SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP
10-Ks and 10-Qs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
Simmons First National Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
|
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
|
||
|
[x]
|
No fee required.
|
|
|
[ ]
|
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
|
|
|
1)
|
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
|
|
|
2)
|
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
|
|
|
3)
|
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
|
|
|
4)
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
|
|
|
5)
|
Total fee paid:
|
|
|
[ ]
|
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
|
|
|
[ ]
|
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
|
|
|
1)
|
Amount Previously Paid:
|
|
|
2)
|
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
|
|
|
3)
|
Filing Party:
|
|
|
4)
|
Date Filed:
|
|
|
GEORGE A. MAKRIS, JR.
|
|
|
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
|
May 15, 2015
Dear Shareholder:
It is our pleasure to enclose the 2014 annual report for your corporation. Our annual shareholders’ meeting will be held on the evening of Thursday, June 18, 2015 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. You and your spouse, or guest, are cordially invited to join us for dinner, which will be served at 6:30 p.m. The business meeting will follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.
This year, you will find your dinner reservation card located inside the annual report. Please fill this out and return at your earliest convenience.
We thank you again for your support, and we look forward to seeing you on June 18th.
Sincerely,
/s/ George A. Makris
George A. Makris
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
P. O. Box 7009 Pine Bluff, AR 71611 870.541.1101
simmonsfirst.com
NOTICE OF
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of the shareholders of Simmons First National Corporation will be held at the Banquet Hall of the Pine Bluff Convention Center, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, at 7:30 P.M., on Thursday, June 18, 2015 for the following purposes:
|
1.
|
To fix at 13 the number of directors to be elected at the meeting;
|
|
|
2.
|
To elect 13 persons as directors to serve until the next annual shareholders' meeting and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified;
|
|
|
3.
|
To consider adoption of a non-binding resolution approving the compensation of the named executive officers of the Company;
|
|
|
4.
|
To consider adoption of the Simmons First National Corporation 2015 Incentive Plan;
|
|
|
5.
|
To consider adoption of the Simmons First National Corporation 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;
|
|
|
6.
|
To ratify the Audit Committee's selection of the accounting firm of BKD, LLP as independent auditors of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ending December 31, 2015;
|
|
|
7.
|
To amend the Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A, $0.01 par value, Common Stock of the Company from 60,000,000 to 120,000,000; and
|
|
|
8.
|
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
|
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2015, will be entitled to vote at the meeting.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
/s/ J. Burton Hicks
J. Burton Hicks, Secretary
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
April 17, 2015
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
P. O. Box 7009
Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71611
PROXY STATEMENT
Meeting to be held on June 18, 2015
Proxy and Proxy Statement furnished on or about May 15, 2015
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Simmons First National Corporation (the "Company") for use at the annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company to be held on Thursday, June 18, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., at the Banquet Hall of the Pine Bluff Convention Center, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
When such proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares represented by it will be voted at the meeting in accordance with any directions noted thereon, or if no direction is indicated, will be voted in favor of proposals (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7).
REVOCABILITY OF PROXY
Any shareholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted.
COSTS AND METHOD OF SOLICITATION
The costs of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to the use of the mails, solicitation may be made by employees of the Company by telephone, electronic communications and personal interview. These persons will receive no compensation other than their regular salaries, but they will be reimbursed by the Company for their actual expenses incurred in such solicitations.
OUTSTANDING SECURITIES AND VOTING RIGHTS
At the meeting, holders of the $0.01 par value Class A common stock (the "Common Stock") of the Company will be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of the Common Stock owned of record, as of the close of business on April 14, 2015. On that date, the Company had outstanding 29,851,136 shares of the Common Stock; 2,025,662 of such shares were held by Simmons First Trust Company, N.A. ("SFTC"), in a fiduciary capacity, of which 87,553 shares cannot be voted at the meeting. Hence, 29,763,583 shares will be deemed outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting.
All actions requiring a vote of the shareholders must be taken at a meeting in which a quorum is present in person or by proxy. A quorum consists of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote upon a matter. With respect to Proposals 1, 3, 6 and 7, approval requires that the votes cast for the proposal exceed the votes cast against it. With respect to Proposals 4 and 5, approval requires that a majority of the votes cast on the proposal are cast “for” the proposal. The election of directors will be approved, if each director nominee receives a plurality of the votes cast. All proxies submitted will be tabulated by Computershare, the transfer agent for the Common Stock.
With respect to the election of directors, a shareholder may withhold authority to vote for all nominees by checking the box "withhold authority for all nominees" on the enclosed proxy card or may withhold authority to vote for any nominee or nominees by checking the box "withhold authority for certain nominees" and lining through the name of such nominee or nominees for whom the authority to vote is withheld as it appears on the enclosed proxy card. The enclosed proxy card also provides a method for shareholders to abstain from voting on each other matter presented. By abstaining, shares will not be voted either for or against the subject proposals, but will be counted for quorum purposes. While there may be instances in which a shareholder may wish to abstain from voting on any particular matter, the Board of Directors encourages all shareholders to vote their shares in
their best judgment and to participate in the voting process to the fullest extent possible.
If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by another nominee, you are considered the "beneficial owner" of shares held in "street name," and these proxy materials have been forwarded to you by your broker or nominee (the "record holder") along with a voting instruction card. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your record holder how to vote your shares, and the record holder is required to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and regulatory rules of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and New York Stock Exchange, brokers or other nominees may not exercise discretionary voting power on the election of directors, executive compensation or other significant matters as determined by the Securities & Exchange Commission. While Brokers or other nominees might still be permitted to exercise discretionary voting power for Proposal 6 (the ratification of BKD, LLP as our independent auditor), brokers and other nominees may not exercise discretionary voting power for Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 (number of directors, election of directors, approval of executive compensation, approval of 2015 Incentive Plan, approval of 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and amendment of the Articles of Incorporation to increase authorized common stock). Due to the broad and indefinite scope of the discretionary voting prohibition, it is not expected that brokers or other nominees will attempt to exercise any discretionary voting power. As a result, if you do not provide specific voting instructions to your record holder, the record holder may not vote the shares on Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7. Accordingly, it is particularly important that you provide voting instructions to your broker or other nominee so that your shares may be voted on the matters presented at the Annual Meeting.
If your shares are treated as a broker non-vote or abstention, your shares will be counted in the number of shares represented for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. However, broker non-votes and abstentions will not be included in vote totals (neither for nor against) and therefore will not affect the outcome of the vote on any of the proposals being voted upon.
In the event a shareholder executes the proxy but does not mark the ballot to vote (or abstain) on any one or more of the proposals, the proxy will be voted "For" the unmarked Proposals. Further, if any matter, other than the matters shown on the proxy, is properly presented at the meeting which may be acted upon without special notice under Arkansas law, the proxy solicited hereby confers discretionary authority to the named proxies to vote in their sole discretion with respect to such matters, as well as other matters incident to the conduct of the meeting. On the date of the mailing of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors has no knowledge of any such other matter which will come before the meeting.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth all persons known to management who own, beneficially or of record, more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, the number of shares owned by the named executive officers in the Summary Compensation Table and by all directors and executive officers as a group.
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
Shares Owned Beneficially [a]
|
Percent of Class
|
||||||
|
BlackRock, Inc. [b]
|
1,500,982 | 5.03 | % | |||||
|
40 East 52nd Street
|
||||||||
|
New York, New York 10022
|
||||||||
|
Simmons First National Corporation
|
||||||||
|
Employee Stock Ownership Trust [c]
|
984,549 | 3.30 | % | |||||
|
501 Main Street
|
||||||||
|
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
|
||||||||
|
George A. Makris Jr. [d]
|
119,999 | * | ||||||
|
Robert A. Fehlman [e]
|
45,254 | * | ||||||
|
David L. Bartlett [f]
|
40,882 | * | ||||||
|
Marty D. Casteel [g]
|
58,164 | * | ||||||
|
J. French Hill
|
56,390 | * | ||||||
|
All directors and officers as a group (21 persons)
|
1,153,335 | 3.86 | % | |||||
_________________________
|
*
|
The shares beneficially owned represent less than 1% of the outstanding common shares.
|
|
[a]
|
Under the applicable rules, "beneficial ownership" of a security means, directly or indirectly, through any contract, relationship, arrangement, undertaking or otherwise, having or sharing voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. Unless otherwise indicated, each beneficial owner named has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares identified.
|
|
[b]
|
These shares may be owned by one or more of the following entities controlled by BlackRock, Inc.: BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Asset Management Australia Limited, BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Investment Management Ireland Limited and BlackRock International Limited.
|
|
[c]
|
The Simmons First National Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") purchases, holds and disposes of shares of the Company's stock. The Compensation Committee and the Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to delegation of authority from the Compensation Committee, directs the trustees of the ESOP concerning when, how many and upon what terms to purchase or dispose of such shares, other than by distribution under the ESOP. Shares held by the ESOP may be voted only in accordance with the written instructions of the plan participants, who are all employees or former employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.
|
|
[d]
|
Mr. Makris owned of record 33,646 shares; 75,308 shares are held jointly with his spouse; 4,117 shares are held in his IRA; 4,750 shares are held in his wife's IRA and 178 shares were held in his account in the ESOP.
|
|
[e]
|
Mr. Fehlman owned of record 30,471shares; 7,034 shares were held in his fully vested account in the ESOP; 229 shares were held in his account in SFNC Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 7,520 shares were deemed held through exercisable stock options.
|
|
[f]
|
Mr. Bartlett owned of record 38,386 shares and 2,496 shares were held in his fully vested account in the ESOP.
|
|
[g]
|
Mr. Casteel owned of record 34,678 shares; 3,578 shares were owned jointly with his wife; 10,484 shares were held in his fully vested account in the ESOP; 2,094 shares were held in his account in SFNC Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 7,330 shares were deemed held through exercisable stock options.
|
2
PROPOSAL 1 - FIX THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
At the 2014 annual shareholders' meeting, the number of directors was set at nine (9) and the nine (9) nominees were elected. At the special shareholders meeting held on November 18, 2014, the number of directors was increased to twelve (12). Subsequently the Board further increased the number of directors to thirteen (13). W. Scott McGeorge, Christopher R. Kirkland, Joseph D. Porter and Mark C. Doramus were appointed to the Board to fill the vacancies. Sharon Gaber has accepted a position at the University of Toledo and has resigned from the Board. Jay D. Burchfield was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Board. Under the bylaws of the Company, either the Board or the shareholders may to set the number of directors of the Company for the ensuing year. The Board of Directors of the Company has considered the number of directors that should serve on the board for the ensuing year and has set the number of directors to be elected at the annual meeting at thirteen (13). The Board is presenting its decision to set the number of directors to be elected at the annual meeting at thirteen (13) to the shareholders for ratification.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
FOR
PROPOSAL 1 TO RATIFY THE ACTION OF THE BOARD TO FIX THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS AT THIRTEEN.
PROPOSAL 2 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Each of the persons named below is presently serving as a director of the Company for a term which ends on June 18, 2015, or such other date upon which a successor is duly elected and qualified. The Board has evaluated the independence of each director serving on the Board and its Committees under applicable law and regulations and the listing standards of the NASDAQ. The table below summarizes the findings of the Board:
|
Name
|
Board of
Directors
|
Audit
Committee
|
Compensation
Committee
|
Nominating & Corporate
Governance
Committee
|
||||
|
Jay D. Burchfield
|
Independent
|
Independent
|
Independent
|
*
|
||||
|
David L. Bartlett
|
Not Independent
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
||||
|
William E. Clark, II
|
Independent
|
*
|
Independent
|
*
|
||||
|
Steven A. Cossé
|
Independent
|
*
|
Independent
|
Independent
|
||||
|
Mark C. Doramus
|
Independent
|
*
|
Independent
|
*
|
||||
|
Edward Drilling
|
Independent
|
Independent
|
*
|
*
|
||||
|
Eugene Hunt
|
Independent
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
||||
|
Christopher R. Kirkland
|
Independent
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
||||
|
W. Scott McGeorge
|
Independent
|
Independent
|
Independent
|
Independent
|
||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr.
|
Not Independent
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
||||
|
Joseph D. Porter
|
Independent
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
||||
|
Harry L. Ryburn
|
Independent
|
*
|
Independent
|
Independent
|
||||
|
Robert L. Shoptaw
|
Independent
|
Independent
|
Independent
|
Independent
|
__________________
* The director is not a member of the Committee.
The proxies hereby solicited will be voted for the election of the nominees shown below, as directors, to serve until the next annual meeting of the shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless otherwise designated in the proxy. If at the time of the meeting any of the nominees should be unable or unwilling to serve, the discretionary authority granted in the proxy will be exercised to vote for the election of a substitute or substitutes. Management has no reason to believe that any substitute nominee or nominees will be required.
David L. Bartlett
Mr. Bartlett was appointed to the Board in January, 2013. He currently serves as the President and Chief Banking Officer of the Company. Mr. Bartlett served as President of Simmons First Bank of Hot Springs (formerly Alliance Bank) from 1997 until 2006, when he was named as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Mr. Bartlett received his B. S. degree in Accounting from Arkansas Tech University in 1974. Mr. Bartlett has been actively involved in the banking industry for over 33 years.
Mr. Bartlett also serves as board member of the Arkansas Bankers Association (Chairman 2013-2014), as the Treasurer of Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and as a member of Fifty for the Future. He has previously served on the Arkansas State Bank Board (2000-2004, Chairman 2004), as a board member and chairmen of the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Garland County Economic Development Corporation and as a member of the St. Joseph's Regional Health Center Board, National Park Community College Foundation Board, Arkansas Tech Advisory Board and the Hot Springs Area Community Foundation Board.
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Bartlett's experience and past performance in the banking industry as well as his service as the President and Chief Banking Officer of the Company, provides needed skills and insight into the banking and financial services business conducted by the Company, which may be particularly valuable during the recent transition of executive management related to the retirement of the former Chairman and CEO of the Company and the election of his successor.
3
Jay Burchfield
Mr. Burchfield, 68, was appointed to the Board in 2015. He is the Chairman of Ozark Trust and Investment Corporation and its subsidiary company, Trust Company of the Ozarks. His career has spanned over 40 years, primarily in the banking and financial services industry. Mr. Burchfield formerly served as an Advisory Director of Liberty Bancshares, Inc., which was acquired by the Company in February 2015. Prior to the consummation of the merger of Liberty Bancshares, Inc. into the Company, Mr. Burchfield was designated by Liberty Bancshares, Inc. as its designee for appointment to the Board of the Company.
He received a B.S. degree in Marketing in 1968 and M.S. degree in Education in 1972 from Central Missouri State University. Mr. Burchfield graduated from the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University in 1980. Mr. Burchfield is a veteran of the U. S. Army.
Mr. Burchfield currently serves as a Director of O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: ORLY). In this role, he serves as Chairman of its Compensation Committee and as a member of its Corporate Governance and Audit Committees.
Mr. Burchfield also serves as a director of Banyan Group, Inc., a clinical research organization, a director of Quest Capital Alliance, a venture capital organization, a director of Quest Commercial finance, a corporate finance organization, a director of Heart of America Beverage, a beverage distributor in Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas, a director of Primary Care Education, a company providing continued medical education for doctors, and a director and Treasurer of the I-470 Community Improvement District, a tax increment financing plan to develop road infrastructure in Lee's Summit, MO. He is the current Chairman of the convention committee of the Missouri Bankers Association and the past president of the Chambers of Commerce in two communities in Southern Missouri.
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Burchfield’s experience and expertise in the banking industry, strategic business development, executive compensation and leadership development will be beneficial in the management of the Company’s operations.
William E. Clark, II
Mr. Clark, 45, was elected to the Board in 2008. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Clark Contractors, LLC, a general contractor involved in commercial construction throughout the United States. Prior to the formation of Clark Contractors, LLC in 2009, he was employed by CDI Contractors from 1994 through 2009, where he served in various capacities culminating in his serving as Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2009. Mr. Clark received a B.S.B.A. degree in Business Management from the University of Arkansas in 1991.
He is a past President/Chairman for the UAMS Consortium and Arkansas Children's Hospital Committee for the Future, a member of Fifty for the Future, Young Presidents Organization, St. Vincent Foundation, UAMS Foundation, Little Rock Christian Academy Board of Trust and the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Clark's experience within the commercial construction industry provides needed skills in the assessment of the construction industry utilized by the Company in setting policies involving the allocation of credit and lending priorities.
Steven A. Cossé
Mr. Cossé, 67, was elected to the Board in 2004. On August 31, 2013, he retired as President and CEO of Murphy Oil Corporation, a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, following his election on June 20, 2012. Mr. Cossé has previously served as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Murphy Oil Corporation. He had served as General Counsel since 1991 and had also previously served as Senior Vice President, Vice President and Principal Financial Officer. Prior to joining Murphy Oil Corporation as General Counsel, he served for eight years as General Counsel for Ocean Drilling & Exploration Company in New Orleans, Louisiana, a NYSE listed, majority-owned subsidiary of Murphy Oil Corporation. Mr. Cossé received a B.A. degree in Government from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1969 and a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola University in 1974.
Mr. Cossé also currently serves on the boards of Murphy Oil Corporation (a NYSE listed company), and SHARE Foundation. He is past chairman of the South Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross and is on the advisory board of Turning Point. Mr. Cossé is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association and Union County Bar Association.
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Cossé's experience as an executive officer, general counsel and principal financial officer, provides needed skills in the assessment of the oil industry utilized by the Company in setting policies involving the allocation of credit and lending priorities and in the legal, financial and general business issues facing publicly traded companies.
4
Mark C. Doramus
Mr. Doramus, 56, was appointed to the Board in 2015. He serves as Chief Financial Officer of Stephens Inc., an independent financial services firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has served in several capacities at Stephens, including the corporate finance department from 1988 to 1994, Assistant to the President from 1994 to 1996 and Chief Financial Officer since 1996.
He began his career in 1980 with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Dallas, Texas, where he worked as a Certified Public Accountant. He joined the Dallas, Texas office of Trammell Crow Company in 1983, where he worked until he joined Stephens in 1988.
Mr. Doramus is a member of the CHI St. Vincent Infirmary board of directors, where he served as chairman from 2012 – 2014, and has been a member of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Board of Visitors since 2004. Mr. Doramus served on the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation board from 2004 to 2009, serving as Chairman in 2009.
Mr. Doramus graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, with a B.A. degree in Economics and Business in 1980 and received his M.A. degree in Real Estate and Regional Science from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas in 1982.
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Doramus’ experience in accounting and the financial services industry provides needed skills for assisting in the management of the Company’s business, including risk management, internal controls and capital management.
Edward Drilling
Mr. Drilling, 59, was elected to the Board in 2009. He joined Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1979 and has served in various operations positions including customer service, sales and marketing, and the external affairs organization. He was named President of the Arkansas Division in 2002. Mr. Drilling received a B.S. degree in Marketing from the Walton College at the University of Arkansas in 1978 and graduated from the Emory University Advanced Management Program in 1991.
Mr. Drilling has served on numerous boards over the last 30 years, including: past Chairman of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Children's Hospital Board of Trustees, University of Arkansas Board of Advisors, former President of the Little Rock, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, UAMS Arkansas BioVentures Advisory Board, former President of Fifty for the future, former Vice Chairman of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Drilling's experience as an executive within the telecommunication and information technology industry provides needed skills in the assessment of the information technology industry utilized by the Company in setting policies involving the allocation of credit and lending priorities and valuable insights involving the executive management of a large enterprise.
Eugene Hunt
Mr. Hunt, 69, was elected to the Board in 2009. He is an attorney in private practice in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Mr. Hunt began his practice in 1972 and has thereafter been involved in the active practice of law within Arkansas, primarily in Southeast Arkansas. He served as Judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals from August through December, 2008 and has served as a Special Circuit Judge and Special Justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court. Additionally, he served as Director of the Child Support Enforcement Unit, Jefferson County, Arkansas from 1990-2001. Mr. Hunt received a B.A. degree in History and Government from Arkansas AM&N College in 1969 and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Arkansas Law School in 1971.
Mr. Hunt also serves on the boards of The Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County, Arkansas, Jefferson Hospital and Youth Partners. He is a member of the NAACP and has also served as an NAACP Affiliate Attorney since 1978.
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Hunt's experience as an attorney and his long-term familiarity with the business and social environment in southeastern Arkansas provides needed skills and insight in the small business and consumer needs of the Company's banking customers in one of its major markets, southeastern Arkansas.
5
Christopher R. Kirkland
Mr. Kirkland, 45, was appointed to the Board in 2015. He serves as a principal of Anchor Investments, LLC, a private, real estate investment company based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Company has a strategic focus to acquire, own, develop and manage income-producing commercial properties in the Southeast United States and to purchase and reposition residential land or properties.
Prior to forming Anchor Investments, Mr. Kirkland was the managing member of Kirkland Properties, LLC which he co-founded in 1994. While operating Kirkland Properties, Mr. Kirkland further developed skills as a successful investor in commercial real estate, focusing on the development or redevelopment and management of underperforming real estate assets. Mr. Kirkland also had an ownership interest in SouthLand Constructors, LLC, a commercial contracting company based in Brentwood, Tennessee which he operated for 10 years prior to selling the company to a construction holding company based in Chicago, Illinois in 2014.
Mr. Kirkland received a B.A. degree in economics from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville in 1992 and an M.B.A. degree from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University in 1998.
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Kirkland’s experience in real estate development, construction and finance provides needed skills for setting policies involving the allocation of credit and lending priorities within the expanding geographic markets of the Company and valuable insights involving the real estate business.
Scott McGeorge
Mr. McGeorge, 71, was elected to the Board in 2005. He is the senior member of a group of McGeorge and McGeorge - Dickinson family owned companies that include Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co., McGeorge Contracting Co., Inc. and Cornerstone Farm and Gin Co., where he serves as President, Chairman and Vice President, respectively. The companies perform marine construction in a multistate regional area, build highways and similar projects, mine various minerals and produce and sell stone products, asphalt pavement and sand. Cornerstone is engaged in farming operations.
Mr. McGeorge previously served on the board of directors of National Bancshares Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary National Bank of Commerce of Pine Bluff during the mid 1980's before it was purchased by Boatmen's Bank. He was on the commercial and industrial loan committee, which approved the largest loans the bank made. Mr. McGeorge received a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas in 1965. He graduated from U. S. Coast Guard Officer
Candidate School and served as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard for three years.
Mr. McGeorge served as past Secretary and current board member of the National Stone Sand and Gravel Association in Alexandria, Virginia, is a member of the boards of directors of Dredging Contractors of America and National Waterways Conference, both located in Washington, D.C. and is past President and a current director of Mississippi Valley Associated General Contractors in Memphis, Tennessee. He is active in many local and civic activities. He is President of Trinity Foundation, a charitable foundation that seeks to benefit residents of Pine Bluff, Little Rock and the surrounding areas through grants for scholarship, support of educational institutions and other civic activities. He is a member of the Board of the Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County, Arkansas.
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. McGeorge's experience in the construction, materials, mining and agricultural industries, as well as his experience and past performance as the president of a large successful business enterprise, provides needed skills and insight into the overall business and industrial climate and the executive management of a large successful business enterprise.
George A. Makris, Jr.
Mr. Makris, 58, was elected to the Board in 1997. He is currently serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Prior to his employment by the Company on January 2, 2013, Mr. Makris had been employed by M. K. Distributors, Inc. since 1980 and had served as its President since 1985. Mr. Makris previously served as a member of the board of directors of National Bank of Commerce from 1985 to 1996 and served as Chairman of the Board from 1994 to 1996. Mr. Makris received a B.A. degree in Business Administration from Rhodes College in 1978 and an M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas in 1980.
Mr. Makris also serves as Chairman of the board of directors of The Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County, Arkansas, a member of the board of trustees of the Jefferson Regional Medical Center and a member of the board of directors of CHI St. Vincent. He has previously served as Chairman of the board of trustees of the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, Chairman of the board of directors of the Greater Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the King Cotton Classic Basketball Tournament, Chairman of the board of trustees of Trinity Episcopal School, a director of Simmons First National Bank, a director of the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Arkansas, a director of the National Beer Wholesalers Association and a member of the board of visitors of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine.
6
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Makris' experience as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and his experience as a business executive and long-term resident of central and southeastern Arkansas provides needed skills and insight into the banking and financial services business conducted by the Company as well as the executive management of a separate successful business enterprise in Arkansas.
Joseph D. Porter
Mr. Porter, 57, was appointed to the Board in 2015. He serves as president of Akin-Porter Produce, Inc., a family owned wholesale distributor of fresh produce, located in Greenfield, Tennessee. The company has operations in Plant City, Florida, Eau Claire, Michigan; Thomasville, Georgia and Cuerevaca, Mexico. Mr. Porter’s is responsible for the oversight of the distributorship and sales force. In conjunction with the distributorship, Mr. Porter also serves as President of JP Enterprises of Greenfield, Inc. and Vice President of Moore & Porter Produce. He also is actively involved in various farming operations and as a director at Innovative Livestock Services.
Mr. Porter previously served as president of the Weakley County Chamber of Commerce and formerly served on the board of Weakly County Municipal Electric System. Mr. Porter attended University of Tennessee - Martin.
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Porter’s experience in agri-business and farming provides needed skills for setting policies involving the allocation of credit and lending priorities within the expanding geographic markets of the Company and valuable insights involving the management of an international enterprise.
Harry L. Ryburn
Dr. Ryburn, 79, was elected to the Board in 1976. He is retired from the private practice of orthodontics in Southeast Arkansas. Dr. Ryburn is certified by the Arkansas State Dental Board, the Arkansas State Specialty Board (orthodontics), the Missouri State Dental Board and the Texas State Dental Board. Dr. Ryburn actively practiced for 41 years prior to his retirement in 2005. Dr. Ryburn has been involved in private investments, real estate development and farming operations. In addition to his 35 years of service on the board of directors of the Company, Dr. Ryburn has also served during that period on the board of directors of the Company's lead bank, Simmons First National Bank. Additionally, he currently serves as the lead director of the Company and Chairman of the Executive Committees of the Company and the lead bank. He attended University of Arkansas at Monticello where he studied Pre-Dentistry. Thereafter, he received a D.D.S. degree from Washington University in 1960 and an M.S. degree in Orthodontics from Washington University in 1964. Dr. Ryburn is a veteran of the U. S. Air Force.
Dr. Ryburn is a member of numerous professional, civic and community organizations. He has previously served on the boards of the United Way of Jefferson County, Pine Bluff Little League Baseball, Arkansas Post Girl Scout Council, Pine Bluff Babe Ruth Baseball and as a member of the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
The Board of Directors believes that Dr. Ryburn's experience, in a health related profession and his long-term experience as a director of the Company and the lead bank, provides needed skills and insight into the southeastern Arkansas business community and the successful operation of banking and financial services enterprises.
Robert L. Shoptaw
Mr. Shoptaw, 68, was elected to the Board in 2006 and was designated as the audit committee financial expert on the Company's Audit & Security Committee in December, 2012. Mr. Shoptaw retired as president of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield ("ABCBS"), a mutual health insurance company, in 2008, terminating his 39 years of service to that organization. During the 1970s and 1980s, he served in various management and executive capacities with a primary focus in medical services management, professional relations and government programs administration (Medicare administrative operations). In 1987, Mr. Shoptaw became the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ABCBS and was named President and CEO in 1994. After retiring as President and CEO in 2008, he remains on the board of directors of ABCBS and serves as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Shoptaw received a B.A. in Economics from Arkansas Tech University in 1968, an M.B.A. from Webster University in Business Administration and Health Services Management and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University Business School in 1991.
Mr. Shoptaw serves as a member of the board of directors of Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, the Little Rock Metrocentre Improvement District, Arkansas Research Alliance and is the immediate past Chairman of the board of visitors of The University of Arkansas College of Medicine.
7
The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Shoptaw's experience and past performance as the president of a large mutual health insurance company, provides needed skills and insight into the health care industry, health insurance industry and the financial and executive management of a large successful business enterprise.
The table below sets forth the name, age, principal occupation or employment during the last five years, prior service as a director of the Company, the number of shares and percentage of the outstanding Common Stock beneficially owned, with respect to each director and nominee proposed, as reported by each nominee:
|
Principal
|
Director
|
Shares
|
Percent
|
|||||||
|
Name
|
Age
|
Occupation
|
Since
|
Owned [a]
|
of Class
|
|||||
|
Jay Burchfield
|
68
|
Chairman, Trust Company
|
2015
|
78,625[b]
|
*
|
|||||
|
of the Ozarks
|
||||||||||
|
David L. Bartlett
|
63
|
President and Chief Banking
|
2013
|
40,882[c]
|
*
|
|||||
|
Officer of the Company
|
||||||||||
|
William E. Clark, II
|
45
|
Chairman and CEO,
|
2008
|
4,930[d]
|
*
|
|||||
|
Clark Contractors, LLC
|
||||||||||
|
(Construction)
|
||||||||||
|
Steven A. Cossé
|
67
|
Retired, President and CEO
|
2004
|
22,036 [e]
|
*
|
|||||
|
Murphy Oil Corporation
|
||||||||||
|
Mark C. Doramus
|
56
|
Chief Financial Officer,
|
2015
|
0
|
*
|
|||||
|
Stephens Inc.
|
||||||||||
|
Edward Drilling
|
59
|
Arkansas President, AT&T Corp.
|
2008
|
5,130
|
*
|
|||||
|
Eugene Hunt
|
69
|
Attorney
|
2009
|
3,665 [f]
|
*
|
|||||
|
Christopher R. Kirkland
|
45
|
Principal, Anchor Investments
|
2015
|
405,357 [g]
|
1.36%
|
|||||
|
(real estate)
|
||||||||||
|
W. Scott McGeorge
|
71
|
President, Pine Bluff
|
2005
|
43,176 [h]
|
|
*
|
||||
|
Sand and Gravel Company
|
||||||||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr.
|
58
|
Chairman and Chief Executive
|
1997
|
119,999 [i]
|
|
*
|
||||
|
Officer of the Company, formerly
|
||||||||||
|
President, M. K. Distributors, Inc.
|
||||||||||
|
(Beverage Distributor)
|
||||||||||
|
Joseph D. Porter
|
57
|
President, Akin-Porter
|
2015
|
193,034 [j]
|
*
|
|||||
|
Produce, Inc. (Wholesale Produce)
|
||||||||||
|
Harry L. Ryburn
|
79
|
Orthodontist (retired)
|
1976
|
11,512 [k]
|
*
|
|||||
|
Robert L. Shoptaw
|
68
|
Retired Executive, Arkansas
|
2006
|
24,975 [l]
|
|
*
|
||||
|
Blue Cross and Blue Shield
|
__________________
|
*
|
The shares beneficially owned represent less than 1% of the outstanding common shares.
|
|
[a]
|
"Beneficial ownership" of a security means, directly or indirectly, through any contract, relationship, arrangement, undertaking or otherwise, having or sharing voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose or to direct the disposition of such security. Unless otherwise indicated, each beneficial owner named has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares identified.
|
|
[b]
|
These shares are owned by the Burchfield Limited Partnership of which Mr. Burchfield is the general manager.
|
|
[c]
|
Mr. Bartlett owned of record 38,386 shares and 2,496 shares were held in his fully vested account in the ESOP.
|
|
[d]
|
Mr. Clark owned of record 3,430 shares and 1,500 shares are owned jointly with his spouse.
|
|
[e]
|
Mr. Cossé owned of record 2,720 shares; 17,316 shares are owned jointly with his spouse and 2,000 shares are deemed held through exercisable stock options.
|
|
[f]
|
Mr. Hunt owned of record 2,780 shares; 469 shares were owned jointly with his spouse; and 416 shares are held in his IRA.
|
8
|
[g]
|
Mr. Kirkland owned of record 365,094 shares; 4,975 shares are held by his wife; and 35,288 shares are held in custodian accounts for his children.
|
|
[h]
|
Mr. McGeorge owned of record 41,176 shares and 2,000 shares are deemed held through exercisable stock options.
|
|
[i]
|
Mr. Makris owned of record 33,646 shares; 75,308 shares are held jointly with his spouse; 4,117 shares are held in his IRA; 4,750 shares are held in his wife's IRA; 178 shares were held in his account in the ESOP and 2,000 shares are deemed held through exercisable stock options.
|
|
[j]
|
Mr. Porter owned of record 56,329 shares; 25,828 shares are held in his 401(k) account; Mr. Porter is general partner in a family limited partnership which owns 399,511 shares of which 19,976 shares held by the partnership are attributable to Mr. Porter; and 90,901 shares are held in privately held corporations in which Mr. Porter has investment authority.
|
|
[k]
|
Dr. Ryburn owned of record 5,040 shares; Dr. Ryburn and his spouse are general partners in a family limited partnership which owns 123,624 shares of which 2,472 shares held by the partnership are attributable to Dr. Ryburn; and 4,000 shares are deemed held through exercisable stock options.
|
|
[l]
|
Mr. Shoptaw owned of record 22,575 shares and 2,400 shares were held in his IRA.
|
Committees and Related Matters
During 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company maintained and utilized the following committees: Executive Committee, Audit & Security Committee and Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee ("NCCGC").
During 2014, the Audit & Security Committee was composed of Robert L. Shoptaw (Chairman), William E. Clark, II, Edward Drilling, Eugene Hunt and Harry L. Ryburn. Mr. Shoptaw serves as the financial expert on the Audit & Security Committee. This committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities concerning accounting and reporting practices by regularly reviewing the adequacy of the internal and external auditors, the disclosure of the financial affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries, the control systems of management and internal accounting controls. During 2014, this committee met 9 times.
The NCCGC, composed of Steven A. Cossé, (Chairman), William E. Clark, II, Edward Drilling, Eugene Hunt, W. Scott McGeorge, Harry L. Ryburn and Robert L. Shoptaw, met 8 times during 2014.
For 2015, the Board has revised its committee structure to include the following committees: Audit Committee, Executive Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Risk Committee.
The Company encourages all board members to attend the annual meeting. Historically, the directors of the Company and its subsidiaries are introduced and acknowledged at the annual meeting. All of the current directors who stood for election at the 2014 annual meeting, except William Clark, attended the Company's 2014 annual meeting.
The Board of Directors of the Company met 13 times during 2014, including regular and special meetings. All incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the committees on which such director served.
Board Leadership Structure
The Company's Corporate Governance Principles and Procedures do not mandate the separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The Board believes that a unified leadership structure with an experienced executive management team is more beneficial to the Company than a bifurcated leadership structure mandating the separation of the Chairman and the CEO. Over the last 30 years, there have been brief periods where the offices of Chairman and CEO were held by different persons. The few brief instances of separation were during transitions in the executive management of the Company. After the management transition was completed, the Board in each instance has chosen to return to a unified leadership structure. The Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company to provide flexibility in the Company's leadership structure to address differences in the Company's operating environment as well as differences in the experience, skills and capabilities of the executive management team serving the Company from time to time.
J. Thomas May, who retired on December 31, 2013, served as Chairman and CEO since 1996. At the time of his election as Chairman, the Board believed that it was in the best interests of the Company to have a single person serve as Chairman and CEO to provide unified leadership and direction. Pursuant to the previously announced management succession plan, on January 1, 2013, George A. Makris, Jr., was hired to fill a new executive management position, designated as CEO-Elect. During 2013, Mr. Makris played a significant role in the management of the Company and, upon January 1, 2014, Mr. Makris succeeded Mr. May as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
9
The Board still believes the unification of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions is in the Company's best interest; however, the Board is authorized to separate these positions should circumstances change in the future.
In an effort to strengthen independent oversight of management and to provide for more open communication, Dr. Harry L. Ryburn currently serves as Chairman of the Executive Committee and Lead Director. Dr. Ryburn, as an independent Lead Director, chairs executive sessions of the Board conducted without management. These sessions are held during each scheduled Board meeting. Management also periodically meets with the Lead Director to discuss Board and Executive Committee agenda items.
Codes of Ethics
Code of Ethics - General
.
The Company has adopted a general Code of Ethics applicable to all directors, advisory directors, officers and associates of the Company. The Code is designed to promote the conduct the business of the Company in accordance with the highest ethical standards of conduct and to promote the ethical handling of conflicts of interest, full and fair disclosure and compliance with laws, rules and regulations. Additionally, under the Code of Ethics, associates or Directors who learn of a business opportunity in the course of their service for the Company cannot appropriate that opportunity for themselves or for others, but must allow the Company to take advantage of the opportunity. The Company’s Code of Ethics is designed to provide guidance and resources to help ensure that:
|
•
|
The Company and its associates remain in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
|
|
•
|
The Company operates a safe and nondiscriminatory place to work and do business.
|
|
•
|
Confidential and proprietary information is protected.
|
|
•
|
Inappropriate gifts or favors are not accepted and
|
|
•
|
Conflicts of interest are avoided.
|
Any material departure from a provision of the Code of Ethics on behalf of a member of the Ethics Committee, a Director or an executive officer may be waived by the Ethics Committee and shall be reported to the Board, and any such waiver will be promptly disclosed as required by applicable law, rule or regulation.
Code of Ethics for Finance Group
.
The Board has adopted a separate Code of Ethics for the Finance Group that supplements the Code of Conduct and applies to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer and Controller and all other officers in the Company’s Finance Group.
Both of these Codes of Ethics may be found on the Company’s website at www.simmonsfirst.com in the Corporate Governance Documents Section of Investor Relations. The Company will disclose any amendments or waivers with respect to its Code of Ethics for Financial Group on its website.
Transactions with Related Persons
From time to time, Simmons First National Bank, the banking subsidiary of the Company, and such other banking subsidiaries of the Company as are, or may have been, in operation from time to time, have made loans and other extensions of credit to directors, officers, employees and members of their immediate families, and from time to time directors, officers, employees and members of their immediate families have placed deposits with these banks. These loans, extensions of credit and deposits were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons not related to the Company and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. The Company generally considers banking relationships with directors and their affiliates to be immaterial and as not affecting a director's independence so long as the terms of the credit relationship are similar to those with other comparable borrowers not related to the Company.
In assessing the impact of a credit relationship on a director's independence, the Company deems any extension of credit which complies with Federal Reserve Regulation O to be consistent with director independence. The Company believes that normal, arm's-length banking relationships entered into in the ordinary course of business do not negate a director's independence.
Regulation O requires such loans to be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, and following credit-underwriting procedures that are no less stringent than those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions by the subsidiary banks of the Company with other persons not related to the Company. Such loans also may not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. Additionally, no event of default may have occurred nor may any such loans be classified or disclosed as non-accrual, past due, restructured or a potential problem loan. The Company's Board of Directors will review any credit to a director or his affiliates that is criticized by internal loan review or a bank regulatory agency in order to determine the impact that such classification may have on the director's independence.
10
Policies and Procedures for Approval of Related Party Transactions
Related party transactions may present potential or actual conflicts of interest and create the appearance that Company decisions are based on considerations other than the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
Management carefully reviews all proposed related party transactions, other than routine banking transactions, to determine if the transaction is on terms comparable to terms that could be obtained in an arm's-length transaction with an unrelated third party. Management reports to the Executive Committee and then to the Board of Directors on all proposed material related party transactions. Upon the presentation of a proposed related party transaction to the Executive Committee or the Board, the related party is excused from participation in discussion and voting on the matter.
Role of Board in Risk Oversight
The Board of Directors has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. The Board, either as a whole or through its committees, regularly discusses with management the Company's major risk exposures, their potential impact on the Company and the steps being taken to manage them.
While our Board is ultimately responsible for risk oversight, the Board committees assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in certain areas of risk. The Audit & Security Committee, composed of independent directors, focuses on financial and enterprise risk exposures, including internal controls, and discusses with management, the internal auditors, and the independent registered public accountants the Company's policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including risks related to fraud, liquidity, credit operations and regulatory compliance. The NCCGC, also composed of independent directors, focuses on the management of risks associated with Board organization, membership and structure, succession planning for our directors and executive officers, corporate governance and compensation policies and programs.
Effective for 2015, the Board has established a Risk Committee to assess and manage the various risks of the Company. To assist the Risk Committee in its responsibilities, Management has designated a Chief Risk Officer and has appointed an Enterprise Risk Management Committee of senior executives. Each of these committees has adopted charters and has actively commenced performing their duties.
Communication with Directors
Shareholders may communicate directly with the Board of Directors of the Company by sending correspondence to the address shown below. If the shareholder desires to communicate with a specific director, the correspondence should be addressed to such director. Any such correspondence addressed to the Board of Directors will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board for review. The receipt of the correspondence and the nature of its content will be reported at the next Board meeting and appropriate action, if any, will be taken. Correspondence addressed to a specific director will be delivered to such director promptly after receipt by the Company. Each such director shall review the correspondence received and, if appropriate, report the receipt of the correspondence and the nature of its content to the Board of Directors at its next meeting, so that the appropriate action, if any, may be taken.
|
Correspondence should be addressed to:
|
Simmons First National Corporation
Board of Directors
Attention: (Chairman or Specific Director)
P. O. Box 7009
Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71611
|
NOMINATING, COMPENSATION AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
During 2014, the Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee ("NCCGC") was composed of Steven A. Cossé (Chairman), William E. Clark, II, Edward Drilling, Eugene Hunt, W. Scott McGeorge, Harry L. Ryburn and Robert L. Shoptaw. All of the members of the committee satisfied the independence standards in accordance with the NASDAQ listing standards. A function of the NCCGC regarding nominations is to identify and recommend individuals to be presented for election or re-election as Directors.
11
Director Nominations and Qualifications
The NCCGC has adopted a charter, which is available for review in the Investor Relations portion of the Company's web site: www.simmonsfirst.com. The charter and certain corporate governance principles and procedures govern the nominations and criteria for proposing or recommending proposed nominees for election and re-election to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for recommending nominees for directors to the shareholders for election at the annual meeting. The Board has delegated the identification and evaluation of proposed nominees to the NCCGC. The identification and evaluation of potential directors is a continuing responsibility of the committee. The NCCGC has not retained any third party to assist it in identifying candidates. A proposed director may be recommended to the Board at any time; however, a proposed nominee for director to be elected at the annual meeting must be presented to the Board of Directors for consideration no later than December 31 of the year immediately preceding such annual meeting.
The NCCGC has not set any minimum qualifications for a proposed nominee to be eligible for recommendation to be elected as a director. The corporate governance principles provide that the NCCGC shall consider the following criteria in evaluating proposed nominees for director:
|
•
|
Geographic location of residence and business interests
|
•
|
Type of business interests
|
||
|
•
|
Age
|
•
|
Business and financial expertise
|
||
|
•
|
Community involvement
|
•
|
Leadership profile
|
||
|
•
|
Ability to think independently
|
•
|
Personal and professional ethics and integrity
|
||
|
•
|
Ability to fit with the Company's corporate culture
|
•
|
Equity ownership in the Company
|
There is no specified order or weighting of the foregoing criteria. In evaluating potential nominees for director under the criteria set forth above, the NCCGC seeks nominees with diverse business and professional experience, skills, gender and ethnic background, as appropriate, in light of the current composition of the Board. Additionally, the NCCGC seeks geographical diversity and insights into its local and regional markets by primarily seeking potential director nominees who reside in Arkansas or in the markets outside Arkansas in which the Company has a significant presence.
The NCCGC has no specific policy on diversity other than, as described above, that it is one factor the committee considers when evaluating potential board candidates and incumbent directors for reelection. In considering diversity, the NCCGC includes differences of viewpoint, professional experience, education and other individual qualities as well as race and gender.
Nominations from Shareholders
The NCCGC will consider nominees for the Board of Directors recommended by shareholders with respect to elections to be held at an annual meeting. In order for the NCCGC to consider recommending a shareholder proposed nominee for election at the annual meeting, the shareholder proposing the nomination must provide notice of the intention to nominate a director in sufficient time for the consideration and action by the NCCGC. While no specific deadline has been set for notice of such nominations, notice provided to the NCCGC by a shareholder on or before the deadline for submission of shareholder proposals for the next annual meeting (November 17, 2015 for the 2016 meeting) should provide adequate time for consideration and action by the NCCGC prior to the December 31 deadline for reporting proposed nominations to the Board of Directors. Proposed nominations submitted after such date will be considered by the NCCGC, but no assurance can be made that such consideration will be completed and committee action taken by the NCCGC in time for inclusion of the proposed director in the proxy solicitation for the next annual meeting.
The notice of a shareholder's intention to nominate a director must include:
|
•
|
the name and address of the person or persons being nominated and such other information regarding each nominated person that would be required in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the SEC's proxy rules if the person had been nominated for election by the Board of Directors;
|
|
|
•
|
information regarding the shareholder making the nomination, including name, address and number of shares of SFNC that are beneficially owned by the shareholder;
|
|
|
•
|
a representation that the shareholder is entitled to vote at the meeting at which directors will be elected, and that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice;
|
|
|
•
|
a description of any arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and such nominee and any other persons (including their names), pursuant to which the nomination is made; and
|
|
|
•
|
the consent of each such nominee to serve as a director, if elected.
|
12
The Chairman of the Board, other directors and executive officers may also recommend director nominees to the NCCGC. The committee will evaluate nominees recommended by shareholders against the same criteria, described above, used to evaluate other nominees.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2014, the NCCGC was composed of Steven A. Cossé (Chairman), William E. Clark, II, Edward Drilling, Eugene Hunt, W. Scott McGeorge, Harry L. Ryburn and Robert L. Shoptaw. During 2014, none of the committee members were employed by the Company.
NCCGC Processes and Procedures
Decisions regarding the compensation of the executives are made by the NCCGC. Specifically, the NCCGC has strategic and administrative responsibility for a broad range of issues, including the Company's compensation program to compensate key management employees effectively and in a manner consistent with the Company's stated compensation strategy and the requirements of the appropriate regulatory bodies. The Board appoints each member of the NCCGC and has determined that each is an independent director.
The NCCGC oversees the administration of executive compensation plans, including the design, performance measures and award opportunities for the executive incentive programs and certain employee benefits, subject to final action by the Board of Directors in certain cases. During the first quarter of each calendar year, the NCCGC makes a specific review focusing on performance and awards for the most recently completed fiscal year and the completion of the process of setting the performance goals for the incentive compensation programs for the current year.
To assist in meeting the objectives outlined above, the Company has retained Hay Group, Inc., a national compensation and benefits consulting firm, to advise the NCCGC on a regular basis on the compensation and benefit programs. The Company engaged the consultant to provide general compensation consulting services, including executive compensation. In addition, the consultant may perform special executive compensation projects and consulting services from time to time as requested by the NCCGC.
The Board of Directors, upon approval and recommendation from the NCCGC, determines and approves all compensation and awards to the CEO and other executives. The NCCGC reviews the performance and compensation of the CEO. The CEO reviews the performance and compensation of the other executive officers, including the other named executive officers, and reports any significant issues or deficiencies to the NCCGC. The members of the Company's Human Resources Group assist in such reviews. The CEO and the Human Resources Group, at least annually, review the unified compensation classification program of the Company which determines the compensation of all salaried employees of the Company and its affiliates, including other named executive officers. The Company's compensation program is based in part on market data provided by the compensation consultant. The NCCGC and the Board also act upon the proposed grants of stock-based compensation prepared by the CEO for other executives. Presently, the consultant's role is to assist such reviews by providing data regarding market practices and making specific recommendations for changes to plan designs and policies consistent with the Company's stated philosophies and objectives.
In determining the amount of named executive officer compensation each year, the NCCGC reviews competitive market data from the banking industry as a whole and the peer group specifically. It makes specific compensation decisions and grants based on such data, Company performance and individual performance and circumstances. For performance-based incentives, the NCCGC sets performance targets using management's internal business plan, industry and market conditions and other factors.
Role of Compensation Consultants
The Company periodically engages compensation consultants to aid in the review of its compensation programs. From time to time, the Company engages compensation consultants to provide national and regional general statistical information regarding compensation within the banking industry. The data reviewed may include base salary, bonus, incentive programs, equity compensation, retirement and other benefits. This information is used to validate the Company's classification of positions and salaries within its compensation policies.
The NCCGC also uses compensation consultants to evaluate its executive and director compensation programs. In 2014, the NCCGC engaged Hay Group, Inc. ("
Hay Group
") to review and provide recommendations on (i) the peer group used for comparison, (ii) executive compensation programs, (iii) director compensation programs and (iv) the structural components of compensation programs which are under increased political and regulatory scrutiny. The NCCGC assessed the relationships between Hay Group, the Company, the NCCGC and the executive officers of the Company for conflicts of interest. In this assessment, the NCCGC reviewed the criteria set forth in the SEC's Reg.240.10C-1(b)(4) (i)-(vi), NASDAQ Rule IM-5605-5(d)(3)(i)-(vi) and such other criteria as it deemed appropriate. The NCCGC did not identify any conflicts of interest for the Hay Group.
13
Executive Officers
The Board of Directors elects executive officers annually. All of the officers shown in the table below have been officers for the Company for at least five years, except for Messrs. Makris, Burrow and Massanelli. The table below sets forth the name, age, officer position with the Company and Simmons First National Bank ("
SFNB
") and principal occupation or employment during the last five years and tenure of service with the Company:
|
Name
|
Age
|
Position
|
Years Served
|
||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr. [1]
|
58
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
2
|
||||
|
David L. Bartlett
|
63
|
President and Chief Banking Officer (Company);
|
|||||
|
Chief Banking Officer (SFNB)
|
18
|
||||||
|
Robert A. Fehlman
|
50
|
Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
|
26
|
||||
|
Officer and Treasurer
|
|||||||
|
Marty D. Casteel
|
63
|
Senior Executive Vice President (Company);
|
26
|
||||
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (SFNB)
|
|||||||
|
David W. Garner
|
45
|
Executive Vice President, Controller and Chief
|
17
|
||||
|
Accounting Officer (Company and SFNB)
|
|||||||
|
Susan F. Smith
|
53
|
Executive Vice President/Corporate Strategy
|
17
|
||||
|
(Company and SFNB)
|
|||||||
|
Tina M. Groves
|
45
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer
|
9
|
||||
|
(Company and SFNB)
|
|||||||
|
Patrick A. Burrow [2]
|
61
|
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
|
0
|
||||
|
Stephen C. Massanelli [3]
|
59
|
Executive Vice President/Organizational Development
|
0
|
||||
________________________
|
[1]
|
Mr. Makris was elected as CEO – Elect on August 13, 2012, effective January 1, 2013. He succeeded J. Thomas May as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer upon Mr. May’s retirement on December 31, 2013. Mr. Makris has served on the Board of Directors of the Company since 1997 and served as chairman of the Company’s Audit & Security Committee from 2007 until his resignation upon his election to CEO – Elect. Prior to his election, he served as President of M. K. Distributors, Inc.
|
|
[2]
|
Mr. Burrow was elected as Executive Vice President and General Counsel on December 15, 2014. Prior to becoming an officer at the Company, he was a managing member of the law firm Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow PLLC. Mr. Burrow had provided legal representation to the Company in various capacities over the last 30 years.
|
|
[3]
|
Mr. Massanelli was elected Executive Vice President/Organizational Development on December 15, 2014. Prior to becoming an officer at the Company, he was Principal in the investment firm Treadstone Partners, LLC from 2011 to 2014 and served as a Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Zale Corporation from 1997 - 2010
|
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
This section is a discussion of certain aspects of the Company's compensation program as it pertains to the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer and the three other most highly-compensated executive officers during 2014. These five persons are referred throughout as the "named executive officers." This discussion focuses on compensation and practices relating to the Company's most recently completed fiscal year and changes to such compensation and practices going forward.
The Company believes that the performance of each of the named executive officers has the potential to impact the profitability of the Company, in both the short-term and long-term. Therefore, the Company places significant emphasis on the design and administration of its executive compensation program.
Committee
During 2014, the Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee (“
NCCGC
”) of the Board had jurisdiction over executive and other compensation related matters as set forth in its Charter. For 2015, the Board realigned its committee structure splitting the NCCGC to create two separate committees, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. To provide for a smooth transition for the committee re-alignment, the members of the NCCGC from 2014 were appointed as members of the Compensation Committee for 2015.
14
Executive Compensation Philosophy
The Company seeks to provide executive compensation packages that are significantly connected to the Company's overall financial performance, the increase in shareholder value, the success of the Company and the performance of the individual executive. The main principles of this strategy include the following:
| ● |
attract and retain highly efficient and competent executive leadership,
|
|
| ● |
encourage a high level of performance from the individual executive,
|
|
| ● |
align compensation incentives with the performance of the business unit most directly impacted by the executive's leadership and performance,
|
|
| ● |
enhance shareholder value, and
|
|
| ● |
improve the overall performance of the Company.
|
The NCCGC strives to meet these objectives while maintaining market competitive compensation levels and ensuring that the Company makes efficient use of its shares and has predictable expense recognition.
Peer Comparison
In determining the amount of named executive officer compensation each year, the NCCGC reviews competitive market data from the banking industry as a whole and a specific peer group of comparably sized banking organizations. The committee uses a peer group of banking organizations for comparison in setting executive compensation practices and levels of base salary, incentives and benefits.
Prior to setting the peer group, the NCCGC obtains the recommendation of its compensation consultants on the makeup of its peer group. Due to its recent growth, the compensation consultant recommended using a peer group consisting of publicly traded banks with assets between $2.5 billion to $7 billion located in the Southeast region of the United States, states in which the Company has banking operations and states contiguous to states in which the Company conducts banking operations for 2014. The most recent modification of the peer group took into consideration the Company's recent growth. The NCCGC adopted the peer group as recommended by its compensation consultant. For 2014, the peer group consisted of 20 banking organizations, the name and ticker symbol for each member of the peer is set forth below:
|
Ameris Bancorp (ABCB)
|
BancFirst Corporation (BANF)
|
||
|
BNC Bancorp (BNCN)
|
Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. (OZRK)
|
||
|
Capital Bank Financial Corp. (CBF)
|
Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (CCBG)
|
||
|
Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. (CTBI)
|
Enterprise Financial Services Corp. (EFSC)
|
||
|
Fidelity Southern Corporation (LION)
|
First Bancorp (FBNC)
|
||
|
First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN)
|
First NBC Bank Holding Company (NBCB)
|
||
|
Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (GSBC)
|
Home BancShares, Inc. (HOMB)
|
||
|
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (PNFP)
|
Renasant Corporation (RNST)
|
||
|
Republic Bancorp, Inc. (RBCAA)
|
Southside Bancshares, Inc. (SBSI)
|
||
|
State Bank Financial Corporation (STBZ)
|
ViewPoint Financial Group, Inc. (VPFG)
|
The NCCGC believes the peer group is indicative of the market in which the Company competed for the employment and retention of executive management during 2014 and yet, such institutions are of similar size and have similar numbers of employees, product offerings and geographic scope. In recent years, due to the consolidation in the banking industry, there has been a significant reduction in the number of organizations satisfying the peer group criteria.
The executive salary and benefits program are targeted to the peer group median for each compensation category in order to be competitive in the market. The Company's incentive programs are analyzed with similar programs of the peer group. The incentive programs are designed for the emphasis of performance based compensation within the Company's specific business operations.
The NCCGC attempts to make compensation decisions consistent with the foregoing objectives and considerations including, in particular, market levels of compensation necessary to attract, retain and motivate the executive officers. Therefore, the aggregate wealth accumulated or realizable by an executive from past compensation grants is considered but not determinative in setting compensation or making additional grants.
15
Due to its recent growth, for 2015 the Company has chosen to utilize a peer group of publicly traded regional banks with assets between $4.0 billion to $14.1 billion (approximately one half to twice the Company’s size) located in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. This peer group currently is comprised of 20 banking organizations.
Decisions Regarding Composition of Total Direct Compensation
The Company's executive compensation program provides a mix of separate components that seek to align the executives' incentives with increasing shareholder value. The Company's executive incentive compensation program includes both non-equity and equity incentive compensation. The Company has established target allocations of non-equity incentive compensation for executive officers. For the CEO, the NCCGC has set a target allocation of potential non-equity incentive compensation at 50% of salary. For the executive officers other than the CEO, the committee has set targets for potential non-equity incentive compensation based upon the executive's salary classification ranging from 15% to 45% of salary. The Company has also established target allocations of equity incentive compensation for executive officers. For the CEO, the NCCGC has set a target allocation of potential equity incentive compensation at 40% of salary. For the executive officers other than the CEO, the NCCGC has set targets for potential equity incentive compensation based upon the executive's salary classification ranging from 10% to 35% of salary. The target for annual grants of equity incentive compensation is for a number of shares equal to the executive's salary times the participation factor divided by the stock price. If performance goals are achieved at the threshold level, the annual grants for equity incentive compensation to such executives will be 50% of target. If performance goals are achieved at the target level, the annual grants for equity incentive compensation to such executives will be 100% of target. If performance goals are achieved at the maximum level, the annual grants for equity incentive compensation to such executives will be 150% of target. The annual grants for equity incentive compensation consist of restricted stock awards and/or stock options as specified by the NCCGC. The NCCGC has continued its trend of emphasizing grants of restricted stock over stock options. In considering the market conditions since 2008, options which rely solely upon stock appreciation for value were not determined to be as effective an incentive as when market conditions are more stable.
For 2014, the compensation of the named executive officers was allocated as follows:
|
•
|
Base Salaries: ranges from approximately 7% to 48% of total direct compensation.
|
|
•
|
Non-equity incentives: ranges from approximately 6% to 27% of total direct compensation.
|
|
•
|
Equity incentives: ranges from approximately 0% to 41% of total direct compensation.
|
The inclusion of Mr. Hill as a named executive officer for 2014 due to his change in control compensation causes a significant deviation in the above ranges of compensation components. During 2014, approximately 87% of Mr. Hill’s compensation was from the change in control payment he received. The following shows the allocation of compensation among the named executive officers, excluding Mr. Hill:
|
•
|
Base Salaries: ranges from approximately 36% to 48% of total direct compensation.
|
|
•
|
Non-equity incentives: ranges from approximately 23% to 27% of total direct compensation.
|
|
•
|
Equity incentives: ranges from approximately 26% to 41% of total direct compensation.
|
"Total direct compensation" means annual base salaries plus bonus plus non-equity and equity incentive compensation. The foregoing percentages are based on the full grant date fair value of annual compensation (calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation). Please refer to the discussion of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which precedes the 2014 Summary Compensation Table, below.
The Company emphasizes market practices in the design and administration of its executive compensation program. The NCCGC's philosophy is that incentive pay should constitute a significant component of total direct compensation. The executive compensation program has utilized stock options and restricted stock. Prior to 2009, the NCCGC had chosen to emphasize stock options more than restricted stock in the equity incentive program for the named executive officers. However, in 2008, amid the turmoil in the banking and financial markets, the NCCGC determined that the extreme fluctuations in the market significantly reduced the incentive value of stock options, and shifted its emphasis to restricted stock. Equity incentive performance measures should promote shareholder return and earnings growth, and the plan design should be based upon a direct connection between performance measures, the participant's ability to influence such measures and the award levels.
The Company’s compensation consultant recommended that the Company include stock options as well as performance awards with the restricted stock grants for 2015 and following years. The inherent nature of stock options, increasing in value only as the stock price increases, provides incentive compensation to executives only as the price of the Company stock increases. The Compensation Committee has adopted the recommendation of the compensation consultant and has included stock options and performance awards as components of the 2015 incentive compensation program. The options granted in 2015 will be reported in next year's proxy statement with other executive compensation data for 2015. See Comprehensive Compensation Study and 2015 Revisions below for discussions regarding changes in the 2015 incentive compensation program.
16
Corporate and Individual Performance Measures
The Company uses the Executive Incentive Plan, referred to as EIP, to reward both the achievement of corporate performance measures, such as the attainment of corporate financial goals, as well as individual performance measures.
Executive Compensation Program Overview
The four primary components of the executive compensation program are:
|
●
|
base salary and annual bonus,
|
|
●
|
non-equity incentives,
|
|
●
|
equity incentives, and
|
|
●
|
benefits.
|
A brief description of these four components and related programs follows.
1. Base Salary and Bonus
Base salary is designed to provide competitive levels of compensation to executives based upon their experience, duties and scope of responsibility. The Company pays base salaries because it provides a basic level of compensation and is necessary to recruit and retain executives. The Company may use annual base salary adjustments to reflect an individual's performance or changed responsibilities. Base salary levels are also used as a benchmark for the amount of incentive compensation opportunity provided to an executive. For example, participation in the EIP is set within a range based upon the executive's salary grade.
As discussed above, the Company's executive compensation program emphasizes targeting the total amount of compensation to peer group practices with a mix of compensation, including a significant component of incentive compensation. At lower executive levels, base salaries represent a larger proportion of total compensation but at senior executive levels total compensation contains a larger component of incentive compensation opportunities.
Historically, the NCCGC has approved bonuses for executive officers for special circumstances but does not generally utilize discretionary bonuses as a significant part of the executive compensation program. The NCCGC has recently re-examined its position regarding discretionary compensation, including discretionary bonuses. Recent economic turmoil in the banking industry accentuated the importance of certain factors which may affect the long-term economic and financial health of the Company, but are not subject to quantification and annual performance goals. In January, 2010, the NCCGC recommended, and the Board approved, discretionary bonuses, in the form of stock grants with immediate vesting to the named executive officers for exemplary service and management of the affairs of the Company during the recent financial crisis and the consummation of the Company's equity offering in late 2009. No discretionary bonuses were awarded to the named executive officers during 2014.
2. Non-Equity Incentives
The Company uses the EIP as a short-term incentive to encourage achievement of its annual performance goals. The EIP focuses on the achievement of annual financial goals and awards. The EIP is designed to:
|
●
|
support strategic business objectives,
|
|
●
|
promote the attainment of specific financial goals for the Company and the executive,
|
|
●
|
reward achievement of specific performance objectives, and
|
|
●
|
encourage teamwork.
|
The EIP is designed to provide executives with market competitive compensation based upon their scope of responsibility. The size of an executive's EIP award is influenced by these factors, market practices, Company performance and individual performance. The NCCGC generally sets the annual EIP award for an executive to provide an incentive at the market median for expected levels of performance. All of the named executive officers participate in the EIP. Awards earned under the EIP are contingent upon employment with the Company through the end of the fiscal year, except for payments made in the event of death, retirement or disability.
17
The ultimate amount paid to an executive under the EIP is a function of four variables:
|
●
|
the executive's target award;
|
|
●
|
the goals set for the Company;
|
|
●
|
the payout amounts established by the NCCGC which correspond to Threshold, Target and Maximum levels of performance; and
|
|
●
|
the NCCGC's determination of the extent to which the goals were met.
|
The NCCGC sets the performance measures in the first quarter of each year based on management's confidential business plan and budget for the coming year, which typically includes planned revenue growth, cost reductions and profit improvement. The NCCGC also sets threshold, target and maximum performance points. Maximum performance points reflect ambitious goals which can only be attained when business results are exceptional. Minimum award or performance points for the earnings per share component are usually set at the prior year's earnings per share, unless a higher threshold is determined to be appropriate due to substandard financial performance in the prior year.
The NCCGC also assesses actual performance relative to pre-set goals and, in doing so, determines the amount of any final award payment. In determining final awards and in evaluating personal performance, the NCCGC considers adjustments to GAAP net income and other corporate performance measures for unplanned, unusual or non-recurring items of gain or expense.
Each participant in the EIP is allocated a targeted incentive as a percentage of his or her base salary which is payable if the Company's performance satisfies the Target performance points for all components under the EIP and satisfies the qualifying criteria. The table below shows the targeted benefit for the named executive officers for 2014.
|
Targeted Benefit
|
Targeted Benefit
|
|||||||
|
Executive Name & Title
|
(% of Base Salary)
|
($)
|
||||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr., Chief Executive Officer
|
50.00 | % | $ | 251,750 | ||||
|
Robert A. Fehlman, Chief Financial Officer
|
37.50 | % | $ | 115,686 | ||||
|
J. French Hill, Executive Vice President
|
15.00 | % | $ | 48,000 | ||||
|
David L. Bartlett, President & Chief Banking Officer
|
45.00 | % | $ | 170,200 | ||||
|
Marty D. Casteel, Executive Vice President
|
37.50 | % | $ | 115,040 | ||||
The NCCGC revised the EIP in 2013 to more closely correspond to the job responsibilities of the EIP Participants. One new asset quality subcomponent and six new strategic initiatives subcomponents within the asset quality and strategic initiatives components, respectively, were added. The EIP components and subcomponents which are applicable to a participant and the weighting of those components and subcomponents have been revised to emphasize components and subcomponents that are more closely affected by the participant's job responsibilities. For the named executive officers, the weighting of the EIP components will vary among the individual officers. The range of the weighting of the EIP components for the named executive officers participating in the EIP in 2014 is as follows:
|
Component
|
Weighting Range
|
|||
|
Earnings per Share
|
25% - 50 | % | ||
|
Efficiency Ratio Improvement
|
25% - 50 | % | ||
|
Loan Growth
|
0% - 20 | % | ||
|
Individual Goals
|
0% - 50 | % | ||
|
Discretionary
|
0% - 25 | % | ||
The initial criteria set forth for the discretionary component will focus on criteria related to the individual participant's job performance, including job responsibilities related to evaluation, preparation and implementation of FDIC assisted transactions or traditional acquisitions, and planning and assimilation of the recently acquired banking operations and such other criteria as may be determined by the NCCGC.
Generally, each component (other than individual goals) has three performance points that determine the participant's payout for that component, Threshold, Target and Maximum. No payout is earned for a component if the Company's performance is below the Threshold. The Company's performance at the Threshold level for a component entitles the participant to 50% of the participant's targeted benefit times the weighting factor for such component. The Company's performance at the Target level for a component entitles the participant to 100% of the participant's targeted benefit times the weighting factor for such component. The Company's performance at the Maximum level entitles the participant to 200% of the participant's targeted benefit times the weighting factor for such component. Performance in excess of the Maximum does not entitle the participant to a benefit in excess of the maximum benefit times the weighting of that component. If the performance with respect to any component is in excess of the Threshold but less than the Maximum, then the participant's entitlement is an interpolated percentage computed based upon the Company's actual performance in proportion to the closest performance points for that component.
18
The individual goals component consists of one or more specific goals or tasks that the NCCGC has assigned to the participant. Each specific task is allocated a stated percentage of the participant's targeted benefit. At the end of each year, the NCCGC determines whether the participant has accomplished each specific task assigned. If the participant has accomplished the specific task then the participant will receive the percentage of his or her targeted benefit allocated to the specific task. If the participant has not accomplished the specific task then the participant will not receive the portion of his or her targeted benefit allocated to the specific task. There is no proration for partial performance or superior performance on the individual goals component.
The discretionary component, when applicable, is an additional amount of incentive compensation over and above the participant’s targeted EIP benefit that the NCCGC may grant at its discretion based upon criteria the NCCGC has identified as significant considering the Company's business plan and implementation strategies. Any such criteria may be applicable to one or more participants and different participant may be subject to separate criteria. The NCCG will assess the performance of each participant under the applicable criteria and determine the percentage of such participant’s targeted EIP benefit, if any, was earned under the applicable criteria. The aggregate benefit that may be paid under the discretionary component shall not exceed 25% of the participant’s targeted EIP benefit.
The earnings per share component is based upon the Company's earnings per share adjusted to exclude the tax adjusted EIP expense and any non-recurring expenses. This component is allocated between 25-50% of the participant's targeted EIP benefit. The Threshold for the earnings per share component is the prior year's earnings per share, as so adjusted, $2.25 for 2014. The Target and Maximum for 2014 were set at $2.40 and $2.64, respectively, or 107% and 117%, respectively, of the 2014 Threshold. The actual adjusted earnings per share for 2014 were $2.38. The 2014 results for this component exceeded the Threshold but did not reach the Target for 2014. The prorated formula for performance in excess of the Threshold but less than Target provided a benefit from the earnings per share growth component of 93% of the allocated target benefit. A more detailed discussion on EIP qualifying and limitation criteria is set forth below.
The efficiency ratio improvement component is based upon the Company’s core efficiency ratio for the fourth calendar quarter of the fiscal year. Core Efficiency Ratio means non-interest expense (excluding non-recurring items, foreclosed property expense, amortization of intangibles and goodwill impairments) divided by the sum of net interest income plus non-interest revenues (excluding gains from securities and non-recurring items). This component is allocated between 25-50% of the participant's targeted EIP benefit. The NCCGC establishes a Threshold, Target and Maximum for the efficiency ratio of the Company. The Threshold is the prior year's actual performance, 70%. The Target and Maximum were set at 68% and 65%, respectively, or 97% and 93% of the 2014 Threshold. The actual core efficiency ratio for the fourth quarter of 2014 was 66.7%. The 2014 results for this component exceeded the Target but did not reach the Maximum for 2014. The prorated formula for performance in excess of the Target but less than Maximum provided a benefit from the efficiency ratio improvement component of 143% of the allocated target benefit.
The loan growth measure is based upon the average balance of outstanding loans (excluding student loans and acquired loans) of the Company during 2014 as compared to the balance of outstanding loans (excluding student loans and acquired loans) of the Company on December 31, 2013. This component is allocated between 0 - 20% of the participant's targeted EIP benefit. The outstanding loan balance at December 31, 2013 was $1,713,369,000. The Threshold required 4.6% growth in the average loan balance during 2014 or, an increase in the average loan balance to $1,791,917,000, the Target required 9% growth or an increase to $1,867,913,000 and the Maximum was set at 24.3% growth or an increase to $2,129,369,000. The average outstanding loan balance during 2014 was $1,824,643,000. The 2014 results satisfied the Threshold but did not satisfy the Target, each participant whose incentive compensation includes the loan growth component is entitled to 72% of the percentage of his Target EIP benefit allocated to this component.
The individual goals component is based upon specific individual goals set for certain of the named executives by the NCCGC. These goals are directly related to the duties and functions being performed by the executive. Messrs. Makris, Fehlman, Bartlett and Casteel each had individual goals which were allocated 30%, 50%, 30% and 30%, respectively, of such executive’s participant's targeted EIP benefit. All specific goals assigned to Messrs. Makris, Fehlman, Bartlett and Casteel were satisfactorily accomplished in 2014.
The discretionary component is an additional incentive compensation amount of up to 25% of the participant’s targeted EIP benefit determined by the NCCGC based upon criteria the NCCGC has identified as significant considering the Company's business plan and implementation strategies. The specified criteria or the relative weighting of the criteria may change from time to time. For 2014, the NCCGC set the criteria as the successful negotiation and implementation of the recent acquisitions by the Company. The Compensation Committee determined that the performance of the named executive officers within the performance criteria was substantially at or above the expectations and awarded Messrs. Makris, Fehlman, Bartlett and Casteel with a discretionary component of the EIP in an amount equal to 25% of each such participant’s targeted EIP benefit.
19
In addition to the performance based components discussed above, the EIP has several qualifying criteria that must be satisfied annually in order for any participant to qualify for benefits under the EIP. The failure to satisfy any one of the qualifying criteria will prevent the participant from earning any EIP benefit to which he or she would have been entitled based upon the EIP components discussed above. The first two qualifying criteria are the Company's return on tangible assets must exceed 0.50% and the Company's non-performing assets must be less than 2.50% of total assets. The third and fourth qualifying criteria are based upon ratings given pursuant to confidential regulatory examinations. The fifth qualifying criterion requires the participant to have a satisfactory individual performance rating. Further, the benefit payable under the earnings per share component is limited to the Target benefit unless the Company has a return on tangible assets in excess of 1.00%.
In summary, the Compensation Committee determined that for 2014 the Company did satisfy the qualifying criteria, the corporate core earnings per share component, the corporate core efficiency ratio component, the loan growth component and the criteria established for the discretionary component. The EIP payments to the participating named executive officers for 2014 were within a range from 118% to 134% of the Target EIP award amounts. The following table sets forth a summary of the EIP payments and their components.
|
Name
|
Component
|
Weighting
Factor
|
Targeted
Incentive
|
Performance
Level
|
Incentive
Earned
|
Incentive
Earned
|
|||||||||||||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr.
|
Core EPS
|
25 | % | $ | 62,938 | 93 | % | 23.25 | % | $ | 58,532 | ||||||||||
|
Core Efficiency Ratio
|
25 | % | 62,938 | 143 | % | 35.75 | % | 90,001 | |||||||||||||
|
Loan Growth
|
20 | % | 50,350 | 72 | % | 14.40 | % | 36,252 | |||||||||||||
|
Individual Goals
|
30 | % | 75,525 | 100 | % | 30.00 | % | 75,525 | |||||||||||||
|
Targeted EIP
|
100 | % | $ | 251,750 | 103.40 | % | $ | 260,310 | |||||||||||||
|
Discretionary
|
25.00 | % | 62,938 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total EIP Benefit
|
128.40 | % | $ | 323,248 | |||||||||||||||||
|
Robert A. Fehlman
|
Core EPS
|
25 | % | $ | 28,922 | 93 | % | 23.25 | % | $ | 26,897 | ||||||||||
|
Core Efficiency
|
25 | % | 28,922 | 143 | % | 35.75 | % | 41,358 | |||||||||||||
|
Individual Goals
|
50 | % | 57,843 | 100 | % | 50.00 | % | 57,843 | |||||||||||||
|
Targeted EIP
|
100 | % | $ | 115,687 | 109.00 | % | $ | 126,208 | |||||||||||||
|
Discretionary
|
25.00 | % | 28,922 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total EIP Benefit
|
134.00 | % | $ | 155,020 | |||||||||||||||||
|
J. French Hill
|
Core EPS
|
50 | % | $ | 24,000 | 93 | % | 46.50 | % | $ | 22,320 | ||||||||||
|
Core Efficiency Ratio
|
50 | % | 24,000 | 143 | % | 71.50 | % | 34,320 | |||||||||||||
|
Targeted EIP
|
100 | % | $ | 48,000 | 118.00 | % | $ | 56,640 | |||||||||||||
|
Discretionary
|
0.00 | % | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total EIP Benefit
|
118.00 | % | $ | 56,640 | |||||||||||||||||
|
David L. Bartlett
|
Core EPS
|
25 | % | $ | 42,550 | 93 | % | 23.25 | % | $ | 39,572 | ||||||||||
|
Core Efficiency Ratio
|
25 | % | 42,550 | 143 | % | 35.75 | % | 60,847 | |||||||||||||
|
Loan Growth
|
20 | % | 34,040 | 72 | % | 14.40 | % | 24,509 | |||||||||||||
|
Individual Goals
|
30 | % | 51,060 | 100 | % | 30.00 | % | 51,060 | |||||||||||||
|
Targeted EIP
|
100 | % | $ | 170,200 | 103.40 | % | $ | 175,988 | |||||||||||||
|
Discretionary
|
25.00 | % | 42,550 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total EIP Benefit
|
128.40 | % | $ | 218,538 | |||||||||||||||||
|
Marty D. Casteel
|
Core EPS
|
25 | % | $ | 28,760 | 93 | % | 23.25 | % | $ | 26,747 | ||||||||||
|
Core Efficiency Ratio
|
25 | % | 28,760 | 143 | % | 35.75 | % | 41,127 | |||||||||||||
|
Loan Growth
|
20 | % | 23,008 | 72 | % | 14.40 | % | 16,566 | |||||||||||||
|
Individual Goals
|
30 | % | 34,512 | 100 | % | 30.00 | % | 34,512 | |||||||||||||
|
Targeted EIP
|
100 | % | $ | 115,040 | 103.40 | % | $ | 118.95 | |||||||||||||
|
Discretionary
|
25.00 | % | 28,760 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Total EIP Benefit
|
128.40 | % | $ | 147,712 | |||||||||||||||||
3. Equity Incentives
Historically, the Company has made stock option and restricted stock awards to executives of the Company and its subsidiary banks. These awards are generally granted once a year, although in special circumstances additional grants may be made. These awards are used to create a common economic interest among executives and shareholders and to recruit and retain qualified executives. The Company's stock options generally have an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company's stock on the day prior to the date of grant, a ten year term and vest in equal installments over five years after the date of grant. The Company's restricted stock grants generally do not require any payment from the participant and vest in equal installments over five years after the date of grant, although vesting may be over a shorter period where the participant is nearing retirement. On several occasions in the past, the NCCGC has chosen to grant non-qualified stock options when under the specific circumstances the desired grants would not qualify as incentive stock options or the NCCGC determined that stock appreciation rights should be granted with the options. Prior to 2009, the NCCGC had generally utilized incentive stock options for most executives. But due to changes in the accounting rules regarding stock-based compensation and the turmoil in the banking industry during the Great Recession, the Company decided in 2009 to de-emphasize stock options and increase the use of restricted stock in making future grants. The restricted stock granted in 2014, the outstanding option grants and unvested restricted stock grants from prior years are reflected in the tables below.
20
During 2014, the restricted stock grants were made under the Simmons First National Corporation Executive Stock Incentive Plan - 2010, which is administered by the NCCGC. Under this plan, the Company is authorized to grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock. No stock options or stock appreciation rights were granted in 2014.
The level of equity incentive compensation that an executive will receive is a function of four variables:
|
●
|
the executive's level of participation;
|
|
●
|
the goals set for the Company;
|
|
●
|
the payout amounts established by the NCCGC which correspond to Threshold, Target and Maximum levels of performance; and
|
|
●
|
the NCCGC's determination of the extent to which the goals were met.
|
Based upon the recommendation of the Company's compensation consultant, the NCCGC began utilizing performance based restricted stock grants in 2009. The performance grants are based upon the Company's prior year's performance, hence the 2014 grants were based upon the Company's performance during 2013. In February, 2013, and February, 2014, the NCCGC established a target payout for equity incentives for the participants in the Company's Executive Stock Incentive Plan - 2010, including the named executive officers for grants to be made in the 2014 and 2015, respectively. The table below sets forth the targeted restricted stock incentive for the named executive officers for 2014 and 2015.
|
Executive Name & Title
|
2014
Targeted
|
2014
Targeted
|
2015
Targeted
|
2015
Targeted
|
||||||||||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr., CEO
|
40 | % | $ | 161,286 | 45 | % | 201,400 | |||||||||
|
Robert A. Fehlman, CFO
|
30 | % | 90,291 | 30 | % | 92,549 | ||||||||||
|
J. French Hill, EVP
|
0 | % | 0 | 0 | % | 0 | ||||||||||
|
David L. Bartlett, President & CBO
|
35 | % | 129,465 | 35 | % | 132,378 | ||||||||||
|
Marty D. Casteel, EVP
|
30 | % | 88,920 | 30 | % | 92,032 | ||||||||||
For grants made in 2014, the NCCGC based the performance grants upon three components of the Company's financial performance during 2013, return on tangible assets, revenue growth and non-performing assets plus a fourth discretionary component For grants to be made in 2015, the NCCGC based the performance grants upon three components of the Company's financial performance during 2014, return on tangible assets, revenue growth and non-performing assets plus a fourth discretionary component. The components are weighted to emphasize the current strategic focus of the Company. The NCCGC sets Threshold, Target and Maximum performance levels for each component which if satisfied will entitle the participant to 50%, 100% and 150%, respectively, of the participant's targeted benefit attributable to that component. For 2014, each participant is entitled to 25% of the Participant's target benefit, regardless of whether the Company satisfies any performance point for any of the components. The Company's performance at the Threshold level for a component entitles the participant to 50% of the Participant's target benefit times the weighting factor for such component. The Company's performance at the Target level for a component entitles the participant to 100% of the Participant's target benefit times the weighting factor for such component. The Company's performance at the Maximum level entitles the participant to 150% of the Participant's target benefit times the weighting factor for such component. Performance in excess of the Maximum does not entitle the participant to a benefit in excess of the maximum target benefit times the weighting of that component. The participant's individual performance will govern the Discretionary component utilizing the same Threshold (50%), Target (100%) and Maximum (150%) performance points. If the performance with respect to any component is in excess of the Threshold and less than the Maximum, then the participant's entitlement is a prorated percentage computed based upon the Company's actual performance in proportion to the closest performance points for that component.
21
The performance points for the 2014 grants were set based upon the two year average, e.g., 2013 and 2012, of the selected financial components of the peer group. For the return on tangible assets component, the Threshold, Target and Maximum benefit levels were set at the 50th percentile, 75th percentile and 90
th
percentile, respectively, of the peer group for return on assets. Since the return on tangible assets is not as widely reported or as readily available for the peer group, the NCCGC has determined that the use of return on assets from the peer group is an appropriate performance criterion for testing the Company's return on tangible assets. For the revenue growth and non-performing assets components, the Threshold, Target and Maximum benefit levels were set at the 25th percentile, 50th percentile and 75th percentile, respectively, of the peer group for the specified component. The NCCGC will look at the individual participant's performance in the following areas for considering the discretionary component: managing capital, mergers and acquisition (FDIC assisted and traditional), managing liquidity, total return to shareholders through stock price appreciation and dividends and other factors determined by the NCCGC. The NCCGC will determine which of the foregoing factors are applicable to an individual participant based upon his or her duties and evaluate each participant's performance within the applicable criteria
The performance points for the 2015 grants were set based upon the two year average, e.g., 2014 and 2013, of the selected financial components of the peer group. For the return on tangible assets component, the Threshold, Target and Maximum benefit levels were set at the 33rd percentile, 50th percentile and 75th percentile, respectively, of the peer group for return on assets. Since the return on tangible assets is not as widely reported or as readily available for the peer group, the NCCGC has determined that the use of return on assets from the peer group is an appropriate performance criterion for testing the Company's return on tangible assets. For the revenue growth and non-performing assets components, the Threshold, Target and Maximum benefit levels were set at the 25th percentile, 50th percentile and 75th percentile, respectively, of the peer group for the specified component. The NCCGC will look at the individual participant's performance in the following areas for considering the discretionary component: managing capital, mergers and acquisition (FDIC assisted and traditional), managing liquidity, total return to shareholders through stock price appreciation and dividends and other factors determined by the NCCGC. The NCCGC will determine which of the foregoing factors are applicable to an individual participant based upon his or her duties and evaluate each participant's performance within the applicable criteria
The performance points and actual performance on the components for the equity incentives for the years 2013 and 2014, which affect restricted stock grants in 2014 and 2015, respectively, are set forth in the table below.
|
Equity Incentives
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Component
|
Weight
|
Performance
Year
|
Grant
Year
|
Threshold
(50%)
|
Target
(100%)
|
Maximum
(150%)
|
Actual
|
||||||||||||||
|
Return on Tangible Assets
|
25 | % | 2013 | 2014 | 0.83 | % | 1.19 | % | 1.61 | % | 0.79 | % | |||||||||
|
Core Revenue Growth
|
25 | % | 2013 | 2014 | 1.96 | % | 7.07 | % | 13.24 | % | 7.73 | % | |||||||||
|
Legacy Non-Performing Assets
|
25 | % | 2013 | 2014 | 3.26 | % | 2.01 | % | 1.10 | % | 0.61 | % | |||||||||
|
Discretionary
|
25 | % | 2013 | 2014 | * | * | * | * | |||||||||||||
|
Return on Tangible Assets
|
25 | % | 2014 | 2015 | 0.89 | % | 1.05 | % | 1.28 | % | 0.88 | % | |||||||||
|
Core Revenue Growth
|
25 | % | 2014 | 2015 | 1.62 | % | 7.53 | % | 18.52 | % | 19.60 | % | |||||||||
|
Legacy Non-Performing Assets
|
25 | % | 2014 | 2015 | 1.41 | % | 0.64 | % | 0.53 | % | 0.60 | % | |||||||||
|
Discretionary
|
25 | % | 2014 | 2015 | * | * | * | * | |||||||||||||
* Based upon individual participant performance criteria
The performance of the Company during 2013 satisfied at least the threshold for the revenue growth and non-performing assets components, producing a benefit entitlement of 26% of the targeted benefit for the revenue growth component, and 38% of the targeted benefit for the non-performing assets component. Based upon the Company's performance in 2013, the participants were entitled to restricted stock in the 2014 grants in an amount equal to the sum of 64% of each participant's target benefit based upon the Company's performance factors, plus the amount, if any, of the Discretionary component to which the NCCGC determined each participant earned.
The performance of the Company during 2014 exceeded the target for the legacy non-performing assets component, and exceeded the maximum for the core revenue growth component, producing a benefit entitlement of 34% of the targeted benefit for the legacy non-performing assets component and 37.5% of the targeted benefit for the core revenue growth component. The Company’s performance in 2014 did not satisfy the threshold from the return on tangible assets component. Based upon the Company's performance in 2014, the participants were entitled to restricted stock in the 2015 grants in an amount equal to the sum of 71.5% of each participant's target benefit based upon the Company's performance factors, plus the amount, if any, of the Discretionary component to which the Compensation Committee determined each participant earned.
22
The equity incentive benefit to which a participant is entitled is granted in February of the following calendar year, by the granting of a number of restricted shares of SFNC stock equal to the amount of the earned equity incentive divided by the closing price of SFNC stock on the day prior to the grant. Historically, the restricted shares so granted vest 20% per year at the end of each of the next five years, although the vesting may be over a shorter period where the participant is nearing retirement. However, to prepare for the transition to the long term incentive plan, which is discussed below, the restricted stock awards granted in 2015 vested immediately. The awards granted in 2015 will be reported in next year's proxy statement with other executive compensation data for 2015.
In addition to the performance based restricted stock grants, the NCCGC periodically utilizes time-vested restricted stock grants in connection with hiring or promoting executives within the Company. During 2014, thirty one executives who either joined the Company or who accepted increased job responsibilities due the acquisition received time-vested restricted stock grants.
In 2014, the Company adopted the Simmons First National Corporation Chief Executive Officer Long Term Incentive Plan, which is referred to as the CEO-LTIP. The CEO-LTIP is intended to provide incentive compensation to the CEO for achieving multi-year financial goals of the Company. The financial goal specified in the plan is the growth of diluted core earnings per share over a three year period ("Performance Period"). The diluted core earnings per share for 2013 were $1.69.
The Award under the CEO-LTIP consists of performance-based restricted stock and cash. For the stock component, the Company has allocated up to 27,106 shares of SFNC stock under the SFNC Executive Equity Incentive Plan - 2010 to the CEO as a restricted stock grant under the CEO-LTIP. For the cash component, the Company will pay to the CEO a cash bonus ("Cash Dividend Adjustment") in an amount equal to the dividends that would have been paid during the Performance Period on the SFNC shares in the restricted stock grant which vest to the CEO.
The CEO’s entitlement to the Award under the CEO-LTIP can occur at three possible levels: Threshold, Target and Maximum. The Threshold performance point requires the Company's diluted core earnings per share for 2016 to equal or exceed $2.90. The Target performance point requires the Company's diluted core earnings per share for 2016 to equal or exceed $3.16. The Maximum performance point requires the Company's diluted core earnings per share for 2016 to equal or exceed $3.43.
If the Company's performance meets the Threshold performance point level for the Performance Period, then the CEO will receive the Threshold award (6,777 shares plus the Cash Dividend Adjustment). If Target level is attained, the CEO will receive the Target award (13,553 shares plus the Cash Dividend Adjustment). If Maximum level is attained, the CEO will receive the Maximum award (27,106 shares plus the Cash Dividend Adjustment). If the performance is in excess of the Threshold and less than the Maximum, then the CEO's entitlement is an interpolated percentage computed based upon the Company's actual performance in proportion to the closest performance points. If the diluted core earnings per share for 2016 is below the Threshold ($2.90), none of the shares will be granted and no stock or dividend equivalent payments will be made under the CEO-LTIP. No additional benefit will be received by the CEO under the CEO-LTIP for performance above the Maximum performance point ($3.43).
The certificates evidencing the performance-based restricted stock earned by the CEO will be delivered and payment of the Cash Dividend Adjustment will be made by March 15, 2017.
Please refer to the section below, "Other Guidelines and Procedures Affecting Executive Compensation" for additional information regarding the Company's practices when granting stock options and restricted stock.
4. Benefits
A.
Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Ownership Plan
The Company offers a combination profit sharing and employee stock ownership plan. This plan is open to substantially all of the employees of the Company including the named executive officers. The plan and the contributions to the plan provide for retirement benefits to employees and allow the employees of the Company to participate in the ownership of stock in the Company.
The plan is funded solely by Company contributions which are divided between the profit sharing plan component and the employee stock ownership plan component. Contributions in the profit sharing plan are invested by the Simmons First Trust Company, N.A., an affiliate of the Company, in marketable securities, while contributions to the employee stock ownership plan component are invested in the stock of the Company. The Company targets a contribution of approximately 5.5% of the eligible earnings of the participants in this plan and annually specifies the allocation of the contribution between the profit sharing plan and the employee stock ownership plan components.
23
B.
401(k) Plan
The Company offers a qualified 401(k) Plan in which it makes matching contributions to encourage employees to save money for their retirement. This plan, and the contributions to it, enhance the range of benefits offered to executives and enhance the Company's ability to attract and retain employees. Under the terms of the 401(k) Plan, employees may defer a portion of their eligible pay, up to the maximum allowed by I.R.S. regulation, and the Company matches 25% of the first 6% of compensation for a total match of 1.5% of eligible pay for each participant who defers 6% or more of his or her eligible pay.
C.
Perquisites and Other Benefits
Perquisites and other benefits represent a small part of the overall compensation package, and are offered only after consideration of business need. The NCCGC annually reviews the perquisites and other personal benefits that are provided to senior management. The primary perquisites are automobile allowances, club memberships and certain relocation and moving expenses. The NCCGC believes that granting of an automobile allowance to an executive provides a means of transportation for the executive in performing his executive duties and benefits the Company. The Company sponsors the membership in golf or social clubs for certain officers, including the named executive officers, who have responsibility for the entertainment of clients and prospective clients.
D.
Post-Termination Compensation
Deferred Compensation Arrangements
In 2014, the Company maintained four non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements designed to provide supplemental retirement pay from the Company to certain of the named executive officers. The Deferred Compensation Agreements for Messrs. Makris, Fehlman, and Casteel and the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement for Mr. Bartlett are non-qualified defined benefit type plans. The Company bears the entire cost of benefits under these plans.
The plan for Mr. Bartlett was assumed in the merger with Alliance Bancorporation, Inc. in 2004. This plan is frozen and only Mr. Bartlett has a benefit payable from this plan. His benefit is fully vested and based on his service prior to 2004.
The Company provides retirement benefits in order to attract and retain executives. The amounts payable to the participants under these plans are determined by each plan's benefit formula, which is described in the section below "Pension Benefits Table."
Change in Control Agreements
The Company has entered into Change in Control Agreements ("CIC Agreements") with members of senior management of the Company and its subsidiaries, including each of the named executive officers, except Mr. Hill. The Company entered into the CIC Agreements because the banking industry has been consolidating for a number of years and it does not want its executives distracted by a rumored or actual change in control. Further, if a change in control should occur, the Company wants its executives to be focused on the business of the organization and the interests of shareholders. In addition, it is important that the executives can react neutrally to a potential change in control and not be influenced by personal financial concerns. The Company believes the CIC Agreements are consistent with market practice and assist the Company in retaining its executive talent. The level of benefits for the named executive officers ranges from one to two times certain elements of their compensation which the NCCGC believes is competitive with the banking industry as a whole and specifically with the designated peer group.
Upon a change in control, followed by a termination of the executive's employment by the Company without "Cause" or by the executive after a "Trigger Event," the CIC Agreements require the Company to pay or provide the following to the executive:
|
●
|
a lump sum payment equal to one or two times the sum of the executive's base salary (the highest amount in effect anytime during the twelve months preceding the executive's termination date) and the executive's incentive compensation (calculated as the higher of the target EIP for the year of termination or the average of the executive's last two years of actual EIP awards);
|
|
●
|
up to three years of additional coverage under the Company's health, dental, life and long-term disability plans; and
|
24
|
●
|
a payment to reimburse the executive, in the case of Messrs. Fehlman, Bartlett and Casteel, for any excise taxes on severance benefits that are considered excess parachute payments under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code plus income and employment taxes on such tax gross up as well as interest and penalties imposed by the IRS.
|
In addition, upon a change in control, all outstanding stock options vest immediately and all restrictions on restricted stock lapse. Further, upon a change in control, the requirement under the deferred compensation plans for Messrs. Fehlman, Makris and Casteel that the participant remain employed until age 65 (age 67 in the case of Mr. Casteel) is deleted and the benefit is immediately vested. A change in control does not affect Mr. Bartlett's benefit under the Bartlett Plan, since he is currently fully vested.
The Company believes that CIC Agreements should encourage retention of the executives during the negotiation and following a change in control transaction, compensate executives who are displaced by a change in control and not serve as an incentive to increase an executive's personal wealth. Therefore, the CIC Agreements require that there be both a change in control and an involuntary termination without "Cause" or a voluntary termination within six months after a "Trigger Event" which is often referred to as a "double-trigger." The double-trigger ensures that the Company will become obligated to make payments under the CIC Agreements only if the executive is actually or constructively discharged as a result of the change in control.
After a review of the existing CIC Agreements during 2011, the NCCGC adopted a policy not to approve any new CIC Agreements containing a single trigger or a tax gross-up feature or any amendments to existing CIC Agreements to implement a single trigger or tax gross-up feature. The NCCGC reviews the general elements and salary structure of the Company's compensation plan annually and makes adjustments to ensure that it is consistent with its compensation philosophies, Company and personal performance, current market practices, assigned duties and responsibilities and inflation.
Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement between Delta Trust & Banking Corporation (“DTBC”) and J. French Hill in effect when the Company acquired DTBC, in the event of a change in control and the termination of Mr. Hill’s employment, he was entitled to receive an amount equal to two and one half (2 1/2) times Mr. Hill’s highest amount of compensation, including salary and bonus, in any calendar year prior to the date of the change in control. The sum payable to Mr. Hill was subject to reduction so as not to exceed the excess parachute amount computed for Mr. Hill pursuant to Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. Following his election to the United States House of Representatives in November, 2014, Mr. Hill resigned from employment on December 31, 2014. Upon his resignation, the Company satisfied the employment agreement obligation to Mr. Hill through the payment of $885,300 in change in control compensation.
Executive Retention Programs
The Company adopted the Simmons First National Corporation Executive Retention Program on January 25, 2010. The program was designed to assist the Company in retaining its existing executive management during and immediately following the executive transition in connection with the retirement of J. Thomas May as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, on December 31, 2013. The participants in the program are David L. Bartlett, Robert A. Fehlman and Marty D. Casteel. The program consists of cash payments ($175,000 for Mr. Bartlett and $125,000 for Messrs. Fehlman and Casteel) and restricted stock grants (6,515 shares for Mr. Bartlett and 4,655 shares for Messrs. Fehlman and Casteel) under the Company's existing executive equity incentive plans. The program requires the participants to remain in the employ of the Company until the specified vesting date, subject to the earlier vesting due to death, disability, change in control of the Company or involuntary termination of employment without cause. The restricted stock grants under the program were made on January 25, 2010, and will vest on December 31, 2015. The cash payments will vest on December 31, 2015 and be payable in January, 2016.
The Company adopted the Simmons First National Corporation Executive Retention Program – 2012 on November 26, 2012. The 2012 program consisted of cash payments ($125,000 for Mr. Bartlett and $25,000 for Messrs. Fehlman and Casteel) and restricted stock grants (4,929 shares for Mr. Bartlett and 986 shares for Messrs. Fehlman and Casteel) under the Company's existing executive equity incentive plans. The 2012 program requires the participants to remain in the employ of the Company until the specified vesting dates, subject to the earlier vesting due to death, disability, change in control of the Company or involuntary termination of employment without cause. The restricted stock grants under the program were made on January 2, 2013, and will vest in two equal installments on December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017. The cash payments will vest in two equal installments on December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017 and will be payable in January, 2017 and January, 2018, respectively.
25
Other Guidelines and Procedures Affecting Executive Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation Procedures Regarding NCCGC and Board Approval
The Board of Directors approves all grants of stock-based compensation to the executives. Any proposed grants to the CEO are originated and approved by the NCCGC and then submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. Grants to the CEO may or may not occur simultaneously with grants to other executives. Prospective grants of stock-based compensation to other executives are proposed to the NCCGC by the CEO. The NCCGC considers, modifies, if necessary, and acts upon the proposed grants. If approved, the proposed grants are then submitted to the Board of Directors for consideration and approval.
Stock-Based Compensation Procedures Regarding Timing and Pricing of Awards
The Company's policy is to make grants of stock options only at current market prices. The exercise price of stock options is set at the closing stock price on the day prior to the date of grant. The Company has elected to use the prior day's closing price to provide certainty in the designation of the option price upon the date the Board approves the grant. The Company does not grant "in-the-money" options or options with exercise prices below market value on the day prior to date of grant. The Company's general policy is to consider grants at scheduled meetings of the NCCGC and refer recommended grants to the Board of Directors for approval, and such grants are either effective on the Board approval date or a specified future date. Beginning in 2009 with adoption of performance based grants, based upon the Company's results for the prior year under specified performance measures, the NCCGC has recommended and the Board has approved such grants in February. The Company may make grants at other times throughout the year, upon due approval of the NCCGC and the Board, in connection with grants to the CEO or to other executives in exceptional circumstances, such as the hiring, promotion or retention of an executive officer or in connection with an acquisition transaction.
The Company attempts to schedule restricted stock award and stock option grants at times when the market is not influenced by scheduled releases of information. The Company does not time or plan the release of material, non-public information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation.
Prior to 2009, the Company had generally issued grants at its May meeting because it was the first meeting of the Board of Directors after the annual meeting of shareholders at which the stock compensation plans were approved. With the introduction of performance based grants in 2009, the Company moved the date of the grants to the first quarter of the year. Since the performance grants are based upon a formula related to the prior year's performance, the determination of the amount of the proposed grants can be completed when the financial results for the prior year are completed. The Company has determined that the approval and issuance of the grants for the current year based upon last year's performance should be addressed in the first quarter, during the period when the performance goals for the current year are being set. The grants are made at a time when the Company's financial results have already become public, and there is little potential for abuse of material, non-public information in connection with restricted stock or option grants. The influence of the Company's disclosures of non-public information on the exercise price of these stock-based incentives is minimized by utilizing NCCGC and/or Board meeting dates as grant dates. The Company follows the same procedures regarding the timing of routine grants to its executive officers as it does for all other participants.
Role of Executive Officers in Determining Executive Compensation
The NCCGC oversees the administration of executive compensation plans, including the design, performance measures and award opportunities for the executive incentive programs, and certain employee benefits, subject to final action by the Board of Directors in certain cases. The Board of Directors, upon approval and recommendation from the NCCGC, determines and approves all compensation and awards to the CEO and other executives. The NCCGC reviews the performance and compensation of the CEO. The CEO, with the assistance of the associates in the Company's Human Resources Group, reviews the performance and compensation of the other executive officers, including the other named executive officers, and reports any significant issues or deficiencies to the NCCGC. The CEO and the Human Resources Group, at least annually, review the unified compensation classification program of the Company which sets the compensation of all salaried employees of the Company and its affiliates and reports the results of that review to the NCCGC. The Company's compensation program is based in part on market data provided by the compensation consultant. Executive officers do not otherwise determine or make recommendations on the amount or form of executive or director compensation.
Adjustments to Incentive Compensation as a Result of Financial Inaccuracies
The NCCGC's policy is to recover improper amounts related to past awards in the event material inaccuracies are found in the Company's financial results. Under the clawback provisions in the cash incentive plans, the NCCGC will seek recovery of any sums improperly paid as a bonus or incentive payments made to an executive on the basis of having met or exceeded performance targets during a period in which material inaccuracies of financial results are discovered.
Share Ownership Guidelines
The Company encourages directors and executive officers to be shareholders. The Company believes that share ownership by directors and executives is a contributing factor to enhanced long-term corporate performance. Although the directors and executive officers already have an equity stake in the Company (as reflected in the beneficial ownership information contained in this Proxy Statement), the Company has adopted share ownership policies for directors and for officers that participate in the Company's equity compensation plans.
26
Members of the Board of Directors are required to own at least 1,500 shares of the Company's common stock. Directors are not required to purchase shares to reach this guideline but are restricted from liquidating shares received as stock options or restricted stock until the ownership guideline is satisfied. After satisfaction of the ownership guideline, a director may not liquidate shares received pursuant to a stock option or restricted stock grant until three (3) years after the grant date.
Prior to 2015, executive officers of the Company that participate in the Company's equity compensation plans were subject to minimum stock ownership requirements. The CEO is required to own 7,500 shares of the Company's common stock, the other named executive officers are required to own 1,000 shares and all other officers participating in the equity compensation plans are required to own 500 shares. The officers are not required to purchase shares to reach this guideline but are restricted from liquidating shares received as stock options or restricted stock until the ownership guideline is satisfied. After satisfaction of the ownership guideline, an officer may not liquidate shares received pursuant to a stock option or restricted stock grant until three (3) years after the grant date.
For 2015 and thereafter, the Company revised the minimum stock ownership requirements for executive officers to apply those officers designated as an Executive Vice President or above. The minimum stock ownership requirement for the Chief Executive Officer is the number of shares which when multiplied by the market price of the stock equals five times his or her salary, while the requirement for all other covered officers is the number of shares which when multiplied by the market price of the stock equals three times his or her salary.
Compliance will be tested annually based upon the officer’s salary as of April1 of such year and the average closing price of SFNC during the first quarter of such year. Officers will be given five years to comply with the stock ownership requirement.
Tax Considerations
It has been and continues to be the NCCGC's intent that all non-equity incentive payments be deductible unless maintaining such deductibility would undermine the Company's ability to meet its primary compensation objectives or would otherwise not be in the Company's best interest. The Company also regularly analyzes the tax effects of various forms of compensation and the potential for excise taxes to be imposed on the executive officers which might have the effect of frustrating the goals of such compensation. The following provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ("Code") have been considered.
Section 162(m)
Section 162(m) of the Code, as amended, provides that compensation in excess of $1 million paid for any year to a corporation's chief executive officer and the four other highest paid executive officers at the end of such year will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes unless: (1) the compensation qualifies as "performance-based compensation," and (2) the company advised its shareholders of, and the shareholders have approved, the material terms of the performance goals under which such compensation is paid.
Sections 280G and 4999
The Company provides the named executive officers with change in control agreements. Certain of the change in control agreements provide for tax protection in the form of a gross up payment to reimburse the executive for any excise tax under Code Section 4999 as well as any additional income and employment taxes resulting from such reimbursement. Code Section 4999 imposes a 20% non-deductible excise tax on the recipient of an "excess parachute payment" and Code Section 280G disallows the tax deduction to the payor of any amount of an excess parachute payment that is contingent on a change in control. A payment as a result of a change in control must exceed three times the executive's base amount in order to be considered an excess parachute payment, and then the excise tax is imposed on the parachute payments that exceed the executive's base amount. The intent of the tax gross-up is to provide a benefit without a tax penalty to the executives who are displaced in the event of a change in control. The Company believes the provision of tax protection for excess parachute payments for certain of its executive officers is consistent with the historic market practice within the banking industry, is a valuable incentive in retaining executives and is consistent with the objectives of the Company's overall executive compensation program.
Section 409A
Amounts deferred under the non-qualified deferred compensation programs after December 31, 2004 are subject to Code Section 409A, which governs when elections for deferrals of compensation may be made, the form and timing permitted for payment of such deferred amounts and the ability to change the form and timing of payments initially established. Section 409A imposes sanctions for failure to comply, including accelerated income inclusion, a 20% penalty and an interest penalty. The Company has made amendments to its compensation plans to comply with Section 409A and continues to operate the plans in good faith compliance with Section 409A and the regulations thereunder.
27
Comprehensive Compensation Study and 2015 Revisions
During 2014, the Company combined all of its subsidiary banks into Simmons First National Bank and agreed to acquire two banking organizations located in Tennessee and Missouri. With the reorganization of the internal banking operations and the significant increase in size of the Company due to the pending acquisitions, the NCCGC and management desired to analyze the Company’s compensation practices in comparison to a peer group based upon its new organizational structure and increased size. The Company engaged Hay Group during 2014 to conduct a comprehensive study of the compensation practices of the Company.
The Compensation study separately addressed executive management (64 positions) and the remainder of the Company’s workforce (over 1200 positions). This discussion will focus on the study findings related to executive management. The Study compared base salary, incentive compensation, target total cash compensation, long term incentive compensation and total direct compensation of the Company to the general market (diverse group of industries) and to the financial market (banking, insurance and other financial organizations). The study results showed that for each of the compensation types set forth above that the Company was significantly below the 50
th
percentile of both the general market group and the financial market group, with the total targeted cash compensation and total direct compensation for the Company falling at the 25
th
percentile. In response to the study the Chief Executive Officer recommended to the NCCGC that the Company needed to take steps to move the total direct compensation of the Company’s executive management and overall workforce toward the median total direct compensation for comparable positions in the peer group as the measurable financial and economic performance of the Company moves up toward the median for the peer group. While a specific schedule was not addressed, the transition toward median salaries within the peer group is expected to occur over a multi-year period.
The NCCGC determined that action was necessary to enhance the incentive compensation programs and thereby increase the total direct compensation for the Company to remain competitive in hiring and retaining executive management within the markets in which it operates. The primary enhancement would be to increase incentive compensation to executive management based upon the achievement of key strategic objectives related to the profitability of the Company. Further, the NCCGC determined that there was an opportunity to provide some consistency in the applicable strategic objectives and reduce the operating complexities of the prior incentive plans.
The NCCGC determined that the incentive compensation structure for the executive management should consist of an annual incentive plan providing cash payments and a long term incentive plan providing equity awards. Upon approval of the incentive plan submitted to the shareholders for approval at the 2015 annual shareholders meeting, the Company expects to implement the following incentive programs for executive management under the Simmons First National Corporation 2015 Incentive Plan.
Annual Incentive Plan
Simmons’ Executive Incentive Plan (“
EIP
”) provides an annual cash incentive opportunity for senior executives at the company, including the named executive officers. Effective for 2015, the Compensation Committee approved company-wide net income and efficiency ratio as the underlying performance parameters for the EIP, and developed corresponding threshold, target, and maximum performance levels for each measure. The Committee also set target annual incentive opportunities for each named executive officer, measured as a percentage of base salary. Threshold and maximum payout opportunities, at 50% and 200% of target, were established for each performance goal. No portion of the annual incentive payout is guaranteed. If threshold net income or threshold efficiency ratio performance levels are not achieved, no payouts will be made under the EIP for that plan goal. To incent EIP participants to make decisions that have positive long-term impact on the Company, even at the expense of short-term results, and to prevent unusual gains and losses from having too great an impact on plan payouts, the Compensation Committee retained discretion to exclude items impacting comparability from company-wide results and adjust actual results for specific items that occurred during the plan year.
The 2015 EIP plan design reflects changes to prior year practices following the Compensation Committee’s review of annual incentive pay practices at the Company. These plan design changes include:
|
●
|
Limit EIP eligibility to executives leading business functions and executives that are able to directly impact overall corporate performance and the achievement of the Company’s business strategy.
|
|
●
|
Use of net income as a corporate performance measure in place of earnings per share (“
EPS
”). This change was made to avoid duplication of performance measures with the long-term incentive plan, discussed below, which uses EPS as a primary measure of company performance.
|
28
|
●
|
Increase emphasis on overall company performance to determine incentive pay for EIP participants. The EIP performance goals are tied directly to the Company’s business strategy and now represent approximately 43% of the incentive pay opportunity for each of our named executive officers.
|
|
●
|
Use of a single performance hurdle (net income) that must be achieved prior to any payouts under the EIP. Net income was selected as the plan hurdle to ensure that a sufficient level of corporate profit is attained to support the payment of annual incentive compensation.
|
|
●
|
The Compensation Committee has retained discretion to modify the overall incentive payout by up to 25% based on its assessment of performance against key corporate objectives (e.g. revenue growth, asset quality, acquisition integration, regulatory/audit compliance, etc.). This discretionary component will provide the Committee with the ability to better align incentive pay with overall business results that may not be fully reflected in the performance metrics selected for the EIP.
|
Long-term Incentive Plan
Simmons’ long-term incentive (“LTI”) plan for senior executive officers, including the named executive officers, is designed to align our executives’ interests with those of our shareholders. The LTI plan includes an annual award of stock options and an annual award of performance shares that are settled in shares of common stock based on results over a three-year performance period.
|
·
|
Stock Options reward stock price appreciation directly by providing the opportunity for compensation only if the company’s stock price increases from the date of grant. All stock options granted for 2015 have an exercise price equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant, a 10-year term, and vest ratably over three years from the date of grant, subject to the executive’s continued employment with the company.
|
|
·
|
Performance shares reward the achievement over a 3-year performance period of core earnings per share (“EPS”) and core return on average tangible common equity (“ROATCE”), performance metrics likely to have a significant impact on overall company value. Achievement of a threshold level of performance results in a payout equal to 50% of each participant’s approved target opportunity. Target performance results in a payout equal to 100% of the targeted opportunity. The maximum number of shares that can be earned for each of these performance measures is 150% of the targeted number of performance shares. The ultimate value of performance shares, which are paid in stock, is also impacted directly by stock price appreciation or depreciation over the performance period. Dividend equivalents are paid at the conclusion of the performance period based on the number of shares actually earned during the applicable performance period.
|
In order to transition into three year performance cycles, for 2015, the initial year in which performance share awards will be granted, the LTI plan uses a shortened “stub” performance period awarded at the same time as the regular 3-year performance cycle is granted. The stub cycle has distinct performance goals, based on the shortened performance period, and payouts will occur at the end of the “stub” performance period based on performance against the stub EPS and ROATCE goals.
Summary
In summary, the Company believes this mix of salary, formula based cash incentives for short-term performance and the stock-based compensation motivates the Company's management team to produce strong returns for shareholders. Further, in the view of the NCCGC, the overall compensation program appropriately balances the interests and needs of the Company in operating its business with appropriate employee rewards based on enhancing shareholder value.
Report of the Compensation Committee on the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this Proxy Statement with management. 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 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
|
Steven A. Cossé, Chairman
|
William Clark, II
|
Eugene Hunt
|
|
W. Scott McGeorge
|
Harry L. Ryburn
|
Robert L. Shoptaw
|
29
RELATIONSHIP OF COMPENSATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company intends that total compensation and each of its components, including base salary, bonus, incentive compensation (if applicable), retirement and other benefits should be market competitive and consistent with the Company's performance goals. The Company seeks to attract, retain, develop and reward high performing associates who are committed to the Company's success. Base salaries are set based upon the job classification and incentive compensation (if applicable) is based on Company and individual performance.
The Company has not identified any compensation practice or policy that presents risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company strives to ensure that its compensation programs do not create inappropriate risks for the Company. As a part of its general review of the Company's compensation programs, the NCCGC:
Reviews with management the Company's employee compensation plans to take all reasonable steps to identify and limit any unnecessary risks that these plans pose to the Company;
Reviews with management the compensation plans for the named executive officers and makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that these plans do not encourage the named executive officers to take unnecessary and excessive risks; and
Reviews the Company's compensation programs, with the assistance of its compensation consultant, to identify and revise any features in the compensation programs that would encourage the misstatement or manipulation of the Company's financial information or reported earnings to enhance employee compensation.
The reviews include consideration of risks in all compensation programs and factors designed to mitigate risks in such programs. The Company has implemented "clawback" provisions in its cash incentive compensation programs, requiring any of the participants to repay any bonus or incentive compensation that was based upon statements of earnings, revenues, gains or other criteria that are later found to be materially inaccurate.
SUMMARY OF COMPENSATION AND OTHER PAYMENTS TO THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Overview
The following sections provide a summary of cash and certain other amounts paid for the year ended December 31, 2014 to the named executive officers. Except where noted, the information in the Summary Compensation Table generally pertains to compensation to the named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2014. The compensation disclosed below is presented in accordance with SEC regulations. According to those regulations, the Company is required in some cases to include:
|
•
|
amounts paid in previous years;
|
|
•
|
amounts that may be paid in future years, including amounts that will be paid only upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a change in control of the Company;
|
|
•
|
amounts paid to the named executive officers which might not be considered "compensation" (for example, distributions of deferred compensation earned in prior years, and at‑market earnings, dividends or interest on such amounts);
|
|
•
|
an assumed value for share‑based compensation equal to the fair value of the grant as presumed under accounting regulations, even though such value presumes the option will not be forfeited or exercised before the end of its 10‑year life, and even though the actual realization of cash from the award depends on whether the stock price appreciates above its price on the date of grant, whether the executive will continue his employment with the Company and when the executive chooses to exercise the option; and
|
|
•
|
the increase in present value of future pension payments, even though such increase is not cash compensation paid this year and even though the actual pension benefits will depend upon a number of factors, including when the executive retires, his compensation at retirement and in some cases the number of years the executive lives following his retirement.
|
Therefore, you are encouraged to read the following tables closely. The narratives preceding the tables and the footnotes accompanying each table are important parts of each table. Also, you are encouraged to read this section in conjunction with the discussion above at "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."
30
2014 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table provides information concerning the compensation of the named executive officers for 2012, 2013 and 2014, the most recently completed fiscal year. The column "Salary" discloses the amount of base salary paid to the named executive officer during each year. The column "Bonus" discloses cash amounts paid to named executive officers as discretionary bonuses. In the columns "Stock Awards" and "Option Awards," SEC regulations require the disclosure of the award of stock or options at the grant date fair value measured in dollars and calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation ("Topic 718"). For restricted stock, the Topic 718 fair value per share is the closing price of the stock on the last trading day preceding the date of grant. For stock options, the Topic 718 fair value per share is based on certain assumptions which are explained in footnote 12 to the Company's financial statements which are included in the annual report on Form 10-K. The amounts shown in the Summary Compensation Table include the fair value of the option grants and restricted stock grants in the year of grant, without regard to any deferred vesting. Please also refer to the second table in this Proxy Statement, "Grants of Plan-Based Awards."
Restricted stock awards typically vest in equal installments over five years from the date of grant, but may utilize shorter vesting periods, particularly if the recipient is nearing retirement. Awards are conditioned on the participant's continued employment with the Company, but may have additional restrictions, including performance conditions. Restricted stock allows the participant to vote and receive dividends prior to vesting.
The column "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" discloses the dollar value of all earnings for services performed during the fiscal year pursuant to awards under non-equity incentive plans, including the EIP. Whether an award is included with respect to any particular fiscal year depends on whether the relevant performance measure was satisfied during the fiscal year. For example, the EIP awards are annual awards and the payments under those awards are made based upon the achievement of financial results measured as of December 31 of each fiscal year; accordingly, the amount reported for EIP corresponds to the fiscal year for which the award was earned even though such payment was made after the end of such fiscal year.
The column "Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings," discloses the sum of the dollar value of (1) the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the named executive officers accumulated benefit under all defined benefit and actuarial pension plans (including supplemental plans) in effect during the indicated years; and (2) any above-market or preferential earnings on nonqualified deferred compensation, including on nonqualified defined contribution plans. The annual increase in the present value of the benefits for the named executive officers under their deferred compensation plans are disclosed in this column.
The column "All Other Compensation" discloses the sum of the dollar value of:
|
•
|
perquisites and other personal benefits, or property, unless the aggregate amount of such compensation is less than $10,000;
|
|
|
•
|
all "gross‑ups" or other amounts reimbursed during the fiscal year for the payment of taxes;
|
|
|
•
|
amounts paid or which became due related to termination, severance or a change in control, if any;
|
|
|
•
|
the contributions to vested and unvested defined contribution plans; and
|
|
|
•
|
any life insurance premiums paid during the year for the benefit of a named executive officer.
|
31
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
Name
and
|
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
Bonus
($)
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
Non-
Equity
Compen-
sation
($)
|
Change in
Pension
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
|
All
Other
($) [a]
|
Total
($)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr.
|
2014
|
$ | 502,500 | $ | 0 | $ | 574,536 | $ | 0 | $ | 323,248 | $ | 74,264 | $ | 40,662 | $ | 1,515,210 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Chairman & CEO[b]
|
2013
|
$ | 403,216 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 150,057 | $ | 69,710 | $ | 20,322 | $ | 643,305 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Robert A. Fehlman,
|
2014
|
$ | 306,614 | $ | 0 | $ | 180,487 | $ | 0 | $ | 155,020 | $ | 64,553 | $ | 49,243 | $ | 755,917 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Chief Financial
|
2013
|
$ | 300,971 | $ | 0 | $ | 141,184 | $ | 0 | $ | 138,145 | $ | 68,393 | $ | 43,122 | $ | 691,815 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Officer
|
2012
|
$ | 265,500 | $ | 10,000 | $ | 56,695 | $ | 0 | $ | 115,244 | $ | 39,349 | $ | 43,914 | $ | 530,702 | ||||||||||||||||
|
J. French Hill,
|
2014
|
$ | 70,764 | $ | 885,300 | $ | 296,700 | $ | 0 | $ | 56,640 | $ | 0 | $ | 4,526 | $ | 1,313,930 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Executive Vice
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
President [c]
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
David L. Bartlett,
|
2014
|
$ | 376,142 | $ | 0 | $ | 212,735 | $ | 0 | $ | 218,538 | $ | 63,585 | $ | 44,697 | $ | 915,697 | ||||||||||||||||
|
President and Chief
|
2013
|
$ | 369,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 220,049 | $ | 0 | $ | 201,162 | $ | 51,009 | $ | 39,069 | $ | 880,289 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Banking Officer
|
2012
|
$ | 340,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 85,243 | $ | 0 | $ | 166,388 | $ | 46,068 | $ | 43,357 | $ | 681,056 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Marty D. Casteel,
|
2014
|
$ | 304,180 | $ | 0 | $ | 184,798 | $ | 0 | $ | 147,712 | $ | 77,639 | $ | 43,662 | $ | 757,991 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Executive Vice
|
2013
|
$ | 296,400 | $ | 0 | $ | 88,030 | $ | 0 | $ | 146,552 | $ | 73,442 | $ | 37,944 | $ | 642,368 | ||||||||||||||||
|
President,
|
2012
|
$ | 265,500 | $ | 10,000 | $ | 108,555 | $ | 0 | $ | 113,253 | $ | 62,733 | $ | 40,481 | $ | 600,522 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Administration
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_____________________
|
[
a]
|
This category includes perquisites and other benefits for 2014:
|
|
Dividends
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Plan
|
Contributions
|
Automobile
|
Life Insurance
|
Country
|
on Unvested
|
Other
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
ESOP
|
401(k) |
Allowance
|
Premiums
|
Club Dues
|
Restricted Shares
|
Compensation
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Mr. Makris
|
$ | 14,380 | $ | 3,900 | $ | 6,000 | $ | 2,079 | $ | 5,886 | $ | 8,417 | $ | 40,662 | ||||||||||||||
|
Mr. Fehlman
|
$ | 14,380 | $ | 3,900 | $ | 6,000 | $ | 952 | $ | 8,440 | $ | 15,571 | $ | 49,243 | ||||||||||||||
|
Mr. Hill
|
$ | 4,013 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 513 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 4,526 | ||||||||||||||
|
Mr. Bartlett
|
$ | 14,380 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,348 | $ | 4,737 | $ | 7,570 | $ | 16,662 | $ | 44,697 | ||||||||||||||
|
Mr. Casteel
|
$ | 14,380 | $ | 3,900 | $ | 6,000 | $ | 3,549 | $ | 3,051 | $ | 12,753 | $ | 43,662 | ||||||||||||||
|
[b]
|
Mr. Makris was not employed by the Company in 2012. He did serve as a director in that year and his compensation as director was duly reported in the Company’s 2013 Proxy statement. The stock award for Mr. Makris for 2014 includes a performance grant under a long term incentive plan of restricted shares of SFNC stock which will vest on December 31, 2016. The performance metric applicable to this grant is diluted core earnings per share. At the minimum performance level ($2.90 diluted core earnings per share for 2016), he would receive 6,777 SFNC shares (grant date value, $233,739), at the target performance level, he would receive 13,552 SFNC shares (grant date value, $467,408) and at the maximum performance level ($3.43 diluted core earnings per share) he would receive 27,106 SFNC shares (grant date value, $934,886). For performance greater than the threshold level but less than the maximum level the number of shares would be based upon interpolation between the closest performance points. In addition to the long term incentive plan award discussed above, he also received restricted stock awards with a grant date value of $340,797.
|
|
[c]
|
Mr. Hill was not employed by the Company in 2012 or 2013. The bonus in the amount of $885,300 paid to Mr. Hill is attributable to the change in control provision of in his employment agreement with Delta Trust & Banking Corporation which became payable upon his resignation after the acquisition of Delta Trust & Banking Corporation by the Company. Mr. Hill received a grant of 7,500 restricted shares on October 15, 2014 which would have vested over five years, but those shares were forfeited upon his resignation on December 31, 2014.
|
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN 2014
The following table provides information concerning exercises of stock options, stock appreciation rights and similar instruments and vesting of stock, including restricted stock and similar instruments, which were granted in prior years but were exercised or vested during 2014 for each of the named executive officers on an aggregated basis. The table reports the number of securities for which options were exercised; the aggregate dollar value realized upon exercise of options; the number of shares of stock that vested; and the aggregate dollar value realized upon vesting of stock.
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
|
Option Awards
|
Stock Awards
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
Number of
|
Value
|
Number of
|
Value
|
||||||||||||
|
Shares Acquired
|
Realized on
|
Shares Acquired
|
Realized on
|
|||||||||||||
|
on Exercise
|
Exercise [a]
|
on Vesting
|
Vesting [b]
|
|||||||||||||
| (#) |
($)
|
(#) |
($)
|
|||||||||||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr.
|
0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
|
Robert A. Fehlman
|
0 | $ | 0 | 2,530 | $ | 88,934 | ||||||||||
|
J. French Hill
|
0 | $ | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
|
David L. Bartlett
|
21,730 | $ | 291,748 | 2,991 | $ | 104,066 | ||||||||||
|
Marty D. Casteel
|
2,000 | $ | 30,228 | 2,511 | $ | 73,411 | ||||||||||
______________________
|
[a]
|
The Value Realized on Exercise is computed using the difference between the closing market price upon the date of exercise and the option price.
|
|
[b]
|
The Value Realized on Vesting is computed using the closing market price upon the date of vesting.
|
32
2014 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
This table discloses information concerning each grant of an award made to a named executive officer in 2014. This includes EIP, stock option awards and restricted stock awards under the Simmons First National Corporation Executive Stock Incentive Plan - 2010, which is discussed in greater detail in this Proxy Statement under the caption "Compensation Discussion and Analysis." The Threshold, Target and Maximum columns reflect the range of estimated payouts under the EIP. In the 7th and 8th columns, the number of shares of common stock underlying options granted in the fiscal year and corresponding per-share exercise prices are reported. In all cases, the exercise price was equal to the closing market price of the common stock on the day prior to date of grant. Finally, in the 9th column, the aggregate value computed under the Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, for all awards made in 2014 is reported.
33
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
|
Name
|
Grant
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under
|
All
|
All
|
Exercise
|
Grant
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Date
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
Other
|
Other
|
or Base
|
Date
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock
|
Option
|
Price of
|
Fair
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Threshold
|
Target
|
Maximum
|
Awards:
|
Awards:
|
Option
|
Value
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
Number
|
Number
|
Awards
|
of
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
of
|
of
|
($/Sh)
|
Stock
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Shares
|
Securities
|
and
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
of Stock
|
Under-
|
Option
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
or Units
|
lying
|
Awards
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (#)[a] | Options | ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (#) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
EIP
|
01-01-14
|
$ | 125,875 | $ | 251,750 | $ | 503,500 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock Plan
|
01-27-14
|
5,000 [b | ] | 0 |
___
|
$ | 183,350 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock Plan
|
02-24-14
|
4,565 [b | ] | 0 |
___
|
$ | 157,447 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
CEO-LTIP
|
02-24-14
|
6,777 [c | ] | 0 | $ | 233,739 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Robert A. Fehlman
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
EIP
|
01-01-14
|
$ | 57,843 | $ | 115,686 | $ | 231,371 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock Plan
|
01-27-14
|
2,500 [b | ] | 0 |
___
|
$ | 91,675 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock Plan
|
02-24-14
|
2,575 [b | ] | 0 |
___
|
$ | 88,812 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
J. French Hill.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
EIP
|
01-01-14
|
$ | 24,000 | $ | 48,000 | $ | 96,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock Plan
|
10-15-14
|
7,500 [b | ][d] | 0 |
___
|
$ | 296,700 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
David L. Bartlett
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
EIP
|
01-01-14
|
$ | 85,100 | $ | 170,200 | $ | 340,401 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock Plan
|
01-27-14
|
2,500 [b | ] | 0 |
___
|
$ | 91,675 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock Plan
|
02-24-14
|
3,510 [b | ] | 0 |
___
|
$ | 121,060 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Marty D. Casteel
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
EIP
|
01-01-14
|
$ | 57,520 | $ | 115,040 | $ | 230,081 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock Plan
|
01-27-14
|
2,500 [b | ] | 0 |
___
|
$ | 91,675 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Stock Plan
|
02-24-14
|
2,700 [b | ] | 0 |
___
|
$ | 93,123 | |||||||||||||||||||
___________________
|
[a]
|
The stock awards in these columns represent the indicated percentage of the total stock awards made by the Company during 2014: Mr. Makris 11.5%, Mr. Fehlman 3.6, Mr. Hill 5.3%, Mr. Bartlett 4.2% and Mr. Casteel 3.7%.
|
|
[b]
|
These restricted shares vest in five equal installments on the first through the fifth anniversary of the grant date.
|
|
[c]
|
The CEO-LTIP award for Mr. Makris includes a performance grant of restricted shares of SFNC stock under a long term incentive plan which will vest on December 31, 2016. The performance metric applicable to this grant is diluted core earnings per share. At the minimum performance level ($2.90 diluted core earnings per share for 2016), he would receive 6,777 SFNC shares; at the target performance level, he would receive 13,552 SFNC shares; and at the maximum performance level, he would receive 27,106 SFNC shares. For performance greater than the threshold level but less than the maximum level the number of shares would be based upon interpolation between the closest performance points
|
|
[d]
|
These shares were forfeited upon Mr. Hill’s resignation on December 31, 2014.
|
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END 2014
The following table provides information concerning unexercised options and restricted stock that has not vested for each named executive officer outstanding as of the end of 2014. Each outstanding award is represented by a separate row which indicates the number of securities underlying the award, including awards that have been transferred other than for value (if any).
For option awards, the table discloses the exercise price and the expiration date. For stock awards, the table provides the total number of shares of stock that have not vested and the aggregate market value of shares of stock that have not vested. The market value of stock awards was computed by multiplying the closing market price of the Company's stock at the end of 2014, $40.65, by the number of shares.
34
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
|
Option Awards
|
Stock Awards
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
Number
|
Number
|
Option
|
Option
|
Number of
|
Market Value
|
|||||||||||||
|
of Securities
|
of Securities
|
Exercise
|
Expiration
|
Shares or
|
of Shares or
|
||||||||||||||
|
Underlying
|
Underlying
|
Price
|
Date
|
Units of
|
Units of
|
||||||||||||||
|
Unexercised
|
Unexercised
|
($)
|
Stock That
|
Stock That
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Options (#)
|
Options (#)
|
Have Not
|
Have Not
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Exercisable
|
Unexercisable
|
Vested (#)
|
Vested ($)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr.
|
1,000[a | ] | 0 | $ | 26.19 |
5-21-16
|
|||||||||||||
| 1,000[a | ] | 0 | $ | 28.42 |
5-30-17
|
||||||||||||||
| 5,000 [b | ] | $ | 203,350 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4,565 [c | ] | $ | 185,567 | ||||||||||||||||
| 27,106 [d | ] | $ | 1,101,859 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Robert A. Fehlman
|
940 | 0 | $ | 24.50 |
05-22-15
|
||||||||||||||
| 1,000 | 0 | $ | 26.19 |
05-21-16
|
|||||||||||||||
| 1,200 | 0 | $ | 28.42 |
05-30-17
|
|||||||||||||||
| 4,380 | 0 | $ | 30.31 |
05-29-18
|
|||||||||||||||
| 4,655 [e | ] | $ | 189,226 | ||||||||||||||||
| 527 [f | ] | $ | 21,423 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1,000 [g | ] | $ | 40,650 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1,275 [h | ] | $ | 51,829 | ||||||||||||||||
| 986 [i | ] | $ | 40,081 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1,600 [j | ] | $ | 65,040 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2,044 [k | ] | $ | 83,089 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2,500 [b | ] | $ | 101,625 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2,575 [c | ] | $ | 104,674 | ||||||||||||||||
|
J. French Hill
|
0 | 0 | 0 [l | ] | 0 | ||||||||||||||
|
David L. Bartlett
|
0 | 0 | 6,515 [e | ] | $ | 264,835 | |||||||||||||
| 858 [f | ] | $ | 34,878 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1,502 [g | ] | $ | 61,138 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1,917 [h | ] | $ | 77,926 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4,929[i | ] | 200,364 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2,968 [k | ] | $ | 121,849 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2,500 [b | ] | $ | 101,625 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3,510 [c | ] | $ | 142,682 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Marty D. Casteel
|
920 | 0 | $ | 24.50 |
05-22-15
|
||||||||||||||
| 1,000 | 0 | $ | 26.19 |
05-21-16
|
|||||||||||||||
| 1,200 | 0 | $ | 28.42 |
05-30-17
|
|||||||||||||||
| 4,210 | 0 | $ | 30.31 |
05-29-18
|
|||||||||||||||
| 4,655 [e | ] | $ | 189,226 | ||||||||||||||||
| 527 [f | ] | $ | 21,423 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1,000 [g | ] | $ | 40,650 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1,275 [i | ] | $ | 51,829 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1,200 [m | ] | $ | 48,780 | ||||||||||||||||
| 986 [i | ] | $ | 40,081 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1,968 [k | ] | $ | 79,999 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2,500 [b | ] | $ | 101,625 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2,700 [c | ] | $ | 109,755 | ||||||||||||||||
________________________
|
[a]
|
These options were granted to Mr. Makris in 2006 and 2007 while he served as a director, prior to him becoming an officer of the Company. |
|
[b]
|
These restricted shares vest in five equal installments on January 27 in each of the years 2015-2019.
|
|
[c]
|
These restricted shares vest in five equal installments on February 24 in each of the years 2015-2019.
|
| [d] |
These restricted shares are based upon a performance grant under the CEO-LTIP plan will vest on December 31, 2106 based upon the Company’s diluted core earnings per share for 2016. The maximum number of shares which may vest under the grant is shown in the table.
|
|
[e]
|
These restricted shares vest on December 31, 2015.
|
|
[f]
|
These restricted shares vest on February 22, 2015.
|
|
[g]
|
These restricted shares vest in equal annual installments shares on February 28 in each of the years 2015-2016.
|
35
|
[h]
|
These restricted shares vest in equal annual installments on February 27 in each of the years 2015-2017.
|
|
[i]
|
These restricted shares vest in equal installments on December 31 in each of the years 2016-2017.
|
|
[j]
|
These restricted shares vest in equal annual installments on January 2 in each of the years 2015-2018.
|
|
[k]
|
These restricted shares vest in equal annual installments on February 25 in each of the years 2015-2018.
|
|
[l]
|
Mr. Hill received a grant of 7,500 restricted shares on October 15, 2014which would have vested over five years, but those shares were forfeited upon his resignation on December 31, 2014.
|
|
[m]
|
These restricted shares vest in equal annual installments on March 26 in each of the years 2015-2017.
|
2014 PENSION BENEFITS TABLE
The following table provides information with respect to each plan that provides for payments or other benefits at, following or in connection with retirement. This includes tax-qualified defined benefit plans and supplemental executive retirement plans, but does not include defined contribution plans (whether tax qualified or not). The Company provides supplemental executive retirement plans for George A. Makris, Jr., David L. Bartlett, Robert A. Fehlman and Marty D. Casteel. The Present Value of the Accumulated Benefit reflects the actuarial present value of the named executive officer's accumulated benefit under the plan, computed as of December 31, 2014. In making such calculations, it was assumed that the retirement age will be the normal retirement age as defined in the plan, or if not so defined, the earliest time at which a participant may retire under the plan without any benefit reduction due to age.
Makris Plan
The plan for George A. Makris, Jr. was established in 2013 and is designed to work with the other retirement plans of the Company, on an aggregated basis with Social Security benefits, to provide a targeted level of benefits for Mr. Makris, the only participant. The Makris Plan requires Mr. Makris to remain in the employ of the Company until he attains age 65 to be eligible to receive benefits under the plan, provided that in the event of a change in control the benefits are fully vested. The Makris Plan provides a benefit upon normal retirement at age 65, or upon death or disability prior to age 65, a monthly sum equal to $8,333.33. The benefit payments begin on the first day of the seventh month following retirement, death or disability and continue for 120 consecutive months.
Bartlett Plan
The Company assumed the plan for David L. Bartlett upon its acquisition of Alliance Bancorporation, Inc. in 2004. The Bartlett Plan provides Mr. Bartlett a benefit upon normal retirement at age 65, or upon disability prior to age 65, in the amount of $125,000 per year payable monthly. In the event of Mr. Bartlett's death prior to January 1, 2023, a variable death benefit is payable pursuant to the plan's death benefit schedule. The death benefit ranges from a low of $51,911 for death in 2022 to a high of $854,132 for death in 2013, with a benefit payable of $765,005 for death in 2014. Mr. Bartlett is fully vested in both the retirement and death benefits under the plan. The benefits under the plan are designed in conjunction with a life insurance policy acquired at the time the plan was established, barring extraordinary circumstances, the earnings of the policy and the proceeds of the policy upon the death of Mr. Bartlett should be sufficient to fully fund the obligations of the Company under the Bartlett Plan.
Fehlman Plan
The plan for Robert A. Fehlman was established in 2010 and is designed to work with the other retirement plans of the Company, on an aggregated basis with Social Security benefits, to provide a targeted level of benefits for Mr. Fehlman, the only participant. The Fehlman Plan requires Mr. Fehlman to remain in the employ of the Company until he attains age 65 to be eligible to receive benefits under the plan, provided that in the event of a change in control the benefits are fully vested. The Fehlman Plan provides a benefit upon normal retirement at age 65, or upon death or disability prior to age 65, a monthly sum equal to one twelfth (1/12) of thirty percent (30%) of the final average compensation (the average compensation paid to him by the Company for the most recent five consecutive calendar years). The benefit payments begin on the first day of the seventh month following retirement, death or disability and continue for 180 consecutive months. Compensation for purposes of the Fehlman Plan includes salary, bonus and short-term incentive compensation programs (EIP), but excludes equity compensation plans (stock options and restricted shares) and long-term incentive compensation programs.
Casteel Plan
The plan for Marty D. Casteel was established in 2010 and is designed to work with the other retirement plans of the Company, on an aggregated basis with Social Security benefits, to provide a targeted level of benefits for Mr. Casteel, the only participant. The Casteel Plan requires Mr. Casteel to remain in the employ of the Company until he attains age 67 to be eligible to receive benefits under the plan, provided that in the event of a change in control the benefits are fully vested. The Casteel Plan provides a benefit upon normal retirement at age 67, or upon death or disability prior to age 67, a monthly sum equal to $6,250. The benefit payments begin on the first day of the seventh month following retirement, death or disability and continue for 120 consecutive months.
36
PENSION BENEFITS
|
Name
|
Plan
|
Number of
|
Present Value
|
Payments
|
||||||||
|
Name
|
Years Credited
|
of the Accumulated
|
During Last
|
|||||||||
|
Service
|
Benefit
|
Fiscal Year
|
||||||||||
| (#) |
($)
|
($)
|
||||||||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr.
|
Makris Plan
|
[a] | $ | 143,974 | $ | 0 | ||||||
|
Robert A. Fehlman
|
Fehlman Plan
|
[a] | $ | 189,582 | $ | 0 | ||||||
|
David L. Bartlett
|
Bartlett Plan
|
[a] | $ | 948,247 | $ | 0 | ||||||
|
Marty D. Casteel
|
Casteel Plan
|
[a] | $ | 304,668 | $ | 0 | ||||||
______________________
|
[a]
|
The benefits under the Makris Plan, Bartlett Plan, Fehlman Plan or Casteel Plan are not dependent upon the credited years of service. Except for disability, death or a change in control, continuous service until the normal retirement at age (65) under the Fehlman Plan and Makris Plan and age (67) under the Casteel Plan is required. Mr. Bartlett is fully vested in the maximum benefit under the Bartlett Plan.
|
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following table summarizes the estimated payments to be made under each contract, agreement, plan or arrangement which provides for payments to a named executive officer at, following or in connection with any termination of employment, including by resignation, retirement or a constructive termination of a named executive officer, or a change in control or a change in the named executive officer's responsibilities. However, in accordance with SEC regulations, no amounts to be provided to a named executive officer under any arrangement which does not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of the executive officers and which are available generally to all salaried employees are reported.
For the purpose of the quantitative disclosure in the following table, and in accordance with SEC regulations, the termination is assumed to have taken place on the last business day of the Company's most recently completed fiscal year, and the price per share of the common stock is the closing market price as of that date - $40.65.
Cash Payments
. None of the named executive officers presently has an employment agreement which guarantees him employment for any period of time. Therefore, any post-termination payments of salary or severance to any named executive officer would be provided only under the Company's broad-based severance plan in the event of a reduction in force or other termination by the Company without cause or pursuant to a Change in Control Agreement ("CIC Agreement").
The Company has entered into CIC Agreements with certain executives of the Company and the subsidiary banks, including each of the named executive officers, pursuant to which the Company would pay certain salary benefits. The Company would make such payments only upon a change in control, and if the Company terminates an executive without "Cause" or the executive resigns within six months after a "Trigger Event." The Company will pay an amount up to two times the sum of (1) highest annual base salary for the previous twelve months and (2) the greater of the projected target annual incentive to be paid under the Executive Incentive Plan ("EIP") for the current year, or the average EIP bonus paid to the executive over the preceding two years. The termination compensation is payable within 30 business days following the termination and, at the election of the executive, may be payable in either cash or common stock of the Company.
The CIC Agreements will also provide the executive with continuing coverage under the Company's medical, dental, life insurance and long-term disability plans for three years following the change in control date. Additionally, if the executive is over 55 years of age, the CIC Agreement allows the executive, at his election, to continue medical, dental and life insurance coverage after the initial three year period, at the executive's cost, if the executive is not then eligible to be covered by a similar program maintained by the current employer of the executive or the executive's spouse. Finally, the CIC Agreements, in the case of Messrs. Fehlman, Bartlett and Casteel, require the Company to make a tax "gross-up" payment in the event any of the foregoing benefits subject the executive to the excise tax on excess parachute payments as determined under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. Please also refer to the discussion of the CIC Agreements above at "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."
37
Pursuant to the terms of the employment agreement between Delta Trust & Banking Corporation (“DTBC”) and J. French Hill in effect when the Company acquired DTBC, in the event of a change in control and the termination of Mr. Hill’s employment, he was entitled to receive an amount equal to two and one half (2 1/2) times Mr. Hill’s highest amount of compensation, including salary and bonus, in any calendar year prior to the date of the change in control. The sum payable to Mr. Hill was subject to reduction so as not to exceed the excess parachute amount computed for Mr. Hill pursuant to Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. Following his election to the United States House of Representatives in November, 2014, Mr. Hill resigned from employment on December 31, 2014. Upon his resignation, the Company satisfied employment agreement obligation to Mr. Hill through the payment of $885,300 in change in control compensation.
Accelerated Vesting of Incentives
. The Company has provided and continues to provide equity and non-equity incentives to the named executive officers through the Company's Executive Stock Incentive Plans ("Stock Plans") and the EIP. Please also refer to the discussion of equity and non-equity incentives above at "Compensation Discussion and Analysis."
Equity Incentives - Stock Options
. Unvested stock options vest upon the named executive officer's death or disability or upon a change in control. Further, unvested stock options vest upon the retirement of a named executive officer after age 65 or after age 62 with ten years of service. Upon any other termination, the executive forfeits his unvested stock options, unless the Board of Directors takes specific action to vest some or all of the unvested options. The value of accelerated options was calculated by multiplying the number of shares times the difference between the closing price of the common stock on the last business day of 2014 and the exercise price of the options. Please refer to the discussions above at "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" for more information about stock options.
Equity Incentives - Restricted Stock
. Unvested restricted stock vests upon the named executive officer's death or disability or upon a change in control. Further, unvested restricted stock vests upon the retirement of a named executive officer after age 65 or after age 62 with ten years of service. Upon any other termination, the executive forfeits his unvested restricted stock, unless the Board of Directors takes specific action to vest some or all of the unvested stock. Accordingly, the table below reflects the accelerated vesting of this stock upon the named executive officer's qualified retirement, death or disability or upon a change in control. An executive forfeits all undistributed shares upon the termination of the executive's employment for all other reasons.
Non-Equity Incentives - EIP
. The EIP does not provide for an acceleration of entitlement or a satisfaction of performance measures upon a change in control. Therefore the plan could be terminated or modified following a change in control and the participants would not receive any incentive compensation under the EIP for the year in which the change in control occurred. For purposes of the disclosure in the table below, SEC regulations require that such change in control be assumed to occur on the last day of the Company's most recently completed fiscal year. That date coincides with the last date of the performance period under EIP for 2014. As a result of such assumption, the Company could make a full payment under the terms of EIP based on the achievement of EIP goals for the year ending December 31, 2014, and such amounts would not be increased or enhanced as the result of the executive's termination or the change in control. Such amounts are reported in the Summary Compensation Table.
Retirement Plans - Makris Plan, Fehlman Plan and Casteel Plan
. Upon a change in control, the sole participant under each of the Makris Plan, Fehlman Plan and the Casteel Plan, Messrs. Makris, Fehlman and Casteel, respectively, will become fully vested in the benefits under such plan. Payment of the benefits would commence on the first day of the seventh calendar month following his termination of services to the Company. In the absence of a change in control, upon the death or disability of the participant or his retirement at or after age 65 for Messrs. Makris and Fehlman and age 67 for Mr. Casteel, his benefits under the plan become fully vested and are payable commencing on the first day of the seventh month after such event. In the event of the termination of the participant's employment under any other conditions prior to his attaining age 65 for Messrs. Makris and Fehlman and age 67 for Mr. Casteel, all benefits under the plan are forfeited. For purposes of the disclosure in the table below, SEC regulations require that such change in control be assumed to occur on the last day of the most recently completed fiscal year. As a result of such assumption, each participant would become fully vested in the benefits under his plan.
Retirement Plan - Bartlett Plan
. Mr. Bartlett, the sole participant under the Bartlett Plan, is fully vested in the maximum benefit payable under the plan. The participant's entitlement to the benefits under the plan is not affected by his death, disability, termination of service or a change in control of the Company. Payment of the benefits would commence on the first day of the seventh calendar month following his termination of services to the Company. For purposes of the disclosure in the table below, SEC regulations require that such change in control be assumed to occur on the last day of the most recently completed fiscal year. Since Mr. Bartlett is fully vested in his benefits under the plan, the assumed change in control would not increase or otherwise enhance the benefit payable to Mr. Bartlett under the plan.
38
Miscellaneous Benefits
. Under the CIC Agreements, which are discussed above at "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," the Company is obligated to pay certain other benefits. This includes continuation of medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance coverage for three years from the date of the change in control and certain tax gross-up payments. The conditions to the Company's obligations under the CIC Agreements are discussed above. Except for these benefits payable under the CIC Agreements, the Company has no obligation to continue any other perquisites after a named executive officer's employment terminates.
|
Involuntary
|
Change in Control
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Executive Benefits and
|
Not for Cause
|
Trigger Event
|
Death or
|
|||||||||||||
|
Payments upon Termination
|
Retirement
|
Termination
|
Termination
|
Disability
|
||||||||||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr.,
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Cash compensation programs [a]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 19,327 | $ | 1,670,823 | [b] | $ | 0 | |||||||
|
Accelerated Vesting of Incentives
|
$ | 388,817 | $ | 0 | $ | 939,747 | $ | 939,747 | ||||||||
|
Retirement Plans [c]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 800,859 | $ | 800,859 | ||||||||
|
Other Benefits [d]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 20,526 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
|
Robert A. Fehlman
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Cash compensation programs [a]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 236,218 | [e] | $ | 1,167,611 | [b,e] | $ | 141,875 | ||||||
|
Accelerated Vesting of Incentives [f]
|
$ | 697,635 | $ | 13,026 | $ | 697,635 | $ | 697,635 | ||||||||
|
Retirement Plans [g]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,230,617 | $ | 1,230,617 | ||||||||
|
Other Benefits and Tax Gross-Up [h]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 658,281 | [i] | $ | 0 | |||||||
|
J. French Hill,
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Cash compensation programs [j]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 885,300 | [j] | $ | 0 | |||||||
|
Accelerated Vesting of Incentives
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
|
Retirement Plans
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
|
Other Benefits
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
|
David L. Bartlett
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Cash compensation programs [a]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 375,111 | [k] | $ | 1,605,906 | [b] | $ | 259,375 | ||||||
|
Accelerated Vesting of Incentives [f]
|
$ | 1,004,096 | $ | 65,118 | $ | 1,004,096 | $ | 1,004,096 | ||||||||
|
Retirement Plans [l]
|
$ | 948,247 | $ | 948,247 | $ | 948,247 | $ | 948,247 | ||||||||
|
Other Benefits and Tax Gross-Up [h]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 394,029 | [m] | $ | 0 | |||||||
|
Marty D. Casteel
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Cash compensation programs [a]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 235,469 | [n] | $ | 1,147,378 | [b,n] | $ | 141,875 | ||||||
|
Accelerated Vesting of Incentives [f]
|
$ | 683,367 | $ | 13,026 | $ | 683,367 | $ | 683,367 | ||||||||
|
Retirement Plans [o]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 600,645 | $ | 600,645 | ||||||||
|
Other Benefits and Tax Gross‑Up [h]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 466,320 | [p] | $ | 0 | |||||||
_____________________
|
[a]
|
Messrs. Fehlman, Bartlett and Casteel are eligible for 16 weeks of salary under the Company's general severance program, while Mr. Makris is eligible for 2 weeks of salary and Mr. Hill would not be eligible under the program since he resigned on December 31, 2014. The severance plan would apply to involuntary not for cause terminations and change in control trigger event terminations.
|
|
[b]
|
Under the Change in Control Agreements ("CIC") between certain named executive officers and the Company, upon the occurrence of a change in control, severance cash payments will consist of either one or two times the sum of the following items: (1) the highest annual base salary for the previous twelve months and (2) the greater of the projected target annual incentive to be paid under the EIP for the current year, or the average EIP bonus paid to the executive over the prior two years.
|
|
[c]
|
Mr. Makris' benefit under the Makris Plan does not vest until he attains age 65, however he becomes fully vested upon his death, disability or a change in control. The monthly benefit would commence on the seventh month after his termination of service. The information related to the Makris Plan is also disclosed in the Pension Benefits Table. The value disclosed is the present value of Mr. Makris' benefit, as of December 31, 2014.
|
|
[d]
|
The named executive officer is not receiving any enhanced payments regarding the Other Benefits as a result of the termination trigger. The amounts shown as Other Benefits include the costs associated with continued participation in the Company's health and welfare benefit plans under applicable CIC Agreements for a period of 36 months.
|
|
[e]
|
In the event of involuntary termination without cause, or the death or disability of the named executive, he would be entitled to receive the sum of $141,875 under the executive retention programs and in the event of involuntary termination without cause he would also receive $94,343 in severance benefits under the general severance plan.
|
39
|
[f]
|
The payment due the named executive officer due to certain termination triggers, related to the Company's equity compensation plans is made based on the specific terms and conditions associated with each plan. These amounts are attributable to the vesting of unvested restricted stock, as of December 31, 2014.
|
|
[g]
|
Mr. Fehlman’ s benefit under the Fehlman Plan does not vest until he attains age 65, however he becomes fully vested upon his death, disability or a change in control. The monthly benefit would commence on the seventh month after his termination of service. The information related to the Fehlman Plan is also disclosed in the Pension Benefits Table. The value disclosed is the present value of Mr. Fehlman’ s benefit, as of December 31, 2014.
|
|
[h]
|
The named executive officer is not receiving any enhanced payments regarding the Other Benefits as a result of the termination trigger. The amounts related to Other Benefits include the costs associated with continued participation in the Company's health and welfare benefit plans for a period of 36 months under the applicable CIC Agreement. The amount related to the tax gross-up is a reimbursement for certain taxes that would be applicable to the payments and accelerated benefits occurring upon a change in control.
|
|
[i]
|
Upon a change in control, Mr. Fehlman would receive a monthly benefit of $642 for the next 36 months for purposes of continued health and welfare benefits under the CIC and a tax gross-up payment of $635,178.
|
|
[j]
|
Mr. Hill resigned from the Company on December 31, 2014 which triggered the payment of the change in control payment, in the amount of $885,300 under his employment agreement with Delta Trust & Banking Corporation. His entitlement to compensation (other than the change in control payment), incentive compensation plan payments, restricted stock, stock options, retirement plan benefits or other benefits would not have been affected by a change in control on such date due to his resignation.
|
|
[k]
|
In the event of involuntary termination without cause, or the death or disability of the named executive, he would be entitled to receive the sum of $375,111 under the executive retention programs.
|
|
[l]
|
Mr. Bartlett is not receiving any enhanced payments regarding the Bartlett Plan as a result of the termination trigger. Mr. Bartlett was fully vested in the maximum benefit under the plan at all times during 2014. The amounts related to the retirement plans are also disclosed in the Pension Benefits Table. The value disclosed is the present value of Mr. Bartlett's benefit, as of December 31, 2014.
|
|
[m]
|
Upon a change in control, Mr. Bartlett would receive a monthly benefit of $677 for the next 36 months for purposes of continued health and welfare benefits and a tax gross-up payment of $369,642.
|
|
[n]
|
In the event of involuntary termination without cause, or the death or disability of the named executive, he would be entitled to receive the sum of $141,875 under the executive retention programs and in the event of involuntary termination without cause he would also receive $93,594 in severance benefits under the general severance plan.
|
|
[o]
|
Mr. Casteel's benefit under the Casteel Plan does not vest until he attains age 67, however he becomes fully vested upon his death, disability or a change in control. The monthly benefit would commence on the seventh month after his termination of service. The information related to the Casteel Plan is also disclosed in the Pension Benefits Table. The value disclosed is the present value of Mr. Casteel's benefit, as of December 31, 2014.
|
|
[p]
|
Upon a change in control, Mr. Casteel would receive a monthly benefit of $789 for the next 36 months for purposes of continued health and welfare benefits and a tax gross-up payment of $437,931.
|
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table gives information about the common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under all of the Company’s existing equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2014.
|
Number of Securities
|
||||||||||||
|
Remaining Available for
|
||||||||||||
|
Number of Securities
|
Future Issuance
|
|||||||||||
|
to be Issued Upon
|
Weighted Average
|
Under Equity
|
||||||||||
|
Exercise of
|
Exercise Price of
|
Compensation Plans
|
||||||||||
|
Outstanding Options,
|
Outstanding Options,
|
(Excluding Securities
|
||||||||||
|
Plan Category
|
Warrants and Rights (a)
|
Warrants and Rights
|
Reflected in First Column)
|
|||||||||
|
Equity Compensation Plans
Approved by Stockholders
|
119,690 | $ | 27.72 | 373,078 | (b) | |||||||
|
Equity Compensation Plans
Not Approved by Stockholders
|
0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
|
Total
|
119,690 | $ | 27.72 | 373,078 | ||||||||
|
(a)
|
Does not include outstanding restricted stock awards.
|
|
(b)
|
Consists of shares available for future issuance under the Simmons First National Corporation Executive Stock Incentive Plan - 2006, Simmons First National Corporation Outside Director Stock Incentive Plan - 2006, as amended and restated Simmons First National Corporation Executive Stock Incentive Plan - 2010 and Simmons First National Corporation Outside Director Stock Incentive Plan - 2014
|
40
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following table provides information with respect to the compensation of Directors of the Company during 2014, the most recently completed fiscal year.
All Directors received an annual retainer of $12,000, except the lead director, Harry L. Ryburn, who received an annual retainer of $20,000. All Directors received $750 for each meeting of the Board attended. In addition, each Director who served as a committee chairman received $800 for each committee meeting attended and other Directors received $600 for each committee meeting attended. Any director attending a meeting by teleconference, rather than in person, received one half of the ordinary fee.
The Company maintains a voluntary deferred compensation plan in which non-employee directors may defer receipt of any part or all of their respective directors fees, including retainer fees, meeting fees and committee fees. The director must elect to participate in the plan prior to the calendar year for which the deferral will be applicable. Upon election a director must elect the form of payment (lump sum or annual installments over two to five years) and the date of payment (attainment of a specified age or cessation of serving as a director of the Company). The sums deferred under the plan are credited to an account for the director along with earnings on the deferred sum at an interest rate equal to the yield on the ten year U. S. Treasury bond, computed quarterly.
The Company adopted a stock option plan for its outside directors in 2006. At the 2007 annual meeting, the shareholders approved the modification of the stock option plan to also allow the outright grant of shares of the Company's stock to the Directors under the plan. During 2014, outright grants of 555 shares of the Company's stock were made to each director, except the lead director, who received a grant for 815 shares, the Chairmen of Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, who received grants for 665 each and the Chairmen of the Audit & Security Committee and the audit committee financial expert who received a grant of 610 shares. The grants were made on May 27, 2014. These shares are immediately vested. In accordance with SEC regulations, outright grants of stock are valued in accordance with the terms of the plan and consistent with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, at the closing price of the stock on the last trading date preceding the date of grant. The Company discloses such expense ratably over the vesting period; however, since the stock is fully vested upon grant, all of the expense related to the stock grants is disclosed in the table.
Each outside Director under the age of 70 is provided coverage under the Company's group term life insurance program. Directors up to age 65 receive a death benefit of $50,000 and directors over 65 but less than 70 years of age receive a death benefit of $25,000. The policy triples the death benefit in the case of accidental death. In addition, each Director is reimbursed for out of pocket expenses, including travel. The table below summarizes the compensation the Company paid the Directors during 2014. Messrs. Burchfield, Doramus, Kirkland and Porter are not shown in the table, since they were appointed to the Board in 2015 and did not receive any compensation for 2014.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
|
Name
|
Fees Earned or
|
Stock
|
All Other
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
|
Paid in Cash
|
Awards
|
Compensation
|
($)
|
|||||||||||||
|
($)
|
($) [a]
|
($) [b]
|
||||||||||||||
|
David L. Bartlett [c]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
|
William E. Clark, II
|
$ | 27,775 | $ | 22,083 | $ | 114 | $ | 49,972 | ||||||||
|
Steven A. Cossé
|
$ | 25,200 | $ | 26,460 | $ | 114 | $ | 51,774 | ||||||||
|
Edward Drilling
|
$ | 27,175 | $ | 22,083 | $ | 114 | $ | 49,372 | ||||||||
|
Eugene Hunt
|
$ | 31,075 | $ | 22,083 | $ | 114 | $ | 53,272 | ||||||||
|
George A. Makris, Jr. [d]
|
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 8,732 | $ | 8,732 | ||||||||
|
W. Scott McGeorge
|
$ | 28,825 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 28,825 | ||||||||
|
Harry L. Ryburn [e]
|
$ | 52,900 | $ | 32,429 | $ | 0 | $ | 85,149 | ||||||||
|
Robert L. Shoptaw
|
$ | 32,950 | $ | 24,272 | $ | 114 | $ | 57,336 | ||||||||
41
______________________
|
[a]
|
The computation is based upon the closing market price of $39.70 on the last trading day preceding the grant date (May 27, 2014). The grant date fair value calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, are reported in this column. Please refer to footnote 12 to the Company's financial statements for a discussion of the assumptions related to the calculation of such value.
|
|
[b]
|
Amounts in this column reflect life insurance premiums for the directors and in the case of Mr. Makris, earnings on his deferred director's fees under the directors deferred compensation plan in the amounts of $8,732.
|
|
[c]
|
David L. Bartlett, President and Chief Banking Officer of the Company, did not receive director's fees or otherwise participate in the director compensation programs set forth herein. His compensation is disclosed in the preceding discussion concerning Executive Compensation.
|
|
[d]
|
Prior to becoming an executive officer of the Company in 2013, Mr. Makris, as a director, elected to participate in the director's deferred compensation plan and deferred certain director's fees earned in previous years. In accordance with the terms of the director's deferred compensation plan the deferred fees earn interest at a market rate. For 2013 and subsequent years while Mr. Makris is an executive officer of the Company, he will not receive director's fees or otherwise participate in the director compensation programs set forth above, except that his deferred director's fees from prior years will continue to earn interest as provided in the director's deferred compensation plan. Mr. Makris compensation as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company is disclosed in the preceding discussion concerning Executive Compensation.
|
|
[e]
|
The cash fees paid to Dr. Ryburn also include cash director fees paid for his service as a director of Simmons First National Bank, in the amount of $10,450.
|
AUDIT & SECURITY COMMITTEE
During 2014, the Audit & Security Committee was composed of William E. Clark, II, Edward Drilling, Eugene Hunt, W. Scott McGeorge, Harry L. Ryburn and Robert L. Shoptaw (Chairman).
This committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities concerning accounting and reporting practices, by regularly reviewing the adequacy of the internal and external auditors, the disclosure of the financial affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries and the control systems of management and internal accounting controls. The Audit & Security Committee has adopted a charter, which is available for review in the Investor Relations portion of the Company's web site: www.simmonsfirst.com. This committee met 9 times in 2014.
Each of the listed committee members were independent as defined in Rule 5605 of the NASDAQ listing requirements when serving on the committee. The Board has determined that Robert L. Shoptaw satisfies the requirements of "audit committee financial expert" as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and has designated him as the "audit committee financial expert". The Board has determined that Mr. Shoptaw satisfies the independence standards applicable to audit committee financial experts as set forth in Reg. S-K of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further, the Board has determined that Mr. Shoptaw satisfies the requirements as a financially sophisticated audit committee member as set forth in Rule 5605(c) of the NASDAQ Listing requirements.
The Company is required to obtain pre-approval by the Audit & Security Committee for all audit and permissible non-audit services obtained from the independent auditors. All services obtained from the independent auditors during 2014, whether audit services or permitted non-audit services, were pre-approved by the Audit & Security Committee. The Audit & Security Committee has not adopted any additional pre-approval policies and procedures, but consistent with its charter, it may do so in the future.
The Audit & Security Committee issued the following report concerning its activities related to the Company for the previous year:
The Audit & Security Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2014 with management.
The Audit & Security Committee has discussed with BKD, LLP ("BKD"), its independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed by the Auditing Standard No. 16, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in PCAOB Release 2012-004;
The Audit & Security Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from independent accountants required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountants' communications with the Audit & Security Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent accountants the independent accountants' independence; and
42
Based upon the foregoing review and discussions, the Audit & Security Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In its analysis of the independence of BKD, the Audit & Security Committee considered whether the non-audit related professional services rendered by BKD to the Company were compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.
|
AUDIT & SECURITY COMMITTEE
|
| Robert L. Shoptaw, Chairman William E. Clark, II Edward Drilling |
| Eugene Hunt W. Scott McGeorge Harry L. Ryburn |
PROPOSAL 3 - ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The NCCGC and the Board of Directors is committed to excellence in governance and is aware of the significant interest in executive compensation matters by investors and the general public.
The Company has designed its executive compensation program to attract, motivate, reward and retain the management talent required to achieve our corporate objectives and enhance shareholder value. We believe that our compensation policies and procedures are centered on pay-for-performance principles and are strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders.
The Company is presenting the following proposal, which gives you as a shareholder the opportunity to approve or disapprove our pay program for named executive officers by voting for or against the resolution set forth below ("say-on-pay" vote). While the vote on the resolution is advisory in nature and will not bind the Company to take any particular action, the NCCGC and the Board of Directors intend to carefully consider the shareholder vote resulting from the proposal in making future decisions regarding the Company's compensation program.
"RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED."
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of the shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required to adopt (on a non-binding advisory basis) this resolution approving the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
FOR
PROPOSAL 3.
PROPOSAL 4 - TO APPROVE THE SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL
CORPORATION 2015 INCENTIVE PLAN
Introduction
We have long had in effect both cash and stock based incentive plans that have allowed us to grant executive officers and other key employees various types of equity-based awards as well as cash awards. The proper balance of cash compensation and equity based compensation is essential to an effective incentive plan. The use of equity based awards reflects our Board’s belief that encouraging stock ownership by executive officers and other key employees serves to attract, retain and motivate them by providing a direct, financial interest in our continued success. Our Board also believes that equity-based compensation closely aligns key employees’ interests with those of our shareholders and provides a strong incentive for plan participants to remain in our service.
The Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee (“NCCGC”) engaged Hay Group during 2014 to conduct a comprehensive study of the compensation practices of the Company in comparison to a peer group based upon its new organizational structure and increased size. The compensation study separately addressed executive management (64 positions) and the remainder of the Company’s workforce (over 1200 positions). The Study compared base salary, incentive compensation, target total cash compensation, long term incentive compensation and total direct compensation of the Company to the general market (diverse group of industries) and to the financial market (banking, insurance and other financial organizations). The study results showed that for each of the compensation types set forth above that the Company was significantly below the 50
th
percentile of both the general market group and the financial market group, with the total targeted cash compensation and total direct compensation for the Company falling at the 25
th
percentile.
43
The NCCGC determined that action was necessary to enhance the incentive compensation programs and thereby increase the total direct compensation for the Company to remain competitive in hiring and retaining executive management. The primary enhancement would be to increase incentive compensation to executive management based upon the achievement of key strategic objectives related to the profitability of the Company.
The Compensation Committee determined that the incentive compensation structure for the executive management should consist of an incentive program featuring primarily performance-based cash and equity incentives. With these goals in mind, on April 24, 2015, the Compensation Committee recommended, and our Board adopted, subject to shareholder approval, Simmons First National Corporation 2015 Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The 2015 Plan is being submitted to shareholders for approval in accordance with NASDAQ rules and so that performance-based awards under the 2015 Plan may qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 162(m) is explained in more detail below under “– Description of Federal Income Tax Consequences Under the 2015 Plan – Section 162(m) Deduction Limit. If the 2015 Plan is approved by our shareholders, it will become effective on July 1, 2015.
The 2015 Plan allocates 1,000,000 additional common shares for issuance pursuant to employee equity plans. In setting the number of common shares authorized for issuance under the 2015 Plan, we considered a number of factors, including the following, which are discussed in more detail below: shares available under, and total outstanding equity awards under, existing plans; our historical equity award granting practices; potential dilution to our shareholders; and estimates regarding the number of years that the 2015 Plan would last (sometimes referred to as the duration of the plan).
As of April 14, 2015, we had 29,851,136 common shares issued and outstanding (not including treasury shares). The market value of one common share on April 14, 2015 on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, as determined by reference to the closing price, was $44.25.
Overview
The 2015 Plan provides us with the flexibility to develop and deliver and short term cash incentive program and a long-term equity incentive program that are competitive, attract and retain key talent, and meet current and evolving compensation practices. Additionally, the 2015 Plan contains key features to protect the interests of our shareholders, which include the following:
|
·
|
There is no annual or automatic increase in the number of shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan.
|
|
·
|
Clawback provision: Performance-based awards are subject to recoupment if the awards vest based upon results that are thereafter restated.
|
|
·
|
Limitations apply to the number of shares and cash payments an individual participant may receive in a given calendar year.
|
|
·
|
The exercise price of stock options and the strike price/base value of stock appreciation rights must equal at least 100% of the fair market value of the underlying common shares at the time of grant.
|
|
·
|
We are not permitted to reduce the exercise price or reprice underwater stock options or stock appreciation rights without shareholder approval.
|
In addition, our recent grant practices reflect a responsible use of equity as compensation for our executive officers and other key employees:
|
·
|
All of our CEO’s equity compensation in the past three years has been in the form of performance-based equity awards.
|
|
·
|
Our other named executive officers, except Mr. Hill who is no longer with the Company, receive a significant portion of their annual compensation in the form of performance-based cash and equity awards.
|
44
Factors Considered
We considered a number of factors when developing the 2015 Plan, including the current availability of common shares under our existing equity plans, awards outstanding under those equity plans, and our desire to implement our revised cash and equity incentive programs. Since 2009, we have used performance based restricted grants units as the predominant form of equity compensation for our executive officers and other key employees. Further, since 1988 we have utilized an Executive Incentive Plan containing performance based criteria for the payment of cash incentive compensation.
As of the date of this proxy statement there were roughly 202,000 shares available for future issuance of awards under existing equity incentive plans of the Company. This number will cover our reservation of the maximum potential payout of performance-based equity awards previously granted, as required by the terms of the Company’s existing equity incentive plans. Although our historical grant practices are not necessarily indicative of grants to be made in the future, considering our growth and the inclusion of the recently expanded executive management, we do not believe that we will have sufficient common shares available under existing plans to make the 2016 annual grants, and to reserve the common shares we need to reserve under the terms of the existing plans to permit maximum vesting of performance-based awards.
If we do not receive shareholder approval for the 2015 Plan, we may need to consider compensation alternatives for 2016 and beyond that do not include equity compensation, or include equity compensation to a lesser degree, than is the case with our current practices.
We also considered potential dilution to our investors from equity awards that could be granted under the 2015 Plan. The 1,000,000 additional common shares allocated to the 2015 Plan, together with shares available under existing equity plans and shares subject to outstanding equity awards, represent approximately 5.5% of the outstanding common shares as of April 14, 2015.
We also considered the expected duration of the 2015 Plan. Duration is inherently uncertain because it involves estimates regarding a number of factors, including: (1) the number of common shares to be covered by awards to be granted, which changes with the number of recipients, their compensation levels and the fair market value of our common shares at the time of grant; (2) with respect to performance-based awards that can vest below, at or above a target number of units, based on performance goals, the actual number of units that vest based on actual performance; and (3) the rate of termination or forfeiture of awards that are made. Based on a number of assumptions regarding these matters, we currently estimate that the duration of the 2015 Plan will be three to four years.
DESCRIPTION OF THE 2015 PLAN
The full text of the 2015 Plan is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.
The following description of the material features of the 2015 Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the 2015 Plan.
Shares Available for Issuance
Subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events described below, the number of common shares that may be issued under the 2015 Plan will be 1,000,000 shares. If an award provides for the provision of dividend equivalents, such dividend equivalents shall be paid in cash not additional shares.
If all or any portion of an award granted under the 2015 Plan is forfeited, or otherwise terminates or expires, the common shares that are subject to the award, to the extent of the forfeiture, termination or expiration, will again become available for future awards under the 2015 Plan.
In addition to aggregate share limits, the 2015 Plan establishes individual limits that provide that no participant may receive:
|
·
|
in any calendar year, awards with respect to more than 300,000 common shares to any employee for options or SARs;
|
|
·
|
in any calendar year, awards with respect to more than 150,000 common shares to any employee for awards other than options or SARs;
|
|
·
|
in any calendar year, awards with respect to more than 75,000 common shares to any non-employee director;
|
|
·
|
for a performance period of a single calendar year, no more than $5,000,000 in cash awards; and
|
|
·
|
for a performance period of more than a single calendar year, no more than $7,500,000 in cash awards.
|
45
In the context of performance-based awards that stipulate a target number of units or common shares and that may vest at, below or above that target, the maximum number of common shares issuable under the award will be used for purposes of determining compliance with these individual limitations. For all awards, any dividend equivalents are disregarded for purposes of determining if these limits are satisfied.
Except as described in the last sentence of this paragraph, in the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of Shares other than an ordinary cash dividend, the committee will make equitable adjustment(s) as it deems appropriate to: (1) the number and class of securities available under this Plan, (2) the number and class of securities and exercise price per Share of each outstanding Stock Option, (3) the number of Shares subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, and (4) the terms of each other outstanding Award shall be equitably adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) in the manner determined by the Administrator. No adjustment can be made by the Committee if the adjustment would cause an award to be subject to adverse tax consequences to the participant under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, which is described in more detail below, unless such adjustment specifically provides that the Award is intended to be subject to 409A.
Administration
The 2015 Plan will be administered by or under the direction of the Compensation Committee of the Board (referred to in this Proposal 4 as the “Committee”). The Committee must consist of not less than two Board members, all of whom are “non-employee directors” (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) and “outside directors” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations promulgated under Section 162(m); however, in the event that the Committee fails to satisfy this requirement, the actions of the Committee will still be valid for all purposes other than Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Committee has full power to interpret and administer the 2015 Plan, including the authority to adopt and amend rules, guidelines and practices governing the 2015 Plan and the authority to interpret any agreement governing an award under the 2015 Plan. It also has full authority to determine the eligibility of individuals to whom awards will be granted under the 2015 Plan and to determine: the type and amount of awards to be granted to each participant; the consideration, if any, to be paid for awards; the timing of awards; and the terms and conditions of the awards and related agreements to be entered into with eligible individuals.
Any interpretation and administration of the 2015 Plan by the committee, and all actions and determinations of the committee, are final, binding, and conclusive on the company, its shareholders, subsidiaries, and affiliates, all participants in the 2015 Plan, their respective legal representatives, successors, and assigns, and all persons claiming under or through any of them. No director will incur any liability for any action taken or omitted, or any determination made, in good faith in connection with the 2015 Plan.
Eligibility to Participate in the 2015 Plan
Any current employee, officer, director, independent contractor, consultant, or advisor of the Company or any of the Company’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in sections 424(e) or (f) of the Internal Revenue Code or any other business venture (including, without limitation, a joint venture or limited liability company) in which the Company has a controlling interest is eligible to receive an award under the Plan. Because the Committee has the authority to determine which eligible individuals will receive awards under the 2015 Plan, the benefits or amounts that will be received by any individual officer, the executive officers as a group, and other key employees cannot be determined.
Types and Terms of Awards
The committee has the discretion to decide who will receive awards under the 2015 Plan, the types of awards they will receive and, subject to the provisions described below, the terms of any award. The committee can grant restricted stock options (incentive and non-qualified) stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, other stock-based awards, dividend equivalents and cash.
46
Generally Applicable Provisions
.
The committee has broad discretion to decide the terms of awards that may be granted under the 2015 Plan. However, the 2015 Plan provides certain parameters for awards, including the following:
Purchase Price
.
The purchase price, if any, for each equity-based award will be determined by the Committee at the time of grant.
Time-Based and Performance-Based Awards
.
An eligible individual may be granted an award that will vest based on continued employment (a time-based award), an award that will vest based on the achievement of performance goals (a performance-based award), or a combination of both. The Committee will determine the vesting periods for time-based awards and the restrictions and other terms applicable to time-based awards prior to vesting, as well as any other conditions that must be satisfied prior to the vesting of the awards. For awards that are performance-based, the Committee will establish the objective performance goals and any other conditions that must be satisfied as a condition to vesting. The Committee may provide for the lapse of the restrictions and conditions to vesting in “award installments” (if an award consists of multiple installments, each with a separate vesting date, expiration date and/or other unique term or condition, this term refers to any one of those installments), as set forth in the related award agreement. The provisions of awards need not be the same with respect to each participant.
Performance Goals
.
Unless determined otherwise by the Committee, performance-based awards will be awards intended to qualify for the exception for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which is described in more detail below. Performance-based awards will be structured to vest, if at all, only if the company satisfies the conditions to vesting established by the committee at the time of the award, including objective criteria relating to one or more of the following measures:
|
|
·
|
earnings or earnings per share (whether on a pre-tax, after-tax, operational or other basis);
|
|
|
·
|
return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, equity, investments or sales, and cash flow return on assets, capital, equity, or sales);
|
|
|
·
|
improvements in capital structure;
|
|
|
·
|
revenues;
|
|
|
·
|
expenses (expense management, expense ratio, expense efficiency ratios or other expense measures);
|
|
|
·
|
one or more operating ratios;
|
|
|
·
|
stock price or performance;
|
|
|
·
|
stockholder return;
|
|
|
·
|
market share;
|
|
|
·
|
cash (cash flow, cash generation or other cash measures);
|
|
|
·
|
capital expenditures;
|
|
|
·
|
net borrowing, debt leverage levels, credit quality or debt ratings;
|
|
|
·
|
the accomplishment of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, public offerings or similar extraordinary business transactions;
|
|
|
·
|
net asset value per share;
|
|
|
·
|
economic value added;
|
|
|
·
|
sales;
|
|
|
·
|
profits (net profit, gross profit, operating profit, economic profit, profit margins or other corporate profit measures);
|
|
|
·
|
net income (before or after taxes, operating income or other income measures);
|
|
|
·
|
internal rate of return or increase in net present value;
|
|
|
·
|
productivity measures;
|
|
|
·
|
cost reduction measures;
|
|
|
·
|
strategic plan development and implementation;
|
|
|
·
|
customer measures (including changes in number of customers or households);
|
|
|
·
|
growth measures (deposit growth, loan growth, revenue growth, or asset growth);
|
|
|
·
|
net charge-offs; or
|
|
|
·
|
any combination of any of the foregoing business criteria.
|
Performance goals may be measured on a companywide, subsidiary, business unit, or any combination of these bases, as determined by the Committee at the time of grant. Performance goals also may reflect absolute performance or a relative comparison of performance to the results in other periods, to a target, to a peer group of entities, to an index, or to another external measure. Performance goals may also be measured on an aggregate or per share basis.
47
The Committee may, at the time performance goals are established (or otherwise within the time permitted by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code), provide for the exclusion from any one or more applicable periods of the impact of extraordinary, unusual and/or non-recurring items to the extent permitted by Section 162(m), including, without limitation: (1) any act of God or nature that adversely affects the company’s business operations for a significant period of time; (2) any profit, loss or expense attributable to acquisitions or dispositions of stock, assets or any other portion of a business; (3) operating or financial results attributable to the operations of an entity or business acquired or disposed of by the company; (4) gains or losses due to litigation or settlements; (5) all other items of gain, loss or expense determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence; and (6) other items permitted by Section 162(m). Unless expressly determined by the committee at the time the performance goals for an award are established and stated in the related award agreement, the satisfaction of any performance goals will be determined by eliminating the impact of any change in accounting rules which becomes effective following the time the performance goals are established.
Performance-based awards will vest and all restrictions thereon will terminate upon the certification by the Committee of the achievement of the specified performance goals, provided all other conditions to vesting have been met. In the Committee’s discretion, performance-based awards may: (1) stipulate that an award will vest only in its entirety upon the satisfaction of the specified performance goals; (2) stipulate a portion of the award that will vest either in whole or in part, depending on the level of achievement in comparison to the specified performance goals, pursuant to a formula, calculation or other objective mechanism approved by the committee at the time of the award; or (3) stipulate a target number of shares of stock or units (the “Target”) that may vest in part, in whole or up to a specified multiple of the Target, depending on the level of achievement in comparison to the specified performance goals pursuant to a formula, calculation or other objective mechanism approved by the committee at the time of the award. In the case of any award authorized under clause (3) of the previous sentence, a number of common shares equal to the maximum possible number of common shares that may be delivered to the participant under the award will be reserved by the company until such time as the applicable multiple of the Target has been determined by the Committee, even if the certification of achievement of results does not occur at that time due to additional performance goals that must be met prior to vesting, or if the actual exercise, vesting or delivery of stock does not occur at that time due to any delay in delivery imposed for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. If, or to the extent that, a performance-based award does not vest under the applicable performance goals on or before the expiration date established by the committee for the award, the award will be forfeited automatically.
Committee Discretion to Reduce or Eliminate Awards
.
The committee can reduce the amount of, or eliminate in full, but not increase, the amount of stock, units, or other interests that are subject to any performance-based award at, or at any time prior to, the committee’s certification of the vesting of the award. The committee may treat individual participants differently for these purposes. Any determination of this type by the committee will be final and binding on each affected participant.
Transferability
.
Awards under the 2015 Plan may not be transferred by the participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Tax Withholding
. No later than the date an award becomes taxable, the participant must satisfy his or her minimum withholding taxes by delivering to the company cash, or, unless the committee determines otherwise, common shares that are already owned by the participant or that would otherwise be delivered to the participant as a result of the taxable event. The committee must approve any election by an executive officer subject to Section 16 to satisfy tax withholding obligations by delivering common shares already owned by the participant.
Restricted Stock Units
. A restricted stock unit is a contractual right awarded by the company that entitles the participant to receive one common share or cash in the amount of the fair market value of one common share upon the satisfaction of all conditions to vesting of, and the lapse of all restrictions applicable to, the award, as determined by the Committee. Conditions to vesting may relate to continued employment, the achievement of performance goals established by the committee, or both. The units remain subject to restrictions, and subject to forfeiture, termination, or expiration as provided in the 2015 Plan, until the satisfaction of the conditions established by the committee for the vesting of the applicable award.
Restricted Stock
. Restricted stock awards consist of grants by the company of common shares that are subject to various restrictions, including, without limitation, restrictions on sale or transfer by the participant. The common shares will remain subject to those restrictions, and to forfeiture, termination or expiration as provided in the 2015 Plan, until the satisfaction of the conditions established by the committee for the vesting of the applicable award. Upon vesting of an award and the lapse of any other restrictions, the restrictions on the common shares awarded will be removed, and the participant will become entitled to sell or transfer those shares subject to applicable legal requirements. In addition to the terms established by the committee, the following provisions will apply to all restricted stock awards:
48
|
|
·
|
Each participant receiving a restricted stock award will be issued common shares to be held in book entry form. No stock certificates evidencing the shares will be issued and the applicable restrictions will be noted in the records of our transfer agent and in the book-entry system.
|
|
|
·
|
Except as provided in the 2015 Plan or the applicable award agreement, with respect to the common shares that are the subject of the restricted stock award, a participant will have all of the rights of a shareholder of the company, including the right to vote the common shares.
|
|
|
·
|
Participants who are granted awards of restricted stock also have the right to receive any cash dividends or other distributions declared by the Board, subject to the 2015 Plan. However, the Committee may determine that dividends or other distributions will not be paid or distributed immediately and will be and remain subject to all the terms and conditions regarding vesting, restrictions and forfeiture that apply to the common shares covered by the restricted stock award to which the dividends or distributions relate.
|
Stock Options
. A stock option award represents the right to purchase a specified number of common shares from the company at a specified price during a specified time period. Generally, stock options are not exercisable immediately and may be exercised in accordance with the requirements of the 2015 Plan only after the satisfaction of the conditions established by the committee for the vesting of the award.
The committee will have the authority to grant either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options, or a combination of both, subject to the requirements of the 2015 Plan. Incentive stock options are stock options intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor to Section 422. Non-qualified stock options are stock options that do not qualify as incentive stock options. In addition to the terms established by the committee, the following provisions will apply to each stock option award:
|
|
·
|
The option exercise price per common share that may be purchased under a stock option will be determined by the committee at the time of grant.
|
|
|
·
|
For non-qualified stock options, the exercise price must be at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the company’s common shares on the date of grant.
|
|
|
·
|
For incentive stock options, the exercise price must be at least equal to: (1) 100% of the fair market value of the company’s common shares at the date of grant; or (2) 110% of the fair market value of the common shares at the date of grant, in the case of a participant who at the date of grant owns shares representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the company or its parent or subsidiary corporations (as determined under Section 424(d), (e) and (f) of the Internal Revenue Code) (a “10% participant”).
|
|
|
·
|
The term of each stock option (“option term”) will be determined by the committee at the time of grant and may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant (or, with respect to incentive stock options, five years in the case of a 10% participant).
|
|
|
·
|
Subject to any installment exercise provisions and other conditions to vesting that may apply with respect to the stock options, stock options may be exercised, in whole or in part, at any time during the option term, by giving to the company written notice of exercise specifying the number of common shares to be purchased. The notice of exercise must be accompanied by payment in full of the option exercise price of the common shares for which the option is exercised. The committee may allow cashless broker exercises.
|
|
|
·
|
Unless otherwise determined by the committee, at or after grant, payment, in full or in part, of the option exercise price of incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options and related minimum withholding taxes may be made in the form of unrestricted common shares then owned by the participant and having a value equal to the option exercise price and minimum withholding taxes
|
|
|
·
|
No common shares will be issued pursuant to an exercise of an option until full payment of the exercise price and minimum withholding has been made. A participant will not have rights to dividends or any other rights of a shareholder with respect to any common shares subject to an option until the participant gives written notice of exercise, has paid in full for the common shares, and such shares have been issued to the participant.
|
|
|
·
|
All stock options will be exercisable during the participant’s lifetime only by the participant or, if the participant is unable to exercise an option as a result of the participant’s disability, by his or her authorized legal representative.
|
49
The following additional provisions will apply to incentive stock options and, in the event of conflict, will override the general provisions set forth above:
|
|
·
|
Only employees of the company or one of its subsidiaries can receive an incentive stock option.
|
|
|
·
|
In the event of the death or disability of a participant who holds an incentive stock option, the incentive stock option will be exercisable by: (1) the participant’s authorized legal representative (if the participant is unable to exercise the incentive stock option as a result of the participant’s disability) only if, and to the extent, permitted by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 16 of the Exchange Act; and (2) the participant’s estate, in the case of death, or authorized legal representative, in the case of disability, no later than 10 years from the date the incentive stock option was granted (or five years in the case of a 10% participant), in addition to any other restrictions or limitations that may apply.
|
The terms of the 2015 Plan relating to incentive stock options will be interpreted so as not to disqualify the 2015 Plan under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the 2015 Plan cannot be amended, and any discretion permitted by the 2015 Plan cannot be exercised, in a manner that would disqualify the 2015 Plan under Section 422 or, without the consent of the affected participant, to disqualify any outstanding incentive stock option under Section 422.
Stock Appreciation Rights
. Stock appreciation rights may be granted alone, in addition to or in tandem with other awards granted under the 2015 Plan. In the case of an award of stock appreciation rights relating to an award of non-qualified stock options, the rights may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of the related non-qualified stock options. In the case of incentive stock options, the rights may be granted in tandem with incentive stock options only at the time of the grant of the options and may be exercised only when the fair market value of the stock subject to the option exceeds the option exercise price.
Stock appreciation rights issued in tandem with stock options (“tandem SARs”) will terminate and will cease to be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the related stock option, subject to any provisions that the committee specifies at grant if the stock appreciation right is granted with respect to less than the full number of common shares subject to the related stock option. Upon exercise, the participant will be entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner prescribed below and the applicable award agreement.
Stock appreciation rights granted under the 2015 Plan are subject to the following terms and conditions and any other terms and conditions established by the committee:
|
|
·
|
Tandem SARs will be exercisable only at the times, and to the extent, that the stock options to which they relate are exercisable in accordance with the provisions of the 2015 Plan, and stock appreciation rights not granted in tandem with stock options (“freestanding SARs”) will be exercisable as the committee determines.
|
|
|
·
|
Upon exercising a stock appreciation right, a participant is entitled to receive an amount in cash or common shares, as determined by the committee at the time of grant, equal in value to the excess of the fair market value of one common share on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right over: (1) in the case of tandem SARs, the option exercise price per share specified in the related stock option, which price will be fixed no later than the date of grant of the tandem SARs; or (2) in the case of freestanding SARs, the price per share specified in the related award agreement, which price will be fixed at the date of grant and will be not less than the fair market value of the common shares on the date of grant, multiplied by the number of common shares in respect of which the stock appreciation right was exercised. The committee will have the right to determine the form of payment (i.e., cash, stock, or any combination of cash and stock) and to approve any election by the participant to receive cash, in whole or in part, upon exercise of the stock appreciation right. When payment is to be made in stock, the number of common shares to be paid will be calculated on the basis of the fair market value of the common shares on the date of exercise. However, the committee nevertheless may limit the appreciation in value of any stock appreciation right at any time prior to exercise.
|
|
|
·
|
Upon the exercise of a tandem SAR, the related stock option also must be exercised.
|
|
|
·
|
Stock appreciation rights will be exercisable, during the participant’s lifetime, only by the participant or, in the event of the participant’s disability, by the participant’s authorized legal representative.
|
|
|
·
|
Termination of Employment
|
50
For time based equity grants under the Plan, vesting will occur as provided by the Committee in the Award document. Stock option grants that are time vested must have a minimum vesting period of one year. For performance based equity grants, there is no minimum vesting period, however, the minimum performance period, in the absence of extraordinary circumstance, is one year. The Committee may provide for exceptions to the vesting rules, including in the case of a participant’s death, disability or retirement.
Change in Control
Upon the occurrence of a change in control, unless otherwise provided in the Award document, all grants of restricted stock shall immediately vest. All conditions and restrictions applicable to any restricted stock shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied upon the occurrence of a change in control.
For all other types of Awards (other than restricted stock), upon the occurrence of a change in control, the Committee shall take one of the following actions:
|
|
·
|
provide that Awards shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding entity or an affiliate thereof,
|
|
|
·
|
upon written notice to a Participant, provide that any unexercised Awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control unless exercised within a specified period following such notice,
|
|
|
·
|
provide that outstanding Awards shall become exercisable, realizable, or deliverable, or restrictions applicable to an Award shall lapse, in whole or in part before or upon the Change in Control,
|
|
|
·
|
in exchange for the termination of such Awards, make or provide for a cash payment to a Participant equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the cash consideration per share to be received by stockholders generally with respect to the Change in Control times the number of Shares in the Participant’s Awards over (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Awards and any applicable tax withholdings,
|
|
|
·
|
provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, Awards shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (net of the exercise price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings, if applicable) or
|
|
|
·
|
any combination of the foregoing.
|
The Committee is not obligated to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a participant, or all Awards of the same type, in the same manner.
The Plan defines “change in control” as any of the following:
|
|
·
|
the acquisition by any individual, entity or group of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of either the then outstanding common shares of the company or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (“outstanding company voting stock”), except that the following acquisitions will not constitute a change in control:
|
|
|
•
|
any acquisition directly from the company;
|
|
|
•
|
any acquisition by the company;
|
|
|
•
|
any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the company or any entity controlled by the company;
|
|
|
·
|
a change in the composition of the Board such that the individuals who, as of the date that the 2015 Plan becomes effective, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; with the following rules being applicable to individuals who become a member of the Board subsequent to the effective date of the 2015 Plan:
|
|
|
•
|
any individual whose election, or nomination for election by the company’s 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 bullet) will be considered as though the individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; and
|
|
|
•
|
any 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 will not be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board; or
the consummation of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (a “Business Combination”), unless, after such Business Combination:
|
51
|
|
●
|
all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the outstanding common shares and outstanding company voting securities immediately prior to the transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, of the entity resulting from the transaction (including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of the transaction, owns the company or
|
|
|
●
|
all or substantially all of the company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to the transaction, of the outstanding common shares and outstanding company voting securities, as the case may be;
|
|
|
●
|
no person (excluding any entity resulting from the transaction or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the company or the entity resulting from the transaction) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the entity resulting from the transaction 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 transaction; and
|
|
|
●
|
at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the entity resulting from the transaction 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 the transaction.
|
|
|
·
|
the approval by the shareholders of the company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the company;
|
To the extent that a Change in Control is a payment triggering event with respect to an Award that is subject to section 409A of the Code, no payment shall be triggered by an event that does not constitute a change in control within the meaning of section 409A.
Right of Recoupment
All Awards under the Plan are subject to any compensation, clawback and recoupment policies that may be generally applicable to the employees of the Company, as approved by the Board and any such compensation, clawback and recoupment policies that may be specifically applicable to the Plan as adopted by the Compensation Committee, in each case whether or not approved before or after the effective date of the Plan.
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code
The Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code or an exemption or exclusion from Section 409A and, with respect to awards and amounts that are subject to Section 409A, it is intended that the Plan will be administered in all respects in accordance with Section 409A. Accordingly, any action taken under the Plan, including any acceleration or conversion under the change in control provisions described above, will be made in compliance with Section 409A. The Plan contains a number of requirements aimed at compliance with Section 409A, including the following provisions:
|
|
·
|
no option or stock appreciation right granted under the Plan will contain any feature for the deferral of compensation unless specifically designated in the Award document; and
|
|
|
·
|
in the event that a participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the company), amounts that constitute “non-qualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A that would otherwise be payable during the six-month period immediately following a participant’s termination of employment with the company by reason of the termination will instead be paid or provided on the first business day of the seventh month following the month in which the participant’s termination occurs.
|
52
Amendments and Termination
The Plan may be amended or terminated at any time by our Board or the committee, except that no amendment or termination can impair the rights of a participant under an award granted prior to the amendment or termination without the participant’s consent unless expressly authorized by the 2015 Plan. The amendment authority for the Plan and outstanding awards extends to amendments to take into account changes in applicable securities and tax laws and accounting rules, as well as other developments.
The company will submit to the shareholders for approval any plan amendment that is required to be approved by shareholders by any regulatory authority, stock exchange on which the common shares are listed or Section 162(m). Unless changes in applicable law and legal requirements otherwise permit, shareholder approval will also be required for any amendment that would:
|
|
·
|
increase the total number of shares of stock (other than adjustments described above under “–Shares Available for Issuance”) that may be:
|
|
|
•
|
issued under the 2015 Plan;
|
|
|
•
|
issued to any eligible person during any calendar year; or
|
|
|
•
|
the subject of stock options and stock appreciation rights granted to any eligible person;
|
|
|
•
|
permit the granting of stock options or stock appreciation rights with an exercise price lower than fair market value at the date of grant;
|
|
|
•
|
change the eligibility requirements for the 2015 Plan; or
|
|
|
•
|
change the performance goals described above (other than adjustments).
|
The committee, at any time, may also amend the terms of any outstanding award, but other than adjustments described above or creating substitute awards in connection with a change in control, no amendment of an award agreement can impair the rights of a participant under an outstanding award without the participant’s consent, or make an applicable exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act unavailable to a participant subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act without his or her consent. In addition, except for adjustments as described above, unless the action is approved by the company’s shareholders:
|
|
·
|
no stock option or stock appreciation right can be amended to decrease the option exercise or strike price/base value of the award; and
|
|
|
·
|
no stock option or stock appreciation right can be cancelled in exchange for the grant of a new option with a lower exercise price or a stock appreciation right with a lower strike price/base value.
|
Term of the 2015 Plan
No award can be granted under the Plan after June 30, 2025; however, awards granted prior to that date can extend beyond that date.
DESCRIPTION OF FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER THE 2015 PLAN
The following is a summary of certain Federal income tax consequences of awards made under the 2015 Plan based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code in effect as of the date of this proxy statement, which are subject to change. The summary does not cover any state, local, foreign or other tax consequences of participation in the 2015 Plan. This summary is general in nature and does not take into account a number of considerations which may apply in light of the circumstances of any given participant under the 2015 Plan.
Restricted Stock Units
A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time of grant of a restricted stock unit, and the Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time. A participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding) at the time of settlement of the award, equal to the fair market value of any shares delivered (determined at that time) and the amount of cash paid by the Company, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction at that time, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) apply (see “–Section 162(m) Deduction Limit” below).
53
Restricted Stock
In general, a participant will not recognize taxable income at the time of grant of shares of restricted stock, and the Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time, unless the participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to be taxed at that time. If such election is made, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding) at the time of the grant equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common shares at that time over the amount, if any, paid for those common shares. If an election is not made, the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding) at the time the restrictions lapse in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common shares at that time over the amount, if any, paid for such common shares. The Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction at the time the ordinary income is recognized by the participant, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) apply.
In addition, a participant receiving dividends with respect to restricted stock for which the above-described election has not been made and prior to the time the restrictions lapse will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding), rather than dividend income. The Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction at that time, except to the extent the deduction limits of Section 162(m) apply.
Non-Qualified Stock Options
For stock options that are non-qualified stock options with an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of the common shares on the date of grant, no income is recognized by the participant at the time the stock option is granted. A participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding) upon exercise of a non-qualified stock option equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price, and the Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction at that time.
Stock options with an option exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value on the date of grant are generally treated as performance-based compensation; consequently, those stock options normally are not subject to the deduction limits relating to non-performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).
Incentive Stock Options
A participant will not recognize taxable income at the time of grant of an incentive stock option. A participant will not recognize taxable income (except for purposes of the alternative minimum tax) upon exercise of an incentive stock option. If the common shares acquired by exercise of an incentive stock option are held for the longer of two years from the date the stock option was granted and one year from the date the common shares were transferred to the participant, any gain or loss arising from a subsequent disposition of those common shares will be taxed as long-term capital gain or loss, and the Company will not be entitled to any deduction.
If, however, those common shares are disposed of at a gain within such one of two year periods, then in the year of disposition the participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income equal to the excess of the lesser of the amount realized upon such disposition and the fair market value of the common shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price, and the Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction at that time. Any excess of the amount realized on the disposition date over the fair market value of the common shares on the exercise date will be treated as capital gain. Incentive stock options are generally not subject to the deduction limits relating to non-performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).
For the purposes of computing a participant’s alternative minimum tax, the excess of the fair market value of the common shares at the time of exercise over the option price is an item of tax preference, unless there is a disposition of the shares acquired upon exercise in the same taxable year of exercise.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Generally, a participant will not recognize taxable income at the time of grant of a stock appreciation right, and the Company will not be entitled to a tax deduction at that time. Upon exercise, a participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income (and subject to income tax withholding) equal to the fair market value of any common shares delivered (determined at that time) and the amount of cash paid by the Company, and the Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction at that time.
Stock appreciation rights with a price per share equal to or greater than the fair market value on the date of grant are generally treated as performance-based compensation; consequently, those stock appreciation rights normally are not subject to the deduction limits relating to non-performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).
Dividend Equivalents
In general, with respect to dividend equivalents, a participant will recognize compensation taxable as ordinary income when the dividend equivalents are paid to the participant equal to the amount being paid (which may include accrued interest), and the Company generally will be entitled to a corresponding deduction at that time, subject to the deduction limits under Section 162(m).
54
Section 162(m) Deduction Limit
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally limits to $1 million per year the deduction that can be taken for Federal income tax purposes for compensation paid to “covered employees” (the “Deduction Limit”). Under Section 162(m), the term “covered employee” includes the chief executive officer and our four other most highly compensated executive officers. The Deduction Limit applies to compensation that does not qualify for any of the limited number of exceptions provided for in Section 162(m). Under Section 162(m), the Deduction Limit does not apply to compensation paid under a plan that meets certain requirements for “performance-based compensation” as defined under Section 162(m). For covered employees, any income resulting from a grant or vesting of restricted stock or restricted stock units, dividend equivalents and the amounts equivalent to interest generally will be exempt from the Deduction Limit only if the grant: (1) vests upon the achievement of one or more pre-established objective performance goals, the material terms of which are approved by shareholders; and (2) otherwise satisfies the requirements of Section 162(m).
The 2015 Plan is designed so that stock options and stock appreciation rights qualify for the “performance-based compensation” exception, and also permits the Committee to grant other awards, such as performance-based restricted stock and restricted stock units, which can be designed to qualify for the “performance-based compensation” exception. However, there can be no guarantee that awards intended to qualify for the “performance-based compensation” exception will qualify for the exception to the Deduction Limit. Time-based restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards would not qualify for this “performance-based compensation” exception. In addition, the Committee reserves the right to grant performance-based awards under the 2015 Plan that do not qualify for the “performance-based compensation” exception to the Deduction Limit. Thus, it is possible that Section 162(m) may disallow compensation deductions that would otherwise be available to the Company.
Section 409A
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code provides that if, at any time during a taxable year, a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” or arrangement fails to meet the requirements of Section 409A (a “non-qualified plan”), is not operated in accordance with those requirements or is not otherwise exempt or excluded from the requirements of Section 409A, all of an employee’s compensation that was deferred under the non-qualified plan (or any other plan required to be aggregated with the non-qualified plan) for the taxable year and all preceding years will be included in the employee’s gross income, but only to the extent that the compensation was not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and not previously included in gross income. In addition to the tax imposed on that compensation, the employee’s tax for the taxable year will be increased by interest and an additional tax equal to 20% of such compensation.
The 2015 Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A or an exemption or exclusion therefrom and, with respect to awards and amounts that are subject to Section 409A, it is intended that the 2015 Plan will be administered in all respects in accordance with Section 409A.
The foregoing general tax discussion is intended for the information of shareholders considering how to vote with respect to this proposal and not as tax guidance to participants in the 2015 Plan. Participants in the 2015 Plan should consult with their tax advisors as to the Federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences of their receipt of awards under the 2015 Plan.
VOTE REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on this proposal is required for approval of this proposal. Broker non-votes will not be treated as votes cast. Abstentions will be treated as votes cast and, consequently, will have the same effect as votes against the proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
FOR
THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION 2015 INCENTIVE PLAN.
PROPOSAL 5 - TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE SIMMONS FIRST
NATIONAL CORPORATION 2015 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
On December 15, 2014, the Board of Directors adopted the Simmons First National Corporation 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "2015 Stock Purchase Plan"). The Board's adoption of the 2015 Stock Purchase Plan was subject to shareholder approval, which approval is now being sought. The Board of Directors believes that the 2015 Stock Purchase Plan will provide eligible employees of the Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries a convenient method to purchase shares of the common stock of the Company at a favorable price through payroll deductions. The opportunity to purchase the Company's common shares through the plan is intended to provide an incentive to these employees who contribute and are expected to contribute materially to the continued success of the Company. The principal features of the 2015 Stock Purchase Plan are described below.
55
OFFERINGS
. The 2015 Stock Purchase Plan provides for purchase of the Company's Class A common stock by eligible employees through a maximum of 10 offerings, each of 12 months' duration. A total of 100,000 shares of the Corporation's common stock are to be reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan. The fair market value of 100,000 shares of Common Stock, as of December 15, 2014, was $3,905,000, based upon the closing price of $39.05 on the NASDAQ Stock Market's Global Select Market on the previous trading day.
ELIGIBILITY
. The Compensation Committee of the Board will specify the eligibility criteria to participate in each offering under the plan. Generally, all employees of the Company and its subsidiaries will be eligible, provided that the following employees may be excluded from participation in an offering: (i) employees who have been employed less than 2 years, (ii) employees whose customary employment is 20 hours or less per week, (iii) employees whose customary employment is for not more than 5 months in any calendar year, (iv) highly compensated employees. No employee shall be eligible to participate in the Plan if, the employee owns (or will own after participation in the offering) more than five percent (5%) of the shares of the Company. At the present time, there are approximately 1,700 employees who would be eligible to participate in the Plan.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
. Prior to each twelve month offering period, eligible employees will be entitled to elect to have an amount deducted from their pay and accumulated until the end of that offering period, (not to exceed $25,000 per calendar year). Participants may increase, decrease or suspend their payroll deductions one time each offering period and may withdraw the balance of their payroll deduction account at the end of each offering period. At the end of each offering period, the balance of each participant's payroll deduction account will be applied towards the purchase of the largest number of full shares of the Company's Class A common stock possible, provided that the maximum number of shares that any participant may receive in any calendar year may not exceed the number of shares of SFNC Stock (rounded down to a whole number of shares) equal to $25,000 divided by the Fair Market Value of SFNC Stock determined at the commencement of the employee’s participation under the first offering for each calendar year in which the employee participates. Each participant will have such number of shares credited to his or her account at ETrade Financial Corporation (or such other broker as the Company may designate) or, upon election by the participant to participate in the Company's dividend reinvestment plan, a statement showing the shares so issued for the benefit of the participant. Any benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to the participants under the 2015 Stock Purchase Plan, including the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table above, are not determinable.
PRICE.
The price at which the shares will be deemed to have been purchased (the "option price") will be determined by the Compensation Committee, which price shall not less than the lesser of (i) 85% of the fair market value of the common stock at the time the option is granted ("grant date"), or (ii) 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the last day of the offering period ("exercise date"). In general, for purposes of the 2015 Stock Purchase Plan "fair market value" means the closing price as reported by NASDAQ for the previous trading day upon which at least one trade of the Company's stock occurred.
ADMINISTRATION
. The Compensation Committee will administer the 2015 Stock Purchase Plan. The Committee has the authority, subject to the terms of the Plan, to (i) adopt, alter, and repeal administrative rules and practices governing the Plan; (ii) interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan; and (iii) otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
. The 2015 Stock Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Grant and Exercise
- Neither the granting of the option nor the purchase of stock on behalf of a participant pursuant to the Plan will cause any federal income tax consequences to the participant or the Company.
Qualifying Disposition
- If the participant holds the shares purchased pursuant to the plan for more than 1 year after the exercise date and 2 years after the grant date ("holding period"), upon selling the shares, the participant's gain will be divided between ordinary income and long term capital gain. The ordinary income element will equal the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant less the exercise price of the purchase right ("discount"), provided that the ordinary income element shall not exceed the amount of gain realized if such amount is less than the discount. Any remaining gain (and all loss) recognized on the disposition of the stock will be long-term capital gain (or loss). The Corporation will not receive an income tax deduction in the event the participant disposes of the shares after completion of the holding period.
56
Disqualifying Disposition
- If the participant sells the shares before the expiration of the holding period, the participant will have made a "disqualifying disposition" and the participant's gain may similarly be divided between ordinary income and long term capital gain. The participant will realize ordinary income on the date of sale equal to the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date less the option price. Any further appreciation or depreciation in the value of the shares after the date the option was exercised is treated as a capital gain or loss. The Company will receive an income tax deduction in the same amount and at the same time as the participant realizes ordinary income, but not as to any amount which is subject to capital gains treatment.
ADOPTION OF PROPOSAL 5 TO APPROVE THE 2015 STOCK PURCHASE PLAN REQUIRES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE HOLDERS OF AT LEAST A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY VOTING ON THIS PROPOSAL. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE
FOR
THIS PROPOSAL.
PROPOSAL 6 - TO RATIFY SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors re-selected the accounting firm of BKD, LLP as independent auditors of Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015, subject to a formal acceptance of an engagement letter from BKD, LLP, and seeks ratification of the selection by the Company's shareholders.
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed to the Company for professional services rendered by BKD for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the reviews of the financial statements included in the Company's Form 10-Q's for 2014 were $543,000. The aggregate fees billed to the Company by BKD for such services in 2013 were $408,000.
Audit Related Fees
The aggregate fees billed to the Company for professional services rendered by BKD for the audit related fees during 2014 were $308,315. The aggregate fees billed to the Company by BKD for such services in 2013 were $267,100. These services are primarily for the audit services provided in connection with acquisitions, audits of employee benefit plans, audits of the investment company and audits of common trust funds.
Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed to the Company for professional services rendered by BKD for tax services and preparation of tax returns during 2014 was $19,675. The aggregate fees billed to the Company by BKD for such services in 2013 were $48,971.
All Other Fees
There were no fees billed to the Company by BKD for services other than those set forth above.
Shareholder ratification of the Audit Committee's selection of BKD as our independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2015 is not required by our Bylaws or otherwise. Nonetheless, the Board of Directors has elected to submit the selection of BKD to our shareholders for ratification. If a quorum is present, approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock represented and entitled to vote at the annual meeting. If the selection of BKD as our independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2015 is not ratified, the matter will be referred to the Audit Committee for further review.
Representatives of BKD will be at the annual meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
FOR
RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF BKD AS OUR INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR 2015.
57
TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF THE
CLASS A COMMON STOCK OF THE CORPORATION
The Company's board of directors has determined that it is advisable, and has voted unanimously, to recommend the adoption of an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock ("Common Stock") of the Company from 60,000,000 to 120,000,000 shares.
This proposal is to authorize additional shares of the Common Stock. There are no preemptive rights with respect to the shares of Common Stock.
The principal reason for the proposed amendment to increase the number of authorized shares of the Common Stock is to provide sufficient shares to enable the Company to issue additional shares, if needed, to engage in acquisitive transactions, to effect future stock dividends or for other general corporate purposes. As of April 14, 2015, the Company has 29,851,136 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. In addition, the Company has set aside the number of shares to the indicated employee benefit plans which have not been issued:
|
Employee Benefit Plan
|
Shares
|
|||
|
Outside Director Stock Incentive Plan - 2006
|
6,675 | |||
|
Executive Stock Incentive Plan - 2010
|
94,129 | |||
|
2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
|
43,331 | |||
|
Outside Director Stock Incentive Plan - 2014
|
100,000 | |||
|
2015 Incentive Plan *
|
1,000,000 | |||
|
2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan*
|
100,000 | |||
|
Total shares set aside
|
1,344,135 | |||
_______________
* These plans are being submitted for approval by the shareholders at this annual meeting.
Management believes the remaining number of authorized but unissued shares may not be sufficient for future needs of the Company. If the proposed amendment is approved by the shareholders, the additional authorized shares of Common Stock will be available for general corporate purposes, including public offerings, stock dividends and acquisitions. The Company presently has no specific plan for the issuance or use of the shares sought to be authorized by this proposal.
The proposed amendment could, under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect on the Company. The availability for issuance of the additional authorized shares of common stock could deter a potential acquirer from pursuing a takeover transaction, due to the possibility of the issuance of additional shares increasing the cost of any proposed takeover transaction. Management and the Board are not aware of any proposed takeover attempt of the Company and have no present intention of utilizing the additional authorized shares as an anti-takeover measure.
The Board of Directors proposes to amend the Articles of Incorporation as set forth above and to restate the Articles of Incorporation of the Company with such amendment. If authority to amend and restate the Articles is granted by the shareholders at the Shareholders' Meeting, management intends to file the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation immediately following such approval, and the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation will become effective upon filing with the Arkansas Secretary of State.
ADOPTION OF THIS PROPOSAL REQUIRES THE VOTES CAST IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSAL EXCEED THE VOTES CAST OPPOSING THE PROPOSAL AT A MEETING AT WHICH A MAJORITY OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY ARE PRESENT, IN PERSON OR BY PROXY. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THIS PROPOSAL IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL SHAREHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
FOR
ITS ADOPTION.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and the regulations issued thereunder require directors and certain officers of any company registered under that Act to file statements on SEC Forms 3, 4 & 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, showing their beneficial ownership in securities issued by such company. Based upon a review of such statements by the directors and officers of the Company for the preceding fiscal year, provided to the Company by such persons, the Company has not identified any late filings.
58
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
A copy of the annual report of the Company for 2014 on Form 10-K required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including audited financial statements, is enclosed herewith. Such report and financial statements contained therein are not incorporated into this Proxy Statement and are not considered a part of the proxy soliciting materials, since they are not deemed material for the exercise of prudent judgment in regard to the matters to be acted upon at the meeting.
Upon written request by any shareholder addressed to J. Burton Hicks, Secretary, Simmons First National Corporation, P. O. Box 7009, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71611, a copy of the Company's annual report for 2014 on Form 10-K required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the financial statements and schedules thereto, will be furnished without charge.
PROPOSALS FOR 2016 ANNUAL MEETING
Shareholders who intend to have a proposal considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for presentation at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must submit the proposal to the Company no later than November 17, 2015. Shareholders who intend to present a proposal at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders without inclusion of such proposal in the Company's proxy materials are required to provide notice of such proposal to the Company no later than January 15, 2016. The Company reserves the right to reject, rule out of order or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable requirements.
OTHER MATTERS
Management knows of no other matters to be brought before this annual meeting. However, if other matters should properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
/s/ J. Burton Hicks
J. Burton Hicks, Secretary
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
May 15, 2015
59
APPENDIX A
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
2015 INCENTIVE PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
ARTICLE 1 . INTRODUCTION
|
1
|
|
|
1.1.
|
Purpose of the Plan.
|
1
|
|
1.2.
|
Nature of Awards.
|
1
|
|
1.3.
|
Effective Date and Term of Plan.
|
1
|
|
ARTICLE 2 . DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
|
2
|
|
|
2.1.
|
Definitions.
|
2
|
|
2.2.
|
Construction.
|
5
|
|
ARTICLE 3 . ELIGIBILITY
|
6
|
|
|
3.1.
|
In General.
|
6
|
|
ARTICLE 4 . ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
|
7
|
|
|
4.1.
|
In General.
|
7
|
|
4.2.
|
Delegation to Committees and Officers.
|
7
|
|
ARTICLE 5 . STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
|
9
|
|
|
5.1.
|
Number of Shares.
|
9
|
|
5.2.
|
Limits.
|
9
|
|
5.3.
|
Substitute Awards.
|
9
|
|
ARTICLE 6 . TYPES OF AWARDS
|
10
|
|
|
6.1.
|
Stock Options.
|
10
|
|
6.2.
|
Stock Appreciation Rights.
|
13
|
|
6.3.
|
Restricted Stock.
|
13
|
|
6.4.
|
Restricted Stock Units.
|
14
|
|
6.5.
|
Performance Shares.
|
14
|
|
6.6.
|
Other Stock-Based Awards.
|
15
|
|
6.7.
|
Cash Awards.
|
15
|
|
6.8.
|
Performance-Based Awards.
|
15
|
|
ARTICLE 7 . ADJUSTMENTS
|
18
|
|
|
7.1.
|
Changes in Capitalization.
|
18
|
|
7.2.
|
Change in Control.
|
18
|
|
ARTICLE 8 . GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL AWARDS.
|
20
|
|
|
8.1.
|
Transferability of Awards.
|
20
|
|
8.2.
|
Termination of Status.
|
20
|
|
8.3.
|
Withholding.
|
20
|
|
8.4.
|
Conditions on Delivery of Stock.
|
21
|
|
8.5.
|
Acceleration.
|
21
|
|
ARTICLE 9 . MISCELLANEOUS
|
22
|
|
|
9.1.
|
No Right to Employment or Other Status.
|
22
|
|
9.2.
|
No Rights as Stockholder.
|
22
|
|
9.3.
|
Amendment.
|
22
|
|
9.4.
|
Compliance with Code Section 409A.
|
23
|
|
9.5.
|
Governing Law.
|
23
|
|
9.6.
|
Clawback Rights.
|
23
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Table of Contents |
ARTICLE 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1.
Purpose of the Plan.
The Plan is intended to enhance the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate its employees, officers, directors, consultants, and advisors, and to provide them with equity ownership opportunities and performance-based incentives that are intended to align their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders.
1.2.
Nature of Awards.
The Plan permits the grant of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, shares of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares, and any other form of award based on the value (or the increase in value) of shares of the common stock of the Company. The Plan also permits cash incentive awards. Subject to Section 8.5, Participants shall vest in their Awards granted under the Plan to the extent certain conditions set forth in their Award Certificate are met.
Vesting criteria may include the passage of time (generally full vesting will not occur until three years or more from the date of grant) or the attainment of individual and/or Company performance objectives, or a combination of both. No time-based stock option granted under the Plan may vest prior to the expiration of at least one year from the date of grant. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, each Award may be made alone, in addition or in relation to, or in tandem with any other Award. The terms of each Award need not be identical, and the Administrator need not treat Participants uniformly.
1.3.
Effective Date and Term of Plan.
The Plan is effective as of July 1, 2015. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after June 30, 2025 (or such earlier date as may apply under section 422 of the Code), but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 1 |
ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
2.1.
Definitions.
When used in this 2015 Incentive Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:
|
(a)
|
“
Administrator
” means the entity that administers the plan in accordance with Article 4.
|
|
(b)
|
“
Article
”
means an article of the Plan.
|
|
(c)
|
“
Award
”
means an award issued under the Plan.
|
|
(d)
|
“
Award Certificate
”
means the agreement, certificate or other document evidencing an Award, which shall be in such form (written, electronic or otherwise) as the Administrator shall determine.
|
|
(e)
|
“
Board
”
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
|
|
(f)
|
“
Cause
” shall have the meaning assigned such term in the employment, severance or similar agreement, if any, between such Participant and the Company or an Affiliate;
provided
,
however
, that if there is no such employment, severance or similar agreement in which such term is defined, and unless otherwise defined in the applicable Award Certificate, “Cause” shall mean any of the following acts by the Participant, as determined by the Administrator: gross neglect of duty, prolonged absence from duty without the consent of the Company, material breach by the Participant of any published Company code of conduct or code of ethics; or willful misconduct, misfeasance or malfeasance of duty which is reasonably determined to be detrimental to the Company. With respect to a Participant’s termination of directorship, “Cause” means an act or failure to act that constitutes cause for removal of a director under applicable Arkansas law. The determination of the Committee as to the existence of “Cause” shall be conclusive on the Participant and the Company.
|
|
(g)
|
“
Change in Control
” shall mean that any one of the following apply:
|
|
(1)
|
the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) 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”). For purposes of this paragraph (1), the following acquisitions by a Person will not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company; (ii) any acquisition by the Company; or (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any entity controlled by the Company;
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 2 |
|
(2)
|
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. Any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, is approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board will be considered a member of the Incumbent Board as of the Effective Date, but any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of 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 Incumbent Board will not be deemed a member of the Incumbent Board as of the Effective Date;
|
|
(3)
|
the consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), unless following such Business Combination: (A) 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 and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions to one another 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, (B) 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), directly or indirectly, 50% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock 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 (C) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the corporation 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
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 3 |
|
(4)
|
the approval by our stockholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. To the extent that a Change in Control is a payment triggering event with respect to an Award that is subject to section 409A of the Code, no payment shall be triggered by an event that does not constitute a change in control within the meaning of section 409A.
|
|
(h)
|
“
Code
”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
|
|
(i)
|
“
Company
”
means Simmons First National Corporation or any successor entity.
|
|
(j)
|
“
Compensation Committee
” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, which shall consist of not less than two Board members, all of whom are “non-employee directors” (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) and “outside directors” as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations promulgated under Section 162(m).
|
|
(k)
|
“
Disability
” shall mean a disability within the meaning of the Company’s long-term disability plan in which the Participant participates, and if there is no such plan, within the meaning of the federal Social Security Act.
|
|
(l)
|
“
Effective Date
”
means the first date set forth in Section 1.3.
|
|
(m)
|
“
Fair Market Value
” means the closing sales price (for the primary trading session) of a Share on the relevant date. For any date that is not a trading day, the Fair Market Value of a Share for such date will be determined by using the closing sale price for the immediately preceding trading day. The Compensation Committee can substitute a particular time of day or other measure of “closing sale price” if appropriate because of unusual circumstances or can use weighted averages either on a daily basis or such longer period as complies with section 409A of the Code.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 4 |
|
(n)
|
“
Participant
” means any person or entity eligible to be granted an Award pursuant to Section 3.1.
|
|
(o)
|
“
Plan
”
means this 2015 Incentive Plan.
|
|
(p)
|
“
Performance Share
”
means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6.5
|
|
(q)
|
“
Restricted Stock
”
means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6.3.
|
|
(r)
|
“
Restricted Stock Unit
”
means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6.4.
|
|
(s)
|
“
Section
”
means a section of the Plan.
|
|
(t)
|
“
Share
”
means a share of common stock of the Company.
|
|
(u)
|
“
Stock Appreciation Right
”
or “SAR” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6.2.
|
|
(v)
|
“
Stock Option
”
means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6.1; a Stock Option can be either an “Incentive Stock Option” (if it complies with the requirements of Section 6.1(b)) or a “Nonqualified Stock Option” (if it does not comply with the requirements of Section 6.1(b)).
|
|
(w)
|
“
Ten Percent Stockholder
”
means a Participant who on the date of grant is treated under section 424(d) of the Code as owning stock (not including stock purchasable under outstanding options) possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of the stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company as defined in section 424(e) or (f) of the Code.
|
2.2.
Construction.
When used in the Plan, (a) the terms “include” and “including” shall be deemed to include the phrase “but not limited to” and (b) masculine pronouns shall include the feminine.
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 5 |
ARTICLE 3. ELIGIBILITY
3.1.
In General.
Any person or entity is eligible to be granted an Award if such person or entity is a current employee, officer, director, independent contractor, consultant, or advisor of the Company or any of the Company’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code or any other business venture (including, without limitation, a joint venture or limited liability company) in which the Company has a controlling interest, as determined by Administrator.
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 6 |
ARTICLE 4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
4.1.
In General.
|
(a)
|
The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee, which shall serve as the Administrator. The Administrator shall have authority to grant Awards and determine recipients and terms of any Awards, and to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable.
|
|
(b)
|
The Administrator shall have full discretionary authority to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and any Award Certificate, and to determine all facts necessary to administer the Plan and any Award Certificate. The Administrator may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Certificate in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or advisable.
|
|
(c)
|
All decisions by the Administrator shall be made in its sole discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award. No director or person acting pursuant to the authority delegated by the Administrator shall be liable for any action or determination relating to or under the Plan made in good faith.
|
|
(d)
|
With respect to Awards made to directors, the Board shall also have the authority described in this Section 4.1 and Section 8.5.
|
4.2.
Delegation to Committees and Officers.
|
(a)
|
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Administrator may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees of the Company’s management.
|
|
(b)
|
To the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to any limitations under the Plan, the Administrator may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the power (1) to grant Awards to any individual eligible under Section 3.1 other than a director or executive officer and (2) to exercise such other powers under the Plan as the Administrator may determine; provided further, however, that no officer shall be authorized to grant Awards to himself or herself. For purposes of this Section 4.2(b), the phrase “executive officer” shall mean the Chief Executive Officer, President, and any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 7 |
|
(c)
|
All references in the Plan to the “Administrator” shall mean the Administrator or a committee of the Board (or the Company’s management) or the officers referred to in Section 4.2(b) to the extent that the Administrator’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such committee or officers.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 8 |
ARTICLE 5. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
5.1.
Number of Shares.
|
(a)
|
Subject to adjustment under ARTICLE 7, Awards may be made under the Plan for up to 1,000,000 Shares, of which all shares can be issued as Incentive Stock Options.
|
|
(b)
|
If any Award expires or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised, is forfeited in whole or in part, or results in any Shares not being issued, the unused Shares covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan. However, , Shares tendered to the Company by a Participant to exercise an Award or Shares withheld from an exercised Award for the payment of taxes shall not thereafter be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan. Shares issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.
|
5.2.
Limits.
The maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock for which Awards may be issued under this Plan in any calendar year to an individual Participant, other than a non-employee member of the Board, shall not exceed 300,000 (of which no more than 150,000 may be issued as awards other than Stock Options or SARs),the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock for which Awards may be issued under this Plan in any calendar year to an individual non-employee member of the Board shall not exceed 75,000, the maximum amount that may be earned as a Cash Award for a performance period for a single calendar year by any individual Participant is $5,000,000, and the maximum amount that may be earned as a Cash Award for a performance period of greater than a single calendar year by any individual Participant is $7,500,000.
5.3.
Substitute Awards.
|
(a)
|
In connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock of an entity, the Administrator may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted by such entity or an affiliate thereof. Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Administrator deems appropriate in the circumstances.
|
|
(b)
|
Substitute Awards shall not count against the overall share limit set forth in Section 5.1, except as may be required by reason of section 422 and related provisions of the Code.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 9 |
ARTICLE 6. TYPES OF AWARDS
6.1.
Stock Options.
|
(a)
|
In General
. The Administrator may grant options to purchase Shares to any Participant and may determine the number of Shares to be covered by each option, the exercise price of each option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each option, including conditions relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as it considers necessary or advisable. A Stock Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be designated as a “Nonqualified Stock Option.”
|
|
(b)
|
Incentive Stock Options.
|
|
(1)
|
A Stock Option that the Administrator intends to be an Incentive Stock Option shall only be granted to employees of the Company or any of the Company’s present or future parent or
subsidiary corporations as defined in sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code, and shall be subject to and construed consistently with the requirements of section 422 of the Code.
|
|
(2)
|
A Stock Option that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option to the extent that, in the calendar year in which the Award is first exercisable, the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Award (when added to other awards granted to the same individual that are intended to be Incentive Stock Options under the Plan or any other plan maintained by the Company and certain related corporations) exceeds $100,000 or such other limitation as might apply under section 422 of the Code.
|
|
(3)
|
The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if a Stock Option (or any part thereof) that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option, or for any action taken by the Administrator, including the conversion of an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonqualified Stock Option.
|
|
(c)
|
Nonqualified Stock Options.
|
|
(1)
|
Any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option shall be a Nonqualified Stock Option.
|
|
(2)
|
The Administrator may grant Nonqualified Stock Options to any Participant.
|
|
(d)
|
Exercise Price.
|
|
(1)
|
The Administrator shall establish the exercise price of each Stock Option and specify the exercise price in the applicable Award Certificate.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 10 |
|
(2)
|
The exercise price of any Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares on the date the Stock Option is granted, except that, if any Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, the exercise price shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares on the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted. The 100% and 110% limitation in this Section 6.1(d)(2) shall automatically adjust to the extent required by section 422 of the Code.
|
|
(3)
|
Once established, the exercise price of a Stock Option shall not be re-priced without shareholder approval. Option re-pricing shall include (i) any amendment to the terms of an outstanding option (or SAR) to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding options (or SARs) and (ii) the cancellation of outstanding options (or SARs) in exchange for options (or SARs) with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original options (or SARs).
|
|
(e)
|
Term of Stock Options.
|
|
(1)
|
Each Stock Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may specify in the applicable Award Certificate; except that no Stock Option shall be granted for a term of more than 10 years. Incentive Stock Options issued to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall not have a term of more than 5 years.
|
|
(2)
|
No Stock Option shall permit the Participant to defer receipt of compensation on the Stock Option beyond the date of exercise, unless the Administrator expressly determines that such Stock Option shall be subject to section 409A of the Code.
|
|
(f)
|
Exercise of Stock Option.
|
Stock Options may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a written notice of exercise in the form attached to, or the manner described in, the Award Certificate or by any other form of notice (including electronic notice) or such other manner approved by the Administrator, together with payment in full for the number of shares for which the Stock Option is exercised. Shares subject to the Stock Option will be delivered by the Company as soon as practicable following exercise.
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 11 |
|
(g)
|
Payment Upon Exercise.
|
Shares purchased upon the exercise of a Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows:
|
(1)
|
in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;
|
|
(2)
|
if provided in the applicable Award Certificate, by (1) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding or (2) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding;
|
|
(3)
|
to the extent provided for in the applicable Award Certificate or approved by the Administrator, by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of Shares owned by the Participant valued at their Fair Market Value, provided (1) such method of payment is then permitted under applicable law, (2) such Shares, if acquired directly from the Company, were owned by the Participant for such minimum period of time, if any, as may be established by the Administrator, and (3) such Shares are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements;
|
|
(4)
|
to the extent permitted by applicable law and provided for in the applicable Award Certificate, by (1) delivery of a promissory note of the Participant to the Company on terms determined by the Administrator, or (2) payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine; or
|
|
(5)
|
by any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 12 |
|
(h)
|
No Reload Grants.
|
|
|
Stock Options shall not be granted under the Plan in consideration for and shall not be conditioned upon the delivery of Shares to the Company in payment of the exercise price and/or tax withholding obligation under any other Stock Option.
|
6.2.
Stock Appreciation Rights.
|
(a)
|
In General.
A Stock Appreciation Right is an Award in the form of a right to receive cash or a Share, upon surrender of the Stock Appreciation Right, in an amount equal to the appreciation in the value of the Share over a base price established in the Award. The Committee may grant Stock Appreciation Rights either independently of Stock Options, or in tandem with Stock Options such that the exercise of the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right cancels the tandem Stock Appreciation Right or Stock Option.
|
|
(b)
|
Base Price.
The minimum base price of a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be the price set forth in the applicable Award Certificate, or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right related to a Stock Option (whether already outstanding or concurrently granted), the exercise price of the related Stock Option. The minimum base price of a Stock Appreciate Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted. Once established, the minimum base price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be re-priced without shareholder approval.
|
|
(c)
|
Term, Exercise, and Payment.
The provisions of Sections 6.1(e), (f), (g), and (h) shall generally apply to Stock Appreciation Rights, as applicable.
|
6.3.
Restricted Stock.
|
(a)
|
In General.
The Administrator may grant Awards of Restricted Stock. The Administrator shall determine the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award, including the conditions for vesting and repurchase (or forfeiture), the issue price (if any) and whether the Shares shall be entitled to exercise voting or other rights associated with ownership of a Share.
|
|
(b)
|
Dividends.
The Administrator may, at the time of grant of Restricted Stock, provide that any dividends declared with respect to such Shares be (1) paid to Participants, (2) accumulated for the benefit of the Participant and paid to a Participant only at the time of vesting, or (3) not paid or
accumulated, provided however, that dividend equivalents or other distributions in Shares underlying
performance-based awards as set forth in Section 6.8 will be determined with and paid contingent upon the achievement of the applicable performance criteria. If any dividends or distributions are paid in shares, or consist of a dividend or distribution to holders of Shares other than an ordinary cash dividend, the shares or other property will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. Each dividend payment will be made no later than the end of the calendar year in which the Restricted Stock on which such dividends are paid vests or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the date on which the Restricted Stock on which such dividends are paid vests.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 13 |
|
(c)
|
Stock Certificates.
The Company may require that any stock certificates issued for shares of Restricted Stock be deposited in escrow by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee). At the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to such restrictions to the Participant. If the Participant has died before the certificates are delivered, the certificates shall be delivered to the beneficiary designated by the Participant under the Plan and on file with the Company (or its designee) before the Participant’s death. If there is no such valid beneficiary designation, the Participant’s estate shall be the beneficiary.
|
6.4.
Restricted Stock Units.
The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Units to any participant subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Administrator would have imposed in connection with any Award of Restricted Stock. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share. Restricted Stock Units may be paid at such time as the Administrator may determine and payments may be made in a lump sum or in installments, in cash, Shares, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator.
6.5.
Performance Shares.
The Administrator may grant Performance Shares to any participant subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Administrator would have imposed in connection with any Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units. Each Performance Share shall have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share. Performance Shares may be paid at such time as the Administrator may determine and payments may be made in a lump sum or in installments, in cash, Shares, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator. It is intended that Performance Shares be granted subject to the requirements of Performance-Based Awards, as set forth in Section 6.8. If Performance Shares are granted as Performance-Based Awards, the Compensation Committee shall certify that the applicable performance goal(s) and any other material terms of the Awards have been satisfied before payment is made, as set forth in Section 6.8(f).
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 14 |
6.6.
Other Stock-Based Awards.
Other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property, may be granted under the Plan to Participants. To the extent permitted by law, such other Share Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Share Awards may be paid in Shares or cash, as the Administrator shall determine. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator shall determine the terms and conditions of each other Share Award.
6.7.
Cash Awards.
Cash Awards are Awards that provide participants with the opportunity to earn a cash payment based upon the achievement of one or more performance goals for a performance period determined by the Administrator. For each performance period, the Administrator shall determine the relevant performance criteria, the performance goal for each performance criterion, the level or levels of achievement necessary for Awards to be paid, the weighting of the performance goals if more than one performance goal is applicable, and the size of the Awards.
6.8.
Performance-Based Awards.
|
(a)
|
In General.
Any of the Awards listed in ARTICLE 6 may be granted as Awards that satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of section 162(m) of the Code. The performance goals must be established by the Compensation Committee and may be for the Company, or a Company subsidiary, affiliate or other Company operating unit or department, or a combination of such units or departments. The performance goal shall be based on one or more performance criteria selected by the Compensation Committee and, absent extraordinary circumstances (such as awards granted during the first Plan year), shall be based on performance periods of at least one year. With the exception of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, an Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements of a performance-based Award shall be so designated at the time of grant.
|
|
(b)
|
Limits.
The limits under Section 5.2 shall apply with respect to performance-based Awards issued under this Section 6.8.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 15 |
|
(c)
|
Performance Criteria.
In the case of Awards intended to qualify as performance-based Awards, the performance criteria shall be selected only from among the following: (1) earnings or earnings per share (whether on a pre-tax, after-tax, operational or other basis); (2) return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, equity, investments or sales, and cash flow return on assets, capital, equity, or sales); (3) improvements in capital structure; (4) revenues; (5) expenses (expense management, expense ratio, expense efficiency ratios or other expense measures); (6) one or more operating ratios; (7) stock price or performance; (8) stockholder return; (9) market share; (10) cash (cash flow, cash generation or other cash measures); (11) capital expenditures; (12) net borrowing, debt leverage levels, credit quality or debt ratings; (13) the accomplishment of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, public offerings or similar extraordinary business transactions; (14) net asset value per share; (15) economic value added; (16) sales; (17) profits (net profit, gross profit, operating profit, economic profit, profit margins or other corporate profit measures); (18) net income (before or after taxes, operating income or other income measures); (19) internal rate of return or increase in net present value; (20) productivity measures; (21) cost reduction measures; (22) strategic plan development and implementation; (23) customer measures (including changes in number of customers or households); (24) growth measures (deposit growth, loan growth, revenue growth, or asset growth); (25) net charge-offs; or (26) any combination of any of the foregoing business criteria. Any of the performance criteria may be used to measure the performance of the Company, a subsidiary, and/or affiliate as a whole or any business unit of the Company, a subsidiary, and/or affiliate or any combination thereof, as the Compensation Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above performance criteria as compared to the performance of a group of comparator companies, or published or special index that the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Award based on the achievement of the performance criteria specified in this Section 6.8.
|
|
(d)
|
A
p
plication to Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 6.8 to the contrary, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights need not satisfy the specific performance criteria described in this Section 6.8 in order to qualify as performance-based Awards under this section 162(m) of the Code.
|
|
(e)
|
Time for Establishing Performance Goals.
The specific performance goal(s) and the applicable performance criteria must be established by the Compensation Committee in advance of the deadlines applicable under section 162(m) of the Code and while the achievement of the performance goal(s) remains substantially uncertain.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 16 |
|
(f)
|
Committee Certification and Payment of Awards.
Before any performance-based Award (other than Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) is paid, the Compensation Committee must certify in writing (by resolution or otherwise) that the applicable performance goal(s) and any other material terms of the Award have been satisfied. Unless otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, performance-based Awards shall be paid as soon as practicable after the Compensation Committee has certified that the applicable goals and terms of such awards have been satisfied, but in no event later than the fifteenth (15
th
) day of the third month following the end of the performance period to which the award relates (absent a timely election to defer such Award under a deferred compensation plan, if any, maintained by the Company). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent an amount was intended to be paid so as to qualify as a short-term deferral under section 409A of the Code and the applicable regulations, then such payment may be delayed if the requirements of Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(b)(4)(ii) are met. In such case, payment of such deferred amounts must be made as soon as reasonably practicable following the first date on which the Company anticipates or reasonably should anticipate that, if the payments were made on such date, the Company’s deduction with respect to such payment would no longer be restricted due to the applicability of section 162(m) of the Code.
|
|
(g)
|
Terms and Conditions of Awards; Committee Discretion to Reduce Performance Awards.
The Compensation Committee shall have discretion to determine the conditions, restrictions or other limitations, in accordance with, and subject to, the terms of the Plan and section 162(m) of the Code, on the payment of individual Awards under this Section 6.8. To the extent set forth in an Award Certificate, the Compensation Committee may reserve the right to adjust the amount payable in accordance with any standards or on any other basis (including the Compensation Committee’s discretion), as the Compensation Committee may determine; provided, however, that, in the case of Awards intended to qualify as performance-based Awards, such adjustments shall be prescribed in a form that meets the requirements of section 162(m) of the Code.
|
|
(h)
|
Adjustments for Material Changes.
To the extent the Compensation Committee makes adjustments in accordance with ARTICLE 7 that affect Awards intended to be performance-based Awards under this Section 6.8, such adjustments shall be prescribed in a form that meets the requirements of section 162(m) of the Code.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 17 |
ARTICLE 7. ADJUSTMENTS
7.1.
Changes in Capitalization.
In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of Shares other than an ordinary cash dividend, (1) the number and class of securities available under this Plan, (2) the number and class of securities and exercise price per Share of each outstanding Stock Option, (3) the number of Shares subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, and (4) the terms of each other outstanding Award shall be equitably adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) in the manner determined by the Administrator. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Company effects a split of the Shares by means of a stock dividend and the exercise price of and the number of Shares subject to an outstanding Stock Option are adjusted as of the date of the distribution of the dividend (rather than as of the record date for such dividend), then an optionee who exercises a Stock Option between the record date and the distribution date for such stock dividend shall be entitled to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect to the Shares acquired upon such Stock Option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such Shares were not outstanding as of the close of business on the record date for such stock dividend.
7.2.
Change in Control.
|
(a)
|
Consequences of a Change in Control on Awards Other than Restricted Stock Awards.
In connection with a Change in Control, the Administrator shall take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding Awards other than Restricted Stock Awards on such terms as the Administrator determines: (1) provide that Awards shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding entity (or an affiliate thereof), (2) upon written notice to a Participant, provide that the Participant’s unexercised Awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control unless exercised by the Participant within a specified, reasonable period following the date of such notice, (3) provide that outstanding Awards shall become exercisable, realizable, or deliverable, or restrictions applicable to an Award shall lapse, in whole or in part before or upon the Change in Control, (4) if holders of Shares will receive upon consummation of the Change in Control a cash payment for each Share surrendered in the Change in Control, make or provide for a cash payment to a Participant equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the consideration received by stockholders generally with respect to the Change in Control (the “Change in Control Price”) times the number of Shares subject to the Participant’s Awards (to the extent the exercise price does not exceed the Change in Control Price) over (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Awards and any applicable tax withholdings, in exchange for the termination of such Awards, (5) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, Awards shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings) and (6) any combination of the foregoing. In taking any of the actions permitted under this Section 7.2(a), the Administrator shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, identically.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 18 |
For purposes of clause (1) above, a Stock Option shall be considered assumed if, following consummation of the Change in Control, the Stock Option confers the right to purchase, for each Share subject to the Stock Option immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control, the consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result of the Change in Control by holders of Shares for each Share held immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if the consideration received as a result of the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the acquiring or succeeding entity(or an affiliate thereof), the Company may, with the consent of the acquiring or succeeding entity, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of Stock Options to consist solely of common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) equivalent in value (as determined by the Administrator) to the per share consideration received by holders of outstanding Shares as a result of the Change in Control.
|
(b)
|
Consequences of a Change in Control on Restricted Stock Awards
. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the applicable Award Certificate or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, all restrictions and conditions on all Restricted Stock Awards then outstanding shall automatically lapse and be deemed terminated or satisfied, as applicable.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 19 |
ARTICLE 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL AWARDS.
8.1.
Transferability of Awards.
Except as the Administrator may otherwise determine or provide in an Award Certificate, Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, other than in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees.
8.2.
Termination of Status.
Except to the extent provided in an Award Certificate, the Administrator shall determine the effect on an Award of the disability, death, termination or other cessation of employment, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, or the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Beneficiary, may exercise rights under the Award.
8.3.
Withholding.
The Participant must satisfy all applicable federal, state, and local or other income and employment tax withholding obligations before the Company will deliver stock certificates or otherwise recognize ownership of Shares under an Award. The Company may decide to satisfy the withholding obligations through additional withholding on salary or wages. If the Company elects not to or cannot withhold from other compensation, the Participant must pay the Company the full amount, if any, required for withholding. Payment of withholding obligations is due before the Company will issue any Shares on exercise or release from forfeiture of an Award or, if the Company so requires, at the same time as is payment of the exercise price unless the Company determines otherwise. To the extent not otherwise provided for in an Award Certificate or approved by the Administrator, a Participant shall satisfy such tax obligations in whole or in part by delivery of a portion of the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at Fair Market Value; provided, however, except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, that the total tax withholding where stock is being used to satisfy such tax obligations cannot exceed the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligations (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income). Shares surrendered to satisfy tax withholding requirements cannot be subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 20 |
8.4.
Conditions on Delivery of Stock.
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Shares pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from Shares previously delivered under the Plan until (a) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (b) in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such Shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (c) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations.
8.5.
Acceleration.
The Administrator or its delegee may at any time provide that any Award shall become immediately exercisable in full or in part, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part, as the case may be.
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 21 |
ARTICLE 9. MISCELLANEOUS
9.1.
No Right to Employment or Other Status.
No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in the applicable Award Certificate.
9.2.
No Rights as Stockholder.
Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Certificate and except as provided in Section 6.3, no Participant or beneficiary shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such shares.
9.3.
Amendment.
|
(a)
|
Amendment of the Plan.
The Administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion of the Plan at any time; provided that if at any time the approval of the Company’s stockholders is required as to any modification or amendment under section 422 of the Code or any successor provision with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator may not effect such modification or amendment without such approval. Unless otherwise specified in the amendment, any amendment to the Plan adopted in accordance with this Section 9.3 shall apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all Awards outstanding under the Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided the Administrator determines that such amendment, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Participants under the Plan.
|
|
(b)
|
Amendment of Award.
The Administrator may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonqualified Stock Option. The Participant’s consent to such action shall be required unless the Administrator determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Plan
.
|
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 22 |
9.4.
Compliance with Code Section 409A.
No Award shall provide for a deferral of compensation within the meaning of section 409A of the Code, unless the Administrator, at the time of grant, specifically provides that the Award is intended to be subject to section 409A of the Code. If an Award is intended to be subject to section 409A, the following provisions shall apply except to the extent that a contrary provision is included in the Award Certificate: (a) such Award shall be payable on the earlier of a “change in control” or the Participant’s “separation from service” with the Company and (2) any payment made to a Participant who is a “specified employee” of the Company shall not be made before such date as is six months after the Participant’s “separation from service” to the extent required to avoid the adverse consequences of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of this Section 9.4, the terms “change in control,” “separation from service” and “specified employee” shall have the meanings set forth in section 409A and the applicable Treasury regulations. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, section 409A is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Administrator. No amendment of the Plan or of an Award is effective if it would result in deferred recognition of income or additional tax under section 409A or cause awards not subject to section 409A to become subject to section 409A, unless the Administrator, at the time of grant, specifically provides that the Award is intended to be subject to section 409A.
9.5.
Governing Law.
The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such state that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such state.
9.6.
Clawback Rights.
All Awards under the Plan will be subject to any compensation, clawback and recoupment policies that may be applicable to the employees of the Company, as in effect from time to time and as approved by the Board or the Administrator, whether or not approved before or after the effective date of the Plan.
| Simmons First National 2015 Incentive Plan | Page 23 |
PROXY BALLOT
SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORPORATION
June 18, 2015
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, JUNE 18, 2015
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints William C. Bridgforth, Robert A. Fehlman and Marty D. Casteel as Proxies, each with the power of substitution, to represent and vote as designated on this proxy ballot all of the shares of common stock of Simmons First National Corporation held of record by the undersigned on April 14, 2015, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 18, 2015, and any adjournment thereof.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as directed. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" PROPOSALS (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) .
|
(1)
|
To fix the number of directors at thirteen (13):
|
| □ FOR | □ AGAINST | □ ABSTAIN |
|
(2)
|
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (mark only one box
):\
□
FOR ALL NOMINEES
□
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES
□
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN NOMINEES
below whose names have been lined through:
|
|
David L. Bartlett
|
Jay D. Burchfield
|
William E. Clark, II
|
Steven A. Cossé
|
|
|
Mark C. Doramus
|
Edward Drilling
|
Eugene Hunt
|
Christopher R. Kirkland
|
|
|
W. Scott McGeorge
|
George A. Makris, Jr.
|
Joseph D. Porter
|
Harry L. Ryburn
|
|
|
Robert L. Shoptaw
|
|
(3)
|
To consider adoption of the following non-binding resolution approving the compensation of the named executive officers of the Company:
|
"RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and narrative discussion is hereby APPROVED."
| □ FOR | □ AGAINST | □ ABSTAIN |
|
(4)
|
To consider adoption of the Simmons First National Corporation 2015 Incentive Plan;
|
| □ FOR | □ AGAINST | □ ABSTAIN |
|
(5)
|
To consider adoption of the Simmons First National Corporation 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan;
|
| □ FOR | □ AGAINST | □ ABSTAIN |
|
(6)
|
To ratify the Audit & Security Committee's selection of the accounting firm of BKD, LLP as
independent auditors of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ending December 31, 2015:
|
| □ FOR | □ AGAINST | □ ABSTAIN |
|
(7)
|
To amend the Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A, $0.01 par value, Common Stock of the Company from 60,000,000 to 120,000,000:
|
| □ FOR | □ AGAINST | □ ABSTAIN |
|
(8)
|
Upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt of this ballot, Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report.
|
| Signature(s) of Shareholder(s) | Date | |||
| Signature(s) of Shareholder(s) | Date |
IMPORTANT:
Please date and sign this proxy ballot exactly as the ownership appears below.
If held in joint ownership, all owners must sign this ballot.
Please return promptly in the envelope provided.
TABLE OF CONTENTS