Filed by a Party other than the Registrant Table of Contents¨

 

Check the appropriate box:

¨ Preliminary Proxy Statement

¨Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

x Definitive Proxy Statement

¨ Definitive Additional Materials

¨ Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

NOT APPLICABLE

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x No fee required.

¨ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials

¨ Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

Peoples Financial Services Corp.
150 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503

 

April 16, 20205, 2022

 

To Our Shareholders:

 

You are cordially invited to participate in the 20202022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Peoples Financial Services Corp. to be held on Saturday, May 16, 202014, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. For the first time, thisAs we did last year, we will be holding a virtual meeting where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, vote on the matters submitted to shareholders and pose questions and make comments. The virtual meeting can be accessed by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PFIS2020.PFIS2022.

 

At the annual meeting, shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon: the election of twothree directors to the Company’s board of directors, each to serve until the 20232025 annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor has been selected and qualified; a proposal to amend our articles of incorporation to adopt a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors; a proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers; a proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers; the ratification of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause,US, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020;2022; and any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

On behalf of the board of directors, we urge you to submit your proxy by mail, telephone or internet as soon as possible, even if you currently plan to attend the virtual meeting. This will not prevent you from voting at the annual meeting, but will assure that your vote is counted if you do not attend.

 

Your cooperation is appreciated, as shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast must be represented at the annual meeting, either by proxy or by participation in the virtual meeting, to constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.

 

Very truly yours,

 

William E. Aubrey II	Craig W. Best	Thomas P. Tulaney
Chairman of the Board	President and Chief Executive Officer	President and COO

 

---

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.Peoples Financial Services Corp.
150 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 16, 2020May 14, 2022

Notice is hereby given that the 20202022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Peoples Financial Services Corp., referred to as “we” or the “Company,” will be held via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PFIS2020,PFIS2022, on Saturday, May 16, 2020,14, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the following matters:

·                                          Election of two directors to our board of directors, each to serve until the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified;

·                                          A proposal to amend our articles of incorporation to adopt a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors;

·                                          A proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers;

·                                          A proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers;

·                                          Ratification of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020; and

·                                          Such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2020February 28, 2022 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting. Whether or not you contemplate participating in the virtual annual meeting, the board of directors of the Company recommends that you execute and return the enclosed proxy by mail or submit your proxy by telephone or the internet. You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the exercise of the proxy by delivering to the Company a later dated proxy, by delivering a later dated written notice of revocation to the Company, or by voting your shares at the virtual annual meeting.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to Be Held on May 16, 2020:14, 2022:

Our proxy statement, annual report to shareholders and form of proxy card are available at www.proxyvote.com.

	BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
	TIMOTHY H. KIRTLEY
	DEBRA E. ADAMS
	Secretary

April 16, 20205, 2022

PEOPLES FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP.Peoples Financial Services Corp.
150 North Washington Avenue
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503

PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 16, 2020May 14, 2022

This proxy statement is being furnished to shareholders of Peoples Financial Services Corp., referred to as “we” or the “Company,” in connection with the solicitation by the board of directors of the Company of proxies to be voted at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PFIS2020PFIS2022 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday, May 16, 2020,14, 2022, or such later date to which the annual meeting may be adjourned or postponed.

At the annual meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the following matters:

·                                          Election of two directors to the Company’s board of directors each to serve until the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified;

·                                          A proposal to amend our articles of incorporation to adopt a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors;

·                                          A proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers;

·                                          A proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers;

·                                          Ratification of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020; and

·                                          Such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Information regarding the election of directors and the other proposals is included in this proxy statement. Shareholders should carefully read this proxy statement.

The first date on which this proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy are being sent to the shareholders of the Company is on or about April 16, 2020.5, 2022.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSWarning About Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, in addition to historical information. Forward looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” and variations of such words and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or similar expressions. Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provide a safe harbor in regard to the inclusion of forward-looking statements in this document and any documents incorporated by reference.

You should note that many factors, some of which are discussed elsewhere in this document and in documents that are incorporated by reference, could affect the future financial results of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and its subsidiaries and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this document. These factors include, but are not limited, to the following:

·                                          changes in interest rates;

·                                          economic conditions, particularly in the Peoples Financial Services Corp. market area;

·                                          legislative and regulatory changes and the ability to comply with the significant laws and regulations governing the banking and financial services business;

·                                          monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve System;

·                                          credit risk associated with lending activities and changes in the quality and composition of our loan and investment portfolios;

·                                          demand for loan and other products;

·                                          deposit flows;

·                                          competition;

·                                          changes in the values of real estate and other collateral securing the loan portfolio, particularly in the Peoples Financial Services Corp. market area;

·                                          the ability to achieve the intended benefits of, or other risks associated with, business combinations;

·                                          changes in relevant accounting principles and guidelines;

·                                          inability of third party service providers to perform;

·                                          the ability to prevent, detect and respond to cyberattacks; and

·                                          other factors that may be described in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

We caution that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, all of which change over time, and we assume no duty to update forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, and except as required by applicable law or regulation, we do not undertake, and specifically disclaim any obligation, to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date made, and we advise readers that various factors, including those described above, could affect our financial performance and could cause actual results or circumstances for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected.

INFORMATION ABOUT VOTINGInformation About Voting

How are proxies being solicited?

This proxy solicitation is being made by and at the direction of the board of directors of the Company, and we will pay all expenses relating to the solicitation. Proxies may be solicited by mail, personally, by telephone or by other electronic means by officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiary, Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, or the “Bank,” who will not be compensated for such solicitation activities. In addition, we have engaged Regan & Associates, Inc. (New York, NY) to assist us with the solicitation. We will pay Regan & Associates a fee of $9,500$10,500 and reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Arrangements may be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for forwarding solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such persons, and we will reimburse those persons for their reasonable expenses.

What is on the agenda for the annual meeting?

The agenda for the annual meeting includes: the election of twothree directors to the Company’s board of directors, each to serve until the 20232025 annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified; a proposal to amend our articles of incorporation to adopt a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors; a proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers; a proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers; the ratification of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause,US, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020;2022; and such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting. We are not aware of any such other business that may properly come before the annual meeting at the present time.

How do I participate in the annual meeting?

This year, we will be holding a virtual meeting where you will be able to listen to the meeting live, vote on the matters submitted to shareholders and pose questions and make comments. The virtual meeting will be accessed by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PFIS2020.PFIS2022.

You are entitled to participate in the annual meeting if you were a shareholder as of the close of business on March 9, 2020,February 28, 2022, the record date, or hold a valid proxy for the meeting. To be admitted to the annual meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PFIS2020,PFIS2022, you must enter the control number found on your proxy card.

We encourage you to access the annual meeting before it begins. Online check-in will start shortly before the meeting on May 16, 2020.14, 2022. If you have difficulty accessing the meeting, please call 800-586-1548 (US) or 303-562-9288 (International).

Who can vote?

You can vote at the annual meeting if you were a holder of our common stock at the close of business on the record date. The record date for the annual meeting is March 9, 2020.February 28, 2022. Each share of common stock you own as of the record date entitles you to one vote for each director to be elected in the election of directors and one vote on any other business as may properly come before the annual meeting. As of the record date, there were 7,390,2167,168,312 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

How do I vote if shares are held directly in my name?

If you hold your shares in certificate or direct registration system form, and not through a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you may vote your shares in one of the following ways:

·                                          VOTE BY INTERNET - Before The Meeting — Go to www.proxyvote.com.  Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

·                                          VOTE BY INTERNET — During The Meeting — Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PFIS2020.  You may attend the virtual annual meeting and vote your shares during the meeting.  To attend the annual meeting, you will need the control number included on your proxy card.

·                                          VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903.  Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

·                                          VOTE BY MAIL.  Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

How do I vote if shares are held in street name or through a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee?

If you hold your shares in street name or through a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you will need to vote your shares by providing voting instructions to your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, in accordance with the voting instruction form provided to you by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, or by obtaining a legal proxy from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee authorizing you to vote those shares at the annual meeting. Only with a legal proxy from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee can you cast your vote at the annual meeting.

How will my proxy be voted?

If you hold your shares directly in your name, unless you indicate differently on your proxy, we plan to vote signed and returned proxies FOR the election of the board’s director nominees named in this proxy statement, FOR the proposal to amend our articles of incorporation, FOR the proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, for everyONE YEAR on the proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers, and FOR the ratification of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause,US, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.2022.

If you hold your shares of the Company’s common stock in “street name” (that is, through a broker or other nominee), under applicable rules, brokers have the discretion to vote on routine matters, such as the ratification of the selection of accounting firms, but do not have discretion to vote on non-routine matters. Rules applicable to brokers consider uncontested elections of directors, matters related to executive compensation, and matters related to corporate governance to be considered non-routine. If you hold your shares in street name, but do not give your broker or other nominee instructions on how to vote your shares, votes may not be cast on your behalf. If your broker or other nominee submits a proxy but does not vote your shares on a particular proposal because it has not received voting instructions from you, your shares will be considered to be “broker non-votes” with regard to that matter.

At or after the annual meeting, a judge of elections will tabulate ballots cast by shareholders present and voting at the virtual annual meeting and votes cast by proxy.

What is a broker non-vote?

A broker non-vote occurs when a bank or brokerage firm holding shares on behalf of a shareholder does not receive voting instructions from the shareholder by a specified date before the annual meeting and the bank or brokerage firm is not permitted to vote, or otherwise does not vote, those undirected shares on specified matters. Thus, if you do not give your broker specific instructions, your shares may not be voted on those matters (so-called “broker non-votes”) and will not be counted in determining the number of shares necessary for approval. Broker non-votes are not considered to be votes cast and, therefore, generally have no effect on the outcome of elections of directors or other business which are determined based on votes cast. Shares represented by “broker non-votes” will be counted, however, in determining the number of shares of common stock represented by participation in the virtual annual meeting or by proxy and entitled to vote.

Can I revoke my proxy or change my vote after submitting my proxy?

Yes. Any shareholder giving a proxy has the right to virtually attend the annual meeting and vote during the annual meeting. A proxy may be revoked prior to the annual meeting if a later-dated proxy or a written revocation is sent to the Company at Peoples Financial Services Corp., 150 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503, Attn.: Secretary, and received prior to the annual meeting. In addition, a shareholder may revoke a proxy by timely executing and delivering, by Internet, telephone, or mail, another proxy dated as of a later date.

What constitutes a quorum at the annual meeting and how are votes counted?

We need a quorum of shareholders to hold a valid annual meeting. A quorum will be present if shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast are represented by proxy or by participation in the virtual annual meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for the purpose of establishing a quorum.

How many votes are required for the election of directors?

Directors areOur articles of incorporation provide for majority voting in uncontested elections of directors. Under our majority voting standard, each vote cast will be counted either “for” or “against” the nominee’s election as a director. To be elected in an uncontested election, a quorum must be present at the meeting and the number of votes cast by shareholders “for” a nominee’s election must exceed the number of votes cast “against” the nominee’s election. In a contested election, defined as on in which the number of director nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors elected at such meeting shall be elected by a plurality vote of sharesthe votes cast in such election of common stock cast by proxy or by participation in the virtual annual meeting,directors, provided that a quorum is present. A “plurality” means that the candidates for election as directors receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, shall be elected. Because the election of directors is based on a plurality of the votes cast, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors.

How many votes are requiredWhat happens if a director nominee fails to amend the articles of incorporation?

As long as a quorum is present, the affirmative vote ofreceive a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote on the proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation is required for the approval and adoption of the amendment.  Because approval and adoption of the amendment is based on a majority of the votes cast, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

How many votes are required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers?his or her election?

As long as a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the holders, present by participation in the virtual meeting or by proxy, of shares entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast, is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers.  Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.

How many votes are required to approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers?

As long as a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the holders, present by participation in the virtual meeting or by proxy, of shares entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast, is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers.  Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.

How many votes are required for the ratification of the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP?

As long as a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the holders, present by participation in the virtual meeting or by proxy, of shares entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast, is required to ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.  Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.

How many votes are required for any other proposals that may properly come before the annual meeting?

Any other proposals that may properly come before the annual meeting will be approved if the holders, present by proxy or by participation in the virtual meeting, of shares entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast are voted in favor of the action, unless the question is one upon which a different vote is required by express provision of law or by our articles of incorporation or our bylaws.  Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against any proposal that requires approval by a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast.  Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast, however, and, as such, have no effect on the outcome of any proposals which would be approved based on votes cast.  We are not aware of any such other proposals that may properly come before the annual meeting at the present time.

PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our bylaws provide that the number of directors constituting the entire board will be not less than five nor more than twenty-five, with the exact number to be fixed from time to time by our board of directors.

Our bylaws also provide that our board of directors will be classified into three classes, each class to be as nearly equal in number, in respect to the time for which they severally hold office.  At each annual meeting of shareholders, one class of directors is to be elected and each class of directors so elected will serve for a term of approximately three years.  On February 28, 2020, our board of directors approved a temporary increase in the number of directors constituting the entire board from ten to eleven.  In accordance with our mandatory retirement bylaw, Robert W. Naismith, Ph.D. and George H. Stover,

Jr. will retire at the expiration of their current terms at the annual meeting.  Further, as previously reported, director James G. Keisling has decided not to stand for re-election at the annual meeting.  Based on the recommendation of our nominating and governance committee, our board of directors resolved to decrease the number of directors comprising the entire board to eight upon the expiration of the retiring directors’ terms.  Accordingly, two nominees will be elected to the 2023 class of directors.

It is intended that the proxies solicited by the board of directors will be voted FOR the two director nominees named below (unless the shareholder otherwise directs).  If, for any reason, any nominee becomes unavailable for election or service on the board, the proxy solicited by the board of directors will be voted for such substituted nominee as is selected by the board of directors.  The board has no reason to believe that any of the named nominees are not available or will not serve if elected.

Nominees for Director - Term Expiring In 2023

The board has nominated incumbent directors Sandra L. Bodnyk and Ronald G. Kukuchka for election to the board of directors at the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders, each to serve until the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified.  The names of the director nominees and certain information about them are set forth below:

Sandra L. Bodnyk, age 68, was appointed as a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company on February 28, 2020.  Ms. Bodnyk was Executive Vice President, Senior Loan Administrator for Branch Banking and Trust Company, the banking subsidiary of BB&T Corporation, from April 2016 through December 2018, and was Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer for National Penn Bank, the banking subsidiary of National Penn Bancshares, Inc., from January 2013 until their merger with BB&T in April 2016.  Before Ms. Bodnyk’s appointment to that position, she was Group Executive Vice President & Chief Risk Officer for National Penn Bank, and before that she held various positions with KNBT Bancorp, Inc. and Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust Company.  Our board of directors determined that Ms. Bodnyk is qualified to serve as a director of the Company as a result of her extensive background in commercial banking, including her experience with commercial lending and enterprise risk management, and oversight of regulatory compliance and technology and information security.

Ronald G. Kukuchka, age 66, has been a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company since 2007.  He has been President of Ace Robbins, Inc. since 1982.  The board has determined that Mr. Kukuchka is qualified to be on the board due to his leadership skills gained from owning a successful petroleum company in our market area for over 37 years.  He also brings experience gained by serving as director for the Pennsylvania Marketers & Convenience Store Association, director of the Tunkhannock Fireman’s Relief Association, and from being trustee of the Roy Piper Charitable Trust.

Continuing Directors

The names of our directors, whose current terms will continue after the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders, and certain information about them, are set forth below:

Term Expiring In 2021

Richard S. Lochen, Jr., age 56, has been a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company since 2003.  He has been a Certified Public Accountant with the firm of Lochen & Chase PC since 1995.  In May 2006, Mr. Lochen was appointed as President of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and its banking subsidiary (then known as Peoples National Bank) and served as President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2007 until November 2009.  The board has

determined that Mr. Lochen is qualified to be on the board due to his knowledge of auditing publicly-traded financial institutions that he gained during his career as a CPA, which included assisting in preparation of annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  He also brings executive leadership experience and understanding of the operations of Peoples gained from his past service as an officer of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and its banking subsidiary.

James B. Nicholas, age 68, was appointed as a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company in connection with the consummation of our merger with Penseco in November 2013.  Prior to that, he served as a director of Penseco Financial Services Corporation and Penn Security Bank and Trust Company since 1981.  The Company has concluded that Mr. Nicholas is qualified to serve as a director of the Company as a result of his substantial small company management experience, particularly within the region in which the Bank conducts its business, and his familiarity with the operations of the former Penn Security Bank and Trust Company.  Mr. Nicholas has served as the President of D.G. Nicholas Co., a wholesale auto parts company located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, since 1990.  Through his oversight of D.G. Nicholas Co., Mr. Nicholas is able to obtain insight regarding the local business and consumer environment that is valuablePursuant to our board of directors in its oversight of the Company’s and Bank’s operations.  His service as a director of Penseco and Penn Security has enabled him to develop a knowledge of their former operations, which is beneficial to the Company’s Board.

Steven L. Weinberger, age 72, was appointed as a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company in connection with the consummation of our merger with Penseco in November 2013.  Prior to that, he served as a director of Penseco Financial Services Corporation and Penn Security Bank and Trust Company since 1999.  The Company has concluded that Mr. Weinberger is qualified to serve as a director of the Company as a result of his substantial small company management experience, particularly within the region in which the Bank conducts its business, and his familiarity with the operations of Penn Security Bank and Trust Company.  Mr. Weinberger has served as the President of G. Weinberger Company, a mechanical contracting company located in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, since 1981.  Through his oversight of G. Weinberger Company, Mr. Weinberger is able to obtain insight regarding the local business and consumer environment that is valuable to our board of directors in its oversight of the Company’s and Bank’s operations.  His service as a director of Penseco and Penn Security has enabled him to develop a knowledge of their former operations, which is beneficial to the Company’s Board.

Term Expiring In 2022

William E. Aubrey II, age 57, has been a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company since 2006 and Chairman of the Board since 2008.  He has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Gertrude Hawk Chocolates based in Dunmore, PA since 2003.  The board has determined that Mr. Aubrey is qualified to be on the board due to his executive management experience gained by serving as a chief executive.  He also brings knowledge gained by serving on the on the board of directors of United Gilsonite Laboratories in Scranton, PA and Rustic Crust in Pittsfield, NH.  In addition, he has served on many community boards including past Chairman of Geisinger CMC Hospital, Keystone College, Holy Cross School System and the Everhart Museum.  He holds an MBA and CPA.

Craig W. Best, age 59, was appointed as a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company in connection with the consummation of our merger with Penseco in November 2013.  Prior to that, he served as a director of Penseco Financial Services Corporation and Penn Security Bank and Trust Company since 2006.  The Company has concluded that Mr. Best is qualified to serve as a director of the Company as a result of his leadership and prior experience in the banking industry.  Mr. Best served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Penseco

Financial Services Corporation and Penn Security Bank and Trust Company from 2006 until the Penseco merger, at which time he was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company.  Prior to joining Penseco, Mr. Best served as Chief Operating Officer of First Commonwealth Bank, a $6.2 billion financial services institution headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania, from July 2000 to December 2005.  During his employment with First Commonwealth Bank, Mr. Best was responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of all lines of business and administrative functions for First Commonwealth Bank.  Before serving as Chief Operating Officer of First Commonwealth Bank, Mr. Best was President of NBOC, a $1.0 billion division of First Commonwealth Bank.  This collective experience, along with his knowledge of all aspects of the Company’s and the Bank’s business through his position as President and Chief Executive Officer, uniquely qualify Mr. Best for service on the Company’s board of directors.

Joseph T. Wright, Jr., age 64, has been a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company since 2009.  He has been an attorney at law with Wright & Reihner PC since 1980.  The board has determined that Mr. Wright is qualified to be on the board due to his experience and knowledge gained while being a practicing attorney for nearly forty years with involvement in numerous financially complex matters related to disputes involving shareholders, employment matters, contracts, valuation issues, real estate matters, and general business issues related to risk assessment.

Recommendation

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF ITS NOMINEES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY TO SERVE UNTIL THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND UNTIL HIS OR HER SUCCESSOR HAS BEEN ELECTED AND QUALIFIED.

PROPOSAL 2 — TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO OUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO ADOPT A MAJORITY VOTING STANDARD IN UNCONTESTED ELECTIONS OF DIRECTORS

Peoples is a Pennsylvania corporation and, under Pennsylvania law, the default voting standard for the election of directors by shareholders is that directors receiving the highest number of votes are elected. This is called the “plurality voting standard.”  As a Pennsylvania corporation, the Company’s directors are currently elected under the plurality standard.  This means a director may be elected without regard to how many votes he or she receives and how many votes are withheld.

Over the past several years, many public companies have moved away from the plurality voting standard, adopting instead a requirement that directors receive at least a majority of votes cast in uncontested elections.  This trend in corporate governance is viewed as a means to increasing director accountability to shareholders.  After careful consideration and in light of current corporate governance trends, our board believes it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to approve an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation to adopt a majority voting standard in uncontested director elections, as further described below.

Our board of directors has unanimously adopted, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to our articles of incorporation to adopt a majority voting standard in uncontested elections of directors. Under the proposed majority voting standard, each vote cast will be counted either “for” or “against” the nominee’s election as a director.  To be elected, the number of votes cast “for” such nominee’s election must exceed the number of votes cast “against” such nominee’s election.  Abstentions will continue to have no effect in determining whether the required affirmative majority vote has been obtained.  If the

amendment to the articles of incorporation is approved by the shareholders, the majority voting standard will be applicable starting with the election of directors at the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.

To supplement the proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation, and subject to its approval by shareholders, our board of directors has adopted a new corporate governance policy, to require any incumbent director who is nominated for re-election but does not receive a majority of the votes cast for his or her re-election, is required to tender his or her resignation to the nominating and corporate governance committee and the board for their consideration. The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider such tendered resignation and, within thirty days after certification of the election results of the shareholders’ meeting at which a director failed to receive the required votes for re-election, will make a recommendation to the board as to the appropriate action, primarily whether to accept or reject such resignation. In determining its recommendation to the board, the nominating and corporate governance committee will consider all factors deemed relevant by the members of the committee including, without limitation, any reason or reasons known to the committee why shareholders voted against the director’s re-election, the qualifications of the director, whether acceptance of the resignation would adversely affect the Company’s ability to comply with applicable stock exchange listing standards, and whether the director’s resignation from the board of directors would generally be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The board will act on the nominating and corporate governance committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind such decision within ninety days after certification of the results of the election in which the director failed to receive the number of votes required.

Under the proposed majority voting standard in uncontested If any director elections, if a nominee who is not currentlyan incumbent director and fails to receive a membermajority of the board receives fewer votes cast “for” than “against”for his or her election, that nomineehe or she will not be electedelected.

How many votes are required to approve, on an advisory basis, the Company’s board.compensation of our named executive officers?

If,As long as a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the holders, present by participation in the virtual meeting or by proxy, of shares entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast, is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.

How many votes are required for the ratification of the appointment of Baker Tilly US, LLP?

As long as a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the holders, present by participation in the virtual meeting or by proxy, of shares entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast, is required to ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly US, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.

How many votes are required for any election of directors,other proposals that may properly come before the number of director nominees exceedsannual meeting?

Any other proposals that may properly come before the number of directors to be elected, the electionannual meeting will be consideredapproved if the holders, present by proxy or by participation in the virtual meeting, of shares entitled to cast at least a contested election.  Inmajority of the event of a contested election, the plurality voting standard will apply.

The board hereby requests that you votevotes which all shareholders are entitled to cast are voted in favor of an amendment tothe action, unless the question is one upon which a different vote is required by express provision of law or by our articles of incorporation addingor our bylaws. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the following new article 12:

12.                               Each director of the Corporation elected by the shareholders shall be electedsame effect as votes against any proposal that requires approval by a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast, with respect tohowever, and, as such, director’s electionhave no effect on the outcome of any proposals which would be approved based on votes cast. We are not aware of any such other proposals that may properly come before the annual meeting at any meetingthe present time.

Proposal 1 – Election of the shareholders called for the purpose of the election of directors and at which a quorum is present, providedDirectors

Our bylaws provide that if the number of director nominees exceeds the number of directors constituting the entire board will be not less than five nor more than twenty-five, with the exact number to be fixed from time to time by our board of directors. In March 2022, our board of directors approved an increase in the number of directors constituting the entire board from seven to eight, and appointed Elisa Zúñiga Ramirez to fill the vacancy created by such increase.

Our bylaws also provide that our board of directors will be classified into three classes, each class to be as nearly equal in number, in respect to the time for which they severally hold office. At each annual meeting of shareholders, one class of directors is to be elected at such meeting, theand each class of directors so elected at such meeting shallwill serve for a term of approximately three years. Three nominees will be elected to the 2025 class of directors.

It is intended that the proxies solicited by a pluralitythe board of directors will be voted FOR the three director nominees named below (unless the shareholder otherwise directs). If, for any reason, any nominee becomes unavailable for election or service on the board, the proxy solicited by the board of directors will be voted for such substituted nominee as is selected by the board of directors. The board has no reason to believe that any of the votes cast in suchnamed nominees are not available or will not serve if elected.

Nominees for Director - Term Expiring In 2025

The board has nominated incumbent directors William E. Aubrey II, Craig W. Best and Joseph T. Wright, Jr. for election to the board of directors.  Fordirectors at the purposes2022 Annual Meeting of this Article 12, a “majorityshareholders, each to serve until the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor has been elected and qualified. The names of the votes cast” means that the number of shares voted “for” the election ofdirector nominees and certain information about them are set forth below:

William E. Aubrey II, age 59, has been a director must exceedof Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company since 2006 and Chairman of the numberBoard since 2008. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of votes “against”Gertrude Hawk Chocolates based in Dunmore, PA from 2003 to 2019 and is currently President of Alternative Investments at Gertrude Hawk Holdings. The board has determined that Mr. Aubrey is qualified to be on the electionboard due to his executive management experience gained by serving as a chief executive. He also brings knowledge gained by serving on the board of directors of United Gilsonite Laboratories in Scranton, PA, Schlotterbeck & Foss in Portland, ME and Rustic Crust in Pittsfield, NH. In addition, he has served on many community boards including past Chairman of Geisinger CMC Hospital, Keystone College, Holy Cross School System, Everhart Museum and the Waverly Community House. He holds an MBA and CPA.

Craig W. Best, age 61, was appointed as a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company in connection with the consummation of our merger with Penseco in November 2013. Prior to that, director.he served as a director of Penseco Financial Services Corporation and Penn Security Bank and Trust Company since 2006. The Company has concluded that Mr. Best is qualified to serve as a director of the Company as a result of his leadership and prior experience in the banking industry. Mr. Best has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank since May 2020. Mr. Best served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company from the time of the 2013 Penseco merger until May 2020, and from 2006 until the merger served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Penseco Financial Services Corporation and Penn Security Bank and Trust Company Penseco merger. Prior to joining Penseco, Mr. Best served as Chief Operating Officer of First Commonwealth Bank, a $6.2 billion financial services institution headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania, from July 2000 to December 2005. During his employment with First Commonwealth Bank, Mr. Best was responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of all lines of business and administrative functions for First Commonwealth Bank. Before serving as Chief Operating Officer of First Commonwealth Bank, Mr. Best was President of NBOC, a $1.0 billion division of First Commonwealth Bank. This collective experience, along with his knowledge of all aspects of the Company’s and the Bank’s business through his position as President and Chief Executive Officer, uniquely qualify Mr. Best for service on the Company’s board of directors.

Joseph T. Wright, Jr., age 66, has been a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company since 2009. He has been an attorney at law with Wright & Reihner PC since 1980. The board has determined that Mr. Wright is qualified to be on the board due to his experience and knowledge gained while being a practicing attorney for nearly forty years with involvement in numerous financially complex matters related to disputes involving shareholders, employment matters, contracts, valuation issues, real estate matters, and general business issues related to risk assessment.

RecommendationContinuing Directors

The names of our directors, whose current terms will continue after the 2022 Annual Meeting of shareholders, and certain information about them, are set forth on the next page:

Term Expiring In 2023

Sandra L. Bodnyk, age 70, was appointed as a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company on February 28, 2020. Ms. Bodnyk was Executive Vice President, Senior Loan Administrator for Branch Banking and Trust Company, the banking subsidiary of BB&T Corporation, from April 2016 through December 2018, and was Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer for National Penn Bank, the banking subsidiary of National Penn Bancshares, Inc., from January 2013 until their merger with BB&T in April 2016. Before Ms. Bodnyk’s appointment to that position, she was Group Executive Vice President & Chief Risk Officer for National Penn Bank, and before that she held various positions with KNBT Bancorp, Inc. and Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust Company. Our board of directors determined that Ms. Bodnyk is qualified to serve as a director of the Company as a result of her extensive background in commercial banking, including her experience with commercial lending and enterprise risk management, and oversight of regulatory compliance and technology and information security.

Ronald G. Kukuchka, age 68, has been a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company since 2007. He has been President of Ace Robbins, Inc. since 1982. The board has determined that Mr. Kukuchka is qualified to be on the board due to his leadership skills gained from owning a successful petroleum company in our market area for over 37 years. He also brings experience gained by serving as director for the Pennsylvania Marketers & Convenience Store Association, director of the Tunkhannock Fireman’s Relief Association, and from being trustee of the Roy Piper Charitable Trust.

Elisa Zúñiga Ramirez, age 53, was appointed as a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company as of March 4, 2022. She has over 30 years’ experience in the capital markets. Since October 2020, until the present, she has been the President of Exito Consulting LLC. From May 2018 until her retirement in July 2020, Ms. Ramirez was Senior Portfolio Manager and Principal at Segall Bryant & Hamill, an employee-owned money manager with $25 billion in assets under management. Prior to this, from 2009, she was Senior Portfolio Manager and Partner at Denver Investments LLC, an employee-owned money manager with $7.3 billion in assets under management that was acquired by Segall Bryant and Hamill in May 2018. Ms. Ramirez had served in various other position with Denver Investments since 1989. Ms. Ramirez managed midcap growth equity assets in the first half of her career and spent the second half managing value equity assets with a focus on small-cap dividend-paying stocks. At the peak, the Small-Cap Value Dividend Fund that she co-managed $2.3 billion in assets under management. Since November 2020, she has served as an independent director for the Denver Employees Retirement Plan; since January 2021 she has served as an advisory board member for Bow River Capital; and since February 2022, she has been a trustee of Trust for Professional Managers (US Bank Global Fund Services Series Trust). Our board of directors determined that Ms. Ramirez is qualified to serve as a director of the Company as a result of her deep understanding of investment theory and practice, ESG investing, and diversity, equity & inclusion.

Term Expiring In 2024

Richard S. Lochen, Jr., age 58, has been a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company since 2003. He has been a Certified Public Accountant with the firm of Lochen & Chase PC since 1995. In May 2006, Mr. Lochen was appointed as President of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and its banking subsidiary (then known as Peoples National Bank) and served as President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2007 until November 2009. The board has determined that Mr. Lochen is qualified to be on the board due to his knowledge of auditing publicly-traded financial institutions that he gained during his career as a CPA, which included assisting in preparation of annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He also brings executive leadership experience and understanding of the operations of Peoples gained from his past service as an officer of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and its banking subsidiary.

James B. Nicholas, age 70, was appointed as a director of Peoples Financial Services Corp. and Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company in connection with the consummation of our merger with Penseco in November 2013. Prior to that, he served as a director of Penseco Financial Services Corporation and Penn Security Bank and Trust Company since 1981. The Company has concluded that Mr. Nicholas is qualified to serve as a director of the Company as a result of his substantial small company management experience, particularly within the region in which the Bank conducts its business, and his familiarity with the operations of the former Penn Security Bank and Trust Company. Mr. Nicholas has served as the President of D.G. Nicholas Co., a wholesale auto parts company located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, since 1990. Through his oversight of D.G. Nicholas Co., Mr. Nicholas is able to obtain insight regarding the local business and consumer environment that is valuable to our board of directors in its oversight of the Company’s and Bank’s operations. His service as a director of Penseco and Penn Security has enabled him to develop a knowledge of their former operations, which is beneficial to the Company’s Board.

Recommendation

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSALELECTION OF EACH OF ITS NOMINEES TO AMEND OUR ARTICLESTHE BOARD OF INCORPORATIONDIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY TO ADOPT A MAJORITY VOTING STANDARD IN UNCONTESTED ELECTIONSSERVE UNTIL THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF DIRECTORS.SHAREHOLDERS AND UNTIL HIS SUCCESSOR HAS BEEN ELECTED AND QUALIFIED.

PROPOSAL 3 — TO APPROVE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS,Proposal 2 – To Approve, on an Advisory Basis,
THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERSthe Compensation of our Named Executive Officers

As required pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (commonly referred to as the “Exchange Act”), we are providing our shareholders with the opportunity to vote, on an advisory basis, on the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our shareholders the opportunity to express their views on the compensation of our named executive officers. We are currently soliciting this advisory vote on an annual basis.

Even though this say-on-pay vote is advisory and therefore will not be binding on us, the members of our compensation committee and board of directors value the opinions of our shareholders. Accordingly, to the extent there is a significant vote against the compensation of our named executive officers, we will consider our shareholders’ concerns and the compensation committee will evaluate what actions may be appropriate to address those concerns.

Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, reward, and retain key employees, including our named executive officers, who are critical to our success. Under this program, our named executive officers are rewarded for the achievement of specific short-term and long-term goals that enhance shareholder value. Shareholders are urged to read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation” sections of this proxy statement for greater detail about our executive compensation programs, including information about the fiscal year 20192021 compensation of our named executive officers.

We are asking our shareholders to indicate their support for the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement by voting in favor of the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”

Recommendation

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS BY THE ADOPTION OF THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION.

PROPOSAL 4 — TO APPROVE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

As required pursuant to Section 14AProposal 3 – Ratification of the Exchange Act, we also are providing our shareholders withAppointment of Baker Tilly US, LLP as the opportunity to vote, on an advisory basis, on the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers. In particular, we are asking whether future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers should occur every one year, two years or three years.

After considering this agenda item, our board of directors has determined that an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers every one year is the most appropriate alternativeCompany’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Company. The board’s determination was influenced by the fact that the compensation of our named executive officers is evaluated, adjusted and approved on an annual basis. As part of the annual review process, the board believes that shareholder sentiment should be a factor that is taken into consideration by the board and the compensation committee in making decisions with respect to executive compensation. By providing an advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis, our shareholders will be able to provide us with direct input on our compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in the proxy statement every year. We have endeavored to structure the executive compensation program to provide a reasonable balance between both long-term and short-term performance goals that is closely aligned with our strategic plan for building a stronger and more customer-focused financial organization over time. We understand that our shareholders may have different views as to what is the best approach for us, and we look forward to hearing from our shareholders on this agenda item every year. Accordingly, our board of directors recommends that future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers be held every one year.

If any frequency option — every one year, two years or three years — receives the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast, that frequency will be the one approved by shareholders on an advisory basis. Even though the vote is advisory and therefore will not be binding on us, the board of directors and the compensation committee value the opinions of our shareholders and will carefully consider our shareholders’ vote. Nonetheless, the board may decide in the future that it is in the best interests of our shareholders and the Company to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the option approved by, or which receives the highest number of votes cast by, our shareholders.

Recommendation

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS BE HELD EVERY ONE YEAR.

PROPOSAL 5 — RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BAKER TILLY VIRCHOW KRAUSE, LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBERFiscal Year Ending December 31, 20202022

The audit committee of our board of directors has engaged Baker Tilly Virchow Krause,US, LLP or “Baker Tilly,” to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2020.2022. Baker Tilly served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal yearyears ended December 31, 20182021 and 2019.2020. Representatives of the firm are expected to participate in the virtual annual meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

The following table presents the aggregate fees billed or expected to be billed to us by our principal independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20192021 and 2018.2020.

Audit-related fees consist of fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.”

Our audit committee’s charter includes a formal policy concerning the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm, subject to the de minimis exception 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 policy requires that all services to be performed by Baker Tilly, including audit services, audit-related services and permitted non-audit services, be performed either pursuant to detailed pre-approval policies and procedures established by the committee as to the services to be performed, or upon presentation to and pre-approval by the committee (subject to the de minimis exception). All services rendered by Baker Tilly are permissible under applicable laws and regulations, and the audit committee pre-approved all audit and audit-related services performed by Baker Tilly during 20192021 and 2018.2020.

Recommendation

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BAKER TILLY VIRCHOW KRAUSE,US, LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2020.2022.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEESBoard of Directors and Committees

Director Independence

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC. Accordingly, our board evaluated the independence of each director and director nominee under the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC. During this review, the board considered transactions and relationships between each director or any member of his or her immediate family and the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. The board also considered whether there were any transactions or relationships between any director or any member of his or her immediate family (or any entity of which a director or an immediate family member is an executive officer, general partner or significant equity holder) and members of our senior management or their affiliates.

As a result of this review, the board affirmatively determined that William E. Aubrey II, Sandra L. Bodnyk, James G. Keisling, Ronald G. Kukuchka, Richard S. Lochen, Jr., Robert W. Naismith, Ph.D., James B. Nicholas, George H. Stover, Jr.Elisa Zúñiga Ramirez and Joseph T. Wright, Jr. are independent under the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC. Former director, Steven L. Weinberger, whose term ended in May 2021, also was determined to be independent. In addition, the board determined that each member of our nominating and governance, audit and compensation committees is independent in accordance with the additional independence criteria applicable to such committee members under the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC, including the additional independence standards applicable to members of the audit and compensation committees. Craig W. Best, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Steven L. Weinberger werewas determined to be not independent.

In determining the independence of our independent directors, we considered loan transactions, as more particularly described in “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” deposits with Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, a lease agreement, pursuant to which we lease space in one of our branches, and certain arm’s-length purchases of products from companies at which some of our directors or their immediate family members were officers or employees. The board determined that none of these relationships impaired the independence of the independent directors.

Board Meetings

During 2019,2021, the board of directors held twelve meetings. Each of our directors attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate number of meetings held by the board of directors and the committees on which he or she served.

We have no formal policy with respect to director attendance at our annual meeting of shareholders. All of our directors attended our 20192021 annual meeting of shareholders.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

The board of directors of the Company has determined that the separation of the offices of chairman of the board, and chief executive officer enhances board independence and oversight.  Moreover, the separation of the chairman of the board and chief executive officerpresident allows the chief executive officer to better focus on his responsibilities relating to day-to-day management of the Company, enhancing shareholder value and expanding and strengthening the Company’s franchise while allowing the chairman to lead the board in its fundamental role of providing advice to and independentindependence oversight of management. Consistent with this determination,The chief executive officer focuses on his responsibility of enhancing shareholder value and expanding and strengthening the Company’s franchise. The president is responsible for day-to-day management of the Company. This structure also aids in the development of management and succession planning. Currently, William E. Aubrey II serves as Chairman of the Board, of the Company and Craig W. Best serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.and Thomas P. Tulaney serves as President.

Risk is inherent with every business, and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its success. We face a number of risks, including credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, strategic risk, legal risk and reputational risk. Management, including our chief risk officer, is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks we face, while our board of directors, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. In its risk management oversight role, the board of directors has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed. To do this, the Chairman of the Board meets regularly with management to discuss strategy and risks facing the Company. Senior management attends board meetings and is available to address any questions or concerns raised by the board on risk management. The Chairman of the Board and independent members of the board of directors work together to provide strong, independent oversight of the Company’s management and affairs through its standing committees and, when necessary, special meetings of independent directors.

Primary responsibility for areas of risk oversight is allocated among our standing committees as follows:

Compensation Risk Management

Our compensation committee has reviewed the compensation policies and practices of the Company and has determined that the policies and practices do not motivate imprudent risk taking and are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The compensation committee is aware that compensation arrangements, if not properly structured, may encourage inappropriate risk-taking. Further, banking regulators expect us to maintain incentive compensation practices that are consistent with our safety and soundness as a banking organization. Compensation arrangements are expected to provide employees incentives that appropriately balance risk and reward, are compatible with effective controls and risk-management, and are supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by our board of directors. A long-standing example of how our compensation programs protect against imprudent risk taking is the clawback provision included in the Peoples Cash Incentive Program.Plan. In addition, since January 2017, we have maintained a compensation recoupment policy, which applies to all executive officers who receive cash or equity incentive awards.

Board Committees

As noted above, the board of directors of the Company conducts much of its business through committees of the board. During 2019,2021, the board maintained standing audit, compensation and nominating and governance committees.

Audit Committee

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, directorsDirectors Lochen, Keisling,Bodnyk, Kukuchka Naismith and Nicholas comprisedcurrently comprise the audit committee.committee of the board of directors.

Each member of the audit committee was independent under the requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC relating to audit committee members. The board of directors has determined that director Richard S. Lochen, Jr. qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC.” The audit committee met four times in 2019.2021.

The audit committee is governed by a formal charter approved by the board of directors, a current copy of which is available via the Company’s website, psbt.com, at the “Corporate Info —– Governance Documents” page under “Investor Relations.” The primary purposes, duties and responsibilities of the audit committee include:

·                                          oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes, including management’s preparation of financial reports and other financial information;

·                                          oversee our management’s maintenance of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting, accounting and financial reporting processes generally;

·                                          assist our board of directors in its oversight of our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

·                                          evaluate the independence and oversee the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm and oversee the audits of the financial statements of the Company;

·                                          assist our board of directors in risk assessment and risk management;

·                                          pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees for such services and terms thereof) to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm;

·                                          establish and periodically review and, as appropriate, revise, procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

·                                          oversee our internal audit function; and

·                                          oversee any related party transactions.

Audit Committee Report

In accordance with SEC regulations, the audit committee has prepared the following report. As part of its ongoing activities, the audit committee has:

·                                          reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company at and for the year ended December 31, 2019, with management;

·                                          discussed with Baker Tilly, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees; and

·                                          received the written disclosures and letter from Baker Tilly required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Baker Tilly such firm’s independence.

Based upon its review and the considerations and discussions referenced above, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that our audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020.2022.

The foregoing Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing made by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, notwithstanding any general statement contained in any such filing incorporating this proxy statement by reference, except to the extent the Company incorporates such report by specific reference.

Compensation Committee

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,Directors Aubrey, Bodnyk, Kukuchka, Lochen, Nicholas and Wright currently comprise the compensation committee of the board of directors consisted of directors Aubrey, Keisling, Lochen, Naismith and Wright.directors. During 2019,2021, the compensation committee of the board of directors met twoseven times.

The compensation committee is governed by a formal charter approved by the board of directors, a current copy of which is available via the Company’s website, psbt.com, at the “Corporate Info —– Governance Documents” page under “Investor Relations.” The primary purposes, duties and responsibilities of the compensation committee include:

·                                          review and approve the annual base salaries and annual incentive opportunities of our chief executive officer and other executive officers;

·                                          review and approve incentive awards and opportunities, including both cash-based and equity-based awards and opportunities, any employment agreements and severance arrangements, any change-in-control agreements and change-in-control provisions affecting any elements of compensation and benefits, and any special or supplemental compensation and benefits, in each case for our executive officers;

·                                          review and make recommendations to our board of directors with respect to new compensation programs;

·                                          review periodically the operation of our compensation programs;

·                                          establish and periodically review policies for the administration of compensation programs;

·                                          ensure that our compensation programs comport with our compensation philosophy;

·                                          review and make recommendations to our board of directors with respect to director compensation;

·                                          review and make recommendations to our board of directors with respect to our employee benefit plans;

·                                          administer our compensation programs, including equity incentive programs, for all employees;

·                                          review and provide guidance on our human resource programs, which may include talent review and leadership development and “best place to work” initiatives;

·                                          oversee all matters relating to the outcome of shareholder advisory votes regarding executive compensation; and

·                                          oversee risks and exposures associated with leadership assessment, and compensation programs and arrangements, including incentive plans, and reviewing and evaluating our compensation policies and practices of compensating our employees, including non-executive officers, as they relate to risk management practices and risk-taking incentives.

Compensation Committee Report

The compensation committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that is required by the rules established by the SEC. Based on such review and discussions, the compensation committee has recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

The foregoing Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing made by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, notwithstanding any general statement contained in any such filing incorporating this proxy statement by reference, except to the extent the Company incorporates such report by specific reference.

Nominations and Shareholder Communications

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,Directors Aubrey, Bodnyk, Kukuchka, Nicholas Stover and Wright comprisedcurrently comprise the nominating and corporate governance committee.committee of the board of directors. During 2019,2021, the nominating and corporate governance committee of the board of directors met sixtwo times.

The nominating and corporate governance committee is governed by a formal charter approved by the board of directors, a current copy of which is available via the Company’s website, psbt.com, at the “Corporate Info —– Governance Documents” page under “Investor Relations.” The primary purposes, duties and responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee include:

·                                          recommend director nominees for selection by our board of directors;

·                                          review recommendations from directors, shareholders, management, and other appropriate third parties for potential director candidates and collect and analyze information regarding their suitability;

·                                          assist our board of directors in determining the size and composition of the board and its committees, and of the board of directors and committees of our subsidiaries;

·                                          develop and make recommendations to our board of directors with respect to corporate governance guidelines and other governance policies;

·                                          develop and recommend to the Board a policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director candidates, implement any approved diversity policy, evaluate candidates in accordance with such policy, and periodically assess the effectiveness of such policy;

·                                          identify and prioritize with management significant risks that we face and recommend to our board of directors whether the full board or a particular board committee should have primary responsibility for oversight of each such identified risk;

·                                          keep apprised of requirements, trends and best practices in corporate governance;

·                                          review and make recommendations to our board of directors with respect to any proposed changes to our articles of incorporation, bylaws, or committee charters; and

·                                          develop and make recommendations to our board of directors with respect to key executive succession plans.

Nomination Process

Our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for recommending director nominees to our board of directors. The board of directors will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders. Any shareholder who wishes to recommend a director candidate for consideration may send notice to Peoples Financial Services Corp., 150 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503, Attention: Investor Relations Officer. The notice should contain the information described in the section titled “Shareholder Proposals,” on page 47.45.

Process for Identifying and Evaluating Nominees

In selecting director candidates to be nominated for election at an annual meeting, the nominating and corporate governance committee begins by determining whether the incumbent directors whose terms expire at the meeting desire, and are qualified, to continue their service on the board. We are of the view that the repeated service of qualified incumbents promotes stability and continuity in the boardroom, giving us the benefit of the familiarity and insight into our affairs that our directors have accumulated during their tenure. Accordingly, it is the policy of the nominating and corporate governance committee, absent special circumstances, to nominate qualified incumbent directors who continue to satisfy the committee’s criteria for membership on the Board; who the committee believes will continue to make important contributions to the Board; and who consent to stand for re-election and, if re-elected, to continue their service on the Board.

If there are Board positions for which the committee will identify and evaluate non-incumbent directors, it will proceed as follows:

Identification. For purposes of identifying nominees for the board of directors, the nominating and corporate governance committee relies on personal contacts of the committee and other members of the board of directors as well as its knowledge of members of the Company’s market area. The nominating and corporate governance committee will also consider director candidates recommended by shareholders in accordance with the policy and procedures set forth above. The nominating and corporate governance committee may use an independent search firm in identifying nominees. However,In connection with the committeenominating and corporate governance committee’s efforts to enhance board diversity, it did not engage an independent search firm for this purposetake advantage of certain board recruiting services made available by Nasdaq during the year ended December 31, 2019 or2021 and identified Ms. Ramirez as a director candidate through such services. It did not utilize any such services in connection with identifying the nominees for election at the 2020 annual meeting.2022 Annual Meeting, all of whom are incumbent directors.

Evaluation. In evaluating potential nominees, the nominating and corporate governance committee determines whether the candidate is eligible and qualified for service on the board of directors by evaluating the candidate under the selection criteria set forth below under the heading “Minimum Qualifications” below.. In addition, the nominating and corporate governance committee may conduct a background check and may interview the candidate. Candidates proposed by shareholders are considered under the same criteria, except that the committee may also consider the size and duration of the equity interest of the recommending shareholder in the Company and the extent to which the recommending shareholder intends to continue holding this interest.

Minimum Qualifications

Our bylaws include a mandatory retirement policy applicable to our directors. Any director, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 73 years, will be permitted to serve as a director for the remainder of his or her term, after which he or she shall no longer be eligible to serve as a director.

The nominating and corporate governance committee has not adopted a specific set of minimum qualifications that must be met by nominees. Nominees are selected on the basis of their integrity, experience, achievements, judgment, intelligence, personal character and capacity to make independent analytical inquiries, ability and willingness to devote adequate time to Board duties, and the likelihood of being able to serve on the Board for a sustained period. In evaluating potential director nominees, our nominating and corporate governance committee will evaluate an individual’s specific qualities or skills including, but not limited to an individual’s: contributions to the range of talent, skill and expertise of the Board; financial, regulatory and business experience, knowledge of the banking and financial services industries, familiarity with the operations of public companies and ability to read and understand financial statements; familiarity with our market area and participation in and ties to local businesses and local civic, charitable and religious organizations; personal and professional integrity, honesty and reputation; ability to represent the best interests of the Company’s shareholders and the best interests of the Company and Bank; ability to devote sufficient time and energy to the performance of his or her duties; independence; and current equity holdings in the Company. The committee also considers factors such as global experience, experience as a director of a public company, and knowledge of relevant industries.

The nominating and corporate governance committee will also consider any other factors it deems relevant, including competition, size of the board of directors, and regulatory disclosure obligations. The nominating and corporate governance committee will also consider the extent to which a candidate helps the board of directors reflect the diversity of the Company’s shareholders, employees, customers, and communities, including with respect to characteristics such as age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin , physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, ethnicityreligion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and age.other characteristics. We have taken steps to increase the diversity of our board, and the nominating and corporate governance committee will continue to seek opportunities to enhance board diversity in the future.

In addition, prior to nominating an incumbent director for re-election to the board of directors, the committee will consider and review an existing director’s Board and committee performance and his or her satisfaction of any minimum qualifications established by the committee.

Since January 2017, we have maintainedWe maintain a share ownership policy, which applies to our non-employee directors, as well as our senior executive officers. This policy requires our non-employee directors to beneficially own our common stock in an amount equal to fourfive times their annual retainer for board service, and allows five years from the time policy becomes applicable to them for our non-employee directors to reach compliance. As of December 31, 2021, each of our non-employee directors was in compliance with our share ownership policy.

Shareholder Communications

Any shareholder who desires to send communications to our board of directors or to individual directors may do so by directing his or her communication to the following address: Peoples Financial Services Corp., 150 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18503, Attention: Investor Relations Officer. All shareholder communications, other than any communications we believe may pose a security risk, will be sent directly to board members.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENTSecurity Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the ownership of shares of the common stock by each director of the Company, each “named executive officer” identified below under the heading “Executive Compensation” beginning on page 30,27, all directors and executive officers as a group, and any person who is known by us to own beneficially more than five percent of the issued and outstanding common stock. Except as noted below, information is provided as of March 9, 2020.February 28, 2022.

+                 Any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise has or shares: voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, our common stock; and/or, investment power, which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, our common stock, is determined to be a beneficial owner of our common stock.  All shares are subject to the named person’s sole voting and investment power unless otherwise indicated.

++              Shares beneficially owned include any shares of which the holder or group has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days after March 9, 2020.  Percentage calculations are based on 7,390,216 shares outstanding at March 9, 2020, and presume that the identified holder or group acquires any such shares that the identified holder or group has the right to acquire, and that no other holders of any such rights do so.

*                 Less than 1.0 percent.

(1)         Includes 1,317.0272 shares under the Company’s employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) which have been allocated to Mr. Best’s account, 2,165 restricted shares and 17,226 shares in a self-directed IRA.

(2)         Includes 37,109 shares owned in a self-directed IRA and 24,125 shares in custodial accounts.

(3)         Includes 20,425.522 shares owned jointly by Mr. Kukuchka and his wife.

(4)         Includes 269.914 shares held by minor children, 6,166.075 shares owned jointly by Mr. Lochen and his wife, and 3,222 shares in a self-directed IRA.

(5)         Includes 25,204 shares owned jointly by Dr. Naismith and his wife, 409 shares owned by Dr. Naismith’s wife, and 15,338 shares in a self-directed IRA.

(6)         Includes 2,194.860 shares in a self-directed IRA, 2,868.810 shares owned by Mr. Nicholas’s wife, and 10,729 shares held in trust accounts.

(7)         Includes 74,312 shares owned jointly by Mr. Stover and his wife.

(8)         Includes 1,295 shares held in a trust account, 1,022 shares in a self-directed IRA, and 17,975 shares held in the following companies of which Mr. Weinberger has an interest:  Harold Weinberger, Inc., J. Weinberger Partners and G. Weinberger Co.

(9)         Includes 787.796 shares owned by Mr. Wright’s child.

(10)  Includes 40 shares owned jointly by Mr. Anderson and his wife and 1,416.638 shares under the ESOP which have been allocated to Mr. Anderson’s account.

(11)  Includes 2,997 shares in a 401(k) account and 375.4061 shares under the ESOP which have been allocated to Mr. Ferretti’s account.

(12)  Includes 400 shares in a self-directed IRA, 877 restricted shares and 271.2707 shares under the ESOP which have been allocated to Mr. Koplin’s account.

(13)  Includes 13,804.130 shares in a self-directed IRA, 921 restricted shares, 691.9187 shares under the ESOP which have been allocated to Mr. Tulaney’s account and 177 shares owned jointly by Mr. Tulaney and his wife.

(14)  Based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 7, 2020.  Based upon the information contained in the filing, BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 372,959 and 385,931 shares, respectively, and beneficially owns 385,931 shares of the Company’s common stock.  BlackRock is the beneficial owner of these holdings in its capacity as a parent holding company or control person.

Policy Regarding Hedging. Because certain hedging or monetization transactions relative to our securities may cause the interests and objectives of those persons engaged in such transactions to differ those of our shareholders generally, our board of directors has adopted a securities trading policy that prohibits our directors, officers and employees, and family members and other persons and entities under their influence or control, from engaging in any hedging or monetization transactions involving our securities.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND COMPENSATIONExecutive Officers and Compensation

Executive Officers

Following is information regarding our executive officers other than Craig W. Best, President and Chief Executive Officer. Information regarding Mr. Best is included under the heading “Election of Directors — Continuing Directors —– Nominees for Director – Term Expiring In 2022,2025,” beginning on page 7,6, and additional information regarding the compensation of our named executive officers is included under the heading “Executive Compensation,” beginning on page 30.27.

Debra E. Adams, Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Risk Officer and Secretary of Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, age 65.  With the exception of her role as Chief Risk Officer, Ms. Adams has held her current position since our merger with Penseco in November 2013 and in such capacity is our principal operating officer.  Ms. Adams added the role of Chief Risk Officer in August 2019 and she will transition that role to Timothy H. Kirtley in April 2020.  Prior to the Penseco merger, Ms. Adams held various offices at Peoples Neighborhood Bank, most recently as Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief Risk Officer.  She began her employment with Peoples (then known as Peoples National Bank of Susquehanna) in 1974.

John R. Anderson III, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, age 53.55. Mr. Anderson was appointed to his current position in March 2018, after serving as the Senior Vice President and Interim Principal Financial and Accounting Officer since April 2016. Prior to that he was Vice President/Planning and Statistical Analyst, of Penn Security Bank and Trust Company since May 2011. Prior to that he was Assistant Vice President/Financial Reporting Officer at Penn Security Bank since January 2006.

Joseph M. Ferretti, Executive Vice President and President NE Region, age 50.  Mr. Ferretti was appointed to his current position in December 2019.  Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Senior Lending Officer, since December 2013.  Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President/Chief

Lending Officer of Peoples Neighborhood Bank, and Senior Vice President/Chief Credit Officer of Peoples Neighborhood Bank since 1997.

Susan L. Hubble, Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer, age 64.66. Ms. Hubble was appointed to her current position in December 2019. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President, Senior Information Technology Officer, since April 2019. Prior to that, she was Vice President, Information Technology Officer since July 2014.

Timothy H. Kirtley, Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and Chief Credit Officer,Corporate Secretary, age 49.51. Mr. Kirtley was appointed to his current position in July 2016,April 2020, and has been promoted toserved as Executive Vice President and Chief RiskCredit Officer effectivefrom July 2016 until April 2020. Prior to joining Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Peoples Bank, Marietta, Ohio from 2011 to 2016. From 2009 to 2011, Mr. Kirtley served as Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer of Delaware County Bank & Trust Co., in Lewis Center, Ohio. From 2007 to 2009, he served as Vice President, Regional Credit Officer and Commercial Real Estate for Fifth Third Bank in Columbus, Ohio. From 1992 to 2007, Mr. Kirtley served in various commercial banking and credit risk management capacities, the most recent of which was Vice President, Regional Credit Officer, Community Banking from 2002 to 2007 for U.S. Bank, N.A. in Columbus, Ohio.

Neal D. Koplin, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, age 59.61. Mr. Koplin was appointed to his current position in December 2019. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Lehigh Valley Division Head since August 2014. He served as Senior Vice President and Northern Region Manager of National Penn Bank’s Commercial Real Estate Lending Group from 2004 until joining Peoples Security Bank. He was with National Penn Bank in various executive positions from 1982 until 2004.

Lynn M. Thiel, Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Officer, age 59.  Ms. Thiel was appointed to her current position in connection with our merger with Penseco in November 2013.  Prior to that she was Executive Vice President, Retail Banking Division Head, of Penn Security Bank and Trust Company since June 2012. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President, Planning & Development Division Head between 2006 and 2012; and as Vice President & Compliance Officer between 2000 and 2006.

Thomas P. Tulaney, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, age 60.62. Mr. Tulaney was appointed to his current position in May 2017.2020, at which time he also became a director of Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company. He served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from May 2017 until May 2020. In December 2018, he assumed oversight of the Bank’s Wealth Management Division. Prior to May 2017, and since our merger with Penseco in November 2013, he served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, the same position he held with Penseco from March 2012. He joined Penn Security Bank and Trust Company in April 2011 as Executive Vice President and Deputy Chief Lending Officer. Before that, Mr. Tulaney was a Senior Executive Vice President and the Corporate Sales Division Manager of First National Community Bank, a position he held since 2008, when he was promoted from Executive Vice President. He was an employee of First National Community Bank from 1994 to 2011. Prior to 1994 Mr. Tulaney was a Senior Vice President of Third National Bank a division of Independence Bank Corp and a Regional Vice President of PNC Bank.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Overview of Objectives

The executive compensation program of Peoples is designed to provide a competitive base salary as well as to provide certain incentives to our named executive officers to effectively lead and manage the Company and its growth strategy. Decisions regarding executive compensation are determined by the compensation committee. In accordance with the compensation committee charter, the committee may refer any matter that it has the authority to approve, together with the committee’s report and recommendation, to the full board for approval, unless such matter is required to be approved by an independent compensation committee by applicable law, regulation or listing standard.

The compensation program is designed to support annual and long-term Company goals that create sustainable profitable growth while providing long-term value to our shareholders. The objectives of our executive compensation programs are to:

·                                          attract, motivate and retain highly qualified executives;

·                                          link total compensation to both individual performance and the performance of the bank and holding company; and

·                                          appropriately balance short-term and long-term financial objectives, build shareholder value and reward individual, team and company performances.

We seek to pay for superior performance, both in achieving short-term goals and continuing to build a growing and sustainable financial institution on a long-term basis.

During the year ended December 31, 2019,2021, we compensated our named executive officers, identified below, with a combination of base salary, performance-based cash incentive awards, discretionary bonus payments, time-vested and performance-vested equity awards, equity compensation through the employee stock ownership plan, or “ESOP,” and benefit plans and perquisites which the compensation committee believedbelieves were comparable to other financial institutions of similar size in our region.

Benchmarking

Periodically, the compensation committee compares our senior management compensation levels with comparable levels in industry benchmark studies and peer group data to gain a general knowledge of compensation programs in the industry. To do so, we participate in a survey provided by L.R. Webber Associates that benchmarks salary and benefits from Pennsylvania financial institutions who participate in the survey. The survey includes general compensation information and ranges for executives. The results are reported by bank asset size and geographic region. We use the survey data to compare the base salaries of our named executive positions to the range reported for those positions at other banking institutions with total asset size and geography similar to ours to determine whether we are compensating our named executive officers within the industry standard range.

For 2019,2021, the compensation committee did not engage aengaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC to analyze and review compensation consultant.

of our executive officers and directors. The compensation committee also considers salary levels for comparable positions in industries other thanhas referred to data from the financial services industry.consultant to formulate decisions regarding Peoples’ executive compensation practices.

Components of the Compensation Program

During 2019,2021, our executive compensation program included four key elements: base salary, annual cash incentives, equity awards and benefit plans.

Base Salary

Base salary is the basic element of our executive compensation program and the foundation for setting targets for incentive compensation awards. The compensation committee determines the range of base salary to offer to a new executive by evaluating the duties, complexities and responsibilities of the respective position;applicable office; the level of experience required, and the compensation payable for positions having similar scope and accountability as those in a peer group of banks.

For 2019,2021, our compensation committee reviewed each named executive officer’s individual performance, length and nature of experience and competency, and the potential for advancement in determining the amount of pay adjustments to recommend to the board of directors. In connection with such review, the base compensation for Craig W. Best was increased from $425,000$439,500 to $439,500;$460,000; Thomas P. Tulaney was increased from $275,000$290,000 to $290,000;$325,000; Neal D. Koplin was increased from $240,000$250,000 to $250,000 and Joseph M. Ferretti was increased $192,507$260,000; Timothy H. Kirtley from $224,254 to $199,433;$240,000 and John R. Anderson III from $215,000 to $240,000. Following a special interim review, the base salarycompensation for Mr. Koplin was further increased from $165,000$260,000 to $190,000.$290,000.

Cash Incentive Plan

We maintain an annual cash incentive plan (the “Cash Incentive Plan”) pursuant to which our designated executive officers, including our named executive officers, have the opportunity to earn performance-based incentive payments.payments based upon the attainment of performance goals approved by the compensation committee. Incentive compensation under the Cash Incentive Plan represents the “at risk” portion of an executive’s cash compensation subject to the achievement of performance goals. Annually, the compensation committee sets goals for the named executive officers to achieve in order to qualify for a cash incentive payment under the Cash Incentive Plan.

The following table provides information concerning the Cash Incentive Plan awards to our named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2019:2021:

The Cash Incentive Plan rewards the attainment of company-wide performance goals, including growth in assets, loans, deposits, revenues and earnings per share, efficiency and asset quality, as well as individual performance goals. Our objective is to drive superior annual performance at both the company and individual levels. Performance goals for our Chief Executive Officer are set solely by the compensation committee, and performance goals for our other named executive officers are typically set by the compensation committee upon the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer. Performance goals are typically communicated to officers during the first quarter of the year, and achievement of goals is evaluated by the compensation committee after year-end.

The following table sets forth the 20192021 company performance goals, actual performance and achievement of company performance goals.

Additional details regarding the Cash Incentive Plan awards are included in the 20192021 Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards tables and the accompanyaccompanying narrative disclosure beginning on page 30.27.

Equity Awards

In March 2019,February 2021, the compensation committee granted equity awards as part of its incentive compensation program. The compensation committee approved a mix of long-term equity incentives with the majority consisting of performance-vested restricted stock units (RSUs) (70% of the totaltargeted equity award) and the remainder consisting of time-vested restricted stock (30% of the totaltargeted equity award). This design is intended to represent best practice and provide long-term incentive opportunity that rewards long-term, sustained performance, is aligned with shareholder interests and promotes the long-term success of the Company.

Performance-vestedThe performance-vested RSUs granted in 2021 vest over a three-year cumulative performance period beginning January 1, 20192021 and ending December 31, 2021.2023. The potential number of shares that can vest ranges from 0% to 150% of the target levels depending on achievement of 3-year Cumulative Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) and cumulative 3-year Average Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROE)(ROATCE) goals set by the compensation committee. These goals were selected to represent performance drivers that align with shareholder value. In order to vest, performance must be at or above the threshold performance set by the compensation committee.committee, and, subject to certain exceptions, the executive’s employment must continue through the end of the performance period.

Time-vested restricted stock vests over three years subject to the executive officer’s continued employment by us. This component reinforces our goal of equity ownership, shareholder alignment and provides additional retention value for our executive officers.

Below is a summary of the 20192021 grants issued to the named executive officers.

(1)         Grant values based on the $45.30 per share closing price of our common stock on the grant date of March 26, 2019.

Clawback Agreements

Pursuant to the terms of the Cash Incentive Plan, all executives are subject to a clawback provision. The clawback provision allows us to recover any overpayment under the Cash Incentive Plan in the event that we are required to restate our financial statements because of any material noncompliance with a financial reporting requirement. If within the previous three years a participant received an award based upon erroneous data, the participant is required to return any amount received in excess of what would have been paid to the participant under the accounting restatement. In the event that the restatement is due to a participant’s misconduct or fraudulent activity, then the participant is required to return the entire amount received based upon the erroneous data. Mr. Best has a substantially similar provision included in his employment agreement. In addition, since January 2017, we have maintained a compensation recoupment policy, which applies to all executive officers who receive cash or equity incentive awards. Under this policy, if we restate our financial statements or determine that any performance metric or metrics pursuant to which incentive compensation was awarded was materially inaccurate, we will require each current or former executive officer who received incentive compensation within the preceding three years to reimburse us to the extent that the incentive compensation received exceeded that which would have been paid if it were based upon the financial statements as so restated or upon the accurate performance metric or metrics.

Benefits

ESOP. We maintain an employee stock ownership plan, or “ESOP,” as a long-term incentive to focus executives on long-term value creation. The ESOP covers substantially all employees who meet the eligibility requirements and is intended to incentivize and reward all employees, including the named executive officers, based upon our long-term success as measured by shareholder return.

401(k) Profit Sharing Plan. We maintain a profit sharing plan, the Peoples Security Bank 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, under the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code in an effort to provide employees with a means and an incentive to save for retirement and also to provide tax-deferred compensation, not to exceed the amounts allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. All named executive officers are eligible to participate in the Peoples Security Bank 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan on the same basis as other employees participating in the plan.

Pension Plan. The Company also maintains the Employees’ Pension Plan, a legacy defined benefit pension plan assumed in connection with our merger with Penseco in November 2013, which was amended in June 2008 to cease benefit accruals.

Health and Welfare Benefits. Named executive officers participate in the Company’s other benefit plans on the same terms as other employees. These plans include medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, health savings account and flex spending account benefits and are standard in the industry.

Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans. Peoples maintainmaintains supplemental employee retirement plans, or “SERPs,” for certain executive officers, including Messrs. Tulaney Koplin and FerrettiKoplin the primary intent of which is retention. Under their respective SERPs, Messrs. Tulaney Koplin and FerrettiKoplin are eligible to receive certain retirement benefits that accrue based on their service to the Company and are payable at retirement, or earlier under a qualifying termination of employment. See additional discussion below under the heading “Pension Benefits.”

Deferred Compensation Plans. We also maintain the “Executive Deferred Compensation Plan” and “Deferred Compensation Plan No. 2” under which we make certain contributions for Mr. Best. See additional discussion below under the heading “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.”

Chief Executive Officer Supplemental Retirement Benefits. We provide our Chief Executive Officer with certain retirement benefits under an Excess Benefit Plan which we assumed in connection with our merger with Penseco in November 2013. This plan provides Mr. Best with additional benefits in excess of those accrued under the 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and ESOP due to the limit on compensation contained in Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code. See additional discussion below under the heading “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation.”

Split Dollar and Other Life Insurance Agreements. We provide split-dollar and other life insurance benefits to Mr. Best. See additional discussion below under the headings “Craig W. Best Employment Agreement.”  We also have a $10,000 split-dollar life insurance arrangement with Mr. Ferretti.

Perquisites

The compensation committee regularly reviews our executive perquisites and believes they are appropriate and modest when compared to peers and are necessary to attract and retain high-caliber talent. During 2019,2021, we provided a vehicle allowance or use of a company vehicle to Messrs. Best, Tulaney and Koplin, as they are required to entertain business clients or otherwise travel in connection with their duties. The compensation committee also believes that country clubs can serve as appropriate forums for building client relationships and for community interaction. We reimburse Messrs. Best, Tulaney, Koplin, FerrettiKirtley and Anderson for the cost of country and dining club memberships.

The Role of Management in Determining Compensation

For 2019,2021, our compensation committee set performance goals, including company-wide performance goals under the Cash Incentive Plan and the equity incentive awards. The compensation committee did not set additional individual performance goals for the Chief Executive Officer, believing that the Chief Executive Officer should be evaluated on the basis of company performance. Individual performance goals for our other named executive officers were set by the compensation committee upon the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer. Our Chief Executive Officer reviewed each of the other named executive officer’s annual performance, discussed the performance review with the compensation committee, and made recommendations to the compensation committee with respect to the compensation of the other named executive officers. Our Chief Executive Officer does not participate in discussions on his own compensation.

The Role of the Compensation Committee

In accordance with the compensation committee charter, among other things, the compensation committee is responsible for the review and approval of our named executive officers’ base salaries and incentive opportunities, the administration of our benefit plans, and the recommendation to our board of directors of new compensation programs or changes in existing compensation programs. The committee

may refer any matter that it has the authority to approve, together with the committee’s report and recommendation, to the full board for approval, unless such matter is required to be approved by an independent compensation committee by applicable law, regulation or listing standard. As a matter of practice, the committee routinely refers key items pertaining to executive compensation, such as base salary increases, the size and performance targets associated with awards under the Cash Incentive Plan and equity incentives, and the offering of special retirement agreements, to the board with recommendation of the committee.

Operating within the framework of duties and responsibilities established by the board, the compensation committee’s role is to assure our compensation strategy is aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders; our compensation structure is fair and reasonable; and compensation reflects both corporate and individual performance.

Compensation Committee Consultants

The compensation committee’s charter provides that the compensation committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any compensation consultant, legal counsel and other adviser retained by the compensation committee. The Company must provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the compensation committee, for payment of reasonable compensation to a compensation consultant, legal counsel or any other adviser retained by the compensation committee. Prior to engaging any compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser (other than in-house legal counsel), the compensation committee must conduct an independence assessment with respect to such adviser. TheIn March 2021, the compensation committee did not engage aengaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC, or “Meridian,” to analyze and review the compensation consultant during 2019 or with respect to 2019 compensation.of our executive officers and our directors.

Accounting and Tax Treatments

All elements of compensation generate charges to earnings under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Generally, no adjustment is made to compensation based on accounting factors, but the tax effects of various types of compensation are considered. In administering our executive compensation program, the Company takes into account the tax deductibility of the compensation, including as applicable, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although our intent is to maximize the deductibility of compensation, under certain circumstances that are in the best interest of the Company and our shareholders, the compensation committee may authorize compensation that is not deductible if it is determined to be appropriate.

Company Stock Ownership

We believe that it is important that our named executive officers and directors own shares of our common stock. Since January 2017, we have maintainedWe maintain a share ownership policy, which is applicable to our executive officers and directors. Under the terms of the policy, executive officers who receive equity incentive awards are expected to beneficially own shares of our common stock having a fair market value equal to or greater than twice their respective annual base salaries, and have five years to achieve compliance. In addition, under the terms of Mr. Best’s employment agreement, his failure to own shares of our common stock having a fair market value equal to or greater than his annual base salary would be “cause” for termination.

Severance and Change in Control Benefits

We recognize that an important consideration in our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel is our ability to minimize the impact on our management team of the possible disruption associated with our exploration of strategic corporate and personnel opportunities. Accordingly, we believe that it is in our best

interest and the best interest of our shareholders to provide certain key personnel with reasonable financial arrangements in the event of termination of employment following a change in control or involuntary termination of employment for reasons other than “cause” so that they are able to focus fully on their duties and on the merits of any potential change in control situation without undue concern for the loss of their jobs. All of our named executive officers with employment agreements have provisions in their respective agreements that provide for certain benefits in the event of voluntary or involuntary termination following a change in control transaction. These provisions, along with certain benefits estimates, are described under the heading “Other Potential Post-Termination Benefits” below and under the headings “Craig W. Best Employment Agreement,” “Thomas P. Tulaney Employment Agreement,” “Neal D. Koplin Employment Agreement” and “Joseph M. Ferretti“Timothy H. Kirtley Employment Agreement.” Mr. Anderson does not have an employment agreement but is covered by a severance policy applicable to our employees generally. In addition, in January 2021, the compensation committee approved a change in control severance agreement for Mr. Anderson.

Many of the plans that we maintain and in which our named executive officers participate include provisions which accelerate vesting or payment of benefits upon a change in control and are described under the heading “Other Potential Post-Termination Benefits” below.

Compensation Risk Assessment

Our executive compensation program and policies are driven by our business environment and designed to enable us to achieve our mission and adhere to our values. The compensation committee and senior management evaluate the relationship between risk and reward as it relates to our executive compensation program. Our compensation committee has determined that the structure of our executive compensation programs does not put our shareholders or the Company at any material risk.

Executive Compensation

Our principal executive officer is Craig W. Best, President and Chief Executive Officer, and our principal financial officer is John R. Anderson III, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Messrs. Best and Anderson, together with Thomas P. Tulaney, Neal D. Koplin and Joseph M. Ferretti,Timothy H. Kirtley, are referred to in this proxy statement as our “named executive officers.” The following tables and narratives set forth certain information regarding the compensation of our named executive officers.

20192021 Summary Compensation Table

(1)         The entries in the stock awards column reflect the grant date fair value of awards of time-vested restricted stock and performance-vested restricted stock units, as calculated for financial statement reporting purposes in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) No. 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation.  See Notes 1 and 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used to determine the valuation of our stock awards for accounting purposes.  The value of the performance-vested restricted stock units at the grant date assumes that the maximum level of performance conditions will be achieved.

(2)         For 2019, includes $16,710 contribution to the Excess Benefit Plan; $26,000 matching contribution to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan; $80,000 contribution to Deferred Compensation Plan No. 2; country club memberships $11,370; automobile allowance $6,668; 401(k) safe harbor contribution of $8,400; 401(k) match $8,400 and life insurance $729.

(3)         Change in pension value in 2018 was negative $551 for Mr. Best and negative $1,349 for Mr. Anderson.

(4)         For 2019, includes country club membership $13,080; automobile allowance $2,858; 401(k) safe harbor $8,400 and 401(k) match $8,400.

(5)         For 2019, includes country club membership $10,212; automobile allowance $1,197; 401(k) safe harbor $8,400 and 401(k) match $8,400.

(6)         For 2019, includes country club membership $8,663; automobile allowance $9,000; 401(k) safe harbor $6,969; 401(k) match $6,969; ESOP $1,000 and life insurance $7.

(7)         For 2019, includes country club membership $7,680; 401(k) safe harbor $6,412; 401(k) match $6,412 and ESOP $1,000.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table provides information concerning grants of plan-based awards made to our named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2019.2021.