Bank OZK 8-K Departure of Directors or Certain Officers

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): January 15, 2016 (January 13, 2016)

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Arkansas

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

0-22759	71-0556208
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

17901 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas	72223
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(501) 978-2265

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On January 13, 2016, the Personnel and Compensation Committee (“Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors of Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. (“Company”) approved the Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. 2016 Stock-Based Performance Award Plan (“2016 Stock Incentive Plan”) and the Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. 2016 Executive Cash Bonus Plan (“2016 Cash Incentive Plan” and collectively with the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, the “2016 Plans”). The 2016 Plans were adopted pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Restricted Stock and Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee believes that subjecting a portion of the executive officer’s cash and equity compensation to achievement of pre-established performance targets, as provided under the 2016 Plans, will ensure the continued alignment of executive compensation, Company performance and strategic goal attainment.

The Company performance metrics (each a “Performance Metric”) and relative weighting for each metric under the 2016 Plans are set forth below. Awards under the 2016 Plans will be calculated based on the Company’s consolidated financial results for the period beginning on January 1, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2016 (the “Performance Period”). Pursuant to the terms of the 2016 Plans, the Compensation Committee must approve the various performance levels that must be attained with respect to each Performance Metric before payout.

2016 Performance Metrics

2016 Cash Incentive Plan Metrics	Weight			2016 Stock Incentive Plan Metrics
					Weight
Return on Average Assets		20	%	Diluted EPS		30	%
Diluted EPS		20	%	Growth in Non-Purchased Loans		30	%
Efficiency Ratio		20	%	Company TSR to NASDAQ Index		20	%
Net Charge-Off Ratio		20	%	Regulatory Compliance		10	%
Net Interest Margin -FTE		20	%	Pending Acquisitions		10	%

The Committee determines incentive opportunities payable to each participant based on the level of performance attained for the particular Performance Metric over the Performance Period. Payouts under each Performance Metric will depend on the level of performance achieved with respect to the particular metric. If the Company’s performance is below the threshold performance level set for the particular Performance Metric, the payout related to the particular metric is zero. Company performance that is at or above the maximum performance level set for the particular Performance Metric may result in payment up to the maximum amount of the incentive opportunity for that particular Performance Metric.

Following the Performance Period, the Compensation Committee shall determine whether and to what extent each Performance Metric has been met and the amounts, if any, payable to each participant for the Performance Period. The Compensation Committee shall determine the actual amount of the award to each participant, and in doing so, may exercise discretion to decrease, but not increase, any amounts payable under the 2016 Plans as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. Awards paid to participants under the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan will be settled solely in shares of restricted stock to be granted after the Performance Period and that will vest 100% three years after the grant date. Awards paid to participants under the 2016 Cash Incentive Plan will be settled solely in cash. All awards received by any executive officer pursuant to the 2016 Plans may be subject to recovery by the Company under the Company’s Executive Compensation Clawback Policy.

The awards granted under the 2016 Plans are intended to be “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2016 Cash Incentive Plan, copies of which are filed as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit 10.1*	Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. 2016 Stock-Based Performance Award Plan
Exhibit 10.2*	Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. 2016 Executive Cash Bonus Plan

* Management contract or a compensatory plan or arrangement.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	BANK OF THE OZARKS, INC.
Date: January 15, 2016	By:	/s/ Greg McKinney
	Name:	Greg McKinney
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Description
10.1*	Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. 2016 Stock-Based Performance Award Plan
10.2*	Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. 2016 Executive Cash Bonus Plan

* Management contract or a compensatory plan or arrangement.