UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant
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Check the appropriate
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Preliminary Proxy
Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
[X] |
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Definitive Proxy
Statement |
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Definitive Additional
Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
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Sun Bancorp, Inc. |
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(Name of Registrant as
Specified In Its Charter) |
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(Name
of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
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which transaction applies: |
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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): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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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
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Amount Previously
Paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration
Statement No.: |
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SUN BANCORP,
INC. |
350 FELLOWSHIP ROAD, SUITE 101 |
MOUNT LAUREL, NEW
JERSEY 08054 |
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS |
TO BE HELD ON MAY 21,
2015 |
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders (the Annual Meeting) of Sun Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) will be
held at The Sheraton Edison Hotel Raritan Center, 125 Raritan Center Parkway,
Edison, New Jersey, on May 21, 2015, at 9:30 a.m.
The Annual Meeting is being
held for the purpose of considering and voting upon the following matters:
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1. |
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The
election of eleven directors of the Company for a term of one year
each; |
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2. |
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The
approval of the Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan;
and |
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3. |
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The
ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2015. |
Shareholders may also be
asked to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Please note that the Board
of Directors is not aware of any such other business to come before the Annual
Meeting. Any action may be taken on the foregoing proposals at the Annual
Meeting on the date specified above or on any date or dates to which, by
original or later adjournment, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned. Shareholders
of record at the close of business on March 31, 2015 are the shareholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
EACH SHAREHOLDER,
WHETHER OR NOT HE OR SHE PLANS TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, IS REQUESTED TO
AUTHORIZE A PROXY BY MAIL OR TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR OVER THE INTERNET AS
INSTRUCTED ON THE NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY.
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BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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Janice M. Clark |
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Corporate Secretary |
Mount Laurel, New
Jersey
April 9, 2015
Important Notice
Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on May 21, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.
The Proxy Statement
and the 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders are available for review on
the Internet at www.envisionreports.com/SNBC. |
PROXY STATEMENT |
OF |
SUN BANCORP, INC. |
350 FELLOWSHIP ROAD, SUITE 101 |
MOUNT LAUREL, NEW JERSEY 08054 |
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS |
MAY 21, 2015 |
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GENERAL |
This proxy statement (the
Proxy Statement) is being furnished to holders of Sun Bancorp, Inc. (the
Company) common stock in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
Board of Directors of Sun Bancorp, Inc. (the Board of Directors or the
Board) to be used at the Companys 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the
Annual Meeting), which will be held at The Sheraton Edison Hotel Raritan
Center, 125 Raritan Center Parkway, Edison, New Jersey, on May 21, 2015, at 9:30
a.m. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are first being made
available to shareholders on or about April 9, 2015.
VOTING AND PROXY
PROCEDURES |
The Board of Directors is
making this Proxy Statement available to you electronically for the purpose of
allowing your shares of common stock to be represented at the Annual Meeting by
the persons named as proxies in the Board of Directors form of proxy.
Shareholders of record may vote by proxy in any of three different ways:
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Voting over the Internet. To vote by Internet: |
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Go to
www.envisionreports.com/SNBC; or |
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Scan the QR
code on your proxy card with your smartphone. |
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The steps
for voting by Internet are outlined on the secure website. Proxies
submitted by the Internet must be received by 2:00 a.m. Eastern Time on
May 21, 2015. |
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Voting by Telephone.
To vote by telephone: |
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Call toll
free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on
a touch tone telephone; and |
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Follow the
instructions on the recorded message. Proxies submitted by the telephone
must be received by 2:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 21,
2015. |
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Voting
by Mail. If you have requested
paper copies, complete, sign, date and return the proxy card in the
postage-paid envelope provided. To be voted, mailed proxy cards must be
received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 20,
2015. |
Shareholders who execute
proxies retain the right to revoke them at any time. Unless so revoked, the
shares represented by such proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting and all
adjournments or postponements thereof. Proxies may be revoked by providing
written notice to the Corporate Secretary of
1
the Company at the address
above or by filing a later-dated proxy. A proxy will not be voted if a
shareholder attends the Annual Meeting and votes in person, however, such
shareholder must also file a written revocation of the original proxy with the
Secretary. Shareholders whose shares are not registered in their own name will
need to provide additional documentation from the record holder to vote in
person at the Annual Meeting. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will
be voted as specified thereon. If no direction is given, signed proxies will be
voted FOR the nominees for directors set forth below; FOR the approval of
the Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan; and FOR the
ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2015. The proxy confers discretionary authority on the persons
named therein to vote with respect to the election of any person as a director
where a nominee is unable to serve, or for good cause will not serve, and with
respect to matters incident to the conduct of the Annual Meeting.
VOTING AND QUORUM
REQUIREMENTS |
Shareholders of record as
of the close of business on March 31, 2015 (the Record Date) are entitled to
one vote for each share of the Companys common stock they held at that date. As
of that date, there were 18,618,630 shares of the Companys common stock
outstanding. The presence in person or by proxy of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of the Companys common stock entitled to vote is necessary
to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. In the event there are not
sufficient votes for a quorum or to ratify or adopt any proposal at the time of
the Annual Meeting, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit the
further solicitation of proxies.
The election of directors
shall be by a plurality of votes cast by the holders of Company common stock
present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote
thereon. However, in uncontested elections under the Companys Director
Resignation Policy, any nominee for director who receives a greater number of
votes withheld from his or her election than votes for such election must
promptly tender his or her resignation from the Board following certification of
the shareholder vote. The Board of Directors will consider the resignation offer
and decide whether to accept or reject such resignation within 45 days of the
date of the annual meeting at which the election occurred. A tendered
resignation will be accepted unless compelling circumstances dictate otherwise.
See Director Resignation Policy, below, for more information about the
Director Resignation Policy.
The approval of the Sun
Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan and the ratification of the
appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015 each require
the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Company
common stock present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled
to vote thereon. Shares of Company common stock as to which the ABSTAIN box
has been selected on the proxy card and broker non-votes (i.e., shares held by brokers on behalf of their customers, which may not be
voted on certain matters because the brokers have not received specific voting
instructions from their customers with respect to such matters) will be counted
solely for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present.
2
INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT
AND DIRECTORS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Management and directors of
the Company have interests in the matters that will be acted upon that are
different from the interests of other shareholders as follows:
Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive
Plan. Proposal 2 involves a
vote on the adoption of the Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan,
which is intended to replace all existing equity plans, would allow certain
directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company or Sun National
Bank, the Companys wholly-owned subsidiary (the Bank), to receive equity and
performance-based awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units and other
stock-based awards, if they work for the Company or the Bank until the end of a
specified service period or achieve specified performance goals. Awards under
the plan will be discretionary and the Companys Compensation Committee has not
yet determined to whom awards will be made or the terms and conditions of such
awards.
The Board of Directors has
taken the above interests into account in recommending that shareholders approve
Proposal 2.
The following table sets
forth, as of the Record Date, certain information as to the Companys common
stock beneficially owned by persons owning in excess of 5% of the outstanding
shares of the Companys common stock. The Company knows of no person, except as
listed below, who beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of
the Companys common stock as of the Record Date. For purposes of the table
below and the table set forth under the caption Security Ownership of
Management, in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), a person is deemed to be the beneficial
owner of any shares of common stock (a) over which that person has or shares,
directly or indirectly, voting power or investment power, or (b) of which that
person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days
after the Record Date. As used herein, voting power is the power to vote or
direct the voting of shares and investment power includes the power to dispose
or direct the disposition of shares. Except as otherwise indicated, (i) each
shareholder shown in the table below has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares of common stock indicated and (ii) none of such shares are
listed because the person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within
60 days after the Record Date.
3
Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners
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Amount and Nature |
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Percent of Shares
of |
Name and Address of |
of Beneficial |
|
Common Stock |
Beneficial Owner |
Ownership |
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Outstanding(1) |
WL
Ross & Co. LLC |
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1166
Avenue of the Americas |
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New
York, New York 10036 |
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4,255,848 |
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22.9 |
% |
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Maycomb Holdings IV, LLC |
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c/o
Siguler Guff & Company, LP |
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825
Third Avenue |
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New
York, New York 10022 |
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1,692,084 |
(2) |
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9.1 |
% |
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Bernard A. Brown |
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71
West Park Avenue |
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Vineland, New Jersey 08360 |
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1,239,697 |
(3)(4) |
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6.7 |
% |
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EJF
Capital, L.L.C. |
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2107
Wilson Boulevard, Suite 410 |
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Arlington, VA 22201 |
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1,029,599 |
(5) |
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5.5 |
% |
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FJ
Capital Management, L.L.C. |
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1313
Dolley Madison Boulevard, Suite 306 |
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McLean, VA 22101 |
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1,023,058 |
(6) |
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5.5 |
% |
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Sidney R. Brown |
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c/o
NFI Industries, Inc. |
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1515
Burnt Mill Road |
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Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08003 |
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963,214 |
(7)(8)(9) |
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5.2 |
% |
____________________
(1) |
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Based on the
18,618,630 total outstanding shares of the Company as of the Record
Date. |
(2) |
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Based on an amended
Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2012 and on information
from the corporate records of the Company. |
(3) |
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Based on a Form 4
filed with the SEC on November 3, 2014. |
(4) |
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Includes 28,633
shares that can be acquired pursuant to options that are currently
exercisable or that will become exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date. |
(5) |
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Based on an amended
Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on October 30, 2014. The Schedule 13G was
filed by EJF Capital, L.L.C. for itself and as the parent holding company
for three of its subsidiaries (as identified therein). EJF Capital, L.L.C.
shares voting and investment power of these shares. |
(6) |
|
Based on an amended
Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on August 26, 2014. The Schedule 13G was
filed by FJ Capital Management, L.L.C. for itself and as the parent
holding company for three of its subsidiaries (as identified therein). FJ
Capital Management L.L.C. shares voting and investment power of these
shares. |
(7) |
|
Based on a Form 4
filed with the SEC on January 5, 2015. |
(8) |
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Includes 54,555
shares that can be acquired pursuant to options that are currently
exercisable or that will become exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date. |
(9) |
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Excludes 802,446
shares held by various companies and partnerships for which the individual
disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held in excess of his
proportionate ownership interests in such companies and
partnerships. |
Security Ownership of
Management
The following table sets
forth information about shares of common stock beneficially owned by each
current director of the Company, each director nominee, each named executive
officer of the Company identified in the Summary Compensation Table below
(except as otherwise noted), and all directors and executive officers of the
Company as a group as of the Record Date. Except as otherwise indicated, (i)
each shareholder shown in the table below has sole voting and investment power
with
4
respect to the shares of
common stock indicated and (ii) none of such shares are listed because the
person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days after the
Record Date.
|
Amount and |
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Nature of |
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Beneficial |
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Name of
Beneficial Owner |
Ownership
(1)(2) |
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Percent of
Class(3) |
Director
nominees: |
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Wilbur L. Ross,
Jr. |
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4,255,848 |
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22.9 |
% |
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Sidney R.
Brown |
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963,214 |
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5.2 |
% |
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Jeffrey S.
Brown |
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595,724 |
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3.2 |
% |
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Thomas M.
OBrien |
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168,103 |
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* |
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Peter Galetto,
Jr. |
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103,262 |
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* |
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Eli Kramer |
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78,249 |
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* |
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Anthony R.
Coscia |
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30,613 |
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* |
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Philip A.
Norcross |
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29,314 |
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* |
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William J.
Marino |
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27,180 |
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* |
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Keith Stock |
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6,169 |
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* |
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F. Clay Creasey,
Jr. |
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780 |
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* |
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Named executive officers
who |
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are not
directors: |
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Thomas R.
Brugger |
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10,666 |
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* |
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Alberino J.
Celini |
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1,773 |
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* |
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Michele B.
Estep |
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19,087 |
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* |
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Nicos
Katsoulis |
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- |
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* |
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Total of all directors,
nominees |
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for director, and named
executive |
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officers of the Company
as a |
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group (15
persons) |
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6,289,982 |
(4)(5) |
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33.8 |
% |
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____________________
* |
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Less
than 1.0% |
(1) |
|
Although Bradley J. Fouss is included as a
named executive officer in the Summary Compensation Table (as required
under applicable regulations), Mr. Fouss employment terminated on July
18, 2014. Accordingly, this table, which sets forth the beneficial
ownership of the Companys directors and named executive officers as of
the Record Date, does not include shares held by Mr. Fouss, if
any. |
(2) |
|
The
figures shown include the following shares which may be acquired upon the
exercise of stock options that are, or will become, exercisable within 60
days after the Record Date: Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. 0; Sidney R. Brown
54,555; Jeffrey S. Brown 3,100; Thomas M. OBrien 0; Peter Galetto,
Jr. 0; Eli Kramer 14,731; Anthony R. Coscia 0; Philip A. Norcross
0; William J. Marino 0; Keith Stock 0; F. Clay Creasey, Jr. 0;
Thomas R. Brugger 1,000; Michele B. Estep 11,448; Alberino J. Celini
750; and Nicos Katsoulis 0. |
(3) |
|
Based on the 18,618,630 total outstanding
shares of the Company as of the Record Date. |
(4) |
|
Excludes 1,605,142 shares held by various
companies and partnerships for which an individual disclaims beneficial
ownership of shares held in excess of his or her proportionate ownership
interests in such companies and partnerships. |
(5) |
|
Includes 85,584 shares that can be acquired
pursuant to options that are currently exercisable or that will become
exercisable within 60 days of the Record
Date. |
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS |
Our business and affairs are managed under the
direction of our Board of Directors, which is currently comprised of eleven
members. The current members of our Board are Jeffrey S. Brown, Sidney
5
R. Brown, Anthony R.
Coscia, F. Clay Creasey, Jr., Peter Galetto, Jr., Eli Kramer, William J. Marino,
Philip A. Norcross, Thomas M. OBrien, Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. and Keith Stock.
Effective June 30, 2014, a former director, Steven A. Kass, resigned from the
Board. Each of our directors was elected to be a director for a one year term at
our Annual Meeting of Shareholders held in 2014. Because Mr. Kass was unable to
serve as a director, the Board designated Mr. OBrien as its substitute director
nominee and all valid proxies voted in favor of Mr. Kass were voted in favor of
the election of Mr. OBrien.
Pursuant to the terms of a
securities purchase agreement dated July 7, 2010 entered into between the
Company and WLR SBI Acquisition Co, LLC (WL Ross), the Company agreed that as
long as WL Ross beneficially owns at least 7.5% of the outstanding common stock
of the Company, WL Ross has the right to nominate one candidate to the Board.
Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. is WL Ross nominee. Pursuant to the terms of a securities
purchase agreement dated July 7, 2010 entered into between the Company and
various members of the Brown family, as long as the Brown family and their
affiliates own at least 7.5% of the outstanding common stock of the Company, the
Brown family has the right to nominate four candidates to the Board. Jeffrey S.
Brown and Sidney R. Brown are the Brown family nominees. There are no other
arrangements or understandings between the Company and any director or nominee
pursuant to which such person was elected or nominated to be a director of the
Company.
It is intended that the
proxies solicited by the Board will be voted FOR the election of each of the
named nominees. If any of the nominees is unable to serve, the shares
represented by all valid proxies will be voted for the election of such
substitute as the Board of Directors may recommend or the size of the Board may
be reduced to eliminate the vacancy. At this time, the Board knows of no reason
why any of the nominees might be unavailable to serve. Each of the nominees has
consented to serve, if elected.
The following table sets
forth information with respect to each nominee for election as a director. All
nominees are currently members of the Board.
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Age at |
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Year First |
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|
Record |
|
Elected or |
|
Present Term |
|
Position and Offices |
Name(1) |
|
Date |
|
Appointed |
|
Expires |
|
With the Company |
Jeffrey S.
Brown |
|
55 |
|
1999 |
|
2015 |
|
Director |
Sidney R.
Brown |
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57 |
|
1990 |
|
2015 |
|
Director, |
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Chairman of the |
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|
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|
Board |
Anthony R.
Coscia |
|
55 |
|
2010 |
|
2015 |
|
Director |
F. Clay Creasey,
Jr. |
|
66 |
|
2014 |
|
2015 |
|
Director |
Peter Galetto,
Jr. |
|
61 |
|
1990 |
|
2015 |
|
Director |
Eli Kramer |
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60 |
|
2004 |
|
2015 |
|
Director |
William J.
Marino |
|
71 |
|
2010 |
|
2015 |
|
Director |
Philip A.
Norcross |
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52 |
|
2012 |
|
2015 |
|
Director |
Thomas M.
OBrien |
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64 |
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2014 |
|
2015 |
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Director, |
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President and |
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Chief Executive |
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Officer |
Wilbur L. Ross,
Jr. |
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77 |
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2010 |
|
2015 |
|
Director |
Keith Stock |
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62 |
|
2014 |
|
2015 |
|
Director |
(1) All of the nominees are
currently directors of the Bankss Board of Directors and, if re-elected to the
Board of the Company, will be re-elected to the Board of Directors of the Bank.
The Board of Directors
recommends a vote FOR the election of Sun Bancorp Inc.s nominees for director.
6
Biographical Information
and Qualifications of Directors
Set forth below is
biographical information for each director as well as each directors special
knowledge and skills that qualify him to be a director.
Jeffrey S.
Brown has been a director of the
Company since 1999 and a director of the Bank since 2002. Mr. Brown is a member
of the Boards Risk and ALCO/Investment Committees. He is
President and Vice Chairman of NFI Industries, Inc., a national, comprehensive
provider of freight transportation, warehousing, third party logistics, contract
manufacturing, and real estate development. Mr. Brown is also President of NFI
Real Estate, one of the top real estate development companies in the industry.
He is one of the general partners of The Four Bs, a partnership with extensive
holdings primarily in the eastern United States. Mr. Brown is an officer and
director of several other corporations and partnerships in the transportation,
equipment leasing, insurance, warehousing and real estate industries. He serves
on the Boards of several regional charities including the Board of Trustees of
the Cooper Foundation. Mr. Brown earned his BA in Business Administration from
the University of Miami. Bernard A. Brown, Emeritus Director of the Bank, is
Jeffrey Browns parent, and Sidney R. Brown, Chairman of the Board of Directors,
is his sibling. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Brown is qualified to
serve on the Board due to his finance and real estate experience and his
knowledge and understanding of the Companys market.
Sidney R.
Brown is Chairman of the Boards
of Directors of the Company and the Bank and has been a director of the Company
since 1990 and a director of the Bank since 2002. In addition to serving as a
director, Mr. Brown served as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company from December 2013 to July 2014 and from February 2007 to January
2008. From 1990 to 2013, Mr. Brown also served as Treasurer and Secretary of the
Company. Mr. Brown serves as Chair of the Executive Committee and is a member of
the Boards ALCO/Investment Committee. Mr. Brown is Chief Executive Officer of
NFI Industries, Inc., a national, comprehensive provider of freight
transportation, warehousing, third party logistics, contract manufacturing, and
real estate development. Mr. Brown attended Georgetown University and graduated
with a BSBA in 1979. He began his career working for Morgan Stanley in New York
City as a financial analyst in the corporate finance department of the
investment bank. He moved on to pursue his MBA at Harvard University. Graduating
in 1983, he immediately joined the family business. Mr. Brown is a director of J
& J Snack Foods Corp., Franklin Square Energy and Power Fund and Cooper
Health System. Bernard A. Brown, Emeritus Director of the Bank, is Sidney
Browns parent, and Director Jeffrey S. Brown is his sibling. With his extensive
experience in operating and growing local businesses into national companies,
along with his specific knowledge of the Company, Mr. Brown provides the Board
of Directors with a valued business perspective.
Anthony R. Coscia
has been a director of the
Company since 2010 and a director of the Bank since 2011. Mr. Coscia serves as
Chair of the Boards ALCO/Investment Committee and is a member of the Boards
Compensation Committee. He is admitted to the state bars of New Jersey and New
York and is a Partner in the law firm of Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf,
LLP, having been with the firm for over 30 years. He is a graduate of Georgetown
University School of Foreign Service and received his law degree from Rutgers
University School of Law. In 2007, Mr. Coscia was awarded an honorary doctorate
of humane letters from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Mr. Coscias
legal practice focuses on corporate, commercial, and real estate matters, with a
concentration on the financial elements of these transactions. Mr. Coscia serves
as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Railroad Passenger
Corporation (Amtrak), having been appointed to the Board of Amtrak by President
Obama in 2010. He is the Chairman of United Water, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of
Suez Environment. In addition, he serves as a trustee of the New Jersey
Community Development Corporation and is a member of the New Jersey Performing
Arts Center Council of Trustees, The Partnership for New York City, The Economic
Club of
7
New York and the Regional
Plan Association. Mr. Coscia served as Chairman of the Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey for over eight years, stepping down from his position on
June 30, 2011. With Mr. Coscias extensive background and as a well-respected
business leader actively involved in both the private and government sectors in
New Jersey and New York, he is a significant complement to the Companys Board
of Directors.
F. Clay Creasey, Jr.
has been a director of the
Company and the Bank since 2014. Mr. Creasey serves as Chair of the Audit
Committee and is a member of the Boards ALCO/Investment Committee. Mr. Creasey
was employed by ToysRUs, Inc. as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer from May 2006 to June 2014. He joined ToysRUs, Inc. in 2006 with more
than 25 years of financial management experience in the retail industry. Mr.
Creasey began his retail career at Lucky Stores, a large, public grocery, where
he spent 11 years in various corporate and division financial roles. More
recently, he spent 13 years at Mervyns, a subsidiary of Target Corporation,
where he served as their Chief Financial Officer for five years. He also spent
one year as the financial head of Zoom Systems, a San Francisco-based start-up
company in the automated retail sector. During his career, Mr. Creasey has been
involved with several corporate and operational restructurings and financial
turnarounds. Before entering the retail sector, Mr. Creasey spent two years as
an Actuarial Analyst at Firemans Fund and six years as a Corporate Lending
Officer with Crocker Bank. Mr. Creasey holds a bachelors degree and a Masters
of Business Administration from Stanford University. He also is a Certified
Public Accountant. With Mr. Creaseys corporate leadership skills, experience
with restructurings and financial turnarounds and expertise in risk management,
regulatory compliance, credit and corporate lending, he is a valued addition to
the Companys Board of Directors.
Peter Galetto,
Jr. has been a director of the
Company since 1990 and a director of the Bank since 2001. He is Chair of the
Risk Committee and is a member of the Boards Executive, Audit and Nominating
& Corporate Governance Committees. Mr. Galetto is the President and CEO of
Stanker&Galetto, Inc., an industrial building contractor located in
Vineland, New Jersey. He is the Secretary/Treasurer of Tri-Mark Building
Contractors, Inc. Mr. Galetto is also Chairman of the Board of Inspira Health
Network (formerly South Jersey Healthcare System which merged with Underwood
Memorial Hospital), board member of Hendricks House and also serves as the
Parish of All Saints Finance Council President. He has been honored by several
organizations for his community service: Entrepreneur of the Year by the South
Jersey Development Council, Gregor Mendel Award from St. Augustine Prep,
Vineland Rotary Club Outstanding Vocational Accomplishments and the Order Sons
of Italy in America Distinguished Golden Lion Award. He received a BS in
Commerce and Engineering from Drexel University, majoring in Finance and
Management. Mr. Galetto also graduated from Harvard Business Schools
Owner/President Management Program. With his proven business leadership and
management skills, in addition to his stature in the local business community,
Mr. Galetto provides valuable perspective to the Board of Directors of the
Company.
Eli
Kramer has been a director of the
Company and the Bank since 2004. Mr. Kramer serves as Chair of the Compensation
Committee and is a member of the Boards Executive, Risk and Nominating
& Corporate Governance
Committees. Mr. Kramer has over 20 years of total bank board experience
including seven plus years as Vice Chair or Chairman at a previous bank. Mr.
Kramer has been a principal in real estate development companies since 1976 and
is the owner of CJ Management, LLC. He is also a principal in Arcturus Group, a
real estate advisory and asset management firm serving the financial industry.
He was a co-founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Community
Bancorp of New Jersey, prior to its acquisition by the Company. He also served
as a Director and Chairman of the Board of Colonial State Bank. Mr. Kramer
serves as a Trustee on the Boards of the Jewish Educational Center, Elizabeth,
NJ, the Holocaust Resource Center at Kean University, and the Trinitas
Healthcare Foundation. He earned his BS in Management Science from the Stevens
Institute of Technology. Mr. Kramers bank board experience, proven leadership
and business management skills,
8
knowledge of the New Jersey
market, and stature in the community are all attributes that are highly valued
as a director of the Company.
William J. Marino
has been a director of the
Company since 2010 and a director of the Bank since 2011. Mr. Marino currently
serves as Chair of the Boards Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee
and is a member of the Boards Compensation Committee. He is a graduate of St.
Peters College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Mr. Marino has
over 40 years of experience in the health and employee benefits field, primarily
in managed care, marketing and management. Mr. Marino is the retired Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New
Jersey, the states largest health insurer, providing coverage for over 3.6
million people. He joined Horizon BCBSNJ as Senior Vice President of Health
Industry Services in January 1992, responsible for all aspects of Managed Care
operations in New Jersey, as well as Market Research, Product Development,
Provider Relations and Health Care Management. He became President and CEO in
January 1994 and Chairman effective January 2010. Before joining Horizon BCBSNJ,
Mr. Marino was Vice President of Regional Group Operations for New York and
Connecticut for Prudential, capping a 23-year career with them. Mr. Marino is
currently the Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Performing
Arts Center (NJPAC) and a member of the Board of the New Jersey Symphony
Orchestra. He is on the board of directors of WebMD Health Corp. and Sealed Air
Corporation, in which he serves as Chairman of the Board. He is a member of the
Campaign Committee of Saint Vincent Academy and a member of the Board of
Trustees of Delbarton School in Morristown. In addition, Mr. Marino is a member
of the board of a privately held corporation, Secura Home Health, LLC. Mr.
Marino is a recipient of the 1997 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. In 2007 he
received The American Conference on Diversitys Humanitarian of the Year Award.
As a highly regarded business and philanthropic leader, one who has played an
important role in policy and legislative matters in New Jersey, Mr. Marino is an
important complement to the Companys Board of Directors.
Philip A.
Norcross has been a director of
the Company and the Bank since 2012. Mr. Norcross is a member of the Boards
Audit, Compensation and Risk Committees. Mr. Norcross is Chief Executive Officer
and Managing Shareholder of Parker McCay, a regional law firm headquartered in
Mount Laurel, New Jersey, with offices in Lawrenceville and Atlantic City, New
Jersey. He co-chairs the firms Public Finance and Business Departments and has
particular expertise in finance and transactional law, with an emphasis on
government, economic development, redevelopment and other specialized
financings. Mr. Norcross also serves as Chairman of Optimus Partners LLC, a
business advisory and consulting firm, based in Trenton, New Jersey, that serves
a wide array of clients in the financial services, healthcare, gaming, real
estate and development, and insurance sectors. Mr. Norcross is Chairman of the
Board of The Cooper Foundation and a member of Cooper Health Systems Treasury
Steering Committee. He is a member of the Board and Executive Committee of
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey as well as a member
and past Chairman of Burlington County United Way. Mr. Norcross also serves on
the Board of Trustees of the Home Port Alliance of the U.S.S. New Jersey, Inc.
and is a founding member and former vice president of the Mount Laurel Public
Education Foundation. He is also a member of the National Association of Bond
Lawyers, the American Bar Association and the bar associations of New Jersey,
Burlington County and Camden County. Mr. Norcross earned his BA in Business from
Rutgers University and his JD from the Temple University School of Law. With his
record of success, particularly in the areas of law, finance and economic
development, working with both private and public entities, Mr. Norcross brings
valuable experience and talent to the Companys Board of Directors.
Thomas M.
OBrien has been a director of
the Company and the Bank since 2014. Mr. OBrien has served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank since July 2014. Mr. OBrien
is a member of the Boards Executive Committee. From April 1, 2014 through June
30, 2014, Mr. OBrien was providing consulting services to the Boards of
Directors of the Company and the Bank
9
pending regulatory approval
of his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. OBrien served
on the boards of BankUnited, Inc. and BankUnited, NA from May 2012 through April
1, 2014. Prior to that, Mr. OBrien served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of State Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, State Bank of
Long Island, from November 2006 to January 2012. From 2000 to 2006 Mr. OBrien
was President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Bank of New York and,
following the acquisition of Atlantic Bank of New York by New York Commercial
Bank, continued to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer during the
post-closing transition. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. OBrien was Vice Chairman and a
board member of North Fork Bank and North Fork Bancorporation, Inc. From 1977 to
1996, Mr. OBrien was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of North
Side Savings Bank. Mr. OBrien served as a director of the Federal Home Loan
Bank of New York from 2008 to 2012 and served as Chairman of New York Bankers
Association in 2007. Mr. OBrien is currently Trustee and Chairman of the Audit
Committee of Prudential Insurance Company of America $175 Billion Annuity Fund
Complex, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Finance Committee of
Archcare and Catholic Healthcare Foundation for the Archdiocese of New York. Mr.
OBrien received a BA in Political Science from Niagara University in 1972 and
an MBA from Iona College in 1982. The Board of Directors considers Mr. OBriens
length and breadth of banking experience and his deep understanding of financial
statements, regulation, compliance and corporate governance as assets to the
Board.
Wilbur L. Ross,
Jr. has been a director of the
Company and the Bank since 2010. Mr. Ross is a member of the Boards Executive
and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees and is a non-voting
observer to the Compensation Committee. Mr. Ross is the Founder, Chairman and
Chief Strategy Officer of WL Ross & Co. LLC, a private equity firm. Mr. Ross
was formerly the Chief Executive Officer of WL Ross & Co. LLC prior to April
30, 2014, when he became its Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer. In March 2014,
Mr. Ross became the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of WL Ross Holding
Corp, a special purpose acquisition company. Mr. Ross is a director and Vice
Chairman of the Bank of Cyprus. He also serves on the boards of directors of
Arcelor Mittal, the worlds largest steel and mining company, EXCO Resources,
Inc., a natural gas and oil exploration company, and DSS Holdings LP, a shipping
transportation company. Mr. Ross formerly served on the boards of directors of
many banks, financial and other companies, including, but not limited to, The
Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland, BankUnited, Inc., Talmer Bancorp,
Assured Guaranty, International Textile Group, NBNK Investments PLC, PB
Materials Holdings, Inc., Ohizumi Manufacturing, Ocwen Financial Corp.,
Navigator Holdings, International Automotive Components, Plascar Participants
SA, Air Lease Corporation, International Coal Group, Montpelier Re Holdings
Ltd., and The Greenbrier Companies. Mr. Ross was Executive Managing Director of
Rothschild Group Inc. for 24 years before acquiring that firms private equity
partnerships in 2000. Mr. Ross is a graduate of Yale University and of Harvard
Business School. He is a member of the boards of Yale University School of
Management, The Deans Advisory Board of Harvard Business School, and the Palm
Beach Preservation Foundation. He is Chairman of the Japan Society and the
Brookings Institution Economics Studies Council. Mr. Ross is also an Executive
Committee Member of the Partnership for New York City. He has been elected to
the Private Equity Hall of Fame and the Turnaround Management Association Hall
of Fame. Mr. Ross is well qualified to serve as a director due to his over 35
years of experience in private equity, numerous public and private company
directorship roles, and globally-recognized financial expertise. He is a valued
member of the Board of Directors given his experience in the financial services
industry and his reputation as one of the worlds most respected investors.
Keith Stock
has been a director of the
Company and the Bank since 2014. Mr. Stock serves as a member of the Boards
Audit Committee. Since 2011, he has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
First Financial Investors, Inc., a financial services investment firm, and
Senior Executive Advisor with The Brookside Group. Since 2014, Mr. Stock has
served as Chairman of the Board and a member of the executive office of Clarien
Bank Limited. Previously, he served as Chairman and Chief
10
Executive Officer of
Clarien Group Limited, the holding company for Clarien Bank. Mr. Stock has also
been a registered securities professional with J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC, a
FINRA registered broker dealer. Previously, from 2009 to 2011, Mr. Stock served
as Senior Managing Director and Chief Strategy Officer of TIAA-CREF. He was a
member of the Office of the CEO with responsibility for corporate development
and strategy including mergers and acquisitions and business strategies for
asset management, banking and trust, life insurance, retirement services, and
wealth management. From 2004 to 2008 Mr. Stock served as President of MasterCard
Advisors, LLC, the professional services business of MasterCard Worldwide. He
was a member of the MasterCard Operating Committee and Management Council. Mr.
Stock also previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of St.
Louis Bank, FSB and First Financial Partners Fund I, LP, a private equity firm
and bank holding company, as well as Chairman and President of Treasury Bank,
Ltd. Earlier in his career, Mr. Stock was a partner with McKinsey & Co., a
senior officer of A.T. Kearney, and financial services sector executive with
Capgemini and Ernst & Young. He began his career with the Mellon Bank (now
BNY Mellon). Mr. Stock is a member of the Governing Council of the Bermuda Stock
Exchange (the BSX), the Foreign Policy Association, and Independence
Bancshares, Inc. He is a member of the Economic Club of New York, the Advisory
Board of the Institute for Ethical Leadership, Rutgers University Business
School, and the International Trustee Election Commission of AFS Intercultural
Programs, Inc. (formerly known as the American Field Service). He received his
undergraduate degree from Princeton University and his MBA in finance from The
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. As an accomplished business leader
with an impressive record of success and in-depth management experience in the
financial services industry, Mr. Stocks qualifications make him an important
complement to the Companys Board of Directors.
Executive Officers
In addition to Mr. OBrien,
the Company and the Bank have the following executive officers:
Thomas R. Brugger,
age 48, joined the Company and the Bank in November 2012 as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer. His responsibilities include financial
reporting and planning, accounting, treasury, interest rate risk management and
capital planning. Before joining the Company, Mr. Brugger was Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Customers Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding
company based in Wyomissing, PA for three years (from September 2009 to October
2012). Prior to that, Mr. Brugger was Executive Vice President, Corporate
Treasurer for Sovereign Bancorp and Sovereign Bank for fifteen years. Mr.
Brugger is a graduate of Penn State University and is Vice Chairman for the
Advisory Board for Penn State Outreach and Online Education, a division of Penn
State University.
Alberino J. Celini,
age 52,
joined the Company and the Bank in December 2012 as Executive Vice President and
Chief Risk Officer overseeing the credit, operational and market risk management
functions of the Bank. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Celini was Vice
President, Regulatory Advisory & Strategy at Freddie Mac in McLean,
Virginia. His twenty-five year career spans both functional and business
leadership roles within major financial institutions, and his expertise
encompasses finance, risk management, regulatory compliance, governance and
strategic business development. Mr. Celini also spent a decade at Ally Bank,
where he served as founding Chief Financial Officer, Chief Risk Officer and
Director of Lending Development, as the Bank grew from start-up to maturity.
Other past roles include Financial Officer at Citibank and public accountant
with Arthur Andersen & Co. A Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Celini earned
a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from Fordham University
and advanced certification in Management from Dartmouth College, Tuck School of
Business. He is a member of the NJBankers Association and has held executive
board roles at the MERS Corporation, Delaware Community Investment Corporation
and the Bucks County Boy Scouts of America.
11
Michele B. Estep,
age 45, joined the Company and
the Bank in April 2008 as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative
Officer. In this position, Ms. Estep oversees the Companys administrative
operations, including Human Resources, Training and Development, Marketing,
Investor Relations, Communications and Security and Facilities. Ms. Estep brings
more than 20 years of experience to her position. Prior to joining the Company,
she held successive leadership roles at KeyBank in Albany, New York. Ms. Estep
is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Food Bank of South Jersey and serves
on its Compensation and Strategic Planning Committees. She holds a BS from
Syracuse University and an MBA from the State University of New York at Albany.
Nicos Katsoulis,
age 55, joined the Company and the Bank in November 2014. He oversees all of the
Banks lending activities, including commercial and industrial and commercial
real estate lending. Prior to becoming an employee, Mr. Katsoulis was a
consultant to the Bank from July 2014 to November 2014. Previously, from 2007 to
2012, he served as a director of State Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned
subsidiary, State Bank of Long Island, and was Chair of its Loan Committee.
Prior thereto, Mr. Katsoulis served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Lending Officer at Atlantic Bank of New York, where he led the development of
that banks loan portfolio and oversaw the origination of several billion
dollars in new facilities and relationships. He is a graduate of the London
School of Economics and Columbia Universitys graduate school of
business.
Anthony J.
Morris, age 59, joined the Bank
in November 2014. As Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer of the
Bank, Mr. Morris oversees key customer experience functions across the
organization, including retail banking, information technology, bank operations,
and the Bank's wealth management subsidiary. Prior to becoming an employee, Mr.
Morris was a consultant to the Bank from July 2014 to November 2014. From
November 2012 to July 2014, Mr. Morris served as Director, Banking Products
& Services at CIT Bank where he was responsible for formulating strategic
and operating plans for a wide range of matters pertaining to defining,
developing and implementing a branch banking platform to enable CIT Bank to
capture core deposits to fund its lending businesses. Prior to CIT Bank, from
2007 to 2012, Mr. Morris served as Senior Vice President, Chief Corporate
Planning and Marketing Officer at State Bank of Long Island, and from 1999-2006
he served as Senior Vice President, Chief Planning and Marketing Officer for
Atlantic Bank of New York. Prior to 1999, Mr. Morris held marketing and retail
positions with other financial institutions. Mr. Morris is a graduate of Adelphi
University with a Bachelors Degree in Business and he is a veteran of the
United States Army.
Patricia M.
Schaubeck, age 54, an attorney
admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey, joined the Company and the
Bank in September 2014 as Executive Vice President and General Counsel, serving
as the Companys and Banks chief legal officer. Prior to joining the Company,
Ms. Schaubeck served as General Counsel to Suffolk Bancorp and its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Suffolk County National Bank, in New York, from June 2012 through
August 2014. Prior thereto, Ms. Schaubeck served as General Counsel to State
Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, State Bank of Long Island, in New
York, from June 2007 through January 2012. Previously, Ms. Schaubeck was
associated with various New York City and Long Island, New York law firms where
she represented financial institutions and real estate clients. Ms. Schaubeck
serves on the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee of The Mary Louis Academy,
a private, all-girls college preparatory school in New York, and is a sponsor
and mentor with Student Sponsor Partners, a New York organization assisting
low-income students with a high school education. She holds a BBA from Baruch
College and an MBA and JD from St. Johns University.
Neelesh
Kalani, age 40, joined the
Company and the Bank in January 2011 as Senior Vice President and Chief
Accounting Officer. His responsibilities include financial reporting and general
accounting. Before joining the Company, Mr. Kalani served as Senior Vice
President and Controller of
12
Harleysville National
Corporation and Harleysville National Bank from December 2009 to June 2010, and
Chief Accounting Officer of Willow Financial Bancorp. Inc. and Willow Financial
Bank from January 2006 to December 2009. He served as an Accounting Manager of
Comcast Cable Communications from July 2004 to January 2006. Prior thereto, he
performed progressive roles at KPMG LLP, culminating as Audit Manager, in their
financial services audit practice from November 1997 to July 2004. Mr. Kalani, a
Certified Public Accountant, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting
and Finance from Drexel University.
There are no arrangements
or understandings between the above-mentioned officers and any person with
respect to the selection of the above-mentioned officers.
Board Leadership
Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Historically, the offices
of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company have been held by separate individuals. For a brief period of time, from
December 2013 until July 2014, these positions were held by the same individual,
Sidney R. Brown. Mr. Brown assumed these concurrent roles following the
departure of the Companys former President and Chief Executive Officer and
pending the Boards search for a new Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Since Sidney R. Brown was serving in a dual role as Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer for only an interim period of time, the Board did not
appoint a lead independent director for that time period. The Board of Directors
has determined that the separation of the roles of Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer will enhance Board independence and oversight and that
it permits the Chief Executive Officer to better focus on developing and
implementing strategic and tactical initiatives, enhancing shareholder value and
expanding and strengthening the Companys franchise, while allowing the Chairman
of the Board to lead the Board in its fundamental role of providing advice to,
and independent oversight of, management. The Board of Directors believes that
Board governance requires a dynamic approach and may determine in the future
that the same individual should serve in the role of Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer.
The Board of Directors has
general authority over the Companys risk oversight function with authority
delegated to various Board committees to review risk management policies and
practices in specific areas of the Companys business. The Risk Committee is
primarily responsible for overseeing the Companys risk management. The Risk
Committee works closely with officers of the Company involved in the risk
management function. The Chief Risk Officer and other senior officers of the
Company attend Risk Committee meetings and discuss the Companys risk profile
and risk management program with the Committee. Other Board committees also
participate in risk management. The Audit Committee is responsible for
overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and
the audits of the Companys financial statements; the ALCO/Investment Committee
monitors interest rate and liquidity risk; and the Compensation Committee
monitors risk arising from compensation policies and practices.
Stock Ownership
Guidelines
The Company has established
minimum stock ownership guidelines for executive officers. The guidelines
require that the President and Chief Executive Officer own a minimum of $600,000
market value of Company stock and each Executive Vice President owns a minimum
of $250,000 market value of Company stock. Executive officers generally have 2 ½
years to comply with these guidelines. See Compensation Discussion and
Analysis, below for further discussion on Stock Ownership Guidelines.
13
Meetings and Committees
of the Board of Directors
The Company is governed by
a Board of Directors and various committees of the Board, which meet regularly
throughout the year. During 2014, the Companys Board of Directors held nine
regular meetings and four special meetings. During that period, no incumbent
director attended fewer than 75% of the meetings of the Companys Board of
Directors and committees on which such director served during the period that he
served. The Board encourages, but does not require, directors to attend the
annual meetings of shareholders. All of the members of the Board of Directors
attended the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders.
The Compensation Committee
met eight times during 2014. The Compensation Committee consists of Directors
Eli Kramer (Chairman), Anthony R. Coscia, William J. Marino and Philip A.
Norcross. Director Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. serves in a non-voting observer
capacity.
The Audit Committee met
nine times during 2014. The Audit Committee consists of Directors F. Clay
Creasey, Jr. (Chairman), Peter Galetto, Jr., Philip A. Norcross and Keith Stock.
The Nominating &
Corporate Governance Committee met three times during 2014. This committee
consists of Directors William J. Marino (Chairman), Peter Galetto, Jr., Eli
Kramer and Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.
Audit Committee
Management of the Company
is responsible for the Companys financial reporting process and the related
internal controls. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in
fulfilling its responsibility to shareholders by monitoring the quality and
integrity of the Companys financial reports, including the related systems of
internal controls and accounting and reporting practices. The Audit Committee
acts under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, a copy of which
is available on the Companys website at www.sunnationalbank.com.
The charter gives the Audit Committee responsibility for the appointment,
compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the registered public
accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report
or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company (including
resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding
financial reporting). Other responsibilities of the Audit Committee under the
charter include determining the independence of the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm, overseeing the internal audit function,
reviewing significant findings and recommended action plans, and reviewing with
management and the independent registered public accounting firm the Companys
interim and year-end operating results including SEC periodic reports and press
releases. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit
Committee is financially literate and that F. Clay Creasey, Jr. meets the SEC
criteria of a financial expert. The Board of Directors has further determined
that each member of the Audit Committee is independent under NASDAQ listing
rules. See Director Independence, below.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors is responsible for discharging the Boards
responsibilities relating to the Companys compensation and benefit plans and
practices and to produce an annual report on executive compensation for
inclusion in the Companys proxy statement. The Compensation Committee acts
under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, a copy of which is
available on the Companys website at www.sunnationalbank.com.
Other responsibilities under the charter include setting executive management
compensation, evaluating and approving all equity compensation plans and
approving all employment and change in control agreements.
14
None of the individuals who
served on the Compensation Committee during 2014 was an officer or employee of
the Company, nor is any individual a former employee of the Company. None of the
individuals had any transaction with related persons, promoters or certain
control persons that would require disclosure. The Board of Directors has
determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent under
NASDAQ listing rules. See Director Independence, below.
Nominating &
Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating &
Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for
developing criteria for the selection and evaluation of directors, recommending
to the Board of Directors candidates for election as directors and recommending
Board committee assignments. In addition, the Committee is responsible for
developing and implementing policies and practices relating to corporate
governance. The procedure for shareholders to submit recommendations of director
candidates is set forth below under Director Nomination Process. The
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee acts under a written charter
adopted by the Board of Directors, a copy of which is available on the Companys
website at www.sunnationalbank.com.
Other responsibilities under the charter include recommending director
orientation guidelines, monitoring continuing director education and assisting
the Board of Directors in determining the independence status of current and
prospective board members. The Board of Directors has determined that each
member of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is independent
under NASDAQ listing rules. See Director Independence, below.
Director
Independence
The Board of Directors
conducted an annual review of director independence in accordance with the
Exchange Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder, and the listing requirements
of NASDAQ. Pursuant to these independence standards, a director must not have a
relationship with the Company, other than as a director, which would interfere
with the directors exercise of independent judgment. As part of its review, the
Board considered transactions and relationships during the prior year between
each director and the members of his immediate family and the Company and its
subsidiaries, affiliates and equity investors, including those below under the
caption, Related Party Transactions. The purpose of the review was to
determine whether any such relationship was inconsistent with a determination
that the director is independent. As a result of this review, and on the
recommendation of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, the Board
of Directors has concluded that a majority of the Board is independent.
The Board of Directors has
determined that Anthony R. Coscia, F. Clay Creasey, Jr. Peter Galetto, Jr., Eli
Kramer, William J. Marino, Philip A. Norcross, Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., and Keith
Stock are independent. Steve A. Kass, a director of the Company until June 30,
2014, was deemed independent during his tenure as a director by the Board of
Directors. In determining the independence of the directors, the Board
considered the transactions listed under Related Party Transactions, below.
Director Thomas M. OBrien
is not independent because he is an executive officer of the Company. Director
Sidney Brown is not independent due to his acceptance of compensation during the
past three years, other than for Board or committee service, in excess of
$120,000. Director Jeffrey Brown is not independent because he is a family
member (brother) of Director Sidney Brown, who accepted compensation during the
past three years, other than for board or committee service, in excess of
$120,000.
15
Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation
The directors who served as
members of the Compensation Committee of the Companys Board of Directors during
the year ended December 31, 2014 were Eli Kramer (Chairman), Anthony R. Coscia,
William J. Marino and Philip A. Norcross.
None of the individuals who
served on the Compensation Committee during 2014 was an executive officer of
another company whose board of directors has a comparable committee on which one
of the Companys executive officers serves. In addition, during 2014, no
executive officer of the Company was a member of a comparable compensation
committee of a company of which any of the directors of the Company is an
executive officer.
Director Nomination
Process
The Nominating &
Corporate Governance Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors
of the persons to be nominated by the Company for election as directors. The
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees process for identifying and
evaluating potential nominees includes soliciting recommendations from directors
and officers of the Company and the Bank. Additionally, the Nominating &
Corporate Governance Committee will consider persons recommended by shareholders
of the Company in selecting the Nominating & Corporate Governance
Committees nominees for election. There is no difference in the manner in which
the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee evaluates persons
recommended by directors or officers and persons recommended by shareholders in
selecting Board nominees.
To be considered in the
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees selection of Board nominees,
recommendations from shareholders must be in writing and received at the
principal executive offices of the Company not later than the following dates:
in the case of an annual meeting, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days
prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided,
however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is changed by
more than 30 days from such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be
timely must be received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th)
day following the earlier of the date on which notice of the date of such
meeting was mailed or public disclosure was made. Recommendations should
identify the submitting shareholder, the person recommended for consideration
and the reasons the submitting shareholder believes such person should be
considered.
In addition, the Companys
bylaws require that for the person being recommended for consideration, all
information relating to such person as is required pursuant to Regulation 14A
under the Exchange Act, must be provided. The Nominating & Corporate
Governance Committee makes no representation that it will recommend to the Board
of Directors a candidate as a nominee, but will consider all individuals whose
names are submitted in compliance with Company procedures. The Nominating &
Corporate Governance Committee believes potential directors should have industry
expertise in areas of corporate governance, finance, banking, accounting, the
economy, real estate, general business and other areas of importance to the
Company. Nominees must possess personal integrity and reputation and have
familiarity and knowledge about the Companys business and the political and
economic environments in the markets the Bank serves. Further, nominees should
have the ability to provide the Companys management with guidance on the
development and oversight of strategy. The Nominating & Corporate Governance
Committee and the Board of Directors may consider diversity in market knowledge,
background, experience, qualifications, and other factors as part of its
evaluation of each candidate.
16
Director Resignation
Policy
The Board of Directors
adopted a Director Resignation Policy in February 2015. The Director Resignation
Policy applies to any annual, uncontested election of directors. In an
uncontested election of directors, any nominee who receives a greater number of
votes withheld from his or her election than votes for his or her election
will tender his or her resignation for consideration by the Board of Directors.
The Board has 45 days from the date of the applicable meeting to determine
whether to accept or reject the proffered resignation. Any resignation under the
Director Resignation Policy will be accepted by the Board of Directors absent a
compelling reason for the resignation to be rejected. A tendered resignation
will be accepted by the Board unless 80% or more of the members of the Board of
Directors vote to reject a resignation. In determining whether to accept a
proffered resignation, the Board will consider all factors it deems relevant and
may also consider a range of possible alternatives concerning the tendered
resignation. If the directors resignation is rejected, the Company will
publicly disclose the Boards decision, together with an explanation of the
process by which the decision was made and the reasons for rejecting the
tendered resignation. The Director Resignation Policy may only be amended upon
the affirmative vote of 80% or more of the members of the board of Directors.
Shareholder
Communications
The Board of Directors does
not have a formal process for shareholders to send communications to the Board.
In view of the infrequency of shareholder communications to the Board of
Directors, the Board does not believe that a formal process is necessary.
Written communications received by the Company from shareholders are shared with
the full Board no later than the next regularly scheduled Board
meeting.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a
Code of Ethics and Conduct that applies to its principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or
persons performing similar functions. A copy of the Code of Ethics and Conduct
is posted at the Companys website at www.sunnationalbank.com.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS |
Forward-Looking
Statements
This Compensation
Discussion and Analysis contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act)
and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and are intended to be covered by the safe
harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We are including this statement for
the purpose of invoking those safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements
often include the words believes, expects, anticipates, estimates,
forecasts, intends, plans, targets, potentially, probably,
projects, outlook or similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such
as may, will, should, would and could. These forward-looking
statements may include, among other things:
● |
statements and assumptions relating to
financial performance;
|
● |
statements relating to the anticipated effects
on results of operations or financial condition from recent or future
developments or events; |
17
● |
statements relating to our business and growth strategies
and our regulatory capital levels; |
● |
statements relating to potential sales of our criticized
and classified assets; and |
● |
any other statements, projections or assumptions that are
not historical facts. |
Actual future results may differ materially from our forward-looking
statements, and we qualify all forward-looking statements by various risks and
uncertainties we face, some of which are beyond our control, as well as the
assumptions underlying the statements, including, among others, the following
factors:
● |
the strength of the United States economy in general and
the strength of the local economies in which we conduct
operations; |
● |
market volatility; |
● |
the credit risks of lending activities, including changes
in the level and trend of loan delinquencies and
write-offs; |
● |
the overall quality of the composition of our loan and
securities portfolios; |
● |
the market for criticized and classified assets that we
may sell; |
● |
legislative and regulatory changes, including the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and impending
regulations, changes in banking, securities and tax laws and regulations
and their application by our regulators and changes in the scope and cost
of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance and other
coverages; |
● |
the effects of, and changes in, monetary and
fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System; |
● |
inflation, interest rate, market and monetary
fluctuations; |
● |
fluctuations in the demand for loans, the
number of unsold homes and other properties and fluctuations in real
estate values in our market areas; |
● |
the effect of and our compliance with the terms
of the written agreement by and between the Bank and the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (the OCC) dated April 15, 2010 (the OCC
Agreement) as well as compliance with the individual minimum capital
ratios established for the Bank by the OCC; |
● |
the results of examinations of us by the
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and of the Bank by the OCC, including
the possibility that the OCC may, among other things, require the Bank to
increase its allowance for loan losses or to write-down
assets; |
● |
our ability to control operating costs and
expenses; |
● |
our ability to manage delinquency
rates; |
● |
our ability to retain key members of our senior
management team; |
18
● |
the costs of litigation, including settlements
and judgments; |
● |
the increased competitive pressures among
financial services companies; |
● |
the timely development of and acceptance of new
products and services and the perceived overall value of these products
and services by businesses and consumers, including the features, pricing
and quality compared to our competitors products and
services; |
● |
technological changes; |
● |
acquisitions; |
● |
changes in consumer and business spending,
borrowing and saving habits and demand for financial services in our
market area; |
● |
adverse changes in securities
markets; |
● |
the inability of key third-party providers to
perform their obligations to us; |
● |
changes in accounting policies and practices,
as may be adopted by the financial institution regulatory agencies and the
Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB); |
● |
the potential impact on our operations and
customers resulting from natural or man-made disasters, wars, terrorist
activities or cyber attacks; |
● |
other economic, competitive, governmental,
regulatory and technological factors affecting our operations, pricing,
products and services and the other risks described elsewhere herein or in
the documents incorporated by reference herein and our other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); and |
● |
our success at managing the risks involved in
the foregoing. |
Any forward-looking
statements are based upon managements beliefs and assumptions at the time they
are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements included herein or to update the reasons why actual
results could differ from those contained in such statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required
to do so by law or regulation. In light of these risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements discussed
herein might not occur, and you should not put undue reliance on any
forward-looking statements.
Introduction
This Compensation
Discussion and Analysis describes the material elements of the Companys
compensation philosophy, policies and practices for the last fiscal year
applicable to the following individuals included in the Summary Compensation
Table, below. These individuals are referred to collectively as the named
executive officers.
● |
Thomas M. OBrien; Director, President and
Chief Executive Officer; |
● |
Sidney R. Brown; Chairman of the Board, Interim
President and Chief Executive Officer December 2, 2013 through July 2,
2014; |
19
● |
Thomas R. Brugger; Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer; |
● |
Alberino J. Celini; Executive Vice President and Chief
Risk Officer; |
● |
Michele B. Estep; Executive Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer; |
● |
Nicos Katsoulis; Executive Vice President and
Chief Lending Officer; and |
● |
Bradley J. Fouss; Executive Vice President and
Director of Wholesale Banking until July 18, 2014. |
In addition to the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation and benefits provided to
our named executive officers in 2014 are set forth below in the Summary
Compensation Table and other tables that follow this Analysis, as well as in
the footnotes and narrative material that accompany those tables.
Executive Summary
The Companys executive
compensation philosophy is to pay for performance in a risk-appropriate fashion.
The Company balances short- and long-term and fixed and variable compensation
through base salary, cash incentives and long-term equity incentives. Base
salaries are set at competitive levels based on the executives position and
reflect the executives expertise and experience. Cash incentives are paid to
executives based on Company performance against annual business objectives, and
performance results against established goals. Equity incentive awards are
granted in order to align
the interests of executive officers
with the long-term interests of shareholders.
2014 Business
Results: In 2014, the Company announced a comprehensive
restructuring plan in order to improve the performance in its credit, risk,
operational and profitability metrics. During 2014, new members of executive
management with the requisite expertise were recruited to implement this
restructuring plan. Many facets of the restructuring plan were completed in
2014.
In April 2014, the Company
announced its intention to appoint Thomas M. OBrien as its President and Chief
Executive Officer, subject to the receipt of regulatory non-objection. Pending
receipt of regulatory non-objection, Mr. OBrien served as a consultant to the
Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank and, in July 2014, upon receipt
of regulatory non-objection, the Company and the Bank formally announced the
appointment of Mr. OBrien as President and Chief Executive Officer. At that
same time, the Company and the Bank announced a comprehensive restructuring
plan. The restructuring plan includes, among other things, the Bank exiting Sun
Home Loans, its retail, consumer mortgage banking business, and exiting its
healthcare and asset-based lending businesses, the sale or consolidation of
certain branch offices as well as significant classified asset and operating
expense reductions. The restructuring plan included a reduction of approximately
37% in the Companys workforce. In connection with the restructuring, the
Company announced a one-for-five reverse stock split, effective August 2014.
On July 2, 2014 the Company
entered into a Purchase and Assumption Agreement (the Purchase Agreement) with
Sturdy Savings Bank, pursuant to which the Bank agreed to sell certain assets
and certain liabilities relating to seven branch locations in and around Cape
May County, New Jersey. The Purchase Agreement provides for, among other things,
the sale of certain loans at their carrying value and a deposit premium of
8.765%. The transaction closed on March 6, 2015 resulting in the sale of
approximately $153 million in deposits, $64 million in loans, $4 million of
fixed assets and $1 million of cash. After transaction costs, the net gain on
the branch sale transaction recorded by the Company in the first quarter of 2015
will be approximately $9.2 million.
In August 2014, the Company
raised approximately $20 million in new equity through a privately negotiated
sale of its common stock to several institutional investors. The Company issued
a total of
20
1,133,144 shares of common
stock in this transaction at a price per share of $17.65. There were no material
issuance costs associated with this sale.
During the course of the
third and fourth quarters of 2014, additional executives and members of senior
management with business development, compliance and governance specialties were
recruited by the Company, including a Chief Lending Officer, Chief Banking
Officer, General Counsel, Chief Auditor, Director of Compliance and Director of
Security. Also, senior lenders and other positions important to the turnaround
of the Companys financial and operational performance were filled.
In summary, among the
accomplishments of 2014:
● |
Appointed a new President and Chief Executive
Officer. |
● |
Restructured the executive management team, including the
hiring of a new Chief Lending Officer,
Chief Banking Officer, General Counsel, Chief Auditor, Director of
Compliance, and Director of
Security. |
● |
Negotiated the sale of seven branches in and around Cape
May County, New Jersey to Sturdy Savings Bank at a substantial
gain. |
● |
Consolidated four overlapping retail
branches. |
● |
Exited operations of the Banks retail, consumer mortgage
banking business. |
● |
Exited healthcare and asset-based lending
markets. |
● |
Announced a reduction in the Companys overall workforce
by 37%. |
● |
Renegotiated an office space lease, reducing long-term
contractual obligations by approximately $15 million. |
● |
Completed a $20 million common equity
raise. |
● |
Reduced annualized non-interest expense by
approximately $20 million. |
● |
Improved the level of non-performing loans
held-for-investment from 1.8% of gross loans held-for-investment at year-end 2013 to 0.7% at year-end
2014. |
Among the challenges faced
in 2014:
● |
The efficiency ratio remained elevated, but improved
during the latter half of the year to 112% for the three months ended December 31, 2014, from 122% for
the three months ended December
31, 2013. |
● |
Pressure on net interest margin continued throughout the
year with the net interest margin declining to 2.92% at year-end 2014, from 3.05% at year-end
2013. |
● |
The economic environment posed significant challenges to
the Companys operating results. |
● |
The Company realized a net loss of $29.8
million for the year ended December 31, 2014, or a loss of $1.67 per diluted
share. |
21
● |
Loans receivable decreased 29% from $2.1
billion to $1.5 billion due to the strategic reduction of the loan portfolio completed through loans sales and
principal prepayments. |
● |
Regulatory costs and requirements
persisted. |
Summary of 2014
Compensation Actions and Awards: During 2014, the Compensation Committee focused on recruiting and
retaining talented executives and rewarding activities which promote safe growth
of long-term shareholder value. Upon the recommendation of the Chief Executive
Officer, the Compensation Committee and the Board also adopted governance
policies aimed at aligning executive officer long-term interests with those of
shareholders. Such actions, described in further detail below, included:
● |
Granted stock awards and stock options to
existing and newly hired members of executive management in order to align
the interests of such management with the long-term interests of
shareholders. |
● |
Entered into Employment Agreements and
Management Severance Agreements to attract and retain qualified named
executive officers. |
● |
Awarded cash incentives to the named executive
officers reflecting the 2014 key accomplishments cited above, as well as
individual performance achievements. |
● |
Granted stock awards and stock options to executive
management as part of our ongoing long-term incentive program that rewards
their individual performance achievements and aligns their interests with
those of shareholders. In order to continue to have a sufficient pool of
shares available for such awards, shareholders will be requested to
approve a new equity plan at the Annual Meeting. See Proposal 2
Approval of the Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
|
● |
Established minimum stock ownership guidelines for
executive officers. The guidelines require that the President and Chief
Executive Officer owns a minimum of $600,000 market value of the common
stock of the Company and each Executive Vice President owns a minimum of
$250,000 market value of the common stock of the Company. Executive
officers generally have 2 ½ years to comply with these guidelines.
|
● |
Established stock holding guidelines for stock awarded to
directors and executive officers. Directors and executive officers who are
granted equity awards are required to own the shares of common stock
underlying the awards for two years after exercise or vesting of the
award, as applicable. |
Shareholder
Say-on-Pay Vote. At the 2014
annual meeting of shareholders, the shareholders approved the advisory vote on
the Companys executive compensation policies and practices for 2013 as
disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2014 annual meeting by approximately
99% of the shares voting on the matter. Though not binding, we have noted the
strong support our shareholders have expressed for our current executive
compensation program. As a result, the Compensation Committee retained its
general approach to executive compensation in 2014.
Shareholder Frequency
on Say-on-Pay Vote. At the
2011 annual meeting of shareholders, shareholders approved an advisory vote
recommending that the frequency of the say-on-pay vote on executive
compensation, as described above, be taken every three years. The Company
intends to follow
22
this advisory vote on the
three year frequency of say-on-pay at least until the next required say-on-pay
frequency vote, which will be at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2017.
Accordingly, this Proxy Statement does not include an advisory vote on the
Companys executive compensation policies and practices.
Compensation Philosophy
and Governance Structure
Compensation
Philosophy. The underlying
goal of the Companys compensation program is to promote increases in long-term
shareholder value by closely aligning the financial interests of the Company and
its shareholders with the named executive officers and other members of
executive management. Additionally, during 2014, as the Company was undergoing a
transformative restructuring, it was imperative for the Company to have
executive management in place with the expertise necessary to execute the
restructuring plan. To achieve this objective, the Company granted equity
retention awards to existing executive management and granted sign-on equity
awards and guaranteed annual incentive equity awards to certain newly hired
executives. The Company recognized that it needed to utilize compensation tools
in a highly competitive labor market which would attract and retain skilled
management and which would allow executive management to participate and be
vested in the Companys turnaround.
In accordance with the
Charter of the Compensation Committee, the Compensation Committee seeks to
design and administer executive compensation programs that will achieve the
following primary objectives:
● |
Support a pay-for-performance policy that
differentiates compensation based on corporate and individual
performance; |
● |
Motivate executives to achieve stated business
goals, execute the Companys restructuring plan and reward them for their
achievement; |
● |
Provide total compensation opportunities that
are comparable to those offered by other leading companies, allowing the
Company to recruit and retain top quality, dedicated executives who are
critical to its long-term success; |
● |
Align the interests of executives with the
long-term interests of shareholders by providing executives with equity
award opportunities that will result in favorable long-term compensation
opportunities as long-term shareholder value grows; and |
● |
Monitor the incentive compensation programs
applicable to executive management and all employees to ensure that such
programs do not expose the Company to unnecessary or excessive risk and to
implement policies and practices that may help manage and monitor such
risk within acceptable and pre-established
parameters. |
The Companys compensation
program is designed to promote performance by the named executive officers and
the entire executive management group as a team. For 2014, as set by the
Compensation Committee, performance of the named executive officers under the
Companys 2014 Management Committee & Shared Services Incentive Compensation
Plan (the Incentive Plan) was evaluated based upon weighted quantitative and
qualitative goals:
● |
50% on protecting the institution, which
relates to regulatory safety and soundness and includes regulatory
compliance and stabilizing asset quality, |
23
● |
30% on shareholder value, which relates to returning the Company
to profitability, and |
● |
20% on strategic initiatives, which relates to revenue generating
initiatives and expense management. |
Each year, the Compensation
Committee reviews the weightings and goals of the Incentive Plan to ensure
alignment with the Companys goals. For 2014, the Compensation Committee
acknowledged that while the protecting the institution component was no less
important in 2014 than in 2013, the Committee felt that it was important to
increase the weighting of the shareholder value component to 30% from 20% last
year and reduce protecting the institution to 50% from 60%. Protecting the
institution is the primary goal under the Incentive Plan and significant
progress must be made to achieving and maintaining regulatory safety and
soundness as determined by the Compensation Committee in order to trigger any
award under the Incentive Plan. Cash awards were made to named executive
officers in 2015 for 2014 performance. See Management Committee & Shared
Services Incentive Compensation Plan, below.
The Company strives to
provide each named executive officer with a total compensation opportunity that
the Compensation Committee deems to be market competitive with comparably-sized
community banks, both nationally and regionally, assuming the Companys
performance metrics are at budgeted, targeted levels. The Company believes that
this market positioning is appropriate to attract and retain top-caliber talent
in a highly competitive labor market for executive staff.
The Company maintains
programs to create short-term and longer-term incentive compensation
opportunities for its named executive officers. In recognition of the need to
retain key employees, the Company has a stock-based incentive plan, pursuant to
which stock options and stock awards are made to named executive officers
consistent with the Companys long-term compensation goals. Stock awards were
made to named executive officers in 2014 and in 2015 for 2014 performance. See
Long-Term Incentives, below. Generally, such equity awards become earned and
non-forfeitable over a five year period in order to serve as a retention tool in
addition to a compensation incentive. Also, stock-based incentive was used as an
executive management recruitment tool in 2014 to attract and retain qualified
members of executive management to execute the Companys restructuring plan.
Annually, the Company
establishes specific financial and non-financial performance targets such as the
Banks level of compliance with safety and soundness regulations, credit quality
and adhering to other regulatory standards that are defined by the Compensation
Committee and incorporated into the budgeting and planning process. The
Companys goal is to promote and administer a comprehensive pay-for-performance
program consistent with such financial performance targets and the goals of the
Bank.
The Company encourages its
executive management to maintain investments in Company stock. Stock ownership
guidelines require that the President and Chief Executive Officer owns a minimum
of $600,000 market value of Company stock and each Executive Vice President owns
a minimum of $250,000 market value of Company stock. Executive officers
generally have 2 ½ years to comply with these guidelines. For purposes of the
stock ownership guidelines, stock ownership includes shares received pursuant to
restricted stock awards that have fully vested and retained after all applicable
taxes have been paid and shares received upon the exercise of stock options that
have fully vested and retained after all applicable taxes have been paid. If an
executive fails to undertake efforts to comply with these guidelines or to
adhere to these guidelines, future compensation decisions including future
equity awards may be impacted.
The Company believes it is
in the best interests of the Company for executive management and directors to
maintain long-term equity ownership in the Company. Stock holding requirements
provide
24
that common stock of the
Company issued pursuant to stock awards granted to directors and executive
officers of the Company and the Bank be subject to a two-year restriction on
sale or transfer after such restricted stock award becomes earned and
non-forfeitable or the exercise of a stock option, other than permissible
transfers.
Competitive
Benchmarking. In evaluating
competitive compensation levels for the named executive officers, the Company
has historically utilized compensation data disclosed in the proxy statements of
peer banks as well as information published in reputable third party
compensation reports. The comparable peer bank companies are reviewed
periodically and may change from time to time. These companies include community
banks of similar size doing business nationally and those located in the New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland region. For 2014, emphasis
on the Companys peer group in setting compensation was lessened and increased
emphasis was placed on setting compensation at levels sufficient to retain and
attract talent to a troubled company. The peer group was used primarily as a
reference point in 2014. The current approved peer group companies
are:
●Cape Bancorp
●Center Bancorp
●Community Bank System, Inc.
●Financial Institutions Inc.
●First Commonwealth Financial
●Hudson Valley Holding Corp.
●Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.
●Metro Bancorp, Inc. |
●NBT Bancorp, Inc.
●National Penn Bancshares Inc.
●Peapack Gladstone Financial
Corp.
●S&T Bancorp, Inc.
●Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
●Sterling Bancorp-NY
●Tompkins Financial Corp.
●Univest Corp. of
Pennsylvania |
Other similarly situated banks which are not named
peers, but may be used for general research and consistency validation, include:
Beneficial Mutual Bancorp; FNB Corp/FL; Oceansfirst Financial Corp; Susquehanna
Bancshares Inc.; and WSFS Financial Corp. Also, for general
research and consistency validation, data from a larger mix of regional banks
with assets between $3 billion and $5 billion is sometimes included as a point
of reference as are recognized third party published surveys. During 2014, the
Company subscribed to the following surveys: McLagan Partners Regional and
Community Banks Survey, Towers Watson Financial Services, Mercer Financial
Services Suite, New Jersey Business
& Industry Association, Pearl Meyer National Banking Compensation Survey,
American Banker Association Compensation & Benefits Survey, CompAnalyst by IBM/Kenexa and the Crowe
Horwath-New Jersey Bankers.
There is no formulaic
approach between the peer and market data reviewed by the Compensation Committee
and the compensation decisions made by the Compensation Committee. For 2014, pay
opportunities for specific individuals varied based on a number of factors such
as scope of duties, tenure, institutional knowledge and/or difficulty in
retaining or recruiting a new executive with necessary skill levels and
experience relevant to the Companys situation. In some instances, such as for
the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Lending Officer, the amount and
structure of compensation was a result of individual arms-length negotiations
with such executive, reflecting the difficulty of attracting quality and proven
managerial talent to a company in a turnaround situation.
Role of the
Compensation Committee. The
Compensation Committees primary responsibilities are to assist the Board of
Directors in discharging its responsibilities relating to compensation of the
Companys executive management team and to ensure that the compensation plans of
the Company align management and shareholder interests and do not promote
unnecessary or excessive risk. The Compensation Committee evaluates and approves
all equity compensation plans and employment and change in control agreements,
and approves executive management employment offers. The Compensation Committee
determines and approves policies and decisions relative to salary, annual cash
25
incentives, long-term
equity-based incentives and other compensation programs for the named executive
officers and recommends for approval by the Board of Directors, the policies and
decisions relative to salary, annual cash incentives, long-term equity-based
incentives and other compensation programs for the Chief Executive
Officer.
The Compensation Committee
has authority to retain or obtain the services of compensation consultants or
other advisors to provide compensation and benefit consulting services to the
Committee. The independence of any such advisor is determined by the
Compensation Committee prior to selecting or receiving advice from the advisor.
The Compensation Committee did not retain any advisors in 2014. In 2015, the
Compensation Committee engaged and received advice from Meridian Compensation
Partners LLC with respect to the Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive
Plan being put forth to shareholders for approval at this Annual Meeting. See
Proposal 2 Approval of the Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive
Plan, below.
Prior to engaging Meridian Compensation Partners LLC, the Compensation Committee
considered the independence of Meridian Compensation Partners LLC in light of
NASDAQ listing standards related to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee also requested and received a letter from
Meridian Compensation Partners LLC addressing the firms independence, including
the following factors: (1) other services provided to us by the consultant; (2)
fees paid by us as a percentage of the consulting firms total revenue; (3)
policies or procedures maintained by the consulting firm that are designed to
prevent a conflict of interest; (4) any business or personal relationships
between the individual consultants involved in the engagement and a member of
the Compensation Committee; (5) any Company stock owned by the individual
consultants involved in the engagement; and (6) any business or personal
relationships between our executive officers and the consulting firm or the
individual consultants involved in the engagement. The Compensation Committee
discussed these considerations and concluded that the work of Meridian
Compensation Partners LLC did not raise any conflict of interest.
Role of Executives in
Compensation Committee Deliberations. Certain members of the Companys executive management and senior
management teams attend Compensation Committee meetings at the Compensation
Committees discretion to provide pertinent financial, tax, accounting and peer
information and their perspective about executive compensation policies and
programs. Members of management in attendance may provide their insights and
suggestions, but only Compensation Committee members may vote on decisions
regarding executive compensation. The Companys President and Chief Executive
Officer participates in deliberations of the Compensation Committee, but does
not participate during, or attend, deliberations concerning his own
compensation. No member of management was present during the portion of any
Compensation Committee meeting at which the Compensation Committee made
determinations regarding such named executive officers compensation.
Compensation Framework
and Pay Components.
In order to develop and
administer the Companys executive compensation policies and programs, the
Compensation Committee considers the following three aspects of the compensation
program:
● |
Pay components -
each element of total compensation, including the rationale for each
component and how each component relates to the total compensation
structure; |
● |
Pay level - the
factors used to determine the total compensation opportunity, or potential
payment amount at different performance levels, for each pay component;
and |
26
● |
Performance the
relationship of executive compensation to performance - how the Company
determines appropriate performance measures and goals for incentive plan
purposes, as well as how pay levels change as a function of performance.
|
The Companys executive
compensation program includes the components listed below:
● |
Base Salary - a
fixed base salary generally set at competitive levels that reflect each
executives position, individual performance, experience, and expertise.
Such base salary levels are reviewed annually by the Compensation
Committee; |
● |
Management Committee & Shared Services Incentive Compensation
Plan - a bonus pay program
that varies based on Company performance against annual business
objectives and individual and team performance against established goals.
The Company communicates the associated performance metrics, goals, and
bonus award opportunities to named executive officers as early in the
fiscal year as is practical using the evaluation factors previously
referenced. Final bonus determinations are made following the end of each
fiscal year based upon a review of the stated performance metrics and
bonus opportunities as well as the discretionary considerations of the
Compensation Committee; |
● |
Long-Term Incentives
- equity-based awards to attract and retain executive officers, with the
compensation values driven by the long-term market performance of the
Companys stock price in order to align executive pay with long-term
shareholder interests; |
● |
Other Compensation
benefits and perquisites consistent with industry practices in comparable
banks and broad-based employee benefits such as medical, dental,
disability, and life insurance coverage; |
● |
Employment Agreements agreements that detail the terms of employment between the
Company and the named executive officer during the period of employment
and the rights and obligations of the Company and the named executive
officer in the event of termination of employment following a change in
control transaction or other involuntary termination of employment. The
Company is currently a party to Employment Agreements with Messrs. OBrien and Katsoulis;
and |
● |
Management Severance Agreements - agreements that detail the rights and
obligations of the employer and the named executive officer in the event
of termination of employment following a change in control transaction or
other involuntary termination of employment.
|
Base
Salary
The Company pays its named
executive officers salaries that are intended to be competitive and take into
account the individuals experience, performance, responsibilities, and past and
potential contribution to the Company, with annual salary reviews determined in
conjunction with an annual performance assessment. For newly hired members of
executive management in 2014, base salaries were established in order to attract
executives with proven success in executing restructuring plans similar to those
commenced by the Company. The Compensation Committee intends that salary,
together with
27
annual cash incentive and
long-term incentives at targeted Company performance levels will fall between
the market median and upper quartile when compared to market competitors for
similar executive talent.
The named executive
officers did not receive any pay increases in 2014 and are not expected to
receive an increase for 2015. Annual base salaries for named executive officers
in 2014 were as follows:
Name |
Annual Base Salary Rate ($) |
Thomas M. OBrien |
700,000 |
Thomas R. Brugger |
325,000 |
Alberino J. Celini |
290,000 |
Michele B. Estep |
250,000 |
Nicos Katsoulis |
420,000 |
Bradley J. Fouss(1) |
280,000 |
(1) Mr.
Fouss employment with the Company terminated on July 18, 2014.
For his services as Interim
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank from December
2, 2013 to July 2, 2014, Sidney R. Brown received monthly awards of restricted
stock units at an annual rate of $325,000, representing the difference between
his annual retainer as Chairman of the Boards of Directors of the Company and
the Bank and the annual base salary previously paid to the former President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank. See Long-Term Incentives,
below.
Management Committee
& Shared Services Incentive Compensation Plan
The Company uses annual
discretionary cash incentives to focus managements attention on current
strategic priorities and to drive achievement of short-term corporate
objectives. This program, referred to as the Incentive Plan, may provide annual
cash incentive compensation for the named executive officers and other Company
employees, based on performance.
For 2014, the Compensation
Committee established performance goals for the named executive officers under
the Incentive Plan. The performance goals for 2014 included weighted
quantitative and qualitative goals: 50% on protecting the institution, which
relates to regulatory safety and soundness and includes regulatory compliance
and stabilizing asset quality, 30% on shareholder value, based on net income,
and 20% on strategic initiatives, which relates to revenue generating
initiatives and expense management. Although a projected bonus pool is
established annually based on these factors, protecting the institution is the
primary goal under the Incentive Plan and progress must be made in all measures
related to achieving and maintaining regulatory safety and soundness in order
for the plan to be funded. Awards actually paid from the bonus pool are not
formulaic and are determined and paid within the discretion of the Compensation
Committee so the Compensation Committee can consider broader factors that may
influence the Companys performance. In 2014, execution of the Companys
restructuring plan was considered in determining payments from the bonus pool.
The President and Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the
Compensation Committee regarding such awards to the named executive officers
(other than the CEO) and other members of executive management based on
performance.
For the 2014 fiscal year,
the Incentive Plan pool was only partially funded for the 50% component
protecting the institution, primarily as a result of the fact that the OCC
Agreement remained in place. Recognition was given to the improvement in asset
quality as a result of the reduction in the Banks level of problem loans. The
shareholder value component (30%) was not funded at all as the Company did not
attain positive net income for the year. The strategic initiatives component
(20%) was fully funded for 2014 as the Company made significant progress in
reducing operating expenses and executing its restructuring plan to exit
unprofitable lines of business, consolidate branches, reduce staffing levels and
improve asset quality.
28
The Compensation Committee
felt it appropriate to reward certain named executive officers for their
positive contributions and momentum toward implementing the Companys
restructuring plan in 2014. In April 2015, for the 2014 performance year, Mr.
Brugger received a cash bonus of $80,000, Mr. Celini received $60,000, and Ms.
Estep received $60,000. These payments recognize the significant progress made
by these executives toward resolving the underlying issues of the OCC Agreement
and the Banks marked improvement in its asset quality performance metrics
during 2014, while acknowledging that the Company remained unprofitable in 2014
and expense levels remained elevated. Awards were discretionary based on the
named executive officers individual performance. The Compensation Committee
considered awarding incentive compensation to Sidney Brown in recognition of his
exemplary service and contribution to the Company during his tenure as Interim
President and Chief Executive Officer during part of 2014, but concluded that it
was unable to do so under the OCC Agreement. Messrs. OBrien and Katsoulis are
not entitled to participate in the Incentive Plan; their annual cash incentive
payments and opportunities are governed by their individual employment
agreements. See Employment Agreements, below.
Long-Term Incentives
The Company believes that
equity ownership by the named executive officers and directors aligns executive
and director interests with those of its shareholders. The Company has used
stock options and full-value shares of Company stock as the primary vehicle for
long-term incentive compensation for management and directors. During 2014, the
Company also used equity awards to retain and recruit qualified and motivated
executive management to execute the restructuring plan. In order to continue to
have a sufficient pool of shares available for such awards, shareholders are
being requested at this Annual Meeting to approve a new equity plan. See
Proposal 2 Approval of the Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive
Plan, below for a discussion of the new plan.
In accordance with Mr.
OBriens Employment Agreement, the Company agreed to award Mr. OBrien
restricted shares equal to 1.5 shares for every share Mr. OBrien purchased up
to $1 million. The matching shares vest at a rate of one-third after 24 months,
one-third after 36 months and one-third after 48 months from the date of grant.
On April 2, 2014 Mr. OBrien completed the purchase of 60,241 shares of Company
common stock with an aggregate purchase price of $1 million. The Company awarded
90,362 matching shares of restricted stock to Mr. OBrien. On the date of his
hire, as an inducement to Mr. OBriens acceptance of employment, Mr. OBrien
was granted a stock option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock with an
exercise price of $20.45 per share, which, subject to certain exceptions, fully
vests two years from the date of hire. In addition, for 2014, under Mr.
OBriens Employment Agreement, Mr. OBrien was guaranteed an equity award with
a grant date value equal to 75% of his annual base salary, pro-rated based upon
the number of months employed by the Company during 2014. Accordingly, Mr.
OBrien was granted options to purchase 63,604 shares of the Companys common
stock with an exercise price of $19.31 per share, which vest 25% on March 26,
2017 and 25% every year thereafter. See Employment Agreements, below.
In accordance with Mr.
Katsoulis Employment Agreement, the Company agreed to award Mr. Katsoulis
restricted shares equal to 1.5 shares for every share he purchased up to
$600,000. The matching shares vest at a rate of 25% after 24 months, 25% after
36 months and 50% after 48 months. Mr. Katsoulis has not yet purchased any such
shares. See Employment Agreements, below.
In March 2014, Thomas
Brugger was granted a restricted stock award of 2,977 shares of common stock for
2013 performance. The shares vest 20% annually commencing in March 2014. In
accordance with Mr. Bruggers offer of employment in 2012, he was granted a
restricted stock award of 4,000 shares of common stock in February 2014 after
the Company received the requisite regulatory approval for the
29
grant. The shares vest 25%
in November 2014 and 25% every year thereafter. In March 2015, for 2014
performance, Mr. Brugger was granted options to purchase 8,077 shares of the
Companys common stock with an exercise price of $19.31 per share, which vest
25% on March 26, 2017 and 25% every year thereafter.
In March 2014, Al Celini
was granted a restricted stock award of 2,084 shares of common stock for 2013
performance. The shares vest 20% annually commencing in March 2014. In
accordance with Mr. Celinis offer of employment in 2012, he was granted a
restricted stock award of 3,000 shares of common stock in August 2014 after the
Company received the requisite regulatory approval for the grant. The shares
vest 100% in December 2016. In March 2015, for 2014 performance, Mr. Celini was
granted options to purchase 8,077 shares of the Companys common stock with an
exercise price of $19.31 per share, which vest 25% on March 26, 2017 and 25%
every year thereafter.
In March 2014, Michele
Estep was granted a restricted stock award of 2,084 shares of common stock for
2013 performance. The shares vest 20% annually commencing in March 2014. In
March 2015, for 2014 performance, Ms. Estep was granted options to purchase
8,077 shares of the Companys common stock with an exercise price of $19.31 per
share, which vest 25% on March 26, 2017 and 25% every year thereafter.
Sidney R. Brown served as
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank from
December 2, 2013 to July 2, 2014. For this service, Mr. Brown was awarded
monthly awards of restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of
approximately $27,083 each ($325,000 per annum), which represents the difference
between his annual retainer as Chairman of the Boards of Directors of the
Company and the Bank and the annual base salary previously paid to the former
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank, prorated for
Mr. Browns period of service. In 2014, these monthly awards totaled 9,093
shares. One-half of the restricted stock units vested on December 31, 2014 and
the remaining half will vest on December 31, 2015.
The Company believes it is
in the best interests of the Company for executive management and directors to
maintain long-term equity ownership in the Company. Executive Officers and
directors must hold stock issued pursuant to stock awards for two years
post-vesting or exercise. Stock retention guidelines require that common stock
of the Company issued pursuant to stock awards granted to executive officers and
directors of the Company and the Bank be subject to a two-year restriction on
sale or transfer after such restricted stock award becomes earned and
non-forfeitable or the exercise of a stock option, other than permissible
transfers.
Other Compensation
The named executive
officers participate in the Companys broad-based employee benefit plans, such
as medical, dental and supplemental disability insurance programs and the 401(k)
plan with a Company matching contribution. Mr. Celini and Ms. Estep were
provided with use of a company owned vehicle through June 30, 2014. Mr. Brugger
voluntarily surrendered his company owned vehicle to the Company in 2013. The
Company no longer provides a company owned vehicle or a vehicle allowance to any
of its employees. The Company maintains an executive long-term supplemental
disability pay policy for its senior management providing compensation to such
individuals in the event of disability for a period of up to one year following
a determination of such long-term disability. Such policy will pay the affected
senior officer an amount equal to such individuals monthly salary less the
amount of such disability benefits paid by the State and/or received from the
basic long-term disability plan for a period of up to one year. Each named
executive officer was eligible to participate in the Companys employee term
life insurance program during the 2014 fiscal year (with such death benefit equal to
two times current annual base salary, up to a maximum death benefit of
$400,000).
30
According to his Employment
Agreement, Mr. OBrien was entitled to reimbursement of his temporary housing
and relocation expenses. Mr. OBrien voluntarily waived reimbursement of these
amounts, which amounted to approximately $35,000.
Employment Agreements
Thomas M.
OBrien. On July 2, 2014, after receiving regulatory
non-objections from the Federal Reserve Board and the Office of the Comptroller
of the Currency, Thomas M. OBrien was hired as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and the Bank. In addition, Mr. OBrien was appointed a
director of the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Bank. Mr. OBrien was
previously providing consulting services to the Boards of Directors pending
receipt of the regulatory non-objections for a bi-weekly retainer of $26,963
commencing April 1, 2014 and ending with his hire. Upon his hire, the Company
entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. OBrien providing for an initial
base salary of $700,000 per annum. On the date of his hire, as an inducement to
Mr. OBriens acceptance of employment, Mr. OBrien was granted a stock option
to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $20.45 per
share, which subject to certain exceptions, fully vests two years from the date
of hire (the Initial Option Grant). In addition, as an inducement to Mr.
OBriens acceptance of employment, for 2014, Mr. OBrien was guaranteed (i) a
cash incentive of 75% of his base salary, pro-rated based upon the number of
months he was employed for the year and (ii) an equity award with a grant date
value equal to 75% of his annual base salary, pro-rated based upon the number of
months employed by the Company during 2014. Accordingly, Mr. OBrien was paid a
cash incentive of $262,500 for 2014 and received an equity award with a grant
date value of $393,750. Also, the Compensation Committee had agreed to consider
a cash incentive award to Mr. OBrien for the three month period of his
consultancy to the Board of Directors, or $131,250. Mr. OBrien requested that
the Committee not consider any additional cash incentive compensation to him
beyond the $262,500, to which the Committee agreed.
Commencing in 2015, Mr.
OBrien will be eligible to receive an annual cash incentive award, subject to
the Companys determination that applicable performance goals have been
attained, with a target award opportunity of not less than 75% of his annual
base salary then in effect when the applicable performance goals are established
(the OBrien Annual Cash Bonus Award). Any applicable performance goals are to
be mutually developed and agreed upon by Mr. OBrien and the Compensation
Committee within the first 90 days of the fiscal year. In addition, commencing
in 2015, Mr. OBrien will be granted an annual equity award (in the form of
restricted stock or stock options), subject to the Companys determination that
applicable performance goals have been attained, with a grant date value of not
less than 75% of Mr. OBriens annual base salary as in effect at the time that
such performance goals are established (the OBrien Annual Equity Award). Any
applicable performance goals are to be mutually agreed to by the Company and Mr.
OBrien. The awards will vest, at a rate of one-third after 24 months, one-third
after 36 months and one-third after 48 months from the date of grant, subject to
Mr. OBriens continued employment with the Company.
In addition, in accordance
with Mr. OBriens Employment Agreement, the Company agreed to award Mr. OBrien
restricted shares equal to 1.5 shares for every share of common stock (the
Matching Shares) that Mr. OBrien purchases up to $1 million. Mr. OBriens
Matching Shares vest at a rate of one-third after 24 months, one-third after 36
months and one-third after 48 months from Mr. OBriens date of hire. On April
2, 2014 Mr. OBrien completed the purchase of 60,241 shares of Company common
stock with an aggregate purchase price of $1 million. The Company awarded 90,362
Matching Shares of restricted stock to Mr. OBrien.
Mr. OBrien is entitled to
participate in any employee benefits, fringe benefits, perquisites and expense
reimbursements that the Company or the Bank offers to full-time employees and
executive
31
management. However, the
Company and Mr. OBrien have agreed that (i) the OBrien Annual Cash Bonus Award
is a substitute for his participation in the annual cash bonus under the
Incentive Plan, (ii) the Annual Equity Award is a substitute for his
participation in the annual equity awards under the Incentive Plan and (iii) the
Matching Stock is a substitute for his participation in the 2014 Performance
Equity Plan. Mr. OBrien was entitled to receive, but waived, a temporary
housing allowance and relocation assistance, which amounted to approximately
$35,000. Mr. OBriens Employment Agreement provides him with certain benefits
upon termination. See Management Severance and Change in Control Agreements,
below.
Nicos
Katsoulis.
On November 20, 2014, after
receiving regulatory non-objections from the Federal Reserve Board and the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Nicos Katsoulis was hired as
Executive President and Chief Lending Officer of the Company and the Bank. Mr.
Katsoulis was previously providing consulting services to the Bank pending
receipt of the regulatory non-objections. He was paid $144,307 for his
consulting services in 2014. Upon his hire as an employee, the Company entered
into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Katsoulis providing for an initial base
salary of $420,000 per annum.
In addition, as an
inducement to Mr. Katsoulis acceptance of employment, for 2014, Mr. Katsoulis
was guaranteed (i) a cash incentive of $125,000, and (ii) an equity award with a
grant date value equal to 50% of his annual base salary, pro-rated based upon
the number of months employed by the Company during 2014. Mr. Katsoulis was paid
a cash incentive of $125,000 for 2014.
Commencing in 2015, Mr.
Katsoulis will be eligible to receive an annual cash incentive award, subject to
the Companys determination that applicable performance goals have been
attained, with a target award opportunity of not less than 50% of his annual
base salary then in effect when the applicable performance goals are established
(the Katsoulis Annual Cash Bonus Award). Any applicable performance goals are
to be mutually developed and agreed upon by Mr. Katsoulis and the Compensation
Committee within the first 90 days of the fiscal year. In addition, commencing
in 2015, Mr. Katsoulis will be granted an annual equity award (in the form of
restricted stock or stock options), subject to the Companys determination that
applicable performance goals have been attained, with a grant date value of not
less than 50% of Mr. Katsoulis annual base salary as in effect at the time that
such performance goals are established (the Katsoulis Annual Equity Award).
Any applicable performance goals are to be mutually agreed to by the Company and
Mr. Katsoulis. The awards will vest, at a rate of 25% beginning two years from
the date of grant and 25% each year thereafter, subject to Mr. Katsoulis
continued employment with the Company.
Also, in accordance with
Mr. Katsoulis Employment Agreement, the Company agreed to award Mr. Katsoulis
restricted shares equal to 1.5 shares for every share of common stock (the
Katsoulis Matching Shares) that Mr. Katsoulis purchases up to $600,000. When
awarded, the Katsoulis Matching Shares will vest at a rate of 25% after 24
months, 25% after 36 months and 50% after 48 months from the date of Mr.
Katsoulis hire. Mr. Katsoulis has not yet purchased any such shares.
Mr. Katsoulis is entitled
to participate in any employee benefits, fringe benefits, perquisites and
expense reimbursements that the Company or the Bank offers to full-time
employees and executive management. However, the Company and Mr. Katsoulis have
agreed that (i) the Katsoulis Annual Cash Bonus Award is a substitute for his
participation in the annual cash bonus under the Incentive Plan, (ii) the
Katsoulis Annual Equity Award is a substitute for his participation in the
annual equity awards under the Incentive Plan and (iii) the Katsoulis Matching
Stock is a substitute for his participation in the 2014 Performance Equity Plan.
Mr. Katsoulis Employment Agreement provides him with certain benefits upon
termination. See Management Severance and Change in Control Agreements, below.
32
Other than the agreements
with Messrs. OBrien and Katsoulis, there are no other employment agreements
between the Company and the named executive officers
Management Severance
and Change in Control Agreements
Thomas M.
OBrien. The Company and Mr.
OBrien are parties to an Employment Agreement providing for an at-will
employment relationship. See Employment Agreements, above. The Employment
Agreement provides that upon Mr. OBriens termination of employment due to his
death or Disability (as defined in the Employment Agreement), (a) the OBrien
Annual Equity Awards that would otherwise vest within 18 months of such
termination without regard to such death or Disability shall nevertheless vest,
(b) any unvested portion of the Initial Option Grant shall immediately vest in
full, and (c) his Matching Shares that would otherwise vest within 18 months of
such termination without regard to such death or Disability shall nevertheless
vest. In the event of Mr. OBriens death during his term of employment, the
Company shall make payment to his estate in the amount of his base salary
through the end of the month in which the death occurred, and such other vested
benefits as described in the preceding sentence and in any other agreement or
plan to which Mr. OBrien is a party. In the event of Mr. OBriens Disability,
he will be entitled to payment from the Company in the amount of all earned but
unpaid salary as of the date of termination of employment and such other vested
benefits as described above and in any other agreement or plan to which Mr.
OBrien is a party.
Upon termination of Mr.
OBriens employment other than termination for Cause (as defined in the
Employment Agreement), (a) options to purchase Company stock that were granted
as an OBrien Annual Equity Award that are, or then become, exercisable shall
remain exercisable for one year following such termination, and (b) if the
Initial Option Grant is exercisable at the time of such termination of
employment, it shall remain exercisable for one year following such termination,
provided that, in each case, Mr. OBrien remains in compliance with the
non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the Employment Agreement.
Upon termination of Mr.
OBriens employment for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement),
Mr. OBrien will be entitled to payment from the Company in
the amount of all earned but
unpaid salary as of the date of
termination of employment and such other vested benefits as described in above
and in any other agreement or plan to which Mr. OBrien is a party.
The Company is the owner
and beneficiary of a $3 million term life insurance policy covering Mr. OBrien.
The annual premium is $12,500. In the event of Mr. OBriens death, the proceeds
of the policy are anticipated to cover the costs related to the contractual
death benefits payable under Mr. OBriens Employment Agreement and also to
cover the executive search costs in conjunction with finding a successor Chief
Executive Officer.
Nicos
Katsoulis. The Company and
Mr. Katsoulis are parties to an Employment Agreement providing for an at-will
employment relationship. See Employment Agreements, above. The Employment
Agreement provides that upon Mr. Katsoulis termination of employment due to his
death or Disability (as defined in the Employment Agreement), (a) no less than
50% of his Katsoulis Annual Equity Awards shall be deemed vested, earned and
non-forfeitable and, if more than 50% of the full vesting period has elapsed,
then 100% of such award shall be deemed vested, earned and non-forfeitable, and
(b) his Matching Shares that would otherwise vest within 18 months of such
termination without regard to such death or disability shall nevertheless vest.
In the event of Mr. Katsoulis death during his term of employment, the Company
shall make payment to his estate in the amount of his base salary through the
end of the month in which the death occurred, and such other vested benefits as
described in the preceding sentence and in any other agreement or plan to which
Mr. Katsoulis is a party. In the event of Mr. Katsoulis Disability, he will be
entitled to payment from the Company in the amount of all earned
33
but unpaid salary as of the
date of termination of employment and such other vested benefits as described in
above and in any other agreement or plan to which Mr. Katsoulis is a party.
Upon termination of Mr.
Katsoulis employment other than termination for Cause (as defined in the
Employment Agreement), (a) options to purchase Company stock that were granted
as a Katsoulis Annual Equity Award that are, or then become, exercisable shall
remain exercisable for 90 days following such termination, provided that Mr.
Katsoulis remains in compliance with the non-competition and non-solicitation
provisions of the Employment Agreement.
Upon termination of Mr.
Katsoulis employment for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement),
Mr. Katsoulis will be entitled to payment from the Company in the amount of all
earned but unpaid salary as of the date of termination of
employment and such other vested benefits as described above and in any other
agreement or plan to which Mr. Katsoulis is a party.
The Company and Mr.
Katsoulis intend to modify the Employment Agreement following regulatory
approval to do so, which will provide for a severance payment in the event of
his involuntary termination of employment following a change in control and
other changes in employment status.
As of December 31, 2014,
the Bank had in place Severance Agreements and Management Change in Control
Severance Agreements (each a Management Severance Agreement, collectively, the
Management Severance Agreements) with certain of the named executive officers.
These arrangements are intended to provide the named executive officers with
severance benefits in the event of a termination of employment following a
change in control transaction. All change in control severance arrangements are
subject to regulatory approval.
Thomas R.
Brugger. Mr. Brugger is a
party to a Management Severance Agreement with the Bank which provides for a
payment equal to one times the amount of his annual base salary then in effect
in the event of the voluntary termination of his employment following certain
events in connection with a change in control of the Bank (as defined in the
Management Severance Agreement) or involuntary termination of his employment
upon or within eighteen months following a change in control of the Bank, absent
termination for just cause (as defined in the Management Severance Agreement).
Mr. Bruggers agreement also provides for a severance payment upon involuntary
termination, other than in conjunction with a change in control or for just
cause, equal to 18 weeks of base pay during the first two years of employment,
32 weeks of base pay after two years of employment, and one year of base pay
after completion of five years of employment. Based on his length of service,
Mr. Brugger would be eligible for severance, other than in conjunction with a
change in control or for just cause, of 32 weeks of current base salary.
Alberino J.
Celini. Mr. Celini is a party
to a Management Severance Agreement with the Bank which provides for a payment
equal to one times the amount of his annual base salary then in effect in the
event of the voluntary termination of his employment following certain events in
connection with a change in control of the Bank (as defined in the Management
Severance Agreement) or involuntary termination of his employment upon or within
eighteen months following a change in control of the Bank, absent termination
for just cause (as defined in the Management Severance Agreement). Mr. Celinis
agreement also provides for a severance payment upon involuntary termination,
other than in conjunction with a change in control or for just cause, equal to
18 weeks of base pay during the first two years of employment, 32 weeks of base
pay after two years of employment, and one year of base pay after completion of
five years of employment. Based on his length of service, Mr. Celini would be
eligible for severance, other than in conjunction with a change in control or
for just cause, of 32 weeks of current base salary.
34
Michele B.
Estep. Ms. Estep is a party
to a Management Severance Agreement with the Bank which provides for severance
in the amount of 1.5 times the taxable compensation reported on Ms. Esteps Form
W-2 for the most recently completed calendar year in the event of the voluntary
termination of her employment following certain events in connection with a
change in control of the Bank (as defined in the Management Severance Agreement)
or involuntary termination of her employment upon or within eighteen months
following a change in control of the Bank, absent termination for just cause (as
defined in the Management Severance Agreement). Ms. Esteps agreement provides
for a severance payment upon involuntary termination unrelated to a change in
control transaction equal to 50% of her highest annualized base salary in effect
during the twelve month period prior to such date of termination and an
additional amount equal to 7.69% of such highest annualized base salary for each
completed year of employment with the Bank after completion of two years of
employment. Ms. Estep would be eligible for severance independent of a change in
control under the Banks existing severance policy equal to 52 weeks of current
base salary with benefit continuation during the severance period.
All of the named executive
officers may continue medical and dental coverage for a period of up to eighteen
months following termination of employment at the executives expense in
accordance with COBRA. The potential severance benefits to each named executive
officer are all conditioned upon the executive complying with certain
post-termination limitations on his or her business activities in competition
with the Company following such termination of employment and receipt of prior
regulatory approval.
In accordance with the OCC
Agreement, the Bank is required to obtain the prior approval of the OCC before
entering into any employment agreement or other agreement or plan providing for
the payment of a golden parachute payment or the making of any golden
parachute payment.
Other Compensation and Related Governance Items
Equity Grant
Guidelines. The Compensation
Committee does not have a specific policy or practice related to the timing of
equity awards other than it reviews the opportunity to make such awards from
time to time during the year based upon a variety of factors, including
recruitment, retention and promotion opportunities that might arise during the
year and achievement of the annual performance goals and operating results of
the Company throughout the year. Stock options that are awarded have an exercise
price equal to no less than the fair market value of such Company stock on the
date of such award grant, and option awards are not subject to
re-pricing.
Stock Ownership
Guidelines. The Company
encourages its executive management to maintain investments in Company stock.
Stock ownership guidelines require that the President and Chief Executive
Officer owns a minimum of $600,000 market value of Company stock and each
Executive Vice President owns a minimum of $250,000 market value of Company
stock. Executive officers generally have 2 ½ years to comply with these
guidelines. For purposes of the stock ownership guidelines, stock ownership
includes shares received pursuant to restricted stock awards that have fully
vested and retained after all applicable taxes have been paid and shares
received upon the exercise of stock options that have fully vested and retained
after all applicable taxes have been paid. If an executive fails to undertake
efforts to comply with these guidelines or to adhere to these guidelines, future
compensation decisions including future equity awards may be impacted.
Recoupment
Policy. The Incentive Plan
includes a provision for the clawback of any payment made to a recipient under
that plan that is later determined to have been made based on materially
inaccurate financial statements or restated financials. The equity award
agreements for named executive officers include provisions for the forfeiture of
previously awarded bonus and incentive compensation (upon demand by the
Compensation Committee) in the event that such payments were based on either (i)
35
materially inaccurate
financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance metric
criteria or (ii) financial statements or performance metrics that are
subsequently restated or revised. The proposed Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus
Stock Incentive Plan includes a policy that in the event awards or amounts paid
in respect thereof were granted or paid based on financial statements or
performance metrics that are subsequently restated or revised, as determined by
the Compensation Committee in its discretion, such awards or amounts shall be
subject to recovery by the Company. See Proposal 2 Approval of the Sun
Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan.
Stock Holding
Requirements. Executive
officers and directors of the Company must hold common stock of the Company
issued pursuant to stock awards for two years post-vesting or exercise. These
stock holding requirements provide that the common stock of the Company issued
pursuant to stock awards granted to executive officers and directors of the
Company and the Bank be subject to a two-year restriction on sale or transfer
after such stock award becomes earned and non-forfeitable or after the exercise
of a stock options, other than permissible transfers.
Tax and Accounting
Considerations. The Company
takes into account the tax and accounting implications in the design of its
compensation programs. For example, in the selection of long-term incentive
instruments, the Compensation Committee reviews the projected expense amounts
and expense timing associated with alternative types of awards. Under current
accounting rules (i.e., FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM (ASC) 718),
the Company must expense the grant-date fair value of share-based grants such as
stock option awards, restricted stock, performance shares, and stock
appreciation rights settled in stock. The grant-date value is amortized and
expensed over the service period or vesting period of the grant. In selecting
appropriate incentive devices, the Compensation Committee reviews appropriate
expense analyses and considers the related tax and accounting issues.
Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Internal Revenue Code),
generally permits a tax deduction to public corporations for compensation over
$1,000,000 paid in any fiscal year to a corporations chief executive officer
and certain other highly compensated executive officers only if the compensation
qualifies as being performance-based under Section 162(m). The Company endeavors
to structure its compensation polices to qualify as performance-based under
Section 162(m) whenever it is reasonably possible to do so while meeting the
Companys compensation objectives. Nonetheless, from time to time certain
non-deductible compensation may be paid and the Board of Directors and the
Compensation Committee reserve the authority to award non-deductible
compensation in appropriate circumstances. In addition, it is possible that some
compensation paid pursuant to certain equity awards that have already been
granted may be non-deductible as a result of Section 162(m).
Upon a change in control of
the Company, some portion of the severance payments may exceed the deductible
limitations under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. Although the
Compensation Committee does not anticipate that any such non-deductible
payments, if applicable, will constitute a material portion of the total
shareholder consideration that might be paid in connection with such a change in
control transaction, it believes that it is necessary for the Company to have
flexibility in designing its compensation programs to meet necessary business
objectives and pay strategies.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
REPORT |
Pursuant to SEC
regulations, this Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed incorporated
by reference by general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy
Statement into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except
to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by
reference, and otherwise shall not be deemed soliciting material or to
36
be filed with the SEC
subject to Regulation 14A or 14C of the SEC or subject to the liabilities of
Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
The Compensation Committee
of the Company has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on
such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board
of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this
Proxy Statement.
Compensation Committee: Eli
Kramer, Committee Chairman, Anthony R. Coscia, William J. Marino and Philip A.
Norcross.
COMPENSATION RISK
ASSESSMENT |
During the 2014 fiscal
year, executive management conducted an updated compensation risk assessment
which was presented to and reviewed by the Compensation Committee. This
compensation risk assessment concluded the Companys compensation policies and
practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation
Table. The following table sets forth the cash and
non-cash compensation awarded to or earned during the last three completed
fiscal years by our named executive officers in all capacities with the Company
and the Bank.
|
|
Year |
|
Salary ($) |
|
Bonus(1) ($) |
|
Stock Awards
(2) ($) |
|
Option Awards
(3) ($) |
|
All
Other Compensation (4) ($) |
|
Total |
Thomas M. OBrien (5) |
|
2014 |
|
353,904 |
|
262,500 |
|
1,847,903 |
|
932,019 |
|
198,157 |
|
3,594,483 |
President
and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sidney R. Brown(9) |
|
2014 |
|
95,635 |
|
- |
|
291,912 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
387,547 |
Chairman, Interim |
|
2013 |
|
2 |
|
- |
|
232,872 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
232,874 |
President and CEO |
|
2012 |
|
178,200 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
178,200 |
|
Thomas R. Brugger (6) |
|
2014 |
|
325,000 |
|
80,000 |
|
115,614 |
|
- |
|
4,470 |
|
525,084 |
Executive Vice
President |
|
2013 |
|
325,000 |
|
165,000 |
|
20,000 |
|
- |
|
9,465 |
|
519,465 |
and Chief
Financial |
|
2012 |
|
36,250 |
|
50,000 |
|
- |
|
31,710 |
|
1,198 |
|
119,158 |
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alberino J. Celini (7) |
|
2014 |
|
290,000 |
|
60,000 |
|
94,711 |
|
- |
|
16,963 |
|
461,674 |
Executive Vice President |
|
2013 |
|
290,000 |
|
110,000 |
|
20,000 |
|
- |
|
7,764 |
|
427,764 |
and Chief Risk Officer |
|
2012 |
|
11,123 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
26,517 |
|
- |
|
37,640 |
|
Michele B. Estep |
|
2014 |
|
250,000 |
|
60,000 |
|
35,011 |
|
- |
|
18,876 |
|
363,887 |
Executive Vice
President |
|
2013 |
|
250,000 |
|
40,000 |
|
50,000 |
|
- |
|
13,729 |
|
353,729 |
and Chief
Administrative |
|
2012 |
|
250,000 |
|
- |
|
277,737 |
|
14,513 |
|
13,564 |
|
555,814 |
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nicos Katsoulis (8) |
|
2014 |
|
48,461 |
|
125,000 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
144,307 |
|
317,768 |
Executive Vice President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Chief Lending Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37
Bradley J. Fouss (10) |
|
2014 |
|
172,308 |
|
- |
|
37,010 |
|
- |
|
315,265 |
|
524,583 |
Executive Vice
President |
|
2013 |
|
280,000 |
|
40,000 |
|
60,000 |
|
- |
|
5,833 |
|
385,833 |
and Director of
Wholesale |
|
2012 |
|
280,000 |
|
- |
|
337,237 |
|
14,513 |
|
6,064 |
|
637,814 |
Banking |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The following
discretionary cash bonuses were earned by the Named Executive Officers in
2014 and paid in 2015: Mr. OBrien - $262,500 Mr. Brugger - $80,000 ; Ms.
Estep - $60,000 ; Mr. Celini - $60,000 ; and Mr. Katsoulis - $125,000;.
Bonuses earned in 2013 and paid in 2014 were Mr. Brugger - $65,000; Ms.
Estep - $40,000; Mr. Fouss - $40,000; and Mr. Celini - $35,000. No
discretionary cash bonuses were earned by the Named Executive Officers in
2012. As part of his offer agreement, Mr. Brugger received a $50,000
signing bonus in 2012. The following discretionary cash bonuses were
earned by the Named Executive Officers in 2011 and paid in 2012: Ms. Estep
- $40,000; and Mr. Fouss - $40,000. In 2013, Mr. Brugger and Mr. Celini
received deferred sign-on bonus payments in accordance with their offer
agreements of $100,000 and $75,000, respectively. |
(2) |
|
The amount represents
the aggregate fair value of the restricted stock units on the date of
grant calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board
Accounting Standards Codification 718, Compensation Stock Compensation (FASB ASC
718). See Note 2 of our
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Exhibit 13 to the
Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2014 for the assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair
value. |
(3) |
|
The amount shown
represents the aggregate fair value of the options on the date of grant,
calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. See Note 2 of our Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements included in Exhibit 13 to the Companys
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 for
the assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value. On November
15, 2012, Mr. Brugger was awarded stock options under the 2010 Performance
Equity Plan. As of December 31, 2013, these options were forfeited as the
performance conditions of this grant were not met. |
(4) |
|
The components of
other compensation in 2014 for Mr. OBrien includes $198,157 in
non-employee compensation earnings for consultant fees received prior to
non-objection to hire. The components of all other compensation in 2014
for Mr. Brugger, a cell phone allowance of $720 and employer contributions
under the 401(k) plan of $3,750. The components of all other compensation
in 2014 for Ms. Estep are personal use auto expenses of $10,736, employer
contributions under the 401(k) plan of $7,500 and a cell phone allowance
of $640. In 2014, the components of all other compensation for
Mr. Celini are personal
use auto expenses of $13,283 and employer contributions under the 401(k)
plan of $3,680. The components of all other compensation in 2014 for Mr.
Katsoulis include $144,307 in non-employee compensation earnings for
consultant fees prior to non-objection to hire. The components of all
other compensation in 2014 for Mr. Fouss include severance of $298,433,
personal use auto expenses of $12,858, employer contributions under the
401(k) plan of $3,554 and a cell phone allowance of $420. |
(5) |
|
Mr. OBrien was hired
as President & Chief Executive Officer on July 2, 2014; his 2014
annual base salary of $700,000 is pro-rated base on his hire
date. |
(6) |
|
Mr. Brugger was hired
as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective November
9, 2012. His 2012 annual base salary of $325,000 is pro-rated based on
his hire date. |
(7) |
|
Mr. Celini was hired
as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer effective December 18,
2012. His 2012 annual base salary of $290,000 is pro-rated based on his
hire date. |
(8) |
|
Mr. Katsoulis was
hired as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer effective
November 10, 2014; his 2014 annual base salary of $420,000 is pro-rated
based on his hire date. |
(9) |
|
Mr. Brown is Chairman
of the Board of Directors. He served as Interim President and Chief
Executive Officer from December 2, 2013 to July 2, 2014. This table
includes all compensation paid to Mr. Brown for all forms of service as
applicable from year to year. In 2014, Mr. Brown received $225,000 as
Chairman of the Board, which was paid $95,635 in cash and $129,365 in
stock. In 2014, as compensation for his service as Interim President and
Chief Executive Officer, he was paid $162,547 in restricted stock. In
2013, Mr. Brown received $205,791 as Chairman of the Board, which was paid
$2 in cash and $205,789 in stock, and $27,083 in restricted stock as
compensation as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. The amounts
under Stock Awards represent the grant date fair value of the awards. See
Grant of Plan Based Awards, table below. |
(10) |
|
Mr. Fouss employment
terminated on July 18, 2014; his 2014 base salary is pro-rated through his
termination date. Mr. Fouss would have been included as a named officer if
not for his termination. Mr. Fouss stock awards were forfeited upon
termination. |
Stock Option
Plans. The Companys stock option plans include the 2004
Stock-Based Incentive Plan, the 2010 Stock-Based Incentive Plan and the 2014
Performance Equity Plan. Each of these plans has been approved by the Companys
shareholders.
Options granted may be
either incentive stock options (options that afford favorable tax treatment to
recipients upon compliance with certain restrictions pursuant to Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code and that do not normally result in tax deductions to
the Company) or non-incentive stock options. The option price may not be less
than 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant.
Option shares may be paid for in cash, shares of the common stock, or a
combination of both. Options are generally exercisable for a period of ten years
from the date of grant.
38
Grant of Plan Based
Awards.
The following table sets forth information concerning the stock options and stock awards granted to the named officers during 2014.
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future
Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
Threshold (#) |
|
Maximum (#) |
|
All Other
Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Restricted Stock |
|
All Other
Option Awards: Number of Securities
Underlying Options |
|
Exercise Price |
|
Grant Date Fair
Value(1) |
Thomas M. OBrien |
|
07/02/14 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
90,362 |
(3) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
1,847,903 |
|
|
07/02/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,000 |
(4) |
|
$20.45 |
|
$ |
932,019 |
Sidney R. Brown |
|
01/31/14 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
1,709 |
(2) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
27,088 |
|
|
02/28/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,557 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
27,092 |
|
|
03/31/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,613 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
27,098 |
|
|
04/30/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,426 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
27,094 |
|
|
05/30/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,437 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
27,087 |
|
|
06/30/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,351 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
27,088 |
|
|
06/30/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
3,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
64,693 |
|
|
12/31/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
3,334 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
64,672 |
Thomas R. Brugger |
|
02/20/14 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
4,000 |
(5) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
65,600 |
|
|
03/03/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,977 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
50,014 |
Alberino J. Celini |
|
03/03/14 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
2,084 |
(6) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
35,011 |
|
|
06/26/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
(8) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
59,700 |
Michele B. Estep |
|
03/03/14 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
2,084 |
(6) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
$ |
35,011 |
Bradley J. Fouss |
|
03/03/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,203 |
(6)(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
37,010 |
(1) |
|
The
grant date fair value is calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. See
Note 2 to the Companys 2014 Audited Financial Statements included in
Exhibit 13 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2014 for additional discussion on valuation
methodology. Excludes for equity awards subject to performance conditions,
the grant date fair value based upon the probable outcome of such awards
determined at the date of award. |
(2) |
|
These restricted stock units vest at the rate
of 50% on December 31, 2014 and 50% on December 31, 2015. |
(3) |
|
These restricted stock units vest at a rate of
one-third on the second anniversary of the date of grant and one-third
annually thereafter. |
(4) |
|
These stock options vest at a rate of 100% on
the second anniversary of the date of grant. |
(5) |
|
These restricted stock units vest 25% as of
November 15, 2014 and 25% annually thereafter. |
(6) |
|
These restricted stock units vest at a rate of
20% on the first anniversary of the date of grant and 20% annually
thereafter. |
(7) |
|
These restricted stock units were forfeited
upon Mr. Fouss termination on July 18, 2014. |
(8) |
|
These restricted stock units vest at a rate of
100% on December 20, 2016. |
39
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal
Year-End. The following table sets forth information concerning the stock options and restricted stock units held by
the named officers as of December 31, 2014.
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Options |
|
|
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Unearned Options |
|
Option Exercise
Price |
|
Option Expiration Date |
|
Number
of Unvested Restricted Stock Units |
|
|
Market
Value Unvested Stock Awards ($)(11) |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas M. OBrien(9) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
90,362 |
(2) |
|
1,753,023 |
|
|
- |
|
100,000 |
(3) |
|
|
|
$ 20.45 |
|
07/02/2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
Sidney R. Brown |
|
2,957 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
76.65 |
|
05/08/2016 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
19,470 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
53.80 |
|
01/22/2018 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
5,584 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
23.75 |
|
05/20/2020 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
3,824 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
26.15 |
|
05/20/2020 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
22,720 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
25.50 |
|
09/24/2020 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
770 |
(1) |
|
14,938 |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
854 |
(1) |
|
16,568 |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
779 |
(1) |
|
15,113 |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
807 |
(1) |
|
15,656 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
713 |
(1) |
|
13,832 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
718 |
(1) |
|
13,929 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
675 |
(1) |
|
13,095 |
Thomas R. Brugger |
|
1,000 |
|
3,000 |
(4) |
|
- |
|
15.15 |
|
11/15/2022 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
570 |
(5) |
|
11,058 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
(6) |
|
58,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,977 |
(7) |
|
57,754 |
Alberino J. Celini |
|
750 |
|
2,250 |
(6) |
|
- |
|
16.85 |
|
12/20/2022 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
570 |
(7) |
|
11,058 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,084 |
(7) |
|
40,430 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
(10) |
|
58,200 |
Michele B. Estep |
|
1,103 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
59.70 |
|
03/31/2018 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
4,411 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
17.70 |
|
12/17/2019 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,590 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
17.70 |
|
12/17/2019 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
2,400 |
|
1,600 |
(8) |
|
- |
|
21.60 |
|
03/01/2021 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
762 |
|
1,145 |
(8) |
|
- |
|
14.25 |
|
03/01/2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,595 |
(9) |
|
302,543 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,425 |
(5) |
|
27,645 |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
2,084 |
(7) |
|
40,430 |
Nicos Katsoulis |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
Bradley J. Fouss |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
- |
40
(1) |
|
These restricted stock units vest 50% on both December 31,
2014 and 2015. |
(2) |
|
These restricted stock units vest at a rate of one-third on
the second anniversary of the date of grant and one-third annually
thereafter. |
(3) |
|
These stock options vest 100% on the second anniversary of
the date of grant. |
(4) |
|
These stock options vest at a rate of 25% on the second
anniversary of the date of grant and 25% annually thereafter. |
(5) |
|
These restricted stock units vest 50% on the first-year
anniversary of the award date, and 50% on the third-year anniversary of
the award date. |
(6) |
|
These stock options vest 25% on the first anniversary of the
date of grant and 25% annually thereafter. |
(7) |
|
These restricted stock units vest at a rate of 20% on the
first anniversary of the date of grant and 20% annually
thereafter. |
(8) |
|
These stock options vest at a rate of 20% on the first-year
anniversary of the date of grant and 20% annually thereafter. |
(9) |
|
These restricted stock units vest 10% on the second-year
anniversary of the award date, 20% on the third-year anniversary of the
award date, 30% on the fourth-year anniversary of the award date and 40%
on the fifth-year anniversary of the date of the award. |
(10) |
|
These restricted stock units vest 100% on December 20,
2016. |
(11) |
|
Based on the closing market value of the Companys common
stock on December 31, 2014 of $19.40. |
41
Option Exercises and
Stock Vested. The following
table shows stock option exercises and stock vesting by the named executive
officers during 2014.
|
|
Stock
Options |
|
Stock Award
Units |
Name |
|
Number of
Shares Acquired on Exercise |
|
Value Realized
on Exercise |
|
Number
Vested |
|
Value
Realized on Vesting (1) |
Sidney R. Brown |
|
- |
|
- |
|
5,316 |
|
103,130 |
Thomas M. OBrien |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
Thomas R. Brugger |
|
- |
|
- |
|
1,570 |
|
30,686 |
Michele B. Estep |
|
- |
|
- |
|
3,157 |
|
61,816 |
Bradley J. Fouss |
|
- |
|
- |
|
1,710 |
|
33,858 |
Alberino J. Celini |
|
- |
|
- |
|
570 |
|
11,286 |
____________________
(1) |
|
Value represents the
market value of the Companys common stock on the vesting date.
|
Potential Payments upon
Termination or Change in Control
OBrien Employment
Agreement. Upon termination
of Mr. OBriens employment other than termination for Cause (as defined in the
Employment Agreement), (x) options to purchase Company stock that were granted
as an OBrien Annual Equity Award that are, or then become, exercisable shall
remain exercisable for one year following such termination, and (y) if the
Initial Option Grant is exercisable at the time of such termination of
employment, it shall remain exercisable for one year following such termination,
provided that, in each case, Mr. OBrien remains in compliance with the
non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of the Employment Agreement. In
addition to the possible payments described in the table below, Mr. OBrien had
a right as of December 31, 2014 to receive a bonus of $262,500 for 2014 under
the terms of his Employment Agreement. See Employment Agreements, above.
Katsoulis Employment
Agreement. Upon termination
of Mr. OKatsoulis employment other than termination for Cause (as defined in
the Employment Agreement), options to purchase Company stock that were granted
as a Katsoulis Annual Equity Award that are, or then become, exercisable shall
remain exercisable for 90 days following such termination, provided that Mr.
Katsoulis remains in compliance with the non-competition and non-solicitation
provisions of the Employment Agreement. In addition to the possible payments
described in the table below, Mr. Katsoulis had a right as of December
31, 2014 to receive a bonus of
$125,000 for 2014 under the terms of his Employment Agreement. See Employment
Agreements, above.
Management Severance
Agreements. As referenced in
the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Bank has in place
management/change in control severance agreements with certain of the named
executive officers. These arrangements are intended to provide the named
executive officers with severance benefits in the event of a termination of
employment following a change in control transaction. All Management Severance Arrangements are subject to regulatory approval.
Mr. Brugger is a party to a
Management Severance Agreement with the Bank, which provides for a payment equal
to one times the sum of his annual base salary then in effect in the event of
the involuntary termination of Mr. Bruggers employment upon or within eighteen
months following a change in control (as defined in the Management Severance
Agreement) of the Bank, absent termination for just cause (as defined in the
Management Severance Agreement). In addition, in such an event, Mr. Brugger
would be eligible to continue coverage under the Banks medical and dental
insurance reimbursement plans for a period of not less than 18 months at the
participants election and expense. Mr. Bruggers agreement also provides for a
severance payment upon involuntary termination, other than in conjunction with a
change in control or for just cause, equal to 18 weeks of base pay during the
first two years of employment, 32 weeks of base pay after two years of
employment, and one year of base pay after completion of five years of
employment.
42
Based on his length of
service, Mr. Brugger would be eligible for severance, other than in conjunction
with a change in control or for just cause, of 32 weeks of current base salary.
Mr. Celini is a party to a
Management Severance Agreement with the Bank, which provides for a payment equal
to one times the sum of his annual base salary then in effect in the event of
the involuntary termination of Mr. Celinis employment upon or within eighteen
months following a change in control (as defined in the Management Severance
Agreement) of the Bank, absent termination for just cause (as defined in the
Management Severance Agreement). In addition, in such an event, Mr. Celini would
be eligible to continue coverage under the Banks medical and dental insurance
reimbursement plans for a period of not less than 18 months at the participants
election and expense. Mr. Celinis agreement also provides for a severance
payment upon involuntary termination, other than in conjunction with a change in
control or for just cause, equal to 18 weeks of base pay during the first two
years of employment, 32 weeks of base pay after two years of employment, and one
year of base pay after completion of five years of employment. Based on his
length of service, Mr. Celini would be eligible for severance, other than in
conjunction with a change in control or for just cause, of 32 weeks of current
base salary.
Ms. Estep is a party to a
Management Severance Agreement with the Bank, which provides for severance in
the amount of 1.5 times the taxable compensation paid to her in the most
recently completed calendar year in the event of the involuntary termination of
Ms. Esteps employment upon or within eighteen months following a change in
control (as defined in the Management Severance Agreement) of the Bank, absent
termination for just cause (as defined in the Management Severance Agreement).
In addition, in such an event, Ms. Estep would be eligible to continue coverage
under the Banks medical and dental insurance reimbursement plans for a period
of not less than 18 months at the participants election and expense. Ms. Estep
would be eligible for severance independent of a change in control under the
Banks existing severance policy equal to 52 weeks of current base salary with
benefit continuation during the severance period.
Mr. Brown ceased service as
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank on
July 2, 2014. Mr. Brown was not party to an Employment Agreement or Management
Severance Agreement with the Company or the Bank. No payments or benefits were
paid, provided, earned or accelerated to or for Mr. Brown in connection with
cessation of his service as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Fouss employment with
the Company was terminated on July 18, 2014. Mr. Fouss was party to a Management
Severance Agreement with the Bank. Upon termination of his employment, the Bank
agreed to pay Mr. Fouss $280,000 over a 52-week period, and to provide Mr. Fouss
with continued group health and dental coverage for that same period, in
exchange for Mr. Fouss general release of the Company, the Bank and related
persons.
In the event of a Change in
Control, all of the named executive officers (that are currently employees of
the Company or the Bank) may continue medical and dental coverage for a period
of up to eighteen months following termination of employment at the executives
expense in accordance with COBRA. The potential severance benefits to each named
executive officer are all conditioned upon the executive complying with certain
post-termination limitations on his or her business activities in competition
with the Company following such termination of employment and receipt of prior
regulatory approval.
As noted above, the named
executive officers are parties to various agreements that provide for payments
in connection with any termination of their employment. The following table
shows the payments that would be made to the named officers at, following or in
connection with any termination of their employment in the specified
circumstances as of the last business day of the last fiscal year ended December
31, 2014, subject to prior regulatory approval.
43
Name |
|
Death |
|
Disability |
|
Retirement |
|
Termination following
Change in Control(1) |
|
Termination Without Cause(2) |
|
Termination With Cause |
Thomas M. OBrien |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President and Chief
Executive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance
Policy |
|
$
|
- |
|
$
|
- |
|
$
|
- |
|
$
|
242,149 |
|
$
|
242,149 |
|
$
|
- |
Executive
LTD(3) |
|
|
- |
|
|
629,880 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
Restricted
Stock(4) |
|
|
145,485 |
|
|
145,485 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,753,011 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
Options(5) |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Thomas R. Brugger |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Vice President and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management
Severance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agreement
and Severance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policy |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
325,000 |
|
$ |
199,778 |
|
$ |
- |
Executive
LTD(3) |
|
|
- |
|
|
255,541 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
Restricted
Stock(4) |
|
|
17,058 |
|
|
17,058 |
|
|
- |
|
|
126,992 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
Options(5) |
|
|
536 |
|
|
536 |
|
|
- |
|
|
12,750 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Alberino J. Celini |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Vice President
and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Risk Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management
Severance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agreement
and Severance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policy |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
290,000 |
|
$ |
178,263 |
|
$ |
- |
Executive
LTD(3) |
|
|
- |
|
|
137,314 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
Restricted
Stock(4) |
|
|
41,256 |
|
|
41,256 |
|
|
- |
|
|
109,672 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
Options(5) |
|
|
58 |
|
|
58 |
|
|
- |
|
|
5,893 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Michele B. Estep |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Vice President and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Administrative Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management
Severance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agreement
and Severance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policy |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
502,566 |
|
$ |
249,559 |
|
$ |
- |
Executive
LTD(3) |
|
|
- |
|
|
180,673 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
Restricted
Stock(4) |
|
|
19,279 |
|
|
19,279 |
|
|
- |
|
|
370,579 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
Options(5) |
|
|
1,641 |
|
|
1,641 |
|
|
- |
|
|
5,893 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Nicos Katsoulis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Vice President
and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Lending
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance
Policy |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
145,290 |
|
$ |
145,290 |
|
$ |
- |
Executive
LTD(3) |
|
|
- |
|
|
350,373 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
Restricted
Stock(4) |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
Options(5) |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
____________________
(1) |
|
For Mr. Brugger, Mr.
Celini and Ms. Estep, termination following a change in control includes
involuntary termination by the Company or termination by the Executive for
good reason under the terms of their Management Severance Agreements.
The severance figures provided for Mr. OBrien, Ms. Estep and Mr.
Katsoulis reflect amounts that would be payable if the executive were
terminated in connection with a workforce reduction under the Banks
broad-based severance benefit policy. As of December 31, 2014, neither Mr.
OBrien nor Mr. Katsoulis had a severance agreement with the Company or
the Bank that would provide for severance outside of the Banks
broad-based severance benefit policy. Severance payments require
regulatory approval prior to distribution. |
(2) |
|
Termination without
cause involves involuntary termination of the executive by the Company.
The severance figures provided for Mr. Brugger and Mr. Celini reflect
amounts payable in this event under their Management Severance Agreements.
The severance figures provided for Mr. OBrien, Ms. Estep and Mr.
Katsoulis reflect amounts that would be payable if the executive were
terminated in connection with a workforce reduction under the Banks
broad-based severance benefit policy. On a termination without cause in
the absence of such a workforce reduction, Ms. Estep would receive a
benefit of $185,000 (75% of her highest rate of salary during the 12-month
period prior to termination) under her Management Change in Control
Severance Agreement. As of December 31, 2014, neither Mr. OBrien nor Mr.
Katsoulis had a severance agreement with the Company or the Bank that
would provide for severance outside of the Banks broad-based severance
benefit policy. Severance payments require regulatory approval prior to
distribution. |
44
(3) |
|
Upon
qualifying disability, the Executive long-term disability benefit provides
for the difference between base salary and the amount paid by disability
insurance (66 2/3% up to maximum of $1,500 weekly for the first six months
and up to $5,000/month for the next six months) for up to one year of
salary continuation. Amounts reflect the added benefit for a full 12 month
period. |
(4) |
|
Represents accelerated vesting of restricted
stock unit awards upon change in control and pro rata vesting of
restricted stock units awards upon termination of employment due to death
or disability. As of December 31, 2014, the market price of the common
stock was $19.40. |
(5) |
|
Represents accelerated vesting of stock option
awards upon change in control and pro rata vesting of stock option awards
upon termination of employment due to death or disability. As of December
31, 2014, the market price of the common stock was
$19.40. |
Meeting Fees.
For the year ended December
31, 2014, each member of the Board of Directors (excluding the President and
Chief Executive Officer, who is compensated as an executive officer of the
Company, and excluding the Chairman, who is paid an annual retainer only)
received a fee of $1,500 for each regularly scheduled board meeting and
executive committee meeting and $1,000 for each regularly scheduled committee
meeting (except executive committee) attended. In addition, for conference call
meetings of the Board and committees, each director receives a meeting fee at
the discretion of the Chairman or Committee Chair at the rate of $1,000 for a
full meeting or $500 for a partial meeting. Conference call meetings at which
purely administrative matters are addressed are not allocated any fees. All
meeting fees are paid in cash or in the form of shares of the Companys common
stock as designated by the individual director, with the exception of Director
Ross, who receives cash due to the limitations on the percentage ownership of
the Company he may own.
Other Compensation.
As part of their director
compensation for 2014, directors (excluding the President and Chief Executive
Officer and the Chairman) received restricted shares of the Companys common
stock worth $20,000 which require a one year vesting period and must be held
during the term as a director; with the exception of Director Ross who received
cash due to the limitations on the percentage ownership of the Company he may
own.
Retainers.
For 2014, the Chairman of the
Board of Directors received an annual retainer of $225,000 which was paid in
Company stock ($129,365) and cash ($95,635). In 2014, the Audit Committee
Chairman received an annual retainer of $10,000, the Compensation Committee
Chairman received an annual retainer of $7,500, and the Chairmen of the
ALCO/Investment Committee, Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, Risk
Committee and Technology Committee each received an annual retainer of $5,000.
Audit Committee members and Compensation Committee members, excluding the
respective Chairmen, received an annual retainer of $5,000. Directors, except
the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman, also received an
annual retainer of $18,000. Directors may elect payment of their retainers in
cash or shares of Company common stock. Directors who did not serve in such
positions for the entire year received prorated portions of the
retainers.
Directors Deferred
Fee Plan. A director may
elect to defer receipt of shares earned as director compensation pursuant to the
terms of the Companys Directors Deferred Fee Plan which was adopted by the
Board in April 2009.
Directors Stock
Purchase Plan. Up until
October 31, 2014, directors and emeritus directors of the Company or the Bank
were eligible to participate in the Sun Bancorp, Inc. Directors Stock Purchase
Plan, as amended and restated (the DSPP). The DSPP was terminated effective
November 1, 2014. Participants in the DSPP were able to purchase Company common
stock in an amount up to $25,000 per year for 95% of the purchase price of such
common stock. All brokerage commissions and service charges for the purchase of
common stock under the DSPP were paid by the Company. For the year ended
December 31, 2014, there were 4,066 shares purchased through the
DSPP.
45
Director Compensation
Table. Set forth below is a
table providing information concerning the compensation of the directors of the
Company for 2014, except for Sidney R. Brown whose compensation is included in
the Summary Compensation Table, above.
Name |
|
Fees Earned or Paid
in Cash(1) $ |
|
Stock Awards (2)(3)(4)(5) $ |
|
Option Awards |
|
All
Other Compensation |
|
Total $ |
Jeffrey S.
Brown |
|
42 |
|
74,958 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
75,000 |
Anthony R.
Coscia |
|
29 |
|
91,721 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
91,750 |
F. Clay
Creasey, Jr. |
|
41,811 |
|
14,097 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
55,908 |
Peter
Galetto, Jr. |
|
28,021 |
|
70,729 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
98,750 |
Eli
Kramer |
|
46 |
|
105,423 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
105,469 |
William J.
Marino |
|
36 |
|
67,016 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
67,052 |
Philip A.
Norcross |
|
38 |
|
84,014 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
84,052 |
Wilbur L.
Ross, Jr. |
|
57,750 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
57,750 |
Keith
Stock |
|
56,358 |
|
19,085 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
75,443 |
Steven A.
Kass(6) |
|
22,310 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
22,310 |
(1) |
|
Includes
cash payment which resulted from payout of fractional shares earned during
2014. |
(2) |
|
Stock
compensation includes aggregate shares received, including those deferred
under the Directors Deferred Fee Plan, with a fair value of $20.05 and
$19.40, respectively, for each director: Jeffrey S. Brown 1,347 and
1,442; Peter Galetto Jr. 1,359 and 1,211; Eli Kramer 2,294 and 2,033;
Anthony R. Coscia 1,684 and 1,958; William J. Marino 1,060 and 1,329;
and Philip A. Norcross 1,484 and 1,767. The grant date fair value is
calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. See Note 2 to the Companys
2014 Audited Financial Statements included in Exhibit 13 to the Companys
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 for
additional discussion on valuation methodology. |
(3) |
|
Stock
compensation includes restricted stock awards of 499 shares and 515 shares
as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, respectively, for Jeffrey S.
Brown, Peter Galetto, Jr., Eli Kramer, Anthony R. Coscia, William J.
Marino and Philip A. Norcross. Stock compensation includes restricted
stock awards as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of
205 shares and 515 shares for F. Clay Creasey, Jr. and 454 shares and 515
shares for Keith Stock. These restricted stock awards will become fully
vested on the first-year anniversary of the date of grant and must be held
during term as director. |
(4) |
|
Compensation paid to a director may be deferred under the Directors
Deferred Fee Plan until the director retires or otherwise terminates
service. Such compensation deferred will be paid out in the future in the
form of Company common stock. Included in the aggregate stock compensation
is shares deferred under the Directors Deferred Fee Plan, with a fair
value of $20.05 and $19.40, respectively, for each director: Eli Kramer
2,294 and 2,033; Philip A. Norcross 1,484 and 1,767; and William J.
Marino 1,060 and 1,329. |
(5) |
|
As of
December 31, 2014, the number of shares deferred under the Directors
Deferred Fee Plan for each director: Eli Kramer 29,553; Philip A.
Norcross 10,152; and William J. Marino 2,389. |
(6) |
|
Mr. Kass
resigned from the Board effective June 30,
2014. |
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN
INFORMATION |
Set forth below is
information as of December 31, 2014 with respect to compensation plans under
which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.
46
|
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
|
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options, warrants and rights (2) |
|
Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding
options, warrants and rights (3) |
|
Number of
securities remaining available for future issuance
under equity compensation plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a)) |
Equity compensation plans approved by |
|
|
|
|
|
|
shareholders
(1) |
|
609,649 |
|
$28.34 |
|
1,529,480 |
Equity compensation plans not approved |
|
|
|
|
|
|
by
shareholders |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
Total |
|
609,649 |
|
$28.34 |
|
1,529,480 |
(1) |
|
Plans
approved by shareholders include the 2004 Stock Based-Incentive Plan, as
amended and restated, the 2010 Stock-Based Incentive Plan and the 2014
Performance Equity Plan. |
(2) |
|
Amount
includes 248,654 restricted stock units that have been granted, but not
yet vested, and 42,094 shares issued and held in the Directors Deferred
Compensation Plan. |
(3) |
|
Amount
does not reflect the market value per share of 248,654 non-vested
restricted stock units and 42,094 shares issued and held in the Director's
Deferred Compensation Plan which are included in column (a)
herein. |
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
Some of the director
nominees of the Company, as well as members of their immediate families and the
corporations, organizations, trusts, and other entities in which they are
associated, are also customers of the Bank in the ordinary course of business.
They may also be indebted to the Bank in respect of loans of $120,000 or more.
All loans extended to such individuals, corporations and firms (1) were made in
the ordinary course of business, (2) were made on substantially the same terms,
including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for
comparable loans with persons not related to the Bank, and (3) did not involve
more than normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.
As of December 31, 2014 and as of the Record Date, none of these loans is
non-performing.
Bernard A. Brown, who was
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank until his
retirement in May 2013, is the father of directors Sidney R. Brown and Jeffrey
S. Brown. Sidney and Jeffrey Brown are siblings. Bernard A. Brown is owner of
226 Landis Avenue Associates, LLC, Vineland Construction Company and Arctic
Realty Company LLC, each of which leases office and branch space to the Bank.
Anne B. Koons, a director of the Company and the Bank from 1990 to 2013, is the
daughter of Bernard A. Brown and sibling of Sidney R. Brown and Jeffrey S.
Brown. Anne B. Koons is owner of ABK Real Estate LLC, which leases branch space
to the Bank.
The Bank leases office
space at 226 Landis Avenue, Vineland, New Jersey (the 226 Landis Lease) from
226 Landis Avenue Associates, LLC (Landis Associates). Landis Associates is
owned by Bernard A. Brown. The 226 Landis Lease was entered into in 1997 with a
termination date of 2017, with four, five year renewal options, and has been
amended several times to add additional space and to modify the rent. Effective
April 1, 2011, the Bank and Landis Associates entered into a Third Lease
Amendment Agreement (the Third Amendment) to extend the term of the 226 Landis
Lease by ten (10) years to 2027 and to modify the base rent. Effective November
1, 2014, the 226 Landis Lease was further amended (the Fourth Amendment) to
rescind the Third Amendment in its entirety and to revert back to the terms and
conditions existing prior to the Third Amendment so that the 226 Landis Lease
terminates October 31, 2017 and the base rent as it existed prior to the Third
Amendment is reinstated. By entering
47
into the Fourth Amendment,
the Bank reduced its long-term lease obligations by approximately $15 million.
As part of the Fourth Amendment, in 2015 the Bank paid Landis Associates
$606,806, representing the difference between the base rent payable under the
226 Landis Lease prior to the Third Amendment and the base rent payable under
the Third Amendment for the period April 1, 2011 through October 31, 2014. In
2014, the Bank made total payments of approximately $1.5 million to Landis
Associates under the 226 Landis Lease.
The Bank leases its branch
located at 1801 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey from Arctic Realty
Company, LLC, which is owned by Bernard A. Brown. The lease terminates in June
2029. In 2014, the Bank made total payments of approximately $357,000 to Arctic
Realty Company, LLC under this lease. The Bank leases its branch located at 1184
East Landis Avenue, Vineland, New Jersey from Vineland Construction Co., which
is owned by Bernard A. Brown. The lease terminates in August 2025. In 2014, the
Bank made total payments of approximately $597,000 to Vineland Construction Co.
under this lease.
The Bank leases its
branches located at 741 Route 73 South, Marlton, New Jersey and 47
Princeton-Hightstown Road, Princeton Junction, New Jersey from ABK Real Estate
LLC, which is owned by Anne B. Koons. The leases terminate in July 2027 and
January 2017, respectively. In 2014, the Bank made total payments of
approximately $413,000 to ABK Real Estate LLC under these two leases.
It is the Companys policy
that any transaction between the Company or the Bank on the one hand and a
director or executive officer on the other hand, be reviewed and approved by the
independent directors of the Company. Only transactions that the independent
directors have determined to be on terms substantially the same, or at least as
favorable to the Company and the Bank, as those that would be provided by a
non-affiliate are approved. At the time each of the above related party
transactions were entered into, the Companys policy regarding such transactions
was followed, and the independent directors of the Company determined that each
transaction was on terms as favorable to the Bank as could have been obtained
from unaffiliated third parties.
In October 2014, the Bank
amended its policy regarding transactions with related parties of the Company
and the Bank to provide that no new extensions of credit to or other
transactions with related parties will be entered into, provided that existing
transactions may be modified if doing so is on terms beneficial to the Company
or the Bank or would protect the Bank and its lien position and collateral.
PROPOSAL 2 -
APPROVAL OF THE SUN BANCORP, INC. 2015 OMNIBUS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
|
The Companys Board of
Directors approved the Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the
Plan) on March 26, 2015, subject to approval by the Companys shareholders.
The Plan shall become effective upon the date of shareholder approval. The total
number of shares of Company common stock to be reserved and available for awards
under the Plan is 1,400,000 shares, representing 7.52% of the total of
18,618,630 shares of common stock outstanding as of the Record Date.
Overview
Purpose of the
Plan. The Plan replaces all
existing equity plans, namely the Companys 2014 Performance Equity Plan (the
2014 Performance Plan), the 2010 Stock-Based Incentive Plan (the 2010 Plan),
the 2010 Performance Plan (the 2010 Performance Plan), the 2004 Stock-Based
Incentive Plan, as amended (the 2004 Plan; together with the 2014 Performance
Plan, the 2010 Performance Plan and the 2010 Plan, the Prior
Plans).
48
The purpose of the Plan is
to give the Company a competitive advantage in attracting, retaining, and
motivating officers, employees, directors, and consultants and to provide the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates with a compensation plan providing
incentives for future performance of services directly linked to the
profitability of the Companys businesses and increases in Company shareholder
value.
Equity-based compensation
is an integral component of the Companys efforts to attract and retain key
employees and helps to align the interests of the Companys employees with those
of its shareholders by providing employees an incentive to devote their best
efforts to pursue and sustain long-term Company performance and enhance the
value of the Company. To this end, the Board believes it is desirable to adopt a
new equity plan that is intended to be consistent with corporate governance best
practices and provides the flexibility to grant various types of equity awards,
enabling the Company to react appropriately to a changing competitive and
regulatory environment while being mindful of the impact to shareholders. In its
competitive marketplace, the Company believes it is important to be able to
employ a wide range of incentive compensation vehicles to attract and retain top
talent. Also, maintaining one flexible stock incentive plan instead of several
plans with different features is administratively desirable.
Promotion of Best
Practices. The Company is committed to sound corporate
governance and effective risk-based management of equity compensation. The
Companys commitment is reflected in the Plan by various features.
● |
No Discounted Stock Options or Stock Appreciation
Rights. Stock options
and stock appreciation rights may not be granted with exercise prices
lower than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of
grant. |
|
|
● |
No Repricing without Shareholder Approval. The Company may not, without the approval
of shareholders, (i) reduce the exercise price of an outstanding stock
option or the grant price of an outstanding stock appreciation right or
(ii) cancel and re-grant an outstanding option or stock appreciation right
or exchange such option or stock appreciation right for either cash or a
new award with a lower (or no) exercise price when the exercise price of
such option or stock appreciation right is above the fair market value of
a share of common stock. |
|
|
● |
No Evergreen Provision. There is no evergreen feature pursuant to which the shares
available for issuance under the Plan can be automatically replenished.
|
|
|
● |
Minimum Vesting.
The Plan provides that awards in respect of 95% of the shares authorized
under the Plan may not vest prior to the first anniversary of the
applicable grant date, except in connection with a Corporate Transaction
(as defined in the Plan), a qualifying termination of employment or any
other event or circumstance that the Company determines to be appropriate.
|
|
|
● |
Double Trigger Vesting. Awards issued under the Plan that are assumed by an acquirer will
not vest solely upon a change in control. |
|
|
● |
No Dividends on Unearned Performance Awards. The Plan prohibits the payment of
dividends or dividend equivalents on performance-based awards until the
performance conditions have been satisfied, although dividends and
dividend equivalents may accrue subject to satisfaction of such
performance conditions. |
|
|
● |
No Transferability. Awards generally may not be transferred, except by will or the
laws of descent and distribution, unless approved by the Company.
|
49
● |
No Share Recycling. Shares issued in respect of awards that have been settled or
exercised will not be available for future grants. Shares withheld by or
delivered to the Company to satisfy the exercise price of stock options or
tax withholding obligations will also be considered issued under the Plan
and not available for future grants. |
|
|
● |
Holding Period.
The Plan includes a stock holding period that requires that the common
stock of the Company issued pursuant to stock awards granted to directors
and executive officers of the Company and the Bank be subject to a
two-year restriction on sale or transfer after such restricted stock award
becomes earned and non-forfeitable or after the exercise of a stock
option, other than permissible transfers. |
|
|
● |
Clawback. The
Plan provides that Awards or amounts paid in respect thereof that were
granted or paid based on financial statements or performance metrics that
are subsequently restated or revised, as determined by the Committee in
its discretion, shall be subject to recovery by the Company.
|
Shares Subject to the
Plan. The aggregate number of shares of common stock
available for issuance under the Plan is 1,400,000. No shares will be available
for the grant of additional awards under the Companys Prior Plans. In
determining the number of shares to be available under the Plan, the
Compensation Committee considered data prepared by its independent compensation
consultant, the composition of its shareholders and the Companys pay for
performance philosophy.
Over the three years ending
December 31, 2014, the Company has granted equity-based awards at an average
rate of approximately 211,344 shares of common stock per year, approximately 67%
of which have been granted in the form of shares of restricted stock, with the
remainder granted in the form of stock options. The Companys three-year average
burn rate was 2.01%.
Based on the Companys
historical grant practices, the Compensation Committee believes that that the
1,400,000 shares of common stock available under the Plan would be sufficient to
cover awards for at least the next three years. Awards granted under the Plan
are discretionary, so it is not possible to predict the number of shares of
common stock that would be granted or who would receive awards thereunder. The
Compensation Committee and Board intend to continue to consider the Companys
equity expenditures in a manner that effectively attracts, retains, and
motivates individuals to achieve long-term value creation in line with the
interests of the Companys shareholders.
The table below sets forth
the potential dilution, as a percentage of shares of common stock on a fully
diluted basis, assuming approval of the Plan:
Methodology |
Potential Dilution
(%) |
1,400,000 additional shares |
6.5% |
2,009,649 shares (the additional 1,400,000 shares plus
609,649 shares underlying outstanding awards as of December 31,
2014) |
9.7% |
The historical burn rate,
the potential dilution and the possible future grant rate described above may
not be indicative of the actual grants of equity awards that the Company will
make in the future.
Section 162(m).
If the Plan is approved by
shareholders, it will permit, but not require, awards under the Plan to qualify
as tax-deductible performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code (the Code). Section 162(m) of the Code generally places
a $1 million annual limit on a companys tax deduction for compensation paid to
certain senior executives, other than
50
compensation that satisfies
the applicable requirements for a performance-based compensation exception. To
qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, the
compensation must (among other requirements) be subject to attainment of
performance goals that have been disclosed to shareholders (in the case of
awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights) and approved by a
majority shareholder vote. In some cases, however, the exemption may cease to be
available for some or all awards that otherwise were designed to qualify for
exemption from Section 162(m) of the Code. Thus, it is possible that Section
162(m) of the Code may disallow compensation deductions that would otherwise be
available to the Company. In addition, the Company may choose to grant awards
under the Plan that do not qualify for the performance-based compensation
exemption under Section 162(m) of the Code.
The Company is asking
shareholders to approve the material terms of the performance goals under the
Plan so that the company may make awards that qualify as performance-based
compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, and thus, would be
tax-deductible. For purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, the material terms
requiring shareholder approval include the following in their entirety:
● |
the employees
eligible to receive awards under the Plan; |
● |
the business
criteria used as the basis for the performance goals; and
|
● |
the limits on
the maximum amount of compensation payable to any employee in a given time
period. |
By approving the Plan, the
shareholders will be approving, among other things, the eligibility
requirements, performance goals, and limits on various types of awards contained
therein for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Approval of the Plan by
shareholders will also (i) satisfy the applicable stock exchange requirements
for shareholder approval of equity compensation Plans; (ii) permit options to
qualify as incentive stock options under the Code; and (iii) enable recipients
of options to qualify for certain exempt transactions related to the short-swing
profit recapture provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
Summary of the Plan
Description of the Plan.
The following is a general
description of the material features of the Plan. This description is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, a copy of which is
attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A. Shareholders
are encouraged to read the Plan in its entirety. Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined in this Proposal 2 have the meanings ascribed to such terms in
the Plan.
Purpose of the Plan.
The purpose of the Plan is to
attract, retain and motivate directors, officers, employees and consultants of
the Company and its subsidiaries to contribute toward the Companys growth,
profitability and success by providing an effective link between incentive
compensation and performance, and to further align the economic interests of
such stakeholders with the Companys shareholders by rewarding actions that
result in building long-term shareholder value.
Eligibility for Awards.
Awards may be granted under the
Plan to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and any of
its subsidiaries. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, there were ten
non-employee directors and approximately 480 officers and employees eligible to
participate in the Plan. Awards may also be granted to prospective directors,
officers, employees and consultants who have accepted offers of employment or
consultancy from the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
51
Administration.
The Plan will be administered by
the Board directly or, if the Board elects, the Compensation Committee of the
Board or such other committee of the Board as the Board may from time to time
designate. Subject to applicable law, the Committee may allocate all or any
portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members or
persons selected by it.
Subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan, the Committee will have authority under the Plan to
select individuals to whom awards may be granted, to determine the type of award
as well as the number of shares of common stock to be covered by each award, and
to determine the terms and conditions of any such awards.
Vesting. Except for Awards granted with respect to a
maximum of five percent (5%) of the authorized Shares in the Plan, Award
Agreements will not provide for vesting prior to the first anniversary of the
Grant Date, provided that the Committee can provide for shorter vesting periods
in connection with a Corporate Transaction, a qualifying termination of
employment or other event or circumstance deemed appropriate by the Committee.
Shares Available;
Adjustments. The aggregate number
of shares of the Companys common stock available for issuance under the Plan is
1,400,000, and the maximum number of shares that may be granted pursuant to
stock options intended to be incentive stock option is 1,400,000 shares.
During any calendar year,
no participant may be granted performance-based equity awards intended to
qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code (other than stock options and stock
appreciation rights) covering in excess of 150,000 shares or stock options and
stock appreciation rights covering in excess of 150,000 shares. In addition, no
participant who is a non-employee director of the Company may be granted Awards
covering shares with a grant date fair market value in excess of $300,000 during
any single calendar year.
To the extent that any
award under the Plan or any award under the 2010 Plan or the 2004 Plan, is
forfeited, expires, or is settled for cash, the shares of common stock subject
to such awards not delivered as a result thereof will again be available for
awards under the Plan. Any shares that become subject to awards will be added as
one share for every one share subject to stock options or stock appreciation
rights and 2.0 shares for every one share subject to awards other than stock
options and stock appreciation rights. If the tax withholding obligations
relating to any award under the Plan or, the exercise price of any stock option
or stock appreciation right is satisfied by delivering shares of common stock
(by either actual delivery or by attestation) or by withholding shares, such
shares of common stock will be deemed to have been granted under the Plan.
The Plan provides that in
the event of certain extraordinary corporate transactions or events affecting
the Company, the Committee will or may make such substitutions or adjustments as
it deems appropriate and equitable to (a) the aggregate number and kind of
shares or other securities reserved for issuance and delivery under the Plan,
(b) the various maximum limitations set forth in the Plan, (c) the number and
kind of shares or other securities subject to outstanding awards, (d) the number
of shares considered delivered based on the type of award granted, and (e) the
exercise price of outstanding options and stock appreciation rights. In the
event of a corporate transaction such as a merger or consolidation, such
adjustments may include the cancellation of outstanding awards in exchange for
cash or other property or the substitution of other property for the shares
subject to outstanding awards.
Awards Under the
Plan. Awards may be granted under
the Plan to Eligible Individuals; provided, however, that Incentive Stock
options may be granted only to employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries or
parent corporation.
Stock Options and Stock
Appreciation Rights. Stock
options granted under the Plan may either be incentive stock options, which are
intended to qualify for favorable treatment to the recipient under U.S.
52
federal tax law, or
nonqualified stock options, which do not qualify for this favorable tax
treatment. Stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan may either be
tandem SARs, which are granted in conjunction with a stock option, or
free-standing SARs, which are not granted in tandem with a stock option.
Each grant of stock options
or stock appreciation rights under the Plan will be evidenced by an award
agreement that specifies the exercise price, the duration of the award, the
number of shares to which the award pertains, and such additional limitations,
terms, and conditions as the Committee may determine, including, in the case of
stock options, whether the options are intended to be incentive stock options or
nonqualified stock options. The Plan provides that the exercise price of stock
options and stock appreciation rights will be determined by the Committee, but
may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock underlying the
stock options or stock appreciation rights on the date of grant. Award holders
may pay the exercise price in cash or, if approved by the Committee, in common
stock (valued at its fair market value on the date of exercise) or a combination
thereof, or by cashless exercise through a broker or by withholding shares
otherwise receivable on exercise. The term of stock options and stock
appreciation rights will be determined by the Committee, but may not exceed ten
years from the date of grant. The Committee will determine the vesting and
exercise schedule of stock options and stock appreciation rights. Unless
otherwise determined by the Committee or provided in the applicable award
agreement, upon termination of service, stock options and stock appreciation
rights will be treated as follows:
(i) Termination by Reason of Death or Disability. Any stock option or stock appreciation right
will immediately vest in full and may thereafter be exercised until the earlier
of the first anniversary of termination of service and the expiration of its
term.
(ii) Termination by Reason of Retirement. Any unvested stock option or stock appreciation
right will terminate and any vested stock option or stock appreciation right may
thereafter be exercised until the earlier of the first anniversary of
termination of service and the expiration of its term.
(iii) Termination by the Company for Cause. Any stock options and stock appreciation rights,
whether vested or unvested, will terminate.
(iv) Other Termination of Service. Any stock option or stock appreciation right to the extent it is then
exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the
Committee may determine, may be exercised for the lesser of 90 days following
the date of such termination of service and the balance of its term.
Restricted
Stock. Restricted stock may be
granted under the Plan with such restrictions as the Committee may designate.
The Committee may provide at the time of grant that the vesting of restricted
stock will be contingent upon the achievement of applicable performance goals
and/or continued service. Except for these restrictions and any others imposed
under the Plan or by the Committee, upon the grant of restricted stock under the
Plan, the recipient will have rights of a shareholder with respect to the
restricted stock, including the right to vote the restricted stock; however,
whether and to what extent the recipient will be entitled to receive cash or
stock dividends paid, either currently or on a deferred basis, will be set forth
in the award agreement. The award agreement may also provide for vesting upon
certain qualifying terminations of employment.
Restricted Stock
Units. The Committee may grant
restricted stock units payable in cash, shares of common stock, or both,
conditioned upon continued service and/or the attainment of applicable
performance goals determined by the Committee. The Company is not required to
set aside a fund for the payment of any restricted stock units, and the award
agreement for restricted stock units will specify whether, to what extent, and
on what terms and conditions the applicable participant will be entitled to
53
receive dividend
equivalents with respect to the restricted stock units. The award agreement may
also provide for vesting upon certain qualifying terminations of employment.
Performance Units.
The Committee may grant
performance units valued by reference to a designated amount of cash or other
property (other than shares of common stock) under the Plan, which will be
payable in cash, shares of common stock, other property, or any combination
thereof and conditioned upon attainment of applicable performance goals
determined by the Committee. The award agreement may provide for vesting upon
certain qualifying terminations of employment. The maximum value of property,
including cash, that may be paid or distributed to any plan participant pursuant
to a grant of Performance Units made in any one calendar year will not exceed $3
million.
Stock Bonus Awards.
The Committee may grant
unrestricted shares of the Companys common stock, or other awards denominated
in the Companys common stock, alone or in tandem with other awards, in such
amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee determines
from time to time in its sole discretion.
Performance Awards.
Under the Plan, the Committee may
determine that the grant, vesting, or settlement of an award granted under the
Plan will be subject to the attainment of one or more performance goals.
The Committee has the
authority to establish any performance objectives to be achieved during the
applicable performance period when granting performance awards. If an award
under the Plan is intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the Code, however, the performance goals will be established
with reference to one or more of the following, in each case with respect to the
Company or any one or more subsidiaries, divisions, business units, or business
segments thereof, either in absolute terms or relative to the performance of one
or more other companies (including an index covering multiple companies): stock
price, earnings and earnings per share (based on core, gross, net, pre-tax,
post-tax, pre-provision, earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), net income and net income per
share (based on core, gross, net, pre-tax, post-tax, pre-provision, earnings
before interest and taxes, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization), profits (net profit, gross profit, operation profit, economic
profit, profit margins or other corporate profit measures, in total or with
respect to specific categories or business units), operating or cash earnings
and operating or cash earnings per share: cash (cash flow, cash flow per share,
cash flow return on investment, cash generation or other cash measures, before
or after dividends): return on equity (based on average and/or tangible), return
on assets, risk weighted assets or operating assets (average and/or tangible),
asset quality (based on charge-offs, loan loss reserves, non-performing assets
or loans and related ratios), net interest margin (on a tax equivalent basis or
otherwise), net interest income (on a tax equivalent basis or otherwise), core
non-interest income (on a tax equivalent basis or otherwise),
interest-sensitivity gap levels, investments, efficiency ratio, non-interest
expense, non-interest expense to average assets, expense targets, cost control,
cost-saving levels, loan portfolio growth, deposit portfolio growth, levels of
assets, loans (in total or with respect to specific categories of loans) and/or
deposits (in total or with respect to specific categories of deposit accounts,
and with respect to number of account relationships or account balance amounts),
cost of funds, liquidity, market share, growth in target market relationships,
objective customer service measures or indices, economic value added,
shareholder value added, embedded value added, combined ratio, operating income,
pre- or after-tax income, gross margin, risk-based capital, revenues, revenue
growth, return on capital (based on return on total capital or return on
invested capital), total shareholder return, internal rate of return, regulatory
compliance, satisfactory internal or external audits, book value and book value
per share, tangible shareholders equity and tangible book value per share,
tangible common equity and tangible common equity per share, tangible common
equity to tangible assets, tangible common equity to risk-weighted assets,
achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives, unit volume, sales,
marketing spending efficiency or change in working capital. In establishing a
performance goal, the Committee may determine whether or not to exclude or
adjust for specific items, which may include stock or other compensation
expense,
54
impairment charges,
indemnification asset amortization or loss-share accounting metrics, provided
that such specific items must be objectively determinable and shall be
considered part of the performance goal and not subject to Committee discretion.
Effect of Change in
Control. The Plan provides that,
unless otherwise set forth in an award agreement, in the event of a change in
control (as defined in the Plan) and to the extent an award is not replaced by a
replacement award (as described below), (a) each then-outstanding stock option
and stock appreciation right will become fully vested and exercisable, and each
other award (other than a performance-based award) will vest, be free of
restrictions, and be deemed to be earned and payable; and (b) each
then-outstanding performance-based award will be deemed to be earned and
payable, with all applicable performance goals deemed achieved at the greater of
(i) the applicable target level and (ii) actual performance, as determined by
the Committee, through the latest date practicable preceding the date of the
change in control.
A replacement award is an
award that is the same type as the replaced award with a value equal to the
value of the replaced award as of the date of the change in control, as
determined by the Committee and if the underlying replaced award was an
equity-based award, the replacement award relates to publicly traded equity
securities of the Company or the entity surviving the Company following the
change in control and contains terms relating to vesting that are substantially
identical to those of the replaced award and other terms and conditions are not
less favorable than the terms and conditions of the replaced award.
Unless otherwise determined
by the Committee and set forth in the applicable award agreement, upon
termination of service within 24 months following a change in control (other
than for cause), (i) all replacement awards held will vest in full, be free of
restrictions, and be deemed to be earned in full (with respect to performance
goals, unless otherwise agreed in connection with the change in control, at the
greater of (x) the applicable target level and (y) actual performance, as
determined by the Committee, through the latest date practicable preceding the
termination of service) and (ii) any outstanding stock option or stock
appreciation right as of the date of the change in control that remains
outstanding as of the date of such termination of service may thereafter be
exercised until the expiration of its stated full term.
Amendment and
Termination of the Plan. The
Board or the Committee may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan, but no
amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made that would materially
impair the rights of the Participant with respect to a previously granted Award
without such Participants consent, except such an amendment made to comply with
applicable law, including Section 409A of the Code, Applicable Exchange listing
standards or accounting rules. In addition, no amendment shall be made without
the approval of the Companys shareholders to the extent such approval is
required by applicable law or the listing standards of the Applicable Exchange.
The Plan will become effective on the date that it is approved by the Companys
shareholders and, if not terminated earlier, will expire on the tenth
anniversary thereof.
Federal Income Tax
Consequences Relating to Equity Awards Granted under the Plan. The following discussion summarizes certain
federal income tax consequences of the issuance, receipt, and exercises of stock
options and the granting and vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock
units, in each case under the Plan. The summary does not purport to cover
federal employment tax or other federal tax consequences that may be associated
with the Plan, nor does it cover state, local, or non-U.S. taxes.
Nonqualified Options
In general, in the case of a
nonqualified stock option, the participant has no taxable income at the time of
grant but realizes income in connection with exercise of the option in an amount
equal to the excess (at the time of exercise) of the fair market value of the
shares acquired upon exercise over the exercise price. A corresponding deduction
is available to the
55
Company. Any gain or loss
recognized upon a subsequent sale or exchange of the shares is treated as
capital gain or loss for which the Company is not entitled to a deduction.
Incentive Stock Options
In general, a participant
realizes no taxable income upon the grant or exercise of an incentive stock
option. The exercise of an incentive stock option, however, may result in an
alternative minimum tax liability to the participant. With certain exceptions, a
disposition of shares purchased under an incentive stock option within two years
from the date of grant or within one year after exercise produces ordinary
income to the participant (and a deduction for the Company) equal to the value
of the shares at the time of exercise less the exercise price. Any additional
gain recognized in the disposition is treated as a capital gain for which the
Company is not entitled to a deduction. If the participant does not dispose of
the shares until after the expiration of these one- and two-year holding
periods, any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale is treated as a
long-term capital gain or loss for which the Company is not entitled to a
deduction.
Restricted Stock
Unless a participant makes an
election to accelerate recognition of the income to the date of grant as
described below, the participant will not recognize income, and the Company will
not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time a restricted stock award is granted.
When the restrictions lapse, the participant will recognize ordinary income
equal to the fair market value of the common stock as of that date, less any
amount paid for the stock, and the Company will be allowed a corresponding tax
deduction at that time. If the participant files an election under Section 83(b)
of the Code within 30 days after the date of grant of the restricted stock, the
participant will recognize ordinary income as of the date of grant equal to the
fair market value of the common stock as of that date, less any amount the
participant paid for the common stock, and the Company will be allowed a
corresponding tax deduction at that time. Any future appreciation in the common
stock will be taxable to the participant at capital gains rates. If, however,
the restricted stock award is later forfeited, the participant will not be able
to recover the tax previously paid pursuant to his or her Section 83(b)
election.
Restricted Stock Units
A participant does not recognize
income, and the Company will not be allowed a tax deduction, at the time a
restricted stock unit is granted. When the restricted stock units vest and are
settled for cash or stock, the participant generally will be required to
recognize as income an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares on
the date of vesting. Any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale or
exchange of the stock (if settled in stock) is treated as capital gain or loss
for which we are not entitled to a deduction.
Clawback
Policy. Any Awards or amounts
paid in respect thereof that were granted or paid based on financial statements
or performance metrics that are subsequently restated or revised, as determined
by the Committee in its discretion, shall be subject to recovery by the Company.
The determination whether to seek recovery of Awards or amounts paid in respect
thereof from a Participant shall be made by the Committee in its discretion,
provided that, except in the case of fraud or intentional misconduct, such
demand shall be limited to Awards granted or amounts paid in respect thereof
within the three-year period preceding the date on which the Company is required
to prepare the restatement (or, if not required to prepare the restatement, the
date of the restatement).
Holding
Period. With certain exceptions,
until the second anniversary of the (i) vesting of a Restricted Stock Award,
Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Unit Award or Other Stock-Based Award
or (ii) exercise of a Stock Option Award, Stock Appreciation Right Award or
Tandem SAR Award, in each case, granted to an executive officer or director of
the Company, the Shares underlying such Award shall remain subject to
restriction on sale and transfer, provided that such
restriction period shall lapse in the event of the Participants death or
Disability or a Change in Control.
56
Plan Benefits.
Any awards under the Plan will be
subject to the discretion of our Compensation Committee. As a result, it is not
possible to determine the number or type of awards that will be granted to any
person under the Plan, but if the Plan had been in effect in 2014, awards would
have been granted to the named executive officers as follows:
2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan |
|
|
Number
of |
|
|
|
|
Shares |
Stock
Option |
|
|
|
underlying |
Exercise |
Number
of |
|
|
Stock |
Price |
Restricted |
|
Position |
Options |
$ |
Shares |
Thomas M. OBrien |
President and Chief |
|
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
100,000 |
20.45 |
90,362 |
Sidney R. Brown |
Chairman, Interim |
|
|
|
|
President and Chief |
|
|
|
|
Executive Officer |
- |
- |
9,093 |
Thomas R. Brugger |
Executive Vice |
|
|
|
|
President and Chief |
|
|
|
|
Financial Officer |
- |
- |
6,977 |
Alberino J. Celini |
Executive Vice |
|
|
|
|
President and Chief |
|
|
|
|
Risk
Officer |
- |
- |
5,084 |
Michele B. Estep |
Executive Vice |
|
|
|
|
President and Chief |
|
|
|
|
Administrative Officer |
- |
- |
2,084 |
Nicos Katsoulis |
Executive Vice |
|
|
|
|
President and Chief |
|
|
|
|
Lending Officer |
- |
- |
- |
Bradley J. Fouss |
Executive Vice |
|
|
|
|
President and Director |
|
|
|
|
of
Wholesale Banking |
- |
- |
2,203 |
Named Executive Officers |
|
100,000 |
20.45 |
115,803 |
All
Non-Employee Directors, as a Group |
|
- |
- |
7,773 |
All
Other Employees, as a Group |
|
44,296 |
16.40 18.73 |
35,007 |
For more information
regarding grants made to our named executive officers and non-employee directors
in 2014, see Grants of Plan Based Awards, above and the table set forth under
Equity Compensation Plan Information, above.
Shareholder Approval.
A vote of the holders of a
majority of the total votes cast affirmatively or negatively at the Annual
Meeting in person or by proxy without regard to (a) broker non-votes, or (b)
proxies marked ABSTAIN is required to constitute shareholder approval of the
Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE
SUN BANCORP, INC. 2015 OMNIBUS
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN.
57
PROPOSAL 3 -
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF |
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
The Board of Directors of
the Company has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015
and is submitting such appointment to the Companys shareholders for
ratification. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will
have the opportunity to make a statement if he/she so desires, and is expected
to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Ratification of the
appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, by the
shareholders of the Company at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors
recommends that shareholders vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the 2015 fiscal year.
Audit Fees and Services
Audit Fees.
The following table summarizes
the aggregate fees and related expenses billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the
member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, and their respective
affiliates (collectively, the Deloitte Entities) to the Company for
professional services rendered for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and
2013:
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
(In
thousands) |
Audit Fees |
|
$619 |
|
|
|
$650 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
88 |
|
|
|
232 |
|
Tax
Fees |
|
13 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
All
Other Fees |
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total |
|
$720 |
|
|
|
$892 |
|
Fees for audit services
billed consisted of:
● |
Audit of the Companys annual financial statements, including the
audit of internal control over financial reporting; and |
● |
Review of
the Companys quarterly financial statements. |
Fees for audit-related
services billed consisted of:
● |
Financial accounting and reporting consultations; |
● |
Consents and other services related to SEC matters; and
|
● |
Annual HUD audit for mortgage banking division of the Bank.
|
Fees for tax services
billed consisted of:
● |
Tax compliance services rendered based upon facts already in
existence or transactions that have already occurred to document, compute
amounts to be included in tax filings and consisted of federal, state and
local income tax return assistance. |
In considering the nature
of the services provided by the Deloitte Entities, the Audit Committee
determined that such services are compatible with the provision of independent
audit services. The Audit Committee discussed these services with Deloitte &
Touche LLP and the Companys management to
58
determine that they are
permitted under the rules and regulations concerning auditor independence
promulgated by the SEC.
It is the Audit Committees
policy to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services prior to the engagement
of the Companys independent registered public accounting firm to perform any
service. The policy contains a de
minimus provision that operates
to provide retroactive approval for permissible non-audit services under certain
circumstances. The provision allows for the pre-approval requirement to be
waived if all of the following criteria are met:
● |
The service is not an
audit, review or other attest service; |
|
|
● |
The aggregate amount
of all such services provided under this provision does not exceed the
lesser of $25,000 or five percent of total fees paid to the independent
registered public accounting firm in a given fiscal year;
|
|
|
● |
Such services were
not identified at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services;
|
|
|
● |
Such service is
promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and approved by
the Audit Committee or its designee; and |
|
|
● |
The service and fees
are specifically disclosed in the Proxy Statement as meeting the
de minimus requirement.
|
During 2014, no fees were
approved under the de
minimus provision.
The Audit Committee is
responsible for recommending the appointment of the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm and for meeting with such firm with respect to
the scope and review of the annual audit. Additional responsibilities of the
Audit Committee are to ensure that the Board of Directors receives objective
information regarding policies, procedures and activities of the Company with
respect to auditing, accounting, internal accounting controls, financial
reporting, regulatory matters and such other activities of the Company as may be
directed by the Board of Directors.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT
COMMITTEE |
For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2014, the Audit Committee (i) reviewed and discussed the Companys
audited financial statements with management, (ii) discussed with the Companys
independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP, all matters required to be
discussed under Statement of Auditing Standards No. 16, adopted by the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board, and (iii) received from Deloitte &
Touche LLP written disclosures and the letter regarding Deloitte & Touche
LLPs independence as required by the applicable requirements of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board and discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP
its independence. Based on the foregoing review and discussions, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial
statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
Audit Committee: F. Clay
Creasey, Jr. (Chair), Peter Galetto, Jr., Philip A. Norcross, and Keith
Stock.
The information contained
in the Report of the Audit Committee is not deemed filed for purposes of the
Exchange Act, shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general
statement incorporating this document by reference into any filing under the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company
specifically incorporates such information by reference, and shall not otherwise
be deemed filed under such Acts.
59
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE |
Section 16(a) of the
Exchange Act requires the Companys officers and directors, and persons who own
more than ten percent of the Companys common stock, to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership of the Companys common stock with the SEC.
Based upon a review of the copies of the forms furnished to the Company, or
written representations from certain reporting persons, director Philip A.
Norcross, in 2014, and Emeritus Director Bernard Brown, in 2013, each failed to
file a Form 4 on a timely basis in 2014 and 2013, due to administrative error,
but a Form 5 was filed when the oversight was discovered. We believe that all
Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the Companys other executive
officers and directors were complied with during the year ended December 31,
2014.
The Board of Directors is
not aware of any business to come before the Annual Meeting other than those
matters described in this Proxy Statement. However, if any other matters should
properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is intended that proxies in the
accompanying form will be voted in respect thereof in accordance with the
judgment of the persons named in the accompanying proxy.
The cost of soliciting
proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company will reimburse brokerage firms
and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred
by them in sending the Notice of Annual Meeting or proxy materials to beneficial
owners. In addition to solicitations by mail, directors, officers, and regular
employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally or by telephone without
additional compensation.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND
NOMINATIONS |
In order to be considered
for inclusion in the Companys proxy materials for next years annual meeting of
shareholders, any shareholder proposal to take action at such meeting must be
received at the Companys executive offices at 350 Fellowship Road, Suite 101,
Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054, no later than January 22, 2016. Any such
proposal shall be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted by the
SEC under the Exchange Act.
Under the Companys bylaws,
shareholder proposals and shareholder nominations for directors that are not
included in the Companys proxy materials for next years annual meeting of
shareholders will only be considered at the annual meeting if a shareholders
proposal or nomination is in writing and received by the Company at the above
address no earlier than 90 days prior nor later than 60 days prior to the first
anniversary of the Annual Meeting or between February 21, 2016 and March 22,
2016. However, the bylaws further provide that in the event the date of next
years annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from such anniversary
date, the deadline for submission of proposals will be the close of business on
the 10th day following the earlier of the day on which notice of the date of the
meeting was mailed or public disclosure was made. In addition, shareholder
proposals and shareholder nominations for directors must meet other applicable
criteria as set forth in the Companys bylaws in order to be considered at next
years meeting.
The Companys bylaws
include provisions setting forth specific conditions under which persons may be
nominated as directors of the Company at an annual meeting of shareholders. A
copy of the Companys bylaws is available upon request to: Sun Bancorp, Inc.,
350 Fellowship Road, Suite 101, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054, Attention:
Corporate Secretary.
60
A COPY OF THE COMPANYS
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, WILL BE
FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE (WITHOUT EXHIBITS) TO SHAREHOLDERS AS OF THE RECORD
DATE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE CORPORATE SECRETARY, SUN BANCORP, INC., 350
FELLOWSHIP ROAD, SUITE 101, MOUNT LAUREL, NEW JERSEY 08054.
61
Appendix A
SUN BANCORP, INC.
2015 OMNIBUS STOCK
INCENTIVE PLAN
SECTION
1. Purpose; Definitions
The purpose of this Plan is
to give the Company a competitive advantage in attracting, retaining and
motivating officers, employees, directors and/or consultants who will contribute
toward the growth, profitability and success of the Company by providing
stock-based incentives that offer an opportunity to participate in the Companys
future performance and to align the interests of such officers, employees,
directors and/or consultants with those of the shareholders of the Company.
For purposes of this Plan,
the following terms are defined as set forth below:
(a) Affiliate means a company or other entity controlled by,
controlling or under common control with the Company.
(b) Applicable
Exchange means the NASDAQ or
such other securities exchange as may at the applicable time be the principal
market for the Common Stock.
(c) Award means a Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right,
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Unit or Other Stock-Based
Award granted pursuant to the terms of this Plan.
(d) Award
Agreement means a written or
electronic document or agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of a
specific Award.
(e) Board means the board of directors of the Company.
(f) Business
Combination has the meaning set forth in Section 10(e)(iii).
(g) Cause means, unless otherwise provided in an Award
Agreement, (1) Cause as defined in any Individual Agreement to which the
Participant is a party as of the Grant Date, or (2) if there is no such
Individual Agreement or if it does not define Cause: (A) conviction of, or plea
of guilty or nolo
contendere by, the Participant
for committing a felony under federal law or the law of the state in which such
action occurred, (B) willful and deliberate failure or gross neglect on the part
of the Participant in the performance of his or her employment duties in any
material respect, (C) conduct by a Participant that is injurious to the Company
or an Affiliate, or an act of fraud, embezzlement, misrepresentation or breach
of a fiduciary duty against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as
determined by the Committee, (D) a material violation of the Companys ethics
and compliance program, (E) a breach by a Participant of any nondisclosure,
nonsolicitation or noncompetition obligation owed to the Company or any of its
Affiliates, or (F) prior to a Change in Control, such other events as shall be
determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the general rule of Section 2(c),
following a Change in Control, any determination by the Committee as to whether
Cause exists shall be subject to de novo review.
(h) Change in
Control has the meaning set
forth in Section 10(e).
i
(i) Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time, and any successor thereto, the Treasury Regulations
thereunder and other relevant interpretive guidance issued by the Internal
Revenue Service or the Treasury Department. Reference to any specific section of
the Code shall be deemed to include such regulations and guidance, as well as
any successor provision of the Code.
(j) Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission or
any successor agency.
(k) Committee means the Committee referred to in Section
2.
(l) Common
Stock means common stock, $5.00
par value per share, of the Company.
(m) Company means Sun Bancorp, Inc., a New Jersey
corporation, or its successor.
(n) Corporate
Transaction has the meaning set forth in Section 3(d).
(o) Disability means, unless otherwise provided in an Award
Agreement, (1) Disability as defined in any Individual Agreement to which the
Participant is a party, or (2) if there is no such Individual Agreement or it
does not define Disability, permanent and total disability as determined under
the Companys Long-Term Disability Plan applicable to the Participant. In the
absence of such a plan, the complete and permanent inability by reason of
illness or accident to perform the duties of the occupation at which a
Participant was employed or served when such disability commenced or, as
determined by the Committee, based upon medical evidence acceptable to it.
Notwithstanding the above, with respect to an Incentive Stock Option, Disability
shall mean Permanent and Total Disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the
Code, and with respect to each Award that constitutes a nonqualified deferred
compensation plan within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, the foregoing
definition shall apply for purposes of vesting of such Award: provided that such Award shall not be settled until the earliest of: (i) the
Participants disability within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (ii)
the Participants separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A
of the Code, and (iii) the date such Award would otherwise be settled pursuant
to the terms of the Award Agreement.
(p) Disaffiliation means a
Subsidiarys or Affiliates ceasing to be a Subsidiary or Affiliate for any
reason (including as a result of a public offering, or a spinoff or sale by the
Company, of the stock of the Subsidiary or Affiliate) or a sale of a division of
the Company and its Affiliates.
(q) Effective
Date has the meaning set forth in Section 12(a).
(r) Eligible
Individuals means directors,
officers, employees and consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates, and prospective directors, officers, employees and consultants who
have accepted offers of employment or consultancy from the Company or its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates.
(s) Exchange
Act means the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.
(t) Fair Market
Value means, except as otherwise
determined by the Committee, the closing price of a Share on the Applicable
Exchange on the date of measurement or, if Shares were not traded on the
Applicable Exchange on such measurement date, then on the next preceding date on
which Shares were traded on the Applicable Exchange, as reported by such source
as the Committee may select. If there is no regular public trading market for
such Common Stock, the Fair Market Value of the
-ii-
Common Stock shall be
determined by the Committee in good faith and, to the extent applicable, such
determination shall be made in a manner that satisfies Sections 409A and
Sections 422(c)(1) of the Code.
(u) Free-Standing
SAR has the meaning set forth in
Section 5(b).
(v) Full-Value
Award means any Award other than
a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
(w) Grant Date means (i) the date on which the Committee by
resolution selects an Eligible Individual to receive a grant of an Award and
determines the number of Shares, or the formula for earning a number of Shares,
to be subject to such Award or the cash amount subject to such Award, or (ii)
such later date as the Committee shall provide in such resolution.
(x) Incentive Stock
Option means any Stock Option
designated in the applicable Award Agreement as an incentive stock option
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, and that in fact so qualifies.
(y) Incumbent
Board has the meaning set forth in Section 10(e)(ii).
(z) Individual
Agreement means an employment,
consulting or similar agreement between a Participant and the Company or one of
its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and, after a Change in Control, a change in
control or salary continuation agreement between a Participant and the Company
or one of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. If a Participant is party to both an
employment agreement and a change in control or salary continuation agreement,
the employment agreement shall be the relevant Individual Agreement prior to a
Change in Control, and, the change in control or salary continuation agreement
shall be the relevant Individual Agreement after a Change in Control.
(aa) Nonqualified Stock
Option means any Stock Option
that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
(bb) Other Stock-Based
Award means Awards of Common
Stock and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or
are otherwise based upon, Common Stock, including unrestricted stock, dividend
equivalents, and convertible debentures.
(cc) Outstanding Common
Stock has the meaning set forth in Section 10(e)(i).
(dd) Outstanding Company Voting
Securities has the meaning set forth in Section 10(e)(i).
(ee) Participant means an
Eligible Individual to whom an Award is or has been granted.
(ff) Performance
Goals means the performance
goals established by the Committee in connection with the grant of an Award. In
the case of Qualified Performance-Based Awards that are intended to qualify
under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, (i) such goals shall be based on the
attainment of specified levels of one or more of the following measures: stock
price, earnings and earnings per share (based on core, gross, net, pre-tax,
post-tax, pre-provision, earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), net income and net income per
share (based on core, gross, net, pre-tax, post-tax, pre-provision, earnings
before interest and taxes, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization), profits (net profit, gross profit, operation profit, economic
profit, profit margins or other corporate profit measures, in total or with
respect to specific categories or business units), operating or cash earnings
and operating or cash earnings per share: cash
-iii-
(cash flow, cash flow per
share, cash flow return on investment, cash generation or other cash measures,
before or after dividends): return on equity (based on average and/or tangible),
return on assets, risk weighted assets or operating assets (average and/or
tangible), asset quality (based on charge-offs, loan loss reserves,
non-performing assets or loans and related ratios), net interest margin (on a
tax equivalent basis or otherwise), net interest income (on a tax equivalent
basis or otherwise), core non-interest income (on a tax equivalent basis or
otherwise), interest-sensitivity gap levels, investments, efficiency ratio,
non-interest expense, non-interest expense to average assets, expense targets,
cost control, cost-saving levels, loan portfolio growth, deposit portfolio
growth, levels of assets, loans (in total or with respect to specific categories
of loans) and/or deposits (in total or with respect to specific categories of
deposit accounts, and with respect to number of account relationships or account
balance amounts), cost of funds, liquidity, market share, growth in target
market relationships, objective customer service measures or indices, economic
value added, shareholder value added, embedded value added, combined ratio,
operating income, pre- or after-tax income, gross margin, risk-based capital,
revenues, revenue growth, return on capital (based on return on total capital or
return on invested capital), total shareholder return, internal rate of return,
regulatory compliance, satisfactory internal or external audits, book value and
book value per share, tangible shareholders equity and tangible book value per
share, tangible common equity and tangible common equity per share, tangible
common equity to tangible assets, tangible common equity to risk-weighted
assets, achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives, unit
volume, sales, marketing spending efficiency or change in working capital, in
each case with respect to the Company or any one or more Subsidiaries,
divisions, business units or business segments thereof, either in absolute terms
or relative to the performance of one or more other companies (including an
index covering multiple companies): and (ii) such Performance Goals shall be set
by the Committee within the time period prescribed by Section 162(m) of the
Code. In establishing a Performance Goal, the Committee may determine whether or
not to exclude or adjust for specific items, which may include stock or other
compensation expense, impairment charges, indemnification asset amortization or
loss-share accounting metrics, provided that such
specific items must be objectively determinable and shall be considered part of
the Performance Goal and not subject to Committee discretion.
(gg) Performance
Period means that period
established by the Committee at the time any Performance Unit is granted or at
any time thereafter during which any Performance Goals specified by the
Committee with respect to such Award are to be measured.
(hh) Performance
Unit means any Award granted
under Section 8 of a unit valued by reference to a designated amount of cash or
other property other than Shares, which value may be paid to the Participant by
delivery of such property as the Committee shall determine, including cash,
Shares, or any combination thereof, upon achievement of such Performance Goals
during the Performance Period as the Committee shall establish at the time of
such grant or thereafter.
(ii) Person
has the meaning set forth in
Section 10(e)(i).
(jj) Plan means the Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Stock Incentive
Plan, as set forth herein and as hereinafter amended from time to time.
(kk) Prior
Plans means the 2010 Stock-Based
Incentive Plan (the 2010 Plan), the 2004 Stock-Based Incentive Plan, as
amended in 2009 (the 2004 Plan), the 2014 Performance Equity Plan and the 2010
Performance Plan.
(ll) Qualified
Performance-Based Award means an
Award intended to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption, as provided in
Section 11.
(mm) Replaced
Award has the meaning set forth
in Section 10(b).
-iv-
(nn) Replacement
Award has the meaning set forth
in Section 10(b).
(oo) Restricted
Stock means an Award granted
under Section 6.
(pp) Restricted Stock Unit has the meaning set forth in Section
7(a).
(qq) Restriction
Period has the meaning set forth
in Section 6(c)(ii).
(rr) Retirement means, except as otherwise provided by the
Committee, (i) retirement from active employment with the Company or any
Affiliate pursuant to the early or normal retirement provisions of the
applicable retirement plan of such employer or (ii) pursuant to the retirement
scheme applicable under local law or the local policies and procedures of the
Company or any Affiliate.
(ss) Section
16(b) has the meaning set forth in Section 11(d).
(tt) Section 162(m)
Exemption means the exemption
from the limitation on deductibility imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code that
is set forth in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.
(uu) Share means a share of Common Stock.
(vv) Stock Appreciation
Right means an Award granted
under Section 5(b) or 5(c).
(ww) Stock
Option means an Award granted
under Section 5(a).
(xx) Subsidiary means any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, limited liability company or other entity during any period in which at
least a 50% voting or profits interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company or any successor to the Company.
(yy) Tandem SAR has the meaning set forth in Section
5(b).
(zz) Term means the maximum period during which a Stock
Option or Stock Appreciation Right may remain outstanding, subject to earlier
termination upon Termination of Service or otherwise, as specified in the
applicable Award Agreement.
(aaa) Termination of
Service means the termination of
the applicable Participants employment with, or performance of services for,
the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Unless otherwise
determined by the Committee, (i) if a Participants employment with the Company
and its Affiliates terminates but such Participant continues to provide services
to the Company and its Affiliates in a non-employee capacity, such change in
status shall not be deemed a Termination of Service and (ii) a Participant
employed by, or performing services for, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate or a
division of the Company and its Affiliates shall also be deemed to incur a
Termination of Service if, as a result of a Disaffiliation, such Subsidiary,
Affiliate or division ceases to be a Subsidiary, Affiliate or division, as the
case may be, and the Participant does not immediately thereafter become an
employee of, or service provider for, the Company or another Subsidiary or
Affiliate. Temporary absences from employment because of illness, vacation or
leave of absence and transfers among the Company and its Subsidiaries and
Affiliates shall not be considered Terminations of Employment. Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this definition, with respect to any Award that
constitutes a nonqualified deferred compensation plan within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Code, a Participant shall not be considered to have
experienced a Termination of Service unless the Participant has experienced a
separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (a
Separation from
Service).
-v-
In addition, certain other
terms used herein have definitions given to them in the first place in which
they are used.
SECTION
2. Administration
(a) Committee. This Plan shall
be administered by the Board directly, or if the Board elects, by the
Compensation Committee or such other committee of the Board as the Board may
from time to time designate, which committee shall be composed of not less than
two directors, and shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board.
All references in this Plan to the Committee refer to the Board as a whole,
unless a separate committee has been designated or authorized consistent with
the foregoing.
Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Plan, the Committee shall have absolute authority:
(i) To
select the Eligible Individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;
(ii) To
determine whether and to what extent Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock
Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units,
Performance Units, Other Stock-Based Awards or any combination thereof are to be
granted hereunder;
(iii) To
determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(iv) To
approve the form of any Award Agreement and determine the terms and conditions
of any Award granted hereunder, including, but not limited to, the exercise
price (subject to Section 5(d)), any vesting condition, restriction or
limitation (which may be related to the performance of the Participant, the
Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate) and any vesting acceleration or
forfeiture waiver regarding any Award and the Shares relating thereto, based on
such factors as the Committee shall determine;
(v) To
modify, amend or adjust the terms and conditions of any Award (subject to
Sections 5(d) and 5(e)), at any time or from time to time, including, but not
limited to, Performance Goals; provided, however, that the Committee may not adjust upwards the amount payable with
respect to any Qualified Performance-Based Award;
(vi) To
determine to what extent and under what circumstances Common Stock and other
amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred;
(vii) To
determine under what circumstances an Award may be settled in cash, Shares,
other property or a combination of the foregoing;
(viii) To
determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares and
other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under this
Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the
Participant;
(ix) To
adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices
governing this Plan as it shall from time to time deem advisable;
-vi-
(x) To
establish any blackout period that the Committee in its sole discretion deems
necessary or advisable;
(xi) To
interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan and any Award issued under this
Plan (and any Award Agreement relating thereto);
(xii) To
decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;
and
(xiii) To
otherwise administer this Plan.
(b) Procedures.
(i) The
Committee may act only by a majority of its members then in office, except that
the Committee may, except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the
listing standards of the Applicable Exchange and subject to Section 11, allocate
all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its
members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to
any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be
revoked by the Committee at any time.
(ii) Subject to Section 11(c), any authority granted to the Committee may be
exercised by the full Board. To the extent that any permitted action taken by
the Board conflicts with action taken by the Committee, the Board action shall
control.
(c) Discretion of Committee.
Subject to Section 1(g), any determination made by the Committee or pursuant to
delegated authority under the provisions of this Plan with respect to any Award
shall be made in the sole discretion of the Committee or such delegate at the
time of the grant of the Award or, unless in contravention of any express term
of this Plan, at any time thereafter. All decisions made by the Committee or any
appropriately delegated officer pursuant to the provisions of this Plan shall be
final, binding and conclusive on all persons, including the Company,
Participants and Eligible Individuals.
(d) Cancellation or Suspension. Subject to Section 5(d), the Committee shall have full power and
authority to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances any
Award shall be canceled or suspended.
(e) Award Agreements. The
terms and conditions of each Award, as determined by the Committee, shall be set
forth in a written (or electronic) Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to
the Participant receiving such Award upon, or as promptly as is reasonably
practicable following, the grant of such Award. The effectiveness of an Award
shall be subject to the Award Agreements being signed by the Company and the
Participant receiving the Award unless otherwise provided in the Award
Agreement. Award Agreements may be amended only in accordance with Section 12(d)
hereof.
(f) Minimum Vesting Period. Except for Awards granted with respect to a maximum of five percent of
the Shares authorized in the first sentence of Section 3(a), Award Agreements
shall not provide for vesting prior to the first anniversary of the Grant Date,
provided that the Committee may provide for shorter or earlier vesting in
connection with a Corporate Transaction, a qualifying termination of employment
or any other event or circumstance that the Committee determines to be
appropriate.
-vii-
SECTION
3. Common Stock Subject to Plan
(a) Plan Maximums. The maximum
number of Shares that may be granted pursuant to Awards under this Plan shall be
1,400,000 Shares, plus Shares underlying awards that are outstanding under the
2010 Plan and the 2004 Plan as set forth more fully below in the last sentence
of this Section 3(a). The maximum number of Shares that may be granted pursuant
to Stock Options intended to be Incentive Stock Options shall be 1,400,000
Shares. Shares subject to an Award under this Plan may be authorized and
unissued Shares. On and after the Effective Date (as defined in Section 12(a)),
no new awards may be granted under the Companys Prior Plans, it being
understood that (i) awards outstanding under any of the Prior Plans as of the
Effective Date shall remain in full force and effect under such plans according
to their respective terms, and (ii) to the extent that any award outstanding
under the 2010 Plan or 2004 Plan as of the Effective Date is forfeited,
terminates, expires or lapses without being exercised (to the extent
applicable), or is settled for cash, the Shares subject to such award not
delivered as a result thereof shall again be available for Awards under this
Plan; provided, however, that dividend
equivalents may continue to be issued under the Companys Prior Plans in respect
of awards granted under such plans which are outstanding as of the Effective
Date.
(b) Individual Limits. No
Participant may be granted Qualified Performance-Based Awards (other than Stock
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) covering in excess of 150,000 Shares
during any calendar year. No Participant may be granted Stock Options and Stock
Appreciation Rights covering in excess of 150,000 Shares during any calendar
year. No Participant who is a non-employee director of the Company may be
granted Awards covering Shares with a Grant Date Fair Market Value in excess of
$300,000 during any single calendar year.
(c) Rules for Calculating Shares Delivered. To the extent that any Award is forfeited,
terminates, expires or lapses instead of being exercised, or any Award is
settled for cash, the Shares subject to such Awards not delivered as a result
thereof shall again be available for Awards under this Plan. Subject to
adjustment as set forth in Section 3(d), for purposes of the first sentence of
Section 3(a), Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall count as one
Share and full value Awards shall count as 2.0 Shares. If the exercise price of
any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right and/or the tax withholding
obligations relating to any Award are satisfied by delivering Shares (either
actually or through a signed document affirming the Participants ownership and
delivery of such Shares) or withholding Shares relating to such Award, the gross
number of Shares subject to the Award shall nonetheless be deemed to have been
granted for purposes of the first sentence of Section 3(a).
(d) Adjustment Provisions.
(i) In the
event of a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or shares, stock
rights offering, liquidation, disposition for consideration of the Companys
direct or indirect ownership of a Subsidiary or Affiliate (including by reason
of a Disaffiliation),
or similar event affecting the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each, a Corporate Transaction), the Committee or the Board may in its
discretion make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and
equitable to (A) the aggregate number and kind of Shares or other securities
reserved for issuance and delivery under this Plan, (B) the various maximum
limitations set forth in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) upon certain types of Awards and
upon the grants to individuals of certain types of Awards, (C) the number and
kind of Shares or other securities subject to outstanding Awards, (D) the number
of Shares considered delivered based on the type of Award granted as set forth
in Section 3(c), and (E) the exercise price of outstanding Awards.
(ii) In the
event of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization,
share combination, or recapitalization or similar event affecting the capital
structure of the Company, or a Disaffiliation, separation or spinoff, in each
case without consideration, or other extraordinary dividend of
-viii-
cash or other property to
the Companys shareholders, the Committee or the Board shall make such
substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable to (A) the
aggregate number and kind of Shares or other securities reserved for issuance
and delivery under this Plan, (B) the various maximum limitations set forth in
Sections 3(a) and 3(b) upon certain types of Awards and upon the grants to
individuals of certain types of Awards, (C) the number and kind of Shares or
other securities subject to outstanding Awards, (D) the number of Shares
considered delivered based on the type of Award granted as set forth in Section
3(c), and (E) the exercise price of outstanding Awards.
(iii) In the
case of Corporate Transactions, such adjustments may include (A) the
cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for payments of cash, property or
a combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of such
Awards, as determined by the Committee or the Board in its sole discretion (it
being understood that in the case of a Corporate Transaction with respect to
which shareholders of Common Stock receive consideration other than publicly
traded equity securities of the ultimate surviving entity, any such
determination by the Committee that the value of a Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right shall for this purpose be deemed to equal the excess, if any,
of the value of the consideration being paid for each Share pursuant to such
Corporate Transaction over the exercise price of such Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right shall conclusively be deemed valid); (B) the substitution of
other property (including cash or other securities of the Company and securities
of entities other than the Company) for the Shares subject to outstanding
Awards; and (C) in connection with any Disaffiliation, arranging for the
assumption of Awards, or replacement of Awards with new awards based on other
property or other securities (including other securities of the Company and
securities of entities other than the Company), by the affected Subsidiary,
Affiliate, or division or by the entity that controls such Subsidiary,
Affiliate, or division following such Disaffiliation (as well as any
corresponding adjustments to Awards that remain based upon Company securities).
The Committee may adjust the Performance Goals applicable to any Awards to
reflect any unusual or non-recurring events and other extraordinary items,
impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, and the
cumulative effects of accounting or tax changes, each as defined by generally
accepted accounting principles or as identified in the Companys financial
statements, notes to the financial statements, managements discussion and
analysis or other the Companys filings with the Commission, provided that in the case of Performance Goals applicable to any Qualified
Performance-Based Awards, such adjustment does not violate Section 162(m) of the
Code.
(iv) Any
adjustments made pursuant to this Section 3(d) to Awards that are considered
deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be
made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code; and any
adjustments made pursuant to Section 3(d) to Awards that are not considered
deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in
such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustments, either (A) the Awards
continue not to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or (B) there does not
result in the imposition of any penalty taxes under Section 409A of the Code in
respect of such Awards.
(v) Any
adjustment under this Section 3(d) need not be the same for all Participants.
(e) Character of Shares. Any
Shares issued hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and
unissued Shares, treasury Shares or Shares purchased in the open market or
otherwise.
SECTION
4. Eligibility
Awards may be granted under
this Plan to Eligible Individuals; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries or parent corporation (within the meaning of
Section 424(f) of the Code).
-ix-
SECTION
5. Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
(a) Types of Stock Options.
Stock Options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under
this Plan and may be of two types: Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified
Stock Options. The Award Agreement for a Stock Option shall indicate whether the
Stock Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock
Option.
(b) Types and Nature of Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be Tandem SARs,
which are granted in conjunction with a Stock Option, or Free-Standing SARs,
which are not granted in conjunction with a Stock Option. Upon the exercise of a
Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount
in cash, Shares, or both, in value equal to the product of (i) the excess of the
Fair Market Value of one Share over the exercise price of the applicable Stock
Appreciation Right, multiplied by (ii) the number of Shares in respect of which
the Stock Appreciation Right has been exercised. The applicable Award Agreement
shall specify whether such payment is to be made in cash or Common Stock or
both, or shall reserve to the Committee or the Participant the right to make
that determination prior to or upon the exercise of the Stock Appreciation
Right.
(c) Tandem SARs. A Tandem SAR
may be granted at the Grant Date of the related Stock Option. A Tandem SAR shall
be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the related
Stock Option is exercisable in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5,
and shall have the same exercise price as the related Stock Option. A Tandem SAR
shall terminate or be forfeited upon the exercise or forfeiture of the related
Stock Option, and the related Stock Option shall terminate or be forfeited upon
the exercise or forfeiture of the Tandem SAR.
(d) Exercise Price. The
exercise price per Share subject to a Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR shall be
determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, and
shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the applicable Grant
Date. In no event may any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted under
this Plan be amended, other than pursuant to Section 3(d), to decrease the
exercise price thereof, be cancelled in exchange for cash or other Awards or in
conjunction with the grant of any new Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR with a
lower exercise price, or otherwise be subject to any action that would be
treated, under the Applicable Exchange listing standards or for accounting
purposes, as a repricing of such Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR, unless
such amendment, cancellation, or action is approved by the Companys
shareholders.
(e) Term. The Term of each
Stock Option and each Free-Standing SAR shall be fixed by the Committee, but no
Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR shall be exercisable more than 10 years after
its Grant Date.
(f) Exercisability. Except as
otherwise provided herein, Stock Options and Free-Standing SARs shall be
exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as
shall be determined by the Committee.
(g) Method of Exercise.
Subject to the provisions of this Section 5, Stock Options and Free-Standing
SARs may be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time during the Term thereof
by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of
Shares subject to the Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR to be
purchased.
In the case of the exercise
of a Stock Option, such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the
aggregate purchase price (which shall equal the product of such number of Shares
subject to such Stock Options multiplied by the applicable exercise price) per
Share by certified or bank check, wire transfer, or such other instrument or
method as the Company may accept. If provided for in
-x-
the applicable Award
Agreement as approved by the Committee, payment in full or in part may also be
made as follows:
(i) In the
form of unrestricted Common Stock (by delivery of such Shares or by attestation)
already owned by the Participant of the same class as the Common Stock subject
to the Stock Option (based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the
date the Stock Option is exercised); provided, however, that, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant shall
only have the right to make a payment in the form of already owned Shares of the
same class as the Common Stock subject to the Stock Option if such right is set
forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(ii) To the
extent permitted by applicable law, by delivering a properly executed exercise
notice to the Company, together with a copy of irrevocable instructions to a
broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale necessary to pay
the purchase price, and, if requested, by the amount of any federal, state,
local or foreign withholding taxes. To facilitate the foregoing, the Company
may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, enter into agreements for
coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms.
(iii) By
instructing the Company to withhold a number of such Shares having a Fair Market
Value (based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date the
applicable Stock Option is exercised) equal to the product of (A) the exercise
price per Share multiplied by (B) the number of Shares in respect of which the
Stock Option shall have been exercised.
(h) Delivery; Rights of Shareholders. A Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of Shares pursuant to
the exercise of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right until the exercise
price therefor has been fully paid and applicable taxes have been withheld.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 5(l), a Participant shall have all of
the rights of a shareholder of the Company holding the class or series of Common
Stock that is subject to such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right
(including, if applicable, the right to vote the applicable Shares), when the
Participant (i) has given written notice of exercise, (ii) if requested, has
given the representation described in Section 14(a) and (iii) in the case of a
Stock Option, has paid in full for such Shares.
(i) Nontransferability of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation
Rights. No Stock Option or
Free-Standing SAR shall be transferable by a Participant other than, for no
value or consideration, (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution;
or (ii) in the case of a Nonqualified Stock Option or Free-Standing SAR, as
otherwise expressly permitted by the Committee including, if so permitted,
pursuant to a transfer to such Participants family members, whether directly or
indirectly or by means of a trust or partnership or otherwise (for purposes of
this Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, family member shall
have the meaning given to such term in General Instructions A.1(a)(5) to Form
S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto). A
Tandem SAR shall be transferable only with the related Stock Option as permitted
by the preceding sentence. Any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be
exercisable, subject to the terms of this Plan, only by the Participant, the
guardian or legal representative of the Participant, or any person to whom such
stock option is transferred pursuant to this Section 5(i), it being understood
that the term holder and Participant include such guardian, legal
representative and other transferee; provided, however, that
the term Termination of Service shall continue to refer to the Termination of
Service of the original Participant.
(j) Termination of Service.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or provided in the applicable Award
Agreement, upon a Participants Termination or Employment, his or her Stock
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights shall be treated as set forth below:
-xi-
(i) Termination by Reason of Death. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service by reason of death, any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant shall
immediately vest in full and may thereafter be exercised until the earlier of
(A) the first anniversary of such Participants Termination of Service and (B)
the expiration of the stated full Term thereof. In the event of Termination of
Service by reason of death, if an Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the
expiration of the post-termination exercise periods that apply for purposes of
Section 422 of the Code, such Stock Option will thereafter be treated as a
Nonqualified Stock Option.
(ii) Termination by Reason of Disability. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service
by reason of Disability, any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by
such Participant shall immediately vest in full and may thereafter be exercised
until the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of such Participants Termination
of Service and (B) the expiration of the stated full Term thereof. In the event
of Termination of Service by reason of Disability, if an Incentive Stock Option
is exercised after the expiration of the exercise periods that apply for
purposes of Section 422 of the Code, such Stock Option will thereafter be
treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option.
(iii) Termination by Reason of Retirement. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service
by reason of Retirement, (A) any unvested Stock Option or Stock Appreciation
Right held by such Participant shall thereupon terminate and (B) any vested
Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by such Participant may thereafter
be exercised until the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of such
Participants Termination of Service and (B) the expiration of the stated full
Term thereof. In the event of Termination of Service by reason of Retirement, if
an Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the
post-termination exercise periods that apply for purposes of Section 422 of the
Code, such Stock Option will thereafter be treated as a Nonqualified Stock
Option.
(iv) Termination by the Company for Cause. If a Participant incurs a Termination of Service
for Cause, any Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights held by such
Participant, whether vested or unvested, shall thereupon terminate.
(v) Other Termination. If a
Participant incurs a Termination of Service for any reason other than death,
Disability, or Retirement, or for Cause, and except as otherwise set forth in
this Section 5(j), any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right held by such
Participant, to the extent it was then exercisable at the time of termination,
or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine, may be exercised
for the lesser of (A) 90 days following the date of such Termination of Service
and (B) the balance of the stated full Term thereof.
(vi) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 5(j), the Committee
shall have the power, in its discretion, to apply different rules concerning the
consequences of a Termination of Service, provided that if such
rules are less favorable to the Participant than those set forth above, such
rules are set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
(k) Additional Rules for Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan
to the contrary, no Stock Option that is intended to qualify as an Incentive
Stock Option may be granted to any Eligible Employee who at the time of such
grant owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company or of any Subsidiary, unless at the time
such Stock Option is granted the exercise price is at least 110% of the Fair
Market Value of a Share and such Stock Option by its terms is not exercisable
after the expiration of five years from the date such Stock Option is granted.
In addition, the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Common Stock (determined
-xii-
at the time a Stock Option
for the Common Stock is granted) for which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year, under
all of the incentive stock option plans of the Company and of any Subsidiary,
may not exceed $100,000. To the extent a Stock Option that by its terms was
intended to be an Incentive Stock Option exceeds this $100,000 limit, the
portion of the Stock Option in excess of such limit shall be treated as a
Nonqualified Stock Option.
(l) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends (whether paid in cash or Shares) and dividend equivalents may
not be paid or accrued on Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights;
provided that Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
may be adjusted under certain circumstances in accordance with the terms of
Section 3(d).
SECTION
6. Restricted Stock
(a) Administration. Shares of
Restricted Stock are actual Shares issued to a Participant and may be awarded
either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under this Plan. The
Committee shall determine the Eligible Individuals to whom and the time or times
at which grants of Restricted Stock will be awarded, the number of Shares to be
awarded to any Eligible Individual, the conditions for vesting, the time or
times within which such Awards may be subject to forfeiture and any other terms
and conditions of the Awards, in addition to those contained in Section
6(c).
(b) Book Entry Registration or Certificated Shares. Shares of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced in
such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry
registration or issuance of one or more stock certificates. If any certificate
is issued in respect of Shares of Restricted Stock, such certificates shall be
registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend
referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award,
substantially in the following form:
The transferability of this
certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms
and conditions (including forfeiture) of the Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus
Incentive Plan and an Award Agreement. Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on
file in the office of the Corporate Secretary of Sun Bancorp, Inc., 350
Fellowship Road, Suite 101, Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054. The recipient of
this stock award shall not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, or otherwise encumber
shares subject to the stock award until full vesting of such shares has
occurred.
The Committee may require
that the certificates evidencing such Shares be held in custody by the Company
until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and that, as a condition of any
Award of Restricted Stock, the applicable Participant shall have delivered a
stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Common Stock covered by such
Award.
(c) Terms and Conditions.
Shares of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions and such other terms and conditions as are set forth in the
applicable Award Agreement (including the vesting or forfeiture provisions
applicable upon a Termination of Service):
(i) The
Committee shall, prior to or at the time of grant, condition (A) the vesting of
an Award of Restricted Stock upon the continued service of the applicable
Participant, or (B) the grant or vesting of an Award of Restricted Stock upon
the attainment of Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and
the continued service of the applicable Participant. If the Committee conditions
the grant or vesting of an Award of Restricted Stock upon the attainment of
Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued
service of the
-xiii-
applicable Participant, the
Committee may, prior to or at the time of grant, designate an Award of
Restricted Stock as a Qualified Performance-Based Award. The conditions for
grant or vesting and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Awards (including
any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each
recipient.
(ii) Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Award
Agreement, during the period, if any, set by the Committee, commencing with the
date of such Restricted Stock Award for which such vesting restrictions apply
(the Restriction
Period), and until the
expiration of the Restriction Period, the Participant shall not be permitted to
sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber Shares of Restricted
Stock.
(d) Rights of a Shareholder.
Except as provided in this Section 6 and the applicable Award Agreement, the
applicable Participant shall have, with respect to the Shares of Restricted
Stock, all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company holding the class or
series of Common Stock that is the subject of the Restricted Stock, including,
if applicable, the right to vote the Shares and the right to receive any
dividends. As determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement and
subject to Section 14(e), (A) cash dividends on the class or series of Common
Stock that is the subject of the Restricted Stock Award shall be payable in cash
and shall, as determined by the Committee, either be (i) held subject to the
vesting of the underlying Restricted Stock, or held subject to meeting
Performance Goals applicable only to dividends, or (ii) distributed in full or
in part without regard to the vested status of the underlying Restricted Stock
and (B) dividends payable in Common Stock shall be paid in the form of
Restricted Stock of the same class as the Common Stock with which such dividend
was paid, and shall, as determined by the Committee, be either (i) held subject
to the vesting of the underlying Restricted Stock, or held subject to meeting
Performance Goals applicable only to dividends, or (ii) distributed in full or
in part without regard to the vested status of the underlying Restricted Stock.
(e) Delivery of Unlegended Certificates. If and when any applicable Performance Goals are
satisfied and the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the
Shares of Restricted Stock for which legended certificates have been issued,
unlegended certificates for such Shares shall be delivered to the Participant
upon surrender of the legended certificates.
(f) Termination of Service.
The effect of a Participants Termination of Service on any Restricted Stock
Award then held by the Participant shall be set forth in the applicable Award
Agreement or any other document approved by the Committee and applicable to such
Award.
SECTION
7. Restricted Stock Units
(a) Nature of Awards. Restricted stock units and deferred share rights (together,
Restricted Stock Units) are Awards
denominated in Shares that will be settled, subject to the terms and conditions
of the Restricted Stock Units, in an amount in cash, Shares, or both, based upon
the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares.
(b) Terms and Conditions.
Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the following terms and conditions
and such other terms and conditions as are set forth in the applicable Award
Agreement (including the vesting or forfeiture provisions applicable upon a
Termination of Service):
(i) The
Committee shall, prior to or at the time of grant, condition (A) the vesting of
Restricted Stock Units upon the continued service of the applicable Participant,
or (B) the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock Units upon the attainment of
Performance Goals or the attainment of Performance Goals and the continued
service of the applicable Participant. If the Committee conditions the grant or
vesting of Restricted Stock Units upon the attainment of Performance
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Goals or the attainment of
Performance Goals and the continued service of the applicable Participant, the
Committee may, prior to or at the time of grant, designate the Restricted Stock
Units as a Qualified Performance-Based Awards. The conditions for grant or
vesting and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Units (including any
applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each
recipient. An Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be settled as and when the
Restricted Stock Units vest, at a later time specified by the Committee in the
applicable Award Agreement, or, if the Committee so permits, in accordance with
an election of the Participant.
(ii) Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Award
Agreement, during the Restriction Period, if any, set by the Committee, the
Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or
otherwise encumber Restricted Stock Units.
(iii) The
Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units shall specify whether, to what extent
and on what terms and conditions the applicable Participant shall be entitled to
receive payments of cash, Common Stock or other property corresponding to the
dividends payable on the Common Stock (subject to Section 14(e) below).
(c) Rights of a Shareholder. A
Participant to whom Restricted Stock Units are awarded shall have no rights as a
shareholder with respect to the Shares represented by the Restricted Stock Units
unless and until Shares are actually delivered to the participant in settlement
thereof. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and subject to Section
14(e), an Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be adjusted to reflect deemed
reinvestment in additional Restricted Stock Units of the dividends that would be
paid and distributions that would be made with respect to the Award of
Restricted Stock Units if it consisted of actual Shares. Notwithstanding the
immediately preceding sentence, if an adjustment to an Award of Restricted Stock
Units is made pursuant to Section 3(d) as a result of any dividend or
distribution, no increase to such Award (by means of deemed reinvestment in
additional Restricted Stock Units) shall be made under this Section 7(c) as a
result of the same dividend or distribution.
(d) Termination of Service.
The effect of a Participants Termination of Service on any Restricted Stock
Unit then held by the Participant shall be set forth in the applicable Award
Agreement or any other document approved by the Committee and applicable to such
Award.
SECTION
8. Performance Units.
Performance Units may be
issued hereunder to Eligible Individuals, for no cash consideration or for such
minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in
addition to other Awards granted under this Plan. The Performance Goals to be
achieved during any Performance Period and the length of the Performance Period
shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Unit.
The Committee may, in connection with the grant of Performance Units, designate
them as Qualified Performance-Based Awards. The conditions for grant or vesting
and the other provisions of Performance Units (including any applicable
Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each recipient.
Performance Units may be paid in cash, Shares, other property or any combination
thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee as set forth in the applicable
Award Agreement. The maximum value of the property, including cash, that may be
paid or distributed to any Participant pursuant to a grant of Performance Units
made in any one calendar year shall be $3,000,000.
SECTION
9. Other Stock-Based Awards
Other Stock-Based Awards
may be granted either alone or in conjunction with other Awards granted under
this Plan.
-xv-
SECTION
10. Change-in-Control Provisions
(a) General. The provisions of
this Section 10 shall, subject to Section 3(d), apply notwithstanding any other
provision of this Plan to the contrary, except to the extent the Committee
specifically provides otherwise in an Award Agreement.
(b) Impact of Change in Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, unless otherwise provided in
the applicable Award Agreement: (i) all then-outstanding Stock Options and Stock
Appreciation Rights shall become fully vested and exercisable, and all
Full-Value Awards (other than performance-based Awards) shall vest in full, be
free of restrictions, and be deemed to be earned and payable in an amount equal
to the full value of such Award, except in each case to the extent that another
Award meeting the requirements of Section 10(c) (any award meeting the
requirements of Section 10(c), a Replacement Award) is
provided to the Participant pursuant to Section 3(d) to replace such Award (any
award intended to be replaced by a Replacement Award, a Replaced Award), and (ii) any performance-based Award that is
not replaced by a Replacement Award shall be deemed to be earned and payable in
an amount equal to the full value of such performance-based Award (with all
applicable Performance Goals deemed achieved at the greater of (x) the
applicable target level and (y) the level of achievement of the Performance
Goals for the Award as determined by the Committee not later than the date of
the Change in Control, taking into account performance through the latest date
preceding the Change in Control as to which performance can, as a practical
matter, be determined (but not later than the end of the applicable Performance
Period)).
(c) Replacement Awards. An
Award shall meet the conditions of this Section 10(c) (and hence qualify as a
Replacement Award) if: (i) it is of the same type as the Replaced Award; (ii) it
has a value equal to the value of the Replaced Award as of the date of the
Change in Control, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion
consistent with Section 3(d); (iii) if the underlying Replaced Award was an
equity-based award, it relates to publicly traded equity securities of the
Company or the entity surviving the Company following the Change in Control;
(iv) it contains terms relating to vesting (including with respect to a
Termination of Service) that are substantially identical to those of the
Replaced Award; and (v) its other terms and conditions are not less favorable to
the Participant than the terms and conditions of the Replaced Award (including
the provisions that would apply in the event of a subsequent Change in Control)
as of the date of the Change in Control. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, a Replacement Award may take the form of a continuation of the
applicable Replaced Award if the requirements of the preceding sentence are
satisfied. If a Replacement Award is granted, the Replaced Award shall not vest
upon the Change in Control. The determination whether the conditions of this
Section 10(c) are satisfied shall be made by the Committee, as constituted
immediately before the Change in Control, in its sole discretion.
(d) Termination of Service. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary and
unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable
Award Agreement, upon a Termination of Service of a Participant by the Company
other than for Cause within 24 months following a Change in Control, (i) all
Replacement Awards held by such Participant shall vest in full, be free of
restrictions, and be deemed to be earned in full (with respect to Performance
Goals, unless otherwise agreed in connection with the Change in Control, at the
greater of (x) the applicable target level and (y) the level of achievement of
the Performance Goals for the Award as determined by the Committee taking into
account performance through the latest date preceding the Termination of Service
as to which performance can, as a practical matter, be determined (but not later
than the end of the applicable Performance Period)), and (ii) unless otherwise
provided in the applicable Award Agreement, notwithstanding any other provision
of this Plan to the contrary, any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right held
by the Participant as of the date of the Change in Control that remains
outstanding as of the
-xvi-
date of such Termination of
Service may thereafter be exercised until the expiration of the stated full Term
of such Nonqualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.
(e) Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of this Plan, a Change in Control shall
mean the happening of any of the following events:
(i) An
acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a Person) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (1) the then outstanding shares
of common stock of the Company (the Outstanding Company Common Stock) or (2) the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (the Outstanding Company Voting Securities); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the following acquisitions
shall not constitute a Change of Control: (1) any acquisition directly from the
Company, (2) any acquisition by the Company, (3) any acquisition by any employee
benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
entity controlled by the Company, or (4) any acquisition by any entity pursuant
to a transaction that complies with clauses (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (iii)
of this Section 10(e); or
(ii) A
change in the composition of the Board such that the individuals who, as of the
Effective Date, constitute the Board (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board; provided, however, that, for purposes of this Section 10(e), any individual who becomes a
member of the Board subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or
nomination for election by the Companys shareholders, was approved by a vote of
at least a majority of those individuals who are members of the Board and who
were also members of the Incumbent Board (or deemed to be such pursuant to this
proviso) shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the
Incumbent Board; provided
further, that any such individual
whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or
threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors
or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on
behalf of a Person other than the Board shall not be considered as a member of
the Incumbent Board; or
(iii) The
consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or
consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company ,or the acquisition of assets or securities of another
entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (a Business Combination), in each
case, unless, following such Business Combination, (1) all or substantially all
of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of
the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities
immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
common stock (or, for a noncorporate entity, equivalent securities) and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (or, for a noncorporate entity,
equivalent securities), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such
Business Combination (including an entity that, as a result of such transaction,
owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Companys assets either
directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination
of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities, as the case may be, (2) no Person (excluding any entity resulting
from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
of the Company or such entity resulting from such Business Combination)
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of, respectively, the
-xvii-
then outstanding shares of
common stock (or, for a noncorporate entity, equivalent securities) of the
entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of
the then outstanding voting securities of such entity except to the extent that
such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (3) at least a
majority of the members of the board of directors (or, for a noncorporate
entity, equivalent body or committee) of the entity resulting from such Business
Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of
the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such
Business Combination; or
(iv) The
approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company.
SECTION
11. Qualified Performance-Based Awards; Section 16(b);
Section 409A
(a) The
provisions of this Plan are intended to ensure that all Stock Options and Stock
Appreciation Rights granted hereunder to any Participant who is or may be a
covered employee (within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code) in the
tax year in which such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right is expected to
be deductible to the Company qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption, and,
unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all such Awards shall therefore be
considered Qualified Performance-Based Awards and this Plan shall be interpreted
and operated consistent with that intention (including to require that all such
Awards be granted by a committee composed solely of members who satisfy the
requirements for being outside directors for purposes of the Section 162(m)
Exemption (Outside
Directors)). When granting any
Award other than a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the Committee may
designate such Award as a Qualified Performance-Based Award, based upon a
determination that (i) the recipient is or may be a covered employee (within
the meaning of Section 162(m)(3) of the Code) with respect to such Award, and
(ii) the Committee wishes such Award to qualify for the Section 162(m)
Exemption, and the terms of any such Award (and of the grant thereof) shall be
consistent with such designation (including that all such Awards be granted by a
committee composed solely of Outside Directors). To the extent required to
comply with the Section 162(m) Exemption, no later than 90 days following the
commencement of a Performance Period or, if earlier, by the expiration of 25% of
a Performance Period, the Committee will designate one or more Performance
Periods, determine the Participants for the Performance Periods and establish
the Performance Goals for the Performance Periods.
(b) Each
Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than a Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right) shall be earned, vested and/or payable (as applicable) upon
the achievement of one or more Performance Goals, together with the satisfaction
of any other conditions, such as continued employment, as the Committee may
determine to be appropriate.
(c) The
full Board shall not be permitted to exercise authority granted to the Committee
to the extent that the grant or exercise of such authority would cause an Award
designated as a Qualified Performance-Based Award not to qualify for, or to
cease to qualify for, the Section 162(m) Exemption.
(d) The
provisions of this Plan are intended to ensure that no transaction under this
Plan is subject to (and all such transactions will be exempt from) the
short-swing recovery rules of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act
(Section 16(b)). Accordingly, the composition of the Committee
shall be subject to such limitations as the Board deems appropriate to permit
transactions pursuant to this Plan to be exempt (pursuant to Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act) from Section 16(b), and no delegation of
authority by the Committee shall be permitted if such delegation would cause any
such transaction to be subject to (and not exempt from) Section
16(b).
-xviii-
(e) This
Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or
an exemption or exclusion therefrom and, with respect to amounts that are
subject to Section 409A of the Code, it is intended that this Plan be
administered in all respects in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Each
payment under any Award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation
subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be treated as a separate payment for
purposes of Section 409A of the Code. In no event may a Participant, directly or
indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under any
Award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section
409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any Award
Agreement to the contrary, if a Participant is a specified employee within the
meaning of Section 409A of the Code (as determined in accordance with the
methodology established by the Company), amounts that constitute nonqualified
deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code that would
otherwise be payable by reason of a Participants Separation from Service during
the six-month period immediately following such Separation from Service shall
instead be paid or provided on the first business day following the date that is
six months following the Participants Separation from Service. If the
Participant dies following the Separation from Service and prior to the payment
of any amounts delayed on account of Section 409A of the Code, such amounts
shall be paid to the personal representative of the Participants estate within
30 days following the date of the Participants death.
SECTION
12. Term, Amendment and Termination
(a) Effectiveness. This Plan
was approved by the Board on March __ 2015, subject to and contingent upon
approval by the Companys shareholders. This Plan will be effective as of the
date of such approval by the Companys shareholders (the Effective Date).
(b) Termination. This Plan
will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Awards
outstanding as of such date shall not be affected or impaired by the termination
of this Plan.
(c) Amendment of Plan. The
Board or the Committee may amend, alter, or discontinue this Plan, but no
amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made that would materially
impair the rights of the Participant with respect to a previously granted Award
without such Participants consent, except such an amendment made to comply with
applicable law, including Section 409A of the Code, Applicable Exchange listing
standards or accounting rules. In addition, no amendment shall be made without
the approval of the Companys shareholders to the extent such approval is
required by applicable law or the listing standards of the Applicable
Exchange.
(d) Amendment of Awards.
Subject to Section 5(d), the Committee may unilaterally amend the terms of any
Award theretofore granted, but no such amendment shall cause a Qualified
Performance-Based Award to cease to qualify for the Section 162(m) Exemption or
without the Participants consent materially impair the rights of any
Participant with respect to an Award, except such an amendment made to cause
this Plan or Award to comply with applicable law, Applicable Exchange listing
standards or accounting rules.
SECTION
13. Unfunded Status of Plan
It is intended that this
Plan constitute an unfunded plan for incentive and deferred compensation. The
Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the
obligations created under this Plan to deliver Common Stock or make payments;
provided, however, that unless the
Committee otherwise determines, the existence of such trusts or other
arrangements is consistent with the unfunded status of this Plan.
-xix-
SECTION
14. General Provisions
(a) Conditions for Issuance.
The Committee may require each person purchasing or receiving Shares pursuant to
an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person
is acquiring the Shares without a view to the distribution thereof. The
certificates for such Shares may include any legend that the Committee deems
appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Plan or agreements made pursuant thereto, the Company shall
not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for Shares
under this Plan prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions: (i)
listing or approval for listing upon notice of issuance, of such Shares on the
Applicable Exchange; (ii) any registration or other qualification of such Shares
of the Company under any state or federal law or regulation, or the maintaining
in effect of any such registration or other qualification that the Committee
shall, in its absolute discretion upon the advice of counsel, deem necessary or
advisable; and (iii) obtaining any other consent, approval, or permit from any
state or federal governmental agency that the Committee shall, in its absolute
discretion after receiving the advice of counsel, determine to be necessary or
advisable.
(b) Additional Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the
Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate from adopting other or additional
compensation arrangements for its employees.
(c) No
Contract of Employment. This Plan
shall not constitute a contract of employment, and adoption of this Plan shall
not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment, nor shall it
interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any Subsidiary or
Affiliate to terminate the employment of any employee at any time.
(d) Required Taxes. No later
than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income
of a Participant for federal, state, local or foreign income or employment or
other tax purposes with respect to any Award under this Plan, such Participant
shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company
regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind
required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount. Unless otherwise
determined by the Company, withholding obligations may be settled with Common
Stock, including Common Stock that is part of the Award that gives rise to the
withholding requirement, having a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding
equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld for tax purposes, all in
accordance with such procedures as the Committee establishes. The obligations of
the Company under this Plan shall be conditional on such payment or
arrangements, and the Company and its Affiliates shall, to the extent permitted
by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due
to such Participant. The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems
appropriate, including making irrevocable elections, for the settlement of
withholding obligations with Common Stock.
(e) Limitation on Dividend Reinvestment and Dividend
Equivalents. Reinvestment of
dividends in additional Restricted Stock at the time of any dividend payment,
and the payment of Shares with respect to dividends to Participants holding
Awards of Restricted Stock Units, shall only be permissible if sufficient Shares
are available under Section 3 for such reinvestment or payment (taking into
account then-outstanding Awards). If sufficient Shares are not available for
such reinvestment or payment, such reinvestment or payment shall be made in the
form of a grant of Restricted Stock Units equal in number to the Shares that
would have been obtained by such payment or reinvestment, the terms of which
Restricted Stock Units shall provide for settlement in cash and for dividend
equivalent reinvestment in further Restricted Stock Units on the terms
contemplated by this Section 14(e). In no event may any dividends or dividend
equivalents with respect to any performance-based Awards be paid until vesting
(if any) of such Awards.
-xx-
(f) Designation of Death Beneficiary. The Committee shall establish such procedures as it deems appropriate
for a Participant to designate a beneficiary to whom any amounts payable in the
event of such Participants death are to be paid or by whom any rights of such
eligible Individual, after such Participants death, may be
exercised.
(g) Subsidiary Employees. In
the case of a grant of an Award to any employee of a Subsidiary, the Company
may, if the Committee so directs, issue or transfer the Shares, if any, covered
by the Award to the Subsidiary, for such lawful consideration as the Committee
may specify, upon the condition or understanding that the Subsidiary will
transfer the Shares to the employee in accordance with the terms of the Award
specified by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of this Plan. All Shares
underlying Awards that are forfeited or canceled revert to the
Company.
(h) Governing Law and Interpretation. This Plan and all Awards made and actions taken
hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New Jersey, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The
captions of this Plan are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no
force or effect. Whenever the words include, includes or including are
used in this Plan, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words but not
limited to and the word or shall be understood to mean and/or.
(i) Non-Transferability.
Except as otherwise provided in Sections 5(i), 6(c)(ii) and 7(b)(ii) or as
determined by the Committee, Awards under this Plan are not transferable except
by will or by laws of descent and distribution.
(j) Clawback Policy. Any
Awards or amounts paid in respect thereof that were granted or paid based on
financial statements or performance metrics that are subsequently restated or
revised, as determined by the Committee in its discretion, shall be subject to
recovery by the Company. The determination whether to seek recovery of Awards or
amounts paid in respect thereof from a Participant shall be made by the
Committee in its discretion, provided that, except in the case of fraud or
intentional misconduct, such demand shall be limited to Awards granted or
amounts paid in respect thereof within the three-year period preceding the date
on which the Company is required to prepare the restatement (or, if not required
to prepare the restatement, the date of the restatement). The Participant shall
comply with the Companys demand within 60 days of Participants notice thereof.
The Company, upon prior notice to the Participant, may also, in its discretion,
reduce amounts that would otherwise be payable to the Participant under other
compensation or benefit plans or arrangements of the Company or its Affiliates
or withhold future incentive awards that would otherwise be payable to the
Participant in order to facilitate such repayment by the Participant. The
provisions of this section shall survive the termination or expiration of the
Plan and the applicable Award Agreement and Participants termination of
employment. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained herein shall prohibit
the Company or its Affiliates from adopting additional compensation recovery
policies with respect to Awards granted hereunder or other compensation and
benefits.
(k) Holding Period. Until the
second anniversary of the (i) vesting of a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted
Stock Unit Award, Performance Unit Award or Other Stock-Based Award or (ii)
exercise of a Stock Option Award, Stock Appreciation Right Award or Tandem SAR
Award, in each case, granted to an executive officer or director of the Company,
the Shares underlying such Award shall remain subject to restriction on sale and
transfer, provided that such restriction period shall lapse in the
event of the Participants death or Disability or a Change in Control. The
foregoing restrictions shall not apply to any Shares withheld by the Company or
surrendered by the Participant in payment of applicable income tax withholdings
or to pay the exercise price of a Stock Option Award or Stock Appreciation Right
Award. Further, such restriction on transfer shall not preclude the transfer of
such Shares to family members, trusts for the benefit of the executive officer
or director or his or her family members or other
-xxi-
transfers for estate
planning purposes, provided that such
two-year restriction on sale shall remain applicable to such transferred Shares.
-xxii-
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IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION |
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Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with
an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the
designated areas. |
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Electronic
Voting Instructions |
You can vote by
Internet or telephone! Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week! |
Instead of mailing your proxy, you
may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote your
proxy. |
VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED
BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. |
Proxies submitted by
the Internet or telephone must be received by 2:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on
May 21, 2015. |
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Vote by Internet |
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Go to
www.envisionreports.com/SNBC |
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Or scan the QR code with your
smartphone |
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Follow the steps outlined on the
secure website |
Vote by telephone |
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Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE
(8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone
telephone |
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Follow the instructions provided
by the recorded message |
Annual Meeting Proxy
Card |
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▼ IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR
TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM
PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
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A |
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Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR
all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2 and
3. |
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1. |
The election as directors of the following
nominees: |
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For |
Withhold |
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01 - Jeffrey S.
Brown |
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☐ |
☐ |
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02 - Sidney R.
Brown |
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04 - F. Clay Creasey,
Jr. |
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☐ |
☐ |
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05 - Peter Galetto,
Jr. |
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07 - William J.
Marino |
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☐ |
☐ |
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08 - Philip A.
Norcross |
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10 - Wilbur L. Ross,
Jr. |
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☐ |
☐ |
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11 - Keith
Stock |
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For |
Against |
Abstain |
2. |
The approval of the Sun Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive
Plan. |
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☐ |
☐ |
☐ |
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For |
Withhold |
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For |
Withhold |
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☐ |
☐ |
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03 - Anthony R.
Coscia |
☐ |
☐ |
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☐ |
☐ |
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06 - Eli Kramer |
☐ |
☐ |
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☐ |
☐ |
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09 - Thomas M. OBrien |
☐ |
☐ |
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☐ |
☐ |
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For |
Against |
Abstain |
3. |
The ratification of the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2015. |
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☐ |
☐ |
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B |
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Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for
your vote to be counted. Date and Sign
Below |
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Please sign
exactly as your name appears on this proxy. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give your full
title. If shares are held jointly, each holder should
sign. |
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print
date below. |
/ / |
Signature 1 Please keep
signature within the box. |
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Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. |
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▼ IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR
TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM
PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
▼ |
Proxy
SUN BANCORP, INC. |
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Annual Meeting of
Shareholders May 21, 2015
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby
appoints the Board of Directors of Sun Bancorp, Inc. (the Company), or its
designee, with full powers of substitution, to act as attorneys and proxies for
the undersigned, to vote all shares of Common Stock of the Company which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the annual meeting of shareholders (the
Meeting), to be held at The Sheraton Edison Hotel Raritan Center, 125 Raritan
Center Parkway, Edison, New Jersey, on May 21, 2015 at 9:30 a.m., and at any and
all adjournments thereof, in the manner specified on the reverse
side.
The undersigned acknowledges
receipt from the Company prior to the execution of this proxy of a paper copy or
electronic access to a notice of annual meeting of shareholders, a proxy
statement, and the 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders.
Note: Executing this proxy
permits such attorneys and proxies to vote, in their discretion, upon such other
business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS
DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS SIGNED PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR THE NOMINEES AND THE PROPOSALS STATED. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT
SUCH MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THOSE NAMED IN THIS PROXY IN THEIR
BEST JUDGMENT. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS OF NO OTHER
BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN,
DATE, AND MAIL THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE.
Change of Address
Please print new address
below. |
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IF VOTING BY MAIL,
YOU MUST COMPLETE SECTIONS A - C ON BOTH
SIDES OF THIS CARD. |
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