SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN
PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the registrant [ X ]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ X ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)
________________________________________________________________________
(Name of person(s) filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
[ X ] No fee required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
(1)
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: ______________________________________
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(2)
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:______________________________________
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(3)
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
_________________________
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(4)
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: _____________________________________________
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(5)
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Total fee Paid: _________________________________________________________________________
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
[ ] Check box if any part
of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify
the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and
the date of its filing.
(1)
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Amount previously paid:
_________________________________________________________________
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(2)
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Form, schedule, or registration statement no.: __________________________________________________
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(3)
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Filing party: ___________________________________________________________________________
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(4)
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Date filed: ____________________________________________________________________________
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS
FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
311 Woodworth Avenue
P.O. Box 1029
Alma, Michigan 48801
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Dear Shareholder:
We invite you to attend the 2008
annual meeting of the shareholders of Firstbank Corporation. This years meeting will
be held at the Heritage Center on the campus of Alma College, West Superior Street, Alma,
Michigan 48801, on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Alma time) to consider and vote
upon:
1.
The election of three directors to hold office for three year terms.
2.
Any other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment
of the meeting.
[GRAPHIC Shareholders of record at
the close of business on March 3, 2008, will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting and
any adjournment of the meeting.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
/s/ Samuel G. Stone
Samuel G. Stone, Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
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Alma, Michigan
March 13, 2008
IMPORTANT
All shareholders are cordially
invited to attend the meeting.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND IN PERSON, YOU ARE
URGED TO DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY
IN THE
POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED
.
This will assure your representation and a
quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. If you do attend the meeting in
person and if you have submitted a proxy card, it will not be necessary for you to vote in
person at the meeting. However, if you attend the meeting and wish to change your proxy
vote, you will be given an opportunity to do so.
PROXY STATEMENT
FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
311 Woodworth Avenue
P.O. Box 1029
Alma, Michigan 48801
Telephone: (989) 463-3131
ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
This
proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board
of Directors of Firstbank Corporation (the Corporation) to be voted at the
annual meeting of its shareholders, to be held at the Heritage Center on the campus of
Alma College, West Superior Street, Alma, Michigan 48801, on Monday, April 28, 2008, at
4:30 p.m. (Alma time), and at any adjournment of the meeting for the purposes set forth in
the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This proxy statement and form
of proxy are first being sent to shareholders on or about March 24, 2008.
If
a proxy in the accompanying form is properly executed, duly returned, and not revoked, the
shares represented by the proxy will be voted at the annual meeting of the
Corporations shareholders and at any adjournment of that meeting. Where a
shareholder specifies a choice, a proxy will be voted as specified. If no choice is
specified, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted for election of all nominees
of the Board of Directors. The Corporations management does not know of any other
matters to be presented at the annual meeting. If other matters are presented, the shares
represented by proxy will be voted at the discretion of the persons designated as proxies
who will take into consideration the recommendations of the Corporations management.
Any
shareholder executing a proxy in the enclosed form has the power to revoke it by notifying
the Secretary of the Corporation in writing at the address indicated above at any time
before it is exercised, or by appearing at the meeting and voting in person.
Solicitation
of proxies is being made by mail. Directors, officers, and regular employees of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries may also solicit proxies in person or by telephone
without additional compensation. In addition, banks, brokerage firms, and other
custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries may solicit proxies from the beneficial owners of
shares they hold and may be reimbursed by the Corporation for reasonable expenses incurred
in sending proxy material to beneficial owners of the Corporations stock. The
Corporation will pay all expenses of soliciting proxies.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominations
and Voting
The
Board of Directors has nominated Thomas D. Dickinson, Edward B. Grant and Samuel A. Smith
for election to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting to serve three year terms
that will expire in 2011. Messrs. Grant and Smith are incumbents.
The
proposed nominees are willing to be elected and to serve. In the event that any nominee is
unable to serve or is otherwise unavailable for election, which is not now contemplated,
the incumbent Board of Directors may or may not select a substitute nominee. If a
substitute nominee is selected, all proxies will be voted for the person so selected. If a
substitute nominee is not so selected, all proxies will be voted for the election of the
remaining nominees. Proxies will not be voted for a greater number of persons than the
number of nominees named.
A
vote of shareholders holding a plurality of shares voting is required to elect directors.
For the purpose of counting votes on this proposal, abstentions, broker non-votes and
other shares not voted will not be counted as shares voted.
1
Shareholder
nominations may be made directly by a shareholder, or by written notice delivered or
mailed to the secretary of the Corporation not less than ten (10) nor more than fifty (50)
days prior to the annual meeting. However, if a shareholder wishes the Board of Directors
to consider a nomination as a part of a slate of nominees approved by the Board of
Directors, the nomination process described below must be followed.
The
Nomination Process
Director
nominees are considered and must be approved by the directors on the Board who are
independent under SEC and NASDAQ Standards. The Board searches for potential candidates
that it identifies by a variety of means as deemed appropriate by the Board.
The
Board has not established specific minimum age, education, years of business experience or
specific types of skills for potential candidates, but, in general, expects qualified
candidates will have ample experience and a proven record of business success and
leadership. In general, the Board requires that each of its members will have the highest
personal and professional ethics, integrity and values; will consistently exercise sound
and objective business judgment; and will have a comfort with diversity in its broadest
sense. In addition, it is anticipated that the Board as a whole will have individuals with
significant appropriate senior management and leadership experience, a comfort with
technology, a long-term and strategic perspective, and the ability to advance constructive
debate. It will be important for the Board as a whole to operate in an atmosphere where
the chemistry of the individuals is a key element.
The
independent directors will consider shareholder nominations for directors submitted in
accordance with the following procedure. A notice relating to the nomination must be given
in writing to the Corporation not later than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90)
days prior to the anniversary of the prior years annual meeting. Such notice must be
accompanied by the nominees written consent, contain information relating to the
business experience and background of the nominee and contain information with respect to
the nominating shareholder and persons acting in concert with the nominating shareholder.
There are no differences in the manner in which the independent directors evaluate a
candidate that is recommended for nomination for membership on the Corporations
Board by a shareholder. As of this time, the Board has not received any recommended
nominations from any of the Corporations shareholders in connection with the Annual
Meeting.
Upon
receipt of information concerning a shareholder proposed candidate, the Chair of the Board
assesses the Boards needs, primarily whether or not there is a current or pending
vacancy or a possible need to fulfill by adding or replacing a director, and then develops
a director profile by comparing the current state of Board characteristics with the
desired state and the candidates qualifications. The profile and the
candidates submitted information are provided to the Board for discussion.
Similarly, if at any time the Board determines there may be a need to add or replace a
director, the Chair of the Board develops a Director profile by comparing the current
state of Board characteristics with the desired state. If no candidates are apparent from
any source, the Board will determine the appropriate method to conduct a search. The Board
has, to date, not paid any third party fee to assist in identifying and evaluating
nominees.
The
Corporation has not established a nominating committee because it desires active
participation of all Board members in the analysis and process of making nominations. In
addition, nominations are approved by directors who are independent, ensuring the
integrity of the nomination process in the same manner that establishing a nominating
committee would. The Board has not adopted nomination charter provisions but it has
adopted a formal written board resolution approving the procedure described above.
A
vote of shareholders holding a plurality of shares voting is required to elect directors.
For the purpose of counting votes on this proposal, abstentions, broker non-votes and
other shares not voted will not be counted as shares voted.
YOUR BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
FOR
ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS
2
VOTING SECURITIES
At
the close of business on March 3, 2008, the record date for determination of the
shareholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, the Corporation had issued and
outstanding 7,412,776 shares of its Common Stock, the only class of voting securities
presently outstanding. Each share entitles its holder to one vote on each matter to be
voted upon at the meeting.
The
Corporation is not aware of any shareholder that is the beneficial owner of more than five
percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation as of March 3, 2008.
The
following table shows certain information concerning the shares of the Corporation
beneficially owned by each of the Corporations directors and nominees for director,
by the executive officers named in the summary compensation table below, and by all
directors and executive officers as a group as of December 31, 2007.
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Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
(1)
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Sole Voting And Investment Power
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Shared Voting or Investment Power
(2)
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Total Beneficial Ownership
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Percent of Class
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Duane A. Carr
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10,551
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0
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10,551
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*
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Thomas D. Dickinson
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1,519
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714
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2,233
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*
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David W. Fultz
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0
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2,287
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2,287
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*
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Jeff A. Gardner
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41,271
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18,243
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59,514
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*
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William E. Goggin
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17,718
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2,189
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19,907
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*
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Edward B. Grant
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7,804
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0
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7,804
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*
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Dale A. Peters
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13,652
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(4)
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12,554
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26,206
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(4)
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*
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David D. Roslund
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5,511
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699
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6,210
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*
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Thomas O. Schlueter
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814
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(4)
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6,292
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7,106
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(4)
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*
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Samuel A. Smith
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2,860
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9,956
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12,816
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*
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Samuel G. Stone
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27,586
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(3)(4)
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2,945
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30,531
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(3)(4)
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*
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Thomas R. Sullivan
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62,021
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(3)(4)
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1,107
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63,128
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(3)(4)
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*
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James E. Wheeler, II
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18,073
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(3)(4)
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24,512
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42,585
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(3)(4)
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*
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All Directors and Executive
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Officers as a Group (13 Persons)
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209,380
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81,498
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290,878
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3.93
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%
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*Represents less than 1
percent of the outstanding shares.
(1)
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The
numbers of shares stated are based on information furnished by each person
listed and includes shares personally owned of record by that person and
shares which under applicable regulations are deemed to be otherwise
beneficially owned by that person. Under these regulations a beneficial
owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly,
through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or
otherwise, has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to
the security. Voting power includes the power to vote or to direct the
voting of the security. Investment power includes the power to dispose or
to direct the disposition of the security. A person will also be
considered the beneficial owner of a security if the person has a right to
acquire beneficial ownership of the security within 60 days.
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3
(2)
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Includes
shares as to which the indicated person is legally entitled to share
voting or investment power by reason of joint ownership, trust, or other
contract or property right and shares held by spouses and children over
whom the indicated person may have substantial influence by reason of the
relationship.
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(3)
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Includes
shares allocated to individual accounts under the 401(k).
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(4)
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Shares
that may be acquired pursuant to stock options that are exercisable within
60 days are included in the table. The number of shares subject to such
options for Mr. Peters is 13,652 shares; Mr. Schlueter is 814 shares; Mr.
Stone is 20,239 shares; Mr. Sullivan is 15,237 shares; and Mr. Wheeler is
12,507 shares.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation provide that the Board of Directors will be
divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as practicable, with the term of
office of one class expiring each year. The present Board of Directors consists of eight
persons who are elected to the Board of Directors for terms of three years each by the
Corporations shareholders.
Biographical
information concerning the current directors and the nominees who are nominated for
election to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting is presented below. Except as
otherwise indicated, all directors and nominees have had the same principal employment for
over five years. With the exception of Mr. Sullivan, the Corporations President and
Chief Executive Officer, all directors and director nominees have been determined by the
Board of Directors to be independent under the NASDAQ Listing Standards.
A.
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Nominees
for 3-Year Terms Expiring in 2011
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Edward
B. Grant
(age 58) has been a director of Firstbank (Mt. Pleasant) since 1988 and of the
Corporation since 1990. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Firstbank (Mt.
Pleasant) since 1989. Mr. Grant is the General Manager of Public Broadcasting at Central
Michigan University. Mr. Grant is a Certified Public Accountant, and holds a Ph.D. in
accounting from Michigan State University.
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Samuel
A. Smith
(age 55) has been a director of Firstbank St. Johns since June, 2000 and
of the Corporation since June, 2003. Mr. Smith is the owner of Smith Family Funeral
Homes, Inc. headquartered in Elsie, Michigan.
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Thomas
D. Dickinson
(age 49) has been a director of Firstbank West Michigan (formerly
known as Ionia County National Bank) since September, 2003 and of the Corporation since
July, 2007. He is a principal in the CPA firm of Biggs, Hausserman, Thompson &Dickinson,
P.C. in Saranac, Michigan. Mr. Dickinson also serves as a Managing Member of Biggs and
Dickinson Financial Services, LLC and is a member of the Michigan Association of CPAs and
the American Institute of CPAs.
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B.
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Directors
with 3-Year Terms Expiring in 2009
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Jeff
A. Gardner
(age 55) has been a director and vice-chairman of Keystone Community Bank
since 1997 and a director of the Corporation since October 2005. Mr. Gardner is President
of Gardner Group, which he formed in 1980. Gardner Group provides real estate services
throughout southwestern Michigan, including development, construction, management,
brokerage and maintenance. Mr. Gardner is a principal in numerous real estate
developments, construction projects, and a consulting company. Mr. Gardner holds the
designation of Certified Property Manager (CPM).
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David
D. Roslund
(age 68) has been a director of Firstbank Alma since March, 1990 and of
the Corporation since January, 1995. Mr. Roslund, a Certified Public Accountant, is the
Administrator of Wilcox Health Care Center, a nursing home facility located in Alma,
Michigan. He also is an investor in, and manager of, several local small businesses.
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4
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Thomas
R. Sullivan
(age 57) became President & Chief Executive Officer of Firstbank
Corporation in January, 2000. He has served as President, Chief Executive Officer of
Firstbank (Mt. Pleasant from December, 1991 until January, 2007. He has served as a
director of Firstbank (Mt. Pleasant) since 1991. He also serves as a director of
Firstbank Alma, Firstbank West Branch and Firstbank Lakeview since
January, 2000, Firstbank St. Johns since June, 2000, Keystone Community Bank since
October, 2005 and as a director of Firstbank West Michigan effective July, 2007.
Mr. Sullivan also served as Vice President of the Corporation from 1991 to 1996 and
Executive Vice President of the Corporation from 1996 to 2000.
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C.
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Directors
with 3-Year Terms Expiring in 2010
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Duane
A. Carr
(age 68) has been a director of Firstbank Lakeview since April, 1980 and
of the Corporation since April, 1998. He is an attorney with the law firm Miel &Carr
in Stanton, Michigan. He is also an active farmer in Carr Farms Partnership in Lakeview,
Michigan.
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David
W. Fultz
(age 60) has been a director of Firstbank West Branch since October, 1994
and of the Corporation since 2004. He is the owner of Fultz Insurance Agency located in
St. Helen, Michigan and Kirtland Insurance Agency located in Rose City, Michigan.
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William
E. Goggin
(age 62) has been a director of Firstbank Alma since February, 1974 and
of the Corporation since December, 1985. Mr. Goggin has served as Chairman of the Board
of the Corporation since 1986 and Chairman of the Board of Firstbank Alma since
1974. He is an attorney with the law firm Goggin Law Offices in Alma, Michigan.
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The
Board of Directors of the Corporation does not have a standing nominating committee. All
members of the Board of Directors perform the function of the nominating committee. In
making nominations for election to the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors will
consider recommendations of shareholders. Shareholders who wish to recommend nominees
should submit their recommendations in writing, delivered or mailed, to the Secretary of
the Corporation.
Independence Of Directors
and Attendance at Meetings
The
Board of Directors of the Corporation is composed of a majority of independent directors
(as independence is defined in the NASDAQ Listing Standards). During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Corporation held a total of 12 regular
meetings. Various committees of the Board held meetings as needed. Each director attended
at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the total meetings of the Board of Directors and
meetings of the committees on which they served. The Corporation also encourages all
members of the Board to attend the Corporations annual meeting of shareholders each
year. All members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation attended the
Corporations 2007 annual meeting.
Communication With the
Corporations Board of Directors
Shareholders
may communicate with members of the Corporations Board by mail addressed to the full
Board, a specific member of the Board, or to a particular committee of the Board at 311
Woodworth Avenue. Alma, Michigan 48801.
Code of Ethics
The
Corporation has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to the Corporations executive
officers (including the Corporations Chief Executive Officer and principal Financial
Officer) and all of the directors. The Corporations Code of Ethics can be obtained
free of charge by sending a request to the Corporations corporate secretary at 311
Woodworth Avenue, Alma, Michigan 48801. Any changes or waivers to the Code of Ethics will
be disclosed on the Corporations website.
5
Audit Committee
The
Audit Committee oversees the Corporations accounting and financial reporting
process. For this purpose, the Audit Committee performs several functions. For example,
the Audit Committee evaluates the performance of and assesses the qualifications of the
independent auditors; appoints and approves the compensation of the independent auditors;
determines whether to retain or terminate the existing independent auditors or to appoint
and engage new independent auditors; reviews and approves the retention of the auditors to
perform the internal audit functions and services which the independent auditors are not
permitted to perform; reviews the financial statements to be included in the
Corporations Annual Report on Form 10-K; and discusses with management and the
independent auditors the results of the annual audit and the results of the
Corporations quarterly financial statements. The Audit Committee is composed of
Messrs. Grant, Roslund, Smith and Fultz. The Audit Committee met 9 times during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
All
members of the Corporations Audit Committee are independent (as independence is
defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASD listing standards). Mr. Grant has been
designated by the Board as the Audit Committees financial expert. Mr. Grant is
independent of management, as such term is used in item 7(d)(3)(iv) of
Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Corporation
has adopted a written Audit Committee Charter which is attached as Exhibit A to the
Corporations proxy statement for the 2008 Annual Shareholders Meeting. On February
25, 2008, the Audit Committee submitted to the Board the following report.
Audit Committee Report
We
have reviewed and discussed with management the Corporations audited consolidated
balance sheet as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of
income and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007.
We
have discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended,
by the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
We
have received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent
registered public accounting firm required by Independence Standard No. 1, Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended, by the Independence Standards Board and
have discussed with the auditors the auditors independence.
Based
on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommend to the Board of Directors
that the financial statements referred to above be included in the Corporations Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
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Respectfully submitted,
Edward B. Grant, CPA, Chairman
David D. Roslund, CPA
Samuel A Smith
David W. Fultz
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6
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Compensation Committee
Report
The
Compensation Committee of the Corporation has reviewed and discussed the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) or Regulation S-K with management and,
based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board
of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy
Statement.
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Respectfully submitted,
Jeff A. Gardner, Chairman
David W. Fultz
David D. Roslund
Samuel A. Smith
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The
compensation committee is comprised of outside members of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation. Mr. Sullivan, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation,
has served on the Board of Directors and participated in deliberations concerning
compensation of other executive officers. Mr. Sullivan, however, has been excused from
meetings at which decisions with respect to his own compensation have been made.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION
AND ANALYSIS
The
following narrative section discusses and analyzes Firstbank Corporations
compensation policies, programs and practices for the named executive officers.
During
2006, Firstbank Corporation updated and adopted a new compensation charter and philosophy.
Based on a number of factors, including the new SEC compensation disclosure requirements,
the corporation retained Rahmberg Stover and Associates, from Birmingham, Michigan to
assist the compensation committee. The compensation committee has adopted the following
charter:
CHARTER
The
Compensation Committee Charter was adopted by the Board of Directors (the
Board) of Firstbank Corporation (the Bank) on September 25, 2006.
This
Charter is intended as a component of the flexible framework within which the Board,
assisted by its committees, directs the compensation issues of the Bank. While it should
be interpreted in the context of all applicable laws, regulations, and listing
requirements, it is not intended to establish by its own force any legally binding
obligations.
The
Compensation Committee (the Committee) shall assist the Board in (a)
determining appropriate compensation levels for the Banks executive officers, (b)
evaluating officer and director compensation plans, policies and programs, (c) reviewing
benefit plans for officers and employees, and (d) producing an annual report on executive
compensation for the inclusion in the proxy statement.
Charter
. At least
annually, this charter shall be reviewed and reassessed by the Committee and
any proposed changes shall be submitted to the Board for approval.
Members
. The committee
shall consist of three to five members of the Board, each of whom has been
determined by the Board to be independent in accordance with applicable rules
of the NASDAQ National Market. Members of the Committee shall be appointed by
the Board and continue to be members until their successors are elected and
qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any member of the
Committee may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board at any time. The
committee shall recommend, and the Board shall designate, one member of the
Compensation Committee as Chairperson.
7
Meetings
. In order to
discharge its responsibilities, the Committee shall each year establish a
schedule of meetings. The Committee typically meets in person three times a
year, but may meet by telephonic means as deemed appropriate. Additional
meetings may be scheduled as circumstances dictate.
Agenda, Minutes and Reports.
The Chairperson of the Committee shall be responsible for establishing the agendas for
meetings of the Committee. An agenda, together with materials relating to the subject
matter of each meeting, shall be provided to members of the Committee. Minutes for all
meetings of the Committee shall be prepared to document the Committees discharge of
its responsibilities. The minutes shall be circulated in draft form to Committee members
to ensure an accurate final record, approved at a subsequent meeting of the Committee and
distributed to the full Board. The Committee shall make regular reports to the Board.
III.
|
Key
Responsibilities
|
The
following responsibilities are set forth as a guide with the understanding that the
Committee may diverge as appropriate given the circumstances. The Committee is authorized
to carry out these and such other responsibilities assigned by the Board from time to
time, and take any actions reasonably related to the mandate of this Charter.
To
fulfill its purpose, the Committee shall:
A.
|
Establish and review the executive compensation philosophy
|
B.
|
Review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the CEO and other
executive officers compensation, including annual performance objectives
|
C.
|
Evaluate the performance of the CEO and other executive officers against those
corporate goals and objectives, and determine the compensation level for each
such person based on this evaluation.
|
D.
|
Review on a periodic basis the Banks executive compensation programs to
determine whether they are properly coordinated and achieve their intended
purpose(s) and recommend any appropriate modifications or new programs
|
E.
|
Review and recommend to the Board for approval any changes in incentive
compensation plans and equity-based compensation plans
|
F.
|
Review and recommend all equity-based compensation plans of the Bank and grant
awards of shares or share options pursuant to such equity-based plans
|
G.
|
Administer and monitor compliance by executives with the rules and guidelines of
the Banks equity-based plans
|
H.
|
Review and recommend to the Board for approval any changes in employee
retirement programs, including but not limited to severance and change of
control agreements, and broadly reviews employee salary levels and ranges and
employee fringe benefits
|
I.
|
Prepare a report to be included in the Banks annual proxy statement, in
accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and other applicable
regulatory bodies
|
J.
|
Conduct an annual self-evaluation of the performance of the Committee, including
its effectiveness and compliance with this Charter
|
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The
Compensation Committee is guided by the following key principles in determining the
compensation of the Banks senior executives:
Total compensation opportunities
must be competitive.
The Committee believes that compensation should reflect the
competitive marketplace, which will enable the Company to attract, retain and motivate
talented executives. The total compensation package will be based on the pay opportunities
of comparable financial institutions and will be targeted at levels that enable the Bank
to compete with other employers. The comparable market will include
specifically-identified asset-size and geographic peer groups, and other comparable
financial institutions with positions of similar scope.
8
Compensation must be performance
based.
A significant part of each executives compensation should be tied to
financial and individual performance, in order to hold executives accountable for the
business results of their areas of responsibility, and to encourage and reflect individual
contributions to the Banks performance in achieving company goals.
Compensation should be aligned
with stockholder interests.
We believe that aligning the compensation of bank
executives with the interests of stockholders encourages them to focus on shareholder
returns. To this end the compensation package should include reward opportunities that
reflect the returns to our shareholders, which will provide motivation for enhancing
shareholder value.
We
use a variety of compensation elements to achieve these goals, including:
|
Base
salaries which are designed to provide executives with a reasonable current income that
is sufficiently competitive to enable attraction and retention of leaders in the Bank.
|
|
Annual
cash incentives which are used to motivate, recognize and reward the achievement of
operational, financial and/or strategic goals.
|
|
Long-term
incentives are provided for the dual purpose of: 1) aligning executives interests
with stockholders long-term interests; and 2) enhancing the benefit to those
executives that remain with the bank for extended periods.
|
The
primary components of compensation at Firstbank Corporation are as follows:
Base
Salary.
The goal of establishing fair and competitive base salaries for the named
executive officers is to attract and retain top talent. Firstbank Corporation believes
that our people make a difference in how successful we are as an organization. The ranges
for the base salaries for the named executive officers have been determined using several
methods. First, Firstbank Corporation purchases and reviews salary data that compares our
salary ranges to our geographic market, and to other banks of our size, to assess whether
our salaries are competitive. Secondly, the board of directors engaged outside independent
consultants during both 2001 and 2004 to assure that the salaries and salary ranges were
reasonable and competitive within the industry. Thirdly, in 2006 the Compensation
Committee retained Rahmberg Stover and Associates of Birmingham, Michigan to analyze the
total cash compensation of the named executives, including an assessment of the
competitiveness of the base salaries and the salary ranges.
It
has been the practice of the company to establish the salaries at or near the mid-point of
the range taking into consideration overall individual performance level, an
individuals time and experience in the position, and market forces within the
various communities in which we operate. We believe that our named executives base
salaries are competitive; however, based upon the work completed in 2007 by Rahmberg
Stover, the ranges were adjusted to be more comparable with the market. The compensation
committee is continuing to work closely with Rahmberg Stover in the updating and
establishment of salary ranges for our executives.
Annual
Short Term Incentive Compensation.
Annual short term incentive compensation is the
second component of total cash compensation and is also used to attract and retain top
talent. In early 2007, based upon the work done by Rahmberg Stover, the Compensation
Committee recommended, and the board of directors approved, the Firstbank Corporation
Management Incentive Compensation Plan for the corporations officers, which include
the named executives, for 2007. The named executives will no longer have compensation
listed under the Bonus column in the Summary Compensation table. The payments that were
previously classified as bonuses, now being paid under the new Management Incentive plan
will be reported under the Non-Equity Incentive Plan compensation column in the Summary
Compensation Table and further explained in the Grants of Plan-Based Award table.
The
amounts an individual can earn are highlighted in the Grants of Plan-Based Award table.
The Management Incentive Plan is purely performance based, and includes an earnings hurdle
that must be achieved to activate the plan. If the earnings hurdle is exceeded, the
incentive potential can range from 10 65% of the individuals base salary,
calculated by measuring the level of performance achieved. The amounts that can be earned
are based on different levels of performance: threshold is the minimum
level of performance; target is the planned level of performance; and,
maximum is the highest level of performance. In 2007 the companys
earnings hurdle was not achieved, therefore the plan was not activated and the corporate
officers, including the named executives, did not receive any incentive compensation that
was previously termed bonus.
9
The
objective of the Management Incentive Plan is to reward high levels of performance by the
corporation and/or the individual units for which the named executives have
responsibility, and secondly, to assure that the executives total cash compensation
is appropriate considering the companys performance relative to other Michigan
banking companies. The annual amount that could be awarded is tied to several performance
factors, including the corporations financial performance and the performance of the
business unit that is the executives area of responsibility. The Management
Incentive Plan is designed to reward high levels of performance that have had a positive
impact to the corporation within that year again relating to the performance of the
named executive. Since this is not a guaranteed amount and can increase or decrease as the
performance levels increase or decrease, the executive puts the short term incentive
compensation amount at risk the same way our shareholders have put their investment in our
company at risk.
The
Management Incentive Plan fits within the companys compensation objectives by
achieving an overall competitive compensation package that is geared to performance. This
component of compensation will only be paid when the financial performance of the company
exceeds a pre-set, minimally acceptable level, as determined by the board of directors.
401(k)
Savings Plan.
The Firstbank Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan is a defined
contribution plan, which complies with the requirements of the Internal Revenue
Service and allows a variety of investment options, including Firstbank
Corporation stock. During 2007, it was recommended by the Compensation
Committee, and approved by the board of directors, to change the 401(k) plan to
a qualified Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan. Firstbank contributes a company
match that encourages all of our employees to save for their
retirement, including the named executive officers. The amount of the Safe
Harbor Match is formula driven at 100% of the first 3% contributed by the
employee, and 60% on the next 2% contributed by the employee, for a total of
4.2% of compensation, assuming the employee contributes 5% of their
compensation. The Safe Harbor match is immediately vested to the employee.
The
401(k) Savings Plan is the only company sponsored retirement vehicle for our named
executive officers. The study performed by Rahmberg Stover indicates that most companies
provide superior retirement benefits to executives compared to Firstbank Corporation. The
compensation committee continues working with Rahmberg Stover to maintain the
competitiveness of the companys retirement benefits as part of the overall
compensation plan.
Perquisites.
Each of the named executives has business development responsibilities, and are
required to travel from time to time in the normal performance of their duties.
To
facilitate the conduct of the companys business in an appropriate environment, and
for entertainment of existing and potential customers, the company maintains memberships
in a variety of clubs and organizations. Each of the named executives is provided
membership in one or more civic and social organizations or clubs. The executive is
responsible for maintaining records of the personal use of such clubs, and personal use is
reported as compensation.
Company
owned automobiles are made available for the use of each of the named executives, and each
executive is responsible to record the level of business and personal use of the vehicle
assigned. Personal use of the automobile is reported as compensation to the executive in
accordance with IRS regulations.
Firstbank
Corporation maintains a modest level of perquisites for executives, and the amounts
reported as perquisites consist solely of personal use of automobiles and clubs.
10
Summary Compensation
Table
Name and Principal
Position
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Comp
($)
|
|
Change
in
Pension
Value
and NQ
Deferred
Comp
Earnings
($)
|
|
All
Other
Compen-
sation
($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
(d)
|
|
(e)
|
|
(f)(1)
|
|
(g)
|
|
(h)(2)
|
|
(i)(3)
|
|
(j)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas R. Sullivan
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
$
|
260,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
6,970
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
14,837
|
|
$
|
281,807
|
|
President & Chief
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
250,000
|
|
$
|
61,818
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
6,620
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
16,404
|
|
$
|
334,842
|
|
Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Samuel G. Stone
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
$
|
184,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
6,903
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
23,122
|
|
$
|
214,025
|
|
EVP & Chief Financial
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
177,500
|
|
$
|
40,121
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
5,516
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
18,889
|
|
$
|
242,026
|
|
Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas O. Schlueter
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
$
|
157,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
4,858
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
9,801
|
|
$
|
171,659
|
|
Vice President
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
152,000
|
|
$
|
19,023
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
2,694
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
8,237
|
|
$
|
181,954
|
|
|
|
|
Dale A. Peters
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
$
|
142,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
6,790
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
17,240
|
|
$
|
166,030
|
|
Vice President
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
137,000
|
|
$
|
23,501
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
5,516
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
16,525
|
|
$
|
182,542
|
|
|
|
|
James E. Wheeler, II
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
$
|
148,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
6,790
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
11,058
|
|
$
|
165,848
|
|
Vice President
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
$
|
143,000
|
|
$
|
26,858
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
5,516
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
11,355
|
|
$
|
186,729
|
|
(1)
|
Amounts
in this column reflect the dollar amount recognized for financial statement
reporting purposes for the year indicated, in accordance with FAS123(R) and may
include amounts from awards granted in prior years. Assumptions used in the
calculation of these amounts are included in Note 15 to the Corporations
audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007.
|
(2)
|
The
Firstbank Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation plan does not
guarantee any income stream at retirement/termination. Each participant
recommends the investment of their account balances in a similar line up of
funds as the companys 401(k) plan. There are no above market earnings as
each participant bears the investment risk and return of the various securities
they have recommended.
|
(3)
|
All
other compensation includes; 401(k) match, group term life insurance earnings,
fringe benefits, perquisites, restricted stock cash dividends, and opt-out earnings
for employees who decline the companys group health insurance.
|
Stock
Option Grants.
Shareholders of Firstbank Corporation approved the establishment of a
stock option program in 1993, which was supplemented in 1997, and again in 2006. In last
years Compensation Discussion and Analysis, management reported that the practice of
broad distribution to all full-time employees was not achieving its desired result and
that we would evaluate the program. Prior to this evaluation, the company had granted
stock options to all full time benefit eligible employees. The objective of this plan was
to link employees compensation to the long term performance of the company, with the
intent of motivating employees to focus on our overall long term results and return on
shareholders investment. The number of options granted was established based upon the
employees position and job function within the company. Most employees received an
award of 50 shares under option, which fully vested after 12 months. Management and
salaried personnel received larger option awards, ranging from 100 to 1,500 shares that
vested over 5 years. All grants expired at the end of 10 years.
The
rationale for having broad distribution of options was to assist all full-time, benefit
eligible employees to become shareholders of the company. It was believed that this would
instill the employees with the shareholders view of the company as a long term
investment rather than focusing on short-term actions. However, after review of the
program, and based upon the fact that most employees sold their shares immediately after
the exercise of an option, it was determined that this program was not achieving the
desired result.
11
The
Compensation Committee, with the assistance of and information provided by Rahmberg Stover
and Associates, recommended that the board of directors discontinue the practice of
providing stock options to all full-time benefit eligible employees. The board of
directors approved this recommendation, reallocating the shares to key management
personnel throughout the company who have the ability to impact the companys
earnings and growth goals. The named executives have received awards ranging from 3,075 to
7,000 shares in 2007. In total, the named executives 2007 option awards represent
approximately 30% of the total shares awarded.
The
board of directors approves the amount and terms of each stock option grant. The
companys practice is to award the options and set the option price at the closing
price on the date of the board meeting in which the options are approved. Firstbank
Corporation has never back-dated options, has never granted options at a price lower than
the value on the date of the grant, and has not provided special treatment or favorable
pricing to any employee including the named executives.
Grants of Plan-Based
Award Table
Name
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan
|
|
All Other Stock Awards (#)
|
|
All Other Options
Awards # of Securities Underlying Options (#)
|
|
Exercise or Base Price of Option Award ($/Sh)
|
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Options Award ($)
|
|
|
|
Thres-
hold
($)
|
Tar-
get
($)
|
Maxi-
mum
($)
|
Thres-
hold
($)
|
Tar-
get
($)
|
Maxi-
mum
($)
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)(1)
|
|
(c)
|
|
(d)
|
|
(e)
|
|
(f)
|
|
(g)
|
|
(h)
|
|
(i)
|
|
(j)
|
|
(k)
|
|
l(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas R. Sullivan
|
|
|
|
1/22/2007
|
|
$
|
39,000
|
|
$
|
104,000
|
|
$
|
169,000
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/3/2007
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
$
|
16.00
|
|
$
|
19,600
|
|
Samuel G. Stone
|
|
|
|
1/22/2007
|
|
$
|
18,400
|
|
$
|
55,200
|
|
$
|
101,200
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/3/07
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
$
|
16.00
|
|
$
|
12,600
|
|
Thomas O. Schlueter
|
|
|
|
1/22/2007
|
|
$
|
15,700
|
|
$
|
47,100
|
|
$
|
86,350
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/3/07
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
3,075
|
|
$
|
16.00
|
|
$
|
8,610
|
|
|
|
|
Dale A. Peters
|
|
|
|
1/22/2007
|
|
$
|
14,200
|
|
$
|
42,600
|
|
$
|
78,100
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/3/07
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
3,075
|
|
$
|
16.00
|
|
$
|
8,610
|
|
|
|
|
James E. Wheeler, II
|
|
|
|
1/22/2007
|
|
$
|
14,800
|
|
$
|
44,400
|
|
$
|
81,400
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/3/07
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
3,075
|
|
$
|
16.00
|
|
$
|
8,610
|
|
(1)
|
The
1/22/2007 grant date refers to the date the Compensation Committee recommended,
and the Board of Directors approved the Management Incentive Plans
threshold, target and maximum performance levels.
|
(2)
|
The
grant date fair value was computed in accordance with FAS123(R).
|
12
Outstanding Equity
Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Option Awards
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Name
|
|
#
Securities
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
|
|
#
Securities
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Un-exercisable
|
|
Equity Award
# of
Securities
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
|
Option
Expiration Date
|
|
# of
Shares of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
|
|
Market
Value
Shares That
Have Not
Vested ($)
|
|
Equity
Awards: # of
Unearned
Shares That
Have Not
Vested (#)
|
|
Equity Awards:
Market Value of
Unearned Shares
That Have Not
Vested ($)
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
(d)
|
|
(e)
|
|
(f)
|
|
(g)
|
|
(h)
|
|
(i)
|
|
(j)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas R. Sullivan
|
|
|
|
3,878.32
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
20.62
|
|
|
11/23/2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,846.82
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
15.39
|
|
|
12/01/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,110.65
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
14.21
|
|
|
11/27/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,010.14
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
13.51
|
|
|
11/30/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,914.32
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
19.19
|
|
|
11/25/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,823.26
|
|
|
364.65
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
26.17
|
|
|
11/24/2013
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,736.44
|
|
|
694.58
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
24.46
|
|
|
11/22/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,653.75
|
|
|
992.25
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
22.86
|
|
|
11/28/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,575.00
|
|
|
1,260.00
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
22.00
|
|
|
11/27/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000.00
|
|
|
7,000.00
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
16.00
|
|
|
12/03/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Samuel G. Stone
|
|
|
|
14,071.00
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
14.21
|
|
|
11/27/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,675.12
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
13.51
|
|
|
11/30/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,595.35
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
19.19
|
|
|
11/25/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,519.38
|
|
|
303.88
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
26.17
|
|
|
11/24/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,447.03
|
|
|
578.81
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
24.46
|
|
|
11/22/2014
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,378.13
|
|
|
826.88
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
22.86
|
|
|
11/28/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,312.50
|
|
|
1,050.00
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
22.00
|
|
|
11/27/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,500.00
|
|
|
4,500.00
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
16.00
|
|
|
12/03/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas O. Schlueter
|
|
|
|
1,378.13
|
|
|
826.88
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
22.86
|
|
|
11/28/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,312.50
|
|
|
1,050.00
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
22.00
|
|
|
11/27/2016
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,075.00
|
|
|
3,075.00
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
16.00
|
|
|
12/03/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dale A. Peters
|
|
|
|
3,878.32
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
20.62
|
|
|
11/23/2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,846.82
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
15.39
|
|
|
12/01/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,758.88
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
14.21
|
|
|
11/27/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,675.12
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
13.51
|
|
|
11/30/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,595.35
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
19.19
|
|
|
11/25/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,519.38
|
|
|
303.88
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
26.17
|
|
|
11/24/2013
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,447.03
|
|
|
578.81
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
24.46
|
|
|
11/22/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,378.13
|
|
|
826.88
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
22.86
|
|
|
11/28/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,312.50
|
|
|
1,050.00
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
22.00
|
|
|
11/27/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,075.00
|
|
|
3,075.00
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
16.00
|
|
|
12/03/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James E. Wheeler, II
|
|
|
|
3,102.66
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
20.62
|
|
|
11/23/2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,477.46
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
15.39
|
|
|
12/01/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,758.88
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
14.21
|
|
|
11/27/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,675.12
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
13.51
|
|
|
11/30/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,595.35
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
19.19
|
|
|
11/25/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,519.38
|
|
|
303.88
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
26.17
|
|
|
11/24/2013
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,447.03
|
|
|
578.81
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
24.46
|
|
|
11/22/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,378.13
|
|
|
826.88
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
22.86
|
|
|
11/28/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,312.50
|
|
|
1,050.00
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
22.00
|
|
|
11/27/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,075.00
|
|
|
3,075.00
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
16.00
|
|
|
12/03/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
Option Exercises and
Stock 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
($)
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
(d)
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas R. Sullivan
|
|
|
|
4,072.24
|
|
$
|
13,751
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
Samuel G. Stone
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas O. Schlueter
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
Dale A. Peters
|
|
|
|
4,072.24
|
|
$
|
30,528
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
James E. Wheeler, II
|
|
|
|
3,257.79
|
|
$
|
11,001
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Deferred
Compensation Plan.
Firstbank Corporation provided a Non-Qualified Deferred
Compensation plan for senior executives and directors, including the named officers, from
1992 until 2004. The plan was funded exclusively by the directors and officers from their
fees and salaries, respectively, and the company has made no assurance of future value.
The only expense to the company was equal to the contribution that the executive would
have received in the companys 401(k) plan had the executive not deferred income into
the deferred compensation plan. The plan was discontinued on December 31, 2004, and no
additional contributions are allowed.
The
plan was designed to allow the participants to more effectively manage their income tax
liability, and was intended to be neutral to the companys expense. It provided an
opportunity for executives and directors to defer the receipt of income until after they
separated from service to the company, a time at which the individual assumes the income
will receive more favorable income tax treatment than if the income were taken at present.
As
noted below, the amounts shown for aggregate earnings in the Non-Qualified Deferred
Compensation Plan table represent the actual earnings achieved on the funds deferred by
the named executives. The company reports this amount as income from the investment of
those funds, and records an equal amount of expense for the increased liability to the
executive, the net effect of which is neutral to company earnings.
Restricted
Stock Grants.
Firstbank Corporation has restricted stock available to grant under the
same shareholder approved plan that allows stock option grants. Restricted stock has been
primarily used as an executive recruitment tool. Each award is determined during
negotiations with the potential employee. Normally, restricted stock awards vest over a
five year period, vest upon achievement of certain predetermined goals, or vest upon some
combination of time and achievement. The largest grant that has been awarded is 2,000
shares. Grants of restricted stock also provide these new executives with an ownership
stake in the company, focusing them on shareholder return. There were no grants of
restricted stock to any of the named executive officers during 2006 or 2007.
14
Non-Qualified Deferred
Compensation
|
|
Executive
Contributions
in Last Fiscal
Year End
($)
|
|
Registrant
Contributions
in Last Fiscal
Year End
($)
|
|
Aggregate
Earnings in
Last Fiscal
Year End
($)
|
|
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
|
|
Aggregate
Balance
at Last
Fiscal Year End
($)
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
(d)(1)
|
|
(e)
|
|
(f)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas R. Sullivan
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
59,160
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
1,167,292
|
|
|
|
|
Samuel G. Stone
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
1,733
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
33,095
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas O. Schlueter
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
Dale A. Peters
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
569
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
9,042
|
|
|
|
|
James E. Wheeler, II
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
14,460
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
842,657
|
|
(1)
|
Reflects
the increase in market value and distribution of earnings made with respect to
the various securities recommended by the participant.
|
Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.
The company has entered into
Continuity Agreements with each of the named executive officers. These agreements provide
the individual a severance benefit only if a change of control event occurs
during the time the agreement remains in effect. If a change of control occurs
and the executives employment is either involuntary terminated or diminished in
terms of responsibility, scope or compensation, then the affected named executive is
entitled to 1.5 times their annual salary and incentive compensation, plus continued
health benefits for two years.
The
severance benefits that would be paid to the named executive officers, assuming an event
that triggered the payments as of December 31, 2007, would be as follows:
Name
|
|
Base
($)
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive
Compensation
($)
(1)
|
|
Insurance
Continuation
($)
(2)
|
|
Total Payments
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas R. Sullivan
|
|
|
$
|
390,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
|
$
|
402,000
|
|
|
|
|
Samuel G. Stone
|
|
|
$
|
276,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
|
$
|
288,000
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas O. Schlueter
|
|
|
$
|
235,500
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
|
$
|
247,500
|
|
|
|
|
Dale A. Peters
|
|
|
$
|
213,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
|
$
|
225,000
|
|
|
|
|
James E. Wheeler, II
|
|
|
$
|
222,000
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
12,000
|
|
$
|
234,000
|
|
(1)
|
Reflects
the 2007 Non-Equity Incentive payment of $0. Non-Equity Incentive payments may
be greater in future years.
|
(2)
|
Estimated
based on current premium expenditures.
|
In
exchange for the right to the severance benefits, Firstbanks continuity agreements
contain a non-competition clause that limits the executives work related activities
if they are no longer employed by Firstbank Corporation. The non-competition clause is an
important piece of the continuity agreement due to the confidential and privileged nature
of the information that each executive has regarding Firstbank Corporation. The
non-competition clause is effective upon execution of the agreement, and is enforceable
regardless of whether a change of control occurs.
15
The
severance benefit formula is the same for each of the named executives, regardless of
position. The salary and benefit continuation payments are guaranteed to the individual if
the continuity agreement, i.e., a change of control, is triggered 6 months
before or 2 years after the date of the change in control event. The non-competition
clause covers a geographical area within 25 miles of any of our banks main offices
and is for a period of 2 years from the date of termination, except for Mr. Schlueter
which is for a 1 year period following termination.
Director
Compensation.
All of the directors of Firstbank Corporation are also directors of one
or more of the subsidiary banks within the holding company. As a result, directors receive
compensation for their duties at both the holding company and bank level. Mr. Sullivan
does not receive director fees. Outside directors of the Corporation and of the subsidiary
banks have the option of receiving fees in cash or to purchase Firstbank Corporation
common stock, except when the fee is noted as being paid in shares of common stock.
Firstbank
Corporation purchases compensation data that compares our level of director compensation
to other banking companies in our geographic market, and to other banking companies of our
size and structure. A portion of the engagement of Rahmberg Stover also assists us with
ensuring that our directors are paid on a competitive basis.
Firstbank
Corporation and affiliate banks pay the outside directors as follows:
Corporate Board of Directors
|
|
Annual Retainer
|
|
Meeting Fee per
Meeting Attended
|
|
|
FBMI Stock
|
|
Cash
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board
|
|
|
|
500 shares
|
|
$
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Audit Committee
|
|
|
|
400 shares
|
|
$
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Compensation Committee
|
|
|
|
400 shares
|
|
$
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Independent Board Members
|
|
|
|
400 shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular Board Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
700
|
|
|
|
|
Teleconference Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
250
|
|
|
|
|
Full Day Special Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,250
|
|
|
|
|
Half Day Special Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
|
Committee Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
250
|
|
Affiliate Bank Board of Directors (includes all affiliate banks unless otherwise noted*)
|
|
Annual Retainer
|
|
Meeting Fee per
Meeting Attended
|
|
|
FBMI Stock
|
|
Cash
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board
|
|
|
|
200 shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vice-Chairman of the Board (if applicable)
|
|
|
|
150 shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Independent Board Members
|
|
|
|
100 shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular Board Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
450
|
|
|
|
|
*Keystone Community Bank Regular Board Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
600
|
|
|
|
|
Full Day Special Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
900
|
|
|
|
|
Half Day Special Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
600
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Committee Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
200
|
|
|
|
|
Committee Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
*Chairman of the Keystone Community Bank Audit Committee
|
|
|
Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
300
|
|
|
|
|
*Keystone Community Bank Committee Meeting Attended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
150
|
|
16
Director Compensation
Table
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($)
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation
($)
|
|
Change in
Pension Value
and NQ
Deferred
Comp
Earnings
($)
|
|
All
Other
Compen-
sation
($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)(1)
|
|
(c)(2)
|
|
(d)
|
|
(e)
|
|
(f)(3)
|
|
(g)(4)
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William Goggin
|
|
|
$
|
21,550
|
|
$
|
13,685
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
35,235
|
|
Chairman
|
|
|
|
|
|
Duane Carr
|
|
|
$
|
15,550
|
|
$
|
9,775
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
440
|
|
$
|
25,765
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas Dickinson
|
|
|
$
|
7,800
|
|
$
|
7,080
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
14,880
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Fultz
|
|
|
$
|
19,400
|
|
$
|
9,775
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
392
|
|
$
|
29,567
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeff Gardner
|
|
|
Director and Compensation
|
|
|
$
|
21,100
|
|
$
|
10,706
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
1538
|
|
$
|
33,344
|
|
Committee Chair
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward Grant
|
|
|
$
|
25,950
|
|
$
|
11,612
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
226
|
|
$
|
37,788
|
|
Director and Audit Committee Chair
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Roslund
|
|
|
$
|
19,400
|
|
$
|
9,775
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
29,175
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
Samuel Smith
|
|
|
$
|
18,150
|
|
$
|
9,775
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
267
|
|
$
|
28,192
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas R. Sullivan
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Director
|
|
|
(1)
|
Compensation
includes earnings for both the corporate board and bank board fees, as well as
any committees the director serves on.
|
(2)
|
Represents
shares provided as retainers for both corporate and bank board services, which
are unrestricted shares of common stock valued at the market price on the grant
date.
|
(3)
|
The
Firstbank Corporation deferred compensation plan does not guarantee any income
stream at retirement/termination. Each participant recommends the investment of
their account balances in a similar line up of funds as the companys
401(k) plan. There are no above market earnings as each participant bears the
investment risk and return of the various securities they have recommended.
|
(4)
|
Other
income includes: mileage reimbursements for corporate meeting travel.
|
17
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
The
Exchange Act requires the Corporations directors, officers and persons who own more
than 10% of the Corporations common stock to file reports of ownership and changes
in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). SEC
regulations require such reporting persons to furnish the Corporation with copies of all
such reports they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by
it, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no filings were
required for those persons, the Corporation believes that from January 1, 2007 through
December 31, 2007, its directors, officers and greater than 10% shareholders complied with
all applicable filing requirements.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Directors
and officers of the Corporation and their associates were customers of, and had
transactions with, the Corporations subsidiary banks in the ordinary course of
business between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007. All loans and commitments included
in such transactions were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates
and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other
persons and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other
unfavorable features. All loans to directors, officers and their associates were current
as of December 31, 2007.
The
Corporation and its subsidiary banks are subject to Federal Reserve Board Regulation O
which governs extensions of credit by the Corporations banks to any executive
officer, director or principal shareholder of the Corporation or its banks. We have
established processes for reviewing and approving related party transactions. Related
party transactions are approved by the Board of Directors of the appropriate entity and
the related person does not participate in the deliberations or vote respecting approval
or ratification of the related party transaction. We disclose related party transactions
in our proxy statement to the extent required by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
RELATIONSHIP WITH
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The
financial statements of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2007, have been
examined by Plante & Moran, PLLC, certified public accountants, as independent
auditors of the Corporation for the 2007 fiscal year. A representative of Plante &
Moran, PLLC will be at the annual meeting of shareholders and will have an opportunity to
make a statement and be available to answer appropriate questions. Plante & Moran,
PLLC, became the Corporations auditors in 2007. Prior to 2007, Crowe Chizek and
Company, LLC had been the Corporations auditors for many years.
Audit
Fees
The
following table shows the fees for professional services of Plante & Moran, PLLC,
Crowe Chizek and Company, LLC, and Rehmann Robson, PC, for audit and other services they
provided to Firstbank for 2007 and 2006:
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Fees (1)
|
|
|
$
|
221,300
|
|
$
|
247,000
|
|
Audit-Related Fees (2)
|
|
|
|
17,640
|
|
|
4,750
|
|
Tax Fees (3)
|
|
|
|
54,100
|
|
|
33,625
|
|
All Other Fees (4)
|
|
|
|
34,050
|
|
|
106,247
|
|
(1)
|
Includes
the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Plante
& Moran, LLC in 2007 and Crowe Chizek in 2006 for the audit of
Firstbanks annual financial statements, and review of financial statements included
in Firstbanks quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Included in 2007 and
2006 audit fees, are aggregate fees billed for the audit of the Corporations
Sarbanes/Oxley section 404 compliance for internal controls.
|
(2)
|
Principally
audits of employee benefit plan and review of purchase price allocation
for the ICNB merger in 2007.
|
(3)
|
Principally
tax compliance services (including U.S. federal and state tax returns),
review of quarterly tax computations and consultations regarding various
tax strategies.
|
18
(4)
|
All
Other Fees are charges associated with review of SEC documents and
computations related to consultation regarding Firstbanks
establishment of FBMI Risk Management Services, Inc. (2006 only), the
audit of FBMI Risk Management Services, Inc. (2007 only), and acquisition
document review (2007 only).
|
The
Audit Committees policy is to pre-approve all audit services and non-audit services
that are to be performed for Firstbank by its independent auditors. Under the Audit
Committees policy, authority to pre-approve permitted services has been delegated to
the Audit Committee chairman who can act alone for circumstances when pre-approval is not
obtained from the full Audit Committee. Any pre-approval by the delegated authority is
required to be reported to the Audit Committee at its next meeting. For 2007, all of the
services described in the table above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Shareholder
proposals intended to be presented at the 2009 annual meeting must be received by the
Corporation for inclusion in its proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that
meeting by November 16, 2008. Shareholder proposals should be made in accordance with Rule
14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and should be
addressed to Samuel G. Stone, Secretary, Firstbank Corporation, 311 Woodworth Avenue,
Alma, Michigan 48801. Proxies to be solicited by the Corporation to vote at the annual
meeting of shareholders to be held in 2009 may confer discretionary authority on the
persons named as proxies to vote on any matter if the Corporation does not have notice of
the matter by February 1, 2009.
19
Exhibit A
CHARTER OF THE AUDIT
COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
The
primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board by overseeing (1) the
quality and integrity of the Companys accounting, auditing and reporting practices,
(2) the performance of the Companys internal audit function and independent auditor,
and (3) the Companys disclosure controls and system of internal controls regarding
finance, accounting, legal compliance, and ethics that management and the Board of
Directors have established.
The
Audit Committee shall provide an open avenue of communication among the independent
auditors, financial and senior management, the internal auditor and the Board of
Directors.
|
A.
|
IndependenceThe
Audit Committee shall be comprised of three or more members, each of whom (1)
must qualify as an independent director under the listing requirements of
NASDAQ and Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) shall not have
participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Company or
any subsidiary during the prior three year period, and (3) shall be free from
any relationship to the Company that, in the opinion of the Board, would
interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment as a member of
the Committee. All members of the Committee shall have a working familiarity
with basic financial and accounting practices, and at least one member of the
Committee shall be a financial expert in compliance with the
criteria established by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
|
B.
|
AppointmentThe
members shall be nominated by the Executive Committee and appointed annually to
one-year terms by the Board. The Executive Committee shall recommend, and the
Board shall designate, one member of the Audit Committee as Chair.
|
|
C.
|
Limitations.
A member of the Audit Committee shall not simultaneously serve on the audit
committee of more than two other public companies.
|
Meetings
of the Audit Committee shall be subject to the Committee procedure rules set forth in the
Companys Bylaws and its own rules of procedure, which shall be consistent with those
Bylaws and the following:
|
A.
|
The
Audit Committee shall meet at least four (4) times annually and more frequently
as circumstances require. Periodically and at least annually, a regularly
scheduled meeting of the Committee shall conclude with an executive session of
the Committee, absent members of management and on such terms and conditions as
the Committee may elect. In addition, the Committee may meet periodically with
management; the internal Audit Liaison and the independent auditors in separate
executive sessions to discuss any matters that the Audit Committee or the
internal Audit Liaison or independent auditors believe should be discussed
privately.
|
|
B.
|
Following
each of its meetings, the Audit Committee shall deliver a report on the meeting
to the Board, including a description of all significant actions taken by the
Audit Committee.
|
|
C.
|
The
Audit Committee shall keep written minutes of its meetings, which minutes shall
be maintained with the books and records of the Company.
|
IV.
|
Responsibilities,
Duties and Authority
|
The
Audit Committee shall have the following responsibilities, duties and authority:
|
A.
|
Document
and Report Review
|
20
|
1.
|
Review
and update this Charter periodically or as conditions dictate (at least,
annually).
|
|
2.
|
Review
the Companys annual financial statements and any reports issued by
the independent auditors.
|
|
3.
|
Review
the summary report of the internal audit firm and managements
response to such reports.
|
|
4.
|
Recommend
to the Board whether the financial statements should be included in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
|
|
5.
|
Review
with financial management and, to the extent deemed appropriate by the
Audit Committee or the independent auditors, with the independent
auditors, the quarterly report on Form 10-Q prior to its filing.
|
|
1.
|
Appoint,
approve the compensation of, and provide oversight of the Companys
independent auditor, including the removal of the Companys
independent auditors. The independent auditors shall report directly to
the Committee, and the Committee shall oversee the resolution of any
disagreements between management and the independent auditors.
|
|
2.
|
Administer
the Companys Policy Regarding the Approval of Audit and Nonaudit
Services Provided by the Independent Auditor.
|
|
3.
|
Review
the independent auditors attestation and report on managements
internal control report, and hold timely discussions with the independent
auditors regarding:
|
|
(a)
|
All
critical accounting policies and practices;
|
|
(b)
|
All
alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted
accounting principles that have been discussed with management, ramifications
of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment
preferred by the independent auditor;
|
|
(c)
|
Other
material written communications between the independent auditor and management
including, but not limited to, management letter and schedule of unadjusted
differences;
|
|
(d)
|
An
analysis of the auditors judgment as to the quality of the Companys
accounting principles, setting forth significant reporting issues and judgments
made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements; and
|
|
(e)
|
All
significant relationships the auditors have with the Company to determine the
auditors objectivity and independence, undertaking or recommending
appropriate action to ensure and continue that independence.
|
|
4.
|
At
least annually, obtain and review a report by the independent auditor
describing:
|
|
(a)
|
The
firm's internal quality control procedures;
|
|
(b)
|
Any
material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, peer
review or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional
authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more
independent audits carried out by the firm, and any steps taken to deal with
any such issues;
|
|
(c)
|
All
relationships between the independent auditor and the Company; and
|
|
(d)
|
All
significant relationships the auditors have with the Company to determine the auditors objectivity and independence, undertaking or recommending appropriate
action to ensure and continue that independence.
|
|
C.
|
Financial
Reporting Processes
|
|
1.
|
Review
the integrity of the Companys financial reporting process, both
internal and external, giving consideration to consultation with
management, the independent auditors and the internal auditor.
|
21
|
2.
|
Consider
and approve, as appropriate, major changes to the Companys auditing
and accounting principles and practices as suggested by the independent
auditors, management or the internal auditor.
|
|
3.
|
Establish
and maintain procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of
complaints regarding accounting, or auditing matters, including procedures
necessary to receive and respond to confidential and anonymous submissions
by Company employees regarding questionable accounting or auditing
matters.
|
|
1.
|
Review
and approve the appointment, replacement, reassignment, or dismissal of
the firm performing the internal audit duties and periodically and at
least annual review the performance of this firm.
|
|
2.
|
At
least annually review and approve the internal audit plan, and periodically
ensure adequate resources are available to execute the plan.
|
|
3.
|
Review
the results of completed internal audits with the firm performing the
internal audit duties and monitor corrective actions taken by management,
as deemed appropriate.
|
|
4.
|
Review
with the independent auditor its assessment of internal audit function
practices and objectivity.
|
|
E.
|
Ethical
and Legal Compliance
|
|
1.
|
Review
the Companys Code of Business Conduct, approved by the Board of
Directors, to ensure that management has maintained a system to comply
with expected ethical and legal requirements.
|
|
2.
|
Review,
with the Companys counsel, legal compliance matters including
corporate securities trading policies.
|
|
3.
|
Review,
with the Companys counsel, any legal matter that could have a
significant impact on the Companys financial statements.
|
|
4.
|
Discuss
the Companys major financial and accounting risk exposures and steps
taken by management to control or mitigate those exposures.
|
|
1.
|
Review
with the independent auditors, the internal auditing department and
management the extent to which changes or improvement in financial or
accounting practices, as approved by the Audit Committee, have been
implemented.
|
|
2.
|
Prepare
the report that the SEC requires to be included in the Companys
annual Proxy Statement.
|
|
3.
|
Perform
an annual self-assessment relative to the Audit Committees purpose,
duties and responsibilities set forth in this Charter.
|
|
4.
|
To
the extent it deems appropriate, and with or without full Board approval,
obtain advice and assistance from outside legal, accounting or other
advisors as deemed appropriate to perform its duties and responsibilities.
|
|
5.
|
Perform
any other activities consistent with this Charter, the Companys
Bylaws and governing law, as the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors
deems necessary or appropriate.
|
V.
|
Limitation
of Audit Committees Role
|
While
the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is
not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the
Companys financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. This is the responsibility of management and the
independent auditor.
22
REVOCABLE PROXY
FIRST BANK CORPORATION
[X] PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTES AS
IN THIS EXAMPLE
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
For Annual Meeting of
Shareholders
On April 28, 2008
The undersigned, a shareholder of
FIRSTBANK CORPORATION, hereby appoints THOMAS R. SULLIVAN and SAMUEL G. STONE as proxies,
each with full power to act without the other and to appoint his substitute and hereby
authorizes them to represent and vote as designated hereon, all shares of Firstbank
Corporation that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
of Firstbank Corporation to be held April 28, 2008 and at any adjournment thereof.
Please be sure to sign and date this
Proxy in the box below. Date _____________, 2008
__________________________________________________________________________________
Shareholder sign above Co-holder (if any) sign above
1.
|
IN THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(except as marked to the contrary below):
|
For
[ ]
|
Withhold
[ ]
|
For All Except
[ ]
|
Thomas D. Dickinson
Edward B. Grant
Samuel A. Smith
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to
vote for any individual nominee, mark For All Except and write that
nominees name in the space provided below.
_________________________________
2.
|
Upon all matters which may properly
come before the meeting, including
matters incident to the conduct of the
meeting or any adjournments thereof.
|
For
[ ]
|
Against
[ ]
|
Abstain
[ ]
|
THIS PROXY WHEN
PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN A MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE BELOW SIGNED
SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL
NOMINEES LISTED IN ITEM 1, AND IN THE PROXIES DISCRETION ON OTHER MATTERS WHICH
PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
Please sign exactly as
your name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign.
When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please
give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by
president or other authorized officer. If a partnership or limited liability company,
please sign in partnership or company name by authorized person.
Detach above card, sign, date and
mail in postage paid envelope provided.
FIRSTBANK CORPORATION
PLEASE MARK/SIGN, DATE
AND RETURN THIS PROXY
PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
IF YOUR ADDRESS HAS CHANGED, PLEASE
CORRECT THE ADDRESS IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW AND RETURN THIS PORTION WITH THE PROXY IN
THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
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