regulatory agencies. Financial measures such as return on average assets, return on average equity, efficiency ratio, credit quality, net income to budget, and total return to shareholder are considered but each measure is not assigned a specific weight or given a higher or lower position of importance relative to the other measures. The Committee believes that total compensation for executive officers (base salary, short-term and long-term compensation) should vary based on the Company’s performance and return to shareholders, and should be generally consistent relative to performance against the Company’s peers. These considerations are taken into account in determining the cash bonus, if any, for each executive officer.
Based on assessment of performance, the Committee approves at the end of each year an overall pool of discretionary cash bonuses to be awarded to all officers. The Committee determines the annual cash bonus for the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer determines and reviews with the Committee the annual cash bonuses for executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer based upon actual Company and individual results compared to the targeted results. Certain members of the executive management team, along with the Chief Executive Officer, then allocate discretionary bonuses to all other employees, not including executive officers.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation – Equity Incentive Plan
Each year, the Committee also considers the desirability of granting long-term incentive equity awards under our 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The 2015 Plan was approved by shareholders of the Bank and assumed by the Company in connection with the formation of the holding company, to attract, retain and motivate key employees and directors. We believe that equity awards focus our executive management on building long-term profitability and shareholder value by closely aligning the interests of management with those of our shareholders. As a result, it is our view that equity awards afford a desirable long-term compensation method.
Under the 2015 Plan, incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units may be awarded to such officers and employees as the Compensation Committee may designate, and non-qualified stock options, shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units may be awarded to directors. The Company’s previous share-based compensation plan, the 2006 Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Plan”), provided for the grant of share-based awards in the form of incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options to directors and employees. In April 2015, the 2006 Plan was terminated and replaced with the 2015 Plan.
The 2015 Plan is administered by the Committee, each member of which meets the definition of an “independent director” under the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market. Subject to the terms of the 2015 Plan, the Committee has the authority to select participants and to grant options, shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units, to determine the terms of those awards, and otherwise to administer and interpret the 2015 Plan. Neither the Committee nor the Board of Directors may reprice any option unless the repricing is approved in advance by the shareholders of the Company. Upon a “change in control” (as defined in the 2015 Plan) of the Company, all awards are immediately exercisable and fully vested. At the time of a change in control, the Committee may cancel outstanding options and give the holder the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess of the market value of the shares subject to the option over the exercise price of the option.
Under the 2015 Plan, of the 976,211 shares authorized, 278,529 shares were available for granting purposes as of December 31, 2023.
For 2023, the Committee determined to grant Mr. Carstater and Mr. Peden time-based restricted stock awards totaling 2,114 shares and 1,691 shares, respectively, both of which vest ratably for five years on each anniversary of the grant date.
Deferred Compensation Plan
We currently have in place the John Marshall Bancorp, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Nonqualified Plan”), which offers certain executive officers and directors the opportunity to voluntarily defer current compensation for retirement income and other significant future financial needs for themselves, their families and other dependents. The Nonqualified Plan is also designed to provide the Company with a vehicle to address limitations on our contributions under any tax-qualified defined contribution plan. Any of our officers holding the position of senior vice president or above may be eligible to participate in the Nonqualified Plan.
Pursuant to the Nonqualified Plan, eligible executive officers can defer up to 25% of base salary and 100% of cash bonus on an annual basis, and our directors can defer up to 100% of director fees on an annual basis. Participants are 100% vested in such deferral amounts and may elect from various investment funds to earn a return for the amounts of compensation that they defer. The Company may also provide discretionary contributions to the named executive