UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

Filed by thethe Registrant  ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ☐

Check the appropriate box:

1016 Civic Center Drive N.W.

Rochester, Minnesota 55901

(507) 535-1200

March 20, 20182019

Dear Stockholder:Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders to be held at the Rochester Golf and Country Club, located at 3100 W. Country Club Road, Rochester, Minnesota, on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, 23, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., local time.

The corporate secretary’ssecretary’s notice of annual meeting and the proxy statement that follow describe the matters to come before the meeting. During the meeting, we also will review the activities of the past year and items of general interest about our company.

We hope that you will be able to attend the meeting in person, and we look forward to seeing you. Please vote your proxy through the Internet, by telephone or mark, date and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it in the accompanying postage-paid replyreply envelope as quickly as possible, even if you plan to attend the annual meeting. If you later desire to revoke the proxy, you may do so at any time before it is exercised.

	Sincerely,
	Hugh C. Smith
	Chairman of the Board of Directors

VOTING METHODS

The accompanying proxy statement describes important issues affecting HMN Financial, Inc. If you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on March 1, 2018,2019, you have the right to vote your shares through the Internet, by telephone or by mail. You may revoke your proxy any time before the annual meeting. Please help us save time and administrative costs by voting through the Internet or by telephone. Each method is generally available 24 hours a day and will ensure that your vote is confirmed and posted immediately. To vote:

If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow in order for your shares to be voted.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder
Meeting to Be Held on April 243, 20189:

The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders are available at

http://www.rdgir.com/hmn-financial-inc

Your vote is important. Thank you for voting.

HMN FINANCIAL, INC.

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

to be held on

April 243, 20189

Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of stockholders of HMN Financial, Inc. will be held at the Rochester Golf and Country Club, located at 3100 W. Country Club Road, Rochester, Minnesota, at 10:00 a.m., local time, on April 24, 2018.23, 2019.

A proxy card and a proxy statement for the meeting are enclosed.

The meeting is for the purpose of considering and acting upon:

such other matters as may properly come before the meeting, or any adjournments or postponements thereof. As of the date of this notice, the board of directors is not aware of any other business to come before the meeting.

Any action may be taken on the foregoing proposals at the meeting on the date specified above, or on any date or dates to which the meeting may be adjourned or postponed. Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2018,2019, are the stockholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. central time, Monday through Friday, at HMN Financial, Inc., 1016 Civic Center Drive N.W., Rochester, Minnesota for a period of ten days prior to the meeting.

Your proxy is important to ensure a quorum at the meeting. Even if you own only a few shares, and whether or not you expect to be present at the meeting, please vote your proxy by telephone or through the Internet, in accordance with the voting instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card, or mark, date and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it in the accompanying postage-paid reply envelope as quickly as possible. You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise, and returning your proxy card or voting your proxy by telephone or through the Internet will not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the meeting and revoke the proxy.

	HMN FINANCIAL, INC. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
	Cindy K. Hamlin
	Secretary

Rochester, Minnesota

March 20, 201820, 2019

PROXY STATEMENT

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation on behalf of the board of directors of HMN Financial, Inc. of proxies to be used at the annual meeting of stockholders, which will be held at the Rochester Golf and Country Club, located at 3100 W. Country Club Road, Rochester, Minnesota, on April 24, 2018,23, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., local time, and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. The accompanying notice of annual meeting and this proxy statement are expected to be mailed to stockholders on or about March 20, 2018.2019.

Certain information provided herein relates to Home Federal Savings Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of our company referred to as “the bank.”

The board of directors requests that you vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. You are invited to attend the meeting, but you do not need to attend the meeting to cast your vote. 

What is the purpose of the annual meeting?

At the annual meeting, we will ask our stockholders to vote on threefour matters:

Following the formal portion of the meeting, our management will report on our performance and answer questions from our stockholders.

Who is entitled to vote on the proposals to be considered at the meeting and described in this proxy statement?

Common stock is our only authorized and outstanding security entitled to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement at the annual meeting. In this proxy statement, when we refer to “stockholder,” we are referring to our common stockholders, unless stated otherwise herein. Holders of record of our common stock as of the close of business on March 1, 2018,2019, the record date, will be entitled to one vote for each share of common stock then held. As of March 1, 2018,2019, we had 4,504,2344,842,146 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The number of issued and outstanding shares excludes shares held in our treasury.

Who is entitled to attend the meeting?

Subject to space availability, all stockholders as of the record date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the meeting. Since seating is limited, admission to the meeting will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. If you plan to attend the meeting, please note that you will be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices are not permitted at the meeting.

Please also note that if you hold your shares in “street name” (that is, through a broker or other nominee), you will need to bring a copy of a brokerage statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date.

What constitutes a quorum?

The presence, in person or by proxy, of one third of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote constitutes a quorum for purposes of the meeting. AbstentionsAbstentions and votes withheld will be counted for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.

How do I vote?

If you are a registered stockholder, proxies in the accompanying form that are properly signed and duly returned to us, voted by telephone or through the Internet in accordance with the voting instructions set forth below, and not revoked, will be voted in the manner specified. We encourage you to vote by telephone or on the Internet, if possible, to reduce the costs of tabulating the vote.

To vote by Internet:

To vote by telephone:

To vote by mail:

If you are a registered stockholder and attend the annual meeting, you may deliver your proxy in person.

If you hold your shares in “street“street name,” meaning you hold them through an account with a bank or broker, your ability to vote over the Internet or by telephone depends on your bank’s or broker’s voting procedures. Please follow the directions that your bank or broker provides.

All shares of our common stock represented at the meeting by properly executed proxies, duly delivered to our corporate secretary prior to or at the meeting, and not revoked, will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the instructions specified on the proxies.

What happens if I return my executed proxy without voting instructions?

If no instructions are indicated, properly executed proxies will be voted as follows:

As of the date of this proxy statement, the board does not know of any matters, other than those described in the notice of annual meeting and this proxy statement, that are to come before the meeting. If any other matters are properly presented at the meeting for action, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy and acting thereunder will have, to the extent permitted by law, the discretion to vote on thosethose matters in accordance with their best judgment.

May I revoke my proxy or change my vote?

A proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked at any time before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked by filing with our corporate secretary, at or before the meeting, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the date on the proxy. A vote may be changed by duly executing a proxy dated a later date than the earlier proxy and relating to the same shares and delivering it to our corporate secretary at or before the meeting. Attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.

What is the recommendation of the board of directors on voting my shares?

Our board of directors recommends a vote as follows:

If any other matters come up for a vote at the meeting, the proxy holders will vote in line with the recommendations of the board of directors or, if there is no recommendation, at their own discretion.

What vote is required to approve each item?

If there is a quorum at the annual meeting, the matters to be voted upon by the stockholders require the following votes for such matter to be approved:

Generally, for all other items that properly come before the meeting, the affirmative vote of a majority of the common stock for which votes are cast at the annual meeting is required for approval. A properly executed proxy marked abstain or a broker non-vote with respect to any such item will not impact the outcome of thisthe vote.

What is the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes? 

If stockholders indicate on their proxy that they wish to abstain from voting on a particular proposal, including brokers holding their customers’customers’ shares of record who cause abstentions to be recorded, these shares are considered present and entitled to vote at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, but are not considered present or votes cast for purposes of calculating the vote with respect to that proposal. A proxy marked abstain on Proposal 1, Proposal 2, Proposal 3 or Proposal 34 will not impact the outcome of those proposals.

Although our shares of common stock are traded on the NasdaqNasdaq Global Market, we are subject to certain rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange, including those relating to the ability of brokers to vote on certain matters. If a stockholder does not give a broker holding the stockholder’s shares instructions as to how to vote the shares, the broker has authority under New York Stock Exchange rules to vote those shares for or against “routine” matters that are not contested. For purposes of this proxy statement, the only “routine” matter is the ratification of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. Brokers cannot vote on their customers’ behalf on “non-routine” proposals. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the broker does not have or does not exercise discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. If a broker returns a “non-vote” proxy indicating a lack of authority to vote on a proposal, then the shares covered by such a “non-vote” proxy will be deemed present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, but not present or a vote cast for purposes of calculating the vote with respect to that proposal. Therefore, broker non-votes will have no effect on any of the proposals to be voted upon by the stockholders.

May the meeting be adjourned?

If a quorum is not present at the meeting, the chairman of the meeting, or the stockholders present, by vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote by stockholders that are present in person or represented by proxy, may adjourn the meeting. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

Who pays the expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies?

We will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies. We will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials to the beneficial owners of common stock. In addition to solicitation by mail, our directors and officers, as well as employees of the bank, may solicit proxies personally or by telephone without additional compensation.

How may I obtain additional copies of the annual report?

Our 20172018 annual report, including financial statements, is enclosed. The annual report is also available online at www.hmnf.com or www.rdgir.com/hmn-financial-inc. For additional printed copies, which are available without charge, please send a written request copies in writing to 1016 Civic Center Drive N.W., Rochester, Minnesota 55901, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

What is the deadline for submitting a stockholder proposal for the 20120920 annual meeting?

We must receive stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the 20192020 annual meeting of stockholders that are requested to be included in the proxy statement for that meeting at our principal executive office no later than November 20, 2018.21, 2019. The inclusion of any stockholder proposals in the proxy materials will be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including Rule 14a-8. We must receive any other stockholder proposals (including director nominations) intended to be presented at the 20192020 annual meeting of stockholders in writing at our principal executive office no later than 90 days in advance of the meeting (or if we do not publicly announce our annual meeting date 100 days in advance of the meeting date, by the close of business on the 10^th day following the day on which notice of the meeting is mailed to stockholders or publicly made). We currently anticipate that our 20192020 annual meeting of stockholders will be held on or about April 23, 2019;28, 2020; therefore, we must receive notice of any business to be brought before that meeting by January 23, 2019.29, 2020. Written copies of all stockholder proposals should be sent to our principal executive offices at 1016 Civic Center Drive N.W., Rochester, Minnesota 55901, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card or instruction form?

This means that your shares are registered differently and are held in more than one account. To ensure that all shares are voted, please either vote each account over the Internet or by telephone, or sign and return by mail all proxy cards. We encourage you to register all of your shares in the same name and address by contacting our transfer agent, EQ Shareowner Services, at 1-800-401-1957. If you hold your shares through an account with a bank or broker, you should contact your bank or broker and request consolidation.

I share an address with another stockholder, how can I change the number of copies of the proxy statement that we receive?

Generally, we are sending only one copy of the proxy materials to eligible stockholders who share a single address unless we received instructions to the contrary from any stockholder at that address. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of proxy materials to any stockholder who requests one by contacting our corporate secretary by telephone at (507) 535-1205, or by mail to our principal executive offices at 1016 Civic Center Drive N.W., Rochester, Minnesota 55901, Attention: Corporate Secretary. If you are a registered stockholder residing at an address with another registered stockholder and you wish to receive a separate proxy in the future, or if the registered stockholders at that address currently are receiving multiple copies of the proxy materials and you wish to receive a single copy, you may contact our corporate secretary at the telephone number or address set forth above. If you are a stockholder whose shares are held by a bank, broker or other nominee, you can request information about householding from your bank, broker or other nominee.

PROPOSAL 1 – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Background

Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, provides that the board of directors shall fix the number of directors from time to time. The size of the board has been set at nine members, subject to the power of the board to change the size of the board at any time. Proxies solicited by this proxy statement relate solely to nominees to our board for election by holders of our common stock and cannot be voted for more persons than the threefour nominees named below.

The board members to be elected by the holders of common stock are divided into three classes. The terms of three members of the board, Mr. Krehbiel,Bue, Dr. SmithShannon and Mr. Utz,Zietlow, will expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting. The board has nominated Mr. Krehbiel,Bue, Dr. SmithShannon and Mr. Utz,Zietlow, all of whom are current members of the board of directors, for election as directors to serve terms to expire at the conclusion of the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election, with each to hold office following each nominee’s election and qualification until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified. The board has also nominated Mr. Sequoya Borgman for election as a director to serve a term to expire at the conclusion of the first succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after his election, to hold office following his election and qualification until his successor has been duly elected and qualified. Mr. Borgman is not a current member of the board. The governance and nominating committee led the process for selecting the director nominee and recommending the selected nominee to the board. Based upon the composition and qualifications of the current board members, the governance and nominating committee focused on individuals who have a knowledge of the Milwaukee business market and audit committee qualifications. Mr. Borgman was initially identified by a non-employee director and subsequently interviewed by the governance and nominating committee and members of executive management.

It is intended that the proxies solicited on behalf of the board (other than proxies reflecting votes against or abstentions as to one or more nominees) will be voted at the meeting for the election of the nominees identified in this paragraph. If any nominee is unable to serve, the shares of common stock represented by all of these proxies will be voted for the election of a substitute as the board may recommend.

The board knows of no reason why any of the nominees, if elected, might be unable to serve. Except as described herein, there are no arrangements or understandings between any director or nominee and any other person pursuant to which the director or nominee was selected.

Selection of Director Nominees

Director Qualifications. The board, acting through the governance and nominating committee, is responsible for selecting director nominees. The board and the governance and nominating committee believe that the board as a whole and its members individually should possess a combination of skills, professional experience, and business judgment necessary to oversee our company’s current and future operations and represent stockholders’ interests. The attributes that the board believes every director nominee should possess include:

Procedures Regarding Director Candidates Recommended by Stockholders. As set forth in its charter, the governance and nominating committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders if the recommended director candidate would be eligible to serve as a director under our by-laws. Our by-laws require that directors have their primary domicile in a county where the bank has a full service branch. This requirement may be waived by a majority of the board so long as a majority of the directors currently serving on the board have their primary domicile in a county where the bank has a full service branch. Our by-laws also require that each director must receive (or have been deemed to receive) any approval, waiver or non-objection required by the company’s and the bank’s federal regulators. This qualification requirement may be waived by a majority of the board in its sole discretion.

In order to be considered by the governance and nominating committee, a stockholder recommendation of a director candidate must set forth all information relating to the candidate that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including the potential director’sdirector’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected).

The governance and nominating committee will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner that it considers all director candidates. This consideration will include an assessment of each candidate’scandidate’s experience, integrity, competence, diversity, skills and dedication in the context of the needs of the board. Each candidate will be evaluated in the context of the board as a whole, with the objective of recommending a group of nominees that can best perpetuate the success of the business and represent stockholder interest through the exercise of sound judgment based on a diversity of experience. None of the company’s stockholders recommended candidates for the board of directors in connection with this annual meeting.

Rather than recommending director candidates to the governance and nominating committee, stockholders may directly nominate a person for election to the board by complying with the procedures set forth in our by-laws, any applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the(the “SEC”) and any other applicable laws. For more information regarding the submission of stockholder nominations of director candidates, please refer to the section entitled “Stockholder Proposals,” as well as the Q&A appearing at the beginning of this proxy statement.

Board Diversity. Neither the governance and nominating committee nor the board has a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees. However, the governance and nominating committee considers diversity on the board in evaluating potential director nominees and believes that diverse perspectives are represented on the board, within the constraints of our by-law requirement that generally directors must have their primary domicile in a county where the bank has a full service branch.

Board of Directors

The following table sets forth certain information regarding each director or director nominee:

Allen J. Berning has served as Chief Executive Officer of Ambient Clinical Analytics, which offers a suite of analytics based clinical decision support products, since 2014. From 2012 to 2014, Mr. Berning worked as an independent consultant in the medical technology and electronics industries. From 2007 until 2012, Mr. Berning was the Chief Executive Officer of Hardcore Computer, Inc., a computer design and manufacturing company. Prior to joining Hardcore Computer in 2007, Mr. Berning served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pemstar, Inc., an engineering and medical device manufacturing company, since founding the company in 1994. Prior to 1994, he held various engineering and management positions throughout his 15 year career with IBM.

Mr. Berning, who founded Pemstar and has served as the chief executive officer of companies for over two decades, brings extensive experience and perspective to our board, assisting it in assessing risk, evaluating opportunities and identifying resources essential to our success. Mr. Berning has resided in the Rochester, Minnesota area for more than 30 years, providing him with an understanding and appreciation for the business and social atmosphere of the bank’s largest market.

Sequoya S. Borgman has served as Founder and Managing Director of Borgman Capital LLC, a privately held investment firm focused on acquiring majority interests in established closely held lower-middle market companies, since October 2017. Mr. Borgman has two decades of mergers & acquisitions structuring, planning and due diligence experience. Prior to forming Borgman Capital LLC, Mr. Borgman was a Partner and practice leader for RSM US LLP, a large multi-national public accounting firm, from August 2012 to October 2017. Prior to joining RSM US, LLP, he was a practice leader and Managing Director at KPMG LLP. Mr. Borgman has significant experience consulting on complex transactions for large public and large and small private companies, many with international operations. He has been involved in numerous merger, acquisition, restructuring and financing transactions over his career. Mr. Borgman is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in multiple states and is involved in leadership positions with a variety of non-profit and professional organizations in the Milwaukee area.

Mr. Borgman brings in-depth experience as a financial professional that is beneficial to our board. Also, he has a strong working knowledge of the Wisconsin business environment, particularly as it relates to the banking market.

Michael A. Bue is currently retired. Mr. Bue most recently served in a consulting capacity to a variety of community banks.banks from 2011 to 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Bue was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Security State Bank of Lewiston, a commercial bank in Lewiston, Minnesota, from 2008 until 2011. In addition, Mr. Bue served as a Market President and then the Senior Vice President and Corporate Director of Business Banking for First Federal Capital Bank from 2002 to 2004, was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Marquette Bank Rochester, a commercial bank, from 1995 to 2002, and was the President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Cloud National Bank and Trust Co, St. Cloud, Minnesota, from 1985 to 1995. Mr. Bue previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Rochester Area Community Foundation, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, the Gamehaven Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Rochester Area Economic Development Inc.

Mr. Bue has over 40 years of practice in the financial service industry and brings extensive experience in executive bank management and credit administration to the board. In addition, Mr. Bue’s many years in a variety of community bank settings gives him a unique understanding and perspective of community banking for the board and the company. Mr. Bue has been an active leader in the Rochester, Minnesota community and brings to the board a strong appreciation of that community’s strengths, its leaders and the opportunities the market provides for the company.

Bradley C. Krehbiel has been a director of the company since 2009, President of the company since 2010 and the President of the bank since 2009. He has also served as the Chief Executive Officer of the bank and the company since 2012. Prior to that, he had been the Executive Vice President of the bank since 2004. Mr. Krehbiel joined the bank as Vice President of Business Banking in 1998. Prior to his employment at the bank, Mr. Krehbiel held several positions in the financial services industry. Mr. Krehbiel is also currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Rochester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale.

Mr. Krehbiel brings to our board the financial services industry insights and perspectives gained through his extensive financial services industry experience. In addition, as an executive of our banking subsidiary for over 16 years, Mr. Krehbiel contributes a unique understanding of, and perspective on, our banking operations to our board.

Bernard R. Nigon is currently retired. From 1985 until his retirement in 2010, he was an audit partner with RSM US LLP (formerly McGladrey & Pullen, LLP). He began his career with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP in 1975. He is an inactive Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Nigon is also currently a memberdirector of the boardMadonna Living Community Foundation of directors of the History Center of Olmsted CountyRochester and the Hiawatha Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Mr. Nigon has extensive accounting and financial reporting experience, having practiced with a national accounting firm and examined the financial records of both public and private companies for over 35 years. His experience and expertise assists the board in understanding and addressing complex accounting and financial reporting issues.

Wendy S. Shannon has served as the chair of the Rochester Education Department, at Winona State University since 2015 and as Director of the Graduate Induction Program, of Rochester Public Schools since 2012. She has been an assistant professor of educationand Assistant Professor at Winona State University since 2012.from 2012 to 2018. She is the former Superintendent of the Byron School District, a position she held from 1999 to 2012. Prior to 1999, Dr. Shannon served as the Executive Director of the Zumbro Education District; Management Development Specialist, Minnesota Department of Transportation; Facilitator for Minnesota Educational Effectiveness Program, Director Principal Leadership Program; and a secondary education teacher. Dr. Shannon is a memberformer Trustee and Past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Rochester Area Foundation, former member of the Board of Trustees of Olmsted Medical Center, former Chair and member of the United Way of Olmsted County, Chair of the Chancellor’s Advisory and Advocacy Committee, University of Minnesota, Rochester, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Poverello Foundation.

Dr. Shannon has over 40 years of extensive experience as a leader in nonprofit, government and education settings in the Rochester area. She has management, process, strategic planning and human resource skills that contribute to strengthening organizations and the community.

Patricia S. Simmons is currently retired. Dr. Simmons was a member of the Mayo Clinic medical staff from 1983 until her retirement in 2014. During the course of her tenure at Mayo Clinic she served in numerous capacities, including as Professor of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Chair-Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Chair of the Board – Mayo Medical Ventures, Member – Mayo Clinic Board of Governors, Mayo Clinic Executive Committee, and Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees, as well as other executive and administrative positions. Dr. Simmons has been twice elected to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents by a unanimous vote of the Joint Legislative Sessions of the Minnesota House and Senate, and was elected for a third term in 2015. She chaired the University Board of Regents upon election by her peers. Dr. Simmons currently serves on the Boards of the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library of Saint John’s University, Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media. She has recently participated as a member of the board of a number of business organizations, including the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Business Partnership, and Greater MSP, and non-profit institutions including the Guthrie Theater.

Dr. Simmons brings extensive executive and administrative skills to our board, having served in various capacities on business, not-for-profit, educational and professional society boards. Her commitment to the development of southeastern Minnesota and Rochester was most recently demonstrated by her activities as President and Chair of the Economic Development Agency of the Destination Medical Center initiative. Dr. Simmons also brings to the board extensive experience in governance and a broad understanding of the assessment of risk and approaches to mitigate risk in a wide range of endeavors. Dr. Simmons has been an active leader in the Rochester community as well as the State of Minnesota, and brings an appreciation of that community’s strengths to the board.

Hugh C. Smith was a member of the Mayo Clinic medical staff from 1972 until his retirement in 2007. During that time he served in various capacities, including as Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, a medical school, and Chair, Cardiovascular Division at Mayo Clinic, a full-service, not-for-profit medical practice. Dr. Smith also served as Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Finance Committee, Mayo Clinic-Rochester, from 1999 through 2006; Vice President, Mayo Foundation, 2002 through 2006; and Chair, Rochester Board of Governors, Mayo Clinic, 1999 through 2006. Dr. Smith previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and is a member of the Board of Directors, chair of the Governance Committee and member of the Human Resources/Compensation and Audit Committees of Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota. He completed his terms as a member of the Board of Directors of Hormel Foods Corporation in November 2011 and as a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Rochester Area Foundation in 2016. Dr. Smith joined the Chancellor’s Advisory and Advocacy Committee, University of Minnesota, Rochester in 2013.

Dr. Smith brings extensive executive management experience to our board, having served as a Chief Executive Officer directing more than 2,000 physicians and scientists and over 35,000 employees. Based on his service on public company and non-profit boards of directors, Dr. Smith also brings to our board his extensive understanding of corporate governance and significant experience in risk oversight. Dr. Smith is active in the Rochester, Minnesota community and brings to our board a strong understanding of that community, its leaders, its financial services needs and its exposure to economic risks.

Mark E. Utz has been an attorney at Wendland Utz, Ltd. (“Wendland Utz”) since 1991, where he advises clients on business, real estate and estate planning matters and is also President and a shareholder. Prior to 1991, he was an attorney in the tax department at Arthur Andersen in Chicago. He is a Board Certified Real Property Law Specialist, which is a certification issued by the Minnesota State Bar Association. Mr. Utz is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rochester Area Foundation (Chair), Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (Past Chair), the Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges (Past Chair), the Minnesota Zoo, the Chancellor’s Advisory and Advocacy Committee, University of Minnesota Rochester and serves as the Chair of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce Government Forums Committee. Mr. Utz is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Rochester Public Utilities, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, the Rochester Rotary Risers (Past President), the Rochester Area Builders Association (Past Governmental Affairs Chair), the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester (Past President), and the Estate Planning Council of Rochester, Minnesota (Past Chair).

Mr. Utz has extensive experience in counseling clients on a number of legal issues, including those related to corporate and real estate matters through his practice as an attorney for over 25 years. His experience and expertise assist the board in understanding and addressing corporate law and corporate governance issues that impact the company. Mr. Utz is active in the Rochester, Minnesota community and brings to our board a strong understanding of that community, its leaders, its financial services needs and its exposure to economic risks.

Hans K. Zietlow has been in sales for Northwest Realty, Inc., a real estate brokerage, since 2004. From 1999 to 2018, Mr. Zietlow served as the Director of Real Estate for Kwik Trip, Inc. retail convenience stores, which consist of over 510650 sites in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, since 2002.Iowa. In that role, Mr. Zietlow has overseenoversaw the development of all Kwik Trip real estate since 2002. Sinceestate. From 2003 to 2018, Mr. Zietlow has also beenserved as the Director of Development for 3 Northwest Investments, a real estate development firm.

Mr. Zietlow has been in sales for Northwest Realty, Inc., a real estate brokerage, since 2004. Mr. Zietlow has 1820 years of senior executive experience in the evaluation, execution and acquisition of commercial real estate development and growth strategies. Mr. Zietlow brings to our board a keen industry knowledge of intrastate and interstate business, operations, and collaboration with multiple local governmental tribunals as well as an understanding of successful real estate growth strategies.

The board recommends that stockholders vote forFOR the election of the threefour candidates nominated for election as indicated above.

PROPOSAL 2 – ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, stockholders are being given the opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our executives, as disclosed in this proxy statement, including the information presented under the heading “2017“2018 Executive Compensation.”

This is an advisory vote only, and neither the company nor our board of directors will be bound to take action based upon the outcome. While the vote is advisory, the compensation committee will consider the vote of the stockholders when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

We are presenting this proposal, which gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to vote to approve our executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement by voting for or against the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the company’scompany’s named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the 20189 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the 20178 Summary Compensation Table and the other compensation tables and narrative disclosure.”

The board recommends that stockholders vote forFOR the approval of the compensation awarded to the executives, as disclosed in this proxy statement.

We currently hold our say-on-paySay-on-Pay vote every year. Stockholders will have an opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the frequency of say-on-pay votes at least every six years. An advisory vote regarding the frequency of future Say-on-Pay votes is included as Proposal 3 for this annual meeting.

PROPOSAL 3 – ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) APPROVAL REGARDING THE
FREQUENCY OF HOLDING FUTURE SAY-ON-PAY VOTES

Section 14A of the Exchange Act also requires that we provide our stockholders with the opportunity to vote, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, as to whether future Say-on-Pay votes should occur every one, two or three years. Currently our stockholders vote on the company’s executive compensation every year. After careful consideration, the board is recommending that stockholders approve continuing to hold a Say-on-Pay vote every year.

The nextBoard believes holding an annual advisory vote on executive compensation is a best practice and is consistent with its policy of seeking regular input from stockholders on corporate governance matters and the frequencycompany’s executive compensation philosophy and practices. This vote is not binding but rather will provide the compensation committee with stockholders’ views on how frequently they desire to consider executive compensation. Although the vote is advisory, the compensation committee will take into account the outcome of the say-on-pay vote when considering how frequently the company will occur no later than 2019.submit executive compensation to a stockholder vote. Notwithstanding the outcome of the stockholder vote, the board may in the future decide to conduct advisory votes on a more or less frequent basis and may vary its practice based on factors such as discussions with stockholders or the adoption of material changes to compensation programs.

The board recommends a vote for “ONE YEAR” as the preferred frequency for holding future Say-on-Pay votes.

PROPOSAL 34 – RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Upon the recommendation of the audit committee, the board of directors has appointed CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to be our independent registered public accounting firm for 2018,2019, subject to ratification by the stockholders. CliftonLarsonAllen LLP has audited the financial statements of our company and the bank since 2014. Representatives of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP are expected to attend the meeting to respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement, if they so desire.

While it is not required to do so, the audit committee is submitting the appointment of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for ratification in order to ascertain the view of the stockholders. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the audit committee will review the appointment.

The board recommends that stockholders voteforFOR the ratification of the appointment of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP as our 20189 independent registered public accounting firm.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

The board of directors is committed to its role in providing objective risk oversight of the company. The structure and responsibilities of the board’sboard’s membership, leadership and committees is a critical aspect of our corporate governance to fulfill this role.

The company’scompany’s corporate governance guidelines require that a substantial majority of the board be “independent directors,” and the board believes its process of selecting and nominating a diverse membership with a combination of skills, professional experience and business judgment is an important element in accomplishing its risk oversight responsibility. The board does not have a policy on separating the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since it believes it should be free to make the choice from time to time that is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders. While there is no policy, it is the current practice of the board to have the Chairman be an independent board member. Currently, Dr. Smith serves as the Chairman of the Board and Mr. Krehbiel serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the company and the bank and as our director. The board believes this is the most appropriate structure for the company at this time and contributes to objective risk oversight because it makes use of Dr. Smith’s experience on our board and his extensive understanding of corporate governance and risk oversight that he developed from his service on public company and non-profit boards of directors, while freeing Mr. Krehbiel to focus his energies on the operations of the company and the bank.

The chairs of board committees are selected by the full board based on their experience and expertise, including consideration of their understanding of the risk oversight associated with their respective committee. The board of directors and the audit, compensation and governance and nominating committees of the board coordinate with each other, through the leadership of Dr. Smith and the committee chairs, to provide enterprise-wide risk oversight of management and the company’s operations. Our committees address risk-related matters during their meetings and the committee chairs regularly report to the full board on risk-related matters, providing the full board with integrated insight about our management of strategic, credit, interest rate, financial reporting, technology, liquidity, compliance, operational and reputational risks. In addition, our banking subsidiary has its own board of directors and audit, loan, information technology, compliance and asset/liability management committees whose responsibilities include risk management for the bank. The management and committees of our banking subsidiary also provide reports to our board of directors regarding activities related to risk management.

At meetings of the board of directors and its committees, directors receive regular updates from management regarding risk management. The chief financial officer, chief operating officer and other senior management of our banking subsidiary, who are responsible for instituting risk management practices that are consistent with our overall business strategy and risk tolerance, report directly to Mr. Krehbiel and lead management’s risk discussions at board and committee meetings. Outside of formal meetings, the board, its committees and individual board members have full access to senior executives and management for, among other purposes, discussions of risks facing our company and the management of those risks.

Committees of the Board of Directors

The board of directors has standing audit, compensation,compensation, executive and governance and nominating committees. The directors’ current committee memberships are indicated in the following table:

Committee membership is generally determined in April or May of each year.

Audit Committee. The audit committee oversees our financial reporting process by, among other things, recommending and taking action to oversee the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm and selecting and appointing the independent registered public accounting firm. The board has determined that all members of the audit committee are independent as that term is defined in the applicable Nasdaq listing standards and regulations of the SEC and that all members are financially literate as required by the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. In addition, the board has determined that Mr. Nigon has the financial experience required by the applicable Nasdaq listing standards and is an audit committee financial expert as defined by applicable regulations of the SEC. The responsibilities of the audit committee are set forth in the audit committee charter, which is available on our website at www.hmnf.com. The audit committee reviews and reassesses its charter annually.

Compensation Committee. The compensation committee oversees and administers the compensation and benefits programs for executive officers and directors, including our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, and reviews and reports to the board on matters concerning compensation plans and the compensation of certain executives. The board has determined that all members of the compensation committee are independent as that term is defined in the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. The responsibilities of the compensation committee are set forth in the compensation committee charter, which is available on our website at www.hmnf.com. The compensation committee reviews and reassesses its charter annually.

The compensation committee has the full authority to determine all elements of the compensation for Mr. Krehbiel and to approve all elements of the compensation of our other executive officers. In approving compensation actions for the other executive officers, the compensation committee receives regular input and recommendations from Mr. Krehbiel, and ascribes significant weight to his recommendations. Our chief financial officer and his staff, together with outside professionals, assist the compensation committee in evaluating the financial, accounting and tax treatment of existing and potential elements of our executive compensation program.

The compensation committee has the authority to retain independent compensation consultants to assist in the evaluation of executive officer compensation, and since 2010 has engaged Blanchard Consulting Group as its independent compensation consultant. Blanchard Consulting Group assists the compensation committee in refining the committee’s compensation philosophy, defining characteristics of peer financial institutions and identifying particular peer group entities, compiling peer group compensation data, analyzing the elements of compensation, developing incentive compensation systems and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. The compensation committee has assessed the independence of Blanchard Consulting Group pursuant to the rules of the SEC and concluded that no conflict of interest exists that would prevent Blanchard Consulting Group from independently advising the compensation committee.

Executive Committee. The executive committee acts on issues arising between regular board meetings. The executive committee possesses the powers of the full board between meetings of the board.

Governance and Nominating Committee. The governance and nominating committee selects candidates as nominees for election as directors and advises and makes recommendations to the board on other matters concerning directorship and corporate governance practices, including succession plans for our executive officers. The board has determined that all members of the governance and nominating committee are independent as that term is defined in the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. The responsibilities of the governance and nominating committee are set forth in the governance and nominating committee charter, which is available on our website at www.hmnf.com. The governance and nominating committee reviews and reassesses its charter annually.

Board and Committee Meetings

The boardboard held nine meetings during 2017.2018. The audit committee held five meetings during 2017.2018. The compensation committee held fivefour meetings during 2017.2018. The governance and nominating committee held threeseven meetings during 2017.2018. The executive committee did not meet during 2017.2018. Each of our directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the board and all committees on which the director served, except Hans Zietlow attended 67%59% of such meetings.

Director Independence

The board has determined that none of our directors (except(except for Mr. Krehbiel, who is an employee of the bank) or director nominees have a material relationship with our company other than service as a director (either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a material relationship with our company). Mr. Utz is the President and a shareholderstockholder of more than a 10% equity interest in Wendland Utz, which provided certain legal services to the company over the past few years. We concluded that the services provided by Mr. Utz did not impact his independence under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards due to the de minimis amount of fees paid by the company to Wendland Utz. As discussed in more detail under “Certain Transactions” below, certain of our directors have loans with the bank. The board concluded that such loans did not impact the independence of any of the directors or director nominees under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. Therefore, each of Messrs. Berning, Borgman, Bue, Nigon, Utz and Zietlow and Drs. Shannon Simmons and Smith is independent within the meaning of applicable Nasdaq listing standards.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all of our directors and employees, including our senior management and financial reporting employees. This codecode is available on our website at www.hmnf.com.

Stockholder Communication with the Board

The board of directors provides a process for stockholders to send communications to the board or any of the directors. Stockholders may send written communications to the board or any of the directors c/o Chief Financial Officer, HMN Financial, Inc., 1016 Civic Center Drive N.W., Rochester, Minnesota 55901. All communications will be compiled by the Chief Financial Officer and submitted to the board or the individual directors on a periodic basis. Communications directed to the board in general will be forwarded to the appropriate director(s) to address the matter.

Director Attendance at Annual Meetings

Directors are expected to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. In 2017, eight2018, nine of our then-serving directors attended the annual meeting of stockholders.

Stockholder Proposals

Under our by-laws, certain procedures are provided that a stockholder must follow to introduce an item of business at an annual meeting of stockholders or to nominate persons for election as directors. These procedures provide, generally, that stockholders desiring to bring a proper subject of business before the meeting, or to make nominations for directors, must do so by a written notice received by our corporate secretary, containing the name and address of the stockholder as they appear on our books and the class and number of shares owned by the stockholder, not later than 90 days in advance of the meeting (or if we do not publicly announce our annual meeting date 100 days in advance of the meeting date, by the close of business on the 10^th day following the day on which notice of the meeting is mailed to stockholders or publicly made). If the notice relates to an item of business, it also must include a representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting. Notice of an item of business shall include a brief description of the proposed business and a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of business by the stockholder and any material interest of the stockholder in the business. If the notice relates to a nomination for director, it must set forth the name and address of any nominee(s), any other information regarding each nominee as would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC had each nominee been nominated by the board, and the consent of each nominee to be named in the proxy statement and to serve on the board.

The chairman of the meeting may refuse to allow the transaction of any business not presented, or to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made, in compliance with the foregoing procedures. Copies of our by-laws are available from our corporate secretary.

Related Person Transaction Approval Policy

Our board of directors has adopted a written policy for related person transactions, which sets forth our policies and procedures for the review, approval or ratification of transactions subject to the policy with related persons who are subject to the policy. Our policy applies to any transaction, arrangement or relationship or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships that have a financial aspect and in which we are a participant and a related person has a direct or indirect interest. Our policy, however, exempts the following:

We consider the following people to be related persons under the policy:

The audit committee of our board of directors must approve any related person transaction subject to this policy before commencement of the related person transaction, except as otherwise provided below. The committee will analyze the following factors, in addition to any other factors the committee deems appropriate, in determining whether to approve a related person transaction:

The committee may, in its sole discretion, approve or deny any related person transaction. Approval of a related person transaction may be conditioned upon our company and the related person taking any actions that the committee deems appropriate.

If one of our executive officers becomes aware of a related person transaction that has not previously been approved under the policy:

There were no related person transactions in 20172018 required to be reported in this proxy statement.

Certain Transactions

The bank follows a policy of granting loans (including overdraft protection features on checking accounts) to eligible directors, officers, employees and members of their immediate families for the financing of their personal residences and for consumer purposes. As of December 31, 2017,2018, the aggregate amount of the bank’s loans to directors, executive officers and affiliates of directors or executive officers was approximately $0.1 million, or 0.1%, of our stockholders’ equity. All of these loans were current as of December 31, 2017.2018. During 2017,2018, all of the loans to directors and executive officers (i) were made in the ordinary course of business, (ii) were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons not related to us or the bank, and (iii) did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or other unfavorable features.features, (iv) otherwise complied with Regulation O under Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and (v) were approved by either the board of directors of our banking subsidiary or its loan committee.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

The following table presents fees for professional audit and other services rendered by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for the audit of our annual financial statements for 20172018 and 2016,2017, and fees for other services rendered by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP relating to these fiscal years.

Approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Services and Fees

The audit committee pre-approved 100% of the services provided by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm. CliftonLarsonAllen LLP provided no other services to the company, other than those noted above.

The audit committee’scommittee’s current practice on pre-approval of services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm is to approve annually all audit services and, on a case-by-case basis, recurring permissible non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm during the fiscal year. The audit committee reviews each non-audit service to be provided and assesses the impact of the service on the registered public accounting firm’s independence. In addition, the audit committee may pre-approve other non-audit services during the year on a case-by-case basis. Pursuant to a policy adopted by the audit committee, the chair of the audit committee is authorized to pre-approve certain limited non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act. Mr. Nigon, as the chair of the audit committee, did not pre-approve any non-audit services pursuant to this authority in 2017.2018.

Report of the Audit Committee

The auditaudit committee has reviewed and discussed the company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20172018 with management and CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, the company’s independent registered public accounting firm.  The audit committee has also discussed with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, “Communication with Audit Committees”.  The audit committee received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from CliftonLarsonAllen LLP required by the applicable standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and discussed with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP its independence with respect to the company.  Based on the review and discussions with management and CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, the audit committee recommended to the board that the audited financial statements be included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, to be filed with the SEC.

Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners

The following table sets forth, as of March 1, 2018,2019, the beneficial ownership of: (i) each stockholder known by management to beneficially own more than five percent of the outstanding common stock, (ii) each of the current executive officers listed in our summary compensation table, (iii) each director and director nominee, and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the listed beneficial owner has sole voting power and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock. At March 1, 2018,2019, there were 4,504,2344,842,146 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

20178 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Our compensation program for non-employee directors is approved by the board based on recommendations from the compensation committee. All of our directors also serve as directors of our banking subsidiary. A director who is one of our employees receives no additional compensation for services as a director. During 2017,2018, non-employee members of our board of directors were entitled to receive the following cash fees for their services to us and our banking subsidiary:

The monthly fee payable to the Chairman of the Board was reduced from $3,333 to $3,000 per month and the meeting attendance fee payable to the Chairman of the Board was reduced from $1,000 to $500 per meeting effective April 25, 2017. Except for changes in the Chairman fees, our 2017Our 2018 schedule for cash fees payable to non-employee members of our board of directors did not change from our 20162017 schedule. In aggregate there was no increase in the overall cash attendance and monthly retainer fees paid to the board in 20172018 compared to the previous two years. Pursuant to our Director Stock Purchase Plan non-employee directors may elect to have some or all of their quarterly cash fees used by an agent selected by the company to purchase shares of the company’s common stock in the stock market for their individual accounts.

In order to enhance alignment between directors and stockholders, each non-employee director whose term continues beyond each annual meeting of stockholders also receives on each of their first three annual meeting datemeetings a restricted stock award under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. The number of shares to be awarded is determined by dividing $5,000 by the closing sale price of the company’s common stock on the Nasdaq stock market on the date of grant. These shares vest on the day before the next annual meeting (or upon a change in control or the death or disability of the director), but remain non-transferable so long as the director recipient remains a member of our board of directors. No non-employee director may receive more than three such awards. In consideration of the reduction in the fees payable to the Chairman of the Board described above, the award amount was increased from $4,000 to $5,000 effective with the awards granted at the 2017 annual meeting.

In accordance with the compensation program set forth above, our non-employee directors received the following total compensation for their service during 20172018 on our board of directors:

A Director Stock Purchase PlanIn July and August 2018, with assistance from our compensation consultant, a periodic assessment of our director compensation program was adoptedconducted which included benchmarking our program against those of our peers. As a result of this analysis the board, upon the recommendation of the compensation committee, determined that beginning in 2015 that providesApril 2019 each non-employee director will annually receive a restricted stock award having an aggregate fair value of $4,000. The award will be awarded on the opportunity to elect to have some or all ofannual meeting date, will vest on the quarterly cash fees, otherwise payable today before the next annual meeting and will remain non-transferable so long as the director usedrecipient remains a member of our board of directors. In addition, in order to increase equity ownership by an agent, selected byour board members, the company, to purchaseboard determined that for the first three years of board service, monthly and attendance fees will be paid 60% in cash and 40% in shares of the company’sour common stock in the market for the account of the director.stock.

20178 EExecutivexecutive Compensation

TheThe following tables and narrative provide information about the 20172018 compensation program for our named executive officers (“NEOs”), who are:

Summary Compensation Table

Incentive Compensation Reflected in the Summary Compensation Table

Executive Management Incentive Plan. Our Executive Management Incentive Plan (the “EMI Plan”) provides performance-based incentive compensation opportunities to executives designated by the compensation committee. Participants are eligible to earn payouts based on the degree to which pre-defined performance objectives established by the compensation committee have been achieved over the course of a calendar year performance period. The performance objectives will beare based on performance criteria approved by the compensation committee, such as net income, credit quality, return on equity, return on assets and performance against strategic objectives.

The EMI Plan provides that for any performance period, the company must achieve a minimum net income objective before any award will be paid under the EMI Plan, and must achieve a specified minimum credit quality objective before any portion of an award based on company-wide performance objectives may be paid. In addition, any EMI Plan participant must receive an individual performance rating of “meets expectations” or better for a performance period in order to be eligible for a payout. Provided these threshold performance requirements are satisfied, payout amounts will be determined based on the degree to which other pre-defined performance objectives, which may be company-wide, subsidiary, departmental or individual, have been achieved during the performance period. Incentive award opportunities for each EMI Plan participant will be established by the compensation committee for each performance period based on the participant’s actual salary earned during the performance period.

A participant must be an active employee of the company or one of its subsidiaries on the award payout date in order to receive a payout, unless the participant terminates employment due to death or disability during the performance period (in which case, the participant may, at the compensation committee’s discretion, receive a pro rata payout of the award otherwise earned during the performance period) or after the performance period is completed but prior to the payment date (in which case, the participant will be entitled to the full earned amount of the EMI Plan award).

The payout amount will be delivered following the end of the applicable performance period, usually in a combination of cash and equity awards, the ratio of which will be determined annually by the compensation committee. EMI Plan participants may, at the discretion of the compensation committee, elect for a greater portion of their awards to be paid in equity than the allocation prescribed by the compensation committee. The form of equity awarded may, at the discretion of the compensation committee, be selected by the participant. If the equity award is in the form of restricted stock, the number of shares of restricted stock shares awarded is determined by dividing the dollar value of the participant’s equity award payout amount by the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date of grant. If the equity award is in the form of stock options, the number of shares subject to each option awarded is determined by dividing the dollar value of the participant’s equity award payout amount by the per share grant date fair value of the option determined in accordance with the Black-Scholes option valuation model. All equity awards vest in accordance with a schedule specified by the compensation committee. If a participant terminates employment during the vesting period, the participant will forfeit any unvested equity awards unless termination occurs due to death or disability, in which case all equity awarded under the EMI Plan will immediately vest. All equity awards will also immediately vest upon a change in control of the company, as defined in the company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

EMI Plan Payouts for 20178. For the 20172018 performance period, the compensation committee approved a target incentive opportunity under the Plan of 25% of base salary for each of the NEOs, with threshold and maximum payouts equal to 12.5% and 45% of base salary, respectively. The dollar value of any payout was to be delivered 40% in cash and 60% in equity awards, subject to a participant’s election to receive a greater percentage in equity awards. For 2017,2018, all NEOs elected to receive 40% of their payout in the form of cash and 60% of their payout in the form of a restricted stock award. These restricted stock awards are scheduled to vest as to one-third of the shares subject to the award on each January 27 of the first three years following the grant date. Because both of the threshold performance requirements of achieving at least $3 million in net income and limiting classified assets to less than 25% of total assets were satisfied, application of the second-level performance objectives involving deposit growth, pre-tax earnings and individual objectives resulted in the following payouts to the NEOs:

Outstanding Equity Awards at 20178 Fiscal Year-End

The following table summarizessummarizes the outstanding stock option and restricted stock awards held by our NEOs at December 31, 2017.2018.

As described above, in January 20182019 all of our NEOs received restricted stock awards that were earned in 20172018 and accordingly reported in the Summary Compensation Table for that year. These awards are not, however, reflected in the table above as they were not outstanding at December 31, 2017.2018.

Other Compensation Arrangements

Benefits. Our NEOs participate on an equal, nondiscriminatory basis with all other employees in our medical insurance plan, medical reimbursement plan, childcare plan, long-term disability plan, group life insurance plan and 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan provides a 25% company match on employee contributions up to 8% of the employee’s salary.

Our NEOs also participate on a nondiscriminatory basis in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), in which all employees are eligible to participate after they complete one year of service. Shares held by the ESOP are allocated to eligible participant accounts based on the percentage relationship between the participant’s compensation (subject to limits) and the aggregate compensation of all plan participants. The value of the ESOP contributions vary based on the price of our common stock and for 20172018 represented between 3.8% and 5.2%5.0% of each NEO’s base salary amount.

Because they have been employed by us since before September 2002, Messrs. Krehbiel and Eberle are also participants in a multi-employer comprehensive pension plan under which their benefits have been frozen since September 2002. At age 65, Mr. Krehbiel will be entitled to annual payments of $2,567, and Mr. Eberle will be entitled to annual payments of $4,141.

Severance Agreement with Mr. Krehbiel. In May 2017, we entered into an executive severance agreement with Mr. Krehbiel, which replaced the change in control we had entered into with him in May 2014.Krehbiel. The new severance agreement has a one year term and will be automatically extended for one year renewal terms unless either party provides notice of non-renewal to the other party at least 60 days prior to any automatic renewal date.

Similar to the prior change in control agreement, the newThe severance agreement provides that if Mr. Krehbiel’s employment is involuntarily terminated without cause (and other than as a result of his death or disability), or if he resigns for “good reason” (either event referred to as a “Qualifying Termination”), in either case on the date of a change in control or within two years thereafter, then he will be entitled to receive lump sum cash payments equal to (i) two times the sum of his annualized base salary as of the termination date and his target annual incentive bonus for the calendar year in which the employment termination date occurs, (ii) 24 times the monthly amount that the company or the bank then pays as its share of the premiums for coverage for Mr. Krehbiel and his eligible spouse and dependents under the company’s or bank’s health and dental insurance plans, and (ii) 24 times the monthly amount the company or the bank then pays for its share of the premiums for life and disability insurance coverage for Mr. Krehbiel under the company’s or the bank’s then current plans.

The severance agreement also provides that if Mr. Krehbiel experiences a Qualifying Termination other than on the date of or within two years after a change in control, then he will be entitled to receive the following severance payments and benefits: (i) payment of an amount equal to one and one-half times the sum of his annualized base salary as of the termination date and his target annual incentive bonus for the calendar year in which the employment termination date occurs, payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the company’s regular payroll practices over the 18 month period following the termination date; (ii) if he elects COBRA continuation coverage under the company’s or the bank’s health and dental insurance plans for himself and his eligible dependents, payment of the employer portion of the premiums for such coverage for 18 months or until he becomes eligible for health insurance coverage from another employer, (iii) a lump sum payment equal to 18 times the monthly amount the company or the bank then pays for its share of the premiums for life and disability insurance coverage for Mr. Krehbiel under the company’s or the bank’s then current plans, and (iv) accelerated vesting of any equity incentive award to Mr. Krehbiel that is outstanding under a company equity-based compensation plan as of the termination date.

Payment of any and allall severance benefits under the severance agreement is conditioned upon Mr. Krehbiel first signing and not rescinding a release of claims against the company and the bank, and remaining in compliance, during his period of employment and for 18 months after a Qualifying Termination, with his obligations not to compete with the company or the bank, not to hire or attempt to hire away from the company or the bank any employee of the company or the bank, and not to solicit, induce or attempt to induce any customer, vendor or supplier of the company or the bank to cease doing business with either.

For purposes of the severance agreement, a “change in control” is defined in the same manner as in the company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, and generally occurs if (i) a third-party acquires or becomes the beneficial owner of 35% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the company or the bank (other than in an acquisition of voting securities directly from the company or the bank); (ii) a majority of the members of the company’s board are replaced as a result of an actual or threatened election contest; (iii) a merger or consolidation involving the company or the bank, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the company or the bank, is consummated that changes ownership of the company or the bank by 35% or more; or (iv) the company’s stockholders approve a complete liquidation or dissolution of the company or the bank.

TheThe severance agreement provides that “good reason” for a resignation generally occurs if there is a material diminution in Mr. Krehbiel’s authority, duties, responsibilities or base salary or in the budget over which he retains authority, there is a requirement that he report to an officer of the company or the bank rather than to the board of the company or the bank, his principal place of employment is relocated more than 35 miles from its current location, or there occurs a material breach by the company or bank of the Agreement or any other agreement then in effect with Mr. Krehbiel. Good reason for termination will not, however, exist if he fails to notify the company within 90 days of the occurrence of any of the foregoing events or if the company cures any such event within 30 days of the receipt of such notice.

The amountsamounts payable pursuant to the severance agreement will, if necessary, be reduced to the largest aggregate amount that will result in no portion of such payments, when aggregated with other compensation that is deemed contingent on a change in ownership or effective control of the Company or the Bank, being considered a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, any amount otherwise payable under the severance agreement may be paid only if such payment is then permitted under the “golden parachute regulations” adopted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Change in Control Agreements with Messrs. Eberle and McGraw. In May 2014, we entered into change in control agreements with Messrs. Eberle and McGraw. The change in control agreements provide that if an executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated without cause (and other than as a result of the executive’s death or disability), or if the executive voluntarily terminates his employment for “good reason,” in either case after the company or bank enters into a letter of intent or agreement relating to a change in control that ultimately occurs, after a tender offer, exchange offer or proxy contest is commenced that results in a change of control, or within two years after a change in control, then the executive will be entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to two times the sum of the executive’s annualized base salary as of the termination date and his target annual cash incentive bonus for the calendar year in which the employment termination date occurs. The agreements also provide for lump sum payments equal to (i) 24 times the monthly amount that the company or the bank then pays as its share of the premiums for single employee coverage under the company’s or bank’s health insurance plan and (ii) the amount the company or the bank would otherwise expect to expend for its share of the premiums for 24 months of life and disability insurance coverage for an employee under the company’s or the bank’s then current plans.

Payment of the severance benefits under the change in control agreements is conditioned upon the executive first signing and not rescinding a release of claims against the company. Severance benefits will be paid in a lump sum no later than 75 days after termination of employment or consummation of the change in control, as applicable. A “change in control” is defined as set forth above.

“Good reason” for a voluntary termination generally occurs under the agreements if (i) there is a material diminution in an executive’s authority, duties, responsibilities or base salary or in the budget over which the executive retains authority, (ii) there is a material diminution in the authority, duties or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the executive reports, (iii) the executive’s principal place of employment is relocated more than 35 miles from its current location, or (iv) any other action or inaction by the company or the bank constitutes a material breach of the change in control agreement or any other agreement between such entity and the executive. Good reason for termination will not, however, exist if the executive fails to notify the company within 90 days of the occurrence of any of the foregoing events or if the company cures any such event within 30 days of the receipt of such notice.

The amountsamounts payable pursuant to the change in control agreements will, if necessary, be reduced to the largest aggregate amount that will result in no portion of such payments, when aggregated with other compensation that is deemed contingent on a change in ownership or effective control of the company or the bank, being considered a “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, any amount otherwise payable under a change in control agreement may be paid only if such payment is then permitted under the “golden parachute regulations” adopted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Other Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2017,2018, for compensation plans under which equity securities may be issued.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Directors and executive officers are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of the forms furnished to us and written representations from our directors and executive officers, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements were met for 2017.2018.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We are furnishing our annual report, including financial statements, for the year ended December 31, 2017,2018, to each stockholder with this proxy statement. Stockholders who wish to obtain an additional copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, for the year ended December 31, 20178, may do so without charge by writing to Chief Financial Officer, 1016 Civic Center Drive N.W., Rochester, Minnesota 55901. The annual report is also available online at www.hmnf.com or www.rdgir.com/hmn-financial-inc.

	HMN FINANCIAL, INC.
	By Order of the Board of Directors
	Cindy K. Hamlin Secretary

Dated: March 20, 20182019

 

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