Citizens & Northern Corporation DEF 14A
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
90-92 Main Street
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania 16901
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2008
TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the stockholders of Citizens & Northern
Corporation (the Corporation) will be held at Citizens & Northern Bank, located at 90 Main
Street, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 2:00 P.M., local time, for the
following purposes:
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To elect four Class III directors to serve for a term of 3 years; and |
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To approve and adopt the third amendment to the Citizens & Northern Corporation 1995
Stock Incentive Plan; |
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To approve and adopt the first amendment to the Citizens & Northern Corporation
Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan; |
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To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting or any
adjournment or adjournments thereof. |
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 2008 are entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the meeting. Such stockholders may vote in person or by proxy.
All stockholders are urged to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy in the
accompanying envelope, whether or not you expect to attend the meeting. If you do attend the
meeting, you may, if you wish, withdraw your proxy and vote your shares in person.
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
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Jessica R. Brown |
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Corporate Secretary |
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March 18, 2008
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
90-92 Main Street
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania 16901
PROXY STATEMENT
Annual Meeting of Stockholders April 15, 2008
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board
of Directors of Citizens & Northern Corporation to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
the Corporation to be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 2:00 P.M. at Citizens & Northern Bank
(C&N Bank), located at 90 Main Street, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and at any adjournment thereof.
The approximate date upon which this Proxy Statement and proxy will first be mailed to stockholders
is March 18, 2008.
Shares represented by properly completed proxies will be voted in accordance with the
instructions indicated thereon unless such proxies have previously been revoked. If no direction
is indicated, such shares will be voted in favor of the election as directors of the nominees named
below, in favor of the third amendment to the Citizens & Northern Corporation 1995 Stock Incentive
Plan, in favor of the first amendment to the Citizens & Northern Corporation Independent Directors
Stock Incentive Plan and in the discretion of the proxy holder as to any other matters that may
properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. A proxy may be revoked at any
time before it is voted by written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation or by attending the
Annual Meeting and voting in person.
The Corporation will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting. In
addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone,
telegram, e-mail or other electronic means by the Corporations directors, officers and employees.
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the transfer agent and registrar for the Corporation, will
assist in the distribution of proxy materials and the solicitation and tabulation of votes.
Arrangements also may be made with custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for forwarding proxy
materials to beneficial owners of stock held of record by such persons, and the Corporation may
reimburse such custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by them in connection therewith.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on February 26, 2008 as the record date
for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and
at any adjournment thereof. On the record date, there were outstanding and entitled to vote
8,972,797 shares of common stock. Common stockholders will be entitled to one vote per share on
all matters to be submitted at the meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of stockholders
entitled to cast at least 50% of the votes that all stockholders are entitled to cast shall
constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. An abstention will be considered present at the meeting
for purposes of determining a quorum, but will not be counted as voting for or against the issue to
which it relates. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will be counted as votes cast and
neither will have any effect on the result of the vote, although both will count toward the
determination of the presence of a quorum. The Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation do not
permit cumulative voting.
No person is known by the Corporation to have beneficially owned 5% or more of the outstanding
common stock of the Corporation as of February 26, 2008.
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation provide that the Board of Directors shall
consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five directors and that within these limits the
numbers of directors shall be as established by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has
set the number of directors at fourteen. The Articles further provide that the Board shall be
classified into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible. Typically, one class of
directors is elected annually, and the term for each Class is typically three years. Four
directors in Class III are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve for a three-year term. It
is the intention of the persons named as proxyholders on the enclosed form of proxy, unless other
directions are given, to vote all shares which they represent for the election of managements
nominees named in the tabulation below. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast.
Plurality means that the nominees receiving the highest number of votes cast are elected as
directors up to the maximum number of directors who are nominated to be elected at the meeting. Any
stockholder who wishes to withhold authority from the proxyholders to vote for the election of
directors, or to
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withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, may do so by
marking the proxy to that effect. Each director elected will continue in office until a successor
has been elected. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the nominees
listed below, each of whom has consented to be named as a nominee and to serve if elected. If for
any reason any nominee named is not a candidate (which is not expected) when the election occurs,
proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee determined by the Board of Directors.
All Directors and Nominees are independent, except for Craig G. Litchfield and Charles H.
Updegraff, Jr., according to the definition of independent director under NASDAQ rules, which the
Corporation uses to determine independence. The Board of Directors of the Corporation has adopted a
written policy for Director Independence, which is available on our website at www.cnbankpa.com by
clicking on Shareholder News, then Corporate Governance, then Independence Standards.
The following table sets forth certain information about the director nominees and about the
other directors whose terms of office will continue after the Annual Meeting.
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Name, Age and Certain Biographical Information |
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Period of Service as a Director |
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Class III MANAGEMENTS NOMINEES FOR A 3 YEAR TERM ENDING IN 2011: |
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Dennis F. Beardslee, 57
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Director since 1999 |
Owner of Terrace Lanes Bowling Center |
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Jan E. Fisher, 53
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Director since 2002 |
Executive Vice President & COO of Laurel Health System, President and CEO Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro, PA |
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Craig G. Litchfield, 60
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Director since 1996 |
President & Chief Executive Officer of Citizens & Northern
Corporation and Citizens & Northern Bank |
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Ann M. Tyler, 63
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Director since 2002 |
Certified Public Accountant in firm of Ann M. Tyler CPA, PC |
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CLASS I Continuing Directors with Terms Expiring in 2009: |
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R. Robert DeCamp, 67
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Director since 1988 |
President of Patterson Lumber Co., Inc. |
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Raymond R. Mattie, 44
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Director since 2007 |
President of M & S Conversion Co. Inc. |
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Edward H. Owlett, III, 53
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Director since 1994 |
President & CEO of Putnam Company |
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James E. Towner, 61
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Director since 2000 |
General Manager of The Scranton Times, formerly
Publisher of The Daily / Sunday Review |
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Charles H. Updegraff, Jr., 55
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Director since 2007 |
Chief Operating Officer of Citizens & Northern Bank, formerly
President & Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Bancorp, Inc. and
Citizens Trust Company |
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Name, Age and Certain Biographical Information |
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Period of Service as a Director |
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Class II Continuing Directors with Terms Expiring in 2010: |
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R. Bruce Haner, 60
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Director since 1998 |
Auto Buyer for New Car Dealers |
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Susan E. Hartley, 50
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Director since 1998 |
Attorney at Law |
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Leo F. Lambert, 53
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Director since 2001 |
President and General Manager of Fitzpatrick & Lambert, Inc. |
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Edward L. Learn, 60
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Director since 1989 |
Former owner of Learn Hardware & Building Supply |
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Leonard Simpson, 59
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Director since 1989 |
Attorney at Law |
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PROPOSAL
2 APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE CITIZENS
&
NORTHERN CORPORATION 1995 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
On February 28, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Corporation adopted a Third Amendment to
the Citizens & Northern Corporation 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the Stock Incentive Plan) in order
to insure that there are sufficient shares available for future awards. The Stock Incentive Plan
was originally adopted by the Board of Directors on January 19, 1995 and approved by the
stockholders on April 18, 1995. The First Amendment to the Stock Incentive Plan was adopted by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation on December 17, 1998 and approved by the stockholders on
April 20, 1999. The Second Amendment to the Stock Incentive Plan was adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation on January 23, 2003 and approved by the stockholders on April 15,
2003.
The purpose of the Stock Incentive Plan is to advance the development, growth and financial
condition of Citizens & Northern Corporation and each subsidiary thereof as defined in Section 424
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by providing incentives through participation in
the appreciation of the capital stock of the Corporation so as to secure, retain and motivate
personnel who may be responsible for the operation and management of the affairs of the Corporation
and any such subsidiary now or hereafter existing.
As adopted, the Stock Incentive Plan authorized the granting of certain options to employees
of the Corporation and each subsidiary of the Corporation, including but not limited to Citizens &
Northern Bank. The maximum number of shares of the Common Stock issuable under the Stock Incentive
Plan was initially fixed at Sixty Thousand (60,000) shares, increased to One Hundred Eighty
Thousand (180,000) shares pursuant to the First Amendment, and increased to Four Hundred Thousand
(400,000) shares pursuant to the Second Amendment.
The Board of Directors directed and ordered that the Third Amendment to the Stock Incentive
Plan be submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their approval and adoption at the
2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 15, 2008. The following is a brief summary
of the Third Amendment adopted by the Board of Directors on February 28, 2008 (a copy of the full
text of the Third Amendment to the Citizens & Northern Corporation 1995 Stock Incentive Plan is
attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement):
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Increase in the number of shares issuable under the Stock Incentive Plan from Four
Hundred Thousand (400,000) shares to Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand (850,000) shares. |
The Third Amendment is being submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their
approval. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, by
shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting on this proposal is necessary for the adoption
of the amendment.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the Proposal to approve and adopt the Third
Amendment to the Citizens & Northern Corporation 1995 Stock Incentive Plan.
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PROPOSAL 3 APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
On February 28, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Corporation adopted the First Amendment to
the Citizens & Northern Corporation Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan (the Stock
Incentive Plan) in order to insure that there are sufficient shares available for future awards.
The Stock Incentive Plan was originally adopted by the Board of Directors on February 15, 2001 and
approved by the stockholders on April 17, 2001. On April 17, 2001, the 1996 Independent Directors
Stock Option Plan was amended and restated as the Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan.
The purpose of the Plan is to aid the Corporation in attracting, retaining, motivating, and
compensating Non-Employee Directors and to enable them to increase their ownership of Stock. The
Plan is beneficial to the Corporation and its stockholders since it allows Non-Employee Directors
of the Board to have a greater personal financial stake in the Corporation through the ownership of
Stock, in addition to underscoring their common interest with stockholders in increasing the value
of the Stock on a long-term basis.
As adopted, the Stock Incentive Plan permits awards of nonqualified stock options and/or
restricted stock to non-employee directors (i.e., members of the Corporations Board of Directors
who are not officers and employees of the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof). The maximum
number of shares of the Common Stock issuable under the Stock Incentive Plan was initially fixed at
Fifty Thousand (50,000) shares, and increased to Seventy-Five Thousand (75,000) shares as a result
of the 3- for- 2 stock dividend on April 21, 2003.
The Board of Directors directed and ordered that the First Amendment to the Stock Incentive
Plan be submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their approval and adoption at the
2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 15, 2008. The following is a brief summary
of the First Amendment adopted by the Board of Directors on February 28, 2008 (a copy of the full
text of the First Amendment to the Citizens & Northern Corporation Independent Directors Stock
Incentive Plan is attached as Exhibit B to this Proxy Statement):
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Increase in the number of shares issuable under the Stock Incentive Plan from
Seventy-Five Thousand (75,000) shares to One Hundred Thirty-Five
Thousand (135,000) shares. |
The First Amendment is being submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their
approval. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, by
shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting on this proposal is necessary for the adoption
of the amendment.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the Proposal to approve and adopt the First
Amendment to the Citizens & Northern Corporation Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan.
CORPORATIONS AND C&N BANKS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the current executive
officers of the Corporation and C&N Bank.
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Name and Position for Last Five Years |
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Craig G. Litchfield
President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation and C&N Bank since
January 1997
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60 |
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Dawn A. Besse
Executive Vice President and Director of Sales, Service and Employee Development of C&N Bank since August 2000
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56 |
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Harold F. Hoose, III
Executive Vice President and Director of Lending of the Bank since March 2005; formerly
Vice President of C&N Bank since September 2001
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40 |
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Name and Position for Last Five Years |
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Mark A. Hughes
Treasurer of the Corporation since November 2000; Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of C&N Bank since August 2000
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46 |
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Thomas L. Rudy, Jr.
Executive Vice President and Director of Branch Delivery of C&N Bank since
February 2004; President of C&N Financial Services Corporation since January
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43 |
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Deborah E. Scott
Executive Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of C&N Bank since September 1999
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48 |
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Charles H. Updegraff, Jr.
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of C&N Bank since May 2007
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table shows beneficial ownership of the Corporations common stock as of
February 19, 2008 by (i) each director of the Corporation, (ii) each executive officer named in the
Summary Compensation Table on page 16 and (iii) all directors and executive officers as a group.
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Amount and Nature of |
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Beneficial Ownership (1) (2) (3) |
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(if 1% or Greater) |
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Dennis F. Beardslee |
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8,583 |
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R. Robert DeCamp |
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6,980 |
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Jan E. Fisher |
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4,850 |
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R. Bruce Haner |
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18,054 |
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Susan E. Hartley |
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6,355 |
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Leo F. Lambert |
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8,629 |
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Edward L. Learn |
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8,072 |
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Craig G. Litchfield |
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80,959 |
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Raymond R. Mattie |
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2,229 |
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Edward H. Owlett, III |
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7,326 |
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Leonard Simpson |
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34,205 |
(5) (6) |
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James E. Towner |
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10,344 |
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Ann M. Tyler |
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9,565 |
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Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. |
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47,891 |
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Dawn A. Besse |
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13,866 |
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Mark A. Hughes |
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19,225 |
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Thomas L. Rudy, Jr. |
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11,740 |
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Deborah E. Scott |
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21,915 |
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Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (19 Persons) |
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327,829 |
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3.65 |
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Pursuant to the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, an
individual is considered to beneficially own shares of common stock if he or she directly or
indirectly has or shares (a) the power to vote or direct the voting of the shares; or (b)
investment power with respect to the shares, which includes the power to dispose of or direct
the disposition of the shares. Unless otherwise indicated in a footnote below, each
individual holds sole voting and investment authority with respect to the shares listed. |
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In addition, an individual is deemed to be the beneficial owner if he or she has the
right to acquire shares within 60 days through the exercise of any option. Therefore, the
following stock options that are exercisable within 60 days after February 19, 2008 are
included in the shares above: Mr. Beardslee, 3,265 shares; Mr. DeCamp, 2,728 shares; Mrs.
Fisher, 2,428 shares; Mr. Haner, 2,317 shares; Ms. Hartley, 3,028 shares; Mr. Lambert, 2,428
shares; Mr. Learn, 3,028 shares; Mr. Litchfield, 50,464 shares; Mr. Mattie, 679 shares; Mr.
Owlett, 4,093 shares; Mr. Simpson, 3,245 shares; Mr. Towner, 2,428 shares; Ms. Tyler, 2,428
shares; Mrs. Besse, 8,360 shares; Mr. Hughes, 12,023 shares; Mr. Rudy, 8,837 shares; and Mrs.
Scott, 17,183 shares.
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Includes the following restricted stock awards granted under the Corporations Stock
Incentive Plan and Independent Director Stock Incentive Plan: Mr. Beardslee, 167 shares; Mr.
DeCamp, 167 shares; Mrs. Fisher, 167 shares; Mr. Haner, 167 shares; Ms. Hartley, 167 shares;
Mr. Lambert, 167 shares; Mr. Learn, 167 shares; Mr. Litchfield, 925 shares; Mr. Mattie, 109
shares; Mr. Owlett, 167 shares; Mr. Simpson, 167 shares; Mr. Towner, 167 shares; Ms. Tyler,
167 shares; Mr. Updegraff, 135 shares; Mrs. Besse, 270 shares; Mr. Hughes, 439 shares; Mr.
Rudy, 308 shares; and Mrs. Scott, 331 shares. Restricted stock awards vest ratably over a
three-year period; however, the recipients have the right to vote all awarded shares. |
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Includes 160 shares held in a SEP-IRA Plan for the benefit of Mr. Lamberts
retirement plan. |
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Includes 4,596 shares held in a SEP-IRA Plan for the benefit of Mr. Simpsons
retirement plan. |
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Includes 20,000 shares being pledged as security on borrowing facilities with C&N
Bank. |
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Includes 458 shares held in an IRA Plan for the benefit of Mrs. Besses retirement
plan. |
BOARD OF DIRECTOR COMMITTEES AND
ATTENDANCE
Both the Corporations and C&N Banks by-laws provide that the Board may create any number of
committees of the Board as it deems necessary or appropriate from time to time.
DirectorsAttendance. The Board of Directors of the Corporation met thirteen times and the
Board of Directors of C&N Bank met thirteen times in 2007. The Board of Directors also held six
Executive Sessions and Independent Directors Meetings in 2007. The Executive Sessions include only
members of the Board of Directors and the Independent Directors Meetings include only non-employee
members. All of the directors attended at least 75% or more of the meetings of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation and of the board committees on which he or she served.
Although the Company does not have a formal policy with respect to Board member attendance at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, each member is encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting. All
Directors attended the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in April 2007.
Executive Committee of the Corporation. The Corporation has an Executive Committee whose
purpose is to monitor and oversee the Corporations management succession plan and leadership
development processes, review and provide advice and counsel to the CEO regarding the Corporations
strategic plan, mission, goals and objectives and action plans as well as various other matters and
to act on behalf of and with full authority of the Board of Directors in matters that may arise
between the regular monthly meetings of the Board, which require immediate Board level action. This
committee consists of the following eight members of the Board of Directors: R. Robert DeCamp, R.
Bruce Haner, Leo F. Lambert, Craig G. Litchfield, Edward H. Owlett, III, Leonard Simpson, James E.
Towner and Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. During 2007, the Executive Committee held six meetings.
Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee for each of the Corporation and C&N Bank
consists of the following seven independent members of the Board of Directors: R. Robert DeCamp,
Jan E. Fisher, R. Bruce Haner, Raymond R. Mattie, Edward H. Owlett, III, Leonard Simpson and James
E. Towner. The purpose of the Nominating Committee is to establish criteria for Board member
selection and retention, identify individuals qualified to become Board members, and recommend to
the Board the individuals to be nominated and re-nominated for election as directors. The
Nominating Committee held three meetings during 2007.
All members of the Nominating Committee are independent directors within the meaning of Rule
4200 of NASDAQ. The Board of Directors of the Corporation has adopted a written charter for the
Nominating Committee, which is available on our website at www.cnbankpa.com by clicking on
Shareholder News, then Corporate Governance, then Nominating Committee Charter of C&N Corp.
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Qualifications considered by the Nominating Committee in assessing director candidates include
but are not limited to the following:
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An understanding of the business and financial affairs and the complexities of a
business organization. A career in business is not essential, but the candidate should
have a proven record of competence and accomplishments and should be willing to commit the
time and energy necessary to fulfill the role as an effective director; |
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A genuine interest in representing all of Citizens & Northerns stakeholders, including
the long-term interest of the shareholders; |
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A willingness to support the Values, Mission and Vision of Citizens & Northern; |
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An open-mindedness and resolve to independently analyze issues presented for
consideration; |
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|
|
|
A reputation for honesty and integrity; |
|
|
|
|
A high level of financial literacy (i.e., the ability to read financial statements and
financial ratios, and a working knowledge and familiarity with basic finance and accounting
practices); |
|
|
|
|
A mature confidence and ability to approach others with self-assurance, responsibly and
supportively. Candidates should value Board and team performance over individual
performance. Candidates should be able to raise tough questions in a manner that
encourages open discussions. Additionally, a candidate should be inquisitive and curious
and feel a duty to ask questions of management. |
|
|
|
|
The ability, capacity, and willingness to serve as a conduit of business referrals to
the organization; |
|
|
|
|
Independence as defined by the NASDAQ Stock Market; and |
|
|
|
|
Residency in the geographically defined market area of Citizens & Northern with emphasis
placed on maintaining representation throughout the market area. |
Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, although
the Nominating Committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem are in the best
interests of the Corporation and its stockholders and such factors may change from time to time.
The Nominating Committee does, however, believe it appropriate that at least one director meet the
criteria for audit committee financial expert as defined by the SEC rules, even though no one
currently meets this criteria, and that a majority of the Board members meet the definition of
independent director under NASDAQ rules.
The Committee identifies nominees by first evaluating the current directors who are willing to
continue in service. If any member of the Board does not wish to continue service or the Board
determines not to re-nominate a current director for re-election, the Nominating Committee
identifies the desired skills and experience of a new nominee in light of the criteria above. The
evaluation procedure for candidates recommended by the stockholders would be the same as is done
for those recommended by the Board of Directors and management. The Committee recommends a
director nominee to the Board, and the Board makes the final determination as to the nominees who
will stand for election.
Current members of the Board of Directors are polled for suggestions as to prospective
candidates meeting criteria for the Nominating Committee. The Committee has the prerogative to
employ and pay third party search firms, but to date has not done so.
Corporate Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Committee of the Corporation, which
met four times in 2007, consists of the following five independent members of the Board of
Directors: Dennis F. Beardslee, R. Bruce Haner, Susan E. Hartley, Karl W. Kroeck and Ann M. Tyler.
This committee is responsible for reviewing and reporting to the Board periodically on matters of
corporate governance.
Executive Committee. C&N Bank has an Executive Committee consisting of eight members of the
Board of Directors who are as follows: R. Robert DeCamp, R. Bruce Haner, Leo F. Lambert, Craig G.
Litchfield, Edward H. Owlett, III, Leonard Simpson, James E. Towner and Charles H. Updegraff, Jr.
The function of this committee is to monitor and oversee the Banks management succession plan and
leadership development processes, review and provide advice and counsel to the CEO regarding C&N
Banks strategic plan, mission, goals and objectives and action plans and other various matters, as
well as recommend policies and procedures. During 2007, the Executive Committee held eleven
meetings.
-7-
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee of C&N Bank, which held seven meetings in
2007, consists of the following six independent members of the Board of Directors: R. Robert
DeCamp, R. Bruce Haner, Leo F. Lambert, Edward H. Owlett, III, Leonard Simpson and James E. Towner.
The purpose of the committee is to discharge the responsibilities of the Board of Directors
relating to compensation of the executive officers and to provide oversight of the Banks
compensation, benefit, perquisite and employee equity programs.
The Board of Directors of C&N Bank has adopted a written charter for the Compensation
Committee, which is available on our website at www.cnbankpa.com. Click on Shareholder News ,
then Corporate Governance, then Compensation Committee Charter of C&N Bank.
Trust Investment Committee. The Trust Investment Committee of the Bank, which met twelve
times in 2007, consists of six members of the Board of Directors; namely, Dennis F. Beardslee,
Susan E. Hartley, Edward L. Learn, Raymond R. Mattie, Leonard Simpson, and Charles H. Updegraff,
Jr. Deborah E. Scott, Executive Vice President and Senior Trust Officer of the Bank, is also a
member of this committee, which determines the policy and investments of the Trust Department, the
acceptance of all fiduciary relationships and relinquishments of all fiduciary relationships.
Asset Liability Committee. C&N Banks Asset Liability Committee consisted of Board members
R. Robert DeCamp, Jan E. Fisher, Craig G. Litchfield, Raymond R. Mattie, Edward H. Owlett, III, Ann
M. Tyler and Charles H. Updegraff, Jr., as well as Mark A. Hughes, Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of the Bank. Effective October 18, 2007, the Corporation established an
Asset Liability Committee, with the same members and the separate Bank Asset Liability Committee
was discontinued. The change to the Corporation level committee was made to include
consolidated information as well as Bank information within the scope of its activities. The
Banks Asset Liability Committee met five times, and the Corporations Asset Liability Committee
met one time, during 2007. The purpose of the Corporation and Bank committees is to stabilize and
improve profitability by balancing the relationship between risk and return over an extended period
of time and to function as an investment committee.
Finance and Loan Committee. C&N Bank has a Finance and Loan Committee consisting of eleven
members of the Board of Directors who are as follows: Dennis F. Beardslee, Susan E. Hartley, Karl
W. Kroeck, Leo F. Lambert, Edward L. Learn, Craig G. Litchfield, Raymond R. Mattie, Edward H.
Owlett, III, Leonard Simpson, Ann M. Tyler and Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. The primary purpose of
this committee is to evaluate and act on loan requests that exceed managements lending authority.
During 2007, the Finance and Loan Committee held six meetings.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee of the Corporation, which held six meetings in 2007,
consists of six independent members of the Board of Directors. The members of the Committee are R.
Bruce Haner, Karl W. Kroeck, Leo F. Lambert, Edward H. Owlett, III, James E. Towner and Ann M.
Tyler. In addition to the six meetings of the Audit Committee, the chairman and a rotating member
of the Committee met with representatives of Parente Randolph, LLC, C&N Banks internal audit
department and management in May, August and November, 2007 to discuss the Corporations quarterly
10-Q filings. The primary function of the Audit Committee is to review the internal audit program
as performed by the internal auditors, recommend to the Board of Directors the independent auditors
for the year, and review the examinations and reports from those persons. None of the members of
the Audit Committee meet the definition of Audit Committee financial expert as defined in the
rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Directors has determined
that each of the present members of the Audit Committee have sufficient knowledge and experience in
financial matters to effectively perform their duties.
The Board of Directors of the Corporation has adopted a written charter for the Audit
Committee, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C. The current Audit Committee Charter is
also available on our website at www.cnbankpa.com. Click on Shareholder News, then Corporate
Governance, then Audit Committee Charter of C&N Corp. The policies and procedures for
pre-approval of engagements for non-audit services are included in the Charter.
-8-
The following table sets forth information concerning fees paid to Parente Randolph, LLC for
the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. All services provided by Parente Randolph, LLC in 2007
and 2006 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit of Annual financial statements and
Audit of internal control over financial reporting
and reviews of Quarterly financial statements |
|
$ |
171,747 |
|
|
$ |
159,012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audits of employee benefit plans |
|
|
17,500 |
|
|
|
11,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preparation of Corporate tax returns |
|
|
9,500 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
Preparation of retired employee tax returns |
|
|
4,710 |
|
|
|
4,465 |
|
Preparation of Citizens Bancorp, Inc. tax returns |
|
|
10,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounting consultation fees |
|
|
1,399 |
|
|
|
|
|
Services related to Citizens Bancorp, Inc. merger |
|
|
3,017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate of all fees billed to the Corporation
by Parente Randolph, LLC |
|
$ |
218,373 |
|
|
$ |
184,377 |
|
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
On February 28, 2008, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors reviewed and discussed the
audited financial statements dated December 31, 2007 with management. They also have discussed
with Parente Randolph, LLC, the independent registered public accounting firm of the Corporation,
the matters for discussion as specified by the AICPA Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61 as
amended. The Audit Committee has received from Parente Randolph, LLC the written communications
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit
Committees and has discussed with Parente Randolph, LLC, its independence. Based on its review
and discussions referred to above, the Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the
audited financial statements be included in the Corporations annual report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Members of the Audit Committee,
|
|
|
Edward H. Owlett, III, Chairman
|
|
Leo F. Lambert |
R. Bruce Haner
|
|
James E. Towner |
Karl W. Kroeck
|
|
Ann M. Tyler |
-9-
STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES
The Board of Directors has not adopted formal guidelines for stock ownership by directors, but
the Board encourages directors to increase their ownership over time.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Messrs. DeCamp, Haner, Lambert, Owlett, Simpson and Towner served as members of the
Compensation Committee during 2007 and none of them was an officer or employee of the Corporation
or any of its subsidiaries during that time. There are no interlocking relationships, as defined
in regulations of the SEC, involving members of the Compensation Committee.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
OVERVIEW OF THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
The Corporations executive compensation program includes a number of fixed and variable
compensation and benefit components, typical of programs among comparable community banking and
financial services companies in our local and regional marketplace.
The program provides participating executives with an industry-competitive level of total
compensation when their collective and individual performances meet or exceed the goals approved by
the Board of Directors.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
We believe that the compensation program for executives should directly support the
achievement of specific annual, longer-term and strategic goals of the business, and, thereby,
align the interests of executives with the interests of our shareholders.
The current program provides sufficient levels of fixed income, in the forms of base salary
and health & welfare benefits, to attract high caliber executive talent to the organization. It
also provides annual and longer-term incentive opportunities to encourage specific performance and
to reward the successful efforts of executives.
The incentive opportunities are structured to produce a performance-leveraged program format
in which executives may derive as much as 30% to 40% of their total compensation over time,
depending on their role in the organization, from short- and longer-term incentive opportunities,
but only when performance targets are met on a consistent basis.
We believe that the features and composition of the current program provide a total
compensation package for executive officers that is competitive in our marketplace, but weighted
toward variable pay based on corporate and individual performance, and which contributes to the
creation of shareholder value.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
The Compensation Committee (the Committee) of the Board of Directors has primary
responsibility for the design and administration of the executive compensation program. It reviews
the make-up and administration of the executive compensation program throughout the year in light
of changing organization needs and operating conditions and changing trends in industry practice.
In evaluating program effectiveness, the Committee utilizes information from management and the
services of an outside consultant. Strategic Compensation Planning, Inc. of Malvern, PA is the
Committees consultant on executive and director compensation matters.
The Committee currently consists of six (6) directors, all of whom qualify as independent
members of the Board. R. Robert DeCamp serves as Chair of the Committee. R. Bruce Haner, Leo F.
Lambert, Edward H. Owlett, III, Leonard Simpson, and James E. Towner also serve on the Committee.
Role of Executive Management in the Pay Decision Process. The Committee is responsible for
recommending compensation related decisions to the Board of Directors for final approval. In
formulating its
-10-
recommendations, the Committee will regularly seek information about the performance of the
business, organization staffing requirements and the performance levels of incumbent executives
from the Chief Executive Officer. It will also utilize the services of the Companys Chief
Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer and, as circumstances suggest, other officers of the
Company. The Committee weighs the information provided by officers carefully, especially the
recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer on decisions affecting subordinate executives, but
ultimately makes its decisions and formulates recommendations for Board approval independently.
Program Review and Pay Decision Process. During the Fall of a calendar year, the Committee
(1) receives base salaries and annual and long-term incentive information on current executive
compensation levels in the industry and industry program practices provided by its compensation
consultant, (2) conducts a comprehensive review of the compensation program structure and
provisions, and (3) considers salary and benefit adjustments and incentive awards for executives.
After examining the information provided by its outside consultant, the Committee determines
(1) if the content and structure of the compensation program is still competitive, (2) if the
current provisions remain consistent with the Corporations overall pay philosophy, and (3) if the
compensation program continues to support achievement of business objectives.
After deciding on the program structure for the coming calendar year, the Committee will
examine the current compensation and benefit levels of incumbent executives in light of their
continuing or changing roles in the business, the assessments of their individual performances by
the Chief Executive Officer, and industry practice trends. The performance of the Chief Executive
Officer is reviewed and appraised by the Committee with input from a questionnaire provided to all
Directors.
Based on the information gathered about each executive, the Committee will formulate
recommendations on possible salary adjustments for executives during the coming calendar year. It
will also determine annual incentive awards for executives based on results achieved against goals
and objectives defined at the beginning of the year, and it will determine appropriate longer-term
incentive awards, usually in the form of stock options and restricted stock grants.
These recommendations will be presented to the full Board of Directors for consideration,
usually in December, prior to the beginning of the new fiscal (calendar) year.
As incentive awards for the year ending are calculated, the Committee is also working with the
Chief Executive Officer to construct executive performance plans for the coming calendar year (the
new fiscal year). The Committee will formulate their recommendations on performance goals and
award opportunities for Board consideration and approval.
The Committee may be called upon to consider pay related decisions from time to time
throughout the calendar year as executives are reassigned (promoted) and new executives join the
organization. In these instances, the Committee will review all aspects of the executives
compensation including base salary level, annual incentive opportunities, longer-term incentive
awards, participation in special benefit plans, and employment contract provisions, if applicable.
Pay Decision Factors and Considerations. The following factors typically influence Committee
recommendations on pay and benefits for executives:
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|
Salary: executives overall performance during the year ending, changes in organization
role and scope of responsibility, current salary in relation to the positions market
value, any significant changes in the industrys pay practices for comparable positions. |
|
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|
Annual Incentive Awards: competitive industry practice with respect to size of awards,
actual performance (achievement) against goals and objectives assigned at the beginning of
the fiscal year. |
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|
Longer-term Incentive Awards: competitive industry practice with respect to size of
awards and the typical mix of stock options, restricted shares and other forms of
equity-based grants, recent performance of the Corporation and the individual executive,
applicable accounting rules for expensing equity awards, and shareholder concerns about
dilution and overhang. |
-11-
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|
Perquisites: the needs of the executives position, i.e., frequency of need to travel to
other Corporation locations, or to meet with Corporation clients and prospective clients,
and competitive industry practices for comparable executive roles. |
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|
Employment Contracts: Currently, Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. is the only executive
officer with an employment contract. Mr. Upedgraffs employment contract was originally
with Citizens Bancorp, Inc., which the Corporation assumed by merger on May 1, 2007. It
will terminate on December 31, 2009. The Committee will authorize employment agreements if
it determines that the agreements will serve Corporation needs for confidentiality about
business practices and plans and preservation of the customer base (noncompetition and
nonsolicitation provisions) and competitive industry practices. |
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|
Comparator Base: The Basis for Defining Competitive Compensation Levels and Practices.
The types and levels of compensation included in the executive compensation program are
consistent with current features and programming trends among similar size and type
organizations in the Corporations local and regional marketplace. |
Annually, the Committee asks its outside consultant to review survey reports on national and
regional compensation practice within the Corporations industry group, focusing on pay levels and
practices among Community Banking and Diversified Financial Services institutions based in the
Mid-Atlantic Region and having between $1.0B and $2.0B of assets. This range of institutions
includes banking companies that are somewhat smaller and somewhat larger than the Corporation. The
asset range will be modified from time to time as Corporations operating circumstances change.
For the 2007 program planning review, the outside consultant selected the following institutions in
Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Ohio to serve as a peer group (the Peer Group):
|
|
|
Camco Financial Corp.
|
|
Oceanfirst Financial |
Center Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
Omega Financial |
ESB Financial
|
|
Parkvale Financial Corp. |
Financial Institutions, Inc.
|
|
Peapack-Gladstone Financial |
First Defiance
|
|
Pennsylvania Commerce |
First National Community
|
|
Peoples Bancorp |
FMS Financial Corp.
|
|
Tompkins Trustco |
Leesport Financial Corp.
|
|
Univest Corp. of Pennsylvania |
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
There are six (6) elements in the current executive compensation program:
1. Base Salary. Base salary opportunities are established taking into consideration the
median level of industry practice within the Peer Group for comparable jobs. Within
the defined competitive range, an executives salary level is based initially on his/her
qualifications for the assignment and experience in similar level and type roles.
Ongoing, salary adjustments reflect the individuals overall performance of the job
against organization expectations and may also reflect changes in industry practices.
For most executive positions, salary will ordinarily provide at least 60% 70% of total
annual compensation, when considering the value of short-term and long-term incentive
awards and benefits provided by the organization.
2. Health & Welfare Benefits. Executives participate in the Corporations qualified
health & welfare benefits programs on the same terms and conditions as all other
employees of the Corporation.
3. Annual Performance Incentives. The annual performance Incentive Award Plan provides
participating executives with opportunities to earn additional cash compensation in a
given year when corporate and business unit operating results and individual performance
contributions meet or exceed established thresholds of acceptable achievement.
Currently, these awards can provide as much as approximately 40% of an executives total
annual compensation when target levels of performance
-12-
are achieved. Corporate performance has typically been measured based on return on average
assets and core earnings growth over the prior years level. In December 2007, the
Committee changed the corporate performance measurement for 2008 to include return on
average equity and growth in core earnings. Business unit goals vary based on the
nature of the unit, but, where applicable, would include such items as loan and deposit
growth, and non-interest income. The Committee, in its discretion, may adjust award
payments under the Incentive Award Plan based on extraordinary circumstances, conflicts
with long-term financial and development objectives, or below standard individual
participant performance. All awards under the Incentive Award Plan are paid in cash as
soon as it is practical after the end of a plan year.
4. Longer-term Performance Incentives. Executives are eligible to participate in
longer-term incentive award plans established to focus executive efforts on the
strategic directions and goals of the business and incent ownership in the Corporation,
promoting a vested interest in the Corporations long-term success. Awards may be made
in the form of qualified options (Incentive Stock Options, as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code), nonqualified options, stock appreciations rights or restricted stock.
All awards granted have been Incentive Stock Options or restricted stock. While the
size of such awards may increase or decrease based on current business performance, it
is the intention of the Committee to recommend such awards at least annually as an
incentive to focus executives future efforts on longer-term needs and objectives of the
business.
Equity Grant Plans. Our 1995 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended by shareholder vote
on April 15, 2003, authorizes us to grant options to purchase shares of common stock
and to make restricted stock grants to our employees. The Committee is the
administrator of the Stock Incentive Plan. Stock option or restricted stock grants
may be made at the commencement of employment and from time to time to meet other
specific retention or performance objectives. The Committee reviews and recommends
approval of stock option and restricted stock awards to executive officers based
upon its assessment of individual performance, a review of the executives existing
long-term incentives, and retention considerations. Peer Group data regarding
stock-based compensation has not reflected much consistency among the financial
institutions. Periodic grants of stock options or restricted stock are made at the
discretion of the Committee to eligible employees and, in appropriate circumstances,
the Committee considers the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer.
Typically, the Board of Directors has approved stock option grants at its late
December meeting, grants to be effective on the second stock trading day of January
in the following year. The average of the high and low price of the Corporations
stock on the first trading day is used as the exercise price for the option grants.
Generally, employee stock option grants vest six (6) months after the grant date,
and generally expire 10-years after the grant date. Restricted stock grants made in
2007 and previous years vest at the rate of one-third each year for three (3) years
following the grant date and are subject to continued employment with the
Corporation. In December 2007, the Committee determined that restricted stock
awards to be made in January 2008 would include a performance condition, as well as
a requirement for continued employment. One-third of the total shares will be
distributed on the anniversary date of the award based on the Corporations
attainment of a Performance Target of 100% or more of the Peer Groups average
return on equity (as defined by the Committee) for the four quarters ending the
third quarter of each calendar year following the award date. The Performance
Target requirement shall continue until all Restricted Shares awarded are
distributed, expired or forfeited. If all Restricted Shares awarded are not
distributed within the ten (10) year period following the date of the award, they
shall expire and revert back to the Corporation. Incentive stock options and
restricted stock grants also include certain other terms necessary to assure
compliance with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. A total of 400,000
shares of common stock may be issued under the Stock Incentive Plan. As of December
31, 2007, a balance of 102,873 shares are available for issuance.
-13-
The Committee recommended to the Board and the Board authorized the awarding of stock
options and restricted stock to executives and certain employees on specific dates in
January 2002 through January 2008, except for 2006, when no options or restricted shares
were granted. The timing of such grants was not tied to the release of negative or
positive material information about the Corporation. Prior to the January 2002 awards,
options were awarded from time to time, as recommended by the Committee and approved by
the Board. No formal structured program of granting annual awards had been developed
prior to 2001.
The company has not established a policy regarding executive ownership of company stock
and/or retention guidelines applicable to equity awards to executives.
5. Nonqualifed Benefits and Perquisites. These provisions include participation in a
supplemental retirement income plan (SERP) as well as, in many instances, use of a
company-provided automobile. In a few instances, the company pays a portion of an
executives membership dues for a golf or social club, when such membership can
facilitate the conduct of business with clients.
The SERP is intended to replace some of the benefits lost by executives under Federally
mandated restrictions on retirement income benefits to highly compensated employees
under qualified retirement income plans like pensions and 401(k) plans. The
Corporations SERP provides a retirement benefit to participants who retire after
attaining age 55, with 5 years of service. Participants vest earlier than age 55 in the
event of disability, death or if the Corporation is acquired. Annual contributions to
the SERP are at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and the Board may terminate
the SERP at any time. The SERP is described in more detail in a later section of this
Proxy Statement.
6. Employment Contracts and Change of Control Agreements. At present and contrary to
prevailing industry practices, the Corporation does not offer formal employment
contracts to any of its executives, except for Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. (as discussed
in the Pay Decision Factors and Considerations section in the Compensation Discussion
& Analysis). It may choose to offer such employment arrangements to current or future
executives as circumstances warrant.
A select group of senior executives, including the Named Executive Officers, do have
Change of Control agreements with the Corporation. In the event that any of these
executives were terminated following a Change of Control, they would receive a severance
benefit equal to one (1) times their annual base salary rate at the time of termination.
They would also be eligible for continued coverage under the Corporations health &
welfare benefit plans for eighteen (18) months, as permitted under law and carrier
contract. None of the Named Executive Officers have a commitment from the Corporation
for a tax gross-up payment in the event that their severance benefits following a change
in control exceeded the deduction limits under IRS Code Section 4999.
RECENT ACTIONS: 2007 AND FIRST QUARTER 2008
During 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, the Corporation, through the Committee and Board of
Directors, has made a number of important decisions regarding executive compensation. The most
important actions are summarized here.
Base Salaries. At the beginning of 2007, executives received modest salary increases based on
evaluations of corporate and individual performances and prevailing industry practices for
comparable positions. However, there were no salary increases for the Named Executive Officers in
2008.
-14-
Annual Incentives. The Board establishes a series of annual Corporate, Business Unit and
Individual goals for each Named Executive Officer whereby each Named Executive Officer may receive
an annual cash bonus equal to a percentage of base salary, depending upon achievement of
performance goals. The following were the target, maximum, and actual percentages of base salary
paid to the Named Executive Officers in 2007 and 2006:
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Target |
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Maximum |
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Actual |
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Name |
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Year |
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Percentage |
|
|
Percentage |
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|
Percentage |
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|
Craig G. Litchfield |
|
|
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|
|
|
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2007 |
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40 |
% |
|
|
60 |
% |
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|
0.0 |
% |
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|
2006 |
|
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
60 |
% |
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|
24.8 |
% |
Mark A. Hughes |
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|
2007 |
|
|
|
30 |
% |
|
|
45 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
30 |
% |
|
|
45 |
% |
|
|
22.8 |
% |
Deborah E. Scott |
|
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2007 |
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25 |
% |
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|
38 |
% |
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|
0.0 |
% |
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|
2006 |
|
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25 |
% |
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|
38 |
% |
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|
18.5 |
% |
Dawn A. Besse |
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2007 |
|
|
|
25 |
% |
|
|
38 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
25 |
% |
|
|
38 |
% |
|
|
19.1 |
% |
Thomas L. Rudy, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
25 |
% |
|
|
38 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
25 |
% |
|
|
38 |
% |
|
|
18.2 |
% |
Longer-term Incentives. During 2006, the Committee, on the advice of its outside consultant,
changed its equity grant philosophy to make annual equity grants as an incentive to drive future
performance rather than as a reward for past performance. As a result of this policy change, the
Committee recommended equity grants for executives in early 2007 and 2008. In December 2007, the
Committee determined that restricted stock awards to be made in January 2008 would include a
performance condition, as well as a requirement for continued employment. One-third of the total
shares will be distributed on the anniversary date of the award based on the Corporations
attainment of a Performance Target of 100% or more of the Peer Groups average return on equity (as
defined by the Committee) for the four quarters ending the third quarter of each calendar year
following the award date. The Performance Target requirement shall continue until all Restricted
Shares awarded are distributed, expired or forfeited. If all Restricted Shares awarded are not
distributed within the ten (10) year period following the date of the award, they shall expire and
revert back to the Corporation.
Nonqualified Benefits and Perquisites. No changes have been made to existing participation
practices or benefit levels in current program offerings.
Employment Contracts and Change of Control Agreements. No substantial changes in the
Companys current practice of not providing employment contracts (except for Mr. Updegraff), as
well as limited Change of Control protection, are anticipated.
The Committee believes that the direct compensation components of the executive compensation
programsalary, annual incentive opportunities, equity grantsare competitive and reflect the
median of prevailing industry practices. The Committee intends to maintain the current leveraged
approach to total compensation, directly tying a significant portion of an executives total
earnings to achievements against goals and objectives approved by the Board of Directors.
-15-
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion & Analysis
required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and
discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation
Discussion & Analysis be included in the Proxy Statement.
|
|
|
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
|
|
R. Robert DeCamp, Chairman |
|
|
R. Bruce Haner |
|
|
Leo F. Lambert |
|
|
Edward H. Owlett, III |
|
|
Leonard Simpson |
|
|
James E. Towner |
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table contains information with respect to annual compensation for services in
all capacities to the Corporation and C&N Bank for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and
2006 of those persons who were, (i) the Chief Executive Officer, (ii) the Chief Financial Officer
and (iii) the three (3) other most highly compensated executives (collectively, the Named
Executive Officers) to the extent such persons total compensation exceeded $100,000:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified |
|
|
All |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Deferred Plan |
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
Name and |
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
|
Bonus |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
Total |
|
Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
CRAIG G. LITCHFIELD |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
342,720 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,829 |
|
|
|
21,497 |
|
|
|
194,817 |
|
|
|
55,538 |
|
|
|
626,401 |
|
Chairman, President and
CEO |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
336,000 |
|
|
|
83,462 |
|
|
|
6,585 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,014 |
|
|
|
55,852 |
|
|
|
511,913 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MARK A. HUGHES |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
183,756 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,399 |
|
|
|
10,191 |
|
|
|
48,339 |
|
|
|
19,285 |
|
|
|
266,970 |
|
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial
Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
175,006 |
|
|
|
39,959 |
|
|
|
2,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,912 |
|
|
|
21,872 |
|
|
|
249,191 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DEBORAH E. SCOTT |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
140,419 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,239 |
|
|
|
7,827 |
|
|
|
33,169 |
|
|
|
19,089 |
|
|
|
204,743 |
|
Executive Vice President
and Senior Trust Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
135,018 |
|
|
|
26,085 |
|
|
|
2,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,478 |
|
|
|
21,154 |
|
|
|
193,177 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DAWN A. BESSE |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
128,544 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,626 |
|
|
|
6,467 |
|
|
|
34,399 |
|
|
|
22,624 |
|
|
|
195,660 |
|
Executive Vice President
and Director of Sales,
Service and Employee
Development |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
124,800 |
|
|
|
23,840 |
|
|
|
2,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,134 |
|
|
|
22,566 |
|
|
|
191,782 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THOMAS L. RUDY, JR. |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
117,957 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,967 |
|
|
|
7,292 |
|
|
|
25,182 |
|
|
|
25,856 |
|
|
|
180,254 |
|
Executive Vice President
and Director of Branch
Delivery |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
110,240 |
|
|
|
22,117 |
|
|
|
2,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,556 |
|
|
|
27,060 |
|
|
|
166,415 |
|
-16-
There were no bonuses paid in 2007. The 2006 bonus was paid pursuant to the
Incentive Award Plan, which is described in the Program Components section of Compensation
Discussion and Analysis.
The amount shown in the Stock Awards column for 2007 equals the amount recognized during
2007 as compensation expense for financial statement reporting purposes as a result of restricted
stock awards made in 2005 and 2007. The 2006 amount equals the amount recognized during 2006 as
compensation expense for financial statement reporting purposes as a result of restricted stock
awards made in 2004 and 2005. Stock awards are valued at the closing price on the grant date. A
portion of that grant-date value is recorded as expense over the vesting period applicable to the
grant. There were no restricted stock awards in 2006.
The amount shown in the Option Awards column of 2007 equals the amount recognized during
2007 as compensation expense for financial reporting purposes, computed in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R. The value used for options is $4.46 per
option, determined based on the grant date fair market value, computed using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model. A portion of that grant-date value is recorded as expense over the vesting
period applicable to the grant. There were no stock options awarded in 2006.
Amounts shown in the column headed Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Plan
Compensation are determined using a December 31 measurement date, which is the pension plan
measurement date used for financial reporting purposes. The large increase in the change in
pension value reported for Named Executive Officers in 2007 as compared to 2006 resulted from
termination of the Corporations Defined Benefit Pension Plan (the Pension Plan) in 2007.
Because the Pension Plan has been terminated, with a final payout to settle Plan obligations
expected in 2008, a lower discount rate (4.77%) was used in 2007 than the discount rate used in
2006 (5.75%). Use of the lower discount rate in 2007 was the major reason for the reported
increase. The Pension Plan is discussed further in a separate section of this report.
The Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column has been omitted from the Summary
Compensation Table because no Named Executive Officers earned compensation during 2006 or 2007 of a
type required to be disclosed in that column.
Amount shown as All Other Compensation includes the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employer |
|
|
Employer |
|
|
Employer |
|
|
Dollar Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions |
|
|
Contributions |
|
|
Contributions to |
|
|
of Insurance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perquisites |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
to the |
|
|
to the 401 (k) |
|
|
the Supplemental |
|
|
Premium |
|
|
Insurance |
|
|
and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee |
|
|
Employee |
|
|
Executive |
|
|
paid for |
|
|
and |
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Savings |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Group Term |
|
|
Brokerage |
|
|
Personal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ownership Plan |
|
|
Plan |
|
|
Plan (SERP) |
|
|
Life Insurance |
|
|
Commissions |
|
|
Benefits |
|
|
Total |
|
Name |
|
Year |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
|
($) |
|
Craig G. Litchfield |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
|
|
40,221 |
|
|
|
1,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
625 |
|
|
|
55,538 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
36,488 |
|
|
|
1,191 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
573 |
|
|
|
55,852 |
|
Mark A. Hughes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
4,483 |
|
|
|
8,965 |
|
|
|
5,422 |
|
|
|
415 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,285 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
8,335 |
|
|
|
8,334 |
|
|
|
4,788 |
|
|
|
415 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,872 |
|
Deborah E. Scott |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
3,398 |
|
|
|
6,796 |
|
|
|
4,886 |
|
|
|
415 |
|
|
|
1,181 |
|
|
|
2,413 |
|
|
|
19,089 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
6,404 |
|
|
|
6,404 |
|
|
|
4,614 |
|
|
|
415 |
|
|
|
588 |
|
|
|
2,729 |
|
|
|
21,154 |
|
Dawn A. Besse |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
3,072 |
|
|
|
6,144 |
|
|
|
11,446 |
|
|
|
1,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
22,624 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
5,838 |
|
|
|
5,190 |
|
|
|
9,621 |
|
|
|
1,191 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
726 |
|
|
|
22,566 |
|
Thomas L. Rudy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
3,055 |
|
|
|
6,110 |
|
|
|
3,250 |
|
|
|
277 |
|
|
|
11,288 |
|
|
|
1,876 |
|
|
|
25,856 |
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
5,622 |
|
|
|
5,621 |
|
|
|
2,878 |
|
|
|
277 |
|
|
|
11,075 |
|
|
|
1,587 |
|
|
|
27,060 |
|
-17-
For Mr. Litchfield, Mrs. Scott, and Mr. Rudy, perquisites and other personal benefits include
a company-supplied automobile. For Mr. Litchfield, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Besse, and Mr. Rudy,
perquisites also include the cost of club memberships, which are used primarily, but not
exclusively, for business purposes.
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The following table sets forth information with respect to grants of plan-based awards for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 for the Named Executive Officers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other |
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Grant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
or Base |
|
|
Date Fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board/ |
|
|
of Shares |
|
|
Securities |
|
|
Price of |
|
|
Value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Committee |
|
|
of Stock |
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Option |
|
|
Stock and |
|
|
|
Grant |
|
|
Action |
|
|
or Units |
|
|
Options |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Option |
|
Name |
|
Date |
|
|
Date |
|
|
(#) |
|
|
(#) |
|
|
($/Sh) |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig G. Litchfield |
|
|
1/3/2007 |
|
|
|
12/21/2006 |
|
|
|
730 |
|
|
|
4,820 |
|
|
|
22.325 |
|
|
|
37,794 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark A. Hughes |
|
|
1/3/2007 |
|
|
|
12/21/2006 |
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
2,285 |
|
|
|
22.325 |
|
|
|
17,893 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah E. Scott |
|
|
1/3/2007 |
|
|
|
12/21/2006 |
|
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
1,755 |
|
|
|
22.325 |
|
|
|
13,632 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dawn A. Besse |
|
|
1/3/2007 |
|
|
|
12/21/2006 |
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
1,450 |
|
|
|
22.325 |
|
|
|
11,267 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas L. Rudy, Jr. |
|
|
1/3/2007 |
|
|
|
12/21/2006 |
|
|
|
240 |
|
|
|
1,635 |
|
|
|
22.325 |
|
|
|
12,650 |
|
The grant date fair market value of stock and options awards is computed in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R. The value used for restricted stock awards
is $22.325 per share, based on the market value of the stock at the grant date. The value used for
options is $4.46 per option, computed using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
-18-
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table sets forth information with respect to outstanding equity awards for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 for the Named Executive Officers.
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Option Awards |
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Stock Awards |
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Market |
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Number of |
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Number of |
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Value of |
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Securities |
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Shares or |
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Shares or |
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Underlying |
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Units of |
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Units of |
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Unexercised |
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Option |
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Stock |
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Stock |
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Options |
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Exercise |
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Option |
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That Have |
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That Have |
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(#) |
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Price |
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Expiration |
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Not Vested |
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Not Vested |
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Name |
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Exercisable |
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($) |
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Date |
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(#) |
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($) |
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Craig G. Litchfield |
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6,000 |
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24.250 |
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12/17/2008 |
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7,500 |
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18.000 |
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12/23/2009 |
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4,305 |
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13.500 |
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12/21/2010 |
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9,405 |
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17.000 |
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1/2/2012 |
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7,204 |
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20.730 |
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1/2/2013 |
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5,715 |
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26.590 |
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1/2/2014 |
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5,515 |
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27.000 |
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1/3/2015 |
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4,820 |
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22.325 |
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1/3/2017 |
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947 |
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$ |
16,696 |
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Total: |
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50,464 |
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Total: |
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947 |
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$ |
16,696 |
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Mark A. Hughes |
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2,828 |
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17.000 |
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1/2/2012 |
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2,700 |
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20.730 |
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1/2/2013 |
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2,145 |
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26.590 |
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1/2/2014 |
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2,065 |
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27.000 |
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1/3/2015 |
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2,285 |
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22.325 |
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1/3/2017 |
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424 |
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$ |
7,475 |
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Total: |
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12,023 |
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Total: |
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424 |
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$ |
7,475 |
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Deborah E. Scott |
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1,125 |
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24.250 |
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12/17/2008 |
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2,250 |
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18.000 |
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12/23/2009 |
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1,615 |
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13.500 |
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12/21/2010 |
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3,528 |
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17.000 |
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1/2/2012 |
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2,700 |
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20.730 |
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1/2/2013 |
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2,145 |
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26.590 |
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1/2/2014 |
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2,065 |
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27.000 |
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1/3/2015 |
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1,755 |
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22.325 |
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1/3/2017 |
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339 |
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$ |
5,977 |
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Total: |
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17,183 |
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Total: |
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339 |
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$ |
5,977 |
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Dawn A. Besse |
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2,700 |
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20.730 |
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1/2/2013 |
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2,145 |
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26.590 |
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1/2/2014 |
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2,065 |
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27.000 |
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1/3/2015 |
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1,450 |
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22.325 |
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1/3/2017 |
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294 |
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$ |
5,183 |
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Total: |
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8,360 |
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Total: |
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294 |
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$ |
5,183 |
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-19-
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Option Awards |
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Stock Awards |
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Market |
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Number of |
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Number of |
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Value of |
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Securities |
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Shares or |
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Shares or |
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Underlying |
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Units of |
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Units of |
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Unexercised |
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Option |
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Stock |
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Stock |
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Options |
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Exercise |
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|
Option |
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That Have |
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|
That Have |
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(#) |
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|
Price |
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Expiration |
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Not Vested |
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Not Vested |
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Name |
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Exercisable |
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|
($) |
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|
Date |
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|
(#) |
|
|
($) |
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Thomas L. Rudy Jr. |
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2,352 |
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17.000 |
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1/2/2012 |
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1,350 |
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20.730 |
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1/2/2013 |
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1,435 |
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26.590 |
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1/2/2014 |
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2,065 |
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27.000 |
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1/3/2015 |
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1,635 |
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22.325 |
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1/3/2017 |
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319 |
|
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$ |
5,624 |
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Total: |
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8,837 |
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Total: |
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|
319 |
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$ |
5,624 |
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Effective January 3, 2008, the Corporation awarded options and restricted stock under the
Stock Incentive Plan. The exercise price of the options, and the value of the restricted stock,
was $17.50 per share, which was the average of the high and low price of the Corporations stock on
January 2, 2008. The following awards on January 3, 2008 are not included in the table entitled
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End: Mr. Litchfield- 8,885 options and 430 shares of
restricted stock; Mr. Hughes- 4,170 options and 205 shares of restricted stock; Mrs. Scott-3,160
options and 155 shares of restricted stock; Mrs. Besse- 2,615 options and 125 shares of restricted
stock and Mr. Rudy- 2,945 options and 145 shares of restricted stock.
OPTIONS EXERCISED AND STOCK VESTED
The following table sets forth information concerning the exercise during 2007 of options
granted, and value realized on vesting of restricted stock, under the Stock Incentive Plan by the
Named Executive Officers:
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Stock Awards |
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Number of |
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|
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Shares Acquired |
|
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Value Realized |
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|
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On Vesting |
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|
On Vesting |
|
Name |
|
(#) |
|
|
($) |
|
Craig G. Litchfield |
|
|
439 |
|
|
$ |
9,801 |
|
Mark A. Hughes |
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|
161 |
|
|
$ |
3,594 |
|
Deborah E. Scott |
|
|
161 |
|
|
$ |
3,594 |
|
Dawn A. Besse |
|
|
161 |
|
|
$ |
3,594 |
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Thomas L. Rudy, Jr. |
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|
134 |
|
|
$ |
2,992 |
|
The Option Awards columns have been omitted from the Options Exercised and Stock Vested
Table because there were no stock options exercised in 2007.
-20-
PENSION BENEFITS(1)(2)
The following table sets forth information with respect to pension benefits for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2007 for the Named Executive Officers:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Present Value |
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|
|
|
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Number of Years |
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Of Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credited Service |
|
Benefit |
Name |
|
Plan Name |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
Craig G. Litchfield |
|
Citizens & Northern Bank Pension Plan(3) |
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|
|
35 |
|
$ |
|
592,620 |
|
|
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan(4) |
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|
|
19 |
|
$ |
|
411,133 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
1,003,753 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark A. Hughes |
|
Citizens & Northern Bank Pension Plan(3) |
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|
|
7 |
|
$ |
|
92,991 |
|
|
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan(4) |
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|
|
7 |
|
$ |
|
42,131 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
135,122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah E. Scott |
|
Citizens & Northern Bank Pension Plan(3) |
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|
|
10 |
|
$ |
|
96,143 |
|
|
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan(4) |
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|
|
9 |
|
$ |
|
39,061 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
135,204 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dawn A. Besse |
|
Citizens & Northern Bank Pension Plan(3) |
|
|
|
7 |
|
$ |
|
103,584 |
|
|
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan(4) |
|
|
|
7 |
|
$ |
|
78,540 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
182,124 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas L. Rudy, Jr. |
|
Citizens & Northern Bank Pension Plan(3) |
|
|
|
8 |
|
$ |
|
44,774 |
|
|
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan(4) |
|
|
|
4 |
|
$ |
|
12,689 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
57,463 |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The column disclosing benefits paid from any of the plans named in the
table has been omitted from the table because no named executive
officer received any such payments during 2007. |
|
(2) |
|
Values are as of December 31, 2007, which is the Pension Plan
measurement date used by the Corporation for financial reporting
purposes. |
|
(3) |
|
Tax-qualified defined benefit plan. |
|
(4) |
|
A nonqualified plan, described in more detail below. |
-21-
PENSION PLAN
The Citizens & Northern Bank Pension Plan (the Pension Plan) is a qualified defined benefit
plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Pension Plan was established to
provide a defined retirement benefit to participants without regard to the profits of the
Corporation. Employees were neither required nor permitted to contribute to the Pension Plan.
Annual contributions by the employer have been determined actuarially. To participate in the
Pension Plan, an employee must be 18 years of age and have completed one year of service. A
participants retirement benefit, which became fully vested after 5 years of service, is based on
compensation and credited service with the employer. For purposes of determining a retirement
benefit, the term compensation is defined to include an employees total remuneration received
from the employer, including base salary, bonus and overtime. Benefits are a percentage of the
average compensation for the five consecutive years of highest compensation preceding retirement,
multiplied by the number of years of completed service, up to 25 years. For 2007, the Pension Plan
benefits are determined on only the first $225,000, as indexed, in compensation as determined by
the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and as prescribed by law. C&N Banks Trust and
Financial Services Department serves as Trustee under the Plan.
A participant is eligible for early retirement at age 55 upon completion of 10 years of
vesting service. The early retirement pension is the actuarial equivalent of the pension accrued
to the date of early retirement, with a 5% reduction in benefit for each year a participant retires
prior to reaching age 65.
In October 2007, the Corporations Board of Directors adopted amendments to freeze and
terminate the Plan, effective December 31, 2007. Although the date for the final settlement and
funding of the Corporations obligations under the Plan has not yet been determined, the
Corporation expects to settle the Plan in 2008. As a result of the Plan being frozen, participants
will not be credited for their service after December 31, 2007. As a result of the Plan
termination, all participants became fully vested as of December 31, 2007.
The Present Value of Accumulated Benefit amounts shown in the Pension Benefit Table assume
the final settlement of the plan will occur on December 31, 2008, and that each Named Executive
Officer will elect to receive a lump sum distribution. The discount rate used was 4.77%.
SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN (SERP)
The SERP provides selected key employees a supplement to the pension benefit payable to them
under the Citizens & Northern Bank Pension Plan. The SERP is a target benefit pension plan. The
annual contribution amount is based on a formula designed to provide an annual benefit equal to 20%
of pay, with a target age of 65. In determining the annual contribution amounts, the discount rate
used is 8.0%. Also, a standard mortality table is used. The annual contribution amounts are
deposited into each participants account within a trust (discussed below). The actual amount a
participant has at separation of employment depends upon investment results over time. The actual
investment returns do not impact the annual contributions. Investment returns are allocated to
participant accounts quarterly based on balances as of the beginning of the quarter.
C&N Bank has established a trust account for the SERP. Our Trust and Financial Management
Group manage the trust assets established for the SERP. The individual balances for each SERP
participant are accounted for by our Human Resources Department. C&N Bank has funded the trust,
but all assets in the trust are subject to the claims of C&N Banks creditors in the event of
insolvency. The participation and funding of the SERP is entirely at the discretion of C&N Banks
Board of Directors each year, and the Board of Directors may terminate the SERP at any time.
The individual participants account balances are payable, in the form of an annuity that
would be purchased from an unrelated entity, when any of the following events occur:
|
|
|
Retirement at the later of age 55 and 5 years of plan participation |
|
|
|
|
In the event of death |
|
|
|
|
In the event of disability |
|
|
|
|
In the event the Corporation is acquired by another institution. |
-22-
401 (k) SAVINGS PLAN
The Citizens & Northern Corporation Savings and Retirement Plan (Savings Plan) is qualified
under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. All officers and employees, including the
Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in the Savings Plan. The Savings Plan
allows a participant to authorize a deposit into the Plan of before tax earnings from 1% to 40% of
compensation. Under the Tax Reform Act, the maximum amount of elective contributions that could
be made by a participant during 2007 was $15,500 plus a $5,000 catch-up contribution if over age
50. The elective contributions are also subject to a $225,000 compensation limit. In addition,
the employer makes matching contributions equal to 100% of a participants before tax
contributions up to 3% of compensation and equal to 50% of such contributions between 3% and 5% of
compensation. Effective January 1, 2008 the amount of employer matching contributions was
increased to 100% on participant contributions between 3% and 5% of compensation. All
participants contributions and the employer matching contributions for 2007, at the participants
election, were invested in a choice of investment funds maintained by C&N Bank as Trustee.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN (ESOP)
As of January 1, 2007, the Corporation established an ESOP. Prior to 2007, the Corporation
maintained the ESOP as a component of the Savings Plan. The new ESOP has essentially all of the
same features as the previous ESOP, except that it has been removed from the Savings Plan. The
values of participants ESOP accounts, which were 100% vested as of December 31, 2006, were
transferred from the Savings Plan to the new ESOP. The ESOP does not allow for employee
contributions, however the plan is subject to basic employer contributions invested in the common
stock of the Corporation. There is a required basic employer ESOP contribution equal to 2% of
each eligible participants compensation; in addition, the employer may make a discretionary basic
contribution. The total actual ESOP employer contribution for 2007 was equal to 2% of
compensation.
CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENTS
The Corporation and C&N Bank (the Employer) have entered into Change in Control Agreements
(the Agreements) with Messrs. Litchfield, Hughes, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Besse, Mr. Rudy and certain
other officers (each an Employee). The employment agreement with Mr. Updegraff includes Change
in Control provisions with some variation from the Agreement with the other Employees. The purpose
of the Agreements is to retain and secure key employees and encourage their continued attention and
dedication to their assigned duties without the distraction of potential disturbing circumstances
arising from the possibility of a change in control of the Corporation and C&N Bank.
The Change in Control Agreements are not employment agreements. The Agreements provide for a
lump sum severance benefit in the event certain events take place after there is a change in
control, as defined in the Agreement, of the Corporation, or for a period of twenty-four (24)
months thereafter. If the Employee remains employed for more than twenty-four (24) months after a
change in control, nothing is payable.
Under the Agreements, the term termination means the termination of the employment of the
officer either by the Employer for any reason other than death, disability, or cause, or by
resignation of the Employee upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events: a
significant change in the Employees authorities or duties, a reduction in annual salary, or a
material reduction in benefits; the relocation of the Employees office to a location more than 35
miles from the location of the Employees office immediately prior to the employment period; the
Employee is unable to exercise the authorities, powers, functions or duties associated with the
Employees position; or the failure of the Corporation to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any
successor to assume and agree to perform the Agreement in the same manner and extent as if no
succession had taken place.
In the event of a termination, the Agreements provide severance benefits of (i) Employer-paid
group medical insurance continuation premiums for a period of eighteen (18) months after the date
of termination, and (ii) a lump sum payment in cash no later than thirty (30) business days after
the date of termination equal to the sum of the Employees unpaid salary, accrued vacation pay and
unreimbursed business expenses through and including the date of termination; and an amount equal
to one (1) times the Employees base salary in effect
immediately prior to the date of termination.
-23-
The original Agreements terminated on December 31, 2005, but are automatically extended for
additional one-year periods unless written notice is provided by the Employer or Employee that such
party does not wish to extend the term. If a change in control occurs during the original or
extended term of the Agreements, the term shall continue for a period of twenty-four (24) months
and end upon the expiration of such twenty-four (24) month period.
The Corporation expressly agreed to assume, as of May 1, 2007, the existing employment
agreement between Citizens Bancorp, Inc. and Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. Mr. Updegraffs employment
agreement, as amended by an addendum between Mr. Updegraff and the Corporation, provides:
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For a current term expiring on December 31, 2009; |
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For automatic renewals on December 31 of each year to December 31 of the third
calendar year thereafter, subject to the right of each party to terminate the automatic
renewal and thereby fix the expiration of the term; |
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For early termination upon dismissal by resolution of a majority of the board of
directors, the death or disability of Mr. Updegraff; |
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For a base salary at an annual rate equal to his current base salary rate
($187,100), subject to increase or decrease from time to time at such intervals and by
the same percentages as may be authorized by the board of directors generally with
respect to base salary increases or decrease for executive officers; |
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For participation in certain benefits and incentive programs adopted by the board of
directors, including without limitation, all employer-sponsored group health, life and
disability insurance plans and such annual bonus plans, stock options and restricted
stock plans as may be adopted by the board of directors; |
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That if Mr. Updegraff is terminated by the board of directors without proper cause,
or if Mr. Updegraff resigns his employment upon a material reduction of his authority
or responsibilities or a substantial modification of his working conditions following a
merger or consolidation of the Corporation, he will continue to receive his salary and
benefits for the remainder of the current term; and |
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That if Mr. Updegraff is terminated due to disability, he will be entitled to a
monthly disability income benefit in an amount equal to the monthly disability income
benefit allowed by the group disability income insurance policy maintained by the
Corporation for its executives, life insurance benefits (unless and until Mr. Updegraff
accepts other employment) and health insurance premiums (unless and until Mr. Updegraff
accepts other employment). |
The amount of severance salary benefits that each of the above-named executive officers would
be entitled to, pursuant to the Agreements, if an event which triggered the payment occurred on the
date of the Proxy Statement, is as follows: Messrs. Litchfield $342,720, Hughes $183,756, Mrs.
Scott $140,419, Mrs. Besse $128,544 and Mr. Rudy $117,957. The total of such severance salary
benefit payments for all covered Employees would be $1,791,879.
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS
On April 20, 2004, the Stockholders of the Corporation authorized the Corporation to enter
into Indemnification Agreements with the Directors of the Corporation and C&N Bank and certain
officers of C&N Bank, as designated by the Board of Directors. The primary purpose of the
Agreements is to ensure the ability of the Corporation and C&N Bank to continue to attract and
retain responsible, competent and otherwise qualified directors and officers. Indemnification
Agreements have been entered into with all Directors of C&N Bank and the Corporation, as well as
the Corporations and C&N Banks Executive Officers as named on pages 3 5.
The indemnification agreements provide to covered directors and officers the most advantageous
of any combination of benefits under (i) the benefits provided by the Bylaws of the Corporation in
effect as of the date the agreements were are entered into; (ii) the benefits provided by the
Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation or their equivalent of the Corporation in effect at the time
indemnification expenses are incurred by an indemnitee; (iii) the benefits allowable under
Pennsylvania law in effect on the date of the agreements; (iv) the benefits allowable under the law
of the jurisdiction under which the Corporation exists at the time indemnifiable expenses are
incurred by an indemnitee; (v) the benefits available under a liability insurance policy obtained
by the Corporation and its
subsidiaries in effect on the date of the agreements; (vi) the benefits available under a
liability insurance policy obtained by the Corporation and its subsidiaries, in effect at the time
the indemnifiable expenses are incurred by an
-24-
indemnitee; and (vii) such other benefits as are or
may otherwise be available to the indemnitee.
The Corporation is not obligated to, nor has it agreed to provide funding for its obligations
under the agreements. The Corporation is obligated, however, to pay its obligations under the
agreements from general assets or insurance. The agreements do require the Corporation to continue
to purchase D&O Coverage for so long as it is available on a commercially reasonable basis.
The indemnification available pursuant to the agreements is subject to a number of exclusions.
No indemnification is required under the agreements with respect to any claim as to which it is
finally proven by clear and convincing evidence in a court of competent jurisdiction that the
covered person acted or failed to act with deliberate intent to cause injury to the Corporation or
a subsidiary thereof or with reckless disregard for the Corporations best interest. The
Corporation is also not required to make any payment finally determined by a court to be unlawful
or any payment required under Section 16(b) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
In addition, any claim (or part thereof) against an indemnitee which falls within the prohibitions
of 12 C.F.R. §7.5217 (i.e. a prohibition on indemnification or insurance coverage for expenses,
penalties or other payments incurred in connection with an action by a banking regulatory agency
which results in a final order assessing monetary penalties or requiring affirmative action in the
form of payment to said bank) is excluded from indemnification under the agreements.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION (1)(2)(3)
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Fees |
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Earned or |
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Paid in |
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Stock |
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Option |
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Cash(4) |
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Awards(5) |
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Awards(6) |
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Total |
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Name |
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($) |
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|
($) |
|
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($) |
|
|
($) |
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Dennis F. Beardslee |
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31,850 |
|
|
|
1,335 |
|
|
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2,431 |
|
|
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35,616 |
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R. Robert DeCamp |
|
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35,700 |
|
|
|
1,335 |
|
|
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2,431 |
|
|
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39,466 |
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Jan E. Fisher |
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29,000 |
|
|
|
1,335 |
|
|
|
2,431 |
|
|
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32,766 |
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R. Bruce Haner |
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35,550 |
|
|
|
1,335 |
|
|
|
2,431 |
|
|
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39,316 |
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Susan E. Hartley |
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31,100 |
|
|
|
1,335 |
|
|
|
2,431 |
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|
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34,866 |
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Karl W. Kroeck |
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|
36,350 |
|
|
|
1,335 |
|
|
|
2,431 |
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|
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40,116 |
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Leo F. Lambert |
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|
37,900 |
|
|
|
1,335 |
|
|
|
2,431 |
|
|
|
41,666 |
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Edward L. Learn |
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|
29,750 |
|
|
|
1,335 |
|
|
|
2,431 |
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|
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33,516 |
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Craig G. Litchfield(7)
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
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Raymond R. Mattie |
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20,100 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,100 |
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Edward H. Owlett, III |
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|
44,975 |
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|
|
1,335 |
|
|
|
2,431 |
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|
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48,741 |
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Leonard Simpson |
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41,950 |
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|
|
1,335 |
|
|
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2,431 |
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|
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45,716 |
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James E. Towner |
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36,375 |
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|
|
1,335 |
|
|
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2,431 |
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|
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40,141 |
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Ann M. Tyler |
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30,650 |
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|
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1,335 |
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|
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2,431 |
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|
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34,416 |
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Charles H. Updegraff, Jr.(7) |
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(1) |
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The columns disclosing Non-equity incentive plan compensation, changes in pension
value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings, and other forms of compensation have been
omitted from the table because no director earned any compensation during 2007 of a type required
to be disclosed in those columns. |
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(2) |
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As of December 31, 2007, each non-employee director owned 104 shares of common stock
awarded pursuant to the Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan for which transfer restrictions
had not yet lapsed. For each director; |
-25-
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those shares had a value of $1,834 based on the closing
price of the Corporations common stock on December 31, 2007 (the last business day of the year). |
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(3) |
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Effective January 3, 2008, the Corporation awarded 679 options and 109 shares of
restricted stock under the Independent Director Stock Incentive Plan to each director. The
exercise price of the options, and the value of the restricted stock, was $17.50 per share, which
was the average of the high and low price of the Corporations stock on January 2, 2008. The
awards made in January 2008 are not included in the table. |
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(4) |
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Includes annual cash retainer, Committee chair retainer (if any) and per meeting
fees. |
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(5) |
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The amount shown in the Stock Awards column equals the amount recognized during
2007 as compensation expense for financial statement reporting purposes as a result of restricted
stock awards made in 2005 and 2007. Stock awards are valued at the closing price on the grant
date. A portion of that grant-date value is recorded as expense over the vesting period applicable
to the grant. There were no restricted stock awards in 2006. |
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(6) |
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The amount shown in the Option Awards column of 2007 equals the amount recognized
during 2007 as compensation expense for financial reporting purposes, computed in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R. The value used for options is $4.46 per
option, determined based on the grant date fair market value, computed using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model. A portion of that grant-date value is recorded as expense over the vesting
period applicable to the grant. There were no stock options awarded in 2006. |
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(7) |
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Mr. Litchfield and Mr. Updegraff are compensated for their services as employees,
and do not receive additional compensation for their services as directors. |
-26-
Compensation of the Board of Directors of C&N Bank is established by the board, upon
recommendation of the Executive Committee. Directors who are employed by C&N Bank are not entitled
to additional compensation for board or committee service. Directors who are not employed by C&N
Bank receive compensation according to the following table; however, no separate compensation will
be paid to a director of Citizens & Northern Bank who attends a board or committee meeting that is
held jointly with a board or committee meeting of Citizens & Northern Corporation and who is
compensated for that meeting by Citizens & Northern Corporation.
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Annual Fees: |
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Cash Retainer (all Directors) |
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$ |
14,000 |
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Committee Chairman: |
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Audit Committee |
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$ |
4,000 |
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Executive Committee |
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$ |
4,000 |
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All Other Committees |
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$ |
2,500 |
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Per-Meeting Attendance Fees: |
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Board meetings (all Directors) |
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$ |
600 |
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Advisory board meetings |
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$ |
150 |
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Committee meetings: |
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Audit Committee |
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$ |
500 |
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Executive Committee |
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$ |
500 |
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All Other Committees |
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$ |
400 |
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A director who, by invitation, attends a meeting of a committee of which he or she is not a
regular member will be paid the same attendance fee as is payable to members of that committee.
In addition to cash fees, non-employee directors also receive compensation in the form of
Corporation common stock, or stock options, under the Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan.
This plan permits awards of nonqualified stock options and/or restricted stock to non-employee
directors. A total of 75,000 shares of common stock may be issued under the Independent Directors
Stock Incentive Plan. The recipients rights to exercise stock options under this plan vest
immediately and expire 10 years from the date of grant. The exercise prices of all stock options
awarded under the Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan are equal to market value as of the
dates of grant. The restricted stock awards vest ratably over 3 years. A balance of 23,601 shares
are available for issuance under the Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan as of December 31,
2007.
Cash dividends payable with respect to shares of common stock issued to directors under the
Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan are paid in the same amount and at the same time as
dividends are paid to stockholders generally. Stock dividends, stock splits and similar
transactions will have the same effect on shares of stock issued pursuant to the Independent
Directors Stock Incentive Plan as on all other shares of Corporation common stock outstanding.
-27-
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Certain directors and officers of the Corporation and the Bank and their associates (including
corporations of which such persons are officers or 10% beneficial owners) were customers of, and
had transactions with the Bank in the ordinary course of business during the year ended December
31, 2007. Similar transactions may be expected to take place in the future. Such transactions
included the purchase of certificates of deposit and extensions of credit in the ordinary course of
business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those
prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and did not involve more than
the normal risks of collectibility or present other unfavorable features. The Corporation expects
that any other transactions with directors and officers and their associates in the future will be
conducted on the same basis.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Parente Randolph, LLC, has been the independent registered public accounting firm appointed by
the Corporation since 1981, and was selected by the Board as the independent registered public
accounting firm for the Corporation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. The engagement of
Parente Randolph, LLC as its independent accountants for the year 2008 is subject to the review and
approval by the Audit Committee. No member of the firm or any of its associates has a financial
interest in the Corporation. A representative of Parente Randolph, LLC is expected to be present
at the Annual Meeting to answer appropriate questions from stockholders and will be afforded an
opportunity to make any statement that the firm desires.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Corporations officers and
directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of the Corporations common stock, to file
reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by Securities and
Exchange Commission regulations to furnish the Corporation with copies of all Section 16(a) forms
they file.
Based solely upon a review of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto furnished to the
Corporation during 2007 and Forms 5 and amendments thereto furnished to the Corporation with
respect to 2007, the Corporation believes that no director, officer or ten percent stockholder or
any other person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, failed to make on a timely basis during
2007 any reports required to be filed by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except that Mrs. Besse
had one late filing reporting two sales that were inadvertently missed.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Corporations Articles of Incorporation contain provisions that address the process by
which a stockholder may nominate an individual to stand for election to the Board of Directors.
Stockholder recommendations for members of the Board should be submitted in writing to the
President of the Corporation, and must include the stockholders name, address, and the number of
shares owned. The recommendation must also include the name, address and principal occupation of
the proposed nominee as well as the number of shares owned by the notifying stockholder and the
total number of shares that will be voted for the proposed nominee. Stockholder recommendations
must also include the information that would be required to be disclosed in the solicitation of
proxies for the election of directors under federal securities laws, including the candidates
consent to be elected and to serve. The Articles of Incorporation specify that nominations from
stockholders must be delivered or mailed not less than fourteen (14) days nor more than fifty (50)
days prior to the stockholder meeting at which directors will be elected, except in the case where
less than twenty-one (21) days notice is given of a stockholder meeting, in which case a notifying
stockholder can mail or deliver a nomination not later than the close of business on the seventh
day after the day the meeting notice was mailed.
The Corporations 2009 Annual Meeting of stockholders is scheduled to be held in April 2009.
Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal at the 2009 Annual Meeting and who wishes to have
the proposal included in the Corporations proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting must
deliver the proposal to the Corporations executive offices, 90-92 Main Street, P.O. Box 58,
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania 16901, by November 16, 2008. Citizens & Northern must receive notice of
all other stockholder proposals for the 2009 annual meeting delivered or mailed no less than 14
days nor more than 50 days prior to the Annual Meeting; provided, however,
-28-
that if less than twenty-one days notice of the annual meeting is given to stockholders then the Corporation must
receive notice not less than seven days following the date on which notice of the annual meeting
was mailed. If notice is not received by the Corporation within this time frame, the Corporation
will consider such notice untimely. The Corporation reserves the right to vote in its discretion all of the shares of common stock for
which it has received proxies for the 2009 annual meeting with respect to any untimely shareholder
proposals.
OTHER MATTERS
The management of the Corporation does not intend to bring any other matters before the Annual
Meeting and is not presently informed of any other business which others may bring before such
meeting. However, if any other matters should properly come before such meeting or any adjournment
thereof, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters
as they, in their discretion, determine.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you wish to communicate with the Board, you may send correspondence to Jessica R. Brown,
Corporate Secretary, Citizens & Northern Corporation, 90-92 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901. The
Corporate Secretary will submit your correspondence to the Board or the appropriate committee, as
applicable. You may also communicate directly with the presiding non-management director of the
Board by sending correspondence to Lead Director, Board of Directors, Citizens & Northern
Corporation, 90-92 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901.
The Corporations Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 2007, including financial statements
as certified by Parente Randolph, LLC, was mailed with this Proxy Statement on or about March 18,
2008, to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 26, 2008.
An additional copy of the Corporations 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the financial statements and schedules thereto, will
be furnished free of charge to stockholders. Written request should be directed to the Treasurer,
Citizens & Northern Corporation, 90-92 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA, 16901, or by phone at
570-724-3411.
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
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Dated: March 18, 2008 |
Jessica R. Brown Corporate Secretary
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-29-
EXHIBIT A
THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
1995 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose. The purpose of this Third Amendment (Third Amendment) to the Citizens
& Northern Corporation 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan) is to adopt a change to the Plan as a
result of a recommendation by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors (Board) of
Citizens & Northern Corporation. All terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan unless
specifically modified herein are valid and enforceable.
2. Amended Provision. Paragraph 3 of the Citizens & Northern Corporation 1995 Stock
Incentive Plan, as amended, is further amended to increase the number of issuable shares from
400,000 to 850,000, thereby modifying the first sentence thereof to provide as follows:
The shares of stock that may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed
in the aggregate eight hundred fifty thousand (850,000) shares of the
Corporations common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the Stock), as
may be adjusted pursuant to paragraph 18 hereof.
3. Effective Date. This Third Amendment shall become effective as of the date it is
adopted by the Board, so long as the stockholders of Citizens & Northern Corporation approve it
within twelve (12) months after the date of the Boards adoption.
-30-
EXHIBIT B
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose. The purpose of this First Amendment to the Citizens & Northern
Corporation Independent Directors Stock Option Plan (the Amendment) is to adopt a change to the
Plan as a result of a recommendation by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors (Board)
of Citizens & Northern Corporation. All terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan unless
specifically modified herein are valid and enforceable.
2. Amended Provision. Paragraph 5 of the Citizens & Northern Corporation Independent
Directors Stock Option Plan is amended to increase the number of issuable shares from 75,000 to
135,000, thereby modifying the first sentence thereof to provide as follows:
Subject to adjustments as provided in Section 11 of this Plan, the total
number of shares of Stock which may be issued as Awards under the Plan
is one hundred thirty five thousand (135,000).
3. Effective Date. This First Amendment shall become effective as of the date it is
adopted by the Board, so long as the stockholders of Citizens & Northern Corporation approve it
within twelve (12) months after the date of the Boards adoption.
-31-
EXHIBIT C
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Citizens & Northern Corporation (together
with its affiliates, including Citizens & Northern Bank, C&N Financial Services Corporation,
Bucktail Life Insurance Company, Canisteo Valley Corporation and Citizens & Northern Investment
Corporation, the Corporation) shall be appointed by the Board to:
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A. |
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Assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to the: |
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integrity of the Corporations financial statements and related disclosure
matters; |
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qualifications, independence and performance of, and the Corporations
relationship with, the independent auditor; |
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performance of the Corporations risk management and internal audit
function; and |
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Corporations compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. |
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B. |
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Provide the report required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission to be included in the Corporations annual proxy statement. |
The Committee shall be comprised of at least three outside directors as determined by the
Board each of whom shall be independent, non-executive directors, free from any relationship that
would interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment. The Committee members shall
meet the requirements for independence, experience and expertise set forth in applicable laws,
under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ rules. One member of the
Committee may be an audit committee financial expert as such term is defined under the
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ rules. (If the Committee does not
have a member that qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, the Corporation shall
disclose that fact and the reasons therefore.) At least one member of the Committee shall have
accounting or related financial management expertise as such terms are defined by regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ rules. The Board shall appoint the Committee
members at the Board meeting held after the annual meeting or at any other Board meeting as it
deems necessary or appropriate. The Board shall appoint the Chair of the Committee. If a Chair is
not designated or present, the members of the Committee may designate a Chair by majority vote of
the Committee membership.
Service on the Committee requires a significant time commitment from its members. In
determining whether a Committee member would be able to meet the significant time commitment, the
Board will take into consideration the other obligations of such member, including full-time
employment and service on other boards of directors and audit committees. Committee members may
not receive any compensation from the Corporation other than directors fees.
III. |
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Meetings and Reports |
The Committee shall meet as frequently as it deems necessary and appropriate. The Chair of
the Committee, or any two members of the Committee, may call meetings of the Committee as they deem
necessary and appropriate. Meetings of the Committee may be held telephonically.
The Chair shall preside at all sessions of the Committee at which he or she is present and
shall set the agendas for Committee meetings. Members of management and the Board are free to
suggest items for inclusion in the agenda for the Committees meetings. The agenda and information
concerning the business to be conducted at each Committee meeting shall, to the extent practical,
be communicated to the members of the Committee
-32-
sufficiently in advance of each meeting to permit meaningful review.
The Committee may meet separately in executive session when necessary with each of the
following: (i) senior management, (ii) Director of Risk Management (iii) members of the Internal
Audit Department, (iv) the Compliance Officer, (v) the independent auditors, and (vi) as a
Committee to discuss any matters that the Committee or each of these groups believe should be
discussed.
The Committee shall report regularly to the Board with respect to such matters that are within
the Committees responsibilities and with respect to such recommendations as the Committee may deem
appropriate. The report to the Board may take the form of an oral report by the Chair or by any
other member designated by the Committee to make such report. The Committee shall maintain minutes
or other records of meetings and activities of the Committee, including executive sessions, and
make them available to the Board.
The Committee shall provide the report of the Committee to be contained in the Corporations
annual proxy statement, as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
IV. |
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Authority and Responsibilities |
The Committee shall perform the following functions and may carry out additional functions and
adopt additional policies and procedures in furtherance of the purpose of the Committee outlined in
Section I of this Charter, as may be appropriate in light of changing business, legislative,
regulatory, or other conditions, or as may be delegated to the Committee by the Board from time to
time.
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A. |
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Financial Statements and Disclosure Matters |
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1. |
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The Committee shall review and discuss with management and the
independent auditor the Corporations annual audited and quarterly consolidated
financial statements, including the disclosures contained in the Corporations
Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, under the
heading Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations. After review of the annual audited consolidated
financial statements and the reports and discussions required by Sections IV.
A. 7. and IV. B. 5. of this Charter, the Committee shall determine whether to
recommend to the Board that such financial statements be included in the
Corporations Form 10-K. |
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2. |
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The Committee shall be advised of the execution by the
Corporations Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the
certifications required to accompany the filing of the Form 10-K and the Forms
10-Q, and any other information required to be disclosed to it in connection
with the filing of such certifications, including (i) all significant
deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal
control over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect
the Corporations ability to record, process, summarize and report financial
information, and (ii) any fraud that involves management or other employees who
have a significant role in the Corporations internal control over financial
reporting. |
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3. |
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The Committee shall discuss with management and the independent
auditor at least quarterly any significant financial reporting issues that
arose and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the
Corporations financial statements, including any significant changes in the
Corporations selection or application of critical accounting principles, any
major issues as to the adequacy and quality of the Corporations disclosure
procedures and controls and any special steps taken or changes made to respond
to material control deficiencies. |
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4. |
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The Committee shall review and discuss with the independent
auditor the reports from the independent auditor with respect to: |
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all critical accounting policies and decisions; |
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all alternative treatments of financial information within generally
accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with
management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures
and treatments, and the treatment recommended by the independent
auditor; and |
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other material written communications between the independent
auditor and management, such as any management letter or schedule of
adjustments. |
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The Committee shall review and discuss periodically, as
necessary, with the independent auditors and the Internal Audit Department the
adequacy of the Corporations internal accounting controls, the Corporations
financial, auditing and accounting organizations and personnel, and the
Corporations policies and compliance procedures with respect to business
practices, which shall include the disclosures regarding internal controls and
matters required by Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and
any rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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6. |
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The Committee shall discuss with management the Corporations
earnings press releases, and financial information and earnings guidance
provided to analysts and rating agencies. Such discussions may be conducted
generally (i.e., by discussing the types of information to be disclosed
and the types of presentations to be made). The Committee may delegate
responsibility for the review of the quarterly earnings press release to a
member of the Committee. |
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7. |
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The Committee shall discuss with management and the independent
auditor the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives as well as
off-balance sheet structures on the Corporations financial statements. |
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8. |
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The Committee shall discuss with the independent auditor the
matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 as
amended relating to the conduct of the audit, including any difficulties
encountered in the course of the audit work, any restrictions on the scope of
activities or access to requested information, and any significant
disagreements with management, as well as any other matters required to be
disclosed by the independent auditor or of concern to the Committee. |
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Oversight of the Corporations Relationship with the Independent Auditor |
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The Committee shall have the sole authority to appoint or
replace the independent auditor. The Committee shall be directly responsible
for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor
(including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent
auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purposes of preparing or issuing
an audit report or related work. The independent auditor shall report directly
to the Committee. |
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The Committee shall review and approve in advance the annual
plan and scope of work of the independent auditor and fee arrangements,
including staffing of the audit, and shall review with the independent auditor
any audit-related concerns and managements response. With respect to auditing
services, the Committees approval of the engagement letter with the
independent auditor will constitute approval of the audit services to be
provided thereunder. |
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The Committee shall pre-approve all non-audit services
(including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Corporation by
the independent auditor, to the extent required by law, according to
established procedures. The Committee may delegate to one or more Committee
members the authority to pre-approve non-audit services to be performed by the
independent auditor, provided that such pre-approvals shall be reported to the
full Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Attached hereto as
Appendix A are the Committees pre-approval policies for the approval of
non-audit services. |
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The Committee shall review and evaluate the experience,
qualifications and performance of the senior members of the independent auditor
team on an annual basis. As part of such evaluation, to the extent required by
law, the Committee shall review with the lead audit partner whether any of the
audit team members receive any discretionary compensation from the audit firm
with respect to procurement or performance of any services, other than audit,
review or attest services, by the independent auditor. |
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5. |
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The Committee shall obtain and review a report from the
independent auditor at least annually addressing (i) the independent auditors
internal quality-control procedures, (ii) any material issues raised by the
most recent internal quality-control review or peer review of the firm, or by
any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities,
within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits
carried out by the firm, (iii) any steps taken to deal with any such issues,
and (iv) all relationships between the independent auditor and the Corporation
(in order to assess if the provision of permitted non-audit services is
compatible with maintaining the auditors independence, taking into account the
opinions of management and the internal auditors). |
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The Committee shall ensure the rotation of members of the audit
engagement team, as required by law, and will require that the independent
auditor provide a plan for the orderly transition of audit engagement team
members. The Committee shall also consider whether, in order to assure
continuing auditor independence, it is appropriate to adopt a policy of
rotating the independent auditing firm on a regular basis. |
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7. |
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The Committee shall pre-approve the Corporations policies for
the hiring by the Corporation of employees or former employees of the
independent auditor who participated in any capacity in the audit of the
Corporation. |
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Oversight of the Corporations Risk Management Function |
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The Committee shall monitor the Corporations risk management function
that incorporates internal audit, compliance, security and credit administration,
as well as other functions or departments that may be included under the Risk
Management Division. |
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2. |
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The Committee shall review the activities, organizational structure and
qualifications of the Risk Management Division, as needed. The Committee shall also
review the adequacy of resources, budget and staffing, and if appropriate shall
recommend changes. |
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The Committee shall be responsible for the appointment, performance
review and replacement of the Director of Risk Management. |
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Oversight of the Corporations Internal Audit Function |
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The Committee shall review and discuss with the independent
auditor the annual audit plan of the Internal Audit Department, including
responsibilities, budget and staffing, and, if appropriate, shall recommend
changes. |
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2. |
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The Committee shall review, as appropriate, the results of
internal audits and shall discuss related significant internal control matters
with the Internal Audit Department, Director of Risk Management and with the
Corporations management, including significant reports to management prepared
by the Internal Audit Department and managements responses. |
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3. |
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The Committee shall review managements evaluation of the
adequacy of the Corporations internal controls and discuss the results of such
evaluation with the Director of Risk Management and Internal Audit Department.
The Committee shall review the activities, organizational structure and
qualifications of the Internal Audit Department, as needed. The Committee also
shall review the adequacy of resources to |
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support the internal audit function, and, if appropriate, recommend changes. |
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The Committee shall review the appointment, performance and
replacement of the senior staff members of the Internal Audit Department,
including the Auditor. |
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5. |
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The Committee shall hold an executive session with the Internal
Auditor at the request of any member of the Committee, or at the request of the
Internal Auditor. Such executive session shall be held solely with the Internal
Auditor and without the presence of any other employees. In the event that the
Internal Auditor desires to meet in executive session with the Committee, the
Internal Auditor shall contact the Chairman of the Committee in advance for
approval of such executive session and shall provide the Chairman with such
information as is requested by the Chairman regarding the request. |
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Oversight of the Corporations Compliance Function |
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The Committee shall monitor the Corporations compliance
function, including compliance with the Corporations policies and the
Corporations Code of Ethics, and shall review with the appropriate officers
and/or staff of the Corporation and the Corporations counsel, as necessary,
the adequacy and effectiveness of the Corporations procedures to ensure
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. |
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The Committee shall establish procedures for the receipt,
retention and treatment of complaints received by the Corporation regarding
accounting, internal controls or auditing matters, and the confidential,
anonymous submissions by employees of concerns regarding questionable
accounting or auditing matters, including but not limited to those received
under and pursuant to the established Reporting Suspected Fraudulent
Activities Policy (a/k/a Whistleblower Policy). |
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The Committee shall discuss with management, the Director of
Risk Management, the Compliance Officer, the Internal Auditor, the
Corporations counsel and the independent auditor any correspondence with
regulators or governmental agencies and any published reports that raise
material issues regarding the Corporations financial statements or accounting
policies. |
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4. |
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The Committee shall review and discuss with the Director of
Risk Management, Compliance Officer, Internal Auditor and the Corporations
counsel legal matters that may have a material impact on the financial
statements or the Corporations compliance policies, including reports and
disclosures of insider and affiliated party transactions and any knowledge of
fraud or breach of fiduciary duties. |
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5. |
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The Committee shall review all related party transactions as
such terminology is defined under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the
Securities Act of 1933. |
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6. |
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The Committee shall review the appointment, performance and
replacement of the Compliance Officer. |
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7. |
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The Committee shall hold an Executive Session with the
Compliance Officer at the request of any member of the Committee, or at the
request of the Compliance Officer. Such executive sessions shall be held solely
with the Compliance Officer and without the presence of any other employees. In
the event the Compliance Officer desires to meet in executive session with the
Committee, the Compliance Officer shall contact the Chairman of the Committee
in advance for approval of such executive session and shall provide the
Chairman with such information as is requested by the Chairman regarding the
request. |
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Clarification of Committees Role |
The Committees role is one of oversight. It is the responsibility of the Corporations
management to plan and conduct audits and to prepare consolidated financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted
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accounting principles, and it is the responsibility of the Corporations independent auditor to audit those financial statements. Therefore, each member of
the Committee, in exercising his or her business judgment, shall be entitled to rely on the integrity of those persons and organizations within and outside the Corporation
from whom he or she receives information, and on the accuracy of the financial and other
information provided to the Committee by such persons or organizations unless he or she has reason
to inquire further. The Committee does not provide any expert or other special assurance as to the
Corporations financial statements or any expert or professional certification as to the work of
the Corporations independent auditor.
VI. |
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Access to Management; Retention of Outside Advisers |
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A. |
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Access to Management |
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The Committee shall have full, free and unrestricted access to the Corporations
senior management and employees, and to the Corporations internal and independent
auditors. |
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B. |
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Access to Outside Advisers |
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The Committee shall have the authority to retain legal counsel, consultants or other
outside advisers with respect to any issue or to assist it in fulfilling its
responsibilities, without consulting or obtaining the approval of any officer of the
Corporation. |
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The Corporation shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the
Committee, for payment of compensation to the independent auditor and to any
advisers retained by the Committee. |
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Annual Evaluation; Charter Review |
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Annual Self-Evaluation |
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The Committee shall perform an annual review and self-evaluation of the Committees
performance, including a review of the Committees compliance with this Charter.
The Committee shall conduct such evaluation and review in such manner as it deems
appropriate and report the results of the evaluation to the entire Board. |
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B. |
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Charter Review |
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The Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of this Charter on an annual
basis, and, if appropriate, shall recommend changes to the Board for approval. The
Committee shall submit this Charter to the Board for approval and cause this Charter
to be published in accordance with applicable regulations including, but not limited
to, those of the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
VIII. |
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Delegation to Subcommittee |
The Committee, in its discretion, may delegate all or a portion of its duties and
responsibilities to a subcommittee consisting of one or more members of the Committee, provided
that any action taken by such subcommittee is ratified by the full Committee and provided that any
such subcommittee must conduct its business in accordance with this Charter.
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APPENDIX A
STATEMENT OF POLICY
OF THE
AUDIT COMMITTEE HAVE
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
PRE-APPROVAL OF ENGAGEMENTS FOR NON-AUDIT SERVICES
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Act) vests the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
of Citizens & Northern Corporation (the Corporation) with the responsibility to appoint and to
oversee the work of the Independent Auditor of the Corporation. Under the Act and under rules (the
SEC Rules) that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued pursuant to the Act,
that responsibility includes in particular the requirement that the Audit Committee review and
pre-approve all audit and non-audit services performed by the Independent Auditor. In exercising
that responsibility with respect to proposed engagements for non-audit services, it is the policy
of the Audit Committee to give paramount consideration to the question of whether the engagement of
the Independent Auditor to perform those services is likely to create a risk that the Independent
Auditors independence may be compromised. To that end, the Audit Committee will endeavor to
exercise its discretion in a manner that will avoid or minimize the risk of compromising the
independence of the Independent Auditor.
In making this determination, the Committee is mindful of the guidance provided by the SEC: The
Commissions principles of independence with respect to services provided by auditors are largely
predicated on three basic principles, violations of which would impair the auditors independence:
(1) an auditor cannot function in the role of management, (2) an auditor cannot audit his or her
own work, and (3) an auditor cannot serve in an advocacy role for his or her client. Thus, in
evaluating whether a proposed engagement presents a material risk of compromising the independence
of the Independent Auditor, the factors that the Audit Committee will typically consider will
include whether the service in question is likely to cause the Independent Auditor to function in a
management role, to be put in the position of auditing its own work, or to serve in an advocacy
role for the Corporation. In addition, the Audit Committee believes that the risk of such
compromise may increase in direct proportion to the volume of non-audit services performed by the
Independent Auditor. Accordingly, it is the policy of the Audit Committee that, in the absence of
very strong countervailing considerations, the total amount of fees payable to the Independent
Auditor on account of non-audit services with respect to any fiscal year should not exceed the
total amount of audit fees plus audit-related fees (as both such terms are used in the SEC Rules)
plus tax-compliance/return-preparation services payable to the Independent Auditor with respect to
such year. Solely for purposes of the preceding sentence, amounts payable with respect to
audit-related services and tax- compliance/return-preparation services will not be considered fees
payable on account of non-audit services. This policy is adopted with the intent to maintain
Committee flexibility in circumstances under which the proposed engagement is likely to provide the
Corporation with benefits that substantially outweigh the risk to independence.
In order to assist the Audit Committee in applying this policy, any officer or other employee
of the Corporation who proposes to engage the Independent Auditor to perform non-audit services
will be expected to submit such a proposal in writing to the Audit Committee accompanied by the
following supporting materials:
1. A detailed description of each service proposed to be provided by the Independent
Auditor.
2. An estimate of the amount of fees that the Independent Auditor is likely to be paid for
performance of the non-audit services in question.
The Committee may also request the following:
1. A description of the extent, if any, to which the non-audit services in question are
likely to cause the Independent Auditor to function in the role of management, to recommend
actions by the Corporation that the Independent Auditor may be called upon to review in its
role as the Corporations Independent Auditor, or to serve as an advocate for the
Corporation.
2. A description of the qualifications of the Independent Auditor that demonstrate its
capability to perform each of the non-audit services in question.
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3. The name or names of service-providers who were considered as alternatives to the
Independent Auditor to perform the services in question, and a description of the
qualifications of each such alternative service-provider relating to its capability to
perform the services in question.
4. A detailed explanation of the benefits that the Corporation is expected to enjoy as a
result of engaging the Independent Auditor, rather than an alternative service-provider, to
perform the non-audit service in question.
Any officer of the Corporation may contract for non-audit services without following the Audit
Committee pre-approval process outlined above subject to the following constraints;
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1. |
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The total amount of the estimated fees for the non-audit services shall be less
than $5,000; |
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2. |
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The action of such officer of the Corporation to engage the Independent Auditor
to perform non-audit services and the payment of the related fees must be presented for
ratification and approval at the next meeting of the Audit Committee; |
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3. |
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None of the non-audit services are those services whose performance by the
Independent Auditor is prohibited by law, including but not limited to those services
that are prohibited by 15 U.SD.C. §78j-1(g)), or by §210.2-01(4) of the SEC Rules (17
CFR Part 210.2-01(c)(4)), as amended; |
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Upon the engagement of the Independent Auditor, such officer shall immediately
provide notice to the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the engagement. |
The Audit Committee will typically be inclined to approve requests to engage the Independent
Auditor to provide those types of non-audit services that are closely related to the audit services
performed by the Independent Auditor, such as audit-related services,
tax-compliance/return-preparation services, and due diligence services relating to transactions
that the Corporation may be considering from time to time. Because such non-audit services bear a
close relationship to the audit services provided by the Independent Auditor, the Audit Committee
believes that they will not ordinarily present a material risk of compromising the Independent
Auditors independence, subject to the Audit Committees policy concerning the total amount payable
to the Independent Auditor for non-audit services with respect to any fiscal year.
Under no circumstances will the Audit Committee approve the engagement of the Independent
Auditor for the performance of services that are prohibited by section 201(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C.
§78j-1(g)), or by §210.2-01(4) of the SEC Rules (17 CFR Part 210.2-01(c)(4)). Such prohibited
services include the following:
1. Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements
of the Corporation, unless the results of those services will not be subject to audit
procedures during an audit of the Corporations financial statements;
2. Services relating to the design or implementation of financial information systems,
unless the results of such services will not be subject to audit procedures during an audit
of the Corporations financial statements;
3. Services relating to appraisals or valuations, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind
reports, unless the results of such services will not be subject to audit procedures during
an audit of the Corporations financial statements;
4. Any actuarially-oriented services (other than assisting the Corporation in understanding
the methods, models, assumptions, and inputs used in computing an amount), unless the
results of those services will not be subject to audit procedures during an audit of the
Corporations financial statements;
5. Internal audit outsourcing services relating to the Corporations internal accounting
controls, financial systems, or financial statements, unless the results of such services
will not be subject to audit procedures during an audit of the Corporations financial
statements;
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6. Any management functions, whether or not temporary, including any decision-making,
supervisory, or ongoing monitoring function for the Corporation;
7. Any services relating to human resources of the Corporation, including searching for,
testing, investigating, negotiating, or providing recommendations or advice with respect to
human resources or prospective human resources;
8. Any services relating to acting as a broker-dealer, promoter, or underwriter for the
Corporation, including providing advice, exercising discretionary authority, or assuming
custodial responsibility with respect to investment decisions or assets of the Corporation;
9. Any service that can be provided only by a person licensed, admitted, or otherwise
qualified to practice law in the jurisdiction in which the service is to be rendered;
10. Providing an expert opinion or other expert service for the Corporation, or for the
Corporations legal representative, for the purpose of advocating the Corporations
interests in litigation or in a regulatory or administrative proceeding or investigation,
except for factual accounts or testimony explaining work that the Independent Auditor has
performed, positions that the Independent Auditor has taken, or conclusions that the
Independent Auditor has reached during the performance of any permitted service for the
Corporation; and
11. Any other service that the Public Corporation Accounting Oversight Board may from time
to time determine by regulation to be impermissible.
Between meetings of the Audit Committee, the Chair of the Committee is authorized to review
and, where consistent with this policy, to pre-approve non-audit services proposed to be performed
by the Independent Auditor that are budgeted for fees of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) or less.
The Chair shall report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee as soon as practicable and
in any event at its next scheduled meeting.
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CITIZENS
& NORTHERN CORPORATION
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD APRIL 15, 2008
The undersigned hereby appoints R. Robert DeCamp and Edward L. Learn, and each or either of them,
as the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution in each, to vote
all shares of the common stock of Citizens & Northern Corporation which the undersigned would be
entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday,
April 15, 2008, at 2:00 P.M. (local time), at Citizens & Northern Bank, 90 Main Street, Wellsboro,
Pennsylvania 16901, and at any adjournments thereof, and to vote as follows:
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ELECTION OF CLASS III DIRECTORS.
Nominees: Dennis, F. Beardslee, Jan E. Fisher, Craig G. Litchfield, and Ann M. Tyler. |
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VOTE FOR all nominees listed above (except as marked to the contrary below)
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o VOTE WITHHELD from all nominees listed above. |
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(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominees name on the space provided above.)
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APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION 1995 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN. |
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o VOTE FOR
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o VOTE AGAINST
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o ABSTAIN |
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APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN. |
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o VOTE FOR
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o VOTE AGAINST
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o ABSTAIN |
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OTHER MATTERS. In their discretion, to vote with respect to any other matters that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof. |
WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE STOCKHOLDER. UNLESS
OTHERWISE INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION AS DIRECTORS OF THE NOMINEES LISTED
IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.
PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS HEREON. When shares are held as joint tenants, both should
sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full
title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
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Dated: , 2008
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Signature |
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Signature |
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PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.