-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, H74eTu97P7FLFAUIqKLWm85YExAEK5anqEMjHMRt4YcWjdYnQ+MuI2m4wgB6vsO8 st2bn2ywVsLCCeKyTFiAhA== 0001193125-09-008915.txt : 20090121 0001193125-09-008915.hdr.sgml : 20090121 20090121141519 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-09-008915 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20090120 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20090121 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090121 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIFTH THIRD BANCORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000035527 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022] IRS NUMBER: 310854434 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OH FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-33653 FILM NUMBER: 09536468 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 38 FOUNTAIN SQ PLZ STREET 2: FIFTH THIRD CENTER CITY: CINCINNATI STATE: OH ZIP: 45263 BUSINESS PHONE: 5135795300 8-K 1 d8k.htm CURRENT REPORT Current Report

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): January 20, 2009

 

 

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

OHIO

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

0-8076   31-0854434
(Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

Fifth Third Center

38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio

  45263
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(513) 534-5300

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 8.01 Other Events

The Company’s Board of Directors recently approved changes to its committee structure and corporate governance guidelines in order to further enhance its corporate governance practices. Specifically, the Board revised its Executive Committee as a Finance Committee and revised its corporate governance guidelines to reduce the matters that may be acted upon by committees as opposed to the full Board.

The amended and restated Fifth Third Bancorp Corporate Governance Guidelines as well as the Charter of the Finance Committee are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, respectively. These documents will also be available on the Company’s website at www.53.com.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 – Fifth Third Bancorp Corporate Governance Guidelines, as amended and restated.

Exhibit 99.2 – Charter of the Finance Joint Committee of the Board of Directors of Fifth Third Bancorp


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
    (Registrant)
January 20, 2009    

/s/ PAUL L. REYNOLDS

    Paul L. Reynolds
    Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm FIFTH THIRD BANCORP CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES, AS AMENDED AND RESTATED Fifth Third Bancorp Corporate Governance Guidelines, as amended and restated

Exhibit 99.1

FIFTH THIRD BANCORP

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES

AS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 20, 2009

The following corporate governance principles have been approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of Fifth Third Bancorp. These principles, along with Fifth Third’s articles of incorporation, code of regulations and charters of the various committees of the Board, provide the foundation for our governance. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to Fifth Third in these guidelines shall refer to Fifth Third Bancorp, its subsidiaries and affiliates.

1. Roles of the Board of Directors and Management

Fifth Third’s Board of Directors is elected by our shareholders and is the ultimate decision making body of Fifth Third, except with respect to those matters reserved to our shareholders. Fifth Third’s business is conducted by our employees and officers under the direction of Fifth Third’s Chief Executive Officer and subject to the oversight of the Board. Both management and the Board seek to enhance the long-term value of Fifth Third for the benefit of our shareholders. In doing so, Fifth Third recognizes that the interests of our shareholders also will be advanced by responsibly taking into account the concerns of our other constituencies, including customers, employees, the communities in which we do business, the public at large and the governmental entities which regulate our businesses.

2. Critical Functions of the Board of Directors

In addition to monitoring Fifth Third’s Chief Executive Officer and senior executives, the Board is responsible for the following matters, among other things:

 

   

selecting, evaluating and compensating the Chief Executive Officer;

 

   

advising and overseeing the Chief Executive Officer in the selection, evaluation and compensation of senior executives;

 

   

planning for succession to the position of Chief Executive Officer as well as certain other senior management positions;

 

   

considering and approving Fifth Third’s fundamental business strategies and major corporate actions; and

 

   

enhancing Fifth Third’s integrity and reputation by ensuring that the corporation establishes, implements and maintains policies, practices and procedures for full compliance with all applicable laws and for meeting the high ethical standards that the Board and the public expect of a leading financial institution.

3. Director Responsibilities

The core responsibility of each Director is to exercise his or her business judgment in good faith to act in what the Director reasonably believes to be in the best interests of Fifth Third and our shareholders. In discharging this responsibility, Fifth Third requires that each Director shall:

 

   

preserve the confidential nature of material information given or presented to the Board of Directors;


   

disclose to the other Directors any potential conflicts of interest he or she may have with respect to any matter under discussion and, if appropriate, refrain from voting on such a matter;

 

   

not serve as a director, officer or employee of any entity which is in competition with Fifth Third and not misappropriate any opportunity or asset belonging to Fifth Third for his or her direct or indirect benefit;

 

   

consistent with the Board’s belief that management speaks for Fifth Third, refer all inquiries from the press, institutional investors and others to the Chief Executive Officer or such other officers as required by Fifth Third’s disclosure policies, provided, however, that a Director may, from time to time, meet or otherwise communicate with various third parties about Fifth Third but only with the knowledge and advance approval of management or if requested by management; and

 

   

establish a financial stake in Fifth Third by developing a meaningful ownership position in Fifth Third over time as is appropriate for the Director’s personal financial circumstances.

4. Director Qualifications and Selection Process

Integrity, Values and Experience. Each Director should possess the highest personal and professional ethics and integrity, and be devoted to representing the interests of Fifth Third and our shareholders. A Director must be willing to devote sufficient time to carrying out his or her duties and responsibilities effectively. Fifth Third seeks to have a Board of Directors representing diverse experiences in business, government, education, technology and in various areas relevant to our businesses. Fifth Third also will consider the diversity, age, skills and other factors relevant to a Director’s overall qualifications in determining a combination of Directors that will best serve the needs of the Board and Fifth Third.

Independence. Fifth Third’s Board of Directors shall at all times be comprised of no less than a majority of Directors who meet the criteria for independence required by the Nasdaq National Market or principal stock exchange upon which our common stock is traded. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing the qualifications and independence of the members of the Board and its various committees on a periodic basis as well as the composition of the Board as a whole.

Nominations. Nominations for Directors will be made by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance with the policies and principles in its charter. Shareholders may propose nominees for election at Fifth Third’s annual meeting of shareholders for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee upon submitting the names and qualifications of such persons to the Committee no later than December 31 of any year. Submissions must be made to the Committee c/o Fifth Third Bancorp, Secretary, 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263. Upon the nomination by the Committee, the

 

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Board may fill any vacancies that occur on the Board between annual shareholder meetings. In most cases, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee jointly should extend the invitation to selected nominees to join the Board.

Resignation for Majority Withhold Vote. As long as cumulative voting is not in effect, in an uncontested election of Directors (i.e., an election where the only nominees are those recommended by the Board of Directors), any nominee for Director who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” his or her election (a “Majority Withheld Vote”) will promptly tender his or her resignation to the Chairman of the Board following certification of the shareholder vote.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will promptly consider the tendered resignation and will recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation no later than 60 days following the date of the shareholders’ meeting at which the election occurred (the “Shareholders’ Meeting Date”). In considering whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider factors deemed relevant by the Committee members including, without limitation, the Director’s length of service, the Director’s particular qualifications and contributions to Fifth Third, the reasons underlying the Majority Withheld Vote (if known) and whether these reasons can be cured, and compliance with stock exchange listing standards and these Corporate Governance Guidelines.

The Board will act on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation no later than 90 days following the Shareholders’ Meeting Date. In considering the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation, the Board will consider the factors considered by the Committee and such additional information and factors the Board believes to be relevant. Following the Board’s decision on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation, Fifth Third will promptly publicly disclose the Board’s decision whether to accept the resignation as tendered (providing a full explanation of the process by which the decision was reached and, if applicable, the reasons for rejecting the tendered resignation) in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

If one or more Directors’ resignations are accepted by the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will recommend to the Board whether to fill such vacancy or vacancies or to reduce the size of the Board.

Any Director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this provision will not participate in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommendation or Board consideration regarding whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation. If a majority of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee received a Majority Withheld Vote at the same election, then the independent Directors who are on the Board who did not receive a Majority Withheld Vote (or who were not standing for election) will automatically be appointed a special Board committee solely for the purpose of considering the tendered resignations and will recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject them.

 

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This Corporate Governance Guideline will be summarized or included in each proxy statement relating to an election of directors of Fifth Third.

Material Changes in Qualifications; Retirement. A Director who changes his or her principal occupation, position or responsibility held when elected to the Board of Directors should volunteer to resign from the Board. Although Fifth Third does not believe that it will be necessary in every instance that a Director who makes such a change should leave the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee should be afforded the opportunity to review the appropriateness of continued Board service under the new circumstances and make a recommendation to the full Board of Directors. In addition, Fifth Third believes that a Director should not stand for reelection at the next annual meeting of shareholders at which the Director’s term expires that follows his or her 70th birthday.

Service on Other Boards of Directors. A Director should advise the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in advance of accepting an invitation to serve as a director of another public company. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review whether such board membership may unduly impact the ability of the Director to fulfill his or her responsibilities as a Director of Fifth Third and, if so, shall make a recommendation to the Board. Generally, a Director of Fifth Third should not serve on more than three other public company boards of directors.

Chairman of the Board. Fifth Third has no fixed policy with respect to the separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer. We believe that this issue is part of the succession planning process, and that it is in the best interests of Fifth Third for the Board of Directors to make this determination from time to time when selecting a new Chief Executive Officer.

5. Size of the Board of Directors, Terms and Term Limits

The Board of Directors shall be composed of fifteen (15) persons unless this number is changed by: (1) the shareholders in accordance with the laws of Ohio or (2) the vote of a majority of the Directors in office. The Directors may increase the number to not more than thirty (30) persons and may decrease the number to not less than ten (10) persons. Each Director shall serve a term of one year. Fifth Third does not believe we should establish term limits for our Directors. While term limits could help ensure that there are fresh ideas and viewpoints available to the Board, they have the disadvantage of losing the contribution of Directors who have been able to develop, over a period of time, increasing insight into Fifth Third and its operations and, therefore, provide an increasing contribution to the Board as a whole.

6. Meetings of the Board of Directors

Number of Meetings. Fifth Third’s Board of Directors will have no less than five scheduled meetings of the full Board of Directors each year. If necessary, the Board may have one or more special meetings during the year as circumstances may require.

 

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Attendance and Preparation. Each Director is expected to attend all Board meetings and all meetings of committees on which the Director serves. A Director should notify Fifth Third’s Secretary as soon as practical if he or she is unable to attend a meeting. Each Director is expected to spend the amount of time and effort needed, and to meet as frequently as necessary, to properly discharge their responsibilities. Information and data that are important to the Directors’ understanding of the business to be conducted at a Board or committee meeting generally should be distributed in writing to the Directors no less than two business days before the meeting. Each Director should review these materials in advance of the meeting.

Meeting Agendas. The Chairman of the Board will establish the agenda for each Board meeting. At the beginning of each year the Chairman will establish a schedule of agenda subjects to be discussed during the year to the degree this can be foreseen. The Board of Directors will review Fifth Third’s long-term strategic plans and the principal issues that we will face in the future during at least one Board meeting each year. Directors are encouraged to suggest the inclusion of additional items on the agenda. Whenever possible, we believe that it is desirable for such additional agenda items to be discussed with the Chairman of the Board or Secretary in advance of the meeting so that appropriate notice and materials relating to such item can be distributed to all Directors prior to the meeting, a Director may raise subjects for discussion at any Board meeting whether or not included within the formal agenda for that meeting.

Executive Sessions of Independent Directors. Executive sessions or meetings of those members of the Board of Directors who meet the then current standards of independence shall be held at least twice each year and more frequently if the independent Directors so desire. No members of Fifth Third management shall be present at such executive sessions. The independent Directors may meet in executive session completely separate from a scheduled meeting of the full Board of Directors or during a scheduled Board meeting upon first excusing all members of Fifth Third management from that segment of the meeting. The chair person at any such executive session shall be the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, who shall serve as the lead director in performing such other jobs as the independent directors may determine.

7. Board Committees

Standing Committees. The Board will have at all times an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, a Risk and Compliance Committee, a Trust Committee and a Finance Committee. All of the members of these committees will be Directors who then meet the independence criteria then in effect and as established by the Nasdaq National Market or the principal stock exchange on which Fifth Third common stock is then traded, other than the Finance Committee and Trust Committee. The Board of Directors may create additional standing and ad hoc committees as deemed appropriate from time to time. Consideration will be given to rotating committee members periodically, but the Board does not feel that rotation should be mandated.

Committee Charters. Each Board committee will have its own charter. Each charter will set forth the purposes, goals and responsibilities of the committee as well as certain specific qualifications for committee membership and procedures for committee

 

5


member appointment. Each charter will address the nature of items that, and the frequency with which, the committee will report to the full Board of Directors. Each charter will require the committee to annually evaluate its own performance.

Committee Meetings and Agendas. The chairman of each Board committee, in consultation with the committee members and Fifth Third’s Chief Executive Officer and senior executives, will determine the frequency and length of the committee meetings consistent with any requirements set forth in the committee’s charter. The chairman of each committee, in consultation with the appropriate members of the committee and senior executives, will develop the committee’s agenda for each meeting. At the beginning of the year each committee will establish a schedule of agenda subjects to be discussed during the year, to the degree these can be foreseen, The meeting schedule for each committee will be furnished to all Directors.

Engagement of Advisors. The Board and each committee have the power to hire at the expense of Fifth Third independent legal, financial or other advisors as they may deem necessary, without consulting or obtaining the approval of any officer of Fifth Third in advance. Directors are expected to use their best judgment in determining when such engagements are necessary and shall consider the qualifications and fees to be charged by such advisors when making their selection. The Board and/or the committee that engages such advisor(s) shall promptly notify Fifth Third’s Secretary of such engagement so that the Secretary can confirm the independence of such advisor(s) and make the necessary arrangements for the payment of fees to such advisor(s).

Dual Committees. When deemed appropriate or necessary, a Board committee of Fifth Third Bancorp may perform the same services within the scope of its authority for any of Fifth Third’s chartered bank subsidiaries or other subsidiaries that do not then have such a committee of its own. Committees acting in such dual capacities may meet simultaneously as committees of Fifth Third Bancorp and of the relevant subsidiary, though they should hold separate sessions if necessary to address issues that are relevant to one entity but not the other or to consider transactions or other matters where Fifth Third Bancorp and the relevant subsidiary may have different interests. In addition, any such committee should consult with internal or outside counsel if, in the opinion of the committee, any matter under consideration by the committee has the potential for any conflict between the interests of Fifth Third Bancorp and those of the subsidiary in order to ensure that appropriate procedures are established for addressing any such potential conflict and for ensuring compliance with Fifth Third’s policies regarding Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act.

 

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8. Non-Delegable Actions of the Board of Directors

Fifth Third’s Board of Directors may delegate responsibility for certain actions within the scope of the Board’s authority to the extent such delegation is permissible by applicable law. Any such matters delegated to a committee of the Board must be within the scope of authority granted to such committee in its charter. Notwithstanding any such delegation, the Board of Directors shall remain responsible for such actions and the committees and/or persons to whom such actions have been delegated shall report the status of such matters to the Board from time to time as directed by the Board. However, Fifth Third believes that the following matters may not be delegated outside the Board of Directors and must be addressed by the Board as a whole:

 

   

any matter which is required by applicable law to be acted upon by the Board of Directors such as amendments to Fifth Third’s articles of incorporation, issuances of shares, share repurchases and declarations of dividends;

 

   

any waiver of Fifth Third’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics;

 

   

any acquisition or disposition of a bank;

 

   

any acquisition or disposition involving consideration in excess of $100 million or, regardless of size, requiring approval by Fifth Third’s shareholders;

 

   

any reduction in force or layoff involving more than 10% of Fifth Third’s employees;

 

   

any financing transaction in excess of $100 million;

 

   

any contract in excess of $500 million; and

 

   

any capital expenditure in excess of $100 million.

9. Director Access to Officers and Employees

Contacts. Directors shall have full and free access to officers and employees of Fifth Third. Any meetings or contacts that a Director wishes to initiate may be arranged through the Chief Executive Officer or Secretary. A Director will use his or her judgment to ensure that any such contact is not disruptive to the business operations of Fifth Third and will, to the extent not inappropriate, copy the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary on any written communications between a Director and an officer or employee of Fifth Third.

Participation in Meetings. In addition to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, the Board of Directors welcomes regular attendance at each Board meeting of the appropriate senior executives of Fifth Third as shall be determined from time to time. If the Chief Executive Officer or any Director wishes to have additional Fifth Third personnel attend meetings on a regular basis, this suggestion should be brought to the Board for consideration.

10. Director Compensation

The form and amount of Director compensation will be determined by the full Board of Directors on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance with the policies and principles set forth herein, in its charter and any exchange or other applicable rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will conduct an annual review of Director compensation. The Board of Directors and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider that the

 

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independence of Directors may be jeopardized if Director compensation and perquisites exceed customary levels, if Fifth Third makes substantial charitable contributions to organizations with which a Director is affiliated, or if Fifth Third enters into consulting contracts with (or provides other indirect forms of compensation to) a Director or an organization with which the Director is affiliated.

11. Director Education

Fifth Third will establish, or identify and provide access to, appropriate orientation programs, sessions or materials for newly elected directors of Fifth Third for their benefit prior to or within a reasonable period of time after their nomination or election as a Director. The program or materials will include information to familiarize new Directors with Fifth Third’s strategic plans, its significant financial, accounting and risk management issues, its compliance programs, its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, its principal officers and its internal independent auditors. Fifth Third encourages Directors to periodically pursue or obtain appropriate programs, sessions or materials as to the responsibilities of directors of publicly traded companies.

12. Reliance on Others; Liability Insurance

In discharging his or her obligations and responsibilities as a Director of Fifth Third, each Director is entitled to rely on the honesty and integrity of his or her fellow Directors and of Fifth Third’s senior executives, independent auditors and other outside advisors. Further, in order to promote the ability of each Director to act in accordance with the Director’s reasonable, good faith business judgment without undue concern for the substantial risk of personal liability faced by directors of public companies, Fifth Third shall purchase and maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in amounts reasonably deemed appropriate from time to time. Fifth Third shall bestow on the Directors the benefits of indemnification and exculpation to the fullest extent permitted by law and by Fifth Third’s articles of incorporation, code of regulations and any indemnification agreements.

13. Annual Performance Evaluation

The Board of Directors will conduct an annual self-evaluation to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will receive comments from all Directors and report annually to the Board with an assessment of the Board’s performance. This will be discussed with the full Board following the end of each fiscal year. The assessment will focus on the Board’s contribution to Fifth Third and specifically focus on areas in which the Board or management believes that the Board could improve.

 

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14. Amendment, Waiver and Modification

These Guidelines may be amended, modified or waived by the Board of Directors, subject to the disclosure and other provisions of laws, rules and regulations applicable to Fifth Third.

 

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EX-99.2 3 dex992.htm CHARTER OF THE FINANCE JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Charter of the Finance Joint Committee of the Board of Directors

Exhibit 99.2

CHARTER OF THE

FINANCE JOINT COMMITTEE

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OF FIFTH THIRD BANCORP

AS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ON JANUARY 20, 2009

I. AUTHORITY AND MEMBERSHIP

The Committee shall be a joint Committee of the Boards of Directors of Fifth Third Bancorp, an Ohio corporation (the “Corporation”), and Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio banking corporation (the “Bank”). The members of the Committee are appointed annually by the whole Boards of Directors of the Corporation and the Bank on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Committee shall consist of such number of directors as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors, but shall not be less than three (3) nor more than seven (7) directors. At least three (3) members of the Committee must also be directors of the Bank. So far as practicable, the members and alternate members of the Committee shall be appointed at the organization meeting of the Board of Directors in each year, and unless sooner discharged by affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors, shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their respective successors are appointed. Any vacancy among the appointed members of the Committee may be filled by affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors. All acts done and powers conferred by the Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.

The Chairman of the Committee shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall preside at all meetings of the Committee at which he is present. In the absence of the Chairman of the Committee, one of the members present shall be chosen by the members of the Committee present to preside at such meeting. The Chairman of the Committee shall designate a member of the Committee to act as secretary at all meetings of the Committee and in his absence a temporary secretary shall be appointed by the chairman of the meeting.

A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, shall be the act of the Committee. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the members of the Committee present may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is present. No notice of any adjourned meeting need be given other than by announcement at the meeting that is being adjourned.

The Committee has the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, to retain independent legal, accounting or other advisors. The Committee shall also have the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, to ask the Corporation or


the Bank to provide the Committee with the support of one or more Corporation or Bank employees to assist it in carrying out its duties. The Corporation and the Bank shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined solely by the Committee, for payment of compensation to any advisors employed by the Committee. The Committee may request any officer or employee of the Corporation or the Bank or the Corporation’s outside counsel or other advisors to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultant to, the Committee.

II. PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE

The Committee’s primary purpose is to exercise, during the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the Bank in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the Corporation and the bank that may be permissibly exercised by a committee thereof.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE

A. Charter Review

 

   

Review and reassess the adequacy of this charter annually and recommend to the Board any proposed changes to this charter; and

 

   

Publicly disclose the charter and any such amendments at the times and in the manner required by the SEC and/or any other regulatory body or stock exchange having authority over the Corporation, and in all events post such charter and amendments to the Corporation’s website.

B. Exercise Power of Board of Directors

The Committee shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the Corporation, including authority to take all action provided in the Corporation’s Code of Regulations to be taken by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the foregoing is subject to the applicable provisions of law and shall not be construed as authorizing action by the Committee with respect to:

 

   

Filling vacancies in the Board of Directors;

 

   

Filling vacancies in any committee of the Board of Directors (including this Committee);

 

   

Appointing committees of the Board of Directors;

 

   

Designation of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer;

 

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Removal of officers of the Corporation;

 

   

Removal of members of any committee of the Board of Directors (including this Committee);

 

   

Declaration of any dividend;

 

   

Exercising any authority granted to any other committee of the Board of Directors;

 

   

Taking any action which, under any applicable securities, tax, banking or other laws, rules or regulations or requirements applicable to Nasdaq National Market issuers or such other exchange or system upon which the Corporation’s securities are listed, quoted and/or traded, may only be taken by a committee of directors meeting certain qualifications (such as “independence”) if the Committee members do not meet those qualifications;

 

   

Taking any action reserved to the shareholders of the Corporation; or

 

   

Taking any action not permitted to be taken by a committee of the Board of Directors by law, the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation or the Corporation’s Code of Regulations.

C. General

 

   

Report to the Board on the Committee’s activities at each Board meeting.

 

   

Keep minutes of its acts and proceedings which shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

   

Annually review the performance of the Committee.

In performing their responsibilities, Committee members are entitled to rely in good faith on information, opinions, reports or statements prepared or presented by:

 

   

One or more officers or employees of the Corporation or the Bank whom the Committee member reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented;

 

   

Counsel, independent auditors, or other persons as to matters which the Committee member reasonably believes to be within the professional or expert competence of such person; or

 

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Another committee of the Board as to matters within its designated authority which committee the Committee member reasonably believes to merit confidence.

 

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