Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

NOTE 14. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

At the 2016 annual meeting, stockholders approved the Shore Bancshares, Inc. 2016 Stock and Incentive Plan (“2016 Equity Plan”), replacing the Shore Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Stock and Incentive Plan (“2006 Equity Plan”), which expired on that date. The Company may issue shares of common stock or grant other equity-based awards pursuant to the 2016 Equity Plan. Stock-based awards granted to date generally are time-based, vest in equal installments on each anniversary of the grant date and range over a one- to three-year period of time, and, in the case of stock options, expire 10 years from the grant date. As part of the 2016 Equity Plan, a performance equity incentive award program, known as the “Long-term incentive plan” allows participating officers of the Company to earn incentive awards of performance share/restricted stock units if certain pre-determined targets are achieved at the end of a three-year performance cycle. Stock-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards and reflects forfeitures as they occur. The 2016 Equity Plan originally reserved 750,000 shares of common stock for grant, and 499,870 shares remained available for grant at December 31, 2022.

The following tables provide information on stock-based compensation expense as of and for the years ended December 31.

	December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation expense	$	636	$	378
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation		42		9

	December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2022			2021
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$	138		$	80
Weighted average period unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized		0.2	years		0.2	years

The following table summarizes restricted stock award activity for the Company under the 2016 Equity Plan for the years ended December 31.

	2022			2021
		Weighted Average			Weighted Average
	Number of	Grant Date		Number of	Grant Date
	Shares	Fair Value		Shares	Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of period	29,425	$	13.95	24,505	$	13.78
Granted	34,184		20.48	26,583		13.81
Vested	(26,749)		13.75	(20,240)		13.54
Forfeited	—		—	(1,423)		13.34
Nonvested at end of period	36,860	$	20.15	29,425	$	13.95

The fair value of restricted stock awards that vested during 2022 and 2021 was $532 thousand and $309 thousand, respectively.

There were no stock options granted during 2022 and 2021.