Proposal 1 — Election of Directors
The Board is divided into three classes, each with three-year staggered terms, with approximately one-third of the directors elected each year. We currently have twelve directors. One of our six directors in the class of directors with terms expiring this year, Mr. Dupuis, will retire on the date of the annual meeting. The Board has nominated our five other directors with terms expiring in 2012, Thomas J. Bardon, James H. Bugbee, Douglas K. Engebretson, Gary G. Fitzgerald and Paul C. Picknelly, for election as directors at this year’s annual meeting for a term of three years and until their respective successors have been elected and qualified.
It is intended that the proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will be voted for the election of the nominees named above. If any nominee is unable to serve, the persons named in the proxy card will vote your shares to approve the election of any substitute proposed by the Board of Directors. Alternatively, the Board of Directors may adopt a resolution to reduce the size of the Board. At this time, the Board of Directors knows of no reason why any nominee might be unable to serve.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the election of all nominees.
Information regarding the nominees and the directors continuing in office is provided below. Unless otherwise stated, each individual has held his or her current occupation for the last five years. The age indicated in each nominee’s biography is as of December 31, 2011. The indicated period for service as a director includes service as a director of the Bank.
Nominees for Election of Directors
The nominees standing for election to serve for a three-year term are:
Thomas J. Bardon is the Treasurer of Chicopee Provision Co., Inc., a meat manufacturing company and home of the Blue Seal brand operating in Chicopee since 1920. Mr. Bardon serves on the Company’s Executive Committee and serves as Chairman on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Bardon was the owner and operator of Custom Electronics, formerly operating in Chicopee . Mr. Bardon brings to the Board tremendous experience of operating two very successful local businesses. Age 71. Director since 1981.
James H. Bugbee is the Vice President and Treasurer of Granfield, Bugbee & Masse Insurance Agency. Mr. Bugbee serves on the Executive Committee and the Bank’s Compliance and CRA Committee. Mr. Bugbee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Western New England University. He served as the past President/Chairman of several local non-profit organizations, including the Chicopee Boys & Girls Club. His expertise in the insurance industry, knowledge of the community, and business contacts are a value to the Company. Age 49. Director since 1996.
Douglas K. Engebretson is the Vice President and a Director of Tessier Associates, Inc., an architecture and interior design firm providing services for Western New England since 1923. Mr. Engebretson currently serves on the Executive and Compensation Committees. Mr. Engebretson received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Arizona. Among his professional affiliations, he is on the board of the National Architectural Accrediting Board. He recently served on the board of directors of the National Council of Architectural Registration Board, as their President. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Architects. Mr. Engebretson is a recipient of the Fellowship, Group Study Exchange Award to Norway, by Rotary International. Mr. Engebretson brings to the Board a unique perspective of the market from a developers perspective along with local business and community contacts. Age 65. Director since 2000.
Gary G. Fitzgerald is a Certified Public Accountant and a Principal and Treasurer of Downey, Sweeney, Fitzgerald & Co., P.C. a Certified Public Accounting Firm. Mr. Fitzgerald served on the Board of Corporators of the Bank from 1993 until its dissolution in 2006. He holds a Masters of Science in Taxation degree. His extensive accounting background makes him a valuable asset to the Audit Committee, and he has been designated by the Board as the Company’s Financial Expert. Age 45. Director since 2009.
Paul C. Picknelly is a hotel owner and operator, as well as a commercial real estate developer. Mr. Picknelly currently serves as President of the Sheraton Springfield, the Hilton Garden Inn in Springfield and Worcester and the Country Inn & Suites in Holyoke. Mr. Picknelly also serves as President of the Monarch Place Office Complex. Mr. Picknelly currently serves on the Audit Committee and brings to the Board his unique and extensive knowledge of the local economy from a hotel management and real estate developer perspective as well having many community and political contacts. Age 51. Director since 2000.
The following directors have terms ending in 2013:
James P. Lynch is retired. Previously, Mr. Lynch served 30 years with the Chicopee Housing Authority and 21 years as their Executive Director. Mr. Lynch currently serves on the Executive Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Lynch holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, Mr. Lynch’s family owned and operated several retail establishments within the community as well. Mr. Lynch brings to the Board his extensive knowledge of the local housing and rental markets and his familiarity with the funding and administrative requirements of nonprofit organizations. Age 63. Director since 2004.
William D. Masse is the President of Granfield, Bugbee & Masse Insurance Agency. Mr. Masse has been in the insurance business over 30 years. He majored in economics and accounting at Williams College and offers a strong economic and accounting background to the Company’s Audit Committee, on which he serves as Chairman. Mr. Masse is the past President of the Valley Opportunity Council operating in Chicopee and Holyoke and has been serving on their board over 15 years. Age 55. Director since 1998.
William J. Wagner is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Chicopee Savings Bank. He has served in this capacity since 1984. Mr. Wagner also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Chicopee Bancorp, as well as Chairman of the Board of Chicopee Bancorp. Age 65. Director since 1984.
The following directors have terms ending in 2014:
William J. Giokas is the President and co-owner of Lamb Knitting Machine Corp. Mr. Giokas serves as the Clerk of the Corporation for Chicopee Savings Bank and the Lead Independent Director for Chicopee Bancorp, Inc. Mr. Giokas serves on the Executive Committee, the Asset/Liability Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Giokas practiced law for five years prior to joining Lamb Knitting 26 years ago. Mr. Giokas has, in the past, served as Chairman/President of the board of directors of several local area non-profit organizations. Mr. Giokas holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a Juris Doctorate. Mr. Giokas brings both a business and legal perspective to our Board. Age 65. Director since 1987.
Gregg F. Orlen is the owner of Gregg Orlen Custom Homebuilders and works as an excavating contractor. Mr. Orlen serves on the Executive Committee and as the Chairperson of the Company’s Compensation Committee. Mr. Orlen served on the development committee for South Hadley’s municipal golf course, The Ledges, and was responsible for the oversight of the construction phase. He remained on the golf course commission, while a resident of South Hadley. Mr. Orlen holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Mr. Orlen is a well-established premier builder of residential homes within our market and brings to the Board his extensive knowledge of the local housing market. Age 62. Director since 1999.
Judith T. Tremble is an Executive Vice President of Valley Communications Systems, Inc., a total communications systems business in operation since 1945 within Chicopee offering sales, service and design. Ms. Tremble serves on the Bank’s Compliance and CRA Committee. For the past 15 years, Ms. Tremble has been serving on the board of trustees of Bay Path College. She served on the board of Career Point (a non-profit workforce development agency) for 12 years and as their President for three of those years. Ms. Tremble has served on the boards of several local non-profit organizations. She is a graduate of Marymount University, Virginia and Springfield College, Massachusetts. She is a licensed psychologist, retired, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Ms. Tremble brings to the Board a unique perspective of the local business and educational community. Age 69. Director since 1999.
Proposal 2 — Ratification of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker to be its independent registered public accounting firm for the 2012 fiscal year, subject to ratification by stockholders. A representative of Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker is expected to be present at the annual meeting to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders and will have the opportunity to make a statement should he or she desire to do so.
If the ratification of the appointment of Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker is not approved by a majority of the votes cast by stockholders at the annual meeting, other independent registered public accounting firms may be considered by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
Audit Fees
The following table sets forth the fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010, by Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker:
| | | | |
| | | | | | |
Audit Fees | | $ | 190,909 | | | $ | 199,993 | |
Audit-Related Fees (1) | | | 16,420 | | | | 16,069 | |
Tax Fees | | __ | | | __ | |
All Other Fees | | __ | | | __ | |
________________________________ | | | | | | |
(1) For 2011 and 2010, audit-related fees include agreed-upon attestation services related to the Company’s employee benefit plans and audit of the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan. |
Pre-Approval of Services by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the independent registered public accounting firm. In accordance with its charter, the Audit Committee approves, in advance, all audit and permissible non-audit services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. Such approval process ensures that the external auditor does not provide any non-audit services to the Company that are prohibited by law or regulation.
In addition, the Audit Committee has established a policy regarding pre-approval of all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. Requests for services by the independent registered public accounting firm for compliance with the auditor services policy must be specific as to the particular services to be provided. The request may be made with respect to either specific services or a type of service for predictable or recurring services. During the year ended December 31, 2011, all services were approved, in advance, by the Audit Committee in compliance with these procedures.
Proposal 3 — Advisory Vote On Executive Compensation
The compensation of our Named Executive Officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading “Executive Compensation,” is described below under the headings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation.” Stockholders are urged to read these sections of this proxy statement.
In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we are required to hold the following votes with respect to the compensation of our Named Executive Officers: (i) an advisory, non-binding vote to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers described in this proxy statement, commonly referred to as a “Say on Pay Vote”; and (ii), at least once every six years, an advisory, non-binding vote on the frequency of the Say on Pay Vote in the future (the “Frequency Vote”). In light of the vote of the stockholders at our 2011 annual meeting of stockholders with respect to the Frequency Vote, we determined to include the Say on Pay Vote in our proxy materials for each annual meeting of stockholders until the next Frequency Vote, which will occur no later than our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders. Accordingly, at the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, stockholders will be asked to provide their support with respect to the compensation of our Named Executive Officers by voting on the following advisory, non-binding resolution (the Say on Pay Vote):
RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.
This advisory vote is non-binding on the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee value constructive dialogue on executive compensation and other important governance topics with our shareholders and encourages all shareholders to vote their shares on this matter. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review the results of the vote and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation programs.
Unless otherwise instructed, validly executed proxies will be voted “FOR” this resolution.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the resolution set forth in Proposal Three.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis discusses the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our Named Executive Officers. Our Named Executive Officers are William J. Wagner, President and Chief Executive Officer; Russell J. Omer, Executive Vice President and Senior Lender; and Guida R. Sajdak, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. For more information regarding the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, please see the Summary Compensation Table, and other compensation tables, in this proxy statement.
Chicopee Bancorp continues to manage the corporate business objectives in yet another difficult year in the community banking industry. At the same time, it is critical that Chicopee Bancorp retain and attract experienced talent in order to implement our business strategy. In recognition of these circumstances, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors undertook the following actions during 2011:
| ● | Employment contracts were extended for Messrs. William J. Wagner, President and Chief Executive Officer and Russell J. Omer, Executive Vice President and Senior Lender. |
● | Compensation Committee reviewed its Charter and Compensation Philosophy. |
● | Compensation Committee met five times in an effort to continue strong governance of all Bank pay programs including legislative impact, regulator guidance impact, a market competitive review of base salaries, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, benefits, perquisites and contracts. A risk assessment of all Bank incentive plans was conducted. |
● | No short-term cash bonuses were paid to the Bank’s Named Executives. |
● | Long-term incentive stock option awards were made to Guida Sajdak, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and to several Bank Officer key contributors. |
● | The Company adopted a Compensation Claw Back Policy. |
● | The Board of Directors approved increases to Director Compensation for two Board positions effective January 2012. |
We have considered the most recent shareholder say-on-pay advisory vote in determining compensation policies and decisions. In light of strong stockholder support, the Compensation Committee concluded that no revisions were necessary to our executive officer compensation program.
Our Compensation Philosophy
Our compensation philosophy starts from the premise that the success of Chicopee Bancorp depends, in large part, on the dedication and commitment of the people we place in key operating positions to drive our business strategy. We strive to satisfy the demands of our business model by providing our management team with incentives tied to the successful implementation of our corporate objectives. However, we recognize that the Company operates in a competitive environment for talent. Therefore, our approach to compensation considers the full range of compensation elements that enable us to compare favorably with our peers as we seek to attract and retain key personnel.
We base our compensation decisions on the following principles:
● | Meeting the Market Demands – Our goal is to compensate our employees at competitive levels that position us as the employer of choice among our peers who provide similar financial services in the communities we serve. |
● | Driving Performance – We will structure compensation around the attainment of company-wide, business unit and individual targets that return positive results to our bottom line, while not encouraging undue risk, and enhancing long-term shareholder value. |
● | Reflecting Business Philosophy – Our approach to compensation reflects our values and the way we do business in the communities we serve. |
Our compensation program currently relies on four primary elements: (i) base compensation or salary; (ii) discretionary cash-based, short-term incentive compensation; (iii) discretionary long-term performance incentives in the form of stock-based compensation; and (iv) employee benefits to provide for appropriate vacation and meaningful income replacement in the event of retirement, sickness, accident, death or disability. We believe that we can meet the objectives of our compensation philosophy by achieving a balance among these four elements that is competitive with our industry peers and creates appropriate incentives for our management team.
Base Compensation. The salaries of our Named Executive Officers are reviewed at least annually to assess our competitive position and make any necessary adjustments. Our goal is to maintain salary levels for our Named Executive Officers at a level consistent with base pay received by those in comparable positions at our peers. To further that goal, we obtain peer group information from a variety of sources including an independent compensation consultant. We also evaluate salary levels at the time of promotion or other change in responsibilities or as a result of specific commitments we made when a specific officer was hired. Individual performance and retention risk are also considered as part of our annual assessment. See “Executive Compensation – Summary Compensation Table” for the salaries paid to our Named Executive Officers in 2011.
Cash-Based Short-Term Incentive Compensation. None of our Named Executive Officers received a short-term cash bonus for 2011. On an annual basis, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors determines whether it will establish a cash-based incentive program for our Named Executive Officers. The implementation of a cash-based, short-term incentive program is based primarily on the financial performance of the Company and individual executive objectives. If Company earnings are strong and our Named Executive Officers have attained certain pre-established performance objectives, the Compensation Committee may authorize cash bonuses. The objective of a cash-based incentive compensation program is to drive annual performance at both the Company and individual levels to risk appropriate levels by establishing floor, target and maximum ceiling thresholds tied to increasing levels of incentive awards.
Long-Term Performance Incentive Compensation. Our long-term incentive compensation plan is based on the delivery of equity-based compensation, including stock options and restricted stock awards, to our Named Executive Officers, key employees and directors in accordance with our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, approved by our shareholders at the 2007 Annual Meeting. Under this plan, our Named Executive Officers, William J. Wagner and Russell J. Omer, did not receive a grant of stock options or restricted awards in 2011, 2010 or 2009. In 2012, William J. Wagner received a grant of 20,000 stock options and Russell J. Omer received a grant of 10,000 stock options. Ms. Guida Sajdak, also a Named Executive Officer, received grants of 6,000 stock options in 2012; 3,000 stock options in 2011; and 3,000 stock options in 2009. The Compensation Committee believes that equity-based compensation is an important element of our overall compensation philosophy that provides officers and directors with incentives linked to the performance of our common stock, enables us to retain high level executives and ties the compensation of those executives to the creation of long-term value for our shareholders. The nature and size of the awards under our equity-based program are based on a number of factors including performance objectives, awards made to those holding comparable positions in our peer group, applicable regulatory restrictions and the tax consequences and accounting treatment of specific equity compensation techniques.
The Compensation Committee balances both short-term, cash-based incentives with long-term equity to achieve Company strategic goals as well as to better manage risk.
Clawback Policy. In 2011, the Board of Directors adopted a clawback policy to recover certain incentive payments paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers in the event the Compensation Committee determines that fraud, material error, gross negligence or intentional misconduct by a Named Executive Officer contributed to the Company’s restatement of its financial statements.
Employee Benefit Compensation. The Compensation Committee believes that the employee benefit program should be competitive and consistent with our employee needs. Moreover, our executives and employees live in the community we serve and their welfare is important. The Compensation Committee balances employee benefit compensation through base salary and incentives to achieve the total compensation strategy.
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee operates under a written Charter. The Chicopee Bancorp, Inc. Compensation Committee Charter establishes a framework for the fulfillment of the Committee’s responsibilities. Under the Charter, the Committee is charged with general responsibility for the oversight and administration of our compensation program. The Committee reviews the Charter at least annually to ensure that the scope of the Charter is consistent with the Committee’s expected role.
The Board relies on the Compensation Committee to develop our executive compensation program and to monitor the success of the program in achieving the objectives of our compensation philosophy. The Committee, which consisted of four independent directors in 2011for the first five months and three at year end, is also responsible for the administration of our compensation programs and policies, including setting the overall level of base salary, incentives, benefits and contractual total compensation for our officers. The Committee reviews and approves all compensation decisions relating to our officers, and the Committee reviews the risks associated with our compensation policies and practices. The compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and the other Named Executive Officers are reviewed by the Committee for recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources attend the Compensation Committee meetings at the invitation of the Committee. The Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources do not participate in any discussions on their own compensation and do not vote on matters presented in the Committee.
In 2011, Arthur Warren Associates, an independent compensation consulting firm, reviewed the elements of executive compensation to determine whether any portion of executive compensation encouraged excessive risk taking. The Committee met with the compensation consultant in February, September and November of 2011 to evaluate the consultant’s analysis. The Committee believes that any risks arising from our compensation policies and practices for our employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes that the mix and design of the elements of our executive compensation does not encourage management to assume excessive risks. In its review, the Compensation Committee concluded that weighting towards long-term equity incentive compensation discourages inappropriate short-term risk taking.
Role of Compensation Consultants
During 2011, the Compensation Committee evaluated published compensation survey data and other relevant information provided by Arthur Warren Associates. The Committee used the public proxy data to evaluate salary levels for Named Executive Officers, to make other changes in job functions, and to benchmark our compensation program against our peers to ensure that our program is consistent with prevailing practices in our industry. The asset size of the Company was also considered when comparing compensation against our peers. The peer group of publicly traded banks consisted of 14 banks within New England having assets ranging between $540 million and $1.2 billion. The banks included in the peer analysis are Bar Harbor Bancshares, Central Bancorp, Enterprise Bancorp, Hampden Bancorp, Hingham Institution for Savings, Naugatuck Valley Financial Corp, New England Bancshares, New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares, Newport Bancorp, PSB Holdings, Salisbury Bancorp, SBT Bancorp, SI Financial Group, and United Financial Bancorp. Total fees paid during the year 2011 for services performed by Arthur Warren Associates were $25,284.
A critical element of our compensation philosophy and a key driver of specific compensation decisions for our Compensation Committee and our management team is the comparative analysis of all of the Company’s employee compensation mix and levels relative to a peer group of publicly traded banks and mutuals. We firmly believe that the cornerstone of our compensation program is the maintenance of a competitive compensation program relative to the companies with whom we compete for talent. In 2011, our employee peer group was selected with the assistance of compensation consultants on the basis of several factors, including geographic location, size, operating characteristics and financial performance. Annually, we participate in a compensation survey with Pearl Meyer & Partners located in Southborough, Massachusetts. This survey includes 118 banks and financial institutions with operations primarily in Massachusetts and details 80 officer positions, 80 non-officer positions and includes over 15,300 incumbents. All data was effective as of April 1, 2011, with bonus and short-term annual incentive plan pay-outs based on the 2010 calendar year and paid in 2011. The survey consisted of five asset-size groupings and also provided current compensation trends and observations within the market for compensation policies and practices. The Company’s asset size was within the $400 million to $600 million group. Within that group, 25 institutions reported having median total assets of $500 million. Of that total, 16% of the banks reporting were stock banks and 84% were mutual banks. Compensation data for officer positions was reported by asset size as well as mutual vs. stock form of ownership and detailed long-term incentive data. The Company was able to compare compensation for its Named Executive Officers to those within two asset size groups: $400 million to $600 million and $600 million to $1 billion.
When evaluating compensation for our officers, in addition to considering the relevance of the data disclosed in the compensation surveys, the following is also considered:
● | Our business need for certain officer’s skills; |
● | The contributions an officer has made or we believe will make to our success; and |
● | The transferability of an officer’s managerial skills to other potential employers. |
Role of Management
Our Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President of Human Resources make recommendations to the Compensation Committee from time to time regarding the appropriate mix and level of compensation for their subordinates. Those recommendations consider the objectives and four elements of our compensation philosophy and the range of compensation programs authorized by the Compensation Committee. Our Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President of Human Resources do not participate in Compensation Committee discussions or the review of Compensation Committee documents relating to the determination of their own compensation.
Allocation Among Compensation Elements
The mix of base salary, short-term cash-based incentives, long-term incentive compensation and benefits varies depending upon the role of the individual officer in the organization. In allocating compensation among these elements, we believe that the compensation of our senior-most levels of management should be performance based, while lower levels of management should receive a greater portion of their compensation in base salary. Benefits round out the total compensation. All compensation elements are allocated to achieve the Company’s total pay philosophy.
Potential Post-Termination or Change in Control Benefits
We recognize that an important consideration in our ability to attract and retain key personnel is our ability to minimize the impact on our management team of the possible disruption associated with our analysis and incorporation of strategic opportunities. Accordingly, we believe that it is in the best interest of Chicopee Bancorp and its shareholders to provide our key personnel with reasonable financial arrangements in the event of termination of employment following a change in control or involuntary termination of employment for reasons other than cause. Each of our executives who has an employment agreement or a change in control agreement has a provision in his or her agreement that provides for certain benefits in the event of voluntary or involuntary termination following a change in control. These provisions along with the estimated severance payments for the executives are described in the “Potential Post-Termination or Change in Control Benefits” section of this proxy statement. In addition, the employment agreements contain provisions that provide for certain severance benefits in the event we terminate an executive’s employment for reasons other than cause. These provisions, along with the estimated severance payments for the executives, are described in the “Potential Post-Termination or Change in Control Benefits” section of this proxy statement.
We also maintain an employee severance compensation plan for all eligible employees who do not have a change in control agreement or employment agreement. This plan provides the employees with a severance benefit in the event their employment is terminated within one year of a change in control.
Tax and Accounting Considerations
In consultation with our tax and accounting advisors, we evaluate the tax consequences to Chicopee Bancorp and accounting treatment of each of our compensation programs at the time of adoption and on an annual basis to ensure that we understand the financial impact of the program. Our analysis includes a detailed review of recently adopted and pending changes in tax and accounting requirements. As part of our review, we consider modifications and/or alternatives to existing programs to take advantage of favorable changes in the tax or accounting environment or to avoid adverse consequences.
Retirement Benefits; Employee Welfare Benefits
We offer our employees two tax-qualified retirement plans, which include a 401(k) plan and an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).
Our primary retirement vehicle is our 401(k) plan, which enables our employees to supplement their retirement savings with elective deferral contributions that we match at a specified level. We also provide an annual Safe Harbor contribution of 3% of pay.
In addition, we maintain an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) that allows participants to accumulate a retirement benefit in employer stock funded by the Company.
Consistent with industry practice, we supplement our tax-qualified plans with nonqualified arrangements that provide benefits to certain officers who are affected by Internal Revenue Code limits applicable to tax-qualified plans. We provide our President and Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Vice President and Senior Lender with supplemental executive retirement agreements, which provide the executives with an annual retirement benefit. See “Executive Compensation – Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” for a description of the Executive Supplemental Retirement Income Arrangements.
In addition to retirement programs, we provide our employees with coverage under medical, dental, life insurance and disability plans on terms consistent with industry practice.
Perquisites
We provide certain officers, including the President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Senior Lender and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, with limited perquisites similar to those provided to executives employed by our peers. All perquisites have a business purpose and are intended to further the officers’ abilities to promote the business purposes of the Company in our markets and to reflect competitive practices for similarly situated officers employed by our peers.
Director Compensation
Our outside directors are compensated through a combination of retainers and meeting fees. Outside directors also participate in our long-term equity incentive plan. Directors who are also employees of Chicopee Bancorp do not receive additional compensation for service on the Board. The level and mix of director compensation is reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee to ensure consistency with the objectives of our overall compensation philosophy. See “Director Compensation” for the compensation paid to our Board of Directors in 2011.
The directors’ compensation was reviewed in 2011 by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors utilizing the Board of Directors survey prepared by Pearl Meyer & Partners for the Massachusetts Bankers Association. The only changes recommended included an increase to the Audit Committee members from $3,500 to $6,500 and for the Lead Director to $4,000. No other director received increases.
Stock Compensation Grant and Award Practices
The Compensation Committee annually considers whether to make stock option grants and/or award other forms of equity under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. In 2011, the Compensation Committee granted 2,000 shares of restricted stock to director Gary G. Fitzgerald and 3,000 shares of stock options to Named Executive Officer, Guida Sajdak, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Future grants or awards may be made based on specific circumstances such as a new hire, a contractual commitment or a change in position or responsibility. Under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as approved by the Company’s shareholders in 2007, the exercise price of a stock option is the closing market price on the date of a grant. The grant date is the date the Compensation Committee approves the award in accordance with the Plan.
As a general matter, the Compensation Committee’s process is independent of any consideration of the timing of the release of material nonpublic information, including the determination of grant dates or stock option exercise prices. The Compensation Committee’s decisions are reviewed and ratified, as appropriate, by the Board. Similarly, we have never timed the release of material nonpublic information with the purpose or intent of affecting the value of executive compensation.
Stock Ownership Requirements
We have not adopted formal stock ownership requirements for our executive officers and Board members. Massachusetts law requires that each director own Company common stock having a fair market value of not less than $1,000. However, as a practical matter, our Named Executive Officers and directors hold significant interests in our stock, whether accumulated through individual purchases or participation in stock compensation programs. See the “Stock Ownership” section in this proxy statement.
Compensation for the Named Executive Officers
Chief Executive Officer Compensation. In determining Mr. Wagner’s compensation, the Compensation Committee conducted a performance appraisal that reviewed Mr. Wagner’s financial, strategic and operational achievements. As a result of this assessment, the Compensation Committee, along with the support of the Board of Directors, increased Mr. Wagner’s base salary to $397,500, which represents a 6% increase beginning January 1, 2012. On December 14, 2011, the Company's Board of Directors extended Mr. Wagner's employment agreement for an additional year so that the term of the agreement remains three years.
Compensation for Our Other Named Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee recommends base salaries for other Named Executive Officers subject to Board approval in a manner consistent with the base salary guidelines applied to executive officers of the Company as a whole. In general, the Compensation Committee considers the Company’s financial performance, peer group financial performance and compensation survey data when making decisions regarding a Named Executive Officer’s compensation, including salary, bonus and awards made under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. See “Peer Group Analysis” for detailed information on the Company’s peer group. The Committee increased base compensation for the other Named Executive Officers for 2012 as follows: Russell J. Omer by 5.3% to $220,500 and Guida R. Sajdak by 9% to $150,200. The Compensation Committee also granted stock options to all Named Executive Officers in 2012. See "Executive Compensation-Grants of Plan Based Awards" for detailed information on the equity awards. We believe that the compensation for our Named Executive Officers is consistent with our compensation philosophy as described above.