def14a_032114.htm
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
 
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. _______)

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Emclaire Financial Corp
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
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EMCLAIRE FINANCIAL CORP
612 MAIN STREET
EMLENTON, PENNSYLVANIA 16373


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF EMCLAIRE FINANCIAL CORP:

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Emclaire Financial Corp (the “Corporation”) will be held at 9:00 a.m., local time, on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at the main office of the Farmers National Bank of Emlenton, 612 Main Street, Emlenton, Pennsylvania 16373, for the following purposes:

1. To elect three (3) directors to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualified;

2. To consider and approve the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan;

3. To ratify the selection of Crowe Horwath LLP, Certified Public Accountants, as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014; and

4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Only those shareholders of record at the close of business on March 3, 2014 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

A copy of the Corporation’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 is being mailed with this notice.

To assure that your shares of common stock will be voted at the meeting, please indicate your voting instructions: (i) over the Internet at www.proxy.ilstk.com, (ii) by telephone at 1-800-555-8140, or (iii) by completing and signing the enclosed proxy card and returning it promptly in the enclosed, postage prepaid, addressed envelope.  No additional postage is required if mailed in the United States.  The giving of a proxy will not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the meeting.
 
 
By Order of the Board of Directors,
   
 
   
 
William C. Marsh
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
March 21, 2014

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 22, 2014
 
The proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Emclaire Financial Corp, including the Proxy Statement and the Corporation’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, are available in the Financial Information section on our website at www.emclairefinancial.com.
 
 
 

 
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD APRIL 22, 2014
 
GENERAL

Introduction, Date, Place and Time of Meeting

This Proxy Statement is being furnished for the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Emclaire Financial Corp (the “Corporation”), a Pennsylvania business corporation, of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation to be held at the main office of the Farmers National Bank of Emlenton (the “Bank”), 612 Main Street, Emlenton, Pennsylvania 16373, on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. local time, or at any adjournment or postponement of the annual meeting.

The main office of the Corporation is located at 612 Main Street, Emlenton, Pennsylvania 16373.  The telephone number for the Corporation is (724) 867-2311.  All inquiries should be directed to William C. Marsh, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are first being sent to shareholders of the Corporation on March 21, 2014.  This Proxy Statement and the Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 are available in the Financial Information section on our website at www.emclairefinancial.com and www.sec.gov.

How to Vote

Shareholders may vote (i) via the Internet at www.proxy.ilstk.com by following the instructions contained on that website and using the Voter Control Numbers provided on your individual proxy, (ii) by telephone at 1-800-555-8140, (iii) by completing and signing the enclosed proxy card and returning it promptly in the enclosed, postage prepaid, addressed envelope, or (iv) appearing at the annual meeting and voting in person.  Proxies properly executed and delivered by shareholders (via the Internet, telephone or by mail as described above) and timely received by us will be voted at the annual meeting in accordance with the instructions contained therein.  If you authorize a proxy to vote your shares over the Internet or by telephone, you should not return a proxy by mail (unless you are revoking your previous proxy).

Solicitation of Proxies

The proxy solicited hereby, if properly voted via the Internet or telephone or signed and returned to us and not revoked prior to its use, will be voted in accordance with your instructions contained in the proxy.  If no contrary instructions are given, each proxy signed and received will be voted in the manner recommended by the Board of Directors and upon the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting in accordance with the best judgment of the persons appointed as proxies.  Proxies solicited hereby may be exercised only at the annual meeting and any adjournment of the annual meeting and will not be used for any other meeting.  Execution and return of the enclosed proxy will not affect a shareholder’s right to attend the annual meeting and vote in person.

The cost of preparing, assembling, mailing and soliciting proxies will be borne by the Corporation.  In addition to the use of the mail, certain directors, officers and employees of the Corporation intend to solicit proxies personally, by telephone and by facsimile.  Arrangements will be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owners of stock held of record by these persons, and, upon request there for, the Corporation will reimburse them for their reasonable forwarding expenses.
 
 
P-1

 
Quorum

The presence of shareholders, in person or by proxy, entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast shall constitute a quorum at the annual meeting.  Abstentions, broker non-votes, which are discussed below, and votes withheld from director nominees count as “shares present” at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum.

Voting

At the close of business on March 3, 2014, the voting record date, the Corporation had outstanding (i) 1,769,908 shares of common stock, $1.25 par value per share, and (ii) 5,000 shares of Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (“Series B Preferred Stock”) issued to the United States Department of the Treasury in August 2011 pursuant to the Small Business Lending Fund (“SBLF”).  Only our shareholders of common stock of record, at the close of business on the voting record date, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the annual meeting.  Each issued and outstanding share of common stock owned on the record date will be entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted on at the annual meeting, in person or by proxy.  The shares of Series B Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote on the matters described in this Proxy Statement for consideration at the annual meeting. 

Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast with a quorum present.  The three persons receiving the greatest number of votes of the holders of common stock represented in person or by proxy at the annual meeting will be elected as directors.  The affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes present in person or by proxy is required to approve the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan and to ratify the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm.

With regard to the election of directors, you may vote in favor of or withhold authority to vote for one or more nominees for director.  Votes that are withheld in connection with the election of one or more nominees for director will not be counted as votes cast for such individuals and accordingly will have no effect.  An abstention may be specified on the proposals to approve the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan and to ratify the appointment of Crowe Horwath LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2014.  Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against these proposals.

Under rules applicable to broker-dealers, the proposals for the election of directors and to approve the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan are considered to be non-routine matters.  Brokerage firms may not vote on non-routine matters in their discretion on behalf of their clients if such clients have not furnished voting instructions.  A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker’s customer does not provide the broker with voting instructions on non-routine matters for shares owned by the customer but held in the name of the broker.  For such non-routine matters, the broker cannot vote on the proposal and reports the number of such shares as “non-votes.”  Because the election of directors and the proposal to approve 2014 Stock Incentive Plan are not considered routine matters, there potentially can be “broker non-votes” at the annual meeting. However, any “broker non-votes” submitted by brokers or nominees in connection with the annual meeting will have no effect on the vote for the election of directors or the proposal to approve the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.

 
P-2

 
Revocation of Proxies and Changing a Vote

A shareholder who votes via the Internet (as described above) or telephone (as described above) or returns a proxy via mail may revoke it at any time before it is voted by: (i) delivering written notice of revocation to Amanda L. Engles, Secretary, Emclaire Financial Corp, 612 Main Street, Post Office Box D, Emlenton, Pennsylvania 16373, telephone:  (724) 867-2311; or (ii) voting in person at the annual meeting after giving written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation.   Executing and returning a later-dated proxy and giving written notice thereof to the Secretary of the Corporation or voting again via the Internet or telephone will revoke the earlier voted proxy.  Only the latest dated proxy, ballot or Internet or telephone proxy submitted by a shareholder prior to the annual meeting will be counted.
 
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 22, 2014

The proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Emclaire Financial Corp, including the Proxy Statement and the Corporation’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, are available in the Financial Information section on our website at www.emclairefinancial.com or www.sec.gov.
 
 

 
 
P-3

 
 
PRINCIPAL BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THE CORPORATION’S COMMON STOCK

Persons and groups owning in excess of 5% of the common stock are required to file certain reports regarding such ownership pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”).  The following table sets forth, as of the voting record date, certain information as to the common stock beneficially owned by (i) persons or groups who own more than 5% of the common stock, (ii) the directors of the Corporation, (iii) certain executive officers of the Corporation included in the Summary Compensation Table (which we refer to as “named executive officers”), and (iv) all directors and executive officers of the Corporation and the Bank as a group.  Other than as noted below, management knows of no person or group that owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock at the voting record date.
 
 
Amount and Nature of
Percent of Outstanding
Common Stock Beneficially
Name and Address
Beneficial Ownership(1)(8)
Owned
Mary E. Dascombe
91,000
 (2)
5.14%
Raleigh, NC  27609
     
       
Directors:
     
George W. Freeman
88,250
 (3)
4.99%
Robert L. Hunter
74,468
 (4)
4.21%
William C. Marsh
48,781
 (5)
2.76%
David L. Cox
35,330
 (6)
2.00%
James M. Crooks
23,811
 (7)
1.35%
Ronald L. Ashbaugh
22,250
 (6)
1.26%
John B. Mason
15,765
 
*
Mark A. Freemer
12,950
 
*
Brian C. McCarrier
10,125
 (6)
*
       
Named Executive Officers:
     
Raymond M. Lawton
15,806
 
*
Matthew J. Lucco
4,164
 
*
       
All directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)
353,419
 
19.96%
_________________
 *
Represents less than 1% of the outstanding common stock.
(1)
Based upon information provided by the respective beneficial owners and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) made pursuant to the 1934 Act.  For purposes of this table, pursuant to rules promulgated under the 1934 Act, an individual is considered to beneficially own shares of common stock if he or she directly or indirectly has or shares (1) voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of the shares, or (2) investment power, which includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of the shares.  Unless otherwise indicated, an individual has sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to the indicated shares.
(2)
Of the 91,000 shares beneficially owned by Mrs. Dascombe, 2,677 shares are owned jointly with her spouse, and 23,937 shares are owned individually by her spouse.
(3)
Of the 88,250 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Freeman, 7,500 shares are owned jointly with his spouse, 1,000 shares are owned jointly with his spouse in a family limited partnership and 38,000 shares are owned individually by his spouse.
(4)
Of the 74,468 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Hunter, 6,353 shares are owned individually by his spouse.
(5)
Of the 48,781 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Marsh, 1,650 shares are owned individually by his spouse.
(6)
All shares owned jointly with spouse.
(7)
Of the 23,811 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Crooks, 3,273 shares are owned jointly with his spouse and 135 shares are owned individually by his spouse.
(8)
Of the shares beneficially owned by Messrs. Freeman, Crooks, Hunter, Ashbaugh, Mason, Freemer and McCarrier, 2,000 shares are vested stock options.  Of the shares beneficially owned by Messrs. Cox, Marsh, and Lawton, 20,000, 20,000, and 14,250, respectively, are vested stock options.
 
 
P-4

 
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

The Corporation’s common stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the 1934 Act.  The officers and directors of the Corporation and beneficial owners of greater than 10% of the common stock are required to file reports on Forms 3, 4, and 5 with the SEC disclosing changes in beneficial ownership of the common stock.  Based on the Corporation’s review of such ownership reports, to the Corporation’s knowledge, no executive officer, director, or 10% beneficial owner of the Corporation failed to file such ownership reports on a timely basis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR,
CONTINUING DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Election of Directors

The Corporation has a classified Board of Directors with staggered three-year terms of office.  In a classified board, the directors are generally divided into separate classes of equal number.  The terms of the separate classes expire in successive years.  Thus, at each annual meeting of shareholders, successors to the class of directors whose term then expires are to be elected to hold office for a term of three years, so that the office of one class will expire each year.

A majority of the members of our Board of Directors are independent based on an assessment of each member’s qualifications by the Board, taking into consideration the NASDAQ Stock Market’s requirements for independence.  The Board of Directors has concluded that Messrs. Freemer, Crooks, Hunter, Freeman, Mason, McCarrier and Ashbaugh do not have any material relationships with the Corporation that would impair their independence.  There are no arrangements or understandings between the Corporation and any person pursuant to which such person has been elected a director.  Shareholders of the Corporation are not permitted to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.

No director or executive officer of the Corporation is related to any other director or executive officer of the Corporation by blood, marriage or adoption, and each of the nominees currently serve as a director of the Corporation.

Unless otherwise directed, each proxy executed and returned by a shareholder will be voted for the election of the nominees for director listed below.  If the person named as nominee should be unable or unwilling to stand for election at the time of the annual meeting, the proxies will nominate and vote for one or more replacement nominees recommended by the Board of Directors.  At this time, the Board of Directors knows of no reason why the nominees listed below may not be able to serve as a director if elected.  Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for any reason may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office until the expiration of the term of office of the class of directors to which he or she was appointed.  Ages are reflected as of December 31, 2013.

 
P-5

 
 Nominees for Director for Three-Year Terms Expiring in 2017

       
Principal Occupation
 
Director Since
Name
 
Age
 
for Past Five Years
 
Bank/Corporation
             
James M. Crooks
 
61
 
Owner, F.L. Crooks Clothing Company, Inc.  As a business owner in the Corporation's market area as well as his many years of service as a director of the Corporation, Mr. Crooks is well qualified to serve as a director.
 
2004/2004
             
Robert L. Hunter
 
72
 
Chairman of: Hunter Truck Sales & Service, Inc.; Hunter Leasing, Inc.; Hunter Keystone Peterbilt, LLP; Hunter Erie Truck Sales LLP; Hunter Jersey Peterbilt, LLC; Hunter Services Inc.  As a business owner in the Corporation's market area as well as his many years of service as a director of the Corporation, Mr. Hunter is well qualified to serve as a director.
 
1974/1989
             
John B. Mason
 
65
 
President, H. B. Beels & Son, Inc.  As a business owner in the Corporation's market area as well as his many years of service as a director of the Corporation, Mr. Mason is well qualified to serve as a director.
 
1985/1989

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” for each of the three (3) directors to serve for three year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

 
P-6

 
Members of the Board of Directors Continuing in Office

Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2015
 
       
Principal Occupation
 
Director Since
Name
 
Age
 
for Past Five Years
 
Bank/Corporation
             
Ronald L. Ashbaugh
 
78
 
Retired, former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and the Corporation. Mr. Ashbaugh's prior service as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer as well as his subsequent years of service as a director provide the Board with valuable knowledge and experience.
 
1971/1989
             
George W. Freeman
 
83
 
General Partner of Freeman’s Tree Farm. As a business owner in the Corporation's market area as well as his many years of service as a director of the Corporation, Mr. Freeman is well qualified to serve as a director.
 
1964/1989
             
Brian C. McCarrier
 
50
 
President, Interstate Pipe and Supply Company. Mr. McCarrier is a certified public accountant. As a business owner in the Corporation's market area as well as his many years of service as a director of the Corporation and his public accounting experience, Mr. McCarrier is well qualified to serve as a director.
 
1997/1997


 
 
P-7

 
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2016

       
Principal Occupation
 
Director Since
Name
 
Age
 
for Past Five Years
 
Bank/Corporation
             
David L. Cox
 
63
 
Retired, former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and the Corporation; from July 2007 to December 2008, Chairman of the Bank and Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Prior to July 2007, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and the Corporation since 1997. Mr. Cox's prior service as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer as well as his subsequent years of service as a director provide the Board with valuable knowledge and experience.
 
1991/1991
             
Mark A. Freemer
 
54
 
Partner, Clyde, Ferraro & Co., LLP, Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Freemer is a certified public accountant. As a business owner in the Corporation's market area as well as his many years of service as a director of the Corporation and his public accounting experience, Mr. Freemer is well qualified to serve as a director.
 
2004/2004
             
William C. Marsh
 
47
 
Since January 1, 2009, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and the Corporation; From July 2007 to December 2008, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation; from June 2006 through June 2007, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation and the Bank. Mr. Marsh is a certified public accountant. Mr. Marsh's positions as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, his extensive background in the banking industry and involvement in business and civic organizations in the communities that the Corporation operates, as well as his prior accounting background provide the Board valuable insight regarding the business and operations of the Corporation.
 
2006/2006
 
 
P-8

 
Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

Board Leadership Structure.  Since the Corporation was founded in 1989, the Corporation has employed a traditional board leadership model, with our Chief Executive Officer also serving as Chairman of our Board of Directors.  We believe this traditional leadership structure benefits the Corporation.  A combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer role helps provide strong, unified leadership for our management team and Board of Directors.  William C. Marsh has served as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since January 1, 2009.  Prior to becoming Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Marsh served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation beginning in 2006.  Our Board of Directors is comprised of nine directors of which seven, or a majority, are independent directors.  The board has three standing committees with separate chairs—the audit, executive and human resources committees.  The audit committee and human resources committee are led by independent directors and our executive committee is comprised of a majority of independent directors.  We do not have a lead independent director position.  The Board has reviewed our Corporation’s current Board leadership structure in light of the composition of the Board, the Corporation’s size, the nature of the Corporation’s business, the regulatory framework under which the Corporation operates, the Corporation’s shareholder base, the Corporation’s peer group and other relevant factors, and has determined that a combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer position, is currently the most appropriate Board leadership structure for our Corporation.  The Board noted the following factors in reaching its determination:

·
The Board acts efficiently and effectively under its current structure, where the Chief Executive Officer also acts as Chairman.
·
A combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is in the best position to be aware of major issues facing the Corporation on a day-to-day and long-term basis, and is in the best position to identify key risks and developments facing the Corporation to be brought to the Board’s attention.
·
A combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer position eliminates the potential for confusion and duplication of efforts, including among employees.
·
A combined Chairman and Chief Executive Officer position eliminates the potential for confusion as to who leads the Corporation, providing the Corporation with a single public “face” in dealing with shareholders, employees, regulators, analysts and other constituencies.

Risk Oversight. The Board’s role in the Corporation’s risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports from members of senior management on areas of material risk to the Corporation, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, and strategic and reputational risks.  The full Board (or the appropriate committee in the case of risks that are under the purview of a particular committee) receives these reports from the appropriate “risk owner” within the organization to enable it to understand our risk identification, risk management and risk mitigation strategies.  When a committee receives the report, the Chairman of the relevant committee reports on the discussion to the full Board during the next Board meeting.  This enables the Board and its committees to coordinate the risk oversight role, particularly with respect to risk interrelationships.

 
P-9

 
Director’s Attendance at Annual Meetings

Although we do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board of Directors at annual meetings of shareholders, all directors are expected to attend the Corporation’s annual meeting of shareholders.  All directors of the Corporation at the time attended the Corporation’s 2013 annual meeting of shareholders.

Committees and Meetings of the Corporation and the Bank

During 2013, the Board of Directors of the Corporation held four regular meetings and three special meetings, and the Board of Directors of the Bank held 12 regular meetings.  Each of the directors attended at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the combined total number of meetings of the Corporation’s Board of Directors and of the committees on which they serve.

Membership on Certain Board Committees.  The Board of Directors of the Corporation has established an audit committee, executive committee and a human resources committee.  The human resources committee functions as the Corporation’s compensation committee.  The Corporation does not have a standing nominating committee and, instead, director nominations are considered by the entire Board.  In light of the size of the Corporation and the fact that the entire Board considers director nominations, the Board believes it is appropriate for the Corporation not to have a standing nomination committee.  The Corporation’s director nomination process is described below.

The following table sets forth the membership of such committees as of the date of this proxy statement.
 
             
Human
 
 
Directors
 
Audit
 
Executive
 
Resources
 
 
Ronald L. Ashbaugh
 
*
 
*
     
 
David L. Cox
     
*
     
 
James M. Crooks
 
*
         
 
George W. Freeman
     
*
 
*
 
 
Mark A. Freemer
 
**
 
*
 
*
 
 
Robert L. Hunter
 
*
 
*
 
**
 
 
William C. Marsh
     
**
     
 
John B. Mason
         
*
 
 
Brian C. McCarrier
 
*
     
*
 
______________________
*
Member
**
Chairman

Audit Committee.  The audit committee of the Board is composed of five members and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.  During 2013, the audit committee consisted of Messrs. Freemer (Chairman), Ashbaugh, Hunter, McCarrier and Crooks.  The Board of Directors has identified Mark A. Freemer as an audit committee financial expert.  The audit committee met four times in 2013.  The Board of Directors has determined that each committee member is “independent,” as defined by Corporation policy, SEC rules and the NASDAQ listing standards.

 
P-10

 
The audit committee charter adopted by the Board sets out the responsibilities, authority and specific duties of the audit committee.  The full text of the audit committee charter is available on our website at www.emclairefinancial.com.  Pursuant to the charter, the audit committee has the following responsibilities:

·
To monitor the preparation of quarterly and annual financial reports;
·
To review the adequacy of internal control systems and financial reporting procedures with management and independent auditors; and
·
To review the general scope of the annual audit and the fees charged by the independent auditors.

Human Resources Committee.  The human resources committee of the Board functions as the compensation committee and has the responsibility to evaluate the performance of and determine the compensation for the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, to approve the compensation structure for senior management and the members of the Board of Directors, to review the Corporation’s salary administration program, and to review and administer the Corporation’s bonus plans, including the management incentive program.

The human resources committee, which is currently composed entirely of independent directors, administers the Corporation’s executive compensation program.  In 2013, the members of the human resources committee consisted of Messrs. Hunter (Chairman), Freeman, Freemer, McCarrier and Mason.  All of the members meet all of the independence requirements under the listing requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

The human resources committee is committed to high standards of corporate governance.  The human resources committee’s charter reflects the foregoing responsibilities and commitment, and the human resources committee and the Board will periodically review and revise the charter, as appropriate.  The full text of the human resources committee charter is available on our website at www.emclairefinancial.com.  The human resources committee’s membership is determined by the Board.  There were four meetings of the full human resources committee in 2013.

The human resources committee has exercised exclusive authority over the compensation paid to the Corporation’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and reviews and approves salary increases and bonuses for the Corporation’s other executive officers as prepared and submitted to the human resources committee by the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.  Although the human resources committee does not delegate any of its authority for determining executive compensation, the human resources committee has the authority under its charter to engage the services of outside advisors, experts and others to assist the human resources committee.
 
 
P-11

 
Director Qualifications and Nomination Process.  The goal of the Board of Directors has been, and continues to be, to identify nominees for service on the Board of Directors who will bring a variety of perspectives and skills from their professional and business experience.  Depending upon the current needs of the Board of Directors and the Corporation, certain factors may be weighed more or less heavily.  Though the Board does not have a formal policy concerning diversity, the Board of Directors values diversity on the Board and believes diversity should be considered in the director identification and nomination process.  The Board of Directors identifies nominees by first evaluating, on an informal basis, the current members of the Board of Directors willing to continue in service.  Current members of the Board of Directors with skills and experience that are relevant to the Corporation’s business and/or unique situation who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination, balancing the value of continuity of service by existing members of the Board of Directors with that of obtaining a new perspective or skill set.  The Board also believes that the backgrounds and qualifications of the directors, considered as a group, should provide a significant composite mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will allow the Board to fulfill its responsibilities.

In light of the Corporation’s business and structure, the Board believes that it benefits from the qualifications of the nominees and incumbent members of the Board identified in this proxy statement above and that each person should serve as a director of the Corporation because each director possesses the attributes discussed in the preceding paragraph and, in addition, because of such person’s (i) diverse business experiences (especially in the case of Messrs. Crooks, Freeman, Freemer, Hunter, Mason and McCarrier), (ii) length of service on the Board and knowledge of the Corporation and Bank (especially in the case of Messrs. Ashbaugh, Cox, Freeman, Hunter, Marsh and Mason), (iii) senior management and leadership experience outside the Corporation and Bank (in the case of Messrs. Crooks, Freeman, Freemer, Hunter, Mason and McCarrier) and inside the Corporation and Bank (especially in the case of Messrs. Ashbaugh, Cox, and Marsh), (iv) expertise in banking and operations of financial institutions (in the case of Messrs. Ashbaugh, Cox, and Marsh) and (v) experience in the local business community (in the case of all of the directors).

If any member of the Board of Directors does not wish to continue in service or if the Board of Directors decides not to re-nominate a member for re-election, the Board of Directors will then determine if there is a need to replace that director or reduce the number of directors serving on the Board of Directors, in accordance with the Corporation’s bylaws.  If the Board of Directors determines a need to replace a non-continuing director, it identifies the desired skills and experience in light of the criteria set forth above.  Current members of the Board of Directors are polled for suggestions as to individuals meeting those criteria, and research may also be performed to identify qualified individuals.  To date, the Board of Directors has not formally engaged third parties to assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees, although the Board of Directors reserves the right to do so in the future.

Section 10.1 of the Corporation’s bylaws contains provisions addressing the process by which a shareholder may nominate an individual to stand for election to the Board of Directors at the Corporation’s annual meeting.  Historically, the Corporation has not had a formal policy concerning shareholder recommendations for nominees.  Given the size of the Corporation, the Board of Directors does not feel that such a formal policy is warranted at this time.  The absence of such a policy, however, does not mean that a reasonable shareholder recommendation will not be considered in light of the particular needs of the Corporation and the policies and procedures set forth above.  The Board of Directors will reconsider this matter at such time as it believes that the Corporation’s circumstances, including its operations and prospects, warrant the adoption of such a policy.

 
P-12

 
Executive Officers Who are Not Directors

Set forth below is information with respect to the principal occupations during at least the last five years for the current executive officers of the Corporation who do not serve as directors.  All executive officers of the Corporation are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board.  There are no arrangements or understandings between the executive officers and the Corporation and any person pursuant to which such persons have been selected officers.  Ages are reflected as of December 31, 2013.

Matthew J. Lucco, age 34.  Mr. Lucco is Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank.  Mr. Lucco has served in this capacity since August 2010.  Prior to his employment with the Bank, Mr. Lucco had served as Chief Financial Officer at Salvage Direct Inc. from December 2008 through August 2010, and Vice President of F.N.B. Capital Corporation from December 2005 through December 2008.

Amanda L. Engles, age 35.  Ms. Engles is Principal Accounting Officer and Secretary of the Corporation.  Ms. Engles has been Vice President and Controller of the Bank since October 2007.  She previously served as Treasurer of the Corporation from October 2007 through August 2010, Accounting Manager of the Bank from December 2006 through October 2007; and Staff Accountant of the Bank from January 2004 through December 2006.

Raymond M. Lawton, age 59.  Mr. Lawton is Assistant Secretary of the Corporation and Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank.  Mr. Lawton previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer from 2002 through August 2012 and was Secretary of the Corporation from 2003 through August 2010.

 
P-13

 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth a summary of certain information concerning the compensation awarded to or paid by the Corporation or its subsidiaries for services rendered in all capacities during the past two years to our principal executive officer as well as our two other highest compensated executive officers in 2013 (who we refer to as “named executive officers”).
 
                         
All
       
                   
Stock
   
Other
       
Name and Principal Position
 
Year
 
Salary
   
Bonus (1)
   
Awards (2)
   
Compensation (3)
   
Total
 
William C. Marsh, Chairman,
 
2013
  $ 275,000     $ 47,961     $ 63,750     $ 35,060     $ 421,771  
   President and Chief Executive Officer
 
2012
  $ 250,000     $ -     $ 75,088     $ 29,459     $ 354,547  
                                             
Matthew J. Lucco, Senior Vice President,
 
2013
  $ 130,000     $ 15,115     $ 6,375     $ 5,248     $ 156,738  
   Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
 
2012
  $ 126,000     $ -     $ 5,125     $ 5,663     $ 136,788  
                                             
Raymond M. Lawton, Senior Vice President
 
2013
  $ 130,000     $ 15,115     $ 6,375     $ 5,200     $ 156,690  
   and Chief Credit Officer
 
2012
  $ 127,500     $ -     $ -     $ 5,553     $ 133,053  
_____________________
(1)
Bonus amounts presented for 2013 were paid in 2014 for 2013 performance pursuant to the Corporation’s Incentive Compensation Plan.
(2)
Reflects the grant date fair value, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, for stock awards granted in 2013 and 2012 pursuant to the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and Trust adopted in 2007.  For a description of the assumptions used for purposes of determining grant date fair value, see Note 15 to the Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
(3)
Includes (i) director’s fees from the Corporation and the Bank totaling $24,000 and $18,000 for 2013 and 2012, respectively, for Mr. Marsh and (ii) matching amounts under the Corporation’s 401(k) plan for all the named executive officers.

Pension Plan

The Bank maintains a defined benefit pension plan for all eligible employees.  An employee becomes vested in the plan after three years.  Upon retirement at age 65, a terminated participant is entitled to receive a monthly benefit.  Prior to a 2002 amendment to the plan, the benefit formula was 1.1% of average monthly compensation plus .4% of average monthly compensation in excess of $675 multiplied by years of service.  In 2002, the plan was amended to change the benefit structure to a cash balance formula under which the benefit payable is the actuarial equivalent of the hypothetical account balance at normal retirement age.  However, the benefits already accrued by the employees prior to the amendment were not reduced.  In addition, the prior benefit formula continued through December 31, 2012, as a minimum benefit.  The Bank amended the defined benefit pension plan to freeze the benefits under the plan effective as of April 30, 2013, with no additional benefits to accrue after such date.  At December 31, 2013, Messrs. Marsh and Lawton had hypothetical account balances of $135,000 and $121,000, respectively.

401(k) Plan

The Corporation maintains a defined contribution 401(k) plan.  Employees are eligible to participate by providing tax-deferred contributions up to 20% of qualified compensation.  Employee contributions are vested at all times.  The Corporation provides a matching contribution of up to 4% of the participant’s salary.
 
 
P-14

 
Supplemental Retirement Agreements

In October 2002, October 2006 and August 2012, respectively, following Board of Director approval, the Bank entered into supplemental retirement agreements (“Supplemental Agreements”) with Messrs. Lawton, Marsh and Lucco.  The Supplemental Agreements are non-qualified defined benefit plans and are unfunded.  The Supplemental Agreements have no assets, and the benefits payable under the Supplemental Agreements are not secured.  The Supplemental Agreement participants are general creditors of the Corporation in regards to their vested Supplemental Agreement benefits.  The Supplemental Agreements provide for retirement benefits upon reaching age 65 and participants are fully vested five years after the inception of the Supplemental Agreements.  Upon attaining retirement age, Messrs. Marsh, Lawton and Lucco would be entitled to $1.6 million, $720,000 and $1.0 million, respectively, over a 20 year period under their Supplemental Agreements.

Each of the Supplemental Agreements provides that in the event of a change of control of the Corporation (as defined in the agreement), the officer (i) if he has not yet qualified for retirement benefits, shall have the right to demand his withdrawal benefits (which is an amount equal to the present value of the normal retirement benefit, using a 7% discount rate and monthly compounding of interest) in a single lump sum payment, or (ii) if he has qualified for retirement benefits or has begun receiving a retirement benefit under the Supplemental Agreement, shall have the right to demand his benefits in a single lump sum payment in an amount equal to the normal retirement benefit.  In the event of a change in control on December 31, 2013, Messrs. Marsh, Lawton and Lucco would have been entitled to lump sum payments of $440,506, $259,034 and $153,634, respectively.  Such payments could be limited if they are deemed “parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

Employment and Change of Control Agreements

In November 2011, the Corporation and the Bank entered into an amended employment agreement with William C. Marsh to serve as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  The agreement was effective January 1, 2012 and had an initial three-year term.  Pursuant to its terms, however, the term of the agreement automatically renews for successive one-year periods each January 1 unless notice to the contrary is provided at least 30 days prior to the renewal.  The agreement also provides that if the individual is terminated by the Corporation or the Bank for other than cause, disability, retirement or the individual’s death or the individual terminates employment for good reason (as defined in the agreements) after a change in control of the Corporation, the individual will be entitled to the payment of a cash severance amount equal to three times the individual’s average annual compensation and the maintenance of insurance and other benefits, provided that such payments will be limited if they are deemed “parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

Effective July 1, 2007, the Corporation and the Bank entered into a change in control agreement with Raymond M. Lawton, Senior Vice President of the Corporation and the Bank.  The agreement had an initial two-year term.  Pursuant to its terms, however, the term of the agreement automatically renews for successive one-year periods each July 1 unless notice to the contrary is provided at least 30 days prior to the renewal.

 
P-15

 
Effective August 2, 2010, the Corporation and the Bank entered into a change in control agreement with Matthew J. Lucco, Senior Vice President of the Corporation and the Bank.  The agreement had an initial two-year term.  Pursuant to its terms, however, the term of the agreement automatically renews for successive one-year periods each August 3 unless notice to the contrary is provided at least 30 days prior to the renewal.

The agreements for Messrs. Lawton and Lucco provide that if the individual is terminated by the Corporation or the Bank (or any successor) within 24 months subsequent to a change in control of the Corporation for other than cause, disability, retirement or the individual’s death or the individual terminates employment for good reason (as defined in the agreement) after a change in control of the Corporation, the individual will be entitled to the payment of a cash severance amount equal to two times the individual’s average annual compensation and the maintenance of insurance and other benefits, provided that such payments will be limited if they are deemed “parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following tables set forth, with respect to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, information with respect to the number of options and awards held as of December 31, 2013.  All options and awards were granted pursuant to the Corporation’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and Trust adopted in 2007 and approved by shareholders at the 2007 annual meeting.

   
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
   
Number of
 
 
 
 
 
Number of
 
Market Value
 
 
   
Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options
 
Exercise
 
Option
Expiration
 
Shares of
Stock
 
of Shares of
Stock
 
Vesting
Name
 
Exercisable
 
Unexercisable
 
Price
 
Date
 
Not Vested
 
Not Vested (5)
 
Date
William C. Marsh
 
15,000 (1)
 
--
 
$26.00
 
06/20/2017
 
1,500
 
$37,710
 
12/08/2014
William C. Marsh
 
  5,000 (2)
 
--
 
$22.50
 
11/19/2018
 
1,450
 
$36,453
 
02/15/2015
William C. Marsh
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
2,500
 
$62,850
 
12/06/2015
William C. Marsh
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
2,500
 
$62,850
 
12/18/2016
Raymond M. Lawton
 
10,000 (1)
 
--
 
$26.00
 
06/20/2017
 
500
 
$12,570
 
12/14/2014
Raymond M. Lawton
 
  1,000 (2)
 
--
 
$22.50
 
11/19/2018
 
250
 
$6,285
 
12/18/2016
Raymond M. Lawton
 
  2,500 (3)
 
--
 
$13.50
 
12/11/2019
 
--
 
--
 
--
Raymond M. Lawton
 
     750 (4)
 
--
 
$17.00
 
12/09/2020
 
--
 
--
 
--
Matthew J. Lucco
 
   1,000 (4)
 
--
 
$17.00
 
12/09/2020
 
500
 
$12,570
 
12/08/2014
Matthew J. Lucco
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
250
 
$6,285
 
12/06/2015
Matthew J. Lucco
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
--
 
250
 
$6,285
 
12/18/2016
____________
(1) 
Options became fully vested and exercisable on June 20, 2010.
(2) 
Options became fully vested and exercisable on November 19, 2011.
(3) 
Options became fully vested and exercisable on December 11, 2012.
(4) 
Options became fully vested and exercisable on December 9, 2013.
(5) 
Based upon the fair market value of a share of common stock of the Corporation as of December 31, 2013.
 
Certain Transactions

Other than as set forth below, there have been no material transactions, proposed or consummated, between the Corporation and the Bank with any director or executive officer of the Corporation or the Bank, or any associate of the foregoing persons.

 
P-16

 
The Bank, like many financial institutions, has followed a written policy of granting various types of loans to officers, directors, and employees and under such policy grants a discount of 100 basis points on loans extended to all employees, including executive officers.  With the exception of such policy, all loans to executive officers and directors of the Corporation and the Bank have been made in the ordinary course of business and on substantially the same terms and conditions, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to the Bank, and do not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility nor present other unfavorable features.  All of such loans are approved by the Board of Directors. The following table presents a summary of loans in excess of $120,000 with preferential pricing (100 basis point discount) extended by the Bank to any of the Corporation’s executive officers or immediate family members of such individuals.  In addition, the Corporation had one director and one executive officer whose loans totaled more than $120,000 at December 31, 2013, however in both instances the loans made with preferential pricing did not exceed $120,000.
 
   
Year
Highest
Principal
Balance
During
Balance
Amount Paid During Year
Interest
Name and Position
Type
Made
Year
12/31/13
Principal
Interest
Rate
David L. Cox, Director
Residential Mortgage
2010
$168,446
$165,212
$3,234
$7,096
4.25%
 
Director Compensation

During 2013, directors received $1,500 per month for their services as a director of the Bank and $500 for attendance at board meetings.  The Chairmen of the audit and human resource committees received an additional $200 per month for their services as Committee Chairmen.  No additional compensation is paid for service as a director of the Corporation.  In addition, non-employee directors received $400 for each Bank committee meeting that they attended during 2013.

The following table sets forth information concerning compensation paid or accrued by the Corporation and the Bank to each member of the Board of Directors with the exception of named executive officers reported within the Summary Compensation Table during the year ended December 31, 2013.
 
   
Fees Earned
   
Stock
   
All Other
       
Name
 
or Paid in Cash
   
Awards (1)
   
Compensation (2)
   
Total
 
Ronald L. Ashbaugh
  $ 34,800     $ 12,750     $ -     $ 47,550  
David L. Cox
    33,200       12,750       26,000       71,950  
James M. Crooks
    26,700       12,750       -       39,450  
George W. Freeman
    31,900       12,750       -       44,650  
Mark A. Freemer
    31,200       12,750       -       43,950  
Robert L. Hunter
    29,600       12,750       -       42,350  
John B. Mason
    31,500       12,750       -       44,250  
Brian C. McCarrier
    29,200       12,750       -       41,950  
____________
(1)
Reflects the grant date fair value, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, for stock awards granted in 2013 pursuant to the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and Trust adopted in 2007. For a description of the assumptions used for purposes of determining grant date fair value, see Note 15 to the Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.  Each director has 2,000 stock options, except for Mr. Cox who has 20,000 stock options, which were granted on June 27, 2007, became exercisable on June 27, 2010 and expire on June 27, 2017.  Each director also has a total of 1,500 stock awards of which 500 vest on December 8, 2014, December 6, 2015 and December 18, 2016, respectively.
(2)
Reflects amounts distributed under the Corporation’s Supplemental Retirement Agreements.
 
 
P-17

 
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

In discharging its oversight responsibility, the audit committee has met and held discussions with management and Crowe Horwath LLP, the independent auditors for the Corporation.  Management represented to the audit committee that all consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and the audit committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent auditors.

In addition, the audit committee has discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’ independence from management and the Corporation, and has received and discussed with the independent auditors the matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board and as required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including considering the permissibility of non-audit services with the auditors’ independence.

The audit committee also obtained from the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the Corporation and Crowe Horwath LLP that bear on the auditors’ independence consistent with the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence.  The audit committee discussed with the independent auditors any relationships that may impact the firm’s objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence.

Based on these discussions and reviews, the audit committee recommended that the Board of Directors approve the inclusion of the Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully submitted by the members of the audit committee of the Board of Directors:

Mark A. Freemer, Chairman
Ronald L. Ashbaugh
James M. Crooks
Robert L. Hunter
Brian C. McCarrier

 
P-18

 
PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE 2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

General

The Board of Directors has adopted the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan which is designed to attract and retain qualified personnel in key positions, provide officers and key employees with a proprietary interest in the Corporation as an incentive to contribute to the success of the Corporation and reward key employees for outstanding performance.  The Incentive Plan is also designed to attract and retain qualified directors for the Corporation.  The Incentive Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options intended to comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (“incentive stock options”), non-incentive or compensatory stock options and share awards of restricted stock, which may be based upon performance goals (collectively “Awards”).  Awards will be available for grant to officers, key employees and directors of the Corporation and any subsidiaries.

Description of the Incentive Plan

The following description of the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan is a summary of its terms and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A.

Administration.  The Incentive Plan will be administered and interpreted by a committee of the Board of Directors that is comprised solely of two or more non-employee directors. The Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors, currently comprised of Messrs. Hunter (Chairman), Freeman, Freemer, Mason and McCarrier, will serve as the committee to administer the plan.

Stock Options.  Under the Incentive Plan, the Board of Directors or the committee will determine which officers, key employees and non-employee directors will be granted options, whether such options will be incentive or compensatory options (in the case of options granted to employees), the number of shares subject to each option, the exercise price of each option, whether such options may be exercised by delivering other shares of common stock and when such options become exercisable.  The per share exercise price of a stock option shall be at least equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date the option is granted.  Non-employee directors are not eligible to receive incentive stock options under the plan.

All options granted to participants under the Incentive Plan shall become vested and exercisable at the rate, and subject to such limitations, as specified by the Board of Directors or the committee at the time of grant.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no vesting shall occur on or after a participant’s employment or service with the Corporation is terminated for any reason other than his death, disability or retirement.  Unless the committee or Board of Directors shall specifically state otherwise at the time an option is granted, all options granted to participants shall become vested and exercisable in full on the date an optionee terminates his employment or service with the Corporation or a subsidiary company because of his death, disability or retirement.  In addition, all stock options will become vested and exercisable in full upon a change in control of the Corporation, as defined in the Incentive Plan.

Each stock option or portion thereof shall be exercisable at any time on or after it vests and is exercisable until the earlier of ten years after its date of grant or six months after the date on which the employee’s employment terminated (three years after termination of service in the case of non-employee directors), unless extended by the committee or the Board of Directors to a period not to exceed five years from such termination.  Unless stated otherwise at the time an option is granted (i) if an employee

 
P-19

 
terminates his employment with the Corporation as a result of disability or retirement without having fully exercised his options, the optionee shall have two years following his termination due to disability or retirement to exercise such options, and (ii) if an optionee terminates his employment or service with the Corporation following a change in control of the Corporation without having fully exercised his options, the optionee shall have the right to exercise such options during the remainder of the original ten year term of the option. However, failure to exercise incentive stock options within three months after the date on which the optionee’s employment terminates (or within one year for termination due to disability) may result in adverse tax consequences to the optionee. If an optionee dies while serving as an employee or a non-employee director or terminates employment or service as a result of disability or retirement and dies without having fully exercised his options, the optionee’s executors, administrators, legatees or distributees of his estate shall have the right to exercise such options during the two year period following his death, provided no option will be exercisable more than ten years from the date it was granted.
 
Stock options are non-transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an optionee who holds non-qualified options may transfer such options to his or her spouse, lineal ascendants, lineal descendants, or to a duly established trust for the benefit of one or more of these individuals.  Options so transferred may thereafter be transferred only to the optionee who originally received the grant or to an individual or trust to whom the optionee could have initially transferred the option.  Options which are so transferred shall be exercisable by the transferee according to the same terms and conditions as applied to the optionee.

Payment for shares purchased upon the exercise of options may be made (i) in cash or by check, (ii) by delivery of a properly executed exercise notice, together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell the shares and then to properly deliver to the Corporation the amount of sale proceeds to pay the exercise price, all in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, (iii) at the discretion of the board or the committee, by delivering shares of common stock (including shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an option) equal in fair market value to the purchase price of the shares to be acquired pursuant to the option, (iv) at the discretion of the Board or the committee, by withholding some of the shares of common stock which are being purchased upon exercise of an option, or (v) any combination of the foregoing.  With respect to subclause (iii) hereof, the shares of common stock delivered to pay the purchase price must have either been (x) purchased in open market transactions or (y) issued by the Corporation pursuant to a plan thereof, in each case more than six months prior to the exercise date of the option.

Share Awards.  Under the Incentive Plan, the Board of Directors or the committee is authorized to grant share awards, which are a right to receive a distribution of shares of common stock. Shares of common stock granted pursuant to a share award will be in the form of restricted stock which shall vest upon such terms and conditions as established by the committee.  The Board or the committee will determine which officers, key employees and directors will be granted share awards, the number of shares subject to each share award, whether the share award is contingent upon achievement of certain performance goals and the performance goals, if any, required to be met in connection with a share award.

If the employment or service of a share award recipient is terminated before the share award is completely earned, the recipient will forfeit the right to any shares subject to the share award that has not been earned, except as set forth below. All shares subject to a share award held by a recipient whose employment or service with the Corporation or a subsidiary company terminates due to death or disability will be deemed fully earned as of the recipient’s last day of employment or service.  In

 
P-20

 
addition, all shares subject to a share award held by a recipient will be deemed to be fully earned as of the effective date of a change of control of the Corporation.
 
A recipient of a share award will not be entitled to receive any dividends declared on the common stock and will not be entitled to any voting rights with respect to an unvested share award until it vests.  Share awards are not transferable by the recipient and shares subject to a share award may only be earned by and paid to the recipient who was notified in writing of such award by the Board or the committee.

The Board or the committee may determine to make any share award a performance share award by making such award contingent upon the achievement of a performance goal, or any combination of performance goals.  Each performance share award will be evidenced by a written agreement setting forth the performance goals applicable to such award.  All determinations regarding the achievement of any performance goal will be made by the committee.  Each performance share award will be granted and administered to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Incentive Plan, a recipient of a performance award shall have no rights as a stockholder until the shares of common stock covered by the performance share award are issued to the recipient according to the terms thereof.

Number of Shares Covered by the Incentive Plan.  A total of 176,866 shares of common stock, which is equal to approximately 10.0% of the issued and outstanding common stock, has been reserved for future issuance pursuant to the Incentive Plan.  No more than 88,433, or 50%, of the shares reserved under the Incentive Plan may be granted as share awards. In the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, subdivision, stock dividend or any other capital adjustment, the number of shares of common stock under the Incentive Plan, the number of shares to which any Award relates and the exercise price per share under any option shall be adjusted to reflect such increase or decrease in the total number of shares of common stock outstanding or such capital adjustment.

Amendment and Termination of the Incentive Plan. The Board of Directors may at any time terminate or amend the Incentive Plan with respect to any shares of common stock as to which Awards have not been granted, subject to any required stockholder approval or any stockholder approval which the board may deem to be advisable. The board of directors may not, without the consent of the holder of an Award, alter or impair any Award previously granted or awarded under the Incentive Plan except as specifically authorized by the plan.

 Unless sooner terminated, the Incentive Plan shall continue in effect for a period of ten years from February 19, 2014, the date that the Incentive Plan was adopted by the board of directors.  Termination of the Incentive Plan shall not affect any previously granted Awards.

Awards to be Granted. The Corporation has not made any determination as to the timing or recipients of grants of Awards under the Incentive Plan.

Awards Granted or Available Under Existing Plans.  As of December 31, 2013, awards covering 126,300 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding under the Corporation’s existing stock incentive plan and only 51,196 shares remained available for grant under such plan.

 
P-21

 
Equity Compensation Plan Information.  The following table sets forth certain information for all equity compensation plans (other than the proposed 2014 Stock Incentive Plan) and individual compensation arrangements (whether with employees or non-employees, such as directors) in effect as of December 31, 2013, which consists of the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and Trust.
Plan Category
 
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and
rights(1)
   
Weighted-
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights(1)
   
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in the first
column)
 
                         
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    79,250     $ 24.97       51,196  
                         
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
    --       --       --  
                         
Total
    79,250     $ 24.97       51,196  
_______________
(1)
Outstanding options have been granted pursuant to the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.  The plan provides for the grant of options to purchase up to 126,783 shares of common stock, of which options to purchase 79,250 shares were outstanding at December 31, 2013. In addition, 2,250 shares of common stock have been issued pursuant to options granted under the plan as of December 31, 2013. The plan also provides for the grant of up to 50,713 shares of restricted common stock, of which 44,800 shares have been granted as of December 31, 2013.

Federal Income Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a summary of the federal income tax consequences under the Internal Revenue Code relating to awards which may be granted under the Incentive Plan.

Incentive Stock Options.  No taxable income is recognized by the optionee upon the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option that meets the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.  However, the exercise of an incentive stock option may result in alternative minimum tax liability for the optionee.  If no disposition of shares issued to an optionee pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option is made by the optionee within two years from the date of grant or within one year after the date of exercise, then upon sale of such shares, any amount realized in excess of the exercise price (the amount paid for the shares) will be taxed to the optionee as a long-term capital gain and any loss sustained will be a long-term capital loss, and no deduction will be allowed to the Corporation for federal income tax purposes.

If shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option are disposed of prior to the expiration of the two-year and one-year holding periods described above (a “disqualifying disposition”), the optionee generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise (or, if

 
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less, the amount realized on an arm's length sale of such shares) over the exercise price of the underlying options, and the Corporation will be entitled to deduct such amount. Any gain realized from the shares in excess of the amount taxed as ordinary income will be taxed as capital gain and will not be deductible by the Corporation.
 
An incentive stock option will not be eligible for the tax treatment described above if it is exercised more than three months following termination of employment, except in certain cases where the incentive stock option is exercised after the death or permanent and total disability of the optionee.  If an incentive stock option is exercised at a time when it no longer qualifies for the tax treatment described above, the option will be treated as a nonqualified stock option.

Nonqualified Stock Options.  No taxable income is recognized by the optionee at the time a nonqualified stock option is granted under the Incentive Plan.  Generally, on the date of exercise of a nonqualified stock option, ordinary income is recognized by the optionee in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise, and the Corporation receives a tax deduction for the same amount.  Upon disposition of the shares acquired, an optionee generally recognizes the appreciation or depreciation on the shares after the date of exercise as either short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on how long the shares have been held.  In general, common stock issued upon exercise of an option granted under the Incentive Plan will be transferable and not subject to a risk of forfeiture at the time issued.

 Share Awards.  No taxable income is recognized by the recipient of a share award at the time the award is granted under the Incentive Plan, unless the recipient makes an election to accelerate the recognition of income as described below. Pursuant to Section 83 of the Code, recipients of share awards will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares of common stock granted to them at the time that the shares vest and become transferable.   A recipient of a share award may elect, however, to accelerate the recognition of income with respect to his or her grant to the time when shares of common stock are first transferred to him or her, notwithstanding the vesting schedule of such awards.  The Corporation will be entitled to deduct as a compensation expense for tax purposes the same amounts recognized as income by recipients of share awards in the year in which such amounts are included in income.

Deduction Limit for Certain Executive Officers. Section 162(m) of the Code generally limits the deduction for certain compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid by a publicly-traded corporation to its chief executive officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers (“covered executive”).  Certain types of compensation, including compensation based on performance goals, are excluded from the $1 million deduction limitation.  In order for performance-based compensation to qualify for this exception:  (i) it must be paid solely on account of the attainment of one or more preestablished, objective performance goals; (ii) the performance goal must be established by a compensation committee consisting solely of two or more outside directors, as defined; (iii) the material terms under which the compensation is to be paid, including performance goals, must be disclosed to and approved by stockholders in a separate vote prior to payment; and (iv) prior to payment, the compensation committee must certify that the performance goals and any other material terms were in fact satisfied.

The Incentive Plan has been designed to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and, as a result, the Corporation believes that compensation attributable to performance share awards granted under the Incentive Plan in accordance with the foregoing requirements will be fully deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code.  If the non-excluded compensation of a covered executive exceeds $1 million, however, compensation attributable to other awards, such as restricted stock, may not be fully

 
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deductible unless the grant or vesting of the award is contingent on the attainment of a performance goal determined by the committee meeting specified requirements and disclosed to and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation. The Board of Directors believes that the likelihood of any impact on the Corporation from the deduction limitation contained in Section 162(m) of the Code is remote at this time.
 
The above description of tax consequences under federal income tax law is necessarily general in nature and does not purport to be complete.  Moreover, statutory provisions are subject to change, as are their interpretations, and their application may vary in individual circumstances.  Finally, the consequences under applicable state and local income tax laws may not be the same as under the federal income tax laws.

Accounting Treatment. The Corporation will generally recognize compensation expense with respect to the granting of stock options and restricted stock awards over the vesting period associated with such awards.  For stock options, the compensation expense is based on the grant-date fair value of the option, using an option-pricing model.  For restricted stock awards, the amount of compensation expense recognized for accounting purposes is based upon the fair market value of the common stock at the date of grant to recipients, rather than the fair market value at the time of vesting for tax purposes, unless the grants are performance based.   For performance-based awards, compensation expense will be based on the probable outcome of the performance condition.  Compensation expense will be recognized over the requisite service period if it is probable that the performance condition will be satisfied, with the amount recognized based on the extent to which the performance condition has been satisfied. Compensation expense will not be accrued if it is not probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The granting of plan share awards will have the effect of increasing the Corporation’s compensation expense and will be a factor in determining the Corporation’s earnings per share on a fully diluted basis.

Stockholder Approval.  No Awards will be granted under the Incentive Plan unless the Incentive Plan is approved by shareholders.  Shareholder ratification of the Incentive Plan will satisfy listing requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market and certain federal tax requirements applicable to incentive stock options.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR adoption of the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.

 
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RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The audit committee of the board of directors of the Corporation has appointed Crowe Horwath LLP, Certified Public Accountants, to perform the audit of the Corporation's consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2014, and has further directed that the selection of Crowe Horwath as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm be submitted for ratification by the shareholders at the annual meeting.  The Corporation has been advised by Crowe Horwath that neither the firm nor any of its associates has any relationship with the Corporation other than the usual relationship that exists between independent public accountants and clients.  Crowe Horwath will have a representative at the annual meeting who will have an opportunity to make a statement, if he or she so desires, and who will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Vote Required; Effect

Unless instructed to the contrary, it is intended that proxies will be voted for the ratification of the selection of Crowe Horwath, as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014.  Ratification of Crowe Horwath as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR the ratification of the appointment by the audit committee of the Board of Directors of Crowe Horwath LLP as the Corporation's independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2014.

It is understood that even if the selection of Crowe Horwath is ratified, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a new independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Board of Directors determines that such a change would be in the best interest of the Corporation and its shareholders.

RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

General

The audit committee of the Board of Directors has appointed Crowe Horwath LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Corporation’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2014.   In evaluating whether to appoint Crowe Horwath to perform the audit of the Corporation’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2014, the audit committee considered the compatibility of the non-audit services provided to the Corporation by Crowe Horwath in 2013 described below on the independence of Crowe Horwath from the Corporation.

In addition to performing customary audit services related to the audit of the Corporation’s financial statements, Crowe Horwath LLP will assist the Corporation with the preparation of its federal and state tax returns and will perform required retirement plan audits, charging the Corporation for such services at its customary hourly billing rates.

 
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The audit committee selects the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm and separately pre-approves all audit services to be provided by it to the Corporation.  The audit committee also reviews and separately pre-approves all audit-related, tax and all other services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with the audit committee’s charter and policy on pre-approval of audit-related, tax and other services.  In its review of these services and related fees and terms, the audit committee considers, among other things, the possible effect of the performance of such services on the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm.

During 2013, each new engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm was approved in advance by the audit committee, and none of those engagements made use of the de minimus exception to pre-approval contained in the SEC’s rules.

Auditor Fees

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees paid by us to Crowe Horwath in 2013 and 2012 for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, as well as the fees paid by us for audit-related services, tax services and all other services rendered by Crowe Horwath in 2013 and 2012.

       
2013
   
2012
   
 
Audit fees
(1)   $ 68,000     $ 63,000    
 
Audit-related fees
(2)     21,000       19,700    
 
Tax fees
      14,600       13,300    
 
All other fees
(3)     5,000       4,750    
 
Total
    $ 108,600     $ 100,750    
_____________________________
(1)
The audit fees include only fees that are customary under generally accepted auditing standards and are the aggregate fees the Corporation incurred for professional services rendered for the audit of the Corporation’s annual financial statements for fiscal years 2013 and 2012 and the reviews of the financial statements included in the Corporation’s Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-Q for fiscal years 2013 and 2012.
(2)
The audit-related fees include audits of the Corporation’s benefit plans for both years.  These audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Corporation’s financial statements.
(3)
All other fees include attestation services as required under the Small Business Lending Fund program.

ANNUAL REPORT

A copy of the Corporation’s Annual Report for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, is being mailed with this Proxy Statement and is available over the Internet at www.emclairefinancial.com.  Such Annual Report is not to be treated as part of the proxy solicitation material or having been incorporated herein by reference.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Any shareholder who, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the proxy rules of the SEC, wishes to submit a proposal for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy statement for its 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in April 2015 must deliver such proposal in writing to the Secretary of Emclaire Financial Corp at the principal executive offices of the Corporation at 612 Main Street, Post Office Box D, Emlenton, Pennsylvania 16373, no later than November 21, 2014.

 
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Under the Corporation’s current bylaws, business proposal nominations for directors other than those to be included in the Corporation’s proxy materials following the procedures described in Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act, may be made by shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting if notice is timely given and if the notice contains the information required by the bylaws.  Nominations must be received no less than sixty (60) days prior to the annual meeting.

In the event the Corporation receives notice of a shareholder proposal to take action at next year’s annual meeting of shareholders that is not submitted for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy material, or is submitted for inclusion but is properly excluded from the proxy material, the persons named in the proxy sent by the Corporation to its shareholders intend to exercise their discretion to vote on the shareholder proposal in accordance with their best judgment.

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATION WITH THE BOARD

The Corporation does not have a formal procedure for shareholder communication with its Board of Directors.  In general, officers are easily accessible by telephone or mail.  Any matter intended for the Board, or for any individual member or members of the Board, should be directed to the President with a request to forward the same to the intended recipient.  In the alternative, shareholders can send correspondence to the Board to the attention of the Board Chairman, William C. Marsh, or to the attention of the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Mark A. Freemer, in care of the Corporation at the Corporation’s address.  All such communications will be forwarded unopened.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors does not know of any matters to be presented for consideration other than the matters described in the Notice of Meeting, but if any matters are properly presented, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote on such matters in accordance with their judgment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Upon written request, a copy of the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 may be obtained, without charge from Amanda L. Engles, Secretary, Emclaire Financial Corp, 612 Main Street, Post Office Box D, Emlenton, Pennsylvania 16373. In addition, the Corporation files reports with the SEC. Free copies can be obtained from the SEC website at www.sec.gov or on the Corporation’s website at www.emclairefinancial.com.

 
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APPENDIX A
 
EMCLAIRE FINANCIAL CORP
2014 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN


ARTICLE I
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PLAN

Emclaire Financial Corp (the “Corporation”) hereby establishes this 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated.

ARTICLE II
PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

The purpose of this Plan is to improve the growth and profitability of the Corporation and its Subsidiary Companies by providing Employees and Non-Employee Directors with a proprietary interest in the Corporation as an incentive to contribute to the success of the Corporation and its Subsidiary Companies, and rewarding Employees for outstanding performance and the attainment of targeted goals.  All Incentive Stock Options issued under this Plan are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations thereunder, and all provisions hereunder shall be read, interpreted and applied with that purpose in mind.

ARTICLE III
DEFINITIONS

3.01           “Award” means an Option or Share Award granted pursuant to the terms of this Plan.

3.02           “Bank” means The Farmers National Bank of Emlenton, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation.

3.03           “Beneficiary” means the person or persons designated by a Recipient or Optionee to receive any benefits payable under the Plan in the event of such Recipient’s death.  Such person or persons shall be designated in writing on forms provided for this purpose by the Committee and may be changed from time to time by similar written notice to the Committee.  In the absence of a written designation, the Beneficiary shall be the Recipient’s surviving spouse, if any, or if none, his estate.

3.04           Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

3.05           “Change in Control” shall mean a change in the ownership of the Corporation or the Bank, a change in the effective control of the Corporation or the Bank or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Corporation or the Bank, in each case as provided under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

3.06           Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

3.07           Committee” means a committee of two or more directors appointed by the Board pursuant to Article IV hereof.

3.08           “Common Stock” means shares of the common stock, $1.25 par value per share, of the Corporation.

3.09           “Disability” means in the case of any Optionee or Recipient that the Optionee or Recipient: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving

 
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income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Corporation or the Bank (or would have received such benefits for at least three months if he had been eligible to participate in such plan).
 
3.10           “Effective Date” means the day upon which the Board approves this Plan.

3.11           “Employee” means any person who is employed by the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company, or is an Officer of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company, but not including directors who are not also Officers of or otherwise employed by the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company.

3.12           “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

3.13           “Exercise Price” means the price at which a share of Common Stock may be purchased by an Optionee pursuant to an Option.

3.14           “Fair Market Value” shall be equal to the fair market value per share of the Corporation’s Common Stock on the date an Award is granted.  For purposes hereof, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the closing sale price of a share of Common Stock on the date in question (or, if such day is not a trading day in the U.S. markets, on the nearest preceding trading day), as reported with respect to the principal market (or the composite of the markets, if more than one) or national quotation system in which such shares are then traded, or if no such closing prices are reported, the mean between the high bid and low asked prices that day on the principal market or national quotation system then in use.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Common Stock is not readily tradable on an established securities market for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by means of a reasonable valuation method that takes into consideration all available information material to the value of the Corporation and that otherwise satisfies the requirements applicable under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

3.15           “Incentive Stock Option” means any Option granted under this Plan which the Board intends (at the time it is granted) to be an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or any successor thereto.

3.16           “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board of the Corporation or Board of Directors of the Bank, including an advisory director or a director emeritus of the Board of the Corporation and/or the Bank,  who is not an Officer or Employee of the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company.

3.17           “Non-Qualified Option” means any Option granted under this Plan which is not an Incentive Stock Option.

3.18           “Officer” means an Employee whose position in the Corporation or Subsidiary Company is that of a corporate officer, as determined by the Board.

3.19           “Option” means a right granted under this Plan to purchase Common Stock.

3.20           “Optionee” means an Employee or Non-Employee Director or former Employee or Non-Employee Director to whom an Option is granted under the Plan.

3.21           “Performance Share Award” means a Share Award granted to a Recipient pursuant to Section 9.06 of the Plan.

3.22           “Performance Goal” means an objective for the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company or any unit thereof or any Employee of the foregoing that may be established by the Committee for a Performance Share Award to become vested, earned or exercisable.  The establishment of Performance Goals are intended to make the applicable Performance Share Awards “performance based” compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Performance Goals shall be based on one or more of the following criteria:

 
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(i)
net income, as adjusted for non-recurring items;
 
(ii)
cash earnings;
 
(iii)
earnings per share;
 
(iv)
cash earnings per share;
 
(v)
return on average equity;
 
(vi)
return on average common equity;
 
(vii)
return on average assets;
 
(viii)
assets;
 
(ix)
stock price;
 
(x)
total stockholder return;
 
(xi)
capital;
 
(xii)
net interest income;
 
(xiii)
market share;
 
(xiv)
cost control or efficiency ratio;
 
(xv)
asset growth;
 
(xvi)
asset quality;
 
(xvii)
deposit growth; and
 
(xviii)
loan production.

3.23           “Recipient” means an Employee who receives a Share Award or Performance Share Award under the Plan.

3.24           “Retirement” means:

(a)           A termination of employment which constitutes a “retirement” at the “normal retirement age” or later under any tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan maintained by the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company as may be designated by the Board or the Committee, or, if no such plan is applicable, which would constitute “retirement” under  the Corporation’s 401(k) plan if such individual were a participant in that plan; provided, however, that the provisions of this subsection (a) will not apply as long as an Optionee continues to serve as a Non-Employee Director, including service as an Advisory Director.

(b)           With respect to Non-Employee Directors, retirement means retirement from service on the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company or any successors thereto (including retirement from service as an Advisory Director to the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company) after reaching normal retirement age as established by the Corporation.

3.25           “Share Award” means a right granted under this Plan to receive a distribution of shares of Common Stock upon completion of the service and other requirements described in Article IX and includes Performance Share Awards.

3.26           Subsidiary Companies” means those subsidiaries of the Corporation, including the Bank, which meet the definition of "subsidiary corporations" set forth in Section 425(f) of the Code, at the time of granting of the Award in question.

ARTICLE IV
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

4.01           Duties of the Committee.  The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee, as appointed from time to time by the Board pursuant to Section 4.02.  The Committee shall have the authority to adopt, amend and rescind such rules, regulations and procedures as, in its opinion, may be advisable in the administration of the Plan, including, without limitation, rules, regulations and procedures which (i) deal with satisfaction of an Optionee’s tax withholding obligation pursuant to Section 13.02 hereof, (ii) include arrangements to facilitate the Optionee’s ability to borrow funds for payment of the exercise or purchase price of an Award, if applicable, from securities brokers and dealers, and (iii) include arrangements which provide for the payment of some or all of such exercise or purchase price by delivery of previously-owned shares of Common Stock or other property and/or by

 
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withholding some of the shares of Common Stock which are being acquired. The interpretation and construction by the Committee of any provisions of the Plan, any rule, regulation or procedure adopted by it pursuant thereto or of any Award shall be final and binding in the absence of action by the Board.
 
4.02           Appointment and Operation of the Committee The members of the Committee shall be appointed by, and will serve at the pleasure of, the Board.  The Board from time to time may remove members from, or add members to, the Committee, provided the Committee shall continue to consist of two or more members of the Board, each of whom shall be a Non-Employee Director, as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) of the Exchange Act or any successor thereto.  In addition, each member of the Committee shall be an (i) “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and regulations thereunder at such times as is required under such regulations and (ii) an “independent director” as such term is defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Marketplace Rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market or any successor thereto.  The Committee shall act by vote or written consent of a majority of its members.  Subject to the express provisions and limitations of the Plan, the Committee may adopt such rules, regulations and procedures as it deems appropriate for the conduct of its affairs.  It may appoint one of its members to be chairman and any person, whether or not a member, to be its secretary or agent.  The Committee shall report its actions and decisions to the Board at appropriate times but in no event less than one time per calendar year.

4.03           Revocation for Misconduct.  The Board or the Committee may by resolution immediately revoke, rescind and terminate any Award, or portion thereof, to the extent not yet vested or exercised, previously granted or awarded under this Plan to an Employee who is discharged from the employ of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company for cause, which, for purposes hereof, shall mean termination because of the Employee’s personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses) or final cease-and-desist order.  Awards granted to a Non-Employee Director who is removed for cause pursuant to the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws or the Bank’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws shall terminate as of the effective date of such removal.

4.04           Limitation on Liability.  Neither the members of the Board nor any member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, any rule, regulation or procedure adopted by it pursuant thereto or any Awards granted under it.  If a member of the Board or the Committee is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of anything done or not done by him in such capacity under or with respect to the Plan, the Corporation shall, subject to the requirements of applicable laws and regulations, indemnify such member against all liabilities and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Corporation and its Subsidiary Companies and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.

4.05           Compliance with Laws and Regulations.  All Awards granted hereunder shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required.  The Corporation shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates for shares of Common Stock prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of or obtaining of consents or approvals with respect to such shares under any federal or state law or any rule or regulation of any government body, which the Corporation shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable.  Moreover, no Option may be exercised if such exercise would be contrary to applicable laws and regulations.

4.06           Restrictions on Transfer.  The Corporation may place a legend upon any certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to an Award granted hereunder noting that the transfer of such shares may be restricted by applicable laws and regulations.

4.07           No Deferral of Compensation Under Section 409A of the Code.  All Awards granted under the Plan are designed to not constitute a deferral of compensation for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the contrary, all of the terms and conditions of any Options granted under this Plan shall be designed to satisfy the exemption for stock options set forth in the regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code.  Both this Plan and the terms of all Options granted hereunder shall be interpreted in a manner that requires compliance with all of the requirements of the exemption for stock options set forth in the regulations issued

 
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under Section 409A of the Code. No Optionee shall be permitted to defer the recognition of income beyond the exercise date of a Non-Qualified Option or beyond the date that the Common Stock received upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option is sold. No Recipient shall be permitted to defer the recognition of income beyond the date a Share Award shall be deemed earned pursuant to Article IX of this Plan.
 
ARTICLE V
ELIGIBILITY

Awards may be granted to such Employees and Non-Employee Directors of the Corporation and its Subsidiary Companies as may be designated from time to time by the Board or the Committee.  Awards may not be granted to individuals who are not Employees or Non-Employee Directors of either the Corporation or its Subsidiary Companies.  Non-Employee Directors shall not be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Plan.

ARTICLE VI
COMMON STOCK COVERED BY THE PLAN

6.01           Number of Shares.  The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to this Plan, subject to adjustment as provided in Article X, shall be 176,866.  None of such shares shall be the subject of more than one Award at any time, but if an Option as to any shares is surrendered before exercise, or expires or terminates for any reason without having been exercised in full, or for any reason ceases to be exercisable, the number of shares covered thereby shall again become available for grant under the Plan as if no Awards had been previously granted with respect to such shares.

6.02           Source of Shares.  The shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased by the Corporation on the open market or from private sources for use under the Plan.


ARTICLE VII
DETERMINATION OF
AWARDS, NUMBER OF SHARES, ETC.

7.01           Determination of Awards.  The Board or the Committee shall, in its discretion, determine from time to time which Employees and Non-Employee Directors will be granted Awards under the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each Award, whether each Option will be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option and the Exercise Price of an Option, the vesting requirements and the features of an Award and whether a Share Award will be a Performance Share Award.  In making all such determinations there shall be taken into account the duties, responsibilities and performance of each Optionee, his present and potential contributions to the growth and success of the Corporation, his salary and such other factors deemed relevant to accomplishing the purposes of the Plan.

7.02           Limitation on Share Awards.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock to which Share Awards may be issued under this Plan shall be 88,433 shares, or 50% of the total shares available for issuance under this Plan.  None of such shares shall be the subject of more than one Award at any time, but if a Share Award as to any shares is surrendered before vested, or expires or terminates for any reason without vesting in full, the number of shares covered thereby shall again become available for grant under the Plan as if no Awards had been previously granted with respect to such shares.

ARTICLE VIII
OPTIONS

Each Option granted hereunder shall be on the following terms and conditions:

 
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8.01           Stock Option Agreement.  The proper Officers on behalf of the Corporation and each Optionee shall execute a Stock Option Agreement which shall set forth the total number of shares of Common Stock to which it pertains, the exercise price, whether it is a Non-Qualified Option or an Incentive Stock Option, and such other terms, conditions, restrictions and privileges as the Board or the Committee in each instance shall deem appropriate, provided they are not inconsistent with the terms, conditions and provisions of this Plan.  Each Optionee shall receive a copy of his executed Stock Option Agreement.  Any Option granted with the intention that it will be an Incentive Stock Option but which fails to satisfy a requirement for Incentive Stock Options shall continue to be valid and shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Option.

8.02           Option Exercise Price.

(a)           Incentive Stock Options.  The per share price at which the subject Common Stock may be purchased upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option shall be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted, except as provided in Section 8.09(b).

(b)           Non-Qualified Options.  The per share price at which the subject Common Stock may be purchased upon exercise of a Non-Qualified Option shall be established by the Committee at the time of grant, but in no event shall be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock at the time such Non-Qualified Option is granted.

8.03           Vesting and Exercise of Options.

(a)           General Rules.  Incentive Stock Options and Non-Qualified Options shall become vested and exercisable at the rate, to the extent and subject to such limitations as may be specified by the Board or the Committee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as of provided in Section 8.03(b) hereof, no vesting shall occur on or after an Optionee’s employment or service as a Non-Employee Director with the Corporation and all Subsidiary Companies is terminated for any reason other than his death, Disability, Retirement or a Change in Control.  In determining the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Options are vested and/or exercisable, fractional shares will be rounded up to the nearest whole number if the fraction is 0.5 or higher, and down if it is less.

(b)           Accelerated Vesting.  Unless the Committee or Board shall specifically state otherwise at the time an Option is granted, all Options granted under this Plan shall become vested and exercisable in full on the date an Optionee terminates his employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company or service as a Non-Employee Director because of his death, Disability or Retirement.  In addition, all outstanding Options shall become immediately vested and exercisable in full as of the effective date of a Change in Control.

8.04           Duration of Options.
 
(a)           Employee Grants.  Except as provided in Sections 8.04(c) and 8.09, each Option or portion thereof granted to an Employee shall be exercisable at any time on or after it vests and remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) ten (10) years after its date of grant or (ii) six (6) months after the date on which the Employee ceases to be employed by Corporation and all Subsidiary Companies, or any successor thereto, unless the Board or the Committee in its discretion decides at the time of grant to extend such three-month period in clause (ii) to a period not exceeding five (5) years.

(b)           Non-Employee Director Grants.  Except as provided in Section 8.04(c), each Option or portion thereof granted to a Non-Employee Director shall be exercisable at any time on or after it vests and becomes exercisable until the earlier of (i) ten (10) years after its date of grant or (ii) three (3) years after the date on which the Optionee ceases to serve as a Non-Employee Director, unless the Board or the Committee in its discretion decides at the time of grant to extend such three-year period in clause (ii) to a period not exceeding five (5) years.

(c)           Exceptions.  Unless the Board or the Committee shall specifically state otherwise at the time an Option is granted, if an Employee terminates his employment with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company

 
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as a result of Disability or Retirement without having fully exercised his Options, the Employee shall have the right to exercise such Options following his termination due to Disability or Retirement until the later of (i) the expiration of the exercise period following a termination of employment for reasons other than Disability or Retirement preceding a Change in Control or (ii) five (5) years following the date of termination of employment due to Disability or Retirement, in each case subject to the last sentence of this Section 8.04(c).
 
Unless the Board or the Committee shall specifically state otherwise at the time an Option is granted, if an Employee or Non-Employee Director terminates his employment or service with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company following a Change in Control without having fully exercised his Options, the Optionee shall have the right to exercise such Options during the remainder of the original ten (10) year term (or five (5) year term for Options subject to Section 8.09(b) hereof) of the Option from the date of grant.

If an Optionee dies while in the employ or service of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company or terminates employment or service with the Corporation or a Subsidiary Company as a result of Disability or Retirement and dies without having fully exercised his Options, the executors, administrators, legatees or distributees of his estate shall have the right, during the two (2) year period following his death, to exercise such Options.

In no event, however, shall any Option be exercisable more than ten (10) years (five (5) years for Options subject to Section 8.09(b) hereof) from the date it was granted.

8.05           Nonassignability.  Options shall not be transferable by an Optionee except by will or the laws of descent or distribution, and during an Optionee’s lifetime shall be exercisable only by such Optionee or the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, or any other provision of this Plan, an Optionee who holds Non-Qualified Options may transfer such Options to his or her spouse, lineal ascendants, lineal descendants, or to a duly established trust for the benefit of one or more of these individuals.  Options so transferred may thereafter be transferred only to the Optionee who originally received the grant or to an individual or trust to whom the Optionee could have initially transferred the Option pursuant to this Section 8.05.  Options which are transferred pursuant to this Section 8.05 shall be exercisable by the transferee according to the same terms and conditions as applied to the Optionee.

8.06           Manner of Exercise.  Options may be exercised in part or in whole and at one time or from time to time.  The procedures for exercise shall be set forth in the written Stock Option Agreement provided for in Section 8.01 above.

8.07           Payment for Shares.  Payment in full of the purchase price for shares of Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of any Option shall be made to the Corporation upon exercise of the Option.  All shares sold under the Plan shall be fully paid and nonassessable.  Payment for shares may be made by the Optionee (i) in cash or by check, (ii) by delivery of a properly executed exercise notice, together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell the shares and then to properly deliver to the Corporation the amount of sale proceeds to pay the exercise price, all in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-23 and Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123R, (iii) at the discretion of the Board or the Committee, by delivering shares of Common Stock (including shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option) equal in Fair Market Value to the purchase price of the shares to be acquired pursuant to the Option, (iv) at the discretion of the Board or the Committee, by withholding some of the shares of Common Stock which are being purchased upon exercise of an Option, or (v) any combination of the foregoing.  With respect to subclause (iii) hereof, the shares of Common Stock delivered to pay the purchase price must have either been (x) purchased in open market transactions or (y) issued by the Corporation pursuant to a plan thereof, in each case more than six months prior to the exercise date of the Option.

8.08           Voting and Dividend Rights.  No Optionee shall have any voting or dividend rights or other rights of a stockholder in respect of any shares of Common Stock covered by an Option prior to the time that his name is recorded on the Corporation’s stockholder ledger as the holder of record of such shares acquired pursuant to an exercise of an Option.

 
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8.09           Additional Terms Applicable to Incentive Stock Options.  All Options issued under the Plan as Incentive Stock Options will be subject, in addition to the terms detailed in Sections 8.01 to 8.08 above, to those contained in this Section 8.09.

(a)           Amount Limitations. Notwithstanding any contrary provisions contained elsewhere in this Plan and as long as required by Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted, of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year under this Plan, and stock options that satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code under any other stock option plan or plans maintained by the Corporation (or any parent or Subsidiary Company), shall not exceed $100,000.

(b)           Limitation on Ten Percent Stockholders.  The price at which shares of Common Stock may be purchased upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an individual who, at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns, directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock issued to stockholders of the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company, shall be no less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of the Common Stock of the Corporation at the time of grant, and such Incentive Stock Option shall by its terms not be exercisable after the earlier of the date determined under Section 8.04 or the expiration of five (5) years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(c)           Notice of Disposition; Withholding; Escrow.  An Optionee shall immediately notify the Corporation in writing of any sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition (or action constituting a disqualifying disposition within the meaning of Section 421 of the Code) of any shares of Common Stock acquired through exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, within two (2) years after the grant of such Incentive Stock Option or within one (1) year after the acquisition of such shares, setting forth the date and manner of disposition, the number of shares disposed of and the price at which such shares were disposed of.  The Corporation shall be entitled to withhold from any compensation or other payments then or thereafter due to the Optionee such amounts as may be necessary to satisfy any withholding requirements of federal or state law or regulation and, further, to collect from the Optionee any additional amounts which may be required for such purpose.  The Committee may, in its discretion, require shares of Common Stock acquired by an Optionee upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option to be held in an escrow arrangement for the purpose of enabling compliance with the provisions of this Section 8.09(c).

 
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ARTICLE IX
SHARE AWARDS

9.01           Share Award Notice.  As promptly as practicable after the granting of a Share Award pursuant to the terms hereof, the Board or the Committee shall notify the Recipient in writing of the grant of the Share Award, the number of shares covered by the Share Award, whether the Share Award is a Performance Share Award and the terms upon which the shares subject to the Share Award shall be distributed to the Recipient.  The Board or the Committee shall maintain records as to all grants of Share Awards and Performance Share Awards under the Plan.

9.02           Earning Plan Shares; Forfeitures.

(a)           General Rules.  Subject to the terms hereof, Share Awards granted hereunder shall be earned at the rate and to the extent as may be specified by the Committee at the date of grant thereof.  If the employment of an Employee or service as a Non-Employee Director is terminated before the Share Award has been completely earned for any reason (except as specifically provided in subsections (b) and (c) below), the Recipient shall forfeit the right to any shares subject to the Share Award which have not theretofore been earned.  In the event of a forfeiture of the right to any shares subject to a Share Award, such forfeited shares shall become available for grant pursuant to Articles VI and VII as if no Share Award had been previously granted with respect to such shares.  No fractional shares shall be distributed pursuant to this Plan.

(b)           Exception for Termination Due to Death or Disability.  Notwithstanding the general rule contained in Section 9.02(a), all shares subject to a Share Award held by a Recipient whose employment with the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company terminates due to death or Disability shall be deemed fully earned as of the Recipient’s last day of employment with the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company and shall be distributed as soon as practicable thereafter.

(c)           Exception for a Change in Control.  Notwithstanding the general rule contained in Section 9.02(a), all shares subject to a Share Award held by a Recipient shall be deemed to be fully earned as of the effective date of a Change in Control.

9.03           Dividends and Voting.  A Recipient shall not be entitled to receive any cash dividends declared on the Common Stock with respect to any unvested Share Award.  A Recipient shall not be entitled to any voting rights with respect to any unvested Share Award which has not yet been earned and distributed to him or her pursuant to Section 9.04.

9.04           Distribution of Plan Shares.

(a)           Timing of Distributions:  General Rule.  Subject to the provisions of Section 9.06 hereof, shares shall be distributed to the Recipient or his Beneficiary, as the case may be, as soon as practicable after they have been earned.

(b)           Form of Distributions.  All shares shall be distributed in the form of Common Stock.  One share of Common Stock shall be given for each share earned and distributable.

(c)           Restrictions on Selling of Plan Shares.  Share Awards may not be sold, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of prior to the time that they are earned and distributed pursuant to the terms of this Plan.  Upon distribution, the Board or the Committee may require the Recipient or his Beneficiary, as the case may be, to agree not to sell or otherwise dispose of his distributed shares except in accordance with all then applicable federal and state securities laws, and the Board or the Committee may cause a legend to be placed on the stock certificate(s) representing the distributed shares in order to restrict the transfer of the distributed shares for such period of time or under such circumstances as the Board or the Committee, upon the advice of counsel, may deem appropriate.

 
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9.05           Rights of Recipients.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Participant who receives a Share Award payable in Common Stock shall have no rights as a stockholder until the Common Stock is issued pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement.

9.06           Performance Awards

(a)           Designation of Performance Share Awards.  The Committee may determine to make any Share Award a Performance Share Award by making such Share Award contingent upon the achievement of a Performance Goal or any combination of Performance Goals.  Each Performance Share Award shall be evidenced by a written agreement (“Award Agreement”), which shall set forth the Performance Goals applicable to the Performance Share Award, the maximum amounts payable and such other terms and conditions as are applicable to the Performance Share Award.  Each Performance Share Award shall be granted and administered to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(b)           Timing of Grants.  Any Performance Share Award shall be made not later than 90 days after the start of the period for which the Performance Share Award relates and shall be made prior to the completion of 25% of such period.  All determinations regarding the achievement of any Performance Goals will be made by the Committee. The Committee may not increase during a year the amount of a Performance Share Award that would otherwise be payable upon achievement of the Performance Goals but may reduce or eliminate the payments as provided for in the Award Agreement.

(c)           Restrictions on Grants.  Nothing contained in the Plan will be deemed in any way to limit or restrict the Committee from making any Award or payment to any person under any other plan, arrangement or understanding, whether now existing or hereafter in effect.

(d)           Distribution.  No Performance Share Award or portion thereof that is subject to the attainment or satisfaction of a condition of a Performance Goal shall be distributed or considered to be earned or vested until the Committee certifies in writing that the conditions or Performance Goal to which the distribution, earning or vesting of such Award is subject have been achieved.

9.07           Nontransferable. Share Awards and Performance Share Awards and rights to shares shall not be transferable by a Recipient, and during the lifetime of the Recipient, shares which are the subject of Share Awards may only be earned by and paid to a Recipient who was notified in writing of a Share Award by the Committee pursuant to Section 9.01.  No Recipient or Beneficiary shall have any right in or claim to any assets of the Plan nor shall the Corporation or any Subsidiary Company be subject to any claim for benefits hereunder.

ARTICLE X
ADJUSTMENTS FOR CAPITAL CHANGES

10.01         General Adjustments.  The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under this Plan, the number of shares to which any outstanding Award relates, the maximum number of shares that can be covered by Awards to each Employee, each Non-Employee Director and all Non-Employee Directors as a group, and the exercise price per share of Common Stock under any outstanding Option shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock issued subsequent to the effective date of this Plan resulting from a split, subdivision or consolidation of shares or any other capital adjustment, the payment of a stock dividend, or other increase or decrease in such shares effected without receipt or payment of consideration by the Corporation.

10.02         Adjustments for Mergers and Other Corporate Transactions.  If, upon a merger, consolidation, reorganization, liquidation, recapitalization or the like of the Corporation, the shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock shall be exchanged for other securities of the Corporation or of another corporation, each Award shall be converted, subject to the conditions herein stated, into the right to purchase or acquire such number of shares of Common Stock or amount of other securities of the Corporation or such other corporation as were exchangeable for the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation which such Optionees or Recipients would have been entitled to purchase or acquire except for such action, and appropriate adjustments shall

 
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be made to the per share exercise price of outstanding Options, provided that in each case the number of shares or other securities subject to the substituted or assumed stock options and the exercise price thereof shall be determined in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Treasury Regulation §1.424-1 and the regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code so that the substituted or assumed option is not deemed to be a modification of the outstanding Options. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, the term of any Option granted hereunder and the property which the Optionee shall receive upon the exercise or termination thereof shall be subject to and be governed by the provisions regarding the treatment of any such Option set forth in a definitive agreement with respect to any of the aforementioned transactions entered into by the Corporation to the extent any such Option remains outstanding and unexercised upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by such definitive agreement.
 
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

The Board may, by resolution, at any time terminate or amend the Plan with respect to any shares of Common Stock as to which Awards have not been granted, subject to any required stockholder approval or any stockholder approval which the Board may deem to be advisable for any reason, such as for the purpose of obtaining or retaining any statutory or regulatory benefits under tax, securities or other laws or satisfying any applicable stock exchange listing requirements.  The Board may not, without the consent of the holder of an Award, alter or impair any Award previously granted or awarded under this Plan except as specifically authorized herein.
 
ARTICLE XII
EMPLOYMENT AND SERVICE RIGHTS

Neither the Plan nor the grant of any Awards hereunder nor any action taken by the Committee or the Board in connection with the Plan shall create any right on the part of any Employee or Non-Employee Director to continue in such capacity.

ARTICLE XIII
WITHHOLDING

13.01         Tax Withholding.  The Corporation may withhold from any cash payment made under this Plan sufficient amounts to cover any applicable withholding and employment taxes, and if the amount of such cash payment is insufficient, the Corporation may require the Optionee or Recipient to pay to the Corporation the amount required to be withheld as a condition to delivering the shares acquired pursuant to an Award.  The Corporation also may withhold or collect amounts with respect to a disqualifying disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, as provided in Section 8.09(c).

13.02         Methods of Tax Withholding.  The Board or the Committee is authorized to adopt rules, regulations or procedures which provide for the satisfaction of an Optionee’s or Recipient’s tax withholding obligation by the retention of shares of Common Stock to which the Optionee or Recipient would otherwise be entitled pursuant to an Award and/or by the Optionee’s delivery of previously-owned shares of Common Stock or other property.

ARTICLE XIV
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN; TERM

14.01         Effective Date of the Plan.  This Plan shall become effective on the Effective Date, and Awards may be granted hereunder no earlier than the date that this Plan is approved by stockholders of the Corporation and no later than the termination of the Plan, provided this Plan is approved by stockholders of the Corporation pursuant to Article XV hereof.

14.02         Term of the Plan.  Unless sooner terminated, this Plan shall remain in effect for a period of ten (10) years ending on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.  Termination of the Plan shall not affect any Awards

 
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previously granted and such Awards shall remain valid and in effect until they have been fully exercised or earned, are surrendered or by their terms expire or are forfeited.
 
ARTICLE XV
STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL

The Corporation shall submit this Plan to stockholders for approval at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation held within twelve (12) months following the Effective Date in order to meet the requirements of (i) Section 422 of the Code and regulations thereunder, (ii) Section 162(m) of the Code and regulations thereunder, and (iii) the Nasdaq Stock Market for listing of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

ARTICLE XVI
MISCELLANEOUS

16.01         Governing Law.  To the extent not governed by federal law, this Plan shall be construed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

16.02         Pronouns.  Wherever appropriate, the masculine pronoun shall include the feminine pronoun, and the singular shall include the plural.





 
 
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