2013 and prior to April 1, 2018, he is eligible for an early retirement benefit based on the present value of the early retirement benefit payments, payable over 15 years in monthly installments and increased 3% annually for inflation. These payments are in addition to Mr. Quisenberry’s Executive Salary Continuation Agreement dated March 1, 2007 as described above.
Executive Salary Continuation Agreements and the Bank’s Severance Pay Plan require the Company to provide compensation to the CFO and other NEOs in the event of a termination of employment or a change in control of the Company. The CEO is not eligible for severance pay under the Severance Pay Plan and the amount of compensation payable to the CEO under his Executive Salary Continuation Agreement is explained above under his Employment Agreement. The CFO and NEOs qualify for benefits under certain circumstances.
Under the Executive Salary Continuation Agreements, if the executive is disabled prior to retirement or termination of employment, he is entitled to an annual disability benefit equal to the executive’s accrual balance payable monthly for 15 years increased annually 3% for cost of living increases. The CFO and other NEOs are eligible for early involuntary termination benefits payable at normal retirement age. Involuntary termination means the executive’s employment terminates by action of the Bank prior to retirement, and such termination of employment is not for cause. In the event the executive’s employment terminates for cause prior to retirement, their Executive Salary Continuation Agreement immediately terminates and the executive forfeits all benefits under the agreement. Upon a change in control the Bank shall pay the executive a lump sum payment equal to the present value of 100% of the benefit that the executive would have received had the executive been employed until normal retirement. The Bank’s Severance Pay Plan for Senior Vice Presidents provides two weeks pay per year of service with a minimum of 12 weeks and a maximum of 26 weeks. See details on the Bank’s Severance Pay Plan on page 13. In the event of dissolution or liquidation of the Company or a merger or change in control, unexercised stock options vest immediately. See the Outstanding Equity awards at Fiscal Year-End table on page 16 for a break down of options outstanding.
The Board of Directors of the Company has not approved payment of fees in connection with attendance at Company Board or Board Committee meetings.
The Chairman of the Board of the Bank receives $33,033 annual fee and all other directors (including employee directors) of the Bank receive an annual fee of $23,667. The fees paid to directors are based on comparable amounts paid by other financial institutions in the Company’s geographic market area.
Aggregate Bank directors’ fees in the sum of $198,700 were paid (including amounts deferred under Deferred Compensation Agreements between the Bank and certain of its directors) during the year ended December 31, 2011.
Five of the Bank’s non-employee directors have entered into deferred compensation agreements with the Bank, electing to defer some or all of their fees in exchange for the Bank’s promise to pay a deferred benefit in the future. A deferred compensation agreement allows a non-employee director to reduce current taxable income in exchange for larger payments at retirement, when the recipient could be in a lower tax bracket. Deferred director fees are expensed by the Bank and are set aside in a separate liability account. Credited on the account balance at a rate determined annually by the Board of Directors, interest on deferred fees continues to accrue until the director’s service terminates and payment of benefits commences. Payment of accrued benefits, represented by the account balance, can be made in a lump sum or in installments, at each participating director’s election. After retirement, benefit payments are taxable income to the participating director and are deductible expenses to the Bank as they are paid. The deferred compensation arrangement with non-employee directors is an unfunded plan, which means that a participating director has no rights beyond those of a general creditor of the Bank, and no specific Bank assets are set aside for payment of account balances. A director whose service terminates for cause forfeits all accrued interest and is entitled solely to the fees previously deferred.
The Bank has a universal life insurance policy insuring the life of each participating director. The Bank is the owner of each policy. Each non-employee director who has entered into a deferred compensation agreement has also entered into a related Split Dollar Agreement and Endorsement. Under the latter Split Dollar Agreement and Endorsement, the Bank and each participating director agree to a division of death benefits under the life insurance policies. A Split Dollar Agreement and Endorsement provides that a director’s designated beneficiary(ies) is entitled at the director’s death to receive life insurance proceeds:
director’s retirement, if the director dies before terminating service with the Bank.
(b)
In an amount intended to approximate the deferred compensation agreement account balance remaining unpaid, if the director dies after terminating service with the Bank.
In either case, the Bank’s obligations under a deferred compensation agreement are extinguished by the director’s death. The Bank is entitled to any insurance policy death benefits remaining after payment to the director’s beneficiary (ies). The Bank expects to recover in full from its portion of the policies’ death benefits all life insurance premiums previously paid by the Bank. The policies serve informally as a source of financing for the Bank’s deferred compensation obligations arising out of a director’s death before retirement, as well as an investment to finance post-retirement payment obligations. Although the Bank expects the policies to serve as a source of funds for death benefits payable under the deferred compensation agreements, as noted above the directors’ contractual entitlements are not funded. These contractual entitlements remain contractual liabilities of the Bank, payable after the directors’ termination of service.
The information on Directors’ compensation in the table below is for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.
| | | | | | | | |
Name | | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | | Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) (2) | | All Other Compensation ($) (3) (4) | | Total ($) |
Sidney B. Cox | | $23,667 | | $ — | | $ — | | $23,667 |
Daniel N. Cunningham | | 33,033 | | 4,949 | | 11,585 | | 49,567 |
Edwin S. Darden Jr. | | 23,667 | | 2,406 | | 272 | | 26,345 |
Steven D. McDonald | | 23,667 | | 3,769 | | 3,097 | | 30,533 |
Louis McMurray | | 23,667 | | 4,078 | | 4,137 | | 31,882 |
William S. Smittcamp | | 23,667 | | 4,326 | | 2,453 | | 30,446 |
Joseph B. Weirick | | 23,667 | | — | | — | | 23,667 |
(1)
In 2011, 100% of fees earned were deferred under the Directors’ deferred compensation agreements as discussed above.
(2)
Represents above market interest on deferred fees under the Directors’ deferred compensation agreements.
(3)
Represents the imputed dollar values for insurance coverage under the Split Dollar Agreement and Endorsement plan discussed above.
(4)
No option or stock grants were made during 2011. At December 31, 2011, the aggregate number of options outstanding for each Director were: Sidney B. Cox 30,000; Daniel N. Cunningham 20,000; Edwin S. Darden, Jr. 30,000; Steven D. McDonald 30,000; Louis McMurray 30,000; William S. Smittcamp 30,000; and Joseph B. Weirick 30,000.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
There have been no material transactions, except as disclosed below, since January 1, 2011, nor are there any currently proposed transactions, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a party, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any director, executive officer, five-percent shareholder or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had, or will have, a direct or indirect material interest.
During the normal course of business, the Bank enters into loans with related parties, including executive officers and directors. These loans are made with substantially the same terms, including rates, collateral and repayment terms, as those prevailing at the same time with unrelated parties, and do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or represent other unfavorable features. See Note Loans to Related Parties in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s Annual Report for detail on outstanding loans and commitments to related parties.
In August, 2011, the Company agreed to exchange of 258,862 shares of the Company’s non-voting common stock held by Patriot Fund and Patriot Parallel Fund (the “Funds”) for 258,862 shares of the Company's voting common stock. The non-voting common stock was issued in 2010 to the Funds in exchange for 1,359 shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued to the Funds in 2009 for an aggregate purchase price of $1,359,000.
Policy and Procedures on Related Person Transactions
The Board of Directors of the Company has not adopted a related party transactions policy, but addresses such transactions pursuant to its written code of ethics. Under the code of ethics, Company personnel are expected to make immediate disclosure of situations that might create a conflict of interest, or the perception of a conflict of interest, which includes transactions involving entities with which such personnel are associated. The Board of Directors recognizes that
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related party transactions present a heightened risk of conflicts of interest and/or improper valuation (or the perception thereof). Such transactions, after full disclosure of the material terms to the Board, must be approved by the members of the Board who are not parties to the specific transaction to determine that they are just and reasonable to the Company at the time of such approval, with those members of the Board (if any) who have an interest in the transaction abstaining. Such procedures are consistent with the terms of California corporate law.
CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT
The successful business operation and reputation of Central Valley Community Bancorp is built upon the principles of fair dealing and ethical conduct of all our employees. Shareholders and our employees look to and have the expectation that our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and all senior officers set the highest standards of conduct to promote:
•
Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
•
Full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that are filed with, or submitted to, the Securities Exchange Commission, and in other public communications made by the Company;
•
Compliance by Central Valley Community Bancorp with all applicable laws and regulations and the conduct of the Company’s business by its directors, officers and employees in accordance with the letter, spirit, and intent of all relevant laws and that they will refrain from any illegal, dishonest, or unethical conduct;
•
The prompt internal reporting to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of any violations of the code; and
•
Accountability for adherence to the code.
Our reputation for integrity and excellence requires careful observance of the spirit and letter of all applicable laws and regulations, as well as a scrupulous regard for the highest standards of conduct and personal integrity. The continued success of Central Valley Community Bancorp is dependent upon our shareholders’ and customers’ trust and we are dedicated to preserving that trust.
A copy of the Code of Ethics and Conduct adopted by the Company may be requested by writing Cathy Ponte, Assistant Corporate Secretary, Central Valley Community Bancorp, 7100 N. Financial Drive, Suite 101, Fresno, California 93720 and may also be accessed electronically at the Company website atwww.cvcb.com.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATION
Shareholders may send recommendations for director nominees or other communications to the Board of Directors or any individual director at the following address. All communications received are reported to the board or the individual directors:
Board of Directors (or Executive/Directors Resources and Nominating Committee, or name of individual director)
C/o Cathy Ponte
Assistant Corporate Secretary
Central Valley Community Bancorp
7100 N. Financial Drive, Suite 101
Fresno, California 93720
While the Board has not adopted a formal process regarding shareholder communications, all communications received are reported to the board or the individual directors, and the Board historically has not encountered inadequacies in handling such communications in this fashion.
DIRECTOR ATTENDANCE AT SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
The Company does not have a policy which specifically addresses director attendance at shareholder meetings. However, seven directors were in attendance at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 18, 2011.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Officers, directors and greater than ten-percent shareholders are
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required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 4 and 5 were required for those persons, the Company believes that for the 2011 fiscal year, the officers and directors of the Company complied with all applicable filing requirements.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The firm of Crowe Horwath LLP, acquired certain assets and personnel of Perry-Smith LLP (the “Predecessor Auditor”) on November 1, 2011 and served the Company as independent registered public accounting firm for 2011. For purposes of this proxy statement, references to Crowe Horwath LLP shall include the Predecessor Auditor for periods prior to November 1, 2011. Crowe Horwath LLP has been selected by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company to be the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2012. All Proxies will be voted “FOR” ratification of such selection unless authority to vote for the ratification of such selection is withheld or an abstention is noted. If the approval is not obtained, the Audit Committee will consider a change in accountants for the next year.
Representatives from the accounting firm of Crowe Horwath LLP will be present at the meeting, will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Audit Fees
The following presents fees billed for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 for professional services rendered by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in connection with the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and fees billed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for other services rendered to the Company.
| | | | |
FEES | | 2011 | | 2010 |
Audit Fees (1) | | $226,000 | | $233,000 |
Audit-Related Fees (2) | | 20,000 | | 18,000 |
Tax Fees (3) | | 38,000 | | 39,000 |
All Other Fees (4) | | 12,000 | | 26,000 |
(1)
Audit fees include professional services in connection with the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, review of consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports and services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements as well as travel related costs.
(2)
Audit-related fees represent fees for professional services such as the audit of the Company’s salary deferral plan and technical accounting, consulting and research.
(3)
Tax service fees consist of compliance fees for the preparation of original and amended tax returns and tax payment-planning services. Tax service fees also include fees relating to other tax advice, tax consulting and planning other than for tax compliance and preparation.
(4)
All other fees consisted primarily of consulting services for the Company’s strategic plan.
The Audit/Compliance Committee has determined that the provision of services, in addition to audit services, rendered by Crowe Horwath LLP and the fees paid there for in fiscal years 2011 and 2010 were compatible with maintaining Crowe Horwath LLP’s independence.
The Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent registered public accounting firm, subject to the de minimus exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF CROWE HORWATH LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL REQUIRES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES REPRESENTED AND VOTING AT THE MEETING.
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PROPOSAL 3
NON-BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION APPROVING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company is submitting to the shareholders a non-binding vote on the compensation of the Company's named executive officers, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the tabular disclosure regarding named executive officer compensation, and the accompanying narrative disclosure in this proxy statement.
This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives the Company's shareholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the Company's executive pay program and policies through the following resolution:
“Resolved, that the shareholders approve the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and related material in this proxy statement.”
This vote shall not be binding on the board of directors and will not be construed as overruling a decision by the board nor create or imply any additional fiduciary duty by the board. However, the Executive/Directors Resources Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ADOPTION OF THE NON-BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION APPROVING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL REQUIRES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES CAST AT THE MEETING. ON THIS MATTER, ABSTENTIONS WILL HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE VOTING.
PROPOSAL 4
NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE REGARDING THE FREQUENCY OF SHAREHOLDER VOTING
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
As required by SEC rules under Section 14A of the Securities and Exchange Act on 1934, the Company is seeking a shareholder advisory vote on how often the Company should hold a say-on-pay vote. You may specify whether you prefer the vote to occur every year, two years, three years, or may abstain from voting on this proposal. The Board recommends that future say-on-pay votes occur every two years. Shareholders will have an opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay vote at least every six years.
The resolution is as follows:
“RESOLVED, that the shareholders wish the company to include an advisory vote on the compensation of the Company's named executive officers pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act every:
•
year
•
two years; or
•
three years.
•
Abstain from voting.”
The Company conducted annual say-on-pay votes during the time it participated in the U.S. Treasury's Capital Purchase Program. The Board believes, based on that experience, that shareholders and the Company would be well served by an advisory say-on-pay vote conducted every two years.
Although the vote is non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will consider the vote results in determining the frequency of future say-on-pay votes. The Company will announce its decision on the frequency of say-on-pay votes in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC no later than 150 days after the Annual Meeting. In the future, the Board may change the vote frequency based on the nature of the Company's compensation programs, input from our shareholders, and the Board's views on the best way to obtain meaningful shareholder input.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR “EVERY TWO YEARS” AS THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE HOLDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION VOTES.
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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company will be held on May 15, 2013. December 5, 2012 is the date by which shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting must be received by management of the Company at its principal executive office for inclusion in the Company’s 2013 proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting under SEC rules. Submission of a proposal does not guarantee that it will be included. Notice of any business item proposed to be brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder under the Company’s Bylaws must be received by the Company not less than ten days or more than 60 days before the annual meeting. If the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is held on schedule, the Company must receive notice of any proposed business item no earlier than March 16, 2013, and no later than May 5, 2013. If the Company does not receive timely notice, the Company’s Bylaws preclude consideration of the business item at the Annual Meeting.
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OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters to come before the Annual Meeting. If any other matter not mentioned in this proxy statement is brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies with respect thereto and in accordance with their judgment.
For the Board of Directors
Dated: April 13, 2012
Fresno, California
/s/ Daniel N. Cunningham
Daniel N. Cunningham
Chairman of the Board
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