def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
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P.O. Box 540 Terre Haute, IN 47808
March 26, 2007
Dear Shareholders:
Our 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 11:00
a.m., local time, at One First Financial Plaza, Terre Haute, Indiana. We have enclosed a copy
of our 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders for your review.
We hope you can attend the meeting. If you are unable to join us, we urge you to exercise
your right as a shareholder and vote. Please mark, sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy
card in the envelope provided. Your cooperation is appreciated.
This Proxy Statement is first being mailed to shareholders on or about March 28, 2007.
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Sincerely, |
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/s/ Donald E. Smith |
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Chairman of the Board and President |
FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
One First Financial Plaza
P.O. Box 540
Terre Haute, Indiana 47808
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
to be held April 18, 2007
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the call of its Directors, an Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of First Financial Corporation (Corporation) will be held on April 18, 2007 at 11:00
oclock a.m., local time, at One First Financial Plaza, Terre Haute, Indiana.
The purposes of the meeting are:
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To elect W. Curtis Brighton, Ronald K. Rich and Donald E. Smith to the Board of
Directors of the Corporation for a three (3) year term to expire in 2010; |
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To transact such other business as may properly be presented at the meeting. |
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2007 will be entitled to
notice of and to vote at the meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ DONALD E. SMITH |
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Chairman of the Board and President |
March 26, 2007
IMPORTANT PLEASE MAIL YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY
IN ORDER THAT THERE MAY BE PROPER REPRESENTATION AT
THE MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND
RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Meeting Attendance |
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Directors Attendance at Annual Meetings |
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Post-Employment Compensation Table |
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PROXY STATEMENT OF
FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
One First Financial Plaza
P.O. Box 540 Terre Haute, Indiana 47808
(812) 238-6000
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of
Directors of First Financial Corporation (the Corporation or we) and contains information
related to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation to be held on Wednesday, April 18,
2007, beginning at 11:00 a.m., local time, at One First Financial Plaza, Terre Haute, Indiana, and
at any postponements or adjournments of the meeting. This proxy statement and accompanying form of
proxy were first mailed to the shareholders on or about March 28, 2007.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MEETING
Q: What is the purpose of the annual meeting?
At the annual meeting, shareholders will act upon the matters outlined in the notice of
meeting accompanying this proxy statement, including the election of directors. In addition, the
Corporations management will report on the performance of the Corporation during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2006, and respond to questions from shareholders.
Q: Who is entitled to vote at the meeting?
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date, March 14, 2007, are
entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting and to vote the common shares that they held on
that date at the meeting, or any postponements or adjournments of the meeting. Each shareholder is
entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on the record date.
Q: Who can attend the meeting?
All shareholders as of the record date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the
meeting. Admission to the meeting will be on a first-come, first-admitted basis.
Q: What constitutes a quorum?
The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the common
shares outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum, permitting the meeting to conduct
its business. As of the record date, 13,226,321 common shares of the Corporation were outstanding.
Proxies received but marked as abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the calculation
of the number of shares considered to be present at the meeting.
Q: How do I vote?
If you complete and properly sign the accompanying proxy card and return it to us, it will be
voted as you direct. If you are a registered shareholder and attend the meeting, you may deliver
your completed proxy card in person. Street name shareholders who wish to vote at the meeting
will need to obtain a proxy form from the institution that holds their shares.
Q: Can I vote by telephone or electronically?
If you are a registered shareholder (that is, if you hold your shares in certificate form),
you may only vote in person or by written proxy.
If your shares are held in street name, please check your proxy card or contact your broker
or nominee to determine whether you will be able to vote.
Q: Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?
Yes. Even after you have submitted your proxy, you may change your vote at any time before the
proxy is exercised by filing with the Secretary of the Corporation, Michael A. Carty, First
Financial Corporation, One First Financial Plaza, P.O. Box 540, Terre Haute, Indiana 47808, either
a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date. The powers of the proxy
holders will be suspended if you attend the meeting in person and so request, although attendance
at the meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.
Q: What are the Boards recommendations?
Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on
the proxy will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors (or Board).
The Boards recommendations are set forth together with the description of each proposal in this
proxy statement. In summary, the Board recommends a vote FOR election of the nominated slate of
directors.
With respect to any other matter that properly comes before the meeting, the proxy holders
will vote as recommended by the Board of Directors or, if no recommendation is given, in their own
discretion.
1
Q: What vote is required to approve each item?
Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting. A properly executed
proxy marked WITHHOLD AUTHORITY with respect to the election of one or more directors will not be
voted with respect to the director or directors indicated, although it will be counted for purposes
of determining whether there is a quorum.
Action on any other matters to come before the meeting must be approved by an affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares present, in person, or by proxy.
If you hold your shares in street name through a broker or other nominee, your broker or
nominee may not be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to some of the matters to
be acted upon. Thus, if you do not give your broker or nominee specific instructions, your shares
may not be voted on those matters and will not be counted in determining the number of shares
necessary for approval. However, shares represented by such broker non-votes will be counted in
determining whether there is a quorum.
Q: What if other matters come up during the meeting?
If any matters other than those referred to in the notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
properly come before the meeting, the individuals named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote
the proxies held by them in accordance with their best judgment. The Corporation is not aware of
any business other than the items referred to in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders that
may be considered at the meeting.
If for any reason any of the director/nominees becomes unable or is unwilling to serve at the
time of the meeting (an event which the Board of Directors does not anticipate), the persons named
as proxies in the accompanying form of proxy will have discretionary authority to vote for a
substitute nominee or nominees named by the Governance/Nominating Committee if the Board of
Directors elects to fill such nominees position. If any shareholder proposal intended to be
presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting was not received by the Corporation on or before February 6,
2007, the proxies will have discretionary authority to vote on the matter.
Q: Who pays to prepare, mail and solicit the proxies?
The Corporation pays all costs of preparing, mailing and soliciting proxies. The Corporation
asks brokers, banks, voting trustees and other nominees and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials
to the beneficial owners and to obtain authority to execute proxies. The Corporation will reimburse
the brokers, banks, voting trustees and other nominees and fiduciaries upon request. In addition,
proxies may be solicited by mail, in person, or by telephone by certain of the Corporations
officers, directors and employees, who will not be separately compensated for such activity.
Q: Whom should I call with other questions?
If you have additional questions about this proxy statement or the meeting or would like
additional copies of this document or our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K, please contact: Michael
A. Carty, Secretary, First Financial Corporation, One First Financial Plaza, P.O. Box 540, Terre
Haute, Indiana 47808.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors is currently composed of ten (10) members. The Corporations Articles
of Incorporation divide the Board of Directors into three classes, as nearly equal in size as
possible, with one class of directors elected each year for a term extending to the third
succeeding Annual Meeting after such election. The nominees for election as director are nominated
to serve for terms to expire as of the 2010 Annual Meeting. Each nominee is a current director of
the Corporation. The following information is provided concerning each nominee and each incumbent
director continuing in office.
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Names and Ages of Nominees for Terms to Expire in 2010 |
W. Curtis Brighton, Age 53
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Director since 2004 |
Executive Vice President of Hulman and Company |
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Ronald K. Rich, Age 69
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Director since 2005 |
Financial Representative for Northwestern |
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Mutual Financial Network |
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Donald E. Smith, Age 80
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Director since 1983* |
Chairman of the Board and President |
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of the Corporation |
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Names and Ages of Incumbent Members of the Board of Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2008 |
B. Guille Cox, Jr. , Age 61
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Director since 1983* |
Attorney with Cox Zwerner Gambill & Sullivan |
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Anton H. George, Age 47
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Director since 1989 |
President of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp. |
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Director of Vectren Corporation |
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Gregory L. Gibson, Age 44
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Director since 1994 |
President of ReTec, Inc.
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Virginia L. Smith, Age 58
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Director since 1987 |
President of Deep Vein Coal Company, Inc. |
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Names and Ages of Incumbent Members of the Board of Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2009 |
Thomas T. Dinkel, Age 56
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Director since 1989 |
President of Sycamore Engineering, Inc. |
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Norman L. Lowery, Age 60
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Director since 1989 |
Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer |
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of the Corporation, and President and Chief Executive Officer |
of First Financial Bank, N.A. |
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Patrick OLeary, Age 70
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Director since 1983* |
President of Contract Services, LLC |
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*First Financial Corporation was formed in 1983.
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Corporation met 19
times. Each Director attended more than 75% of the aggregate of (i) all meetings of the Board held
while he or she was a director and (ii) all meetings of committees on which he or she served during
the period that he or she served on the committee. Although the Corporation has no formal policy on
director attendance at annual meetings of shareholders, they are encouraged to attend such
meetings. Eight directors attended the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The Board of Directors has established a number of committees which facilitate the
administration and oversight of the Corporation. Among these committees are the Audit,
Compensation, and Governance/Nominating Committees.
Governance/Nominating Committee. Members consist of Messrs. OLeary, Gibson and Rich. The
Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. OLeary, Gibson and Rich are independent under the
rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Governance/Nominating Committee identifies director
nominees through a combination of referrals, including referrals from management, existing board
members and shareholders. The Governance/Nominating Committee currently does not maintain any
formal criteria for selecting directors and may take into consideration such factors and criteria
as it deems appropriate. However, in reviewing qualifications for prospective nominees to the
Board, the Governance/Nominating Committee may take into consideration, among other matters, the
prospective nominees judgment, skill, educational background or equivalent lifetime experience,
integrity, reputation, possession of the ability to oversee the Corporations business and affairs,
the time available to serve, community involvement, civic-mindedness, and business and other
experience. The Governance/Nominating Committee does not evaluate nominees proposed by shareholders
any differently than other nominees to the Board.
This Committee met three times during 2006. A copy of the charter of this Committee is
available on the Corporations web site at www.first-online.com.
Audit Committee. Members consist of Anton H. George, Thomas T. Dinkel and Patrick OLeary. The
Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. George, Dinkel and OLeary are independent under
Rule 10A-3 of the SEC and the rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Audit Committee reviews
the Corporations operations and management, accounting functions, and the adequacy and
effectiveness of the internal controls and internal auditing methods and procedures and is
responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent
registered public accounting firm for the Corporation. The Audit Committee had four meetings during
2006. A copy of the charter of this Committee is posted on the Corporations website at
www.first-online.com.
The Board of Directors has determined that a current member of the Audit Committee is
financially sophisticated under applicable NASDAQ rules. The Board of Directors selected the
members of the Audit Committee based on the Boards determination that they are fully qualified to
monitor the performance of management, the public disclosures by the Corporation of its financial
condition and performance, our internal accounting operations and our independent auditors. In
addition, the Audit Committee has the ability on its own to retain independent accountants or other
consultants whenever it deems appropriate.
The Board of Directors has determined that the Corporation currently does not have a director
who qualifies as a financial expert under federal securities laws. To be considered a financial
expert, an individuals past experience generally must include experience in the preparation or
audit of comparable public company financial statements, or the supervision of someone in the
preparation or audit of comparable public company financial statements. While it might be possible
to recruit a person who meets these qualifications of a financial expert, the Board has
determined that in order to fulfill all the functions of our Board and our Audit Committee, each
member of our Board and our Audit Committee, including any financial expert, should ideally
understand community banking and understand the markets in which the Corporation operates, and that
it is not in the best interests of our Corporation to nominate as a director someone who does not
have all the experience, attributes and qualifications we seek.
3
Compensation Committee. Members consist of Messrs. George, OLeary and Rich. The Board of
Directors has determined that Messrs. George, OLeary and Rich are independent under the rules of
the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Compensation Committee approves the compensation of the named
executive officers. This committee also administers the compensation plans of the Corporation. Such
Committee met three times in 2006.
Compensation of Directors
The goal of the compensation package is to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on
the Board of Directors. In setting compensation, the Board considers compensation levels of
directors of other financial institutions of similar size. In addition, directors are compensated
under the 2001 and 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan, which is directly linked to Corporation
performance (as described below). Each director of the Corporation is also a director of First
Financial Bank, N.A. (the Bank), the lead subsidiary bank of the Corporation, and receives
directors fees from each of the Corporation and the Bank. During 2006 each director of the
Corporation and the Bank received a fee of $750 for each board meeting attended. No changes were
made to director compensation arrangements in 2006 compared to 2005.
Non-employee directors also receive a fee for each meeting attended of the Audit Committee of
$1,000, the Compensation Committee of $1,000, the Governance/Nominating Committee of $500 and the
Loan Committee of $300. Each director also received from the Bank a semi-annual directors fee of
$2,500 on July 15th and December 16th. No non-employee director served as a director of any other
subsidiary of the Corporation.
The table below summarizes the compensation paid by the Corporation to each Director for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
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Change in Pension |
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Value and Non- |
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Nonequity Incentive |
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qualified Deferred |
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Fees Earned or |
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Plan Compensation |
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Compensation |
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All Other |
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Earnings ($) |
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Compensation ($) |
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Total ($) |
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W. Curtis Brighton |
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35,500 |
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40,500 |
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N/A |
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0 |
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76,000 |
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B. Guille Cox, Jr. |
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$ |
36,100 |
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$ |
40,500 |
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N/A |
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$ |
9,605 |
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$ |
86,205 |
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Thomas T. Dinkel |
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$ |
41,600 |
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$ |
40,500 |
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N/A |
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0 |
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82,100 |
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Anton H. George |
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$ |
40,400 |
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$ |
40,500 |
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N/A |
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0 |
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$ |
80,900 |
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Gregory L. Gibson |
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$ |
35,200 |
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$ |
40,500 |
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N/A |
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$ |
14,304 |
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$ |
90,004 |
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Patrick OLeary |
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$ |
44,800 |
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$ |
40,500 |
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N/A |
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$ |
9,605 |
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$ |
94,905 |
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Ronald K. Rich |
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$ |
41,700 |
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$ |
40,500 |
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N/A |
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0 |
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$ |
82,200 |
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Virginia L. Smith |
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$ |
35,500 |
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$ |
40,500 |
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N/A |
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0 |
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76,000 |
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(1) Norman L. Lowery, the Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of
the Corporation, is not included in this table because he is an employee of the Corporation. Donald
E. Smith, the Chairman of the Board and President of the Corporation, is also not included in this
table because he is an employee of the Corporation. The compensation received by Mr. Lowery and Mr.
Smith as employees of the Corporation is shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 10.
(2) Amounts reported represent fees earned for serving on the Board of Directors of the
Corporation, the Board of Directors of the Bank and committees of the Board of the Corporation
during 2006.
(3) Members of the Board of Directors have the ability to defer a portion of their director fees
under the First Financial Corporation Directors Deferred Compensation Plan. For a more detailed
discussion of this plan, see the narrative immediately following these footnotes.
(4) Amounts reported represent compensation earned pursuant to participation in the Corporations
2005 Long Term Incentive Plan. See the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy
on page 6.
(5) Amounts reported represent benefits earned pursuant to participation in the Corporations
Employee Group Health Plan.
4
First Financial Corporation Directors Deferred Compensation Plan. Directors of the
Corporation and the Bank may participate in the First Financial Corporation 2005 Directors
Deferred Compensation Plan. Under this plan, a director may defer up to $6,000 of his or her
directors fees each year over a five-year period provided that the director timely submits a
deferral election to the Corporation. The amount of deferred fees is used to purchase an insurance
product, which the Corporation is the beneficiary of, that funds benefit payments. An amount equal
to the face amount of the policy will be paid to the director in addition to an amount equal to the
tax savings the Corporation will receive by obtaining the proceeds from the policy on a tax-free
basis. Payment will be made in 120 monthly installments beginning on the first day of the month
after the earlier of the directors 65th birthday or death. If the director is still a director at
the end of the five-year period, then he or she will be entitled to enter into a new deferred fee
agreement with the Corporation and/or the Bank. Each year from the initial date of deferral until
payments begin, the Corporation accrues a non-cash expense which will equal, in the aggregate, the
amount of the payments to be made to the director over the ten-year period. If a director fails for
any reason, other than death, to serve as a director during the entire five-year period, or the
director fails to attend at least 12 regular or special meetings each year, the amount of benefits
paid will be prorated appropriately. For 2006, the allocated cost of the deferred directors fees
was $200,712.
First Financial Corporation 2001 and 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plans. Directors also may be
compensated under the First Financial Corporation 2001 and 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plans,
discussed under Compensation Discussion and Analysis, beginning on page 6. Under these plans,
directors may receive 90%, 100% or 110% of the directors award amount if the Corporation and the
Bank attain certain performance goals established by the Compensation Committee. For 2006, each
director earned an award of $40,500 pursuant to the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which amount
represented 100% of the director award amount under that plan for 2006.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
No member of the Compensation Committee is or was formerly an officer or an employee of the
Corporation or its subsidiaries. No named executive officer of the Corporation or its subsidiaries
serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one
or more named executive officers serving as a member of the Corporations Board of Directors, nor
has such an interlocking relationship existed in the past.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Certain family relationships exist among the directors of the Corporation. Donald E. Smith is
the father of Virginia L. Smith and father-in-law of Norman L. Lowery. There are no arrangements or
understandings between any of the directors pursuant to which any of them have been selected for
their respective positions.
The Audit Committee is responsible for approving any transactions between the Corporation or
its subsidiaries and any related party, including loans or extensions of credit and any sale of
assets or other financial transactions. Directors and principal officers of the Corporation and
their associates were customers of, and have had transactions with, the Corporation and its
subsidiary banks in the ordinary course of business during 2006. Comparable transactions may be
expected to take place in the future. During 2006 various directors and officers of the Corporation
and their respective associates were indebted to the subsidiary banks from time to time. These
loans were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including
interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for similar transactions with other
persons and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other
unfavorable features. Loans made to directors and executive officers are in compliance with federal
banking regulations and thereby are exempt from the insider loan prohibitions included in the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
During 2006, Platolene 500, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Deep Vein Coal Company, Inc.,
received payments for providing fuel, rent, advertising and other services to First Financial Bank
N.A. in the amount of approximately $125,000. Donald E. Smith (the Chairman of the Board of the
Corporation), Virginia L. Smith (the daughter of Mr. Smith and a director of the Corporation), and
the wife of Norman L. Lowery (the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation) own in the aggregate greater than a 10%
equity interest in Deep Vein Coal Company, Inc.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
General
The Corporation aspires to the highest ethical standards for its employees, officers and
directors, and remains committed to the interests of its shareholders. The Corporation believes it
can achieve these objectives only with a plan for corporate governance that clearly defines
responsibilities, sets high standards of conduct and promotes compliance with the law. The Board of
Directors has adopted policies and procedures designed to foster the appropriate level of corporate
governance. Some of these procedures are discussed below. For further information, including
electronic versions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Audit Committee Charter, our
Compensation Committee Charter and our Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee Charter please
contact us at (812) 238-6000 or visit our website at www.first-online.com.
Director Independence
The Board of Directors has determined that a majority of the Board, including Messrs. Cox,
Rich, George, Gibson, Dinkel and OLeary, are independent, as independence is defined under revised
listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market applicable to the Corporation.
5
Code of Ethics
The Corporation has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of the
Corporations directors, officers and employees, including its principal executive officer,
principal financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller. The Corporation intends
to disclose any amendments to the Code by posting such amendments on its website. In addition, any
waivers of the Code for directors or executive officers of the Corporation will be disclosed in a
report on Form 8-K.
Communications with Directors
Any shareholder who desires to contact the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the other
members of the Board of Directors, or who desires to make a recommendation of a director candidate
for consideration by the Governance/Nominating Committee, may do so electronically by sending an
email to the following address: directors@ffc-in.com. Alternatively, a shareholder can contact the
Chairman of the Board or the other members of the Board by writing to: Chairman, First Financial
Corporation, P.O. Box 540, Terre Haute, IN 47808. The Governance/Nominating Committee will consider
any candidate submitted by a shareholder in the manner described above. Communications received
electronically or in writing are distributed to the Chairman of the Board or the other members of
the Board as appropriate depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication
received. For example, if any complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and
auditing matters are received, then they will be forwarded by the Secretary to the Chairman of the
Audit Committee for review.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview of Program and Committee
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for evaluating and
establishing compensation levels and compensation programs for the Corporations executive
officers. The Committee has established a range of plans and programs which are intended to
encourage both current year performance and long-term shareholder value.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
In general, the Compensation Committees executive compensation policies are designed to
attract and retain highly qualified executive officers, to provide competitive levels of
compensation to the executive officers and to reward officers for satisfactory individual
performance and for satisfactory performance of the Corporation as a whole. Additionally, the
policies seek to provide a vehicle for the Committee to evaluate and measure the performance of the
Corporation and its executives in accordance with the results of those evaluations. The individual
goals established in the strategic plan and budget for the Corporation and the Bank are also
utilized in setting compensation levels of executive officers. The Corporation seeks to achieve
these objectives through a blend of both short and long-term compensation.
Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions
Management plays a significant role in the compensation process. Management evaluates employee
performance and works with the Compensation Committee to establish business performance targets and
objectives. Management also provides to the Compensation Committee background information on the
Corporations strategic objectives, and the Chief Executive Officer evaluates the performance of
the other senior executive officers and recommends to the Compensation Committee compensation
amounts for other senior executive officers.
Elements of Executive Compensation
The compensation programs of the Corporation for its executive officers are generally
administered by or under the direction of the Compensation Committee and are reviewed on an annual
basis to ensure that remuneration levels and benefits are comparable to the Corporations peer group and reasonable
using the guidelines described above. With respect to the compensation for the Chairman of the
Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee reviews and compares the
following:
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the performance of the Corporation compared to previous years and to the budget; |
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past compensation levels for these officers; |
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the performance of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer with respect to
individual goals; |
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the compensation levels at comparable financial institutions, as discussed below; and |
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total shareholder return. |
With respect to other named executive officers, the Compensation Committee reviews and
compares individual performance with respect to individual goals, area goals, and Corporation
goals.
The particular elements of the compensation programs for such persons are set forth in more
detail below.
Base Salary. The Board of Directors establishes a total pool for salaries for each fiscal
year, typically expressed as a percentage increase over the prior years total salary pool. In
establishing this amount, the Compensation Committee considers inflation and also looks at five
sources, specifically WorldatWork, RS McGladrey-Midwest Region Commercial Banks, the Conference
Board, Mercer, and Hewitt. Each manager, supervisor, community president and affiliate president
then establishes a salary for all employees under his or her supervision, referring to the idea
that increases should increase awards for performance and not longevity. Employees who exceed job
expectations may be rewarded with an increase of greater than the overall salary percentage
increase. Employees who did meet job expectations may be rewarded at a lower percentage increase,
and those who do not meet job expectations may not be rewarded with a salary increase.
6
Base salary for a named executive officer is determined after the named executive officers
performance is reviewed by the Compensation Committee. This review includes an analysis of the
performance of the Corporation and the Bank and an analysis of the individuals performance during
the past fiscal year, with a focus on the executive officers quality and quantity of work;
supervisory skills; dependability; initiative; attendance; overall skill level; and overall value
to the Corporation. In addition, with respect to the named executive officers, the Compensation
Committee also refers to the Indiana Bankers Association study of Midwestern banks for
similarly-rated jobs. The performance is reviewed against objective criteria and subjective
criteria which are established to conform with the strategic plan and budget. With respect to the
Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee reviews and compares the performance of the
Corporation and the Bank to prior years and to the budget, and compares earnings per share, net
income, loans, and outstanding deposits to budget. Additionally, in determining salary for the
Corporations Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee analyzed compensation levels of
comparable peers in the same geographical area (generally, this consists of financial institutions
in Midwestern markets with comparable demographics as that of the Corporation with assets between
$2 billion and $5 billion).
Annual Bonus Amounts. The Compensation Committee determines whether an annual bonus should be
paid based primarily upon the overall performance of the Corporation and the Bank. Similar to
salary, bonus amounts are based upon a comparison of the Corporations and the Banks performance
to budget and prior year performance, and designated performance ratios for earnings per share, net
income, loans, and outstanding deposits.
First Financial Corporation 2001 and 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plans. Beginning in 1999, the
Board began discussions with several consultants regarding compensation programs. These discussions
focused on an analysis of compensation programs of other financial institutions and what actions
were needed to provide comparable compensation packages to directors, officers and key employees of
the Corporation and its subsidiaries. These discussions and the analysis of the information
received culminated with the adoption by the Board in November 2000 of the First Financial
Corporation 2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2001 Plan), effective January 1, 2001.
The 2001 Plan was adopted after lengthy Board discussions with and consultation from an
independent consultant. The 2001 Plan was designed to enhance the Corporations value to
stockholders by attracting and retaining qualified directors, officers and other key employees and
by providing further incentive for directors, officers and other key employees to give their
maximum effort to the continued growth and success of the Corporation. The 2001 Plan is an
unfunded, nonqualified plan of deferred compensation which is administered by the Compensation
Committee. The 2001 Plan was frozen effective December 31, 2004 to exempt all amounts under the
2001 Plan from the application of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the Code). The Board adopted the First Financial Corporation 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
2005 Plan) as a replacement plan, effective January 1, 2005. The terms of the 2005 Plan comply
with the requirements of Code Section 409A and related guidance. Collectively the 2001 Plan and
2005 Plan are referred to as the Plans.
Directors and executive officers who are considered
highly compensated employees and who are age 65 or under are eligible to participate in the 2005
Plan; however, the Compensation Committee exempted Messrs. Smith and OLeary from the age
limitations at each Plans inception and exempted Mr. Rich, who did not become a director until
2005, from the age limitation of the 2005 Plan. The Compensation Committee has designated as
participants in the 2005 Plan all directors of the Corporation, the executive officers listed in
the summary compensation table on the following page and certain other officers. Individuals are
not eligible to receive awards under the Plans after age 65, except for Messrs. Smith, Rich and
OLeary. Furthermore, because Messrs. Clary, Rich and Brighton had not been employees or directors
for five years when they entered into the 2005 Plan, they vest in 20% of the Plan awards in their
first year of participation, 40% in the second year, 60% in the third year, 80% in the fourth year,
until they become 100% vested in the total awards after five years.
Awards under the 2005 Plan are based upon the specific award amount for each individual
specified. There are four tiers of participants, with a different award amount specified for each
tier. The first tier consists of Mr. Smith and Mr. Lowery; the second tier consists of Messrs.
Carty, White and Clary; the third tier consists of other senior officers; and the fourth tier
consists of the directors. The award amounts were established after discussions with, and receipt
of, advice from the Corporations consultant (the predecessor
to Clark Consulting) when the 2001 Plan was established, who had performed an analysis of a
peer group of companies for the Corporation and the financial institutions industry generally.
Payments under the 2001 and 2005 Plans generally do not begin until the earlier of January 1,
2015, or the January 1 immediately following the year in which the participant reaches age 65.
Payment may also be made upon death, disability, change in control or termination for other than
cause. Mr. Smiths payout will not begin until the earlier of January 1, 2010 or death, disability,
change in control or termination for other than cause. If a participant is a key employee as
defined by Code Section 409A, then payments will be suspended for the six-month period following
the participants separation from service. Payments are in cash only and are generally made in 180
equal consecutive monthly installments.
Life Insurance. As an incentive for executive officers to remain with the Corporation and the
Bank, the Corporation also provides a life insurance program (the Life Insurance Program) for the
executive officers of the Bank other than Mr. Smith. Under the Life Insurance Program, the Bank
purchased a life insurance policy on behalf of and pays the premiums on behalf of each executive
officer of the Bank. The policy is owned by the individual and is intended to be fully paid at age
65 for those who were 55 or older, and at age 60 for those who were less than 55 years of age at
the time the program was started.
7
Employee Benefit Plans
401(k) Savings Plan. The First Financial Corporation Employees 401(k) Savings Plan (the
Savings Plan) is a qualified salary reduction plan within the meaning of Code Section 401(k)
available to substantially all of the employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. Under the
Savings Plan all eligible employees may elect to have a portion of their compensation deferred and
contributed to their individual accounts within the Savings Plan Trust. Subject to limits
established under the Internal Revenue Code, contributions may be directed in any whole percentage
between 1% and 50% of the employees base compensation and certain variable pay including overtime
pay, bonuses, commissions, but excluding welfare benefits, deferred compensation, reimbursements
and expense allowances. Amounts contributed to a participants individual account in the Savings
Plan may be invested, at the direction of the Savings Plan participant, in certain investment fund
choices made available for that purpose.
Retirement Plans. The Corporation sponsors the First Financial Corporation Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (the ESOP) and the First Financial Corporation Employees Pension Plan (the
Pension Plan) for the benefit of substantially all of the employees of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries. These plans together constitute a floor offset retirement program, so that the
Pension Plan provides each participant with a minimum benefit which is offset by the benefit
provided by the ESOP.
Under the terms of the ESOP, the Corporation or its subsidiaries, as participating employers,
may contribute Corporation common stock to the ESOP or contribute cash to the ESOP, which will be
primarily invested by the Bank, as the ESOP trustee, in the Corporations common stock. The amount
of contributions, when they are made, is determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
No participant contributions are required or allowed under the ESOP. Participants have the right to
direct the voting of the shares of the Corporations stock allocated to their accounts under the
ESOP on all corporate matters. Participants may elect to receive a direct payment of dividends paid
on shares of the Corporations common stock allocated to their accounts or to have the dividends
reinvested in Corporation common stock within the ESOP. Upon completing ten years of participation
in the ESOP and attaining age 55 1/2, an ESOP participant may elect to diversify over a six-year
period up to 50% of the Corporations common stock allocated to the participants ESOP account.
For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Corporation contributed 34,000 shares of the
Corporations stock valued at $1,163,820 to the ESOP. The stock will be allocated to the individual
ESOP accounts of the participants who are eligible to receive allocations of those contributions,
effective as of December 31, 2006, although the allocation to the individual accounts had not been
made or calculated as of the date of mailing of this Proxy Statement.
Defined Benefit Plan. The Pension Plan is a defined benefit pension plan sponsored by the
Corporation for the benefit of substantially all of the employees of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries. The monthly guaranteed minimum benefit under the Pension Plan is reduced by the
monthly benefit derived from the vested portion of the participants ESOP account balance,
calculated by the actuary for the Pension Plan as a single life annuity. Unless the participant
elects an alternate form of benefit under the Pension Plan, the normal retirement benefit, if any,
payable under the Pension Plan, will begin at the later of the participants retirement or age 65
and be paid monthly for as long as the participant lives. Messrs. Lowery, Carty and White, having
surpassed their 55th birthday and served the Corporation for more than 5 years, are eligible for
early retirement under the Pension Plan. The Pension Plan allows for an early retirement benefit
equal to a participants accrued benefit, determined before the reduction for the monthly ESOP
benefit, reduced by 1/180 for each full month for the first five years and 1/360 for each full
month for the next five years that the commencement of benefit payments precedes the participants
normal retirement date.
The following table shows the estimated annual benefits payable under the Pension Plan upon
retirement at age 65 in 2006 for various periods of Benefit Service at specified levels of
remuneration. A participants Final Average Annual Compensation shown under the Pension Plan is
generally based on the salary and bonus set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
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Final Average Annual Compensation(1) |
Years of |
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Benefit |
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Service |
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$70,000 |
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$100,000 |
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$130,000 |
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$160,000 |
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$190,000 |
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$220,000 |
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$250,000 |
|
$300,000 |
10 |
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$ |
15,040 |
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$ |
22,990 |
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$ |
30,940 |
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$ |
38,890 |
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$ |
46,840 |
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$ |
54,790 |
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$ |
62,740 |
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$ |
75,990 |
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20 |
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30,080 |
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45,980 |
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61,880 |
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77,780 |
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93,680 |
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109,580 |
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125,480 |
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151,980 |
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30 |
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38,120 |
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58,970 |
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79,820 |
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100,670 |
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121,520 |
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142,370 |
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163,220 |
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197,970 |
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40 |
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38,640 |
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60,465 |
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82,290 |
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104,115 |
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125,940 |
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147,765 |
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169,590 |
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205,965 |
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(1) The amounts indicated in the chart will be offset by any ESOP benefit the participant has. If
the ESOP benefit is greater than the Pension Plan benefit, then no benefit will be paid by the
Pension Plan. To the extent the Pension Plan benefit exceeds the ESOP benefit, such excess will be
paid by the Pension Plan.
8
Explanation of ESOP/Pension Plan Offset Arrangement. The offset between the ESOP and the
Pension Plan works in the following manner. If a participants ESOP benefit exceeds the benefit he
has accrued under the Pension Plan, the participant will receive his ESOP benefit in lieu of the
Pension Plan benefit. For example, a participants ESOP benefit is $120,000 and his Pension Plan
benefit is $100,000. The $120,000 benefit will be paid from the ESOP and $0 will be paid from the
Pension Plan. However, if a participants Pension Plan benefit exceeds his ESOP benefit, then the
participant will receive his ESOP benefit along with the amount the Pension Plan benefit exceeded
the ESOP benefit paid from the Pension Plan. For example, a participants ESOP benefit is $100,000
and his Pension benefit is $120,000. The $100,000 benefit will be paid from the ESOP and $20,000
will be paid from the Pension Plan.
Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan. The First Financial Corporation Executive Supplemental
Retirement Plan (the ESRP) provides supplemental retirement benefits for a select group of
management or highly compensated employees to help recompense the employees for benefits reduced
due to the imposition of Code limitations on benefits under the Pension Plan. Amounts payable under
the ESRP are offset by amounts payable under the First Financial Executives Deferred Compensation
Plan. The ESRP was frozen effective December 31, 2004 to exempt all amounts under the ESRP from
Code Section 409A. The Board adopted The First Financial Corporation 2005 Executive Supplemental
Retirement Plan (the 2005 ESRP) as a replacement plan, effective January 1, 2005. The 2005 ESRP
is designed to comply with Code Section 409A. Amounts payable under the ESRP will be offset by
amounts payable under the First Financial Corporation Executives Deferred Compensation Plan and
amounts payable under the 2005 ESRP will be offset by amounts payable under the First Financial
Corporation 2005 Executives Deferred Compensation Plan.
Executives Deferred Compensation Plan. The First Financial Executives Deferred Compensation
Plan (the EDC Plan) permits a select group of management or highly compensated employees to elect
to defer compensation from the employers, in addition to that which can be deferred under the
Savings Plan, without regard to the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code on the amount
of compensation which may be deferred. The EDC Plan also provides for a supplemental ESOP benefit
which is equal to the amount of the benefit a participant would have been allocated under the ESOP
if not for the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code on the ESOP. Amounts payable under
the supplemental ESOP portion of the EDC Plan will offset amounts payable under the ESRP. The EDC
Plan was frozen effective December 31, 2004 to exempt all amounts accrued under the EDC from Code
Section 409A. The Board adopted the First Financial Corporation 2005 Executives Deferred
Compensation Plan (the 2005 EDC Plan) as a replacement plan, effective January 1, 2005. The 2005
EDC Plan is designed to comply with Code Section 409A. Amounts payable under the 2005 EDC Plan will
offset amounts payable under the 2005 ESRP.
Explanation of ESRP/EDC Arrangement. The offset between the ESRP and the EDC works just like
the ESOP/Pension Plan offset. If a participants EDC benefit exceeds the benefit he has accrued
under the ESRP, the participant will receive his EDC benefit in lieu of the ESRP benefit. For
example, a participants EDC benefit is $120,000 and his ESRP benefit is $100,000. The $120,000
benefit will be paid from the EDC and $0 will be paid from the ESRP. However, if a participants
ESRP benefit exceeds his EDC benefit, then the participant will receive his EDC benefit along with
the amount the ESRP benefit exceeded the EDC benefit paid from the ESRP. For example, a
participants EDC benefit is $100,000 and his ESRP is $120,000. The $100,000 benefit will be paid
from the EDC and $20,000 will be paid from the ESRP.
Employment Agreement
The Bank agreed to enter into an Employment Agreement with Norman L. Lowery, its President and
Chief Executive Officer, upon the beginning of Mr. Lowerys employment in January 1996. The
Employment Agreement was finalized and became effective in 1997. It has been extended each year
since that time, and was last extended effective January 1, 2007. The Employment Agreement is a
five-year agreement which may be extended on each anniversary by the board of directors of the Bank
for an additional one-year term. During the period of his employment, the Employment Agreement
requires that Mr. Lowery devote all of his full business time, attention, skill and efforts to the
faithful performance of his duties. He has also agreed to the following nonsolicitation,
noncompetition and nondisclosure provisions:
Nonsolicitation. For a one year period after termination for any reason or the expiration of the term, Mr.
Lowery will not: (i) solicit any non-legal business of any party which is a customer of the
Bank at the time of such termination or during the one-year period immediately preceding such
termination, (ii) request or advise any customers or suppliers of the Bank to terminate, reduce,
limit or change their business or relationship with the Bank, or (iii) induce, request or attempt
to influence any employee of the Bank to terminate his employment with the Bank.
Noncompetition. In the event Mr. Lowery voluntarily terminates his employment with the Bank,
he will not during the period of his employment, and for a period of two years following
termination: (i) engage in the same trade or business as the Bank which would conflict with the
interests of the Bank or in a trade or business competitive with that of the Bank; or (ii) offer or
provide employment to any person who then currently is, or who within one year prior to such offer
has been, a management-level employee of the Bank.
Nondisclosure. Mr. Lowery will not, directly or indirectly, use any confidential information
(as defined in the agreement) for any purpose other than the benefit of the Bank provide any
confidential information except as required in the normal course of his service as a consultant or
employee of the Bank during the term of the agreement and following termination of the
9
agreement until either (i) such confidential information becomes obsolete; or (ii) such
confidential information becomes generally known in the Banks trade or industry by means other
than a breach of this covenant.
Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Lowery receives an annual salary equal to his current
salary, which is $450,394 for 2007, subject to increases approved by the Board of Directors, and is
entitled to participate in other bonus and fringe benefit plans available to the Corporations and
the Banks employees. Additional information regarding the terms of the Employment Agreement is
included in the narrative discussion under Potential Payment Upon Termination or Change in Control
of the Corporation on page 13.
Accounting and Tax Considerations
We have structured our compensation program to comply with Internal Revenue Code Sections
162(m) and 409A. Under Code Section 162(m), a limitation was placed on tax deductions of any
publicly-held corporation for individual compensation to certain executives of such corporation
exceeding $1,000,000 in any taxable year, unless the compensation is performance-based. The Company
has no individuals with non-performance based compensation paid in excess of the Internal Revenue
Code Section 162(m) tax deduction limit. If an executive is entitled to nonqualified deferred
compensation benefits that are subject to Section 409A, and such benefits do not comply with
Section 409A, then the benefits are taxable in the first year they are not subject to a substantial
risk of forfeiture. In such case, the executive is subject to payment of regular federal income
tax, interest and an additional federal income tax of 20% of the benefit includible in income.
Report of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee of the Corporation has reviewed and discussed the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on
such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
Members of the Compensation Committee
/s/ Anton H. George /s/ Patrick OLeary /s/ Ronald K. Rich
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning total compensation earned or paid to our
Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our three most highly compensated
executive officers who served in such capacities as of December 31, 2006, each of which had total
annual compensation exceeding $100,000 in 2006 or in either of the preceding two years (the named
executive officers), for services rendered to the Corporation during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006.
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Change in |
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Pension Value |
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Non-Equity |
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and |
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Incentive |
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Nonqualified |
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Plan |
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Deferred |
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All Other |
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Name, Age and |
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Compensation |
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Compensation |
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Compensation |
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Total |
Principal Position |
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Year |
|
Salary ($) |
|
Bonus ($) |
|
($) |
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Earnings ($) |
|
($) |
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($) |
(a) |
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(b) |
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(c) |
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(d) |
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(e)(1) |
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(f)(2) |
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(g)(3) |
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(h) |
Donald E. Smith, 80 |
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2006 |
|
|
$ |
576,897 |
(4) |
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$ |
160,000 |
|
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$ |
429,000 |
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0 |
|
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|
0 |
(3) |
|
$ |
1,165,897 |
(3) |
Chairman of the Board
and President |
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Norman L. Lowery, 60 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
477,050 |
(5) |
|
$ |
150,000 |
|
|
$ |
357,300 |
|
|
$ |
54,774 |
|
|
$ |
27,380 |
(3)(8) |
|
$ |
1,066,504 |
(3) |
Vice Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer |
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Michael A. Carty, 56 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
181,775 |
(6) |
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
84,700 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
1,200 |
(3)((9) |
|
$ |
287,675 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard O. White, 59 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
147,900 |
|
|
$ |
12,000 |
|
|
$ |
75,690 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
1,200 |
(3)(9) |
|
$ |
236,790 |
(3) |
Senior Vice President
of First Financial
Bank, N.A. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas S. Clary, 55 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
161,390 |
(7) |
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
|
$ |
69,210 |
|
|
$ |
24,903 |
|
|
$ |
2,344 |
(3)(9) |
|
$ |
272,847 |
(3) |
Chief Operating
Officer and Senior
Vice President of
First Financial
Bank, N.A. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
(1) The amounts in column (e) reflect amounts awarded pursuant to the 2005 Long Term
Incentive Compensation Plan, which is discussed in more detail on page 7 of the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement.
(2) The amounts in column (f) reflect
the actuarial increase in the present value of the named executive officers benefits under the
Pension Plan determined using interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with
those used in the Corporations financial statements and includes amounts which the named
executive officer may not be entitled to receive because such amounts are not vested. Because
the ESOP and the Pension Plan constitute a floor offset retirement program as described on
page 8, this column represents amounts that are required to be paid under the Pension Plan
because they are not offset by the executives ESOP benefit. However, in the event the value of
each executive officers ESOP benefit was $0 for 2006, which was not the case, the amounts
payable under the Pension Plan for Mr. Smith would have been $1,727,634; for Mr. Carty,
$184,269; and for Mr. White, $250,595.
(3) Allocations to the named individuals respective account in the First Financial Corporation
Employee Stock Ownership Plan for 2006, which are properly included in this column, were not
calculable as of the date of this Proxy Statement. Such amounts for 2005 were as follows:
$10,556 for Mr. Smith; $10,556 for Mr. Lowery; $9,564 for Mr. Carty; $9,824 for Mr. Clary; and
$8,021 for Mr. White.
(4) Includes $14,750 for service as a director of the Corporation and $19,250 for service as a
director of the Bank.
(5) Includes $8,750 for service as a director of the Corporation, $13,250
for service as a director of the Bank, $12,000 in deferred director fees and $4,800 for service
as a director of Portfolio Management Specialist A (a subsidiary of the Bank), Portfolio
Management Specialist B (an indirect subsidiary of the Bank) and Global Portfolio Limited
Partnership (an indirect subsidiary of the Bank).
(6) Includes $4,800 for service as a director of Portfolio Management Specialist A (a
subsidiary of the Bank), Portfolio Management Specialist B (an indirect subsidiary of the Bank)
and Global Portfolio Limited Partnership (an indirect subsidiary of the Bank).
(7) Includes $4,800 for service as an advisory director to the Banks Sullivan region, $6,400
for service as a director of The Morris Plan Corporation of Terre Haute, Inc. (a subsidiary of
the Corporation) and $200 for service as a manager of First Financial Real Estate, LLC, a real
estate investment trust owned by the bank.
(8) Includes (a) the premiums paid by the Corporation pursuant to a life insurance program for
executive officers, and (b) $21,855 accrued under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan,
which is discussed in more detail on page 9 of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section
of this Proxy Statement.
(9) Represents the premiums paid by the Corporation pursuant to a life insurance program for
executive officers.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table sets forth the potential plan-based grants made during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2006 for the named executive officers pursuant to the Corporations 2005 Long
Term Incentive Plan, which is discussed in more detail on page 7 of the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis section of this Proxy Statement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1) |
Name |
|
Grant Date |
|
Threshold ($) |
|
Target ($) |
|
Maximum ($) |
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
(d) |
|
(e) |
Donald E. Smith |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
386,100 |
|
|
$ |
429,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
471,900 |
|
Norman L. Lowery |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
321,570 |
|
|
$ |
357,300 |
(2) |
|
$ |
393,030 |
|
Michael A. Carty |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
76,230 |
|
|
$ |
84,700 |
(2) |
|
$ |
93,170 |
|
Richard O. White |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
75,690 |
(2) |
|
$ |
84,100 |
|
|
$ |
92,510 |
|
Thomas S. Clary |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
$ |
69,210 |
(2) |
|
$ |
76,900 |
|
|
$ |
84,590 |
|
(1) Amounts listed above under (c), (d) and (e) represent the potential 2006 plan-based award for
the named executive officer, which equal 90%, 100% or 110% of the individuals award amount. The
percentage of the award made is dependent upon whether the participant attains either the first,
second or third target level of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee for the
Corporation and each subsidiary financial institution. If the first target level is not attained,
no award is made. If the first, second or third levels of the performance goals are attained, the
award will equal 90%, 100% or 110% of the award amount, respectively. Awards for 2006 were based on
weighted point totals related to
goals established for the Corporation, the Bank and various product line performance. Goals include
net income, product growth, contribution to income, and the containment of agreed levels of
controllable expenditures for the respective participants.
(2) For the fiscal year 2006, Messrs. Smith, Lowery and Carty achieved the Target level award and
Messrs. White and Clary achieved the Threshold level award, which amounts are included in the
named executive officers compensation in column (e) of the Summary Compensation Table on page 10
of this Proxy Statement.
11
Pension Benefits
The present value of accumulated benefits payable to each of the named executive officers,
including the number of years of service credited to each such named executive officer, under the
Corporations Qualified Pension Benefit Plan (the Pension Plan) is shown in the table below.
Because the Internal Revenue Code generally places a limit on the amount of annual pension that can
be paid from a tax-qualified plan as well as on the amount of annual earnings that can be used to
calculate a pension benefit, the Corporation has established the Executive Supplemental Retirement
Plan, which was frozen on December 31, 2004 (the Frozen ESRP), and the 2005 Executive
Supplemental Retirement Plan (the 2005 ESRP) in order to recompense eligible employees for the
difference between the amount payable under the Pension Plan and the amount they would have
received without the Pension Plans limit. This is an unfunded, non-qualified plan. Information
regarding these plans can be found on page 8 of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of
this Proxy Statement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Present Value |
|
Payments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years of Credited |
|
of Accumulated |
|
During Last |
Name (a) |
|
Plan
Name (b) |
|
Service
(#) (c) |
|
(1)Benefit
($) (d) |
|
Fiscal
Year ($) (e) |
Donald E. Smith |
|
Qualified Pension
Plan |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
0 |
(2) |
|
|
0 |
|
Norman L. Lowery |
|
Qualified Pension
Plan |
|
|
11 |
|
|
$ |
334,779 |
(3)(5) |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Frozen and 2005 ESRP |
|
|
11 |
|
|
$ |
666,672 |
(4)(5) |
|
|
0 |
|
Michael A. Carty |
|
Qualified Pension
Plan |
|
|
31 |
|
|
$ |
43,665 |
(3)(5) |
|
|
0 |
|
Richard O. White |
|
Qualified Pension
Plan |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
0 |
(2) |
|
|
0 |
|
Thomas S. Clary |
|
Qualified Pension
Plan |
|
|
5 |
|
|
$ |
86,250 |
(3)(5) |
|
|
0 |
|
(1) The calculation of present value of accumulated benefit assumes a discount rate of 5.58%
and mortality based on the 2007 IRS Current Liability Tables. Benefits are not payable as a
lump sum; they are generally paid as a monthly annuity for the life of the retiree.
(2) Messrs. Smith and White are not entitled to a benefit from the Pension Plan because the
value of their ESOP benefit exceeds the value of their Pension Plan benefit pursuant to the floor offset
arrangement discussed on page 8.
(3) These amounts represent the amount that Messrs. Lowery, Carty and Clarys Pension Plan
benefit exceeds their ESOP benefit pursuant to the floor offset arrangement discussed on page
8.
(4) This amount represents the amount Mr. Lowerys Executive Supplemental Retirement benefit
exceeds his Executive Deferred Compensation benefit.
(5) As Messrs. Lowery and Carty were over 55 years of age and had more than five years of
service as of December 31, 2006, they would have qualified for early retirement benefits equal
to approximately 67% and 53%, respectively, of their full retirement benefit if they had
retired at December 31, 2006. Because Mr. Clary has not yet completed five years of service, he
would not be entitled to any early retirement benefit under the Pension Plan as of December 31,
2006.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation For 2006
Pursuant to the Corporations Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, which was frozen on
December 31, 2004 (the EDC), and the Corporations 2005 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the
2005 EDC Plan), the Corporation permits certain management and highly compensated employees to
defer a portion of their compensation and also provides supplemental benefits to certain highly
compensated employees to recompense the employees for benefits lost due to the imposition of Code
limitations in the ESOP. The amounts shown below represent the accumulated benefit cost to the
Corporation for these plans.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive |
|
Registrant |
|
Aggregate |
|
Withdrawals/ |
|
Balance at |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contributions |
|
Contributions |
|
Earnings in |
|
Distributions |
|
Last FYE |
Name |
|
Plan Name |
|
in Last FY ($) |
|
in Last FY ($) |
|
Last FY ($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
(a) |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
(c)(1) |
|
(d)(2) |
|
(e) |
|
(f)(3) |
Norman L. Lowery |
|
Frozen and 2005 EDC Plan |
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
21,855 |
|
|
$ |
71,351 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
394,780 |
|
Richard O. White |
|
Frozen EDC Plan |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
1,482 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
7,062 |
|
12
(1) These amounts are included in the named executive officers compensation in column (g) of
the Summary Compensation Table on page 10 of this Proxy Statement.
(2) These amounts include the aggregate earnings and appreciation related to the employees
deferral of compensation made over the years in the amounts of $23,763 and $1,482 for Messrs.
Lowery and White, respectively.
(3) These amounts include the aggregate balance at the last fiscal year related to the
employees deferral of compensation and appreciation on such deferrals over the years in the
amounts of $184,962 and $7,062 for Messrs. Lowery and White, respectively.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control of the Corporation
Employment Agreement with Norman L. Lowery
The Corporation entered into a five-year employment agreement with Mr. Lowery, effective
January 1, 2006, which may be extended each year by the board of directors of the Bank for an
additional one-year term. Mr. Lowery must satisfy the terms of the agreement, including its
nonsolicitation, noncompetition and nondisclosure provisions, to receive the following severance
benefits, in addition to any benefits he is due under the Corporations qualified and nonqualified
employee benefit plans:
Termination For Cause, Death or Disability: If Mr. Lowery is terminated for cause (as
defined below), death or disability, he is entitled to receive the base salary, bonuses, vested
rights, and other benefits due him through his date of termination. Any benefits payable under
insurance, health, retirement, bonus, incentive (including, but not limited to, the 2001 or 2005
Long Term Incentive Plans), performance or other plans as a result of his participation in such
plans through such date of termination will be paid when and as due under those plans.
For purposes of the agreement, cause is defined as: (i) an intentional act of fraud,
embezzlement, theft, or personal dishonesty; willful misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty
involving personal profit by the Mr. Lowery in the course of his employment or director service;
(ii) intentional wrongful damage by Mr. Lowery to the business or property of the Bank; (iii)
breach by Mr. Lowery of any confidentiality or non-disclosure obligation; (iv) gross negligence or
insubordination in the performance of his duties; or (v) removal or permanent prohibition of Mr.
Lowery from participating in the Banks affairs by order under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
Termination by Company Without Cause or by Employee For Good Reason: If Mr. Lowery is terminated
without cause or if he terminates his employment for good reason (as defined below), and such
termination does not occur in connection with, or within 12 months after a change in control, he
will receive an amount equal to the sum of the following benefits as if he had terminated
employment on December 31, 2006: (i) four times his base salary and bonuses; (ii) the Corporations
portion of the cost of obtaining health insurance for himself and his spouse and child living in
his home for a period of four years; (iii) the cost of obtaining disability insurance for a period
of four years; (v) the cost of obtaining life insurance for a period of four years; (vi) the cost
of existing professional and club dues for a period of four years, (vii) the cost of continuing
legal education for a period of four years; (viii) the cost of automobile benefits for a period of
four years; (ix) four times the benefit accrued in 2006 under the 2005 Executive Supplemental
Retirement Plan; (x) four times the benefit accrued in 2006 under the 2005 Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan; (xi) four times the benefit accrued in 2006 under the Employees Pension Plan;
(xii) four times the benefit accrued in 2006 under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The amounts
provided in the prior sentence will be provided net of all income and payroll taxes that would not
have been payable by Mr. Lowery had he continued participation in the benefit plan or program
instead of receiving cash reimbursement.
For purposes of the agreement, good reason means the occurrence of any of the following
events, which has not been consented to in advance by Mr. Lowery in writing: (i) the
requirement that Mr. Lowery move his personal residence; (ii) a reduction of ten percent or
more in Mr. Lowerys base salary, unless part of an institution-wide reduction and similar to
the reduction in the base salary of all
other executive officers of the Bank; (iii) the failure by the Bank to continue to provide Mr.
Lowery with the base salary, bonuses or benefits provided for in the Employment Agreement, as
the same may be increased from time to time, or with benefits substantially similar to those
provided to him under those sections or under any benefit plan or program in which he now or
hereafter becomes eligible to participate, or the taking of any action by the Bank which would
directly or indirectly reduce any such benefits or deprive Mr. Lowery of any such benefit
enjoyed by him, unless part of an institution-wide reduction and applied similarly to all other
executive officers of the Bank; (v) the assignment to Mr. Lowery of duties and responsibilities
materially different from those normally associated with his position; (vi) a failure to elect
or re-elect Mr. Lowery to the Board of the Bank or a failure on the part of the Corporation to
honor its obligation to nominate him to the Board of the Corporation; (vii) a material
diminution or reduction in the Mr. Lowerys responsibilities or authority (including reporting
responsibilities) in connection with his employment with the Bank; or (viii) a material
reduction in the secretarial or administrative support of Mr. Lowery.
Termination due to Retirement: If Mr. Lowery voluntarily retires, he will receive full
health, life and disability coverage for himself, his spouse and his children living in his
home until both he and his spouse are eligible for Medicare. When both Mr. Lowery and his
spouse are eligible for Medicare, the Bank agrees to pay for supplemental coverage until both
his and his spouses death. He is also entitled to receive a life insurance policy on his life
in the amount of $350,000 and a life insurance policy on his life in the amount established by
the Banks insurance program for executive officers.
13
Termination Following Change in Control: If Mr. Lowery is terminated for other than cause
or is constructively discharged and this occurs in connection with, or within 12 months
following a change in control (as defined below) of the Bank or Corporation he would be
entitled to an amount equal to the greater of the amount he would receive if he was terminated
by the Corporation without cause; or, the product of 2.99 times the sum of (i) his base salary
in effect as of the date of the change in control; (ii) an amount equal to the bonuses received
by or payable to him in or for the calendar year prior to the year in which the change in
control occurs; and (iii) cash reimbursements in an amount equal to his cost of obtaining, for
a period of three years, beginning on the date of termination, all benefits which he was
eligible to participate in or receive as of the date of termination. Mr. Lowery is also
entitled to the payment provided for in this paragraph if a change in control occurs that was
not approved by a majority of the Board regardless of whether his employment is terminated
within 12 months. If, as a result of a change in control, Mr. Lowery becomes entitled to any
payments which are determined to be payments subject to the Code Section 280G, the amount due
Mr. Lowery will be increased to include payment equal to the amount of excise tax imposed under
Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code (the Excise Tax Payment) and the amount necessary to
provide the Excise Tax Payment net of all income, payroll and excise taxes.
Termination for Good Reason: If Mr. Lowery terminates employment following one of the events
specified above under the definition of good reason (with the exception that reason (i) above
is modified to state a requirement that he perform his principal executive functions more than
30 miles from Terre Haute, Indiana) within 12 months following a change in control of the Bank
or the Corporation, he is entitled to an amount equal to the greater of the compensation and
benefits described above if he was terminated by the Corporation without cause; or, the product
of 2.99 times the sum of (i) his base salary in effect as of the date of the change in control;
(ii) an amount equal to the bonuses received by or payable to him in or for the calendar year
prior to the year in which the change in control occurs; and (iii) cash reimbursements in an
amount equal to his cost of obtaining for a period of three years, beginning on the date of
termination, all benefits which he was eligible to participate in or receive. If, as a result
of a change in control, Mr. Lowery becomes entitled to any payments which are determined to be
payments subject to the Code Section 280G, the amount due Mr. Lowery will be increased to
include payment equal to the amount of excise tax imposed under Sections 280G and 4999 of the
Code and the amount necessary to provide the Excise Tax Payment net of all income, payroll and
excise taxes.
For purposes of the agreement, change in control means:
(i) Change in Ownership. Any person, or group of persons acquires ownership of stock of the
Bank or the Corporation that, together with stock held by the person or group, constitutes more
than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock. However, if any
person or group is considered to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total
voting power of the stock, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or group is
not considered to cause a change in the ownership of the Bank or the Corporation.
(ii) Change in the Effective Control. (i) Any person or group acquires, or has acquired during
the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person(s),
ownership of stock of the Bank or the Corporation possessing 35% or more of the total voting
power; or (ii) A majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve-month period by
Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the
Banks or the Corporations Board prior to the date of the appointment or election.
(iii) Change in the Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Banks or First Financial
Corporations Assets. Any person or group acquires, or has acquired during the 12-month period
ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person(s), assets from the Bank or
the Corporation that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the
total gross fair market value of all of the assets immediately prior to such acquisition(s).
Gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Bank or the Corporation, or the
value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated
with such assets. However, there is no change in control when there is a transfer to an entity
that is controlled by the shareholders of the Bank or the Corporation immediately after the
transfer
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the acquisition of Bank or the Corporation stock by any
retirement plan sponsored by the Bank or an affiliate of the Bank will not constitute a change
in control.
If Mr. Lowery qualifies as a key employee at the time of his separation from service, the
Corporation may not make certain payments earlier than six months following the date of his
separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of his death). In this event, payments to which
Mr. Lowery would otherwise be entitled during the first six months following the date of his
separation from service will be accumulated and paid to Mr. Lowery on the first day of the seventh
month following his separation from service. Mr. Lowery is currently considered a key employee
for this purpose.
2001 and 2005 Long Term Incentive Plans
The Corporation entered into award agreements with Messrs. Smith, Lowery, Carty, White and
Clary under the 2001 and 2005 Plans. They are entitled to the following benefits upon a change in
control (as defined below):
Mr. Smith: In addition to the benefits otherwise payable, if Mr. Smith
is terminated within 12 months following a change in control, for reasons other than cause (as
defined below), disability or death, he will be paid the vested account balance under the 2001 and
2005 Plans as of the December 31 of the year preceding the year of termination, plus the projected
amount under the 2005 Plan, which is the projected payment to Mr. Smith assuming a 100% award
level for the remaining term of the award beginning with the year of the separation from service.
Any payments from the Corporation or the Bank which are determined to be payments
14
subject to the golden parachute rules of the Code, the amount due will be increased to include
payment equal to the amount of excise tax imposed under Code Sections 280G and 4999 (the Excise
Tax Payment) and the amount necessary to provide the Excise Tax Payment net of all income, payroll
and excise taxes. The applicable amount will be paid in one single sum, for the 2001 and 2005 Plan,
within 180 days following termination of employment.
Mr. Lowery: In addition to the benefits otherwise payable, if Mr. Lowery, is terminated within
12 months following a change in control, for reasons other than cause, disability or death, he will
be paid the vested account balance under the 2001 and 2005 Plans as of the December 31 of the year
preceding the year of termination, plus the projected amount under the 2005 Plan, which is the
projected payment to Mr. Lowery assuming a 100% award level for the remaining term of the award
beginning with the year of the separation from service. Any payments from the Corporation or the
Bank which are determined to be payments subject to the golden parachute rules of the Code, the
amount due will be increased to include payment equal to the amount of excise tax imposed under
Code Sections 280G and 4999 (the Excise Tax Payment) and the amount necessary to provide the
Excise Tax Payment net of all income, payroll and excise taxes. The applicable amount will be paid
in one single sum, for the 2001 and 2005 Plans, within 180 days following termination of
employment.
Messrs. Carty, White and Clary: In addition to the benefits otherwise payable, if Messrs.
Carty, White or Clary are terminated within 12 months following a change in control, for reasons
other than cause, disability or death, they will be paid the vested account balance under the 2001
and 2005 Plans as of the December 31 of the year preceding the year of termination under both
Plans, within 180 days following termination of employment.
For purposes of the 2001 and 2005 Plans, cause is defined as: (i) an intentional act of
fraud, embezzlement, theft or personal dishonesty, willful misconduct or breach of fiduciary duty
involving personal profit by the participant in the course of his employment or director service.
No act or failure to act shall be deemed to have been intentional or willful if it was due
primarily to an error in judgment or negligence. An act or failure to act shall be considered
intentional or willful if it is not in good faith and if it is without a reasonable belief that the
action or failure to act is in the best interest of the Corporation or its subsidiaries; (ii)
intentional wrongful damage by the participant to the business or property of the Corporation or
its subsidiaries, causing material harm to the Corporation or its subsidiaries; (iii) breach by the
participant of any confidentiality or non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreement in effect from
time to time with the Corporation or its subsidiaries; (iv) gross negligence or insubordination by
the participant in the performance of his or her duties; or (v) removal or permanent prohibition of
the participant from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries, by an order issued under Section 8(e)(4) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act, 12 USC 1818(e)(4) and (g)(1).
For purposes of the 2001 and 2005 Plans, change in control is defined as:
(i) Merger. The Corporation merges into or consolidates with another corporation or
business entity, or merges another corporation or business entity into the Corporation,
and as a result less than 50% of the combined voting power of the resulting corporation or
business entity immediately after the merger or consolidation is held by persons who were
the holders of the Corporations voting securities immediately before the merger or
consolidation;
(ii) Acquisition of Significant Share Ownership. A report on Schedule 13D, or a successor
form or schedule is filed or is required to be filed under Sections 13(d) or 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, if the report discloses that the filing person or persons
acting in concert has or have become the beneficial owner of 20% or more of a class of the
Corporations voting securities after the effective date of the 2001 or 2005 Plan, but
this provision shall not apply to beneficial ownership of voting shares of the Corporation
held in a fiduciary capacity by a subsidiary of the Corporation or to beneficial ownership
of voting shares of the Corporation held by the ESOP;
(iii) Change in Board Composition. During any period of two consecutive years, individuals
who constitute the Board at the beginning of the two year period cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof. However, each director who, by a vote of at least
two-thirds of the directors who were directors at the beginning of the period, is first
(A) nominated by the Board for election by stockholders, or (B) elected to fill a vacancy
on the Board, shall be deemed to have been a director at the beginning of the two-year
period.
(iv) Sale of Assets. The Corporation (A) transfers substantially all of its assets to
another corporation or business entity which is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Corporation, or (B) sells substantially all of the assets of a subsidiary or affiliate
which constitutes 20% or more of the assets of the Corporation and is a subsidiary or
affiliate as of the effective date of the 2001 or 2005 Plan.
The table on the following page sets forth the severance and change in control benefits for
each named executive officer under the specifically described scenarios as if such change in
control and termination occurred as of December 31, 2006.
15
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Termination by |
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Corporation |
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Without Cause, |
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by Executive for |
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Termination |
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Amounts |
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Good Reason or |
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Within 12 |
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Payable under |
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Within 12 Months |
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Months After |
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Internal Revenue |
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Termination |
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After Change |
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Change in |
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Code Section |
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due to |
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in Control |
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Control |
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280G Gross Up |
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Retirement |
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(Employment |
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(2005 Plan) |
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Provisions |
Name |
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Plan Name |
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($) |
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Agreement) ($) |
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($) |
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($) |
(a) |
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(b) |
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(c) |
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(d) |
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(e) |
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(f) |
Donald E. Smith |
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2005 LTIP |
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$ |
3,648,800 |
(4) |
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$ |
368,603 |
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Norman L. Lowery |
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2005 LTIP |
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$ |
3,024,200 |
(4) |
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$ |
290,659 |
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Employment Agreement |
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$ |
207,516 |
(1)(2) |
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$ |
3,164,617 |
(1)(3) |
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$ |
1,690,049 |
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Michael A. Carty |
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2005 LTIP |
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$ |
384,300 |
(4) |
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Richard O. White |
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2005 LTIP |
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$ |
373,990 |
(4) |
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Thomas S. Clary |
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2005 LTIP |
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$ |
228,652 |
(4) |
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(1) Calculation of the health insurance amounts were based on the assumptions used for
financial reporting purposes under generally accepted accounting principles assuming (i)
termination occurred on December 31, 2006; (ii) termination was as a result of retirement or
change in control; and (iii) a 5.5% discount rate. Calculation of the life insurance amounts
were based on the cost of buying a fully paid policy as of December 31, 2006.
(2) This amount consists of (i) $97,000 for health, life and disability coverage; (ii) $100,726
for the $350,000 life insurance policy; and (iii) $9,790 for the executive officer life
insurance policy.
(3) This amount consists of (i) $2,335,627 for base salary and bonuses; (ii) $97,000 for
health, life and disability coverage; (iii) $100,726 for the $350,000 life insurance policy;
(iv) $9,790 for the executive officer life insurance policy; (v) $38,196 for professional and
club dues; (vi) $1,880 for continuing legal education; (vii) $52,000 for automobile benefits;
(viii) $219,096 for his Pension Plan benefit; (ix) $42,224 for his ESOP benefit; (x) $0 for his
ESRP benefit; (xi) $87,422 EDC Plan benefit; and (xii) $180,656 representing the payment of
items (ii)-(vii) net of all income and payroll taxes, as discussed on page 13.
(4) All participants in the plans are entitled to receive their respective vested benefits upon
the occurrence of any change of control as listed on page 15. In addition, Messrs. Smith and
Lowery are entitled to receive their remaining projected benefit under the 2005 Plan.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table shows, as of March 10, 2007, the number and percentage of shares of common
stock held by each person or entity known to the Corporation to own beneficially more than five
percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Corporation:
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Number of Shares |
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Percent of Shares |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
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Beneficially Owned |
|
Outstanding |
First Financial Corporation |
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856,137 |
(1) |
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6.47 |
% |
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
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One First Financial Plaza, Terre Haute, IN 47807 |
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T. Rigasco Trust Co-Trustees: |
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960,458 |
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7.26 |
% |
National City Bank of Indiana
One National City Center
Indianapolis, IN 46255
Jack R. Snyder
One American Square
Indianapolis, IN 46282 |
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Princeton Mining Company |
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1,314,714 |
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9.94 |
% |
State Road 46 South, Terre Haute, IN 47803 |
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Dimension Fund Advisors LP |
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822,602 |
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6.22 |
% |
1299 Ocean Avenue
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Santa Monica, CA 90401 |
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16
The following table shows as of March 10, 2007 the number of our common shares beneficially
owned (unless otherwise indicated) by the Corporations nominees for election as directors, the
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, and the directors and executive
officers of the Corporation as a group.
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Number of Shares |
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Percent of Shares |
Name (Age) |
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BeneficiallyOwned(1) |
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Outstanding(2) |
W. Curtis Brighton (53) |
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12,000 |
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* |
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Michael A. Carty (56) |
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15,219 |
(3) |
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* |
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Thomas S. Clary (55) |
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591 |
(4) |
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* |
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B. Guille Cox, Jr. (61) |
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83,759 |
(5) |
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* |
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Thomas T. Dinkel (56) |
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12,023 |
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* |
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Anton H. George (47) |
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618 |
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* |
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Gregory L. Gibson (44) |
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66,962 |
(6) |
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* |
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Norman L. Lowery (60) |
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19,234 |
(7) |
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* |
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Patrick OLeary (70) |
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53,200 |
(8) |
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* |
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Ronald K. Rich (69) |
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2,050 |
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* |
|
Virginia L. Smith (58) |
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10,952 |
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* |
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Donald E. Smith (80) |
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159,499 |
(9) |
|
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1.21 |
% |
Richard O. White (59) |
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20,785 |
(10) |
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* |
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All directors and
executive officers as
a group (13 persons) |
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456,892 |
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3.45 |
% |
* Represents less than 1% of the Corporations outstanding common shares.
(1) The information contained in this column is based upon stockholder records of the Corporation
and information furnished to the Corporation by the individuals identified above. Unless otherwise
indicated, each individual has sole voting and investment power of the shares indicated.
(2) Based on the number of shares outstanding at March 10, 2007.
(3) Includes 15,081 shares held for Mr. Cartys account in the First Financial Corporation Employee
Stock Ownership Plan and 138 shares held jointly with his spouse.
(4) Includes 591 shares held for Mr. Clarys account in the First Financial Corporation Employee
Stock Ownership Plan.
(5) Includes 20,248 shares beneficially owned by his spouse. Mr. Cox, under
certain circumstances, has the power, with the consent of others, to vote an additional 339,906
shares (2.57%). These shares are not reflected in the number of shares or percent of class
attributed to him in the above table.
(6) Includes 20 shares owned directly by his spouse.
(7) Includes 3,552 shares held for Mr. Lowerys account in the First Financial Corporation Employee
Stock Ownership Plan and 11,544 shares owned directly and beneficially by his spouse. Mr. Lowery
may have the power to vote an additional 66,666 shares as co-trustee of the Root Childrens
Business Trust, but Mr. Lowery has never exercised such power and voted such shares. These shares
are not reflected in the number of shares or percent of class attributed to him in the above table.
(8) Includes 1,000 shares owned by his spouse.
(9) Includes 155,527 shares held for Mr. Smiths account in the First Financial Corporation
Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
(10) Includes 20,785 shares held for Mr. Whites account in the
First Financial Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee appointed Crowe Chizek and Company LLC, as independent accountants to
audit the books, records and accounts of the Corporation for 2006 and 2005. The Audit Committee
anticipates that it will appoint an independent public accountant to audit the books, records, and
accounts of the Corporation for 2007 in April, 2007. Representatives of Crowe Chizek are expected to be in
attendance at the annual meeting and will be provided an opportunity to make a statement should
they desire to do so and to respond to appropriate inquiries from the shareholders.
Report of the Audit Committee
In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee
of the Board (Committee) assisted the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the
quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the
Corporation. All of the members of the Committee are independent, as defined in the Corporations
listing requirements, from management and the Corporation. During the current year, the Committee
met four times, and the Committee chair, as representative of the Committee, discussed the interim
financial information contained in each quarterly earnings announcement with the CFO, controller
and independent auditors prior to public release.
17
In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Committee obtained
from the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the
auditors and the Corporation that might bear on the auditors independence consistent with
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,
discussed with the auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence
and satisfied itself as to the auditors independence. The Committee also discussed with
management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors the quality and adequacy of the
Corporations internal controls and the internal audit functions organization, responsibilities,
budget and staffing. The Committee reviewed both with the independent and internal auditors their
audit plans, audit scope and identification of audit risks.
The Committee discussed and reviewed with the independent auditors all communications required
by generally accepted auditing standards, including those described in Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 61, as amended, Communication with Audit Committees, and, with and without
management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent auditors examination of
the financial statements. The Committee also discussed the results of the internal audit
examinations.
The Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Corporation as of
and for the year ended December 31, 2006, with management and the independent auditors. Management
has the responsibility for the preparation of the Corporations financial statements and the
independent auditors have the responsibility for the examination of those statements.
Based on the above-mentioned review and discussions with management and the independent
auditors, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Corporations audited financial
statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, for
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Anton H. George, Audit Committee Chairman Patrick OLeary Thomas T. Dinkel
Fees Paid to Crowe Chizek and Company LLC
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by Crowe Chizek and Company LLC
(Crowe Chizek) for audit services rendered in connection with the consolidated financial
statements and reports for fiscal year 2006 and fiscal year 2005 and for other services rendered
during fiscal year 2006 and fiscal year 2005 on behalf of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, as
well as all out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with these services, which have been billed
to the Corporation:
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|
Fiscal 2006 |
|
|
Fiscal 2005 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
300,000 |
|
|
$ |
280,000 |
|
Audit Related Fees |
|
|
8,200 |
|
|
|
4,150 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
85,050 |
|
|
|
47,590 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
15,100 |
|
|
|
3,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
408,350 |
|
|
$ |
334,990 |
|
Audit Fees. Consists of fees billed for professional services rendered for (i) the audit of
the Corporations consolidated financial statements, (ii) the integrated audit over internal
controls as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act applicable in 2006, (iii) the
review of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports,
(iv) the services that are normally provided by Crowe Chizek in connection with statutory and
regulatory filings or engagements, and (v) the attest services, except those not required by
statute or regulation.
Audit-Related Fees. Consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Corporations consolidated
financial statements and are not reported under Audit Fees. These services include the review of
managements attestation and performance of agreed upon procedures for student loan servicing for
both 2006 and 2005 and consulting on financial accounting standards in 2006.
Tax Fees. Consists of tax compliance/preparation and other tax services. Tax
compliance/preparation consists of fees billed for professional services related to federal and
state tax compliance, assistance with tax audits and appeals and assistance related to the impact
of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures on tax return preparation. Other tax services consist of
fees billed for other miscellaneous tax consulting and planning including implementation of a real
estate investment trust (REIT).
All Other Fees. All other fees include consultation regarding implementation of a real estate
investment trust (REIT) and consultation and assistance with the compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley
Section 404 (SOX 404) in 2006, and SOX 404 software licensing fee in 2006 and training fees.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors
All of the fees and services described above under Audit fees, Audit-related fees, tax
fees and all other fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee
pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors.
These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services.
The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the
independent auditors. 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. For each proposed service, the independent auditor is required to provide
detailed back-up documentation at the time of approval. The Audit Committee may delegate
pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. Such a member must report any decisions to
the Audit Committee at the next scheduled meeting.
18
SECTION 16 BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Corporations directors
and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the
Corporations equity securities, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial
reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Corporation common stock and other
equity securities of the Corporation. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders
are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Corporation with copies of all Section 16(a) forms
they file. To the best knowledge of the Corporation, during the most recent fiscal year all
officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners of the Corporation timely filed
all statements of beneficial ownership required to be filed with the SEC.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Under our bylaws, no business may be brought before an annual meeting unless in one of the
following ways: (i) it is specified in the notice of the meeting (which includes shareholder
proposals that the Corporation is required to include in its proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); (ii) such business is otherwise brought before the
meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) such business is brought before
the meeting by a shareholder who has delivered notice to the Corporation (containing certain
information specified in our bylaws) not less than 120 days prior to the meeting, or December 19,
2006 for purposes of the 2007 Annual Meeting. These requirements are separate from and in addition
to the SECs requirements that a shareholder must meet in order to have a shareholder proposal
included in the Corporations proxy statement. All proposals and notifications should be addressed
to the Secretary of the Corporation.
Any proposals which shareholders desire to present at the 2008 Annual Meeting must be received
by the Corporation at its principal executive offices on or before January 28, 2008 to be
considered for inclusion in the Corporations proxy material for that meeting. The proxy rules of
the Securities and Exchange Commission govern the content and form of stockholder proposals and the
minimum stock holding requirement. All proposals must be a proper subject for action at the 2008
Annual Meeting.
For additional information regarding the shareholder nomination process, please see
Communications with Directors on page 6.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, THE CORPORATION WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH REQUESTING SHAREHOLDER, A
COPY OF THE CORPORATIONS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K, WHICH IS REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006. ADDRESS ALL REQUESTS TO:
MICHAEL A. CARTY, SECRETARY & TREASURER
FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
ONE FIRST FINANCIAL PLAZA P.O. BOX 540 TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA 47808
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Corporation knows of no business that will be
presented for consideration at the annual meeting other than the items referred to above. If any
other matter is properly brought before the meeting for action by shareholders, proxies in the
enclosed form returned to the Corporation will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of
the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in accordance with the judgment
of the proxy holder.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ DONALD E. SMITH
Chairman of the Board and President
March 26, 2007
19
FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
One First Financial Plaza
P.O. Box 540
Terre Haute, Indiana 47808
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints James E. Brown and Richard J. Shagley, or either of them as
Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and
to vote, as designated below, all shares of common stock of First Financial Corporation which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at One First
Financial Plaza, Terre Haute, Indiana on Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. (local time), or
any adjournment thereof, on the following matters:
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A.
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o
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For all nominees listed below for a three-year term to expire in 2010 |
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(except as marked to the contrary below): |
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W. Curtis Brighton, Ronald K. Rich and Donald E. Smith |
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o
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed above. |
(INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual, strike a line through
the nominees name in the list above.)
2. |
In their discretion, on such matters as may properly come before the meeting. |
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED,
WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
Please sign exactly as name appears below. If there are two or more owners, both must
sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give full
title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
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Dated : , 2007 |
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(Signature) |
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(Signature, if held jointly) |
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Your vote is important. Please mark, sign, and date and
return this Proxy promptly, using the enclosed envelope. |