UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 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) July 30, 2021
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Arkansas | 0-6253 | 71-0407808 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | | |
| 501 Main Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas | | 71601 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(870) 541-1000
(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:
☐ 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))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common stock, par value $0.01 per share | SFNC | The Nasdaq Global Select Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2). Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On July 30, 2021, Simmons First National Corporation (“Company”) entered into an Indemnification Agreement with James M. Brogdon, executive vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer of the Company. The Indemnification Agreement supplements indemnification provisions already contained in the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws and generally provides that the Company shall indemnify Mr. Brogdon to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain exceptions, against expenses, judgments, fines and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with his service as an officer and also provides for rights to advancement of expenses and contribution.
The description of the Indemnification Agreement set forth in this Item 1.01 is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Indemnification Agreement between the Company and Mr. Brogdon, which is included as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
(e)
Executive Change in Control Severance Agreement
On July 30, 2021, the Company and Simmons Bank entered into an Executive Change in Control Severance Agreement (“CIC Agreement”) with Mr. Brogdon. The CIC Agreement provides Mr. Brogdon with termination compensation if (1) Mr. Brogdon’s employment is involuntarily terminated without “cause” (as defined in the CIC Agreement) either (a) on or after the date a change in control of the Company occurs or (b) within 180 days immediately preceding the date a change in control of the Company occurs, or (2) a change in control occurs and Mr. Brogdon voluntarily terminates his employment within six months following a “trigger event” (as defined in the CIC Agreement). For purposes of the CIC Agreement, a “change in control” includes a change in ownership or effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, each as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5). For purposes of the CIC Agreement, “termination compensation” means two times the sum of (1) Mr. Brogdon’s annual base salary as of his termination date and (2) the greater of (a) the average of any annual cash incentive award paid or payable to Mr. Brogdon for the Company’s last two completed fiscal years prior to his employment termination or (b) Mr. Brogdon’s target annual cash incentive award opportunity for the year in which Mr. Brogdon’s employment termination occurs. In order to receive termination compensation under the CIC Agreement, Mr. Brogdon must also execute a release of claims. The CIC Agreement provides that Mr. Brogdon may elect to continue any life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage, provided that Mr. Brogdon will be responsible for payment of any premiums on any such continued coverage elected. The CIC Agreement has a three-year term that automatically renews for additional one-year periods unless the Company elects to terminate; provided that in the event of a change in control of the Company, if the CIC Agreement is still in effect, the CIC Agreement’s term will be amended to two years beginning on the date of the change in control.
The description of the CIC Agreement set forth in this Item 5.02 is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the CIC Agreement for Mr. Brogdon, which is included as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Deferred Compensation Agreement
On July 30, 2021, the Company also entered into a Deferred Compensation Agreement (“DC Agreement”) with Mr. Brogdon. The DC Agreement provides for a monthly benefit following Mr. Brogdon’s retirement equal to one-twelfth of thirty percent of the average of Mr. Brogdon’s base salary for the five years immediately preceding his retirement, payable for 180 months. The benefit under the DC Agreement will be funded by the Company, and Mr. Brogdon will not be required or permitted to make contributions for his benefit. The benefit vests at age 60, subject to earlier vesting upon death, disability, or a change in control of the Company. The benefit becomes payable upon the earliest to occur of (i) Mr. Brogdon’s retirement at or after age 60, (ii) his death, (iii) his disability, or (iv) his separation from service after the occurrence of a change in control of the Company. The benefit is subject to forfeiture if (i) Mr. Brogdon ceases to be employed by the Company prior to his attaining age 60, other than due to his disability, his death, or following a change in control of the Company, (ii) Mr. Brogdon fails to provide the post-retirement, part-time consulting services required in the DC Agreement or (iii) Mr. Brogdon violates the non-competition provision while receiving payments.
The description of the DC Agreement set forth in this Item 5.02 is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the DC Agreement for Mr. Brogdon, which is included as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
SIGNATURE
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.
| | | SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION |
| | | |
| | | /s/ Robert A. Fehlman |
| Date: August 5, 2021 | | Robert A. Fehlman, President and Chief Operating Officer |
