UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC  20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.    )

 

Filed by the Registrant  

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  

 

Check the appropriate box:

  Preliminary Proxy Statement

  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

  Definitive Proxy Statement

  Definitive Additional Materials

  Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12

 

QNB Corp.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

N/A

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

No fee required.

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

(2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 

 

(3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 

 

(4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 

 

(5)

Total fee paid:

 

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 240.0-11 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:

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proxy Statement

April 11, 201710, 2018

 

 


 

P.O. Box 9005

Quakertown, PA 18951-9005

TEL (215)538-5600

FAX (215)538-5765

 

April 11, 201710, 2018

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

You are invited to attend QNB Corp.’s 20172018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Tuesday, May 23, 2017.22, 2018. The meeting will be held at the offices of QNB Bank, 320 West BroadMcCoole’s Arts & Events Center, 10 South Main Street, Quakertown, Pennsylvania at 11:00 a.m., Eastern time. Enclosed are the notice of the annual meeting, proxy statement and proxy card for the annual meeting. Our 20162017 Annual Report on Form 10-K accompanies these enclosures.

At this year’s annual meeting, you are being asked to elect the threefour Class IIIII director nominees of the Board of Directors and to ratify the Audit Committee’s appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as QNB Corp.’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017.2018.  These proposals are fully described in the accompanying proxy statement, which you are urged to read carefully.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSED THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL THREEFOUR NOMINEES AND “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2017.2018.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Whether or not you plan to attend, you can ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting by promptly voting and submitting your proxy by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy card in the enclosed envelope.

If you have any questions with regard toregarding the annual meeting, please contact Jean Scholl at (215) 538-5600, extension 5719.

Thank you for your cooperation and continuing support.

Sincerely,

David W. Freeman

Chief Executive Officer


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

QNB CORP.

 

TO BE HELD ON MAY 23, 201722, 2018

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:

The 20172018 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of QNB Corp. will be held at the offices of QNB Bank, 320 West BroadMcCoole’s Arts & Events Center, 10 South Main Street, Quakertown, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, May 23, 2017,22, 2018, beginning at 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following matters:

 

(1)

election of the threefour Class IIIII director nominees of the Board of Directors;

(2)   ratification of the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017;

(2)

ratification of the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2018; and

 

(3)

such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

The Board of Directors fixed the close of business on March 21, 201720, 2018 as the record date for the purpose of determining those shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting, either in person or by proxy.

All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, you are requested to complete, date and sign the proxy card, and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope provided. At any time prior to the proxy being voted, it is revocable by written notice to QNB Corp. in accordance with the instructions set forth in the enclosed proxy statement, including by voting at the meeting in person.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 23, 2017:22, 2018:  Under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, you are receiving this notice that the proxy materials for the 20172018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are available on the Internet. The proxy statement, the proxy card and the 20162017 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K are available at www.qnbbank.com under the “Investor Relations” link.

If you plan to attend the annual meeting, please bring photo identification. If your shares are held in the name of a broker or other nominee, please bring with you a letter (and a legal proxy if you wish to vote your shares) from the broker or nominee confirming your ownership as of the record date.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Lucy P. N. Sharp, Esq.

Suzanne B. Weisberg

Secretary

Quakertown, Pennsylvania

April 11, 2017

10, 2018

 

 


QNB Corp.

15 North Third Street

P.O. Box 9005

Quakertown, Pennsylvania 18951

(215) 538-5600

 

PROXY STATEMENT

20172018 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS – MAY 23, 201722, 2018

This proxy statement is being furnished to holders of the common stock, par value $0.625 per share, of QNB Corp. (herein referred to as QNB or the Corporation) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors for use at the 20172018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors knows of no business that will be presented for consideration at the annual meeting other than that referred to in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and described in this proxy statement. As to other business, if any, properly presented at the annual meeting, executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting the proxy or the recommendation of the Board of Directors.

The cost of solicitation of proxies will be paid by QNB. QNB 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 QNB’s common stock. In addition to solicitations by mail, directors, officers, and employees of QNB and QNB Bank (herein referred to as the Bank) may solicit proxies personally, by telephone or other electronic means without additional compensation.

These proxy materials are first being mailed to shareholders on or about April 11, 2017.10, 2018.

Date, Time and Place of Meeting

QNB’s annual shareholders’ meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2017,22, 2018, beginning at 11:00 a.m., Eastern time. The meeting will be held at the Bank’s officesMcCoole’s Arts & Events Center at 320 West Broad10 South Main Street, Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

Outstanding Securities; Quorum; Voting Rights; and Record Date

The close of business on March 21, 201720, 2018 was fixed as the record date for the purpose of determining those shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. As of the close of business on the record date, QNB had 3,415,6003,453,766 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record on the record date with respect to each matter to be voted on at the annual meeting.

The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the common stock on the record date is necessary to constitute a quorum at the annual meeting. We intend to count as present shares: i) shares present in person but not voting andvoting; ii) shares for which we have received proxies but for which the holders of such shares have withheld votes or abstained. We also intend to count as presentabstained; and iii) shares represented by proxies returned by a broker holding shares for a beneficial owner in nominee or street name even if the shares are not entitled to be voted on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting authority with respect to that proposal and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner (commonly referred to as “broker non-votes”).

QNB’s Bylaws and Pennsylvania law govern the vote needed to elect directors and approve the other matters to be considered at the annual meeting. In the case of the election of the Class IIIII directors, assuming the presence of a quorum, the threefour candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to the Board of Directors. Assuming the presence of a quorum, a majority of the votes cast at the meeting is required to and to ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017.2018.  Because they are not considered votes cast, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the matters to be considered at the annual meeting.


1


You may not vote your shares held by a broker in nominee or “street” name at the annual meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from your broker or holder of record.

Solicitation of Proxies

The Board of Directors is soliciting proxies for use at QNB’s 20172018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Voting and Revocability of Proxies

Shares of common stock represented by properly executed proxies will, unless the proxies have previously been revoked, be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated on the proxies. If no instructions are indicated on the proxies, the shares will be voted FOR the election of QNB’s nominees to the Board of Directors and FOR ratification of the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017.2018. The Board of Directors does not anticipate that any matters will be presented at the annual meeting other than as set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. In the event that any other matters are properly presented at the annual meeting, proxies will be voted at the discretion of the proxy holders as to such matters upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors.

A shareholder of record who executes and returns a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted by delivering to Lucy P. N. Sharp, Esq.,Suzanne B. Weisberg, Secretary of QNB, at the offices of QNB, at 320 West Broad Street, P.O. Box 9005 Quakertown, Pennsylvania 18951, either a written notice of the revocation or a duly executed later-dated proxy, or by attending the annual meeting and voting in person after giving notice of the revocation.


2


PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF THE THREEFOUR CLASS IIIII DIRECTOR NOMINEES

The Board of Directors

QNB’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors consists of no less than seven or no more than fifteen members divided into three classes, Class I, Class II, and Class III, as nearly equal in number as possible.  The threefour directors currently constituting Class IIIII have been nominated for re-election at the annual meeting. The remaining Directors in Class III will hold office until the 2018 annual meeting and the Directors in Class I will hold office until the 2019 annual meeting and the Directors in Class II will hold office until the 2020 annual meeting.

The Class IIIII Director Nominees of the Board of Directors

At the annual meeting, threefour Class IIIII directors will be elected. Each director so elected will hold office until the 20202021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his or her successor in office is duly qualified and elected.

To the extent given discretion, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR each of the nominees listed below. Each nominee has consented to being nominated as a director and, as far as the Board of Directors and management of QNB are aware, will serve as a director if elected. In the event that any nominee should decline to serve or be unable to serve, the persons named in the accompanying proxy may vote for the election of such person or persons as the Board of Directors recommends.

Set forth on the following pages, we include the following information with respect to each director and director nominee:

their names and ages;

the years they first became directors of QNB and the Bank;

their principal occupations and other directorships over the past five years; and

a brief discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led to our Board’s conclusion that the person should serve as a director.

Voting Requirements

The threefour director candidates are required to be elected by a plurality of the total votes cast. Thus, the threefour persons receiving the highest number of votes will be elected. Votes may be cast in favor or withheld for any or all of the nominees.

RECOMMENDATION

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT EACH OF THESE NOMINEES BE ELECTED AS A CLASS IIIII DIRECTOR.


CURRENT CLASS II DIRECTORS AND NOMINEES FOR THREE YEAR TERM EXPIRING IN 20203


Kenneth F. Brown, Jr.

Director of QNBCurrent Class III Directors and the Bank since 1993

Age 61

Mr. Brown is the President of McAdoo & Allen, Inc., a manufacturer of pigment dispersions and high performance coatings (September 1989 to present). Mr. Brown also serves or has served as a Director and TrusteeNominees for various local nonprofit organizations including the Upper Bucks YMCA and St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital. The Board believes that Mr. Brown’s successThree Year Term Expiring in building and managing McAdoo and Allen, Inc. along with his prominent role in the community and years of service as a director of QNB give Mr. Brown the qualifications and skills to serve as a director of QNB.

Anna Mae Papso

Director of QNB and the Bank since 2004

Age 73

Ms. Papso retired from West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., a manufacturer of specialized pharmaceutical packaging and medical device components in 2001. Ms. Papso served as a Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2000 to 2001 and prior thereto as Vice President and Corporate Controller from 1989 to 2000. Ms. Papso’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Masters of Business Administration, both from Drexel University. The Board believes that Ms. Papso’s financial, business and accounting experience at publicly traded companies as well as her background in public accounting give her the qualifications and skills to serve as a QNB director.

W. Randall Stauffer

Director of QNB and the Bank since 2014

Age 62

Mr. Stauffer is President of Stauffer Manufacturing Corporation (January 2005 to present), a national distributor of gloves and safety equipment. Mr. Stauffer has been employed at Stauffer Manufacturing since 1976, holding various positions and is part of the fourth generation in the family business.  Mr. Stauffer is the managing member of Stauffer Realty Trust, LLC (March 2005 to present), a commercial real estate partnership.  Mr. Stauffer is also the managing member of WR and JR Realty, LLC (1987 to present), a residential real estate partnership.  Mr. Stauffer’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Elizabethtown College. The Board believes that Mr. Stauffer’s business experience and long term involvement with many non-profit organizations in the Upper Perkiomen Valley give him the qualifications to serve as a director of QNB.

Continuing Directors Serving Until 2018 (Class III Directors)2021

Thomas J. Bisko

Director of QNB since 1986

Director of the Bank since 1985

Age 6970

Mr. Bisko served as the Chief Executive Officer of QNB and the Bank from March 1988 to December 2012. Mr. Bisko served as the President of QNB from May 1986 to September 2010 and the President of the Bank from September 1985 to September 2010. Mr. Bisko has also held the position of Treasurer of QNB from February 1986 to December 2012. Prior to joining QNB, Mr. Bisko was an examiner for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and a consultant with a firm specializing in the banking industry. Mr. Bisko served on many local Boardsboards including St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital and the Upper Bucks YMCA. Mr. Bisko’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from King’s College. The Board believes that Mr. Bisko’s career in banking gives him the qualifications and skills to serve as a QNB director.


Dennis Helf

Chairman of the Board since 2002

Director of QNB since 1997

Director of the Bank since 1996

Age 7071

Mr. Helf has been a Registered Investment Advisor since 1995 and has over 30 years of experience investing in community bank stocks. Prior to 1995 Mr. Helf was the managing partner in a law firm and spent 22 years representing five financial institutions in all facets of the law affecting financial institutions with a particular concentration in commercial lending and workouts. Mr. Helf served on the Board of Sellersville Savings & Loan and has long-term involvement with many nonprofit organizations in QNB’s market area. Mr. Helf’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from Muhlenberg College, a Juris Doctorate from Villanova School of Law and a Masters in Tax Law from Temple University Law School. The Board believes that Mr. Helf’s extensive legal and business experience in the financial services industry gives him the qualifications and skills to serve as a QNB director.

Jennifer L. Mann

Director of QNB and the Bank since 2015

Age 4748

Ms. Mann is the founder and President of JL Mann Consulting, LLC, a firm that provides customized business solutions to a wide array of companies.  Elected to serve Allentown, Ms. Mann was a state representative from 1998 to 2012.  As a member of the national Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) Leadership Team, Ms. Mann served as chairwoman of the DLC’s State Legislative Advisory Board.  Prior to serving in the House, Ms. Mann launched and managed a successful wireless telecommunications business in Allentown. Ms. Mann also serves on several community and nonprofit boards including the board of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, the board of the Arthritis Foundation of the Lehigh Valley and the executive board of the Minsi Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  Ms. Mann earned degrees in government and economics from Lehigh University.  The Board believes that Ms. Mann’s business experience, combined with her legislative background and her legislative focus on business-friendly economic policies, give her a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with entrepreneurship and business leadership, provide the qualifications and skills to serve as a QNB director.

Scott R. Stevenson

Director of QNB and the Bank since 2015

Age 5657

Mr. Stevenson was appointed President/CEO of Phoebe Ministries in June 2008 and also servesserved as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer, from 2006 to which he was appointed to in 2006.2017.  In addition, he serves as President of the organization’s Reciprocal Risk Retention Group. Prior to his appointment with Phoebe Ministries, Mr. Stevenson was the Chief Financial Officer of Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and prior to that served as Vice President of Financial Operations for Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and an MBAa Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Systems Management. Mr. Stevenson serves or served on several boards including:  CHHSM (Council for

4


Health and Human Service Ministries), Highmark Blue Shield Regional Advisory Board, QNB Regional Advisory Board, and New Life Bible Fellowship Elder Board.  The Board believes that Mr. Stevenson’s extensive senior managerial experience including his financial accounting background and experience provide the qualifications and skills for him to serve as a QNB director.

Continuing Directors Serving Until 2019 (Class I Directors)

Autumn R. Bayles

Director of QNB and the Bank since December 2012

Age 4647

Ms. Bayles is Vice President of Global Operational Excellence for Aramark Corp., a global food and facilities company (March 2013 to present).  Prior to that, Ms. Bayles served as Aramark Corp’s Vice President of Strategic Development (October 2011 to March 2013).  Before joining Aramark Corp., Ms. Bayles was Senior Vice President of Strategic Operations from 2006 to 2011, and Chief Information Officer from 2003 to 2006 for Tasty Baking Company, a consumer packaged goods company.  Ms. Bayles’ educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from Lehigh University and a MastersMaster of Business Administration from University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton


School. Ms. Bayles’ career has focused on operational improvements and innovative growth opportunities leveraging technology and process changes. The Board believes that Ms. Bayles’ expertise in the areas of business strategy, operations and technology and her experience with a public company give her the qualifications and skills to serve as a QNB director.

David W. Freeman

Director of QNB since December 2012

Director of the Bank since 2010

Age 6061

Mr. Freeman has been the Chief Executive Officer of QNB and the Bank from January 2013 to present. Mr. Freeman served as the President of QNB and the Bank from September 2010 to present. Mr. Freeman also served as Chief Operating Officer of QNB and the Bank from September 2010 to December 2012.  Prior to joining QNB, Mr. Freeman was the Division President of the Drovers Bank Division of Fulton Bank from March 2002 to March 2010. Mr. Freeman serves on several local Boardsboards including St. Luke’s Hospital, Upper Bucks YMCA and The Boy Scouts Minsi Trails Council. Mr. Freeman’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Franklin University, a MastersMaster of Business Administration from The Ohio State University and he is a graduate of ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking. The Board believes Mr. Freeman’s career in banking, including his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of QNB and the Bank, gives him the qualifications and skills to serve as a QNB director.

Gary S. Parzych

Director of QNB and the Bank since 1995

Age 6162

Mr. Parzych is the President of Eugene T. Parzych, Inc., a construction company (1980 to present), President of Finland Leasing Company, Inc., a real estate holding company (1986 to present), a Partner in G & T Properties, a real estate holding company (1999 to present) and President of Gargen Incorporated, a sporting goods dealer (2008 to present). Mr. Parzych was a Quakertown School Board director from 1987 to 2004 and is currently a Trustee for the Upper Bucks YMCA. Mr. Parzych also is involved in other service organizations. The Board believes that Mr. Parzych’s business experience and his knowledge of the construction industry along with his years of service as a director provide the Board with valuable industry experience and knowledge of QNB to serve as a QNB director.


Continuing Directors Serving Until 2020 (Class II Directors)

Kenneth F. Brown, Jr.

Director of QNB and the Bank since 1993

Age 62

Mr. Brown is the President of McAdoo & Allen, Inc., a manufacturer of pigment dispersions and high performance coatings (September 1989 to present). Mr. Brown also serves or has served as a Director and Trustee for various local nonprofit organizations including the Upper Bucks YMCA and St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital. The Board believes that Mr. Brown’s success in building and managing McAdoo and Allen, Inc. along with his prominent role in the community and years of service as a director of QNB give Mr. Brown the qualifications and skills to serve as a director of QNB.

5


Anna Mae Papso

Director of QNB and the Bank since 2004

Age 74

Ms. Papso retired from West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., a manufacturer of specialized pharmaceutical packaging and medical device components in 2001. Ms. Papso served as a Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2000 to 2001 and prior thereto as Vice President and Corporate Controller from 1989 to 2000. Ms. Papso’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Master of Business Administration, both from Drexel University. The Board believes that Ms. Papso’s financial, business and accounting experience at publicly traded companies as well as her background in public accounting give her the qualifications and skills to serve as a QNB director.

W. Randall Stauffer

Director of QNB and the Bank since 2014

Age 63

Mr. Stauffer is Chief Operating Officer of Stauffer Manufacturing (July 2017 to present) a national distributor of gloves and safety equipment. He has been employed at Stauffer Manufacturing since 1976, holding various positions and is part of the fourth generation in the family business.   He served as President of Stauffer Manufacturing from January 2005 to June 2017. Mr. Stauffer is the managing member of Stauffer Realty Trust, LLC (March 2005 to present), a commercial real estate partnership.  Mr. Stauffer is also the managing member of WR and JR Realty, LLC (1987 to present), a residential real estate partnership.  Mr. Stauffer’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Elizabethtown College. The Board believes that Mr. Stauffer’s business experience and long-term involvement with many non-profit organizations in the Upper Perkiomen Valley give him the qualifications to serve as a director of QNB.

6


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF QNB AND/OR THE BANK

The following list sets forth the names of the executive officers of QNB, and other significant employees of the Bank, their respective ages, positions held, recent business experience with QNB and the Bank, and the period they have served in their respective capacities.

David W. Freeman

Age 60;61; Chief Executive Officer of QNB and the Bank from January 2013 to present; President of QNB and the Bank from September 2010 to present; Chief Operating Officer of QNB and the Bank from September 2010 to December 2012; Division President of the Drovers Bank Division of Fulton Bank from March 2002 to March 2010.

Christopher T. Cattie

Age 44;45; Executive Vice President, Chief Information Technology Officer of the Bank from February 2016 to present; Group Vice President of Information Technology for Bryn Mawr Trust Company from January 2015 to February 2016; Senior Vice President, Information Technology Director for Continental Bank, Plymouth Meeting, PA from March 2005 to December 2014.

Janice S. McCracken Erkes

Age 52;53; Chief Financial Officer of QNB from September 2014 to present; Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Bank from September 2014 to present; Chief Risk Management Officer of the Bank from January 2017 to present; Chief Financial Officer of Noah Bank, Elkins Park, PA from May 2014 to September 2014; Chief Accounting Officer of Noah Bank, from December 2010 to April 2014; Chief Financial Officer of National Penn Bank, Boyertown, PA from February 2010 to September 2010; Executive Vice President and Director of Finance and Management Accounting of National Penn Bank from January 2007 to January 2010.

Scott G. Orzehoski

Age 51;52; Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer of the Bank from July 2011 to present; Senior Vice President, Chief Lending Officer of the Bank from February 2008 to June 2011; Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer of the Bank from January 2002 to July 2011; Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer of the Bank from August 1997 to December 2001; Assistant Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer of the Bank from February 1996 to July 1997.

Dale A. Westwood formerly known as Dale A. Wentz

Age 61;62; Executive Vice President, Chief Retail Officer of the Bank from January 2015 to present; Senior Vice President, Chief Retail Officer of the Bank from October 2008 to December 2014; Vice President, Fairmont Quality Service & Sales Development, Frederick, PA from March 1999 to September 2008.


7


BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

The following table sets forth, as of March 21, 2017,20, 2018, the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.625 per share, beneficially owned by each current director and nominee for director, by each executive officer, and by all directors, nominees and executive officers of QNB and the Bank, as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, shares are held individually and not pledged as security. The address for each person is 320 West Broad Street, P.O. Box 9005, Quakertown, Pennsylvania 18951.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership (1)

 

Percentage of

Class (2)

 

 

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership (1)

 

Percentage of

Class (2)

 

Autumn R. Bayles

 

800

 

 

 

*

 

 

800

 

 

 

*

 

Thomas J. Bisko

 

 

25,647

 

(3)

 

*

 

 

 

25,647

 

(3)

 

*

 

Kenneth F. Brown, Jr.

 

 

150,100

 

(4)

 

 

4.36%

 

 

 

150,100

 

(4)

 

4.31%

 

Christopher T. Cattie

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

David W. Freeman

 

 

14,528

 

(5)

 

*

 

 

 

16,089

 

(5)

 

*

 

Dennis Helf

 

 

34,861

 

(6)

 

 

1.01%

 

 

 

34,861

 

(6)

 

1.00%

 

Jennifer L. Mann

 

807

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

1,189

 

 

 

*

 

Janice McCracken Erkes

 

613

 

(7)

 

*

 

 

 

3,992

 

(7)

 

*

 

Scott G. Orzehoski

 

 

18,103

 

(8)

 

*

 

 

 

19,901

 

(8)

 

*

 

Anna Mae Papso

 

 

4,166

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

4,285

 

 

 

*

 

Gary S. Parzych

 

 

10,574

 

(9)

 

*

 

 

 

10,766

 

(9)

 

*

 

W. Randall Stauffer

 

 

32,415

 

(10)

 

*

 

 

 

35,519

 

(10)

 

*

 

Scott R. Stevenson

 

800

 

 

 

*

 

 

800

 

 

 

*

 

Dale A. Westwood

 

 

11,749

 

(11)

 

*

 

 

 

10,615

 

(11)

 

*

 

Current Directors, Nominees & Executive Officers

as a Group (14 persons)

 

 

305,163

 

(12)

 

 

8.86%

 

 

 

314,564

 

(12)

 

9.13%

 

* Less than 1.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The securities “beneficially owned” by an individual are determined in accordance with the definitions of “beneficial ownership” set forth in the rules of the SEC and may include securities owned by or for the individual's spouse and minor children and any other relative who has the same home, as well as securities as to which the individual has, or shares, voting or investment power or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days after March 21, 2017.20, 2018. Beneficial ownership may be disclaimed as to certain of the securities.

(2)

Numbers are rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.

(3)

Includes 20,329 shares owned jointly by Mr. Bisko with his wife and 325 shares held in her individual capacity.

(4)

Includes 148,336 shares owned jointly by Mr. Brown with his wife.

(5)

Includes 6,6006,350 options.

(6)

Includes 22,043 shares owned jointly by Mr. Helf with his wife.

(7)

Includes 500 shares owned jointly by Ms. McCracken Erkes with her husband.husband and 2,150 options.

(8)

Includes 5,9506,100 options.

(9)

Includes 2,589 shares owned by Mr. Parzych’s wife and 3,4983,611 shares held of record by Eugene T. Parzych, Inc., a construction company owned by Mr. Parzych.

(10)

Includes 26,87828,763 shares owned by Mr. Stauffer’s wife.

(11)

Includes 5,7756,025 options.

(12)

Includes 24,62527,275 options, in the aggregate which are exercisable within 60 days of the record date; thus, the percentage ownership calculation is based upon an aggregate of 3,440,2253,481,041 shares outstanding.

8


BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

On March 20, 2018, 3,453,766 shares of common stock, par value $0.625 per share, were issued, outstanding and entitled to vote. The following table sets forth the names of each person who, directly or indirectly, are known to QNB’s management to be the beneficial owners of at least 5% of QNB's outstanding common stock as of March 20, 2018.


Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

 

Number of Shares Owned (1)

 

Percentage of

Class (2)

 

Banc Funds Company, L.L.C.

20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 3300

Chicago, IL 60606

 

 

216,584

 

 

 

6.22%

 

(1)

Information about Banc Funds Company, L.L.C. is derived from its Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 14, 2018.

(2)

Numbers are rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.

9


GOVERNANCE OF THE CORPORATION

Our Board of Directors believes that the purpose of corporate governance is to promote maximizing shareholder value in a manner consistent with legal requirements and the highest standards of integrity. The Board has adopted and adheres to corporate governance practices which the Board and senior management believe promote this purpose, are sound and represent best practices. We continually review these governance practices, Pennsylvania law (the state in which we are incorporated), the rules and listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market and SEC regulations, as well as best practices suggested by recognized governance authorities.

The structure of the Corporation’s Board leadership consists of an independent non-employee Chairman, Mr. Helf, a non-independent Principal Executive Officer, David W. Freeman, and a majority of independent non-employee directors. The independent directors of the Board meet separately at least twice a year without management present. Additionally, the Corporation has an active committee structure in which members of the Board of Directors attend and actively participate in the following Committees: Investment/Asset & Liability Management Committee, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Executive Committee, Loan Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and Wealth Management Committee. The active participation in these Committees in addition to the monthly Board of Directors’ meetings provides the independent members of the Board the necessary insight into the daily operations of the Corporation. The Board believes that this Board leadership structure most effectively represents the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders.

Currently, our Board of Directors has 10 members. Under the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq Stock Market for independence, Autumn R. Bayles, Thomas J. Bisko, Kenneth F. Brown, Jr., Dennis Helf, Jennifer L. Mann, Anna Mae Papso, Gary S. Parzych, W. Randall Stauffer and Scott R. Stevenson meet the standards for independence. These directors represent more than a majority of our Board of Directors.

Our Board of Directors determined that the following director was not independent within the meaning of the rules and listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market: David W. Freeman, President and Chief Executive Officer of QNB and the Bank.

Our Board of Directors has determined that a lending relationship resulting from a loan made by the Bank to a director would not affect the determination of independence if the loan complies with Regulation O under the federal banking laws. Our Board of Directors also determined that maintaining with the Bank a deposit, savings or similar account by a director or any of the director’s affiliates would not affect the determination of independence if the account is maintained on the same terms and conditions as those available to similarly situated customers. Additional categories or types of transactions or relationships considered by our Board of Directors regarding director independence include, but are not limited to, vendor or contractual relationships with directors or their affiliates.

Risk Management

The management of risk is fundamental to the business of banking and integral to the daily operations of the Corporation. The Board of Directors oversees the Risk Management functions of the Corporation through policies which are reviewed at least on an annual basis and by representation on Loan Committee, and the joint Investment/Asset & Liability Committee. The minutes from these Committees are reported to the full Board of Directors. In 2017, Janice McCracken Erkes was appointedis the Chief Risk Management Officer of the Bank.  Currently, the Corporation does not have an Enterprise Risk Management Committee.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics for Directors, officers and employees of QNB and the Bank. It is intended to promote honest and ethical conduct, full and accurate reporting and compliance with laws as well as other matters. A copy of the Code of Ethics is posted on our website at www.qnbbank.com under “Governance Documents”.


10


MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF QNB AND THE BANK

Set forth below is a list of each of our current Board members and our current Board committee members. The respective chairperson of each of the Board committees is also noted below. Each current director of QNB is also a current member of the Bank’s Board of Directors.

 

Board Member

 

Board

 

Audit

 

Compensation

 

Executive

 

Nominating

 

Board

 

Audit

 

Compensation

 

Executive

 

Nominating

Autumn R. Bayles

 

X

 

X

 

C

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

C

 

 

 

X

Thomas J. Bisko

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

X

Kenneth F. Brown, Jr.

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

David W. Freeman

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

Dennis Helf

 

C

 

 

 

 

 

C

 

 

 

C

 

 

 

 

 

C

 

 

Jennifer L. Mann

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Anna Mae Papso

 

X

 

C

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

C

 

 

 

X

 

 

Gary S. Parzych

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C

W. Randall Stauffer

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

Scott R. Stevenson

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meetings Held in 2016

 

12

 

5

 

1

 

1

 

1

Meetings Held in 2017

 

12

 

5

 

1

 

0

 

1

 

C – Chairperson

All current directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors (held for the period for which he or she has been a director) and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she served (during the periods that he or she served).

QNB has no specific policy requiring directors to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders; however, director attendance is strongly encouraged. All current members of the Board of Directors except Mr. StevensonBisko were present at the 20162017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. It is anticipated that all members of the Board of Directors will attend the 20172018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders with the exception of Mr. Bisko due to a scheduling conflict.Shareholders.

QNB’s Board of Directors established and maintains the following committees, among others:

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee recommends the engagement and dismissal of the independent registered public accounting firm, reviews their annual audit plan and the results of their auditing activities, and considers the range of audit and non-audit fees. It also reviews the general audit plan, scope and results of QNB's procedures for internal auditing. The reports of examination of QNB and its subsidiary by bank regulatory examiners are also reviewed by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee also reviews all SEC filings and earnings press releases. The Audit Committee meets with management and the auditors prior to the filing of officers’ certifications with the SEC to receive information concerning, among other things, the adequacy of the design and operation of internal controls, including significant deficiencies identified, if any.

All members of the Audit Committee are independent directors pursuant to the rules adopted by the SEC and the corporate governance standards promulgated by the Nasdaq Stock Market. In determining whether a director is independent for purposes of each of the above stated guidelines, the Board of Directors must affirmatively determine that the directors on the Audit Committee do not, among other things, accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from QNB. Applying these standards, the Board of Directors has determined that all the directors on the Audit Committee are independent. The members of QNB’s Audit Committee are Directors Bayles, Bisko, Papso and Stevenson.

The Board of Directors has determined that Anna Mae Papso meets the requirements adopted by the SEC and Nasdaq Stock Market for qualification as an Audit Committee financial expert. Ms. Papso has past employment experience as a Corporate Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer providing her with diverse and progressive financial management experience, as well as expertise in internal controls and U.S. accounting rules and SEC reporting. An Audit Committee financial expert is defined as a person who has the following attributes: (i) an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements; (ii) the ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves; (iii) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity or accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the registrant’s financial


statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities; (iv) an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and (v) an understanding of audit committee functions.

11


The identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than those that are imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors in the absence of such identification. Moreover, the identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert for purposes of the regulations of the SEC does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors.

The Audit Committee operates under a formal charter that governs its duties and conduct. The Audit Committee Charter is available on our website at www.qnbbank.com under “Governance Documents”.

The Audit Committee has also adopted a Whistleblower Policy to enable confidential and anonymous reporting of questionable accounting or auditing matters, fraudulent activities, or misconduct to the Audit Committee. The policy also is available on our website at www.qnbbank.com under “Governance Documents”.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee's primary functions are to review and approve key executive salaries and salary policy, determine the salary of the Chief Executive Officer and to administer equity compensation plans. In formulating its recommendations for the other executive officers, the Compensation Committee will consider information provided by the Chief Executive Officer related to subordinate executives.  In addition, the Committee reviews the general guidelines on compensation for all employees. The Board of Directors has determined that all the directors serving on the Compensation Committee are independent for the purposes of the rules adopted by the SEC and the corporate governance standards promulgated by the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Compensation Committee has a formal charter which is available on our website at www.qnbbank.com under “Governance Documents”. The members of the Compensation Committee are Directors Bayles, Brown, Mann and Stauffer.

Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is authorized to exercise all the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of QNB between Board meetings, unless otherwise provided in QNB’s Bylaws. The members of the Executive Committee are Directors Bisko, Brown, Freeman, Helf and Papso.

Nominating Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that all the directors serving on the Nominating Committee are independent for the purposes of the rules adopted by the SEC and the corporate governance standards promulgated by the Nasdaq Stock Market. The principal duties of the Nominating Committee include developing and recommending to the Board criteria for selecting qualified director candidates, identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, evaluating and selecting, or recommending to the Board, director nominees for each election of directors, considering committee member qualifications, appointment and removal, recommending codes of conduct and codes of ethics applicable to the Corporation and providing oversight in the evaluation of the Board and each committee. The Nominating Committee has no formal process for considering director candidates recommended by shareholders, but the Nominating Committee will consider such candidates and its policy is to give due consideration to all candidates. If a shareholder wishes to recommend a director candidate as a possible nominee for the 20182019 annual meeting of shareholders, the shareholder should mail the name, background and contact information for the candidate to the Nominating Committee at the Corporation's offices at P.O. Box 9005, Quakertown, PA 18951 no later than February 9, 2018.16, 2019. The Nominating Committee has a formal charter which is available on our website at www.qnbbank.com under “Governance Documents”.  Members of the Nominating Committee include Directors Bayles, Bisko and Parzych.

In considering individual director candidates, the Nominating Committee considers individuals who, in the judgment of the Committee, would be best qualified to serve on the Board. The Nominating Committee does not specifically consider diversity of gender or ethnicity in fulfilling its responsibilities to select qualified and appropriate director candidates. Instead, the Committee will seek to balance the existing skill sets of current Board members with the need for other diverse skills and qualities that will complement the Corporation’s strategic vision. All director candidates are evaluated based on general characteristics and specific talents and skills needed to increase the Board’s effectiveness. Additionally, all candidates must possess an unquestionable commitment to high ethical standards and have a demonstrated reputation for integrity.


12


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC designed to improve disclosures related to the functioning of corporate audit committees and to enhance the reliability and credibility of financial statements of public companies, QNB’s Audit Committee submits the following report:

Audit Committee Report to Board of Directors

The Board of Directors has formally adopted an Audit Committee Charter setting forth the Committee's duties. The Charter delegates to the Committee responsibility for overseeing QNB's financial reporting process. In that connection, the Committee has discussed and reviewed the Corporation's audited consolidated financial statements for 20162017 with management and Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, QNB's independent registered public accounting firm.

Management has the primary responsibility for the consolidated financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal control. Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP is responsible for expressing opinions on the conformity of QNB's audited consolidated financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and evaluation of effectiveness of QNB’s internal control over financial reporting.

In discharging its responsibilities, the Committee's review of the Corporation's financial statements for 20162017 included discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles used, the reasonableness of significant judgments made, and the clarity, consistency and completeness of disclosures in such financial statements with management and Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, as required by PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 16, Communication with Audit Committees (as modified or supplemented).

The Audit Committee has considered the compatibility of non-audit services provided by Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP with the maintenance of QNB's registered public accounting firm's independence. Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP has provided written disclosures and a letter required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding its firm's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. These disclosures have been reviewed by the Audit Committee and discussed with management and Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP.

The Committee discussed with QNB's internal auditors and Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP the overall scope and plans for their respective audits, and met with both firms, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of QNB's internal controls and the overall quality of QNB's financial reporting process.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully submitted,

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Anna Mae Papso, Chairperson

Autumn R. Bayles

Thomas J. Bisko

Scott R. Stevenson

Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee has a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. The policy requires the Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit related services, tax services, and other services. Under the policy, pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific budget. In addition, the Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case by case basis. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee authority to pre-approve services not prohibited by law to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm and associated fees up to a maximum for any one service of $5,000. All of the services related to the Audit Related Fees, Tax Fees, and All Other Fees described below were approved by the Audit


Committee pursuant to the pre-approval provisions set forth in applicable rules issued by the SEC and the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policy.

13


Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees, Tax Fees, and All Other Fees

Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP was QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm for 20162017 and 2015.2016.

The following table shows the fees paid by the Corporation in 20162017 and 20152016 for the audit and other services provided by Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP for those years:

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Audit fees

 

$

167,460

 

 

$

163,450

 

 

$

176,350

 

 

$

167,460

 

Audit related fees

 

 

13,150

 

 

 

12,732

 

 

 

13,450

 

 

 

13,150

 

Audit and audit related fees

 

 

180,610

 

 

 

176,182

 

 

 

189,800

 

 

 

180,610

 

Tax fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All other fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fees

 

$

180,610

 

 

$

176,182

 

 

$

189,800

 

 

$

180,610

 

 

Audit Fees include professional services rendered for the audit of QNB’s annual consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, comfort letters, consents, quarterly reviews and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards arising during the audits and statutory and regulatory audits (i.e., attest services required by FDICIA or Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), including out-of-pocket expenses.

Audit Related Fees include assurance and related services related to the performance of the audit of the employee benefit plan.

Tax Fees include fees billed for the preparation of state and federal tax returns and assistance with calculating estimated tax payments.

All Other Fees would include fees billed for products and services other than the services reported under the Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees, or Tax Fees sections of the table above.

A representative of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to make a statement and be available to respond to appropriate questions.


14


EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

QNB’s executive compensation program includes compensation and benefit components typical of programs among comparable banking and financial service companies in our local and regional marketplace.

Objectives

QNB’s success is dependent upon its ability to attract and retain highly qualified and motivated executives. QNB endorses the philosophy that executive compensation should reflect QNB’s performance and the contribution of such officers to that performance.  Our executive compensation program is designed to support QNB’s core values, strategic objectives and financial goals as established by the Board.  Moreover, our compensation philosophy is intended to align the interests of management with those of our shareholders through equity basedequity-based plans.

Program Management

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has primary responsibility for the design and administration of the executive compensation program for directors and executive officers of QNB, including the Chief Executive Officer. It reviews the executive compensation program throughout the year in light ofconsidering changing organization needs and operating conditions and changing trends in industry practice. In addition, the Committee, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, considers and reports to the Board regarding employee or executive succession matters.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for recommending compensation-related decisions to the Board of Directors for final approval. The performance of Mr. Freeman, the Chief Executive Officer, is reviewed semi-annually by the full Board. The results of these appraisals are used by the Compensation Committee in its recommendation of annual pay adjustments and other elements of compensation for Mr. Freeman to the Board of Directors for its consideration.

Role of Executive Officers in Executive Compensation

In formulating its recommendations for the other named executive officers other than Mr. Freeman, the Compensation Committee will consider information provided by Mr. Freeman related to subordinate executives.

Elements of Executive Compensation

Factors the Compensation Committee considered in analyzing compensation include:

Total compensation;

Internal pay equity; and

The competitive environment for recruiting executive officers, and what the relevant competitors pay.

We compensate our executive management through a mix of base salary, bonus and equity compensation designed to be competitive with comparable employers and to align management's incentives with the long-term interests of our shareholders. At the senior-most levels, we design the incentive compensation to reward company-wide performance through tying awards primarily to earnings per share growth.

The key components of QNB’s executive compensation consist of:

Base salary;

Cash incentive compensation; and

Equity compensation awards under the 2005 or 2015 Stock Option PlanPlan.

15


Base Salary

The Compensation Committee offers competitive salaries in comparison to the market for currently employed executives in comparable positions in financial services institutions with similar asset size and operations.  In determining base salaries, the Compensation Committee reviews a salary survey prepared by an independent third party who specializes in financial


service institution compensation.  The Compensation Committee also considers the executive's qualifications and experience, scope of responsibilities and future potential, the goals and objectives established for the executive, the executive's past performance, and internal pay equity.

Base salaries are adjusted annually and are in effect for the period January 1 through December 31.  The Compensation Committee determines annual salary adjustments by evaluating the performance of QNB and of each named executive officer relative to both corporate and individual goals determined during a previous review.

The Compensation Committee met in September 20162017 to review the performance of the named executive officers with the Chief Executive Officer to determine increases in base salary compensation for 2017.2018.  The Committee then met in executive session without the Chief Executive Officer to discuss his base salary for 2017.2018.  Base salaries for those executives that report directly to the Chief Executive Officer are subject to approval by the Chief Executive Officer and the Committee. The Chief Executive Officer’s salary is subject to approval by the Compensation Committee and the Board.  The table below outlines the increases in base salary compensation for 20172018 approved by the Compensation Committee:

 

Executive

 

2017 Base Salary

 

 

2016 Base Salary

 

 

% Increase

 

 

2018 Base Salary

 

 

2017 Base Salary

 

 

% Increase

 

Christopher T. Cattie

 

$

175,000

 

 

$

160,000

 

 

 

9.38

%

 

$

180,000

 

 

$

175,000

 

 

 

2.86

%

David W. Freeman

 

 

420,000

 

 

 

400,000

 

 

 

5.00

%

 

 

440,000

 

 

 

420,000

 

 

 

4.76

%

Janice McCracken Erkes

 

 

235,000

 

 

 

214,000

 

 

 

9.81

%

 

 

245,000

 

 

 

235,000

 

 

 

4.26

%

Scott G. Orzehoski

 

 

225,000

 

 

 

208,000

 

 

 

8.17

%

 

 

235,000

 

 

 

225,000

 

 

 

4.44

%

Dale A. Westwood

 

 

157,000

 

 

 

151,000

 

 

 

3.97

%

 

 

162,000

 

 

 

157,000

 

 

 

3.18

%

 

The increase for named executive officers was determined based on merit, as well as internal pay equity and compensation levels of similar positions at financial institutions with similar operations and asset size.

Cash Incentive Compensation

In 2015, the Compensation Committee, with Board approval, established a cash incentive plan to reward QNB employees for achieving annual financial objectives.  The cash bonusincentive plan is paid for meeting annual goals established by the Board for earnings per share (EPS) growth, and three-year average performance of return on average equity (ROAE) and return on average assets (ROAA), with the average calculation being built over three years commencing in 2015. Finally, QNB’s five-year average performance of ROAE and ROAA, with the average calculation being built over five years commencing in 2015, was compared to peer group ROAE and ROAA.  For 2016,2017, QNB’s ROAE and ROAA was compared to peers’ for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017.  In 2016, the peer group was expanded from publicly-traded Pennsylvania financial institutions with assets sizes between $750 million and $1.5 billion to include Mid-Atlantic publicly traded institutions with similar asset sizes. This expanded the pool from nineteen Pennsylvania-only peer institutions in 2015 to thirty-six institutions in 2016 and forty-four institutions in 2017 headquartered in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Maryland.  

16



The following table details the members of the peer groups for 20152016 and 2016:2017:

 

2015 Peer Group Institutions (PA)

2016 Peer Group Institutions (Mid-Atlantic)

2017 Peer Group Institutions (Mid-Atlantic)

1st Constitution Bancorp

 

1st Constitution Bancorp

1st Summit Bancorp of Johnstown, Inc.

 

1st Summit Bancorp ofBncp Johnstown Inc.

ACNB Corporation

 

ACNB CorporationCorp.

Adirondack Trust Company

 

Adirondack Trust Company

AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

 

AmeriServ Financial Inc.

 

 

Bancorp of New Jersey Inc.

Bank of Princeton

Bank of Princeton

Bank of Utica

 

Bank of Utica

BCB Bancorp Inc.

 

BCBBerkshire Bancorp Inc.

CB Financial Services, Inc.

 

CB Financial Services Inc.

Citizens & Northern Corporation

 

Citizens & Northern CorporationCorp.

Citizens Financial Services, Inc.

 

Citizens Financial Services Inc.

Clifton Bancorp Inc.

 

Clifton Bancorp Inc.Inc

Codorus Valley Bancorp, Inc.

 

Codorus Valley Bancorp Inc.

Community Financial Corporation

 

Community Financial CorporationFinl Corp.

Embassy Bancorp Inc.

ENB Financial Corp

 

ENB Financial Corp

Evans Bancorp, Inc.

 

Evans Bancorp Inc.

First Keystone Corporation

 

First Keystone CorporationBank

First National Community Bancorp, Inc.

 

First National Community Bancorp, Inc.Keystone Corp.

First United Corporation

 

First United CorporationCorp.

FNB Bancorp, Inc.

 

FNB Bancorp Inc.

Fox Chase Bancorp, Inc.

 

FNCB Bancorp Inc.

Franklin Financial Services Corporation

 

Franklin Financial Services Corporation

Harleysville Savings Financial Corporation

 

Harleysville Savings Financial Corporation

 

 

Howard Bancorp Inc.

Lyons Bancorp Inc

Marlin Business Services Corp.

Marlin Bus. Services Corp.

Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc.

 

Mid Penn Bancorp Inc.

 

 

Norwood Financial Corp.

Ocean Shore Holding Co.

Old Line Bancshares Inc.

 

 

Old Line BancsharesOrange County Bancorp Inc.

Orrstown Financial Services, Inc.

 

Orrstown Financial Services

Parke Bancorp, Inc.

Parke Bancorp Inc.

 

 

Parke Bancorp, Inc.PCSB Financial Corp.

Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc.

 

Penns Woods Bancorp Inc.

Republic First Bancorp, Inc.

 

Republic First Bancorp Inc.

 

 

Revere Bank

Royal Bancshares of PA

Severn Bancorp, Inc.

Severn Bancorp Inc.

Shore Bancshares, Inc.

 

Shore Bancshares Inc.

Solvay Bank Corporation

 

Solvay Bank CorporationCorp.

Somerset Trust Holding Company

 

Somerset Trust Holding Company

Two River Bancorp

 

Two River BancorpBncp

Unity Bancorp, Inc.

 

Unity Bancorp Inc.

 

The plan provides for a cash bonusincentive for named executive officers of up to 24% of their base salaries.  The cash incentive payout is calculated annually, and payout occurs within two months following fiscal year-end.  The purpose of the plan is to motivate named executives to achieve financial goals that have a positive impact on QNB’s stock price and therefore increase shareholder value.


17


QNB’s financial targets and incentive payouts under the cash incentive plan set by the Compensation Committee are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Threshold

 

Moderate

 

Excellent

 

Optimum

Part 1

 

One year earnings per share (EPS) growth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal

 

5%

 

6%

 

7%

 

8%

 

 

Potential bonus payout

 

2.00%

 

4.00%

 

6.00%

 

8.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 2

 

Three year return on average equity (ROAE) performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal

 

10%

 

11%

 

12%

 

13%

 

 

Potential bonus payout

 

1.00%

 

2.00%

 

3.00%

 

4.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three year return on average assets (ROAA) performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal

 

0.84%

 

0.92%

 

1.00%

 

1.08%

 

 

Potential bonus payout

 

1.00%

 

2.00%

 

3.00%

 

4.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 3

 

Five year peer group ROAE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal

 

95%-105%

of peers

 

 

 

 

 

>105% of peers

 

 

Potential bonus payout

 

2.00%

 

 

 

 

 

4.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five year peer group ROAA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal

 

95%-105%

of peers

 

 

 

 

 

>105% of peers

 

 

Potential bonus payout

 

2.00%

 

 

 

 

 

4.00%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Bonus Payout Potential

 

8.00%

 

12.00%

 

16.00%

 

24.00%

 

The purpose of the plan is to motivate executives to achieve financial goals that should have a positive impact on QNB’s stock price and therefore increase shareholder value.

At its January 2018 meeting, the Board of Directors approved the calculation of 2017’s cash incentive compensation program measures excluding a charge of $2,054,000 to tax provision, which resulted from the revaluation of the QNB’s deferred tax assets at a reduced federal income tax rate, as established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017.  QNB met its one yearone-year earnings per share growth goal at the ModerateOptimum level described in the table above, as EPS growth (excluding the $2,054,000 charge to earnings) for the year ended December 31, 20162017 was 6.9%14.3%.  QNB’s three-year average ROAA (excluding the $2,054,000 charge to earnings), at 0.85%0.88%, met the Threshold level payout, while QNB’s three-year average ROAE (excluding the $2,054,000 charge to earnings) was 9.37%9.64% and did not meet the performance goal threshold illustrated in part 2 of the table above.  QNB’s average ROAE and ROAA for the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, and twelve months in 2016 and 2015 were 9.39%9.40% and 0.85%0.91%, respectively. When adjusting for the $2,054,000 charge to tax provision in 2017, QNB’s average ROAE was 94.8%102.6% of the peer group average ROAE and average ROAA was 89.2%95.7% of the peer group average ROAA, both belowmeeting the Threshold level as detailed in part 3 of the table above.  As a result, an aggregate cash bonusincentive paid to the named executive officers was equivalent to 5%13.02% of their base salary.

The amounts we actually paid under the cash incentive plan for 20162017 are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

The named executive officers are eligible to participate in a long-term incentive award plan established to focus executive efforts on the strategic directions and goals of QNB and to reward them for their successes in these areas. The 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan) was approved by the shareholders at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  The purpose of the Plan is also to provide ownership incentive to the executive officers and align their interests with the interests of shareholders. In establishing award levels, equity ownership levels of the recipients or prior awards that are fully vested are not considered.

18


The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. The Plan provides for the granting of either (i) nonqualified stock options or (ii) incentive stock options. The exercise price of an option, as defined by the Plan, is the fair market value of QNB’s common stock on the date of grant.

The Compensation Committee determines the type of grant, the number of shares of common stock subject to a particular grant and the vesting period for such grants. To date, options granted under the Plan have a three-year vesting feature. The Compensation Committee determines the number of options granted in total and to Mr. Freeman, individually. Mr.


Freeman determines the allocation of the remaining grants among eligible employees. The fair value of the stock options granted represented between 3.3%3.1% and 8.8%8.4% of named executive officers’ base salaries in 2016.2017.

Post-Retirement Plans

QNB provides a qualified retirement plan to all employees, including the named executive officers.  The QNB Bank Retirement Savings Plan provides for elective employee contributions up to the maximum allowed by the IRS and a matching company contribution limited to three percent of total compensation. In addition, the plan provides for safe harbor non-elective contributions of five percent of total compensation by QNB. To be eligible to participate, employees must have completed six months of service.

During 2001, QNB purchased Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) for officers of the Corporation.  A split-dollar agreement provides the employee’s beneficiary a portion of the death proceeds under the BOLI equal to two times their current base salary. Under this plan vesting occurs when the employee reaches age 55 and has a combined age and years of service of 70. When vested, the insurance would become portable to the participant after they are no longer in service with the Bank either through termination or retirement thereby creating the post-retirement benefit.  Mr. Orzehoski is the only named executive officer that is insured through BOLI.

Health and Welfare Benefits

The named executive officers participate in the Corporation’s qualified health and welfare benefits program on the same terms and conditions as all other salaried employees.

Perquisites and Other Benefits; Agreements

Perquisites received by the named executive officers are reviewed annually. The primary perquisite received by Mr. Freeman and Mr. Orzehoski is the reimbursement of country club dues. These executive officers are encouraged to belong to a golf or social club to provide the appropriate entertainment forum for customers and appropriate interaction with the communities served by QNB.

Certain members of senior management are parties to change in control agreements with the Corporation.  Executive management and other employees have built QNB into a successful enterprise, and the Board believes that it is important to protect them in the event of a change in control. Further, it is our belief that the interests of shareholders will be best served if the interests of our executive management are aligned with them, and providing change in control benefits should eliminate, or at least reduce, the reluctance of executive management to pursue potential change in control transactions that may be in the best interests of shareholders. Relative to the overall value of the Corporation, these potential change in control benefits are relatively minor.

Future Compensation Determination

The committee will continue to reassess QNB’s executive compensation program to ensure that it promotes the long-term objectives of QNB, encourages growth in shareholder value and attracts and retains top-level executives.

Tax Considerations

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code disallows, with certain exceptions, a federal income tax deduction for compensation over $1 million paid to each of our CEO and the four highest-paid executive officers other than the CEO, provided that they are serving in that capacity as of the last day of our fiscal year. One exception to the deduction disallowance applies to performance-based compensation paid pursuant to shareholder-approved plans.

19


Although the committee considers limiting QNB’s non-deductible compensation expense, the committee also believes that it is equally important to maintain the flexibility and competitive effectiveness of our executive compensation program. Therefore, the committee may, from time to time, make grants and awards that may not be deductible for federal income tax purposes due to the provisions of Section 162(m).


The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 amended Section 162(m) in a manner that may affect the Company’s compensation programs for 2018 and thereafter, including the elimination of the exception for performance-based compensation.  The Compensation Committee will consider these effects in making future compensation determinations.

Conclusion

The Committee links executive compensation to corporate performance and growth in shareholder value.  The Committee intends to continue this policy, recognizing that the business cycle may from time to time result in an imbalance for a particular period.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORTS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with executive management, and based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Proxy Statement.

 

Respectfully submitted,

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

 

Autumn R. Bayles, Chairperson

Kenneth F. Brown, Jr.

Jennifer L. Mann

W. Randall Stauffer

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

The Compensation Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning general guidelines on compensation of employees and specific recommendations for Mr. Freeman. The Compensation Committee is composed entirely of the following four independent outside directors:  Bayles, Brown, Mann and Stauffer. No member of the Compensation Committee during fiscal year 20162017 was an officer or employee of the Corporation or its subsidiary or was formerly an officer of the Corporation or its subsidiary. No member of the Compensation Committee had any relationship or transaction with the Corporation or with any third party requiring disclosure under applicable SEC rules.


20


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table is a summary of the compensation for the past three years earned by the principal executive officer, principal financial officer and the three other executive officers serving at the end of 2016.2017.

Summary Compensation Table 2016 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

Option

 

 

Incentive Plan

 

 

All Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

Option

 

 

Incentive Plan

 

 

All Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salary

 

 

Bonus

 

 

Awards

 

 

Awards

 

 

Compensation

 

 

Compensation

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

Salary

 

 

Bonus

 

 

Awards

 

 

Awards

 

 

Compensation

 

 

Compensation

 

 

 

Total

 

Name and Position

 

Year

 

($)(1)

 

 

($)

 

 

($)

 

 

($)(2)

 

 

($)

 

 

($)

 

 

 

($)

 

 

Year

 

($)(1)

 

 

($)

 

 

($)

 

 

($)(2)

 

 

($)

 

 

($)

 

 

 

($)

 

David W. Freeman

 

2016

 

$

400,000

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

13,265

 

 

$

19,920

 

 

$

35,841

 

(3)

 

$

469,026

 

 

2017

 

$

420,000

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

13,192

 

 

$

54,684

 

 

$

33,403

 

(3)

 

$

521,279

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

2015

 

 

360,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,797

 

 

 

21,600

 

 

 

33,079

 

(3)

 

 

428,476

 

 

2016

 

 

400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

 

19,920

 

 

 

35,841

 

(3)

 

 

469,026

 

 

2014

 

 

332,567

 

 

 

16,628

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,906

 

(3)

 

 

394,293

 

 

2015

 

 

360,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,797

 

 

 

21,600

 

 

 

33,079

 

(3)

 

 

428,476

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janice McCracken Erkes

 

2016

 

 

214,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

 

10,657

 

 

 

17,120

 

(4)

 

 

255,042

 

 

2017

 

 

235,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,192

 

 

 

30,597

 

 

 

18,800

 

(4)

 

 

297,589

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

2015

 

 

206,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,797

 

 

 

12,360

 

 

 

13,029

 

(4)

 

 

245,186

 

 

2016

 

 

214,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

 

10,657

 

 

 

17,120

 

(4)

 

 

255,042

 

 

2014

 

 

63,846

 

 

 

3,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

138

 

(4)

 

 

67,176

 

 

2015

 

 

206,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,797

 

 

 

12,360

 

 

 

13,029

 

(4)

 

 

245,186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher T. Cattie

 

2016

 

 

137,230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

 

6,834

 

 

 

4,431

 

(5)

 

 

161,760

 

 

2017

 

 

175,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,192

 

 

 

22,785

 

 

 

14,000

 

(5)

 

 

224,977

 

Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

137,230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,431

 

(5)

 

 

154,926

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott G. Orzehoski

 

2016

 

 

208,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

 

10,358

 

 

 

17,067

 

(6)

 

 

248,690

 

 

2017

 

 

225,000

 

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,192

 

 

 

29,295

 

 

 

18,000

 

(6)

 

 

290,487

 

Executive Vice President

 

2015

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,797

 

 

 

12,000

 

 

 

17,019

 

(6)

 

 

242,816

 

 

2016

 

 

208,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

 

10,358

 

 

 

17,067

 

(6)

 

 

248,690

 

 

2014

 

 

197,940

 

 

 

9,897

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,240

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,499

 

(6)

 

 

235,576

 

 

2015

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,797

 

 

 

12,000

 

 

 

17,019

 

(6)

 

 

242,816

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dale A. Westwood

 

2016

 

 

151,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

 

7,520

 

 

 

12,335

 

(7)

 

 

184,120

 

 

2017

 

 

157,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,192

 

 

 

20,441

 

 

 

12,690

 

(7)

 

 

203,323

 

Executive Vice President

 

2015

 

 

145,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,797

 

 

 

8,700

 

 

 

11,774

 

(7)

 

 

179,271

 

 

2016

 

 

151,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

 

7,520

 

 

 

12,335

 

(7)

 

 

184,120

 

 

2014

 

 

135,248

 

 

 

6,762

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,954

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,820

 

(7)

 

 

163,784

 

 

2015

 

 

145,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,797

 

 

 

8,700

 

 

 

11,774

 

(7)

 

 

179,271

 

 

(1)

“Salary” is the actual base pay compensation paid through December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, respectively.

Christopher T. Cattie commenced employment on February 16, 2016.

(2)

The amounts reported in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.  This method of reporting uses the fair value of an award on the grant date.  All of the option awards vest after a three-year period.  Assumptions used in the fair value calculation of the awards are disclosed in the notes to QNB’s financial statements set forth in its 20162017 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.2017.

(3)

Includes the Bank's contributions on behalf of Mr. Freeman to the Retirement Savings Plan of $21,200,$21,600, $21,200, and $20,800;$21,200; country club membership dues of $9,742, $9,606, $9,460, and $9,205;$9,460; and reimbursement of spousal expenses for conferences, meals and entertainment of $2,062, $5,035, and $2,419 for 2017, 2016, and $2,901 for 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

(4)

Includes the Bank's contributions on behalf of Ms. McCracken Erkes to the Retirement Savings Plan of $18,800, $17,120 and $12,469 and $0; reimbursement of spousal travel and entertainment expensepayments of $0, $0 and $45 and payments of $0, $560 and $93 to decline coverage under the Bank’s health benefits plan for 2017, 2016 2015 and 2014,2015, respectively.

(5)

Includes the Bank’s contributions on behalf of Mr. Cattie to the Retirement Savings Plan of $14,000 and $4,431 for 2016.2017 and 2016, respectively.

(6)

Includes the Bank's contributions on behalf of Mr. Orzehoski to the Retirement Savings Plan of $18,000, $16,640, and $16,000 and $15,835; country club membership dues of $0, $427 and $1,019 for 2017, 2016, and $589; and reimbursement of spousal travel and entertainment expense of $0, $0, and $75 for 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

(7)

Includes the Bank's contributions on behalf of Ms. Westwood to the Retirement Savings Plan of $12,560, $12,080, $11,600, and $10,820$11,600 and reimbursement of spousal expenses for conferences, meals and entertainment of $130, $255, and $174 for 2017, 2016, and $0 for 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.


21


Stock Option Grants for 20162017 and Other Plan-Based Awards

The following table reflects grants of stock options under QNB’s stock incentive plan and future payment opportunities under QNB’s cash incentive plan to Mr. Freeman, Ms. McCracken Erkes, Mr. Cattie, Mr. Orzehoski, and Ms. Westwood in fiscal year 2016.2017.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS - 20162017

 

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Non-Equity

Compensation Plans (1)

Incentive Plan Awards

 

 

All Other Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant Date

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Non-Equity

Compensation Plans (1)

Incentive Plan Awards

 

 

All Other Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant Date

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards: Number

 

 

Exercise Or

 

 

of Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awards: Number

 

 

Exercise Or

 

 

of Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of Securities

 

 

Base Price of

 

 

And

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of Securities

 

 

Base Price of

 

 

And

 

 

Grant

 

Threshold

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underlying

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

Option

 

 

Grant

 

Threshold

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underlying

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

Option

 

Name

 

Date

 

($)

 

 

Maximum ($)

 

 

Options (#)

 

 

($/Sh)

 

 

Awards

 

 

Date

 

($)

 

 

Maximum ($)

 

 

Options (#)

 

 

($/Sh)

 

 

Awards

 

David W. Freeman

 

2/15/2016

 

$

4,000

 

 

$

96,000

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

$

30.40

 

 

$

13,265

 

 

2/15/2017

 

$

4,200

 

 

$

100,800

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

$

37.60

 

 

$

13,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janice McCracken Erkes

 

2/15/2016

 

 

2,140

 

 

 

51,360

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

2/15/2017

 

 

2,350

 

 

 

56,400

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

 

37.60

 

 

 

13,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher T. Cattie

 

2/16/2016

 

 

1,372

 

 

 

32,935

 

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

 

7,580

 

 

2/16/2017

 

 

1,750

 

 

 

42,000

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

 

37.60

 

 

 

13,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott G. Orzehoski

 

2/15/2016

 

 

2,080

 

 

 

49,920

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

2/15/2017

 

 

2,250

 

 

 

54,000

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

 

37.60

 

 

 

13,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dale A. Westwood

 

2/15/2016

 

 

1,510

 

 

 

36,240

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

 

13,265

 

 

2/15/2017

 

 

1,570

 

 

 

37,680

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

 

37.60

 

 

 

13,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts reflect threshold and maximum payment opportunities for 2017 under the cash incentive plan and reflect one‑, three‑, and five‑year goals as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section.

The stock options consist of both incentive and non-qualified grants and are all subject to a five-year term and vest after a three-year period from the grant date.


22


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table sets forth information concerning exercisable and unexercisable stock options, both incentive and non-qualified, held by each named executive officer as of December 31, 2016.2017.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END 20162017

 

Option Awards

Option Awards

Option Awards

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Number of

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Number of

 

 

Equity Incentive Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities

 

 

Securities

 

 

Awards: Number of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities

 

 

Securities

 

 

Awards: Number of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underlying

 

 

Underlying

 

 

Securities Underlying

 

 

Option

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underlying

 

 

Underlying

 

 

Securities Underlying

 

 

Option

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unexercised

 

 

Unexercised

 

 

Unexercised Unearned

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Option

 

 

 

Unexercised

 

 

Unexercised

 

 

Unexercised Unearned

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Option

 

Option

 

Options

 

 

Options

 

 

Options

 

 

Price

 

 

Expiration

 

Option

 

Options

 

 

Options

 

 

Options

 

 

Price

 

 

Expiration

Name

 

Grant Date

 

(#) Exercisable

 

 

(#) Unexercisable

 

 

(#)

 

 

($)

 

 

Date (1)

 

Grant Date

 

(#) Exercisable

 

 

(#) Unexercisable

 

 

(#)

 

 

($)

 

 

Date (1)

David W. Freeman

 

1/22/2013

 

 

3,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

23.20

 

 

1/22/2018

 

1/28/2014

 

 

3,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

25.16

 

 

1/28/2019

 

1/28/2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.16

 

 

1/28/2019

 

1/29/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

29.25

 

 

1/29/2020

 

1/29/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

29.25

 

 

1/29/2020

 

2/15/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

2/15/2021

 

2/15/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

2/15/2021

 

2/15/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

37.60

 

 

2/15/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janice McCracken Erkes

 

1/29/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

29.25

 

 

1/29/2020

 

1/29/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

29.25

 

 

1/29/2020

 

2/15/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

2/15/2021

 

2/15/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

2/15/2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/15/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

37.60

 

 

2/15/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher T. Cattie

 

2/16/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

2/16/2021

 

2/16/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

2/16/2021

 

2/15/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

37.60

 

 

2/15/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott G. Orzehoski

 

1/24/2012

 

 

2,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21.35

 

 

1/24/2017

 

1/22/2013

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.20

 

 

1/22/2018

 

1/22/2013

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.20

 

 

1/22/2018

 

1/28/2014

 

 

2,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.16

 

 

1/28/2019

 

1/28/2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.16

 

 

1/28/2019

 

1/29/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

29.25

 

 

1/29/2020

 

1/29/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

29.25

 

 

1/29/2020

 

2/15/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

2/15/2021

 

2/15/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

2/15/2021

 

2/15/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

37.60

 

 

2/15/2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dale A. Westwood

 

1/24/2012

 

 

2,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21.35

 

 

1/24/2017

 

1/22/2013

 

 

2,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.20

 

 

1/22/2018

 

1/22/2013

 

 

2,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.20

 

 

1/22/2018

 

1/28/2014

 

 

2,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.16

 

 

1/28/2019

 

1/28/2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,875

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.16

 

 

1/28/2019

 

1/29/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

29.25

 

 

1/29/2020

 

1/29/2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

29.25

 

 

1/29/2020

 

2/15/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

2/15/2021

 

2/15/2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.40

 

 

2/15/2021

 

2/15/2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

37.60

 

 

2/15/2022

 

(1)

Options vest after a three‑year period, commencing upon the date of grant.

The following table details option awards that were exercised in 20162017 by each named executive officer as of December 31, 2016.2017.

Option Exercises - 20162017

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

Option Awards

 

 

Number of Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquired on

 

 

Value Realized

 

 

Acquired on

 

 

Value Realized

 

Name

 

Exercise (#)

 

 

on Exercise ($)

 

 

Exercise (#)

 

 

on Exercise ($)

 

David W. Freeman

 

 

6,750

 

 

$

69,376

 

 

 

3,400

 

 

$

55,060

 

Janice McCracken Erkes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher T. Cattie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott Orzehoski

 

 

2,975

 

 

 

31,238

 

 

 

2,975

 

 

 

45,518

 

Dale A. Westwood

 

 

2,875

 

 

 

30,188

 

 

 

2,875

 

 

 

42,263

 

 


23


Employment and Change in Control Agreements

QNB and Mr. Freeman are parties to an employment agreement that currently automatically renews annually unless either party gives notice of non-renewal at least 90 days prior to the annual renewal date.  Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Freeman is to be employed as the President and Chief Executive Officer of QNB and the Bank, at a current annual base salary of $420,000,$440,000 and shall perform all duties and accept all responsibilities incident to such positions as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. Mr. Freeman may be discharged at any time for cause as defined in the agreement.

If Mr. Freeman's employment is terminated without cause or he terminates employment for specified events of “good reason” (as defined in the agreement) prior to a change in control of QNB or the Bank, Mr. Freeman is entitled to receive his annual base salary then in effect and continuation of health care benefits for a period of 12 months.  In the event of Mr. Freeman's death or disability, the agreement will terminate and QNB shall pay either to Mr. Freeman or his dependents any benefits due to him under the employee benefit plan.

The employment agreement also contains change in control features which provide certain benefits to Mr. Freeman in the event of a change in control of QNB or the Bank. Under the Agreement, a change in control includes, among other things, a merger, consolidation, division or disposition of substantially all of the assets of QNB or the Bank, or a purchase by QNB or the Bank of substantially all of the assets of another entity, unless, in either case, the transaction is approved in advance by sixty-six and two-thirds percent or more of the members of the Board of QNB or the Bank who are not interested in the transaction and a majority of the members of the Board of the surviving entity and of the Board of Directors of such entity’s parent corporation, if any, are former members of the Board of QNB or the Bank. A change of control also includes the acquisition by a person or group of beneficial ownership of 25% of more of the voting securities of QNB or the Bank. It also includes a situation where, during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of QNB or the Bank cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election of each director who was not a director at the beginning of such period has been approved in advance by directors representing at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.

In the event that Mr. Freeman’s employment is involuntarily terminated or he terminates employment for specified events of “good reason” (as defined in the agreement) following a change in control of QNB or the Bank, he will receive, a lump-sum cash payment equal to two times annual base salary then in effect and the continuation of employer-provided healthcare benefits for two years at the level and cost to him and his qualified dependents in effect on the date of termination. The agreement further provides that, if this lump sum payment, when added to all other amounts or benefits provided to or on behalf of Mr. Freeman in connection with his termination of employment, would result in the imposition of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, such payment would be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid such excise tax imposition. The determination of any reduction in the lump sum payment pursuant to the foregoing provisions will be made by QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Change of Control Agreements

QNB and the Bank are parties to change of control agreements with Ms. McCracken Erkes, Mr. Cattie, Mr. Orzehoski, and Ms. Westwood. The agreements provide certain benefits to Ms. McCracken Erkes, Mr. Cattie, Mr. Orzehoski and Ms. Westwood in the event that their employment is terminated without cause within three years of a change of control of QNB or the Bank. Under the agreements, a change in control includes, among other things, a merger, consolidation, division or disposition of substantially all of the assets of QNB or the Bank, or a purchase by QNB or the Bank of substantially all of the assets of another entity, unless, in either case, the transaction is approved in advance by 70% or more of the members of the Board of QNB or the Bank who are not interested in the transaction and a majority of the members of the Board of the surviving entity and of the Board of Directors of such entity’s parent corporation, if any, are former members of the Board of QNB or Bank. A change of control also includes the acquisition by a person or group of beneficial ownership of 25% of more of the voting securities of QNB or the Bank. It also includes a situation where, during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of QNB or the Bank cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election of each director who was not a director at the beginning of such period has been approved in advance by directors representing at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors at the beginning of the period.

24


In the event of involuntary termination employment (other than for cause) within three years of a change in control of QNB or the Bank, Ms. McCracken Erkes will receive a lump sum payment equal to two times her average annual compensation over the five years prior to her termination of employment and Mr. Cattie, Mr. Orzehoski and Ms. Westwood will receive a lump sum payment equal to his or her average annual compensation over the five years prior to his or her termination of


employment.  The agreements further provide that, if the lump sum payment, when added to all other amounts or benefits provided to or on behalf of Ms. McCracken Erkes, Mr. Cattie, Mr. Orzehoski and Ms. Westwood in connection with their termination of employment, would result in the imposition of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, such payment would be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid such excise tax. The determination of any reduction in the lump sum payments pursuant to the foregoing provisions will be made by QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The following table shows the potential payments and benefits payable to each of the named executive officers upon a separation of employment under terms of his employment agreement and the terms of any applicable benefit plans, assuming the event giving rise to such termination occurred on December 31, 2016.2017.

 

 

 

 

Before Change in Control

 

After Change in Control

 

 

 

 

Before Change in Control

 

After Change in Control

 

 

Termination for Death or Disability

 

Involuntary Termination for Cause

 

Involuntary Termination without Cause

 

Voluntary Termination for Good Reason

 

Involuntary Termination without Cause

 

Voluntary Termination for Good Reason

 

 

Termination for Death or Disability

 

Involuntary Termination for Cause

 

Involuntary Termination without Cause

 

Voluntary Termination for Good Reason

 

Involuntary Termination without Cause

 

Voluntary Termination for Good Reason

 

David W. Freeman

Severance (1)

$

 

$

 

$

400,000

 

$

400,000

 

$

800,000

 

$

800,000

 

Severance (1)

$

 

$

 

$

420,000

 

$

420,000

 

$

840,000

 

$

840,000

 

Welfare continuation (2)

 

 

 

 

 

20,876

 

 

20,876

 

 

41,752

 

 

41,752

 

Welfare continuation (2)

 

 

 

 

 

20,789

 

 

20,789

 

 

41,578

 

 

41,578

 

Option vesting (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

73,581

 

 

73,581

 

Option vesting (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

119,843

 

 

119,843

 

Potential reduction in payout due to operation of Code Section 280G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potential reduction in payout due to operation of Code Section 280G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

 

$

 

$

420,876

 

$

420,876

 

$

915,333

 

$

915,333

 

Total

$

 

$

 

$

440,789

 

$

440,789

 

$

1,001,421

 

$

1,001,421

 

Janice McCracken

Severance (1)

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

414,221

 

$

414,221

 

Severance (1)

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

432,484

 

$

432,484

 

Erkes

Option vesting (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,532

 

 

39,532

 

Option vesting (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

119,843

 

 

119,843

 

Potential reduction in payout due to operation of Code Section 280G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potential reduction in payout due to operation of Code Section 280G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

453,753

 

$

453,753

 

Total

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

552,327

 

$

552,327

 

Christopher T. Cattie

Severance (1)

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

175,000

 

$

175,000

 

Severance (1)

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

176,367

 

$

176,367

 

Option vesting (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,800

 

 

10,800

 

Option vesting (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51,120

 

 

51,120

 

Potential reduction in payout due to operation of Code Section 280G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potential reduction in payout due to operation of Code Section 280G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

185,800

 

$

185,800

 

Total

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

227,487

 

$

227,487

 

Scott G. Orzehoski

Severance (1)

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

204,920

 

$

204,920

 

Severance (1)

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

214,376

 

$

214,376

 

Option vesting (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

70,921

 

 

70,921

 

Option vesting (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

119,843

 

 

119,843

 

Potential reduction in payout due to operation of Code Section 280G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potential reduction in payout due to operation of Code Section 280G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

275,841

 

$

275,841

 

Total

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

334,219

 

$

334,219

 

Dale A. Westwood

Severance (1)

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

142,224

 

$

142,224

 

Severance (1)

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

149,413

 

$

149,413

 

Option vesting (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

70,122

 

 

70,122

 

Option vesting (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

119,843

 

 

119,843

 

Potential reduction in payout due to operation of Code Section 280G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potential reduction in payout due to operation of Code Section 280G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

212,346

 

$

212,346

 

Total

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

269,256

 

$

269,256

 

 

(1)

For a description of the severance and welfare continuation payment calculation, and time and form of such payments, see “Employment and Change in Control Agreements.”

(2)

Assumes no increase in the cost of welfare benefits.

(3)

Options vest immediately upon a change in control.

25


CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER – PAY RATIO DISCLOSURE

As required by Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information.  For 2017, QNB’s last completed fiscal year:


The estimated median of the annual total compensation of all employees (other than the CEO) was $36,851; and

The annual total compensation of our CEO was $521,279, as reflected in the “total” column of the Summary Compensation Table included in this proxy statement.

We prepared a database including the total gross amount of salary, wages, and other compensation (which, depending on the individual, could include items such as holiday and other paid time off, overtime pay, shift differentials), as reflected in our payroll records for 2017, for our entire workforce (other than the CEO) as of December 31, 2017.  

We eliminated employees who were terminated within 90 days of hire date during 2017.

We calculated the median gross pay (as described in the first bullet above) of the remaining employees.

We selected the employee at the midpoint of the data set, resulting in an estimated median annual total compensation of $36,851.

The annual total compensation of QNB’s President and CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of employees is 14 to 1.

26


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth compensation earned by non-employee directors for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. Each director of QNB is also a member of the Bank’s Board of Directors.

 

 

Fees Earned or

 

 

Fees Earned or

 

 

or Paid in Cash

 

 

or Paid in Cash

 

Name

 

($)

 

 

($)

 

Autumn R. Bayles

 

$

21,450

 

 

$

21,725

 

Thomas J. Bisko

 

 

29,100

 

 

 

28,250

 

Kenneth F. Brown, Jr.

 

 

28,650

 

 

 

26,450

 

Dennis Helf

 

 

52,150

 

 

 

51,000

 

Jennifer L. Mann

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

20,950

 

Anna Mae Papso

 

 

27,900

 

 

 

27,575

 

Gary S. Parzych

 

 

29,150

 

 

 

26,925

 

Henry L. Rosenberger

 

 

5,200

 

Randall Stauffer

 

 

19,650

 

 

 

19,850

 

Scott R. Stevenson

 

 

18,900

 

 

 

20,250

 

 

(1)

Compensation for Mr. Rosenberger represents fees paid for meetings attended until his retirement in May 2016.

During 2017,2018, directors, except for Mr. Freeman, will receive an annual fee of $9,500. The Chairman of the Board will receive additional compensation of $15,000. In addition, each director will receive a fee of $750 for each Board meeting attended. Directors are not reimbursed for travel to or from Board meetings. Members of the committees of the Board of Directors will receive $350$375 for each committee meeting attended, provided the committee meeting was not held as part of a scheduled Board meeting.  The Chairperson of the Audit Committee receives additional compensation of $3,000.$3,250. In addition, the ChairmanChairperson of the Compensation Committee receives additional compensation of $750$800 and the ChairmanChairperson of the Building Committee receives additional compensation of $750.$800.


27


PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 20172018

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Our Board’s Audit Committee is comprised entirely of directors who are independent pursuant to the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the corporate governance standards promulgated by the NASDAQNasdaq Stock Market. Among other things, the Board has determined that each member has a general understanding of finance and accounting practices. The Board made these determinations in its business judgment, based on its interpretation of the Nasdaq Stock Market’s requirements for audit committee members.

Under the Audit Committee’s charter, the Committee is responsible for selecting QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Committee evaluates and monitors the auditors’ qualifications, performance and independence. You can learn more about the Committee’s responsibilities with respect to the independent registered public accounting firm in the Committee’s charter, which is available on QNB’s website at www.qnbbank.com under “Governance Documents”.

Based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board unanimously recommends that shareholders vote to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017.2018.

Representatives of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire. They will also be available to respond to appropriate questions presented at the Annual Meeting.

Voting Requirements

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting, assuming the presence of a quorum, is required for the adoption of this Proposal.

In the event that the shareholders do not ratify the selection of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, the selection of QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm will be reconsidered by the Audit Committee. The Committee will be under no obligation, however, to select a new independent registered public accounting firm. If the Committee does select a new independent registered public accounting firm for 2017,2018, we will not seek shareholder ratification of the new independent registered public accounting firm selected by the Committee.

RECOMMENDATION

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BAKER TILLY VIRCHOW KRAUSE, LLP AS QNB’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2017.2018.

 


28


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

QNB and the Bank have not entered into any material transactions, proposed or consummated, with any director or executive officer, or any 5% security holder, of QNB or the Bank, or any associate of the foregoing persons, except as disclosed below. QNB and the Bank have engaged in and intend to continue to engage in banking and financial transactions in the ordinary course of business with directors and officers of QNB and the Bank and their associates on comparable terms with similar interest rates as those prevailing from time to time for other Bank customers. The Bank makes loans to its officers and directors, as well as their immediate families and companies, in the ordinary course of business, 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 the Bank, and these loans did not involve more than the normal risk of collection or present other unfavorable features. The aggregate amount of indebtedness outstanding as of the latest practicable date, February 28, 2017,2018, to the above described group was $7,872,000.$13,298,000.

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

The Board of Directors does not have a formal process for shareholders to send communications to the Board. Due to the infrequency of shareholder communications to the Board of Directors, the Board does not believe that a formal process is necessary. WrittenBona fide written communications received by QNB from shareholders are shared with the full Board no later than the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. WrittenAny written communication should be mailed to the CEO at the Corporation’s offices at P.O. Box 9005, Quakertown, PA 18951.

NOMINATIONS AND SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made by any shareholder if made in writing and delivered or mailed to the CEO of QNB, not less than 45 days or more than 60 days prior to any shareholder meeting called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, the nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the CEO of QNB not later than the close of business on the 7th day following the day on which the notice of the meeting was mailed. The notification must contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:

(a)

the name and address of each proposed nominee;

(b)

the principal occupation of each proposed nominee;

(c)

the total number of shares of QNB common stock that will be voted for each proposed nominee;

(d)

the name and residential address of the notifying shareholder; and

(e)

the number of shares of QNB common stock owned by the notifying shareholder.

Nominations not made in accordance with these provisions may be disregarded by the Chairman at the annual meeting.

If you wish to include a proposal in the Proxy Statement for the 20182019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under applicable SEC rules, your written proposal must be received by the Corporation no later than December 14, 2017.11, 2018. The proposal should be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, and must comply in all respects with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, the laws of Pennsylvania, and the Corporation’s Bylaws. Shareholder proposals may be mailed to the Secretary of QNB, QNB Corp., P.O. Box 9005, Quakertown, PA 18951-9005.

The rules of the SEC provide that, if the Corporation does not receive notice of a shareholder proposal at least 45 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of mailing of the prior year’s proxy statement, then the Corporation will be permitted to use its discretionary voting authority when the proposal is raised at the annual meeting. The deadline for these proposals for the year 20182019 annual meeting is February 25, 2018.24, 2019. If a shareholder gives notice of such a proposal after this deadline, the Corporation’s proxy holders will be allowed to use their discretionary authority to vote against the shareholder proposal when and if the proposal is raised at our 20182019 Annual Meeting.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires QNB’s officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of QNB's common stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors


and greater than 10% owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish QNB with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

29


To the Board of Directors’ knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to QNB during fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2017, no director, officer or beneficial owner of more than 10% of the Corporation’s common stock failed to file on a timely basis any report required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.

OTHER MATTERS

Management is not aware of any business to come before the annual meeting other than those matters described in the proxy statement and the accompanying notice of annual meeting. However, if any other matters should properly come before the annual meeting, it is intended that the proxies hereby solicited will be voted with respect to those other matters in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting the proxies or the recommendation of the Board of Directors.

If there are not sufficient votes for approval of any of the matters to be acted upon at the annual meeting, the annual meeting may be adjourned to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

MISCELLANEOUS

Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of the QNB’s Proxy Statement may have been sent to multiple shareholders in your household. QNB will promptly deliver a separate copy of the document to you if you request one by writing or calling as follows: Jean Scholl at QNB Corp., P.O. Box 9005, Quakertown, PA 18951-9005, telephone (215) 538-5600. If you want to receive separate copies of the proxy statement in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy for your household, you should contact your bank, broker or other nominee record holder, or you may contact us at the above address and phone number.

UPON REQUEST OF ANY SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF THE CORPORATION’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016,2017, INCLUDING A LIST OF THE EXHIBITS THERETO, REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-1 UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT MAY BE OBTAINED, WITHOUT CHARGE, BY WRITING TO THE CORPORATION’S ASSISTANT SECRETARY AT QNB CORP., P.O. BOX 9005, QUAKERTOWN, PA 18951-9005.

 

 


IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION MMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM C123456789 000004 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext MMMMMMMMM ENDORSEMENT_LINE SACKPACK 000000000.000000 ext  000000000.000000 ext   000000000.000000 ext  000000000.000000 ext  MR A SAMPLE  DESIGNATION (IF ANY)  ADD 1  ADD 2  ADD 3  ADD 4  ADD 5  ADD 6  

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. X Annual Meeting Proxy Card •02TBIB 4 1 D V + q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposal 2. 1. Election of Directors: For Withhold For Withhold For Withhold 01 – Kenneth F. Brown, Jr + 02 – Anna Mae Papso 03 – W. Randall Stauffer For Against Abstain 2. To ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as 3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on any other QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017 business that may properly come before the Meeting. Non­Voting Items Change of Address — Please print your new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below.q Annual Meeting Attendance Mark the box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.Proxy Card C Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. + Change of Address — Please print your new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below. B Non-Voting Items A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposal 2. 01 – Thomas J. Bisko 02 – Dennis Helf 03 – Jennifer L. Mann 1. Election of Directors: For Against Abstain 2. To ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2018 3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on any other business that may properly come before the Meeting. Meeting Attendance Mark the box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION For Withhold For Withhold For Withhold 04 – Scott R. Stevenson MMMMMMMMMMMM 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext MMMMMMM MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE C1234567890 JNT 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND 32DV 3 1 6 6 2 2 1 MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MMMMMMM + 02KROBMMMMMMMMM C123456789 C 1234567890 J N T 3 6 5 6 9 8 1 MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM 000004 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________  

 

 


 

QNB Corp. 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 11:00 a.m. QNB Towne Bank Center 320 West Broad Street, Quakertown, PA 18951

q PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Proxy — QNB Corp.q Notice of 20172018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders 320 West BroadMcCoole’s Arts & Events Center, 10 South Main Street, Quakertown, PA 18951 Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Annual Meeting ­May 23, 2017- May 22, 2018 G. Arden Link, Charles M. Meredith, III and Edgar L. Stauffer, or any of them, each with the power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the shares of the undersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of QNB Corp. to be held on May 23, 201722, 2018 or at any postponement or adjournment thereof. Shares represented by this proxy will be voted as directed by the shareholder on the reverse side hereof. If no such directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote FOR all director nominees of the Board of Directors and FOR ratification of the appointment of Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as QNB’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2017.2018. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side.) . Proxy — QNB Corp. QNB Corp. 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Tuesday, May 22, 2018, 11:00 a.m. McCoole’s Arts & Events Center 10 South Main Street, Quakertown, PA 18951