Mvb Financial Corp DEF 14A, filed Apr 8, 2024
Mvb Financial Corp (MVBF)
DEF 14A
2024-04-08
For: 2023-12-31
View Original
Added on
June 12, 2026
About this DEF 14A
Mvb Financial Corp filed this DEF 14A on April 8, 2024.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant S
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant £
| Check the appropriate box: | |||||
| £ | Preliminary Proxy Statement | ||||
| £ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | ||||
| S | Definitive Proxy Statement | ||||
| £ | Definitive Additional Materials | ||||
| £ | Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 | ||||
| (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 all boxes that apply): | ||||||||||||||
| S | No fee required. | |||||||||||||
| £ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | |||||||||||||
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301 Virginia Avenue
Fairmont, WV 26554
| Notice of 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders | |||||||||||
| via Live Webcast, please visit: | May 21, 2024 | ||||||||||
| www.meetnow.global/M649UNM | 10:00 a.m. EDT | ||||||||||
| The Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement, and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available free of charge at ir.mvbbanking.com | |||||||||||
To the Shareholders:
The 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of MVB Financial Corp. (“MVB”, the “Company”, “we” or “our”) will be held via live webcast at 10:00 a.m. EDT on May 21, 2024. You will be able to participate, submit questions and vote your shares electronically during the meeting via live webcast by visiting www.meetnow.global/M649UNM. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. The Proxy Statement contains additional information regarding registering for and attending the Annual Meeting. The webcast will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. EDT and online access will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m. EDT. We encourage you to access the webcast prior to the start time. Although very unlikely, please be aware that the date, time, or location of the Annual Meeting may change based on MVB's facts and circumstances. The purpose of this meeting is to consider and vote on the following proposals:
| Items of Business | |||||
| 1 | To elect the three director nominees named in the Proxy Statement. | ||||
| 2 | To approve on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. | ||||
| 3 | To ratify the appointment of FORVIS, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2024. | ||||
| 4 | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any postponements or adjournments thereof. | ||||
| Record Date | |||||
Only MVB Financial Corp. shareholders of record at the close of business on March 27, 2024 (the “Record Date”) shall be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting. A list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is available for inspection at our principal executive office at 301 Virginia Avenue, Fairmont, WV 26554. The notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, proxy card, and other proxy materials are first being sent or made available to shareholders on or about April 8, 2024. As of the Record Date, there were approximately 12,840,883 shares of the Company’s voting common stock outstanding. | |||||
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held Virtually on May 21, 2024.
We have elected to take advantage of Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules that allow us to furnish proxy materials to certain shareholders on the Internet. Instead of receiving paper copies of our proxy materials in the mail, shareholders will receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”) which provides an internet website address where shareholders can access electronic copies of proxy materials and vote. This website also has instructions for voting by telephone and for requesting paper copies of the proxy materials and proxy card. The Company's 2024 Proxy Statement, proxy card and Annual Report for fiscal year 2023 are available online at www.investorvote.com/MVBF. We encourage you to access and review such materials before voting.
Your vote is very important to us. Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting via webcast, we urge you to consider the Proxy Statement carefully and to promptly vote your shares.
Sincerely,
Larry F. Mazza
Chief Executive Officer
April 8, 2024
(approximate mailing date)
Your vote is important. Please vote.
www.mvbbanking.com
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Table of Contents
Proxy Statement Summary | 4 | ||||
MVB Values and Culture | 8 | ||||
Corporate Governance | 9 | ||||
Role of the Board of Directors | 9 | ||||
Board Committees | 10 | ||||
Board Leadership Structure | 12 | ||||
Annual Board and Committee Assessment | 14 | ||||
Audit Committee Financial Experts | 17 | ||||
Code of Ethics | 17 | ||||
Transactions with Related Persons | 17 | ||||
Attendance of Directors at Annual Meeting of Shareholders | 18 | ||||
Communications with the Board | 18 | ||||
Directors | 19 | ||||
Director Overview | 19 | ||||
Nominees for Election | 22 | ||||
Directors Not Up For Election | 24 | ||||
Compensation of Directors | 28 | ||||
Executive Officers | 29 | ||||
Executive Compensation | 32 | ||||
| Human Resources and Compensation Committee Report | 32 | ||||
| Compensation Discussion and Analysis | 33 | ||||
| Executive Compensation Tables | 54 | ||||
| Summary Compensation Table | 54 | ||||
| Grants of Plan-Based Awards | 56 | ||||
| Outstanding Equity Awards | 57 | ||||
| Option Exercises and Stock Vesting | 57 | ||||
| Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control | 58 | ||||
| Retirement Plans | 60 | ||||
| CEO Pay Ratio | 61 | ||||
| Pay Versus Performance | 62 | ||||
| Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) | 68 | ||||
| Proposals | 69 | ||||
| Proposal No. 1 – Election of Directors | 69 | ||||
| Proposal No. 2 – Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation | 70 | ||||
| Proposal No. 3 – Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 70 | ||||
| Other Information | 72 | ||||
| Audit Committee Report | 72 | ||||
| Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management | 72 | ||||
| General Information | 74 | ||||
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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Proxy Statement Summary
MVB Financial Corp. (“MVB” the “Company”, “we” or “our”) is furnishing this Proxy Statement in connection with the solicitation by our Board of Directors (our “Board”) of proxies to vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of MVB. The following summary provides an overview of the Annual Meeting, the proposals that will be acted on, how to vote your shares, and information about our corporate governance and executive compensation program. We encourage you to carefully review all of the important information contained in this Proxy Statement before voting.
2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
via Live Webcast May 21, 2024
at www.meetnow.global/M648UNM) 10:00 a.m. EDT
The record date for the Annual Meeting is March 27, 2024 (the “Record Date”). Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on this date are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
The Annual Meeting will be held via live webcast at 10:00 a.m. EDT on May 21, 2024. You will be able to participate, submit questions and vote your shares electronically during the meeting via live webcast by visiting www.meetnow.global/M649UNM. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Although very unlikely, please be aware that the date, time, or location of the Annual Meeting may change based on MVB's facts and circumstances.
Items of Business and Voting Recommendations
| Proposal | Recommendation of the Board | Page | |||||||||
| 1 | To elect to the Board of Directors the three nominees presented by the Board. | FOR ALL of the nominees | 69 | ||||||||
| 2 | To approve on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. | FOR | 70 | ||||||||
| 3 | To ratify the appointment of FORVIS as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2024. | FOR | 70 | ||||||||
How to Vote
To vote online, visit www.investorvote.com/MVBF and enter the control number found in your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials. You may also vote prior to the Annual Meeting by mail or phone. For more detailed information, see Voting Procedures beginning on page 76.
Your vote is important. Please vote.
www.mvbbanking.com
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Corporate Governance Highlights
Our corporate governance structure fosters principled actions, informed and effective decision-making, and appropriate compliance and performance monitoring. On August 6, 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) approved a Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) rule change requiring its listed companies to have, or explain why they do not have, at least two diverse directors. This rule requires all companies listed on Nasdaq’s U.S. exchange to publicly disclose consistent, transparent diversity statistics regarding their board of directors. A few governance highlights are as follows:
–Eight of our nine Directors are independent
–Separate Chairman, CEO, and President roles
–Three of our nine Directors are diverse (three females)
–Three Directors have prior public board experience
–The Board as a whole has a wide range of expertise
–Balanced Director tenure with an average tenure of approximately eight years
–Board composition is diverse in age, skills, and experiences
–Independent Directors regularly meet without management present
–Annual Board review and self-evaluation
–Active shareholder engagement and communication
–Stock ownership requirements for Directors and executive officers
–Board responsibility for risk oversight
–Independent compensation consultant engaged
Board of Directors and Committees
| MVB Financial Corp. | Independent | |||||||||||||||||||
| Audit | Finance | N&CG | Compensation | Risk | ||||||||||||||||
W. Marston Becker, Chairman | X | Chair | X | |||||||||||||||||
| John W. Ebert | X | X | Chair | X | X | |||||||||||||||
| Daniel W. Holt | X | X | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gary A. LeDonne | X | Chair | X | X | ||||||||||||||||
Larry F. Mazza CEO | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly R. Nelson, MD | X | Chair | X | |||||||||||||||||
| Jan Lynn Owen | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||||
| Lindsay A. Slader | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||||
| Cheryl D. Spielman | Chair | X | X | X | ||||||||||||||||
The committee membership above reflects the membership for fiscal year 2023 and during the period leading up to the Annual Meeting. Please see the changes that will occur following the Annual Meeting in the respective committee descriptions, beginning on page 10. For a detailed discussion of our corporate governance and directors, please see the section entitled “Corporate Governance” and the section entitled “Directors.”
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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Executive Compensation Program Highlights
Our executive compensation program is designed to motivate and reward exceptional performance in a straightforward and effective way, while also recognizing the size, scope, and success of MVB’s business.
Sound Program Design
We follow clear guiding principles in the design of the compensation program for our named executive officers and are committed to sound compensation policies and practices. We achieve our objectives through compensation that we believe does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risk taking. The overall design of our compensation program and each of its three primary components listed below have remained consistent year-over-year.
•Annual Base Salary
Fixed element of annual compensation
•Short-Term Incentives
Short-term cash incentive with variable payout opportunities based on operating results measured against annual performance goals
•Long-Term Incentives
Long-term equity incentives in the form of time-based and performance-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with multi-year vesting schedules
Aligned with Shareholder Interests and Company Performance
•Short-term incentive opportunities are capped and have challenging performance goals tied to key measures of overall Company performance.
•Achieved meeting the primary Earnings per Share (“EPS”) trigger and above maximum performance on three of the four financial scorecard metrics resulting in a 2023 plan payout at 107.99% of target.
•Revised the long-term incentive plan to add a relative TSR modifier to measure all results between the 25th and 75th percentiles of the targeted peers.
•Shareholders have an annual opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers and have indicated strong support for our executive compensation program in the past.
•91.53% of votes cast on the say-on-pay proposal at the 2023 Annual Meeting were voted in favor of the compensation paid to our named executive officers.
For a detailed discussion of our executive compensation program, please see the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
www.mvbbanking.com
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Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Highlights
Our Board has oversight responsibility for environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) and sustainability-related activities and receives regular reports from management on these items. Management supports these activities and provides strategic guidance and senior-level review of ESG activities.
MVB Values and Culture
MVB’s “Purpose” is to be “Trusted Partners on the Financial Frontier, Committed to Your Success.” We uphold our core values of Love, Trust, Commitment, Adaptability, and Teamwork. This section describes the values of MVB that guide our team members in making their most important day-to-day decisions.
Values
Trust We are reliable and act with integrity. We can be counted on and count on others. | |||||
Commitment We take ownership of our responsibilities in support of MVB achieving its Purpose. | |||||
Respect, Love, and Caring We are respectful, considerate, and thoughtful towards our team members, clients, and community. | |||||
Teamwork We effectively and efficiently work with others to accomplish more. | |||||
Adaptive We easily respond to change in a productive way. | |||||
Strong Culture
At MVB, we remain committed to maintaining and growing our culture by leveraging our purpose, values, and associated behaviors. We have successfully operationalized our Culture Initiative by embedding these elements into our daily life. Examples of this can be found in our talent acquisition, onboarding, education, and performance processes. We take time to listen to our team members, understand areas of opportunity, and provide support that enables us to execute on our business strategy. That approach has helped us build something special and differentiate us from others.
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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Corporate Governance
This section describes MVB’s corporate governance framework and the role and structure of our Board.
Role of the Board of Directors
MVB’s Board oversees the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and other senior management in the operation of MVB and assures that the long-term interests of shareholders are being served. To satisfy the Board’s duties, directors are expected to take a proactive, focused approach to their positions to ensure that MVB is committed to business success through the maintenance of high standards of responsibility and ethics.
The Board believes that MVB’s governance structure fosters principled actions, informed and effective decision making, and appropriate compliance and performance monitoring. MVB’s key governance documents are available at ir.mvbbanking.com/govdocs.
The Board has determined that, none of the directors, except for Larry F. Mazza, MVB’s CEO, has a relationship with MVB that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out their responsibilities as directors. No director is or has for the past three years been team members of MVB, except for Mr. Mazza, and none of their immediate family members are or have for the past three years been executive officers of MVB or MVB’s wholly owned subsidiary, MVB Bank, Inc. (“MVB Bank”). Based upon its review, the Board has determined that each director, except for Mr. Mazza, is “independent” as defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
The Board of Directors of MVB had eight (8) regularly scheduled meetings and six (6) additional special project and strategic initiative meetings during 2023. On a regular basis, Director Mazza and members of the executive management team are excused from the meetings so the Board can hold an executive session to discuss matters privately. The Chair relays any action items to the CEO if necessary. All current directors attended 75% or more of the meetings held by the Board and committees thereof in which the director is a member, with an average total attendance record of 98%.
All subsidiaries of MVB operate under the MVB holding company. As part of the governance structure, all MVB subsidiary boards have representation from the Board, which increases awareness of the day- to-day operations of the subsidiaries.
| Directors on Subsidiary Boards | Independent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proco Global | Potomac Mortgage Group | MVB Insurance | Paladin Fraud | MVB Edge Ventures | Trabian | MVB Technology | Victor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| W. Marston Becker | Chair | X | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John W. Ebert | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daniel W. Holt | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gary A. LeDonne | Chair | X | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Larry F. Mazza CEO | Chair | X | X | X | Chair | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Kelly R. Nelson, MD | X | X | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jan L. Owen | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lindsay A. Slader | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cheryl D. Spielman | X | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
www.mvbbanking.com
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Board Committees
The Board has a standing Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Human Resources and Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”), Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “N&CG”), and Risk and Compliance Committee.
The Board has determined that the Chair of each committee and all committee members are independent under applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules for committee memberships. Each committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. Charters for the Audit Committee, Finance Committee, N&CG Committee, Compensation Committee, and Risk and Compliance Committee are available at ir.mvbbanking.com/governance/governance-documents/default.asp.
Audit Committee
The purpose of the Audit Committee is to:
1.assist the Board in monitoring the integrity of the financial reporting process, systems of internal controls and financial statements and reports of MVB;
2.be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the independent auditor engaged by MVB for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work;
3.be responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the internal auditor;
4.assist the Board in monitoring compliance by MVB with legal and regulatory requirements, including holding company, banking, mortgage and insurance regulations and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;
5.oversee management corrective actions when such needs have been identified; and
6.oversee MVB’s whistleblower policy.
The Audit Committee meets with MVB's Chief Audit Executive, who oversees the internal audit function of MVB, and FORVIS, who is responsible for the annual certified audit, as well as with the members of the regulatory authorities upon completion of their annual financial statement audit and internal controls over financial reporting audit of MVB Bank or MVB. The Chief Audit Executive engages Crowe, LLP to conduct outsourced audits of Information Technology and other selected audit areas requiring specialized expertise. During these meetings, members of the management of MVB Bank or MVB, including Mr. Mazza and Donald T. Robinson, President and Chief Financial Officer of MVB, may be asked to leave the room to provide comfort to questioners and responders.
The Audit Committee Charter was reviewed and approved by the Board on October 9, 2023. The Audit Committee met sixteen (16) times in 2023. Messrs. Ebert, LeDonne, and Ms. Spielman served on the Audit Committee for fiscal year 2023 and during the period leading up to the Annual Meeting, with Ms Spielman serving as the Chairperson. Ms. Spielman will continue to serve as Chairperson, but Dr. Nelson will replace Mr. Ebert on the Audit Committee following the Annual Meeting.
Finance Committee
The purpose of the Finance Committee is to:
1.provide oversight and guidance regarding finance, capital, budget, mergers and acquisitions, new lines of business, and facilities matters and make recommendations, as appropriate and warranted; and
2.review and provide recommendations for fintech investments
The Finance Committee reviews MVB’s overall financial plan, balance sheet, and capital structure. The Finance Committee also monitors the financial performance of the organization and its subsidiaries and business lines against approved budgets, long-term trends and industry benchmarks. The Finance Committee reports the results from these meetings to the Board. The Finance Committee also assists the Board in reviewing the Company’s annual operational and capital budgets. Lastly, the Finance Committee oversees the Company’s equity and other investments in fintech companies.
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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On April 17, 2023, the Board reviewed and approved the Finance Committee Charter. The Finance Committee met five (5) times in 2023. Messrs. Ebert, LeDonne and Becker and Ms. Spielman served on the Finance Committee for fiscal year 2023 and during the period leading up to the Annual Meeting, with Mr. LeDonne serving as the Chairperson. The same committee membership will continue with Mr LeDonne continuing to serve as Chairperson following the Annual Meeting.
Human Resources & Compensation Committee
The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to:
1.attend to all human resources issues that come before the Board;
2.review, recommend and evaluate CEO compensation;
3.conduct an annual CEO performance evaluation and goal setting process;
4.oversee senior management succession planning including the CEO;
5.approve senior management salaries; and
6.establish director compensation.
The Compensation Committee is also responsible for the administration of all executive incentive plans. The Compensation Committee reports the results from these meetings to the Board.
The Committee has the authority, in its sole discretion, to obtain advice and assistance from, and to retain at MVB’s expense, such independent or outside legal counsel specializing in proxy disclosure, accounting, compensation or other advisors and experts as the Committee determines necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties.
Pay Governance, LLC (“Pay Governance”) has served as the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation advisor since the fall of 2021. The Compensation Committee has direct access to its compensation advisor and may engage its compensation advisor on an as needed basis for advice with respect to the amount and form of executive and director compensation.
The Compensation Committee determined that the work performed by Pay Governance during the 2023 fiscal year did not raise any actual conflict of interest or compromise the independence of Pay Governance. Additionally, the Compensation Committee determined that Pay Governance qualified as independent for purposes of SEC Rule 10C-1(b)(4) and Section 805(c)(4) of the NYSE American Rules.
On April 17, 2023, the Board reviewed and approved the Compensation Committee Charter. The Compensation Committee met seven (7) times in 2023. Messrs. Becker and Ebert, and Ms. Slader served on the Compensation Committee for fiscal year 2023 and during the period leading up to the Annual Meeting, with Mr. Becker serving as the Chairperson. The same committee membership will continue with Mr. Becker continuing to serve as Chairperson following the Annual Meeting.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the Compensation Committee members are, or have been, officers or team members of MVB. During fiscal year 2023, no member of our Compensation Committee had any relationship with MVB requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. None of our executive officers serve as a director or compensation committee member of a company that has an executive officer serving on our Compensation Committee or our Board.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The purpose of the N&CG Committee is to help assure that MVB fulfills the responsibilities for effective board governance of MVB and its subsidiaries by:
1.helping MVB to create and maintain an appropriate board and committee structure;
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2.assessing the skills, experience, and backgrounds necessary to staff MVB boards and committees effectively;
3.overseeing the development and updating of governance for MVB;
4.overseeing the emergency succession plan for MVB;
5.leading MVB in periodic assessments of the operation of MVB boards and committees and the contributions of the members; and
6.monitoring the implementation of MVB governance policies and practices.
The N&CG Committee reports the results from these meetings to the Board. On February 13, 2024, the Board reviewed and approved the N&CG Committee Charter. The N&CG Committee met seven (7) times in 2023. Messrs. Ebert and Holt, Dr. Nelson, and Ms. Owen served on the N&CG Committee, with Mr. Ebert serving as the Chairperson for fiscal year 2023 and during the period leading up to the Annual Meeting. The same committee membership will continue with Mr. Ebert continuing to serve as Chairperson following the Annual Meeting.
Risk and Compliance Committee
The purpose of the Risk and Compliance Committee is to:
1.oversee MVB’s risk management program for effectiveness and ensure the Board incorporates the appropriate risk management processes in its work;
2.provide oversight for key banking regulations and compliance requirements, including MVB’s compliance with Bank Secrecy Act, Anti Money Laundering Program, and Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) program;
3.ensure adherence to the Insider Borrowing Policy with all borrowings;
4.assist the Board in monitoring the Information Security Program and related activities;
5.oversee the fraud and identity risk management programs; and
6.review and evaluate the adequacy of the work performed by the various MVB compliance areas and ensure that they have adequate resources to fulfill their duties.
The Risk and Compliance Committee reports the results from these meetings to the Board. The Risk and Compliance Committee Charter was reviewed and approved by the Board on April 17, 2023. The Risk and Compliance Committee met thirteen (13) times in 2023. Dr. Nelson, Mr. LeDonne and Mses. Owen, Slader, and Spielman served on the Risk and Compliance Committee, with Dr. Nelson serving as the Chairperson for fiscal year 2023 and during the period leading up to the Annual Meeting. Following the Annual Meeting, Mr. LeDonne will no longer serve on the Committee; however, the rest of the committee membership will continue to serve, with Dr. Nelson remaining as Chairperson. In addition to committee participation, Dr. Nelson and Ms. Spielman maintain regular open dialogue with the Bank’s Chief Operations Officer and Chief Risk Officer and participate in routine touchpoints with the Bank’s regulators.
Board Leadership Structure
The Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of MVB currently provide for a Board of Directors composed of five (5) to twenty-five (25) members. As of December 31, 2023, the Board consisted of nine (9) directors.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Therefore, votes withheld and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of directors. As required by West Virginia law, each share is entitled to one vote per nominee, unless a shareholder properly notifies MVB of his or her intent to cumulate his or her votes for directors at least 48 hours before the meeting. If a shareholder properly notifies MVB of such intent to cumulate his or her votes, then each MVB shareholder will have the right to multiply the number of votes they are entitled to cast by the number of directors for whom they are entitled to vote and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates. If any shares are voted cumulatively for the election of directors, the proxies, unless otherwise directed, shall have full discretion and authority to cumulate their votes and vote for less than all such nominees. For all other purposes, each share is entitled to one vote.
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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MVB’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles”), provide for staggered terms for directors. The three individuals up for election at the Annual Meeting represent the nominees to the Board for a three-year term to expire in 2027. Following the election of the three nominees referenced below, MVB will have three classes of directors consisting of three Board members whose term expires in 2027, three Board members whose term expires in 2026 and three Board members whose term expires in 2025.
During each of the past five years, the N&CG Committee reviewed the concept of moving to a declassified Board of Directors. While the N&CG Committee, and ultimately the Board, recognized the value of and supported having a declassified Board of Directors, such a change would require an amendment to the Articles. Furthermore, an amendment to the Articles to declassify the Board requires the approval of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all the shares of MVB entitled to vote in the election of directors. Since MVB’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market in December 2017, the highest number of total votes cast by shareholders was 76.97% with the most recent three-year average of 75.30%.
MVB's shareholder base is an even mix of retail and non-institutional investors.
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The Board has therefore concluded that, based on historical shareholder participation, a proposal to declassify the Board would likely not receive the required shareholder approval at this time. The Board has determined that making a recommendation at this time to declassify the Board would not be in good faith to the shareholders, given the Board's belief that the necessary number of shareholders would not approve such a recommendation. The Board will continue to evaluate and monitor the appropriateness of presenting a proposal to declassify the Board in future years. We believe that as our shareholder base transitions from our legacy retail shareholders to more institutional and mutual funds the voting percentage will increase allowing us to bring declassification to a vote.
The Board Chair, CEO and President are three separate individuals. In previous years, the same individual occupied the CEO and President positions; however, in January 2022, the Board announced changes to the management organizational structure that included the bifurcation of these positions in order to support certain key initiatives within the organization. The CEO is responsible for MVB’s day-to-day operations and performance of MVB. The President is responsible for corporate development. The Board Chair is involved in presiding over Board meetings, matters of governance, and corporate oversight. The Board Chair also focuses on monitoring the effectiveness of the CEO in implementing MVB’s corporate strategy and ensuring that the directors receive sufficient information, on a timely basis, to provide proper risk oversight. The Board believes the current separation of these roles helps to ensure good board governance and fosters independent oversight to protect the long-term interests of the Company's shareholders. In addition, the Board believes this separation is presently appropriate as it allows the President to focus on corporate development and delivering enhanced shareholder value and allows the CEO to focus primarily on leading the Company's day-to-day business and affairs while the Board Chair can concentrate on leading the Board in its consideration of strategic issues and monitoring corporate governance and shareholder matters.
The entire Board is involved in overseeing risk associated with the Company’s operations. The committee structure of the Board is such that the Board committees are responsible for and review the areas of greatest risk to MVB. An independent director chairs each committee. Members of management and other MVB staff members support the respective Chairs of each committee in providing requested information necessary for each committee to provide appropriate risk oversight.
Annual Board and Committee Evaluation
When analyzing whether directors and nominees have the qualifications, expertise, diversity and attributes to enable the Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of the Company’s business and structure, the N&CG Committee seeks candidates who will add value to our Board by bringing varied skills, experience and perspective.
The Board conducts an annual Board assessment including Board member peer feedback. The Board uses this information to identify areas of strength or areas that may require additional focus going forward. MVB also maintains a skills profile matrix that reflects the combined background of the current membership of the Board and MVB’s subsidiary boards. This matrix is based on various focus areas of experience and expertise that are essential for appropriate strategic direction, advisory depth and oversight from all MVB boards of directors. The N&CG Committee works with the boards and leadership of MVB to determine the level of experience or application in each focus area according to limited, basic, skilled and expert experience. Our Board has a strong mix of these criteria in areas most critical to MVB's success.
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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The number in each respective bar chart below represents the number of directors and nominees of the Board with expert skills in the critical focus areas:
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The information shown below in our Board Diversity Matrix is based on self-identification of each member of the Board (and each director nominee).
| Board Diversity Matrix | ||||||||||||||
| Total Number of Directors = 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Female | Male | Non-Binary | Did Not Disclose Gender | |||||||||||
| Part I: Gender Identity | ||||||||||||||
| Directors | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Part II: Demographic Background | ||||||||||||||
| African American or Black | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Alaskan Native or Native American | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Asian | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Hispanic or Latinx | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| White | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Two or More Races or Ethnicities | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| LGBTQ+ | 0 | |||||||||||||
| Did Not Disclose Demographic Background | 0 | |||||||||||||
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
17
As MVB grows and our strategy evolves, so do the skills, qualifications, attributes and experiences necessary for our directors. As such, we believe that periodically refreshing our Board with new perspectives and ideas is critical to representing the interests of our shareholders effectively. At the same time, it is equally important to benefit from the valuable experience and continuity that longer-serving directors bring to the Board. Our directors reflect a range of tenures, a balanced mix of ages, and a well-rounded range of attributes, viewpoints and experiences reflective of our business and needs. All members of the Board are successful business owners or organization leaders and know the requirements to run such a successful business.
The Board does not maintain a formal diversity policy with respect to the identification or selection of directors for nomination to the Board. Diversity is just one of many factors the N&CG Committee considers in identifying and selecting director nominees. The Board defines diversity broadly to include differences in race, gender, ethnicity, age, viewpoint, professional experience, educational background, skills, and other personal attributes that can foster Board heterogeneity in order to encourage and maintain board effectiveness. While diversity and variety of experiences and viewpoints are considered when selecting a director nominee, the N&CG Committee also focuses on a candidate’s skills, expertise and background to ensure their appointment would complement the existing Board. The majority of our directors are or have been residents of our primary markets - North Central West Virginia or Northern Virginia; however, with the expansion of our client base and sales footprint, we have added directors throughout the country. Our directors come from diverse backgrounds including the financial, industrial, professional, information technology, and gaming industries.
Audit Committee Financial Experts
The Board has designated Gary A. LeDonne and Cheryl D. Spielman as individuals who are considered to be audit committee financial experts. They have both been identified as meeting the guidelines set forth by Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for an audit committee financial expert. The audit committee financial experts, along with all Audit Committee members, are independent as defined by applicable listing standards and guidelines.
Code of Ethics
The Board has established a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers that applies to our senior executive and financial officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and persons performing similar functions. We also maintain a Code of Conduct that governs our directors, officers and team members. A copy of the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and the Code of Conduct are available at ir.mvbbanking.com/govdocs. We will promptly disclose any future amendments to these codes on our website, and any waivers from these codes for executive officers and directors. Copies of these codes will also be available in print from our Corporate Secretary, without charge, upon request.
Transactions with Related Persons
MVB and MVB Bank have, and expect to continue to have, banking and other transactions in the ordinary course of business with their directors and officers and their affiliates, including members of their families or corporations, partnerships or other organizations in which officers or directors have a controlling interest, all on substantially the same terms (including documentation, price, interest rates, and collateral, repayment and amortization schedules and default provisions) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated parties. All of these transactions were made on substantially the same terms (including interest rates, collateral and repayment terms on loans) as comparable transactions with non-affiliated persons. MVB’s management believes that these transactions did not involve more than the normal business risk of collection or include any unfavorable features. All related-party loans require approval from the Board.
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Since 2017, MVB Bank has maintained a commercial lending relationship with BillGO, Inc. (“BillGO”), a company in which Mr. Holt, a director, is Co-Founder and CEO. In January 2022, the MVB Bank board of directors approved a $35 million line of credit with BillGO secured by a deposit account maintained by BillGO with MVB Bank. The line of credit with BillGO was entered into in the ordinary course of business and on substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated parties. As of December 31, 2023, the line of credit to BillGO as been closed. Since 2016, MVB and MVB Bank have made periodic debt and equity investments in BillGO. Additionally, MVB recognized $227,000 of service fee revenue during the year ended December 31, 2023 from BillGo.
With the exception of MVB and MVB Bank’s relationships with Mr. Holt and BillGO, since January 1, 2020, MVB and MVB Bank have not been a party to any transaction or series of similar transactions in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000 and in which any then director, executive officer, holder of more than 5% of MVB’s common stock, or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than in connection with the transactions described.
MVB has not identified any arrangements or agreements relating to compensation provided by a third party to MVB’s directors or director nominees in connection with their candidacy or Board service as required to be disclosed pursuant to Nasdaq rules.
Policies and Procedures for Related Party Transactions
Our Board has adopted a written corporate conduct policy that includes procedures for identifying, reviewing, and approving related party transactions to ensure compliance with SEC regulations, Nasdaq requirements, and other applicable rules and regulations. Further, our Board has adopted a written loan policy requiring that any related party loans be reviewed and approved or disapproved by our Board or a duly authorized committee. In reviewing such loans, the Board or a duly authorized committee considers, among other factors it deems appropriate, whether the interested transaction is on terms substantially similar to terms offered to comparably situated customers who are not related parties.
Attendance of Directors at Annual Meeting of Shareholders
MVB expects all of its directors to attend the Annual Meeting. All directors serving at the time of the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders attended the meeting.
Communications with the Board
Any shareholder desiring to contact the Board or any individual director serving on the Board may do so by written communication mailed to: Board of Directors (Attention: (name of director(s), as applicable)), care of the Corporate Secretary, MVB Financial Corp., 301 Virginia Avenue, Fairmont, WV 26554. Any proper communication so received will be processed by the Corporate Secretary as agent for the Board. Unless, in the judgment of the Corporate Secretary, the matter is not intended or appropriate for the Board (and subject to any applicable regulatory requirements), the Corporate Secretary will prepare a summary of the communication for prompt delivery to each member of the Board or, as appropriate, to the member(s) of the Board named in the communication. Any director may request the Corporate Secretary to produce the original of the shareholder communication for his or her review.
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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Directors
This section describes the experience and qualifications of our Board members and provides details about their compensation.
Director Overview
When analyzing whether directors and nominees have the qualifications, expertise, diversity and attributes to enable the Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of the Company’s business and structure, the N&CG Committee seeks candidates who will add value to our Board by bringing varied skills, experience, and perspective.
The Board conducts an annual board assessment including Board member peer feedback. This information is used to identify areas of strength or areas that may require additional focus going forward. MVB also maintains a skills profile matrix that reflects the combined background of the current membership of the Board and MVB’s subsidiary boards or directors. This matrix is based on various focus areas of experience and expertise that are essential for appropriate strategic direction, advisory depth and oversight from all MVB boards of directors. The N&CG Committee works with the boards and leadership of MVB to determine the level of experience or application in each focus area according to limited, basic, skilled and expert experience. Our Board has a strong mix of these criteria in areas most critical to MVB's success.
As MVB grows and our strategy evolves, so do the skills, qualifications, attributes and experiences necessary for our directors. As such, we believe that periodically refreshing our Board with new perspectives and ideas is critical to representing the interests of our shareholders effectively. At the same time, it is equally important to benefit from the valuable experience and continuity that longer-serving directors bring to the Board. Our directors reflect a range of tenures, a balanced mix of ages, and a well-rounded range of attributes, viewpoints and experiences reflective of our business and needs.
Diversity is just one of many factors the N&CG Committee considers in the identification and selection of director nominees. The Board defines diversity broadly to include differences in race, gender, ethnicity, age, viewpoint, professional experience, educational background, skills, and other personal attributes that can foster Board heterogeneity in order to encourage and maintain board effectiveness. While diversity and variety of experiences and viewpoints are considered when selecting a director nominee, the N&CG Committee also focuses on a candidate’s skills, expertise and background to ensure their appointment would complement the existing Board. The majority of our directors are or have been residents of our primary markets - North Central West Virginia or Northern Virginia; however, with the expansion of our client base and sales footprint, we have added directors throughout the country. Our directors come from diverse backgrounds including the financial, industrial, professional, and information technology.
For reference, the Board believes that candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including:
•Directors should be of the highest ethical character.
•Directors should have excellent personal and professional reputations.
•Directors should be accomplished in their professions or careers.
•Directors should be able to read and understand financial statements and either have knowledge of, or the ability and willingness to learn, financial institution law.
•Directors should have relevant experience and expertise to evaluate financial data and provide direction and advice to the chief executive officer and the ability to exercise sound business judgment.
•Directors must be willing and able to spend the time to attend meetings of the Board and to serve on Board committees.
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•The Board will consider whether a nominee is independent, as defined under applicable SEC and Nasdaq standards. In addition, directors should avoid the appearance of any conflict and should be independent of any particular constituency and be able to serve all shareholders of MVB.
•Directors must be acceptable to MVB's and MVB Bank's regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions and must not be under any legal restriction which prevents them from serving on the Board or participating in the affairs of a financial institution.
•Directors must own or acquire sufficient capital stock to satisfy the requirements of West Virginia law, the Bylaws and the share ownership guidelines as established by MVB.
•Directors must be at least 21 years of age.
The Board reserves the right to modify these minimum qualifications from time to time, except where the qualifications are required by the laws relating to financial institutions.
Our Board recognizes the importance of consistent, deliberate Board refreshment and succession planning to ensure that the directors possess a composite set of skills, experience and qualifications necessary for the Board to successfully establish and oversee management’s execution of the Company’s strategic priorities.
In addition, the N&CG Committee identifies and evaluates nominees as follows: In the case of incumbent directors whose terms are set to expire, the N&CG Committee considers the directors’ overall service to MVB or MVB Bank during their term, including such factors as the number of meetings attended, the level of participation, quality of performance and any transactions between such directors and MVB and MVB Bank. The N&CG Committee also reviews the payment history of loans, if any, made to such directors by MVB Bank to ensure that the directors are not chronically delinquent and in default.
The N&CG Committee considers whether any transactions between the directors and MVB Bank have been criticized by any banking regulatory agency or MVB Bank’s external auditors and whether corrective action, if required, has been taken and was sufficient. The N&CG Committee also confirms that such directors remain eligible to serve on the board of directors of a financial institution under federal and state law.
The Board will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders for nomination, provided that the recommendations are received at least 90 days prior to the anniversary of the previous year's annual meeting of shareholders. In addition, shareholders must follow the procedures set forth below for submitting nominations for directors. The Board does not intend to alter the manner in which it evaluates candidates, regardless of whether or not the candidate was recommended or nominated by a shareholder.
For new director candidates, the N&CG Committee uses its network of contacts to compile a list of potential candidates. The N&CG Committee then meets to discuss each candidate and whether he or she meets the criteria set forth above. The N&CG Committee then discusses each candidate’s qualifications and chooses a candidate by majority vote.
Director Orientation and Continuing Education
We designed our orientation programs to familiarize new directors with our businesses, strategies, and policies and assist new directors in developing Company and industry knowledge to optimize their service on the Board. Regular continuing education programs enhance the skills and knowledge directors use to perform their responsibilities. These programs may include internally developed programs or programs presented by third parties.
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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Shareholder Nominations of Directors
The Bylaws provide that nominations for election to the Board must be made by a shareholder in writing and delivered or mailed to the President of MVB not less than 90 days prior to the anniversary of the previous year's annual meeting of shareholders, provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after the anniversary of the previous year's annual meeting, the nominations must be mailed or delivered to the President not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period or extend any time period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice.
The notice of nomination must contain the following information, to the extent known:
•Name, address and date of birth of the proposed nominee(s);
•Principal occupation of the nominee(s);
•Total shares to be voted for each nominee;
•Name and address of the nominating shareholder; and
•Number of shares owned by the nominating shareholder.
Nominations not made in accordance with these requirements may be disregarded by the Board and in such case the votes cast for each such nominee will likewise be disregarded. All nominees for election at the Annual Meeting are incumbent directors and are included as nominees in this Proxy Statement upon the recommendation of the N&CG Committee. No shareholder recommendations or nominations have been made for the election of directors at the 2024 Annual Meeting.
Nominations for election to the Board for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be made by a shareholder in writing and delivered or mailed to the President of MVB on or before Thursday, February 20, 2025.
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Nominees for Election
For this year’s election, the Board has nominated three director candidates.
| Name | Age | Year First Elected | Position | |||||||||||||||||
| John W. Ebert | 64 | 2005 | Director | |||||||||||||||||
| Kelly R. Nelson, MD | 64 | 2004 | Director | |||||||||||||||||
| Jan. L. Owen | 72 | 2022 | Director | |||||||||||||||||
The following biographical information about each director nominee highlights the particular experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills possessed by such director nominee that led the Board to determine that he or she could serve as a director. All director nominee biographical information is as of March 27, 2024:
John W. Ebert MVB Director Nominee (3-year term) | ||||||||
| John W. Ebert, 64, is President of J.W. Ebert Corporation, which owns 40 McDonald’s franchises in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Mr. Ebert has more than 30 years of retail experience. Mr. Ebert is currently the Vice Chair of the McDonald’s Columbus Field Office operator organization representing over 1,200 restaurants. He is the former Chairman of McDonald’s East Division Profit Team representing 5,000 restaurants. He is the former President of the Pittsburgh Region’s McDonald’s Owner/Operator Association. Mr. Ebert is a 1982 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He also attended entrepreneurial classes at MIT. He began his career as a Certified Public | ||||||||
| Accountant with Arthur Young & Co in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Ebert also serves on the GameChanger Board of Directors. GameChanger is a student-powered substance misuse prevention organization. Mr. Ebert is currently Chair of MVB's N&CG Committee and serves on the Audit, Finance and Compensation committees. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of MVB Bank, Inc. Mr. Ebert is being nominated as a director due to his knowledge of the North Central West Virginia market, his educational background and his business proficiencies, which include the areas of budget, risk assessment, and human resources. | ||||||||
Kelly R. Nelson, MD MVB Director Nominee (3-year term) | ||||||||
| Dr. Kelly R. Nelson, 64, is a Physician in Bridgeport, West Virginia, and is affiliated with numerous hospitals in the region, including United Hospital Center and West Virginia University Medicine. He was formerly Senior Vice President of MedExpress Urgent Care, and for the prior 27 years, the Medical Director for Medbrook Medical Associates. He is extremely active in community organizations and is currently President and Board member of the Medbrook Children’s Charity. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and the University of Alabama, School of Medicine, specializing in Family Medicine. | ||||||||
| Dr. Nelson is currently Chair of MVB’s Risk and Compliance Committee and serves on the N&CG Committee. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of MVB Bank, Inc. Dr. Nelson is being nominated as a director for his understanding of the medical community in North Central West Virginia, his educational and business insight, and his community activities throughout the region. | ||||||||
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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Jan L. Owen MVB Director Nominee (3-year term) | ||||||||
Jan L. Owen, 72, is a graduate of California State University, Fresno, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Ms. Owen retired in 2023 as a senior advisor in the Financial Services Group at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, based in the Sacramento, California, office. Her practice included a wide range of oversight work, including accountancy, assets recovery, auditing, banking, benefits administration, corporate governance counseling, strategic planning, public policy review and analysis, regulatory representation, budget preparation and financial reporting. Her clients included major banks and consumer financial institutions, Fintech startups, blockchain and cryptocurrency companies, cannabis owners and operators and technology companies. | ||||||||
From 2013 to 2019, Ms. Owen served as the Commissioner of California’s Department of Business Oversight, which is now known as the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, the state of California’s financial regulator. Prior to that, from 2011 to 2013, she served as Commissioner of the California Department of Corporations. Before serving in these significant public roles, Ms. Owen worked at a leading investment banking firm, one of the world’s leading consumer products companies and at her own consulting firm. She is a frequent speaker and author on topics relating to regulatory and consumer protection developments for California and other states nationwide. Ms. Owen served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Bank of Southern California from 2020 to 2022. Since 2020, she has been a member of Kraken Bank’s Board of Directors and, since 2019, she has served on the Advisory Boards of Radicle Impact and Jiko. Ms. Owen serves as a member of both the Risk & Compliance and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committees of the Board. Ms. Owen also serves as a member of the board of directors of MVB Bank, Inc. Ms. Owen is being nominated as a director due to her significant knowledge and experience in the lines of federal, state and international regulatory requirements and her strong background in payments and cryptocurrency. | ||||||||
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Directors Not Up For Election
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 27, 2023 with respect to directors who are not up for election:
| Name | Age | Year First Elected | Position | |||||||||||||||||
| W. Marston Becker | 71 | 2020 | Director | |||||||||||||||||
| Daniel W. Holt | 52 | 2017 | Director | |||||||||||||||||
| Gary A. LeDonne | 62 | 2016 | Director | |||||||||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | 63 | 2005 | Chief Executive Officer and Director | |||||||||||||||||
| Lindsay A. Slader | 38 | 2022 | Director | |||||||||||||||||
| Cheryl D. Spielman | 69 | 2019 | Director | |||||||||||||||||
The following biographical information about each director nominee highlights the particular experience, qualifications, attributes and skills possessed by such director nominee that led the Board to determine that he or she could serve as a director. All director nominee biographical information is as of March 27, 2024:
W. Marston Becker MVB Chair and Director | ||||||||
| W. Marston “Marty” Becker, 71, is a seasoned executive with 35 years of experience including CEO and chairman leadership positions in insurance, reinsurance and insurance brokerage organizations in the U.S. and internationally, as well as insurance-related private equity, advisory and investment banking roles. Mr. Becker is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of QBE Insurance Group, a top 15 global property and casualty insurer. He was appointed to the Board of QBE Insurance Group in 2013, became Chair in 2014 and served until March 2020. | ||||||||
| Mr. Becker served as President and CEO of Alterra Capital Holdings Limited and its predecessors from 2006 to 2013. Mr. Becker serves on a variety of corporate boards in the financial services, manufacturing and non-profit sectors: Directors of Axis Capital (NYSE: AXS), Director of Encova Mutual Insurance in Columbus, Ohio; Director of Amynta Group in New York City; Advisory Board member of private equity funds American Securities, Cohesive Capital and Madison Dearborn Partners; Director of The Mountain Companies of Parkersburg, West Virginia; Director of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce; and Board Member of the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences. Mr. Becker is Chairman of the Board of Directors of MVB Financial Corp. and MVB Bank, Inc. He is also Chairman of MVB’s Compensation Committee and serves on the Finance Committee. We believe Mr. Becker’s background in finance and mergers and acquisitions and his experience serving on the board of a public company make him qualified to serve as a member of the Board. | ||||||||
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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Daniel W. Holt MVB Director | ||||||||
Daniel W. Holt, 52, is Co-Founder & CEO of BillGO, an award-winning real-time bill management and payments platform that serves more than 30 million consumers and serves thousands of banks and billers. Under his leadership, BillGO has become the top bill payments network in the financial industry. After serving eight years in the U.S. Air Force, Mr. Holt held several leadership positions in Silicon Valley. For eight years, his team at HEIT built the leading cloud services company for the financial industry. Upon its acquisition, Mr. Holt led CSI’s technology and services as President and General Manager. | ||||||||
Mr. Holt has served on boards for payments and Fintech companies, and he mentors students and entrepreneurs at Colorado State University. Mr. Holt holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and an MBA from Colorado State University. Mr. Holt currently serves on the N&CG Committee. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of MVB Bank, Inc. We believe Mr. Holt’s leadership, education, business and professional development accomplishments in the financial and technology industries make him qualified to serve as a member of the Board. With MVB’s continued expansion and focus on the fintech industry, his expertise is critical for Board enhancement. | ||||||||
Gary A. LeDonne MVB Director | ||||||||
| Gary A. LeDonne, 62, is a retired Partner of Ernst & Young LLP, retiring in 2014 as East Central Region Tax Managing Partner. Throughout his career with Ernst & Young LLP, Mr. LeDonne served many banking, insurance, and capital market clients. He has an extensive background in strategy development, succession planning and talent management. From 2015 through 2023, he served as Executive in Residence at West Virginia University’s John Chambers College of Business & Economics, retiring in May 2023. During his career in academia, Mr. LeDonne taught federal income tax courses and served as Director of the Master of Accountancy program. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Fairmont State University and his Master of Professional Accountancy degree from West Virginia University. | ||||||||
| Mr. LeDonne is Chair of the Visiting Committee of the John Chambers College of Business & Economics of West Virginia University. The Visiting Committee advises the College on a variety of strategic matters. Mr. LeDonne serves on the Governing Board of The Graphite Company of the Americas (GRAPHCOA) and its affiliates. GRAPHCOA is a private equity backed graphite mining business in Brazil. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. LeDonne is currently Chair of MVB's Finance Committee and serves on the Audit Committee as well as the Risk and Compliance Committee. He is designated as an Audit Committee Financial Expert by the Board. Mr. LeDonne also serves as a member of the board of directors of MVB Bank, Inc. We believe Mr. LeDonne’s extensive knowledge of the Mid-Atlantic region business community and his investment, financial, and accounting expertise qualify him to serve as a member of the Board. | ||||||||
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Larry F. Mazza Chief Executive Officer of MVB and MVB Director | ||||||||
A recognized banking and financial services executive, Larry F. Mazza, 63, Chief Executive Officer and Director, embraces industry disruption caused by technology and motivates others to think bigger and do bigger. A high-energy leader with an entrepreneurial mindset who believes fortune favors the bold, Mr. Mazza builds strong professional partnerships through his philosophy of love, trust and commitment. Mr. Mazza’s expertise and enthusiasm in finance, startups, the growing payments industry, fast-changing technology and highly regulated industries like gaming and banking-as-a-service have made him a trusted partner and thought leader across the globe. | ||||||||
Mr. Mazza joined MVB in 2005 and became CEO in 2009. Under his leadership, MVB has grown from a community bank with 35 employees to a NASDAQ-listed and Russell 2000 company with nearly 500 Team Members and Fintech clients worldwide. During Mr. Mazza’s time at MVB, total assets have grown to more than $3.4 billion. MVB’s model now goes beyond traditional banking and leverages the disruption occurring in the financial services industry to the benefit of shareholders and clients. In his MVB Financial Director role, Mr. Mazza serves on MVB Bank’s ALCO, Loan Approval and Loan Review Committees. He is also a Director for two MVB subsidiaries: Paladin Fraud and Trabian Technology, Inc. As an entrepreneur, Mr. Mazza is co-owner and business partner of the global sports media business venture Football Talk, LLC, and its nationally recognized and highly successful website ProFootballTalk.com, which is a key content provider for NBC Sports. A civic-minded volunteer and business leader, Mr. Mazza serves on the boards of public companies and non-profit organizations. Appointed by three different governors since 2010, Mr. Mazza continues to serve on the West Virginia Board of Banking and Financial Institutions. Mr. Mazza is currently a member of the Board of Directors for BillGO, a Fintech company based in Colorado. He is also a founding Board Member of Intercoastal Mortgage, LLC, one of the largest independent mortgage banks operating in the Mid-Atlantic Region. He is also a Board member for Gen-Opp Fund, a hedge fund focused on finding generational opportunities in banking and Fintech for its investors. From 2007 to 2019, Mazza served on PDC Energy’s Board, a NASDAQ-listed, Denver, Colorado, based mid-cap oil and gas Nasdaq-listed company where he served on the Compensation Committee, Chair of the Nomination & Governance Committee and was an Audit Committee member. From 2020 to 2023, he served on the Board of Kraken Financial, a special purpose depository institution based in Wyoming. In 2017, he became a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Board Leadership Fellow. A West Virginia University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Mr. Mazza began his career as a Certified Public Accountant. He worked for KPMG as a CPA with a focus on auditing, including audits of financial institutions. Prior to joining MVB, Mr. Mazza was Senior Vice President & Retail Banking Manager for BB&T Bank’s West Virginia North region. His 20 years at BB&T (now Truist Bank), included serving as President of Empire National Bank and Regional President of One Valley Bank. | ||||||||
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement
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Lindsay A. Slader MVB Director | ||||||||
Lindsay A. Slader, 38, is the Managing Director of Gaming at GeoComply, a cybersecurity and fraud prevention firm delivering geolocation and user authentication technologies. She joined the company in its infancy in 2012 as its first employee. Beyond gaming, GeoComply provides solutions for streaming video broadcasters and the online banking, payments and cryptocurrency industries and serves an impressive list of global customers including Amazon Prime Video, BBC, Akamai, DraftKings, FanDuel and MGM. | ||||||||
Having worked in the internet gaming and digital services industries for 15 years, Ms. Slader is a recognized expert in her field, regularly speaking at industry conferences and as a weekly media contributor to both mainstream business and gaming industry publications. Over the last decade, Ms. Slader has provided expert witness testimony on regulatory compliance, geolocation technologies and her gaming industry expertise at several state and federal hearings. Prior to GeoComply, she spent five years specializing in regulatory compliance, gaming technology and business development at gaming compliance testing companies Gaming Laboratories International and Technical Systems Testing. Ms. Slader graduated from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations. She also holds a post-graduate diploma in Urban Studies from Simon Fraser University and a certificate in European Strategic Policy from Science Po Lille. Ms. Slader currently serves on MVB’s Risk and Compliance Committee and the Compensation Committee. She also serves as a member of the board of directors of MVB Bank, Inc. We believe her knowledge and experience in business development, gaming, technology, fraud prevention and regulatory compliance qualify her to serve as a member of the Board. | ||||||||
Cheryl D. Spielman MVB Director | ||||||||
| Cheryl D. Spielman, 69, is a retired Partner from Ernst & Young U.S., LLP, retiring in 2015, where she led various groups from 1997 to 2015, serving as Leader of Human Capital for Financial Services for the last eight years there. From 1989 to 1996, she was an executive with the firm. She has been a personal consultant and advisor to CEOs in various industries, including financial services, consumer products and entertainment. | ||||||||
| Ms. Spielman has a great deal of financial experience with an audit background. Upon retirement from Ernst & Young, she served on the Board of Directors of IPM, a privately held technology systems integration company, which sold in 2017. From 2017 to 2019, she served as a member of the Board of Directors of First Republic Bank (FRC), which was headquartered in California. Previously, Ms. Spielman was a tax professional at Arthur Young & Company. She was a trustee of the Cornell University Hillel Board and serves on the Women’s Foundation of South Palm Beach County. Ms. Spielman also serves on the Board of Governors and the is former Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Compensation Chair of the Polo Club of Boca Raton, Florida. She was associated with Cornell entity boards. She earned a bachelor of science degree in 1977 from Cornell University and an M.B.A. in 1980 from the University of Chicago. She is also a Certified Public Accountant. Ms. Spielman is currently the Chair of MVB's Audit Committee and serves on the Finance Committee and the Risk and Compliance Committee. She is designated as an Audit Committee Financial Expert by the Board. Ms. Spielman also serves as a member of the board of directors of MVB Bank, Inc. We believe her strong background and experience in accounting, client-focused global human resources and tax services, tax risk management and employment-related issues qualify her to serve as a member of the Board | ||||||||
There are no family relationships among the directors of MVB or MVB Bank.
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Compensation of Directors
Our HR and Compensation Committee periodically reviews and recommends updates to the director
compensation program for our Board approval. No changes were made to the form or amount of director compensation for 2023.
MVB uses a combination of cash and stock-based incentive compensation to attract and retain independent, qualified candidates to serve on our Board. In setting director compensation, we consider the significant amount of time that directors expend in fulfilling their duties, as well as the skill level we require of members of our Board.
| 2023 Director Compensation | ||||||||||||||
| Board or Committee | Chair Retainer (Annual) | Member Retainer (Annual) | ||||||||||||
| MVB Financial Corp. | $ | 20,000 | ||||||||||||
| Chairman of the Board | $ | 50,000 | ||||||||||||
| Audit Committee | $ | 25,000 | $ | 5,000 | ||||||||||
| Risk and Compliance Committee | $ | 20,000 | $ | 4,000 | ||||||||||
| Compensation Committee | $ | 20,000 | $ | 4,000 | ||||||||||
| N&CG Committee | $ | 15,000 | $ | 3,000 | ||||||||||
| Finance Committee | $ | 20,000 | $ | 4,000 | ||||||||||
*All non-employee directors are granted $75,000 worth of restricted stock units with a one-year time vesting schedule as an equity award.
Director Compensation - Fiscal Year 2023
| Director Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash1 | Stock Awards2 | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| W. Marston Becker | $ | 118,000 | $ | 75,000 | $ | 193,000 | ||||||||||||||
| John W. Ebert | $ | 73,000 | $ | 75,000 | $ | 148,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Daniel W. Holt | $ | 45,625 | $ | 75,000 | $ | 120,625 | ||||||||||||||
| Gary A. LeDonne | $ | 88,500 | $ | 75,000 | $ | 163,500 | ||||||||||||||
| Dr. Kelly R. Nelson | $ | 79,500 | $ | 75,000 | $ | 154,500 | ||||||||||||||
| Jan L. Owen | $ | 69,500 | $ | 75,000 | $ | 144,500 | ||||||||||||||
| Lindsay A. Slader | $ | 43,000 | $ | 75,000 | $ | 118,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Cheryl D. Spielman | $ | 79,375 | $ | 75,000 | $ | 154,375 | ||||||||||||||
1 Includes MVB Board and committee fees and fees paid for service on MVB subsidiary boards of directors.
2 Each director was granted Time-Vested RSUs on June 1, 2023 at a share price of $18.02 per share for 4,162 shares, which will be fully vested on June 1, 2024.
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Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information regarding MVB’s executive officers. All ages are provided as of March 27, 2024:
| Name | Age | Position | |||||||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | 63 | Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson | 49 | President & Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||||||
| Michael L. Giorgio | 43 | Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer | |||||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | 52 | Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer | |||||||||||||||
| John C. Marion | 56 | Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer | |||||||||||||||
Provided below is biographical information for MVB’s executive officers, other than Mr. Mazza. For information regarding Mr. Mazza, see “Directors - Directors Not Up for Election”.
Donald T. Robinson President & Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson has been with MVB since 2011 and was appointed as President in January 2022. He previously served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Development Officer for MVB Financial and MVB Bank. He also previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer for MVB Bank. Mr. Robinson started his career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen and was an audit manager in the Washington, D.C., office’s technology and emerging markets practice. After leaving Arthur Andersen, he joined a local West Virginia accounting firm and was the partner in charge of the audit practice. In 2005, he joined Linn Energy as the Chief Accounting Officer and was a key member during its 2006 IPO. | ||||||||
| Prior to joining MVB, Mr. Robinson was the commercial regional manager for Huntington Bank’s West Virginia region. He serves on the board of the Marc Bulger Foundation and the Finance Committee of St. Francis Central Catholic School. He is the founder and organizer of the Mon County Baseball Classic which benefits Stepping Stones. He is also a Founder of GameChanger, a student-powered substance misuse prevention organization, and is a member of Mon Health Medical Center’s Board of Directors. | ||||||||
Michael L. Giorgio Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer | ||||||||
| Michael “Mike” Giorgio brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in operations, lending, risk, information/cyber security and technology within retail/commercial banking and Fintech organizations. At MVB, Giorgio is focused on integrating a holistic technology approach for the overall MVB enterprise, including the support provided for internal projects by our technology companies, Trabian and Victor. | ||||||||
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| Mr. Giorgio is responsible for establishing the long-term vision and developing strategies for the Information Technology department and initiatives that support MVB’s ongoing business operations and strategic plan. He directs the planning and implementation of enterprise systems and architecture to support business operations, focusing on compliance and regulatory needs. He implements IT capabilities that provide a competitive advantage for MVB and is ultimately accountable for all aspects of the organization’s information technology infrastructure. Prior to joining MVB, Mr. Giorgio served as Chief Executive Officer of Kraken Bank (SPDI) and Chairman & CEO of SMC Blockchain Labs. Previously he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Metropolitan Commercial Bank architecting innovative solutions to support a digital currency and prepaid card clientele from 2018-2020. He also was the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Laurel Road, a national lending and banking company focused on student loan refinancing from 2016 to 2018. Before entering the national lending space, he spent more than ten years leading organizational transformation efforts adopting digital first strategies including mobile/online banking, digital loan applications and online account opening. Mr. Giorgio received his M.B.A. from Quinnipiac University and holds a B.S. in Computer Science from St. John’s University. He also maintains a CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification. | ||||||||
Craig B. Greathouse Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer | ||||||||
Craig B. Greathouse joined MVB Financial Corp. in 2018 as Senior Vice President of Human Resources. Mr. Greathouse has since been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer. He is a graduate of West Virginia University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He later graduated from the University of South Carolina, where he earned a master’s degree in Human Resource Management. | ||||||||
| Mr. Greathouse has nearly 30 years of progressive leadership experience. Previously, he was the Vice President of Human Relations for Mylan’s North America leadership team, where he served during a period of tremendous growth. He was responsible for overseeing employee engagement and labor relations, succession planning and talent development, as well as leading and supporting a number of business transformation and restructuring projects. Prior to his time at Mylan, Mr. Greathouse spent more than 12 years at GE Aviation in a number of senior human resources leadership roles for global organizations, including Turbine Airfoils Manufacturing and Engineering Division, Finance and Legal Divisions and the Customer and Product Support Operations. In his most recent position with GE as the Executive Human Resources Leader, Assembly, Test and Overhaul Center of Excellence, Mr. Greathouse provided overall human resources direction and strategy for a production, services and engineering organization with 20 locations and 7,000 employees across Asia, Europe, South America and the U.S. Mr. Greathouse has been involved in community service activities throughout his career. He was a long-serving Board Member for GE Aviation’s Community Service Fund and managed Mylan’s regional charitable contributions program. In 2013, Mr. Greathouse was a community campaign chairman for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties and served on its Board of Directors for nearly six years. Mr. Greathouse currently leads all aspects of human resources strategies and programs to support the continued development of MVB Financial’s growth-oriented culture, including Team Member engagement and development, talent acquisition, performance management, compensation and benefits programs and organizational development activities. | ||||||||
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John C. Marion Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer | ||||||||
| John Marion has over 20 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry and is the Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, for MVB Financial Corp. Prior to joining MVB, MR. Marion was the President and a member of the board of directors of Comenity Bank. Comenity is a $15 billion bank focused | ||||||||
| primarily on co-brand and private label credit card lending. He spent much of his career with JPMorgan Chase, where he held various retail banking roles including CFO for Chase’s digital business. He was also Treasurer for the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, which contributes over $150 million annually to charitable organizations globally. Mr. Marion began his career at KPMG as a financial auditor in the Philadelphia office. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has always been active in the community, chairing the Community Reinvestment Committees for Comenity Bank and Chase Bank USA and serving on the Boards of Downtown Visions and First State Community Loan Fund in Wilmington, Delaware. | ||||||||
There are no family relationships among the executive officers of MVB or MVB Bank.
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Executive Compensation
This section describes the compensation program for our named executive officers and includes the required executive compensation tables.
| Human Resources and Compensation Committee Report | |||||||||||
| The Human Resources and Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the disclosures contained in the following “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” Based on this review and discussion, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” be included in this Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting. | |||||||||||
| Members of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee, | |||||||||||
| W. Marston Becker (Chair), John W. Ebert, and Lindsay A. Slader | |||||||||||
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The following Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) describes the philosophy, objectives and structure of MVB’s 2023 executive compensation program. This includes discussion and background information regarding the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer, and the next three most highly-compensated executive officers of MVB, collectively referred to as the named executive officers (“NEOs”).
| Executive’s Name | Title | ||||
| Larry F. Mazza | Chief Executive Officer | ||||
| Donald T. Robinson | President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
| Michael L. Giorgio | EVP, Chief Information Officer | ||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | EVP, Chief Administrative Officer | ||||
| John C. Marion | EVP, Chief Risk Officer | ||||
This CD&A explains the guiding principles and practices upon which our executive compensation program is based and the compensation paid to our NEOs. This information is intended to be read in conjunction with the tables and accompanying footnotes and narrative disclosure that immediately follow this section, which provide further historical compensation information.
CD&A Guiding Principles
The Board believes MVB’s compensation program effectively aligns our executive officers’ compensation with the long-term interests of MVB shareholders. Incentive compensation programs consist of a blend of annual performance and long-term equity compensation. Such programs are structured to preclude excessive and unnecessary risk-taking and utilize performance metrics established in advance based on an annual budget and business planning process. MVB’s incentive plans also contain caps or limits on the amounts that can be awarded.
MVB’s Incentive Compensation Clawback Policy encompasses all compensation awards so that awards or payments are adjusted or recovered if the performance measures supporting such an award are subsequently restated or otherwise adjusted to levels which do not support the award or payment.
Business Highlights
In 2023, MVB created shareholder value while successfully navigating disruptive industry events and challenging market conditions for the banking sector. Measured by stock performance, MVB’s total shareholder return in 2023 was 5.5% compared to (6.2)% for the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (“KRE”). Growth in tangible book value per share for the year was 10.8% compared to 11.6% for all publicly traded banks. Over the last five years, MVB has grown tangible book value per share, a key measure of shareholder value creation, by 73.6% compared to 30.4% for all public banks.
MVB’s consistent track record of generating shareholder value, both in the short and long term, can be largely attributed to the strategic evolution of our business model over the past several years. These initiatives have effectively diversified our revenue streams and bolstered our structural foundation. This adaptability proved particularly crucial in traversing the various market disruptions of the post-pandemic era, most notably the industry challenges faced in 2023.
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Specific highlights and developments that helped position MVB to protect and grow shareholder value in 2023 included the following:
•MVB’s relatively higher concentration of noninterest bearing deposits primarily reflected our market leading position in online gaming and other Fintech initiatives. The growth drivers of this business are much less correlated to trends in traditional low cost bank deposits, a key point of purposeful differentiation for MVB during the industry’s travails in 2023. Noninterest bearing deposits measured 41% at MVB at year-end 2023 compared to 25% for bank industry peers.
•MVB’s relative funding cost advantage, and our ability to reprice assets as interest rates moved higher, drove our peer-leading net interest margin of 4.04% in 2023, level with the prior year.
•MVB’s strong balance sheet liquidity position helped us to weather the storm as the industry liquidity panic took hold in March 2023, enabling us to reduce higher cost funding as market conditions stabilized later in the year. This was a major contributing factor in our ability to drive improvement in net interest margin and net interest income in the second half of the year. The balance sheet loan to deposit ratio stood at 79.9% at year-end 2023 as compared to 88.2% for all public banks.
•Average available-for-sale investment securities measured 10.0% of total average assets in 2023, roughly half the concentration level of peer banks, reflecting a prudent and conservative approach to balance sheet positioning and risk management. As a result, MVB was less impacted by fluctuations in AOCI, another driving factor in the industry panic during 2023.
•As of year-end 2023, MVB has no outstanding FHLB or other liquidity-related borrowings, including from the Federal Reserve’s discount window or the Bank Term Funding Program, and no held-to-maturity investment securities.
•Measures of asset quality were stable throughout the year. Nonperforming loans measured 0.4% of total loans at year-end 2023, down from 0.5% at the prior year-end. Net loan charge-offs represented 0.4% of average loan balances in 2023, level with the prior year. As part of our efforts to further de-risk the balance sheet, we completed the sale of a portfolio of subprime automobile loans during 2023.
•MVB’s capital position was solid, as evidenced by Community Bank Leverage Ratio, Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio, MVB Bank’s Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio, and our tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 10.5%, 14.4%, 15.1%, and 8.6%, respectively, as of year-end 2023.
•During 2023, the successful execution of MVB’s various Fintech initiatives helped to further diversify the company’s revenue stream, as total payment card and service charge income increased by 18% in 2023 relative to the prior year.
•Total revenue was $143.0 million, up 2.6% from the prior year, driven primarily by higher interest income, partially offset by lower noninterest income.
•Total noninterest expense was $117.6 million, up 6.8% from the prior year, owing primarily to higher professional fees, as we took actions to enhance regulatory and compliance infrastructure in response to the industry events that took place in early 2023.
•Common cash dividends were $0.68 per share in 2023, flat with the prior year level.
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MVB’s 2023 Executive Compensation Program Overview
Components of Executive Compensation
MVB’s executive compensation program is designed to attract and retain top-quality executive talent while creating a direct, meaningful link between business results and compensation opportunities.The primary elements of our compensation program consist of base salary, short-term annual cash incentives, and long-term equity incentives, each of which are described below.
Element | Overview | Purpose | ||||||
Fixed | ||||||||
Base Salary | Fixed base cash compensation that considers the qualifications, experience, and scope of responsibilities of the executive’s role | To maintain market competitiveness and attract and retain top talent | ||||||
Variable | ||||||||
Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) Payout Range: 0%-200% of target | Performance-based annual cash incentive opportunities tied to one-year performance and the Company's annual budget | To incentivize for certain annual financial, operational, and individual objectives | ||||||
Initial Trigger EPS Funding Metric – set at 85% of the average of published analyst expectations for the fiscal year | To set a rigorous profitability standard before bonuses can be paid at any level to executives | |||||||
Scorecard of Financial and Individual Performance Total Noninterest Income (20%) Total Noninterest Expense (20%) Charge Offs/Total Loans (20%) Total Core Deposits Growth (20%) Individual Performance Scorecard Rating (20%) | The scorecard contains metrics measuring income, growth and credit quality and an individual performance goal rating which provide a balanced approach to determining incentives | |||||||
Long- Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) Payout Range: 0%-200% of target | Performance - and time-based equity compensation each of which vest over a three-year period | To reward for sustained long-term financial results, build stock ownership, align with shareholder interests and retain executives | ||||||
Performance-based RSUs (50% of LTIP) Three-year Cumulative EPS (50%) Three-year Cumulative Tangible Book Value per Share (50%) Three-Year Relative TSR vs. the S&P United States SmallCap Banks Index (Modifier +/-20%) Awards vest after end of the three-year performance period if performance goals are achieved | To incentivize for achieving multi-year growth objectives and long-term valuation creation efforts while ensuring that payouts reflect actual results experienced by shareholders | |||||||
Time-based RSUs (50% of LTIP) Awards vest ratably over three years | To align executives’ interests with shareholders and promote retention | |||||||
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2023 Compensation Decisions and Incentive Plan Results
•2023 Target Pay Opportunities
The Human Resources and Compensation Committee provided no increases in target compensation opportunities in 2023.
| 2023 Target Total Direct Compensation ($) | 2022 Target Total Direct Compensation ($) | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | $2,040,000 | $2,040,000 | 0% | |||||||||||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson | $997,500 | $997,500 | 0% | |||||||||||||||||
| Michael L. Giorgio* | $637,500 | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | $637,500 | $637,500 | 0% | |||||||||||||||||
| John C. Marion | $637,500 | $637,500 | 0% | |||||||||||||||||
No increases were awarded to the NEO’s in 2023.
*Mr. Giorgio joined MVB in 2023.
•2023 Executive Annual Incentive Plan Results
Overall, financial and individual performance goal achievement resulted in varying payouts that were slightly above, met or below the target level (107.99% of target) for 2023 and reflecting our better than average shareholder returns for the year. The fifth incentive goal is tied to the Executive’s Individual Performance Scorecard Rating which determines the direction of the NEO’s actual payout.
•Earnings per share grew from $1.23 per share in 2022 to $1.77 per share in 2023 (a 44% increase) exceeding the initial trigger needed to allow for any bonus payouts.
•Total Noninterest Income fell from $44.7 million in 2022 to $33.9 million in 2023, falling below the threshold level of performance and resulting in no payout for this metric.
•Total Noninterest Expense fell from 123.8 million in 2022 to $120.0 million in 2023, falling slightly below the target performance level resulting in a payout of 90% of target.
•Total Core Deposits grew by $300.8 million in 2023, exceeding the maximum performance level and resulting in a payout of 200% of target.
•Charge-Offs/Total Loans improved slightly from 0.37% in 2022 to 0.40% in 2023, exceeding the target performance level resulting in a payout of 150% of target and reflective of challenging lending environment.
•All NEO’s met or exceeded the individual performance scorecard threshold rating of 3.0, resulting in overall payouts of between 105% and 128% of target.
•2021-2023 Performance-based RSUs Results
Return on Assets and relative TSR performance for the three-year period from 2021-2023 both narrowly missed the threshold performance goal resulting in no payout for performance-based RSUs awarded in 2021 for the period from 2021 to 2023 and reflecting our below average shareholder returns in 2023.
•Three-year average Return on Assets of 0.97% fell just below the threshold goal of 1.00%, resulting in no payout.
•Three-year TSR of +6.2% ranked at the 23rd percentile of the relative TSR peer group, falling just below the threshold goal of 25th percentile, resulting in no payout.
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•Special Compensation Actions in 2023
The Compensation Committee has consistently administered the Company’s incentive plans according to their metrics and pre-established goals, which is consistent with our pay philosophy. This approach has produced pay outcomes aligned with our results, including those of our shareholders. Further, the Committee historically has avoided adjustments for extraordinary items or special charges in determining the financial results serving as the basis for incentive payouts. Thus, the Committee takes much care in considering any potential payouts beyond the parameters of the incentive plan’s structure.
In March 2023, the Compensation Committee approved a special one-time bonus to reward executives who were critical to the success of the sale of Chartwell Compliance (“Chartwell”) to Ankura Consulting Group, LLC (“Ankura”). In determining the individual award amounts, the Compensation Committee considered the critical role that each of the executives had in the closing of the deal which generated an estimated gain of $11.5 million to the Company and limited payouts to below executives normal target annual incentive opportunities. For more information see “Chartwell Sale Bonus”on page 50.
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
MVB’s compensation programs are designed to provide competitive compensation and benefits to promote the interests of MVB and its shareholders while enabling us to attract and retain top-quality executive talent. MVB’s compensation philosophy is built on five core compensation principles:
•Pay for Performance
Our philosophy is performance-based. For those Team Members in similar positions, we strive to award our strongest performers the most pay. Outstanding performance receives outstanding rewards. Our incentive plans are designed to drive and improve individual and business performance. Each plan requires measurable goals and objectives to be set, communicated, achieved, and audited prior to any award made. Award eligibility varies based on a Team Member’s level within the Company, their ability to drive results as well as relevant market pay data. Those with unacceptable performance are not eligible for incentive awards or merit increases.
•Profitability Drives the Programs
Profitability and success are the key drivers in determining actual pay earned. It is the responsibility of senior management to ensure our plans provide a positive return to our Company and shareholders, in addition to appropriately rewarding contributions and successful performance.
•Sound Compensation Practices
All MVB compensation elements will comply with appropriate regulations and sound compensation practices, which neither pay excessive compensation nor encourage inappropriate risk-taking. All behavior must be consistent with MVB’s purpose and values.
•Pay Structure
Various positions require various levels of skills, knowledge and personal attributes that drive different rates of pay and/or variable compensation opportunity. Geographic locations will also factor into the process. MVB has an established job structure that provides a formal hierarchy of grades and salary ranges as well as a formal job evaluation process to determine fairness in job placement within the structure. This practice guides us in providing internal equity amongst positions and ensures the maintenance of fairness in our compensation practices across divisions of the organization.
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•Market Competitive Compensation
The “market” sets the framework for pay opportunity and achievement against objectives drives the actual payout. The intent of the compensation philosophy is to maintain a competitive compensation program and attract and retain top talent across the organization. MVB regularly conducts a market study of benchmark positions to determine the competitive posture of the organization and need for any changes. Reclassification of positions may occur on an ongoing basis depending on recommendations from senior management as well as updated market data.
MVB pays base salaries that target a reasonable range around the market median (of other companies comparable to our asset size, complexity as well as general industry standard rates). That target The true market rate is arrange of approximately +/-10% of the median pay rate. Salary ranges are reviewed annually and may be adjusted to maintain a competitive pay structure. High-level performers are groomed and prepared for the next level in their careers.
Target Executive Pay Mix
Although our HR and Compensation Committee does not target a specific allocation for each pay element, we aim to deliver a mix of pay elements (salary, target bonus and equity) that are aligned with typical market practices and deliver a market-based balance between fixed and variable elements, as well as short- and long-term incentives, as evidenced by the following 2023 target pay mix allocation relative to market.
Pay and Performance
Our compensation program is grounded in a pay-for-performance philosophy. Performance goals in both our short and long-term incentive plans are set at challenging levels, with the ultimate goal that performance will drive long-term, sustainable value for shareholders. When financial and stock performance goals are not met, pay outcomes for our executives should reflect this reality.
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Compensation Governance Policies and Practices
We believe our pay-for-performance philosophy and compensation governance practices provide an appropriate framework for executives to achieve financial and strategic goals without encouraging them to take excessive risks in their business decisions. Some practices include:
•Pay-for-Performance Philosophy and Culture
•Compensation Clawback Policy
•Stock Ownership Guidelines
•Prohibition of Hedging and Pledging
•Compensation Philosophy
•Independent compensation consultants
•Annual risk assessments of the compensation programs
•Responsible use of shares under MVB’s long-term incentive program
•All incentive plans are capped
Say-on-Pay Vote Results
At the 2022 Annual Meeting, 98.59% of the shareholders of MVB voted in favor of our executive compensation proposal (commonly known as the “Say-on-Pay” proposal). The Human Resource and Compensation Committee believes this voting result reflects strong shareholder support for our current compensation practices and the approach the Committee has taken to managing the Company’s executive pay program.
The Compensation Committee will continue to review our executive compensation program as well as consider the outcome of the “Say-on-Pay” votes when making future compensation decisions for the NEOs.
Establishing Executive Compensation
Role of the Human Resource and Compensation Committee
MVB’s executive compensation program is designed by our Human Resource and Compensation Committee, (“Compensation Committee”), and our Board of Directors to closely track our long-term strategy. Over the years we have evolved our executive pay program while maintaining an overarching compensation philosophy aimed at achieving strong alignment between our long-term strategic goals and our shareholders’ interests.
We structured our current executive compensation program to align with the Board’s business strategy. Each year the Compensation Committee reviews the existing incentive structure, considering investor feedback, business performance, and our strategic roadmap, to determine the efficacy of further enhancements.
The Compensation Committee’s process begins with establishing individual and corporate performance objectives by the first quarter of each calendar year. The Compensation Committee engages in an active dialogue with the CEO concerning strategic objectives and performance targets. The Compensation Committee also reviews the appropriateness of the financial measures used in incentive plans, the degree of difficulty in achieving performance targets, any potential challenges or obstacles and appropriate risk levels. Corporate performance objectives are established based on a targeted return on assets and return on equity, as well as growth in earnings per share and financial goals for each of the particular business units within MVB.
The Compensation Committee annually reviews the Committee Charter and Executive incentive plans used throughout MVB. The Compensation Committee determines whether the plans, individually or collectively, encourage excessive risk taking, whether each of the plans has reasonable limits and caps, and whether the overall structure of the incentive plans is aligned with the interests of the shareholders.
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Role of Management
Management also plays a role in the compensation setting process. Typically, MVB's CEO will evaluate the performance of the other executive officers and will assist the Human Resource and Compensation Committee in determining appropriate performance targets and objectives for the incentive plans. When requested, the CEO may participate in Compensation Committee meetings to discuss these items and make recommendations regarding salary increases, bonuses and other compensation-related matters. The Compensation Committee exercises its independent informed judgement in approving compensation for all executive officers and assessing corporate performance against the pre-established objectives. The CEO is not present during deliberations or voting concerning his own compensation.
Investor Outreach
Investing in an outreach program, MVB’s CEO, President and CFO and in some cases, the Chairman of the Compensation Committee, meet with the Company's top investors to share the Strategic Plan, provide an overview of leadership and structure, and present MVB compensation methodology. Other topics include Board governance and executive compensation framework outlining where MVB is adopting best practices and providing alignment with the shareholders. Throughout the outreach, MVB can connect with many institutional investors.
Use of Outside Advisors
Pursuant to the authority granted to it in its charter, the Compensation Committee may engage an independent executive compensation consultant. In 2023, the Compensation Committee engaged Pay Governance LLC, to provide consulting services to the Compensation Committee, including advice on compensation philosophy, incentive plan design, executive job compensation analysis, and CD&A disclosure, among other compensation topics.
The Compensation Committee conducted a review of its relationship with Pay Governance, taking into account the independence factors set forth in applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules, and determined that Pay Governance’s work for the Compensation Committee did not raise any conflicts of interest.
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Incentive Compensation Risk Framework Standard
The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing incentive plans for executive officers that achieve an appropriate balance between MVB’s results and risk. The Compensation Committee recognizes that business in the financial industry inherently requires that MVB take on certain risks: in its lending activities, depository activities, and investing activities, as well as other facets of the organization.
To ensure the effective management of our incentive compensation program, MVB maintains a governance structure that includes key individuals and committees responsible for its oversight. Senior management plays a vital role in providing direction and commitment by conducting a comprehensive inventory and review of all incentive plans, while the Board and/or Board-level Committees exercises ultimate responsibility for approving and supervising our Incentive Compensation Philosophy and the supporting Incentive Compensation Risk Assessment.
This standard, developed and adopted in 2023, adheres to a foundational framework, which emphasizes the importance of sound risk management practices in compensation arrangements, including:
▪Governance and Risk Management
▪Alignment with Risk Management
▪Performance Metrics
▪Deferral and Clawback Provisions
▪Risk Analysis and Modeling
▪Compliance and Documentation
▪Supervisory Review
▪Effective Communication and Training
▪Independent Review
Upon due consideration of these items, the Compensation Committee believes that MVB incentive plans are designed in such a way as to encourage executives to take only prudent levels of risk in the pursuit of strong performance on behalf of shareholders. Furthermore, the Compensation Committee believes that MVB’s compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on its business or operations.
Compensation Competitive Analysis
Use of Peer Group
The Compensation Committee seeks to provide total targeted direct compensation that is competitive and dependent on Company performance and other factors, including size of assets, and market capitalization.
MVB’s talent acquisition strategy focuses on attracting and retaining executives with the experience and skills necessary to grow the organization. MVB executives have generally come from larger metropolitan areas and/or institutions that are significantly larger than MVB. As a result, MVB has found it necessary to provide a base salary that exceeds the median of banks comparable to MVB's asset size in order to execute the Company strategy. Other elements of compensation are adjusted to recognize this positioning & continue to approximate competitive total pay opportunities for banks of similar asset size.
2023 Peer Group
Our Compensation Committee, with the support of Pay Governance, reviews the continued appropriateness of our peer group on an annual basis. The 2023 executive compensation peer group was selected using the following criteria:
•Assets: $1.5B -$10B;
•Location: From across the country (not just in MVB's area)
•Market Cap: $100M - $2.5B
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•Deposit Growth: >10% Trend
•Market Cap to Book Ratio >1.0x
•Market Cap to Revenue Ratio >2.0x
•Business Model Differentiation: FinTech Focus, Consulting, Venture Capital, Tech Forward
Based on the review conducted for 2023, Atlantic Capital Bancshares was removed from the peer group following its acquisition by SouthState Corp. and two companies, ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. and FFB Bancorp, were added to the peer group. The resulting peer group of 15 companies is outlined below:
| Byline Bancorp, Inc. | Live Oak Bancshares Inc. | ||||
| Capital Bancorp, Inc. | Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. | ||||
| Coastal Financial Corporation | National Bank Holdings Corporation | ||||
| ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. | Pathward Financial, Inc. | ||||
| Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc. | Primis Financial Corp. | ||||
| FFB Bancorp | The Bancorp, Inc. | ||||
| First Internet Bancorp | Triumph Financial, Inc. | ||||
| Heritage Commerce Corp. | |||||
Stock Ownership Guidelines
In May 2019, our Board approved new stock ownership guidelines for both our executives and outside directors to further align their interests with our shareholders. The President and CEO must own three times (3x) their annual base salary. Designated executives must own one time (1x) their annual base salary, and directors must own ten times (10x) their annual cash retainer. Executives have five years to meet the ownership requirements. Directors have three years. Stock ownership is reviewed by the Compensation Committee annually.
| Value of Common Share Holdings 12/31/2023 | 2023 Base Salary or Total Director Compensation | Value of Common Share Holdings/ 2023 Base Salary or Director Annual Retainer | MVB Requirement for Individual(s) Holding Same Position | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | $15,510,876 | $850,000 | 18.2x | 3x Base Salary | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson | $2,806,801 | $525,000 | 5.3x | 3x Base Salary | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | $653,106 | $375,000 | 1.7x | 1x Base Salary | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| John C. Marion | $245,153 | $375,000 | .7x | 1x Base Salary | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael L. Giorgio | $38,461 | $375,000 | .1x | 1x Base Salary | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average for Non-Employee Directors | $957,531 | $35,000 | 27.3x | 10x Annual Retainer | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares that count toward satisfying the guidelines include shares owned outright, in trusts, beneficially by immediate family members or are time-based restricted stock. Stock options and unearned performance shares do not count toward satisfying these guidelines. Executives and directors have five years from hire or promotion to satisfy these guidelines.
Base Salary
Base salary is a key element of executive compensation because it provides executives with a base level of monthly income. In determining base salaries, the Compensation Committee considers the executive’s
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qualifications and experience, scope of responsibilities and future potential, the goals and objectives established for the executive, the executive’s past performance, competitive salary practices at companies in the peer groups, competitors for talent (which are generally larger banks), internal pay equity and the tax deductibility of base salary. None of our proxy officers received a salary increase for 2023. This action was not reflective of their individual performance but more in line with the Company’s efforts to control fixed costs.
| Executive | 2023 Base Salary ($) | 2022 Base Salary ($) | % Change | |||||||||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | $850,000 | $850,000 | 0% | |||||||||||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson | $525,000 | $525,000 | 0% | |||||||||||||||||
| Michael L. Giorgio* | $375,000 | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | $375,000 | $375,000 | 0% | |||||||||||||||||
| John C. Marion | $375,000 | $375,000 | 0% | |||||||||||||||||
No increases were awarded to the NEO’s in 2023.
*Mr. Giorgio joined MVB in 2023.
2023 Annual Incentive Plan
Our Annual Incentive Plan has a two-tiered performance evaluation structure which was generally unchanged from the one used in 2022:
1.EPS Funding Metric – set in an objective manner using 85% of the average of published analyst expectations for the fiscal year. This sets a rigorous standard before bonuses can be paid at any level to executives. Failing to achieve that level of performance results in no bonuses being paid to our executives regardless of results achieved in other areas.
2.Scorecard of Financial Performance Modifiers and Individual Performance – performance goals are set with consideration for objectives set out in our strategic plan, external market conditions and investor expectations. The scorecard contains metrics measuring income, growth and credit quality as well as an individual performance goal rating which provide a balanced approach to determining incentives. In the event that a specified goal or target for a particular metric is not met, then no compensation will be paid with respect to that objective portion of the Annual Incentive Plan. Five goals were set, with equal weighting with non-individual performance goals, all based on MVB Bank and MVB Financial Corp. performance:
| Primary Trigger: 85% Analyst Estimates: $1.68 Earnings Per Share (EPS) Actual: $1.77 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annual Incentive Plan Goals | Weight | Threshold -Eligible for 85% of Potential Payout | Target - Eligible for 100% of Potential Payout | Maximum - Eligible for 200% of Potential Payout | Performance as of 12/31/23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Noninterest Income | 20% | $35,000,000 | $40,000,000 | $45,000,000 | $32,945,650 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Noninterest Expense | 20% | $121,000,000 | $115,000,000 | $112,000,000 | $119,022,256 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charge Offs/Total Loans | 20% | 0.50% | 0.45% | 0.35% | 0.40% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Core Deposits Growth | 20% | $150,000,000 | $175,000,000 | $200,000,000 | $300,796,503 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Individual Performance Scorecard Rating | 20% | 3.00 | 3.50 | 4.00 | Rating varied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Executives had target bonus opportunities, as a percentage of base salary, ranging from 35% to 75%, with the opportunity to earn 85% to 200% of that amount based on performance. No increases were made to target opportunities for NEO’s in 2023. In February 2024 the Compensation Committee evaluated the performance of the Company under the 2023 Annual Incentive Plan. Similarly, there were no changes to the range of target opportunities (85% to 200%) they could earn based on achieving annual goals.
Overall, financial performance goal achievement supported payouts that were above the threshold with results mixed by metric. Payouts under the subjective metric were based on evaluations of the individual’s overall job performance during 2023, using an extensive performance review scorecard for each executive. All NEO’s met or exceeded the individual performance scorecard threshold rating of “Meets Expectations” resulting in a payout aligned with MVB’s pay for performance philosophy.
| Named Executive Officer | 2023 Salary ($) | Pro-rated Salary ($) | Target (%) | Threshold 85% ($) | Target 100% ($) | Maximum 200% ($) | 2023 Incentive Payout | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | $850,000 | $850,000 | 75% | $541,875 | $637,500 | $1,275,000 | $669,311 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson | $525,000 | $525,000 | 40% | $178,500 | $210,000 | $420,000 | $268,779 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael L. Giorgio* | $375,000 | $156,250 | 35% | $46,484 | $54,688 | $109,376 | $58,565 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | $375,000 | $375,000 | 35% | $111,563 | $131,250 | $262,500 | $153,812 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John C. Marion | $375,000 | $375,000 | 35% | $111,563 | $131,250 | $262,500 | $138,324 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Mr. Giorgio joined MVB July 2023.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
MVB’s Compensation Committee believes that long-term incentive compensation is an important component of the compensation program because it has the effect of retaining and motivating executives, aligning executives’ financial interests with the interests of shareholders, and rewarding the achievement of MVB’s long-term strategic goals.
2023 Equity Grants
Executives had target equity opportunities, as a percentage of base salary, ranging from 35% to 65%. No increases were made to target opportunities for NEO’s in 2023. The Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, determines equity awards for the CEO. Executives received equity through two equally weighted vehicles, similar to MVB’s approach in the past few years:
•Time-based equity awards (RSUs); and
•Performance-based equity awards (performance RSUs)
The performance RSUs will vest based upon internal TBV goals (25% of target LTI value) and EPS (25% of target) performance over a three-year period, with vested amounts ranging from 0% to 200% of target, depending on results relative to pre-established goals. Results based on the achievement of TBV and EPS goals could be modified up or down based on MVB’s total shareholder return for the three-year period relative to other Small Cap banks. The time-based RSUs (the remaining 50% of target value) will vest solely based on continued service, following a three-year graded vesting schedule (one-third of the award vesting each year).
In 2023, MVB’s NEOs received the following grants pursuant to the plan.
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| Time-Based RSUs (50%) | PSU EPS-Based RSUs (25%) | PSU TBV-Based RSUs (25%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of Salary | Granted (#) | Share Price ($) | Granted (#) | Share Price ($) | Granted (#) | Share Price ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | 65% | 17,004 | $17.87 | 8,502 | $18.73 | 8,502 | $18.73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson | 50% | 8,079 | $17.87 | 4,039 | $18.73 | 4,039 | $18.73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael L. Giorgio | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | 35% | 4,039 | $17.87 | 2,019 | $18.73 | 2,019 | $18.73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John C. Marion | 35% | 3,672 | $17.87 | 1,836 | $18.73 | 1,836 | $18.73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2023-2025 Performance-Based RSUs Results
In consultation with Pay Governance, the Compensation Committee and Management revised the metrics used for determining performance-based RSUs earned by our executives. These changes focused on improving management’s ties to long-term measures they can influence, strengthening their linkages to results that drive value creation for our shareholders and continuing to reflect the investor returns those results produce relative to those of other banks.
As a result, cumulative TBV and cumulative EPS were selected as the basis for initially determining the performance RSUs earned for the three-year period from 2023 to 2025.
•Tangible Book Value (TBV) is defined as tangible book value per common share of the Company determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles reported in the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders plus dividends with ex-dividend dates occurring during the performance period.
•Earnings Per Share (EPS) is defined as basic earnings per common share of the Company determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles reported in the Company's Annual Report.
Minimum, target, and maximum performance goals for each of these measures was based on an analysis of historical three-year growth rates of MVB and its peers as well as expectations for the economic environment for the period. Results based on achieving TBV and EPS objectives are adjusted by ± 20% based on MVB’s total shareholder return for the three-year period relative to the results of the banks in the S&P’s Small Cap Bank Index.
| Weight | Below Threshold | At Threshold | Target | Maximum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative TBV | 50% | <$65.25 | $65.25 | $72.50 | $79.75 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative EPS | 50% | <$6.95 | $6.95 | $7.75 | $8.55 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Percent of Target LTI Award | 0% | 0% | 100% | 200% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relative TSR Ranking | <25th percentile | <25th percentile | <50th percentile | <75th percentile | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relative TSR Modifier | 0.80 | 0.80 | 1.00 | 1.20* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Modifier can not increase results in excess of 200% of an executive’s target performance RSU award. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021-2023 Performance-Based RSUs Results
The performance period for the performance-based RSUs granted in 2021 ended on December 31, 2023. The 2021 awards were equally divided between ROA and relative TSR performance. Each of the ROA and relative TSR goals, results and payouts are described below.
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2021-2023 ROA Awards
Threshold | Target | Maximum | Actual | Payout (% of Target) | ||||||||||
< 1.00% | 1.00% | 1.15% | 0.97% | 0% | ||||||||||
2021-2023 Relative TSR Awards
Threshold | Target | Maximum | Actual | Payout (% of Target) | ||||||||||
25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile | 23rd Percentile | 0% | ||||||||||
As illustrated above, no payout was earned under the ROA or relative TSR performance awards for the 2021-2023 period.
Chartwell Sale Bonus
The Compensation Committee has consistently administered the Company’s incentive plans according to their metrics and pre-established goals, which is consistent with our pay philosophy. This approach has produced pay outcomes aligned with our results, including those of our shareholders. Further, the Committee historically has avoided adjustments for extraordinary items or special charges in determining the financial results serving as the basis for incentive payouts. Thus, the Committee takes much care in considering any potential payouts beyond the parameters of the incentive plan’s structure.
In March 2023, the Compensation Committee approved a special one-time bonus to reward executives who were critical to the success of the sale of Chartwell Compliance (“Chartwell”) to Ankura Consulting Group, LLC (“Ankura”). The sale of Chartwell resulted in a significant gain for the Company of $11.5 million over MVB’s original purchase price for Chartwell. In addition, as part of the terms of the sale, the Company entered into an agreement for Chartwell to continue to provide support to MVB clients without disruption.
The one-time bonuses were awarded to certain NEOs following the completion of the sale to recognize their significant contributions in ensuring the transaction closed as well as managing several other factors. The awards are one-time in nature and were structured as a mix of cash and equity with 67% of the total amounts in the form of cash and 33% in the form of time-based RSUs with cliff vesting, subject to continued employment through the 1-year anniversary of the transaction closing.
The value of these awards as presented in the table below was less than their target bonus opportunity.
| Named Executive Officer | Chartwell Sale Bonuses | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | RSUs | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | $355,882 | $175,126 | $531,008 | |||||||||||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson | $114,185 | $56,237 | $170,422 | |||||||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | $71,010 | $34,972 | $105,982 | |||||||||||||||||
| John C. Marion | $68,005 | $33,488 | $101,493 | |||||||||||||||||
Mr. Giorgio joined MVB in 2023.
The Human Resources and Compensation Committee believes the awards above are appropriate to both recognize the extraordinary efforts of the NEOs towards the successful Chartwell sale that generated significant value for shareholders and to assist in the ongoing retention of these key executives.
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Preview of 2024 Compensation Decisions
2024 Target Compensation
As part of our continued efforts to control fixed costs, the Committee again provided no increases in target compensation opportunities to our NEOs in 2024.
2024 Annual Incentive Plan Design
Working with Pay Governance, the Committee and Management revised our annual incentive plan design, replacing the EPS funding trigger with a funding trigger based on Tier 1 Capital Ratio. EPS was added to the bonus scorecard, replacing Total Noninterest Income with a weighting of 20%. No other changes were made to the plan design for 2024. These changes were intended to emphasize the importance of maintaining the financial strength and stability of the Company.
2024 Long-term Incentive Plan Design
Following the revisions made to the long-term incentive design in 2023, no changes were made for 2024.
Additional Compensation Practices and Policies
Recoupment (“Clawback”) Policy
MVB has an incentive compensation recoupment ("clawback") policy that exceeds the requirements imposed by Nasdaq listing standards and Section 10D of the Exchange Act.
Under the policy, we require our current and former officers within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) to repay excess cash-based incentive compensation and/or equity incentive awards in the event the incentive compensation was calculated based on financial statements that were required to be restated due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements without regard to any fault or misconduct and that noncompliance resulted in overpayment of the incentive compensation within the three fiscal years preceding the date the restatement was required (unless an enumerated clawback exception applies).
In addition, in the event of misconduct by a current or former executive officer (as defined in the clawback policy), the Company shall use reasonable efforts to recover from such employee up to 100% of incentive and other variable compensation, including discretionary bonus awards and equity or cash awards with time-based or non-financial performance based vesting conditions awarded to such executive officer from the Company during a timeframe that will be determined by the Committee in its discretion. Misconduct shall mean any action that in the sole discretion of the Board or the Committee constitutes fraud, theft, misappropriation, embezzlement, misrepresentation, conviction, plea bargain or settlement with admission of guilt of a felony, dereliction of duty, or other misconduct or knowingly failing to take action to report any acts or conduct that constitute misconduct; in each case that (i) is to the material financial or reputational detriment of the Company and (ii) is of a nature or effect that in the sole discretion of the Board or the Committee justifies the recovery of compensation under this Policy.
Hedging Policy
Hedging or monetization transactions can be accomplished through a number of possible mechanisms, including through the use of financial instruments such as prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds. Such hedging transactions may permit a director, officer or employee to continue to own Company securities obtained through employee benefit plans or otherwise, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership. When that occurs, the director, officer or employee may no longer have the same objectives as the Company’s other shareholders. Therefore, NEOs, Officers and Directors are prohibited from engaging in any such transactions.
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Margin Accounts and Pledged Securities
Margin accounts and pledging of Company securities are permitted; however, prior approval by the Board is required. As part of long-term incentive plans, MVB has issued stock options to key team members. At the time of exercising, Team members have the ability to purchase the shares or complete a cashless exercise. Due to the size of these transactions, team members have the ability to pledge the securities with third party lenders to purchase the shares. Executives and Directors may not pledge any more than 50% of beneficial ownership and the loan must have value based on commercially reasonable terms. These transactions are permissible so that team members can increase their ownership in the Company. If a team member has a margin account and wishes to pledge securities, a form needs to be completed and submitted to the Compliance Officer prior to doing so. This request would also need Board approval beforehand. In addition, any shares pledged by a director or NEO is required to be disclosed annually in the proxy.
Perquisites and Other Benefits
Executive officers participate in other employee benefit plans generally available to all team members on the same terms as similarly situated team members. These plans include medical, dental, group life insurance, and group disability programs, as well as health savings accounts for reimbursement of medical expenses.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance Program
In 1999, MVB implemented a bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) program which was designed to offset employee benefit costs. The policies purchased over time are primarily general account and hybrid account. MVB followed and continues to follow all the regulatory and compliance guidelines by including only officers and directors and obtaining consents from each to participate in the program. Specifically, the program insures approximately 60 current or former officers and directors. It is the intent of MVB to hold the insurance policies until the death of each insured. BOLI is currently owned by approximately 65% of all banks in the U.S.
Retirement 401(k) Plan
MVB maintains a defined contribution 401(k) retirement savings plan for all team members over the age of 21 years old. The 401(k) plan provides that each participant may contribute up to 100% of his or her pre-tax compensation or after-tax (Roth) deferral contribution amounts up to a statutory limit of $20,500. Participants who are at least 50 years old are also entitled to make “catch-up” contributions, which may be up to an additional $7,500. MVB currently utilizes an automatic enrollment strategy in which new team members over the age of 21 are automatically enrolled in the 401(k) plan at a pre-tax deferral rate of 5% unless they make the decision to opt out via the system platform.
MVB matches 100% up to 4% of the participant’s total compensation on a per pay basis, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations. Full-time and certain part-time team members are eligible to participate upon the first month following their first day of employment or having attained age 21, whichever is later. Both team member and employer contributions are 100% fully vested based on the first contribution. MVB company stock (NASDAQ: MVBF) has been added as a plan investment option and is limited to 10% of the team member’s balance. Employee and employer contributions are held and invested by the 401(k) plan’s trustee.
Employment Agreements
MVB and its subsidiaries provide certain executive officers with written employment agreements to secure the key talent’s services within the highly competitive financial services industry. These agreements are generally the same and are reviewed and updated annually, if necessary. The non-competition provisions in the agreements are intended to protect MVB from competitive disadvantage if one of MVB’s NEOs leaves MVB to work for a competitor.
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The agreements provide for discharge by MVB for cause or without cause, discharge by the employee, and terminate in the event of the death of the employee. If terminated by reason of the death of the employee, the employee shall be paid when due and in accordance with MVB’s normal payroll practices and relevant policies. If terminated by MVB without cause, and, for Mr. Robinson and Mr. Mazza, also if terminated by the employee for good reason, the employee is entitled to a severance payment equal to a set number of months of the employee’s base severance compensation, and any annual incentive compensation earned for such year, prorated for the number of calendar days worked in the year.
The employment agreements for each executive officer contain termination provisions which would permit salary continuation under certain circumstances in the event the contracts are terminated by MVB or in the event of a termination or severance of such executive officer’s employment subsequent or immediately prior to a change in control.
The employment agreements with NEOs are described below under “Employment Agreements and change in Control.”
Change in Control
MVB believes that change in control benefits provide security for its employees and minimize distraction of employees in the event of a significant merger and acquisition scenario, allowing them to remain objective and focused on maximizing shareholder value.
The employment agreements with certain executive officers set forth certain terms and conditions upon the occurrence of a “Change in Control” event.
If the employment of Mr. Mazza, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Giorgio, Mr. Greathouse or Mr. Marion is terminated without cause, and, for Mr. Robinson and Mr. Mazza, also if terminated by the employee for good reason, within one year following a Change in Control (as defined below) or within the three months immediately preceding a Change in Control, the employee would be entitled to an enhanced severance payment equal to 0.5 times the amount of the base severance compensation due.
A “Change in Control” means either: (i) a consolidation or merger of MVB pursuant to which the shareholders of MVB immediately before the transaction do not retain more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the surviving entity; (ii) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of MVB; or (iii) a sale or exchange by the holders of more than 50% of MVB’s common stock.
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Executive Compensation Tables
Summary Compensation Table
The following information is prepared based on positions as of 2023. In 2023, compensation was paid to team members by MVB or MVB Bank, unless otherwise noted. The following table summarizes compensation paid to the named executive officer for the periods indicated.
| Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) 1 | Bonus ($) 2 | Stock Awards ($)3 | Option Awards ($) 4 | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) 5 | All Other Compensation ($) 6 | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Larry F. Mazza CEO, MVB Financial Corp. and MVB Bank | 2023 | $850,000 | $355,882 | $797,471 | $0 | $669,311 | $44,362 | $84,614 | $2,801,640 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $851,846 | $0 | $552,402 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $63,896 | $1,468,144 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $798,000 | $0 | $506,940 | $0 | $741,000 | $196 | $70,846 | $2,116,982 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Donald T. Robinson President, MVB Financial Corp. and MVB Bank, and Chief Financial Officer, MVB Financial Corp. | 2023 | $525,000 | $114,185 | $351,909 | $0 | $268,779 | $6,361 | $41,290 | $1,307,524 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $527,427 | $0 | $262,477 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $26,203 | $816,107 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $446,623 | $110,000 | $233,500 | $0 | $280,132 | $0 | $29,836 | $1,100,091 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael L. Giorgio EVP, Chief Information Officer | 2023 | $151,442 | $0 | $0 | $61,825 | $58,565 | $0 | $5,294 | $277,126 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse EVP, Chief Administrative Officer, MVB Financial Corp. and MVB Bank | 2023 | $375,000 | $71,010 | $182,781 | $0 | $153,812 | $0 | $24,132 | $806,735 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $370,742 | $0 | $131,238 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $10,856 | $512,836 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $305,323 | $0 | $104,940 | $0 | $193,682 | $0 | $11,205 | $615,150 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| John C. Marion EVP, Chief Risk Officer, MVB Financial Corp. and MVB Bank | 2023 | $375,000 | $68,005 | $167,883 | $0 | $138,324 | $0 | $14,422 | $763,634 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $364,862 | $0 | $131,238 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $13,407 | $509,507 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $326,400 | $0 | $113,650 | $0 | $216,125 | $0 | $13,124 | $669,299 | |||||||||||||||||||||
1 This figure includes salary only.
2 As part of the Chartwell transaction bonus, Messrs. Mazza, Robinson, Greathouse, and Marion received cash bonuses of $355,882, $114,185, $71,010, and $68,005, respectively. Mr. Robinson received a $110,000 bonus for performance related to transactional projects in 2021.
3 As part of the Chartwell transaction bonus, Messrs. Mazza, Robinson, Greathouse and Marion received grants of 9,800, 3,147, 1,957 and 1,874 restricted stock units (“RSUs”), respectively. Mr. Robinson received a grant of 2,000 RSUs for performance related to transactional projects in 2021.
4 These amounts are calculated using the Black-Scholes value at the time of the grant.
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5 In our 2023 Proxy Statement, we reported values of $53,709 for Mr. Greathouse and $6,538 for Mr. Marion in the “Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column of the Summary Compensation Table for 2022. These amounts reflected the aggregate balance at fiscal year-end for the non-qualified deferred compensation plan for each officer. We inadvertently included these amounts in the “Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column as they did not reflect a change in pension value or above-market or preferential earnings on non-qualified deferred compensation, and zeros should have been reported for each officer instead of these amounts. As a result, the amounts in the “Total” compensation column for Mr. Greathouse and Mr. Marion were reported as $566,545 and $516,045 for 2022, respectively. After correction, the “Total” compensation amounts for Mr. Greathouse and Mr. Marion for 2022 were $512,836 and $509,507, respectively. The amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table above have been revised to reflect these corrections.
In addition, in our 2022 Proxy Statement, we reported negative pension values for 2021 of ($7,403) and ($4,778) in the “Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column of the Summary Compensation Table for Mr. Robinson and John T. Schirripa, a former executive officer. Those negative reported amounts in the “Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column for Mr. Robinson and Mr. Schirripa should have been reported as zeros. As a result, the amounts in the “Total” compensation column for Mr. Robinson and Mr. Schirripa were inadvertently reported as $1,092,688 and $606,697 for 2021, respectively. After correction, the “Total” compensation amounts for Mr. Robinson and Mr. Schirripa for 2021 were $1,100,091 and $611,475, respectively. The amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table above have been revised to reflect these corrections.
6 These amounts include director fees for Board service for MVB Financial and Subsidiary Boards: Mr. Mazza; $47,500 for 2023, $58,333 for 2022, and $52,881 for 2021, and for Mr. Robinson; $2,500 for 2023, $12,500 for 2022 and $11,667 for 2021.
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards
| Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table - Fiscal Year 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated future payouts under non-equity incentive awards | Estimated future payouts under equity incentive plan awards | All other stock awards: number of shares of stock or units (#) | All other option awards: number of securities underlying options (#) | Exercise or base price of option awards ($/share) | Grant date fair value of stock and option awards ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Grant Date | Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Threshold (#) | Target (#) | Maximum (#) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | 5/1/23 | $541,875 | $637,500 | $1,275,000 | 26,804 | $478,987 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5/1/23 | 0 | 8,502 | 17,004 | 8,502 | $159,242 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5/1/23 | 0 | 8,502 | 17,004 | 8,502 | $159,242 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Donald T. Robinson | 5/1/23 | $178,500 | $210,000 | $420,000 | 11,226 | $200,609 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5/1/23 | 0 | 4,039 | 8,078 | 4,039 | $75,650 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5/1/23 | 0 | 4,039 | 8,078 | 4,039 | $75,650 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael L. Giorgio | 7/31/23 | $111,563 | $131,250 | $262,500 | 5,000 | $25.59 | $49,250 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/15/23 | 1,804 | $22.86 | $12,575 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | 5/1/23 | $111,563 | $131,250 | $262,500 | 5,996 | $107,149 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5/1/23 | 0 | 2,019 | 4,038 | 2,019 | $37,816 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5/1/23 | 0 | 2,019 | 4,038 | 2,019 | $37,816 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John C. Marion | 5/1/23 | $111,563 | $131,250 | $262,500 | 5,546 | $99,107 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5/1/23 | 0 | 1,836 | 3,672 | 1,836 | $34,388 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5/1/23 | 0 | 1,836 | 3,672 | 1,836 | $34,388 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Board believes that the successful implementation of its business strategy will depend upon attracting, retaining, and motivating talented executives, managers, and other key team members. The 2022 MVB Financial Corp. Stock Incentive Plan provides that the Compensation Committee appointed by the Board has the flexibility to grant stock options, merit awards and rights to acquire stock through purchase under a stock purchase program. Typically, options grants have a three-year vesting period with an expiration life span of ten years while RSUs have a three-year vesting period.
During 2023, the Compensation Committee granted 81 option awards, excluding the executive team, totaling 66,278 shares at exercise prices ranging from $17.87 to $25.78 per share. In addition, excluding directors and the executive team, 47,270 time based RSUs and 40,126 PSUs have been awarded to the MVB Financial Corp. Management Team. The expense to be recognized with respect to such awards will be amortized over the vesting period, beginning the year of the grant.
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Outstanding Equity Awards
| Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) unexercisable | Equity incentive plan awards: Number of securities underlying unexercised unearned options (#) | Option exercise price ($) | Option expiration date | Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#) | Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#) | Equity incentive plan awards: number of unearned shares, units, or other rights that have not vested (#) | Equity incentive plan awards: market or payout value of unearned shares, units, or other rights that have not vested ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | 100,000 | 0 | 0 | $12.50 | 2/3/2026 | 4,278 | $96,512 | 0 | $0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 50,000 | 0 | 0 | $12.85 | 3/21/2027 | 8,065 | $181,946 | 0 | $0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 100,000 | 0 | 0 | $19.65 | 2/21/2028 | 3,977 | $89,721 | 5,421 | $122,298 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4,772 | $107,656 | 6,549 | $147,745 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26,804 | $604,698 | 17,004 | $383,610 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson | 15,000 | 0 | 0 | $12.50 | 2/3/2026 | 1,196 | $26,982 | 0 | $0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 100,000 | 0 | 0 | $13.25 | 9/21/2026 | 2,200 | $49,632 | 0 | $0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 25,000 | 0 | 0 | $12.85 | 3/21/2027 | 1,181 | $26,643 | 1,609 | $36,299 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 15,000 | 0 | 0 | $19.65 | 2/21/2028 | 2,267 | $51,144 | 3,112 | $70,207 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 11,226 | $253,258 | 8,078 | $182,240 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michael L. Giorgio | 0 | 5,000 | 0 | $25.59 | 7/31/2033 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1,804 | 0 | $22.86 | 12/15/2033 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | 28,205 | 0 | 0 | $19.19 | 5/7/2028 | 833 | $18,793 | 0 | $0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 5,525 | 0 | 0 | $18.24 | 9/4/2028 | 1,476 | $33,298 | 0 | $0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 823 | $18,567 | 1,122 | $25,312 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,134 | $25,583 | 1,556 | $35,103 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5,996 | $135,270 | 4,038 | $91,097 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John C. Marion | 6,000 | 4,000 | 0 | $13.42 | 7/13/2030 | 893 | $20,146 | 1,215 | $27,410 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,134 | $25,583 | 1,556 | $35,103 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5,546 | $125,118 | 3,672 | $82,840 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Option Exercises and Stock Vesting
| Option Exercises and Stock Vested - Fiscal Year 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||
| Name | Number of shares acquired on exercise (#) | Value realized on exercise ($) | Number of shares acquired on vesting (#) | Value realized on vesting ($) | ||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | 21,250 | $109,475 | 45,403 | $894,987 | ||||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson | 50,000 | $195,383 | 13,441 | $265,519 | ||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | 0 | $0 | 8,085 | $142,956 | ||||||||||
| John C. Marion | 0 | $0 | 862 | $15,404 | ||||||||||
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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
MVB has employment agreements with Messrs, Mazza, Robinson, Giorgio, Greathouse, and Marion.
Mr. Mazza entered into an amended and restated executive employment agreement with MVB and SPE PR, LLC (“MVB-PR”), effective January 1, 2023, for a three-year term, which expires January 1, 2026, and thereafter, automatically renews for successive one (1) year periods following the expiration of the original term, absent notice of non-renewal. Mr. Mazza’s current salary is $850,000 per year, payable in accordance with MVB’s general payroll practices and is subject to future adjustment. Mr. Mazza continues to be eligible to participate in the MVB annual executive performance incentive plan. In the event Mr. Mazza is terminated for cause by MVB, he shall not be entitled to any termination or severance payments or benefits but shall receive the ratable portion of his base salary for the period up to the effective date of termination, plus any accrued benefits owing to Mr. Mazza pursuant to applicable law. In the event MVB terminates Mr. Mazza without cause or as the result of MVB’s notice of non-renewal, or Mr. Mazza terminates his employment for good reason, Mr. Mazza would also be entitled to all compensation that would have been payable through the termination date, a severance payment in the form of continuation of two years of the then current annual base salary (the “Mazza Severance Payment”) and a pro-rated bonus payment equal to any annual incentive compensation earned for the fiscal year, pro-rated for the days of such year worked (“Mazza Pro-rated Bonus”), provided that a general release of claims is executed and employee complies with all post-employment covenants. Additionally, Mr. Mazza’s non-performance-based equity awards scheduled to vest within twelve months from the date of termination will be immediately vest and any Performance Share Units (“PSUs”) scheduled to vest within twelve months from the date of termination will remain outstanding and eligible to vest. Any other equity awards will be forfeited as of the date of termination. In the event Mr. Mazza is terminated due to death or disability or as the result of Mr. Mazza’s notice of non-renewal, he shall receive the ratable portion of his base salary for the period through and including the effective date of termination, plus any accrued benefits or other compensation owing to Mr. Mazza under applicable plan or law. In the event of termination due to death or disability, Mr. Mazza shall also receive a pro-rated bonus and all of Mr. Mazza’s equity awards immediately outstanding prior to the date of termination shall immediately vest and be exercisable. In the event Mr. Mazza’s employment with MVB is terminated pursuant to a change in control termination, Mr. Mazza would be entitled to the Mazza Severance Payment, the Mazza Pro-rated Bonus and additional compensation equal to 0.5 times the Mazza Severance Payment, payable on MVB’s regular payroll dates that correspond to the payment of the Mazza Severance Payment. Additionally, all of Mr. Mazza’s equity awards issued and immediately outstanding shall immediately vest. Mr. Mazza’s employment with MVB-PR may be terminated with or without cause by MVB at any time upon written notice and without payment of any severance or related benefits. Mr. Mazza’s employment agreement also includes provisions related to treatment of confidential information, return of Company property, a 12-month post-employment non-competition agreement, as well as non-interference and non-solicitation provisions for 12-month period following employment and during any period during which Mr. Mazza is receiving severance or change-in-control compensation. If Mr. Mazza’s employment were terminated without cause as of December 31, 2023, he would have been entitled to receive the sum of $2,451,042 which includes accrued vacation time from MVB and time-based restricted stock units, totaling $1,080,533 would immediately vest.
Mr. Robinson has a written employment agreement with MVB, effective January 1, 2016, as amended and restated on March 1, 2021. Mr. Robinson’s current salary is $525,000 per year, payable in accordance with MVB’s general payroll practices and is subject to future adjustment. Mr. Robinson is eligible to participate in the MVB annual executive performance incentive plan. Mr. Robinson’s employment may be terminated for cause, terminated without cause, terminated due to death or permanent disability, and Mr. Robinson may also terminate his employment for good reason, all subject to certain conditions and commitments, including, if termination without cause or for good reason, Mr. Robinson would be entitled to all compensation that would have been payable through the termination date, a severance payment in the form of continuation of one year of the then current annual base salary (the “Robinson Severance Payment”) and a pro-rated bonus payment equal to any annual incentive compensation earned for the fiscal year, pro-rated for the days of such year worked (“Robinson Pro-rated Bonus”), provided that a general release of claims is executed and employee complies with all post-employment covenants. In the event Mr. Robinson is terminated without cause or terminates his
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employment for good reason upon a Change in Control, he would be entitled to the Robinson Severance Payment, the Robinson Pro-rated Bonus and additional compensation equal to 0.5 times the Robinson Severance Payment, payable on MVB’s regular payroll dates that correspond to the payment of the Robinson Severance Payment. Upon separation from the Company, Mr. Robinson would also be entitled to accrued, but unpaid, salary and benefits. Mr. Robinson’s employment agreement also includes provisions related to treatment of confidential information, the return of MVB’s property in the event of a resignation or termination, non-solicitation and non-interference, as well as non-competition for one (1) year in any U.S. state or city which serves as a place of business of MVB or any MVB affiliate. If Mr. Robinson’s employment were terminated without cause as of December 31, 2023, he would have been entitled to receive the sum of $826,087 which includes accrued vacation time from MVB and all stock options and restricted stock units, totaling $589,899 would immediately vest.
Mr. Giorgio has a written employment agreement with MVB, effective July 31, 2023. Mr. Giorgio’s current salary is $375,000 per year payable in accordance with MVB’s general payroll practices and is subject to future adjustment. Mr. Giorgio is eligible to participate in the MVB annual executive performance incentive plan. Mr. Giorgio’s employment may be terminated by MVB for cause or terminated without cause, and Mr. Giorgio may also terminate his employment for any reason, all subject to certain conditions and commitments, including, if terminated by MVB without cause, Mr. Giorgio would be entitled to all compensation that would have been payable through the applicable termination date and a severance payment of one year of the then current annual base salary (the “Giorgio Severance Payment”), provided that a general release of claims is executed and employee complies with all post-employment covenants. In the event Mr. Giorgio is terminated without cause upon a Change in Control, he would be entitled to the Giorgio Severance Payment and additional compensation equal to 0.5 times the Giorgio Severance Payment, payable on MVB regular payroll dates that coincide with the payment of the Giorgio Severance Pay, or in the sole discretion of MVB in a lump sum. Upon separation from the Company, Mr. Giorgio would also be entitled to accrued, but unpaid, salary and benefits. Mr. Giorgio’s employment agreement also includes provisions related to treatment of confidential information, the return of MVB’s property in the event of a resignation or termination, non-solicitation, and non-interference, as well as non-competition for one (1) year in any U.S. state in which MVB or its affiliates does business and/or in which the employee performed services. If Mr. Giorgio’s employment was terminated without cause as of December 31, 2023, he would have been entitled to receive severance of $375,000 from MVB and all stock options and restricted stock units, totaling $153,498 would immediately vest.
Mr. Greathouse has a written employment agreement with MVB, effective April 1, 2020. Mr. Greathouse’s current salary is $375,000 per year payable in accordance with MVB’s general payroll practices and is subject to future adjustment. Mr. Greathouse is eligible to participate in the MVB annual executive performance incentive plan. Mr. Greathouse’s employment may be terminated by MVB for cause or terminated without cause, and Mr. Greathouse may also terminate his employment for any reason, all subject to certain conditions and commitments, including, if terminated by MVB without cause, Mr. Greathouse would be entitled to all compensation that would have been payable through the applicable termination date and a severance payment of one year of the then current annual base salary (the “Greathouse Severance Payment”), provided that a general release of claims is executed and employee complies with all post-employment covenants. In the event Mr. Greathouse is terminated without cause upon a Change in Control, he would be entitled to the Greathouse Severance Payment and additional compensation equal to 0.5 times the Greathouse Severance Payment, payable on MVB regular payroll dates that coincide with the payment of the Greathouse Severance Pay, or in the sole discretion of MVB in a lump sum. Upon separation from the Company, Mr. Greathouse would also be entitled to accrued, but unpaid, salary and benefits. Mr. Greathouse’s employment agreement also includes provisions related to treatment of confidential information, the return of MVB’s property in the event of a resignation or termination, non-solicitation, and non-interference, as well as non-competition for one (1) year in any U.S. state in which MVB or its affiliates does business and/or in which the employee performed services. If Mr. Greathouse’s employment was terminated without cause as of December 31, 2023, he would have been entitled to receive severance of $375,000 from MVB and all stock options and restricted stock units, totaling $322,608 would immediately vest.
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Mr. Marion has a written employment agreement with MVB, effective June 29, 2020. Mr. Marion’s current salary is $375,000 per year payable in accordance with MVB’s general payroll practices and is subject to future adjustment. Mr. Marion is eligible to participate in the MVB annual executive performance incentive plan. Mr. Marion’s employment may be terminated by MVB for cause or without cause, and Mr. Marion may also terminate his employment for any reason, all subject to certain conditions and commitments, including, if terminated by MVB without cause, Mr. Marion would be entitled to all compensation that would have been payable through the applicable termination date and a severance payment of one year of the then current annual base salary (the “Marion Severance Payment”), provided that a general release of claims is executed and employee complies with all post-employment covenants. In the event Mr. Marion is terminated without cause upon a Change in Control, he would be entitled to the Marion Severance Payment and additional compensation equal to 0.5 times the Marion Severance Payment, payable on MVB regular payroll dates that coincide with the payment of the Greathouse Severance Pay, or in the sole discretion of MVB in a lump sum. Upon separation from the Company, Mr. Marion would also be entitled to accrued, but unpaid, salary and benefits. Mr. Marion’s employment agreement also includes provisions related to treatment of confidential information, the return of MVB’s property in the event of a resignation or termination, non-solicitation and non-interference, and non-competition for one (1) year in any U.S. state in which MVB or its affiliates does business and/or in which the employee performed services. If Mr. Marion’s employment was terminated without cause as of December 31, 2023, he would have been entitled to receive severance of $375,000 from MVB and all stock options and restricted stock units, totaling $343,927 would immediately vest.
Retirement Plans
MVB provided a defined benefit retirement plan for all qualifying team members; however, the defined benefit plan has been frozen, and no service after May 31, 2014, is taken into consideration for determining a benefit. All qualifying team members actively employed on May 31, 2014, are 100% vested, but no subsequent vesting is contemplated. The defined benefit retirement plan provides for benefits based on the highest five consecutive years of earnings multiplied by 2 ½ times the years of service. Normal retirement age is 65. All retiree benefits are calculated in the same manner. The benefits are summarized in the table below:
| Name | Plan Name | Number of Years of Credited Service | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit | Payments During Last Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larry F. Mazza | Allegheny Group Retirement Plan | 9.25 | $476,793 | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson | Allegheny Group Retirement Plan | 3.167 | $64,352 | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan
Effective January 1, 2022, MVB adopted a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for all qualifying team members. Executive contributions and aggregate earnings (losses) for 2023 are summarized in the table below.
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| Name | Executive Contributions in last FY ($) | Registrant Contributions in last FY ($) | Aggregate Earnings (Losses) in last FY ($) | Aggregate Withdrawals/Distributions ($) | Aggregate Balance at Last FYE ($) 1 | ||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | $5,858 | $0 | $9,254 | $0 | $68,821 | ||||||||||||
| John C. Marion | $1,649 | $0 | $1,215 | $0 | $9,401 | ||||||||||||
1 The Aggregate balances at the last fiscal year end previously were reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table for the listed executives except to the extent that such balances reflect earnings, none of which were preferential or ‘above market’ earnings. MVB did not make any Company contributions to the nonqualified deferred compensation plan in 2023.
CEO Pay Ratio
We are providing the following information about the relationship between the annual total compensation of our team members and the annual total compensation of Larry F. Mazza, our year-end CEO.
For fiscal 2023, MVB’s last completed fiscal year:
•the median of the annual total compensation of all team members at MVB, including its consolidated subsidiaries (other than CEO Larry F. Mazza), was $75,000
•the annual total compensation of Larry F. Mazza, MVB's CEO was $2,801,640
Based on this information, the ratio for 2023 of the annual total compensation of MVB’s CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all team members is approximately 35.2 to 1. With respect to the annual total compensation of the CEO, MVB used the amount reported in the “Total” column of 2023 Summary Compensation Table. In comparison to our peer group, MVB is just above the median.
The pay ratio reported above is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with SEC rules based on our internal records and the methodology described above. The SEC rules for identifying the median-compensated team member and calculating the pay ratio based on that team member’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their team member populations and compensation practices. Therefore, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies have different team member populations and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.
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Pay Versus Performance
In accordance with rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, we provide the following disclosure regarding executive compensation for our principal executive officer (“PEO”) and Non-PEO NEOs and Company performance for the fiscal years listed below. The Compensation Committee did not consider the pay versus performance disclosure below in making its pay decisions for any of the years shown.
| Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment based on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | Summary Compensation Table “SCT” Total for PEO1 | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO 2 3 | Average SCT Total for Non-PEO NEOs | Average Compensation actually paid to Non-PEO NEOs | Total Shareholder Return “TSR”4 | Peer Group TSR | Company’s Net Income (000) | Earnings Per Share (Basic) 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | $( | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
1 Larry F. Mazza was our PEO for each year presented. The individuals comprising the Non-PEO named executive officers for each year presented are listed below.
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Donald T. Robinson | Donald T. Robinson | Donald T. Robinson | Donald T. Robinson | ||||||||
| John T. Schirripa | John T. Schirripa | Craig B. Greathouse | Craig B. Greathouse | ||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | Craig B. Greathouse | John C. Marion | John C. Marion | ||||||||
| John C. Marion | John C. Marion | Michael L. Giorgio | |||||||||
| H. Edward Dean, III | |||||||||||
2 The amounts shown for Compensation Actually Paid have been calculated in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K and do not reflect compensation actually earned, realized, or received by the Company’s NEOs. These amounts reflect the Summary Compensation Table Total with certain adjustments as described in footnote 3 below.
3 Compensation Actually Paid reflects the exclusions and inclusions of certain amounts for the PEO and the Non-PEO NEOs as set forth below. Equity values are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Amounts in the Exclusion of Stock Awards and Option Awards column are the totals from the Stock Awards and Option Awards columns set forth in the Summary Compensation Table. Amounts in the Exclusion of Change in Pension Value column reflect the amounts attributable to the Change in Pension Value reported in the Summary Compensation Table. There are no amounts shown in the Inclusion of Pension Service Cost because our defined benefit retirement plan is frozen and no service after May 31, 2014, is taken into account in determining a benefit. The Summary Compensation Table numbers for 2021 and 2022 (as reported in our 2022 and 2023 proxy statements, respectively) were corrected to remove the amounts that were improperly included in the “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column of the summary compensation table (a) for 2021, for Mr. Robinson and Mr. Schirripa, and (b) for 2022, for Mr. Greathouse and Mr. Marion. We have correspondingly included footnotes for 2021 and 2022, below, that reflect the corrected amounts for the Exclusion of Change in Pension Value.
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| Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO $ | Exclusion of Change in Pension Value for PEO $ | Exclusion of Stock Awards and Option Awards for PEO $ | Inclusion of Pension Service Cost for PEO $ | Inclusion of Equity Values for PEO $ | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO $ | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Year | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs $ | Average Exclusion of Change in Pension Value for Non-PEO NEOs $ | Average Exclusion of Stock Awards and Option Awards for Non-PEO NEOs $ | Average Inclusion of Pension Service Cost for Non-PEO NEOs $ | Average Inclusion of Equity Values for Non-PEO NEOs $ | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non PEO NEOs $ | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
The amounts in the Inclusion of Equity Values in the tables above are derived from the amounts set forth in the following tables:
| Year | Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year That Remained Unvested as of Last Day of Year for PEO ($) | Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Last Day of Year of Unvested Equity Awards for PEO ($) | Vesting-Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year that Vested During Year for PEO ($) | Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Unvested Equity Awards that Vested During Year for PEO ($) | Fair Value at Last Day of Prior Year of Equity Awards Forfeited During Year for PEO ($) | Value of Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards Not Otherwise Included for PEO ($) | Total - Inclusion of Equity Values for PEO ($) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Year | Average Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year That Remained Unvested as of Last Day of Year for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | Average Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Last Day of Year of Unvested Equity Awards for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | Average Vesting-Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During Year that Vested During Year for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | Average Change in Fair Value from Last Day of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Unvested Equity Awards that Vested During Year for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | Average Fair Value at Last Day of Prior Year of Equity Awards Forfeited During Year for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | Average Value of Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards Not Otherwise Included for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | Total - Average Inclusion of Equity Values for Non-PEO NEOs ($) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
4 The Peer Group TSR set forth in this table utilizes the KBW Bank Index, which we also utilize in the stock performance graph required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K included in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023. The comparison assumes $100 was invested for the period starting December 31, 2019, through the end of the listed year in the Company and in the KBW Bank Index, respectively.
5 We determined Earnings per Share to be the most important financial performance measure used to link Company performance to Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO and Non-PEO NEOs in 2023. Earnings per Share may not have been the most important financial performance measure for prior years, and we may determine a different financial performance measure to be the most important financial performance measure in future years.
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Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid, Company Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) and Peer Group TSR
The following chart sets forth the relationship between the Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, the cumulative TSR over the four most recently completed fiscal years for the Company, and the KBW Bank Index TSR over the same period.
Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and our Net Income during the four most recently completed fiscal years.
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Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Earnings per Share
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and our Earnings per Share during the four most recently completed fiscal years.
Tabular List of Most Important Financial Performance Measures
The following table presents the financial performance measures that the Company considers having been the most important in linking Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO and Non-PEO NEOs for 2023 to Company performance. The measures in this table are not ranked.
Preview of 2024 Compensation Decisions
2024 Target Compensation
As part of our continued efforts to control fixed costs, the Committee again provided no increases in target compensation opportunities to our NEOs in 2024.
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2024 Annual Incentive Plan Design
Working with Pay Governance, the Committee and Management revised our annual incentive plan design, replacing the EPS funding trigger with a funding trigger based on Tier 1 Capital Ratio. EPS was added to the bonus scorecard, replacing Total Noninterest Income with a weighting of 20%. No other changes were made to the plan design for 2024. These changes were intended to emphasize the importance of maintaining the financial strength and stability of the Company.
2024 Long-term Incentive Plan Design
Following the revisions made to the long-term incentive design in 2023, no changes were made for 2024.
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Environmental, Social & Governance
The Company’s governance structure, environmental projects. and social impact reflect our continued commitment to our teammates, clients, communities, and shareholders. Our environmental, social, and governance initiatives are among our highest priorities as a company. The NC&G Committee oversees the Environmental, Social & Governance-related items for MVB. Information about these initiatives can be found in our 2023 Annual Report, which will be posted to the MVB website Investor Relations section (https://ir.mvbbanking.com) on May 21, 2024. The Company’s website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not intended to be incorporated by reference to this Proxy Statement.
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Proposals
This section sets out each item of business for the Annual Meeting and the Board’s voting recommendations.
Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors
The Board has nominated directors Ebert, Nelson, and Owen to be elected to serve on our Board for a three-year term and until their successors are duly elected and qualified at the 2027 annual meeting of shareholders.
At the Annual Meeting, proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of individuals than the three nominees named in this Proxy Statement. Holders of proxies solicited by this Proxy Statement will vote the proxies received by them as directed on the proxy card or, if no direction is made, for the election of the Board’s three nominees.
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast. The nominees receiving the highest number of “for” votes in each class—three in the class elected at the Annual Meeting—will be elected as directors of the Company. Therefore, votes withheld and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of directors. As required by West Virginia law, each share is entitled to one vote per nominee, unless a shareholder properly notifies MVB of his or her intent to cumulate his or her votes for directors at least 48 hours before the meeting. If a shareholder properly notifies MVB of such intent to cumulate his or her votes, then each MVB shareholder will have the right to multiply the number of votes they are entitled to cast by the number of directors for whom they are entitled to vote and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates. If any shares are voted cumulatively for the election of directors, the proxies, unless otherwise directed, shall have full discretion and authority to cumulate their votes and vote for less than all such nominees. For all other purposes, each share is entitled to one vote.
The term of any incumbent director who is not reelected, and has not earlier resigned, will end on the date that is the earlier of (a) 90 days after the date on which the voting results for the Annual Meeting are determined by the inspector of election, or (b) the date on which the Board selects a person to fill the office held by that director in accordance with MVB’s Bylaws.
Each of the directors nominated by the Board has consented to serving as a nominee, being named in this Proxy Statement, and serving on the Board if elected. If any nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders may vote for any nominee designated by the present Board to fill the vacancy.
There are no family relationships among MVB’s executive officers and directors.
For more information on the director nominees, please see the biographies of the director nominees beginning on page 22.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR ALL” the nominees to be elected to the Board of Directors for the expiring terms indicated.
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Proposal No. 2 - Non-Binding Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
MVB is providing shareholders with a non-binding advisory vote on compensation programs for our NEOs listed in the table entitled “Summary Compensation Table” (sometimes referred to as “Say on Pay”). This vote is required under Section 14A of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78n-1), and such vote is currently held every year. Accordingly, you may vote on the following resolution at the 2024 Annual Meeting:
“Resolved, that the shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the accompanying compensation tables, and the related narrative disclosure in this Proxy Statement.”
This vote is advisory in nature and therefore, is non-binding. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee, which is comprised of independent directors, expect to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation decisions to the extent they can determine the cause or causes of any significant negative voting results.
The management of MVB and Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our NEOs as disclosed in the CD&A, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure.
The proxy will be voted “FOR” the approval of executive compensation, unless otherwise directed.
Proposal No. 3 - Ratification of Independent Registered Accounting Firm
The firm of FORVIS, LLP examined and audited the financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting of MVB for 2023 and 2022.
The following fees were billed by FORVIS as indicated:
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
Audit fees 1 | $ | 880,582 | $ | 606,353 | ||||||||||
Audit-related fees 2 | 55,292 | 58,370 | ||||||||||||
Tax fees 3 | 62,030 | 282,769 | ||||||||||||
All other fees 4 | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Total fees | $ | 997,904 | $ | 947,492 | ||||||||||
1 “Audit Fees” are fees billed by FORVIS for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, review of consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports, and for services normally provided by the independent auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
2 “Audit-Related Fees” are fees billed by FORVIS for assurance and related professional services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of Company financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.”
3 “Tax Fees” are fees billed by FORVIS for professional services rendered in connection with tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
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4 “All Other Fees” are fees billed by FORVIS for services provided in relation to the filing of registration statements with the SEC and any other products and services provided by FORVIS, other than those services described above.
The Audit Committee has considered whether FORVIS has maintained its independence during the fiscal year ended 2023. The Audit Committee requires that the Audit Committee pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided to MVB by the independent accountants, except for cumulative expenditures not to exceed $5,000. Further, the pre-approval policies may be waived, with respect to the provision of any non-audit services, consistent with the exceptions for federal securities laws. The Audit Committee did not waive the pre-approval requirement of any other services during 2023 or 2022.
The Audit Committee proposes that FORVIS will examine and audit the financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting of MVB for 2024. The proxies will vote your proxy “FOR” ratification of the selection of FORVIS, unless otherwise directed. Representatives of FORVIS are expected to attend the Annual Meeting via webcast, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the ratification of FORVIS to serve as independent registered accounting firm for the fiscal year ending 2024.
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Other Information
This section includes the Audit Committee Report, information about stock ownership, and other general information.
| Audit Committee Report | |||||||||||
| The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 with MVB’s management and FORVIS. The Audit Committee has also discussed with FORVIS the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC. The Audit Committee also has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from FORVIS required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding FORVIS’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with FORVIS its independence. Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the financial statements referred to above be included in MVB’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for filing with the SEC. | |||||||||||
| Members of the Audit Committee, | |||||||||||
| Cheryl D. Spielman (Chair), John W. Ebert, and Gary A. LeDonne | |||||||||||
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Management, and Directors
The table below sets forth information with respect to those persons (other than the officers/directors listed below) known to the Company to have owned beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock as of December 31, 2023. The information as to beneficial ownership is based upon statements filed by such persons with the SEC under Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Exchange Act.
| Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Amount of Common Stock Beneficially Owned | Percent of Class1 | ||||||||||||
| Wellington Management Company LLP Wellington Group Holdings LLP Wellington Investment Advisors Holdings LLP Wellington Management Company LLP 280 Congress Street Boston, MA 02210 | 1,353,624 | 10.63% | ||||||||||||
| BlackRock, Inc. 55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 | 889,586 | 7.00% | ||||||||||||
| Bay Pond Partners, L.P. c/o Wellington Management Company, LLP 280 Congress Street Boston, MA 02210 | 689,211 | 5.41% | ||||||||||||
1 Based on 12,758,383 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2023.
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As of March 1, 2024, ownership by directors, nominees and NEOs of MVB was:
| Name of Beneficial Owner | Amount of Common Stock Beneficially Owned 1, 2 | Percent of Class 3 | ||||||||||||
| W. Marston Becker | 49,966 | 0.39% | ||||||||||||
| John W. Ebert | 107,418 | 0.84% | ||||||||||||
| Daniel W. Holt | 5,965 | 0.05% | ||||||||||||
| Gary A. LeDonne | 67,054 | 0.52% | ||||||||||||
Larry F. Mazza 4 | 861,200 | 6.58% | ||||||||||||
| Dr. Kelly R. Nelson | 87,939 | 0.68% | ||||||||||||
| Jan L. Owen | 984 | 0.01% | ||||||||||||
| Lindsay A. Slader | 2,147 | 0.02% | ||||||||||||
| Cheryl D. Spielman | 20,827 | 0.16% | ||||||||||||
Donald T. Robinson5 | 213,297 | 1.64% | ||||||||||||
| Michael L. Giorgio | 1,804 | 0.01% | ||||||||||||
| Craig B. Greathouse | 50,859 | 0.40% | ||||||||||||
| John C. Marion | 6,809 | 0.05% | ||||||||||||
| All directors, nominees and executive officers as a group | 1,476,269 | 11.10% | ||||||||||||
1 Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, and includes shares held by adults and immediate family living in the same household and any related entity in which a 5% or greater ownership percentage is maintained.
2 Includes common shares outstanding and 2,000 stock option shares that became exercisable February 1, 2015; 1,000 stock option shares that became exercisable January 21, 2016; and 1,000 stock option shares that became exercisable February 3, 2017 for Directors Ebert, and Nelson; 1,000 stock option shares that became exercisable March 21, 2018 and 1,000 stock option shares that became exercisable February 21, 2019 for Directors Ebert, LeDonne, and Nelson. Also includes 250,000, 155,000, 33,730, and 6,000 shares which may be acquired by Messers. Mazza, Robinson, Greathouse, and Marion, respectively within 60 days through the exercise of options. This total does not include options that have been granted but not exercisable within 60 days.
3 Based on 12,837,383 common shares outstanding as of March 1, 2024.
4 Includes 339,566 common shares that were, as of March 1, 2024, pledged as security for loan proceeds advanced by a third party lender to facilitate Mr. Mazza’s purchase of Company stock options.
5 Includes 18,200 common shares that were, as of March 1, 2024, pledged as security for loan proceeds advanced by a third party lender to facilitate Mr. Robinson’s purchase of Company stock options.
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires MVB’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of MVB equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of MVB. Officers, directors, and shareholders owning more than ten percent are required by SEC regulation to furnish MVB with copies of all Section 16(a) forms which they file.
To MVB’s knowledge, based solely upon review of the copies of such reports furnished to MVB and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended 2023, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and persons owning more than ten percent were complied with, except for a Form 4 filed on August 22, 2023 for Michael Giorgio for a transaction which settled on July 31, 2023. Mr. Giorgio began his employment with MVB on July 31, 2023 and was not yet established a Section 16 filer. The Form 4 was filed as soon as his initial Form ID was accepted by the SEC on August 22, 2023. Also, a Form 4 filed on December 13, 2023 for Director Ebert was filed one day late to due an administrative error.
General Information
2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
via Live Webcast May 21, 2024
10:00 a.m. EDT
The Record Date for the Annual Meeting is March 27 ,2024. Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on this date are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
You are invited to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement because you were an MVB shareholder on the Record Date, March 27, 2024.
MVB is furnishing this Proxy Statement in connection with the solicitation by its Board of proxies to vote at the Annual Meeting, including any postponements or adjournments, and as such, will bear the cost of preparing this Proxy Statement and the affiliated proxy materials and other instruments. MVB’s directors, officers, and employees may make solicitation, personally or by telephone, email or fax. The Notice and the proxy materials will be distributed to MVB shareholders through brokers, custodians, nominees and other like parties, and we expect to reimburse such parties for their charges and expenses.
Attending the Annual Meeting
We are pleased to welcome shareholders to our live webcast for the 2024 Annual Meeting. Only shareholders as of the Record Date who have a valid control number will be permitted to vote at the meeting.
Your proxy materials will include a unique control number to be used at www.investorvote.com/MVBF to vote your shares and register to attend the meeting. If you have any questions about www.investorvote.com/MVBF or your control number, please contact the bank, broker, or other organization that holds your shares. The availability of online voting may depend on the voting procedures of the organization that holds your shares.
Even if you receive a valid confirmation of registration and plan on attending the Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares in advance using one of the methods described beginning on page 5 to ensure that your vote will be represented at the Annual Meeting.
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Proxy Materials
These materials were first sent or made available to shareholders on April 8, 2024, and include:
•The Notice of 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
•This Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting
If you requested printed versions by mail, these printed proxy materials also include the proxy card or voting instruction form for the Annual Meeting.
Proxy Materials are Available on the Internet
MVB uses the internet as the primary means of furnishing proxy materials to shareholders. We are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”) to our shareholders with instructions on how to access the proxy materials online or request a printed copy of the materials.
Shareholders may follow the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability to elect to receive future proxy materials in print by mail or electronically by email. We encourage shareholders to take advantage of the availability of the proxy materials online to help reduce the environmental impact of our annual meetings and reduce MVB’s printing and mailing costs.
MVB’s proxy materials are also available at ir.mvbbanking.com.
Annual Report
MVB’s Annual Report to Shareholders for fiscal year 2023 is being made available electronically at www.investorview.com/MVBF to shareholders as of the Record Date. The Annual Report to Shareholders does not constitute a part of this Proxy Statement or the proxy solicitation material.
Upon written request by any shareholder to Lisa J. McCormick, Corporate Secretary, MVB Financial Corp., 301 Virginia Avenue, Fairmont, West Virginia 26554, a copy of MVB's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K will be provided without charge. You may also find a copy of MVB’s Form 10-K on the SEC’s website: www.sec.gov and MVB’s 2023 Annual Meeting website: www.investorview.com/MVBF.
MVB’s Fiscal Year
MVB’s fiscal year is the 52-week period that ends on the last day of December. MVB’s 2023 fiscal year ended on December 31, 2023. Information presented in this Proxy Statement is based on MVB’s fiscal calendar.
Quorum for the Annual Meeting
A quorum is required to conduct business at the Annual Meeting. A majority of the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy constitutes a quorum. Your shares will be counted for purposes of determining if there is a quorum if:
•You are entitled to vote and you are present in person at the Annual Meeting; or
•You are entitled to vote and you have properly voted by proxy online, by phone, or by submitting a proxy card or voting instruction form by mail.
Broker non-votes, abstentions and votes withheld are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker, bank or other shareholder of record, in nominee name or otherwise, exercising fiduciary powers, submits a proxy for the Annual Meeting but
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does not vote on a particular proposal because that broker or holder does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.
If a quorum is not present, we may propose to adjourn the Annual Meeting to solicit additional proxies and reconvene the Annual Meeting at a later date.
Voting
Each share of MVB’s common stock has one vote on each matter. Cumulative voting in the election of directors is permitted by West Virginia statutory provisions. Only “shareholders of record” as of the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 12,840,883 shares of MVB’s common stock outstanding, held by 818 shareholders of record. In addition to shareholders of record of MVB’s common stock, “beneficial owners of shares held in street name” as of the Record Date can vote using the methods described below.
Shareholders of Record
If your shares are registered directly in your name with MVB’s transfer agent, Computershare, you are the shareholder of record with respect to those shares.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name
If your shares are held in an account at a bank, broker, or other organization, then you are the “beneficial owner of shares held in street name.” As a beneficial owner, you have the right to instruct the person or organization holding your shares how to vote your shares. Most individual shareholders are beneficial owners of shares held in street name.
Voting Procedures
There are four ways to vote:
•Online. You may vote by proxy by visiting www.investorvote.com/MVBF and entering the control number found in your Notice of Internet Availability. The availability of online voting may depend on the voting procedures of the organization that holds your shares.
•Phone. If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you will receive a proxy card or voting instruction form and you may vote by proxy by calling the toll-free number found on the card or form. The availability of phone voting may depend on the voting procedures of the organization that holds your shares.
•Mail. If you request printed copies of the proxy materials by mail, you will receive a proxy card or voting instruction form and you may vote by proxy by filling out the card or form and returning it in the envelope provided.
•During the Meeting. Shares held in your name as the shareholder of record on the record date may be voted during the virtual meeting by following the instructions posted at www.investorvote.com/MVBF. Shares for which you are the beneficial owner but not the shareholder of record may be voted during the virtual meeting only if you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, trustee, or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares. Even if you plan to attend the Virtual Annual Meeting via webcast, we recommend that you vote by proxy as described above so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend. The vote you cast virtually will supersede any previous votes that you may have submitted, whether by Internet, telephone, or mail.
All shares represented by valid proxies received prior to the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting will be voted and, where a shareholder specifies by means of the proxy a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with the shareholder’s instructions. Even if you receive a valid confirmation of registration and plan on attending the Annual Meeting in
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person, we encourage you to vote your shares in advance online, by phone, or by mail to ensure that your vote will be represented at the Annual Meeting.
Changing your Vote
You may revoke your proxy and change your vote at any time before the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting.
•Online. You may change your vote using the online voting method described above, in which case only your latest internet proxy submitted prior to the Annual Meeting will be counted.
•Phone. You may change your vote using the phone voting method described above, in which case only your latest telephone proxy submitted prior to the Annual Meeting will be counted.
•Mail. You may revoke your proxy and change your vote by signing and returning a new proxy card or voting instruction form dated as of a later date, in which case only your latest proxy card or voting instruction form received prior to the Annual Meeting will be counted.
Uninstructed Shares
Shareholders of Record
If you are a shareholder of record and you:
•Indicate when voting online or by phone that you wish to vote as recommended by the Board; or
•Sign and return a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions,
then the persons named as proxy holders, Lisa McCormick, Marcie Lipscomb and/or Bruce Vest, will vote your shares in the manner recommended by the Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement and as they may determine in their best judgment with respect to any other matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the broker that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, then such broker may generally vote your shares in their discretion on “routine” matters, but cannot vote on “non-routine” matters.
Routine and Non-Routine Proposals
The following proposal is considered a routine matter:
•The ratification of the appointment of FORVIS as MVB’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2024 (Proposal No. 3).
A broker or other nominee may generally vote in their discretion on routine matters, and therefore no broker non-votes are expected in connection with Proposal No. 3.
The following proposals are considered non-routine matters:
•Election of directors (Proposal No. 1); and
•Advisory vote to approve executive compensation (Proposal No. 2).
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If the organization that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, that organization will inform the inspector of election that it does not have the authority to vote on the matter with respect to your shares. This is generally referred to as a “broker non-vote.” Therefore, broker non-votes may exist in connection with Proposal No. 1, and Proposal No. 2.
Vote Required to Approve a Proposal
A plurality of the votes cast is required for the election of directors. Therefore, votes withheld and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of directors. With respect to Proposal No. 1 (election of director), shareholders cast one vote for each nominee for each share held. However, every shareholder has the right of cumulative voting, electronically in person or by proxy, in the election of directors. Cumulative voting gives each shareholder the right to multiply the number of votes they are entitled to case by the number of directors for whom they are entitled to vote and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates.
Approval of Proposals No. 2, and No. 3 requires, in each case, that the number of votes cast favoring the proposal exceed the votes cast opposing the proposal.
In determining whether the proposal has received the requisite number of affirmative votes, abstentions and broker non-votes will be disregarded and have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
Confidentiality of Votes
Proxy instructions, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify individual shareholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. MVB will not disclose the proxy instructions or ballots of individual shareholders, except:
•To allow for the tabulation and certification of votes;
•To facilitate a successful proxy solicitation;
•To assert claims for MVB;
•To defend claims against MVB; and
•As necessary to meet applicable legal requirements.
If you write comments on your proxy card or ballot, the proxy card or ballot may be forwarded to MVB’s management and the Board to review your comments.
Tabulation and Reporting of Voting Results
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results will be tallied by the inspector of election after the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting. MVB will publish the final voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC within four business days following the Annual Meeting.
Voting of Proxies
If any of the nominees for election as directors should be unable to serve as directors by reason of death or other unexpected occurrence, a proxy will be voted for a substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board unless the Board adopts a resolution pursuant to the Bylaws reducing the number of directors.
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The Board is unaware of any other matters to be considered at the meeting but, if any other matters properly come before the meeting, persons named in the proxy will vote such proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
Legal Actions
From time to time in the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to claims, asserted or unasserted, or named as a party to lawsuits or investigations. Litigation, in general, and intellectual property and securities litigation, in particular, can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with any certainty and in the case of more complex legal proceedings, the results are difficult to predict at all. The Company is not aware of any asserted or unasserted legal proceedings or claims that the Company believes would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of the Company’s operations.
Matters for Consideration at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders for Inclusion in the Proxy Materials
For a shareholder proposal to be considered by us for inclusion in our Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the proposal must be received at the Company’s principal executive offices by December 9, 2024, as prescribed by rules under the Exchange Act and the notice provisions in the Company’s Bylaws.
Matters for Consideration at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, but not Included in the Proxy Materials
With respect to shareholder proposals not wishing to be included in our Proxy Statement and form of proxy, but rather to be brought as business at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our Bylaws prescribe certain advance notice procedures independent of the notice requirement and deadline described above. Our Bylaws state that, to be timely, notice and certain related information must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s Annual Meeting. However, in the event that the date of the Annual Meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after the anniversary date, the notice must be delivered not earlier than 120 days prior to the annual meeting and not later than 90 days prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. For a shareholder proposal to be properly brought before the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the proposal must be received at the Company’s principal executive offices between January 21, 2025 and before February 20, 2025, as prescribed by rules under the Exchange Act and the notice provisions in the Company’s Bylaws. Additionally, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder, it must comply with the requirements outline in the Company’s bylaws.
Universal Proxy Card Requirements
In addition to complying with the procedures described above, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of a director candidate other than the Company’s nominees for consideration by the stockholders at the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must also comply with the SEC’s “universal proxy card” rules under Rule 14a-19 of the Exchange Act (“Rule 14a-19”).
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Rule 14a-19 requires proponents to provide a notice to the Corporate Secretary of the Company, no later than March 22, 2025, setting forth all of the information and disclosures required by Rule 14a-19. If the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is set for a date that is not within 30 calendar days of the anniversary of the date of the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, then notice must be provided by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or by the close of business on the tenth calendar day following the day on which a public announcement of the date of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is first made.
MVB Financial Corp.
301 Virginia Avenue
Fairmont, WV 26554
Phone: (304) 363-4800
Dated: April 8, 2024
MVB Financial Corp. 2024 Proxy Statement