Proxy Statement (Form DEF 14A)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SCHEDULE 14AINFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |
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Check the appropriate box:
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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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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12 |
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Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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No fee required. |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders of
For more information on how to attend the annual meeting, please see the instructions in the accompanying proxy statement, beginning on page 94.
At the annual meeting, shareholders will be asked to:
1. | elect directors to serve until the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders; |
2. | approve the |
3. | ratify the appointment of |
4. | approve the compensation of our named executive officers (an advisory, non-binding "Say on Pay" resolution); and |
5. | transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. |
At the annual meeting, we will also report on our condition and performance in 2024, and you will have an opportunity to submit questions.
Your vote is very important.I encourage you to read our 2025 proxy statement, our 2024 annual report to shareholders, and the other proxy materials. Please submit your proxy as soon as possible by internet, telephone, or mail to ensure your vote is represented at the annual meeting, regardless of whether you plan to attend the meeting.
We value your continued support and loyalty. Thank you.
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Very truly yours, |
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS |
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Date and Time: |
Live Audio Webcast: |
Matters to be Voted on:
● | Electing directors to serve until the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders; |
● | A proposal to approve the |
● | A proposal to ratify the appointment of |
● | A proposal to approve the compensation of our named executive officers (an advisory, non-binding "Say on Pay" resolution); and |
● | Any other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. |
Record Date:
Our common shareholders, as of the close of business on
Your Vote is Very Important:
Our annual meeting will be held solely by means of remote communication via a live audio webcast. You will be able to participate in the virtual annual meeting online, vote your shares electronically during the meeting, and submit questions prior to and during the meeting. You will not be able to attend the meeting in person.
Please submit your proxy as soon as possible by internet, telephone, or mail to ensure your representation at the annual meeting, regardless of whether you plan to attend the meeting. Please refer to the discussion beginning on page 91 of the proxy statement for information on how to vote your shares and attend our annual meeting virtually.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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General Counsel/Corporate Secretary |
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for |
PROXY STATEMENT |
Table of Contents
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Proposal 2-Approval of the |
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Proposal 3-Ratification of the Appointment of Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
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Stock Ownership of Directors, Executive Officers and Certain Beneficial Owners |
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72 |
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Interests of Directors and Executive Officers in Certain Transactions |
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91 |
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94 |
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95 |
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Appendix A - |
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A-1 |
GENERAL |
The Board of Directors (the "Board") of
Proxy Materials
We mailed to most of our shareholders a Notice of Internet Availability of our Proxy Materials (the "Notice of Internet Availability") with instructions on how to access our proxy materials over the Internet and how to vote. The Notice of Internet Availability or, in some cases, this proxy statement, and the accompanying form of proxy, was first mailed to shareholders on or about
Website
Website references throughout this proxy statement are provided for convenience only, and the content on the referenced websites is not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY |
Voting Your Shares
You may vote at our 2025 annual meeting if you were a common shareholder as of the close of business on
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Online Before the Meeting |
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By Mail |
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By Telephone |
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Online During the Meeting |
If you are a beneficial (or street name) holder and you would like to vote during the meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee and submit it to our transfer agent in advance of the meeting. See "Voting and Other Information" beginning on page 91 for more information.
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Proposals For Your Vote |
Board Voting |
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Election of directors |
"FOR" each nominee |
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Approval of the |
"FOR" |
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3. |
Ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm for 2025 |
"FOR" |
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Approval of the compensation of our named executive officers (an advisory, non-binding "Say on Pay" resolution) |
"FOR" |
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Attending our Annual Meeting
To attend, vote, and submit questions during our annual meeting, visit https://meetnow.global/MGCLYA7 and enter the control number found on your Notice of Internet Availability or on your proxy card. If you do not have a control number, you may still attend the meeting as a guest in listen-only mode, but you will not be able to vote your shares or otherwise participate in the meeting. If you hold your shares in street name through a bank, broker, or other nominee, you must register in advance of the meeting to vote and ask questions during the meeting. See "Attending Our Annual Meeting" beginning on page 94 for more information.
The live audio webcast of the meeting will begin promptly at
PROPOSAL 1-ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
Pending Merger with
On
Under the merger agreement, at the effective time of the merger, we must increase the size of our Board by three and three current members of the board of directors of
The Board has nominated
Board Size
Our bylaws provide that the number of directors on the Board will be fixed from time to time by the Board. As of the date of this proxy statement, the size of our Board is fixed at 14 directors.
As described above, if the merger is completed before our 2025 annual meeting, our Board will increase its size by three to 17 directors, and
If the merger is completed before our 2025 annual meeting, the size of the Board following the 2025 annual meeting will be fixed at 17 directors. However, if the merger is not completed before our 2025 annual meeting,the size of the Board following the 2025 annual meeting will remain at 14 directors.
Nominees for Election as Directors
Our directors are elected annually to a one-year term to expire at the next annual meeting of shareholders or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.If the merger is completed before the 2025 annual meeting, shareholders will vote on the 17 nominees listed below. If the merger is not completed before the 2025 annual meeting,
Each director nominee has consented to being named in this proxy statement and to serving as a director if elected. If any nominee is unable to stand for election for any reason, the shares represented at our annual meeting may be voted for another candidate proposed by our Board, or our Board may choose to reduce its size.
Nominee |
Age |
Principal Occupation |
Director |
Independent |
Committee |
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62 |
Chief Executive Officer of Medical Technology Solutions |
2025+ |
Yes |
- |
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72 |
Former President and Chief Executive Officer of |
2024 |
Yes |
Executive, Nominating and Corporate Governance, Risk |
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59 |
President of the Company; Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Bank |
2016 |
No |
Executive |
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70 |
Managing Shareholder of |
2018 |
Yes |
Audit (C), Executive, |
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58 |
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Digital Transformation Officer at |
2022 |
Yes |
Compensation, Risk |
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58 |
President of |
2019 |
Yes |
Audit, Compensation |
Paul Engola |
53 |
Former |
2023 |
Yes |
Nominating and |
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65 |
Former Chief Financial Officer, Vice Chair and Chief Administrative Officer of |
2023 |
Yes |
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68 |
Former Chief Financial Officer of |
2004 |
Yes |
Nominating and |
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66 |
Former Managing Director and Head of Financial Services Investment Banking for |
2025+ |
Yes |
- |
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49 |
Chief Human Resources Officer of |
2023 |
Yes |
Compensation, Trust |
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65 |
Former Senior Vice President of |
2012 |
Yes |
Compensation (C), |
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60 |
Chief Executive Officer for |
2025+ |
Yes |
- |
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61 |
President, |
2024 |
Yes |
Audit, Trust (C) |
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Nominee |
Age |
Principal Occupation |
Director |
Independent |
Committee |
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69 |
Managing Director and Head, Mid-Atlantic Public Finance at |
2003 |
Yes |
Executive (C) |
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67 |
Former Partner at |
2014 |
Yes |
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69 |
Former |
2018 |
Yes |
Compensation, |
* Excludes director service with companies merged with the Company.
+ Assumes the merger is completed before our 2025 annual meeting.
Identifying and Evaluating Director Candidates
Our Board regularly reviews and evaluates its size and composition. Our
When considering a candidate for membership on the Board, the
Consistent with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which includes provisions with respect to the selection, composition and performance of the Board, the
● | demonstrate integrity, accountability, informed judgment, financial literacy, and vision; |
● | encompass a range of talent, skill and expertise sufficient to provide sound and prudent guidance, which would be of assistance to management in operating our business; |
● | can devote the necessary time to discharge their duties; and |
● | are prepared to represent the interests of all of our shareholders and not just one particular constituency. |
Under the merger agreement with
As discussed above, under the merger agreement with Sandy Spring, at the effective time of the merger, we will increase the size of the Board by three and appoint three current members of the board of directors of
Skills Matrix and Description of Director Nominees' Knowledge, Skills and Experience
The matrix below provides information regarding our director nominees' knowledge, skills and experience that we believe are most relevant in light of our business, long-term strategies and risks. Our nominees represent a broad range of backgrounds and experience, and each nominee possesses numerous other competencies not identified below. Additional information on why we view such knowledge, skills and experience as important is discussed following the matrix. The fact that a nominee is not designated as having a particular attribute does not indicate that the nominee does not possess that attribute or would not be able to make a meaningful contribution to the Board's decision-making or oversight in that area. As discussed above,
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Knowledge, Skills and Experience |
Abutaleb |
Agee |
Asbury |
Corbin |
Delorier |
Ellett |
Engola |
Kimble |
McCann |
Micklem |
O'Hara |
Schreiner |
Schrider |
Shepherd |
Tillett |
Wampler |
Wimbush |
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Executive Leadership |
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Finance and Accounting |
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Banking/Financial Services |
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Technology/Cybersecurity |
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Strategic Planning |
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Human Capital/Compensation |
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Risk Management |
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Legal and Regulatory |
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Retail Distribution/Marketing |
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Mergers and Acquisitions |
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Executive Leadership |
Human Capital/Compensation |
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We value directors with experience serving as senior executives running public companies, private companies or other organizations, as this enhances the Board's perspective of our operations and challenges. |
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Our success depends in part on our ability to attract, retain, develop and motivate our human capital, including our senior leadership. We value directors with experience in compensation, incentive planning and talent management. |
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Finance and Accounting |
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Risk Management |
We use numerous financial metrics to measure our performance and we are subject to complex accounting and financial reporting requirements. We value directors with experience in finance and accounting, which helps them more effectively oversee and assess our operating and strategic performance and financial reporting. |
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Our Board plays a critical role in the oversight of risk. We value directors with experience in overseeing or managing risks and who understand the most significant risks that we face. |
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Banking/Financial Services |
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We value directors who have experience in our industry, which provides the Board with valuable insight into our challenges and opportunities. |
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We operate in a heavily regulated industry and we value directors with knowledge of the laws and regulations applicable to the banking industry and corporations generally. |
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Technology/Cybersecurity |
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Retail Distribution/Marketing |
We rely on information technology systems to conduct our business. We value directors with experience in technology strategies and innovation and/or mitigating and managing cybersecurity risk, which helps enhance our oversight of technology and cybersecurity risks. |
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We provide products and services through our retail branch network and our technology offerings. We value directors with experience in building customer relationships, branding, and the use of digital marketing. |
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Strategic Planning |
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Mergers and Acquisitions |
We value directors with experience in defining and driving strategic direction and growth, which helps the Board critically evaluate our strategic plans. |
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We regularly evaluate strategic opportunities and we value directors with experience with mergers and acquisitions. |
Biographical Information of Our Director Nominees
Set forth below are each nominee's name, age as of the date of this proxy statement, principal occupation, business experience, and
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Age 62 | |
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Age 72 | Director Since 2024 | |
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Age 59 | Director Since 2016 | |
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Age 70 | Director Since 2018 | |
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Age 58 | Director Since 2022 | |
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Age 58 | Director Since 2019 | |
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Paul Engola |
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Age 53 | Director Since 2023 | Mr.Engola is the former Deputy Group President of the Mr. Engola's extensive business experience, including his expertise in executive leadership, technology, strategic planning, human capital management, risk management, and mergers and acquisitions, allows him to contribute substantially to our Board. |
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Age 65 | Director Since 2023 | |
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Age 68 | Director Since 2004 | |
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Age 66 | |
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Age 49 | Director Since 2023 | |
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Age 65 | Director Since 2012 | |
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Age 60 | |
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Age 61 | Director Since 2024 | |
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Age 69 | Director Since 2003 | |
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Age 67 | Director Since 2014 | |
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Age 69 | Director Since 2018 | |
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Our Board recommends you vote"FOR"each of the nominees listed above for election as a director. |
Retirement Policy
Our bylaws provide that no director may serve on the Board after the annual meeting following his or her 72nd birthday, other than those directors the Board has determined to be exempt from the mandatory retirement provision.
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PROPOSAL 2-ApprovAL OF the |
Our Board adopted the
If approved by our shareholders, the 2025 Plan will replace in its entirety the Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation Stock and Incentive Plan, as amended and restated
Features of the 2025 Plan
The significant features of the 2025 Plan are summarized below. This summary, however, is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the 2025 Plan. To aid your understanding, the full text of the 2025 Plan, as proposed for approval by our shareholders, is provided in Appendix Ato this proxy statement.
Reasons to Approve the 2025 Plan
We believe that approval of the 2025 Plan is necessary for us to continue to offer a competitive compensation program because equity incentive awards, designed to reward long-term growth and profitability, to align compensation with shareholder interests and to attract and retain highly qualified executive leaders, are a fundamental component of our total compensation program, as discussed further under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." Equity awards also make up an important component of our non-employee director compensation, as described under "Director Compensation."
The Compensation Committee anticipates that the shares of common stock that will be available for new award grants under the 2025 Plan if shareholders approve this proposal will provide us with flexibility to continue to grant equity awards for approximately five years following the 2025 annual meeting. In addition, the closing of our pending merger with Sandy Spring, which we expect to close on
If shareholders do not approve the 2025 Plan, we may continue to grant awards under the existing 2021 Plan, although the pool of approximately 127,943 shares remaining available under the 2021 Plan as of
2025 Plan Highlights
The 2025 Plan provides for the grant of awards to eligible employees and non-employee directors that may include one or more of the following: stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock awards, performance share units and performance cash awards (collectively, the "awards"). The 2025 Plan will enable us to continue to ensure that our compensation programs are competitive in attracting, motivating, and retaining high level talent, are commensurate with our financial performance, and are generally aligned with the interests of our shareholders.
Some of the key features of the 2025 Plan that enable us to maintain sound governance practices in granting awards include:
● | No "Evergreen" Provision:Shares authorized for issuance under the 2025 Plan are not automatically replenished. |
● | Encourages Double-Trigger Acceleration in Certain Change in Control Situations:The 2025 Plan includes principles that encourage "double-trigger" vesting in certain change in control situations. Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, the 2025 Plan provides that if outstanding awards are assumed, converted, or replaced by the surviving entity in a change in control, the vesting of those awards will only accelerate if the participant's employment or service terminates in certain situations in connection with or within two years after the change in control. |
● | No Liberal Share Counting for Stock Options:The 2025 Plan prohibits us from re-using shares that are tendered or surrendered to pay the exercise price or tax obligation for grants of stock options. The only shares that are re-used in the 2025 Plan are for awards that have been canceled, forfeited, or expired, settled in cash, or subject to share withholding to cover tax obligations for full-value awards such as restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share units, or unrestricted shares. |
● | No Discounted Stock Options:The 2025 Plan prohibits the grant of stock options with an exercise price less than the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date. |
● | No Repricing of Stock Options:The 2025 Plan generally prohibits the repricing of stock options without shareholder approval. |
● | No Dividends or Dividend Equivalent Payments on Unearned Performance Awards or on Options:The 2025 Plan prohibits the payment of dividends or dividend equivalents or similar distributions on awards that are subject to performance goals unless and until such performance goals have been met. The 2025 Plan also prohibits the payment of dividend equivalents or similar distributions on stock options. |
● | Protective Provisions and Clawback:Awards under the 2025 Plan are subject to the terms of any recoupment, clawback, or similar policy we may have in effect from time to time, including our Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy, as well as any similar provisions of applicable law, regulation or stock exchange requirement. |
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● | Term of 2025 Plan:No awards may be granted under the 2025 Plan more than ten years from its effective date. |
Key Data
Overhang and Potential Dilution
The following table provides certain additional information regarding total awards outstanding under the 2021 Plan as of
Arch 3 |
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Number of outstanding stock options granted under the 2021 Plan |
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Weighted average exercise price of outstanding stock options granted under the 2021 Plan |
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Weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding stock options granted under the 2021 Plan |
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Number of outstanding unvested restricted stock awards granted under the 2021 Plan |
658,001 |
820,220 |
Number of outstanding unvested performance share unit awards granted under the 2021 Plan (assuming target performance) |
262,040 |
317,636 |
Shares available for grant under the 2021 Plan |
666,206 |
127,943 |
As noted above, if the 2025 Plan is approved by shareholders, no new awards will be made under the 2021 Plan and the shares available for grant under the 2021 Plan noted above will no longer be available. Instead, new awards will be made from the 2,500,000 shares reserved for issuance under the 2025 Plan.
Potential dilution is equal to the number of shares associated with outstanding awards plus the number of shares available for future awards under a plan divided by the sum of (a) the total number of shares of common stock outstanding and (b) the total outstanding and available shares under the plan. As of
BuRate
The following table sets forth information to calculate our burate under the 2021 Plan for the last three fiscal years.
Year Ended |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Number of stock options granted |
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Number of time-based restricted stock awards granted |
273,010 |
349,224 |
461,330 |
Number of performance share unit awards granted (1) |
82,754 |
91,152 |
106,370 |
Total share usage under the 2021 Plan |
355,764 |
440,376 |
567,700 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding |
74,949,109 |
74,961,390 |
86,149,978 |
Burate (2) |
1.19% |
1.47% |
1.65% |
(1) | The number of performance share units with a performance-based condition is presented based on achieving the performance measure at the target level of performance. |
(2) | For purposes of the burate calculation, full-value awards granted were converted to option equivalents using a conversion factor of 2.5 and divided by the weighted-average common shares outstanding. |
Purpose of the 2025 Plan
The purpose of the 2025 Plan is to promote our success by providing greater incentive to eligible employees and non-employee directors to associate their personal interests with our long-term financial success and with growth in shareholder value, consistent with our risk management practices. The plan is designed to provide us and our subsidiaries flexibility in our ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of eligible employees and non-employee directors on whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of our operations largely depends.
Administration
The 2025 Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board, unless the Board determines otherwise. The Compensation Committee has the power to select plan participants and to grant awards on terms that it considers appropriate. In addition, subject to the terms of the 2025 Plan, the Compensation Committee has the authority, among other things, to amend outstanding awards and accelerate the vesting thereof, to interpret the plan, to adopt, amend, or waive rules or regulations for the plan's administration, and to make all other determinations for administration of the plan. The Compensation Committee may delegate authority under the 2025 Plan to our Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer or to another member of our management, except in the case of awards to our named executive officers or any individual who is subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").
Eligibility
The 2025 Plan provides that awards may be granted to our employees and non-employee directors, including members of regional advisory boards, and the employees and non-employee directors of our subsidiaries.
For purposes of incentive stock option awards, the 2025 Plan defines a subsidiary as a corporation, at least 50% of the total combined voting power of which is owned by us or another one of our subsidiaries, as required under tax rules applicable to incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). For all other award types, the 2025 Plan defines a subsidiary to include any entity, at least 50% of the total -combined voting or ownership interest of which is owned by us or another one of our subsidiaries, except to the extent a different definition is required under Section 409A of the Code.
If shareholders approve this proposal, approximately 675 employees and 14 non-employee directors would be eligible to receive awards under the 2025 Plan, as of
of
No Repricing
The 2025 Plan prohibits stock option repricing, including by way of exchange for another award (except in connection with a corporate transaction such as a change in control or an event referred to in the Changes in Capitalization and Similar Changes section below) unless the repricing is submitted to and approved by our shareholders.
Shares Subject to the 2025 Plan
Subject to approval by our shareholders, the aggregate number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2025 Plan is 2,500,000, less any shares with respect to awards granted under the 2021 Plan after
As of
In general, if any award granted under the 2025 Plan terminates, is cancelled, expires, or lapses for any reason other than as a result of exercise or settlement, or if shares issued pursuant to an award are forfeited, the shares associated with such award will be available for future awards under the plan. In addition, any shares underlying an award that is settled in cash rather than by issuance of shares will be available for future awards under the plan, as will any shares withheld or tendered to cover required tax withholdings on full value awards, such as restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share units, or unrestricted shares. In contrast, any shares withheld by us, delivered by the participant, or otherwise used to pay an option exercise price or withholding taxes associated with a stock option will not be available for future awards under the plan. In other words, in the event shares are withheld or delivered in connection with an option exercise, the number of shares available for future awards will be reduced by the gross number of shares to which the exercise relates, rather than the net number of new shares issued upon the exercise.
Limits on Incentive Stock Options
No more than 2,500,000 shares may be granted under the 2025 Plan as "incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
Types of Awards under the 2025 Plan
Stock Options
A stock option entitles the participant to purchase shares of our common stock at the exercise price. Stock options granted under the plan may be incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options; however, only employees are eligible to receive incentive stock options. The Compensation Committee will fix the exercise price at the time the stock option is granted, provided that the exercise price cannot be less than 100% of the shares' fair market value on the grant date (or, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% shareholder of our common stock, 110% of the shares' fair market value on the grant date). To the extent approved by the Compensation Committee from time to time, the exercise price may be paid in cash, through a broker-assisted cashless exercise, by delivery of shares of common stock having a fair market value at the time of exercise equal to the exercise price, by us withholding shares otherwise issuable upon the exercise having a fair market value at the time of exercise equal to the exercise price, or by a combination of the foregoing. Stock options may be exercised at such times and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by the Compensation Committee, provided that no option will be exercisable after ten years from the grant date (or, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% shareholder of our common stock, after five years from the grant date).
The aggregate value of incentive stock options, based on the shares' fair market value on the grant date, that can be exercisable for the first time in any calendar year under the plan or any other similar plan maintained by us is limited to
A participant holding stock options has no right to vote the underlying shares until after the exercise of the stock options and the issuance of the underlying shares. No stock option may include any right to dividend equivalents with respect to the stock option or the underlying shares.
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock is stock that is subject to forfeiture and may not be transferred by a participant until the period of restriction established by the Compensation Committee lapses. The period of restriction may lapse based on a period of time during which the participant must remain employed or serving on the applicable board or after meeting one or more performance goals specified by the Compensation Committee, or both. Holders of restricted stock have voting rights, and, unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, holders of restricted stock subject only to time-based vesting are entitled to receive all dividends paid with respect to the shares of restricted stock during the period of restriction. For shares of restricted stock subject to one or more performance goals, dividends may be accumulated during the period of restriction but will not be paid unless and until the applicable performance goals have been met. Subject to any exceptions authorized by the Compensation Committee, shares of restricted stock (and any accumulated dividends) will be forfeited if any performance goals established with respect to such awards are not achieved within the required time period.
Restricted Stock Units Awards
A restricted stock unit is an award that is valued by reference to a share of common stock. Payment of the value of restricted stock units may not be made until the period of restriction established by the Compensation Committee lapses. The period of restriction may lapse based on a period of time during which the participant must remain employed or serving on the applicable board or after meeting one or more performance goals specified by the Compensation Committee, or both.
Holders of restricted stock units have no right to vote the shares represented by the units and are not eligible to receive dividend payments on the units (because dividend payments are only available for shares that have been issued and are outstanding). Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, holders of restricted stock units also have no right to receive dividend equivalents in connection with the units. The Compensation Committee may provide for dividend equivalents with respect to restricted stock units under such terms and subject to such limitations as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, provided, however, that for restricted stock units subject to one or more performance goals, any dividend equivalents may be accumulated during the period of restriction but will not be paid unless and until the applicable performance goals have been met.
Subject to any exceptions authorized by the Compensation Committee, restricted stock units (and any accumulated dividend equivalents) will be forfeited if any performance goals established with respect to such awards are not achieved within the required time period.
Payment for vested restricted stock units may be made in cash or shares of common stock or a combination thereof at the time of vesting or, if provided for in the applicable award agreement, on a delayed basis either electively or mandatorily. If paid on a delayed basis, the payment amount may be adjusted for deemed interest or earnings on such basis as the Compensation Committee may provide.
Stock Awards
Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, a stock award is fully vested and freely transferable as of the date the award is granted, subject to restrictions under applicable federal or state securities laws.
Performance Share Unit Awards
A performance share unit is an award that is valued by reference to a share of common stock and is subject to achievement of one or more performance goals established and certified by the Compensation Committee.
Performance share units may be paid in cash or shares of common stock or a combination thereof. Holders of performance share units have no right to vote the shares represented by the units. While holders of performance share units are not eligible to receive actual dividend payments (because dividend payments are only available for shares that have been issued and are outstanding), the Compensation Committee may provide for payment of dividend equivalents with respect to a performance share unit award under such terms and subject to such limitations as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, provided, however, that any dividend equivalents may be accumulated but will not be paid unless and until the applicable performance goals have been met.
Subject to any exceptions authorized by the Compensation Committee, performance share units (and any accumulated dividend equivalents) will be forfeited if any performance goals established with respect to such awards are not achieved within the required time period.
Performance Cash Awards
A performance cash award is a cash award based on performance goals established and certified by the Compensation Committee.
Subject to any exceptions authorized by the Compensation Committee, no amounts will be payable pursuant to a performance cash award if any performance goals established with respect to such award are not achieved within the required time period.
Performance Goals
For performance-based awards under the 2025 Plan, such as performance share units and performance cash awards, the Compensation Committee will determine one or more performance goals applicable to the award as well as the performance period during which a performance goal must be met, provided that for performance-based equity awards under the 2025 Plan, the performance period will be at least one year, subject to applicable provisions regarding accelerated vesting events. Attainment of any performance goal is subject to certification by the Compensation Committee. Performance goals may include a threshold level of performance below which no payment or vesting may occur, levels of performance at which specified payments or specified vesting will occur, and a maximum level of performance above which no additional payment or vesting will occur.
If shareholders approve this proposal, then under the 2025 Plan, at the Compensation Committee's discretion, the performance goals for any performance period may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: (i) stock value or increases therein; (ii) total shareholder return; (iii) operating revenue; (iv) tangible book value or tangible book value growth, tangible book value per share, or growth in tangible book value per share; (v) earnings per share or earnings per share growth; (vi) fully diluted earnings per share after extraordinary events; (vii) net earnings; (viii) earnings and/or earnings growth (before or after one or more of taxes, interest, depreciation, and/or amortization), operating earnings and/or operating earnings growth; (ix) profits or profit growth (net profit, gross profit, operating profit, economic profit, profit margins, or other corporate profit measures); (x) operating cash flow; (xi) operating or other expenses or growth thereof; (xii) operating efficiency; (xiii) retuon equity; (xiv) retuon tangible equity or retuon tangible common equity; (xv) retuon assets, capital, or investment; (xvi) sales or revenues or growth thereof; (xvii) deposits, loan and/or equity levels or growth thereof; (xviii) working capital targets; (xix) assets under management or growth thereof; (xx) cost control measures; (xxi) regulatory compliance; (xxii) gross, operating, or other margins; (xxiii) efficiency ratio (as generally recognized and used for bank financial reporting and analysis); (xiv) interest income; (xxv) net interest income; (xxvi) net interest margin; (xxvii) non-interest income; (xxviii) non-interest expense; (xxix) credit quality, net charge-offs, and/or non-performing assets (excluding such loans or classes of loans as may be designated for exclusion); (xxx) percentage of non-accrual loans to total loans or net charge-off ratio; (xxxi) provision expense; (xxxii) productivity; (xxxiii) customer satisfaction; (xxxiv) satisfactory internal or external audits; (xxxv) improvement of financial ratings; (xxxvi) achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives; (xxxvii) quality measures; (xxxviii) regulatory exam results; (xxxix) achievement of risk management objectives; (xl) achievement of strategic performance objectives; (xli) achievement of merger or acquisition objectives; (xlii) implementation, management, or completion of critical projects or processes; or (xliii) any component or components of the foregoing (including, without limitation, determination thereof, in the Compensation Committee's sole discretion, with or without the effect of discontinued operations and dispositions of business units or segments, non-recurring items, material extraordinary items that are both unusual
and infrequent, non-budgeted items, an event or series of events either not directly related to our operations or not within the reasonable control of our management, special charges, accruals for acquisitions, reorganization, and restructuring programs, and/or changes in tax law, accounting principles, or other such laws or provisions affecting our reported results).
In the Compensation Committee's discretion, the performance goals may be particular to a participant and applied either individually, alternatively, or in any combination, subset or component, to our performance as a whole or to the performance of a subsidiary, division, strategic business unit, line of business or business segment, measured either quarterly, annually or cumulatively over a period of years or partial years, in each case as specified by the Compensation Committee in the award. In addition, the performance goals may be absolute in their terms or measured against or in relationship to a pre-established target, our budget or budgeted results, previous period results, a market index, a designated comparison group of other companies comparably, similarly or otherwise situated, or any combination thereof.
In addition, to the extent permitted by the applicable award agreement, the Compensation Committee also has the discretion to adjust the performance goals applicable to an award, adjust the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of the performance goals, and adjust the length of the performance period in which one or more performance goals must be achieved.
Transferability
In general, stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance share units granted under the 2025 Plan may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise encumbered by a participant, other than upon the death of the participant. A participant may designate a beneficiary to receive any award that may be paid or exercised after his or her death. The 2025 Plan does permit, however, the grant of non-qualified stock options that are transferable not-for-value to certain family members (or certain related trusts or entities), in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Change in Control
In the event of a "change in control" (as defined in the 2025 Plan), the Compensation Committee may, at the time an award is made or thereafter, take such action as it deems appropriate, in its sole discretion and without the consent of the participant, which may include, without limitation, the following actions: (i) provide for the purchase, settlement, or cancellation of any award for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise of such award or realization of such participant's rights had such award been currently exercisable or payable; (ii) adjust outstanding awards as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate to retain the economic value of the award; or (iii) cause any outstanding award to be assumed, or new rights substituted therefor, by the acquiring or surviving corporation in such change in control.
In connection with a change in control, the Compensation Committee may provide for full or partial acceleration of the vesting, delivery, and exercisability of, and the lapse of time-based and/or performance-based vesting restrictions with respect to, an outstanding award, and for the replacement of a stock-settled award with a cash-settled award. Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, if an award is assumed by the surviving corporation or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with a change in control, the vesting, delivery, and exercisability of, or the lapse of restrictions on, such award will not be accelerated unless, for an employee, the participant's employment with us or a subsidiary is terminated without cause or the participant resigns for good reason under an applicable plan or agreement in connection with or within two years after the change in control, or, for a non-employee director, the participant's service terminates in connection with or within two years after the change in control (commonly referred to as "double-trigger" acceleration). These principles in the 2025 Plan encourage the use of double-trigger acceleration for awards that are assumed by the surviving corporation (or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with a change in control) as a good governance practice.
While the Board recognizes the benefits of double-trigger acceleration in certain change in control circumstances and has included the principles described above for this reason, the Board also believes it is appropriate to retain flexibility in the specific terms of equity awards granted under the 2025 Plan and to avoid restricting the range of available options for structuring incentive compensation opportunities for our executives and other employees. The Board believes that the Compensation Committee, which is composed entirely of independent directors and is advised by an independent compensation consultant, is in the best position to determine when to apply the double-trigger principles described above.
Changes in Capitalization and Similar Changes
In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or combination of shares, spin-off, recapitalization or merger in which we are the surviving corporation, consolidation, reorganization, reclassification, extraordinary cash dividend, exchange of shares or other similar change in our capital stock in which the number or class of shares is changed, the aggregate number and kind of shares reserved under the plan for outstanding awards and future awards and the exercise price, annual limits, and other relevant provisions will be proportionately, equitably and appropriately adjusted by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. For instance, a two-for-one stock split would generally double the number of shares reserved under the plan for future awards and the number of shares subject to outstanding awards.
Termination of or Changes to the 2025 Plan and Awards
Our Board may terminate, amend, or modify the 2025 Plan in any respect without shareholder approval, unless the particular amendment or modification requires shareholder approval under the Code, the rules and regulations under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations of the exchange on which our common shares are then listed, by any regulatory body having jurisdiction with respect thereto, or pursuant to any other applicable laws, rules, or regulations. No termination, amendment, or modification of the 2025 Plan, other than in connection with a change in control or capital adjustments pursuant to the plan or as required by applicable law, may adversely affect any awards previously granted under the plan without the participant's written consent.
Clawback
All awards under the 2025 Plan (whether vested or unvested) will be subject to the terms of any recoupment, clawback, or similar policy we may have in effect from time to time, including our Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy, as well as any similar provisions of applicable law, regulation or stock exchange requirements, which could in certain circumstances require repayment or forfeiture of awards or any shares of common stock or other cash or property received with respect to the awards, including any value received from a disposition of the shares of common stock acquired upon payment of the awards.
Banking Regulatory Provision
All awards under the 2025 Plan will be subject to any condition, limitation, or prohibition under any financial institution regulatory policy or rule to which we or any of our subsidiaries are then subject.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a brief summary of the
Stock Option
A participant who is granted a nonqualified stock option will not recognize any income for federal income tax
purposes on the grant of the option. Generally, a participant who exercises a non-qualified stock option will realize ordinary income in an amount measured by the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price. We generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction for federal income tax purposes.
A participant who exercises an incentive stock option will generally not be subject to taxation at the time of grant or exercise, except that alternative minimum tax may apply upon exercise. We will not be entitled to a deduction for federal income tax purposes. A disposition of the shares purchased upon exercise after the expiration of the required holding period (i.e., the later of two years from the grant date or one year from the exercise date) will generate long-term capital gain or loss in the year of disposition, and we will not be entitled to a deduction for federal income tax purposes. A disposition of the shares prior to the expiration of the required holding period will subject the participant to taxation at ordinary income rates in the year of disposition equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the stock option (or, if less, the excess of the amount realized on the disposition of the shares over the exercise price of the stock option) and long-term capital gain or loss for any remainder. We generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction for the participant's ordinary income recognition.
Restricted Stock Awards
Except as provided below, a participant will not be taxed at the date of an award of restricted stock but will be taxed at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of any restricted stock as of the date that the stock is no longer subject to forfeiture, less the consideration paid for the stock (if any).
However, a participant may elect, under Section 83(b) of the Code within 30 days of the grant of the stock, to recognize taxable ordinary income on the grant date equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of restricted stock (determined without regard to the restrictions) over the amount of any purchase price of the restricted stock. Thereafter, if the shares are forfeited, the participant will be entitled to a deduction, refund, or loss, for tax purposes only, in an amount equal to any purchase price of the forfeited shares regardless of whether the participant made a Section 83(b) election. With respect to the sale of shares after the forfeiture period has expired, the holding period to determine whether any gain or loss is long term or short term begins when the forfeiture period expires, and the tax basis for such shares generally will be based on the fair market value of such shares on such date. However, if the participant makes an election under Section 83(b), the holding period will commence on the grant date, the tax basis will be equal to the fair market value of shares on such date (determined without regard to restrictions), and we generally will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction equal to the amount that is taxable as ordinary income to the participant in the year that such income is recognized. Dividends paid on restricted stock generally will be treated as compensation that is taxable as ordinary income to the participant and will be deductible by us when paid. If, however, the participant makes a Section 83(b) election, the dividends will be taxable as ordinary income to the participant but will not be deductible by us.
Stock Awards
A participant receiving an unrestricted stock award is required to include the fair market value of the shares received as ordinary compensation income upon receipt in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received. We will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction in the corresponding amount at that time. For each share of common stock received, the taxation of the post-receipt appreciation or depreciation is treated as either a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss upon disposition, depending upon the length of time the participant held the shares.
Restricted Stock Units and Performance Share Units
A participant will not recognize income in connection with the grant of a restricted stock unit or performance share unit, or the credit of any related dividend equivalents to the participant's account. When the restricted stock units or performance share units, and any related dividend equivalents, are paid to the participant in shares of common stock and/or cash, the participant generally will be required to include as taxable ordinary income in the year of receipt, an amount equal to the amount of cash and the fair market value of any shares received. We will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction at the time and in the amount included in the participant's income by reason of the receipt. For each share of common stock received in respect of a restricted stock unit or performance share unit, the taxation of the post-settlement appreciation or depreciation is treated as either a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss upon disposition, depending upon the length of time the participant held the shares of common stock.
Performance Cash Awards
A participant will not recognize any taxable income at the time a performance cash award is granted. When the terms and conditions to which a performance cash award is subject have been satisfied and the award is paid, the participant will recognize as ordinary income the amount of cash the participant receives. We generally will be entitled to a federal income tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income the participant recognizes.
Section 409A
Section 409A of the Code ("Section 409A") imposes certain requirements on non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements, including requirements with respect to an individual's election to defer compensation and the individual's selection of the timing and form of distribution of the deferred compensation. Section 409A imposes restrictions on an individual's ability to change his or her distribution timing or form after the compensation has been deferred. For certain individuals who are officers, Section 409A requires that such individual's distribution commence no earlier than six months after such officer's separation from service.
It is generally our intent that awards under the 2025 Plan be designed to either be exempt from Section 409A or subject to and compliant with Section 409A. If an award is subject to and fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A, the recipient of that award will recognize ordinary income on the amounts deferred under the award, to the extent vested, which may be prior to when the compensation is actually or constructively received. Also, if an award that is subject to Section 409A fails to comply with the provisions of Section 409A, Section 409A imposes an additional 20% federal income tax on compensation recognized as ordinary income, as well as possible interest and withholding requirements with respect to such amounts.
Tax Consequences to the Company
In the foregoing cases, we generally will be entitled to a deduction at the same time, and in the same amount, as a participant recognizes ordinary income, subject to certain limitations imposed under the Code, including Section 162(m).
New Plan Benefits
If the 2025 Plan is approved by shareholders, participation and the types of awards granted under the 2025 Plan will be determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion. No determination has been made as to the awards, if any, that any individuals who would be eligible to participate in the plan will be granted in the future, other than an estimated
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes information relating to our equity compensation plans, pursuant to which equity securities are authorized for issuance, as of
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (A) |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (B) |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (A)) (C)(1) |
|||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
666,206 |
|||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
- |
|
Total |
- |
$ |
- |
666,206 |
(1) | The number in column (C) consists of shares available for future issuance under the 2021 Plan at |
[ |
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Our Board recommends you vote"FOR"the approval of the |
PROPOSAL 3-RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee engages in an annual evaluation of the independent registered public accounting firm's qualifications, assessing a wide variety of factors. The Audit Committee also considers whether there should be periodic rotation of the independent registered public accounting firm.
After assessing the performance and independence of
A representative from EY is expected to attend the annual meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
If our shareholders do not ratify the appointment of EY at the annual meeting, we currently contemplate that EY's appointment for 2025 will continue unless the Audit Committee finds other compelling reasons for making a change. However, the Audit Committee will take this vote into consideration for the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm for 2026.
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Our Board recommends you vote"FOR"the ratification of the appointment of EY as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending |
PROPOSAL 4-APPROVAL OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION (AN ADVISORY, NON-BINDING |
Section 14A of the Exchange Act requires a separate and advisory (non-binding) shareholder vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers disclosed in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a "Say on Pay" proposal, gives shareholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse a company's executive pay program. At our 2023 annual meeting of shareholders, our shareholders voted to conduct a Say on Pay vote every year, as recommended by our Board. Accordingly, each year, we provide our shareholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory (non-binding) vote on the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement under the heading "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," the tabular disclosure regarding named executive officer compensation and the accompanying narrative disclosure.
We believe our compensation policies and procedures are strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on our Board. However, our Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation decisions. The next Say on Pay vote is expected to take place at our 2026 annual meeting of shareholders.
Our shareholders are being asked to approve the following resolution:
"RESOLVED, that the shareholders of
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Our Board recommends you vote"FOR"the approval of the Say on Pay resolution set forth above. |
OUR CULTURE |
Purpose and Core Values
Our culture is defined by our purpose to enrich the lives of the people and the communities we serve. Our core values guide our actions to further this purpose and shape how we come together to meet our various stakeholder needs and expectations. Our core values serve as the foundation for how we behave and operate as an organization and will influence our future success.
Our core values include being:
Caring.Working together toward common goals, acting with kindness, respect and a genuine concefor others
Courageous.Speaking openly, honestly and accepting our challenges and mistakes as opportunities to leaand grow
Committed.Driven to help our clients, teammates and Company succeed, doing what is right and accountable for our actions
We are committed to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where teammate and customer perspectives are valued and respected. We also seek to foster a culture of giving back to the communities where our customers live, work, and play. Charitable donations, small business lending, volunteerism, teaching financial literacy and promoting service within our communities are some of the ways we give back.
Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") Practices
Our Board actively oversees current and emerging environmental, corporate social responsibility, and governance matters that are relevant to our business, operations, or that are otherwise pertinent to us and our shareholders, teammates, customers, and parties with whom we do business.
Corporate Social Responsibility Report
In 2025, we published our Corporate Social Responsibility Report setting forth our ESG accomplishments for 2024. A copy of this report is available on the
Some of our key ESG accomplishments and practices in 2024 are noted below.
Teammate Benefits and Work Environment |
We use the term "teammates" to describe our employees because we view the Company as one team, where everyone is valued for their contributions. We view our teammates' experience holistically, and we strive to reward high performance and achievement, provide opportunity for professional growth, create a positive and engaging work environment, and focus on each teammate's wellbeing.
In addition to offering competitive health plans, generous paid time off and robust retirement plans, we:
● | conduct annual anonymous teammate surveys to evaluate our culture and assess teammate engagement, innovation, trust and commitment, along with additional surveys to get feedback on timely or important workforce issues; |
● | established a teammate advisory group with teammates across different levels and business/functional areas to provide feedback on our culture, programs, benefits, policies, and other issues; |
● | provide teammates with professional development and skills training on a wide range of topics through our learning management system and/or learning experience platform, which includes e-learning, job aids, videos, instructor-led, and on-the-job practice supported by trained mentors; |
● | offer a 401(k) Plan that includes both a Company match and Company contributions to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan that allows eligible teammates to acquire shares of our common stock; and |
● | encourage our teammates' professional development and reimburse eligible tuition expenses up to an annual limit. |
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Inclusion and Belonging |
We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of inclusion and belonging that welcomes varied backgrounds and experiences. We strive to foster a culture and workplace that, among other things, is inclusive and welcoming, treats everyone with respect and dignity, promotes people on their merits, and encourages different ways of thinking, ideas, perspectives, and values. To support our inclusion and belonging efforts, we:
● | maintain equal employment opportunity, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies that prohibit discrimination based on protected classifications and require that all teammates treat each other with respect; |
● | do not make employment decisions based on protected categories; |
● | maintain an online portal that allows teammates to raise workplace concerns and complaints anonymously and related policies and procedures that seek to ensure appropriate, retaliation-free handling of workplace concerns and complaints; and |
● | have a dedicated teammate council, co-chaired by our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Human Resources Officer, that is comprised of a cross-functional group of teammates from varied backgrounds and experiences, that helps manage our efforts to create a more inclusive workplace. |
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Governance |
We believe that sound and effective corporate governance is the foundation on which to build our corporate culture and communicate our commitment to our core values. Our strong corporate governance policies and practices support our efforts to continue to enhance the value we create for our teammates, shareholders, customers and communities. By way of example, we have implemented a number of corporate governance actions to reflect strong governance practices, including those listed below and as further detailed in this proxy statement:
● | Our directors represent a well-rounded variety of skills, knowledge, experience, and perspectives. |
● | We separate the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chair. |
● | We have a majority vote standard for uncontested director elections, as well as a Director Resignation Policy that requires any incumbent director nominee who fails to receive a majority of the votes cast to submit an offer of resignation to the Chair, and the Board, after reviewing the recommendation of the |
● | At least four times per year, our independent directors hold an executive session without management present. |
● | Our Board has a robust annual self-evaluation process, overseen by our |
● | Our directors are elected annually to serve a one-year term. |
● | Each share of our common stock has equal voting rights with one vote per share. |
● | We require that our executive officers and directors own a meaningful amount of our common stock pursuant to our Executive Stock Ownership Policy and Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Policy. |
● | We prohibit our executive officers and directors from hedging and pledging our stock. |
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Business Conduct |
We believe that one of our most valuable assets is our established reputation for integrity, and we are committed to a culture of compliance that promotes the highest ethical standards. Therefore, we:
● | have established a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics ("Code of Ethics"), which applies to all teammates and directors intended to, among other things, promote honest and ethical conduct, promote compliance with laws, protect our assets, promote fair dealing, deter wrongdoing and ensure accountability for adherence to the code; |
● | require all teammates and directors to annually certify that they have read, understand and will abide by the Code of Ethics; |
● | maintain an online portal through which teammates can anonymously report violations of the Code of Ethics and raise workplace concerns of any kind; |
● | maintain a Conflicts of Interest Policy that requires directors and executive officers to disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest to the Audit Committee for review; |
● | maintain a Whistleblower Policy and an online portal through which teammates can anonymously communicate concerns regarding accounting, auditing, workplace, or other matters; |
● | require all teammates to complete and pass annual compliance training on key policies and procedures including, without limitation, our Code of Ethics, our Policy Statement on Insider Trading, our Whistleblower Policy, our Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering ("BSA/AML") Program Policy and the Bank Bribery Act; |
● | maintain a Supplier Code of Conduct, which sets forth our expectations for honesty, integrity and professionalism in our relationship with suppliers; |
● | have established an ESG Risk Program as a component of enterprise risk management review that is designed to assist us in aligning with evolving regulatory expectations while driving strategic identification of key ESG risk exposures and opportunities across multiple business functions; |
● | have established an Office of the President, which oversees the enterprise complaint management function and monitors and responds to customer complaints, elevating such complaints as appropriate, in order to convert customer feedback into actionable improvements in how we run our business; and |
● | review our products and services to seek to ensure that they continue to address customer needs, are competitive, and are being delivered as disclosed and intended. |
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Privacy and Cybersecurity |
We seek to mitigate cybersecurity risk and associated reputational and compliance risk by, among other things:
● | leveraging the |
● | maintaining privacy policies, management oversight, accountability structures, and technology design processes to protect private and personal data; |
● | actively monitoring and mitigating cybersecurity threats and risks with a three lines of defense structure to provide oversight, governance, challenge, and testing; |
● | managing a third-party cybersecurity oversight program; |
● | maintaining oversight of our information security program by senior management, our board-level Risk Committee, and our Board; |
● | having a Chief Information Security Officer, who reports to the Chief Information Officer, to manage preventative and detective controls to protect against cybersecurity risks and responds to cyber incidents and data breaches; |
● | using a comprehensive Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan intended to provide a documented framework to enable us to mitigate the impact of, and recover from, any cyberattacks, and facilitate communication to internal and external stakeholders, as appropriate; and |
● | conducting annual mandatory teammate training on information security, and providing ongoing information security education and awareness for teammates, such as online training classes, mock phishing attacks and information security awareness materials. |
We had no material cybersecurity incidents in 2024.
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Community Engagement |
We are committed to enhancing and improving the communities where our customers live, work and play. Our sponsorship and giving strategies allow us to engage with our teammates and partners to enrich the lives of the people we serve.
● | To maximize and encourage community service, we provide full-time teammates up to 16 hours of paid time off and part-time teammates up to eight hours of paid time off to participate in volunteer activities. |
● | We encourage teammate charitable giving through our MyGiving program, where we match up to |
● | In 2024, we invested approximately |
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and certain other corporate governance materials are published on the
Codes of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers, and teammates, which is available on the
In addition, we have adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and Directors designed to promote ethical conduct which applies to, among other members of our executive and senior management and Board, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and President. Our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and Directors is available on the
We intend to provide any required disclosure of an amendment to or waiver from our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or our Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and Directors that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, on our website at www.atlanticunionbank.com promptly following the amendment or waiver. We may elect to disclose any such amendment or waiver in a report on Form 8-K filed with the
Conflicts of Interest Policy
We have a Conflicts of Interest Policy that applies to our directors and executive officers, which supplements the conflict of interest provisions in our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The Conflicts of Interest Policy sets forth a process for handling potential conflicts of interest that includes disclosure to our General Counsel and review of the potential conflict of interest by the disinterested members of the Audit Committee.
Insider Trading Policy
We have adopted a Policy Statement on Insider Trading (the "Insider Trading Policy") that is included as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Board of Directors Meetings and Attendance
Our directors are expected to devote sufficient time, energy and attention to ensure diligent performance of their duties, which includes attending all Board and committee meetings.
There were nine regular meetings of the Board in 2024 and two special meetings. Each director attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings of (a) the Board held during the period in which he or she was a director in 2024; and (b) the committees of the Board of which he or she was a member in 2024.
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines state that directors are expected to attend our annual meeting of shareholders. Of the 14 directors who were serving at the time of our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders, all attended the meeting.
Director Independence
In early 2025, our Board, in coordination with our
Board Leadership Structure
The Board considers its structure and leadership annually. To date, we have chosen not to combine the positions of CEO and Chair of the Board. The Chair of the Board is a non-management director and the Chair and Vice Chair are elected annually by the other members of the Board.
Our CEO is a member of the Board and attends meetings of the Board. The President of the Bank is not a member of the Board but attends meetings of the Board to help provide the Board with insight into the business strategies, performance and operations of the Bank. Our CEO and President of the Bank engage in extensive dialogue and discussion with the Board on a wide range of topics including, without limitation, strategic direction, strategic initiatives, financial performance, line of business performance, line of business initiatives, industry trends and perspectives, regulatory matters, and risk matters. Our CEO, President of the Bank, members of our executive leadership, and other key leaders in the Company make frequent reports to the Board, often at the suggestion of our Chair or other directors, and answer questions posed by directors. Our CEO and President of the Bank engage in detailed discussions with the Board regarding the reasons for recommendations of our executive leadership.
Our Chair and Vice Chair of the Board meet regularly with our CEO to discuss matters of interest to the Board and to discuss potential agenda topics for Board meetings. Our Chair, with input from our
In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, at least quarterly, the independent directors meet in executive session without management present. Our Chair,
All of the members of our Board also serve as members of the board of directors of the Bank.
Director Stock Ownership Requirement
Under our Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Policy, non-employee directors are required to hold shares of our common stock equal in value to at least five times the amount of the annual non-employee director cash retainer. The purpose of the Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Policy is to help align the interests of the Board with the interests of our shareholders. All of our directors are in compliance with the requirement of the Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Policy, which provides newly elected or appointed directors a period of five years from the date of appointment or election to comply with the ownership requirement.
Role of the Board in the Oversight of Risk
The Board recognizes that it plays a critical role in the oversight of risk. As a financial institution, the very nature of our business involves oversight of the management of financial, operational, information technology, cybersecurity, credit, market, capital, interest rate, liquidity, reputation, strategic, legal, regulatory, compliance, model and other risks. The Board has established a risk oversight structure that seeks to ensure that applicable risks are identified, monitored, assessed, and mitigated appropriately. Our Board and management team are committed to continuously strengthening our risk management practices. The Board and management evaluate risks over a full spectrum of timeframes, from emerging risks to risks that we actively manage, and both the Risk Committee of the Board and the management-level Risk Committee receive presentations on, and discuss, emerging risks on at least a quarterly basis.
As a financial institution that is entrusted with the safeguarding of sensitive information, our Board believes that a strong enterprise cyber strategy is vital to effective cyber risk management. Accordingly, our Board is actively engaged in the oversight of our cyber risk profile, which includes, but is not limited to, risks from cybersecurity threats, enterprise cyber strategy and key cyber initiatives. Our Board regularly receives reports on such matters from our Chief Information Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, and other relevant personnel. Our Board also meets with our internal and external auditors, and federal and state regulators to review and discuss reports on risk, examination, and regulatory compliance matters.
The Risk Committee of the Board is responsible for assisting the Board in its oversight of risk and for overseeing our enterprise risk management framework. The Risk Committee actively engages with management to establish risk management principles and to determine our risk appetite. Our
In addition to the efforts of the Risk Committee, other committees of the Board consider risk within their areas of responsibility. The description of each Board committee below includes more information on the risk oversight activities of each committee.
The Board establishes the risk oversight structure; receives, reviews and discusses Risk Committee and other Board committee minutes and reports; and meets with management, internal and external auditors, and federal and state regulators to review and discuss reports on risk, examination, and regulatory compliance matters. We also engage with outside risk experts and industry groups, including other peer institutions, as needed, to help us evaluate potential future threats and trends, particularly with respect to emerging information security and fraud risks.
Board Committees and Membership
The Board has a standing
Charters describing the responsibilities of each of the
Our Board committees regularly make recommendations and report on their activities to the Board. Each committee may retain and obtain advice from internal or external financial, legal, accounting, or other advisors at their discretion. Our Board reviews our committee charters and committee membership at least annually. Brief summaries of the duties of our committees are set forth below, as well as the current members of each committee as of the date of this proxy statement.
|
|
|
Audit Committee |
|
No. of Meetings in 2024: 10 |
Members: |
|
Key Responsibilities: ●
Oversees the integrity of our financial statements
●
Oversees the qualifications, performance, independence, and appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm
●
Oversees the performance of our internal audit function and credit risk review
●
Oversees our compliance with certain legal and regulatory requirements
●
Oversees risks associated with, among others things, financial accounting and reporting, internal controls, and major financial risk exposures, including the steps taken by management to monitor and control such exposure
Independence / Qualifications: ●
All members who served on the Committee in 2024were, and all current Committee members are, independent under NYSE listing standards, our Categorical Standards and the heightened independence requirements applicable to audit committee members under
●
All Committee members are financially literate in accordance with NYSE listing standards
●
|
|
|
|
Compensation Committee |
|
No. of Meetings in 2024: 6 |
Members: |
|
Key Responsibilities: ●
Establishes our executive compensation philosophy
●
Reviews and approves, or recommends to the
●
Recommends non-employee director compensation for Board approval
●
Oversees risks relating to our compensation policies and practices
●
Reviews and recommends to the
●
Oversees our employee benefit plans covering substantially all employees
●
Oversees management succession planning (other than for the CEO, which is overseen by the Board) and our talent development programs
Independence / Qualifications: ●
All members who served on the Committee in 2024 were, and all current Committee members are, independent under NYSE listing standards, our Categorical Standards and the independence requirements applicable to compensation committee members under NYSE rules
|
|
|
Identifies individuals to become Board members, and recommends to the Makes recommendations to the Chair of the Board regarding committee structure and membership, subject to Board approval Oversees the Company's key corporate governance policies Oversees Board succession planning Oversees the Board's formal annual self-evaluation process All current Committee members are independent under NYSE listing standards and our Categorical Standards |
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
No. of Meetings in 2024: 6 |
||
Members: |
|
Key Responsibilities: ●
Identifies individuals to become Board members, and recommends to the
●
Makes recommendations to the Chair of the Board regarding committee structure and membership, subject to Board approval
●
Oversees the Company's key corporate governance policies
●
Oversees Board succession planning
●
Oversees the Board's formal annual self-evaluation process
●
Advises and provides periodic updates to the Board on ESG matters and the Company's efforts in those areas
●
Monitors, evaluates and oversees the Company's strategy on ESG matters
Independence / Qualifications: ●
All members who served on the Committee in 2024 were, and all current Committee members are, independent under NYSE listing standards and our Categorical Standards
|
|
|
|
Executive Committee |
|
No. of Meetings in 2024: 2 |
Members: |
|
Key Responsibilities: ●
Acts, as needed, between meetings of the Board on delegated authority that confers on the Committee substantially all of the Board's powers, except on matters reserved to the Board by law, our articles of incorporation or our bylaws
Independence / Qualifications: ●
Other than
|
|
|
|
Risk Committee |
|
No. of Meetings in 2024: 7 |
Members: |
|
Key Responsibilities: ●
Oversees our management of financial, operational, information technology (including cyber risk), credit, market, capital, liquidity, reputation, strategic, legal, regulatory, compliance, model and other risks
●
Oversees our enterprise risk management framework and evaluates its adequacy and effectiveness
●
Oversees management's alignment of our risk profile to our strategic plan and aggregate risk appetite
Independence / Qualifications: ●
Allmembers who served on the Committee in 2024 were, and all current Committee members are, independent under NYSE listing standards, our Categorical Standards and
|
|
|
|
Trust Committee |
|
No. of Meetings in 2024: 4 |
Members: |
|
Key Responsibilities: ●
Oversees the trust and fiduciary activities of the Bank and seeks to ensure such activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and prudent fiduciary practices
Independence / Qualifications: ●
All members who served on the Committee in 2024 were, and all current Committee members are, independent under NYSE listing standards and our Categorical Standards
|
Board and Committee Evaluations
Our Board believes in a robust evaluation process that assesses the contributions and commitment of Board members and how the Board and its committees are functioning. In addition, each of our Board committees perform an annual self-assessment of the committee's performance. The Board uses a self-evaluation process as its primary mechanism for assessing its performance, which is developed and administered by the
Board's performance and the performance of Board committees.
Communication with Directors
Our shareholders and other interested parties may communicate with the Board, any member of the Board individually or as a group (such as the Chair, or Lead Independent Director, as applicable, or the non-management or independent directors) by addressing correspondence to the Board of Directors or to the individual director and sending such communication by mail to the Corporate Secretary,
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
For the year ended
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION |
The Board determines the compensation of its non-employee members after considering the recommendation of the Compensation Committee and the Compensation Committee's independent compensation consultant. The Compensation Committee annually reviews data and analysis provided by its independent compensation consultant to assess the market competitiveness of the compensation structure of our non-employee directors. Following that review, the Compensation Committee approves and recommends to the
2024 Director Compensation
The table below sets forth the annual compensation of our non-employee directors for fiscal year 2024.
|
|
|
|
Amount of Cash Retainer |
|
Position |
|
|
|
Board Members |
|
|
|
Additional Fee to Chair |
|
|
|
Additional Fee to Vice Chair |
|
|
|
Additional Fee to Audit Committee Chair |
|
|
|
Additional Fee to Compensation and Risk Committee Chairs |
|
|
|
Additional Fee to Nominating and Corporate Governance and Trust Committee Chairs |
|
|
|
Additional Fee for Service as an Audit Committee Member |
|
|
|
Additional Fees for Service as a Committee Member (other than the Audit Committee or Executive Committee) |
|
Director Equity Retainer |
|
||
|
|
We also pay our Executive Committee members, other than
Each member of the Board also serves as a director on the board of the Bank (the "Bank Board"). Directors do not receive additional compensation for service on the Bank Board. Further, directors generally do not receive compensation for service on any committee of the Bank Board, and no such fees were paid in 2024.
Changes to Director Compensation for 2025
Based on consultation with Meridian, the Compensation Committee's independent compensation consultant, and a competitive review of our non-employee director compensation program, effective
The following table summarizes the compensation paid to our non-employee directors during 2024.
2024 Director Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in |
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees |
|
|
|
Nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earned |
|
|
|
Deferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Paid in |
|
Stock |
|
Compensation |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
Cash(1) |
|
Awards(2) |
|
Earnings(3) |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
|
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
51,667 |
48,739 |
- |
- |
100,406 |
|||||
|
45,000 |
114,985 |
- |
- |
159,985 |
|||||
|
66,000 |
64,999 |
- |
- |
130,999 |
|||||
|
21,667 |
114,985 |
- |
- |
136,652 |
|||||
Paul Engola |
66,416 |
70,005 |
- |
- |
136,421 |
|||||
|
72,500 |
70,005 |
- |
- |
|
142,505 |
||||
|
75,167 |
64,999 |
- |
- |
140,166 |
|||||
|
66,416 |
70,005 |
- |
- |
136,421 |
|||||
|
24,667 |
21,663 |
- |
- |
46,330 |
|||||
|
100,000 |
64,999 |
- |
- |
164,999 |
|||||
|
|
59,500 |
|
48,739 |
|
|
|
|
|
108,239 |
|
30,333 |
21,663 |
- |
- |
51,996 |
|||||
|
133,500 |
64,999 |
- |
- |
198,499 |
|||||
|
84,000 |
64,999 |
- |
- |
148,999 |
|||||
|
83,500 |
64,999 |
- |
- |
148,499 |
(1) |
Includes total compensation earned through Board fees, retainers and committee fees, whether paid or deferred. Refer to the "2024 Director Compensation" section for more information. |
(2) |
Represents the aggregated grant date fair value of the awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. A discussion of our assumptions for stock-based compensation are found in Note 15, "Employee Benefits and Stock Based Compensation" to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
(3) |
Messrs. Corbin, Tillett and Wimbush elected to defer their stock awards for 2024, and |
(4) |
Messrs. Corbin and Ellett elected to receive stock in lieu of their annual cash Board member retainer for all of 2024. |
(5) |
|
AUDIT INFORMATION AND REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE |
Principal Accountant Fees
Our independent registered public accounting firm, EY, billed the following fees for services provided to us for the audit of our annual financial statements for the fiscal years 2024 and 2023 and for other services rendered by EY during those periods:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
||
Audit fees(1) |
|
$ |
2,381,000 |
|
$ |
1,941,500 |
|
Audit-related fees(2) |
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
40,000 |
|
Tax fees(3) |
|
|
107,700 |
|
|
156,350 |
|
All other fees(4) |
|
|
- |
|
|
130,000 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
2,528,700 |
|
$ |
2,267,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Audit fees: Audit and review services, consents and comfort letters issued for our registration statements on Form S-3 and Form S-4, review of documents filed with the |
(2) |
Audit-related fees: Includes the 2024 and 2023 audits of mortgage compliance. |
(3) |
Tax fees: EY provided tax compliance and other tax advisory services related to the Company in both 2024 and 2023. |
(4) |
All other fees: For 2023, includes fees related to |
The Audit Committee notes that EY performed no services for the Company, other than those enumerated above, for 2024 or 2023. As a result, the Audit Committee has determined that the provision of these services by EY is compatible with maintaining the firm's independence from the Company. Any engagement beyond the scope of the annual audit engagement is required to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee, or a designated member of the Audit Committee, must pre-approve all auditing services, internal control related services and permitted non-audit services, subject to the de minimis exception for non-audit services that are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit, performed by the independent registered public accounting firm in order to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the registered public accountant's independence. The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees, consisting of one or more members when appropriate, to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions of such subcommittee to grant pre-approvals shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
Audit Committee Report
This Audit Committee Report was approved and adopted by the
While management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including our system of internal controls, the Audit Committee monitors and reviews our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. The role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in a written charter adopted by the Board. The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses its charter annually and recommends any changes to the
registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee is also responsible for the compensation and oversight of our independent registered public accounting firm.
Before appointing the independent registered public accounting firm each year, the Audit Committee completes an annual evaluation of the independent registered public accounting firm's qualifications, including assessing the firm's quality of service, the firm's quality of communication and interaction with the firm, the firm's sufficiency of resources, and the firm's independence, objectivity, and professional skepticism. This evaluation includes whether the firm's quality controls are adequate and the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the firm's independence. The results of all
Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing independent audits of our consolidated financial statements and our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and to issue reports thereon. The Audit Committee monitors and oversees these processes. The Audit Committee relies on the work and assurances of our management, which has the primary responsibility for financial statements and reports, and of the independent registered public accounting firm, which, in its reports, expresses an opinion on the conformity of our consolidated annual financial statements to accounting principles generally accepted in
In this context, the Audit Committee met and held discussions with management and representatives of EY with respect to our financial statements for the year ended
In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the auditors' independence from the Company and its management, and the Audit Committee received the written disclosures and letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence.
The Audit Committee also discussed with our internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee met with the internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management in attendance, to discuss the results of their examinations, the evaluations of our internal controls, and the overall quality of our financial reporting. This included the Audit Committee's monitoring of the progress of remediation of noted control deficiencies, if any, until resolved.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Respectfully submitted by the members of the Audit Committee,
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
Our current executive officers are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Age |
|
Position |
|
|
|
59 |
|
President and CEO of the Company and CEO of the Bank |
|
|
|
66 |
|
Executive Vice President ("EVP") and Chief Financial Officer of the Company |
|
|
|
64 |
|
EVP of the Company and President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank |
|
|
|
51 |
|
EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company |
|
|
|
50 |
|
EVP of the Company and Chief Information Officer of the Bank |
|
|
|
45 |
|
EVP and Chief Human Resource Officer of the Company |
|
|
|
53 |
|
EVP of the Company and |
|
|
|
61 |
|
EVP of the Company and |
|
|
|
63 |
|
EVP and |
|
|
|
67 |
|
EVP of the Company and |
|
Biographical information concerning our executive officers who are not directors follows. Biographical information for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS |
The following tables set forth certain information, as of
Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock |
|
Depositary Shares |
||||
|
|
Amount and |
|
|
|
Amount and |
|
|
|
|
Nature of |
|
|
|
Nature of |
|
|
|
|
Beneficial |
|
Percent |
|
Beneficial |
|
Percent |
|
|
Ownership |
|
of Class |
|
Ownership |
|
of Class |
Directors and Nominees who are not NEOs: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,877 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
33,328 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
60,196 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
5,547 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
59,363 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
Paul Engola |
|
2,935 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
9,496 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
30,411 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
19,156 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
2,496 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
21,398 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
168,636 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
110,126 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
42,475 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
41,038 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
15,869 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
NEOs: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
264,089 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
92,806 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
85,842 |
|
* |
|
800 |
|
* |
|
|
14,017 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
|
|
43,809 |
|
* |
|
- |
|
* |
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (23 persons)** |
|
1,046,550 |
|
1.16% |
|
800 |
|
* |
* |
Represents less than 1% of our common stock or depositary shares, as applicable. |
** Does not include the following director nominees who are not current directors:
(1) | Based on |
merger, all of which will automatically convert into an aggregate of 10,877 shares of our common stock at the effective time of the merger, based on the 0.900 exchange ratio in the merger. |
(2) | Includes 29,372 shares of phantom stock allocated to |
(3) | Includes 201 shares of common stock registered in the name of |
(4) | Based on |
(5) | Based on |
(6) | Includes 7,611 shares of phantom stock allocated to |
(7) | Includes 23,839 shares of phantom stock allocated to |
(8) | Includes 9,836 shares of phantom stock allocated to |
(9) | Includes 51,527 shares of restricted stock over which |
(10) | Includes 22,410 shares of restricted stock over which |
(11) | Includes 25,044 shares of restricted stock over which |
(12) | Includes 10,804 shares of restricted stock over which |
(13) | Includes 13,088 shares of restricted stock over which |
5% Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock |
|
||
|
|
Amount and Nature of |
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficial Ownership |
|
Percent of Class |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,290,826 |
|
10.31% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 Hudson Yards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,703,008 |
|
11.87% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Building One |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,917,690 |
|
5.45% |
|
(1) | Percentage ownership is calculated based on 90,153,099 shares of our common stock outstanding as of |
(2) | Based solely on information as of |
shares, sole dispositive power over 9,154,861 shares, shared voting power over 54,529 shares and shared dispositive power over 135,965 shares. |
(3) | Based solely on information as of |
(4) | Based solely on information as of |
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
Named Executive Officers
Our named executive officers, referred to as our NEOs, are identified below and include our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers as of
|
Position |
|
President and CEO of the Company and CEO of the Bank |
|
Executive Vice President ("EVP") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") of the Company |
|
EVP of the Company and President and Chief Operating Officer ("COO") of the Bank |
|
EVP of the Company and |
|
EVP of the Company and Chief Information Officer of the Bank |
Introduction
Our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, retain, and motivate our leadership team, even during times of uncertainty, and include a mix of fixed and variable compensation with both short- and long-term incentives used to drive our sustained growth and profitability. This section of the proxy statement provides an overview and explanation of the material information relevant to understanding the objectives, policies, and philosophy underlying our executive compensation programs, focusing on our NEOs.
In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the terms "executive" or "executive officer" means our executive leadership, including our NEOs. Following the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we provide additional information relating to executive compensation in a series of tables, including important explanatory footnotes and narratives.
Executive Summary
Ourexecutivecompensationprogramsaredesignedtopayforperformancebylinkingthecompensation our executive officers receive through our various incentive plans to our financial performance. In making compensationdecisions,theCompensationCommittee considers the practices and compensation levels of the market, our performance and good governance practices. Our goal is to ensure that our compensation programs are competitive in attracting, motivating, and retaining high level executive talent, are commensurate with our financial performance, and are aligned with the interests of our shareholders.
Each compensation element is generally targeted to the median of the applicable market, as determined by the Compensation Committee based on select peer group and survey data. The incentive programs are designed so that our superior financial performance against the selected performance measures will result in total compensation that is higher than the median of our peers, while substandard financial performance will result in total compensation that is lower than the median of our peers. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, increase or decrease incentive compensation awards regardless of performance against the relevant performance metrics, although it believes such discretion should only be used in unique circumstances. When setting goals and objectives under the various compensation programs, the Compensation Committee considers our overall corporate strategy and how the goals enhance and support that strategy.
Over the last five years, we have grown through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions from an institution with
When reviewing management performance, the Compensation Committee focuses on the four key corporate performance measures included in our Management Incentive Plan ("MIP"), which is our short-term incentive compensation plan, as well as certain individual/divisional performance measures. The corporate performance measures under the MIP are net operating earnings, operating retuon assets ("ROA"), operating retuon tangible common equity ("ROTCE") and operating efficiency ratio. For 2024, we also added a modifier based on relative ROTCE, as described below. The following table includes select business highlights, including the four performance measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") that most closely align to the adjusted performance measures used in our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee may consider certain adjustments to these performance measures when determining incentive compensation awards under the MIP. Such adjustments for 2024 are discussed in the section titled "Short-Term Incentive Compensation" of this proxy statement.
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For the Years Ended |
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Select Business Highlights |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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2021 |
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2020 |
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Total Assets |
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$ |
24.59B |
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$ |
21.17B |
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$ |
20.46B |
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$ |
20.06B |
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$ |
19.63B |
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Net Income |
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$ |
209.13M |
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$ |
201.82M |
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$ |
234.51M |
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$ |
263.92M |
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$ |
158.23M |
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ROA |
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0.88% |
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0.98% |
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1.18% |
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1.32% |
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0.83% |
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ROTCE |
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13.35% |
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14.85% |
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17.33% |
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16.72% |
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11.18% |
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Efficiency Ratio |
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62.09% |
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61.32% |
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57.46% |
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61.91% |
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60.19% |
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Cash Dividends Paid Per Common Share |
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$ |
1.30 |
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$ |
1.22 |
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$ |
1.16 |
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$ |
1.09 |
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$ |
1.00 |
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Key 2024 Performance Highlights
During 2024, our executive officers continued to operate under a soundness, profitability and growth model and delivered solid financial results. On
Some additional 2024 performance highlights in support of our strategic plan include:
● | On |
● | In connection with the execution of the merger agreement with |
Forward Sale Agreements at the then applicable forward sale price. The forward sale price was initially |
In addition, we were also named a2024TopWorkplaces
Key 2024 Compensation Highlights
The following are some of our key 2024 compensation highlights:
● | We adjusted NEO base salaries to maintain competitiveness with the market median of our compensation peer group as well as to reflect individual performance, duties, skills, and experience. We also adjusted elements of variable compensation, where needed, to more closely align total compensation with the market median. |
● | We made cash payments under the MIP to our NEOs ranging from 67% to 122% of the recipient's base salary. These payouts reflected a weighted average achievement of 93% of our selected corporate performance measures-net operating income, operating ROA, operating ROTCE, and operating efficiency ratio, which resulted in a payout of 121% of the target performance level after applying the newly addedrelative ROTCE performance modifier, which was calculated relative to our proxy peer group. The final payout percentage under the MIP also reflected individual/divisional performance, as applicable. |
● | We granted equity awards to our NEOs in the form of time-based restricted stock and performance share units ("PSUs") under our Long-Term Incentive Program. All NEOs were granted a mix of equity awards that included no less than 50% of the value in PSUs. |
These actions are bolstered by the best practices embedded in our executive compensation programs designed to ensure that the Compensation Committee maintains effective governance and oversight of the programs. Our compensation governance model defines the enterprise-wide approach for the cross-functional management of incentive compensation programs to ensure proper risk oversight, process and controls.The model follows a continual process consisting of four key areas, as follows:
PlanAdministration
Pay Practices
Our Compensation Committee has implemented certain pay practices, as described below, that are designed to reinforce our principles, support risk management and align with the long-term interests of our shareholders.
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What We Do |
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Pay for Performance |
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A meaningful portion of executive compensation is linked to key metrics of our financial performance. |
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Emphasize Long-Term |
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Our time-based restricted stock and PSU awards vest over a three-year period, subject to the achievement of pre-established performance goals for the PSUs. |
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Stock Ownership Policy |
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Our stock ownership policy aligns the interests of our executive officers with the interests of our shareholders. |
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Incentive Compensation Recovery |
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Our clawback policy requires the recoupment of incentive compensation in the event of certain financial restatements. |
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Annual Risk Assessment |
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Our Compensation Committee annually assesses the risks of our compensation programs, with the assistance of our risk management department. |
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What We Don't Do |
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No Hedging or Pledging |
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We prohibit all employees and directors from engaging in short sales, puts, calls, swaps and other derivative transactions in our stock and hedging our stock. We also prohibit directors and executive officers from pledging our stock. |
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No Excise Tax Gross-Ups |
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We do not allow for excise tax gross-ups under employment agreements or other severance plans. |
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No "Single Trigger" |
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Cash severance payments in connection with a change in control require a qualifying termination of employment. |
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Limited Use of Employment |
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We limit the use of employment agreements to our CEO, President and COO, and CFO. All other executives are covered under our Executive Severance Plan. |
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No Dividend Equivalents |
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We do not accrue or pay dividend equivalents on unearned performance-based awards during their performance periods. |
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Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Our executive compensation philosophy is to provide competitive, market-based total compensation programs that are aligned with our short- and long-term business strategies, tied to our performance, and aligned with the interests of our shareholders.
Within this framework, we observe the following principles:
● | Pay for performance:We use performance-based cash and equity incentive programs to create a balance between fixed and at-risk compensation. Payouts under these programs vary depending upon performance against both our annual corporate performance measures and individual/divisional performance measures, as applicable. We incentivize our executive officers to achieve targeted performance against our operational and financial goals, as well as individual growth objectives, by tying greater financial results to greater financial rewards. |
● | Reward long-term growth and profitability:We use equity-based compensation with vesting periods of generally no less than three years to encourage retention, promote performance and increase our executive officer's level of at-risk compensation. These awards are designed to motivate the execution and achievement of long-term results. |
● | Align compensation with shareholder value creation:We use equity-based compensation to align the financial interests and objectives of our executive officers with those of our shareholders. Our long-term incentive goals and payouts are designed so that target and above-target compensation levels are paid only when our relative market performance indicates that shareholder value has been created. |
● | Attract and retain highly qualified executives:We offer our executive officers total compensation that is designed to be competitive with our identified industry peer group to allow us to attract and retain high-performing individuals. Also, several of our compensation programs include the use of long-term equity compensation to encourage retention. We recognize that by attracting and retaining high-performing executives, our customers and shareholders will benefit from their expertise, superior performance, and service longevity. |
● | Ensure proper governance practices:We have designed our executive compensation policies and procedures to prevent excessive risk-taking by, among other things, balancing short- and long-term compensation. Our performance-based plans also contain both threshold and maximum payout levels, as well as clawback provisions. We generally seek to target each compensation element to the median of our identified peer group to ensure compensation levels are appropriate. Finally, our compensation programs and review process allow us to account for individual variances in experience, skills, and contributions. |
2024 Shareholder Response
We held an advisory vote on NEO compensation at our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. Excluding abstentions and broker nonvotes, approximately 93% of the votes were in support of our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee considered the result of this advisory vote when evaluating and establishing our executive compensation programs for 2024, and viewed the vote as an expression of our shareholders' overall satisfaction with our current executive compensation programs. The Compensation Committee continually evaluates our compensation programs in light of market practice and our evolving business needs.
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee assists the Board in discharging its responsibilities relating to executive compensation and to our compensation and benefit programs and policies, more generally. Under the Compensation Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other things:
● | Establishing our overall executive compensation philosophy and the goals and objectives of our compensation plans; |
● | Annually reviewing and approving the corporate goals and objectives relevant to our CEO's compensation and, together with all other independent directors, evaluating our CEO's performance and approving CEO compensation in light of such evaluation; |
● | Annually reviewing and approving the compensation of all other executive officers; |
● | Administering our incentive and equity-based compensation plans, including designating executives to whom awards are granted, the amount of the award or grant and the terms and conditions of each award or grant; |
● | Reviewing and recommending to the Board the adoption, amendment, extension or termination of any employment agreements, retirement benefits and severance arrangement or plans with our executive officers; and |
● | Reviewing and recommending to the Board the form and amount of non-employee director compensation. |
Role of Leadership
The Compensation Committee calls upon our executive officers from time to time to support the Compensation Committee in the fulfillment of its duties. Our CEO provides recommendations related to a number of matters that are subject to the Compensation Committee's review and approval, including the compensation of executive officers other than the CEO, the design of our incentive plans and the financial goals on which these incentive plans are generally based. In addition to reviewing market data as described below, the Compensation Committee considers the recommendations of other key executives, including the CEO, the CFO, and the Chief Human Resources Officer, in making decisions on compensation. The Compensation Committee retains discretion in determining whether to approve recommendations made by our executive officers.
The Compensation Committee engages an independent compensation consultant to provide benchmarking market data and serve as an advisor, among other services. The independent compensation consultant serves at the request of, and reports directly to, the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to engage the independent compensation consultant and approve their fees and the other terms of the engagement.
During 2024, the Compensation Committee retained the services of
● | providing peer benchmarking data with respect to executive and non-employee director compensation practices within our defined peer group; |
● | providing information regarding base salary ranges and recommendations for the executive officers; |
● | preparing a review of the alignment between CEO and CFO realizable pay and company performance relative to realizable pay and performance of our peer group; |
● | assisting in the design of the |
● | reviewing the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of the proxy statement; |
● | assisting in the development of goals for our short- and long-term incentive plans; and |
● | providing updates on regulatory matters and trends. |
Meridian does not perform any other services for the Company.
The Compensation Committee considered the independence ofMeridian in lightofapplicable
Compensation Benchmarking and Decisions
Each year, the Compensation Committee, with the assistance of its independent compensation consultant, reviews the compensation of our peers to assess the competitiveness of our compensation arrangements with our NEOs. The Compensation Committee uses this information as a benchmarking reference to ascertain whether we have competitive compensation levels with other comparable institutions, in setting compensation target levels, and in deciding whether to make any changes in base salary, annual cash incentive awards and long-term equity awards, among other things.
The Compensation Committee, with the advice of its independent compensation consultant, also reviews the composition of this peer group annually. In selecting our peer group for 2024, the Compensation Committee began by including publicly traded
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2024 |
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In addition to the selected peer group, the Compensation Committee also considered the executive compensation of peer companies used by proxy advisory firms to ensure reasonable overlap.
Finally, the Compensation Committee reviewed relevant market and survey data and analyses provided by its independent compensation consultant, including the following:
● | McLagan, 2023 Regional and Community Banking Compensation Survey; and |
● | Custom peer group proxy filings. |
Executive positions were matched to the data based on job duties using the appropriate scope for asset size.
Compensation Risk Assessment
Our risk management group annually evaluates our compensation programs as part of our enterprise risk management review. This evaluation includes, but is not limited to, a review of our performance metrics, approval mechanisms and related characteristics of our incentive compensation policies and programs. The goal of the review is to determine whether any of our compensation programs could create risks that may have a material adverse effect
on the Company. To date, these reviews have found that our compensation programs do not present such a risk for the Company. The Compensation Committee also regularly reviews our incentive compensation arrangements to ensure that such arrangements do not encourage the NEOs to take unnecessary or excessive risks that would have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Elements of Compensation
The Compensation Committee annually evaluates the three principal compensation elements used in our executive compensation program to help us attract and retain high-performing executives. Our principal compensation elements and their objectives are described below:
Element |
Objective |
Base Salary |
Designed to provide income stability that is competitive with organizations of comparable size and structure, which allows our executives to focus on the execution of our strategic goals and their day-to-day duties and responsibilities |
Short-Term Incentives (Cash) |
Designed to encourage, recognize and reward achievement of annual corporate financial goals and individual performance objectives that help drive shareholder value creation |
Long-Term Incentives (Equity) |
Designed to motivate executives towards shareholder value creation by aligning executive and shareholder interests, and to retain talented executives |
Incentive compensation awarded to an individual executive should generally become a larger percentage of the executive's total direct compensation when he or she assumes more significant responsibilities and has a greater impact on the financial or operational success of the Company. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee decided to include a larger percentage of incentive compensation in the CEO's target and actual total compensation mix for 2024, as reflected in the charts below.
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Generally, the Compensation Committee targets NEO base salary compensation levels and short- and long-term incentive compensation opportunity percentages at the median of the selected peer group market data. For 2024, target executive compensation levels were considered in-line with respective market benchmarks.
The elements of compensation are described further below and are also detailed in the Summary Compensation Table and the other tables following this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
Base Salary
In early 2024, the Compensation Committee recommended increased base salaries for certain NEOs, which were approved by the Board on February 15, 2024. The Compensation Committee approved larger base salary increases
for
NEO annualized base salaries in effect at year-end 2024 were as follows:
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2024 |
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Increase |
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Base Salary |
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from 2023 |
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$ |
990,000 |
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10.0% |
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$ |
534,359 |
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10.0% |
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$ |
655,919 |
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4.0% |
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$ |
531,852 |
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4.0% |
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$ |
488,800 |
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4.0% |
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Short-Term Incentive Compensation
As discussed above, the MIP is our short-term incentive compensation plan, which is administered by the Compensation Committee with input from our CEO. Under the MIP, the Compensation Committee determines each executive's target incentive award at the beginning of the fiscal year, which is expressed as a percentage of each executive's base salary. The Compensation Committee also selects corporate and individual/divisional performance measures, and each executive's target incentive award is weighted between these measures. Additionally, the Compensation Committee establishes threshold, target and superior performance levels and the weights for each selected corporate performance measure. Under the terms of the MIP, cash payments may range from 0% to 200% of each executive's target incentive award. If an executive's employment is terminated before payment is made under the MIP for any reason other than for death, permanent disability or retirement at or after age 65 during the plan year, the executive is not entitled to receive any compensation thereunder.
Under the MIP, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to increase or decrease the amount of an incentive award in light of considerations it deems relevant and appropriate. In addition, unless the Compensation Committee determines otherwise, no incentive awards will be paid under the MIP, regardless of performance against the specified individual/divisional and corporate performance measures, if the Compensation Committee considers it imprudent to pay awards under the MIP based on (i) any regulatory agency issuing a formal, written enforcement action, memorandum of understanding or other negative directive action; or (ii) our credit quality. Payouts under the MIP are also subject to the terms of our Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy, as well as any similar provisions of applicable law or regulation.
For 2024, each NEO's target incentive award and weighting between corporate and individual/divisional performance measures were as follows:
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Individual/ |
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Target as a |
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Corporate |
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Divisional |
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Percentage of |
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Goal |
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Performance |
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Base Salary |
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Weighting |
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Weighting |
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100% |
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80% |
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20% |
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70% |
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80% |
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20% |
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75% |
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80% |
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20% |
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55% |
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60% |
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40% |
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55% |
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70% |
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30% |
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Corporate Performance Measures
In 2024, the Compensation Committee determined to increase the weighting of the corporate performance measures such that all participants, including NEOs, have the largest portion of their target incentive award tied to our achievement of corporate performance measures. The Compensation Committee reviewed and approved the 2024 corporate performance measures and weightings based on our Board-approved 2024 financial plan, which includes financial forecasts that consider our growth strategies, historical performance, and key economic assumptions for our industry. The selected corporate performance measures for 2024, their respective weightings and performance levels are outlined below (dollars in thousands). Actual performance between threshold, target and superior
performance levels is calculated using straight line interpolation using a 50% payout for threshold performance, a 100% payout for target performance, and a 200% payout for superior performance.
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Corporate Performance Measure(1) |
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Weighting |
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Threshold |
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Target |
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Superior |
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Net Operating Income |
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25% |
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$ |
228,000 |
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$ |
285,000 |
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$ |
399,000 |
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Operating ROA |
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20% |
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0.97% |
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1.21% |
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1.69% |
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Operating ROTCE |
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30% |
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14.82% |
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18.53% |
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25.94% |
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Operating Efficiency Ratio |
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25% |
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57.22% |
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52.02% |
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46.82% |
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100% |
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(1) | For information regarding how the Compensation Committee defined these performance measures for 2024, see "-Incentive Awards Payouts-Corporate Performance" below. |
For 2024, the Compensation Committee also reviewed and approved an amendment to the MIP that adds a relative retuon tangible common equity performance modifier that will be set by the Compensation Committee each year. The relative ROTCE performance modifier will measure performance relative to the proxy peer group we use to annually assess the competitiveness of our compensation arrangements. The purpose of the modifier is to ensure that incentive rewards are aligned with the incentive targets that are established based on a financial plan that is set with the intention of achieving financial performance above the median of the compensation peer group, provided that no award can exceed 200% of target as described above. For 2024, the relative ROTCE performance modifier was applied against the calculated absolute performance of the four corporate performance measures selected by the Compensation Committee under the MIP as follows:
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Threshold |
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Target |
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Superior |
Modifier |
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0.5x |
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1.0x |
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1.5x |
Relative Rank |
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<=25th |
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50th |
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>=75th |
Individual/Divisional Performance Measures
Each NEO has a portion of their incentive award tied to their individual/divisional performance. The CEO annually evaluates all other NEOs'individual performance using an assessment model as determined by the CEO in consultation with the Chief Human Resource Officer.TheCEO'sevaluationisthenprovidedtotheCompensation Committee to assist in determining incentive award payments. The Compensation Committee leads the CEO's annual performance evaluation.
In 2024, our assessment model included the following seven key areas of focus:
Areas of Focus |
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Key Objectives |
Strategic Plan, Formation & Execution |
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Successfully develops and implements business unit strategy, consistent with our overall strategic plan |
Risk Management Initiatives & Key Metrics |
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Adheres to our management strategy and risk appetite through active partnership with all key risk stakeholders |
Financial/Operating Results & Metrics |
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Manages to the financial plan for the executive's area of responsibility |
Leadership/People Management |
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Attracts, retains and develops diverse talent, defines future needs, evaluates current talent and makes changes where necessary |
Areas of Focus |
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Key Objectives |
Operational Effectiveness & Scalability |
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Oversees, manages and drives operational efficiency, optimization and effectiveness to ensure a high delivery of service standards through the use of innovative solutions and automation |
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Customer (Internal and/or External) Experience |
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Builds strong customer relationships and delivers customer-centric solutions that are aligned to customer needs, driving high levels of customer satisfaction and engagement |
Community Leadership & External Relationships |
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Promotes our mission and builds relationships with third party associations, businesses, social groups and other organizations that are beneficial to achieving our mission |
Incentive Award Payouts
Corporate Performance. The following table shows our performance against each corporate performance measure selected in 2024 and the resulting payout percentage (dollars in thousands):
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Corporate Performance Measure |
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Weighting |
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Target |
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Actual Results |
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% of Target Achieved |
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Net Operating Income(1) |
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25% |
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$ |
285,000 |
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$ |
264,694 |
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Below Target |
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93% |
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Operating ROA(2) |
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20% |
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1.21% |
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1.11% |
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Below Target |
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92% |
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Operating ROTCE(3) |
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30% |
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18.53% |
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16.69% |
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Below Target |
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90% |
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Operating Efficiency Ratio(4) |
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25% |
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52.02% |
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53.31% |
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Below Target |
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98% |
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100% |
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(1) | Net operating income excludes from net income initial provision expense on purchased non-credit deteriorated ("non-PCD") loans acquired in our acquisition of |
(2) | Operating ROA is calculated by dividing net operating income (defined above) by our average total assets. |
(3) | Operating ROTCE is calculated by dividing net operating income (defined above), as further adjusted to exclude preferred dividends and tax-effected amortization of intangible assets, by our average tangible common equity. |
(4) | Operating efficiency ratio is calculated by taking our adjusted non-interest expense and dividing it by our adjusted revenues. Adjusted noninterest expense excludes the amortization of intangible assets, merger-related costs, a |
Achievement of the corporate measures as outlined above resulted in a calculated corporate performance payout of 81%, based on the slightly below target achievement of each measure. However, considering the performance ranking of the 82nd percentile under the relative ROTCE performance modifier, the payouts were adjusted upward by 150% to a final payout for the corporate measures of 121%. The Compensation Committee reviewed and approved the final payout under the corporate component, and recognized that the modifier achieved its intended purpose of aligning compensation for performance above the median of the peer group.
Individual/Divisional Performance.Thefollowingtablelists foreachNEO the individual/divisionalperformancepayout percentage for 2024 as determined under the previously described assessment model, in each case, as approvedbytheCompensationCommittee:
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Payout% for Individual/ Divisional Performance |
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125% |
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125% |
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125% |
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125% |
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125% |
Payouts.In 2024, the Compensation Committee and our Board approved the following incentive award payouts under the MIP based on each NEO's annualized base salary level in effect at year-end 2024. The Compensation Committee did not exercise its discretion to adjust any of the incentive award payouts under the MIP.
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Total Incentive Payout |
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% of Base Salary |
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$ |
1,205,820 |
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122% |
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$ |
455,595 |
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85% |
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$ |
599,182 |
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91% |
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$ |
358,628 |
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67% |
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$ |
328,522 |
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67% |
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Long-Term Incentive Compensation
We also use long-term incentive compensation to motivate our executives to execute and achieve long-term results and to align their interests with those of our shareholders. The Compensation Committee approves long-term incentive compensation awards annually.
In making long-term incentive compensation determinations, the Compensation Committee considers the following:
● | our performance relative to peers; |
● | industry-specific survey results; |
● | the data and opinions offered by the Compensation Committee's independent compensation consultant; |
● | our earnings, growth, and risk management practices and results; and |
● | the accounting and tax treatment of the type of award that may be granted, for both us and the recipient. |
We also maintain a stock ownership policy to support the objective of increasing the amount of our common stock owned by our executive officers (including our NEOs), to align the financial interests of our executive officers with the general financial interests of our shareholders, and to seek to ensure that our executive officers have a significant stake in our long-term success. See the discussion below under "-Executive Stock Ownership" for a description of our stock ownership policy applicable to our executive officers.
Stock Incentive Plan
In 2021, our shareholders approved the Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation Stock and Incentive Plan, as amended and restated May 4, 2021, which we refer to as the "2021 Plan". Under the 2021 Plan, we can grant up to 4,000,000 shares of our common stock in the form of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock awards, PSUs and performance cash awards to our eligible employees and non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee administers the 2021 Plan and has discretion with respect to determining whether, when, and to whom such awards may be granted. The Compensation Committee also determines the terms and conditions for each such award, including any vesting schedule (subject to Board approval, in the case of NEOs). As of December 31, 2024, there were 666,206 shares remaining under the 2021 Plan for future grants and awards. See
Proposal 2 above regarding the adoption of the
2024 Long-Term Incentive Program Awards
The Compensation Committee grants a combination of time-based restricted stock and PSU awards to balance our executives' long-term incentive compensation between retention and performance awards. The Compensation Committee believes that this combination, coupled with meaningful stock ownership requirements, reduces the risk profile of the awards while ensuring that our executives are focused on our long-term success and increasing shareholder value.
The 2024 Long-Term Incentive Program ("LTIP") awards granted to our NEOs in February 2024, which were based on a percentage of their base salary, consisted of the following:
Award Type |
|
Portion of LTIP |
|
Portion of LTIP Awards for All Other NEOs |
|
Vesting or |
Time-Based Restricted Stock |
|
40% |
|
50% |
|
Three-year ratable vesting |
Performance Share Units |
|
60% |
|
50% |
|
Three-year performance period |
Time-Based Restricted Stock.The time-based restricted stock awards will vest in equal annual installments over a three-year period, provided the executive remains employed through each vesting date, subject to certain exceptions.
Performance Share Units.The PSUs are only earned on our achievement of the selected performance measures established by the Compensation Committee over a three-year performance period, provided the executive remains employed through the payment date (which is the date within sixty days following the end of the three-year performance period that the Compensation Committee certifies the performance results), subject to certain exceptions.
Like the 2023 PSUs, the 2024 PSUs are subject to the achievement of two equally weighted performance measures-total shareholder retu("TSR") and core retuon average tangible common equity ("ROATCE")-each relative to banks comprising the KBW Regional Banking Index. Below are the performance measures and threshold, target and maximum achievement levels for the 2024-2026 performance cycle for the 2024 PSUs:
Performance Measure |
Weight |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
TSR Rank (1) -
Relative to population of KBW Regional Banking Index constituents
|
50% |
25th Percentile |
50th Percentile |
100th Percentile |
Core ROATCE Rank (1) -
Relative to population of KBW Regional Banking Index constituents
|
50% |
25th Percentile |
50th Percentile |
100th Percentile |
Payout Range (% of Target) |
100% |
50% |
100% |
200% |
(1) | Performance results between threshold and target and target and maximum are calculated on a straight- line interpolation basis. Performance for either of the measures below the 25th percentile will result in no vesting of the portion of the 2024 PSU awards associated with that measure. |
In addition, all 2024 LTIP awards (time-based restricted stock and PSUs) are subject to clawback by us as required by our Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy and applicable law. Under our Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy, if we are required to prepare an accounting restatement due to our material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, the Board will take reasonably prompt action to recover all incentive-based compensation in excess of the amount that would have been received based on the restatement, unless the Compensation Committee determines it to be impracticable as set forth in the policy. We reserve the right
to cancel or modify other long-term incentive awards granted to an executive should they fail to surrender or repay the PSU and/or time-based restricted stock awards in compliance with this policy.
For a description of the treatment of time-based restricted stock and PSU awards upon termination of employment, see "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control-Equity Awards" below.
2024 Long-Term Incentive Program Awards. The table below shows the number of shares and units granted as time-based restricted stock and PSU awards under the 2024 LTIP to our NEOs in February 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Time-Based |
|
Performance |
|
|
|
Restricted |
|
Share |
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Units(1) |
|
|
|
24,146 |
|
36,220 |
|
|
|
9,368 |
|
9,368 |
|
|
|
11,499 |
|
11,500 |
|
|
|
6,081 |
|
6,082 |
|
|
|
4,471 |
|
4,472 |
|
(1) | The amount provided represents payment of the 2024 PSUs at target. |
2022 Performance Share Unit Results
The performance period for the 2022 PSUs ended on December 31, 2024. The performance measure for this award was our TSR, relative to the TSR of banks comprising the KBW Regional Banking Index. The 2022 PSUs had a payout threshold of 10% (for relative TSR at the 25th percentile), a target of 100% (for relative TSR at the 50th percentile), and a maximum of 200% (for relative TSR at the 100th percentile).
Measure |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
Actual |
Relative TSR(1) |
|
25thpercentile |
|
50thpercentile |
|
100thpercentile |
|
49th percentile |
(1) | Measured relative to the population of KBW Regional Banking Index constituents. |
Based on the above, the 2022 PSUs were earned at 98% of target. Payment of the earned portion of the 2022 PSUs occurred on January 29, 2025, the date the Compensation Committee certified the performance results, and were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022 Earned PSUs |
|
|
|
19,444 |
|
|
|
6,946 |
|
|
|
10,448 |
|
|
|
4,597 |
|
Executive Stock Ownership Policy
Our stock ownership policy was developed based on a review of competitive market practice for the purpose of enhancing the alignment of executive and shareholder interests. Our stock ownership policy applies to our executive officers based upon their position as follows:
|
|
|
|
Position |
Value of Shares Owned |
Chief Executive Officer |
5× Base Salary |
Bank President |
3× Base Salary |
Chief Financial Officer |
3× Base Salary |
Other Executive Officers |
1× Base Salary |
The stock ownership policy states that each executive should achieve the designated level of stock ownership within a five-year period. Under the stock ownership policy, if the required stock ownership level is increased for an executive, there is an additional three-year period in which the executive is expected to achieve the new required ownership level. For a new executive officer, as defined in the policy, the five-year period begins on January 1 of the year following his or her date of hire or designation as an executive officer. Prior to meeting the applicable stock ownership level noted in our stock ownership policy, an executive officer must retain 50% of the pre-tax value of any new shares acquired through our incentive plans or other equity compensation arrangements. Unexercised stock options and unearned PSUs are not counted toward an executive officer's stock ownership level under the stock ownership policy.
Each executive officer's stock ownership level is reviewed annually by our Compensation Committee. As of the April 2024 review, all of our NEOs were in compliance with their respective stock ownership levels or were within the initial five-year period to achieve compliance.
Grant Practices Specific to Stock Options
We do not currently grant stock options as part of our equity compensation programs and, therefore, we do not currently have a policy or practice governing the timing of such awards. For grants of other equity awards, such as restricted stock and PSUs,our Compensation Committee and Board, as applicable, generally grants such awards on an annual basisbased on a predetermined schedule, with awards typically granted at the beginning of each new fiscal year to incentivize the achievement of our strategic objectives and long-term results.As such, the Compensation Committee does not currently takematerial non-public information into account when determining the timing and terms of equity awards, as the timing of grants is in accordance with such predetermined annual schedule.Similarly, we do not time the release of material, non-public information based on equity award grant dates for the purpose of affecting the value of any awards.In addition, equity awards may be granted at other times during the year to new hires, employees receiving promotions, and in other special circumstances. In addition, under its charter, theCompensation Committee can delegateauthority to one or more executive officers to make off-cycle grants to employees who are not executive officers.
Employment Agreements
On January 14, 2022, we entered into an employment agreement with
The employment agreement with each of
employment term will not be extended. Under each employment agreement, the executive's base salary is reviewed annually by the Board, and each executive is eligible to participate in our short-term and long-term incentive compensation plans, at the discretion of our Board and Compensation Committee.
Severance and Change in Control Arrangements
We provide change in control benefits, and in certain circumstances severance benefits, specifically to retain our executive officers, including our NEOs, during a potential change in control and also to provide income continuation in the event of certain involuntary terminations. We believe these arrangements are consistent with peer practices and provide an appropriate level of compensation to our executive officers if their employment is terminated and they need to find comparable employment within a short period of time. The change in control benefits also allow our executives to pursue potential change in control transactions that are in the best interests of our shareholders regardless of whether such transactions may result in the loss of their own job.
Each of our employment agreements with
All of our other NEOs participate in the
For a more detailed description of the severance and change in control benefits applicable to our NEOs, including a description of the vesting provisions for our time-based restricted stock and PSU awards, see the discussion below under "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control."
Executive Perquisites and Other Benefits
We provide limited perquisites to our executive officers, as follows.
In accordance with our vehicle policy,
Our NEOs participate in our executive wellness allowance program, which provides reimbursement up to an annual limit of $15,000 (net of taxes) of certain financial planning expenses and/or expenses incurred in connection with receiving an annual physical or concierge membership through an executive health program.
We also provide additional long-term disability coverage to executives who are unable (due to plan restrictions) to obtain the 60% of base salary coverage under our standard Long-Term Disability benefit. All of the NEOs are covered under this program.
Other Benefits and Agreements
Our executive officers are eligible to participate in the health and welfare benefit programs available to all of our employees. These programs include medical, dental, and vision coverages, short- and long-term disability plans, and life insurance. Our executive officers are also eligible to participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan included in our 401(k) plan.
In addition, we have a 401(k)-profit sharing plan, and our executive officers participate in this plan and are fully vested in their own contributions. Under the plan, they are eligible to receive discretionary matching contributions which vest at 100% upon two years of service; provided, that, beginning in 2025, all discretionary matching contributions will be immediately vested.
The Company and each NEO, other than
benefit will be paid to the executive's designated beneficiary, or to the executive's estate, as applicable, under the provisions of the applicable agreement, and a death benefit will also be paid to us. Any death benefit paid to us will be in excess of any death benefit paid to the executive's designated beneficiary.
The following table outlines the respective cumulative death benefits that would be paid to each executive's designated beneficiary or estate pursuant to any BOLI agreements we have entered into with the executive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Death Benefit |
|
|
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
300,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
Executive Compensation in 2025
In November 2024, the Compensation Committee conducted an executive compensation review with data and analyses provided by Meridian, its independent compensation consultant. The purpose of the review was to assess the market competitiveness of the current executive compensation program against updated data for the selected peer group of base salaries, short-term and long-term incentive targets to assist in making compensation decisions for 2025. Individual positions were benchmarked as part of the review against comparable positions at other organizations in terms of role, level, and responsibilities. The review indicated that in the aggregate compensation levels fell within the competitive range for each pay component (meaning, plus or minus 15% of the market median); however, competitive positioning varied by individual.
In February 2025, the Compensation Committee and the Board met and approved new base salaries for our NEOs. At the same time in February, the Compensation Committee also approved and recommended to the Board for approval an increase in the short-term incentive opportunity for
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025 Base Salary |
|
2025% Increase |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,024,650 |
|
3.5% |
|
|
|
$ |
553,062 |
|
3.5% |
|
|
|
$ |
700,000 |
|
6.7% |
|
|
|
$ |
550,467 |
|
3.5% |
|
|
|
$ |
505,908 |
|
3.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Opportunity |
||||
|
|
2025 Short-Term |
2025 Long-Term |
||
|
110% |
|
200% |
|
|
|
75% |
|
115% |
|
|
|
80% |
|
115% |
|
|
|
55% |
|
75% |
|
|
|
55% |
|
60% |
|
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis provided above in this proxy statement. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Respectfully submitted by the members of the Compensation Committee,
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Summary Compensation Table
The following Summary Compensation Table provides information on the compensation accrued, paid, or awarded to our NEOs by the Company or its subsidiaries during the years indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity |
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Incentive Plan |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Awards(1) |
|
Compensation(3) |
|
Compensation(4) |
|
Total |
|
|
Year |
($) |
($) |
($) |
|
($) |
($) |
($) |
|||||||
|
2024 |
975,000 |
|
- |
|
1,932,272 |
(2) |
1,205,820 |
|
142,193 |
|
4,255,285 |
|
||
President and CEO of the |
2023 |
894,213 |
720,000 |
1,644,042 |
|
180,000 |
|
116,225 |
3,554,480 |
|
|||||
Company; CEO of the Bank |
2022 |
859,733 |
- |
1,381,053 |
977,766 |
|
107,643 |
3,326,195 |
|
||||||
|
2024 |
526,263 |
|
- |
|
610,547 |
(2) |
455,595 |
|
45,935 |
|
1,638,339 |
|
||
EVP and Chief Financial |
2023 |
478,421 |
272,037 |
642,908 |
|
68,010 |
|
38,272 |
1,499,648 |
|
|||||
Officer of the Company |
2022 |
438,788 |
- |
493,398 |
324,369 |
|
31,359 |
1,287,914 |
|
||||||
|
2024 |
651,714 |
|
- |
|
749,929 |
(2) |
599,182 |
|
105,633 |
|
2,106,459 |
|
||
EVP of the Company; |
2023 |
626,648 |
378,415 |
886,132 |
|
94,603 |
|
95,933 |
2,081,731 |
|
|||||
President and Chief Operating |
2022 |
602,032 |
- |
742,064 |
479,689 |
|
62,358 |
1,886,143 |
|
||||||
Officer of the Bank |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
528,443 |
|
- |
|
418,372 |
(2) |
358,628 |
|
70,049 |
|
1,375,492 |
|
|
EVP of the Company; |
|
2023 |
494,350 |
140,634 |
489,535 |
|
140,634 |
|
62,631 |
1,327,784 |
|
||||
Wholesale Banking Group |
2022 |
406,495 |
- |
326,512 |
243,425 |
|
53,734 |
|
1,030,166 |
|
|||||
Executive of the Bank |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
485,667 |
|
- |
|
291,876 |
(2) |
328,522 |
|
41,036 |
|
1,147,101 |
|
||
EVP of the Company; |
|
2023 |
|
416,591 |
|
405,100 |
|
385,487 |
|
103,400 |
|
35,328 |
|
1,345,906 |
|
Chief Information Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of the Bank |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | The amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the time-based restricted stock and PSUs granted to our NEOs, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. A discussion of our assumptions related to stock-based compensation are found in Note 15, "Employee Benefits and Stock Based Compensation," to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The grant date fair value of each award was determined based on the fair value of our common stock on the grant date except that the fair value of PSUs that vest based on relative total shareholder retu(the "TSR PSUs"), a market-based condition, were estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The aggregate grant date fair value of PSUs that vest based on relative ROATCE (the "ROATCE PSUs") were calculated based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions as of the grant date, which, for the 2024 grants, was target level performance. For 2024, this column includesthe value of certain restricted stock awards granted in March 2024 for the above-target portion of the 2023 annual incentive award determined based on 2023 performance. |
(2) | Represents the following awards of time-based restricted stock and performance-based units and their grant date fair values: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Time-Based Restricted Stock ($) |
|
TSR PSU ($) |
|
ROATCE PSU (a) ($) |
|
|
836,979 |
|
570,466 |
|
524,827 |
|
|
327,258 |
|
147,546 |
|
135,742 |
|
|
402,169 |
|
181,125 |
|
166,635 |
|
|
234,453 |
|
95,792 |
|
88,128 |
|
|
156,643 |
|
70,434 |
|
64,799 |
(a) | The ROATCE PSUs were determined to have a value at the grant date based on management's assessment that it was probable that the units would vest at the target level of performance. However, if the highest level of performance conditions with respect to the ROATCE PSUs granted in 2024 are satisfied, then the value of the units determined as |
of the grant date, would be as follows: |
(3) | See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Short-Term Incentive Compensation" above for a descriptionofhowtheCompensationCommitteedeterminedthenon-equityincentiveplanpaymentsawardedin2024. |
(4) | The details of the components of this column are provided in the table below titled "2024 All Other Compensation Table." |
(5) |
2024 All Other Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
Contributions |
|
Dividends on |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
to Retirement |
|
Restricted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and 401(k) |
|
Stock |
|
Other Plan |
|
BOLI |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
Plans(1) |
|
Awards(2) |
|
Payments(3) |
|
Income |
|
Benefits(4) |
|
Total |
|
|
($) |
($) |
($) |
($) |
($) |
($) |
|||||||
|
15,420 |
|
50,148 |
|
21,107 |
|
125 |
|
55,393 |
|
142,193 |
|
|
|
15,420 |
|
21,008 |
|
5,247 |
|
683 |
|
3,577 |
|
45,935 |
|
|
|
15,420 |
|
27,762 |
|
11,330 |
|
175 |
|
50,946 |
|
105,633 |
|
|
|
15,420 |
|
15,253 |
|
8,515 |
|
138 |
|
30,723 |
|
70,049 |
|
|
|
13,800 |
|
11,203 |
|
4,760 |
|
- |
|
11,273 |
|
41,036 |
|
(1) | Represents matching contributions made by the Company to the Company's 401(k) plan and discretionary employer contributions made by the Company on behalf of the individuals to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan included in our 401(k) plan. |
(2) | The executives receive the same cash dividends on restricted shares as holders of common stock. |
(3) | Represents premiums paid on supplemental long-term disability benefits for each executive under the Supplemental Individual Disability Plan. |
(4) | Represents (a) the aggregate incremental costs for personal use |
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2024
The following table provides information regarding stock awards granted in 2024 and the annual cash incentive compensation award opportunity for 2024 for each NEO.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Grant Date |
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Possible Payouts Under |
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under |
|
Shares of |
|
Fair Value |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) |
|
Stock or |
|
of Stock |
|
||||||||
|
|
Grant |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
Units(3) |
|
Award(4) |
|
|
|
Date |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
495,000 |
|
990,000 |
|
1,980,000 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
18,110 |
|
36,220 |
|
72,440 |
|
- |
|
1,095,293 |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
24,146 |
|
791,989 |
|
|
|
3/15/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
1,337 |
|
44,990 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
187,026 |
|
374,051 |
|
748,102 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
4,684 |
|
9,368 |
|
18,736 |
|
- |
|
283,288 |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
9,368 |
|
307,270 |
|
|
|
3/15/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
594 |
|
19,988 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
245,970 |
|
491,939 |
|
983,878 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
5,750 |
|
11,500 |
|
23,000 |
|
- |
|
347,760 |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
11,499 |
|
377,167 |
|
|
|
3/15/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
743 |
|
25,002 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
146,260 |
|
292,519 |
|
585,038 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
3,041 |
|
6,082 |
|
12,164 |
|
- |
|
183,920 |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
6,081 |
|
199,457 |
|
|
|
3/15/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
1,040 |
|
34,996 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
134,420 |
|
268,840 |
|
537,680 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
2,236 |
|
4,472 |
|
8,944 |
|
- |
|
135,233 |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
4,471 |
|
146,649 |
|
|
|
3/15/2024 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
297 |
|
9,994 |
|
(1) | Represents the possible payout range under the MIP for annual cash incentive awards granted in 2024, with all payments subject to achievement of corporate and individual/divisional performance measures. The annual cash incentive awards earned by and paid to the NEOs in 2024 under the MIP are shown in the Summary Compensation Table under the column captioned "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation." |
(2) | Reflects PSU awards granted under the 2024 LTIP. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Long-Term Incentive Compensation-2024 Long-Term Incentive Program Awards" for additional details. Any PSUs earned will be paid after the Compensation Committee certifies the performance results, which must occur within the 60-day period following the end of the performance period. |
(3) | Reflects time-based restricted stock awards granted under the LTIP. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Long-Term Incentive Compensation-2024 Long-Term Incentive Program Awards" for additional details. The awards with a March 2024 grant date were granted as the above-target portion of the 2023 annual incentive award determined based on 2023 performance. |
(4) | The amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair value of each award was determined based on the fair value of our common stock on the grant date except that the fair value of TSR PSUs were estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation model. The aggregate grant date fair value of the ROATCE PSUs were calculated based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions as of the grant date, which, for 2024 grants, was target level performance. A discussion of our assumptions for stock-based compensation are found in Note 15, "Employee Benefits and Stock Based Compensation," to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2024
The following table shows certain information regarding outstanding time-based restricted stock and PSU awards previously granted to our NEOs that were outstanding as of December 31, 2024. None of our NEOs held any outstanding stock options as of December 31,2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Incentive |
|
Plan Awards: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan Awards: |
|
Market or Payout |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Market Value |
|
Number of |
|
Value of Unearned |
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of |
|
of Shares of |
|
Unearned |
|
Shares, Units or |
|
|
|
|
|
Stock That |
|
Stock That |
|
Shares or Units |
|
Other Rights |
|
|
|
Grant Date or |
|
Have Not |
|
Have Not |
|
That Have |
|
That Have |
|
|
|
Performance |
|
Vested |
|
Vested(1) |
|
Not Vested(2) |
|
Not Vested(1) |
|
|
|
Period |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
|
|
2/24/2022 |
|
4,409 |
(3) |
167,013 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/23/2023 |
|
11,477 |
(4) |
434,749 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
24,146 |
(5) |
914,650 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
3/15/2024 |
|
1,337 |
(8) |
50,646 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
1/1/2022-12/31/2024 |
|
19,444 |
(6) |
736,546 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
1/1/2023-12/31/2025 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
25,824 |
(7) |
978,213 |
|
|
|
1/1/2024-12/31/2026 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
36,220 |
(7) |
1,372,014 |
|
|
|
2/24/2022 |
|
1,575 |
(3) |
59,661 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/23/2023 |
|
5,624 |
(4) |
213,037 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
9,368 |
(5) |
354,860 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
3/15/2024 |
|
594 |
(8) |
22,501 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
1/1/2022-12/31/2024 |
|
6,946 |
(6) |
263,124 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
1/1/2023-12/31/2025 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
8,436 |
(7) |
319,556 |
|
|
|
1/1/2024-12/31/2026 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
9,368 |
(7) |
354,860 |
|
|
|
2/24/2022 |
|
2,369 |
(3) |
89,738 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/23/2023 |
|
7,751 |
(4) |
293,608 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
11,499 |
(5) |
435,582 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
3/15/2024 |
|
743 |
(8) |
28,145 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
1/1/2022-12/31/2024 |
|
10,448 |
(6) |
395,762 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
1/1/2023-12/31/2025 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
11,628 |
(7) |
440,469 |
|
|
|
1/1/2024-12/31/2026 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
11,500 |
(7) |
435,620 |
|
|
|
2/24/2022 |
|
1,042 |
(3) |
39,471 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/23/2023 |
|
4,282 |
(4) |
162,202 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
6,081 |
(5) |
230,348 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
3/15/2024 |
|
1,040 |
(8) |
39,395 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
1/1/2022-12/31/2024 |
|
4,597 |
(6) |
174,141 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
1/1/2023-12/31/2025 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
6,424 |
(7) |
243,341 |
|
|
|
1/1/2024-12/31/2026 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
6,082 |
(7) |
230,386 |
|
|
|
2/23/2023 |
|
2,497 |
(4) |
94,586 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
3/13/2023 |
|
1,976 |
(9) |
74,851 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
2/22/2024 |
|
4,471 |
(5) |
169,361 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
3/15/2024 |
|
297 |
(8) |
11,250 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
|
1/1/2023-12/31/2025 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
3,746 |
(7) |
141,898 |
|
|
|
1/1/2024-12/31/2026 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
4,472 |
(7) |
169,399 |
|
(1) | Computed by multiplying the number of shares reported in the preceding column by the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2024 of $37.88 per share. |
(2) | Represents PSUs that are subject to the achievement of pre-established performance measures and the officer's continued service through the payment date, which is the date following the end of the three-year performance period that the Compensation Committee certifies the performance results. Any PSUs that vest will be converted to shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis. PSUs that do not vest will be forfeited. |
(3) | 2022 time-based restricted stock ("TRS"). This award vested on February 24, 2025. |
(4) | 2023 TRS. One-half of the outstanding award vested on February 23, 2025 and one-half is scheduled to vest on February 23, 2026. |
(5) | 2024 TRS. One-third of the outstanding award vested on February 22, 2025, one-third is scheduled to vest on February 22, 2026, and one-third is scheduled to vest on February 22, 2027. |
(6) | 2022 PSU (Performance Achieved). Represents PSUs earned upon satisfaction of performance at 98%, subject to the officer's continued service through the payment date. These PSUs were vested and paid January 29, 2025 See the description of our performance and satisfaction of the performance measures for the 2022 PSUs in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Long-Term Incentive Compensation-2022 Performance Share Unit Results" above. |
(7) | PSUs (Performance Not Yet Achieved). The number of unearned PSUs reported assumes the units are earned and vested at the targeted performance level. |
(8) | March 2024 TRS. This award fully vested on March 15, 2025. |
(9) | March 2023 TRS. One-half of the outstanding award vested on March 13, 2025 and one-half is scheduled to vest on March 13, 2026. |
Stock Vested in 2024
The following table provides information that is intended to enable investors to understand the value of the equity realized by the NEOs upon the vesting of stock during the most recent fiscal year. None of the NEOs exercised any stock options during 2024, nor do they hold any outstanding stock options.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards |
|
||
|
|
Number of Shares Acquired |
|
Value Realized |
|
|
|
on Vesting |
|
on Vesting |
|
|
|
(#) |
|
($)(1) |
|
|
|
30,099 |
|
1,035,002 |
|
|
|
11,929 |
|
409,654 |
|
|
|
15,800 |
|
541,942 |
|
|
|
8,424 |
|
289,162 |
|
|
|
2,237 |
|
75,249 |
|
(1) | The value realized is the gross number of shares that vested multiplied by the closing price of our common stock on the vesting date. For purposes of this table, where a vesting date was a non-business day, we used the closing price of our common stock on the business day before the vesting date. |
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2024
We offer a nonqualified deferred compensation plan administered by the Virginia Bankers Association ("VBA") Benefits Corporation under which eligible executives and non-employee directors may elect annually to defer compensation paid to them by us on a pre-tax basis. The VBA's nonqualified deferred compensation plan is a defined contribution plan under which contributions are posted to the participant's account at the time of the actual deferral and the account is credited with earnings commensurate with the elected investments. The available investment options are our common stock and the funds available for directed investment under the Virginia Bankers Association Master Defined Contribution Plan. These investments are held in a "rabbi trust" administered by the VBA Benefits Corporation. The funds are held in the rabbi trust until such time as the executive or director is entitled to receive a distribution.
Participants elect, in advance of the deferral of their compensation, the timing for when the funds will be distributable to them. In general, a participant may elect distributions to occur on a specific date before termination of employment or board service, upon termination of employment for board service or any reason including retirement, death or disability, or on a change in control. Participants may also select the form in which benefits will be paid, which can be either as a lump sum or in substantially equal installments, payable annually, over a term of no less than two years and no more than 20 years.
The following table summarizes the nonqualified deferred compensation for the NEOs in 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive |
Registrant |
Aggregate |
Aggregate |
Aggregate |
||||||
|
|
Contributions |
|
Contributions |
|
Earnings in |
|
Withdrawals/ |
|
Balance at |
|
|
|
in Last FY(1) |
|
in Last FY |
|
Last FY |
|
Distributions |
|
Last FYE(2) |
|
|
($) |
($) |
($) |
($) |
($) |
||||||
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|||||
|
100,000 |
- |
76,506 |
- |
452,137 |
|
|||||
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|||||
|
269,000 |
- |
107,684 |
- |
915,736 |
|
|||||
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
(1) | These amounts are included in the Summary Compensation Table. |
(2) | Of the amounts disclosed in this column, the following amounts were previously reported as compensation to the NEO in a Summary Compensation Table prior to 2024: Gorman-$239,784 and Ring-$484,821. |
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Employment Agreements of
The employment agreements between the Company and each of
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. Under each employment agreement, if we terminate the executive's employment without "Cause" (as defined in the agreement) or if the executive terminates his or her employment for "Good Reason" (as defined in the agreement), the executive will be entitled to payment of the executive's then current base salary for a period of two years from the termination date paid in installments as if the executive had remained employed, plus a welfare benefit paid in a lump sum equal to the product of our monthly contribution to group health, dental and vision insurance benefits times 24 (the "Welfare Benefit"). Payment of such compensation and benefits contributions is subject to receipt from the executive of a signed release and waiver of claims and satisfaction of the other requirements, conditions and limitations set forth in the agreement.
Failure to Renew Employment Agreement. If we fail to renew the executive's employment agreement for calendar year 2023 or thereafter, the executive will be entitled to payment of the executive's base salary for one year from the termination date paid in installments as if the executive had remained employed, plus a welfare benefit paid in a lump sum equal to the product of our monthly contribution to group health, dental and vision insurance benefits times 12. Payment of such compensation and benefits contributions is subject to receipt from the executive of a signed release and waiver of claims and satisfaction of the other requirements, conditions and limitations set forth in the agreement.
Death. If the executive's employment is terminated due to death, we will pay his or her designated beneficiary or estate an amount equal to the executive's then current base salary for a period of six months in installments as if the executive had remained employed.
Cause. In the event of a termination for Cause, each executive is only entitled to receive his or her accrued but unpaid base salary and any unreimbursed expenses he or she may have incurred before the date of termination.
Change in Control. Each employment agreement terminates in the event there is a change in control of the Company, at which time the management continuity agreements detailed below will become effective and any termination benefits will be determined and paid solely pursuant to the applicable management continuity agreement.
Management Continuity Agreement of
We have entered into management continuity agreements with each of
Under each management continuity agreement, we or our successor must continue to employ each executive for a term of two years after the date of a "Change in Control" of the Company (as defined in the agreement). Under their respective agreements, each executive will retain commensurate authority and responsibilities, compensation and benefits, and will receive a base salary equal to or greater than the base salary they received in the year immediately prior to the Change in Control and an annual bonus equal to or greater than the average annual bonus they received for the two years immediately prior to the Change in Control.
If the executive's employment is terminated during the two-year protection period following a Change in Control, other than for death, "Cause" or "Disability" (each as defined in the agreement), or if the executive terminates his or her employment for "Good Reason" (as defined in the agreement), each executive will be entitled to a lump sum cash payment after the date of termination in an amount equal to:
● | any benefits and compensation (including short- and long-term incentive awards) which have been earned or become payable, but have not yet been paid, including any amounts previously deferred (paid within ten days of termination); |
● | a prorated annual bonus for the year of termination (paid within ten days of termination); |
● | two times the sum of the executive's then-current base salary, plus the highest annual bonus paid or payable to the executive for the two most recently completed fiscal years (paid within 60 days of termination); and |
● | the Welfare Benefit. |
Each management continuity agreement also provides for a "cutback" to certain minimum payments and benefits so that the payments do not trigger an excise tax. Payment of any severance and other benefits under the agreement is subject to receipt from the executive of a signed release and waiver of claims and satisfaction of the other requirements, conditions and limitations set forth in the agreement.
If the executive's employment is terminated due to their disability or death during the two-year protection period following a Change in Control, we will pay him or her, or their designated beneficiary, as applicable, a lump sum payment in an amount equal to six months of the executive's then-current base salary, plus the amount of the Welfare Benefit.
Executive Severance Plan
The Executive Severance Plan provides benefits to certain of our executive officers, including our NEOs (other than
Termination Without Cause-No Change in Control. Under the Executive Severance Plan, if a participant is involuntarily terminated by us without cause, and such termination is not in connection with, or occurs more than three years following, a Change in Control of the Company, the executive will receive:
● | a lump sum payment equal to the sum of (i) the executive's annualized base salary at the time of termination, plus (ii) an amount equal to the executive's annual incentive bonus paid or payable for the year immediately prior to the termination date, pro-rated for the then-current calendar year through the termination date; |
● | a lump sum payment equal to 12 times the Company-paid monthly subsidy for group health/dental plans; |
● | outplacement services for 12 months provided in accordance with our guidelines; and |
● | any earned but unpaid obligations under any of our other benefit plans ("accrued obligations"). |
Termination Following a Change in Control. The Executive Severance Plan also provides certain enhanced post-termination benefits for eligible "Tier 1 Executives" (including each of the participating NEOs) in the case of a termination without cause or for good reason, if such termination occurs within three years following a Change in Control of the Company. This enhanced post-termination benefit is provided in a tiered structure to participants in the Executive Severance Plan.
● | a lump sum cash payment equal to two times the sum of (i) the executive's annualized base salary at the time of termination plus (ii) the executive's highest annual incentive bonus paid or payable, including by reason of deferral, for the two most recently completed years; |
● | a lump sum cash payment equal to 24 times the Company-paid monthly subsidy for group health and dental plans; |
● | outplacement services for 12 months provided in accordance with our guidelines; and |
● | any accrued obligations. |
In the case of a qualifying termination with or without a Change in Control, an executive must execute and not revoke a release of claims and non-solicitation agreement with us to receive any benefits under the Executive Severance Plan (other than the accrued obligations). An executive who is a party to another agreement with us that provides severance or severance-type benefits upon termination of employment is not eligible to participate in the Executive Severance Plan. In addition, no benefits will be paid to the extent they are duplicative of benefits under any other plans or agreements with the Company.
The Board and the Compensation Committee reserve the right to amend, modify or terminate the Executive Severance Plan at any time if they determine that it is necessary or desirable to do so.
Equity Awards
Time-Based Restricted Stock. Under our time-based restricted stock award agreement, all unvested shares of restricted stock will automatically vest if the executive's employment is terminated (a) due to death or permanent and total disability, (b) when the executive is entitled to severance under an employment agreement or the Executive Severance Plan (each as described above), (c) due to retirement at or after age 65 with the consent of the Compensation Committee, or (d) due to retirement before reaching age 65, if the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, waives forfeiture of the unvested shares. In addition, all unvested shares of restricted stock will automatically vest following a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the 2021 Plan) if (i) the award is assumed by the surviving entity and the executive is terminated without cause (as defined in the award agreement or an applicable employment agreement) or for good reason within two years of the Change in Control, or (ii) on the date of the Change in Control, if the surviving entity does not assume or equitably convert the award.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units. Under our PSU award agreement, if the executive's employment is terminated before the payment date (a) due to death or permanent and total disability, (b) when the executive is entitled to severance under an employment agreement or the Executive Severance Plan (each as described above), (c) due to retirement at or after age 65 with the consent of the Compensation Committee, or (d) due to retirement before reaching age 65 (if the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, waives forfeiture of the unvested units), then a pro rata portion of the units earned based on the Compensation Committee's determination of the level of achievement for the performance goal for the entire performance period will vest and be paid on the payment date; provided that in certain instances, the executive complies with or enters into, as applicable, a non-competition
agreement. In addition, if there is a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the award agreement) on or before the end of the performance period, and the executive remains employed until the Change in Control, the target number of units will be deemed earned and will vest and be paid upon the consummation of the Change in Control.
Table Showing Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
The following table shows potential post-employment payments that would be due to our NEOs upon a termination of employment from the Company for various reasons, and payments that would be due to our NEOs upon a change in control, in each case assuming that those events occurred on December 31, 2024. If we terminate any NEO's employment for "cause" or if the executive resigns without "good reason," then we will have no further obligations to such NEO except for payment of any amounts earned and unpaid as of the effective date of the termination. Accordingly, those events are omitted from the table. In addition,
|
|
|
|
BOLI |
|
Value of Accelerated Vesting |
|
|
|
||
|
Cash(1) |
Payment(2) |
Restricted Stock(3) |
PSUs(4) |
Total |
||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||
Termination Events |
|
|
|||||||||
Without Cause (without Change in Control) |
3,212,992 |
|
- |
|
2,303,603 |
|
1,109,480 |
|
6,626,075 |
|
|
Good Reason (without Change in Control) |
3,212,992 |
|
- |
|
2,303,603 |
|
1,109,480 |
|
6,626,075 |
|
|
Change in Control with Qualifying Termination |
5,624,632 |
|
- |
|
2,303,603 |
|
2,350,227 |
|
10,278,462 |
|
|
Failure to Renew Employment Agreement |
2,209,406 |
|
- |
|
2,303,603 |
|
1,109,480 |
|
5,622,489 |
|
|
Death (without Change in Control) |
508,586 |
|
100,000 |
|
2,303,603 |
|
1,109,480 |
|
4,021,669 |
|
|
Disability (without Change in Control) |
13,586 |
|
- |
|
2,303,603 |
|
1,109,480 |
|
3,426,669 |
|
|
Death (with Change in Control) |
522,172 |
|
100,000 |
|
2,303,603 |
|
1,109,480 |
|
4,035,255 |
|
|
Disability (with Change in Control) |
522,172 |
|
- |
|
2,303,603 |
|
1,109,480 |
|
3,935,255 |
|
|
Change in Control |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
2,350,227 |
|
2,350,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Termination Events |
|
||||||||||
Without Cause (without Change in Control) |
1,561,273 |
|
- |
|
913,182 |
|
331,324 |
|
2,805,779 |
|
|
Good Reason (without Change in Control) |
1,561,273 |
|
- |
|
913,182 |
|
331,324 |
|
2,805,779 |
|
|
Change in Control with Qualifying Termination |
2,472,463 |
|
- |
|
913,182 |
|
674,416 |
|
4,060,061 |
|
|
Failure to Renew Employment Agreement |
1,008,434 |
|
- |
|
913,182 |
|
331,324 |
|
2,252,940 |
|
|
Death (without Change in Control) |
285,660 |
|
300,000 |
|
913,182 |
|
331,324 |
|
1,830,166 |
|
|
Disability (without Change in Control) |
18,480 |
|
- |
|
913,182 |
|
331,324 |
|
1,262,986 |
|
|
Death (with Change in Control) |
304,140 |
|
300,000 |
|
913,182 |
|
331,324 |
|
1,848,646 |
|
|
Disability (with Change in Control) |
304,140 |
|
- |
|
913,182 |
|
331,324 |
|
1,548,646 |
|
|
Retirement (at or after age 65) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
913,182 |
|
331,324 |
|
1,244,506 |
|
Change in Control |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
674,416 |
|
674,416 |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Termination Events |
|
||||||||||
Without Cause (without Change in Control) |
1,927,416 |
|
- |
|
1,242,834 |
|
438,852 |
|
3,609,102 |
|
|
Good Reason (without Change in Control) |
1,927,416 |
|
- |
|
1,242,834 |
|
438,852 |
|
3,609,102 |
|
|
Change in Control with Qualifying Termination |
3,125,780 |
|
- |
|
1,242,834 |
|
876,089 |
|
5,244,703 |
|
|
Failure to Renew Employment Agreement |
1,263,299 |
|
- |
|
1,242,834 |
|
438,852 |
|
2,944,985 |
|
|
Death (without Change in Control) |
336,158 |
|
100,000 |
|
1,242,834 |
|
438,852 |
|
2,117,844 |
|
|
Disability (without Change in Control) |
8,198 |
|
- |
|
1,242,834 |
|
438,852 |
|
1,689,884 |
|
|
Death (with Change in Control) |
344,356 |
|
100,000 |
|
1,242,834 |
|
438,852 |
|
2,126,042 |
|
|
Disability (with Change in Control) |
344,356 |
|
- |
|
1,242,834 |
|
438,852 |
|
2,026,042 |
|
|
Change in Control |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
876,089 |
|
876,089 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BOLI |
|
Value of Accelerated Vesting |
|
|
|
||
|
Cash(1) |
Payment(2) |
Restricted Stock(3) |
PSUs(4) |
Total |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination Events |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Without Cause (without Change in Control) |
924,066 |
|
- |
|
645,558 |
|
239,023 |
|
1,808,647 |
|
|
Change in Control with Qualifying Termination |
1,828,132 |
|
- |
|
645,558 |
|
473,727 |
|
2,947,417 |
|
|
Death |
- |
|
100,000 |
|
645,558 |
|
239,023 |
|
984,581 |
|
|
Disability |
- |
|
- |
|
645,558 |
|
239,023 |
|
884,581 |
|
|
Change in Control |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
473,727 |
|
473,727 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination Events |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Without Cause (without Change in Control) |
855,924 |
|
- |
|
350,049 |
|
151,065 |
|
1,357,038 |
|
|
Change in Control with Qualifying Termination |
1,691,848 |
|
- |
|
350,049 |
|
311,298 |
|
2,353,195 |
|
|
Death |
- |
|
- |
|
350,049 |
|
151,065 |
|
501,114 |
|
|
Disability |
- |
|
- |
|
350,049 |
|
151,065 |
|
501,114 |
|
|
Change in Control |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
311,298 |
|
311,298 |
|
(1) | Represents amount due under their respective employment agreement, management continuity agreement, and/or our Executive Severance Plan, as applicable, as described above. For the purpose of calculating payments to |
(2) | This amount represents payment under each executive's respective BOLI agreement(s). |
(3) | This amount represents the market value of unvested time-based restricted stock awards that would vest in connection with each noted termination event, based on the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2024 of $37.88 per share. |
(4) | For each event, other than following a change in control, this amount represents the market value of a pro rata portion of the NEO's unvested PSUs, based on the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2024 of $37.88 per share. The pro rata portion of each PSU award is determined by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months in the performance period during which the executive was continuously employed by us and the denominator of which is the number of months in the entire performance period. The pro rata portion of the PSUs will vest on the last day of each applicable performance period, based on our actual performance. With respect to the 2022 PSUs for which the performance conditions were met at 98% of target at December 31, 2024, but which remained unvested at year-end, the number of shares included in the PSUs column is based on our actual performance. With respect to all other PSU awards, the number of shares that vest for each NEO, and thus the value reflected in the table, assumes that PSUs are achieved at the "target" performance level. If there is a change in control of the Company (as defined in the agreement) on or before the end of the performance period, and the executive remains employed until the change in control, the target number of PSUs will be deemed earned and will vest and be paid upon the consummation of the change in control. Therefore, for a change in control, this amount represents the market value of the unvested target level of PSUs based on the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2024 of $37.88 per share. |
|
CEO COMPENSATION PAY RATIO |
As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information which describes the relationship of the CEO's annual total compensation to the annual total compensation of a median employee of the Company.
In accordance with
● | We determined that, as of December 31, 2023, our employee population consisted of approximately 1,857 individuals with all of these individuals located in |
● | To identify the "median employee" from our employee population, we compared the amount of salary, wages, bonuses, and all other earnings as reported in our payroll records from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. |
● | We identified our median employee using this compensation measure, which was consistently applied to all our employees. |
For 2024, there was no significant change in our employee population or employee compensation arrangements that we reasonably believe would result in a significant change in our pay ratio disclosure. In reaching this conclusion, as permitted by
Once we identified our median employee for 2024, we calculated annual total compensation for such employee using the same methodology we used for our named executive officers as set forth in our Summary Compensation Table. With respect to the annual total compensation of our CEO, we used the amount reported in the "Total" column of our Summary Compensation Table.
The comparison of the annual total compensation of the median employee as described above to the annual total compensation of the CEO as reported in the "Total" column of the Summary Compensation Table included herein results in the following:
● | The annual total compensation of the median employee for 2024 was $65,173. |
● | The annual total compensation of |
● | The ratio of the annual total compensation of the median employee to the CEO is 1:65. |
This ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with
PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE |
The information below describes the relationship between compensation actually paid to our CEO and other NEOs, and certain measures of financial performance, for the five years ended December 31, 2024, in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. Compensation actually paid, as determined under
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
Value of Initial Fixed $100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary |
|
Average |
|
Investment Based On: |
|
|
|
|
Operating |
|
||||||
|
|
Summary |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retuon |
|
|||||
|
|
Compensation |
|
Actually Paid |
|
Table Total |
|
Actually paid |
|
Total |
|
Total |
|
|
|
Tangible |
|
|||||||
|
|
Table Total |
|
to CEO(2) |
|
for Non-CEO |
|
to Non-CEO |
|
Shareholder |
|
Shareholder |
|
Net Income(5) |
|
Common |
|
|||||||
Year |
|
for CEO(1) |
|
|
|
|
NEOs(1) |
|
NEOs(3) |
|
Return(4) |
|
Return(4) |
|
(in thousands) |
|
Equity(6) |
|
||||||
2024 |
|
$ |
4,255,285 |
|
$ |
4,257,170 |
|
$ |
1,566,848 |
|
$ |
1,564,231 |
|
$ |
120.12 |
|
$ |
130.90 |
|
$ |
209,131 |
|
16.12% |
|
2023 |
|
$ |
3,554,480 |
|
$ |
4,019,290 |
|
$ |
1,563,768 |
|
$ |
1,693,525 |
|
$ |
111.76 |
|
$ |
115.64 |
|
$ |
201,818 |
|
17.21% |
|
2022 |
|
$ |
3,326,195 |
|
$ |
3,391,347 |
|
$ |
1,202,480 |
|
$ |
1,162,202 |
|
$ |
103.35 |
|
$ |
116.10 |
|
$ |
234,510 |
|
16.84% |
|
2021 |
|
$ |
3,193,289 |
|
$ |
2,828,180 |
|
$ |
1,228,964 |
|
$ |
1,100,503 |
|
$ |
106.14 |
|
$ |
124.74 |
|
$ |
263,917 |
|
18.47% |
|
2020 |
|
$ |
2,894,770 |
|
$ |
2,504,942 |
|
$ |
1,057,012 |
|
$ |
951,036 |
|
$ |
91.10 |
|
$ |
91.29 |
|
$ |
158,228 |
|
12.49% |
|
(1) | For each year in the above table, |
(2) | This column represents the "compensation actually paid" to our CEO for each year, determined by starting with the amount set forth in the Summary Compensation Table ("SCT") in the column titled "Total" for the applicable year and adjusting that amount. Such adjustments for 2024 were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to Determine "Compensation Actually Paid" to our CEO |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Subtracts) amounts reported in the "Stock Awards" column in the SCT |
|
$ |
(1,932,272) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adds the fair value as of the end of the covered fiscal year of all equity awards granted during such year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of such year |
|
$ |
2,167,076 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adds the change in fair value (whether positive or negative) as of the end of the covered fiscal year of any equity awards granted in prior fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the covered fiscal year |
|
$ |
(168,103) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adds the change in fair value (whether positive or negative) as of the vesting date of any awards granted in the prior fiscal year for which all applicable vesting conditions were satisfied at the end of or during the covered fiscal year |
|
$ |
(64,816) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adds the incremental fair value of awards modified during the year |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Adjustments |
|
$ |
1,885 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) | This column represents the average "compensation actually paid" to our non-CEO NEOs for each year, determined by starting with the amount set forth in the SCT in the column titled "Total" for the applicable year (and taking the average of those amounts for the non-CEO NEOs) and adjusting that amount. Such adjustments for 2024 were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to Determine "Compensation Actually Paid" for non-CEO NEOs |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Subtracts) amounts reported in the "Stock Awards" column in the SCT |
|
$ |
(517,681) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adds the fair value as of the end of the covered fiscal year of all equity awards granted during such year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of such year |
|
$ |
583,506 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adds the change in fair value (whether positive or negative) as of the end of the covered fiscal year of any equity awards granted in prior fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the covered fiscal year |
|
$ |
(46,751) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adds the change in fair value (whether positive or negative) as of the vesting date of any awards granted in the prior fiscal year for which all applicable vesting conditions were satisfied at the end of or during the covered fiscal year |
|
$ |
(21,691) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adds the incremental fair value of awards modified during the year |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Adjustments |
|
$ |
(2,617) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4) | These two columns show the total shareholder return, or TSR, assuming $100 was invested on December 31, 2019 in both the Company's common stock and our selected peer group, the KBW Regional Banking Index, and assumes the reinvestment of all cash dividends prior to any tax effect and retention of all stock dividends. The selected peer group and associated TSR is the line-of-business index we used for purposes of Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K. |
(5) | This column provides our net income for each year presented. |
(6) | This column represents the financial performance measure that we believe is the most important measure (that is not otherwise disclosed in the table) that we use to align compensation actually paid to our NEOs in 2024 with our performance.Operating retuon tangible common equity, or operating ROTCE, is a non-GAAP financial measure used in our MIP. For a description of how operating ROTCE is calculated, see "Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Short-Term Incentive Compensation and Discretionary Bonus-Incentive Award Payouts and Discretionary Bonus-Corporate Performance." |
Relationship Between Pay and Performance
The relationship between compensation actually paid to our CEO and the average of the compensation actually paid to our other non-CEO NEOs and the performance measures shown in the table above is described in further detail below. As illustrated below, the compensation actually paid to our CEO and the other non-CEO NEOs, as calculated in accordance with the
Relationship Between Our TSR and the Peer Group TSR
The graph below shows the relationship between our TSR and our Peer Group TSR, which is the KBW Regional Banking Index.
Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Our TSR
The graph below shows the relationship between the compensation actually paid to our CEO and the average compensation actually paid to our non-CEO NEOs and our TSR.
Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and Our Net Income
The graph below shows the relationship between the compensation actually paid to our CEO and the average compensation actually paid to our non-CEO NEOs and our net income.
Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and the Our Operating ROTCE
The graph below shows the relationship between the compensation actually paid to our CEO and the average compensation actually paid to our non-CEO NEOs and our Operating ROTCE.
Tabular List of Financial Performance Measures
We consider the following to be the most important financial performance measures used to link compensation actually paid to our NEOs, for 2024, to Company performance. The role of each of these performance measures on our NEOs' compensation is discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above.
Performance Measures |
|
Operating ROTCE |
|
Net Operating Income |
|
Operating Efficiency Ratio |
|
Operating ROA |
|
Total Shareholder RetuRelative to the KBW Regional Banking Index |
|
INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS |
We monitor certain relationships and related party transactions by requiring each director and executive officer to notify our General Counsel in advance of any potential transactions that may be considered a transaction with a related party. We have adopted a formal written Related Party Transaction Policy to ensure compliance with this requirement, NYSE rules, and
Certain of our directors and officers and members of their immediate families, and corporations, partnerships and other entities with which such persons are associated, are customers of the Bank. As such, these persons engaged in transactions with us in the ordinary course of business during 2024 and may have additional transactions with us in the future. All loans extended and commitments to lend by the Bank to such persons have been made in the ordinary course of business upon substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and do not involve more than the normal risk of collection or present other unfavorable features.
The daughter of
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS |
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, directors, certain officers, and beneficial owners of greater than 10% of our common stock are required to file reports with the
OTHER MATTERS |
As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board has no knowledge of any matters to be presented for consideration at the annual meeting other than the proposals discussed in this proxy statement. If any other matters properly come before the annual meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote such proxy, to the extent entitled, in accordance with the recommendation of the Board.
DIRECTOR CANDIDATES RECOMMENDED BY SHAREHOLDERS |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director nominees identified by its members, other directors, our executive officers and other persons, including our shareholders. The Board has adopted a written policy setting forth the procedures that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will use in considering and evaluating director candidates recommended by shareholders. To be considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, any recommendation by a shareholder of a candidate for director must be submitted to the committee, c/o our Corporate Secretary at
information called for by our Policy on the Consideration and Evaluation of Director Candidates Recommended by Shareholders, which includes all of the following information:
● | the name and address of the shareholder; |
● | the number of shares of our stock that are owned beneficially and of record by the shareholder and candidate; |
● | a recommendation that identifies the candidate, and provides (a) contact information for the candidate, (b) a detailed résumé for the candidate, and (c) a brief statement of the candidate's qualifications to serve as a director; and |
● | the written consent of the candidate to be considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as a potential nominee and to serve as a director, if elected. |
Upon the timely receipt of the required documents, the Corporate Secretary will request an autobiographical statement explaining the candidate's interest in serving as a director, a completed statement regarding conflicts of interest, and a waiver of liability for background checks from the candidate. To assist in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's evaluation of the candidate, the Corporate Secretary may also request such additional information the Committee deems reasonably necessary to complete its evaluation. Such documents must be received from the candidate prior to December 1 preceding the annual meeting of shareholders for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to evaluate the candidate and consider him or her for nomination at the next annual meeting of shareholders. Our Policy on the Consideration and Evaluation of Director Candidates Recommended by Shareholders is published on the
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR OUR 2026 ANNUAL MEETING |
In order for a shareholder proposal to be considered for possible inclusion in our 2026 proxy statement, it must comply with applicable requirements and conditions established by the
If you would like to submit a matter for consideration at our 2026 annual meeting (including any shareholder proposal not submitted under Rule 14a-8 or any director nomination) that will not be included in the proxy statement for the annual meeting, you must comply with the advance notice and other provisions in our bylaws and it must be received by our Corporate Secretary at the address below no earlier than the close of business on January 6, 2026 and no later than the close of business on February 5, 2026, assuming we do not change the date of our 2026 annual meeting by more than 30 days before or 70 days after the anniversary date of our 2025 annual meeting.
In order for shareholders to give timely notice of nominations for directors for inclusion on a universal proxy card in connection with the 2026 annual meeting, notice must be submitted by the same deadline as disclosed above under the advance notice provisions of our bylaws and must include the information required by our bylaws and by Rule 14a-19(b)(2) and Rule 14a-19(b)(3) under the Exchange Act.
All shareholder proposals must be received by our Corporate Secretary at
VOTING AND OTHER INFORMATION |
Who may vote at the annual meeting?
Only our common shareholders as of the close of business on March 19, 2025, the "record date," are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. As of the record date, we had 90,149,377 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.
Holders of our depositary shares, each representing a 1/400th interest in a share of 6.875% perpetual non-cumulative preferred stock, Series A are not entitled to notice of or to vote at the annual meeting.
When and how do I vote my shares?
Shareholders of Record. If you are a shareholder of record, meaning you hold our stock directly, you may vote as follows:
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|
|
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|
|
Online Before the Meeting |
|
|
By Mail |
||
|
By Telephone |
|
|
Online During the Meeting |
If you vote online or by telephone before the meeting, your proxy must be received no later than 11:59 p.m., EasteTime, on May 5, 2025. Regardless of whether you plan to participate in the audio webcast of the meeting, we urge you to either vote online or by telephone before the meeting or sign, date, and retuyour proxy card. If you participate in the audio webcast, you may continue to have your shares voted as you instructed in a previously delivered proxy.
Beneficial Holders. If you are a beneficial holder, meaning you hold your shares through a bank, broker or other nominee, which is commonly referred to as holding shares in "street name," your bank, broker or other nominee will provide you with instructions for voting your shares before the annual meeting.
If you are a beneficial owner and wish to vote your shares during the annual meeting, you must register in advance of the annual meeting. To register, you must first obtain a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee, and email the legal proxy to
Participants in Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan. If you own shares of our common stock in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan included within our 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, or ESOP, you must provide voting instructions to the Plan trustee (the Trustee) by internet, telephone, or proxy card for the shares to be voted according to your instructions. The deadline to provide voting instructions for shares held in the ESOP is May 2, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., Eastetime. After the applicable deadline, you will not be able to submit voting instructions or change prior voting instructions for any shares held in the ESOP. If you do not vote your shares held in the ESOP, the Trustee will vote the shares allocated to your ESOP account in the same proportion as it votes the shares of ESOP participants who have voted, subject to the Trustee's fiduciary duties. You cannot vote your ESOP shares during the annual meeting. Your voting instructions to the Trustee will be held in strict confidence and will not be revealed to any employee or director of the Company.
What are the requirements to hold the annual meeting?
In order to hold our annual meeting, a quorum representing holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock entitled to vote must be present or represented by proxy at the meeting. We intend to include as present: shares present but not voting; shares for which we have received proxies but for which holders have abstained from voting; and shares represented by proxies returned by a bank, broker, or other nominee holding the shares.
What is a broker non-vote?
If you are a beneficial holder of shares, meaning you hold your shares in street name, your bank, broker or other nominee may vote your shares under certain circumstances. Brokerage firms have authority under stock exchange rules to vote their customers' unvoted shares on certain "routine" matters. When a proposal is not a "routine" matter, the bank, broker or other nominee cannot vote the shares on that proposal unless they have received prior voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares with respect to that proposal. This inability to vote the shares in such an instance is a "broker non-vote."
We expect that brokers will be allowed to exercise discretionary authority for beneficial owners who have not provided voting instructions ONLY with respect to Proposal 3, the ratification of the appointment of EY as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025, but not with respect to any of the other proposals to be voted on at the annual meeting. Accordingly, please provide voting instructions to your bank, broker or other nominee so that your shares may be voted on all other proposals.
When a brokerage firm votes its customers' unvoted shares on routine matters, these shares are counted for purposes of establishing a quorum to conduct business at the meeting.
What are the votes required to elect each director nominee and to approve the other proposals?
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Proposal For Your Vote |
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Election of directors |
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Approval of the |
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Ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm |
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Approval of the compensation of our named executive officers (an advisory, non-binding |
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Proposal 1-Election of Directors: Our bylaws provide that a nominee for director in an uncontested election will be elected to our Board if the votes cast for the nominee's election exceed the votes cast against his or her election. Abstentions from voting and broker non-votes are not treated as votes cast and are not counted for purposes of determining the election of directors. In the event that any nominee does not receive the necessary votes at the annual meeting, he or she must offer his or her resignation promptly pursuant to our Director Resignation Policy. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider the resignation and make a recommendation to the Board as to whether to accept or reject the offered resignation, or whether to take other action. Our Board will publicly disclose its decision regarding the resignation and the basis for its decision within 90 days after election results are certified.
All valid proxies that we receive will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated in such proxies. As noted above, if you hold your shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee and you do not give voting instructions, your broker is not permitted to vote your shares on Proposal 1. If no instructions are indicated in an otherwise properly executed proxy, if the merger is completed before our 2025 annual meeting, it will be voted "FOR" each of the director nominees named in this proxy statement. If the merger is not completed before our 2025 annual meeting, votes cast in favor of
Other Proposals: Approval of Proposals 2, 3 and 4 require that the votes cast in favor of each such proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal. As Proposal 4 is an advisory vote, the Board and our Compensation Committee will consider the shareholder vote, but it will not be binding on us. Abstentions from voting and broker non-votes (excluding Proposal 3, for which brokers have discretion to vote) are not treated as votes cast and are not counted in determining the outcome of any of these proposals.
All valid proxies that we receive will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated in such proxies. As noted above, if you hold your shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee and you do not give voting instructions, your broker is not permitted to vote your shares on any proposal other than Proposal 3, which is the only routine proposal on the agenda. If no instructions are indicated in an otherwise properly executed proxy, it will be voted "FOR" the approval of the
How can I revoke my proxy?
If you are a shareholder of record, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the annual meeting. You may do this by:
● | timely delivering a new valid proxy bearing a later date either by voting online, by telephone or by mail, |
● | timely delivering a written notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary addressed to |
● | attending the annual meeting and voting online during the meeting. |
Merely attending the annual meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy; you must cast a subsequent vote online during the meeting. Your last valid vote that we receive before or at the annual meeting is the vote that will be counted.
If you are a beneficial holder and you hold your shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee and desire to revoke your proxy, you must contact your bank, broker or other nominee in order to revoke your proxy or change your vote.
ATTENDING OUR ANNUAL MEETING |
Why is this year's annual meeting being held in a virtual-only format?
In support of the convenience of our shareholders and employees, our Board has determined to hold our annual meeting solely by means of remote communication via audio webcast. This is often referred to as a "virtual annual meeting." The webcast will allow all shareholders to join the meeting, regardless of location. We aim to provide shareholders the same rights and comparable opportunities for participation that have been historically provided at our in-person annual meetings. As with an in-person meeting, you will be able to vote and ask questions during the meeting.
How can I participate in the annual meeting?
This year's annual meeting will be conducted via audio live webcast. All holders of our common stock are invited to attend our annual meeting.
To attend, vote, and submit questions during our annual meeting, visit https://meetnow.global/MGCLYA7 and enter the control number found on your Notice of Internet Availability or on your proxy card. If you do not have a control number, you may still attend the meeting as a guest in listen-only mode, but you will not be able to vote your shares or otherwise participate in the meeting. If you are a beneficial holder that holds your shares in street name through a bank, broker, or other nominee, you must register in advance of the meeting to vote and ask questions during the meeting. To register, you must first obtain a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee, and email the legal proxy to
The live audio webcast of the meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., EasteTime. We encourage you to access the meeting 15 minutes before the start time. If you experience technical difficulties in connecting to the meeting, you may call 1-888-724-2416 (Toll Free) or 1-781-575-2748 (International Toll).If we experience technical issues in convening or hosting the meeting, we will promptly post information on the
Rules of conduct for the annual meeting will be available once you access the meeting webcast.
How can I ask questions?
Shareholders may submit questions either before or during the annual meeting by logging into the annual meeting using your control number and following the instructions to submit a question. We intend to respond to all questions during the meeting that are pertinent to the Company and the meeting matters, as time permits. Questions and responses may be grouped by topic and substantially similar questions may be grouped and responded to once. Shareholder questions related to personal or customer matters, that are not pertinent to annual meeting matters, or that contain derogatory references to individuals, use offensive language, or are otherwise out of order or not suitable for the conduct of the annual meeting will not be addressed during the meeting.
Will I be able to vote my shares during the annual meeting?
You will be able to vote your shares electronically during the annual meeting, except if you hold shares through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan. If you are a beneficial owner, you must first obtain a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee. See "How can I participate in the annual meeting?" for additional information. Please also see "What are the votes required to elect each director nominee and approve the other proposals?" for additional information on voting. As always, we encourage you to vote your shares before the annual meeting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
Solicitation of Proxies
We will bear the cost of proxy solicitation. Solicitation is being made by our Board by mail and electronic notice. If sufficient proxies are not returned in response to this solicitation, supplementary solicitations may also be made by mail, telephone, electronic communication or in person by directors, officers and employees of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, none of whom will receive additional compensation for these services. We have also engaged Regan & Associates, Inc. to assist us in the solicitation of proxies for the annual meeting for a fee of approximately $22,500 plus expenses.
"Householding" of Proxy Materials
The
Shareholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement and annual report at their address and would like to request "householding" of their communications should contact their broker if they are beneficial owners or, if they are shareholders of record, direct their request to our transfer agent,
If requested, we will also promptly deliver, upon oral or written request, a separate copy of the proxy statement and annual report to any shareholder residing at an address to which only one copy was mailed. Requests for additional copies should be directed to our transfer agent,
Annual Report to Shareholders
Our 2024 Annual Report to Shareholders, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (without exhibits), as filed with the
Appendix A
2025 STOCK AND INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I
Establishment, Purpose and Duration
1.1Establishment of the Plan.
1.2Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success of the Company and its Subsidiaries by providing incentives to Employees and Non-Employee Directors that will promote the identification of their personal interest with the long-term financial success of the Company and with growth in shareholder value, consistent with the Company's risk management practices. The Plan is designed to provide flexibility to the Company, including its Subsidiaries, in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of Employees and Non-Employee Directors upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of its operation is largely dependent.
1.3Duration of the Plan. The Plan is effective onthe Effective Date, subject to shareholder approval, as described in Section 1.1. No Award may be granted under the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, May 6, 2035. Awards outstanding on such date shall remain valid in accordance with their terms. The Board shall have the right to terminate the Plan at any time pursuant to Article XV.
ARTICLE II
Definitions
2.1Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Appendix A-1
For purposes of this Section 2.1(h), "Person" means any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any affiliated company, and "beneficial ownership" has the meaning given the term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
For purposes of any Award subject to Code Section 409A, this definition shall be narrowed as required to comply, and shall be interpreted consistent, with the requirements of Code Section 409A.
Appendix A-2
Appendix A-3
Appendix A-4
ARTICLE III
Administration
3.1The Committee.
Appendix A-5
3.2Selection of Participants. The Committee shall have the authority to grant Awards under the Plan, from time to time, to such Employees and Non-Employee Directors as may be selected by it. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Agreement.
3.3Decisions Binding. All determinations and decisions made by the Board or the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding.
3.4Rule l6b-3 Requirements. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Board or the Committee may impose such conditions on any Award, and amend the Plan in any such respects, as may be required to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3.
3.5Indemnification of Committee. In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as directors or as members of the Committee, the members of the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan or any Award granted or made hereunder, and against all amounts reasonably paid by them in settlement thereof or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, if such members acted in good faith and in a manner which they believed to be in, and not opposed to, the best interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
ARTICLE IV
Stock Subject to the Plan
4.1Number of Shares.
4.2Lapsed Awards or Forfeited Shares. If any Award granted under this Plan terminates, is cancelled, expires, or lapses for any reason other than by virtue of exercise or settlement of the Award, or if Shares issued
Appendix A-6
pursuant to Awards are forfeited, any Stock subject to such Award or such forfeited Shares, as applicable, shall be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan.
4.3Use of Shares for Payment of Option Price or Taxes. The full number of Shares granted with respect an Option shall count against the number of Shares available for future Awards under the Plan. Accordingly, Shares withheld by the Company, delivered by the Participant, or otherwise used to pay the Option Price (as defined below) pursuant to the exercise of an Option shall not be available for future Awards under the Plan. Shares withheld by the Company, delivered by the Participant, or otherwise used to satisfy payment of withholding taxes associated with an Option shall not be available for future Awards under the Plan. Conversely, Shares withheld by the Company, delivered by the Participant, or otherwise used to satisfy payment of withholding taxes associated with an Award other than an Option shall not reduce the number of Shares available for future Awards under the Plan.
4.4Cash-Settled Awards. Any Awards settled in cash shall not reduce the number of Shares available for future Awards under the Plan.
4.5No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award thereunder. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
ARTICLE V
Eligibility
Persons eligible to participate in the Plan include (i) all employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including any entity which becomes a Subsidiary after the Effective Date) who, in the opinion of the Committee, are Employees, and (ii) all Non-Employee Directors. The grant of an Award shall not obligate the Company to pay an Employee or Non-Employee Director any particular amount of remuneration, to continue the employment of the Employee or the service of the Non-Employee Director after the grant, or to make further grants to the Employee or Non-Employee Director at any time thereafter.
ARTICLE VI
Stock Options
6.1Grants of Options. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, Options may be granted to Employees and Non-Employee Directors at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall have complete discretion in determining the number of Shares subject to Options granted to each Participant, provided, however, that only Nonqualified Stock Options may be granted to Non-Employee Directors.
6.2Option Agreement. Each Option grant shall be evidenced by an Agreement that shall specify the type of Option granted, the Option Price (as hereinafter defined), the duration of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, any conditions imposed upon the exercisability of the Option, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. The Agreement shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or Nonqualified Stock Option, provided, however, that if an Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option but fails to be such for any reason, it shall continue in full force and effect as a Nonqualified Stock Option. No Option may be exercised after the expiration of its term or, except as set forth in the Participant's stock option Agreement, after the termination of the Participant's employment or service. The Committee shall set forth in the Participant's Agreement when, and under what circumstances, an Option may be exercised after termination of the Participant's employment or period of service; provided that in the event an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised after (a) three months from the Participant's termination of employment with the Company for reasons other than Disability or death, or (b) one year from the Participant's termination of employment on account of Disability or death, then the Agreement shall specifically provide that the exercise beyond such periods shall be the exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend a previously granted Incentive Stock Option to provide for more liberal exercise provisions, provided, however, that if the Incentive Stock Option as amended no longer meets the requirements of Code Section 422, and, as a result the Option no longer qualifies for favorable federal income tax treatment under Code Section 422, the amendment shall not become effective without the written consent of the Participant.
Appendix A-7
6.3Option Price. The exercise price per share of Stock covered by an Option ("Option Price") shall be determined by the Committee subject to the limitations described in this Section 6.3 and the Plan. The Option Price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Stock on the Award Date. In addition, an ISO granted to an Employee who, at the time of grant, is a 10% Shareholder, shall have an Option Price which is at least equal to 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the Award Date.
6.4Duration of Options. Each Option shall expire at such time as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant, provided, however, that no Option shall be exercisable later than the tenth (10th) anniversary date of its Award Date. In addition, an ISO granted to an Employee who, at the time of grant, is a 10% Shareholder, shall not be exercisable later than the fifth (5th) anniversary of its Award Date.
6.5Exercisability.
6.6Method of Exercise. Options shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice to the Company in the form (which may be electronic) prescribed by the Committee (or its delegee) setting forth the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, accompanied by full payment for the Shares and payment of (or an arrangement satisfactory to the Company for the Participant to pay) any tax withholding required in connection with the Option exercise. To the extent approved by the Committee from time to time, the Option Price shall be payable to the Company in full either (a) in cash, (b) by delivery of Shares of Stock that the Participant has previously acquired and owned valued at Fair Market Value at the time of exercise, (c) by delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company, from the sale proceeds with respect to the sale of Company Stock, the amount necessary to pay the Option Price and, if required by the Committee, applicable withholding taxes, (d) by the Company withholding Shares otherwise issuable upon the exercise valued at Fair Market Value at the time of exercise, or (e) by a combination of the foregoing. As soon as practicable, after receipt of written notice and payment of the Option Price and completion of payment of (or an arrangement satisfactory to the Company for the Participant to pay) any tax withholding required in connection with the Option exercise, the Company shall, in the Committee's discretion, either deliver to the Participant stock certificates in an appropriate amount based upon the number of Options exercised, issued in the Participant's name, or deliver the appropriate number of Shares in book-entry or electronic form.
6.7Restrictions on Stock Transferability. The Committee shall impose such restrictions on any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option under the Plan as it may deem advisable, including, without limitation, restrictions under the applicable federal securities law, under the requirements of any stock exchange upon which such Shares are then listed, and under any blue sky or state securities laws applicable to such Shares. The Committee may specify in an Agreement that Stock delivered on exercise of an Option is Restricted Stock or Stock subject to a buyback right by the Company in the amount of, or based on, the Option Price therefor in the event the Participant does not complete a specified service period after exercise.
6.8Nontransferability of Options.
Appendix A-8
6.9Disqualifying Disposition of Shares Issued on Exercise of an ISO. If a Participant makes a "disposition" (within the meaning of Code Section 424(c)) of Shares issued upon exercise of an ISO within two years from the Award Date or within one year from the date the Shares are transferred to the Participant, the Participant shall, within ten days of disposition, notify the Committee (or its delegee) in order that any income realized as a result of such disposition can be properly reported by the Company on IRS forms W-2 or 1099.
6.10Shareholder Rights. A Participant holding Options shall have no right to vote the underlying Shares, no right to receive dividends on the underlying Shares, and no other rights as a shareholder until after the exercise of the Options and the issuance of the underlying Shares. In no event shall any Option granted under the Plan include any right to dividend equivalents with respect to such Option or the underlying Shares.
ARTICLE VII
Restricted Stock
7.1Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant shares of Restricted Stock under the Plan to such Employees and Non-Employee Directors and in such amounts as it shall determine. Participants receiving Restricted Stock Awards are not required to pay the Company therefor (except for applicable tax withholding) other than the rendering of services. If determined by the Committee, custody of Shares of Restricted Stock may be retained by the Company until the termination of the Period of Restriction pertaining thereto.
7.2Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by an Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Restricted Stock Shares granted, and, if applicable, any Performance Period and Performance Goal(s), and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.
7.3Transferability. Except as provided in this Article VII and subject to the limitation in the next sentence, the Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the termination of the applicable Period of Restriction or upon earlier satisfaction of other conditions as specified by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in the Agreement. All rights with respect to the Restricted Stock granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his lifetime only by such Participant or his guardian or legal representative.
7.4Other Restrictions. The Committee shall impose such other restrictions on any Shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, restrictions under applicable federal or state securities laws, and may legend the certificates representing Restricted Stock to give appropriate notice of such restrictions or otherwise denote the Restricted Stock as restricted, if issued in book-entry or electronic form.
7.5Certificate Legend. In addition to any other legends placed on certificates, or to which Shares of Restricted Stock issued in book-entry or electronic form are made subject, pursuant to Section 7.4, any Award of Restricted Stock issued in book-entry or electronic form shall be subject to the following legend, and any certificates representing shares of Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan shall bear the following legend:
Appendix A-9
The sale or other transfer of the shares of stock represented by this certificate, whether voluntary, involuntary, or by operation of law, is subject to certain restrictions on transfer set forth in the Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation Stock and Incentive Plan, in the rules and administrative procedures adopted pursuant to such Plan, and in a restricted stock agreement dated «date of grant». A copy of the Plan, such rules and procedures, and such restricted stock agreement may be obtained from the Equity Plan Administrator of Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation.
7.6Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article VII, the Agreement, or applicable law or regulation, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock Award made under the Plan shall become freely transferable by the Participant after the last day of the Period of Restriction, and, where applicable, after a determination of the satisfaction or achievement of any applicable Performance Goal. Once the Shares are released from the restrictions, the Participant shall be entitled to have the legend required by Section 7.5 removed from his Stock certificate or similar notation removed from such Shares if issued in book-entry or electronic form.
7.7Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares.
7.8Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Agreement, recipients of Shares of Restricted Stock shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to those Shares, provided, however, that, with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock subject to one or more Performance Goals, during the Period of Restriction, dividends or other distributions on such Shares may be accumulated but not paid to the Participant unless and until the applicable Performance Goal(s) have been met (subject to any delay in payment required by Code Section 409A). If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
ARTICLE VIII
Restricted Stock Units
8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Stock Units under the Plan (with one Unit representing one Share) to such Employees and Non-Employee Directors and in such amounts as it shall determine. Participants receiving Restricted Stock Unit Awards are not required to pay the Company therefor (except for applicable tax withholding) other than the rendering of services. The Committee is expressly authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units that are deferred compensation covered by Code Section 409A, as well as Restricted Stock Units that are not deferred compensation covered by Code Section 409A.
8.2 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be evidenced by an Agreement that shall specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, and if applicable, any Performance Period and Performance Goal, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine.
Unless otherwise provided in the Agreement, a Participant holding Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights to dividend equivalents with respect to Restricted Stock Units. The Committee may provide in the Agreement for dividend equivalents with respect to Restricted Stock Units, provided, however, that, with respect to Restricted Stock Units subject to one or more Performance Goal(s), any dividend equivalents with respect to such Restricted Stock Units may be accumulated but not paid to the Participant unless and until the applicable Performance Goal(s) have been met (subject to any delay in payment required by Code Section 409A). A Participant holding Restricted Stock Units shall have no right to vote the Shares represented by such Restricted Stock Units unless and until the underlying Shares are issued to the Participant. Unless otherwise provided in the Agreement, any such dividend equivalents shall be subject to the same restrictions, vesting and payment as the Restricted Stock Units to which they are attributable.
8.3 Payment after Lapse of Restrictions. Subject to the provisions of the Agreement, upon the lapse of restrictions with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit, the Participant is entitled to receive, without any payment to the Company (other than required tax withholding), an amount (the "RSU Value") equal to the product of multiplying
Appendix A-10
(a) the number of Shares equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units with respect to which the restrictions lapse by (b) the Fair Market Value per Share on the date the restrictions lapse.
The Agreement may provide for payment of the RSU Value at the time of the lapse of restrictions or, in accordance with Code Section 409A, if applicable, on an elective or non-elective basis, for payment of the RSU Value at a later date, adjusted (if so provided in the Agreement) from the date of the lapse of restrictions based on an interest, dividend equivalent, earnings, or other basis (including deemed investment of the RSU Value in Shares) set out in the Agreement (the "adjusted RSU Value").
Payment of the RSU Value or adjusted RSU Value to the Participant shall be made in Shares, in cash or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee, either at the time of the Award or thereafter, and as provided in the Agreement. To the extent payment of the RSU Value or adjusted RSU Value to the Participant is made in cash, such payment shall be based on the Fair Market Value on the date the restrictions on the Award lapse in the case of an immediate payment, or on the Fair Market Value on the date of settlement in the case of an elective or non-elective delayed payment. To the extent payment of the RSU Value or adjusted RSU Value to the Participant is made in Shares, such Shares shall be valued at the Fair Market Value on the date the restrictions therefor lapse in the case of an immediate payment or at the Fair Market Value on the date of settlement in the case of an elective or non-elective delayed payment. The Committee may specify in a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement that the Shares which are delivered upon payment of the RSU Value or adjusted RSU Value may be Restricted Stock pursuant to Article VII and subject to such further restrictions and vesting as provided in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
8.4 Nontransferability of Restricted Stock Units. No Restricted Stock Unit granted under the Plan, and no right to receive payment in connection therewith, may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than upon the death of the Participant in accordance with Section 16.11. Further, all Restricted Stock Units, and rights in connection therewith, granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his lifetime only by such Participant or his guardian or legal representative.
ARTICLE IX
Stock Awards
Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant unrestricted Stock Awards under the Plan to such Employees and Non-Employee Directors and in such amounts as it shall determine. Participants receiving Stock Awards are not required to pay the Company therefor (except for applicable tax withholding) other than the rendering of services. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Agreement, Stock Awards shall be fully vested and freely transferable as of the Award Date, subject to restrictions under applicable Federal or state securities laws.
ARTICLE X
Performance Share Units
10.1Grant of Performance Share Units. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance Share Units under the Plan to such Employees and Non-Employee Directors and in such amounts as it shall determine. Participants receiving such Awards are not required to pay the Company therefor (except for applicable tax withholding) other than the rendering of services. The Committee is expressly authorized to grant Performance Share Units that are deferred compensation covered by Code Section 409A, as well as Performance Share Units that are not deferred compensation covered by Code Section 409A.
10.2Performance Share Unit Agreement.Each Performance Share Unit is intended to be a Performance-Based Compensation Award, and the terms and conditions of each such Award, including the number of Performance Share Units granted, the Performance Goal(s) and Performance Period, shall be set forth in an Agreement or in a subplan of the Plan that is incorporated by reference into an Agreement. The Committee shall set the Performance Goal(s) in its discretion for each Participant who is granted a Performance Share Unit.
The Committee may provide in the Agreement for payment of dividend equivalents with respect to each Performance Share Unit, provided, however, that any dividend equivalents to be paid with respect to Performance Share Units may be accumulated but not paid to the Participant unless and until the applicable Performance Goal(s) have been met (subject to any delay in payment required by Code Section 409A). A Participant holding
Appendix A-11
Performance Share Units shall have no right to vote the Shares represented by such Performance Share Units unless and until the underlying Shares are issued to the Participant.
10.3Settlement of Performance Share Units. After a Performance Period has ended, the holder of a Performance Share Unit shall be entitled to receive the value thereof based on the degree to which the Performance Goals and other conditions established by the Committee and set forth in the Agreement (or in a subplan of the Plan that is incorporated by reference into an Agreement) have been satisfied. Payment of the amount to which a Participant shall be entitled upon the settlement of a Performance Share Unit shall be made in cash, Stock or a combination thereof as determined by the Committee.
10.4Nontransferability of Performance Share Units.No Performance Share Unit granted under the Plan, and no right to receive payment in connection therewith, may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than upon the death of the Participant in accordance with Section 16.11. All rights with respect to Performance Share Units granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during his lifetime only by such Participant or his guardian or legal representative.
ARTICLE XI
Performance Cash Awards
A Performance Cash Award may be granted subject to the attainment during a Performance Period of one or more Performance Goals. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Performance Cash Awards may be granted to Employees and Non-Employee Directors at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The terms and conditions of any Performance Cash Award, including the Performance Goal(s) and Performance Period, shall be determined by the Committee in its discretion and shall be set forth in an Agreement or in a subplan of the Plan that is incorporated by reference into an Agreement. The Committee is expressly authorized to grant Performance Cash Awards that are deferred compensation covered by Code Section 409A, as well as Performance Cash Awards that are not deferred compensation covered by Code Section 409A.
Article XII
Change in Capital Structure
12.1Effect of Change in Capital Structure. In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or combination of shares, spin-off, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization or merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation, consolidation, reorganization, reclassification, exchange of shares or other similar change in the Company's capital stock (including, but not limited to, the creation or issuance to shareholders generally of rights, options or warrants for the purchase of common stock or preferred stock of the Company) in which the number or class of Shares is changed, the number and kind of Shares or securities of the Company to be issued under the Plan (under outstanding Awards and Awards to be granted in the future), the Option Price of Options, the annual limits on and the aggregate number and kind of Shares for which Awards thereafter may be made, and other relevant provisions shall be proportionately, equitably and appropriately adjusted by the Committee, whose determination shall be binding on all persons. If the adjustment would produce fractional shares with respect to any Award, the Committee may adjust appropriately the number of shares covered by the Award so as to eliminate the fractional shares. Where an Award being adjusted is an ISO or is subject to or falls under an exemption from Code Section 409A, the adjustment shall also be effected so as to comply with Code Section 424(a) and not to constitute a modification within the meaning of Code Section 424(h) or Code Section 409A, as applicable.
12.2Authority. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may take the foregoing actions without the consent of any Participant, and the Committee's determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons for all purposes.
12.3Manner of Adjustment. Adjustments made by the Committee pursuant to this Article XII to outstanding Awards shall be made as appropriate to maintain favorable tax and/or accounting treatment.
Appendix A-12
ARTICLE XIII
Change in Control
13.1Effect of Change in Control of Company. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, the Committee, as constituted before such Change in Control, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any Participant, may take such actions with respect to any outstanding Award, either at the time the Award is made or any time thereafter, as the Committee deems appropriate. These actions may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
13.2Acceleration Principles in the Event of a Change in Control. The Committee may provide in each applicable Agreement or any subplan governing an Award for full or partial acceleration of the vesting, delivery and exercisability of, and the lapse of time-based and/or performance-based vesting restrictions with respect to, an Award, and for the replacement of a Stock-settled Award with a cash-settled Award, in connection with a Change in Control. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Agreement or subplan, if an Award is assumed by the surviving corporation or otherwise equitably converted or substituted in connection with a Change in Control, the vesting, delivery and exercisability of, or the lapse of restrictions on, any Award shall not be accelerated in connection with the Change in Control unless, with respect to a Participant who is an employee, the Participant's employment with the Company or a subsidiary is terminated without Cause or the Participant resigns for good reason under an applicable plan or agreement in connection with or within two (2) years after the effective date of the Change in Control, or, with respect to a Participant who is a Non-Employee Director, the Participant's service with the Company or a subsidiary as a Non-Employee Director terminates in connection with or within two (2) years after the effective date of the Change in Control. With regard to each assumed Award, a Participant who is an employee shall not be considered to have resigned for good reason unless either (a) the applicable Agreement includes such provision or (b) the Participant is party to an employment, severance or similar agreement with the Company or any subsidiary that includes provisions in which the Participant is permitted to resign for good reason. Any assumed Awards shall thereafter continue or lapse in accordance with the other provisions of the Plan and the applicable Agreement. To the extent that this provision causes Incentive Stock Options to exceed the dollar limitation set forth in Code Section 422(d), the excess Options shall be deemed to be Nonqualified Stock Options.
ARTICLE XIV
Amendment, Modification, and Substitution of Awards
14.1Amendment, Modification and Substitution. Subject to the terms and provisions and within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may amend or modify the terms of any outstanding Award or accelerate the vesting thereof. In addition, the Committee may cancel or accept the surrender of outstanding Awards (to the extent not yet exercised or settled) granted under the Plan or outstanding awards granted under any other equity compensation plan of the Company and authorize the granting of new Awards pursuant to the Plan in substitution thereforso long as the new or substituted awards do not specify a lower exercise price than the cancelled or surrendered Awards or awards, and otherwise the new Awards may be of a different type than the cancelled or surrendered Awards or awards, may specify a longer term than the cancelled or surrendered Awardsor awards, may provide for more rapid vesting and exercisabilitythan the cancelled or surrendered Awards or awards, and may contain any other provisions that are authorized by the Plan. The Committee shall continue to have the authority to amend or modify the terms of any outstanding Award after May 6, 2035, provided that no amendment or modification will extend the original term of the Award beyond that set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, but subject to Article XII, Article XIII and Article XVII, no amendment or modification of an Award, shall, without the consent of the Participant, adversely affect the rights or obligations of the Participant. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee shall not amend, modify, or substitute an Award in a manner that violates Code Section 409A, or causes an Award that previously qualified
Appendix A-13
for an exemption from Section 409A to become subject to Code Section 409A, and the Committee shall not amend, modify, or substitute an Award that satisfies the requirements of Rule 16b-3 in a manner that causes any exemption pursuant to Rule 16b-3 to become no longer available.
14.2Option Repricing. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary,neither the Committee nor the Board shall have the right or authority, without obtaining shareholder approval, to amend or modify the Option Price of any outstanding Option, or to cancel an outstanding Option, at a time when the Option Price is greater than the Fair Market Value of a Share in exchange for cash, another Award, or other securities, except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company in accordance with Article XII or Article XIII.
ARTICLE XV
Termination, Amendment and Modification of the Plan
15.1Termination, Amendment and Modification. At any time and from time to time, the Board may terminate, amend, or modify the Plan. Such amendment or modification may be without shareholder approval except to the extent that such approval is required by the Code, pursuant to the rules under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, by any national securities exchange or system on which the Stock is then listed or reported, by any regulatory body having jurisdiction with respect thereto or under any other applicable laws, rules or regulations.
15.2Awards Previously Granted. No termination, amendment or modification of the Plan other than pursuant to Article XII, Article XIII or Section 16.7 shall in any manner adversely affect any Award theretofore granted under the Plan, without the written consent of the Participant.
ARTICLE XVI
General
16.1Applicable Withholding Taxes. Each Participant shall agree, as a condition of receiving an Award, to pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of,all applicable federal, state and local taxes (including the Participant's FICA obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any grant, exercise, or payment made under or as a result of the Plan. The Company shall withhold the amount necessary to satisfy applicable statutory withholding requirements, provided that, subject to any limitation under Code Section 409A, the Committee may permit a Participant to elect to have an additional amount (up to the maximum allowed by law) withheld. Until the applicable withholding taxes have been paid or arrangements satisfactory to the Company have been made, no stock certificates (or, in the case of Restricted Stock, no stock certificates free of a restrictive legend) shall be issued to the Participant and no issuance in book-entry or electronic form (or, in the case of Restricted Stock, no issuance in book-entry or electronic form free of a restrictive legend or notation) shall be made for the Participant. As an alternative to making a cash payment to the Company to satisfy applicable withholding tax obligations, the Committee may permit Participants to elect or the Committee may require Participants to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold Shares of Stock having a fair market value equal to the amount required to be withheld, or by delivering to the Company Shares of Stock that the Participant has previously acquired and owned having a fair market value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The value of any Shares so withheld or delivered shall be based on the fair market value of the Shares on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by Participants shall be irrevocable and be made in writing and in such manner as determined by the Committee (or its delegee) in advance of the day that the transaction becomes taxable.
16.2Requirements of Law. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares of Stock under this Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or self regulatory organizations as may be required.
16.3Effect of Plan. The establishment of the Plan shall not confer upon any Employee or Non-Employee Director any legal or equitable right against the Company, a Subsidiary or the Committee, except as expressly provided in the Plan. The Plan does not constitute an inducement or consideration for the employment or service of any Employee or Non-Employee Director, nor is it a contract between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any Employee or Non-Employee Director. Participation in the Plan shall not give any Employee or Non-Employee Director any right to be retained in the employment or service of the Company or any of its
Appendix A-14
Subsidiaries. No Employee or Non-Employee Director shall have rights as a shareholder of the Company prior to the date Shares are issued to him pursuant to the Plan.
16.4Creditors. The interests of any Participant under the Plan or any Agreement are not subject to the claims of creditors and may not, in any way, be assigned, alienated or encumbered.
16.5Successors. All obligations of the Company under the Plan, with respect to Awards granted hereunder, shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.
16.6Securities Law Restrictions.The Committee may require each Participant purchasing or acquiring Shares pursuant to an Option or other Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such Participant is acquiring the Shares for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof. All Shares delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stock-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or otherwise denote the Shares as being subject to such restrictions, if issued in book-entry or electronic form.No Shares shall be issued hereunder unless the Company shall have determined that such issuance is in compliance with, or pursuant to an exemption from, all applicable federal and state securities laws.
16.7Governing Law. The Plan, and all Agreements hereunder, shall be governed, construed and administered in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the intention of the Company is that ISOs granted under the Plan qualify as such under Code Section 422. The Plan and Awards are subject to all present and future applicable provisions of the Code. If any provision of the Plan or an Award conflicts with any such Code provision, the Committee shall cause the Plan to be amended, and shall modify the Award, so as to comply, or if for any reason amendments cannot be made, that provision of the Plan or the Award shall be void and of no effect.
16.8Severability. In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
16.9Unfunded Status of Plan. The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which are not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.
16.10Share Certificates and Book Entry. To the extent that the Plan provides for issuance of stock certificates to represent shares of Stock, the issuance may be effected on a non-certificated basis to the extent permitted by applicable law and the applicable rules of any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in its discretion the Committee may satisfy any obligation to deliver Shares represented by stock certificates by delivering Shares in book-entry or electronic form. If the Company issues any Shares in book-entry or electronic form that are subject to terms, conditions and restrictions on transfer, a notation shall be made in the records of the transfer agent with respect to any such Shares describing all applicable terms, conditions and restrictions on transfer. In the case of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan, such notation shall be substantially in the form of the legend contained in Section 7.5.
16.11Beneficiary Designations. A Participant may designate a Beneficiary to receive any Options that may be exercised after his death or to receive any other Award that may be paid after his death, as provided for in the Agreement. Such designation and any change or revocation of such designation shall be made in writing in the form and manner prescribed by the Committee (or its delegee). In the event that the designated Beneficiary dies prior to the Participant, or in the event that no Beneficiary has been designated, any Awards that may be exercised or paid following the Participant's death shall be transferred or paid in accordance with the Participant's will or the laws of descent and distribution. If the Participant and his Beneficiary shall die in circumstances that cause the Committee (or its delegee), in its discretion, to be uncertain which shall have been the first to die, the Participant shall be deemed to have survived the Beneficiary.
Appendix A-15
16.12Electronic Transmissions and Records. Subject to limitations under applicable law, the Committee (and its delegee) is authorized in its discretion to issue Awards and/or to deliver and accept notices, elections, consents, designations and/or other forms or communications to or from Participants by electronic or similar means, including, without limitation, execution and delivery through an accredited secure signature service or other electronic transmission or signature, transmissions through e-mail or specialized software, recorded messages on electronic telephone systems, and other permissible methods, on such basis and for such purposes as it determines from time to time, and all such communications will be deemed to be "written" for purposes of the Plan.
16.13Clawback. All Awards (whether vested or unvested) shall be subject to the terms of the Company's recoupment, clawback or similar policy as such may be in effect from time to time (including the Atlantic Union Bankshares Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy, to the extent applicable to the Participant), as well as any similar provisions of applicable law or regulation or any applicable listing standard of any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed, which could in certain circumstances require repayment or forfeiture of Awards or any Shares or other cash or property received with respect to the Awards (including any value received from a disposition of the Shares acquired upon payment of the Awards).
16.14Banking Regulatory Provision. All Awards shall be subject to any condition, limitation or prohibition under any financial institution regulatory policy or rule to which the Company or any subsidiary thereof is subject.
ARTICLE XVII
Omnibus Code Section 409A Provision
17.1Intent of Awards. It is intended that Awards that are granted under the Plan shall be exempt from treatment as "deferred compensation" subject to Code Section 409A unless otherwise determined by the Committee. Towards that end, all Awards under the Plan are intended to contain such terms as will qualify the Awards for an exemption from Code Section 409A unless otherwise determined by the Committee. The terms of the Plan and all Awards granted hereunder shall be construed consistent with the foregoing intent. To the extent required for an Award to comply with Code Section 409A or for an Option to be an exempt stock right under Code Section 409A, a defined term in the Plan shall be applied and interpreted (and to the extent required, deemed narrowed) to comply with the requirements under, or exemption from, Code Section 409A and applicable guidance thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may amend any outstanding Award without the Participant's consent if, as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, such amendment is required either to (a) confirm exemption under Code Section 409A, (b) comply with Code Section 409A or (c) prevent the Participant from being subject to any tax or penalty under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates nor the Committee shall be liable to the Participant or any other person or entity if an Award that is subject to Code Section 409A or the Participant or any other person or entity is otherwise subject to any additional tax, interest or penalty under Code Section 409A. Each Participant is solely responsible for the payment of any tax liability (including any taxes, penalties and interest that may arise under Code Section 409A) that may result from an Award.
17.2409A Awards. The Committee may grant an Award under the Plan that is subject to Code Section 409A and is intended to comply with Code Section 409A (a "409A Award"). The terms of such 409A Award, including any authority by the Company and the rights of the Participant with respect to such 409A Award, will be subject to such rules and limitations and shall be interpreted in a manner as to comply with Code Section 409A.
17.3Time of Payment. The time and form of payment of a 409A Award shall be as set forth in the applicable Agreement. A 409A Award may only be paid in connection with a separation from service, a fixed time, death, Disability, a Change in Control or an unforeseeable emergency within the meaning of Code Section 409A. The time of distribution of the 409A Award must be fixed by reference to the specified payment event. The six-month delay for payments triggered upon a separation from service to specified employees shall apply to the extent required under Code Section 409A. For purposes of Code Section 409A, each installment payment will be treated as the entitlement to a single payment.
17.4Acceleration or Deferral. The Company shall have no authority to accelerate or delay or
Appendix A-16
change the form of any distributions relating to 409A Awards except as permitted under Code Section 409A.
17.5Distribution Requirements. Any distribution of a 409A Award triggered by a Participant's termination of employment shall be made only at the time that the Participant has had a separation from service within the meaning of Code Section 409A. A separation from service shall occur where it is reasonably anticipated that no further services will be performed after that date or that the level of bona fide services the Participant will perform after that date (whether as an employee or independent contractor of the Company or a Subsidiary) will permanently decrease to less than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services performed over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period. Continued services solely as a director of the Company or a Subsidiary shall not prevent a separation from service from occurring by an employee as permitted by Code Section 409A.
17.6Scope and Application of this Provision. For purposes of this Article XVII, references to a term or event (including any authority or right of the Company or a Participant) being "permitted" under Code Section 409A means that the term or event will not cause the Participant to be deemed to be in constructive receipt of compensation relating to the 409A Award prior to the distribution of cash, Shares or other property or to be liable for payment of interest or a tax penalty under Code Section 409A.
Appendix A-17
01 - Mona Abutaleb Stephenson 04 - Patrick E. Corbin 07 - Paul Engola 10 - Mark C. Micklem 13 - Daniel J. Schrider 16 - Keith L. Wampler 02 - Nancy Howell Agee 05 - Rilla S. Delorier 08 - Donald R. Kimble 11 - Michelle A. O'Hara 14 - Joel R. Shepherd 17 - F. Blair Wimbush 03 - John C. Asbury 06 - Frank Russell Ellett 09 - Patrick J. McCann 15 - Ronald L. Tillett 1UPX For Against Abstain For Against Abstain For Against Abstain For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 12 - Linda V. Schreiner Proposals - The Board of Directors of Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation (the "Company") recommends a vote FOR all nominees listed in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4. The proposals are as follows: A 0443JD 1. To elect directors to serve until the 2026 annual meeting of shareholders: 2. To approve the Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation 2025 Stock and Incentive Plan 4. To approve the compensation of our named executive officers (an advisory, non-binding "Say on Pay" resolution) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. 3. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2025 2025 Annual Meeting Proxy Card Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card. Online Before the Meeting - Go to www.envisionreports.com/AUB or scan the QR code - login details are located in the shaded bar below. During the Meeting - Go to https://www.meetnow.global/MGCLYA7 You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information located in the shaded bar below available and follow the instructions. Your vote matters - here's how to vote! Votes submitted online or by phone by ESOP participants must be received by 3:00 p.m., EasteTime, on May 2, 2025. Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.envisionreports.com/AUB Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada |
Small steps make an impact. Help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.envisionreports.com/AUB Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 6, 2025 This Proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation. John C. Asbury and Rachael R. Lape, or either of them (each a "Proxy" and collectively, the "Proxies"), with the full power to act alone, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact of the signing shareholder, each with the power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the shares of such shareholder, with all the powers which such shareholder would possess if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation to be held on May 6, 2025 or at any postponements or adjournments thereof. Shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the shareholder on the accompanying proxy. If no such directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote "FOR" all nominees listed in Proposal 1 and "FOR" Proposals 2, 3 and 4. The Proxies are further authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and any postponements or adjournments thereof in accordance with the recommendation of the Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation Board of Directors. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side) Proxy - Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation C Non-Voting Items q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q Change of Address - Please print new address below. Comments - Please print your comments below. Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) - Please print date below. Signature 1 - Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 - Please keep signature within the box. B Authorized Signatures - This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 6, 2025. The 2025 Proxy Statement, 2024 Annual Report to Shareholders and Proxy Card are available at: www.envisionreports.com/AUB The 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. EasteTime, virtually via the Internet at https://www.meetnow.global/MGCLYA7 To attend the virtual meeting as a shareholder and vote during the meeting, you must have a control number (i.e., the information that is printed in the shaded bar located on the reverse side of this form or provided to you by Computershare). Notice to Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation ESOP Participants. The shares represented by this proxy include any shares allocated to your account in the Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, which includes the employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP"). By signing and returning this proxy or following the instructions for online or telephone voting on the reverse side, you will also be voting all the shares of Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation allocated to your ESOP account. If you do not vote the shares represented by this proxy, the trustee will vote the shares allocated to your ESOP account in the same proportion as it votes the shares of ESOP participants who have voted, subject to the trustee's fiduciary duties. You cannot vote your ESOP shares in person at the meeting. Your voting instructions to the ESOP trustee will be held in strict confidence and will not be revealed to any employee or director of the Company. |
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Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation published this content on March 26, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on March 26, 2025 at 12:31:41.650.
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