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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

IMPAC MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC.

(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

(Name of person(s) filing proxy statement, if other than the registrant)

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IMPAC MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
19500 Jamboree Road
Irvine, California 92612

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on JulyJune 25, 20172019
9:00 A.M. (Pacific Daylight Time)

To Our Stockholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") of IMPAC MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC. ("IMH," "we," "our," "us," or the "Company"), a Maryland corporation, to be held at 19500 Jamboree Road, Irvine, California 92612 on JulyJune 25, 2017,2019, at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time).

The annual meeting of stockholders is being held for the following purposes:

Only holders of our common stock of record at the close of business on April 27, 201729, 2019 will be entitled to vote and participate at the Meeting and any postponements, adjournments or continuations thereof.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on JulyJune 25, 2017.2019. The 20162019 Proxy Statement and the Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 20172018 are also available at http://www.viewproxy.com/impaccompanies/20172019.

In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to the holders of record and beneficial owners of our capital stock as of the close of business on the record date. The Notice of Internet Availability contains instructions on how to access our materials on the Internet, as well as instructions on obtaining a paper copy of the proxy materials.

You are cordially invited to attend the Meeting. However, if you do not expect to attend or if you plan to attend but desire the proxy holders to vote your shares, please promptly date and sign your proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage paid envelope or you may also instruct the voting of your shares over the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions on your proxy card. Voting by written


proxy, over the Internet, or by telephone will not affect your right to vote in person in the event you find it convenient to attend.

  By order of the Board of Directors

 

 

GRAPHICGRAPHIC

 

 

Ronald M. Morrison,Nima Vahdat, Secretary

Dated: June 2, 2017April 30, 2019



IMPAC MORTGAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
19500 Jamboree Road, Irvine, CA. 92612
(949) 475-3722


PROXY STATEMENT



FOR ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING TO BE HELD ON
JULYJUNE 25, 20172019 AT 9:00 A.M. (PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME)

This proxy statement is being furnished by Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on JulyJune 25, 20172019 at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) at 19500 Jamboree Road, Irvine, California 92612 (the "Meeting"). We anticipate that the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials will be sent, and this proxy statement and the form of proxy relating to our Meeting will be made available, to our stockholders commencing on or about June 8, 2017.May 10, 2019.

The purpose of the Meeting is to seek stockholder approval of the following proposals: (1) electing a Board of Directors to serve for the ensuing year; (2) approving an amendment to the Company's 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock subject to the plan by 500,000 shares; (3) approving, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers; (4) voting, on an advisory basis, on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers; and (3)(5) ratifying the appointment of Squar Milner LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2017.2019.

Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

Pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), we are providing access to our proxy materials over the Internet. We are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to our stockholders of record and our beneficial owners. All stockholders will have the option to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice of Internet Availability or to request a printed set of the proxy materials. The Notice of Internet Availability will provide you with instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet or to request printed copies of the proxy materials and on how to vote on the proposals.

Solicitation of Proxies

Our Board of Directors is soliciting the enclosed proxy. We will bear the cost of this solicitation of proxies. Solicitations will be made by mail and over the Internet based on our Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. We may also solicit proxies personally or by telephone. We will reimburse banks, brokerage firms, other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred in sending proxy materials to beneficial owners of our common stock.

Annual Report

Our annual report to stockholders for the year ended December 31, 20162018 will be concurrently provided to each stockholder at the time we send this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy and is not to be considered a part of the proxy-soliciting material.

Stockholders may also request a free copy of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162018 by writing to Corporate Secretary, Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc., 19500 Jamboree Road, Irvine, California 92612. Alternatively, stockholders may access our 20162018 Form 10-K on the Company's website located at www.impaccompanies.com. We will also furnish any exhibit to our 20162018 Form 10-K if specifically requested.


Voting Requirements & Procedures

Your vote is important. If you hold your shares as a record holder, your shares can be voted at the Meeting only if you are present in person at the Meeting or your shares are represented by proxy. Even if you plan to attend the Meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy in advance. You may vote your shares when you view the proxy materials on the Internet following the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability, or if you request a paper copy of the proxy materials as instructed on the Notice of Internet Availability, by using one of the following three methods:

Please have your Notice of Internet Availability or proxy card in hand when going online or calling. If you instruct the voting of your shares electronically or telephonically, you do not need to return your proxy card.

If you hold your shares beneficially in "street name" through a nominee (such as a bank or stock broker), then the proxy materials are being forwarded to you by the nominee and you may be able to vote by telephone or the Internet as well as by mail based on the instructions you receive from your nominee. You should follow the instructions you receive from your nominee to vote these shares in accordance with the voting instructions you receive from your broker, bank or other nominee. If you are a stockholder who owns shares through a broker and you intend to vote at the Meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from the bank, broker or other holder of record of your shares to be entitled to vote those shares in person at the Meeting.

Quorum; Voting Rights

Holders of our common stock of record at the close of business on April 27, 201729, 2019 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting. There were 20,448,94721,181,357 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding as of the Record Date. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote and the presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum for the Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be considered present and entitled to vote for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. Stockholders may not cumulate their votes.

Counting of Votes

If a proxy in the accompanying form is duly executed and returned, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted as directed. All properly executed proxies delivered pursuant to this solicitation, and not revoked, will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the directions given. If you sign and return your proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as follows:



Representatives of our transfer agent will assist us in the tabulation of the votes.

Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

An abstention is the voluntary act of not voting by a stockholder who is present at a meeting and entitled to vote.

A broker "non-vote" is a proxy submitted by a broker that does not indicate a vote for some or all of the proposals because the broker does not have discretionary voting authority on certain types of proposals that are non-routine matters and has not received instructions from its customer regarding how to vote on a particular proposal. Brokers that hold shares of common stock in "street name" for customers that are the beneficial owners of those shares may generally vote on routine matters. However, brokers generally do not have discretionary voting power (i.e., they cannot vote) on non-routine matters without specific instructions from their customers. Proposals are determined to be routine or non-routine matters based on the rules of the various regional and national exchanges of which the brokerage firm is a member.

Refer to each proposal for a discussion of the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes.

Revocability of Proxy

Any proxy given may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by notifying the Secretary of Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. in writing of such revocation, by duly executing and delivering another proxy bearing a later date (including an Internet or telephone vote), or by attending the Meeting and voting in person.

Interest of Executive Officers and Directors

None of the Company's executive officers or directors has any interest in any of the matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting, except to the extent that the executive officers and directors are eligible to receive awards under the 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the incentive compensation that may be earned by Joseph R. Tomkinson and William S. Ashmore, who are executive officers and directors, and, with respect to each director, to the extent that a director is named as a nominee for election to the Board of Directors.

Householding

"Householding" is a program, approved by the SEC, which allows companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports by delivering only one package of stockholder proxy materials to any household at which two or more stockholders reside. If you and other residents at your mailing address own shares of our common stock in street name, your broker or bank may have notified you that your household will receive only one copy of our proxy materials. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be "householding" materials to your address, "householding" will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in "householding" and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, or if you are receiving multiple copies of the proxy statement and wish to receive only one, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account. If you hold shares of our common stock in your own name as a holder of record, "householding" will not apply to your shares.

Postponement or Adjournment of Meeting

If a quorum is not present or represented, our bylaws permit the stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, to adjourn the Meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than the announcement at the Meeting.



PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our directors are elected annually to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and thereafter until their successors are elected and qualify. Accordingly, a Board of seven directors is to be elected at the Meeting, all of whom have been recommended for nomination by the members of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee of the Board. Our charter and bylaws currently provide for a variable number of directors with a range of between one and fifteen members. The size of our Board of Directors is currently set at seven.five. No proxy may vote for more than sevenfive nominees for director. Accordingly, a Board of five directors is to be elected at the Meeting, all of whom have been recommended for nomination by the members of the Governance and Nomination Committee of the Board.

Unless otherwise directed by stockholders within the limits set forth in the bylaws, the proxy holders will vote all shares represented by proxies held by them for the election of the maximum number of the following nominees, all of whom are now members of and constitute our Board of Directors, Joseph R. Tomkinson, William S. Ashmore, James Walsh, nominees:

We have been advised that all of the nominees have indicated their availability and willingness to serve if elected. If elected, each such nominee will serve for a term expiring at our annual meeting of stockholders in 2018.2020. You can find information about Messrs. Tomkinson, Ashmore, Walsh, Filipps, Peers, Abrams and Akindirector nominees below under the section "Board of Directors and Executive Officers."

In the event that any nominee becomes unavailable or unable to serve as a director, prior to the voting, the proxy holders will refrain from voting for the unavailable nominee, will vote for a substitute nominee in the exercise of their best judgment or the Board may determine to reduce the size of the Board.

Vote Required

You may vote in favor of any or all of the nominees or you may also withhold your vote as to any or all of the nominees. In order to elect a nominee, the affirmative vote of a plurality of all of the votes cast at the Meeting is necessary for the election of the nominee for director assuming a quorum is present. "Plurality" means that the nominees receiving the largest number of votes cast are elected as directors up to the maximum number of directors to be elected at the meeting. If stockholders do not specify the manner in which their shares represented by a validly executed proxy solicited by the Board of Directors are to be voted on this proposal, such shares will be voted in favor of the nominees. If you hold your shares in "street name" and you do not instruct your broker how to vote in the election of directors a broker non-vote will occur and, no votes will be cast on your behalf. It is therefore critical that you cast your vote if you want it to count in the election of directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL NOMINEES.



PROPOSAL NO. 2

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO 2010 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
TO INCREASE THE SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN BY 500,000 SHARES

On April 25, 2017,24, 2019, our Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Company's 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended (the "2010 Plan"), subject to stockholder approval, to increase the number of shares available under the Plan by 500,000 shares. As of May 30, 2017,April 25, 2019, there were 1,361,8281,173,087 outstanding shares underlying options and 85,750129,500 deferred stock units, which are counted two times against the share reserve, and the total number of shares of common stock available for future awards under the 2010 Plan was 41,963581,474 shares, which the Board believes is inadequate for the purpose of providing future equity incentives. Set forth below are the outstanding options and related exercise prices:

 
 Outstanding
Options
 Exercise Price
Per Share
  

  21,321 $0.53  

  90,000 $2.73  

  11,642 $2.80  

  249,150 $5.39  

  35,000 $10.00  

  123,666 $10.65  

  148,499 $13.81  

  2,000 $16.43  

  337,750 $17.40  

  329,800 $20.50  

  8,000 $20.75  

  5,000 $21.50  
 
 Outstanding
Options
 Exercise Price
Per Share
  

  16,000 $2.73  

  3,863 $2.80  

  217,500 $3.59  

  335,000 $3.75  

  55,082 $5.39  

  30,000 $8.85  

  50,000 $9.85  

  30,000 $9.99  

  35,000 $10.00  

  31,333 $10.65  

  111,209 $13.72  

  30,666 $13.81  

  107,834 $17.40  

  119,600 $20.50  

The 2010 Plan addresses the development of innovative compensation practices involving several alternative forms of equity-based incentives by permitting the grant of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance shares and other stock- and cash-based incentive awards. The Board believes the 2010 Plan provides the Company with a flexible and dynamic long-term incentive compensation structure and is in the best interests of the Company. The Purposes of the 2010 Plan is to assist in attracting and retaining highly competent employees, directors and consultants and to act as an incentive to achieve the Company's long-term corporate objectives. This amendment is designed to enhance the flexibility of the Compensation Committee in granting stock options and other awards to our officers, employees, non-employee directors and other key persons and to ensure that the Company can continue to grant stock options and other awards to such persons at levels determined to be appropriate by the Compensation Committee.

In approving the amendment to the 2010 Plan that is the subject of this Proposal No. 2, the Board noted the number of shares currently available under the 2010 Plan, the number of shares available under the 2010 Plan upon its adoption in 2010, and the increase in the number of shares available under the 2010 Plan approved by stockholders infrom 2013 2014, 2015 and 2016.thru 2018. The Company did not engage a consultant to assist in the determination of the proposed increase in the number of shares available under the 2010 Plan in this Proposal No. 2.


Certain material features of the plan are discussed below, however, the description is subject to, and qualified by the full text of the 2010 Plan attached asAppendix A, and is incorporated herein by reference, which includes the proposed amendment to Section 4.01 as underlined. The closing price for our common stock on June 1, 2017,April 26, 2019, as reported on the NYSE MKT,American, was $16.76$3.59 per share. If this


proposal is approved, we anticipate filing a Form S-8 registration statement with the SEC shortly after the annual meeting to register the additional shares.

Administration

The 2010 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, of the Company's Board of Directors, with participation and approval of the Board of Directors. The Committee has the authority to determine, within the limits of the express provisions of the 2010 Plan, the individuals to whom awards will be granted, the nature, amount and terms of such awards and the objectives and conditions for earning such awards. The Committee generally has discretion to delegate its authority under the 2010 Plan to another committee of the Board or a subcommittee, or to such other party or parties, including officers of the Company, as the Committee deems appropriate. In addition, the Board of Directors may exercise any of the powers and authority of the Committee.

Types of Awards

Awards under the 2010 Plan may include incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted shares of common stock, restricted stock units, performance share or unit awards, other stock-based awards and cash-based incentive awards.

Stock Options.    The Committee may grant to a participant options to purchase Company common stock that qualify as incentive stock options ("incentive stock options") for purposes of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), options that do not qualify as incentive stock options ("non-qualified stock options") or a combination thereof. The terms and conditions of stock option grants, including the quantity, price, vesting periods, and other conditions on exercise will be determined by the Committee.

The exercise price for stock options are determined by the Committee in its discretion, but may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of one share of the Company's common stock on the date when the stock option is granted. Additionally, in the case of incentive stock options granted to a holder of more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company on the date of grant, the exercise price may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of one share of common stock on the date the stock option is granted.

Stock options must be exercised within a period fixed by the Committee that may not exceed ten years from the date of grant, except that in the case of incentive stock options granted to a holder of more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company on the date of grant, the exercise period may not exceed five years. The 2010 Plan provides for earlier termination of stock options upon the participant's termination of service, unless extended by the Committee, but in no event may the options be exercised after the scheduled expiration date of the options.

At the Committee's discretion, payment for shares of common stock on the exercise of stock options may be made in cash, shares of the Company's common stock held by the participant or in any other form of consideration acceptable to the Committee (including one or more forms of "cashless" or "net" exercise). The holder is responsible for the payment and withholdings of any federal, state, or local taxes that may arise in connection with the exercise of stock options.

Stock Appreciation Rights.    The Committee may grant to a participant an award of SARs, which entitles the participant to receive, upon its exercise, a payment equal to (i) the excess of the fair market value of a


share of common stock on the exercise date over the SAR exercise price, times (ii) the number of shares of common stock with respect to which the SAR is exercised.


The exercise price for a SAR will be determined by the Committee in its discretion, but may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of one share of the Company's common stock on the date when the SAR is granted. Upon exercise of a SAR, payment may be made in cash, shares of the Company's common stock held by the participant or in any other form of consideration acceptable to the Committee (including one or more forms of "cashless" exercise). SARs must be exercised within a period fixed by the Committee that may not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

Restricted Shares and Restricted Units.    The Committee may award to a participant shares of common stock subject to specified restrictions ("restricted shares"). Restricted shares are subject to forfeiture if the participant does not meet certain conditions such as continued employment over a specified forfeiture period and/or the attainment of specified performance targets over the forfeiture period.

The Committee also may award to a participant units representing the right to receive shares of common stock in the future subject to the achievement of one or more goals relating to the completion of service by the participant and/or the achievement of performance or other objectives ("restricted units"). The terms and conditions of restricted share and restricted unit awards are determined by the Committee.

For participants who are subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, as further described under "Tax Deductibility of Certain Performance-Based Awards Under the 2010 Plan,"Plan" and prior to its amendment by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, to the extent that such requirements may continue to apply to the deduction of performance-based compensation under California tax laws that refer to Section 162(m) of the Code prior to its amendment, the performance targets described in the preceding two paragraphs may be established by the Committee, in its discretion, based on one or more of the following measures (the "Performance Goals"):

"Adjusted Net Earnings" means net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders as reported in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, provided that such amount shall be adjusted by reversing the following, to the extent such adjustments were made in calculating such net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders:


The Performance Goals may be measured with respect to the Company or any one or more of its subsidiaries, divisions, units or affiliates, either in absolute terms or as compared to another company or companies, or an index established or designated by the Committee. The above terms generally have the same meaning as in the Company's financial statements, or if the terms are not used in the


Company's financial statements, as applied pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, or as used in the industry, as applicable.

Since the adoption of the 2010 Plan, the Committee has not granted any awards based upon such Performance Goals.

Performance Awards.    The Committee may grant performance awards to participants under such terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate. A performance award entitles a participant to receive a payment from the Company, the amount of which is based upon the attainment of predetermined performance targets over a specified award period. Performance awards may be paid in cash, shares of common stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee.

Award periods will be established at the discretion of the Committee. The performance targets will also be determined by the Committee. With respect to participants subjectSection 162(m) of the Code, prior to its amendment by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, to the extent that such requirements may continue to apply to the deduction of performance-based compensation under California tax laws that refer to Section 162(m) of the Code prior to its amendment, the applicable performance targets will be established, in the Committee's discretion, based on one or more of the Performance Goals described under the section titled "Restricted Shares and Restricted Units." To the extent that a participant is not subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, when circumstances occur that cause predetermined performance targets to be an inappropriate measure of achievement, the Committee, at its discretion, may adjust the performance targets or the amount or value of the performance award.

Other Stock-Based Awards.    The Committee may grant equity-based or equity-related awards, referred to as "other stock-based awards," other than options, SARs, restricted shares, restricted units, or performance awards. The terms and conditions of each other stock-based award will be determined by the Committee. Payment under any other stock-based awards will be made in common stock or cash, as determined by the Committee.

Cash-Based Incentive Awards.    The Committee may grant cash-based incentive compensation awards, which would include performance-based annual cash incentive compensation to be paid to covered employees subject to Section 162(m) of the Code.Code prior to its amendment by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, to the extent that such requirements may continue to apply to the deduction of performance-based compensation under California tax laws that refer to Section 162(m) of the Code prior to its amendment, the applicable performance targets will be established. The terms and conditions of each cash-based award will be determined by the Committee, provided that for performance-based cash awards granted to covered executives, subject to Section 162(m).rules permitting deduction of performance-based compensation. The targets must consist only of one or more of the Performance Goals discussed under the section titled "Restricted Shares and Restricted Units "aboveandRestricted Units" above and the Committee cannot elect to pay more than the incentive amount indicated by the level of attainment of the performance target. The Committee does have the flexibility, based on its business judgment, to reduce this amount.

The cash incentive compensation feature of the 2010 Plan does not preclude the Board or the Committee from approving other incentive compensation arrangements for covered employees.


Dividend Equivalents.    The Committee may provide for the payment of dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to any shares of common stock subject to an award under the 2010 Plan.

Eligibility and Limitation on Awards

The Committee may grant awards to any employee, director, consultant or other person providing services to the Company or its affiliates. It is presently contemplated that approximately 615 persons will be eligible to receive awards.

The maximum awards that can be granted under the 2010 Plan to a single participant in any calendar year is an aggregate number of 450,000 shares of common stock, whether in the form of options, SARs, restricted shares, restricted units, performance unit or share awards and other stock-based awards, and $5,000,000 in the form of cash-based incentive awards. These amount limitations are solely for


purposes of compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code prior to its amendment by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, to the extent that such requirements may continue to apply to the deduction of performance-based compensation under California tax laws that refer to Section 162(m) of the Code prior to its amendment, as further discussed below under "Federal Income Tax Consequences" and are not indicative of the award amounts that would be granted to any participant.

Future Awards under the 2010 Plan

Because future awards under the 2010 Plan are within the discretion of the Compensation Committee, the Company cannot determine the type, dollar value, number, participant, or other terms that will in the future be received by or allocated to any participant in the 2010 Plan. Information regarding our recent practices with respect to stock-based compensation is presented in "Board of Directors and Executive Officers" and "Executive Compensation" including the "Summary Compensation Table" and these related tables: "Option Grants During 2016," "Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2016,2017," and in "Compensation of Board Members" and elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, and in our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20162018 in the Annual Report that accompanies this Proxy Statement.

While the Company does not have a specific intention for the use of the currently reserved or additional proposed shares of common stock available for grants under the 2010 Plan, the Compensation Committee in its discretion, and consistent with the Company's overall compensation program as described in the Proxy Statement, from time to time makes awards to employees, directors, consultants and other persons providing services to the Company and its affiliates, and the Board has considered the past grants of awards in adopting the proposed increase. In 2014, 20152016 and 20162017, 2018 and the first quarter of 2019 the Company made option awards representing a total of 409,250, 405,800342,000, 388,450, 90,000 and 342,000562,500 shares, respectively, and DSU awards representing a total of approximately 3,750, 5,000, 15,000, none and 5,000105,000 shares, respectively. The average rate at which shares were granted over the past three years and including the first quarter of 2019 as a percentage of average shares outstanding in those same years was 3.6%2.0%. On that basis, the total number of shares available for grant following the proposed increase is consistent with prior years' practices and would meet the Company's needs for approximately one year.

Shares Subject to the 2010 Plan

The Board of Directors has reviewed the shares currently available under the 2010 Plan and has determined that it is appropriate to increase the maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2010 Plan. As of May 30, 2017,April 25, 2019, the awards granted and the shares reserved under the 2010 Plan are as follows:



As of May 30, 2017,April 25, 2019, the total number of shares of common stock available for awards under the 2010 Plan is 41,963,581,474, which the Board believes is inadequate for the purpose of providing future equity


incentives. The Board has determined that increasing the amount of shares of common stock issuable under the 2010 Plan is necessary in order to be able to grant additional equity awards to continue to attract, retain and motivate key employees. As a result, the Board is asking the stockholders to approve the amendment to the 2010 Plan to increase the number of shares available under the 2010 Plan by 500,000 shares.

With respect to awards made under the 2010 Plan (excluding Assumed Options), shares of common stock underlying awards that are forfeited or canceled (as a result, for example, of the lapse of an option or a forfeiture of restricted stock) will be available for additional grants under the 2010 Plan. Shares to be issued or purchased under the 2010 Plan will be authorized but unissued shares of common stock.

Anti-Dilution Protection

In the event of any corporate event or transaction that results in a change in the capital structure of the Company, including a change resulting from a stock dividend or stock split, or combination or reclassification of shares, the Committee is empowered to make such equitable adjustments with respect to awards or any provisions of the 2010 Plan as it deems necessary and appropriate, including, if necessary, any adjustments in the maximum number of shares of common stock subject to the 2010 Plan, the number of shares of common stock subject to and the exercise price of an outstanding award, or the maximum number of shares that may be subject to one or more awards granted to any one recipient during a calendar year.

Dilution Analysis

As of May 30, 2017,April 29, 2019, the Company had 21,181,357 outstanding 20,882,544 shares of common stock. If the 500,000 share increase in the number of shares available for issuance under the 2010 Plan is approved by stockholders as requested, approximately 541,9631,081,474 shares will be available for issuance under the 2010 Plan. The requested increase represents approximately 2.4% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. The total number of shares available for future issuance under the 2010 Plan and the total amount available including shares underlying outstanding awards would be approximately 2.6%5.1% and 9.1%11.3%, respectively, of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company.

The percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company that will be available for award grants under the 2010 Plan following the proposed increase is consistent with the corresponding percentages at the time of the initial approval of the 2010 Plan and its amendments in 2013through 2016.2013 through 2018. Stockholders initially approved the 2010 Plan in July 2010, authorizing 450,000 shares, representing approximately 5.8% of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company. In each of 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, stockholders approved an increase of 500,000


The table below provides certain information for the years indicated about the reserved shares under the 2010 Plan. The number of shares available under the 2010 Plan prior to each increase in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 was 21,033, 113,579, 96,834 and 88,214after the shares respectively. Following each increase in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016,amount increases by the 321,033, 413,579, 396,834 and 388,214 shares available for future issuance under the 2010 Plan represented approximately 3.7%, 4.4%, 3.9%, and 3.1% respectively, of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company and the total amount available including shares underlying outstanding awards (usingshareholders:

 
  
  
 Reserved Shares Available AFTER Increase 
 
 Amount of
Increase of
Reserved Shares
Approved by
Shareholders
  
 
Year Number of
Reserved
Shares PRIOR
to Increase
 Number
of
Shares
 Percentage
of then-
outstanding
shares
 Plus shares underlying
outstanding awards:
Percentage of then-
outstanding shares(1)
 

2013

  300,000  21,033  321,033  3.7% 11.1%

2014

  
300,000
  
113,579
  
413,579
  
4.4

%
 
13.1

%

2015

  
300,000
  
96,834
  
396,834
  
3.9

%
 
13.4

%

2016

  
300,000
  
88,214
  
388,214
  
3.1

%
 
12.5

%

2017

  
500,000
  
41,963
  
541,963
  
2.6

%
 
9.5

%

2018

  
300,000
  
403,282
  
703,282
  
3.3

%
 
10.1

%

(1)
Amount includes actual shares underlying deferred stock units as opposed to the number of shares charged against the number of shares available for grant under the plan) represented approximately 11.1%, 13.1%, 13.4%, and 12.5% respectively, of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company.

2010 Plan.

The inclusion of this information in this Proxy Statement should not be regarded as an indication that the assumptions used to determine the number of shares will be predictive of actual future equity grants. These assumptions are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These


statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including our ability to attract and retain talent, achievement of performance metrics with respect to certain equity-based awards, the extent of option exercise activity, and others described in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.

Amendment and Termination

The Board of Directors may at any time amend or terminate the 2010 Plan, provided that the Board may not, without the approval of the Company's shareholders, make any amendment that requires shareholder approval under the Code or under any other applicable law or rule of any stock exchange or listing service that lists the Company's stock. Additionally, no such action may be taken that adversely affects any rights or obligations with respect to any awards theretofore made under the 2010 Plan without the consent of the recipient. No awards may be made under the 2010 Plan after the tenth anniversary of its effective date.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The federal income tax consequences of the issuance and exercise of awards under the 2010 Plan are as described below. The following information is only a summary of the tax consequences of the awards, and participants should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences inherent in the ownership or exercise of the awards, and the ownership and disposition of any underlying securities.

Incentive Stock Options.    A participant who is granted an incentive stock option will not recognize any taxable income for federal income tax purposes either on the grant or exercise of the incentive stock option. If the participant disposes of the shares purchased pursuant to the incentive stock option more than two years after the date of grant and more than one year after the exercise of the option (the required statutory "holding period"), (a) the participant will recognize long-term capital gain or loss, as


the case may be, equal to the difference between the selling price and the option price; and (b) the Company will not be entitled to a deduction with respect to the shares of stock so issued. If the holding period requirements are not met, any gain realized upon disposition will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent of the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise over the option price, and (ii) the gain on the sale. Also in that case, the Company will be entitled to a deduction in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant. Any additional gain will be taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain depending upon the holding period for the stock. A sale for less than the option price results in a capital loss.

The excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the option price is, however, includable in the option holder's income for alternative minimum tax purposes.

Nonqualified Stock Options.    A participant who is granted a nonqualified stock option under the 2010 Plan will not recognize any income for federal income tax purposes on the grant of the option. Generally, on the exercise of the option, the participant will recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date over the option price for the shares.

The Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction on the date of exercise in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant. Upon disposition of the shares purchased pursuant to the stock option, the participant will recognize long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, as the case may be, equal to the difference between the amount realized on such disposition and the basis for such shares, which basis includes the option price and the amount previously recognized by the participant as ordinary income.


Stock Appreciation Rights.    A participant who is granted stock appreciation rights will normally not recognize any taxable income on the receipt of the SARs. Upon the exercise of a SAR, (a) the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the amount received (the increase in the fair market value of one share of the Company's common stock from the date of grant of the SAR to the date of exercise); and (b) the Company will be entitled to a deduction on the date of exercise in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.

Restricted Shares.    A participant will not be taxed at the date of an award of restricted shares but will be taxed at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of any restricted shares as of the date that the restrictions lapse, unless the participant within 30 days after transfer of such restricted shares to the participant elects under Section 83(b) of the Code to include in income the fair market value of the restricted shares as of the date of such transfer. The Company normally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Any disposition of shares after restrictions lapse will be subject to the regular rules governing long-term and short-term capital gains and losses with the basis for this purpose equal to the fair market value of the shares at the end of the restricted period (or on the date of the transfer of the restricted shares, if the employee elects to be taxed on the fair market value upon such transfer). To the extent dividends are payable during the restricted period under the applicable award agreement, any such dividends will be taxable to the participant at ordinary income tax rates and will be deductible by the Company unless the participant has elected to be taxed on the fair market value of the restricted shares upon transfer, in which case they will thereafter be taxable to the employee as dividends and will not be deductible by the Company.

Restricted Units.    A participant will normally not recognize taxable income upon an award of restricted units, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction until the lapse of the applicable restrictions. Upon the lapse of the restrictions and the issuance of the earned shares, the participant will recognize ordinary taxable income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the common stock received and the Company normally will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount.


Performance Awards, Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash-Based Awards.    Normally, a participant will not recognize taxable income upon the grant of performance awards, other stock-based awards and cash-based awards. Subsequently, when the conditions and requirements for the grants have been satisfied and the payment determined, any cash received and the fair market value of any common stock received will constitute ordinary income to the participant. The Company normally will then be entitled to a deduction in the same amount.

Tax Deductibility of Certain Performance-Based Awards Under the 2010 Plan.    Section 162(m) of the Code limits the deductibility for federal income tax purposes of certain compensation paid to any "covered employee" in excess of $1 million. For purposes of Section 162(m), the term "covered employee" includes the Company's chief executive officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the Company's principal financial officer) who are required to be disclosed in the Company's proxy statement as "named executive officers" based on the amounts of their total compensation. Certain compensation, including compensation paid based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals, is excludedPrior to 2018, certain "performance-based compensation" was exempt from this deduction limit$1 million limitation on deductibility if, among other conditions, the material terms under which the compensation is to be paid, including the performance goals to be used, areplan had been approved by our stockholders. Any taxable incomeshareholders. This exemption from the exerciselimitation has been removed from Section 162(m) of the Code and is no longer applicable for federal income tax deductibility purposes. However, the California Revenue and Taxation Code has not yet been conformed to this recent change to the Internal Revenue Code eliminating the exemption from this limitation for performance-based compensation. We believe that options and stock optionsappreciation rights granted to covered employees under the 2010 Plan is expectedand restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other stock-based awards that vest based on such performance criteria should be considered to be performance-based for this purpose. Consequently (absent changes to California's tax laws), deduction of such performance-based compensation which maywould not be deductedlimited for California tax deduction purposes by the Company for federal incomeCalifornia tax purposes without regardlaw corresponding to the Section 162(m) limitation. Income from other types of the Internal Revenue Code. The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may grant awards under the 20102018 Plan also willto executive officers that do not qualify as "performance-based compensation." Additionally, there can be excluded from the Section 162(m) limitation if based upon Performance Goals in the 2010 Plan. Income fromno assurance that any awards under the 2010 Plan other than from exercise of stock options and SARsthat are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation will not be excluded from the Section 162(m) limitation if they are not based or attaining Performance Goals.so qualify.


Effective Date

The 2010 Plan initially became effective on July 20, 2010.

Vote Required

You may vote in favor of or against this proposal or you may abstain from voting. Approval of the amendment to the 2010 Plan will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting, assuming the presence of a quorum. If stockholders do not specify the manner in which their shares represented by a validly executed proxy solicited by the Board of Directors are to be voted on this proposal, such shares will be voted in favor of the approval of the 2010 Plan. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although abstentions and broker non-votes will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. If the stockholders do not approve the amendment to the 2010 Plan, the increase in shares under the 2010 Plan will not be implemented, but the Company reserves the right to adopt such other compensation plans and programs as it deems appropriate and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2010 PLAN



PROPOSAL NO. 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

Section 14A to Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") enables our stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC's rules. At our 2013 annual meeting, the stockholders approved, on an advisory, non-binding basis, a three-year frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation. The stockholders previously voted on an advisory basis on the compensation of our named executive officers at our 2016 annual meeting. Accordingly, this proposal seeks stockholder approval, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement.

Our named executive officer compensation is designed to attract, motivate and retain our named executive officers, who are critical to our success. The Compensation Committee believes an effective compensation program is one that is designed to align the interests of executive officers with those of our stockholders by tying long-term incentive compensation to financial performance and ultimately to the creation of stockholder value. The Compensation Committee believes that it has taken a responsible approach to compensating our named executive officers.

Please read the "Executive Compensation" section of this proxy statement for additional details about our executive compensation.

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our named executive officer compensation as described in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a "say-on-pay" proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers' compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement.

Accordingly, we will ask our stockholders to vote "FOR" the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors. Although the vote we are asking you to cast is non-binding, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors value the views of our stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when determining future compensation arrangements for our named executive officers.

Vote Required

This vote is an advisory vote and is therefore not binding on the Company or the Board of Directors. The affirmative vote of a majority of all of the votes cast at the Meeting at which a quorum is present is required to approve this proposal. If stockholders do not specify the manner in which their shares represented by a validly executed proxy solicited by the Board of Directors are to be voted on this proposal, such shares will be voted in favor of this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the vote outcome.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE RULES OF THE SEC.



PROPOSAL NO. 4

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF THE ADVISORY
VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Section 14A of the Exchange Act, as added by the Dodd-Frank Act, enables our stockholders to indicate their preference as to how frequently we should seek an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers. By voting on this proposal, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation once every year, once every two years, or once every three years. Stockholders also may abstain from voting on this proposal.

At our 2013 Annual Meeting, the stockholders voted to conduct an advisory vote on compensation of our named executive officers every three years. After careful consideration of this proposal, the board of directors has determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation that occurs every three years is the most appropriate alternative for the Company, and therefore your Board recommends that you vote for a three year (3-year) frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation.

In formulating its recommendation, our board considered that a triennial vote will allow stockholders to better evaluate our executive compensation program in relation to our short- and long-term company performance. Additionally, a triennial vote will provide us with time to respond to stockholder concerns and implement appropriate revisions.

The proxy card provides stockholders with the opportunity to choose among four options (holding the advisory vote on executive compensation every one, two or three years, or abstain from voting) and, therefore, stockholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove the recommendation of the board of directors. You may cast your vote on your preferred voting frequency by choosing the option of once every year ("1 year"), once every two years ("2 years"), once every three years ("3 years"), or you may abstain from voting.

The purpose of this proposal is to assess stockholder preferences on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation, and as such, there will be no approval or adoption of a resolution establishing the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation. The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast by stockholders will be considered the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that is preferred by our stockholders. However, because this vote is advisory and not binding on the Board of Directors or the Company in any way, the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the option preferred by our stockholders.

Vote Required

This vote is an advisory vote and is therefore not binding on the Company or the Board of Directors. You may choose from the following alternatives: every year, every two years, every three years or you may abstain. The option of one year, two years, or three years that receives a majority of all the votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present will be the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been recommended by stockholders. For purposes of this advisory vote, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. In the event that no option receives a majority of the votes cast, we will consider the option that receives the most votes to be the option selected by stockholders. While the Board of Directors will consider our stockholders' preference as reflected in the vote on this proposal in determining how frequently the advisory vote on executive compensation occurs in the future, our Board of Directors will


have the discretion to determine the actual frequency at which the required advisory stockholder vote on the compensation of our named executive officers will be conducted, because the vote on such frequency is only advisory and non-binding. The Board's determination on the actual frequency of such vote will be disclosed in a Form 8-K to be filed in accordance with the rules of the SEC.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR A THREE YEAR (3-YEAR)
FREQUENCY FOR THE ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.



PROPOSAL NO. 5

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has recommended the reappointment of Squar Milner LLP ("Squar Milner") as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.2019. Squar Milner became our auditors in 2008. The Company anticipates, and has experienced, costs savings in connection with its engagement of Squar Milner compared to previous auditor engagements. The stockholders are being requested to ratify the reappointment of Squar Milner at the Annual Meeting. If the selection is not ratified, it is contemplated that the appointment of Squar Milner for 20172019 may be permitted to stand in view of the difficulty and the expense involved in changing independent auditors on short notice, unless the Audit Committee finds other compelling reasons for making a change. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Company anticipates that a representative of Squar Milner will attend the Annual Meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to make a statement and to respond to appropriate stockholder questions.

Vote Required

You may vote in favor of or against this proposal or you may abstain from voting. The affirmative vote of a majority of all votes cast at the Meeting at which a quorum is present is required to ratify the appointment of Squar Milner as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. If stockholders do not specify the manner in which their shares represented by a validly executed proxy solicited by the Board of Directors are to be voted on this proposal, such shares will be voted in favor of the appointment of Squar Milner as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm.

Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the result of the vote, although they will be considered present for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. Brokers and other nominees that do not receive instructions are generally entitled to vote on the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO RATIFY
THE REAPPOINTMENT OF SQUAR MILNER LLP.


Principal Accountant Fees and Services

During the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, Squar Milner LLP served as our independent registered public accounting firm and provided certain tax and other services. The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to us by Squar Milner LLP for the years ended December 31, 20162018 and 2015.2017.


 For the Year Ended
December 31,
  For the Year Ended
December 31,
 

 2016 2015  2018 2017 

Audit fees

 $1,015,200 $889,920  $1,057,320 $988,200 

Audit-related fees (1)

 
102,600
 
154,136
  
43,956
 
54,000
 

Tax fees (2)

 
43,916
 
8,523
  
8,480
 
60,735
 

All other fees (3)

 
 
  
 
 

Total

 
$

1,161,716
 
$

1,052,579
  
$

1,109,756
 
$

1,102,935
 

(1)
Audit-related fees include fees for an examination under section 1122 of Regulation AB for loan servicing, a separate examination of certain requirements of our master servicing policies and procedure as well as costs related to our acquisition of CashCall Mortgage,procedures, and registration and offering of securities.
(2)
Tax fees relate to tax planning and consultation services.
(3)
All other fees relate to non-tax related advisory and consulting services.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures for Audit and Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing services and permitted non-audit services, including the fees and terms thereof, to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit. The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members of the Audit Committee when appropriate, including the authority 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. In pre-approving the services in 20162018 and 20152017 under audit related fees, tax fees or all other fees, the Audit Committee did not rely on the de minimis exception to the SEC pre-approval requirements.


REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight of our accounting functions and internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of fourtwo directors. The Audit Committee operates under a written audit committee charter, which was amended and restated by the Board of Directors on February 7, 2012.

Management is responsible for our internal control over financial reporting and financial reporting process. Squar Milner LLP, or Squar Milner, the independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements, as well as the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and to issue separate reports thereon. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to monitor and oversee these management processes and related independent audits.


In connection with these responsibilities, the Audit Committee met with management and Squar Milner to review and discuss the December 31, 20162018 financial statements. The Audit Committee also discussed with Squar Milner the matters required by Statement on Auditing Standards ("SAS")Standard No. 61 (Communication1301 (Communications with Audit Committees) as may be modified or supplemented.

In addition, the Audit Committee also received written disclosures and the letter from Squar Milner required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Squar Milner's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Squar Milner their independence from the Company.

Based on the Audit Committee's discussions with management, review of Squar Milner's letter and discussions with Squar Milner, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2018, for filing with the SEC.

  Audit Committee

 

 

Frank P. Filipps
Leigh J. AbramsStewart B. Koenigsberg
Stephan R. Peers
James Walsh


BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Information Concerning Director Nominees

The persons listed below have been nominated for election to the Company's Board of Directors. Unless otherwise directed by stockholders within the limits set forth in the bylaws, the proxy holders will vote all shares represented by proxies held by them for the election of the maximum number of the following nominees:

NAME AGE POSITION

Joseph R. TomkinsonGeorge A. Mangiaracina

 6954 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Director

William S. Ashmore

68

President and Director

James WalshThomas B. Akin

 

67

 

Director

Frank P. Filipps

 

6971

 

Director

Stephan R. PeersStewart B. Koenigsberg

 

6459

 

Director

Leigh J. AbramsRichard H. Pickup

 

74

Director

Thomas B. Akin

6585

 

Director

Joseph R. TomkinsonGeorge A. Mangiaracina was elected as a director on July 17, 2018. He has been Chairman of the Board since April 1998 andserved as Chief Executive Officer since August 2018, and aprior to that, he was President in March 2018. Previously, Mr. Mangiaracina had been Executive Vice President and Managing Director of IMH since January 2015, reporting directly to the Company since its formationCEO and playing a key role in August 1995.the 2015 acquisition, integration and on-going management of IMH's CashCall Mortgage platform. He serves on the IMH Executive, Risk and Capital Markets Committees and has assisted in capital raise activities, strategic initiatives and relationship management of IMH's capital markets counterparties. Prior to joining IMH, Mr. TomkinsonMangiaracina spent over 20 years in the securities and mortgage banking industries. From 1992 to 2008 and from 2009 to December 2013, he served as a Managing Director of UBS and Deutsche Bank, respectively. While at UBS, Mr. Mangiaracina was also an officerresponsible for the proprietary trading and directorfinancing of a real estate investment trust investingportfolio of residential whole loans, and structured warehouse and term facilities across an array of asset classes; including aircraft, auto, franchise receivables and manufactured housing. While at Deutsche Bank, Mr. Mangiaracina successfully managed and liquidated residential legacy loan portfolios and managed related risk and counterparty exposures. During 2014, he advised financial institutions regarding treasury and capital markets activities and structuring. Prior to 1992, Mr. Mangiaracina was a Manager with Arthur Andersen & Co. and practiced as a Certified Public Accountant in commercial mortgage assetsthe State of New York. Mr. Mangiaracina earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a specialty finance company until its sale. Mr. Tomkinson brings over 35 yearsFinance from Fordham University, College of combined experience in real estate, real estate financing and mortgage banking.Business Administration. The Company believes that Mr. Tomkinson'sMangiaracina's financial and business expertise,experience, including his past senior executive positions and operating experience with real estate and finance companies, give him the qualifications and skills to serve as a director.

William S. Ashmore has been President of the Company since August 1995 and a Director since July 1997. Mr. Ashmore also served as the Chief Operating Officer from August 1995 to May 2006. Mr. Ashmore has over 35 years of combined experience in real estate, asset liability management, risk management, and mortgage banking. Mr. Ashmore received a B.S. degree in Psychology from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1971 and a Master's degree in Social Psychology from California State University at Northridge in 1974. The Company believes that Mr. Ashmore's real estate, financial and business expertise give him the qualifications and skills to serve as a director.

James Walsh has been a Director of IMH since August 1995. Since January 2000, he has been Managing Director of Sherwood Trading and Consulting Corporation. The Company believes that Mr. Walsh's financial and business expertise, including his past senior executive positions and operating experience with large, complex organizations give him the qualifications and skills to serve as a director.

Frank P. Filipps has been a Director of IMH since August 1995. From April 2005 to July 2008, Mr. Filipps was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Clayton Holdings, Inc., a mortgage services company. From June 1999 to April 2005, Mr. Filipps was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Radian Group, Inc. (NYSE: RDN) and its principal subsidiary, Radian Guaranty, Inc., which were formed through a merger of Amerin and Commonwealth Mortgage Assurance Company. Mr. Filipps has been a director of Orchid Island Capital (NYSE: ORC), a specialty finance company that invests in residential mortgage-backed securities, since February 2013 and was a director of Primus Guaranty, Ltd. (NYSE: PRS), a holding company primarily engaged in selling credit protection against investment grade credit obligations of corporate and sovereign entities, from September 2004 to December 2014, and a director of Fortegra Financial Corp (NYSE: FRF), an insurance services company, from December 2010 to December 2014. Mr. Filipps received a B.A. in Economics in 1969 from Rutgers University and a Master's degree in Corporate Finance and International Business in 1972 from New York University. The Company believes that Mr. Filipps's financial and business expertise, including a diversified background of managing companies and his past senior executive positions and operating experience with real


estate-related and mortgage services companies, give him the qualifications and skills to serve as a director.

Stephan R. Peers has been a Director of IMH since October 1995. Since January 2005, Mr. Peers has been an independent financial advisor. From September 2001 to January 2005, Mr. Peers was a Managing Director of Sandler O'Neill & Partners, LP practicing corporate finance covering financial institutions. Mr. Peers received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Manhattan College in 1974, a M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University in 1975 and an M.B.A. from Stanford University in 1979. The Company believes that Mr. Peers' financial and business expertise, including his past senior executive positions and operating experience with corporate finance companies, gives him the qualifications and skills to serve as a director.

Leigh J. Abrams has been a Director of IMH since April 2001 and lead independent director since June 2004. Mr. Abrams is currently a director and Chairman Emeritus of LCI Industries (formerly, Drew Industries Incorporated) (NYSE: LCII), which manufactures a wide variety of components for recreational vehicles and manufactured homes, and was the Chairman of the Board from January 2009 until May 2014. Prior to that, since August 1979, Mr. Abrams previously served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Drew, from which he resigned in May 2008 and December 2008, respectively, to become Chairman of the Board of Drew. Mr. Abrams has served as a director of Drew Industries since August 1979. Mr. Abrams, a CPA, has over 35 years of experience in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and operations. Mr. Abrams received a B.A in Accounting from Baruch College in 1964. The Company believes that Mr. Abrams' financial and business expertise, including his past senior executive positions and operating experience with large, complex organizations, gives him the qualifications and skills to serve as a director.

Thomas B. Akin was appointed as a director of IMH on May 23, 2017. He is currently the managing general partner of Talkot Capital LLC, a position he has held since 1996. Talkot Capital is the general partner for various limited partnerships (including the Talkot Fund, L.P.) investing in both private and public companies. From February 2008 to 2014, Mr. Akin served as the Chief Executive Officer of Dynex Capital, Inc. (NYSE: DX) and was a director from May 2003, serving as chairperson since 2005, until May 2017. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Akin was the managing director of the Western United States for Merrill Lynch Institutional Services and was the Regional Director of the San Francisco and Los Angeles regions for Merrill Lynch Institutional Services from 1981 to 1991. Prior to Merrill Lynch, Mr. Akin had been with Salomon Brothers from 1978 to 1981. Mr. Akin currently serves on the board of directors for Mobivity Holdings Corp. (OTC: MFON). Mr. Akin holds a Master of Business Administration from the Anderson School at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. The Company believes that Mr. Akin's previous positions as an executive officer and director at several large financial institutions, his position as managing


member at Talkot Capital and the resulting experience and expertise in investing in the financial and investment industries gives him the qualifications and skills to serve as a director.

Frank P. Filipps has been a director of IMH since August 1995. From April 2005 to July 2008, Mr. Filipps was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Clayton Holdings, Inc., a mortgage services company. From June 1999 to April 2005, Mr. Filipps was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Radian Group, Inc. (NYSE: RDN) and its principal subsidiary, Radian Guaranty, Inc., which were formed through a merger of Amerin and Commonwealth Mortgage Assurance Company. Since February 2013, Mr. Filipps has served as a director of Orchid Island Capital (NYSE: ORC), a specialty finance company that invests in residential mortgage-backed securities, and since 2014, he has served as a director of Ready Capital Corporation (formerly, Sutherland Asset Management) (NYSE: RC). Mr. Filipps was previously, from September 2004 to December 2014, a director of Primus Guaranty, Ltd. (NYSE: PRS), a holding company primarily engaged in selling credit protection against investment grade credit obligations of corporate and sovereign entities, and, from December 2010 to December 2014, a director of Fortegra Financial Corp (NYSE: FRF), an insurance services company. Mr. Filipps received a B.A. in Economics in 1969 from Rutgers University and a Master's degree in Corporate Finance and International Business in 1972 from New York University. The Company believes that Mr. Filipps's financial and business expertise, including a diversified background of managing companies and his past senior executive positions and operating experience with real estate-related and mortgage services companies, give him the qualifications and skills to serve as a director.

Stewart B. Koenigsberg was elected as a director of IMH on July 17, 2018. Mr. Koenigsberg has been a senior advisor to Kimberlite Advisors, a NYC investment banking firm since March 2017, and an advisor with Impala Partners, a boutique private equity firm, since July 2015. From 1989 to 2015, Mr. Koenigsberg served in various positions at GE, last serving as President and CEO at GE Capital Markets where he managed all capital markets activities worldwide. At the time, GE Capital was one of the world's largest financial institutions. Mr. Koenigsberg was named a GE Company Officer in 2006. In his previous positions at GE, he was Chief Financial Officer for GE Real Estate, one of the world's largest real estate lending and investing businesses with over $90 Billion in assets. Other roles at GE Capital included Head of Financial Planning and Strategic Planning, Chief Investment Officer for GE's Mortgage businesses, Chief Financial Officer for GE Capital Lending and Leasing businesses, and President of GE Mortgage's conduit and capital markets activities. Mr. Koenigsberg also managed GE Mortgage's $100+ billion residential mortgage servicing portfolio and hedging activities. Before joining GE in 1989, Mr. Koenigsberg was a Senior Manager with Arthur Andersen & Co., where he served clients in financial services. Mr. Koenigsberg has previously served on a number of boards of directors. He has extensive experience with running complex organizations, financial operations and SEC regulations. Mr. Koenigsberg earned his B.S. in Accounting and Economics from the City University of New York, Brooklyn College. He is a CPA , and has held several securities industry licenses. The Company believes that Mr. Koenigsberg's financial and business expertise, including his past senior management positions and operating experience with large, complex organizations gives him the qualifications and skills to serve as a director.

Richard H. Pickup was elected as a director on July 17, 2018. Mr. Pickup has been a director of various public and private organizations over the past 30 years. Mr. Pickup is one of the largest holders of the Company's common stock. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and Economics from Whittier College in 1955. From 1960 until the present, he has been an analyst/manager of an investment portfolio of assets for his family, including RHP Trust and Gamebusters, Inc. Over the past 50 years he has been a major stockholder in various companies and for the past 20 years has been an owner/operator of high profile hotels and resorts. Mr. Pickup dedicates a great deal of his time on philanthropic work through time and donations. We believe that Mr. Pickup's extensive experience and knowledge as


an investor in many companies, as well as his experience as one of the Company's largest long-term shareholders, gives him the qualifications and skills to serve as a director.

Executive Officers

The following table provides certain information regarding the executive officers of IMH, but who do not and are not nominated to serve as directors of IMH:

NAME AGE POSITION

Todd R. TaylorBrian Kuelbs

 5255 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ronald M. MorrisonRian Furey

 

66


42
 

General Counsel, Executive ViceChief Operating Officer, President, and SecretaryDirect Lending


Information about George A. Mangiaracina, our Chief Executive Officer, is set forth above under "Information Concerning Director Nominees."

Todd R. TaylorBrian Kuelbs has beenwas appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company on May 21, 2018. From August 2015 to December 2017, Mr. Kuelbs was Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Banc of California, Inc. Prior to that, from January 2014 to July 2015, Mr. Kuelbs served as Executive Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Capital Markets for Home Point Financial Corporation, where he led acquisition due diligence, transaction structuring and pricing, post-settlement integration, and business strategy. Mr. Kuelbs has held various senior management positions throughout his more than 25 years in capital management including: Chief Investment Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Aurora Bank FSB; Managing Director of Capital Markets at Countrywide Financial; Executive Vice President since November 2008. From February 2008 until November 2008, Mr. Taylor was the Interim Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Taylor joined IMH in October 2004 as the Senior Vice President, Controller and served in this position until he was promoted to Senior Vice President and Director of Accounting in June 2006. Mr. Taylor served as the Senior Vice President and Director of Accounting until he was promoted to Chief Accounting Officer in October 2007 in which he served until he was appointed to the Interim Chief Financial Officer in February 2008. Prior to joining IMH, Mr. Taylor served as theof GMAC Bank; and Founder, Chief FinancialExecutive Officer and Secretary for Primal Solutions,President of GMAC Mortgage Asset Management Inc. from August 2003 until October 2004.and Core Cap, Inc. Mr. Taylor earned his B.A. degreeKuelbs has focused on enterprise risk modeling, institutional investor business development, and transaction execution in Business from California State University at Fullertonaddition to having launched start-up financial services companies, and is a certified public accountant.

Ronald M. Morrison became General Counsel in July 1998managed scale and was promoted to Executive Vice President in August 2001. In July 1998 he was also elected Secretary of IMH and in August 1998 he was elected Secretary of our mortgage operations and our warehouse lending operations.complex organizations. Mr. MorrisonKuelbs received his B.A. degree in History in 1973Masters with honors from the University of California Los AngelesNotre Dame and his Juris Doctor degreeBachelors with a focus on Mathematics, Quantitative Analysis and Finance from the University of Wisconsin.

Rian Furey was appointed as Chief Operating Officer in 1976March 2018. Mr. Furey has been President of Direct Lending for IMH since December 2017 and has 20 years of experience in mortgage and financial services. From July 2014 to December 2017, Mr. Furey was Chief Operating Officer of Retail Direct Lending and Chief Administrative Officer for loanDepot, a leading technology-enabled mortgage and consumer lender with nationwide operations based in Orange County, Ca. From February 2013 to June 2014, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Greenlight Loans, which was acquired and became a subsidiary of Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc. From September 2003 to February 2013, Mr. Furey was Senior Vice President of Secondary Marketing and Chief Operating Officer for the consumer mortgage division of LendingTree and Vice President of Capital Markets following its acquisition by Discover Financial Services. Mr. Furey received a B.B.A. in Finance in 1998 from Pepperdine University.the University of Portland and is recognized as a Certified Mortgage Banker by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships between any of the directors or executive officers of IMH.


Corporate Governance and Board Matters

Vacancies

All directors are elected at each annual meeting of stockholders for a term of one year and hold office until their successors are elected and qualify. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors for any cause, other than an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors, although such majority is less than a quorum. Replacements for vacancies occurring among the unaffiliated directors will be elected by a majority vote of the remaining directors, including a majority of the unaffiliated directors. Any vacancy in the number of directors created by an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority vote of the entire Board of Directors.

Board Member Independence

We are listed on the NYSE MKTAmerican and accordingly, we have applied the listing standards of the NYSE MKTAmerican in determining the "independence" of the members of our Board of Directors. Based on the listing standards of the NYSE MKTAmerican and after reviewing the relationships with members of our Board, our Board of Directors has determined, with the assistance of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee, that James Walsh, Frank P. Filipps, Stephan R. Peers, Leigh J. Abrams and Thomas B. Akin, Stewart B. Koenigsberg and Richard H. Pickup qualify as independent members of the Board of Directors.directors. The Governance and Nomination Committee reviews with the Board at least annually the qualifications of new and existing Board members, considering the level of independence of individual members, together with such other factors as the Board may deem appropriate, including overall skills and experience. The Governance and Nomination Committee also evaluates the composition of the Board as a whole and each of its committees to ensure the Company's on-going compliance with the independence standards of the NYSE MKT.American.

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings

Our Board of Directors met 13 times during 2016. Each2018. During the period for which a person served as a director, each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings held by the Board of Directors and the total number of meetings held by those committees of the Board of Directors on which such director served.


We encourage all directors to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. In 2016,2018, all of our directors attended the annual meeting of stockholders.

Committees and Corporate Governance

The current standing committees of our Board of Directors are the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee. Each of these committees has a written charter approved by our Board of Directors. The members of the committees and a description of the principal responsibilities of each committee are described below.

Our Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Corporate Governance Guidelines include items such as criteria for director qualifications, director responsibilities, committees of the Board, director access to officers and employees, director compensation, evaluation of the CEO, annual performance evaluation and management succession. The Board of Directors has chosen not to impose term limits or mandatory retirement age with regard to service on the Board in the belief that continuity of service and the past contributions of the Board members who have developed an in-depth understanding of the Company and its business over time bring a seasoned approach to IMH's governance. Each director is to act on a good faith basis and informed business judgment in a manner such director reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the Company.


A copy of each committee charter and our Corporate Governance Guidelines can be found on our website at www.impaccompanies.com by clicking "Investor—Corporate Governance—Governance Documents," and is available in print upon request to the Secretary of Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc., 19500 Jamboree Road, Irvine, California 92612.

The Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors consists of fourtwo directors, all of whomwho are independent pursuant to the Director Independence Standards of the NYSE MKTAmerican and other SEC rules and regulations applicable to audit committees. The following directors are currently members of the Audit Committee: Frank P. Filipps, who serves as the chairman, Leigh J. Abrams, Stephan R. Peers and James Walsh.Stewart B. Koenigsberg. The Board of Directors has determined that Frank P. Filipps qualifiesand Stewart B. Koenigsberg each qualify as an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined by Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. During 2016,2018, the Audit Committee met 13 times.held seven meetings.

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to: (i) the integrity of the Company's financial statements and financial reporting process and its system of internal accounting and financial controls, (ii) the performance of the independent auditors, which would include an evaluation of the independent auditor's qualifications and independence, (iii) the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including disclosure controls and procedures, and (iv) the preparation of an Audit Committee report to be included in the Company's annual proxy statement. The Audit Committee is authorized to retain independent legal, accounting or other advisors.

The Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is responsible for (1) recommending to our Board of Directors the cash and non-cash compensation of our executive officers as defined in the rules promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (2) evaluating the performance of our executive officers, (3) recommending to our Board of Directors the cash and non-cash compensation policies for our non-employee directors, (4) making recommendations to our Board of Directors with respect to incentive compensation and equity-based plans that are subject to Board approval, (5) recommending


to the Board of Directors on whether the compensation discussion and analysis should be included in the proxy or Form 10-K, and (6) assisting our Board of Directors in evaluating potential candidates for executive officer positions with the Company. The Committee may consult with the Chief Executive Officer in determining the executive compensation for any executive officer other than the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee is authorized to retain or to obtain the advice of independent counsel or other advisors. The Compensation Committee consists of James WalshThomas B. Akin (Chairman), Leigh J. AbramsStewart B. Koenigsberg and Stephan R. Peers.Richard H. Pickup. The Compensation Committee met three timesheld two meetings during 2016.2018.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

TheNone of the members of the Compensation Committee currently consists of three directors, James Walsh (Chairman), Leigh J. Abrams and Stephan R. Peers. None of these individuals was one of ourwere officers or employees of the Company during 2016 or had2018 nor did they have any relationship with us requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. None of our current executive officers served as a member of the board of directors or the compensation committee of any other entity that has or has had one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee.


The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee

The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee assists the Board of Directors in (1) identifying qualified individuals to become members of the Board of Directors, (2) determining the composition of the Board of Directors and its committees, (3) selecting the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders, (4) monitoring a process to assess board, committee and management effectiveness, (5) aiding and monitoring management succession planning and (6) developing, implementing and monitoring policies and processes related to our corporate governance. The Committee has the authority to retain any search firm engaged to assist in identifying director candidates, and to retain outside counsel and any other advisors. The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee consists of Stephan R. PeersStewart B. Koenigsberg (Chairman) and James Walsh.Richard H. Pickup. The committee met eight timesheld two meetings during 2016.2018.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

The Board does not have a policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board as the Board of Directors believes it is in the best interests of the Company to make that determination based on the position and direction of the Company and the membership of the Board. TheHistorically, the Board has determined that having the Company's Chief Executive Officer serve as Chairman is in the best interest of the Company's stockholders at this time. This structure makeshas made the best use of the Chief Executive Officer's extensive knowledge of the Company and its industry, as well as fostering greater communication between the Company's management and the Board.

Leigh J. AbramsFrank Filipps serves as the Company's Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director advises the Chairman of the Board or otherwise undertakes the following:


Risk Management

The Company faces a variety of operational and market risks, including interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and prepayment risk. The Board of Directors believes an effective risk management system will (1) timely identify the material risks that the Company faces, (2) communicate necessary information with respect to material risks to senior executives and, as appropriate, to the Board or Audit Committee, (3) implement appropriate and responsive risk management strategies consistent with Company's risk profile, and (4) integrate risk management into Company decision-making.

The Board has designated the Audit Committee to take the lead in overseeing risk management. The Audit Committee discusses with management the Company's major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company's risk assessment and risk management policies. The Audit Committee also reviews the significant reports to management, including assessment of the Company's risk management processes and systems of internal controls.

The Board of Directors encourages management to promote a corporate culture that incorporates risk management into the Company's corporate strategy and day-to-day business operations. The Board of Directors also continually works, with the input of the Company's executive officers, to assess and analyze the most likely areas of future risk for the Company.

The Director Nomination Process

The Governance and Nomination Committee considers nominees from all sources, including stockholders. The Committee has the authority to lead the search for individuals qualified to become members of the Company's Board of Directors and to select or recommend to the Board of Directors director nominees to be presented for stockholder approval. The committee may use its network of contacts to compile a list of potential candidates, but may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a professional search firm.

The boardBoard of directorsDirectors will consist of a majority of directors who (i) qualify as "independent" directors within the meaning of the listing standards of the NYSE MKT,American, as the same may be amended from time to time; (ii) meet the applicable requirements to be "unaffiliated" as defined in the Company's Bylaws, as may be amended from time to time; and (iii) are affirmatively determined by the Board to have no material relationship with the Company, its parents or its subsidiaries (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company, its parents or its subsidiaries). The committeeGovernance and Nomination Committee reviews with the Board at least annually the qualifications of new and existing Board members, considering the level of independence of individual


members, together with such other factors as the Board may deem appropriate, including overall skills and experience. Our Board has determined not to establish term limits with regard to service on the Board in the belief that continuity of service and the past contributions of Board members who have developed an in-depth understanding of the Company and its business over time bring a seasoned approach to the Company's governance. The Committee will select individuals who have high personal and professional integrity, have demonstrated ability and sound judgment, and are effective, in conjunction with other director nominees, in collectively serving the long-term interests of our stockholders, together with such other factors as the board may deem appropriate, including overall skills and experience.

Although the Company does not have a policy regarding diversity, the value of diversity on the Board of Directors is considered and the particular or unique needs of the Company shall be taken into account at the time a nominee is being considered. The Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee seeks a broad range of perspectives and considers both the personal characteristics (gender, ethnicity, age) and experience (industry, professional, public service) of directors and prospective nominees to the Board. The Governance and Nomination Committee will recommend to the Board nominees as appropriate based on these principles.

Director Nominees by Stockholders.    Director nominees provided by stockholders to the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee are evaluated by the same criteria used to evaluate potential nominees from other sources. When making a recommendation for a Board nominee to be evaluated by


the Committee, stockholders should include all information about the candidate that is required to be disclosed in a solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act. The written recommendation should be sent to the Secretary of the Company accompanied by the candidate's written consent to be named in a proxy statement as a nominee, if recommended by the Committee and nominated by the Board, and to serve as a director if appointed or elected. Additional information about the candidate may be requested by the Committee from time to time, either from the recommended person or from the recommending shareholder.

Submission for Consideration at Annual Meeting.    The Company's bylaws provide that stockholders may nominate directors for consideration at an annual meeting provided they comply with the notice procedures set forth in the bylaws, which are further described in this proxy statement under "Stockholder Proposals—Proposals to be Submitted for Annual Meeting" and "Mailing Instructions." The stockholder nominating a director must be a stockholder of record at the time of giving the notice and is entitled to vote at the meeting. If the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by us at least 70 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting, a stockholder's nomination will be deemed timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it is delivered to our Secretary not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made by us. Any notice shall include the information regarding the stockholder making the nomination and the nominee as required by the Company's bylaws. Nominations made by stockholders in this manner are eligible to be presented by the stockholder at the meeting, but such nominees will not have been considered by the Nominating Committee as a nominee to be potentially supported by the Company.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. This code of ethics applies to our directors, executive officers and employees. This code of ethics is publicly available in the corporate governance section of the stockholder relations page of our website located at www.impaccompanies.com and in print upon request to the Secretary at Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc., 19500 Jamboree Road, Irvine,


California, 92612. If we make amendments to the code of ethics or grant any waiver that the SEC requires us to disclose, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website.

Stockholder Communication with Our Board of Directors

Stockholders who wish to contact any of our directors either individually or as a group may do so by writing them c/o Ronald M. Morrison,Corporate Secretary, Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc., 19500 Jamboree Road, Irvine, California 92612, by telephone at (949) 475-3942475-3935 or by email to rmorrison@impaccompanies.comgeneralcounsel@impacmail.com specifying whether the communication is directed to the entire board or to a particular director. Stockholder letters are screened, which includes filtering out improper or irrelevant topics.

Compensation of Board Members

The compensation of the Company's non-employee directors is described below.

Board Fees.    Beginning with the third quarter of 2016, the non-employeeNon-employee directors are paid $30,000 per quarter, which includes up to 35 meetings per year and constitutes all fees for board and committee meetings, chairmanships, lead director roles and any other special meetings. If there are more than 35 meetings during a year, then additional compensation will be awarded as determined by the Compensation Committee. Prior to the third quarter of 2016, the Company's non-employee directors were paid the following fees: (i) an annual fee of $40,000; (ii) a meeting fee of $2,500; (iii) for services on the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee, fees of


$2,500, $1,000 and $1,000, respectively, per meeting; (iv) an annual fee payable to the chairperson of each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee of $20,000, $5,000 and $5,000, respectively; and (v) an annual fee payable to the lead independent director of $10,000.

Equity Awards.    Non-employee directors typically receive an annual equity award of options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock (the "Director Stock Options"), or instead, at the election of the individual director, a number of shares of restricted Company common stock equal in value to the number of Director Stock Options (based on the binomial value of the Director Stock Options) not taken by such director. Director Stock Options and any substitute shares of restricted Company common stock typically vest in three (3) equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

Deferred Stock Unit Awards.    The Company maintains a Non-Employee Director Deferred Stock Unit Award Program (the "DSU Program"), which provides for the grant of deferred stock units ("DSUs") to non-employee directors pursuant to the 2010 Plan. Each DSU grant vests in substantially equal annual installments over three (3) years, commencing with the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the director's continued service on the Board. Upon vesting, the DSUs continue to be held in the director's stock account until payment becomes due after termination of service on the Board. When a director ceases to be a member of the Board, all DSUs that remain unvested terminate and are forfeited. Dividends and other distributions on DSUs are credited to the director's stock account as if such DSUs were actual shares of common stock issued and outstanding. No interest is credited on stock amounts. Dividends and distributions are converted, based on fair market value of the common stock, into DSUs and credited to the director's stock account. The Board, in its sole discretion, may waive vesting and forfeiture of DSUs. In the event of a change in control, all outstanding DSUs are fully vested. Directors receive a distribution of stock within thirty (30) days after the date the director no longer serves on the Board. The distribution will consist of one share of common stock for each DSU. Any shares of common stock issued are issued under the 2010 Plan.

Special Services.    From time to time, the Company's non-employee directors may be asked to engage in special director services, whether or not a committee of the Board has been formed for such purpose. Such services have included and may include strategic reviews, strategic transaction oversight, independent major litigation oversight and like matters involving substantially greater commitments of time from the relevant directors. In such circumstances, the directors engaged in such efforts may receive additional fees for the duration of such service. Fees related to a special committee may be paid whether or not the matter concludes in a transaction or other specific result and may be adjusted upward or downward based on the amount of work required and any other criteria the committee and Board deem appropriate.


Set forth below is the compensation earned by our non-employee directors during 2016.2018.

Director Compensation For 2018

Name Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
 Stock
Awards
($)(1)
 Option
Awards
($)(1)
 Total
($)
 

Thomas B. Akin

 $120,000     $120,000 

Frank P. Filipps

 
$

120,000
  
  
 
$

120,000
 

Stewart B. Koenigsberg

 
$

30,000
  
  
 
$

30,000
 

Richard H. Pickup

 
$

30,000
  
  
 
$

30,000
 

James Walsh (2)

 
$

90,000
  
  
 
$

90,000
 

Stephan R. Peers (2)

 
$

90,000
  
  
 
$

90,000
 

Leigh J. Abrams (2)

 
$

90,000
  
  
 
$

90,000
 
(1)
No equity awards were granted to the directors during 2018. The table below sets forth the option and stock awards held by each current director as of December 31, 2018. The options vest in three (3) equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.
Name Option Awards:
Number of Securities
Underlying Options (#)
 Exercise Price of Option
Awards ($)
 Expiration Date 

Thomas B Akin

  10,000  13.72  8/30/2027 

Frank P. Filipps

  6,000  2.73  12/3/2020 

  7,500  5.39  7/22/2024 

  10,000  20.50  7/21/2025 

  10,000  17.40  7/19/2026 

Stewart B. Koenigsberg

  
  
  
 

Richard H. Pickup

  
  
  
 
(2)
Director's term expired on July 17, 2018.

On February 26, 2019, Messrs. TomkinsonFilipps and Ashmore is reportedKoenigsberg were each granted DSUs representing 15,000 shares of common stock under "Executive Compensation"; they received no additional compensationthe Non-Employee Director Deferred Stock Unit Award Program. The DSUs vest one-third per year for theirthree years beginning on February 26, 2020; however, the shares are distributed only upon termination of the person's services as directors.a director of the Company. On February 26, 2019, Messrs. Akin and Pickup were each granted options to purchase 30,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price per share of $3.75. The options vest one-third per year for three years beginning on February 26, 2020.



DirectorEXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation For 2016Table

The following table presents compensation earned by our executive officers for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (the "Named Executive Officers").


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
 Stock
Awards
($)(1)(2)
 Option
Awards
($)(1)(3)
 Total
($)
 

James Walsh

 $117,500  87,000    204,500 

Frank P. Filipps

 
$

122,000
  
  
79,480
  
201,480
 

Stephan R. Peers

 
$

113,500
  
  
79,480
  
192,980
 

Leigh J. Abrams

 
$

114,000
  
  
79,480
  
193,480
 
Name and Principal Position Year Salary
($)
 Bonus
($)(1)
 Option
Awards
($)(2)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
 All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
 Total
($)
 

George A. Mangiaracina

  2018  750,000      750,000    1,500,000 

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

                      

Rian Furey

  
2018
  
500,000
  
500,000

(3)
 
  
750,000
  
  
1,750,000
 

Chief Operating Officer, President of Direct Lending

                      

Joseph R. Tomkinson(5)

  
2018
  
651,712
  
  
  
  
9,373
  
661,085
 

Former Chairman of the

  2017  600,000    179,400    37,200  816,600 

Board and Chief

                      

Executive Officer

                      

Todd R. Taylor(5)

  
2018
  
487,728
  
  
  
58,500
  
3,250
  
493,500
 

Former Chief Financial

  2017  360,000    143,520  234,000  6,000  743,520 

Officer

                      

Ron Morrison(5)

  
2018
  
390,000
  
  
  
97,500
  
6,000
  
549,478
 

Former Executive Vice

  2017  390,000    143,520  195,000  6,000  734,520 

President and General

                      

Counsel

                      
(1)
Salary is based on employment agreements for each Named Executive Officer, and, with respect to Mr. Tomkinson and Mr. Taylor, salary for 2018 includes $125,000 and $223,500, respectively, of severance payments.
(2)
The amounts disclosed reflect the full grant date fair values in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For assumptions used in calculation of the option awards, see "Note 17—Share Based Payments and Employee Benefit Plans" to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
(2)
On July 19, 2016, James Walsh was granted 5,000 deferred stock units pursuant to the Non-Employee Director Deferred Stock Unit Award Program. The deferred stock units vest in three equal annual installments, commencing with the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the director's continued service on the Board. The settlement of the deferred stock units and distribution of shares are further described above. As of December 31, 2016, the following deferred stock units were outstanding:
Name Vested DSUs Unvested DSUs 

James Walsh

  28,250  5,000 

Frank P. Filipps

  
19,500
  
 

Stephan R. Peers

  
19,500
  
 

Leigh J. Abrams

  
13,500
  
 
(3)
On July 19, 2016, each director, except James Walsh who received 5,000 deferred stock units, was granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $17.40 per share. The options vest in three (3) equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. As of December 31, 2016, the directors held the following options:
Name Option Awards:
Number of Securities
Underlying Options (#)
 Exercise Price of Option
Awards ($)
 Expiration Date 

Frank P. Filipps

  6,000  2.73  12/3/2020 

  
7,500
  
5.39
  
7/22/2024
 

  
10,000
  
20.50
  
7/21/2025
 

  
10,000
  
17.40
  
7/19/2026
 

Stephan R. Peers

  
4,000
  
2.73
  
12/3/2020
 

  
7,500
  
5.39
  
7/22/2024
 

  
10,000
  
20.50
  
7/21/2025
 

  
10,000
  
17.40
  
7/19/2026
 

Leigh J. Abrams

  
6,000
  
2.73
  
12/3/2020
 

  
12,000
  
13.81
  
11/27/2022
 

  
7,500
  
5.39
  
7/22/2024
 

  
10,000
  
20.50
  
7/21/2025
 

  
10,000
  
17.40
  
7/19/2026
 


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Overview of Compensation Policies and Objectives

The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors administers the policies governing our executive compensation program. All issues pertaining to executive compensation are reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee and, where appropriate, approved by our Board of Directors. The Committee focuses on designing our executive compensation program to achieve the following objectives in a market competitive manner:

Over the past several years, as the U.S economy has slowly improved, and at times experienced challenges, the Company's business and operations have also fluctuated. To address the economic and industry trends, the Company has endeavored to be opportunistic in its mortgage business adding new loan products, developing a mortgage servicing portfolio, maintaining the long-term mortgage portfolio and seeking potential acquisitions to grow its business. The incentive compensation received by the named executive officers during 2016, which is based on existing programs, reflects the Company's growth. The Compensation Committee's goal is to provide executive management incentive compensation that will motivate them to successfully implement the Company's strategies, maintain its business and seek opportunities that will grow and strengthen the Company's mortgage business.

Compensation Decision-Making

General Background.    We rely upon our judgment in making compensation decisions, after reviewing the performance of the Company, including its short- and long-term strategies, current economic and market conditions, and carefully evaluating an executive's performance during the year against established goals, leadership qualities, operational performance, business responsibilities, and career with the Company, current compensation arrangements and long-term potential to enhance stockholder value. Our main objective in establishing compensation arrangements is to set criteria that are consistent with the Company's business strategies. Generally, in evaluating performance, we review the following criteria:

Our executive compensation program and policies depends on the position and responsibilities for each executive officer but remain consistent with our objectives. We seek to achieve an appropriate mix between guaranteed and at-risk compensation, as well as a balance between cash and equity compensation. Our mix of compensation elements is designed not only to reward past performance, but also to proactively encourage long-term future performance through a combination of cash and equity incentive awards.


Role of Management, Consultants and Peers Groups

In reviewing and making compensation decisions of other executive officers, the Committee has in the past and may in the future consult with the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Joseph R. Tomkinson, President, William S. Ashmore and other executive officers. These officers review the performance of the other executive officers, provide annual recommendations for individual management objectives, and provide input on strategic initiatives. Mr. Tomkinson has also been given authority to negotiate employment terms for executive officers that report to him within certain parameters as approved by the Compensation Committee.

Although the Compensation Committee has explored the use of compensation consultants, and has used compensation consultants in the past, it did not use or rely on reports of compensation consultants during 2016 in connection with determining appropriate compensation and arrangements for the named executive officers.

Elements of our Executive Compensation Program

Historically and for 2016, our executive compensation program consisted of the following elements:

We do not have formal policies relating to the allocation of total compensation among the various elements. However, both management and the Committee believe that executives holding more senior positions have substantial influence over our financial performance, and, therefore, should have a greater amount of their compensation at-risk based on the Company's financial performance.

Because the mortgage lending market has continued to change and evolve since 2008, we generally enter into short term (1 to 2 year) employment agreements with our executive officers. The employment agreements with Joe Tomkinson and Bill Ashmore, which were originally entered into in 2013, were extended in 2015 and expire at the end of 2017. In September 2016, we amended the employment agreements with Todd Taylor and Ron Morrison, which were originally entered into in 2014 and now also expire at the end of 2017. These employment agreements are described below under "Employment Agreements."

Base Salary

The Committee typically sets an executive's base salary with the objective of attracting and retaining highly qualified individuals for the relevant position and rewarding individual performance. When setting and adjusting individual executive salary levels, the Committee considers the relevant established salary range, the executive officer's responsibilities, experience, potential, individual performance, and contribution to the Company. The Committee also considers other factors such as our overall corporate budget for annual merit increases, unique skills, demand in the labor market and succession planning.

The base salaries for our named executive officers have essentially remained unchanged since 2010. This is consistent with our philosophy that an increase in an executive's compensation should be related to the Company's performance.


Quarterly and Annual Cash-Based Incentive Compensation

We have used cash-based incentive compensation to emphasize and reward the attainment of certain annual or quarterly financial goals and corporate or individual performance metrics. The objective is to select performance metrics that provide a meaningful measure of our success in implementing our short-term business strategies that yield long-term benefits, such as maintaining and growing the Company's mortgage business and maintaining the amount of mortgage loans in the Company's long-term mortgage portfolio, credit quality and portfolio earnings.

As the Company is focusing on long-term success through a slowly improving market, the Compensation Committee believes that cash-based incentive compensation based on financial performance is appropriate. Messrs. Tomkinson and Ashmore receive annual bonuses based on adjusted net earnings, while Messrs. Taylor and Morrison each receives a quarterly incentive bonus based on the achievement of mutually agreed upon management objectives.

Performance Metrics.    Historically, cash incentive awards were typically driven by a combination of taxable net income, return on equity, and production goals. Based on these performance metrics, contractual incentive compensation was directly tied to the Company's financial performance. We believe that the performance metrics for the CEO and President contribute to our success in meeting our strategic objectives of maintaining and growing our overall business and that the management objectives for the CFO and GC provide a strong corporate environment.

Currently, incentive bonuses for Tomkinson and Ashmore are currently based on a percentage of the Company's adjusted net earnings, subject to a cap provided that there is no cap on the Annual Bonus if the officer pre-elects on or before December 31 of the prior year to receive 5.0% of adjusted net earnings during a year. For 2016, Messrs. Tomkinson and Ashmore each elected to receive 5.0% of adjusted net earnings with no cap.

The incentive compensation for Taylor and Morrison is based on management objectives. Mr. Taylor's incentive compensation may be up to 65% of his base salary, while Mr. Morrison's incentive compensation may be up to 50% of his base salary. Their incentive compensation is determined and paid on a quarterly basis. Mr. Taylor's management objectives for his quarterly incentive compensation during 2016 included the hiring accounting personnel, completing internal controls for a recent acquisition, completing public offerings and new warehouse financing, and improvements to financing reporting and technology. Mr. Morrison's management objectives for his quarterly incentive compensation during 2016 were based on corporate actions, such as the Company's office lease, legal aspects of equity and debt financing and staffing.

Stock-Based Plans and Equity Awards

We believe that long-term performance is aided by the use of stock-based awards which create an ownership culture amongst our executive officers that fosters beneficial, long-term performance by the Company. We have established an equity incentive plan to provide our employees, including our executive officers, as well as our directors and consultants, with incentives to help align their interests with the interests of stockholders. The Compensation Committee believes that the use of stock-based awards promotes our overall executive compensation objectives and expects that stock options will continue to be a significant source of potential compensation for our executives. All of our awards are nonqualified stock option grants with time-based vesting.

The Committee believes granting stock options to our executive officers encourages the creation of long-term value for our stockholders and promotes employee retention and stock ownership, all of which serve our overall compensation objectives. The number of shares of our common stock under a


stock option that is granted to an officer is determined by taking into consideration the officer's position with the Company, overall individual performance, our performance and an estimate of the long-term value of the award considering current base salary and any cash bonus awarded. Other than the individual limit of 450,000 shares that may be awarded during any fiscal year, we do not have any limit on the amount of options or awards that may be granted to any executive officer. The Compensation Committee determines the appropriate criteria for granting awards to executive officers, which generally include individual performance, our strategic goals and our financial condition. The exercise price of any stock option issued by us is the [closing price per share of common stock on the stock exchange on the grant date. The Compensation Committee generally has issued awards under the Company's equity incentive plan once a year and the number of shares under options granted to each named executive officer is based on position and seniority.

Fringe Benefits

Health Benefits

During 2016, we provided the following benefits to all of our U.S. salaried employees, including the named executive officers: medical, dental and prescription coverage, company-paid short- and long- term disability insurance, and paid vacation and holidays.

Retirement Benefits

We maintain the Impac Companies 401(k) Savings Plan for all full time employees, including the executive officers, with at least six months of service. The 401(k) Plan provides that each participant may contribute up to 25% of salary pursuant to certain restrictions. The Company contributes to the participant's plan account at the end of each plan year 50% of the first 4% of salary contributed by a participant. Subject to the rules for maintaining the tax status of the 401(k) Plan, an additional company contribution may be made at our discretion, as determined by the Board of Directors. Contributions made by us to the plan for the year ended December 31, 2016 was approximately $895,000. There were no discretionary matching contributions recorded during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Severance

Currently, all the executive officers are entitled to certain severance benefits under the terms of each officer's respective employment agreement, which are on file with the SEC. Severance benefits are intended to ease the consequences of an unexpected or involuntary termination of employment and give the executive an opportunity to find new employment. The severance payments for Messrs. Tomkinson and Ashmore are currently the lesser of 18 months or the balance payable through the contract term of base salary and incentive compensation earned through the termination date. Messers Taylor and Morrison each are entitled to severance compensation equal to the lesser of 12 months or the balance payable through the contract term of base salary and earned incentive compensation. The Committee believes that the different severance payments periods are reasonable in light of each officer's position, value to the Company and length of service. We do not provide for change of control payments. Please see the discussion below entitled "Potential Payments upon Termination and Change-in Control" for a further description of severance payments for each Named Executive Officer.

Perquisites

The Committee typically prefers to compensate our executive officers in cash and equity rather than with perquisites and does not view perquisites as a significant element of our total compensation structure. Executive officers usually receive a car allowance.


Tax and Accounting Implications

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, publicly-held corporations may not take a tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to any of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table during any fiscal year. There is an exception to the $1 million limitation for performance-based compensation meeting certain requirements, including compensation based upon performance goals determined by a compensation committee consisting solely of two or more outside directors, the material terms of which are approved by a majority vote of the stockholders prior to the payment of such remuneration. Plus, performance objectives must be established no later than within the first 90 days of the performance period. To maintain flexibility in compensating executives in a manner designed to promote varying corporate goals, the Compensation Committee has not adopted a policy requiring all compensation to be deductible under Section 162(m). However, the Compensation Committee considers deductibility under Section 162(m) with respect to compensation arrangements for executives, and to the extent applicable, intends to qualify for the exception under Section 162(m). The incentive compensation under the Employment Agreements with each of Messrs. Tomkinson and Ashmore and our 2010 Stock Plan are currently structured with the intent to meet the compensation deduction under Section 162(m).

The Compensation Committee regularly reviews our compensation programs to determine the deductibility of the future compensation paid or awarded pursuant thereto and will seek guidance with respect to changes to our existing compensation program that will enable the Company to continue to attract and retain key individuals while optimizing the deductibility to the Company of amounts paid as compensation. However, this policy does not rule out the possibility that compensation may be approved that may not qualify for the compensation deduction if, in light of all applicable circumstances, it would be in the best interests of the Company for such compensation to be paid.

Compensation Risk Management

As part of its annual review of our executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee reviews with management the design and operation of our incentive compensation arrangements for senior management, including executive officers, to determine if such programs might encourage inappropriate risk-taking that could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Compensation Committee considered, among other things, the features of the Company's compensation program that are designed to mitigate compensation-related risk, such as the performance objectives and target levels for incentive awards (whichFurey are based on overall Company performance), and its compensation recoupment policy. The Compensation Committee also considered our internal control structure which, among other things, limits the number of persons authorized to execute material agreements, requires approval of our board of directors for matters outside of the ordinary course and its whistle blower program. Based upon the above, the Compensation Committee concluded that any risks arising from the Company's compensation plans, policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Impact of Shareholder Advisory Vote

At our 2016 annual meeting, our shareholders approved, in a non-binding advisory vote, our current executive compensation with approximately 92% of the votes cast on the proposal at the annual meeting affirmatively giving their approval (with broker non-votes and abstentions having no effect on the vote). Accordingly, we believe that this vote ratifies our executive compensation philosophy and policies, as currently adopted and implemented, and we intend to continue such philosophy and policies.



COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The information contained in this Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing (except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference) and shall not otherwise be deemed "soliciting material" or "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (except to the extent that we specifically request that this information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate this information by reference).

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this proxy statement with management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section be included in this proxy statement.

Submitted by the Compensation Committee:

Stephan R. Peers
James Walsh
Leigh Abrams


Summary Compensation Table

The following table presents compensation earned by our executive officers for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (the "Named Executive Officers"). The compensation of Messrs. Tomkinson and Ashmore is based on eachterms of their employment agreements, which are further described below under "Employment Agreements."


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal Position Year Salary
($)
 Bonus
($)(3)
 Option
Awards
($)(1)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(2)
 All Other
Compensation
($)(6)
 Total
($)
 

Joseph R. Tomkinson

  2016  600,000    254,335  5,720,869(4) 37,200  6,612,404 

Chairman of the Board and

  2015  600,000  600,000  326,610  1,500,000(4) 20,100  3,046,710 

Chief Executive

  2014  600,000  200,000  132,825  (4) 14,400  947,225 

William S. Ashmore

  
2016
  
600,000
  
  
254,335
  
5,720,869

(4)
 
37,200
  
6,612,404
 

President

  2015  600,000  600,000  326,610  1,500,000(4) 20,100  3,046,710 

  2014  600,000  200,000  132,825  (4) 14,400  947,225 

Todd R. Taylor

  
2016
  
360,000
  
  
190,751
  
234,000

(5)
 
6,000
  
790,751
 

Chief Financial Officer

  2015  360,000    245,435  230,500(5) 6,000  841,935 

  2014  360,000    100,050  234,000(5) 6,000  700,050 

Ron Morrison

  
2016
  
390,000
     
190,751
  
195,000

(7)
 
6,000
  
781,751
 

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

                      
(1)
The amounts disclosed reflect the full grant date fair values in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For assumptions used in calculation of the option awards, see "Note 19—Share Based Payments and Employee Benefit Plans" to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. See "Option Grants During 2016" below for a further description of the terms of the options.
(2)
Amounts set forth in this column are based on the terms of the incentive bonuses set forth in the employmentrespective employments agreements, as described below under "Employment Agreements."
(3)
In 2015, the Board of Directors granted Messrs. Tomkinson and Ashmore a one-time discretionary bonus related to the acquisition of CashCall Mortgage. In 2014, the Board of Directors granted Mr. Tomkinson and Mr. Ashmore a one-time bonus for various actions taken over the past several years, including but not limited to the raising of operating funds, and the settlement of various lawsuits, as well as the negotiation and acquisition of CashCall Mortgage.
(4)
Mr. Tomkinson's and Mr. Ashmore's annual incentive bonus payments for 2014 and 2015 were based on 7.5% of the Company's adjusted net earnings, subject to certain limitations. For 2016, pursuant to the terms of their employment agreements, each officer elected to receive 5.0% of adjusted net earnings.
(5)
below. Mr. Taylor received a quarterly incentive bonus of up to 65% of his base salary based upon the achievement of mutually agreed management objectives.
(6)
Consists of (i) an annual car allowance of $14,400 for each of Tomkinsonobjectives, and Ashmore, and $6,000 for each of Taylor and Morrison, (ii) a fixed expense reimbursement of $22,800 with respect to Tomkinson and Ashmore, and (iii) a fringe benefit associated with an executive retention plan by which the Company pledges a portion of the collateral needed to finance premiums from a third party lender for life insurance policies in the amount of $6 million, $5 million and $4 million for trusts of which the family members of Mr. Ashmore, Mr. Morrison and Mr. Taylor, respectively, are the beneficiaries. As of December 31, 2016, the Company posted collateral of $700,000, $583,333 and $466,667 for each trust, respectively. The executive is responsible for taxes on the imputed value of the life insurance benefit. The Company also provides a small amount of additional life insurance coverage to the named executive officers under its group term life insurance program, which is provided to all employees.
(7)
Mr. Morrison received a quarterly incentive bonus of up to 50% of his base salary based upon the achievement of mutually agreed management objectives.


GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

The following table provides information

(4)
With regards to Messrs. Taylor and Morrison, all other compensation reported includes a fringe benefit associated with respectan executive retention plan by which the Company pledged a portion of the collateral needed to grantsfinance premiums from a third party lender for life insurance policies in the amount of plan-based awards made during 2016 to$5.0 million and $4.0 million for trusts of which the Named Executive Officers.

 
  
 Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Award
 All Other Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying Option
(#)(4)
  
  
 
 
  
 Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
($/Sh)
 Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards($)(5)
 
Name Grant
Date
 Threshold
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)
 

Joseph R. Tomkinson

  7/19/2016        34,200  17.40  254,335 

       5,720,869(1)        

William S. Ashmore

  
7/19/2016
  
  
  
  
32,000
  
17.40
  
254,335
 

       5,720,869(1)        

Todd R. Taylor

  
7/19/2016
           
25,700
  
17.40
  
190,751
 

       234,000(2) 234,000(2)      

Ron Morrison

  
7/19/2016
  
  
  
  
24,000
  
17.40
  
190,751
 

       195,000  195,000(3)      
(1)
family members of Mr. Tomkinson'sMorrison and Mr. Ashmore's annual incentive bonus payments for 2016 were based on 5.0% ofTaylor, respectively, are the Company's adjusted net earnings for that year. There are no threshold or maximum levels for these awards.
(2)
Mr. Taylor is eligible to receive a quarterly incentive bonus of up to 65% of his base salary based upon the achievement of mutually agreed management objectives.
(3)
Mr. Morrison is eligible to receive a quarterly incentive bonus of up to 50% of his base salary based upon the achievement of mutually agreed management objectives.
(4)
Option awards vest in three equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.
(5)
The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted during 2016 computed in accordance with ASC 718. The assumptions for these amounts are included in Note 17—Share Based Payments and Employee Benefit Plans, to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2016.

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2016

The following table sets forth the outstanding stock options for each of our Named Executive Officers asbeneficiaries. As of December 31, 2016.

2018, the Company posted collateral of $583,333 and $466,667 for each trust, respectively. In February 2019, the Company became the beneficiary of both life insurance policies.
(5)
Mr. Tomkinson resigned from the Company on July 31, 2018. Mr. Taylor resigned as Chief Financial Officer on May 21, 2018. Mr. Morrison resigned on January 14, 2019. See "Employments Agreements" below for a description of their severance arrangements.


OUTSTANDING OPTION AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 20162018

The following table provides information with respect to option awards held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2018.


 OPTION AWARDS  OPTION AWARDS 
Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
 Option
Exercise
Price ($)
 Option
Expiration
Date
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
 Option
Exercise
Price ($)
 Option
Expiration
Date
 

George A. Mangiaracina

 35,000  10.00 2/25/2025 

 25,000  20.50 7/21/2025 

 16,667 8,333 17.40 7/19/2026 

 8,000 16,000 13.72 8/30/2027 

Rian Furey

 
 
30,000
 
9.99
 
12/22/2027
 

Joseph R. Tomkinson

 11,321  0.53 06/09/2019  
6,321
 
 
0.53
 
1/31/2019
 

 48,000  2.73 12/3/2020  48,000  2.73 1/31/2019 

 29,250  13.81 11/27/2022  29,250  13.81 1/31/2019 

 25,000  10.65 7/23/2023  25,000  10.65 1/31/2019 

 25,667 12,833 5.39 72/2/2024  3,500  5.39 1/31/2019 

 11,400 22,800 20.50 7/21/2025  34,200  20.50 1/31/2019 

  32,000 17.40 7/19/2026  21,334  17.40 1/31/2019 

William S. Ashmore

 
16,000
 
 
2.73
 
12/3/2020
 

 29,250  13.81 11/27/2022 

 25,000  10.65 7/23/2023 

 25,667 12,833 5.39 7/22/2024 

 11,400 22,800 20.50 7/21/2025 

  32,000 17.40 7/19/2026 

Todd R. Taylor

 
10,000
 
 
0.53
 
6/9/2019
  
24,000
 
 
13.81
 
1/31/2019
 

 24,000  13.81 11/27/2022 

 22,000  10.65 7/23/2023 

 19,334 9,666 5.39 7/22/2024 

 8,567 17,133 20.50 7/21/2025 

  24,000 17.40 7/19/2026  8,000  17.40 1/31/2019 

Ron Morrison

 
10,000
 
 
0.53
 
6/9/2019
  
10,000
 
 
2.73
 
12/31/2019
 

 24,000  13.81 11/27/2022  24,000  13.81 12/31/2019 

 20,000  10.65 7/23/2023  20,000  10.65 12/31/2019 

 19,334 9,666 5.39 7/22/2024  29,000  5.39 12/31/2019 

 8,567 17,133 20.50 7/21/2025  25,700  20.50 12/31/2019 

  24,000 17.40 7/19/2026  16,000 8,000 17.40 12/31/2019 

 8,000 16,000 13.72 12/31/2019 

Option ExercisesOn February 26, 2019, Messrs. Mangiaracina and Furey were granted options to purchase 200,000 and 25,000 shares of common stock, respectively, with an exercise price per share of $3.75. In lieu of receiving a 2018 cash bonus payment, Mr. Mangiaracina was also granted Restricted Stock Vested

NoneUnits (RSUs) representing 50,000 shares of the named executive officers exercised stockcommon stock. The options during 2016 and none hold any restricted stock subject to vesting.RSUs vest one-third per year for three years beginning on February 26, 2020.

Employment Agreements

Joseph R. Tomkinson, CEO, and William S. Ashmore, President

Joseph R. Tomkinson,George A. Mangiaracina, Chief Executive Officer

On March 14, 2018, Mr. Mangiaracina and William S. Ashmore, President, each have employment agreements with the Company that were originallyexecuted an employment agreement, which has a term effective as of January 1, 2013, amended in 2015,2018 and continue throughending on December 31, 2017, unless terminated earlier. The employment agreements may be extended by mutual written agreement of the officer2019 and the Company.does not extend automatically.

Base Salary, Annual Bonus and Other Compensation.    ThePursuant to the agreement, Mr. Mangiaracina will receive a base annual salary forof $750,000 and bonuses of $375,000 each of Messrs. Tomkinsonpayable on April 1, 2018 and Ashmore is $600,000 per year. Each officerOctober 1, 2018 and $750,000 on December 1, 2019 (the "executive bonus"). Mr. Mangiaracina will also receives a fixed expense reimbursement of $1,900 per month and isbe eligible to receive an annual bonus in an amount equal to 7.5%determined in the sole discretion of the Company's


adjusted net earningsBoard of Directors (the "Annual Bonus""annual bonus"). The Annual Bonus is subject to a cap in any calendar year in an amount equal to 2.5 times annual base salary; provided that therebonus for 2018 will be no capbased on the Annual Bonus iffollowing criteria: implementation of the officer pre-electsCompany's business plan, assisting the Chief Financial Officer in addressing key enterprise risk areas and internal controls, and improving the overall performance and direction of the Company as measured by GAAP, including operating income, capital raise activities, merchant bank activities, and mergers and acquisitions. The criteria for 2019 will be agreed upon by the end of 2018. To receive an annual bonus, Mr. Mangiaracina must be actively employed by the Company on or before December 31 of the prior year to receive 5.0% of adjusted net earnings during aapplicable year. The officers may elect to defer any portion of his base salary, bonuses or incentive compensation intoIf the Board approves an approved Company-sponsored deferred compensation plan.

An amount equal to 80% ofannual bonus, then the estimated Annual Bonusfirst $250,000 will be paid within 10 days afterin cash, and any amount in excess of $250,000 will be paid half in cash and half in shares of restricted common stock of the Company has determined its adjusted net earnings forat a price per share based on the year for which the annual bonus is to be paid and the remaining amount will be finally calculated and paid within 10 days after the releaseaverage closing price of the Company's audited financial statements forcommon stock on the year. The Annual Bonus is required20 trading days prior to be paid by the Company by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the year for which adjusted net earnings is determined for purposes of the Annual Bonus. If it is determined that any bonus or incentive compensation is underpaid or overpaid to the officer, then the Company will either pay the amount owed within 15 days after the determination is made by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or offset an overpayment against the officer's next bonus or incentive compensation payments or require the officer to repay such amounts, as applicable.

For purposes of the Annual Bonus, "adjusted net earnings" means the net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders excluding (1) any adjustment relating to change in fair value of net trust assets, change in fair value of long-term debt (including preferred stock), noncash level yield long-term debt recognition or valuing of deferred tax assets, earnout accretion associated with the acquisition of CashCall mortgage, and change in estimated fair value of the contingent consideration liability associated with the acquisition of CashCall mortgage, (ii) any accrual already made with respect to the officer's bonus compensation, (iii) any charge relating to amortization of deferred charges, and (iv) any adjustment relating to lower of cost or market and repurchase liability of the discontinued operations.

Messrs. Tomkinson and Ashmore are also eligible to receive paid vacation, a car allowance of $1,200 per month, participate infiling the Company's health and other benefit plans, be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary business and entertainment expenses, and receive other benefits at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Each officer is prohibited, without approval from the Board of Directors, from receiving compensation, directly or indirectly, from any company with whom the Company or any of its affiliates has any financial, business, or affiliated relationship.annual report on Form 10-K. Any amounts paid to the officer are subject to any claw back policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to listing standards of any national securities exchange or as otherwise required under applicable law.bonus stock will vest annually in equal installments over a three year period.

Severance Compensation.    If either(A) Mr. Tomkinson's or Mr. Ashmore's employmentMangiaracina is terminated (a) by the Company without cause or (B) any of the following actions are taken: (i) there is a substantial diminution of his duties, authority, pay or responsibilities without performance or market justification, (ii) someone else is appointed as CEO of the Company upon Mr. Tomkinson's departure, or (iii) in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the Company's or change of control, and Mr. Mangiaracina has provided the Company 30 days' written notice of such giving the Company the opportunity to cure such circumstances in all material respects, then he will receive, after signing a general release, the following:

If the Company terminates Mr. Mangiaracina for cause (b) voluntarily by providing written notice and a 30 day period for Mr. Mangiaracina to cure such officer, (c) as a resultcircumstances, then he will receive all accrued salary, vacation time and benefits through the date of such officer's death, (d) by mutualtermination. Pursuant to the employment agreement, "cause" generally means the existence of any of the parties,following, as determined by an affirmative majority vote of the Board of Directors: (a) conviction of, or entry of plea of nolo contendere to, a crime of dishonesty or a felony leading to incarceration of more than 90 days or a penalty or fine of $100,000 or more, (b) material and substantial failure to perform duties after 30 days' written notice (and given a reasonable time to correct any failures, if possible), (c) willful misconduct or gross negligence that causes material harm, (d) material breach by the employee of the terms of the Employment Agreement or any other obligation, or (e) because such officeremployee is declared legally incompetent or he has a mental or physical condition that can reasonably be expected to prevent him from carrying out his essential duties for more than six months,90 days.

Upon the death or disability of Mr. Mangiaracina, he or his estate will receive all accrued salary, vacation time and benefits through the date of termination, a pro rata portion of any unpaid executive bonus, and any unpaid annual bonus if declared and not yet paid. If Mr. Mangiaracina voluntarily resigns, he will receive all accrued salary and vacation time through the date of his departure.


Brian Kuelbs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

On May 14, 2018, Mr. Kuelbs entered into an employment agreement with the Company with a term effective May 14, 2018 until May 14, 2020 and no automatic extension.

Base Salary, Bonus and Other Compensation.    Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Kuelbs will receive a base annual salary of $450,000 and an annual stay bonus of $250,000 payable on May 14, 2019 and May 14, 2020, if employed by the Company on each such date (the "Stay Bonus"). The Stay Bonus will be payable $125,000 in cash and $125,000 in shares of restricted common stock that will vest annually in three equal portions. Mr. Kuelbs will also be eligible to receive an annual bonus in the sole discretion of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Discretionary Bonus"). If the Board approves a Discretionary Bonus, then such officerthe first $250,000 will be paid in cash, and any amount in excess of $250,000 will be paid half in cash and half in restricted shares of common stock of the Company that will vest annually in three equal installments and at a price per share based on the average closing price of the common stock on the 20 trading days prior to the date of the bonus. Upon a change of control, termination without cause or if employment is not extended by either party through the vesting date, then any unvested restricted shares granted pursuant to the Stay Bonus or Discretionary Bonus will immediately vest.

Mr. Kuelbs will also be eligible to participate in the Company's stock option program. Mr. Kuelbs will be granted 30,000 options at the first meeting of the Board of Directors after the date he begins his employment. Additionally, if George Mangiaracina, the Company's President, receives any options during 2018, Mr. Kuelbs will receive a matching grant on the same terms of a maximum of up to 20,000 options (the "Matching Options"). Mr. Kuelbs will be entitled to receive the following: