Proxy Statement - Notice of Shareholders Meeting (preliminary) (pre 14a)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

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

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

FIRST DEFIANCE FINANCIAL CORP.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

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

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

to be held on

May 9, 2017

and

PROXY STATEMENT

PRELIMINARY COPY - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

PROXY STATEMENT

601 Clinton Street

Defiance, Ohio 43512

2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

May 9, 2017

GENERAL

This proxy statement is being furnished to shareholders of First Defiance Financial Corp. (“First Defiance,” “FDEF,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our”). Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) is soliciting proxies to be used at our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time, and at any adjournment thereof, for the purposes set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Annual Meeting will be an entirely virtual meeting. That means you can attend the 2017 Annual Meeting online, vote your shares electronically and submit questions during the Annual Meeting, by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/fdef201 7 . Be sure to have your 12-Digit Control Number to enter the Annual Meeting. We began mailing and electronically distributing, as applicable, this proxy statement to the shareholders of First Defiance on or about March 29, 2017.

Our policy is to send a single Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to multiple shareholders of record that share the same address, unless we receive instructions to the contrary. However, each shareholder of record will continue to receive a separate proxy card. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. If you wish to receive a separate Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, you may request it by writing to us at the above address. If you wish to discontinue householding entirely, you may contact Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. at 1-800-542-1061 or in writing at Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717 . If you receive multiple copies of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, you may request householding by contacting Broadridge Financial Solutions as noted above . If your shares are held in street name through a bank, broker or other holder of record, you may request householding by contacting that bank, broker or other holder of record.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 9, 2017

The Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the 2016 Annual Report to Shareholders, which includes the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, are both available at www.proxyvote.com using your 12-Digit Control Number and may also be obtained upon written request to First Defiance Financial Corp., Danielle R. Figley, Secretary, 601 Clinton Street, Defiance, Ohio 43512.

ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING

We will be hosting the Annual Meeting live via the Internet. A summary of the information you need to attend the Annual Meeting online is provided below:

Any shareholder can attend the Annual Meeting live via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/fdef201 7 .

Webcast starts at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Shareholders may vote and submit questions while attending the Annual Meeting on the Internet.

Please have your 12-Digit Control Number to enter the Annual Meeting.

Instructions on how to attend and participate via the Internet, including how to demonstrate proof of stock ownership, are posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/fdef201 7 .

Questions regarding how to attend and participate via the Internet will be answered by calling 1-855-449-0991 on the day before the Annual Meeting and the day of the Annual Meeting.

Webcast replay of the Annual Meeting will be available until May 10, 2018.

PROXIES

Your proxy, if properly submitted and not revoked prior to its use, will be voted in accordance with the instructions you give. Properly submitted proxies that do not contain voting instructions and that are not “broker non-votes” will be voted (1) FOR the director nominees described herein, (2) FOR the approval of our executive compensation, (3) FOR the amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to declassify the Board, (4) FOR the ratification of the appointment of Crowe Horwath LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2017, and (5) in accordance with the best judgment of the persons appointed as proxies upon the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by (i) filing written notice of revocation to be received prior to voting at the Annual Meeting with our Secretary, Danielle R. Figley, at 601 Clinton Street, Defiance, Ohio 43512; (ii) submitting a valid proxy bearing a later date that is received prior to voting at the Annual Meeting; or (iii) attending the Annual Meeting online and giving notice of revocation to the Secretary. Attending the Annual Meeting online will not, by itself, revoke a previously given proxy. The proxies we are soliciting will only be exercised at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof and will not be used for any other meeting.

VOTING RIGHTS

Only our shareholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2017 (the “Voting Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. On the Voting Record Date, there were ___________ common shares issued and outstanding. We have no other class of equity securities outstanding that are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

The presence, either in person or by proxy, of at least a majority of our outstanding shares entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted in determining the presence of a quorum.

REQUIRED VOTE

You are entitled to cast one vote for each share owned. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Our Articles of Incorporation do not permit shareholders to cumulate votes in the election of directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the plurality vote required for the election of directors. The proposal to amend the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to declassify the Board must be approved by 75% of the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as votes “AGAINST” this proposal.

The proposals to approve our executive compensation and to ratify the appointment of Crowe Horwath require that the number of votes cast in favor of each proposal exceed the number of votes cast against it. Abstentions will not be counted as votes cast and, therefore, will not affect either of these proposals. Similarly, broker non-votes will not affect the proposal regarding executive compensation.

Because the proposals to approve our executive compensation and ratify the selection of auditors are advisory, they will not be binding upon the Board. However, the Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the executive compensation vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements. Further, if the selection of auditors is not ratified by the shareholders, the Audit Committee may re-consider its selection of Crowe Horwath as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

The election of directors, the non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation, and the proposal to declassify the Board are not “discretionary” items. If your shares are held in “street name,” you must provide instructions to your brokerage firm in order to cast a vote on these proposals. The ratification of the selection of Crowe Horwath is considered a “discretionary” item, so your brokerage firm may vote in its discretion on your behalf if you do not furnish voting instructions.

PROPOSAL 1

Election of Directors

Composition of the Board

Currently, the Board consists of 12 directors and is divided into three classes, with each class serving a three-year term. We currently have a vacancy in the class of directors whose terms expire at the Annual Meeting. We intend to hold this vacancy open while we consider whether another director should be added to the Board.

The terms of each class expire at successive annual meetings so that our share holders elect one class of directors at each annual meeting. However, if Proposal 3 is approved, all directors standing for election in future years will be elected for one year, rather than three years. If Proposal 3 is not approved, all directors standing for election in future years will continue to be elected for three year terms. Under either scenario, all directors will complete their existing terms, subject to their earlier resignation or removal from office. For additional information regarding the proposal to declassify the Board, see “ Proposal 3 - Declassification of the Board of Directors .”

The current composition of the Board is:

	Directors whose terms expire at this Annual Meeting:	Jean A. Hubbard
		Barbara A. Mitzel
		Charles D. Niehaus

	Directors whose terms expire at the 2018 annual meeting:	Robert E. Beach
		Douglas A. Burgei
		Donald P. Hileman
		Samuel S. Strausbaugh

	Directors whose terms expire at the 2019 annual meeting:	John L. Bookmyer
		Stephen L. Boomer
		Thomas A. Reineke
		William J. Small

Mr. Beach, the most recent member of the Board, was appointed by a unanimous vote of the First Defiance directors, effective as of February 24, 2017, in accordance with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 23, 2016, as amended, between First Defiance and Commercial Bancshares, Inc. (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Board approved an expansion of the Board from 11 to 12 members and elected Mr. Beach to fill the vacancy created by this expansion. Subsequently, Mr. Beach was also appointed as a director of First Federal Bank of the Midwest, First Defiance’s wholly-owned subsidiary (“First Federal”) .

We will elect three directors at the Annual Meeting. Ms. Hubbard, Ms. Mitzel and Mr. Niehaus are standing for election. If elected, each director nominee will serve on the Board until our annual meeting of shareholders in 2020, and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. If any of the three nominees should become unable or unwilling to stand for election at the Annual Meeting, the persons named on the proxy card as proxies may vote for other person(s) selected by the Board. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees for election named below will be unable or unwilling to serve. Each nominee has consented to act as a director if elected.

The Board has determined that each of John L. Bookmyer, Stephen L. Boomer, Douglas A. Burgei, Jean A. Hubbard, Barbara A. Mitzel, Charles D. Niehaus, Thomas A. Reineke and Samuel S. Strausbaugh is “independent” under the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”). In assessing the independence of directors and the director nominee, the Board considered the business relationships between First Defiance and its directors or their affiliated businesses, other than ordinary banking relationships. Where business relationships other than ordinary banking relationships existed, the Board determined that none of the relationships between First Defiance and their affiliated businesses impaired the directors’ or director nominee’s independence because the amounts involved were immaterial to the directors or to those businesses when compared to their annual income or gross revenues. Although Robert E. Beach is “independent” under the rules of NASDAQ, the Board has determined Mr. Beach not to be “independent” for his appointed term due to his prior position as President and CEO of Commercial Bancshares, Inc., which was acquired by the Company on February 24, 2017.

Your Board Recommends That You

Vote FOR The Three Nominees Listed Below.

Nominees for Election at this Annual Meeting:


Jean A. Hubbard	Age: Director Since: Business Experience and Specific Qualifications:	59 2008 Corporate Treasurer and Business Manager of The Hubbard Company, Defiance, Ohio since 2003; Senior Vice President and Human Resource Director, Rurban Financial Corp., 1990 to 2003. Ms. Hubbard offers financial and business expertise through her work as corporate treasurer. Ms. Hubbard also provides the Board with insight regarding employee and human resource issues from her time at Rurban Financial Corp.


Barbara A. Mitzel	Age: Director Since: Business Experience and Specific Qualifications:	63 2008 Director of Public Affairs for Consumers Energy, Adrian, Michigan since June 2015; Area Manager for Consumers Energy from 2000 until June 2015; City Commissioner, Adrian, Michigan, from November 1999 until September 2008. Ms. Mitzel is able to provide insight and knowledge of the southeast Michigan market. Her experience with economic development and government and community relations in Michigan is very beneficial to the Board in understanding the concerns of potential customers.

Charles D. Niehaus

Age:

Director Since:

Business Experience and Specific Qualifications:

2014

Member and Managing Partner of Niehaus Wise & Kalas Ltd, Attorneys at Law, Toledo, Ohio since 2007. Mr. Niehaus has provided legal representation to corporate and business clients for over twenty-five years on a wide range of business issues including the representation of financial institutions in formation, acquisitions, shareholder matters, commercial lending, bank litigation and regulatory compliance. He brings extensive experience in the legal and financial services areas and provides valuable guidance and insight with respect to strategy and compliance.

Continuing Directors With Terms Expiring at our 2018 Annual Meeting:


Robert E. Beach	Age: Director Since: Business Experience and Specific Qualifications:	64 February 24, 2017 President and CEO of Commercial Bancshares, Inc. and The Commercial Savings Bank since November 2007; Director of Commercial Bancshares, Inc. since 2007; prior to that Area President of Key Bank in Findlay, Ohio for approximately 10 years before his retirement in October 2007. Mr. Beach offers valuable expertise and leadership from his 30 years of management experience in the banking industry, including as a senior executive and as a director.


Douglas A. Burgei	Age: Director Since: Business Experience and Specific Qualifications:	62 1995 Veterinarian and co-owner of Napoleon Veterinary Clinic, Napoleon, Ohio since 1978; Co-Owner of PetVet/Pampered Pets Bed & Biscuit, Napoleon, Ohio since 2003 and Ft. Wayne, Indiana since 2006. Dr. Burgei possesses a diverse entrepreneurial background with his multiple successful business ventures. His perspective as a business owner brings great value to the Board.


Donald P. Hileman	Age: Director Since: Business Experience and Specific Qualifications:	64 2013 President and CEO of First Defiance since January 1, 2014 and First Federal, since January 1, 2015; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of First Defiance and First Federal from 2009 through 2013; Interim Chief Financial Officer from October 2008 to March 2009; CEO of First Insurance since 2007. Prior to joining First Defiance, Mr. Hileman was Corporate Controller of Sky Financial Group, Inc. for 12 years. Mr. Hileman brings to the Board valuable experience and expertise from his work within financial institutions, as well as his knowledge and familiarity with First Defiance and its subsidiaries.


Samuel S. Strausbaugh	Age: Director Since: Business Experience and Specific Qualifications:	53 2006 President, CEO and CFO of JB & Company , Inc. since 2011. Former Co-President of Defiance Metal Products, Defiance, Ohio from September 2006 to November 2011. CFO of Defiance Metal Products from November 1998 to July 2006. Mr. Strausbaugh has important tactical and strategic skills that he has developed in management and executive positions with JB & Company and Defiance Metal. His experience with a growing company helps to inform the Board of Directors when considering future business opportunities.

Continuing Directors With Terms Expiring at our 2019 Annual Meeting:


John L. Bookmyer	Age: Director Since: Business Experience and Specific Qualifications:	52 2005 President & CEO of Touch Consulting, LLC, Findlay, Ohio and CEO of Pain Management Group, Findlay, Ohio since January 2009; Former Chief Operating Officer of Blanchard Valley Health System, Findlay, Ohio from August 1995 until December 2008. Mr. Bookmyer is a Certified Public Accountant in Ohio and has extensive experience in oversight, leadership and financial matters from his roles at all entities. He is also very familiar with the needs of the region through his interactions with community hospitals and businesses.


Stephen L. Boomer	Age: Director Since: Business Experience and Specific Qualifications:	66 1994 Retired CEO and President, Arps Dairy, Inc., Defiance, Ohio from March 1977 to December 2015. Mr. Boomer is a respected corporate leader in Defiance thanks to his long and successful tenure leading Arps Dairy. This leadership ability and his community presence are valuable assets to the Board.


Thomas A. Reineke	Age: Director Since: Business Experience and Specific Qualifications:	57 2016 President and CEO of Reineke Family Dealerships since 2009. Mr. Reineke brings to the Board valuable perspective from decades of strong leadership and dedication to the community that helped fuel the impressive and consistent growth of his family's business across Northwest Ohio.


William J. Small	Age: Director Since: Business Experience and Specific Qualifications:	66 1998 Chairman, President and CEO of First Defiance and Chairman of First Federal from 1999 through December 2013. Mr. Small also served as Chief Executive Officer of First Federal from 1999 until December 2008. Mr. Small understands both the challenges and opportunities facing First Defiance as well as the details of current operations and finances. The Board benefits greatly from his extensive knowledge and familiarity with the Company.

Board Leadership Structure

Since his appointment as President and CEO in 1999, William J. Small has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Upon Mr. Small’s retirement in 2013, he retained the position of Chairman and Donald P. Hileman became our President and CEO. This marked the first time in over a decade that these positions had been split. The Board decided it was time to divide these roles because, by doing so, they could continue to benefit from Mr. Small’s experience in a leadership role, and his in-depth familiarity with our hiring and operations.

The Board is aware that one of its responsibilities is to oversee our management and make performance, risk and compensation-related decisions regarding management. In order to appropriately balance the Board’s focus on strategic development with its management oversight responsibilities, the Board created the position of Lead Independent Director, with Stephen L. Boomer currently serving in that role. As Lead Independent Director, Mr. Boomer is a permanent member of the Board’s Executive Committee and presides over executive sessions of the Board, which are attended only by non-management directors. In addition, Mr. Boomer is an active liaison between management and our non-management directors and with individual non-management directors concerning recent developments affecting us. Through the role of an active, engaged Lead Independent Director, the Board believes that its leadership structure is appropriately balanced between promoting our strategic development with the Board’s management oversight function. The Board also believes that its leadership structure has created an environment of open, efficient communication between the Board and management, enabling the Board to maintain an active, informed role in risk management by being able to monitor and oversee those matters that may present significant risks to us. The Board intends to maintain the Lead Independent Director position until such time as Mr. Small would qualify as an independent director or an Independent Chairman is appointed.

Board Committees

The Board has five standing committees: Audit, Corporate Governance, Compensation, Executive and Risk. The current members of our standing committees are named below:

Audit	Corporate Governance	Compensation	Executive	Risk Committee
J.L. Bookmyer#	S.L. Boomer#**	S.S. Strausbaugh#	W.J. Small#	J.A. Hubbard#
S.L. Boomer**	B.A. Mitzel	S.L. Boomer**	D.A. Burgei***	D.A. Burgei
J.A. Hubbard	D.A. Burgei	J.L. Bookmyer	S.L. Boomer**	D.P. Hileman
S.S. Strausbaugh	C.D. Niehaus	J.A. Hubbard	S.S. Strausbaugh***	S.S. Strausbaugh
C.D. Niehaus	T.A. Reineke		J.L. Bookmyer***	C.D. Niehaus
			J.A. Hubbard***	W.J. Small
			B.A. Mitzel***	T.A. Reineke
			C.D. Niehaus***	R.E. Beach
			D.P. Hileman
			T.A. Reineke***

- Chairperson

- Lead Independent Director

***

- Denotes Rotating Service

The Audit Committee is responsible for: (i) the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm; (ii) review of the external audit plan and the results of the auditing engagement; (iii) review of the internal audit plan and results of the internal audits; (iv) review of reports issued by our Compliance Officer; (v) review of the effectiveness of our system of internal control, including review of t he process used by management to evaluate the effectiveness of the system of internal control; and (vi) oversight of our accounting and financial reporting practices. The Audit Committee has adopted a written charter setting forth these responsibilities, a copy of which is posted on our website at http://www.fdef.com under the link “Governance Documents.” The Board has determined that John L. Bookmyer and Samuel S. Strausbaugh each have the attributes listed in the definition of “audit committee financial expert” set forth in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K and in the NASDAQ listing requirements. All of the Audit Committee members are considered “independent” for purposes of NASDAQ listing requirements and meet the NASDAQ standards for financial sophistication. The Audit Committee met five times in 2016.

The Corporate Governance Committee was established by the Board to ensure that the Board is appropriately constituted and conducts its affairs in a manner that will best serve the Company’s interests and those of our shareholders. Specific duties of the Committee include administering our conflict of interest policy/code of ethics, monitoring the Board’s continuing education and self-assessment process, nominating directors to the Board, and conducting an annual assessment of the Board as a whole, including an assessment of Board composition and committee assignments. The Corporate Governance Committee develops with management the materials discussed and presented at the board strategic planning meeting. The Corporate Governance Committee maintains a robust process for succession planning for the CEO as well as for other executive-level positions. The Governance Committee maintains both an emergency plan and a long-range succession plan. The plans are reviewed at least annually by the Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Committee has adopted a written charter setting forth its responsibilities, a copy of which is posted on our website at http://www.fdef.com under the link “Governance Documents.” The Corporate Governance Committee met four times in 2016.

The Board does not have a separate nominating committee, as those functions are performed by the Corporate Governance Committee and the Board as a whole. The Corporate Governance Committee believes that candidates for director should have certain minimum qualifications, including being able to read and understand basic financial statements, having business experience, and exhibiting high moral character. Although the Committee does not have a formal diversity policy in place, the Committee does seek to promote a diverse set of viewpoints and business experience in the Board’s membership. The Committee retains the right to modify these minimum qualifications from time to time as circumstances dictate. The Committee has a general process for choosing nominees, which process considers both incumbent directors and new candidates. In evaluating an incumbent director whose term of office is set to expire, the Committee reviews such director’s overall service to us during his or her term, including attendance at meetings, participation and quality of performance. If the Committee chooses to evaluate new director candidates, the Committee uses its network of contacts to compile a list of potential candidates. Then, the Committee determines whether such candidates are independent, which determination is based upon applicable securities laws. Finally, the Committee meets to discuss and consider all candidates’ qualifications and then chooses the candidates. The Corporate Governance Committee considers the following criteria in proposing director nominees to the full Board: (1) independence; (2) high personal and professional ethics and integrity; (3) ability to devote sufficient time to fulfilling duties as a director; (4) impact on diversity of the Board, including skills and other factors relevant to our business; and (5) overall experience in business, education, and other factors relevant to our business.

Our shareholders may also make nominations for candidates for director to the Corporate Governance Committee, provided that notice of such nomination is given in writing to our Secretary not less than 60 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. The notice must set forth the name, age, business address and residence address (if available) of the nominee and the number of shares that are beneficially owned by the nominee. Also, the shareholder making the nomination must promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporate Governance Committee. The Committee does not alter the manner in which it evaluates candidates, including the minimum criteria set forth above, when evaluating a candidate who was recommended by a shareholder. No director nominations were received from shareholders for the 2017 election of directors.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing our compensation programs, including base salaries, long-term incentive compensation, equity-based compensation, and perquisites and benefit plans. The Committee also administers the process for evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer and recommends to the Board the compensation for directors (including committee member and committee chair’s fees, equity-based awards and other similar items as appropriate). Further description of the Committee’s responsibilities is set forth under “ Compensation Discussion and Analysis ” below. The Compensation Committee has adopted a written charter setting forth its responsibilities, a copy of which is posted at http://www.fdef.com under the link “Governance Documents.” The Committee also makes recommendations to the full Board regarding director compensation. All of the Compensation Committee members are considered “independent” for purposes of NASDAQ listing requirements. The Compensation Committee met four times in 2016.

The Executive Committee generally has the power and authority to act on behalf of the Board between scheduled meetings unless specific Board action is required or unless otherwise restricted by our Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations, or the Board. As Chairman of the Board, Mr. Small serves as Chairman of the Executive Committee. He, Mr. Boomer and Mr. Hileman serve as permanent members. The remaining directors serve on the Committee on a rotating basis during the year. The Executive Committee met one time during 2016.

The Risk Committee was established by the Board to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with regard to the risk appetite of the Company and the risk management and compliance framework and the governance structure that support it. The Risk Committee has adopted a written charter setting forth these responsibilities, a copy of which is posted on the Company’s website at http://www.fdef.com under the link “Governance Documents.” The Risk Committee met four times during 2016.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Mr. Bookmyer, Mr. Boomer, Ms. Hubbard and Mr. Strausbaugh served on the Compensation Committee during 2016. There were no Compensation Committee interlocks or insider (employee) participation during 2016.

Board and Board Committee Meetings

Our Board holds regular meetings each quarter. First Federal’s Board of Directors meets twice each quarter. Special meetings of the Boards are held from time to time as needed. There were five meetings of the Board of Directors of First Defiance and eight meetings of the Board of Directors of First Federal held during 2016 . All of our directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors of First Defiance or First Federal, as applicable, and meetings held by all committees of the Board on which the director served during 2016.

Neither the Board nor the Corporate Governance Committee has implemented a formal policy regarding director attendance at our annual shareholder meetings. In 2016, all ten of our then incumbent directors attended the annual meeting.

Non-management directors met two times in executive session in 2016.

Director Compensation

The table below provides information concerning our director compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. Employee directors are not paid for Board service. The non-employee Chairman received a retainer of $54,000 and the Lead Independent Director received a retainer of $34,000. Each non-employee director received an annual retainer of $29,000 in 2016. Committee chairs received an additional annual retainer as follows: (1) Audit Committee – $5,000; (2) Compensation Committee – $5,000; (3) Risk Committee – $5,000; and (4) Corporate Governance Committee – $2,000. In addition, each non-employee director received $750 for each board meeting attended for either First Defiance or First Federal. Mr. Boomer, Mr. Small and Mr. Strausbaugh are also directors of First Insurance Group of the Midwest, Inc., and they received $500 for each First Insurance board meeting attended. Non-employee directors also received compensation for each committee meeting attended as follows: (1) Audit Committee – $500; (2) Compensation Committee – $500; (3) Executive or First Federal Executive Loan Committee meetings – $200; and (4) other First Defiance and First Federal Board committees – $500.

Our directors may defer their retainer and/or meeting fees payable to them under the First Defiance Deferred Compensation Plan. The returns on the amounts deferred are dependent on the investment elections made by the director. The directors’ choices include a number of mutual funds and an account of our common shares. Returns under the plan are calculated to mirror these elections. Because these earnings are denominated in our shares or mutual fund equivalents, such earnings are not considered to be preferential or above market and are not reported in the table below. Also, no director received perquisites or personal benefits with an aggregate value exceeding $10,000.

The Board has set ownership guidelines for the Board and executive management. The guideline for each Board member is ownership of 10,000 shares of First Defiance. The Company allows for the payment of directors fees to be handled by either cash or stock at the election of the individual director.

2016 Director Compensation

Director	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(a)			Stock Awards ($)		Total ($)
Bookmyer, John L.	$	44,233		$	8,228	$	52,461
Boomer, Stephen L.	$	49,217		$	8,228	$	57,445
Burgei, Douglas A.	$	37,700		$	8,228	$	45,928
Diehl, Peter A.(b)	$	9,950		$	0	$	9,950
Hubbard, Jean A.	$	44,733		$	8,228	$	52,961
Mitzel, Barbara A.	$	36,550		$	8,228	$	44,778
Strausbaugh, Samuel S.	$	45,333		$	8,228	$	53,561
Niehaus, Charles D.	$	37,350		$	8,228	$	45,578
Small, William J.	$	140,283	(c)	$	8,228	$	148,511
Reineke,Thomas A.	$	25,700		$	8,228	$	33,928

(a)

The following directors elected to have a portion of the fees reported in this column paid in Company shares instead of cash: Mr. Niehaus - 892 shares were awarded instead of $37,082; and Mr. Reineke – 588 shares were awarded instead of $25,493.

(b)

Mr. Diehl declined to stand for re-election at the 2016 annual meeting.

(c)

For Mr. Small, this includes a $85,000 consulting fee paid in 2016 pursuant to his consulting agreement with the Company, which expired as of December 31, 2016.

Communication with Directors

The Board has adopted a process by which shareholders may communicate with the directors. Any shareholder wishing to do so may write to the Board at our principal business address, 601 Clinton St., Defiance, Ohio 43512. Any shareholder communication so addressed will be delivered unopened to the director or a member of the group of directors to whom it is addressed, or to the Chairman if addressed to the Board.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines as a framework to assist the Board in exercising its responsibilities. These Guidelines address expectations of the Board in performing its duties and reflect its ongoing efforts to enhance its effectiveness and corporate governance. These Guidelines will be periodically reviewed and modified as deemed appropriate by the Board. The Guidelines can be found on the Company’s website at http://www.fdef.com under the link “Governance Documents.”

Board’s Role in Strategic Planning

Our Board has the legal responsibility for overseeing our affairs and, thus, an obligation to keep informed about our business and strategies. This involvement enables the Board to provide guidance to management in formulating and developing plans and to exercise independently its decision-making authority on matters of importance to us. Acting as a full Board and through its standing committees, the Board is fully involved in our strategic planning process.

Each year, typically in September, senior management and the Board hold an extended meeting to focus on corporate strategy. This session involves presentations from management and input from the directors regarding the assumptions, priorities and strategies that will form the basis for management’s operating plan and strategy for the coming year. At subsequent meetings, the Board continues to review our progress against the strategic plan and to exercise oversight and decision-making authority regarding strategic areas of importance and revise the strategic plan as necessary. The role the Board plays is inextricably linked to the development and review of our strategic plan. Through these procedures, the Board, consistent with good corporate governance practices, encourages our long-term success by exercising sound and independent business judgment on the strategic issues that are important to our business.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board’s function of overseeing risk is handled primarily by the Risk Committee. The Chief Risk Officer works with management as well as internal and external auditors to determine and evaluate significant risks that we may be taking and communicates those findings directly to the Committee. The Committee is focused on identifying, quantifying, and minimizing our risks. The Committee believes that by involving both management and auditors in this important process, it is best able to perform its function. First Federal also has a standing Officer Risk Management Committee, Compliance Committee, Information Technology Steering Committee and Asset Review Committee that meets regularly to provide structure and input into our Risk Management Process. The minutes and findings of these committees are presented to the Risk Committee.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth the name of each current executive officer, other than Mr. Hileman, whose information is set forth above, and the principal position and offices he or she holds with First Defiance or First Federal. Each such executive officer has consented to act in the office set forth below.

Name		Information about Executive Officer

Kevin T. Thompson		Chief Financial Officer of First Defiance and First Federal since January 1, 2014. Mr. Thompson was appointed Executive Vice President after joining First Defiance in August 2013. Prior to joining First Defiance, Mr. Thompson served from July 2009 to December 2010 as a consultant to the financial services industry as the sole member of Kevin Thompson Consulting, St. Augustine, Florida. Prior to that he served as Line of Business Chief Financial Officer from July 2007 to October 2008 for Huntington Bancshares, Inc. and Chief Financial Officer of Sky Financial Group, Inc. for eight years prior to that. Mr. Thompson is 63.

John R. Reisner		Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer of First Defiance and First Federal since September 2013. Prior to joining First Defiance, Mr. Reisner was Managing Director and Principal – Risk Management Division at Austin Associates LLC from April 2008 to August 2013. Prior to that, he served as General Counsel at Sky Bank and Director of Corporate Compliance at Sky Financial Group. Mr. Reisner is 61.

Gregory R. Allen		Executive Vice President, Community Banking President since January 2015. Prior to his promotion to Community Banking President, Mr. Allen served as President of First Federal’s Southern Market Area since January 2006. Mr. Allen served as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of First Federal since 1998. Mr. Allen is 53.

Name		Information about Executive Officer

Sharon L. Davis		Executive Vice President, Director of Human Resources of First Defiance and First Federal since November 2015. Prior to joining First Defiance, Ms. Davis was Senior Vice President and Human Resources Director at First Community Bank from October 2007 to November 2015. Prior to that, she served as an Assistant Vice President, Senior Human Resources Business Partner for BBVA Compass. Ms. Davis is 35.

Marybeth Shunck		President of First Federal’s Northern Market Area since January 2014. Prior to her promotion to President of the Northern Market Area, Ms. Shunck served as Senior Vice President and Head of Retail Administration since 2008. She joined First Federal in 2006 as the Northern Market Retail Administrator. Ms. Shunck is 47.

Timothy K. Harris		President of the Eastern Market Area of First Federal since January 2008 and Executive Vice President since January 2008. From January 2007 until January 2008, Mr. Harris was a Senior Lender. Mr. Harris joined First Federal as a Commercial Lender in October 2000. Mr. Harris is 58.

Amy L. Hackenberg		Executive Vice President, President of the Southern Market Area of First Federal since December 2015. Prior to joining First Federal, Ms. Hackenberg served as Community President and Business Banking Market Manager for Huntington Bank for 8 years. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President and Officer of Trust Sales Administration for Sky Bank from 2000-2008. Ms. Hackenberg has been in banking for 19 years. Ms. Hackenberg is 46.

James R. Williams, III		Western Market Area President since September 2010 and Western Market Area Commercial Senior Lender since January 2009 and Commercial Lender since January 1998 when he joined First Federal. Mr. Williams has been in banking for 21 years. Mr. Williams is 49.

Michael D. Mulford		Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer since April 2011 and Senior Vice President since July 2004 when he joined First Federal. Prior to joining First Federal, Mr. Mulford was a Credit Officer for Key Bank. Mr. Mulford is 52.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The following Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material elements of compensation of our executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table (“Named Executive Officers”). Our goal is to become a high performing community bank, meeting or exceeding the 75 ^th percentile of our peers in key financial measures. In 2016, we reported our fourth consecutive year of record diluted earnings per common share, with 2016 results up 13.1% over the prior year. This performance included growth in loans and deposits of 7.7% and 7.9%, respectively; a higher return on average assets at 1.20%; an improved efficiency ratio to 62.20%; and an 11.8% reduction in non-performing assets.

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

The Board believes the most effective executive compensation program is one that rewards the achievement of specific annual, long-term and strategic goals that are established in conjunction with strategic planning initiatives and the long-term objective of maximizing shareholder value. Consistent with that philosophy, our executive compensation packages include both cash and stock-based compensation that reward performance as measured against predetermined goals. The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) evaluates our executive compensation to ensure that it is sufficiently competitive to enable us to attract and retain qualified employees in key positions. Total compensation commensurate with the median compensation paid to similarly situated executives of peer companies is generally what the Committee considers competitive.

The Board encourages ownership of FDEF shares by its executive management, which is why a significant part of the Named Executive Officer’s compensation package is paid in equity. As a result, the Committee has established share ownership guidelines for executives as follows:

CEO	30,000 shares
CFO, Chief Risk Officer, Community Banking President	10,000 shares
All other Executive officers	5,000 shares

Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

At the 2013 annual meeting, our shareholders approved holding annual votes on our executive compensation. In addition, the Board receives investor feedback through the Company’s participation at investor conferences periodically throughout the year. In 2016, executive management met with investors at the KBW Community Bank Investor Conference in New York, New York; the Raymond James U.S. Bank Conference in Chicago, Illinois; and the FIG Partners Bank CEO Forum in Atlanta, Georgia. At our 2016 annual meeting, our shareholders approved our executive compensation with 99.0% of the votes cast, indicating that shareholders are strongly supportive of our executive compensation program. The resolution to approve First Defiance’s executive compensation is advisory, so it is not binding upon the Board of Directors. However, the Compensation Committee took the shareholder vote into account when reviewing executive compensation for 2016 and will continue to monitor shareholder approval levels going forward.

Roles of the Committee and Chief Executive Officer in Compensation Decisions

The Committee makes all compensation decisions for the Company’s executive officers. The CEO makes compensation recommendations to the Committee for all Named Executive Officers except himself.

2016 Executive Compensation Components

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the principal components of compensation for our Named Executive Officers were:

Base salary;

Short-term cash;

Long-term equity incentive compensation;

Retirement benefits; and

Perquisites and other personal benefits.

In the latter part of 2014, the Committee engaged Pay Governance, an independent executive compensation consulting firm, to perform an analysis of compensation for our directors, CEO, CFO, Chief Risk Officer and Community Banking President/Chief Lending Officer of First Federal. In conducting this analysis, Pay Governance independently developed competitive data for base salaries, short-term incentives, total cash compensation (sum of salary and bonus), long-term incentives, equity compensation and total direct compensation (sum of cash compensation and long-term incentives) from: (1) proxies and SEC filings of select peer banks ranging in asset size from $1 billion to $5 billion, with a median asset size of $1.9 billion compared to $2.2 billion for First Defiance, (2) surveys of other banks and (3) the consulting experience of Pay Governance.

For 2015, the Committee, at the recommendation of Pay Governance, determined to use a new peer group to evaluate the appropriateness of the compensation package for each of First Defiance and First Federal’s officers, including the Named Executive Officers, and to evaluate the long-term incentive plan’s relative performance measures. For 2016, the Committee determined to continue to use the same peer group as 2015. That peer group is:

·	Farmers National Banc Corp., Canfield, OH	·	Horizon Bancorp, Michigan City, IN

·	Civista Bancshares, Inc, Sandusky, OH	·	Canandaigua National Corp., Canandaigua, NY

·	German American Bancorp, Inc. Jasper, IN	·	Farmers Capital Bank Corp., Frankfort, KY

·	CNB Financial Corp., Clearfield, PA	·	HopFed Bancorp Inc., Hopkinsville, KY

·	Lakeland Financial Corp., Warsaw, IN	·	Isabella Bank Corporation, Mt. Pleasant, MI

·	LCNB Corp., Lebanon, OH	·	MainSource Financial Group, Greensburg, IN

·	Macatawa Bank Corp., Holland, MI	·	Community Trust Bancorp, Pikeville, KY

·	Chemung Financial Corp., Elmira, NY	·	Summit Financial Group, Inc., Moorefield, WV

·	Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc., Louisville, KY	·	S&T Bancorp, Inc. Indiana, PA

·	Peoples Bancorp, Inc., Marietta, OH	·	Premier Financial Bancorp Inc., Huntington, WV

Base Salary

We provide our Named Executive Officers and other employees with a base salary to compensate them for services rendered during the fiscal year. The base salary for each of the Named Executive Officers is generally determined at the beginning of the year.

In 2015, the Committee reviewed the 2014 analysis and recommendations of Pay Governance regarding the pay practices of companies similar to First Defiance in order to determine an appropriate salary for Mr. Hileman. When Mr. Hileman was promoted to CEO, at the time, Pay Governance recommended a three-year transition period to increase Mr. Hileman’s compensation to the market median salary level and the Committee agreed with this recommendation. Pay Governance’s 2014 evaluation continued to support the three-year transition of the CEO’s base salary to peer median levels. In 2016, the Committee considered that evaluation, the CEO’s performance review, and the 2015 performance of the Company in deciding to increase Mr. Hileman’s salary from $400,000 to $430,000 for 2016.

Base salaries for Named Executive Officers other than the CEO are determined based upon recommendations made by the CEO. In making a recommendation for 2016 salaries, the CEO compared the base salary levels of the other Named Executive Officers with data from the ABA Compensation & Benefits Survey, the OBL Bank Compensation and Benefits Survey and internal pay grades, and consulted with Pay Governance regarding the median levels of the peer group above. As a result of Mr. Hileman’s review of this benchmarking compensation data, for 2016, Mr. Hileman recommended salary increases ranging from 3% to 4% for Mr. Thompson, Mr. Reisner, Mr. Allen and Mr. Mulford. After evaluating a number of factors, including performance evaluations, the Committee decided to approve all of Mr. Hileman’s recommendations.

Performance-Based Incentive Compensation

The Board believes that a significant amount of executive officer compensation should be performance based. Under the Incentive Compensation Plan, we have created opportunities for employees to earn short-term and long-term incentive compensation in the form of both cash and equity awards based on the level of achievement of performance targets that are established each year by the Committee. The Board believes the incentive plans align with shareholder interests, enable attracting and retaining executive talent, balance risk with rewards and support the long-term performance goals of the Company. In general, the Committee establishes threshold, target and maximum bonus payout goals. If the threshold performance level is not achieved, the payout percentage for that component of the bonus calculation is zero. If the performance level for a component is between the threshold and target or between the target and the maximum performance goal, the payout percentage is prorated.

In 2015, the Committee, with consultation from Pay Governance, established incentive targets and granted awards for 2016 under the Incentive Compensation Plan to permit employees who are selected as participants to earn a specified “target” percentage of their base salary, which is split equally between a short-term award paid in cash and based on the Company’s 2016 performance, and a long-term award paid in equity and based on the Company’s performance from 2016 to 2018. Both the short-term award and the long-term award can be earned at between 0% and 150% of the specified “target,” depending on the level of attainment of the performance objectives.

2016 Short-Term Executive Incentive Compensation

The Company maintains a short-term incentive compensation plan for key officers, including the Named Executive Officers. Under this plan, cash incentive awards can be earned through the achievement of specified annual performance goals. The goals for each Named Executive Officer are established in conjunction with the Board’s and management’s expectations for the year and weighted for each officer based on the officer’s role within the Company.

For 2016, the performance goals for the short-term incentive compensation award for the Named Executive Officers included several common goals: Earnings Per Share, Efficiency Ratio, Non-Performing Assets/Total Assets, and Deposit Growth. The Board believes that Earnings Per Share measures the Company’s profitability consistent with shareholder interests, Efficiency accentuates controlling expenses, Non-Performing Assets/Total Assets emphasizes the importance of managing credit risk and Deposit Growth reflects the organic expansion of our business.

The related payout percentages of the bonus potential for the common goals are described below:

Award Formula Component	Threshold (50% Payout)			Target (100% Payout)			Maximum (150% Payout)			Actual attained level			Payout percentage
Earnings Per Share (1)	$	2.80		$	3.01		$	3.22		$	3.23			150.00	%
Efficiency Ratio (1)		63.81	%		61.36	%		58.91	%		61.73	%		92.45	%
Non-Performing Assets/Total Assets		1.13	%		1.00	%		0.87	%		1.02	%		93.33	%
Deposit Growth		2.78	%		3.89	%		5.00	%		7.92	%		150.00	%

(1) Actual attained levels for earnings per share and efficiency ratio exclude the impact of costs related to the pending merger of Commercial Bancshares, Inc.

In addition, for 2016, the performance goals for Mr. Reisner, Mr. Allen and Mr. Mulford included an individual performance goal component based on their respective roles and responsibilities in the Company. The criteria for each individual’s performance were focused on the performance of the business unit or functional area headed by each executive.

The relative weighting of the goals for each Named Executive Officer is described below:

Award Formula Component	Donald P. Hileman			Kevin T. Thompson			John R. Reisner			Gregory A. Allen			Michael D. Mulford
	Individual Goal Component Weighting
Earnings Per Share		40.00	%		40.00	%		20.00	%		13.34	%		13.34	%
Efficiency Ratio		20.00	%		20.00	%		10.00	%		13.33	%		13.33	%
Non-Performing Assets/Total Assets (20% weighting)		20.00	%		20.00	%		10.00	%		13.33	%		15.00	%
Deposit Growth		20.00	%		20.00	%		10.00	%		20.00	%		13.33	%
Individual Assigned Goals		0.00	%		0.00	%		50.00	%		40.00	%		45.00	%
Total		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%		100.00	%

In 2016, the Named Executive Officers exceeded the Threshold level of performance in all award components. The Committee reviewed the components and earned payouts and certified the cash payouts at the earned level for the short-term incentive plan. The short-term incentive payouts for the Named Executive Officers ranged between 38% and 58% of base salary.

The 2016 target short-term incentive compensation component and actual bonus payout as approved by the Committee for the Named Executive Officers is set forth below:

	Award Potential at Target
Executive Officer	(% of Base Salary)			Target		Actual Payout
Donald P. Hileman		45	%	$	193,500	$	246,047
Kevin T. Thompson		35	%	$	78,719	$	100,096
Gregory R. Allen		35	%	$	72,275	$	97,408
John R. Reisner		35	%	$	65,574	$	81,936
Michael D. Mulford		30	%	$	46,384	$	58,595

2016 Long-Term Executive Incentive Compensation.

The Committee established a long-term incentive compensation component for 2016 under the Incentive Compensation Plan to reward certain executives, including the Named Executive Officers, for increasing the value of the Company through sustained future growth and profitability. Awards are made in restricted stock units (“RSUs”) issued under our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan at the beginning of the three-year performance period. At the end of the three-year performance period, First Defiance’s performance is evaluated and each whole or fractional RSU entitles the officer to receive one FDEF share on the date the RSU is settled. In the first quarter of 2016, we entered into a 2016 Long-Term Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement with each of the Named Executive Officers, pursuant to which, each officer was awarded an amount of RSUs equal to 100% of the Maximum payout under the long-term incentive compensation component. The number of RSUs granted under the plan was calculated by taking the maximum incentive payout dollar value divided by the 20-day average share closing price as of December 31, 2015. If the officer’s employment terminates for any reason (except for certain circumstances as described in the award agreement that have special vesting schedules for death, disability, retirement and change in control) prior to the end of the applicable performance period, the officer forfeits all of the RSUs subject to the target award for that and any subsequent performance period.

The 2016-2018 long-term incentive compensation target award for each of the Named Executive Officers is set forth below.

	Bonus Potential Dollar Amount(1)
Executive Officer	(% of Base Salary)			Target		Maximum
Donald P. Hileman		45	%	$	183,720	$	278,363
Kevin T. Thompson		35	%	$	74,929	$	113,529
Gregory R. Allen		35	%	$	68,795	$	104,235
John R. Reisner		35	%	$	62,412	$	94,563
Michael D. Mulford		20	%	$	29,423	$	44,580

(1)

Amount for Maximum award potential is based on the grant date stock price ($37.78) times the number of shares determined by multiplying the base salary by the target % of base salary by 150% by the average stock price of the 20 trading days prior to the grant date ($39.30). The amount of the Target award potential is 66% of the Maximum award potential.

The 2016 long-term incentive plan awards have the same payout percentages and components as the 2015 long-term incentive plan awards, and utilize the same peer group established by the Committee as set forth above under “2016 Executive Compensation Components.” The applicable performance criteria and weighting for the 2016-2018 performance period are as described below:

	Threshold	Target	Maximum
Award Formula Component	(33% Payout)	(66% Payout)	(100% Payout)
Return on Assets (50% weighting)	30th Percentile	50 ^th Percentile	75th Percentile
EPS Growth (50% weighting)	30th Percentile	50 ^th Percentile	75th Percentile

Achievement of the performance levels are determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, using financial information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other sources as available. The Committee reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to make such periodic adjustments as it determines appropriate to the peer group.

For the 2014 long-term incentive plan awards which performance period ended December 31, 2016, the relative weighting of each target and the related payout percentages of the bonus potential are described below:

Award Formula Component	Threshold (33% Payout)			Target (66% Payout)			Maximum (100% Payout)			Actual attained level			Payout percentage
Return on Assets 1014-2016 three-year average (50% weighting)(1)		0.91	%		1.14	%		1.25	%		1.17	%		75.27	%
EPS Growth for three years 2014 - 2016 (50% weighting) (1)		16	%		42	%		73	%		47	%		71.48	%
2014 - 2016 long-term incentive total weighted payout percentage														73.38	%

(1) Actual attained levels for earnings per share and efficiency ratio exclude the impact of costs related to the pending merger of Commercial Bancshares, Inc.

Clawback Policy

In addition, the Board has adopted an incentive compensation clawback policy providing for a three-year review period of reported results of the Company to ensure that incentive compensation for all executive officers (including the Named Executive Officers) is paid based on accurate financial and operating data and the correct calculation of performance against incentive targets. The policy provisions allow the Company to recover incentive awards previously paid or awarded. A copy of this policy is posted on the Company’s website at http://www.fdef.com under the link “Governance Documents.”

Retirement Benefits

All of our employees, including the Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in the First Defiance Financial Corp. 401(k) Employee Savings Plan (the “Savings Plan”). The Savings Plan is a tax-qualified retirement savings plan pursuant to which all employees are able to contribute up to the limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service to the Savings Plan on a before-tax basis. We maintain a safe harbor plan that matches 100% of the first 3% of pay that is contributed to the Savings Plan plus 50% of the salary deferrals between 3% and 5% of compensation. All employee contributions to the Savings Plan are fully vested upon contribution, and our matching contribution is vested upon completion of a minimum service requirement.

The Named Executive Officers are entitled to participate in the First Defiance Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables the Named Executive Officers to defer up to 80% of their base salary and up to 100% of bonus payments. The First Defiance Deferred Compensation Plan is discussed in further detail under the heading “ Executive Compensation — Nonqualified Deferred Compensation ” below.

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

We provide our Named Executive Officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that the Committee believes are reasonable and consistent with our overall compensation program to better enable us to attract and retain employees for key positions. The Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to Named Executive Officers.

In 2016, we provided each of the Named Executive Officers, other than Mr. Allen, with the option to receive a $600 monthly automobile allowance, none of whom exercised the option. We provide Mr. Allen the use of a Company owned vehicle. Each Named Executive Officer is eligible, upon relocation, to receive reimbursement for certain reasonable expenses associated with the costs of such relocation. The Company considers reimbursement requests for country club and other social organization membership for its senior officers, including the Named Executive Officers, for certain business purposes.

We offer an Executive Group Life Post-Separation Plan, which provides death benefits equal to two times the executive’s base salary. All of the Named Executive Officers participate in the Executive Group Life Post-Separation Plan, except Mr. Thompson and Mr. Reisner.

The value of these perquisites is included in column (g) of the “Summary Compensation Table.”

Employment and Change in Control Agreements

We have Employment or Change in Control Agreements with certain key employees, including the Named Executive Officers, except Mr. Mulford. These agreements include provisions for severance payments upon a change of control and are designed to promote stability and continuity of senior management. Information regarding applicable payments under such agreements for the Named Executive Officers is provided under the heading “ Executive Compensation — Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control ” below.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

First Defiance’s Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and our annual report on Form 10-K.

Samuel S. Strausbaugh, Chairman

John L. Bookmyer

Stephen L. Boomer

Jean A. Hubbard

February 16, 2017

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The table below summarizes the total compensation paid or earned by each of the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. The Named Executive Officers include all persons serving as our CEO and CFO during 2016, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers.

(a)	(b)		(c)		(d)		(e)		(f)		(g)		(h)
Name and Principal Position	Year		Salary ($)		Bonus ($)		Stock Awards ($)(1)		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compen- sation ($)(2)		All Other Compen- sation ($)(3)		Total ($)
Donald P. Hileman		2016	$	430,000	$	465	$	250,527	$	246,047	$	27,168	$	954,207
President & Chief Executive		2015		400,000		–		213,505		238,212		19,805		871,522
Officer of First Defiance		2014		356,500		–		162,575		192,578		11,637		723,290
and First Federal; CEO of
First Insurance Group of the
Midwest, Inc.

Kevin T.Thompson		2016	$	224,911	$	465	$	127,546	$	100,096	$	13,459	$	466,477
Executive Vice President &		2015		218,360		–		90,659		101,142		10,516		420,678
Chief Financial Officer		2014		204,846		–		69,281		86,066		3,096		363,288
of First Defiance and First
Federal

John R. Reisner		2016	$	187,353	$	465	$	110,477	$	81,936	$	8,773	$	389,004
Executive Vice President		2015		180,147		–		74,796		83,442		10,973		349,358
& Chief Risk Officer and		2014		168,998		–		57,163		71,004		2,347		299,512
Legal Counsel of First Defiance
and First Federal

Gregory R. Allen		2016	$	206,500	$	465	$	93,812	$	97,408	$	22,389	$	420,574
Executive Vice President &		2015		200,000		–		83,021		92,638		22,862		398,521
Community Banking President		2014		170,955		–		31,829		34,257		21,326		258,367
of First Federal

Michael D. Mulford		2016	$	154,612	$	465	$	40,122	$	58,595	$	9,182	$	262,977
Executive Vice President &		2015		149,387		–		35,278		59,310		8,953		252,927
Chief Credit Officer of First		2014		143,581		–		26,139		51,610		7,318		228,647
Federal

(1)

The amounts in column (e) reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the shares granted under the 2014 long-term incentive plan awards, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and the estimated values of the 2015 and 2016 long-term incentive plan awards based upon the probable outcomes. Assumptions used in the calculations are not materially different from the amounts included in Note 20 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2017. If maximum results are achieved under the 2016 long-term incentive plan, awards would be as follows: Mr. Hileman 7,368 shares, or $278,363; Mr. Thompson 3,005 shares, or $113,529; Mr. Reisner 2,503 shares, or $94,563; Mr. Allen 2,759 shares, or $104,235; Mr. Mulford 1,180 shares, or $44,580, with all awards paid in FDEF shares. In addition, the amounts for Mr. Thompson and Mr. Reisner both include an additional stock award of $25,370.

(2)

The amounts in column (f) reflect the cash incentive awards to the named individuals discussed in further detail above, under the heading “Performance-Based Incentive Compensation”.

(3)

The amount shown as “All Other Compensation” includes the following perquisites and personal benefits:

Name	Club Membership		Automobile Allowance or Personal Use of Company Automobile		401(k) Match		Value of Life Insurance		Employee Stock Purchase Plan Match (a)		Company Deferred Compensation Plan Contribution		Total
Donald P. Hileman	$	-	$	-	$	10,600	$	2,469	$	390	$	13,709	$	27,168
Kevin T.Thompson	$	-	$	-	$	10,600	$	1,509	$	1,350	$	-	$	13,459
John R. Reisner	$	-	$	-	$	7,494	$	1,279	$	-	$	-	$	8,773
Gregory R. Allen	$	8,051	$	1,277	$	10,600	$	661	$	1,800	$	-	$	22,389
Michael D. Mulford	$	-	$	-	$	8,565	$	422	$	195	$	-	$	9,182

(a)

All of our employees, including the Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate in the First Defiance Financial Corp. Employee Investment Plan (the “ESPP”). The ESPP is a means for all employees to purchase FDEF shares at the current market prices at the time of purchase through regular payroll deductions. We will contribute an amount equal to 15% of each of the participating employee’s actual payroll deductions up to $150 per month. The employee specifies the amount to be withheld from his/her pay with a minimum of $30 per month and a maximum of $5,000 per month.

2016 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

During 2016, we made awards to Named Executive Officers as part of short-term and long-term incentive compensation awards, as described above. The short-term incentive compensation awards provided for cash payments. The long-term incentive compensation awards are made in RSUs and settled in shares Company shares.

			Estimated Future Payouts Under Non- Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)						Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2)
Name	Grant Date	Date Approved by Compensation Committee	Threshold ($)		Target ($)		Maximum ($)		Threshold (Shares/ Units)		Target (Shares/ Units)		Maximum (Share/ Units)		Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards
Donald P. Hileman	01/01/16	12/21/2015	$	96,750	$	193,500	$	290,250		2,431		4,863		7,368	$	278,363

Kevin T. Thompson	01/01/16	12/21/2015	$	39,360	$	78,719	$	118,079		992		1,983		3,005	$	113,529

John R. Reisner	01/01/16	12/21/2015	$	32,787	$	65,574	$	98,361		826		1,652		2,503	$	94,563

Gregory R. Allen	01/01/16	12/21/2015	$	36,138	$	72,275	$	108,413		910		1,821		2,759	$	104,235

Michael D. Mulford	01/01/16	12/21/2015	$	23,192	$	46,384	$	69,576		389		779		1,180	$	44,580

(1)

Short term incentive awards granted in 2016 pursuant to the Incentive Compensation Plan, as described above.

(2)

Long term incentive awards made in RSUs and granted pursuant to the 2016 Incentive Plan, as described above.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End 2016

The following table provides information concerning unexercised options and non-vested stock awards for each Named Executive Officer outstanding as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. Each outstanding award is represented by a separate row which indicates the number of securities underlying the award. The table also discloses the exercise price and the expiration date.

Option Awards								Stock Awards
Name	Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable		Option Exercise Price		Option Expiration Date	Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#)		Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#)		Equity incentive plan awards: number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested (#)(1)		Equity incentive plan awards: market or payout value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested ($)
Donald P. Hileman									-		-		14,989	$	760,552

Kevin T. Thompson									-		-		6,254	$	317,303

John R. Reisner									-		-		5,181	$	262,869

Gregory R. Allen									-		-		5,733	$	290,897

		1,000		0	$	27.41	04/16/2017
		1,000		0	$	17.64	04/21/2018

Michael D. Mulford									-		-		2,443	$	123,958

(1)

The numbers of restricted stock units vesting at December 31, 2017 are as follows: Mr. Hileman 8,358, Mr. Thompson 3,549, Mr. Reisner 2,928, Mr. Allen 3,250 and Mr. Mulford 1,381. The numbers of restricted stock units vesting as of December 31, 2018 are as follows: Mr. Hileman 6,631, Mr. Thompson 2,705, Mr. Reisner 2,253, Mr. Allen 2,483 and Mr. Mulford 1,062.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested In 2016

The following table provides information concerning exercises of stock options and vesting of stock awards during the most recently completed fiscal year for each of the Named Executive Officers on an aggregated basis. The table reports the number of shares for which the options were exercised or vested and the aggregate dollar value realized upon exercising those options or when the stock awards became vested.

	Option Awards				Stock Awards
Name	Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)		Value Realized on Exercise ($)		Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)		Value Realized on Vesting ($)
Donald P. Hileman		-	$	-		6,960	$	353,150

Kevin T. Thompson		-	$	-		3,466	$	175,865

John R. Reisner		-	$	-		2,947	$	149,531

Gregory R. Allen		3,000	$	56,580		1,363	$	69,159

Michael D. Mulford		-	$	-		1,119	$	56,778

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

Pursuant to the First Defiance Deferred Compensation Plan, certain executives, including our Named Executive Officers, as well as our directors may defer receipt of up to 80% of their base compensation and up to 100% of non-equity incentive plan compensation and, in the case of directors, up to 100% of directors’ fees. Deferral elections are made by eligible executives or directors in December of each year for amounts to be earned in the following year.

Amounts deferred in the First Defiance Deferred Compensation Plan may be invested in any funds available under the Plan. The table below shows the funds available under the Plan and their annual rate of return for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016, as reported by the administrator of the Plan.

Name of Fund	Rate of Return			Name of Fund	Rate of Return
AmCent VP Value: CI 2		20.28	%	Mainstay VP Cash Mgmt		0.01	%
Fidelity VIP Contrafund: IC		8.01	%	MainStay VP Int’l Eq		-4.95	%
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2010: IC		5.45	%	Mainstay VP MidCap Core		11.17	%
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2020: IC		6.12	%	PIMCO VIT Tot Return: AC		2.68	%
Fidelity VIP Freedom 2030: IC		6.61	%	MainStay VP SmallCap Core		11.72	%
Fidelity VIP InvGd Bond: IC		4.74	%	UIF US Real Estate		6.81	%
First Defiance Stock		37.10	%	T. Rowe Price Ltd-Term Bond		1.37	%
Janus AS Forty: IS		2.20	%	MainStay VP Eagle Small Grow		10.01	%

Benefits under the First Defiance Deferred Compensation Plan are generally paid beginning in the year following the executive’s retirement or termination. However, the Plan has provisions for scheduled “in-service” distributions from the Plan, and it also allows for hardship withdrawals upon the approval of the Committee. Retirement benefits are paid either in a lump sum or in scheduled installment payments when the executive’s termination is considered a retirement. All other distributions are made in lump sum payments.

The following table provides information with respect to our Named Executive Officers’ participation in the First Defiance Deferred Compensation Plan. None of our Named Executive Officers received a withdrawal or distribution under the Plan.

Name	Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)		Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)			Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year ($)		Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End (2) ($)
Donald P. Hileman	$	0	$	13,709	(1)	$	5,230	$	140,716
Kevin T. Thompson	$	0				$	0	$	0
John R. Reisner	$	0				$	0	$	0
Gregory R. Allen	$	0				$	15,927	$	214,884
Michael D. Mulford	$	0				$	0	$	0

(1)

This amount is included in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)

All amounts except Aggregate Earnings have been reported as compensation in the Summary Compensation Table in previous years.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The discussion below summarizes the estimated payments to be made under each contract, agreement, plan or arrangement that provides for payments to a Named Executive Officer at, following, or in connection with any termination of employment including by resignation, severance, retirement, disability or a constructive termination, by a change of control of the Company, or by a change in the Named Executive Officer’s responsibilities (that may not result in a termination of employment).

Payments Made Upon Termination

Regardless of the manner in which a Named Executive Officer’s employment terminates, the executive is entitled to receive amounts earned during the term of employment. Such amounts include:

non-equity incentive compensation earned during the fiscal year;

amounts contributed under the First Defiance Deferred Compensation Plan;

unused vacation pay;

amounts accrued and vested through our 401(k) Plan; and

ability to exercise outstanding vested options for up to 3 months after termination (but not longer than the original term).

Payments Made Upon Retirement

In the event of retirement of a Named Executive Officer, in addition to the items identified above, the executive will be entitled to the following:

accelerated vesting of all outstanding unvested stock options and ability to exercise all outstanding options for up to 5 years after retirement (but not longer than the original term);

accelerated vesting of all outstanding restricted stock;

accelerated vesting of a portion of outstanding restricted stock units calculated based on the actual performance of the company and peer group through the fiscal quarter ending closest to the date of such retirement; and

executives who meet minimum age and years of service requirements are entitled to continue to participate in our health and welfare benefits. These benefits are the same as retiree medical benefits offered to all of our employees and are more fully described in Note 16 to the Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Payments Made Upon Death or Disability

In the event of the death or disability of a Named Executive Officer, in addition to the benefits listed under the headings “ Payments Made upon Termination ” and “ Payments Made Upon Retirement ” above, the Named Executive Officer will receive benefits under our disability plan or payments under our life insurance plans, as appropriate. A Named Executive Officer who dies or becomes disabled prior to retirement will only have one year after death or disability (or the original term, if shorter) to exercise all outstanding stock options.

Payments Made Upon Change of Control

Mr. Hileman, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Allen each have an employment agreement with First Defiance and First Federal, the terms of which are all similar. Under the employment agreements, if the executive’s employment is terminated for (and for Mr. Hileman and Mr. Thompson, up to six months after) a change of control (other than termination by us for cause or by reason of death or disability) or if the executive terminates his employment for “good reason” (as defined in the employment agreements), in addition to the benefits listed under the heading “ Payments Made Upon Termination ,” the executive will receive a lump sum severance payment of 2.99 times the employee’s average annual compensation for the five most recent taxable years ending during the calendar year in which the Notice of Termination occurs. Under the employment agreements, compensation is defined as base salary plus non-equity incentive bonus. In addition, the employment agreements provide that the executive will be entitled to continued participation in insurance and other benefit plans for the earlier to occur of the expiration of the term of the employment agreement or the date upon which the executive becomes a full-time employee of another employer.

Mr. Reisner has a change of control and non-solicitation agreement with First Defiance and First Federal. Under the terms of this agreement, in the event his employment is terminated within six months prior to a change of control or within one year after a change of control, he is entitled to receive an amount equal to two times his base salary most recently set prior to the occurrence of the change in control. He is also entitled to continued health insurance coverage at no cost until the earlier of one year or the date on which he is included in another employer’s health insurance plan.

Generally, pursuant to the employment and change of control agreements, a change of control has the meaning set forth in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In order to receive any payments under the employment or change of control agreements, Mr. Hileman, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Reisner must execute a general release of claims.

All of the Named Executive Officers’ unvested stock options will automatically vest and become exercisable in the event of a change in control. Further, all or a portion of the individual’s unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units will vest in the event that the individual is terminated without cause after a change in control but before the end of the performance period covered by the restricted stock or restricted stock unit award. The portion of the unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted stock units that vests is the greater of (a) the number of shares that would have vested if the individual had been employed for the full performance period and the target level of performance had been achieved for each performance goal, or (b) the number of shares that would vest based on the actual performance of the company and peer group through the fiscal quarter ending closest to the date of such termination. Such unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units do not vest in the event of termination for reasons other than retirement, death or disability, even if such termination is for “good reason.”

The table below summarizes the estimated payments set forth in the agreements described above. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2016, and, thus, include amounts earned through such time and are estimates of the amounts which would be paid out to the executives upon their termination. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of such executive’s separation from us.

Executive Benefits and Payments

upon Termination

Voluntary

Termination

For Cause

Termination

Involuntary

Not for

Cause

Voluntary

Good Reason

Termination

Involuntary

Change of

Control

Termination

(CIC)

Death

Disability

Donald P. Hileman

Severance

–

1,419,108

–

Accelerated vesting of options

–

Kevin T. Thompson

Severance

–

766,684

–

Accelerated vesting of options

–

John R. Reisner

Severance

–

388,146

–

Accelerated vesting of options

–

Gregory R. Allen

–

Severance

–

723,399

–

Accelerated vesting of options

–

Michael D. Mulford

–

Severance

–

Accelerated vesting of options

–

PROPOSAL 2

Non-Binding Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

Our shareholders have an opportunity to approve, in a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. Our Named Executive Officers are those individuals included in the Summary Compensation Table on page 26 in this proxy statement. The compensation being approved is the compensation required to be disclosed in this proxy statement by the rules of the SEC, including the compensation described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, accompanying tables and any related material disclosed in this proxy statement.

The vote is advisory in nature and therefore will not bind the Board to take any particular action. Nevertheless, if there is a significant vote against, the Board intends to attempt to determine the reason for such negative votes and may make changes to executive compensation based on its findings.

The Board has structured our executive compensation program with the following objectives in mind: compensation should be directly linked to corporate operating performance, and all officers should receive fair and equitable compensation for their respective levels of responsibility and supervisory authority compared to their peers within the Company as well as their peers within the financial services industry. The Board urges you to read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” starting on page 18 of this proxy statement and the related compensation tables and narrative through page 32.

The Board is asking you to approve the following resolution, which will be submitted for a shareholder vote at the Annual Meeting:

“Resolved, that the shareholders approve the compensation of First Defiance’s named executive officers as named in the Summary Compensation Table of the Company’s 2017 Proxy Statement, as described in the ‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis,’ the compensation tables and the related disclosure contained on pages 18 - 32 in the Proxy Statement.”

Because your vote is advisory , it will not be binding upon the Board, overrule any decision made by the Board, or create or imply any additional fiduciary duty by the Board. The Compensation Committee may, however, take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

Your Board Recommends That You

Vote FOR the Approval of our Executive Compensation.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

The following table includes, as of the Voting Record Date, certain information as to the FDEF shares beneficially owned by (i) the only persons or entities, including any “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares, (ii) each director and nominee, (iii) the Named Executive Officers, and (iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group.

	Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
Name of Beneficial Owner (a)	Shares Owned			Right to Acquire Beneficial Ownership Under Options Exercisable Within 60 Days		Percent of Class (b)
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP		782,119	(d)		—		8.70	%
BlackRock, Inc.		1,127,328	(c)		—		12.55	%
William J. Small		90,638	(e)				1.20	%
John R. Reisner		3,263			—		—
Robert E. Beach		-
Dr. Douglas A. Burgei		24,250	(e)		—		—
Donald P. Hileman		32,418			—		—
Kevin T.Thompson		5,786			—		—
Gregory R. Allen		22,868					—
Michael D. Mulford		4,299			—		—
Stephen L. Boomer		13,377	(e)		—		—
Samuel S. Strausbaugh		9,566					—
John L. Bookmyer		8,322			—		—
Barbara A. Mitzel		2,006	(e)		—		—
Jean A. Hubbard		5,789					—
Charles D. Niehaus		2,979			—		—
Thomas A. Reineke		3,349	(e)
All current directors and executive officers as a group (20 persons)		228,910	(e)				3.13	%

(a)

Each of the directors and executive officers may be contacted at the address of First Defiance.

(b)

If no percent is provided, the number of shares is less than 1% of the total outstanding FDEF shares.

(c)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 12, 2017, BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055, possesses sole voting power over 1,087,715 shares and sole dispositive power over 1,127,328 shares.

(d)

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 9, 2017, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Palisades West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746 (“Dimensional”), an investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, possesses sole voting power over 754,656 shares and sole dispositive power over 782,119 shares. All shares reported are owned by the funds for which Dimensional serves as investment advisor, and Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities.

(e)

Includes shares in which beneficial owners share voting and/or investment power as follows: 8,988 held jointly by Mr. Boomer and his spouse; 5,003 shares held jointly by Dr. Burgei and his spouse; 1,578 shares which Ms. Mitzel owns jointly with her spouse; 39,156 shares which Mr. Small owns jointly with his spouse; 975 shares owned by Mr. Reineke’s spouse.

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

All of our directors and executive officers have commercial, consumer or mortgage banking relationships with First Federal and a number have insurance relationships through First Defiance’s wholly-owned subsidiary, First Insurance Group of the Midwest, Inc. All loan and deposit relationships with our directors and executive officers (i) were made in the ordinary course of business; (ii) were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans or deposits with persons not related to First Federal; and (iii) did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the Bank purchased printing services, office supplies, and financial supplies totaling $357,492 from Financial Forms & Systems, Inc., of which James Williams’s brother, Jeffrey Williams, is a director and President. James Williams also serves as an advisor to Financial Forms & Systems.

We have a policy that covers all loans to our directors and executive officers. In accordance with that policy, any loan request for directors or executive officers that, when aggregated with other extensions of credit from First Federal exceeds $500,000, requires prior approval of the Board. Loans to executive officers, which when aggregated with existing extensions of credit are less than $500,000, do not require prior approval of the Board, but must be reported at the next Board meeting. Loans to directors, which when aggregated with existing extensions of credit are less than $500,000, do not require Board approval and are not required to be reported to the Board at the next Board meeting. However, all loan transactions with related persons are reported to and ratified by the full Board and the Audit Committee quarterly.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of our shares, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to provide us with a copy of such form. Based on our review of the copies of such forms it has received, we believe that our executive officers and directors complied with all filing requirements applicable to them with respect to transactions during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, except that each of Mr. Hileman, Mr. Brent L. Beard, Ms. Mitzel and Mr. Niehaus filed one late Form 4 reporting one transaction and Mr. Reisner filed one late Form 4 reporting two transactions.

PROPOSAL 3

Declassification of the Board of Directors

After careful consideration, the Board has determined that the best interests of First Defiance and its shareholders would be served by amending First Defiance’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles”), to eliminate the classification of the Board so that all directors stand for election annually. This declassification would be gradually phased in over a three-year period to accommodate current directors’ terms, eventually culminating in annual elections of the full Board beginning at the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders. The full text of the proposed amendment to the Articles is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement (the “Amendment”).

Background of the Proposal

Our current classified board structure has been in place since the Articles were initially adopted in 1995. Article XI of the Articles currently provides that, if the Board consists of nine or more members, the Board will be divided into three classes, nearly equal in number as possible, with each class being elected for a three-year term. Under this system, approximately one-third of the directors on the Board stand for election each year.

While the Board believes that this classified structure has promoted stability and continuity in the Company’s leadership and facilitated long-term planning, the Board has recognized a growing sentiment among many investors and corporate governance commentators in favor of annual elections. This trend has grown from the belief that annual elections increase the accountability of directors to their shareholders and afford shareholders more influence over corporate governance policies. In light of these sentiments and corporate governance trends, the Board has determined that the phased-in declassification of the Board over a three-year period is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Summary of Proposed Amendments

If this proposal is approved by the shareholders, the Amendment would gradually implement this declassification by providing for the election of directors, upon expiration of their existing terms, for one-year terms, beginning with the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders. In addition, any directors appointed to vacancies arising prior to the 2018 annual meeting will serve for a term expiring at the next annual meeting shareholders. The Amendment would not shorten the term of any existing director (including the directors elected at this Annual Meeting). Instead, each director elected prior to the Amendment’s effectiveness would complete such director’s existing term and be eligible thereafter for re-election to a one-year term. Beginning with the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders, the entire Board will be elected annually. In all cases, each director will hold office until his or her successor has been elected and qualified.

Following approval by the shareholders, the Amendment will become effective upon the filing a Certificate of Amendment to the Articles with the Ohio Secretary of State immediately after the Annual Meeting. If the shareholders do not approve this proposal, the Amendment will not be implemented and the current classified Board structure would continue in place.

Your Board Recommends That You Vote FOR

Declassification of the First Defiance Board of Directors

Required Vote

Pursuant to the Articles, the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of First Defiance common stock entitled to vote thereon is required for approval of this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of votes “AGAINST’ the proposal.

PROPOSAL 4

Ratification of the Appointment of Crowe Horwath LLP as Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2017

The Audit Committee has selected Crowe Horwath LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. The Board is requesting that our shareholders ratify this selection. If our shareholders do not ratify the selection of Crowe Horwath, the Audit Committee may reconsider its selection. The Audit Committee expects that a representative from Crowe Horwath will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

Your Board Recommends That You Vote FOR ratification of Crowe Horwath.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Crowe Horwath was our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and has reported on our consolidated financial statements.

Audit Fees

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees that we paid to Crowe Horwath for audit and non-audit services in 2016 and 2015. The table lists audit fees, audit related fees, tax fees and all other fees.

Services Rendered	2016		2015
Audit Fees	$	330,000	$	367,500
Audit-Related Fees		123,601		54,000
Tax Fees		69,915		62,278
All Other Fees		2,898		2,800
Total fees paid	$	526,414	$	486,578

Audit-related fees relate to services for acquisition services, employee benefit plan audits and the audits of the captive insurance company. Tax fees consist of fees related to the preparation of tax returns and consulting services relating to the company’s prepared tax model and low income housing tax credits. Other fees consist of fees paid to Crowe Horwath for the accounting research manager system.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee is comprised of five directors, all of whom are considered “independent” under NASDAQ listing standards.

The Audit Committee oversees First Defiance’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal control. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Committee reviewed with management the audited financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. The Committee also reviews the effectiveness of First Defiance’s system of internal controls, including a review of the process used by management to evaluate the effectiveness of the system of internal control.

The Committee reviewed with Crowe Horwath its judgment as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed under their professional standards. The Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from Crowe Horwath required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Crowe Horwath’s communications with the Committee concerning independence. In addition, the Committee discussed with Crowe Horwath its independence from management and the Company, including the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditors’ independence. The committee also pre-approved all professional services provided to the Company by the independent registered public accounting firm.

The Committee discussed with the Company’s internal auditor and independent registered public accounting firm the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Committee meets with the internal auditor and independent registered public accounting firm, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. The Committee held five meetings during 2016.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for filing with the SEC. The Committee and the Board have also approved the selection of Crowe Horwath LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2017.

John Bookmyer, Chairman

Stephen L. Boomer

Jean Hubbard

Samuel S. Strausbaugh

Chales D. Niehaus

February 27, 2017

OTHER MATTERS

Each proxy confers discretionary authority on the Board to vote the proxy for the election of any person as a director if the nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, matters incident to the conduct of the meeting, and upon such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. Management is not aware of any business to come before the Annual Meeting other than those matters described in this proxy statement. However, if any other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is intended that the proxies solicited hereby will be voted with respect to those other matters in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting the proxies.

The Company will pay the costs of this proxy solicitation, including the standard charges and expenses of brokerage houses, voting trustees, banks, associations and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries who are record holders of shares not beneficially owned by them, for forwarding the proxy materials to, and obtaining proxies from, the beneficial owners of our shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. In addition to solicitations by mail, our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies personally or by telephone without additional compensation for such solicitations. We have retained Alliance Advisors, LLC, a proxy soliciting firm, to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting for an estimated cost of $7,500, including a fee of $2,000 and reimbursement of expenses.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Any proposal which a shareholder wishes to have included in the proxy solicitation materials to be used in connection with the next annual meeting of shareholders of First Defiance must be received at the main office of First Defiance no later than November 29, 2017. If such proposal is in compliance with all of the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act, it will be included in the proxy statement and set forth on the form of proxy issued for the next annual meeting of shareholders. In addition, if a shareholder intends to present a proposal at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of First Defiance without including the proposal in the proxy solicitation materials relating to that meeting, and if the proposal is not received by March 10, 2018, then the proxies designated by the Board of Directors of First Defiance for the 2018 annual meeting may vote proxies in their discretion on any such proposal without mention of such matter in the proxy solicitation materials or on the proxy card for such meeting.

ANNUAL REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our s hareholders as of the Voting Record Date are being provided with a copy of our Annual Report to Shareholders and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (“Annual Report”). Included in the Annual Report are the consolidated financial statements of First Defiance as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the related reports of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Annual Report is not a part of this proxy statement.

	BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

	Donald P. Hileman, President and
	Chief Executive Officer

March 22, 2017

Defiance, Ohio

ANNEX A

Proposed Amendment to the First Defiance Articles of Incorporation

ARTICLE XI

Board of Directors

The number of directors of the Corporation shall be such number, not less than five nor more than 15 (exclusive of directors, if any, to be elected by holders of preferred stock of the Corporation, voting separately as a class), as shall be provided from time to time pursuant to these Articles, provided that no decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director, and provided further that no action shall be taken to decrease or increase the number of directors from time to time unless at least two-thirds of the directors then in office shall concur in said action. Vacancies in the Board of Directors of the Corporation and newly created directorships shall be filled by a vote of two-thirds of the directors then in office, whether or not a quorum, and any director so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders and when the director's successor is elected and qualified. Directors shall not be required to own any shares of the Corporation's common stock and need not be residents of any particular state, country or other jurisdiction.

In the event the Board of Directors consists of nine or more members, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be divided into three classes, which shall be designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The members of each class shall be elected for a term of three years and until their successors are elected and qualified. Such classes shall be as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall permit, with the terms of office of all members of one class expiring each year.

Beginning with the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders and at each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter, the successors to those directors whose terms then expire shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting. Directors elected for three-year terms prior the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders shall serve the terms for which they were previously elected. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any director whose term shall expire at any annual meeting shall continue to serve until such time as his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified, unless his position on the Board of Directors shall have been abolished by action taken to reduce the size of the Board of Directors prior to said meeting.