| ¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | ||||
| ¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | ||||
(1)Amount Previously Paid:
(2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)Filing Party:
(4)Date Filed:
| NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS | ||||||||
| PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS | ||||||||
| VOTING OF PROXY | ||||||||
| REVOCABILITY OF PROXY | ||||||||
| PERSONS MAKING THE SOLICITATION | ||||||||
| RECORD DATE AND OUTSTANDING SHARES | ||||||||
| QUORUM, VOTING RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES | ||||||||
| EFFECT OF WITHHOLD VOTES, ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER NON-VOTES | ||||||||
| PROPOSAL 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | ||||||||
| INFORMATION ABOUT OUR DIRECTORS, NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | ||||||||
| ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE | ||||||||
| CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | ||||||||
| BOARD COMMITTEES | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | ||||||||
| DIRECTOR STOCK OWNERSHIP POLICY | ||||||||
| SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS | ||||||||
| COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT | ||||||||
| COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS | ||||||||
| EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | ||||||||
| Outstanding Equity Awards at | ||||||||
| Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control | ||||||||
| Equity Compensation Plan Information | ||||||||
| PROPOSAL 2 – NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | ||||||||
| COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION | ||||||||
| TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND ASSOCIATES | ||||||||
| DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) | ||||||||
| AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT | ||||||||
| INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | ||||||||
| PROPOSAL 3 – RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | ||||||||
| ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS | ||||||||
| SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS | ||||||||
| HOUSEHOLDING | ||||||||
| GENERAL | ||||||||
| APPENDIX A | ||||||||
| PROXY CARD | ||||||||
SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC.
1201 South Beckham Avenue
Tyler, Texas 75701
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY MAY 15, 201912, 2021
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 20192021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Southside Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) to be held at Willow Brook Country Club, 3205 West Erwin Street, Tyler, Texas 75702, on Wednesday, May 15, 2019,12, 2021, at 11:30 a.m., local time,central time. Due to the continued public health concerns related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting held online at http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SBSI2021, and at any adjournments thereof, for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following:
1.the election of five nominees named in this proxy statement to serve as members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board”) until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2024; 2.a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of the Company's named executive officers; 3.the ratification of the appointment by our Audit Committee of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) to serve as the independent registered certified public accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2021; and 4.the transaction of such other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
Management will also report on operations and other matters affecting the Company. After the meeting,You will be able to ask questions to the Company’s officers and directors will be available to answer your questions.at the Annual Meeting. Representatives from EY, the Company’s independent registered certified public accounting firm, are expected to be in attendance virtually at the Annual Meeting and available to answer your appropriate questions or make a statement if they so desire.
Only holders of common stockshareholders registered on the Company’s books as owners of shares of common stock at the close of business on March 21, 2019,17, 2021, are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.Meeting, which we refer to as the record date.
There will not be a physical meeting. Instead, you will be able to attend the meeting online, vote your shares electronically and submit questions during the meeting by visiting http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SBSI2021. You will be required to enter your control number found on your proxy card or notice to enter the meeting.
Your attendance and vote are important. Please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy immediately in the envelope provided or you may vote your shares by telephone or Internet. It is important that you sign and return the proxy or vote by telephone or Internet, even if you actually plan to attend the meeting in person.Annual Meeting. Your proxy may be revoked prior to the Annual Meeting by notice in writing to the Corporate Secretary at the Company’s principal executive office, located at 1201 South Beckham Avenue, Tyler, Texas 75701, at any time prior to the Annual Meeting, or by advising the Corporate Secretary at the Annual Meeting that you wish to revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person.virtually at the Annual Meeting.
| By Order of the Board of Directors, | |||||
| /s/ John R. (Bob) Garrett | |||||
| John R. (Bob) Garrett | |||||
| Chairman of the Board | |||||
Tyler, Texas
March 26, 201923, 2021
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held onWednesday May 15, 2019:12, 2021:
The Company's Proxy Statement and 20182020 Annual Report are available at http:https://investors.southside.com/FinancialDocsfilings-financials/proxy-materials.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE VIRTUAL MEETING, IT IS REQUESTED THAT YOU PROPERLY EXECUTE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY TO OUR TRANSFER AGENT, COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES, IN THE ENCLOSED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE OR VOTE YOUR SHARES BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET.
i
SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC.
1201 South Beckham Avenue
Tyler, Texas 75701
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 201912, 2021
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:
This proxy statement is being furnished to holders of the common stock of Southside Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) in connection with the Company’s 20192021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2019,12, 2021, at 11:30 a.m., local time,central time. Due to the continued public health concerns related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting held online at Willow Brook Country Club, 3205 West Erwin Street, Tyler, Texas 75702,http://www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SBSI2021, and at any adjournments thereof, for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following:
1.the election of five nominees named in this proxy statement to serve as members of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board”) until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2024;
2.a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of the Company's named executive officers;
3.the ratification of the appointment by our Audit Committee of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) to serve as the independent registered certified public accounting firm for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2021; and
4.the transaction of such other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
This Proxy Statement and a proxy card, as well as the Company's Annual Report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018,2020, including financial statements, are first being sent or made available to shareholders on or about April 2, 2019.1, 2021.
You are encouraged to review all of the information contained in the proxy materials before voting.
VOTING OF PROXY
If your proxy is executed and returned, it will be voted as you direct. If no direction is provided, the proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations, as follows:
•FOR the election of all of the nominees named in this proxy statement as directors;
•FOR the approval of the compensation of the Company's named executive officers;
•FOR the ratification of the appointment of EY.
The proxies will use their discretion with respect to voting on any other matters presented for a vote at the meeting. Additionally, if your proxy is executed and returned, it will be voted to approve the minutes of the last2020 Annual Meeting. This vote will not amount to a ratification of any action taken at that meeting nor will it indicate approval or disapproval of that action.
If your shares are registered in your name as the shareholder of record, you may vote by mail, telephone or Internet by following the instructions below. Voting instructions also appear on your proxy card. If you grant a proxy by telephone or by Internet, please have your proxy card available.
•To vote by mail, complete, sign, and return the enclosed proxy card in the postage paid envelope provided or return to: Proxy Services,Vote Processing, c/o Computershare Investor Services, P.O. Box 505000, Louisville, Kentucky, 40233-5000.Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York, 11717.
•To vote by telephone, call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683)1-800-690-6903 within the United States (“U.S.”), U.S. territories and Canada any time on a touch tone telephone by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 11, 2021. Have your proxy card in hand and follow the instructions provided by the recorded message. There is NO CHARGE to you for the call.instructions.
•To vote by Internet, accessto vote before the voting sitemeeting, visit www.proxyvote.com. To vote at www.investorvote.com/SBSI,the meeting, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SBSI2021. You will need the control number printed on your notice or scan the Quick Response code with your smart phone and follow the voting instructions set forth on the secure website.proxy card.
The telephone and Internet voting procedures are designed to authenticate the shareholder's identity and to allow shareholders to vote their shares and confirm that their voting instructions have been properly recorded. Shareholders who vote by telephone or Internet do not need to return the proxy card. Proxies submitted by telephone or Internet must be recorded by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 14, 2019.
If you hold your shares in “street name” in a stock brokerage account or through a bank, trust or other nominee, the broker or other nominee is considered the record holder and you are the beneficial owner of the shares. Beneficial owners vote their street name shares by instructing their broker or other nominee how to vote using the voting instruction form provided by the broker or nominee. Brokers only have authority to vote in their discretion on “routine” matters if they do not receive voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares.
Please note that the proposal to elect directors and the advisory vote on the compensation of the Company's named executive officers (the “Say-on-Pay” vote) are not considered routine matters. Consequently, if you do not give your broker or nominee specific voting instructions with respect to such proposals, your street name shares will be treated as broker non-votes with
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 1
respect to those proposals (see “Quorum, Voting Rights and Procedures” below) and will have no effect on the outcome of such proposals.
If you hold your shares in street name and want to vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain fromenter your brokercontrol number found on your proxy card or nominee a legal proxy issued innotice to attend the virtual meeting and vote your name giving you the right to vote the shares directly at the meeting. You will not be entitled to vote at the meeting unless you present such a proxy to the Company at that time.shares.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXY
Your proxy may be revoked prior to the Annual Meeting by providing notice in writing to the Corporate Secretary at the Company’s principal executive office,offices, located at 1201 South Beckham Avenue, Tyler, Texas 75701, at any time prior to the Annual Meeting, or by advising the Corporate Secretary at the Annual Meeting that you wish to revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person. Your virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting will not constitute automatic revocation of the proxy.
PERSONS MAKING THE SOLICITATION
The Company’s Board is soliciting the proxy. The expense of soliciting your proxy will be borne entirely by the Company and no other person or persons will bear such costs either directly or indirectly. Proxies will be solicited principally by mail, but may also be solicited by personal interview, telephone and email by directors, officers and employees of the Company who will receive no additional compensation.
RECORD DATE AND OUTSTANDING SHARES
The Company’s Board has fixed the close of business on March 21, 2019,17, 2021, as the record date for determining the holders of common stock of the Company entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on March 21, 2019,17, 2021, there were approximately 33,717,46432,819,913 shares of common stock outstanding and eligible to be voted on each matter.
QUORUM, VOTING RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES
The approval of all proposals brought before the Annual Meeting requires that a quorum be present at the Annual Meeting. The presence, in personvirtually or by properly submitted proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum. In the event that a quorum is not represented in personvirtually or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, a majority of shares present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting may adjourn the Annual Meeting to a later date to allow the solicitation of additional proxies or other measures to obtain a quorum.
Each shareholder is entitled to one vote on each proposal per share of common stock held as of the record date.
Proposal 1, the election of fourfive directors to serve until the 20222024 Annual Meeting, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of shares of common stock entitled to vote in the election of directors; provided, however, that if, as of the record date, the number of nominees for director exceeds the number of positions on the Board to be filled by election at such meeting, or a “contested election,” then the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. A “majority of the votes cast” means that the number of shares cast “for” a director’s election exceeds the number of shares cast “against” a director’s election, with abstentions and broker non-votes counting as votes neither “for” nor “against” such director’s election. A “plurality of the votes cast” means that the director nominees who receive the highest number of “for” votes will be elected to the Board. The Board has proposed fourfive nominees for election. No other nominees for election to the Board have been submitted for election in accordance with our bylaws. Thus, the Board has determined that this is not a contested election, and each director will be elected by a majority of the votes cast.
Under our bylaws, any incumbent director who is a nominee in an uncontested election who does not receive a majority of the votes cast shall promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board, the effectiveness of which will be conditioned upon and subject to acceptance by the Board. The Nominating Committee will make a recommendation to the Board as to whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation or whether other action should be taken, after which the Board will vote to decide whether to accept the recommendation of the Nominating Committee and will promptly disclose that decision and the rationale behind its decision.
Proposal 2, the Say-on-Pay vote, and Proposal 3, the ratification of EY as the Company’s independent registered certified public accounting firm and any other matter that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, require approval by a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote on, and voted for or against, or expressly abstained from voting, with respect to the matter.
EFFECT OF WITHHOLD VOTES, ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER NON-VOTES
Shares represented at the Annual Meeting that are withheld or abstain from voting and broker non-votes votes (i.e., the submission of a proxy by a broker or nominee specifically indicating the lack of discretionary authority to vote on the matter) will be considered present for the purpose of determining a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
For Proposal 1, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted in determining whether a director has received a majority of the votes cast for his or her election.
For Proposals 2 and 3 and for any other matter that may properly come before the meeting, abstentions will be included in vote totals and, as such, will have the same effect on those proposals as a vote against such proposals. Broker non-votes will not be included in vote totals and, as such, will have no effect on such proposals.
| PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | ||||||||||||||
The Board is currently comprised of 1716 directors. The Board size will be reduced to 15 directors effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting as one director has elected not to stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting and one director has elected to retire effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting. The Board is classified into three classes, two of which are currentlyone class is comprised of six directors, and one that is currently comprisedtwo classes of five directors. Following the Annual Meeting, we will continue to have three classes, one of which will be comprised of six directors, one of which will have five directors and one of which will have four directors. One class of directors is electedall with three-year terms each, yearexcept for Shannon Dacus, who has a three-year term.two-year term, expiring 2022. Under NASDAQ listing rules, a majority of the Board must be comprised of independent directors. The Board has determined that each director nominatednominee is independent under NASDAQ listing rules except for Lee R. Gibson, President and Chief Executive Officer.rules.
Term Expiring 20222024
•Herbert C. Buie
•Patricia A. Callan
•Tony K. Morgan, CPA
All of the nominees are currently directors of the Company and its subsidiary, Southside Bank. All of the nominees except George H. (Trey) Henderson, III were previously elected to the Board by the Company's shareholders. Mr. Henderson was appointed by the Board as a directorAll of the Company duringnominees are also current directors of the fourth quarter of 2018.Company's subsidiary, Southside Bank. For biographical information on the nominees, please see “Information About Our Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers.”
Unless otherwise instructed, proxies received in response to this solicitation will be voted in favor of the election of the persons recommended by the Nominating Committee and nominated by the Board as nominees for directors of the Company. While it is not expected that any of the nominees will be unable to qualify or accept office, if for any reason one or more of the nominees shall be unable to do so, the proxies will be voted for the substitute nominee(s) selected by the Board.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the individuals nominated for election as a director.director nominees.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 3
| INFORMATION ABOUT OUR DIRECTORS, NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | ||||||||||||||
The following table sets forth information regarding our current directors and director nominees.
| Age | Year Initially Elected to the Board | Gender | Ethnicity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Female | Male | African American | Asian | Hispanic, Latino or Spanish Origin | White | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lawrence Anderson, M.D. | 64 | 2010 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S. Elaine Anderson, CPA | 68 | 2014 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael J. Bosworth | 70 | 2017 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Herbert C. Buie | 90 | 1988 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Patricia A. Callan | 62 | 2014 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shannon Dacus | 52 | 2020 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John R. (Bob) Garrett | 67 | 2009 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson, CPA | 64 | 2015 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| George H. (Trey) Henderson, III | 62 | 2018 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA | 84 | 2005 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tony K. Morgan, CPA | 71 | 2017 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John F. Sammons, Jr. | 71 | 2017 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| H. J. Shands, III | 65 | 2017 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William Sheehy | 80 | 1983 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preston L. Smith | 65 | 2009 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donald W. Thedford | 71 | 2009 | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 4
The following table sets forth information regarding our director nominees, for director, our continuing directors and our current executive officers. Our Board is divided among three classes, with members of each class serving three-year terms.
classes.
| NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR TERMS TO EXPIRE AT THE | |||||
S. ELAINE ANDERSON, CPA large healthcare system qualify her to be a member of the Board. | |||||
HERBERT C. BUIE | |||||
PATRICIA A. CALLAN | |||||
JOHN R. (BOB) GARRETT | |||||
TONY K. MORGAN, CPA | |||||
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 5
| DIRECTORS CONTINUING UNTIL THE | |||||
LAWRENCE ANDERSON, M.D. | |||||
MELVIN B. LOVELADY, CPA | |||||
JOHN F. SAMMONS, JR. | |||||
H. J. SHANDS, III | |||||
WILLIAM SHEEHY | |||||
PRESTON L. SMITH | |||||
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 6
| DIRECTORS CONTINUING UNTIL THE 2022 ANNUAL MEETING | |||||
MICHAEL J. BOSWORTH (70) –Mr. Bosworth graduated from Texas Tech University. After three years of working for Agency Management Systems, he joined Bosworth & Associates in 1977 as an Independent Insurance Agent and Risk Manager. He has attained Certified Insurance Counselor and Accredited Advisor of Insurance certificates and has extensive experience in Risk Management. Mr. Bosworth has served as the President and CEO of Bosworth & Associates since 1987. He is currently on the Board and Executive Committee of Combined Agents of America, President of the board of TMF Covenant Corporation, and a member of the board of directors of Willow Brook Country Club. Mr. Bosworth and his wife Susan are members of Christ Episcopal Church where he has served on the Vestry as the Senior Warden and chairman of the Endowment Committee. In addition to his current board commitments, he has also served on the following boards: East Texas Communities Foundation, Tyler Economic Development Council, All Saints Episcopal School, American Red Cross of Smith County, Children's Village, Independent Insurance Agents of Tyler and the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas. Mr. Bosworth's extensive insurance industry knowledge and experience, as well as his leadership and risk management skills, qualify him to be a member of the Board. | |||||
SHANNON DACUS (52) – Ms. Dacus is President and owner of the Dacus Firm in Tyler, Texas and has been a licensed and practicing attorney since 1994, with a focus on business litigation. She currently serves as director for CHRISTUS Northeast Texas Board, Smith County Bar Foundation, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Economic Development Council and Hospice of East Texas, as well as Secretary for Bethesda Health Clinic and chair of the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees. She also served on the board of an East Texas bank for over 4 years, where she served as a member of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Risk and Compliance Committee. She has received numerous honors including Professional of the Year from the Hispanic Business Alliance and the Award of Excellence from the Smith County Bar Association. Ms. Dacus' extensive legal background as well as business management and leadership skills, qualify her to be a member of the Board. | |||||
LEE R. GIBSON, CPA (64) – Mr. Gibson has served as President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company since January 2017. He has served as President of the Company since December 2015 and as an executive and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company from 2000 to 2015. He joined Southside Bank in 1984 and has served as a director of Southside Bank since 1999. He currently serves as a Director and Chair of the Investment Committee for the Tyler Junior College Foundation and serves as a Director and Executive Committee Member of the Tyler Economic Development Council. He previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas for six years and Council of Federal Home Loan Banks for two years. Mr. Gibson is a CPA and has over 35 years of banking experience. Mr. Gibson's extensive financial knowledge and experience, as well as strong leadership skills, qualify him to be a member of the Board. | |||||
GEORGE H. (TREY) HENDERSON, III (62) – Mr. Henderson is the owner of Henderson Mineral, Inc. and a graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor's degree of Science in Agricultural Economics. Mr. Henderson currently serves on the Board of Directors for Brookshire Brothers, the Pineywoods Foundation and the George H. Henderson, Jr. Expo Center, and as trustee for the Texas A&M University 12th Man Foundation. He has worked closely with the Lufkin/Angelina Economic Development Board to bring new businesses to Angelina County. He previously served on the Board of Directors for First Bank & Trust East Texas. Mr. Henderson has been a member of the Southside Bank Board of Directors since December 7, 2017. Mr. Henderson's extensive business management and leadership experience, as well as knowledge of the agriculture industry, qualify him to be a member of the Board. | |||||
DONALD W. THEDFORD (71) – Mr. Thedford has been the owner and President of Don’s TV & Appliance, Inc., a home appliance and electronics store, since 1979. He is a member of the National Appliance Retail Dealers Association and the BrandSource Marketing Group. Mr. Thedford currently serves as a board member of the Smith County Sheriff's Foundation and has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau of East Texas, Retail Dealers Association and The Salvation Army. Mr. Thedford’s management and leadership skills operating his business for over 40 years, combined with his overall knowledge of business and finance, qualify him to be a member of the Board. | |||||
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 7
| EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | |||
TIM ALEXANDER | |||
JIM D. ALFRED | |||
T. L. ARNOLD, JR. | |||
MARK W. DRENNAN | |||
JARED GREEN (40) – Mr. Green currently serves as Regional President, East Texas and joined Southside Bank in 2013. In this role, he is responsible for strategic planning, coordination and implementation of lending operations in the East and Southeast Texas markets. Mr. Green obtained his BBA from Baylor University and his Masters in Finance from The University of Texas at Dallas. He has over 16 years of commercial banking experience. Mr. Green currently serves as the Board Chairman of the Baptist Church Loan Corporation, a member of the United Way of Smith County Board and as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Brook Hill School. | |||
BRIAN K. MCCABE | |||
JULIE N. SHAMBURGER, CPA | |||
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 8
| ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE | ||||||||||||||
Southside is committed to operating our business responsibly, and believes our business, shareholders, communities and employees benefit from our commitment to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) best practices. Highlights of our ESG efforts include:
We continue to make updates to our facilities and implement sustainable materials. During 2020, we implemented the following in our remodels and facility updates where possible: energy efficient windows, LED and smart lighting, low-flow faucets for water conservation, irrigation timers, low maintenance vegetation, spray foam insulation and higher efficiency HVAC, as units were replaced.
Community
We have a rich history of community involvement and take great pride in serving the communities in which we operate. Our commitment to these communities is reflected through charitable contributions, community service, financial education programs and community development initiatives.
•Community Impact
◦Texas Bankers Association Cornerstone Award Recipient (2020) for our internship program with local high schools;
◦Approximately $866,000 in donations and over 1,900 employee volunteer hours benefiting more than 80 organizations in the communities we serve in 2020;
◦“Outstanding” rating issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation with the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) for the seven most recent CRA evaluations;
◦Approximately $229.5 million in Community Development loans originated in 2020, consisting of Affordable Housing of $17.4 million, Community Service of $56.6 million, Economic Development of $103.4 million and Revitalization and Stabilization of $52.1 million; and
◦Partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas to provide a $300,000 Affordable Housing Program (“AHP”) grant to a local nonprofit housing organization. AHP funds are used to benefit households with incomes at or below 80% of the median income in the area.
•Community Education
◦Reverse Junior Achievement (“JA”) in a Day – Students from local schools in the North Texas, East Texas and Southeast Texas regions spend a day learning at the Bank. They receive four sessions on the JA Career Success curriculum highlighting soft skills, personal brand, conflict management, interview skills and financial literacy;
◦Internship Program with Local High Schools – The program lasts 16 weeks with training in various areas of the bank. The interns are considered for scholarship opportunities and for employment following the 16 weeks; and
◦Southside Bank Leadership Academy (“SBLA”) – A five-month banking and leadership program for college students. This professional development program introduces students to banking and the departments within the Bank, and also provides training on problem solving, communications and teamwork.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 9
•Community Mortgage Loan Program – A mortgage loan program for low- and moderate-income (“LMI”) individuals. The program allows a loan-to-value up to 100% and a higher than normal debt-to-income. This program helps LMI individuals throughout the Bank’s assessment areas achieve the dream of owning a home.
•In response to COVID-19, Congress passed an economic stimulus bill, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided funds through the Small Business Administration's (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). As a SBA lender, we were well positioned to assist business customers in accessing these funds. We originated more than 2,100 PPP loans, totaling over $310 million and played a valuable role in helping our business customers keep their workforce employed during unprecedented times. During 2021, we have been actively participating in the second round of PPP loans, which was granted by the Economic Aid Act on December 27, 2020.
Employees
Employees are our greatest asset and the success of our business depends on our team and our ability to attract, retain and develop employees. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and are focused on the well-being and professional development of our employees through our many corporate development initiatives.
◦Women and ethnic minorities represent approximately 70% and 36% of our workforce, respectively;
◦Recognized as the best bank to work for in Texas by Bank Director, in their 2021 Ranking Banking study;
◦We have a designated training department and maintain extensive training programs from entry-level to manager-level. All employees, including management, are required to complete the following courses annually: Information and Cybersecurity, Business Continuity Plan, Confidential Information, Bank Secrecy Act (Anti-Money Laundering), Fairness in Lending, Fair Service, Information Security, OFAC Compliance Basics, Elder Abuse and the Community Reinvestment Act. During 2020, employees completed approximately 20,000 online training sessions, including over 10,000 sessions in compliance and approximately 6,000 and 3,000 sessions in skills based training and professional development, respectively. In addition, over 5,000 hours of instructor led trainings were completed in 2020;
◦Our corporate mentor program pairs participating employees with a manager or executive level mentor. The program has been successful in facilitating professional development of our employees;
◦In 2020, we invested in our team members by engaging a development coach. This initiative is company-wide and is focused on personal and professional growth;
◦The “Southside Serves” volunteer program allows full-time employees to volunteer up to 20 hours of paid time off (“PTO”) each year with an approved organization of their choice. We believe this program not only strengthens our employees and communities but also reflects our strong corporate culture;
◦We offer a broad range of benefits including, but not limited to, 15-30 days of annual PTO based on length of employment, sick leave, participation in our ESOP and educational reimbursement;
◦We offer competitive compensation and benefits and are committed to a fair or living wage for all employees;
◦We have a confidential hotline available to employees for reporting any issues or concerns. During 2020, no issues or concerns were reported on the hotline.
Human Rights
Southside values and respects individual human rights and is committed to operate our company in an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Everyone will be treated without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status or disability. These same standards apply to our interactions with employees, customers and others with which we do business, including vendors, contractors and subcontractors. Our Human Rights Statement is available on the Company’s website, https://investors.southside.com, under the topic Governance Documents.
We believe good governance practices and decision making are the foundation of operating responsibly and necessary for creating long-term shareholder value.
◦Diversity of our Board is a key priority. At the 2020 Annual Meeting, Shannon Dacus was elected to our Board. Women represent approximately 19% of the Board;
◦Recognized as the best board in Texas by Bank Director, in their 2021 Ranking Banking study;
◦In 2020, the Board approved a policy regarding term limits, which requires Board members to retire on the date of the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders following their 75th birthday. Current Board members who
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 10
reached the age of 75 prior to February 1, 2020 will have the opportunity to stand for re-election for one final term following the end of their current term. We believe this is a best practice for Corporate Governance and will help to diversify our Board;
◦In 2020, Board members attended trainings on banking and current events in the industry. All directors completed Bank Secrecy Act/Fair Lending training. Directors also attended trainings on corporate governance matters, information breaches, compliance, accounting issues and bank strategies; and
◦The Board performed a self-assessment during 2020. The assessment considered individual performance as well as performance of the Board as a whole, and evaluated contributions, strengths and weaknesses.
See our Corporate Governance Guidelines on our investor relations website and the discussion below for further information about our Governance Practices.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 11
| CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | ||||||||||||||
Board Leadership Structure
Our Board functions in a collaborative fashion that emphasizes active participation by all of its members. Our business is conducted day-to-day by our officers, under the direction of our CEO, Lee R. Gibson, with oversight from the Board, to enhance the long-term value of the Company for its shareholders. Mr. Gibson also serves as a member of the Board, which enables him to communicate the Board's strategic findings and guidance to management. Our Board determines who to appoint as our Chairman based on the knowledge and experience of the peoplemembers then serving on our Board and chooses the person whom it believes best meets the needs of the Company. Based on these factors in 2018, the Board selected John R. (Bob) Garrett to serve as Chairman effective immediately following the 2018 Annual Meeting. Mr. Garrett previously served as Vice Chairman from January 1, 2015 until his selection as Chairman. Mr. Garrett has served on various board committees for the Company and for Southside Bank and has proven to be an integral part of the Board since his election in 2009. The Board selected Donald W. Thedford to serve as Vice Chairman effective immediately following the 2018 Annual Meeting. Mr. Thedford has been on the Board since 2009 and has served on various board committees for both the Company and Southside Bank. Both the Chairman and the Vice Chairman are independent directors and serve as ex-officio nonvoting members of the Audit, Nominating, Compensation, Risk and Information Technology, Digital Banking and Innovation Committees.
Board Oversight of Risk
The Board recognizes that, although day-to-day risk management is primarily the responsibility of the Company’s management team, the Board plays a critical role in the oversight of risk. The Board believes an important part of its responsibility is to assess the major risks the Company faces and review the Company’s options for monitoring and controlling these risks. The Board assumes responsibility for the Company’s overall risk assessment, primarily through the Board's Audit and Risk Committees. The Audit Committee has specific responsibility for oversight of risks associated with financial accounting and audits, as well as internal control over financial reporting. This includes the Company’s risk assessment and management policies, the Company’s major financial risk exposure and the steps taken by management to monitor and mitigate such exposure. The Risk Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for overseeing and improving the Company's enterprise-wide risk management practices, which includes overseeingensuring that the executive team has identified and assessed the key risks the Company faces and has established a risk management infrastructure capable of addressing those risks. The Compensation Committee oversees the risks relating to the Company’s compensation policies and practices, as well as management development and leadership succession, in the Company’s various business units. The Information Technology, Digital Banking and Innovation Committee is responsible for the oversight of technology risk, which includes cybersecurity. The Board as a whole examines specific business risks including but not limited to credit risk, interest rate risk and operations risk, in its regular strategic reviews on a Company-wide basis.
In addition to periodic reports from the Audit, Risk, Compensation and Information Technology, Digital Banking and Innovation Committees about the risks over which they have oversight, the Board receives presentations throughout the year from management that include discussions of significant risks specific to the Company and the banking industry. Periodically, at Board meetings, management discusses matters of particular importance or concern, including any significant areas of risk requiring Board attention. We believe our risk oversight structure is also supported by our current Board leadership structure, with the Chairman of the Board working together with the independent Audit Committee and other standing committees.
Independent Directors
The Company’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SBSI.” NASDAQ listing rules require a majority of our directors to be “independent directors,” as defined in the NASDAQ listing rules. The Board has affirmatively determined that all of the Company’s directors, other than Lee R. Gibson and H. J. Shands, III, are independent directors under the NASDAQ listing rules. Each member of the Board’s Audit, Nominating and Compensation Committees qualifies as an independent director, and all other Board committees are comprised of a majority of independent directors. All Board committees are chaired by independent directors.
Shareholder Communication with the Board of Directors
The Company has adopted a procedure by which shareholders may send communications to one or more members of the Board by writing to such director(s) or to the Board as a whole in care of the Corporate Secretary, Southside Bancshares, Inc., 1201 South Beckham Avenue, Tyler, Texas 75701. Any such communications will be promptly distributed by the Corporate Secretary to such individual director(s) or to all directors if addressed to the Board as a whole.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to all directors and executive officers of the Company. The Code of Ethics is available on the Company’s website, http:https://investors.southside.com, under the topic Governance Documents. Within the time period required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we will post on our website any amendment to our Code of Ethics and any waiver applicable to any of our directors, executive officers or senior financial officers. We include our website address throughout this filing only as textual references. The information contained on our website is not incorporated in this proxy statement by reference.
Procedures for Reporting Concerns about Accounting, Internal Accounting Controls or Auditing Matters
Management of the Company has established a Whistle Blower Policy. This includes an online reporting system as well as a toll-free, 24-hour, seven-day-a-week fraud hotline. This is a confidential service by which officers and employees can report to an independent company any questionable accounting or auditing matters, including, but not limited to, the following: fraud or deliberate error in the preparation, evaluation, review or audit of any financial statement of the Company; fraud or deliberate error
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 12
in the recording and maintainingmaintenance of financial records of the
Company; deficiencies in or noncompliance with the Company’s internal accounting controls; misrepresentation or false statement to or by a senior officer or accountant regarding a matter contained in the financial records, financial reports or audit reports of the Company; or deviation from full and fair reporting of the Company’s financial condition. Any complaints received by the independent company will be reported directly to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and to the Chief Audit Executive of the Company. Complaints will be reviewed by Internal Audit under the direction of the Audit Committee. Complaints submitted will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken, as warranted by the investigation. Management is committed to complying with all applicable securities laws and regulations and, therefore, encourages officers and employees to raise concerns regarding any suspected violations of those standards by using the fraud hotline.
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policy
The Company maintains an anti-hedging and anti-pledging policy, which prohibits executive officers, directors and employees who receive equity grants from (1) directly or indirectly engaging in any hedging or monetization transactions, such as exchange funds, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, puts, calls, collars, forward sale contracts and other derivative instruments, through transactions in the Company’s securities or through the use of financial instruments designed for such purpose, (2) engaging in short sale transactions in the Company’s securities or (3) pledging the Company’s securities as collateral for a loan, including through the use of traditional margin accounts with a broker.
The Company maintains this policy becauseto prevent the appearance of a person trading based on inside information, as hedging transactions which might be considered short-term bets onand a margin sale or foreclosure sale could occur at a time when the pricepledger is aware of the Company’s securities, could create the appearance that the person isnonpublic information or during a blackout trading based on inside information.period. In addition, transactions in options may also focus the person’s attention on short-term performance at the expense of the Company's long-term objectives. Finally, the Company maintains this policy because a margin sale or foreclosure sale may occur at a time when the pledger is aware of material nonpublic information or otherwise is not permitted to trade in the Company’s securities and the margin sale or foreclosure sale of the Company’s securities during such time could also create the appearance that the person is trading based on inside information.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 13
Southside Bancshares, Inc. Board Committees
The Board has five standing committees:
•Audit Committee;
•Compensation Committee;
•Information Technology (IT), Digital Banking and Innovation Committee;
•Nominating Committee; and
•Risk Committee.
Each of the Committees of the Company's Board have a formal written charter, which can be found on the Company’s website, https://investors.southside.com, under the topic Governance Documents.
Southside Bank Board Committees
The board of directors of Southside Bank Board has five standing committees:
•Executive Committee;
•Loan/Discount Committee;
•Trust Committee;
•Compliance/IT/CRA Committee; and
•Investment/Asset-Liability Committee.Committee (ALCO).
The following table presents the compositions of the Committees of both the Company's Board and the Southside Bank Board, as well as the number of meetings held, for the year ended December 31, 2020:
| Directors | Southside Bancshares, Inc. | Southside Bank | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Independent | Board | Committees | Board | Committees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audit | Compensation | IT, Digital Banking and Innovation | Nominating | Risk | Executive/ Loan and Discount | Trust | Compliance /IT CRA | ALCO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lawrence Anderson, M.D. | ü | ü | ü | C | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S. Elaine Anderson, CPA | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael J. Bosworth | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Herbert C. Buie | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Patricia A. Callan | ü | ü | C | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shannon Dacus | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John R. (Bob) Garrett | ü | C | C | C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson, CPA | ü | ü | ü | A | A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| George H. (Trey) Henderson, III | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA | ü | ü | C | ü | ü | ü | C | ü | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tony K. Morgan, CPA | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John F. Sammons, Jr. | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| H. J. Shands, III | ü | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William Sheehy | ü | ü | ü | C | ü | ü | ü | ü | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preston L. Smith | ü | ü | ü | ü | C | ü | ü | ü | ü | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donald W. Thedford | ü | VC | VC | ü | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Meetings during 2020 | 23 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 51 | 11 | 12 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| C | Chairman | ||||
| VC | Vice Chairman | ||||
| A | Advisory Member | ||||
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 14
Board of Directors Meeting Attendance
During 2020, each of our directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings of the Board (held during the period for which he or she served as a director) and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he or she served (during the periods that he or she served). All of the Company’s directors were in attendance at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting. Although the Company has not adopted a formal written policy with respect to director attendance at meetings, we encourage our directors to attend each Annual Meeting of Shareholders and all meetings of the Board and committees on which the directors serve.
These committees were formed to assist the boards of directors of the Company and Southside Bank in the discharge of their respective responsibilities. The purpose and composition of these committees are described below.
Audit Committee of Southside Bancshares, Inc.
The Audit Committee of the Board was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and consists of six directors, Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA (Chairman), S. Elaine Anderson, CPA, Alton Cade, Tony K. Morgan, CPA, William Sheehy and Preston L. Smith. Each member of the Audit Committee is an independent director as defined by the current NASDAQ listing rules and applicable SEC rules and each of whom is also a director of Southside Bank. In addition, theAct. The Nominating Committee of the Board has unanimously determined that S. Elaine Anderson, CPA, Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA, and Tony K. Morgan, CPA, each qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC. The Nominating Committee of the Board has also unanimously determined that all Audit Committee members are financially literate under the current NASDAQ listing rules.
The Audit Committee is primarily responsible for the engagement of the Company's independent registered certified public accounting firm, oversight of the Company’s financial statements and controls, assessing and ensuring the independence, qualifications and performances of the independent registered certified public accounting firm, approving the services and fees of the independent registered certified public accounting firm and reviewing and approving the annual audited financial statements of the Company before issuance, subject to the approval of the Board. The Audit Committee manages the Company’s relationship with its independent registered certified public accounting firm, who report directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee also monitors the internal audit function, internal accounting procedures and assures compliance with all appropriate statutes and regulations. The Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from outside legal, accounting or other advisors as the Audit Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties, with funding from the Company for such advice and assistance. No members of the Audit Committee received any compensation from the Company during the last fiscal year other than directors’ fees. The Audit Committee met 16 times during 2018.
Nominating Committee of Southside Bancshares, Inc.
The Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying, screening and recommending candidates for election to the Board. During 2018, the Committee was comprised of Preston L. Smith (Chairman), Herbert C. Buie, Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA, John F. Sammons, Jr.Board and William Sheehy, each of whom is an independent director of the Company, as defined by the current NASDAQ listing rules, and each of whom is also a director of Southside Bank. The Nominating Committee met three times in 2018.
The Company’s Board of Directors has established the following process for the identification and selection of candidates for director. The Nominating Committee, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board, annually reviews the appropriate experience, skills and characteristics required of Board members in the context of the current membership of the Board to determine whether the Board would be better enhanced by the addition of one or more directors. In considering board of director candidates, the Nominating Committee takes into consideration all factors that it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, the individual’s character, education, experience, knowledge, skills and ownership of the Company’s stock. The Nominating Committee will also consider the extent of the individual’s experience in business, education or public service, his or her ability to bring a desired range of skills, diverse perspectives and experience to the Board and whether the individual possesses high ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and is capable of serving the interests of the Company's shareholders. A candidate should possess a working knowledge of the Company’s current local market areas. Additionally, the Nominating Committee will consider the number of boards the candidate currently serves on when assessing whether the candidate has the appropriate amount of time to devote to serving on the Company’s Board. The Nominating Committee, when considering diversity, gives strong consideration to a wide range of diversity factors as a matter of practice when evaluating candidates to the Board and incumbent directors, but the Committee does not have a formal policy regarding Board diversity.
The Nominating Committee identifies candidates to the Board by introduction from management, members of the Board, employees or other sources, and shareholders that satisfy the Company’s policy regarding shareholder recommended candidates. The Nominating Committee does not evaluate director candidates recommended by shareholders differently than director candidates recommended by other sources. Shareholders wishing to submit director candidate recommendations for the 20202022 Annual Meeting should write to the Nominating Committee in care of the Corporate Secretary, Southside Bancshares, Inc., Post Office Box 8444, Tyler, Texas 75711. Any such shareholder must follow the procedures set forth in the Company’s bylaws and the Nominating Committee charter. Our bylaws provide that proposals that comply with all rules and requirements of the SEC and are included in our proxy statement are deemeddeemed to comply with the advance notice procedures in our bylaws. RecommendationsShareholder director recommendations must be submitted to the Corporate Secretary on or before December 4, 2019,November 25, 2021, in order to be included in the proxy statement for the 20202022 Annual Meeting. See “Shareholder Proposals.” The Nominating CommitteeCommittee is not obligated to recommend any individual proposed by a shareholder as a
nominee for election to the Board. No shareholder
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 15
recommendations have been received by the Company for this Annual Meeting. Accordingly, no rejections or refusals of such candidates have been made by the Company.
In addition, the Nominating Committee is responsible for identifying, screening and recommending to the Board candidates to serve on the Compensation Committee, Audit Committee, Risk Committee and Information Technology, Digital Banking and Innovation Committee. These recommendations are submitted to the Board for final approval.
Compensation Committee of Southside Bancshares, Inc.
The Compensation Committee of the Board reviews the Company’s general compensation philosophy and oversees the development of compensation and benefit programs. The Compensation Committee recommends the compensation for the named executive officers of the Company, all of whom are executive officers of the Company and Southside Bank. The boards of directors of the Company and Southside Bank consider the recommendations of the Compensation Committee and approve the compensation of the named executive officers. Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority and duties to subcommittees as it deems appropriate. Additional information regarding the Compensation Committee’s processes and procedures for consideration of executive compensation is provided in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis below.
Risk Committee of Southside Bancshares, Inc.
The purpose of the Risk Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with regard to the risk appetite of the Company, enterprise-wide risk management, compliance framework and the governance structure that supports it. The primary responsibility of the Risk Committee is to oversee and improve the company-wide risk management practices while assisting the Board by:
•Overseeing, in conjunction with other Board-level committees or the full Board, if applicable, risks, such as strategic, financial, credit, liquidity, security, property, information technology (including cyber security), legal, regulatory, reputational and other risks;
•Overseeing the division of risk-related responsibilities to each Board committee as clearly as possible and performing a gap analysis to determine the full oversight of any risks is not missed;all risks; and
•Approving, in conjunction with the full Board, the Company’s enterprise-wide risk management framework.
Information Technology, Digital Banking and Innovation Committee of Southside Bancshares, Inc.
The purpose of the Information Technology, Digital Banking and Innovation Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with regard to information technology, digital banking and innovation. Specific responsibilities of this committee are:
•Provide oversight on information technology strategies and subjects related to digital innovation, digital banking strategies and business/information technology;
•Review management reports and provide oversight of the implementation of major digital banking, technology innovation and business/information technology projects and architecture decisions;
•Review the information technology plan which demonstrates objectives and targets for digital banking, technology innovation and business/information technology risks, proposals and acquisition processes; and
•Ensure the Company’s digital banking, digital innovation and business/information technology programs effectively support its business objectives and strategies.
Southside Bank's Chief Operations Officer and an advisory director of Southside Bank. The Committee met four times in 2018.Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 16
COMMITTEES OF SOUTHSIDE BANK
Executive Committee and Loan/Discount Committee of Southside Bank
The Executive Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the boardBoard of directors of Southside Bank between scheduled Board meetings, of the board, subject to certain limitations. The committee is comprised of John R. (Bob) Garrett (Chairman), Larry Anderson, M.D., S. Elaine Anderson, CPA, Michael J. Bosworth, Herbert C. Buie, Alton Cade, Patricia A. Callan, George H. (Trey) Henderson, III, Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA, Tony K. Morgan, CPA, John F. Sammons, Jr., William Sheehy, Preston L. Smith, Donald W. Thedford and M.Richard Warner, each of whom is a director of the Company and Southside Bank, Joe Norton, a director of Southside Bank, and John F. Walker, M.D., an advisory director of Southside Bank. None of the forgoing individuals are officers or employees of either the Company or Southside Bank. Also serving are Lee R. Gibson and H. J. Shands, III, each of whom is an officer and a director of the Company and Southside Bank and Earl W. (Bill) Clawater, III, an officer and an advisory director of Southside Bank. In addition, the members of the Executive Committee comprise the Loan/Discount Committee of Southside Bank. It is the Loan/Discount Committee’s responsibility to monitor credit quality, review extensions of credit and approve selected credits in accordance with the loan policy. The Executive Committee and
In addition to the Loan/Discount CommitteeCompany's Board members specified above, also serving on the committee are John F. Walker, M.D., an advisory director of Southside Bank met weekly to discharge responsibilities of both committees at combined meetings and met 50 times in 2018.T. L. Arnold, Chief Credit Officer.
Trust Committee of Southside Bank
The Trust Committee of Southside Bank is responsible for the oversight of the operations and activities of the Wealth Management and Trust Department. During 2018,In addition to the Company's Board members specified above, also serving on the committee was comprised of Herbert C. Buie, Michael J. Bosworth, Alton Cade, Patricia A. Callan and George H. (Trey) Henderson, III, and effective March 1, 2019, the committee consists of Herbert C. Buie, Michael J. Bosworth, Alton Cade, George H. (Trey) Henderson, III and M. Richard Warner, each of whom is a director of the Company and Southside Bank. John F. Walker, M.D. is, an advisory director of Southside Bank and servesBank. Serving as an advisory membermembers of the Trust Committee. Lee R. Gibson serves as an advisory membercommittee are Julie N. Shamburger, Brian K. McCabe and is a director and officerLonny Uzzell. Officers of Southside Bank who serve on the Company and Southside Bank. Doug Bolles,committee include Bryan Campbell, Ernest King and Kim Partin (Chair), officers of Southside Bank, also serve on this committee. Julie N. Shamburger and Brian K. McCabe are officers of the Company and officers and advisory directors of Southside Bank and are advisory members of the Trust Committee. Lonny Uzzell, an advisory director and officer of Southside Bank, is an advisory member of the Trust Committee. Michael J. Bosworth, Herbert C. Buie, Alton Cade, Patricia A. Callan, George H. (Trey) Henderson, III and John F. Walker, M.D. are not officers or employees of the Company or Southside Bank. The Trust Committee met twelve times in 2018..
Compliance, Information Technology (IT) and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Committee of Southside Bank
The Compliance/IT/CRA Committee of Southside Bank is responsible for ensuring compliance with all appropriate statutes and reviews information technology and community reinvestment activities. The Compliance/IT/CRA Committee is comprised solely of persons who are directors of the Company and Southside Bank but who are not officers or employees. Those directors are Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA, (Chairman), S. Elaine Anderson, CPA, Alton Cade, Tony K. Morgan, CPA, William Sheehy and Preston L. Smith. The Compliance/IT/CRA Committee met twelve times in 2018.
Investment/Asset-Liability Committee (ALCO) of Southside Bank
The Investment/Asset-Liability Committee is responsible for reviewing Southside Bank’s overall asset and funding mix, asset-liability management policies and investment policies. During 2018,In addition to the Company's Board members of thespecified above, officers serving on this committee were Lawrence Anderson, M.D., S. Elaine Anderson, CPA, Herbert C. Buie, Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA, and Tony K. Morgan, CPA, and effective March 1, 2019, the committee consists of S. Elaine Anderson, CPA, Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA, Tony K. Morgan, CPA, John Sammons, Jr. and William Sheehy, who are all directors of the Company and Southside Bank. None of the forgoing individuals are officers or employees of the Company or Southside Bank. Lee R. Gibson, an officer and director of the Company and Southside Bank, serves on the committee withinclude Suni Davis (Chair), an officer of the Company and Southside Bank. Tim Alexander and Julie N. Shamburger, each officers of the Company and Southside Bank and advisory directors of Southside Bank, are also members of the committee. Also serving on this committee areTim Alexander, T. L. Arnold, Peter Boyd, Earl W. (Bill) Clawater, III and Lonny Uzzell, officers and advisory directors of Southside Bank. Kyle Gibson, Amanda Reagan, Jared Green, Michael Phea, Amanda Reagan and Glen Greeney,Lonny Uzzell.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 17
| DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | ||||||||||||||
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAM
The Board adopted a Director Compensation Program (the “Program”) for compensating non-employee directors, effective as of the 2020 Annual Meeting. Under the Program, non-employee directors are paid an annual retainer of $101,000, which is payable in quarterly installments, for each year of whom is an officerhis or her service on the Board (each, a “Service Year”). Each Service Year commences on the date of the Company’s Annual Meeting at which Board members are elected or appointed. Non-employee directors do not receive compensation for service on the Southside Bank also serveBoard.
In addition to the annual retainer, the following positions receive an additional retainer as follows:
| Position | Additional Retainer | ||||
| Chairman | $48,500 | ||||
| Vice Chairman | $23,500 | ||||
| Audit Committee Chairman | $23,500 | ||||
| Compensation Committee Chairman | $5,000 | ||||
Directors may elect to receive all or a specified portion of their annual cash retainer and any additional annual cash retainers in the form of restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The RSUs are granted on or about the first day of the Service Year and have a value on the committee.grant date approximately equal to the amount of the annual cash retainer payment that he or she has elected to receive in the form of RSUs. The Investment/Asset-Liability Committee met twelve timesRSUs vest (become non-forfeitable) on the first anniversary of the grant date (or, if earlier, on the date of the Company’s Annual Meeting that occurs in 2018.the year immediately following the year of grant, in the event Grantee is not standing for re-election to the Board at such Annual Meeting) (with accelerated vesting on a pro rata basis in the event of death, disability or a change in control of the Company). Directors may elect to receive shares of common stock in settlement of their RSUs on the vesting date, or they may elect to defer the receipt of such shares and instead receive them on a specified anniversary of the grant date or upon termination of their service on the Board (subject, in each case, to earlier settlement upon a change in control of the Company).
2020 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
year ended December 31, 2020. Lee R. Gibson, the Company’s President and CEO, and H. J. Shands, III, East Texas Regional President, areis not included in the table below, as they are officershe is an officer of the Company, and thus received no compensation for theirhis service as directors of the Company or Southside Banka director during 2018. Both2020. Mr. Gibson's and Mr. Shands' compensation is shown in the Summary Compensation Table under Executive Compensation.
| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) (1) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lawrence Anderson, M.D. | $ | 101,000 | $ | — | $ | 101,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| S. Elaine Anderson, CPA | 101,000 | — | 101,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael J. Bosworth (2) | 101,000 | — | 101,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Herbert C. Buie | 101,000 | — | 101,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Patricia A. Callan (3) | 106,000 | — | 106,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Shannon Dacus (2)(4) | 76,697 | — | 76,697 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
John R. (Bob) Garrett (2)(5) | 149,500 | — | 149,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
George H. (Trey) Henderson, III (2) | 101,000 | — | 101,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA (6) | 124,500 | — | 124,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Tony K. Morgan, CPA (2) | 101,000 | — | 101,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
John F. Sammons, Jr. (2) | 101,000 | — | 101,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
H. J. Shands, III (7) | 64,197 | 175,069 | 239,266 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| William Sheehy | 101,000 | — | 101,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Preston L. Smith (2) | 101,000 | — | 101,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Donald W. Thedford (8) | 124,500 | — | 124,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Amounts reflect fees earned by each non-employee directors in 2020 and includes fees earned during 2020 in which directors elected to receive RSUs in lieu of cash. See table below.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 18
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the grant agreement. The table below summarizes the compensation paidMay 14, 2020 grants for the Service Year and the fees forgone, or the portion of grant value earned, during the fiscal year 2020.
| Name | 2020 Fees Foregone ($) (a) | RSUs Granted (#) (b) | Total Fair Value of Grant ($) (c) | Settlement Date (d) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael J. Bosworth | $ | 48,140 | 2,913 | $ | 75,738 | May 14, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shannon Dacus | 25,665 | 1,553 | 40,378 | May 14, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| John R. (Bob) Garrett | 14,245 | 862 | 22,412 | May 14, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| George H. (Trey) Henderson, III | 32,094 | 1,942 | 50,492 | May 14, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tony K. Morgan, CPA | 32,094 | 1,942 | 50,492 | May 14, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| John F. Sammons, Jr. | 12,824 | 776 | 20,176 | May 14, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preston L. Smith | 32,094 | 1,942 | 50,492 | May 14, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Amount included in the Fees Earned column in the 2020 Director Compensation Table, and reflects the portion of the annual cash retainer earned in 2020, which the director has elected to receive in RSUs and will be received in common shares on the settlement date.
(b)Total RSUs granted for the Service Year based on the annual cash retainer the director elected to receive in RSUs and the grant date fair market value, determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(c)Aggregate grant date fair market value, determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(d)Settlement date elected by the Companydirector, in which shares of common stock will be received in settlement of the RSUs.
(3)Compensation includes an additional retainer of $5,000 for serving as Compensation Committee Chairman.
(4)Ms. Dacus was appointed to directorsthe Bank board in March 2020 and compensation includes $12,500 for serving as a director of Southside Bank. Upon election to the Company's Board at the 2020 Annual Meeting, Ms. Dacus began receiving compensation under the Director Compensation Program and no longer received compensation for the year ended December 31, 2018.Bank board.
(5)Compensation includes an additional retainer of $48,500 for serving as Chairman of the Board.
(6)Compensation includes an additional retainer of $23,500 for serving as Audit Committee Chairman.
(7)Mr. Shands retired as Regional President of East Texas on April 30, 2020. Compensation received during 2020 as an executive officer until his retirement is included in All Other Compensation, including the Company's 401(k) match for 2020 of $6,641 and the incremental cost of country club dues provided until retirement in the amount $2,396. As of the 2020 Annual Meeting, Mr. Shands began receiving compensation for his service as a director under the Director Compensation Program.
(8)Compensation includes an additional retainer of $23,500 for serving as Vice Chairman of the Board.
| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||
Lawrence Anderson, M.D. (1) | $ | 81,500 | $ | — | $ | 81,500 | ||||||
S. Elaine Anderson, CPA (1) | 81,500 | — | 81,500 | |||||||||
Michael J. Bosworth (1) | 81,500 | — | 81,500 | |||||||||
Herbert C. Buie (1) | 81,500 | — | 81,500 | |||||||||
Alton Cade (1) | 81,500 | — | 81,500 | |||||||||
Patricia A. Callan (1) | 81,500 | — | 81,500 | |||||||||
John R. (Bob) Garrett (2) | 140,562 | — | 140,562 | |||||||||
George H. (Trey) Henderson, III (3) | 50,750 | — | 50,750 | |||||||||
Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA (4) | 124,500 | — | 124,500 | |||||||||
Tony K. Morgan, CPA (1) | 81,500 | — | 81,500 | |||||||||
Joe Norton (5) | 64,191 | 5,000 | 69,191 | |||||||||
John F. Sammons, Jr.(1) | 81,500 | — | 81,500 | |||||||||
William Sheehy (1) | 81,500 | — | 81,500 | |||||||||
Preston L. Smith (1) | 81,500 | — | 81,500 | |||||||||
Donald W. Thedford (6) | 109,126 | — | 109,126 | |||||||||
M. Richard Warner (1) | 81,500 | — | 81,500 | |||||||||
DIRECTOR STOCK OWNERSHIP POLICY
To help promote the alignment of the personal interests of the Company’s directors with the interests of our shareholders, in February 2014 the Company established a stock ownership policy for all non-employee directors. Under this policy, each non-employee director is required to own at least 5,000 shares of the Company’s common stock within five years after the date he or she is first elected as a director and maintain such ownership while serving on the Board. For new directors, the acquisition period is measured using the calendar year, with the director's five-year accumulation period beginning on January 1 of the year following their election. For directors elected prior to February 2014, the policy requires the acquisition of shares over five years by January 1, 2019. To the extent a director is not in compliance with the policy after the five-year accumulation period, any compensation paid to that director must be in the form of stock compensation and the director is required to retain 50% of these stock awards.
As of March 21, 2019,17, 2021, all current non-employee directors met the ownership requirement.
requirement, except Shannon Dacus who was elected to the Board in 2020. Ms. Dacus has 2,120 qualifying shares as of March 17, 2021 and will be required to own 5,000 shares as of December 31, 2025.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 19
| SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS | ||||||||||||||
The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 21, 2019,17, 2021, for the following persons:
•each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock;
•each of our directors;
•each of our named executive officers included in our Summary Compensation Table; and
•all of our directors and executive officers as a group, including executive officers not named in the table.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the named individuals is 1201 South Beckham Avenue, Tyler, Texas 75701.
| Name of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1) | Percent of Class | ||||||||||||
Lawrence Anderson, M.D. (2) | 15,929 | * | ||||||||||||
S. Elaine Anderson, CPA (3) | 30,392 | * | ||||||||||||
Michael J. Bosworth (4) | 77,939 | * | ||||||||||||
Herbert C. Buie (5) | 674,928 | 2.1 | ||||||||||||
Patricia A. Callan (6) | 7,995 | * | ||||||||||||
| Shannon Dacus | 500 | * | ||||||||||||
| John R. (Bob) Garrett | 17,193 | * | ||||||||||||
Lee R. Gibson, CPA(7) | 137,970 | * | ||||||||||||
| George H. (Trey) Henderson, III | 40,313 | * | ||||||||||||
Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA (8) | 22,742 | * | ||||||||||||
Tony K. Morgan, CPA (9) | 17,835 | * | ||||||||||||
John F. Sammons, Jr. (10) | 28,187 | * | ||||||||||||
H. J. Shands, III (11) | 292,842 | * | ||||||||||||
William Sheehy (12) | 155,003 | * | ||||||||||||
Preston L. Smith (13) | 10,613 | * | ||||||||||||
| Donald W. Thedford | 13,882 | * | ||||||||||||
Tim Alexander (14) | 46,356 | * | ||||||||||||
Mark W. Drennan(15) | 4,937 | * | ||||||||||||
Brian K. McCabe (16) | 51,699 | * | ||||||||||||
Julie N. Shamburger, CPA (17) | 53,285 | * | ||||||||||||
BlackRock, Inc. (18) | 4,824,052 | 14.7 | ||||||||||||
The Vanguard Group (19) | 2,078,971 | 6.3 | ||||||||||||
All directors and executive officers of the Company as a group (23 in total). (20) | 1,753,416 | 5.3 | ||||||||||||
| Name of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1) | Percent of Class | ||||
Lawrence Anderson, M.D. (2) | 32,726 | * | ||||
S. Elaine Anderson, CPA (3) | 30,392 | * | ||||
Michael J. Bosworth (4) | 75,737 | * | ||||
Herbert C. Buie (5) | 673,927 | 2.0 | ||||
Alton Cade (6) | 75,986 | * | ||||
Patricia A. Callan (7) | 7,995 | * | ||||
| John R. (Bob) Garrett | 12,970 | * | ||||
Lee R. Gibson, CPA(8) | 123,516 | * | ||||
| George H. (Trey) Henderson, III | 40,313 | * | ||||
Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA(9) | 20,743 | * | ||||
Tony K. Morgan, CPA (10) | 11,672 | * | ||||
| John F. Sammons, Jr. | 26,687 | * | ||||
H. J. Shands, III (11) | 293,662 | * | ||||
William Sheehy (12) | 150,815 | * | ||||
Preston L. Smith (13) | 10,613 | * | ||||
| Donald W. Thedford | 12,463 | * | ||||
M. Richard Warner (14) | 205,530 | * | ||||
Tim Alexander (15) | 25,267 | * | ||||
Brian K. McCabe (16) | 42,558 | * | ||||
Julie N. Shamburger, CPA (17) | 44,764 | * | ||||
BlackRock, Inc. (18) | 4,878,860 | 14.5 | ||||
The Vanguard Group (19) | 1,895,704 | 5.6 | ||||
All directors and executive officers of the Company as a group (23 in total). (20) | 1,953,519 | 5.8 | ||||
* Less than 1% of total outstanding shares (33,717,464)(32,819,913) as of March 21, 2019.17, 2021.
(1)Unless otherwise indicated, all shares are beneficially owned and the sole voting and investment power is held by the person named.
(2)Dr. Anderson beneficially owns 15,929 shares held by Vida Partnership, LTD of which he is the General Partner.
(3)Ms. Anderson has sole voting and investment power with respect to 8,568 shares owned individually. Ms. Anderson owns 681 shares in an individual retirement account and has sole voting and investment power in these shares. Also included in the total are 21,143 shares owned by Ms. Anderson's husband, of which she disclaims beneficial ownership.
(4)Mr. Bosworth has joint voting and investment power with his wife with respect to 15,006 shares owned jointly and has sole voting and investment power with respect to 49,413 shares owned individually. Mr. Bosworth beneficially owns 13,520 shares held by Bosworth & Associates, which he owns jointly with his wife.
(5)Mr. Buie has sole voting and investment power with respect to 617,121 shares owned individually. Mr. Buie owns 31,918 shares in individual retirement accounts and has sole voting and investment power in these shares. Mr. Buie is custodian for his granddaughter for 1,000 shares. Also included in the total are 16,553 shares owned by Mr. Buie’s wife, 4,353 shares owned by Mrs. Buie as trustee for their son and 3,983 shares owned by Mrs. Buie as trustee for their daughter. Mr. Buie disclaims beneficial ownership of these 25,889 shares, which are included in the total.
(6)Ms. Callan has sole voting and investment power with respect to 2,956 shares owned individually and 5,039 shares in an individual retirement account.
(7)Mr. Gibson has sole voting and investment power with respect to 34,343 shares owned individually. He also has sole voting power, but not investment power, with respect to 24,977 shares owned in the Company’s ESOP, in which he is 100% vested. Mr. Gibson owns 7,006 shares in an individual retirement account and has sole voting and investment power in these shares. Also included in the total are 71,644 shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date.
(8)Mr. Lovelady has sole voting and investment power with respect to 20,742 shares owned individually and 2,000 shares in an individual retirement account.
(9)Mr. Morgan beneficially owns 17,835 shares held by Linden Partners LTD, which is owned jointly with his wife.
(10)Mr. Sammons has sole voting and investment power with respect to 26,687 shares owned individually and 1,500 shares in an individual retirement account.
(11)Mr. Shands has sole voting and investment power with respect to 268,069 shares owned individually and 6,502 shares in an individual retirement account. He also has sole voting power, but not investment power, with respect to 255 shares owned in the Company’s ESOP, in which he is 100% vested. Also included in the total are 5,721 shares owned by Mr. Shands' wife, of which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Also included in the total are 12,295 shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 20
(12)Mr. Sheehy has sole voting and investment power with respect to 136,619 shares owned individually and 18,384 shares in an individual retirement account.
(13)Mr. Smith has joint voting and investment power with his wife with respect to 4,277 shares owned jointly and has sole voting and investment power with respect to 4,906 shares owned individually. Also included in the total are 1,430 shares owned by Mr. Smith's wife, of which he disclaims beneficial ownership.
(14)Mr. Alexander has sole voting and investment power with respect to 4,421 shares owned individually. He also has sole voting power, but not investment power, with respect to 2,212 shares owned in the Company’s ESOP, in which he is 100% vested. Mr. Alexander owns 16,611 shares in individual retirement accounts and has sole voting and investment power in these shares. Mr. Alexander is custodian for his grandchild for 18 shares, which are included in the total, of which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Also included in the total are 23,094 shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date.
(15)Mr. Drennan has sole voting and investment power with respect to 2,149 shares owned individually. He also has sole voting power, but not investment power, with respect to 458 shares owned in the Company’s ESOP, in which he is 60% vested. Also included in the total are 2,330 shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date.
(16)Mr. McCabe has sole voting and investment power with respect to 14,077 shares owned individually and has sole voting power, but not investment power, with respect to 12,071 shares owned in the Company's ESOP, in which he is 100% vested. Mr. McCabe owns 7,226 shares in an individual retirement account and has sole voting and investment power in these shares. Also included in the total are 18,325 shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date.
(17)Ms. Shamburger has sole voting and investment power with respect to 15,241 shares owned individually. She also has sole voting power, but not investment power, with respect to 6,151 shares owned in the Company’s ESOP, in which she is 100% vested. Ms. Shamburger owns 3,961 shares in an individual retirement account and has sole voting and investment power in these shares. Included in the total are 3,250 shares owned by Ms. Shamburger's husband, of which she disclaims beneficial ownership. Also included in the total are 24,682 shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date.
(18)Information obtained solely by reference to the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 26, 2021 by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock reported that it has sole voting power over 4,777,199 shares and sole dispositive power over 4,824,052 shares held as of December 31, 2020. BlackRock also reported that certain persons have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of our common stock and that one person’s interest is more than five percent of our total outstanding common stock, iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF. The address for BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.
(19)Information obtained solely by reference to the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2021 by The Vanguard Group (“Vanguard”). Vanguard reported that it has shared voting power over 31,884 shares, sole dispositive power over 2,023,113 shares and shared dispositive power over 55,858 shares held as of December 31, 2020. The address for Vanguard is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.
(20)Includes executive officer ownership of 52,876 shares not listed in the table. Included in the 52,876 shares, are 33,050 shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of the record date.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 21
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee oversees and makes recommendations for all aspects of executive officer compensation. The Board considers the recommendations of the Compensation Committee and approves the compensation of the executive officers. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this proxy statement.
In reliance on the review and discussion referred to above, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20182020 and its proxy statement on Schedule 14A to be filed in connection with the Company’s 20192021 Annual Meeting, each of which will be filed with the SEC.
This report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such acts.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board.
| Patricia A. Callan, Chairman | Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA | ||||
| Lawrence Anderson, M.D. | John F. Sammons, Jr. | ||||
| George H. (Trey) Henderson, III | |||||
| COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS | ||||||||||||||
Overview of Compensation Program
In the paragraphs that follow, we will give an overview and analysis of our compensation programs and policies, the material compensation decisions we have made under those programs and policies, and the material factors that we considered in making those decisions. Later in this proxy statement under the heading “Executive Compensation” you will find a series of tables containing specific information about the compensation earned or paid in 20182020 to the following executive officers, who are referred to as the “named executive officers” or “NEOs.”
•Lee R. Gibson, CPA - President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company and Southside Bank;
•Julie N. Shamburger, CPA - Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Southside Bank and advisory director of Southside Bank;
•Tim Alexander - Chief Lending Officer of the Company and Southside Bank and advisory director of Southside Bank;
•Brian K. McCabe - Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of the Company and Southside Bank and advisory director of Southside Bank; and
The Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) has the responsibility for reviewing and establishing the Company’s compensation programs, consistent with the Company’s compensation philosophy. The Committee attempts to ensure the total compensation paid to the NEOs is fair, reasonable, and competitive. The Committee conducts an annual base salary and bonus compensation level review of the NEOs and occasionally engages outside consultants, as discussed below. When determining compensation opportunities, the Committee typically does not establish specific performance goals for the NEOs, but instead evaluates and reviews each NEO’s contribution to the overall performance of the Company, taking into account any changes in duties or responsibilities, the overall banking environment, skills and talents demonstrated during the year and leadership.
During 2018,2020, the Committee reviewed with management the design and operation of the incentive compensation arrangements for the NEOs and other employees of Southside Bank for the purpose of determining whether such programs might encourage inappropriate risk-taking that could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Committee concluded the incentive plans and policies do not encourage the NEOs or other employees to take risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the long-term well-being of the Company.
The Committee also reviews and develops recommendations for all director compensation, including committee service fees.compensation.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The Committee believes the most effective executive compensation program is one that is designed to reward long-term and strategic performance and which aligns executives’ interests with those of the shareholders, with the ultimate objective of improving long-term shareholder value. The Committee evaluates both performance and compensation to ensure the Company maintains its ability to attract and retain superior officers in key positions and that compensation provided to key officers remains competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly situated executives of our peer companies (as discussed below). To
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 22
that end, the Committee believes executive compensation provided by the Company to its NEOs should include both cash, stock-based compensation and other benefits that reward both Company and executive performance. Performance is evaluated in a number of ways. First and most importantly, the Committee evaluates the overall performance of the Company during the year and over a longer term, typically three years. Performance metrics evaluated include profitability, return on equity, ability to pay dividends to shareholders, overall asset quality, capital levels and earnings per share. The Company’s performance is measured against its peers utilizing outside independently produced peer group data. The Committee also takes into consideration the results of outside examinations and audits. The Committee evaluates individual
performance of each NEO in their areas of responsibility and to the Company as a whole, taking into consideration the overall banking environment. Using this information as a guide, the Committee then works through its process of evaluating and setting compensation.
Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions
The Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding all compensation decisions for the NEOs. The CEO provides input regarding the performance of the other NEOs and makes recommendations for compensation amounts payable to the other NEOs. These recommendations are based on the CEO’s personal observation of each NEO's performance, commitment and contribution to the Company. The CEO is not involved with any aspect of determining his own pay.
Setting Executive Compensation
Based on the compensation objectives noted above, the Committee has structured the NEOs’ annual compensation to be competitive and to motivate and reward the NEOs for their performance.
| Enterprise Financial Services Corp (EFSC) | National Bank Holdings Corporation (NBHC) | ||||
| First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN) | Park National Corporation (PRK) | ||||
| First Merchants Corporation (FRME) | ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (SFBS) | ||||
| Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (GSBC) | |||||
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018,2020, the principal components of compensation for NEOs were:
•Base salary;
•Annual incentive program;
•Discretionary bonus;
•Long-term equity incentive awards;
•Retirement benefits;
•Perquisites and other personal benefits; and
•Health and welfare benefits.
2020 In Review
Southside Bancshares, Inc. financial results for 2020 included a return on average shareholders' equity of 9.91% and a return on average assets of 1.14%. Net income for 2020 increased $7.6 million, or 10.2%, and diluted earnings per common share increased $0.27, or 12.3%. During 2020, loans increased $89.6 million, or 2.5%, and nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets decreased slightly to 0.25%.
COVID-19
The Committee reviewed compensation components and methodology, as well as consulted with PM&P, to determine if any changes were needed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee determined no modifications to the structure of NEO compensation were needed, however the Committee did consider the NEO's efforts and performance in light of COVID-19 when determining discretionary compensation for 2020.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 23
Base Salary
The Company provides NEOs and other employees with a base salary to compensate them for services rendered during the fiscal year. Base salaries for NEOs are determined based on their position and responsibility by using comparable market data adjusted for duties and responsibilities.
During the review of base salaries for executives, the Committee primarily considers:
•Compensation Peer Group data;
Salary levels are typically considered annually as part of the Company’s performance review process, as well as upon a promotion or other change in job responsibility. Merit-based increases to salaries of NEOs are based on the Committee’s assessment of performance after considering recommendations of the CEO (other than with respect to himself). The NEO salaries for 20182020 were approved by the Committee based on the CEO’s recommendations for the other NEOs and companyCompany performance.
After considering all of the relevant factors and the performance of each executive, the Committee decided that Lee R. Gibson and Julie N. Shamburger would receive a 5.0%7.5% and 6.3%8.8% increase in base salary for 2018,2020, respectively. Tim Alexander, and Brian K. McCabe and Mark W. Drennan received a 3.1%1.2%, 5.8% and 9.1%3.3% increase in base salary for 2018,2020, respectively. There was no change in base salary in 2018 for H. J. Shands, III, who became an officer of the Company in connection with the acquisition of Diboll State Bancshares (“Diboll”) effective November, 30, 2017.
Annual Incentive Program
The Company maintains a performance-based annual incentive bonus program, the Annual Incentive Program (“AIP”) for its most senior executive officers.
Participants in the program for 20182020 were Lee R. Gibson, Julie N. Shamburger, Tim Alexander and Brian K. McCabe who had a maximum annual incentive opportunity equal to 50%, 40%, 40% and 30% of their base salary, respectively. Mark W. Drennan was not a participant in the AIP for 2020, but instead participated in the Loan Officer Incentive Plan, described below.
We believe a significant amount of executive compensation should be contingent on Company performance. The AIP formalizes this philosophy for our top executives by providing a cash incentive for the attainment of profitable growth and stable financial operating conditions.
For 2018,2020, the Committee approved the following performance measures, all of which are weighted equally:
•Earnings per share (“EPS”) growth (fully-diluted);
•Loan growth;
•Return on average equity (“ROAE”);
•Efficiency ratio;ratio, fully-taxable equivalent ("FTE"); and
•Non-performing assets (“NPA”) as a percentage of total assets.
We believe a focus on these metrics over time will support sustained performance and the long-term creation and preservation of shareholder value.
Performance measures, goals and weighting are set annually by the Committee. In determining the amount of the annual incentive payment, a threshold level of performance is established for each measure. Participants will earn a cash award based on the amount by which actual performance exceeds the threshold goal as set forth below, up to the set percentage of bonus allocated to each performance measure. In the event the Company's performance is less than the threshold with respect to a particular performance measure, no incentive compensation is payable for that particular measure.
Our efficiency ratio (FTE) is a non-GAAP measure that provides a measure of productivity in the banking industry. The ratio is designed to reflect the percentage of one dollar which must be expended to generate that dollar of revenue. We calculate this ratio by dividing noninterest expense, excluding amortization expense on intangibles and certain nonrecurring expense by the sum of net interest income (FTE) and noninterest income, excluding net gain (loss) on sale of securities available for sale and certain nonrecurring impairments. The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our efficiency ratio.
For the 2020 AIP compared to the 2019 AIP, the compensation committee approved a decrease in the efficiency ratio threshold amount from 58% to 52%.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 24
| Performance Measure | Weighting | Threshold | Award for Achieving Performance Compared to Threshold | |
| EPS Growth (Fully-Diluted) | 20% | 5.0% | 2.5% for each 1% above the threshold | |
| Loan Growth | 20% | 5.0% | 2% for each 1% above the threshold | |
| ROAE | 20% | 8.0% | 2.5% for each 1% above the threshold | |
| Efficiency Ratio | 20% | 58.0% | 2% for each 1% below the threshold | |
| NPAs / Assets | 20% | 0.50% | 1.5% for each 0.01% below the threshold | |
| Performance Measure | Weighting | Threshold | Award for Achieving Performance Compared to Threshold | ||||||||
| EPS Growth (Fully-Diluted) | 20% | 5.0% | 2.5% for each 1% above the threshold | ||||||||
| Loan Growth | 20% | 5.0% | 2% for each 1% above the threshold | ||||||||
| ROAE | 20% | 8.0% | 2.5% for each 1% above the threshold | ||||||||
| Efficiency Ratio (FTE) | 20% | 52.0% | 2% for each 1% below the threshold | ||||||||
| NPAs / Assets | 20% | 0.50% | 1.5% for each 0.01% below the threshold | ||||||||
The following table presents the actual performance results for 20182020 compared to the thresholds for the performance measures and the resulting Annual Incentive Program percentage earned for 2018.2020.
| Performance Measure | 2017 Result | 2018 Result | 2018 Growth | Compared to Threshold | Award | Maximum Award Weighting | Performance Measure | 2019 Result | 2020 Result | 2020 Growth | Compared to Threshold | Award | Maximum Award Weighting | |||||||||||||||||||||
| EPS Growth (Fully-Diluted) | $ | 1.81 | $ | 2.11 | 16.57 | % | 11.57 | % | 28.94 | % | 20.00 | % | EPS Growth (Fully-Diluted) | $ | 2.20 | $ | 2.47 | 12.27 | % | 7.27 | % | 18.18 | % | 18.18 | % | |||||||||
| Loan Growth | $ | 3,294,356 | $ | 3,312,799 | 0.56 | % | (4.44 | )% | — | — | Loan Growth | $ | 3,568,204 | $ | 3,657,779 | 2.51 | % | (2.49) | % | — | — | |||||||||||||
| ROAE | 9.87 | % | 1.87 | % | 4.68 | % | 4.68 | % | ROAE | 9.91 | % | 1.91 | % | 4.78 | % | 4.78 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Efficiency Ratio | 49.98 | % | 8.02 | % | 16.04 | % | 16.04 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Efficiency Ratio (FTE) | Efficiency Ratio (FTE) | 49.36 | % | 2.64 | % | 5.28 | % | 5.28 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NPAs / Assets | 0.70 | % | (0.20 | )% | — | — | NPAs / Assets | 0.25 | % | 0.25 | % | 37.50 | % | 20.00 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Annual Incentive Earned | Annual Incentive Earned | 40.72 | % | Annual Incentive Earned | 48.24 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on these results, Mr. Gibson, Ms. Shamburger, Mr. Alexander and Mr. McCabe each earned 40.72%48.24% of their maximum annual incentive opportunity for 2018,2020, or $131,459, $55,372, $81,430$172,447, $79,108, $99,947 and $36,644$47,754, respectively.
Loan Officer Incentive Plan
As noted above, in 2020, Mark W. Drennan participated in the Loan Officer Incentive Plan (the “LOIP”). The LOIP is designed to reward achievement of net revenue growth by maintaining and growing existing loan relationships, adding new loan relationships and maintaining a high credit quality loan portfolio. The LOIP also provides incentive for adding new deposit relationships or growing existing relationships. Participants are paid a percentage of their net revenue growth compared to the previous plan year. Net revenue growth percentages paid are tiered with a higher percentage payout for higher dollar tiers of net revenue growth.
Under the LOIP, commercial lending managers, including Mr. Drennan, are eligible for an annual bonus based on the year over year increase in total annual loan revenue less salary expenses (referred to as net loan revenue) of their designated “group” of loan officers. Total loan revenue less total salary expenses (excluding incentive bonuses) for the plan year are compared to the same net loan revenue produced during the prior year. Mr. Drennan was eligible to receive a bonus equal to 3% of the total increase in net loan revenue, if applicable. All calculations are based on calculating each participant's net loan revenue increase/decrease and then adding the results as one sum total. A lender’s net loan revenue will not be included in any group’s calculations until their annual loan revenue exceeds their annual salary expense.
All lending officers and managers are responsible for maintaining a high degree of loan quality. Any new loans allocated specific loan loss reserves during the plan year will penalize the officer’s total bonus calculation a percentage of the increase in loan loss reserve. If the loan officer identifies and recommends the downgrade, the penalty percentage is significantly less than if an internal or external loan review downgrades a loan.
Payments under the LOIP are made annually in a combination of cash and restricted stock units (“RSUs"). Under the LOIP for 2020, Mr. Drennan was awarded a cash bonus of $52,069 and earned 476 RSUs.
Clawback Policy
In the event that an incentive award payout under the AIP is due to error, omission or fraud (as determined by the Compensation Committee), the participant shall reimburse the Bank for part or the entire incentive award made to such participant on the basis of having exceeded specific thresholds for performance periods. For purposes of this policy, (i) the term “incentive awards” means awards under the AIP, the amount of which is determined in whole or in part upon specific performance thresholds relating to the financial results of the Company; and (ii) the term participant means current or former employees who have
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 25
participated in the AIP. The Bank may seek to reclaim incentives within a three-year period of the incentive payout. Reimbursement may be fulfilled through reductions in compensation or other payments to the participant.
Discretionary Bonus
In addition to the AIP, the Board, based on recommendation from the Compensation Committee, may from time to time may determine that it is appropriate to pay a NEOaward NEOs a discretionary bonus, aswhich is separate from the AIP. Discretionary bonuses are designed to be a reward based on overallfor the efforts and performance of an NEO that results in substantial benefits for the Company performance or individual contributions, but that are not tieddirectly linked to achievement ofthe specific performance numbers.numbers utilized in the calculation of the annual incentive bonus. The discretionary bonus may not exceed 25% of the sum of the maximum incentive under the AIP and the discretionary bonus amount, for participants in the AIP, which includes all NEOs except Mark W. Drennan. For 2020, the maximum allowable discretionary amounts allowed for Lee R. Gibson, Julie N. Shamburger, Tim Alexander and Brian K. McCabe were $119,167, $54,667, $69,067 and H. J. Shands, III$33,000, respectively.
Lee R. Gibson, Julie N. Shamburger, Tim Alexander and Brian K. McCabe received discretionary bonuses for 20182020 in the amounts of $50,000, $30,000, $10,000, $20,000$119,000, $52,000, $65,000 and $115,000,$31,000, respectively for their individual contributions, leadership and performance during 2018.2020.
Mark W. Drennan received a discretionary bonus in the amount of $3,000 in 2020, which was directly related to his efforts with PPP loans. With input from management, the Board reviewed Mr. Drennan's contributions and efforts around PPP during 2020 to determine his discretionary bonus amount.
Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards
The Southside Bancshares, Inc. 2017 Incentive Plan (the “2017 Incentive Plan”) provides for the grant of equity awards to our employees, officers, directors and directors.consultants. The primary purpose of the 2017 Incentive Plan is to promote ourCompany success by linking the personal interests of our employees, officers, directors and consultants to those of our shareholders, and by providing participants with an incentive for outstanding performance. The 2017 Incentive Plan outlines the type of incentive awards to be granted under the plan.
In 2017,2020, Mark W. Drennan was the Committee engaged the services of PM&P to assist in guiding the Committee as to what is comparable and customary relative to the Compensation Peer Group with respect toonly NEO awarded a long-term equity programs.
Changes to 2021 Incentive Programs
The Committee has determined that the Annual Incentive Plan, discretionary bonus opportunities and long-term equity incentive awards need to be revisited and modified in certain respects. The Committee has engaged a compensation consulting firm to assist with reviewing and recommending changes to these incentive programs for 2021. The plans for 2021 are not complete, however the Committee has determined that the discretionary bonus should be replaced with qualitative factors that would be included in the AIP. In addition, the Committee has determined future long-term equity awards should consist of at least 50% performance-based awards with the balance being time-based equity awards. The revised incentive plans will be made during 2019.replace the incentive plans described above.
Executive Stock Ownership Policy
The Company maintains a stock ownership policy that determines the amount of common stock that should be held by the Company’s executive officers. The policy specifies the value of Company stock (the “Required Market Value”), as a multiple of the executive officer’s base salary in effect as of the time the executive first becomes subject to the policy, which must be held by each executive officer, as follows:
| Position | Multiple | ||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | 3x Base Salary | ||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | 2x Base Salary | ||||||||||
| Chief Lending Officer | 2x Base Salary | ||||||||||
| Other Executive Officers | One-half Base Salary | ||||||||||
The CEO, CFO and CLO are strongly encouraged to achieve ownership of a sufficient number of shares to satisfy the Required Market Value within five years of first becoming subject to the policy, and other executive officers are strongly encouraged to comply with the policy within seven years of first becoming subject to the policy.
In order to meet the stock ownership requirement, an executive officer may count all shares of common stock owned by the executive (including shares held in the Company’s 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), vested shares held in the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), shares held in an IRA and shares beneficially owned through a trust) and outstanding RSUs, but excluding shares underlying unexercised stock options.
Once an executive officer has obtained shares having a value equal or greater to the Required Market Value, the executive’s ownership requirement is converted into a number of shares determined by dividing the Required Market Value by the then-currentthen-
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 26
current stock price (the “Required Share Level”). Once an executive’s Required Share Level is determined, he or she must continue to beneficially own at least that number of shares in order to be in compliance with the policy. An executive’s Required Market Value and Required Share Level will be recalculated in connection with a salary increase relating to a change in title, but otherwise will not change as a result of changes in base salary or fluctuations in the price of the Company’s stock.
Executive officers who are not in compliance with the policy after the applicable five or seven year period are required to retain 50% of the shares received upon exercise or conversion of equity incentive awards.
| Stock Ownership at | Stock Held as a % of | ||||
| Name | March 21, 2019 | Ownership Requirement | |||
| Lee R. Gibson | 57,491 | 98.2% | |||
| Julie N. Shamburger | 28,080 | >100% | |||
| Tim Alexander | 25,147 | >100% | |||
| Brian K. McCabe | 33,256 | >100% | |||
| H. J. Shands, III | 294,472 | >100% | |||
| Stock Ownership at | Stock Held as a % of | |||||||||||||
| Name | March 17, 2021 | Ownership Requirement | ||||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | 71,443 | >100% | ||||||||||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | 30,584 | >100% | ||||||||||||
| Tim Alexander | 26,024 | >100% | ||||||||||||
| Brian K. McCabe | 34,810 | >100% | ||||||||||||
| Mark W. Drennan | 5,231 | >100% | ||||||||||||
Retirement Benefits
Retirement benefits fulfill an important role within the Company’s overall executive compensation program because they provide a financial security component which promotes retention. We place great value on the long-term commitment that many of our employees and the NEOs have made to us and aim to incent those individuals to remain with the Company and to act in a manner that will provide longer-termlong-term benefits to the Company. The Company believes its retirement program is comparable to those offered by the banks in our Compensation Peer Group and, as a result, is needed to ensure that our executive compensation remains competitive.
Our retirement plans are designed to encourage employees to take an active role in planning, saving and investing for retirement. The Company maintains a 401(k) Plan, a tax-qualified defined contribution plan in which substantially all of our employees, including the NEOs, are eligible to participate. The Company also maintains a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Pension Plan”), pursuant to which participants are entitled to benefits, based on final average monthly compensation and years of credited service. In addition, the Company maintainsas well as a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan (the “Restoration Plan”) which provides benefits in addition to the Pension Plan. As of June 18, 2020, the Board approved amendments to the Pension Plan and the Restoration Plan to freeze all future benefit accruals and accrual of benefit service, including consideration of compensation increases, effective December 31, 2020. The participants are entitled to benefits based on average monthly compensation and years of credited service as of December 31, 2020. The Pension Plan and the Restoration Plan are described in more detail under the Pension Benefits Table in this proxy statement.
The Company has entered into deferred compensation agreements with each of the NEOs, with the exception of H. J. Shands, III,Mark W. Drennan, that provide for the payment of a stated amount over a specific period of years. These deferred compensation agreements are described in more detail under the Pension Benefits Table in this proxy statement.
The Company has also entered into a split dollar agreementagreements with Lee R. Gibson and Julie N. Shamburger, which allowsallow the executiveexecutives to designate the beneficiaries of death benefits under a life insurance policy. This agreement isThese agreements are described in more detail under the Summary Compensation Table in this proxy statement.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits
The Company provides NEOs with perquisites and other personal benefits the Company and the Committee believe are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable the Company to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. The Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to NEOs. The Committee did not review perquisites during 2018, and thereThere were no changes in the types of perquisites provided in 2018.2020. Perquisites provided to NEOs during 20182020 were Company paid club dues for each NEO and a Company provided automobile for Lee R. Gibson, Julie N. Shamburger and Tim Alexander. Club memberships are made available to various officers who are expected to routinely entertain customers or prospective customers.
Health and Welfare Benefits
The Company offers a standard range of health and welfare benefits on a uniform basis and subject to insurance policy limitations to employees, including NEOs, and their eligible dependents. The benefits are designed to attract and retain employees and provide security to employees for their health and welfare needs. The benefits include: medical, prescription, dental, vision, employee life, group life, health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts. NEOs participate in these employee benefit plans, which are generally available to full-time employees on the same terms as a similarly situated employee. Another benefit available to officers at or above the Vice President level and meeting a service requirement is a bank-provided long-term disability insurance policy which includes accidental death and travel insurance plans and programs.
Severance
The Company entered into Employee Agreements with Lee R. Gibson in October 2007, Julie N. Shamburger in June 2008 and Brian K. McCabe in November 2008. The Board determined that it was in the best interest of the Company to retain the services and encourage the continued attention and dedication of these executives to their assigned duties. The severance and change in control termination amounts were negotiated based on the NEO's tenure, scope of responsibilities and other provisions in the agreement.
For a further discussion of severance payments, please see the terms of the Employment Agreements in this proxy statement.
Tax and Accounting Considerations
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code places a limit of $1 million on the amount of compensation that we may deduct in any year with respect to any one of our NEOs. Prior to 2018, the limitation did not apply to compensation that met the requirements under Section 162(m) for “qualifying performance-based” compensation. The exemption from Code Section 162(m)'s deduction limit for performance-based compensation, was repealed, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, such that compensation paid to our covered executive officers in excess of $1 million will not be deductible unless it qualifies for transition relief applicable to certain written arrangements in place as of November 2, 2017.
The Committee intends to maximize deductibility of executive compensation while retaining discretion needed to compensate executives in a manner commensurate with performance and the competitive landscape for executive talent.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 28
| EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | ||||||||||||||
The following table sets forth the compensation earned by or paid to each of the NEOs for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 2016.2018. This information relates to compensation paid to the NEO's by Southside Bank, as the Company does not directly pay compensation to the NEOs.
| Name Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) (1) | Bonus ($) (2) | Stock Awards ($) (3) | Option Awards ($) (4) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(5) | Change in Pension Value ($) (6) | All Other Compensation ($) (7) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lee R. Gibson, CPA – President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company and Southside Bank | 2020 | $ | 715,000 | $ | 119,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 172,447 | $ | 1,572,177 | $ | 75,842 | $ | 2,654,466 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 665,000 | 60,000 | 166,244 | 166,250 | 134,743 | 1,421,114 | 15,792 | 2,629,143 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 645,750 | 50,000 | 161,426 | 161,437 | 131,459 | 423,458 | 13,796 | 1,587,326 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Julie N. Shamburger, CPA – Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Southside Bank and advisory director of Southside Bank | 2020 | 410,000 | 52,000 | — | — | 79,108 | 907,288 | 64,895 | 1,513,291 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 377,000 | 35,000 | 65,968 | 65,974 | 61,111 | 741,161 | 11,340 | 1,357,554 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 340,000 | 30,000 | 59,513 | 59,503 | 55,372 | 140,011 | 10,585 | 694,984 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tim Alexander – Chief Lending Officer of the Company and Southside Bank and advisory director of Southside Bank | 2020 | 518,000 | 68,400 | — | — | 99,947 | 440,279 | 29,953 | 1,156,579 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 512,000 | 35,000 | 89,583 | 89,597 | 82,994 | 407,405 | 59,361 | 1,275,940 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 500,000 | 10,000 | 87,492 | 87,502 | 81,430 | 216,224 | 12,314 | 994,962 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian K. McCabe – Chief Operations Officer of the Company and Southside Bank and advisory director of Southside Bank | 2020 | 330,000 | 31,000 | — | — | 47,754 | 577,525 | 23,331 | 1,009,610 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 312,000 | 25,000 | 46,812 | 46,799 | 37,931 | 538,942 | 9,919 | 1,017,403 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | 300,000 | 20,000 | 44,988 | 44,997 | 36,644 | 49,066 | 15,065 | 510,760 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mark W. Drennan – Regional President, North Texas of Southside Bank | 2020 | 270,000 | 13,000 | 14,737 | — | 52,069 | — | 28,784 | 378,590 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Includes amounts deferred at the officer’s election pursuant to the Company’s 401(k) Plan.
(2)For each NEO other than Mr. Drennan, amount reflects a discretionary bonus, as described above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. For Mr. Alexander, the 2020 amount also includes referral incentives of $3,400. For Mr. Drennan, the amount includes a discretionary bonus of $3,000 related to PPP loans and $10,000 pursuant to his Advanced Compensation Agreement. See below for further discussion of the agreement.
(3)Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of RSUs determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, based on the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date.
(4)Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The assumptions used in calculating these amounts are set forth in the notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC.
(5)For Mr. Drennan, reflects amount earned under the Loan Officer Incentive Plan. For all other NEOs, reflects amounts earned under the Annual Incentive Program. See the discussion above for more information regarding these performance-based cash bonuses.
(6)The amounts reported in this column reflect the aggregate actuarial increase in the present value of the NEOs benefits under the Pension Plan and the Restoration Plan determined using interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in the Company’s financial statements. The changes in pension values for the NEOs under the Pension Plan were as follows: Lee R. Gibson – $344,137; Julie N. Shamburger – $381,405; Tim Alexander – $147,739; and Brian K. McCabe – $349,431. The changes in pension value for the NEOs under the Restoration Plan were as follows: Lee R. Gibson – $1,228,040; Julie N. Shamburger – $525,883; Tim Alexander – $292,540; and Brian K. McCabe – $228,094. Descriptions of the Pension Plan and Restoration Plan follow the Pension Benefits Table in this proxy statement.
(7)Amounts included in this column for 2020 are detailed in the All Other Compensation Table below.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 29
| Name Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) (1) | Bonus ($) (2) | Stock Awards ($) (3) | Option Awards ($) (4) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(5) | Change in Pension Value ($) (6) | All Other Compensation ($) (7) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lee R. Gibson, CPA – President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company and Southside Bank | 2018 | $ | 645,750 | $ | 50,000 | $ | 161,426 | $ | 161,437 | $ | 131,459 | $ | 423,458 | $ | 13,796 | $ | 1,587,326 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 615,000 | 95,000 | — | — | 182,655 | 885,776 | 86,249 | 1,864,680 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 530,000 | 35,000 | 132,512 | 132,497 | 111,875 | 547,269 | 9,791 | 1,498,944 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Julie N. Shamburger, CPA – Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Southside Bank and advisory director of Southside Bank | 2018 | 340,000 | 30,000 | 59,513 | 59,503 | 55,372 | 140,011 | 10,585 | 694,984 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 320,000 | 32,000 | — | — | 57,024 | 424,307 | 65,859 | 899,190 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 282,154 | 12,500 | 52,501 | 52,504 | 47,494 | 228,146 | 1,740 | 677,039 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tim Alexander – Chief Lending Officer of the Company and Southside Bank and advisory director of Southside Bank | 2018 | 500,000 | 10,000 | 87,492 | 87,502 | 81,430 | 216,224 | 12,314 | 994,962 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 485,000 | 55,000 | — | — | 115,236 | 255,107 | 12,715 | 923,058 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 350,000 | — | 148,484 | 61,250 | 261,611 | 224,137 | 70,962 | 1,116,444 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian K. McCabe – Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of the Company and Southside Bank and advisory director of Southside Bank | 2018 | 300,000 | 20,000 | 44,988 | 44,997 | 36,644 | 49,066 | 15,065 | 510,760 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 263,461 | 40,000 | — | — | — | 316,155 | 5,524 | 625,140 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 240,000 | 30,000 | 29,995 | 30,002 | — | 215,746 | 9,761 | 555,504 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
H. J. Shands, III - Regional President, East Texas and Director of the Company and Southside Bank. | 2018 | 481,500 | 347,500 | 132,413 | 132,407 | — | — | 19,389 | 1,113,209 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 ALL OTHER COMPENSATION TABLE | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gibson | Shamburger | Alexander | McCabe | Shands | ||||||||||||||||
| Company Provided Automobile (a) | $ | 3,689 | $ | 3,229 | $ | 2,439 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Club Dues (b) | 6,078 | 3,327 | 5,846 | 5,648 | 5,391 | |||||||||||||||
| 401(k) Matching (c) | — | — | — | — | 9,969 | |||||||||||||||
| ESOP Contribution (d) | 4,029 | 4,029 | 4,029 | 4,029 | 4,029 | |||||||||||||||
| Other (e) | — | — | — | 5,388 | — | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 13,796 | $ | 10,585 | $ | 12,314 | $ | 15,065 | $ | 19,389 | ||||||||||
| 2020 ALL OTHER COMPENSATION TABLE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gibson | Shamburger | Alexander | McCabe | Drennan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company Provided Automobile (a) | $ | 51,831 | $ | 43,740 | $ | 6,211 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club Dues (b) | 6,810 | 3,954 | 6,541 | 6,130 | 11,583 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 401(k) Matching (c) | 11,400 | 11,400 | 11,400 | 11,400 | 11,400 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ESOP Contribution (d) | 5,801 | 5,801 | 5,801 | 5,801 | 5,801 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 75,842 | $ | 64,895 | $ | 29,953 | $ | 23,331 | $ | 28,784 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)Lee R. Gibson, Julie N. Shamburger and Tim Alexander had use of a Company provided automobile in 2020. The automobile is included as incremental cost to the Company in the year of purchase, and fuel, maintenance cost and insurance costs are included as incremental cost each year. In 2020, Mr. Gibson and Ms. Shamburger received new automobiles and the incremental cost to the Company was $48,444 and $40,742, respectively. A new automobile was provided for Mr. Alexander in 2019.
(b)The incremental cost of Company provided club dues to the NEOs.
(c)All NEO's are 100% vested in our 401(k) Plan, except for Mark W. Drennan who is 40% vested.
(d)All NEO's are participants in the ESOP. Mark W. Drennan is 60% vested in the ESOP and remaining NEO's are 100% vested.
CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure
The CEO pay ratio figures below are a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.
We determined that as of December 31, 2018,2020, our total number of active U.S. employees was 924.901. To determine our median employee pay, we chose gross compensation as our consistently applied compensation measure. We then annualized base salary for those employees who commenced work during 20182020 and any employees who were on leave for a portion of 2018.2020. For hourly employees, we used a reasonable estimate of hours worked to determine annual base pay.
Using this methodology, we identified the median employee and that person's total annual compensation was $40,504.$42,062. The total annual compensation of our CEO was $1,587,326.$2,654,466. Accordingly, the ratio of CEO pay to median employee pay was 39:63:1.
Employment Agreements
The Company maintains employment agreements with Lee R. Gibson, Julie N. Shamburger, and Brian K. McCabe (the “Employment Agreements”). The Employment Agreement with Mr. Gibson was entered into as of October 22, 2007, and had an initial term through October 22, 2010, with automatic one-year term extensions on each anniversary of the effective date, until a party gives 90 days' notice of non-renewal. Mr. Gibson's agreement is now in effect until October 22, 2021.2023. The Employment Agreement with Ms. Shamburger was entered into as of June 4, 2008, and had an initial term through June 4, 2010, with automatic one-year term extensions on each anniversary of the effective date, until a party gives 90 days' notice of non-renewal. The employment term was amended to a three-year term on October 25, 2018, with automatic one- yearone-year term extensions on each anniversary of the amendment date, until a party gives 90 days' notice of non-renewal. This agreement is now in effect until October 25, 2021.2023. The Employment Agreement with Mr. McCabe was entered into as of November 17, 2008 and had an initial term through November 17, 2011, with automatic one-year term extensions on each anniversary of the effective date, until a party gives 90 days' notice of non-renewal. This agreement is now in effect until November 17, 2021.2023.
The Employment Agreements provide for an annual base salary to be reviewed no less frequently than annually by the Committee, and entitle the executives to participate in the Company's Annual Incentive Programs with a payment of not less than 12.5% of base salary. The amount actually awarded and paid to the executives each year will be determined by the Committee and may be based on specific performance criteria.
The Employment Agreements entitle the executives to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans or programs and welfare and fringe benefits which are generally available to officers of the Company of comparable levels. In addition, the Employment Agreements state that the Company may pay annual country club annual dues and expenses for each of the executives.
The Employment Agreements also provide the executives with severance benefits in the event of certain terminations of employment. These benefits are described in “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”
The Key Employee RetentionAdvanced Compensation Agreement with H. J. Shands, III, providesMark W. Drennan was entered into on November 26, 2018, and provided for a grantimmediate advanced compensation of options and RSUs within 90 days following the Diboll acquisition, each having a grant date fair value equal$40,000, which is subject to approximately 15% of Mr. Shands' base salary and vesting over four years, as well as three retention payments, beginning 90 days after the merger effective date and ending at the second anniversary date. Under the terms of the Key Employee Retention Agreement with H. J. Shands, III, if Mr. Shands'forgiveness, based on continuous employment, is terminated other than for Cause or Disability (as defined in the agreement), he is entitled to a portion of the remaining retention payments. As of December 31, 2018, the potential amount of payment for termination other than Cause or Disability was $48,000. The agreement does not provide for acceleration of the equity awards.$10,000 each annual anniversary through November 26, 2022.
Split Dollar Agreements
As of December 31, 2020, the expected death benefits for Mr. Gibson totaled $1.55 million under this agreement. The expected death benefit of $1.20 million was not available to Ms. Shamburger until February 25, 2021. There was no expense associated with the post retirement liability for the year ended December 31, 2018.2020.
2020 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The table below sets forth information regarding grants of plan-based awards to the NEOs for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.2020:
| Name | Grant Date | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(2) | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | — | $ | 5,363 | $ | — | $ | 357,500 | — | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | — | 2,460 | — | 164,000 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tim Alexander | — | 3,108 | — | 207,200 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian K. McCabe | — | 1,485 | — | 99,000 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mark W. Drennan | 11/19/2020 | — | — | — | 476 | — | — | 14,737 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Amounts reflect threshold and maximum payout levels for 2020 performance under the 2020 Annual Incentive Program. The awards do not provide for a target payout. For more information regarding the 2020 Annual Incentive Program, see the discussion in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” For Mr. Drennan, there is no threshold, target or maximum under the Loan Officer Incentive Plan.
(2)Reflects RSUs granted under the 2017 Incentive Plan, in connection with the Loan Officer Incentive Plan. The RSUs vest annually in four equal installments. All awards begin vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date, or earlier upon the death or disability of the grantee, or upon a change in control in which the successor company does not assume or otherwise equitably convert the awards.
(3)Grant date fair value of the RSUs is calculated using the closing stock price on the date of grant.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 31
| Name | Grant Date | Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) | All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(2) | All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)(3) | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)(4) | Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(5) | ||||||||||||||||
| Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | 4,843 | 322,875 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 4,679 | 161,426 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 24,095 | 34.50 | 161,437 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | 2,040 | 136,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 1,725 | 59,513 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 8,881 | 34.50 | 59,503 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tim Alexander | 3,000 | 200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 2,536 | 87,492 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 13,060 | 34.50 | 87,502 | |||||||||||||||||||
Brian K. McCabe | 1,350 | 90,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 1,304 | 44,988 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 6,716 | 34.50 | 44,997 | |||||||||||||||||||
| H. J. Shands, III | 1/29/2018 | 2,087 | 72,210 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1/29/2018 | 10,467 | 34.60 | 72,222 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 1,745 | 60,203 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 8,890 | 34.50 | 60,185 | |||||||||||||||||||
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2020 FISCAL YEAR END
The table below sets forth information regarding outstanding stock options and RSUs held by the NEOs as of December 31, 20182020:
| Option Awards (1) | Stock Awards (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Grant Date | Vesting Period (Years) (3) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock that have not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that have not Vested ($) (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | 8/2/2012 | 3 | 16,236 | — | $ | 16.81 | 8/2/2022 | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/5/2013 | 3 | 10,888 | — | 22.88 | 12/5/2023 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2015 | 3 | 18,997 | — | 26.49 | 6/18/2025 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 3 | 16,304 | — | 37.28 | 11/23/2026 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | 16,063 | 8,032 | 34.50 | 6/18/2028 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1,721 | 53,403 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/21/2019 | 3 | 9,392 | 18,786 | 34.83 | 11/21/2029 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/21/2019 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3,352 | 104,013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | 8/2/2012 | 4 | 4,558 | — | 16.81 | 8/2/2022 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/5/2013 | 4 | 3,113 | — | 22.88 | 12/5/2023 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2015 | 4 | 5,460 | — | 26.49 | 6/18/2025 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 3 | 6,461 | — | 37.28 | 11/23/2026 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | 5,921 | 2,960 | 34.50 | 6/18/2028 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 634 | 19,673 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/21/2019 | 3 | 3,727 | 7,455 | 34.83 | 11/21/2029 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/21/2019 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1,331 | 41,301 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tim Alexander | 6/18/2015 | 4 | 1,788 | — | 26.49 | 6/18/2025 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 3 | 7,537 | — | 37.28 | 11/23/2026 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | 8,707 | 4,353 | 34.50 | 6/18/2028 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 931 | 28,889 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/21/2019 | 3 | 5,062 | 10,124 | 34.83 | 11/21/2029 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/21/2019 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1,807 | 56,071 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian K. McCabe | 8/2/2012 | 4 | 2,020 | — | 16.81 | 8/2/2022 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/5/2013 | 4 | 2,681 | — | 22.88 | 12/5/2023 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2015 | 4 | 4,875 | — | 26.49 | 6/18/2025 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 4 | 3,648 | — | 37.28 | 11/23/2026 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | 4,477 | 2,239 | 34.50 | 6/18/2028 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 480 | 14,894 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/21/2019 | 3 | 2,644 | 5,288 | 34.83 | 11/21/2029 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/21/2019 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 944 | 29,292 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mark W. Drennan | 11/16/2017 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 214 | 6,640 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 4 | 2,330 | 2,329 | 34.50 | 6/18/2028 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 505 | 15,670 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/15/2018 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 549 | 17,035 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/21/2019 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 1,033 | 32,054 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11/19/2020 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 482 | 14,956 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1):Options were granted under the 2017 Incentive Plan and predecessor plans. All options granted are for 10-year terms with an exercise price equal to the fair market value (closing price) on the NASDAQ on the date of the grant, adjusted for stock dividends.
(3)All awards vest annually in equal installments over the years noted above, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, or earlier upon the death or disability of the grantee, or upon a change in control in which the successor company does not assume or otherwise equitably convert the awards.
(4)Reflects the value calculated by multiplying the number of shares underlying the RSUs by $31.03 which was the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2020.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 32
| Option Awards (1) | Stock Awards (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Grant Date | Vesting Period (Years) (3) | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock that have not vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that have not vested ($) (4) | ||||||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | 6/9/2011 | 3 | 15,116 | — | $ | 14.67 | 6/9/2021 | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||
| 8/2/2012 | 3 | 16,236 | — | 16.81 | 8/2/2022 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 12/5/2013 | 3 | 10,888 | — | 22.88 | 12/5/2023 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2015 | 3 | 18,997 | — | 26.49 | 6/18/2025 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 3 | 10,870 | 5,434 | 37.28 | 11/23/2026 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1,262 | 40,069 | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | 24,095 | 34.50 | 6/18/2028 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 4,766 | 151,321 | |||||||||||||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | 6/9/2011 | 4 | 3,235 | — | 14.67 | 6/9/2021 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 8/2/2012 | 4 | 4,558 | — | 16.81 | 8/2/2022 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 12/5/2013 | 4 | 3,113 | — | 22.88 | 12/5/2023 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2015 | 4 | 4,095 | 1,365 | 26.49 | 6/18/2025 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2015 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 343 | 10,890 | |||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 3 | 4,308 | 2,153 | 37.28 | 11/23/2026 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 502 | 15,939 | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | 8,881 | 34.50 | 6/18/2028 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1,757 | 55,785 | |||||||||||||||
| Tim Alexander | 6/18/2015 | 4 | — | 1,788 | 26.49 | 6/18/2025 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2015 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 444 | 14,097 | |||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 3 | 5,025 | 2,512 | 37.28 | 11/23/2026 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 3 & 4 | — | — | — | — | 1,835 | 58,261 | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | 13,060 | 34.50 | 6/18/2028 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 2,583 | 82,010 | |||||||||||||||
| Brian K. McCabe | 8/2/2012 | 4 | 3,220 | — | 16.81 | 8/2/2022 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 12/5/2013 | 4 | 2,681 | — | 22.88 | 12/5/2023 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2015 | 4 | 3,657 | 1,218 | 26.49 | 6/18/2025 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2015 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 305 | 9,684 | |||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 4 | 1,825 | 1,823 | 37.28 | 11/23/2026 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 11/23/2016 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 430 | 13,653 | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | 6,716 | 34.50 | 6/18/2028 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 1,328 | 42,164 | |||||||||||||||
| H. J. Shands, III | 1/29/2018 | 4 | — | 10,467 | 34.60 | 1/29/2028 | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 1/29/2018 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 2,162 | 68,644 | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 4 | — | 8,890 | 34.50 | 6/18/2028 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| 6/18/2018 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 1,777 | 56,420 | |||||||||||||||
2020 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table shows the number of shares and the value realized upon exercise of stock options and vesting of stock awards for the year ended December 31, 20182020 for each of the NEOs.
| Stock Options | Stock Awards (RSUs) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Option Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Option Value Realized on Exercise ($) (1) | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) (2) | Value Realized on Vesting ($) (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | 15,116 | $ | 223,451 | 3,336 | $ | 97,516 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | 1,600 | 26,212 | 1,275 | 37,387 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tim Alexander | — | — | 2,476 | 73,666 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian K. McCabe | — | — | 1,166 | 34,566 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mark W. Drennan | — | — | 1,346 | 38,750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16,716 | $ | 249,663 | 9,599 | $ | 281,885 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Value realized represents the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise over the exercise price of the options.
(2)Number of shares acquired does not include fractional shares, which were settled in cash.
(3)Value realized represents the fair market value of the shares on the vesting date, including fractional shares, which were settled in cash.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 33
| Stock Options | Stock Awards RSU | |||||||||||||
| Name | Option Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) | Option Value Realized on Exercise ($) (1) | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting ($) (2) | ||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | — | $ | — | 2,649 | $ | 89,251 | ||||||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | — | — | 848 | 28,181 | ||||||||||
| Tim Alexander | 16,007 | 233,739 | 1,675 | 55,025 | ||||||||||
| Brian K. McCabe | 1,670 | 36,981 | 527 | 17,686 | ||||||||||
| H. J. Shands, III | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||
| 17,677 | $ | 270,720 | 5,699 | $ | 190,143 | |||||||||
The table below shows the number of years of service credited to each NEO, the actuarial present value of each NEO's accumulated benefits (determined using interest rate and mortality table assumptions described below), and the amount of payments during 20182020 to each of the NEOs, under each of the Pension Plan, Restoration Plan and Deferred Compensation Agreements.Agreements as of December 31, 2020.
| Name | Plan Name | Number of Years Credited Service (#) | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($) | Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($) | ||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | Pension Plan | 36.417 | $ | 2,551,386 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Restoration Plan | 36.417 | 5,787,302 | — | |||||||||||
| Deferred Compensation Agreement | N/A | 327,529 | — | |||||||||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | Pension Plan | 37.583 | 2,152,560 | — | ||||||||||
| Restoration Plan | 37.583 | 1,304,670 | — | |||||||||||
| Deferred Compensation Agreement | N/A | 134,525 | — | |||||||||||
| Tim Alexander | Pension Plan | 15.500 | 848,411 | — | ||||||||||
| Restoration Plan | 15.500 | 1,181,877 | — | |||||||||||
| Deferred Compensation Agreement | N/A | 233,033 | — | |||||||||||
| Brian K. McCabe | Pension Plan | 37.583 | 2,200,849 | — | ||||||||||
| Restoration Plan | 37.583 | 510,192 | — | |||||||||||
| Deferred Compensation Agreement | N/A | 161,318 | — | |||||||||||
| Mark W. Drennan | (1) | — | — | — | ||||||||||
| Name | Plan Name | Number of Years Credited Service (#) | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($) | Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($) | ||||
| Lee R. Gibson | Pension Plan | 34.417 | $ | 1,849,477 | $ | — | ||
| Restoration Plan | 34.417 | 3,495,920 | — | |||||
| Deferred Compensation Agreement | N/A | 287,062 | — | |||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | Pension Plan | 35.583 | $ | 1,391,674 | $ | — | ||
| Restoration Plan | 35.583 | 417,107 | — | |||||
| Deferred Compensation Agreement | N/A | 109,629 | — | |||||
| Tim Alexander | Pension Plan | 13.500 | $ | 558,002 | $ | — | ||
| Restoration Plan | 13.500 | 624,602 | — | |||||
| Deferred Compensation Agreement | N/A | 186,242 | — | |||||
| Brian K. McCabe | Pension Plan | 35.583 | $ | 1,476,117 | $ | — | ||
| Restoration Plan | 35.583 | 118,457 | — | |||||
| Deferred Compensation Agreement | N/A | 130,961 | — | |||||
| H. J. Shands, III | (1) | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||
(1)Mr. ShandsDrennan does not participate in the Pension Plan or the Restoration Plan, andnor does he does not have a Deferred Compensation Agreement with the Company.
Pension Plan
The Pension Plan is a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan pursuant to which participants are entitled to benefits based on final average monthly compensation and years of credited service.
Entrance into the Pension Plan by new employees was frozen effective December 31, 2005. Employees hired after December 31, 2005 are not eligible to participate in the Pension Plan. All participants in the Pension Plan are fully vested. All NEOs employed by the Company at December 31, 20182020 were participants in the Pension Plan, with the exception of Mr. Shands.Drennan. Benefits are payable monthly commencing on the later of age 65 or the participant’s date of retirement. Eligible participants may retire at reduced benefit levels after reaching age 55. On June 18, 2020, our Board of Directors approved amendments to the Pension Plan to freeze all future benefit accruals and accrual of benefit service, including consideration of compensation increases, effective December 31, 2020.
The benefits under the Pension Plan are determined using the following formula, stated as a single life annuity with 120 payments guaranteed, payable at normal retirement age, which is defined as 65 under the Pension Plan.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 34
Formula (1) and Formula (2), calculated using Credit Service, at Normal Retirement Date, multiplied by a service ratio and summed as described below:
| The fraction in which the numerator is Credited | |||||||||||
| Formula (1) | x | Service as of 12/31/ | |||||||||
| total Credited Service | |||||||||||
| plus | |||||||||||
| Formula (2) | The fraction in which the numerator is Credited | ||||||||||
| x | Service earned after 12/31/ | ||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 and denominator is total Credited Service | |||||||||||
Formula (1) is an amount equal to:
2% of Final Average Monthly Compensation times Credited Service up to 20 years, PLUS
1% of Final Average Monthly Compensation times Credited Service, if any, in excess of 20 years, PLUS
0.60% of that portion of Final Average Monthly Compensation which exceeds Monthly Covered Compensation times Credited Service up to 35 years
Formula (2) is an amount equal to:
0.90% of Final Average Monthly Compensation times Credited Service, PLUS
0.54% of that portion of Final Average Monthly Compensation which exceeds Monthly Covered Compensation times Credited Service up to 35 years
Benefit Formula Definitions
Credit Service
A participant’s years of credited service are based on the number of years an employee works for the Company.Company, frozen as of December 31, 2020. The Company has no policy to grant extra years of credited service.
Final Average Monthly Compensation (FAMC)
The monthly average of the 60 consecutive months’ compensation during the participant’s period of credited service that gives the highest average. Compensation generally includes all gross income received by the participant for services actually rendered in the course of employment, with certain exclusions, plus any elective deferrals under Section 125 and Section 404(g)(c). Compensation in the Pension Plan is limited as required.
Covered Compensation
A rounded 35-year average of the Maximum Taxable Wages (MTW) under social security. The table in effect during the calendar year proceeding termination or retirement is used.
The pension disclosures have been computed using the FASB ASC Topic 715, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits” assumptions from the financial statements as of the pension measurement date of December 31, 2018,2020, except the FASB ASC Topic 715 retirement age has been replaced by the normal retirement age for this calculation (and the benefit valued is only the accrued, not the projected, benefit).
| FASB ASC Topic 715 Discount Rate as of 12/31/2019 | 3.41% | |||||||||||||
| FASB ASC Topic 715 Discount Rate as of 12/31/2020 | 2.65% | |||||||||||||
| Expected Retirement Age | 65 | |||||||||||||
| Post-Retirement Mortality | Pri-2012 table, projected generationally using MP-2020 scale | |||||||||||||
| Pre-Retirement Mortality, Disability or Turnover | None | |||||||||||||
| Form of Payment | ||||||||||||||
| Qualified Retirement Plan | 10-Year Certain & Life Annuity | |||||||||||||
| Nonqualified Restoration Plan | 10-Year Certain & Life Annuity | |||||||||||||
For a further discussion of the FASB ASC Topic 715 assumptions, please see Note 11“Note 10 - Employee Benefits” to our consolidated financial statements on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019.26, 2021.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 35
Restoration Plan
The annual retirement income benefit offor NEOs under the Pension Plan is subject to certain limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. Under one such limitation, in determining the benefit accrued for a year under the Pension Plan, the benefit formula excludes a NEOs compensation above a specified compensation limit. In 2018,2020, for example, the ceiling was $275,000, $285,000,which means that the compensation of NEOs in excess of that amount was not considered in the benefit formula for purposes of determining benefits under the Pension Plan. The Company maintains the Restoration Plan, a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan which provides additional benefits by taking into account the excess compensation not taken into account under the Pension Plan. The Restoration Plan is unfunded and noncontributory, which means that benefits are paid from the general assets of the Company and the NEOs are not required to make any contributions. On June 18, 2020, our Board of Directors approved amendments to the Restoration Plan to freeze all future benefit accruals and accrual of benefit service, including consideration of compensation increases, effective December 31, 2020. The formula and assumptions used to calculate the benefit payable pursuant to the Restoration Plan are the same as those used under the Pension Plan described above, except that the amounts payable under the Restoration Plan are reduced by the amounts payable under the Pension Plan.
Deferred Compensation Agreements
Under the terms of their deferred compensation agreements, Lee R. Gibson is entitled to receive $400,000, and Julie N. Shamburger was entitled to receive $300,000 prior to February 25, 2021, and $500,000 subsequent to February 25, 2021, and Tim Alexander and Brian K. McCabe are each entitled to receive $300,000, all of which are payable monthly over 10 years, if the executive remains in the employment of Southside Bank until retirement (on or after age 65), or upon permanent disability or death, whichever occurs first. If the executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company for any reason other than for “good cause” (as defined in the agreements), such termination shall be treated the same as a retirement, and the executive shall be entitled to receive the payments. If, prior to a “change in control” (as defined in the agreements), the executive terminates his or her employment prior to attainment of age 65 for any reason other than death or disability, no amounts shall be due such executive under his or her deferred compensation agreement. If, after a change in control, the executive terminates employment prior to attainment of age 65 for any reason other than death, disability, or for “good reason” (as defined in the agreements), no amounts shall be due to the executive under histhe agreement. After a change in control, a termination by the executive for good reason shall be treated the same as a retirement, and the executive shall be entitled to receive the payments.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following discussion summarizes the compensation benefits payable to the NEOs in the event of a termination of their employment under various circumstances, assuming that a termination of employment occurred on December 31, 2018.2020.
Vested Benefits
Upon termination of their employment, the NEOs would receive any vested compensation and benefits for which they had already vested.benefits. This would include accrued but unpaid salary, accrued and unused vacation pay, and any balance under the 401(k) plan.Plan and ESOP. In addition, theeligible NEOs would receive benefits under the Pension Plan and Restoration Plan, plus amounts payable under their deferred compensation agreements, as disclosed and described above in the 20182020 Pension Benefits Table.
Employment Agreements
In addition, the Company has employment agreements with Lee R. Gibson, Julie N. Shamburger and Brian K. McCabe which entitle each of the executives to certain payments and benefits upon termination or change in control, as summarized below.
Voluntary termination by the executive; termination by the Company with Cause. If an executive voluntarily terminates his/his or her employment or the Company terminates the executive’s employment with Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreements), the executive will be entitled to receive his or her accrued salary and previously vested benefits. In this event, no special severance benefits are payable.
Involuntary termination. If the Company terminates the executive’s employment without Cause, the executive will be entitled to receive a single lump sum equal to:
•any accrued but unpaid base salary;
•a severance payment equal to the executive’s monthly salary multiplied by the number of months remaining in the term of the Employment Agreement (which would be between 24 and 36 months), plus $10,000;
•a pro-rata bonus equal to the product of (i) the executive’s Target Bonus (as defined in the Employment Agreements) for the termination year and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the termination date, and the denominator of which is 365; and
•any vested compensation deferred by the executive (unless otherwise required by an agreement).
Additionally, all equity awards will become immediately vested and exercisable as of the date of termination. Finally, the executive will be entitled to any other amounts or benefits under any other plan pursuant to which the executive is eligible to receive benefits, to the extent officers of a comparable level at the Company received such benefits prior to the date of termination (“Other Benefits”).
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 36
Termination due to death, Disability or Retirement. If an executive’s employment is terminated due to death, Disability or Retirement (as such capitalized terms are defined in the Employment Agreements), he or she (or his or her estate) will receive accrued salary and Other Benefits.
Termination in connection with Change in Control. If an executive’s employment is terminated due to a Change in Control (as such capitalized term is defined in the Employment Agreements), he or she will be entitled to the same payments and benefits as if he or she had been terminated without cause. However, instead of the severance payment described above, the severance payment will be calculated as follows:
(a) if the termination occurs more than six (6) months prior to a change of control or more than two (2) years after the occurrence of a change of control, the severance payment shall be the product of two times the sum of (1) the executive’s salary in effect as of the termination (ignoring any decrease in the salary unless consented to by the executive), and (2) the greater of the average of the annual bonuses earned by the executive for the two fiscal years in which annual bonuses were paid immediately preceding the year in which the termination occurs, or the executive’s Target Bonus for the year in which the termination occurs; or
(b) if the termination occurs within six months prior or within two years after the occurrence of a change of control, the severance payment shall be the product of 2.99 for Lee R. Gibson and 2.0 for Julie N. Shamburger and Brian K. McCabe times the sum of (1) the executive’s salary in effect as of the termination, and (2) the greater of the average of the annual bonuses earned by the executive for the two fiscal years in which annual bonuses were paid immediately preceding the year in which the termination occurs, or the executive’s Target Bonus for the year in which the termination occurs.
Restrictive covenants. The Employment Agreements contain confidentiality provisions and subject Lee R. Gibson to certain non-compete and non-solicitation obligations during the term of employment with the Company for a one-year period and Julie N. Shamburger and Brian K. McCabe for a six-month period following termination of employment.
Reduction in certain benefits. The Employment Agreements also state that in the event that any of the severance benefits described above are subject to federal excise taxes under the “golden parachute” provisions under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, the payments will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid such excise taxes, but only if such reduction would result in a greater net benefit for the executive.
The following table quantifies the severance payments payable to Lee R. Gibson, Julie N. Shamburger and Brian K. McCabe pursuant to their Employment Agreements, and to H. J. Shands, III, pursuant to his Key Employee Retention Agreement, had their employment been involuntarily terminated as of December 31, 2018,2020, either absent or in connection with a Change in Control, and the value of equity acceleration the NEOs would receive upon an involuntary termination following a Change in Control pursuant to the terms of the stock option and RSU award agreements. No amounts for pro rata bonuses are included in the table because the disclosure assumes a termination of employment as of the last day of the Company's fiscal year. Actual amounts earned as annual incentives for 20182020 are disclosed in the “Non-Equity“Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table.
| Severance Payment ($) | Equity Acceleration ($)(3)(4) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||
| By the Company without cause without a change in control | ||||||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | $ | 2,017,877 | (1) | $ | 157,416 | $ | 2,175,293 | |||||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | 1,164,740 | (1) | 60,974 | 1,225,714 | ||||||||||
| Brian K. McCabe | 960,219 | (1) | 44,186 | 1,004,405 | ||||||||||
| Tim Alexander | — | 84,960 | 84,960 | |||||||||||
| Mark W. Drennan | — | 86,355 | 86,355 | |||||||||||
| By the Company without cause or by the executive for good reason in connection with a change in control | ||||||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | 2,700,271 | (2) | 157,416 | 2,857,687 | ||||||||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | 1,001,483 | (2) | 60,974 | 1,062,457 | ||||||||||
| Brian K. McCabe | 779,575 | (2) | 44,186 | 823,761 | ||||||||||
| Tim Alexander | — | 84,960 | 84,960 | |||||||||||
| Mark W. Drennan | — | 86,355 | 86,355 | |||||||||||
(1) Reflects a severance payment equal to the executive's monthly salary multiplied by the number of months remaining in the term of his or her employment agreement as of December 31, 2020 plus an additional $10,000.
(2) Reflects a severance payment equal to the product of 2.99, in the case of Lee R. Gibson, or 2.0, in the case of Julie N. Shamburger and Brian K. McCabe, times the sum (1) of the executive's salary in effect as of the termination, and (2) the greater of the average of the annual bonuses earned by the executive for the two fiscal years in which annual bonuses were paid immediately preceding the year in which the termination occurs, or the executive’s Target Bonus for the year in which the termination occurs.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 37
| Severance Payment ($) | Equity Acceleration ($)(4)(5) | Total ($) | ||||||||
| By the Company without cause without a change in control | ||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | $ | 1,825,177 | (1) | $ | 191,389 | $ | 2,016,566 | |||
| Julie N. Shamburger | 968,521 | (1) | 89,793 | 1,058,314 | ||||||
| Brian K. McCabe | 874,658 | (1) | 71,907 | 946,565 | ||||||
| Tim Alexander | — | 163,773 | 163,773 | |||||||
| H. J. Shands, III | 48,000 | (2) | 125,064 | 173,064 | ||||||
| By the Company without cause or by the executive for good reason in connection with a change in control | ||||||||||
| Lee R. Gibson | 2,565,465 | (3) | 191,389 | 2,756,854 | ||||||
| Julie N. Shamburger | 829,018 | (3) | 89,793 | 918,811 | ||||||
| Brian K. McCabe | 670,000 | (3) | 71,907 | 741,907 | ||||||
| Tim Alexander | — | 163,773 | 163,773 | |||||||
| H. J. Shands, III | 48,000 | (2) | 125,064 | 173,064 | ||||||
(3) Reflects the excess of the fair market value of the underlying shares as of December 31, 2020 over the exercise price of all unvested stock options and the fair market value as of December 31, 2020 of unvested RSUs, all of which would accelerate upon the executive's termination of employment under the specified circumstances. All unvested options were out of the money as of December 31, 2020.
(4) Under the terms of the award agreements, the awards shall become fully vested and exercisable upon termination due to death or disability. Also, in accordance with the terms of the award agreements, the awards shall become fully vested and exercisable upon change in control, unless the equity award is assumed by the surviving entity, in such event, the equity awards shall vest upon termination of employment without cause within two years after the effective date of change in control.
Split Dollar Agreement
Under the terms of the split dollar agreementagreements with Lee R. Gibson and Julie N. Shamburger, upon a termination of employment by reason of death, disability (as defined in the split dollar agreement), or retirement at or after age 65, or a termination following a change in control (as defined in the split dollar agreement), payment of the specified death benefits under the split dollar agreement would be triggered. If Mr. Gibson’s or Ms. Shamburger's employment is terminated for Cause (as defined in the split dollar agreement), he or she will forfeit benefits under the split dollar agreement.
The following table quantifies the death benefit payable to the beneficiaries of Mr. Gibson, pursuant to his split dollar agreement in the event his employment is terminated due to death while still employed by the Company, or in connection with death after termination from the Company due to termination without cause, retirement after age 65 or a change in control. This assumes the event occurred on December 31, 2018.2020. The split dollar agreement with Ms. Shamburger was not entered into until February 25, 2021, as such she is not included in the table below.
| Reason for Termination | Gibson | ||||||||||
| Death benefit while still employed by the Company at time of death | $ | 1,551,890 | |||||||||
| Death benefit after termination from Company without cause, retirement after age 65, or a change in control | $ | 1,430,000 | |||||||||
| Reason for Termination | Gibson | ||||
| Death benefit while still employed by the Company at time of death | $ | 1,407,610 | |||
| Death benefit after termination from Company without cause, retirement after age 65, or a change in control | $ | 1,291,500 | |||
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The table below provides information as of December 31, 20182020 regarding shares of common stock that may be issued under the Company’s equity compensation plans.
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights (a) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 1,125,733 | $32.17 | 1,302,958 | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,125,733 | $32.17 | 1,302,958 | |||||||||||||||||
(a)Reflects stock options and RSUs outstanding under the 2017 Incentive Plan and predecessor plans.
(b)Reflects weighted-average exercise price of 1,002,039 stock options outstanding.
(c)Reflects shares available for issuance pursuant to the grant of awards (including full-value stock awards) under the 2017 Incentive Plan.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 38
| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights (a) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) | |||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 1,019,101 | $29.59 | 1,675,607 | |||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | |||
| Total | 1,019,101 | $29.59 | 1,675,607 | |||
Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are providing our shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. At the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, approximately 96%95.6% of the shares represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and entitled to vote were voted in support of the Company’s compensation program. Also atAt the 20182017 Annual Meeting, the Company’s shareholders selected, on a non-binding, advisory basis, an annual vote for the frequency at which the Company should include a Say-on-Pay vote in its proxy statement for shareholder consideration. In light of this result and other factors considered by the Board, the Board determined that the Company will hold Say-on-Pay votes every year until the next required non-binding, advisory vote on the frequency of such votes, which is required to be held no later than the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Accordingly, the Board is providing shareholders with the opportunity to cast a non-binding advisory vote on the named executive officer compensation program at our 20192021 Annual Meeting. This vote will not be binding on or overrule any decisions by the Board, and will not create or imply any additional fiduciary duty on the part of the Board. However, our Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future named executive officer compensation arrangements.
As described in greater detail in our Compensation Discussion and Analysis above, we believe that our executive officer compensation program is structured in a manner that most effectively supports the Company and our business objectives. Our executive officer compensation program is designed to reward long-term and strategic performance, and is substantially tied to our key business objectives and the success of our shareholders. We monitor the various short-term and long-term aspects of our executive officer compensation program, including base salary, annual cash bonus and equity incentives, in comparison to similar programs and practices at comparable companies, so that we may ensure that our executive officer compensation program is within the competitive range of market practices.
The Board invites our shareholders to review carefully the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and the tabular and other disclosures on compensation under Executive Compensation, and cast a vote to approve the Company’s executive compensation programs through the following resolution:
“RESOLVED, that the shareholders approve the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and related narrative discussion.”
The Board recommends a vote FOR the non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
None of the members of the Compensation Committee, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018,2020, are a current or former officer or employee of the Company.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018:2020:
•No executive officer of the Company served as a member of the compensation committee or other board committee performing similar functions (or on the board of directors of any entity without such a committee) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Compensation Committee of the Company.
•No executive officer of the Company served on the board of directors of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Compensation Committee of the Company.
•No executive officer of the Company served as a member of the compensation committee or other board committee performing similar functions (or on the board of directors of any entity without such a committee) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of the Company.
For information concerning transactions by the Company and Southside Bank with certain members of the board of directors of Southside Bank, please see “Transactions with Directors, Officers and Associates.”
TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND ASSOCIATES
The Board of Directors reviews and discusses each potential transaction withbetween the Company and a director, executive officer, significant shareholder or any of their immediate family members and votes to approve or disapprove such transactions. Directors or executive officers who are interestedhave an interest in a particular transaction do not vote on the transaction with respect to which they are interested.such transaction. The Company’s Board has adopted a Conflict of Interest Policy that addresses transactions with related persons.
Certain of the executive officers and directors of the Company and Southside Bank (and their associates) have been customers of Southside Bank and have been granted loans in the ordinary course of business. Southside Bank is subject to Federal Reserve Regulation O, which governs loans to directors, executive officers and certain shareholders of banks and bank holding companies. All loans or other extensions of credit made by Southside Bank to executive officers and directors of the Company and Southside Bank were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates, maturities and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to the Company or Southside Bank and did not involve more than the normal risk of collection or present other features that are unfavorable to Southside Bank. Prior approval by a majority of the boardBoard of directors,Directors, with the interested party abstaining, must be obtained for any loan to a director or a director’s related interest(s) which, when aggregated with all loans to the director and/or to that director’s related interest(s) exceed 10% of Southside Bank’s capital plus unimpaired surplus. Prior approval requirements for individual advances for the Board of Directors will be satisfied by annual Board approval of a line of credit for a director’s personal borrowing and similar approval of a line of credit for director-owned or controlled business borrowing. All advances made pursuant to an approved line of credit within 12 months of the date of approval shall be treated as approved. Loans to persons employed by Southside Bank who are considered under Regulations of the Federal Reserve Board to be executive officers shall be subject to prior approval by the boardBoard of directors.Directors. The Company expects ongoing transactions with its executive officers and directors as well as directors and officers of Southside Bank. Richard K. Gibson, son of Lee R. Gibson, is employed by Southside Bank and received compensation of $247,487$254,486 in 2018. Joe C. (Trey) Denman, III, brother-in-law of M. Richard Warner,2020. The Company has insurance policies through Bosworth & Associates, which is employedowned by director Michael Bosworth. In 2020, premiums paid for our policies with Bosworth & Associates totaled $548,735 and commissions paid totaled $121,433.
Southside Bank and received compensation in 2018 of $737,487, which includes retention payments of $160,000 and grants of stock options and RSUs with a grant date fair value of approximately $99,366, pursuant to Mr. Denman's Key Employee RetentionBancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 40
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCEREPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s executive officers and directors, and any persons who own more than 10% of the Company’s common stock, to file reports of initial ownership of the Company’s common stock and subsequent changes in that ownership with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all forms they file pursuant to Section 16(a). Based solely upon a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and any amendments thereto filed with the copies of the forms furnished to the Company,SEC, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Form 5’s were required, the Company believes that during fiscal year 20182020 all Section 16(a) filing requirements were complied with on a timely basis except that:
•Director Tony K. Morgan, CPA, filed a late Form 4 on November 30, 2018September 15, 2020 to report the acquisition of 2,000 shares purchased on September 9, 2020.
•CLO Tim Alexander filed a late Form 4 on October 8, 2020 to report the disposition of 61715 shares due to tax withholding related to the vesting of RSUsgifted on November 23, 2018.October 31, 2019.
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 41
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The following report of the Audit Committee does not constitute “soliciting material” and should not be deemed to be “filed” with the SEC or incorporated by reference into any other filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this report by reference in any of those filings.
The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Company’s management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and for maintaining effective systems of internal control based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20182020 with Company management, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.
The Audit Committee discussed with the independent registered certified public accounting firm, EY, which is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited consolidated financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and an audit on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”) (United States), its judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Audit Committee by Auditing Standard No. 16, as adopted by the PCAOB, other standards of the PCAOB, rules of the SEC,Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and other applicable regulations.
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures from EY regarding the auditors' independence required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, “Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence.”the PCAOB.
The Audit Committee discussed with EY the overall scope and plans for their audit. The Audit Committee met with EY with and without management present, to discuss the results of their financial statement audit, their evaluations of the Company’s internal control and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting.
Based on the Audit Committee’s review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Company’s Board of Directors that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20182020 for filing with the SEC.
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board.
| Melvin B. Lovelady, CPA, Chairman | |||||
| S. Elaine Anderson, CPA | |||||
| Preston L. Smith | |||||
| Tony K. Morgan, CPA | |||||
Southside Bancshares, Inc.| 2021 Proxy Statement | 42
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
EY served as the Company’s independent registered certified public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 20182020 and has been selected by the Audit Committee as the Company's independent registered certified public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2019.2021.
Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm Fees
The following table sets forth aggregate fees incurred by the Company for fiscal years ended December 31, 20182020 and 20172019 to EY, the Company’s independent registered certified public accounting firm. All fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
| YEARS ENDED | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Audit Fees(1) | $ | 1,078,651 | $ | 1,003,254 | ||||||||||
Audit Related Fees(2) | 37,250 | 36,000 | ||||||||||||
Tax Fees(3) | 72,615 | 133,052 | ||||||||||||
All Other Fees(4) | 1,694 | 2,165 | ||||||||||||
| Total Fees | $ | 1,190,210 | $ | 1,174,471 | ||||||||||
| YEARS ENDED | ||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | |||||||
| Audit Fees | $ | 792,750 | $ | 965,740 | ||||
| Audit Related Fees | 51,810 | 55,446 | ||||||
| Tax Fees | 320,602 | 159,299 | ||||||
| All Other Fees | 2,165 | 2,159 | ||||||
| Total Fees | $ | 1,167,327 | $ | 1,182,644 | ||||
(2)Audit related fees consist of fees for the audit of our 401(k) Plan.
(3)Tax fees consist primarily of fees for the preparation of federal and state tax returns and tax consulting services.
(4)All other fees consist primarily of technology related charges.
Auditor Fees Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee has a formal policy concerning approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered certified public accounting firm to the Company, currently EY. The Policypolicy requires that all services EY may provide to the Company, including audit services and permitted audit-related and non-audit services, be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee pre-approved all audit, audit-related and non-audit services provided by EY during 2018.2020.
| PROPOSAL 3 - RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | ||||||||||||||
The Audit Committee of the Board has selected EY to serve as the Company’s independent registered certified public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2019.2021. EY has served as the Company’s independent registered certified public accounting firm since 2012. We have been advised by EY that neither it nor any of its members had any financial interest, direct or indirect, in us nor has it had any connection with us or any of our subsidiaries in any capacity other than as independent auditors. The Board recommends that you vote for the ratification of the selection of EY. Shareholder ratification of the selection of EY as our independent registered certified public accounting firm is not required by our certificate of formation, bylaws or otherwise. Nevertheless, the Board is submitting this matter to the shareholders as what we believe is a matter of good corporate practice. If theour shareholders do not ratify the appointment of EY, then the appointment of an independent registered certified public accounting firm will be reconsidered by our Audit Committee. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered certified public accounting firm at any time during the year if it is determined that such a change would be in the best interestinterests of the Company and its shareholders. Representatives of EY are expected to be present virtually at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and to respond to appropriate questions.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered certified public accounting firm for the year 2019.ending December 31, 2021.
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as integrated into the Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018,2020, accompanies this Proxy Statement. The Annual Report does not constitute outside solicitation materials. Additional copies of Form 10-K are available at no expense; exhibits to Form 10-K are available for a copying expense to any shareholder by sending a written request to the Corporate Secretary of the Company, Post Office Box 8444,to: Southside Bancshares, Inc., 1201 South Beckham Avenue, Tyler, Texas 75711.75701, Attn: Investor Relations. The Company’s public filings with the SEC may also be obtained free atof charge on the Company’s website: http:https://investors.southside.com, under the topic Filings and Financials then Documents.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
SEC rules establish the eligibility requirements and the procedures that must be followed for a shareholder’s proposal to be included in the Board’s proxy solicitation materials. Under those rules, any shareholder wishing to have a proposal considered for inclusion in the Board’s proxy solicitation materials for the 20202022 Annual Meeting must set forth his or her proposal in writing and file it with the Secretary of the Company on or before December 4, 2019.2, 2021. Proposals must comply with all applicable SEC rules. The Board will review any proposals received by that date and will determine whether applicable requirements have been met for including the proposal in the 20202022 proxy solicitation materials.
In addition, the Company’s bylaws establish advance notice procedures that must be followed for a shareholder proposal to be presented at an Annual Meeting but not included in the Board’s proxy solicitation materials. Any shareholder wishing to have a proposal considered for the 20202022 Annual Meeting, but who does not submit the proposal for inclusion in the Board’s proxy statement, assuming that the 20202022 Annual Meeting
occurs on a date that is not more than 30 days before or 60 days after the anniversary of the Annual Meeting, must submit the proposal as set forth above not earlier than January 16, 202012, 2022 and no later than February 15, 2020.2022.
For any proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in next year’s proxy solicitation materials, but is submitted for presentation at the 20202022 Annual Meeting, SEC rules permit the persons named as proxies in the proxy solicitation materials to vote proxies in their discretion if: (1) the proposal is received before February 15, 20202022 and we advise shareholders in the 20202022 proxy solicitation materials about the nature of the matter and how managementthe Board intends to vote on such matter, or (2) the proposal is not received before February 15, 2020.2022.
HOUSEHOLDING
The Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC rules permit us, with your permission, to send a single set of proxy statements and annual reports to any household at which two or more shareholders reside if we believe that they are members of the same family. Each shareholder will continue to receive a separate proxy card. This procedure, known as “householding,” reduces the volume of the duplicate information youhouseholds receive, while also reducing our expenses and helps to reduce our expenses.associated environmental impact. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, we have delivered only one proxy statement to multiple shareholders who share an address, unless we received contrary instructions from the impacted shareholders prior to the mailing date. We will deliver a separate copy of the proxy statement, as requested, to any shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of that document was delivered. If you prefer to receive separate copies of a proxy statement, either now or in the future, you can request a separate copy of the proxy statement by calling us at (877) 639-3511 or by writing to us at any time at the following address: Southside Bancshares, Inc., 1201 South Beckham Avenue, Tyler, Texas 75701, Attn: Investor Relations.
GENERAL
The Board does not know of any other business, other than that set forth above, to be transacted at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters requiring a vote of the shareholders properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons designated as Proxies will vote the shares of common stock represented by the proxies in accordance with their best judgment on such matters. If a shareholder specifies a different choice on the proxy, those shares of common stock will be voted in accordance with the specification so made.
| 1. | Election of Directors | ||||||||
| Terms Expiring 2022 | |||||||||
| For | Against | Abstain | For | Against | Abstain | ||||
| 01 - | Michael J. Bosworth | o | o | o | 02 - | Lee R. Gibson, CPA | o | o | o |
| 03 - | George H. (Trey) Henderson, III | o | o | o | 04 - | Donald W. Thedford | o | o | o |
| For | Against | Abstain | For | Against | Abstain | ||||||
| 2. | Approve a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of the Company's named executive officers. | o | o | o | 3. | Ratify the appointment by our Audit Committee of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2019. | o | o | o | ||
