UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON,Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

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AUBURN NATIONAL BANCORPORATION, INC

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LOGO

April 8, 2016


LOGO

                                                                                  March 29, 2023

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc., to be held at the AuburnBank Center, 132100 North Gay Street, Auburn, Alabama, on May 10, 2016,9, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.P.M., Local Timelocal time (collectively, with any adjournments or postponements thereof, the “Meeting”).

The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement Proxy, and our 2015 Annual Report to ShareholdersProxy are enclosed. We hope you can attend and vote your shares in person. In any case, please complete the enclosed Proxy and return it to us. This action will ensure that your preferences will be expressed on the matters that are being considered. If you attend the Meeting, you may vote your shares in person even if you have previously returned your Proxy.

Prior to the meeting, a reception will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the AuburnBank Center. We hope you can join us!

We thank you for your support this past year, and we encourage you to review our Annual Report. If you have any questions about the Proxy Statement or the Annual Report, please call or write us.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ E. L. Spencer, Jr.Robert W. Dumas

E. L. Spencer, Jr.

Robert W. Dumas

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer


AUBURN NATIONAL BANCORPORATION, INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD MAY 10, 20169, 2023

Notice is hereby given that the 20162023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the AuburnBank Center, 132100 North Gay Street, Auburn, Alabama on Tuesday, May 10, 2016,9, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.P.M., Local Timelocal time (collectively, with any adjournments or postponements thereof, the “Meeting”), for the following purposes:

 

1.

Election of DirectorsDirectors. . To elect 11 directors10 nominees to serve on the Board of Directors for a one-year terms; term;

 

2.

Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation. To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s “named executive officers” as disclosed in the proxy statement that accompanies this notice; and

 

3.

Ratification of Auditors. To ratify the appointment of Elliott Davis LLC as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; and

4.

Other BusinessBusiness. . To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting.

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 11, 2016,20, 2023, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. All shareholders, whether or not they expect to attend the Meeting in person, are requested to complete, date, sign and return the enclosed Proxy in the accompanying envelope.

Also enclosed is a copy of the Company’s 2015 Annual Report.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

/s/ C. Wayne Alderman

C. Wayne Alderman

C. Wayne Alderman
Secretary

April 8, 2016March 29, 2023

PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY TO THE TRANSFER AGENT IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON BY WRITTEN BALLOT IF YOU WISH, EVEN IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY RETURNED YOUR PROXY.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE

SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 10, 20169, 2023

THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.AUBNPROXY.COM

AND OUR COMPANY’S WEBSITE WWW.AUBURNBANK.COM


PROXY STATEMENT

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

OF

AUBURN NATIONAL BANCORPORATION, INC.

TO BE HELD MAY 10, 20169, 2023

General

This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the shareholders of Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Company’s Board of Directors from holders of the outstanding shares of the Company’s $.01 par value Common Stock (“Common Stock”) for the 20162023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (collectively, with any adjournments or postponements, the “Meeting”). Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Company” includes the Company’s subsidiary, AuburnBank (the “Bank”). The Company’s Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “AUBN.”

The Meeting is being held to consider and vote upon: (i) the election of 11 directors10 nominees for election to the Board of Directors;Directors for one-year terms; (ii) on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s “named executive officers” (defined below) as disclosed in this Proxy Statement (a “say-on-pay“say-on-pay proposal”); (iii) the ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis LLC (“Elliott Davis”) as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; and (iii)(iv) such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting.

The Company’s Board of Directors knows of no business that will be presented for consideration at the Meeting other than the matters described in this Proxy Statement.

This Proxy Statement and the Proxy are first being mailedprovided on or about April 8, 2016,March 29, 2023, to Company shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 11, 201620, 2023 (the “Record Date”). The Company’s 20152022 Annual Report (the “Annual Report”), including financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, accompanies this Proxy Statement.2022, can be found by clicking the heading “About Us” on the Company’s website, www.auburnbank.com, and then clicking on “Investor Relations.”

Each shareholder is entitled to one vote on each proposal for each share of Common Stock held as of the Record Date. In determining whether a quorum exists at the Meeting for purposes of all matters to be voted on, all votes “for” or “against,” as well as all abstentions (including votes to withhold authority to vote in certain cases), will be counted as shares present, and a quorum will exist if a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting are present.present or represented by proxy. Under Delaware law, the vote required for the election of directors is a plurality of the votes cast by the shares present in person or represented by proxy, at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors, provided a quorum is present. Consequently, with respect to the election of directors, abstentions“withhold” votes and broker non-votes will not be counted in determining whether the proposaldirector has received the requisite number of votes for approval. Althoughapproval as they are not considered votes cast.

A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker, dealer, bank, or voting trustee or their nominee who can be identified as a record holder of Common Stock holding shares in “street name” for a beneficial owner of Common Stock does not vote on a particular proposal because the record holder does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Brokers (and other similar record holders) that have not received voting instructions from their clients cannot vote on their clients’ behalf on the election of directors, or the say-on-pay proposal, but may, although they are not required to, vote their clients’ shares on the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm.

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The say-on-pay proposal included on the ballot the say-on-pay proposal is only a non-binding, advisory vote. This means that the Board of Directors will not be required to take any action on this matter regardless of the number of shares voted in favor of or against the proposal. However, the Board of Directors wants to understand the view of the Company’s shareholders on the Company’s executive compensation program, so your consideration and vote on this matter will be taken seriously by the Board of Directors. The votesApproval of the say-on-pay proposal requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Meeting (meaning that shareholders cast forof the say-on-pay proposalshares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, a majority of them must exceed the number of votes cast againstbe voted “for” the proposal for it to pass.be approved). Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote “against” the proposal, and broker non-votes will not be counted in determining whether the proposal has received the requisite number of votes for approval.

The vote required for the ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Meeting (meaning that of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, a majority of them must be voted “for” the proposal for it to be approved). With respect to any such proposal, you may vote in favor of or against the item or you may abstain from voting. Any proxy marked “abstain” with respect to such proposal will have the effect of a vote “against” the proposal. As discussed above, please note that banks and brokers (and other similar record holders) that have not received voting instructions from their clients may vote their clients’ shares on the ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis.

Unless otherwise required by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”), or by the Delaware General Corporation Law or other applicable law, any other proposal that is properly brought before the Meeting will require approval by the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present or represented by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Meeting (meaning that of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, a majority of all votes cast atthem must be voted “for” the Meeting with respectproposal for it to such proposal.be approved). With respect to any such proposal, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote “against” the proposal, and broker non-votes will not be counted in determining whether such proposal has received the requisite number of votes for approval.

The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 100 N. Gay Street, Auburn, Alabama 36830, and its telephone number is (334) 821-9200. The Company maintains an internet website atwww.auburnbank.com.


Record Date, Solicitation and Revocability of Proxies

The Record Date for the Meeting has been set as the close of business on March 11, 2016.20, 2023. Accordingly, only holders of record of shares of Common Stock on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Meeting. At the close of business on such date, there were approximately 3,643,5233,500,879 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, which were held by approximately 414359 shareholders of record.

Shares of Common Stock represented by a properly executed Proxy, if such Proxy is received in time and is not revoked, will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated in such Proxy.If you properly execute and return your Proxy but do not indicate any voting instructions with respect to one or more matters to be voted upon at the Meeting, or if your voting instructions are unclear, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors as to all such matters. Specifically, your shares will be voted FOR the election of all director nominees, and FOR the advisory approval of the say-on-pay proposal, FOR the ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023;as well as in the discretion of the persons named as proxies on all other matters that may properly come before the Meeting.

A shareholder who has given a Proxy may revoke it at any time prior to its exercise at the Meeting by either (i) giving written notice of revocation to the Company’s Secretary, (ii) properly submitting to the Company a duly executed Proxy bearing a later date, or (iii) appearing in person at the Meeting and voting in person by written ballot. All written notices of revocation or other communications with respect to revocation of Proxies should be addressed as follows: Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc., P.O. Box 3110, Auburn, Alabama 36831-3110, Attention: C. Wayne Alderman, Secretary.

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Proxy Solicitation Costs

The cost of soliciting Proxies for the Meeting will be paid by the Company. The Company’s officers may also solicit proxies by telephone or otherwise, but will not receive additional compensation for these activities. In addition to the solicitation of shareholders of record by mail, telephone, facsimile, or personal contact, the Company may also make arrangements with brokers, dealers, banks, or voting trustees or their nominees who can be identified as record holders of Common Stock to forward this proxy statement and the 20152022 Annual Report to beneficial owners of Common Stock. The Company will reimburse them for the reasonable expenses in connection with these services.

 

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PROPOSAL #1 –ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

General

Eleven personsTen current directors have been nominated to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors for one-year terms of office expiring at the Company’s next scheduled annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified. All of the nominees for director are presentlycurrent directors of the Company.Company, and all have agreed to serve, if elected.

Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of personsmore than the number of nominees specified herein.10 nominees. Cumulative voting for directors is not permitted. All shares represented by valid Proxies received and not revoked before they are exercised will be voted in the manner specified therein. If no specification is made, the Proxies will be voted for the election of the 11all 10 nominees listed below. In the unanticipated event that any nominee is unable to serve, the persons designated as proxy holders will cast votes for the remaining nominees and for such other replacements as may be nominated by the Company’s Board of Directors.

The nominees have been nominated by the Company’s Board of Directors based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of all eleven10 nominees listed below.

Information about Nominees for DirectorDirectors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth the name and age of each nominee for director, a brief description of his or her principal occupation and business experience, certain other directorships and how long he or she has been a director for the Company or the Bank. In addition, we have also provided a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s conclusion that the nominee should serve as one of our directors. Except for Mr. E. L. Spencer, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and PresidentRobert W. Dumas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and Mr. Dumas, Chief Executive Officerthe Bank and David A. Hedges, President and CEO of the Company and the Bank, none of the nominees isare employed by the Company or the Bank or any entity that is an affiliate of the Company or the Bank.

 

Name, Principal Occupation, Business Experience, Age, , Directorships and Qualifications

  

      Director      
Since

C. Wayne Alderman  2004

Dean and Professor Emeritus, former Dean of Enrollment Services and former Dean, College of Business, Auburn University; former Director of Financial Operations of the Bank; served as Director of Financial OperationsBank from 2000 to 2007; employed by Auburn University since 1979.from 1979 to 2022. Dr. Alderman is 65.72.

  

Dr. Alderman, a certified public accountant and former Torchmark Professor of Accounting at Auburn University, brings a wealth ofhas strategic planning expertise, and public accounting and risk and general management knowledge to the Board. He also bringshas valuable insight and banking knowledge as a result of his service as the bank’sBank’s Director of Financial Operations from 2000 to 2007, in addition to serving as a director of the Bank since 1993.

  

Terry W. Andrus

  1998

Retired President and Chief Executive Officer of the East Alabama Medical Center since 1984;from 1984 to 2018; Director of 340B Health, Former Director of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama. Mr. Andrus is 64.71.

  

Mr. Andrus bringshas executive decision-making, financial expertise, and business-building skills from his past service as the Chief Executive Officer of a regional hospital. Mr. Andrus also has served as Chairman of the Alabama Hospital Association. He also possesses vast banking knowledge through his service as a director of the Bank since 1991.

  

 

35


Name, Principal Occupation, Business Experience, Age, , Directorships and Qualifications

  

      Director      
Since

J. Tutt Barrett  2010

Mr. Barrett is a senior partner in the law firm of Dean & Barrett, located in Opelika, Alabama, where he has worked since 1992. Mr. Barrett is 64.71.

Mr. Barrett brings a wealth of legal and risk management skills to the Board. He also provides governance skills and experience gained through his service on the boards of various charitable organizations. In addition, Mr. Barrett has served on one of the Bank’s local advisory boards since 1991.from 1991 to 2010.

  

Laura J. Cooper

2020

Executive Director of Lee County Youth Development Center in Opelika, Alabama since 2000. She has held various positions with the Lee County Youth Development Center since 1987. Ms. Cooper is 64.

Ms. Cooper has extensive executive experience as head of a large non-profit in Lee County Alabama. She also currently serves on the Auburn Industrial Development Board of Directors, the Opelika Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Auburn University Human Development and Family Studies Advisory Council. Ms. Cooper has held numerous other leadership positions, including her past service as President of the Auburn City School Board, Chairperson of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Board, Chairperson of the United Way of Lee County Board, and as a member of the Auburn University College of Education Advisory Council. Ms. Cooper provides a unique perspective to the Board of Directors regarding the financial needs of the local community.

Robert W. Dumas

  2001

Chairman of the Board of the Company and the Bank since January 2020; President and CEO of the Company from 2017 to December 31, 2022 and the Bank from 2001 to December 31, 2022; Vice Chairman of the Company and the Bank sincefrom 2013 and Chief Executive Officer and President ofuntil his election as the Bank since 2001;Chairman; President and Chief Lending Officer of the Bank from 1998 to 2001;2001. He has been employed by the Bank since 1984; and is a Director of East Alabama Medical Center. Mr. Dumas is 62.69.

  

Mr. Dumas brings valuable insight and knowledge to the Board as a result of his service as President and CEO of the Bank’s Chief Executive OfficerCompany and President of the Bank. Mr. Dumas currently serves onas a trustee or director of the Auburn University Board of Trustees where he currently is President Pro Tempore, the Auburn Research and Technology Board of Directors, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Birmingham Branch Board of Directors, andthe Alabama Bankers Association Board of Directors, and recently ended a term on the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Board of Directors. He has held numerous other positions in professional leadership, including his service as President and Chairman of the Alabama Bankers Association and a member of the Auburn University Business Advisory Council. Mr. Dumas bringshas valuable knowledge from his 3846 years of service in the banking industry, including serving as a director of the Bank since 1997.

  

William F. Ham, Jr.

  2004

Former Mayor of City of Auburn since 1998;from 1998 to 2018; owner of Varsity Enterprises, a company providing coin laundry services, since 1977. Mr. Ham is 62.69.

  

Mr. Ham brings a wealth of business-building skills and community knowledge to the Board as a result of his experience as an entrepreneur and as the former Mayor of City of Auburn. He also bringshas valuable knowledge through his service as a director of the Bank since 1993.

  

6


Name, Principal Occupation, Business Experience, Age, Directorships and Qualifications

      Director      
Since
David A. Hedges2022

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank since January 1, 2023; formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank since December 2015; and various other positions with the Company and Bank since 2006. Mr. Hedges is 44.

Mr. Hedges brings valuable knowledge and insight to the Board as a result of his service as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank. He has demonstrated a thorough and thoughtful approach to strategy, execution, and service to employees, customers, shareholders and the community. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hedges worked at KPMG LLP in their financial services audit practice from 2002 to 2006.

David E. Housel

  2004

Director of Athletics Emeritus at Auburn University since January 2006; Director of Athletics at Auburn University from 1994 to January 2006;2006. He was employed by Auburn University since 1970.from 1970 to 2006. Mr. Housel is 69.76.

  

Mr. Housel brings valuable business, public relations, and strategic planning skills to the Board through his previous experience managing a major collegiate athletic program with numerous employees and supervising multi-million dollar budgets. He also possesses banking knowledge through his service as a director of the Bank since 1997.

  

4


Name, Principal Occupation, Business Experience, Age , Directorships and Qualifications

  Director  
Since

Anne M. May

  1990

Retired Partner, Machen & McChesney, & Chastain, Certified Public Accountants, since 1983.LLP, an accounting firm located in Auburn, Alabama, from 1983 to 2018. Ms. May is 65.72.

  

Ms. May bringshas valuable risk management skills, public accounting knowledge and a wealth of expertise related to matters ofin compensation and tax compliance as a partner and former managing partner for a local accounting firm. She also possesses vastextensive banking knowledge through her service as a director of the Bank since 1982.

  

Amy B. Murphy

2016

Director of Graduate and Online Programs in the School of Accountancy at Auburn University where she has worked since 1994. Ms. Murphy is 57.

Ms. Murphy, a certified public accountant and instructor in the School of Accountancy at Auburn University, brings valuable financial and accounting expertise to the Board. She also possesses valuable strategic planning skills through her role as Director of Graduate and Online Programs. Ms. Murphy was appointed to the Board in February 2016.

E. L. Spencer, Jr.

1984

Director of the Bank since 1975; Chairman of the Company’s and Bank’s Board of Directors since 1984 and 1980, respectively; Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company since 1990; formerly Chief Executive Officer and President of the Bank from 1990 to 2000; father of Edward Lee Spencer, III. E. L. Spencer, Jr. is 85.

Through his 41 years of service, including 26 years as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. E. L. Spencer, Jr. brings to the Board a deep institutional knowledge and perspective regarding our strengths, challenges, and opportunities. His diverse experiences and leadership roles in the banking, construction, retail, healthcare and agriculture industries provide the Board an expanded perspective regarding the relevant risks and opportunities facing financial institutions.

Edward Lee Spencer, III

  2004

FormerDirector of the Company; former Vice President, Spencer Lumber Company; where he was employed by Spencer Lumber Company from 1973 to 2006. Son of E. L. Spencer, Jr. Edward Lee Spencer, III is 60.67.

  

Mr. Edward Lee Spencer, III bringshas valuable business insights and knowledge as a result of his previous management experience with Spencer Lumber Company, a supplier of building and construction materials. He also bringshas valuable banking knowledge through his service as a director of the Bank since 1991.

  

Patricia Wade, M.D.

2016

Physician with Auburn Cardiovascular, P.C. in Auburn, Alabama since 2011. She has practiced medicine in theAuburn-Opelika, Alabama area since 1993. Dr. Wade is 60.

As a physician, Dr. Wade brings a unique perspective to the Board of Directors regarding the needs of the local medical community. As a private-practice professional, she offers insight into the small business community. Dr. Wade was appointed to the Board in February 2016.

 

57


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Leadership Structure

Robert W. Dumas serves as Chairman of the Company and the Bank, and was President and CEO of the Company and the Bank through December 31, 2022. The Board of Directors does not have a policy with respect to the separation of the offices of Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer. The Board believes this issue is part of the succession planning process and that it is in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders to retain the flexibility to combine or separate these functions. At this time, theThe Board believes there arewere a number of important advantages of combining the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, including the following:

 

Mr. E. L. Spencer, Jr., with 41 years of experience at the Company, including 26 years as Chief Executive Officer, has the knowledge, expertise, and experience to understand the opportunities and challenges facing the Company, as well as the leadership and management skills to promote and execute our values and strategy, particularly during the current difficult economic environment;

·

Mr. Dumas has 39 years of experience at the Bank, including 21 years as President and Chief Executive Officer and 10 years as Vice Chairman and two years as Chairman of the Company and the Bank. He has the knowledge, expertise, and experience to understand the opportunities and challenges facing the Company, as well as the community and banking industry leadership and management experience and skills to promote and execute our values and strategy, particularly during the current economic environment;

 

Combining the positions allows Mr. E. L. Spencer, Jr., to lead Board discussions regarding our business and strategy, and provides unified leadership for the Company;

·

Prior to retiring as President and CEO at the end of 2022, Mr. Dumas could lead Board discussions regarding our business and strategy, and provided unified leadership for the Company. His services as Chairman offers continuity and support for our management team and strategic advice;

 

Combining the positions creates a firm link between management and the Board and promotes the development and implementation of corporate strategy; and

·

The previous combination of the positions and Mr. Dumas’ continued service as Chairman since the end of 2022 creates a firm link between management and the Board and promotes the development and implementation of corporate strategy; and

 

Combining the positions allows timely communication with the Board on critical business matters given the complexity of our business.

·

Mr. Dumas’s continuing service as Chairman facilitates timely communication with the Board on critical business matters given the complexity of our business and his knowledge of our customers, communities and other stakeholders.

The Board also believes that combining the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer doesdid not undermine the independence of the Board. The Company’s Board iswas comprised of Mr. E. L. Spencer, Jr.Dumas and teneight other directors eightprior to the election of whom satisfyMr. Hedges in November 2022 as part of the Company’s and the Bank’s management succession plan. Seven directors currently are independent under Nasdaq’s listing standards, regarding independence. The Companyand one outside director is a strong community and business leader who has establishednot served as an independent director committee. Anne M. May is currently the chairpersonemployee or officer of the committee and therefore is formally identified asCompany or the Lead Independent Director.Bank. Our corporate governance guidelines provide that the independent directors will meet at least semi-annually in executive session without management present.

The Company also has established an Independent Director Committee. Anne M. May is currently the chairperson of such committee and therefore is formally identified as the Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director has broad responsibility and authority, including to:

·

Preside at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent Directors;

·

Call meetings of Independent Directors Committee; and

·

Serve as the principal liaison between the Chairman and the Independent Directors.

The Company believes the foregoing structure, policies and practices, when combined with the Company’s other governance policies and procedures, provide appropriate oversight, discussion and evaluation of decisions and direction from the Board of Directors.

8


Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors maintains oversight responsibility of the management of the Company’s risks. A fundamental part of risk management is not only understanding the risks to the Company, faces and what steps management is takingthe actions needed to manage those risks, but also understanding what leveldetermining acceptable levels of risk is appropriate for the Company. The full Board of Directors reviews enterprise risk management through or with management its process for managing enterprise risk.the committees and with management.

While the Board of Directors maintains the ultimate oversight responsibility for risk management, certain of the Board’s committees have been assigned responsibilitythese responsibilities for risk management oversight of specific areas. These responsibilities include:oversight:

 

the Compensation Committee evaluating, with our senior officers, risks posed by our compensation programs and seeking to limit any unnecessary or excessive risks these programs may pose to us, in order to avoid programs that might encourage such risks. The Compensation Committee’s role and its relationship with the Board are more fully described under “Committees of the Board ��
·

the Compensation Committee evaluates, with our senior officers, risks posed by our compensation programs and seeks to avoid compensation that may promote unnecessary or excessive risks and that does not reward performance consistent with applicable laws. The Compensation Committee’s role and its relationship with the Board are more fully described under “Committees of the Board – Compensation Committee”;

 

6


the Audit and Compliance Committee overseeing risks related to our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, our financial reporting process and system of internal controls. The Audit and Compliance Committee also evaluates the performance of our independent auditors and our internal auditing department. The Audit Committee periodically meets privately in separate executive sessions with management, our internal audit department, and the independent auditors. The Audit and Compliance Committee’s role and its relationship with the Board are more fully described under “Committees of the Board – Audit and Compliance Committee”; and

·

the Audit Committee oversees risks related to our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including transactions with insiders and affiliates, our financial reporting process and system of internal controls. The Audit Committee also evaluates the performance of our independent auditors and our internal auditing department. The Audit Committee periodically meets privately in separate executive sessions with management, our internal audit department, and the independent auditors. The Audit Committee’s role and its relationship with the Board are more fully described under “Committees of the Board – Audit Committee”; and

 

the Strategic Planning Committee reviewing management and adjusting our risk assessment during the Company’s annual strategic planning process. The Strategic Planning Committee’s role and its relationship with the Board are more fully described under “Committees of the Board – Strategic Planning Committee”.

·

the Strategic Planning Committee reviews management and adjusts our risk assessment and appetite during the Company’s annual strategic planning process. The Strategic Planning Committee’s role and its relationship with the Board are more fully described under “Committees of the Board – Strategic Planning Committee”.

While each of these committees is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of these risks, the entire Board of Directors is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks. In addition, each of the Company’s directors serves on the Bank’s Board of Directors. We believe that Board committees that report at the Bank level are critical to the Company’s risk management processes. These committees include the Director’s Loan Committee, Asset/Liability Committee, Information Technology/Information Security (“IT/IS”) Steering Committee, and Operations and Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) Committee. These committees each play a role in monitoring the following risks to the Bank and Company: credit, liquidity, interest rate, anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance, general compliance, and operational, reputational compliance, and information technology and systems security, including cybersecurity risks.

Director Nominating Process

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board, monitors existing director qualifications and periodically examines the composition of the Company’s Board of Directors and determines whether the Board of Directors would better serve its purposes with the addition of one or more directors. This assessment includes, among other relevant factors, in the context of the perceived needs of the Board at that time, issues ofincluding experience and relevant knowledge, reputation, judgment, diversity and skills.

If the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines that adding a new director is advisable or if a vacancy on the Board arises, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee initiates the search, working with other directors, management and, if it deems appropriate or necessary, a search firm retained to assist in the search. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider all appropriate candidates proposed by management, directors and shareholders.

9


Information regarding potential candidates is presented to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which then evaluates the candidates based on the needs of the Board of Directors at that time as described above. Nominees for directors are considered on the basis of various factors, including their character, experience, skills, and knowledge of our communities. We seek a Board of Directors with a majority of independent directors with a range of complementary experiences and diversity, including persons with the criteria listed above.expertise and qualifications required by our Audit and Compensation Committees. Potential candidates are evaluated according to the same criteria, regardless of whether the candidate was recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, a shareholder, another director, management or another third party. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then meets to consider the selected candidate(s) and submits the approved candidate(s) to the full Board of Directors for approval and recommendation to the shareholders. Although neither the Board nor the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees, the

The director nomination process is designed to ensureso that the Board considers members with diverse backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, gender, education, skills and experience, with a focus on appropriate financial and other expertise relevant to the company’sCompany’s business, and also considers issues of judgment, conflicts of interest, integrity, ethics and commitment to the goal of maximizing shareholder value. The Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s goal with regard to the consideration of this processdiversity in identifying director nominees is to assemble a group of directors with deep, varied experience,experiences, sound judgment and commitment to the company’sCompany’s success.

In 2021, Nasdaq amended its listing rules to require diverse board composition and disclosure of specified diversity metrics, subject to certain exceptions and transition periods. In accordance with Nasdaq rules, the table below provides the composition of the Company’s Board of Directors based on voluntary self-identification of gender identity and other demographics. Each of the categories listed in the table has the meaning as it is used in the Nasdaq rules and related guidance and instructions.

Board Diversity Matrix (as of March 29, 2023)

       Female               Male                   Total         

Part I: Gender Identity

      

Directors

   2      8      10   

Part II: Demographic Background

      

African American or Black

   1      —      1   

White

   1      8      9   

Shareholder Nominations

Subject to the requirements of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as well as any requirements of law or regulation, any shareholder entitled to vote for the election of directors may recommend a director nominee. Advance notice of such proposed nomination must be received by the Secretary of the Company not less than 21 days nor more than 60 days prior to any meeting of the shareholders called for the election of directors. Nominations should be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Company specifying the nominee’s name and other required information set forth in the Company’s Bylaws. In 2015,2022, there were no shareholder recommendations received, and no third party search firms were used to identify director candidates.

7


Shareholder Communications

Shareholders who wish to communicate with the Board, or any individual director or group of directors, may do so by sending written communications addressed to: Board of Directors of Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc., c/o C. Wayne Alderman, Secretary, Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc., 100 N. Gay Street, P.O. Box 3110, Auburn, Alabama, 36831-3110. All information will be compiled by the Secretary of the Company and submitted to the Board of Directors or each applicable director at the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

10


Meetings of the Board of Directors

The Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank, as well as the committees of the Company’s and Bank’s Boards of Directors, generally hold meetings in tandem. The Company’s Board of Directors held 12 meetings during 2015.2022. All directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors and each committee on which they served. All of the Company’s directors are encouraged to attend the Company’s annual meetings of shareholders. All but one, of the Company’s directors attended the 20152022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Committees of the Board of Directors

In accordance with the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines or Bylaws, the Company’s Board has established the committees described below. As of April 8, 2016,March 29, 2023, the members of each committee are identified below:

 

Director Name    Audit        Compensation    

DirectorNominating

Name    & Corporate    

Governance

 Audit &
Compliance

    Independent    

Directors

 Compensation    Executive     Nominating &
Corporate
Governance

    Strategic    

Planning

 Independent
Directors
ExecutiveStrategic
Planning
PropertyProxy

Alderman

 ü     ü ü ü  

Andrus

 ü(C)ü ü(C) ü(C)ü   ü  ü

Barrett

 ü ü ü ü     ü

Cooper*

  

Dumas

         ü(C) ü(C) ü(C)

Ham, Jr.

 ü     ü     ü

Housel

üüüü

May

ü(C)üü(C)üüü

Murphy

ü

Spencer, Jr.Hedges

         ü(C)üü(C) üü

Housel

üüüü

May

ü(C)üü(C)üüü

Spencer, III

             ü

Wade, M.D.    

ü

(C) Chairman

(C)

Chairman

*

Although Mrs. Cooper does not currently serve on any committees at the Company level, she serves on several committees at the Bank level, including: IT/IS Steering Committee, Operations Committee and Asset/Liability Committee.

Audit and Compliance Committee.Committee

The Audit and Compliance Committee (“Audit Committee”) has the responsibilities set forth in the Audit Committee Charter, including reviewing the Company’s financial statements, evaluating internal accounting controls, reviewing reports of regulatory authorities and determining that all audits and examinations required by law are performed. It appoints independent auditors, reviews and approves their audit plan and reviews with the independent auditors the results of the audit and management’s response thereto. The Audit Committee also reviews the adequacy of the internal audit budget and personnel, the internal audit plan and schedule, and results of audits performed by the internal audit staff. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the entire audit function and appraising the effectiveness of internal and external audit efforts. All members of the Audit Committee are “independent directors,” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards, and meet the independence criteria set forth in SEC Rule 10A-3(b)(1) and the financial literacy requirements of the Nasdaq listing standards and SEC regulations. The audit committee has the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisers, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties. This committee held 1714 meetings in 2015.2022. The Board of Directors has determined that C. Wayne Alderman and Terry W. Andrus, members of the Audit Committee, are “audit committee financial experts,” as defined by SEC rules.

 

811


Compensation Committee.CommitteePursuant to the

The Compensation Committee Charter authorizes the Compensation Committee is authorized to review, recommend and approve the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, other executive officers and other key employees of the Company and the Bank; to evaluate the Company’s incentive compensation plans, including any equity compensation plans; and to select, interview and make hiring recommendations to the Board for the Chief Executive Officer position. In addition, the Committee approves changes to any Company personnel policy manuals or handbooks, and annually evaluates director compensation. Although it has not done so, the Compensation Committee may delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members, as it deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee may engage its own legal counsel and compensation consultants, funded by the Company. All current members of the Compensation Committee are all “independent directors” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards. This committee held tentwo meetings in 2015.2022.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.Committee

The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance CommitteeCommittee’s purpose is to identify individuals qualified to become members of the Company’s Board of Directors and recommend to the Board any director nominees. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers all appropriate candidates proposed by management, directors and shareholders. The Committee will consider all shareholder nominees that are submitted in accordance with the director nominees forprocedures described in the next annual meeting of shareholders.Shareholder Nominations section in this Proxy Statement. This committee also takes a leadership role in shaping corporate governance policies and practices of the Company. The responsibilities and duties of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are more fully set out in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter. All members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are “independent directors” as defined in the Nasdaq listing standards. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held two meetings in 2015.2022.

Independent Directors Committee.Committee

The Independent Directors Committee was formed to meet Nasdaq listing standards, which require that the Company’s independent directors meet separately from the other directors in regularly scheduled executive sessions at least twice annually, and at such other times as may be deemed appropriate by the Company’s independent directors. Nasdaq listing standards also require that a majority of the Company’s directors be “independent directors.” The Board has affirmatively determined that all members of the Independent Directors Committee are independent directors. The Company’s Board of Directors has appointed Anne M. May to serve as the Board’s Lead Independent Director. This committee held twothree meetings in 2015.2022.

Executive Committee.Committee

The Company’s Executive Committee is authorized to act in the absence of the Board of Directors on certain matters that require Board approval. This committee held one meeting during 2015.2022.

Strategic Planning Committee.Committee

The Strategic Planning Committee evaluates potential acquisitions and the Company’s long rangelong-range goals and oversees the process and risk assessment used for the officers’ and directors’ strategic planning sessions. This committee held one meeting in 2015.no meetings during 2022.

Property Committee.Committee

The Property Committee evaluates potential properties for expansion or branching activities. This committee held no meetings during 2015.2022.

Proxy Committee.The Proxy Committee is authorized to act on behalf of Company shareholders when authorized by Proxy. This committee held one meeting during 2015.

12


The Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics applicable to the Company’s directors, officers and employees, including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial andofficer, principal accounting officer controller and other senior financial officers. The Code of Conduct and Ethics, as well as the charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, can be found by hovering over the heading “About Us” on the Company’s website,www.auburnbank.com, and then clicking on “Investor Relations”, and then clicking on “Governance Documents”. In addition,Documents.” The Company posts any amendments to or waivers of, its Code of Conduct and Ethics at this information is available in print to anylocation on the Company’s website. Any shareholder who requests it. Written requestsmay make a written request for a copy of the Company’s Code of Conduct or the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, or Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charters may be sent to Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc., 100 N. Gay Street, Auburn, Alabama 36830, Attention: Marla Kickliter, Senior Vice President of Compliance and Internal Audit. Requests may also be made via telephone by contacting Ms. Kickliter or Laura Carrington, Vice President of Human Resources, at (334) 821-9200. As additional corporate governance standards are adopted, they will be disclosed on an ongoing basis on the Company’s website.

9


Board Compensation

In 2015,2022, the Chairman received $2,000 and each director received $1,000, respectively, for each Board meeting attended. In 2016,attended, which will be the Chairman will receive $2,000 and each director will receive $1,000, respectively,same for each Board meeting attended.2023. Generally, the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank meet on the same day, and in such cases, a fee is paid for one board meeting only. In addition, members of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee of the Company, which also serve as the members of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee of the Bank, respectively, receive an additional fee of $200$250 for each committee meeting attended, while each Chairman of these committees receives $400$500 per meeting.meeting attended. Members of the Bank’s Loan Committee, Asset/Liability Committee and IT/IS Steering Committee receive $200$250 for each committee meeting attended, while each Chairman of these committees receives $400$500 per meeting.meeting attended. Committee chairs and members of the Bank’s Strategic Planning Committee and Property Committee receive $250 for each committee meeting attended. Fees are not paid for other committee meetings. The Company’s and the Bank’s directors may receive year-end cash bonuses based upon the Company’s financial performance. In 2015,2022, aggregate fees paid to Company and Bank Directors, including cash bonuses,directors totaled approximately $241,900.$240,000. The compensation of directors may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, without shareholder approval.

The following table provides information concerning the compensation of the Company’s non-employee directors for 2015.2022. Compensation paid to E. L. Spencer, Jr. and Robert W. Dumas and David A. Hedges for their service as directors is reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page 12.16.

 

Name

    Fees Earned  
or Paid in
Cash
 

Non-equity
Incentive Plan

Compensation(1)

  

      Total      

      Fees Earned    
or Paid in
Cash
  Non-equity
Incentive Plan
 Compensation(1) 
          Total                                                               

C. Wayne Alderman

        $  23,200             $  3,650              $  26,850      $    33,250  $    3,650  $    36,900

Terry W. Andrus

   19,600       3,650          23,250            18,750        3,650        22,400

J. Tutt Barrett

   17,600       3,650          21,250            26,000        3,650        29,650

J.E. Evans (2)

   20,400       —          20,400    

Laura J. Cooper

        13,500        3,650        17,150

William F. Ham, Jr.

   19,600       3,650          23,250            20,000        3,650        23,650

David E. Housel

   18,800       3,650          22,450            18,750        3,650        22,400

Anne M. May

   18,000       3,650          21,650            18,000        3,650        21,650

Edward Lee Spencer, III

   17,800       3,650          21,450            18,000        3,650        21,650                                                       

 

(1)

Amounts represent cash bonuses paid to the Company’s directors.

The Company did not grant any equity or non-equity incentive plan awards in 2022. There were no stock options exercised or stock awards vested in 2022.

(2)J.E. Evans retired and resigned as a director on October 15, 2015.

13


PROPOSAL #2 –TWO: ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The purpose of the Company’s compensation policies and procedures is to attract and retain experienced, highly qualified executives critical to promote our long-term success and enhancement of shareholder value. The Board believes our compensation policies and procedures achieve this objective, and therefore recommend shareholders vote “FOR” the say-on-pay proposal through approval of the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 20162023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the compensation tables and any related material disclosed in the Proxy Statement, is hereby APPROVED.”

This say-on-pay proposal gives you as a shareholder the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the compensation we pay to our named executive officers (identified below) by voting to approve or not approve such compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. This vote is advisory, which means that it is not binding on the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee. However, the Board and the Compensation Committee will consider the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

We have included this proposal in our Proxy Statement pursuant to the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the “Dodd-Frank Act”, and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

10


In last year’s Proxy Statement for the 20152022 Annual Meeting, a similar advisory vote was requested by the Company. The results of last year’s vote were as follows:

 

        2015
            Vote Count  
                     Percent            

2022       

Vote Count  

   Percent                                                                         
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

For

   1,962,356     96%             1,601,979    98.6%     

Against

   3,911     0%             13,482    0.8%     

Abstain

   72,524     4%             9,557    0.6%     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2,038,791     100%                         1,625,018                100.0%     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation, but rather relates to the overall compensation of our named executive officers, as described in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC. We encourage you to closely review the information we have provided under the caption “Executive Compensation” below.

The Board recommends you vote “FOR” the approval of this Resolution related to the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

14


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Executive officers of the Company and the Bank generally are appointed annually at a meeting of the respective Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank in January to serve for one-year terms and until successors are chosen and qualified. In addition to Mr. E. L. Spencer, Jr.Dumas and Mr. Dumas,Hedges, whose information is included under “Proposal One – Election of Directors,” our other executive officers are:

 

Name

  

Information About Executive Officers

Terrell E. Bishop

City President, Valley Branch and Senior Vice President and Senior Mortgage Lending Officer of the Bank since 1991. Mr. Bishop is 79.

Kris W. Blackmon

Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Bank since 2007; various other positions with the Bank since 2001. Mr. Blackmon is 45.

James E. Dulaney

Senior Vice President, Bent Creek Branch (Business Development & Commercial/Consumer Lending) since 2010; formerly Senior Vice President (Business Development/Marketing) of the Bank since 2004; various other positions with the Bank since 1993. Mr. Dulaney is 57.

David A. Hedges

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank since December 2015; formerly Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank since 2014; various other positions with the Company and Bank since 2006. Mr. Hedges is 37.

W. Thomas Johnson

Senior Vice President (Commercial and Consumer Lending) and Senior Lending Officer of the Bank since 2001; formerly Vice President (Commercial and Consumer Lending) of the Bank since 1999. Mr. Johnson is 68.

Marla L. Kickliter

Senior Vice President of Compliance/Internal Audit of the Bank since 2007; formerly Vice President of Compliance/Internal Audit since 2005; various other positions with the Bank since 2001. Ms. Kickliter is 46.

Shannon S. O’Donnell

  

Chief Risk Officer since April 2014 and Senior Vice President of Credit Administration since 2007; formerly Vice President of Credit Administration since 2001. Ms. O’Donnell is 46.

11


Name

Information About Executive Officers53.

Jerome B. Siegel

Robert L. Smith

  

Senior Vice President and Chief TechnologyLending Officer since 2008, formerly Vice President and Chief Technology Officer since 2002. Mr. Siegel is 52.

C. Eddie Smith, Jr.

City President, Opelika Branch and Senior Vice President of the Bank since 2003; Senior Vice President (Commercial and Consumer Lending) of the Bank since 2001; formerly Vice President (Commercial and Consumer Lending) of the Bank since 1999. Mr. Smith is 59.

Robert L Smith, Jr.

Senior Vice President of the Bank and Chief Lending Officer since April 2014; Vice President (Commercial and Consumer Lending) of the Bank since 2001; Mr. Smith is 47.54.

W. James Walker, IV

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank since January 2023; formerly Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company and the Bank since December 2015; formerly an audit partner with a regional public accounting firm since 2006.2015. Mr. Walker is 47.53.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table provides information concerning the compensation of our named executive officers for 2015the years ended 2022 and 2014.2021.

 

        Name and Principal Position        

        Year              Salary           Bonus (1)      All Other
 Compensation (2) 
         Total       

E. L. Spencer, Jr.

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and Chairman and Director of the Bank

  2015

2014

  $    21,643    

      21,012    

  $    90,000     

      82,500     

  $    37,502       

      37,635       

    $    149,145    

        141,147    

          

Robert W. Dumas

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and Vice Chairman and Director of the Bank and the Company

  2015

2014

      283,250    

    275,000    

      65,000     

    60,000     

      39,497       

    39,065       

      387,747    

    374,065    

          

Terrell E. Bishop

Senior Vice President of the Bank

  2015      181,095          18,600           5,580             205,275    
  2014      175,821          18,485           5,466             199,772    
          

Name and Principal Position

        Year                Salary              Bonus (1)      All Other
 Compensation (2) 
             Total            

Robert W. Dumas (4)

  2022  $358,944  $  100,000   $  60,866     $519,810   

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chairman and Director of the Bank and the Company

  2021    345,138        50,000     58,025     453,163 

David A. Hedges (3) (4)

  2022    237,392        75,000     19,196     331,589 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank and the Company

  2021    223,955        30,000     16,873     270,828 

Robert L. Smith (3)

  2022    216,393        35,000       8,446     249,839 

Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of the Bank

  2021    208,070        25,000       7,902     240,972 

 

(1)

Represents cash incentive awards paid to the Company’s executive officers. Bonuses that were earned in 2021 and 2022 were paid in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

 

(2)

For 2015,2022, includes compensation as described under “All Other Compensation” below.

(3)

Considered the two most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal executive officer at December 31, 2022.

 

1215


(4)

Robert W. Dumas retired as President and CEO effective December 31, 2022 and David A. Hedges succeeded him in this role effective January 1, 2023. Mr. Dumas will continue to serve as Chairman of the Company and the Bank.

All Other Compensation

The following table provides information regarding each component of compensation included in the All Other Compensation column for 20152022 of the Summary Compensation Table above.

 

Name

  Insurance
      Premiums      
   Company
Contributions
to Retirement and
401(k) Plans
   Total
Compensation
    as Director (1)    
            Total             Insurance
        Premiums        
  Company
Contributions
    to Retirement and    
401(k) Plans
  Total
Compensation
    as Director (1)    
              Total            

E. L. Spencer, Jr.

   $    23              $    579             $    36,900               $    37,502      

Robert W. Dumas

   7,097              7,950             24,450               39,497        $8,334  $10,482  $42,050   $60,866     

Terrell E. Bishop

   158              5,422             —               5,580      

David A. Hedges

    7,230      9,466      2,500     19,196 

Robert L. Smith.

      630      7,816          —       8,446 

 

(1)

Represents fees earned as an employee directorsdirector of the Bank and Company, including cash bonuses paid to Robert W. Dumas for their service as directors.a director and Chairman.

20152022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The Company did not grant any equity or non-equity incentive plan awards in 2015.2022.

20152022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

There were no stock options exercised or stock awards vested in 2015.2022.

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 20152022

There were no unexercised options, unvested stock, and equity incentive plan awards for named executive officers outstanding as of December 31, 2015.2022.

Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The Company does not offer any pension or nonqualified deferred compensation benefits to its named executive officers.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

The Company does not have any severance or change in control agreements with any of its named executive officers.

 

1316


STOCK OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN PERSONS

The following table sets forth the number and the percentage of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that were beneficially owned, as of the Record Date, by (1) each of our directors and each of our named executive officers, (2) all of our directors and executive officers as a group, and (3) each person known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of any class of our voting common stock. Other than as set forth below, no “persons” (as that term is defined by the SEC) are known by the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Common Stock, the Company’s only class of voting securities, as of the Record Date.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner (1)                                                                           

   Number of Shares (2)           Percent of Class      

All Directors and Named Executive Officers:

    

C. Wayne Alderman

   6,116                *

Terry W. Andrus

   2,963                *

J. Tutt Barrett

   7,903                *

Robert W. Dumas (3) (4)

   38,077                1.05%

William F. Ham, Jr. (5)

   3,647                *

David E. Housel

   4,576                *

Anne M. May

   31,373                *

Amy B. Murphy

   75                *

E. L. Spencer, Jr. (6)(7)(8)(9)

   735,219                20.18%

Edward Lee Spencer, III (10)

   9,576                *

Terrell E. Bishop

   42,205                1.16%

David A. Hedges

   200                *

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (22 persons)

   895,660                24.58%

Persons known to Company who own more than 5% of

outstanding shares of Company Common Stock:

    

Emil F. Wright, Jr.

500 Brookwood Drive

Auburn, AL 36830

   397,878                10.92%

Name of Beneficial Owner (1)

    Number of Shares (2)         Percent of Class      

All Directors and Named Executive Officers:

   

C. Wayne Alderman

   5,116    

Terry W. Andrus (3)

   4,045    

J. Tutt Barrett

   7,944    

Laura J. Cooper

   127    

Robert W. Dumas

   41,431   1.18

William F. Ham, Jr. (4)

   4,527    

David E. Housel

   6,345    

Anne M. May

   33,311    

Edward Lee Spencer, III (5)

   9,576    

David A. Hedges

   300    

Shannon S. O’Donnell

   1,206    

Robert L. Smith

   352    

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (12 persons)

   114,280   3.26

Persons known to Company who own more than 5% of outstanding shares of Company Common Stock:

   

E. L. Spencer, Jr. (6) (7) (8)

P. O. Box 3288

Auburn, AL 36831

   740,191   21.14

Emil F. Wright, Jr. (9) (10) (11)

500 Brookwood Drive

Auburn, AL 36830

   392,484         11.21%     

 

*

Less than 1%

 

(1)

Unless specified below, each director’s and named executive officer’s business address is c/o AuburnBank, 100 N. Gay Street, Auburn, Alabama 36830.

 

(2)

Information relating to beneficial ownership of Common Stock by directorsthe individuals named in the above table is based upon information furnished by each personthe respective individuals using “beneficial ownership” concepts set forth in rules of the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Under such rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares “voting power,” which includes the power to vote or direct the voting of such security, or “investment power,” which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. The person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under such rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which he or she may disclaim any beneficial ownership. Accordingly, directors and named executive officers may be named as beneficial owners of shares as to which they may disclaim any beneficial interest. Except as indicated in other notes to this table describing special relationships with other persons and specifying shared voting or investment power, directors and named executive officers possess sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock set forth opposite their names.

 

14


(3)

Includes 3,6803,292 shares held by Mr. Dumas’ mother, as to which Mr. Dumas may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power.

(4)Includes 1,060 shares held by Mr. DumasAndrus that were pledged as collateral for a loan from the Bank.

 

17


(5)(4)

Includes 300 shares held by Mr. Ham’s wife, as to which Mr. Ham may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power.

 

(6)(5)Includes 18,950 shares held by Mr. E.L. Spencer, Jr.’s wife, as to which Mr. E.L. Spencer, Jr. may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power.

(7)Includes 65,892 shares held by the Edward L. Spencer, Jr. Eight-Year Grantor Retained Annuity Trust dated December 23, 2010. Mr. Spencer is the trustee of the trust and has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these shares.

(8)Includes 3,865 shares held by the Edward L. Spencer, Jr. Foundation.

(9)Includes 24,745 shares held by the E.L. Spencer, Jr. 2008 Revocable Trust.

(10)Includes 3,960 shares held by Spencer LLC, a company in which Mr. Edward Lee Spencer, III is a partner,member, as to which Mr. Edward Lee Spencer, III may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power, and as to which Mr. Edward Lee Spencer, III disclaims beneficial ownership of 2,640 shares.

(6)

Includes 17,000 shares held by Mr. E.L. Spencer, Jr.’s wife, as to which Mr. E.L. Spencer, Jr. may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power.

(7)

Includes 7,878 shares held by the Edward L. Spencer, Jr. Foundation, a 501(c)(3) private foundation.

(8)

Includes 47,882 shares held by the E.L. Spencer, Jr. 2008 Revocable Trust.

(9)

Includes 58,978 shares held by Dr. Wright’s wife, as to which Dr. Wright may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power.

(10)

Includes 59,000 shares held by Ferrocene, LP whose general partners are Dr. Wright and his wife, and limited partners include Dr. and Mrs. Wright’s two children and their two grandchildren.

(11)

Includes 500 shares held by Comitas Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) private foundation, whose executive officers are Dr. Wright and his wife.

The Company maintains an Insider Trading Policy which is reviewed and updated at least annually, and which was updated in 2023 to reflect amendments to SEC Rule 10b5-1 effective February 27, 2023. This Policy covers Company and Bank directors, officers, and employees as well as consultants or independent contractors whose business relationship with the Company provides access to “material nonpublic information” regarding the Company. No covered person may engage in transactions with respect to Company securities of a speculative nature at any time. Such persons are at all times prohibited from short-selling Company securities or engaging in transactions involving Company Derivative Securities. This prohibition includes trading in Company-based put options and other options contracts, including straddles, swaps, short sales and the like, excluding the exercise of options and other equity awards, if any, grated to covered persons by the Company as incentive compensation. Prior notice to and approval of the Company is required before entering into, modifying or terminating a Rule 10b5-1 plan or other qualified selling plan. Covered persons are responsible for determining that they are not in possession of, and do not have access to, material nonpublic information, and for verifying that the Company has not imposed any restrictions on their ability to engage in trades when taking action with respect to any trades or entering into, modifying and terminating any 10b5-1 or other qualified trading plan.

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

Various Company and Bank directors, officers, and their affiliates, including corporations and firms of whichwhere they are directors or officers or in whichwhere they and/or their families have an ownership interest, are customers of the Company and the Bank. These persons, corporations, and firms have had transactions in the ordinary course of business with the Company and the Bank, including borrowings, all of which in the opinion of management believes were on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. Such transactions are subject to review and approval as and to the extent provided in our Audit Committee Charter. The Company and the Bank expect to have such transactions, under similar conditions, with their directors, officers, and affiliates in the future.

Federal Reserve Regulation O requires loans made to executive officers and directors to be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, and following credit-underwriting procedures, that are no less stringent than those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions by the Bank with other persons. Such loans also may not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. Additionally, no event of default may have occurred (that is, such loans are not disclosed as non-accrual, past due, restructured, or potential problems). Pursuant to Regulation O requires the Board of Directors mustto review any loan to a director or his or her related interests that has become criticized in order to determine the impact thatand whether such classification has on theaffects such director’s independence. In addition,

18


the Audit Committee Charter provides that the Audit Committee will review and approve all related-party transactions. This includes a review of the Company’s compliance with applicable banking laws, including, without limitation, those banking laws and regulations concerning loans to insiders.

15


In 2015,None of the Bank paid an aggregate of $1,174,023 to J & L Contractors for the build out of leasehold improvements in connection with a relocation of a bank branch, and for construction of a new branch facility located in Auburn, Alabama. The Bank also paid $10,210 to J & L Contractors for other construction related work in 2015. See Note 18 to our financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. Evans Realty, Inc., the majority owner of J & L Contractors, is owned by Mr. Evans, a former directordirectors or executive officers of the Company, and the Bank. Mr. Evans retired during 2015. In accordance withowners of 5% or more of the Company’s Audit Committee Charter, all these contracts were subject to review and approved by the Audit Committee.

Other than the transactions disclosed above, none of the directors ofoutstanding stock, or their immediate family members, had a direct or indirect interest in any transaction involving the Company servesduring 2022 or 2021, served as an executive officer of, or owns, or during 20152022 or 20142021 owned, of record or beneficially, greater than 10% equity interest in any business or professional entity that has made or received during 20152022 or 2014,2021, or proposes to make or receive during 2016,2023, payments to or from the Company or the Bank for property or services in excess of the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the Company’s average total assets at year endyear-end for the last two completed fiscal years.

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

REPORTING COMPLIANCEOF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

The Company is subject to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which requires the Company’s executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, Directorsdirectors and greater-than-10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Based solely on its review of the copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5 furnished to the Company during and with respect to 2015,2022, or written representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the Company’s and the Bank’s officers, directors and greater-than-10% beneficial owners were complied with during 2015, other than an erroneously reported disposition by E.L. Spencer, Jr. of shares held in trust to the trust’s beneficiary. The subject shares remain in a trust and continue to be beneficially owned by E.L. Spencer, Jr.2022.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Management is responsible for the Company’s internal controls and the financial reporting process. The Company’s independent registered accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. In this context, we have met and held discussions with management and the independent registered accountants. We have reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2022, with management and the independent registered accountants. This review included discussions with the Company’s independent registered accountants of matters required to be discussed by PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 16,PCAOB’s AS 1301, Communications with Audit Committees.and the SEC.

The Company’s independent registered accountants alsohave provided to us the written disclosures and the letter required by IndependentPCAOB Professional Standards Board Standard No. 1,Rule 3526, Independent DiscussionsCommunication with Audit CommitteesConcerning Independence, and we discussed with the independent registered accountants that firm’s independence.

Based upon our discussions with management and the independent registered accountants and our review of the representationrepresentations of management and the report of the independent registered accountants to the Audit Committee, we recommended thatto the Board of Directors includethat the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

Terry W. Andrus

C. Wayne Alderman

J. Tutt Barrett

William F. Ham, Jr.

David E. Housel

2022.

 

Terry W. Andrus

C. Wayne Alderman

J. Tutt Barrett

William F. Ham, Jr.

David E. Housel

16

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PROPOSAL THREE: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee of the Board of the Company has approved the appointment of Elliott Davis, Decosimo LLC (“Elliott Davis”) to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2016.2023. The Audit Committee considered the background, expertise and experience of the audit team assigned to the Company and various other relevant matters, including the proposed fees for audit services. A representative of Elliott Davis will be present at the Meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement on behalf of the firm, and will also be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

On March 30, 2015 If the Company informed KPMG LLP that it was dismissed effective that day asshareholders should fail to ratify the Company’sappointment of the independent registered public accounting firm. KPMG’s reports onfirm, the Company’s consolidated financial statements forAudit Committee would reconsider the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and during the subsequent interim period preceding KPMG’s dismissal, there were: (i) no “disagreements” (within the meaning of Item 304(a) of Regulation S-K) with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of the KPMG, would have caused KPMG to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on the consolidated financial statements of the Company; and (ii) no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of SEC Regulation S-K), including no events of the type listed in Item 304(a)(1)(v)(A)–(D) of SEC Regulation S-K. The Company provided KPMG with a copy of this disclosure prior to its filing on its April 2, 2015 current report on Form 8-K with the SEC and requested that KPMG furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating that KPMG agrees with the statements made by the Company above. A copy of KPMG’s letter dated April 2, 2015 was attached as Exhibit 16.1 to that Form 8-K.appointment.

During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim period preceding Elliot Davis’s engagement, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted Elliot Davis regarding either: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to the Company that Elliott Davis concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was subject to a “disagreement” or “reportable event” (within the meaning of Item 304(a) of SEC Regulation S-K, including 304(a)(1)(v) of SEC Regulation S-K, respectively).

17


Independent Public Accountants’ FeesAccountants

The fees billed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firmsfirm relating to the 20152022 and 20142021 fiscal years were as follows:

 

Elliott Davis
        2015        

Audit Fees (1)(2)

    $  168,600

Audit-Related Fees (3)

2,400

Tax Fees

All Other Fees

  Total

171,000
KPMG LLP
        2014        

Audit Fees (4)

    $  210,000

Audit-Related Fees (5)

11,500

Tax Fees

All Other Fees

  Total

221,500
           2022                   2021         

Audit Fees (1) (2)

   $    202,500    $    147,000 

Audit-Related Fees (3)

   13,750    8,000 

Tax Fees

        

All Other Fees

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

  Total

   $    216,250    $    155,000 

 

(1)

Includes the aggregate fees billed by Elliott Davis for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, and review of unaudited financial statements included in the Company’s Forms 10-Q filed during fiscal year 2015.years 2022 and 2021 and services normally provided for statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal years 2022 and 2021.

 

(2)Includes $40,000 in

The 2022 amount includes fees billed by Elliott Davis for professional services rendered, foras the auditindependent public accountant who audits the institution’s financial statements, to examine, attest to, and report separately on the assertion of management concerning the effectiveness of the Company’s annualinstitution’s internal control structure and procedures for financial statements and reviewreporting as required by FDIC regulations applicable to FDIC-insured institutions with more than $1 billion in total assets at the beginning of unaudited financial statements included in the Company’s Forms 10-Q filed during fiscal year 2014.year. These requirements were not applicable to the Company before 2022.

 

(3)

Includes the aggregate fees billed by Elliott Davis for professional services rendered for certain agreed upon procedures and other audit and attestation reports related to compliance matters during fiscal year 2015.years 2022 and 2021.

(4)Includes the aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and review of unaudited financial statements included in the Company’s Forms 10-Q filed during fiscal year 2014.

(5)Includes the aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP for professional services rendered for certain agreed upon procedures and other audit and attestation reports related to compliance matters during fiscal year 2014.

Audit Committee Review

The Company’s Audit Committee has reviewed the services rendered and the fees billed by Elliott Davis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.2022. The Audit Committee has determined that the services rendered and the fees billed last year that were not related to the audit of the Company’s financial statements are compatible with the independence of Elliott Davis as the Company’s independent registered accountants.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy

Under the Audit Committee’s Charter and its pre-approval policy, the Audit Committee is required to approve in advance the terms of all audit services provided to the Company as well as all permissible audit related and non-audit services to be provided by the independent public accountants. Unless a service to be provided by the independent public accountants has received approval under the pre-approval policy, it will require specific approval by the Audit Committee. The pre-approval policy is detailed as to the particular services to be provided, and the Audit Committee is to be informed about each service provided. The approval of non-audit services may be performed by the Chairman of the Committee and reported to the full Audit Committee at its next meeting, but may not be performed by the Company’s management. The term of any pre-approval is twelve12 months, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period.

 

1820


The Audit Committee will approve the annual audit engagement terms and fees prior to the commencement of any audit work other than that necessary for the independent public accountant to prepare the proposed audit approach, scope and fee estimates. In addition to the annual audit work, the independent public accountants may perform certain other audit related or non-audit services that are pre-approved by the Audit Committee and are not prohibited by regulatory or other professional requirements. Engagements for the annual audit and recurring tax return preparation engagements shall be reviewed and approved annually by the Audit Committee based on the agreed upon engagement terms, conditions and fees. The nature and dollar value of services provided under these engagements shall be reviewed by the Audit Committee to approve changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Company structure, exchange rates or other items, if any.

In the event audit-related or non-audit services that are pre-approved under the pre-approval policy have an estimated cost in excess of certain dollar thresholds, these services will require specific approval by the Audit Committee or by the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Any proposed engagement must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee or by the Chairman of the Audit Committee applying the principles set forth in the pre-approval policy, prior to the commencement of the engagement.In determining the approval of services by the independent public accountants, the Audit Committee evaluates each service to determine whether the performance of such service would: (a) impair the public accountant’s independence; (b) create a mutual or conflicting interest between the public accountant and the Company; (c) place the public accountant in the position of auditing his or her own work; (d) result in the public accountant acting as management or an employee of the Company; or (e) place the public accountant in a position of being an advocate for the Company. In no event are monetary limits the only basis for the pre-approval of services.

All of the services provided by Elliott Davis during 20152022 and described above under the caption “Audit Fees” and “Audit-Related Fees” were pre-approved by the Company’s Audit Committee pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X, Rule2-01(c)(7)(i).

The Board recommends you vote “FOR” the approval of this Resolution related to the ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

AVAILABILITY OF ANNUAL REPORT

Copies of the Company’s 20152022 Annual Report to Shareholders have been provided to each shareholder. The Annual Report can also be found by clicking the heading “About Us” on the Company’s website,www.auburnbank.com, and then clicking on “Investor Relations.” Upon the written request of any person whose Proxy is solicited by this Proxy Statement, the Company will furnish to such person without charge (other than for exhibits) a copy of the Annual Report, including financial statements and schedules thereto, as filed with the SEC. Such requests should be directed to Marcia Otwell,Luellen Bishop, Shareholder Relations, Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc., P.O. Box 3110, Auburn, Alabama, 36831-3110.

21


SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2017THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING

Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the Company’s 20172024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company on or before December 9, 2016,November 30, 2023 and must comply with the requirements of SEC Rule 14a-8, in order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting. In addition, regarding any shareholderIf notice of a proposal that is not submitted for inclusionreceived by the Company in accordance with the proxy statementdates specified pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8, then the proposal will be deemed untimely and form of proxy relatingwe will have the right to exclude the 2017proposal from consideration at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, but is instead soughtand/or to be presented directly to the shareholders at the 2017 Annual Meeting, management will be able toexercise discretionary voting authority and vote proxies in its discretion if either (i) the Company does not receive notice of the proposal before the close of business on February 22, 2017, or (ii) the Company receives notice of the proposal before the close of business on February 22, 2017, and advises shareholders in the proxy statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting about the nature of the proposal and how management intendsreturned to vote on the proposal, unless the shareholder notifies the Company by February 22, 2017, that it intends to deliver a proxy statementus with respect to such proposal and thereafter takesor director nomination.

If a shareholder does not submit a proposal for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement, but instead wishes to present it directly at the necessary stepsCompany’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Company’s Bylaws require that the shareholder notify the Company of such proposal in writing no later than November 30, 2023, or 120 calendar days in advance of the date (with respect to do so.

the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders) that the Company’s proxy statement was released to its shareholders in connection with the Meeting. The shareholder must also comply with the requirements of Article III, Section 16 of the Company’s Bylaws with respect to shareholder proposals.

19


OTHER MATTERS

The Company knows of no other matters to be brought before the Meeting. However, if any other proper matter is presented, the persons named in the enclosed form of Proxy intend to vote the Proxy in accordance with their judgment of what is in the best interest of the Company.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

/s/ E. L. Spencer, Jr.Robert W. Dumas

E. L. Spencer, Jr.

Robert W. Dumas

Chairman of the Board

March 29, 2023

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Chairman  Annual Meeting Proxy Card

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April 8, 2016

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AUBURN NATIONAL BANCORPORATION, INC. IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION Electronic Voting Instructions Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 1:00 a.m., Central Time, on May 10, 2016. Vote by Internet Go to www.investorvote.com/AUBN Or scan the QR code with your smartphone Follow the steps outlined on the secure website Vote by telephone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in X this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. Annual Meeting Proxy Cardq IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION,VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposal 2. 1. Election of Directors: 01 - C. Wayne Alderman 02 - Terry W. Andrus 03 - J. Tutt Barrett 04 - Robert W. Dumas 05 - William F. Ham, Jr. 06 - David E. Housel + 07 - Anne M. May 08 - Amy B. Murphy 09 - E.L. Spencer, Jr. 10 - Edward Lee Spencer, III 11 - Patricia Wade, M.D. Mark here to vote FOR all nominees Mark here to WITHHOLD vote from all nominees 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 For All EXCEPT - To withhold a vote for one or more nominees, mark the box to the left and the corresponding numbered box(es) to the right. For Against Abstain 2. To approve the compensation of the Company’s named 3. The Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly executive officers. come before the Meeting, or any adjournments of the meeting, in accordance with the determination of a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors. B Non-Voting Items Change of Address — Please print your new address below. Meeting Attendance Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. C Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below q

 A

Proposals – The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed, FOR Proposal 2, and FOR Proposal 3.

1. Election of Directors:LOGO    
          01 - C. Wayne Alderman        02 - Terry W. Andrus03 - J. Tutt Barrett04 - Laura J. Cooper
          05 - Robert W. Dumas06 - William F. Ham, Jr.07 - David A. Hedges        08 - David E. Housel
          09 - Anne M. May10 - Edward Lee Spencer, III        

Mark here to vote FOR all nominees

Mark here to WITHHOLD vote from all nominees

     01  02  03  04  05  06  07  08  09  10
    ☐ 

 

For All EXCEPT - To withhold a vote for one or more nominees, mark the box to the left and the corresponding numbered box(es) to the right.

                    
                    

ForAgainstAbstainForAgainstAbstain

2. To approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

3. To ratify the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.

4. The Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting, or any adjournments of the majority of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 B  

Authorized Signatures – This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. – Date and Sign Below

When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, etc. should give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. 1UPX + 02BWMB

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) – Please print date below.

Signature 1 – Please keep signature within the box.

Signature 2 – Please keep signature within the box.

        /        /

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qIF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION,VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. REVOCABLE PROXY — AUBURN NATIONAL BANCORPORATION, INC. 2016q

 REVOCABLE PROXY — AUBURN NATIONAL BANCORPORATION, INC.

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2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS May 10, 2016 AUBURN NATIONAL BANCORPORATION, INC. MAY 9, 2023

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

KNOW BY ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned shareholder of Auburn National Bancorporation, Inc., Auburn, Alabama (the “Company”), hereby revoking any proxy heretofore given, does hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint E.L. Spencer, Jr.,Robert W. Dumas, and Terry W. Andrus or either one of them, the true and lawful attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned’s name, place, and stead, to vote all of the shares of common stock of the Company standing in the undersigned’s name, on its books on March 11, 2016,20, 2023, and that the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the AuburnBank Center, 132 N100 North Gay Street, Auburn, Alabama at 3:00 p.m. local time, on Tuesday, May 10, 2016,9, 2023, and at any adjournments thereof (the “Meeting”), with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present as follows:

The proxy will be voted as directed by the undersigned shareholder. Unless contrary direction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of all the nominees listed in Proposal 1, FOR approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers and FOR the ratification of the appointment of Elliott Davis, LLC as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. The Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting, or any adjournments in accordance with the determination of a majority of the Board of Directors as to any other matters.matters. The undersigned shareholder may revoke this proxy at any time before it is votedprior to its exercise at the Meeting by deliveringeither (i) giving written notice of revocation to the Company’s Secretary, of(ii) properly submitting to the Company either a written revocation of the proxy or a duly executed proxyProxy bearing a later date, or (iii) by appearing at the Meeting and voting in person. The undersigned shareholder hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 10, 20169, 2023 FOR AUBURN NATIONAL BANCORPORATION, INC. THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.AUBNPROXY.COM. *PROXY STATEMENT *ANNUAL REPORT

PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN, AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPEENVELOPE. YOU MAY ALSO VOTE ONLINE AT INVESTORVOTE.COM/AUBN.

  C  Non-Voting Items

Change of Address — Please print new address below.

Meeting Attendance

Mark box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

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