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REVOCABLE PROXYUNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     ___)

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Filed by the Registrant ☒
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Soliciting Material pursuant to §240.14a-12
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Provident Bancorp, Inc.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material under §240.14a‑12

PROVIDENT BANCORP, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Picture 3

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[MISSING IMAGE: lg_provident-bancorp.jpg]
May 11, 2020

April 18, 2023

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 20202023 annual  meeting of stockholders of Provident Bancorp, Inc. The meeting will be held exclusively via live webcastat the Blue Ocean Event Center, 4 Oceanfront North, Salisbury, Massachusetts 01952 on June 11, 2020Thursday, May 18,  2023 at 3:30 p.m., local time. Please note that we are holding the annual meeting online due to the public health impact

If you were a shareholder as of the coronavirus pandemic and to prioritize the health and well-beingclose of meeting participants as well as our employees and other members of our community. Stockholders will not be able tobusiness on April 6, 2023, you may attend the annual meeting in person.

To participate in the meeting, visit https://www.cstproxy.com/theprovidentbank/2020, and enter the 12 digit control number included on your proxy card. You may register for the meeting as early as 3:30 p.m. on June 4, 2020. If you holdmeeting. However, if your shares throughof Company common stock are held by a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need proof of ownership to take additional stepsbe admitted to participatethe meeting. A recent brokerage statement or a letter from a bank or broker are examples of proof of ownership. If you want to vote your shares of Company common stock held in street name in person at the meeting, as describedyou will have to get a written proxy in your name from the proxy statement.broker or other nominee who holds your shares.
If you do not wish to participate in the meeting, but you merely wish to listen to the proceedings, we have set up telephone access for those purposes. In that case, please call, toll-free (within the United States and Canada), (888) 965-8995. The passcode for listening by telephone is 49823167#.

The notice of annual meeting and proxy statement appearing on the following pages describe the formal business to be transacted at the meeting. Officers of the Company, as well as a representative of Crowe LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions of stockholders.

It is important that your shares are represented at this meeting, whether or not you attend the meeting online and regardless of the number of shares you own. To make sure your shares are represented, we urge you to complete and mail the enclosed proxy card promptly. You may also vote by telephone or internet, as indicated on the proxy card. If you attend the meeting, online, you may vote even if you have previously submitted your vote.

Sincerely,

Picture 6

Carol L. Houle

Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer

Picture 1

Joseph B. Reilly

Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer

Sincerely,

Picture 3

[MISSING IMAGE: sg_david-mansfield.jpg]
David P. Mansfield
President and Chief Executive Officer
​

[MISSING IMAGE: lg_provident-bancorp.jpg]

5 Market Street

Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913

(978) 834-8555

​

NOTICE OF 20202023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TIME AND DATE

3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2023.

PLACE

Blue Ocean Event Center

4 Oceanfront North

Salisbury, Massachusetts 01952

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

(1)

To elect three directors.

(2)

To ratify the selection of Crowe LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023.

(3)

To consider an advisory, non-binding resolution with respect to the executive compensation described in the Proxy Statement.

(4)

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

RECORD DATE

To vote, you must have been a stockholder at the close of business on April 6,  2023.

PROXY VOTING

It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. You can vote your shares by completing and returning the proxy card or voting instruction card sent to you, or by voting by mobile or internet.  Voting instructions are printed on your proxy or voting instruction card and included in the accompanying proxy statement. You can revoke a proxy at any time before its exercise at the meeting by following the instructions in the proxy statement.

Picture 21

Kimberly Scholtz

Corporate Secretary

Amesbury, Massachusetts

April 18, 2023

​

TIME AND DATE
3:30 p.m. on June 11, 2020
You may register for the meeting as early as 3:30 p.m. on June 4, 2020.
PLACE
Online at https://www.cstproxy.com/theprovidentbank/2020.
Then enter the 12 digit control number included on your proxy card.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
(1)
To elect three directors.
​
(2)
To ratify the selection of Crowe LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2020.
​
(3)
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
​
RECORD DATE
To vote, you must have been a stockholder at the close of business on April 6, 2020.
PROXY VOTING
It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. You can vote your shares by completing and returning the proxy card or voting instruction card sent to you. Voting instructions are printed on your proxy or voting instruction card and included in the accompanying proxy statement. You can revoke a proxy at any time before its exercise at the meeting by following the instructions in the proxy statement.
[MISSING IMAGE: sg_kimberly-scholtz.jpg]
Kimberly Scholtz
Corporate Secretary
Amesbury, Massachusetts
May 11, 2020

​

Provident Bancorp, Inc.

​

Proxy Statement

​

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Provident Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) to be used at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company. The Company is the holding company for TheBankProv (formerly “The Provident Bank.Bank”). The annual meeting will be held online at https://www.cstproxy.com/theprovidentbank/2020the Blue Ocean Event Center, 4 Oceanfront North, Salisbury, Massachusetts 01952 on June 11, 2020May 18, 2023 at 3:30 p.m., local time. This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card are being mailed to stockholders of record on or about May 11, 2020.

April 18, 2023.

Voting and Proxy Procedure

Who Can Vote at the Meeting

You are entitled to vote your Company common stock if the records of the Company show that you held your shares as of the close of business on April 6,  2020.2023. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker or other nominee. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other nominee how to vote.

As of the close of business on April 6,  2020,2023, there were 19,476,248 17,693,818 shares of Company common stock outstanding for voting purposes.outstanding. Each share of common stock has one vote. The Company’s Articles of Organization provide that, subject to certain exceptions, record owners of the Company’s common stock that is beneficially owned by a person who beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the Company’s outstanding shares, are not entitled to any vote in respect of the shares held in excess of the 10% limit.

Attending the Meeting

If you were a stockholder as of the close of business on April 6,  2020,2023, you may attend the meeting. As a registered stockholder, you received a proxy card with this proxy statement. The proxy card contains instructions on how to attend the virtual annual meeting, including the website along with your control number. You will need your control number for access. If you do not have your control number, contact our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer at (917) 262-2373, or proxy@continentalstock.com.

IfHowever, if your shares of Company common stock are held by a bank, broker, or other nominee, you will need proof of ownership to contactbe admitted to the meeting. A recent brokerage statement or a letter from a bank or broker are examples of proof of ownership. If you want to vote your bank,shares of Company common stock held in street name in person at the meeting, you will have to get a written proxy in your name from the broker or other nominee and obtain a legal proxy. Once you have receivedwho holds your legal proxy, contact Continental Stock Transfer to have a control number generated. The contact information for Continental Stock Transfer is (917) 262-2373, or proxy@continentalstock.com.
shares.

Quorum and Vote Required

A majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote is required to be represented at the meeting to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If you return valid proxy instructions or attend the meeting online,in person, your shares will be counted for determining whether there is a quorum, even if you abstain from voting. Broker non-votes also will be counted for determining the existence of a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker, bank or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.

In voting on the election of directors, you may vote in favor of all nominees, withhold votes as to all nominees or withhold votes as to specific nominees. There is no cumulative voting for the election of directors. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the annual meeting. This means that the nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected. Votes that are withheld and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election.


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In voting to ratify the appointment of Crowe LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, you may vote in favor of the proposal, against the proposal or abstain from voting. To be approved, this matter requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting. Broker non-votes and abstentions will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on this proposal.

In voting to approve the advisory, non-binding resolution with respect to the executive compensation as described in this Proxy Statement, you may vote in favor of the proposal, against the proposal or abstain from voting. To be approved, this matter requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting. Broker non-votes and abstentions will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on this proposal. While this vote is required by law, it will neither be binding on us or our Board of Directors, nor will it create or imply any change in the fiduciary duties of, or impose any additional fiduciary duty on us or our Board of Directors. However, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

Voting by Proxy

The Company’s Board of Directors is sending you this proxy statement to request that you allow your shares of Company common stock to be represented at the annual meeting by the persons named in the enclosed proxy card. All shares of Company common stock represented at the meeting by properly executed and dated proxies will be voted according to the instructions indicated on the proxy card. You may also vote by telephonemobile or internet, as indicated on the proxy card. If you sign, date and return a proxy card without giving voting instructions, your shares will be voted as recommended by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors recommends that you:

·

vote for each of the nominees for director;

•

·

vote for ratification of the appointment of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm; and

·

vote for each of the nominees for director; andfor the advisory, non-binding resolution with respect to the executive compensation.

​
•
vote for ratification of the appointment of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
​

If any matters not described in this proxy statement are properly presented at the annual meeting, the persons named on the proxy card will use their judgment to determine how to vote your shares. This includes a motion to adjourn or postpone the meeting to solicit additional proxies. The Company does not currently know of any other matters to be presented at the meeting.

You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken at the meeting. To revoke your proxy, you must either advise the Corporate Secretary of the Company in writing before your common stock has been voted at the annual meeting, deliver a later dated proxy or attend the meeting online and vote your shares online at the annual meeting.in person by ballot. Attendance at the annual meeting online will not in itself constitute revocation of your proxy.

If your Company common stock is held in street name, you will receive instructions from your broker or other nominee that you must follow to have your shares voted. Your broker or other nominee may allow you to deliver your voting instructions via the telephone or the Internet. Please review the proxy card or instruction form provided by your broker or other nominee that accompanies this proxy statement.

Participants in the ESOP and 401(k) Plan

If you participate in The Provident Bankthe BankProv Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) or the BankProv 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), you will receive a vote authorization form for each plan that reflects all shares you may direct the trustee to vote on your behalf under the plan. Under each plan, the terms of the ESOP, the ESOP trustee will vote all shares held by the ESOP,plan, but each ESOPplan participant may direct the trustee how to vote the shares of common stock allocated to his or her account. The ESOP trustee will vote all unallocated shares of Company common stock held by the ESOPeach plan and all allocated

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shares for which no voting instructions are received in the same proportion as shares for which it has received timely voting instructions.

Under the terms of the SBERA 401(k) Plan as Adopted by The Provident Bank (the “401(k) Plan”), the plan administrator, Thomas Forese, Jr., President of SBERA, will vote all shares of Company common stock in the Provident Bancorp, Inc. stock account. The plan administrator has a fiduciary obligation to vote the shares of Company common stock solely in the best interests of 401(k) plan participants and beneficiaries.

The deadline for returning your ESOP Vote Authorization Form, and the telephonic and internet voting cutoff for providing your ESOP or 401(k) vote authorization, is June 4, 2020Monday, May 15, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

If you have any questions about voting under the ESOP or 401(k) Plan, please contact Carol Houle, Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Vice PresidentOfficer, and Chief Financial Officer, at (603)-334-1253.


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(617)-546-7365.

References to our Website Address

References to our website address throughout this proxy statement and the accompanying materials are for informational purposes only, or to fulfill specific disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules. These references are not intended to, and do not, incorporate the contents of our website by reference into this proxy statement or the accompanying materials.

Corporate Governance

General

The Company periodically reviews its corporate governance policies and procedures to ensure that the Company meets the highest standards of ethical conduct, reports results with accuracy and transparency and maintains full compliance with the laws, rules and regulations that govern the Company’s operations. As part of this periodic corporate governance review, the Board of Directors reviews and adopts best corporate governance policies and practices for the Company.

Code of Ethics for Senior Officers

Provident Bancorp, Inc. has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Officers that applies to Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics for Senior Officers is available on our website at www.theprovidentbank.com.investors.bankprov.com. Amendments to and waivers from the Code of Ethics for Senior Officers will also be disclosed on our website.

The Company has also established procedures to receive, retain and treat complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters. These procedures ensure that individuals may submit concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters in a confidential and anonymous manner.

Meetings of the Board of Directors

The Company conducts business through meetings of its Board of Directors and through activities of its committees. During 2019,2022, the Board of Directors of the Company held twoeight regularly scheduled meetings and four special meetings (not including committee meetings), and no additional meetings of our independent directors, and the Board of Directors of Provident Bancorp, Inc., our Massachusetts predecessor corporation (“Old Provident”), held nine meetings (not including committee meetings) and twoeight additional meetings of our independent directors. NoOther than former director Mohammad Shaikh, no director attended fewer than 75% of the total meetings of the Boards of Directors and the committees on which such director served (held during the period for which the director has served as a director or committee member, as appropriate).


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Committees of the Board of Directors

The following table identifies the membership on our Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance committees and their members.committees. All members of each committee are independent in accordance with the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.Market. The Company also maintains an Executive Committee as a standing committee. The charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are available in the “About Us — Investor Relations — Corporate Overview — Corporate Governance”“Investor Relations—Governance—Governance Documents” section of the Company’s website, www.theprovidentbank.com. The number of committee meetings in the table below includes meetings of the applicable committees of the Company and Old Provident.investors.bankprov.com.



 

 

 

Director

Audit Committee

Compensation Committee

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee



 

 

 

Frank G. Cousins, Jr.

X

X

X*

James A. DeLeo

X*

 

 

Lisa DeStefano

 

X*

X

Laurie H. Knapp

 

X

 

Barbara Piette

X

 

 

Arthur Sullivan

 

X

X

Jay E. Gould

 

X

X

Kathleen Chase Curran

X

 

 



 

 

 

Number of Committee Meetings in 2022

9

6

3

Director​​Audit Committee​​
Compensation
Committee
​​
Nominating and
Corporate
Governance
Committee
​
Frank G. Cousins, Jr.​​​​X​​​​​X​​​​​X*​​
James A. DeLeo​​​​X​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Lisa DeStefano​​​​​​​​​​X*​​​​​X​​
Laurie H. Knapp​​​​X*​​​​​X​​​​​X​​
Barbara Piette​​​​X​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Joseph B. Reilly​​​​X​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Arthur Sullivan​​​​​​​​​​X​​​​​X​​
Number of Committee Meetings in 2019​​​​6​​​​​5​​​​​3​​
​

___________________________

*

Denotes Chairperson
​

Audit Committee. Pursuant to Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee oversees the Company’s accounting and reporting practices and assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities for the Company’s system of internal controls and the Company’s process for monitoring compliance with laws and regulations. The Audit Committee is also responsible for engaging the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and monitoring its conduct and independence. In addition to meeting the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.Market., each member of the Audit Committee meets the audit committee independence requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Directors has determined that Laurie H. KnappJames A. Deleo qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The report of the Audit Committee required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission is included in this proxy statement. See “Audit Committee Report.”

Compensation Committee. Pursuant to Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s Compensation Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee approves the overall compensation philosophy for the Company and The Provident BankBankProv and establishes or recommends to the full Board of Directors the compensation for our ChiefCo-Chief Executive OfficerOfficers and other executive officers. The Compensation Committee establishes subjective and objective criteria relevant to the compensation of our ChiefCo-Chief Executive OfficerOfficers and other executive officers, evaluates performance in light of those criteria, and approves or recommends to the full Board of Directors compensation levels based on this evaluation. Our ChiefThe Compensation Committee may consult with the Co-Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations asOfficers with respect to the appropriate mix and levelcompensation of compensation for other executive officers to the Compensation Committee. In making his recommendations, the Chiefofficers. Our Co-Chief Executive Officer considers the objectives of our compensation philosophy and the range of compensation programs authorized by the Compensation Committee, but our Chief Executive Officer doesOfficers do not participate in discussions related to histheir compensation or the Committee’s review of any documents related to the determination of histheir compensation.

The base salary levels for our executive officers are set to reflect the duties and levels of responsibilities inherent in the position. Comparative salaries paid by other financial institutions are also considered in establishing the salary for our executive officers. The Compensation Committee has utilized bank compensation surveys compiled by an independent benefitbenefits consultant, Pearl Meyer & Partners, using surveys prepared by trade groups and financial institution associations.Partners. The benefit consultant researched


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several publicly traded companies and the latest proxy statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and identified a peer group with executive positions similar to the Company. In setting the base salaries, the Compensation Committee also considers a number of factors relating to the executive officers, including individual performance, job responsibilities,

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experience level and ability and knowledge of the position. These factors are considered subjectively and none of the factors are accorded a specific weight.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Pursuant to Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board of Directors in identifying qualified individuals to serve as Board members, in determining the composition of the Board of Directors and its committees, in developing, recommending and overseeing a process to assess Board effectiveness and in developing and recommending the Company’s corporate governance guidelines. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers and recommends the nominees for director to stand for election at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders. The procedures of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee required to be disclosed by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission are included in this proxy statement. See “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Procedures.”

Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors has an active role, as a whole and also at the committee level, in overseeing management of the Company’s risks. The Board of Directors regularly reviews information regarding the Company’s credit, liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with such areas. The Company’s Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to the Company’s executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee oversees management of financial and regulatory risks. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee manages risks associated with the independence of the Board of Directors and potential conflicts of interest.

BankProv also has a Risk Management Committee that assists BankProv’s board in understanding the risks the bank faces for each of these types of risk: capital adequacy, credit, risk management, financial, information technology, cybersecurity, interest rate risk, investments, asset liability, liquidity, lending, and other risks. Strategic risks are governed by the full BankProv board with input from all committees.

While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board of Directors is regularly informed about such risks.

Attendance at the Annual Meeting

The Board of Directors encourages each director to attend annual meetings of stockholders. All of our then-current directors attended the 20192022 annual meeting of stockholders.

Board Leadership Structure

Our Board of Directors is chaired by Joseph B. Reilly,Laurie H. Knapp, who is a non-management independent director. An independent chair ensures a greater role for the independent directors in the oversight of Provident Bancorp, Inc. and The Provident BankBankProv and active participation of the independent directors in setting agendas and establishing priorities and procedures for the work of the Board.

To further assure effective independent oversight, the Board of Directors has adopted a number of governance practices, including:

·

a majority of independent directors on the Board of Directors;

•

·

periodic meetings of the independent directors; and

a majority of independent Board of Directors;

·

annual performance evaluation of the Co-Chief Executive Officers by the independent directors.

​
•
periodic meetings of the independent directors; and
​
•
annual performance evaluations of the Chief Executive Officer by the independent directors.
​

The Board of Directors recognizes that, depending on the circumstances, other leadership models might be appropriate. Accordingly, the Board of Directors periodically reviews its leadership structure.


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Stock Ownership

The following table provides information as of April 6,  2020,2023, with respect to persons known by the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The percentage is based on 19,476,248 17,693,818shares of Company common stock outstanding for voting purposes as of April 6,  2020.2023.

  [

 

 

Name and Address

Number of Shares Owned

Percent of Common Stock Outstanding

T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. (1)

T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

101 East Pratt Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

1,672,366

9.45%

Community Bank of Pleasant Hill dba

First Trust of Mid America

3500 N Village Dr. Suite 220

St. Joseph, Missouri 64506

as Directed Trustee for the BankProv Employee Stock Ownership Plan

1,496,310

8.50%

M3 Funds, LLC (2)

M3 Partners, LP

M3F, Inc.

Jason A. Stock

William C. Waller

2070 E 2100 S, Suite 250

Salt Lake City, Utah 84109

1,243,983

7.03%

Name and Address​​
Number of
Shares Owned
​​
Percent of
Common Stock
Outstanding
​
Provident Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan
5 Market Street
Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913
​​​​1,518,104​​​​​7.80%​​
FJ Capital Management, LLC
1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., Ste 306
McLean, Virginia 22101
​​​​1,198,327​​​​​6.15%​​

(1)

As disclosed in a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2023. These securities are owned by various individual and institutional investors which T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. (Price Investment Management) serves as an investment adviser with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote the securities. For the purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Price Investment Management is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Investment Management expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.

(2)

As disclosed in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10, 2023.

The following table provides information as of April 6,  20202023 about the shares of Provident Bancorp, Inc. common stock that may be considered to be beneficially owned by each director, nominee and named executive officer as of April 6,  20202023 and all directors, nominees and executive officers of the Company as a group. A person may be considered to beneficially own any shares of common stock over which he or she has, directly or indirectly, sole or shared voting or investment power, or which he or she has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days after April 6,  2020.2023. Unless otherwise indicated, none of the shares listed are pledged as collateral for a loan, and each of the named individuals has sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to the number of shares shown. Percentages are based on 19,476,248 17,693,818shares of Company common stock outstanding for voting purposes as of April6, 2020.2023.



 

 

 

Name

Number of Shares Owned

Percent of Common Stock Outstanding

Directors

 

 

 

Kathleen Chase Curran

15,310 

(1)

*

Frank G. Cousins, Jr.

65,382 

(2)

*

James A. DeLeo

56,053 

(3)

*

Lisa DeStefano

61,905 

(4)

*

Jay E. Gould

135,181 

(5)

*

Laurie H. Knapp

85,620 

(6)

*

Barbara A. Piette

43,098 

(7)

*

Joseph B. Reilly

100,723 

(8)

*

Arthur Sullivan

135,075 

(9)

*



 

 

 

Named Executive Officers Who Are Not Also Directors

 

 

 

Carol L. Houle

299,761 

(10)

1.69%

Joseph Mancini

27,889 

(11)

*



 

 

 

All directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)

1,025,997 

 

5.80%

Name​​
Number of
Shares Owned
​​
Percent of
Common Stock
Outstanding
​
Directors​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Frank G. Cousins, Jr.​​​​35,128(1)​​​​​*​​
James A. DeLeo​​​​25,799(2)​​​​​*​​
Lisa DeStefano​​​​31,651(3)​​​​​*​​
Jay E. Gould​​​​104,927(4)​​​​​*​​
Laurie H. Knapp​​​​53,988(5)​​​​​*​​
David P. Mansfield​​​​320,031(6)​​​​​1.63%​​
Richard L. Peeke​​​​39,098(7)​​​​​*​​
Barbara A. Piette​​​​7,907(8)​​​​​​​​
Joseph B. Reilly​​​​65,554(9)​​​​​*​​
Arthur Sullivan​​​​104,821(10)​​​​​*​​
Charles F. Withee​​​​243,390(11)​​​​​1.25%​​
Named Executive Officer Who Is Not Also a Director​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Carol L. Houle​​​​181,716(12)​​​​​*​​
All directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)​​​​1,214,010​​​​​6.23%​​

6

​

*

Less than 1%.

(1)

Includes 8,168 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 5,100 exercisable stock options.

​

(2)

Includes 6,689 shares held in an individual retirement account, 202 shares held as custodian, 6,126 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 34,808 exercisable stock options.

(1)

(3)

Includes 6,126 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 34,808 exercisable stock options.

Includes 6,689 shares held in an individual retirement account, 202 shares held as custodian, 3,938 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 14,764

(4)

Includes 2,000 shares held by Ms. DeStefano’s spouse, 6,126 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 34,808 exercisable stock options.

​

(5)

Includes 6,126 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 34,808 exercisable stock options.

(2)

(6)

Includes 7,448 shares held in an individual retirement account, 7,225 shares held by Ms. Knapp’s spouse, 302 shares held by Ms. Knapp’s child, 302 shares held jointly with Ms. Knapp’s children, 6,126 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 32,308 exercisable stock options.

Includes 3,938 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 14,764

(7)

Includes 6,126 shares of unvested restricted stock over which individual has voting control and 24,981 exercisable stock options.

​

(8)

Includes 52,773 shares held in revocable trust and 8,092 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 29,878 shares of exercisable stock options.

(3)

(9)

Includes 10,000 shares held by Mr. Sullivan’s spouse, 6,126 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 34,808 exercisable stock options.

Includes 2,000 shares held by Ms. DeStefano’s spouse, 3,938 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 14,764

(10)

Includes 79,655 shares held in a 401(k) plan, 12,842 shares allocated under the ESOP, 24,510 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 140,588 exercisable stock options.

​

(11)

Includes 1,915 shares held in a 401(k) plan, 3,477 shares allocated under the ESOP, 14,810 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 6,000 exercisable stock options. 


6
​

(4)
Includes 3,938 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 14,764 exercisable stock options.
​
(5)
Includes 7,074 shares held in an individual retirement account, 7,074 shares held by Ms. Knapp’s spouse, 3,938 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 14,764 exercisable stock options.
​
(6)
Includes 80,318 shares held in a 401(k) plan, 8,600 held in an individual retirement account, 9,542 shares allocated shares under the ESOP, 36,093 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control, 16,638 shares held by Mr. Mansfield’s spouse and 135,338 exercisable stock options.
​
(7)
Mr. Peeke is retiring following the completion of the annual meeting. Includes 5,000 shares held by Mr. Peeke’s spouse, 3,938 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 14,764 exercisable stock options.
​
(8)
Includes 5,907 of unvested restricted stock over which individual has voting control.
​
(9)
Includes 52,773 shares held in revocable trust and 7,862 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 4,919 shares of exercisable stock options.
​
(10)
Includes 10,000 shares held by Mr. Sullivan’s spouse, 3,938 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 14,764 exercisable stock options.
​
(11)
Includes 6,063 shares held in an individual retirement account, 80,318 shares held in a 401(k) plan, 9,542 shares allocated under the ESOP, 24,364 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 91,353 exercisable stock options.
​
(12)
Includes 80,348 shares held in a 401(k) plan, 9,534 shares allocated under the ESOP, 16,118 shares of unvested restricted stock over which the individual has voting control and 51,911 exercisable stock options.
​

7
​

Proposal 1 — 1—Election of Directors

Following the completion of the annual meeting, the

The Board of Directors of Provident Bancorp, Inc. will beis composed of 10nine members. The Board is generally divided into three classes, each with three-year staggered terms, with approximately one-third of the directors elected each year. The nominees for election this year are James A. DeLeo, Laurie H. Knapp and Barbara A. Piette, each of whom is being nominated for a three-year term and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. Each nominee is a current director of the Company.

The Board of Directors has determined that each of our directors and nominees, with the exception of directors Mansfield and Withee,director Reilly, is “independent” as defined in, and for purposes of satisfying the listing standards of, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Directors Mansfield and Withee areDirector Reilly is not independent because each isas an executive officer of Provident Bancorp, Inc.

In determining the independence of our directors, the Board of Directors considered the following relationships between The Provident BankBankProv and our directors and officers, which are not required to be reported under “— Transactions“Transactions With Certain Related Persons” below. The Provident BankPersons.” BankProv has made loans to the following directors or their related entities: Jay E. Gould, commercial real estate loans, term loans and commercial lines of credit; Laurie H. Knapp, residential mortgage loan; and Arthur Sullivan, commercial real estate line of credit and demand note. The Provident BankBankProv also provides overdraft lines of credit to all of its directors.

It is intended that the proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will be voted for the election of the nominees named below. If any nominee is unable to serve, the persons named in the proxy card will vote your shares to approve the election of any substitute proposed by the Board of Directors. Alternatively, the Board of Directors may adopt a resolution to reduce the size of the Board. At this time, the Board of Directors knows of no reason why any nominee might be unable to serve. Except as indicated herein, there are no arrangements or understandings between the nominees and directors continuing in office and any other person pursuant to which such persons were selected.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the election of all nominees.

Information regarding the nominees and the directors continuing in office is provided below. Unless otherwise stated, each individual has held his or her current occupation for the last five years. The age indicated in each biography is as of December 31, 2019.2022. The address for each director and executive officer is 5 Market Street, Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913.

All of the nominees and directors continuing in office are long-time residents of the communities served by the Company and its subsidiaries and many of such individuals have operated, or currently operate, businesses located in such communities. As a result, each nominee and director continuing in office has significant knowledge of the businesses that operate in the Company’s market area, an understanding of the general real estate market, values and

7

trends in such communities and an understanding of the overall demographics of such communities. As a community banking institution, the Company believes that the local knowledge and experience of its directors assists the Company in assessing the credit and banking needs of its customers, developing products and services to better serve its customers and in assessing the risks inherent in its lending operations. As local residents, our nominees and directors are also exposed to the advertising, product offerings and community development efforts of competing institutions which, in turn, assists the Company in structuring its marketing efforts and community outreach programs.


8
​

Nominees for Election of Directors

The nominees standing for election are:

James A. DeLeo, age 54,57, is a certified public accountant and the leading Partner at Gray, Gray & Gray, where he also co-chairs the Merger & Acquisition Practice Group. He has more than 25 years of experience and an educational background in entrepreneurial finance, making him a key contributor to fundless sponsors, search funds and larger private equity firms with established funds, all of which seek his advice when acquiring target companies in the middle market. Mr. DeLeo also works closely with private equity and mezzanine lenders. Mr. DeLeo’s educational and professional experience assist the Board of Directors in assessing our accounting practices, tax matters and operational needs, as well as providing knowledge of and access to the capital markets and advice with respect to mergers and acquisitions. Director of The Provident BankBankProv since 2017.

Laurie H. Knapp,age 62,65, is a certified public accountant and sole owner of Laurie H. Knapp CPA PC, an accounting firm located in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Ms. Knapp specializes in personal and corporate taxes. Her experience as a certified public accountant assists the Board of Directors in assessing our accounting practices and tax matters. Director of The Provident BankBankProv since 1998.

Barbara A. Piette, age 62, 65,  is currently a Managing Principal of Knightsbridge Advisers, co-heading this SEC-regulated venture capital fund of funds. At Knightsbridge, Ms. Piette is actively involved in all aspects of portfolio management, including all investment due diligence and decision-making processes. In addition to Knightsbridge, Ms. Piette works as an advisor to five emerging venture capital firms: Tera Ventures, focused on born-global digital startups; Hyperplane VC, focused on artificial intelligence; the Material Impact Fund, focused on materials; Underscore, focused on the cloud; and Will Ventures, focused on sports technology. She also advises several early stage technology companies spanning industry sectors such as robotics, blockchain enterprise software, and cybersecurity. Before joining Knightsbridge, Ms. Piette spent more than 20 years as a venture capitalist, holding partner positions with both Charles River Ventures and Schroder Ventures and co-founding Schroder Ventures Life Sciences. Ms. Piette’s experience provides knowledge of the capital markets and the operations of both private and public companies. Director of The Provident BankBankProv since 2019.

Directors Continuing in Office

The following directors have terms ending at the annual meeting following December 31, 2020:

2023:

Frank G. Cousins, Jr., age 61, is64,was the President of the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce.Commerce from 2017 until 2021. In 2016, Mr. Cousins retired as the Sheriff of Essex County, Massachusetts where he served for 20 years. Mr. Cousins’ years of service as a law enforcement officer in our community as well as his service on a local chamber of commerce provides valuable insight into the economic and business needs of our community, as well as insight into where we can best serve our community in other ways, including charitable donations. Director of The Provident BankBankProv since 2003.

8

Joseph B. Reilly, age 63,66,  was appointed Interim Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Provident Bancorp, Inc. and BankProv effective January 2023, and Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer effective February 2023. He has more than 35 years of experience in the New Hampshire banking industry. Heindustry and was the Co-Founder and President/CEO of Centrix Bank, which merged with Eastern Bank in October 2014. Prior to Centrix, Reilly held positions at Bank of New Hampshire, TD Bank, Centerpoint Bank and Fleet Bank. Mr. Reilly is a former Chairman and Director of the New Hampshire Bankers Association (NHBA); Chairman of the NHBA Legislative Committee; State of New Hampshire Captain for Team 21, a national organization of the American Bankers Association (ABA); and a member of the Government Relations Council of the ABA. Mr. Reilly has also served on numerous not-for-profit board leadership positions. Mr. Reilly was elected Chairman of the Board of Provident Bancorp, Inc. and The Provident BankBankProv in April 2019.2019 and served in those positions until his appointment as Interim Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer effective January 2023. Mr. Reilly’s positions as Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer foster clear accountability, effective decision-making, a clear and direct channel of communication from senior management to the full Board of Directors, and alignment on corporate strategy. Director of The Provident BankBankProv since 2018.

Arthur Sullivan, age 61,64, is Principal Partner of Brady Sullivan Properties based in Manchester, New Hampshire. Mr. Sullivan is a 40-year commercial and real estate industry veteran. A licensed Real Estate Broker, Mr. Sullivan has become one of New England’s largest developer of affordable commercial and residential real estate. Under his leadership, Brady Sullivan has successfully procured and managed a diverse portfolio of over four million square feet of mill, office and industrial space, over 2,000 residential units and over 5,000 condominium conversions throughout New England and Florida. Mr. Sullivan is the recipient of the 2013 Commerce Citizen of the Year Award from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.


9
​

Mr. Sullivan provides the Board of Directors with significant knowledge of commercial real estate as well as experience in managing a large business in Southern New Hampshire. Director of The Provident BankBankProv since 2016.
Charles F. Withee, age 57, is The Provident Bank’s President and Chief Lending Officer, positions he has held since 2013. Mr. Withee joined The Provident Bank as Senior Lender in 2004, and has nearly 30 years of commercial banking experience in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Director of The Provident Bank since 2013.

The following directors have terms ending at the annual meeting following December 31, 2021:

David P. Mansfield, age 58, has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Provident Bancorp, Inc. and Chief Executive Officer of The Provident Bank since May 2013, having joined The Provident Bank as Chief Financial Officer in 2001. Mr. Mansfield served as Interim Chairman of the Board of Provident Bancorp, Inc. and The Provident Bank from April 2018 to April 2019. Mr. Mansfield previously worked as a bank examiner for both the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Mansfield’s positions as President and Chief Executive Officer foster clear accountability, effective decision-making, a clear and direct channel of communication from senior management to the full Board of Directors, and alignment on corporate strategy. Director of The Provident Bank since 2013.
2024:

Lisa DeStefano, age 56,59, is thea Principal Architect and Founder of Maugel DeStefano Architects. A LEED certified and registered architect in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut, Ms. DeStefano has been a practicing architect since 1983 and founded DeStefano Architects in 1995. Her design work has won multiple awards including the 2016 AIANH Excellence in Architecture People’s Choice Award and in 2015 her firm was named one of the fastest growing women-led companies in Boston by Inc. 5000. Ms. DeStefano was awarded the 2015 Business Excellence Award in the Real Estate and Construction category from New Hampshire Business Review magazine. Ms. DeStefano’s experience provides the Board of Directors with extensive knowledge of real estate and business matters, and she is well-known in our New Hampshire seacoast market area. Director of The Provident BankBankProv since 2013.

Jay E. Gould,  age 66,69, is the founder of Flatbread Company, a clay-oven restaurant specializing in all-natural, wood-fired pizza, salads and desserts. Founded in Amesbury, Massachusetts in 1998, Flatbread Company has grown into 15 restaurants with locations in New England, Hawaii and British Columbia. Mr. Gould has extensive developmental and operational experience developing a distinct and unique brand within the full-service restaurant market. Mr. Gould also owned and operated a successful family insurance business in Amesbury, Massachusetts from 1977 until its sale in 2015. As a business owner and entrepreneur, Mr. Gould offers a valuable perspective on developing a successful business as well as the challenges and risks an organization may face as it grows its product offerings and markets into new areas. Director of The Provident BankBankProv since 1995.

Kathleen Chase Curran, age 48, is Chief Operating Officer at Coin Metrics, a cryptoasset financial intelligence provider. Ms. Chase Curran brings 25 years of experience in the financial industry to the Company’s Board of Directors having, most recently, worked at Fidelity Investments for over a decade prior to joining Coin Metrics. Throughout her career, she has advised clients and organizations on their growth and enterprise strategies. Her experience spans a wide breadth of disciplines including strategy, product, marketing and research and development. At Coin Metrics, Ms. Chase Curran is helping build the market infrastructure for cryptoassets through her contributions to the creation of transparent and accessible data and intelligence. Ms. Chase Curran’s experience provides the Board of Directors with expertise in digital assets and strategic planning. Director of BankProv since 2022.


109

In accordance with Nasdaq Stock Market board diversity disclosure requirements, below are diversity statistics for our nine Board members as of April 18, 2023.

​



 

 

 

 

Board Diversity Matrix as of April 18, 2023

Total Number of Directors

9



Female

Male

Non-Binary

Did Not Disclose Gender

Part I: Gender Identity

Directors

4

5

 

 

Part II: Demographic Background

African American or Black

 

1

 

 

Alaskan Native or Native American

 

 

 

 

Asian

 

 

 

 

Hispanic or Latinx

 

 

 

 

Native American or Pacific Islander

 

 

 

 

White

4

4

 

 

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

 

 

 

 

LGBTQ+

0

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

0


Proposal 2 — 2—Ratification of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed Crowe LLP to be the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 20202023 fiscal year, subject to ratification by stockholders. A representative of Crowe LLP is expected to be available at the annual meeting to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders and will have the opportunity to make a statement should he or she desire to do so.

Whittlesey PC was previously the principal accountants for the Company. On March 25, 2020, the firm was dismissed as the Company’s principal accountants. The decision to dismiss Whittlesey PC was approved by the Audit Committee of the Company.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the subsequent interim period through March 25, 2020, there were no: (1) disagreements with Whittlesey PC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to their satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference in connection with their opinion to the subject matter of the disagreement, or (2) reportable events under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
The audit reports of Whittlesey PC on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
On March 25, 2020, the Audit Committee of the Company appointed Crowe LLP as the Company’s new principal accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. The Company entered into an engagement letter with Crowe dated March 27, 2020. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the subsequent interim period prior to the engagement of Crowe LLP, the Company did not consult with Crowe LLP regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

If the ratification of the appointment of the firm is not approved by a majority of the votes cast by stockholders at the annual meeting, other independent registered public accounting firms may be considered by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Audit

Fees

The following table sets forth the fees paid by the Company for the years ended December 31, 20192022 and 20182021 to Whittlesey PC.Crowe LLP.



 

 

 

 



2022

2021

Audit fees

$

380,000 

$

280,000 

Audit-related fees

$

390,000 

$

—

Tax fees

$

—

$

—

All other fees

$

60,000 

$

—

​​​2019​​2018​
Audit fees​​​$208,500​​​​$109,100​​
Audit-related fees​​​$12,000​​​​$12,000​​
Tax fees​​​$—​​​​$—​​
All other fees​​​$10,200​​​​$—​​

Audit fees relaterelated to the audit of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements, review of the financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and fees associated with the Company’s stock offering and registration statement.audit of internal controls over financial reporting as required under Part 363 of the FDIC annual reporting requirements. Audit-related fees pertain to additional audit fees incurred related to the auditsreview of the Company’s 401(k) Plan.digital asset lending practices

10

following the events that caused the losses recorded during and for the year ended December 31, 2022.  All other fees represent theinclude fees associated with consulting relatedpaid to internal controls over financial reporting.

Crowe LLP pertaining to regulatory filings and assessment tools. 

Pre-Approval of Services by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation for and overseeing the work of the independent registered public accounting firm. In accordance with its charter, the Audit Committee approves, in advance, all audit and permissible non-audit services to be performed by the independent


11
​

registered public accounting firm. Such approval can be given either by approving an engagement in advance or pursuant to a pre-approval policy with respect to particular services.services. Such approval process ensures that the independent registered public accounting firm does not provide any non-audit services to the Company that are prohibited by law or regulation.

During the years ended December 31, 20192022 and 2018,2021, 100% of audit and other services provided by Whittlesey PCCrowe LLP were approved, in advance, by the Audit Committee.

Audit Committee Report

The Company’s management is responsible for the Company’s internal controls and financial reporting process. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and issuing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s internal controls and financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors.

In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be discussed under Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) standards including the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of the disclosures in the financial statements.

In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by the PCAOB and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the firm’s independence from the Company and its management. In concluding that the registered public accounting firm is independent, the Audit Committee considered, among other factors, whether the non-audit services provided by the firm were compatible with its independence.

The Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their audit. The Audit Committee meets with the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their audit, their evaluation of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.

In performing all of these functions, the Audit Committee acts only in an oversight capacity. In its oversight role, the Audit Committee relies on the work and assurances of the Company’s management, which has the primary responsibility for financial statements and reports, and of the independent registered public accounting firm who, in theirits report, express an opinion on the conformity of the Company’s financial statements to generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committee’s oversight does not provide it with an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or policies, or appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committee’s considerations and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm do not assure that the Company’s financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, that the audit of the Company’s financial statements has been carried out in 

11

accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or that the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is in fact “independent.”

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2022, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee also has approved, subject to stockholder ratification, the selection of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.


12
​

2023.

Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Provident Bancorp, Inc.

Laurie H. Knapp

James A. DeLeo (Chair)

Frank G. Cousins, Jr.
Richard L. Peeke
James A. DeLeo
Joseph B. Reilly

Kathleen Chase Curran

Barbara Piette

Proposal 3—Advisory (Nonbinding) Vote on Executive Compensation

Our stockholders are being given the opportunity to vote on an advisory (nonbinding) resolution to approve the compensation of our “Named Executive Officers,” as described in this proxy statement in the compensation tables and narrative disclosure. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives stockholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the Company’s executive pay program. As a result of a determination made following the recommendation of stockholders at our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, this vote will be held annually until 2027, at which time as we will provide our stockholders with another opportunity to consider such frequency.

The purpose of our compensation policies and procedures is to attract and retain experienced, highly qualified executives critical to the Company’s long-term success and enhancement of stockholder value. The Board of Directors believes the Company’s compensation policies and procedures achieve this objective, and therefore recommend stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal. Specifically, stockholders are being asked to approve 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 Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion is hereby APPROVED.”

Although nonbinding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee value constructive dialogue on executive compensation and other important governance topics with our stockholders and encourage all stockholders to vote their shares on this matter. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation programs.

Unless otherwise instructed, validly executed proxies will be voted “FOR” this resolution.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the resolution set forth in Proposal 3.

Information about Executive Officers

The following provides information regarding our executive officer as of December 31, 2019,officers who isare not a directordirectors of the Company.

Carol L. Houle, age 49, is Executive Vice51, was appointed Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Provident Bancorp, Inc and BankProv in December 2022, Interim Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer effective January 2023, and Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer effective February 2023. Ms. Houle has also retained her position as Chief

12

Financial Officer of Provident Bancorp, Inc. and The Provident Bank.BankProv, having also previously served as Executive Vice President. Ms. Houle is a Certified Public Accountant, and joined The Provident BankBankProv in September 2013. Previously, Ms. Houle was a partner at the accounting firm of Shatswell, MacLeod & Company, P.C., where she worked for 17 years.

Joseph Mancini

, age 41, is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Provident Bancorp, Inc. and BankProv. Mr. Mancini joined BankProv in June 2020 as Senior Vice President, Risk and was subsequently promoted in April 2021. Previously, Mr. Mancini was at Radius Bank for four years as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer and East Boston Savings Bank for 10 years in various risk-related roles.

Executive Compensation

We are a smaller reporting company. As such, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements. These include, but are not limited to, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our proxy statements, including the requirement to include a specific form of Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

Introduction

The objective of our executive compensation program is to attract, retain, and motivate leaders who are committed to executing on our business strategy and creating long-term value for our stakeholders. To help us achieve these objectives, the Compensation Committee has designed an executive compensation program that consists of fixed and variable pay elements in the form of base salaries, annual cash and long-term equity incentives. The program is built on a foundation of sound compensation governance practices and policies, which include the following:

·

We link a significant portion of compensation to performance using short-term (cash) and long-term (equity) compensation to encourage both proactivity and long-term sustainability.

·

We employ a variety of performance metrics to deter excessive risk-taking by eliminating any incentive focus on a single performance goal.

·

We have built in appropriate levels of discretion to adjust incentive payouts if results are not aligned with credit quality, regulatory compliance or leading indicators of future financial results.

·

We maintain stock ownership and retention guidelines for our executives and directors.

·

We grant equity awards that have “double-trigger” equity vesting provisions upon a change in control.

·

We do not provide significant perquisites.

·

We engage an independent compensation consultant.

·

We have a clawback policy.

·

We prohibit hedging and pledging of our stock by our directors and executive officers.

Stockholder Engagement and Changes Resulting from our Say on Pay Results

The formal stockholder advisory votes on pay (“Say-on-Pay”) provides a valuable barometer for how our programs are perceived by the full spectrum of our investors. We take this advisory vote seriously and work diligently to understand the stockholder and proxy advisory firm perspectives. Over 95% of the votes cast by stockholders were cast in favor of our Say-on-Pay vote in 2022.

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Summary Compensation Table

The table below summarizes, for the years ended December 31, 20192022 and 2018,2021, the total compensation paid to, or earned by, Mr.David P. Mansfield, who servesserved as The Provident Bank’sBancorp, Inc. and BankProv’s President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Withee, who serves as The Provident Bank’s President and Chief Lending Officer, and Ms.for the majority of the year ended December 31, 2022, Carol L. Houle, who servesserved as TheInterim Chief Executive Officer for the remainder of the year ended December 31, 2022, and the other individual who served as an executive officer for Provident Bank’s Executive Vice PresidentBancorp, Inc. and Chief Financial Officer.BankProv during the year ended December 31, 2022. We refer to these individuals as “Named Executive Officers.”named executive officers (“NEOs”).



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position

Year

Salary ($)

Stock awards ($)(1)

Option awards ($)(2)

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3)

All Other Compensation ($)(4)

Total ($)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David P. Mansfield

2022

569,134

—

—

—

1,529,983

2,099,117

Former President and Chief Executive Officer (5)

2021

548,990

—

—

288,192

76,375

913,557



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carol L. Houle

2022

330,544

—

—

—

27,224

357,768

Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer (6)

2021

319,145

—

—

143,615

62,653

525,413



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Mancini

2022

243,846

—

—

—

25,219

269,065

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

2021

206,429

180,000

151,800

93,441

43,522

649,336

(1)

Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted during the applicable year. The assumptions used in the valuation of these awards are included in Note 10 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position​​Year​​
Salary
($)
​​
Bonus
($)(1)
​​
Stock
awards
($)
​​
Option
awards
($)
​​
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(2)
​​
All Other
Compensation
($)(3)
​​
Total
($)
​
David P. Mansfield
Chief Executive Officer
​​​​2019​​​​​500,000​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​224,000​​​​​60,585​​​​​784,585​​
​​​2018​​​​​480,000​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​231,840​​​​​44,829​​​​​756,669​​
Charles F. Withee
President and Chief Lending
Officer
​​​​2019​​​​​360,000​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​138,240​​​​​60,225​​​​​558,465​​
​​​2018​​​​​360,000​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​149,040​​​​​43,968​​​​​553,008​​
Carol L. Houle
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
​​​​2019​​​​​295,000​​​​​20,000​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​113,280​​​​​53,202​​​​​481,482​​
​​​2018​​​​​270,000​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​111,780​​​​​37,445​​​​​419,225​​
​

(2)

Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted during the applicable year. The value is the amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. The assumptions used in the valuation of these awards are included in Note 10 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(1)
Reflects discretionary cash bonuses.
​
(2)

(3)

Represents cash incentives earned under The Provident Bank Executive Annual Incentive Plan. See “— Executive Annual Incentive Plan” for further details.

​
(3)
The amounts reflect what we have paid to, or reimbursed, the applicable Named Executive Officer for various benefits we provide. A break-down of the various elements of compensation in this column for the year ended December 31, 2019 is set forth in the table immediately below.
​

13
​

All Other Compensation
Name​​Year​​
Employer
Matching
Contribution
To 401(k)
Plan(a)
($)
​​
Allocations
Under
Employee
Stock
Ownership
Plan(b)
($)
​​
Long-Term
Disability
Premiums
($)
​​
Car
Allowance
($)
​​
Total
($)
​
David P. Mansfield​​​​2019​​​​​15,900​​​​​31,302​​​​​3,383​​​​​10,000​​​​​60,585​​
Charles F. Withee​​​​2019​​​​​13,923​​​​​31,302​​​​​―​​​​​15,000​​​​​60,225​​
Carol L. Houle​​​​2019​​​​​15,900​​​​​31,302​​​​​―​​​​​6,000​​​​​53,202​​
​
(a)
Represents the matching contributions made by The Provident Bank to the Named Executive Officer’s 401(k) plan account for the plan year.
​
(b)
Represents the approximate value of shares allocated to the individual’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan account for the year ended December 31, 2019, using the Company’s stock price as of December 31, 2019.
​
Employment Agreements
The Provident Bank Executive Annual Incentive Plan. See “—Executive Annual Incentive Plan” for further details.

(4)

The amounts reflect what we have paid to, or reimbursed, the applicable Named Executive Officer for various benefits we provide. A break-down of the various elements of compensation in this column for the year ended December 31, 2022 is set forth in the table below.

(5)

Mr. Mansfield resigned from his employment with Provident Bancorp Inc. and BankProv, and as director of each entity, effective December 20, 2022.

(6)

Ms. Houle served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until her appointment as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer effective December 20, 2022, then her subsequent appointment as Interim Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2023, and then her subsequent appointment to Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, effective February 2023.

14



 

 

 

 

 

 

All Other Compensation For the Year Ended December 31, 2022

Name

Employer Matching Contribution To 401(k) Plan (a)($)

Allocations Under Employee Stock Ownership Plan (b) ($)

Long-Term Disability Premiums ($)

Vacation payout (c) ($)

Separation agreement (c) ($)

Total ($)

David P. Mansfield

15,900

―

3,996

21,801

1,488,286

1,529,983

Carol L. Houle

16,636

10,588

―

―

―

27,224

Joseph Mancini

14,631

10,588

―

―

―

25,219

(a)

Represents the matching contributions made by BankProv to the Named Executive Officer’s 401(k) plan account for the plan year.

(b)

Represents the approximate value of shares allocated to the individual’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan account for the year ended December 31, 2022, using the Company’s stock price as of December 31, 2022.

(c)

On December 20, 2022, BankProv entered into a Separation Agreement and Full and Final Release of Claims (the “Agreement”) with Mr. Mansfield. Under the Agreement, BankProv paid Mr. Mansfield his earned salary, less legally required withholdings and all accrued but unused vacation or other time off. In addition, under the agreement a cash separation payment of $1,488,286 was paid in a lump sum. Mr. Mansfield and his dependents will remain eligible to participate in the non-taxable medical and dental insurance programs offered by BankProv to its employees for 24 months, with 100% of premiums paid by BankProv. Mr. Mansfield will receive his benefit under his supplemental executive retirement agreement, described below, in accordance with the terms of that plan. Mr. Mansfield is also able to exercise all vested stock options in accordance with the term of the stock options. Mr. Mansfield forfeited all unvested shares of restricted stock and all unvested stock options upon his resignation.

Employment Agreements

BankProv has entered into employment agreements with Messrs. MansfieldReilly and WitheeMancini and Ms. Houle. ThePursuant to the employment agreements, with Messrs. MansfieldMr. Reilly and Withee have termsMs. Houle, serve as Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officers of three years.the Company and BankProv, and. Ms. Houle also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and BankProv. Mr. Mancini serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company and BankProv. The employment agreement with Mr. Reilly has a term of one year and the amended and restated employment agreements with Ms. Houle hasand Mr. Mancini each have a term of two years. TheEach year the disinterested members of the Board of Directors must conduct a comprehensive annual performance evaluation and affirmatively approve any extension of the terms of the agreements with Ms. Houle and Mr. Mancini for an additional year or determine not to extend the term of any of the agreements.

 The Board of Directors may also extend the term of the employment agreement with Mr. Reilly for one year.

The employment agreements provide Messrs. MansfieldMr. Reilly, Ms. Houle and Withee and Ms. HouleMr. Mancini with current base salaries of $533,000, $375,000$472,750, $472,750 and $309,850,$345,000, respectively. The Provident BankBankProv may increase the base salaries from time to time. In addition to base salaries, the executives are entitled to participate in any employee benefit plans and bonus programs in effect from time to time for senior executives of The Provident Bank. The Provident BankBankProv. Mr. Reilly and Ms. Houle have a short-term incentive bonus opportunity of at least 35% of their base salaries. BankProv will also reimburse the executives for all reasonable business expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties and responsibilities.  Mr. Reilly also receives a monthly payment of $597.50 as reimbursement for after-tax Medicare payments.

In the event of an executive’s involuntary termination of employment for reasons other than cause, disability or death,without “cause” (as defined in the agreements), or in the event of his or her resignation for “good reason,”reason” (as defined in the agreements) in either case prior to the attainment of age 68 or 65, he or sherespectively, Mr. Reilly and Ms. Houle will each receive a severance payment equal to the sum of (i) his or herthe base salary then in effect and (ii) his or her “Average Bonus”, (defined below) that would have been paid through the expiration date of the respective employment agreement. These payments increaseMr. Mancini will receive a lump sum severance payment equal to three times (in the casebase salary that would have been paid through the expiration date of Messrs. Mansfield and Withee) and two times (in the case of Ms. Houle) the sum of (i) and (ii), above, in the eventhis employment agreement as well as his pro rata “Average Bonus” (defined below). If the termination of employment occurs in connection with or following a change onin control, or if the agreement has a remaining termseverance payments for Mr. Reilly and Ms. Houle will equal two times the sum of more than 24 months attheir base salary and Average Bonus and the time of termination, in the case ofseverance payment for Mr. Mansfield.Mancini will equal two times his base salary. For purposes of the employment agreements, the term “Average Bonus” means the average of the aggregate bonuses or other cash

15

incentive compensation paid (or accrued, but not yet paid) to the executive for the three calendar years immediately preceding the termination of employment. The Provident Bank will make the payments in 12 monthly installments, unless the termination of employment occurs within two years of a change in control, in which case The Provident Bank will make the payment in a lump sum at the time of the termination of employment. In addition, the executivesMs. Houle and Mr. Mancini will be entitled to receive from The Provident Bank continued life insurance and non-taxable medical and dental insurance coverage through the then remaining unexpired term of the agreementagreements, and all outstanding awards under The Provident Bank Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive PlanMs. Houle will become immediately and fully vested. Underalso be entitled to receive continued life insurance coverage through the employment agreements, thethen remaining unexpired term “good reason” includes: (i) the failure of the Board of Directors to elect or continue to employ the executive in his or her current position or a material reduction in the executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (ii) a reduction in the executive’s base salary; or (iii) a material breach of any provision of the agreement that is not cured within 30 days of notice of the breach from the executive. In addition, the term “good reason” includes, if the event occurs within two years following a change in control: (i) a relocation of his or her principal place of employment by more than ten miles; (ii) the failure of The Provident Bank to continue to provide the executive with certain employee benefits substantially similar to those available to the executive


14
​

prior to the change in control; or (iii) the failure of The Provident Bank to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to assume and honor the employment agreement.

In addition, should The Provident BankBankProv terminate an executive’sthe employment of either Mr. Reilly or Ms. Houle following the executive becoming disabled, The Provident BankBankProv will continue to pay the executive his or her base salary from the date of the termination of employment until the earlier of: (i) the expiration offor up to 180 days; (ii) the date on which long-term disability benefits are payable to the executive under any plan covering employees of The Provident Bank; (iii) the executive’s death; or (iv) the date the term of the employment agreement expires.days. If at the end of 180 days, the executive is not yet receiving disability payments under a plan covering employees of The Provident Bank, The Provident BankBankProv, BankProv will continue to pay the executive his or her base salary at a rate of 60% until the earlier of: (i) the date he or she becomes entitled to disability benefits under such a plan; (ii) his or her death; or (iii) the expiration of the term of the respective employment agreement.

In the event of the death of any of the executives The Provident Bankduring the term of the respective agreement, BankProv will pay his or her beneficiaries the base salary the executive would have earned for six months following his or her death, and his or herMs. Houle’s and Mr. Mancini’s family will continue to receive medical coverage for one year at the same out-of-pocket expense that the executive paid prior to her or his death, respectively.

If either Mr. Reilly, Ms. Houle, or her death.

If the executiveMr. Mancini voluntarily terminates employment on account of his or her “retirement” (that is on or after attaining age 6268 for Messrs. Mansfield and Withee,Mr. Reilly, or 65 for Ms. Houle)Houle or Mr. Mancini), no severance shall be paid. In the executiveevent of such voluntary termination on account of her retirement, Ms. Houle will be entitled to continue to receive medical benefits at the same level in effect on, and onat the same out-of-pocket cost to the executive as of, his orthe date of her termination of employmentretirement for a period of one year. The executive

None of the executives will not be entitled to any severance benefits under thetheir respective employment agreement if The Provident BankBankProv terminates the executive’s employment for “cause” (as defined under the employment agreement).

Upon any termination of employment that would entitle an executive to a severance payment (other than a termination in connection with a change in control), the executive will be required to adhere to one-year non-competition and non-solicitation covenants.

covenants for up to one year.

Executive Annual Incentive Plan

The Provident Bank

BankProv has adopted The Provident Bank Executive Annual Incentive Plan, which is designed to align the interests of the executives of The Provident BankBankProv with the overall performance of The Provident BankBankProv and Provident Bancorp, Inc.

Employees selected by the Compensation Committee, which include the Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in the plan. For each plan year (which is the calendar year), theThe Compensation Committee determine thedetermines an annual bonus award amount, designated as a percentage of base salary, and the performance objectivesmetrics and goals that must be satisfied for the participant to receive the annual bonusincentive award. The specific performance objectives will bePlan metrics are determined annually by the Compensation Committee, but generally include objective performance targetsquantitative goals based on financial performance, growth, asset quality and risk management and subjective performance objectives, such as particular qualitative factors for the participant,assessments of individuals, based on his or her duties to The Provident Bank.a  participant’s job duties. Each performance objective will specify level of achievements at “threshold,”metric is defined using “minimum”, “target” and “maximum” performance levels and will beare weighted by priority as a percentage of the total annual bonus award payable to the participant.

The bank-wide performance objectives for 2019 focused on the following metrics, with different metrics selected for different Named Executive Officers: (i) return on average assets, (ii) efficiency ratio, and (iii) loan growth. Each performance objectivemetric was assigned a percentage weightweighting to reflect its importance and the Named Executive Officer’s directOfficers’ impact in meetingachieving the goal.

The bank-wide performance objective.

objectives for 2022 focused on the following metrics: (i) return on average assets (40% weighting), (ii) deposit growth (30% weighting), (iii) efficiency ratio (15% weighting) and (iv) team/individual performance (15% weighting). Return on average assets, efficiency ratios and deposit growth are based on the approved budget for BankProv.


1516

The Named Executive Officers award opportunities under the Executive Annual Incentive Plan, as a percentage of base salary, were:

​



 

 

 

Name

Minimum

Target

Maximum

David P. Mansfield ...................................

17.5%

35%

52.5%

Carol L. Houle.........................................

15%

30%

45%

Joseph Mancini.......................................

15%

30%

45%


For 2019, peer

Target results are established using percentile performance of a reference group target results, and The Provident Bank’sof similarly-sized banks that focus on commercial business. BankProv’s results were adjusted for non-recurring items and were as follows:

Item

Weighting

Minimum

Target

Maximum

BankProv Adjusted Results

Return on average assets .........................

40%

0.77%

0.88%

0.98%

(1.24%)

Efficiency ratio.........................................

30%

67.96%

61.78%

58.68%

64.07%

Deposit growth.......................................

15%

66.00%

73.00%

76.00%

(12.24%)

Item​​Target Results​​
The Provident Bank
Adjusted Results
​
Return on average assets​​​​1.05%​​​​​1.04%​​
Efficiency ratio​​​​64.61%​​​​​58.15%​​
Commercial loan growth​​​​8.47%​​​​​18.81%​​
Based on these results, Messrs. Mansfield and Withee, and Ms. Houle, earned an

Although BankProv met its goal with respect to the efficiency ratio component of the Executive Annual Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee determined that no annual incentive award would be paid for the year ended December 31, 2019 equal2022 to 44.80% of base salary, 38.40% of base salary and 38.40% of base salary, respectively.

The bank-wide performance objectives for 2018 focused on the following metrics, with different metrics selected for different Named Executive Officers: (i) return on average assets, (ii) efficiency ratio, and (iii) loan growth. Each performance objective was assigned a percentage weight to reflect its importance and the Named Executive Officer’s direct impact in meeting the performance objective.
For 2018, peer group target results, and The Provident Bank’s results were as follows:
Item​​Target Results​​
The Provident Bank
Adjusted Results
​
Return on average assets​​​​0.99%​​​​​1.03%​​
Efficiency ratio​​​​64.95%​​​​​61.53%​​
Commercial loan growth​​​​7.94%​​​​​13.69%​​
Based on these results, Messrs. Mansfield and Withee, andMancini, or to Ms. Houle, earned an annual incentive awardbased upon the Company’s net loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 equal to 48.30% of base salary, 41.40% of base salary and 41.40% of base salary, respectively.
The annual bonus award will be payable to each participant in a cash lump sum within 2.5 months following the end of each plan year, to the extent the performance objectives are determined to be satisfied by the Compensation Committee.
year.

Benefit Plans

401(k) Plan.  The Provident BankBankProv currently maintains a  401(k) plan that is a tax-qualified profit sharingprofit-sharing plan with a salary deferral feature under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “401(k) Plan”). All employees who have attained age 21 arefor eligible toemployees. The Named Executive Officers participate in the 401(k) Plan provided, however thaton the employee must complete one yearsame terms as other employees of service to be eligible to receive a safe harbor matching contribution or discretionary profit sharing contribution from The Provident Bank.BankProv.

A participant may contribute up to 100% of his or her compensation to the 401(k) Plan on a pre-tax or after tax (“Roth”) basis, subject to the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. For 2019,2023, the pre-tax deferral contribution limit is $19,000$22,500 provided, however, that a participant over age 50 may contribute on a pre-tax basis, an additional $6,000$7,500 to the 401(k) Plan (subject to applicable cost-of-living adjustments in future years). In addition to salary deferral contributions, the 401(k) Plan provides that The Provident BankBankProv will make a safe harbor matching contribution to each participant’s account equal to 100% of the participant’s contribution, up to a maximum of 6% of the participant’s eligible compensation earned duringcontributed to the plan year.401(k) Plan.  BankProv may also make a nonelective contribution to eligible employees, as determined by the Board of Directors. A participant is always 100% vested in his or her salary deferral contributions and safe harbor matching contributions. However,contributions, and a participant will vest 100% in his or herBankProv’s discretionary profit sharing contributions following the completion of three years of service. Participants also become fully vested in the event of their death or disability. The 401(k) Plan permits a participant to direct the investment of his or her own account into various investment options.

Participants inoptions, including the 401(k) Plan are permitted to invest elective deferrals and employer matching contributions incommon stock of Provident Bancorp, Inc. common stock.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan.   In connection with its second-step conversionBankProv currently maintains a tax-qualified ESOP for eligible employees. The Named Executive Officers participate in 2019, the ESOP on the same terms as other employees of BankProv.  

The Provident Bank’s employee stock ownership plan trustee purchased, on behalf of the employee stock ownership plan,


16
​

816,992ESOP holds the shares of Provident Bancorp, Inc. commonpurchased in connection with our stock and refinanced the original loanofferings. Shares that have not been allocated to the employee stock ownership plan with an additional $8.2 million. When combined with the remaining shares purchased in Old Provident’s initial stock offering in 2015, the employee stock ownership planaccounts of participants are held 1,538,868 shares as of December 31, 2019.
The loan will be repaid principally through The Provident Bank’s contribution to the employee stock ownership plan and dividends payable on common stock held by the employee stock ownership plan over the anticipated 15-year term of the loan. The interest rate for the employee stock ownership plan loan is an adjustable-rate equal to the prime rate, as published in The Wall Street Journal, on the closing date of the offering. The interest rate will adjust annually and will be the prime rate on the first business day of the calendar year, retroactive to January 1 of such year.
The trustee holds the shares purchased by the employee stock ownership plan in an unallocated suspense account. Shares will beUnallocated shares are released from the suspense account on a pro-rata basis as the loan is repaid by the employee stock ownership plan. The trustee allocatesrepaid. Each year, the shares released amongare allocated to the participants’ accounts based on the basis of each participant’s proportional share of compensation relative to all participants.compensation. Participants will become 100% vested in their benefitbenefits under the ESOP after the completion of three years of service. Participants who were employed immediately prior to the stock offering will receive credit for vesting purposes for years of service prior to adoption of the employee stock ownership plan. Participants also will become fully vested upon normal retirement, death or disability, a change in control, or termination of the employee stock ownership plan.ESOP. Generally, participants will receive distributions from the employee stock ownership planESOP upon severance from employment. The employee stock ownership plan reallocates any unvested shares forfeited upontheir termination of employment among the remaining participants.

17

employment.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans.  The Provident BankBankProv has entered into supplemental executive retirement agreements (“SERPs”) with Messrs.Mr. Mansfield and Withee and Ms. Houle. Under the SERPs, each executive becomes entitled to receive a benefit following his or her separation from service other than on account of cause (as defined in the agreements). Upon a separation from service, The Provident BankBankProv will pay a lump sum benefit to the executive equal to the actuarial equivalent of a 20-year stream of annual payments of a certain benefit percentage multiplied by the executive’s final average compensation.

Under the agreements,agreement with Ms. Houle, the benefit percentage equals a certain percentage (62% for Mr. Mansfield, 60% for Mr. Withee and 20% for Ms. Houle) multiplied by a factor that represents theher service of the executive through his or her attainment of age 62. Messrs. Mansfield and Withee are fully vested, while Ms. Houle is subject to a five-year cliff vesting schedule. The executives’fully vested in her benefits under the SERP. Ms. Houle’s SERP benefits will be immediately forfeited in the event of a termination by The Provident Bank as a result of aBankProv for “specially defined cause” (as such term is defined in the SERPs)SERP). The benefit percentage factor will automatically equal 62%20%, 60% or 20% in the event of the executive’sMs. Houle’s death or disability or upon a change in control, andcontrol. Benefits under Ms. Houle would also become fully vested under such circumstances. In the case of Messrs. Mansfield and Withee, if the executive dies, or terminates employment involuntarily or with “good reason” within three years orHoule’s SERP are paid in a change in control or if the executive experiences a disability, he will become entitled to the retirement benefit he would have earned at age 62 by providing for an assumed increase in his annual compensation for each year from his separation from service, death or disability until the date he would have attained age 62. If Messrs. Mansfield or Withee experiences a disability, the benefits will be paid to them at age 62.

single lump sum.

2016 Equity Incentive Plan.Deferred Bonus Agreement. In 2016, our Boardconjunction with a decision to fix the “final average compensation” for Mr. Mansfield’s SERP in 2020, BankProv entered into a deferred cash bonus agreement with Mr. Mansfield, effective December 23, 2020. Under the terms of Directors adopted,the deferred cash bonus agreement, Mr. Mansfield was to receive a total bonus of $354,900 payable in three installments of $118,300, which vested on September 30, 2021 and stockholders approved,September 30, 2022, with the Provident Bancorp, Inc.final installment set to vest on September 30, 2023, respectively. Each installment was paid within 30 days following the vesting date, with the exception of the final installment which was unvested and forfeited upon his resignation.

Equity Incentive Plans. We currently maintain two equity incentive plans, the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equityand the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan”), which providesPlan. The Equity Incentive Plans allow us to provide officers, employees and directors of Provident Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including The Provident Bank,BankProv, with additional incentives to promote the growth and performance of Provident Bancorp, Inc. Subject to permitted adjustments for certain corporate transactions, the Equity Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance or delivery to participants of up to 1,263,279 shares (split-adjusted) of Provident Bancorp, Inc. common stock pursuant toThe plans permit grants of restricted stock awards, restricted unit awards, incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options; provided, however, thatoptions. As of December 31, 2022, there were 3,027 shares available for the maximum number of shares of stock that may be delivered pursuant to the exercisegrant of stock options is 902,344 (split-adjusted) (alland 986 shares available for the grant of which may be granted as incentive stock options) and the maximum number of shares of stock that may be issued as restricted stock awards orand restricted stock units is 360,935 (split-adjusted).under the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. As of that date, there were 256,814 shares available for the grant of stock options and 116,624 shares available for the grant of restricted stock and restricted stock units under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan.


1718

​

Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End. The following table sets forth information with respect to outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2019 for the Named Executive Officers.Officers that have been granted under our 2016 and 2020 Equity Incentive Plans.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards At December 31, 2022



Option Awards

Stock Awards

Name

Number of securities underlying unexercised options exercisable (#)

Number of securities underlying unexercised options unexercisable (#)

Option exercise price ($)

Option expiration date

Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#)

Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested ($)(5)

David P. Mansfield

225,56534,04081,700 

—

(1)

8.61

11.93

11.93

11/17/2026

12/17/2030

12/17/2030

—

(1)

—

Carol L. Houle

99,73832,4688,382 

—

36,129

25,146

(2)

(3)

8.61

11.93

11.93

11/17/2026

12/17/2030

12/17/2030

24,510 

(2)

178,433 

Joseph Mancini

6,000 24,000 

(4)

15.00

4/22/2031

9,600 

(4)

69,888 

(1)

On December 20, 2022, BankProv entered into the Agreement with Mr. Mansfield. Mr. Mansfield is able to exercise all vested stock options in accordance with the term of the stock options. Mr. Mansfield forfeited all unvested shares of restricted stock and all unvested stock options upon his resignation.

Outstanding Equity Awards At December 31, 2019
​​​Option Awards​​Stock Awards​
Name​​
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
exercisable
(#)
​​
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
unexercisable
(#)(1)
​​
Option
exercise price
($)
​​
Option
expiration date
​​
Number of shares
or units of stock
that have
not vested
(#)(1)
​​
Market value of
shares or units of
stock that have
not vested
($)(2)
​
David P. Mansfield​​​​135,338​​​​​90,227​​​​​8.61​​​​​11/17/2026​​​​​36,093​​​​​449,358​​
Charles F. Withee​​​​91,353​​​​​60,903​​​​​8.61​​​​​11/17/2026​​​​​24,364​​​​​303,332​​
Carol L. Houle​​​​60,442​​​​​40,296​​​​​8.61​​​​​11/17/2026​​​​​16,118​​​​​200,669​​
​

(2)

Options and shares of restricted stock vest one-fifth per year beginning December 17, 2021.

(1)

(3)

Vesting of options did not begin until year two, and then ratable vesting of one-fourth per year beginning December 17, 2022.

Options and shares of restricted stock vest one-fifth per year beginning November 17, 2017.

(4)

Options and shares of restricted stock vest one-fifth per year beginning April 22, 2022.

​
(2)

(5)

Based on the closing price of our stock on December 31, 2022 of $7.28 per share.

19

Pay Versus Performance

In accordance with rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we provide the following disclosure regarding executive “compensation actually paid” (“CAP”) to each of our stock on December 31, 2019Principal Executive Officers (“PEO”) and to our Non-PEO NEOs and certain Company performance for the fiscal years listed below. The disclosure follows SEC guidelines for smaller reporting companies.

The Pay versus Performance table below summarizes the compensation values both previously reported in our Summary Compensation Table, as well as the adjusted values required in this section for the 2022 and 2021 calendar years. 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year

PEO 1 Summary Compensation Table Total ($)(1)

PEO 2 Summary Compensation Table Total ($)(2)

PEO 1 Compensation Actually Paid ($)(1)(4)

PEO 2 Compensation Actually Paid ($)(2)(4)

Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($)(2)(3)

Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($)(2)(3)

Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return

Net Income
(in millions)
($)

2022

2,099,117

357,768

(852,242)

(607,535)

269,065

(8,643)

62

(21)

2021

913,557

n/a

3,270,153

n/a

652,581

925,606

156

16

(1)

David P. Mansfield served as the Company’s PEO through December 20, 2022;

(2)

Carol L. Houle served as a Non-PEO NEO for all of 2021. On December 20, 2022 she was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer.  

(3)

Joseph Mancini served as a Non-PEO NEO for the two years covered in the table, and Charles F. Withee was a Non-PEO NEO through his retirement on December 18, 2021, he was not employed at the Company in 2022.

(4)

The dollar amounts reported represent CAP, as calculated in accordance with SEC rules, see table below.

20

Calculation of $12.45 per share.Compensation Actually Paid (CAP).  To calculate the CAP to our PEOs and Non-PEO NEOs in the table above according to SEC reporting rules, the following adjustments were made to Total Compensation as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for each covered year.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2022

 

2021



 

PEO 1 (1)

 

PEO 2 (2)

 

Average Non-PEO NEOs

 

PEO

 

Average Non-PEO NEOs

Total Compensation from Summary Compensation Table

 

$

2,099,117 

 

$

357,768 

 

$

269,065 

 

$

913,557 

 

$

652,581 

Adjustments for Equity Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment for grant date values in the Summary Compensation Table

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(110,600)

Year-end fair value of unvested awards granted in the current year

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

148,063 

Year-over-year difference of year-end fair values for unvested awards granted in prior years

 

 

 —

 

 

(721,765)

 

 

(259,046)

 

 

1,486,318 

 

 

204,733 

Fair values at vest date for awards granted and vested in current year

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Difference in fair values between prior year-end fair values and vest date fair values for awards granted in prior years

 

 

(690,014)

 

 

(243,538)

 

 

(18,662)

 

 

870,278 

 

 

266,884 

Forfeitures during current year equal to prior year-end fair value

 

 

(2,261,345)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(236,055)

Dividends or dividend equivalents not otherwise included in total compensation

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Total Adjustments for Equity Awards

 

 

(2,951,359)

 

 

(965,303)

 

 

(277,708)

 

 

2,356,596 

 

 

273,025 

Compensation Actually Paid (as calculated)

 

$

(852,242)

 

$

(607,535)

 

$

(8,643)

 

$

3,270,153 

 

$

925,606 

(1)

David P. Mansfield served as the Company’s PEO through December 20, 2022.

​

(2)

Carol L. Houle served as a Non-PEO NEO for all of 2021. On December 20, 2022 she was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer.

Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and the Company’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR).From 2021 to 2022, the compensation actually paid to PEO 1 and the average of the compensation actually paid to the other Non-PEO NEOs decreased by 126.1% and 100.9%, respectively, compared to a 60.3% decrease in our TSR over the same time period.  PEO 2 did not serve as PEO during 2021 and was excluded from this analysis.

Relationship Between Compensation Actually Paid and the Company’s Net Income.From 2021 to 2022, the compensation actually paid to PEO 1 and the average of the compensation actually paid to the other Non-PEO NEOs decreased by 126.1% and 100.9%, respectively, compared to a 231.3% decrease in our net income over the same time period. PEO 2 did not serve as PEO during 2021 and was excluded from this analysis.


1821

​

Director Compensation

Set forth below is a summary of the compensation for each of our non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2019.2022.  



 

 

Name

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)

Total ($)

Kathleen Chase Curran

38,500

38,500

Frank G. Cousins, Jr.

37,000

37,000

James A. DeLeo

31,500

31,500

Lisa DeStefano

38,000

38,000

Jay E. Gould

31,750

31,750

Laurie H. Knapp

42,250

42,250

Barbara A. Piette

41,250

41,250

Joseph B. Reilly

49,925

49,925

Mohammad Shaikh (1)

34,750

34,750

Arthur Sullivan

35,250

35,250

Name​​
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
​​
Stock awards
($)(1)
​​
Option Awards
($)(2)
​​
Total
($)
​
Frank G. Cousins, Jr.​​​​40,625​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​40,625​​
James A. DeLeo​​​​32,000​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​32,000​​
Lisa DeStefano​​​​35,500​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​35,500​​
Jay E. Gould​​​​26,250​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​26,250​​
Laurie H. Knapp​​​​44,250​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​44,250​​
Richard L. Peeke​​​​37,250​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​37,250​​
Barbara A. Piette​​​​11,250​​​​​76,259​​​​​70,949​​​​​158,458​​
Joseph B. Reilly​​​​38,502​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​38,502​​
Arthur Sullivan​​​​32,000​​​​​—​​​​​—​​​​​32,000​​

​

(1)

Mr. Shaikh resigned from the Board of Directors, effective March 27, 2023.

(1)

Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted. The assumptions used in the valuation of this award is included in Note 9 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
​
(2)
Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards granted. The value is the amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used in the valuation of this award is included in Note 9 to our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
​
As of December 31, 2019,2022, Directors Cousins, DeLeo, DeStefano, Gould, Knapp, Peeke, and Sullivan each held 3,9386,126 unvested shares of restricted stock, 34,808 vested stock options and 15,300 unvested stock options. As of December31,2022, Director Knapp held 6,126 shares of restricted stock, 32,308 vested stock options and 15,300 unvested stock options. As of December 31, 2022, Director Reilly held 8,092 unvested shares of restricted stock, 20,220 unvested stock options and 29,878 vested stock options. As of December31,2022, Director Piette held 6,126 unvested shares of restricted stock,  15,300 unvested stock options, and 24,981 vested stock options. As of December 31, 2022, Director Curran held 8,168 unvested shares of restricted stock, 5,100 vested stock options and 20,400 unvested stock options. As of December 31, 2022, Director Shaikh held 5,100 vested stock options, 20,400 unvested stock options and 8,168 unvested shares of restricted stock. Restricted stock vests over a five-year period beginning November 17, 2017. In addition, these directors each held 9,844The unvested stock options and 14,764 vestedrestricted stock options. Stock options have an exercise price of $8.61 and vest over a five-year period beginning November 17, 2017. Asthat were held by Director Shaikh as of December 31, 2019, Director Reilly held 7,862 unvested shares of restricted stock. Restricted stock vests over a five-year period beginning on August 1, 2019. Mr. Reilly also held 19,679 unvested stock options, and 4,919 vested stock options. Stock options have an exercise price of $13.46 and vest over a five-year period beginning August 1, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, Director Piette held 5,907 unvested shares of restricted stock. Restricted stock vests over a three-year period beginning on December 19, 2019. Ms. Piette also held 14,871 unvested stock options. Stock options have an exercise price of $12.91 and vest over a three-year period beginning December 19, 2020.
2022, were forfeited upon his March 27, 2023 resignation from the board.

In 2019,2022, each director (other than the Chairman of the Board) received a $15,000 retainer fee and $1,250 for each board meeting attended. The Chairman of the Board received a $50,000 annual retainer, payable monthly. The Chair of the Audit Committee received a $7,000 retainer and the Committee members received $750 per meeting. The Compensation Committee chair received a $3,500 retainer and the committee members received $750 per meeting. All other committee chairs received a $2,500 retainer and the committee members received $750 per meeting. The Lead Independent Director received an annual retainer of $7,500 paid quarterly until the Chairman was duly elected on April 10, 2019.


19
​

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) requires the Company’s executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of any registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

Based solely on the Company’s review of copies of the reports it has received and written representations provided to it from the individuals required to file the reports, the Company believes that Director Barbara Piette filed a late Form 4 to report the grant of restricted stock and stock options, Director Frank CousinsExecutive Vice President Joseph Mancini filed a late form 4 to report the purchasedisposal of stock,720 shares on April 22, 2022 in connection with the vesting of shares, and that each of the Company’s directors and executive officers otherwise complied with applicable reporting requirements for transactions in Provident Bancorp, Inc. common stock during the year ended December 31, 2019.2022.

22

Transactions with Certain Related Persons

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 generally prohibits publicly traded companies from making loans to their executive officers and directors, but it contains a specific exemption from the prohibition for loans made by federally insured financial institutions, such as The Provident Bank,BankProv, to their executive officers and directors in compliance with federal banking regulations. At December 31, 2019,2022, all of our loans to directors and executive officers were made in the ordinary course of business, were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to The Provident Bank,BankProv, and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. These loans were performing according to their original terms at December 31, 2019,2022, and were made in compliance with federal banking regulations.

Pursuant to Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s Policy and Procedures for Approval of Related Persons Transactions, the Audit Committee periodically reviews, at least twice a year, a summary of Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s transactions with directors and executive officers of Provident Bancorp, Inc., as well as any other related person transactions, to determine whether to approve or ratify such transactions. Also, in accordance with banking regulations, the Board of Directors reviews all loans made to a director or executive officer in an amount that, when aggregated with the amount of all other loans to such person and his or her related interests, exceed the greater of $25,000 or 5% of Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s capital and surplus (up to a maximum of $500,000) and such loanloans must be approved in advance by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors. Additionally, pursuant to The Provident Bank’s Ethics Policy, all officers and directors must disclose their involvement in loans being made by The Provident Bank, directly or indirectly, and any bank employee may not represent The Provident Bank in any transaction where he or she has a material financial interest (including interests of relatives or personal friends).


20
​

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Procedures

General

It is the policy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company to consider director candidates recommended by stockholders who appear to be qualified to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may choose not to consider an unsolicited recommendation if no vacancy exists on the Board of Directors and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not perceive a need to increase the size of the Board of Directors. To avoid the unnecessary use of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s resources, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider only those director candidates recommended in accordance with the procedures set forth below.

Diversity Considerations

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a formal policy or specific guidelines regarding diversity among board members. However, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks members with requisite experience as well as diverse backgrounds. As the holding company for a community bank, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also seeks directors who can continue to strengthen The Provident Bank’sBankProv’s position in its community and can assist The Provident BankBankProv with business development through business and other community contacts.

Procedures to be Followed by Stockholders

The Board of Directors has adopted a procedure by which stockholders may recommend nominees to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Stockholders can suggest qualified candidates for director by writing to our Corporate Secretary at 5 Market Street, Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913. SuchSuch communication must include:

·

A statement that the writer is a stockholder and is proposing a candidate for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee;

·

The name and address of the stockholder as they appear on Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s books, and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made;

•23

A statement that the writer is a stockholder and is proposing a candidate for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee;

​

·

The class or series and number of shares of Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s capital stock that are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner;

·

A description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder;

·

A representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the nominee named in the stockholder’s notice;

·

The name, age, personal and business address of the candidate and the principal occupation or employment of the candidate;

·

The candidate’s written consent to serve as a director;

·

A statement of the candidate’s business and educational experience and all other information relating to such person that would indicate such person’s qualification to serve on Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s Board of Directors; and

·

Such other information regarding the candidate or the stockholder as would be required to be included in Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s proxy statement pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

•

The name and address of the stockholder as they appear on Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s books, and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made;
​
•
The class or series and number of shares of Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s capital stock that are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner;
​
•
A description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder;
​
•
A representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the nominee named in the stockholder’s notice;
​
•
The name, age, personal and business address of the candidate and the principal occupation or employment of the candidate;
​
•
The candidate’s written consent to serve as a director;
​
•
A statement of the candidate’s business and educational experience and all other information relating to such person that would indicate such person’s qualification to serve on Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s Board of Directors; and
​
•
Such other information regarding the candidate or the stockholder as would be required to be included in Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s proxy statement pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.
​
To be timely, the submission of a candidate for director by a stockholder must be received by the Corporate Secretary at least 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the proxy statement relating to the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders. If (i) less than 90 days’ prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given to stockholders and (ii) the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days

21
​

prior to or delayed more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s submission of a candidate shall be timely if delivered or mailed to and received by the Corporate Secretary of Provident Bancorp, Inc. no later than the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is first made.

Submissions that are received and that satisfy the above requirements are forwarded to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for further review and consideration, using the same criteria to evaluate the candidate as it uses for evaluating other candidates that it considers.

There is a difference between the recommendations of nominees by stockholders pursuant to this policy and a formal nomination (whether by proxy solicitation or in person at a meeting) by a stockholder. Stockholders have certain rights under applicable law with respect to nominations, and any such nominations must comply with applicable law and provisions of the Bylaws of Provident Bancorp, Inc. See “Submission“Submission of Business Proposals and Stockholder Nominations.”

Process for Identifying and Evaluating Nominees; Director Qualifications

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the following criteria in evaluating and selecting candidates for nomination:

·

Individual Strength and Character Alignment: Directors will respectfully, judiciously and strategically operate during all interaction, both within and outside the board room; be fully committed to board meetings through attendance and active participation; be clear with the expectations that the institution has and will remain vigilant in fulfilling the requirements and respecting the parameters in the fulfillment of their role; challenge and support other directors in

24

their pursuit of high performance; have the ability and receptiveness to discussing opposing views; directors will be able to adapt, ask questions and probe into strategic issues at the institution; exhibit strong commitment and servitude to the institution; and directors will be an ambassador of BankProv with integrity and strong ethics.

•

·

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: To define and advance the mission and activities of BankProv; to address the interests of its customers, stockholders, employees, communities it serves and other stakeholders; to enhance the long-term value of BankProv for its stockholders, stakeholders and community; to facilitate the strategic planning process and monitor BankProv’s progress toward established strategic objectives; to establish, with management, BankProv’s long-term and short-term business objectives; to ensure that appropriate risk management policies and internal controls are in place and functioning; to review, monitor and, where appropriate, approve fundamental operating and business strategies and major corporate actions; to oversee BankProv’s business performance; to select, counsel and compensate the Chief Executive Officer; to provide for Chief Executive Officer succession; and to ensure processes are in place for maintaining the integrity of BankProv in its financial reports, compliance with laws, regulations and ethics and its relationship with stakeholders, including stockholders.

Individual Strength and Character Alignment:   Directors will respectfully, judiciously and strategically operate during all interaction, both within and outside the board room; be fully committed to board meetings through attendance and active participation; be clear with the expectations that the institution has and will remain vigilant in fulfilling the requirements and respecting the parameters in the fulfillment of their role; challenge and support other directors in their pursuit of high performance; have the ability and receptiveness to discussing opposing views; directors will be able to adapt, ask questions and probe into strategic issues at the institution; exhibit strong commitment and servitude to the institution; and directors will be an ambassador of the bank with integrity and strong ethics.

·

Occupational Alignment to Pursue Specific Target Market: Directors will have recognizable success and expertise within their industry in alignment with BankProv’s target market of: high impact firms, fintech companies and local businesses.

​

·

Geographic Alignment with Marketplace Footprint: Directors will strengthen board representation within the marketplaces served; live and/or work within the marketplaces served; and have community impact through influence, visibility and community service in the marketplaces served.

•

·

Personal Responsibility Alignment to Governance Requirements: A director will have a robust customer relationship with BankProv and actively bring new relationships to BankProv;  will have technology proficiency and will make all attempts to utilize that knowledge in the governance of BankProv as BankProv’s customer base moves toward higher information technology needs; and will have knowledge of the regulatory expectations and policy changes that impact the governance of the institution. This will take the form of consistent and thorough training where needed and a commitment to providing forums in which to deepen an understanding of the regulatory impact on the institution; A director will possess strong analytical skills with a fundamental understanding of relevant financial statements; possess the ability to probe and support senior management strategically in the achievement of the strategic goals; continuously improve his or her governance skills and financial literacy; and maintain an ongoing awareness of issues affecting financial services and banking.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:   To define and advance the mission and activities of the bank; to address the interests of its customers, stockholders, employees, communities it serves and other stakeholders; to enhance the long-term value of the bank for its stockholders, stakeholders and community; facilitate strategic planning process and monitor the bank’s progress toward established strategic objectives; establish, with management, the bank’s long-term and short-term business objectives; ensure that appropriate risk management policies and internal controls are in place and functioning; review, monitor and, where appropriate, approve fundamental operating and business strategies and major corporate actions; oversee the bank’s business performance; select, counsel and compensate the Chief Executive Officer; provide for Chief Executive Officer succession; and ensure processes are in place for maintaining the integrity of the bank in its financial reports, compliance with laws, regulations and ethics and its relationship with stakeholders, including stockholders.
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Occupational Alignment to Pursue Specific Target Market:   Directors will have recognizable success and expertise within their industry in alignment with the bank’s target market of: high impact firms; municipalities; medical facilities; and high concentration of industrial buildings for deposit growth.
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Geographic Alignment with Marketplace Footprint:   Directors will strengthen board representation within the New Hampshire marketplace served while maintaining strong presence in Amesbury, Massachusetts; live and/or work within the marketplace served; and have community impact through influence, visibility and community service in the marketplace served.
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Personal Responsibility Alignment to Governance Requirements:   A director will have a robust customer relationship with the bank and actively bring new relationships to the bank; technology proficiency and will make all attempts to utilize that knowledge in the governance of the bank as their customer base moves toward higher information technology needs; and knowledge of the regulatory expectations and policy changes that impact the governance of the institution. This will take the form of consistent and thorough training where needed and a commitment to providing
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forums in which to deepen an understanding of the regulatory impact on the institution; possess strong analytical skills with a fundamental understanding of relevant financial statements; possess the ability to probe and support senior management strategically in the achievement of the strategic goals; continuously improve his or her governance skills and financial literacy; and maintain an ongoing awareness of issues affecting financial services and banking.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies nominees by first evaluating the current members of the Board of Directors willing to continue in service, including the current members’ board and committee meeting attendance and performance, length of board service, experience and contributions, and independence. Current members of the Board of Directors with skills and experience that are relevant to Provident Bancorp, Inc.’s business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination.

If there is a vacancy on the Board of Directors because any member of the Board of Directors does not wish to continue in service or if the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee decides not to re-nominate a member for re-election, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee would determine the desired skills and experience of a new nominee (including a review of the skills set forth above), may solicit suggestions for director candidates from all board members and may engage in other search activities.

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During the year ended December 31, 20192022, we did not pay a fee to any third party to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees for director.

Submission of Business Proposals and Stockholder Nominations

The Company must receive proposals that stockholders seek to include in the proxy statement for the Company’s next annual meeting no later than January 11, 2020. If next year’s annual meeting is held on a date more than 30 calendar days from June 11, 2021, a stockholder proposal must be received by a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and mail its proxy solicitation for such annual meeting. Any stockholder proposals will be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company’s Bylaws generally provides that any stockholder desiring to make a proposal for new business at a meeting of stockholders or to nominate one or more candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Company. In order for a stockholder to properly bring business before an annual meeting, or to propose a nominee to the board of directors, our Secretary must receive written notice not earlier than the 100th day nor later than the 90th day prior to the anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, then, to be timely, notice by the stockholder must be so received no earlier than the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting is first made and made not later than the tenth day following the earlier of the day notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders or such public announcement was made.

The notice with respect to stockholder proposals that are not nominations for director must set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (ii) the name and address of such stockholder as they appear on our books and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; (iii) the class or series and number of shares of our capital stock which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in such business; and (v) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

The notice with respect to director nominations must include: (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, (i) all information relating to such person that


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would indicate such person’s qualification to serve on our Board of Directors; (ii) an affidavit that such person would not be disqualified under the provisions of Article II, Section 12 of our Bylaws; (iii) such information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule or regulation; and (iv) a written consent of each proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice: (i) the name and address of such stockholder as they appear on our books and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made; (ii) the class or series and number of shares of our capital stock which are owned beneficially or of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder; (iv) a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice; and (v) any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation.

The 20212024 annual meeting of stockholders is expected to be held May 13, 2021.16, 2024. Advance written notice for certain business, or nominations to the Board of Directors, to be brought before the next annual meeting must be given to us no earlier than March 13, 2021February 8, 2024 and no later than March 23, 2021.February 18, 2024. If notice is received earlier than March 13, 2021February8,2024 or after March 23, 2021,February 18, 2024, it will be considered untimely, and we will not be required to present the matter at the stockholders meeting.

Failure to comply with these advance notice requirements will preclude such new business or nominations from being considered at the meeting.

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The Company must receive proposals that stockholders seek to include in the proxy statement for the Company’s next annual meeting no later than December 20, 2023. If next year’s annual meeting is held on a date more than 30 calendar days from May 18, 2024, a stockholder proposal must be received by a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and mail its proxy solicitation for such annual meeting. Any stockholder proposals will be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In order to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a person must provide notice postmarked or transmitted electronically to our executive office, 5 Market Street, Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913, annualproxy@bankprov.com, no later than March 19,  2024. Any such notice and solicitation will be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Nothing in this proxy statement or our Bylaws shall be deemed to require us to include in our proxy statement and proxy relating to an annual meeting any stockholder proposal that does not meet all of the requirements for inclusion established by the Securities and Exchange Commission in effect at the time such proposal is received.

Stockholder Communications

The Company encourages stockholder communications to the Board of Directors and/or individual directors. Any stockholder who wishes to contact our Board of Directors or an individual director may do so by writing to: 5 Market Street, Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913, Attention: Board of Directors. The letter should indicate that the sender is a stockholder and if shares are not held of record, should include appropriate evidence of stock ownership. Communications are reviewed by the Corporate Secretary and are then distributed to the Board of Directors or the individual director, as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communications received. The Corporate Secretary may attempt to handle an inquiry directly (for example, where it is a request for information about Provident Bancorp, Inc. or it is a stock-related matter). The Corporate Secretary has the authority not to forward a communication if it is primarily commercial in nature, relates to an improper or irrelevant topic, or is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or otherwise inappropriate. At each Board of Directors meeting, the Corporate Secretary shall present a summary of all communications received since the last meeting that were not forwarded and make those communications available to the Directors on request.

Miscellaneous

The Company will pay the cost of this proxy solicitation. The Company will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the Company. Additionally, directors, officers and other employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally or by telephone without receiving additional compensation.

The Company has retained Alliance Advisors to assist the Company in soliciting proxies, and the Company has agreed to pay Alliance Advisors a fee of $7,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses and charges for telephone calls made and received in connection with the solicitation.

The Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders has been included with this proxy statement. Any stockholder who has not received a copy of the Annual Report may obtain a copy by writing to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at 5 Market Street, Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913. The Annual


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Report is not to be treated as part of the proxy solicitation material or as having been incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, without exhibits, for the year ended December 31, 20192022, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, will be furnished without charge to persons who were stockholders as of the close of business on April 6, 20202023, upon written request to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at the address listed above.

Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please vote by marking, signing, dating and promptly returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope.

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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

The Company’s Proxy Statement, including the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and the 20192022 Annual Report to Stockholders are each available on the internet at http://www.cstproxy.com/theprovidentbank/2020.bankprov/2023.  

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Kimberly Scholtz

Corporate Secretary

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
[MISSING IMAGE: sg_kimberly-scholtz.jpg]
Kimberly Scholtz
Corporate Secretary

Amesbury, Massachusetts
May 11, 2020

April 18, 2023


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16117_ Provident Proxy Card REV1- FrontYOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE TODAY.Vote by Internet or Telephone - QUIC K EAS YIMMEDIATE - 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week or by MailYour phone or Internet vote authorizes the namedPROVIDENT BANCORP, INC.proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card. Votes submitted electronically over the Internet must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on June 10,2020.INTERNET –www.cstproxyvote.comUse the Internet to vote your proxy. Have yourproxy card available when you access the above website. Follow the prompts to vote your shares.Vote at the Meeting –If you plan to attend the virtual online annualmeeting, you will need your 12 digit control number to vote electronically at the annual meeting. To attend:https://www.cstproxy.com/theprovidentbank/2020PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE PROXY CARD IF YOU ARE VOTING ELECTRONICALLYOR BY PHONE.PHONE – 1 (866) 894-0536Use a touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy.Have your proxy card available when you call. Follow the voting instructions to vote your shares.MAIL – Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided. FOLD HERE • DO NOT SEPARATE • INSERT IN ENVELOPE PROVIDED Please mark your votes like thisREVOCABLE PROXYTHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE LISTED PROPOSALS.1. The election as directors of the nominees listed, each for a three-year term.FOR WITHHOLD(1) James A. DeLeo (2) Laurie H. Knapp (3) Barbara A. Piette2. The ratification of the appointment of Crowe LLP as independent registered public accounting firm of Provident Bancorp, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2020.FOR AGAINST ABSTAINCONTROL NUMBERSignatureSignature, if held jointlyDate, 2020Note: Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint owners, both should sign, but only one signature is required. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or corporate officer, please give title as such.
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16117_ Provident Proxy Card REV1- BackImportant Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy MaterialsThe Company’s Proxy Statement, including theNotice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the2019 Annual Report to Stockholders are each available on the Internet at https://www.cstproxy.com/theprovidentbank/2020 FOLD HERE • DO NOT SEPARATE • INSERT IN ENVELOPE PROVIDED REVOCABLE PROXYTHIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSPROVIDENT BANCORP, INC.ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSJune 11, 2020, 3:30 p.m., Local TimeThe undersigned hereby appoints the members of the official proxy committee of Provident Bancorp, Inc., or any of them, with full power of substitution in each, to act as proxy for the undersigned, and to vote all shares of common stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote only at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held exclusively via live webcast on June 11, 2020 at 3:30 p.m., local time. To participate in the meeting, visithttps://www.cstproxy.com/theprovidentbank/2020, and enter the 12 digit control numberincluded on your proxy card. You may register for the meeting as early as 3:30 p.m. on June 4,2020. If you hold your shares through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need to takeadditional steps to participate in the meeting, as described in the proxy statement.THIS PROXY IS REVOCABLE AND WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY, PROPERLY SIGNED AND DATED, WILL BE VOTED “FOR” EACH OF THE LISTED PROPOSALS. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, INCLUDING WHETHER OR NOT TO ADJOURN THE MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THE PROXIES IN THEIR JUDGMENT. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. THIS PROXY ALSO CONFERS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY ON THE PROXY COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO VOTE (1) WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTION OF ANY PERSON AS DIRECTOR, WHERE THE NOMINEES ARE UNABLE TO SERVE OR FOR GOOD CAUSE WILL NOT SERVE AND (2) MATTERS INCIDENT TO THE CONDUCT OF THE MEETING.(Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)