DEF 14A 1 l35957adef14a.htm FORM DEF 14A FORM 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 (Amendment No.     )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
     
o  Preliminary Proxy Statement
o  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ  Definitive Proxy Statement
o  Definitive Additional Materials
o  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12
 
National Bancshares Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
þ   No fee required.
 
o   Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 
     (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
 
     (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
 
     (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 
 
     (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
 
     (5)   Total fee paid:
 
 
o   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
o   Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
     (1)   Amount Previously Paid:
 
 
     (2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
 
     (3)   Filing Party:
 
 
     (4)   Date Filed:
 


 

 
NATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION
112 West Market Street
Orrville, Ohio 44667
(330) 682-1010
 
 
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of National Bancshares Corporation (the “Annual Meeting”) will be held at the Operations Center of First National Bank, 1444 North Main Street, Orrville, Ohio on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 2:00 pm local time for the following purposes:
 
(1) to elect four directors for a three-year term ending in 2012;
 
(2) to ratify the appointment of Crowe Horwath LLP as National Bancshares Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditors) for the year ending December 31, 2009; and
 
(3) to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
 
Holders of common shares of record at the close of business on March 13, 2009 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
James R. VanSickle
Chief Financial Officer
 
April 3, 2009
 
Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the Shareholder Meeting to be held on April 23, 2009. The Company’s Proxy Statement and Annual Report to security holders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 is also available at www.fnborrville.com/reports.


 

NATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION
112 West Market Street
Orrville, Ohio 44667
(330) 682-1010
 
PROXY STATEMENT
 
This proxy statement is furnished by National Bancshares Corporation (“National Bancshares”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, First National Bank of Orrville (the “Bank” and collectively with National Bancshares, the “Company”) in connection with the solicitation by National Bancshares’ Board of Directors (the “Board”) of proxies to be used at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 2:00 pm local time at the Operations Center of First National Bank, 1444 North Main Street, Orrville, Ohio. The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and this proxy statement are first being mailed to shareholders on or about April 2, 2009. Holders of common shares of record on March 13, 2009 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING
 
Purpose of the Meeting — At the Annual Meeting we will ask National Bancshares Corporation shareholders to elect four directors to serve until the 2012 annual meeting or until their successors are elected and qualified and to ratify the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditors) for the year ending December 31, 2009.
 
Voting and Revocation of Proxies — Proxies solicited by the Board may be used at the Annual Meeting and any postponement or adjournments thereof only and will not be used for any other meeting. The proxies will be voted in accordance with the directions given. If no directions are given, proxies will be voted FOR the election of each of the individuals nominated by the Board.
 
Shareholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at any time, but revocation will not affect a vote previously taken. You may revoke a proxy by:
 
  •  attending the Annual Meeting and advising National Bancshares Corporation’s Secretary that you intend to vote in person (your attendance at the Annual Meeting will not constitute revocation of a proxy);
 
  •  giving a subsequent proxy relating to the same shares; or
 
  •  filing with the Secretary at or before the Annual Meeting a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy.
 
A written notice revoking a proxy should be delivered to Mr. James R. VanSickle, Chief Financial Officer, National Bancshares Corporation, 112 West Market Street, PO Box 57, Orrville, Ohio 44667. Unless revoked, the shares represented by proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting.
 
Record Date and Outstanding Shares; Quorum — On the Record Date for the meeting there were 2,202,368 common shares of National Bancshares issued and outstanding. To constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting, according to Article II, section 7 of National Bancshares’ Code of Regulations, the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power must be present in person or by proxy. Proxies marked “abstain” will be considered present for purposes of establishing that a quorum exists. Likewise, shares held by brokers in street name that are voted on at least one proposal will be considered present for purposes of establishing that a quorum exists.
 
Vote Required and Cumulative Voting — Directors are elected by a plurality vote. Accordingly, nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected. Votes that are withheld in the election of directors will, therefore, have no effect.


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Shareholders may vote cumulatively in the election of directors. To invoke the right to vote cumulatively in the election of directors, according to Ohio general corporation law section 1701.55(C), a shareholder must give advance written notice of his or her desire that voting in the election of directors be cumulative. The notice must be given to National Bancshares’ President or Chief Financial Officer at least 48 hours before the time fixed for holding a meeting to elect directors. If, at the convening of the meeting, an announcement of the cumulative voting notice is then made by the chairman of the meeting, or by or on behalf of the shareholder giving the notice, every shareholder will have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. When shares are voted cumulatively, you multiply the number of shares you own by the number of directors to be elected to determine the total number of votes you may cast. You may give any one or more of the nominees any portion of the total number of your votes. Proxies solicited by the Board would also be voted cumulatively if a shareholder properly invokes the right to vote cumulatively. For all purposes other than election of directors, each share is entitled to one vote.
 
Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes — Abstention may be specified on all proposals except the election of directors. Although abstentions are counted for purposes of establishing that a quorum is present, abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted as votes cast. Because directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the election of directors.
 
Solicitation of Proxies — In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, the Company, through its directors, officers and regular employees, may also solicit proxies personally or by telephone, without additional compensation. The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding proxy material to the beneficial owners of common shares.
 
Voting Securities and Principal Holders — The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of National Bancshares’ common shares by each of its directors, director nominees and named executive officers, and the directors and named executive officers as a group, as of the Record Date. For purposes of the table, a person is considered to beneficially own any shares over which he or she exercises sole or shared voting or investment power, or of which he or she has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Unless otherwise indicated, voting power and investment power are exercised solely by the person named or are shared with members of his or her household. Shares deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing “Percent of Class” are calculated on the basis of 2,202,368 shares outstanding as of the Record Date.
 
                 
    Common shares
       
    beneficially
    Percent
 
Directors, director nominees and named executive officers
  owned     of Class  
 
Sara Steinbrenner Balzarini
    18,437       *  
John P. Cook, CPA, Ph.D. 
    2,300       *  
Bobbi E. Douglas
    401       *  
Thomas M. Fast
    200       *  
John W. Kropf(1)
    38,234       1.74 %
John L. Muhlbach, Jr. 
    1,000       *  
Victor Schantz
    11,300       *  
Steve Schmid(2)
    5,974       *  
James R. VanSickle
    1,417       *  
David C. Vernon
    2,400       *  
Howard J. Wenger(3)
    78,730       3.18 %
Albert W. Yeagley
    1,622       *  
All directors, nominees and executive officers as a group (15 people)
    162,935       7.38 %
 
 
 * Beneficial ownership is less than 1% of the class
 
(1) Includes 5,880 common shares owned by John W. Kropf’s spouse.
 
(2) Includes 4,982 common shares owned by Steve Schmid’s spouse.
 
(3) Includes 10,685 common shares owned by Howard J. Wenger’s spouse.


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As of the Record Date, no person was known by National Bancshares to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding common shares of National Bancshares, except as follows:
 
                 
    Common shares
   
    beneficially
  Percent
Name and address of beneficial owner
  owned   of Class
 
MacNealy Hoover Investment Management, Inc. 
200 Market Avenue North, Suite 200
Canton, Ohio 44702
    168,886 (1)     7.67 %
                 
 
 
(1) According to a Schedule 13D/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 4, 2009, (i) MacNealy Hoover Investment Management, Inc. (“MacNealy”) beneficially owns 163,486 common shares in various client accounts as an investment adviser, or 7.42% of National Bancshares’ outstanding common shares, (ii) Harry C. MacNealy beneficially owns 4,500 common shares held in his personal accounts, or 0.20% of National Bancshares’ outstanding common shares, (iii) Charles H. Hoover, beneficially owns 900 common shares, or 0.04% of National Bancshares’ outstanding common shares. Mr. MacNealy is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of MacNealy and Mr. Hoover is the President of MacNealy, and, together, they have the power to vote 168,886 common shares, or 7.67% of National Bancshares outstanding common shares and have shared dispositive power over 169,386 shares.


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PROPOSAL NUMBER 1
 
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
Classification and Vacancies — The Board is divided into three classes, with one class elected each year for a three-year term. A total of 11 directors are authorized by National Bancshares’ Code of Regulations, Article III, section 1. There are currently ten individuals serving as directors. There is no vacancy in the class of directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting. There is one vacancy in the class of directors whose terms will expire at the annual meeting in 2010. This vacancy can be filled at any time by a majority of the whole Board.
 
Nominees for Election as Directors — The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the nominees for election as Class I Directors of National Bancshares, for terms to expire in 2012, who will be voted upon at the Annul Meeting. There were no agreements, arrangements or understandings pursuant to which the persons listed below were selected as directors or nominees for directors. If any nominee is unable or unwilling to serve as a director on the date of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board.
 
                             
            Current
   
        Director
  Term
   
    Age   since *   expires   Principal occupation in the last 5 years
 
Bobbi E. Douglas
    50       1998       2009     Bobbi E. Douglas is Executive Director of STEPS at Liberty Center and Every Woman’s House, social service organizations.
                             
John L. Muhlbach, Jr. 
    62       2007       2009     John L. Muhlbach, Jr. is Vice President of A.A. Hammersmith Insurance, Inc.
                             
Victor B. Schantz
    56       2007       2009     Victor B. Schantz is President of the Schantz Organ Company, a custom manufacturer of pipe organs for churches.
                             
Howard J. Wenger
    66       1998       2009     Howard J. Wenger is the President of Wenger Excavating, Inc., Northstar Asphalt, Inc., Lake Region Oil, Inc., Massillon Materials, Inc., and Stark Materials, Inc., excavating and building materials companies operating from Dalton, Ohio.
 
 
* Indicates the year first elected to the Board of the Company or in Mr. Vernon’s case, the year in which he was appointed as a director by the Board.


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Directors Continuing in Office — The following table sets forth certain information with respect to Class II and Class III Directors of National Bancshares. There were no agreements or understandings pursuant to which any of the persons listed below were elected as directors.
 
                             
                Current
     
          Director
    Term
     
    Age     since *     expires     Principal occupation in the last 5 years
 
Class II
Sara Steinbrenner Balzarini
    52       1989       2010     Sara Steinbrenner Balzarini is a partner of Paramount Tennis, LLC. Previously, she was a member of the Management Committee of Contours, Ltd., a manufacturing firm in Orrville, Ohio from June 1998 through August 2003, where she served in a consulting capacity. Prior to June 1998, she was CFO of Contours, Inc.
Steve Schmid
    57       1989       2010     Steve Schmid is the President of Smith Dairy Products and Schmid Incorporated, dairy products manufacturers and distributors serving a multi-state area.
Albert W. Yeagley
    61       1997       2010     Albert W. Yeagley has been employed by the J.M. Smucker Company since 1974. He currently serves as Vice President, Industry and Government Affairs. He previously served as Vice President of Quality Assurance at J.M. Smucker Company.
Class III
John P. Cook, CPA, Ph.D. 
    61       2005       2011     John P. Cook, CPA, Ph.D. is a partner/shareholder of the firm of Long, Cook & Samsa, Inc., Certified Public Accountants/Consultants since December 2000. Previously, he was a Partner of Cook and Samsa, Certified Public Accountants.
John W. Kropf
    65       1974       2011     John W. Kropf, Chairman of the Board, is an attorney and a partner of the law firm Kropf, Wagner, Lutz & VanSickle, L.L.P. in Orrville, Ohio. Currently, he serves as Chairman of the Board of Baldwin Wallace College, in Berea, Ohio.
David C. Vernon
    68       2006       2011     In addition to serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bancshares Corporation and First National Bank, David C. Vernon serves as Chairman Emeritus of Central Federal Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary CFBank, a federally chartered savings association headquartered in Fairlawn in Summit County, Ohio. Mr. Vernon served as Vice Chairman of Central Federal Corporation and CFBank from January 1, 2006 until February 29, 2008. Mr. Vernon served as Chairman of Central Federal Corporation and CFBank from January 2003 until January 1, 2006. Mr. Vernon also served as Central Federal Corporation’s and CFBank’s Chief Executive Officer in 2003 and 2004 and as President of both companies from March 2003 to January 2005. Central Federal Corporation has securities registered under the Securities Act of 1934 and its stock trades on Nasdaq under the symbol “CFBK”. Before joining Central Federal Corporation and CFBank, Mr. Vernon was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Founders Capital Corporation in Akron, Ohio from September 2002 to February 2003; a Strategic Planning Consultant to Westfield Bank in Westfield, Ohio from May 2000 to July 2002; a consultant to Champaign National Bank in Urbana, Ohio from July 1999 to April 2002; and a Consultant to First Place Bank in Warren, Ohio from April 1999 to February 2001. In February 1999, Mr. Vernon retired as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Summit Bank, an Akron-area Community bank he founded in January 1991.


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The Board of National Bancshares and the board of directors of the Bank are comprised of the same ten individuals currently serving as directors; however, the Bank’s directors serve one-year terms. We expect all of National Bancshares’ directors, including the nominees standing for election at the Annual Meeting, will be nominated and elected to serve as directors of the Bank for the following year.
 
The Board has a mandatory retirement age of 75 years old. During 2009, there are no directors who will be attaining the age of 75.
 
There are no family relationships among any of National Bancshares’ directors, director nominees or executive officers. No director, director nominee or executive officer of National Bancshares, other than Mr. Vernon, serves as a director of (l) a company with a class of securities registered under or that is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or (2) any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. None of National Bancshares’ directors, director nominees or executive officers have been involved in any legal proceedings concerning bankruptcy, either individually or in respect of any businesses with which they have been involved. In addition, none of the continuing directors or director nominees has been convicted of any crime, excluding traffic violations and similar minor offenses.
 
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE IN THIS PROPOSAL NUMBER 1.


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PROPOSAL NUMBER 2
 
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF NATIONAL BANCSHARES’
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
 
At its March 16, 2009 Audit Committee meeting, the Audit Committee of National Bancshares’ recommended and approved the appointment of Crowe Horwath LLP (“Crowe”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditors) to examine the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2009. National Bancshares is seeking the shareholders’ ratification of such action.
 
Crowe served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. On September 1, 2008, Crowe changed their official name to Crowe Horwath LLP from Crowe Chizek and Company LLC. We expect one or more representatives of Crowe will attend the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if the representative(s) desires to do so, and will be available to answer appropriate questions.
 
Crowe has informed the Company that all, or substantially all, of the audit and other services provided by Crowe were performed by full-time, permanent employees of Crowe. The Company paid Crowe for fees aggregating $97,517 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and $109,283 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, consisting of the following:
 
Audit Fees — For the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, and reviews of the financial statements included in National Bancshares’ Quarterly Reports on Form l0-Q, the Company paid Crowe aggregate fees of $80,762 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, and $87,900 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Audit-Related Fees — For all audit-related services provided, the Company paid Crowe aggregate fees of $8,940 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and $10,895 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The audit-related services and fees paid in 2008 were primarily related to the review of Form S-8 related to the stock option plan, the securitization of mortgage loans, the sale of the Visa credit card portfolio, and the other than temporary impairment of FHLMC Preferred Stock. The audit-related services and fees paid in 2007 were primarily related to the review of an insurance claim related to a 2006 fraud incident, adoption of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board No. 48, and consultations related to internal controls for information technology.
 
Tax Fees — For all tax services provided, the Company paid Crowe aggregate fees of $7,815 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and $7,900 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The tax services and fees paid in 2008 and 2007 were related to annual tax filings.
 
All Other Fees — The Company did not incur any other fees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. For all other services provided, the Company paid Crowe aggregate fees of $2,588 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The fees for fiscal year 2007 were primarily related to the purchase of an information resource to assist management with the responsibility of issuing a report related to the internal controls over financial reporting.
 
The Audit Committee of the Company has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all audit and permitted non-audit services provided by its independent registered public accounting firm, including the fees and terms for such services, prior to the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm with respect to such services. The Chair of the Audit Committee has been delegated the authority by the Audit Committee to evaluate and pre-approve the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for audit and permitted non-audit services between the regularly scheduled meetings of the Audit Committee. The Chair must report all such pre-approvals to the entire Audit Committee at the next committee meeting. All of the services described above for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 were pre-approved for 2008 by the Audit Committee.
 
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL NUMBER 2.


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
Meeting Attendance — The Board met twelve times in 2008. During the portion of 2008 in which he or she served as a director, every director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (a) the total number of meetings of National Bancshares’ Board held in 2008; and (b) the total number of meetings held by all National Bancshares’ board committees on which he or she served (the Board currently has four committees, the Audit Committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Compensation and Management Development Committee and the Charitable Giving Committee). The Board also encourages all directors to attend the Annual Meeting of National Bancshares’ shareholders, but has no formal policies regarding such attendance. Nine of the ten incumbent directors at the time of the 2008 National Bancshares Annual Meeting of Shareholders attended such annual meeting.
 
Director Independence — The Board has determined that all members of the Board are independent directors within the meaning of Rule 4200 (a)(15) of the marketplace rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, with the exception of David C. Vernon and John W. Kropf.
 
Communications with the Board — Shareholders may communicate with one or more directors, or the entire Board, about matters of interest to those shareholders alone or to all shareholders. Management and the Board value dialogue with shareholders. If you desire to communicate with, or state your views and concerns to the Board, you may write to the Board, care of the Audit Committee, at 112 West Market Street, PO Box 57, Orrville, Ohio 44667. You must not expect a prompt substantive or detailed response. Your written communication will be taken into account by the Board.
 
Committees of the Board
 
The Board has four standing committees, the Audit Committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Compensation and Management Development Committee and the Charitable Giving Committee. In addition to the Board’s four standing committees, the Bank has an Executive Committee, which is comprised solely of members of the Board.
 
Audit Committee — Established in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Audit Committee oversees the auditing, accounting and financial reporting processes of National Bancshares. In fulfilling its oversight and responsibilities, this committee, among other things, reviewed with management the audited financial statements in the Annual Report, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. Members of the Audit Committee are Sara Steinbrenner Balzarini, John P. Cook, CPA, Ph. D., Howard J. Wenger and Albert W. Yeagley. These individuals also serve as the Audit Committee of the Bank, performing the same Audit Committee functions at the Bank.
 
Each year the Audit Committee reviews and assesses the adequacies of a written Audit Committee Charter. Any changes to the Charter are approved by the Board. A current copy of the Audit Committee Charter may be found on the Company’s website at www.fnborrville.com.
 
In the opinion of the Board, none of the members of the Audit Committee have a relationship with National Bancshares, or the Bank, that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out their responsibilities as directors. In addition, none of them are, or have for the past three years, been executive officers of National Bancshares or the Bank. In the opinion of the Board, each member of the Audit Committee is an “independent director,” as that term is defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the marketplace rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. John P. Cook, CPA, Ph. D. has been designated as the “Audit Committee Financial Expert” by the Board.
 
The Audit Committee has engaged Crowe Horwath LLP to continue its service as independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditors) for 2009. Consistent with the Audit Committee Charter, and to ensure the auditor will be considered independent under the rules of the SEC, the independent auditor will be engaged, and its compensation will be established solely by the Audit Committee. All audit and other services provided by the independent auditor must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee, with limited exceptions permitted by SEC rules. The Audit Committee exercises exclusive oversight of the independent auditor, which


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reports directly to the Audit Committee. National Bancshares common shares are not currently listed on a public stock exchange, but is traded in the Over-The-Counter market. During fiscal year 2008, the Audit Committee met four (4) times.
 
Audit Committee Report — The Audit Committee has submitted the following report for inclusion in this proxy statement:
 
The Audit Committee has reviewed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 and has discussed the audited financial statements with management. The Audit Committee has also discussed with Crowe Horwath LLP, National Bancshares’ independent auditor, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61(SAS), as amended, “Communications with Audit Committees.” The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Crowe Horwath LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard (ISBS) No. 1 “Independence Discussion with Audit Committees,” and has discussed with Crowe Horwath LLP the independent auditor’s independence.
 
The Audit Committee has reviewed the non-audit services currently provided by National Bancshares’ independent auditor and has considered whether the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining the independence of the independent auditors.
 
Based on the Audit Committee’s review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements of National Bancshares Corporation be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Submitted by the Members of the Audit Committee,
 
 
Sara Steinbrenner Balzarini
John P. Cook
Howard J. Wenger
Albert W. Yeagley
 
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee — The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, created in March 2007, is responsible for assisting the Board in identifying and recommending individuals for nomination as members of the Board and its committees, and for developing, recommending to the Board and implementing a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company, its directors, officer and employees. Members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are John W. Kropf (Chairman of the Board), Bobbi E. Douglas and Steve Schmid. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has not employed any third party consultants to identify suitable director candidates. During fiscal year 2008, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee did not meet.
 
The process for identifying director candidates is a highly subjective one that is not based solely upon facts about a candidate’s credentials. The process includes existing directors’ perceptions about a candidate, their analysis of Board strengths and weaknesses, projections about future Board needs and the candidate’s ability to address them, and a variety of other subjective and intangible factors. An evaluation of the director candidate’s attributes include, but is not limited to, the following:
 
  •  Background, business and leadership experience;
 
  •  Knowledge of banking;
 
  •  Potential contribution to the direction of the Company;
 
  •  Ability to promote business growth through business and community contacts and referrals;
 
  •  Reputation in the community;
 
  •  Special skills in matters of interest to the Company, such as accounting, finance, legal, or regulatory experience;


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  •  Point of view concerning the existing and future business of the Company, including but not limited to, the Bank’s competitive position and its role as an independent community banking organization;
 
  •  Investment in the common shares of National Bancshares and commitment to investing in the common shares of National Bancshares over time;
 
  •  Ability to communicate with, and to work cooperatively in, a diverse group of directors;
 
  •  Qualify as an independent director under evolving corporate governance standards and marketplace rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market; and
 
  •  Any business interests or other commitments or interests that might interfere with the ability to participate fully in the affairs of the board and its committees.
 
Shareholders have the right to make nominations to the Board, including the right to nominate one or more persons to fill director vacancies, but National Bancshares’ Code of Regulations does not specify a shareholder nomination procedure. A shareholder desiring to nominate a director candidate should deliver to National Bancshares’ Secretary written notice containing information about the nominee, including the name and age of the nominee, the nominee’s principal occupation, and the number of common shares of National Bancshares the nominee owns. The written consent of the nominee to serve as a director must also be provided. The shareholder’s notice should be delivered to National Bancshares’ Chief Financial Officer by December 31 if the shareholder desires that his or her nominee be considered for nomination at the annual meeting in the following year. The notice should also contain information about the shareholder making the nomination, including (1) the name and address of the shareholder (or of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made); (2) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of National Bancshares common shares entitled to vote at the annual meeting and that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to nominate the person specified in the notice; (3) the number of common shares of National Bancshares owned beneficially and of record by the shareholder (and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made); (4) a description of all arrangements or understandings under which the nomination is being made between or among any of (a) the shareholder; (b) the beneficial owner on whose behalf the notice is given; (c)  each nominee; and (d) any other person, naming that person; and (5) such other information about the nominee as is required in a proxy statement filed under the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
 
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider a shareholder’s nomination for director, however, such Committee has final authority to decide who the director nominees will be, based on the Committee’s assessment of the factors outlined above.
 
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has adopted a charter, which was approved by the Board. A copy of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter may be found on the Company’s website at www.fnborrville.com.
 
Compensation and Management Development Committee — The Compensation and Management Development Committee, created in March 2007, is responsible for evaluating the director and officer compensation plans, policies, and programs of the Company and recommending the same to the Board of Directors for approval. The Compensation and Management Development Committee was created to assist the Board in the discharge of the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation for the Company’s directors and Chief Executive Officer. Members of the Compensation and Management Development Committee are John W. Kropf (Chairman of the Board), Steve Schmid and Howard J. Wenger. During fiscal year 2008, the Compensation and Management Development Committee did not meet.
 
The Compensation and Management Development Committee, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, establishes the general compensation philosophy, and oversees the review, development and implementation of the Company’s compensation programs. The Compensation and Management Development Committee’s compensation philosophy is to reward both individual performance and Company performance, while maintaining compensation at a level consistent with compensation paid to directors and executive officers of comparably sized financial institutions in the Company’s market. The Compensation and Management Development Committee, without the consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for reviewing and recommending to the


10


 

Board, the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation based on the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in reaching the individual performance goals established by the Compensation and Management Development Committee.
 
The Compensation and Management Development Committee has the authority to discharge its duties and responsibilities, including the authority to obtain information from the officers of the Company, select, retain, terminate, and approve the fees and terms of compensation of experts or consultants, or legal counsel, as it deems appropriate.
 
The Compensation and Management Development Committee has adopted a charter, which was approved by the Board. A copy of the Compensation and Management Development Committee Charter may be found on the Company’s website at www.fnborrville.com.
 
Charitable Giving Committee — The Charitable Giving Committee, created on August 21, 2007, is responsible for identifying and recommending charitable giving and other philanthropic opportunities to the Board in accordance with the Charitable Giving Policy of the Company. Members of the Charitable Giving Committee are John W. Kropf (Chairman of the Board), Bobbi E. Douglas and Steve Schmid.
 
Executive Committee of the Bank — The Executive Committee of the Bank (the “Executive Committee”) performed the functions of a nominating committee and a compensation committee prior to the creation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Compensation and Management Development Committee. Members of the Executive Committee, who are also directors of National Bancshares, include John W. Kropf (Chairman of the Board), Steve Schmid and David C. Vernon (President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company). During fiscal year 2008, the Executive Committee met 13 times. In general, the Executive Committee is responsible for Bank asset and liability management, interest rate risk management and functions as the board loan committee when the full board is not in session. The Executive Committee also exercises much of the authority of the Bank’s board of directors when the full board is not in session.


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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
Summary Compensation Table
 
                                                                         
                            Nonqualified
       
                        Non-equity
  Deferred
       
                Stock
  Option
  Incentive Plan
  Compensation
  All Other
   
Name and Principal Position
  Year   Salary($)   Bonus($)   Awards($)   Awards($)   Compensation($)   Earnings   Compensation($)   Total($)
 
David C. Vernon
    2008     $ 265,500 (1)   $ 25,000 (3)   $     $ 4,875 (12)   $     $     $ 24,993 (4)   $ 315,493  
President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bancshares     2007     $ 235,241 (2)   $     $     $     $     $     $ 22,387 (5)   $ 257,628  
and First National Bank                                                                        
James R. VanSickle
    2008     $ 130,417     $ 10,000 (6)   $     $ 2,438 (12)   $     $     $ 10,002 (7)   $ 152,857  
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of National Bancshares     2007     $ 69,946     $     $     $     $     $     $ 3,799 (8)   $ 73,745  
and First National Bank                                                                        
Thomas M. Fast
    2008     $ 125,000     $ 5,000 (9)   $     $ 2,438 (12)   $     $     $ 12,854 (10)   $ 145,292  
Senior Vice President and Senior Loan Officer     2007     $ 57,612     $     $     $     $     $     $ 3,677 (11)   $ 61,289  
of First National Bank                                                                        
 
 
(1) Compensation reported in this column includes Directors Fees of $15,500.
 
(2) Compensation reported in this column includes Directors Fees of $10,241 for the period beginning on April 17, 2007, the date on which Mr. Vernon was elected as a Director of National Bancshares Corporation and First National Bank.
 
(3) Bonus amount reported in this column was earned by Mr. Vernon in 2007, but paid on January 15, 2008.
 
(4) Compensation reported in this column includes perquisites of housing reimbursement of $13,121, mileage reimbursement of $8,300 and employer portion of health insurance coverage of $3,572.
 
(5) Compensation reported in this column includes $305 cash payment from the Bank equal to 20% of the purchase price of 100 National Bancshares Corporation common shares acquired by the employee on the open market; and perquisites of housing reimbursement of $13,537 and mileage reimbursement of $8,045.
 
(6) Bonus amount reported in this column was earned by Mr. VanSickle in 2007 and paid on January 15, 2008.
 
(7) Compensation reported in this column includes employer portion of health insurance coverage of $5,645, employer contributions under the Bank’s 401(k) plan of $4,057; and $300 cash payment from the Bank equal to 20% of the purchase price of 100 National Bancshares Corporation common shares acquired by the employee on the open market.
 
(8) Compensation reported in this column includes employer portion of health insurance coverage of $2,546, employer contributions under the Bank’s 401(k) plan of $938 for the period beginning on June 16, 2007, the date on which Mr. VanSickle joined the National Bancshares Corporation and First National Bank; and $315 cash payment from the Bank equal to 20% of the purchase price of 100 National Bancshares Corporation common shares acquired by the employee on the open market.
 
(9) Bonus amount reported in this column was earned by Mr. Fast in 2007 and paid on January 15, 2008.
 
(10) Compensation reported in this column includes employer portion of health insurance coverage of $8,954 and employer contributions under the Bank’s 401(k) plan of $3,526.
 
(11) Compensation reported in this column includes employer portion of health insurance coverage of $3,357 for the period beginning on July 16, 2007, the date on which Mr. Fast joined First National Bank; and $320 cash payment from the Bank equal to 20% of the purchase price of 100 National Bancshares Corporation common shares acquired by the employee on the open market.
 
(12) Amounts calculated utilizing the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payments.” See Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008 regarding assumptions underlying valuation of equity awards.


12


 

 
Narrative Discussion to the Summary Compensation Table
 
Employment Agreement with Mr. Vernon — In December 2006, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Vernon. Effective November 18, 2008, the term of Mr. Vernon’s employment period was amended to continue until December 31, 2011 and shall be automatically extended for one year periods thereafter, unless Mr. Vernon receives written notice from the Board of Directors on or before November 30, 2011 that the employment period will end on December 31, 2011.
 
Mr. Vernon’s employment agreement and amendments thereto entitled him to an annual salary of $225,000 beginning November 14, 2006 and such salary remained the same through the end of fiscal year 2007. Pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors on November 20, 2007, effective January 1, 2008, Mr. Vernon’s salary was increased to $250,000 and he was granted a bonus in the amount of $25,000 payable on January 15, 2008. Mr. Vernon’s salary increase and bonus payment were based on the 47% increase in earnings over 2006 and the overall improvement of the Bank’s performance.
 
As part of the Mr. Vernon’s employment agreement and amendments thereto, the Bank reimbursed Mr. Vernon for reasonable expenses incurred by him on behalf of the Bank in performance of his duties, including weekly travel to and from his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the standard mileage rate as set forth by the Internal Revenue Service, $0.505 per mile from the January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008 and $0.585 per mile from July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. Pursuant to Mr. Vernon’s employment agreement and amendments thereto, the Bank reimbursed Mr. Vernon for reasonable housing expenses in Wayne County, Ohio, where he resides during the business week, in the amount of $1,093 per month. The various reimbursement amounts that were paid during fiscal year 2008 to Mr. Vernon are included in the “All other compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table.
 
Equity Incentive Plan — On February 19, 2008, the Board adopted an Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”), which was approved by the shareholders at the 2008 Annual Meeting. A key objective of the Equity Incentive Plan is to promote the success of the Company’s business by providing appropriate equity incentives to officers, employees, consultants and non-employee directors. The Equity Incentive Plan provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other stock-based awards and performance-based compensation (sometimes referred to individually or collectively as “Awards”). All Awards granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.
 
The Equity Incentive Plan helps the Company to (i) attract and retain qualified non-employee directors, executives and other key employees and consultants with appropriate equity-based awards, (ii) motivate high levels of performance, (iii) recognize employee contributions to the Company’s success, and (iv) align the interest of Plan participants with those of the Company’s shareholders.
 
The Equity Incentive Plan also helps the Company to remain competitive for qualified non-employee directors and executives, and skilled employees and consultants in the banking industry, particularly against similar companies competing for the same talent pool.
 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
 
                                                                         
    Option Awards     Stock Awards  
                Equity
                                  Equity
 
                Incentive Plan
                            Equity
    Incentive Plan
 
                Awards:
                            Incentive Plan
    Awards:
 
    Number of
    Number of
    Number of
                            Awards:
    Market or
 
    Securities
    Securities
    Securities
                      Market Value of
    Number of
    Payout Value of
 
    Underlying
    Underlying
    Underlying
                Number of Shares
    Shares of Units
    Unearned Shares,
    Unearned Shares,
 
    Unexercised
    Unexercised
    Unexercised
    Option
    Option
    or Units of Stock
    of Stock That
    Units or Other
    Units or Other
 
    Options(#)
    Options(#)
    Unearned
    Exercise
    Expiration
    That Have Not
    Have Not
    Rights That Have
    Rights That Have
 
Name
  Exercisable     Unexercisable     Options(#)     Price($)     Date     Vested(#)     Vested(#)     Not Vested(#)     Not Vested($)  
 
David C. Vernon
            10,000 (1)           $ 18.03       5/20/2018                                  
James R. VanSickle
            5,000 (1)           $ 18.03       5/20/2018                                  
Thomas M. Fast
            5,000 (1)           $ 18.03       5/20/2018                                  
 
 
(1) These stock options become exercisable in one-fifth increments over five years commencing May 20, 2009.


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Director Compensation Table
 
                                                         
                      Non-Equity
    Non-Qualified
             
    Fees Earned
                Incentive
    Deferred
             
    or Paid
    Stock
    Option
    Plan
    Compensation
    All Other
       
Name
  In Cash($)     Awards($)     Awards($)     Compensation($)     Earnings($)     Compensation($)     Total ($)  
 
Sara Steinbrenner Balzarini
  $ 16,200 (1)   $     $ 975 (11)   $     $     $ 8,954 (6)   $ 26,129  
John P. Cook
  $ 18,700 (2)   $     $ 975 (11)   $     $     $     $ 19,675  
Bobbi E. Douglas
  $ 16,200 (3)   $     $ 975 (11)   $     $     $     $ 17,175  
John W. Kropf
  $ 40,200 (4)   $     $ 975 (11)   $     $     $ 6,881 (6)   $ 48,056  
John L. Muhlbach, Jr. 
  $ 16,200 (5)   $     $ 975 (11)   $     $     $     $ 17,175  
Victor B. Schantz
  $ 16,200 (7)   $     $ 975 (11)   $     $     $     $ 17,175  
Steve Schmid
  $ 16,200 (8)   $     $ 975 (11)   $     $     $     $ 17,175  
Howard J. Wenger
  $ 16,200 (9)   $     $ 975 (11)   $     $ 1,511 (10)   $     $ 18,686  
Albert W. Yeagley
  $ 16,200 (9)   $     $ 975 (11)   $     $     $     $ 17,175  
 
 
(1) Compensation reported in this column includes the monthly retainer for serving as a Director of the Company.
 
(2) Compensation reported in this column includes the monthly retainer for serving as a Director of the Company and for serving as Audit Committee Chairperson.
 
(3) Compensation reported in this column includes the monthly retainer for serving as a Director of the Company.
 
(4) Compensation reported in this column includes the monthly retainer for serving as a Director of the Company and for serving as Chairman of the Board.
 
(5) Compensation reported in this column includes the monthly retainer for serving as a Director of the Company.
 
(6) Compensation reported in this column includes health insurance coverage provided by the Bank.
 
(7) Compensation reported in this column includes the monthly retainer for serving as a Director of the Company.
 
(8) Compensation reported in this column includes the monthly retainer for serving as a Director of the Company.
 
(9) Compensation reported in this column includes the monthly retainer for serving as a Director of the Company.
 
(10) Compensation reported in this column includes Mr. Wenger’s earnings on his deferred directors’ fees in the amount of $1,511. According to the Deferred Directors’ Fees Plan for 2008, Mr. Wenger’s deferred fees earned a rate of 1.25%.
 
(11) Amounts calculated utilizing the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payments.” See Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008 regarding assumptions underlying valuation of equity awards. All options were granted on May 20, 2008, at an exercise price of $18.03 per share, will expire on May 20, 2018 and vest in one-fifth annual installments beginning on May 20, 2009. At December 31, 2008, each director had 2,000 options outstanding of Common Stock.
 
Narrative to the Director Compensation Table
 
Director Fees — For 2008, the members of the Board received a monthly retainer of $1,350 for serving as Board members. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional monthly retainer of $2,000. During 2008, the Board met 12 times. On an annual basis, the compensation for the Board and the related committees is reviewed and re-evaluated by the Board. Board members have the option to receive a semi-annual payment in cash or to defer these fees.
 
The Deferred Directors’ Fees Plan provides each director the option to defer his or her director fees until retirement, up to a maximum of $2,500 per month. The Bank credits interest to a director’s deferred compensation account on December 31 of each year at an interest rate equal to twice the one-year treasury rate as of December 31 of each year, but in no case at a rate less than 8%. However, for years beginning after 2006, the interest rate will equal the Bank’s 12-month certificate of deposit rate. After retirement, the director receives his or her deferred compensation account balance in equal monthly or annual installments for 10 years, or in a lump-sum payment. None of the directors participated in the Deferred Directors’ Fees Plan during fiscal year 2008.


14


 

For 2008, the Chairperson of the Bank’s Audit Committee received an additional annual retainer of $2,500. The Bank’s Audit Committee, which is comprised of the same people who serve on National Bancshares’ Audit Committee and meet simultaneously, met four times in 2008.
 
Retirement Benefits and Deferred Compensation - In August 1994 First National Bank implemented a director retirement benefit and death benefit plan for all directors, entitled, the Directors Defined Benefit Plan (the “Director Plan”). The Director Plan is designed to provide an annual retirement benefit to each director after his or her board service terminates and he or she attains age 70. The retirement benefit is an annual benefit equal to $1,000 multiplied by the years of board service after August 1994. For service during part of a year, a period of six months or more is considered a full year, but a period less than six months is disregarded. The annual retirement benefit is payable for the lifetime of the director, but in no event for fewer than 15 years. If a director dies before receiving 15 annual payments, the balance of the payments is paid to the director’s designated beneficiary or beneficiaries. If a director dies while serving on the Bank’s Board, the Bank will pay the director’s designated beneficiary or beneficiaries 15 successive annual benefit payments, each equal to $1,000 for each year of service from, and after, August 1994 through the date of the director’s death, with the following qualification. If the director has not yet reached seventy (70) years of age at the date of death and is insurable, and the Bank has purchased insurance on his or her life, it shall be assumed for the purpose of calculating this annual benefit that the Director died at age seventy (70). If a director dies before age 70 but after having first terminated director service, the Bank will pay the former director’s designated beneficiary or beneficiaries an annual benefit for 15 years equal to $1,000 for each year of board service from, and after, August 1994 through the director’s termination of board service. The Directors Plan was curtailed during 2007. No additional accrual benefits can be earned as a result of the curtailment.
 
The Bank purchased insurance policies on the lives of the directors as an informal financing mechanism for the Bank’s post-retirement obligations under the Directors Defined Benefit Plan. Since the Bank is the sole beneficiary of the life insurance policy, the directors have no interest in this policy. Although the Bank expects the policies on the directors’ lives to serve as a source of funds for the director retirement benefits payable under the Directors Defined Benefit Plan Agreements, the directors’ contractual entitlements under the Directors Defined Benefit Plan Agreements are not funded and remain contractual liabilities of the Bank, payable when a director terminates service and attains age 70. As mentioned previously, the Bank has a mandatory retirement age of 70 years old for all directors.
 
TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
Directors, officers and their associates were customers of, and had transactions with, the Bank in the ordinary course of business in 2008. Similar transactions can be expected in the future. All loans and loan commitments involving directors, officers and their associates were made by the Bank on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. All loans and loan commitments with directors and executive officers require advanced approval by the Bank’s board of directors.
 
Director John W. Kropf is an attorney in private practice with the law firm Kropf, Wagner, Hohenberger & Lutz, L.L.P., which performs legal services for the Company from time to time. Kropf, Wagner, Hohenberger & Lutz, L.L.P. owns 51% of First Kropf Title, L.L.C.’s equity interests. Payments of approximately $22,815 for various title services were made in 2008 to First Kropf Title, L.L.C. by mortgage loan borrowers of the Bank. All, or substantially all, of First Kropf Title, L.L.C.’s customers are mortgage loan borrowers referred by the Bank. Through his interest in the law firm, Mr. Kropf may be deemed to have an approximate 14% indirect interest in First Kropf Title, L.L.C.
 
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the directors and executive officers of a company whose equity securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any person who owns more than 10% of a registered class of the company’s equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership, and reports of changes in ownership, of National Bancshares’ common shares. During the fiscal year


15


 

ended December 31, 2008, John W. Kropf, director of National Bancshares, failed to file a report required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 due to an unintentional oversight. The appropriate report was filed with the SEC by John W. Kropf on December 17, 2008. Also, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, each of the Company’s Directors and Named Executive Officers failed to file a report required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 due to an unintentional oversight. The appropriate reports were filed with the SEC by each Director and Named Executive Officer on March 19, 2009.
 
PROPOSALS OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
Shareholders desiring to submit a proposal for inclusion in National Bancshares’ proxy materials for the 2010 annual meeting must submit the proposals to National Bancshares at its executive offices no later than November 20, 2009. We will not include in our proxy statement, or form of proxy, for the 2010 annual meeting a shareholder proposal received after that date or that otherwise fails to satisfy the requirements for shareholder proposals established by SEC rules and regulations. Proposals should be sent to David C. Vernon, President and CEO, National Bancshares Corporation, 112 West Market Street, PO Box 57, Orrville, Ohio 44667.
 
If a shareholder intends to present a proposal at the 2010 annual meeting without seeking to include the proposal in National Bancshares’ proxy materials for that meeting, the shareholder must give advance notice to National Bancshares at the address set forth in the preceding paragraph. The shareholder must give such notice at least 45 days before the date in 2010 corresponding to the mailing date of this proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting. This proxy statement is being mailed to shareholders on, or about, March 23, 2009, the date 45 days before the corresponding mailing date in 2010 is therefore February 5, 2010. Accordingly, if you desire to present a proposal at the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders without seeking to include the proposal in National Bancshares’ proxy materials for that meeting, you should provide notice of the proposal to National Bancshares no later than February 5, 2010. If you fail to do so, National Bancshares’ management proxies for the 2010 annual meeting will be entitled to use their discretionary voting authority on that proposal, without any discussion of the matter in National Bancshares’ proxy materials.
 
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS
 
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more shareholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those shareholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for shareholders and cost savings for companies.
 
A single proxy statement and annual report will be delivered to multiple shareholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected shareholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that it will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, please notify your broker, the other holder of record, or direct your written request to National Bancshares Corporation, Attn: James R. VanSickle, 112 West Market Street, PO Box 57, Orrville, Ohio 44667. Shareholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their broker, the other holder of record or National Bancshares.
 
ANNUAL REPORT
 
Our 2008 Annual Report has been mailed to persons who were shareholders as of the close of business on March 13, 2009. Additional copies may be obtained without charge by written request. The 2008 Annual Report is not part of these proxy-soliciting materials and is not incorporated in this proxy statement by reference. National Bancshares files periodic reports and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Copies of the public portions of reports to the SEC may be inspected and copied at the headquarters of the SEC, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. The SEC maintains an Internet web site containing reports, proxy and


16


 

information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that web site is http://www.sec.gov.
 
A copy of National Bancshares Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the SEC but without exhibits, will — on or after April 1, 2009 — be furnished without charge upon written request directed to Mr. James R. VanSickle, Chief Financial Officer, National Bancshares Corporation, 112 West Market Street, PO Box 57, Orrville, Ohio 44667.
 
OTHER BUSINESS
 
The Board is not aware of any business to come before the meeting other than those matters described in this proxy statement. However, if any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, proxies in the accompanying form will be voted on those other matters in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting the proxies, including matters relating to the conduct of the Annual Meeting.


17


 

()   ()
             
x
  PLEASE MARK VOTES
AS IN THIS EXAMPLE
  REVOCABLE PROXY
NATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION
   
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held April 23, 2009 This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENT: That I/We, the undersigned Shareholder or Shareholders of National Bancshares Corporation, Orrville, Ohio, do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint Sara Steinbrenner Balzarini, Steve Schmid, Albert W. Yeagley, or any one of them, (with substitution, for my or our stock and in my or our name, place and stead) to vote all the common stock of said Company, standing in my or our name, on its books on March 13, 2009, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the OPERATIONS CENTER OF FIRST NATIONAL BANK, 1444 NORTH MAIN STREET, ORRVILLE, OHIO, on April 23, 2009 at 2:00 o’clock p.m., or at any adjournment thereof with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present. The shares will be voted in accordance with my specifications.
             
             
Please be sure to date and sign
this proxy card in the box below.
       Date  
     
 
 
         
 
 
  Sign above          
 
 
       
Proposals
                 
            With-   For All
        For   hold   Except
1.  Elect Four (4) Directors to Serve a Three (3) Year Term as Directors of the Company Until Expiration of Their
  c     c     c
Term in 2012 (Except as marked to the contrary below):
 
               
Bobbi E. Douglas
  John L. Muhlbach, Jr.
Victor B. Schantz
       Howard J. Wenger
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark “For All Except” and write that nominee’s name in the space provided below.
 
               
 
        For   Against   Abstain
2.  Ratify the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (independent
  c     c     c
auditors) for the year ending December 31, 2009:
 
               
Crowe Horwath LLP
 
   The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the director nominees, a vote “FOR” the ratification of the independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2009. (THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MAY BE REVOKED PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE.)
   IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT SAID MEETING, THIS PROXY SHALL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

()   ()
()    Detach above card, sign, date and mail in postage paid envelope provided.    ()
NATIONAL BANCSHARES CORPORATION
   INSTRUCTIONS: When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title. If more than one trustee, all should sign. ALL JOINT OWNERS MUST SIGN.
PLEASE ACT PROMPTLY
SIGN, DATE & MAIL YOUR PROXY CARD TODAY
IF YOUR ADDRESS HAS CHANGED, PLEASE CORRECT THE ADDRESS IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW AND RETURN THIS PORTION WITH THE PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
 
 
 
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