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March 20, 201819, 2019
To Our Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders to be held on Wednesday April 18, 2018,17, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. local time, at Unified Bank’s main office, 201 South Fourth Street, Martins Ferry, Ohio.
The Annual Certified Audit of United Bancorp, Inc. is enclosed for your review prior to attending our Annual Meeting.
Payment of our regular first quarter cash dividend will be made by separate mailing on March 20th. Whether or not you received your dividend check in a separate mailing is dependent upon your level of participation in our Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Direct Deposit Program or whether your stock is being held for you in a broker name.No payment has been included with this mailing of our proxy materials.
It is important that your shares are voted, and we hope that you will attend the Annual Meeting. Please vote by executing and returning the enclosed form of Proxy or follow the instructions to vote electronically on the Internet or by phone.
Very truly yours,
Scott A. Everson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Enclosures
March 20, 201819, 2019
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of United Bancorp, Inc. will be held at 201 South Fourth Street, Martins Ferry, Ohio, April 18, 2018,17, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. local time for the purpose of considering and voting upon the following matters as more fully described in the Proxy Statement.
1. | Election of Directors — To elect |
2. |
3. | Advisory vote on Frequency of Votes on Executive Compensation |
4. | Advisory Vote on the Appointment of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
Other Business — To transact any other business which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment of it. |
Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2018,8, 2019, will be entitled to vote the number of shares held of record in their names on that date.
We urge you to sign and return the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible or vote via the phone or Internet, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person. This proxy may be revoked prior to its exercise.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Lisa A. Basinger
Corporate Secretary
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 18, 201817, 2019
The proxy statement and form of proxy being issued in connection with the 20182019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the Corporation’s 20172018 Annual Report to Shareholders are available atwww.astproxyportal.com/ast/06954.06954.
Your vote is important. Please mark, sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy form(s) whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. A return envelope is enclosed for your convenience. In addition, you may also submit your proxy electronically, either by telephone or via the Internet. To do so, dial 1-800-Proxies (1-800-776-9437) or visitwww.voteproxy.com and follow the simple instructions. No information is required to submit your proxy electronically other than the Corporation Number and Account Number shown on the proxy card delivered with these proxy materials.
Please contact Lisa A. Basinger, Corporate Secretary, at 740-633-0445, ext. 6113 if you would like information on how to obtain directions to be able to attend the meeting and vote in person.
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to shareholders of United Bancorp, Inc. (“United Bancorp” or the “Corporation”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of the Corporation to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and any adjournment thereof, to be held at the time and place set forth in the accompanying notice (“Annual Meeting”). This Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy are first being sent to shareholders on or about March 20, 2018.19, 2019.
At the Annual Meeting, shareholders of the Corporation will be asked to:
Just indicate on the enclosed proxy card how you want to vote, and sign, date and return it as soon as possible in the enclosed envelope or submit a proxy over the internet or by telephone by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card. In those rare instances where properly signed proxy cards are returned but where no specific voting choice has been selected, the proxy card gives the Corporation the authority to vote those shares, which shares will then be voted as follows: (1) “For” the election to the Board of Directors of each of the nominees identified herein andherein; (2) “For” both proposals 2 and 4; and (3) for a frequency of every “Three Years” on proposal 3.
The presence of a shareholder at the Annual Meeting will not automatically revoke such shareholder’s proxy. However, shareholders may revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise by filing with the Secretary of the Corporation a written notice of revocation, by delivering to the Corporation a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, by using the internet or telephonic voting feature to modify previously submitted electronic voting instructions, or by attending the Annual Meeting and notifying the Secretary of his or her intention to revoke any prior proxy and vote in person. Written notices of revoked proxies may be directed to Lisa A. Basinger, Corporate Secretary, 201 South Fourth Street, Martins Ferry, Ohio 43935.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Corporation. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, the Corporation, through its directors, officers and regular employees, may also solicit proxies personally or by telephone, e-mail or telecopy without additional compensation. The Corporation will also request persons, firms and corporations holding shares in their names or in the name of their nominees, which are beneficially owned by others, to send proxy material to and obtain proxies from the beneficial owners and will reimburse the holders for their reasonable expenses in doing so.
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2018,17, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., local time, at Unified Bank, 201 South Fourth Street, Martins Ferry, Ohio.
Only the Corporation’s common shares can be voted at the Annual Meeting. Each share entitles its owner to one vote on all matters.
The close of business on March 9, 20188, 2019 (the “Record Date”) has been fixed as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. There were approximately 2,000 shareholders (including both record holders and beneficial owners holding their shares in street name) of the Corporation’s common shares and 5,429,5605,921,107 of the Corporation’s common shares outstanding as of the Record Date. Each share of the Corporation’s common stock is entitled to one vote.
The presence in person or by proxy of a majority of the outstanding common shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting constitutes a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
As of the Record Date, the following entity was the only shareholder known to the Corporation to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Corporation’s outstanding common shares:
Person | Shares of Common Stock Owned | Percent of Class | Shares of Common Stock Owned | Percent of Class | ||||||||||||
United Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan(1) 201 South Fourth Street, Martins Ferry, OH 43935 | 407,268 | 7.5 | % | 416,982 | 7.0 | % |
1. | Under the terms of the ESOP, the ESOP trustee will vote shares allocated to participants’ accounts in the manner directed by the participants. As a general matter, the ESOP trustee is required to vote both the unallocated shares and the allocated shares for which no direction by the beneficial owner has been given in the same manner as the trustee has been directed to vote a majority of the allocated shares voted in connection with the meeting. As of the Record Date, |
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Corporation’s common shares by each of the Corporation’s directors and the Corporation’s senior executive officers, and the directors and executive officers as a group, as of December 31, 2017.2018.
Name of Beneficial Owner | Common Shares Owned(1) | Percent of Class | Common Shares Owned(1) | Percent of Class | ||||||||||||
Gary W. Glessner | 27,365 | * | 40,558 | * | ||||||||||||
John M. Hoopingarner | 24,947 | * | 39,023 | * | ||||||||||||
Richard L. Riesbeck(2) | 46,127 | * | 62,208 | 1.05 | % | |||||||||||
Dr. Carl A. Novak, DDS | 20,722 | * | ||||||||||||||
Scott A. Everson | 87,562 | 1.6 | % | 119,052 | 2.01 | % | ||||||||||
Matthew F. Branstetter | 19,224 | * | 41,100 | * | ||||||||||||
Randall M. Greenwood | 50,097 | * | 72,294 | 1.22 | % | |||||||||||
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group | 480,301 | 8.6 | % | 623,386 | 10.5 | % |
* | Ownership is less than 1% of the class. |
1. | Except as otherwise noted, none of the named individuals shares with another person either voting or investment power as to the shares reported. |
2. | Includes 17,651 shares subject to shared voting and investment power. |
In the aggregate, shares beneficially owned by all insiders of the Corporation (as reflected in the table above) and all other employees through the Corporation’s 401(k) and ESOP employee benefit plans, totaled 909,8681,059,994 Shares, or 16.8%19.9% of all outstanding shares of the Corporation, as of December 31, 2017.2018.
The nominees for election at the Annual Meeting are Scott A. Everson, Gary W. Glessner, John M. Hoopingarner, and Richard L. Riesbeck, each of whom is currently a director of the Corporation. If elected, these directors will serve a one-year term expiring in 2019.2020. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the nominees.
Name | Age | Principal Occupation for Past Five Years | Positions and Offices Held with United Bancorp | Director Since | Age | Principal Occupation for Past Five Years | Positions and Offices Held with United Bancorp | Director Since | ||||||||
Scott A. Everson | 50 | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Unified Bank | President, Chief Executive Officer, United Bancorp, Director | 2009 | 51 | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Unified Bank | President, Chief Executive Officer, United Bancorp, Director | 2009 | ||||||||
Gary W. Glessner | 51 | Certified Public Accountant; Managing member of Glessner & Associates, PLLC; Managing member of Glessner Wharton & Andrews Insurance Group, LLC; Managing member of Wheeling Coin, LLC; Vice President of Windmill Truckers Center, Inc.; Vice President of Glessner Enterprises, Inc.; Managing member of GW Rentals, LLC; | Director | 2013 | 52 | Certified Public Accountant; President, Glessner & Associates, PLLC; Managing Member Glessner Wharton Andrews LLC; Trustee Windmill Truckers Center, Inc.; Managing Member Tiffany’s LLC; Managing Member GWA Realty, LLC; Owner G. W. Rentals, LLC | Director | 2013 | ||||||||
John M. Hoopingarner | 63 | Executive Director & Secretary, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District | Director | 1992 | 64 | Executive Director & Secretary, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District | Director | 1992 | ||||||||
Richard L. Riesbeck | 68 | President, Riesbeck Food Markets, Inc., a regional grocery store chain. Chairman of the Board United Bancorp, Inc. | Director | 1984 | 69 | President, Riesbeck Food Markets, Inc., a regional grocery store chain. Chairman of the Board United Bancorp, Inc. | Director Chairman | 1984 2014 | ||||||||
Chairman | 2014 | |||||||||||||||
Dr. Carl A. Novak, DDS | 73 | Dentist/Owner, Novak Dental Clinic, Clarington, Ohio | Director | 2018* |
* | On October 15, 2018, the Corporation completed its previously announced acquisition (the “Merger”) of Powhatan Point Community Bancshares, Inc. In connection with, and effective upon, the completion of the Merger, the Board of Directors of the Corporation appointed Dr. Novak to the Boards of Directors of both the Corporation and Unified Bank. |
There are no family relationships among any of the directors, nominees for election as directors and executive officers of the Corporation.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the vote. Consequently, the fourfive nominees for director who receive the largest number of votes cast “FOR” will be elected as directors. Shareholders may vote “FOR” each of the nominees for election to the Corporation’s Board of Directors or may “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” to vote their shares for one or more nominees. Shares represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy but withheld or otherwise not cast for the
election of directors, such as broker nonvotes, will have no impact on the outcome of the election of directors. Where properly executed proxy cards are returned but no voting instructions with respect to such shares are given, the shares will be voted “FOR” the election to the Board of Directors of the persons nominated by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”
EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has determined that all Directors have met the independence standards of the NASDAQ Marketplace listing standards with the exception of Scott A. Everson, who is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Directors deemed independent by the Board of Directors include Gary W. Glessner, John M. Hoopingarner, and Richard L. Riesbeck.Riesbeck, and Dr. Carl A. Novak, DDS.
It is customary and routine for directors, officers, significant shareholders, and each of their respective family members and affiliated entities (collectively, “Related Parties”) to do business with their community bank. Such a relationship, including routine banking business, is viewed as beneficial to the Corporation and is encouraged, so long as they are fair and reasonable to the Corporation and are entered into upon terms and conditions generally available to the public, or similar to that which could be obtained from an independent third party. Pursuant to the Corporation’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, United Bancorp may do business and have financial dealings with its Related Parties provided either of the following criteria is satisfied:
Except for the general banking transactions described below, no Related Parties engaged in any transaction with the Corporation during 20172018 in which the amount involved exceeded $120,000. The Corporation has engaged and intends to continue to engage in the lending of money through its subsidiary bank to its Related Parties. All loans to such persons (i) were made in the ordinary course of business, (ii) were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons, and (iii) did not involve more than a normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.
The Board of Directors has adopted both the United Bancorp, Inc. Corporate Governance Guidelines and the United Bancorp, Inc. Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, both of which may be found on United Bancorp’s website atwww.unitedbancorp.com. In consideration of the size, complexity, and nature of the Corporation’s business, the Board of Directors has chosen to establish separate positions for the President and the Board Chairman in order to maintain a separation of power and duties to further strengthen the governance structure. The Board Chairman is a non-employee, outside director who is not directly involved with the daily operations of the Corporation. Thus, the Board Chairman is able to focus attention on corporate structure and future strategic direction. The Board Chairman serves as the leader of the Board of Directors, presiding over full board meetings and ensuring full accountability for the shareholders’ interests. Effectively monitoring the decisions and actions of management is one of the primary roles of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors of United Bancorp met 4 times in 2017.2018. The Board of Directors of United Bancorp has standing Executive, Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance Committees. The Audit Committee has been established in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The membership and general function of these committees are noted below.
Executive Committee. Mr. Riesbeck, Chairman, Mr. Scott A. Everson, President and CEO, and Mr. Hoopingarner are the members of the Corporation’s Executive Committee. The Executive Committee met 4 times during 2017.2018. The functions of this committee are to act in the stead of the board between meetings, to receive formal vendor presentations and to review with management and set the agenda for each board meeting. The Executive Committee members also serve as advisory trustees to the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plan and as trustees to the Corporation’s 401(k) and ESOP plans.
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors is also responsible for ensuring that an adequate risk management framework is in place and functioning as intended. A clear understanding and working knowledge of the material risks inherent to the Corporation’s activities is an absolute necessity. Material risks routinely monitored by the Executive Committee include: market risk; credit risk; compliance risk; and information technology risk. A brief description of the Executive Committee’s function in monitoring these risks follows below.
Market Risk:Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates and equity prices. The primary market risk to which we are subject is interest rate risk. The majority of our interest rate risk arises from the instruments, positions and transactions entered into for purposes other than trading such as loans, available for sale securities, interest bearing deposits, short term borrowings and long term borrowings. Interest rate risk occurs when interest bearing assets and liabilities reprice at different times as market interest rates change.
The Board, through its Executive Committee, is responsible for monitoring interest rate risk within an overall asset/liability management framework, including monitoring the effectiveness of the processes and control procedures used by the Bank to monitor the relative mix of assets and liabilities. The principal components of asset/liability management include, but are not limited to liquidity planning, capital planning, gap management and spread management.
Credit Risk: The risk of nonpayment of loans, or credit risk, is inherent in commercial banking. The Board, through its Executive Committee, is also responsible for monitoring credit risk by periodically evaluating loan review reports generated both internally by the Bank and externally by a third party engaged to perform a loan review analysis. The Executive Committee attempts to reduce the Bank’s credit exposure by carefully monitoring the concentration of its loans within specific industries and through loan application and approval procedures.
Compliance Risk: The banking industry is heavily regulated, and the activities and operations of the Bank are subject to a number of detailed, complex and sometimes overlapping laws and regulations. The Board, through its Executive Committee, is also responsible for overseeing the Bank’s compliance with these various laws and regulations, which include without limitation state usury and consumer credit laws, state laws relating to fiduciaries, the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act (Regulation Z), the Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (Regulation V), the Truth in Savings Act (Regulation DD), the Community Reinvestment Act (Regulation BB), anti-redlining legislation and antitrust laws. As part of this process, the Executive Committee also monitors the effectiveness of the internal controls implemented to safeguard against operational risks, including, but not limited to, data processing system failures and errors, customer or employee fraud and catastrophic failures resulting from terrorist acts or natural disasters.
Information Technology Risk: The Board, through its Audit Committee, is responsible for monitoring information technology (IT) risk. In connection with IT governance, issues related to cyber security are continually evaluated by the Audit Committee, and the findings, determinations and actions of that committee are routinely reported to the full Board. Overall, the IT risk assessment focuses on information and information systems applicable primarily to the operations of the Bank. Without reliable and properly secured information systems, business operations could be severely disrupted. Likewise, the preservation and enhancement of the Corporation’s reputation is directly linked to the way in which both information and information systems are managed. Maintaining an adequate level of security is one of several important aspects of managing IT risk.
Audit Committee. Mr. Glessner, Chairman, and Messrs. Riesbeck and Hoopingarner are the members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee met 4 times during 2017.2018. The functions of this Committee include the engagement of independent auditors, reviewing with those independent auditors the plans and results of the audit engagement of the Corporation, approving the annual audit plan
and reviewing the results of the procedures for internal auditing, reviewing the independence of the independent auditors, reviewing the Corporation’s financial results and Securities and Exchange Commission filings, reviewing the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal controls and similar functions and approving all auditing and non-auditing services performed by its independent auditors. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee which may be found on the Corporation’s website atwww.unitedbancorp.com. All members of the Audit Committee meet the independence standards of the NASDAQ Marketplace listing standards. The Board of Directors has determined that Gary W. Glessner is an audit committee financial expert for the Corporation and is independent as described in the preceding sentence. The report of the Audit Committee for 20172018 appears under the caption “Report of the Audit Committee”.
Compensation Committee. Mr. Riesbeck, Chairman, and Mr. Hoopingarner are the members of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee met once during 2017.2018. All members of the Compensation Committee meet the independence standards of the NASDAQ Marketplace listing standards. Director and executive officer compensation are determined by this Committee of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has adopted a Compensation Committee Charter which may be found on the Corporation’s website atwww.unitedbancorp.com. Mr. Scott A. Everson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, did not participate in any deliberations or decisions regarding his own respective compensation, but may advise this committee with respect to the compensation of other executive officers.
Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. Hoopingarner, Chairman, and Mr. Riesbeck are the members of the Nominating and Governance Committee, both of whom meet the independence standards of the NASDAQ Marketplace listing standards. The Board of Directors has adopted a Nominating and Governance Committee Charter which may be found on the Corporation’s website atwww.unitedbancorp.com. This Committee met once in 2017.2018.
This Committee develops and recommends to the Board corporate governance policies and guidelines for the Corporation and for the identification and nomination of Director and committee member candidates and recommends director candidates to the Board of Directors for nomination in accordance with the Corporation’s Amended Code of Regulations. In executing the latter function, the Committee will investigate and assess the background and skills of potential candidates. Upon identifying a candidate for serious consideration, one or more members of the Nominating and Governance Committee would initially interview such candidate. If a candidate merited further consideration, the candidate would subsequently interview with all other Nominating and Governance Committee members (individually or as a group), meet the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers and ultimately meet many of the other Directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee would elicit feedback from all persons who
met the candidate and then determine whether or not to recommend the candidate to the Board of Directors for nomination.
United Bancorp’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics and Business Conduct set forth the following criteria for Directors: independence (a majority of the Directors must be independent); honesty and integrity; willingness to devote sufficient time to fulfilling duties as a Director; particular experience, skills or expertise relevant to the Corporation’s business; depth and breadth of business and civic experience in leadership positions; and ties to United Bancorp’s geographic markets. Solely for purposes of maintaining a diverse mix of individuals on the Board of Directors, special consideration is given to experience, skills or expertise, and the depth and breadth of their business and civic experience in leadership positions. As currently comprised, the Board of Directors is a diverse group of individuals who are drawn from various market sectors and industry groups with a presence in the Bank’s markets. Board members are individuals with knowledge and experience who serve and represent the Corporation’s geographic footprint throughout the counties and communities served. Current board representation by outside directors demonstrates a background in regional government, insurance, manufacturing, and retail, with the expertise of these individuals covering a broad array of skills including corporate management, human resource management, strategic planning, business acquisitions, and retail and small business operations. In addition, generational attributes further broaden the diversity of the full board. What follows is a brief description of the particular experience and qualifications of each member of the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
Scott A. Everson, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Bancorp, Inc., Martins Ferry, Ohio was appointed to the Board of Directors of United Bancorp, Inc. in August 2009 having served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation since 2002. In April 2011 he was appointed the Corporation’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer followed by his appointment to President and Chief Operating Officer in April 2013 and to his current position of President and Chief Executive Office in April 2014.
Mr. Everson graduated from Westminster College in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Finance. He joined the Bank on a full-time basis in 1991 and rose through the ranks of lending and retail banking to become the Bank’s Senior Vice President of Retail Banking in April 1999. In May 2002, he was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer and a Director of the Bank, becoming the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer in November 2004. In April 2014, Everson was appointed to his current position with the Bank of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Everson has received additional education throughout his career, graduating from the Ohio School of Consumer Credit, the Ohio School of Banking, the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin, and
the Executive Banking Institute in Austin, Texas. In addition, he also serves on the Government Relations Council of the Ohio Banker’s League keeping abreast of the many legislative issues that confront the banking industry.
Gary W Glessner, CPA, is thePresident and managing member of Glessner & Associates, PLLC, which is a Certified Public Accounting Firm, and managing member of Glessner Wharton, & Andrews Insurance Group, LLC, an Independent Insurance Agency, both in Wheeling, WV, and holds a license for life, health, annuity, property & casualty insurance. Furthermore, Mr. Glessner is the managing member of GW Rentals, LLC, a diverse real estate holding company, a member of Wheeling Coin,Tiffany’s, LLC, a member of Red Stripe & Associates, LLC, Vice President of Windmill Truckers Center, Inc,Inc., and Vice President of Glessner Enterprises, Inc. Mr. Glessner has extensive diverse experience in business management as the owner of several businesses throughout the Tri-State Area.
Mr. Glessner received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Wheeling College in 1989 and obtained his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in 1993, Life & Annuity license in 2004, and Property & Casualty license in 2009.
Mr. Glessner iswas appointed a director on the Boards of United Bancorp, Inc. (UBCP) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Unified Bank.Bank in 2013. He also serveswas designated as Chairman of the Corporation’sUBCP and the Bank’sUnified Bank Audit Committee in April 2014 as the Corporation’s designated “financial expert” and is a member ofalso serves on the Bank’s Executive Committee. Mr. Glessner’s past experience includes being a directorGlessner currently serves on the Board of another publicly traded banking organization, serving as its Audit Committee Chairman.Directors/Trustees of the WV Tax Institute, Oglebay Institute, the Linsly School and the Wheeling Country Club.
Mr. Glessner’s memberships include American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, WV Society of CPAs—CPAs — State and Wheeling Chapters, Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, NAIFA and Elm Grove Business Association.
John M. Hoopingarner is the Executive Director & Secretary of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, a position he has held since 1989. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Muskingum College in 1976 and his Juris Doctor degree from Ohio Northern University School of Law in 1979.
Mr. Hoopingarner, prior to his current position, practiced law for 10 years, was co-owner of a title company and taught real estate law as an adjunct instructor at Kent State University, Tuscarawas. Mr. Hoopingarner was elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation’s affiliate, The Citizens-State Bank of Strasburg, in 1990 and served on its Executive Committee. He became a member of the Unified Bank Board when The Citizens-State Bank was merged into its charter in 1999 where heand now serves as a member of its Executive Committee. He was elected to the Corporation’s board in 1992 and serves as a
member of its Executive Committee, its Audit Committee, its Compensation Committee, and Chair of its Nominating-Governance Committee.
Mr. Hoopingarner has extensive experience serving on boards of local and regional nonprofit and other organizations including prior service on the boards of the Muskingum Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Tuscarawas County YMCA, the Tuscarawas County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the Ohio Association of County Boards of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, and the Muskingum River Advisory Council.Council, the Water Management Association of Ohio, the Water Research Foundation of Ohio, the Ohio Water Resources Council and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. He currently serves as a board member for the Dover Public Library the Water Management Association of Ohio, the Ohio Water Advisory Council (Appointed by Governor John Kasich, 2011), the Water Research Foundation of Ohio, the Ohio Water Resources Council Advisory Group, and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation. In 2015, Hoopingarner was appointed by Governor Kasich to the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). Mr. Hoopingarner is also active in numerous professional associations.
Richard L. Riesbeck was appointed in 1982 as President and Chief Executive Officer of Riesbeck Food Markets, Inc., a privately-owned retail firm with 1,200 employees operating 16 supermarkets in Ohio and West Virginia. He is a graduate of Mountain State College with a Certificate in Accounting, Wheeling Jesuit University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Muskingum University with a Master of Education Degree and Cornell University with a post-graduate Certificate in marketing.
Mr. Riesbeck was elected in 1984 as a Director of United Bancorp, Inc. and Unified Bank. He was appointed Chairman of the Corporation’s Board of Directors, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Chairman of the Compensation Committee and serves as a member of the Corporation’s Audit Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. Riesbeck has been designated the Lead Outside Director of the Bank’s Board of Directors and is a Member of its Executive Committee and Audit Committee.
Mr. Riesbeck’s past board services includes 15 years as a board member and committee chair for Wheeling Hospital and as a board member and chairman of Wheeling Jesuit University. He alsocurrently serves as a board member, Audit Committee member and Independent Operator Committee member of Food Marketing Institute, an international association of food wholesalers and retailers. He is also a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, the American Marketing Association and the Academy of Management.
Dr. Novak, age 73, graduated from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1971 and served in the United States Army Dental Corps from 1971 to 1974. In 1974, Dr. Novak opened his dental office in Clarington, Ohio. He has been practicing dentistry for over 47 years. Prior to its acquisition by the Corporation on October 15, 2018, Dr. Novak had served as a director of Powhatan Point Community Bancshares, Inc. since October 17, 1979.
The Nominating and Governance Committee is empowered to engage a third party search firm to assist it in identifying candidates, but the Committee currently believes that the existing directors and executive management of the Corporation and its subsidiaries have sufficient networks of business contacts to identify candidates. The Nominating and Governance Committee did not engage any director search firm in 20172018 and, accordingly, paid no fees to any such company. United Bancorp’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide also that shareholders
may propose nominees by submitting the names and qualifications of such persons to the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Submissions are to be addressed to the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee at the Corporation’s executive offices, which submissions will then be forwarded to the Chairman. The Nominating and Governance Committee would then evaluate the possible nominee using the criteria outlined above and would consider such person in comparison to all other candidates. The submission should be made no later than December 31stof each year for consideration in regard to the next annual meeting of shareholders. The Nominating and Governance Committee is not obligated to recommend to the Board, nor the Board to nominate any such individual for election.
Neither the Board nor the Nominating and Governance Committee have implemented a formal policy regarding director attendance at the Annual Meeting. Typically, the Board holds its annual organizational meeting directly following the Annual Meeting, which results in most directors being able to attend the Annual Meeting. In 2017,2018, with the exception of Dr. Novak, who had not yet been appointed to the Corporation’s Board of Directors, all United Bancorp, Inc. Directors attended the Annual Meeting. In addition, each director attended at least 75% of the combined total of meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of each committee on which such director served during 2017.2018.
The Audit Committee of the United Bancorp Board of Directors (the “Committee”) is composed of three directors, each of whom is independent as defined by the NASDAQ Marketplace listing standards, and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.
Management is responsible for the Corporation’s internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent auditors are responsible for performing an independent audit of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and to issue a report thereon. The Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee the processes. In this context, the Committee has met and held discussions with management and the independent auditors. In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Committee: (i) obtained from the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the auditors and the Corporation that might bear on the auditors’ independence consistent with the applicable requirements of Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence; (ii) discussed with the auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence; and (iii) satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence. The Committee also discussed with management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors the quality and adequacy of United Bancorp’s internal controls and the internal audit function’s organization, responsibilities, budget and staffing. The Committee reviewed both with the independent and internal auditors their audit plans, audit scope and identification of audit risks.
The Committee discussed with the independent auditors matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA,Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU section 380), as adopted by the PCAOB in Rule 3200T and, with and without management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent auditors’ examination of the financial statements.
The Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of United Bancorp as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, with management and the independent auditors. Based on the aforementioned review and discussions with management and the independent auditors, the Committee recommended to the Board that United Bancorp’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee also appointed the independent auditors.
Audit Committee
Gary W. Glessner, Chairman
John M. Hoopingarner
Richard L. Riesbeck
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2018, BKD, LLP (“BKD”) served the Corporation as independent auditor.
The Audit Committee has retained BKD as United Bancorp’s independent auditor for fiscal year 2018.2019. We expect representatives of BKD to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make statements if they so desire and to be available to respond to appropriate questions raised at the Annual Meeting.
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to United Bancorp for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20172018 and 20162017 by BKD.
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |||||||||||||
Audit Fees | $ | 140,800 | $ | 136,700 | $ | 140,800 | $ | 165,500 | ||||||||
Audit fees for acquisition of Powhatan Community Bancshares, Inc. | — | 30,000 | ||||||||||||||
Tax Fees | 14,700 | (a) | 14,300 | (a) | 14,700 | (a) | 16,400 | (a) | ||||||||
Total | $ | 155,500 | $ | 151,000 | $ | 155,500 | $ | 211,900 |
(a) | Includes fees for services related to tax compliance and tax planning. |
The Audit Committee is responsible for pre-approving all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by its independent auditors, except as described below. The Audit Committee will establish general guidelines for the permissible scope and nature of any permitted non-audit services in connection with its annual review of the audit plan and will review such guidelines with the Board of Directors. Pre-approval may be granted by action of the full Audit Committee or, in the absence of such Audit Committee action, by the Audit Committee Chair whose action shall be considered to be that of the entire Committee. Pre-approval shall not be required for the provision of non-audit services if (1) the aggregate amount of all such non-audit services constitute no more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid by the Corporation to the auditors during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided, (2) such services were not recognized by the Corporation at the time of engagement to be non-audit services, and (3) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and approved prior to the completion of the audit. No services were provided during 20172018 by BKD, LLP pursuant to these exceptions.
The Board of DirectorsAs required by Section 14A of the Corporation has adoptedSecurities Exchange Act, we are seeking advisory shareholder approval of the United Bancorp, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)compensation of the CEO and the other executive officers identified herein as the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “Say-on-Pay” proposal, gives you as a shareholder the opportunity to endorse or not endorse our executive pay program through the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the shareholders advise that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the requirements of Item 402(m) through (q) of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”
Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the recommendation ofBoard. However, the Corporation’s Compensation Committee and recommends that shareholders approve the Plan at the Annual Meeting. The Plan is intended to replace the Corporation’s 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), which will expire by its terms on April 15, 2018, ten years after adoption of the 2008 Plan by the Corporation’s shareholders.
The Board believes the Plan is an integral part of its compensation programs and strategies. It is the Board’s belief that the Plan provides the Corporation and the Bank with an effective tool for recruiting, motivating, and retaining the quality of employees and directors that are key to the achievement of the success of the Bank and the Corporation.
The Plan permits the grant of incentive awards in the form of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted share and share unit awards, and performance share awards. Under the terms of the Plan a portion of a participant’s compensation otherwise payable in cash may be paid in common shares of the Corporation. A summary of the principal provisions of the Plan appears below. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Plan that is attached to this proxy statement as Exhibit A.
Administration: The Plan provides that it will be administered by a committee of the Board of Directors that is comprised of at least two non-employee Directors. The committee must be comprised of “Outside Directors” within the definitions of the terms “independent director” set forth in The Nasdaq Stock Market rules, and “non-employee director” set forth in Rule 16b-3, or any successor definitions adopted by The Nasdaq Stock Market and Securities and Exchange Commission, respectively, and similar requirements under any other applicable laws and regulations. The Board’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), which meets all of the foregoing criteria, has been appointed to administer the Plan.
The Committee selects participants from among eligible persons and, subject to the terms of the Plan, determines the type, size and time of grant of stock incentive awards, determines the terms and conditions of awards and makes all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. Each award under the Plan will be evidenced by a written award agreement approved by the Committee (the “Award Agreement”).
Eligibility: The Committee may make awards to any person who is an officer, director or key employee of the Corporation or a subsidiary.
Shares Available for Awards: No more than 500,000 shares of the Corporation’s common stock may be issued under the Plan. The shares that may be issued under the Plan may either be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. If there is a stock split, stock dividend or other relevant change affecting the common shares, the Committee will make appropriate adjustments in the maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan and subject to outstanding incentive awards. Shares that were subject to an incentive award under the Plan but which were not ultimately issued for any reason and are no longer subject to award or were issued and reacquired by the Corporation because of a participant’s failure to comply with the terms of an award are again available for award under the Plan.
Types of Awards and Annual Award Limits: Share incentives that may be issued under the Plan consist of options, shares appreciation rights, restricted share and share unit awards, and performance share awards. In addition, under the terms of the Plan, a portion of a participant’s compensation otherwise payable in cash may be paid in common shares of the Corporation. The Plan contains annual limits on certain types of awards to individual participants. In any calendar year, no participant may be granted awards covering more than 25,000 shares.
Options. A stock option provides for the purchase of shares in the future at an exercise price per share that may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share on the date the option is granted. Stock options may be either nonqualified options or incentive stock options, which meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The term of an option may not exceed ten years. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and approval of the Committee, and in the case of incentive stock options the limitations imposed by the applicable provisions of the Code, the exercise price may be paid (i) in cash, (ii) shares of Corporation common stock, (iii) any combination of cash and shares of Corporation common stock, and (iv) by any other method permitted by law and affirmatively approved by the Committee which assures full and immediate payment or satisfaction of the exercise price, which may include broker-assisted cashless exercise.
Stock Appreciation Rights. Awards may be made of stock appreciation rights (“SAR”) which may include awards that are settled solely in shares of the Corporation known as “stock only stock appreciation rights” (“SOSARs”). A SAR provides the right to receive a payment (or in the case of SOSARs, shares of the Corporation’s common stock), at a future date with a value equal to the excess of the value of the common stock at that date over the exercise price of the SAR established at the time of the award. The exercise price of a SAR will never be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of the award. Upon exercise, the holder of a SAR is entitled to receive shares or other property as set forth in the award.
Restricted Share and Share Unit Awards. A restricted share or share unit award is an award of shares (or in the case of shares units convertible into shares) that may not be sold, transferred, pledged, or otherwise transferred until the restrictions established by the Committee at the time of grant are satisfied. The
award agreement sets forth the restrictions applicable to an individual award and may include time vesting restrictions, noncompetition restrictions, and performance restrictions.
Performance Share Awards. The Committee may grant performance share awards under which payment is made, in the Committee’s discretion, in shares upon the attainment of specified performance objectives selected by the Committee. At the time of grant of a Performance Share Award, the Committee will specify the performance objectives which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number of shares that will be distributed to the participant.
Stock Awards. The Committee may grant eligible persons awards of shares of the Corporation’s common stock for services in lieu of bonus or other cash compensation, or for any other valid purpose determined by the Committee. Stock awards are free of any restrictions on transfer and upon issuance of the shares, the holder has all of the rights of a shareholder.
The following is a brief summary of the principal United States Federal income tax consequences of awards under the Plan and is based on Federal income tax laws currently in effect.
Limitation on Corporate Deductions for Certain Executives’ Compensation: Under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Corporation may not deduct compensation of more than $1,000,000 that is paid to an individual who, on the last day of the taxable year, is either the Corporation’s chief executive officer or is among one of the four most highly-compensated officers for that taxable year as reported in the Corporation’s proxy statement (“Section 162(m) Persons”). The limitation on deductions does not apply to certain types of compensation. However, as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted by Congress in late 2017, there is no longer an exemption for stock options or other “performance-based compensation” of Section 162(m) Persons under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Under the Plan, the Committee is still authorized to grant awards that become vested or payable only if the Corporation satisfies specified performance objectives, even if these awards will not qualify for an exemption from Section 162(m) of the Code. The Corporation may not be entitled to any deduction if the individual in question is a Section 162(m) Person, the amount in question, when added to the covered employee’s other taxable compensation that is not performance-based in the same taxable year, exceeds $1 million. The Committee may use such performance objectives as it determines to be appropriate, including one or more of the following: earnings per share, total revenue, net interest income, non-interest income, net income, net income before tax, non-interest expense, efficiency ratio, return on equity, return on assets, economic profit added, loans, deposits, tangible equity, assets, net charge-offs, new market growth, product line developments, and nonperforming assets. The Committee may designate a single goal criterion or multiple goal criteria for performance measurement purposes. Performance measurement may be described in terms of objectives that are related to the
performance by the Corporation, by any subsidiary, or by any employee or group of employees in connection with services performed by that employee or those employees for the Corporation, a subsidiary, or one or more subunits of the Corporation or of any subsidiary. The performance objectives may be made relative to the performance of other companies. The performance objectives and periods need not be the same for each participant or for each Award. The Committee may modify, amend or otherwise adjust the performance objectives specified for outstanding Performance Share Awards if it determines that an adjustment would be consistent with the objectives of this Plan and takingtake into account the interestsoutcome of the participants andvote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.
The Compensation Committee has determined that the public shareholders of the Corporation. The types of events which could cause an adjustment in the performance objectives include, without limitation, accounting changes which substantially affect the determination of performance objectives, changes in applicable laws or regulations which affect the performance objectives, and divisive corporate reorganizations, including spin-offs and other distributions of property or stock.
Stock Options: There are no Federal income tax consequences either to the optionee or the Corporation upon the grant of an incentive stock option or a nonqualified option. If shares are purchased under an incentive stock option (i.e., an incentive option is exercised) during employment or within three months thereafter, the optionee will not recognize any income and the Corporation will not be entitled to a deduction in respect of the option exercise. However, the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of such exercise over the purchase price of the shares under the option will be includible in the optionee’s alternative minimum taxable income. Generally, if the optionee disposes of shares purchased under an incentive stock option within two years of the date of grant or one year of the date of exercise of the incentive stock option, the optionee will recognize ordinary income, and the Corporation will be entitled to a deduction, equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized by the optionee on the disposition of the shares) over the purchase price of such shares. Any gain after the date on which the optionee purchased the shares will be treated as capital gain to the optionee and will not be deductible by the Corporation. If the shares are disposed of after the two-year and one-year periods mentioned above, the Corporation will not be entitled to any deduction, and the entire gain or loss realized by the optionee will be treated as capital gain or loss. When shares are purchased under a nonqualified option, the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of purchase over the purchase price of such shares under the option will generally be taxable to the optionee as ordinary income and deductible by the Corporation. The disposition of shares purchased under a nonqualified option will generally result in a capital gain or losscompensation structure for the optionee, but will have no tax consequences forNamed Executive Officers is effective, reasonable, and not excessive. Shareholders are encouraged to read the Corporation.section of this Proxy Statement captioned “Executive Compensation and Other Information,” including the related tabular disclosure regarding Named Executive Officer compensation.
Other Awards: An employee who receives cash or shares of Corporation stock pursuant to an award other than an option will generally recognize ordinary income equal to the sum of the cash and the fair market value of the shares received when vested and no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and
the Corporation will generally be entitled to a corresponding deduction from its income. A participant who receives an award of Corporation shares that is not yet vested may make a special election, in accordance with Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury regulations, to be taxed (at ordinary income rates) on the fair market value of the shares at that time (with fair market value determined for this purpose without regard to any restrictions other than restrictions, if any, which by their terms will never lapse), in which case the Corporation would be entitled to a deduction at the same time equal to the amount of income realized by the employee but would not be entitled to deduct any dividends thereafter paid on the shares. Absent such an election, an employee who has been awarded such restricted stock will not recognize taxable income until the shares become transferable or cease to be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, at which time the recipient will recognize ordinary income and the Corporation will be entitled to a corresponding deduction equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at that time over the amount (if any) paid by the recipient for the shares. Dividends paid to the recipient on the restricted shares prior to that time will be ordinary compensation income to the recipient and deductible by the Corporation.
Vesting: All awards are subject to such time and performance vesting conditions as the Committee may determine and are set forth in the Award Agreement. Unless otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement all Awards immediately vest upon death, disability or Change in Control as defined under the terms of the Plan. The Plan defines a change in control as any transaction that is a: (i) Change in Ownership, ii) Change in Effective Control, or iii) Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of Assets.
Change in Ownership: A change in ownership of the corporation occurs when one person or a group acquires stock that, when combined with stock previously owned, controls more than 50% of the value or voting power of the stock of the corporation.
Change in Effective Control: A change in effective control occurs on the date that, during any 12-month period, either (x) any person or group acquires stock possessing 35% of the voting power of the corporation, or (y) the majority of the board is replaced by persons whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the board.
Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of Assets: A change in ownership of a substantial portion of the assets occurs on the date that a person or a group acquires, during any 12-month period, assets of the corporation having a total gross fair market value equal to 40% or more of the total gross fair market value of all of the corporation’s assets.
IRC 409A Compliance: Unless an Award Agreement approved by the Committee provides otherwise, each Award granted under the Plan is intended to
meet the requirements for one or more exemptions from the restrictive requirements imposed on deferred compensation under Code Section 409A.
Plan Amendments: The Board of Directors may amend, alter, or discontinue the Plan at any time, provided that no amendment, alteration, or discontinuance may be made that materially and adversely affects the rights of a participant under any award granted prior to the date such action is adopted by the Board of Directors without the participant’s written consent. In addition no amendment may be made without shareholder approval, if shareholder approval is required under applicable laws, regulations or exchange requirements (including Section 422 of the Code with respect to ISOs under Section 422 of the Code), unless the required to: (i) comply with any law; (ii) preserve any intended favorable tax effects for the Corporation, the Plan or participants; or (iii) avoid any unintended unfavorable tax effects for the Corporation, the Plan or participants.
Term of the Plan: Unless earlier terminated by the Board, the Plan would terminate on the day immediately preceding the tenth anniversary date of its approval by shareholders of the Corporation. Termination of the Plan does not affect any outstanding awards granted prior to the termination of the Plan.
Forfeiture upon Termination for Cause: Subject to the provisions of the Award Agreement to which such award relates, upon the termination of employment of an employee for cause the employee forfeits all benefits associated with any award including all unexercised Options whether or not previously vested, all unexercised SARs whether or not previously vested and all Restricted Shares, Restricted Share Units and Performance Shares for which the delivery of Shares has not yet occurred.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy is required to approve the United Bancorp, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan. Shareholders may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” this proposal or may indicate their intention to “ABSTAIN” from voting thereon. Proxies in the form solicited hereby which are properly executed and returned to the Corporation will be voted “FOR” approval of the Planthis non-binding proposal unless otherwise indicated by the shareholder. The affirmative vote of the holders of Shares which are present or represented atentitling them to exercise a majority of the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy, but which are not cast “FOR” or “AGAINST” approvingvoting power of the Plan, such asCorporation is required to adopt this advisory resolution. As a consequence, abstentions and broker non-votes will effectively constitute votes cast “AGAINST”“Against” such proposal. Broker non-votes represent shares for which a “street name” shareholder has not told his or her broker how he or she would like those shares voted on a particular proposal and for which the broker has no discretion to vote the shares in the absence of any direction. These shares are considered represented at this meeting but are not entitled to be cast on this particular proposal.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE“FOR”THE ADOPTION OF THE UNITED BANCORP, INC.2018 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
As required by Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act, we are seeking advisory shareholder approval of the frequency of shareholder votes on compensation of the Named Executive Officers. This non-binding “frequency” vote is required at least once every six years beginning with our Annual Meeting.
The Board believes that a vote every three years is most appropriate for the Company because such a vote would provide shareholders with the appropriate timeframe to evaluate the Company’s overall compensation philosophy, design and implementation. A three-year period is more closely aligned with the longer-term view that the Compensation Committee takes with respect to the more significant components our named executive officers’ compensation, and would allow shareholders the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs over the time frames that they are intended to generate performance. Additionally, a longer period between votes would provide the opportunity for shareholders and advisory services to engage in more thoughtful analysis and would facilitate more meaningful dialogue between shareholders and the Board regarding the Company’s executive compensation practices.
You may cast your vote on your preferred voting frequency by choosing the option of one year, two years, three years or abstain from voting when you vote in response to the resolution set forth below.
“RESOLVED, that the option of once every one year, two years, or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast for this resolution will be determined to be the preferred frequency with which the Company is to hold a stockholder advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K.”
The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast by stockholders will be the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been selected by stockholders. However, because this vote is advisory and not binding on the Board in any way, the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the option approved by our stockholders.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors proposes and recommends that the shareholders ratify on an advisory basis the selection by the Committee of the firm of BKD to serve as its independent registered public accounting firm for the Corporation for the year 2018.2019. The firm has served as independent auditors for the Corporation since 2007. Action by the shareholders is not required by law in the appointment of an independent registered public accounting firm, but their appointment is submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in order to give the shareholders a voice in the designation of auditors. If the resolution approving BKD as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm is rejected by the shareholders then the Committee will reconsider its choice of independent auditors. Even if the resolution is approved, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy is required to adopt this advisory resolution. Shareholders may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” this proposal or may indicate their intention to “ABSTAIN” from voting thereon. Proxies in the form solicited hereby which are properly executed and returned to the Corporation will be voted “FOR” this non-binding proposal unless otherwise indicated by the shareholder. The affirmative vote of the holders of Shares which are present or represented atentitling them to exercise a majority of the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy, but which are not cast “FOR” or “AGAINST”voting power of the proposal, such asCorporation is required to adopt this advisory resolution. As a consequence, abstentions and broker non-votes will effectively constitute votes cast “AGAINST” the“Against” such proposal.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ADOPTION OF
THIS NON-BINDING ADVISORY PROPOSAL
The following information relates to compensation of management for the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, unless otherwise noted below. During 2017,2018, Mr. Everson principally served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Unified Bank which is the wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation.
Introduction. The Compensation Committee administers our executive compensation program. The committee, which is composed entirely of independent directors, is responsible for reviewing and determining executive officer compensation, for evaluating the President and Chief Executive Officer, for overseeing the evaluation of all other officers and employees, for administering our incentive compensation programs, for providing insight and guidance to management with respect to employee compensation generally, and for reviewing and making recommendations to the board with respect to director compensation. Scott A. Everson, the Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer, participated with respect to decisions concerning other executive officers of the Corporation for 2017.2018.
The Compensation Committee operates under a charter adopted by the board of directors. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the adequacy of its charter and recommends changes to the board for approval. The charter grants the Committee the authority to retain and terminate advisors, including compensation consultants, accountants and legal counsel, to assist in discharging its duties. No compensation consultants were retained in connection with compensation determinations for 2017.2018. The Compensation Committee meets at scheduled times during the year and also acts upon occasion by electronic written consent. The chair of the committee reports on committee activities and makes committee recommendations at meetings of the board of directors.
Compensation Philosophy. Our executive compensation programs seek to achieve and maintain equity with respect to balancing the interests of shareholders and executive officers, while supporting our need to attract and retain competent executive management. The Board of Directors believes a key to attracting and retaining good management and directors is a competitive compensation program. Toward this end, the management compensation committee has developed an executive compensation policy, along with supporting executive compensation plans and programs, which are intended to attain the following objectives:
▪ | Support a pay-for-performance policy that rewards Executive Officers for corporate performance. |
▪ | Motivate Executive Officers to achieve strategic business goals. |
▪ | Provide competitive compensation opportunities critical to the Corporation’s long-term success. |
The committee collects and analyzes comparative executive compensation information from relevant peer groups, then approves executive salary adjustments. Additionally, from time to time, the committee reviews other human resource issues, including qualified and non-qualified benefits, and management performance appraisals.
The Committee uses comparisons of competitive executive pay practices taken from banking industry compensation surveys and, from time-to-time, consultation with independent executive compensation advisors. Peer groups and competitive compensation practices are determined using executive compensation packages at bank holding companies and subsidiaries of comparable size to the Corporation and its subsidiaries.
There are twothree principal components of the compensation program for all Executive Officers of the Corporation and its commercial bank subsidiary: (i) a base salary component andcomponent; (ii) a cash bonus incentive component; and (iii) a long-term equity compensation component. In 2008 the Corporation’s shareholders approved The United Bancorp, Inc. 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”). In accordance with the 2008 Plan, the Corporation as of December 31, 2017 has2018 had issued 175,000300,000 restricted common stock awards to certain Officers and Directors of the Corporation. The 2008 Plan will expireexpired by its terms on April 15, 2018, ten years after its adoption, ofso awards may no longer be made under the 2008 Plan. All existing awards granted under the 2008 Plan byprior to its termination remain outstanding in accordance with their terms. At the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Corporation’s shareholders and the shareholders are being asked to approveapproved the United Bancorp, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan at(the “2018 Plan.”). To date, no awards have been granted under the Annual Meeting.2018 Plan. The Corporation also has a 401(k) and employee stock ownership plan and a defined benefit pension plan.
In making its decisions regarding annual salary adjustments, the committee reviews quantitative and qualitative performance factors as part of an annual performance appraisal. These are established for each executive position and the performance of the incumbent executive is evaluated annually against these standards. This appraisal is then integrated with market-based adjustments to salary ranges to determine if a base salary increase is merited.
The accounting and tax treatment of particular forms of compensation do not materially affect the committee’s compensation decisions. However, the committee evaluates the effect of such accounting and tax treatment on an ongoing basis and will make appropriate modifications to its compensation policies where appropriate.
Components of Compensation. The elements of total compensation paid by the Corporation to its senior officers, including the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and the other executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table which appears following this Compensation Overview (referred to collectively herein as the “Named Executive Officers”), include the following:
•Base salary;
•Awards under our cash and stock-based incentive compensation programs;
•Awards under our 401(k) and employee stock ownership plan; and
•Benefits under our life, health and disability plans.
Base Salary. The base salaries of the Named Executive Officers are reviewed by the Committee annually as well as at the time of any promotion or significant change in job responsibilities. The committee reviews peer group data to establish a market-competitive executive base salary program, combined with a formal performance appraisal system that focuses on awards that are integrated with strategic corporate objectives. To establish base salary for 2017,2018, the Committee reviewed the 20172018 Bank Compensation & Benefits Survey –— a partnership of the Ohio Bankers League, Illinois Bankers Association & Missouri Bankers Association and the 20172018 Financial Institutions Salary Survey, Midwest Survey Report –— Crowe Howath. Salary income for each Named Executive Officer for calendar year 20172018 is reported in “Salary” column of the Summary Compensation Table, which appears following this Compensation Overview. The base salary amounts shown in the Summary Compensation Table include directors fees paid in 20172018 for service as a director of United Bancorp or its subsidiary bank in the following amounts for executive officers:
Mr. Scott A. Everson | $ | 35,828 |
Mr. Scott A. Everson | $ | 29,853 |
Effective January 1, 2017,2018, all executive officers of the Corporation received a cost of living increase of 3.00% over their previous year’s base salary.
Incentive Cash Compensation. United Bancorp has established a short-term incentive compensation plan that provides for cash awards upon the achievement of performance targets established for each executive officer. The cash-based plan is designed to reward achievement of short-term performance goals. For 2017,2018, the Compensation Committee selected goals based on United Bancorp’s earnings per share. At the bank level, the Committee selected goals based on growth in loans and deposits, return on assets and return on equity. Threshold, target and maximum performance goals were set.
The amount of the annual cash bonus that may be earned by an executive officer is based on his or her base salary and is weighted to reflect each participant’s ability to affect the performance of United Bancorp, with the Chief Executive Officer having the largest weighting. Awards under the Corporation’s cash incentive compensation plan are generally based on the Corporation’s earnings per share for the year and the satisfaction of bank performance benchmarks. The exact weighting and mix of these goals varies among the executive officers. For more information regarding the structure of this plan, see the narrative disclosure that supplements the Summary Compensation Table provided below.
Long Term Restricted Stock Awards. In keeping with the Board’s belief that key to attracting and retaining good management and directors is a competitive compensation program, in 2009 the Board, through the recommendation of its
Compensation Committee, implemented a restricted stock awards program (the “Awards Program”) in accordance with the terms of the 2008 Plan, which Plan is set to expireexpired by its terms on April 15, 2018, ten years after adoption by the Corporation’s shareholders. At the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, shareholders approved the 2018 Plan, which reserved 500,000 shares of the Corporation’s common stock for issuance thereunder for purposes of continuing the Awards Program. The Awards Program is designed to retain the services
of participating individuals by requiring them to maintain a period of continued employment with the Corporation before the ownership of their respective stock award vests. At the time of grant, the receipt of the shares becomes a fully taxable event to participants based upon the current value of the shares, and the acceptance of the shares is subject to the participant’s execution of a non-compete agreement which will take effect if the participant chooses to leave employment prior to normal retirement with the Corporation. At this year’s Annual Meeting, shareholders are being asked to approve the United Bancorp, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) The Board of Directors has reserved 500,000 shares of the Corporation’s common stock for issuance under the 2018 Plan.
401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Corporation also offers a 401(k) plan, which covers all employees who have attained the age of 18 and have completed one year of service. Eligible employees may contribute up to $18,000$18,500 in 20172018 and employees who have attained the age of 50 years or older may contribute an additional $6,000 in 2017.2018. The Corporation may make a discretionary matching contribution equal to a percentage of each participant’s elective deferral not to exceed 6% of the participant’s annual compensation. Employer contributions are invested in the common stock of United Bancorp, Inc. under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Employee contributions are always vested. Employer contributions become 100% vested after 3 years of service. The Corporation’s contributions to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan made on behalf of the Named Executive Officers are included in the “all other compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan. The Corporation has a defined benefit pension plan which covers all employees 18 or over who have completed 1,000 hours of service during an anniversary year, measured from the date of hire. The plan calls for benefits to be paid to eligible employees at retirement, based primarily upon years of service and compensation rates. Effective January 1, 2014, the Corporation amended the plan to change the calculation for determining the benefit payout upon retirement. Under the modifications, benefits earned under the “Final Average Earnings” formula have been frozen, and all employees will earn future benefits using the Career Average Earnings formula. The plan may provide monthly benefits commencing as early as age 50, but not later than age 70, for employees who terminate employment or retire with 5 or more years of credited service. The plan is integrated with social security covered compensation.
Group Life, Health and Disability Benefits. The Corporation provides healthcare, life and disability insurance and other employee benefits programs to its employees, including its senior officers. The committee is responsible for overseeing the administration of these programs and believes that its employee benefits programs should be comparable to those maintained by other members of the
relevant peer groups so as to assure that the Corporation is able to maintain a competitive position in terms of attracting and retaining officers and other employees. Except for United Bancorp’s split dollar life insurance arrangements
with its executive officers and certain directors our employee benefits plans are provided on a non-discriminatory basis to all employees.
United Bancorp has split-dollar life insurance arrangements with certain executive officers and certain directors that provide certain death benefits to the executive’s and director’s beneficiaries upon his or her death. The agreements provide a pre- and post-retirement death benefit payable to the beneficiaries of the executive in the event of the executive’s death. The Corporation has purchased life insurance policies on the lives of all participants covered by these agreements in amounts sufficient to provide the sums necessary to pay the beneficiaries, and the Corporation pays all premiums due on the policies. Under the arrangements, directors have the right to designate beneficiaries of death proceeds up to $100,000, subject to forfeiture of that right upon the occurrence of certain events. The Named Executive Officers have the right to designate beneficiaries of death proceeds up to four times the Named Executive Officer’s annual base salary, subject to forfeiture of that right upon the occurrence of certain events. The economic benefit (the imputed income amount of this insurance) for the year 20172018 to the Named Executive Officers is included in the amounts for each of these executive officers set forth in the Summary Compensation Table under the column “All Other Compensation.” The economic benefit (the imputed income amount of this insurance) for the year 20172018 to the directors is set forth in the Director Compensation Table under the column “All Other Compensation.”
The Corporation also provides a reasonable level of personal benefits, and perquisites to one or more Named Executive Officers to support the business interests of the bank, provide competitive compensation, and to recognize the substantial commitment both professionally and personally expected from executive officers.
As part of its compensation program the Corporation has entered into agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers pursuant to which they will be entitled to receive severance benefits upon the occurrence of certain enumerated events following a change in control. The events that trigger payment are generally those related to termination of employment without cause or detrimental changes in the executive’s terms and conditions of employment. See Employment Contracts and Payments Upon Termination or “Change in Control” below for a more detailed description of these events. The Corporation believes that this structure will help: (i) assure the executives’ full attention and dedication to the Corporation, free from distractions caused by personal uncertainties and risks related to a pending or threatened change in control, (ii) assure the executives’ objectivity for shareholders’ interests, (iii) assure the executives of fair treatment in case of involuntary termination following a change in control, and (iv) attract and retain key talent during uncertain times.
20172018 Executive Officer Compensation. For 20172018 the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table received salaries that were intended to maintain their compensation at a competitive level. Adjustments in 20172018 base salary
were based upon each Named Executive’s annual performance review, an annual review of peer compensation, and the overall performance of the Corporation. These adjustments are consistent with the Corporation’s salary budget which is approved by the compensation committee and becomes part of the overall budget approved annually by the board of directors.
The following table sets forth the annual and long-term compensation for United Bancorp’s Chief Executive Officer and its two other highest paid executive officers, as well as the total compensation paid to each individual during United Bancorp’s last three completed fiscal years.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compen- sation ($) | Nonqualified Deferred Compen- sation Earnings ($)(1) | All Other Compen- sation ($)(2) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scott A. Everson President & Chief Executive Officer United Bancorp, Inc. Principal Position CEO The Citizens Savings Bank | 2017 | 286,334 | — | — | — | 56,758 | — | 13,214 | 356,316 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 289,689 | — | — | — | 76,015 | — | 11,520 | 377,224 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 286,739 | — | — | — | 110,452 | — | 12,251 | 409,442 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Matthew F. Branstetter Senior Vice President Chief Operating Officer United Bancorp, Inc. Principal Position Chief Operating and Lending Officer The Citizens Savings Bank | 2017 | 165,694 | — | — | — | 26,168 | — | 8,695 | 200,557 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 160,867 | — | — | — | 38,105 | — | 8,020 | 206,992 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 157,713 | — | — | — | 53,634 | — | 7,120 | 218,467 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Randall M. Greenwood Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer United Bancorp, Inc. Principal Position, CFO, United Bancorp, Inc. | 2017 | 155,018 | — | — | — | 26,353 | — | 7,218 | 188,589 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 150,503 | — | — | — | 35,650 | — | 7,433 | 193,586 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 137,748 | — | — | — | 46,732 | — | 6,796 | 191,276 |
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($)# | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compen- sation ($) | Nonqualified Deferred Compen- sation Earnings ($)(1) | All Other Compen- sation ($)(2) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scott A. Everson President & Chief Executive Officer United Bancorp, Inc. Principal Position CEO Unified Bank | 2018 | 335,040 | — | 300,500 | — | 130,491 | — | 16,162 | 782,193 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 286,334 | — | — | — | 56,758 | — | 13,214 | 356,316 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 289,689 | — | — | — | 76,015 | — | 11,520 | 377,224 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Matthew F. Branstetter Senior Vice President Chief Operating Officer United Bancorp, Inc. Principal Position Chief Operating and Lending Officer Unified Bank | 2018 | 201,016 | — | 240,400 | — | 63,999 | — | 4,842 | 510,257 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 165,694 | — | — | — | 26,168 | — | 8,695 | 200,557 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 160,867 | — | — | — | 38,105 | — | 8,020 | 206,992 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Randall M. Greenwood Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer United Bancorp, Inc. Principal Position, CFO, United Bancorp, Inc. | 2018 | 190,021 | — | 240,400 | — | 59,876 | — | 1,795 | 492,092 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 155,018 | — | — | — | 26,353 | — | 7,218 | 188,589 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 150,503 | — | — - | — | 35,650 | — | 7,433 | 193,586 |
1. | Pursuant to the deferred compensation plan implemented by United Bancorp, Inc. for the benefit of its corporate directors. |
2. | The amounts shown in this column for the most recently completed fiscal year were derived from the following figures: (1) contributions by United Bancorp to its ESOP Plan: Mr. Scott A. Everson |
3. | Represents restricted stock awards. These awards are earned and cliff vest over 9.5 years from the date of award. |
The Corporation maintains a cash-based incentive compensation plan, payments pursuant to which are reported under the column headed “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.” The amount of the annual cash bonus that may be earned by an executive officer under this plan is based on his or her base salary and is weighted to reflect each participant’s ability to affect the performance of United Bancorp, with the Chief Executive Officer having the largest weighting. The multiple for calculating the maximum bonus of Scott A. Everson, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, is set at 25% of his base salary for the year (the “Base Multiple”). The Base Multiple for Matthew F. Branstetter and Randall M. Greenwood, the Corporation’s Senior Vice Presidents are set at 20% of their base salary for the year.
Awards under the Corporation’s cash-based incentive compensation plan are based on two general and independent criteria: (1) the Corporation’s earnings per share growth and/or a discretionary level of cash incentive award; and (2) the performance of Unified Bank (the “Bank”) in the following categories: loan and deposit growth; return on average assets; and return on average equity. Under the plan, the potential incentive award of the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers for the year is 75% based upon the Corporation meeting or exceeding its earnings per share from the previous year. The balance of 25% of this cash-based incentive compensation is based upon the Bank’s financial performance. Under the plan, each executive officer is entitled to receive earnings per share incentive awards as follows:
• Earnings per share equal to previous year: | 75% of Base Multiple | |
• 05% Increase in earnings per share over previous year: | 100% of Base Multiple | |
• 10% Increase in earnings per share over previous year: | 125% of Base Multiple | |
• 15% Increase in earnings per share over previous year: | 150% of Base Multiple | |
• 17% Increase in earnings per share over previous year: | 175% of Base Multiple | |
• 20% Increase in earnings per share over previous year: | 200% of Base Multiple |
The Corporation’s diluted earnings per share for 20172018 was $0.82 (exclusive of deferred tax write down)merger related expenses diluted earnings per share was $0.75$1.04) compared to $0.71 for 20162017 an increase of 5.6%46.5%, therefore the portion of the incentive award based upon earning per share is at the 100%200% base multiple.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Number of Securities Under- lying Unexer- cised Options (#) Exer- cisable | Number of Securities Under- lying Unexer- cised Options (#) Unexer- cisable | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Under- lying Unexer- cised Unearned Options (#) | Option Exercise Price ($) | 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 ($)(2) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) | Number of Securities Under- lying Unexer- cised Options (#) Exer- cisable | Number of Securities Under- lying Unexer- cised Options (#) Unexer- cisable | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Under- lying Unexe- rcised Unearned Options (#) | 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) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scott A. Everson | — | — | — | — | — | 25,000 | $ | 331,250 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50,000 | $ | 571,500 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Matthew F. Branstetter | 10,000 | $ | 132,500 | 30,000 | $ | 342,900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Randall M. Greenwood | — | — | — | — | — | 15,000 | 198,750 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35,000 | 400,050 | — | — |
1. | Awards granted to Scott Everson (25,000 shares) and Randall Greenwood (15,000 shares) vest in February 2019 and awards granted to Matthew Branstetter (10,000 shares) vest in May 2019. Awards granted to Scott Everson (25,000 shares), Randall Greenwood (20,000 shares) and Matthew Branstetter (20,000 shares) vest in August 2027. |
2. | Market value of |
In keeping with the Board’s belief that a key to attracting and retaining good management and directors is a competitive compensation program, in 2009 the Board, through the recommendation of its Compensation Committee, implemented a restricted stock awards program (the “Awards Program”) in accordance with the terms of the shareholder-approved United Bancorp, Inc. 2008 Stock Incentive Plan. In accordance with that plan, the Corporation asAs of December 31, 2017 has2018, in accordance with 2008 Plan, the Corporation had issued 175,000300,000 restricted common stock awards to certain Officers and Directors of the Corporation. These awards will cliff vest at the earliest of the individuals’ normal retirement date or 9 years and 6 months from date of grant. At December 31, 2017,2018, no shares were vested pursuant to these awards. However, these shares are entitled to receive dividends and may be voted on matters requiring shareholder approval by the respective participants.
The 2008 Plan expired by its terms on April 15, 2018, ten years after its adoption, so awards may no longer be made under the 2008 Plan. All existing awards granted under the 2008 Plan prior to its termination remain outstanding in accordance with their terms. At the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, shareholders approved the 2018 Plan, which reserved 500,000 shares of the Corporation’s common stock for issuance thereunder for purposes of continuing the Awards Program. To date, no awards have been granted under the 2018 Plan.
The Corporation has entered into change-in-control agreements with Messrs. Everson, Branstetter and Greenwood. The agreements provide that Mr. Scott A. Everson, Mr. Matthew F. Branstetter and Mr. Randall M. Greenwood will be entitled to a lump sum severance benefit in the event of their involuntary termination of employment (other than for cause) following a “change in control” of the Corporation, as defined in the Agreements. In the event of a change in control and the involuntary termination of employment, the agreements provide that: Mr. Scott A. Everson will each receive a lump sum cash payment equal to
2.99 times his respective annual compensation; and Mr. Branstetter and Mr. Greenwood would receive a lump sum cash payment equal to 2.0 times their annual compensation.
The material terms of the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plan, its 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and the split-dollar life insurance arrangements maintained with respect to its executive officers and certain directors are discussed in the section of this proxy statement captioned “Compensation Overview.” In addition, the material terms of the Corporation’s Deferred Compensation Plan, in which certain Directors and Named Executive Officers may participate, are discussed below.
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($)(1) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gary W. Glessner | 36,420 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 36,518 | — | 120,200 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 120,306 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John M. Hoopingarner | 29,795 | — | 0 | 0 | 169 | 29,964 | 29,082 | 120,200 | 0 | 0 | 186 | 149,468 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Carl A. Novak, DDS | 5,792 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Richard L. Riesbeck | 34,272 | — | 0 | 0 | 276 | 34,548 | 38,037 | 180,300 | 0 | 0 | 304 | 218,641 |
1. | Relates to restricted stock awards that cliff vest 9.5 year from the date of issuance |
The table above provides information on the compensation paid to the Corporation’s outside Directors during 2017.2018. Information regarding compensation paid to S. Everson, including compensation paid for his service as a Director, is provided in the Summary Compensation Table and the supplemental narrative disclosure to that table provided above. The Corporation compensates each director for services as a director in the following manner: each director receives an annual retainer fee of $7,500 regardless of board meeting attendance and $1,252$1,346 per meeting attended. Each member of the Executive Committee and Compensation Committee receives $295$304 for each meeting attended. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an annual retainer of $1,000 and $557$574 per Audit Committee meeting attended, while all other members of the Audit Committee receive $344$355 per Audit Committee meeting attended (other than those held in connection with a full
meeting of the Board of Directors). The Corporation’s outside Chairman receives an additional $5,000 retainer and as the Bank’s Lead Director he receives an additional retainer of $1,000. Amounts included in the “Fees Earned or Paid in Cash” column also include retainers and meeting fees paid to each for service on the Bank’s Board of Directors. Amounts indicated under the “All Other Compensation” column represent the annual economic benefit imputed to each of the respective directors under the Corporation’s split dollar life insurance arrangement for the year 2017.2018.
The Corporation has also established a deferred compensation plan for the benefit of its directors, officers and the directors of its subsidiary bank. The Plan is an unfunded deferred compensation plan for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of ERISA. Amounts deferred under the Plan shall remain unrestricted assets of the Corporation, and participants have the status of general unsecured creditors of the Corporation. Any director or officer who desires to participate in the Plan may elect for any year, on or before the 31st day of December of the preceding year, to defer
all or a specified part of the fees and up to 50% of incentive award amounts which thereafter shall be payable to him for services in the succeeding year. Additionally, such an election may be made at any time within thirty (30) days following the date on which a person is elected to the Board of Directors if such person was not a member of the Board on the preceding December 31st,31st, provided that such election shall apply only for fees earned for services performed subsequent to the election for such calendar year. A Director may also make such an election within thirty (30) days following adoption of the Plan by such subsidiary of United Bancorp, Inc. which had not previously participated in the Plan, provided that such election shall apply only for fees earned for services performed subsequent to the election for such calendar year. At least annually a participant’s account balances or credits shall be deemed to be invested in United Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock and the account shall be credited with any subsequent dividends with respect to the Common Stock credited to his or her account.
When a participant ceases to be a member of the Board or an Officer, the Corporation shall pay him or her in equal annual installments or at his irrevocable election, in one lump sum, the aggregate number of shares of United Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock, (including, without limitation shares deemed to be acquired through reinvested dividends) that are credited to his or her account as of the close of business on the date of the termination of his membership on the Board or termination of his or her as an Officer of the Corporation, together with any cash account balance which has not yet been deemed invested in United Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock. The annual installment payment option shall be over a period not to exceed ten years.
Amounts deferred by participant during 20172018 are indicated in the table below.
Name | Director Compensation Deferred in Last FY ($) | |||
Scott A. Everson | (1) | |||
Gary W. Glessner | 40,131 | |||
John M. Hoopingarner | (2) | |||
Richard L. Riesbeck | (2) |
1. | This amount represents director fees reported as Salary in the Summary Compensation Table. |
2. | This amount represents director fees reported as Fees Earned or Paid in Cash in the Director Compensation Table. |
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires United Bancorp’s executive officers, directors and more than ten percent shareholders (“Insiders”) to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and United Bancorp reports of their ownership of United Bancorp securities. Based upon written representations and copies of reports furnished to United Bancorp by Insiders, all other Section 16 reporting requirements applicable to Insiders during 20172018 were satisfied on a timely basis.
Shareholders may submit proposals appropriate for shareholder action at the Corporation’s Annual Meeting consistent with the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. For proposals to be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the 20182020 Annual Meeting, they must be received by the Corporation no later than November 20, 2018.2019. Such proposals should be directed to United Bancorp, Inc., Attention: Chief Executive Officer, 201 South Fourth Street, Martins Ferry, Ohio 43935.
Pursuant to the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Code of Regulations (the “Code”), if the Corporation provides less than 25 days’ prior notice of the 20192020 Annual Meeting date, the latest possible cut-off for any shareholder to propose any matter to be acted upon at the 20192020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting is mailed. Otherwise, in order to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to the principal executive officers of the Corporation not less than 25 days prior to the meeting date. If the Board of Directors determines to hold the 20192020 annual meeting of shareholders on the third Wednesday of April (April 17, 2019)15, 2020), as is the default annual meeting date pursuant to Section 1 of the Code, notice containing the information required by Section 5 of the Code would need to be delivered to the Corporation’s Secretary no later than March 23, 2019.2020. If notice has not been provided by these respective dates, the business may not be considered at the Annual Meeting.
In addition, in accordance with Federal proxy regulations the proxy cards delivered in connection with next year’s Annual Meeting will confer discretionary voting authority, to be exercised in the judgment of the Corporation’s Board of Directors, with respect to any shareholder proposal received less than 45 days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date of this year’s proxy materials, which deadline will fall on or around February 3, 2019.2020. The Corporation also retains its authority to discretionarily vote proxies with respect to shareholder proposals received after November 20, 20182019 but prior to February 3, 2018,2020, unless the proposing shareholder takes the necessary steps outlined in Rule 14a-4(c)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure the proper delivery of proxy materials related to the proposal.
In order to make a director nomination at a shareholder meeting, it is necessary that you notify United Bancorp not less than 40 days or more than 60 days prior to the date of the meeting. In addition, the notice must meet all other requirements contained in the Code.
Shareholders may communicate directly to the Board of Directors in writing by sending a letter to the Board at: United Bancorp Board of Directors, 201 South Fourth Street, Martins Ferry, Ohio 43935. All letters directed to the Board of Directors will be received and processed by the Corporate Secretary and will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee without any editing or screening.
Management is not aware of any other matter which may be presented for action at the meeting other than the matters set forth herein. Should any matter other than those set forth herein be presented for a vote of the shareholders, the proxy in the enclosed form directs the persons voting such proxy to vote in accordance with their judgment.
United Bancorp’s Annual Report for its fiscal year ended December 31, 20172018 accompanies this Proxy Statement but is not part of our proxy soliciting material. Shareholders may obtain a copy of the Corporation’s annual report on Form 10-K, including financial statements and the notes thereto, required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-1 for the Corporation’s most recent fiscal year by submitting a written request to Lisa A. Basinger, Corporate Secretary, United Bancorp, Inc., 201 South Fourth Street, Martins Ferry, Ohio. You may also request additional copies of our most recent Annual Report to Shareholders by submitting a written request to Ms. Basinger’s attention. A library of United Bancorp’s annual reports can be accessed on the Corporation’s website atwww.unitedbancorp.com.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted rules that allow us to deliver a single annual report, proxy statement, proxy statement combined with a prospectus, or any information statement to any household at which two or more shareholders reside who share the same last name or whom we believe to be members of the same family. This is known as “householding.”
As a consequence, you and all other shareholders who share your home address are receiving only one copy of our annual report and proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders. However, we have included a separate proxy card for each registered shareholder located at your home address.
The Corporation will deliver promptly, upon oral or written request, a separate copy of the annual report and proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to any shareholder at a shared address who wishes to his or her own separate copies of such documents. Such notification can be delivered in writing to the Corporation’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, at 6201 15th Avenue, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11219 or by contacting our transfer agent toll free at 1-800-937-5449.
If you and other shareholders who share your same last name and reside with you have received multiple copies of the annual report and proxy statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and you wish to receive a single copy of such materials in accordance with the Corporation’s householding program, you may contact its transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, toll free at 1-800-937-5449.
We urge you to sign and return the enclosed proxy form as promptly as possible or vote via phone or internet whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person.
Exhibit A
ARTICLE 1General Purpose of Plan; Definitions
ARTICLE 2Administration
ARTICLE 3Stock Subject to Plan
ARTICLE 4Participants
ARTICLE 5Stock Option Awards
The Committee may withhold its approval for any method of payment for any reason, in its sole discretion, including but not limited to concerns that the proposed method of payment will result in adverse financial accounting treatment, adverse tax treatment for the Company or a participant or a violation of any law applicable to the Company from time to time, and related regulations and guidance.
If the Exercise Price of an NQSO is paid by tendering Restricted Shares, then the Shares received upon the exercise will contain restrictions that are no less restrictive then the Restricted Shares so tendered.
ARTICLE 6Special Rules Applicable to Incentive Stock Options
ARTICLE 7Stock Appreciation Rights
ARTICLE 8Restricted Share and Restricted Share Unit Awards
“The transferability of this certificate and the Common Shares represented by it are subject to the terms and conditions (including conditions of forfeiture) contained in the United Bancorp, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan and an agreement entered into between the registered owner and the Company. A copy of this Plan and agreement are on file in the office of the Secretary of the Company.”
At the end of any time period during which the Restricted Shares are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transfer, and after any tax withholding, such Shares will be delivered free of all restrictions (except for any pursuant to Article 14) to the participant or other appropriate person and with the foregoing legend removed from the stock certificate.
ARTICLE 9Performance Share Awards
ARTICLE 10Transfers and Leaves of Absence
ARTICLE 11Effect of Change in Control
In addition, in connection with a Change in Control the Committee shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to:
The Committee may provide for any of the foregoing in an Award Agreement governing an Award in advance, may provide for any of the foregoing in connection with a Change in Control, or do both. Alternatively, the Committee shall also have the right to require any purchaser of the Company’s assets or stock, as the case may be, to take any of the actions set forth in the preceding sentence.
The manner of application and interpretation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.2 shall be determined by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion.
ARTICLE 12Transferability of Awards
ARTICLE 13Amendment and Discontinuation
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Plan may be amended without participants’ consent to: (i) comply with any law; (ii) preserve any intended favorable tax effects for the Company, the Plan or participants; or (iii) avoid any unintended unfavorable tax effects for the Company, the Plan or participants.
ARTICLE 14Issuance of Shares and Share Certificates
ARTICLE 15Satisfaction of Tax Liabilities
ARTICLE 16General Provisions
ARTICLE 17Effective Date and Term
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OFUNITEDOF UNITED BANCORP, INC.April 18, 2018GO GREENe-Consent makes it easy to go paperless. With e-Consent, you can quickly access your proxy material, statements and other eligible documents online, while reducing costs, clutter and paper waste. Enroll today via www.astfinancial.com to enjoy online access.NOTICEINC. April 17, 2019 NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL:The 20172018 Annual Report to shareholders, Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card are available at - http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/06954/Please sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible.Pleasepossible. Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.20430000300000000000 5041818PLEASEenvelopeprovided 20530403000000000000 3 041719 PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE xFOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 1. To Elect as Directors the Nominees Set Forth at Below:NOMINEES: 2. To adopt the United Bancorp, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan(to replace the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, which is expiring FOR ALL NOMINEESWITHHOLDNOMINEES WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEESFORNOMINEES FOR ALL EXCEPT(SeeEXCEPT (See instructions below) NOMINEES: O Scott A. EversonOEverson O Gary W. GlessnerOGlessner O John M. HoopingarnerOHoopingarner O Carl A. Novak O Richard L. Riesbeck by its terms) - The Board of Directors has adopted andrecommends to the shareholders approval and adoption of the2018 United Bancorp, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan that will allow the Corporation to continue to issue stock options, restricted stock and additional stock related compensation to its officers, employees and directors in an attempt to tie the compensation of such persons to the long term performance of the Corporation.3. Ratification of the Audit Committee's selection of the firm of BKD, LLP to serve as the Company's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the 2018 fiscal year. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:To change 2. An advisory proposal to approve the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new addressCompany’s executive compensation programs as disclosed in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s)accompanying proxy statement. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 3. An advisory proposal on the account may not be submitted via this method.frequency of future advisory votes regarding the Company’s executive compensation programs. 1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS ABSTAIN 4. Ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of the firm of BKD, LLP to serve as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the 2019 fiscal year. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR ALL NOMINEES” WITH RESPECT TO“FOR” THE ELECTION OF NOMINEES TOTHE DIRECTORS NOMINATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.THEDIRECTORS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.YOUR4, AND RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR A FREQUENCY OF EVERY THREE YEARS FOR PROPOSAL 3. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY FORM WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. A RETURN ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.InCONVENIENCE. In their discretion, the named proxies are authorized to vote all shares represented by this proxy card upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. This proxy card when properly executed will be voted as directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no direction is made, this proxy card will be voted FOR ALL NOMINEES in Proposal 1, and voted FOR Proposals 2 and 4, and for a frequency of Three Years for Proposal 3. To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. Signature of ShareholderDate:Shareholder Date: Signature of ShareholderDate:Shareholder Date: Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
-0UNITEDITED BANCORP, INC.PROXYINC. PROXY ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 18, 2018This17, 2019 This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors.TheDirectors. The undersigned hereby appoint Mr. John M. Hoopingarner and Mr. Richard L. Riesbeck as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize each of them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all the common shares of United Bancorp, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on March 9, 2018,8, 2019, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 18, 2018,17, 2019, or any adjournment thereof.(Continued (Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.) 1.1 14475