review the Corporation’s operations during the past year and will be available to respond to questions.

 

We strongly encourage you to vote your shares, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting. It is very important that you sign, date and return your proxy card as soon as possible. The execution and delivery of your proxy does not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the meeting. You may revoke your proxy any time prior to its exercise, and you may attend the meeting and vote in person, even if you have previously returned your proxy.

 

Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting if you are able to attend.

 

  Sincerely,
 
   
   
  Matthew P. Prosseda
  President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

 

 

FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION

 

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MAY 4, 2017

 

 

 

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION:

 

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of First Keystone Corporation (the “Corporation”) will be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at the McBride Memorial Library, Community Room, 500 Market Street, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603, for the following purposes:

 

1.       To elect 3 Class C Directors to serve for a three-year term and until their successors are properly elected and qualified;

2.       To ratify the selection of BDO USA, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Corporation for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017;

3.       To conduct a non-binding vote on executive compensation;

4.       To conduct a non-binding vote on the frequency of non-binding shareholder votes on executive compensation; and

5.       To transact any other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

 

In accordance with the bylaws of the Corporation and action of the Board of Directors, the Corporation is giving notice of the Annual Meeting only to those shareholders on the Corporation’s records as of the close of business on March 10, 2017, and only those shareholders may vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

 

A copy of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 may be obtained, at no cost, by contacting Cheryl Wynings, Investor Relations, First Keystone Corporation, 111 West Front Street, P.O. Box 289, Berwick, PA 18603, telephone: (570) 752-3671, extension 1175.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on May 4, 2017:

The 2017 Proxy Statement, the proxy card, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and

the 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K are also available at: www.fkyscorp.com.

 

Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting in person, we ask you to complete, sign, date and promptly return your proxy card. By so doing, you will ensure your proper representation at the meeting. The prompt return of your signed proxy card will also save the Corporation the expense of additional proxy solicitation. The execution and delivery of your proxy card does not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the meeting.

 

  By Order of the Board of Directors,
   
   
   
  Matthew P. Prosseda
  President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Berwick, Pennsylvania

March 22, 2017

 

 

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

OF FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION TO BE HELD ON MAY 4, 2017

 

Table of Contents

  Page
General Information 3
Introduction, Date, Time and Place of Annual Meeting 3
Solicitation and Voting of Proxies 3
Revocability of Proxy 4
Voting Securities, Record Date and Quorum 4
Vote Required for Approval of Proposals 4
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation 4
   
Governance of the Company 5
Code of Ethics 6
Committees of the Board of Directors 6
Committees of the Bank 7
Shareholder or Interested Party Communications 8
Shareholder Proposals and Nominations 8
   
Proposal No. 1: Election of Class C Directors 9
Information as to Directors and Nominees 10
   
Share Ownership 12
Principal Owners 12
Beneficial Ownership by Officers, Directors and Nominees 12
   
Directors’ Compensation Table 14
Compensation of Directors 14
   
Report of the Audit Committee 15
   
Compensation Discussion and Analysis 17
   
Executive Compensation 22
   
Principal Officers of the Bank and the Corporation 31
   
Legal Proceedings 31
   
Proposal No. 2: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 32
   
Proposal No. 3: Non-Binding Vote on Executive Compensation 32
   
Proposal No. 4: Non-Binding Vote on the frequency of Shareholder Votes on Executive Compensation 33
   
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance 34
   
Information Requests 34
   
Other Matters 34

 

 

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

OF FIRST KEYSTONE CORPORATION TO BE HELD ON MAY 4, 2017

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Introduction, Date, Time and Place of Annual Meeting

 

First Keystone Corporation (the “Corporation”), a Pennsylvania business corporation and registered bank holding company, furnishes this Proxy Statement in connection with the solicitation, by its Board of Directors, of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) and at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. The Corporation will hold the meeting on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, at the McBride Memorial Library, Community Room, 500 Market Street, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603.

 

The principal executive office of the Corporation is located at First Keystone Community Bank (the “Bank”), 111 West Front Street, Berwick, P.O. Box 289, Pennsylvania 18603. The Bank is the sole, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation. The telephone number for the Corporation and the Bank is (570) 752-3671. All inquiries should be directed to Matthew P. Prosseda, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and the Bank.

 

When we say “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”, we mean the Corporation on a consolidated basis with the Bank.

 

Solicitation and Voting of Proxies

 

By properly completing and returning your proxy card, a shareholder is appointing the proxy holders to vote his or her shares as the shareholder specifies on the proxy. If a shareholder signs the proxy but does not make any selection, the proxy holders will vote the proxy:

 

FOR the election of the nominees for Class C Directors named in this Proxy Statement;
FOR the ratification of the selection of BDO USA, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Corporation for the year ending December 31, 2017;
FOR the compensation of the named executive officers; and
FOR a vote every 3 years for the frequency of shareholder votes on executive compensation.

 

Although the Board of Directors (the “Board”) knows of no other business to be presented at the Annual Meeting, in the event that any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board.

 

The execution and return of your proxy card will not affect your right to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person.

 

The Corporation will pay the cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and soliciting proxies and any additional material that the Corporation may furnish shareholders in connection with the Annual Meeting. In addition to the use of the mail, directors, officers and employees of the Corporation and the Bank may solicit proxies personally, by telephone, or other electronic means. The Corporation will not pay any additional compensation for the solicitation. The Corporation will make arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owners and will reimburse them for their reasonable forwarding expenses.

 

 Page 3 

 

 

Revocability of Proxy

 

A shareholder who returns a proxy may revoke the proxy at any time before it is voted only:

 

By executing a later-dated proxy; or
By attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

 

Voting Securities, Record Date and Quorum

 

At the close of business on March 10, 2017, the Corporation had 5,671,451 shares of common stock outstanding, par value $2.00 per share. Our common stock is the Corporation’s only issued and outstanding class of stock. The Corporation also had 233,112 shares held in treasury, as issued but not outstanding shares on that date. The Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 20,000,000 shares of common stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. No shares of preferred stock are issued or outstanding.

 

Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 10, 2017, may vote at the Annual Meeting. Cumulative voting rights do not exist with respect to the election of directors. On all matters to come before the Annual Meeting, each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on the record date.

 

Pennsylvania law and the bylaws of the Corporation require the presence of a quorum for each matter that shareholders will vote on at the Annual Meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that all shareholders are entitled to cast constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. The Corporation will count votes withheld and abstentions in determining the presence of a quorum for a particular matter. The Corporation will not count broker non-votes in determining the presence of a quorum for a particular matter. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker nominee, holding shares for a beneficial owner, does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item, and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Those shareholders present, in person or by proxy, may adjourn the meeting to another time and place if a quorum is lacking.

 

Vote Required for Approval of Proposals

 

Assuming the presence of a quorum, the 3 nominees for director receiving the highest number of votes cast by shareholders will be elected. Votes withheld from a nominee and broker non-votes will not be cast for the nominee.

 

Assuming the presence of a quorum, ratification of the selection of BDO USA, LLP requires the affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast by shareholders, in person or by proxy, on the matter. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not votes cast and do not count either for or against ratification. Abstentions and broker non-votes have the practical effect of reducing the number of affirmative votes required to obtain a majority vote for each matter by reducing the total number of shares voted from which the majority is calculated.

 

Assuming the presence of a quorum, executive compensation, as disclosed in this proxy statement will be approved if a majority of votes cast at the annual meeting vote “FOR” this proposal.

 

Assuming the presence of a quorum, the option of one, two or three years receiving the highest number of votes cast by shareholders at the annual meeting will be the frequency for the advisory vote selected by shareholders.

 

 Page 4 

 

 

GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY

 

Our Board of Directors believes that the purpose of corporate governance is to ensure that we maximize shareholder value in a manner consistent with legal requirements and the highest standards of integrity. The Board has adopted and adheres to corporate governance practices which the Board and senior management believe promote this purpose, are sound, and represent best practices.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

The Corporation separates the roles of Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chairman of the Board (the “Chairman”) in recognition of the differences between the two roles. The CEO is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Corporation and the day to day operation and performance of the Corporation, while the Chairman provides guidance to the CEO, sets the agenda for Board meetings and presides over meetings of the Board. Mr. Robert E. Bull, our Chairman, has been a director for over 60 years, including serving as Chairman for the past 35 years. The Board believes the separated roles of CEO and Chairman are in the best interest of shareholders because it promotes both strategic development and facilitates information flow between management and the Board, both essential for effective governance.

 

The Corporation’s Board oversees all business, property and affairs of the Corporation. The Chairman and the Corporation’s officers keep the members of the Board informed of the Corporation’s business through discussions at Board meetings and by providing them with reports and other materials. The directors of the Corporation also serve as the directors of the Corporation’s wholly-owned bank subsidiary, First Keystone Community Bank, upon election by the Corporation.

 

Currently, our Board has ten members. Based on the qualifications for independence established under the SEC and NASDAQ standards for independence, Don E. Bower, Joseph B. Conahan, Jr., Jerome F. Fabian, John G. Gerlach, Nancy J. Marr, and David R. Saracino meet the standards for independence. Only independent directors serve on our Audit Committee.

 

In determining the Directors’ independence, the Board considered loan transactions between the Bank and the directors, their family members and businesses with whom they are associated, as well as any contributions made to non-profit organizations with whom they are associated.

 

Risk Management

 

The Board’s role in the Corporation’s risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to the Corporation, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, and strategic and reputational risks. The Board receives reports from the various committees of the Board. When a committee presents a report to the full Board, the Chairman of the relevant committee leads the discussion. This enables the Board and its committees to coordinate the risk oversight role, particularly with respect to risk interrelationships. As part of its charter, the Audit Committee discusses the policies with respect to risk assessment and management.

 

 Page 5 

 

 

Diversity

 

In considering whether to recommend any candidate for inclusion in the Board’s slate of recommended director nominees, including candidates recommended by shareholders, the Board has determined that the nominees must have the right diversity. The Board seeks nominees with a broad diversity of experience, professions, skills, geographic representation and backgrounds. This includes the candidate’s integrity, business acumen, age, experience, commitment, diligence, conflicts of interest and the ability to act in the interests of all shareholders. Nominees are not discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis protected by law.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

As required by law and regulation, in 2003 the Corporation adopted the Directors and Senior Management Code of Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) to be applicable to our directors and senior management. The Code of Ethics is posted on our website at www.firstkeystonecorporation.com, and was filed with the SEC as exhibit 99.1 on Form 8-K on August 27, 2013.

 

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The Corporation’s Board of Directors has, at present, an Audit Committee.

 

Audit Committee. Members of the Audit Committee, during 2016, were David R. Saracino, Chairman, J. Gerald Bazewicz, Don E. Bower, and Jerome F. Fabian, each of whom the Board has determined satisfies the SEC and NASDAQ independence and audit committee qualification standards. The Audit Committee met five times during 2016.

 

The principal duties of the Audit Committee are set forth in its charter which is available on our website at www.firstkeystonecorporation.com under the governance documents menu. The duties include reviewing significant audit and accounting principles, policies and practices, reviewing performance of internal auditing procedures, reviewing reports of examination received from regulatory authorities and recommending annually, to the Board, the engagement of an independent registered public accounting firm.

 

The Board has determined that David R. Saracino is an “audit committee financial expert” and “independent” as defined under applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules. The Board deemed Mr. Saracino a “financial expert” as he possesses the following attributes:

 

An understanding of financial statements;
Proficiency in assessing the general utilization of such principles in connection with accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves;
Lengthy experience preparing, auditing, analyzing and evaluating financial statements;
Understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and
Understanding of audit committee functions.

 

Oversight of Executive Compensation and Director Nominations

 

During 2016, the Corporation did not have formal nominating or compensation committees. The Board determined that it is appropriate for the Corporation not to have a nominating or compensation committee in view of the Corporation’s relative size, stability of the Corporation’s Board, and the historic involvement of the entire Board in the director selection process and in the compensation process. Because there is no formal nominating or compensation committee, the Corporation does not have a formal charter for such committees.

 

 Page 6 

 

 

COMMITTEES OF THE BANK

 

The Bank’s Board maintains standing committees: trust, asset/liability management, marketing, loan administration, human resources, executive and building. The composition of these committees is described below:

 

Name   Trust   ALCO   Marketing   Loan
Administration
  Human
Resources
  Executive   Building
                             
John E. Arndt   X       X   X   X1   X    
J. Gerald Bazewicz2       X       X   X        
Don E. Bower       X       X1   X   X   X
Robert A. Bull   X   X   X   X   X   X   X1
Robert E. Bull   X   X   X   X   X   X1   X
Joseph B. Conahan, Jr.   X1   X   X       X   X   X
Jerome F. Fabian           X1   X   X       X
John G. Gerlach   X   X1   X       X   X   X
Matthew P. Prosseda   X   X   X   X   X       X
David R. Saracino       X       X   X   X   X
Number of Meetings Held in 2016   13   4   4   4   1   0   0

 

1Denotes Chairman of the Respective Committee.

2Mr. Bazewicz retired from the Board effective December 31, 2016.

 

Trust Committee - This committee ensures that all trust activities of the Bank are performed in a manner that is consistent with the legal instrument governing the account, prudent trust administration practices and approved trust policy.

 

Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) - This committee reviews asset/liability committee reports and provides support and discretion in managing the Bank’s net interest income, liquidity and interest rate sensitivity positions.

 

Marketing Committee - This committee provides guidance to management in formulating marketing/sales plans and programs to assist in evaluating the performance of the Bank relative to these plans.

 

Loan Administration Committee - This committee monitors loan review and compliance activities. Also, the committee ensures that loans are made and administered in accordance with the Board’s loan policy.

 

Human Resources Committee - This committee helps ensure that a sound human resources management system is developed and maintained. This committee determines compensation for non-executive officers and employees. The entire Board acts as the Compensation Committee for the Corporation and determines compensation for the executive officers.

 

Executive Committee - This committee exercises the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business of the Bank between the dates of regular Board meetings if necessary.

 

 Page 7 

 

 

Building Committee - This committee makes recommendations to the Board relating to the Bank’s physical assets, including both current and proposed physical assets.

 

Board Meetings and Attendance

 

The members of the Board of the Corporation also serve as members of the Board of Directors of the Bank. During 2016, the Corporation’s Board held 10 meetings. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the combined total number of meetings of the Corporation’s Board and the committees of which he is a member. Although there is no formal policy, all directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting. All Directors attended the 2016 Annual Meeting.

 

SHAREHOLDER OR INTERESTED PARTY COMMUNICATIONS

 

The Board does not have a formal process for shareholders or interested parties to send communications to the Board. Due to the infrequency of shareholder or interested party communications to the Board, the Board does not believe that a formal process is necessary. Any shareholders or interested party may communicate with the Board by sending a letter to: First Keystone Corporation, Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, 111 West Front Street, P.O. Box 289, Berwick, PA 18603. All communications so received from shareholders or other interested parties will be forwarded to the members of the Board or to the applicable director or directors if so designated by such communication.

 

Shareholders or interested parties who have concerns regarding accounting, improper use of Corporation assets, or ethical improprieties may report these concerns to the Audit Committee by sending an email to David R. Saracino, Audit Committee Chairman, at auditcommitteechairman@fkc.bank.

 

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS

 

If a shareholder wants us to include a proposal in the Proxy Statement for presentation at our 2018 Annual Meeting, the proposal must be received at our principal executive office at 111 West Front Street, P.O. Box 289, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603, no later than November 22, 2017. Any proposal must comply with SEC regulations regarding the inclusion of shareholder proposals in Corporation-sponsored proxy materials. If a shareholder proposal is submitted to the Corporation after November 22, 2017, it is considered untimely; and, although the proposal may be considered at the Annual Meeting, the Corporation is not obligated to include it in the 2018 Proxy Statement.

 

The Corporation’s Board nominates individuals for the position of director. Neither the Corporation nor the Bank has a nominating committee. A shareholder who desires to propose an individual for consideration by the Board as a nominee for director, should submit a proposal in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Corporation’s bylaws. Any shareholder who intends to recommend nomination of any candidate for election to the Board must notify the Secretary of the Corporation in writing not less than 45 days prior to the date of any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors and must provide the specific information listed in Section 10.1 of the bylaws. You may obtain a copy of the Corporation’s bylaws by writing to John E. Arndt, Secretary, First Keystone Corporation, 111 West Front Street, P.O. Box 289, Berwick, Pennsylvania 18603. Specifically, a shareholder who recommends a director candidate for consideration to the Board must provide the candidate’s name, biographical data, and qualifications. A written statement from the candidate, consenting to be named as a candidate, and to serve as a director if nominated and elected, should accompany any such recommendation.

 

 Page 8 

 

 

The process that the Board uses for identifying and evaluating nominees for director is as follows. When there is a vacancy on the Board, either through the retirement of a director or the Board’s determination that the size of the Board should be increased, nominations to fill that vacancy are made by current directors on the Board. The name of any individual recommended by the directors is provided to Chairman Robert E. Bull, who contacts the prospective director nominee and generally meets with him or her. The members of the Board then may meet with the prospective director nominee. If a nominee is qualified and the Board believes the nominee will make a positive addition to the Board at that time, the Board then nominates the candidate.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF CLASS C DIRECTORS

 

The Corporation’s bylaws provide that its Board will manage the Corporation’s business. Sections 10.2 and 10.3 of the bylaws provide that the number of directors on the Board will not be less than 7 nor more than 25 and that the Board will be classified into 3 classes, each class to be elected for a term of 3 years. Within the foregoing limits, the Board may, from time to time, fix the number of directors and their classifications. No person 75 years or older may be elected or reelected as director, with the exception of Mr. Robert E. Bull. Section 11.1 of the bylaws require that a majority of the remaining members of the Board, even if less than a quorum, will select and appoint directors to fill vacancies on the Board, and each person so appointed will serve as director until the expiration of the term of office of the class of directors to which he or she was appointed.

 

Section 10.3 of the bylaws provides for a classified Board with staggered three-year terms of office. Accordingly, at the 2017 Annual Meeting, three Class C Directors will be elected to serve for a three-year term and until their successors are properly elected and qualified. The Board of the Corporation has nominated the current Class C Directors to serve as Class C Directors for the next three-year term of office. The nominees for reelection this year are as follows:

 

Don E. Bower, director since 2001;
Robert A. Bull, director since 2006; and
Matthew P. Prosseda, director since 2012.

 

Each nominee has consented to serve a three-year term of office and until his successor is elected and qualified.

 

Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies for the election of these 3 director nominees. If any nominee should become unavailable for any reason, proxies will be voted in favor of a substitute nominee named by the Board of the Corporation. A majority of the directors of the Corporation, in office, may appoint a new director to fill any vacancy occurring on the Board for any reason, and the new director will serve until the expiration of the term of the class of directors to which he or she was appointed.

 

The Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation provide that cumulative voting rights do not exist with respect to the election of directors. Accordingly, each share of common stock entitles its owner to cast one vote for each nominee. For example, if a shareholder owns 10 shares of common stock, he or she may cast up to 10 votes for each director to be elected.

 

The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of the above-named director nominees.

 

 Page 9 

 

 

INFORMATION AS TO DIRECTORS AND NOMINEES

 

The following selected biographical information about the directors and nominees for director is accurate as of March 1, 2017, and includes each person’s business experience for at least the past 5 years and the experience, qualifications and attributes or skills that led the Board to conclude that the person should serve as a director.

 

CURRENT CLASS C DIRECTORS WHOSE TERM EXPIRES IN 2017

AND NOMINEES FOR CLASS C DIRECTOR WHOSE TERM WILL EXPIRE IN 2020

 

Don E. BowerMr. Bower (age 68), is the President and owner of Don E. Bower, Inc., an excavation contracting corporation located in Berwick, Pennsylvania. He has been a director of the Corporation and the Bank since 2001. Mr. Bower has successfully developed his business over 42 years and has strong executive leadership and management experience.

 

Robert A. Bull (1)Mr. Bull (age 64), is an attorney and partner at the law firm Bull & Bull, LLP. Mr. Bull has been a director of the Corporation and the Bank since 2006. He has been an attorney for 40 years and has become knowledgeable in banking since his law firm functions as the Corporation’s solicitor.

 

Matthew P. ProssedaMr. Prosseda (age 55), serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and the Bank, a position he has held since 2012. He has served as a director of the Corporation and the Bank since 2012. Previously, Mr. Prosseda was the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and the Bank from 2010 to 2012. Prior to that date, Mr. Prosseda served as Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary from 2005 until 2010.

 

CLASS A DIRECTORS WHOSE TERM EXPIRES IN 2018

 

Jerome F. FabianMr. Fabian (age 74), is the President and owner of Tile Distributors of America, Inc., located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He has served as a director of the Corporation and the Bank since 1998. Mr. Fabian has been a successful entrepreneur with extensive sales and marketing experience.

 

John G. GerlachMr. Gerlach (age 75), is the retired President of the Pocono division of First Keystone Community Bank and the former President of Pocono Community Bank. He has been a director of the Corporation and the Bank since 2007. Previously, he was a director of Pocono Community Bank since 1997. Mr. Gerlach has over 42 years of banking experience. He possesses strong banking knowledge and served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

 

David R. SaracinoMr. Saracino (age 73), is the former Vice President, Cashier, and Chief Financial Officer of First Keystone Community Bank. Mr. Saracino has served as a director of the Corporation and the Bank since 2006. Mr. Saracino has 45 years of banking experience. He has excellent accounting skills and has been deemed our “financial expert” on the Audit Committee of the Corporation.

 

 Page 10 

 

 

CLASS B DIRECTORS WHOSE TERM EXPIRES IN 2019

 

John E. ArndtMr. Arndt (age 55), is an insurance broker and the owner of Arndt Insurance Agency in Berwick, Pennsylvania. He has served as a director of the Corporation and the Bank since 1995. Mr. Arndt has over 35 years of experience in the insurance field, including 27 years overseeing the management of his own insurance agency.

 

Robert E. Bull (1)Mr. Bull (age 94), now retired, practiced as an attorney at the law firm Bull & Bull, LLP, of which he remains a partner. He has been the Chairman of the Board of the Corporation since 1983 and of the Bank since 1981. He has served as a director of the Corporation since 1983 and of the Bank since 1956. Mr. Bull has a strong understanding of our customer base and products which he acquired over five decades of service on our Board.

 

Joseph B. Conahan, Jr.Dr. Conahan (age 73), is an Ophthalmologist. Dr. Conahan has been a director of the Corporation and the Bank since 2007. Previously, he was a director at Pocono Community Bank since 1998. Dr. Conahan has strong management skills and has served on the Board of Directors of a regional medical center.

 

Nancy J. MarrMs. Marr (age 54), is the President and owner of Marr Development Companies, a boutique real estate developer in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Ms. Marr was appointed to the Board in in February 2017. Ms. Marr’s background and experience in local real estate adds valuable perspective to the Board.

 

(1)Robert E. Bull is the father of Robert A. Bull.

 

 Page 11 

 

 

SHARE OWNERSHIP

 

Principal Owners

 

As of March 1, 2017, the Board knows of no person or entity who owns of record or who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock.

 

Beneficial Ownership by Officers, Directors and Nominees

 

The following table sets forth, as of March 1, 2017, the amount and percentage of the outstanding common stock beneficially owned by each director, nominee for director, and other named executive officers of the Corporation. The table also indicates the total number of shares owned by all directors, nominees for director, and named executive officers of the Corporation and the Bank as a group.

 

   Number of     
Name  Shares Owned1, 2   Percentage3 
Nominees for Class C Directors (to serve until 2020)          
And Class C Directors          
Don E. Bower   113,7384   2.01%
Robert A. Bull   114,6985   2.02%
Matthew P. Prosseda   10,3846   %
           
Class A Directors (to serve until 2018)          
Jerome F. Fabian   56,4087   %
John G. Gerlach   9,4778   %
David R. Saracino   8,8259   %
           
Class B Directors (to serve until 2019)          
John E. Arndt   116,96310   2.06%
Robert E. Bull   133,31711   2.35%
Joseph B. Conahan, Jr.   66,84612   1.18%
Nancy J. Marr   6,88813   %
           
Named Executive Officers          
Diane C.A. Rosler   2,95514   %
Elaine A. Woodland   3,46115   %
Matthew W. Mensinger   2816   %
Mark McDonald   97417   %
           
All Directors and Named Executive Officers as a Group (14 Persons in Total)   644,962    11.37%

 

 

1The securities “beneficially owned” by an individual are determined in accordance with the definitions of “beneficial ownership” set forth in the General Rules and Regulations of the SEC and may include securities owned by or for the individual’s spouse and minor children and any other relative who has the same home, as well as securities to which the individual has or shares voting or investment power or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days after March 1, 2017. Beneficial ownership may be disclaimed as to certain of the securities.

 

2Information furnished by the directors and the Corporation.

 

 Page 12 

 

 

3Less than 1% unless otherwise indicated. Based on 5,671,451 shares outstanding as of March 1, 2017.

 

4Includes 111,777 shares held individually by Mr. Bower, 930 shares held jointly with his spouse, and 1,031 shares held as custodian for his grandchildren. Includes 30,921 pledged shares.

 

5Includes 43,144 shares held individually by Mr. R.A. Bull, 6,452 shares held by Bull & Bull, LLP, a law firm of which Mr. Bull is a partner, 60,957 shares held jointly with his spouse, and 4,145 shares held individually by his spouse.

 

6Includes 6,843 shares held individually by Mr. Prosseda and 3,541 shares held in his Bank 401(k) plan.

 

7Includes 687 shares held individually by Mr. Fabian, 20,831 shares by the Jerome F. Fabian Trust Under Agreement for which Mr. Fabian exercises dispositive power, and 34,890 shares held jointly with his spouse.

 

8Includes 1,250 shares held individually by Mr. Gerlach and 8,227 shares held jointly with his spouse.

 

9Includes 8,825 shares held individually by Mr. Saracino.

 

10Includes 113,935 shares held individually by Mr. Arndt, 2,026 shares held individually by his spouse, and 1,002 shares held as custodian for his children.

 

11Includes 43,195 shares held individually by Mr. R.E. Bull, 6,452 shares held by Bull & Bull, LLP, a law firm of which Mr. Bull is a partner, and 83,670 shares held by the Sara E. Bull Decedent Estate Trust of which Mr. Bull is the trustee.

 

12Includes 45,373 shares held individually by Dr. Conahan and 21,473 shares held jointly with his spouse.

 

13Includes 6,888 shares held individually by Ms. Marr.

 

14Includes 1,986 shares held individually by Ms. Rosler and 969 shares held in her Bank 401(k) plan.

 

15Includes 746 shares held individually by Ms. Woodland, 119 shares held jointly with her spouse, 2,096 shares held in her Bank 401(k) plan and 500 shares which may be purchased upon the exercise of stock options.

 

16Includes 28 shares held in Mr. Mensinger’s Bank 401(k) plan.

 

17Includes 724 shares held in Mr. McDonald’s Bank 401(k) plan and 250 shares which may be purchased upon the exercise of stock options.

 

 Page 13 

 

 

DIRECTORS’ COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name  Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash
($)
   Stock
Awards
   Option
Awards
   Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation
   Change in
Pension
Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings
($)
   All
Other
Compen-
sation
($)
   Total
($)
 
                             
John E. Arndt   36,400                        36,400 
J. Gerald Bazewicz1   33,600                24,459    45,4132   103,472 
Don E. Bower   33,000                        33,000 
Robert A. Bull   37,800                        37,800 
Robert E. Bull   41,300                        41,300 
Joseph B. Conahan, Jr.   35,800                        35,800 
Jerome F. Fabian   33,000                        33,000 
John G. Gerlach   35,800                        35,800 
David R. Saracino   33,000                11,560    28,5962   73,156 

 

1Mr. Bazewicz retired from the Board effective December 31, 2016.

2Represents deferred compensation payments made under a salary continuation agreement, which was established when the director was a key employee of the Bank, and bank owned life insurance imputed income.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

During 2016, each member of the Corporation’s Board received $800 for his attendance at the Annual Meeting. Other corporate Board meetings met concurrently with the Bank’s Board, and directors received no additional compensation. The Bank’s directors received $800 for each director’s meeting attended. Non-employee directors received a $5,000 retainer and $400 for each committee meeting attended. Chairman Bull received an annual stipend of $1,500, Vice Chairman Bazewicz received an annual stipend of $1,000, and Secretary Arndt received an annual stipend of $1,000. Each director is allowed three paid absences during the fiscal year for Board of Directors’ meetings; however, committee meetings must be attended to receive compensation. Each director is also entitled to reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses to attend various bank related training and meetings. In the aggregate, the Board was paid $341,300 for all Board meetings and committee meetings attended in 2016, including all fees and stipends paid to all directors, including the Chief Executive Officer, in 2016.

 

Messrs. Bazewicz and Saracino are parties to salary continuation agreements which were entered into when each respective individual was a key employee of the Bank. Both agreements vested upon the executive’s retirement after age 60. Both individuals receive benefits for a total of twenty years in the amount disclosed above.

 

 Page 14 

 

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

The Audit Committee oversees the Corporation’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. In that connection, the committee, along with the Board, has formally adopted an audit committee charter setting forth its responsibilities.

 

Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal control. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the committee reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K with management including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.

 

The committee reviewed with BDO USA, LLP, the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the Corporation’s financial statements, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Corporation’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the committee in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB). In addition, the committee has discussed with BDO USA, LLP, the matters required to be discussed by PCAOB Auditing Standard 1301 “Communications with Audit Committees”. We have also received from BDO USA, LLP, written disclosures and a letter concerning the firm’s independence with respect to the Corporation, as required by Rule 3520 of the PCAOB.

 

The committee discussed the overall scope and plans for their audits with the Corporation’s internal auditors and BDO USA, LLP. The committee meets with the internal auditors and BDO USA, LLP, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Corporation’s internal controls and the overall quality of the Corporation’s financial reporting. The committee held five meetings during fiscal year 2016.

 

With respect to the Corporation’s Independent Accountants, the committee, among other things, discussed with BDO USA, LLP matters relating to its independence, including the written disclosures made to the committee by the Independent Accountants and the letter from the Independent Accountants as required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the Independent Accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence.

 

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the committee recommended to the Board (and the Board has approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The committee and the Board have approved the selection of BDO USA, LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017 as detailed in Proposal No. 2: Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 Page 15 

 

 

Aggregate fees billed to the Corporation and the Bank by BDO USA, LLP for services rendered during the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2016   2015 
         
Audit fees1  $147,699   $126,759 
Tax fees2   14,000    14,473 
Total  $161,699   $141,232 

 

 

1Audit Fees include fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Corporation’s annual consolidated financial statements, audit of internal control in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and review of consolidated financial statements included in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including out of pocket expenses provided by BDO USA, LLP in 2016 and 2015.

 

2Tax Fees include fees billed for professional services rendered by BDO USA, LLP in 2016 and 2015 for tax compliance. These services include preparation of Federal and State Annual Tax Returns for the Corporation and the Bank.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services

 

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to the Corporation. BDO USA, LLP served as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year 2016. These services may include audit services, audit related services, tax services, and other services. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. Under the policy, pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific Board approved budget. In addition, the Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case by case basis. For each proposed service, the independent registered public accounting firm is required to provide a detailed engagement letter.

 

The committee is comprised of three directors, all of whom are considered “independent” as defined by SEC Rules and NASDAQ listing standards. The Board has determined that no member of the committee has a relationship with the Corporation that should interfere with his independence from the Corporation or its management.

 

The foregoing report has been furnished by the current members of the committee.

 

Members of the Audit Committee

 

David R. Saracino, Chairman

Don E. Bower

Jerome F. Fabian

 

 Page 16 

 

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Introduction

 

The Board serves as the Compensation Committee for the Bank and develops the Bank’s and the Corporation’s executive compensation policy. The Board also determines the named executive officers’ individual compensation.

 

For the year 2016, the named executive officers were:

 

Matthew P. Prosseda, Chief Executive Officer and President

Diane C.A. Rosler, Chief Financial Officer

Elaine A. Woodland, Chief Operating Officer

Matthew W. Mensinger, Director of Lending

Mark J. McDonald, Chief Credit Officer

 

Compensation Objectives and Program Design

 

For the fiscal year 2016, executive compensation included base salary, the opportunity for cash bonuses through the Management Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), and the ability to participate in the Bank’s health and welfare plans and the Bank’s retirement plan.

 

The compensation program is designed to reward the named executive officers based on their respective level of assigned management responsibilities and individual performance levels.

 

The basic mission of the Corporation’s executive compensation policy is to provide executives with a competitive compensation package that attracts and retains qualified executives while placing a portion of total pay at risk. The at risk element of compensation, the Management Incentive Compensation Plan, may have no value or may be worth less than the target value if goals are not met.

 

Executive Officers’ Role in Determining Compensation

 

The Board, acting as the Compensation Committee, considers information provided by the Chief Executive Officer in determining the appropriate level of compensation for other named executive officers. Individual performance objectives are set by the Chief Executive Officer and a year-end appraisal on each named executive officer prepared by the Chief Executive Officer is reviewed by the Board. No named executive officer attends those portions of the Board meetings during which his or her performance is evaluated or his or her compensation is being determined.

 

The Chief Executive Officer is present during the discussions regarding other named executive officers’ performance and compensation, but is not present during the discussion of his performance and compensation.

 

Compensation Consultant

 

In 2016, a compensation consultant did not play a role in setting compensation or advising on specific compensation. The Compensation Committee reviewed the L. R. Webber Associates, Inc.’s 2016 Salary/Benefits for Financial Institutions Survey (“the Survey”) to acquaint itself with current trends and practices in compensation. The survey includes general compensation information for executives of financial institutions throughout Pennsylvania.

 

 Page 17 

 

 

Benchmarking

 

The Corporation does not specifically benchmark compensation to other institutions. However, the Compensation Committee did review the data contained in the Survey to obtain a general understanding of current compensation practices. The Survey provides information in general ranges by job position including certain executives. The peer group of financial institutions chosen by the Board for purposes of making a comparative analysis of executive compensation does include some of the same financial institutions incorporated in the peer group established to compare shareholder returns as indicated in the performance graph included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The financial institutions chosen for the Survey included twenty banks with assets generally between $600 million and $1 billion and/or are located in regions we serve. They included:

 

1st Summit Bank (Johnstown)
Citizens and Northern Bank (Wellsboro)
Community Bank (Waynesburg)
Dime Bank (Honesdale)
Ephrata National Bank (Ephrata)
ESSA Bank & Trust (Stroudsburg)
Farmers National Bank (Emlenton)
First Citizens Community Bank (Mansfield)
First Columbia Bank and Trust Co. (Bloomsburg)
First National Bank & Trust of Newtown (Newtown)
First National Community Bank (Dunmore)
Honesdale National Bank (Honesdale)
Mauch Chunk Trust Company (Jim Thorpe)
Mifflinburg Bank and Trust Company (Mifflinburg)
Muncy Bank and Trust Company (Muncy)
Nex Tier Bank (Butler)
Northumberland National Bank (Northumberland)
Peoples State Bank of Wyalusing (Wyalusing)
QNB (Quakertown)
West Milton State Bank (Milton)

 

After reviewing the base salaries and benefits provided in the Survey, no adjustments to compensation were made in 2016, other than the normal annual salary increases. The goal of the Corporation is to compensate at approximately the average range mid-point for base salary for each job classification with the at risk portion of compensation rewarding favorable overall bank earnings performance. Five of the five named executive officers’ base salary compensation fall below the mid-point range outlined in the survey.

 

Shareholder Vote

 

The Board, acting as the Compensation Committee, reviewed and considered the shareholders’ overwhelmingly favorable response to the Say-On-Pay Vote at the 2014 Annual Meeting. The Compensation Committee acknowledged and considered the shareholders’ approval of the Corporation’s and Bank’s compensation policies and has not made any adjustments thereto. The Corporation is seeking the shareholders’ approval of the Corporation’s and Bank’s compensation policies at the 2017 Annual Meeting and will consider the results in setting compensation in the future.

 

 Page 18 

 

 

Elements Of Compensation

 

Base Salary

 

The executive compensation established by the Compensation Committee is based upon its overall subjective assessment of the value of the services provided by each named executive officer with consideration given to performance factors and peer group compensation information as discussed in Benchmarking above.

 

For the base salary paid to named executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee considers information provided by the Chief Executive Officer as to each executive officer’s level of individual performance, contribution to the organization, scope of responsibilities, salary history and general market levels gathered from the Survey.

 

For the base salary paid to the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee, with the Chief Executive Officer not being present, considers his performance level, the results of management decisions made by him and the earnings of the organization. The Compensation Committee reviews the return on assets and return on equity when making the subjective determination of whether or not the Chief Executive Officer’s base pay should be at the median, below the median, or above the median provided in the compensation survey. No particular weight is assigned to any of the foregoing individual performance factors and no specific performance targets are used in determining whether an increase in base salary is warranted.

 

Decisions regarding base salary are made without consideration of other forms of compensation provided. Cash bonuses are intended to provide additional incentive to the named executive officers to achieve a higher level of success. Adjusting the base salary to correspond with the amount of the bonuses would defeat the purpose of having at-risk compensation.

 

Cash Bonuses

 

The purpose of the Plan is to provide incentives and awards to top management employees who, through high levels of performance, contribute to the success and profitability of the bank. Participation in the Plan is limited to the executive management team. This management team includes the following functional job titles: Chief Executive Officer; Chief Operating Officer; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Executive Vice President and Director of Lending; and Vice President and Senior Trust Officer. The management incentive pool created after the achievement of a required budget net income is distributed to the executive management team as follows:

 

Chief Executive Officer   40%
Chief Operating Officer   20%
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   8%
Executive Vice President and Director of Lending   8%
Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer   8%

 

The Plan serves as a short-term incentive that aligns executive pay with the annual performance of the Corporation and is earned through the achievement of overall annual earnings objectives. It aligns management’s interests with those of the shareholders because, generally, the higher the net income for the year, the larger the bonuses paid to management. The Plan is also designed to support organizational objectives and financial goals, as defined by the Bank’s Strategic and Financial Plans, by making available additional, variable and contingent incentive compensation.

 

 Page 19 

 

  

The Plan was established to augment regular salary and benefits programs already in existence. It is not meant to be a substitute for salary increases, but as a supplement to salary, and, as stated earlier, as an incentive for performance that contributes to outstanding levels of achievement of the Bank.

 

In order to mitigate any potential risk associated with the Plan, the computation of incentive awards may be audited by the independent registered public accountants of the Bank, and the Board may take into account any factors that it deems relevant in the determination of the incentive pool. Under the Plan, the Board of Directors elected not to award bonuses for the year 2016. The Board elected not to grant management incentive payments for 2016 due to the level of operating income in comparison to budgeted amounts.

 

Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan

 

The Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (the “SERP”) rewards certain named executive officers for their long-term contributions to the Bank. To encourage Mr. Prosseda and Ms. Woodland to continue their employment with the Bank retirement incentive, the Compensation Committee believed it to be in the best interests of the Corporation and Bank to enter into salary continuation agreements with them. The agreements were also established to reward them for past and future services to the Corporation. The Compensation Committee believes the income benefit amounts are reasonable and consistent with regulatory compensation standards. Another benefit to the Bank from providing the SERP is that it contains a restrictive covenant prohibiting the executive from competing with the Bank while receiving benefits under the SERP, except after a change of control.

 

Employee Benefits Provided to Eligible Employees

 

All named executive officers may participate in the Bank’s retirement plan and health and welfare plans that are offered to other eligible employees of the Bank. Retirement and health and welfare benefits are not tied to Corporation, Bank, or individual performance. The cost of providing such benefits is not taken into account when determining specific salaries of the named executive officers and is seen as a cost of doing business.

 

Retirement Plan

 

The Compensation Committee believes that it is essential for employees to save for retirement and as such has provided all employees a vehicle through which to do so by maintaining a 401(k) plan, which has a combined tax qualified savings feature and profit sharing feature.

 

Health and Welfare Plans

 

Group life insurance, group disability, vision and dental benefits and health insurance are available to all employees, as well as an IRS Section 125 plan. Such plans are standard in the industry and in the geographic area for all industries and necessary to compete for talented employees at all levels of the Corporation. Named executive officers participate in these plans under the same terms and conditions as other employees.

 

Health insurance premiums are partially paid by employees through payroll deductions for the employee share of the health care cost.

 

Triggering Events In Contracts

 

Presently, there are no named executive officers who are parties to employment or consulting agreements with the Corporation.

 

 Page 20 

 

  

Under the SERP to which both Mr. Prosseda and Ms. Woodland are parties, the triggering events are change of control, retirement, disability, involuntary termination and death.

 

The Compensation Committee believes that the triggering events in these agreements are appropriate in that they encourage executives to act in the best interests of the shareholders in evaluating any change of control opportunities and it keeps the executives focused on running the Corporation in the face of real or rumored corporate transactions. The Compensation Committee also believes that it is appropriate to provide the named executive officers a benefit under the SERP in the event the executive becomes disabled and a benefit to his or her beneficiaries in the event of his or her death as consideration for the executive’s past employment with the Bank. Additionally, as the SERP is a benefit upon which the executive will rely upon for retirement income, the Compensation Committee understands that it is important to provide the executive with a reduced benefit under the SERP if the executive’s employment is terminated before retirement age and no benefit if the executive is terminated for cause.

 

Accounting and Tax Treatments

 

Sections 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally limits the tax deductibility of compensation paid in one year to highly compensated employees to $1 million. Given the current level of compensation, the Compensation Committee does not feel that it is necessary to have a formal policy with regard to Section 162(m). There were no accounting or tax treatments which were considered in establishing the Compensation Policy or specific compensation.

 

Material Differences in Named Executive Officers’ Compensation

 

The named executive officers are compensated based upon their respective position and longevity with the Bank. All named executive officers may participate in the retirement and health insurance benefits provided to all employees on the same terms as all other employees. The difference in the named executive officers’ base salary is premised upon their position, experience, and individual performance. Only Mr. Prosseda and Ms. Woodland are provided SERP agreements as a result of Mr. Prosseda’s role as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a result of Ms. Woodland’s current role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

 

Policy on Equity Ownership and Hedging

 

The Corporation does not have a policy on equity ownership at this time. However, as illustrated in the Beneficial Ownership by Officers, Directors and Nominees, all named executive officers are beneficial owners of stock of the Corporation. The Corporation also does not have a hedging policy at this time.

 

Conclusion

 

The Compensation Committee believes the amount and types of compensation provided to the named executive officers are competitive and appropriate for the Corporation to attain its short and long-term objectives and goals. The compensation programs are designed to provide an incentive to the named executive officers on both a short-term and long-term basis. The programs have been tailored by the Corporation so that the various elements of compensation align the interests of our shareholders and those of the named executive officers to maximize shareholder value.

 

 Page 21 

 

  

Compensation Committee Report

 

The Board, acting as the Compensation Committee, has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management, and based on the review and discussions, the Board concluded that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Corporation’s Proxy Statement.

 

Board of Directors

 

Robert E. Bull, Chairman Joseph B. Conahan, Jr.
Matthew P. Prosseda, President Jerome F. Fabian
John E. Arndt, Secretary John G. Gerlach
Don E. Bower David R. Saracino
Robert A. Bull  

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

During the beginning of 2016, the Board conducted a risk assessment of the Bank’s compensation program. The Board concluded that the program is balanced, does not motivate imprudent risk taking, and is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Bank.

 

The following table shows information concerning the annual and long-term compensation for services rendered in all capacities to the Corporation and the Bank for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 of those persons who were:

 

all individuals who served as the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer during 2016; and
the other 3 most highly compensated named executive officers of the Corporation and the Bank at December 31, 2016 whose total compensation exceeded $100,000.

 

 Page 22 

 

  

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and
Principal
Position
  Year  Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   Stock
Awards
($)
   Option
Awards
($)
   Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
   All Other
Compensation
($)
   Total
($)
 
                                
Matthew P. Prosseda  2016   232,000                35,383    42,4801   309,863 
Chief Executive Officer  2015   225,037                33,328    37,8751   296,240 
   2014   218,219                31,391    36,3781   285,988 
                                       
Diane C.A. Rosler  2016   118,000                    10,5932   128,593 
Chief Financial Officer  2015   114,558                    9,1642   123,722 
   2014   113,006                    8,1282   121,134 
                                       
Elaine A. Woodland  2016   163,750                19,377    14,7373   197,864 
Chief Operating Officer  2015   158,995                18,252    12,7203   189,967 
   2014   152,651                17,191    11,4493   181,291 
                                       
Matthew W. Mensinger  2016   127,250                    6,3634   133,613 
Director of Lending  2015   122,427                    4,8974   127,324 
   2014   114,161                    3,9964   118,157 
                                       
Mark J. McDonald  2016   105,000                    9,4505   114,450 
Senior Vice President  2015   101,219                    8,0985   109,317 
   2014   95,768                    7,1925   102,960 

 

1Amounts shown for Mr. Prosseda in 2016 include $21,600 in director fees, $9,280 401(k) matching contribution and $11,600 401(k) profit sharing award, in 2015 $20,800 in director fees, $8,074 401(k) matching contribution and $9,001 401(k) profit sharing award and in 2014 $20,000 in director fees, $8,740 401(k) matching contribution and $7,638 401(k) profit sharing award.

 

2Amounts shown for Ms. Rosler in 2016 include $4,693 401(k) matching contribution and $5,900 401(k) profit sharing award, in 2015 $4,582 401(k) matching contribution and $4,582 401(k) profit sharing award and in 2014 $4,173 401(k) matching contribution and $3,955 401(k) profit sharing award.

 

3 Amounts shown for Ms. Woodland in 2016 include $6,550 401(k) matching contribution and $8,187 401(k) profit sharing award, in 2015 $6,360 401(k) matching contribution and $6,360 401(k) profit sharing award and in 2014 $6,106 401(k) matching and $5,343 401(k) profit sharing award.

 

4Amounts shown for Mr. Mensinger in 2016 include $6,363 401(k) profit sharing award, in 2015 $4,897 401(k) profit sharing award and in 2014 $3,996 profit sharing award.

 

5 Amounts shown for Mr. McDonald in 2016 include $4,200 401(k) matching contribution and $5,250 401(k) profit sharing award, in 2015 $4,049 401(k) matching and $4,049 401(k) profit sharing award and in 2014 $3,840 401(k) matching contribution and $3,352 401(k) profit sharing award.

 

 Page 23 

 

  

401(k) Plan

 

The Bank maintains a 401k Plan which has a combined tax qualified savings feature and profit sharing feature for the benefit of its employees. Effective January 1, 2014, the plan became a Safe Harbor Plan and provides matching benefits to employees who are 21 years of age upon their entry date into the plan after completing three months of service. Under the savings feature, the Bank makes safe harbor matching contributions of 100% of the first 3% of compensation an employee contributes to the plan and 50% of the next 2% of compensation an employee contributes to the plan.

 

Additionally, the Bank may make a discretionary profit sharing contribution annually to the plan. Contributions made by the Bank to the plan are allocated to participants, who are aged 21 and have completed at least one year of service, in the same portion that each participant’s compensation bears to the aggregate compensation of all participants. Each participant in the plan is 100% vested at all times. Benefits are payable under the plan upon termination of employment, disability, death or retirement.

 

Of the $609,427 in total expenses during 2016, $62,023 was credited among the individual accounts of the 5 named executive officers of the Bank: Mr. Prosseda with $20,880, Ms. Rosler with $10,593. Ms. Woodland with $14,737, Mr. Mensinger with $6,363 and Mr. McDonald with $9,450. Mr. Prosseda has been a member of the plan for 11 years, Ms. Rosler for 26 years, Ms. Woodland for 10 years, Mr. Mensinger for 17 years and Mr. McDonald for 10 years.

 

Aggregated Options, Grants or Exercises in 2016 Year-End Option Values

 

The Corporation’s 1998 Stock Option Plan expired pursuant to its terms. Therefore, there were no granted stock options in 2016. There was also no exercise of options in 2016 previously granted.

 

 Page 24 

 

  

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2016

 

The Corporation’s 1998 Stock Option Plan expired in 2008. Under the terms of the plan, options were granted for shares of the Corporation’s common stock based on the market value at the date of grant and may be exercised six months after the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant. The closing price of the stock as of December 31, 2016 was $24.60.

 

   Option Awards
Name  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unrestricted
Options
(#)
Exercisable
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unrestricted
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
   Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of Securities
Underlying
Unrestricted
Unearned Options
(#)
   Option
Exercise
Price
($)
   Option
Expiration
Date
Matthew P. Prosseda
Chief Executive Officer
   

    

        

     ―
                        
Diane C.A. Rosler
Chief Financial Officer
       

    

    

     ―
                        
Elaine A. Woodland
Chief Operating Officer
   500        

    16.75    12/27/17
                        
Matthew W. Mensinger
Director of Lending
   

    

    

    

     ―
                        
Mark McDonald Chief
Credit Officer
 250    

    

    16.75     12/27/17

 

Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan

 

The Corporation currently maintains a Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (“SERP”) covering two of the Bank’s named executive officers, Matthew P. Prosseda and Elaine A. Woodland. The SERP, which is a salary continuation agreement, provides that if the executive officer continues to serve as an officer of the Bank until a stated retirement age of 62 years for Mr. Prosseda and 63 years for Ms. Woodland, the Bank will pay 240 guaranteed consecutive monthly payments for Mr. Prosseda and 180 guaranteed consecutive monthly payments for Ms. Woodland commencing on the first day of the month following the officer’s respective 62nd or 63rd birthday and the termination of employment in the amounts indicated below. The established retirement benefit under the SERP for Mr. Prosseda and Ms. Woodland will be $4,167 per month and $2,083 per month, respectively, and is not subject to change.

 

 Page 25 

 

  

If the executive officer attains their stated retirement age, but dies before receiving all of the guaranteed monthly payments, then the Bank will make the remaining payments to the officer’s beneficiary. In the event the officer dies while serving as an officer, prior to his or her stated retirement age, the Bank will remit the guaranteed monthly payment to the officer’s beneficiary commencing the month following the executive’s death. In the event of a change of control and the termination of the officer’s employment, the guaranteed monthly payments will commence the month following the executive’s termination of service. Generally, no benefit will be paid if the executive officer voluntarily terminates employment prior to attaining the stated retirement age or is terminated for cause.

 

The SERP allows the executive officers to achieve a retirement income percentage that is more consistent with their experience and years of service to the Bank. The plan objective is to provide the executive officers with a final wage replacement ratio of approximately 75% of projected final salary including projected benefits from the Bank 401(k) Plan, social security, and salary continuation provided through the agreement.

 

PENSION BENEFITS

 

Name  Plan
Name
  Number of
Years Credited
Service
(#)
   Present Value
of Accumulated
Benefit
($)
   Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year
($)
 
Matthew P. Prosseda
Chief Executive Officer
  SERP   11    267,557    

 
                   
Elaine A. Woodland
Chief Operating Officer
  SERP   9    133,997    

 

 

Post Termination Benefits

 

The following tables and discussion outlines the payments which would have been made to each named executive officer had a termination event occurred on December 31, 2016.

 

 Page 26 

 

 

Matthew P. Prosseda

 

The Board may, in its sole discretion, award Mr. Prosseda a pro-rata amount in the event of his retirement, death or disability under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

Assuming one of the following events occurred on December 31, 2016, Mr. Prosseda’s payments and benefits would consist of the following:

 

Matthew P. Prosseda  Voluntary
Resignation
($)
   Termination
by
Company
with Cause
($)
   Termination
by
Company
without
Cause
($)
   Death
($)
   Disability
($)
   Change
of
Control
($)
 

Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan(1) 

           695,960    1,000,000    267,557    1,000,000 
                               
Life Insurance Proceeds(2)               300,000         

 

 

 (1) Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan

If Mr. Prosseda’s employment had been terminated on December 31, 2016 without cause his benefit would be paid in 12 equal monthly payments of approximately $2,900 for a total of 240 months commencing the month following the Mr. Prosseda’s 62nd birthday. The benefit under death or change of control would be paid to the beneficiary in monthly payments of approximately $4,167 for 240 months commencing the month following Mr. Prosseda’s death, or change of control following his termination of service. The benefit under disability shall be paid in a lump sum 60 days after Mr. Prosseda’s termination of employment.

 

(2) Life Insurance Proceeds

Mr. Prosseda’s beneficiary would be entitled to a death benefit of two times his base salary. In the hypothetical case of his death at December 31, 2016, while he was still employed, his beneficiary would have received $300,000.

 

Diane C.A. Rosler

 

The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, award Ms. Rosler a pro-rata amount in the event of her retirement, death or disability under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

Assuming one of the following events occurred on December 31, 2016, Ms. Rosler’s payments and benefits would consist of the following:

 

Diane C.A. Rosler  Voluntary
Resignation
($)
   Termination
by
Company
with Cause
($)
   Termination
by
Company
without
Cause
($)
   Death
($)
   Disability
($)
   Change
of
Control
($)
 
Life Insurance Proceeds(1)               236,000         

 

 

(1) Life Insurance Proceeds

Ms. Rosler’s beneficiary would be entitled to a death benefit of two times her base salary. In the hypothetical case of her death at December 31, 2016, while she was still employed, her beneficiary would have received $236,000.

 

 Page 27 

 

  

Elaine A. Woodland

 

The Board may, in its sole discretion, award Ms. Woodland a pro-rata amount in the event of her retirement, death or disability under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

Assuming one of the following events occurred on December 31, 2016, Ms. Woodland’s payments and benefits would consist of the following:

 

Elaine A. Woodland  Voluntary
Resignation
($)
   Termination
by
Company
with Cause
($)
   Termination
by
Company
without
Cause
($)
   Death
($)
   Disability
($)
   Change
of
Control
($)
 

Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan(1) 

           271,815    375,000    133,997    375,000 
                               

Life Insurance Proceeds(2) 

               300,000         
                               
1998 Stock Incentive Plan(3)   4,370    4,370    4,370    4,370    4,370    4,370 

 

 

(1) Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan

If Ms. Woodland’s employment had been terminated on December 31, 2016 without cause her benefit would be paid in 12 equal monthly payments of approximately $1,510 for a total of 180 months commencing the month following the Ms. Woodland’s 63nd birthday. The benefit under death or change of control would be paid to the beneficiary in monthly payments of approximately $2,083 for 180 months commencing the month following Ms. Woodland’s death, or change of control following her termination of service. The benefit under disability shall be paid in a lump sum 60 days after Ms. Woodland’s termination of employment.

 

(2) Life Insurance Proceeds

Ms. Woodland’s beneficiary would be entitled to a death benefit of two times her base salary. In the hypothetical case of her death at December 31, 2016, while she was still employed, her beneficiary would have received $300,000.

 

(3) 1998 Stock Incentive Plan

Under any termination scenario, Ms. Woodland would have the right to exercise 100% of her outstanding vested stock options.

 

 Page 28 

 

  

Matthew W. Mensinger

 

The Board may, in its sole discretion, award Mr. Mensinger a pro-rata amount in the event of his retirement, death or disability under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

Assuming one of the following events occurred on December 31, 2016, Mr. Mensinger’s payments and benefits would consist of the following:

 

Matthew W.
Mensinger
  Voluntary
Resignation
($)
   Termination
by
Company
with Cause
($)
   Termination
by
Company
without
Cause
($)
   Death
($)
   Disability
($)
   Change
of
Control
($)
 
Life Insurance Proceeds(1)               255,000         

 

 

(1) Life Insurance Proceeds

Mr. Mensinger’s beneficiary would be entitled to a death benefit of two times his base salary. In the hypothetical case of his death at December 31, 2016, while he was still employed, his beneficiary would have received $255,000.

 

Mark McDonald

 

The Board may, in its sole discretion, award Mr. McDonald a pro-rata amount in the event of his retirement, death or disability under the Management Incentive Compensation Plan.

 

Assuming one of the following events occurred on December 31, 2016, Mr. McDonald’s payments and benefits would consist of the following:

 

Mark McDonald  Voluntary
Resignation
($)
   Termination
by
Company
with Cause
($)
   Termination
by
Company
without
Cause
($)
   Death
($)
   Disability
($)
   Change
of
Control
($)
 

Life Insurance Proceeds(1) 

               210,000         
                               
1998 Stock Incentive Plan(2)   2,185    2,185    2,185    2,185    2,185    2,185 

 

 

(1) Life Insurance Proceeds

Mr. McDonald’s beneficiary would be entitled to a death benefit of two times his base salary. In the hypothetical case of his death at December 31, 2016, while he was still employed, his beneficiary would have received $210,000.

 

(2) 1998 Stock Incentive Plan

Under any termination scenario, Mr. McDonald would have the right to exercise 100% of his outstanding vested stock options.

 

 Page 29 

 

  

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The Board, which includes Matthew P. Prosseda, President and Chief Executive Officer, functions as the Compensation Committee. For compensation paid to executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors considers information provided by the Chief Executive Officer. For compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors, with Mr. Prosseda not being present, determines his compensation, as outlined above under “Base Salary”.

 

In 2016, Matthew P. Prosseda served as an officer and employee of the Corporation or its subsidiary and also served on the Board of Directors which acts as the Compensation Committee. Also, Board members J. Gerald Bazewicz, the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, was a former officer of the Corporation, and David R. Saracino, the former Chief Financial Officer, was a former officer of the Corporation. No member of the Board had any relationship requiring disclosure under any paragraph of Item 404. In addition, none of the executive officers served as a director of another entity, or as a member of the Compensation Committee or other committee serving an equivalent function of another entity at any time during 2016.

 

Related Person Transactions

 

Related person transactions are subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

 

In deciding whether to approve a related person transaction the following factors may be considered:

 

information about the goods or services proposed to be or being provided by or to the related party or the nature of the transactions;
the nature of the transactions and the costs to be incurred by the Corporation or payments to the Corporation;
an analysis of the costs and benefits associated with the transaction and a comparison of comparable or alternative goods or services that are available to the Corporation from unrelated parties; and
the business advantage the Corporation would gain by engaging in the transaction.

 

To receive approval, the related person transaction must be on terms that are fair and reasonable to the Corporation, and that are as favorable to the Corporation as would be available from non-related entities in comparable transactions.

 

There have been no material transactions between the Corporation or the Bank, nor any material transactions proposed, with any director or executive officer of the Corporation or the Bank, or any associate of these persons. The Corporation and the Bank have engaged in and intend to continue to engage in banking and financial transactions in the ordinary course of business with directors and officers of the Corporation and the Bank and their associates on comparable terms and with similar interest rates as those prevailing from time to time for other customers of the Corporation and the Bank.

 

 Page 30 

 

  

Total loans outstanding and commitments from the Corporation and the Bank at December 31, 2016, to the Corporation’s and the Bank’s named executive officers and directors as a group and members of their immediate families and companies in which they had an ownership interest of 10% or more was $9,921,000, or approximately 9.0% of the total equity capital. Loans to such persons were made in the ordinary course of business, were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons not related to the lender, and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. All loans are current and being paid as agreed. The largest aggregate amount of indebtedness outstanding at any time during fiscal year 2016 to the named executive officers and directors of the Corporation and the Bank, and their affiliates as a group was $11,070,000. The aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness as of the latest practicable date, March 1, 2017, to the above described group was $10,132,000.

 

PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE BANK AND THE CORPORATION

 

The following table presents selected information as of March 1, 2017, about the executive officers of the Bank and Corporation, each of whom is elected by the Board and each of whom holds office at the discretion of the Board:

 

    Age as of   Office and Position   Office and Position
Name   March 1, 2017   with the Bank   with the Corporation
             
Robert E. Bull   94   Chairman of the Board since 1981   Chairman of the Board since 1983
             
Matthew P. Prosseda   55   President and CEO since 2012   President and CEO since 2012
             
John E. Arndt   55   Secretary since 2006   Secretary since 2006
             
Diane C.A. Rosler   52   Chief Financial Officer since 2007   Chief Financial Officer since 2007
             
Elaine A. Woodland   58   Chief Operating Officer since 2014   Treasurer since 2014

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In the opinion of the management of the Corporation and its banking subsidiary, there are no proceedings pending to which the Corporation or the Bank is a party to, or which their property is subject, which, if determined adversely to the Corporation or the Bank, would have a material effect on their undivided profits or financial condition. There are no proceedings pending other than routine litigation incident to the business of the Corporation and the Bank. In addition, to the Board’s knowledge, no government authorities have initiated, threatened to initiate, or contemplated any material proceedings against the Corporation or the Bank.

 

 Page 31 

 

  

PROPOSAL NO. 2: RATIFICATION OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

In 2016, all audit and tax fees associated with BDO USA, LLP’s services were approved by the Audit Committee.

 

BDO USA, LLP served as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2016 fiscal year, assisted the Corporation and the Bank with preparation of their federal and state annual tax returns, and provided assistance in connection with regulatory matters, charging the Bank for services at its customary hourly billing rates. Representatives of BDO USA, LLP will attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, will have the opportunity to make a statement and are expected to be available to respond to any appropriate questions.

 

The Board has appointed BDO USA, LLP, Certified Public Accountants, located at 945 East Park Drive, Suite 103, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111, as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for its 2017 fiscal year. The Board proposes that shareholders ratify this selection. BDO USA, LLP has advised the Corporation that none of its members has any financial interest in the Corporation. Ratification of BDO USA, LLP will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting by Shareholders entitled to vote.

 

In the event that the shareholders do not ratify the selection of BDO USA, LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year, another accounting firm may be chosen to provide independent audit services for the 2017 fiscal year.

 

The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote FOR the ratification of the selection of BDO USA, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Corporation for the year ending December 31, 2017.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 3: NON-BINDING VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (which was added by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”)) and the related rules of the SEC, we are including in these proxy materials a separate resolution subject to shareholder vote to approve, in a non-binding vote, the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation,” our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, incentivize and retain our named executive officers, who are critical to our success. We are asking our shareholders to indicate their support for our named executive officer compensation as described in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our shareholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers’ compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, we ask our shareholders to vote “FOR” the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

 

“RESOLVED, that the corporation’s shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the corporation’s Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, 2016 Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure.”

 

 Page 32 

 

  

The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the corporation or our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors values the opinions of our shareholders and to the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, we will consider our shareholders’ concerns and will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.

 

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

 

The approval of the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement will be approved if a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting are voted “FOR” this proposal. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will not be counted as votes cast and therefore will not affect the determination as to whether this proposal is approved.

 

The Board recommends a vote FOR the compensation

of the named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 4: NON-BINDING VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY

OF SHAREHOLDER VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act (which was added by the Dodd-Frank Act) and the related rules of the SEC, we are including in these proxy materials a separate resolution subject to shareholder vote to recommend, in a non-binding vote, whether a non-binding shareholder vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers should occur every one, two or three years. The text of the resolution in respect of Proposal No. 4 is as follows:

 

“Resolved, that the shareholders recommend, in a non-binding vote, whether a non-binding shareholder vote to approve the compensation of the corporation’s named executive officers should occur every one, two or three years.”

 

In considering your vote, you may wish to review the executive compensation information presented in this proxy statement. In addition, shareholder should note the following:

 

The Board of Directors believes shareholders should be given the opportunity to approve the corporation’s executive compensation triennially because triennial votes will provide the corporation with the time to thoughtfully consider the results of their say on pay votes, respond to shareholders sentiments, and implement changes.

 

For these reasons, we believe that a once every three years is appropriate in order to provide shareholders with a more comprehensive view of whether our named executive officer compensation programs are achieving their objectives.

 

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

 

The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast by shareholders will be the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been selected by shareholders. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will not be counted as votes cast and therefore will not affect the determination as to whether this proposal is approved.

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR THREE YEARS on Proposal No. 4 regarding the frequency of the shareholder vote to approve the compensation of the named executive officers as required by SEC’s compensation disclosure rules.

 

 Page 33 

 

  

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Corporation’s directors, executive officers and shareholders who own more than 10% of the Corporation’s outstanding equity stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Corporation with the SEC. Based solely on its review of copies of Section 16(a) forms received by it, or written representations from reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for those persons, the Corporation believes that during the period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, its officers, directors and reporting shareholders were in compliance with all filing requirements applicable to them.

 

INFORMATION REQUESTS

 

A copy of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 may be obtained, at no cost, by contacting Cheryl Wynings, Investor Relations, First Keystone Corporation, 111 West Front Street, P.O. Box 289, Berwick, PA 18603, telephone: (570) 752-3671, extension 1175.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

The Board does not know of any matters to be presented for consideration other than the matters described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, but if any matters are properly presented, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote on the matters as they determine to be in the best interest of the Corporation.

 

 Page 34