UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant
to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act
of 1934
Filed by the Registrant
x
Filed by a Party other
than the Registrant
¨
Check the appropriate box:
|
x
|
Preliminary
Proxy Statement
|
|
¨
|
Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
|
|
¨
|
Definitive
Proxy Statement
|
|
¨
|
Definitive
Additional Materials
|
|
¨
|
Soliciting
Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12
|
VILLAGE BANK AND
TRUST FINANCIAL CORP.
(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):
|
¨
|
Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
|
|
(1)
|
Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
|
|
(2)
|
Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
|
|
(3)
|
Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined:)
|
|
(4)
|
Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
|
|
¨
|
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.:
|
PRELIMINARY PROXY
– SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
Dear Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp. to be held on May 20, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight
Time at the main office of Village Bank located at Watkins Centre, 15521 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, Virginia. At the meeting,
you will be asked to:
|
·
|
elect
five directors for a term of three years each;
|
|
·
|
approve,
in an advisory (non-binding) vote, the executive compensation disclosed in this Proxy
Statement;
|
|
·
|
approve
an amendment to Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp.’s Articles of Incorporation
to authorize its board of directors to effect a reverse stock split of its common stock;
|
|
·
|
approve
an amendment to the Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp. Incentive Plan;
|
|
·
|
ratify
the appointment of BDO USA, LLP, as Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp.’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2014; and
|
|
·
|
transact
such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments
or postponement thereof.
|
Enclosed with this letter is a formal notice
of the Annual Meeting, a Proxy Statement and a proxy card. Whether or not you plan to attend in person, it is important that your
shares be represented at the Annual Meeting. Please complete, sign, date and return promptly the proxy card that is enclosed in
this mailing. If you later decide to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, or if you wish to revoke your proxy for any
reason prior to the vote at the Annual Meeting, you may do so and your proxy will have no further effect.
We appreciate your continued support and
look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.
|
Sincerely,
|
|
|
|
William G. Foster, Jr.
|
|
President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
|
Midlothian, Virginia
|
|
April 16, 2014
|
|
PRELIMINARY PROXY
– SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
VILLAGE BANK AND TRUST FINANCIAL CORP.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 20, 2014
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED of and invited
to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp., a Virginia corporation, to be held on
May 20, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the main office of Village Bank located at Watkins Centre, 15521 Midlothian
Turnpike, Midlothian, Virginia for the purpose of considering and voting upon the following:
|
1.
|
The election of five directors for a term of three years each;
|
|
2.
|
The approval, in an advisory (non-binding) vote, of the executive
compensation disclosed in this Proxy Statement;
|
|
3.
|
The approval of an amendment to Village Bank and Trust Financial
Corp.’s Articles of Incorporation to authorize its board of directors to effect
a reverse stock split of its common stock;
|
|
4.
|
The approval of an amendment to the Village Bank and Trust Financial
Corp. Incentive Plan;
|
|
5.
|
The ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as Village
Bank and Trust Financial Corp.’s independent registered public accounting firm
for the year ending December 31, 2014; and
|
|
6.
|
To transact any other business as may properly come before the
Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
|
Our board of directors has fixed the close
of business on April 2, 2014 as the record date for determination of our shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote
at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting may be adjourned or postponed from time to time upon approval of our shareholders without
any notice other than by announcement at the Annual Meeting of the adjournment or postponement thereof, and any and all business
for which notice is hereby given may be transacted at such adjourned or postponed Annual Meeting.
|
By Order of the
Board of Directors,
|
|
|
|
Deborah M. Golding
|
|
Vice President, Corporate
Secretary
|
|
|
Midlothian, Virginia
|
|
April 16, 2014
|
|
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABLITY
OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE
SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY
20, 2014
The Proxy Statement and the fiscal 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders
on Form 10-K are available at
www.villagebank.com/proxy.html
.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
Page
|
|
|
General Information
|
1
|
Who Can Vote
|
1
|
Executing Your
Right to Vote
|
1
|
Costs of Proxy
Solicitation
|
2
|
Changing Your Vote
|
2
|
PROPOSAL ONE – ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS
|
3
|
Nominees for Election
as Directors for terms expiring in 2017 (Class B)
|
3
|
Incumbent Directors
Whose Terms Expire in 2015 (Class C)
|
4
|
Incumbent Directors
Whose Terms Expire in 2016 (Class A)
|
5
|
Executive Officers
Who Are Not Directors
|
6
|
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
|
7
|
Security Ownership
of Management
|
7
|
Security Ownership
of Certain Beneficial Owners
|
9
|
Section 16(a) Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance
|
10
|
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
10
|
General
|
10
|
Board Leadership
|
10
|
Independence of
the Directors
|
11
|
Board and Committee
Meeting Attendance
|
11
|
Executive Sessions
|
11
|
Board’s Role
in Risk Oversight
|
11
|
Committees of the
Board
|
12
|
Audit Committee
|
12
|
Compensation Committee
|
12
|
Executive Committee
|
13
|
Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee
|
13
|
Director Nomination
Process
|
14
|
Director Compensation
|
14
|
Annual Meeting
Attendance
|
16
|
Communications
with Directors
|
16
|
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
|
16
|
Executive Officer
Compensation
|
16
|
2013 Shareholder
Advisory Vote
|
19
|
Outstanding Equity
Awards
|
20
|
Employment and
Change-in-Control Agreements with Named Executive Officers
|
20
|
TARP Standards
on Executive Compensation
|
21
|
Certain Relationships
and Related Transactions
|
21
|
PROPOSAL
TWO–APPROVE, IN AN ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE, THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT
|
22
|
PROPOSAL
THREE–APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TO EFFECT
A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF ITS COMMON STOCK
|
23
|
PROPOSAL FOUR–APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE VILLAGE BANK AND TRUST FINANCIAL
CORP. INCENTIVE PLAN
|
29
|
PROPOSAL FIVE–RATIFICATION
OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
34
|
AUDIT INFORMATION
|
34
|
Fees of Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
34
|
Audit Committee
Report
|
35
|
Pre-Approval Policies
|
36
|
PROPOSALS FOR 2015 ANNUAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
|
37
|
OTHER MATTERS
|
37
|
PROXY STATEMENT OF
VILLAGE BANK AND TRUST FINANCIAL CORP.
15521 Midlothian Turnpike
Midlothian, Virginia 23113
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
GENERAL INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection
with the solicitation of proxies by the board of directors of Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp. (the “Company”)
to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on May 20, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern
Daylight Time at the main office of Village Bank located at Watkins Centre, 15521 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, Virginia. The
notice of Annual Meeting, the proxy card, and this Proxy Statement are being first mailed on or about April 16, 2014, to shareholders
of record of the Company’s common stock as of the close of business on April 2, 2014 (the “Record Date”).
Who Can Vote
You can vote at the Annual Meeting if you
owned shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $4.00 per share, as of the close of business on April 2, 2014, the
Record Date. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. The number of shares outstanding on the Record Date was 5,294,497.
When you give the Company your proxy, you authorize the Company to vote your shares per your instructions whether or not you attend
the Annual Meeting. The presence, in person or by proxy, of at least a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of common
stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
Executing Your Right to Vote
By completing and returning the enclosed
proxy card in time to be voted at the Annual Meeting, the shares represented by it will be voted in accordance with the instructions
marked on the card. Signed but unmarked proxies will be voted on all business matters as recommended by the board of directors.
A shareholder may abstain or (only with respect to the election of directors) withhold his or her vote (collectively, “Abstentions”)
with respect to each item submitted for shareholder approval. Abstentions will be counted for purposes of determining the existence
of a quorum. Abstentions will not be counted as voting in favor of or against the relevant item.
A broker who holds shares in “street
name” has the authority to vote on certain items when it has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Except
for certain items for which brokers are prohibited from exercising their discretion, a broker is entitled to vote on matters presented
to shareholders without instructions from the beneficial owner. “Broker shares” that are voted on at least one matter
will be counted for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Where
brokers do not have or do not exercise such discretion, the inability or failure to vote is referred to as a “broker nonvote.”
Under the circumstances where the broker is not permitted to, or does not, exercise its discretion, assuming proper disclosure
to the Company of such inability to vote, broker nonvotes will not be counted as voting in favor of or against the particular
matter. A broker is prohibited from voting on the election of directors, the advisory vote on executive compensation, the amendment
to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and the amendment to the Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp. Incentive Plan
without instructions from the beneficial owner; therefore, there may be broker nonvotes on Proposals One, Two, Three and Four.
We expect that brokers will be allowed to exercise discretionary authority for beneficial owners who have not provided voting
instructions with respect to Proposal Five; therefore, no broker nonvotes are expected to exist in connection with such proposal.
Abstentions and broker nonvotes will not
count as votes cast in any matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, abstentions and broker non-votes will have
no effect on the voting on these matters at the meeting, with the exception of Proposal Three. Abstentions and broker nonvotes,
if any, will have the effect of a vote against Proposal Three.
The board of directors does not know of
any other matters that are to come before the Annual Meeting except for incidental, procedural matters. If any other matters are
properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy card will vote the shares represented
by each proxy on such matters as determined by a majority of the board of directors.
Costs of Proxy Solicitation
The cost of soliciting proxies will be
borne by the Company. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, the Company may also solicit proxies through its directors,
officers, and employees. The Company will also request persons, firms, and corporations holding shares in their names or in the
name of nominees that are beneficially owned by others to send proxy materials to and obtain proxies from those beneficial owners
and will reimburse the holders for their reasonable expenses in doing so.
Changing Your Vote
Your presence at the Annual Meeting will
not automatically revoke your proxy. However, you may revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise by: (1) filing a written
notice of revocation with Deborah M. Golding, Corporate Secretary, which may be sent to Ms. Golding’s attention at 15521
Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 200, Midlothian, VA 23113; (2) delivering to the Company a duly executed proxy bearing a later date;
or (3) attending the Annual Meeting and casting a ballot in person.
PROPOSAL ONE – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The board of directors currently consists
of thirteen directors that are divided into three classes (A, B and C). William G. Foster, Jr. was appointed to the board in February
2014 in connection with his appointment as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and he will stand for election as a director
in Class B at the Annual Meeting. The terms of office of four other directors of the Company will expire at the Annual Meeting
and such directors have been nominated for election to serve as directors in Class B for a three-year term ending in 2017. Eight
other directors will continue serving terms that end in either 2015 or 2016, as indicated below.
The election of each nominee for director
requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares of common stock cast in the election of directors. If
the proxy is executed in such manner as not to withhold authority for the election of any or all of the nominees for directors,
then the persons named in the proxy will vote the shares represented by the proxy for the election of the nominees named below.
If the proxy indicates that the shareholder wishes to withhold a vote from one or more nominees for director, such instructions
will be followed by the persons named in the proxy.
Each nominee has consented to being named
in this Proxy Statement and has agreed to serve, if elected. The board of directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees
will be unable or unwilling to serve. If, at the time of the Annual Meeting, any nominee is unable or unwilling to serve as a
director, votes will be cast, pursuant to the enclosed proxy, for such substitute nominee as may be nominated by the board of
directors. There are no current arrangements between any nominee and any other person pursuant to which a nominee was selected.
No family relationships exist among any of the directors or between any of the directors and executive officers of the Company
The following biographical information
discloses each nominee’s and incumbent director’s age, business experience in the past five years and the year each
individual was first elected to the board of directors of the Company or its predecessor and current subsidiary, Village Bank
(the “Bank”). In addition, the following information includes the particular experience, qualifications, attributes
or skills that led the board of directors to conclude that the person should serve as a director. Unless otherwise specified,
each nominee and incumbent director has held his current position for at least five years.
Nominees for Election as Directors
For Terms Expiring in 2017 (Class B)
R. T. Avery, III, 64, has been
a director since 1998. Mr. Avery is President and co-founder of Chesterfield Construction Services, Inc., which trades as
Emerald Homes. This company specializes in the “work force affordable” sector of the residential construction
market. Mr. Avery has over 30 years of experience in real estate development and home building in central Virginia. This experience
provides managerial expertise to the board of directors as well as an extensive knowledge of the real estate market in which the
Bank operates. Mr. Avery currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Directors Loan Committee and is also a member of the Asset Quality
Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee.
William B. Chandler, 64, has
been a director since 1998. Mr. Chandler has developed significant managerial and marketing skills as a co-owner in two
corporations: Manchester Industries, Inc., which converts board and paper into sheets from roll stock for the printing industries,
and Plastex Fabricators, Inc., which is a fabricator of industrial and commercial plastics used for décor in the retail
industry. He currently is responsible for engineering, construction, safety and production of Manchester Industries and serves
as its Executive Vice President. He is also President of Plastex Fabricators located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Chandler
currently serves as Chairman of the Compensation Committee and is also a member of the Audit Committee, Strategic Planning Committee
and Regulatory Oversight Committee.
R. Calvert Esleeck, Jr., 69,
has been a director since 1998. He brings financial expertise and business leadership skills developed through owning and managing
Murray & Esleeck, P.C., a certified public accounting firm in Chesterfield County, Virginia for 30 years before his retirement
in 2008. Mr. Esleeck is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War where he served as a Marine infantry officer. He is also a founder
of the Families of the Wounded Fund, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping the families of service members severely wounded
in Iraq and Afghanistan who are being treated at McGuire Veterans Hospital. He was Past President of the Fund and currently serves
on its board of directors. Mr. Esleeck qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) guidelines. Mr. Esleeck currently serves as Co-Chair of the Audit Committee and is also a member of the Asset
Quality Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee.
Charles E. Walton, 68, has been
a director since 2008 when River City Bank merged with the Bank. He formerly served as a director of River City Bank. Mr.
Walton is the owner of Charles E. Walton & Co., P.C., a certified public accounting firm. Mr. Walton provides accounting
and auditing experience, as well as investment and business advisory skills that are critical for the Company. Mr. Walton
qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under SEC guidelines. Mr. Walton currently serves as Co-Chair of the Audit
Committee and is also a member of the Compensation Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee.
William G. Foster, Jr., 52,
has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank since March 1, 2014. He has served as President of the Company
and the Bank since August 2013. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank since March
2012. Prior thereto, he was an independent consultant focusing on business restructuring, turnaround and strategic planning. From
March 1990 until April 2008, he served in several executive leadership roles with SunTrust Bank, including Group Executive Vice
President-MidAtlantic Commercial Real Estate Banking, Senior Managing Director and Senior Credit Officer for Corporate and Investment
Banking, and Group Executive Vice President-MidAtlantic Commercial Banking Line of Business. Mr. Foster has more than 26 years
of banking industry experience, which has afforded him broad knowledge and a keen understanding of all aspects of banking. In
addition to his banking experience, he currently serves on the Cabinet for the Chesterfield Business Council of the Greater Richmond
Chamber of Commerce and is on the board of directors of the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Foster currently serves on the
Bank’s Executive Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Asset Quality Committee and is an Advisory Member of the Compensation
Committee. He is also a member of the board of directors of Village Bank Mortgage Corporation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
THE
SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES SET
FORTH ABOVE
.
Incumbent Directors
Whose Terms Will Expire in 2015 (Class C)
Donald J. Balzer, Jr., 59, has
been a director since 1998. Mr. Balzer is a Licensed Professional Engineer who served as President of Balzer & Associates,
Inc. and as Chairman of its board of directors until his retirement in 2005. He currently serves as President of Cross Creek Development
Corp. and is a Class A Licensed Contractor with Benchmark Construction. He also serves on the board of Powhatan County’s
Economic Development Authority. These responsibilities allow Mr. Balzer to bring financial, investment, and real estate development
experience to the board of directors. Mr. Balzer currently serves as a member of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,
Directors Loan Committee, Asset Quality Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee.
Michael A. Katzen, 60, has been
a director since 2008 when River City Bank merged with the Bank. He formerly served as a director of River City Bank. Mr. Katzen
is a partner in the law firm of Katzen & Frye, P.C. His experience with real estate law provides the board of directors with
expertise in evaluating significant loan relationships as well as working out nonperforming loans collateralized by real estate.
Mr. Katzen currently serves as a Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee. He is also a member of the Executive Committee,
Directors Loan Committee, Asset Quality Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee. He also serves on the board of directors
of Village Bank Mortgage Corporation.
Michael L. Toalson, 61, has
been a director since 2004. Mr. Toalson is Chief Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association of Virginia (“HBAV”).
He heads the HBAV lobbying team before state lawmakers and regulators and is the chief administrative officer of the 3,000 member
business organization. His familiarity with various home builders and the Virginia real estate market in general are invaluable
to the board of directors in evaluating significant loan relationships and marketing the Bank’s services to the home building
community. Mr. Toalson currently serves as Chairman of the Asset Quality Committee and is also as a member of the Compensation
Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee. He also serves on the board of directors of Village Bank Mortgage Corporation.
O. Woodland Hogg, Jr., 68, has
been a director since 2008 when River City Bank merged with the Bank. He formerly served as a director of River City Bank. Mr.
Hogg is the owner and principal broker of ERA Woody Hogg & Associates, a real estate brokerage business. He brings managerial
skills as well as a keen knowledge of the real estate market in central Virginia to the board of directors. Mr. Hogg currently
serves as a member of the Executive Committee, Directors Loan Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and Regulatory Oversight
Committee. He also serves on the board of directors of Village Bank Mortgage Corporation.
Incumbent Directors
Whose Term Will Expire in 2016 (Class A)
Craig D. Bell, 56, is a founder
of the Bank and has been a director since 1998. Mr. Bell is Chairman of the board of directors of the Company. He is a partner
with the law firm of McGuireWoods LLP, where he is the Chair of the Tax and Employee Benefits Department and is the head of the
State and Local Tax and Tax Litigation Groups. McGuireWoods is a 1,000 attorney international law firm having offices in twelve
states and five countries. Mr. Bell is an Emeritus Director of the Community Tax Law Project, a non-profit provider of pro bono
tax assistance to low income families and its former President; a Fellow of the American College of Tax Council; former Chair
of both the Virginia State Bar Section of Taxation and the Virginia Bar Association Tax Section; a Barrister member of the Edgar
J. Murdock Inn of Court for Tax; an adjunct Professor of Law at the College of William and Mary School of Law; and a Trustee of
both the Virginia War Museum and the Henricus Park Foundation. Mr. Bell retired from the Army Reserves in 2006 as a Lieutenant
Colonel after completing 27 years of service. As a result of this experience, Mr. Bell brings leadership and decision making skills
to the board of directors. Mr. Bell currently serves as Chairman of the Executive Committee, Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, and Chairman of the Regulatory Oversight Committee. He is also a member of the Compensation Committee and
Strategic Planning Committee.
John T. Wash, 69, has been a
director since 2008 when River City Bank merged with the Bank. He formerly served as a director of River City Bank. Mr. Wash has
developed significant managerial and marketing skills as a real estate investor and Managing Partner of Hanover Plaza, LLC and
Bay Court Associates, LLC since 1988. In addition, Mr. Wash was previously President of Galeski Optical from 1999 to 2005 and
owner of Hanover Cleaners & Tuxedo Rentals from 1978 to 2008. Mr. Wash currently serves as Co-Chair of the Directors Loan
Committee and is also a member of the Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Regulatory Oversight
Committee.
George R. Whittemore, age 64,
has been a director since 1998. Mr. Whittemore is retired. He is a member of the board of directors of Supertel Hospitality, Inc.,
a publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns hotels and currently serves as chairman of its compensation committee
and is a member of its audit committee. He was a consultant to Supertel Hospitality from August 2004 to August 2005 and its president
from November 2001 to August 2004. Mr. Whittemore served as director and Senior Vice President/Senior Administrative Officer of
Anderson & Strudwick, Inc., a brokerage and investment banking firm from November 1996 until November 2001. He was President/Chief
Executive Officer of Pioneer Financial Corporation and its subsidiary, Pioneer Federal Savings Bank, from September 1982 until
its merger with Signet Banking Corporation (now Wells Fargo Corporation) in August 1994. Mr. Whittemore was a director of Prime
Group Realty Trust, Inc., a real estate investment trust that owned commercial office buildings, and served as chairman of its
audit committee from July 2005 until December 2012. He is also a director of Lightstone Value Plus REIT (since July 2006) and
Lightstone Value Plus REIT II (since June 2008), both non-publicly traded real estate investment trusts that own various types
of commercial real estate and related investments, and is a member of the audit committee of both companies. Mr. Whittemore provides
experience in banking, investment banking, commercial real estate, and public company management and board experience that are
important to the Company. Mr. Whittemore currently serves as a member of the Directors Loan Committee, Audit Committee, Asset
Quality Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee. He is also a member of the
board of directors of Village Bank Mortgage Corporation.
Thomas W. Winfree, 69, has been
a director since 2001. Mr. Winfree has been a Virginia banker for more than 45 years and served as Chief Executive Officer and
President of the Company from its inception until his retirement on February 28, 2014. He has also served as President of the
Bank from 2001 to August 2013 and as Chief Executive Officer of the Bank from 2001 until his retirement in February 2014. This
experience afforded him broad knowledge and a keen understanding of all aspects of banking. In addition to his banking experience,
he served as President of the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce during 2004 and was appointed to again serve on the Chamber’s
board of directors in 2009-2010. Mr. Winfree is also a founding member and Director of the Families of the Wounded Fund, Inc.,
an organization dedicated to helping the families of soldiers severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan who are being treated at
McGuire Veterans Hospital. He currently serves on the Bon Secours Health Systems Joint Hospitals board where he was Chairman of
the board from 2010 through 2013, the St. Francis Medical Center Citizens board, the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce board,
the Better Business board serving Central Virginia, Richmond’s Capital Region Collaborative, and the Goochland Rotary Club.
Mr. Winfree currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee of both the
Company and the Bank. He is also a member of the Directors Loan Committee, Asset Quality Committee and Regulatory Oversight Committee.
He also serves as Chairman of the board of directors of Village Bank Mortgage Corporation.
Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors
Dennis J. Falk, 55, has served
as Executive Vice President-Chief Administrative Officer and Treasurer since January 2012 and as Senior Vice President-Treasurer/Controller
from December 2009 to December 2011. Prior to that, Mr. Falk served as Senior Vice President-Commercial Banking for the Bank from
April 2006 to December 2009. Prior to his service at the Bank, Mr. Falk served as Senior Vice President for SunTrust Bank
and was employed by SunTrust (and its predecessor bank in the MidAtlantic region, Crestar Bank) for 14 years. Mr. Falk has
over 33 years of banking industry experience.
James E. Hendricks, Jr., 50,
has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer since March 1, 2014 and as Director of Special Assets since September
2013. Prior to that, Mr. Hendricks served at SunTrust Bank as the Senior Vice President and Mortgage Chief Operational Risk Officer
from December 2012 to April 2013, Senior Vice President and Consumer Banking Chief Operational Risk Officer from November 2009
to December 2012, and as Senior Vice President and Consumer Lending Credit and Compliance Risk Officer from August 1999 to November
2009. Mr. Hendricks has over 29 years of banking industry experience.
Rebecca L. “Joy”
Kline, 56, has served as Executive Vice President–Retail of the Bank since September 2009. Prior to that, Mrs. Kline served
as Vice President-Retail Manager of the Bank since 2006. Prior to her service to the Bank, Mrs. Kline was First Vice President
of First Market Bank and Senior Vice President of Central Fidelity Bank. Mrs. Kline has over 35 years of banking industry experience.
Jerry W. Mabry, 66, has served
as President and CEO of Village Bank Mortgage Corporation since April 2007. Prior to joining the Mortgage Corporation, Mr.
Mabry served as a Senior Vice President for Benchmark Mortgage Corp and as Executive Vice President of Home Loan Corp. Mr.
Mabry has over 44 years of experience in mortgage banking.
Max C. Morehead, Jr., 50, has
served as Managing Director-Commercial Banking since March 2014. He has 27 years banking experience at SunTrust Bank (and its
predecessor bank in the Mid-Atlantic region, Crestar Bank) and First Citizens Bank. During the majority of his 25 years at SunTrust,
Mr. Morehead held various positions, including managing commercial and business banking groups. He is a 1986 graduate of the Virginia
Military Institute.
Raymond E. Sanders, 60, has
served as Executive Vice President of the Company since its inception. He has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Bank since June 2004; and also as Chief Risk Officer since 2010. He served as Senior Vice President-Retail Banking
from July 2002 to June 2004. Mr. Sanders previously served as President of Seasons Mortgage Group from October 1993 until the
company was sold in May 2001. He has over 35 years of experience in retail and mortgage banking.
C. Harril Whitehurst, Jr., 63,
has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since its inception. He has served as Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank since September 2003. He serves on the Board of Chesterfield County’s
Economic Development Authority. Mr. Whitehurst has over 40 years of banking industry experience, including 25 years in public
accounting as a partner of an international public accounting firm. He also serves on the board of directors of Village Bank Mortgage
Corporation.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
Security Ownership of Management
The following table sets forth, as of March
21, 2014, unless otherwise noted, certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of common stock by each
of the directors and director nominees, by the executive officers named in the “Summary Compensation Table” below,
and by such directors and executive officers as a group. Beneficial ownership includes shares, if any, held in the name of the
spouse, minor children or other relatives of a director or executive officer living in such person’s home, as well as shares,
if any, held in the name of another person under an arrangement whereby the director or executive officer can vest title in himself
at once or at some future time.
VILLAGE BANK AND TRUST FINANCIAL CORP.
|
Beneficial Ownership
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of
|
|
|
Percent of
|
|
Name
|
|
Beneficial
Ownership
|
|
|
Class (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. T. Avery, III
(1)
|
|
|
164,088
|
|
|
|
3.07
|
%
|
Donald J. Balzer, Jr.
(2)
|
|
|
178,520
|
|
|
|
3.34
|
%
|
Craig D. Bell
(3)
|
|
|
164,089
|
|
|
|
3.07
|
%
|
William B. Chandler
(4)
|
|
|
147,145
|
|
|
|
2.76
|
%
|
R. Calvert Esleeck, Jr.
(5)
|
|
|
118,020
|
|
|
|
2.21
|
%
|
William G. Foster, Jr.
(6)
|
|
|
146,994
|
|
|
|
2.75
|
%
|
O. Woodland Hogg
(7)
|
|
|
111,345
|
|
|
|
2.09
|
%
|
Michael A. Katzen
(8)
|
|
|
84,044
|
|
|
|
1.57
|
%
|
Michael L. Toalson
(9)
|
|
|
85,875
|
|
|
|
1.61
|
%
|
Charles E. Walton
(10)
|
|
|
94,706
|
|
|
|
1.77
|
%
|
John T. Wash
(11)
|
|
|
72,406
|
|
|
|
1.36
|
%
|
George R. Whittemore
(12)
|
|
|
106,945
|
|
|
|
2.00
|
%
|
Thomas W. Winfree
(13)
|
|
|
129,602
|
|
|
|
2.43
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raymond E. Sanders
(14)
|
|
|
19,739
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
C. Harril Whitehurst, Jr.
(15)
|
|
|
30,066
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and executive officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
as a group (20 persons)
|
|
|
1,733,416
|
|
|
|
32.47
|
%
|
______________________________________
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Indicates that holdings amount to less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
|
|
(1)
|
Amount disclosed includes 13,500 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Avery; 5,200 shares of common stock in Mr. Avery’s Simplified
Employee Pension Plan; 1,200 shares of common stock in Mr. Avery’s IRA account;
9,700 shares of common stock in Mr. Avery’s 401(k) account; 4,070 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Avery’s son; 49,773 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Avery’s
spouse, and 80,645 shares of common stock held by the Trustee under the Village Bank
Outside Directors Deferral Plan Trust FBO Raymond T. Avery, III.
|
|
(2)
|
Amount disclosed includes 71,825 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Balzer; 3,265 shares of common stock in Mr. Balzer’s IRA account;
5,800 shares of common stock owned by DJB Family Ltd. Partnership; 7,629 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Balzer’s children; and 90,001 shares of common stock held by
the Trustee under the Village Bank Outside Directors Deferral Plan Trust FBO Donald J.
Balzer, Jr.
|
|
(3)
|
Amount disclosed includes 49,001 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Bell; 4,100 shares of common stock in Mr. Bell’s IRA account;
100 shares of common stock owned jointly with Mr. Bell’s brother, and 104,888 shares
of common stock held by the Trustee under the Village Bank Outside Directors Deferral
Plan Trust FBO Craig D. Bell.
|
|
(4)
|
Amount disclosed includes 60,500 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Chandler; 6,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Chandler’s
children; and 80,645 shares of common stock held by the Trustee under the Village Bank
Outside Directors Deferral Plan Trust FBO William B. Chandler.
|
|
(5)
|
Amount disclosed includes 20,400 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Esleeck, of which 9,000 shares are held jointly with Mr. Esleeck’s
spouse; 190 shares of common stock in Mr. Esleeck’s Roth IRA account; 1,766 shares
of common stock in Mr. Esleeck’s IRA account; 9,712 shares of common stock owned
by Mr. Esleeck’s spouse; 5,307 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Esleeck’s
children; and 80,645 shares of common stock held by the Trustee under the Village Bank
Outside Directors Deferral Plan Trust FBO R. Calvert Esleeck, Jr.
|
|
(6)
|
Amount disclosed includes 80,645 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Foster, of which 70,645 shares are held jointly with his spouse; options
to acquire 5,000 shares of common stock; and a restricted stock award (time-based) of
61,349 shares, of which none have vested.
|
|
(7)
|
Amount disclosed includes 92,348 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Hogg, of which 21,707 shares are held jointly with Mr. Hogg’s
spouse; 5,440 shares of common stock in Mr. Hogg’s IRA account; 5,505 shares of
common stock owned by Mr. Hogg’s spouse; and 8,052 shares of common stock held
by the Trustee under the Village Bank Outside Directors Deferral Plan Trust FBO O. Woodland
Hogg, Jr.
|
|
(8)
|
Amount disclosed includes 21,340 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Katzen, of which 18,340 shares are held jointly with Mr. Katzen’s
spouse; and 62,704 shares of common stock held by the Trustee under the Village Bank
Outside Directors Deferral Plan Trust FBO Michael A. Katzen.
|
|
(9)
|
Amount disclosed includes 4,000 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Toalson jointly with his spouse; 58,194 shares of common stock in
Mr. Toalson’s IRA account; and 23,682 shares of common stock held by the Trustee
under the Village Bank Outside Directors Deferral Plan Trust FBO Michael L. Toalson.
|
|
(10)
|
Amount disclosed includes 81,716 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Walton, of which 4,000 shares are held jointly with Mr. Walton’s
spouse: 11,410 shares of common stock in Mr. Walton’s IRA account; 830 shares of
common stock in Mr. Walton’s ROTH IRA account; and 750 shares of common stock owned
by Mr. Walton’s spouse.
|
|
(11)
|
Amount disclosed includes 64,516 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Wash; and 7,890 shares of common stock in Mr. Wash’s IRA account.
|
|
(12)
|
Amount disclosed includes 2,600 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Whittemore; 49,384 shares of common stock in Mr. Whittemore’s
IRA account; 17,500 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Whittemore’s spouse; and
34,961 shares of common stock held by the Trustee under the Village Bank Outside Directors
Deferral Plan Trust FBO George R. Whittemore.
|
|
(13)
|
Amount disclosed includes 112,912 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Winfree; 1,022 shares of common stock in Mr. Winfree’s IRA account;
1,323 shares of common stock in Mr. Winfree’s Roth IRA account; 200 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Winfree’s son; and options to acquire 14,145 shares of common
stock.
|
|
(14)
|
Amount disclosed includes 10,739 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Sanders; and options to acquire 9,000 shares of common stock.
|
|
(15)
|
Amount disclosed includes 25,066 shares of common
stock owned by Mr. Whitehurst, of which 16,129 is held jointly with spouse; and options
to acquire 5,000 shares of common stock.
|
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth, as of March
21, 2014, unless otherwise noted, certain information known to the Company with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares
of common stock by owners of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. Beneficial ownership includes
shares, if any, held in the name of the spouse, minor children or other relatives of such owner living in such person’s
home, as well as shares, if any, held in the name of another person under an arrangement whereby such owner can vest title in
himself at once or at some future time.
Certain Beneficial Owners
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount
and Nature of
|
|
|
Percent of
|
|
Name
|
|
Beneficial
Ownership
|
|
|
Class
(%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John S. Clark
|
|
|
354,669
|
|
|
|
6.64
|
%
|
1633 Broadway, 30th Floor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York, NY 10019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Clark beneficially owns 354,669 shares of common stock.
Mr. Clark has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 322,669 shares of common stock, which includes 12,000 shares of
common stock held by trusts for which he serves as sole trustee. Mr. Clark has shared voting and dispositive power with respect
to 32,000 shares of common stock deemed beneficially owned by his spouse.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and any
persons who own more than 10% of the outstanding shares of common stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership
of common stock. Officers and directors are required by regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a)
reports that they file. Based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company or written representation
that no other reports were required, the Company believes that, during fiscal year 2013, there were five late filings, specifically
a Form 4 for Craig D. Bell for stock options issued July 15, 2013, Form 4 for Raymond E. Sanders, Jr. for stock options issued
July 15, 2013 and September 26, 2013, a Form 4 for C. Harril Whitehurst, Jr. for stock options issued September 26, 2013, and
a Form 4 for George R. Whittemore for stock options issued July 15, 2013. All other directors and executive officers complied
with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
General
The business and affairs of the Company
are managed under the direction of the board of directors in accordance with the Virginia Stock Corporation Act and the Company’s
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. Members of the board are kept informed of the Company’s business through discussions
with the President and Chief Executive Officer and other officers, by reviewing materials provided to them and by participating
in meetings of the board of directors and its committees.
Board Leadership
The positions of Chairman of the board
of directors and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company are held by separate persons due to the distinct and time
consuming natures of these roles. The principal role of the President and Chief Executive Officer is to manage the business of
the Company in a safe, sound, and profitable manner. The role of the board of directors, including its Chairman, is to provide
independent oversight of the President and Chief Executive Officer, to oversee the business and affairs of the Company for the
benefit of its shareholders, and to balance the interests of the Company’s diverse constituencies including shareholders,
customers, employees, and communities.
Each board member of the Company also serves
as a director of the Bank. Our directors are also actively involved in our strategic planning process and the management of our
nonperforming assets.
Independence of the Directors
The board of directors has determined that
the following eleven individuals of its thirteen current members are independent as defined by applicable SEC rules and the listing
standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”): R. T. Avery, III, Donald J. Balzer, Jr., Craig D. Bell, William B.
Chandler, R. Calvert Esleeck, Jr., O. Woodland Hogg, Jr., Michael A. Katzen, Michael L. Toalson, Charles E. Walton, John T. Wash,
Sr. and George R. Whittemore. In reaching this conclusion, the board of directors considered that the Company and its subsidiary
conduct business with companies of which certain members of the board of directors or members of their immediate families are
or were directors or officers.
In addition to the matters discussed below
under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”, the board of directors considered the following relationships
between the Company and two of its directors to determine whether such directors were independent under applicable SEC rules and
NASDAQ’s listing standards:
|
·
|
Donald
J. Balzer, Jr. is a member of the board of directors of Balzer & Associates, Inc.,
an architectural, engineering, surveying and landscape architectural firm. The Company
paid Balzer & Associates approximately $67,532 to provide engineering and landscape
design services in 2013.
|
|
·
|
Craig
D. Bell is a partner with the law firm of McGuire Woods LLP. The Company paid McGuire
Woods, LLP approximately $75,281 in legal fees in 2013.
|
There were no other relationships between
the Company and its directors except as disclosed below under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”.
Board and Committee Meeting Attendance
In 2013, there were 12 meetings of the
Company’s board of directors and 14 meetings of the Bank’s board of directors. Each incumbent director attended greater
than 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the board of directors and meetings of committees of which the director was a
member in 2013.
Executive Sessions
The board of directors expects to hold
executive sessions of independent directors at each board meeting. At least one executive session is held for the purpose of evaluating
the President and Chief Executive Officer. Any independent director can request that an executive session be scheduled.
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The board of directors oversees risk management
to be reasonably certain that the Company’s risk management policies, procedures, and practices are consistent with corporate
strategy and functioning appropriately.
The board of directors performs its risk
oversight in several ways. The board of directors establishes standards for risk management by approving policies that address
and mitigate the Company’s most material risks. These include policies addressing credit risk, interest rate risk, capital
risk, and liquidity risk, as well as Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money-Laundering compliance. The board of directors also monitors,
reviews, and reacts to risk through various reports presented by management, internal and external auditors, and regulatory examiners.
The board of directors conducts certain
risk oversight activities through its committees with direct oversight over specific functional areas. The risk oversight activities
of the Audit, Compensation, Executive, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are described in the “Committees of
the Board” section of this Proxy Statement, below; in the “Executive Compensation” section, beginning on page
16, and in the “Audit Information” section, beginning on page 34.
The board of directors is empowered to
create additional standing and ad hoc committees to facilitate regular monitoring and deeper analysis of matters that may arise
from time to time. The board of directors also meets regularly in executive session to discuss a variety of topics, including
risk, without members of management present.
In the foregoing ways, the full board of
directors is able to monitor the Company’s risk profile and risk management activities on an ongoing basis.
Committees of the Board
The Company has an Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee, Executive Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Audit Committee
The Company’s Audit Committee assists
the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibility to the shareholders relating to the integrity of the Company’s
financial statements, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the qualifications, independence and the performance
of the internal audit function. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight
of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report
or performing other audit, review or attestation services for the Company The board of directors has adopted a written charter
for the Audit Committee. A copy of the charter is available at our website at www.villagebank.com under “Investor Relations-Governance
Documents”.
In 2013, the members of the Audit Committee
were Messrs. Esleeck, Walton and Chandler and Mr. Whittemore joined the Committee in January 2014. The board of directors, in
its business judgment, has determined that such directors are independent as defined by NASDAQ’s listing standards and SEC
regulations. The board of directors also has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee have sufficient knowledge
in financial and auditing matters to serve on the Audit Committee and that Mr. Esleeck and Mr. Walton qualify as audit committee
financial experts as defined by SEC regulations.
The Audit Committee met seven times in
2013. For additional information regarding the Audit Committee, see “Audit Information – Audit Committee Report”
later in this Proxy Statement.
Compensation Committee
The Company’s Compensation Committee
assists the board of directors in fulfilling their responsibility to the shareholders to ensure that the Company's officers, key
executives, and board members are compensated in accordance with the Company's total compensation objectives and executive compensation
policy. The Compensation Committee advises and recommends for approval compensation policies, strategies, and pay levels necessary
to support organizational objectives. The board of directors has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee.
A copy of the charter is also available at our website at under www.villagebank.com “Investor Relations,” “Governance
Documents”.
In 2013, the members of the Compensation
Committee were Messrs. Chandler, Bell, Hogg, Toalson, Walton and Wash,
all of whom the board in its business judgment has
determined are independent as defined by NASDAQ’s listing standards and SEC regulations.
The Compensation Committee’s primary
objective is to provide competitive levels of compensation to attract, retain and reward outstanding executive officers. In a
highly competitive community banking marketplace, excellent leadership is essential. Our executive officers are expected
to manage the business of the Company in a manner that promotes its growth and profitability for the benefit of our shareholders.
To that end, we believe that:
|
·
|
Our
key executives should have compensation opportunities at levels that are competitive
with peer institutions;
|
|
·
|
Total
compensation should include significant “at risk” components that are linked
to annual and longer term performance results; and
|
|
·
|
Stock-based
compensation should form a key component of total compensation as a means of linking
executive management to the long term performance of the Company and aligning their interests
with those of shareholders.
|
The Compensation Committee’s compensation
philosophy with respect to its executive officers is one of pay for performance. Accordingly, an executive officer’s
annual compensation consists of a base salary, an annual monetary bonus and stock-based compensation. The annual monetary
bonus is utilized to reward our executives for achieving short-term financial and productivity goals, and stock-based compensation
is utilized for achieving long-term financial and productivity goals. The Compensation Committee evaluates all compensation plans
to ensure that they do not encourage unnecessary or excessive risk. No monetary bonus has been paid any executive officer for
the last two years.
The Compensation Committee has engaged
Lockton Companies, LLC as an independent executive compensation advisor. The compensation advisor advises the Compensation
Committee on matters relating to compensation benchmarking, staying current with regulatory and legal issues related to executive
compensation, and designing appropriate compensation programs. As part of its consultation with the Compensation Committee, the
compensation advisor provides the Committee with peer group comparisons. The Compensation Committee has direct access to the consultant
and control over its engagement. The Compensation Committee has determined that the work of the compensation advisor and its employees
as compensation consultants to the Company has not created any conflict of interest.
The Compensation Committee met four
times in 2013.
Executive Committee
When the board of directors is not in session,
the Executive Committee is authorized to exercise all of the board of director’s power except for certain responsibilities
of the board of directors, such as approval of an amendment of the articles of incorporation, a plan of merger or consolidation
or the issuance of stock.
In 2013, the members of the Executive Committee
were Messrs. Bell (Chairman), Balzer and Winfree. Messrs. Foster, Katzen and Hogg were appointed to the Executive Committee in
2014. The Executive Committee met five times in 2013.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee is responsible for selecting and recommending to the board of directors with respect to (i) nominees for election at
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and (ii) nominees to fill board vacancies. The board of directors has adopted a written charter
for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, a copy of which is available at our website at www.villagebank.com under
“Investor Relations,” “Governance Documents”.
In 2013, the members of the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee were Craig D. Bell, Donald J. Balzer, Jr., R. Calvert Esleeck, Jr., Michael A. Katzen and George
R. Whittemore, all of whom the board of directors in its business judgment has determined are independent as defined by NASDAQ’s
listing standards and SEC regulations.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee did not meet during the year ended December 31, 2013.
Director Nomination Process
In identifying potential nominees, the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee takes into account such factors as it deems appropriate, including the current composition
of the board of directors, the range of talents, experiences and skills that would best complement those that are already represented
on the board of directors, the balance of management and independent directors and the need for specialized expertise. The Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee considers candidates for board membership suggested by its members and by management, and the
independent directors will also consider candidates suggested informally by a shareholder of the Company
In the consideration of director nominees,
including any nominee that a shareholder may submit, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers, at a minimum,
the following factors for new directors, or the continued service of existing directors:
|
·
|
The
ability of the prospective nominee to represent the interests of the shareholders of
the Company;
|
|
·
|
The
prospective nominee’s standards of integrity, commitment and independence of thought
and judgment;
|
|
·
|
The
prospective nominee’s ability to dedicate sufficient time, energy and attention
to the diligent performance of his or her duties, including the prospective nominee’s
service on other public company boards;
|
|
·
|
The
extent to which the prospective nominee contributes to the range of talent, skill and
expertise appropriate for the board of directors; and
|
|
·
|
The
prospective nominee’s involvement within the communities the Company serves.
|
Shareholders entitled to vote for the election
of directors may recommend candidates for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to consider formally in connection
with an annual meeting as long as the recommendation is made on or before the last date on which a shareholder may nominate an
individual for election to the board of directors under the Company's Bylaws.
Under the process used by the Company for
selecting new board candidates, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the board of directors identify the need to add
a new board member with specific qualifications or to fill a vacancy on the board. The Chairman of the board of directors will
initiate a search, working with staff support and seeking input from board members and executive management, hiring a search firm,
if necessary, and considering any candidates recommended by shareholders. An initial slate of candidates that will satisfy criteria
and otherwise qualify for membership on the board may be presented to the board of directors. A determination is made as to whether
board members have relationships with preferred candidates and can initiate contacts. The President and Chief Executive Officer
and the Chairman of the board of directors interview prospective candidates. The board of directors meets to conduct further interviews
of prospective candidates, if necessary or appropriate, and to consider and recommend final candidates for approval.
Director Compensation
Members of the board of directors of the
Company do not receive fees for their service as directors. However,
all of the directors of the Company also serve as
directors of the Bank. As compensation for their service to the Bank, each member of the board of directors receives fees as follows:
|
·
|
an
annual retainer fee of $10,000, paid quarterly in increments of $2,500;
|
|
·
|
an
attendance fee of $500 for each meeting of the board attended ($650 for the Chair of
the board); and
|
|
·
|
an
attendance fee of $200 for each meeting of a committee attended ($300 for the Chair of
the committee), with the exception that the Audit Committee members receive $300 for
each meeting attended ($450 for the Chair of the committee).
|
Board members who are also officers do
not receive any additional compensation above their regular salary for board service or attending committee meetings.
Board members who also serve on the Village
Bank Mortgage Corporation board include O. Woodland Hogg, Jr., Michael A. Katzen, Michael L. Toalson, George R. Whittemore and
Thomas W. Winfree. Each of the non-employee Directors received $200 per quarterly meeting for attending such meetings.
In 2005, the Company adopted the Outside
Directors Deferral Plan under which non-employee directors of the Bank have the opportunity to defer receipt of all or a portion
of their compensation until retirement or departure from the board of directors. Any amounts deferred under this plan are maintained
in an account for the benefit of the director and are credited annually with interest on the deferred amount at a rate established
by the board of directors in its sole discretion prior to the beginning of each plan year.
In August 2013, Thomas W. Winfree stepped
down from his position as President of the Company and the Bank and entered into a new employment agreement pursuant to which
he continued to serve as Chief Executive Officer until his eventual retirement in February 2014. Mr. Winfree continues to serve
as a member of the board of directors of the Company and the Bank. Further information about Mr. Winfree’s employment agreements
is included under “Executive Compensation – Employment and Change-in-Control Agreements with Named Executive Officers.”
The following table provides information
concerning the compensation of all non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2013:
Director Compensation for 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Paid
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
in Cash ($)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R.T. Avery, III
|
|
$
|
18,350
|
(1)
|
|
$
|
18,350
|
|
Donald J. Balzer, Jr.
|
|
|
20,600
|
(1)
|
|
|
20,600
|
|
Craig D. Bell
|
|
|
23,350
|
(1)
|
|
|
23,350
|
|
William B. Chandler
|
|
|
20,750
|
(1)
|
|
|
20,750
|
|
R. Calvert Esleeck, Jr.
|
|
|
22,550
|
(1)
|
|
|
22,550
|
|
O. Woodland Hogg, Jr.
|
|
|
19,600
|
|
|
|
19,600
|
|
Michael A. Katzen
|
|
|
21,000
|
(1)
|
|
|
21,000
|
|
Michael L. Toalson
|
|
|
21,300
|
|
|
|
21,300
|
|
Charles E. Walton
|
|
|
20,750
|
|
|
|
20,750
|
|
John T. Wash, Sr.
|
|
|
19,500
|
|
|
|
19,500
|
|
George R. Whittemore
|
|
|
22,400
|
|
|
|
22,400
|
|
(1) All fees earned by the director were deferred for the year ended December 31,
2013.
|
Annual Meeting Attendance
The Company encourages members of the board
of directors to attend the Annual Meeting of shareholders. All twelve members of the board at that time attended the 2013 Annual
Meeting.
Communications with Directors
Any director may be contacted by writing
to the named director, c/o the Company, P.O. Box 330, 15521 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 200, Midlothian, Virginia 23113. Communications
to the non-management directors as a group may be sent to the same address, c/o the Corporate Secretary of the Company. The Company
promptly forwards all such correspondence to the indicated directors.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Officer Compensation
The following table presents information
concerning the compensation of the named executive officers for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and the Bank.
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
Position
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
|
($)
(2)
|
|
|
($)
(2)
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
($)
(3)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas W. Winfree
(1)
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
$
|
211,925
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
163,384
|
|
|
$
|
9,260
|
|
|
$
|
384,569
|
|
President and Chief
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
210,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
26,506
|
|
|
|
4,494
|
|
|
|
241,000
|
|
Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William G. Foster
(1)
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
181,573
|
|
|
|
84,048
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
61,776
|
|
|
|
10,675
|
|
|
|
338,072
|
|
President and Chief
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Harril Whitehurst, Jr.
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
175,852
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
4,845
|
|
|
|
50,557
|
|
|
|
10,790
|
|
|
|
242,044
|
|
Executive Vice President/
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
175,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
31,372
|
|
|
|
7,281
|
|
|
|
213,653
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raymond E. Sanders
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
171,700
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,774
|
|
|
|
50,557
|
|
|
|
10,467
|
|
|
|
239,498
|
|
Executive Vice President/
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
170,106
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
31,372
|
|
|
|
6,977
|
|
|
|
208,455
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________________________
(1) Mr. Winfree retired effective February 28, 2014 and
Mr. Foster assumed his duties as President and Chief Executive Officer.
(2) The amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair
value of each award calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these
amounts are included in Note 14 of the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in
the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 26, 2014.
(3) Amounts shown in the "All Other Compensation"
column are detailed in the following table:
All Other Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions
|
|
|
Company
|
|
|
Cancer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life
|
|
|
to Retirement
|
|
|
Vehicle /
|
|
|
Policy
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
and 401(k)
|
|
|
Automobile
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
|
|
Position
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Premium
|
|
|
Plans
|
|
|
Allowance
|
|
|
Premium
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas
W. Winfree
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
$
|
4,591
|
|
|
$
|
4,242
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
427
|
|
|
$
|
9,260
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
4,067
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
427
|
|
|
|
4,494
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William G. Foster
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
338
|
|
|
|
3,632
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
705
|
|
|
|
10,675
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Harril Whitehurst, Jr.
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
1,026
|
|
|
|
3,386
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
378
|
|
|
|
10,790
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
903
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
378
|
|
|
|
7,281
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raymond E. Sanders
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
655
|
|
|
|
3,434
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
378
|
|
|
|
10,467
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
599
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
378
|
|
|
|
6,977
|
|
Mr. Winfree has an employment agreement
with the Company and the Bank, and Messrs. Foster, Whitehurst and Sanders have employment agreements with the Bank. Mr. Foster
also has an employment agreement with the Company which is currently being reviewed by the regulatory entities. Additional information
on these employment agreements is described later in this Proxy Statement. Information on the components of executive compensation
is set forth below.
Salary
. A competitive salary
for executive management is essential. Furthermore, flexibility to adapt to the particular skills of an individual or the specific
needs of the Company is required. Proposed salary adjustments for executive management are presented to the Compensation Committee
by the Chief Executive Officer, typically during the second quarter. The Compensation Committee reviews the recommendations, makes
any further adjustments and generally approves the recommendations with input from the Compensation Committee’s external
compensation advisor. Recommendations regarding adjustments to Mr. Winfree and Mr. Foster’s salaries are reviewed and, if
appropriate, approved by the Compensation Committee in executive session. The named executive officers received no salary increases
in 2012; however, the Compensation Committee did approve increases in 2013 for executive management.
Stock-Based Compensation
.
The Compensation Committee recommends for approval by the board of directors stock option and restricted stock awards to employees
under the Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp. Incentive Plan, as amended and restated June 11, 2013. These awards of stock
options and restricted stock are utilized to attract new employees as well as to reward existing employees for performance.
In granting stock options in 2013, the
Compensation Committee asked its external compensation advisor to provide a recommendation regarding a stock option grant for
executive management. The Compensation Committee’s advisor recommended stock option grants for each executive based on the
Company’s executive compensation philosophy statement described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and the grants were approved.
In December 2013, the Compensation Committee
also approved a restricted stock award of 61,349 shares to Mr. Foster. In approving this award, the Compensation Committee concluded
that it should be a time-vested stock award. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, the compensation expense for these restricted
stock awards was recognized in the 2013 fiscal year.
Information on restricted stock and option
awards to named executive officers in 2013 is provided in the following table:
Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards:
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
Exercise or
|
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Base Price of
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
of Stock
|
|
|
|
Grant
|
|
Stock or
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
and Option
|
|
Name
|
|
Date
|
|
Units (#)
(1)
|
|
|
Options (#)
|
|
|
($/Sh)
|
|
|
Awards ($)
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas W. Winfree
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William G. Foster
|
|
8/8/2013
|
|
|
61,349
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
84,048
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Harril Whitehurst, Jr.
|
|
9/26/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
$
|
1.61
|
|
|
|
4,845
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raymond E. Sanders
|
|
7/15/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
$
|
1.58
|
|
|
|
2,898
|
|
|
|
9/26/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
1.61
|
|
|
|
3,876
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,774
|
|
________________________________________________________
(1)
Consists of restricted stock award.
(2)
The amounts reported reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards computed in accordance with the Financial
Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation.
No restricted stock awards or options were granted to the named
executive officers in 2012.
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
.
We offer executive management an opportunity to receive an annual target non-equity incentive bonus of 15 to 20 percent of their
year-end base salary, depending on the executive’s responsibilities. To determine an executive officer’s non-equity
incentive, the Compensation Committee adopted the 2009 Management Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, an
executive officer can earn a bonus by achieving short-term financial and productivity goals established by the Compensation Committee.
These goals are customized for each executive before the beginning of the Plan year to reflect a mix of corporate and individual
initiatives and reflect a minimum, target and maximum amount of incentive
.
For example, Mr. Winfree’s targeted incentive
awards under the Plan are weighted between corporate (70%) and individual (30%) goals.
For others in executive management,
the mix of corporate and individual weights is generally 60% / 40% or 50% / 50%, respectively, depending on the organizational
responsibility of each executive. At a meeting of the Compensation Committee, usually in December, the Compensation Committee’s
external compensation advisor recommends award targets and the award schedule (minimum to maximum awards and their relationship
to performance intervals), for the upcoming year. The Compensation Committee suspended the Plan for 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Supplemental Executive Retirement
Plan
. We believe that retirement compensation plays an important role in retaining key executives, as well as helping
them provide for retirement. The Compensation Committee retained the compensation advisor to analyze the total retirement benefits
provided by the Company and Social Security to employees with various levels of compensation and years of service so that the
Compensation Committee could determine the projected replacement ratio of income at retirement compared with active employment.
Because of limits under our qualified retirement plan on the amount of deferrals that our executives can make, several of our
executives can expect to have a lower retirement replacement ratio than we have targeted for all employees. Consequently, as a
matter of “pension equity”, we have adopted a supplemental plan which should provide a benefit for designated executives
that will help approach the targeted retirement replacement ratio.
For that reason, we provide a benefit for
senior management, including each of the named executive officers. The Company provides a potential supplemental retirement plan
benefit of $50,000 annually for 15 years to Messrs. Winfree and Foster and a potential benefit of $25,000 annually for 15 years
to Messrs. Whitehurst and Sanders. To qualify for the benefit, the executive must remain in the employment of the Company for
a stated period of time. Under the plan’s vesting schedule, Mr. Winfree is completely vested. Mr. Foster is in his first
year of service and Messrs. Whitehurst and Sanders have completed eight years of a ten year vesting schedule. In the event of
a pre-retirement death, vesting is accelerated and the executive’s named beneficiary receives the benefit over the fifteen
year payout schedule. In the event of a post-retirement death, the executive’s named beneficiary receives any remaining
benefit payments of the fifteen year payout schedule. In the event of a termination of employment resulting from a change in control
of the Company, vesting is accelerated and the benefit is paid under the fifteen year payout schedule.
2013 Shareholder Advisory Vote
In 2013, our shareholders voted their approval
of the compensation of our executives as described in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Approximately
88.6% of all votes cast were for approval of our executive compensation. The Compensation Committee considers these results and
appreciates this strong showing of shareholder support for our compensation philosophy, plans and practices. The Compensation
Committee strives to continue its work consistent with this support.
Outstanding Equity Awards
The following table sets forth certain
information with respect to the amount and value of outstanding equity awards on an award-by-award basis held by the named executive
officers at December 31, 2013.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal
Year-end
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Market Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
of Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Units
|
|
|
or Units
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Option
|
|
of Stock That
|
|
|
of Stock That
|
|
|
|
Grant
|
|
Unexercised
Options (#)
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Expiration
|
|
Have Not
|
|
|
Have Not
|
|
Name
|
|
Date
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
|
Price
($)
|
|
|
Date (1)
|
|
Vested
(#) (2)
|
|
|
Vested
($) (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas W. Winfree
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William G. Foster
|
|
8/20/2012
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
3,750
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
8/20/2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8/19/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,349
|
|
|
$
|
86,502
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Harril Whitehurst, Jr.
|
|
9/26/2013
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
$
|
1.61
|
|
|
9/26/2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raymond E. Sanders
|
|
7/15/2013
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
$
|
1.58
|
|
|
7/15/2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/26/2013
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
1.61
|
|
|
9/26/2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
_________________________________________________________
(1) Each of the incentive stock option awards vests according
to the following schedule: 25% after one year, 25% after two years and 50% after three years; once an installment of shares vests
and becomes exercisable, the award recipient may exercise such options, or any portion of such installment, for a term often years
after the date of grant.
(2) This column represents restricted stock awards. Restricted
awards vest on the same schedule as stock options awards.
(3) The market value of the stock awards that have not vested
was determined based on the per share closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2013 ($1.41).
Employment and Change-in-Control Agreements with Named Executive
Officers
Securing the continued service of key executives
is essential to the successful future of the Company. Employment agreements and management continuity agreements (which help retain
key executives during a possible change of control situation) assist the Company by providing security to key executives.
The Company has an employment agreement
with Mr. Foster and the Bank has employment agreements with Messrs. Sanders and Whitehurst. In addition, the Company and the Bank
had an employment agreement with Mr. Winfree prior to his retirement on February 28, 2014.
Mr. Foster’s employment agreement
was entered into on August 8, 2013 with an initial term of three years. Pursuant to the terms of his agreement, Mr. Foster was
employed initially as the President of the Company and the Bank and became Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company
and the Bank upon Mr. Winfree’s retirement. The agreement may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties at any time.
Annually, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors will review Mr. Foster’s performance for the immediately
preceding year and, after such review, may extend his employment agreement. Mr. Foster currently receives a base salary of $250,000
per year, an increase from the initial base salary of $200,000 per year that he received prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer.
He is a participant in the Village Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan with a potential annual benefit of $50,000 for
15 years. In addition, he will be granted restricted stock awards in the amount of $100,000 and will be entitled to participate
in benefit plans available to senior executives of the Company and the Bank. Mr. Foster is not entitled to any severance benefits
pursuant to his employment agreement. The Company has applied for approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (the “Federal Reserve”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) of a separate
severance and change of control agreement for Mr. Foster.
Messrs. Whitehurst’s and Sanders’
employment agreements were renewed pursuant to their terms on January 1, 2013 and will expire on December 31, 2014. The executives
agreed to perform the services and duties appropriate to their capacities as Executive Vice Presidents of the Bank. Annually,
the Compensation Committee of the board of directors reviews Messrs. Whitehurst’s and Sanders’ performance for the
immediately preceding year and, after such review, may extend their employment agreements for an additional twenty-four months. Mr.
Whitehurst currently receives an annual base salary of $175,852 and Mr. Sanders currently receives an annual base salary of $171,700.
Each of Messrs. Whitehurst and Sanders is a participant in the Village Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan with a potential
annual benefit of $25,000 for 15 years and each is entitled to participate in benefit plans available to senior executives of
the Company and the Bank. Under the terms of their agreements, each of Messrs. Whitehurst and Sanders is entitled to severance
payments equal to his respective salary for the balance of the term of his agreement if he is terminated without “Cause”
or if he resigns with “Good Reason”, each as defined in his respective agreement. In addition, for a period of six
months after termination or resignation under such circumstances, he will continue to receive benefits under all other employee
benefit plans or programs in which he was participating prior to termination or resignation, or, if continued participation is
not possible, an equivalent value.
Mr. Winfree’s employment agreement
with the Company and the Bank was entered into on May 1, 2001 with an initial term of three years. Under the agreement, Mr.
Winfree agreed to perform the services and duties appropriate to his positions at that time of President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company and the Bank. Such agreement was effective until September 28, 2013, at which time Mr. Winfree stepped down as
President and entered into a new employment agreement covering the period from September 28, 2013 to September 27, 2014. His new
agreement was effective until his retirement from his position as Chief Executive Officer on February 28, 2014.
The Company and the Bank are parties to
written agreements with the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the Bureau of Financial Institutions of the Virginia State Corporation
Commission that prohibit the Company and the Bank from making severance payments to employees. As a result, the Company and the
Bank are prohibited from paying the severance and change in control payments described above while such regulatory agreements
remain in place.
TARP Standards on Executive Compensation
In May 2009, the Company sold a series
of its preferred stock to the U.S. Treasury under the TARP Capital Purchase Program. As a result of this transaction,
the Company became subject to certain executive compensation and corporate governance requirements applicable to its senior executive
officers under section 111 of Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”), as implemented by U.S. Treasury
regulations. In addition, each of Messrs. Sanders, Whitehurst and Winfree executed consent letter agreements with the U.S. Treasury
pursuant to which each specifically agreed to be subject to the executive compensation and corporate governance requirements under
EESA and waived his right to certain benefits included in his respective employment agreement. Those restrictions were applicable
until the Company, at the direction of the U.S. Treasury, had its preferred stock sold at auction to third party purchasers effective
on November 19, 2013. At consummation of the sale of the preferred stock, the U.S. Treasury’s oversight and regulation of
the Company’s executive compensation ceased to exist.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Some of the directors and officers of the
Company are customers of the Company and the Bank, and the Company and the Bank have had banking transactions in the ordinary
course of business with directors, officers, and their associates, on substantially the same terms, including interest rates,
collateral and repayment terms on loans, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with persons not related
to the Company All outstanding loans to such officers and directors and their associates are current as to principal and interest
and do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. None of such outstanding
loans are classified as non-accrual, past due, restructured or potential problems. As of December 31, 2013, all loans to directors,
executive officers and their affiliates totaled approximately $7,929,000 or approximately 43% of shareholders’ equity at
such date.
There are no legal proceedings to which
any director, officer or associate is a party that would be material and adverse to the Company.
PROPOSAL TWO
ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE TO APPROVE
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
As part of implementing the “say
on pay” requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, pursuant to applicable rules, the
SEC requires a separate and non-binding shareholder vote to approve the compensation of the named executive officers in this Proxy
Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say on pay” proposal, gives shareholders the opportunity to endorse
or not endorse a company’s executive pay program. Accordingly, shareholders of the Company are being asked to approve the
following resolution:
“
RESOLVED, that the shareholders of the Company
approve the compensation of executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.”
As stated above, this is an advisory vote
only. Approval of the proposed resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present at the Annual Meeting
and entitled to vote.
The board of directors believes that the
Company’s compensation policies and procedures are strongly aligned with the long-term interests of its shareholders. Because
your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the board of directors. However, the Compensation Committee will take into
account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR APPROVAL
OF PROPOSAL TWO-ADVISORY (NON-BINDING)
VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
PROPOSAL THREE
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT
TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE ITS BOARD
OF DIRECTORS TO EFFECT
A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF ITS COMMON
STOCK
On February 25, 2014, the board of directors
adopted resolutions: (1) declaring that an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to effect a reverse
stock split, as described below, was advisable and (2) directing that a proposal to approve the reverse stock split be submitted
to the shareholders for their approval at the Annual Meeting (the “Reverse Stock Split Proposal”).
The Reverse Stock Split Proposal
The form of the proposed amendment to
the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to effect the reverse stock split is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A.
Under the terms of the Reverse Stock Split Proposal, the board of directors will be given the authority to determine whether and
when to implement the proposed amendment. If and when a reverse stock split is implemented, the board of directors will determine
some amount, between 5 to 20 shares of issued and outstanding common stock of the Company (“Old Common Stock”) which
shall automatically be reclassified and converted into one share of common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). If the
Reverse Stock Split Proposal is approved by our shareholders, the board of directors will determine, prior to the filing of the
amendment with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, whether such an action is in the best interest of the shareholders,
and if so, when the Reverse Stock Split shall occur and the ratio for such split. The board of directors will consider, among
other things, the market price and liquidity of our common stock prior to implementing the Reverse Stock Split.
No fractional shares of common stock will
be issued in connection with any Reverse Stock Split. To avoid the existence of fractional shares of our common stock, the number
of shares issued to each shareholder will be rounded up to the nearest whole number, if, as a result of the Reverse Stock Split,
the number of shares owned by any shareholder would not be a whole number.
Background and Reasons for the Proposal
The board of directors is submitting the
Reverse Stock Split Proposal to our shareholders for approval with the primary intent of increasing the market price of our common
stock.
If approved by the shareholders and implemented by the board of directors, the Reverse Stock Split should also enhance
liquidity. Accordingly, we believe that providing the board of directors with the ability to effect the Reverse Stock Split is
in the Company’s and our shareholders’ best interests.
We believe that the Reverse Stock Split,
if implemented, will make our common stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors, as we believe
that the current market price of our common stock may affect its acceptability to certain institutional investors, professional
investors and other members of the investing public. Many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies
and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending
low-priced stocks to their customers. In addition, some of those policies and practices may function to make the processing of
trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Moreover, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks
generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, the current average price
per share of common stock can result in individual shareholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their
total share value than would be the case if the share price were substantially higher. We believe that, if approved and implemented
by our board of directors, a Reverse Stock Split will make our common stock a more attractive and cost effective investment for
many investors, which will enhance the liquidity of the holders of our common stock.
Reducing the number of outstanding shares
of our common stock through the Reverse Stock Split is intended, absent other factors, to increase the per share market price
of our common stock. However, other factors, such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our
business may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Stock
Split, if implemented, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of our common stock will increase
following the Reverse Stock Split or that the market price of our common stock will not decrease in the future. Additionally,
we cannot assure you that the market price per share of our common stock after a Reverse Stock Split will increase in proportion
to the reduction in the number of shares of our common stock outstanding before the Reverse Stock Split. Accordingly, the total
market capitalization of our common stock after the Reverse Stock Split may be lower than the total market capitalization before
the Reverse Stock Split. The Company does not have any plans to issue any new shares of its common stock as part of the Reverse
Stock Split.
If the shareholders approve the Reverse
Stock Split Proposal at the Annual Meeting, the board of directors will have authority to implement the Reverse Stock Split until
the close of business on December 31, 2014
.
Following such date, the board of directors will cease to have authority to
implement the Reverse Stock Split in connection with such approval.
Board Discretion to Implement the Reverse Stock Split
If the proposed amendment is approved
by our shareholders, it will be implemented, if at all, only upon a determination by our board of directors that a reverse stock
split, at a ratio determined by the board of directors within the range of 5 to 20 shares of Old Common Stock for each new share
of common stock, is in the best interests of our shareholders. The board of directors’ determination as to whether such
a split will be implemented and, if so, the effective time and the ratio of such split, will be based upon several factors, including
existing and expected marketability and liquidity of our common stock, prevailing market conditions and the likely effect on the
market price of our common stock. If our board of directors determines to implement the Reverse Stock Split, the board of directors
will consider various factors in selecting the ratio, including the overall market conditions at the time and the recent trading
history of our common stock.
Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Holders of Outstanding
Common Stock
In connection with the Reverse Stock Split,
5 to 20 shares of Old Common Stock will be combined into one new share of common stock. The number of shares of common stock issued
and outstanding will therefore be reduced. The table below illustrates the effect of the Reverse Stock Split on the total number
of common stock shares, within the authorized range of 5 to 20, expected to be outstanding after the completion of the Reverse
Stock Split (excluding the effect of fractional shares). As of the date hereof, there are 5,338,294 shares of common stock outstanding.
|
|
Approximate Number of
|
|
|
Outstanding Shares of
|
Reverse Stock
|
|
Common Stock Following the
|
Split Ratio
|
|
Reverse Stock Split
|
|
|
|
1 for 5
|
|
1,067,659
|
1 for 6
|
|
889,716
|
1 for 7
|
|
762,614
|
1 for 8
|
|
667,287
|
1 for 9
|
|
593,144
|
1 for 10
|
|
533,830
|
1 for 11
|
|
485,300
|
1 for 12
|
|
444,858
|
1 for 13
|
|
410,638
|
1 for 14
|
|
381,307
|
1 for 15
|
|
355,886
|
1 for 16
|
|
333,643
|
1 for 17
|
|
314,017
|
1 for 18
|
|
296,572
|
1 for 19
|
|
280,963
|
1 for 20
|
|
266,915
|
If implemented, the Reverse Stock Split
will affect all holders of our common stock uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest
in the Company. In addition, the Reverse Stock Split will not affect any stockholder’s proportionate voting power.
The Reverse Stock Split may result in
some shareholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of common stock. Odd lot shares may be more difficult
to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher than the costs of
transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares.
If the Reverse Stock Split is implemented,
after the effective time, our common stock will have a new Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”)
number, which is a number used to identify our equity securities, and stock certificates with the older CUSIP number will need
to be exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP number by following the procedures described below.
After the effective time, we will continue
to be subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. Our common stock will continue to be listed
on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “VBFC,” or such other trading symbol as may be applicable at the time.
Beneficial Holders of Common Stock (i.e., shareholders who
hold shares in street name)
If the Reverse Stock Split is implemented,
we intend to treat shares held by shareholders through a bank, broker, custodian or other nominee in the same manner as registered
shareholders whose shares are registered in their names. Banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees will be instructed to effect
the Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding our common stock in street name. However, these banks, brokers, custodians
or other nominees may have different procedures than registered shareholders for processing the Reverse Stock Split. Shareholders
who hold shares of our common stock with a bank, broker, custodian or other nominee and who have any questions in this regard
are encouraged to contact their banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees.
Holders of Certificated Shares of Common Stock
If the board of directors implements the
Reverse Stock Split, shareholders holding shares of our common stock in certificated form will be sent a transmittal letter by
the transfer agent after the effective time. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions on how a stockholder should surrender
his, her or its certificate(s) representing shares of Old Common Stock (the “Old Certificates”) to the transfer agent
in exchange for certificates representing the appropriate number of whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split common stock (the
“New Certificates”). No New Certificates will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has surrendered all
Old Certificates, together with a properly completed and executed letter of transmittal, to the transfer agent. No stockholder
will be required to pay a transfer or other fee to exchange his, her or its Old Certificates. Shareholders will then receive New
Certificate(s) representing the number of whole shares of common stock that they are entitled as a result of the Reverse Stock
Split. Until surrendered, we will deem outstanding Old Certificates held by shareholders to be cancelled and only to represent
the number of whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split common stock to which these shareholders are entitled. Any Old Certificates
submitted for exchange, whether because of a sale, transfer or other disposition of stock, will automatically be exchanged for
New Certificates. If an Old Certificate has a restrictive legend on the back of the Old Certificate, the New Certificate will
be issued with the same restrictive legend that is on the back of the Old Certificate.
SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S)
AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.
Fractional Shares
No fractional shares of common stock will
be issued in connection with any Reverse Stock Split. To avoid the existence of fractional shares of our common stock, the number
of shares issued to each shareholder will be rounded up to the nearest whole number, if, as a result of the Reserve Stock Split,
the number of shares owned by any shareholder would not be a whole number.
Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Options, Restricted
Stock Awards and Units, Warrants, and Convertible or Exchangeable Securities
Based upon the Reverse Stock Split ratio,
proportionate adjustments are generally required to be made to the per share exercise price and the number of shares issuable
upon the exercise or conversion of all outstanding options, warrants (including the warrant to purchase common stock held by the
U.S. Treasury), convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the holders to purchase, exchange for, or convert into, shares
of common stock. This would result in approximately the same aggregate price being required to be paid under such options, warrants,
convertible or exchangeable securities upon exercise, and approximately the same value of shares of common stock being delivered
upon such exercise, exchange or conversion, immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as was the case immediately preceding
the Reverse Stock Split. The number of shares deliverable upon settlement or vesting of restricted stock awards and units will
be similarly adjusted. The number of shares reserved for issuance under these securities will be reduced proportionately based
upon the Reverse Stock Split ratio determined by the board of directors.
Accounting Matters
As of the effective time, the stated capital
attributable to common stock on the Company’s balance sheet will be reduced proportionately based on the Reverse Stock Split
ratio, and the additional paid-in capital account will be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. Reported
per share net income or loss will be higher because there will be fewer shares of common stock outstanding.
Certain Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of the
Reverse Stock Split
The following summary describes certain
material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split to holders of our common stock.
Unless otherwise specifically indicated
herein, this summary addresses the tax consequences only to a beneficial owner of our common stock that is a citizen or individual
resident of the United States, a corporation organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District
of Columbia or otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis in respect of our common stock (a
“U.S. holder”). This summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to any particular
investor, including tax considerations that arise from rules of general application to all taxpayers or to certain classes of
taxpayers or that are generally assumed to be known by investors. This summary also does not address all of the tax consequences
that may be relevant to (i) persons that may be subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such
as banks, insurance companies, thrift institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt
organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that elect to mark
to market and dealers in securities or currencies, (ii) persons that hold our common stock as part of a position in a “straddle”
or as part of a “hedging,” “conversion” or other integrated investment transaction for federal income
tax purposes, or (iii) persons that do not hold our common stock as a “capital asset” (generally, property held
for investment).
This summary is based on the provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial authority,
all as in effect as of the date hereof. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law
or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a material effect on the U.S. federal income
tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.
EACH SHAREHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING
THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT.
If a partnership (or other entity classified
as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our common stock, the U.S. federal
income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of
the partnership. Partnerships that hold our common stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors
regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.
Recapitalization Treatment
The Reverse Stock Split should be treated
as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, no gain or loss will be recognized upon the Reverse Stock
Split. Accordingly, the aggregate tax basis in the common stock received pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split should equal the
aggregate tax basis in the common stock surrendered, and the holding period for the common stock received should include the holding
period for the common stock surrendered.
No Appraisal Rights
Under Virginia law and our Articles of
Incorporation, holders of our common stock will not be entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the Reverse Stock Split.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the
holders of shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the Reverse Stock Split Proposal.
Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have the effect of a vote against the Reverse Stock Split Proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR APPROVAL
OF PROPOSAL THREE-APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT
TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE ITS BOARD
OF DIRECTORS TO EFFECT
A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF ITS COMMON
STOCK
PROPOSAL FOUR
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE
VILLAGE BANK AND TRUST FINANCIAL CORP.
INCENTIVE PLAN
The Proposal
The board of directors
has approved, and recommends that the Company’s shareholders approve, an amendment to the Village Bank and Trust Financial
Corp. Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The amendment increases the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance
under the Plan from 555,000 to 780,000 (an increase of 225,000 shares). There are no other changes to the Plan.
The Company’s
experience with stock options and other stock-based incentives has convinced the board of directors of their important role in
recruiting and retaining officers, directors and employees with ability and initiative and in encouraging such persons to have
a greater financial investment in the Company. The board of directors approved the amendment to the Plan on February 25, 2014.
The
complete text of the Plan, as proposed to be amended, is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix B. The following summary
provides a general description of the principal features of the Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Appendix
B.
General Information
The board of directors
administers the Plan. The Plan authorizes the board of directors to grant one or more of the following awards to directors,
officers, key employees, consultants and advisors to the Company and its subsidiaries who are designated by the board:
|
·
|
stock
appreciation rights (“SARs”);
|
|
·
|
stock
awards, which include awards of both common stock and restricted stock; and
|
If the shareholders
approve the amendment to the Plan, the Company will be authorized to issue under the Plan up to 780,000 shares of common stock.
Generally, if an award is forfeited, expires or terminates, the shares allocated to that award under the Plan may be reallocated
to new awards under the Plan. Shares surrendered pursuant to the exercise of a stock option or other award or in satisfaction
of tax withholding requirements under the Plan may also be reallocated to other awards.
The Plan provides that, if there is a stock
split, stock dividend or other event that affects the Company’s capitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made in
the number of shares that may be issued under the Plan and in the number of shares and price of all outstanding grants and awards
made before such event. If the Reverse Stock Split Proposal is approved by shareholders and the board of directors authorizes
a Reverse Stock Split, the maximum number of shares as to which awards may be issued under the Plan and the terms of outstanding
awards shall be proportionately adjusted.
As of March 21,
2014, the Company has made grants and awards as to 170,651 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Plan, issued
23,701 shares of common stock for restricted stock awards and issued 71,385 shares of common stock for options that have been
exercised under the Plan. These amounts reflect shares that have been forfeited or canceled in accordance with the terms of a
grant or award or have been surrendered or withheld in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements. As a result, 289,263 shares
of common stock remain available for grants and awards under the Plan. On March 21, 2014, the closing price for a share of the
Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $1.42.
The following
table sets forth information as of March 21, 2014, relating to all outstanding grants of stock options under the Plan to (i) each
of the named executive officers, (ii) all current executive officers as a group, (iii) all current directors who are
not executive officers as a group and (iv) all employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers,
as a group. The table does not include awards of common stock and restricted stock.
Outstanding Grants of Stock Options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Exercise or
|
|
|
In-the-Money
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Base Price
|
|
|
Options at
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
($/Share)
|
|
|
March 21,
2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas W. Winfree
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
William G. Foster
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
C. Harril Whitehurst, Jr.
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
1.61
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Raymond E. Sanders
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
1.59
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Executive Group
|
|
|
19,000
|
|
|
|
1.44
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Non-Executive Director Group
|
|
|
57,222
|
|
|
|
9.22
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Non-Executive Officer Employee Group
|
|
|
22,685
|
|
|
|
8.61
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
_________________________________________________
(1) The value of in-the-money-options was calculated
by dertermining the difference between the closing price of a share of Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on
March 21, 2014 ($1.42) and the exercise price of the options.
The Company intends
to continue to grant awards under the Plan to directors, eligible officers and key employees. No determination has been made as
to which of the persons eligible to participate in the Plan will receive awards under the Plan in the future and, therefore, the
future benefits to be allocated to any individual or to various groups of eligible participants are not presently determinable.
Grants and Awards under the Plan
The principal
features of awards under the Plan are summarized below.
Stock Options
The Plan permits the grant of incentive
stock options and non-qualified stock options. The exercise price for options will not be less than the fair market value
of a share of common stock on the date of grant. Other than in connection with a corporate recapitalization, the option price
may not be reduced after the date of grant. The period in which an option may be exercised is determined by the board on the date
of grant, but may not exceed 10 years for an incentive stock option. Payment of the option exercise price may be in cash,
or in a cash equivalent acceptable to the administrator. If the agreement provides, payment may be made by directing the Company
to withhold shares of common stock upon exercise, or by surrendering already owned shares. To the extent permitted under applicable
laws and regulations, a “cashless exercise” may also be used.
Stock Appreciation Rights
SARs may be granted either independently
or in combination with underlying stock options. Each SAR will entitle the holder upon exercise to receive the excess of the fair
market value of a share of common stock at the time of exercise over the SAR’s initial value, which cannot be less than
the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant of the SAR. Other than in connection with a corporate recapitalization,
the initial value of any SAR may not be reduced after the date of grant. At the discretion of the board of directors, all
or part of the payment in respect of a SAR may be in cash, shares of common stock or a combination thereof. The maximum period
in which a SAR may be exercised is 10 years from the date of its grant.
Stock Awards
The Company may also grant stock awards
that entitle the participant to receive shares of common stock. A participant’s rights in the stock award may be forfeitable
or otherwise restricted for a period of time or subject to conditions set forth in the grant agreement, such as continued employment
or achievement of performance objectives.
Stock Units
The board of directors may also award stock
units, which is an award stated with reference to a number of shares of common stock. The award may entitle the recipient
to receive, upon satisfaction of performance objectives or other conditions set forth in the award agreement, cash, shares of
common stock or a combination of cash and common stock.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The principal
federal income tax consequences to participants and to the Company of grants and awards under the Plan are summarized below.
Non-Qualified Stock Options
Non-qualified
stock options granted under the Plan are not taxable to an optionee at grant but result in taxation at exercise, at which time
the individual will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the option exercise price and the fair
market value of the common stock on the exercise date. The Company will be entitled to deduct a corresponding amount as a business
expense in the year the optionee recognizes this income.
Incentive Stock Options
An employee will
generally not recognize income on grant or exercise of an Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”); however, the amount by which
the fair market value of the common stock at the time of exercise exceeds the option price is a required adjustment for purposes
of the alternative minimum tax applicable to the employee. If the employee holds the common stock received upon exercise of the
option for one year after exercise (and for two years from the date of grant of the option), any difference between the amount
realized upon the disposition of the stock and the amount paid for the stock will be treated as long-term capital gain (or loss,
if applicable) to the employee. If the employee exercises an ISO and satisfies these holding period requirements, the Company
may not deduct any amount in connection with the ISO.
Stock Appreciation Rights
There are no immediate
federal income tax consequences to an employee when a SAR is granted. Instead, the employee realizes ordinary income upon exercise
of an SAR in an amount equal to the cash and/or the fair market value (on the date of exercise) of the shares of common stock
received. The Company will be entitled to deduct the same amount as a business expense at that time.
Stock Awards
The federal income
tax consequences of restricted stock awards depend on the restrictions imposed on the stock. Generally, the fair market value
of the stock received will not be includable in the participant's gross income until such time as the stock either is no longer
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture or becomes transferable. The employee may, however, make a tax election to include
the value of the stock in gross income in the year of receipt despite such restrictions. The Company will be entitled to deduct
the fair market value of the stock transferred to the employee as a business expense in the year the employee includes the compensation
in income.
Stock Units
A participant
generally will not recognize taxable income upon the award of stock units. The participant, however, will recognize ordinary income
when the participant receives payment of cash and/or shares of common stock for the stock unit. The amount included in the participant's
income will equal the amount of cash and the fair market value of the shares of common stock received. The Company will be entitled
to a corresponding tax deduction at the time the participant recognizes ordinary income with respect to the stock units.
Other Information
The Plan also provides that no award may
be granted after February 27, 2016. The board of directors may amend or terminate the Plan at any time, provided that no such
amendment will be made without shareholder approval if the amendment (i) materially increases the aggregate number of shares that
may be issued pursuant to awards under the Plan, (ii) materially increases the benefits to participants under the Plan, or (iii)
materially changes the class of employees eligible to become Participants.
The following
table sets forth information as of December 31, 2013, with respect to compensation plans under which shares of common stock are
authorized for issuance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
Securities to
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Remaining
|
|
|
|
Be issued
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Available for
|
|
|
|
Upon Exercise
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Future Issuance
|
|
|
|
of Outstanding
|
|
|
of Outstanding
|
|
|
Under Equity
|
|
|
|
Options, Warrnats
|
|
|
Options, Warrnats
|
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Plan Category
|
|
and Rights
|
|
|
and Rights
|
|
|
Plans
(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Compensation Plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
approved by shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive Plan, as amended
|
|
|
160,256
|
|
|
$
|
7.59
|
|
|
|
297,303
|
|
and restated June 11, 2013
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Compensation Plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
not approved by
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shareholders:
(3)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
160,256
|
|
|
$
|
7.59
|
|
|
|
297,303
|
|
___________________________________________________
(1) Amounts exclude any securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and rights.
|
(2) The Incentive Plan permits grants of stock options and awards of common stock
and/or restricted stock, phantom stock or stock appreciation rights.
|
(3) The Company does not have any equity compensation plans that have not been
approved by shareholders.
|
Vote Required
The Plan must
be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal by holders of record of common stock. Abstentions
and broker nonvotes are not considered votes cast and will not affect the outcome of the vote.
THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE VILLAGE BANK AND TRUST FINANCIAL CORP. INCENTIVE
PLAN.
PROPOSAL FIVE
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
The board of directors has appointed the
firm of BDO USA, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial statements of the
Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014. BDO USA, LLP audited the financial statements of the Company for the year
ended December 31, 2013.
The selection of BDO USA, LLP as the Company’s
independent auditors is not required to be submitted to a vote of the shareholders for ratification. The Company is doing so because
it believes that it is a matter of good corporate practice. If the shareholders fail to vote on an advisory basis in favor of
the selection of BDO USA, LLP, the board of directors will reconsider whether to retain BDO USA, LLP, and may retain that firm
or another firm without re-submitting the matter to the shareholders. Even if the shareholders ratify the appointment, the board
of directors may, in its discretion, direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any
time during the year if it determines that a change would be in the Company’s best interests.
A majority of the votes cast at the meeting
by holders of the common stock is required for the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting
firm.
Representatives of BDO USA, LLP are expected
to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and will be available
to respond to appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
THE
SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE APPOINTMENT
OF
BDO USA, LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER
31, 2014.
AUDIT INFORMATION
The Audit Committee operates under a written
charter that the board of directors has adopted.
Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed by BDO USA, LLP
for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2013 and 2012, and for the review of the financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and engagements, for those
fiscal years were $145,500 for 2013 and $151,441 for 2012.
The aggregate fees billed by BDO USA, LLP
for other services rendered to the Company or the Bank for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 were $13,000 for the audit
of the Employee Benefit Plan. Fees billed by BDO USA, LLP for other services rendered to the Company for December 31, 2012 were
$13,000 for the audit of the Employee Benefit Plan.
Audit Related Fees
There were no fees billed by BDO USA, LLP
for professional services for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review
of the Company’s financial statements and not reported under the heading “Audit Fees” above for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed by BDO USA, LLP
for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
were $33,115 and $25,800, respectively.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee
is composed of four directors, each of whom is independent within the meaning of the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market
and SEC regulations. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the board of directors. The Audit Committee
reviews its charter at least annually and revises it as necessary to ensure compliance with current regulatory requirements.
Management is responsible for:
|
·
|
the
preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company’s consolidated financial
statements; and
|
|
·
|
complying
with laws and regulations and ethical business standards.
|
The Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm is responsible for:
|
·
|
performing
an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements; and
|
|
·
|
expressing
an opinion as to the conformity of the Company’s consolidated financial statements
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
|
The Audit Committee is responsible for:
|
·
|
the
appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of
|
-
the independent registered public accounting firm engaged
for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attestation services for the Company;
-
the accounting firm engaged for the purpose of performing
internal audit procedures for the Company;
-
the firm engaged for the purpose of performing a review
of the loan portfolio for the Company;
|
·
|
monitoring,
overseeing and reviewing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company;
|
The Audit Committee has met and held discussions
with management and BDO USA, LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to
the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 were prepared
in accordance with GAAP. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed these consolidated financial statements with management
and BDO USA, LLP, including the scope of the independent registered public accounting firm’s responsibilities, critical
accounting policies and practices used and significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation
of such financial statements.
The Audit Committee has discussed with
BDO USA, LLP the matters required to be discussed by AS16 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standard, AU 380), as modified
or supplemented. The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO USA, LLP required by applicable
requirements of the Public Accounting Oversight Board regarding BDO USA, LLP’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning
independence, and has discussed with BDO USA, LLP the firm’s independence from the Company. Moreover, the Audit Committee
has considered whether the provision of the audit services described above is compatible with maintaining the independence of
the independent auditors.
Based upon its discussions with management
and BDO USA, LLP and its review of the representations of management and the report of BDO USA, LLP to the Audit Committee, the
Audit Committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 for filing with the SEC. By recommending to the board of directors
that the audited consolidated financial statements be so included, the Audit Committee is not opining on the accuracy, completeness
or presentation of the information contained in the audited financial statements.
Audit Committee Members
R. Calvert Esleeck, Jr., Co-Chair
Charlie E. Walton, Co-Chair
William B. Chandler
George R. Whittemore
Midlothian, Virginia
April 16, 2014
Pre-Approval
Policies
All audit related services, tax services
and other services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by BDO USA, LLP
was compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. The Audit Committee’s
Charter provides for pre-approval of audit, audit-related and tax services. The Charter authorizes the Audit Committee to delegate
to one or more of its members pre-approval authority with respect to permitted services.
PROPOSALS FOR 2015
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The next Annual Meeting of shareholders
will be held by the Company on or about May 26, 2015. Any shareholder who wishes to submit a proposal for consideration at that
meeting, and who wishes to have such proposal included in the Company’s Proxy Statement, must comply with SEC Rule 14a-8
and must submit the proposal in writing no later than December 17, 2014. All such proposals and notifications should be sent to
William G. Foster, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, at P.O. Box 330, 15521 Midlothian Turnpike, Suite 200, Midlothian,
Virginia 23113.
The Company’s bylaws also prescribe
the procedure that a shareholder must follow to nominate directors for election. Such nominations require written notice delivered
to the Secretary of the Company at its principal executive office not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the date
of the Annual Meeting; or in the event that less than 70 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is
given or made, the shareholder has 10 days after the earlier of the date of notice or public disclosure to give written notice.
The written notice must provide certain information and representations regarding both the nominee and the shareholder making
the nomination and a written consent of the nominee to be named in a Proxy Statement as a nominee and to serve as a director if
elected. Any shareholder may obtain a copy of the bylaws, without charge, upon written request to the Corporate Secretary of the
Company. Based upon an anticipated date of May 26, 2015 for the next Annual Meeting, the Company must receive any notice of nomination
or other business no later than March 27, 2015 and no earlier than February 25, 2015 for such meeting.
OTHER MATTERS
THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS (THE “ANNUAL
REPORT”), WHICH INCLUDES A COPY OF THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2013 (EXCLUDING EXHIBITS), AS FILED WITH THE SEC, IS BEING MAILED TO SHAREHOLDERS WITH THIS PROXY STATEMENT. A COPY OF THE ANNUAL
REPORT MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED WITHOUT CHARGE BY WRITING TO C. HARRIL WHITEHURST, JR., EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL
OFFICER, WHOSE ADDRESS IS P.O. BOX 330, MIDLOTHIAN, VIRGINIA, 23113-0330. THE ANNUAL REPORT IS NOT PART OF THE PROXY SOLICITATION
MATERIALS.
Appendix A
ARTICLES OF
AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF VILLAGE
BANK AND TRUST FINANCIAL CORP.
The undersigned, on behalf of the
corporation set forth below, pursuant to Title 13.1, Chapter 9, Article 11 of the Code of Virginia, states as follows:
|
1.
|
The name of the Corporation is the Village Bank and Trust
Financial Corp.
|
|
2.
|
The corporation’s Articles of Incorporation are amended
as follows:
|
|
(a)
|
[The following
paragraph is hereby added to the Articles as Article [
],
paragraph [
]:
|
[(i)]
As of [time] on [date] (the “Effective Time”), a reverse stock split (“Reverse Stock Split”) will occur,
a result of which each
shares
of issued and outstanding common stock of the Corporation (“Old Common Stock”) shall automatically, without further
action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of such common stock, be reclassified and converted into one (1) share
of the Corporation’s common stock (“New Common Stock”). The Corporation will not issue fractional shares. The
number of shares to be issued to each stockholder will be rounded up to the nearest whole number if, as a result of the Reverse
Stock Split, the number of shares owned by any stockholder would not be a whole number. From and after the Effective Time, Old
Certificates shall confer no right upon the holders thereof other than the right to exchange them for the New Certificates pursuant
to the provisions hereof.”]
|
3.
|
The foregoing amendment was adopted on [
],
2014.
|
|
4.
|
Pursuant to Article VII of the Corporation’s Articles
of Incorporation, this amendment has been approved and recommended by at least two-thirds
(2/3) of the board of directors of the Corporation.
|
|
5.
|
The amendment was proposed by the board of directors and submitted
to the shareholders in accordance with the provisions of Title 13.1, Chapter 9 of
the Code of Virginia, and
|
|
(a)
|
The number of shares outstanding on the record date, the number
of shares entitled to vote on the proposed amendment and the number of shares voted for
and against the amendment were as follows:
|
|
Number of shares outstanding:
|
[__________]
|
|
|
Number of shares entitled to vote:
|
[__________]
|
|
|
Number of shares voted for:
|
[__________]
|
|
|
Number of shares voted against:
|
[__________]
|
|
|
(b)
|
The total number of votes case for the amendment was sufficient
for approval of the amendment.
|
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Village Bank and Trust
Financial Corp. has caused these Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to be signed by [__________], a duly authorized
officer of the Corporation.
|
VILLAGE BANK AND
TRUST FINANCIAL CORP.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
|
Appendix B
VILLAGE BANK AND TRUST FINANCIAL CORP.
INCENTIVE PLAN
a
s Amended and Restated June 11,
2013
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Affiliate
means any "subsidiary" or "parent company" (within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code) of the Company.
Agreement
means a written agreement (including any amendment or supplement thereto) between the Company and a Participant specifying the
terms and conditions of an Award issued to such Participant.
Award
means an award of Stock Units, a Stock Award, Option or SAR.
Board means the Board
of Directors of Village Bank and Trust Financial Corp.
Change of Control
means any of the following: (i) a third person, including a "group" as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, who after the effective date of the Plan becomes the beneficial owner of shares of the Company having 20
percent or more of the total number of votes that may be cast for the election of the Board of Directors of the Company; or (ii)
as the result of, or in connection with, any cash tender or exchange offer, merger or other business combination, sale of assets
or contested election, or any combination of the foregoing transactions (a "Transaction"), the persons who were Directors
of the Company before the Transaction shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board or any successor to the Company.
|
1.06
|
Change
of Control Date
|
Change of Control
Date means the date on which an event described in (i) or (ii) of Section 1.05 occurs. If a Change of Control occurs on account
of a series of transactions, the Change of Control Date is the date of the last of such transactions.
Code means the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, and any amendments thereto.
Common Stock means
the Common Stock of the Company.
Company means Village
Bank and Trust Financial Corp.
Corresponding SAR
means an SAR that is granted in relation to a particular Option and that can be exercised only upon surrender to the Company,
unexercised, of that portion of the Option to which the SAR relates.
Fair Market Value
means, on any given date, the average of the bid and asked prices at closing of a share of Common Stock on the NASDAQ National
Market System or the Principal Stock Exchange on which the Common Stock is traded or if the Common Stock was not traded on such
day, then on the next preceding day that the Common Stock was traded, all as reported by such source as the Board may select.
If the Common Stock does not trade on the NASDAQ National Market System or other established securities market,
Fair Market
Value
means the value that the Board, in its good faith business judgment, determines using a reasonable application of a
reasonable valuation method.
|
1.12
|
Incentive
Stock Option
|
Incentive Stock Option
means an Option that qualifies and is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.
Initial Value means,
with respect to a Corresponding SAR, the Option price per share of the related Option, and with respect to a SAR granted independently
of an Option, the price per share of Common Stock as determined by Board on the date of grant, provided, however, that the price
per share of Common Stock encompassed by the grant of a SAR shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.
|
1.14
|
Non-Qualified
Stock Option
|
Non-Qualified Stock
Option means an Option other than an Incentive Stock Option.
Option means a stock
option that entitles the holder to purchase from the Company a stated number of shares of Common Stock at the price set forth
in an Agreement.
Participant means
an employee of the Company or of a Subsidiary, a member of the Board or the Board of Directors of a Subsidiary or any consultant
or advisor to the Company or a Subsidiary who satisfies the requirements of Article IV and is selected by the Board to receive
an Award.
Plan means the Village
Bank and Trust Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective February 28, 2006.
Rule 16b-3 means Rule
16b-3, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time.
SAR means a stock
appreciation right that entitles the holder to receive, with respect to each share of Common Stock encompassed by the exercise
of such SAR, the excess of the Fair Market Value at the time of exercise over the Initial Value of the SAR.
Securities Broker
means the registered securities broker acceptable to the Company who agrees to effect the cashless exercise of an Option pursuant
to Plan section 6.09.
Stock Award means
Common Stock awarded to a Participant under Article IX.
Subsidiary means any
company (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of companies beginning with the Company if each of the companies in the
chain (other than the last company) owns stock possessing at least 50 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes
of stock in one of the other companies in such chain.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The Plan is intended
to assist the Company in recruiting and retaining individuals with ability and initiative by enabling those individuals who contribute
significantly to the Company or an Affiliate to participate in its future success and to associate their interests with those
of the Company and its shareholders. The Plan is intended to permit the award of Stock Units and Stock Awards, and the issuance
of Options, both Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options, and SARs. No Option that is intended to be an Incentive
Stock Option shall be invalid for failure to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. The proceeds received by the Company from the
sale of Common Stock pursuant to this Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.
ARTICLE III
ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be
administered by the Board. The Board shall have authority to issue Awards upon such terms (not inconsistent with the provisions
of this Plan) as the Board may consider appropriate. Such terms may include conditions (in addition to those contained in this
Plan) on (i) the exercisability of all or any part of an Option or SAR and (ii) the transferability or forfeitability of a Stock
Award or Stock Unit. Notwithstanding any such conditions, the Board may, in its discretion, accelerate the time at which any Option
or SAR may be exercised, or the time at which a Stock Award may become transferable or nonforfeitable or both, or the time at
which an Award of Stock Units may be settled. In addition, the Board shall have complete authority to interpret all provisions
of this Plan; to prescribe the form of Agreements; to adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations pertaining to the administration
of the Plan; and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. The express grant
in the Plan of any specific power to the Board shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Board.
Any decision made,
or action taken, by the Board or in connection with the administration of this Plan shall be final and conclusive. No member of
the Board shall be liable for any act done in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Agreement or Award. All expenses of
administering this Plan shall be borne by the Company.
ARTICLE IV
ELIGIBILITY
Any employee of the
Company, any member of the Board, any employee or director of a Subsidiary (including any Company that becomes a Subsidiary after
the adoption of this Plan), or any consultant or advisor to the Company or a Subsidiary is eligible to participate in the Plan
if the Board, in its sole judgment determines that such person has contributed significantly or can be expected to contribute
significantly to the profits or growth of the Company or a Subsidiary.
ARTICLE V
STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN
Upon the award of
shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award or in settlement of an award of Stock Units, the Company may issue shares of
Common Stock from its authorized but unissued Common Stock. Upon the exercise of any Option or SAR, the Company may deliver to
the Participant (or the Participant’s broker if the Participant so directs), shares of Common Stock from its authorized
but unissued Common Stock.
The maximum aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan, pursuant to the exercise of SARs and Options, the grant of
Stock Awards and the settlement of Stock Units is 555,000 shares.
|
5.03
|
Reallocation
of Shares
|
If shares of Common
Stock subject to an Award are forfeited, expire or otherwise terminate without the issuance of shares of Common Stock, the shares
of Common Stock shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, expiration, termination, cash-settlement or non-issuance, again be
available to be granted under this Plan. If shares of Common Stock are surrendered either actually or by attestation or withheld
(i) pursuant to the exercise of an Option or other Award under the Plan or (ii) in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements
with respect to Awards under the Plan, the number of shares surrendered may be reallocated to other Awards to be granted under
this Plan.
ARTICLE VI
OPTIONS
In accordance with
the provisions of Article IV, the Board will designate each individual to whom an Option is to be granted and will specify the
number of shares of Common Stock covered by each such Award.
|
6.02
|
Designation of Option
|
The Board will designate
at the time an Option is granted whether the Option is to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
In the absence of any such designation, such Option shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
The price per share
for Common Stock purchased on the exercise of an Option shall be fixed by the Board on the date of grant, but shall not be less
than the Fair Market Value on such date.
|
6.04
|
Maximum
Option Period
|
The maximum period
in which an Option may be exercised shall be determined by the Board on the date of grant; provided, however that an Incentive
Stock Option shall not be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date the Incentive Stock Option was granted.
Except as provided
in Plan section 6.06, each Option granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution. In the event of any such transfer, the Option and Corresponding SAR that relates to such Option must be transferred
to the same person or persons, trust or estate. Except as provided in Plan section 6.06, during the lifetime of the Participant
to whom an Incentive Stock Option or related SAR is granted, the Option or SAR may be exercised only by the Participant. No right
or interest of a Participant in any Option or SAR shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such
Participant.
|
6.06
|
Transferable
Options
|
Plan section 6.05
to the contrary notwithstanding, and if the Agreement provides, a Non-Qualified Stock Option may be transferred by a Participant
to the Participant’s children, grandchildren, spouse, one or more trusts for the benefit of such family members or a partnership
in which such family members are the only partners, on such terms and conditions as may be permitted under Rule 16b-3 as in effect
from time to time. The holder of an Option transferred pursuant to this section shall be bound by the same terms and conditions
that governed the Option during the period that it was held by the Participant; provided, however, that such transferee may not
transfer the Option except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of any transfer of an Option (by the
Participant or his transferee), the Option and any Corresponding SAR that relates to such Option must be transferred to the same
person or persons or entity or entities.
|
6.07
|
Employment
or Service
|
For purposes of determining
the applicability of Section 422 of the Code (relating to incentive stock options), or in the event that the terms of any grant
provide that it may be exercised only during employment or continued service or within a specified period of time after termination
of employment or service, the Board may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or military service, illness,
temporary disability, or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or service.
Subject to the provisions
of this Plan and the applicable Agreement, an Option may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time at such
times and in compliance with such requirements as the Board shall determine; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options (granted
under the Plan and all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) may not be first exercisable in a calendar year for stock having
a Fair Market Value (determined as of the date an Option is granted) exceeding the limit prescribed by Section 422(d) of the Code.
An Option granted under this Plan may be exercised with respect to any number of whole shares less than the full number for which
the Option could be exercised. Such partial exercise of an Option shall not affect the right to exercise the Option from time
to time in accordance with this Plan with respect to remaining shares subject to the Option. The exercise of an Option shall result
in the termination of any Corresponding SAR to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the Option is exercised.
Unless otherwise provided
by the Agreement, payment of the Option price shall be made in cash or cash equivalent acceptable to the Board or by cashless
exercise described herein. If the Agreement provides, payment of all or part of the Option price may be made by withholding shares
of Common Stock upon exercise of an Option or by surrendering already owned shares of Common Stock to the Company, provided the
shares withheld or surrendered have a Fair Market Value (determined as of the day preceding the date of exercise) that is not
less than such price or part thereof. In addition, the Board may establish such payment or other terms as it may deem to be appropriate
and consistent with these purposes. To the extent permitted under the applicable laws and regulations, at the request of the Participant
and with the consent of the Board, the Company agrees to cooperate in a "cashless exercise" of the Option. The cashless
exercise shall be effected by the Participant delivering to the Securities Broker instructions to exercise all or part of the
Option, including instructions to sell a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to cover the costs and expenses associated
therewith.
No Participant shall
have any rights as a shareholder with respect to shares subject to his Option until the date he exercises such Option.
|
6.11
|
Disposition
of Stock
|
A Participant shall
notify the Company of any sale or other disposition of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that was an Incentive Stock
Option if such sale or disposition occurs (i) within two years of the grant of an Option or (ii) within one year of the issuance
of the Common Stock to the Participant. Such notice shall be in writing and directed to the Secretary of the Company.
ARTICLE VII
SARS
In accordance with
the provisions of Article IV, the Board will designate each individual to whom SARs are to be granted and will specify the number
of shares of Common Stock covered by each such Award provided, however, no Participant may be granted Corresponding SARs of common
stock (under all Incentive Stock Option plans of the Company and its Affiliates) that are related to Incentive Stock Options which
are first exercisable in any calendar year for stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date the related
Option is granted) that exceeds the limit prescribed by Section 422(d) of the Code.
The maximum period
in which an SAR may be exercised shall be 10 years from the date such SAR was granted. The terms of any SAR may provide that it
has a term that is less than such maximum period.
Except as provided
in Plan section 7.04, each SAR granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
In the event of any such transfer, a Corresponding SAR and the related Option must be transferred to the same person or persons
or entity or entities. Except as provided in Plan section 7.04, during the lifetime of the Participant to whom the SAR is granted,
the SAR may be exercised only by the Participant. No right or interest of a Participant in any SAR shall be liable for, or subject
to, any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant.
Plan section 7.03
to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Agreement provides, an SAR, other than a Corresponding SAR that is related to an Incentive
Stock Option, may be transferred by a Participant to the Participant’s children, grandchildren, spouse, one or more trusts
for the benefit of such family members or a partnership in which such family members are the only partners, on such terms and
conditions as may be permitted under Rule 16b-3 as in effect from time to time. The holder of an SAR transferred pursuant to this
section shall be bound by the same terms and conditions that governed the SAR during the period that it was held by the Participant;
provided, however, that such transferee may not transfer the SAR except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In the
event of any transfer of a Corresponding SAR (by the Participant or his transferee), the Corresponding SAR and the related Option
must be transferred to the same person or person or entity or entities.
Subject to the provisions
of this Plan and the applicable Agreement, an SAR may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time at such times
and in compliance with such requirements as the Board shall determine; provided, however, that a Corresponding SAR that is related
to an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable and only when the Fair
Market Value exceeds the option price of the related Option. An SAR granted under this Plan may be exercised with respect to any
number of whole shares less than the full number for which the SAR could be exercised. A partial exercise of an SAR shall not
affect the right to exercise the SAR from time to time in accordance with this Plan and the applicable Agreement with respect
to the remaining shares subject to the SAR. The exercise of a Corresponding SAR shall result in the termination of the related
Option to the extent of the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.
|
7.06
|
Employment
or Service
|
In the event that
the terms of any SAR provide that it may be exercised only during employment or continued service or within a specified period
of time after termination of employment or service, the Board may decide to what extent leaves of absence for governmental or
military service, illness, temporary disability or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment or
service.
At the Board’s
discretion, the amount payable as a result of the exercise of an SAR may be settled in cash, Common Stock, or a combination of
cash and Common Stock. No fractional share will be deliverable upon the exercise of an SAR but a cash payment will be made in
lieu thereof.
No Participant shall, as a result of receiving
an SAR, have any rights as a shareholder of the Company until the date that the SAR is exercised and then only to the extent that
the SAR is settled by the issuance of Common Stock.
ARTICLE VIII
STOCK AWARDS
In accordance with
the provisions of Article IV, the Board will designate each individual to whom a Stock Award is to be made and will specify the
number of shares of Common Stock covered by each such Award.
The Board may, on
the date of the Award, prescribe that the Participant’s rights in the Stock Award shall be forfeitable or otherwise restricted
for a period of time or subject to such conditions as may be set forth in the Agreement. By way of example and not of limitation,
the restrictions may postpone transferability of the shares or may provide that the shares will be forfeited if the Participant
separates from the service of the Company and its Subsidiaries before the expiration of a stated period or if the Company, a Subsidiary,
the Company and its Subsidiaries or the Participant fails to achieve stated performance objectives.
Prior to their forfeiture
(in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and while the shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to a Stock Award may be forfeited
or are nontransferable), a Participant will have all rights of a shareholder with respect to a Stock Award, including the right
to receive dividends and vote the shares; provided, however, that during such period (i) the Participant may not sell, transfer,
pledge, exchange, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of Common Stock granted pursuant to a Stock Award, (ii) the Company shall
retain custody of the certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock subject to the Award, and (iii) the Participant will deliver
to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank, with respect to each Stock Award subject to a risk of forfeiture. The limitations
set forth in the preceding sentence shall not apply after the shares of Common Stock granted under the Stock Award are transferable
and no longer forfeitable.
|
8.04
|
Employment
or Service
|
In the event that
the terms of any Stock Award provide that shares may become transferable and nonforfeitable thereunder only after completion of
a specified period of employment or service, the Board may decide in each case to what extent leaves of absence for governmental
or military service, illness, temporary disability, or other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment
or service.
ARTICLE IX
STOCK UNITS
In accordance with
the provisions of Article IV, the Board will designate each individual to whom an Award of Stock Units is to be made and will
specify the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award.
The Board may prescribe
such terms and conditions under which a Participant shall earn a right to receive payment for Stock Units. The Board may prescribe
that the Stock Units, or a portion thereof, will be earned, and the Participant will be entitled to receive a payment pursuant
to an Award of Stock Units, only upon the satisfaction of performance objectives or such other criteria as may be prescribed by
the Board and set forth in an Agreement.
No Participant shall,
as a result of receiving an Award of Stock Units, have any rights of a shareholder of the Company or a Subsidiary until and the
extent Stock Units are earned and settled in shares of Common Stock. After Stock Units are earned and settled in Common Stock,
a Participant will have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to such shares.
In accordance with
the Agreement, the amount payable when an award of Stock Units is earned may be settled in cash, Common Stock or a combination
of cash and Common Stock. A fractional share shall not be deliverable when an Award of Stock Units is earned, but a cash payment
will be made in lieu thereof.
A Participant may
not sell, transfer, pledge, exchange, hypothecate, or otherwise dispose of an Award of Stock Units other than by will or the laws
of descent and distribution. The limitations set forth in the preceding sentence shall not apply to Common Stock issued as payment
pursuant to a Stock Unit.
ARTICLE X
ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK
Should the Company
effect one or more (i) stock dividends, stock split-ups, subdivisions or consolidations of shares or other similar changes in
capitalization; (ii) spin-offs, spin-outs, split-ups, split-offs, or other such distribution of assets to shareholders; or (iii)
direct or indirect assumptions and/or conversions of outstanding Options due to an acquisition of the Company, then the maximum
number of shares as to which Awards may be issued under this Plan shall be proportionately adjusted and their terms shall be adjusted
as the Board shall determine to be equitably required, provided that the number of shares subject to any Award shall always be
a whole number. Any such adjustment of outstanding Options or SARS that satisfy the requirements of the Treasury Regulation section
1.424-1 and section 409A of the Code. Any determination made under this Article X by the Board shall be final and conclusive.
The issuance by the
Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property or
for labor or services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion
of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment
by reason thereof shall be made with respect to any Award.
ARTICLE XI
COMPLIANCE
No Option or Award
shall be exercisable, no Common Stock shall be issued, no certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered, and no payment
shall be made under this Plan except in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations (including, without
limitation, withholding tax requirements) and the rules of all domestic stock exchanges on which the Company's shares may be listed.
The Company may rely on an opinion of its counsel as to such compliance. Any share certificate issued to evidence Common Stock
when a Stock Award is granted a Stock Unit is settled or for which an Option or SAR is experienced may bear such legends and statements
as the Board may deem advisable to assure compliance with Federal and state laws and regulations. No Option or SAR shall be exercisable,
no Stock Award or Stock Unit shall be granted, no Common Stock shall be issued, no certificate for shares shall be delivered,
and no payment shall be made under this Plan until the Company has obtained such consent or approval as the Board may deem advisable
from regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such matters.
ARTICLE XII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
|
12.01
|
Effect
on Employment and Service
|
Neither the adoption
of this Plan, its operation, nor any documents describing or referring to this Plan (or any part thereof) shall confer upon any
individual any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary or in any way affect any right and power
of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate the employment or service of any individual at any time with or without assigning
a reason therefor.
The Plan, insofar
as it provides for an Award, is not required to be funded, and the Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that
may at any time be represented by an Award of this Plan. Any liability of the Company to any person with respect to any grant
or Award under this Plan shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created pursuant to this Plan. No
such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of, or other encumbrance on, any property of the Company.
At the discretion
of the Board, a Participant’s interest in a Stock Award or Stock Unit may be made nonforfeitable and transferable as of
a Change of Control Date. The Board may also provide in an Agreement that a Participant may elect, by written notice to the Company
within 60 days after a Change of Control Date, to receive, in exchange for a Stock Award or Stock Units, a cash payment equal
to the Fair Market Value of the shares surrendered on the last business day the Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ National
Market System prior to receipt by the Company of such written notice. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the
contrary, unless the Board provides otherwise in an Agreement, a grant of an Option or SAR may be exercised immediately in full
upon a Change of Control.
|
12.04
|
Rules
of Construction
|
Headings are given
to the articles and sections of this Plan for ease of reference. The reference to any statute, regulation, or other provision
of law shall be construed to refer to any amendment to or successor of such provision of law.
The Board may amend
or terminate this Plan from time to time; provided, however, that no amendment may become effective until shareholder approval
is obtained if the amendment (i) materially increases the aggregate number of shares that may be issued pursuant to Awards, (ii)
materially increases the benefits to Participants under the Plan, or (iii) materially changes the class of employees eligible
to become Participants. No amendment shall, without a Participant's consent, adversely affect any rights of such Participant under
any Award outstanding at the time such amendment is made, except such an amendment made to cause the Plan to qualify for the Rule
16b-3 exemption. No amendment shall be made if it would disqualify the Plan from the exemption provided by Rule 16b. The Board
may amend the terms of any Award theretofore issued under this Plan, prospectively or retrospectively, and include in such amendment
the right of the Board to pay a Participant cash in lieu of shares of Common Stock upon the termination (by exercise or otherwise)
of an Option, but no such amendment shall impair the rights of any Participant without the Participant's consent except such an
amendment made to cause the Plan, or Award, to qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3.
No Awards may be granted
under this Plan more than ten years after the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board and the date that the Plan
is approved in accordance with Plan section 12.07. Awards granted before that date shall remain valid in accordance with their
terms.
|
12.07
|
Effective
Date of Plan
|
This amended and restated
Plan has been adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on February 25, 2014, and shall be effective as of that date, subject,
however, to approval by the shareholders of the Company entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Village Bank and Trust F... (NASDAQ:VBFC)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De Oct 2024 a Nov 2024
Village Bank and Trust F... (NASDAQ:VBFC)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De Nov 2023 a Nov 2024