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. )
Filed
by the Registrant
x
Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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x
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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¨
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
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Carver Bancorp, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its
Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement,
if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act 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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Aggregate number 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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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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Total fee paid:
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of
its filing.
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(1)
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Amount Previously Paid:
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(2)
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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Filing Party:
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Date Filed:
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January 29, 2018
Dear Stockholder:
You
are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Carver Bancorp, Inc. (“Carver”), the holding
company for Carver Federal Savings Bank, which will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 (the “Annual Meeting”).
This year’s Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting of stockholders, which will be conducted via live webcast. You will
be able to participate in this year’s Annual Meeting online, vote your shares electronically and submit your questions during
the meeting by visiting
www.virtual
shareholdermeeting.com/CARV2017. Instructions regarding
how to attend the meeting online and details concerning the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting are more fully described
in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement.
With this letter, we
are including the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proxy statement, the proxy card and our Annual Report for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2017. The attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement describe the formal business
to be transacted at the Annual Meeting. Directors and officers of Carver, as well as representatives of BDO USA, LLP, the accounting
firm appointed by the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to be Carver’s independent auditors for the fiscal
year ending March 31, 2018, will attend the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors
of Carver recommends a vote “FOR” all nominees for election as director (“Proposal One”), “FOR”
the ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 (“Proposal
Two”), and “FOR” the advisory (non-binding) approval of the compensation of our named executive officers (“Proposal
Three”).
You may vote by telephone
or over the Internet, as well as by using the traditional proxy card. Please see the enclosed proxy card or page 2 of the attached
proxy statement for instructions on these methods of voting. Whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting online, it is important
that your shares be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting. Please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card or vote via
telephone or Internet as directed on the proxy card, at your earliest convenience.
The Board of Directors,
management and employees of Carver thank you for your ongoing support and continued interest in Carver. We hope that you will join
us online at the Annual Meeting.
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Sincerely yours,
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/s/ Michael T. Pugh
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Michael T. Pugh
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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CARVER BANCORP, INC.
75 West 125
th
Street
New York, New York 10027-4512
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NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 28, 2018
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NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that the annual meeting of stockholders of Carver Bancorp, Inc. (“Carver”) will be held on February
28, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. This year’s Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of stockholders, which will be conducted
via live webcast. You will be able to participate in the Annual Meeting online, vote your shares electronically, and submit your
questions during the meeting by visiting
www.virtual
shareholdermeeting.com/CARV2017. Because
the Annual Meeting is virtual and being conducted via live webcast, stockholders will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting
in person. Details regarding how to participate in the meeting online and the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting are
more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement.
At the Annual Meeting,
stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the following matters:
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1.
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To elect four directors, each to serve for a three-year term and until their respective successors
has been elected and qualified;
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2.
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To ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as independent auditors for Carver for the fiscal year
ending March 31, 2018; and
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3.
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Advisory (non-binding) approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as described
in the proxy statement.
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If any other matters
properly come before the Annual Meeting, including, among other things, a motion to adjourn or postpone the Annual Meeting to another
time or place or both for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies or otherwise, the persons named in the accompanying proxy
card will vote the shares represented by all properly executed proxies on such matters using their best judgment. As of the date
of the proxy statement, Carver’s management is not aware of any other such business.
The Board of Directors
has fixed January 5, 2018 as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting
and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. Only stockholders of Carver as of the close of business on the record date will
be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting will be available at Carver Federal Savings Bank, 75 West 125
th
Street, New York, New York, for a
period of twenty days prior to the Annual Meeting. If you want to inspect the stockholder list, please contact Carver’s Corporate
Secretary at (718) 230-9200.
Please promptly
sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy Card or vote by telephone at 1-800-690-6903 from any touch-tone telephone or via the
internet at
www.proxyvote.com
and follow the instructions. Please have your proxy card available when you call or access
the web page and use the Carver Number and Account Number shown on your proxy card. You may revoke the proxy at any time prior
to its exercise in the manner described in the attached proxy statement.
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By Order of the Board of Directors
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/s/ Isaac Torres
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Isaac Torres
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SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
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January 29, 2018
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CARVER BANCORP, INC.
75 West 125
th
Street
New York, New York 10027-4512
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
FEBRUARY 28, 2018
GENERAL INFORMATION
General
This proxy statement
and accompanying proxy card are being furnished to stockholders of Carver Bancorp, Inc. in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of Carver to be used at the annual meeting of stockholders that will be held on Wednesday, February
28, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., and at any adjournment or postponement thereof (the “Annual Meeting”). The accompanying Notice
of Annual Meeting and proxy card, and this proxy statement, are first being mailed to stockholders on or about January 29, 2018.
Carver Bancorp, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation, operates as the savings and loan holding company for Carver Federal Savings Bank. In this proxy statement,
we refer to Carver Bancorp, Inc. as “Carver” and Carver Federal Savings Bank as “Carver Federal” or the
“Bank.”
Important notice
regarding the availability of proxy materials for the February 28, 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
The Proxy Statement
for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is available at
http://www.proxyvote.com.
Who Can Vote
The Board of Directors
of Carver has fixed the close of business on January 5, 2018 as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled
to vote electronically at the Annual Meeting. As of the close of business on January 5, 2018, the outstanding voting stock of Carver
consisted of 3,696,087 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock” or “Voting Stock”).
The holders of record of a majority of the total number of votes eligible to be cast in the election of directors represented in
person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting.
How Many Votes You Have
Each holder of shares
of Common Stock outstanding on January 5, 2018 will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record (other than Excess Shares,
as defined below) upon each matter properly submitted at the Annual Meeting. As provided in Carver’s Certificate of Incorporation,
record holders of Voting Stock on behalf of a person who beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the outstanding shares of Voting
Stock (“Excess Shares”) shall be entitled to cast only one-hundredth of one vote per share for each Excess Share. A
person or entity is deemed to beneficially own shares owned by an affiliate or associate as well as by persons acting in concert
with such person or entity. Carver’s Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors to interpret and apply
the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws governing Excess Shares and to determine on the basis of information
known to it after reasonable inquiry of all facts necessary to ascertain compliance with the Certificate of Incorporation, including,
without limitation: (1) the number of shares of Voting Stock beneficially owned by any person or purported owner; (2) whether a
person or purported owner is an affiliate or associate of, or is acting in concert with, any other person or purported owner; and
(3) whether a person or purported owner has an agreement or understanding with any person or purported owner as to the voting or
disposition of any shares of Voting Stock.
How You Can Vote
If you are a stockholder
whose shares are registered in your name, you may vote your shares electronically at the virtual meeting or by one of the following
methods:
Vote by
Internet
, by going to the web address http://www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions for Internet voting shown on
the enclosed proxy card.
Vote by
Telephone
, by dialing 1-800-690-6903 from any touch-tone telephone and follow the instructions. Have your proxy card available
when you call and use the Carver Number and Account Number shown on your proxy card.
Vote by
Proxy Card
, by completing, signing, dating and mailing the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided.
If you vote by telephone
or by Internet, please do not mail your proxy card.
If you return your
signed proxy card or use telephone voting before the Annual Meeting, the named proxies will vote your shares as you direct. You
have three choices on each matter to be voted on. For example, for the election of directors, you may (1) vote “FOR”
all the nominees, (2) “WITHHOLD” authority for all nominees or (3) Vote “FOR ALL EXCEPT.” See “Proposal
One–Election of Directors.” For Proposal Two and Three, you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN”
from voting.
If you send in your
proxy card or use telephone voting, but do not specify how you want to vote your shares, the named proxies will vote “FOR”
the nominees for election as director (“Proposal One”), “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of BDO
USA, LLP, as independent auditors for Carver for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 (“Proposal Two”), and “FOR”
the advisory (non-binding) approval of compensation of named executive officers (“Proposal Three”).
Important Information Regarding Record Ownership, Beneficial
Ownership and Voting at the Annual Meeting
Many
of our stockholders hold their shares through stockbrokers, banks, or other nominees, rather than directly in their own names (
i.e.
,
a stockholder of record). If your shares are registered directly with our transfer agent, you are a stockholder of record. As a
stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to Carver and vote your shares by proxy in the manner
described above, or you may personally vote your shares at the virtual Annual Meeting. To attend and vote personally at the virtual
Annual Meeting, visit
www.virtual
shareholdermeeting.com/CARV2017 and follow the instructions
on your proxy card. Even if you plan to attend the virtual meeting, we recommend that you vote in advance by proxy.
If you hold your shares
in “street name” (
i.e
., in a brokerage account), you are
not
considered to be the “stockholder
of record” of those shares. Instead, you are the “beneficial owner” of those shares and your broker is the “stockholder
of record.” If you hold your shares in street name, your broker is sending these proxy materials to you. As the beneficial
owner, you have the right to direct your broker how to vote by filling out a voting instruction form that accompanies your proxy
materials. Your broker may allow you to provide voting instructions by telephone. Please see the instruction form provided by your
broker that accompanies this proxy statement. As the beneficial owner, you are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting online.
However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares at the Annual Meeting online unless you obtain
a legal proxy from your broker authorizing you to do so.
Attending the Virtual Annual
Meeting
This year’s Annual
Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of stockholders and will be webcast live over the Internet. Please go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CARV2017
for instructions on how to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting. Any stockholder may attend and listen live to the webcast
of the Annual Meeting over the Internet at such site. Stockholders as of the record date may vote and submit questions while attending
the Annual Meeting via the Internet by following the instructions listed on your proxy card. The webcast starts at 10:00 a.m.,
Eastern time, on February 28, 2018. We encourage you to access the meeting prior to the start time.
Votes Required
Proposal One
.
Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. The four nominees receiving the
highest number of votes cast in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be elected to the Board of Directors. As such, if
you do not vote for a nominee, your vote will not count “FOR” or “AGAINST” the nominee. If you “WITHHOLD”
authority for any nominee, your vote will not count “FOR” or “AGAINST” the nominee, unless you properly
submit a new proxy card or vote at the Annual Meeting. You may not vote your shares cumulatively for the election of directors.
Broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of directors.
Proposal Two
.
The ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as Carver’s independent auditors requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the number of votes eligible to be cast by the holders of Voting Stock present, in person or by proxy,
and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, if you “ABSTAIN” from voting on this proposal, it has the same
effect as if you voted “AGAINST” the proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
Proposal Three.
Both: (i) Section 111 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”), as amended by the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (due to Carver’s participation in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”)); and
(ii) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, requires Carver to include a non-binding shareholder
vote to approve the compensation of Carver’s named executive officers. Accordingly, we are asking you to approve the compensation
of the named executive officers as described under “Executive Compensation” in this proxy statement. Approval of this
proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the number of votes eligible to be cast by the holders of
Voting Stock present, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will have the same effect
as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal, and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the proposal. Your vote
is advisory and will not be binding upon the Board of Directors of Carver. However, the Compensation Committee will take into account
the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.
Revocability of Proxies
If you are a stockholder
whose shares are registered in your name, you may revoke your grant of a proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting
by:
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filing a written revocation of the proxy with Carver’s Corporate Secretary;
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submitting another proper proxy with a more recent date than that of the proxy first given by (1)
following the telephone voting instructions, (2) following the Internet voting instructions or (3) completing, signing, dating
and returning a proxy card to Carver; or
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attending the virtual meeting and voting electronically at the Annual Meeting.
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If you are a stockholder
whose shares are not registered in your name, you may revoke your proxy by contacting your bank, broker or other holder of record
for revocation instructions.
We are soliciting proxies
only for the Annual Meeting. If you grant us a proxy to vote your shares, the proxy will be exercised only at the Annual Meeting.
Solicitation of Proxies
Carver will bear the
entire cost of solicitation of proxies, including the preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this proxy statement and any
additional information furnished to Carver stockholders. In addition to solicitation of proxies by mail, solicitation may be made
by certain of our directors, officers or employees telephonically, electronically or by other means of communication or by Morrow
& Co., LLC (“Morrow”) which we have retained to assist in the solicitation of proxies. Our directors, officers
and employees will receive no additional compensation for any such solicitation, and Morrow will receive a fee of $3,500
plus
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for its services. Carver will reimburse brokers and other similar institutions for costs incurred
by them in mailing proxy materials to beneficial owners in accordance with applicable rules.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table
sets forth, as of January 5, 2018, certain information as to shares of Voting Stock beneficially owned by persons owning in excess
of 5% of any class of Carver’s outstanding Voting Stock. Carver knows of no person, except as listed below, who beneficially
owned more than 5% of any class of the outstanding shares of Carver’s Voting Stock as of January 5, 2018. Except as otherwise
indicated, the information provided in the following table was obtained from filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) and with Carver pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Addresses provided are those listed in the filings as the address of the person authorized to receive notices and communications.
For purposes of the table below and the table set forth under “Security Ownership of Management,” in accordance with
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner, for purposes of these tables, of any shares of
stock (1) over which he or she has or shares, directly or indirectly, voting or investment power, or (2) of which he or she has
the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days after January 5, 2018. As used in this proxy statement, “voting
power” is the power to vote or direct the voting of shares, and “investment power” includes the power to dispose
or direct the disposition of shares.
Name and Address
of Beneficial Owner
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Amount and Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
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Percent of
Common Stock
Outstanding(1)
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U.S. Department of the Treasury
c/o The Bank of New York Mellon
2 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
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2,321,286
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(2)
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62.8
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%
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(1)
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On January 5, 2018, there were 3,696,087 outstanding shares of Common Stock. On October 27, 2011,
Carver completed a 1-for-15 reverse stock split, which reduced the number of outstanding shares of common stock from 2,492,415
to 166,161.
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(2)
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On October 28, 2011, the United States Department of the Treasury (the “U.S. Treasury”)
exchanged the Series B preferred stock it owned as part of the TARP Community Development Capital Initiative (the “TARP-CDCI”)
for 2,321,286 shares of Common Stock and its Series C Preferred stock converted into 1,208,039 shares of Common Stock and 45,118
shares of Series D preferred stock. Series C stock was previously reported as Mezzanine equity, and upon conversion to Common Stock
and Series D is now reportable as stockholders’ equity.
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Security Ownership
of Management
The following table
sets forth information about the shares of Voting Stock beneficially owned by each nominee, each current director of Carver, each
Named Executive Officer identified in the Summary Compensation Table included in this proxy statement, and all directors and executive
officers of Carver or Carver Federal, as a group, as of January 5, 2018. Except as otherwise indicated, each person and each group
shown in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of Voting Stock indicated and none of the shares
are pledged as security.
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Name
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Title
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Amount
and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
of Common Stock (1)
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Percent
of
Common Stock
Outstanding (2)
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Robert R. Tarter
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Chairman of the Board
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66
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*
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Pazel G. Jackson, Jr.
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Director
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88
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*
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Janet L. Rollé
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Director
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133
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*
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Susan M. Tohbe
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Director
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133
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*
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Lewis P. Jones III
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Director
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1,400
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*
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Colvin W. Grannum
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Director
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2,140
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*
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Kenneth J. Knuckles
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Director
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1,400
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*
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Ingrid LaMae deJongh
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Director
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1,400
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*
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Craig C. MacKay
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Director
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1,000
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*
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Michael T. Pugh
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President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
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100
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*
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Christina L. Maier
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First Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
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—
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*
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John Spencer
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Senior Vice President, Chief
Operations and Information
Technology Officer
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333
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*
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John Fitzpatrick
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First Senior Vice President,
Chief Operations Officer
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—
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*
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Blondel Pinnock
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Senior Vice President, Chief
Lending Officer
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481
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*
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All directors and other executive
officers as a group
persons (14 persons)
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8,674
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*
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* Less
than 1% of outstanding Common Stock.
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(1)
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Amounts of equity securities shown include shares of common stock subject to options exercisable
within 60 days as follows: Ms. Rollé - 66; Ms. Tohbe – 66; Mr. Jones – 400; Mr. Grannum – 400; Mr. Knuckles
– 400; Ms. deJongh – 400; all officers and directors as a group – 1,732.
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Amounts of
equity securities shown include unvested shares of restricted stock awarded to the executive officers and directors under the 2006
Stock Incentive Plan, which such executive officers and directors have neither voting nor dispositive power, as follows: Mr. Jones
- 600; Mr. Grannum - 600; Mr. Knuckles - 600; Ms. deJongh - 600; Mr. MacKay - 1,000; all officers and directors as a group -3,400.
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(2)
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Percentages with respect to each person or group of persons have been calculated on the basis of
3,696,087 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of January 5, 2018, plus the number of shares of Common Stock which such person
or group has the right to acquire within 60 days after January 5, 2018 by the exercise of stock options.
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PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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General
The Certificate of
Incorporation of Carver provides that Carver’s Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in
number as possible. The directors of each class serve for a term of three years, with one class elected each year. In all cases,
directors serve until their successors are elected and qualified.
Carver's Board of Directors
has the discretion to fix the number of directors by resolution and has so fixed this number at ten (10). The terms of four directors
expire at the Annual Meeting. Craig C. MacKay, Janet L. Rollé, Lewis P. Jones III, and Colvin W. Grannum, whose terms are
expiring, have been nominated and approved by Carver's Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and ratified by the Board of Directors
to be re-elected at the Annual Meeting to serve for a term of three years and until their respective successors are elected and
qualified.
Each nominee has consented
to being named in this proxy statement and to serve if elected. However, if any nominee is unable to serve, the shares represented
by all properly executed proxies which have not been revoked will be voted for the election of such substitute as the Board of
Directors may recommend, or the size of the Board of Directors may be reduced to eliminate the vacancy. At this time, the Board
knows of no reason why any nominee might be unable to serve.
Information Regarding Nominees
and Continuing Directors
The following table
sets forth certain information with respect to the nominees for election as a director and each director whose term does not expire
at the Annual Meeting (“Continuing Director”). There are no arrangements or understandings between Carver and any director
or nominee pursuant to which such person was elected or nominated to be a director of Carver. For information with respect to the
ownership of shares of the Common Stock by each director and nominee, see “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management—Security Ownership of Management.”
|
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
|
End
of Term
|
|
|
Position Held with
Carver and Carver Federal
|
|
Director
Since
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominees
for Term Expiring in 2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig C. MacKay
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Janet L. Rollé
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
Lewis P. Jones III
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
Colvin W. Grannum
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert R. Tarter
|
|
|
69
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Kenneth J. Knuckles
|
|
|
70
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
Ingrid LaMae deJongh
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
Michael T. Pugh
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
Pazel G. Jackson, Jr.
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
1997
|
|
|
Susan M. Tohbe
|
|
|
69
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
Director
|
|
|
2010
|
|
Directors’ Backgrounds
The principal occupation
and business experience of each nominee for election as director and each Continuing Director is set forth below.
Nominees
for Election as Director
The Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee of the Board of Directors nominated, and the Board of Directors approved, the following individuals for election
as Director:
Craig C. MacKay
is a Managing Director and Partner of England & Company. He has over 20 years of investment banking experience focused
on private financings for middle market companies. Mr. MacKay previously headed the Private Finance Group at Oppenheimer &
Company, was head of Private Finance at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, and was the Managing Member and founder of HNY Associates.
Mr. MacKay earned his Bachelor's of Science in Economics and Masters of Business Administration in Finance at the Wharton School
of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. MacKay’s experience in private finance provides Carver with additional perspective
on opportunities in its market area.
Janet L. Rollé
is General Manager of Parkwood Entertainment, the entertainment company founded by entertainer and entrepreneur, Beyoncé.
She previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of CNN Worldwide. Prior to joining CNN Worldwide
in April 2011, Ms. Rollé was Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of BET Networks from April 2007 to March
2011. In that role, Ms. Rollé directed brand, marketing and creative strategy for all businesses of BET Networks. From 2005
to 2007, Ms. Rollé served as Vice President and General Manager of AOL’s affinity websites, AOL Black Voices and the
10 websites in AOL Women's & Lifestyle category. Ms. Rollé was previously Vice President, Programming Enterprises and
Business Development at MTV Networks, responsible for growing revenue at VH1 and Country Music Television. Ms. Rollé began
her career at Home Box Office (“HBO”), holding positions including Special Assistant to the Chairman, and Director
of Marketing and New Media, for the video division of HBO. Ms. Rollé holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University and a B.F.A.
from the State University of New York, Purchase. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Foundation for
the University of the West Indies. Ms. Rollé’s experience in marketing to diverse constituencies improved Carver’s
ability to address the needs of the changing communities it serves.
Lewis P. Jones III
is Managing Principal Co-Founder at 5 Stone Green Capital, an asset management firm that focuses on energy efficient and sustainably-designed
real estate developments, since 2010. Mr. Jones was an executive from 1988 to 2009 at JPMorgan Chase (and predecessor banks), including
serving as the Co-Portfolio Manager of the JPMorgan Urban Renaissance Property Fund and a senior member of the Acquisitions Team
at JP Morgan Asset Management. Mr. Jones also previously served as President of the Chase Community Development Corporation. Mr.
Jones earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a law degree and MBA from Columbia University. Mr. Jones’s
expertise in community development and green real estate lending and investment offers Carver a unique perspective on burgeoning
opportunities in its market area.
Colvin W. Grannum
is President and Chief Executive Officer of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, since 2001. Previously, Mr. Grannum served
as Chief Executive Officer at Bridge Street Development Corporation. Prior to his career in community development, Mr. Grannum
practiced law for more than 17 years. Mr. Grannum earned an undergraduate degree from University of Pennsylvania and a law degree
from Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Grannum’s legal background and expertise in community development in New York
City offers Carver a greater depth of understanding on the Bank’s market area and the needs of the changing communities that
it serves.
The Board of Directors
Recommends a Vote
“FOR” Each Nominee for Election as Director.
Please Mark Your Vote
on the Enclosed Proxy Card and
Return it in the Enclosed Postage-Prepaid Envelope
or Vote by Telephone or the Internet.
Continuing
Directors
Robert R. Tarter
retired in 2009 as an Executive Vice President of the State Street Corporation, which he joined in 1994. Mr. Tarter held several
executive level positions during his tenure with State Street, most recently as head of the Global Relationship Management Group
and prior to that as head of Institutional Investor Services with responsibility for State Street’s North American investment
servicing business for institutional clients. Before joining State Street Corporation, Mr. Tarter spent more than 20 years at Bankers
Trust in corporate banking. Mr. Tarter earned his undergraduate degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Tarter is a member of the boards of the Immokalee Foundation and the Naples Shelter for Abused Women and Children, and a member
of the Executive Leadership Council. Mr. Tarter’s long financial services career brings to the Board an in depth understanding
of banking and the issues facing the industry, experience in addressing these issues and the skills to assist management oversee
Carver’s lending, finance, and real estate businesses.
Kenneth J. Knuckles
is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (“UMEZ”),
since 2003. Mr. Knuckles is also Vice Chair of the New York City Planning Commission. Prior to joining UMEZ, Mr. Knuckles was Vice
President of Support Services and Chief Procurement Officer at Columbia University. Mr. Knuckles earned his undergraduate degree
from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Howard University School of Law. Mr. Knuckles’s experience in New
York City community development issues contributes to Carver’s mission to the communities it serves.
Ingrid LaMae deJongh
is Head of School Management and Technology at Success Academy Charter Schools in New York City. She was formerly a partner at
Accenture from 1987 to 2012, where she provided consulting, technology and outsourcing solutions and had a leadership role in the
firm’s North America Capital Markets practice. Alongside her client service work, Ms. deJongh helped addressed
Accenture’s human capital strategy, bringing focus to the recruitment, retention, development and advancement of talent;
inclusion and diversity; and corporate citizenship. She also contributed to strategy-setting and day-to-day operations of
Accenture through participation on the CEO Advisory Council, North America Leadership Team, Accenture US Foundation, and Accenture
US Investments/Benefits Co. Ms. deJongh earned her undergraduate degree from Princeton University. Ms. deJongh’s prior experience
as a consultant developing new business strategies and models for financial institutions brings the Board a greater depth of understanding
on banking industry trends and strategies.
Michael T.
Pugh
, 46, is President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Carver, since January 2015.
From January 2013 through December 2014, Mr. Pugh served as Carver’s President and Chief Operating Officer. In 2012,
he was Carver’s Chief Revenue Consultant, focusing on redesigning its business strategy, management structure and related
processes. Mr. Pugh is a retail banking veteran of more than 22 years, and has led teams of up to 600 associates in consumer
and business banking, residential lending, and call center operations. He has been a critical leader in bank technology integrations,
launching new lines of business, and executing new growth market strategies. Prior to joining Carver in August 2012, Mr.
Pugh worked at Capital One, N.A., as Senior Vice President, Regional Executive and Market President of the Eastern Maryland, Delaware
and Washington, D.C. markets. Prior to his tenure at Capital One, he was a Senior Vice President, Retail Banking Executive
for Citizens Financial Group, Citizens Bank. He led retail banking teams in the Michigan and Indiana markets with up to 67
banking centers. Mr. Pugh is a board member for several nonprofit organizations, including the Community Development Bankers
Association and the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, where he serves as Chairman. He currently
serves on the Board of the New York Business Development Corporation. He earned a B.S. in Health Administration from Eastern Michigan
University, and completed advanced management training at Babson College.
Pazel G. Jackson,
Jr.
, has been a member of the Board of Directors of Carver and Carver Federal since 1997. Mr. Jackson retired as Senior Vice
President of JPMorgan Chase in 2000. During his 37-year career in banking, Mr. Jackson held positions of increasing responsibility
at JPMorgan Chase, Chemical Bank, Texas Commerce Bank and the Bowery Savings Bank. Most recently, from January 1995 to 2000, Mr.
Jackson was responsible for mortgage market development throughout the United States for JPMorgan Chase. His prior positions included
Senior Credit Officer of Chemical Mortgage Company, Business Manager of Chemical Mortgage Division, Chief Lending Officer of Bowery
Savings Bank and Marketing Director of Bowery Savings Bank. Mr. Jackson was formerly Vice-Chairman of the Battery Park City Authority
and formerly Chairman of The Mutual Real Estate Trust. Mr. Jackson is a licensed Professional Engineer with more than 16 years
of senior management experience in design and construction. Mr. Jackson earned B.C.E. and M.C.E. degrees from the City College
of New York, an M.B.A. from Columbia University and a Doctorate in Business Policy Studies from Pace University in New York. Mr.
Jackson’s extensive senior level banking experience, including his extensive lending and real estate experience, coupled
with his advanced formal education, has given him front-line exposure to many of the issues facing Carver, as well as valuable
insight needed as Chairman of the Asset Liability and Interest Rate Risk Committee.
Susan M. Tohbe
is an owner and manager of Peterson County LLC, a real estate investment, development and management company with properties principally
located in Connecticut. At Peterson County, Ms. Tohbe directs the financial operations and manages the portfolio of low-income
tenant apartment buildings. Prior to joining Peterson County in 2001, Ms. Tohbe was Chief Financial Officer of the Mashantucket
Pequot Tribal Nation, the owners of the Foxwoods Resort Casino, several other hotel properties, commercial real estate, a nationwide
pharmaceutical distribution network, and other operations which were as diverse as shipbuilding and ferry operations, and the construction
and operation of the $200 million Pequot Museum and Research Center. In addition, she oversaw the $350 million annual government
budget, covering the costs of managing the reservation and the health and welfare of the Tribe. Prior to that, Ms. Tohbe held Chief
Financial Officer positions at J.M. Huber Corporation in Edison, New Jersey, and The Oakland Tribune in Oakland, California. She
also served as a Senior Vice President of Bank of America’s World Banking Group, where she was responsible for all aspects
of the group’s financial operations. Ms. Tohbe has served on the boards of the California Public Employees Retirement System
(“CalPERS”), Pacific Gas & Electric Nuclear Decommissioning Trust, Mills College, San Francisco Ballet, and Catalyst.
Ms. Tohbe holds an M.B.A and B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. Ms. Tohbe’s extensive experience in operating
her own company focused on providing housing and real estate development, in addition to her experience as the chief financial
officer at several organizations, bring valuable business and leadership skills and financial acumen to the Board in furtherance
of its objective of maintaining a membership of experienced and dedicated individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, skills,
and other qualities that are beneficial to Carver.
Executive Officers of Carver
and Carver Federal
Biographical information
for Carver’s executive officers who are not directors is set forth below. Such executive officers are officers of Carver
and Carver Federal.
Executive Officers
Christina L.
Maier
, 63, is First Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, since March 2016. Prior to joining Carver, Ms. Maier
served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. from 2013 through March 2016.
Prior to her time with Patriot National Bancorp, Inc., Ms. Maier spent over a decade in leadership positions at other financial
institutions, including Provident New York Bancorp and Hudson United Bancorp. Ms. Maier earned an M.B.A. in Finance from St. Thomas
Aquinas College and a B.S. in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
John J. Fitzpatrick
,
65, is Chief Operating Officer, since February 2017. Mr. Fitzpatrick has over 30 years experience in the banking industry. Mr.
Fitzpatrick previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Fieldpoint Private Bank & Trust from 2013 to February 2017. From
July 2011 to December 2013, Mr. Fitzpatrick served as Senior Vice President of Operaitons for Sterling National Bank. Mr. Fitzpatrick
has a B.A. from Hunter College, City University of New York, and a Masters in Banking from Adelphi University.
Blondel A. Pinnock
,
49, is Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer. Ms. Pinnock previously held the position of Senior Vice President of Carver
Federal and President of Carver Community Development Corporation. She joined Carver in April 2008. Prior to joining Carver,
Ms. Pinnock was Senior Vice President of Bank of America where she was a community development lender and business development
officer. Ms. Pinnock has over ten years of experience in financing the development of residential and commercial real estate
projects located within low and moderate income neighborhoods throughout New York City and outlying areas. Prior to her tenure
at Bank of America, Ms. Pinnock worked as counsel and deputy director for the New York City’s Housing, Preservation and Development
Department’s Tax Incentives Unit, where she assisted in the implementation of the City's real estate tax programs for low,
moderate and market rate projects. She earned a B. A. from Columbia College and a J. D. from Hofstra University School of
Law.
John F. Spencer,
52, is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Technology and Operations Officer of Carver. Mr. Spencer was promoted in 2013
from his prior position as Senior Vice President and Chief Retail Officer of Carver Federal. Mr. Spencer joined Carver in February
2009 after 22 years at JP Morgan Chase where he held several management positions in Retail Sales/Customer Service, Audit, and
Operations Management. Additionally, he served as a Branch Administration Executive for the bank’s Retail Division, supporting
a network with 700 branches, and over $50 billion in deposits. Mr. Spencer has a proven record of accomplishment of operational
excellence. He has significant experience in Retail Bank merger integration, and has participated in Six Sigma Methodology projects.
He earned a B.A. in Banking and Finance from Pace University.
Transactions with Certain Related
Persons
Applicable law requires
that all loans or extensions of credit to executive officers and directors must be made on substantially the same terms, including
interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with the general public and must not
involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. Carver Federal offers loans to its directors,
officers and employees, which loans are made in the ordinary course of business and are not made with more favorable terms nor
do they involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present unfavorable features. Furthermore, loans above the greater
of $25,000, or 5% of Carver Federal’s capital and surplus (up to $500,000), to Carver Federal’s directors and executive
officers must be approved in advance by a majority of the disinterested members of Carver Federal’s Board of Directors. As
of the date of this proxy statement, neither Carver nor Carver Federal had any outstanding loans or extensions of credit to any
of its executive officers or directors.
Stock Ownership
Carver encourages its
officers and directors to own stock in Carver, and a portion of the compensation of its officers and directors is stock-based,
as described below under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis–Total Compensation Program Components.” Carver’s
Corporate Governance Principles encourage directors to hold a meaningful number of shares in Carver, and, so long as they remain
on the Board of Directors, Board members are expected to retain a majority of the shares of Company common stock purchased in the
open market or received pursuant to their service as Board members. Information regarding stock ownership of Carver’s directors
and executive officers is set forth under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis–Executive Officer Compensation”
and “Compensation Discussion Analysis–Director Compensation.”
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the
Exchange Act requires Carver’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered
class of Carver’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and the NASDAQ Stock
Market. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish Carver with copies
of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on a review
of copies of such reports of ownership furnished to Carver, or written representations that no forms were necessary, Carver believes
that, during the last fiscal year, all filing requirements applicable to its directors, officers and greater than ten percent stockholders
of Carver were complied with, with the exception of beneficial ownership forms of Mr. MacKay, which were filed late due to an administrative
error.
PROPOSAL
TWO
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
|
General
The Finance and Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors of Carver has appointed the firm of BDO USA, LLP as independent auditors for Carver for the
fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 and the Board of Directors has determined that it would be desirable to request that stockholders
ratify such appointment. Representatives of BDO USA, LLP are expected to be present at the 2017 Annual Meeting. They will have
an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Stockholder ratification
of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP is not required by Carver’s Bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board of Directors is submitting
the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate
practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP, the Finance and Audit Committee will reconsider whether
it should select another independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Finance and 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 a change is in the best interests of Carver and its stockholders.
On July 5, 2016, Carver
notified KPMG, LLP that it would not be retained as its independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
March 31, 2017. BDO USA, LLP succeeded KPMG, LLP as Carver’s independent registered public accounting firm effective upon
KPMG, LLP’s issuance of its reports on (i) Carver’s 2016 fiscal year end financial statements, which include the consolidated
financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, and (ii) the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting as of March 31, 2016, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending
March 31, 2016.
KPMG, LLP’s audit
report on Carver’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended March 31, 2016 did not contain any adverse
opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor was it qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
On July 5, 2016, the
Company formally retained BDO as its independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. During
the two fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and the subsequent interim period through July 5, 2016, there were (i) no disagreements
between the Company and KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope
or procedures, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of KPMG, would have caused KPMG to make reference thereto in their reports
on the consolidated financial statements for such years, and (ii) no “reportable events” as that term is defined in
Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
For the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2016, there was additional disclosure concerning material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting.
Please see Item 9A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Additionally, on
July 12, 2016, the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, after consultation with KPMG, determined
that the Company would restate its consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 and each of the quarters
of 2015 and 2016. Accordingly, investors were informed they should no longer rely upon the Company’s previously released
consolidated financial statements for the time periods cited above. In addition, investors were informed they should no longer
rely upon earnings releases for these periods, the report of KPMG for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, and other communications
relating to these consolidated financial statements.
During the fiscal years
ended March 31, 2016, the Company did not consult with BDO regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified
transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial
statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that BDO concluded was an important factor
considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, (ii) any matter that
was either the subject to a “disagreement,” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the
related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K, or (iii) any “reportable event,” as that term is defined in Item
304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
On July 7, 2017, the
Company’s Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, after consultation with BDO, determined that the Company’s
consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, and each of the quarters during the 2016
and 2017 fiscal years should no longer be relied upon. In addition, BDO USA, LLP was engaged to re-audit the Company’s fiscal
2016 consolidated financial statements.
Within the Company’s
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, the Company has included restated audited results as of and for the year ended
March 31, 2016, as well as restated unaudited condensed consolidated financial information for the quarterly periods in 2016 and
2017, which we refer to as the Restatement. The Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended
March 31, 2016 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 have been restated from the
consolidated financial statements included on our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2016. Accordingly, the
Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 contains BDO USA, LLP's auditor's report with respect to the years
ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016.
As previously disclosed,
management, including the Company's Chief Financial Officer, has identified material weaknesses in the Company's internal controls
over financial reporting and has been engaged in a focused review of its financial reporting and reconciliation practices and remediation
of related control weaknesses. The Chief Financial Officer joined the Company in March 2016. The Restatement corrects a material
error related to approximately $1.7 million of reconciling items that were identified as uncollectable and written off, primarily
during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017, as part of the ongoing review of reconciliations and internal controls. Management's
evaluation of the items written off concluded that approximately $1.0 million of these writeoffs should have been accounted for
in prior periods: $666 thousand of the amount written off should have been accounted for in fiscal year 2016 and the $361 thousand
remainder should have been accounted for in years prior to fiscal year 2016. The $666 thousand of writeoffs attributable to fiscal
year 2016 have been reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for fiscal year 2016. The $361 thousand of writeoffs
attributable to periods prior to fiscal year 2016 have been presented in the consolidated financial statements as an adjustment
to the opening balance of Accumulated Deficit as of March 31, 2015.
The Company also identified
and corrected material errors related to the accounting for loans on the Company's servicing platforms. The accounting adjustments
are related to system maintenance items and payment applications that were not timely processed by the Bank on to its core provider
system. Management's evaluation of these items concluded that approximately $1.2 million should have been accounted for in prior
periods: $865 thousand should have been accounted for in fiscal year 2016 and the $285 thousand remainder should have been accounted
for in years prior to fiscal year 2016. The $865 thousand of adjustments attributable to fiscal year 2016 have been reflected in
the Consolidated Statement of Operations for fiscal year 2016. The $285 thousand of adjustments attributable to periods prior to
fiscal year 2016 have been presented in the consolidated financial statements as an adjustment to the opening balance of Accumulated
Deficit as of March 31, 2015.
In addition to the
errors described above, adjustments have been made related to other individually immaterial errors including certain corrections
that had been previously identified but not recorded because they were not material to our consolidated financial statements. These
corrections included adjustments to other liabilities, interest expense and certain reclassification entries. In the aggregate,
these corrections increased fiscal year 2016 net loss by $66 thousand and increased the March 31, 2015 balance of Accumulated Deficit
by $92 thousand.
All applicable amounts
relating to this Restatement have been reflected in the consolidated financial statements and disclosed in the notes to the consolidated
financial statements in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.
As a result of the
errors noted above, the Company reported in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 that it had material weaknesses
in its internal control over financial reporting.
Auditor Fee Information
Audit Fees
BDO USA, LLP’s audit fees billed for
the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017 and the Restatement of March 31, 2016 were $722,000, which consisted of $386,000 for fiscal
year ended 2017 and $335,000 for the re-audit of fiscal year 2016.
The aggregate audit fees billed by KPMG,
LLP, Carver’s former principal accountant, was $827,000 for fiscal year 2016.
Audit-Related Fees
Carver did not incur audit-related fees
from BDO USA, LLP, its current principal accountant, during fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.
Carver incurred audit-related fees of $8,000
from KPMG, LLP, its former principal accountant, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.
Tax Fees
Carver incurred tax fees of $5,000 from
BDO USA, LLP during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.
All Other Fees
Carver did not engage its current principal
accountant or former principal accountant to render services during the last two fiscal years, other than as reported above.
Pre-Approval Policy for Services
by Independent Auditors
During fiscal year
2017, the Finance and Audit Committee of Carver’s Board of Directors pre-approved the engagement of BDO USA, LLP to provide
non-audit services and considered whether, and determined that, the provision of such other services by BDO USA, LLP is compatible
with maintaining BDO USA, LLP’s independence.
In June 2004, the Finance
and Audit Committee established a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the Company’s
independent auditor consistent with applicable SEC rules. Under the policy, prior to the engagement of the independent auditors
for the next year’s audit, management submits an aggregate of services expected to be rendered during that year for each
of the four categories of services described above to the Finance and Audit Committee for approval. Prior to engagement, the Finance
and Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category of service. The fees are budgeted and the Finance and Audit Committee
will receive periodic reports from management on actual fees versus the budget by category of service. During the year, circumstances
may arise when it may become necessary to engage the independent auditors for additional services not contemplated in the pre-approval.
In those instances, the Finance and Audit Committee requires specific pre-approval before engaging the independent auditor.
The Finance and Audit
Committee has delegated pre-approval authority, subject to certain limits, to the chairman of the committee. The chairman is required
to report, for informational purposes, any pre-approval decisions to the Finance and Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled
meeting.
Report of the Finance
and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
This report is furnished
by the Carver Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors as required by the rules of the SEC under the Exchange Act.
The report of the Finance and Audit Committee shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating
by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”),
or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that Carver specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise
be deemed to be filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
The Board of Directors
has adopted a written charter that sets forth the Finance and Audit Committee’s duties and responsibilities and reflects
applicable rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market and SEC regulations.
All members of the
Finance and Audit Committee have been determined to be independent as defined in the listing requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
The Board of Directors has determined that Robert R. Tarter, Pazel G. Jackson, Jr. and Susan M. Tohbe each qualify as an “audit
committee financial expert.” The Finance and Audit Committee received the required written disclosures and letter from BDO
USA, LLP, Carver’s independent accountants for fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, required by applicable requirements of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with
the Audit Committee concerning the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence. The Finance and Audit Committee
reviewed and discussed with Carver’s management and BDO USA, LLP the audited financial statements of Carver contained in
Carver’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. The Finance and Audit Committee has also discussed
with BDO USA, LLP the matters required to be discussed pursuant to the Codified Statements on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended
or supplemented.
Throughout the year,
the Finance and Audit Committee had full access to management and the independent and internal auditors for Carver. The Finance
and Audit Committee consulted with advisors regarding the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the NASDAQ Stock Market’s corporate
governance listing standards and the corporate governance environment in general and considered any additional requirements of
the Finance and Audit Committee as well as additional procedures or matters the Finance and Audit Committee should consider. The
Finance and Audit Committee acts only in an oversight capacity and necessarily relies on the assurances and work of Carver’s
management and independent auditors who expressed an opinion on Carver’s annual financial statements. Carver's management
has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal control.
Based on its review
and discussions described in the immediately preceding paragraphs, the Finance and Audit Committee recommended to the Board of
Directors that the audited financial statements included in Carver’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2017 be included in that report.
Finance and Audit Committee
of Carver
Susan M. Tohbe
(Chairman)
Pazel G. Jackson,
Jr.
Lewis P. Jones,
III
Colvin W. Grannum
The Board of Directors Recommends a
Vote “FOR”
the Ratification of the Appointment of
BDO USA, LLP as Independent Auditors For Carver.
Please Mark Your Votes on the Enclosed
Proxy Card and
Return it in the Enclosed Postage-Prepaid Envelope
or Vote by Telephone or the Internet.
PROPOSAL
THREE
ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) APPROVAL OF
COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
Pursuant to the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “ARRA”), every participant in TARP, such as Carver, must permit a non-binding
shareholder vote to approve the compensation of the participant’s executives. This proposal, commonly known as a “Say
on Pay” proposal, gives shareholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the compensation of Carver’s named executive
officers by voting to approve or not to approve such compensation as described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, we are asking
you to approve the compensation of Carver’s named executive officers as described under “Compensation Discussion and
Analysis” and the tabular disclosure regarding named executive officer compensation (together with the accompanying narrative
disclosure) in this proxy statement. Under the ARRA, your vote is advisory and will not be binding upon Carver. However, the Compensation
Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.
The Board of Directors Recommends a
Vote “FOR”
the Advisory (non-binding) approval of Compensation of Named
Executive Officers.
Please Mark Your Votes on the Enclosed
Proxy Card and
Return it in the Enclosed Postage-Prepaid Envelope
or Vote by Telephone or the Internet.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
General
The Board of Directors
of Carver is committed to strong and effective corporate governance measures. The Board has developed, and continues to review,
policies and practices covering the operation of the Board and its committees, including their composition and responsibilities,
the conduct of Board meetings and the structure and role of the Board’s committees and related matters, including those discussed
below and throughout this proxy statement. Among these measures are the following:
Independence.
Under Carver’s Bylaws, at least three members of the Board must be independent under the criteria set forth in the Bylaws
and, as a company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market, a majority of Carver’s Board must be independent under the criteria
set forth in its listing requirements. In addition, pursuant to listing requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market and the respective
committee charters, all members of the Finance and Audit Committee, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation
Committee must be independent.
Board Leadership
Structure.
The Board of Directors has separated the position of Chairman of the Board from the position of Chief Executive
Officer, effective January 1, 2015. The Board of Directors believes this provides an efficient and effective leadership model for
Carver.
Board’s Role
in Risk Oversight.
The Board’s role in Carver’s risk oversight process includes developing an understanding of
banking and risk management (including capital requirements, asset quality control, management requirements, sources of earnings,
liquidity, interest rate risk exposure and internal controls to mitigate that exposure), receiving regular reports from members
of senior management on areas of material risk to Carver, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, strategic and
reputational risks. The full Board (or the appropriate committee in the case of risks that are reviewed and discussed at committee
meetings) receives these reports from the appropriate “risk owner” within the organization to enable the Board or appropriate
committee to understand our risk identification, risk management and risk mitigation strategies. When a committee receives the
report, the chairman of the relevant committee reports on the discussion to the full Board at the next Board meeting. This enables
the Board and its committees to coordinate the Board’s risk oversight role, particularly with respect to risk interrelationships.
Director Terms.
Directors generally serve for three-year terms and until their successors are elected and qualified. See “Proposal One—Election
of Directors—General.”
Executive Sessions.
The Board of Directors holds executive sessions for non-employee directors at which management is not present. These sessions are
presided over by Robert R. Tarter, the presiding Chairman. In addition, the Finance and Audit Committee regularly holds sessions
at which management is not present, including sessions with Carver’s independent auditors and internal auditors at which
management is not present. Each director also has access to any member of management and Carver’s independent auditors.
Outside Advisors.
The Board and its committees may retain outside advisors and consultants as they, in their discretion, deem appropriate.
Board Self-Evaluation.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, among other things, reviews Carver’s and the Board’s governance profile.
In addition, the Board and its committees regularly review their role and responsibilities, composition and governance practices.
Corporate Governance Principles
The Board of Directors
adopted Corporate Governance Principles during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004. From time to time, the Board anticipates that
it will revise the Corporate Governance Principles in response to changing regulatory requirements, evolving best practices and
the concerns of Carver’s stockholders and other constituents. The Corporate Governance Principles are published on Carver’s
website at
www.carverbank.com
in the Corporate Governance section of the Investor Relations webpage.
Director Independence Determination
The Board of Directors
has determined that each of its continuing non-management directors is independent according to the Board’s independence
standards as set out in its Bylaws, Corporate Governance Principles, applicable rules of the SEC and the rules of the NASDAQ Stock
Market. They are Janet L. Rollé, Lewis P. Jones III, Colvin W. Grannum, Robert R. Tarter, Kenneth Knuckles, Ingrid LaMae
deJongh, Pazel G. Jackson, Jr., Susan M. Tohbe, and Craig C. MacKay.
Communications with Board of Directors
The Board of Directors
welcomes communications from Carver stockholders. Interested parties may contact the Board of Directors at the following address:
Board of
Directors
c/o Corporate
Secretary
Carver Bancorp,
Inc.
75 West 125
th
Street
New York,
NY 10027
Communications may
also be sent to individual directors at the above address.
Carver’s Corporate
Secretary has the responsibility to collect mail for directors, forward correspondence directed to an individual director to that
director in a timely manner, and to screen correspondence directed to multiple directors or to the full Board in order to forward
it to the most appropriate committee chairperson or the full Board given the nature of the correspondence. Communications to the
Board or any individual director that relate to Carver’s accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters will
also be referred to the chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee. Other communications will be referred to the appropriate committee
chairperson.
Financial Expert, Audit Committee Independence
and Financial Sophistication
The Board of Directors
has determined that Robert R. Tarter, Pazel G. Jackson, Jr. and Susan Tohbe each qualify as an “audit committee financial
expert” and is financially sophisticated, and that each member of the Finance and Audit Committee is independent within the
meaning of applicable SEC rules and meets the definition of independence in the NASDAQ Stock Market rules.
Director Selection Process
Carver’s Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee is charged with the responsibilities described under “Board and Committee Meetings—Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee.”
Among the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee’s responsibilities is to identify and recommend to the Board candidates for election as directors. The
committee considers candidates suggested by its members, other directors and stockholders as necessary in anticipation of upcoming
director elections and other potential or expected Board vacancies. The committee is also authorized, at the expense of Carver,
to retain search firms to identify candidates, as well as external legal, accounting or other advisors. The committee will provide
guidance to search firms it retains about the particular qualifications the Board is then seeking.
All director candidates,
including stockholder nominees, are evaluated on the same basis. In determining the needs of the Board and Carver, the Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee considers the qualifications of sitting directors and consults with other members of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer and, where appropriate, external advisors. Generally, the committee believes that all directors should exemplify
the highest standards of personal and professional integrity should have broad experience in positions with a high degree of responsibility
and the ability to commit adequate time and effort to serve as a director. Directors will assume the responsibility of challenging
management through their active and constructive participation and questioning in meetings of the Board and its various committees,
as well as in less formal contacts with management.
Director candidates,
other than sitting directors, are interviewed by members of the committee and by other directors and the Chief Executive Officer,
and the results of those interviews are considered by the committee in its deliberations. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
also evaluates sitting directors whose terms are nearing expiration, but who may be nominated for re-election, in light of the
above considerations and their past contributions to the Board.
The Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee will evaluate director nominations by stockholders that are submitted in accordance with the procedural and
informational requirements set forth in Carver’s Bylaws and described in this proxy statement under “Additional Information—Notice
of Business to be Conducted at Annual Meeting.”
Among the factors that
the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee considers when evaluating the composition of the Board, diversity is critical. For
Carver, diversity includes race, ethnicity and gender as well as the diversity of the directors’ experience. Included in
the qualifications for directors listed in Carver’s Corporate Governance Guidelines is whether the candidate has special
skills, expertise and background that would complement the attributes of the existing directors, taking into consideration the
diverse population of the communities in which Carver operates. Carver’s Board is committed to ensuring that it comprises
individuals whose backgrounds reflect the diversity represented by our employees, customers and shareholders.
Code of Ethics
Carver has adopted
a Code of Ethics, which applies to Carver’s directors and employees and sets forth important Company policies and procedures
in conducting Carver’s business in a legal, ethical and responsible manner. The Code of Ethics, including future amendments,
is available free of charge on Carver’s website at
www.carverbank.com
in the Corporate Governance section of the Investor
Relations webpage or by writing to the Corporate Secretary, Carver Bancorp, Inc., 75 West 125
th
Street, New York, New
York 10027, or by telephoning (212) 360-8800. Carver intends to post on its website any waiver under the codes granted to any of
its directors or executive officers.
Website Access to
Governance Documents
Carver’s Corporate
Governance Principles and the charters for the Finance and Audit, Compensation and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees are
available free of charge on Carver’s website at
www.carverbank.com
in the Corporate Governance section of the Investor
Relations webpage or by writing to the Corporate Secretary, Carver Bancorp, Inc., 75 West 125
th
Street, New York, New
York 10027, or by telephoning (212) 360-8800.
Board and Committee Meetings
The Board of Directors
of Carver holds regularly scheduled meetings during the fiscal year to review significant developments affecting Carver and to
act on matters requiring Board approval. It also holds special meetings when an important matter requires Board action between
scheduled meetings. Members of senior management regularly attend Board meetings to report on and discuss their areas of responsibility.
During fiscal year 2017, the Board met fourteen (14) times. No director attended fewer than 75%, in the aggregate, of the total
number of Carver Board meetings held while he or she was a member of the Board during fiscal year 2017 and the total number of
meetings held by committees on which he or she served during such fiscal year.
Carver’s Corporate
Governance Principles encourage directors to attend Carver’s Annual Meeting of stockholders and all Board meetings and meetings
of committees of the Board on which they serve. Carver’s Bylaws require that Carver have executive, finance and audit, nominating/corporate
governance, compensation and asset liability and interest rate risk committees. The Board has adopted a charter for each of the
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Finance and Audit Committee, each of which may be
amended from time to time. The nature and composition of each of the standing committees of Carver are described below.
Executive Committee.
Pursuant to Carver’s Bylaws, the Executive Committee is authorized to act as appropriate between meetings of the Board. The
members of this committee are Directors Robert R. Tarter (Chairman), Pazel G. Jackson, Jr., Michael T. Pugh and Susan M. Tohbe.
The Executive Committee did not meet during fiscal year 2017.
Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of Directors Ingrid LaMae deJongh (Chairman),
Pazel G. Jackson, Jr., Kenneth J. Knuckles and Robert R. Tarter. All members of the committee have been determined to be independent
directors. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee’s functions include advising the Board on matters of corporate governance
and considering qualifications of prospective Board member candidates, including conducting research to identify and recommend
nomination of suitable candidates who are willing to serve as members of the Board, reviewing the experience, background, interests,
ability and availability of prospective nominees to meet time commitments of the Board and committee responsibilities, considering
nominees recommended by stockholders who comply with procedures set forth in Carver’s Bylaws and determining whether any
prospective member of the Board has any conflicts of interest which may impair the individual’s suitability for such service.
The committee has the responsibility to monitor current members of the Board pursuant to the same guidelines used to select candidates.
The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for identifying best practices and developing and recommending
to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to Carver and for periodically reviewing such principles.
The Nominating/Corporate
Governance Committee met one time during fiscal year 2017 and recommended the director nominees to the Board of Directors, which
accepted these recommendations. Only those nominations made by the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and approved by the
Board will be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. For a description of the proper procedure for stockholder nominations, see “Additional
Information—Notice of Business to be Conducted at Annual Meeting” in this proxy statement.
Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Directors Kenneth J. Knuckles (Chairman), Janet L. Rollé, and Ingrid LaMae
deJongh. All members have been determined to be independent directors. The Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of
Carver’s President and Chief Executive Officer and approves his compensation in consultation with the non-management members
of the Board of Directors and, based on recommendations from management, reviews and approves senior management’s compensation
and approves compensation guidelines for all other officers. The Compensation Committee administers Carver’s management recognition,
incentive compensation stock option, and stock incentive plans and, in consultation with senior management, reviews and approves
compensation policies. The Compensation Committee met four times during fiscal year 2017.
Finance and Audit
Committee.
The Finance and Audit Committee consists of Directors Susan M. Tohbe (Chairman), Pazel G. Jackson, Jr., Lewis P.
Jones III, and Colvin W. Grannum. All members have been determined to be independent directors. The Finance and Audit Committee’s
primary duties and responsibilities are to:
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·
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monitor the integrity of Carver’s financial reporting process and systems of internal controls
regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance;
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manage the independence and performance of Carver’s independent public auditors and internal
auditing function;
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monitor the process for adhering to laws, regulations and Carver’s Code of Ethics; and
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provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditors, management, the internal auditing
function and the Board of Directors.
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Other specific duties
and responsibilities include reviewing Carver’s disclosure controls and procedures, internal controls, Carver’s periodic
filings with the SEC and earnings releases; producing the required audit committee annual report for inclusion in Carver’s
proxy statement; and overseeing complaints concerning financial matters. The Finance and Audit Committee met eleven times during
fiscal year 2017, including meetings to review Carver’s annual and quarterly financial results prior to their public issuance.
Asset/Liability
and Interest Rate Risk Committee.
The Asset/Liability and Interest Rate Risk Committee consists of Directors Pazel G. Jackson,
Jr. (Chairman), Susan M. Tohbe, Lewis P. Jones III, Kenneth Knuckles, and Craig C. MacKay. The Asset/Liability and Interest Rate
Risk Committee monitors activities related to asset/liability management and interest rate risk, including the approval or ratification
of mortgage loans and the establishment of guidelines related to risk, purchase or sale of loans and investments, and management
of interest rate, credit and liquidity risk against objectives and risk limitations set forth in Carver Federal’s policies.
The Asset/Liability and Interest Rate Risk Committee met ten times during fiscal year 2017.
Compliance Committee
.
The Compliance Committee was established on June 21, 2016 and consists of Directors Robert R. Tarter (Chairman), Pazel G. Jackson,
Jr., Susan M. Tohbe and Michael T. Pugh. The Compliance Committee monitors the Bank’s compliance with the terms of the Formal
Agreement by and between the Bank and the OCC and supervises the Bank’s overall regulatory compliance function. The Compliance
Committee met ten times during fiscal year 2017.
Institutional Strategy
Committee. The Institutional Strategy Committee consists of Directors Ingrid LaMae deJongh (Chairman), Lewis P. Jones, III, Michael
T. Pugh, and Robert R. Tarter. The Institutional Strategy Committee focuses on the strategic objectives of the Bank with a primary
focus on (i) sustainable profitability and growth, and (ii) capital planning/TARP compliance. The Institutional Strategy Committee
met twice during fiscal year 2017.
Compensation Committee
Report
The Compensation Committee
has reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement and has discussed it with management. Based
on such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion
and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
The following report
has been furnished by members of the Compensation Committee:
Kenneth J. Knuckles
(Chairman)
Janet L. Rollé
Ingrid LaMae deJongh
2017 COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This section discusses
Carver’s executive compensation philosophy, guidelines and programs. It also provides the material factors affecting the
Compensation Committee’s decision making as it relates to Carver’s Named Executive Officers. The discussion and analysis
is presented to provide shareholders a clear and comprehensive picture of Carver’s executive compensation program, and its
individual components. For a full understanding of the information presented, please consider the following information together
with the tables and its related narrative and footnotes below.
The following table
lists Carver’s Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.
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Name
|
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Position with Carver During Fiscal 2017
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Michael T. Pugh
|
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President and Chief Executive Officer
|
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Christina L. Maier
|
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First Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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John Spencer
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Senior Vice President, Chief Operations and Information Technology Officer
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John Fitzpatrick
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First Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
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Blondel Pinnock
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Senior Vice President, Chief Lending Officer
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Executive Summary
2016 Shareholder Engagement and Say-On-Pay
Results
Carver holds an annual
non-binding shareholder advisory vote as part of our requirements under the EESA. Over 83% of our stockholders approved the “say-on-pay”
proposal concerning the compensation of our Named Executive Officers described in our proxy statement in 2016. The Compensation
Committee considered the significant approval of the “say-on-pay” proposal in its pay deliberations and determined
that no significant changes to the Company’s executive compensation program were required for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2017.
Regulatory Programs and Agreements
Carver continues to
be a participant in the TARP-CDCI. As such, Mr. Pugh is ineligible to receive cash-based incentive compensation and is subject
to other compensation related restrictions. Additionally, on May 24, 2016, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”)
and Carver Federal entered into a Formal Agreement to carry out the compliance matters discussed further in the Carver Current
Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on May 27, 2016. Under the Formal Agreement, Carver must comply with the requirements
of the golden parachute regulations under 12 C.F.R. Part 359.
For more information,
please refer to the “
Compensation-Related Governance,” section in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
Compensation Philosophy
The ultimate goal of
our compensation philosophy is to create long-term shareholder value by rewarding performance that furthers the strategic goals
and growth of the Company. At the same time, the Compensation and Benefits Committee seeks to maintain an executive compensation
program that is competitive with comparably-sized financial institutions. The Committee also considers its location and sources
of talent in making pay determinations. As a small community bank in New York City, competitive pressures on the ability to attract
and retain talent are intense. Most executives and staff are recruited to Carver from money center banks and other larger financial
institutions.
The Committee believes
that executive compensation should support Carver’s unique business strategy and result in compensation program that:
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·
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Enables Carver to attract and retain top talent by providing competitive reward opportunities while at the same time effectively
controlling compensation costs;
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Places significant focus on incentive/performance based rewards that are contingent on achievement of Company and individual
performance; and
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·
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Enhances Carver’s long-term stockholder value.
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Pay for Performance
Named Executive Officers,
other than Mr. Pugh, earn a base salary and participate in the STI Plan and LTI Plan. Due to compensation restrictions under TARP-CDCI,
Mr. Pugh, receives a base salary and has the opportunity to receive restricted stock.
Carver does not target
a specific pay mix; however, each Named Executive Officer has a significant percentage of their pay at risk through the STI Plan
and LTI Plan. The executives’ compensation opportunity is designed to provide pay below targeted pay levels if annual and/or
long-term performance goals are not achieved. The compensation program is designed to provide pay at or above targeted pay levels
if performance meets or exceeds goals.
Carver’s strategic
vision is translated into specific performance goals, which the Committee considers in assessing performance and making total compensation
decisions. To foster teamwork in building long-term performance and stockholder value, executive pay reflects a mix of Company,
department and individual performance. Carver’s assessment of compensation and performance considers a balanced view of factors
critical to understanding Carver’s total performance, as follows.
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Internal and External Benchmarks – Executive performance is measured against Carver’s financial, operational and
strategic goals for the fiscal year, along with economic and industry factors that may impact performance or strategy.
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Company and Individual Performance – Executives are incentivized to work together as a team to drive overall Company
performance; however, each executive is also held accountable and rewarded for achieving individual goals.
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Short and Long-Term Performance – Compensation reflects a balance of short-term performance (i.e., how Carver meets its
annual goals) and long-term performance (i.e., building a platform for sustained, profitable growth over multiple years).
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Unique Business Model – Carver’s legacy is anchored in a 65-year history of commitment
to providing capital, and thereby expanding wealth enhancing opportunities, to consumers and institutions in historically low to
moderate income communities. Opportunities created by a substantial expansion of economic opportunity in these communities in recent
years is balanced by significantly greater competition from global institutions and persistently high rates of poverty, and therefore
limited assets that can be invested by many of the residents of communities in which Carver operates. Carver’s
“Outstanding”
rating by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency following its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”)
examination in January 2016 (conducted every three years), noted that 75% of Carver’s loans were originated in such communities,
far exceeding peer institutions.
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Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee
operates under a written charter that establishes its responsibilities. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter can be found
on the Company’s website at www.carverbank.com. The Compensation Committee reviews the charter annually to ensure that the
scope of the charter is consistent with the Committee’s expected role. Under the charter, the Committee is charged with general
responsibility for the oversight and administration of the Company compensation program. The charter gives the Committee the sole
responsibility for determining the compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer based on the Committee’s evaluation
of his performance. The charter also authorizes the Committee to engage consultants and other professionals without management
approval to the extent deemed necessary to discharge its responsibilities.
The Compensation Committee
is comprised of three members of the Board, each of whom is independent. The Compensation Committee met four times during the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2017. The Chairman of the Committee reported on Committee actions at subsequent meetings of the Board of Directors.
Decisions regarding
other executives are made by the Compensation Committee considering recommendations from the President and Chief Executive Officer
and with input from the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Decisions by the Compensation Committee with respect
to compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer are ratified by the non-executive members Board of Directors.
Interaction with the Compensation Consultant
The Committee has the
sole authority to retain and terminate a compensation consultant and to approve the consultant’s fees and all other terms
of the engagement. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, the Compensation Committee retained the services of Pearl Meyer &
Partners LLC ("Pearl Meyer"), an independent compensation consulting firm, to assist with compensation matters concerning
the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee holds regularly scheduled executive sessions without management
present with the compensation consultant and has direct access to Pearl Meyer. Pearl Meyer provided support to the Committee, mainly
in regard to CEO compensation and performance evaluations during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 and attended no meetings
of the Committee held in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.
Pearl Meyer reports
directly to the Compensation Committee and does not provide any other services to the Company. The Compensation Committee has analyzed
whether the work of Pearl Meyer as a compensation consultant has raised any conflict of interest, and has determined that the work
of Pearl Meyer and the individual compensation advisors employed by Pearl Meyer as compensation consultants to the Company has
not created any conflict of interest.
Role of Executives in Committee Deliberations
The Compensation Committee
requests the President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer to be present at Committee meetings where
executive compensation and Company or individual performance are discussed and evaluated. Executives are free to provide insight,
suggestions or recommendations regarding executive compensation. However, only the Compensation Committee members are allowed to
vote on decisions regarding executive compensation.
The Compensation Committee
meets with the President and Chief Executive Officer to discuss his own performance and compensation package, but ultimately decisions
regarding his compensation are made solely based upon the Committee’s deliberations with input from the compensation consultant,
as requested. The President and Chief Executive Officer is not present at meetings at which his compensation is being discussed
and determined. Decisions regarding executives reporting directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer are made by the
Compensation Committee considering recommendations from the President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as input from the compensation
consultant as requested.
Benchmarking of Compensation
The Compensation Committee
periodically benchmarks compensation of executive officers and directors utilizing published industry surveys and publicly disclosed
information from a peer group of publicly traded banks. The last comprehensive competitive market assessment by Pearl Meyer was
conducted in February 2014. Data are collected from multiple survey sources and reflect banks of similar asset size or region to
Carver.
Carver also utilizes
a peer group of specific companies to benchmark industry best practices. The original peer group was selected by Pearl Meyer to
reflect banks with similar asset size and region to Carver and approved by the Compensation Committee for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2014. Since then, peer banks that have been acquired are deleted from the group and the remaining banks are used to make
relative financial comparisons under the LTIP Plan. As of the fiscal year end March 31, 2017, the peer group is as follows.
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Peer Group
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Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc.
Chemung Financial Corporation
Clifton Savings Bancorp, Inc.
First of Long Island Corporation
Magyar Bancorp Inc.
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Northeast Community Bancorp Inc.
OceanFirst Financial Corporation
Severn Bancorp, Inc.
VSB Bancorp Inc.
|
Total Compensation Program Components
The main components
of Carver’s total compensation program are: base salary, annual incentives, and long-term incentives.
The following sections
summarize the role of each component, how decisions are made and resulting decisions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 as
they relate to the Named Executive Officers.
Base Salary
The purpose of base
salary is to provide fixed, competitive pay that recognizes the executives’ role, responsibilities, experience, performance
and past and potential contribution to Carver. Carver targets base salaries at the 50th percentile of the market; however, judgment
is exercised in determining each executive’s base salary level relative to market. As a result, experienced and/or high performing
executives may be paid above the market median and less experienced or average performing executives may be paid below the market
median.
Base salaries for Blondel
Pinnock and John Spencer were increased by 3% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. The remaining Named Executive Officers did
not receive salary adjustments in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.
Short-Term Incentive Plan (“STI
Plan”)
The purpose of the
STI Plan is to motivate and reward actual corporate, department and individual performance on an annual basis. The Compensation
Committee reviews the STI Plan each year and, if necessary, adjusts the specific performance metrics, goals and compensation opportunities
based on business objectives and the executives’ competitive position. No adjustments were made in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2017.
STI Plan pool funding
is based on adjusted operating income (excluding allowances for loan and lease losses, taxes and the impact of any other one-time
gains or losses). A threshold level of adjusted operating income is established and funding is adjusted up or down based on the
Bank’s actual performance. Incentive payouts can range from 0% of target to a maximum payout of 150% of target (not including
additional downside/upside adjustments based on individual performance factors – see explanation below).
The Compensation Committee
reserves the right to either increase or decrease the calculated STI Plan pool based on multiple strategic metrics. In the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2017, the Compensation Committee had the opportunity to consider:
Upon determination
of the final STI pool amount, actual incentive payouts are based on the achievement of corporate and department/strategic goals.
Weightings are dependent on the executive’s level (see table below for Named Executive Officers).
In addition to corporate
and department goals, the STI Plan design includes an individual modifier that allows incentive awards to be modified (up or down)
to reflect overall individual performance and contribution. As such, an individual incentive award can be increased by 30% for
exceptional performance or reduced to 0% for poor performance.
For fiscal year 2017,
Carver’s annual target incentive ratios for the Named Executive Officers were as follows:
|
|
|
STI Plan Weighting
|
|
|
Target STI Plan
|
|
|
Payout Range (as % of
salary)
|
|
Executive
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
Dept. /
Strategic
|
|
|
(as % of
salary)
|
|
|
(inclusive of individual
modifier)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael T. Pugh, President and Chief Executive Officer (1)
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
0% - 65.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christina L. Maier, First Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
0% – 97.5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Spencer, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations and Information Technology Officer (2)
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
0% – 48.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Fitzpatrick, First Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (3)
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
0% - 97.5%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blondel Pinnock, Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
0% - 39.0%
|
|
|
(1)
|
Notwithstanding the specified target incentive ratio designated for Mr. Pugh, Carver is prohibited
from paying or accruing a bonus for Mr. Pugh under the STI Plan for any period that Carver continues to retain any financial assistance
provided by the U.S. Treasury under TARP. For further information on Carver’s participation in TARP and this bonus restriction,
see below under “Compensation-Related Governance – Participation in Troubled Asset Relief Program.”
|
|
|
(2)
|
Mr. Spencer’s position was eliminated as of March 31, 2017.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Mr. Fitzpatrick was hired in December 2016 pending regulatory approval and his position was approved
in March 2017.
|
After reviewing Carver’s
fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 performance, the Compensation Committee determined that Carver did not meet the threshold adjusted
operating income goal for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. No STI Plan payouts were received in the fiscal year ended March
31, 2017.
Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTI
Plan”)
The LTI Plan
provides an opportunity for executives to receive cash or equity-based awards under the Carver Bancorp
2014
Equity Incentive Plan
. The goal of the LTI Plan is to promote Carver’s growth and profitability, to provide certain
officers with an incentive to achieve corporate objectives, to attract and retain individuals of outstanding competence and to
provide initial grants to new non-employee directors of Carver. The LTI Plan is also designed to align participants’ interests
with stockholders of Carver and serves as a retention tool for key members of management.
The Compensation Committee
reviews the LTI Plan each year and establishes specific goals and targets that are aligned with business objectives and Carver’s
compensation philosophy. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, the Compensation Committee considered the Company’s overall
health and progress toward achieving financial and strategic objectives as the main determinant of equity award allocation. Eligible
employees must also receive an individual performance score of 3 (on a scale of 1 to 5) to be considered.
Long-term incentives
may be in the form of cash, stock options and/or restricted shares. Regardless of the type of award, the awards vest ratably over
a five-year period. Vesting may be accelerated in the third or fourth year of if Carver meets or exceeds the current peer group’s
average three-year ROE.
For the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2017 long-term incentive target awards (as a percent of salary) for the Named Executive Officers are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Target
|
|
|
Executive
|
|
Position
|
|
Award
|
|
|
Michael T. Pugh
(1)
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
Christina L. Maier
|
|
First Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
John Spencer
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Operations and Information Technology Officer
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
John Fitzpatrick
|
|
First Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
Blondel Pinnock
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
(1)
|
Notwithstanding the specified target incentive ratio designated for Mr. Pugh, Carver is prohibited
from paying or accruing a bonus for Mr. Pugh under the LTI Plan for any period that the Carver continues to hold any financial
assistance provided by the U.S. Treasury under TARP. For further information on Carver’s participation in TARP and this bonus
restriction, see below under “Compensation-Related Governance – Participation in Troubled Asset Relief Program.”
|
No LTIP Plan awards
nor any other awards under the Carver Bancorp
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
were made in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.
Compensation-Related Governance
Participation in the Troubled Asset
Relief Program
On January 16, 2009,
Carver entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with the U.S. Treasury that provided for Carver’s participation in the
Capital Purchase Program (“CPP”) under TARP.
TARP participants are
required to agree to significant restrictions on executive compensation during the period in which the U.S. Treasury holds an equity
position in Carver as a condition of participation. Also, the ARRA created compensation-related limitations in addition to compensation
limitations under TARP and required the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury to establish additional standards for executive compensation
that apply beyond Carver’s senior executive officers to include the 20 next most highly compensated employees. In compliance
with such requirements, Carver’s senior executive officers or “SEO’s” and the next 20 most highly compensated
employees have agreed in writing to accept the compensation restrictions under the TARP and ARRA and thereby limit some of their
contractual or legal rights.
Under TARP and ARRA,
while a participant in the TARP programs, the following compensation restrictions are in effect:
|
|
·
|
Clawback of Bonus and Incentive Compensation if Based on Certain Material Inaccuracies.
Incentive compensation paid that is later found to have been based on materially inaccurate financial statements or other materially
inaccurate measurements of performance is subject to recovery by Carver. Carver’s senior executive officers and next 20 most
highly paid employees acknowledge that each incentive program and each compensation or benefit agreement that incorporates incentive
compensation was deemed amended to the extent necessary to give effect to such clawback.
|
|
|
·
|
No Compensation Arrangements that Encourage Excessive Risks.
Carver is prohibited from entering
into compensation arrangements that encourage employees to take “unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value”
of Carver. To insure this does not occur, Carver’s Compensation Committee is required to meet at least once a year with senior
risk officers to review Carver’s compensation arrangements in light of Carver’s risk management policies and practices.
To the extent that such review suggests revisions to any compensation arrangement, Carver agrees to modify promptly the compensation
arrangement to eliminate any undue risk. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, the Compensation Committee met with Carver’s
Chief Risk Officer and determined that Carver’s compensation program does not encourage unnecessary risk taking by executive
officers. Carver’s short-term and long-term incentive programs use a broad based balance of performance measures with no
one measurement dominating the payout determination. This feature greatly mitigates any incentive for an employee to engage in
unnecessary or excessive risk. The performance measures include net income, loan and deposit growth, efficiency ratio, Sarbanes
Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”) Section 404 compliance, New Markets Tax Credit allocation deployment and individual performance
throughout the year. Company and departmental goals are based upon an annual business plan submitted to and approved by the Board
of Directors, whereat the Board considers the reasonableness of the plan and its goals. Individual performance is based upon actual
performance compared to pre-established performance goals and market and other conditions. In this connection, incentive compensation
can be reduced to zero based upon individual performance, further ensuring employees are not rewarded for performance that is not
in Carver’s best long term interests.
|
|
|
·
|
Limit on Federal Income Tax Deductions.
Carver is prohibited from taking a federal income
tax deduction for compensation paid to senior executive officers in excess of $500,000 per year.
|
|
|
·
|
Limit on Severance.
Carver is prohibited from making severance payments resulting from termination
of employment for any reason, except for payments for services performed or benefits accrued to Carver’s senior executive
officers and the next 20 most highly compensated employees.
|
|
|
·
|
Limits on Incentive Compensation.
The ARRA standards prohibit the payment or accrual of
any bonus, retention award or incentive compensation to Carver’s most highly compensated employee (in Carver’s case,
the President and Chief Executive Officer) other than awards of long-term restricted stock that (i) do not fully vest while
participating in the TARP programs, (ii) have a value not greater than one-third of the total annual compensation of the employee
and (iii) are subject to such other restrictions as determined by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. The prohibition on bonus,
incentive compensation and retention awards does not preclude payments required under written employment contracts entered into
on or prior to February 11, 2009.
|
|
|
·
|
Compensation Committee Functions.
The ARRA requires that Carver’s Compensation Committee
be comprised solely of independent directors and that it meets at least semiannually to discuss and evaluate Carver’s employee
compensation plans in light of an assessment of any risk posed to Carver from such compensation plans.
|
|
|
·
|
Compliance Certifications.
The ARRA requires a written certification by Carver’s President
and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Carver’s compliance with the provisions of ARRA. These certifications
must be contained in Carver’s Annual Report on Form 10-K that is filed after the relevant U.S. Treasury regulations are issued.
|
|
|
·
|
U.S. Treasury Review of Excessive Bonuses Previously Paid.
The ARRA directs the Secretary
of the U.S. Treasury to review all compensation paid to Carver’s senior executive officers and Carver’s next 20 most
highly compensated employees before date of enactment to determine whether any such payments were inconsistent with the purposes
of ARRA or were otherwise contrary to the public interest. If the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury makes such a finding, the Secretary
of the U.S. Treasury is directed to negotiate with the TARP recipient and the affected employees for appropriate reimbursements
to the U.S. Treasury with respect to the compensation and bonuses.
|
|
|
·
|
Limitation on Luxury Expenditures.
The Board of Directors must have in place a company-wide
policy regarding excessive or luxury expenditures, as identified by the U.S. Treasury, which may include excessive expenditures
on (i) entertainment or events, (ii) office and facility renovations, (iii) aviation or other transportation services,
(iv) other unreasonable expenditures for staff development events, performance initiatives or other similar measures conducted
in the normal course of business operations.
|
|
|
·
|
Say on Pay.
Under ARRA, the SEC promulgated rules requiring a non-binding say on pay vote
by shareholders on executive compensation at the annual meeting. Carver implemented this provision beginning with the proxy statement
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 by including the submission of an “Advisory Vote on Compensation of Named Executive
Officers.”
|
In February 2010, the
U.S. Treasury announced the creation of the TARP-CDCI to invest lower-cost capital in community development financial institutions
(“CDFI”) that lend to small businesses in the country’s hardest hit communities, in recognition of the unique
role of CDFI’s as lenders in disadvantaged communities. Carver, as a CDFI, applied to participate in the TARP-CDCI program.
On August 27, 2010, Carver completed an exchange of TARP CPP capital for TARP-CDCI capital. The transaction reduced the dividend
rate that Carver pays the U.S. Treasury from 5% to 2%, saving $569,000 annually, and extending the total period in which this lower
cost capital can be utilized from five to eight years. All restrictions on executive compensation that applied under TARP CPP remain
in force under the TARP-CDCI program. Effective October 28, 2011, the U.S. Treasury exchanged 18,980 shares of Series B Preferred
Stock that it held for 34,819,299 shares of common stock, pursuant to an Exchange Agreement by and between U.S. Treasury and Carver
entered into on June 29, 2011. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, all restrictions on executive compensation that applied under
TARP CPP and the TARP-CDCI program will continue to apply so long as the U.S. Treasury holds any of Carver’s securities.
Enforcement Actions with Carver and
Carver Federal’s Bank Regulators
In May 2016, the OCC
and Carver Federal entered into a Formal Agreement pertaining to certain compliance matters as more fully described in the Current
Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on May 27, 2016. Furthermore, the OCC has designated that the Bank is in “troubled
condition.” Accordingly, Carver and Carver Federal are required to comply with the requirements of the golden parachute regulations
under 12 C.F.R. Part 359.
The FDIC golden parachute
regulations limit the ability of Carver and Carver Federal to enter into contracts and to pay and make golden parachute payments
to directors, officers, employees or controlling stockholders. A golden parachute payment includes, generally, any payment (or
agreement to make any payment) in the nature of compensation which is contingent on such person’s termination of employment
or affiliation with Carver or Carver Federal and is received on or after, or is made in contemplation of, when Carver Federal is
or becomes troubled. Accordingly, for so long as Carver remains subject to the Order, no payments can be made under any employment
agreement or change in control agreement or any other contract, agreement or arrangement that would become payable as a result
of a director’s, officer’s or employee’s employment if such payment would constitute a golden parachute payment.
Payments that become due under any tax-qualified plan, certain bona fide deferred compensation plans, nondiscriminatory severance
pay plan (so long as the severance payment does not exceed 12 months of base compensation), and payments made by reason of death
or disability, or payments that are approved by the FDIC are not subject to this limitation.
Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AT MARCH 31,
2017
The following table
presents compensation information regarding Carver’s named Executive Officers at the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.
Name and
Principal
Position
|
|
Year
Ended 3/31
|
|
|
Salary
|
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
Stock
Awards
|
|
|
Option
Awards
|
|
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
|
|
|
Change
in
Pension Value
and Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
|
|
|
All
Other
Compensation
(1)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael T. Pugh, President
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
$
|
360,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
3,758
|
|
|
$
|
363,738
|
|
|
and Chief Executive
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
$
|
360,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
7,950
|
|
|
$
|
367,950
|
|
|
Officer(2)
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
$
|
263,250
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
6,885
|
|
|
$
|
270,135
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christina L. Maier, First
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
$
|
240,000
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
5,538
|
|
|
$
|
245,538
|
|
|
Senior Vice President and
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
$
|
17,538
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
17,538
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John J. Fitzpatrick, First
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
$
|
64,615
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,107
|
|
|
$
|
65,722
|
|
|
Senior Vice President and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Operations Officer(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Spencer
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
$
|
194,628
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
2,226
|
|
|
$
|
196,854
|
|
|
Senior Vice President and
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
$
|
188,959
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
5,087
|
|
|
$
|
194,046
|
|
Chief Operations and
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
$
|
188,959
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
5,087
|
|
|
$
|
194,046
|
|
|
Information Technology Officer(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blondel Pinnock
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
$
|
185,764
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,236
|
|
|
$
|
190,000
|
|
Senior Vice President and
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
$
|
180,353
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
5,410
|
|
|
$
|
185,763
|
|
|
Chief Lending Officer
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
$
|
180,353
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
5,410
|
|
|
$
|
185,763
|
|
|
(1)
|
Except as noted, the amounts shown in this column reflect matching
contributions made to Carver’s 401(k) Plan. No Named Executive Officer receives perquisites the aggregate
value of which exceeds $10,000.
|
|
(2)
|
Michael T. Pugh was appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Carver and Carver Federal, effective January 1, 2015.
|
|
(3)
|
Ms. Maier was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Carver and Carver Federal on March 7, 2016.
|
|
(4)
|
Mr. Fitzpatrick was appointed as Chief Operations Officer of Carver and Carver Federal on February 21, 2017.
|
|
(5)
|
Mr. Spencer resigned as Chief Operations and Information Technology Officer of Carver and Carver Federal on March 31, 2017
|
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans
Carver does not offer
any non-qualified deferred compensation plans.
Benefit Plans
Performance Compensation
Plan
. Carver maintains a Performance Compensation Plan which is a cash-based incentive plan that provided certain officers
and employees of Carver an incentive cash award that is credited to a memorandum account maintained by Carver for the benefit of
such persons. The awards granted vest over a five-year period on the specified vesting dates, and under the terms of the Performance
Compensation Plan are subject to accelerated vesting in connection with a change in control, or by reason of the death or disability
of the participant. Upon the vesting of an award or a percentage of an award, the vested amount is distributed to the participant
as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the 15
th
day of the third month following the end of the plan year.
In the event of the participant’s termination due to death, disability or a change in control, the Performance Compensation
Plan provides that the participant’s vested account balance will be paid within 30 days following the termination of the
employee’s employment. No awards have been made under the Performance Compensation Plan subsequent to the date that Carver
entered into the TARP CPP with the U.S. Treasury.
401(k) Savings Plan.
Carver maintains a 401(k) Savings Plan (
“401(k) Plan”
) with a profit sharing feature for all eligible employees
of Carver. Carver matched contributions to the 401(k) Plan equal to 100% of pre-tax contributions made by each employee up to a
maximum of 3% of their pay, subject to IRS limitations. All such matching contributions are fully vested and non-forfeitable at
all times regardless of the years of service with the Bank. To be eligible for the matching contribution, the employee must be
21 years of age and have completed at least three months of service. Under the profit-sharing feature of the plan, if the
Bank achieves a minimum of 70% of its fiscal year performance goal, the Compensation Committee may authorize an a non-elective
contribution to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of each eligible employee of up to 2% of the employee’s annual pay, subject to
IRS limitations. This non-elective contribution, if made, is awarded regardless of whether the employee makes voluntary contributions
to the 401(k) Plan. Non-elective Company contributions vest 20% each year for the first five years of employment and are fully
vested thereafter. To be eligible for the non-elective company contribution, the employee must be 21 years of age, have completed
at least one year of service and be employed on the last day of the plan year, currently December 31, or have terminated employment
for death, disability or retirement. Carver did not award a non-elective contribution for the 401(k) Plan year that ended December 31,
2015.
Employment and Other Agreements with
Executive Officers
Notwithstanding their
employment and letter agreements as summarized below, Carver’s Named Executive Officers have agreed in writing to accept
the ARRA standards discussed earlier in this document and to not accept any severance during the period in which the U.S. Treasury
holds an equity position in Carver. Additionally, under the Orders issued by the regulators on February 7, 2011, Carver is prohibited
from fulfilling severance payment commitments, resulting from termination for any reason (except for payments performed or benefits
accrued), that are outside the scope of a non-discriminatory, all-employee severance program.
Employment Agreements
On January 1, 2015,
Carver Federal entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Michael T. Pugh, President and
Chief Executive Officer. The term of the Employment Agreement is three years. The Employment Agreement and Mr. Pugh’s performance
will be reviewed by the Board of Directors of the Bank six months before the third anniversary and six months before each anniversary
thereafter, and the Board of Directors may approve a one-year extension of the Employment Agreement after each such review.
Under the Employment
Agreement, Mr. Pugh is entitled to a base salary of $360,000, subject to increase at the discretion of the Board of Directors of
the Bank in connection with its annual review. The Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Pugh was eligible for a restricted stock
award to be granted on or about April 15, 2016, 2017 and 2018, with the amount of each award to be at the discretion of the Board
of Directors of the Bank, but not fewer than 7,250 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock. The Employment Agreement
also provides for participation in the Bank’s retirement, pension, savings, profit-sharing, stock bonus, health and welfare
and any other employee benefit and compensation plans covering employees of the Bank. In addition, the Employment Agreement provides
that the Bank shall provide to Mr. Pugh a term life insurance policy in the amount of $1,000,000 payable to his beneficiaries.
The Employment Agreement further provides that, in the event that the amount of benefits or contributions Mr. Pugh would have received
or accrued under the tax-qualified plans of the Bank is limited by applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”), the Bank will provide Mr. Pugh with supplemental benefits equal to the benefits attributable
to employer contributions that he would have received if the limitations did not apply, with such benefits payable in 12 equal
monthly installments beginning at least six months after his separation from service with the Bank. Finally, the Bank will pay
or reimburse Mr. Pugh $2,500 per month in transportation and accommodation expenses during the period January 1, 2015 to August
31, 2015 until the location of his primary residence is completed, for customary relocation expenses, and up to $11,795 for legal
expenses incurred by him in connection with the Employment Agreement.
Mr. Pugh may terminate
his employment for “good reason,” which includes (i) a material diminution of his title, duties, responsibilities,
authority or reporting lines, (ii) a material diminution in base salary, (iii) relocation of his principal office by more than
50 miles, and (iv) a material breach of the Employment Agreement by the Bank.
In the event that Mr.
Pugh resigns for good reason or in the event the Company or the Bank terminates the employment of Mr. Pugh for any reason other
than “cause” (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or “disability” (as defined in the Employment Agreement),
he will be entitled to receive a cash lump sum payment equal to the present value of the salary that he would have earned if he
had continued working for the Bank through the then-current expiration date of the Employment Agreement (the “Remaining Unexpired
Employment Period”). If such resignation or termination occurs in connection with or within one year following a “change
in control” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), then Mr. Pugh will be entitled to receive a cash lump sum payment equal
to the lesser of (i) the present value of salary he would have earned during the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period plus one
additional year, or (ii) the present value of two-times his then-current salary had it been paid out over the following two years.
Any payments are required to be paid within 30 days after termination of employment, unless a six month delay in the payments is
required to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”). Mr. Pugh will also
be entitled to receive a cash lump sum payment equal to (i) the excess of the present value of the aggregate benefits to which
he would be entitled under any defined benefit pension plans over the present value of the benefits to which he is actually entitled
under such defined benefit pension plans as of the date of his termination, (ii) the present value of the additional employer contributions
to which he would have been entitled under any defined contribution plans, (iii) the fair market value of any stock that would
have been allocated or awarded to him under any stock-based employee benefit plans, (iv) the payments that would have been made
to him under any cash bonus or long-term or short-term cash incentive compensation plan and (v) the present value of any supplemental
retirement benefits to which he would have been entitled, in each case if he were 100% vested under the applicable plan and had
continued working for the Bank during the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period. In addition, Mr. Pugh will be entitled to receive,
at his election, a cash lump sum payment equal to (i) the excess of fair market value of a share of the Company’s common
stock over the exercise price of any option or stock appreciation right held by him, and (ii) the fair market value of any restricted
shares awarded to him, in each case upon surrender of such stock, option or appreciation right. The Bank will continue to provide
health and welfare benefits, as well as the term life insurance policy, to which Mr. Pugh and his eligible dependents would have
been entitled for the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period and for any such additional period to which they are entitled under
COBRA.
In the event of Mr.
Pugh’s termination for “disability” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), he will be entitled to receive
¾ of his base salary, and the Bank shall continue to provide health and welfare benefits substantially identical to those
received prior to his disability, through the earliest to occur of (i) his return to full-time employment in the same capacity
as he was employed prior to disability, (ii) his full-time employment by another employer, (iii) his reaching age 65, (iv) his
death, or (v) the expiration of the term of the Employment Agreement.
All payments are subject
to Section 409A and Section 280G of the Code, and restrictions resulting from the Bank’s participation in the Troubled Asset
Relief Program and other regulatory restrictions.
Mr. Pugh has agreed,
for a period of one year following the date of his termination (or, if less, the Remaining Unexpired Employment Period), not to
become an officer, employee, consultant, director or trustee of any bank with less than two billion dollars in assets or any minority
depository institution, or any direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of any such entity, that competes with the business of
the Bank in any city, town or county in which the Bank has an office or has filed an application for approval to establish an office.
Due to the fact that
the Bank is in troubled condition, Mr. Pugh's employment agreement cannot be renewed without the prior approval of the OCC.
Letter Agreements
Carver entered into
a letter agreement with Ms. Maier. Generally, the letter agreement provides for “at-will” employment and compensation
in the form of base salary and benefits.
Director Compensation
Carver’s directors
are paid an annual cash retainer of $10,000 to serve as a Director of both Carver and Carver Federal and receive a meeting fee
of $600 for Board Meetings attended and $700 per Executive Committee meeting attended. The chairs of the Asset Liability and Interest
Rate Risk Committee (“ALCO”) and Audit committees receive an annual retainer of $7,500 and $5,000, respectively, and
a meeting fee of $650
.
The chairs of the remaining committees receive an annual retainer of $1,500 and all committee members
including the chairs thereof receive $475 per committee meeting attended. The Non-Executive Chairman is paid a quarterly cash retainer
of $10,000 ($40,000 per year) to serve as Chairman of both Carver and Carver Federal, and receives a meeting fee of $1,500 for
Board Meetings attended. Upon shareholder approval of new directors, the Compensation Committee may approve a grant of 1,000 shares
of restricted stock and 1,000 stock options, which vest pursuant to Carver’s incentive plan in effect at the time of the
grant. In 2010, after a competitive study of Non-Employee Director Compensation conducted by Pearl Meyer, the Compensation Committee
voted to grant annual restricted stock awards in the amount of $5,000 to each Non-Employee director at subsequent annual meetings.
All other compensation elements would remain unchanged. The Non-Employee Directors have not received annual restricted stock awards
given the constraints on Carver’s Equity Plan.
The following table
sets forth information regarding compensation earned by the non-employee directors of Carver during the fiscal year ended March
31, 2017.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION AT MARCH 31, 2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
pension
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
value and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
earned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-equity
|
|
|
nonqualified
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or paid
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
incentive plan
|
|
|
deferred
|
|
|
All other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
in cash
|
|
|
awards
|
|
|
awards
|
|
|
compensation
|
|
|
compensation
|
|
|
compensation
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Name
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
(S)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
earnings
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
(f)
|
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
Pazel G. Jackson, Jr.
|
|
$
|
38,950
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
38,950
|
|
|
Robert Tarter
|
|
$
|
38,450
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
38,450
|
|
|
Susan Tohbe
|
|
$
|
33,900
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
33,900
|
|
|
Janet Rollé
|
|
$
|
18,025
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
18,025
|
|
|
Lewis P. Jones III
|
|
$
|
27,175
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
27,175
|
|
|
Colvin W. Grannum
|
|
$
|
23,400
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
23,400
|
|
|
Kenneth Knuckles
|
|
$
|
27,025
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
27,025
|
|
Ingrid LaMae deJongh
|
|
$
|
22,875
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
22,875
|
|
|
Craig C. MacKay (1)
|
|
$
|
6,925
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
6,925
|
|
|
William J. Taggart (2)
|
|
$
|
5,250
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
5,250
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Mr. MacKay was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors on February 21, 2017.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Mr. Taggart was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors on February 21, 2017 and subsequently passed away on June
8, 2017.
|
Impact of Accounting and Tax on the
Form of Compensation
The Compensation Committee
and Carver consider the accounting and tax (individual and corporate) consequences of the compensation plans prior to making changes
to the plans. The Compensation Committee has considered the impact of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)
Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718 (formerly SFAS No. 123(R), on Carver’s use of equity incentives as
a key retention tool.
As part of its role,
the Compensation Committee also reviews and considers sections of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), including but
not limited to, Golden Parachutes Under IRC Section 280G and the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) which
limits deduction of compensation paid to Named Executive Officers to $1,000,000 unless the compensation is
“qualified
performance-based compensation”
. This applies to base salary, all cash incentive plans and equity grants other than stock
options. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, no employee received taxable compensation in excess of $1,000,000 and therefore,
deductibility of compensation was not limited by these sections of the IRC.
In December 2017, the
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was enacted (the “Tax Act”). Under the Tax Act, the qualified performance-based compensation
exception to IRC 162(m) was repealed, effective for tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2018. Accordingly, commencing with
our fiscal year ending March 31, 2019, compensation to our Named Executive Officers in excess of $1,000,000 will generally not
be deductible.
Option Granting Practices
The timing of Carver’s
option grants has historically been and continues to be determined upon appointment to the Board, upon hire, or in conjunction
with incentive grants after Carver’s fiscal year end and approved by the Compensation Committee. In fiscal 2017, no options
were granted to Named Executive Officers.
Ownership Guidelines
Carver regularly reviews
the ownership levels of its directors and officers and has not established minimum stock ownership guidelines for Carver’s
directors and the Named Executive Officers.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information about the shares of Voting Stock authorized by Carver
for issuance under equity compensation plans as of March 31, 2017.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Weighted-
|
|
|
available for future
|
|
|
|
securities to be
|
|
|
average
|
|
|
issuance under
|
|
|
|
issued upon
|
|
|
exercise
|
|
|
equity
|
|
|
|
exercise of
|
|
|
price of
|
|
|
compensation plans
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
outstanding
|
|
|
(excluding
|
|
|
|
options,
|
|
|
options,
|
|
|
securities
|
|
|
|
warrants and
|
|
|
warrants
|
|
|
reflected in column
|
|
Plan Category
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
and rights
|
|
|
(a))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
|
|
|
5,924
|
|
|
$
|
81.65
|
|
|
264,075
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
5,924
|
|
|
$
|
81.65
|
|
|
264,075
|
|
|
(1)
|
Note: Shares have been adjusted to reflect Carver’s
1-for-15 reverse stock split, effective October 27, 2011.
|
Carver’s Stock
Incentive Plans do not provide for re-pricing of stock options, which is the cancellation of shares in consideration of the exchange
for other stock options to be issued at a lower price, and Carver has not acted to re-price stock options.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Date for Submission of Stockholder
Proposals
To be eligible for inclusion in the proxy
materials for next year’s annual meeting of stockholders, any stockholder proposal to take action at such meeting must be
received at Carver’s executive office, 75 West 125
th
Street, New York, New York 10027, no later than April 28,
2018.
Notice of Business to be Conducted at Annual Meeting
Carver’s Bylaws
provide an advance notice procedure for a stockholder to properly bring business before an annual meeting or to nominate any person
for election to Carver’s Board of Directors. The stockholder must be a stockholder of record and have given timely notice
thereof in writing to the Secretary of Carver. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or received by the
Secretary not later than the following dates: (1) with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, 60 days in advance of such
meeting, if such meeting is to be held on a day which is within 30 days preceding the anniversary of the previous fiscal year’s
annual meeting, or 90 days in advance of such meeting if such meeting is to be held on or after the anniversary of the previous
fiscal year’s annual meeting; and (2) with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders held at a time other than within
the time periods set forth in the immediately preceding clause, the close of business on the 10
th
day following the
date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders. Notice shall be deemed to be first given to stockholders when
disclosure of such date of the meeting of stockholders is first made in a press release reported to Dow Jones News Services, Associated
Press or comparable national news service, or in a document publicly filed by Carver with the SEC pursuant to Section 13, 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary of Carver shall set forth such information as required
by the Bylaws of Carver. Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to require Carver to include in its proxy statement and proxy
card relating to an annual meeting any stockholder proposal or nomination that does not meet all of the requirements for inclusion
established by the SEC in effect at the time such proposal or nomination is received. See “Date for Submission of Stockholder
Proposals.”
Householding of
Proxy Materials
The SEC has adopted
rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual
reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those
stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for
stockholders and cost savings for companies.
This year, Carver expects
that a number of brokers with account holders who are our stockholders will be “householding” its proxy materials.
A single proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received
from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications
to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If,
at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement
and annual report, please notify your broker. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement and annual
report at their address and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their broker.
In addition, Carver will promptly deliver, upon written or oral request to its address or telephone number below, a separate copy
of the proxy materials and annual report to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered.
Direct your written request to Carver Bancorp Inc., 75 West 125
th
Street, New York, New York 10027, Attention: Corporate
Secretary, or contact us at (718) 230-2900.
Other Matters
As of the date of this
proxy statement, the Board of Directors does not know of any other matters to be brought before the stockholders at the Annual
Meeting. If, however, any other matters not now known are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the
accompanying proxy card will vote the shares represented by all properly executed proxies on such matters using their best judgment.
Annual Report to Stockholders
A copy of the Annual
Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, containing financial statements as of March 31, 2017 and March
31, 2016 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended March 31, 2017, prepared in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles, accompanies this proxy statement. The consolidated financial statements have been audited by BDO USA, LLP
whose report thereon is included in the Annual Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.
The Annual Report for
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 includes a copy of Carver’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March
31, 2017, as filed with the SEC. Stockholders may obtain, free of charge, a copy of such annual report (excluding exhibits) by
writing to Isaac Torres, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Carver Bancorp, Inc., 75 West 125th Street,
New York, New York 10027, or by telephoning (718) 230-2900. The annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2017 is also available
on Carver’s website at
www.carverbank.com
and on the SEC website at
www.sec.gov
.
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Isaac Torres
|
|
|
Isaac Torres
|
|
|
SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
|
New York, New York
January 29, 2018
To Assure That Your
Shares Are Represented at the Annual Meeting,
Please Sign, Date,
and Promptly Return the Accompanying
Proxy Card in the
Enclosed Postage-Paid Envelope or Use
Telephone
Voting as Described in the Proxy Statemen
t
VOTE
BY INTERNET
Before The Meeting
- Go to www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for
electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your
proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic
voting instruction form.
During The Meeting
- Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CARV2017 You may attend the Meeting
via the Internet and vote during the Meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and
follow the instructions. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until
11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow
the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided
or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
CARVER
BANCORP, INC. 75 WEST 125TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10027-4512 ATTN: ISAAC TORRES
For All Withhold All For All Except
To
withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s)
on the line below.
CARVER BANCORP, INC. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: 1. Election of Directors
Nominees: 01) Colvin W. Grannum 02) Lewis P. Jones III 03) Craig C. MacKay 04) Janet L. Rolle For Against Abstain 2. To ratify
the appointment of BDO USA as independent auditors for Carver Bancorp, Inc. for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018. 3. Advisory
(non-binding) approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as described in the proxy statement. NOTE: Such other
business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. For address changes and/or comments, please check
this box and write them on the back where indicated.Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders
must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.
CARVER BANCORP,
INC.Annual Meeting of Shareholders February 28, 2018 10:00 AM
This
proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors
The shareholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Robert R. Tarter and Michael T. Pugh, or
either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote,
as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Common Stock of CARVER BANCORP, INC. that the shareholder(s)
is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be a completely virtual meeting conducted via live webcast
to be held at 10:00 AM, EST on February 28, 2018, at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CARV2017,and any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. IF
PROPERLY SIGNED, BUT NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED IN
ITEM 1, AND “FOR” THE PROPOSALS LISTED IN ITEMS 2 AND 3. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting,
the Proxy Committee will vote the shares represented by all properly executed proxies on such matters using their best judgment.
As of the date of the proxy statement, Carver Bancorp, Inc.’s management is not aware of any other such business.
Should
the undersigned be present and elect to vote at the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment thereof and after notification to theSecretary
of the Company at the Annual Meeting of the shareholder’s decision to terminate this proxy, then the power of the Proxy
Committee and previously submitted 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 the Company at the address set forth on the Notice of Annual Meeting
of Shareholders, or by the filing of a
later proxy prior to a vote being taken
on a particular proposal at the Annual Meeting.
Address Changes/Comments:
(If
you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)
Continued and to be signed
on reverse side
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