DEF 14A 1 security.htm DEF 14A

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant 

Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Proxy Statement

☐ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(3)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12


SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

_________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

5300 South 360 West, Suite 250
Salt Lake City, Utah 84123


May 18, 2018



Dear Stockholder:

On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Security National Financial Corporation (the "Company") to be held on Thursday, June 28, 2018, beginning at 10:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time, at Valley Center Towers, 5373 South Green Street, Classroom No. 237, Salt Lake City, Utah.  The formal notice of the Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement have been made a part of this invitation.

The matters to be addressed at the meeting will include (1) the election of eight directors; (2) the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company's named executive officers; (3) the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018; and (4) the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.  Please refer to the Proxy Statement for detailed information on each of the proposals and the Annual Meeting. I will also report on the Company's business activities and answer any stockholder questions.

The Company will be providing access to its proxy materials over the Internet under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's "notice and access" rules.  Accordingly, on or about May 18, 2018, you will receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, which will provide instructions on how to access the Company's Proxy Statement and 2017 Annual Report online.  This approach conserves natural resources and reduces the Company's printing and distribution costs, while providing a timely and convenient method of accessing the materials and voting.  The notice also contains instructions on how to receive a paper copy of the Company's proxy materials, including the Proxy Statement, the 2017 Annual Report and a proxy card.

Your vote is important. Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please promptly submit your proxy over the Internet by following the instructions found on your notice. As an alternative, you may follow the procedures outlined in your notice to request a paper proxy card to submit your vote by mail.

Thank you for your support of Security National Financial Corporation.  We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.
 
 
Sincerely yours,
   
  /s/ Scott M. Quist
 
Scott M. Quist
 
Chairman of the Board, President  and  Chief Executive Officer


 
SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

5300 South 360 West, Suite 250
Salt Lake City, Utah 84123

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 28, 2018

Dear Stockholders:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of Security National Financial Corporation (the "Company"), a Utah corporation, will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at Valley Center Towers, 5373 South Green Street, Classroom No. 237, Salt Lake City, Utah, beginning at 10:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time, to consider and act upon the following:

1.
To elect a Board of Directors consisting of eight directors (three directors to be elected exclusively by the Class A common stockholders voting separately as a class and the remaining five directors to be elected by the Class A and Class C common stockholders voting together) to serve until the next Annual Meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified;
   
2.
To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers;
   
3.
To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018; and
   
4.
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 4, 2018, as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof.  A list of such stockholders will be available for examination by a stockholder for any purpose relevant to the meeting during ordinary business hours at the offices of the Company at 5300 South 360 West, Suite 250, Salt Lake City, Utah during the 20 days prior to the meeting.

 
By order of the Board of Directors,
   
   
  /s/ Jeffrey R. Stephens
 
Jeffrey R. Stephens
 
Senior General Counsel  and Corporate Secretary
May 18, 2018
Salt Lake City, Utah


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Security National Financial Corporation
 Annual Meeting to be held on June 28, 2018

The Proxy Statement and the Company's 2017 Annual Report are available at https://www.securitynational.com/shareholders.

Security National Financial Corporation
Proxy Statement

TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Information
 1
   
Record Date and Voting Information
 1
   
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
 2
   
Proposal 1 - Election of Directors
 3
   
The Nominee
 3
The Board of Directors, Board Committees, and Meetings
 5
Director Nominating Process
 6
Meetings of Non-Management Directors
 6
Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors
 6
Executive Officers
 7
Corporate Governance
 8
   
Compensation Tables
 9
   
Summary Compensation Table
 9
Supplemental All Other Compensation Table
10
Grants of Plan-based Awards
11
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2017 Year End
12
Option Awards Vesting Schedule
13
Option Exercises and Stock Vested for Fiscal 2017
13
Pension Benefits for Fiscal Year 2017
14
Equity Compensation Plan Information
14
   
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2017
16
   
Director Compensation for Fiscal 2017
18
   
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
19
   
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
20
   
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
22
   
Report of the Compensation Committee
22
   
Report of the Audit Committee
24
   
Proposal 2 - Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers
25
   
Proposal 3 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accountants
25
   
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
26
   
Other Matters
26
   
Annual Report and Financial Statements
26
   
Deadline for Receipt of Stockholder's Proposals for Annual Meeting to Be Held in June 2018
26



SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
5300 South 360 West, Suite 250
Salt Lake City, Utah 84123

PROXY STATEMENT

For Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To Be Held on Thursday, June 28, 2018

GENERAL INFORMATION
 
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Security National Financial Corporation (the "Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Valley Center Towers, 5373 South Green Street, Classroom No. 237, Salt Lake City, Utah, beginning at 10:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time, or at any adjournment or postponements thereof.  The shares covered by the enclosed Proxy, if such is properly executed and received by the Board of Directors prior to the meeting, will be voted in favor of the proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting, and in favor of the election of the nominees to the Board of Directors (three nominees to be elected by the Class A common stockholders voting separately as a class and five nominees to be elected by the Class A and Class C common stockholders voting together) as listed unless such Proxy specifies otherwise, or the authority to vote in the election of directors is withheld.
 
A Proxy may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by giving written notice to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at 5300 South 360 West, Suite 250, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123, Attention: Jeffrey R. Stephens, by submitting in writing a Proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.  Stockholders may vote their shares in person if they attend the Annual Meeting, even if they have executed and returned a Proxy.  This Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy Card are being mailed to stockholders on or about May 18, 2018.
 
If a stockholder wishes to assign a proxy to someone other than the Directors' Proxy Committee, all names appearing on the Proxy Card must be crossed out and the name(s) of another person or persons (not more than two) inserted.  The signed card must be presented at the meeting by the person(s) representing the stockholder.
 
The cost of this solicitation will be borne by the Company.  The Company may reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. Proxies may also be solicited by certain of the Company's directors, officers, and regular employees, without additional compensation.
 
The matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting are (1) to elect directors to serve for the ensuing year;  (2) to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's named executive officers; (3) to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018; and (4) to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

RECORD DATE AND VOTING INFORMATION
 
Only holders of record of common stock at the close of business on May 4, 2018, will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.  As of March 31, 2018, there were issued and outstanding 14,569,321 shares of Class A common stock, $2.00 par value per share, and 2,089,372 shares of Class C common stock, $2.00 par value per share, resulting in a total of 16,658,693 shares of Class A and Class C common stock.  A majority of the outstanding shares of Class A and Class C common stock (or 8,329,347 shares) will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting.  A list of the Company's stockholders will be available for review at the Company's executive offices during regular business hours for a period of 20 days before the Annual Meeting.
 
The holders of shares of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share. The holders of shares of Class C common stock are entitled to ten votes per share.  Cumulative voting is not permitted in the election of directors.
 
Proxies received at any time before the Annual Meeting, and not revoked or superseded before being voted, will be voted at the Annual Meeting.  If a Proxy indicates a specification, it will be in accordance with the specification.  If no specification is indicated, the Proxy will be voted for approval of the election of the directors recommended by the Board of Directors; for approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company's named executive officers; for ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche as the Company's independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018; and, in the discretion of the persons named in the Proxy, to transact such other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.  You may also vote in person by ballot at the Annual Meeting.
1

 
The Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that the Class A common stockholders and Class C common stockholders have different voting rights in the election of directors.  The Class A common stockholders voting separately as a class will be entitled to vote for three of the eight directors to be elected (the nominees to be voted upon by the Class A common stockholders separately consist of Messrs. Scott M. Quist, Robert G. Hunter, M.D., and Jason G. Overbaugh).
 
The remaining five directors will be elected by the Class A and Class C common stockholders voting together (the nominees to be so voted upon consist of Messrs. John L. Cook, Gilbert A. Fuller, H. Craig Moody, S. Andrew Quist, and Norman G. Wilbur), with the Class A common stockholders having one vote per share and the Class C common stockholders having ten votes per share.  For the other business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting, the Class A and Class C common stockholders will vote together with the Class A common stockholders having one vote per share and the Class C common stockholders having ten votes per share. The Class A common stockholders will receive a different form of Proxy than the Class C common stockholders.

INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
 
The Company will be providing access to its proxy materials over the Internet under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's "notice and access" rules.  Accordingly, on or about May 18, 2018, stockholders will receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, which will provide instructions on how to access the Company's Proxy Statement and 2017 Annual Report online. This is designed to reduce the Company's printing and mailing costs and the environmental impact of its proxy materials.  The notice also contains instructions on how to receive a paper copy of the Company's proxy materials, including the Proxy Statement, the 2017 Annual Report and a proxy card.
 
Regardless of whether stockholders plan to participate in the Annual Meeting, stockholders should promptly submit their proxy over the Internet by following the instructions found on the notice. As an alternative, stockholders may follow the procedures outlined in the notice to request a paper proxy card to submit their vote by mail.
2


ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

PROPOSAL 1
The Nominees
 
The Company's Board of Directors consists of eight directors.  All directors are elected annually to serve until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.  The nominees for the upcoming election of directors include five independent directors, as defined in the applicable rules for companies traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, and three members of the Company's senior management.  All of the nominees for director have served as directors since the 2017 Annual Meeting.
 
The nominees to be elected by the holders of Class A common stock are as follows: 

Name
Age
Director Since 
Position(s) with the Company
       
Scott M. Quist
64
1986
Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief  Executive Officer
Robert G. Hunter, M.D.
58
1998
Director
Jason G. Overbaugh
43
2013
Vice President, National Marketing Director of Life Insurance, and Director


The nominees for election by the holders of Class A and Class C common stock, voting together, are as follows:

Name
Age
Director Since 
Position(s) with the Company
       
John L. Cook
63
2013
Director
Gilbert A. Fuller
77
2012
Director
H. Craig Moody
66
1995
Director
S. Andrew Quist
37
2013
Vice President, General Counsel, and Director
Norman G. Wilbur
79
1998
Director

 
The following is a description of the business experience of each of the nominees and directors.

Scott M. Quist has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 2012.  Mr. Quist also serves as the Company's President, a position he has held since 2002.  He has additionally served as a director of the Company since 1986.  From 1993 to 2013, Mr. Quist served as Treasurer and a director of the National Alliance of Life Companies (NALC), a national trade association of over 200 life insurance companies, and as its President from 1990 to 2000.  From 1986 to 1991, Mr. Quist was Treasurer and a director of The National Association of Life Companies, a trade association of 642 insurance companies until its merger with the American Council of Life Companies.  Mr. Quist has been a member of the Board of Governors of the Forum 500 Section (representing small insurance companies) of the American Council of Life Insurance.  He has also served as a regional director of Key Bank of Utah since 1993.  Mr. Quist holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University and received his law degree also from Brigham Young University.  Mr. Quist's significant expertise and deep understanding of the technical, organizational and strategic business aspects of the insurance industry, his management expertise, his 16 year tenure as President of the Company and 31 year tenure as a director, and his years of business and leadership experience led the Board of Directors to conclude that Mr. Quist should serve as Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Jason G. Overbaugh has served as a director of the Company since July 2013.  Mr. Overbaugh has also served as a Vice President and the Assistant Secretary of the Company since 2002; and as the Company's National Marketing Director of Life Insurance since 2008.  Mr. Overbaugh has additionally served as Vice President and National Marketing Director of Security National Life Insurance Company since 2006.    From 2003 to 2006, he served as a Vice President of Security National Life Insurance Company with responsibilities as an investment manager over construction lending and commercial real estate investments.   From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Overbaugh served as a Vice President of Memorial Estates, Inc., with responsibilities over operations and sales.  Mr. Overbaugh has served since 2007 as a director of the LOMA Life Insurance Council, a trade association of life insurance companies.  He is also a member of the NFDA Trade Association.  Mr. Overbaugh received a B.S. degree in Finance from the University of Utah.  Mr. Overbaugh's expertise in insurance and marketing and his 21 years of experience with the Company in its insurance, real estate, and mortuary and cemetery operations led the Board of Directors to conclude that he should serve as a director.
3


S. Andrew Quist has served as a director of the Company since July 2013. Mr. Quist has also served as a Vice President of the Company since 2010.  In addition, from 2007 to December 2017, he served as the Company's Associate General Counsel and since December 2017 as the Company's General Counsel, where  his  responsibilities  have included the Company's  regulatory matters and acquisitions.   In addition, Mr. Quist has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since 2010,  and Vice President from 2008 to 2010, of C&J Financial, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, which funds the purchase of funeral and burial policies from funeral homes after the death of the insureds.  Mr. Quist has also served since 2013 as a director of the National Alliance of Life Companies (NALC), a national trade association of over 200 life insurance companies, where he also served as President of the association from 2014 to 2016.  Mr. Quist previously served as President of the Utah Life Convention, a consortium of Utah domestic life insurers. Mr. Quist holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from Brigham Young University and received his law degree from the University of Southern California.  Mr. Quist is a member of the State Bar of California. Mr. Quist's expertise in insurance, legal and regulatory matters led the Board of Directors to conclude that he should serve as a director.

John L. Cook has served as a director of the Company since December 2013.  Mr. Cook has served since 1982 as co-owner and operator of Cook Brothers Painting, Inc., a painting company that provides painting services for contractors and builders of residential and commercial properties.  In addition, Mr. Cook attended the University of Utah.  As a director Mr. Cook advised the Board concerning the Company's investments in commercial and residential real estate projects, including Dry Creek at East Village, a 282 unit multifamily development in Sandy City, Utah.  Moreover, Mr. Cook's extensive background in construction and building will be important as the Company continues to acquire new real estate holdings and develop its current portfolio of undeveloped land into future developments that could provide additional long term revenues for the Company.  Mr. Cook's years of experience in the construction industry and with construction projects led the Board of Directors to conclude that he should serve as a director.

Gilbert A. Fuller has served as a director of the Company since 2012.  From 2006 until his retirement in 2008, Mr. Fuller served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary of USANA Health Sciences, Inc., a multinational manufacturer and direct seller of nutritional supplements. Mr. Fuller joined USANA in 1996 as the Vice President of Finance and served in that role until 1999 when he was appointed as its Senior Vice President.  Mr. Fuller has served as a member of the Board of Directors of USANA since 2008.  Mr. Fuller obtained his certified public accountant license in 1970 and kept it current until his career path developed into corporate finance.  Mr. Fuller received a B.S. degree in Accounting and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Utah.  Mr. Fuller's accounting, finance and corporate strategy expertise and his years of financial, accounting and business experience with public and private companies, including USANA Health Sciences, Inc., which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, where he served as an executive officer and continues to serve as a director, led the Board of Directors to conclude that he should serve as a director.

Robert G. Hunter, M.D. has served as a director of the Company since 1998.  Dr. Hunter is currently a practicing physician in private practice.  Dr. Hunter created the statewide E.N.T. Organization (Rocky  Mountain E.N.T., Inc.) where he is currently a member of the Executive Committee.  Dr. Hunter is Department Head of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Intermountain Medical Center and a past President of the medical staff of the Intermountain Medical Center.  He is also a delegate to the Utah Medical Association and has served as a delegate representing the State of Utah to the American Medical Association, and a member of several medical advisory boards. Dr. Hunter holds a B.S. degree in Microbiology from the University of Utah and received his medical degree from the University of Utah College of Medicine.  Dr. Hunter's medical expertise and experience, and his administrative and leadership experience from serving in a number of administrative positions in the medical profession led the Board of Directors to conclude that he should serve as a director.

H. Craig Moody has served as a director of the Company since 1995.  Mr. Moody is owner of Moody & Associates, a political consulting and real estate company.  He is a former Speaker and House Majority Leader of the House of Representatives of the State of Utah.  From 1989 to 1992, Mr. Moody was Co-Chairman of the Utah Legislative Audit Committee.  Mr. Moody received a B.S. degree in Political Science from the University of Utah.  Mr. Moody's real estate and governmental affairs expertise and years of business and leadership experience led the Board of Directors to conclude he should serve as a director.
4


Norman G. Wilbur has served as a director of the Company since 1998.  Mr. Wilbur worked for J.C. Penny's regional offices in budget and analysis.  His final position was Manager of Planning and Reporting for J.C. Penny's stores.  After 36 years with J.C. Penny's, Mr. Wilbur opted for early retirement in 1997.  Mr. Wilbur is a past board member of Habitat for Humanity in Plano, Texas.  Mr. Wilbur received a B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Utah.  Mr. Wilbur's financial expertise and business experience from a successful career at J.C. Penny's led the Board of Directors to conclude he should serve as a director.  In addition, the Board of Directors' determination that Mr. Wilbur is the Audit Committee "financial expert" lends further support to his financial acumen and qualification for serving as a director.

The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote "FOR" the election of each of the director nominees.

The Board of Directors, Board Committees, and Meetings

The Company's Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twelve.  The term of office of each director is for a period of one year or until the election and qualification of his successor.  A director is not required to be a resident of the State of Utah or a stockholder of the Company.  The Board of Directors held a total of five meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.  Each of the directors attended 75% or more of the meetings of the Board of Directors during 2017.

The size of the Board of Directors of the Company is eight members.  A majority of the Board of Directors must qualify as "independent" as that term is defined in Rule 4200 of the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market.  The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that five of the eight members of the Board of Directors, namely Messrs. John L. Cook, Gilbert A. Fuller, Robert G. Hunter, M.D., H. Craig Moody, and Norman G. Wilbur are independent under the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market.

Unless authority is withheld by your Proxy, it is intended that the Class A or Class C common stock represented by your Proxy will be voted for the respective nominees listed above.  If any nominee should not serve for any reason, the Proxy will be voted for such person as shall be designated by the Board of Directors to replace such nominee.   The Board of Directors has no reason to expect that any nominee would be unable to serve.  There is no arrangement between any of the nominees and any other person or persons pursuant to which he was or is to be selected as a director.  There is no family relationship between or among any of the nominees, except that S. Andrew Quist is the son of Scott M. Quist, and Jason G. Overbaugh is the nephew of Scott M. Quist.

There are four committees of the Board of Directors, which meet periodically during the year: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Executive Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

The Audit Committee directs the auditing activities of the Company's internal auditors and outside public accounting firm and approves the services of the outside public accounting firm.  The Audit Committee consists of Messrs.  John L. Cook, Gilbert A. Fuller, H. Craig Moody, and Norman G. Wilbur (Chairman of the committee).  During 2017, the Audit Committee met on six occasions.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors for approval the annual compensation of each executive officer of the Company and the executive officers of the Company's subsidiaries, developing policy in the areas of compensation and fringe benefits, contributions under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, contributions under the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plans, Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, granting of options under the stock option plans, and creating other employee compensation plans.  The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. John L. Cook, Gilbert A. Fuller, Robert G. Hunter, M.D., H. Craig Moody, and Norman G. Wilbur (Chairman of the Committee).  During 2017, the Compensation Committee met on three occasions.

The Executive Committee reviews Company policy, major investment activities and other pertinent transactions of the Company.   The Executive Committee consists of Messrs. Gilbert A. Fuller, H. Craig Moody, S. Andrew Quist, and Scott M. Quist (Chairman of the committee).  During 2017, the Executive Committee did not hold a meeting.
5


The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies individuals qualified to become Board members consistent with criteria approved by the Board, recommends to the Board the persons to be nominated by the Board for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders, and develops and recommends to the Board a set of corporate governance principles.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Messrs. John L. Cook, Gilbert A. Fuller, Robert G. Hunter, M.D., H. Craig Moody (Chairman of the committee), and Norman G. Wilbur.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed solely of independent directors, as defined in the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market.  During 2017, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met on two occasions.

Director Nominating Process

The process for identifying and evaluating nominees for directors include the following steps: (1) the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Chairman of the Board or other board members identify a need to fill vacancies or add newly created directorships; (2) the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee initiates a search and seeks input from Board members and senior management and, if necessary, obtains advice from legal or other advisors (but does not hire an outside search firm); (3) director candidates, including any candidates properly proposed by stockholders in accordance with the Company's Bylaws, are identified and presented to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; (4) initial interviews with candidates are conducted by the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; (5) the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets to consider and approve final candidate(s) and conduct further interviews as necessary; and (6) the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee makes recommendations to the Board for inclusion in the slate of directors at the annual meeting.  The evaluation process will be the same whether the nominee is recommended by a stockholder or by a member of the Board of Directors.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees proposed by stockholders.  To recommend a prospective nominee for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's consideration, stockholders may submit the candidate's name and qualifications to: Jeffrey R. Stephens, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Security National Financial Corporation, 5300 South 360 West, Suite 250, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to a written charter.  The full text of the charter is published on the Company's website at www.securitynational.com.  Stockholders may also obtain a copy of the charter without charge by writing to:  Jeffrey R. Stephens, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Security National Financial Corporation, 5300 South 360 West, Suite 250, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123.

Meetings of Non-Management Directors

The Company's independent directors meet regularly in executive session without management.  The Board of Directors has designated a lead director to preside at executive sessions of independent directors.  Mr. H. Craig Moody is currently the lead director.

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

Stockholders who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors or a particular director may send a letter to Jeffrey R. Stephens, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Security National Financial Corporation, 5300 South 360 West, Suite 250, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123.  The mailing envelope must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a "Stockholder-Board Communication" or "Stockholder-Director Communication."  All such letters must identify the author as a stockholder and clearly state whether the intended recipients are all members of the Board or just certain specified individual directors.  The Corporate Secretary will make copies of all such letters and circulate them to the appropriate director or directors.
6

Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the executive officers of the Company (the business biographies for Scott M. Quist, Jason Q. Overbaugh, and S. Andrew Quist are set forth above):

Name
Age
Title
     
Scott M. Quist1
64
Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
Garrett S. Sill
47
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Jason G. Overbaugh2
43
Vice President, National Marketing Director of  Life Insurance, and Director
S. Andrew Quist1
37
Vice President, General Counsel and Director
Adam G. Quist1
32
Vice President – Memorial Services, Assistant Secretary, and General Counsel
Jeffrey R. Stephens
64
Senior General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Stephen C. Johnson
61
Vice President of Mortgage Operations
Christie Q. Overbaugh2
69
Senior Vice President of Internal Operations
________________

1  Scott M. Quist is the father of  S. Andrew Quist and Adam G. Quist.
2  Christie Q. Overbaugh is the mother of Jason G. Overbaugh and the sister of Scott M. Quist.

Garrett S. Sill has served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since July 2013.  From January 2013 to July 2013, Mr. Sill served as Acting Chief Financial Officer and Acting Treasurer. From 2011 to January 2013, Mr. Sill served as Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of Security National Life Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  From 2002 to 2011, Mr. Sill was Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of SecurityNational Mortgage Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  Mr. Sill is a certified public accountant, having been licensed since 2002.  He holds  a B.A. degree in Accounting from Weber State University and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Utah.  Mr. Sill also serves as a member of the Advisory Council of the School of Accounting and Taxation at Weber State University.

Jeffrey R. Stephens has served as Senior General Counsel of the Company since December 2017, as General Counsel from 2006 to December 2017, and as Corporate Secretary of the Company since 2008.  Mr. Stephens was in private practice from 1981 to 2006 in the States of Washington and Utah.  Mr. Stephens holds a B.A. degree in Geography from the University of Utah and received his law degree from Brigham Young University. Mr. Stephens is a member of the Utah State Bar and the Washington State Bar Association.

Stephen C. Johnson began serving as the Vice President of Mortgage Operations of the Company and as the President of SecurityNational Mortgage in January 2016.  Prior to Mr. Johnson's appointment as President of SecurityNational Mortgage, Mr. Johnson served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of SecurityNational Mortgage, positions he had held since 2012. From 2002 to 2012, Mr. Johnson served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of SecurityNational Mortgage. From 2000 to 2002, he served as Vice President of Operations of SecuityNational Mortgage. Mr. Johnson holds a B.A. degree in International Relations from Brigham Young University and a Master's degree in International Management and Finance from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird). From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Johnson was an instructor in Finance and Economics at the University of Phoenix.

Christie Q. Overbaugh has served as Senior Vice President of Internal Operations of the Company since 2006, and a Vice President of the Company from 1998 to June 2006.  Ms. Overbaugh has also served as Vice President of Underwriting for Security National Life Insurance Company since 1998.  From 1986 to 1991, she was Chief Underwriter for Investors Equity Life Insurance Company of Hawaii and Security National Life Insurance Company.  From 1990 to 1991, Ms. Overbaugh was President of the Utah Home Office Underwriters Association.  Ms. Overbaugh is currently a member of the Utah Home Office Underwriters Association and an Associate Member of LOMA (Life Office Management Association).
7

 
Adam G. Quist has served as Vice President – Memorial Services and Assistant Secretary of the Company since July 2015. From July 2015 to December 2017, he also served as the Company's Associate General Counsel. Since December 2017, Mr. Quist has served as the Company's General Counsel. Mr. Quist has also served since July 2015 as Vice President of Memorial Estates, Inc. ("Memorial Estates") and since July 2016 as Chief Operating Officer of Memorial Estates. Additionally, Mr. Quist has further served since July 2015 as Vice President of Memorial Mortuary, Inc. ("Memorial Mortuary") and since July 2016 as Chief Operating Officer of Memorial Mortuary. Both Memorial Estates and Memorial Mortuary are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Mr. Quist holds a B.S. degree and a Master's degree in Accounting with an emphasis on taxation from Brigham Young University. He received his law degree from the University of Utah.  Mr. Quist is a member of the Utah State Bar.

The Board of Directors of the Company has a written procedure that requires disclosure to the Board of any material interest or any affiliation on the part of any of its officers, directors or employees that is in conflict or may be in conflict with the Company's interests.

All executive officers and directors of the Company hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.

Corporate Governance

Corporate Governance Guidelines.  The Board of Directors has adopted the Security National Financial Corporation Corporate Governance Guidelines. These guidelines outline the functions of the board, director qualifications and responsibilities, and various processes and procedures designed to insure effective and responsive governance.  The Board of Directors has also adopted a written committee charter for the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. The guidelines and committee charters are reviewed from time to time in response to regulatory requirements and best practices and are revised accordingly. The full text of the guidelines and committee charters is published on the Company's website at www.securitynational.com.  A copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines may also be obtained at no charge by written request to the attention of Jeffrey R. Stephens, Senior General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Security National Financial Corporation, 5300 South 360 West, Suite 250, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123.

Code of Business Conduct.   All of the Company's officers, employees and directors are required to comply with the Company's  Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to help insure that the Company's business is conducted in accordance with appropriate standards of ethical behavior.  The Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics covers all areas of professional conduct, including customer relationships, conflicts of interest, insider trading, financial disclosures, intellectual property and confidential information, as well as requiring adherence to all laws and regulations applicable to the Company's business.  Employees are required to report any violations or suspected violations of the Code.  The Code includes an anti-retaliation statement.  The full text of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is published on the Company's website at www.securitynational.com.  A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may also be obtained at no charge by written request to the attention of Jeffrey R. Stephens, Senior General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Security National Financial Corporation, 5300 South 360 West, Suite 250, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123.
8


 
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table sets forth compensation information for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 for (i) the Company's Chief Executive Officer, (ii) the Company's Chief Financial Officer, and (iii) the Company's three other executive officers, who, based on their total compensation, were the most highly compensated in 2017.  The Company refers to them in this Proxy Statement collectively as the "Named Executive Officers."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        Name and
   Principal Position
Year
 
Salary($)
   
Bonus($)
   
Stock
Awards($)
   
Option
Awards($)
   
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
   
Change in Pension
Value and Non-qualified
Deferred Compensation Earnings($)(1)
   
All Other Compensation
($)(2)
   
Total($)
 
                                                                   
Scott M. Quist
   Chairman , President 
2017
  $
487,925
    $
174,500
     
     
     
     
    $
46,108
    $
708,533
 
and Chief Executive Officer
2016
 
 
463,572
   
 
173,000
     
                     
 
44,065
   
 
680,633
 
                                                                   
Garrett S. Sill
   Chief Financial 
2017
  $
206,185
    $
25,007
     
     
     
     
    $
28,018
    $
259,210
 
Officer and Treasurer
2016
 
 
194,725
   
 
19,307
     
     
     
     
    22,800    
 
236,832
 
                                                                   
Stephen C. Johnson
   Vice President of
2017
  $
356,145
    $
27,900
     
     
     
     
    $
18,219
    $
402,264
 
   Mortgage Operations
2016
 
 
238,331
   
 
201,682
     
     
     
     
    19,920    
 
459,933
 
                                                                   
S. Andrew Quist
   Vice President and 
2017
 
$
206,374
   
$
40,325
     
     
     
     
    $
27,630
    $
274,329
 
   General Counsel
2016
 
 
192,292
    9,625      
     
     
     
    23,953    
 
225,870
 
                                                                   
Jeffrey R. Stephens
   Senior General   
2017
  $
184,229
    $
13,225
     
     
     
     
    $
26,668
    $
224,122
 
   Counsel and Corporate
   Secretary
2016
 
 
177,750
   
 
12,900
     
     
     
     
    23,743    
 
214,393
 
_____________________
 
(1)
The amounts indicated under "Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings"  consist of amounts the Company contributed into a trust for the benefit of the Named Executive Officers under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan. 
(2)
The amounts indicated under "All Other Compensation" consist of the following amounts paid by the Company for the benefit of the Named Executive Officers: 
 
(a)
payments related to the operation of automobiles for Scott M. Quist ($7,200 for each of the years 2017 and 2016); and Garrett S. Sill, Stephen C. Johnson, S. Andrew Quist, and Jeffrey R. Stephens ($-0- for each of the years 2017 and 2016).  Such payments do not include the furnishing of an automobile by the Company to Scott M. Quist nor the  payment  of  insurance  and  property taxes with  respect to the automobile operated by such executive officer;
 
(b)
group life insurance premiums paid by the Company to a group life insurance plan for Scott M. Quist, Stephen C. Johnson, Garrett S. Sill, S. Andrew Quist, and Jeffrey R. Stephens ($178 for each of the years 2017 and 2016);
 
(c)
life insurance premiums paid by the Company for the benefit of Scott M. Quist ($14,934 for each of the years 2017 and 2016); and Garrett S. Sill, Stephen C. Johnson, S. Andrew Quist, and  Jeffrey R. Stephens ($-0- for each of the years 2017 and 2016);
 
(d)
medical insurance premiums paid by the Company to a medical insurance plan for Scott M. Quist  ($12,745 for 2017 and $10,902 for 2016); Garrett S. Sill ($18.341 for 2017 and $13,447 for 2016); Stephen C. Johnson ($6,790 for 2017 and $8,691 for 2016); and S. Andrew Quist and Jeffrey R. Stephens ($18,341 for 2017 and $15,688 for 2016);
 
(e)
long term disability insurance premiums paid by the Company to a provider of such insurance for Scott M. Quist;  Garrett S. Sill, Stephen C. Johnson, S. Andrew Quist, and Jeffrey R. Stephens ($251 for each of the years 2017 and 2016);
 
(f)  
 contributions to defined contribution plans paid by the Company: Scott M. Quist ($10,800 for 2017 and $10,600 for 2016); Garrett S. Sill ($9,248 for 2017 and $8,561 for 2016); Stephen C. Johnson ($10,800 for 2017 and $10,600 for 2016); S. Andrew Quist ($8,860 for 2017 and $7,836 for 2016); and Jeffrey R. Stephens ($7,898 for 2017 and $7,626 for 2016; and
 
(g) 
 contributions to health savings accounts paid by the Company: Scott M. Quist ($-0- for each of the years 2017 and 2016); Garrett S. Sill ($ -0- for 2017 and $363 for 2016); Stephen C. Johnson ($200 for 2017 and 2016); and S. Andrew Quist and Jeffrey R Stephens ($-0- for each of the years 2017 and 2016).
 
9

SUPPLEMENTAL ALL OTHER COMPENSATION TABLE
 
The following table sets forth all other compensation provided to the Named Executive Officers for fiscal years 2017, and 2016.
 
 
 
 
 
Name of
 Executive Officer
Year
 
Perks
and
Other
Personal
Benefits
   
Tax
Reimbursements
   
Discounted
Securities
Purchases
   
Payments/
Accruals on
Termination
Plans
   
Registrant
Contributions
to
Defined
Contribution
Plans
   
Insurance
Premiums
   
Dividends
or Earnings
on Stock
or Option
Awards
   
Other
 
                                                   
Scott M. Quist
2017
 
$
7,200
     
     
     
   
$
10,800
   
$
28,108
     
     
 
 2016
    7,200                         10,600       26,265      
     
 
                                                                   
Garrett S. Sill
2017
   
     
     
     
   
$
9,248
   
$
18,770
     
     
 
 2016
   
     
     
     
      8,561       14,239      
     
 
                                                                 
Stephen C. Johnson
2017
   
     
     
     
   
$
10,800
   
$
7,419
     
   
 
 2016
   
     
     
     
      10,600      
9,320
     
     
 
                                                                   
S. Andrew Quist
2017
   
     
     
     
   
$
8,860
   
$
18,770
     
     
 
 2016
   
     
     
     
      7,836      
16,117
     
     
 
                                                                   
Jeffrey R. Stephens
2017
   
     
     
     
 
$
7,898
   
$
18,770
     
     
 
 2016
   
     
     
     
      7,626      
16,117
     
     
 


10

 
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding options granted to the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

Name of
 
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
   
All Other
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
     
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
     
Closing Price
    Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
 
Executive
Officer
Grant
Date 
 
Threshold
($)
   
Target
($)
   
Maximum
($)
   
Options(1)
(#)
   
Awards
($/Sh)(2)
   
on Grant Date
($/Sh)(2)
   
Awards
($)
 
                                                           
Scott M. Quist
12/1/17
   
     
     
     
78,750
   
$
5.28
   
$
4.80
   
$
74,024
 
                                                           
Garrett S. Sill
 12/1/17
   
     
     
     
15,750
   
$
4.80
   
$
4.80
   
$
21,420
 
                                                           
Stephen C. Johnson
12/1/17
   
     
     
     
10,500
   
$
4.80
   
$
4.80
   
$
14,280
 
                                                         
S. Andrew Quist
12/1/17
   
     
     
     
21,000
   
$
4.80
   
$
4.80
   
$
28,560
 
                                                           
Jeffrey R. Stephens
12/1/17
   
     
     
     
5,250
   
$
4.80
   
$
4.80
   
$
7,140
 
________________

(1)    The stock options have been adjusted for the 5% annual stock dividend declared on December 1, 2016 and paid on February 2, 2018.
(2)    Prices have been adjusted for the effect of the 5% annual stock dividend declared on December 1, 2017 and paid on February 2, 2018.
11

 
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2017 YEAR END

The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding equity awards held by Named Executive Officers at December 31, 2017.

 
 
Option Awards             
         
Stock Awards             
 
 
Name of
Executive Officer
Option Grant
    Date 
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
 Exercisable (1)
(#) 
     
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised
 Options Unexercisable
 (1)(#) 
     
Option
Exercise
Price
(2)($) 
   
Option
Expiration
Date
   
Stock
 Award
 Grant Date 
   
Number of
 Shares or
 Units of
Stock That
Have
 Not Vested
(#) 
     
Market Value
 of Shares
or Units
 of Stock
That Have
 Not Vested
($) 
     
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned
 Shares, Units
or Other
 Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#) 
     
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
 Payout Value
of Unearned
 Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($) 
 
                                                                 
Scott M. Quist  
 12/6/13  
63,814
(3)
   
   
$
4.10
 
  12/6/18
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
     7/2/14  
60,775
(4)
   
     
3.85
 
    7/2/19
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
    12/5/14  
121,551
(5)
   
     
4.49
 
  12/5/19
   
 –
   
 –
     
 –
     
 –
     
 –
 
 
    12/4/15  
115,763
(6)
   
     
6.34
 
  12/4/20
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
12/2/16  
88,220
(7)
   
     
6.98
 
  12/2/21
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
12/1/17  
     
78,750
(9)
   
5.28
 
12/2/22
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
                       
 
                                     
Garrett S. Sill  
 12/6/13  
5,106
     
   
$
3.75
 
  12/6/23
   
   
     
     
     
 
   7/2/14  
4,863
     
     
3.51
 
    7/2/24
   
   
     
     
     
 
   12/5/14  
9,724
     
      4.09  
  12/5/24
   
   
     
     
     
 
  12/4/15  
11,576
     
     
5.76
 
    12/4/25
   
   
     
     
     
 
2/2/16   
11,025
     
– 
     
6.35
 
    12/2/26
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
   12/1/17  
     
15,750
(8)(9)
   
4.80
 
   12/1/27
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
                       
 
                                     
Stephen C. Johnson  
 4/13/12  
4,020
     
   
$
1.15
 
  4/13/22
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
    12/6/13  
3,829
     
     
3.75
 
  12/6/23
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
    7/2/14  
3,647
     
     
3.51
 
    7/2/24
   
 –
   
 –
     
 –
     
     
 –
 
 
    12/5/14  
7,293
     
     
4.09
 
  12/5/24
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
    12/4/15  
11,576
     
     
5.76
 
  12/4/25
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
   12/2/16  
5,513
     
– 
     
6.35
 
  12/2/26
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
    12/1/17  
     
10,500
(9)
   
4.80
 
12/1/2027
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
                       
 
                                     
S. Andrew Quist  
 12/2/11  
20,102
     
   
$
0.96
 
  12/2/21
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
    4/13/12  
20,102
     
     
1.15
 
  4/13/22
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
   12/6/13  
12,763
     
     
3.75
 
  12/6/23
   
   
     
     
     
 
   
   7/2/14  
12,155
     
     
3.51
 
    7/2/24
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
    12/5/14  
24,311
     
     
4.09
 
  12/5/24
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
  12/4/15  
23,153
     
     
5.76
 
  12/4/25
   
   
     
     
     
 
  
  12/2/16  
22,050
     
     
6.35
 
  12/2/26
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
    12/1/17  
     
21,000
(8)(9)
   
4.80
 
  12/1/27
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
                       
 
                                     
Jeffrey R. Stephens  
 4/13/12  
3,351
     
   
$
1.15
 
  4/13/22
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
   12/6/13
 
3,191
     
     
3.75
 
  12/6/23
   
   
     
     
     
 
   
   7/2/14  
3,039
     
     
3.51
 
    7/2/24
   
 –
   
 –
     
 –
     
     
 –
 
 
    12/5/14  
6,078
     
     
4.09
 
  12/5/24
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
    12/4/15  
5,789
     
     
5.76
 
  12/4/25
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
   12/2/16  
5,513
     
     
6.35
 
  12/2/26
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
12/1/17  
     
5,250
(9)
   
4.80
 
  12/1/27
   
   
     
     
     
 
 
(1)
Except for options granted to Scott M. Quist that have five year terms, such option grants have ten year terms.  The vesting of any unvested shares is subject to the recipient's continuous employment.  This reflects the equivalent of Class A Common shares.
(2)
Exercise prices have been adjusted for the annual stock dividends.
(3)    
On December 6, 2013 Scott Quist was granted stock options to purchase 50,000 shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $4.10 per share or 50,000 shares of Class C common stock at an exercise price of $4.10 per share or any combination thereof.
(4)
On July 2, 2014 Scott Quist was granted stock options to purchase 50,000 shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $3.85 per share or 50,000 shares of Class C common stock at an exercise price of $3.85 per share, or any combination thereof.
 
12

(5)
On December 5, 2014, Scott Quist was granted stock options to purchase 100,000 shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $4.49 per share or 100,000 shares of Class C common stock at an exercise price of $4.49 per share, or any combination thereof.
(6)
On December 4, 2015, Scott Quist was granted stock options to purchase 100,000 shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $6.34 per share or 100,000 shares of Class C common stock at an exercise price of $6.34 per share, or any combination thereof.
(7)
On December 2, 2016, Scott Quist was granted options to purchase 80,000 shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $6.98 per share or 80,000 shares of Class C common stock at an exercise price of $6.98 per share, or any combination thereof.
(8)
On December 1, 2017, S. Andrew Quist was granted stock options to purchase 20,000 shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price at $4.80 per share or 20,000 shares of Class C common stock at an exercise price of $4.80 per share, or any combination thereof. On December 1, 2017, Garrett S. Sill was granted stock options to purchase 15,000 shares of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $4.80 per share or 15,000 shares of Class C common stock at an exercise price of $4.80 per share, or any combination thereafter.
(9)
Stock options vest at the rate of 25% of the total number of shares subject to the options on March 1, 2018 and 25% of the total number of shares on the last day of each three month period thereafter.

 
OPTION AWARDS VESTING SCHEDULE
 
The following table sets forth the vesting schedule of unexercisable options reported in the "Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options – Unexercisable" column of the table above.

     Grant Date
                                                          Vesting
  12/2/11
These options vested 25% per quarter over a one-year period after the grant date.
  4/13/12
These options vested 25% per quarter over a one-year period after the grant date.
  12/6/13
These options vested 25% per quarter over a one-year period after the grant date.
    7/2/14
These options vested 25% per quarter over a one year period after the grant date.
  12/5/14
These options vested 25% per quarter over a one year period after the grant date.
  12/4/15
These options vested 25% per quarter over a one year period after the grant date.
   12/2/16
These options vested 25% per quarter over a one year period after the grant date.
   12/1/17
These options vest 25% per quarter over a one year period after the grant date.


OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

The following table sets forth all stock options exercised and value received upon exercise, and all stock awards vested and value realized upon vesting, by the Named Executive Officers during the year ended December 31, 2017.

   
Option Awards
   
Stock Awards
 
 
Name
 
Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
(#)
   
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
   
Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting
(#)
   
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
 
                                 
Scott M. Quist
   
103,402
   
$
578,017
     
     
 
                                 
Garrett S. Sill    
     
     
     
 
                                 
Stephen C. Johnson    
     
     
     
 
                                 
S. Andrew Quist    
     
     
     
 
                                 
Jeffrey R. Stephens    
     
     
     
 

13

PENSION BENEFITS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017

The following table sets forth the present value as of December 31, 2017 of the benefit of the Named Executive Officers under a defined benefit pension plan.
 

 
Name of Executive Officer
 
Plan Name
   
Number of
Years
Credited
Service
(#)
   
Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)
   
Payments During
Last Fiscal Year
($)
 
                                 
Scott M. Quist
   
None
   
 
     
     
 
                                 
Garrett S. Sill    
None
     
     
     
 
                                 
Stephen C. Johnson    
None
     
     
     
 
                                 
S. Andrew Quist    
None
     
     
     
 
                                 
Jeffrey R. Stephens    
None
     
     
     
 
 
 
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
 
The following table sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2017 with respect to compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which the Company's equity securities are authorized for issuance, aggregated as follows:

·
All compensation plans previously approved by security holders; and
 
·
All compensation plans not previously approved by security holders.
 
 
      A
 
        B
 
        C
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plan Category
 
Number of
Securities to
be Issued upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants
 and Rights
       
Weighted
 Average
Exercise
 Price of
Outstanding
 Options,
Warrants
 and Rights
       
Number of
 Securities
Remaining
 Available for
Future
Issuance under
Equity
Compensation
 Plans
(Excluding
 Securities
Reflected
in Column A)
 
                                 
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders(1)    
1,404,029
  (2 )   $
4.35
  (2 )    
586,879(2
)
                                 
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders     0         $ -           0  

________________

(1)  This reflects the 2003 Stock Option Plan (the "2003 Plan"), the 2006 Director Stock Option Plan (the "2006 Director Plan"), the 2013 Stock Option Plan (the "2013 Plan"), and the 2014 Director Stock Option Plan (the "2014 Director Plan").  The 2003 Plan was approved by stockholders at the annual stockholders meeting held on July 11, 2003, which reserved 500,000 shares of Class A common stock and 100,000 shares of Class C common stock for issuance thereunder. The 2006 Director Plan was approved by stockholders at the annual stockholders meeting held on December 7, 2006, which reserved 100,000 shares of Class A common stock for issuance thereunder. The 2013 Plan was approved by stockholders at the annual stockholders meeting held on July 12, 2013, which reserved 450,000 shares of Class A common stock, of which up to 150,000 shares of Class A common stock could be issued in place of up to 150,000 shares of Class C common stock.  As a result of the stockholder approval of the 2013 Plan, the Company terminated the 2003 Plan.  The 2014 Director Plan was approved by stockholders at the annual stockholders meeting held on July 2, 2014, which reserved 150,000 shares of Class A common stock for issuance thereunder. As a result of the stockholder approval of the 2014 Director Plan, the Company terminated the 2006 Director Plan.

(2)  The weighted average exercise prices reflect solely the shares of Class A common stock that will be issued upon exercise of outstanding options.

(3)   This number includes 512,335 shares of Class A common stock available for future issuance under the 2013 Plan and 74,544 shares of Class A common stock available for future issuance under the 2014 Director Plan.

14

Employment Agreements

  Employment Agreement with Scott M. Quist
 
On December 4, 2012, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Scott M. Quist, its Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.  The agreement was for a six year term beginning December 4, 2012 and ending December 4, 2018. The Board of Directors may, in is sole discretion, extend the term of the agreement for an additional four year term provided that Mr. Quist has continued to perform his duties with usual and customary care, diligence and prudence commensurate with his position with the Company. In addition, Mr. Quist agrees to perform such additional duties as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Company's Board of Directors.  Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Quist is to devote his full time to the Company serving as  Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer at not less than his current salary and benefits.  The Company also agrees to maintain a group term life insurance policy of not less than $1,000,000 and a whole life insurance policy in the amount of $500,000 on Mr. Quist's life.  In the event of disability, Mr. Quist's salary would be continued for up to five years at 75% of his then current level of compensation.
 
In the event of a sale or merger of the Company and Mr. Quist is not retained in his current position, the Company would be obligated to continue paying Mr. Quist's current compensation and benefits for seven years following the merger or sale.  The agreement further provides that Mr. Quist is entitled to receive annual retirement benefits beginning (i) one month from the date of his retirement (to commence no sooner than age 65), (ii) five years following complete disability, or (iii) upon termination of his employment without cause.  These retirement benefits are to be paid for a period of twenty years in annual installments in the amount equal to 75% of his then current level of compensation.  In the event that Mr. Quist dies prior to receiving all retirement benefits thereunder, the remaining benefits are to be paid to his heirs.  The Company expensed $755,302  and $511,443 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, to cover the present value of anticipated retirement benefits under the employment agreement. The liability accrued was $4,531,670 and $3,776,368 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Employee 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

In 1995, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. Under the terms of the 401(k) plan, effective as of January 1, 1995, the Company made discretionary employer matching contributions to its employees who choose to participate in the plan.  The plan allows the Board to determine the amount of the contribution at the end of each year. During the period from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2007 the Board adopted a contribution formula specifying that such discretionary employer matching contributions would equal 50% of the participating employee's contribution to the plan to purchase the Company's stock up to a maximum discretionary employee contribution of ½ of 1% of participating employees' compensation, as defined by the plan.
 
All persons who have completed at least one year's service with the Company and satisfy other plan requirements are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan.  All Company matching contributions are invested in the Company's Class A common stock.  Also, the Company may contribute at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors an employer profit sharing contribution to the 401(k) plan.  The employer profit sharing contribution is to be divided among three different classes of participants in the plan based upon the participant's title in the Company.  All amounts contributed to the plan are deposited into a trust fund administered by an independent trustee.
 
Beginning January 1, 2008, the Company elected to be a "Safe Harbor" Plan for its matching 401(k) contributions.  The Company will match 100% of up to 3% of an employee's total annual compensation and 50% of 4% to 5% of an employee's annual compensation.  The match is in shares of the Company's Class A common stock.  The Company's contribution for 2017 and 2016 was $1,534,861 and $1,429,962, respectively, under the "Safe Harbor" plan.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Effective January 1, 1980, the Company adopted an employee stock ownership plan (the "ESOP Plan") for the benefit of career employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Under the ESOP Plan, the Company has discretionary power to make contributions on behalf of all eligible employees into a trust created under the ESOP Plan.  Employees become eligible to participate in the ESOP Plan when they have attained the age of 19 and have completed one year of service (a twelve‑month period in which the employee completes at least 1,040 hours of service).
15


 The Company's contributions under the ESOP Plan are allocated to eligible employees on the same ratio that each eligible employee's compensation bears to total compensation for all eligible employees during each year.  To date, the ESOP Plan has approximately 294 participants and had $-0- in contributions payable to the Plan in 2017.  Benefits under the ESOP Plan vest as follows: 20% after the second year of eligible service by an employee, and an additional 20% in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth years of eligible service by an employee.
 
Benefits under the ESOP Plan will be paid out in one lump sum or in installments in the event the employee becomes disabled, reaches the age of 65, or is terminated by the Company and demonstrates financial hardship.  The ESOP Plan Committee, however, retains discretion to determine the final method of payment.  Finally, the Company reserves the right to amend or terminate the ESOP Plan at any time.  The trustees of the trust fund under the ESOP Plan are Scott M. Quist (Chairman), S. Andrew Quist and Robert G. Hunter, who each serve as a director of the Company.

Deferred Compensation Plan

In 2001, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.  Under the terms of the Non-Qualified  Deferred  Compensation  Plan,  the  Company  will  provide  deferred  compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees, within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.  The Board has appointed a committee of the Company to be the plan administrator and to determine the employees who are eligible to participate in the plan.  The employees who participate may elect to defer a portion of their compensation into the plan.  The Company may contribute into the plan at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors.  The Company did not make any contributions for 2017 and 2016.

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2017

The following table sets forth contributions to the deferred compensation account of the Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2017 and the aggregate balance of deferred compensation of the Named  Executive Officers at December 31, 2017.

 
Name
 
Executive
Contributions
In Last
Fiscal Year
($)
   
Registrant
Contributions
In Last
Fiscal Year
($)
   
Aggregate
Earnings in Last
Fiscal Year
($)
   
Aggregate Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
   
Aggregate
Balance at Last
Fiscal Year End
($)
 
                               
Scott M. Quist
         
     
     
   
$
461,029
 
                                         
Garrett S. Sill          
     
     
     
 
                                         
Stephen C. Johnson          
     
     
     
 
                                         
S. Andrew Quist          
     
     
     
 
                                         
Jeffrey R. Stephens          
     
     
     
 


2013 Amended Stock Option Plan
 
On August 24, 2013, the Company adopted the Security National Financial Corporation 2013 Stock Option Plan (the  "2013" Plan"), which reserved 450,000 shares of Class A common stock to be made available for issuance thereunder, of which up to 150,000 shares of Class C common stock could be issued in place of up to 150,000 shares of Class A common stock. The 2013 Plan provides for the grant of options and the award or sale of stock to officers, directors, and employees of the Company. Both "incentive stock options," as defined under Section 422A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and  "non-qualified options" may be granted under the 2013 Plan.
 
On July 1, 2015, the stock-holders approved an amendment to the 2013 Plan to authorize an additional 450,000 shares of Class A common stock under the Plan, of which up to 200,000 shares of Class C common stock may be issued in place of up to 200,000 shares of Class A common stock. On June 29, 2017, the stockholders approved an amendment to the 2013 Plan to authorize an additional 500,000 shares of Class A common stock to be available for issuance under the plan, of which up to 250,000 shares of Class C common stock may be issued in place of 250,000 shares of Class A Common Stock.
16

The 2013 Plan is to be administered by the Board of Directors or by a committee designated by the Board. The terms of options granted or stock awards or sales affected under the 2013 Plan are to be determined by the Board of Directors or its committee. No options may be exercised for a term of more than ten years from the date of the grant. Options intended as incentive stock options may be issued only to employees, and must meet certain conditions imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, including a requirement that the option exercise price be no less than the fair market value of the option shares on the date of grant. The 2013 Plan provides that the exercise price for non-qualified options will not be less than at least 50% of the fair market value of the stock subject to such option as of the date of grant of such options, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors.
 
The 2013 Plan also provides that if the shares of common stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the Company shall issue any shares of common stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding common stock, the number of shares of common stock deliverable upon the exercise of options shall be increased or decreased proportionately, and appropriate adjustments shall be made in the purchase price to reflect such subdivision, combination or stock dividend.  In addition, the number of shares of common stock reserved for purposes of the plan shall be adjusted by the same proportion.  No options may be exercised for a term of more than ten years from the date of grant.
 
On December 4, 2015, the Board of Directors approved a resolution to amend the 2013 Plan to include additional equity incentive awards. These additional incentive awards in the plan consist of Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs), Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Performance Share Awards. Stock Appreciation Rights are awards that entitle the recipient to receive cash or stock equal to the excess of the Company's stock price on the date the SAR is exercised over the Company's stock price on the date the SAR was granted times the number of shares of stock with respect to which the SAR is exercised. Restricted Stock Units entitle the recipient to receive RSUs that require the Company on the distribution dates to transfer to the recipient one unrestricted, fully transferable share of stock for each RSU scheduled to be paid out on that date. Performance Share Awards entitle the recipient to receive stock based on the Company meeting certain performance goals.
 
The 2013 Plan has a term of ten years. The Board of Directors may amend or terminate the 2013 Plan at any time, from time to time, subject to approval of certain modifications to the 2013 Plan by the stockholders of the Company as may be required by law or the 2013 Plan.

Stock Purchase Plan
 
On September 11, 2015, the Board of Directors approved the Security National Financial Corporation Stock Purchase Plan for the mutual benefit of the Company and its stockholders. Under the terms of the Plan, the Company  has the option to purchase shares of Class A common stock from its officers and directors who exercise the stock options granted to them under any of the Company's stock option plans with the proceeds from such purchases to be used to pay the taxes owed by such officers and directors as a result of the exercise of their stock options. Additionally, the officers and directors who exercise their stock options may, in their discretion, request that the Company purchase shares of their Class A common stock with the proceeds from such sale to be used to pay the taxes owed by such officers and directors as a result of the exercise of their stock options.
 
The Company is authorized under the plan to purchase no more than 60,000 shares of Class A common stock in any calendar year to pay the taxes owed by the officers and directors who exercise their stock options under the Stock Purchase Plan. The Company's purchase price for the Class A common stock under the Stock Purchase Plan shall be equal to the closing sales price of the Company's Class A common stock as reported by The Nasdaq National Market on the day that the applicable stock options are exercised by such officers and directors. The Company may only purchase shares of Class A common stock from the officers and directors exercising their stock options under the Stock Purchase Plan during the "Trading Window" as defined in the Company's Insider Trading Policy and Guidelines.
17

 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2017

The following table sets forth the compensation of the Company's non-employee directors for fiscal 2017.
 

 
 
 
 
 
Name
 
Fees
Earned or
Paid In
Cash
($)
   
Stock
Awards
($)
   
Option
Awards
($)
   
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
   
Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
   
All Other
Compensation
($)
   
Total
($)
 
                                           
John L. Cook (1)
   
22,350
     
     
1,428
     
   
 
   
 
   
$
23,778
 
                                                         
Gilbert A. Fuller (2)
   
23,850
     
     
1,428
     
   
 
   
 
   
 
25,278
 
                                                         
Robert G. Hunter, M.D. (3)
   
21,600
     
     
1,428
     
   
 
   
 
   
 
23,028
 
                                                       
H. Craig Moody (4)
   
23,850
     
     
1,428
     
   
 
   
 
   
 
 25,278
 
                                                         
Norman G. Wilbur (5)
   
23,850
     
     
1,428
     
   
 
   
 
   
 
25,278
 
 
               _________________________________________
                (1) Mr. Cook has options to purchase 29,363 shares of the Company's Class A common stock.
          (2) Mr. Fuller has options to purchase 30,704 shares of the Company's Class A common stock.
          (3) Dr. Hunter has options to purchase 77,873 shares of the Company's Class A common stock.
          (4) Mr. Moody has options to purchase 70,993 shares of the Company's Class A common stock.
          (5) Mr. Wilbur has options to purchase 27,397 shares of the Company's Class A common stock.

Director Compensation

Directors of the Company (but not including directors who are employees) are currently paid a director's fee of $21,600 per year by the Company for their services and are reimbursed for their expenses in attending board and committee meetings. An additional director fee of $750 is paid to each audit committee member for each audit committee meeting attended. Each director is provided with an annual grant of stock options to purchase 1,000 shares of Class A common stock, which occurred under the 2000 Director Stock Option Plan for years 2000 to 2005, under the 2006 Director Stock Option Plan and under the 2014 Director Plan for years 2006 to 2017.  During 2017, each director was granted options to purchase an additional 1,000 shares of Class A common stock.

2014 Director Stock Option Plan

  On May 16, 2014, the Company adopted the 2014 Director Stock Option Plan (the "2014 Director Plan").  The 2014 Director Plan provides for the grant by the Company of options to purchase up to an aggregate of 150,000 shares of Class A common stock to be made available for issuance under the plan. The 2014 Director Plan also provides that each member of the Company's Board of Directors who is not an employee or paid consultant of the Company is automatically eligible to receive options to purchase the Company's Class A common stock under the plan. The 2014 Director Plan  replaces the Company's 2006 Director Stock Option Plan, which was terminated on July 2, 2014.

Additionally, the 2014 Director Plan provides that beginning on December 7, 2014, and on each year thereafter during the term of the plan, each outside director shall automatically receive an option to purchase 1,000 shares of Class A common stock. In addition, each new outside director who joins the Board after the effective date shall be granted an option to purchase 1,000 shares of Class A common stock upon the date which such person first becomes an outside director and an annual grant of an option to purchase 1,000 shares of Class A common stock on each anniversary date thereof during the term of the 2014 Director Plan. The options granted to outside directors shall vest in their entirety on the first anniversary date of the grant.  The primary purposes of the 2014 Director Plan are to enhance the Company's ability to attract and retain well‑qualified persons for service as directors and to provide incentives to such directors to continue their association with the Company.
 
In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another company, or a consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or other change in control transaction involving the Company, each option granted under the 2014 Director Plan becomes fully vested and exercisable in full, unless such option is assumed by the successor corporation. In the event the transaction is not approved by a majority of the "continuing directors" (as defined in the 2014 Director Plan), each option becomes fully vested and exercisable in full immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction, whether or not assumed by the successor corporation.
18


Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  requires the Company's executive officers, directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to file reports of ownership and periodic changes in ownership of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Such persons are also required to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

Based solely on its review of the copies of stock reports received by the Company with respect to fiscal 2017, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that its directors, officers and greater than 10% beneficial owners complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them, except that each of the Company's executive officers and directors, through an oversight, filed one late Form 4 report disclosing the granting of stock options on December 1, 2017.  Also, Scott M. Quist, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, through an oversight, filed one late Form 4 report disclosing a private stock sales transaction with the Company pursuant to the Company's Stock Purchase Plan.
19

 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 The following table sets forth security ownership information of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock as of March 31, 2018 (i) for persons who own beneficially more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Class A or Class C common stock, (ii) for each director of the Company, and (iii) for all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group.

                              
     
Class A
   
Class C  
   
Classs A and
Class C  
 
                  
   Common Stock    
Common Stock   
    Common Stock  
   
Amount
   
Amount
   
Amount
                   
   
Beneficially
   
Percent
   
Beneficially
   
Percent
   
Beneficially
   
Percent
 
Name and Address (1)
 
Owned
   
of Class
   
Owned
   
of Class
   
Owned
   
of Class
 
                                   
George R. and Shirley C. Quist Family Partnership, Ltd. (2)
   
1,561,146
     
11.1
%
   
633,282
     
30.3
%
   
2,194,428
     
13.6
%
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (3)
   
2,050,542
     
14.6
%
   
     
*
     
2,050,542
     
12.7
%
Scott M. Quist (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)
   
344,643
     
2.4
%
   
1,543,613
     
60.8
%
   
1,888,256
     
11.3
%
Jordan Capital Partners, L.P. (9)
   
1,288,202
     
9.1
%
   
     
*
     
1,288,202
     
8.0
%
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (10)
   
838,053
     
5.9
%
   
     
*
     
803,053
     
5.2
%
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) (11)
   
493,597
     
3.5
%
   
292,849
     
14.0
%
   
786,446
     
4.9
%
Christie Q. Overbaugh (12)
   
301,829
     
2.1
%
   
24,847
     
1.2
%
   
326,676
     
2.0
%
Jason G. Overbaugh  (13)
   
259,934
     
1.8
%
   
5,250
     
*
     
265,184
     
1.6
%
Associated Investors (14)
   
78,627
     
*
     
123,626
     
5.9
%
   
202,253
     
1.3
%
S. Andrew Quist (6)(15)
   
188,200
     
1.3
%
   
5,280
     
*
     
193,450
     
1.2
%
Estate of George R. Quist
   
119,181
     
*
     
73,600
     
3.5
%
   
192,781
     
1.2
%
Jeffrey R. Stephens (16)
   
107,277
     
*
     
     
*
     
107,277
     
*
 
Garrett S. Sill (5)(7)(17)
   
96,998
     
*
     
3,937
     
*
     
100,925
     
*
 
Robert G. Hunter, M.D. (6)(18)
   
88,321
     
*
     
     
*
     
88,321
     
*
 
H. Craig Moody (19)
   
88,102
     
*
     
     
*
     
88,102
     
*
 
Stephen C. Johnson (5)(7)(20)
   
65,366
     
*
     
     
*
     
65,366
     
*
 
Gilbert A. Fuller (21)
   
30,554
     
*
     
     
*
     
30,554
     
*
 
John L. Cook (22)
   
28,575
     
*
     
     
*
     
28,575
     
*
 
Norman G. Wilbur (23)
   
28,483
     
*
     
     
*
     
28,483
     
*
 
Adam G. Quist (24)
   
23,519
     
*
     
3,937
     
*
     
25,496
     
*
 
All directors and executive officers
                                               
   (13 persons) (9)(10)(11)(12)
   
1,651,791
     
11.2
%
   
1,586,834
     
62.0
%
   
3,238,625
     
18.7
%

    *   Less than 1%
 
  (1)
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each listed stockholder is c/o Security National Financial Corporation, 5300 South 360 West, Suite 250, Salt Lake City, Utah 84123.
  (2)
This stock is owned by the George R. and Shirley C. Quist Family Partnership, Ltd., of which Scott M. Quist is the managing general partner and, accordingly, exercises sole voting and investment powers with respect to such shares.
  (3)
The investment committee of the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan consists of Scott M. Quist, Stephen C. Johnson and Garrett S. Sill, who exercise shared voting and investment powers with respect to such shares.
  (4)
Mr. Scott Quist is the Company's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. Includes  options  to  purchase 19,687 shares of Class A common stock and 450,103 shares of Class C common stock that are currently exercisable or will become exercisablewithin 60 days of March 31, 2018.  Mr. Quist's options to purchase 493,298 shares of Class C common stock may also, at Mr. Quist's election, be options to purchase 493,298 shares of Class A common stock, or any combination thereof.  However, Mr. Quist has elected to purchase Class C common shares with respect to such options to the extent there are sufficient authorized but unissued Class C common shares available for issuance with respect to such options.  Otherwise, Mr. Quist will elect to purchase shares of Class A common stock with respect to such options.
  (5)
Does not include 2,050,542 shares of Class A common stock owned by the Company's 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, of which Scott M. Quist, Stephen C. Johnson and Garrett S. Sill are members of the investment committee and, accordingly, exercise shared voting and investment powers with respect to such shares.
  (6)
Does not include 493,597 shares of Class A common stock and 292,849 shares of Class C common stock owned by the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), of which Scott M. Quist, S. Andrew Quist and Robert G. Hunter are the trustees and, accordingly, exercise shared voting and investment powers with respect to such shares.
 
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  (7)
Does not include 838,053 shares of Class A common stock owned by the Company's Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, of which Scott M. Quist, Stephen C. Johnson  and Garrett S. Sill are members of the investment committee and, accordingly, exercise shared voting and investment powers with respect to such shares.
  (8)
Does not include 78,627 shares of Class A common stock and 123,626 shares of Class C common stock owned by Associated Investors, a Utah general partnership, of which Scott M. Quist is the managing partner and, accordingly, exercises sole voting and investment powers with respect to such shares.
  (9)
Based solely on the Schedule 13G filed on January 3, 2017. Jordan Capital Partners, L.P. has shared voting and dispositive power Jordan Capital AM, LLC with respect to 1,288,202 shares of the Company's Class A common stock or 8.84% of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock as of January 3, 2017, and 7.73% of the outstanding shares of the combined Class A and Class C common stock as of January 3, 2017.  Jordan Capital AM, LLC is the general partner of Jordan Capital Partners, L.P.  The address for Jordan Capital Partners, L.P. and Jordan Capital AM, LLC is 6001 River Road, Suite 100, Columbus, Georgia 31904.
(10)  
 The  investment  committee of  the  Company's  Non-Qualified  Deferred Compensation Plan consists of Scott M.  Quist, Stephen C. Johnson and Garrett S. Sill, who exercise shared voting and investment powers with respect  to such shares.
(11)
The trustees of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) are Scott M. Quist, S. Andrew Quist and Robert G. Hunter, who exercise shared voting and investment powers.
(12)
Ms. Christie Overbaugh is the Company's Senior Vice President of Internal Operations.  Includes options to purchase 39,544 shares of Class A common stock granted to Ms. Overbaugh that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018.
(13)
Mr. Jason Overbaugh is the Company's Vice President, National Marketing Director of Life Insurance, and a director.  Includes options to purchase 94,432 shares of Class A common stock and an option to purchase 5,250 shares of Class C common stock that are exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018. The option to purchase 5,250 shares of Class C common stock may also, at Mr. Overbaugh's election, be an option to purchase 5,250 shares of Class A common stock. However, Mr. Overbaugh has elected to purchase Class C common shares with such option to the extent there are sufficient authorized but unissued Class C common shares available for issuance with respect to such option. Otherwise, Mr. Overbaugh will elect to purchase shares of Class A common stock with respect to such option.
(14)
The managing general partner of Associated Investors is Scott M. Quist, who exercises sole voting and investment powers.
(15)
Mr. Andrew Quist is the Company's Vice President,  General Counsel and a director.  Includes options to purchase 114,534 shares of Class A common stock and an option to purchase 5,250 shares of Class C common stock  that are exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018. The Option to purchase 5,250 shares of Class C common stock may also, at Mr. Quist's election, be an option to purchase 5,250 shares of Class A common stock. However, Mr. Quist has elected to purchase Class C common shares with such option to the extent there are sufficient authorized but unissued Class C common shares available for issuance with respect to such option. Otherwise, Mr. Quist will elect to purchase shares of Class A common stock with respect to such option.
(16)
Mr. Stephens is the Company's Senior General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.  Includes options to purchase 28,273 shares of Class A common stock granted to Mr. Stephens that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018.
(17)
Mr. Sill is the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Includes options to purchase 42,294 shares of Class A common stock and an option to purchase 3,937 shares of Class C common stock that are currently  exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018. The option to purchase 3,937shares of Class C common stock may also, at Mr. Sill's election, be an option to purchase 3,937shares of Class A common stock. However,  Mr. Sill has elected to purchase Class C common shares with such option to the extent there are sufficient authorized but unissued Class C common shares available for issuance with respect to such option. Otherwise, Mr Sill will elect to purchase shares of Class A common stock with respect to such option.
(18)
Includes options to purchase 77,085 shares of Class A common stock granted to Dr. Hunter that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018.
(19)
Includes options to purchase 70,205 shares of Class A common stock granted to Mr. Moody that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018.
(20)
Mr. Johnson is the Company's Vice President of Mortgage Operations. Includes options to purchase 38,503 shares of Class A common stock granted to Mr. Johnson that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018.
(21)
Includes options to purchase 29,916 shares of Class A common stock granted to Mr. Fuller that are currently  exercisable, or will become exercisable, within 60 days of March 31, 2018.
(22)   
 Includes  options  to  purchase  28,575  shares  of  Class A common  stock granted  to Mr. Cook that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018.
(23)
Includes options to purchase 26,609 shares of Class A common stock granted to Mr. Wilbur that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018.
(24)
Mr. Adam Quist is Vice President Memorial Services, Assistant Secretary, and General Counsel of the Company. Includes options to purchase 21,559 shares of Class A common stock and an option to purchase 3,937 shares of Class C common stock that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018. The option to purchase 3,937 shares of Class C common stock may also, at Mr. Quist's election, be an option to purchase 3,937 shares of Class A common stock. However, Mr. Quist has elected to purchase Class C common shares wit such option to the extent there are sufficient authorized but unissued Class C common shares available for issuance with respect to such option.
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The Company's executive officers and directors, as a group, own beneficially approximately 18.6% of the outstanding shares of the Company's Class A and Class C common stock. At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders that was held in July 2014, the stockholders approved resolutions providing for a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of the Company's Class C common stock and for weighted voting of the Class C common stock As a result, each share of Class C common stock has weighted voting of ten votes per share and may be converted into one share of Class A common stock.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

The Company's Board of Directors has a written procedure, which requires disclosure to the board of any material interest or any affiliation on the part of its officers, directors or employees that is in conflict or may be in conflict with the interests of the Company.

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Under rules established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), the Company is required to provide certain data and information in regard to the compensation and benefits provided to its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the three other most highly compensated executive officers.  In fulfillment of this requirement, the Compensation Committee, at the direction of the Board of Directors, has prepared the following report for inclusion in this Proxy Statement.

Executive Compensation Philosophy.  The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of five directors, all of whom are independent, outside directors.  The Compensation Committee is responsible for setting and administering the policies and programs that govern both annual compensation and stock ownership programs for the executive officers of the Company.  The Company's executive compensation policy is based on principles designed to ensure that an appropriate relationship exists between executive pay and corporate performance, while at the same time motivating and retaining executive officers.

Executive Compensation Components.  The key components of the Company's compensation program are base salary, an annual incentive award, and equity participation.  These components are administered with the goal of providing total compensation that is competitive in the marketplace, rewards successful financial performance and aligns executive officers' interests with those of stockholders.  The Compensation Committee reviews each component of executive compensation on an annual basis.

 Base Salary.  Base salaries for executive officers are set at levels believed by the Compensation Committee to be sufficient to attract and retain qualified executive officers.  Base pay increases are provided to executive officers based on an evaluation of each executive's performance, as well as the performance of the Company as a whole.  In establishing base salaries, the Compensation Committee not only considers the financial performance of the Company, but also the success of the executive officers in developing and executing the Company's strategic plans, developing management employees and exercising leadership.  The Compensation Committee believes that executive officer base salaries for 2017 were reasonable as compared to amounts paid by companies of similar size.

Annual Incentive.  The Compensation Committee believes that a significant proportion of total cash compensation for executive officers should be subject to attainment of specific Company financial performance.  This approach creates a direct incentive for executive officers to achieve desired performance goals and places a significant percentage of each executive officer's compensation at risk.  Consequently, each year the Compensation Committee establishes potential bonuses for executive officers based on the Company's achievement of certain financial performance.  The Compensation Committee believes that executive officer annual bonuses for 2017 were reasonable as compared to amounts paid by companies of similar size.
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Stock Options. The Compensation Committee believes that equity participation is a key component of its executive compensation program.  Stock options are granted to executive officers primarily based on the officer's actual and potential contribution to the Company's growth and profitability and competitive marketplace practices.  Option grants are designed to retain executive officers and motivate them to enhance stockholder value by aligning the financial interests of executive officers with those of stockholders.  Stock options also provide an effective incentive for management to create stockholder value over the long term since the full benefit of the compensation package cannot be realized unless an appreciation in the price of the Company's Class A common stock occurs over a number of years.

Compensation of Chief Executive Officer.  Consistent with the executive compensation policy and components described above, the Compensation Committee determined the salary, bonus and stock options received by Scott M. Quist,  Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, for services rendered in 2017.  Mr. Quist had received a base salary of $487,925 for 2017.  Under the Compensation Committee's rules, the Chief Executive Officer may not be present during voting or deliberations related to his compensation.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Norman G. Wilbur, Chairman
John L. Cook
Gilbert A. Fuller
Robert G. Hunter, M.D.
H. Craig Moody
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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Company has an Audit Committee consisting of four non-management directors: John L. Cook, Gilbert A. Fuller, H. Craig Moody, and Norman G. Wilbur (Chairman of the committee).  Each member of the Audit Committee is considered independent and qualified in accordance with applicable independent director and audit committee listing standards.  The Company's Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee.

During the year 2017, the Audit Committee met six times.  The Audit Committee has met with management and discussed the Company's internal controls, the quality of the Company's financial reporting, the results of internal and external audit examinations, and the audited financial statements.  In addition, the Audit Committee met with the Company's independent registered public accountants, Deloitte & Touche LLP, and discussed all matters required to be discussed by the auditors with the Audit Committee under the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114 (communication with audit committees).  The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with the auditors their annual written report on their independence from the Company and its management, which is made under Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees) and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule No. 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence), and considered with the auditors whether the non-audit services provided by them to the Company during 2017 was compatible with the auditors' independence.

In performing these functions, the Audit Committee acts only in an oversight capacity.  In its oversight role, the Audit Committee relies on the work and assurances of the Company's management, which is responsible for the integrity of the Company's internal controls and its financial statements and reports, and the Company's independent auditors, who are responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company's financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and for issuing a report on these financial statements.

Pursuant to the reviews and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Norman G. Wilbur, Chairman
John L. Cook
Gilbert A. Fuller
H. Craig Moody
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APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE
COMPANY'S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

PROPOSAL 2

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, enables the Company's stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (nonbinding) basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC's rules.  Thus, pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company is asking stockholders for an advisory approval of the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and related narrative discussion included in this Proxy Statement.

As discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Company designs its compensation programs to maintain a performance- and achievement-oriented environment throughout the Company.  The goals of the Company's executive compensation program are to provide total compensation that is competitive in the market place and that rewards successful financial performance in order to attract, retain, and motivate highly-qualified executive officers and other key employees who contribute to the Company's long-term success, to align executive compensation with the Company's business objectives and performance, and to motivate executive officers to enhance long-term stockholder value.

Consistent with these goals and as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Compensation Committee has designed guiding principles to ensure that an appropriate relationship exists between executive pay and corporate performance, while at the same time motivating and retaining executive officers.

The Company is asking its stockholders to indicate their support for the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers as described in this Proxy Statement.  This proposal, commonly known as a "say-on-pay" proposal, gives the stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the compensation of the Named Executive Officers.  This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers and the philosophy, policies, and practices described in this Proxy Statement.  Accordingly, the Board of Directors asks the stockholders to vote "FOR" the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

"RESOLVED, that the Company's stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the 2017 Summary Compensation Table, and the other related tables and disclosures."

The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Board of Directors, or the Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of the Company's stockholders and will take into account the outcome of this vote in considering future compensation arrangements for the Named Executive Officers.

The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote "FOR" approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation paid to the Company's Named Executive Officers.


RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

PROPOSAL 3

The independent public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP has been the Company's independent registered public accountants since June 1, 2017. The Audit Committee recommended and the Board of Directors appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP for purposes of auditing the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018. It is anticipated that representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be provided an opportunity to make statement if they desire, and to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
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The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote "FOR" ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accountants for fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Audit fees for the year 2017 for the annual audit of the financial statements and employee benefit plans and related quarterly reviews by the Company's independent registered public accountants were $886,567. In addition, there were $93,000 in tax preparation fees during 2017.

Audit fees for the year 2016 for the annual audit of the financial statements and employee benefit plans and related quarterly reviews by the Company's independent registered public accountants were $386,783. In addition, there were $79,622 in tax preparation fees during 2016.

OTHER MATTERS

The Company knows of no other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting, but if other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of Proxy to vote the shares they represent in accordance with their judgment.

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Stockholders are referred to the Company's Annual Report, including financial statements, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.  The 2017 Annual Report is not included with this Proxy Statement. Please go online to review the Company's 2017 Annual Report at https://www.securitynational.gcs-web.com/financial-information/proxy-statements-and-annual-reports.  The Company will provide, without charge to each stockholder upon request, the 2017 Annual Report as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.  Such requests should be directed to Jeffrey R. Stephens, Senior General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, by email at contact@securitynational.com or by regular mail at Security National Financial Corporation, P.O. Box 57250, Salt Lake City, Utah 84157‑0250.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER'S PROPOSALS
FOR ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD IN JUNE 2018

Any proposal by a stockholder to be presented at the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders expected to be held in June 2019 must be received at the offices of the Company, P.O. Box 57250, Salt Lake City, Utah 84157‑0250, no later than March 31, 2019.

By order of the Board of Directors,


/s/ Jeffrey R. Stephens
Jeffrey R. Stephens
Senior General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
May 18, 2018
Salt Lake City, Utah
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PROXY - SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION - PROXY

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CLASS A COMMON STOCK

The undersigned Class A common stockholder of Security National Financial Corporation (the "Company") acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of the Stockholders to be held on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at Valley Center Towers, 5373 South Green Street, Classroom No. 237, Salt Lake City, Utah, beginning at 10:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time, and hereby appoints Messrs. Scott M. Quist, S. Andrew Quist, and Jeffrey R. Stephens, or either of them, each with full power of substitution, as attorneys and proxies to vote all the shares of the undersigned at said Annual Meeting of Stockholders and at all adjournments or postponements thereof, hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys and proxies may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  The above-named attorneys and proxies are instructed to vote all of the undersigned's shares as follows:

1.     To elect three directors to be voted upon by Class A common stockholders voting separately as a class

[  ]  FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary below)
[  ]  WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below

(INSTRUCTION: to withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike a line through that nominee's name in the list below.)

                                            Scott M. Quist                 Robert G. Hunter, M.D.          Jason G. Overbaugh
 
2.     To elect the remaining five directors to be voted upon by Class A and Class C common stockholders together

[  ]  FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary below)
[  ]  WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below

(INSTRUCTION:  to withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike a line through that nominee's name in the list below.)

                                            John L. Cook,              Gilbert A. Fuller,          H. Craig Moody,
 S. Andrew Quist, and  Norman G. Wilbur  
 
3.     To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company's Named Executive Officers

                                             [  ]  FOR                 [  ]  AGAINST           [  ] ABSTAIN
 
4.
To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

                                             [  ]  FOR                 [  ]  AGAINST           [  ] ABSTAIN

5.     To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponement thereof
 
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER.  IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSALS 1 AND 2 ABOVE AND FOR PROPOSALS 3, 4 and 5.

Dated                                                              , 2018

_________________________________________ _________________________________________
Signature of Stockholder
Signature of  Stockholder

Please sign your name exactly as it appears on your share certificate.  If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.  Executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries should so indicate when signing.
27



PROXY - SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION - PROXY

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CLASS C COMMON STOCK
 
The undersigned Class C common stockholder of Security National Financial Corporation (the "Company") acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of the Stockholders to be held on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at Valley Center Towers, 5373 South Green Street, Classroom No. 237, Salt Lake City, Utah, beginning at 10:00 a.m., Mountain Daylight Time, and hereby appoints Messrs. Scott M. Quist, S. Andrew Quist, and Jeffrey R. Stephens, or either of them, each with full power of substitution, as attorneys and proxies to vote all the shares of the undersigned at said Annual Meeting of Stockholders and at all adjournments or postponements thereof, hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys and proxies may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  The above-named attorneys and proxies are instructed to vote all of the undersigned's shares as follows:

1.     To elect five of the eight directors to be voted upon by Class A and Class C common stockholders together

[  ]  FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary below)
[  ]  WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below

(INSTRUCTION: to withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike a line through that nominee's name in the list below.)

                                            John L. Cook,              Gilbert A. Fuller,          H. Craig Moody,
 S. Andrew Quist, and  Norman G. Wilbur  
 
2.     To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers

                                             [  ]  FOR                 [  ]  AGAINST           [  ] ABSTAIN
 
3.
To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

                                             [  ]  FOR                 [  ]  AGAINST           [  ] ABSTAIN
 
4.   To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof


THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER.  IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1 ABOVE AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3 and 4.

Dated                                                          , 2018

_________________________________________
Signature of Stockholder

_______________________________________
Signature of Stockholder

Please sign your name exactly as it appears on your share certificate.  If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.  Executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries should so indicate when signing.  Please sign, date, and return this Proxy Card immediately.
 
 
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