TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
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Tri-County Financial Corp.
April 9, 2007
Dear Stockholder:
I am pleased to invite you to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Tri-County Financial
Corporation (the Company) to be held in the Board Room at the main office of Community Bank of
Tri-County, 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.
The attached Notice and Proxy Statement describe the formal business to be transacted at the annual
meeting. Directors and officers of the Company as well as a representative of the Companys
auditors, Stegman & Company, will be present to respond to any questions stockholders may have.
Your vote is important, regardless of the number of shares you own. On behalf of the Board of
Directors, I urge you to sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible, even if
you currently plan to attend the annual meeting. This will not prevent you from voting in person,
but will assure that your vote is counted if you are unable to attend the annual meeting.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
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Sincerely, |
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Michael L. Middleton |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Executive Offices P.O. Box 38 Waldorf, Maryland 20604-0038 301-843-0854 (Fax) 301-843-3625
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
3035 LEONARDTOWN ROAD
WALDORF, MARYLAND 20601
(301) 645-5601
NOTICE OF 2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
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TIME AND DATE
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10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 |
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PLACE
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The Board Room at the main office of Community Bank of
Tri-County, 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland |
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ITEMS OF BUSINESS
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(1) The election of five directors of the Company; |
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(2) The ratification of the appointment of Stegman &
Company as the independent auditors of the Company for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007; and |
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(3) Such other matters as may properly come before the
annual meeting or any adjournments thereof. The Board of
Directors is not aware of any other business to come
before the annual meeting. |
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RECORD DATE
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To vote, you must have been a stockholder at the close
of business on March 9, 2007. |
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PROXY VOTING
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You are requested to fill in and sign the enclosed form
of proxy, which is solicited by the Board of Directors,
and mail it promptly in the enclosed envelope. The proxy
will not be used if you attend and vote at the annual
meeting in person. |
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GREGORY C. COCKERHAM
Secretary April 9, 2007
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IMPORTANT: THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL SAVE THE COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF FURTHER REQUESTS FOR
PROXIES TO ENSURE A QUORUM. A SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. NO POSTAGE
IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
PROXY STATEMENT
OF
TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
3035 LEONARDTOWN ROAD
WALDORF, MARYLAND 20601
(301) 645-5601
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
May 9, 2007
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of
Directors of Tri-County Financial Corporation (Tri-County Financial or the Company) to be used
at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, which will be held in the Board Room at the
main office of Community Bank of Tri-County (the Bank), 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland
on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. The accompanying notice of meeting and this Proxy Statement
are being first mailed to stockholders on or about April 9, 2007.
Voting and Revocability of Proxies
Who Can Vote at the Meeting. You are entitled to vote your Tri-County Financial common stock if the
records of the Company show that you held your shares as of the close of business on March 9, 2007.
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are
considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name and these proxy materials are being
forwarded to you by your broker, bank or nominee. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to
direct your broker on how to vote your shares. Your broker, bank or nominee has enclosed a voting
instruction card for you to use in directing it on how to vote your shares.
As of the close of business on March 9, 2007, 2,655,159 shares of Tri-County Financial common stock
were outstanding. Each share of common stock has one vote.
Attending the Meeting. If you are a stockholder as of the close of business on March 9, 2007, you
may attend the meeting. However, if you hold your shares in street name, you will need proof of
ownership to be admitted to the meeting. A recent brokerage statement or letter from a bank, broker
or other nominee are examples of proof of ownership. If you want to vote your shares of Tri-County
Financial common stock held in street name in person at the meeting, you will have to get a written
proxy in your name from the broker, bank or other nominee who holds your shares.
Vote Required. The annual meeting will be held if at least a majority of the outstanding shares of
common stock entitled to vote, constituting a quorum, is represented at the meeting. If you return
valid proxy instructions or attend the meeting in person, your shares will be counted for purposes
of determining whether there is a quorum, even if you abstain from voting. Broker non-votes also
will be counted for the purpose of determining the existence of a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs
when a broker, bank or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a
particular proposal because the broker, bank or other nominee does not have discretionary voting
power with respect to that item and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.
In voting on the election of directors, you may vote in favor of all nominees, withhold votes as to
all nominees or withhold votes as to specific nominees. There is no cumulative voting for the
election of directors. Directors must be elected by an affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
cast at the annual meeting. Votes that are withheld will have the same effect as a negative vote.
In voting on the ratification of the appointment of Stegman & Company as independent auditors, you
may vote in favor of the proposal, vote against the proposal or abstain from voting. This proposal
will be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares cast at the annual meeting and
entitled to vote. On this matter, abstentions will not be counted as votes cast and will have no
effect on the voting.
Voting by Proxy. This proxy statement is being sent to you by the Board of Directors of Tri-County
Financial to request that you allow your shares of Tri-County Financial common stock to be
represented at the annual meeting by the persons named in the
1
enclosed proxy card. All shares of Tri-County Financial common stock represented at the meeting by
properly executed, dated proxies will be voted according to the instructions indicated on the proxy
card. If you sign, date and return a proxy card without giving voting instructions, your shares
will be voted as recommended by the Companys Board of Directors. The Board of Directors recommends
that you vote FOR each of the nominees for director and FOR ratification of the appointment of
Stegman & Company as independent auditors.
If any matter not described in this proxy statement is properly presented at the annual meeting,
the persons named in the proxy card will use their judgment to determine how to vote your shares.
This includes a motion to adjourn or postpone the meeting to solicit additional proxies. If the
annual meeting is postponed or adjourned, your Tri-County Financial common stock may also be voted
by the persons named in the proxy card on the new meeting date, unless you have revoked your proxy.
The Company does not know of any other matters to be presented at the meeting.
Stockholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at any time. Unless so revoked,
the shares represented by such proxies will be voted at the annual meeting and all adjournments
thereof. Proxies may be revoked by written notice delivered in person or mailed to the Secretary of
the Company, by delivering a later-dated or by attending the annual meeting and voting in person.
The presence of a stockholder at the annual meeting will not in and of itself revoke such
stockholders proxy.
If your Tri-County Financial common stock is held in street name, you will receive instructions
from your broker, bank or other nominee that you must follow to have your shares voted. Your
broker, bank or other nominee may allow you to deliver your voting instructions via the telephone
or the Internet. Please see the instruction form provided by your broker, bank or other nominee
that accompanies this proxy statement. If you wish to change your voting instructions after you
have returned your voting instruction form to your broker, bank or other nominee, you must contact
your broker, bank or other nominee.
Participants in the Banks ESOP. If you participate in the Community Bank of Tri-County Employee
Stock Ownership Plan (the ESOP), you will receive a voting instruction form that reflects all
shares you may direct the ESOP trustees to vote on your behalf under the ESOP. Under the terms of
the ESOP, the trustees vote all shares held by the ESOP, but each ESOP participant may direct the
trustees how to vote the shares of common stock allocated to his or her account. The trustees,
subject to the exercise of their fiduciary duties, will vote all unallocated shares of Company
common stock held by the ESOP and allocated shares for which no voting instructions are received in
the same proportion as shares for which they have received timely voting instructions. The deadline
for returning your voting instructions to the ESOP trustees is April 30, 2007.
Corporate Governance
General. Tri-County Financial periodically reviews its corporate governance policies and procedures
to ensure that the Company meets the highest standards of ethical conduct, reports results with
accuracy and transparency and maintains full compliance with the laws, rules and regulations that
govern Tri-County Financials operations. As part of this periodic corporate governance review, the
Board of Directors reviews and adopts best corporate governance policies and practices for
Tri-County Financial.
Code of Ethics. Tri-County Financial has adopted a Code of Ethics that is designed to ensure that
the Companys directors and employees meet the highest standards of ethical conduct. The Code of
Ethics, which applies to all employees and directors, addresses conflicts of interest, the
treatment of confidential information, general employee conduct and compliance with applicable
laws, rules and regulations. Under the terms of the Code of Ethics, violations of the Code of
Ethics are required to be reported to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. A copy of the
Code of Ethics has been filed as an exhibit to the Companys annual report.
As a mechanism to encourage compliance with the Code of Ethics, the Company has established
procedures to receive, retain and treat complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting
controls and auditing matters. These procedures ensure that individuals may submit concerns
regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters in a confidential and anonymous manner.
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors conducts its business
through meetings of the Board and through activities of its committees. During 2006, the Board of
Directors held eight meetings. No Director of the Company attended fewer than 75% of the total
meetings of the Board of Directors and committees on which such Board member served during the
period he or she served on the Board.
2
The following table identifies our standing committees and their members.
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Director |
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Audit Committee |
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Governance Committee |
C. Marie Brown |
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Philip T. Goldstein |
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X |
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Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. |
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X |
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Michael L. Middleton |
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Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. |
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James R. Shepherd |
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X |
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X |
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A. Joseph Slater, Jr. |
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X |
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H. Beaman Smith |
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X |
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Joseph V. Stone, Jr. |
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X |
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Number of Meetings in 2006 |
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9 |
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Audit Committee. The Companys Audit Committee engages the Companys independent auditors and meets
with them in connection with their annual audit and reviews the Companys accounting and financial
reporting policies and practices. All of the members of the Audit Committee are independent as
defined under the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Board of Directors has
determined that the Audit Committee does not have a member who is an audit committee financial
expert as defined under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. While
the Board recognizes that no individual Board member meets the qualifications required of an audit
committee financial expert, the Board believes that appointment of a new director to the Board and
to the Audit Committee at this time is not necessary as the level of financial knowledge and
experience of the current members of the Audit Committee, including the ability to read and
understand fundamental financial statements, is cumulatively sufficient to discharge adequately the
Audit Committees responsibilities. The Audit Committee acts under a written charter adopted by the
Board of Directors, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement. The report
of the Audit Committee required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission is included
in this proxy statement. See Audit Committee Report.
Governance Committee. The Company does not have a separate compensation committee. However, the
Governance Committee approves the compensation objectives for the Company and the Bank and
establishes the compensation for the Chief Executive Officer and other executives. All of the
members of the Governance Committee are independent as defined under the listing standards of the
Nasdaq Stock Market, except for Mr. Smith, who was an employee of the Company and the Bank through
January 22, 2007. The Governance Committee operates under a written charter that governs its
composition and responsibilities, a copy which is attached as Appendix B to this proxy statement.
Decisions by the Governance Committee with respect to the compensation of executive officers are
approved by the full Board of Directors. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis for more
information regarding the role of management and compensation consultants in determining and/or
recommending the amount or form of executive compensation. The report of the Governance Committee
required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission is included in this proxy
statement. See Governance Committee Report.
The Governance Committee also selects nominees for election as directors. In its deliberations, the
Governance Committee considers a candidates knowledge of the banking business and involvement in
community, business and civic affairs, and also considers whether the candidate would adequately
represent the Companys market area. Any nominee for director made by the Governance Committee must
be highly qualified with regard to some or all the attributes listed in the preceding sentence. In
searching for qualified director candidates to fill vacancies on the Board, the Governance
Committee solicits its current directors for the
3
names of potential qualified candidates. The Governance Committee may also ask its directors to
pursue their business contacts for the names of potentially qualified candidates. The Governance
Committee would then consider the potential pool of director candidates, select the top candidate
based on the candidates qualifications and the Governance Committees needs, and conduct a
thorough investigation of the proposed candidates background to ensure there is no past history
that would cause the candidate not to be qualified to serve as a director of the Company. If a
stockholder has submitted a proposed nominee, the Governance Committee would consider the proposed
nominee, along with any other proposed nominees recommended by individual directors, in the same
manner in which the Governance Committee would evaluate nominees for director recommended by the
Board of Directors.
The Governance Committee will consider recommendations for directorships submitted by stockholders.
Stockholders who wish the Governance Committee to consider their recommendations for nominees for
the position of director should submit their recommendations in writing to the Governance Committee
in care of the Secretary, Tri-County Financial Corporation, 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf,
Maryland 20601. Each written recommendation must set forth (1) the name of the recommended
candidate, (2) the number of shares of stock of the Company that are beneficially owned by the
stockholder making the recommendation and by the recommended candidate, and (3) a detailed
statement explaining why the stockholder believes the recommended candidate should be nominated for
election as a director. In addition, the stockholder making such recommendation must promptly
provide any other information reasonably requested by the Governance Committee. To be considered by
the Governance Committee for nomination for election at an annual meeting of stockholders, the
recommendation must be received by the January 1st preceding that annual meeting. Recommendations
by stockholders that are made in accordance with these procedures will receive the same
consideration given to other candidates recommended by directors or executive management.
Board Policies Regarding Communications with the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors
maintains a process for stockholders to communicate with the Board of Directors. Stockholders
wishing to communicate with the Board of Directors should send any communication to the Secretary,
Tri-County Financial Corporation, 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601. Any communication
must state the number of shares beneficially owned by the stockholder making the communication. The
Secretary will forward such communication to the full Board of Directors or to any individual
director or directors to whom the communication is addressed unless the communication is unduly
hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly inappropriate, in which case the Secretary has the
authority to discard the communication or take appropriate legal action regarding the
communication.
Attendance at Annual Meetings. The Company does not have a policy regarding Board member attendance
at annual meetings of stockholders. All of the Companys directors attended the Companys 2006
annual meeting of stockholders.
4
Principal Holders of Voting Securities
The following table sets forth, as of March 9, 2007, certain information as to those persons
known by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the Companys outstanding shares of
common stock and as to the shares of common stock beneficially owned by each director, each
executive officer named in the summary compensation table and by all executive officers and
directors of the Company as a group. All beneficial owners listed in the table have the same
address as the Company. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the named individuals has sole voting
power and sole investment power with respect to the shares shown. Share ownership reflects the
three-for-two stock split effected on November 27, 2006.
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Number of Shares |
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Number of Shares |
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That May be Acquired |
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Percent of Shares |
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Name of Beneficial Owners |
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Options) (1) |
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Exercising Options |
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Outstanding (2) |
C. Marie Brown |
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92,945 |
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57,554 |
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5.55 |
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Gregory C. Cockerham |
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59,774 |
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48,870 |
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4.02 |
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Philip T. Goldstein |
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1,500 |
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Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. |
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3,712 |
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18,056 |
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Michael L. Middleton |
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277,738 |
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72,436 |
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12.84 |
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William J. Pasenelli |
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5,655 |
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35,393 |
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1.53 |
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Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. |
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9,246 |
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29,925 |
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1.46 |
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James R. Shepherd |
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2,343 |
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13,893 |
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A. Joseph Slater, Jr. |
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7,837 |
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15,412 |
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H. Beaman Smith |
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102,440 |
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27,912 |
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4.86 |
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Joseph V. Stone, Jr. |
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6,000 |
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All Directors, Executive Officers and Nominees as a Group (13 persons) |
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569,190 |
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319,451 |
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29.87 |
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Community Bank of Tri-County Employee Stock Ownership Plan (6) |
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188,176 |
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7.09 |
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Less than 1% of the shares outstanding |
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Includes shares allocated to the account of the individuals under the Community Bank
of Tri-County Employee Stock
Ownership Plan, with respect to which the individual has voting but not investment power as
follows: Ms. Brown -26,953
shares; Mr. Cockerham-24,413 shares; Mr. Middleton-38,635 shares; and Mr. Pasenelli-2,846
shares. |
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Based upon 2,655,159 shares of Company common stock outstanding, plus, for each
individual or group, the number of
shares of Company common stock that each individual or group may acquire through the
exercise of options within 60
days. |
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Includes 27,000 shares owned by Ms. Browns husband. |
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Includes 69,351 shares owned by Mr. Middletons wife and 4,212 shares owned by the
individual retirement account of Mr.
Middletons wife. |
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Includes 18,165 shares owned by Mr. Smiths wife. |
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Includes 8,020 shares held in a suspense account for future allocation and/or
distribution among participants as the loan
used to purchase the shares is repaid. The ESOP trustees votes all allocated shares in
accordance with the instructions of
the participating employees. Unallocated shares and shares for which no instructions have
been received are voted by the
trustees, subject to the exercise of its fiduciary duties, in the same proportion as shares
for which it has received timely voting instructions. |
5
Proposal 1 Election of Directors
Tri-County Financials Board of Directors currently consists of nine members. The Companys
Articles of Incorporation provide that directors are to be elected for terms of three years,
approximately one-third of whom are to be elected annually. Since the Company is trading on the OTC
Electronic Bulletin Board, there is no independence requirement for the Companys directors.
However, if the Company were to apply the current listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market,
each of the directors would be considered independent, except for C. Marie Brown and Michael L.
Middleton because they are employees of the Company and the Bank and H. Beaman Smith, who was an
employee of the Company and the Bank in 2006. In determining the independence of its directors, the
Board considered transactions, relationships or arrangements between the Company, the Bank and its
directors that are not required to be disclosed in this proxy statement under the heading
Relationship and Transactions with the Company and the Bank, including loans with the Bank.
Messrs. Goldstein and Stone were the nominees resulting from a director search conducted by the
Governance Committee, based upon the recommendations of non-management directors. The Governance
Committee then recommended the appointments to the full Board of Directors and they were approved
in July 2006.
The Board of Directors has nominated C. Marie Brown, Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. and Michael L. Middleton
to serve for an additional three-year term, Philip T. Goldstein to serve a one-year term and Joseph
V. Stone, Jr. to serve a two-year term, until their successors are elected and qualified. It is
intended that the persons named in the proxies solicited by the Board will vote for the election of
the named nominees.
If any nominee is unable to serve, the shares represented by all valid proxies will be voted for
the election of such substitute nominee as the Board of Directors may recommend. Alternatively, the
Board of Directors may adopt a resolution to reduce the size of the Board. At this time, the Board
knows of no reason why any nominee might be unable to serve.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of all of the nominees.
Information regarding the nominees and the directors continuing in office is provided below. Unless
otherwise stated, each individual has held his or her current occupation for the last five years.
The age indicated in each biography is as of December 31, 2006. There are no family relationships
among the directors or executive officers. The indicated period for service as a director includes
service as a director of Community Bank of Tri-County.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The following directors have terms ending in 2010:
C. Marie Brown has been associated with the Bank for over 30 years and serves as its Chief
Operating Officer. Ms. Brown is an alumna of Charles County Community College with an associates of
arts degree in management development. She is a supporter of the Handicapped and Retarded Citizens
of Charles County, a member of the Zonta Club of Charles County and serves on various
administrative committees of the Hughesville Baptist Church. Age 64. Director since 1991.
Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. is the principal of Jenkins Law Firm, LLC, located in LaPlata, Maryland.
Before entering private practice, Mr. Jenkins served as an Assistant States Attorney in Charles
County, Maryland from 1997 to 1999. In addition to his private practice, Mr. Jenkins serves as
Court Auditor for the Circuit Court for Charles County, Maryland. Mr. Jenkins currently serves on
the Board of Directors of the Civista Health Foundation and has previously served as a board member
of several other public service organizations including the Southern Maryland Chapter of the
American Red Cross, Charles County Chamber of Commerce and the Charles County Bar Association. Age
35. Director since 2000.
Michael L. Middleton is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank. Mr.
Middleton joined the Bank in 1973 and served in various management positions until 1979 when he
became President of the Bank. Mr. Middleton is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Master of
Business Administration. From January 1996 to December 2004, Mr. Middleton served on the Board of
Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, serving as Chairman of the Board from January
2004 to December 2004. He also served as its Board Representative to the Council of Federal Home
Loan Banks. Mr. Middleton has served
6
on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank, Baltimore Branch, since January 2004. He
also serves on several philanthropic and civic boards and is the trustee elect for the College of
Southern Maryland. Age 59. Director since 1979.
The following director will have a term ending in 2009:
Joseph V. Stone, Jr. has owned and operated Joe Stone Insurance Agency, which provides multi-line
insurance services to clients in Maryland and Virginia, since 1981. He has served as a director for
the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative since 1996 and currently serves as Board Vice-Chairman.
He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Cedar Lanes Apartments, St. Marys Home for the
Elderly. Age 52. Director since 2006.
The following director will have a term ending in 2008:
Philip T. Goldstein has owned and operated Philip T. Goldstein Real Estate Appraisals, a full
service real estate appraisal and consulting firm, located in Prince Frederick, Maryland, since
1975. He currently serves as a director of the following organizations: Asbury Communities, Inc., a
non-profit continuing care retirement community, headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland; Calvert
County Nursing Center, Prince Frederick, Maryland; Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum,
St. Leonard, Maryland and Calvert Farmland Trust, Prince Frederick, Maryland. Age 58. Director
since 2006.
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
The following directors have terms ending in 2008:
James R. Shepherd has been the Business Development Specialist for the Calvert County Department of
Economic Development. From 1971 to 1994, Mr. Shepherd was a business owner in Calvert County. Mr.
Shepherd holds an MS degree in Management from the University of Maryland and a BA from Roanoke
College. Mr. Shepherd serves in numerous civic and charitable organizations. Age 62. Director since
2003.
H. Beaman Smith is the President of Accoware, a computer software company, and Vice President of
Fry Plumbing Company of Washington, D.C. Mr. Smith holds a Masters Degree and BS from the
University of Maryland. Mr. Smith is a director of the Maryland 4-H Foundation. Age 61. Director
since 1986.
The following directors have terms ending in 2009:
Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. is the President of D. H. Steffens Company. Mr. Redmond has been associated
with the company since 1959 and deals in all aspects of the surveying and land development process,
including working with the client and approval agencies. He is a licensed Maryland Professional
Land Surveyor who has served as President of the Maryland Society of Surveyors as well as the
Chairman of the Ethics Committee. He was selected as Surveyor of the Year in 1992. He is a member
of the Maryland Society of Surveyors, the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, the American
Planning Association and the Urban Land Institute. He currently serves as a Director of the
Maryland Society of Surveyors Education Trust, and is also a member of the Leonardtown Rotary Club.
Age 66. Director since 1997.
A. Joseph Slater, Jr. has served as the President and CEO of the Southern Maryland Electric
Cooperative, which is one of the ten largest electrical distribution cooperatives in the country
since December 2002. From January 2000 to December 2002, Mr. Slater served as Vice President of the
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Mr. Slater also serves on the Board of the
Maryland Chamber of Commerce and numerous other civic organizations. Mr. Slater holds an MBA in
Finance from George Washington University and a BS in Accounting from Shepherd University. Age 53.
Director since 2003.
Proposal 2 Ratification of Appointment of Auditors
Stegman & Company, which was the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for 2006,
has been retained by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to be the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for 2007, subject to ratification by the Companys stockholders.
A representative of Stegman & Company is expected to be present at the annual meeting and will have
the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and will be available to respond
to appropriate questions.
7
The appointment of the auditors must be ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the
stockholders of the Company at the annual meeting. The Board of Directors recommends that
stockholders vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of Stegman & Company as the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm.
Audit Fees. The following table sets forth the fees billed to the Company by Stegman & Company for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
68,942 |
|
|
$ |
65,226 |
|
Audit Related Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees (1) |
|
|
10,250 |
|
|
|
10,700 |
|
All Other Fees (2) |
|
|
3,749 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Consists of tax filing and tax-related compliance and other advisory services. |
|
(2) |
|
Consists of presentation at directors retreat. |
Pre-Approval of Services by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit
Committees charter provides that the Audit Committee will approve in advance any non-audit service
permitted by the Securities Exchange Act, including tax services, that its independent registered
public accounting firm renders to the Company, unless such prior approval may be waived because of
permitted exceptions under the Securities Exchange Act, including but not limited to the 5% de
minimis exception. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more members of the Audit Committee
the authority to grant pre-approvals for auditing and allowable non-auditing services, which
decision shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting for
ratification. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 the Audit Committee approved
100% of all audit-related, tax and other fees.
Audit Committee Report
The Companys management is responsible for the Companys internal controls and financial reporting
process. The Companys independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing
an independent audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements and issuing an opinion on
the conformity of those financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles. The
Audit Committee oversees the Companys internal controls and financial reporting process on behalf
of the Board of Directors.
In this context, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management and the
independent registered public accounting firm. Management represented to the Audit Committee that
the Companys consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial
statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit
Committee discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be
discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication With Audit Committees),
including the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness
of significant judgments and the clarity of the disclosures in the financial statements.
In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the
independent registered public accounting firm required by the Independence Standards Board Standard
No. 1 (Independence Discussions With Audit Committees) and has discussed with the independent
registered public accounting firm the firms independence from the Company and its management. In
concluding that the registered public accounting firm is independent, the Audit Committee
considered, among other factors, whether the non-audit services provided by the firm were
compatible with its independence.
The Audit Committee discussed with the Companys independent registered public accounting firm the
overall scope and plans for its audit. The Audit Committee meets with the independent registered
public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of its
examination, its evaluation of the Companys internal controls, and the overall quality of the
Companys financial reporting.
In performing all of these functions, the Audit Committee acts only in an oversight capacity. In
its oversight role, the Audit
8
Committee relies on the work and assurances of the Companys management, which has the
primary responsibility for financial statements and reports, and of the independent registered
public accounting firm that, in its report, expresses an opinion on the conformity of the Companys
financial statements to generally accepted accounting principles. The Audit Committees oversight
does not provide it with an independent basis to determine that management has maintained
appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles or policies, or appropriate internal
controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws
and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committees considerations and discussions with management
and the independent registered public accounting firm do not assure that the Companys financial
statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, that the
audit of the Companys financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards or that the Companys independent registered public accounting firm is
in fact independent.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to
the Board of Directors, and the board has approved, that the audited consolidated financial
statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2006 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee also has
approved, subject to stockholder ratification, the selection of the Companys independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
Audit
Committee
Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. (Chair)
James R. Shepherd
A. Joseph Slater, Jr.
Joseph V. Stone, Jr.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The compensation objectives and programs of Tri-County Financial Corporation and its
banking subsidiary, Community Bank of Tri-County, are detailed in the following Compensation
Discussion and Analysis.
Objectives of the Compensation Program. The overarching objectives of the Companys executive
compensation strategy and program are to successfully attract, motivate and retain executive
talent commensurate with the level of financial complexity, individual responsibility and the
strategic business plan of the Company. Embodied in these objectives is an endeavor to align the
executives interest with the interests of our shareholders. The compensation strategy recognizes
that the Company operates in a competitive environment in which it is challenged by competing
entities in its attempt to retain qualified senior executives over a long-term horizon.
The Elements of Compensation
Cash Compensation Element. The strategy followed by the Company and its subsidiary bank,
with respect to the elements of its executive compensation policy, is to provide cash compensation
commensurate with the executives responsibility and level of performance and the overall success
of the Company. The criteria utilized by the Governance Committee in making material increases or
decreases in compensation include an extensive annual performance evaluation, competitive
challenges to retention and an analysis of relevant peer compensation data. This results in a
market sensitive cash compensation plan for each executive. The Company does not utilize any
long-term cash compensation elements in its executive compensation plan.
Incentive Cash Bonus Element. Cash compensation paid includes an incentive cash bonus component
(percentage of pay at risk) that is based on certain criteria established by the Governance
Committee in its annual review of compensation matters for executives. The Committee establishes
an annual goal matrix and allocates a percentage of net income after tax, but before the incentive
accrual, as a pool from which the realized incentive cash bonuse element may draw.
The Committee has established limits to control the maximum amount of at risk cash compensation
to any one executive. The residual of the allocated pool attributable to the individual executive
above the established limits is then allocated to the equity component of the incentive plan.
The methodology utilized by the Committee in establishing the annual goal matrix relies upon
relative achievement of goals rather
9
than a trigger event or absolute achievement level strategy. For example, a targeted goal may be
expressed as a percentage of achievement, i.e. a ROE goal as a percent of peer ROE, the payout
would be based on the corresponding percentage actually achieved by the Company and the executive
would realize a prorated payout. This mitigates the risk of undue pressure to maximize short-term
gains to achieve maximum incentive payouts to management.
The Equity Incentive Element. To align the executive compensation package with the interests of
shareholders, compensation includes granting of incentive stock options. The options are awarded
for a term of ten years. The number of options awarded to an executive is based upon the total
achievement for the year minus the awards paid in cash as described above. The Black-Scholes option
pricing method is used to determine the value of the options awarded for both compensation and
financial reporting purposes. The options are fully vested at time of grant with a strike price
equal to the closing market price established on the OTCBB at the date of the grant. The grant
activity is ratified by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to awarding grants. In addition
to awards under the Executive Compensation Plan, the Board occasionally makes other option grants,
at its discretion, to lower and mid-level employees to strengthen the concept of stewardship and
shareholder alignment throughout the Company. The grants, as described above, are awarded by the
Board of Directors after the annual filings have been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The Post Retirement Benefit Element. To address the long-term retention risk prevalent in the
market in which the Company operates, a pension-related benefit is provided to the executive, as
well as to the entire employee base, through a defined contribution 401 (k) plan. The Company
supplements the 401 (k) benefit for selected executives through a Salary Continuation Plan and
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
The Salary Continuation Plan is a non-qualified defined benefit plan that provides for retirement
benefits paid over 15 years to executives following termination of service. The Bank has purchased
Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) to fund the cost of this plan and other compensation and
benefit arrangements.
The deferred compensation plan is also a non-tax-qualified deferred compensation plan wherein a
participant may defer all or some of his or her compensation. To further align the interest of the
director or executive with that of the shareholder, the salary deferrals are credited with interest
annually based on Tri-County Financial Corporations Return on Equity for the preceding calendar
year.
The Bank also sponsors an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the ESOP). The ESOP provides retirement
benefits to executives as well as the entire employee base of the Bank. The ESOP invests primarily
in Company stock, thereby further aligning participants interests with those of other
shareholders. The ESOP currently holds approximately 7% of the outstanding shares of the Company.
Other Compensation Components. Other compensation components not discussed above may, at the sole
discretion of the Board, include the use of a company issued automobile and membership at local
recreational facilities for business purposes. The Company, for events in which the attendance of
the spouse is deemed appropriate, pays a limited amount of spousal travel related expenses.
The Company, on a case by case basis, may elect to enter into employment contracts with certain
senior executives, which provide for certain benefits in the event of a change in control of the
Company.
Performance Factors Designed to Reward. The objectives of the executive compensation plan as
described above are articulated through a matrix of goals established annually by the Governance
Committee. These goals can and may be varied, at the discretion of the Committee, based on the
business plan of the Company and extenuating circumstances that may arise during the year. Some key
measures that are considered reflective of investor wealth appreciation are the return on equity of
the Company relative to its selected peer group, the annual net change in earnings per share growth
compared to a targeted earnings per share growth level and a percentage obtained when the median
percentage of non-current to gross loans of the peer group (as defined by the fifth Federal Reserve
District for the banking subsidiarys asset size) is divided by the percentage of the banks
non-current to gross loans. Other relevant elements of goal attainment can and may be utilized at
the discretion of the Committee.
Basis for Decisions to Pay Each Element and Manner in which the Company Determines the Amount
of Each Element.
The basis of decisions to pay each element is derived from the need to create a balanced
compensation package that provides sufficient
10
capacity to motivate and retain executives in the Companys marketplace as well as
aligning the interest of the executive with that of the shareholder through equity based
compensation. The cash compensation element is derived from ongoing analysis of peer compensation
for the executives, along with the expectations and skill sets required for the position and the
level of performance of the individual and the Company.
The incentive elements of the compensation plan reflect the performance relative to the business
plans of the Company as described above. Upon the completion of the business cycle, the pre-audited
results of operations are determined and a percentage of the total expected cash compensation
payout is calculated and distributed. Upon completion of audited results of operations and
availability of final peer statistics, the adjusted balance of the cash incentive payout is
calculated and disbursed. The total amount of option grants to be awarded pursuant to the Executive
Incentive Plan is determined and authorized by the Governance Committee, ratified by the full board
and granted to the executive at that date at a strike price determined by the OTCBB closing market
price on the date of the grant.
The retirement benefit element of the plan is evaluated annually by the Committee for relevance,
cost/benefit weighting and degree of coverage of the executives annual cash compensation at
expected retirement dates.
The Ways in Which Each Element Fits into the Companys Overall Compensation Objectives and the
Effect on Other Components of Compensation. The executive compensation, as described above,
determines the Companys overall compensation objectives through its relevance to the strategic
goals of the Company and the competitive marketplace in which the Company operates and attracts
its executive talent. The strategic goals are established by the Board. The labor market
encompasses the entire Washington D.C. Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area and surrounding
areas within commuting distance from the Companys headquarters.
The Role of Management in the Companys Compensation Decisions. The role of management in the
Companys compensation decisions is limited to that of an information resource. The Governance
Committee is composed of independent directors pursuant to the Governance Charter and the NASDAQ
definition of independence. Statistical data on peer companies and market data are provided through
third party providers.
The Elements of Director Compensation. The objectives of the directors of the Bank and the Company
are to create shareholder value appreciation through the long term growth and development of the
Companys banking subsidiary. The Company considers long-tenured directors with significant equity
positions in the Company as the best method of aligning shareholder and board objectives. The
Company has as its policy a requirement that each director hold at least $50,000 in the Companys
stock within 12 months of membership to the board and expects long-term accumulation of the
Companys stock by directors and named executive officers during their tenure with the Company or
its banking subsidiary.
Director Compensation. Directors of the Company and its banking subsidiary receive an annual
retainer and are paid for attendance at various meetings. The Company also pays directors
additional fees to chair committees. All or part of director fees may be deferred in a plan
identical to that offered executives as noted above. In addition, the Company maintains a director
retirement plan that provides long-serving non-employee directors a modest amount (up to $3,500 per
year) annually for up to ten years after retirement from the Board. From time to time, the
Directors are given stock option awards at terms identical to those given management under the
terms of the Companys Equity Compensation Plan. Awards are made based upon the Companys
performance and comparable awards by peer companies.
11
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total return of the Company common stock with the
cumulative total return of the SNL Mid-Atlantic Bank Index and the Index for the NASDAQ Stock
Market (U.S. Companies, SIC). The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2001.
Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends The table below the graph provides
the corresponding data points.
Tri-County Financial Corporation
Total Return Performance
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period Ended |
|
Index |
|
|
12/31/01 |
|
|
|
12/31/02 |
|
|
|
12/31/03 |
|
|
|
12/31/04 |
|
|
|
12/31/05 |
|
|
|
12/31/06 |
|
Tri-County Financial Corporation |
|
$ |
100.00 |
|
|
$ |
169.70 |
|
|
$ |
185.33 |
|
|
$ |
302.59 |
|
|
$ |
343.72 |
|
|
$ |
376.92 |
|
NASDAQ Composite |
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
68.76 |
|
|
|
103.67 |
|
|
|
113.16 |
|
|
|
115.57 |
|
|
|
127.58 |
|
SNL Mid-Atlantic Bank Index |
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
76.91 |
|
|
|
109.35 |
|
|
|
115.82 |
|
|
|
117.87 |
|
|
|
141.46 |
|
12
Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table. The following information is furnished for all individuals
serving as the principal executive officer or principal financial officer of the Company for the
2006 fiscal year and all other executive officers of the Company whose total compensation for the
2006 fiscal year exceeded $100,000 (collectively, the Named Executive Officers). The table
excludes perquisites, which were less than $10,000 for each Named Executive Officer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Pension |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-qualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
|
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary ($) |
|
Bonus ($)(1) |
|
Earnings ($)(2) |
|
($)(3) |
|
Total ($) |
Michael L. Middleton |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
$265,000 |
|
|
|
$82,500 |
|
|
|
$158,095 |
|
|
|
$71,769 |
|
|
|
$577,364 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Marie Brown |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
185,500 |
|
|
|
43,750 |
|
|
|
118,814 |
|
|
|
62,933 |
|
|
|
410,997 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory C. Cockerham |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
182,850 |
|
|
|
43,125 |
|
|
|
30,084 |
|
|
|
36,844 |
|
|
|
292,903 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William J. Pasenelli |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
180,200 |
|
|
|
42,500 |
|
|
|
25,650 |
|
|
|
30,846 |
|
|
|
279,196 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents bonuses paid pursuant to the Banks Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the
Incentive Plan), under which the Bank
establishes a bonus pool equal to 14% of net income after taxes (but before deduction of
bonuses payable under the Incentive Plan) multiplied by a multiplier equal to the average of: (i) the percentage obtained when the
Companys return on equity (ROE) is
divided by the median ROE of a peer group comprised of commercial banks in the fifth Federal
Reserve district; (ii) the percentage
obtained when the median percentage of noncurrent to gross loans of the peer group is divided
by the percentage of the Banks non current to gross loans; and (iii) the percentage increase in the Companys earnings-per-share from
the previous year (EPS Increase) divided
by the targeted EPS Increase for the year established by the Board. In no event will the third
component exceed 150%, and it will be
deemed to be 0% if the percentage, as so computed, is less than 50%. The multiplier shall not
exceed 1.0. The bonus pool is allocated
among officers in proportion to the ratio a designated percentage of their base salary (the
Allocation Base) bears to the total Allocation
Bases of all participating officers. The total bonus pool allocated to an individual will be
paid in either cash or stock options. The total
amount of cash to be paid is limited by the Board of Directors on an employee by employee
basis. Any amount not paid in cash is paid
in the form of stock options valued using the same method as for the Companys financial
statements. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes $145,435, $107,802, $30,084, and $25,650, which reflects the aggregate change in the
actuarial present value of the accumulated
benefit during 2006 for Mr. Middleton, Ms. Brown, and Messrs. Cockerham and Pasenelli,
respectively. Also, includes $12,670 and $11,012
which represents the above-market interest on non-qualified deferred compensation at a rate of
12%, which is equal to the Companys
ROE for the year. |
|
(3) |
|
Details of the amounts reported in the All Other Compensation column for 2006 are provided in
the table below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item |
|
Mr. Middleton |
|
|
Ms. Brown |
|
|
Mr. Cockerham |
|
|
Mr. Pasenelli |
|
Directors fees |
|
$ |
23,900 |
|
|
$ |
23,900 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Market value of allocations under the employee stock ownership plan |
|
|
22,953 |
|
|
|
18,172 |
|
|
|
17,156 |
|
|
|
8,315 |
|
Employer contribution to 401 (k) Plan |
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
Imputed income under split-dollar life insurance arrangement |
|
|
15,895 |
|
|
|
11,896 |
|
|
|
10,739 |
|
|
|
14,825 |
|
Reimbursement of payroll taxes for supplemental retirement benefits |
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
149 |
|
|
|
206 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
71,769 |
|
|
$ |
62,933 |
|
|
$ |
36,844 |
|
|
$ |
30,846 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employment Agreements. The Bank maintains an employment agreement with Mr. Middleton, which
provides for an annual salary of $250,000, subject to annual increases reflecting the Banks usual
practices for salary increases. The agreement provides for Mr. Middletons employment for a period
of five years. The term of the agreement automatically renews daily. The agreement provides, among
other things, for annual review of compensation, for participation in an equitable manner in any
stock option plan or
13
incentive plan to the extent authorized by the Banks Board of Directors for its key management
employees and for participation in pension, group life insurance, medical coverage and in other
employee benefits applicable to executive personnel. The agreement provides for termination for
cause or upon certain events specified in the agreement. The agreement is also terminable by the
Bank without cause, in which case Mr. Middleton would be entitled to a lump-sum severance benefit
equal to the sum of his base salary for the remaining term of the agreement plus five times the
most recent incentive compensation paid to Mr. Middleton. In addition, the Bank will provide to Mr.
Middleton continued coverage under its medical, dental, and life insurance programs, payable in a
lump sum. If the bank terminated the agreement without cause on December 31, 2006, Mr. Middleton
would have been entitled to receive approximately $2,140,850.00.
If, following a change in control of the Company or the Bank, as defined in the agreement: (1) Mr.
Middleton voluntarily terminates his employment for any reason within the 30-day period beginning
on the date of a change of control; (2) Mr. Middleton voluntarily terminates employment within 90
days of an event that occurs during the period which begins on the date six months before a change
of control and ends on the later of the second anniversary of the change of control or the
expiration of the employment agreement, and which event constitutes good reason, as defined in the
employment agreement; or (3) the Bank terminates Mr. Middletons employment for any reason other
than for just cause, as defined in the agreement, then Mr. Middleton shall be entitled to receive a
lump-sum severance benefit equal to the sum of his base salary for the remaining term of the
agreement plus five times the most recent incentive compensation paid to Mr. Middleton. In
addition, the Bank will provide to Mr. Middleton continued coverage under its medical, dental, and
life insurance programs, payable in a lump sum. In addition, Mr. Middleton would be entitled to be
reimbursed for excise taxes imposed on any excess parachute payments, as defined in Section 280G
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, made under the employment agreement and under any other
plans, programs or agreements (such as the Salary Continuation Agreement described below), as well
as any additional excise and income taxes imposed as a result of such reimbursement. A change of
control refers to certain enumerated events, including the acquisition of ownership of 25% or more
of the Companys common stock by any person or group. If a change in control had occurred on
December 31, 2006, and Mr. Middletons employment had been terminated on such date under the
circumstances described above, Mr. Middleton would have been entitled to receive approximately
$3,202,793, including $1,061,943 as indemnification for taxes attributable to Section 280G of the
Code.
The Bank maintains similar employment agreements with Ms. Brown and Messrs. Cockerham and
Pasenelli, except that those agreements do not include any provision for an excess parachute
payment tax reimbursement. Ms. Browns agreement provides for an annual salary of $175,000, Mr.
Cockerhams agreement provides for a current annual salary of $172,500 and Mr. Pasenellis
provides for an annual salary of $170,000, subject to annual increases to reflect cost of living
adjustments. Each agreement has a three-year term with a provision for extension for automatic
renewal on a daily basis. Under termination without just cause, the severance payable under these
agreements equals their base salaries for 24 months, plus continued life, health, disability, and
other benefits for 36 months. If the agreements were terminated by the Bank without cause on
December 31, 2006, Ms. Brown and Messrs. Cockerham and Pasenelli would be entitled to lump sum
severance payments of $396,005, $388,391, and $391,764, respectively. Each agreement also provides
for a change in control severance payment equal to the difference between two times the officers
five-year average annual compensation for Section 280G purposes and the sum of any other
parachute payments under Section 280G (as discussed above), under circumstances similar to those
in which Mr. Middleton would receive a change in control payment. If a change in control had
occurred on December 31, 2006 and Ms. Brown and Messrs. Cockerham and Pasenellis employment had
been terminated on such date, Ms. Brown and Messrs. Cockerham and Pasenelli would be entitled to
receive approximately $370,564, $314,304 and $291,032, respectively.
14
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End. The following table provides information concerning
unexercised options for each of the Named Executive Officers outstanding as of December 31, 2006,
adjusted for the three-for-two stock split effected on November 27, 2006. The Company had no
unvested stock awards at December 31, 2006.
Option Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of |
|
Number of Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Underlying |
|
Underlying Unexercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised Options |
|
Options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
Option Exercise |
|
Option Expiration |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date |
Michael L. Middleton |
|
|
6,036 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
22.29 |
|
|
|
12/19/2015 |
|
|
|
|
20,164 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.89 |
|
|
|
12/27/2014 |
|
|
|
|
14,286 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.74 |
|
|
|
12/31/2013 |
|
|
|
|
6,412 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.55 |
|
|
|
12/31/2012 |
|
|
|
|
11,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.85 |
|
|
|
12/31/2011 |
|
|
|
|
6,976 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.91 |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 |
|
|
|
|
6,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.88 |
|
|
|
12/31/2009 |
|
|
|
|
5,301 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.20 |
|
|
|
12/31/2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Marie Brown |
|
|
5,555 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
22.29 |
|
|
|
12/19/2015 |
|
|
|
|
11,585 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.89 |
|
|
|
12/27/2014 |
|
|
|
|
8,208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.74 |
|
|
|
12/31/2013 |
|
|
|
|
3,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.55 |
|
|
|
12/31/2012 |
|
|
|
|
8,437 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.85 |
|
|
|
12/31/2011 |
|
|
|
|
3,705 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.91 |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 |
|
|
|
|
3,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.88 |
|
|
|
12/31/2009 |
|
|
|
|
13,314 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.20 |
|
|
|
12/31/2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory C. Cockerham |
|
|
5,476 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
22.29 |
|
|
|
12/19/2015 |
|
|
|
|
10,728 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.89 |
|
|
|
12/27/2014 |
|
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.74 |
|
|
|
12/31/2013 |
|
|
|
|
3,037 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.55 |
|
|
|
12/31/2012 |
|
|
|
|
6,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.85 |
|
|
|
12/31/2011 |
|
|
|
|
3,397 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.91 |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 |
|
|
|
|
3,374 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.88 |
|
|
|
12/31/2009 |
|
|
|
|
8,508 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.20 |
|
|
|
12/31/2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William J.Pasenelli |
|
|
5,397 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
22.29 |
|
|
|
12/19/2015 |
|
|
|
|
10,298 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.89 |
|
|
|
12/27/2014 |
|
|
|
|
7,296 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.74 |
|
|
|
12/31/2013 |
|
|
|
|
2,868 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.55 |
|
|
|
12/31/2012 |
|
|
|
|
4,725 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.85 |
|
|
|
12/31/2011 |
|
|
|
|
1,434 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.91 |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 |
|
|
|
|
3,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.88 |
|
|
|
12/31/2009 |
|
15
Option Exercises and Stock Vested. The following table provides information concerning
stock option exercises for each of the Named Executive Officers, on an aggregate basis, during
the 2006 fiscal year. No stock awards vested during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
Option
Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
Acquired on Exercise |
|
Value Realized on |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
Exercise($) |
Michael L. Middleton |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
$ |
69,617 |
|
C. Marie Brown |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory C. Cockerham |
|
|
4,165 |
|
|
|
69,960 |
|
William J. Pasenelli |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension Benefits. The following table provides information at December 31, 2006 with respect
to each plan that provides payments or benefits in connection with the retirement of a Named
Executive Officer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present Value of |
|
|
|
|
Accumulated Benefit |
Name |
|
Plan Name |
|
($) (1) |
Michael L. Middleton |
|
Salary Continuation Agreement |
|
$ |
496,789 |
|
C. Marie Brown |
|
Salary Continuation Agreement |
|
|
368,240 |
|
Gregory C. Cockerham |
|
Salary Continuation Agreement |
|
|
97,101 |
|
William J. Pasenelli |
|
Salary Continuation Agreement |
|
|
73,039 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The salary continuation agreements referenced above assume a normal retirement age of 62
for Mr. Middleton and a
retirement age of 65 for the other participants. Amounts are accrued under these plans using
a level principal method over the period between inception of the plans and normal retirement
age. The plans assume discount rates between 6 and 7%. |
The Bank and Mr. Middleton entered into a Salary Continuation Agreement, which is being funded
through a life insurance policy that the Bank owns and with respect to which it is the sole death
beneficiary. Pursuant to his Salary Continuation Agreement, if Mr. Middleton terminates
employment with the Bank on or after his 62nd birthday, or within 24 months subsequent to a
change in control (as defined in his Employment Agreement), or terminates employment on account
of a disability, he will be entitled to receive $10,671 per month for 180 months commencing on
his 65th birthday (or his termination of employment, if later). If Mr. Middletons employment is
terminated for reasons other than disability before his 62nd birthday, the monthly amount payable
to him for 180 months commencing on his 65th birthday will be $10,671 multiplied by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of years of service completed by Mr. Middleton at the time
of his termination of employment, and the denominator of which is the number of years of service
he would have completed had he remained employed with the Bank until his 62nd birthday. Mr.
Middleton may elect that his pension commence immediately following termination of employment
prior to his 65th birthday, provided that he make such election at least 13 months before his
termination of employment. If Mr. Middleton makes such election, his pension will be reduced on
the basis of an interest factor equal to the five-year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate (but not
greater than 6% annually). If Mr. Middleton dies while an employee of the Bank, or after
termination of employment, but before the date on which his pension would have become payable,
his designated beneficiary will receive $10,671 per month for 180 months commencing as of the
first day of the month following his death. If Mr. Middleton dies after payment of his pension
has commenced, his designated beneficiary will receive the balance of the 180 monthly payments.
Mr. Middleton will forfeit his entitlement to all benefits under the Salary Continuation
Agreement if his employment with the Bank is terminated for cause as specified in his Employment
Agreement. In addition, Mr. Middleton would be entitled to be reimbursed for excise taxes imposed
on any excess parachute payment, as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, made
under the Salary Continuation Agreement and under any other plans, programs, or agreements, (such
as the Employment Agreement), as well as any additional excise and income taxes imposed as a
result of such reimbursement.
The Bank entered into similar Salary Continuation Agreements with Ms. Brown and Messrs. Cockerham
and Pasenelli. Their Salary Continuation Agreements are identical to Mr. Middletons Salary
Continuation Agreement, except that (1) the full monthly benefit for Ms. Brown and Messrs.
Cockerham and Pasenelli is $3,627, $6,420 and $7,676, respectively; (2) the full monthly benefit
is payable if termination of employment occurs on or after age 65, on account of disability, or
within 12 months subsequent to a
16
change in control; and (3) they do not include any provision for an excess parachute payment
tax reimbursement.
The Company has entered into Guaranty Agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers pursuant
to which it has agreed to be jointly and severally liable for amounts payable under their
employment agreements.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation. The following table provides information with respect to the
Banks Deferred Compensation Plan in which the Named Executive Officers participated during fiscal
year 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive |
|
Aggregate Earnings |
|
Aggregate Balance at |
|
|
Contributions in Last |
|
in Last Fiscal Year |
|
Last Fiscal Year End |
Name |
|
Fiscal Year
($) (1) |
|
($) (2) |
|
($) |
Michael L. Middleton |
|
|
$23,900 |
|
|
|
$24,114 |
|
|
|
$294,681 |
|
C. Marie Brown |
|
|
23,900 |
|
|
|
20,976 |
|
|
|
263,946 |
|
Gregory C. Cockerham |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William J. Pasenelli |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Contributions made to the plan by the executives in previous years were previously
reported as compensation in the proxy
statement in the year in which the allocation occurred. |
|
(2) |
|
The amount disclosed in the earnings column represents interest paid on
directors fees deferred. Such amount is reported as compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 under the Change in Pension
Value and Non-qualified
Deferred Compensation Earnings column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
Directors Retirement Plan. The Directors Retirement Plan (the Directors Plan), in which Mr.
Middleton and Ms. Brown participate, establishes a deferred compensation program for members of
the Board of Directors of the Bank. Under the Directors Plan, participants may elect to defer all
or any portion of the fees and/or salary otherwise payable to them in cash for any calendar year
in which the Directors Plan is in effect. Deferred amounts will be credited to a bookkeeping
account in the participants name, which will also be credited annually with interest at a rate
determined based on the Return on Equity of the Company for the calendar year as determined under
generally accepted accounting principles. Participants may determine the time and form of benefit
payments and may cease future deferrals at any time. Changes in participant elections generally
become effective only as of the following January 1st, except that (1) elections designating a
beneficiary or ceasing future contributions will be given immediate effect, and (2) participants
may change elections as to the timing or form of distributions only with respect to subsequently
deferred compensation.
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. The Community Bank of Tri-County Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2007, permits officers designated as participants by
the Board of Directors to defer all or part of their base salary earned for their services during
the calendar year. Participants must file a deferred compensation agreement before December 31st
to defer compensation for the following plan year. The Bank credits participants deferrals with
interest annually at a rate determined based on Tri-County Financial Corporations Return on
Equity for the preceding calendar year. Participants are fully vested at all times in their salary
deferrals and interest earnings under the plan. Distributions from the plan are made in cash on a
date specified by the participant at the time of deferral or upon separation from service, death,
disability or a change in control. Participants may elect at the time of deferral to receive
distributions of deferred amounts in one lump sum or in a maximum of five annual installments.
Participants automatically receive a lump sum distribution, however, following a change in
control. Mr. Middleton and Ms. Brown currently participate in the plan.
17
Director Compensation
The following table provides the compensation received by individuals who served as
non-employee directors of the Company during the 2006 fiscal year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Pension |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified Deferred |
|
|
|
|
Fees Earned or |
|
Option Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
|
Name |
|
Paid in Cash ($) |
|
(#) (1) |
|
earnings ($) (2) |
|
Total ($) |
Philip T. Goldstein |
|
|
12,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
12,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. |
|
|
28,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
761 |
|
|
|
29,136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. |
|
|
28,650 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,138 |
|
|
|
37,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James R. Shepherd |
|
|
32,150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,400 |
|
|
|
33,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Joseph Slater, Jr. |
|
|
29,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,059 |
|
|
|
31,684 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Beaman Smith |
|
|
44,301 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,796 |
|
|
|
48,097 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph V. Stone, Jr. |
|
|
13,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,593 |
|
|
|
14,968 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
As of December 31, 2006, the Companys directors had options to purchase shares of common stock
as follows: Mr.
Jenkins-18,056 options; Mr. Redmond-29,925 options; Mr. Shepherd-13,893 options; Mr.
Slater-15,412 options; Mr. Smith-27,912 options; and Messrs. Goldstein and Stone-0 options.
Stock options have been adjusted for the three-for-two stock split effected on November 27,
2006. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes change in actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under the Director
Retirement Plan and above market interest paid on directors fees deferred. Deferred interest on directors fees was
$7,194, $2,767, and $1,593 for Messrs. Redmond, Smith, and Stone, respectively, and earned
interest at a rate of 12%, which is equal to the Companys ROE. Directors retirement is
accured on a straight-line basis over the expected service of the director with no
discounting. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes $15,000 for service as Secretary of the Company. |
Directors Retirement Plan. The Bank maintains a retirement plan for members of the Board of
Directors of the Bank (the Directors Plan). Under the Directors Plan, each non-employee
director of the Bank will receive an annual retirement benefit for ten years following his
termination of service on the Banks Board in an amount equal to the product of his Benefit
Percentage, his Vested Percentage, and $3,500. A participants Benefit Percentage is 0% for
less than five years of service, 33
1/3% for five to nine years of service, 66
2/3% for ten to 14 years of service, and 100% for 15 or more years of service. A
participants Vested Percentage equals 33 1/3% if the participant was serving on the
Board on January 1, 1995 (the Effective Date), increases to 66 2/3% if the
participant completes one year of service after the Effective Date, and becomes 100% if the
participant completes a second year of service after the Effective Date. However, if a
participant retires from service on the Board due to disability (as determined by the Board of
Directors of the Bank) or for any reason after attaining age 65, the participants Vested
Percentage will become 100% regardless of his years of service. A participants vested percentage
will also become 100% in the event of a change in control (as defined in the Directors Plan).
If a participant terminates service on the Board due to disability, the Bank will pay the
participant each year for ten years an amount equal to the product of his Benefit Percentage and
$3,500. The Directors Plan also provides death benefits to a participants surviving spouse
under certain conditions.
The Directors Plan also establishes a deferred compensation program for participants, under
which they may elect to defer, prior to December 31, all or any portion of the fees and/or salary
otherwise payable in cash for the following calendar year. Deferred
amounts will be credited to a bookkeeping account in the participants name, which will also be
credited annually with a rate of
18
return equal to the Companys Return on Equity for the calendar year, as determined under
generally accepted accounting principles. Participants may determine the time and form of benefit
payments and may cease future deferrals at any time. Changes in participant elections generally
become effective only as of the following January 1st, except that (1) elections designating a
beneficiary or ceasing future contributions will be given immediate effect, and (2) participants
may change elections as to the timing or form of distributions only with respect to subsequently
deferred compensation.
Cash Retainer and Meeting Fees For Directors. The following tables set forth the applicable
retainers and fees that were paid in 2006 and will continue to be paid in 2007 to directors for
their service on the Board of Directors of the Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank.
Board of Directors of Tri-County Financial
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Annual Retainer
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$8,000 |
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Fee per Board Meeting (Regular or Special)
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$500 ($225 per telephone meeting) |
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Fee per Committee Meeting
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$325 ($225 per telephone meeting) |
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Additional Fee per Audit Committee Meeting for
Chairman of Audit Committee
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$100 |
Board of Directors of the Bank
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Annual Retainer |
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$3,500 |
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Fee per Board Meeting (Regular or Special) |
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$650 ($225 per telephone meeting) |
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Fee per Committee Meeting |
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$425 ($225 per telephone meeting) |
If more than one meeting of the Bank, the Company or any committee is held on any given day, the
aggregate fees cannot exceed $1,400 per day. Additionally, for his service as Secretary and
Treasurer of the Company in 2006, Mr. Smith received an annual salary of $15,000. Employee
directors receive only the annual retainer and board meeting fees; they do not receive fees for
committee meetings.
Governance Committee Report
The Governance Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that
is required by the rules established by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based on such
review and discussion, the Governance Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement. See Compensation
Discussion and Analysis.
Governance Committee
Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. (Chair)
Philip T. Goldstein
Herbert N. Redmond, Jr.
James R. Shepherd
H. Beaman Smith
Governance Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Mr. Smith, who serves on the Governance Committee, served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Company
in 2006.
Relationships and Transactions with the Company and the Bank
Loans to Officers and Directors. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 generally prohibits loans by the
Company to its executive officers and directors. However, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act contains a
specific exemption from such prohibition for loans by the Bank to its executive officers and
directors in compliance with federal banking regulations. Federal regulations require that all
loans or extensions of credit to executive officers and directors of insured financial institutions
must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those
prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and must not involve more
than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. The Bank is therefore
prohibited from making any new loans or extensions of credit to executive officers and directors at
different rates or terms than those offered to the
19
general public. Notwithstanding this rule, federal regulations permit the Bank to make loans to
executive officers and directors at reduced interest rates if the loan is made under a benefit
program generally available to all other employees and does not give preference to any executive
officer or director over any other employee, although the Bank does not currently have such a
program in place.
The Company does not have a comprehensive written policy for the review, approval or ratification
of certain transactions with related persons. However, in accordance with banking regulations, the
Board of Directors reviews all loans made to a director or executive officer in an amount that,
when aggregated with the amount of all other loans to such person and his or her related interests,
exceed the greater of $25,000 or 5% of the Companys capital and surplus (up to a maximum of
$500,000) and such loan must be approved in advance by a majority of the disinterested members of
the Board of Directors.
Other Transactions. Louis P. Jenkins, Jr. is the principal of Jenkins Law Firm, LLC, which
performed legal services for the Bank and its borrowers during fiscal year 2006, and is expected to
perform similar services during the current fiscal year. Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. is President of
D.H. Steffens Company, which performed engineering services for the Bank during 2006 and is
expected to perform similar services during the current fiscal year.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Pursuant to regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act, the Companys officers,
directors and persons who own more than 10% of the outstanding common stock are required to file
reports detailing their ownership and changes of ownership in such common stock, and to furnish the
Company with copies of all such reports. Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports
received during the past fiscal year or with respect to the last fiscal year or written
representations from such persons that no annual reports of changes in beneficial ownership were
required, the Company believes that during 2006, all of its officers, directors and all of its
stockholders owning in excess of 10% of the outstanding common stock have complied with the
reporting requirements.
Miscellaneous
The Company will pay the cost of this proxy solicitation. The Company will reimburse brokerage
firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in
sending proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the common stock. In addition to conducting
solicitations by mail, directors, officers and regular employees of the Company may solicit proxies
personally or by telegraph or telephone without additional compensation.
The Companys 2006 Annual Report to Stockholders, including financial statements, accompanies this
proxy statement. Such Annual Report is not to be treated as a part of the proxy solicitation
material nor as having been incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Companys Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission will be furnished without charge to stockholders as of March 9, 2007, upon written
request to the Secretary, Tri-County Financial Corporation, 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf,
Maryland 20601.
20
Stockholder Proposals and Nominations
To be eligible for inclusion in the Companys proxy materials for next years annual meeting of
stockholders, any stockholder proposal to take action at such meeting must be received at the
Companys main office at 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601 no later than December 11,
2007. If next years annual meeting is held on a date more than 30 calendar days from May 9, 2008,
a stockholder proposal must be received by a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and
mail its proxy solicitation materials. Any stockholder proposals will be subject to the
requirements of the proxy rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Stockholder proposals, other than those submitted above and nominations must be submitted in
writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the secretary
of the Company not fewer than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to any such meeting; provided,
however, that if notice or public disclosure of the meeting is given fewer than 40 days before the
meeting, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed to the Secretary of the Company not later
than the close of the 10th day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to
stockholders.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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GREGORY C. COCKERHAM |
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Secretary |
Waldorf, Maryland
April 9, 2007
21
Appendix A
TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE
CHARTER
The Board of Directors of Tri-County Financial Corporation (the Company) has constituted and
established an audit committee (the Committee) with authority, responsibility, and specific
duties as described in this Audit Committee Charter.
Committee Mission: The primary responsibility of the Committee is to oversee the Companys
financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors and report the results of these
activities to the Board. Management of the Company is responsible for preparing the Companys
financial statements, and the independent auditors retained by the Committee are responsible for
auditing those financial statements. The Committee in carrying out its responsibilities believes
its policies and procedures should remain flexible, in order to best react to overall changing
conditions and circumstances. The Committee should take the appropriate actions to set the
overall corporate policy for quality financial reporting, sound business risk management policies
and ethical behavior.
A. COMPOSITION
The Committee shall consist of at least three directors, each of whom shall be independent as
defined by applicable NASDAQ Listing Standards and free from any relationship that, in the
opinion of the Board of Directors, as evidenced by its annual selection of such Committee
members, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment as a Committee member. A
member will not be considered independent if he or she accepts directly or indirectly any
consulting, advisory or compensatory fee from the Company or Community Bank of Tri-County or any
subsidiary thereof or is affiliated with the Company, Community Bank of Tri-County or any
subsidiary thereof. Each Committee member shall be able to read and understand financial
statements (including the Companys balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement).
Additionally, at least one member of the Committee shall have past employment experience in
finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting or any comparable
experience or background that results in the individuals financial sophistication, including
being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior officer
with financial oversight responsibilities. The Committee shall use its best efforts to have a
member that is an audit committee financial expert as defined by SEC Regulations.
The members of the Committee shall be elected by the Board annually or until their successors
shall be duly elected and qualified. Unless a Chairman is elected by the full Board, the members
of the Committee may designate a chairman by a majority vote of the full Committee membership.
B. MISSION STATEMENT AND PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS
The Committee shall have access to all records of the Company and shall have and may exercise
such powers as are appropriate to its purpose. The Committee shall perform the following
functions:
(1) |
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Review the accounting policies used by the Company for financial reporting and tax purposes
and consider any significant changes in accounting policies that are proposed by management
or required by regulatory or professional authorities. |
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(2) |
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Review the Companys audited financial statements and related footnotes and the Managements
Discussion and Analysis portion of the annual report on Form 10-K prior to the filing of such
report with the SEC. |
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(3) |
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Review the Companys unaudited financial statements and related footnotes and the Management
Discussion and Analysis portion of the Companys Form 10-Q for each interim quarter and
instruct management of the Company to ensure that the independent auditors also reviews the
Companys interim financial statements before the Company files its quarterly reports on Form
10-Q with the SEC. |
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(4) |
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Study the format and timeliness of financial reports presented to the public or used
internally and, when indicated, recommend changes for appropriate consideration by
management. |
A-1
(5) |
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Meet and discuss with the Companys legal counsel, as appropriate, legal matters that
may have a significant impact on the Company or its financial reports. |
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(6) |
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Ensure that management has been diligent and prudent in establishing accounting provisions
for probable losses or doubtful values and in making appropriate disclosures of significant
financial conditions or events. |
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(7) |
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Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and confirm annually that the
responsibilities outlined in this charter are carried out. Evaluate the committees and
individual members performance at least annually. |
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(8) |
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Discuss generally with management the Companys earnings press releases. |
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(9) |
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Appoint, compensate, retain and oversee the work of the independent auditors employed
(including resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial
reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report with respect to the Company
or preparing other audit, review or attest services for the Company; such independent auditors
shall be duly registered with the Public Accounting Oversight Board; and, such independent
auditors shall report directly to the Committee. |
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(10) |
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Approve in advance any non-audit service permitted by the Act, including tax services, that
its independent auditors renders to the Company, unless such prior approval may be waived
because of permitted exceptions under the Act, including but not limited to the 5% de minimis
exception. |
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(11) |
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To the extent required by applicable regulations, disclose in periodic reports filed by the
Company with the SEC, approval by the Committee of allowable non-audit services to be
performed for the Company by its independent auditors. |
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(12) |
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Delegate to one or more members of the Committee the authority to grant pre-approvals for
auditing and allowable non-auditing services, which decision shall be presented to the full
Committee at its next scheduled meeting for ratification. |
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(13) |
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Receive a timely report from its independent auditors performing the audit of the Company,
which details: (1) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used in the audit;
(2) all alternate presentation and disclosure of financial information within generally
accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management officials of the
Company, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosure and the treatment preferred
by the independent auditors; and (3) other material written communications between the
independent auditors and the management of the Company, including, but not limited to, any
management letter or scheduled or unadjusted differences. |
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(14) |
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Meet with management and independent auditors to (a) discuss the scope of the annual audit,
(b) discuss the annual audited financial statements including disclosures made in
Managements Discussion and Analysis portion of the Companys annual report on Form 10-K,
(c) discuss any significant matter arising from the audit or report as disclosed to the
Committee by management or the independent auditors, (d) review the form of opinion the
independent auditors propose to render with respect to the audited annual financial
statements, (e) discuss significant changes to the Companys auditing and accounting
principles, policies, or procedures proposed by management or the independent auditors, (f)
inquire of the independent auditors of significant risks or exposures, if any, that have come
to the attention of the independent auditors and any difficulties encountered in conducting
the audit, including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to requested
information and any significant disagreement with management. |
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(15) |
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Ensure that the independent auditors submit to the Committee written disclosures and the
letter from the independent auditors required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, and discuss with the independent auditors
their independence. |
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(16) |
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Discuss with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61
Communication with Audit Committees and SAS 90 Audit Committee Communications, which
include: |
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(a) |
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methods used to account for significant unusual transactions; |
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(b) |
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the effect of significant accounting policies in controversial or
emerging areas for which there is a lack of authoritative guidance or consensus; |
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(c) |
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the process used by management in formulating particularly sensitive accounting
estimates and the basis |
A-2
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for the auditors conclusions regarding the reasonableness of those estimates; |
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(d) |
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disagreements with management over the application of accounting
principles, the basis for managements accounting estimates, and the disclosures
in the financial statements; and |
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(e) |
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information regarding the auditors judgment about quality, not just
acceptability, of the Companys auditing principles. |
(17) |
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Engage independent counsel and other advisers, as the Committee may determine in its sole
discretion to be necessary and appropriate, to carry out the Committees duties. |
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(18) |
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Be provided with appropriate funding by the Company, as determined by the Committee, for
payment of: |
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(a) |
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compensation to any independent auditors engaged for the purpose of
preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest
services for the Company; |
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(b) |
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compensation to any advisers employed by the audit committee under Section 17
above; and |
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(c) |
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ordinary administrative expenses of the audit committee that are
necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties. |
(19) |
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Obtain from the independent auditors, at least annually, a formal written statement
delineating all relationships between the independent auditors and the Company, and at least
annually discuss with the independent auditors any relationship or services which may impact
the independent auditors objectivity or independence, and take appropriate actions to ensure
such independence. |
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(20) |
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Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the
Company regarding account ing, internal accounting controls or auditing matters. |
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(21) |
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Review managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting and the attestation report submitted by the independent auditors to ensure that
appropriate suggestions for improvement are promptly considered with respect to the Companys
internal control over financial reporting. |
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(22) |
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Establish procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company
of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
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(23) |
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Have the authority to investigate allegations of managerial misconduct by its executives or
any other matters related to the financial operations of the Company. |
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(24) |
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Prepare a report for inclusion in the Companys annual meeting proxy statement, in
accordance with applicable rules and
regulations. |
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(25) |
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Review with management and the Internal Audit provider the Internal Audit Charter, the
scope and timing of upcoming internal audit reviews and staffing and organization structure
of the Internal Audit Function. The Committee will review the effectiveness of the internal
audit function, including compliance with The Institute of Internal Auditors Standards for
the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. |
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(26) |
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Receive and review timely reports from the Compliance providers and the senior management
officer responsible for the compliance function of the Company and its subsidiary bank which
details the scope, timing and results of the compliance function. |
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(27) |
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Receive and review timely reports from the Internal Audit provider and the senior management
officer responsible for the Sarbanes-Oxley certification process that details the scope,
timing and results of the SOX certification function. |
A-3
C. MEETINGS
Meetings of the Committee will be held at least quarterly and such other times as shall be required
by the Chairman of the Board, or by a majority of the members of the Committee. All meetings of the
Committee shall be held pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company with regard to notice, quorum, voting
and waiver thereof. The Chairman of the Audit Committee shall be responsible for meeting with or
designating another Committee member to meet with the Companys independent auditors either in
person or by telephone at their request to discuss the Companys interim financial statements.
Written minutes pertaining to each meeting shall be filed with the Companys Secretary and an oral
report shall be presented by the Committee at each Board meeting.
At the invitation of the Chairman of the Committee, the meetings shall be attended by the President
and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, Director of Internal
Audit, the representatives of the independent auditors, and such other persons whose attendance is
appropriate to the matters under consideration.
Approved by Committee February 26, 2007.
A-4
Appendix B
CHARTER
OF THE
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ON FEBRUARY 4, 2004
AND AS AMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE ON FEBRUARY 24, 2006
I. AUTHORITY AND COMPOSITION
The Committee is established pursuant to Article II, Section 14 of the Bylaws of Tri-County
Financial Corporation (the Corporation) and Article IX of the Articles of Incorporation of the
Corporation. Committee members shall be appointed annually by the Board and may be replaced by
the Board. The Committee may appoint a Secretary, who need not be a Director. The Committee
Chairman shall be appointed by the Board.
The Committee shall consist of at least three directors, each of whom shall be independent as
defined by applicable NASDAQ Listing Standards.
II. PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committees purpose is to assist the Board in promoting the best interests of the Corporation
and its shareholders through the implementation of sound corporate governance principles and
practices.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE
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(a) |
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Identify potential candidates for nomination as Directors on an ongoing basis,
consistent with the Committees established criteria, including consideration of
prospective candidates proposed by security holders in accordance with established
procedures; |
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(b) |
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Recommend to the Board the number of Directors to be elected and a slate of
nominees for election as Directors at the Corporations annual meeting of shareholders; |
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(c) |
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Recommend to the Board persons to be appointed as Directors in the interval
between annual meetings of the Corporations shareholders; |
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(d) |
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Recommend to the Board standards for determining outside director independence
consistent with NASD Rule 4200(a)(15) and other legal or regulatory corporation
governance requirements and review and assess these standards on a periodic ongoing
basis; |
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(e) |
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Review the size and composition of the Board, including the qualifications and
independence of the members of the Board and its various committees on a regular basis
and make any recommendations the Committee members may deem appropriate from time to
time concerning any recommended changes in the composition of the Board and its
committees; |
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(f) |
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Oversee the Corporations director orientation and continuing education programs; |
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(g) |
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Recommend the compensation and benefits of outside, non-employee Directors to
the Board as the Committee deems appropriate; |
B-1
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(h) |
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Recommend to the Board a retirement policy for Directors and a policy relating to
Directors who have experienced a change in the job responsibilities they held at the
time they became a Director; |
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(i) |
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Recommend to the Board such changes to the Boards Committee structure and
Committee functions as the Committee deems advisable; |
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Confirm that each standing Committee of the Board has a Charter in effect and
that such Charter is reviewed at least annually by its Committee; |
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(k) |
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Review shareholder proposals duly and properly submitted to the
Corporation and recommend appropriate action to the Board; |
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(l) |
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Review any proposed amendments to the Corporations Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws and recommend appropriate action to the Board; |
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(m) |
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Review and assess the Corporations compliance with the corporate governance
requirements established under federal securities and banking laws and regulations,
state corporate law, exchange listing standards or otherwise as applicable to each of
the Corporation and its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates; |
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(n) |
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Monitor the Boards and the Corporations compliance with any commitments made
to the Corporations regulators or otherwise regarding changes in corporate governance
practices; |
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(o) |
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Recommend to the Board such additional actions related to corporate governance
matters as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable from time to time, including
establishing management development and succession plans; |
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(p) |
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Review and assess the quality and clarity of the information provided to the
Board and the Committee and make recommendations to management as the Committee deems
appropriate from time to time for improving such materials; |
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(q) |
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Evaluate the effectiveness of the Boards oversight of management activities and
the major operations of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and controlled affiliates; |
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(r) |
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Review and assess the Boards effectiveness in monitoring exceptions to
Board-approved policies and guidelines; |
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(s) |
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Review Board and committee processes for assessing the adequacy and completeness
of their respective minutes, the process for the review and approval of such minutes
and the retention of such minutes and any related materials presented to the Board of
its committees for review; and |
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(t) |
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Receive comments from all Directors and report annually to the Board with an
assessment of the Boards performance, to be discussed with the full Board near or
following the end of each fiscal year. |
With respect to the responsibilities listed above, the Committee shall
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(a) |
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Report regularly to the Board on its activities; |
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(b) |
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Maintain minutes of its meetings and records relating to those meetings and the
Committees activities; |
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(c) |
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Have the sole authority to retain and terminate any search firm to be used to
identify Director candidates and to approve the search firms fees and other retention
terms; |
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(d) |
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Have authority to obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal,
accounting or other advisors; |
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(e) |
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Form and delegate authority to subcommittees of one or more Committee members when
appropriate; |
B-2
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(f) |
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Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend to the
Board any proposed changes to this Charter; and |
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(g) |
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Annually review the Committees own performance. |
IV. GENERAL
In performing their responsibilities, Committee members are entitled to rely in good faith on
information, opinions, reports or statements prepared or presented by:
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(a) |
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One or more officers and employees of the Corporation whom the Committee member
reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; |
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(b) |
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Counsel, independent auditors, or other persons as to matters which the Committee
member reasonably believes to be within the professional or expert competence of such
person; or |
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(c) |
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Another committee of the Board as to matters within its designated authority
which committee the Committee member reasonably believes to merit confidence. |
V. MEETINGS
Meetings of the Committee will be held at such times as shall be determined by the Chairman of the
Board or by a majority of the members of the Committee. All meetings of the Committee shall be
held pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company with regard to notice, quorum, voting and waiver
thereof. Written minutes pertaining to each meeting shall be filed with the Companys Secretary
and an oral report shall be presented by the Committee at each Board meeting.
B-3
REVOCABLE PROXY
TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 9, 2007
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints James R. Shepherd and H. Beaman Smith with full powers of
substitution in each, to act as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned to vote all shares of
common stock of Tri-County Financial Corporation (the Company) that the undersigned is entitled
to vote at the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders to be held in the Board Room at the main office
of Community Bank of Tri-County, 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland on Wednesday, May 9, 2007
at 10:00 a.m. (the Annual Meeting) and at any and all adjournments thereof, as follows:
Should the undersigned be present and elect to vote at the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment
thereof and after notification to the Secretary of the Company at the Annual Meeting of the
stockholders decision to terminate this proxy, then the power of said attorneys and proxies shall
be deemed terminated and of no further force and effect.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT SUCH ANNUAL MEETING, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THOSE NAMED IN THIS PROXY AS DIRECTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. AT THE
PRESENT TIME THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING. THIS PROXY ALSO CONFERS DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY ON THE PROXY HOLDERS TO VOTE WITH RESPECT
TO APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE PRIOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, THE ELECTION OF ANY PERSON
AS DIRECTOR WHERE THE NOMINEE IS UNABLE TO SERVE OR FOR GOOD CAUSE WILL NOT SERVE, AND MATTERS
INCIDENT TO THE CONDUCT OF THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING.
Continued, and to be signed and dated, on reverse side.
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DETACH PROXY CARD HERE |
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Mark, Sign, Date and Return
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Votes must be indicated
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Proxy Card Promptly Using the
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(x) in Black or Blue ink. |
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Enclosed Envelope |
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The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees and the listed proposal:
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FOR all nominees
listed below
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote
for all nominees listed below.
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*EXCEPTIONS
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C. Marie Brown, Philip T. Goldstein, Louis P. Jenkins, Jr., Michael L. Middleton and Joseph V.
Stone, Jr.
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark the Exceptions box
and write that nominees name in the space provided below.)
2. THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF STEGMAN & COMPANY AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2007
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FOR
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ABSTAIN
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The undersigned
acknowledges receipt from the Company prior to the
execution of this proxy of Notice of the Annual
Meeting, a Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting and
the Companys 2006 Annual Report.
Please sign exactly as your name appears on the
enclosed card. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your
full title. If shares are held jointly, each holder
should sign.
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Date
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Share Owner sign here
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Co-Owner sign here |
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[Tri-County Financial Corporation Letterhead]
Dear ESOP Participant:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am forwarding to you the attached vote authorization
form to convey your voting instructions to Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. and Louis P. Jenkins, Jr.,
Trustees for the Community Bank of Tri-County Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust (the ESOP),
on the proposals presented at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Tri-County Financial
Corporation (the Company) on May 9, 2007. Also enclosed is a Notice and Proxy Statement for the
Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders and a Tri-County Financial Corporation Annual Report to
Stockholders.
As an ESOP participant, you are entitled to instruct the ESOP Trustees how to vote the shares
of Company common stock allocated to your ESOP account as of March 9, 2007, the record date for the
Annual Meeting.
The Trustees will vote all allocated shares of Company common stock as directed by
participants. Subject to their fiduciary duties, the Trustees will vote unallocated shares of
common stock held in the ESOP Trust and the shares for which timely instructions are not received
in a manner calculated to most accurately reflect the instructions received from ESOP participants.
To direct the ESOP Trustees how to vote the shares of common stock allocated to your ESOP
account, please complete and sign the enclosed vote authorization form and return it to the
attention of Christy Lombardi at the address indicated on the vote authorization form no later than
April 30, 2007.
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Sincerely, |
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/s/ Michael L. Middleton |
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Michael L. Middleton |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
VOTE AUTHORIZATION FORM
COMMUNITY BANK OF TRI-COUNTY
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST
TRI-COUNTY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Annual Meeting of Stockholders May 9, 2007
With respect to all shares of common stock of Tri-County Financial Corporation (the Company)
that are allocated to the account of the undersigned pursuant to the Community Bank of Tri-County
Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust (the ESOP), the undersigned hereby directs Herbert N.
Redmond, Jr. and Louis P. Jenkins, Jr., as Trustees of the Trust established under the ESOP, to
vote such shares at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Meeting), to be held at the Community
Bank of Tri-County, Waldorf, Maryland, on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., local time, and at
any and all adjournments thereof as follows:
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the each of the nominees and the listed proposal.
You are to vote my shares as follows:
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PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE |
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FOR all nominees
listed below
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o
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote
for all nominees listed below
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*EXCEPTIONS
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C. |
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Marie Brown, Philip T. Goldstein, Louis P. Jenkins, Jr., Michael L. Middleton and Joseph V.
Stone, Jr. |
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, mark the Exceptions box
and write that nominees name in the space provided below).
2. |
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THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF STEGMAN & COMPANY AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTING
FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2007 |
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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o
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Participants Name
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Shares Allocated to Participants Account
under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan
and Trust |
The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company prior to the execution of this vote
authorization form of the Notice of Annual Meeting, a Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting and
the Companys 2006 Annual Report.
I hereby authorize Herbert N. Redmond, Jr. and Louis P. Jenkins, Jr., as Trustees of the Trust
established under the ESOP, to vote the shares of the Companys common stock allocated to my
account under the ESOP at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions given above.
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Dated:
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,
2007 |
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SIGNATURE OF PARTICIPANT |
Please complete this direction form, sign, date and return it to the Company, Attn: Christy
Lombardi,
at 3035 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601 by April 30, 2007.