def14a
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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o Preliminary
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þ Definitive
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o Definitive
Additional Materials
o Soliciting
Material Pursuant to
§240.14a-12
Northfield Bancorp, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
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Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11.
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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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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statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing.
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(1)
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Amount Previously Paid:
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
April 11, 2011
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
We cordially invite you to attend the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Northfield
Bancorp, Inc., the parent company of Northfield Bank. The Annual Meeting will be held at the
Hilton Garden Inn, located at 1100 South Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10314, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, on May 25, 2011.
The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement describe the formal business
expected to be transacted. During the Annual Meeting we also will report on the consolidated
operations of Northfield Bancorp, Inc.
The business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting consists of the election of three
directors, the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent registered public
accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2011, the consideration of an advisory,
non-binding resolution with respect to the executive compensation described in the Proxy Statement
and the consideration of an advisory, non-binding proposal with respect to the frequency that
stockholders will vote on our executive compensation.
The Board of Directors has determined that the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting
are in the best interest of Northfield Bancorp, Inc., and its stockholders, and the Board of
Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR each matter to be considered and that stockholders
mark the 3 YEAR box with respect to the advisory proposal on the frequency of the stockholders
vote on executive compensation.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. You may vote your shares using the internet or the telephone by
following the instructions set forth in this proxy statement. You may also vote by signing,
dating, and returning a Proxy Card or voting instruction form, if you requested and received a
paper copy of this proxy statement, in the postage-paid envelope provided. Voting in advance of
the Annual Meeting will not prevent you from voting in person, but will assure that your vote is
counted if you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting.
Also provided for your review is our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2010, which contains detailed information concerning our activities and operating performance.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank you for your continued support.
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Sincerely,
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John W. Alexander |
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Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer |
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NORTHFIELD BANCORP, INC.
1410 St. Georges Avenue
Avenel, New Jersey 07001
(732) 499-7200
NOTICE OF
2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On May 25, 2011
Notice is hereby given that the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Northfield Bancorp,
Inc. will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 1100 South Avenue, Staten Island, New York
10314, at 10:00 a.m., local time, on May 25, 2011.
The Meeting is for the purpose of considering and acting upon:
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The election of three directors; |
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II. |
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The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2011; |
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III. |
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An advisory, non-binding resolution to approve the executive compensation
described in the Proxy Statement; |
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IV. |
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An advisory, non-binding proposal with respect to the frequency that
stockholders will vote on our executive compensation, and |
such other matters as may properly come before the meeting, or any adjournments thereof. The Board
of Directors is not aware of any other business to come before the meeting.
Any action may be taken on the foregoing proposals at the Meeting on the date specified above,
or on any date or dates to which the Meeting may be adjourned. Stockholders of record at the close
of business on April 1, 2011, are the stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting, and any
adjournments thereof.
All stockholders of record entitled to vote at the annual meeting should receive a Notice of
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the Notice of Internet Availability). The Notice of
Internet Availability will instruct you as to how you may access and review all of the important
information contained in the proxy materials. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability by
mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the
instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice of Internet Availability.
Your Vote is Important
Please vote as promptly as possible by using the Internet or telephone or by signing,
dating, and returning the Proxy Card, in the postage-paid envelope, mailed to those who requested
and received paper copies of this proxy statement.
ANY PROXY THAT YOU GIVE MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS EXERCISED. YOU MAY REVOKE A
PROXY BY FILING, WITH THE CORPORATE SECRETARY OF NORTHFIELD BANCORP, INC., A WRITTEN REVOCATION, OR
A DULY EXECUTED PROXY BEARING A LATER DATE. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY
AND VOTE PERSONALLY ON EACH MATTER BROUGHT BEFORE THE MEETING. HOWEVER, IF YOUR SHARES ARE NOT
REGISTERED IN YOUR NAME, YOU WILL NEED ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION FROM THE RECORD HOLDER TO VOTE
PERSONALLY AT THE MEETING.
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By Order of the Board of Directors
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Avenel, New Jersey |
Madeline G. Frank |
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April 11, 2011 |
Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary |
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Proxy Statement
NORTHFIELD BANCORP, INC.
1410 St. Georges Avenue
Avenel, New Jersey 07001
(732) 499-7200
2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
May 25, 2011
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of
the Board of Directors of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. to be used at the 2011 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. (the Company), which will be held at the Hilton Garden
Inn, located at 1100 South Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10314, at 10:00 a.m., local time, on May
25, 2011, and all adjournments of the Annual Meeting. The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and this Proxy Statement are first being made available to stockholders on or about
April 14, 2011.
REVOCATION OF PROXIES
Stockholders who execute proxies in the form solicited hereby retain the right to revoke them
in the manner described below. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by such proxies will be
voted at the Annual Meeting and all adjournments thereof. Proxies solicited on behalf of our Board
of Directors will be voted in accordance with the directions given thereon. You may vote by using
the Internet or telephone or by signing, dating, and returning your Proxy Card mailed to those who
requested and received paper copies of this Proxy Statement to Northfield Bancorp, Inc. Proxies we receive that
are signed, but contain no instructions for voting, will be voted FOR Proposals I, II and III,
and for the 3 years option on Proposal IV, as set forth in this Proxy Statement for consideration
at the Annual Meeting.
Proxies may be revoked by sending written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary of
Northfield Bancorp, Inc., Madeline G. Frank, at the address shown above, or by returning a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date by mail as described on your Proxy Card. The presence at the
annual meeting of any stockholder who had given a proxy shall not revoke such proxy unless the
stockholder delivers his or her ballot in person at the annual meeting or delivers a written
revocation to the Corporate Secretary prior to the voting of such proxy.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
Holders of record of our shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, as of the close of
business on April 1, 2011, are entitled to one vote for each share then held. As of April 1, 2011,
there were 42,910,694 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The presence in person or by
proxy of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote is necessary to
constitute a quorum at the annual meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for
purposes of determining that a quorum is present. A list of such stockholders will be available
for inspection at 1410 St. Georges Avenue, Avenel, New Jersey 07001 for 10 days prior to the annual
meeting. The list will also be available at the annual meeting.
As to the election of directors, a stockholder may vote FOR ALL NOMINEES proposed by the
Board, to WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES or to vote FOR ALL EXCEPT one or more of the nominees
being proposed. Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, without regard to either
broker non-votes, or proxies as to which the authority to vote for the nominees being proposed is
withheld.
As to the ratification of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, a
stockholder may: (i) vote FOR the ratification; (ii) vote AGAINST the ratification; or (iii)
ABSTAIN from voting on such ratification. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
represented at the annual meeting and entitled to vote is required for the ratification of KPMG LLP
as the independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2011. Shares
as to which the ABSTAIN box has been selected will be counted as shares
represented and entitled to vote and will have the same effect as a vote against the matter.
Broker non-votes are not considered represented at the annual meeting and are not entitled to vote
on the matter.
As to the advisory, non-binding resolution to approve our executive compensation as described
in this Proxy Statement, a stockholder may: (i) vote FOR the resolution; (ii) vote AGAINST the
resolution; or (iii) ABSTAIN from voting on the resolution. The affirmative vote of a majority
of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting, without regard to either broker non-votes, or shares as to
which the ABSTAIN box has been selected on the proxy card, is required for the approval of this
non-binding resolution. While this vote is required by law, it will neither be binding on
Northfield Bancorp, Inc. or the Board of Directors, nor will it create or imply any change in the
fiduciary duties of, or impose any additional fiduciary duty on Northfield Bancorp, Inc. or the
Board of Directors.
As to the advisory, non-binding proposal with respect to the frequency that stockholders will
vote on our executive compensation, a stockholder may select that stockholders: (i) consider the
proposal every 1 YEAR; (ii) consider the proposal every 2 YEARS; (iii) consider the proposal
every 3 YEARS; or (iv) ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal. Generally, approval of any matter
presented to stockholders requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast. However,
because this vote is advisory and non-binding, if none of the frequency options receive a majority
of the votes cast, the option receiving the greatest number of votes will be considered the
frequency recommended by Northfield Bancorp Inc.s stockholders. Even though this vote will
neither be binding on Northfield Bancorp, Inc. or the Board of Directors, nor will it create or
imply any change in the fiduciary duties of, or impose any additional fiduciary duty on Northfield
Bancorp, Inc. or the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors will take into account the outcome
of this vote in making a determination on the frequency that advisory votes on executive
compensation will be included in our proxy statements.
Our management anticipates that Northfield Bancorp, MHC, our majority stockholder, will vote
all of its shares in favor of the Board of Directors recommendations for all the matters set forth
above. If Northfield Bancorp, MHC votes all of its shares in favor of each proposal, the approval
of each proposal would be assured.
Persons and groups who beneficially own in excess of five percent of our shares of common
stock are required to file certain reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding
such ownership pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). The following
table sets forth, as of April 1, 2011, the shares of our common stock beneficially owned by each
person known to us who was the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the outstanding shares
of our common stock.
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Amount of Shares |
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Owned and Nature |
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Percent of Shares |
Name and Address of |
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of Beneficial |
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of Common Stock |
Beneficial Owners |
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Ownership(1) |
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Outstanding |
Northfield Bancorp, MHC
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24,641,684 |
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57.43 |
% |
1731 Victory Boulevard
Staten Island, New York 10314 |
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Northfield Bancorp, MHC,
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26,349,263 |
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60.55 |
% |
and all directors and executive
officers of Northfield Bancorp, Inc.
and Northfield Bank as a group
(13 directors and executive officers)(2) |
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Wellington Management Company, LLP
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2,149,671 |
(3) |
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5.01 |
% |
280 Congress Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210 |
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In accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, a person is deemed
to be the beneficial owner for purposes of this table, of any shares of common stock if he has
shared voting or investment power with respect to such security, or has a right to acquire
beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days from the date as of which beneficial ownership
is being determined. As used herein, voting power is the power to vote or direct the voting
of shares and investment power is the power to dispose or direct the disposition of shares,
and includes all shares held directly as well as by spouses and minor children, in trust and
other indirect ownership, over which shares the named individuals effectively exercise sole or
shared voting or investment power. |
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Includes shares of common stock held by Northfield Bancorp, MHC, of which our directors are
also trustees. Excluding shares of common stock held by Northfield Bancorp, MHC, directors
and executive officers beneficially owned 1,707,579 shares of common stock, or 3.92% of the
outstanding shares. To calculate ownership percentages, outstanding shares at April 1, 2011
have been increased by 609,100 shares
representing options held by all directors and executive officers of Northfield Bancorp, Inc.
that may be acquired within 60 days by exercising such options. |
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Ownership information is based on a Schedule 13G filed by Wellington Management Company, LLP
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2011, with information as of
December 31, 2010. |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Board of Directors, Leadership Structure, Role in Risk Oversight, Meetings and Standing Committees
Board of Directors. There are currently nine members of the Board of Directors:
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John W. Alexander
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John J. DePierro |
John R. Bowen
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Susan Lamberti |
Annette Catino
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Albert J. Regen |
Gil Chapman
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Patrick E. Scura, Jr. |
John P. Connors, Jr. |
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The Board of Directors affirmatively determines the independence of each director in
accordance with NASDAQ Stock Market rules, which include all elements of independence as set forth
in the listing requirements for NASDAQ securities. The Board of Directors has determined that each
of the above Directors, other than John W. Alexander, is independent of Northfield Bancorp, Inc.
Although a majority of our directors are currently independent, we are a Controlled Company
because Northfield Bancorp, MHC owns a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock and
therefore under the NASDAQs Controlled Company exemption, we are not required to meet the
independence requirements with respect to having a majority of independent directors on our Board
of Directors.
Leadership Structure. The Board of Directors does not have a policy regarding the separation
of the offices of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee and the Board of Directors periodically review the functioning of the Board, including an
assessment of its effectiveness, and the ability of directors to have introduced for Board
discussion, topics of interest or concern. The Board of Directors believes that it should maintain
the flexibility to select the Chairman, and its Board leadership structure, based upon its
operating needs and its assessment of what is in the best interest of the Company and its
stockholders. At this time, the offices of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive
Officer are combined, with Mr. Alexander serving as both. The Board of Directors believes that
combining the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions is an effective corporate governance
structure for the Company at this time. Mr. Alexanders combined roles effectively utilize his
extensive experience and knowledge regarding the Company and the financial services industry,
allowing him to lead Board discussions regarding the Companys business, its strategy, and its
risks, as well as providing unified leadership for the Company.
The Board of Directors also recognizes the importance of strong independent leadership on the
Board. Accordingly, in addition to the Board maintaining a majority of independent directors and
independent Nominating and Corporate Governance, Compensation, and Audit committees, the Board also
has designated the position of Lead Independent Director. The Board of Directors believes that the
Lead Independent Director structure provides the same independent leadership, oversight, and
benefits for the Company and the Board, which would be provided by an independent Chairman. Our
Corporate Governance Principles provide that a majority of the independent directors will appoint
the Lead Independent Director. Currently, Mr. John J. DePierro serves as the Boards Lead
Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director also serves as Chairman of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee. The independent directors also approved a Lead Independent
Director Charter delineating the role and responsibilities of the Lead Independent Director, which
include the following:
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promote open and effective communications among the non-management members of the
Board of Directors and between non-management Directors and the management of the
Company, including in particular the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The role of
the Lead Director is also to facilitate and promote the Boards strength and
independence; |
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convene and chair executive sessions of the non-management and independent directors
at least twice annually and other meetings as may be necessary from time to time and,
as appropriate, provide prompt feedback to the Chief Executive Officer; |
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coordinate and develop the agenda for and chair executive sessions of the
non-management, and independent directors; |
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coordinate feedback to the Chief Executive Officer on behalf of non-management and
independent directors regarding business issues and management; |
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coordinate and develop with the Chairman of the Board the agendas for meetings of
the Board and informational needs associated with those agendas and presentations; |
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discuss the results of the Chief Executive Officers performance evaluation with the
Chairman of the Compensation Committee; |
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convey to the Chief Executive Officer, together with the Chairman of the
Compensation Committee, the results of the Chief Executive Officers performance
evaluation; |
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identify and develop with the Chairman of the Board and the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, the Boards compositional needs and criteria for director
candidates; and |
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coordinate with legal counsel, responses to questions and/or concerns from
stockholders or other interested parties that were communicated or addressed to the
Companys non-management directors; |
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perform such other duties as may be necessary for the Board to fulfill its
responsibilities or as may be requested by the Board as a whole, by the non-management
Directors, or by the Chairman of the Board. |
Role in Risk Oversight. The Board of Directors fulfills its risk oversight role primarily
through its Risk Committee, and its five other standing committees. The Risk Committee has
responsibility for enterprise-wide risk management and determining that significant risks of the
Company are monitored by the Board of Directors or one of its standing committees. In addition,
the Risk Committee reviews new products and services proposed to be implemented by management to
determine that appropriate risk identification has occurred; controls are considered to mitigate
identified risks to an acceptable level, and significant risks are monitored by one of the Boards
standing committees.
Each Board committee and its chair work closely with management in overseeing its assigned
risks and each committee receives reports and information regarding risk issues directly from
management and, in some cases, the Risk Committee. Each of the Boards committees is responsible
for oversight of specific risks as outlined in each of its charters. In addition, director
committee assignments are made with the intention of having directors serve on multiple committees
to foster communications and synergies between committees, while reducing redundancies and
inefficiencies.
The Board periodically receives reports and information about the Companys enterprise-wide
risk management program directly from management. The chair of each committee makes periodic
reports to the Board of Directors regarding significant activities and actions of their committee,
including activities related to risk monitoring and oversight. The reports are discussed and
accepted by the Board of Directors, with specific approvals provided for certain actions of the
committees.
Related to compensation programs of our employees, the Compensation Committee, in consultation
with its third-party independent consultant, and with the assistance of the Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer, performed a risk assessment of the Companys compensation program
(including cash incentive compensation) for all employee levels within the Company. The objective
of the review was to determine if the compensation programs, at all employee levels, encouraged
behaviors that exposed the Company to unacceptable levels of risk in relation to its business
model. The review evaluated the balance of compensation elements between cash and equity, fixed
versus variable compensation, and long-term versus short-term compensation. The review considered
the level of potential cash incentive compensation as compared to base salary, the focus of
individual goals, weighting, and balance of such goals, as well as, internal controls in place to
mitigate possible high risk behaviors.
Based upon its risk assessment, the Compensation Committee concluded that the compensation
programs (including cash incentive compensation) for all employee levels were based on balanced
performance metrics that were reasonable in relation to base salary, and promoted disciplined
progress towards longer-term strategic goals.
The Compensation Committee also concluded that the compensation programs did not motivate improper
risk taking, and are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The
Company will continue to conduct risk assessments and will be reviewing our process in light of new
and emerging regulations.
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Meetings. The business of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. is conducted at regular and special
meetings of the Board and its standing committees. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the
Board of Directors met 14 times, consisting of 11 regular monthly meetings, one annual
reorganization meeting, and two special meetings related to the proposed second-step stock
offering. In addition, the Board of Directors and its committees will meet for training purposes
and occasionally hold conference calls to finalize or update topics discussed at its regular
meetings. Independent directors meet in executive sessions, no less than twice a year.
No member of the Board or any committee thereof attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of:
(i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors (held during the period for which she or
he has been a director); and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board
on which she or he served (during the periods that she or he served).
Standing Committees. The Company has six standing committees of the Board consisting of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance, Audit, Compensation, Risk, Loan, and Compliance Committees.
The duties and responsibilities of the Boards standing committees are as follows:
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Directors DePierro, who serves
as Chairman, Catino, and Lamberti. Each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee is considered independent as set forth in the listing requirements for NASDAQ
securities. Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, which is available at our website at www.eNorthfield.com. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee met four times during the year ended December 31, 2010.
The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to assist the Board of
Directors in implementing policies and practices related to corporate governance, including:
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reviewing and monitoring our compliance with our Corporate Governance Principles,
Code of Conduct and Ethics for Employees, Officers and Directors, and Code of Conduct
and Ethics for Senior Financial Officers; |
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periodically evaluating the size, composition, and independence of the Board of
Directors (and its committees); |
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evaluating individuals to be considered for Board service; |
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recommending director nominees to the Board for the next annual meeting of
stockholders; |
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overseeing the process to assess Board and committee effectiveness; |
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making recommendations to the Board with respect to committee assignments; and |
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in consultation with the Compensation Committee, reviewing and recommending director
compensation. |
The Audit Committee consists of Directors Scura, who serves as Chairman, Catino, Chapman, and
Lamberti. Each member of the Audit Committee is independent as set forth in the listing
requirements for NASDAQ securities and under Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. The Board of Directors has determined that Directors Scura, Catino, and Chapman each
qualify as audit committee financial experts as that term is used in the rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Information with respect to the experience of Directors
Scura, Catino and Chapman is included in Corporate Governance and Board Matters Director and
Director Nominee Evaluation Process. Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the
Audit Committee, which is available at our website at www.eNorthfield.com. The Audit Committee met
nine times during the year ended December 31, 2010.
The duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee include:
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monitoring and overseeing the integrity of our accounting and financial reporting
process, audits, financial statements and systems of internal controls; |
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monitoring and overseeing the independence and performance of our external auditors,
internal auditors, and outsourced internal audit consultants; |
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facilitating communication among the external auditors, management, internal
auditors, and the outsourced internal audit consultants; and |
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maintaining oversight of the external auditors, including the appointment,
compensation, retention and, when considered necessary, the dismissal of the external
auditors. |
The Compensation Committee consists of Directors Catino, who serves as Chairman, Chapman,
DePierro, and Scura. Each member of the Compensation Committee is independent as set forth in
the listing requirements for NASDAQ securities. Our Board of Directors has adopted a written
charter for the Compensation Committee, which is available at our website at www.eNorthfield.com.
The Compensation Committee met six times during the year ended December 31, 2010.
The duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include:
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reviewing, evaluating and recommending objectives relevant to the Chief Executive
Officers compensation; evaluating the Chief Executive Officers performance relative
to established goals; and reviewing, evaluating and recommending to the Board the Chief
Executive Officers compensation; |
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reviewing, evaluating and recommending, in consultation with the Chief Executive
Officer, goals relevant to the compensation of our other executive management; and
reviewing such officers performance in light of these goals and recommending to the
Board such officers compensation based on this evaluation; |
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establishing and administering our equity based plans, and incentive cash
compensation program for executive management; |
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reviewing, evaluating and recommending, in consultation with the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee, the compensation to be paid to our directors and to
directors of our affiliates for their service on the Board; |
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reviewing, evaluating and recommending the terms of employment and severance
agreements and arrangements for executive management, including any change of control
and indemnification provisions, as well as other compensatory arrangements and
perquisite programs for executive management; and |
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reviewing and approving changes in our qualified benefit plans that result in a
material change in costs or the benefit levels provided and changes in a plan trustee,
administrator, or service provider. |
The Risk Committee is responsible for monitoring the Companys enterprise-wide risk management
program as well as reviewing and monitoring interest rate and liquidity risks, strategic planning
and capital deployment, annual budgeting, and asset quality (excluding loans). The Risk Committee
met six times during the year ended December 31, 2010.
The Loan Committees responsibilities include annually reviewing and recommending for approval
all of the Companys policies related to lending; approving or rejecting loans meeting certain
dollar criteria as described in loan policies; and monitoring loan quality, including
concentrations. The Loan Committee met 13 times during the year ended December 31, 2010.
The Compliance Committees responsibilities include overseeing the Companys compliance
program, assessing the adequacy of compliance controls and internal compliance monitoring,
assessing the effectiveness of management policies, procedures, and practices relating to
compliance, and advising the Board of Directors as to the status of our compliance program and
ongoing developments relating to compliance matters. The Compliance Committee also provides
oversight related to our information technology strategy and risks. The Compliance Committee met
six times during the year ended December 31, 2010.
6
Director and Director Nominee Evaluation Process
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates our current business and strategic
plan to determine both the number of directors, and qualifications necessary to properly execute
upon the Boards oversight role. The Committee considers, among other things, the annual self
assessment performance results of the Board and its committees, the contributions of each Board
member, published board composition survey data and relevant information pieces. The Committee
also consults with its outside corporate and securities counsel, who is expert in corporate
governance as part of this process.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee generally seeks to identify individuals who,
at a minimum, satisfy the following criteria:
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the highest personal and professional ethics and integrity and whose values are
compatible with our values; |
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experience and achievements that have given them the ability to exercise and develop
good business judgment; |
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a willingness to devote the necessary time to the work of the Board and its
committees, which includes being available for Board and committee meetings; |
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a commitment to the communities in which we operate and/or is actively engaged in
community activities; |
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involvement in other activities or interests that do not create a conflict with
their responsibilities to the Company and its stockholders; and |
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the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interests of our
stockholders as a group, and not primarily a special interest group or constituency. |
Specific characteristics that are highly valued by the Committee include relevant and timely
experience (both professional and life experiences), commitment to ongoing training and personal
development, and ability to promote the interests of the Company, which includes involvement in
local business, community, and industry groups. The Committee recognizes that each director, and
director nominee, is unique and that desired characteristics will be demonstrated at different
levels by each individual. The Committee also considers the ability
of individuals to work as part of a team to support the strategic initiatives of the Company
and whether a candidate satisfies the criteria for independence under the NASDAQ corporate
governance listing standards.
The Committee does not have a formal policy or specific guidelines regarding diversity among
Board members, and generally views and values diversity from the perspective of professional and
life experiences, as well as geographic location, representative of the markets in which we do
business. The Committee recognizes that diversity in professional and life experiences may include
consideration of gender, race, or national origin, in identifying individuals who possess the
qualifications that the Committee believes are important to be represented on the Board.
The Committee identifies nominees by first evaluating the current members of the Board of
Directors willing to continue in service. Current members of the Board possessing skills and
experience that are relevant to the current business and strategic direction of the Company, and
who are willing to continue in service are first considered for re-nomination. The Committee
evaluates the value of proven performance and continuity of service by existing members of the
Board compared to that of obtaining a new perspective. In addition, the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee is authorized by its charter to engage a third party to assist in identifying
director nominees, if it so chooses.
The following details include for each of the director nominees, and directors continuing in
office, their name; age as of December 31, 2010; year in which they first became a director of the
Company; year that their term expires; and their business experience for at least the past five
years. None of the directors listed below currently serves as a director, or served as a director
during the past five years, of a publicly-held entity (other than the Company), with the exception
of Ms. Catino who has served on the board of directors of Middlesex Water Company, which is traded
on the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC under the symbol MSEX. Ms. Catino resigned from the board of
directors of Middlesex Water Company effective October 26, 2010. The following also includes
7
the particular experience, qualifications, attributes, or skills, considered by the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee that led the Board to conclude that such person should serve as
a director of the Company:
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Name, Age, |
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Director Since, |
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Term Expiration |
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Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, Skills |
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DIRECTOR NOMINEES: |
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John W. Alexander, 61,
director since 1997,
term expires 2011
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Business Experience: Mr. Alexander joined
Northfield Bank in 1997, and has served as
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
since 1998 and Chairman of the Board of
Northfield Bancorp, Inc. since 2002. Mr.
Alexander was also named President of Northfield
Bank and Northfield Bancorp, Inc. in October
2006. |
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Reasons why this person should serve as a
director: Mr. Alexander is a former tax partner
with a national accounting and auditing firm,
specializing in bank taxation. Mr. Alexander is
a registered certified public accountant, with
strong analytical and leadership skills. Mr.
Alexander resides in Staten Island, New York, and
is involved in local professional and community
organizations including the Staten Island
University Hospital, the Staten Island Economic
Development Corporation, and the Northfield Bank
Foundation. |
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Annette Catino, 54,
director since 2003,
term expires 2011
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Business Experience: Since 1991 Ms. Catino has
served as President and Chief Executive Officer
of QualCare, Inc., Piscataway, New Jersey, a
privately held company which is a managed care
organization. |
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Reasons why this person should serve as a
director: Ms. Catino has over 25 years of
business experience in the healthcare industry.
Ms. Catino has strong analytical and leadership
skills and has extensive experience with
healthcare, municipal, and state governmental
entities. Ms. Catino also has the requisite
qualifications to be designated as an audit
committee financial expert under the SECs rules
and regulations. Ms. Catino is a resident of New
Jersey and is involved in local professional and
community organizations including the Boards of
Caucus Educational Corporation, the Val Skinner
Foundation, and the Meridian Healthcare
Perspective. She most recently served on
Governor Christies transition committee on
healthcare and was named by New Jersey Business
as one of the top 50 most influential people in
healthcare. In 2009, she received Monmouth
Universitys Distinguished Business Leadership
Award for her civic and business leadership. |
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John P. Connors, Jr., 54,
director since 2002,
term expires 2011
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Business Experience: Mr. Connors is the managing
partner of the law firm of Connors & Connors,
P.C., located in Staten Island, New York. |
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Reasons why this person should serve as a
director: Mr. Connors has over 25 years of
business experience as a practicing lawyer. Mr.
Connors is admitted to practice in the state and
federal courts of the States of New York and New
Jersey and the District of Columbia. Mr. Connors
has strong risk management skills, and in-depth
knowledge of contract and professional liability
law related to key areas of the Companys
operations. Mr. Connors also has knowledge of
and relationships with many of the residents and
businesses located in Staten Island, New York.
Mr. Connors is a resident of Staten Island, and
is involved in local professional and community
organizations including the Richmond County Bar
Association, Notre Dame Academy, The Heart
Institute, and the Northfield Bank Foundation. |
8
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Name, Age, |
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Director Since, |
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Term Expiration |
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Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, Skills |
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DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE: |
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Susan Lamberti, 68,
director since 2001,
term expires 2012
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Business Experience: Ms. Lamberti was an educator
with the New York City public schools until her
retirement in 2001. |
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Reasons why this person should serve as a
director: Ms. Lamberti has over 30 years of
experience in the New York City Public School
system. Ms. Lamberti has strong training and
development skills, and has extensive knowledge
of and relationships with many residents and
businesses located in Staten Island, New York.
Ms. Lamberti is a resident of Staten Island, and
is involved in local professional and community
organizations including the National Association
of Corporate Directors, Sisters of Charity
Housing Development Fund Corporation, Service
Auxiliary of Staten Island University Hospital,
and the Northfield Bank Foundation. |
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Albert J. Regen, 73,
director since 1990,
term expires 2012
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Business Experience: Mr. Regen served as the
President of Northfield Bank from 1990 until his
retirement in September 2006. |
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Reasons why this person should serve as a
director: Mr. Regen has over 30 years of
experience in community banking. Mr. Regen has
extensive knowledge in the treasury area as well
as interest rate risk management. Mr. Regen is
currently a resident of New Jersey and is a
director of Northfield Bank Foundation. Mr.
Regen was formerly a resident of Staten Island,
New York and has extensive knowledge of and
relationships with many of the residents and
businesses located in Staten Island, New York. |
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Patrick E. Scura, Jr., 66,
director since
2006, term expires 2012
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Business Experience: Mr. Scura was an audit
partner with a national accounting and auditing
firm for 27 years, until his retirement in 2005. |
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Reasons why this person should serve as a
director: Mr. Scura is a former audit partner
with a national accounting and auditing firm,
specializing in community banking. Mr. Scura has
over 35 years of experience auditing public
company financial institutions in New Jersey.
Mr. Scura is a licensed certified public
accountant, and has strong risk assessment,
financial reporting, and internal control
expertise. Mr. Scura also has extensive
knowledge of and relationships with community
banks in our market area. Mr. Scura has the
requisite qualifications to be designated as an
audit committee financial expert under the SECs
rules and regulations. Mr. Scura resides in New
Jersey, and is involved in local professional and
community organizations including St. Peters
College, and the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants. |
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John R. Bowen, 70,
Director since 2003,
term expires 2013
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Business Experience: Mr. Bowen has over 35 years
of experience in all aspects of community
banking, and retired as the Chief Executive
Officer of Liberty Bank in 2002. |
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Reasons why this person should serve as a
director: Mr. Bowen has extensive knowledge of
banking regulation and internal control, and has
strong risk assessment and leadership skills.
Mr. Bowen also has extensive experience in loan
origination and monitoring. Mr. Bowen is a
resident of New Jersey and is involved in local
professional and community organizations
including the Gateway Regional Chamber of
Commerce, and as a director of the Northfield
Bank Foundation. |
9
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Name, Age, |
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Director Since, |
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Term Expiration |
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Experience, Qualifications, Attributes, Skills |
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Gil Chapman, 57,
director since 2005,
term expires 2013
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Business Experience: Mr. Chapman has over 25
years of business experience, most recently
owning and operating an automobile dealership in
Staten Island, New York, which was sold in 2008. |
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Reasons why this person should serve as a
director: Mr. Chapman has strong marketing,
sales, and customer service assessment skills.
Mr. Chapman has significant experience in
employee development, training, and business
management. Mr. Chapman also has extensive
experience in actively supervising financial
personnel while operating his automobile business
and has the requisite qualifications to be
designated as an audit committee financial expert
under the SECs rules and regulations. Mr.
Chapman is a resident of New Jersey, and is
involved in local professional and community
organizations including the National Association
of Corporate Directors and, as a former Staten
Island Businessman, the Staten Island Economic
Development Corporation, and the Staten Island
Urban League. |
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John J. DePierro, 70,
director since 1984,
term expires 2013
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Business Experience: Mr. DePierro has over 45
years of business experience in the healthcare
industry. Mr. DePierro is currently a consultant
to the healthcare industry and is a retired Chief
Executive Officer of a major Staten Island health
care system. |
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Reasons why this person should serve as a
director: Mr. DePierro has strong leadership
skills, and extensive knowledge of corporate
governance, as well as knowledge of and
relationships with many of the residents and
businesses located in Staten Island, New York.
Mr. DePierro is a resident of Staten Island, New
York, and is involved in local professional and
community organizations including directorships
at the Seton Foundation for Learning, Mount
Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, and the Northfield
Bank Foundation. |
Director Compensation
Every three years, director compensation is reviewed in detail by the Compensation Committee,
in consultation with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Compensation Committee
considers, among other things, the size and complexity of the Company, as well as the
responsibilities, marketplace availability of necessary skill sets, and the time commitment
necessary for the Board, its committees, and its committee chairs, to adequately discharge their
oversight role and responsibilities. The Compensation Committee utilizes the assistance of a
third-party compensation consultant, Pearl Meyer & Partners (PM&P), and available peer and survey
data, regarding director compensation at other comparable financial institutions, as part of this
process. For interim years between detailed reviews, the Compensation Committee reviews current
market conditions and trends in director compensation in consultation with its third-party
compensation consultant. In 2010, the Compensation Committee performed its triennial detailed
review of director (and executive) compensation for 2011.
In December 2008, the stockholders of the Company approved the Northfield Bancorp, Inc. 2008
Equity Incentive Plan. The objective of equity awards is to further align the interests of our
employees and directors with those of other stockholders and reward sustained performance. In
January 2009 the Compensation Committee granted equity awards to each director, consisting of
27,750 shares of restricted common stock, and 69,300 options to purchase shares of common stock at
a price of $9.94 per share, representing the closing price of the Companys common stock on the
grant date. The equity awards vest in equal installments over a five-year period, commencing one
year from the date of the grant.
Prior to November 2007, the Company was a mutual organization and did not have equity
compensation available to employees or directors. The Compensation Committees objectives in
granting equity awards in January 2009 included further aligning the interests of directors with
those of other stockholders of the Company, consistent with comparable peers that recently
completed initial public offerings, and with organizations that were established stock companies.
The Compensation Committee consulted with PM&P during this process.
10
The following table sets forth the Director and committee fee structure for the Board and its
standing committees (all of which were due and payable in cash) for the year ended December 31,
2010. Directors who are also employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for
service as a director. Attendance fees, and one-fourth of any annual retainer, are paid on a
quarterly basis, in arrears, unless a director elects to have such fees or a portion thereof,
deferred under our non-qualified deferred compensation plan, described below.
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Board |
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Nominating and |
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Compensation |
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Audit |
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of Directors |
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Corporate Governance |
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Committee |
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Committee |
Annual Retainer |
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$ |
30,000 |
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Annual Retainer-Chair |
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$ |
3,000 |
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$ |
4,000 |
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$ |
6,000 |
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Per Meeting
Attendance Fee |
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$ |
1,250 |
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$ |
850 |
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$ |
850 |
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$ |
1,250 |
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Members of other committees of the Board receive, in cash, an $850 per meeting attendance
fee and an annual committee chair retainer of $3,000. In addition, the Lead Independent Director
receives an annual retainer of $3,000.
The Company also pays directly or reimburses Directors for normal, customary, and necessary
business expenses, which includes computer equipment, services, and supplies, relevant professional
memberships, and participation in professional training seminars.
The following table sets forth for the year ended December 31, 2010, certain information as to
the total remuneration we paid or was earned by our directors. Mr. Alexander does not receive
separate compensation for his service as a director. The Stock awards, Options awards,
Non-equity incentive plan compensation, and Change in pension value and nonqualified deferred
compensation earnings columns have been omitted from the table because no director earned any
compensation during the year ended December 31, 2010, of a type required to be disclosed in those
columns.
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Fees earned or |
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All other |
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paid in cash |
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compensation |
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Total |
Name |
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($)(2) |
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$(4) |
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($) |
John R. Bowen |
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74,250 |
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|
888 |
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75,138 |
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Annette Catino |
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72,900 |
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|
|
888 |
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|
|
73,788 |
|
Gil Chapman |
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84,250 |
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|
|
888 |
|
|
|
85,138 |
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John P. Connors, Jr. (1) |
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61,050 |
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|
888 |
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|
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61,938 |
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John J. DePierro |
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|
68,750 |
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|
|
888 |
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|
|
69,638 |
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Susan Lamberti |
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|
67,200 |
|
|
|
888 |
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|
|
68,088 |
|
Albert J. Regen(3) |
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75,000 |
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|
|
888 |
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75,888 |
|
Patrick E. Scura, Jr. |
|
|
89,350 |
|
|
|
888 |
|
|
|
90,238 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
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During 2010, Mr. Connors provided legal services to or for the benefit of Northfield
Bank that are not included in the table above. See Transactions With Certain Related
Persons for a discussion of fees received for legal services provided in 2010. |
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(2) |
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Includes retainer payments, meeting fees, and committee and/or chairmanship fees earned
during the calendar year, whether the director received payment of such amounts or elected
to defer them. |
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(3) |
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Includes amounts received by Mr. Regen who also serves as a director of NSB Services
Corp and NSB Realty Trust. The Companys wholly-owned subsidiary, Northfield Bank, is the
sole owner of the outstanding common stock of these two entities. |
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(4) |
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Other compensation consists solely of dividends paid upon the vesting of restricted
stock awards that were withheld while the restricted stock awards were unvested. |
Transactions With Certain Related Persons
Loans and Extensions of Credit. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 generally prohibits us from
making loans to our executive officers and directors, but it contains a specific exemption from
such prohibition for loans made by Northfield Bank to our executive officers and directors in
compliance with federal banking regulations.
The aggregate amount of our outstanding loans to our executive officers and directors and
their related entities was approximately $648,000 at December 31, 2010. All of such loans were
made in the ordinary course of business, were made on substantially the same terms, including
interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons
not related to Northfield Bank, and did not involve more than the normal
11
risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. These loans were performing
according to their original terms at December 31, 2010, and were made in compliance with federal
banking regulations.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. We have no compensation committee
interlocks. Ms. Catino, and Messrs. Chapman, DePierro, and Scura constitute all of the directors
who served on our Compensation Committee at any time during 2010. Each is and was an independent,
outside director, and none is a current or former officer or employee of the Company.
Other Transactions. John P. Connors, Jr. is a practicing attorney who performs legal work
directly for or on behalf of Northfield Bank. During the year ended December 31, 2010, Mr. Connors
received fees, either from Northfield Bank, or directly from our customers, in connection with
transactions with Northfield Bank, in the amount of approximately $35,000. The Board of Directors
authorizes the appointment of Mr. Connors each year, and the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors reviews a summary of the services performed and the total fees paid for services on an
annual basis. All transactions with Mr. Connors are in the ordinary course of business, and the
terms and fees are considered to be consistent with those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with other persons.
Attendance at Annual Meetings of Stockholders
Although we do not have a formal written policy regarding director attendance at annual
meetings of stockholders, it is expected that Directors will attend these meetings absent
unavoidable scheduling conflicts. All Directors attended the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Codes of Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics for Senior Financial Officers that is applicable
to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and controller. The Code of Conduct and
Ethics for Senior Financial Officers is available on our website at www.eNorthfield.com.
Amendments to and waivers of the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Senior Financial Officers will be
disclosed in the manner required by applicable law, rule, or listing standard.
We also adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics that is applicable to all employees, officers and
directors which is available on our website at www.eNorthfield.com. Employees, officers, and
directors acknowledge annually that they will comply with all aspects of the Code of Conduct and
Ethics for Employees, Officers, and Directors.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
The Board of Directors believes that Directors and Executive Officers should own and hold
common stock of the Company to further align their interests with the interests of our
stockholders. Therefore, the Board has adopted minimum stock ownership guidelines (the
Guidelines). The Guidelines are applicable to non-employee Directors and Executive Officers.
Executive Officers are defined as the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer,
Chief Operating Officer Senior Lending Officer, and Senior Operations Officer of the Company. In the event a Director also
serves as an Executive Officer of the Company, the Director will be subject to the Executive
Officer stock ownership guidelines instead of the Director stock ownership guidelines.
For purposes of meeting the Guidelines, shares owned directly, shares obtained through stock
option exercises or pursuant to the Companys Employee Stock Ownership Plan and 401(k) plan; vested
restricted shares and restricted stock units; and shares owned indirectly in a trust, by a spouse
and/or minor children are defined as Qualifying Shares. Shares of stock that Directors and
Executive Officers have the right to acquire through the exercise of stock options (whether or not
vested) are not included as Qualifying Shares.
Directors of the Company must own Qualifying Shares equal to the sum of 5,000 shares plus 25%
of the total number of vested restricted shares granted to them under the Northfield Bancorp Inc.
2008 Equity Incentive Plan. A director is prohibited from selling any shares of Company stock
unless the Director is in compliance with the Guidelines.
Each Executive Officer must own a minimum number of Qualifying Shares with a market value
equal to a multiple of such Executive Officers base salary, as set forth below, on March 31, 2011,
or such later date that they first become an Executive Officer. The market value of the stock will
be based on the closing price of the
12
Companys stock on March 31, 2011, or such later date that they first become an Executive
Officer. In addition, an Executive Officer must own a minimum of 25% of the total number of vested
restricted shares granted to them under the Northfield Bancorp Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. An
Executive Officer is prohibited from selling any shares of Company stock unless the Executive
Officer is in compliance with these Guidelines.
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Position |
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Multiple of Base Salary |
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Chief Executive Officer, President
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2x base salary |
All other Executive Officers
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1x base salary |
The applicable ownership level for Directors and Executive Officers must be achieved by the
later of March 31, 2011, or three years after the Director or Executive Officer first becomes
subject to the Guidelines, and must be maintained thereafter for as long as the individual remains
a Director or Executive Officer, until the Director or Executive Officer reaches age 70. To allow
for tax and estate planning, the Director or Executive Officers level will be capped at age 70,
and reduced each subsequent calendar year by 20%.
If the Executive Officers title changes and the multiple of base salary increases such that
the Executive Officer would be subject to a greater ownership requirement, the Executive Officer
will have three years to satisfy the additional requirement. If the Executive Officers title
changes, the overall market value ownership requirement as a multiple of base salary will be
recalculated based on closing price of the Companys stock on the date the Executive Officer
becomes subject to the increased requirement.
If an Executive Officers base salary increases subsequent to initially being subject to these
guidelines the number of Executive Officers Qualifying Shares will not change. The number of
Qualifying Shares will not change as a result of fluctuations in the market price of the Companys
stock price, subsequent to the Executive Officer first being subject to the guideline.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate whether exceptions should be
made for any Director or Officer on whom any requirement of the Guidelines would impose a financial
hardship or prevent such Director or Executive Officer from complying with a court order.
Each Directors and Executive Officers compliance with or progress towards compliance with
the Guidelines will be reviewed as of the close of business on each calendar year end by the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
shall be responsible for monitoring and interpreting the application of the Guidelines and may
amend the Guidelines at any time.
Stockholder Communications
Stockholder Proposals. In order to be eligible for inclusion in our proxy materials for our
2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, any stockholder proposal to take action at such meeting must
be received at our executive office, 1410 St. Georges Avenue, Avenel, New Jersey 07001, no later
than December 13, 2011. Any such proposals shall be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules
adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Advanced Notice of Business to be Conducted at an Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Under our
Bylaws, a stockholder must follow certain procedures to nominate persons for election as directors
or to introduce an item of business at a meeting of stockholders. These procedures provide,
generally, that stockholders desiring to make nominations for directors, or to bring a proper
subject of business before the meeting, must do so by a written notice timely received (generally
not later than 30 days in advance of such meeting, subject to certain exceptions) by the Corporate
Secretary of Northfield Bancorp, Inc.
Nothing in this proxy statement shall be deemed to require us to include in our proxy
statement and proxy relating to an annual meeting any stockholder proposal that does not meet all
of the requirements for inclusion established by the Securities and Exchange Commission in effect
at the time such proposal is received.
The 2012 annual meeting of stockholders is expected to be held May 23, 2012. Accordingly,
advance written notice for certain business, or nominations to the Board of Directors, to be
brought before the next annual meeting must be received by the Corporate Secretary by April 23,
2012. If notice is received after April 23, 2012, it will be considered untimely, and we will not
be required to present the matter at the stockholders meeting.
13
Procedures for the Recommendation of Director Nominees by Stockholders. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee has adopted procedures for the submission of recommendations for
director nominees by stockholders. If a determination is made that an additional candidate is
needed for the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider
candidates submitted by our stockholders. Stockholders can submit the names of qualified
candidates for Director by writing to us at 1410 St. Georges Avenue, Avenel, New Jersey 07001,
Attention: Corporate Secretary. The Corporate Secretary must receive a submission for
consideration for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders no later than November 13, 2010.
The submission must include the following information:
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a statement that the writer is a stockholder and is proposing a candidate for
consideration by the Committee; |
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the name and address of the stockholder as they appear on our books, and number of shares of our common stock that are owned beneficially by such stockholder (if the
stockholder is not a holder of record, appropriate evidence of the stockholders
ownership will be required); |
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the name, address and contact information for the candidate, and the number of shares of our common stock that are owned by the candidate (if the candidate is not a
holder of record, appropriate evidence of the stockholders ownership should be
provided); |
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a statement of the candidates business and educational experience; |
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such other information regarding the candidate as would be required to be included
in the proxy statement pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation 14A; |
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a statement detailing any relationship between the candidate and Northfield Bancorp,
Inc. and its affiliates; |
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a statement detailing any relationship between the candidate and any customer,
supplier or competitor of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. or its affiliates; |
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detailed information about any relationship or understanding between the proposing
stockholder and the candidate; and |
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a statement of the candidate that the candidate is willing to be considered and
willing to serve as a Director if nominated and elected. |
A nomination submitted by a stockholder for presentation by the stockholder at an annual
meeting of stockholders must comply with the procedural and informational requirements described in
our Bylaws.
Stockholder Communications with the Board. A stockholder of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. who
wants to communicate with the Board of Directors or with any individual director can write to us at
1410 St. Georges Avenue, Avenel, New Jersey 07001, Attention: Corporate Secretary. The letter
should indicate that the author is a stockholder and, if shares are not held of record, should
include appropriate evidence of stock ownership. Depending on the subject matter, the Corporate
Secretary will:
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forward the communication to the director or directors to whom it is addressed; or |
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attempt to handle the inquiry directly, or forward the communication for response by
another employee of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. For example, a request for information
about us on a stock-related matter may be forwarded to our Director of Corporate
Governance; or |
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not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in nature, relates to an
improper or irrelevant topic, or is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal, or otherwise
inappropriate. |
The Corporate Secretary will make those communications that were not forwarded available to
the Directors on request.
14
Executive Officers who are not Directors
The business experience for the past five years of each of our executive officers other than
Mr. Alexander is set forth below. Unless otherwise indicated, executive officers have held their
positions for the past five years.
Kenneth J. Doherty joined Northfield Bank in 1988, and currently serves as Executive Vice
President and Chief Lending Officer.
Madeline G. Frank joined Northfield Bank in 1983 and has served as Director of Human Resources
of Northfield Bank since that time. Ms. Frank also serves as Corporate Secretary for Northfield
Bancorp, Inc. and Northfield Bank.
Steven M. Klein joined Northfield Bancorp, Inc. and Northfield Bank in March 2005, and has
served as Chief Financial Officer since such time. Effective March 1, 2011, Mr. Klein was also
named Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Klein is a licensed certified public accountant in the State of
New Jersey, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Michael J. Widmer joined Northfield Bank in 2002 and currently serves as Executive Vice
President, Operations.
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders
The Companys only equity compensation program that was not approved by stockholders is its
employee stock ownership plan.
Set forth below is certain information as of December 31, 2010 regarding equity compensation
plans that have been approved by stockholders.
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Number of |
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securities to be |
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Number of |
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issued upon |
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securities |
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exercise of |
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Weighted |
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remaining |
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outstanding |
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average |
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available for |
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options and |
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exercise price(1) |
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issuance under |
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders |
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rights |
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($) |
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the plan(2) |
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2008 Equity Incentive Plan: |
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Restricted Stock |
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653,880 |
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N/A |
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48,589 |
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Stock Options/Stock Appreciation Rights |
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2,072,540 |
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9.94 |
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108,949 |
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Total |
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2,726,420 |
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N/A |
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157,538 |
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(1) |
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Exercise price relates only to stock options that were issued with tandem stock
appreciation rights. |
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(2) |
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The 2008 Equity Incentive Plan permits the Compensation Committee of the Board to
award, at its discretion, the remaining securities available for issuance under the plan
entirely in stock options and/or stock appreciation rights. |
15
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the section entitled Compensation
Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement with management. Based on this review
and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our Proxy Statement. The members of the
Compensation Committee are: Annette Catino, who serves as Chairman; Gil Chapman; John J. DePierro;
and Patrick E. Scura, Jr.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Persons Covered. This discussion and analysis addresses compensation for 2010 for the
following executive officers: John W. Alexander, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer;
Steven M. Klein, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Kenneth J. Doherty,
Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer; Michael J. Widmer, Executive Vice President of
Operations; and Madeline G. Frank, Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary. These five
executives are referred to in this discussion as the Named Executive Officers.
Executive Summary. Prior to completing our initial public offering in November 2007, we were
wholly-owned by our mutual holding company. As a mutually owned company, our compensation programs
were, by nature, limited, and consisted primarily of base salary and annual cash incentive
compensation.
As part of our transition to a public company, our compensation program continues to evolve
and is being augmented and modified, as appropriate, to ensure that we attract and retain superior
financial services executive talent, and reward sustainable performance within the context of
appropriate risk management parameters and safe and sound operation of the Company, and its
subsidiary, Northfield Bank.
We strive to create a compensation program that rewards performance and the long-term success
of the Company. Our compensation program is designed to achieve an appropriate balance between
shorter-term and longer-term performance, fixed and performance-based compensation, and cash and
equity compensation. A primary objective of our current compensation program is to align the
interests of our executives with those of our stockholders. Our 2010 compensation program included
competitively benchmarked base salaries, a formal annual cash incentive compensation program
directly linked to, among other things, the Companys strategic objectives, and beginning in
January 2009, an equity incentive plan. The Company has remained committed to its disciplined and
balanced approach to providing community banking services and utilizes the same philosophy in
designing a compensation program that is consistent with effective risk management.
Role of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is
responsible for overseeing and approving, subject to ratification by the Board of Directors, the
compensation of the Named Executive Officers, including the Chief Executive Officer. As part of
these duties, the Committee administers the Companys cash and equity incentive compensation plans
and conducts an annual performance review of the Chief Executive Officer and, in consultation with
the Chief Executive Officer, reviews the performance of the other Named Executive Officers. The
Board of Directors has ultimate authority to ratify the compensation of all Named Executive
Officers, including the Chief Executive Officer.
The Compensation Committee also reviews, oversees, and approves the management and
implementation of Northfield Banks employee benefit plans. The Committee has a formal charter
that describes the Committees scope of authority and its duties.
The Compensation Committee consists of four Directors, all of whom are independent as set
forth in the listing requirements for NASDAQ securities. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee of the Board of Directors evaluates the independence of Committee members at least
annually, using the standards contained in NASDAQ listing requirements. This evaluation, and the
determination that each member of the Committee is independent, was made most recently in March
2011.
Role of Executives in Committee Activities. The executive officers who serve as a resource to
the Compensation Committee are the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and the
Director of Human Resources. Executives provide the Compensation Committee with input regarding
employee compensation philosophy, processes, and decisions for employees other than Named Executive
Officers. This communication assists in the design and alignment of compensation programs
throughout the Company. In addition to providing
16
factual information such as Company-wide performance on relevant measures, these executives
articulate managements views on current compensation programs and processes, recommend relevant
performance measures to be used for future evaluations, and otherwise supply information to assist
the Compensation Committee. The Chief Executive Officer also provides information about individual
performance assessments for the other Named Executive Officers, and expresses to the Compensation
Committee his views on the appropriate levels of compensation for the other Named Executive
Officers for the ensuing year. At the request of the Compensation Committee, the Chief Financial
Officer communicates directly with third-party consultants, providing third-party consultants with
Company-specific data and information, and assisting in the evaluation of the estimated financial
effect regarding any proposed changes to the various components of compensation.
Executives participate in Committee activities purely in an informational and advisory
capacity and have no vote in the Committees decision-making process. The Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer do not attend those portions of Compensation Committee meetings during
which their performance is evaluated or their compensation is being determined. No executive
officer other than the Chief Executive Officer attends those portions of Compensation Committee
meetings during which the performance of the other Named Executive Officers is evaluated or their
compensation is being determined. In addition, the Compensation Committee meets, as appropriate,
without management being present.
Use of Consultants. The Compensation Committee periodically engages an independent
compensation consultant to assist it in the compensation process for Named Executive Officers. The
consultant is retained by and reports directly to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee places no restrictions on the consultant within the scope of contracted services and such
consultant is not engaged by management for any purpose. The consultant provides expertise and
information about competitive trends in the employment marketplace, including established and
emerging compensation practices at other companies. The consultant also provides proxy statement
and survey data, and assists in assembling relevant comparison groups for various purposes and
establishing benchmarks for base salary, equity awards, and cash incentives from the comparison
group proxy statement and survey data.
For 2010, the Compensation Committee engaged PM&P, an independent compensation consulting
firm, as its advisor on executive and Board compensation matters. PM&P assisted the Compensation
Committee in the development of the 2010 cash incentive plan and provided a market update on
executive compensation data it prepared as part of the Compensation Committees comprehensive
review conducted in 2007 for Named Executive Officers. Although the Committee undertakes a
comprehensive assessment every three years, it utilizes PM&P to provide ongoing market trends and
guidance for pay structures each year.
Compensation Objectives and Philosophy. The overall objectives of the Companys compensation
program are to retain, motivate, and reward employees and officers (including the Named Executive
Officers) for sustained performance, and to provide competitive compensation, including incentive
compensation, to attract talent to the Company, consistent with effective risk management. The
methods used to achieve these goals for Named Executive Officers are influenced by the compensation
and employment practices of our competitors within the financial services industry, and elsewhere
in the marketplace, for executive talent. Other considerations include each Named Executive
Officers individual performance in achieving both financial and non-financial corporate goals.
Our compensation program is designed to reward the Named Executive Officers based on their
level of assigned management responsibilities, individual experience and performance levels, and
knowledge of banking and our business. The creation of long-term value is highly dependent on the
development and effective execution of our business strategy by our executive officers.
Factors that influence the design of our executive compensation program include, among other
things, the items listed below.
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We operate in a highly regulated industry, and we value industry-specific experience
that promotes the safe and sound operation of Northfield Bank. |
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We value executives with sufficient experience in our markets relating to the
behavior of our customers, products, and investments in various phases of the economic
cycle. |
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We operate in interest rate and credit markets that are often volatile. We value
disciplined decision-making that respects our business plan but adapts appropriately to
change. |
17
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We value the retention and development of performing incumbent executives.
Recruitment of executives can have substantial monetary costs, unpredictable outcomes,
and a disruptive effect on our operations. |
Our 2010 compensation program for our Named Executive Officers included three key components.
The first component is base salary, which is designed to provide a reasonable level of predictable
income commensurate with market standards of the position held. The second component is an annual
cash incentive plan, designed to reward our executives for attaining specific performance goals
that support the strategic objectives of the Company, and the third component, which was added in
January 2009, is the granting of equity incentive awards in the form of Company common stock, and
options to purchase Company common stock at a specified price. We also provide benefits and
perquisites to the Named Executive Officers at levels that are competitive and appropriate for
their roles.
Benchmarking. Our compensation program is periodically evaluated in relation to benchmark
data derived from information reported in publicly-available proxy statements and from market
survey data. The Compensation Committee will generally review and consider updated peer proxy and
market survey compensation data every three years. In early 2007, the Compensation Committee
engaged PM&P to assist it in completing a comprehensive competitive review. The Compensation
Committee selected the following companies for use in benchmarking Named Executive Officers 2007
compensation package. Although the Compensation Committee seeks to update the comprehensive
analysis every three years, PM&P reviewed and updated the data in November 2008 to reflect
appropriate market movement and provide the Compensation Committee with ongoing perspective of the
Companys pay practices. In October of 2009, PM&P updated the Compensation Committee on current
financial services industry compensation trends. The peer group used for the 2007 analysis is
listed below and was selected based upon similar asset size, geographic region, and business model
to the Company.
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Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.
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State Bancorp, Inc.
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Synergy Financial Group, Inc. |
TrustCo BankCorp NY
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Bancorp Rhode Island, Inc.
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First of Long Island Corporation |
Provident New York Bancorp
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Suffolk Bancorp
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Berkshire Bancorp, Inc. |
Flushing Financial Corporation
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Rockville Financial, Inc.
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Benjamin Franklin Bancorp, Inc. |
OceanFirst Financial Corp.
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Oritani Financial Corp.
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Roma Financial Corporation |
Kearny Financial Corp.
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United Financial Bancorp, Inc.
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Clifton Savings Bancorp, Inc. |
Sterling Bancorp
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Westfield Financial, Inc. |
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Assembling the Components of Compensation. The Compensation Committee analyzes the level and
relative mix of executive compensation by component (e.g., base salary, incentives, and benefits)
and in the aggregate. The Chief Executive Officer provides recommendations to the Committee
relating to compensation to be paid to the Named Executive Officers other than himself. Based on
their analysis, the Compensation Committee approves each Named Executive Officers compensation,
subject to ratification by the Board of Directors.
When evaluating the mix of total compensation, the Compensation Committee considers among
other things, general market practices, benchmarking studies conducted by the consultant, the
alignment of cash and equity incentive awards with our strategic objectives and Company
performance, and the desire to reward performance through incentive compensation within
Board-approved risk parameters. The Compensation Committee seeks to create appropriate incentives
without encouraging behaviors that result in undue risk. These components are periodically
evaluated in relation to benchmark data derived from information reported in publicly-available
proxy statements and from market survey data.
Base Salary. Base salary is designed to provide a reasonable level of predictable income
commensurate with market standards of the position held adjusted for specific job responsibilities
assigned, individual experience, and demonstrated performance. Named Executive Officers are
eligible for periodic adjustments to their base salary as a result of changes in the cost of
living, individual performance, updated market analysis, or significant changes in their duties and
responsibilities. The Compensation Committee annually reviews and approves base salaries, and
changes thereto, for Named Executive Officers, including our Chief Executive Officer.
Base salary amounts for 2010 were determined based on a review of peer proxy and survey data
originally provided by PM&P in 2007, formally updated in November 2008, and further updated in
October 2009 through a PM&P report to the Compensation Committee on current financial services
industry compensation trends. The Compensation Committee reviewed the 50th percentile of
peer proxy and survey data, and a pay range around the median to allow for recognition of each
Named Executive Officers specific experience, responsibilities and performance, estimated value in
the marketplace, and the Committees view of each Named Executive Officers role
18
in the future success of the Company. For 2010, the Compensation Committee generally targeted
base salary compensation at the 65th percentile for each of the Named Executive
Officers.
The Committee considered the responsibility, significant experience, contributions, and
performance of each Named Executive Officer, their value in the marketplace, and their critical
roles in the future successes of the Company, and determined in October 2009, that existing base
salaries properly reflected these factors and made a determination not to change base salaries for
any Named Executive Officers in 2010.
Cash Incentives. The Compensation Committee developed and implemented a management incentive
plan (the Cash Incentive Plan ) for 2010. The Cash Incentive Plan provides performance-based
annual cash incentives to reward the Companys Named Executive Officers for the execution of
specific financial and non-financial elements of our strategic business plan, as well as individual
goals related to each executives functional area. A defined level (80% or greater) of Corporate
performance is required for the Plan to activate or turn on. Once the Plan is active, incentives
are based on Corporate and Individual performance. The Corporate goal is designed to reflect a
significant portion of the Executives incentive (70% 75%) while the individual performance
reflects between 25% to 30% of the incentive.
The Compensation Committee evaluates the reasonableness and likelihood of attaining designated
incentive goals, including stretch goals, in an effort to ensure that such targets appropriately
reward performance, but do not encourage undue risk taking. Actual performance over the applicable
measurement period may exceed or fall short of the targets resulting in the Named Executive Officer
receiving an annual incentive cash award that is above or below the initial targeted level. Annual
incentive cash awards granted in prior years are not taken into account by the Compensation
Committee in the process of setting performance targets for the current year. The Committee
believes that doing so would be inconsistent with the underlying reasons for the use of incentive
compensation.
For 2010, the Compensation Committee set a target total cash incentive award of 20% of base
salary for each Named Executive Officer. The actual cash incentive award range was defined as 10%
for threshold performance and 30% for stretch performance, of base salary. These targets were
intentionally set lower than current market practice as part of the Companys shift from its former
compensation philosophy as a mutually owned bank (greater focus on cash compensation weighted
towards base salary) to that of a public company (which includes equity compensation and a greater
weighting of compensation towards long-term incentive compensation rather than short-term
incentives).
The Compensation Committee established one shared corporate goal (the Corporate Goal) and
individual performance goals for each Named Executive Officer. The target Corporate Goal measured
the attainment of the Board-approved budgeted net income before taxes of approximately $19.8
million. The stretch goal was 120% or greater of budgeted net income before taxes and the
threshold was 90% of budgeted net income before taxes. If 80% of budgeted net income before taxes
is not achieved, Named Executive Officers are not eligible to receive incentive payments for
achievement of their individual performance goals.
Individual performance goals were aligned with our strategic business plan and focused on the
following areas: for Mr. Alexander, developing and executing upon an employee satisfaction program
and enhancing business relationships in Brooklyn, New York, including the formation of an advisory
board; for Mr. Klein, implementing formal leverage strategies, maintaining or reducing budgeted
non-interest expense at 56% or less, or better than the highest performing 65th
percentile of all New York and New Jersey Savings Institutions with total assets between $1 billion
and $5 billion, and automating reporting processes; for Mr. Doherty, originating loans to specified
targets while minimizing credit risk, and implementing enhanced internal asset quality reporting;
for Mr. Widmer, increasing deposits to specified targets while maintaining cost of deposits below
the best performing 65th percentile of all New York and New Jersey Savings Institutions
with total assets between $1 billion and $5 billion, implementing new products and services,
developing an integrated business development program and implementing a formal customer service
program; and for Ms. Frank, automating employee performance processes and implementing employee
satisfaction survey information.
In February and March of 2011, the Compensation Committee evaluated achievement of the
Corporate Goal and Individual Goals. Regarding the Corporate Goal, the Companys reported 2010 net
income before taxes of $20.2 million. The Company exceeded our target goal of $19.8 million.
Based on the achievement of $20.2 million in Net Income before taxes the Corporate Goal target
award of 15.00% of base salary (20% target award times 75% weighting) for Mr. Alexander, and
14.00% of base salary (20% target award times 70% weighting) for all other Named Executive Officers
increased (on a pro-rata basis) to approximately 15.63% (20.84% pro-rata award
19
times 75% weighting) for Mr. Alexander, and 14.59% (20.84% pro-rata award times 70%
weighting) for all other Named Executive Officers.
The remaining 25% of Mr. Alexanders eligible award, and 30% of each other Named Executive
Officers eligible award was determined based on each executives attainment of individual goals,
which were assessed by the Compensation Committee in its annual evaluation of each Named Executive
Officers performance.
The Compensation Committee concluded the following related to each Named Executive Officers
performance related to their Corporate and individual goals in accordance with the 2010 Management
(Cash) Incentive Plan:
Mr. Alexanders award for the Corporate Goal was $105,644 (15.63% of salary). Mr. Alexander
received a payout of $16,900 for individual performance reflecting the Compensation Committees
determination that Mr. Alexander met the target level for all of his individual goals, with the
exception of the formation of an advisory board in Brooklyn, for which no payout was made under the
Cash Incentive Plan.
Mr. Kleins award for the Corporate Goal was $43,758 (14.59% of salary). Mr. Klein received a
payout of $12,000 for individual performance, reflecting target performance with respect to all
of his individual goals, with the exception that he did not meet the threshold goal related to
executing securities leveraging strategies, and no payout was made under the Cash Incentive Plan
related to this goal.
Mr. Dohertys award for the Corporate Goal was $40,841 (i.e. 14.59% of salary). Mr. Dohertys
individual goal cash incentive payment of $10,270 reflects our loan originations being between
target and stretch goals, and Mr. Dohertys progress towards implementing enhanced asset
quality reporting reaching the target level, partially offset by an $8,000 discretionary
adjustment downward due to the Companys elevated level of non-performing loans.
Mr. Widmers award for the Corporate goal was $33,548 (i.e. 14.59% of salary). Mr. Widmers
individual cash incentive payment of $10,350 for 2010 reflects reaching target levels in all of his
individual goals, with the exception that he did not meet the threshold goal, and no payment was
made under the Cash Incentive Plan, related to increasing total deposits.
Ms. Franks award for the Corporate goal was $24,796 in (i.e., 14.59% of salary). Ms. Franks
individual cash incentive payment of $10,200 for 2010 reflects reaching target levels for all
individual goals.
For 2010, the Named Executive Officers total target award opportunities, and actual
incentives awarded as a percentage of target are detailed below.
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Actual Award as a |
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percentage of |
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Target Award |
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Target Award |
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Opportunity |
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Actual Award |
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Opportunity |
Name |
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($) |
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($) |
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(%) |
John W. Alexander |
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135,200 |
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122,544 |
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90.6 |
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Steven M. Klein |
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60,000 |
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55,758 |
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92.9 |
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Kenneth J. Doherty |
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56,000 |
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51,111 |
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91.3 |
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Michael J. Widmer |
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46,000 |
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43,898 |
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95.4 |
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Madeline G. Frank |
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34,000 |
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34,996 |
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102.3 |
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Equity Awards. In December 2008, the stockholders of the Company approved the Northfield
Bancorp, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The objective of equity awards is to further align the
interests of our executives with those of stockholders and reward sustained performance. In
January 2009 the Compensation Committee, granted equity awards in the form of common stock, and
options to purchase common stock at $9.94 per share, representing the closing price of the
Companys common stock on the grant date, to each of the Named Executive Officers. The equity
awards vest in equal installments over a five-year period, commencing one year from the date of the
grant. The Compensation Committee consulted with PM&P during this process.
Prior to November 2007, the Company was a mutual organization and did not have equity
compensation available to employees. The Compensation Committees objective in granting equity
awards in January 2009 was to provide employees with a substantial equity interest in the Company,
consistent with comparable peers that recently completed initial public offerings.
20
Broad-based benefits. We also provide to our Named Executive Officers certain broad-based
benefits available to all qualifying employees of the Company, as well as fringe benefits and
perquisites, and restoration and other termination benefits, not generally available to all
qualifying employees of the Company.
The following summarizes the significant broad-based benefits in which the Named Executive
Officers were eligible to participate in 2010:
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a defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan and discretionary profit-sharing plan; |
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an employee stock ownership plan; |
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medical coverage (all employees share between 20% to 30% of the cost, depending on
their elections); |
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pre-tax health and dependent care spending accounts; and |
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group life insurance coverage (death benefit capped at $750,000, with the value of
the death benefit over $50,000 being reported as taxable income to all employees). |
The Northfield Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the ESOP) was established effective
January 1, 2007. The ESOP allocates a certain number of shares of the Companys common stock on an
annual basis among plan participants primarily on the basis of eligible compensation in the year of
allocation, subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. All eligible employees, including Named
Executive Officers, participate in the plan and received an allocation of common stock for 2010.
Executive Benefits and Perquisites. In addition to the broad-based benefits described above,
the specifically Named Executive Officers received the following fringe benefits and perquisites in
2010:
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all Named Executive Officers may participate in a non-qualified deferred
compensation plan. The plan provides restoration of benefits capped under Northfield
Banks broad-based benefits due to Internal Revenue Code salary limitations or
limitations due to participation requirements under tax-qualified plans. The plan also
permits elective salary and cash incentive award deferrals; |
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Messrs. Klein, Doherty, and Widmer received a monthly automobile allowance of $800; |
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all Named Executive Officers pay for and are provided with reimbursement for
long-term disability insurance coverage; |
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Messrs. Alexander, Klein, Doherty, and Widmer are reimbursed for appropriate spousal
expenses for attendance at business events; and |
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Messrs. Alexander, Klein, Doherty, and Widmer are provided a cellular phone
allowance of $100 per month for business usage. The Company also reimburses
individuals for the cost of cellular phone equipment. |
The Company incurs the expense of one country club membership and related expenses for Mr.
Alexander. Mr. Alexander reimburses Northfield Bank for personal expenses pertaining to club
usage. In lieu of a monthly automobile allowance, Mr. Alexander receives use of an automobile
(including all operating expenses) leased by Northfield Bank for business and personal use.
Personal use of the automobile is reported as taxable income to Mr. Alexander. In addition,
Northfield Bank pays an annual premium on a whole-life insurance policy for the benefit of Mr.
Alexander.
The Compensation Committee reviews the other components of executive compensation (broad-based
benefits, and executive benefits and perquisites) on an annual basis. Changes to the level or
types of broad-based benefits within these categories, including considerations relating to the
addition or elimination of benefits and plan design changes, are made by the Compensation Committee
on an aggregate basis with respect to the group of employees entitled to those benefits, and not
necessarily with reference to a particular Named Executive Officers compensation. Decisions about
these components of compensation are made without reference to the Named Executive Officers salary
and annual cash incentives, as they involve issues of more general application and often include
consideration of trends in the industry or in the employment marketplace.
21
Employment Agreements. In addition to the components of executive compensation described
above, Messrs. Alexander, Klein, Doherty, and Widmer are each parties to employment agreements with
Northfield Bank. See Employment Agreements for a description of these agreements and Potential
Payments to Named Executive Officers for information about potential payments to these individuals
upon termination of their employment with Northfield Bank. Our employment agreements contain no
payment provisions for tax gross-ups to executives under any circumstance.
The executive employment agreements are designed to allow the Company to retain the services
of the designated executives while reducing, to the extent possible, unnecessary disruptions to
Northfield Banks operations. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes that the employment
agreements better align the interests of the executive with those of our stockholders. The
Compensation Committee believes that these agreements allow executives to more objectively evaluate
opportunities for stockholders without causing undue personal financial conflicts.
The Compensation Committee reviewed prevailing market practices, consulted with PM&P on the
competitiveness and reasonableness of the terms of the agreements, and negotiated the agreements
with the individuals. The Compensation Committee believes such agreements are common and necessary
to retain executive talent.
The agreements are for a three-year period, are reviewed for renewal annually by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, and provide for salary and incentive cash
compensation payments, as well as additional post-employment benefits, primarily health benefits
(or equivalent cash payments), under certain conditions, as defined in the employment agreements.
See Employment Agreements for further discussion.
Exceptions to Usual Procedures. The Compensation Committee may recommend to the Board of
Directors that they approve the payment of special cash compensation to one or more Named Executive
Officers in addition to payments approved during the normal annual compensation-setting cycle. The
Committee may make such a recommendation if it believes it would be appropriate to reward one or
more Named Executive Officers in recognition of contributions to a particular project, or in
response to competitive and other factors that were not addressed during the normal annual
compensation-setting cycle. The Compensation Committee did not make any such recommendation
related to our Named Executive Officers for 2010.
The Committee will consider off-cycle compensation adjustments whenever a Named Executive
Officers status, role or responsibilities change, or an executive officer is hired. The Committee
may depart from the compensation guidelines it would normally follow for executives in the case of
outside hires.
The Compensation Committee considers, but is not bound by, the tax treatment of each component
of compensation. Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, annual compensation paid to a
Named Executive Officer is not deductible if it exceeds $1 million unless it qualifies as
performance-based compensation as defined in the Internal Revenue Code and related tax
regulations. Base salary is not a form of performance-based compensation. Fringe benefits and
perquisites also do not qualify as performance-based compensation. Annual incentive cash awards
may qualify as a form of performance-based compensation under the income tax regulations. For
2010, we estimate that approximately $120,000 of the total amount of executive compensation earned
for our Named Executive Officers will not be deductible for tax purposes due to limitations under
Section 162(m). For years prior to 2010, we were not subject to tax deduction limitations under
Section 162(m).
Committee Actions During 2010 Affecting 2011 Compensation, and Other Actions by the Committee.
The Compensation Committee completed a detailed review, in consultation with PM&P, of
executive compensation in 2010. Based on this review, which included an assessment of current
compensation trends and practices, a determination was made that Named Executive Officers base
salaries were competitive and would remain unchanged for 2011, except for Mr. Widmer, whose base
salary was increased to $250,000, an increase of 8.7% over 2010.
In December of 2010, the Compensation Committee approved the 2011 cash incentive compensation
plan. The plan contains similar terms and conditions as our prior year plan, except that
additional clawback provisions were added. The threshold, target, and stretch award
payouts are 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively, with a Corporate Goal that can be earned based upon
the Company achieving at least 90% of Board-approved budgeted net income per share, and individual
awards that are based on the achievement of goals aligned with the Companys strategic objectives.
22
Effective March 1, 2011, Mr. Kleins title, and responsibilities were expanded to include
those of Chief Operating Officer, and his annual base salary was increased to $350,000, or 16.7%
over 2010. Mr. Klein will retain the title of Chief Financial Officer.
Compensation Tables
Summary Compensation Table. The following table sets forth for the three years ended December
31, 2010, certain information as to the total remuneration we paid to Mr. Alexander, who serves as
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Klein, who serves as Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and the three most highly compensated executive
officers of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. or Northfield Bank other than Messrs. Alexander and Klein.
The Bonus and Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings columns
have been omitted from the Summary Compensation Table because no listed individual earned any
compensation during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, or 2008 of a type required to be
disclosed in those columns.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary Compensation Table |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
incentive plan |
|
All other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary |
|
Awards(2) |
|
Awards(3) |
|
compensation |
|
compensation(1) |
|
Total |
Name and principal position |
|
Year |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
John W. Alexander,
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
676,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122,544 |
|
|
|
138,504 |
|
|
|
937,048 |
|
Chairman of the Board,
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
676,000 |
|
|
|
1,669,920 |
|
|
|
1,356,425 |
|
|
|
107,388 |
|
|
|
141,951 |
|
|
|
3,951,684 |
|
President and Chief
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
676,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67,600 |
|
|
|
137,761 |
|
|
|
881,361 |
|
Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven M. Klein, Executive
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,758 |
|
|
|
54,551 |
|
|
|
410,309 |
|
Vice President and Chief
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
778,302 |
|
|
|
661,710 |
|
|
|
50,157 |
|
|
|
53,422 |
|
|
|
1,843,591 |
|
Financial Officer |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,250 |
|
|
|
48,384 |
|
|
|
379,634 |
|
Kenneth J. Doherty,
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
280,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51,111 |
|
|
|
53,401 |
|
|
|
384,512 |
|
Executive Vice President
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
280,000 |
|
|
|
725,620 |
|
|
|
618,240 |
|
|
|
42,438 |
|
|
|
53,540 |
|
|
|
1,719,838 |
|
and Chief Lending Officer
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
280,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,750 |
|
|
|
45,853 |
|
|
|
355,603 |
|
Michael J. Widmer,
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
230,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,898 |
|
|
|
48,379 |
|
|
|
322,277 |
|
Executive Vice President,
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
230,000 |
|
|
|
596,400 |
|
|
|
507,955 |
|
|
|
37,376 |
|
|
|
46,325 |
|
|
|
1,418,056 |
|
Operations |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,375 |
|
|
|
40,141 |
|
|
|
283,516 |
|
Madeline G. Frank, Senior
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,996 |
|
|
|
27,708 |
|
|
|
232,704 |
|
Vice President and
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
132,202 |
|
|
|
85,330 |
|
|
|
26,829 |
|
|
|
28,896 |
|
|
|
443,257 |
|
Corporate Secretary |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,000 |
|
|
|
23,280 |
|
|
|
210,280 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The individuals listed in this table participate in certain medical and dental coverage
plans, not disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table, that are generally available to
salaried employees and do not discriminate in scope, terms and operation. The amount shown
below for each individual for the year ended December 31, 2010, includes our direct
out-of-pocket costs (reduced for Mr. Alexander, in the case of the figures shown for
automobiles, by the amount that we would otherwise have paid in cash reimbursements during the
year for business use) for the following items: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Alexander |
|
|
Mr. Klein |
|
|
Mr. Doherty |
|
|
Mr. Widmer |
|
|
Ms. Frank |
|
Employer contributions
to qualified and
non-qualified deferred
compensation plans
(including 401(k),
ESOP and non-qualified
deferred compensation
plans) |
|
$ |
68,133 |
|
|
$ |
37,240 |
|
|
$ |
35,618 |
|
|
$ |
31,729 |
|
|
$ |
22,913 |
|
Life insurance premiums |
|
|
38,421 |
|
|
|
1,748 |
|
|
|
2,425 |
|
|
|
1,405 |
|
|
|
1,641 |
|
Long-term disability |
|
|
5,087 |
|
|
|
2,257 |
|
|
|
2,107 |
|
|
|
1,881 |
|
|
|
1,128 |
|
Automobile |
|
|
7,758 |
|
|
|
9,600 |
|
|
|
9,600 |
|
|
|
9,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
Club dues |
|
|
11,935 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid on
restricted stock
awards(4) |
|
|
5,376 |
|
|
|
2,506 |
|
|
|
2,336 |
|
|
|
1,920 |
|
|
|
426 |
|
Travel expense for
spouse to accompany on
business travel |
|
|
594 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
115 |
|
|
|
644 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
Reimbursement for
business cell phone
and data usage |
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
138,504 |
|
|
$ |
54,551 |
|
|
$ |
53,401 |
|
|
$ |
48,379 |
|
|
$ |
27,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock of the Company awarded to
the employee on January 30, 2009, based upon a grant date stock price of $9.94 per share,
which was the final reported sales price of the Companys common stock on the date of the
grant. The restricted stock awards vest in equal installments over a five-year period,
commencing one year from the date of the grant. No forfeitures were assumed in calculating
the aggregate grant date fair value. For further information see footnote 10 to the
consolidated financial statements included in the Companys Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2010. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of options to purchase Company common stock
awarded to each employee on January 30, 2009. The options vest in equal installments over a
five-year period, commencing one year from the date of the grant and have an exercise price of
$9.94 per share, which was the final reported sales price of the Companys common stock on the
date of the grant. The grant date fair value was $3.22 per option and was determined using
the Black-Scholes method assuming an options average life of 6.5 years; 2.17% risk free rate
of return; 35.33% volatility, and 1.61% dividend yield. No forfeitures were assumed in
calculating the aggregate grant date |
23
|
|
|
|
|
fair value. For further information see footnote 10 to the consolidated financial statements
included in the Companys Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. |
|
(4) |
|
Amounts represent dividends paid upon the vesting of restricted stock awards that were
withheld while the restricted stock awards were unvested. |
|
(5) |
|
Amount represents an annual discretionary stipend provided to employees whose work location
was moved from New York to New Jersey. |
Plan-Based Awards. As further discussed in Compensation Discussion and
AnalysisAssembling the Components of Compensation, the Company maintained a cash incentive award
program and equity incentive award program (both based upon Board and Stockholder approved plans)
for its Named Executive Officers for the year ended December 31, 2010.
The following table sets forth for the year ended December 31, 2010, certain information
as to grants of plan-based cash and equity awards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grants
of Plan-based Awards Table 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All other |
|
All other |
|
|
|
|
|
Grant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
stock |
|
option |
|
Exercise |
|
date fair |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
awards: |
|
awards |
|
or base |
|
value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated future payouts under |
|
number of |
|
number of |
|
price of |
|
stock and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
non-equity incentive plan awards |
|
shares of |
|
securities |
|
option |
|
option |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
|
stock or |
|
underlying |
|
awards |
|
awards |
Name |
|
Grant date |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
units |
|
options |
|
($) |
|
($) |
John W. Alexander |
|
|
12/23/09 |
|
|
|
67,600 |
|
|
|
135,200 |
|
|
|
202,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven M. Klein |
|
|
12/23/09 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth J. Doherty |
|
|
12/23/09 |
|
|
|
28,000 |
|
|
|
56,000 |
|
|
|
84,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael J. Widmer |
|
|
12/23/09 |
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
|
46,000 |
|
|
|
69,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Madeline G. Frank |
|
|
12/23/09 |
|
|
|
17,000 |
|
|
|
34,000 |
|
|
|
51,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table sets forth certain information regarding stock awards and stock options
outstanding at December 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Market |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of shares |
|
value of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
securities |
|
securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or units |
|
shares or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
underlying |
|
underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of stock |
|
units of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
unexercised |
|
unexercised |
|
Option |
|
|
|
|
|
that |
|
stock that |
|
|
|
|
|
|
options |
|
options |
|
exercise |
|
Option |
|
have not |
|
have not |
|
|
Grant |
|
(exercisable) |
|
(unexercisable) |
|
price |
|
expiration |
|
vested |
|
vested(2) |
Name |
|
date |
|
(#) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
date(1) |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
John W. Alexander |
|
|
01/30/09 |
|
|
|
84,250 |
|
|
|
337,000 |
|
|
|
9.94 |
|
|
|
01/30/19 |
|
|
|
134,400 |
|
|
|
1,790,208 |
|
Steven M. Klein |
|
|
01/30/09 |
|
|
|
41,100 |
|
|
|
164,400 |
|
|
|
9.94 |
|
|
|
01/30/19 |
|
|
|
62,640 |
|
|
|
834,365 |
|
Kenneth J. Doherty |
|
|
01/30/09 |
|
|
|
38,400 |
|
|
|
153,600 |
|
|
|
9.94 |
|
|
|
01/30/19 |
|
|
|
58,400 |
|
|
|
777,888 |
|
Michael J. Widmer |
|
|
01/30/09 |
|
|
|
31,550 |
|
|
|
126,200 |
|
|
|
9.94 |
|
|
|
01/30/19 |
|
|
|
48,000 |
|
|
|
639,360 |
|
Madeline G. Frank |
|
|
01/30/09 |
|
|
|
5,300 |
|
|
|
21,200 |
|
|
|
9.94 |
|
|
|
01/30/19 |
|
|
|
10,640 |
|
|
|
141,725 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Stock options expire if unexercised 10 years from the grant date. |
|
(2) |
|
Amount is based on a $13.32 per share closing price of the Companys common stock on December
31, 2010. |
The following table provides information concerning stock option exercises and the
vesting of stock awards for each Named Executive Officer during 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
Realized |
|
|
Acquired on |
|
Value Realized |
|
Acquired on |
|
on |
|
|
Exercise |
|
on Exercise |
|
Vesting |
|
Vesting |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
($) |
|
(#) |
|
($)(1) |
John W. Alexander |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,600 |
|
|
|
444,864 |
|
Steven M. Klein |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,660 |
|
|
|
207,338 |
|
Kenneth J. Doherty |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,600 |
|
|
|
193,304 |
|
Michael J. Widmer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
158,880 |
|
Madeline G. Frank |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,660 |
|
|
|
35,218 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents the market value of the vested stock on the day the stock vested (January 30,
2010) as determined by the last reported closing price of the stock of $13.24. |
24
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. Northfield Bank maintains a non-qualified
deferred compensation plan to provide for the elective deferral of non-employee director fees by
participating members of the Board of Directors, and the elective deferral of compensation and/or
performance-based compensation payable to eligible employees of Northfield Bancorp, MHC and
Northfield Bank. A designated amount of director fees, compensation and/or performance based
compensation may be deferred until one of the specified events in the plan occurs, which permits
all or part of the monies so deferred, together with earnings, to be distributed to participants or
their beneficiaries. In addition, the plan provides eligible employees of Northfield Bank with
supplemental retirement income from Northfield Bank when such amounts are not payable under the
contribution formula of the Northfield Bank 401(k) Savings Plan (the 401(k) Savings Plan), due to
reductions and other limitations imposed under the Internal Revenue Code.
Members of the Board of Trustees of Northfield Bancorp, MHC and the Boards of Directors of
Northfield Bancorp, Inc. and Northfield Bank, and certain employees are eligible to participate in
the plan. Eligible trustees, directors or employees become participants upon agreeing in a written
enrollment agreement to defer any portion of their trustee fees, director fees, compensation,
and/or performance-based compensation. Each participant may request that his or her deferred
compensation account be deemed to be invested in any one or more of the investment options
available to Northfield Bancorp, MHC, or Northfield Bank, in the Companys sole discretion. A
participant may periodically request a change to his or her investment allocation deemed available
under the plan. In the event any participant fails to direct the investment of his or her deferred
compensation account, or to the extent the employer chooses not to honor the participants request,
the deferred compensation account will be deemed to bear interest at the rate prevailing for
30-year United States Treasury Bonds.
With respect to amounts of deferred trustee or director fees, deferred compensation or
performance-based compensation, distributions will be made under the plan in the event of the
participants retirement, death, termination due to disability, separation from service prior to
the participants retirement date, upon the establishment of an unforeseeable emergency, upon a
change in control, or upon the attainment of a specific date of distribution, in a single lump sum
or in up to 15 annual installment payments, as designated by the participant in his or her
enrollment agreement. In the case of an unforeseeable emergency, the amounts distributed will not
exceed the amounts necessary to satisfy the emergency plus an amount necessary to pay any taxes
owed on the distribution. In the event the participant fails to designate a payment schedule on
his enrollment agreement or if the entire balance credited to the participants account is less
than $10,000, payment will be made in a single lump sum. In the event a participant dies before
receiving the full amount of his benefit, the remaining amounts will be paid to the participants
designated beneficiary according to the participants form of election or, if there is no
designated beneficiary at the time of the participants death, to the participants estate in a
single lump sum. Distributions to certain specified employees on account of their separation
from service may be delayed for six months, if necessary, to comply with Internal Revenue Code
Section 409A.
In addition, the non-qualified deferred compensation plan provides for benefits which
supplement those paid under the 401(k) Savings Plan in the event of normal, early or postponed
retirement, death or termination of service. Such benefits will be equal to the sum of: (i) the
maximum amount of employer matching contributions provided to a participant each calendar year,
assuming a participants maximum contributions, reduced by the amount of employer matching
contributions made for the participant under the 401(k) Savings Plan for such year, adjusted by
gains and losses; (ii) commencing January 1, 2000, the amount of employer matching contributions
not credited to a participants 401(k) Savings Plan account as a result of an employer error,
adjusted by gains and losses, if any; and (iii) the maximum amount of discretionary employer
contributions that would be provided to a participant under the 401(k) Savings Plan, assuming an
allocation without taking into account the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code,
reduced by the amount of discretionary employer contributions actually made to a participant under
the 401(k) Savings Plan for each such year, adjusted by gains and losses, if any. Benefits payable
under this plan that supplement matching contributions under the 401(k) Savings Plan will be
aggregated with benefits payable under the Supplemental ESOP (described below). Upon the
occurrence of a distribution event, such benefits will be payable in either a lump sum or
installments over a period of up to 15 years, at the election of the participant made in accordance
with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
The non-qualified deferred compensation plan is considered an unfunded plan for tax and
Employee Retirement Income Security Act purposes. All obligations owing under the plan are payable
from the general assets of Northfield Bank and Northfield Bancorp, MHC, and are subject to the
claims of Northfield Banks or Northfield Bancorp, MHCs creditors.
25
Supplemental Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Northfield Bank Supplemental Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (the Supplemental ESOP) is a benefit restoration plan that provides additional
cash benefits, equal to the participants account balance, at retirement or other termination of
employment (or upon a change in control) to participants who are key employees, who are approved by
the Compensation Committee and whose benefits under the tax-qualified ESOP, described below, are
limited by tax law limitations applicable to tax-qualified plans. In 2010, Messrs. Alexander,
Klein, and Doherty were the only participants in this plan. The Supplemental ESOP credits each
participant who also participates in the tax-qualified ESOP with an annual amount equal to the sum
of the difference (expressed in dollars) between (a) the number of shares of common stock of
Northfield Bancorp, Inc. that would have been allocated to the participants account in the
employee stock ownership plan, but for the tax law limitations, plus earnings thereon, and (b) the
actual number of shares allocated to the participants account in the employee stock ownership plan
plus earnings thereon. In each case, the number of shares will be multiplied by the fair market
value of the shares on the allocation date to determine the annual allocation amount. Each
participant is permitted to make investment recommendations for the annual amount credited to his
or her account among a broadly diversified group of mutual funds selected for investment by a
committee appointed by Northfield Banks Board of Directors to administer the Supplemental ESOP.
Northfield Bank has established a rabbi trust to hold assets attributable to the Supplemental ESOP
to informally fund its benefit obligation. Northfield Bank, at its discretion, may account for the
Supplemental ESOP solely as bookkeeping entries. Whether or not a rabbi trust is established, the
participants account value is based on the value of the investments in which the participant
invests, or is deemed to invest, his account. Benefits distributed to participants from the
Supplemental ESOP will be aggregated with benefits payable under the matching contributions portion
of the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (described above). Upon the occurrence of a
distribution event, such benefits will be payable in either a lump sum or installments over a
period of up to 15 years, at the election of the participant made in accordance with Section 409A
of Internal Revenue Code.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our nonqualified deferred
compensation plans at and for the year ended December 31, 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation At And For The Year Ended December 31, 2010 |
|
|
Executive |
|
Registrant |
|
Aggregate |
|
Aggregate |
|
Aggregate balance |
|
|
contributions in |
|
contributions in |
|
earnings in last |
|
withdrawals/ |
|
at last fiscal year |
|
|
last fiscal year |
|
last fiscal year |
|
fiscal year |
|
distributions |
|
end |
Name |
|
($)(1) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($)(2) |
|
($) |
|
($)(3) |
John W. Alexander |
|
|
14,985 |
|
|
|
34,657 |
|
|
|
198,529 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,750,190 |
|
Steven M. Klein |
|
|
1,650 |
|
|
|
3,762 |
|
|
|
18,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
135,546 |
|
Kenneth J. Doherty |
|
|
2,650 |
|
|
|
2,118 |
|
|
|
22,539 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
169,142 |
|
Michael J. Widmer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,335 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,821 |
|
Madeline G. Frank |
|
|
5,249 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,969 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78,595 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Contributions included in the Executive contributions in last fiscal year and the
Registrant contributions in last fiscal year columns are included as compensation for the
listed individuals in the Summary Compensation Table. |
|
(2) |
|
Amounts included in the Aggregate earnings in last fiscal year are not included as
compensation for the listed individuals in the Summary Compensation Table as such earnings are
not preferential or above market. |
|
(3) |
|
Amounts included in the Aggregate balance at last fiscal year end previously were reported
as compensation for the listed individuals except to the extent that such balances reflect
earnings, all of which were not preferential or above market. |
Short- and Long-Term Disability
Named Executive Officers and certain other members of senior management at Northfield Bank
will be paid their full salary for the duration of any period of short-term disability, up to 26
weeks. Senior management receives this benefit in lieu of the ability to bank paid time off for
future use, which is only available to employees of Northfield Bank who are not senior management.
With respect to long-term disability, senior management employees are required to purchase
long-term disability coverage and Northfield Bank provides such persons a bonus payment, included
related income taxes, in recognition of their payment of such coverage. The amount of the bonus is
in the sole discretion of Northfield Bank.
Life Insurance Coverage
Employees of Northfield Bank receive life insurance coverage of up to three times salary if
hired before January 1, 2003, and up to two times salary if hired on or after January 1, 2003.
Such life insurance coverage is generally capped at $500,000. However, in the case of senior
management, such life insurance coverage is capped at $750,000.
26
401(k) Savings Plan
Northfield Bank maintains the 401(k) Savings Plan, which is a tax-qualified defined
contribution plan with a salary deferral feature under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Salaried employees, who have completed at least one year of eligible service, as defined in the
plan, are eligible to participate in the plan. Employees who are paid on an hourly basis,
employees who are paid exclusively on a commission basis, leased employees or employees covered by
a collective bargaining agreement are not eligible to participate in the 401(k) Savings Plan.
Eligible employees may contribute from 2% to 15% of their base salary to the 401(k) Savings Plan
on a pre-tax basis each year, subject to the limitations of the Internal Revenue Code (for 2010,
the limit was $16,500, exclusive of any catch-up contributions). Employees who have been making
before-tax contributions for less than 36 months will receive an employer matching contribution
equal to 25% of the first 6% of before-tax base salary contributions. Employees who have
participated for 36 or more months will receive an employer matching contribution equal to 50% of
their first 6% of before-tax base salary contributions. In addition, we may make discretionary
employer contributions on behalf of eligible employees.
The 401(k) Savings Plan permits employees to invest in common stock of Northfield Bancorp,
Inc.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust
We maintain the ESOP to promote employee ownership of the Companys common stock. At the
ESOPs inception, the ESOP trust borrowed funds from Northfield Bancorp, Inc. and used those funds
to purchase 1,756,279 shares of common stock of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. The collateral for the
loan is the common stock purchased by the ESOP. The loan will be repaid principally from
discretionary contributions made by Northfield Bank to the ESOP over a period of up to 30 years.
The loan documents provide that the loan may be repaid over a shorter period, without penalty for
prepayments. The interest rate on the loan equals the prime interest rate as of closing of the
stock offering, and adjusts annually at the beginning of each calendar year. Shares purchased by
the ESOP are held in a suspense account for allocation among participants as the loan is repaid
primarily on the basis of compensation in the year of allocation, subject to Internal Revenue Code
limitations. Benefits under the plan vest at the rate of 20% per year of credited service
beginning in the second year of credited service so that a participant with six years of credited
service will become fully vested. Credit is given for vesting purposes to participants for years
of service with Northfield Bank prior to the adoption of the plan. Credit is also given to those
employees who were employed at Liberty Bank at the time of its acquisition by Northfield Bank for
their years of service at Liberty Bank. A participants interest in his account under the plan
fully vests in the event of termination of service due to a participants normal retirement, death,
disability, or upon a change in control (as defined in the plan). In the event of a change in
control, the ESOP will terminate, loan amounts outstanding will be repaid, and remaining shares
will fully vest.
Pension Benefits
None of the individuals listed in the Summary Compensation Table had accumulated pension
benefits either at or during the year ended December 31, 2010.
Employment Agreements
Northfield Bank has entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Alexander, Klein,
Doherty, and Widmer. Northfield Bancorp, Inc. is a signatory to each of the agreements for the
sole purpose of guaranteeing payments thereunder. Each of these agreements has an initial term of
three years. Each year, on the anniversary date of these agreements, the employment agreements
renew for an additional year so that the remaining term will be three years unless notice of
nonrenewal is provided to the executive prior to such anniversary date. The Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors conducts an annual performance evaluation of each executive for purposes
of determining whether to renew the employment agreement. The Compensation Committee also
evaluates the terms and conditions of the agreements prior to renewal, in consultation with an
independent third party compensation consultant, to determine that such terms and conditions are
competitive with the market for the designated positions.
Under the employment agreements, base salaries for Messrs. Alexander, Klein, Doherty, and
Widmer on December 31, 2010, were $676,000, $300,000, $280,000, and $230,000, respectively. In
addition to base salary, each agreement provides for, among other things, participation in cash
incentive programs and other employee retirement benefit and fringe benefit plans applicable to
executive employees. Northfield Bank also will pay or reimburse each executive for all reasonable
business expenses incurred by the executive in the performance of his obligations. In addition,
Northfield Bank will provide Mr. Alexander with a life insurance policy, pay or reimburse
27
Mr. Alexander for the annual dues associated with his membership in a country club, and
pay directly or reimburse Mr. Alexander for the expense of leasing an automobile and reasonable
expenses associated with the use of such automobile. Each employment agreement may be terminated
for cause at any time, in which event the executive would have no right to receive compensation or
other benefits under the employment agreement for any period after termination.
Certain events resulting in the executives termination or resignation entitle the executive
to payments of severance benefits following termination of employment. In the event the
executives employment is terminated for reasons other than just cause (as defined in the
employment agreements), disability (as defined in the employment agreements), or death, or in the
event the executive resigns during the term of the agreement following:
|
(i) |
|
the failure to elect or reelect or to appoint or reappoint the executive to his
executive position, and in the case of Mr. Alexander, the failure to nominate or
re-nominate him as a director of Northfield Bank or Northfield Bancorp, Inc.; |
|
|
(ii) |
|
a material change in the nature or scope of the executives authority that
would cause the executives position to become one of lesser importance; |
|
|
(iii) |
|
a relocation of the executives principal place of employment by more than 30
miles from designated areas; |
|
|
(iv) |
|
a material reduction in the benefits and perquisites of executive, other than a
reduction in pay or benefits of all Northfield Bank employees; |
|
|
(v) |
|
the liquidation or dissolution of Northfield Bank or Northfield Bancorp, Inc.
that would affect the status of the executive; or |
|
|
(vi) |
|
a material breach of the employment agreement by Northfield Bank, |
the executive would be entitled to a lump sum cash severance payment and the continuation of
certain welfare benefits for a period of time after termination of employment, as more fully
described under the table Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers.
In the event an executive resigns in connection with or following a change in control (as
defined in the employment agreement), the executive would also be entitled to a lump sum cash
severance payment and the continuation of certain welfare benefits, including health and life
insurance benefits for a period of time after termination of employment, as more fully described
under the table Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers. Payments will be made in a lump
sum within 30 days after the date of termination, or, if necessary to avoid penalties under Section
409A of the Internal Revenue Code, no later than the first day of the seventh month following the
date of termination. In addition, the executive and his family would be entitled, at no expense to
the executive, to the continuation of life, medical, dental and disability coverage for 36 months
following the date of termination. If such benefits cannot be provided, a lump sum cash payment
for the value of such benefits will be made to the executive.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event payments to the executive would result in an
excess parachute payment as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, payments under
the employment agreements would be reduced in order to avoid such a result.
In the event Mr. Alexander becomes disabled, his obligation to perform services under the
employment agreement will terminate and he will receive the benefits provided under any disability
program sponsored by Northfield Bancorp, Inc. or Northfield Bank. To the extent disability
benefits for Mr. Alexander are less than his base salary on the effective date of his termination
of employment, and less than 66 2/3% of his base salary after the first year following termination,
he will receive a supplemental disability benefit equal to the difference between the benefits
provided under any disability program sponsored by Northfield Bancorp, Inc. or Northfield Bank and
his base salary for one year following the date of termination, and 66 2/3% of his base salary
after the first year following termination, until the earliest to occur of his death, recovery of
disability or the date he attains age 65. If disability payments to Mr. Alexander are not taxable
to him for federal income tax purposes, such amounts shall be tax adjusted assuming a combined
federal, state and city tax rate of 38%, for purposes of determining the reduction in payments
under the agreement, to reflect the tax-free nature of the disability payments. In addition, Mr.
Alexander and his dependents will continue to be covered, at no cost to them, under all benefit
plans, including
28
retirement plans, life insurance plans and non-taxable medical and dental plans in which they
participated prior to the occurrence of his disability, until the earliest of his recovery from
disability or attaining age 65.
The employment agreements for Messrs. Klein, Doherty, and Widmer provide that in the event of
the executives disability, the executives obligation to perform services under the employment
agreement will terminate, and the executive will continue to receive his then current base salary
for one year. Such payment will be reduced by the amount of any short- or long-term disability
benefits payable under any disability program sponsored by Northfield Bancorp, Inc. or Northfield
Bank. If disability payments to Messrs. Klein, Doherty, or Widmer are not subject to federal
income tax, then amounts payable to the executives under the employment agreements shall be tax
adjusted in a manner similar to payments to Mr. Alexander. In addition, the executive and his
dependents will continue to be provided with certain medical, dental and other health benefits on
the same terms as those provided prior to the executives termination for a period of one year.
In the event of the executives death, the executives estate or beneficiaries will be paid
the executives base salary for one year and will receive continued medical, dental, and other
health benefits for one year on the same terms as those provided prior to the executives death.
Upon retirement at age 65 or such later date determined by the Board of Directors, the executive
will receive only those benefits to which he is entitled under any retirement plan of Northfield
Bank to which he is a party.
Upon termination of the executives employment other than in connection with a change in
control or for cause, the executive agrees not to compete with Northfield Bank for a period of two
years in any city, town or county in which the executives normal business office is located and
Northfield Bank has an office or has filed an application for regulatory approval to establish an
office.
Potential Payments to Named Executive Officers
The following table sets forth estimates of the amounts that would be payable to the listed
individuals, under their employment agreements and stock option and restricted stock agreements in
the event of their termination of employment on December 31, 2010, under designated circumstances.
Ms. Frank is not subject to an employment contract, but is party to stock option and restricted
stock agreements. Amounts related to the acceleration of equity awards for Ms. Frank would be
$213,381 in the event of a discharge without cause or resignation with good reason in connection
with a change in control at December 31, 2010. See note 9 to the table below for further
information. The table does not include vested or accrued benefits under qualified and
non-qualified benefit plans or qualified or non-qualified deferred compensation plans that are
disclosed elsewhere in this proxy statement. The estimates shown are highly dependent on a variety
of factors, including but not limited to the date of termination, interest rates, federal, state,
and local tax rates, and compensation history. Actual payments due could vary substantially from
the estimates shown. For example, the amounts presented in the table below for discharge without
cause or resignation with good reason in connection with a change in control have not been reduced
to reflect any cut-back required to avoid an excess parachute payment under section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code. We consider each termination scenario listed below to be exclusive of all
other scenarios and do not expect that any of our executive officers would be eligible to collect
the benefits shown under more than one termination scenario. If an executive officer is terminated
for just cause as defined in the employment agreement, the Company has no contractual payment or
other obligations under the employment agreement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. |
|
|
Mr. |
|
|
Mr. |
|
|
Mr. |
|
|
|
Alexander |
|
|
Klein |
|
|
Doherty |
|
|
Widmer |
|
Disability |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary continuation (1) |
|
$ |
978,718 |
|
|
$ |
140,305 |
|
|
$ |
129,982 |
|
|
$ |
104,176 |
|
Medical, dental and other health benefits
(2) |
|
|
95,530 |
|
|
|
15,222 |
|
|
|
15,222 |
|
|
|
15,222 |
|
Life insurance (3) |
|
|
154,645 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
1,228,893 |
|
|
$ |
155,527 |
|
|
$ |
145,204 |
|
|
$ |
119,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Death |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary (lump-sum payment) (4) |
|
$ |
676,000 |
|
|
$ |
300,000 |
|
|
$ |
280,000 |
|
|
$ |
230,000 |
|
Medical, dental and other health benefits (4) |
|
|
15,222 |
|
|
|
15,222 |
|
|
|
15,222 |
|
|
|
15,222 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
691,222 |
|
|
$ |
315,222 |
|
|
$ |
295,222 |
|
|
$ |
245,222 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. |
|
|
Mr. |
|
|
Mr. |
|
|
Mr. |
|
|
|
Alexander |
|
|
Klein |
|
|
Doherty |
|
|
Widmer |
|
Discharge Without Cause or Resignation With Good Reason
no Change in Control (5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary (lump sum) |
|
$ |
2,028,000 |
|
|
$ |
900,000 |
|
|
$ |
840,000 |
|
|
$ |
690,000 |
|
Bonus (lump sum) |
|
|
249,988 |
|
|
|
111,407 |
|
|
|
99,988 |
|
|
|
72,204 |
|
Retirement contributions (lump sum) |
|
|
204,399 |
|
|
|
94,771 |
|
|
|
106,782 |
|
|
|
95,187 |
|
Medical, dental and other health benefits (6) |
|
|
69,594 |
|
|
|
69,594 |
|
|
|
69,594 |
|
|
|
69,594 |
|
Life insurance contributions (7) |
|
|
116,887 |
|
|
|
2,663 |
|
|
|
5,176 |
|
|
|
2,908 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
2,668,868 |
|
|
$ |
1,178,435 |
|
|
$ |
1,121,540 |
|
|
$ |
929,893 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discharge Without Cause or Resignation With Good Reason
Change in Control Related (8) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary (lump sum) |
|
$ |
2,028,000 |
|
|
$ |
900,000 |
|
|
$ |
840,000 |
|
|
$ |
690,000 |
|
Bonus (lump sum) |
|
|
322,164 |
|
|
|
150,471 |
|
|
|
127,314 |
|
|
|
80,487 |
|
Acceleration of vesting of equity awards(9) |
|
|
2,929,268 |
|
|
|
1,390,037 |
|
|
|
1,297,056 |
|
|
|
1,065,916 |
|
Retirement contributions (lump sum) |
|
|
204,399 |
|
|
|
94,771 |
|
|
|
106,782 |
|
|
|
95,187 |
|
Medical, dental and other health benefits |
|
|
69,594 |
|
|
|
69,594 |
|
|
|
69,594 |
|
|
|
69,594 |
|
Life insurance contributions |
|
|
116,887 |
|
|
|
2,663 |
|
|
|
5,176 |
|
|
|
2,908 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
5,670,312 |
|
|
$ |
2,607,536 |
|
|
$ |
2,445,922 |
|
|
$ |
2,004,092 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
In the case of disability, Mr. Alexanders employment agreement provides for supplemental
salary continuation until the earlier of: recovery from such disability, attaining age 65, or
death. The reported figure assumes salary continuation until Mr. Alexander attains the age of
65. Mr. Klein, Mr. Doherty, and Mr. Widmer receive salary continuation benefits for one-year
following such disability. The employment agreement provides the executive with his base
salary in the first year following disability, reduced by any assumed short-term or long-term
disability insurance benefits provided under separate insurance plans we maintain. Mr.
Alexanders employment agreement provides for second-year benefits and benefits for every year
thereafter, equal to 66 2/3% of his base salary. Such amounts due under the employment
agreements are reduced by any assumed short-term or long-term disability insurance benefits
provided under separate insurance plans on a tax-equivalent basis (assuming a 38% tax rate),
if such short-term or long-term disability benefits are excludable for federal income tax
purposes. Supplemental salary continuation benefits have been discounted at an annual
compounding rate of 2.00% for Mr. Alexander. The figures presented for Mr. Klein, Mr.
Doherty, and Mr. Widmer are presented without discount. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Alexanders employment agreement provides for medical, dental, and other health benefits
to him and his family, at no cost to him, until Mr. Alexander recovers from such disability,
or Mr. Alexander attains the age of 65. Mr. Kleins, Mr. Dohertys, and Mr. Widmers
employment agreements provide for one year of medical, dental, and other health benefits on
the same terms, including cost sharing by the executive, as provided to the executive prior to
his disability. The reported figure for Mr. Alexander reflects the estimated present value of
the future premium cost of such benefits, calculated utilizing substantially the same health
care cost increase assumptions we use in measuring our liability for such benefits for
financial statement purposes. For purposes of this presentation, the estimated future costs
were discounted at a 2.00% annual compounding rate for Mr. Alexander. The figures presented
for Mr. Klein, Mr. Doherty, and Mr. Widmer are presented without discount. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Alexanders employment agreement provides for life insurance continuation benefits. Mr.
Alexander receives an annual reimbursement for a whole-life policy premium through 2014 in the
amount of $35,660. In addition, the employment agreement provides for the continuation of
group life insurance for Mr. Alexander until the earlier of: the date he recovers from such
disability or attains the age of 65. The reported figure in the table assumes that group term
life insurance benefits will continue until Mr. Alexander attains the age of 65, with an
assumed annual cost increase of 4.00% and a 2.00% annual discount rate. |
|
(4) |
|
Each of the employment agreements provides for a lump-sum death benefit equal to one-year of
base salary for each executive. The employment agreements also provide for the continuation
of medical, dental, and other health benefits to the executives family for a period of
one-year at the same terms and cost to the executive immediately prior to his death. |
|
(5) |
|
Each of the employment agreements provides for the lump-sum payment of: three times base
salary; three times the average annual bonus/and or incentive award for three years prior to
the year of termination; and the retirement contributions or payments that we would have made
on the executives behalf, as if the executive had continued his employment for a 36-month
period, based on contributions or payments made (on an annualized basis) at the date of
termination. |
|
(6) |
|
Each of the employment agreements provides for medical, dental, and other health benefits to
the executive and his family, at no cost to the executive for a period of 36 months from the
date of termination. The reported figures reflect the estimated present value of the future
premium cost of such benefits, calculated utilizing substantially the same health care cost
increase assumptions we used in measuring our liability for such benefits for financial
statement purposes. For purposes of this presentation, the estimated future costs were
discounted at a 2.00% annual compounding rate. |
|
(7) |
|
Each of the employment agreements provides for life insurance benefits to the executive and
his family, at no cost to the executive for a period of 36 months from the date of
termination. Mr. Alexander receives an annual reimbursement of $35,660 for a whole-life
insurance policy. Mr. Alexander, Mr. Klein, Mr. Doherty, and Mr. Widmer also participate in
our group life insurance plan. The reported figures in the table assume that the
reimbursement to Mr. Alexander for his whole-life insurance policy will continue for a period
of three years. The reported figures also include the estimated costs of group term life
insurance benefits for Mr. Alexander, Mr. Klein, Mr. Doherty, and Mr. Widmer for a three year
period with an assumed annual cost increase of 4% and a discount rate of 2.00% compounded
annually. |
30
|
|
|
(8) |
|
Under each of the employment agreements, amounts payable under a change in control are
identical to those payable for Discharge Without Cause or Resignation With Good Reason no
Change in Control except that: (i) payments pertaining to bonus and/or incentive awards are
based upon the highest annual bonus and/or incentive award earned in any of the three years
preceding the year in which the termination occurs and (ii) each of the employment agreements
limits the total payments to an executive to an amount that is one dollar less than three
times the executives base amount as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. |
|
(9) |
|
Amounts represent the value of unvested equity awards at December 31, 2010 calculated as the
sum of: (a) unvested restricted stock of 134,400 shares, 62,640 shares, 58,400 shares, 48,000
shares, and 10,640 shares for Mr. Alexander, Mr. Klein, Mr. Doherty, Mr. Widmer, and Ms.
Frank, respectively, multiplied by the closing price of the Companys common stock on December
31, 2010, of $13.32 per share; and (b) unvested stock options of 337,000 options, 164,400
options, 153,600 options, 126,200 options, and 21,200 options for Mr. Alexander, Mr. Klein,
Mr. Doherty, Mr. Widmer, and Ms. Frank, respectively, multiplied by $3.38 per option. The
$3.38 value of each option represents the closing price of the Companys stock on December 31,
2010 of $13.32 per share less the option exercise price of $9.94 per share. |
AUDIT-RELATED MATTERS
Audit Committee Report
The charter of the Audit Committee of the Board specifies that the purpose of the Committee is
to assist the Board in its oversight of:
|
|
|
monitoring and overseeing the integrity of our accounting and financial reporting
process, audits, financial statements and systems of internal controls; |
|
|
|
|
monitoring and overseeing the independence and performance of our external auditors,
internal auditors and outsourced internal audit consultants; |
|
|
|
|
facilitating communication among the external auditors, management, internal
auditors, and the outsourced internal audit consultants; and |
|
|
|
|
maintaining oversight of the external auditors, including the appointment,
compensation, retention and, when considered necessary, the dismissal of the external
auditors. |
|
|
In carrying out these responsibilities, the Audit Committee, among other things: |
|
|
|
|
monitors the preparation of quarterly and annual financial reports by the Companys
management; |
|
|
|
|
supervises the relationship between the Company and its independent registered
public accountants, including: reviewing the scope of their audit services; approving
audit and non-audit services; and confirming the independence of the independent
registered public accountants; |
|
|
|
|
oversees managements implementation and maintenance of effective systems of
internal and disclosure controls, and review of the Companys internal auditing
program; and |
|
|
|
|
monitors financial reporting risks assigned to the Committee by the Board under the
Companys Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program and reports thereon to the Board. |
The Committee schedules its meetings with a view to ensuring that it devotes appropriate
attention to all of its tasks. The Committees meetings include, whenever appropriate, executive
sessions in which the Committee meets separately with the Companys independent registered public
accountants, the Companys internal auditors, the Companys chief financial officer, and Securities
and Exchange Commission counsel.
As part of its oversight of the Companys financial statements, the Committee reviews and
discusses with both management and the Companys independent registered public accountants all
annual and quarterly financial statements prior to their issuance. During 2010, management advised
the Committee that each set of financial statements reviewed had been prepared in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and reviewed significant accounting and disclosure
issues with the Committee. The Committees review included discussions with the independent
registered public accountants of matters required to be discussed pursuant to Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board AU 380 (Communications with Audit Committees), including the quality of
the Companys accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of
disclosures in the financial statements. The Committee also discussed with the independent
registered public accountants matters relating to its independence, including a review of audit and
the written disclosures and letter from KPMG LLP to
31
the Audit Committee pursuant to applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board regarding the independent accountants communications with the audit committee
concerning independence.
In addition, the Committee reviewed key initiatives and programs aimed at maintaining the
effectiveness of the Companys internal controls and managements disclosure control structure. As
part of this process, the Committee continued to monitor the scope and adequacy of the Companys
internal auditing program, reviewing internal audit department staffing levels and steps taken to
maintain the effectiveness of internal procedures and controls.
Taking all of these reviews and discussions into account, the Committee members recommended to
the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Companys Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, for filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Members of the Audit Committee are: Patrick E. Scura, Jr., who serves as Chairman; Annette
Catino; Gil Chapman; and Susan Lamberti.
Policy for Approval of Audit and Permitted Non-audit Services
The Audit Committees policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by
the independent registered public accounting firm, either by approving services prior to the
engagement or pursuant to a pre-approval policy with respect to particular services. These
services may include audit services, audit-related services, and other services. The Audit
Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to the Chairman of the Audit Committee when
expediency is necessary. The independent registered public accounting firm and management are
required to periodically report to the full Audit Committee regarding the extent of services
provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with this pre-approval,
and the fees for the services performed to date.
All audit and all other fees described below were approved either as part of our engagement of
KPMG LLP or pursuant to the pre-approval policy described above. The Audit Committee concluded
that the provision of such services by KPMG LLP was compatible with the maintenance of that firms
independence in the conduct of its auditing functions.
Auditor Fees and Services
The following table presents fees for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP for the audit
of the Companys annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting for 2010
and 2009, and 2010 audit-related fees for KPMG LLP professional services in connection with the
filing of the S-1 and related amendments, for Northfield Bancorp, Inc.
The aggregate fees included in the Audit Fees category were fees billed or expected to be
billed for the calendar years for the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of
our quarterly financial statements. The aggregate fees included in each of the other categories
were fees billed in the stated periods.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended |
|
Year Ended |
|
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
|
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
410,800 |
|
|
$ |
400,000 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
198,485 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Fees. Audit fees of $410,800 for the year ended December 31, 2010, and $400,000
for the year ended December 31, 2009, were for professional services rendered for the audits of our
consolidated financial statements, review of quarterly financial information, and the internal
control attestations required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation regulations for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
Audit-Related Fees. During 2010, the Company incurred $198,485 in fees for professional
services rendered by KPMG LLP in connection with the filing of the S-1 and related amendments, for
Northfield Bancorp, Inc. No Audit-Related fees were incurred for 2009.
32
Tax Fees. No Tax fees were incurred for 2010 or 2009.
All Other Fees. No Other fees were incurred for 2010 or 2009.
PROPOSAL I ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors consists of nine members. Our bylaws provide that our Board of
Directors shall be divided into three classes, and one class of directors is to be elected
annually. Our directors are generally elected to serve for a three-year period, or a shorter
period if the director is elected to fill a vacancy, and until their respective successors shall
have been elected and shall qualify. Three directors will be elected at the annual meeting and
will serve until their successors have been elected and qualified.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has nominated John W. Alexander, Annette
Catino, and John P. Connors, Jr., to serve as directors for three-year terms. Each of the nominees
is currently a member of the Board of Directors. The Board recommends a vote FOR each of the
persons nominated by the Board of Directors.
The table below sets forth certain information regarding the composition of our Board of
Directors as of April 11, 2011. It is intended that the proxies solicited on behalf of the Board
of Directors (other than proxies in which the vote is withheld as to the nominee) will be voted at
the Annual Meeting for the election of the nominees identified above. If the nominees are unable
to serve, the shares represented by all such proxies will be voted for the election of such
substitute as the Board of Directors may recommend. At this time, the Board of Directors knows of
no reason why the nominees might be unable to serve, if elected. Except as indicated herein, there
are no arrangements or understandings between the nominees and any other person pursuant to which
such nominees were selected.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of |
|
|
|
|
Positions |
|
Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
Held in Northfield |
|
Beneficially |
|
Percent |
Name(1) |
|
Bancorp, Inc. |
|
Owned(2) |
|
of Class |
John W. Alexander |
|
Chairman of the Board, President |
|
|
446,680 |
(3) |
|
|
1.04 |
% |
|
|
and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John R. Bowen |
|
Director |
|
|
70,965 |
(4) |
|
|
* |
|
Annette Catino |
|
Director |
|
|
97,341 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
Gil Chapman |
|
Director |
|
|
77,470 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
John P. Connors, Jr. |
|
Director |
|
|
74,005 |
(7) |
|
|
* |
|
John J. DePierro |
|
Director |
|
|
64,862 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
Susan Lamberti |
|
Director |
|
|
85,470 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
Albert J. Regen |
|
Director |
|
|
105,960 |
(10) |
|
|
* |
|
Patrick E. Scura, Jr. |
|
Director |
|
|
75,370 |
(11) |
|
|
* |
|
Kenneth J. Doherty |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief |
|
|
196,614 |
(12) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
Lending Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Madeline G. Frank |
|
Senior Vice President, |
|
|
56,823 |
(13) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
Corporate Secretary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven M. Klein |
|
Executive Vice President, Chief |
|
|
198,076 |
(14) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael J. Widmer |
|
Executive Vice President, |
|
|
157,943 |
(15) |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1%. |
|
(1) |
|
The mailing address for each person listed is 1410 St. Georges Avenue, Avenel, New Jersey
07001. |
|
(2) |
|
See definition of beneficial ownership in the table Voting Securities and Principal
Holders Thereof. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 9,130 shares held jointly with Mr. Alexanders spouse, 28,538 shares held in Mr.
Alexanders IRA accounts, 63,445 shares held by Mr. Alexanders spouse, and 8,050 shares
allocated to Mr. Alexander under Northfield Banks ESOP. Also includes 100,800 shares of
unvested stock awards over which Mr. Alexander has voting control and 168,500 shares that may
be acquired within 60 days by exercising options. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 5,667 shares held in Mr. Bowens IRA account, 3,673 shares held by Mr. Bowens
spouse, and 6,155 shares held in Northfield Bancorp Inc.s 401(k) Plan. Also includes 16,650
shares of unvested stock awards over which Mr. Bowen has voting control and 27,720 shares that
may be acquired within 60 days by exercising options. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 34,771 shares held jointly with Ms. Catinos spouse, 7,000 shares held in Ms.
Catinos IRA account, and 100 shares held in Ms. Catinos SEP account. Also includes 16,650
shares of unvested stock awards over which Ms. Catino has voting control and 27,720 shares
that may be acquired within 60 days by exercising options. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes 1,000 shares held in Mr. Chapmans IRA account, 31,100 shares held jointly with Mr.
Chapmans spouse and 1,000 shares held by Mr. Chapmans spouse. Also includes 16,650 shares
of unvested stock awards over which Mr. Chapman has voting control and 27,720 shares that may
be acquired within 60 days by exercising options. |
33
|
|
|
(7) |
|
Includes 16,197 shares held in Mr. Connors IRA accounts, 1,738 shares held jointly with Mr.
Connors spouse, and 600 shares held by Mr. Connors spouse. Also includes 16,650 shares of
unvested stock awards over which Mr. Connors has voting control and 27,720 shares that may be
acquired within 60 days by exercising options. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 5,392 shares held jointly with Mr. DePierros spouse. Also includes 16,650 shares
of unvested stock awards over which Mr. DePierro has voting control and 27,720 shares that may
be acquired within 60 days by exercising options. |
|
(9) |
|
All shares held jointly with Ms. Lambertis spouse. Also includes 16,650 shares of unvested
stock awards over which Ms. Lamberti has voting control and 27,720 shares that may be acquired
within 60 days by exercising options. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 13,200 shares held jointly with Mr. Regens spouse and 14,682 shares held by Mr.
Regens spouse. Also includes 16,650 shares of unvested stock awards over which Mr. Regen has
voting control and 13,860 shares that may be acquired within 60 days by exercising options. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes 7,500 shares held in Mr. Scuras IRA account. Includes 16,650 shares of unvested
stock awards over which Mr. Scura has voting control and 27,720 shares that may be acquired
within 60 days by exercising options. |
|
(12) |
|
Includes 19,366 shares held jointly with Mr. Dohertys spouse, 1,549 shares held as custodian
for Mr. Dohertys child, 3,368 shares held by Mr. Dohertys spouse, 24,888 shares held in
Northfield Banks 401(k) Plan, and 8,050 shares allocated to Mr. Doherty under Northfield
Banks ESOP. Also includes 43,800 shares of unvested stock awards over which Mr. Doherty has
voting control and 76,800 shares that may be acquired within 60 days by exercising options. |
|
(13) |
|
Includes 2,050 shares held by Ms. Franks child, 14,981 shares held in Northfield Banks
401(k) Plan, and 5,892 shares allocated to Ms. Frank under Northfield Banks ESOP. Also
includes 7,980 shares of unvested stock awards over which Ms. Frank has voting control and
10,600 shares that may be acquired within 60 days by exercising options. |
|
(14) |
|
Includes 24,751 shares held in Northfield Banks 401(k) Plan and 8,050 shares allocated to
Mr. Klein under Northfield Banks ESOP. Also includes 46,980 shares of unvested stock awards
over which Mr. Klein has voting control and 82,200 shares that may be acquired within 60 days
by exercising options. |
|
(15) |
|
Includes 10,000 shares held jointly with Mr. Widmers spouse, 6,700 shares held by Mr.
Widmers spouse, 4,203 shares held in Mr. Widmers IRA account, 14,921 shares held in
Northfield Banks 401(k) Plan, and 5,833 shares allocated to Mr. Widmer under Northfield
Banks ESOP. Also includes 36,000 shares of unvested stock awards over which Mr. Widmer has
voting control and 63,100 shares that may be acquired within 60 days by exercising options. |
PROPOSAL II RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2010, was
KPMG LLP. Our Audit Committee has approved the engagement of KPMG LLP to be our independent
registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2011, subject to the
ratification of the engagement by our stockholders as required by our Bylaws. At the Annual
Meeting, the stockholders will consider and vote on the ratification of the engagement of KPMG LLP
for the year ending December 31, 2011. Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to attend the
annual meeting to respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement if they so desire.
Although stockholder ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm is
required by our Bylaws, even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion,
may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time
during the year if it determines that such change is in the best interest of Northfield Bancorp,
Inc. and its stockholders.
In order to ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting
firm for the year ending December 31, 2011, the proposal must receive at least a majority of the
votes represented at the annual meeting, without regard to broker non-votes, in favor of such
ratification.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of
KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December
31, 2011.
34
PROPOSAL III ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The compensation of our Principal Executive Officer, our Principal Financial Officer and our
three other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (Named Executive Officers)
is described under EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONCompensation Discussion and Analysis. Stockholders
are encouraged to read this section of the Proxy Statement, which discusses our compensation
philosophy, objectives, and process for determining compensation with respect to our Named
Executive Officers.
In accordance with recently adopted changes to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, stockholders
will be asked at the Annual Meeting to provide their support with respect to the compensation of
our Named Executive Officers by voting on the following advisory, non-binding resolution:
RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Companys Named Executive Officers, as
disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to Item 402 of Securities and Exchange Commission
Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and
narrative discussion is hereby APPROVED.
This advisory vote, commonly referred to as a say-on-pay advisory vote, is non-binding on
the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation
Committee value constructive dialogue on executive compensation and other important governance
topics with our stockholders and encourage all stockholders to vote their shares on this matter.
The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review the voting results and take them
into consideration when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the resolution set forth in
Proposal III.
PROPOSAL IV ADVISORY VOTE ON FREQUENCY OF FUTURE SAY-ON-PAY ADVISORY VOTES
In accordance with recently adopted changes to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are
providing a stockholder advisory vote to approve the compensation of executives (the say-on-pay
advisory vote in Proposal III above) this year and will do so at least once every three years
thereafter. Pursuant to recently adopted changes to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, at the 2011
Annual Meeting, we are also asking stockholders to vote on whether future say-on-pay advisory
votes on executive compensation should occur every year, every two years or every three years. We
will submit to stockholders the question of the frequency of advisory votes on executive
compensation at least once every six years.
The Board of Directors recommends that future stockholder say-on-pay advisory votes on
executive compensation be conducted every three years. After carefully studying the alternatives,
the Board has determined that this approach will best serve the Company and its stockholders. In
reaching this determination, the Board considered that the Companys compensation program includes
components that are tied to longer-term, risk-balanced, corporate performance and stockholder
returns, and the Companys three-year strategic planning process. The Board believes that having a
say-when-on-pay proposal every three years will give stockholders the opportunity to assess the
Companys compensation program in light of three years of corporate performance. In addition, the
three-year cycle will give the Board sufficient time to review stockholder views on executive
compensation and to make changes, if appropriate.
Although the Board of Directors recommends a say-on-pay vote every three years, stockholders
will be able to specify one of four choices for this proposal on the proxy card: 1 year, 2 years, 3
years or abstain. Stockholders are not voting to approve or disapprove of the Board of Directors
recommendation.
Although this advisory vote regarding the frequency of say-on-pay votes is non-binding on
the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee will review the
voting results and take them into consideration when deciding how often to conduct future
say-on-pay stockholder advisory votes.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the 3 Year frequency option.
35
OTHER INFORMATION
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
The common stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. The officers and directors of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. and beneficial owners of greater than
10% of our shares of common stock (10% beneficial owners) are required to file reports on Forms
3, 4, and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission disclosing beneficial ownership and changes
in beneficial ownership. Securities and Exchange Commission rules require disclosure in our Proxy
Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K of the failure of an officer, director, or 10% beneficial
owner of the shares of common stock to file a Form 3, 4, or 5 on a timely basis. Based on our
review of such ownership reports, we believe that no officer, director or 10% beneficial owner of
Northfield Bancorp, Inc. failed to file such ownership reports on a timely basis for the year ended
December 31, 2010.
Proxy Solicitation Costs
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by Northfield Bancorp, Inc. We will
reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses
incurred by them in sending proxy materials to the beneficial owners of shares of common stock. In
addition to solicitations by mail, our directors, officers, and regular employees may solicit
proxies personally, by telegraph, telephone, or other forms of communication without additional
compensation. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, has been mailed
or made available online to all stockholders of record as of April 1, 2011. Any stockholder who
has not received a copy of such Annual Report may obtain a copy by writing us.
Other Matters
The Board of Directors is not aware of any business to come before the annual meeting other
than the matters described above in the Proxy Statement. However, if any matters should properly
come before the annual meeting, it is intended that the holders of the proxies will act in
accordance with their best judgment.
Online Delivery of Proxy and Other Materials
We have elected to take advantage of SEC rules that allow companies to furnish proxy materials
to their stockholders on the Internet. We believe that the rules will allow us to provide our
stockholders with the information they need to vote at our annual meeting, while also lowering the
costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of producing and distributing the related
proxy materials.
Since April 14, 2011, the proxy materials for the 2011 Annual Meeting (which includes the 2010
Annual Report to Stockholders) have been available at the following web site:
www.enorthfield.com/proxy. Stockholders who wish to receive a printed copy of the proxy
materials available on this web site may request copies in either of the following ways: (i) by
telephone, at 1-800-579-1639; or (ii) by sending an e-mail to fulfillment@rtco.com. Stockholders
who are not eligible to vote at the annual meeting may find our 2010 Annual Report to Stockholders
and the Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement on the Investor Relations portion of our
Company website.
We encourage all of our stockholders who have Internet access to receive future proxy
materials online rather than through the U.S. mail delivery system. By electing to receive our
materials electronically, you will be supporting our efforts to add to stockholder value. Other
benefits of this service include: receiving stockholder communications, including the Companys
Annual Report to Stockholders and Proxy Statement, as soon as they are available, thus eliminating
the need to wait for them to arrive by mail; enjoying easier access to convenient online voting;
and eliminating bulky paper documents from your personal files.
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Householding of Proxy Statements and Annual Reports
If you request a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K and Proxy Statement, we intend to
deliver only one copy of each to multiple registered stockholders sharing the same address unless
we receive contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. If individual stockholders
wish to receive a separate copy of the Annual Reports or Proxy Statement, they may call or write
and request separate copies currently or in the future as follows:
Investor Relations
Northfield Bancorp, Inc.
581 Main Street, Suite 810
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Phone: (732) 499-7200, ext. 2515
Fax: (732) 634-0737
Registered stockholders sharing the same address and receiving multiple copies of Annual
Reports and Proxy Statements may request the delivery of a singly copy by writing or calling the
above address or phone number.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Madeline G. Frank |
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Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary |
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Avenel, New Jersey
April 11, 2011
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REVOCABLE PROXY NORTHFIELD BANCORP, INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS May 25, 2011 10:00
a.m. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby appoints
the full Board of Directors (other than those listed as nominees in this proxy), with ful powers of
substitution, to act as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned to vote all shares of common
stock of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Hilt on Garden Inn, located at 1100 South Avenue,
Staten Island, New York, 10314, at 10:00 a.m. (local time) on May 25, 2011. The official proxy
commit tee is authorized to cast all votes to which the undersigned is entitled as fol ows: Should
the above signed be present and elect to vote at the annual meeting or at any adjournment thereof
and after notification to the Secretary of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. at the annual meeting of the
stockholder9s decision to terminate this proxy, then the power of said attorneys and proxies shall
be deemed terminated and of no further force and effect. This proxy may also be revoked by sending
written notice to the Secretary of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. at the address set forth on the Notice
of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or by the filing of a later proxy prior to a vote being taken on
a particular proposal at the annual meeting. The above signed acknowledges receipt from Northfield
Bancorp, Inc. prior to the execution of this proxy of notice of the annual meeting, audited
financial statements and a proxy statement dated April 11, 2011. PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN, AND
MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE OR PROVIDE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS TO
VOTE VIA THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE. (Contin ued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the
other side) FOLD AND DETACH HERE NORTHFIELD BANCORP, INC. ANNUAL MEETING, MAY 25, 2011 YOUR
VOTE IS IMPORTANT! Proxy Materials are available on-line at: http://www.enorthfield.com/proxy You
can vote in one of three ways: 1. Call toll free 1-866-825-8974 on a Touch-Tone Phone. There is NO
CHARGE to you for this call. or 2. Via the Internet at https://www.proxyvotenow.com/nfbk and fo llo
w the instructions. or 3. Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it promptly in the
enclosed envelo pe. PLEASE SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS 6342 |
REVOCABLE PROXY PLEASE MARK VOTES NORTHFIELD BANCORP, INC. Annual Meeting of Stockholders X AS IN
THIS EXAMPLE MAY 25, 2011 With- For All 2. The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as For
Against Abstain For hold Except 1. The election as Directors of all nominees listed below n i
dependent registered public accounting firm for the year each to serve for a three-year term
ending December 31, 2011. For Against Abstain Nominees: 3. An advisory (non-binding) resolution to
approve the executive compensation described in the Proxy (01) John W. Alexander Statement. (02)
Annette Catino (03) John P. Connors, Jr. Three Two One 4. An advisory (non-binding) proposal with
respect Years Years Year Abstain to the frequency that stockholders will vote on our INSTRUCTION:
Tow ithhold authority tov ote for any nominee(s), mark ForA llE xcept executive compensation. and
write that nominee(s) name(s) or number(s) in the space provided below. The Board of Directors
recommends a vote FOR proposals 1, 2 and 3 and 3 Years on proposal 4. THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE
PROPOSALS STATED ABOVE AND FOR THE 3 YEARS OPTION. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THE ABOVE-NAMED PROXIES AT THE DIRECTION OF A MAJORITY
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS OF NO OTHER BUSINESS
TO BE PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. Mark here if you plan to attend the meeting Mark here for
address change and note change Please be sure to date and sign Date this proxy card in the box
below. Please sign exactly as your name appears on this card. When sig ning as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, Sign above Co-holder (if any) sign above please give your full
title. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE YOUR
INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW FOLD AND DETACH
HERE IF YOU ARE VOTING BY MAIL PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS S Stockholders of record have three
ways to vote: 1. By Mail; or 2. By Telephone (using a Touch-Tone Phone); or 3. By Internet. A tele
phone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if
you marked, signed, dated and returned this proxy. Please note telephone and Internet votes must be
cast prior to 3 a.m., May 25, 2011. It is not necessary to return this proxy if you vote by tele
phone or Internet. Vote by Telephone Vote by Internet anytime prior to Cal Toll-Free on a
Touch-Tone Phone anytime prio r to 3 a.m., May 25, 2011 go to 3 a.m., May 25, 2011: 1-866-825-8974
https://www.proxyvotenow.com/nfbk Please note that the last vote received, whether by telephone,
Internet or by mail, will be the vote counted. ON-LINE PROXY MATERIALS:
http://www.enorthfield.com/proxy Your vote is important! |