Our Board of Directors believes that the purpose of corporate governance is to ensure that we maximize shareholder value in a manner consistent with legal requirements and the highest standards of integrity. The Board has adopted and adheres to corporate governance practices which the Board and senior management believe promote this purpose, are sound and represent best practices. We continually review these governance practices, Pennsylvania law (the state in which we are incorporated), the rules and listing standards of NASDAQ, and SEC regulations, as well as best practices suggested by recognized governance authorities.
Currently, our Board of Directors has twelve (12) members. Under the SEC and NASDAQ standards for independence, Joseph Coccia, William P. Conaboy, Michael T. Conahan, Dominick L. DeNaples, Louis A. DeNaples, Joseph J. Gentile, Joseph O. Haggerty, and John P. Moses, meet the standards for independence. This constitutes more than a majority of our Board of Directors. Only independent directors serve on our Audit Committee.
In 2003, as required by law and regulation, we adopted our Code of Ethics to be applicable to our senior financial officers. The Code of Ethics is posted on our website at www.fncb.com. We filed a copy of the Code of Ethics with the SEC as an exhibit to our December 31, 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Shareholder Communications
Any shareholder who wishes to communicate with the Board of Directors may send correspondence to Michael J. Cestone, Jr., Secretary, at 102 East Drinker St., Dunmore, PA 18512, or by sending an electronic message to www.fncb.com. Mr. Cestone will submit your correspondence to the Board of Directors or the appropriate committee as applicable.
Submission of Shareholder Proposals
In order for a shareholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in First National Community Bancorp, Inc.’s proxy statement for next year’s annual meeting, the written proposal must be received by the company no later than December 18, 2005. Any proposal
must comply with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations regarding the inclusion of shareholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. If a shareholder proposal is submitted to the company after December 18, 2005, it is considered untimely; and, although the proposal may be considered at the annual meeting, the company is not obligated to include it in the 2006 proxy statement.
The Boards Of Directors
During 2004, the company’s Board of Directors held five meetings. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the company’s Board of Directors and the committees on which they served. All of our directors attended the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and we expect that they will all attend this year’s meeting.
The company’s directors generally function as a full board, except that the company maintains an Audit Committee and a Stock Option Administration Committee. In lieu of a nominating committee, the full board nominates the slate for the election of the Board of Directors. In lieu of a compensation committee, the full board appoints and sets compensation of officers and directors.
Members of the Stock Option Administration Committee, during 2004, were Louis A. DeNaples, Chairman, Joseph Coccia, William P. Conaboy, Michael T. Conahan, Dominick L. DeNaples, Joseph J. Gentile, Joseph O. Haggerty and John P. Moses. The principal duties of the Committee are to make recommendations regarding the issuance of stock options granted under the 2000 Employee Stock Incentive Plan and the 2000 Independent Directors Stock Option Plan. The Committee has the authority and discretion to interpret the Plans; to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plans; and to determine what, to whom, when and under what facts and circumstances awards should be made. The Committee met once during 2004.
During 2004, First National Community Bank’s Board of Directors held twenty-five meetings. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the bank’s Board of Directors with the exception of Michael J. Cestone, Jr. and John R. Thomas.
The bank maintains a Senior Loan Committee to meet on alternating weeks as deemed necessary. Membership on this committee consists of the bank’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Sales Division Manager and Retail Sales Division Manager who are permanent members. Other members of the Board of
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Directors are appointed on a rotating basis, with a new director appointed monthly. In 2004, this committee held thirteen meetings. Each appointed director was present for more than 75% of the meetings for which they were scheduled except for Michael J. Cestone, Jr.
Compensation of Directors
Directors received no remuneration for attendance at these board meetings. Members of the bank’s Board of Directors receive an annual retainer of $24,000, payable at a rate of $2,000 per month, for each month or portion thereof that the director serves. The aggregate amount of fees paid in 2004 was $288,000. In 2004, Michael J. Cestone, Jr. and John R. Thomas were compensated $14,000, in the aggregate, for special services (respectively Secretary and Investment Advisor) rendered to the bank. All bank directors also received a bonus of $15,000 in 2004. Members of the bank’s Senior Loan Committee do not receive a fee for attendance at Senior Loan Committee meetings. Members of the Audit Committee of both the company and the bank do not receive remuneration for attending Audit Committee meetings. Member of the Stock Option Administration Committee do not receive remuneration for serving on the Stock Option Administration Committee.
Audit Committee
Information about the Company’s Audit Committee and its Charter
Members of the Audit Committee, during 2004, were Louis A. DeNaples, Chairman, Joseph Coccia, William P. Conaboy, Michael T. Conahan, Dominick L.
DeNaples, Joseph J. Gentile, Joseph O. Haggerty, and John P. Moses. Each member of the Audit Committee is independent, as that term is defined by the SEC and in the NASDAQ listing standards relating to audit committees. The Audit Committee met four times during 2004. The principal duties of the Audit Committee, as set forth in its charter, include reviewing significant audit and accounting principles, policies and practices, reviewing performance of internal auditing procedures, reviewing reports of examination received from regulatory authorities, and recommending, annually, to the Board of Directors the engagement of an independent certified public accountant. The company has determined that we have no “audit committee financial expert” as strictly defined under applicable SEC and NASDAQ rules, because none of the committee members are experienced in preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements which include a level of complexity comparable to the registrant, nor do they have experience actively supervising persons who do have such experience. However, the Board of Directors believes that each Audit Committee member has sufficient knowledge in financial and auditing matters to serve on the committee. Further, the committee has the authority to engage legal counsel or other experts or consultants as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities.
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Report of the Audit Committee
March 16, 2005
To the Shareholders of First National Community Bancorp, Inc.:
We have reviewed and discussed with management the company’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004.
We have discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended, by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
We have received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors as required by Independence Standard No.1, Independence Discussion with Audit Committee, as amended by the Independence Standards Board, and have discussed with the auditors the auditors’ independence.
Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommend to the Board of Directors that the financial statements referred to above be included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee appointed Demetrius & Company, LLC as the independent auditors for the company after reviewing the firm’s performance and independence from management. This report of the Audit Committee shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
Audit Committee |
| |
Louis A. DeNaples, Chairman | Dominick L. DeNaples |
| |
Joseph Coccia | Joseph J. Gentile |
| |
William P. Conaboy | Joseph O. Haggerty |
| |
Michael T. Conahan | John P. Moses |
| |
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Shown below is information concerning the annual compensation for services in all capacities to the company and the bank for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 of those persons who were, at December 31, 2004,
• | the Chief Executive Officer; and |
• | the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the company, to the extent such persons’ total annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000. |
Summary Compensation Table
| | Annual Compensation | Long-Term Compensation | |
| | | Awards | Payouts | |
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($)(1) | Other Annual Compensation ($)(2) | Restricted Stock Awards ($) | Securities Underlying Option/ SARs (#)(3) | LTIP Payouts ($) | All Other Compensation ($)(4) |
J. David Lombardi President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank | 2004 2003 2002 | $200,000 200,000 195,000 | $365,000 350,000 310,000 | - - - | - - - | 2,100 3,000 6,000 | - - - | $50,562 50,928 48,800 |
Thomas P. Tulaney, Executive Vice President of the Bank | 2004 2003 2002 | 113,000 106,475 100,500 | 112,500 90,000 80,000 | - - - | - - - | 1,400 2,000 4,000 | - - - | 19,062 19,067 17,764 |
Gerard A. Champi, Executive Vice President Of the Bank | 2004 2003 2002 | 113,000 102,408 93,000 | 112,500 90,000 80,000 | - - - | - - - | 1,400 2,000 4,000 | - - - | 19,062 18,650 16,982 |
William S. Lance, Treasurer of the Company and First Senior Vice President of the Bank | 2004 2003 2002 | 87,250 81,538 76,250 | 45,000 38,000 34,000 | - - - | - - - | 1,400 2,000 4,000 | - - - | 12,246 16,608 10,432 |
Stephen J. Kavulich, First Senior Vice President of the Bank | 2004 2003 2002 | 82,500 79,500 76,500 | 45,000 38,000 35,000 | - - - | - - - | 1,400 2,000 4,000 | - - - | 11,761 10,971 10,563 |
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(1) | Cash bonuses are awarded at the conclusion of a fiscal year based upon the Board of Directors’ subjective assessment of the company’s performance as compared to both budget and prior fiscal year performance, and the individual contributions of the officers involved. Mr. Lombardi’s total includes a director’s bonus of $15,000 in 2004, $15,000 in 2003 and $10,000 in 2002. |
(2) | The named executive officers did not receive perquisites or other personal benefits during 2004, 2003 or 2002 which, in the aggregate, exceeded $50,000 or 10% of the named executive officers’ salary and bonus earned during the year. Perquisites and other personal benefits which were received by the named executives were valued based on their cost to the company. |
(3) | The amounts listed represent stock options granted to the persons listed in the form of qualified incentive stock options which were granted at the fair market value on the date of grant. As of March 31, 2005 (the record date), all options granted prior to 2004 are exercisable and expire ten years after the date on which the award was granted. The options granted in 2004 become exercisable on May 24, 2005, six months after the date of grant, and expire ten years after the date on which the award is granted. |
(4) | For Mr. Lombardi, includes $19,062, $19,428 and $19,800 contributed by the bank pursuant to the Employees’ Profit Sharing Plan for 2004, 2003 and 2002. Also included in Mr. Lombardi’s total are director’s fees of $24,000 in each of 2004, 2003 and 2002 and premiums paid to purchase additional life insurance in the amount of $7,500 in 2004 and 2003 and $5,000 in 2002. For Mr. Tulaney, Mr. Champi, Mr. Lance and Mr. Kavulich, represents the amounts contributed by the bank to the Employees’ Profit Sharing Plan in the years shown. |
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Option Grants in 2004
The following table shows the stock options granted to the company’s named executive officers in 2004, and their potential value at the end of the option’s term, assuming certain levels of appreciation of the company’s common stock.
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS | Potential Realizable Value At Assumed Annual Rate of Stock Price Appreciation for Option Term (1) |
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Options/SARs Granted (#) (2) | Percent of Total Stock Options/SARs Granted to Employees in Fiscal Year | Exercise or Base Price ($/share) | Expiration Date | 5% ($) | 10% ($) |
J. David Lombardi | 2,100 | 9.68% | $22.98 | 11/24/14 | $30,387 | $76,944 |
Thomas P. Tulaney | 1,400 | 6.45% | $22.98 | 11/24/14 | $20,258 | $51,296 |
Gerard A. Champi | 1,400 | 6.45% | $22.98 | 11/24/14 | $20,258 | $51,296 |
William S. Lance | 1,400 | 6.45% | $22.98 | 11/24/14 | $20,258 | $51,296 |
Stephen J. Kavulich | 1,400 | 6.45% | $22.98 | 11/24/14 | $20,258 | $51,296 |
(1) | The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations at the 5% and the 10% annualized rates set by the Securities and Exchange Commission and therefore are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, of the company’s common stock price. |
(2) | All options outstanding become immediately exercisable in the event of a change in control. |
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Exercised in 2004 and Year-End Values
The following table reflects the number of stock options and stock appreciation rights exercised by the Named Executive Officers in 2004, the total gain realized upon exercise, the number of stock options held at the end of the year, and the realizable gain of the stock options that are “in-the-money.” In-the-money stock options are stock options with exercise prices that are below the current stock price because the stock value increased since the date of the grant.
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Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
And Fiscal Year-End Option Values
| | | Securities Underlying Unexercised Options at Fiscal Year-End | Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at Fiscal Year-End (2) |
Name | Shares/SARs Acquired On Exercise | Value Realized | Exercisable | Unexercisable | Exercisable | Unexercisable |
| (#) | ($)(1) | (#) | (#) | ($) | ($) |
J. David Lombardi | 2,000 | $30,450 | 30,000 | 2,100 | $470,880 | $4,242 |
Thomas P. Tulaney | 2,500 | 39,656 | 25,500 | 1,400 | $412,164 | $2,828 |
Gerard A. Champi | 0 | 0 | 28,000 | 1,400 | $456,820 | $2,828 |
William S. Lance | 4,000 | 60,450 | 16,000 | 1,400 | $247,470 | $2,828 |
Stephen J. Kavulich | 1,500 | 22,669 | 26,500 | 1,400 | $430,026 | $2,828 |
(1) | Based upon the difference between the closing price of the common stock on the date or dates of exercise and the exercise price or prices for the stock options or stock appreciation rights. |
(2) | Based upon the closing price of the common stock on December 31, 2004 of $25.00 per share. As of December 31, 2004 no stock appreciation rights were outstanding under the Stock Incentive Plan. |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes our equity compensation plan information as of December 31, 2004. Information is included for both equity compensation plans approved by First National Community Bancorp, Inc. shareholders and equity compensation plans not approved by First National Community Bancorp, Inc. shareholders.
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Plan Category | Number of shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1) (2) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1) (2) | Number of shares available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (2) |
| (a) | (b) | (c) |
Equity compensation plans approved by First National Community Bancorp, Inc. shareholders | 338,500 | $9.16 | 685,650 |
Equity compensation plans not approved by First National Community Bancorp, Inc. shareholders | 0 | $0 | 0 |
Totals | 338,500 | $9.16 | 685,650 |
(1) | The number of shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options and the weighted average exercise price includes any options which will become exercisable within sixty (60) days after December 31, 2004. |
(2) | The company’s equity compensation plans include the 2000 Independent Directors Stock Option Plan and the 2000 Employee Stock Incentive Plan which were approved by shareholders on May 16, 2001. |
Employment Agreement
The bank entered into an employment agreement with Mr. J. David Lombardi, President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 1990, and as amended on September 28, 1994. On July 8, 1998, the company’s Board of Directors approved and adopted an amendment to the employment agreement which added the company as a party to the agreement. This agreement is designed to assist the company and the bank in retaining a highly qualified executive and to help ensure that if the company is faced with an unsolicited tender offer proposal, Mr. Lombardi will continue to manage the company without being unduly distracted by the uncertainties of his personal affairs and thereby will be better able to assist in evaluating such a proposal in an objective manner.
The agreement provides for a base annual salary of $215,000 in 2005. Additional compensation by way of salary increases, bonuses or fringe benefits may be established from time to time by appropriate board action. The agreement does not preclude Mr. Lombardi from serving as a director of the company and the bank or from receiving related fees.
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The agreement may be terminated by the company or the bank with or without "just cause" (as defined in the agreement), or upon death, permanent disability, or normal retirement of Mr. Lombardi, or upon the termination of Mr. Lombardi's employment by resignation or otherwise. In the event employment is terminated with "just cause," Mr. Lombardi shall receive salary payments at his then effective base salary, as if his employment had not been terminated, for a period of three months, excluding bonuses or fringe or supplemental payments previously authorized by the Board of Directors. In the event that the employment termination is occasioned by the company or the bank without "just cause,” Mr. Lombardi shall continue to receive each month, for a period of two years from the effective date of termination;
• | his monthly base salary payments from the bank at the rate in effect on the date of the termination; |
• | his monthly Board of Directors fees; and |
• | one twelfth of the average of the bonuses paid to him over the preceding three years, all computed as if his employment had not been terminated. |
If a "change in control" (as defined in the agreement), occurs and as a result thereof, Mr. Lombardi's employment is terminated or his duties or authority are substantially diminished or he is removed from the office of Chief Executive Officer of the reorganized employer, Mr. Lombardi may terminate his employment by giving notice to the company within sixty days of the occurrence of the "change in control." Upon such termination, the company is obligated to pay Mr. Lombardi the total sum of the following:
• | three times his then annual base salary which was in effect as of the date of the change in control; |
• | three times his then annual Board of Director's fee; and |
• | three times the average of his bonuses for the prior three years. |
Subsequent to termination, Mr. Lombardi may not accept employment in any office or branch of any financial institution or subsidiary in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania for a period of three years, unless such severance was made by the company without "just cause".
Profit Sharing Plan
In 1969, the bank adopted a Profit Sharing Plan which was subsequently amended to comply with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, the Tax Reform Act of ’86, GUST (GATT, USERRA, SBJPA and TRA’97), EGTRRA (Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001), and Post-EGTRRA. Under the plan, any employee who has attained the age of twenty-one is eligible to become a plan participant on the earlier of the first day of the seventh month or the first day of the plan year coinciding with or following the date on
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which he/she has met the eligibility requirement. In no event shall participation commence
later than six months after the date an employee satisfies the service requirements. The plan provides for progressive vesting of an employee's interest in the amount accrued to his/her respective account calculated by the percentage portion of the value of the account which is nonforfeitable based upon years of service.
The vesting schedule is as follows:
Years of Service | Nonforfeitable Percentage |
less than 3 | 0% |
3 but less than 4 | 20% |
4 but less than 5 | 40% |
5 but less than 6 | 60% |
6 but less than 7 | 80% |
7 years and at Normal Retirement | 100% |
Upon normal retirement, death prior to retirement, or permanent disability, the employee is entitled to 100% of the amount credited to his/her account. In the event of voluntary termination or termination for cause prior to the end of three years of continuous employment, the amount credited to the employee's account is forfeited. The maximum amount of the bank's annual contribution is 25% of the aggregate salaries of all participants under the plan, or such other amount as determined by the bank’s Board of Directors considering net profits for the year. In no event may such contribution exceed the amount deductible by the company for federal income tax purposes. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the bank contributed $480,000 to this plan for all participants. The following amounts were contributed on behalf of the individuals named in the summary compensation table: Mr. Lombardi, $19,062, Mr. Tulaney, $19,062, Mr. Champi, $19,062, Mr. Lance, $12,246, and Mr. Kavulich, $11,761. Directors who are not also bank officers or employees are not eligible to participate in this plan.
COMPENSATION REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The full board of directors advises our Chief Executive Officer on compensation matters, determines the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, reviews and takes action on the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer as to the appropriate compensation of other officers and key personnel and approves the grants of bonuses to officers and key personnel. The Stock Option Administration Committee is responsible for the administration of the company’s Stock Incentive Plan and the Independent Directors Stock Option Plan.
This report of the Board of Directors shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Compensation for Mr. Lombardi’s services as President and Chief Executive Officer is paid under the terms of an employment agreement between the company and Mr. Lombardi. The terms of the employment agreement are described under “Employment Agreement” above. In determining appropriate types and amounts of compensation for the CEO each year, the Committee evaluates both corporate and individual performance. Corporate factors included in the evaluation include the financial performance of the company, including return on stockholders’ equity, return on assets, asset quality and trends in the foregoing measures, the performance of the company’s stock price, comparative results achieved by the company’s peer group institutions, and progress in realizing the company’s long-term business plan. Individual factors include the CEO’s initiation and implementation of successful business strategies, formation of an effective management team and various personal qualities, including leadership. In addition to his base salary, Mr. Lombardi received a $350,000 bonus in 2004. Salaries and annual bonuses paid to Mr. Lombardi in the past three years and equity-based awards granted to him over this period are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table on page 13 of the proxy statement. The Board of Directors considers the amounts paid to Mr. Lombardi for his services to the company and to the bank to be reasonable in light of the responsibilities performed by Mr. Lombardi during 2004. Mr. Lombardi does not participate in the Board’s determination of his own compensation.
COMPENSATION POLICY FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OTHER THAN THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Board of Director’s fundamental policy is to provide our executive officers with competitive compensation opportunities based upon their contribution to our development and financial success and their personal performance. The Board’s objective is to have a portion of each executive officer’s compensation contingent upon our performance as well as upon each executive officer’s own level of performance. Therefore, the compensation package for each executive officer is comprised of three different elements:
• | base salary which reflects individual performance and is designed primarily to be competitive with salary levels in the industry; |
• | cash bonuses which reflect the achievement of performance objectives and goals; and |
• | long-term stock-based incentive awards which strengthen the mutuality of interest between the executive officers and our shareholders. |
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Factors. The principal factors that the Board of Directors considered with respect to each executive officer’s compensation for fiscal 2004 are summarized below. The Board of Directors may, however, in its discretion, apply entirely different factors for executive compensation in future years.
• | Base Salary. The base salary for each executive officer was determined on the basis of the following factors: experience, expected personal performance, the salary levels in effect for comparable positions within and without the industry, internal base salary comparability considerations and the responsibilities assumed by the executive. The weight given to each of these factors differed from individual to individual, as the Board of Directors believed appropriate. |
• | Bonus. Bonus represents the variable component of the executive compensation program that is tied to our performance and individual achievement. Our policy is to base a significant portion of our executive officer’s cash compensation on bonus. In determining bonuses, the Board of Directors considers factors such as relative performance of the company during the year and the individual’s contribution to our performance, the need to attract, retain and motivate high quality executives as well as the degree to which the executive officer met or exceeded certain objectives established for him/her. |
• | Long-term Incentive Compensation. Long-term incentives are provided through grants of stock options. The grants are designed to align the interests of each executive officer with those of the shareholders and provide each individual with a significant incentive to manage the company from the perspective of an owner with an equity stake. Each option grant allows the individual to acquire shares of our common stock at a fixed price per share over a specified period of time up to ten years. The number of shares subject to each option grant is set at a level intended to create meaningful opportunity for appreciation based on the executive officer’s current position with the company, the size of comparable awards made to individuals in similar positions within the industry and the individual’s personal performance in recent periods. However, the Board of Directors does not adhere to any specific guidelines as to the granting of options to our executive officers. Options to acquire an aggregate of 21,700 shares of our common stock, were granted to executive officers in fiscal 2004. |
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE LIMITS ON THE DEDUCTIBILITY OF COMPENSATION
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally denies publicly-held corporations a federal income tax deduction for compensation exceeding $1,000,000 paid to the Chief Executive Officer or any of the four other highest paid executive officers, excluding performance-based compensation. Through December 31, 2004, this provision has not limited our ability to deduct executive compensation, but
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the Board of Directors will continue to monitor the potential impact of Section 162(m) on our ability to deduct executive compensation. The First National Community Bancorp, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan has been designed, and, to the extent deemed advisable by the Stock Option Administration Committee, will be administered in a manner that will enable the company to deduct compensation attributable to options and without regard to such deduction limitation.
We believe that our compensation philosophy of paying our executive officers with competitive salaries, cash bonuses and long-term incentives, as described in this report, serves the best interests of First National Community Bancorp, Inc. and its shareholders.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
| |
Louis A. DeNaples, Chairman | Dominick L. DeNaples |
Michael J. Cestone, Jr. | Joseph J. Gentile |
Michael G. Cestone | Joseph O. Haggerty |
Joseph Coccia | J. David Lombardi |
William P. Conaboy | John P. Moses |
Michael T. Conahan | John R. Thomas |
Board of Directors Interlocks and Insider Participation
J. David Lombardi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the company and the bank, is a member of both Boards of Directors. Mr. Lombardi makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding employee compensation. Mr. Lombardi does not participate in conducting his own review. The entire Board of Directors votes to establish and approve the company’s compensation policies.
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH AND TABLE
The following graph and table compare the cumulative total shareholder return on the company’s common stock during the period December 31, 1999, through and including December 31, 2004, with
• | the cumulative total return for all stocks traded on the S&P 500 index |
• | the cumulative total return for all stocks traded on the NASDAQ Composite index |
• | the cumulative total return on the SNL Securities Corporate Performance Index for banks with assets between $500 million and $1 billion. |
The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 1999, in the company’s common stock and in each of the stated indices and assumes further the reinvestment of dividends into the applicable securities. The shareholder return shown on the graph and table on page 23 is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
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First National Community Bancorp, Inc.
Total Return Performance

| Period Ending |
INDEX | 12/31/99 | 12/31/00 | 12/31/01 | 12/31/02 | 12/31/03 | 12/31/04 |
First National Community Bancorp, Inc. | 100.00 | 82.78 | 93.71 | 111.27 | 172.97 | 309.31 |
S&P 500* | 100.00 | 91.20 | 80.42 | 62.64 | 80.62 | 89.47 |
NASDAQ Composite Index | 100.00 | 60.82 | 48.16 | 33.11 | 49.93 | 54.49 |
SNL $500M-$1B Bank Index | 100.00 | 95.72 | 124.18 | 158.54 | 228.61 | 259.07 |
(*) | Source: CRSP, Center for Research in Security Prices, Graduate School of Business, The University of Chicago 2005. Used with permission. All rights reserved. crsp.com. |
(**) | SNL Securities is a research and publishing firm specializing in the collection and dissemination of data on the banking, thrift and financial services industries. |
Assumes a $100 investment on December 31, 1999 and reinvestment of all dividends.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
There have been no material transactions between the company or the bank, nor any material transactions proposed, with any director or executive officer of the company or the bank, or any affiliate of the foregoing persons. The company and the bank have engaged in and intend to continue to engage in banking and financial transactions in the ordinary course of business with directors and officers of the company and the bank and their affiliates on comparable terms and with similar interest rates as those prevailing from time to time for other bank customers. Total loans outstanding from the bank at December 31, 2004, to the company’s officers and directors as a group and members of their immediate families and companies in which they had an ownership interest of 10% or more were $21,477,000 or 29% of the bank’s total equity capital. Loans to these persons were made in the ordinary course of business, were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons, and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. The aggregate amount of indebtedness outstanding as of the latest practicable date, March 31, 2005, to the above described group was $24,902,000.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2005, selected information about the principal officers of the company, each of whom is elected by the Board of Directors and each of whom holds office at the Board’s discretion.
Name | Office and Position with the Company | Held Since | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned(1) | Age as of March 31, 2005 |
Louis A. DeNaples | Chairman of the Board | 1998 | 1,063,603 | 64 |
| | | | |
J. David Lombardi | President and Chief Executive Officer | 1998 | 111,640 | 56 |
| | | | |
Michael J. Cestone, Jr | Secretary | 1998 | 158,418 | 73 |
| | | | |
William S. Lance | Treasurer | 1998 | 21,756 (2) | 45 |
| | | | |
| | | | |
(1) All shares are owned individually or jointly with a spouse unless otherwise indicated.
For additional details on the shares beneficially owned, see “Beneficial Ownership by Directors, Principal Officers and Nominees” on page 5.
(2) | Includes 17,400 exercisable stock options. |
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PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE BANK
The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2005, selected information about the principal officers of the bank, each of whom is elected by the Board of Directors and each of whom holds office at the Board’s discretion.
Name | Office and Position with the Bank
| Held Since | Employee Since
| Beneficially Owned (1) | Age as of March 31, 2005
|
Louis A. DeNaples (1) | Chairman of the Board | 1988 | (2) | 1,063,603 | 64 |
| | | | | |
J. David Lombardi (1) | President and Chief Executive Officer | 1988 | 1981 | 111,640 | 56 |
| | | | | |
Gerard A. Champi (3)(4) | Executive Vice President | 1998 | 1991 | 36,290 | 44 |
| | | | | |
Thomas P. Tulaney (5)(6) | Executive Vice President | 1998 | 1994 | 33,405 | 45 |
| | | | | |
Stephen J. Kavulich (7)(8) | First Senior Vice President | 1998 | 1991 | 60,535 | 59 |
| | | | | |
William S. Lance (9)(10) | First Senior Vice President | 1999 | 1991 | 21,756 | 45 |
(1) | All shares are owned individually or jointly with a spouse unless otherwise indicated. |
For additional details on the shares beneficially owned, see “Beneficial Ownership by Directors, Principal Officers and Nominees” on page 5.
(2) | Mr. Louis A. DeNaples is a non-employee member of the Board of Directors of the bank. |
(3) | Mr. Champi is the Retail Sales Division Manager. |
(4) | Includes 21,400 exercisable stock options, 2,893 shares held in street name and 1,126 shares as custodian for his minor children. |
(5) | Mr. Tulaney is the Commercial Sales Division Manager. |
(6) | Includes 26,900 exercisable stock options and 4,840 shares held in street name. |
(7) | Mr. Kavulich is the Loan Administration/Compliance Division Manager. |
(8) | Includes 27,900 exercisable stock options, 10,906 shares held individually by his spouse and 8,691 shares held as custodian for his children. |
(9) | Mr. Lance is the Finance Control Division Manager. |
(10) | Includes 17,400 exercisable stock options. |
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PROPOSAL 2:
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
On December 8, 2004, the Audit Committee selected Demetrius & Company, L.L.C., certified public accountants, as the principal independent auditor of the company for the year 2005, a capacity in which it has served since 1997.
Although shareholder approval of the selection of the independent auditor is not required by law, the company has determined that it is desirable to request the ratification of the shareholders of the Audit Committee’s appointment of Demetrius & Company, L.L.C. as the company’s independent auditor for the year ending December 31, 2005. In the event the shareholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider this appointment and make such determination as would be in the company’s and its shareholders’ best interests. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent auditor at any time during the year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change would be in the company’s and its shareholders’ best interests.
Representatives of Demetrius & Company, L.L.C. are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The representatives may, if they wish, make a statement and, it is expected, will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Demetrius & Company, L.L.C., Certified Public Accountants, of Wayne, New Jersey, has been appointed as the company’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. Services for 2005 will include an audit and opinion on the company’s consolidated financial statements as well as a review of the schedules to be included in the company’s Form 10-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All professional services rendered by Demetrius & Company, L.L.C. will be furnished at customary rates and terms after Board approval. Demetrius & Company, L.L.C. served as the company’s independent auditors for the 2004 fiscal year.
Aggregate fees billed to the company and the bank by the independent auditors for services rendered during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, were as follows:
| 2004 | 2003 |
Audit Fees | $43,900 | $42,800 |
Audit Related Fees | $ 7,500 | $ 5,311 |
Tax Fees | $ 3,000 | $ 3,000 |
All Other Fees | $ 4,500 | $ 5,050 |
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Audit Fees include fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of annual financial statement and fees billed for the review of financial statements included in the company’s Forms 10-Q or services that are normally provided by Demetrius & Company in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit Related Fees include fees billed for assurance and related services by Demetrius & Company that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the registrants financial statements and are not reported under the Audit Fees section of the table above. These services include the examination of the company’s management report regarding Internal Control and Compliance with Designated Laws and Regulations.
Tax Fees include fees billed for professional services rendered by Robert Rossi & Co. for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services include the preparation of 2004 and 2003 tax returns.
All Other Fees include fees billed for products and services provided by Demetrius & Company and Robert Rossi & Co., other than the services reported under the Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees, or Tax Fees sections of the table above. These include examination of management’s assertion regarding compliance with minimum services standards and preparation of audited financial statements for the company’s profit sharing plan.
The Audit Committee has considered whether, and determined that, the provision of the non-audit services is compatible with maintaining Demetrius & Company’s independence.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors
The Audit Committee has a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the independent auditors. The policy requires the Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit related services, tax services, and other services. Under the policy, pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific budget. In addition, the Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case by case basis. For each proposed service, the independent auditor is required to provide detailed back-up documentation at the time of approval. None of the services related to the Audit Related Fees, Tax Fees, or All Other Fees described above was approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the pre-approval waiver provisions set forth in applicable SEC rules.
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PROPOSAL 3:
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE FIFTH OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF FIRST NATIONAL COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
On February 23, 2005, the Board of Directors unanimously approved and adopted resolutions, subject to shareholder approval, to amend Article Fifth of the company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the company’s number of authorized shares of common stock, par value $1.25 per share, from 20,000,000 shares to 50,000,000 shares.
The Board believes that the proposed increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock will provide the company with as much flexibility as possible to issue additional shares of common stock for proper corporate purposes, including financing, capital enhancement, acquisitions, stock splits, stock dividends, employee incentive plans, dividend reinvestment plans and other similar purposes. At this time, the Board of Directors has no plans to offer additional shares for sale or to increase the number of outstanding shares through a stock split or a stock dividend. Any plan which involves the issuance of stock or option rights to directors, officers or employees of the bank is not being submitted to shareholders for approval at this time nor has it been presented for approval to the Board of Directors. Future shareholder approval may be solicited in accordance with applicable regulation.
Pursuant to the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors, the Board directed and ordered the following resolutions be presented and acted upon at the annual meeting of shareholders:
RESOLVED, that the proposal to approve and adopt an amendment to Article Fifth of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock of the Company from 20,000,000 shares to 50,000,000 shares, is hereby approved, adopted, ratified and confirmed by the shareholders of First National Community Bancorp, Inc.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Article Fifth of the Articles of Incorporation of First National Community Bancorp, Inc. is amended and restated to read in full and its entirety as follows:
“5. | The aggregate number of shares that the Corporation shall have authority | |
| to issue is fifty million (50,000,000) shares of Common Stock having a par |
| value of One Dollar and Twenty-five Cents ($1.25) per share.” | |
| | | |
The increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock will not substantially change the rights of existing shareholders. However, the company will have added flexibility to issue additional shares, to the extent of the increase in the number of authorized shares, without first obtaining shareholder approval. As a result, any issuance of additional shares may result in substantially diluting the interest of current shareholders.
If the shareholders approve and adopt the proposed amendment to Article Fifth of the Articles of Incorporation, the company will have approximately 39,024,157 shares of authorized and unissued stock. No further shareholder action or authorization is necessary for future issuance of these shares, except as may be required for a particular transaction by applicable law or regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the company.
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The authorization of the additional shares may be viewed as an anti-takeover strategy because the Board of Directors may deter future attempts to gain control over the company through the issuance of the additional shares to a person or entity that is friendly to the Board of Directors, thereby diluting the position of a potential acquiror who owns some of the company’s shares. The overall effect of any anti-takeover strategy may be to deter a future offer or other merger or acquisition proposal that a majority of shareholders might view to be in their best interests, as the offer might include a substantial premium over the market price of the company’s common stock at that time.
On the other hand, the Board of Directors will enjoy more flexibility to engage in
mergers or acquisitions that the Board approves, as a result of the increased number of authorized shares. In addition, anti-takeover strategies generally may have the effect of assisting the company’s current Board of Directors in retaining its position.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to approve and adopt this amendment to Article Fifth of the company’s Articles of Incorporation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND ARTICLE FIFTH OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF FIRST NATIONAL COMMUNITY BANCORP, INC.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the company’s directors, executive officers and shareholders who beneficially own more than 10% of the company’s outstanding equity stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based on a review of copies of the reports we received, and on the statements of the reporting persons, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements were complied with in a timely fashion during 2004.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business which will be presented for consideration at the meeting other than as stated in the Notice of Meeting. However, if other matters properly come before the meeting, the shares of common stock represented by the signed proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors, and authority to do so is included in the proxy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A copy of the company’s annual report to shareholders for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, was mailed on March 28, 2005. Any shareholder may obtain additional copies of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, including the financial statements and related schedules and exhibits, required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, without charge, from our website at www.fncb.com or via email at fncb@fncb.com. This information may also be obtained by submitting a written request to William S. Lance, Treasurer, 102 East Drinker Street, Dunmore, Pennsylvania 18512.
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In accordance with Securities Exchange Act Rule 14a-3(3)(1), in the future, First National Community Bancorp, Inc. intends to deliver only one annual report and proxy statement to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless we receive contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders. This method of delivery is known as “householding”. Upon written or oral request, the company will promptly deliver a separate copy of the annual report or proxy statement, as applicable, to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered. Further, shareholders can notify the company by writing or calling William S. Lance, Treasurer of First National Community Bancorp, Inc. at 102 E. Drinker Street, Dunmore, PA 18512 or (570) 346-7667 and inform us that the shareholder wishes to receive a separate copy of an annual report or proxy statement in the future. In addition, if you are receiving multiple copies of the company’s annual report or proxy statement, you may request that we deliver only a single copy of annual reports or proxy statements by notifying us at the above address or telephone number.
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