DEF 14A of Peoples Bancorp Of North Carolina Inc
Filed Mar 25, 2026 · FY20250001654954-26-002731
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Pay Versus Performance. | 27 | | Financial Performance Measures. | 29 | | Analysis of the Information Presented in the Pay Versus Performance Table. | 29 | | Compensation Actually Paid and Company TSR. | 30 | | Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income. | 31 | | Director Compensation. | 32 | | Indebtedness of and Transactions with Related Persons. | 33 | | Equity Compensation Plan Information. | 34 | | PROPOSAL 2 ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (“SAY-ON-PAY”). | 35 | | PROPOSAL 3 RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. | 36 | | DATE FOR RECEIPT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS. | 37 | | OTHER MATTERS. | 37 | | MISCELLANEOUS. | 37 | | APPENDIX A. | A-1 |
PROPOSAL 1
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Our Bylaws provide for a board of directors consisting of not less than five nor more than 15 directors, the exact number to be determined by resolution of a majority of the Board of Directors. Our Board has currently set the number of directors at 10. Our Bylaws provide that in order to be eligible for consideration at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, all nominations of directors, other than those made by the Governance Committee or the Board, must be in writing and must be delivered to the Secretary of the Company not less than 50 days nor more than 90 days prior to the meeting at which such nominations will be made; provided, however, that if less than 60 days’ notice of the meeting is given to the shareholders, such nominations must be delivered to the Secretary of the Company not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. The Board has nominated the 10 persons named below for election as directors to serve for a one-year term until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. All of the director nominees currently serve as directors of the Company and the Bank. Each of the nominees brings special skills and attributes to the Board through a variety of levels of education, business experience, director experience, banking experience, philanthropic interests, and community involvement. Additional information about each nominee and his or her special skills is provided below. The age of each nominee is given as of February 1, 2026.
PROPOSAL 1
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PROPOSAL 1
Director Nominees Ashton V. Abernethy, age 39, is currently the Vice President of Sales at Medusind Behavioral Health, a healthcare company that helps healthcare organizations manage revenues and costs. She has formed and sold companies, and serves on the board of directors of Alexander Railroad Company and Carolina Glove Company, Inc., a glove manufacturing company. She has served as a director of the Company since December 2024. Ms. Abernethy earned a B.S. degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. James S. Abernethy, age 71, is employed by Carolina Glove Company, Inc. as its Vice President. Mr. Abernethy also serves as President and Assistant Secretary of Midstate Contractors, Inc., a paving company and Vice President, Secretary and Chairman of the board of directors of Alexander Railroad Company. He has served as a director of the Company since 1992. Mr. Abernethy has a total of 32 years of banking experience and is a graduate of the North Carolina (N.C.) Bank Directors’ College and attended the initial Advanced Directors’ Training session offered by the N.C. Bank Directors’ College in association with the College of Management at North Carolina State University. Over his 33 years of service, Mr. Abernethy has served on all the committees of the Bank Board and the Board. Mr. Abernethy earned a business administration degree from Gardner Webb University. Robert C. Abernethy, Sr., age 75, is employed by Carolina Glove Company, Inc. as its President, Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Abernethy also serves as Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of Midstate Contractors, Inc. He has served as a director of the Company since 1976 and as Chairman since 1991. Mr. Abernethy has a total of 49 years of banking experience and is a graduate of the N.C. Bank Directors’ College and attended the initial Advanced Directors’ Training session offered by the N.C. Bank Directors’ College in association with the College of Management at North Carolina State University. He serves on the Finance Committee and Investment Committee of Grace United Church of Christ, Newton, NC. Mr. Abernethy also serves on the board of directors of Carolina Glove Company, Inc. and Midstate Contractors, Inc., both privately held companies. Mr. Abernethy earned a B.S. degree from Gardner Webb University. Robert C. Abernethy, Jr., age 44, is employed by the Carolina Glove Company, Inc. as its Executive Vice President and serves on its board of directors. He currently serves on the Catawba County Board of Commissioners, is a member of the board of directors of K-64, an initiative of Catawba Valley Community College to build careers in Catawba County, and serves on the Catawba County Social Services Board at the Department of Social Services. He has served as a director of the Company since December 2024. Mr. Abernethy earned a B.S. degree in business administration from Gardner-Webb University. Douglas S. Howard, age 67, is Vice President and Treasurer of Denver Equipment Company of Charlotte, Inc. Mr. Howard is an Owner and Member Manager of Denver Investors, LLC and an Owner and Secretary/Treasurer of Howard & Poole, Inc. He has served as a director of the Company since 2004. Mr. Howard has a total of 27 years of banking experience and is a graduate of the N.C. Bank Directors’ College and attended the initial Advanced Directors’ Training session offered by the N.C. Bank Directors’ College in association with the College of Management at North Carolina State University. Mr. Howard formerly served as the Chairman of the board of trustees of Catawba Valley Medical Center and as the Chairman of the board of directors of the Catawba Valley Medical Group. Mr. Howard presently serves as a director of the Catawba Valley Medical Center and serves on its finance committee. John W. Lineberger, Jr., age 75, is Vice President of Lineberger Brothers, Inc., a real estate development company. He has served as a director of the Company since 2004. Mr. Lineberger has a total of 21 years of banking experience and is a graduate of the N.C. Bank Directors’ College and attended the initial Advanced Directors’ Training session offered by the N.C. Bank Directors’ College in association with the College of Management at North Carolina State University. Mr. Lineberger earned a B.S. degree in business administration from Western Carolina University. Gary E. Matthews, age 70, is employed by Matthews Construction Company, Inc. as its President. He has served as a director of the Company since 2001. Mr. Matthews has over 24 years of banking experience, is a graduate of the N.C. Bank Directors’ College, and attended the initial Advanced Directors’ Training session offered by the N.C. Bank Directors’ College in association with the College of Management at North Carolina State University. Mr. Matthews is also a director of Matthews Construction Company, Inc. and Conover Metal Products, both privately held companies. Mr. Matthews earned a B.S. degree in civil engineering/construction from North Carolina State University.
PROPOSAL 1
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PROPOSAL 1
Billy L. Price, Jr., M.D., age 69, is a Practitioner of Internal Medicine at BL Price Jr. Medical Consultants, PLLC. Dr. Price served on the board of trustees of the Catawba Valley Medical Center through 2018. He has served as a director of the Company since 2004. Dr. Price has a total of 21 years of banking experience and is a graduate of the N.C. Bank Directors’ College and attended the initial Advanced Directors’ Training session offered by the N.C. Bank Directors’ College in association with the College of Management at North Carolina State University. Dr. Price was previously the owner/pharmacist of Conover Drug Company. He is also a Medical Director of Healthgram Medical, a private company. He serves as Medical Director and Assistant Professor to Lenoir Rhyne University Physician Assistants Master of Science Program. Dr. Price earned a B.S. degree in pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.D. degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine. William Gregory Terry, age 58, is President of Collegiate Legacy Designs and a former owner/operator of Drum & Willis-Reynolds Funeral Homes and Crematory. He has served as a director of the Company since 2004. Mr. Terry has a total of 21 years of banking experience and is a graduate of the N.C. Bank Directors’ College and attended the initial Advanced Directors’ Training session offered by the N.C. Bank Directors’ College in association with the College of Management at North Carolina State University. Mr. Terry has served on numerous civic and community boards. Mr. Terry graduated with a B.S. degree in business management from Clemson University. Benjamin I. Zachary, age 69, is employed by Alexander Railroad Company as its President, Treasurer and General Manager. He has served as a director of the Company since 1995. Mr. Zachary has a total of 30 years of banking experience and is a graduate of the N.C. Bank Directors’ College. As a qualified Certified Public Accountant, he worked for a national accounting firm for eight years following graduation where his assignments included financial statement audits of several banks. Mr. Zachary is a member of the Taylorsville Rotary Club and serves as Treasurer for the Taylorsville Rotary Club and its Foundation. He also serves as a director of Alexander Railroad Company. Mr. Zachary earned a B.S. degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees for election will be unable or will decline to serve if elected. In the event of the death or disqualification of any nominee or the refusal or inability of any nominee to serve as a director, the proxies may vote for the election of such other person as they may determine in their discretion or may allow a vacancy to remain open until filled by the Board of Directors. Properly executed and returned proxies, unless revoked, will be voted as directed by you or, in the absence of direction, will be voted in favor of the election of the above nominees. Each nominee will be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast at the Annual Meeting, with a plurality vote standard for a contested director election, that is, when the number of director nominees exceeds the number of Board seats for which elections are being held. All members of the Board are “independent” as defined by the rules and listing standards of The NASDAQ Global Select Market.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
Executive Officers of the Company During 2025, our executive officers were (ages as of February 1, 2026): William D. Cable, Sr., age 57, serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank. Until September 2024, Mr. Cable served as Executive Vice President, Assistant Corporate Treasurer and Corporate Secretary of the Company and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank. He has been employed by the Company and the Bank since 1995, previously serving as Senior Vice President-Information Services. Mr. Cable has a total of 34 years of banking experience. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Cable was a regulatory examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. He is a graduate of Western Carolina University, the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University, and the School of Operations and Technology at Vanderbilt University. Jeffrey Hooper, age 56 serves as an Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Treasurer and Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank. He is responsible for Security and Bank Secrecy Act Compliance, Compliance, Finance, Human Resources, Internal Audit, and Peoples Investment Services. Mr. Hooper joined the Company and the Bank in 2020. Previously, Mr. Hooper was an Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of First South Bancorp, Inc. and First South Bank. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of the University of Alaska. Mr. Hooper has a total of 20 years of banking experience. Timothy P. Turner, age 63, serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank. He is responsible for the Bank’s Commercial Credit and Credit Administration function. He has been employed by the Bank since 2010, previously serving as First Vice President-Commercial Credit Officer and Senior Vice President-Senior Credit Officer. Mr. Turner earned BBA and MBA degrees at Campbell University. He has spent over 20 years in Commercial Lending, and over 17 years in Credit Administration. Mr. Turner has a total of 38 years of banking experience. James O. Perry, age 55, serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer of the Bank. He is responsible for Customer Service Center, Marketing, Mortgage Sales, Retail Banking, Talent Management, and Treasury Services. He has been employed by the Bank since 1999, previously serving as Vice President-Commercial Loan Officer, First Vice President-Commercial Area Executive and Senior Vice President-Retail Banking Manager. Mr. Perry earned a BA degree in economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and also graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He previously spent two years as a Small Business Banker with a national bank, two years in Credit Administration and as a Commercial Loan Officer, and four years with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Mr. Perry has a total of 34 years of banking experience. Carol S. Shinn, age 63, serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of the Bank. She is responsible for Information Technology, Deposit Operations, Project Management, Digital Banking, Business Continuity, and Vendor Management. Ms. Shinn joined the Bank in 2015 and has served in various roles, including Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, and Director of Deposit Operations. Ms. Shinn graduated from Louisiana State University Graduate School of Banking and is a Certified Regulatory Vendor Program Manager (CRVPM). She has over 35 years of banking experience. Jody G. Street, age 55, serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Banking Officer of the Bank. He is responsible for Commercial Sales. He has been employed by the Bank since 2013, previously serving as Vice President, Business Development Officer. He was promoted to First Vice President, Area Executive in 2015, where he led market expansion initiatives and enhanced connections with commercial clients. Most recently, he has served as Senior Vice President, Area Executive, managing the commercial banking team with a focus on the Catawba County market. In his current role as Chief Commercial Banking Officer, Mr. Street has retained these responsibilities, while expanding his oversight to include all markets across the Bank’s footprint. Mr. Street earned a B.S. degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed the Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Wharton Executive Leadership Program at University of Pennsylvania. He has over 20 years of banking experience.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
How often did our Board of Directors meet during 2025? Our Board held 15 meetings during 2025. All incumbent directors attended more than 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and its committees on which they served during the year. What is our policy for director attendance at Annual Meetings? Although it is customary for all of our directors to attend Annual Meetings of Shareholders, we have no formal policy in place requiring attendance. All members of the Board attended our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 1, 2025. How can you communicate with the Board or its members? We do not have formal procedures for shareholder communication with our Board. In general, our directors and officers are easily accessible by telephone, postal mail or e-mail. Any matter intended for your Board, or any individual director, can be directed to William Cable, our President and Chief Executive Officer, or Jeffrey Hooper, our Chief Financial Officer, at our principal executive offices at 518 West C Street, Newton, North Carolina 28658. You also may direct correspondence to our Board, or any of its members, in care of the Company at the foregoing address. Your communication will be forwarded to the intended recipient unopened. Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight The ultimate authority to oversee the business of the Company rests with the Board. The Board is led by our Chairman, and in his absence, our Vice Chairman. Robert Abernethy Sr. currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors, and James Abernethy serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board. The role of the Board is to effectively govern the affairs of the Company for the benefit of its shareholders and, to the extent appropriate under North Carolina corporate law, other constituencies including employees, customers, suppliers and the communities in which it does business. The officers of the Company are elected from time to time by the Board or appointed from time to time by the President and Chief Executive Officer (to the extent that the President and Chief Executive Officer is authorized by the Board to appoint officers). Our President and Chief Executive Officer is responsible for leading our management team and employees, and operating the Company. Neither our Chairman nor our Vice Chairman are employed by the Company or the Bank. We believe that having a non-employee Chairman and separating the role of Chairman from that of President/Chief Executive Officer is one more method to create appropriate “checks and balances” in corporate governance as we seek to operate the Company in an effective and efficient manner for the benefit of our shareholders and other constituencies. The Governance Committee, as part of its annual review, evaluates our leadership structure and performance and reports its findings to the whole Board. We believe our current structure results in strong, independent leadership of our Board. Risk management is the responsibility of management and risk oversight is the responsibility of the Board. The Board administers its risk oversight function and also utilizes its committee structure, with each board committee being responsible for overseeing risk within its area of responsibility. Significant risk oversight matters considered by the committees are reported to and considered by the Board. Some significant risk oversight matters are reported directly to the Board, including matters not falling within the area of responsibility of any committee. Types of risk with the potential to adversely affect us include credit, interest rate, liquidity and compliance risks, as well as risks relating to our operations and reputation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
Directors keep themselves informed of the activities and condition of the Company and of the risk environment in which it operates by regularly attending Board and assigned board committee meetings, and by review of meeting materials, auditors’ findings and recommendations, and supervisory communications. Directors stay current on general industry trends and any statutory and regulatory developments pertinent to us by periodic briefings by executive management, counsel, auditors or other consultants, and by more formal director education, including attendance at regulator sponsored “Director’s Colleges,” banking industry conventions, and other similar programs. Directors are provided access to all training and given specific in-person training on items such as Regulation O, Bank Secrecy Act, and other banking guidance and regulations. The Board oversees the conduct of our business and administers the risk management function by:
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| • | selecting, evaluating, and retaining competent executive management; | | • | establishing, with executive management, our long- and short-term business objectives, and adopting operating policies to achieve these objectives in a legal and sound manner; | | • | monitoring operations to ensure that they are controlled adequately and are in compliance with laws and policies; | | • | overseeing our business performance; and | | • | ensuring that we help to meet our communities’ credit needs. |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
These responsibilities are governed by a complex framework of federal and state law and regulation as well as regulatory guidelines applicable to our operations. The Board has established committees in order to effectively divide risk monitoring responsibilities and capabilities. The Company has four standing committees: the Executive Committee, Governance Committee, Audit and Enterprise Risk Committee, and Compensation Committee. The Chief Executive Officer also serves on the Executive Committee. The Audit and Enterprise Risk Committee, charged by the Board with the primary oversight responsibility for risk management, also oversees the integrity of financial reporting, compliance with laws and regulations, and the structure of internal control. The Compensation Committee provides oversight of executive compensation as well as other compensation programs for associates and bank officers. The Governance Committee assists in the establishment of principles for the Company and provides leadership on corporate governance matters. The Executive Committee studies and makes recommendations to the Board on matters related to setting the overall strategic direction for the preparation by the Company’s management of formal multi-year business plans. The Executive Committee may exercise, during intervals between meetings of the Board, all the powers and authority of the Board in directing the management of the business and affairs of the Company, except as otherwise provided in the Bylaws of the Company or by North Carolina law. In addition, the full Bank Board serves as the Bank’s loan committee, and the Bank Board has established a loan sub-committee which monitors credit risk. In the day-to-day management of risk, management has established and implemented appropriate policies, procedures and risk assessment tools, and a defined organization and reporting structure. With respect to the organization and reporting structure, a hierarchy has been created which divides responsibility along functional lines of authority and further divides responsibilities efficiently and effectively into specific processes. The structure is further enhanced by providing the internal audit and loan review functions independent functional reporting responsibilities to the Audit and Enterprise Risk Committee. Risk assessments have been created to properly identify and monitor risk for the Company either at an entity level or within specific types of business as appropriate. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics The Company and the Bank have a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for its directors, officers and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics requires that individuals avoid conflicts of interest, comply with all laws and other legal requirements, conduct business in an honest and ethical manner and otherwise act with integrity and in the best interests of the Company and the Bank. The Code is a guide to help ensure that directors, officers, and employees maintain the highest ethical standards of behavior.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
A copy of the Code is available on the Bank’s website (www.peoplesbanknc.com) under the “Investor Relations” tab located under “About Us”. As is permitted by SEC rules, the Company intends to post on its website any amendment to or waiver from any provision in the Code that applies to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller, or persons performing similar functions, and that relates to any element of the standards enumerated in the rules of the SEC. Insider Trading Policies We have adopted insider trading policies and procedures applicable to our officers, directors, agents, employees and related persons and entities, including the Company, and have implemented processes for the Company, that we believe are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules, and regulations, and NASDAQ listing standards. Our Insider Trading and Section 16 Reporting Policy and Securities Law Compliance Policy (together, our “Insider Trading Policies”) prohibit our officers, directors, agents, employees and related persons and entities from trading in securities of the Company while in possession of material, nonpublic information. They also prohibit trading in securities of any other company about whom they learn material, nonpublic information in the course of performing duties for the Company. Our Insider Trading Policies also generally prohibit our officers, directors, agents, and employees from disclosing material, nonpublic information regarding the Company. Our Insider Trading Policies require that our executive officers, directors and other designated employees only transact in Company securities during an open window period, subject to limited exceptions. In addition, they encourage our executive officers, directors and certain other designated employees to seek pre-clearance in advance of transactions in Company securities in order to mitigate the risk of inadvertent violations. Award of Stock Rights Policy We have adopted an Award of Stock Rights Policy which places restrictions on the award of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other similar instruments to the Company’s directors, executive officers or 10% shareholders during periods that the Company is in receipt of material nonpublic information or during any period beginning four business days before the filing of a periodic report on Form 10-K or 10-Q. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, we did not award an option to purchase or acquire our common stock during any period beginning four business days before the filing of a periodic report on Form 10-K or 10-Q, or the filing or furnishing of a report on Form 8-K that disclosed material nonpublic information and ending one business day after the filing or furnishing of such a report to any of our named executive officers. Diversity of the Board of Directors The Bank Board has adopted a written diversity policy as an integral part of its employee handbook. The Company and the Bank value diversity in society, and believe that the virtues and pursuit of diversity are just as important within the Company and the Bank. The Company and the Bank adhere to a policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment on the basis of legally protected characteristics, including sex, pregnancy, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, age, and disability.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
How can a shareholder nominate someone for election to the Board of Directors? Our Bylaws provide that in order to be eligible for consideration at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, all nominations of directors, other than those made by the Governance Committee or the Board, must be in writing and must be delivered to the Secretary of the Company not less than 50 days nor more than 90 days prior to the meeting at which such nominations will be made. However, if less than 60 days’ notice of the meeting is given to the shareholders, such nominations must be delivered to the Secretary of the Company not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. The Board may disregard any nominations that do not comply with these requirements. Upon the instruction of the Board, the inspector of voting for the Annual Meeting may disregard all votes cast for a nominee if the nomination does not comply with these requirements. Written notice of nominations should be directed to the Secretary of the Company. Who serves on the Bank Board? The Bank currently has a 10-member board of directors which is comprised of the same persons who are currently directors of the Company. Those persons elected to the Board at the Annual Meeting will also be elected by the Company as directors of the Bank. Board Committees During 2025, our Board had four standing committees, the Audit and Enterprise Risk Committee, the Governance Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Executive Committee. The voting members of these Committees are appointed by the Board annually from among its members. Certain of our executive officers also serve as non-voting, advisory members of these committees. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee performs duties as assigned by the full Board. The following persons currently serve on the Executive Committee: Directors R. Abernethy Sr., J. Abernethy, Lineberger, Terry and Zachary, as well as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, who serves in a non-voting capacity. It meets on an “as needed” basis and did not meet during 2025. Governance Committee. The Governance Committee is responsible for developing and maintaining the Company’s corporate governance policy, as well as acting as the nominating committee for the Board. The following persons currently serve on the Governance Committee: Directors R. Abernethy Sr., J. Abernethy, Howard, and Matthews. The Board has determined that all of the members of the Governance Committee are independent as defined by the rules and listing standards of The NASDAQ Global Select Market. The Governance Committee, serving as the nominating committee of the Board, interviews candidates for nomination and election to the Board. The Governance Committee’s identification of candidates for director typically results from the business interactions of the members of the Governance Committee or from recommendations received from other directors or from the Company’s management. If a shareholder recommends a director candidate to the Governance Committee in accordance with the Company’s Bylaws, the Governance Committee will consider the candidate and apply the same considerations that it would to its own candidates. The recommendation of a candidate by a shareholder should be made in writing, addressed to the attention of the Governance Committee at the Company’s corporate headquarters. The recommendation should include a description of the candidate’s background, his or her contact information, and any other information the shareholder considers useful and appropriate for the Governance Committee’s consideration of the candidate. The criteria which have been established by the Governance Committee as bearing on the consideration of a candidate’s qualification to serve as a director include the following: the candidate’s ethics, integrity, involvement in the community, success in business, relationship with the Bank, investment in the Company, place of residence (i.e., proximity to the Bank’s market area), and financial expertise.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
The Governance Committee met once during the year ended December 31, 2025. The Governance Committee has a written charter which is reviewed annually, and amended as needed, by the Governance Committee. A copy of the charter is available on the Bank’s website (www.peoplesbanknc.com) under the “Investor Relations” tab located under “About Us”. Audit and Enterprise Risk Committee. The Company has a separately designated standing Audit and Risk Enterprise Committee (the “Audit Committee”) which was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include oversight of enterprise risk. The Audit Committee has a written charter which is reviewed annually, and amended as needed, by the Audit Committee. A copy of the charter is available on the Bank’s website (www.peoplesbanknc.com) under the “Investor Relations” tab located under “About Us”. The following persons currently serve on the Audit Committee: Directors R. Abernethy Sr., Howard, Lineberger, Price, Terry, and Zachary. The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent as that term is defined by the rules and listing standards of The NASDAQ Global Select Market and the SEC’s regulations. In addition, the Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” based on each of the member’s educational background and business experience. The Audit Committee meets at least quarterly and, among other responsibilities, oversees (i) the independent auditing of the Company, (ii) the system of internal controls that management has established, and (iii) the quarterly and annual financial information to be provided to shareholders and the SEC. The Audit Committee met eight times during the year ended December 31, 2025. Audit Committee Report. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management of the Company and has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standards No. 16 as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1 AU section 380) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent accountant the independent accountant’s independence. Based upon these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 for filing with the SEC.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| Robert C. Abernethy Sr. | John W. Lineberger, Jr. | | Benjamin I. Zachary Douglas S. Howard | W. Greg Terry Billy L Price, Jr. MD, Committee Chair |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
Compensation Committee. The Company’s Compensation Committee is responsible for developing, reviewing, implementing and maintaining the Bank’s salary, bonus, and incentive compensation programs and for making recommendations to the Board of Directors and the Bank Board regarding compensation of the executive officers. Upon recommendation from the Compensation Committee, the Board ultimately determines such compensation. The Board of Directors has determined that all of the members of the Compensation Committee are independent as defined by the rules and listing standards of The NASDAQ Global Select Market. The following persons currently serve on the Compensation Committee: Directors R. Abernethy Sr., J. Abernethy, Howard, and Matthews. The Compensation Committee met two times during the year ended December 31, 2025.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
The Compensation Committee has a written charter which is reviewed annually, and amended as needed, by the Compensation Committee. A copy of the charter is available on the Bank’s website (www.peoplesbanknc.com) under the “Investor Relations” tab under “About Us”. Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. No member of the Compensation Committee is now, or formerly was, an officer or employee of the Company or the Bank. None of the named executive officers serve as a member of the board of directors of another entity whose executive officers or directors serve on the Board of Directors. See “Indebtedness of and Transactions with Related Persons” starting on page 32 of this Proxy Statement. Compensation Committee Report.The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this Proxy Statement with management and has recommended that it be included in this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2025. Compensation Committee James S. Abernethy, Committee Chair Robert C. Abernethy Sr. Douglas S. Howard Gary E. Matthews COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS In this section, we will give an overview of our compensation program, the material compensation decisions we have made under the program and the material factors that we considered in making those decisions. Following this discussion, in the section entitled “– Summary Compensation Table,” we provide a table containing specific information about the compensation earned for the fiscal years indicated, by the following officers, whom we refer to as our “named executive officers”:
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| • | William D. Cable, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer; | | • | Jeffrey N. Hooper, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; and | | • | Jody G. Street, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. |
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Compensation Committee Processes and Procedures The Compensation Committee assists the Board in determining appropriate compensation levels for the members of the Board and our named executive officers. It also has strategic and administrative responsibility for a broad range of compensation issues. It seeks to ensure that we compensate key management employees effectively and in a manner consistent with the Compensation Committee’s stated compensation strategy and relevant requirements of various regulatory entities. A part of these responsibilities is overseeing the administration of executive compensation and employee benefit plans, including the design, selection of participants, establishment of performance measures, and evaluation of awards pursuant to our annual and long-term incentive programs. Compensation Philosophy The overall objective of our executive compensation program is to promote the interests of the Company by compensating our executives in a manner that closely aligns their interests with those of the Company’s shareholders. In order to accomplish this overall objective, our executive compensation program is designed to (i) attract qualified executives necessary to meet those needs identified in the Company’s strategic plans, and (ii) retain and motivate executives whose performance supports the achievement of our long-term plans and short-term goals. Our executive compensation program is founded upon the guiding principle that a strong, performance-oriented compensation program, generally consistent with that of our peers, is critical to our ability to succeed in becoming a leading performer among financial institutions of similar size, and thereby reward our shareholders for their investment in the Company.
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The Compensation Committee considers a number of factors specific to each executive’s role when determining the amount and mix of compensation to be paid. These factors are:
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| • | compensation of comparable executives at peer financial institutions; | | • | financial performance of the Company (especially on a “net operating” basis, which excludes the effect of one-time gains and expenses) over the most recent fiscal year and the prior three years; | | • | composition of earnings; | | • | asset quality relative to the banking industry; | | • | responsiveness to the economic environment; | | • | the Company’s achievements compared to its corporate, financial, strategic and operational objectives and business plans; and | | • | cumulative shareholder return. |
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Elements of the Executive Compensation Program The Company’s executive compensation program consists of the following elements: Base Salary. The salaries of our named executive officers are designed to provide a reasonable level of compensation that is affordable to the Company and fair to the executive. Salaries are reviewed annually, and adjustments, if any, are made based on the review of competitive salaries in our peer group, as well as an evaluation of the individual officer’s responsibilities, job scope, and performance. For example, we assess each officer’s success in achieving budgeted earnings and return ratios, business conduct and integrity, and leadership and team building skills. Annual Cash Incentive Awards. We believe that annual cash incentive awards encourage our named executive officers to achieve short-term targets that are critical to achievement of our long-term strategic plan. The Bank has a Management Incentive Plan for officers of the Bank. Participants in the Management Incentive Plan are recommended annually by the President and Chief Executive Officer to the Bank Board. Each individual’s incentive pool is determined by a formula that links attainment of corporate budget with attainment of individual goals and objectives. Incentives under the Management Incentive Plan are paid annually. No named executive officer earned or was paid a cash incentive under the Management Incentive Plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. Discretionary Bonus and Service Awards. From time to time the Compensation Committee may recommend to the Board that additional bonuses be paid based on accomplishments that significantly exceed expectations during the fiscal year. The Board has discretion as to who will receive a bonus and the amount of any such bonus. For 2025, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, discretionary bonuses as follows: $165,000 for Mr. Cable; $90,000 for Mr. Hooper; and $55,250 for Mr. Street. These discretionary bonuses were paid in January 2026. Under the Service Recognition Program, the Bank gives service awards to each employee and director for every five years of service with the Bank to promote and reward longevity of service for both directors and employees. Service awards are made in the form of shares of the Company’s common stock plus cash in the amount necessary to pay taxes on the award. The number of shares awarded increases with the number of years of service to the Bank. Common stock awarded under the Service Recognition Program is purchased by the Bank on the open market, and no new shares are issued by the Company under the Service Recognition Program. Long-Term Equity Incentive Awards. Pursuant to the 2020 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2020 Omnibus Plan”), the Company may grant incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, book value shares, and performance units to qualifying directors and employees. The purpose of the 2020 Omnibus Plan is to promote the interests of the Company by attracting and retaining directors and employees of outstanding ability and to provide executives of the Company greater incentive to make material contributions to the success of the Company by providing them with stock-based compensation which would increase in value based upon the market performance of our common stock. The 2020 Omnibus Plan was approved by our shareholders on May 7, 2020 and expires on May 7, 2030.
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See “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table” on page 22of this Proxy Statement and “Option Exercises and Stock Vested” on page 22 of this Proxy Statement for information on equity incentive awards made to the named executed officers under the 2020 Omnibus Plan. See “2020 Omnibus Plan” starting on page 25 of this Proxy Statement for additional information on the 2020 Omnibus Plan. Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreements. The Bank has entered into salary continuation agreements with each of the named executive officers, providing each executive a non-qualified supplemental executive retirement benefit. The Committee’s goal under this program is to provide competitive retirement benefits given the restrictions on executives within tax-qualified plans. In prior years, the Committee worked with a compensation consultant to analyze and consider the possible benefits of providing supplemental retirement benefits and to consider what is provided to executives in our peer group. In connection with the non-qualified supplemental executive retirement benefits, the Company and/or the Bank purchased life insurance policies on the lives of the named executive officers. The increase in cash surrender value of a life insurance policy constitutes the Bank’s contribution to the plan each year. Under the terms of the agreements, the Bank will pay benefits to participating executives for a period between 13 years and the life of the executive. 401(k) Plan. The Bank has established a 401(k) Plan for eligible employees. Under the Bank’s 401(k) Plan, the Bank matches employee contributions up to a maximum of 4.00% of annual compensation. The Bank’s 2025 contribution to the 401(k) Plan was approximately $834,000. All contributions to the 401(k) Plan are tax deferred. The 401(k) Plan permits participants to choose from investment funds selected by a committee comprised of senior management. Employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan beginning in the second month of employment. All participants are immediately 100% vested in employer contributions made under the plan. Deferred Compensation Plan. The Bank maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for directors and certain officers. Eligible officers selected by the Bank Board may elect to contribute a percentage of their compensation to the plan. Participating officers may elect to invest their deferred compensation in a restricted list of investment funds. The Bank may make matching or other contributions to the plan as well, in amounts determined at the discretion of the Bank. Participants are fully vested in all amounts contributed to the plan by them or on their behalf. The Bank has established a Rabbi Trust to hold the accrued benefits of the participants under the plan. There are no “above-market” returns provided for in this plan. The Bank made no contributions to the plan in 2025. Benefits under the plan are payable in the event of the participant’s retirement, death, termination, or as a result of hardship. Benefit payments may be made in a lump sum or in installments, as selected by the participant. Employment Agreements. The Company has entered into an employment agreement with each named executive officer. The employment agreements serve a number of functions, including: (i) retention of the executive team; (ii) mitigation of any uncertainty about future employment and continuity of management in the event of a change in control; and (iii) protection of the Bank and its customers through non-compete and non-solicitation covenants. Additional information regarding the employment agreements, including a description of key terms may be found under the heading “Employment Agreements” starting on page 23 of this Proxy Statement. Other Benefits. Executive officers are entitled to participate in fringe benefit plans offered to employees including health and dental insurance plans and life, accidental death and dismemberment and long-term disability plans. In addition, the Bank has paid country club dues for each named executive officer and provided a car allowance to Mr. Cable. The above elements of each named executive officer’s compensation are not inter-related. For example, if vesting standards on restricted stock awards are not achieved, the executive’s base salary is not increased to make up the difference. Similarly, the value of previously granted equity incentive awards is not considered by the Compensation Committee in recommending the other elements of the compensation package.
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Role of Management The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank makes recommendations to the Committee regarding the compensation of executive officers, other than himself. The President and Chief Executive Officer also participates in the deliberations, but not in the decisions, of the Committee; however, he does not participate in the Committee’s deliberations or decisions regarding his own compensation. The Committee reports its actions to the Board of Directors and keeps written minutes of its meetings, which minutes are maintained with the books and records of the Company. Role of Compensation Consultants Periodically, the Compensation Committee engages independent third party compensation consultants to review our executive compensation program, provides peer group analyses, and advise on regulatory developments, corporate governance, and best practice trends. In 2025, the Committee engaged Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC (“Pearl Meyer”) to review the compensation of the named executive officers and certain other senior executives, and to provide market‑based analyses and considerations to assist the Committee in evaluating executive compensation. The Compensation Committee reviewed whether Pearl Meyer is independent and whether the engagement presented any conflicts of interest. In conducting this review, the Committee noted that Pearl Meyer (i) provide or provided no services to the Company other than compensation consulting, (ii) has or had no personal or business relationships with members of our Board or executive officers, (iii) does or did not directly own any shares of Company stock, and (iv) retains or retained a written policy designed to avoid conflicts of interest that may arise. In carrying out this engagement, Pearl Meyer was instructed to, and did:
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| • | create a custom compensation peer group; | | • | assess the Bank’s executive compensation components relative to a mix of peer group proxy data and compensation surveys, using proxy data for the named executive officers and survey data for the other officers; and | | • | provide recommendations and considerations for total compensation opportunity guidelines, including base salary and short‑term and long‑term incentive targets. |
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The purpose of Pearl Meyer’s engagement was to:
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| • | confirm and validate the appropriateness of executive compensation relative to market practices; | | • | provide a market‑based framework for managing compensation prospectively; and | | • | serve as a basis for discussion of decisions and/or changes to the Company’s compensation structure, as appropriate. |
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Pearl Meyer provided the results of its review, along with supporting analytical detail, to the Compensation Committee. The review concluded, among other things, that total cash compensation is generally competitive with the market, while total direct compensation for most executives falls below the competitive range due in part to the limited use of long‑term incentive compensation. Pearl Meyer also identified considerations for developing an executive compensation philosophy and for formalizing short‑term and long‑term incentive strategies, and recommended that market data should be used as one reference point for compensation decisions in conjunction with factors such as time in role, performance, and internal equity.
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Pearl Meyer did not make compensation decisions for the Company. Final decisions regarding executive compensation were made by the Compensation Committee after considering Pearl Meyer’s analyses and input, as well as other relevant factors. The Compensation Committee also considers the results of the shareholders’ non-binding vote on executive compensation. At the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a plurality of our shareholders voted to annually approve the compensation of our named executive officers (“Say-on-Pay”). At the 2025 Annual Meeting, 86.5% of shareholders who voted approved the executive compensation of our named executive officers. Shareholders are invited to vote on the “Say-on-Pay” proposal at the Annual Meeting. Clawback Policy and Amendments to Employment Agreements In October 2023, the Compensation Committee adopted, and the Board ratified, the Excess Incentive-Based Compensation Recovery Policy (the “Clawback Policy”) in compliance with the final clawback rules adopted by the SEC and the listing standards, as set forth in The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC Listing Rule 5608 (the “Final Clawback Rules”). The Clawback Policy provides for the mandatory recovery of erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation from current and former executive officers as defined in SEC Rule 10D-1 (“Covered Officers”) of the Company in the event that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement to correct a material error, in accordance with the Final Clawback Rules. The recovery of such compensation applies regardless of whether a Covered Officer engaged in misconduct or otherwise caused or contributed to the requirement of an accounting restatement. Under the Clawback Policy, the Company may recoup from the Covered Officers erroneously awarded compensation received within a lookback period of the three completed fiscal years preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement to correct a material error. In November 2023, the Company entered into a First Amendment to Employment Agreement with each of its then named executive officers: Jeffrey N. Hooper, William D. Cable, Sr., and James O. Perry, for the purposes of implementing compliance by each of the executives with the Clawback Policy.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The named executive officers of the Company are not paid any cash compensation by the Company. However, they are also executive officers of the Bank and receive compensation from the Bank. The below tables show, for the fiscal years indicated, the cash compensation received by, as well as certain other compensation paid or accrued to, each named executive officer. Summary Compensation Table
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| Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary($) | Bonus($) | Stock Awards($)(1) | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings($) | All Other Compensation($)(3) | Total($) | | William D. Cable, Sr. | 2025 | 375,950 | 165,000 | -- | 89,307 | 42,998 | 673,255 | | President and Chief Executive Officer | 2024 | 365,000 | 150,000 | -- | 44,251 | 35,937 | 595,188 | | Jeffrey Hooper | 2025 | 235,000 | 90,000 | -- | 45,540 | 22,656 | 393,196 | | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 2024 | 207,209 | 75,000 | 40,000 | 21,794 | 19,969 | 363,972 | | Jody G. Street(2) | 2025 | 225,014 | 55,250 | 29,874 | 20,404 | 19,640 | 350,181 | | Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Banking Officer | | | | | | | |
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| (1) Amount represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note 1 in the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report, which Annual Report is attached hereto as Appendix A. | | (2) Mr. Street was a named executive officer for 2025, but not 2024. | | (3) All other compensation is comprised of the following: |
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| Name and Principal Position | Year | Employer Match – 401(k) ($) | Car Allowance($) | Country Club Dues($) | Split Dollar Death Benefit($) | Group Term Life($)(a) | Disability and LTC Premiums($)(b) | Dividends Accrued on Restricted Stock Units($) | Other($) | | William D. Cable, Sr. President and Chief Executive Officer | 2025 2024 | 13,902 13,602 | 2,934 -- | 4,605 4,500 | 736 681 | 2,322 2,321 | 12,027 12,027 | 1,472 2,806 | 5,000 -- | | Jeffrey Hooper Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 2025 2024 | 12,383 11,239 | -- -- | 4,560 4,080 | 543 503 | 2,167 1,881 | -- -- | 2,678 2,266 | 325 -- | | Jody G. Street | 2025 | 11,283 | -- | 4,545 | -- | 2,053 | -- | 1,759 | -- | | Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Banking Officer | | | | | | | | | |
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| (a) Represents amounts paid by the Bank for premiums on group term life insurance in excess of $50,000 for each named executive officer. | | (b) Represents amounts paid by the Bank for premiums on disability and long-term care insurance for each named executive officer. |
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End The following table shows certain information for the named executive officer’s outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2025. Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table
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| | Stock Awards | | | | | Name | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) | 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(3)($) | | William D. Cable, Sr. | -- | -- | 1,230(1) | 44,526 | | Jeffrey N. Hooper | -- | -- | 2,790(2) | 100,998 | | Jody G. Street | -- | -- | 1,840(3) | 66,608 |
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| (1) Represents 1,230 restricted stock units that were granted on January 19, 2023 (with a grant date fair value for each restricted stock unit of $32.58 on January 19, 2023) and vest on January 19, 2027. | | (2) Represents 1,430 restricted stock units that were granted on January 20, 2022 (with a grant date fair value for each restricted stock unit of $27.99 on January 20, 2022) and vested on January 20, 2026, and 1,360 restricted stock units that were granted on January 22, 2024 (with a grant date fair value for each restricted stock unit of $29.52 on January 22, 2024) and vest on January 22, 2028. | | (3) Represents 770 restricted stock units that were granted on January 19, 2023 (with a grant date fair value for each restricted stock unit of $32.58 on January 19, 2023) and vest on January 19, 2027, and 1,070 restricted stock units that were granted on February 3, 2025 (with a grant date fair value for each restricted stock unit of $27.92 on February 3, 2025) and vest on February 3, 2029. | | (4) Based on a stock price of $36.20 per share on December 31, 2025. |
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Option Exercises and Stock Vested During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, no options were exercised by the named executive officers. During 2025, 1,820 restricted stock units previously awarded to Mr. Cable vested; the shares had a fair market value of $27.92 per share on the date of vesting.
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Pension Benefits The following table shows, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, the pension benefits paid or earned by our named executive officers.
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| Pension Benefits Table | | | | | | Name | Plan Name | Number of Years Credited Service | Present Value of Accumulated Benefit($) | Payments During Last Fiscal Year($) | | William D. Cable, Sr. | Executive Salary Continuation Agreement(1) | 24 | 496,181 | -- | | Jeffrey N. Hooper | Executive Salary Continuation Agreement(2) | 6 | 128,482 | -- | | Jody G. Street | Executive Salary Continuation Agreement(3) | 1 | 21,386 | -- |
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| (1) The Bank entered into Amended and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Mr. Cable effective on December 18, 2008. The Amended and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreements for Mr. Cable were further amended on December 10, 2014, and such amendments were memorialized in a First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreements effective February 16, 2018. The Bank entered into a Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Mr. Cable effective on September 19, 2024. Unless a separation from service or a change in control (as defined in the Executive Salary Continuation Agreements) occurs before the retirement age set forth in each Executive Salary Continuation Agreement, the Executive Salary Continuation Agreements provide for an annual supplemental retirement benefit to be paid to each of the named executive officers in 12 equal monthly installments payable on the first day of each month, beginning with the month immediately after the month in which the named executive officer retires or following the attainment of the normal retirement age and for the named executive officer’s lifetime, or if longer, a 13-year term. Under the terms of the Executive Salary Continuation Agreements, Mr. Cable will receive an annual supplemental retirement benefit of $130,000. | | (2) The Bank entered into an Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Mr. Hooper effective on July 1, 2020. The Bank entered into a First Amendment to Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Mr. Hooper effective on September 19, 2024. Unless a separation from service or a change in control (as defined in the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement) occurs before the retirement age set forth in his Executive Salary Continuation Agreement, the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement provides for an annual supplemental retirement benefit to be paid to Mr. Hooper in 12 equal monthly installments payable on the first day of each month, beginning with the month immediately after the month in which he retires or following the attainment of the normal retirement age and for a 13-year term. Under the terms of the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement, Mr. Hooper will receive an annual supplemental retirement benefit of $75,000. | | (3) The Bank entered into an Executive Salary Continuation Agreement with Jody G. Street effective on January 1, 2025. Unless a separation from service or a change in control (as defined in the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement) occurs before the retirement age set forth in his Executive Salary Continuation Agreement, the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement provides for an annual supplemental retirement benefit to be paid to Mr. Street in equal installments in accordance with the Bank’s normal payroll schedule, beginning with the month immediately after the month in which he retires or following the attainment of the normal retirement age and for a 13-year term. Under the terms of the Executive Salary Continuation Agreement, Mr. Street will receive an annual supplemental retirement benefit of $36,000. |
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Employment Agreements In 2015, the Company and the Bank entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Cable; and in August 2021, the Company and the Bank entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Hooper (collectively, as amended from time to time, the “Employment Agreements”). Presently, Mr. Street does not have an employment agreement with the Company or the Bank. In September 2024, Mr. Cable entered into an amended and restated employment agreement in order to reflect his promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank and certain other changes to the terms of his employment as a consequence of the promotion.
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The Employment Agreements for Mr. Cable and Mr. Hooper, each provide for an initial term of 36 months. Annually, on the anniversary of the effective date of each Employment Agreement, the Employment Agreement is automatically extended for one additional year unless the Board of Directors or the executive gives the other party prior written notice that the term is not to be extended. Under the Employment Agreements, the Bank agreed to pay Mr. Cable a base salary of at least $365,000 per year and Mr. Hooper a base salary of at least $189,625 per year. The Bank reviews each executive’s total compensation at least annually and in its sole discretion may adjust an executive’s total compensation from year to year; provided, however, that an executive’s base salary may not be reduced. In addition, the Employment Agreements provide for discretionary bonuses and participation in other management incentive, pension, profit-sharing, medical and retirement plans maintained by the Bank, as well as fringe benefits normally associated with such executive’s office. Under the Employment Agreements, the Company and the Bank may terminate each executive’s employment for “cause”, “without cause” or in the event of a “disability” (each as defined in the Employment Agreements). In addition, each executive may voluntarily terminate his employment upon 60 days prior written notice to the Company and the Bank or for “good reason” (as defined in the Employment Agreement). If the Company and the Bank terminate an executive’s employment “without cause”, or an executive terminates his employment for “good reason”, in each case, other than in connection with a change of control, then the executive would be entitled to receive certain severance payments and access to welfare benefit plans as more particularly set forth in the Employment Agreements. In the event that the Company and the Bank terminate an executive’s employment “without cause”, or an executive terminates his employment for “good reason”, in any such case at the time of or within one year after a change of control, then the executive will be entitled to receive certain change in control payments as more particularly described below. In addition, each Employment Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants prohibiting the executive from competing against the Company and the Bank or soliciting the Company’s or the Bank’s customers for a period of time following termination of employment. In November of 2023 each of the Employment Agreements were amended to comply with the Clawback Policy. See page 20 of this Proxy Statement for more details concerning the Clawback Policy. Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control Each of the Employment Agreements provide that in the event the Company terminates the employment of a named executive officer “without cause,” or the officer terminates his or her employment for “good reason,” in any such case at the time of or within one year after a “change of control” (as defined in the Employment Agreements), the officer will be entitled to receive the following payments and benefits: (1) the Company will pay the officer the aggregate of the following amounts: (a) the sum of his accrued obligations; (b) the greater of his base salary, divided by 365 and multiplied by the number of days remaining in the employment period, or an amount equal to 2.99 times his base salary; and (c) the product of his aggregate cash bonus for the last completed fiscal year, and a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the date of termination, and the denominator of which is 365; (2) all restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards previously granted to the executive and which have not already become vested and released from restrictions on transfer, repurchase and forfeiture rights, either as a result of the change of control or otherwise, will immediately vest and be released from such restrictions as of the change of control termination date; and (3) all options previously granted to the officer that are unvested as of the change of control termination date will be deemed vested, fully exercisable and non-forfeitable as of the change of control termination date (other than transfer restrictions applicable to incentive stock options) and all previously granted options that are vested, but unexercised, on the change of control termination date will remain exercisable, in each case for the period during which they would have been exercisable absent the termination of his employment, except as otherwise specifically provided by the Internal Revenue Code; and (4) his benefits under all benefit plans that are non-qualified plans will be 100% vested, regardless of his age or years of service, as of the change of control termination date.
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
If the named executive officers were terminated on December 31, 2025, “without cause” or for “good reason” at the time of or within one year after a “change of control”, Mr. Cable and Mr. Hooper would have been entitled to receive compensation of approximately $1.623 million and $975 thousand, respectively, pursuant to their Employment Agreements. These amounts are calculated based on each officer’s 2025 “Salary” and “Bonus” as shown in the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 21 of this Proxy Statement. In addition, if a “change in control” (as such term is defined in the applicable Omnibus Plan) had occurred on December 31, 2025, all unvested restricted stock units previously granted to each of Mr. Cable and Mr. Hooper would have vested immediately. On December 31, 2025, these unvested restricted stock units had a fair market value of $44,526 for Mr. Cable and $100,998 for Mr. Hooper. 2020 Omnibus Plan General.The purpose of the 2020 Omnibus Plan is to promote the interests of the Company by attracting and retaining directors and employees of outstanding ability and to provide executive and other key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries greater incentive to make material contributions to the success of the Company by providing them with stock-based compensation which will increase in value based upon the market performance of the common stock. The 2020 Omnibus Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. Subject to the terms of the 2020 Omnibus Plan, the Committee and the Board have authority to construe and interpret, for eligible employees and eligible directors, respectively, the 2020 Omnibus Plan, to determine the terms and provisions of Rights (as defined below) to be granted under the 2020 Omnibus Plan, to define the terms used in the 2020 Omnibus Plan and in the Rights granted thereunder, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the 2020 Omnibus Plan, to determine the individuals to whom and the times at which Rights shall be granted and the number of shares to be subject to, or to underlie, each Right awarded, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2020 Omnibus Plan. Rights Which May Be Granted.Under the 2020 Omnibus Plan, the Committee may grant or award eligible participants options, rights to receive restricted shares of common stock, long-term incentive units (each equivalent to one share of common stock), and/or stock appreciation rights. These grants and awards are referred to herein as the “Rights.” The 2020 Omnibus Plan was approved by our shareholders on May 7, 2020. Accordingly, no new awards or grants may be made under the 2020 Omnibus Plan after May 7, 2030, the tenth anniversary of the date our shareholders approved the 2020 Omnibus Plan. The Board initially reserved 300,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the 2020 Omnibus Plan. Any shares of common stock allocated to Rights granted under the 2020 Omnibus Plan, which Rights are subsequently cancelled or forfeited, will be available for further allocation upon such cancellation or forfeiture. Change in Control. In the event of a change in control (as such term is defined in the applicable Omnibus Plan), all Rights under the applicable Omnibus Plan will fully vest and be released from any restrictions on transfer. In addition, with respect to the 2020 Omnibus Plan, in the event of a change in control, the Committee may, with 10 days’ advance notice to affected persons, cancel any Right and pay to the holders thereof in cash or common stock or both, the value of the Right based upon the price per share of common stock received or to be received by the Company’s shareholders in the change in control. Clawback. The Company may cancel any Right, require reimbursement of any Right or previously paid compensation under the 2020 Omnibus Plan or an award agreement, or use any other right of recoupment of equity or compensation in accordance with any clawback policy adopted by the Company and as may be in effect from time to time. Grants. During 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 the Board granted 7,060, 5,385, 4,760, 5,940 and 4,580 awards, respectively, of non-transferable restricted stock units to employees pursuant to the 2020 Omnibus Plan. All grants were compensatory in nature and were issued without cost to the employees. Each restricted stock unit is subject to time-based vesting restrictions and once vested will be convertible into one share of the Company’s common stock. See “Equity Compensation Plan Information” on page 33 for information regarding outstanding options and shares for future issuance under the 2020 Omnibus Plan as of December 31, 2025.
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
Pay Versus Performance In accordance with rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), we are providing the following information regarding executive compensation for our Chief Executive Officer (referred to in this section as the “PEO”) and our other named executive officers (referred to in this section as the “Other NEOs,” and together with the PEO, the “NEOs”), and the Company’s performance for the fiscal years listed below. Pay Versus Performance Table
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO Sellers 1 | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO Cable 1 | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO Sellers 2 | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO Cable 2 | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Other NEOs 3 | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Other NEOs 4 | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On Total Shareholder Return 5 | Net Income (Millions) 6 | | (a) | (b) | (b) | (c) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) | | 2025 | $- | $673,255 | $- | $583,943 | $371,689 | $369,147 | $123.14 | $19.8 | | 2024 | $653,628 | $595,188 | $542,127 | $550,937 | $218,064 | $223,879 | $125.27 | $16.4 | | 2023 | $649,367 | - | $546,468 | - | $370,778 | $354,503 | $120.16 | $15.5 |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| (1) The amounts reported in the columns labeled (b) are the amounts of total compensation reported for our former Chief Executive Officer, Lance A. Sellers, and William D. Cable, who succeeded Mr. Sellers as our Chief Executive Officer in September 2024, for each corresponding year in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table. Mr. Cable is reported as the sole PEO for 2025; Mr. Sellers is reported as the sole PEO for 2023; and both Mr. Cable and Mr. Sellers are reported as PEO’s for 2024, having each served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company during 2024. | | (2) The amounts reported in columns labeled (c) represent the amount of “Compensation Actually Paid” to the PEOs, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The amounts reported do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid to the PEOs during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v), the following adjustments were made to the PEOs’ total compensation as presented in the “Summary Compensation Table” for each year to determine the “Compensation Actually Paid”. No equity awards were granted to Mr. Sellers during any of the years presented below, or to Mr. Cable in 2024 or 2025. As a result the table below table does not include any equity award adjustments. |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| | Sellers | | | Cable | | | | Year | Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO | SERP Service Cost (a) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO | Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO | SERP Service Cost (a) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO | | 2025 | $- | $- | $- | $673,255 | $(89,307) | $583,948 | | 2024 | $653,628 | $(111,501) | $542,127 | $595,188 | $(44,251) | $550,937 | | 2023 | $649,367 | $(102,899) | $546,468 | $- | $- | $- |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| (a) The amounts included in this column are the amounts reported in the “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column of the “Summary Compensation Table” for each applicable year. |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| (3) The amounts reported in column (d) represent the average of the amounts reported for our NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Sellers, and for 2024 and 2025, Mr. Cable) in the “Total” column of the “Summary Compensation Table” in each applicable year. The names of the NEOs (excluding Mr. Sellers, and for 2024 and 2025, Mr. Cable) included for purposes of calculating the average amounts in each applicable year are: for 2025, Mr. Jeffrey N. Hooper (our Chief Financial Officer) and Jody G. Street (our Chief Commercial Banking Officer); for 2024, Mr. Hooper and James O. Perry (our Chief Retail Banking Officer); and for 2023, Mr. Hooper and Mr. Cable. | | (4) The amounts reported in column (e) represent the average amount of “Compensation Actually Paid” to the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Sellers, and for 2024 and 2025, Mr. Cable), as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The names of the NEOs (excluding Mr. Sellers, and for 2024 and 2025, Mr. Cable) included for purposes of calculating the average amounts in each applicable year are: for 2025, Mr. Hooper and Mr. Street; for 2024, Mr. Hooper and Mr. Perry; and for 2023, Mr. Hooper and Mr. Cable. The amounts reported do not reflect the actual average amount of compensation earned by or paid to the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Sellers, and for 2024 and 2025, Mr. Cable) during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v), the following adjustments were made to average total compensation for the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Sellers, and for 2024 and 2025, Mr. Cable) for each year to determine the “Compensation Actually Paid”, using the same methodology described above in footnote (2): |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| Year | Average Reported Summary Compensation Table Total For Non-PEO NEOs | Average Reported Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Awards (a) | Average Equity Award Adjustments (b) | Average SERP Service Cost | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs | | 2025 | $371,689 | $(14,937) | $45,367 | $(32,972) | $369,147 | | 2024 | $218,064 | $(13,333) | $43,194 | $(24,046) | $223,879 | | 2023 | $370,778 | $(20,000) | $33,998 | $(30,273) | $354,503 |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| (a) The amounts included in this column reflect the average for our NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Sellers, and for 2024 and 2025, Mr. Cable) of the fair value, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of equity awards granted in each applicable year. | | (b) The amounts deducted or added in calculating the total average equity award adjustments are as follows: |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| Year | Average Year-End Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in Applicable Year | Average Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years | Total Average Equity Award Adjustments | | 2025 | $38,734 | $6,633 | $45,367 | | 2024 | $42,500 | $694 | $43,194 | | 2023 | $38,056 | $(4,058) | $33,998 |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| 5 | “Total Shareholder Return” (also referred to as “TSR”) represents our cumulative total stockholder return during each measurement period and is calculated by dividing the sum of (i) the difference between the share price of our common stock at the end and the beginning of the measurement period, plus (ii) the cumulative amount of dividends paid on our common stock for the measurement period, assuming dividend reinvestment, by the share price of our common stock at the beginning of the measurement period. Each amount assumes that $100 was invested in our common stock on December 31, 2022, and dividends were reinvested for additional shares. | | 6 | The amounts reported represent the amount of net income (in millions) reflected in our audited consolidated financial statements for the applicable year. |
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
Financial Performance Measures As described in greater detail in the section captioned “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Elements of the Executive Compensation Program,” our executive compensation program includes variable components in the form of annual cash incentive awards, discretionary bonuses, service awards and long-term incentive awards. The metrics that we use for such awards are selected based on an objective of incentivizing our NEOs to increase shareholder value. Changes in shareholder value are reflected in “Compensation Actually Paid” above through the fair value of our equity awards. Analysis of the Information Presented in the Pay Versus Performance Table As described in more detail in the section captioned “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Elements of the Executive Compensation Program,” our executive compensation program includes variable components in the form of annual incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, service awards and long-term incentive awards. While we utilize several performance measures to align executive compensation with our performance, all of those measures are not presented in the “Pay Versus Performance Table.” Moreover, we generally seek to incentivize long-term performance and, therefore, our performance measures, or indeed Company TSR, may not align with “Compensation Actually Paid” (as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) Regulation S-K) for a particular year.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
Compensation Actually Paid and Company TSR As demonstrated by the following graph, the Company TSR increased between 2023 and 2024 before decreasing slightly in 2025. Over the same periods, “Compensation Actually Paid” to our PEOs was relatively stable; however, “Compensation Actually Paid” to our Other NEOs decreased between 2023 and 2024, before increasing in 2025. As disclosed in the “Summary Compensation Table,” the increase in “Compensation Actually Paid” to our PEO (Mr. Cable) between 2024 and 2025 was primarily due to an increase in the column entitled “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings($)” which was attributable to an increase in value of his supplemental retirement benefit following his appointment as our Chief Executive Officer. The fluctuations in “Compensation Actually Paid” to our Other NEOs between 2023 and 2025 primarily reflect the change from year to year in the membership of the Other NEOs, which for 2025 was Mr. Hooper and Mr. Street; for 2024 was Mr. Hooper and Mr. Perry; and for 2023 was Mr. Hooper and Mr. Cable. Moreover, because the variable portions of our executive compensation program are weighted more heavily towards discretionary cash bonuses than stock-based compensation, and because those cash bonuses are primarily based on our financial performance rather than the performance of our stock price, “Compensation Actually Paid” is more closely aligned with net income than the Company TSR.
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income As demonstrated by the following table, “Compensation Actually Paid” to our PEOs and net income were generally aligned between 2023 and 2025. Net income increased year-over-year between 2023 and 2024, and again between 2024 and 2025. One reason for this is because of the significance of discretionary cash bonuses in our executive compensation program, which bonuses which are primarily based on our financial performance causing “Compensation Actually Paid” to be closely aligned with net income. Over the same periods, “Compensation Actually Paid” to our Other NEOs decreased between 2023 and 2024, before increasing in 2025. The fluctuations in “Compensation Actually Paid” to our Other NEOs between 2023 and 2025 primarily reflect the change from year to year in the membership of the Other NEOs, which for 2025 was Mr. Hooper and Mr. Street; for 2024 was Mr. Hooper and Mr. Perry; and for 2023 was Mr. Hooper and Mr. Cable.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
Director Compensation Directors’ Fees. Members of the Board of Directors receive no fees or compensation for their service. However, all members of the Board are also directors of the Bank and are compensated by the Bank for service on the Bank Board and its committees. During the year ended December 31, 2025, each director received a fee of $1,400 for each Bank Board meeting attended, an additional fee of $1,000 for each committee meeting attended and a retainer of $22,000. In addition, the Chairman of the Bank Board received an additional $250 per meeting attended and the chairpersons of each committee received an additional $150 per meeting attended. Directors receive a reduced fee of $750 for meetings held via conference call. During the year ended December 31, 2025, directors who served as members of the boards of directors of Real Estate Advisory Services, Inc., Peoples Investment Services, Inc., PB Real Estate Holdings, LLC, and Community Bank Real Estate Solutions, LLC, each subsidiaries of the Bank, received $1,000 for each meeting attended. The Bank maintains a Service Recognition Program, under which directors, officers and employees are eligible for awards. Under the Service Recognition Program, directors, officers and employees are awarded a combination of common stock of the Company and cash in the amount necessary to pay taxes on the award, with the amount of the award based upon the length of service with the Bank. Any common stock awarded under the Service Recognition Program is purchased by the Bank on the open market, and no new shares are issued by the Company under the Service Recognition Program. Directors’ Stock Benefits Plan. Members of the Board of Directors were eligible to participate in the 2020 Omnibus Plan. The Company did not grant any plan-based awards to directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan. The Bank maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for all of its directors. The Bank’s directors are also directors of the Company. Under the deferred compensation plan, each director may defer all or a portion of his or her fees to the plan each year. The director may elect to invest the deferred compensation in a restricted list of investment funds. The Bank may make matching contributions to the plan for the benefit of the director from time to time at the discretion of the Bank. Directors are fully vested in all amounts they contribute to the plan and in any amounts contributed by the Bank. The Bank has established a Rabbi Trust to hold the directors’ accrued benefits under the plan. There are no “above-market” returns provided for in the deferred compensation plan. The Bank made no contributions to this plan in 2025. Benefits under the plan are payable in the event of the director’s death, resignation, removal, failure to be re-elected, retirement or in cases of hardship. Directors may elect to receive deferred compensation payments in one lump sum or in installments. Directors’ Supplemental Retirement Plan. The Bank maintains a non-qualified supplemental retirement benefits plan for all its directors. The plan is designed to provide a retirement benefit to the directors while at the same time minimizing the financial impact on the Bank’s earnings. Under the plan, the Company and/or the Bank purchased life insurance policies on the lives of each director. The increase in cash surrender value of the policies constitutes the Bank’s contribution to the plan each year. The Bank will pay annual benefits to each director for 15 years beginning upon retirement from the Board of Directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
The following table reports all forms of compensation paid to or accrued for the benefit of each director during the 2025 fiscal year.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| Director Compensation | | | | | | | | | Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards(1) ($) | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings(2)($) | All Other Compensation ($)(3) | Total ($) | | Ashton V. Abernethy | 41,350 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 41,350 | | James S. Abernethy | 42,750 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 42,750 | | Robert C. Abernethy Sr. | 57,000 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 57,000 | | Robert C. Abernethy Jr. | 41,350 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 41,350 | | Douglas S. Howard | 50,850 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 50,850 | | John W. Lineberger, Jr. | 47,200 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 47,200 | | Gary E. Matthews | 43,350 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 43,350 | | Billy L. Price, Jr., M.D. | 49,400 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 49,400 | | Larry E. Robinson | 19,517 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 19,517 | | William Gregory Terry | 48,600 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 48,600 | | Dan Ray Timmerman Sr. | 22,667 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5,000 | 27,667 | | Dan Ray Timmerman Jr.(4) | 41,350 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 41,350 | | Benjamin I. Zachary | 48,600 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 5,000 | 53,600 |
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| (1) The Company did not grant any plan-based awards to directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. At December 31, 2025, no director had restricted stock units outstanding. | | (2) Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings represents the expense accrued by the Bank for each director under the Directors’ Supplemental Retirement Plan as described above. | | (3) In 2025, Director Benjamin I. Zachary and retired Director Dan Ray Timmerman, Sr. received 121 shares of PEBK stock and $1,000.00 in cash for 30 years of service as a director under the Bank’s Service Recognition Program. | | (4) Mr. Timmerman Jr. passed away in March 2026. |
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Indebtedness of and Transactions with Related Persons The Bank provides loans and other credit facilities in the ordinary course of its business to members of our Board, members of the Bank Board, and employees, including executive officers, and businesses in which the foregoing have direct or indirect interests, as well as the immediate family of the foregoing (together, “Related Persons”). In accordance with Federal Reserve Regulation O, the Bank has adopted a policy which sets forth the requirements applicable to such loans and other credit facilities. These loans and other credit facilities are made using the same credit and underwriting standards as are applicable to the general public, and such loans and other credit facilities do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. Pursuant to this policy, outstanding loans and other credit facilities to Related Persons are made on the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated persons, and do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present to the Bank other unfavorable features.
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
Our Board is charged with reviewing and approving all transactions that either we or the Bank may have from time to time with Related Persons other than transactions subject to Federal Reserve Regulation O, discussed above. All material facts of each transaction and the Related Person’s interest are discussed by all disinterested directors and a decision is made about whether the transaction is fair to the Company and the Bank. A majority vote of all disinterested directors is required to approve any transaction involving a Related Person. Equity Compensation Plan Information The following table sets forth certain information regarding outstanding options and shares for future issuance under the Company’s two equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2025. Individual equity compensation arrangements are aggregated and included within this table. This table excludes any plan, contract or arrangement that provides for the issuance of options, warrants or other rights that are given to our shareholders on a pro rata basis and any employee benefit plan that is intended to meet the qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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| Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (2) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | | | (a) | (b) | (c) | | Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 20,665 | - | 264,640 | | Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | - | - | - | | Total | 20,665 | - | 264,640 |
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
| 1 | Includes: 5,385 restricted stock units granted on January 20, 2022 under the 2020 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan, all of which vest on January 20, 2026; 4,760 restricted stock units granted on January 19, 2023 under the 2020 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan, all of which vest on January 19, 2027; 5,940 restricted stock units granted on January 22, 2024 under the 2020 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan, all of which vest on January 22, 2028; and 4,580 restricted stock units granted on February 3, 2025 under the 2020 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan, all of which vest on February 3, 2029. | | 2 | The restricted stock units granted by the Company under the Omnibus Plan do not have an exercise price. |
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AS DIRECTORS
The above table excludes shares to be awarded pursuant to the Service Recognition Program. The Service Recognition Program is described under the section captioned “Discretionary Bonus and Service Awards” on page 17 of this Proxy Statement.
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DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS