DEF 14A

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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 ¨

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨ Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

x Definitive Proxy Statement

 

¨ Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨ Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12

CVB FINANCIAL CORP.

(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(Name of person(s) filing proxy statement, if other than the registrant)

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CVB FINANCIAL CORP.

NOTICE OF 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:

The 2015 annual meeting of shareholders of CVB Financial Corp. will be held at the Citizens Business Bank Arena, located at 4000 East Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764, on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. local time.

At our meeting, we will ask you to act on the following matters:

1.             Election of Directors.  Elect seven persons to the Board of Directors to serve a term of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. The following seven persons are our nominees:

 

George A. Borba, Jr. Raymond V. O’Brien III
Stephen A. Del Guercio Hal W. Oswalt
Robert M. Jacoby, C.P.A. San E. Vaccaro
Christopher D. Myers

2.             2015 Executive Incentive Plan.  Approve the 2015 CVB Financial Corp. Executive Incentive Plan.

3.             Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accountants.  Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2015.

4.             Other Business.  Transact any other business that properly comes before the meeting.

Our Bylaws provide for the nomination of directors in the following manner:

“Nominations for election of members of the Board of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any shareholder of any outstanding class of voting stock of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors. Notice of intention to make any nominations, other than by the Board of Directors, shall be made in writing and shall be received by the President of the corporation no more than 60 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors, and no more than 10 days after the date the notice of such meeting is sent to shareholders pursuant to Section 2.2 of these bylaws; provided, however, that if only 10 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such notice of intention to nominate shall be received by the President of the corporation not later than the time fixed in the notice of the meeting for the opening of the meeting. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder: (a) the name and address of each proposed nominee; (b) the principal occupation of each proposed nominee; (c) the number of shares of voting stock of the corporation owned by each proposed nominee; (d) the name and residence address of the notifying shareholder; and (e) the number of shares of voting stock of the corporation owned by the notifying shareholder. Nominations not made in accordance herewith shall be disregarded by the then chairman of the meeting, and the inspectors of election shall then disregard all votes cast for each nominee.” Additional information regarding procedures for shareholders recommending nominees for directors is set forth under the heading “Consideration of Shareholder Nominees.”

If you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on March 27, 2015, you may vote at the annual meeting or at any postponement or adjournment of the meeting.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials

for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to Be Held on May 20, 2015:

This Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2014 are available on the Internet at: http://www.cbbank.com/annualmaterials.


IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL SHAREHOLDERS VOTE. WE URGE YOU TO PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, OR VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, SO THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED WHETHER OR NOT YOU ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. IF YOU DO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY THEN WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON.

IF YOU RECEIVED A PAPER COPY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND A PROXY CARD, PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE PROXY CARD IF YOU ARE VOTING OVER THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

LOGO

 

Myrna L. DiSanto
Dated: April 8, 2015 Corporate Secretary


PROXY STATEMENT

CVB FINANCIAL CORP.

701 North Haven Avenue, Suite 350

Ontario, California 91764

(909) 980-4030

This proxy statement contains information about the annual meeting of shareholders of CVB Financial Corp. to be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, beginning at 7:00 p.m., local time, at the Citizens Business Bank Arena, located at 4000 East Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764, and at any postponements or adjournments of the meeting. CVB Financial Corp. is a bank holding company whose principal subsidiary is Citizens Business Bank. CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank are sometimes referred to collectively in this proxy statement as the “Company”.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

What Is the Purpose of This Proxy Statement?

The purpose of this proxy statement is to solicit your vote at our 2015 annual meeting of shareholders. This proxy statement summarizes the information you need to know to cast an informed vote at the meeting. The record date for those shareholders entitled to vote is March 27, 2015. On the record date there were 106,245,810 shares of our common stock outstanding.

Why Did I Receive a One-Page Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials?

We use e-proxy as part of the distribution of our proxy materials pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). On or about April 8, 2015 (the “mailing date”), we mailed to shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting, whose shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other holder of record (“street name”), a notice about the Internet availability of the proxy materials (the “Notice”), instead of a paper copy of the proxy materials. Along with the proxy statement, we also made available by Internet our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. Because the vast majority of our shares are held in street name, the e-proxy process has allowed us to lower the costs of distribution of our proxy materials and reduce the environmental impact of our annual meeting.

Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the Internet and to request a paper copy of the proxy materials, if desired, may be found in the Notice.

If you hold your CVB Financial Corp. shares in street name, please refer to the information provided by your bank, broker or other holder of record for instructions on how to elect to receive only electronic copies of future proxy statements and annual reports.

Why Didn’t I Receive a One-Page Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials?

On or about the mailing date, we mailed to shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting, whose shares are registered directly in their name with our transfer agent, Computershare (“shareholders of record”), and to any shareholders who have previously asked to receive paper copies of the proxy materials, a full set of the proxy materials, instead of the Notice.

How Do I Vote by Proxy?

You can vote by proxy whether or not you attend the annual meeting. Shareholders have a choice of voting over the Internet, by telephone or by using a traditional proxy card.

If you received a full set of proxy materials:

 

    To vote by Internet, go to www.investorvote.com/CVBF and follow the instructions there. You will need the 15-digit number included on your proxy card;

 

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    To vote by telephone, dial the number listed on your proxy card. You will need the 15-digit number included on your proxy card;
    To vote by using the traditional proxy card, please sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided.

If you received a Notice in lieu of a full set of proxy materials, follow the instructions printed on the Notice. To reduce our administrative and postage costs, we ask that you vote through the Internet or by telephone, both of which are available 24 hours a day. To ensure that your vote is counted, please remember to submit your vote by 7 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, on May 20, 2015. Voting by proxy will not affect your right to attend the annual meeting and vote.

How Do I Vote in Person?

If you plan to attend the annual meeting and vote in person, we will give you a ballot form when you arrive. However, if your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee, you must bring a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee to vote the shares at the meeting.

How Will My Proxy Be Voted?

If you properly complete your proxy card and we receive it in time to vote, your “proxy” (one of the individuals named on your proxy card) will vote your shares as you have directed. If we receive an executed proxy card from you, on which you have not made specific choices with respect to the proposals, your proxy will vote your shares as recommended by the Board of Directors as follows:

 

    “FOR” the election of all seven nominees for director;
    “FOR” approval of CVB Financial Corp.’s 2015 Executive Incentive Plan; and
    “FOR” ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2015.

If any other matter is presented, your proxy will vote in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors, or, if no recommendation is given, in the proxy’s own discretion. At the time this proxy statement went to press, we knew of no matters which needed to be acted on at the meeting, other than those discussed in this proxy statement.

How Many Votes Do I Have?

Each share of common stock entitles you to one vote. The proxy card indicates the number of shares of common stock that you own. However, in the election of directors, you are entitled to cumulate your votes if you are present at the meeting, the nominee’s(s’) name(s) have properly been placed in nomination, and a shareholder has given notice at the meeting prior to the actual voting of his or her intention to vote his or her shares cumulatively. Cumulative voting allows you to give one nominee as many votes as are equal to the number of directors to be elected, multiplied by the number of shares you own, or to distribute your votes in the same fashion between two or more nominees. Our receipt of an executed proxy grants the Board of Directors the discretionary authority to also cumulate votes.

May I Change My Vote After I Have Voted?

Yes. Even after you have submitted your proxy, or cast your vote by telephone or Internet ballot, you may change your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised, if you file with CVB Financial Corp.’s Corporate Secretary either a notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or cast a new vote by telephone or Internet. The powers of the proxy holders will be suspended if you attend the meeting in person and so request, although attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.

 

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What Vote Is Required for Each Proposal?

The seven nominees for director who receive the most votes will be elected. So, if you do not vote for a particular nominee, or you indicate “WITHHOLD” authority to vote for a particular nominee on your proxy card, your vote will not count either “FOR” or “AGAINST” the nominee.

Proposal 2 regarding the Executive Incentive Plan and Proposal 3 regarding the ratification of the appointment of our auditors each requires the approval of a majority of the shares represented and voting at the meeting, with affirmative votes constituting at least a majority of the required quorum.

Who Are Shareholders of Record Versus Beneficial Owners?

If you are a shareholder of record, CVB Financial Corp. has sent the proxy materials directly to you.

If your shares are held in street name, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of the shares. Your broker, bank or other holder of record, who is considered the shareholder of record with respect to those shares, should have forwarded the proxy materials or Notice, as applicable, directly to you. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other holder of record on how to vote your shares by using the voting instructions on the proxy card or in the Notice.

What Constitutes a Quorum?

The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum, permitting the conduct of business at the meeting. Shares that are voted “FOR”, “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” in a matter are treated as being present at the meeting for purposes of establishing the quorum, but only shares voted “FOR” or “AGAINST” are treated as shares “represented and voting” at the annual meeting with respect to such matter.

How Are Broker-Non-Votes and Abstentions Treated?

“Broker non-votes” are counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a bank, broker or other holder of record holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because that holder does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. Under applicable rules, brokers or other nominees may not exercise discretionary voting power on certain matters. Brokers or other nominees have discretionary voting power for Proposal 3 (approval of KPMG LLP as independent auditor), but not for Proposal 1 (election of directors) or for Proposal 2 (Executive Incentive Plan). If you do not provide specific voting instructions to your record holder, that record holder will not be able to vote on Proposal 1 or 2. It is therefore important that you provide instructions to your bank, broker, or other holder of record if your shares are held by a bank, broker, or other holder of record, so that your votes with respect to these proposals are counted.

Abstentions will have no effect on Proposals 2 and 3, unless there are insufficient votes in favor of the proposals, such that the affirmative votes constitute less than a majority of the required quorum. In such cases, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against such proposals.

What Are the Costs of Solicitation of Proxies?

We will bear the costs of this solicitation, including the expense of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this proxy statement and the material used in this solicitation of proxies.

The proxies will be solicited through the mail, and as noted above, shareholders may also vote by the Internet or telephone. Voting by the Internet or telephone is fast, convenient, and your vote is immediately confirmed and tabulated. Most important, by using the Internet or telephone, you help us reduce postage and proxy tabulation costs. Although there is no formal agreement to do so, we may reimburse banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expense in forwarding these proxy

 

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materials to their principals. We have retained the services of Georgeson, Inc. to serve as our proxy solicitor at an estimated cost of $8,000.

STOCK OWNERSHIP

Who Are the Largest Owners of CVB Financial Corp.’s Stock?

The following table shows the beneficial ownership of common stock as of March 13, 2015, by those persons we know to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock of CVB Financial Corp. based on information those persons have filed with the SEC on Schedule 13G. “Beneficial ownership” is a technical term broadly defined by the SEC to mean more than ownership in the usual sense. So, for example, you beneficially own CVB Financial Corp.’s common stock not only if you hold it directly, but also if you indirectly, through a relationship, contract or understanding, have, or share, the power to vote the stock, to sell it or you have the right to acquire it within sixty (60) days of the date selected for reference purposes below.

 

    Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
 

Name

Address

Number
of Shares
  Percent
of Class(1)
 

BlackRock, Inc.

55 E. 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

 

  8,694,187 (2)    8.2

The George Borba Family Trust (“Borba Family Trust”); The Borba Children’s Holding Trust (“Borba Children’s Trust”); George A. Borba, Jr., individually and as co-trustee (with shared voting and dispositive power) of the Borba Family Trust and the Borba Children’s Trust; Linda B. Gourdikian, individually, and as co-trustee (with shared voting and dispositive power) of the Borba Family Trust, the Borba Children’s Trust and the Gourdikian Family Trust; and Dolores A. Borba, as beneficiary of the Borba Family Trust (collectively, the “Borba family group”)

 

701 N. Haven Avenue, Suite 350

Ontario, CA 91764

  6,968,131 (3)    6.6

The Vanguard Group

100 Vanguard Boulevard

Malvern, PA 19355

 

  6,435,639 (4)    6.1

FMR LLC

245 Summer Street

Boston, MA 02210

  5,744,424 (5)    5.4

 

(1) The “Percent of Class” calculation in the table was made using (x) the shares reported as beneficially owned in the applicable Schedule 13G filing and (y) the shares of our common stock outstanding on March 13, 2015, which was 106,148,941 shares.
(2) This information is based on Schedule 13G filed by BlackRock, Inc. on January 12, 2015. BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power over 8,444,797 shares and sole dispositive power over all 8,694,187 shares. BlackRock, Inc. holds the shares in the ordinary course of business.
(3)

This information is based on Schedule 13G filed by the Borba family group on February 13, 2015 and includes the following items: (i) 4,599,439 shares owned by the Borba Family Trust; (ii) 2,277,000 shares owned by the Borba Children’s Trust; (iii) 15,520 shares owned by George A. Borba, Jr. individually (which total includes 9,000 restricted shares and 288 shares held by Mr. Borba as custodian for minor children); (iv) 28,822 shares owned by Linda B. Gourdikian individually (which total includes 275 shares

 

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which Ms. Gourdikian has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days after March 13, 2015); and (v) 47,350 shares owned by the Gourdikian Family Trust. In computing the percentage of shares beneficially owned, any shares which Mr. Borba, Ms. Gourdikian, the Borba Family Trust or the Borba Children’s Trust has a right to acquire within sixty (60) days after March 13, 2015 are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of common stock beneficially owned by the Borba family group, but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing percentages of shares beneficially owned by the other shareholders in this table. Mr. Borba and Ms. Gourdikian have disclaimed beneficial ownership of the shares held by each other, the Borba Family Trust and the Borba Children’s Trust, except to the extent of their respective distributable interests in the Borba Children’s Trust.

(4) This information is based on Schedule 13G filed by The Vanguard Group on February 9, 2015. The Vanguard Group has sole voting power over 144,122 shares, shared dispositive power over 136,722 shares, and sole dispositive power over 6,298,917 shares. The Vanguard Group holds the shares in the ordinary course of business.
(5) This information is based on a Schedule 13G filed by FMR LLC (Fidelity Management and Research) on February 13, 2015. FMR LLC has sole voting power over 872,282 shares and sole dispositive power over 5,744,424 shares. FMR LLC holds the shares in the ordinary course of business.

How Much Stock Do CVB Financial Corp.’s Directors and Officers Own?

The following table shows the beneficial ownership of CVB Financial Corp.’s common stock as of March 13, 2015, by (i) each director, all of whom are also nominees for director, (ii) those persons serving as our named executive officers in 2014 and (iii) by all directors and current executive officers as a group.

 

Name Common Stock Beneficially Owned
      Number of Shares(1)               Percent of Class(2)    

George A. Borba, Jr.(3)

 

Director and Nominee

    6,891,959 (3)     6.5 %

Stephen A. Del Guercio

 

Director and Nominee

    24,000       *  

Robert M. Jacoby(4)

 

Director and Nominee

    67,512       *  

Christopher D. Myers(5)

 

President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and

Nominee

    779,000       *  

Raymond V. O’Brien III

 

Chairman of the Board and Nominee

    22,000       *  

Hal W. Oswalt

 

Director and Nominee

    14,000       *  

San E. Vaccaro(6)

 

Director and Nominee

    324,977       *  

David A. Brager(7)

 

Executive Vice President, Sales Division Manager

    63,307       *  

James F. Dowd(8)

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer

    93,500       *  

David C. Harvey(9)

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer

    45,272       *  

Richard C. Thomas(10)

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

    34,846       *  

Current Directors and Named Executive Officers as a Group

 

(11 persons)(11)

    8,360,373       7.9 %

 

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* Less than 1%.
(1) Except as otherwise noted below, each person directly or indirectly has sole or shared voting and investment power (as community property and/or with such person’s spouse) with respect to the shares listed.
(2) The percentage for each of these persons or group is based upon the total number of shares of CVB Financial Corp.’s common stock outstanding as of March 13, 2015, which was 106,148,941, plus the shares which the respective individual or group has the right to acquire within sixty (60) days after March 13, 2015, by the exercise of stock options. In computing the percentage of shares beneficially owned by each person or group of persons, any shares which the person (or group) has a right to acquire within sixty (60) days after March 13, 2015 are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of common stock beneficially owned by that person (or group), but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of shares beneficially owned by any other person.
(3) Represents 4,599,439 shares held by the Borba Family Trust, 2,277,000 shares held by the Borba Children’s Trust, of which Mr. Borba is co-trustee (with shared voting and dispositive power) and as to which Mr. Borba disclaims beneficial ownership, except to the extent of his distributable interest in the Borba Children’s Trust; 6,232 shares which Mr. Borba owns outright, 9,000 restricted shares and 288 shares held by Mr. Borba as custodian for minor children.
(4) Includes 47,500 shares which Mr. Jacoby may acquire within 60 days after March 13, 2015, by the exercise of stock options.
(5) Includes 380,948 shares which Mr. Myers may acquire within 60 days after March 13, 2015, by the exercise of stock options.
(6) Includes 72,500 shares which Mr. Vaccaro may acquire within 60 days after March 13, 2015, by the exercise of stock options and 238,477 shares pledged as securities to Merrill Lynch.
(7) Includes 20,025 shares which Mr. Brager may acquire within 60 days after March 13, 2015, by the exercise of stock options.
(8) Includes 46,000 shares which Mr. Dowd may acquire within 60 days after March 13, 2015, by the exercise of stock options.
(9) Includes 6,000 shares which Mr. Harvey may acquire within 60 days after March 13, 2015, by the exercise of stock options.
(10) Includes 2,000 shares which Mr. Thomas may acquire within 60 days after March 13, 2015, by the exercise of stock options.
(11) Includes 574,973 shares which members of the group may acquire within 60 days after March 13, 2015, by the exercise of stock options.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES AND BOARD MATTERS

Our Board of Directors is committed to good business practices, transparency in financial reporting and the highest levels of corporate governance. To that end, the Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which among other things, provide for:

 

    At least a majority of independent directors;
    Audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees consisting solely of independent directors;
    Periodic executive sessions of non-management directors and audit committee directors;
    An annual self-evaluation process for the Board of Directors and its committees;
    Ethical conduct of directors;
    Director access to officers and employees;
    Director access to independent advisors;
    Periodic review of a management succession plan; and
    Methodology for reporting concerns to non-employee directors or the Audit Committee.

A copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines is available on our website at www.cbbank.com by clicking the tab “Investors,” “Corporate Overview” and then “Governance Documents”.

Board Selection Process

We have established a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. This committee assists the Board of Directors in director selection, as well as review and consideration of developments in corporate governance practices. This committee also recommends to the Board of Directors director nominees for each Board of Directors committee, and reviews any director candidates submitted by shareholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for annually reviewing and evaluating with the Board of Directors the appropriate skills and characteristics required of members of the Board of Directors in the context of the current composition of the Board of Directors and our goals for nominees to the Board of Directors, including nominees who are current members of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the authority to utilize third party advisors, as appropriate, to assist it in fulfilling its Board of Directors selection function.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the entire makeup of the Board of Directors when making its nominating recommendations to the full Board of Directors, including age, experience and skillset. In identifying and evaluating nominees for director, the goals of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include maintaining a strong and experienced Board of Directors by continually assessing the Board of Directors’ business background, current responsibilities, community involvement, independence, commitment to CVB Financial Corp. (including meaningful ownership of our common stock with a market value of at least $100,000) and time available for service. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers diversity of viewpoints, background, experience (including skill diversity) and other demographics in the selection of nominees.

Other important factors the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider in evaluating nominees include current knowledge of and contacts in CVB Financial Corp.’s industry (banking) and other industries relevant to CVB Financial Corp.’s business, and ability to work together with other members of the Board of Directors.

The enumerated size of the Board of Directors for each of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank is currently set at eight members, and it has been the consistent practice for the same directors to serve on the respective Boards of Directors of both entities. At present there are only seven nominees for the position of director, with one vacancy. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is presently seeking to fill this open position on the Board of Directors, and is considering the qualifications of various candidates. As soon as this process is complete, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee plans to recommend a qualified candidate to the full Board of Directors to fill the present vacancy.

 

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In 2014, our Board of Directors, acting on the recommendation of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, adopted a mandatory retirement policy for members of the Board of Directors. This policy provides that any Board member who reaches his or her 78th birthday would be permitted to serve out the remainder of his or her then-current one-year term, but would be ineligible to be renominated for re-election. However, for any existing Board member who was serving on the Board of Directors at the time this policy was adopted, there was a two-year “grandfather period” whereby such director would remain eligible for renomination for the next two annual elections of directors but not thereafter. Mr. San Vaccaro is the only member of our Board of Directors who qualified for the “grandfather period” exception to our mandatory retirement policy when it was adopted, and if Mr. Vaccaro is re-elected to our Board of Directors at the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, he will not be eligible for renomination in 2016.

Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

The business and affairs of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank are managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has historically separated the role of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Mr. D. Linn Wiley retired from his positions as a director and as Chairman of the Board, effective on December 31, 2014, and Mr. Raymond V. O’Brien III was elected by the Board of Directors as the successor Chairman of the Board, effective on January 1, 2015. Mr. O’Brien had previously served as a director of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank since 2012, and as Vice-Chairman of the Board since March 2014. Mr. George A. Borba, Jr., who has served as a director of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank since 2012, continues to serve as our Vice-Chairman of the Board. Christopher D. Myers currently serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as one of our directors.

Separate board committees exist at CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank, each of which is responsible for supervising various areas of risk. The Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Compensation Committee exist at CVB Financial Corp. The Loan Committee, Risk Management Committee, Balance Sheet Management Committee and Trust Services Committee exist at Citizens Business Bank. All of the committees meet regularly and report to the full Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is charged with providing oversight of the Company’s risk management processes. In accordance with the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Audit Committee is primarily responsible for overseeing the risk management function at CVB Financial Corp. on behalf of the Board.

The Risk Management Division of Citizens Business Bank conducts periodic monitoring of compliance efforts with a special focus on those areas that expose the Bank to compliance risk. The purpose of the periodic monitoring is to ensure that Citizens Business Bank associates and business practices are adhering to established policies and procedures. The Chief Risk Officer of Citizens Business Bank notifies the appropriate department head, the Management Compliance Committee, the Risk Management Committee of Citizens Business Bank and the Audit Committee of CVB Financial Corp. of any significant violations noted.

The committees meet periodically with the various members of management and receive comprehensive reports on risk management, including management’s assessment of risk exposures (including risks related to liquidity, market sensitivity, credit, operations and regulatory compliance, among others), and the processes in place to monitor and control such exposures. The committees also receive updates between meetings from members of management relating to risk oversight matters. The Audit Committee is presented with a report on enterprise risk management by management on at least a quarterly basis, and this report is shared and discussed with the full Board of Directors.

In addition to the Risk Management Committee of Citizens Business Bank and the Audit Committee of CVB Financial Corp., other committees of the Board of CVB Financial Corp. consider the risks within their areas of responsibility. For example, the Compensation Committee of CVB Financial Corp. considers the risks that may be implicated by our executive compensation programs, including our Executive Incentive Plan. For a

 

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discussion of the Compensation Committee’s review of CVB Financial Corp.’s senior executive officer compensation plans and employee incentive compensation plans and the risks associated with these plans, see “Compensation Committee Report — Discussion of Compensation Policies and Practices Related to Risk Management” in this proxy statement.

All board committees have continued to be fully staffed notwithstanding the current single vacancy on the Board of Directors.

Consideration of Shareholder Nominees

The policy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to consider properly submitted shareholder nominations for candidates for membership on the Board of Directors. In evaluating nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will look at the same factors described under the heading “Board Selection Process” above that it uses for nominees who come to its attention from persons other than current members of the Board of Directors. Recommendations must be submitted in writing to the attention of the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at the following address:

CVB Financial Corp.

701 N. Haven Avenue, Suite 350

Ontario, California 91764

Shareholders should include in such recommendation (a) the name and address of each proposed nominee; (b) the principal occupation of each proposed nominee; (c) the number of shares of voting stock of CVB Financial Corp. owned by each proposed nominee and the notifying shareholder; (d) the name and residence address of the notifying shareholder; and (e) a letter from the proposed nominee indicating that such proposed nominee wishes to be considered as a nominee for the CVB Financial Corp. Board of Directors and will serve as a member of the CVB Financial Corp. Board of Directors if elected. In addition, each recommendation must set forth in detail the reasons why the notifying shareholder believes the proposed nominee meets the criteria set forth in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter for serving on CVB Financial Corp.’s Board of Directors.

In addition, our Bylaws permit shareholders to nominate directors for consideration at an annual meeting. For a description of the process, see the “Notice of 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders” included herein.

Executive Sessions

Executive sessions of independent directors are held at least six times a year. The person who presides at these meetings is chosen by the independent directors.

Attendance at Annual Meetings

The Board of Directors encourages all of its members to attend the annual meeting of shareholders. All of our directors who were directors at the time attended the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders.

Communications with the Board of Directors

Shareholders wishing to contact CVB Financial Corp.’s Board of Directors, including a committee of the Board of Directors, may do so by writing to the following address to the attention of the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors at:

Board of Directors

CVB Financial Corp.

701 North Haven Avenue, Suite 350

Ontario, California 91764

 

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Confidential communications may be sent through the Internet by logging on to http://www.reportit.net and entering the username: “Citizens” and the password: “Citizens”. All communications sent to the Board of Directors will be communicated with the entire Board of Directors unless the communication is intended only for a specific committee. CVB Financial Corp.’s Corporate Secretary keeps a log of all communications sent to the Board of Directors or its committees. This log is available for inspection by the members of the Board of Directors.

Executive Officers

Biographical information about all of our named executive officers is contained under Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, a copy of which is being mailed with this proxy statement or, as referenced in the Notice, is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and at www.cbbank.com/annualmaterials.

 

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DISCUSSION OF PROPOSALS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

We have nominated seven directors for election at the annual meeting of shareholders, which is one fewer than the number fixed for the election of directors. As noted above, there is presently one vacancy on the Board of Directors, created by the resignation of D. Linn Wiley as of December 31, 2014, and the Board of Directors intends to fill this vacancy as soon as a qualified candidate is found who is willing to serve.

We have nominated the persons named below, all of whom are present members of CVB Financial Corp.’s Board of Directors, for election to serve until our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Each of these persons is also a member of the Board of Directors of our principal subsidiary, Citizens Business Bank. Members of the Board of Directors will cast their votes to effect the election of these nominees. If any nominee is unable to serve, your proxy may vote for another nominee proposed by the Board of Directors.

Each of our Board members was nominated based on the assessment of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our Board of Directors that the nominees have demonstrated an ability to make meaningful contributions to the oversight of our business and affairs, have a reputation for honesty and ethical conduct in their personal and professional activities, and share independence, experience and sufficient communication and analytical skills.

The Nominees

The directors standing for reelection are:

 

Name and Position

Principal Occupation for Past Five Years

  Age     Year First
Elected
    or Appointed    

a Director

 

George A. Borba, Jr.

Vice-Chairman of the Board and Director

 

Dairy Farmer, George Borba & Son Dairy and Bellanave Dairy Corp.   47    2012

 

Stephen A. Del Guercio

Director

 

Attorney and Partner, Demetriou, Del Guercio, Springer & Francis, LLP   53    2012

 

Robert M. Jacoby, C.P.A.

Director

 

Certified Public Accountant   73    2005

 

Christopher D. Myers

President, Chief Executive Officer and

Director

 

President and Chief Executive Officer of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank   53    2006

 

Raymond V. O’Brien III

Chairman of the Board and Director

 

Chief Executive Officer, Cal Plate, Inc.   58    2012

 

Hal W. Oswalt

Director

 

Consultant   66    2014

 

San E. Vaccaro

Director

 

Attorney   82    1999

 

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All seven of our current nominees were elected at the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders. Although each of the nominees was selected based on the entirety of his experience and skills, the following sets forth certain specific qualifications for directorship for each of our directors:

George A. Borba, Jr. is Vice-Chairman of the Board and has served on our Board since 2012. Mr. Borba, a dairy farmer, became a partner in George Borba and Son Dairy in 1990. He is currently President of Bellanave Dairy Corp. and Managing Partner of West Kern Dairy, both in Bakersfield, California, which together represent one of the larger dairy operations in California. Mr. Borba also manages a significant amount of agricultural farmland. Mr. Borba earned a B.S. in Agricultural Business Management with a concentration in Finance from the California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. He has served on the boards of the San Bernardino Zone 1 Flood Control and the Western United Dairymen. Mr. Borba is active in the Bakersfield community, serving and volunteering at St. Francis Catholic Church, Bethany Homeless Shelter and the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. Mr. Borba is Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and is a member of the Compensation Committee of CVB Financial Corp., and he is Chairman of the Trust Services Committee and is a member of the Balance Sheet Management Committee, the Loan Committee, and the Risk Management Committee of the Citizens Business Bank Board. Mr. Borba brings to the Board a deep understanding of the dairy and agricultural industries, which are key components of Citizens Business Bank’s loan portfolio, as well as strong connections with the business community in the Central Valley of California, which is an important region for Citizens Business Bank’s current and future growth.

Stephen A. Del Guercio has served on our Board since 2012. Mr. Del Guercio is presently a partner with the law firm of Demetriou, Del Guercio, Springer & Francis, LLP. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1986. His practice areas include real estate and corporate transactional law, serving mid-sized businesses and high net worth individuals. He received his B.A. from the University of Southern California, graduating magna cum laude in 1983, and he received his J.D. from the University of Southern California Law School, graduating Order of the Coif in 1986. Mr. Del Guercio served on the City Council of the City of La Canada Flintridge from 2001 to 2013, including three one-year terms as Mayor. He is also involved with various community and charitable organizations in the greater Pasadena and Los Angeles areas. Mr. Del Guercio is a member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of CVB Financial Corp., and he is a member of the Balance Sheet Management Committee, the Risk Management Committee and the Trust Services Committee of the Citizens Business Bank Board. Mr. Del Guercio’s qualifications to sit on the Board include his legal and financial experience and his extensive contacts in the business community within which Citizens Business Bank operates.

Robert M. Jacoby, C.P.A. is a Certified Public Accountant who has served on our Board since 2005. He is one of two designated financial experts on the Audit Committee. As an accountant, Mr. Jacoby has operated his own accounting practice since 1992. Prior to 1992, he was with the accounting firm of Grant Thornton for 21 years, where he specialized in banking, manufacturing and distribution. Mr. Jacoby is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Jacoby was previously the engagement partner for Grant Thornton when the firm was the accounting firm for Chino Valley Bank, the predecessor company to Citizens Business Bank, from 1981 to 1987. Mr. Jacoby was also a director of the former First American Bank (now PacWest Bancorp) in Rosemead, California for thirteen years. Mr. Jacoby is Chairman of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of CVB Financial Corp., and he is a member of the Balance Sheet Management Committee, the Risk Management Committee and the Trust Services Committee of the Citizens Business Bank Board. Mr. Jacoby’s qualifications to sit on the Board include his financial and accounting expertise, his years of experience as a bank director, and his history with and knowledge of CVB Financial Corp.’s and Citizens Business Bank’s financial and business affairs.

Christopher D. Myers is the current President and Chief Executive Officer of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank. He has served in that capacity and as a Board member since August 1, 2006. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Myers served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Mellon 1st Business Bank, a $3 billion-asset Los Angeles-based bank that was acquired by U.S. Bank. From 1996 to 2003, he held several

 

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management positions with Mellon 1st Business Bank, including Executive Vice President, Regional Vice President, and Vice President/Group Manager. He is presently a board member of the California Bankers Association and the UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Fink Center for Finance and Investments. Mr. Myers received his B.A. from Harvard University and a M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from UCLA and has over 30 years of experience in banking. Mr. Myers serves as Chairman of the Loan Committee and as a member of the Balance Sheet Management Committee, the Risk Management Committee and the Trust Services Committee of the Citizens Business Bank Board. Mr. Myers’ qualifications to sit on our Board include his extensive banking, operational and executive leadership experience.

Raymond V. O’Brien III is Chairman of the Board and has served on our Board since 2012. Mr. O’Brien has an extensive background in both manufacturing and banking. Mr. O’Brien began his professional career in banking in 1979 with Chase Manhattan Bank and moved to 1st Business Bank in 1983. In 1987, he left the banking profession and became CEO and owner of I.L. Walker, a Los Angeles-based manufacturing company. Over the next two-plus decades, Mr. O’Brien owned and led several manufacturing companies. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer and owner of Cal Plate, Inc., based in Artesia, CA. Mr. O’Brien was a founding director of American Business Bank in 1997 and served as a director at that institution until 2012. Mr. O’Brien earned his B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Notre Dame in 1979. Mr. O’Brien is an active “49er” member of the Young Presidents’ Organization. Mr. O’Brien is Chairman of the Compensation Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of CVB Financial Corp. Mr. O’Brien is Chairman of the Balance Sheet Management Committee and is a member of the Risk Management Committee, the Loan Committee and the Trust Services Committee of the Citizens Business Bank Board. Mr. O’Brien’s qualifications to sit on our Board include his operational and financial expertise gained from the successful operation of a number of business entities, as well as his direct experience as a banker and bank director.

Hal W. Oswalt was appointed as a director of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank effective January 1, 2014. Mr. Oswalt spent 16 years as a commercial banker in Oklahoma, where he served as President, CEO and Director of community banks in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Since 1991, he has worked in the consulting industry where his roles have included serving as Managing Director of Global Consulting at Alltel Financial Services, as Managing Director of Sheshunoff Consulting Services, President of Brintech, Inc. and President of SC+S Risk Management Services. Over a 20-year period, he has managed consulting projects throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Mr. Oswalt earned a B.S. in Business and a M.B.A. from Oklahoma State University. He is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin’s Graduate School of Banking. Mr. Oswalt is a member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of CVB Financial Corp., and he is a member of the Balance Sheet Management Committee, the Risk Management Committee and the Trust Services Committee of the Citizens Business Bank Board. Mr. Oswalt’s qualifications to sit on our Board include his extensive background in both commercial banking and financial consulting, and his particular expertise in strategic planning, cost management and organizational change management.

San E. Vaccaro is an attorney and the second financial expert serving on the Audit Committee, and he has served on our Board since 1999. He joined the Boards of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank in 1999 upon our acquisition of ONB Bancorp and Orange National Bank. He had previously served as chairman of the board of both those companies. Mr. Vaccaro received his undergraduate and J.D. degrees from Fordham University. He is admitted to practice before state and federal courts in Arizona and California and the Supreme Court of the United States. His law firm, Law Offices of San E. Vaccaro (and its predecessor firm, Curtis & Vaccaro), has been an active participant in the Orange County legal community for many years. He is a member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of CVB Financial Corp. He serves as Chairman of the Risk Management Committee and is a member of the Balance Sheet Management Committee and the Trust Services Committee of the Citizens Business Bank Board. He is a past member of the California State Avocado Commission and the National Association of Corporate Directors, and he has over 35 years of experience serving on the boards of public financial institutions. He is also a member of the Knights of Malta and serves on the finance council of St. Catherine’s Church in

 

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Orange County. Because of his background and experience in the Orange County banking and business community, he provides CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank with advice and direction as CVB Financial Corp. implements its Orange County growth initiatives.

Director Independence

With the exception of Mr. Myers, each of our directors is “independent” within the meaning of the rules and regulations promulgated by the NASDAQ Stock Market and have been determined to be “independent” by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, with respect to their Board service and the Committees on which they respectively serve. In making such determinations, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluated banking, commercial service, familial or other transactions involving each director or immediate family member and their related interests and the Company, if any.

The Board of Directors and Committees

The Board of Directors of CVB Financial Corp. oversees our business and affairs. As set forth previously, the Board of Directors of CVB Financial Corp. also has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and a Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors of Citizens Business Bank has four standing committees: Loan Committee, Risk Management Committee, Balance Sheet Management Committee and Trust Services Committee.

The Number of Meetings Attended

During 2014, CVB Financial Corp.’s Board of Directors held 12 regular meetings and 5 special meetings, and the Board of Directors of Citizens Business Bank held 12 regular meetings and 4 special meetings. All of the directors of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank who served in 2014, and all of the directors of CVB Financial Corp. who are nominated for election at the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank Board meetings which they were eligible to attend and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors of CVB Financial Corp. or Citizens Business Bank on which they served during 2014 and which they were eligible to attend.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of Messrs. Robert M. Jacoby (Chairman), Stephen A. Del Guercio, Raymond V. O’Brien III, Hal W. Oswalt and San E. Vaccaro. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, adopted by the Board of Directors, which is available on our website at www.cbbank.com by clicking the tab “Investors”, then “Corporate Overview” and then “Governance Documents”. The Audit Committee is a separately designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee and monitor (i) the integrity of our financial statements and the Company’s systems of internal accounting and financial controls; (ii) our compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) our independent auditor qualifications and independence; and (iv) the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Jacoby and Mr. Vaccaro are “audit committee financial experts” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the SEC.

The Audit Committee has sole authority to appoint or replace the Company’s independent auditors (including oversight of audit partner rotation). The Audit Committee is also directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors. Our independent auditors report directly to the Audit Committee. Among other things, the Audit Committee prepares the audit committee report for

 

14


inclusion in the annual proxy statement, reviews and discusses with management and the independent auditors our independent certified audits; reviews and discusses with management and the independent auditors our quarterly and annual financial statements; reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures; approves all auditing and permitted non-auditing services; reviews significant findings by bank regulators and management’s response thereto; establishes procedures to anonymously and confidentially handle complaints we receive regarding auditing matters and accounting and internal accounting controls; and handles the confidential, anonymous submission to it by our employees of concerns regarding questions relating to accounting or auditing matters. The Audit Committee also has authority to retain independent legal, accounting and other advisors as the Audit Committee deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties. The Audit Committee held 12 meetings during 2014, plus 5 special meetings for the purpose of reviewing and approving SEC filings and appointing our auditing firm.

The report of the Audit Committee is included below.

Audit Committee Report

The following Report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any of our other filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this Report by reference.

The Audit Committee reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for overseeing and monitoring financial accounting and reporting, the system of internal controls established by management and the audit process of CVB Financial Corp. The Audit Committee manages CVB Financial Corp.’s relationship with its independent auditors (who report directly to the Audit Committee).

In discharging its oversight responsibility, the Audit Committee has met and held discussions with management and KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm for CVB Financial Corp., regarding the audited consolidated financial statements. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the independent auditors. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed in AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent auditor’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors their independence and satisfied itself as to their independence. The Audit Committee also reviewed the PCAOB inspection report and peer review report of KPMG LLP by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Based on these discussions and reviews, the Audit Committee recommended that the Board of Directors approve the inclusion of CVB Financial Corp.’s audited consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2014, for filing with the SEC.

Respectfully submitted by the members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:

THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Robert M. Jacoby, C.P.A., Chairman

Stephen A. Del Guercio

Raymond V. O’Brien III

Hal W. Oswalt

San E. Vaccaro

 

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Board of Directors has a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisting of Messrs. George A. Borba, Jr. (Chairman), Stephen A. Del Guercio, Robert M. Jacoby, Raymond V. O’Brien III, Hal W. Oswalt and San E. Vaccaro. Each of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

As set forth above, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee:

 

    Assists the Board of Directors by identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors;
    Recommends to the Board of Directors the director nominees for the next annual meeting;
    Recommends to the Board of Directors director nominees for each committee; and
    Develops and recommends a set of corporate governance principles applicable to CVB Financial Corp.

Other specific duties and responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include: retaining and terminating any search firm to identify director candidates; receiving communications from shareholders regarding any matters of concern; recommending to the Board directors to serve on each committee; and reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of its charter and its own performance on an annual basis. The procedures for nominating directors, other than by the Board of Directors itself, are set forth in the bylaws and reprinted in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is available on our website at www.cbbank.com by clicking the tab “Investors”, then “Corporate Overview” and then “Governance Documents”. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held 1 regular meeting during 2014.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of CVB Financial Corp. (the “Compensation Committee”) has overall responsibility for overseeing our compensation and employee benefit plans and practices, including our executive compensation plans and our incentive compensation and equity-based plans. This committee is composed of Messrs. Raymond V. O’Brien III (Chairman), George A. Borba, Jr., Stephen A. Del Guercio, Robert M. Jacoby, Hal W. Oswalt and San E. Vaccaro. Each of the members of the Compensation Committee is independent within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the NASDAQ Stock Market applicable during 2014. During the year, meetings are scheduled monthly, but are held at other times as needed. During 2014, the Compensation Committee held 12 regular meetings and 2 special meetings. The special meetings are set up by the Corporate Secretary in conjunction with the Chairman of the Compensation Committee. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer provide input on the agendas.

The Compensation Committee has a charter, which can be found on CVB Financial Corp.’s website, www.cbbank.com, by clicking the tab “Investors”, then “Corporate Overview” and then “Governance Documents”. This charter is reviewed annually with input from our outside counsel and may be changed to keep abreast of current regulations and changes in duties.

The Compensation Committee has the responsibility of recommending to the Board of Directors the appropriate level of compensation for the Board of Directors, and for determining the total compensation of all officers of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank.

The Compensation Committee may delegate its authority to others within the organization if it deems necessary, but has not done so. Our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Human Resources Director participate, when requested to do so, in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive and director compensation (except with respect to their own compensation).

 

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Role of the Compensation Consultant

The Compensation Committee has the authority to consult and retain internal and external advisors as needed. In determining the compensation of our named executive officers, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, and our Board of Directors, for the Company’s 2014 fiscal year, the Compensation Committee requested and relied upon three separate reports by the firm Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“Cook”), which is a leading national firm specializing in providing executive compensation consulting services to public companies.

Cook was initially retained by our Compensation Committee in November 2013, and Cook’s first engagement and report was provided to the Committee in connection with the planned renewal of the Employment Agreement by and among CVB Financial Corp., Citizens Business Bank and our President and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher D. Myers. Mr. Myers’ 2009 Employment Agreement was due to expire in September 2014, and the Compensation Committee decided to retain Cook to assist the Committee in (1) evaluating the performance of Mr. Myers as President and Chief Executive Officer, (2) developing a peer group of companies believed to be reasonably comparable to CVB Financial Corp., as further described in the section of this proxy statement on “Peer Group Considerations and the Compensation Consultant”, and (3) analyzing and benchmarking the key terms of Mr. Myers’ proposed compensation and renewed Employment Agreement, including base salary, bonus, equity-based incentives and benefit plans, as well as reviewing other terms of the proposed new contract. Mr. Myers’ Employment Agreement with CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank was renewed effective on February 4, 2014. Additional information concerning Mr. Myers’ 2009 and 2014 Employment Agreements is set forth in the section of this proxy statement on “2009 and 2014 Employment Agreements with Chief Executive Officer”.

Cook was subsequently engaged by the Compensation Committee in June 2014 to provide a second report covering base salary, bonus, equity-based incentive plans, and benefit plans for each of our five named executive officer positions: our President and Chief Executive Officer, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, our Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, our Executive Vice President and Sales Division Manager, and our Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. Cook performed this analysis by (1) utilizing the same peer group of companies developed and employed in connection with Cook’s evaluation and recommendations regarding the compensation of Mr. Myers, as described above, and (2) gathering peer group compensation data, as disclosed in 2014 SEC filings by the respective peer group companies, including in proxy statements, annual reports and relevant Form 8-K filings.

In October 2014, Cook was engaged by the Compensation Committee to provide a third report focusing on the compensation of members of the Board of Directors of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank. With respect to director compensation, Cook used the same peer companies to benchmark cash retainer levels for board and committee services, equity grants and other typical program features. Cook’s evaluation of director compensation is discussed further in the section of this proxy statement on “Director Compensation”.

For additional information on Cook’s assistance in connection with the development of the group of peer companies for CVB Financial Corp., please refer to the section of this proxy statement on “Peer Group Considerations and the Compensation Consultant”.

CVB Financial Corp. did not engage Cook for any additional services during fiscal year 2014 beyond its support to the Compensation Committee in connection with the three reports summarized above, and our assessment found no conflict of interest posed by the retention of Cook as compensation consultants for CVB Financial Corp.

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The following compensation discussion and analysis describes our compensation philosophy and summarizes the structure and objectives of the various compensation programs administered by our Compensation Committee for our five executive officers for whom disclosures must be provided under SEC rules (“named executive officers” or “NEOs”):

 

Christopher D. Myers President and CEO of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank
Richard C. Thomas Executive Vice President, CFO of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank
David A. Brager Executive Vice President, Sales Division Manager of Citizens Business Bank
James F. Dowd Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer of Citizens Business Bank
David C. Harvey Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer of Citizens Business Bank

 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overview of our Financial and Operational Performance

2014 was a very successful year for CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank. Net earnings were $104 million, the highest in the Company’s history. Noninterest bearing deposits grew by 11.8% or $303 million, and loans grew by 7.5% or $267 million. Citizens Business Bank continued to expand its operations in Southern California by acquiring a community bank headquartered in Newport Beach and opening a de novo banking center in San Diego County.

The Company has achieved these successes while maintaining a notably sound financial structure, as demonstrated by Citizens Business Bank’s recognition by Bank Director Magazine as the #4 bank in the U.S., among banks with total assets between $5 billion and $50 billion, based on the magazine’s performance scorecard. Citizens Business Bank’s ratios for critical capital measures as of December 31, 2014 significantly exceeded the amounts necessary in order to be considered well-capitalized: 16.85% (Tier 1 Risk-based Capital Ratio), 18.11% (Total Risk-based Capital Ratio), and 10.77% (Leverage Ratio). The well-capitalized standards for these ratios in 2014 were 6%, 10%, and 5%, respectively.

The Company’s financial and operational success can also be measured on a relative basis by comparing the Company’s performance to that of the peer companies used for benchmarking executive compensation (these companies are described below in the section of this proxy statement on “Peer Group Considerations and the Compensation Consultant”). As measured by six key metrics which we believe are commonly utilized in evaluating banking entities (return on equity, return on assets, net interest margin, non-performing assets divided by total assets, efficiency ratio, and noninterest expense divided by total assets), the Company’s performance last year placed it in the first quartile of our peer group on four of the measures, the second quartile on one of the measures, and the third quartile on another measure.

 

LOGO

 

Source: Standard & Poor’s Compustat

*Two peers (CapitalSource and Sterling Financial) are excluded because they were acquired in April 2014. Higher ranking in charts reflects better performance relative to peers.

 

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While the Company’s total shareholder return (TSR) of -4% for 2014 was disappointing (placing it in the third quartile relative to its peers), TSR performance over both the three- and five-year periods ending December 31, 2014 was in the second quartile, which the Company considers a more accurate reflection of its underlying financial strength.

2014 Compensation Program Overview

The Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s executive compensation program is well designed to support advances in shareholder value within the context of a sound financial structure and, accordingly, as will be explained in further detail below, no major changes were implemented in 2014 to the Company’s executive compensation program. As a result:

 

    Base salary increases, if any, were modest;
    Payouts under the annual bonus plan continued to focus on performance against a combination of key financial metrics, with net profit after tax as the most important metric for all executives, and the relative weighting of other metrics structured to emphasize the areas over which each executive had the most direct responsibilities;

 

  ¡    Financial targets continue to be set at challenging, but achievable levels, as evidenced by the fact that, of the seven financial targets, three were achieved at maximum payout levels, two were achieved at threshold levels, and two were not achieved at threshold levels.
  ¡    The individual performance component of the bonus plan was expanded to all NEOs, so that 20% of the bonus opportunity was based upon an evaluation of individual performance, which allows evaluation of individual contributions to the Company that cannot be captured by looking solely at financial metrics.
  ¡    Overall payouts under the bonus plan varied by executive, ranging from 90% to 110% of target levels.

 

    Long-term incentives continued to be structured as a combination of restricted stock and stock options; and
    No significant changes were made to the other elements of executive compensation, such as 401(k) Plan/Profit Sharing, deferred compensation, and health and welfare benefits.

A major achievement in 2014 was the successful conclusion of negotiations to renew the employment agreement of Mr. Myers (the “2014 Agreement”), our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Myers has been the President and CEO since 2006 and has played the pivotal role in the Bank’s success over the last decade. His previous employment agreement (the “2009 Agreement”) was for five years, commencing September 16, 2009, and the Compensation Committee considered it important to maintain the continuity of Mr. Myers’ employment by concluding negotiations for a new five-year contract well in advance of the expiration date of the 2009 Agreement. The new agreement was effective February 4, 2014.

The Compensation Committee believes the interests of the Company and its shareholders were well served by the structure of the 2009 Agreement, which established a base salary and target bonus level ($750,000 and 100% respectively), which remained unchanged throughout the contract term. Similarly, at the start of the 2009 Agreement, Mr. Myers received a one-time grant of long-term equity incentives, consisting of options and restricted stock, which vested over the five-year term of the 2009 Agreement, and no further equity awards were made to him over the life of this Agreement. The 2014 Agreement was developed using a similar structure, providing that the equity incentives awarded at the start of the contract are intended to be the primary equity incentives awarded over the five-year life of the contract, and the Compensation Committee analyzed the costs of the 2014 Agreement by treating the costs of the equity incentives as amortized over five years, according to their contractual terms. Accordingly, while the Summary Compensation Table indicates that the total cost of the equity incentives awarded was $5.24 million, the Compensation Committee considers $1.05 million, which is the annualized value of these incentives, to be the relevant measure of the annual value of the equity compensation being awarded Mr. Myers.

 

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OVERALL STRUCTURE OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Objectives and Philosophy of Our Compensation Program

We provide a comprehensive compensation package for our executives comprised of base salary, an annual cash incentive plan, long-term equity compensation plan, 401(k) plan matching contributions, profit sharing plan, deferred compensation program and health and welfare benefits. We have adopted a basic philosophy and practice of offering a compensation program designed to attract and retain highly qualified managers and employees. We believe our compensation practices encourage and motivate these individuals to achieve superior performance on both a short-term and long-term basis. This underlying philosophy pertains specifically to executive compensation as well as to employee compensation at all other levels throughout our organization.

Our compensation is designed to achieve the following objectives:

 

    Attract and retain talented and experienced executives;
    Provide a base salary that is competitive in our industry;
    Align the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders by having our cash-based incentive compensation based 80% on improvement in metrics that we believe support shareholder value and 20% on an evaluation of individual performance; and
    Offer equity-based compensation that reflects the growth in our stock value and thus in shareholder value.

Our compensation program is designed to incentivize employees to meet our corporate objectives. Our goal is to have a level of earnings growth and loan and deposit growth consistent with enhancing shareholder value. These elements are at the core of our cash-based bonus program and equity-based incentives.

Methodologies for Establishing Compensation

In determining the appropriate compensation levels for our Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee meets outside the presence of all our executive officers. With respect to the compensation of all our other NEOs, the Compensation Committee meets outside the presence of all our executive officers, other than, as requested, our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer (except with respect to his own compensation) and our Human Resources Director. The Compensation Committee generally reviews and approves any salary increases for all officers, including NEOs, in April and all non-officers in July.

With the input of our Human Resources Department, the Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding base salary levels, performance goals, bonuses and equity incentive awards for our NEOs (other than for himself). The Compensation Committee determines each element of compensation for the Chief Executive Officer. Each year, our Human Resources Director coordinates a written performance evaluation on selected officers and employees. These reviews are based on stated objectives for the officer or employee and how the results of his or her performance compare with those objectives. The results of these evaluations, along with the recommended salary adjustments, if any, are presented to the Compensation Committee for its review and approval.

In January or February of each calendar year, the Compensation Committee determines bonus payments under the prior year’s performance compensation plan, and generally in March of each year, the Compensation Committee determines target amounts and performance criteria for the current year’s performance compensation plan. The Compensation Committee similarly meets to determine equity incentive awards for eligible employees, including our NEO’s, which for 2014 took place in November.

Consideration of Say-On-Pay Results

In 2011 our Board of Directors recommended, and a plurality of our shareholders’ vote approved, a period of every three years as the frequency of our Say-On-Pay advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers. Accordingly, we submitted our executive compensation program to a non-binding advisory vote of our shareholders at our 2014 annual meetings of shareholders.

 

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At our 2014 annual meeting of shareholders, this proposal received the support of approximately 76% of the total votes cast. Our Compensation Committee has considered the results of this 2014 Say-On-Pay vote in connection with the discharge of its responsibilities and, after such consideration, determined to not implement any significant changes to our executive compensation program for CVB Financial Corp.’s 2015 fiscal year.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) requires us to obtain, at least once every six years, a shareholder vote on the frequency of our Say-On-Pay vote. Accordingly, our next shareholder vote on the frequency of our Say-On-Pay vote will be held at our 2017 annual meeting of shareholders.

Summary of Components of Compensation

The following table outlines our various compensation plans as in effect for the fiscal year 2014 for our NEOs. We believe these compensation components are consistent with meeting our Company’s business and financial objectives. The allocation between cash and non-cash compensation is based on the Compensation Committee’s determination of the appropriate mix among base salary, annual cash incentives and long-term equity incentives to encourage executive officer retention and performance.

 

Component                         

Characteristics

Purpose

 

Base Salary

 

Each executive officer is eligible for an annual salary increase, which typically occurs in April of each calendar year, based on performance. This is a fixed cash compensation amount.

 

The base salary component allows us to compensate our officers at a level that we believe is competitive in the industry. This helps us attract and retain highly qualified executives. This rewards individual performance and level of experience, and provides a level of stability for our officers.

Incentive Compensation

and Bonus

Paid based on CVB Financial Corp.’s attainment of enumerated financial and business metrics and goals. Individual executives are provided with specific performance criteria based on their respective positions with CVB Financial Corp. and/or Citizens Business Bank. The bonus element serves to reward executives when CVB Financial Corp. and/or Citizens Business Bank meets its financial and business metrics and goals, which we believe adds to shareholder value. This incentivizes executives to meet performance targets which in turn helps us meet our overall strategic objectives.
Restricted Stock Awarded from time to time to selected officers, including our NEOs, based on position and performance. Recipients do not pay any additional cash to acquire the stock, but must pay taxes on the value of the stock when it vests. Restricted stock links the interests of recipients to shareholders, by focusing on the long-term value of CVB Financial Corp.’s stock, and has less dilution to our shareholders compared to stock option grants, because restricted stock grants typically involve fewer shares. This also helps to align the compensation of the executives with our shareholders. Restricted stock is subject to time-based vesting provisions.
Stock Options Awarded from time to time to selected officers, including our NEOs, based on position and performance. Recipients must pay the exercise price of the option in order to acquire the related shares of stock. Stock options allow the executive to share in the long-term appreciation of CVB Financial Corp.’s stock. This helps to align the compensation of the executive with the interests of our shareholders. Grants typically vest over a five-year period.

 

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Component                         

Characteristics

Purpose

401(k) Plan/Profit Sharing This has two components: (i) 401(k) Plan contributions which are paid by CVB Financial Corp. in a fixed percentage for all participating employees (in addition to which the executive can elect to make deferral contributions), and (ii) profit sharing contributions which are paid to all Plan participants, including named executive officers. Contributions are at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and may be up to 8% of salary and bonus (subject to a ceiling amount for salary and bonus calculation purposes for any individual of $260,000 for 2014). The 401(k) Plan assists the executive in saving for retirement. The profit sharing portion allows the executive to share in the profits of CVB Financial Corp. and, since the money goes into a retirement plan, it also assists the executive in saving for retirement.
Deferred Compensation Plans One plan is available to our Chief Executive Officer and a separate plan is available to other qualifying senior officers and directors. Deferred compensation allows for the tax deferral of compensation and the growth of any deferred amounts.
Health and Welfare Benefits These benefits are the same as those offered to the total full-time employee base, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. The named executive officers pay a portion of the costs in the same manner as all full-time employees. These benefits assist all our full-time employees, including our named executive officers, in meeting their and their respective families’ basic health and welfare needs.

Peer Group Considerations and the Compensation Consultant

As noted above, the Compensation Committee engaged Cook in late 2013, and twice in 2014, to assist the Committee in evaluating whether the key components of compensation at CVB Financial Corp. for our President and Chief Executive Officer, our other four NEOs, and our Board of Directors, as applicable, were competitive with comparable compensation packages provided for similar positions and roles at peer commercial banking organizations. In addition, each year, the Compensation Committee also analyzes salary surveys from relevant organizations such as the California Bankers Association and similar data provided by other recognized industry sources.

 

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With respect to our peer group analysis in particular, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with Cook, modified the peer group criteria in 2014 to focus on banks and bank holding companies which we believe are more comparable to the Company in terms of key indicators such as asset size, market capitalization and geographic location. This change resulted in the retention of six institutions in the peer group utilized by the Committee and referred to in the proxy statements for CVB Financial Corp. for 2012 and 2013, and resulted in the addition of eight institutions which were added to our peer group for the purposes of the Committee’s report in this proxy statement covering 2014. The fourteen institutions selected are as follows:

 

Company Name Total Assets
(12/31/13) FY(1)

Market
Capitalization

(12/31/13) FY(2)

  (in billions $) (in billions $)

Texas Capital Bancshares Inc.

11.7 2.5

Umpqua Holdings Corp.

11.6 2.1

Sterling Financial(3)

10.3 2.1

MB Financial

  9.6 1.8

Western Alliance Bancorp

  9.3 2.1

CapitalSource(3)

  8.9 2.8

National Penn Bancshares

  8.6 1.7

CVB Financial Corp.

  6.7 1.8

Capital Bank Financial

  6.6 1.2

PacWest Bancorp

  6.5 1.9

First Financial Bancorp

  6.4 1.0

Independent Bank Corp.

  6.1 0.9

Pinnacle Financial Partners

  5.6 1.1

Westamerica Bancorp

  4.8 1.5

Central Pacific Financial

  4.7 0.8

 

  (1) The Total Assets and Market Capitalization reference points for each institution are dated as of December 31, 2013 because this date was the date actually utilized by the Compensation Committee and Cook for preparing the relevant benchmarking studies in 2014, since all such benchmarking studies were completed prior to year-end 2014.
  (2) While Total Assets and Market Capitalization are both listed as primary reference points that were considered by the Compensation Committee and Cook for purposes of their analyses, the companies in the peer group are ranked for this presentation on the basis of the Total Assets reference point, as that indicator was considered to be more representative of the size and scope of the challenges and responsibilities involved in entity management and oversight.
  (3) In April 2014, Sterling Financial Corp. was acquired by Umpqua Holdings Corp., and CapitalSource was acquired by PacWest Bancorp; however, each entity continued to be included in the Company’s peer group for the benchmarking studies described above since pay data for each entity’s named executives for 2013 was available and relevant in the view of the Compensation Committee.

These banking institutions were selected by the Compensation Committee, in consultation with Cook, as our peer group for 2014, because we believe they have similar business models and capabilities, and generally operate in a similar manner, to CVB Financial Corp. Specifically, the institutions in our 2014 peer group are all within an approximate ratio of 0.5x to 2.0x in both key indicia of total assets and market capitalization, as compared to CVB Financial Corp., as of December 31, 2013, which was the most recent year-end data reported for proxy statement purposes by these institutions. Within this defined universe of banks and bank holding companies, the Committee and Cook then focused on the subset of institutions which operate in major metropolitan areas, where the Committee believes that competitive costs, pay levels and pay structures are more similar and relevant to those of the Company. This process resulted in a peer group of financial institutions which places the Company at or near the median levels for both key reference points of total asset size and market capitalization.

 

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While our market analysis and the surveys by our outside compensation consultants inform our range of compensation alternatives, we do not tie our executive officers’ or directors’ compensation levels to specific market percentiles. Instead, the Compensation Committee uses this comparative compensation information as a set of reference points to assist in the retention of key executives whose performance is critical for the success of the organization and in the setting of appropriate goals with respect to the Company’s performance and results.

The Compensation Committee believes that, as a general matter, total compensation for each of our NEOs should be generally set within a range of between the 25th percentile and 75th percentile for the peer group, based on individual officer performance, responsibilities, contributions, experience, competitive conditions and internal equity. It may be the case, however, that specific components of a given executive’s compensation, such as base salary, bonus or equity incentives, may fall outside this range, depending upon factors such as the executive’s position relative to other NEOs, the executive’s history with the Company, the executive’s level of achievement of specific goals, and market conditions.

Based on the compensation surveys conducted by Cook during fiscal years 2013 and 2014, and other surveys and market data relied upon by the Compensation Committee for 2014, the Committee believes that the total compensation for Christopher D. Myers, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is between the median and 75th percentiles of the peer group. In reaching this conclusion, the Compensation Committee annualized over five years the value of the equity incentives granted to Mr. Myers in 2014 in connection with the renewal of his Employment Agreement to take into account the fact that, as was the case with the previous 2009 Agreement, such equity incentives were intended by the Committee to cover the five year period, from 2014 to 2019, during which such Employment Agreement is scheduled to be effective. An additional factor considered by the Compensation Committee was that the levels of base salary, target bonus, and equity incentives typically increase annually for peer company CEOs, whereas the historical practice of the Company has been to maintain the same salary and bonus level over the life of the employment agreement and not to award additional equity incentives. The Committee strongly believes the level of Mr. Myers’ compensation appropriately reflects his overall importance to the Company’s performance and his exceptional leadership qualities and management skills.

ELEMENTS OF COMPENSATION

Base Salary

It is our philosophy that employees be paid a base salary that we believe is competitive with the salaries paid by comparable organizations. We predicate the base salary on the executive’s ability, experience and past and potential performance and contribution to CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank. In addition, in 2014, we determined the base salary range, in part, by benchmarking our executives’ base salaries against the base salaries for comparable positions at a peer group of regional commercial banking organizations, as discussed above. Our outside compensation consultants and our Human Resources Department gathers this information to analyze appropriate salary levels for our NEOs, as well as for all of our other employees. Each year we generally establish a pool for base salary increases and award percentage increases to each employee based on this competitor information plus his or her job performance.

Mr. Myers’ Base Salary.  Mr. Myers’ base salary was increased from $750,000 for 2013 to $800,000 for 2014 under the terms of his renewed employment agreement, as further described below under “2009 and 2014 Employment Agreements with Chief Executive Officer”. Mr. Myers’ base salary had been unchanged for four years — his 2009 Employment Agreement established his base salary as $750,000 and he was paid that amount in each of the years 2010 through 2013.

Base Salary of other NEOs.  The base salaries of each of the other NEOs were increased $10,000 over 2013 levels except for Mr. Dowd (whose salary was not increased). The Compensation Committee believes that the 2014 base salaries for these executives were consistent with those of executive officers at our peer banks and bank holding companies performing similar functions. The base salaries were: Mr. Thomas -- $300,000; Mr. Brager -- $290,000; Mr. Dowd -- $300,000; and Mr. Harvey -- $290,000.

 

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Annual Cash Bonuses

The annual bonus plan is a critical component of the Company’s executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee uses a combination of financial metrics and individual goals to develop an annual incentive program for each NEO that is individually calibrated to focus each NEO on the drivers of Company growth over which we believe the respective NEO can have the greatest influence. The portion of the 2014 annual bonus plan based on financial metrics (80%) is provided through our Executive Incentive Plan (the “Executive Incentive Plan”), which our shareholders approved at our 2010 annual meeting of shareholders. A revised version of this Executive Incentive Plan is being proposed for approval at our 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, as further discussed in connection with “Proposal 2” set forth below. Since the performance targets under the Executive Incentive Plan do not encompass individual qualitative performance measures, the individual “Job Performance” component of the annual bonus plan is separate from the Executive Incentive Plan.

The Executive Incentive Plan plays a central role in linking executive compensation to goals intended to result in both short-term and long-term increases in shareholder value. Performance metrics are based on challenging, but achievable goals, and with respect to these goals, executives may earn from 0% (in the case of performance below threshold levels) up to 150% (for superior performance) of their target awards. The Compensation Committee has the sole discretion to determine the standards or formulas pursuant to which each participant’s bonus shall be calculated, whether all or any portion of the amount so calculated will be paid, and the specific amount (if any) to be paid to each participant. In January or February of each calendar year, the Compensation Committee determines the amount of the Executive Incentive Plan awards and the extent to which performance bonuses are payable for such year. The Compensation Committee establishes corporate goals with the intent to balance current profitability with long-term stability and prudent risk management.

In addition, each executive’s individual job performance is taken into account in determining payment of 20% of the aggregate eligible bonus amount, as described below, so an executive is accountable for his or her individual performance. In 2014 we added “Overall Job Performance” as a bonus performance measure for Mr. Myers, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Brager. This measurement factor was already part of the applicable incentive plans for Mr. Dowd and Mr. Harvey in 2013. This factor was made part of the bonus plans for all our NEOs because we believed it was important (i) to encourage and incentivize our key Company leaders to exercise their general management skills as well as (ii) to harmonize the weighting of this factor across all our NEOs’ respective compensation plans.

For 2014, the performance measures chosen by the Compensation Committee for our NEOs and the percentage of each NEO’s bonus opportunity attributable to each measure are set forth in the table below. The Compensation Committee chose these performance measures because it believed these measures were the best measures for judging the respective contributions of these officers to the overall business success of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank from a bank operational and shareholder value perspective for 2014. Each performance measure received a weighting between 5% and 40%, all based on a 100% scale for the individual officer concerned. In the case of all NEOs, a high degree of weighting (30% or 40%, depending on the officer) is assigned to the net profit after tax measure, because the Compensation Committee believes this measure best incentivizes current-year profitability, which in turn is a major component of shareholder value.

 

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TABLE OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND THE PERCENTAGE THAT EACH MEASURE IS OF A NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S BONUS OPPORTUNITY

 

  Myers Thomas Brager Dowd Harvey
  Performance Measures

Percentage of Bonus Opportunity

Net Profit After Tax (CVBF)

40% 40% 30% 30% 30%

Average Demand Deposits(1)

10% 10% 10% 0% 20%

Average Total Loans (Net)(2)

20% 10% 30% 30% 0%

Fee Income and Noninterest Income (3)

5% 5% 5% 0% 10%

Operating Expenses

5% 15% 5% 5% 20%

Delinquencies (Quarterly Average)(4)

0% 0% 0% 5% 0%

Non-Performing Loans + OREO/Total Loans (Quarterly

Average)(4)

0% 0% 0% 10% 0%

Overall Job Performance(5)

20% 20% 20% 20% 20%

 

  (1) Noninterest-Bearing
  (2) Net of San Joaquin Bank mark-to-market discount and deferred loan fees
  (3) Includes loan and prepayment fees and excludes credit charges
  (4) Includes San Joaquin Bank loans
  (5) Includes, depending on the specific NEO, factors such as risk management oversight, staff recruitment and retention, product development, expense management, project management, sales support, management of investor relations, acquisition analysis and support, staff recruitment and retention, sales calling activity, product development and implementation, marketing, customer retention, cross-sales of banking products, loan center visitations, portfolio management, response time, loan documentation and servicing, special assets management, organizational structure and execution, technology enhancement, cost control and project management, etc.

For each performance measure, we establish three target business performance objectives (Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3) to determine the maximum amount of bonus for which the NEO is eligible. Mr. Myers’ percentage levels of base salary were set at Level 1 — 75%, Level 2 — 100% and Level 3 — 150%. Each of the other NEOs was set at Level 1 — 25%, Level 2 — 50% and Level 3 — 75% of his respective base salary. Based on the percentage weighting assigned to the particular business measure, a fixed dollar amount of bonus is determined for achieving the associated business performance measure. There is no interpolation between bonus levels, that is, if performance is better than Level 1, but less than Level 2, only the Level 1 percentage is paid. Once all the amounts are determined for each bonus performance measure, we then calculate the total amount of the applicable NEO’s bonus under our Executive Incentive Plan. Based on our historical performance, we believed that, while challenging, each of the target business performance objectives (Level 2) was achievable for 2014.

For example, here is an illustration of how the bonus payments would be calculated for a NEO other than the CEO if the metric in question represented 30% of the bonus opportunity and performance was at Level 2 or above but below Level 3. In this case, the bonus would equal (1) base salary times (2) 30% (the bonus weighting) times (3) 50% (the payout percentage corresponding to Level 2 performance), resulting in a payout equal to 15% of base salary for this metric. The CEO’s calculation would be similar except that, because his Level 2 payout is 100%, rather than 50%, his payout would be equal to 30% of base salary for the same metric.

 

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The following table contains the 2014 results for each of the bonus plan metrics (the applicable job performance factor for each NEO is discussed separately below), as well as how such results compared to the Company’s 2014 business plan and 2013 results. For 2014, the Compensation Committee determined that there were no unusual or non-recurring factors that would merit any special calculations with respect to the performance measures employed by the Executive Incentive Plan.

 

Performance Measures

Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   2014 Plan   2014 Results   2013 Results   Payout Level
  (Dollars in Thousands $)    

Net Profit After Tax (CVBF)

  92,000      95,000      100,000      91,900      104,000      95,608    Level 3

Average Demand Deposits

  2,600,000      2,650,000      2,700,000      2,619,00      2,800,000      2,449,300    Level 3

Average Total Loans (Net)

  3,600,000      3,650,000      3,700,000      3,625,000      3,602,000      3,393,700    Level 1

Fee Income and Noninterest Income

  42,000      43,000      44,000      42,700      38,900      41,316      No Payout  

Operating Expenses

  121,000      120,000      119,000      120,900      126,200      114,028      No Payout  

Delinquencies (Quarterly Average)(1)

  0.15      0.10      0.05      0.04    Level 3

Non-Performing Loans + OREO/Total Loans (Quarterly Average)(1)

  1.70%      1.35%      1.00%      1.52%    Level 1

 

(1) For 2014 this performance measure for the first time took into account the performance of the remainder of the loan portfolio acquired by Citizens Business Bank when it acquired San Joaquin Bank from the FDIC in 2009. The 2013 metrics/2014 Plan information is not comparable because the San Joaquin Bank loan portfolio was not included in the 2013 metrics due to the fact that the portfolio was then subject to a separate loss-share agreement with the FDIC, which agreement expired in October 2014.

The Compensation Committee continues to review proposed compensation arrangements for its named executive officers. It has been determined that, effective for fiscal year 2015, annual bonus compensation will continue to be based upon net profit after tax and the other factors enumerated herein.

Mr. Myers’ Bonus.  Mr. Myers’ 2014 Employment Agreement provides that the maximum amount of bonus Mr. Myers was entitled to earn under the Executive Incentive Plan for fiscal year 2014 was 150% of his base salary. In order to adequately compensate Mr. Myers in recognition of his overall responsibilities, including supervision of all of our other executive officers, and to further incentivize him to meet his designated performance targets, Mr. Myers’ levels are set at higher percentages than those of the other named executive officers.

In calculating performance-based compensation for Mr. Myers, the Compensation Committee considered CVB Financial Corp.’s achievements of several important goals in 2014, including (1) a significant increase in net profit after tax, (2) continued positive core deposit growth and (3) growth in average total loans. Mr. Myers led Citizens Business Bank to another year of strong performance in 2014, with reported net income at a record high of $104.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, and a return on average shareholders’ equity of 12.50 percent in an economic environment where growth in bank earnings remained challenging. The increase in average total loans was aided by Citizens Business Bank’s acquisition of American Security Bank (“ASB”) on May 15, 2014, in a transaction guided by Mr. Myers, and by organic growth in Citizens Business Bank’s core loan portfolio. In addition, CVB Financial Corp. maintained strong capital ratios and significant liquidity. CVB Financial Corp. declared its 101st consecutive quarterly dividend and declared $42.4 million in total dividends to shareholders in 2014.

 

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With respect to his specific financial performance metrics, Mr. Myers achieved the highest bonus level (150%) for net profit after tax growth and for growth in average demand deposits. Mr. Myers achieved Level 1 performance (75% bonus level) for growth in average total loans. On the other hand, Mr. Myers did not achieve the minimum Level 1 threshold for management of operating expenses, due in part to additional expenses incurred in connection with the ASB acquisition as well as to investments made by Citizens Business Bank in expanding into the San Diego market and in growing the sales force in its Citizens Trust Division. Similarly, Mr. Myers received no bonus for growth in service fee and noninterest income, as Citizens Business Bank did not achieve the Level 1 threshold for growth of this component, due in part to reduced swap-fee income as a result of the sustained low interest rate environment. These same levels of achievement applied to the other NEOs covered by these metrics except that, instead of a 150% payout for Level 3 performance, the payout was 75%, and instead of a 75% payout for Level 1 performance, the payout was 25%.

Lastly, Mr. Myers’ Overall Job Performance rating was judged to be “Excellent” in 2014, which in turn resulted in Mr. Myers’ achieving the 100% bonus level on this component of compensation. As a result of this mix of accomplishments, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Myers an aggregate cash bonus of $880,000 for 2014, which represents approximately 110% of his base compensation.

Mr. Thomas’ Bonus.  The performance measures for Mr. Thomas were similar to those for Mr. Myers, except that (i) Mr. Thomas’ bonus compensation was weighted more heavily towards management of Operating Expenses as opposed to Average Total Loans since, in his role as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Thomas has correspondingly more impact on Operating Expenses than on loan growth and (ii) the specific criteria applicable to Mr. Thomas’ rating for Overall Job Performance are calibrated to the specific duties of his position.

In calculating performance-based compensation for Mr. Thomas in 2014, the Compensation Committee considered Mr. Thomas’ role in helping CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank manage the challenging economic environment for banks, which has continued to have a disproportionate impact on the Inland Empire and Central Valley regions of California. Mr. Thomas successfully directed the Company’s deployment of capital in connection with its growing portfolio of investment securities, and he thus played a key role in helping to generate net interest income, which in turn supported the Company’s improved performance in generating overall net income. In addition, Mr. Thomas provided operational support to achieve financial goals, including assisting with operating expense management, the safety and soundness of Citizens Business Bank, and supporting growth initiatives, strategy development and the analysis of acquisition opportunities, which in 2014 helped to complete the ASB acquisition. He also helped the Company to maintain its strong liquidity position and the interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s balance sheet within approved parameters. Lastly, Mr. Thomas’ Overall Job Performance rating was judged to be “Very Good” in 2014, which resulted in Mr. Thomas achieving the 25% bonus level on this component of compensation. As a result of these accomplishments, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Thomas an aggregate cash bonus of $135,000 for 2014, which represents approximately 45% of his base compensation.

Mr. Brager’s Bonus.  The performance measures for Mr. Brager were nearly identical to those for Mr. Myers, because Mr. Brager is responsible for the Sales Division, which is a key driver of the Company’s net income, deposit gathering, loan generation, fee income and operating expenses. The two exceptions, as compared to Mr. Myers’ performance measures, were (i) Mr. Brager’s bonus compensation was weighted more heavily towards growth in Average Total Loans, since Mr. Brager’s job is focused to a much larger extent on increasing Citizens Business Bank’s loan portfolio and (ii) the specific criteria applicable to Mr. Brager’s rating for Overall Job Performance are calibrated to the specific duties of his position.

In calculating performance-based compensation for Mr. Brager, the Compensation Committee considered Mr. Brager’s role in helping the Company to achieve a number of its important business and financial goals for 2014, in the face of a continued challenging environment for banking institutions, particularly in the Inland Empire and Central Valley regions of California, where Citizens Business Bank maintains the bulk of its financial centers and operating facilities. The Compensation Committee recognized that Mr. Brager succeeded in assisting the Bank to continue to grow its deposit base and expand its banking footprint to San Diego, and to

 

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maintain its customer relationships during a period when a number of peer banking institutions struggled to do so. In support of these objectives, Mr. Brager achieved several key strategic objectives, including establishing key lending and product initiatives, helping Citizens Business Bank accomplish the acquisition and integration of ASB, and consolidating overlapping branches of Citizens Business Bank in the interest of improved efficiency. Lastly, Mr. Brager’s Overall Job Performance rating was judged to be “Excellent” in 2014, which resulted in Mr. Brager’s achieving the 50% bonus level on this component of compensation. As a result of the application of these performance measures, Mr. Brager received an aggregate cash bonus of $137,750, which represents approximately 48% of his base compensation.

Mr. Dowd’s Bonus.  For Mr. Dowd, the individual performance measures and their respective percentage weightings differed from our other NEOs in certain respects. In addition to net profit after tax, total loans and operating expenses, Mr. Dowd is also measured with respect to his efforts at creating a positive credit environment through his management of the loan portfolio, oversight of loan documentation and servicing, support of sales efforts, responsiveness to customers, visits to loan centers and workouts of troubled loans. Mr. Dowd’s performance goals are different because his credit management functions tie more closely to these performance goals than those of any of the other NEOs. Despite somewhat tepid improvement in the challenging credit environment in the Inland Empire and Central Valley areas of California, Mr. Dowd managed to decrease the quarterly average of loan delinquencies from 0.09% of total assets for 2013 to 0.04% of total assets for 2014. In addition, Mr. Dowd has provided significant leadership in our credit administration, credit policy, special assets and loan operations areas during 2014, in the face of a slower than expected economic recovery. Mr. Dowd maintained a positive credit environment at Citizens Business Bank by conducting sound portfolio management, by consistently demonstrating effective response times on loan applications and by providing appropriate levels of sales support, by supporting the evaluation and integration of the ASB loan portfolio, and by overseeing an important initiative to convert all Citizens Business loan credit files to electronic form. Lastly, Mr. Dowd’s Overall Job Performance rating was judged to be “Excellent” in 2014, which resulted in Mr. Dowd’s achieving the 50% level on this component of compensation. As a result of this mix of accomplishments, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Dowd an aggregate cash bonus of $138,750, which represents approximately 46% of his base compensation.

Mr. Harvey’s Bonus.  The performance measures for Mr. Harvey differed from those of the other NEOs because his bonus compensation is designed to align more closely with Operations Division management, which includes staff recruitment, organizational structure and execution, technology enhancement, product development and implementation, cost control and project management. In calculating the performance-based compensation for Mr. Harvey, the Compensation Committee considered Mr. Harvey’s key role in achieving a number of the Company’s important operational objectives for 2014, including significant improvements in the Company’s technology infrastructure, evaluation and integration of the assets and operations of ASB into Citizens Business Bank, and the transition to a new on-line banking platform for our customers. In addition, Mr. Harvey helped the Company to reduce its operating expenses in a number of support service areas. The Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Harvey demonstrated effective leadership in this area. Lastly, Mr. Harvey’s Overall Job Performance rating was judged to be “Outstanding” in 2014, which resulted in Mr. Harvey’s achieving the 75% level on this component of compensation. As a result of the application of these metrics, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Harvey an aggregate cash bonus of $152,250 for 2014, which represents approximately 53% of his base compensation.

Equity-Based Compensation

We have one active equity incentive plan that currently provides long-term incentives for our named executive officers and allows for the grant of stock options and restricted stock.

We believe our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan aligns the interests of key employees, including the NEOs, with those of our shareholders. We provide our NEOs with an incentive to achieve superior performance by granting them long-term incentives to purchase our common stock at a fixed exercise price that equals the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of the grant or, alternatively, restricted stock grants that vest over a certain number of years of service.

 

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The Compensation Committee administers our equity incentive plans. The Compensation Committee has the authority to select the key employees eligible for the incentive awards. The Compensation Committee does not utilize any performance goals in determining the number of incentive awards to be granted. In determining the number and mix of incentive awards to be awarded, the Compensation Committee considers (i) the number of incentive awards previously granted to an executive officer, (ii) its own analysis of that employee’s contribution to CVB Financial Corp., including an assessment of the employee’s responsibilities and performance, (iii) the number of incentive awards granted to executives with similar responsibilities at our peer banks and bank holding companies, and (iv) the projected percentage such incentive compensation would constitute of each executive’s overall compensation. The amount of compensation an award recipient may receive pursuant to the incentive is, in the case of options, based solely on an increase in the value of our common stock after the date of the grant, and, with respect to restricted stock, based on our share price at the vesting date.

The Compensation Committee’s goal is generally to maintain a balance between grants of stock options and restricted stock and to take into account the compensation expense and potential dilution factor associated with each form of incentive compensation. The Compensation Committee also takes into account the degree to which a grant of restricted stock versus stock options will incentivize the Company’s executives. When the Compensation Committee believes granting restricted stock instead of stock options would serve as a more effective incentive tool, it may choose to grant restricted stock.

Options and restricted stock are awarded to key employees and directors periodically, as decided by the Compensation Committee. In past years, in most cases, awards were made biennially, but in 2013, the Compensation Committee concluded that annual awards may be a more appropriate interval for making grants of stock options and/or restricted stock. The Compensation Committee’s reasons for this change include (i) prevailing practices for the grant of awards at competitor financial institutions in the peer group described in the section of this proxy statement on “Peer Group Considerations and the Compensation Consultant”, (ii) the Compensation Committee’s desire to enhance the reward and retention elements of CVB Financial Corp.’s equity incentive program, and (iii) the Compensation Committee’s desire to achieve a level of award value that more precisely tracks the average price of CVB Financial Corp. stock over a given period.

In addition, on occasion, we issue stock options or restricted stock on dates outside our normal award cycle. This may be done in conjunction with the hiring of an individual, renewal of an employment contract or as a special incentive. On each occasion, the Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the amount of these awards.

The exercise price for options is always the closing market price as of the close of business on the day of the grant.

Equity Compensation for Mr. Myers.  On February 4, 2014, we granted 300,000 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase 150,000 shares of our common stock to Mr. Myers in conjunction with the execution of his 2014 Employment Agreement with the Company. Consistent with similar grants made to Mr. Myers in connection with his 2009 Employment Agreement, the vesting of the 2014 restricted stock and option grants are time-based, vesting in annual increments on the anniversary dates of the grant date over the five-year period covered by the 2014 Employment Agreement. The grant price for both the restricted stock and the options was $14.66, which was the closing price of the Company’s stock on the grant date. The restricted stock and options grants to Mr. Myers are further described and explained below under “2009 and 2014 Employment Agreements with Chief Executive Officer”.

Equity Compensation for other NEOs.  At its meeting on November 19, 2014, the Compensation Committee awarded to each of our other NEOs a grant of 15,000 shares of restricted stock in CVB Financial Corp., which amounts shall vest in equal increments on the anniversary dates of the grant date in each of the next five years of employment with the Company.

 

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Retirement Plans

The CVB Financial Corp. 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan primarily provides retirement benefits to all eligible employees, including our named executive officers. It also has death and disability features.

All eligible employees receive a Qualified Non-Elective Contribution to the 401(k) portion of the plan, which is immediately vested. Annual contributions are made solely by CVB Financial Corp. These contributions are provided to eligible 401(k) Plan participants. For 2014, CVB Financial Corp. contributed $1,646,936, or 3% of total eligible employee base salary and bonus, to the Qualified Non-Elective Contribution. Of this amount, $39,000 was contributed to the accounts of our NEOs. We allocate contributions to the accounts of plan participants in proportion to their respective base salaries and bonuses.

For Profit Sharing, employees become eligible upon completing at least one year of service and 1,000 hours of employment in the applicable calendar year. Plan participants become fully vested in amounts contributed upon reaching six years of service. Contributions to the Profit Sharing Plan are made by CVB Financial Corp. at the discretion of the Board of Directors. For 2014, CVB Financial Corp. contributed $1,442,396, or 3% of total eligible employee base salary, to the Profit-Sharing Plan. Of this amount, $39,000 was contributed to the accounts of our NEOs.

The total contribution amount for the Profit Sharing Plan was slightly smaller than for the 401(k) Plan due to stricter eligibility requirements for the Profit Sharing Plan.

Deferred Compensation Program

The Compensation Committee has the discretion to contribute amounts to Christopher D. Myers’ deferred compensation plan, and CVB Financial Corp. has guaranteed Mr. Myers a fixed rate of return of 6% plus a bonus rate equal to the sum, if any, of the Treasury Bond Rate (as defined under the plan) plus 2% less 6%. The Compensation Committee agreed to this rate of return in 2006 in order to induce him to join CVB Financial Corp.

We also have a broader based deferred compensation program for certain other senior employees, including the other four NEOs and our directors. There is no guaranteed rate of earnings on this broader deferred compensation program. These programs allow the NEOs, directors and other program participants to realize certain tax deferral benefits for compensation that they otherwise earn, as permitted by the Compensation Committee.

Health and Welfare Benefits

Health and welfare benefits are an additional part of compensation. We offer our employees a full range of medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability coverage. All employees, including our NEOs, pay approximately 25% of the costs, while the Company pays the remaining 75%. We believe these benefits are comparable to those offered to employees by our peer banks and financial institutions.

Change in Control Agreements and Severance Arrangement

To ensure the continuity of management in the event of a change in control of the Company, each of our current NEOs, other than our President and Chief Executive Officer, has entered into a Severance Compensation Agreement with change in control features or, in the case of our President and Chief Executive Officer, has specific change in control features incorporated into his existing employment agreement. Mr. Myers’ specific change in control arrangements are summarized in the section of this proxy statement on “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control”.

In order to receive severance benefits under the change in control provisions, both of the following events must occur: (x) there must be a change in control of CVB Financial Corp. or Citizens Business Bank, and (y) either the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company or its successor entity, or the executive resigns his employment for good reason, in each case within one year of the occurrence of that change in control.

 

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Under the terms of both Mr. Myers’ 2014 Employment Agreement and the Severance Compensation Agreement applicable to our other four NEOs, (i) “change in control” is generally defined as a person or group action, to change more than 50% of the stock ownership or voting power of the Company, a majority of the membership of our Board of Directors, or the ownership of more than 50% of the gross fair market value of the assets of Citizens Business Bank, and (ii) “good reason” is generally defined as a reduction or diminution of the executive’s base salary, benefits, title or authority, or a forced relocation of more than 50 miles.

The Compensation Committee believes that this “double trigger” severance compensation arrangement for Mr. Myers and our other four NEOs helps to strike the right balance between facilitating continuity of management and ensuring successful integration in the event of a change in control, on the one hand, and allowing the NEO some degree of protection by enabling the named executive to be appropriately compensated if the successor company decides to terminate the NEO or otherwise materially change the conditions of the NEO’s employment, on the other hand.

Additionally, under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, and Mr. Myers employment agreement, all outstanding unvested stock options or restricted stock would accelerate upon the occurrence of a change in control, whether or not the named executive is terminated or resigns for good reason.

For further information regarding these change in control provisions, see “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

Tax Deductibility and Executive Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally limits the corporate deduction for compensation paid to our NEOs, other than our Chief Financial Officer, to $1 million per individual, unless certain requirements are met which establish that compensation as performance-based. The Compensation Committee has considered the impact of this tax code provision, and attempts, to the extent practical, to implement compensation policies and practices that will make available to us the potential income tax deductions for performance-based compensation exempt from the deduction limits of Section 162(m).

The Company’s annual incentive compensation plans for our NEOs are designed generally to satisfy the deductibility requirements of Section 162(m). In order for performance-based compensation to qualify for exclusion from the Section 162(m) deduction limits, among other requirements, the material terms of the performance-based compensation plan applicable to our NEOs must be disclosed to and approved by our shareholders before the compensation is paid. The Company’s current Executive Incentive Plan, pursuant to which a portion of the annual incentive compensation earned by our NEOs for fiscal year 2014 has been paid, was approved by our shareholders in 2010. Similarly, stock option grants under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation that satisfies the deductibility requirements of Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee believes, however, that shareholder interests are best served if its discretion and flexibility in awarding compensation is not restricted, even though some compensation awards may result in non-deductible compensation expenses. Therefore, the Compensation Committee has approved equity grants for our Chief Executive Officer that may not be fully deductible because of Section 162(m) requirements and may approve other compensation that is not deductible for income tax purposes.

If the Compensation Committee retains authority under the Executive Incentive Plan to change the annual targets under an enumerated performance goal, then, in order to maintain eligibility for deduction of the related performance compensation under Section 162(m), the material terms of the Executive Incentive Plan must be re-approved by the shareholders at the annual meeting that occurs in the fifth year after the year that the shareholders previously approved such Plan. Since, as noted above, the Company’s Executive Incentive Plan applicable to our 2014 bonus payments to our NEOs was last approved at our 2010 annual meeting of shareholders, we are submitting our 2015 Executive Incentive Plan for approval by our shareholders at this annual meeting, in order to allow any performance-based compensation paid to our named executive officers for 2015 and subsequent years to continue to be eligible for deduction under Section 162(m). This proposal is presented and discussed in greater detail below in the section of this proxy statement on “Proposal 2 – Approval of 2015 Executive Incentive Plan”.

 

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The Compensation Committee will continue to review and modify our compensation practices and programs as necessary to maintain our ability to attract and retain key executives while taking into account the deductibility of compensation programs. The Compensation Committee has retained the flexibility, however, to pay compensation which is not deductible for tax purposes because it believes that doing so permits it to take into consideration factors that are consistent with good corporate governance and the best interests of our shareholders.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management, and based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Raymond V. O’Brien III (Chair)        

Robert M. Jacoby, C.P.A.

George A. Borba , Jr.

Hal W. Oswalt

Stephen A. Del Guercio

San E. Vaccaro

Discussion of Compensation Policies and Practices Related to Risk Management

The Compensation Committee noted that, while CVB Financial Corp.’s incentive compensation programs reward employees, including senior executives, based in part on their business line performance and the achievement of certain performance objectives, specifically loan and deposit growth, fee income, net profit after tax, and operating expense management, which presented the potential for excessive risk taking, CVB Financial Corp. also has a practice of paying long-term compensation as a significant portion of total compensation and an emphasis on overall performance in compensation decisions. Additionally, the Compensation Committee found that CVB Financial Corp., through the monitoring of its Audit Committee, its Management Compliance Committee, and its Risk Management Committee, has appropriate compliance, internal control, and disclosure review and reporting programs, including regular review by the Loan Committee of both underwriting standards and Citizens Business Bank’s major banking relationships. Further, Citizen Business Bank’s Chief Risk Officer actively oversees the Company’s compliance with the requirements of the Risk Management Policy and Program and is in regular contact with the foregoing committees to address material risks. Finally, we believe that CVB Financial Corp.’s stock ownership guidelines and the prohibition on, and right to discipline employees and/or “claw back” bonus payments for, manipulating business goals for compensation purposes in accordance with the Code of Ethics, also contribute to mitigating any risk associated with compensation incentives. Ultimately, the Compensation Committee determined that the foregoing measures provided adequate safeguards that should either prevent or discourage excessive risk taking.

 

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Summary of Compensation

The following table sets forth the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid for services received by our NEOs for the last three fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (or such shorter periods of time as such executives have been serving us as NEOs).

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal

Position(a)

Year(b) Salary
($)(c)
Bonus
($)(d)(1)
Stock
Awards
($)(e)(2)(3)
  Option
Awards
($)(f)(2)(3)
Non-
Equity
Executive
Incentive
Plan
Comp.
($)(g)(4)
Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Comp.
Earnings
($)(h)(5)
All Other
Comp.
($)(i)(6)
Total ($)(j)

Christopher D. Myers

2014 800,000 160,000   4,398,000    845,910 720,000 72,062 60,167 7,056,139

President and CEO of the

2013 750,000      675,000 87,976 54,481 1,567,457

Company and the Bank

2012 750,000      712,500 59,882 69,475 1,591,857

Richard C. Thomas

2014 300,000 15,000   227,250    120,000 46,035 708,285

EVP, CFO of the

2013 290,000   101,100    137,750 43,759 572,609

Company and the Bank

2012 285,000   59,100    45,148 135,375 42,122 566,745

David A. Brager

2014 290,000 29,000   227,250    108,750 61,066 716,066

EVP, Sales Division

2013 280,000 28,700   101,100    98,000 58,181 565,981

Manager of the Bank

2012 275,000 32,000   59,100    45,148 116,875 60,719 588,842

James F. Dowd

2014 300,000 30,000   227,250    108,750 42,062 708,062

EVP, Chief Credit

2013 300,000   101,100    142,500 48,235 591,835

Officer of the Bank

2012 297,500   59,100    45,148 111,563 44,034 557,345

David C. Harvey

2014 290,000 43,500   227,250    108,750 63,338 732,838

EVP, Chief Operations

2013 280,000   101,100    140,000 66,547 587,647

Officer of the Bank

2012 270,000   59,100    45,148 155,250 55,501 584,999

 

(1) The amounts shown in column (d) for 2014 reflect the cash bonus awards paid to Messrs. Myers, Thomas, Brager, Dowd and Harvey with respect to the “Overall Job Performance” components of their respective compensation plans, and were awarded by the Compensation Committee in February 2014. For 2013 and 2012, the only named executive officer who received a discretionary bonus was David A. Brager. Mr. Brager’s discretionary bonuses for 2013 and 2012 were awarded because of Mr. Brager’s special efforts in undertaking direct management of one of Citizens Business Bank’s sales regions during the Bank’s extended search to fill that management position.
(2) The restricted stock and option grants to Mr. Myers were awarded in connection with the renewal of his Employment Agreement with the Company on February 4, 2014, and are intended to cover the five-year term of his Employment Agreement. The restricted stock grants to the Company’s other four NEOs are further described below in the section of this proxy statement on “Grants of Plan-Based Awards”.
(3) Pursuant to SEC regulations regarding the valuation of equity awards, amounts in columns (e) and (f) represent the applicable full grant date fair values of stock awards and stock options in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect for forfeitures. These amounts correspond to our accounting expense and do not correspond to the actual value that will be realized by the NEOs. For information on the valuation assumptions, refer to the Note on “Stock Option Plans and Restricted Stock Awards” in the financial statements filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the respective year end.
(4) The amounts shown in column (g) reflect the cash incentive compensation awards paid to Messrs. Myers, Thomas, Brager, Dowd and Harvey under the Executive Incentive Plan, based on the objective criteria provided pursuant to such Plan, and were granted by the Compensation Committee in March 2014.
(5) The amount included in column (h) for 2014 represents the amount of interest which exceeds 120% of the applicable federal long-term rate (as prescribed under Section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code) on deferred compensation for Mr. Myers at December 31, 2014.

 

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(6) The amounts shown in column (i) reflect the following for each of the executives for 2014:
  (a) Mr. Myers’ other compensation represents $11,520 for country club dues, $23,677 for health benefits, $816 for life insurance premiums, $15,600 for a contribution to the 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan, $3,010 for the personal use of a company car, a $150 gift card, $2,994 for expenses associated with his spouse’s attendance with him at certain business conferences and seminars, and $2,400 related to reimbursement for legal fees incurred by Mr. Myers in connection with the 2014 renewal of his Employment Agreement.
  (b) Mr. Thomas’ other compensation represents $15,095 for health benefits, $790 for life insurance premiums, $15,600 for a contribution to the 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan, $14,400 auto allowance, and a $150 gift card.
  (c) Mr. Brager’s other compensation represents $6,462 for country club dues, $23,690 for health benefits, $764 for life insurance premiums, $15,600 for a contribution to the 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan, $14,400 auto allowance, and a $150 gift card.
  (d) Mr. Dowd’s other compensation represents $11,096 for health benefits, $816 for life insurance premiums, $15,600 for a contribution to the 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan, $14,400 auto allowance, and a $150 gift card.
  (e) Mr. Harvey’s other compensation represents $8,733 for country club dues, $23,690 for health benefits, $765 for life insurance premiums, $15,600 for a contribution to the 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan, $14,400 auto allowance, and a $150 gift card.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

Because, as noted in the section of this proxy statement on “Equity-Based Compensation”, the Compensation Committee decided in 2013 to consider making regular stock option and/or restricted stock awards on an annual basis, as opposed to the Company’s previous practice of making such grants in even-numbered years, the Company awarded 15,000 shares of restricted stock in 2014 to each of our named executive officers, other than the Company’s CEO and President, Christopher D. Myers. As discussed directly below, Mr. Myers received relatively large restricted stock and stock option grants in 2014 which were intended to reflect his leading position as President and CEO and to cover the five year term of his 2014 Employment Agreement.

The following table illustrates cash incentive and equity awards to our NEOs during 2014.

 

  Name Grant Date

 

Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-
Equity Incentive Plan and Bonus Plan
Awards

All Other

Stock

Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock

or Units

(#)

All Other
Option
Awards:

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options

(#)

Grant
Date
Price of
Stock
Awards

($/Sh)

Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock and
Option
Awards

($)(2)

Threshold

($)

Target

($)

Maximum

($)(1)

  Christopher D. Myers

3/19/2014 600,000 800,000 1,200,000
2/4/2014 300,000 150,000 14.66 5,243,910

  Richard C. Thomas

3/19/2014 75,000 150,000 225,000
11/19/2014 15,000 15.15 227,250

  David A. Brager

3/19/2014 72,500 145,000 217,500
11/19/2014 15,000 15.15 227,250

  James F. Dowd.

3/19/2014 75,000 150,000 225,000
11/19/2014 15,000 15.15 227,250

  David C. Harvey

3/19/2014 72,500 145,000 217,500
11/19/2014 15,000 15.15 227,250

 

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(1) Represents the maximum amount which could be earned by each named executive officer based upon his 2014 salary under CVB Financial Corp.’s annual cash-based Executive Incentive Plan and Bonus Plan, as described in the section of this proxy statement on “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”.

 

(2) For information on the valuation assumptions, refer to the Note on “Stock Option Plans and Restricted Stock Awards” in the financial statements filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the applicable year end.

Discussion of Summary Compensation and Grant of Plan-Based Awards Tables

Our executive compensation policies and practices, pursuant to which the compensation set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” and the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards” Table was paid or awarded, are described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”. A summary of certain material terms of our compensation plans and arrangements is set forth below.

2009 and 2014 Employment Agreements with Chief Executive Officer

In 2009, CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank entered into an employment agreement with Christopher D. Myers, in his capacity as the President and Chief Executive Officer of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank (the “2009 Employment Agreement”). The 2009 Employment Agreement became effective on September 16, 2009, and provided for a five-year term. Because the 2009 Employment Agreement would have expired on September 15, 2014, and the Board of Directors believed it was in the best interests of the Company to renew Mr. Myers’ employment term prior to its expiration, CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Myers on February 4, 2014, for an additional period of five years, commencing on that date (the “2014 Employment Agreement”).

Because the 2014 Employment Agreement was substantially based on the form and substance of the 2009 Employment Agreement, we believe it is helpful in terms of providing context for this discussion to (1) summarize certain key terms of the 2009 Employment Agreement and (2) summarize the key changes in those terms as reflected in the 2014 Employment Agreement. Additional information on Mr. Myers’ 2014 Employment Agreement is set forth in the Company’s filing on Form 8-K on February 6, 2014.

The 2009 Employment Agreement provided, during the employment term, for, among other things, (a) a minimum base salary of $750,000 per year; (b) an annual bonus consistent with Citizens Business Bank’s applicable Executive Incentive Plan, based upon Mr. Myers’ performance and accomplishment of business and financial goals during the applicable fiscal year and the overall financial performance of Citizens Business Bank; (c) the one-time grant of a restricted stock award of 250,000 shares of CVB Financial Corp.’s common stock under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan; (d) the grant of stock options to purchase 500,000 shares of CVB Financial Corp.’s common stock under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan; (e) continued participation in a deferred compensation program created for Mr. Myers’ benefit with a guaranteed minimum 6% earnings rate; (f) eligibility to participate in group benefit plans and programs of CVB Financial Corp.; (g) reimbursement for reasonable, ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by Mr. Myers in connection with his use of a Bank-provided automobile; (h) reimbursement for the reasonable cost of one country club membership and an additional country club membership at the discretion of Citizens Business Bank; and (i) reimbursement for reasonable, ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by Mr. Myers in connection with the performance of his duties as President and Chief Executive Officer of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank.

The 2014 Employment Agreement, as noted above, became effective on February 4, 2014, and provides for a new five year term ending on February 3, 2019. The key changes to the provisions of Mr. Myers’ previous compensation as implemented by the 2014 Employment Agreement include (a) an increase in the minimum base salary to $800,000 per year, retroactive to January 1, 2014, (b) the grant of a restricted stock award of 300,000 shares of CVB Financial Corp.’s common stock under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and (c) the grant of stock options to purchase 150,000 shares of CVB Financial Corp.’s common stock under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

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The Compensation Committee believed that an increase in base salary was appropriate under the 2014 Employment Agreement in view of Mr. Myers’ continued strong performance as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and the fact that Mr. Myers had received no increases in his base salary since the effective date of the 2009 Employment Agreement.

The restricted stock grant of 300,000 shares, and the grant of stock options to purchase 150,000 shares, each vests in five equal installments on each anniversary of the date of the grants, which is similar to the five-year vesting schedule under the 2009 Employment Agreement. Dividends are paid on Mr. Myers’ restricted stock at the same rate as dividends declared on all other shares of our common stock. In the event of a change in control of CVB Financial Corp. or Citizens Business Bank, all the vesting restrictions lapse. The Compensation Committee has the authority, in its sole and absolute discretion, to remove any or all of the vesting restrictions on the stock and option grants.

The other benefits provided to Mr. Myers under the 2014 Employment Agreement are also substantially consistent with those provided in his 2009 Employment Agreement. The Committee concluded that continuity was important with respect to Mr. Myers’ employment arrangements with the Company in view of his long and sustained tenure and strong record of performance as our President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards

The following table lists the outstanding equity awards for our named executive officers at December 31, 2014. All of the awards have been adjusted for the stock dividends and stock splits declared by CVB Financial Corp. since the grant date, if any. Unless otherwise specified, all of the option awards listed vest at a rate of 20% per year (i.e., over a five year period from the date of grant) and expire ten years from the date of grant, and all of the restricted stock awards vest over a five-year period from the date of grant.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

 

  Option Awards   Stock Awards  
  Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Option
(#) Exercisable
  Number of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Options
(#) Unexercisable
 

Option

  Exercise  

Price($)

  Option
Expiration
Date
  Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
(#) That Have
Not Vested
 

Market Value of

    Shares or Units of    

Stock That Have

Not Vested($)(8)

 

  Christopher D. Myers

  150,000 (1)    14.66      2/4/2024      300,000 (1)    4,806,000     
  385,948        —          8.61      9/16/2019   
  55,000        —          13.02      8/1/2016   

  Richard C. Thomas

  —          6,000 (2)    11.82      3/21/2022      3,000 (2)    48,060     
  4,000      4,000 (3)    8.42      12/15/2020      6,000 (4)    96,120     
  15,000 (5)    240,300     

  David Brager

  4,000      6,000 (2)    11.82      3/21/2022      1,000 (6)    16,020     
  20,000        —          8.61      9/16/2019      2,000 (3)    32,040     
  4,950        —          14.04      6/21/2016      3,000 (2)    48,060     
  2,200        —          15.53      2/15/2016      6,000 (4)    96,120     
  6,875        —          14.51      8/17/2015      15,000 (5)    240,300     

  James F. Dowd

  4,000      6,000 (2)    11.82      3/21/2022      3,000 (6)    48,060     
  30,000        —          8.61      9/16/2019      3,000 (2)    48,060     
  10,000        —          8.73      7/16/2018      6,000 (4)    96,120     
  15,000 (5)    240,300     

  David C. Harvey

  4,000      6,000 (2)    11.82      3/21/2022      3,000 (6)    48,060     
  16,000      4,000 (7)    9.58      1/20/2020      3,000 (2)    48,060     
  6,000 (4)    96,120     
  15,000 (5)    240,300     

 

(1) One-fifth of the unvested shares vest on each of February 4, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
(2) One-third of the unvested options and unvested shares vest on each of March 21, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
(3) The unvested options and unvested shares vest on December 15, 2015.
(4) One-fourth of the unvested shares vest on each of September 18, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
(5) One-fifth of the unvested shares vest on each November 19, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
(6) The unvested shares vest on November 17, 2015.
(7) The unvested options vested on January 20, 2015.
(8) The market value of the stock awards represents the product of the closing price of CVB Financial Corp. common stock on December 31, 2014, which was $16.02, and the number of shares underlying such awards.

 

39


Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table lists option exercises and stock vested during the year-ended December 31, 2014.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

 

  Option Awards Stock Awards

Name(a)

Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)(b)
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)(c)
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)(d)
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(e)(1)

Christopher D. Myers

    111,614       773,765       50,000       764,000  

Richard C. Thomas

    6,000       37,560       2,500       39,640  

David A. Brager

    13,688       54,308       5,500       85,230  

James F. Dowd

                5,500       85,750  

David C. Harvey

                5,500       85,750  

 

(1) Represents the product of the number of shares acquired on vesting and the closing price of our common stock on the vesting date.

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2014, with respect to shares of CVB Financial Corp. common stock that may be issued under our equity compensation plans.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Plan Category(a)

Number of Securities
to Be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and
Rights(b)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights(c)
Number of Securities
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column
(b))(d)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

    1,688,326     $ 10.92       1,021,822  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

                 
     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    1,688,326     $ 10.92       1,021,822  
     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Deferred Compensation

Christopher D. Myers may defer up to 75% of his base salary and up to 100% of his bonus under the CVB Financial Corp. Deferred Compensation Plan for Christopher D. Myers, adopted effective January 1, 2007 for his benefit, for each calendar year in which the Plan is effective. CVB Financial Corp. has the discretion to make additional contributions to the Plan for the benefit of Mr. Myers. Interest is credited to Mr. Myers’ account balance at a fixed rate of at least 6% plus a bonus rate equal to the sum, if any, of the Treasury Bond Rate (as defined in the Plan) plus 2% less 6%. The Compensation Committee has the discretion to make available to Mr. Myers one or more measurement funds, based on certain mutual funds, for the purpose of crediting or debiting additional amounts to Mr. Myers’ deferrals. The amount to be credited to Mr. Myers’ account balance is determined assuming Mr. Myers’ account balance had been hypothetically allocated among the measurement funds.

Mr. Myers may elect to receive all or part of his Plan balance following retirement in one lump sum or in annual installments for a period of up to 15 years. On January 1, 2014, a First Amendment to this Plan was adopted which provides for additional distribution elections for any deferrals made by Mr. Myers after the effective date of the Amendment.

 

40


We also adopted the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors and Certain Specified Officers, effective as of February 21, 2007, for the benefit of our directors and named executive officers (other than Mr. Myers) and certain other executives and employees. Under this Plan, each participant may defer up to 90% of his or her base salary and up to 100% of his or her bonus, any commission, and any independent contractor compensation, for each calendar year in which the Plan is effective. This Plan does not provide for a guaranteed yield or return.

Effective October 17, 2014, a “Rabbi Trust” was established concerning the amounts elected for deferral and any earnings thereon under both of our Deferred Compensation Plans, pursuant to IRS Revenue Procedure 92-64. The purpose of the “Rabbi Trust” is to protect the participants’ deferral and distribution elections regarding the funds in the Company’s two Deferred Compensation Plans in the event of a change of control involving the Company, although such funds will not be protected from claims of creditors in the event of any bankruptcy involving the Company.

The following table shows contributions and earnings during 2014 and account balances as of December 31, 2014, under CVB Financial Corp.’s nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Mr. Myers and the nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors and Certain Specified Officers, which covers our other four NEOs and our directors.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

Name(a)

  Executive
Contributions
in the Last
FY ($)(b)(1)
  Registrant
  Contributions  
in the Last
      FY ($)(c)      
  Aggregate
Earnings in
Last FY
    ($)(d)(2)(3)    
  Aggregate
  Withdrawals/  
  Distributions  
           ($)(e)          
  Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE
($)(f)(3)

Christopher D. Myers(3)

      712,500           221,856           4,163,499  

Richard C. Thomas

      193,875           39,855           767,550  

David A. Brager

      12,361           6,754           108,149  

James F. Dowd

      142,500           36,999           615,168  

 

(1) These amounts were reported in the 2014 Summary Compensation Table.
(2) Reflects earnings on deferred compensation (d) and the deferred compensation balance (f) for the named executive officer under the applicable Deferred Compensation Plan.
(3) Of the amount included in column (d), $72,062 represents the amount of interest which exceeds 120% of the applicable federal long-term rate (as prescribed under Section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code) on deferred compensation for Mr. Myers at December 31, 2014, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table. Of the amount included in column (f), $147,858 represents the aggregate amount of the above-market earnings reported as compensation to Mr. Myers in the Company’s Summary Compensation Table for previous years (2013 and 2012) as presented.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

We have Severance Compensation Agreements with each of our named executive officers, except for Mr. Myers, whose Employment Agreement provides for separate termination payments in the event of a change in control. Under Mr. Myers’ 2014 Employment Agreement, if he is terminated for cause, he will be paid his base salary earned through the date of termination, as well as pay for any vacation accrued but not used as of that date. If Mr. Myers’ employment is terminated without cause (other than in connection with a “change in control” as defined in the 2014 Employment Agreement), then Mr. Myers will be entitled to (i) his base salary earned through the termination date plus any accrued but unused vacation pay, and (ii) a one-time lump sum payment equal to two times his then-current annual base salary. The payments will be made in equal installments on Citizens Business Bank’s normal payroll dates over a 12-month period, subject to acceleration into one lump sum to the extent required by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

If Mr. Myers’ employment is terminated by the Company or its successor entity within one year following a change in control or within 120 days prior to a change in control of CVB Financial Corp. or Citizens Business

 

41


Bank, or Mr. Myers resigns his employment for “good reason” (as defined in his 2014 Employment Agreement) within one year of a change in control, Mr. Myers would be entitled to receive an amount equal to two times his annual base salary for the last calendar year immediately preceding the change in control, plus two times the average annual bonus he received for the last two calendar years ended immediately preceding the change in control. The payments will be made in equal installments on Citizens Business Bank’s normal payroll dates over a 12-month period.

If Mr. Myers’ employment is terminated in connection with a disability, Mr. Myers would be entitled to an amount equal to the difference between any insurance proceeds he is entitled to receive under Citizens Business Bank’s insurance plans and his base salary for 12 months. The payments will be made in equal installments on Citizens Business Bank’s normal payroll dates.

If Mr. Myers’ employment is terminated by death or for cause, he is entitled to receive his base salary earned through the date of termination plus his accrued vacation pay. In connection with his death, Citizens Business Bank will make the payment in one lump-sum.

The receipt by Mr. Myers of payments in connection with his termination without cause, or upon disability or death, or in connection with a change in control, is conditioned upon execution of a release in favor of CVB Financial Corp. and Citizens Business Bank. In addition, Mr. Myers has agreed in his employment agreement not to solicit any customers or fellow employees of the Company for a period of one year following his termination of employment.

Our other four NEOs are entitled to severance only in limited circumstances following a change of control, as described above in the section of this proxy statement on “Change in Control Agreements”. Specifically, our Severance Compensation Agreements were modified in 2014, effective on January 1, 2015, to provide that, in the event any of our NEOs terminates his employment for “good reason” or his employment is terminated during the one year period following a change in control for any reason (other than for cause), the NEO concerned will receive an amount equal to twice such executive’s annual base compensation plus two times the average of the last two years’ bonuses paid to such executive immediately preceding the change in control. This amount will be paid in 24 equal monthly installments (without interest or other adjustment) on the first day of each month commencing with the first such date that is at least six (6) months after the date of the NEO’s “separation from service” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code pursuant to Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder) and continuing for successive months thereafter.

The Compensation Committee believes these change in control agreements are important for the Company’s executives. By means of these agreements, CVB Financial Corp. believes it is more likely that an executive would remain in place to facilitate continuity of management and/or to assist an acquirer through the term of a change in control. These agreements also assist an executive who may be displaced because of the change in control.

The table below reflects the amount of compensation that would be awarded to each of our NEOs in the event of termination of such executive’s employment under the circumstances described below. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2014, and thus includes amounts earned through such time and are estimates of the amounts which would be paid to the respective executives upon their termination. The actual amounts to be paid can only be determined at the time of such executive’s separation.

 

42


Payments Made Upon Termination

Regardless of the manner in which a NEO’s employment terminates, he is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of employment. Such amounts include:

 

    Incentive and/or bonus compensation earned during the year, as long as the executive is employed on the date such incentive and/or bonus compensation is paid;
    Stock options or restricted stock which has already vested;
    Amounts contributed under the 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (including the vested portions of any Company contributions) and under any applicable Deferred Compensation Plan; and
    Unused vacation pay.

Since these earned amounts would be payable to employees or officers generally, they are not included in the table below, which describes the potential and specific payments to which our NEOs are or would be entitled upon termination.

Payments Made Upon Retirement

Other than the items identified immediately above under “Payments Made Upon Termination” and in the next paragraph, our NEOs receive no benefits in the event of retirement, except that the 2008 Plan permits the Compensation Committee to accelerate the vesting of stock options and to reduce the period of restriction on restricted stock to less than three years in the event the continuous service of an employee or consultant terminates due to retirement or death.

Payments Made Upon Death or Disability

In the event of the death or disability of a NEO, in addition to the benefits listed under the headings “Payments Made Upon Termination” above, the NEO will receive benefits under our disability plan or payments under our life insurance plan, as appropriate.

 

43


Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment

 

Name

Cash Severance
Arrangements/
Compensation
($)(1)
Acceleration
of Unvested
Options and
Stock
Awards
($)(2)
Total
Termination
Benefits
($)

Christopher D. Myers

     

Voluntary Termination or Retirement

                 

Involuntary Termination (other than For Cause)

    1,600,000 (3)           1,600,000  

Involuntary Termination (For Cause)

                 

Termination in Connection with Change in Control

    3,155,000       5,010,000       8,165,000  

Death

                 

Disability(4)

    477,371             477,317  

Richard C. Thomas(5)

     

Voluntary Termination or Retirement

                 

Involuntary Termination (other than For Cause)

                 

Involuntary Termination (For Cause)

                 

Termination in Connection with Change in Control

    872,750       440,080       1,312,830  

Death

                 

Disability

                 

David A. Brager(5)

     

Voluntary Termination or Retirement

                 

Involuntary Termination (other than For Cause)

                 

Involuntary Termination (For Cause)

                 

Termination in Connection with Change in Control

    844,450       457,740       1,302,190  

Death

                 

Disability

                 

James F. Dowd(5)

     

Voluntary Termination or Retirement

                 

Involuntary Termination (other than For Cause)

                 

Involuntary Termination (For Cause)

                 

Termination in Connection with Change in Control

    881,250       457,740       1,338,990  

Death

                 

Disability

                 

David C. Harvey(5)

     

Voluntary Termination or Retirement

                 

Involuntary Termination (other than For Cause)

                 

Involuntary Termination (For Cause)

                 

Termination in Connection with Change in Control

    872,250       243,200       1,115,450  

Death

                 

Disability

                 

 

(1) This column includes two times base compensation plus two times average of the last two years’ annual bonus, except as specified in footnote 3.
(2) Amount represents the sum of (x) the shares of unvested restricted stock times the closing price of the Company’s shares on December 31, 2014, and (y) the number of unvested stock options times the closing price of the Company’s shares on December 31, 2014, minus (z) the exercise price of such unvested stock options times the number of such unvested stock options granted. The 2008 Plan permits the Compensation Committee to accelerate the vesting of stock options and to reduce the period of restriction on restricted stock to less than three years in the event the continuous service of an employee or consultant terminates due to retirement or death.
(3) Amount represents two times base salary.

 

44


(4) Amount represents the difference between disability and worker’s compensation payments and base salary.
(5) The presentation in this table is based on the Severance Compensation Agreements that apply to our four NEOs other than Mr. Myers, which were modified in late 2014 but became effective on January 1, 2015.

Director Compensation

CVB Financial Corp. uses a combination of cash and stock-based compensation to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors. Each director is expected to own $100,000 in company stock within one year of becoming a director as a minimum ownership position.

Only non-employee directors are entitled to receive monthly cash compensation for serving on the Board of Directors. As of November 1, 2014, each director who is not a Vice Chairman or Chairman of the Board receives $5,000 per month for an annualized total of $60,000. Our Vice Chairman receives $8,333 monthly or an annualized total of $100,000 for the year. Our Chairman of the Board receives $11,917 per month, totaling $143,000 on an annualized basis. The Board of Directors holds monthly meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees, and also meets in various committees on other occasions. Our Chairman and Vice Chairman meet separately from time to time with our President and Chief Executive Officer, forming the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

CVB Financial Corp. generally awards stock options and/or restricted stock to non-employee members of the Board of Directors every two years in even-numbered years. In October 2014, each non-employee member of our Board of Directors received an award of 4,000 shares of restricted stock. In addition, on January 22, 2014, our newest director, Hal W. Oswalt, received an award of 10,000 shares of restricted stock in connection with the commencement of his board service at the beginning of 2014.

In August 2011, the Company changed its policy of allowing non-employee members of the Board of Directors to participate in the Company’s health and welfare benefit plans. Directors who joined the Board of Directors after August 2011 (George A. Borba, Jr., Stephen A. Del Guercio, Raymond V. O’Brien III and Hal W. Oswalt) are not entitled to receive health and welfare benefits from the Company. However, directors who joined the Board of Directors prior to August 2011 were allowed to continue to participate in the Company’s health and welfare benefit plans at the same level and extent as the employees of CVB Financial Corp., and it was decided that, for these four individuals who were directors at that time (Robert M. Jacoby, Ronald O. Kruse, San E. Vaccaro and D. Linn Wiley), such benefits would continue to be offered until the individual termination dates of their services as one of our directors. In this regard, coverage for Mr. Kruse and Mr. Wiley ceased upon the effective dates of their retirements from our Board of Directors, which occurred on May 22, 2014 and December 31, 2014, respectively. For the two remaining “grandfathered” directors who are allowed to continue to participate, Mr. Jacoby and Mr. Vaccaro, these benefits include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability and life insurance. These two participating non-employee directors pay the same amount for insurance as our employees of a similar age and dependency status.

As noted above in our discussion of the Compensation Committee in the section of this proxy statement on “Role of the Compensation Consultant”, the Compensation Committee engaged Cook in October 2014 to perform a specific review of Board of Directors compensation, following two separate but similar reviews of the compensation of our President and Chief Executive Officer and of our NEOs, respectively. For the purpose of the directors’ compensation review, Cook relied on proxy data involving the same peer group of banks and financial institutions listed in the section of this proxy statement on “Peer Group Considerations and the Compensation Consultant”, with asset sizes and market capitalization levels ranging from approximately 0.5x to 2.0x compared to those of CVB Financial Corp. The Compensation Committee requested this additional review by Cook because the Committee believes that retention and continuity of board service is important to our success, and because we seek to provide an appropriate blend of cash compensation and equity-based incentives to better align board and shareholder perspectives and interests.

Based upon the director compensation survey conducted by Cook, at its regular meeting on October 22, 2014, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors approved, a $10,000 increase in

 

45


the cash retainer paid to each of our independent directors, from $50,000 to $60,000 per annum. The annual cash compensation levels for our Chairman of $143,000 and for our Vice Chairman of $100,000 were not adjusted. At the same time, the Compensation Committee decided to make an equity grant to each director of 4,000 shares of restricted stock of CVB Financial Corp., with the first installment of 1,000 shares of such grant to vest on November 20, 2014, and each successive installment of 1,000 shares to vest on the next three anniversaries of that date. Since our restricted stock grants to our directors have in most cases been awarded biennially in the past, this 2014 grant represented a reduction compared to the 2012 equity grant to each of our directors of 10,000 shares of restricted stock.

As noted above, in the section of this proxy statement on “Peer Group Considerations and the Compensation Consultant”, the Compensation Committee believes that the appropriate level of total compensation for our non-executive, independent directors should be targeted within a range of between the median and 75th percentiles of our designated peer group, and the Committee believes that the cash retainer adjustments and equity grants implemented in 2014 help accomplish this objective. The survey conducted by Cook on director compensation indicated that the typical mix of board member compensation in our designated peer group is weighted approximately two-thirds in cash and approximately one-third in equity, and the Committee believes the increase in our cash retainer and the decrease in our biennial equity grant for our outside board members effectuated in 2014 will better align our overall director compensation package with that of our designated peer group of companies.

The following table summarizes the compensation earned or paid to our non-employee directors during 2014. As noted above, Mr. Kruse and Mr. Wiley each retired from our Board of Directors during or at the end of 2014, so their director compensation numbers reflect their specific dates of service during the Company’s 2014 fiscal year. Compensation paid to Christopher D. Myers is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, since Mr. Myers is a named executive officer and does not receive separate compensation for serving on our Board of Directors.

Director Compensation

 

Name

Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
              ($)              
  Stock Option or Restricted
            Stock Awards(1)             
All Other Comp.
                ($)(2)                 
Total
              ($)               
 

George A. Borba, Jr.(3)

  87,500    57,480   144,980   

Stephen A. Del Guercio

  51,667    57,480   109,147   

Robert M. Jacoby

  51,667    57,480 15,095   124,242   

Ronald O. Kruse(4)

  44,083      7,548   51,631   

Raymond V. O’Brien III

  87,500    57,480      495   145,475   

Hal W. Oswalt

  51,667    57,480   109,147   

San E. Vaccaro

  51,667    57,480 15,264   124,410   

D. Linn Wiley(5)

  132,250    57.480 15,095   204,825   

 

(1) Each of our directors, except Mr. Myers, received an equity grant of 4,000 shares of restricted stock of CVB Financial Corp. on October 22, 2014. The closing price of our stock on that date was $14.37.
(2) All of the directors’ other compensation represents health and welfare benefits, except for (i) Mr. O’Brien, whose compensation includes $495 for expenses associated with his wife’s attendance at a business conference and (ii) Mr. Vaccaro, whose compensation includes $169 for expenses associated with his wife’s attendance at a company-sponsored event. As noted above, the Company discontinued offering health and welfare benefits to new directors in August 2011, but the Company elected to maintain health insurance benefits to the four existing non-employee directors who had joined the Board of Directors prior to August 2011 and served as directors during 2014.
(3) Mr. Borba was appointed by our Board of Directors as a Vice Chairman on March 19, 2014.
(4) Mr. Kruse was Chairman of the Board and Chairman of our Executive Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee until he stepped down from his chairmanships on March 19, 2014, and he fully retired from our Board of Directors upon the conclusion of our 2014 annual meeting of shareholders on May 22, 2014.

 

46


(5) Mr. Wiley was a Vice Chairman of our Board of Directors from 2006 until March 19, 2014, at which point he succeeded Mr. Kruse as our Chairman of the Board and as Chairman of our Executive Committee and our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Wiley retired from his chairmanships and from our Board of Directors on December 31, 2014.

On December 31, 2014, our non-employee directors who served as directors during 2014 held options to purchase our common stock in the following amounts: Mr. O’Brien, no options; Mr. G. Borba, Jr., no options; Mr. Del Guercio, no options; Mr. Jacoby, 47,500 options; Mr. Kruse, 77,500 options; Mr. Oswalt, no options; Mr. Vaccaro, 72,500 options; and Mr. Wiley, 64,500 options.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the current members of the Compensation Committee has ever been an officer or employee of CVB Financial Corp. or any of its subsidiaries.

In 2013, the SEC approved certain revisions to the equity listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market, including NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605, which, in addition to requiring each listed company compensation committee member to meet certain general independence requirements, also requires a listed company to consider all factors relevant to whether the director has a relationship to the Company that is material to his or her ability to be independent from management. These revised NASDAQ rules became binding on CVB Financial Corp. on the date of our 2014 annual meeting of shareholders (which was held on May 22, 2014). We do not believe that any current member of our Compensation Committee has a relationship with the Company that would compromise such member’s ability to be independent of management.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Some of the directors and executive officers of CVB Financial Corp. and associates of them were customers of, and had loans and commitments with Citizens Business Bank and its subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business during 2014, and we expect such transactions will continue in the future. All of these loans and commitments were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates, collateral and repayment terms, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons of similar creditworthiness who were not related to Citizens Business Bank and comply with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In our opinion, these transactions did not involve more than a normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

Policies and Procedures for Approving Related Person Transactions

CVB Financial Corp. has a Related Person Transaction Policy which prescribes policies and procedures for approving a “Related Person Transaction”. The term “Related Person Transaction” is defined as a transaction or arrangement (or any series of similar transactions or arrangements) in which CVB Financial Corp. (including any of its subsidiaries) was, is or will be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $25,000, and in which any Related Person had, has or will have a direct or indirect interest. “Related Person” is defined as:

 

    Any person who is, or at any time since the beginning of CVB Financial Corp.’s last fiscal year was, a director or NEO of CVB Financial Corp. or a nominee to become a director of CVB Financial Corp.;
    Any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of CVB Financial Corp.’s voting securities;
    Any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law of the director, NEO, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owner, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, NEO, nominee or more than 5% beneficial owner; and

 

47


    Any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a general partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest.

The procedures exclude from coverage loans made by Citizens Business Bank if the loan (a) is made in the ordinary course of business, (b) on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to the lender, (c) did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features, and (d) is otherwise made pursuant to the Company’s applicable policies and applicable law for extension of credit to Related Persons. In the case of such loans, the procedures set forth in the policies and procedures applicable to such loans shall be followed rather than the procedures set forth in the Related Person Transaction Policy.

The Board of Directors has delegated to the Audit Committee the responsibility of reviewing and approving Related Person Transactions. In evaluating Related Person Transactions, the Audit Committee considers all of the relevant facts and circumstances available to the Audit Committee, including:

 

    The benefits to CVB Financial Corp.;
    The impact on a director’s independence in the event the Related Person is a director, an immediate family member of a director or an entity in which a director is a partner, shareholder or executive officer;
    The availability of other sources for comparable products or services;
    The terms of the transaction; and
    The terms available to unrelated third parties or to employees generally.

No member of the Audit Committee may participate in any review, consideration or approval of any Related Person Transaction with respect to which such member or any of his or her immediate family members is the Related Person. The Audit Committee or the Chair may approve only those Related Person Transactions that are in, or are not inconsistent with, the best interests of CVB Financial Corp. and its shareholders, as the Audit Committee determines in good faith. The Chair is required to report to the Audit Committee at the next Audit Committee meeting any approvals made pursuant to delegated authority.

In the event CVB Financial Corp.’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer becomes aware of a Related Person Transaction that has not been previously approved or previously ratified under the policy, the following procedures apply: (a) if the transaction is pending or ongoing, it will be submitted to the Audit Committee or the Chair promptly, and the Committee or Chair will consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances, including those items listed above. Based on the conclusions reached, the Audit Committee shall evaluate all options, including ratification, amendment or termination of the Related Person Transaction; and (b) if the transaction is completed, the Audit Committee will evaluate the transaction, taking into account the same factors described above, to determine if rescission of the transaction is appropriate, and shall request that the Chief Financial Officer evaluate CVB Financial Corp.’s controls and procedures to ascertain the reason the transaction was not submitted to the Audit Committee for prior approval and whether any changes to these procedures are recommended.

Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of CVB Financial Corp.’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. The SEC requires executive officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders to furnish to us copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely on our review of these reports and of certifications furnished to us, we believe that, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, all executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ALL SEVEN NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR

 

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PROPOSAL 2

APPROVAL OF 2015 EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN

General Summary

The Board of Directors and Compensation Committee of CVB Financial Corp. has approved an annual performance-based compensation plan for executives of CVB Financial Corp. (the “2015 Executive Incentive Plan”), which amends and restates the annual performance-based compensation plan initially adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by CVB Financial Corp.’s shareholders in 2005, and previously amended and restated, and re-approved by our shareholders, in 2010. A copy of the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A. The objective of the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan is to reward executives for good, excellent or outstanding services provided to CVB Financial Corp. In addition, by linking the executives’ overall compensation to performance-established goals, CVB Financial Corp. will be able to hold the executives accountable for their individual performance and for CVB Financial Corp.’s corporate financial performance.

The 2015 Executive Incentive Plan is also intended to provide income tax benefits to CVB Financial Corp. The 2015 Executive Incentive Plan is designed to qualify under IRS Code Section 162(m) as a performance-based compensation plan. Under Section 162(m), compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid individually to any of the principal executive officer and the three most highly compensated officers (other than the principal executive officer and principal financial officer) whose compensation is required to be reported to shareholders in any year is not tax deductible by CVB Financial Corp. unless the compensation is considered to be performance-based.

The 2015 Executive Incentive Plan is submitted to the shareholders for approval because, under Section 162(m), shareholder approval of the Plan is necessary every five years in order for amounts paid by CVB Financial Corp. under the Plan to continue to qualify for the tax deduction for the performance-based compensation. Without shareholder approval, CVB Financial Corp. will discontinue the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan and will not continue to offer awards under the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan to executives. CVB Financial Corp. may pay other bonus compensation to executives that it will not be permitted to deduct as performance-based compensation for federal income taxes purposes to the extent an executive receives total compensation in excess of $1,000,000 in any year.

2015 Executive Incentive Plan—Plan Summary

Administration. The 2015 Executive Incentive Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee (which also serves as the Compensation Committee of the Bank), which consists of independent directors, who qualify as non-employee directors under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, and as outside directors under Section 162(m).

Subject to the terms of the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee has sole discretion to:

 

    select the persons who will receive performance bonuses;

 

    determine the terms and conditions of performance bonuses (subject to the performance bonus limitations);

 

    set the performance targets for performance bonuses; and

 

    interpret the provisions of the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan.

 

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Performance Periods. The performance periods are single calendar years. At the end of each year, the Compensation Committee will determine the amount of the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan awards and the extent to which performance bonuses are payable for such year.

Criteria For Determining Bonuses. Performance awards will be provided based on the achievement of specific performance goals related to one or more of the following business criteria:

 

    total revenue
    deposit growth
    average demand deposits
    total deposits
    net profit after tax
    earnings
    earnings growth
    earnings per share
    stock price
    cash flow
    operating expenses
    efficiency ratio
    investment services earnings
    investment services revenue
    wealth management earnings
    wealth management revenue
    loan growth
    loan charge offs
    average total loans
    net income
    fee income
    noninterest income
    assets under management
    new trust assets
    new trust fees
    delinquencies or delinquent loans
    nonperforming assets to assets or nonperforming assets to total loans ratios
    return on assets
    return on equity
    trust earnings
    trust growth
    trust revenue
    customer satisfaction metrics
    recruiting metrics
    organizational metrics
 

 

The business criteria used may differ from executive to executive and from award to award. Business criteria may be used to measure the performance of CVB Financial Corp. as a whole or any business unit or other subdivision of CVB Financial Corp. Business criteria may be measured in absolute terms; compared to the performance of CVB Financial Corp. as a whole, a segment of CVB Financial Corp., other companies or market indices; measured on a gross or net basis; and/or measured on a pre-tax or post-tax basis.

Maximum Bonus. The maximum performance bonus that may be paid to any single executive under the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan for any year is $1,750,000.

Eligibility. The Compensation Committee selects the persons to whom performance bonuses will be granted under the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan for each year. Under the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan, CVB Financial Corp.’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice Presidents and all other senior officers specifically approved by the Compensation Committee are eligible to participate under such Plan. Currently, five individuals are eligible for participation under the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan.

Types of Performance Awards. In all cases, the performance bonuses granted under the Executive Incentive Plan will be paid out in cash.

Determination of Performance Awards. The amount of the performance bonuses to be paid out to executives will be determined by the Compensation Committee for each year. The Compensation Committee has discretion to determine the schedule for the payout of performance bonuses, provided that all bonuses are to be paid no later than March 15 of the subsequent year.

Amendment and Termination of the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan. The Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee may amend or terminate the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan at any time and for any reason. However, amendments will be submitted for shareholder approval if necessary or appropriate to continue the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan’s compliance with Section 162(m).

 

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Federal Tax Aspects

The following is a summary of the general federal income tax consequences to U.S. taxpayers and CVB Financial Corp. for performance bonuses granted under the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan. Tax consequences for any particular individual may be different.

Tax Effect for Executives. A recipient of a performance bonus will be subject to ordinary income tax on the amount received at the time the performance bonus is paid.

Tax Effect for CVB Financial Corp. CVB Financial Corp. generally will receive a tax deduction for any ordinary income recognized by an executive from a performance bonus. Special rules limit the deductibility of compensation paid to CVB Financial Corp.’s principal executive officer and its three most highly compensated officers (other than its principal executive officer and principal financial officer). Under Section 162(m), the annual compensation paid to each of these executives may not be deductible to the extent that it exceeds $1,000,000. However, CVB Financial Corp. may preserve the deductibility of performance-based compensation paid to the executives in excess of $1,000,000 if the conditions of Section 162(m) are met. These conditions include specifically defining the basis upon which the total performance-based compensation is measured and upon shareholder approval of such basis. The Compensation Committee may continue to grant awards under the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan that qualify as performance-based for purposes of satisfying the conditions of Section 162(m), provided that CVB Financial Corp.’s shareholders approve the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan.

Shareholder approval of the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan is necessary for the Plan to be continued and for the performance-based compensation paid to the executives under the Plan to be fully deductible by CVB Financial Corp. for federal income tax purposes. If shareholder approval is not received for the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan, compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to an executive in any year, including base salary and any other compensation that does not meet the performance-based conditions of Section 162(m), will not be tax deductible by CVB Financial Corp. Approval of the 2015 Executive Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented and voting at the Annual Meeting.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL

OF THE CVB FINANCIAL CORP. 2015 EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN

 

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PROPOSAL 3

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

We have selected KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015. The Audit Committee appoints our independent auditors. KPMG LLP has served as our independent registered public accountants since July 5, 2007. We believe KPMG LLP has provided audit services at customary rates and terms.

Principal Auditors and Fees

The aggregate fees CVB Financial Corp. incurred for audit and non-audit services provided by KPMG LLP, which acted as our independent registered public accountants for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:

                      2014                     
($)
                      2013                     
($)
 

Audit Fees(1)

  847,795      752,410   

Audit Related Fees(2)

         

Tax Fees(3)

  73,000      52,000   

All Other Fees(4)

         
 

 

 

 

Total

  920,795      804,410   

 

  (1) Audit fees consisted of fees and out-of-pocket expenses for the audit of CVB Financial Corp.’s consolidated financial statements, internal controls over financial reporting and review of financial statements included in CVB Financial Corp.’s quarterly reports.
  (2) Audit-related fees consisted of any fees billed for professional assurance and related services other than those noted in footnote (1) above.
  (3) Tax fees consisted of fees billed for the preparation of federal and state income tax returns, including amended tax returns, tax planning and tax advice.
  (4) All Other Fees consisted of any fees for other non-audit services.

The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policy provides for pre-approval of all audit, audit-related and tax services. Accordingly, all audit services provided by KPMG LLP were pre-approved by our Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has granted general pre-approval for certain audit, audit related and tax services. If the cost of any such services exceeds the range of anticipated cost levels, the services will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. If any particular service falls outside the general pre-approval, it must also be specifically approved by the Audit Committee. If specific pre-approval of a service is required, both the independent auditor and CVB Financial Corp.’s Chief Financial Officer must submit a request to the Audit Committee including the reasons why the proposed service is consistent with the SEC’s regulations on auditor independence. In addition, with respect to each pre-approved service, the independent auditor is required to provide detailed back-up documentation, which will be provided to the Audit Committee, regarding the specific services to be provided.

The pre-approval policy also authorizes the Audit Committee to delegate to one or more of its members pre-approval authority with respect to permitted services.

The Audit Committee has considered whether other non-audit services are compatible with maintaining the independence of KPMG LLP.

Representatives of KPMG LLP will be present at the meeting. They will be available to respond to your appropriate questions and will be able to make such statements as they desire. If you do not ratify the selection of independent accountants, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment. However, even if you ratify the selection, the Audit Committee may still appoint new independent accountants at any time during the year if it believes that such a change would be in the best interests of CVB Financial Corp. and our shareholders.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF KPMG LLP AS CVB FINANCIAL CORP.’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FOR 2015

 

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ANNUAL REPORT

Together with this proxy statement, CVB Financial Corp. has distributed or made available via the Internet to each of its shareholders its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which includes the consolidated balance sheets of CVB Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, and the report thereon of KPMG LLP, CVB Financial Corp.’s independent registered public accountants for the periods then ended. If you did not receive the Annual Report on Form 10-K (or would like another copy), we will send it to you without charge.

The Annual Report on Form 10-K includes a list of exhibits filed with the SEC, but the Annual Report on Form 10-K we have delivered to you does not include the exhibits. If you wish to receive copies of the exhibits, we will send them to you. Expenses for copying and mailing will be your responsibility. Please call (909) 980-4030 or write to:

Corporate Secretary

CVB Financial Corp.

701 North Haven Avenue, Suite 350

Ontario, California 91764

In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains information we file with the SEC.

 

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PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS

If you wish to submit a proposal for consideration at our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, you may do so by following the procedures prescribed in the Exchange Act and in our Bylaws. To be eligible for inclusion in our proxy statement and proxy materials, our Corporate Secretary must receive your proposal no later than December 10, 2015, at the above address.

For any proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement (as described in the preceding paragraph), but is instead sought to be presented directly at next year’s annual meeting, SEC rules permit management to vote proxies in its discretion if CVB Financial Corp. (a) receives notice of the proposal before the close of business on February 23, 2016 and advises shareholders in next year’s proxy statement about the nature of the matter and how management intends to vote on the matter, or (b) does not receive notice of the proposal prior to the close of business on February 23, 2016.

Notices of intention to present proposals at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders should be addressed to our Corporate Secretary, CVB Financial Corp., 701 North Haven Avenue, Ontario, California 91764, and must comply with the provisions of our Bylaws. We reserve the right to reject, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with these and other requirements.

CVB FINANCIAL CORP.

 

 

LOGO

Christopher D. Myers

President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: April 8, 2015

 

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ANNEX A

CVB FINANCIAL CORP.

2015 EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Purpose of Plan.

1.1 The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success of the Company by providing Participants with incentive compensation that qualifies as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

2. Definitions and Terms.

2.1 Specific Terms. The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:

(a) “Annual Award” means an award under this Plan of a conditional opportunity to receive a cash payment if the applicable Performance Targets are satisfied in the applicable Performance Period.

(b) “Base Salary” of a Participant (if used in determining the amount of an Annual Award for a Performance Period) means the annual rate of base pay in effect for such Participant on the first day of such Performance Period, or in effect on such other date (no later than the date on which the Annual Award is granted) as the Committee may specify by action taken at the time of grant of an Annual Award.

(c) “Board” means the Board of Directors of CVB Financial Corp.

(d) “Business Criteria” means any one or any combination of the following objectively determinable criteria: total revenue, deposit growth, average demand deposits, earnings, earnings growth, earnings per share, operating expenses, stock price, cash flow, efficiency ratio, fee income, noninterest income, investment services earnings, investment services revenue, wealth management earnings, wealth management revenue, loan growth, average total loans, loan charge offs, net income or net profits after tax, new trust assets, new trust fees, delinquencies or delinquent loans, nonperforming assets to assets or nonperforming assets to total loans ratios, return on assets, return on equity, total deposits, total loans, assets under management, trust earnings, trust growth, trust revenue, recruiting metrics, customer satisfaction metrics and organizational metrics. The Business Criteria utilized may differ from Participant to Participant and from Annual Award to Annual Award. Any Business Criteria, or any combination thereof, may be used to measure the performance of the Company as a whole or any business unit or other subdivision of the Company, as the Committee deems appropriate. Business Criteria may be (i) measured in absolute terms, (ii) measured in relative terms (including, but not limited to compared to another company or companies or to a published or special index that the Committee deems appropriate), (iii) measured against the performance of the Company as a whole or a segment of the Company, (iv) measured on a gross or net basis, and/or (v) measured on a pre-tax or post-tax basis.

 

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(e) “Cause,” as such term relates to the termination of any person’s status as an employee or other service provider of the Company, means the occurrence of one or more of the following: (i) such person is convicted of, pleads guilty to, or confesses to any felony or any act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement which has an immediate and materially adverse effect on the Company, as determined by the Board in good faith in its sole discretion; (ii) such person engages in a fraudulent act to the material damage or prejudice of the Company or in conduct or activities materially damaging to the property, business or reputation of the Company, all as determined by the Board in good faith in its sole discretion; (iii) any material act or omission by such person involving malfeasance or negligence in the performance of such person’s duties to the Company to the material detriment of the Company, as determined by the Board in good faith in its sole discretion, which has not been corrected by such person to the satisfaction of the Board within 30 days after written notice from the Company of any such act or omission; (iv) failure by such person to comply in any material respect with the terms of his employment agreement, if any, or any written policies or directives of the Board as determined by the Board in good faith in its sole discretion, which has not been corrected by such person to the satisfaction of the Board within 30 days after written notice from the Company of such failure; or (v) material breach by such person of any other agreement with the Company, as determined by the Board in good faith in its sole discretion.

(f) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(g) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Committee shall consist solely of at least three (3) members of the Board, all of whom are “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m).

(h) “Company” means CVB Financial Corp. and all of its subsidiaries.

(i) “Executive” means an employee (including any officer) of the Company who is (or in the opinion of the Committee may during the applicable Performance Period become) a “covered employee” for purposes of Section 162(m). An Executive holds one or more of the following corporate titles or management committee designations:

President and/or Chief Executive Officer;

Executive Vice President; and

Other Senior Officers (nominated for Plan participation by the Chief

Executive Officer and approved by the Committee.)

(j) “Participant” means an Executive selected to participate in the Plan by the Committee.

(k) “Performance Period” means the Year or Years (or portions thereof) with respect to which the Performance Targets are set by the Committee.

(l) “Performance Targets” means the specific objective goals that are timely set in writing by the Committee pursuant to Section 4.2 for each Participant for the applicable Performance Period in respect of any one or more of the Business Criteria.

 

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(m) “Plan” means this 2015 Executive Incentive Plan, which amends and restates the 2010 Executive Incentive Plan previously adopted by the Company, as amended from time to time.

(n) “Section 162(m)” means Section 162(m) of the Code, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, all as amended from time to time.

(o) “Year” means a fiscal year of the Company commencing on or after January 1 that constitutes all or part of the applicable Performance Period and ends no later than December 31.

 

3.

Administration of the Plan.

3.1 The Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Board shall have the authority to appoint and remove members of the Committee.

3.2 Powers of the Committee. The Committee shall have the sole authority to establish and administer the Business Criteria and Performance Targets and the responsibility of determining from among the Executives those persons who will participate in and receive Annual Awards under the Plan and the time or times at which and the form and manner in which Annual Awards will be paid; and shall otherwise be responsible for the administration of the Plan, in accordance with its terms. The Committee shall have the authority to construe and interpret the Plan (except as otherwise provided herein) and any agreement or other document relating to any Annual Awards under the Plan, may adopt rules and regulations governing the administration of the Plan, and shall exercise all other duties and powers conferred on it by the Plan, or which are incidental or ancillary thereto.

3.3 Requisite Action. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The vote of a majority of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present or the unanimous written consent of the Committee shall constitute action by the Committee.

 

4.

Annual Awards.

4.1 Provision for Annual Awards. Each Participant may receive an Annual Award if the Performance Targets, relative to the applicable Business Criteria, are attained in the Performance Period. The applicable Performance Period and Performance Targets shall be determined by the Committee consistent with the terms of the Plan and Section 162(m). Notwithstanding the fact that the Performance Targets have been attained, the Company may pay an Annual Award of less than the amount determined by the formula or standard established pursuant to Section 4.2 or may pay no Annual Award at all, unless the Committee otherwise expressly provides by written contract or other written commitment.

4.2 Selection of Performance Targets. The specific Performance Targets with respect to the Business Criteria must be established by the Committee in advance of the deadlines applicable under Section 162(m) and while the performance relating to the Performance Targets remains substantially uncertain within the meaning of Section 162(m). The

 

A-3


Committee, in its discretion, within the time prescribed by Section 162(m), may adjust or modify the calculation of Performance Targets for a Performance Period in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants (i) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event, or development, or (ii) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions. At the time the Performance Targets are selected, the Committee shall provide, in terms of an objective formula or standard for each Participant, and for any person who may become a Participant after the Performance Targets are set, the method of computing the specific amount that will represent the maximum amount of Annual Award payable to the Participant if the Performance Targets are attained, subject to Sections 4.1, 4.3, 4.6, 5.1 and 6.9. The objective formula or standard shall preclude the use of discretion to increase the amount of any Annual Award earned.

4.3 Maximum Individual Annual Award. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no Executive shall receive an Annual Award under the Plan for any one Year in excess of $1.75 million.

4.4 Selection of Participants. For each Performance Period, the Committee shall determine, at the time the Business Criteria and the Performance Targets are set, those Executives who will participate in the Plan.

4.5 Effect of Mid-Year Change in Executive Status. If services as an Executive cease after the commencement of a Performance Period, but the Participant remains employed with the Company, the Committee may award an Annual Award that is proportionately adjusted based on the period of time during the Performance Period that the Executive is a Participant; the amount of any Annual Award paid to such Participant shall not exceed that proportionate amount of the applicable maximum individual Annual Award under Section 4.3. In order to be eligible to participate in the Plan, the Executive must be employed in an Executive position for at least 90 days during the Performance Period.

4.6 Committee Discretion to Determine Annual Awards. The Committee has the sole discretion to determine the standard or formula pursuant to which each Participant’s Annual Award shall be calculated (in accordance with Sections 4.1 and 4.2), whether all or any portion of the amount so calculated will be paid, and the specific amount (if any) to be paid to each Participant, subject in all cases to the terms, conditions, and limits of the Plan and of any other written commitment authorized by the Committee. The Committee has the sole discretion to reduce an Executive’s Annual Award. The Committee may not, however, increase an Executive’s Annual Award based upon the reduction of another Executive’s Annual Award, or otherwise. To this same extent, the Committee may at any time establish (and, once established, rescind, waive, or amend) additional conditions and terms of payment of Annual Awards (including but not limited to the achievement of other financial, strategic or individual goals or performance measures, which may be objective or subjective) as it may deem desirable in carrying out the purposes of the Plan and may take into account such other factors as it deems appropriate (but not for purposes of increasing any Annual Award) in

 

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administering any aspect of the Plan. The Committee may not, however, increase the maximum amount permitted to be paid to any individual under Section 4.2 or 4.3 of the Plan or pay any Annual Award under this Plan for which the applicable Performance Targets have not been satisfied.

4.7 Committee Certification. No Executive shall receive any payment under the Plan unless the Committee has certified, by resolution or other appropriate action in writing, that the amount thereof has been accurately determined in accordance with the terms, conditions and limits of the Plan and that the Performance Targets and any other material terms previously established by the Committee or set forth in the Plan were in fact satisfied.

4.8 Time of Payment. Subject to the provisions of any separate written deferred compensation plan or agreement that may be applicable to a Participant, any Annual Awards awarded by the Committee under the Plan shall be paid as soon as practicable following the Committee’s determinations under this Section 4 and the certification of the Committee’s findings under Section 4.7, but in no event later than March 15 of the Year following the Year in which the Performance Period ends. Any such payment shall be in cash on such payment date as the Committee may approve or require, subject to applicable withholding requirements (as provided in Section 4.9).

4.9 Tax Withholding. The Company shall withhold from any amounts payable under this Plan, or from any other compensation payable to the Participant, any and all federal, state and local income taxes, the Participant’s share of FICA and other employment taxes, and any other taxes that are required to be withheld from such payment under applicable law.

 

5.

Vesting and Termination of Annual Awards.

5.1 Vesting or Termination. Except as otherwise set forth in the Plan, in the event of Participant’s termination of employment with the Company during a Performance Period or thereafter prior to payment of Annual Awards relating thereto, each Annual Award shall be vested or shall terminate on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish with respect to the Annual Award.

5.2 Termination of Employment for Cause. If a Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated for Cause or if a Participant engages in misconduct defined as Cause either before voluntary termination of employment or after termination of employment, then any Annual Award for such Participant shall terminate immediately upon the Company giving notice to the Participant either of Participant’s termination of employment for Cause or that the Participant has engaged in misconduct defined as Cause. The Committee shall be the sole judge of whether the Participant’s termination of employment for Cause or the Participant has engaged in misconduct defined as Cause.

 

6.

General Provisions

6.1 No Right to Annual Awards or Continued Employment. Neither the establishment of the Plan nor the provision for or payment of any amounts hereunder nor any action of the Company (including, for purposes of this Section 6.1, any predecessor), the Board, or the

 

A-5


Committee in respect of the Plan shall be held or construed to confer upon any person any legal right to receive, or any interest in, an Annual Award or any other benefit under the Plan, or any legal right to be continued in the employ of the Company. The Company expressly reserves any and all rights to discharge an Executive in its sole discretion, without liability of any person, entity, or governing body under the Plan or otherwise. Nothing in this Section 6.1, however, is intended to adversely affect any express independent right of any person under a separate employment agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof and notwithstanding the fact that the Performance Targets have been attained and/or the individual maximum amounts hereunder have been calculated, the Company shall have no obligation to pay any Annual Award hereunder nor to pay the maximum amount so calculated or any prorated amount based on service during the period, unless the Committee otherwise expressly provides by written contract or other written commitment.

6.2 Discretion of Company, Board, and Committee. Any decision made or action taken by the Company or by the Board or by the Committee arising out of or in connection with the creation, amendment, construction, administration, interpretation, and effect of the Plan shall be within the absolute discretion of such entity and shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons. No member of the Committee shall have any liability for actions taken or omitted under the Plan by the member or any other person.

6.3 Arbitration. All claims, disputes and other matters in question arising out of or relating to this Plan shall be resolved by binding arbitration before an arbitrator, selected by the mutual agreement of the parties, from the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”), in Ontario, California. In the event JAMS is unable or unwilling to conduct the arbitration provided for under the terms of this paragraph, or has discontinued its business, the parties agree that an arbitrator, selected by the mutual agreement of the parties, from the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), in Ontario, California, shall conduct the binding arbitration referred to in this paragraph. Notice of the demand for arbitration shall be filed in writing with the other party to the dispute and with JAMS (or AAA, if necessary). In no event shall the demand for arbitration be made after the date when institution of legal or equitable proceedings based on such claim, dispute or other matter in question would be barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The arbitration shall be subject to commercial rules and procedures used or established by JAMS, or if there are none, the commercial rules and procedures used or established by AAA. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the JAMS (or AAA) rules and procedures, the arbitration shall provide for (i) written discovery and depositions adequate to give the parties access to documents and witnesses that are essential to the dispute and (ii) a written decision by the arbitrator that includes the essential findings and conclusions upon which the decision is based. Subject to Section 6.4 below, the parties shall bear their own costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in conducting the arbitration, and shall split equally the fees and administrative costs charged by the arbitrator and JAMS (or AAA) unless required otherwise by applicable law. Any award rendered by JAMS (or AAA) shall be final and binding upon the parties, and as applicable, their respective heirs, beneficiaries, legal representatives, agents, successors and assigns, and may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Any arbitration hereunder shall be conducted in Ontario, California, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.

 

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6.4 Attorney’s Fees. In the event of any arbitration or litigation concerning any controversy, claim, or dispute arising out of or relating to this Plan, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the non-prevailing party reasonable expenses, attorneys’ fees, and costs incurred in connection therewith or in the enforcement or collection of any judgment or award rendered therein. The “prevailing party” means the party determined by the arbitrator(s) or court, as the case may be, to have most nearly prevailed, even if such party did not prevail in all matters, not necessarily the one in whose favor a judgment is rendered.

6.5 No Funding of Plan. The Company shall not be required to fund or otherwise segregate any cash or any other assets, which may at any time be paid to Participants under the Plan. The Plan shall constitute an “unfunded” plan of the Company. The Company shall not, by any provisions of the Plan, be deemed to be a trustee of any property, and any rights of any Participant or former Participant shall be no greater than those of a general unsecured creditor or shareholder of the Company, as the case may be.

6.6 Non-Transferability of Benefits and Interests. Except as expressly provided by the Committee, no benefit payable under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any such attempted action shall be void and no such benefit shall be in any manner liable for or subject to debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any Participant or former Participant. This Section 6.6 shall not apply to an assignment of a contingency or payment due (i) after the death of a Participant to the deceased Participant’s legal representative or beneficiary or (ii) after the disability of a Participant to the disabled Participant’s personal representative.

6.7 Law to Govern. All questions pertaining to the construction, regulation, validity, and effect of the provisions of the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

6.8 Non-Exclusivity. The Plan does not limit the authority of the Company, the Board, or the Committee, to grant awards or authorize any other compensation to any person under any other plan or authority.

6.9 Section 162(m) Conditions; Bifurcation of Plan. It is the intent of the Company that the Plan and Annual Awards made hereunder satisfy and be interpreted in a manner, that, in the case of Participants who are persons whose compensation is subject to Section 162(m), satisfies any applicable requirements as performance-based compensation. Any provision, application or interpretation of the Plan inconsistent with this intent to satisfy the standards in Section 162(m) shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, the provisions of the Plan may at any time be bifurcated by the Board or the Committee in any manner so that certain provisions of the Plan or any Annual Award intended (or required in order) to satisfy the applicable requirements of Section 162(m) are applicable only to persons whose compensation is subject to Section 162(m) and only to Annual Awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m).

6.10 Compliance with Executive Compensation Clawback Laws. Pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, every publicly-traded company is required to recover incentive

 

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compensation from the company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer in excess of what they would have been paid during the one-year period preceding a financial restatement resulting from misconduct. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Annual Awards of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer shall be subject to recoupment under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), every publicly-traded company will be required to adopt a policy whereby, in the event of a restatement, the company will recover from current and former executives any incentive-based compensation, for the three years preceding the restatement, that would not have been awarded under the restated financial statements. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, when this provision of the Dodd-Frank Act becomes effective, the Annual Awards of all executive officers of the Company shall be subject to the executive compensation recoupment policy to be adopted by the Committee.

7. Amendments, Suspension or Termination of Plan. The Board or the Committee may from time to time amend, suspend, or terminate in whole or in part, and if suspended or terminated, may reinstate, any or all of the provisions of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment shall be effective without Board and/or shareholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with the applicable provisions of Section 162(m).

 

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LOGO

 

CVB Financial Corp.

IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

Electronic Voting Instructions

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.

VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR.

Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 7:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, on May 20, 2015.

Vote by Internet

Go to www.investorvote.com/CVBF

Or scan the QR code with your smartphone

Follow the steps outlined on the secure website

Vote by telephone

Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone

Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in X this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.

Annual Meeting Proxy Card

qIF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2 and 3. The return of an executed proxy grants the Board of Directors discretionary authority to cumulate votes.

1. Election of Directors: 01—George A. Borba, Jr. 02—Stephen A. Del Guercio 03—Robert M. Jacoby, C.P.A. +

04—Christopher D. Myers 05—Raymond V. O’Brien III 06—Hal W. Oswalt

07—San E. Vaccaro

Mark here to vote Mark here to WITHHOLD For All EXCEPT—To withhold authority to vote for any

FOR all nominees vote from all nominees nominee(s), write the name(s) of such nominee(s) below:

For Against Abstain

2. Vote to approve 2015 Executive Incentive Plan.

3. Ratification of appointment of KPMG, LLP as independent registered public accountants of CVB Financial Corp. for the year ending December 31, 2015.

4. Other business. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and at any and all adjournments thereof. If any other matter is presented, your Proxies will vote in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors, or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion. The Board of Directors at present knows of no other business to be presented at the Annual Meeting.

B Non-Voting Items

Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below.

C Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted — Date and Sign Below.

NOTE: Please sign as your name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such.

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.

1UPX +

021CKC


LOGO

 

Important notice regarding the Internet availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 20, 2015:

The Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 are available at: www.cbbank.com/annualmaterials.

qIF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q

Proxy — CVB FINANCIAL CORP.

REVOCABLE PROXY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 20, 2015 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS SOLICITING THIS PROXY

I/we hereby nominate, constitute and appoint Robert M. Jacoby, C.P.A. and Richard H. Wohl, and each of them, their attorneys, agents and proxies, with full powers of substitution to each, to attend and act as proxy or proxies at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of CVB FINANCIAL CORP., which will be held at the Citizens Business Bank Arena, 4000 East Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764, on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., and at any and all postponements or adjournments thereof, and to vote as I/we have indicated the number of shares which I/we, if personally present, would be entitled to vote.

I/we hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys and proxies, or any of them, or their substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done because of this proxy, and hereby revoke any and all proxies I/we have given before to vote at the Annual Meeting. I/we acknowledge receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement which accompanies the Notice.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS NOMINATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE 2015 EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN, AND “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG, LLP. THE PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, IT WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS NOMINATED BY THE BOARD AND “FOR” PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.

(Continued and to be marked, dated and signed on the other side)