UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A Information
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by Registrant [ X ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
[ ] | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
[ X ] | Definitive Proxy Statement |
[ ] | Definitive Additional Materials |
[ ] | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
CENTRAL VALLEY COMMUNITY BANCORP
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter
_______________________________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)
[ X ] | No fee required |
[ ] | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11 |
1. |
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies | |
2. |
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
3. |
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |
4. |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
5. |
Total fee paid: | |
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1. | Amount Previously Paid: | |
2. | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No. | |
3. | Filing Party: | |
4. |
Date Filed: | |
CENTRAL VALLEY COMMUNITY BANCORP
7100 N. Financial Drive, Suite 101
Fresno, California 93720
April 16, 2010
Dear Shareholder:
In connection with the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the Companys corporate office at 7100 N. Financial Drive, Suite 101, Fresno, California we are enclosing the following:
1. | Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders |
2. | Proxy Statement |
3. | Proxy Card |
It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting. In order to ensure your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, you can vote through the internet, by telephone or by mail. Instructions regarding internet and telephone voting are included on the Proxy Card. If you elect to vote by mail, please complete, date, sign and return the Proxy Card in the accompanying postage-paid envelope.
We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at the meeting on May 19, 2010.
Cordially, | |
/s/ Daniel N. Cunningham | |
Daniel N. Cunningham | |
Chairman of the Board | |
/s/ Daniel J. Doyle | |
Daniel J. Doyle | |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING:
THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K TO SHAREHOLDERS ARE AVAILABLE AT: WWW.CVCB.COM
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF CENTRAL VALLEY COMMUNITY BANCORP
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF CENTRAL VALLEY COMMUNITY BANCORP:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Central Valley Community Bancorp will be held at 7100 N. Financial Drive, Suite 101, Fresno, CA, on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. for the following purposes:
1. | To elect Directors; | |
2. | To ratify the appointment of Perry-Smith LLP as the Companys independent public accountants; | |
3. | To adopt a non-binding advisory resolution approving executive compensation; | |
4. | To approve the amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to (i) increase the number of shares of capital stock of the Company by 1,000,000 shares; (ii) create a new series of common stock designated Non-Voting Common Stock consisting of 1,000,000 shares; and (iii) establish the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the Non-Voting Common Stock; | |
5. | To approve the amendment to the Bylaws to eliminate cumulative voting for the election of directors; and | |
6. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
The names of the Board of Directors nominees to be directors of Central Valley Community Bancorp are set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement and are incorporated herein by reference.
The Bylaws of Central Valley Community Bancorp provide for the nomination of directors in the following manner: Nomination for election of members of the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors. Notice of intention to make any nominations shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the President of the Corporation not less than 21 days nor more than 60 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such notice of intention to nominate shall be mailed or delivered to the President of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed; provided further, that if notice of such meeting is sent by third class mail as permitted by Section 6 of these Bylaws, no notice of intention to make nominations shall be required. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder: (a) the name and address of each proposed nominee; (b) the principal occupation of each proposed nominee; (c) the number of shares of capital stock of the corporation owned by each proposed nominee; (d) the name and residence address of the notifying shareholder; and (e) the number of shares of capital stock of the corporation owned by the notifying shareholder. Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in the discretion of the Chairman of the meeting, be disregarded and upon the Chairmans instructions, the inspectors of election can disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. A copy of this paragraph shall be set forth in a notice to shareholders of any meeting at which directors are to be elected.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 22, 2010, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Every shareholder is invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy. If you do not expect to be present at the Meeting, you are requested to complete and return the accompanying proxy form in the envelope provided.
Dated: April 16, 2010
Daniel N. Cunningham
/s/Daniel N. Cunningham
Chairman of the Board
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE
1
PROXY STATEMENT ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF CENTRAL VALLEY COMMUNITY BANCORP
To Be Held on May 19, 2010
7100 N. Financial Drive, Suite 101, Fresno, California 93720
_____________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR SHAREHOLDERS
The following information is furnished in connection with the solicitation of the accompanying proxy by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Central Valley Community Bancorp (the Company or Central Valley) for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Companys corporate office located at 7100 N. Financial Drive, Suite 101, Fresno, California on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 22, 2010, (the Record Date) will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, the Company had outstanding 9,077,754 shares of its common stock, of which 8,876,518 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. This proxy statement will be first mailed to shareholders on or about April 16, 2010.
Vote By Proxy
As many of the Companys shareholders are not expected to attend the Annual Meeting in person, the Company solicits proxies so that each shareholder is given an opportunity to vote. Shares represented by a duly executed proxy in the accompanying form, received by the Board of Directors prior to the Annual Meeting, will be voted at the Annual Meeting. A shareholder executing and delivering the enclosed proxy may revoke the proxy at any time prior to exercise of the authority granted by the proxy by (i) filing with the secretary of the Company an instrument revoking it or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date; or (ii) attending the meeting and voting in person. A proxy is also revoked when written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of the proxy is received by the Company before the vote is counted. If a shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter on the accompanying form of proxy, the shares will be voted accordingly. If no specification is made, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted in favor of the specified proposal.
Method of Counting Votes
Holders of common stock of the Company (Common Stock) are entitled to one vote for each share held except that for the election of directors each shareholder has cumulative voting rights and is entitled to as many votes as shall equal the number of shares held by such shareholder multiplied by the number of directors to be elected and such shareholder may cast all his or her votes for a single candidate or distribute such votes among any or all of the candidates as he or she chooses. However, no shareholder shall be entitled to cumulate votes (in other words, cast for any candidate a number of votes greater than the number of shares of stock held by such shareholder) unless such candidates names have been placed in nomination prior to the voting and the shareholder has given notice at the Meeting prior to the voting of the shareholders intention to cumulate votes. If any shareholder has given such notice, all shareholders may cumulate their votes for candidates in nomination. An opportunity will be given at the Meeting prior to the voting for any shareholder who desires to do so, to announce his or her intention to cumulate his or her votes. The proxy holders are given, under the terms of the Proxy, discretionary authority to cumulate votes represented by shares for which they are named in the Proxy. At the 2010 Annual Meeting, shareholders will be asked, in Proposal No. 5, to eliminate cumulative voting in future shareholder meetings.
The proxy holders, Daniel J. Doyle and Steve McDonald, both of whom are directors of the Company, will vote all shares of Common Stock represented by the proxies unless authority to vote such shares is withheld or the proxy is revoked. However, the proxy holders cannot vote the shares of the shareholder unless the shareholder signs and returns a proxy card. Proxy cards also confer upon the proxy holders discretionary authority to vote the shares represented thereby on any matter that was not known at the time this Proxy Statement was mailed, which may properly be presented for action at the Annual Meeting, including a motion to adjourn, and with respect to procedural matters pertaining to the conduct of the Annual Meeting. The total expense of soliciting the proxies in the accompanying form will be borne by the Company. While proxies are normally solicited by mail, proxies may also be solicited directly by officers, directors and employees of the Company or its subsidiary, Central Valley Community Bank (the Bank). Such officers, directors and employees will not be compensated for this service beyond normal compensation to them. If Management determines that the Company should engage proxy solicitation agents to obtain sufficient votes for proposals that require a majority approval by the Companys outstanding shares, the cost of such agents would be born by the Company.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are each included in the determination of the number of shares present and voting for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present, and each is tabulated separately.
Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the Proxy, all shares represented by valid Proxies received pursuant to this solicitation (and not revoked before they are voted) will be voted as follows:
FOR the election of all nominees for director named herein;
2
FOR ratification of the selection of Perry-Smith LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm;
FOR the adoption of a non-binding advisory resolution approving executive compensation;
FOR the amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to (i) increase the number of shares of capital stock of the Company by 1,000,000 shares; (ii) create a new series of common stock designated Non-Voting Common Stock consisting of 1,000,000 shares; and (iii) establish the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the Non-Voting Common Stock; and
FOR the amendment to the Bylaws to eliminate cumulative voting for the election of directors.
In the event a shareholder specifies a different choice on the Proxy, his or her shares will be voted in accordance with the specification so made. In addition, such shares will, at the proxy holders discretion, be voted on such other matters, if any, which may come before the Meeting (including any proposal to adjourn the Meeting). Boxes and a designated blank space are provided on the proxy card for shareholders to mark if they wish either to abstain on one or more of the proposals or to withhold authority to vote for one or more nominees for director.
A copy of the Companys Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 is enclosed with this Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Vote Required
The eight (8) nominees receiving the highest number of votes of the shares of the Companys Common Stock represented and entitled to vote at the Meeting will be elected directors of the Company.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Companys Common Stock represented and entitled to vote at the Meeting is necessary for the ratification of the selection of auditors. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal.
The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast at the Meeting on this proposal is required to adopt the non-binding advisory resolution approving executive compensation. If you abstain from voting, it has no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Companys Common Stock is necessary for the approval of the amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to (i) increase the number of shares of capital stock of the Company by 1,000,000 shares; (ii) create a new series of common stock designated Non-Voting Common Stock consisting of 1,000,000 shares; and (iii) establish the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the Non-Voting Common Stock;
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Companys Common Stock is necessary for the approval of the amendment to the Bylaws to eliminate cumulative voting for the election of directors.
Shareholders Entitled to Vote
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 22, 2010, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on that date, the Company had outstanding 9,077,754 shares of its no par value Common Stock of which 8,876,518 will be eligible to vote.
3
SHAREHOLDINGS OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Management does not know of any person who owns, beneficially or of record, either individually or together with associates, 5 percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, except as set forth in the table below.
The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, the number and percentage of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by each of the Companys directors, named executive officers and principal shareholders and by the directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. The shares beneficially owned are determined under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, and do not necessarily indicate ownership for any other purpose. In general, beneficial ownership includes shares over which the director, principal shareholder or executive officer has sole or shared voting or investment power and shares which such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of the Record Date. For purposes of the table below, the address for all directors and officers is 7100 N. Financial Drive, Suite 101, Fresno, California 93720. All Directors, except for Mr. Doyle, are independent under NASDAQ independence standards. The percentage ownership is calculated based on 9,077,754 shares of outstanding Common Stock.
Shares Beneficially Owned as of the Record Date | |||||||
Name | Age | Positions Held With the Company | Director or Officer Since | Number | Percent of Class | ||
Sidney B. Cox | 79 | Director | 2000 | 74,022 | ( 1) | * | |
Daniel N. Cunningham | 73 | Chairman of the Board and Director | 2000 | 414,684 | ( 2) | 4.56 | % |
Edwin S. Darden, Jr. | 65 | Director | 2001 | 121,506 | ( 1) | 1.33 | % |
Daniel J. Doyle | 63 | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director ** | 2000 | 230,139 | ( 3) | 2.52 | % |
Bryan R. Hyzdu | 51 | Senior Vice President San Joaquin Region ** | 2008 | 16,507 | ( 4) | * | |
David A. Kinross | 45 | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ** | 2006 | 13,500 | ( 5) | * | |
Steven D. McDonald | 60 | Secretary and Director | 2000 | 396,740 | ( 6) | 4.35 | % |
Louis McMurray | 63 | Director | 2000 | 688,552 | ( 7) | 7.57 | % |
Gary Quisenberry | 58 | Senior Vice President, Commercial and Business Banking ** | 2000 | 58,500 | ( 8) | * | |
Lydia E. Shaw | 53 | Senior Vice President, Consumer and Retail Banking ** | 2007 | 6,000 | ( 9) | * | |
William S. Smittcamp | 57 | Director | 2000 | 149,600 | ( 1) | 1.64 | % |
Thomas L. Sommer | 62 | Senior Vice President and Credit Administrator ** | 2000 | 91,016 | ( 10) | 1.00 | % |
Joseph B. Weirick | 71 | Director | 2000 | 111,695 | ( 11) | 1.22 | % |
4
Shares Beneficially Owned as of the Record Date | |||||||
Name | Age | Positions Held With the Company | Director or Officer Since | Number | Percent of Class | ||
Patriot Financial Partners GP, L.P. Cira Center 2929 Arch Street 27th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19104*** |
884,000 | *** | 9.74 | %*** | |||
All directors and executive officers of the Company and the Bank as a group (14 in number) | 2,372,461 | 26.13 | % |
* | Beneficial ownership does not exceed one percent of common stock outstanding. |
** | As used throughout this Proxy Statement, the term executive officer means the president, any senior vice president in charge of a principal business unit or function, and any other officer or person who performs a policy making function for the Company or the Bank. Ms. Shaw, Mr. Quisenberry and Mr. Hyzdu are officers of the Bank only. Each executive officer serves on an annual basis and must be appointed by the Board of Directors annually pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company (or the Bylaws of the Bank, in the case of Ms. Shaw, Mr. Quisenberry and Mr. Hyzdu). |
*** | Patriot Financial Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Patriot Fund) is the record holder of 753,785 shares of Common Stock; Patriot Financial Partners Parallel, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Patriot Parallel Fund and together with the Patriot Fund, the Funds) is the record holder of 130,215 shares of Common Stock; Patriot Financial Partners GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and general partner of the Funds (Patriot GP); Patriot Financial Partners GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and general partner of Patriot GP (Patriot LLC); and each of W. Kirk Wycoff, Ira M. Lubert and James J. Lynch are general partners of the Funds and Patriot GP and as members of Patriot LLC. The Funds also own an aggregate of 1,359 shares of the Companys Series B Preferred Stock. |
(1) | Includes 41,000 shares which may be acquired within 60 days of the Record Date upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Central Valley Community Bancorp 2000 Stock Option Plan (the 2000 Plan). |
(2) | Includes 87,120 shares held as trustee for the Bradley and Joanne Quinn Living Trust as to which Mr. Cunningham disclaims beneficial ownership and 122,508 shares held under a power of attorney executed in favor of Mr. Cunningham by Eric Quinn as to which Mr. Cunningham disclaims beneficial ownership. Also includes 11,000 shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan. |
(3) | Includes 61,000 shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan. |
(4) | Includes 2,000 shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Central Valley Community Bancorp 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2005 Plan). |
(5) | Includes 13,500 shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan. |
(6) | Includes 1,608 shares held by Mr. McDonalds spouse, 28,136 shares held in a family trust, and 41,000 shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan. |
(7) | Includes 52,536 shares held as Trustee of the Charles McMurray Living Trusts, 52,548 shares held as Trustee of the Jed McMurray Living Trust, 498,205 shares held as Trustee of the Louis McMurray Living Trust, 64,263 shares held as Trustee of the Lou and Dena McMurray Living Trust, and 21,000 shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan. |
(8) | Includes 25,500 shares which may be acquired upon exercise of options granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan. |
(9) | Includes 6,000 shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the 2005 Plan. |
(10) | Includes 25,500 shares which may be acquired upon exercise of options granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan. |
(11) | Includes 6,116 shares owned of record by Mr. Weiricks wife and 41,000 shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan. |
PARTICIPATION IN THE TARP CAPITAL PURCHASE PROGRAM
In January 2009, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement (the Letter Agreement) with the United States Department of the Treasury (the Treasury) under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), Capital Purchase Program pursuant to which the Company received $7,000,000 in cash and in exchange issued and sold (i) 7,000 shares of the Companys Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock and (ii) a warrant to purchase 158,133 shares of the Companys Common Stock, no par value (the TARP Warrant),. Under the Letter Agreement, the Company and the Treasury agreed to reduce the number of shares purchasable under the TARP Warrant by 50% to 79,067 shares if the Company received aggregate gross cash proceeds of not less than $7,000,000 from Qualified Equity Offerings (as defined in the agreement) on or prior to December 31, 2009. On December 23, 2009, the Company received $8,000,000 in a private placement pursuant to stock purchase agreements with several investors (Stock Purchase Agreements) under which the Company sold a total of 1,264,952 shares of Common Stock, at $5.25 per share and 1,359 shares of non-voting Series B Convertible Adjustable Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock at $1,000 per share. The Treasury has confirmed to the Company that as a result of the sale of shares under the Stock Purchase Agreements, the TARP Warrant has been reduced to 79,067 shares. The table above does not reflect Preferred Stock, shares issuable under the TARP Warrant, or shares issuable under other outstanding options.
5
Pursuant to the terms of the preferred stock issued to the Treasury, on the occurrence of certain events, the Treasury would be provided the authority to appoint two members of the Board of Directors (contingent directors). Descriptions herein relating to the qualification, nomination, and election of directors do not include contingent directors.
In connection with its participation in the Capital Purchase Program, the Company is required under current regulations, for the duration of the period that the Treasury holds any equity or debt position in the Company acquired under the Capital Purchase Program, to take the following actions with respect to its executive compensation arrangements relating to its Senior Executive Officers (the SEOs):
The Companys SEOs currently consist of the same executive officers who are designated named executive officers for purposes of this Proxy Statement.
In addition, in connection with its participation in the Capital Purchase Program, the Executive/Directors Resources Committee is required to meet at least annually with the Companys Chief Risk Officer or other senior risk officers to discuss and review the relationship between the Companys risk management policies and practices and its SEO incentive compensation arrangements, identifying and making reasonable efforts to limit any features in such compensation arrangements that might lead to the SEOs taking unnecessary or excessive risks that could threaten the value of the Company. The Executive/Directors Resources Committee, on behalf of the Company, must certify that it has completed the review and taken any necessary actions. The required certification of the Executive/Directors Resources Committee is provided in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Relief and Recovery Act (ARRA) into law. The ARRA includes provisions directing the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury and the SEC to impose additional limits on compensation of executives of companies that participate in the TARP Capital Purchase Program as long as the U.S. Treasury owns preferred stock and/or stock purchase warrants of such companies under the TARP Capital Purchase Program. These provisions include, among others:
6
In accordance with the ARRA and based on recent guidance issued by the SEC, the Board of Directors authorized a non-binding advisory shareholder vote on the Companys executive compensation plans, programs and arrangements. See Proposal 3: Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation.
Other provisions of the ARRA require the participating companies to establish a board Executive/Directors Resources Committee that must meet at least semi-annually to discuss and evaluate employee compensation plans in light of an assessment of any risk posed to the company from the plans; to adopt a company-wide policy regarding excessive or luxury expenditures; and to annually file a written certification of the Companys CEO and CFO as to the Companys compliance with the requirements.
As required by the ARRA and the guidance provided by the SEC, the Board of Directors has authorized a shareholder vote on the Companys executive compensation plans, programs and arrangements as reflected in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the disclosures regarding named executive officer compensation provided in the various tables included in this Proxy Statement, the accompanying narrative disclosures and the other compensation information provided in this Proxy Statement.
Shareholders are encouraged to carefully review the Executive Compensation section of this Proxy Statement for a detailed discussion of the Companys executive compensation program.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
The Bylaws of the Company provide a nomination procedure for election of members of the Board of Directors, which procedure is printed in full in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders accompanying this Proxy Statement. Nominations not made in accordance therewith may, in his or her discretion, be disregarded by the Chairman of the Meeting and, upon his or her instruction, the inspectors of election shall disregard all votes cast for such nominee(s).
The Bylaws of the Company provide that the Board will consist of not less than seven (7) and not more than thirteen (13) directors. The number of directors is set by the Board and is currently set at eight (8). The authorized number of directors to be elected at the Meeting is eight (8). Each director will hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
All Proxies will be voted for the election of the following eight (8) nominees recommended by the Board of Directors, all of whom are incumbent directors, unless authority to vote for the election of directors is withheld. If any of the nominees should unexpectedly decline or be unable to act as a director, the Proxies may be voted for a substitute nominee to be designated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any nominee will become unavailable and has no present intention to nominate persons in addition to or in lieu of those named below. There is no family relationship between any of the directors or principal officers.
The following is a brief account of the business experience during the past five years of each nominee and each executive officer of the Company.
SIDNEY B. COX retired from Producers Cotton Oil in April 1988 and is the sole owner of Cox Communications, a public relations and agricultural consulting firm.
DANIEL N. CUNNINGHAM is the Chairman of the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank. Mr. Cunningham is a Director of Quinn Group, Inc. and a former Vice President and Director of Quinn Properties, Inc.
EDWIN S. DARDEN, JR. is a certified architect and President of Darden Architects, Inc., an architectural firm in Fresno, California.
DANIEL J. DOYLE became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company upon its organization in 2000, and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank since June 1998. From March 1995 until joining the Bank, Mr. Doyle was Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of U.S. Bank. Prior to that, Mr. Doyle served as President and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Bank of California.
BRYAN R. HYZDU became Senior Vice President, San Joaquin Region on November 19, 2008. Prior to that time, Mr. Hyzdu served for nine years as President of Service 1st Bancorp. For three of those nine years, Mr. Hyzdu also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Service 1st Bank, and for two years as President and Chief Executive Officer of Charter Services Group, Inc., a Service 1st Bancorp subsidiary. For seven years prior to that Mr. Hyzdu served as a Regional Vice President and Central Valley Portfolio Manager with Union Bank of California.
7
DAVID A. KINROSS was name Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company on May 18, 2006. Prior to that time, Mr. Kinross served for three years as Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Pelco, and for 13 years prior to that served in various capacities including Partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP.
STEVEN D. McDONALD is the Secretary of the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank. Mr. McDonald is President of McDonald Properties, Inc., with interests in cattle ranching, mobile home park management and other investments. Mr. McDonald is also the owner/broker of SDM Realty, specializing in ranch brokerage.
LOUIS McMURRAY is President of Charles McMurray Company, a wholesale hardware company with outlets in Fresno and Sacramento.
GARY QUISENBERRY was named Senior Vice President, Commercial and Business Banking of the Bank on February 22, 2000. For fifteen years prior to that time, Mr. Quisenberry was Senior Vice President, Business Banking Manager, Manager of Special Assets and Manager of Consumer Lending for California Federal Bank.
LYDIA E. SHAW was named Senior Vice President of the Bank on October 1, 2007. Ms. Shaw was named manager of Consumer and Retail Banking of the Bank on December 19, 2007. Prior to that time, Ms. Shaw served as Vice President, Division Manager for Washington Federal Savings located in Seattle, Washington. For eight years prior to that time, Ms. Shaw served as Director of Business Relationships for Twinstar Credit Union located in Olympia, Washington.
WILLIAM S. SMITTCAMP is the President and owner of Wawona Frozen Foods and is involved as a principal in other family-related businesses.
THOMAS L. SOMMER became Senior Vice President and Credit Administrator of the Company upon its organization in 2000, and was named Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank on December 15, 1999 after serving as Vice President Manager of Credit Review and Special Assets since August 24, 1998.
JOSEPH B. WEIRICK was President and General Manager of Weirick and Co., operators of China Peak Ski Area, from 1964 to 1978. Mr. Weirick is presently involved in personal investments.
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the Company conducts its business through meetings of the Companys Board of Directors, Executive and Directors Resources Committee, Nominating Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and Audit/Compliance Committee, and through committees of the Banks Board of Directors. The Company became the holding company for the Bank on November 15, 2000. Currently, the Audit/Compliance Committee of the Banks Board of Directors makes recommendations to the Audit/Compliance Committee of the Companys Board of Directors. During 2009 the Companys Board of Directors held 12 meetings.
Executive/Directors Resources Committee
The Executive/ Directors Resources Committee performs the function of a compensation committee for the Company and the Bank. All of the members of the Executive/ Directors Resources Committee are independent directors as defined under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. as currently in effect. The Committee is composed of Mr. Cunningham as Chairman, and Messrs. Darden, McMurray, and Smittcamp. The Committee adopted a charter on March 30, 2010 which outlines its policy with respect to executive and directors compensation and equity awards and incentive compensation awards and plans.
In January 2009, the Company entered into a Letter Agreement (the Letter Agreement) with the United States Department of the Treasury (the Treasury) under the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program (TARP). Pursuant to this Purchase Agreement, the Executive/ Directors Resources Committee will meet no less frequently than is required and will establish compensation and incentive plans that are consistent with the Treasury under the applicable TARP guidelines and any other federal law to review compensation of senior management, and to ensure that such compensation is not structured to encourage the senior management to take excessive risks in light of their job responsibilities. See Footnote 12 in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report for further information.
A copy of the Executive/Directors Resources Committee Charter is included in this Proxy Statement as Appendix A.
The Committee held two meetings during 2009. The Committee; (1) oversees matters relating to employment, compensation and management performance of key executive officers; (2) formally evaluates the performance of the President/CEO annually; (3) makes recommendations to the full Board for compensation and other benefits, including incentives, deferred compensation plans and stock options for the President/CEO and other key executive officers; (4) reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding retirement policies or any other policies relating to Board members; and (5) makes recommendations regarding fees, stock option grants and other benefits for the Directors.
8
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is composed of Mr. Cunningham as Chairman, and Messrs. Darden, McMurray, and Smittcamp. All of the members of the Committee are independent directors as defined under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. as currently in effect.
The Committee held two meetings during 2009. The Committee makes recommendations for the nomination of directors to the full Board.
The Committee adopted a charter which outlines its policy with respect to considering director candidates. A copy of the Nominating Committee charter is included in this Proxy Statement as Appendix B. The Committee considers suggestions from many sources, including shareholders, regarding possible candidates for director. In order for shareholder suggestions regarding possible candidates for director to be considered by the Committee, such information should be provided to the Committee in writing at least 60 days prior to the date of the next scheduled annual meeting. Shareholders should include in such communications the name and biographical data of the individual who is the subject of the communication and the individuals relationship to the shareholder. The Committee does not set specific criteria for directors but believes the Company is well served when its directors bring to the Board a variety of experience and backgrounds, evidence leadership in their particular fields, demonstrate the ability to exercise sound business judgment and have substantial experience in business and outside the business community in, for example, the academic or public communities. The Committee evaluates is selection criteria and evaluation process periodically, and may in the future include additional qualifications, such as the diversity of backgrounds of candidates. Each of the individuals nominated to serve as a director has been determined by the Committee to meet such qualifications. The Committee considers shareholder nominees for director in the same manner as nominees for director from other sources. As set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting that accompanies this Proxy Statement, the Companys Bylaws require that notice of intention to make any nomination must be delivered to the President of the Corporation on a timely basis and must contain certain information. Please refer to the Notice of Annual Meeting. Any such notices will be forwarded to the Committee.
Strategic Planning Committee
The Committee develops, along with the Board and management, the Companys Strategic Plan. It also is responsible for reviewing potential locations for offices of the Bank, overseeing premises-related matters, and reviewing feasibility of potential mergers/acquisitions. Members of the Strategic Planning Committee are Mr. McMurray, Chairman, and Messrs. Cunningham, Darden, Doyle, McDonald, and Smittcamp. The Committee met five times in 2009.
Audit/Compliance Committee
The Audit/Compliance Committee of the Companys Board of Directors is composed of Mr. McDonald as Chairman, and Messrs. Cunningham, Cox and Weirick. In accordance with its charter, all of the members of the Audit/Compliance Committee are independent directors as defined under the rules of the SEC and the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. as currently in effect. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Cunningham is an audit committee financial expert as defined under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
The Companys Audit/Compliance Committee held ten meetings during 2009. The functions of the Audit/Compliance Committee are to recommend the appointment of and to oversee the independent registered public accounting firm who audits the books and records of the Company for the fiscal year for which they are appointed, to approve each professional service rendered by such accountants and to evaluate the possible effect of each such service on the independence of the Companys accountants. The Audit/Compliance Committee also reviews internal controls and reporting procedures of the Banks branch offices, periodically consults with the independent registered public accounting firm with regard to the adequacy of internal controls and reviews and recommends inclusion of the audited consolidated financial statements in regulatory reports.
Report of Audit/Compliance Committee
NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY SET FORTH IN ANY OF THE COMPANYS FILINGS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE FOLLOWING REPORT OF THE AUDIT/COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE SHALL NOT BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO ANY SUCH FILINGS AND SHALL NOT OTHERWISE BE DEEMED FILED UNDER SUCH ACTS.
9
The Audit/Compliance Committee of the Central Valley Community Bancorp Board of Directors (the Audit Committee) is composed of independent directors and operates pursuant to a Charter that was adopted by the Board on March 24, 2010, a copy of which is attached as Appendix C to this Proxy Statement. The members of the Audit Committee are Steven D. McDonald (Chair), Daniel N. Cunningham, Sidney B. Cox, and Joseph B. Weirick. The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors, subject to shareholder ratification, the selection of the Companys independent accountants. All participants in the Audit Committee attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Audit Committee during 2009.
The function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of the Companys financial reporting process. As set forth in the Charter, management of the Company is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Companys financial statements, and maintaining appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles and internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for planning and carrying out appropriate audits and reviews, auditing the Companys consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
In the performance of its oversight function, the Committee has considered and discussed the consolidated audited financial statements with the independent registered public accounting firm, with, and without, management present. The Committee has also discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as currently in effect. The Committee has also discussed with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the quality and adequacy of the internal controls of the Company. Finally, the Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as currently in effect, and discussed with them their independent status. The independent registered public accounting firm did not perform any prohibited services for the Company.
The members of the Audit Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting and are not experts in the fields of accounting or auditing, including in respect to auditor independence. Members of the Committee rely without independent verification on the information provided to them and on the representations made by management and the independent accountants. Accordingly, the Audit Committees oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or appropriate internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committees considerations and discussions referred to above do not assure that the audit of the Companys financial statements has been carried out in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, that the financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America or that the Companys independent registered public accounting firm are in fact independent.
Based upon the reports and discussions described in this report, and subject to the limitations on the role and responsibilities of the Committee referred to above and in its Charter, the Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SUBMITTED BY THE AUDIT/COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
OF THE COMPANYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steven D. McDonald (Chairman) | |
Daniel N. Cunningham | |
Sidney B. Cox | |
Joseph B. Weirick | March 30, 2010 |
10
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The duties of the Executive/Directors Resources Committee (the Committee) of the Board of Directors include reviewing policies, reviewing human resources issues, granting stock options and other equity awards, and approving other personnel matters which are in excess of managements authority. The Companys compensation programs and policies are covered under this committee and are applicable to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and other Named Executive Officers (NEOs), and are administered by the Committee. NEOs are defined as the Companys four most highly compensated executive officers other than the CEO and CFO who were serving as executive officers at the end of the last completed fiscal year. Those individuals are Daniel Doyle, David Kinross, Bryan Hyzdu, Lydia Shaw, Thomas Sommer, and Gary Quisenberry. Each of the NEOs is an SEO for purposes of the Treasurys TARP Capital Purchase Program.
The Committee establishes the compensation plans and specific compensation levels of the Companys CEO, CFO and other NEOs, with input from the CEO. The Committee reviews its approach to executive compensation annually. As part of its review, the Committee conducts periodic outside reviews of California peers as well as national peers utilizing the California Bankers Association Salary Survey, salary and benefits information from the California Department of Financial Institutions and other databases.
The Companys compensation programs and policies are designed to enhance shareholder value by aligning the financial interest of the executive officers of the Company with those of the Companys shareholders. The compensation program has two goals: To help the Company compete with other financial entities to attract and retain highly qualified individuals as executive officers; and to pay executive officers based upon their contribution to the Companys performance and the executive officers estimated future contribution to the success of the Company.
As part of its charter, this Committee establishes the salary and incentive plans on an annual basis for the Banks senior management. The incentive plan for 2010 was approved by the Committee and the Board of Directors on March 17, 2010 and in keeping with prudent goals related to asset quality, growth and CAMELS ratings as determined in annual Safety & Soundness examinations by our state and federal regulators. These plans are also consistent with Department of Treasury guidelines. The Compensation Committee will meet no less frequently than is required under the applicable TARP guidelines and any other federal law to review compensation of senior management, and to ensure that such compensation is not structured in any way that would encourage the senior management to take excessive risks in light of their job responsibilities. In addition, the Company and each of its Senior Executive Officers have contractually agreed that they will not accept any golden parachute payments that would be in violation of the TARP guidelines or any other federal law. At the present time, no offsets to other longer-term or deferred forms of executive compensation have been implemented.
The Committee annually reviews the salaries, non-equity incentives, and perquisites of executive officers, which are payable in cash. The long-term compensation components (equity incentives and post-termination benefits) are reviewed in the context of the other compensation provided to executives; however, adjustments to long-term compensation are not necessarily made annually.
Equity compensation and post-termination benefits are intended to provide retention incentives to executives, and are not specifically intended to reward current performance. Salary, incentive and perquisite compensation are related to, and affected by, current performance.
The Companys philosophy for providing equity compensation in the form of stock options is based on the principles of encouraging key employees to remain with the Company and to encourage ownership thereby providing them with a long-term interest in the Companys overall performance. The Company intends to retain the flexibility necessary to provide total cash compensation in line with competitors practices, the Companys compensation philosophy and the Companys best interests, including compensation that may not be deductible for tax purposes.
Components of Executive Officer Compensation
The primary components of executive compensation are base salaries, incentive compensation and long-term compensation, which includes 401(k) match and profit sharing, equity compensation, health and welfare benefits and benefits from a salary continuation plan.
BASE SALARIES:
Base salaries for our executive officers are based on the scope of their responsibilities as well as review of competitive compensation data from a comparison group of financial services companies. The Committee approves, and submits to the Board of Directors for ratification, the annual base salary for the CEO, CFO and other NEOs. Base salaries are reviewed annually, and increased from time to time to realign salaries with market levels after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and experience. Salary ranges and midpoints for all employees are based on market analysis within the banking industry in California.
11
The base salary for the CEO for 2009 was determined by (i) examining the Companys performance against its preset goals, (ii) comparing the Companys performance against its peer group competitors, (iii) evaluating the effectiveness and performance of the CEO, and (iv) comparing the base salary of the CEO to that of other chief executive officers in the Companys peer group. The total compensation received by the Companys CEO is detailed in the Summary Compensation Table.
INCENTIVE COMPENSATION:
The Committee determines the amount of annual incentive compensation payable to executive officers, if performance goals are met, subject to a maximum limit on the incentive compensation. In January 2009, the compensation committee recommended to the Board and the Board approved the incentive compensation for executive officers for 2009 and is discussed below.
The CEOs annual incentive compensation was based on an incentive target multiplied by a performance modifier. The incentive target for 2009 was $148,000 (50% percent of his base salary at January 1, 2009). Seventy percent (70%) of the incentive represents Bank performance, including criteria for net income, direct expenses, operating revenue, loans, deposits, investment management, classified loans to capital, Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) loan goals, classified loans and past due loans, and 30% of the incentive target represents management performance. The management component is subjective based on strategic planning leadership, marketing, regulatory compliance, community involvement, franchise value and stockholder relations. The total incentive target attained can be adjusted up or down based on a performance modifier. The performance modifier was determined by the outcome of regulatory exams, regulators rating for the Bank and outside and internal audit outcomes. Mr. Doyles 2009 incentive compensation totaled $136,000, consisting of 54.6% of his incentive target for the Banks performance component in 2009 and, for performance under difficult economic circumstances, his incentive for the management component was 37.5% of his 2009 incentive target. See the Summary Compensation Table below for further information.
The Company has a Senior Management Incentive Plan (SMIP) to provide annual incentive compensation to attract, retain, and motivate key executives of the Company. The CEO does not participate in the SMIP. The SMIP is tied to financial achievements for the Bank and Company which are set annually. The executive must be employed on the last day of the fiscal year to receive payment under the SMIP. The Committee has discretion to determine which executives are eligible to participate in the SMIP, to determine the bases for and the amount of any incentive awards and to consider any additional or extraordinary performance factors for a particular participant. Where an executive is responsible for a particular business unit or division, performance goals are weighted based on operational performance of those units. Where an executive has broader corporate responsibilities, such as the CFO, goals are based on particular objectives set by the Committee. For 2009, Messrs. Kinross, Quisenberry and Sommer, and Ms. Shaws total incentive compensation was based on a target bonus of 30% of their base salary as of February 1, 2009 which was weighted 50% for targeted Company level thresholds of performance and 50% for individual targeted performance thresholds. For Mr. Hyzdu total incentive compensation was based on a target bonus of 25% of his base salary at February 1, 2009 and weighted 50% for targeted Company level thresholds of performance and 50% for individual targeted performance thresholds. Bank performance thresholds include consolidated net income and total direct Bank non-interest expenses. Individual thresholds include, loans, deposits, net charge offs, classified loans to capital, past due loans, CRA goals, investments, and a management component. The total target bonus attained can be adjusted up or down based on a performance modifier. The performance modifier is based on the outcome of regulatory exams, regulators rating for the Bank and outside and internal audit outcomes.
Incentive compensation payments for 2009 for each executive officer are detailed in the Summary Compensation Table on page 16.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION:
401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan:
The Company adopted a 401(k) Plan for benefit of all employees and incorporates a safe harbor matching contribution provision. The CEO and other senior management executives participate in the 401(k) Plan to the same extent as all other employees, subject to limitations imposed by regulation. The Company contributes a percentage matching contribution to the same degree as all other employees. The matching contribution is 100% on all deferred amounts up to 3% of eligible compensation and a 50% match on the next 2% of eligible compensation. The Profit Sharing Plan is a cash-based incentive profit sharing program. The Company may, but is not required to make annual contributions to the Profit Sharing Plan based on the recommendation of the Committee. The cash incentive is paid by March 1st of each year. The percentage of the Companys contribution is recalculated each year based upon the recommendation of the Committee. Once they are eligible to participate, all employees are 100% vested, immediately, in both the 401(k) match and the Profit Sharing Plan. 401(k) and profit sharing contributions to the CEO, CFO and NEOs for 2009 are detailed in the Summary Compensation Table on page 16.
12
Equity Compensation:
Under the Companys compensation philosophy, ownership of the Companys Common Stock is a key element of executive compensation. The granting of stock-based awards is intended to retain and motivate key executives and to provide a direct link with the interest of the shareholders of the Company. In general, stock-based award grants are determined based on (i) the impact the executive may have had on the Banks and Companys earnings and stock price, (ii) the ability of the executive to provide enhanced opportunities for the success of the Bank and Company (iii) extraordinary deeds performed that warrant extraordinary rewards, (iv) prior award levels for the executive, (v) total awards received to date by the individual executives, (vi) the total stock-based award to be made and the executives percentage participation in that award, (vii) the executives direct ownership of Companys Common Stock, (viii) the number of awards vested and non-vested, and (ix) the options outstanding as a percentage of total shares outstanding. Stock-based awards are issued at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Periodically the Directors determine a pool of the number of stock-based awards to be granted and management makes recommendations to the Directors to determine how many are granted to executive officers and others in the Company and the Directors make a final approval of the grants.
The Company has three share-based compensation plans, the Central Valley Community Bancorp 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2005 Plan) and the 2000 and 1992 Stock Option Plans. The 2005 Plan provides for awards in the form of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, and restricted stock. The plan allows for performance awards that may be in the form of cash or shares of the Company, including restricted stock. All awards are issued at market value and generally have vesting periods of five years. These awards are granted at the sole discretion of the Committee. The maximum number of shares that can be issued with respect to all awards under the 2005 Plan is 476,000. Currently there are options to purchase 42,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance for options already granted to employees and 434,000 remain reserved for future grants as of December 31, 2009 under the 2005 Plan.
In connection with the Company becoming the holding company for Central Valley Community Bank (Bank) in 2000, the Company assumed all obligations for options issued under the Banks 1992 Stock Option Plan, with options to purchase shares of the Companys common stock substituted for options to purchase shares of common stock of the Bank. No new options have been granted under the 1992 Stock Option Plan and outstanding options are exercisable until their expiration. The 2000 Stock Option Plan has 747,934 shares remaining as reserved for issuance for options already granted to employees and directors under incentive and nonstatutory agreements and 14,361 remain reserved for future grants.
In 2009, options to purchase 13,500 shares of the Companys common stock were granted at exercise prices of between $5.06 and $6.40 from the 2005 Plan. All options were granted with an exercise price equal to the market value on the grant date. No options were granted to NEOs.
See Note 1 and 13 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report for further information relating to all equity compensation plans.
Additional information on long-term awards for executive officers is shown in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table on page 17.
Health and Welfare Benefits:
The Company offers health and welfare programs to all eligible employees. The programs include medical, wellness, pharmacy, dental, vision, life insurance and accidental death and disability. The CEO, CFO and other NEOs received up to $12,000 each in 2009 from the Bank for health and welfare benefits.
Salary Continuation Agreements:
Each of the Named Executive Officers is a party to a salary continuation agreement that will provide for an annual payment for a period of time following retirement from service as an executive of the Bank. The salary continuation agreements terminate upon the executives death prior to retirement, voluntary termination of service prior to retirement, or involuntary termination of service for cause. The salary continuation agreements provide for payment of a lump sum in the event of a change of control of the Company, defined as the cumulative transfer of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Company. Each persons annual benefit is determined at the time of retirement, on the basis of (i) the individuals age upon retirement, (ii) the percentage of benefit vested upon retirement, and (iii) the maximum annual benefit assigned in the individuals Salary Continuation Agreements. Additional information on the details of each participants benefit under the agreements is shown in the Pension Benefits Table on page 19 and the Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control section on page 21. The Salary Continuation Agreements and the termination provisions under the CEOs Employment Agreement are subject to non-competition covenants if the executive, without prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly becomes involved in any capacity with a competitive enterprise within the trading area of the Bank, defined as a 50 mile radius.
13
Severance Plan:
The Bank offers a severance pay plan to provide transitional benefits to certain terminated employees while they seek new employment. In general, full-time and certain part-time employees who are terminated involuntarily without cause, laid off, or terminated as a result of a reduction in force, may be entitled to benefits under this plan. Covered termination means a Bank-initiated dismissal for other than cause but does not include voluntary termination, retirement, or termination for cause. The CEO is not eligible under this severance plan, however, the CFO and other NEOs are eligible to receive a benefit under this plan, paid in a lump sum based on two weeks pay for each year of service with a minimum 12 weeks and a maximum 26 weeks. See Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control section on page 21.
Executive Compensation Waiver:
As a result of the Companys participation in the Treasurys TARP Capital Purchase Program, each NEO voluntarily waived any claim against the United States or the Company for any changes to their compensation or benefits that are required to comply with the regulation issued by the Department of the Treasury. The regulation may require modification of the compensation, bonus, incentive and other plans, arrangements, policies and agreements (including so-called golden parachute agreements) that the NEO has with the Company or in which the NEO participates as they relate to the period the United States holds any equity or debt securities of the Company acquired through the TARP Capital Purchase Program.
Employment Agreements:
The Bank has an employment agreement with Daniel J. Doyle, the Company and Banks CEO, dated as of May 11, 1998 and amended July 17, 2002 pursuant to which Mr. Doyle is employed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. The employment agreement renews automatically for one-year terms, unless terminated by either party not later than sixty days prior to expiration. Under the employment agreement, the Board of Directors sets Mr. Doyles salary for each year.
Under the agreement, Mr. Doyle is entitled to receive incentive compensation, based on the achievement each year of certain performance goals. The goals and the target amount of the incentive are established at the beginning of each year by the Board, and the evaluation of the achievement of the goals and the amount of bonus payable with respect to each year are determined by the Board following the conclusion of the year.
Mr. Doyles annual incentive compensation was based on an incentive target multiplied by a performance modifier. If the Committee determines that his performance exceeded any component of the incentive target, he can be awarded incentive compensation in excess of the target amount. The incentive target for 2009 was $148,000 (50% percent of his base salary at January 1, 2009). Seventy percent (70%) of the incentive represents Bank performance, including criteria for net income, direct expenses, operating revenue, loans, deposits, investment management, classified loans to capital, Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) loan goals, classified loans and past due loans, and 30% of the incentive target represents management performance. The management component is subjective based on strategic planning leadership, marketing, regulatory compliance, community involvement, franchise value and stockholder relations. The total incentive target attained can be adjusted up or down based on a performance modifier. The performance modifier was determined by the outcome of regulatory exams, regulators rating for the Bank and outside and internal audit outcomes. Mr. Doyles 2009 incentive compensation was a total of $136,000, consisting of 54.6% of his 2009 incentive target for the Banks performance component and, for performance under difficult economic circumstances, his incentive for the management component was 37.5% of his 2009 incentive target.
The employment agreement with Mr. Doyle also provides for: (a) a Bank-paid membership in a local country club; (b) an automobile allowance of $1,000 per month; (c) participation in medical, dental and similar plans offered by the Bank for Mr. Doyle and his dependents, as well as Bank-paid term life insurance coverage of at least $100,000; and (d) five weeks of vacation annually.
Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Doyle is entitled to certain benefits for involuntary termination by the Company for reasons other than cause, as defined in the agreement. Under the agreement, Mr. Doyle is eligible for the following:
14
In the event the Company is not the surviving entity after a change in ownership as a result of any action taken at the direction of any supervisory or regulatory authority the employment agreement terminates and Mr. Doyle is not eligible for any further compensation under the agreement except for those that may have accrued prior to the date of such termination.
Mr. Doyle has an Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with the Bank. In the event of involuntary termination for reasons other than cause, as defined in the agreement, he is entitled to receive the following:
In the event of a termination of Mr. Doyle by the Company for cause, Mr. Doyle would forfeit benefits under the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement.
As a result of the Companys participation in the Treasurys TARP Capital Purchase Program, Mr. Doyle voluntarily waived any claim against the United States or the Company for any changes to his compensation or benefits that are required to comply with the regulation issued by the Department of the Treasury. The regulation may require modification of the compensation, bonus, incentive and other plans, arrangements, policies and agreements (including so-called golden parachute agreements) that Mr. Doyle has with the Company or in which he participates as they relate to the period the United States holds any equity or debt securities of the Company acquired through the TARP Capital Purchase Program.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation:
No member of the Executive/Directors Resources Committee serves or has served as an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries, and there are no common participants between the compensation committee of any other entity and the Company.
Executive/Directors Resources Committee Report
The Executive/Directors Resources Committee has reviewed and discussed the foregoing Compensation Discussion and Analysis (the C D & A) with management. Based on these reviews and discussions, the Committee recommends to the Board of Directors that the C D & A be included in the Companys Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The Compensation Committee certifies that it has reviewed with senior risk officers the senior executive officer incentive compensation arrangements. Based on the analysis of the incentives, potential risks, and the evaluation of factors to mitigate such potential risks, the Committee determined that the Companys executive compensation program does not encourage the SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the Company, and that no changes to the program were required.
SUBMITTED BY THE EXECUTIVE/DIRECTORS RESOURCES COMMITTEE
OF THE COMPANYS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Daniel N. Cunningham | |
Chairman of the Executive/Directors Resources Committee | |
Edwin S. Darden, Jr. | |
Louis McMurray | |
William S. Smittcamp | March 30, 2010 |
15
SUMMARY COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned by our CEO, our CFO and four other NEOs for services rendered to the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009. Bonuses are paid under the Companys applicable incentive compensation guidelines and are generally paid in the year following the year in which the bonus is earned.
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary($) | Option Awards ($)(1) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (8) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||
Daniel J. Doyle, President and Chief Executive Officer | 2009 | $ | 295,000 | $ | - | $ | 135,850 | $ | 62,205 | (2) | $ | 493,055 | |||
2008 | 295,000 | 6,116 | 152,000 | 56,100 | 509,216 | ||||||||||
Bryan R. Hyzdu, Senior Vice President, San Joaquin Region (6) | 2009 | 192,074 | - | 28,185 | 31,405 | (6) | 251,664 | ||||||||
2008 | 22,124 | 19,960 | - | 2,045 | 44,129 | ||||||||||
David A. Kinross, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
2009 | 171,400 | - | 33,114 | 27,179 | (3) | 231,693 | ||||||||
2008 | 168,000 | 22,855 | 47,600 | 18,900 | 257,355 | ||||||||||
Gary Quisenberry, Senior Vice President, Commercial and Business Banking |
2009 | 182,000 | - | 24,197 | 33,980 | (7) | 240,177 | ||||||||
2008 | 178,000 | 3,575 | 38,600 | 36,855 | 257,030 | ||||||||||
Lydia E. Shaw, Senior Vice President, Consumer and Retail Banking |
2009 | 146,000 | (5) | - | 25,567 | 30,483 | (4) | 202,050 | |||||||
2008 | 141,750 | (5) | 13,127 | 36,400 | 26,490 | 217,767 | |||||||||
Thomas L. Sommer, Senior Vice President, Credit Administrator |
2009 | 171,400 | - | 27,009 | 33,511 | (5) | 231,920 | ||||||||
2008 | 168,000 | 3,575 | 36,500 | 29,944 | 238,019 |
(1) | In accordance with FAS123(R), the award equals the aggregate grant date fair value. Additional discussion is set out in Note 1 of the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report that accompanies this proxy statement, and is incorporated herein by reference. |
(2) | Includes, for 2009, directors fees of $21,400, $12,000 auto allowance, $11,196 group insurance benefit allowance, $9,800 contributed to the Banks 401(k)Plan for Mr. Doyles account, and $4,950 country club membership dues. |
16
(3) | Includes, for 2009, $12,000 group insurance benefit allowance, $8,750 contributed to the Banks 401(k) Plan for Mr. Kinross account, and $6,000 auto allowance. |
(4) | Includes, for 2009, $12,000 auto allowance, $10,562 group insurance benefit allowance, and $7,284 contributed to the Banks 401(k) Plan for Ms. Shaws account. |
(5) | Includes, for 2009, $11,550 group insurance benefit allowance, $8,307 contributed to the Banks 401(k) Plan for Mr. Sommers account, $6,030 country club membership dues, and $6,000 auto allowance. |
(6) | Mr. Hyzdu joined the Bank in November, 2008 after the acquisition of Service 1st. Includes, for 2009, $12,000 auto allowance, $10,911 group insurance benefit allowance, and $4,529 contributed to the Banks 401(k) Plan for Mr. Hyzdus account. |
(7) | Includes, for 2009, $12,000 auto allowance, $8,814 contributed to the Banks 401(k) Plan for Mr. Quisenberrys account, $6,536 group insurance benefit allowance, and $5,850 country club membership dues. |
(8) | Value represents annual incentive compensation. Further explanation of how the incentive was calculated, is set out in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the section entitled Incentive Compensation on page 12. |
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table shows outstanding stock option awards classified as exercisable and unexercisable as of December 31, 2009 for the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table above.
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | ||||
Daniel J. Doyle, President and Chief Executive Officer | 40,000 | - | $ | 3.44 | 1/17/2011 | |||
10,000 | - | $ | 8.63 | 6/18/2013 | ||||
8,000 | 2,000 | (1) | $ | 13.50 | 7/20/2015 | |||
2,000 | 3,000 | (2) | $ | 6.70 | 4/23/2017 | |||
David A. Kinross, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 9,000 | 6,000 | (4) | $ | 6.70 | 5/1/2016 | ||
1,000 | 1,500 | (2) | $ | 6.70 | 4/23/2017 | |||
Lydia E. Shaw, Senior Vice President, Consumer and Retail Banking | 6,000 | 9,000 | (5) | $ | 6.70 | 10/01/2017 | ||
Thomas L. Sommer, Senior Vice President, Credit Administrator | 8,000 | - | $ | 4.32 | 6/20/2011 | |||
8,000 | - | $ | 5.68 | 9/18/2012 | ||||
4,000 | - | $ | 8.63 | 6/18/2013 | ||||
4,000 | 1,000 | (1) | $ | 13.50 | 7/20/2015 | |||
1,000 | 1,500 | (2) | $ | 6.70 | 4/23/2017 |
17
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | ||||
Gary Quisenberry, Senior Vice President, Commercial and Business Banking | 8,000 | - | $ | 4.32 | 6/20/2011 | |||
8,000 | - | $ | 5.68 | 9/18/2012 | ||||
4,000 | - | $ | 8.63 | 6/18/2013 | ||||
4,000 | 1,000 | (1) | $ | 13.50 | 7/20/2015 | |||
1,000 | 1,500 | (2) | $ | 6.70 | 4/23/2017 | |||
Bryan R. Hyzdu, Senior Vice President, San Joaquin Region | 2,000 | 8,000 | (3) | $ | 6.70 | 12/17/2018 |
(1) | Stock options vest at the rate of 20% per year, with next vesting date of 7/20/2010. |
(2) | Stock options vest at the rate of 20% per year, with vesting dates of 4/23/2010, 4/23/2011, and 4/23/2012. |
(3) | Stock options vest at the rate of 20% per year, with vesting dates of 12/17/2010, 12/17/2011, 12/17/2012, and 12/17/2013. |
(4) | Stock options vest at the rate of 20% per year, with vesting dates of 5/01/2010, and 5/01/2011. |
(5) | Stock options vest at the rate of 20% per year, with vesting dates of 10/01/2010, 10/01/2011, and 10/1/2012. |
18
Pension Benefits
The following table discloses the estimated present value (based on a discount rate of 6.00% relying on AA-rated 20-year corporate bond rates) of total benefits if the participant retires at normal retirement age.
Name | Plan Name | Number of Years Credited Service (#) | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($) |
Daniel J. Doyle, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Executive Salary Continuation Agreement (1) | N/A | $1,786,000 (4) (5) |
Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan (1) | N/A | See Note (5) | |
David A. Kinross, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Executive Salary Continuation Agreement (2) | N/A | $595,000 (4) (6) |
Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan (2) | N/A | See Note (6) | |
Lydia Shaw, Senior Vice President, Consumer and Retail Banking |
Executive Salary Continuation Agreement (3) | N/A | $595,000 (4) (7) |
Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan (3) | N/A | See Note (7) | |
Thomas L. Sommer, Senior Vice President, Credit Administrator |
Executive Salary Continuation Agreement (2) | N/A | $595,000 (4) (8) |
Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan (2) | N/A | See Note (8) | |
Gary Quisenberry, Senior Vice President, Commercial and Business Banking |
Executive Salary Continuation Agreement (2) | N/A | $595,000 (4) (8) |
Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan (2) | N/A | See Note (8) | |
Bryan R. Hyzdu, Senior Vice President, San Joaquin Region |
Executive Salary Continuation Agreement (9) | N/A | $189,049 (4) (9) |
Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan (9) | N/A | See Note (9) |
(1) | Effective December 31, 2006. |
(2) | Effective March 1, 2007. |
(3) | Effective January 2, 2008. |
(4) | The method used to calculate the retirement benefit, based on assumptions used for financial reporting purposes under generally accepted accounting principles, is a present value calculation using a discount rate of 6.00% relying on AA- rated 20-year corporate bond rates. See Note 14 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report for further details on Salary Continuation Plans. |
19
(5) | Under the terms of Mr. Doyles agreement for normal retirement, if he retires on or after December 31, 2010, he is eligible to receive an annual benefit equal to $150,000 per year, payable in monthly installments, over a 15 year period which adjusts for inflation at 3% each year. He is eligible for an early retirement benefit as of December 31, 2009 in which he would receive $135,000 per year, payable in monthly installments, over a 15 year period which increases for inflation at 3% each year. In the event of death, the Salary Continuation Agreement immediately terminates.Additionally, under the terms of Mr. Doyles Life Insurance Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan, his beneficiaries are entitled to receive certain benefits in the event of his death. The division of the death proceeds to Mr. Doyles beneficiaries should he be employed by the Bank at the time of death would be (i) a lump sum payment equal to the present value of the normal retirement benefit under his Salary Continuation Agreement or (ii) 100% of the total death proceeds of the policy, whichever amount is less. The division of the death proceeds to Mr. Doyles beneficiaries should he be retired from the Bank at the time of death would be a lump sum payment equal to the present value of 100% of the sum of all remaining payments that would have been made under his Salary Continuation Agreement, but for the insureds death, or 100% of the total death proceeds of the policy, whichever amount is less. |
(6) | Under the terms of Mr. Kinross Salary Continuation Agreement for normal retirement, if he retires on or after December 31, 2026, he is eligible to receive an annual benefit equal to $50,000 per year, payable in monthly installments, over a 15 year period which adjusts for inflation at 3% each year. If Mr. Kinross retires on or after May 20, 2024 and prior to December 31, 2026, he is eligible for an early retirement benefit. The amount of early retirement benefit would be based on the present value of the early retirement benefit payments, payable over 15 years in monthly installments, and increased 3% annually for inflation. In the event of death, the Salary Continuation Agreement immediately terminates. Additionally, under the terms of Mr. Kinross Life Insurance Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan, his beneficiaries are entitled to receive certain benefits in the event of his death. Should he be employed by the Bank at the time of death, his beneficiaries are entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the present value of the retirement benefit provided for in the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement or 100% of the total insurance policy proceeds, whichever amount is less. Should he be retired from the Bank at the time of death, his beneficiaries are entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the present value of 100% of the sum of all remaining payments that would have been made under his Executive Salary Continuation Agreement or 100% of the total proceeds, whichever amount is less. |
(7) | Under the terms of Ms. Shaws Salary Continuation Agreement for normal retirement, if she retires on or after December 31, 2020, she is eligible to receive an annual benefit equal to $50,000 per year, payable in monthly installments, over a 15 year period which adjusts for inflation at 3% each year. If Ms. Shaw retires on or after March 29, 2016 and prior to December 31, 2020, she is eligible for an early retirement benefit. The amount of early retirement benefit would be based on the present value of the early retirement benefit payments, payable over 15 years in monthly installments, and increased 3% annually for inflation. In the event of death, the Salary Continuation Agreement immediately terminates. Additionally, under the terms of Ms. Shaws Life Insurance Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan, her beneficiaries are entitled to receive certain benefits in the event of her death. Should she be employed by the Bank at the time of death, her beneficiaries are entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the present value of the retirement benefit provided for in the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement or 100% of the total insurance policy proceeds, whichever amount is less. Should she be retired from the Bank at the time of death, her beneficiaries are entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the present value of 100% of the sum of all remaining payments that would have been made under her Executive Salary Continuation Agreement or 100% of the total proceeds, whichever amount is less. |
(8) | Under the terms of Messrs. Sommer and Quisenberrys Salary Continuation Agreements for normal retirement, if they retire on or after December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2015, respectively, they are eligible to receive an annual benefit equal to $50,000 per year, payable in monthly installments, over a 15 year period which increases for inflation at 3% each year. Mr. Sommer is eligible for an early retirement benefit as of December 31, 2009 in which he would receive $35,000 per year, payable in monthly installments, over a 15 year period which increases for inflation at 3% each year. If Mr. Quisenberry retires on or after May 26, 2011 and prior to December 31, 2015 he is eligible for an early retirement benefit. The amount of early retirement benefit for Messrs. Sommer and Quisenberry would be based on the month of retirement which would be discounted by the number of months left for full retirement, the early retirement benefit would be payable over 15 years in monthly installments, increased 3% annually for inflation. In the event of death, the Salary Continuation Agreement immediately terminates. Additionally, under the terms of Messrs. Sommer and Quisenberrys Life Insurance Endorsement Method Split Dollar Plan, their beneficiaries are entitled to receive certain benefits in the event of death. Should they be employed by the Bank at the time of death, their beneficiaries are entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the present value of the retirement benefit provided for in the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement or 100% of the total insurance policy proceeds, whichever amount is less. Should they be retired from the Bank at the time of death, their beneficiaries are entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the present value of 100% of the sum of all remaining payments that would have been made under their Executive Salary Continuation Agreement or 100% of the total proceeds, whichever amount is less. |
(9) | Subsequent to the acquisition of Service 1st, the Company assumed the liability for Mr. Hyzdus benefits under his Salary Continuation Agreement (the Agreement) with Service 1st Bancorp. The benefits under the Agreement became 100% vested upon the change in control. The Agreement provides for an annual retirement benefit payment, after Mr. Hyzdu attains the age of 65, of $37,164 annually, payable in equal monthly installments over a 15 year period. In addition, Mr. Hyzdu has an Endorsement Split Dollar Insurance Agreement (Split Dollar Agreement). Pursuant to the Split Dollar Agreement, Mr. Hyzdus beneficiary(ies) are entitled to receive certain benefits in the event of death. Should he be retired from the Bank at the time of death, his beneficiaries are entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the present value of 100% of the sum of all remaining payments that would have been made under his Executive Salary Continuation Agreement or 100% of the total proceeds, whichever amount is less. |
20
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
Executive Salary Continuation Agreements and the Banks 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 executives 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 executives employment terminates by action of the Bank prior to retirement, and such termination of employment is not for cause. In the event the executives 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 Banks 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 Banks Severance Pay Plan on page 14. 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 17 for a break down of options outstanding.
Compensation of Directors
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 $30,700 annual fee and all other directors (including employee directors) of the Bank receive an annual fee of $22,000 for Board meeting attendance. The fees paid for director board meetings are based on comparable amounts paid by other financial institutions in the Companys geographic market area.
Aggregate Bank directors fees in the sum of $205,000 were paid (including amounts deferred under Deferred Compensation Agreements between the Bank and certain of its directors) during the year ended December 31, 2009.
Deferred Compensation Agreements
Six of the Banks 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 Banks 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 directors 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 directors 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 directors designated beneficiary(ies) is entitled at the directors death to receive life insurance proceeds:
(a) | In an amount intended to approximate the projected deferred compensation agreement account balance at the directors retirement, if the director dies before terminating service with the Bank. |
21
(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 Banks obligations under a deferred compensation agreement are extinguished by the directors death. The Bank is entitled to any insurance policy death benefits remaining after payment to the directors 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 Banks deferred compensation obligations arising out of a directors 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, 2009.
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | All Other Compensation ($)(2) | Total ($) | |||||
Daniel N. Cunningham (1) | $ | 29,877 | $ | 10,474 | $ | 40,351 | ||
Sidney B. Cox | 21,400 | - | 21,400 | |||||
Edwin S. Darden, Jr. (1) | 21,400 | 233 | 21,633 | |||||
Steven D. McDonald (1) | 21,400 | 2,642 | 24,042 | |||||
Louis McMurray (1) | 21,400 | 3,330 | 24,730 | |||||
Wanda L. Rogers (1) (3) | 7,033 | 10,036 | 17,069 | |||||
William Smittcamp (1) | 21,400 | 2,195 | 23,595 | |||||
Joseph B. Weirick | 21,400 | - | 21,400 |
(1) | In 2009, 100% of fees earned were deferred under the Directors deferred compensation agreements as discussed above. |
(2) | Represents the imputed dollar values for insurance coverage under the Split Dollar Agreement and Endorsement plan discussed above. |
(3) | Ms. Rogers terminated membership on the Board of Directors in February 2009. She received a consulting fee of $500 per month during the balance of 2009 after leaving the Board. She will be paid the consulting fee until February 2012. |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
There have been no material transactions, except as disclosed below, since January 1, 2009, 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 collectibility or represent other unfavorable features. See Note 15 in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements in the Companys Annual Report for detail on outstanding loans and commitments to related parties.
Except for loans granted in the normal course of business, the Company had no other related party transactions.
Policy and Procedures on Related Person Transactions
The Company adopted a written code of ethics to promote the highest ethical standards within the Company. 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.
22
The Board of Directors recognizes that 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:
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 Companys Code of Ethics and Conduct 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 at www.cvcb.com.
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATION
The Board of Directors does not have a formal process for shareholders to send communications to the Board. However, 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
DIRECTOR ATTENDANCE AT SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
The Company does not have a policy which specifically addresses director attendance at shareholder meetings. However, eight directors were in attendance at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 20, 2009.
REIMBURSEMENT AND TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
The Company has entered into an agreement with the Bank pursuant to which the Bank has agreed to reimburse the Company for certain expenses incurred by the Company in rendering management services on terms and conditions consistent with the requirements of Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act and Federal Reserve Regulation W. In addition, the Company has entered into a tax sharing agreement with the Bank providing for the allocation of tax obligations among the Company and the Bank in compliance with regulatory requirements.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
23
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Companys officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Companys 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 required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To the best knowledge of the Company, there are no greater than ten-percent holders of the Companys Common Stock.
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 2009 fiscal year, the officers and directors of the Company complied with all applicable filing requirements, except that Sidney Cox filed one Form 4 late. The Form 4 reported two purchase transactions.
PROPOSAL NO. 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The firm of Perry-Smith LLP, which served the Company as independent registered public accounting firm for 2009, has been selected by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company to be the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for 2010. 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 nominee should unexpectedly for any reason decline or be unable to act as independent public accountants, the Proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee to be designated by the Audit Committee.
Representatives from the accounting firm of Perry-Smith 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, 2009 and 2008 for professional services rendered by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm in connection with the audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements and fees billed by the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for other services rendered to the Company.
FEES | 2009 | 2008 | ||||
Audit Fees (1) | $ | 217,000 | $ | 170,000 | ||
Audit-Related Fees (2) | $ | 20,000 | $ | 35,000 | ||
Tax Fees (3) | $ | 71,000 | $ | 37,000 | ||
All Other Fees (4) | $ | 19,000 | $ | 18,000 |
(1) | Audit fees include professional services in connection with the audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements, review of consolidated financial statements included in the Companys quarterly reports and services normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements as well as travel related costs. 2009 audit fees also include preliminary testing of internal control over financial reporting prior to the October 2, 2009 SEC press release which deferred the date in which the Company is required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. |
(2) | Audit-related fees represent fees for professional services such as the audit of the Companys 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. 2009 tax fees also include the filing of final tax returns related to the acquisition of Service 1st Bancorp as well as other tax related consultations regarding the acquisition. |
(4) | All other fees, consisted primarily of consulting services for the Companys strategic plan. |
The Audit/Compliance Committee has determined that the provision of services, in addition to audit services, rendered by Perry-Smith LLP and the fees paid therefor in fiscal years 2009 and 2008 were compatible with maintaining Perry-Smith LLPs 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 PERRY-SMITH LLP AS THE COMPANYS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
24
APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSAL REQUIRES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES REPRESENTED AND VOTING AT THE MEETING.
PROPOSAL 3
NON-BINDING ADVISORY RESOLUTION APPROVING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
As a result of the Companys participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program, the ARRA requires the Company to submit to the shareholders a non-binding vote on the compensation of the Companys 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 Companys shareholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the Companys 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
AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO (I) INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE COMPANY BY 1,000,000 SHARES; (II) CREATE A NEW SERIES OF COMMON STOCK DESIGNATED NON-VOTING COMMON STOCK CONSISTING OF 1,000,000 SHARES; AND (III) ESTABLISH THE RIGHTS, PREFERENCES, PRIVILEGES AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE NON-VOTING COMMON STOCK.
The Board of Directors has considered this proposal and believes that the proposed increase in the number of shares of common stock of the Company and the creation of a new series of common stock designated Non-Voting Common Stock, no par value, is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Non-Voting Common Stock shall have rights identical in all respects to the rights of the Common Stock, except that the Non-Voting Common Stock shall not have the right to vote for directors or for other matters except as may be required by California law, and the Non-Voting Common Stock shall not be registered for trading on NASDAQ or any other exchange.
The creation of the Non-Voting Common Stock will allow the Company to exchange the Companys 1,359 outstanding shares of Series B Adjustable Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (the Series B Preferred) into 258,862 shares of the newly created Non-Voting Common Stock in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement relating to such Series B Preferred shares. The Series B Preferred shares were issued in December 2009 at a price of $1,000 per Series B Preferred share.
The Series B Preferred is eligible to receive a semi-annual non-cumulative preferred dividend with an initial annualized coupon of 10%, payable at the end of the first six months the shares are outstanding. The annual dividend rate will increase to 15% for the second six month period and 20% for each six month period thereafter. Dividends may not be paid on any other class or series of the Companys stock unless dividends are currently paid on the Series B Preferred in any period.
Conversion of the Series B Preferred to Non-Voting Common will be economically favorable to the common stockholders. Had the Series B Preferred been converted to Non-Voting Common on January 1, 2009, the pro forma weighted average shares outstanding would have increased by 285,862; however, the pro forma diluted earnings per share, based on 2009 income available to common shareholders, would have remained the same. If the Series B Preferred is not converted to Non-Voting Common, net income available to common shareholders would decrease by $167,000 for the first year following the issuance of the Series B Preferred, and $272,000 for every year thereafter that the Series B Preferred is outstanding, and diluted earnings per share, based on 2009 weighted average shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding of 7,803,764, would be reduced by $0.02 per share in the first year and $0.03 per share in every year thereafter due to the impact of the semi-annual non-cumulative preferred dividend payable every six months as indicated above.
The exchange of Series B Preferred for newly-created Non-Voting Common Stock would, among other things, eliminate certain dividend and liquidation preferences and class voting rights of such Series B Preferred. Creation of the Non-Voting Common Stock would also provide a reserve of Non-Voting Common Stock to facilitate potential future strategic transactions.
For these reasons the Board of Directors believes that the best interests of the Companys shareholders are fairly served through creation of a new series of Non-Voting Common Stock, through an amendment to the Companys Articles of Incorporation.
25
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR AMENDMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO CREATE 1,000,000 AUTHORIZED SHARES OF NON-VOTING COMMON STOCK. APPROVAL OF THIS RESOLUTION REQUIRES THE AFFIRMATIVE FOR VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES. FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING THE NUMBER OF VOTES CAST ON THE MATTER, ONLY THOSE CAST FOR ARE INCLUDED, WHILE VOTES AGAINST, ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER NON-VOTES ARE NOT INCLUDED.
PROPOSAL 5
AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS TO ELIMINATE CUMULATIVE VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Under California corporate law, holders of common stock are entitled to exercise such voting rights for directors on a cumulative basis, unless the Company adopts a provision in its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws to eliminate cumulative voting.
In accordance with Section 301.5 of the California Corporations Code, a corporation whose shares are listed for trading on an approved exchange may eliminate cumulative voting for directors by amendment to its Articles of Incorporation or its Bylaws. Cumulative voting means that each shareholder may cumulate, and cast, a number of votes equal to number of shares held, multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. Under cumulative voting, a shareholder may withhold votes from certain candidates and cast all such cumulated votes for a single candidate or split the cumulated votes between multiple candidates.
Because the Company is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, it qualifies as a corporation that can eliminate cumulative voting. At the Annual Meeting the Board of Directors recommends that shareholders amend the Bylaws to eliminate cumulative voting for directors in future elections to the extent allowed under the California Corporations Code.
While cumulative voting is rarely used, management believes that it could be used to promote factional or dissenting interests at the expense of the larger shareholder population. Each director must act as a fiduciary, and even a director elected by a particular faction or representing a particular point of view would be bound by such duties. Management nonetheless believes that it is prudent to limit the opportunities for disruption that cumulative voting could generate,
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS TO ELIMINATE THE USE OF CUMULATIVE VOTING FOR DIRECTORS. APPROVAL OF THIS RESOLUTION REQUIRES THE AFFIRMATIVE FOR VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES. FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING THE NUMBER OF VOTES CAST ON THE MATTER, ONLY THOSE CAST FOR ARE INCLUDED, WHILE VOTES AGAINST, ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER NON-VOTES ARE NOT INCLUDED.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company will be held on May 18, 2011. December 8, 2010 is the date by which shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting must be received by management of the Company at its principal executive office for inclusion in the Companys 2011 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 Companys Bylaws must be received by the Company not less than ten days or more than 60 days before the annual meeting. If the Companys 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is held on schedule, the Company must receive notice of any proposed business item no earlier than March 18, 2011, and no later than May 8, 2011. If the Company does not receive timely notice, the Companys Bylaws preclude consideration of the business item at the Annual Meeting.
26
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.
Dated: April 16, 2010 | For the Board of Directors |
Fresno, California | |
/s/ Daniel N. Cunningham | |
Daniel N. Cunningham | |
Chairman of the Board |
Appendix A
Central Valley Community Bancorp
Executive/Directors Resources Committee Charter
Purpose of the Compensation Committee
The purpose of the Executive/Directors Resources Committee (the Compensation Committee) of the Board of Directors (the Board) of Central Valley Community Bancorp (the Company) is to discharge the Boards responsibilities relating to evaluation and compensation of the Companys executives and to produce an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the Companys proxy statement, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).
Committee Membership
The Compensation Committee shall be comprised of at least three members, all of whom shall be independent directors, i.e. those directors who neither are officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries (and have not been officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries within the previous three years) nor have a relationship which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director, and who are otherwise independent under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. and applicable SEC rules and regulations. Members shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and for such term or terms as the Board may determine.
Committee Structure and Operations
The Board shall designate one member of the Compensation Committee as its chairperson (the Chairman). The Compensation Committee shall meet at least once a year at a time and place determined by the Chairman, with further meetings to occur when deemed necessary or desirable by the Compensation Committee or the Chairman.
The Compensation Committee may invite members of management, such as the Companys Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to attend its meetings. The CEO, however, shall not be present when the Compensation Committee finalizes its deliberations and makes decisions regarding the compensation of the CEO.
Committee Duties and Responsibilities
The following are the duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee:
1. | In consultation with senior management, establish the Companys general compensation philosophy, and oversee the development and implementation of compensation programs in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. | |
2. | Review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the CEO, evaluate the performance of the CEO in light of those goals and objectives, and recommend for approval by the independent directors of the Board the CEOs compensation level based on this evaluation. In arriving at its recommendation regarding the long-term incentive component of CEO compensation, the Compensation Committee shall consider the Companys performance against its peer group competitors; the value of similar incentive awards to CEOs at comparable companies; the awards given to the CEO in past years, and any other factors which the Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may consider appropriate. | |
3. | Review and approve the compensation of all other officers of the Company as defined in Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and Rule 16a-1 promulgated thereunder (the Section 16 Officers), and report compensation arrangements with respect to such officers to the Board of Directors. | |
4. | Make recommendations to the Board with respect to the Companys incentive compensation plans and equity- based plans, including qualified and non-qualified stock option plans and other short-term and long-term incentive plans applicable to the Companys executive officers, including but not limited to the Companys 401(k) and profit sharing plans, SERP, BOLI plans and other executive compensation plans, and discharge any responsibilities imposed on the Compensation Committee by any of these plans. |
28
5. | In consultation with management, oversee regulatory compliance with respect to compensation matters, including establishing performance goals and certifying that performance goals have been attained for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. | |
6. | Review and report to the Board any severance or similar termination arrangements made with respect to any current or former Section 16 Officer. | |
7. | With the assistance of the Companys staff and outside consultants, periodically review the amount and composition of director compensation and make recommendations to the Board as needed. Director compensation should be consistent with market practices. | |
8. | Prepare and issue the evaluations and reports required under Committee Reports below. | |
9. | Review and discuss the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (the CD&A) required to be included in the Companys proxy statement with management (and, based on such review and discussion, determine whether or not to recommend to the Board that the CD&A be so included). | |
10. | In accordance with the requirements related to the TARP Capital Purchase Program, the Compensation Committee will meet no less frequently than is required and will establish compensation and incentive plans that are consistent with the Treasury under the applicable TARP guidelines and any other federal law to review compensation of senior management, and to ensure that such compensation is not structured in any way that would encourage the senior management to take excessive risks in light of their job responsibilities. This requirement will continue for the period the United States holds any equity or debt securities of the Company acquired through the TARP Capital Purchase Program. | |
11. | Any other duties or responsibilities expressly delegated to the Compensation Committee by the Board from time to time relating to the Companys compensation programs. |
Committee Reports
The Compensation Committee shall produce the following reports and provide them to the Board.
1. | An Annual Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation for inclusion in the Companys annual proxy statement in accordance with applicable SEC rules and regulations. | |
2. | A summary of the actions taken at each Compensation Committee meeting, which shall be presented to the Board. |
Resources and Authority of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its duties and responsibilities, including the authority to select, retain, terminate, and approve the fees and other retention terms of special counsel or other experts or consultants, as it deems appropriate, without seeking approval of the Board or management. With respect to compensation consultants retained to assist in the evaluation of director, CEO or executive officer compensation, this authority shall be vested solely in the Compensation Committee.
29
Appendix B
CENTRAL VALLEY COMMUNITY BANCORP
CHARTER OF NOMINATING COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I. | PURPOSE |
The Nominating Committee (the Committee) is appointed by the Board of Directors of Central Valley Community Bancorp (the Board) to assist the Board in identifying, evaluating and recommending to the Board of Directors nominees for membership on the Board of Directors. The primary duties and responsibilities of the Committee are:
¨ | To identify individuals who are qualified to serve on the Board; |
¨ | To recommend to the full Board the selection of qualified individuals who are qualified to serve as Board members; and |
¨ | To oversee the evaluation of the Board and its members. |
II. | MEMBERSHIP |
The Committee shall consist of no fewer than 3 (three) members of the Board, each of whom shall meet the requirements of NASDAQ, or such other exchange on which the Company authorizes its securities to be traded, as well as any standards that may be established from time to time under state or federal securities, corporate, banking or tax laws or regulations affecting the Company. Each member shall be free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with his or her exercise of independent judgment. Members are nominated by the Committee and appointed by the Board of Directors annually at its Organizational Meeting. The Committee membership shall include the Chairman of the Board, who shall serve as Chairman of the Committee. The Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
III. | AUTHORITY |
The Committee shall have the authority to conduct any investigation appropriate in fulfilling its responsibilities. The Committee shall have direct access to the Companys legal counsel and its independent auditors, as well as access to anyone in the Company. The Committee shall have the ability to retain, at the Companys expense, and to terminate, search firms relating to director candidates, and special legal, accounting or other consultants or experts it deems necessary in the performance of its duties, and to approve applicable fees and other retention terms.
IV. | RESPONSIBILITIES |
In carrying out its purposes, the Committee shall have the following duties, responsibilities and authority:
¨ | Review and recommend to the Board, from time to time but not less than annually, the desired characteristics of the composition of the Board including size, competencies, experience of members, diversity, age, and other appropriate qualities; |
¨ | Assist the Board by identifying, attracting and recommending qualified candidates for membership on the Board, consistent with such characteristics. Such candidates may include, if the committee deems it advisable, candidates recommended by the Chief Executive Officer, other members of the Board, and shareholders (where such shareholder recommendations have been offered in accordance with procedures established by the Committee and relevant law); |
¨ | Review members standing for re-election, evaluate such members on the basis of contribution, change of status and commitment to the Company, and make recommendations to the Board for re-election of members; |
¨ | Review from time to time, but not less than annually, whether members of the Board meet the standards of independence, financial expertise and other competencies required under NASDAQ Rules and all other applicable legal requirements and advise the Board as to the conclusions reached by the Committee as a result of such review; |
¨ | Review and evaluate the performance of all Board members and Board committees and report findings to full Board at least annually; |
¨ | Submit this Charter to the Board for approval and publish the Charter in accordance with any applicable regulations; |
V. | GENERAL |
¨ | The Committee shall meet at least 2 (two) times each year, or more frequently as circumstances require. |
¨ | The Committee and the Board shall determine the timing of the meeting. |
¨ | The Committee may delegate any of its duties to subcommittees, comprised of Committee members, as the Committee may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. |
30
¨ | The Board may at any time and in its complete discretion remove any member of the Committee and may fill any vacancy in the Committee. |
Minutes shall be kept of each meeting of the Committee, and the Committee shall regularly provide reports of its actions to the Board.
31
Appendix C
CENTRAL VALLEY COMMUNITY BANCORP
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
I. | Purpose | |||
A. | The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to assist the Board in monitoring | |||
(1) | the integrity of the financial statements of the Company, | |||
(2) | the independent auditors qualifications and independence, | |||
(3) | the performance of the Companys internal audit function and independent auditors, and | |||
(4) | the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements. | |||
B. | The Audit Committee shall prepare the report required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) to be included in the Companys annual proxy statement. | |||
C. | The function of the Audit Committee is oversight. | |||
Management of the Company is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Companys financial statements. | ||||
Management and the internal auditors are responsible for maintaining appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. |
||||
The outside independent auditors are responsible for planning and carrying out a proper audit of the Companys annual financial statements, reviews of the Companys quarterly financial statements prior to the filing of each quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and other procedures. |
||||
D. | In fulfilling their responsibilities hereunder, it is recognized that members of the Audit Committee are not full-time employees of the Company and are not, and do not represent themselves to be, performing the functions of auditors or accountants. As such, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Audit Committee or its members to conduct field work or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures or to set auditor independence standards; and each member of the Audit Committee shall be entitled to rely on: |
|||
the integrity of those persons and organizations within and outside the Company from which it receives information; and | ||||
the accuracy of the financial and other information provided to the Audit Committee by such persons or organizations absent actual knowledge to the contrary (which shall be promptly reported to the Board of Directors). |
II. | Composition of the Audit Committee | ||
A. | The Audit Committee shall be comprised of at least three directors, each of whom: | ||
(1) | Is independent under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., does not accept any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Board or any committee of the Board; | ||
(2) | Is not an affiliate of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the Exchange Act); and | ||
(3) | Does not own or control 20% or more of the Companys voting securities. | ||
B. | All members of the audit Committee must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a companys balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, and the Audit Committee shall have at least one member who has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background which results in the members financial sophistication. |
32
C. | The members of the Audit Committee shall be appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the Chairman of the Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and for such term or terms as the Board may determine. | |
III. | Meetings | |
A. | The Audit Committee shall meet as often as it determines, but not less frequently than quarterly. | |
B. | The Audit Committee shall meet periodically with management, the internal auditors, and the independent auditor in separate executive sessions. | |
C. | The Audit Committee may request any officer or employee of the Company or the Companys outside counsel or independent auditor to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee. | |
IV. | Committee Authority and Responsibilities | |
A. | The Audit Committee shall have the sole authority to appoint, retain (subject, if applicable, to shareholder ratification), determine funding for and oversee the Companys independent auditor. | |
B. | The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work. | |
C. | The independent auditor shall report directly to the Audit Committee. | |
D. | The Audit Committee shall preapprove all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent auditor, 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. | |
E. | The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant preapprovals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that decisions of such subcommittee to grant preapprovals shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. | |
F. | The Audit Committee shall have the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate and without seeking approval of the Board or management, to retain independent legal, accounting or other advisors. | |
G. | The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, for payment of compensation to the independent auditor for the purpose of rendering and/or issuing an audit report and to any advisors employed by the Audit Committee. | |
H. | The Audit Committee shall make regular reports to the Board. | |
I. | The Audit Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval. | |
J. | The Audit Committee shall annually review the Audit Committees own performance. Such review shall be in the form of a self-assessment of the activities scheduled to be performed on an annual basis and to the extent to which such activities have been fully performed during such period. | |
K. | The Audit Committee, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, shall: |
Financial Statement and Disclosure Matters | |||
(1) | Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements, including disclosures made in managements discussion and analysis, and recommend to the Board whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Companys Form 10-K. | ||
(2) | Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the Companys quarterly financial statements prior to the filing of its Form 10-Q, including the results of the independent auditors review of the quarterly financial statements. | ||
(3) | Discuss with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Companys financial statements, including any significant changes in the Companys selection or application of accounting principles, any major issues as to the adequacy of the Companys internal controls and any special steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies. |
33
(4) | Obtain from the independent auditors, review and discuss a timely report relating to the Companys annual audited financial statement and quarterly reports relating to the Companys quarterly unaudited financial statements on: | |||
a. | All critical accounting policies and practices to be used. | |||
b. | All alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor. | |||
c. | Other material written communications between the independent auditor and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences. | |||
(5) | Discuss with management the Companys earnings press releases, including the use of pro forma or adjusted non-GAAP information and compliance with Regulation G with respect thereto, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. Such discussion may be done generally (consisting of discussing the types of information to be disclosed and the types of presentations to be made). | |||
(6) | Discuss with management and the independent auditor the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives as well as off-balance sheet structures on the Companys financial statements. | |||
(7) | Discuss with management the Companys major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Companys risk assessment and risk management policies. | |||
(8) | Discuss with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 relating to the conduct of the audit, including any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work, any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management. | |||
(9) | Review disclosures made to the Audit Committee by the Companys CEO and CFO during their certification process for the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q as to the existences of any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls that could adversely affect the Companys ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data, and material weaknesses in internal controls, and any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal controls. | |||
(10) | Review and approve all related party transactions of the Company. |
Oversight of the Companys Relationship with the Independent Auditor | ||
1. | Review and evaluate the lead partner of the independent auditor team. | |
2. | Obtain and review a report from the independent auditor at least annually, it being understood that the independent auditor is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of this report) regarding: | |
(a) | the independent auditors internal quality-control procedures, | |
(b) | any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, | |
(c) | any steps taken to deal with any such issues, and | |
(d) | all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company including each non-audit service provided to the Company, and the matters set forth in Independence Standards Board No. 1. | |
(e) | Evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditor, including considering whether the auditors quality controls are adequate and the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditors independence, and taking into account the opinions of management and internal auditors. | |
(f) | Discuss with the independent auditor any relationships or services disclosed in the report of the independent auditor that may impact the quality of audit services or the objectivity and independence of the Companys independent auditor. | |
(g) | The Audit Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditor to the Board. |
34
3. | Ensure the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit every five years as required by law. | |
4. | Recommend to the Board policies for the Companys hiring of employees or former employees of the independent auditor who participated in any capacity in the audit of the Company. | |
5. | Meet with the independent auditor prior to the audit to discuss the planning and staffing of the audit. | |
Oversight of the Companys Internal Audit Function | ||
1. | Review the appointment and replacement of the senior internal auditing executive. | |
2. | Review the significant reports to management prepared by the internal auditing department and managements responses. | |
3. | Discuss with the independent auditor and management the internal audit department responsibilities, budget and staffing and any recommended changes in the planned scope of the internal audit. | |
4. | With respect to those internal audit functions provided in part or in total by outside independent auditors: | |
a. | to review the fees charged for internal audit services; | |
b. | to ensure that the independent internal auditors prepare and deliver after each exam a report to the Audit Committee indicating their findings and recommendations, | |
c. | to ensure that the independent internal auditors present a Statement of Independence each year, to discuss with the independent internal auditors any relationships or services disclosed in this Statement that may impact their objectivity and independence and to recommend that the Audit Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors take appropriate action in response to this Statement to satisfy itself of the independent internal auditors independence; | |
d. | to instruct the independent internal auditors that they are accountable directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors; and | |
e. | to provide an open avenue of communication between the internal audit manager, the independent internal auditors, and the Board of Directors. | |
Compliance Oversight Responsibilities | ||
1. | Obtain from the independent auditor assurance that Section 10A(b) of the Exchange Act regarding illegal acts has not been implicated. | |
2. | Obtain reports from management, the Companys senior internal auditing executive and the independent auditor that the Company and its subsidiary entities are in conformity with applicable legal requirements and the Companys Code of Ethics and Conduct. Review reports and disclosures of insider and affiliated party transactions. Advise the Board with respect to the Companys policies and procedures regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations and with the Companys Code of Ethics and Conduct. | |
3. | Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. | |
4. | Discuss with management and the independent auditor any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies and any published reports which raise material issues regarding the Companys financial statements or accounting policies. | |
5. | Discuss with the Companys counsel legal matters that may have a material impact on the financial statements or the Companys compliance policies. | |
6. | With respect to the Internal audit manager and his/her duties of internal auditing, | |
(i) | to review the appointment, replacement and budget of the Internal Audit Manager; | |
(ii) | to advise the Internal Audit Manager that he or she is expected to provide to the Audit Committee summaries of and, as appropriate, the significant reports to management prepared by the Internal Audit Manager and managements responses thereto; |
35
7. | With respect to financial reporting principles and policies and internal audit controls and procedures, | ||
(i) | to advise management, the Internal Audit manager, the independent internal auditors, and the outside auditors, that they are expected to provide to the Audit Committee a timely analysis of significant financial reporting issues and practices; | ||
(ii) | to consider any reports or communications (and managements and/or the Internal Audit Managers responses thereto) submitted to the Audit Committee by the outside auditors required by or referred to in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (as codified by AU Section 380), as may be modified or supplemented, including reports and communications related to: | ||
deficiencies noted in the audit in the design or operation of internal controls, and computerized information system controls and security; | |||
consideration of fraud in a financial statement audit; | |||
detection of illegal acts; | |||
the outside auditors responsibility under generally accepted auditing standards; | |||
significant accounting policies; | |||
management judgments and accounting estimates; | |||
adjustments arising from the audit | |||
the responsibility of the outside auditor for other information in documents containing audited financial statements; | |||
disagreements with management; | |||
consultation by management with other accountants; | |||
major issues discussed with management prior to retention of the outside auditor; | |||
difficulties encountered with management in performing the audit; | |||
the outside auditors judgments about the quality of the entitys accounting principles; | |||
reviews of interim financial information conducted by the outside auditor; | |||
(iii) | to meet with management, the Internal Audit Manager and/or the outside auditors and examiners, as appropriate; | ||
to discuss the scope of the annual audit; | |||
to discuss the audited financial statements; | |||
to review the form of opinion the outside auditors propose to render to the Board of Directors and shareholders; | |||
to discuss significant changes to the Companys auditing and accounting principles, policies, controls, procedures and practices proposed or contemplated by the outside auditors or management; | |||
(iv) | to inquire about significant risks and exposures, if any, and the steps taken to monitor and minimize such risks; | ||
(v.) | To review all regulatory examinations and matters as appropriate; | ||
(vi.) | To review Information System security as appropriate. |
V. | Limitation of Audit Committees Role | ||
A. | While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee: | ||
to plan or conduct audits, | |||
or to determine that the Companys financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate, and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and applicable rules and regulations. | |||
These are the responsibilities of management and the independent auditor.
36