UNITED STATES

SECURITIES
AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

Filed by the Registrant  ☒                            
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Proxy Statement

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

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)all boxes that apply):

No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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

(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:


LOGO

(2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

(3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

(4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

(5)

Total fee paid:

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

(1)

Amount Previously Paid:

(2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

(3)

Filing Party:

(4)

Date Filed:


LOGO

20 SOUTH BROAD STREET,

CANFIELD, OHIO 44406

March 12, 202121, 2023

To Our Shareholders:

You are cordially invited to the 20212023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Farmers National Banc Corp. (“Farmers” or the “Company”) to be held on April 15, 202120, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. We have adopted a virtual format for our Annual Meeting to provide a consistent experience to all shareholders regardless of location. We will provide a live webcast of the Annual Meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918https://meetnow.global/MWKKDGV, where you will be able to vote electronically and submit questions during the meeting.

During the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to: (i) elect threefour Class III directors whose terms will expire at the Annual Meeting in 2024;2026; (ii) conduct a non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; (iii) consider and vote upon a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and (iii)(iv) consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of CliftonLarsonAllenCrowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.2023.

Your vote on these matters is important, regardless of the number of shares you own, and all shareholders are encouraged to participate in the live webcast of the Annual Meeting. However, it is important that your shares be represented regardless of whether you plan to participate in the live webcast of the Annual Meeting. In order to ensure that your shares are represented, I urge you to execute and return the enclosed proxy, or that you submit your proxy by telephone or Internet promptly.

Sincerely,

LOGO

LOGO

KEVIN J. HELMICK

President and Chief Executive Officer


FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP.

20 SOUTH BROAD STREET

CANFIELD, OHIO 44406

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held Thursday, April 15, 202120, 2023

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Farmers National Banc Corp. (“Farmers” or the “Company”) will be held on April 15, 202120, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. We have adopted a virtual format for our Annual Meeting to provide a consistent experience to all shareholders regardless of location. We will provide a live webcast of the Annual Meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918https://meetnow.global/MWKKDGV, where you will be able to vote electronically and submit questions during the meeting.

The 20212023 Annual Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

 

 1.

to elect threefour Class III directors to serve for terms of three years to expire at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2024;2026;

 

 2.

to conduct a non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation;

3.

to consider and vote upon a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers;

 

 3.4.

to consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of CliftonLarsonAllenCrowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021;2023; and

 

 4.5.

to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. Farmers’ Board of Directors is not currently aware of any other business to come before the Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 5, 20217, 2023 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote during, the Annual Meeting. Your Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of each of the director nominees included in Proposal Number 1, for a frequency of “One Year” under Proposal Number 2, and “FOR” each of the other proposals.Proposal Numbers 3 and 4.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

LOGO

C

LOGO

TARLROY D. CAULPDAIR

Senior Executive Vice President, TreasurerChief Financial Officer and Secretary

Canfield, Ohio

March 12, 202121, 2023


FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP.

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

   1 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

   2 

When and Where will the Annual Meeting be Held?

   2 

Why did I Receive these Proxy Materials?

   2 

Who may Vote during the Annual Meeting?

   2 

What is the Difference between Holding Shares as a “Shareholder of Record” and as a “Beneficial Owner”?

   2 

How do I Vote?

   2 

How will My Shares be Voted?

   3 

Can Other Matters be Decided during the Annual Meeting?

   3 

May I Revoke or Change My Vote?

   4 

Who Pays the Cost of Proxy Solicitation?

   4 

How Many Common Shares Must be Represented at the Annual Meeting in Order to Constitute a Quorum?

   4 

What are the Voting Requirements to Elect the Directors and to Approve the Other Proposals Discussed in this Proxy Statement?

   5 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

   7 

The Board of Directors — Independence

   7 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

   7 

Attendance at Meetings

   8 

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

   8 

Committees of the Board of Directors

   9 

Audit Committee

   9 

Compensation Committee

   910 

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

   1011 

Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee

   1011 

Executive Committee

   11 

Policies of the Board of Directors

   1112 

Majority Withheld Vote

   1112 

Director Nominations

   1112

Board Diversity Matrix

13

Code of Regulations

14

Corporate Governance Guidelines

14 

Shareholder Proposals for 20222024 Annual Meeting

   1516 

Shareholder Communications with Directors

   1516 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

   1516

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

17 

PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

   1621 

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

   2128

PROPOSAL TWO — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY

30

OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

30

PROPOSAL THREE — ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

31

Vote Required and Board of Directors’ Recommendation

31 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

   2332 

Introduction

   2332 


Executive Summary

   2332 

20202022 Financial Performance Highlights

   2332 

20202022 Significant Compensation Results

   2433 

Annual Incentive Compensation Results from Financial Performance

   2433 

Long-term Incentive Compensation Results from Financial Performance

   2434 

Compensation Committee’s Philosophy on Executive Compensation

   2535 

The Role of the Compensation Committee in Determining Executive Compensation

   2635 

Role of Compensation Consultant

   2636 

Compensation Consultant Independence

   2736 


Say-on-Pay Consideration

   2736 

Peer Group Evaluation and Executive Compensation Benchmarks

   2736 

2020 Named Executive Officers 2022 Compensation

   28

Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Compensation Programs

2838 

Base Salary

   2838 

Annual Incentive Plan

   2939 

Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plans

   3241 

Clawback Policy

   3444 

401(k) Plan and Company Contributions

   3545 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

   3545 

Perquisites and Other Compensation

   3646 

Other Elements of Our Executive Compensation Programs

   3646 

Employment Agreements, Separation Policy and Change in Control Arrangements

   3646 

Stock Ownership Guidelines and Anti-Hedging Policy

   3747 

Director Compensation

   3747 

Oversight and Risk Management of Compensation Programs

   3848 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

   3848 

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

   3849 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

   3950 

Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation

   3950 

20202022 Named Executive Officer Compensation Components

   4253 

Base Salary

   4253 

Annual Incentive Plan

   4254 

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

   4455 

Summary of Equity Awards Vested in 20202022

   4657 

Employment Agreements, Change in Control Agreements, Executive Separation Policy

   4758 

Change in Control Agreements

   4758 

Executive Separation Policy

   4859 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

   5060 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

   5263 

2022 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

   5364

PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

65 

CEO PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE

   5469 

CEO Pay Ratio

   54

PROPOSAL TWO — ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

55

Vote Required and Board of Directors’ Recommendation

5569 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

   5670 

PROPOSAL THREEFOUR — RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

   5771 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees

   5872 

Pre-Approval of Fees

   5872

HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS

73 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

   5974 

APPENDIX A: FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

   A-1 


GENERAL INFORMATION

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Farmers National Banc Corp., an Ohio corporation (“Farmers” or the “Company”), of the accompanying proxy to be voted during the 20212023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), and during any adjournment or postponement thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held on April 15, 202120, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. We have adopted a virtual format for our Annual Meeting to provide a consistent experience to all shareholders regardless of location. We will provide a live webcast of the Annual Meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918https://meetnow.global/MWKKDGV, where you will be able to vote electronically and submit questions during the meeting. The mailing address of the principal executive offices of Farmers is 20 South Broad Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406; telephone number (330) 533-3341. This proxy statement, together with the related proxy and Farmers’ 20202022 Annual Report to Shareholders (the “Annual Report”), are being mailed to the shareholders of the Company on or about March 12, 2021.21, 2023. This Proxy Statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote. Please read this information carefully.

Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting to be held on Thursday, April 15, 2021:  20, 2023: This proxy statement, the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20202022 and the 2020 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at www.farmersbankgroup.comwww.edocumentview.com/FMNB.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

When and Where will the Annual Meeting be Held?

The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 15, 202120, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. We have adopted a virtual format for our Annual Meeting to provide a consistent experience to all shareholders regardless of location. We will provide a live webcast of the Annual Meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918https://meetnow.global/MWKKDGV, where you will be able to vote electronically and submit questions during the meeting. To obtain more information regarding how to participate in the live webcast of the Annual Meeting, please contact Shareholder Relations at (330) 533-5127.

Why did I Receive these Proxy Materials?

You have received these proxy materials because the Board of Directors is soliciting a proxy to vote your shares during the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement contains information that Farmers is required to provide to you under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and is intended to assist you in voting your shares.

Who may Vote during the Annual Meeting?

The Board of Directors has set March 5, 20217, 2023 as the “record date” for the Annual Meeting. This means that only shareholders of record at the close of business on that date are entitled to notice of, and to vote during, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. At the close of business on March 5, 2021, 28,304,4377, 2023, 37,910,511 Common Shares were issued and outstanding. Each Common Share entitles the holder to one vote on each item to be voted upon during the Annual Meeting and there is no cumulative voting.

What is the Difference between Holding Shares as a “Shareholder of Record” and as a “Beneficial Owner”?

If your Farmers’ shares are registered directly in your name, you are considered the “shareholder of record” of those shares. Farmers has sent these proxy materials directly to all “shareholders of record.” Alternatively, if your Farmers’ shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization, which is sometimes called “street name,” then you are the “beneficial owner” of those shares, and these proxy materials were forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your shares is the shareholder of record for purposes of voting the shares during the Annual Meeting. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct that organization how to vote the Common Shares held in your account by following the voting instructions the organization provides to you.

How do I Vote?

Shareholders of record may vote on matters that are properly presented during the Annual Meeting in four ways:

 

By completing the accompanying proxy and returning it in the envelope provided;

 

By submitting your vote telephonically;

 

  

By submitting your vote electronically via the Internet before the meeting at www.envisionreports.com/FMNB; or

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By submitting your vote electronically via the Internet during the meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918https://meetnow.global/MWKKDGV.

For the Annual Meeting, Farmers is offering shareholders of record the opportunity to vote their Common Shares electronically through the Internet or by telephone by following the procedures described on the enclosed proxy instead of submitting the enclosed proxy by mail. In order to vote via the Internet or by telephone, please have the enclosed proxy in hand, and go to the website listed on the proxy or call the number and follow the instructions. The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate shareholder identities, to allow shareholders to give their voting instructions, and to confirm that shareholder instructions have been recorded properly. Shareholders voting through the Internet should understand that they may bear certain costs associated with Internet access, such as usage charges from their Internet service providers.

If you hold your Common Shares in street name, you should follow the voting instructions provided to you by the organization that holds your Common Shares. If you plan to participate in the live webcast of the Annual Meeting, you will have the opportunity to vote electronically during the meeting. If you hold your Common Shares in street name and plan to attend the live webcast of the Annual Meeting, you must register in advance. If your Common Shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other shareholder of record, you must have a legal proxy from the shareholder of record indicating that you were the beneficial owner of the shares on March 5, 20217, 2023 in order to attend and vote during the live webcast of the Annual Meeting. Requests for registration must be sent to our transfer agent, Computershare, via email at legalproxy@computershare.com or by mail at Computershare, Farmers National Banc. Corp Legal Proxy, P.O. Box 43001, Providence, RI 02940-3001 and include proof of your legal proxy issued by your broker, bank or other shareholder of record. Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and must be received by Computershare no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on April 17, 2023.

How will My Shares be Voted?

If you vote by mail, through the Internet, or by telephone, your Common Shares will be voted as you direct. If you submit a valid proxy prior to the Annual Meeting, but do not complete the voting instructions, your Common Shares will be voted:

 

“FOR” the election of the three Class II director nominees listed under “Proposal One — Election of Directors;”

“FOR” the election of the four Class I director nominees listed under “Proposal One — Election of Directors;”

 

“FOR” the non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers under “Proposal Two —Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation;” and

To approve the frequency of “One Year” under “Proposal Two — Advisory Vote on the Frequency of an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation;”

 

“FOR” the non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers under “Proposal Three — Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation;” and

“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP as Farmers’ independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021 under “Proposal Three— Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Crowe LLP as Farmers’ independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023 under “Proposal Four — Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

Can Other Matters be Decided during the Annual Meeting?

On the date that this proxy statement was printed, Farmers was not aware of any matters to be raised during the Annual Meeting other than those included in this proxy statement.

3


If you submit a valid proxy and other matters are properly presented for consideration during the Annual Meeting, then the individuals appointed as proxies will have the discretion to vote on those matters for you.

May I Revoke or Change My Vote?

Yes, proxies may be revoked at any time before a vote is taken or the authority granted is otherwise exercised. Revocation may be accomplished by:

 

executing a later dated proxy with regard to the same Common Shares;

 

executing a later casted Internet or telephone vote with regard to the same Common Shares;

 

giving notice in writing to the Secretary at 20 South Broad Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406; or

 

  

submitting a later casted vote electronically via the Internet during the live webcast of the Annual Meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918https://meetnow.global/MWKKDGV.

If your Common Shares are held in street name and you wish to revoke your proxy, you should follow the instructions provided to you by the record holder of your shares. If you wish to revoke your proxy during the live webcast of the Annual Meeting, you must have a legal proxy from the shareholder of record indicating that you were the beneficial owner of the Common Shares on March 5, 2021.7, 2023. Participating in the live webcast of the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.

Who Pays the Cost of Proxy Solicitation?

The accompanying proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors, whose notice of meeting is attached to this proxy statement, and the entire cost of such solicitation will be borne by Farmers. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone, facsimile and electronic mail by directors, officers and employees of Farmers. Arrangements will be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial owners of Common Shares held of record by such persons, and Farmers will reimburse them for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection therewith.

How Many Common Shares Must be Represented at the Annual Meeting in Order to Constitute a Quorum?

The shareholders present in person (via the live webcast) or by proxy at the Annual Meeting representing not less than one-third of Farmers’ outstanding Common Shares shall constitute a quorum for the Annual Meeting. Consequently, at least 9,434,81312,636,837 Common Shares must be represented at the Annual Meeting in person (via the live webcast) or by proxy in order to constitute a quorum. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. Street name holders generally cannot vote their Common Shares directly and must instead instruct the broker, bank or other shareholder of record how to vote their Common Shares using the voting instructions provided by it. If a street name holder does not provide timely instructions, the broker or other nominee may have the authority to vote on some proposals but not others. If a broker or other nominee votes on one proposal, but does not vote on another proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner, this results in a broker non-vote.

4


Broker non-votes on a matter are counted as present for purposes of establishing a quorum for the meeting, but are not considered entitled to vote on that particular matter.

What are the Voting Requirements to Elect the Directors and to Approve the Other Proposals Discussed in this Proxy Statement?

The vote required to approve each of the proposals that are scheduled to be presented during the Annual Meeting is as follows:

 

Proposal

  

Vote Required

•   

Proposal One — Election of Directors

  

•     Election of the threefour Class III director nominees requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the Common Shares present (via the live webcast), represented and entitled to vote during the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes and proxies marked “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY” will not be counted toward the election of the director or toward the election of an individual nominee and, thus, will have no effect other than that they will be counted for establishing a quorum.

Proposal Two — Advisory Vote on the Frequency of an Advisory Vote on Executive CompensationThe proposal to determine the frequency of holding an advisory vote on Farmers’ executive compensation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the common shares present (via the live webcast), represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Shareholders may vote for “One Year,” “Two Years,” “Three Years” or “ABSTAIN.” Broker non-votes and proxies marked “ABSTAIN” will not be counted toward the frequency of any specified period and, thus, will have no effect other than that they will be counted for establishing a quorum. As this is an advisory vote, it is not binding on the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors and the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of Farmers and its shareholders to hold an advisory vote more or less frequently than the preference receiving the highest number of votes. However, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors expect to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation.

5


Proposal

Vote Required

Proposal TwoThreeAdvisory Vote on Executive Compensation

  

•     The proposal to approve the resolution regarding the compensation of Farmers’ named executive officers requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares present (via the live webcast), represented and entitled to vote during the Annual Meeting. Shareholders may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” from voting on Proposal Two.Three. Broker non-votes will not be counted for the purpose of determining whether Proposal Two has been approved. Abstentions will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of Proposal TwoThree and thus will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal Two.Three. As this is an advisory vote, the outcome of the vote is not binding on the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors with respect to future executive compensation decisions, including those relating to Farmers’ named executive officers or otherwise. However, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors expect to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation decisions.

Proposal ThreeFour — Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  

•     The proposal to ratify the appointment of Farmers’ independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares present (via the live webcast), represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Shareholders may vote FOR,AGAINST”AGAINST or ABSTAIN”ABSTAIN from voting on Proposal Three.Four. Abstentions will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of Proposal ThreeFour and thus will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal Three.

Four.

Under Ohio law, the Articles, and Farmers’ Regulations, the nominees for election as directors who receive the greatest number of votes cast will be elected directors. Each shareholder will be entitled to cast one vote for each Common Share owned, and shareholders may not cumulate votes in the election of directors. Common Shares as to which the authority to vote is withheld are not counted toward the election of directors. However, the Board of Directors has adopted a “Majority Vote Withheld Policy” in the event that “Withhold Authority”has been indicated by a majority of the votes cast with respect to any director in an uncontested election. A summary of this policy is set forth under the caption “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE — Policies ofthe Board of Directors”beginning on page 11 of in this proxy statement.

6


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Board of Directors — Independence

The Board of Directors is currently comprised of ninetwelve members, threefour of whom are nominees for re-election during the Annual Meeting. Additional information regarding the director nominees is set forth in “Proposal One — Election ofDirectors”beginning on page 16 of in this proxy statement. In 2020, theThe Board of Directors affirmatively determined that each of the directors listed below is an “independent director” under the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”):

 

Gregory C. Bestic

  Lance J. CiroliEdward W. Muransky

Anne Frederick Crawford

  David Z Paull

Neil J. Kaback

Richard B. Thompson

Ralph D. Macali

Andre Thornton

Frank J. Monaco

Nicholas Varischetti

Terry A. Moore

  Edward W. Muransky

David Z. Paull

James R. Smail

The only director (or director nominee) of Farmers who has been determined by the Board of Directors not to be independent is Kevin J. Helmick, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

During 2020,2022, certain current directors and executive officers of Farmers, and their associates, were customers of, and had banking transactions with, various subsidiaries of the Company, including Farmers’ subsidiary bank, The Farmers National Bank of Canfield (“Farmers Bank”). All relationships between any director or executive officer and Farmers or any of its subsidiaries were conducted in the ordinary course of business. Farmers encourages its directors and executive officers to maintain these relationships and expects that these transactions will continue in the future. All loans and loan commitments included in such transactions were made and will be made: (i) in the ordinary course of business; (ii) on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to Farmers; and (iii) without more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. After reviewing the details of these relationships, the Board of Directors has determined that such relationships do not interfere with the exercise of any director’s independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities.

In assessing the independence of directors, the Board of Directors also considers the business relationships between Farmers and its directors or their affiliated businesses other than ordinary banking relationships, if any. Where such business relationships other than ordinary banking relationships exist, the Board of Directors evaluates the scope and nature of each business relationship. There were no such business relationships between Farmers and its directors or the directors’ affiliated companies that were so considered by the Board of Directors in 2020.2022.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Farmers’ Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving, pursuant to the Company’s written policy, all related party transactions that are material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements or otherwise require disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. Extensions of credit by Farmers or any of its subsidiaries to “insiders” of the Company or its subsidiaries are also regulated by Regulation O adopted under the Federal Reserve Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act.

7


It is Farmers’ policy that any transactions with persons whom Regulation O defines as “insiders” (i.e., executive officers, directors, principal shareholders and their related interests) are engaged

in the same manner as transactions conducted with all members of the public. Transactions are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors either on a case-by-case basis (such as loans made by Farmers Bank to an insider) or, in the case of an ongoing relationship, at the outset of the relationship with periodic review. All loans outstanding to insiders of Farmers at any time since January 1, 2020:2022: (i) were made in the ordinary course of business; (ii) were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to the Company; and (iii) did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

Attendance at Meetings

The Board of Directors held 1312 meetings during 2020. All2022. Each incumbent directorsdirector attended at least 75% of the total of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committees thereof on which such director served during the year. In accordance with Farmers’ Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “Corporate Governance Guidelines”), directors are expected to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors, although it is understood that, on occasion, a director may not be able to attend a meeting. Directors are encouraged to participate in the live webcast of the Annual Meeting. All of the current members of the Board of Directors attended virtually the 20202022 Annual Meeting held on April 16, 2020.21, 2022, except for Messrs. Thornton and Varischetti, each of whom were appointed to the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2023.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

During 2020,Terry A. Moore is the current non-executive Chairman appointed by the Board of Directors appointed Lance J. Ciroli as its non-executive Chairman.Directors. As Chairman, Mr. Ciroli presidedMoore presides over meetings of the Board of Directors, consultedserves as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and advisedexecutive management of Farmers, consults with and advises the Board of Directors and its committees on the business and affairs of Farmers, and performed other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Board from time to time. The Board of Directors also appointed James R. Smail as its non-executive Vice Chairman. As Vice Chairman, Mr. Smail presided over meetings of the Board of Directors in the absence of Mr. Ciroli, and also consulted and advised the Board and its committees on thecertain business and affairs of Farmers, and performs other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Board of Directors from time to time. Mr. Moore also serves as the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Kevin J. Helmick, as President and Chief Executive Officer, is responsible both for overseeing Farmers’ day-to-day operations and for establishing and leading the execution of the Company’s long-term strategic objectives, subject to the overall direction and supervision of the Board of Directors and its committees. Farmers does not have a formal policy with respect to separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, as the Board of Directors believes that flexibility in appointing the Chairman of the Board allows the Board of Directors to make a determination as to such position from time to time and in a manner that it believes is in the best interest of Farmers and its shareholders. The Board of Directors believes, however, that the current structure of appointing an independent non-executive Chairman best serves Farmers because it allows Mr. Helmick to focus on managing the Company’s day-to-day business while allowing an independent director to lead the Board of Directors in its primary role of review and oversight of management. The Board of Directors also believes that its leadership structure has created an environment of open, efficient communication between the Board of Directors and management, enabling the Board of Directors to maintain an active, informed role in risk management by being able to monitor and manage those matters that may present significant risks to Farmers.

The role of the Board of Directors in Farmers’ risk management process includes reviewing regular reports from senior management on areas of material risk to the Company, including operational, financial, legal, regulatory and strategic risks.

8


The Board of Directors reviews these reports to enable it to understand and assess Farmers’ risk assessment, risk management and risk mitigation strategies. While the Board of Directors has the ultimate

oversight responsibility for the risk management process, various committees of both management and the Board of Directors also have responsibility for risk management. In accordance with the Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee Charter, the Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee assists the Board of Directors in its oversight of management’s implementation and enforcement of Farmers’ policies, procedures and practices relating to: (i) the management of enterprise-wide risk; (ii) compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the maintenance of appropriate regulatory and economic capital and reserve levels; and (iii) the Company’s long-term strategic plans and initiatives. In addition, the Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in overseeing and monitoring management’s conduct of Farmers’ financial reporting process and system of internal accounting and financial controls. Finally, the Compensation Committee oversees the management of risks relating to executive and non-executive compensation plans and arrangements. While each committee oversees certain risks and the management of such risks, the entire Board is regularly informed of such risks through committee reports.

Committees of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors conducts its business through meetings of the Board and the following committees: (i) Audit Committee; (ii) Compensation Committee; (iii) Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee; (iv) Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee; and (v) Executive Committee. Each committee other than the Executive Committee meets on a regular basis and each committee reports their deliberations and actions to the full Board of Directors. Each of the committees has the authority to engage outside experts, advisors and counsel to the extent it considers appropriate to assist the committee in its work.

The current composition of our standing committees is as follows:

AuditBoard
Enterprise
Risk
Management
CompensationCorporate
Governance
and
Nominating
Executive

Gregory C. Bestic

XX

Anne Frederick Crawford

XX

Neil J. Kaback

XX

Ralph D. Macali

XX

Frank J. Monaco

XX

Terry A. Moore

XXX

Edward W. Muransky

XXX

David Z. Paull

XXX

Richard B. Thompson

XX

Andre Thornton

XX

Nicholas D. Varischetti

XX

*

Indicates Committee Chair

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee the accounting and financial reporting process of the Company. The Audit Committee also reviews, evaluates and approves all related party transactions. The Audit Committee members currently are Gregory C. Bestic (Chair), LanceNeil J. Ciroli,Kaback, Ralph D. Macali, and Richard B. Thompson.

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During 2022, Frank J. Monaco and Edward W. Muransky each of whom also served on the Audit Committee during 2020.Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Bestic, qualifiesMr. Kaback, and Mr. Monaco each qualify as an “audit committee financial expert.” Specifically, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Bestic hasand Mr. Kaback each have all of the attributes listed in the definition of an “audit committee financial expert” set forth in the Instruction to Item 407(d)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K and in the NASDAQ listing requirements. Mr. Bestic acquired these attributes through education and experience as a certified public accountant and, specifically, as a Principal in Schroedel, Scullin & Bestic, LLC, a certified public accounting and strategic advisory firm located in Canfield, Ohio. Mr. Kaback acquired these attributes through education and experience as a certified public accountant and, specifically, as a Partner at Cohen & Company, in their Youngstown, Ohio office. All of the Audit Committee members are considered independent for purposes of NASDAQ listing requirements. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which is reviewed annually by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors to reflect current Commission and NASDAQ rules, requirements and best corporate practices. A copy of the current Audit Committee Charter is available on Farmers’ website at www.farmersbankgroup.com. The Audit Committee held 67 meetings during 2020.2022.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee establishes policies and levels of reasonable compensation for the executive officers of the Company and generally administers the Company’s incentive compensation programs. The Compensation Committee members currently are David Z. PaullFrank J. Monaco (Chair), Gregory C. Bestic, Anne Frederick Crawford, Terry A. Moore, David Z. Paull and Nicholas D. Varischetti. During 2022, James R. Smail each of whomand Richard B. Thompson also served on the Compensation Committee during 2020.Committee. All members of the Compensation Committee are considered independent for purposes of NASDAQ listing

requirements. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter, which is reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors to reflect current Commission and NASDAQ rules, requirements and best corporate practices. A copy of the current Compensation Committee Charter is available on Farmers’ website at www.farmersbankgroup.com. The Compensation Committee held 56 meetings during 2020.2022.

Pursuant to the terms of its charter, the Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, delegate all or a portion of its duties and responsibilities to a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee. In addition, the Compensation Committee may invite such members of management to its meetings, as it may deem desirable or appropriate, consistent with the maintenance of the confidentiality of compensation discussions. In addition, the Compensation Committee may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer, or another executive designee, the authority to approve salary and other compensation for employees below the executive officer level in accordance with overall pools, policy guidelines and limits approved by the Committee. Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee has the authority to select, retain, terminate and approve the fees and other retention terms of special counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate, without seeking approval of the Board of Directors or management. Additional information regarding the Compensation Committee’s role is set forth in the “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS” section of this proxy statement, beginning on page 23.statement.

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Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s purpose is to: (i) identify and recommend individuals to the Board of Directors for nomination as members of the Board of Directors and its committees; (ii) promote effective corporate governance, including developing and recommending to the Board of Directors a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company; and (iii) lead the Board of Directors in its annual review of the Board’s performance and the performance of each of its committees. The members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee currently are Anne Frederick Crawford (Chair), Ralph D. Macali, Terry A. Moore, (Chair),Edward W. Muransky, Andre Thornton, and Nicholas D. Varischetti. During 2022, Gregory C. Bestic Anne Frederick Crawford, and Ralph D. Macali, each of whom also served on the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee during 2020.Committee. All members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are independent for purposes of NASDAQ listing requirements. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Corporate Governance Guidelines, both of which are reviewed annually by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board of Directors to reflect current Commission and NASDAQ rules, requirements and best corporate practices. Copies of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter and the Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on Farmers’ website at www.farmersbankgroup.com. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held 67 meetings during 2020.2022.

Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee

The Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee oversees management’s implementation and enforcement of the Company’s policies, procedures and practices relating to the management of enterprise-wide risk. The members of the Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee currently are Lance J. Ciroli (Chair), Edward W. Muransky (Chair), Neil J. Kaback, Frank J. Monaco, David Z. Paull, Richard B. Thompson, and Andre Thornton. During 2022, James R. Smail.Smail also served on the Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee. The Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee operates under a written charter, which is reviewed annually by the Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee and the Board of Directors. A copy of the current Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee Charter is available on Farmers’ website at www.farmersbankgroup.com. The Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee meets on a regular basis with Mr. Helmick and other executive officers of Farmers. The Board Enterprise

Risk Management Committee held 4 meetings during 2020.2022. Additional information regarding the Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee’s role is set forth in the “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS” ANALYSIS – Oversight and Risk Management of Compensation Programs” section of this proxy statement, beginning on page 23.statement.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Directors on all corporate actions for which applicable law does not require participation by the full Board. All actions taken by the Executive Committee must be reported at the next meeting of the Board of Directors. The current members of the Executive Committee are James R. SmailTerry A. Moore (Chair), Lance J. Ciroli, Kevin J. Helmick, Edward W. Muransky, and Terry A. Moore, all of whomDavid Z. Paull. During 2022, James R. Smail also served on the Executive Committee during 2020.Committee. The Executive Committee operates under a written charter, which is reviewed annually by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. A copy of the current Executive Committee Charter is available on Farmers’ website at www.farmersbankgroup.com. The Executive Committee held 185 meetings in 2020.2022.

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Policies of the Board of Directors

Majority Withheld Vote

The Board of Directors recognizes that, pursuant to Section 1701.55(B) of the Ohio Revised Code, director nominees who receive the greatest number of shareholder votes are automatically elected to the Board of Directors, regardless of whether the votes in favor of such nominees constitute a majority of the voting power of Farmers, because our Articles do not include alternative election standards. Nevertheless, the Board of Directors has adopted a policy that, in an uncontested election, any director nominee who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” such election (a “Majority Withheld Vote”), should promptly tender his or her resignation to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Thereafter, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider the tendered resignation and recommend to the Board of Directors whether to accept or reject it. In considering whether to recommend to the Board of Directors to accept or reject the tendered resignation, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider all information and factors deemed relevant, including, without limitation: (i) the reasons (if any) given by shareholders as to why they withheld their votes, and (ii) the qualifications and performance of the tendering director(s) and his or her contributions to the Board of Directors and Farmers. The Board of Directors will act on any tendered resignation within 90 days following certification of the shareholder vote. Following the Board of Directors’ determination, Farmers will promptly disclose the Board’s decision whether to accept or reject the director’s resignation offer (and, if applicable, the reasons for rejecting the resignation offer) in a press release and in a Current Report on Form 8-K. Any director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this provision shall not participate in the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s consideration or action by the Board of Directors regarding whether to accept the resignation offer. If a majority of the Board of Directors receives a Majority Withheld Vote at the same election, then the independent directors who did not receive a Majority Withheld Vote will consider the resignation offers and whether to accept or reject them.

Director Nominations

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider candidates for director, including those recommended by a shareholder who submits the person’s name and qualifications in writing. Although the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has not specified minimum qualifications for a recommended candidate, and does not consider shareholder recommended candidates differently from other candidates, the Committee

considers the fit of an individual’s skills with those of other directors and potential directors in building a Board that is effective and responsive to the needs of the Company and its shareholders. The following attributes are considered important to such consideration, but all may not necessarily be possessed by any one director candidate:

 

personal qualities and characteristics, accomplishments and reputation in the business community, including high personal and professional values, ethics and integrity;

 

current knowledge and contacts in the communities in which Farmers does business;

 

ability and willingness to commit adequate time to diligently attend to Board of DirectorDirectors and committee matters;

 

ability to think and act independently yet constructively in a mutually respectful environment;

 

diversity of viewpoints, background, experience and other demographics; and

 

the ability of the nominee to satisfy the independence requirements of NASDAQ.

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While the Board of Directors does not have a formal diversity policy, diversity of viewpoints, background, experience and other demographics is oneare criterion on which the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee bases its evaluation of potential candidates for director positions. When identifying first-time candidates or nominees for director, or in evaluating individuals recommended by shareholders, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider diversity, the current composition of the Board of Directors in light of the diverse communities and geographies Farmers serves, and the interplay of the candidate’s or nominee’s experience, education, skills, background, gender, race, ethnicity and other qualities and attributes with those of the other Board members. The inclusion of diversity in the listed criteria reflects the Board of Director’sDirectors’ belief that diversity is an important component of an effective Board and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee evaluates each potential director candidate on their specific skills, expertise and background, as well as traditional diversity concepts.

In addition to recommendations presented by shareholders, the Board of Directors maintains a current list of potential director candidates that fit the characteristics and qualifications of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which it considers from time to time to fill director vacancies or for director nominations. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee makes its recommendation regarding nominations to the Board of Directors, and nominees are selected by the Board of Directors.

Board Diversity Matrix

In 2022, the 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 our Board of Directors based on voluntary self-identification of gender identity and other demographics. Each of the categories listed in the below table has the meaning as it is used in the NASDAQ rules and related guidance and instructions.

Board Diversity Matrix

 

Total Number of Directors

   12

Part I: Gender Identity

   Female    Male    Non-Binary   Did Not
Disclose
Gender

Directors

   1    11       

Part II: Demographic Background

African American or Black

       1       

Alaskan Native or Native American

              

Asian

              

Hispanic or Latinx

              

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

              

White

       11       

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

              

LGBTQ+

              

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

              

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Code of Regulations

Under the Regulations, a shareholder entitled to vote for the election of directors who intends to nominate a director for election must deliver written notice to the Secretary of Farmers no later than 90 days and no earlier than 120 days in advance of such meeting; provided, however, that if less than 90 days’ notice or prior disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to shareholders, written notice to the Secretary of the Company must be delivered or mailed not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given or made to shareholders. The Board of Directors has adopted a policy that annual meetings of shareholders will be held on the third Thursday of April of each year unless and until publicly announced otherwise, consistent with our general past practice and the Regulations. Accordingly, for purposes of the 20212023 Annual Meeting intended to be held on April 21, 2022,18, 2024, a nomination of a director for election must be received by Farmers’ Secretary no earlier than December 22, 202120, 2023 and not later than January 21, 2022.

19, 2024.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Corporate Governance Guidelines also formalize certain aspects of Farmers’ shareholder nomination process. Pursuant to the Regulations and/or the Corporate Governance Guidelines, each shareholder notice must include the following information regarding a director candidate:

 

 1.

the name, age, business address and residence address of the candidate;

 

 2.

the information required of director nominees under Item 401(a), (d), (e), and (f) of Regulation S-K (relating to the nature and existence of certain business, family, and/or legal relationships between the candidate and Farmers, as well as the candidate’s prior business and directorship experience);

 

 3.

the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of the Company owned of record and beneficially owned by the candidate, as reported to the nominating shareholder by the candidate;

 

 4.

the information required of nominees under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K (relating to the nature and existence of current or potential related party transactions between the candidate and Farmers);

 

 5.

a description of why the candidate meets the director criteria set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines;

 

 6.

a qualitative description of the specific talents and skills that the candidate would offer in service to the Company;

 

 7.

any written or oral agreement or understanding with the nominating shareholder or any other person that relates in any way to Farmers or how the candidate would vote or serve as a director;

 

 8.

a completed copy of the Company’s Questionnaire for New Director Candidates;

 

 9.

all financial and business relationships of the candidate, or of any organization of which the candidate is an executive officer or principal shareholder or otherwise controls, with Farmers, the nominating shareholder or, to the candidate’s knowledge, any other shareholder of the Company that is acting in concert with the nominating shareholder; and

 

 10.

the consent of the candidate to serve as a director of Farmers if so elected.

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In addition, the shareholder notice must also include the following information regarding the shareholder making the nomination:

 

 a.

the name and address of the shareholder making the nomination;

 

 b.

the number and class of all shares of each class of stock of Farmers owned of record and beneficially owned by the shareholder;

 

 c.

a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of Common Shares entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person specified in the notice;

 d.

a description of any arrangements between the shareholder and the candidate pursuant to which the nominations are to be made;

 

 e.

a description of any relationships, including business relationships, between the shareholder and the candidate;

 

 f.

whether the shareholder is acting in concert with any person with respect to the Common Shares;

 g.

whether the shareholder owns, holds or has the power to vote, individually or in concert with any other person, 5% or more of any class of voting stock of any other organization that competes with the Company;

 h.

the information required by Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K (relating to the nature and existence of certain legal proceedings involving Farmers and the nominating shareholder) and whether the shareholder has been or is currently subject to any enforcement action or penalty or, to the shareholder’s knowledge, is currently under any investigation that could lead to such an enforcement action or penalty or criminal action;

 

 i.

whether the shareholder is acting on behalf of, or at the request of, any other shareholder; and

 

 j.

if the shareholder is other than an individual (i) the names of the shareholder’s five most senior executive officers (or persons performing similar roles), (ii) the names and addresses of each person that has a 10% or more voting, ownership or economic interest in the shareholder and the respective amounts of such interests, (iii) the names and addresses of each person that would be deemed to control the shareholder and (iv) the name and address of any advisor to the shareholder that has the principal responsibility for its investment or voting decisions.

In the case of any investment fund or similar organization that is a nominating shareholder, these shareholder disclosure obligations shall also apply to the principal advisor to the fund. Also, if the shareholder is other than an individual, these disclosure requirements apply to the shareholder’s principal shareholders, executive officers and other controlling parties.

During the course of any candidate’s consideration, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee may request additional information through written director questionnaires and further communications to assess whether the candidate satisfies, in the view of the committee, requirements of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Director Code of Ethics, and other policies applicable to members of the Board of Directors and its committees.

If a nominating shareholder or director candidate believes that information supplied in response to any of the above inquiries is confidential, the shareholder or nominee may request confidential treatment for such information.

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In such event, the information shall be maintained on a confidential basis unless the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is advised by counsel that disclosure is appropriate in connection with the solicitation of proxies relating to the director candidate.

In the event that it is subsequently determined that any of the information provided by the candidate or nominating shareholder is materially inaccurate, a director candidate who provided the materially inaccurate information or whose nominating shareholder provided the materially inaccurate information shall be required to resign from the Board of Directors, and, in the event of a refusal to resign, such a determination shall constitute grounds for removal from the Board of Directors, unless it is determined by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee that the inaccuracy was inadvertent.

Shareholder Proposals for 20222024 Annual Meeting

Proposals by shareholders intended to be presented during the 20222024 Annual Meeting must be received by the Secretary of Farmers no later than November 12, 2021,16, 2023, to be eligible for inclusion in Farmers’ proxy, notice of meeting, and proxy statement relating to its 20222024 Annual Meeting. Farmers will not be required to include in its proxy, notice of meeting, or proxy statement, a shareholder proposal that is received after that date or that otherwise fails to meet the requirements for shareholder proposals established by the applicable Commission rules.

If a shareholder intends to submit a proposal during the 20222024 Annual Meeting that is not eligible for inclusion in the proxy materials relating to the meeting, and the shareholder fails to give the Company notice in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), by January 26, 2022,30, 2024, then the proxy holders will be allowed to use their discretionary authority with respect to such proposal if the proposal is properly raised during the 20222024 Annual Meeting. The submission of such a notice does not ensure that a proposal can be raised during the 20222024 Annual Meeting.

In each case written notice must be given to Farmers, addressed to its Corporate Secretary, at the following address: 20 South Broad Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406.

Shareholder Communications with Directors

All written communications addressed to an individual director at Farmers’ address or to one of the offices of a subsidiary of the Company, except those clearly of a marketing nature, will be forwarded directly to the director. All written communications addressed to the Board of Directors at Farmers’ address or to one of the offices of a subsidiary of the Company will be presented to the full Board of Directors at a meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires Farmers’ directors, officers and persons who own beneficially more than 10% of its Common Shares (“Section 16 Filers”) to file reports of ownership and transactions in the Common Shares with the Commission and to furnish the Company with copies of all such forms filed. Based solely on the review of copies of reports furnished to us or written representations that no reports were required, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements were met in the last fiscal year by our Section 16 Filers.

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ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES

The following sections describe Farmers National Banc Corp’s efforts and commitment to promote environmental sustainability, social responsibility and sound corporate governance.

Farmers Diversity & Inclusion Statement

Farmers is not merely a bank. Farmers is a Community Bank. We embrace a business model reflective of the human diversity, values and strengths of the local communities we serve.

As our communities grow in diversity, Farmers is growing its capacity as a corporate citizen promoting and honoring diversity, inclusion and equality among our stakeholders—shareholders, employees, customers, vendors and communities.

Our commitment is reflected in our equitable hiring and loan-making policies, our vendor selection, and our enlightened and substantial charitable giving program.

Promoting diversity is both the morally correct and intelligent thing to do, because our stakeholders stand stronger together when differences are respected, valued and celebrated.

Farmers Win-Win Creed

The Farmers’ Way is to know what we do, how we do it and why we do it, why we get up in the morning, why we seek to get better every day, why we believe in winning. Because we are a relationship-driven organization, we view winning differently than other banks. We are init to create Win-Wins for our bank, customers, communities andcolleagues.

At Farmers, we never win alone. We believe that the wisest decisions are made – and financial strength is built – through strong relationships.

Everything we do the Farmers Way ultimately creates wins as we raise the standard of living and the quality of life in our communities.

Our reason why is to PRODUCE WINS every day as we create thriving local families, businesses and organizations in every community thatwe serve and provide capital.

Environmental

Farmers has continued to take steps that reduce our carbon footprint across all aspects of our operations and service delivery channels. In the last decade Farmers has expanded our technology to significantly reduce paper usage/waste by introducing mobile banking, e-signatures, electronic documents for loan applications, account openings, paperless statements as well as many of our internal communications/documentation. In the last three years Farmers has transitioned 90% of its previously all-paper HR processes (applications, employee records, performance reviews) to digital records eliminating the need for hardcopy employee files. Farmers has also increased its use of digital media and video conferencing to reduce employee travel between locations and the needless printing of notes. Farmers also continues to evaluate our overall office space needs. New branches are constructed using a smaller floor plan and motion sensor lighting to reduce energy consumption. Farmers continues to develop technology-based solutions for our clients and our employees. As a commitment to technology, Farmers has opened two Lab Branches to serve as technology incubators where digital solutions are utilized to replace traditional paper processes.

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Social Responsibility

Farmers National Banc Corp, through its subsidiaries, has always been a strong supporter of the communities we work and live in. Last year, Farmers donated more than $560,000 in sponsorships and donations to a wide range of non-profits and community organizations throughout its footprint. Along with financial support, Farmers Executives have recently and successfully served as Campaign Chairs for United Way and The American Heart Association. Additionally, our employees gave generously of their time and money working on/at community service projects throughout the year and donating to local charities as well as national organizations such as United Way, $52,000 alone in employee pledges for 2022, a 14% increase over 2021.

Farmers desire to impact communities in a meaningful way led to the founding of the Farmers Charitable Foundation in 2019. As part of Farmers long-term strategy of commitment to community improvement, the mission and purpose of the Foundation is to make grants and other distributions to facilitate, support and increase charitable activities in the following areas: Health and Human Services; Children, Youth and Families; Social Welfare; Education; Scientific Research; Culture, Arts and Humanities; Religion; Civic and Community Affairs; Environment; and other charitable activities.

2022 Community Giving

LOGO

In addition to financial support, employees are encouraged to engage with local non-profits as volunteers and board members. In 2022, Farmers employees contributed over 1,000 hours in volunteer service hours to community non-profit organizations.

Associates

Products and processes all have their place in operating a successful business. But it is people that truly drive high performance. Therefore, Farmers is committed to supporting a high performing, collaborative culture that provides the foundation to attract and retain the best associates in banking. By investing in our team, we actually invest in our financial future. They are intertwined. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Rx benefits for employees, spouses and dependents

Three different medical plans including 2 PPO plans and a High Deductible HSA plan (with employer contributions)

Flexible spending and health savings accounts for both employees and dependents

Wellness programs for all employees with incentives for qualified participants in our healthcare plans

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Company Paid life insurance at 3x annual salary + $10,000

Company Paid short-term and long-term disability insurance

401k Retirement Savings plans (Roth and Traditional options)

Remote work/flex scheduling opportunities

Full and part-time employment opportunities

Employee Stock Purchase Plan allowing for the purchase of FNMB stock without fees

Tuition Reimbursement Plan

Employee Assistance Program providing free coaching/counseling services to employees, spouses and dependents

Continuing education opportunities through full-paid tuition and expense reimbursement to programs such as The Graduate School of Banking, Ohio Bank Manager’s School and other world-class programs/conferences/seminars

Paid Time Off for full and part time associates

11 paid Federal Holidays

Employees can have multiple no-fee checking/savings accounts as well as a free safe deposit box

Employees receive discounted pricing on loan rates

Voluntary benefits such as voluntary life insurance for associates, spouses and children

Profit Sharing plan for all non-commission/non-performance bonus associates

In 2022, Farmers National Bank was named one of the Best Employers in Ohio, according to Crain’s Cleveland Business and Best Companies Group.

In addition to being good corporate citizens for our communities, Farmers has focused on enhancing our culture and environment internally. As in 2020, when the COVID pandemic created upheaval and unrest across the world, 2022 was a year with continued COVID cases throughout the organization. Farmers continues to provide remote work opportunities to employees as well as flexible scheduling options. The Company also instituted new compensation guidelines resulting in increases for the majority of our front-line staff.

Farmers firmly believes that we have an obligation to lead the way in ensuring a comfortable and supportive culture. Our Diversity and Inclusion Statement clearly establishes our commitment to fairness and inclusivity and can be viewed at the beginning of the ESG section.

Farmers is proud to employ a diverse workforce that includes an executive management team that is 20% minority and/or female.

Clients

Farmers’ clients are the heartbeat of the organization. The retail sales force is trained to provide Legendary Service through a formalized training program that emphasizes the customer experience. We believe that friendly, responsive, and consultative service is the niche that sets Farmers apart from competitors. We achieve this by having thoughtful conversations and utilizing active listening skills to build meaningful, long-lasting client relationships. In addition, a Retail Playbook was developed to assure ethical and consultative sales practices are followed.

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Loan and deposit products have been developed to aid customers that fall within the low-to-moderate income range. On the deposit side, we have two Fresh Start checking accounts that serve as a second chance to those that would otherwise not be eligible for a checking account. Additionally, Farmers developed loan programs for affordable housing and emergency assistance. Farmers also participates in the SBA loan program as a preferred lender.

Corporate Governance

The Company is committed to maintaining a culture of strong corporate governance through the dedicated adherence to the rules and regulations as defined by the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), NASDAQ and all Federal, State and Local laws. Oversight is maintained by our Board of Directors at the holding company level (Farmers National Banc Corp.) as well as through internal controls of the Board of Directors of Farmers National Bank of Canfield, Risk and Audit along with regular, consistent reviews by external auditors and regulators.

Farmers maintains a Board of Directors consisting of twelve directors of which eleven are independent. All Directors serve as members of at least one of the chartered Board committees (Audit, Compensation, BERM and Corporate Governance and Nominating). The charters for each committee along with committee assignment(s) and our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found on our Investor Relations page of our corporate website (https://ir.farmersbankgroup.com/corporate-overview/corporate-profile/default.aspx). Additionally, Farmers National Bank maintains a separate Board of Directors consisting of the Bank’s executive management team. Both the Farmers board and the Farmers National Bank board meet monthly to plan strategy, execute tactics and review the health and soundness of the Company.

Farmers is committed to doing the right thing for each of our four constituencies: Shareholders, Clients, Employees and our Communities. We will conduct our business in accordance with our Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Diligence, Stewardship, Commitment, Relationships and Performance.

Additional information regarding our corporate governance practices is set forth in the discussion under the “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE” sectionof this proxy statement.

20


PROPOSAL ONE — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

In accordance with the provisions of Farmers’ Regulations, the Board of Directors has fixed the number of directors at eight12 for the upcoming Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors is currently divided into three classes, each with three-year terms. This year, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors the re-nomination of three of the four Class III directors for election to serve as Class III directors for terms of three years to expire at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2024.2026. If these nominees are elected, there will be threefour directors serving in Class I, threefour directors serving in Class II, and twofour directors serving in Class III.

Set forth below for each of the nominees for election and for each director whose term will continue after the Annual Meeting is a brief statement, including age, principal occupation and business experience during at least the past five years. In addition, the following information provides the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s evaluation regarding the nomination of the director nominees and the key attributes, skills, and qualifications presented by the director nominees and the continuing directors. The following information, as of March 5, 2021,7, 2023, with respect to the age, principal occupation or employment, other affiliations and business experience during at least the last five years of each director and director nominee, has been furnished to Farmers by each director nominee and director. Except where indicated, no corporation is a parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate of Farmers.

Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named in this proxy statement. If any nominee should become unavailable to serve for any reason, it is intended that votes will be cast for a substitute nominee designated by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has no reason to believe that any nominee named will be unable to serve if elected.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”

EACH OF THE FOLLOWING DIRECTOR NOMINEES.

21


NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS CLASS III DIRECTORS

(Term Expiring in 2024)2026)

 

Name

  Age

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Other Information

Anne Frederick Crawford

57Ms. Crawford has served as a director of Farmers since 2004 and is a member of the Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees. Ms. Crawford is a self-employed attorney located in Canfield, Ohio, concentrating her law practice in the areas of probate and estate planning for her entire career. Ms. Crawford is also actively involved with a number of significant non-profit organizations and community initiatives in and outside the Mahoning Valley. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Ms. Crawford has developed through her education and extensive experiences in the legal field and in the Mahoning Valley business market, as well as her knowledge and experience as a director of Farmers, allow her to provide legal and local business expertise to the Board of Directors.

David Z. Paull

66Mr. Paull has served as a director of Farmers since 2011 and is Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee. Mr. Paull also serves as a director of National Associates, Inc., a subsidiary of Farmers Trust Company. Mr. Paull retired in February 2014 from serving as the Vice President, HR Operations and Labor Relations, for RTI International Metals, Inc., where he had previously been responsible for human resource activities for all domestic manufacturing locations in the United States. Mr. Paull has 36 years of experience working in and managing all aspects of the human resources and employee benefits functions, significant experience in corporate strategic and succession planning with both for profit and nonprofit enterprises, and has served as a member of the board of directors and executive committee of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Paull has developed through his extensive business experience in the Mahoning Valley business market, as well as his knowledge and experience in the field of human resources and related areas of executive compensation and benefits, allow him to provide compensation related and local business expertise to the Board of Directors.

Name

Age

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Other Information

James R. Smail

74Mr. Smail has served as a director of Farmers since 2015 and is Vice Chair of the Board, Chair of the Executive Committee, and a member of the Board Enterprise Risk Management and Compensation Committees. Mr. Smail also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Farmers Trust Company, a Farmers subsidiary. Mr. Smail has served as Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer of J.R. Smail, Inc. since 1975, and served as Chairman and Director of Monitor Bancorp, Inc. from 1972 through August, 2017. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Smail has from his experience in managing businesses and his experience in the financial institution industry, as well as his entrepreneurial skills, allow him to provide valuable insights to the Board of Directors in evaluating the business conditions in markets in which the Company operates, as well as setting corporate strategy.

CLASS III DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

(Term Expiring in 2022)

Name

Age

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Other Information

Ralph D. Macali

65Mr. Macali has served as a director of Farmers since 2001 and is a member of the Audit and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees. Mr. Macali is the Vice President of Palmer J. Macali, Inc., which owns and operates a retail grocery supermarket, and a partner in P.M.R.P. Partnership, which owns commercial and residential real estate. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Macali has developed through his education and business leadership experiences in the Mahoning Valley business market, as well as his experience as a director of Farmers, allow him to provide continued regional business and leadership expertise to the Board of Directors.

Name

Age

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Other Information

Edward W. Muransky

61Mr. Muransky has served as a director of Farmers since 2017 and is a member of the Audit Committee and Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee. Since 2012, Mr. Muransky has served as Chairman of the Board of The Muransky Companies, a multifaceted business management company, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Southwoods Health, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chestnut Land Company, the parent company for Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzel franchises operating throughout the United States. Mr. Muransky serves on boards of directors of a number of charitable and educational organizations in the Youngstown, Ohio and Mahoning Valley, Ohio region, including the Youngstown State University Foundation and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Muransky has developed through his significant business and leadership experiences allow him to provide leadership and business expertise to the Board of Directors.

CLASS I DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

(Term Expiring in 2023)

Name

Age   

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Other Information

Gregory C. Bestic

   6668   Mr. Bestic has served as a director of Farmers since 2011 and is currently Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance and NominatingCompensation Committee. Mr. Bestic also serves as a director of Farmers Trust Company, a Farmers subsidiary. Mr. Bestic iswas a Principal in Schroedel, Scullin & Bestic, LLC, a certified public accounting and strategic advisory firm located in Canfield, Ohio. Mr. Bestic has practiced with Schroedel, Scullin & Bestic, LLC and its predecessor firm since 1980.1980 and retired in 2022. Mr. Bestic is a certified public accountant,accountant. Mr. Bestic was also a certified forensic accountant (Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Accounting), and a fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners, and is designated as a Chartered Global Management Accountant.Examiners. He serves or has served on a number of non-profit community and civic boards in the Mahoning Valley, including the Cardinal Joint Fire District, Salem Regional Medical Center and the Advisory Committee of the Accounting and Finance Department of Youngstown State University. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Bestic has developed through his educational background in business and accounting, as well as his business and leadership experiences in the Mahoning Valley, allow him to provide accounting, local business, and corporate governance expertise to the Board of Directors.

Name

Age

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Other Information

Kevin J. Helmick

   4951   Mr. Helmick has served as a director of Farmers since 2014, as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Farmers since November 2013, and is a member of the Executive Committee. Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Helmick served as the Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Company and Executive Vice President – Retail and Wealth Management of Farmers Bank since January 2012. Prior to that, Mr. Helmick served as the Vice President of Wealth Management and Retail Services of Farmers Bank since 2008. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Helmick has developed through his education and experiences in the banking and financial services industries, as well as his significant past leadership positions with Farmers, allow him to provide continued business and leadership insight to the Board of Directors.

22


Name

Age

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Other Information

Neil J. Kaback

62Mr. Kaback has served as a director of Farmers since 2021 and is a member of the Audit and Board Enterprise Risk Management Committees. Mr. Kaback served as a Partner, Assurance, at Cohen & Company, in their Youngstown, Ohio office until his retirement in 2022. He has spent more than 40 years assisting clients and companies in the manufacturing, distribution, transportation, automotive and service industries. Mr. Kaback holds accreditations of certified public accountant and chartered global management accountant and is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Kaback currently serves or has served on a variety of boards of directors including the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation and GOJO Industries. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Kaback has developed through his educational background in business and accounting, as well as his business and leadership experiences as a certified public accountant in the Mahoning Valley, allow him to provide accounting and local business expertise to the Board of Directors.

Terry A. Moore

   6567   Mr. Moore has served as a director of Farmers since 2014 and is the Chair of the Corporate GovernanceBoard of Directors and Nominating Committee and a member of the Executive and Compensation Committees. Mr. MooreCommittee. He is a member of the Management Committee ofCompensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees. Mr. Moore is employed by Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty, a law firm located in Canton, Ohio, with whichOhio. Mr. Moore has practiced as an attorney since 1990 and served as Managing PartnerShareholder for 18 years until 2019. Mr. Moore2018 and as a member of the firm’s Management Committee for 24 years. He serves on the Board of Directors ofTrustees for the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center, a non-profit hospital based in Canton,Hospital Foundation Board and served as its initial Chair. He serves on the Advisory Board for the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center Development Foundation, as an advisory board member for Malone University, a non-profit university based in Canton,Hospital and as a trustee forTrustee of the Hoover Foundation, a non-profit foundation based in Canton. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Moore has developed through his educational background in law, as well as his business, litigation and leadership experiences with his law firm and in Stark County, allow him to provide leadership, local business, and corporate governance expertise to the Board of Directors.

23


CLASS II DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

(Term Expiring in 2024)

Name

Age

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Other Information

Anne Frederick Crawford

59Ms. Crawford has served as a director of Farmers since 2004 and is a member of the Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees. Ms. Crawford is a self-employed attorney located in Canfield, Ohio, concentrating her law practice in the areas of probate and estate planning for most of her career. Ms. Crawford is also actively involved with a number of significant non-profit organizations and community initiatives in and outside the Mahoning Valley including the Epilepsy Association in Cleveland, Ohio. Ms. Crawford had brain surgery for epilepsy in 1999 and has used her pre- and post-surgery disabilities to assist clients, especially the elderly and their families, with accepting assistance while retaining independence. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Ms. Crawford has developed through her education and extensive experiences in the legal field and the Mahoning Valley business market, her experiences through facing personal adversity, and her experience as a director of Farmers, allow her to provide legal and local business expertise to the Board of Directors.

David Z. Paull

68Mr. Paull has served as a director of Farmers since 2011 and is a member of the Board Enterprise Risk, Compensation and Executive Committees. Mr. Paull retired in 2014 from serving as the Vice President, HR Operations and Labor Relations, for RTI International Metals, Inc., where he had previously been responsible for human resource activities for all domestic manufacturing locations in the United States. Mr. Paull has 36 years of experience working in and managing all aspects of the human resources and employee benefits functions, significant experience in corporate strategic and succession planning with both for-profit and nonprofit enterprises, and has served as a member of the board of directors and executive committee of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce and serves on the board of the Dorothy Day House. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Paull has developed through his extensive business experience in the Mahoning Valley business market, as well as his knowledge and experience in the field of human resources, allow him to provide compensation-related and local business expertise to the Board of Directors.

24


Name

Age

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Other Information

Andre Thornton

73Mr. Thornton has served as a director of Farmers since January 1, 2023 and is a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Thornton has served as the Chief Executive Officer of ASW Global, LLC, a privately-held supply chain management company, since he acquired the company in 2007. Mr. Thornton has 35 years of experience in entrepreneurial ventures and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Thornton frequently speaks nationally on issues of executive leadership, organization change, and diversity and inclusion. Mr. Thornton played professional baseball for 21 years and was an honored recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award in 1979. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Thornton has from his extensive experiences in owning and managing businesses, corporate transactions, and diversity and inclusion allow him to provide business and corporate governance expertise to the Board of Directors.

Nicholas Varischetti

39Mr. Varischetti has served as a director of Farmers since January 1, 2023 and is a member of the Compensation and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees. Mr. Varischetti is an attorney and a member of the Burns White law firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, assisting businesses from a wide range of industries with their litigation, general business, and advisement needs. Mr. Varischetti formerly served from 2015 to 2022 as a director of Emclaire Financial Corp., which was acquired by Farmers effective January 1, 2023. Mr. Varischetti is also a partner in Varischetti Holdings, LP, a family-owned and operated organization consisting of several different businesses, including real estate investments, powder metal manufacturing, a construction equipment dealership, an oil and gas field services company, and waste industry consulting. Additionally, Mr. Varischetti is a founding partner of Allegheny Strategy Partners, a privately-held advisory firm. Furthermore, Mr. Varischetti is a shareholder and director of Guardian Elder Care Holdings, Inc., a healthcare provider with more than 50 nursing facilities, a rehabilitation services business, a long-term care pharmacy, and a home health company. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Varischetti has from his legal background, business ownership, and involvement with various business and civic organizations allow him to provide business, organizational, and advisory expertise to the Board of Directors.

25


CLASS III DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

(Term Expiring in 2025)

Name

Age

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Other Information

Ralph D. Macali

67Mr. Macali has served as a director of Farmers since 2001 and is a member of the Audit and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees. Mr. Macali is the Vice President of Palmer J. Macali, Inc., which owns and operates a retail grocery supermarket, and a partner in P.M.R.P. Partnership, which owns commercial and residential real estate properties. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Macali has developed through his education and business leadership experiences in the Mahoning Valley business market, as well as his experience as a director of Farmers, allow him to provide continued regional business and leadership expertise to the Board of Directors.

Frank J. Monaco

62Mr. Monaco has served as a director of Farmers since 2021. He is the Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Board Enterprise Risk Management Committees. Mr. Monaco is a Senior Partner at the 415 Group, Inc., a certified public accounting, business consulting and IT services firm in Canton, Ohio. In this role, Mr. Monaco leads the consulting division of the firm, which includes business and estate planning, business valuations, litigation, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Monaco has been with 415 Group since 1993 and previously served as Managing Partner from 2003 to 2019. He holds accreditations of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and is Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF), along with being Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) and part of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (CVA). Mr. Monaco also is an active member of his community, serving on or having served on a variety of boards of directors including the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Stark Development Board, Stark County Port Authority and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Monaco has developed through his educational background in business and accounting, as well as his business and leadership experiences as a certified public accountant and managing partner of a firm, allow him to provide accounting, local business, and leadership expertise to the Board of Directors.

26


Name

Age

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Other Information

Edward W. Muransky

63Mr. Muransky has served as a director of Farmers since 2017. He is Chair of the Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee and a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating and Executive Committees. Since 1999, Mr. Muransky has served as Chairman of the Board of The Muransky Companies, a multifaceted business management company, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Southwoods Health, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chestnut Land Company, the parent company for Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzel franchises operating throughout the United States. Mr. Muransky serves on boards of directors of a number of charitable and educational organizations in the Youngstown, Ohio and Mahoning Valley, Ohio region, including the Youngstown State University Foundation. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Muransky has developed through his significant business and leadership experiences allow him to provide leadership and business expertise to the Board of Directors.

Richard B. Thompson

74Mr. Thompson has served as a director of Farmers since 2021 and is a member of the Audit and Board Enterprise Risk Management Committees. Mr. Thompson formerly served from 2001 to 2021 as a director of Cortland Bancorp, which was acquired by Farmers in 2021. Mr. Thompson has had an extensive background in the private and public sectors for more than 40 years. A graduate of Youngstown State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering, he began his career in 1972 as an Electrical Engineer for The Packard Electric Company. Mr. Thompson co-foundedTherm-O-Link Inc., a manufacturer of electrical wire and cable and was an active partner in the business until 1994. Recently, Mr. Thompson has focused on the revitalization of his beloved town of Kinsman, Ohio, including the reopening of the local grocery store and hardware store, as well as starting a successful architectural millwork company, Stratton Creek Woodworks. Mr. Thompson also serves on the board of directors for Hiram College, The Youngstown State University Foundation, The Northern Trumbull County Community Foundation, The Kinsman Public Library, The Kinsman United Methodist Church and Trumbull Family Fitness. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee believes that the attributes, skills and qualifications Mr. Thompson has developed through his business and leadership experiences allow him to provide leadership and business expertise to the Board of Directors.

27


BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following table sets forth information as of March 5, 2021,7, 2023, regarding beneficial ownership of the Common Shares by each director, each director nominee, each of the named executive officers of Farmers appearing in the SummaryCompensation Table, all directors, named executive officers, and other executive officers of the Company as a group, and each person known to Farmers to own 5% or more of its Common Shares. In addition, unless otherwise indicated, all persons named below can be reached at Farmers National Banc Corp., 20 South Broad Street, Canfield, Ohio 44406.

 

Name

  Total
Beneficial

Ownership(1)
 Percent of
Outstanding(2)
   Total
Beneficial

Ownership(1)
 Percent of
Outstanding(2)
 

Gregory C. Bestic

   52,097(3)  *    70,000(3)  * 

Lance J. Ciroli

   52,047(4)  * 

Anne Frederick Crawford.

   84,258(5)  * 

Anne Frederick Crawford

   92,654(4)  * 

Neil J. Kaback

   22,597  * 

Ralph D. Macali

   79,663(6)  *    64,102(5)  * 

Frank J. Monaco

   22,020(6)  * 

Terry A. Moore

   54,014(7)  *    65,671(7)  * 

Edward W. Muransky

   42,350(8)  *    128,274(8)  * 

David Z. Paull

   41,970(9)   *    47,310(9)  * 

James R. Smail

   1,675,017(10)  5.92

Carl D. Culp

   75,164(11)  * 

Richard B. Thompson

   318,878(10)  * 

Andre Thornton

   368  * 

Nicholas D. Varischetti

   150,830  * 

Troy Adair

   17,976(11)  * 

Tim Carney

   133,027(12)  * 

Jim Gasior

   104,705(13)  * 

Kevin J. Helmick

   133,112(12)  *    182,646(14)  * 

Timothy F. Shaffer

   29,471(13)  * 

Amber Wallace Soukenik

   30,564(14)  * 

Mark R. Witmer

   69,881(15)  * 

Total (17 directors and executive officers)

   2,508,775  8.86

Mark Wenick

   23,507(15)  * 

Total (16 directors and executive officers)

   1,444,565  3.8

5% Or Greater Shareholders

      

James R. Smail

   1,675,017(10)  5.92

Black Rock, Inc.

55 E. 52nd Street

New York, NY 10055

   1,572,309(16)   5.55   2,481,738(17)   6.5

 

*

Less than 1%

(1)

The amounts shown represent the total outstanding Common Shares beneficially owned by the individuals orand the Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 5, 20217, 2023 (although no such stock options were outstanding on that date). Unless otherwise indicated, each individual has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the Common Shares indicated.

(2)

For all directors and executive officers, the percentage of class is based upon the sum of: (i) 28,304,437 Common37,910,511Common Shares issued and outstanding on March 5, 2021;7, 2023; and (ii) the number of Common Shares, if any, as to which the named individual or group has the right to acquire beneficial ownership upon the exercise of stock options within 60 days of March 5, 20217, 2023 (although no such stock options were outstanding on that date).

(3)

Mr. Bestic owns his Common Shares jointly with his spouse and he shares voting and dispositive power with respect thereto.

(4)

Amount includes 3,675(i) 76,262 Common Shares ownedheld by Mr. Ciroli’s spouse overa trust as to which his spouse has voting and dispositive power.

(5)

Amount includes (i) 71,030 Common Shares Ms. Crawford owns jointly withand her spouse with respect to whichare trustees and she shares voting and dispositive power thereto, (ii) 10,02810,723 Common Shares held by trusts over which Ms. Crawford’s spouse is trustee with voting and dispositive power, and (iii) 3,0655,534 Common Shares held in IRAs in Ms. Crawford’s name.

28


(6)(5)

Amount includes (i) 9,189 Common Shares held in Mr. Macali’s IRA, and (ii) 35,98139,088 Common Shares held by a partnership over which Mr. Macali has sole voting and dispositive power, and (iii) 519 Common Shares owned by Mr. Macali’s spouse over which his spouse has voting and dispositive power. Amount does not include 19,94821,415 Common Shares held by a trust over which Mr. Macali has voting and dispositive power but disclaims beneficial ownership.ownership due to the lack of any direct or indirect pecuniary interest.

(6)

Amount includes 17,000 Common Shares Mr. Monaco owns jointly with his spouse and he shares voting and dispositive power with respect thereto.

(7)

Amount includes (i) 10,100 Common Shares Mr. Moore owns jointly with his spouse with respect to which he shares voting and dispositive power, (ii) 6,700 Common Shares held in Mr. Moore’s IRA, and (iii) 9,862 Common Shares owned directly and indirectly by Mr. Moore’s spouse, over which Mr. Moore’s spouse has voting and dispositive power.

(8)

Amount includes (i) 9,900 Common Shares held in Mr. Muransky’s IRA, (ii) 17,20637,206 Common Shares held in the Edward W. Muransky Trust, and (iii) 2,900 Common Shares owned byheld in Mr. Muransky’s spouse.spouse’s IRA.

(9)

Amount includes (i) 26,93831,585 Common Shares jointly owned with Mr. Paull’s spouse, over which Mr. Paull shares voting and dispositive power, and (ii) 4,845 Common Shares held in Mr. Paull’s IRA.

(10)

Amount includes (i) 9,034317,275 Common Shares held in the James Smail IRA, and (ii) 12,807 Common Shares held in the James R. SmailRichard B. Thompson Trust.

(11)

Amount includes (i) 55,0411,000 Common Shares included in Mr. Culp ownsAdair’s IRA.

(12)

Amount includes (i) 50,618 Common Shares jointly owned with hisMr. Carney’s spouse with respect toover which heMr. Carney shares voting and dispositive power, and (ii) 9,84958,141 Common Shares held by Mr. CulpCarney in the Company’s 401(k) Plan.

(12)(13)

Amount includes (i) 80,4918 Common Shares jointly owned with Mr. Gasior’s spouse over which Mr. Gasior shares voting and dispositive power, and (ii) 53,675 Common Shares held by Mr. Gasior in the Company’s 401(k) Plan.

(14)

Amount includes (i) 97,564 Common Shares Mr. Helmick owns jointly with his spouse with respect to which he shares voting and dispositive power, (ii) 3,9214,212 Common Shares held in Mr. Helmick’s IRA, (iii) 2,440 Common Shares held in Mr. Helmick’s spouse’s IRAs, (iv) 20,08728,684 Common Shares owned by Mr. Helmick’s children over which Mr. Helmick has voting and dispositive power, and (v) 12,96113,924 Common Shares held by Mr. Helmick in the Company’s 401(k) Plan.

(13)(15)

Amount includes (i) 2,500 Common Shares ownedheld in Mr. Wenick’s IRA, and (ii) 10,619 Common Shares Mr. Wenick owns jointly with Mr. Shaffer’shis spouse with respect to which he shares voting and dispositive power.

(14)

Amount includes 2,000 Common Shares Ms. Soukenik owns jointly with her spouse with respect to which she shares voting and dispositive power.

(15)

Amount includes 3,116 Common Shares held in the Mark R. Witmer IRA and 1,939 Common Shares held in the Company’s 401(k) Plan.

(16)

According to a Schedule 13G/A filed January 29, 2021,31, 2023, Blackrock, Inc. possessed sole power to vote with respect to 1,542,8602,409,754 of these Common Shares, sole power to direct the disposition with respect to all of these Common Shares, and shared power to vote and shared power to direct the disposition with respect to none of these Common Shares.

29


PROPOSAL TWO — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY

OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

In Proposal 3 below, we are asking shareholders to consider and approve an advisory resolution to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, adopted as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, at least once every six years we are required to submit for shareholder vote a non-binding resolution to determine whether the advisory shareholder vote on executive compensation should occur every one, two, or three years. We held the last such advisory vote at our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and a frequency of every year received the most shareholder votes.

After careful consideration, the Board of Directors believes that our practice of holding the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers every year continues to be the most appropriate alternative for the Company and its shareholders, and therefore recommends that shareholders vote for a frequency of “One Year” for future advisory votes on executive compensation. The Board of Directors believes that an annual advisory vote enables the Company’s shareholders to provide timely, direct input on our executive compensation program as disclosed in the proxy statement each year, and is consistent with our desire to engage in ongoing dialogue with our shareholders.

Shareholders are able to specify one of four choices for this proposal on the proxy card or in voting instructions: “One Year”; “Two Years”; “Three Years”; or “Abstain.” Shareholders are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation and, because the frequency vote is non-binding, shareholder approval of a one, two, or three-year frequency will not require the Company to implement an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the preference receiving the highest number of votes. The final decision on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation remains with the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors values our shareholders’ opinions as expressed through their votes and other communications. Although the advisory vote is non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will carefully consider the outcome of the frequency vote and other communications from shareholders when making future decisions regarding the frequency of say-on-pay votes.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS

A VOTE FOR A FREQUENCY OF “ONE YEAR” FOR HOLDING FUTURE

NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTES

ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

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PROPOSAL THREE — ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, Farmers is providing shareholders with the right to vote to approve, on an advisory (nonbinding) basis, the following resolution relative to the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers:

RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve the compensation of Farmers’ named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Commission, including the compensation discussion and analysis, compensation tables and any related material disclosed in this proxy statement.”

As described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors believes that Farmers’ compensation policies and procedures are aligned with Farmers’ short-term goals and long-term success. The Board of Directors believes that its pay-for-performance philosophy and objectively-driven incentive-based compensation opportunities are designed to both be competitive with opportunities offered by similarly situated financial institutions and to attract, retain and motivate the key executives directly responsible for our continued success. At the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders approved the executive compensation as disclosed in the proxy statement for that Annual Meeting, with more than 93% of the Common Shares represented by shareholders present in person or represented by proxy voting for approval. The Compensation Committee evaluated the results of this supportive advisory vote, together with the other factors and data discussed in the Compensation and Discussion Analysis, in determining executive compensation policies, making executive compensation decisions, and continuing implementation of its compensation philosophy and objectives.

Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation and Other Information” sections of this proxy statement, including the tables and related narratives, for additional details about our executive compensation philosophy and programs, including information about the calendar year 2022 compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

Vote Required and Board of Directors’ Recommendation

This proposal to approve the compensation of Farmers’ named executive officers requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares present (via the live webcast), represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, broker non-votes will not be relevant to the outcome. Abstentions will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of Proposal Two and, thus, will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal Two. Because this vote is advisory, it will not be binding on Farmers or the Board of Directors; however, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review the voting results and will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL

OF THE NON-BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION APPROVING THE

COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Introduction

The following Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides information regarding Farmers’ executive compensation programs and includes the following segments: (i) Executive Summary, (ii) Compensation Committee’s Philosophy and Objectiveson Executive compensation, (iii) 20202022 Named Executive Officers Compensation, and (iv) Other Elements of our Executive Compensation Programs. For 2020,2022, our named executive officers were:

 

Name

  

Title

Kevin J. Helmick

  President and Chief Executive Officer

Carl D. CulpTroy Adair

  Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Mark R. Witmer(1)Timothy Carney

  Former Senior Executive Vice President, Chief CreditBanking Officer

Timothy F. ShafferJames M. Gasior

  Senior Executive Vice President, Chief LendingCorporate Development Officer and Regional President

Amber Wallace SoukenikMark Wenick

  Executive Vice President, Chief Retail and MarketingWealth Management Officer

(1)  Mr. Witmer served as Chief Banking Officer until his appointment as Chief Credit Officer effective August 1, 2020. Mr. Witmer’s employment terminated December 31, 2020.

Executive Summary

Farmers continued to deliver strong financial performance in 2020,2022, in terms of both past performance and relative to the performance of our peer financial institutions. We alsoinstitutions, and we believe that the 2022 compensation of our executive team continued to reflect their successful efforts in strong alignment with the Company’s financial performance.

20202022 Financial Performance Highlights

 

Our 2020 adjustedAdjusted net income increased to $44.1for 2022 totaled $64.0 million, or $1.55$1.89 earnings per diluted share, compared to $36.3$62.3 million or $1.30$2.13 earnings per diluted share for 2019.2021. This financial metric was one of the three objective elements of our 20202022 annual cash incentive plan (the “Annual Incentive Plan”), with a weighting of 30%. The threshold performance level for this metric was $1.82 and target performance level for this metric was $1.35 and the maximum was $1.42,$1.90, so our strong performance resulted in payouts to our named executive officers atslightly below the maximumtarget level of 150%100% on this financial performance metric.

 

Our 20202022 annualized return on average assets as adjusted was 1.55%1.54% compared to 1.51%1.83% for 2019.2021. This financial metric was the second objective element of our Annual Incentive Plan, with a weighting of 30%. The threshold performance level for this metric was 1.50%, the target of 1.40%was 1.55%, and athe maximum of 1.47%was 1.60%, so our performance on this metric resulted in payouts atslightly below the maximumtarget level of 150%100% on this financial performance metric.

 

Our 20202022 efficiency ratio as adjusted improved to 51.52%was 49.02% compared to 56.05%46.33% for 2019.2021. This financial metric was the third objective performance element of our Annual Incentive Plan, with a weighting of 20%. The threshold performance level for this metric was 49.25%, the target level of 55.00%was 48.00%, and athe maximum of 53.75%was 46.75%, so our improved performance resulted in payouts atbelow the maximumtarget level of 150%100% on this financial performance metric.

On January 7, 2020, we completed the acquisition by merger of Maple Leaf Financial (“Maple Leaf”), the holding company for Geauga Savings Bank, with branches located in Cuyahoga and Geauga Counties in Ohio. The transaction increases our market share in those counties and enables Farmers to continue building local scale throughout Northeast Ohio. Our 2020 financial information summarized above was adjusted for non-recurring expenses, including expenses incurred in connection with the Maple Leaf merger and a litigation settlement.

 

Farmers is proud to have delivered strong financial performance, with a focus on providing creative and steadfast customer service and support to our stakeholders, despite the economic and operational challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Compensation Committee monitored closely the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Farmers’ pay programs during 2020 and, based on the consistent financial performance of Farmers despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, ultimately determined that no adjustments were warranted with respect to base pay, the objective performance metrics and targets of the annual incentive plan, or outstanding awards under the long-term incentive plan.

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2020


On March 23, 2022, we entered into an agreement to acquire by merger Emclaire Financial Corp. (formerly NASDAQ: EMCF) (“Emclaire”), the holding company for The Farmers National Bank of Emlenton, and we completed the acquisition on January 1, 2023. As of December 31, 2022, Emclaire had total assets of $1.0 billion and operated 19 branches in ten counties throughout western Pennsylvania. The transaction was our seventh acquisition in the last seven years and expands Farmers further into Pennsylvania markets as part of our long-time strategy. Our 2022 financial information summarized above was adjusted for certain non-recurring expenses, including expenses incurred in 2022 in connection with the Emclaire acquisition.

In April 2022, Shareholders overwhelmingly approved the adoption of our 2022 Equity Incentive Plan at the 2022 annual meeting of shareholders. A total of 1,000,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan in connection with incentive awards to non-employee directors, officers, and other eligible participants, in the form of restricted stock, stock units and share awards. The 2022 Equity Incentive Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

Farmers is proud to have delivered strong financial performance again despite the economic and operational challenges stemming from inflationary and rising interest rate environments following the initial recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Compensation Committee monitored closely the potential impacts of the economic and financial markets on Farmers’ pay programs during 2022 and, based on the consistent financial performance of Farmers despite the challenges posed by those conditions, determined to make no adjustments with respect to the objective performance metrics and targets of our annual incentive plan or outstanding long-term incentive plan awards.

2022 Significant Compensation Results

Annual Incentive Compensation Results from Financial Performance

 

  

We maintained the structure of our Annual Incentive Plan for executive officers in 2020,2022, comprised of three objective corporate level financial metrics: (i) adjusted earnings per share, (ii) annualized adjusted return on average assets, and (iii) corporate efficiency ratio. Mr. Shaffer and Ms. SoukenikWenick had additional objective metrics based on their respective areashis area of responsibility. We also retained a subjective element for each named executive officer, with a weighting of 20% for Messrs. Helmick, Culp,Adair, Carney, and Witmer,Gasior, and 10%25% for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik.Wenick. The subjective factor is evaluated based on a scorecard assessment of each individual’s performance. All elements and results of our 20202022 Annual Incentive Plan for our named executive officers isare more fully described under “20202022 Named Executive Officers CompensationAnnual Incentive PlanPlan. beginning on page 29. The following is a tabular summary of our objective 20202022 Annual Incentive Plan payouts based on our 2022 adjusted financial results:

 

Performance Metrics

  Target Actual Payout% 

Performance Metric

  Target   Actual   Payout % 

Earnings Per Share

  $1.35  $1.55  150  $1.90   $1.89    92

Return on Average Assets

   1.40 1.55 150   1.55%    1.54%    90

Efficiency Ratio

   55.00 51.52 150   48.00%    49.02%    60

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Long-term Incentive Compensation Results from Financial Performance

 

During 2020In the first calendar quarter of 2022, we continued to grantgranted equity-based long-term incentive compensation awards under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and cash-based long-term incentive compensation awards under our long-term cash incentive compensation plan (“LTI Cash Program”) to help achieve our recruiting, retention, and long-term performance goals. We maintained the following allocation of our total long-term compensation target opportunities: 25% in service-based equity awards subject to three-year cliff vesting, 50% in performance-based equity awards subject to vesting determined by our average return on equity (“ROE”) compared to the ROE performance of our peer group of banking companies over a three-year period, and 25% in performance-based cash awards subject to vesting determined by our total shareholder return (“TSR”) compared to peer group performance over a three-year period.

  

Our performanceThe results of our performance-based long-term incentive awards issued in 2020 for the long-term incentive compensation awards we issued in 2018 for the three-year performance period that ended on December 31, 2020 resulted in2022 were as follows: (i) the following percentage payouts,long-term incentive awards based on our average return on equity achieved the maximum payout of 200% due to our top performance relative to our compensation peer group, and (ii) the long-term incentive awards based on our total shareholder return achieved a payout between the threshold and target levels based on our performance between the lower quartile and median of our compensation peer group, as described more fully under “20202022 Named Executive Officers CompensationLong-Term Incentive Compensation Plans beginning on page 32::

 

  Weight Target Actual
Percentile
 Percentage
Payout
   Weight(1) Target
Percentile
 Actual
Percentile
 Percentage
Payout
 

Relative Average ROE(1)(2)

   50 50th  97.9th  200.0   50 50th  100th  200.0

Relative TSR(2)(3)

   25 50th  94.2th  200.0   25 50th  33rd  46.7

 

 (1)

Weighting percentage based on total target long-term incentive opportunity, with service-based restricted stock comprising the remaining 25% opportunity.

(2)

Equity-based award with performance and vesting determined as a percentile compared to the average annual return on equity of peer group companies for the three-year period ending December 31, 2020.2022. These equity-based awards were granted at the maximum payout level of 200% (2 times) of target opportunity, so the percentage payout opportunities ranged from 10% vesting for attaining the threshold 25th percentile of the peer group, 25% for performing at the 50th percentile, and 100% for performing at or above the 75th percentile.

 (2)(3)

Cash-based award with performance and vesting determined as a percentile compared to the total shareholder return of peer group companies for the three-year period ending December 31, 2020.2022. Percentage payout opportunity ranged from 20% at the threshold 25th percentile of the peer group, 100% for performing at the 50th percentile, and 200% vesting for performing at or above the 75th percentile.

Linkages between our financial performance and the resulting payouts for our named executive officers under our annual and long-term incentive programs are described more fully under the caption “20202022 Named Executive Officers Compensation beginning on page 28 in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

Portions of the foregoing and certain following financial presentations in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis include the use of both GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) and non-GAAP financial measures. We use these financial measures to monitor

34


and evaluate our on-going performance and allocate resources, and we believe that these additional non-GAAP measures are useful to investors for financial analyses of Farmers. Reconciliations of such non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure can be found on Appendix A to this proxy statement.

Compensation Committee’s Philosophy on Executive Compensation

Our goal is to hire and retain an executive management team that we believe will create both short-term and long-term institutional success. We seek to achieve this goal by providing a fair, competitive compensation package that includes substantial performance-based, at-risk pay components that are aligned with the Company’s financial performance and strategic plans. We believe in directly linking pay to financial performance, so we structure our compensation plans to drive successful annual and long-term financial performance and ultimately align with long-term shareholder value. We also seek to implement compensation programs that appropriately balance risk and financial results so that our compensation programs maintain and promote our overall safety and soundness.

Each named executive officers’ compensation currently consists of three primary elements: base salary, annual cash incentive compensation, and long-term incentive compensation. Named executive officers are also eligible to receive matching contributions to their 401(k) retirement plan accounts, discretionary additional contributions to voluntary

deferrals of compensation in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, and limited perquisites. To help retain a stable executive management team, we have adopted an Executive Separation Policy and have entered into change in control agreements that provide severance benefits upon certain terminations of our executive officers.

We evaluate annually all of our compensation programs, policies, and payouts to assess whether our compensation structure continues to align with our philosophy of paying for financial performance as a means of promoting long-term shareholder value. Based on this evaluation, we determined in 20202022 to maintain the general structural elements of our executive compensation programs as described below.

The Role of the Compensation Committee in Determining Executive Compensation

The Compensation Committee oversees the compensation programs of our named executive officers and establishes our executive compensation philosophy, policies, elements, plans, and arrangements. In addition, the Compensation Committee annually evaluates the performance and compensation of our chief executive officer and with the input ofreceives our chief executive officer,officer’s annual evaluation of our other executive officers, in order to determineevaluate appropriate compensation adjustments as well as future compensation decisions. The Compensation Committee annually evaluates the alignment of pay and performance of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. The Compensation Committee also reviews overall corporate policies regarding compensation and benefit programs that are generally available to all employees in connection with its annual assessment of risk-based compensation assessment and may make recommendations concerning those programs based thereon.

Although the Compensation Committee has authority to approve individual compensation arrangements, as well as authority to engage legal advisors and compensation consultants for advice on compensation issues, the Compensation Committee does not act entirely autonomously in considering and implementation of our compensation plans. For example, the Compensation Committee recommends the terms of plans such as our 2017 and 2022 Equity Incentive Plan,Plans, subject to final approval of the full independent Board of Directors, and may from time to time request management to provide financial, tax, accounting, or operational information relevant to Compensation Committee deliberations.

35


Role of Compensation Consultant

The Compensation Committee has engaged Pay Governance, LLC (“Pay Governance”) as its outside independent compensation consultant since 2011. During 2019, the Compensation Committee conducted a request for proposals process from qualified independent compensation consultants,2011 and based on such process determined to continuecontinued to engage Pay Governance for 2020.during 2022. Pursuant to its engagement terms, Pay Governance reviews, analyzes and provides advice regarding our executive officer and director compensation programs in relation to the objectives of those programs, including comparisons to designated peer group companies and to current best practices, and also provides information and advice on competitive compensation practices and trends, along with specific views on our compensation programs. In its role as independent compensation consultants, Pay Governance representatives engage in regular discussions with the Compensation Committee and respond to questions from the Committee and the Committee’s other advisors in providing opinions with respect to the design and implementation of current or proposed compensation programs. During 2020,2022, Pay Governance reported directly to the Compensation Committee and the Committee retains the sole authority to retain or terminate Pay Governance. Pay Governance did not provide additional services to the Company or its affiliates in an amount in excess of $120,000 during 2020.

2022.

Compensation Consultant Independence

The Compensation Committee has the responsibility to consider certain independence factors before selecting compensation consultants and other compensation advisers. In connection with the foregoing, the Compensation Committee reviewed, considered and discussed the relevant factors established by NASDAQ to determine such independence, both through surveying Pay Governance and by soliciting input from members of the Compensation Committee through our annual director and officer questionnaires. Based on its review, consideration and discussion, the Compensation Committee determined that the work performed and to be performed by Pay Governance as the Committee’s compensation consultant has not raised and does not raise any conflict of interest, and also determined that Pay Governance qualifies as independent for purposes of the Exchange Act and revised NASDAQ Corporate Governance Requirements.

Say-on-Pay Consideration

At the Company’s 20202022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders approved on an advisory basis the executive compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for that Annual Meeting, with over 93% of the Common Shares represented by shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the 20202022 Annual Meeting voting “for” such approval. The Compensation Committee evaluated the results of this supportive advisory vote, together with the other factors and data discussed in this Compensation and Discussion Analysis, in determining Farmers’ executive compensation policies, making executive compensation decisions, and continuing implementation of the Committee’s compensation philosophy and objectives.

Peer Group Evaluation and Executive Compensation Benchmarks

The Compensation Committee has generally evaluated compensation practices at similarly situated financial institutions to help determine the levels of compensation for financial services executives in our geographic market. In addition, the Compensation Committee does not adhere to a strict formula in order to determine executive officer compensation packages, and rather has relied on a variety of factors including experience, responsibility, individual performance, and our overall financial performance.

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However, given the competitive nature of the financial services industry generally and the fact that we compete in a market with many regional and national banking organizations that are significantly larger and that can provide attractive compensation packages to top executive talent, the Compensation Committee recognizes the need for Farmers to provide competitive overall compensation opportunities to retain our high-performing executives and attract new executive talent.

The Compensation Committee has consistently utilized a consistent compensation peer group since 2015, when the group was last extensively re-evaluated with the assistance of Pay Governance to reflect the significant increase in the size and change in primary markets of Farmers due to two acquisitions that year.companies for certain compensation benchmarking purposes. The Compensation Committee uses several factors to identify, evaluate and select peer financial institutions including but not limited to (i) factors of size (e.g., assets (ranging from approximately one-half to two times the asset size of Farmers), revenues, employees, and market capitalization), (ii) factors of profitability and growth (e.g., net revenue and operating income), and (iii) geographic location. The Compensation Committee continued to utilize the following peer group of 14 companies to evaluate the competitiveness of our pay structures and levels for calendar year 2020, taking into account acquisitions of previously included institutions (the “2020 Peer Group”):

•   AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

•   Isabella Bank Corporation

•   Chemung Financial Corp.

•   LCNB Corp.

•   Civista Bancshares, Inc.

•   Macatawa Bank Corporation

•   Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.

•   Mercantile Bank Corp.

•   CNB Financial Corp.

•   Peoples Bancorp, Inc.

•   German American Bancorp, Inc.

•   Premier Financial Bancorp Inc.

•   Horizon Bancorp

•   Summit Financial Group, Inc.

In late 2020, the Compensation Committee, with the assistance of Pay Governance, undertook an extensive a re-evaluation of our then-identified compensation peer group to help ensure that the group continued to reflect similarly situated financial institutions for purposes of determining competitive market positioning for purposes of executive compensation decisions, particularly due toin light of anticipated Farmers’ acquisition activity, as well reflecting the impact of acquisitions of several prior peer group companies in recent years, and Farmers continuous growth.occurring within the group. Based on that evaluation, and continuing to useusing the same evaluative factors described above, the Compensation Committee approved the following peer group of 23 companies for compensation evaluation purposes in 2021 (with added peer group companies highlighted)and early 2022 (“2022 Peer Group”):

 

•   Chemung Financial Corp.Corporation

•   Isabella Bank Corporation

•   City Holding Company

  

•   LCNB Corp.

•   City Holding Co.

•   Level One Bancorp Inc.

•   Civista Bancshares, Inc.

  

•   Lakeland Financial Corp.Level One Bancorp, Inc.*

•   Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.

  

•   Lakeland Financial Corporation

•   CNB Financial Corporation

•   Macatawa Bank Corporation

•   CNB Financial Corp.

•   Mackinac Financial Corp.

•   Citizens and& Northern Corp.Corporation

  

•   Mercantile Bank Corporation

•   Evans Bancorp, Inc.

•   MVB Financial Corp.

•   Evans BancorpFinancial Institutions, Inc.

  

•   MVBPremier Financial Corp.

•   First Financial Institutions, Inc.Corporation

  

•   Peoples Bancorp Inc.

•   German American Bancorp, Inc.

  

•   PremierSummit Financial Group, Inc.

•   Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

•   Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

•   HorizonIndependent Bank Corporation

*

Level One Bancorp, Inc. was acquired by First Merchants Corp. in April 2022.

Following our announcement of the Emclaire acquisition in March 2022, the Compensation Committee, again with the assistance of Pay Governance, considered certain revisions to the peer group to continue to reflect the evaluative factors described above in light of the expected increase of Farmers’ asset size to over $5 billion in assets and the expansion of Farmers’ active geographic competitive footprint. Based on that evaluation, the Compensation Committee determined to focus on peer banking companies with assets between $2.5 billion and $10 billion that operated in a geographic market including Ohio, western Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and western New York, which resulted in the elimination of five companies from the 2022 Peer Group and the addition of the following four companies:

37


First Commonwealth Financial, First Internet Bancorp, S&T Bancorp, and Park National Corporation, resulting in the following new compensation peer group of 21 companies:

•   City Holding Company

•   Lakeland Financial Corporation

•   Civista Bancshares, Inc.

•   Macatawa Bank Corporation

•   Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.

•   Mercantile Bank Corporation

•   CNB Financial Corporation

•   MVB Financial Corp.

•   Financial Institutions, Inc.

•   Park National Corporation

•   First Commonwealth Financial

•   Peoples Bancorp Inc.

•   First Financial Corporation

•   Premier Financial Corp.

•   First Internet Bancorp

•   S&T Bancorp

•   German American Bancorp, Inc.

  

•   Summit Financial Group, Inc.

•   Independent Bank Corp.Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

  

•   Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

•   IsabellaIndependent Bank Corporation

  

2020 Named Executive Officers 2022 Compensation

Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Compensation Programs

The Compensation Committee monitored closely the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Farmers’ pay programs during 2020. The Committee received reports from Farmers’ executive officers and input from Pay Governance at each of its meetings during the pandemic. Based on the consistent financial performance of Farmers despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Committee ultimately determined that no adjustments were warranted with respect to base pay, the objective performance metrics and targets of the annual incentive plan, or outstanding awards under the long-term incentive plan.

Base Salary

Base salaries are intended to reward the named executive officers based upon their roles with us and for their performance in those roles. For each named executive officer, their base salaries are reviewed annually subject to adjustments based upon our financial performance, the individual performance of the particular executive, and our overall compensation philosophy of providing base compensation levels for our executive officers within 10% of the median of our 20202022 Peer Group. The Compensation Committee conducts an annual

evaluation of the performance of Mr. Helmick in light of specified goals and objectives with input from each independent director. Based on such evaluation and input, the Compensation Committee determines the compensation of Mr. Helmick and discusses its determination with all independent directors. During late 2021 and early 2022, the Compensation Committee also undertook an extensive analysis of the amounts and elements of Mr. Helmick’s compensation and certain other executive officers, including recent realized pay of Mr. Helmick, with significant input from PayGovernance and benchmarking to the 2022 Peer Group and the new peer group.

All other executive officers are evaluated on a variety of factors including leadership performance, strategic planning and execution, communication abilities, business knowledge, and awareness and accountability. Based thereon, Mr. Helmick determines whether ato recommend base salary increaseincreases or decrease is considered to be meriteddecreases based upon individual performance and presents his recommendations on base salary adjustment recommendationsadjustments to the Compensation Committee.

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As a result of the evaluations by the Compensation Committee of Mr. Helmick and the recommendations by Mr. Helmick regarding the remaining named executive officers as described above, for 2020 the Compensation Committee determined to increase Mr. Helmick’s base salary from $460,000 to $474,000, an increase of approximately 3.0%, effective April 1, 2020, and the following merit-based base salary adjustments were made for Mr. Helmick and the remainingother named executive officers also effective April 1, 2020: (i) Mr. Culp received a base salary increase of approximately 2.0% from $247,318 to $252,380; (ii) Mr. Witmer received a base salary increase of approximately 2.0% from $281,875 to $287,500; (iii) Mr. Shaffer received a base salary increase of approximately 4.1% from $182,507 to $190,000; and (v) Ms. Soukenik received a base salary increase of approximately 2.6% from $187,392 to $192,342.2022:

2022 Base Salary Adjustments

Name

  2021
Base
Salary
  %
Increase
  2022
Base
Salary

Kevin Helmick

  $493,000   25.7 $620,000

Troy Adair

  $240,000   31.2 $315,000

Tim Carney

  $300,000   2.3 $306,895

Jim Gasior

  $315,000   2.8 $323,952

Mark Wenick

  $262,928   10.0 $290,005

Annual Incentive Plan

The Compensation Committee believes that performance-based annual cash incentives are an effective way to compensate executives for working together as a team to achieve short-term specific financial goals, which the Compensation Committee and management have established as near-term drivers of our long-term success, as well as certain individualized goals specific to an executive’s role and duties. The following is a discussion of the Annual Incentive Plan as it continued to be implemented by the Compensation Committee during 2020.2022.

The Annual Incentive Plan is intended to foster superior financial results by providing equitable and attainable corporate-wide incentives that reward individual and team efforts to achieve specified performance objectives as determined and applied each fiscal year. The program provides our executive officers and certain non-executive employees the opportunity to receive annual cash incentive payments based upon achievement of such corporate and individual performance goals. Our full-time and part-time, regular, non-commissioned-based associates and executives, as well as those of our subsidiaries, are generally eligible to participate in the Annual Incentive Plan.

The Compensation Committee establishes the target bonus opportunities under the Annual Incentive Plan for each eligible named executive officer expressed as a percentage of base salary. The following table sets forth the 20202022 target bonus opportunities for each participating named executive officer:

 

Named Executive Officer

 Target Annual Incentive Plan Opportunity

(% of base salary)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

  40

Carl D. CulpTroy Adair

35

Tim Carney

35

Jim Gasior

  35

Mark R. Witmer

35

Timothy F. Shaffer

35

Amber Wallace SoukenikWenick

  35

Payments under the Annual Incentive Plan are contingent primarily on the achievement of pre-established performance goals relating to objective financial metrics established for each participating named executive officer by the Compensation Committee, and secondarily upon the results of a subjective evaluation of each individual executive’s performance. Each of the elements has an assigned weight and each of the objective financial criteria has a specific target or goal for the year.

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In the event that we (or the individual participant) do not meet the specified goal or target for a particular metric, then no compensation will be paid with respect to that objective portion of the Annual Incentive Plan.

The Compensation Committee established a threshold payout of 50% of target opportunity upon attaining a threshold level of the objective metrics, a target payout of 100% upon attaining 100% of the target level of the objective metrics, and a maximum payout of 150% of target opportunity upon attaining at or greater than a maximum level of the objective metrics. ForPerformance falling below threshold results in no payout; for performance falling within each of the percentile ranges, payouts are made on an interpolated basis. Payout opportunity on the subjective elements also ranged from 0% to 150%.

In establishing the Annual Incentive Plan’s objective metrics and targets for 2020,2022, the Compensation Committee utilized the Company’s budgeting model to set the performance at levels that were determined to be achievable with strong management performance. All named executive officers were allocated certain weightings of three core corporate financial measures: earnings per share (“EPS”), return on average assets (“ROA”), and efficiency ratio. Those were the sole objective performance criteria allocated to Messrs. Helmick, Culp,Adair, Carney and Witmer. The named executive officers other than Messrs. Helmick, Culp, and WitmerGasior. Mr. Wenick had additional objective metrics based on theirhis specific areas of responsibility and oversight. Finally, in addition to the objective performance metrics, a subjective metric was included for each of the named executive officers, weighted at 20% for Messrs. Helmick, CulpAdair, Carney, and Witmer,Gasior, and 10%25% for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik.Wenick. The subjective factor is evaluated based on a scorecard assessment for each individual’s performance. Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik hadWenick’s additional internally-measured performance metrics and targets based on their respectivehis areas of responsibility with total weightings of 45% and 40%, respectively, of their total bonus opportunity. Those internal measurements and targets include information that is not otherwise publicly available. Because theavailable and because disclosure of such information could result in competitive harm to Farmers, the metrics and related performance results are not specifically disclosed but the payouts with respect to those measures isare set forth below. The following tables set forth the applicable objective performance metrics, weightings, targets and percentage payouts on the corporate level objective metrics under the Annual Incentive Plan in 20202022 for each of the named executive officers other than Mr. Witmer, who became ineligible to receive a bonus upon his termination date of December 31, 2020:officers:

Kevin J. Helmick, Troy Adair, Tim Carney and Carl D. CulpJim Gasior

 

Metrics

  Weight  Threshold  Target  Maximum  2019
Actual
  2020
Actual
  Payout% 

EPS

   30 $1.28  $1.35  $1.42  $1.28  $1.53   150

ROA

   30  1.33  1.40  1.47  1.50  1.52  150

Efficiency Ratio

   20  56.25  55.00  53.75  56.05  51.52  150

Metric

  Weight  Threshold  Target  Maximum  2021
Actual
  2022
Actual
  Payout % 

EPS

   30 $1.82  $1.90  $1.98  $2.13  $1.89   92

ROA

   30  1.50  1.55  1.60  1.83  1.54  90

Efficiency Ratio

   20  49.25  48.00  46.75  46.33  49.02  60

Timothy F. ShafferMark Wenick

 

Metrics

  Weight  Threshold  Target  Maximum  Actual  Payout% 

EPS

   20 $1.28  $1.35  $1.42  $1.53   150

ROA

   10  1.33  1.40  1.47  1.52  150

Efficiency Ratio

   15  56.25  55.00  53.75  51.52  150

Area of Responsibility Metric

   20      123

Area of Responsibility Metric

   15      101

Area of Responsibility Metric

   10      200

Amber Wallace Soukenik

Metrics

  Weight  Threshold  Target  Maximum  Actual  Payout % 

EPS

   15 $1.82  $1.90  $1.98  $1.89   92

ROA

   15  1.50  1.55  1.60  1.54  90

Efficiency Ratio

   15  49.25  48.00  46.75  49.02  60

Area of Responsibility Metric

   30      150

Area of Responsibility Metric

   25      125

 

Metrics

  Weight  Threshold  Target  Maximum  Actual  Payout% 

EPS

   20 $1.28  $1.35  $1.42  $1.53   150

ROA

   20  1.33  1.40  1.47  1.52  150

Efficiency Ratio

   10  56.25  55.00  53.75  51.52  150

Area of Responsibility Metric

   20      100

Area of Responsibility Metric

   20      100

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In addition to the objective performance metrics described above, the Compensation Committee included a subjective metric for each of the named executive officers, weighted at 20% of the total bonus opportunity for Messrs. Helmick, Adair, Carney, and Gasior with payout opportunity ranging from 0% to 100% of this qualitative metric.150%. The subjective metric for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. SoukenikWenick was weighted at 10%25% of theirhis total bonus opportunity, with payout ranging from 0% to 100%150%. Payouts under the subjective metric were based on evaluations of overall job performance during 20202022 using an extensive performance review scorecard for each executive. For each named executive officer other than Mr. Helmick, the scorecards were completed by Mr. Helmick and he provided the basis of his evaluations to the Compensation Committee for the subjective portion of the executive’s bonus for 2020.2022. For Mr. Helmick, each member of the Board of Directors provided input on Mr. Helmick’s performance under goals established in five areas of core competencies: Business Planning, Change/Crisis Management, Communications, Self-Management and Development, and Managing Executive Performance and Development. These evaluations were considered by the Compensation Committee in reaching its determination with respect to the subjective element of Mr. Helmick’s 20202022 annual bonus. Based upon such reviews and recommendations, the Compensation Committee approved the following percentage payouts with respect to the subjective element of the total bonus opportunity: (i) Mr. Helmick, 100% of the possible 20% weighting;125%; (ii) Mr. Culp, 100% of the possible 20% weighting; (iii) Mr. Witmer, 100% of the possible 20% weighting,Adair, 115%; (iv) Mr. Shaffer,Carney, 100% of the; (v) Mr. Gasior, 100%; and (vi) Mr. Wenick, 125% (of his possible 10% weighting, and Ms. Soukenik, 100% of the possible 10% weighting.25% weighting).

Finally, the Compensation Committee continued to include a circuit breaker in the 20202022 Annual Incentive Plan, based on Farmers’ “Texas ratio” for the year. The Texas ratio is determined by dividing the amount of Farmers Bank’s non-performing loans, other real estate owned, and loans delinquent for more than 90 days, by Farmers Bank’s tangible capital equity plus its loan loss reserves. If this ratio exceeds 15% for the year, no bonuses are payable under the Annual Incentive Plan. Farmers’ Texas ratio for 20202022 was approximately

4% 6.08%, well below this circuit breaker level. The Compensation Committee believes that the use of a circuit breaker in our annual bonus program helps maintain minimum levels of safety and soundness of our institution in the context of providing appropriate near-term incentives for achieving superior financial performance objectives.

As a result of the performance of Farmers with respect to the above-described objective metrics and each named executive officer’s individual performance evaluations, the Compensation Committee awarded the following payouts with respect to 20202022 performance under the Annual Incentive Plan:

 

Named Executive Officer

  Amount
Earned under

Annual Incentive
Plan
   Payout as a Percentage
of Target Opportunity
 

Kevin J. Helmick

  $265,400    140

Carl D. Culp

  $123,666    140

Mark R. Witmer

  $0    0

Timothy F. Shaffer

  $91,348    137

Amber Wallace Soukenik

  $84,150    125

Named Executive Officer

  Amount Earned under
Annual Incentive Plan
   Payout as a Percentage of
Target Opportunity
 

Kevin Helmick

  $227,168    92

Troy Adair

  $98,784    90

Tim Carney

  $93,020    87

Jim Gasior

  $98,190    87

Mark Wenick

  $114,238    113

Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plans

Under our LTI Cash Program, executive officers and certain other employees are eligible to receive awards for possible long-term cash incentive payments based on the achievement of prescribed corporate and/or individual performance metrics. The purpose of the LTI Cash Program is to foster and promote Farmers’ long-term financial success and value by motivating performance through long-term incentive compensation, pending review and approval by the Compensation Committee.

41


The LTI Cash Program is also intended to attract and retain the services of talented individuals and motivate participants to achieve performance objectives that promote sound and financially healthy growth. The LTI Cash Program may continue until terminated by the Board of Directors.

Our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan wasand 2022 Equity Incentive Plan were each adopted by our Board of Directors and shareholders to promote Farmers’ long-term financial success and increase shareholder value by motivating performance through equity-based long-term incentive compensation. The 2017 Equity Incentive Plan wasPlans are also intended to encourage participants to acquire ownership interests in the Company, attract and retain talented executives and directors, and enable participants to participate in the Company’s long-term growth and financial success.

In 2018,2020, the Compensation Committee established target long-term award opportunities for each eligible named executive officer, expressed as a percentage of a participant’s base salary, as follows:

 

25% in service-based equity awards, subject to three-year cliff vesting, and

 

75% in performance-based awards, subject to vesting based on our relative performance on two objective financial measures as compared to the performance of banking companies in our peer group measured over a three-year period ending December 31, 2020 (“Performance2022 (the “Performance Period”):

 

50% of all long-term incentive awards were equity-based performance awards subject to vesting determined by our average annual ROE compared to ROE performance of our peer group of banking companies over the Performance Period, and

25% of all long-term incentive awards were cash-based performance awards subject to vesting determined by our TSR compared to peer group performance over the Performance Period.

The following table sets forth the target level of long-term incentive compensation opportunity established for each participating named executive officer at the time of grant in 2018:2020:

 

Named Executive Officer

  LTI Program
Target Opportunity

(% of base salary)

Kevin J. Helmick

  5555%

Carl D. CulpTroy Adair(1)

  N/A

Tim Carney(1)

45N/A

Jim Gasior(1)

N/A

Mark R. WitmerWenick

  35%

(1)45

Timothy F. ShafferMessrs. Adair, Carney and Gasior were not executive officers of Farmers in 2020 and therefore did not receive long-term incentive compensation awards that year.

25

Amber Wallace Soukenik

25

The following table indicates the threshold, target and maximum performance levels (for performance falling within each of the percentile ranges, payout or vesting was to occur on an interpolated basis) and the results of our relative TSR and relative average annual ROE performance, as adjusted, for the Performance Period, with the percentage payouts for the LTI Cash Program and 2017 Equity Incentive Plan awards we granted in 2017.2020. For performance falling below threshold, no award payout or vesting was to occur. Percentage

42


payout opportunities for the cash-based awards under the LTI Cash Program ranged from 20% vesting for performing at the threshold 25th percentile of peer group, 100% for performing at the target 50th percentile, and 200% vesting for performing at or above the 75th percentile. The share-based awards under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan were granted at the maximum payout levelopportunity of 200% of target opportunity,, so the percentage payout opportunities ranged from 10% vesting for performing at the threshold level of the 25th percentile of peer group, 50% vesting for performing at the target 50th percentile, and 100% vesting for performing at or above the 75th percentile (equivalent to 200%, or maximum, of target opportunity). The following table summarizes the percentage payouts for our 20182020 long-term performance-based awards based on Farmers’ performance awards.on the two metrics relative to its peer group. Payout amounts under the LTI Cash Program based on Relativerelative TSR for each named executive officer normally are included in “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation,” column (g), of the Summary Compensation Table located on page 39 of this proxy statement. Although our Relative TSR was negative for but no payouts were made with respect to the 2018-2020 performance period, our performance ranked in the upper decile of our peer group and better than all but one peer.Performance Period ended 2022.

Vesting Summary of 2018-20202020-2022 Long-Term Performance Awards

 

Performance Metric

  Target(1) Actual(2) Rank(3) Payout % of Target   Target(1) Actual Rank(2) Payout % of Target

Relative TSR

   (11.81)%  (2.20)%  94.20 200.0   103.52 96.72 33rd  46.7%

Relative ROE

   9.36 12.83 92.20 200.0

Relative Average ROE

   11.86 15.49 100th  200.0%

 

(1)

Performance at the 50Median performance (50th percentilepercentile) of the 14 remaining peer group companies for the Performance Period.

(2)

Farmers actual performance for the Performance Period.

(3)

Presented as a percentile rank relative to the performance of Peer Group14 remaining peer group companies for the Performance Period.

In 2020,2022, the Compensation Committee established the long-term incentive compensation target opportunities for each eligible named executive officer, expressed as a percentage of base as follows:

 

Named Executive Officer

  20202022-24 LTI Program

Target Opportunity


(% of base salary)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

   55

Carl D. CulpTroy Adair

   4540

Mark R. Witmer

45

Timothy F. ShafferTim Carney

   35

Amber Wallace SoukenikJim Gasior

   3035

Mark Wenick

35

In conjunction with establishing the target long-term incentive opportunity for our executive officers in 2020,2022, the Compensation Committee, determined to maintain an allocation of 25% of our total long-term compensation opportunity to service-based awards, subject to three-year cliff vesting. We continued to allocate the remaining 75% of the target long-term incentive opportunity to performance-based awards, for which we continued to use relative TSR and relative average ROE as the performance metrics, with the same mix of cash-based and equity-based long-term performance awards as follows: (i) 25% in cash-based awards under our LTI Cash Program subject to vesting based on relative TSR compared to our peer group over a performance period ending December 31, 2022,2024, and (ii) 50% in equity-based grants under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan subject to vesting based on relative average ROE compared to our peer group over a performance period ending December 31, 2022.2024.

43


The following table indicates potential payouts at the threshold, target and maximum levels for our 20202022 long-term incentive awards under both the LTI Cash Program and the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, with relative performance compared to our 20202022 Peer Group, consistent with grants of long-term incentive awards in recent years. The maximum award opportunity was established at 200% of the target opportunity.

 

Vesting Levels

 

Relative Performance

of TSR and Average ROE to

Peer Group Companies

 Vesting
Percent of

Target LTI
Opportunity

Below threshold

 < Peer 25th Percentile 0%

Threshold

 = Peer 25th Percentile 20%

Target

 = Peer 50th Percentile 100%

Maximum

 ³ Peer 75th Percentile 200%

For performance falling within each of the percentile ranges, payouts or vesting will occur on an interpolated basis. The amounts of the threshold, target and maximum award payouts or vesting that may be received by each of our named executive officers upon completion of the 2020-20222022-2024 Performance Period with regard to long-term incentive awards granted in 20202022 under the LTI Cash Program and the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan is described in detail in the 2022 Grants of Plan Based Awards table located on page 41 of this proxy statement.

In addition, as disclosed in the proxy statement for our 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we granted special service-based long-term equity incentive awards to our management team in the first quarter of 2022 which are subject to three-year cliff vesting conditioned on continued employment. Such awards were granted to reward the outstanding performance of our key officers in 2021 in successfully completing the acquisition of Cortland Bancorp, Farmers’ largest acquisition to date, to help retain our excellent executive level talent following the significant growth in Farmers, and to incentivize our team to continue to execute on our challenging strategic acquisition plans. The special long-term equity incentive awards were based on a percentage of the base salaries of our named executive officers as shown below, and are included in the “2022 Grants of Plan Based Awards” table in the “Executive Compensation and Other Information” section of this proxy statement.

Named Executive Officer

  Special LTI Award
(% of base salary)
  Special LTI
Award ($)
 

Kevin Helmick

  75.0%  $369,750 

Troy Adair

  50.0%   $120,000 

Tim Carney

  N/A   N/A 

Jim Gasior

  N/A   N/A 

Mark Wenick

  37.5%  $98,598 

(1)

Messrs. Carney and Gasior did not receive this LTI award because they were executive officers of Cortland Bancorp.

Clawback Policy

Farmers has adopted a clawback policy as part of its Incentive Compensation Guidelines. Pursuant to that policy, if the Company is required to restate all or a significant portion of its financial statements, the Board of Directors is empowered, in its discretion, to require reimbursement of

all or any portion of bonuses paid or incentive compensation awarded to any participant in an incentive compensation program (including equity-based awards), and/or effect the cancellation of all or any portion of unpaid awards which may be paid to such

44


participants if: (a) the amount of the bonus or incentive compensation was calculated based on the achievement of financial results that were subsequently the subject of a material restatement, and (b) the amount of the bonus or incentive compensation that would have been awarded to the participant, had the financial results been properly reported, would have been lower than the amount actually awarded. The Company acknowledges under this policy that it is not intended to add any forfeiture obligations or financial responsibilities to the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer which are in addition to, or duplicative of, those obligations arising under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Furthermore, if a participant in any incentive compensation program engages in misconduct related to such program, regardless of whether any restatement of financial statements is required as a result thereof, the Board shall take such actions as it considers appropriate to address the misconduct. Such actions may include cancellation of any unpaid portion of incentive compensation awarded to such participant, reimbursement of any incentive compensation paid to such participant, and other disciplinary actions.

We will update Farmers’ Clawback Policy to comply with the listing requirements of NASDAQ once they are revised as required by the new SEC rules implementing the clawback provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.

401(k) Plan and Company Contributions

All of our employees who have completed at least one year of service and meet certain other eligibility requirements are eligible to participate in our 401(k) Profit Sharing Retirement Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). Under the terms of the 401(k) Plan, employees may voluntarily defer a portion of their annual compensation, subject to applicable federal restrictions and deferral limitations, and Farmers Bank matches a percentage of each participant’s voluntary contributions, up to 6% of gross wages. In addition, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, Farmers Bank may make an additional profit sharing contribution to the 401(k) Plan. During 2020,2022, Farmers Bank provided 401(k) Plan matching contributions of 50% for each of the named executive officers (subject to a maximum of 3% of gross wages), but no additional profit sharing contributions were made.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

Our Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Nonqualified Plan”) is an unfunded nonqualified retirement plan in which eligible executive officers may voluntarily defer a greater portion of their compensation than permitted by applicable federal restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to our 401(k) Plan. Participating officers are at all times 100% vested in their voluntary deferrals. The Company may also provide matching or discretionary credits to the accounts of eligible officers, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion. The Company currently credits matching contributions equal to 50% of each participant’s voluntary deferrals to the Nonqualified Plan, up to 6% of gross wages (or a 3% match). Any matching or discretionary credits under the Nonqualified Plan vest and become non-forfeitable in accordance with a specified formula that provides for partial vesting starting after completion of two years and full vesting after six years. Upon a Change-in-Control (as defined in the Nonqualified Plan), participants’ benefits under the Nonqualified Plan become fully vested and non-forfeitable. Benefits under the Nonqualified Plan represent unsecured general obligations of the Company to pay participating officers at some time in the future.

45


The Nonqualified Plan also allows discretionary additional annual contributions to be made by the Company for the benefit of participating officers, based on a percentage of each

participant’s total eligible compensation, as determined annually in the discretion of the Compensation Committee. With respect to calendar year 2020,2022, the Compensation Committee approved a discretionary contribution of 3.0%2.0%, representing a total amount of approximately $83,000,$71,820 with respect to nineten participating officers,officers. The Compensation Committee approved a slight increase from the 2.5%3.0% discretionary contribution of approximately $79,000 approved for 2019.with respect to 2021.

The amounts accrued pursuant to the Nonqualified Plan for the benefit of our named executive officers for calendar year 20202022 are disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table located on page 39 of this proxy statement.. The Compensation Committee believes that maintaining this Nonqualified Plan helps to maintain the competitiveness of our entire executive retirement benefits.

Amounts payable to participating officers under the Nonqualified Plan will be distributed in accordance with the terms of the Nonqualified Plan and elections made by the participating officers. Benefits generally will be paid in a single lump sum unless the participating officer has elected to receive annual installments for a period of up to ten years. The benefits will be paid upon the earliest of a participating officer’s separation from service, death or disability unless the participating officer has elected to receive payments as of a specified date (including the earlier of that date or the occurrence of a regular distribution event). The Nonqualified Plan is subject to requirements affecting deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and is being administered in compliance with the applicable regulations under Section 409A.

Perquisites and Other Compensation

Executive officers also participate in broad-based employee benefit plans, such as medical, dental, supplemental disability, retiree health insurance and term life insurance programs. Except for matching contributions in connection with our Nonqualified Plan as described above and country club memberships provided by Farmers to certain of the named executive officers for customer relationship development purposes, executive officers receivereceived no perquisites or personal benefits in 20202022 that are not available to all employees. The amounts of the benefits received are included in the “All Other Compensation” column (i) of the Summary Compensation Table on page 39 of this proxy statement..

Other Elements of Our Executive Compensation Programs

Employment Agreements, Separation Policy and Change in Control Arrangements

The Compensation Committee carefully considers the use and conditions of any employment related agreements. Although employment agreements that contain severance and change in control arrangements may be appropriate to attract prospective executives who forego significant other employment opportunities, we first determined in 2013 to adopt an Executive Separation Policy that applies to all of our executive officers in lieu of employment agreements. In connection with that implementation, we entered into change in control agreements with each of our executive officers (“Change in Control Agreements”). The material provisions of the Executive Separation Policy and the Change in Control Agreements are discussed under the caption “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION – Employment Agreements, Change in Control Agreements, Executive Separation Policy” beginning on page 47 of this proxy statement..

Overall, the Compensation Committee believes that the implementation of the Executive Separation Policy and Change in Control Agreements is appropriate to help ensure that

Farmers will have the continued dedication, undivided loyalty and objective advice from its

46


key executives, even in the event of a potential transaction that could result in a change in control of Farmers. The Separation Policy offers certain protections in the event of certain terminations of employment, while the Change in Control Agreements provide certain protections in the event of a change in control event, but only if the executive’s employment is terminated as a result of (or within a specified period after) a change in control (i.e., a double trigger). The Compensation Committee does not believe that executives should receive compensation benefits merely as a result of a change in control; rather, it believes that our Change in Control Agreements provide our executive officers with adequate protection to help ensure that change in control offers will be evaluated by our executive officers in the best interests of Farmers and our shareholders without regard to concerns that a transaction could eliminate his or her job without appropriate dispensation. The Compensation Committee recognizes that these agreements may also tend to discourage a takeover attempt as a change in control could trigger increased compensation expense as part of the transaction.

Stock Ownership Guidelines and Anti-Hedging Policy

As part of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, we have adopted stock ownership guidelines for our directors and executive officers which require that, within five years from the date a person first becomes a non-executive director, or within either eight years of March 15, 2016 or seven years from the date an executive officer is first included as a participant in our long-term incentive equity plans (unless, due to specific facts and circumstances, a different period of time is determined to be appropriate by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee), the following amounts of Common Shares be owned by that person:

 

Position

  

Minimum Ownership Requirement

Non-executive Director

  4.0 x Annual Base Retainer Fee

Chief Executive Officer/President

  2.0 x Annual Base Salary

Chief Banking Officer

  1.5 x Annual Base Salary

Chief Financial Officer

  1.25 x Annual Base Salary

Other Executive Officers

  1.0 x Annual Base Salary

Individuals subject to these guidelines are expected to satisfy certain milestones during the attainment periods to evidence that the individual is making appropriate progress toward achieving their respective ownership amount. In determining compliance with these guidelines, the Compensation Committee considers the beneficial ownership of our executive officers and directors as required to be reported in a proxy statement.

In additionaladdition to these requirements, our executive officers and directors are prohibited under our insider trading policy and procedures from pledging our Common Shares, purchasing our Common Shares on margin, engaging in short sales, or engaging in any hedging transaction involving our Common Shares.

Director Compensation

The Compensation Committee is also responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors compensation for our non-employee directors. Generally, director compensation is structured in a fashion to attract and retain high quality individuals to serve on the Board of Directors, to compensate such individuals for the time and energy expended in providing us

their expertise, considering the size, nature and location of Farmers as a bank holding company competing in our markets. On an annual basis, the Compensation Committee

47


requests that its compensation consultant evaluate our currentnon-employee director compensation levels relative to our peers. Generally, it is the overall goal of the Compensation Committee to position non-employeedirector compensation at a median market level. ForAt the commencement of calendar year 2020,2022, the Compensation Committee recommended and the independent members of the Board of Directors approved continuing the following compensation levels for non-executive directorsnon-employee directors: (a) general annual retainer fee of $52,500,$62,500, and (b) the following retainers for directors with additional duties: (i) $25,000 for the independent chair of the Board, chair, (ii) $20,000$10,000 for the independent vice-chair of the Board, vice-chair, (iii) $10,000 for the independent chair of the Executive Committee, chair, and (iv) $5,000$7,500 for alleach other committee chairs.chair of a Board committee. All director compensation amounts for 20202022 are reflected in the DirectorCompensation table locatedtable.

For calendar year 2023, based on page 53the peer benchmarking annual review described above, the Compensation Committee recommended and the independent members of this proxy statement.the Board of Directors approved the following compensation levels for non-employee directors: (a) general annual retainer fee of $80,000, payable $62,500 in cash and $17,500 in restricted stock units to be awarded on the day of the annual meeting of shareholders subject to vesting on the one year anniversary of the grant date, and (b) the following retainers for directors with additional duties: (i) $37,500 for the independent chair of the Board, (ii) $10,000 for the chair of the Audit Committee, and (iii) $7,500 for each other chair of a Board committee.

Oversight and Risk Management of Compensation Programs

The Compensation Committee oversees the implementation and enforcement of our policies, procedures and practices related to its various compensation programs as part of its duties. This is designed to monitor our compensation policies to ensure that the compensation packages offered to its employees and executive officers do not present such individuals with the potential to engage in excessive or inappropriate risk taking activities. In addition, the Board Enterprise Risk Management Committee works with the Compensation Committee in order to monitor our compensation policies, procedures and practices, as part of its duties to monitor enterprise-wide risk.

The Compensation and Board Enterprise Risk Management Committees believe that our current compensation structure for employees and executive officers does not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking to the extent that it would reasonably likely lead to a material adverse effect. It is the opinion of the Compensation and Board Enterprise Risk Management Committees that our current compensation programs appropriately balance risk and the desire to focus on our short-term and the long-term goals without encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During the last completed fiscal year, no member of the Compensation Committee was an officer or employee of Farmers or any of our subsidiaries, or was formerly an officer of Farmers or any of our subsidiaries. None of our directors had any business or financial relationship with us requiring disclosure in this proxy statement.

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THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed this Compensation Discussion and Analysis with Farmers’ management. Based upon this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommends to the Board of Directors that this Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Compensation Committee:

David Z. Paull,Frank J. Monaco, Chair

Gregory C. Bestic

Anne Frederick Crawford

Terry A. Moore

James R. SmailDavid Z. Paull

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation

The following table provides summary compensation information for the individuals serving as our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers serving on December 31, 2020.2022.

Summary Compensation Table

 

(a) (b)  (c)  (d)  (e)  (f)  (g)  (h)  (i)  (j) 

Name and Principal
Position

 Year  Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Stock
Awards(1)
($)
  Stock
Options
($)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(2)
($)
  Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation

Earnings(3)
($)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
  Total
($)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

  2020  $454,308   —    $188,914     $383,690  $(2,455 $67,830(4)  $1,092,287 

President and
Chief Executive
Officer

  2019  $460,000   —    $197,028     $327,072  $31,079  $59,569  $1,053,544 
  2018  $432,693   —    $166,982     $352,820  $(22,702 $54,774  $984,567 
         

Carl D. Culp

  2020  $242,456   —    $83,107   ��  $170,084  $9,579  $59,819(5)  $558,044 

Sr. Executive Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer

  2019  $247,318   —    $86,940     $146,794  $20,537  $51,655  $539,163 
  2018  $226,963   —    $65,543     $159,992  $(10,596 $39,066  $480,968 
         
         

Mark R. Witmer

  2020  $265,280   —    $94,720     $56,710  $10,921  $17,357(6)  $444,988 

Sr. Executive Vice President,

Chief Banking Officer

  2019  $281,875   —    $99,622     $172,790  $6,379  $27,893  $571,056 
  2018  $262,392   —    $84,807     $189,857  $(1,666 $24,092  $559,982 
         

Timothy F. Shaffer

  2020  $180,873   —    $47,647     $117,312  $5,231  $24,653(7)  $375,716 

Senior Vice President,

Chief Lending Officer and Regional President

         
         

Amber Wallace Soukenik

  2020  $184,523   —    $41,960     $105,900  $(3,416 $44,287(8)  $373,254 

Executive Vice President,

Chief Retail & Marketing Officer

  2019  $187,392   —    $36,631     $97,442  $3,303  $39,552  $355,860 
         
         
         
         
(a) (b)  (c)  (d)  (e)  (f)  (g)  (h)  (i)  (j) 

Name and Principal
Position

 Year  Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Stock
Awards(1)
($)
  Stock
Options
($)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(2)
($)
  Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation

Earnings
($)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
  Total
($)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

  2022  $567,788     $575,207     $256,678   $71,465(3)  $1,471,138 

President and Chief Executive Officer

  2021  $469,582  $369,750  $199,768     $418,176   $70,746  $1,528,022 
  2020  $454,308     $188,914     $383,690   $67,830  $1,094,742 

Troy Adair

  2022  $285,929     $192,701     $98,784   $19,991(4)  $597,405 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  2021  $122,357  $120,000  $154,749     $73,500   $8,359  $478,965 
         

Tim Carney

  2022  $289,880     $101,240         $37,776(5)  $428,896 

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer

         

Jim Gasior

  2022  $310,571     $106,329         $18,189(6)  $435,089 

Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Development Officer

         

Mark Wenick

  2022  $249,002     $168,163     $114,238   $30,606(7)  $562,009 

Executive Vice President, Chief Wealth Management Officer

  2021  $228,248  $98,598  $68,858     $170,533   $28,906  $595,143 
         

 

(1)

Amounts shown reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 for equity awards granted during 20202022 under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. As further reflected in the 2022 Grants of Plan-BasedPlan Based Awardstable, located on page 41, (i) the amounts reported for service-based equity awards granted during 20202022 were determined using closing price of a Common Share on the datedates of grant of $15.93,$17.25 for February 23, 2023 and $17.53 for February 25, 2022, and (ii) the amounts reported for performance-based equity awards granted during 20202022 were determined using the closing price of a Common Share on the date of grant of $15.93February 23, 2022 of $17.25, and the target vesting levels assuming our average ROE performance equals the 50th50th percentile (i.e., target vesting level) of the average of a group of peer companies over a three-year period ending on December 31, 2022.2024. The maximum value of the performance-based stock awards granted in 20202022 to each named executive officer, assuming that the highest level of performance conditions will be achieved and using the closing price of a Common Share on the date of grant of $15.93,$17.53, is as follows: Mr. Helmick, $251,901;$263,872; Mr. Culp, $110,857;Adair, $83,704; Mr. Witmer, $126,293;Carney, $79,712; Mr. Shaffer, $63,529;Gasior, $58,409; and Ms. Soukenik, $55,978.Mr. Wenick, $90,963. Other assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are also included in Note 11 “Stock Based Compensation” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.2022. All service-based restricted stock and performance-based equity awards are subject to vesting as described under “20202022 Named Executive Officers CompensationLong-Term Incentive Compensation Plansbeginning on page 32.in this proxy statement.

(2)

The non-equity incentive plan compensation required to be disclosed in this column includes (i) amounts earned under our Annual Incentive Plan as a result of achieving the goals specified for each designated year, as described for 20202022 in the table on page 42included below under Executive Compensation and Other InformationAnnual Incentive Plan”, andplus (ii) the following amounts earned in 2020, 2019,2022, 2021, and 2018,2020, respectively, with respect to cash-based long-term incentive awards granted in 2018, 2017,2020, 2019, and 2016,2018, respectively, as applicable, under our LTI Cash Program: Mr. Helmick, $118,250, $90,816,$29,150, $122,376, and $103,620;$118,250; and Mr. Culp, $46,418, $35,649, and $42,390; Mr. Witmer, $56,710, $46,115 and $55,107; Mr. Shaffer, $25,964 (for 2020); and Ms. Soukenik, $21,750 and $16,704 (for 2020 and 2019)Wenick, $43,748 (earned in 2021 with respect his 2018 award).

(3)

Amounts shown reflect the 2020 earnings/(losses) for each named executive officer participating in our Nonqualified Plan.

(4)

Amount includes: (i) $8,550$9,150 in matching contributions by the Company into Mr. Helmick’s 401(k) Plan account, (ii) $2,932$2,774 in group term life insurance expense, (iii) $14,115$12,225 in country club dues, and (iv) $42,233$47,114 in Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan account matching contributions and discretionary contributions.

50


(4)

Amount includes: (i) $9,150 in matching contributions by the Company into Mr. Adair’s 401(k) Plan account, (ii) $1,261 in group term life insurance expense, and (iii) $7,941 in Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan account matching contributions and discretionary contributions.

(5)

Amount includes: (i) $8,550$9,150 in matching contributions by the Company into Mr. Culp’sCarney’s 401(k) Plan account, (ii) $2,819$2,412 in group term life insurance expense, (iii) $1,326$6,242 in country club dues, and (iv) $47,124$19,745 in Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan account matching contributions and discretionary contributions.

(6)

Amount includes: (i) $8,550$9,150 in matching contributions by the Company into Mr. Witmer’sGasior’s 401(k) Plan account, (ii) $2,932$2,290 in group term life insurance expense, and (iii) $5,875$6,353 in country club dues.

(7)

Amount includes: (i) $9,150 in matching contributions by the Company into Mr. Wenick’s 401(k) Plan account, (ii) $2,675 in group term life insurance expense, (iii) $6,882 in country club dues, and (iv) $11,708 in Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan account matching contributions and discretionary contributions.

(7)

Amount includes: (i) $8,550 in matching contributions by the Company into Mr. Shaffer’s 401(k) Plan account, (ii) $2,209 in group term life insurance expense, and (iii) (iv) $13,984 in Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan account matching contributions and discretionary contributions.

(8)

Amount includes: (i) $8,550 in matching contributions by the Company into Ms. Soukenik’s 401(k) Plan account, (ii) $2,766 in group term life insurance expense, and (iii) $32,971 in Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan account matching contributions and discretionary contributions.

51


2022 Grants of Plan Based Awards

 

          
        Estimated Future
Payouts under

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
  Estimated Future
Payouts
under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
       
(a) (b)     (c)  (d)  (e)  (f)  (g)  (h)  (i)  (j) 

Name

 Grant
Date
  Approval
Date
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
(#)
  Target
(#)
  Maximum
(#)
  All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
(#)
  Grant
Date
Fair
Value

of
Stock

and
Option

Awards
($)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

  2/18/2020(1)   2/18/2020  $94,800  $189,600  $284,400      
  2/18/2020(2)  2/18/2020  $12,650  $ 63,250  $126,500                
  2/18/2020(3)  2/18/2020           1,581  7,906  15,813     $125,943 
  2/18/2020(4)  2/18/2020                    3,953  $ 62,971 

Carl D. Culp

  2/18/2020(1)   2/18/2020  $44,167  $88,333  $132,500      
  2/18/2020(2)  2/18/2020  $ 5,565  $27,823  $ 55,647                
  2/18/2020(3)  2/18/2020           696  3,478  6,956     $55,405 
  2/18/2020(4)  2/18/2020                    1,739  $27,702 

Mark R. Witmer

  2/18/2020(1)   2/18/2020  $50,613  $100,625  $150,938      
  2/18/2020(2)  2/18/2020  $ 6,342  $ 31,711  $ 63,422                
  2/18/2020(3)  2/18/2020           793  3,964  7,928     $63,147 
  2/18/2020(4)  2/18/2020                    1,982  $31,573 

Timothy F. Shaffer

  2/18/2020(1)   2/18/2020  $33,250  $66,500  $99,750      
  2/18/2020(2)   2/18/2020  $3,735  $18,673  $37,346      
  2/18/2020(3)  2/18/2020           467  2,334  4,668     $37,181 
  2/18/2020(4)  2/18/2020                    997  $15,882 

Amber Wallace Soukenik

  2/18/2020(1)   2/18/2020  $33,660  $67,320  $100,980      
  2/18/2020(2)   2/18/2020  $2,811  $14,054  $28,108      
  2/18/2020(3)  2/18/2020           351  1,756  3,514     $27,973 
  2/18/2020(4)  2/18/2020                    878  $13,987 
        Estimated Future
Payouts under
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
  Estimated
Future
Payouts under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
       
(a) (b)     (c)  (d)  (e)  (f)  (g)  (h)  (i)  (j) 

Name

 Grant
Date
  Approval
Date
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
(#)
  Target
(#)
  Maximum
(#)
  All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
(#)
  Grant
Date
Fair
Value
of
Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

  2/23/2022(1)   2/22/2022  $124,006  $248,012  $372,018      
  2/23/2022(2)   2/22/2022  $13,558  $67,788  $135,576      
  2/23/2022(3)   2/22/2022      1,540   7,698   15,398   $132,791 
  2/23/2022(4)   2/22/2022         3,849  $66,395 
  2/25/2022(5)   2/22/2022         21,213  $371,864 

Troy Adair

  2/23/2022(1)   2/22/2022  $55,127  $110,253  $165,380      
  2/23/2022(2)   2/22/2022  $4,800  $24,000  $48,000      
  2/23/2022(3)   2/22/2022      545   2,726   5,452   $47,024 
  2/23/2022(4)   2/22/2022         1,363  $23,512 
  2/25/2022(5)   2/22/2022         6,885  $120,694 

Tim Carney

  2/23/2022(1)   2/22/2022  $53,707  $107,413  $161,120      
  2/23/2022(2)   2/22/2022  $6,750  $33,750  $67,500      
  2/23/2022(3)   2/22/2022      767   3,834   7,668   $66,137 
  2/23/2022(4)   2/22/2022         1,917  $33,068 

Jim Gasior

  2/23/2022(1)   2/22/2022  $56,692  $101,502  $170,075      
  2/23/2022(2)   2/22/2022  $7,088  $35,438  $70,876      
  2/23/2022(3)   2/22/2022      805   4,024   8,048   $69,414 
  2/23/2022(4)   2/22/2022         2,012  $34,707 

Mark Wenick

  2/23/2022(1)   2/22/2022  $50,751  $101,502  $152,253      
  2/23/2022(2)   2/22/2022  $4,601  $23,006  $46,012      
  2/23/2022(3)   2/22/2022      522   2,612   5,224   $45,057 
  2/23/2022(4)   2/22/2022         1,306  $22,529 
  2/25/2022(5)   2/22/2022         5,657  $99,167 

 

(1)

Potential levels of bonus payments under the Annual Incentive Plan with respect to 20202022 performance. Further discussion of the Annual Incentive Plan and the potential payouts to participants in that plan is contained under “20202022 Named Executive Officers CompensationAnnual Incentive Planbeginning on page 29under the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement. The amounts actually earned and paid with respect to 20202022 are included in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column (g) of the Summary Compensation Table on page 39 of immediately preceding this proxy statement.table.

(2)

Performance-based cash awards under the LTI Cash Program with payouts on the third anniversary of the award grant date determined by our TSR performance relative to the average of a group of peer companies over a three-year period ending on December 31, 2022,2024, at a 25% weighting of each executive officer’s total long-term incentive compensation opportunity. Further discussion of the LTI Cash Program and the potential award payouts to participants in that plan is contained under “20202022 Named Executive Officers CompensationLong-Term Incentive Compensation Plansbeginning on page 32in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement.

(3)

Performance-based equity awards granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan with vesting on the third anniversary of the award grant date determined by our average ROE performance relative to the average of a group of peer companies over a three-year period ending on December 31, 2022,2024, at a 50% weighting of each executive officer’s total long-term incentive compensation target opportunity. The grant date fair value of these performance shares was computed using the target level award in column (g) and a grant date fair value on the date of grant of $15.93$17.25 (although the number of shares granted at the target levels of value for these awards was determined using the average closing price of our Common Shares for the 30-day period preceding the grant date, which was $16.00$17.60 per share). Further discussion of theour 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and 2022 Equity Incentive Plan and the terms and conditions of vesting of performance-based awards issued to participants in that planthose plans is contained under “20202022 Named Executive Officers CompensationLong-Term Incentive Compensation Plansbeginning on page 32in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement.

52


(4)

Service-based equity awards of restricted stock granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan which vest on the third anniversary of the award grant date conditioned on continued employment thoughthrough such anniversary. The grant date fair value of such awards was calculated using the closing price of our Common Shares on the date of grant of $15.93$17.25 per share although(although the number of shares granted at the target levels of value for these awards was determined using the average closing price of our Common Shares for the 30-calendar day period preceding the grant date, which was $16.00$17.60 per share. Further discussion of theour 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and 2022 Equity Incentive Plan and the terms and conditions of vesting of performance-based awards issued to participants in that planthose plans is contained under “20202022 Named Executive Officers CompensationLong-Term Incentive Compensation Plansbeginning on page 32in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement.

(5)

Special service-based equity awards of restricted stock granted under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan which vest on the third anniversary of the award grant date conditioned on continued employment through such anniversary. Such awards were granted to reward the outstanding performance of our key officers in 2021 in successfully completing the acquisition of Cortland Bancorp, Farmers’ largest acquisition to date, to help retain our excellent executive level talent following the significant growth in Farmers, and to incentivize our team to continue to execute on our challenging strategic acquisition plans. The special long-term equity incentive awards were based on a percentage of the base salaries of the named executive officers who were officers of Farmers in 2021, as described under “2022 Named Executive Officer CompensationLong-Term Incentive Compensation Plans” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement. The grant date fair value of such award was calculated using the closing price of our Common Shares on the date of grant of $17.53 per share.

20202022 Named Executive Officer Compensation Components

The primary elements of each executive officer’s total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table are the executive officer’s base salary, annual incentive bonus, and long-term incentive compensation. Each executive officer also received certain other benefits as listed in the “All Other Compensation” column.

Base Salary

In 2020,2022, the Compensation Committee continued to implement its base salary positioning philosophy of seeking to establish executive officer base salaries at or near the 50th50th percentile of our peer group banks. Base salary increases to our named executive officers in 2020 were consistent generally with baseline increases approved for all employees, except where further adjustments were warranted based on outstanding or poor personal performance or peer market median alignment.2022 Peer Group. Each named executive officer’s base salary is reviewed annually and is subject to adjustments based upon our financial performance, individual performance and our overall compensation philosophy. The Compensation Committee conducts an annual evaluation of the performance of Mr. Helmick in light of specified goals and objectives with input from each independent director. Based on such evaluation and input, the Compensation Committee determines the compensation of Mr. Helmick and discusses its determination with all independent directors. All other executive officers are evaluated on a variety of factors including leadership performance, strategic planning and execution, communication abilities, business knowledge, and awareness and accountability. Based thereon, Mr. Helmick determines whether a base salary increase or decrease is considered to be merited based upon individual performance and presents his base salary adjustment recommendations to the Compensation Committee. As a result of the evaluations by the Compensation CommitteeCommittee’s evaluation of Mr. Helmick and the recommendations by Mr. Helmick regarding the remainingother named executive officers as described above, the following merit-based base salary adjustments were made in 2020: (i) Mr. Helmick received a base salary increase of approximately 3.0% from $460,000 to $474,000; (ii) Mr. Culp received a base salary increase of approximately 2.0% from $247,318 to $252,380; (iii) Mr. Witmer received a base salary increase of approximately 2.0% from $281,875 to $287,500; (iv) Mr. Shaffer received a base salary increase of approximately 4.1% from $182,507 to $190,000; and (v) Ms.  Soukenik received a base salary increase of approximately 2.6% from $187,392 to $192,342.effective April 1, 2022:

Name

  2021 Base
Salary
   %
Increase
  2022 Base
Salary
 

Kevin Helmick

  $493,000    25.7 $620,000 

Troy Adair

  $240,000    31.2 $315,000 

Tim Carney

  $300,000    2.3 $306,895 

Jim Gasior

  $315,000    2.8 $323,952 

Mark Wenick

  $262,928    10.0 $290,005 

53


Annual Incentive Plan

Our Annual Incentive Plan provides certain of our executive officers and non-executive employees the opportunity to receive annual cash incentive payments based upon achievement of certain corporate and individual performance goals. The Annual Incentive Plan is intended to foster superior financial results by providing corporate-wide incentives that reward individual and team effort to achieve specified performance objectives

determined for each fiscal year. The 20202022 target bonus award opportunities (expressed as a percentage of base salary) and the 20202022 bonus targets for each named executive officer under the Annual Incentive Plan are disclosed on page 29 of this proxy statement under “20202022 Named Executive Officers Compensation – Annual Incentive Plan. in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement.

Payments under the Annual Incentive Plan are contingent primarily upon the achievement of pre-established performance goals during a fiscal year relating to objective financial metrics established by the Compensation Committee, and secondarily upon the results of a subjective evaluation of each individual executive’s performance. Each of the elements has an assigned weight and each of the objective financial criteria has a specific target or goal for the year. In the event that we (or the individual participant) do not meet the specified goal or target for a particular metric, then no compensation will be paid with respect to that objective portion of the Annual Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee established a threshold payout of 50% of target opportunity upon attaining a threshold level of the objective metric targets, a target payout of 100% upon attainment of 100% of the objective metric targets, and a maximum payout of 150% of target opportunity upon attaining at or greater than a maximum level of the objective metrics. For performance falling within each of the percentile ranges, payouts are made on an interpolated basis.

In establishing the Annual Incentive Plan’s objective metrics and targets for 2020,2022, the Compensation Committee utilized the Company’s budgeting model to set the performance at levels that were determined to be achievable with strong management performance. All named executive officers were allocated certain weightings of the following three core corporate financial measures: earnings per share, efficiency ratio, and return on average assets. Those were the sole objective performance criteria allocated to Messrs. Helmick, Culp,Adair, Carney and Witmer. The named executive officers other than Messrs. Helmick, Culp, and WitmerGasior. Mr. Wenick had significant additional objective metrics based on theirhis specific areas of responsibility and oversight. Finally, in addition to the objective performance metrics, a subjective metric was included for each of the named executive officers, with a weighting of 20% of the total bonus opportunity for Messrs. Helmick, Culp,Adair, Carney and Witmer,Gasior, and a weighting of 10%25% for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik.Wenick. The objective performance metrics, weightings, targets and percentage payouts based on actual performance for each of our named executive officers other than Mr. Witmer under the Annual Incentive Plan in 20202022 is set forth in detail in the tables beginning on page 29 of this proxy statement under “20202022 Named Executive Officers Compensation – Annual Incentive Plan.Mr. Witmer became ineligible to receive a bonus upon his termination datein the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of December 31, 2020.this proxy statement.

Payouts under the subjective element for each named executive officer were based on evaluations of overall job performance during 20202022 using an extensive performance review scorecard for each executive. For each named executive officer other than Mr. Helmick, the scorecards were completed by Mr. Helmick and provided the basis of his recommendations to the Compensation Committee for the subjective portion of the executive’s bonus for 2020.2022. For Mr. Helmick, each member of the Board of Directors completed a scorecard which were reviewed by the Compensation Committee in reaching a determination with respect to the subjective element of Mr. Helmick’s 20202022 annual bonus. Based upon such reviews, the Compensation Committee approved the following percentage payouts with respect to the subjective element of the total bonus opportunity for 2020: 2022:

54


(i) Mr. Helmick, 100%125% of the possible 20% weighting; (ii) Mr. Culp, 100%Adair, 115% of the possible 20% weighting; (iii) Mr. Shaffer,Carney, 100% of the possible 10%20% weighting; and (v) Ms. Soukenik,(iv) Mr. Gasior, 100% of the possible 10%20% weighting; and (v) Mr. Wenick, 125% of the possible 25% weighting. Mr. Witmer was not individually evaluated due to his termination date of December 31, 2020.

Finally, the Compensation Committee includes a circuit breaker in the Annual Incentive Plan based on our “Texas ratio” for the year, determined by dividing the amount of Farmers Bank’s non-performing loans, other real estate owned and loans delinquent for more than 90 days, by Farmers Bank’s tangible capital equity plus its loan loss reserves. If this ratio exceeds 15% for the year, no bonuses are payable under the Annual Incentive Plan. Farmers’ Texas ratio for 20202022 was approximately 4%6.08%, well below this circuit breaker level. The Compensation Committee believes that the use of a circuit breaker as part of our annual bonus program helps maintain minimum levels of safety and soundness of our institution while seeking to provide appropriate near-term incentives for achieving superior financial performance objectives.

As a result of the performance of Farmers with respect to the above-described objective metrics and each named executive officer’s individual performance evaluations, the Compensation Committee awarded the following payouts with respect to 20202022 performance under the Annual Incentive Plan:

 

Named Executive Officer

  Amount Earned under
Annual Incentive Plan for
2020
   Payout
as a Percentage
of

Target
Opportunity
for 2020
 

Kevin J. Helmick

  $265,400    140

Carl D. Culp

  $123,666    140

Mark R. Witmer

  $0    0

Timothy F. Shaffer

  $91,348    137

Amber Wallace Soukenik

  $84,150    125

Named Executive Officer

  Amount Earned under
Annual Incentive Plan for
2022
   Payout
as a Percentage
of

Target
Opportunity
for 2022
 

Kevin J. Helmick

  $227,168    92

Troy Adair

  $98,784    90

Tim Carney

  $93,020    87

Jim Gasior

  $98,190    87

Mark Wenick

  $114,238    113

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

In 2020,2022, the Compensation Committee approved the issuance to our named executive officers of (i) service-based long-term incentive awards, (ii) performance-based long-term equity incentive awards, and (iii) performance-based long-term cash incentive awards, under both our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and our LTI Cash Program, the amounts of which are set forth in the 2022 Grants of Plan-Based Awards table located on page 41 of this proxy statement. At our 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, shareholders approved our 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, which superseded our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan for grants of equity-based awards after adoption of the 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. The amounts of these long-term equity incentive awards granted in 2022 and those granted in 20182021 and 20192020 are set forth below in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End table.

55


A detailed discussion of the vesting criteria and other terms and conditions for such all long-term incentive plan awards is included under “20202022 Named Executive Officers CompensationLong-Term Incentive Compensation Plansbeginning on page 32in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement.

2022 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

  Option Awards  Stock Awards 
(a) (b)  (c)  (d)  (e)  (f)  (g)  (h)  (i)  (j) 

Name

 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(Exercisable)

(#)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(Unexercisable)
(#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Number
of
Shares

or
Units

of
Stock

that
Have
Not

Vested
(#)
  Market
Value of
Shares
or

Units of
Stock
That
Have
Not

Vested(1)
($)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:

Number
of

Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other

Rights
That

Have Not
Vested(2)
(#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:

Market
or

Payout
Value

of
Unearned

Shares,
Units

or Other
Rights

That
Have

Not
Vested(1)

($)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

       12,608(3)  $167,308   15,813(4)  $209,839 
         18,130(5)  $240,585 
         16,492(6)  $218,849 

Carl D. Culp

       5,357(7)  $71,087   6,956(4)  $92,306 
         8,000(5)  $105,656 
         6,474(6)  $85,910 

Mark R. Witmer

       6,368(8)  $84,503   7,928(4)  $105,205 
         9,167(5)  $121,646 
         8,375(6)  $111,136 

Timothy F. Shaffer

       2,890(9)  $38,350   3,988(4)  $52,921 
         3,952(5)  $52,443 
         3,621(6)  $48,051 

Amber Wallace Soukenik

       2,247(10)  $32,896   3,514(4)  $46,631 
         3,370(5)  $44,720 
         3,033(6)  $40,248 
  Option Awards  Stock Awards 
(a) (b)  (c)  (d)  (e)  (f)  (g)  (h)  (i)  (j) 

Name

 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(Exercisable)

(#)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(Unexercisable)

(#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options

(#)
  Option
Exercise
Price

($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Number
of
Shares
or
Units
of
Stock
that
Have
Not
Vested

(#)
  Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested(1)
($)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested(2)

(#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or
Payout
Value
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights
That
Have

Not
Vested(1)

($)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

       33,741(3)  $476,423   15,398(4)  $217,420 
         18,902(5)  $266,896 
         15,813(6)  $223,280 

Troy Adair

       14,747(7)  $208,228   5,451(4)  $76,968 
         5,996(5)  $84,664 

Tim Carney

       9,211(8)  $130,059   7,666(4)  $108,244 

Jim Gasior

       9,750(9)  $137,670   8,050(4)  $113,666 

Mark Wenick

       8,592(10)  $121,319   5,226(4)  $73,791 
         6,516(6)  $92,006 

 

(1)

Market value computed using $13.27,$14.12, the closing price of our Common Shares on December 31, 2020.30, 2022.

(2)

Unearned equity awards are presented based on achievement of maximum performance goals and maximum number of shares issuable with respect to vesting thereof.

(3)

Awards of service-based restricted shares granted under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan which are subject to vesting on the third anniversary of the date of grant, conditioned on continued employment, the vesting of which would occur as follows: (i) 4,123 on February 21, 2021; (ii) 4,532 on February 20, 2022; and (iii) 3,953 on February 18, 2023.2023; (ii) 4,726 on February 22, 2024; (iii) 3,849 on February 22, 2025; and (iv) 21,213 on February 25, 2025.

(4)

Performance-based awards granted during 20202022 under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan that are to vest, if at all, on February 18, 2023,23, 2025, based upon the performance of our average ROE relative to the average of a peer group of similar companies during the Performance Period ending December 31, 2022,2024, as described in greater detail under “20202022 Named Executive Officers CompensationLong-Term Incentive Compensation Plansbeginning on page 32in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement. Any performance awards that do not vest on February 18, 202323, 2025 will be forfeited.

(5)

Performance-based awards granted during 20192021 under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan that are to vest, if at all, on February 20, 2022,22, 2024, based upon the performance of our average ROE relative to the average of a peer group of similar companies during the Performance Period ending December 31, 2021.2023. No awards will vest if our performance falls below the 25th percentile or threshold level, 10% will vest if performance is at the 25th percentile, 50% will vest if performance is at the 50th percentile, and 100% will vest if performance is at the 85th percentile or above. For performance falling within each of these percentile ranges, payouts and vesting will occur on an interpolated basis. Any performance awards that do not vest on February 20, 202222, 2024 will be forfeited.

(6)

Performance-based awards granted during 20182020 under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan that are to vest, if at all, on February 21, 2021,18, 2023, based upon the performance of our average ROE relative to the average of a peer group of similar companies during the Performance Period ending December 31, 2020.2022. No awards will vest if our performance falls below the 25th25th percentile or threshold level, 10% will vest if performance is at the 25th25th percentile, 50% will vest if performance is at the 50th50th percentile, and 100% will vest if performance is at the 85th85th percentile or above. For performance falling within each of these percentile ranges, payouts and vesting will occur on an interpolated basis. Any performance awards that do not vest on February 21, 202118, 2023 will be forfeited.

56


(7)

Awards of service-based restricted shares subject to vesting, on the third anniversary of the date of grant, conditioned on continued employment, the vesting of which would occur as follows: (i) 1,618 will vest5,000 on June 21, 2023; (ii) 1,499 on July 14, 2024; (iii) 1,363 on February 21, 2021; (ii) 2,00023, 2025; and (iv) 6,885 on February 20, 2022; and (iii) 1,739 on February 18, 2023.25, 2025.

(8)

Awards of service-based restricted shares subject to vesting on the third anniversary of the date of grant, conditioned on continued employment the vesting of which would occur as follows: (i) 2,0943,647 on November 5, 2023; (ii) 3,647 on November 5, 2024; and (iii) 1,917 on February 21, 2021; (ii) 2,292 on February 20, 2022; and (iii) 1,982 on February 18, 2023.22, 2025.

(9)

Awards of service-based restricted shares subject to vesting on the third anniversary of the date of grant, conditioned on continued employment the vesting of which would occur as follows: (i) 9053,869 on November 5, 2023; (ii) 3,869 on November 5, 2024; and (iii) 2,012 on February 21, 2021; (ii) 988 on February 20, 2022; and (iii) 997 on February 18, 2023.22, 2025.

(10)

Awards of service-based restricted shares subject to vesting on the third anniversary of the date of grant, conditioned on continued employment, the vesting of which would occur as follows: (i) 7581,629 on February 21, 2021;22, 2024; (ii) 8431,306 on February 20, 2022;23, 2025; and (iii) 8785,657 on February 18, 2023.25, 2025.

2022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2020

 

   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
(a)  (b)   (c)   (d)   (e) 

Name

  Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
   Value Realized
on Exercise ($)
   Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)(1)
   Value Realized
on Vesting ($)(2)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

       22,111   $245,874 

Carl D. Culp

       8,680   $96,522 

Mark R. Witmer

       11,228   $124,855 

Timothy F. Shaffer

       4,855   $53,988 

Amber Wallace Soukenik

       4,067   $45,225 
   Option Awards   Stock Awards 
(a)  (b)   (c)   (d)  (e) 

Name

  Number of Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
   Value Realized on
Exercise ($)
   Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting (#)
  Value Realized on
Vesting ($)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

       22,662(1)  $391,599(2) 

Troy Adair

       —     —   

Tim Carney

       3,648(3)  $62,546(4) 

Jim Gasior

       3,869(3)  $54,669(4) 

Mark Wenick

       8,101  $139,985 

 

(1)

Amounts represent number of shares which vested (i) on April 21, 2020February 20, 2022 from awardsan award granted during 20172019 under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan based on the performance of Farmers average ROE relative to the average ROE of our peer group of similar companies during the Performance Period ended on December 31, 2020,2021, and (ii) on April 21, 2020February 20, 2022 from awardsan award of service-based restricted shares granted during 20172019 under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan conditioned on continued employment through that date.

(2)

Amount represents value realized upon vesting at the vesting date closing price of our Common Shares of $17.28 on the vesting date of February 18, 2022.

(3)

Amounts represent number of shares which vested on November 5, 2022 from awards of service-based restricted shares granted during 2021 under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan conditioned on continued employment through that date.

(4)

Amounts represent value realized upon vesting at the vesting date closing pricesprice of our Common Shares of $11.12$14.13 on April 21,2020.the vesting date of November 5, 2022.

Summary of Equity Awards Vested in 20202022

During 2020,2022, equity awards subject to normal vesting for certain of our named executive officers consisted of performance-based and service-based long-term awards granted in calendar 2017year 2019 which were subject to vesting on the third anniversary of the grant date based on, respectively, our relative average ROE for the three yearthree-year performance period ended December 31, 2019 or2021 and continued employment.employment through the third anniversary of the grant date of February 20, 2019. With regard to the performance-based equity awards, 100% vested because our relative average ROE for the three-year performance period ending on December 31, 20192021 of 12.14%15.57% placed us at the 91100stth (i.e., top) percentile of our peer group performance for the same period.

With respect to Messrs. Carney and Gasior, one-third of their respective service-based long-term awards granted in calendar year 2021 in connection with their employment following the closing of the acquisition of Cortland Bancorp vested on the first anniversary of the grant date of November 5, 2022.

57


2022 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

(a)  (b)   (c)   (d)  (e)   (f) 

Name

  Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
($)
   Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY(1)
($)
   Aggregate
Earnings
in Last
FY(2)

($)
  Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
   Aggregate
Balance
at Last
FYE

($)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

  $43,000   $42,233   $(2,455  —     $365,025 

Carl D. Culp

  $73,000   $47,124   $2,578   —     $345,399 

Mark R. Witmer

  $14,000   $5,875   $6,739   —     $92,413 

Timothy F. Shaffer

  $12,600   $13,984   $5,231   —     $97,624 

Amber Wallace Soukenik

  $50,000   $32,971   $(3,416  —     $244,811 
(a)  (b)   (c)   (d)  (e)   (f) 

Name

  Executive
Contributions
in Last FY

($)
   Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY(1)

($)
   Aggregate
Earnings
in Last FY(2)

($)
  Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions

($)
   Aggregate
Balance
at Last

FYE
($)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

  $59,000   $47,114   $(89,178  —     $559,033 

Troy Adair

  $1,200   $7,941   $(842  —     $4,846 

Tim Carney

  $96,000   $19,745   $(5,501  —     $96,798 

Jim Gasior

   —      —      —     —      —   

Mark Wenick

  $6,000   $11,708   $(21,898  —     $78,314 

 

(1)

Column contains contributions by the Company in the last fiscal year under the Nonqualified Plan. Amounts shown are included in the All Other Compensation column (i) shown in the Summary Compensation Tablelocated on page 39..

(2)

Earnings in this column represent estimated earnings on the Nonqualified Plan, which are based upon participant-directed investment allocations. These amounts are not included in the Summary Compensation Table because they do not constitute above market interest or preferential earnings. Amounts reported in prior years in the Summary Compensation Table for (i) Mr. Helmick for 2021 was $116,301 for 2021, and (ii) Mr. Wenick for 2021 was $1,065.

For a narrative discussion of ourOur Nonqualified Plan see page 35 ofis described further under “2022 Named Executive Officers Compensation – Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.Analysis portion of this proxy statement.

Employment Agreements, Change in Control Agreements, Executive Separation Policy

Employment Agreements

Farmers has no written employment agreements with any of our 20202022 named executive officers, although certain potential benefits in connection with their employment are governed by an Executive Separation Policy and a Change in Control Agreement and an Executive Separation Policy, the material terms of each of which are described below.

Change in Control Agreements

Farmers has entered into Change in Control Agreements with each of its executive officers including as of December 31, 2020,and all of the current named executive officers.

In the event that an executive officer’s employment is terminated by Farmers other than for Cause or by the executive for Good Reason during the six-month period commencing prior to a Change in Control (all as defined in the Change in Control Agreement) or the 12-month period thereafter, the executive would be eligible to receive the benefits set forth in the Change in Control Agreement. Those benefits included (i) a payment equal to a multiple of the executive’s annual base salary (three times for Mr. Helmick two and one-halftwo times for Messrs. CulpAdair, Carney, Gasior, and Witmer, and one time for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik);Wenick; (ii) a payment equal to a multiple of the average of the annual incentive bonus paid to the executive in the three years preceding termination (three times for Mr. Helmick two and one-half timesone time for Messrs. Culp,Adair, Carney, Gasior, and Witmer, and one times for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik)Wenick); (iii) a pro rata incentive bonus payment for the year of termination which assumes that performance has been attained at the “target” level for each executive; (iv) a payment equal to the monthly COBRA premium payable by the executive to continue to receive health benefits at a level

58


similar to which the executive and his spouse and dependents were participating for a period of months (36 for Mr. Helmick 30and 24 for Messrs. CulpAdair, Carney, Gasior, and Witmer, or 12 for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik);Wenick; and (v) for Messrs. Helmick, Culp, and Witmer, a payment of $20,000 for outplacement services.

Each of the Change in Control Agreements provide for a “cut-back” in the event of any excise tax under Section 280G of the Code, such that the benefits payable to the executive would be reduced to $1.00 less than the amount that causes the payments to be treated as parachute payments under Section 280G of the Code; provided, however, that no reduction will occur if, on an after-tax basis in each case and taking into account all federal, state and local taxes (including any excise tax), the executive would receive a greater amount if no reduction had occurred, thus providing the “best net effect” to the executive.

In order to receive the benefits described above, the executive would be required to execute a general release in favor of Farmers and must also (i) comply with covenants prohibiting the solicitation of customers and employees (for a period of 36 months for Mr. Helmick and 24 months for Messrs. CulpAdair, Carney, Gasior, and Witmer, and 12 months for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik)Wenick); (ii) maintain the confidentiality of Farmers’ proprietary and confidential information and (iii) comply with non-disparagement provisions.

Executive Separation Policy

Farmers has adopted an Executive Separation Policy which applies to our Chief Executive Officer and President, Senior Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer, Senior Executive Vice President – Chief Banking Officer, Executive Vice President – Chief Credit Officer, and such other persons as may be designated annually by the Board of Directors, including currently our Senior Vice President, Chief Lending Officer and Regional President, among other executive officers (collectively, the “Covered Executives”). Accordingly, each of our other named executive officers is a Covered Executive and participates in the Executive Separation Policy.officers.

In the event that a Covered Executive’s employment is terminated by Farmers for Cause or by the Covered Executive without Good Reason (each as defined in the Executive Separation Policy), then the Covered Executive would be entitled to receive (i) all earned but unpaid compensation benefits for time worked through the date of termination; and (ii) such otherany rights and benefits, if any, as may be provideprovided under other plans and programs of Farmers, determined in accordance with the applicable terms and provisions of such plans and programs, including, without limitation, earned but unused vacation (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”).

If the Covered Executives employment is terminated by Farmers without Cause or by the Covered Executive with Good Reason, then, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, the Covered Executive would be eligible to receive, upon execution of a release and acceptance of additional restrictive covenants, the following: (i) a lump sum equal to 36-months’ salary for Mr. Helmick or 18-months’ salary for Messrs. Helmick, Culp,Adair, Carney, Gasior, and Witmer, or 12-months’ salary for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik;Wenick; (ii) a pro rata incentive bonus in a lump sum equal to the bonus the Covered Executive would have earned (assuming performance at the “target” level); (iii) a lump sum amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium payable by the Covered Executive to continue to receive health benefits at a level similar to which the Covered Executive and his or her spouse and dependents were receiving multiplied by 36 (for Mr. Helmick) or 18 (for Messrs. Helmick, Culp,Adair, Carney, Gasior, and Witmer,) or 12 (for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik);Wenick; and (iv) a lump sum payment in an amount not to exceed $10,000 (for Mr. Helmick) or $7,500 (for Messrs. Culp, Witmer, Shaffer,Adair, Carney, Gasior, and Ms. Soukenik)Mr. Wenick) for reasonable outplacement services for up to one year by a firm selected by Farmers.

The Executive Separation Policy defines “Good Reason” to include any of the following: (a) a reduction in a Covered Executive’s annual base salary rate, unless such reduction generally applies to other Covered Executives regardless of the reason(s) therefore;therefor; (b) a substantial diminution in a Covered Executive’s duties, authorities or responsibilities; or

(3) (c) the relocation of a Covered Executive’s principal place of employment with the Company that meets certain conditions in the Executive Separation Policy.

59


The Executive Separation Policy defines “Cause” to mean (a) the willful or negligent failure by the Covered Executive to substantially perform his or her duties with the Company and, after written notification by the Company to the Covered Executive, the continued failure of the Covered Executive to substantially perform such duties; (b) the willful or negligent engagement by the Covered Executive in conduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, financially or otherwise; (c) action or inaction by the Covered Executive that constitutes a breach of a fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (d) the violation of any material written policy, rule or regulation of the Company; or (e) the Covered Executive’s material breach of any agreement in respect of confidentiality with the Company, whether or not entered into after the effective date of the Executive Separation Policy.

In order to receive any payments pursuant to the Executive Separation Policy (other than the Accrued Obligations), the Covered Executive would be required to execute a general release in favor of Farmers and must also (i) comply with a non-competition covenant for 12 months; (ii) comply with covenants prohibiting the solicitation of customers and employees for a period of time equal to 24 months (forfor Mr. Helmick or 18-months for Messrs. Helmick, Culp, Witmer, Shaffer,Adair, Carney, Gasior, and Ms. Soukenik)Mr. Wenick); (iii) maintain the confidentiality of Farmers’ proprietary and confidential information and (iv) comply with non-disparagement provisions. Failure to abide by these conditions requires the Covered Executive to return to Farmers, within 10 days after request by Farmers, any amounts Farmers has paid to the Covered Executive under the Executive Separation Policy (other than the Accrued Obligations).

In the event that a Covered Executive is terminated under circumstances that would entitle him or her to payment under a Change in Control Agreement, then the terms of the Change in Control Agreement will be controlling and the Covered Executive would not be entitled to benefits under the Executive Separation Policy.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The following table summarizes potential amounts payable to each named executive officer under various termination scenarios including those provided pursuant to the terms of the Executive Separation Policy and Change in Control Agreements described in the foregoing section titled “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION —Employment Agreements, Change in Control Agreements, Executive Separation Policy” beginning on page 47 of this proxy statement.Policy.” The figures in the table assume termination occurring on December 31, 2020. Amounts shown for Mr. Witmer are based on actual benefits provided with respect to his termination at December 31, 2020.2022.

 

Compensation

Components

  Death or
Disability(1)
   Voluntary
Termination without
Good Reason or
Involuntary
Termination

for Cause(2)
   Voluntary
Termination with
Good Reason or
Involuntary
Termination
without Cause(3)
   Voluntary
Termination with
Good Reason or
Involuntary
Termination without
Cause upon Change
in Control(4)
 

Kevin J. Helmick

        

Severance Pay

   —      —     $1,422,000   $1,422,000 

Benefits

   —      —     $78,516   $78,516 

Annual Incentive Plan

  $189,600    —     $189,600   $908,976 

Long-term Incentive Plans(5)

  $685,507    —     $167,308   $685,507 

Nonqualified Plan

  $365,025   $365,025   $365,025   $365,025 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $1,240,132   $365,025   $2,222,449   $3,460,024 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Carl D. Culp

        

Severance Pay

   —      —     $630,950   $630,950 

Benefits

   —      —     $42,210   $42,210 

Annual Incentive Plan

  $88,333    —     $88,333   $360,788 

Long-term Incentive Plans(5)

  $291,308    —     $71,087   $291,308 

Nonqualified Plan

  $345,399   $345,399   $345,399   $345,399 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $725,040   $345,399   $1,177,979   $1,582,322 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mark R. Witmer

        

Severance Pay

   —      —     $718,750    —   

Benefits

   —      —     $37,170    —   

Annual Incentive Plan

   —      —     $100,625    —   

Long-term Incentive Plans(5)

   —      —     $84,503    —   

Nonqualified Plan

   —      —     $92,413    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   —      —     $1,033,461    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Timothy F. Shaffer

        

Severance Pay

   —      —     $190,000   $190,000 

Benefits

   —      —     $16,092   $16,092 

Annual Incentive Plan

  $66,500    —     $66,500   $140,123 

Long-term Incentive Plans(5)

  $157,331    —     $38,350   $157,331 

Nonqualified Plan

  $97,623   $97,623   $97,623   $97,623 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $321,454   $97,623   $408,565   $601,168 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amber Wallace Soukenik

        

Severance Pay

   —      —     $192,342   $192,342 

Benefits

   —      —     $16,092   $16,092 

Annual Incentive Plan

  $67,320    —     $67,320   $146,578 

Long-term Incentive Plans(5)

  $135,000    —     $32,896   $135,000 

Nonqualified Plan

  $244,811   $244,811   $244,811   $244,811 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $447,131   $244,811   $553,461   $734,822 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

60


2022 Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

Compensation
Components

 Death or
Disability(1)
  Voluntary
Termination without
Good Reason or
Involuntary
Termination

for Cause(2)
  Voluntary
Termination with
Good Reason or
Involuntary
Termination
without Cause(3)
  Voluntary
Termination with
Good Reason or
Involuntary
Termination-
without Cause
upon Change in
Control(4)
  Retirement 

Kevin J. Helmick

     

Severance Pay

  —     —    $1,850,000  $1,860,000   —   

Benefits

  —     —    $50,940  $50,940   —   

Annual Incentive Plan

 $248,012   —    $1,045,508  $1,045,508   —   

Long-term Incentive Plans(5)

 $543,033   —    $176,895  $726,906   —   

Nonqualified Plan

 $559033  $559,033  $559,033  $559,033   —   
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

Total

 $1,350,078  $559,033  $3,702,376  $4,262,387   —   
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

Troy Adair

     

Severance Pay

  —     —    $460,011  $630,014   —   

Benefits

  —     —    $24,714  $32,952   —   

Annual Incentive Plan

 $110,253   —    $110,253  $134,753   —   

Long-term Incentive Plans(5)

 $105,461   —    $40,411  $169,227   —   

Nonqualified Plan

 $4,846  $4,846  $4,846  $4,846   —   
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

Total

 $220,560  $4,846  $640,235  $971,792   —   
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

Tim Carney

     

Severance Pay

  —     —    $447,843  $613,790   —   

Benefits

  —     —    $16,476  $16,476   —   

Annual Incentive Plan

 $107,413   —    $107,413  $107,413   —   

Long-term Incentive Plans(5)

 $56,359   —    $27,068  $114,940   —   

Nonqualified Plan

 $96,798  $96,798  $96,798  $96,798   —   
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

Total

 $260,570  $96,798  $695,598  $949,417   —   
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

Jim Gasior

     

Severance Pay

  —     —    $473,428  $647,904   —   

Benefits

  —     —    $10,704  $10,704   —   

Annual Incentive Plan

 $113,383   —    $113,383  $113,383   —   

Long-term Incentive Plans(5)

 $59,166   —    $28,409  $120,680   —   

Nonqualified Plan

  —     —     —     —     —   
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

Total

 $172,549   —    $625,924  $892,671   —   
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

Mark Wenick

     

Severance Pay

  —     —    $422,508  $580,010   —   

Benefits

  —     —    $6,984  $9,312   —   

Annual Incentive Plan

 $101,502   —    $101,502  $210,734   —   

Long-term Incentive Plans(5)

 $107,055   —    $41,442  $169,812   —   

Nonqualified Plan

 $78,314  $78,314  $78,314  $78,314   —   
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

Total

 $286,871  $78,314  $650,750  $1,048,182   —   
 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

(1)

No severance benefits are provided upon a named executive officer’s death or disability other than (i) payment of the target amount under our Annual Incentive Plan, (ii) vesting of long-term incentive plan awards, and (iii) amounts vested under our Nonqualified Plan. All outstanding service-based awards fully vest upon death or disability. A pro rata portion of outstanding performance-based awards, both cash- and equity-based, vest upon death or disability, but are settled only at the end of the normal vesting period and only to the extent of determined by the performance criteria over the performance period. For purposes of this calculation, it was assumed that the pro rata amount of outstanding performance-based long-term incentive awards would vest at their target levels of performance. The value of all equity awards for these purposes was calculated using the closing price of our Common Shares on December 31, 202030, 2022 of $13.27. Farmers considers normal retirement age to be 65 years of age, and no named executive officer was eligible for treatment as a retirement upon a voluntary resignation at December 31, 2020.$14.12.

61


(2)

Our Executive Separation Policy provides the participating executives with the following benefits as a result of a voluntary termination without Good Reason or an involuntary termination by Farmers Bank for Cause (each as defined in the Executive Separation Policy): (a) their Accrued Obligations; and (b) any rights and benefits, if any, provided under plans and programs of the Company, determined in accordance with the applicable terms and provisions of such plans and programs, including, without limitation, earned but unused vacation (however the table assumes that the executives would receive no benefit for unused paid time off as of December 31, 2020,2022, as unused paid time off cannot be carried over from one year to the next).

(3)

Our Executive Separation Policy generally provides the Covered Executives the following benefits as a result of a termination by the Company without Cause or by the Covered Executives for Good Reason: (a) the Accrued Obligations, (b) a lump sum equal to 36-months’ salary for Mr. Helmick or 18-months’ salary for Messrs. Helmick, Culp,Adair, Carney, Gasior and Witmer, or 12-months’ salary for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik;Wenick; (c) a pro rata incentive bonus in a lump sum equal to the bonus the Covered Executive would have earned (assuming performance at the “target” level); (d) a lump sum amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium payable by the Covered Executive to continue to receive health benefits at a level similar to which the Covered Executive and his or her spouse and dependents were receiving multiplied by 36 (for Mr. Helmick) or 18 (for Messrs. Helmick, Culp,Adair, Carney, Gasior and Witmer) or 12 (for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik)Wenick); and (e) a lump sum payment in an amount not to exceed $10,000 (for Mr. Helmick) or $7,500 (for Messrs. Culp, Witmer, Shaffer,Adair, Carney, Gasior and Ms. Soukenik)Wenick) for reasonable outplacement services for up to one year by a firm selected by Farmers. All outstanding service-based awards fully vest (calculated using the closing price of our Common Shares on December 31, 202030, 2022 of $13.27,$14.12, and all outstanding performance-based awards are forfeited. Because termination is assumed for purposes of the table to have occurred on December 31, 2020,2022, the annual incentive benefit payable to the executives is a full year bonus at the “target” level and not a pro rata portion of that annual incentive benefit. The table also assumes that the executives would receive no benefit for unused paid time off as of December 31, 2020,2022, as unused paid time off cannot be carried over from one year to the next.

(4)

The Change in Control Agreements with our named executive officers provide for the following payments if employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or by the executive for Good Reason (as each defined in the Change in Control Agreements): (a) a payment in an amount equal to the executive’s annual base salary multiplied by three for Mr. Helmick, or two and one-halftimes for Messrs. Culp,Adair, Carney, Gasior and Witmer, or one for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik and all other executive officers;Wenick; (b) a lump sum amount equal to the average of the annual incentive bonus paid to the executive in the three years preceding termination multiplied by three for Mr. Helmick, or two and one-halftimes for Messrs. CulpAdair, Carney, Gasior and Witmer, and one for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik and all other executive officers;Wenick; (c) a pro rata incentive bonus of the year of termination (assuming performance had been attained at the “target” level); (d) a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium payable by the executive to continue to receive health benefits at a level similar to which the executive and his spouse and dependents were participating multiplied by 36 for Mr. Helmick, 30or 24 for Messrs. Culp,Adair, Carney, Gasior, and Witmer, or 12 for Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Soukenik and all other executive officers;Wenick; and (e) a lump sum of $20,000 for outplacement services for Messrs. Helmick, Culp, and Witmer.services. Upon a voluntary termination for Good Reason or an involuntary termination without Cause within two years following a Change in Control, (i) all outstanding service-based awards fully vest, and (ii) all outstanding performance-based long-term incentive awards vest and are settled at the “target” level of performance. The value of all equity awards for these purposes was calculated using the closing price of our Common Shares on December 31, 202030, 2022 of $13.27.$14.12.

(5)

Upon death or disability (i) all outstanding service-based awards fully vest, and (ii) a pro rata portion of outstanding performance-based awards, both cash- and equity-based, vest subject to settlement only at the end of the normal vesting period and only to the extent determined by the performance criteria over the performance period. For purposes of these calculations, it was assumed that the pro rata amount of outstanding performance-based long-term incentive awards would vest at target levels of performance. Upon voluntary termination without Good Reason or involuntary termination for Cause, all outstanding long-term incentive awards are forfeited. Upon voluntary termination with Good Reason or involuntary termination without Cause (i) all outstanding service-based awards fully vest, and (ii) all outstanding performance-based awards are forfeited. Upon a voluntary termination for Good Reason or an involuntary termination without Cause within two years following a Change in Control, (i) all outstanding service-based awards fully vest, and (ii) all outstanding performance-based long-term incentive awards vest and are settled at the “target” level of performance. The value of all equity awards for these purposes was calculated using the closing price of our Common Shares on December 31, 202030, 2022 of $16.32.$14.12.

62


EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

Our 2017 Equity Incentive planPlan authorized the Company to issue up to 800,000 of Common Shares to our employees and non-employee directors in exchange for consideration in the form of goods or services, and our 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, which has superseded our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, authorized the Company to issue up to 1,000,000 Common Shares to our employees and non-employee directors in exchange for consideration in the form of goods or services. Information on awards outstanding under such plans as of December 31, 2020,2022, is set forth below:

 

  (a)   (b)  (c)   (a)   (b)  (c) 

Plan Category

  Number of Securities
to be Issued upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants

and Rights(1)
   Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights(2)
  Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))(3)
   Number of Securities
to be Issued upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants
and Rights(1)
   Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights(2)
  Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))(3)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   153,070   —     396,315    68,685   —     943,500 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   N/A   —     —      N/A   —     —   

Total

   153,070   —     396,315    68,685   —     943,500 

 

(1)

Amount represents awards of performance-based shares granted pursuant to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, the vesting of which is contingent upon corporate performance measured by evaluating our average ROE relative to the average ROE of a peer group of financial institutions during the applicable three-year performance period commencing in the year of grant. Amount does not include outstanding awards of service-based restricted shares totaling 67,765,193,015, which are subject to vesting within the third anniversaries of the grant dates, conditioned upon continued employment of the participants on such anniversary dates.

(2)

The weighted average exercise price is not determinable for the awards of performance-based shares described in footnote (1).

(3)

Amount represents shares available for future issuance under the 20172022 Equity Incentive Plan.

63


2022 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth compensation information onthat each of Farmers’ current non-employee directors. Directors who are employees of directors received in 2022. Messrs. Thornton and Varischetti were appointed as directors effective January 1, 2023, so neither received any compensation in 2022. Mr. Helmick, as a Farmers doexecutive, does not receive additional compensation for his services as a director. For additional description of our director compensation, see Other Elements of Our Executive Compensation Programs – Director Compensation on page 37 of the in Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

 

Name

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

Gregory C. Bestic

  $66,500    —     $66,500   $80,200       $80,200 

Lance J. Ciroli

  $82,500    —     $82,500 

Anne Frederick Crawford

  $52,500    —     $52,500   $65,000       $65,000 

Neil J. Kaback

  $62,500       $62,500 

Ralph D. Macali

  $52,500    —     $52,500   $62,500       $62,500 

Frank J. Monaco

  $65,000       $65,000 

Terry A. Moore

  $57,500    —     $57,500   $79,167       $79,167 

Edward W. Muransky

  $52,500    —     $52,500   $65,000       $65,000 

David Z. Paull

  $61,500    —     $61,500   $80,833       $80,833 

James R. Smail

  $100,500    —     $100,500 

Richard B. Thompson

  $62,500       $62,500 

 

(1)

Amounts reflect all fees paid in cash during 20202022 for services as a director, including an annual cash retainer of $62,500 and the following amounts paid in cash to directors with additional duties: (i) $25,000 for the independent Board Chair;chair of the Board; (ii) $20,000$10,000 for the independent Board Vice Chair;vice chair of the Board; (iii) $10,000 for the independent chair of the Executive Committee; and (iv) $5,000$7,500 for all other committee chairs. AmountsThe amount for Messrs. Smail andMr. Bestic include $18,000 and $9,000, respectively,also includes $10,200 in fees for theirhis service on the boardBoard of Directors of Farmers Trust Company, a subsidiary of Farmers.

64


PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K,
we are providing the following information about the relationship between executive compensation actually paid (“CAP”) for our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and our
non-PEO
named executive officers
(“Non-PEO
NEOs”) and certain financial performance of the Company. For further information concerning the Company’s
pay-for-performance
philosophy and how the Company aligns executive compensation with performance, refer to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement.
Year
 
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for PEO
(1)
  
Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO
(2)
  
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for
Non-PEO

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

NEOs
(4)
  
Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment
Based On:
  
Net
Income
(millions)
(7)
  
Core Net
Income
(millions)
(8)
 
 
Total
Shareholder
Return
(5)
  
Peer Group
Total
Shareholder
Return
(6)
 
(a)
 
(b)
  
(c)
  
(d)
  
(e)
  
(f)
  
(g)
  
(h)
  
(i)
 
2022 $1,471,138  $1,137,486  $505,850  $450,071  $84  $84  $60.6  $64.0 
2021 $1,528,022  $1,826,820  $525,658  $605,794  $144  $146  $51.8  $62.3 
2020 $1,094,742  $816,225  $438,000  $329,226  $79  $95  $41.9  $45.5 
(1)
The amountamounts reported in column (b) are the amounts of total compensation reported for Mr. Paull includes $4,000Helmick, our PEO, for each corresponding year in feesthe “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table. Refer to “
Executive Compensation and Other Information
– Summary Compensation Table.”
(2)
The amounts reported in column (c) represent the amount of CAP for his serviceMr. Helmick as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K.
Amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to Mr. Helmick during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K,
the following adjustments were made to Mr. Helmick’s total compensation for each year to determine the CAP:
Year
  
Reported

Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for PEO
   
Reported

Value of Equity
Awards
(a)
   
Equity

Award
Adjustments
(b)
   
Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO
 
2022
  $1,471,138   $575,207   $(333,652 $1,137,486 
2021
  $1,528,022   $199,768   $298,798  $1,826,820 
2020
  $1,094,742   $188,914   $(278,517 $816,225 
(a)
The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
(b)
The equity award adjustments for each applicable year include the addition (or subtraction, as applicable) of the following: (i) the
year-end
fair value of any equity awards granted in the applicable year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the year; (ii) the amount of change as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value of any awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the applicable year; (iii) for awards that are granted and vest in same applicable year, the fair value as of the vesting date; (iv) for awards granted in prior years that vest in the applicable year, the amount equal to the change as of the vesting date (from the end of the prior fiscal year) in fair value; (v) for awards granted in prior years that are determined to fail to meet the applicable vesting conditions during the applicable year, a deduction for the amount equal to the fair value at the end of the prior fiscal year; and (vi) the dollar value of any dividends or other earnings paid on stock awards in the boardapplicable year prior to the vesting date that are not otherwise reflected in the fair value of National Associates, Inc., a subsidiarysuch award or included in any other component of Farmers Trust Company.

total compensation for the applicable year. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant.
65

Table of Contents
The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments are as follows:
Year
 
Year End Fair
Value of
Equity
Awards
  
Year over
Year Change
in Fair Value
of
Outstanding
and Unvested
Equity
Awards
  
Fair Value
as of
Vesting
Date of
Equity
Awards
Granted
and Vested
in the Year
  
Year over
Year Change
in Fair Value
of Equity
Awards
Granted in
Prior Years
that Vested
in the Year
  
Fair Value at
the End of the
Prior Year of
Equity
Awards that
Failed to Meet
Vesting
Conditions in
the Year
  
Value of
Dividends or
other Earnings
Paid on Stock or
Option Awards
not Otherwise
Reflected in Fair
Value or Total
Compensation
  
Total

Equity

Award

Adjustments
 
2022 $462,571  $(192,235  N/A  $(28,781 $0   N/A  $(333,652
2021 $263,002  $224,020   N/A  $11,544  $0   N/A  $298,798 
2020 $157,369  $(131,995  N/A  $(114,977 $0   N/A  $(278,517
(3)
Amounts reported in column (d) represent the average of the amounts reported for the Company’s
Non-PEO
NEOs as a group in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table in each applicable year.
(4)
Amounts reported in column (e) represent the average amount of CAP for the
Non-PEO
NEOs as a group as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K.
The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual average amount of compensation earned by or paid to the
Non-PEO
NEOs as a group during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K,
the following adjustments were made to average total compensation for the
Non-PEO
NEOs as a group for each year to determine the CAP, using the same methodology described above in Note 2:
Year
  
Average

Reported Summary
Compensation Table
Total for Non-PEO NEOs
   
Average

Reported

Value of
Equity Awards
   
Average
Equity

Award
Adjustments
(a)
   
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid to
Non-PEO
NEOs
 
2022  $505,850   $142,108   $(55,779 $450,071 
2021  $525,658   $83,035   $80,136  $605,794 
2020  $438,000   $66,858   $(108,775 $329,226 
(a)
The amounts deducted or added in calculating the total average equity award adjustments are as follows:
Year
 
Average
Year End
Fair Value
of Equity
Awards
  
Year over
Year Average
Change in
Fair Value of
Outstanding
and
Unvested
Equity
Awards
  
Average
Fair
Value
as of
Vesting
Date of
Equity
Awards
Granted
and
Vested
in the
Year
  
Year over
Year
Average
Change in
Fair
Value of
Equity
Awards
Granted in
Prior
Years that
Vested in
the Year
  
Average
Fair Value
at the End
of the
Prior Year
of Equity
Awards
that Failed
to Meet
Vesting
Conditions
in the
Year
  
Average Value
of Dividends
or other
Earnings Paid
on Stock or
Option
Awards not
Otherwise
Reflected in
Fair Value or
Total
Compensation
  
Total
Average

Equity

Award

Adjustments

 
2022 $114,146  $(22,858  N/A  $(4,959 $0   N/A  $(55,779
2021 $103,806  $47,864   N/A  $2,658  $0   N/A  $80,136 
2020 $55,694  $(43,829  N/A  $(64,272 $0   N/A  $(108,775
(5)
Cumulative TSR is calculated by dividing the sum of the cumulative amount of dividends for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, and the difference between the Company’s share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period by the Company’s share price at the beginning of the measurement period.
(6)
Represents the peer group TSR, weighted according to the respective companies’ stock market capitalization at the beginning of each period for which a return is indicated. The peer group used for this purpose is the following published industry index, which is also included in the five year cumulative total return chart included in the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form
10-K:
Dow Jones U.S. MicroCap Banks Index.
66

Table of Contents
(7)
Amounts reported represent the amount of net income reflected in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year.
(8)
Core net income is defined as net income adjusted for certain
after-tax
items including acquisition related costs, litigation settlement income, litigation settlement legal expense, a charitable donation, and net losses on asset/security sales. While the Company uses numerous financial and
non-financial
performance measures for the purpose of evaluating performance for the Company’s compensation programs, the Company has determined that Core Net Income is the financial performance measure that, in the Company’s assessment, represents the most important performance measure (that is not otherwise required to be disclosed in the table) used by the Company to link CAP to the Company’s NEOs for the most recently completed fiscal year, to Company performance.
Financial Performance Measures
As described in greater detail in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement, the Company’s executive compensation program embraces a
pay-for-performance
philosophy. The metrics used for both our long-term and short-term incentive awards are selected based on an overall objective of providing incentives to our NEOs to increase the value of our enterprise for our shareholders. The most important financial performance measures used by the Company to link executive compensation actually paid to the Company’s NEOs to the Company’s performance for the most recently completed fiscal year are as follows:
Earnings per Share (adjusted) (EPS)
Return on Average Assets
Efficiency Ratio
67

Table of Contents
Analysis of Information Presented in Pay versus Performance Table
As described in greater detail under the Compensation Discussion and Analysis portion of this proxy statement, the Company’s executive compensation program reflects a strong
pay-for-performance
philosophy with an emphasis on variable, performance-based compensation. While the Company uses several objective metrics to align executive compensation with our financial performance, we do not specifically align such metrics with CAP (as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K)
for a particular year. In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation
S-K,
the Company is providing the following tables reflect the relationships between certain of the information presented in the Pay versus Performance table and CAP.

68


CEO PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE

CEO Pay Ratio

Pursuant to Commission regulations adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act, we are required to calculate and disclose the ratio of the annual total compensation of our chief executive officer, Mr. Helmick, compared to the total annual compensation of our employee whose compensation represents the median compensation of all employees other than Mr. Helmick.

To identify such “median employee” we added the salary paid to each employee (other than Mr. Helmick) during 20182022 plus all other compensation paid to each employee for services rendered during 2018,2022, to arrive at total compensation paid to each employee with respect to 2018.2022. We used the amount of salary paid during 2018,2022, rather than salary paid for services rendered during 20182022 regardless of when actually paid, for purposes of identifying the median employee. We calculated the compensation of each of our employees who was employed by the Company as of December 31, 2018.2022. The compensation of full-time, permanent employees who were hired after January 1, 20182022 was annualized. The compensation of part-time, temporary and seasonal employees was not adjusted to a full-time or full-year equivalent. We included for each employee all forms of compensation that were paid to that employee during 2018,2022, including, as applicable, the following:

 

Base salary or wages, including overtime

 

Bonuses

 

Grants of time-based long-term incentive compensation awards

 

Other incentive compensation, including vesting of performance-based long-term incentive compensation awards

 

Service awards for years of service to Farmers

 

Christmas gifts

 

401(k) plan matching contributions

 

Nonqualified deferred compensation

 

Nonqualified executive retirement compensation

 

Health insurance premiums

Country club dues

 

Group term life insurance, AD&D, and long-term and short-term disability premiums

After calculating each employee’s annual total compensation, we ranked the annual total compensation of all employees other than Mr. Helmick from lowest to highest and identified the middle employee in the list as the median employee for purposes of our CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure in our 2020 proxy statement.employee. We continued to use that identified median employee for purposes of our CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure in this proxy statement, based on a calculation ofthen calculated the annual total compensation of both Mr. Helmick and such median employee for the 20202022 calendar year in a manner consistent with the rules for determining amounts disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table located on page 39. in the Executive Compensation and Other Information portion of this proxy statement. The calculations yielded the following results:

 

Annual total compensation of Mr. Helmick

  $1,110,562   $1,863,032 

The median employee’s annual total compensation

  $40,506   $54,698 

The ratio of Mr. Helmick’s annual total compensation to the median employee’s annual total compensation

   27.42:1    34.06:1 

The Compensation Committee believes our compensation program must be equitable to all employees to motivate our employees to perform in manners that enhance shareholder value. We will continue to monitor the relationship of the compensation of our executive officers, including our chief executive officer, to the compensation of non-executive employees.

69


PROPOSAL TWO — ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, Farmers is providing shareholders with the right to vote to approve, on an advisory (nonbinding) basis, the following resolution relative to the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers:

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve the compensation of Farmers’ named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Commission, including the compensation discussion and analysis, compensation tables and any related material disclosed in this proxy statement.”

As described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors believes that Farmers’ compensation policies and procedures are aligned with Farmers’ short-term goals and long-term success. The Board of Directors believes that its improved pay-for-performance philosophy and objectively-driven incentive-based compensation opportunities are designed to both be competitive with opportunities offered by similarly situated financial institutions and to attract, retain and motivate the key executives directly responsible for our continued success. At the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, our shareholders approved the executive compensation as disclosed in the proxy statement for that Annual Meeting, with approximately 93% of the Common Shares represented by shareholders present in person or represented by proxy voting for approval. The Compensation Committee evaluated the results of this supportive advisory vote, together with the other factors and data discussed in this Compensation and Discussion Analysis, in determining executive compensation policies, making executive compensation decisions, and continuing implementation of its compensation philosophy and objectives.

Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation Tables” sections of this proxy statement, including the related narrative, for additional details about our executive compensation philosophy and programs, including information about the calendar year 2020 compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

Vote Required and Board of Directors’ Recommendation

This Proposal Two to approve the resolution regarding the compensation of Farmers’ named executive officers requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares present (via the live webcast), represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, broker non-votes will not be relevant to the outcome. Abstentions will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of Proposal Two and, thus, will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal Two. Because this vote is advisory, it will not be binding on Farmers or the Board of Directors; however, the Board and the Compensation Committee will review the voting results and will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”

APPROVAL OF THE ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Management is responsible for Farmers’ internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of Farmers’ consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes, and the Committee Chair, as representative of the Committee, discusses the interim financial information contained in quarterly earnings announcements with both management and the independent registered public accounting firm prior to public release. The Audit Committee also recommends to the Board of Directors the selection of Farmers’ independent registered public accounting firm and must pre-approve all services provided.

NASDAQ rules require each member of the Audit Committee to be able to read and understand financial statements. The Company believes that each member of the Audit Committee as constituted satisfies this requirement. Members of the Audit Committee rely without independent verification on the information provided to them and on the representations made by management and the independent registered public accounting firm, although each member of the Audit Committee has the authority to engage and determine funding for independent advisors as deemed necessary. Furthermore, the Audit Committee’s considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of Farmers’ financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, that the financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is in fact “independent.”

In this context, the Audit Committee met and held discussions with Farmers’ management, who represented to the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with both management and Farmers’ independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2020,2022, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (“CLA”). The Audit Committee also discussed with CLA matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Auditing Standard (AS) 1301 (previously AS No. 16). CLA provided to the Audit Committee written disclosures pursuant to Rule 3526 of the PCAOB (Communications with Audit Committees Concerning Independence). The Audit Committee has discussed with CLA any relationships with or services to Farmers’Farmers or its subsidiaries that may impact the objectivity and independence of CLA, and the Audit Committee has satisfied itself as to CLA’s independence.

Based upon the Audit Committee’s discussion with management and CLA, and the Committee’s review of the representation of management and the report of CLA to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20202022 be included in Farmers’ Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission.

The Audit Committee:

Gregory C. Bestic, Chair

LanceNeil J. CiroliKaback

Ralph D. Macali

Edward W. MuranskyRichard B. Thompson

70


PROPOSAL THREEFOUR — RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Upon the recommendation and approval of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the approval by the Board of Directors, the Company has selected CliftonLarsonAllenCrowe LLP (“CLA”Crowe”) to act as the independent registered public accounting firm to examine Farmers’ books, records and accounts and those of its subsidiaries for the year ending December 31, 2021.2023. This appointment is being presented to shareholders for ratification or rejection during the Annual Meeting.

On January 29, 2019, the Company notified CroweAugust 26, 2022, Farmers National Banc Corp. (the “Company”) informed CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (“Crowe”CLA”) that it has been dismissedthe Audit Committee of the Board of Directors had approved the dismissal of CLA as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm effectiveupon completion of the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. The decision resulted from a competitive request for proposal process undertaken by the Audit Committee pursuant to which the Audit Committee received proposals from CLA, Crowe, and one other independent registered public accounting firm. CLA served as ofthe Company’s independent registered public accounting firm from 2019 through the completion of the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. Crowe had served as the Company’s independent public accounting firm since 2003.2022. Crowe served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm until the completion of the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.prior CLA’s engagement commencing in 2019.

Crowe’sCLA’s reports on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 20172021 and 20182022 in which CroweCLA served as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were such reports qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 20172021 and 20182022 in which CroweCLA served as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company and the subsequent interim period through January 30, 2019, (i) there were no disagreements between the Company and CroweCLA 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 Crowe,CLA, would have caused CroweCLA to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its report on the consolidated financial statements for such years, and (ii) there were no “reportable events” as that term is defined in Item 304 of Regulation S-K.

On January 30, 2019, theThe Company has appointed CLACrowe to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,2023, upon the recommendation and approval of the Audit Committee and the approval by the Board of Directors. The appointment of CLACrowe resulted from a competitive request for proposal process undertaken by the Audit Committee. CLACrowe is considered by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors to be well qualified. By NASDAQ and Commission rules and regulations, selection of Farmers’ independent registered public accounting firm is the direct responsibility of the Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has determined, however, to seek shareholder ratification of this selection as both a good corporate practice and to provide shareholders an avenue to express their views on this important matter.

The proposal to ratify the appointment of Farmers’ independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares present (via the live webcast), represented and entitled to vote during the Annual Meeting. Shareholders may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” from voting on Proposal Three. Broker non-votes may be counted as votes “For” Proposal Three. Four.

71


Abstentions will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of Proposal ThreeFour and thus will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal Three.Four. If shareholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will seek to understand the reasons for such failure and will take those views into account in this and future appointments of Farmers’ independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the current selection is ratified by shareholders, the Audit

Committee reserves the right to terminate the engagement of CLACrowe and appoint a different independent accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that such change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Representatives of CLACrowe will be present (via the live webcast) during the Annual Meeting to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EACH RECOMMEND A VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF CLIFTONLARSONALLENCROWE LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE COMPANY FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees

Fees for professional services rendered by CLA for fiscal 20202022 and 20192021 were as follows:

 

  2020   2019   2022   2021 

Audit Fees

  $319,163   $273,400   $404,333   $413,468 

Audit-Related Fees

   —      —      —      —   

Tax Fees

  $23,448   $21,925   $66,717   $31,367 

All Other Fees

   —      —      —      —   
  

 

   

 

 

Total Fees

  $342,611   $295,325   $471,050   $444,835 

Audit Fees consist of fees billed by Farmers’ independent registered public accounting firm for the audit of Farmers’ annual financial statements, the review of financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, statutory and subsidiary audits and services provided in connection with regulatory filings during 2020.2022.

Tax Fees represent fees for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independence of CLA and has concluded that it is.

Pre-Approval of Fees

Under applicable Commission rules, the Audit Committee pre-approves the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm to assure that the provision of the services does not impair the firm’s independence. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm has received general pre-approval, it requires specific pre-approval by the Committee. In addition, any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels require specific Audit Committee pre-approval. The Audit Committee also reviews, generally on a quarterly basis, reports summarizing the services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. All of the services related to Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees or All Other Fees described above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

72


The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policy is contained in the Audit Committee Charter, a current copy of which is available at www.farmersbankgroup.com.

HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS

The Commission has implemented rules regarding the delivery of proxy materials (i.e., annual reports, proxy statements and Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials) to households. This method of delivery, often referred to as “householding”, would permit the Company to send: (a) a single annual report and/or a single proxy statement, or (b) a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to any household at which two or more registered shareholders reside if the Company reasonably believes such shareholders are members of the same family or otherwise share the same address or that one shareholder has multiple accounts. In each case, the registered shareholder(s) must consent to the householding process in accordance with applicable Commission rules. The householding procedure reduces the volume of duplicate information shareholders receive and reduces the Company’s expenses. The Company may institute householding in the future and will notify registered shareholders affected by householding at that time. Registered shareholders sharing an address may request delivery of a single copy of annual reports, proxy statements and Notices of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, as applicable, by contacting the Shareholder Relations at Farmers National Banc Corp., 20 South Broad Street, P.O. Box 555, Canfield, Ohio 44406, Attention: Investor Relations or by calling (330) 533-5127.

Many broker/dealers and other holders of record have instituted householding. If your family or others with a shared address have one or more “street name” accounts under which you beneficially own common shares of the Company, you may have received householding information from your broker/dealer, financial institution or other nominee in the past. Please contact the holder of record directly if you have questions, require additional copies of this proxy statement, the Company’s Annual Report or the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and/or wish to revoke your decision to household and thereby receive multiple copies. You should also contact the holder of record if you wish to institute householding.

73


INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The Audit Committee Report and the Compensation Committee Report in this proxy statement are not deemed filed with the Commission and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any prior or future filings made by Farmers under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates such information by reference.

LOGO

CLOGO

TARLROY D. CAULPDAIR

Senior Executive Vice President, TreasurerChief Financial Officer and Secretary

Canfield, Ohio

March 12, 202121, 2023

74


APPENDIX A

APPENDIX A: FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP. – Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Reconciliation of Common Stockholders’ Equity to Tangible Common EquityNon-GAAP Financial Measures

December 31,

  2020   2019   2018   2017   2016 

Stockholders’ Equity

  $350,097   $299,309   $262,320   $242,074   $213,216 

Less Goodwill and other intangibles

   49,617    42,645    43,952    45,369    45,154 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tangible Common Equity

  $300,480   $256,664   $218,368   $196,705   $168,062 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Total Assets to Tangible Assets

December 31,

  2020   2019   2018   2017   2016 

Total Assets

  $3,071,148   $2,449,158   $2,328,864   $2,159,069   $1,966,113 

Less Goodwill and other intangibles

   49,617    42,645    43,952    45,369    45,154 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tangible Assets

  $3,021,531   $2,406,513   $2,284,912   $2,113,700   $1,920,959 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Net Income Excluding Merger Related Expenses and Deferred Tax Asset Adjustment

December 31,

  2020  2019   2018  2017   2016 

Net income

  $41,876  $35,760   $32,569  $22,711   $8,055 

Acquisition related costs - tax equated

   2,585   187    (158  283    4,831 

Recoverable litigation settlement

   (395  399    0   0    0 

Deferred tax asset adjustment

   0   0    0   1,793    0 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income - adjusted

  $44,066   36,326    32,411   24,787    12,886 

Average shares outstanding

   28,394   27,875    27,675   27,568    22,678 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EPS excluding acquisition costs and deferred tax asset adjustment

  $1.55  $1.30   $1.16  $0.90   $0.77 
  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Return on Average Assets, and Average Equity, Excluding Merger Related Expenses and Deferred Tax Asset AdjustmentCertain Items

 

December 31,

  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 

ROA excluding merger related expenses (1)

   1.55  1.51  1.45  1.19  1.09

ROE excluding merger related expenses (2)

   13.59  12.62  13.07  10.83  9.92

December 31,

              2022             

Net income

  $60,597 

Acquisition related costs – after tax

   3,290 

Litigation settlement income – after tax

   (6,616

Litigation settlement contingent legal expense – after tax

   1,639 

Charitable donation – after tax

   4,740 

Net loss (gain) on asset/security sales – tax equated

   344 
  

 

 

 

Net income – adjusted

  $63,994 
  

 

 

 

Diluted EPS excluding merger and certain items

  $1.89 

Return on Average Assets excluding merger and certain items

   1.54

Reconciliation of Efficiency Ratio, Excluding Certain Items

 

(1)

Net income - adjusted divided by average assets

(2)

Net income - adjusted divided by average equity

December 31,

              2022             

Net interest income – tax equated

  $127,530 

Noninterest income

   44,202 

Litigation settlement income

   (8,375

Net loss (gain) on asset/security sales

   435 
  

 

 

 

Net interest income and noninterest income adjusted

   163,792 

Noninterest expense less intangible amortization

   92,438 

Charitable donation

   6,000 

Litigation settlement contingent legal expense

   2,075 

Acquisition related costs

   4,070 
  

 

 

 

Noninterest income adjusted

   80,293 
  

 

 

 

Efficiency ratio excluding certain items

   49.02
  

 

 

 

The tangible common equity ratio is calculated by dividing total common stockholders’ equity by total assets, after reducing both amounts by intangible assets. The tangible common equity ratio is not required by U.S. GAAP or by applicable bank regulatory requirements, but is a metric used by management to evaluate the adequacy of our capital levels. Since there is no authoritative requirement to calculate the tangible common equity ratio, our tangible common equity ratio is not necessarily comparable to similar capital measures disclosed or used by other companies in the financial services industry. Tangible common equity and tangible assets are non U.S. GAAP financial measures and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. With respect to the calculation of the actual unaudited tangible common equity ratio as of December 31, 2020, reconciliations of tangible common equity to U.S. GAAP total common stockholders’ equity and tangible assets to U.S. GAAP total assets are set forth above.

A-1


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Your vote matters – here’s how to vote!

You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card.

 

    

Online

Before the meeting go to

www.envisionreports.com/FMNB

During the meeting go to

www.meetingcenter.io/240338918meetnow.global/MWKKDGV

or scan the QR code – login details are located in the shaded bar below.

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Phone

Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada

 

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example.

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q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

 

 A  Proposals – The–The Board of Directors recommendsrecommend a vote FOR all the nomineenominees listed, and FOR Proposals1 YEAR on Proposal 2 and 3.FOR Proposals 3 and 4.  

 

1.   To elect threefour Class III directors to serve for termsa term of three years to expire at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 20242026.

 

  LOGOLOGO
 For Withhold    For Withhold   For Withhold  

   01 - Anne Fredrick CrawfordGregory C. Bestic

 

 

 

 

  

   02 - David Z. PaullKevin J. Helmick

  

 

 

 

  

   03 - James R. SmailNeil J. Kaback

 

 

 

 

  

   04 - Terry A. Moore

  

  

    

 

For1 Year

 

 Against2 Years Abstain3 Years Abstain    For Against Abstain

2.  to conduct a non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation

3.  to consider and vote upon a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’sFarmers’ named executive officers

   

For

AgainstAbstain   

3.4.  to consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of CliftonLarsonAllenCrowe LLP as the Company’sFarmers’ independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 20212023

   

NOTE: to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. Farmers’ Board of Directors is not currently aware of any other business to come before the Annual Meeting.

    

 

 B  Authorized Signatures – This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below.

 

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by 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.

 

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The 20212023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Farmers National Banc Corp. will be held April 15, 202120, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. We have adopted a virtual format for our Annual Meeting to provide a consistent experience to all shareholders regardless of location. We will provide a live webcast of the Annual Meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918,meetnow.global/MWKKDGV, where you will be able to vote electronically and submit questions during the meeting. The password for this meeting is FMNB2021.

The 20212023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Farmers National Banc Corp. will be held on

April 15, 202120, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, virtually via the internet at at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918.meetnow.global/MWKKDGV.

To access the virtual meeting, you must have the Control number that is printed in the shaded bar

located on the reverse side of this form.

The password for this meeting is – FMNB2021.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

Notice & Proxy Statement, 20202022 Annual Report to Shareholders with Form 10-K is/are available at

www.envisionreports.com/FMNB

 

                              

 

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q  IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

 

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FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

April 15, 202120, 2023

via the Internet at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918meetnow.global/MWKKDGV

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appoints Carl D. Culp,Troy Adair, Timothy F. Shaffer and Amber Wallace Soukenik, and each of them, proxies with full power of substitution to vote on behalf of the shareholders of Farmers National Banc Corp. on Thursday, April 15, 2021,20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and any adjournment(s) and postponement(s) thereof with all powers that the undersigned would possess personally present with respect to the proposal(s) set forth on the reverse side hereof.

IF THIS PROXY IS SIGNED AND RETURNED AND DOES NOT SPECIFY A VOTE ON ANY PROPOSAL, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES, FOR A FREQUENCY OF “1 YEAR” ON PROPOSAL TWO, AND “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF PROPOSALS TWOTHREE AND THREE.FOUR. THE PROXIES MAY VOTE IN THEIR DISCRETION AS TO OTHER MATTERS THAT PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.

THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT FROM FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP. PRIOR TO THE EXECUTION OF THIS PROXY OF THE NOTICE OF MEETING AND A PROXY STATEMENT.

Continued and to be signed on reverse side

 

 

 C  

 

 

 

Non-Voting Items

Change of Address – Please print new address below.

 

 

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q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

 

 A  Proposals – The Board of Directors recommendsrecommend a vote FOR all the nomineenominees listed, and FOR Proposals1 YEAR on Proposal 2 and 3.FOR Proposals 3 and 4.  

 

1.  To elect threefour Class III directors to serve for termsa term of three years to expire at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 20242026.

 

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 For Withhold    For Withhold   For Withhold  

   01 - Anne Fredrick CrawfordGregory C. Bestic

    

 

 

 

 

  

   02 - David Z. PaullKevin J. Helmick

  

 

 

 

  

   03 - James R. SmailNeil J. Kaback

 

 

 

 

  

For   04 - Terry A. Moore

    

 AgainstAbstainForAgainstAbstain

2. to consider and vote upon a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers

 

3. to consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021

NOTE: to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. Farmers’ Board of Directors is not currently aware of any other business to come before the Annual Meeting.

           

    

 B  1 Year

2 Years

3 YearsAbstainForAgainstAbstain

2.  to conduct a non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation

3.  to consider and vote upon a non-binding advisory resolution to approve the compensation of Farmers’ named executive officers

For

AgainstAbstain

4.  to consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of Crowe LLP as Farmers’ independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023

NOTE: to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. Farmers’ Board of Directors is not currently aware of any other business to come before the Annual Meeting.

 B Authorized Signatures – This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below.

 

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by 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.

 

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The 20212023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Farmers National Banc Corp. will be held April 15, 202120, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. We have adopted a virtual format for our Annual Meeting to provide a consistent experience to all shareholders regardless of location. We will provide a live webcast of the Annual Meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918,meetnow.global/MWKKDGV, where you will be able to vote electronically and submit questions during the meeting. The password for this meeting is FMNB2021.

The 20212023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Farmers National Banc Corp. will be held on

April 15, 202120, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, virtually viaTime. Please refer to the internet at at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918.proxy statement for login instructions.

To access the virtual meeting, you must have the Control number that is printed in the shaded bar

located on the reverse side of this form.

The password for this meeting is – FMNB2021.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

Notice & Proxy Statement, 20202022 Annual Report to Shareholders with Form 10-K is/are available at

www.edocumentview.com/FMNB

 

q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.q

 

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FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

April 15, 202120, 2023

via the Internet at www.meetingcenter.io/240338918meetnow.global/MWKKDGV

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned hereby appoints Carl D. Culp,Troy Adair, Timothy F. Shaffer and Amber Wallace Soukenik, and each of them, proxies with full power of substitution to vote on behalf of the shareholders of Farmers National Banc Corp. on Thursday, April 15, 2021,20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and any adjournment(s) and postponement(s) thereof with all powers that the undersigned would possess personally present with respect to the proposal(s) set forth on the reverse side hereof.

IF THIS PROXY IS SIGNED AND RETURNED AND DOES NOT SPECIFY A VOTE ON ANY PROPOSAL, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES, FOR A FREQUENCY OF “1 YEAR” ON PROPOSAL TWO, AND “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF PROPOSALS TWOTHREE AND THREE.FOUR. THE PROXIES MAY VOTE IN THEIR DISCRETION AS TO OTHER MATTERS THAT PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.

THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT FROM FARMERS NATIONAL BANC CORP. PRIOR TO THE EXECUTION OF THIS PROXY OF THE NOTICE OF MEETING AND A PROXY STATEMENT.

Continued and to be signed on reverse side