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3111 C Street

Anchorage, AK 99503

 

March 25, 2011

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

I am pleased to invite you to attend the Northrim BanCorp, Inc. Annual Shareholders’ Meeting where you will have the opportunity to hear about our 2010 operations and our plans for 2011. The meeting will be on Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 9 A.M., at the Hilton Anchorage Hotel — 500 West Third Avenue in Anchorage, Alaska.

 

You will find additional information concerning Northrim and our operations in the enclosed 2010 Annual Report and Form 10-K, which includes our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please sign and return your proxy card, which is included with this document, as soon as possible. Your opinion and your vote are very important to us. If you choose to attend the Annual Meeting, voting by proxy will not prevent you from voting in person; however, if you are unable to attend, voting by proxy will ensure that your vote is counted.

 

Thank you for your continued support of Northrim BanCorp, Inc. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (907) 562-0062.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Marc Langland

Chairman, President and CEO

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING
To Be Held on May 19, 2011

 

Notice is hereby given that Northrim BanCorp, Inc. (the “Company”) will hold its 2011 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting (“the Annual Meeting”) at the Hilton Anchorage Hotel, 500 West Third Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska, at 9 A.M., on Thursday, May 19, 2011 for the following purposes, as more fully described in the accompanying proxy statement:

 

1) To elect 10 directors nominated by the Board of Directors for a term ending at the 2012 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting or such other date as their successors may be elected and qualified;

 

2) To hold an advisory vote on executive compensation as disclosed in these materials;

 

3) To hold an advisory vote on whether an advisory vote on executive compensation should be held every one, two, or three years;

 

4) To ratify the selection of Moss Adams LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2011; and

 

5) To transact any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

 

Shareholders owning Northrim BanCorp shares at the close of business on March 21, 2011 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of that meeting.

 

Your Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote “FOR” the slate of nominees to the Board of Directors proposed by the Board, “FOR” the approval of the compensation of the named executive officers as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables, and the related narrative disclosure in this proxy statement, “FOR” the approval of the option of “every year” for future advisory votes on executive compensation, and “FOR” the ratification of Moss Adams LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2011.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,

 

Mary A. Finkle
Corporate Secretary

 

March 25, 2011

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please complete, sign and date the enclosed form of proxy and mail it promptly in the enclosed return envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. Your vote is important to us. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote your shares in person if you wish to do so even if you have previously sent in your proxy.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

NORTHRIM BANCORP, INC.
3111 C Street
Anchorage, Alaska 99503

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) is soliciting proxies for this year’s Annual Meeting. This proxy statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the matters brought before the Annual Meeting. Please read it carefully.

 

The Board set March 21, 2011, as the record date for the Annual Meeting. Shareholders who owned the Company’s common stock on that date are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, with each share entitled to one vote. There were 6,429,476 shares of Company stock outstanding on the record date.

 

Voting materials, which include this proxy statement dated March 25, 2011, a proxy card, and the 2010 Annual Report and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, are first being mailed to shareholders on or about March 25, 2011, unless the shareholder has elected electronic delivery. If the shareholder has elected electronic delivery, we have provided a notice of internet availability of proxy materials which contains instructions on how to access proxy materials via the internet or how to request a printed set of proxy materials.

 

INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
*****IMPORTANT NOTICE*****
Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting
To be Held on May 19, 2011
The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Shareholders are available at
www.proxyvote.com

 

Why am I receiving this proxy statement and proxy card?

 

You are receiving this proxy statement and proxy card because you own shares of the Company’s common stock. This proxy statement describes matters on which we would like you to vote.

 

When you sign the proxy card, you appoint the persons named in the proxy, R. Marc Langland and Christopher N. Knudson, as your representatives at the Annual Meeting, and those persons will vote your shares at the Annual Meeting as you have instructed on the proxy card. This way, your shares will be voted even if you cannot attend the Annual Meeting.

 

Who is soliciting my proxy, and who is paying the cost of solicitation?

 

The enclosed proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board, and the Company will bear the costs of solicitation. Certain directors, officers, and employees of the Company and/or its subsidiary, Northrim Bank (the “Bank”), may solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile, and personal contact.

 

The Company does not expect to pay any compensation to employees, officers, or directors for soliciting proxies, but will reimburse brokers, nominees, and similar record holders for reasonable expenses in mailing proxy materials to beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock.

 

What am I voting on, and what vote is required for approval?

 

At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to vote on:

 

 

 

All proposals will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shareholders in person or represented by a duly executed proxy at the Annual Meeting.

 

Who is entitled to vote?

 

Only shareholders who owned the Company’s common stock as of the close of business on the record date, March 21, 2011, are entitled to receive notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote the shares that they held on that date at the Annual Meeting, or any postponement or adjournment of the Annual Meeting.

 

How do I vote, and how are the votes counted?

 

You may vote your shares either in person at the Annual Meeting or by proxy. To vote by proxy, you should mark, date, sign, and mail the enclosed proxy card in the prepaid envelope provided. If your shares are registered in your own name and you attend the Annual Meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy card in person. “Street name” shareholders, that is, those shareholders whose shares are held in the name of and through a broker or other nominee, who wish to vote at the Annual Meeting will need to obtain a proxy from the institution that holds their shares.

 

With regard to the election of directors, you may cast your vote in favor of some or all of the nominees, or you may withhold your vote as to some or all of the nominees. Each shareholder will be entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record by the shareholder on the record date, March 21, 2011. Directors will be elected if the number of votes cast in favor of the director exceeds the number of votes cast against the director. Accordingly, votes withheld generally will have no effect on the outcome of the election. You may also abstain from voting on any proposals other than the election of directors. An abstention will have no impact on the election of directors.

 

If shares are held in “street name,” that is, through a broker or nominee, the broker or nominee is permitted to exercise voting discretion under certain circumstances. At this meeting, if the broker or nominee is not given specific voting instructions, the shares may not be voted on the election of directors by the broker or nominee in their own discretion. However, if your shares are held in street name and neither you nor your broker votes them, the votes will be “broker non-votes,” which will have the effect of excluding your vote from the tallies. If your shares are held in your own name and you do not vote your shares, your shares will not be voted.

 

Under certain circumstances, banks and brokers are prohibited from exercising discretionary authority for beneficial owners who have not provided voting instructions to the bank or broker, which are referred to as a “broker non-vote.” In these cases, and in cases where the shareholder abstains from voting on a matter, those shares will be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. We expect that banks and brokers will be allowed to exercise discretionary authority for beneficial owners who have not provided voting instructions with respect to Proposal 4 to ratify the Company’s selected independent registered public accounting firm, but abstentions will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” the proposal. If your shares are held in your own name and you do not vote, your shares will not be voted.

 

On each matter before the Annual Meeting, including the election of directors, shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock they held at the record date, March 21, 2011. Shareholders may not cumulate their votes for the election of directors.

Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?

 

Yes. If the enclosed proxy is duly executed and received in time for the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote the shares represented by the proxy “FOR” the 10 nominees listed in the proxy statement, “FOR” the approval of the compensation of the named executive officers, “FOR” the approval the option of “every year” for future advisory votes on executive compensation, and “FOR” the ratification of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. If you grant a proxy, you may revoke it at any time before its exercise by written notice to the Company to the attention of Mary A. Finkle, Corporate Secretary, by submitting a proxy with a subsequent date, or by announcing your revocation to the secretary at the Annual Meeting prior to the taking of a shareholder vote. The shares represented by properly executed proxies that are not revoked will be voted in accordance with the specifications in such proxies.

 

Can I vote on other matters or submit a proposal to be considered at the Annual Meeting?

 

The Company has not received timely notice of any shareholder proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting, and shareholders may submit matters for a vote only in accordance with the Company’s bylaws. The Board does not presently know of any other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting.

 

For shareholders seeking to include proposals in the proxy materials for the 2012 Annual Meeting, the proposing shareholder or shareholders must comply with all applicable regulations, including Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and the proposals must be received by the Corporate Secretary of the Company on or before November 25, 2011.

 

How many votes are needed to hold the Annual Meeting?

 

A majority of the Company’s outstanding shares as of the record date (a quorum) must be present at the Annual Meeting in order to hold the Annual Meeting and conduct business. Shares are counted as present at the Annual Meeting if a shareholder is present and votes in person at the Annual Meeting or has properly submitted a proxy card. Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date for the Annual Meeting, 6,429,476 shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding and eligible to vote.

 

Where and when will I be able to find the results of the voting?

 

The results of the voting will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final results will be disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within four business days of the Annual Meeting.

 

How do I communicate with Directors?

 

The Board provides a process for shareholders to send communications to the Board or any of the directors. Shareholders may send communications to the Board or any of the directors at: c/o Corporate Secretary, Northrim BanCorp, Inc., 3111 C Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. All communications will be compiled by the Corporate Secretary of the Company and submitted to the Board or the individual directors on a periodic basis.

 

General

 

How many directors are nominated?

 

The Company’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the Board will consist of not less than five nor more than 25 directors. Currently, the Board consists of 10 directors, and the Board has set the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting at 10. Directors are elected for a one-year term and serve until their successors have been elected and qualified.

 

Who are the nominees?

 

The Board has nominated the individuals listed on the following pages for election as directors for a one-year term expiring at the 2012 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting or until their successors have been elected and qualified. If any nominee refuses or becomes unable to serve as a director before the Annual Meeting, the directors will select a replacement nominee, and your proxies will be voted for that replacement nominee. The Board presently has no knowledge that any nominee will refuse or be unable to serve.

 

It is the Company’s policy to encourage director nominees up for election at the Annual Meeting to attend the Annual Meeting. All directors up for election at the 2010 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting attended the 2010 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting with the exception of three, who could not be present due to unavoidable conflicts in their schedules.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOMINEES

 

The following table provides certain information about the nominees for director, including age, principal occupation during the past five years, and year first elected a director of Northrim Bank (the “Bank”) or the Company. All of the nominees are presently directors of the Bank and the Company. All of the nominees with the exception of Messrs. Langland and Knudson are deemed to be independent within the meaning of currently applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Global Select Market listing requirements.

 

 

Director Qualifications and Experience.  The following table identifies the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that the Board considered in making its decision to appoint and nominate directors to our Board. This information supplements the biographical information provided above.

 

 

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” these nominees.

 

Shareholder Nominations for 2011 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

 

In accordance with the Company’s Bylaws, shareholder nominations for the 2011 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting ordinarily must be delivered in writing to the Secretary of the Company not less than 14 nor more than 50 days prior to the Annual Meeting. Any shareholder nomination should contain the following information to the extent known to the nominating shareholder: (i) the name and address of each proposed nominee; (ii) each proposed nominee’s principal occupation; (iii) the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock that will be voted for each proposed nominee; (iv) the name and residence of the nominating shareholder; (v) the number of shares of the Company’s common stock owned by the nominating shareholder as of the record date for the Annual Meeting; and (vi) whether the nominee had agreed to serve if elected.

 

Nominations not made in accordance with the above requirements may be disregarded at the sole discretion of the Chairman of the Annual Meeting, and upon the Chairman’s instruction the vote teller may disregard all votes cast for that nominee.

 

Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Its Committees

 

All directors and nominees other than Mr. Langland and Mr. Knudson are independent within the meaning of currently applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Global Select Market listing requirements.

 

The Company’s Board has adopted certain standing committees, including an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee.

 

The Company does not have a standing Nominating Committee and as such does not have a Nominating Committee charter. The Board has discussed at length the nominating process and believes that it is important to have the involvement of all directors in the nominating process and that the Board, as a whole, shall act as the Nominating Committee. The Board believes this process has provided a much wider focus than might have been achieved in the search under a nominating committee charter for potential Board candidates whose business sense and management philosophies are compatible with and bring balance to the Boards of Directors of the Company

and the Bank. A majority of independent directors identifies and recommends persons to be nominees for positions on the Board at each annual meeting of shareholders, and to fill vacancies on the Board, if any, between annual meetings. The Chairman personally interviews recommended qualified candidates and nominees on behalf of the Board. Our directors take a critical role in guiding the Company’s strategic direction and overseeing the management of the Company. Board candidates, including directors up for reelection, are considered based upon various criteria such as personal integrity, broad-based business and professional skills and experiences, banking experience, concern for the long-term interest of the Company’s shareholders, freedom from conflicts of interest, sound business judgment, community involvement, and the time available to devote to board activities. Our board members have these qualities and were selected because of their varied experiences, analytical skills, and knowledge of the business and economic climates both inside and outside of Alaska. As individuals and a group, our Board members have contributed to Northrim’s development and growth over the past 20 years.

 

Further, nominees for positions on the Board are subject to submitting an affidavit requiring disclosures including education, occupation for the last ten years, references, and the amount of shares owned or intent to acquire shares of the company’s stock as required under Alaska Statute.

 

The Boards of the Company and the Bank, being one and the same, believe it is in the best interests of the Company, its shareholders, and the Bank to combine the roles of chairman and chief executive officer for running the Company and the Bank. For the Company and the Bank, the combined relationship allows for candid, two-way communication between the Board and senior management as a well-informed and effective partnership with regard to risks affecting the Company and the Bank and the policies and procedures designed to mitigate those risks as described below. The Company does not have an independent lead director. However, the Company’s non-management independent directors (within the meaning of currently applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Global Select Market listing requirements) meet in executive sessions once per quarter and rotate as lead director of these executive sessions twice a year.

 

The Company and the Bank have in place policies and procedures to manage risks that could impact Northrim’s operational and strategic position as a profitable, safe and sound financial institution. The Bank’s Internal Audit department provides written results of internal and out-sourced audits, including review of the credit quality of the loan portfolio, directly to the Audit Committee and management. The Audit Committee reviews and reports to the Board on the results of these audits. The Audit Committee also reports to the Board on any deficiencies identified, as well as any steps deemed necessary to resolve and mitigate risk. An officer, appointed by the Board of Directors, serves as Northrim’s risk manager and is responsible for monitoring and maintaining Northrim’s company-wide Contingency Plan. This Plan addresses and provides guidelines for the restoration of business in the event of man-made and natural disruptive events.

 

With regard to certain risks affecting the Company and the Bank, we recognize that not maintaining the privacy and security of customer information could damage our reputation and cause us to incur additional costs or even litigation. On an annual basis, the Bank’s Board reviews its Information Security Policy with its appointed Information Security Officer. We work to educate our customers, including our business customers, about the importance and understanding of their role in protecting their identities and the privacy of their information. We consider customer education regarding the use of electronic convenience products to be especially important due to the Bank’s increased exposure to loss related to these products if procedures are not followed. A Vendor Management Policy is in place which is approved by the Bank’s Board annually. The Vendor Management Policy calls for the assignment of levels of risk to each vendor based upon an assessment of the degree to which their relationship could expose the Company to risk in relation to the Company’s reliance on the vendor’s promise to perform and protect customer privacy, and based on the vendor’s fiscal strength. On an annual basis, the Bank’s Board reviews its Information Security Policy with its appointed Information Security Officer.

 

The Company monitors its interest rate risk through a review of its sensitivity to upward and downward movements of interest rates and their impact on the Company’s interest-earning assets, interest-bearing liabilities, and the net interest margin. The Company monitors concentrations and economic trends in the communities it serves and in the global economy in order to respond to issues that could impact the economic climate in which it operates. The Company reports its analysis of these areas to the Bank’s Board on a periodic basis.

It is management’s policy to discuss a detailed analysis of any proposed major project with the Board. This analysis may include management’s reasons for the proposal, results of due diligence analysis, potential risks, costs, and the estimated time frame for implementation of the project, and Compliance department and Operations and Technology Committee recommendations prior to seeking the Board’s approval.

 

The Company engages the services of an experienced consultant to facilitate director education and discussion periodically as to bank directorship issues, the management of risk, timely topics which the directors may cover, as well as future corporate governance matters.

 

The Bank’s Board met 10 times during 2010, and the Company’s Board met nine times during 2010. During 2010, all directors attended at least 75% of the total meetings of the Board and all committees of which they were members.

 

Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee’s principal functions include reviewing and approving the services of the independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing the plan, scope, and audit results of the internal and external auditors, and reviewing the reports of bank regulatory authorities. The Company’s Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. Current members of the Audit Committee are Mark G. Copeland, Richard L. Lowell, and David G. Wight. (SEE REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE.)

 

During 2010, the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) had eight meetings, during which the Committee was kept informed of the processes and procedures in place for maintaining the Company’s compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”) as evaluated by the Company’s internal audit manager, internal SOX Committee, and the independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Each of the members of the Committee is independent of management within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Global Select Market listing standards. The Committee and the Board have determined that no individual Committee member qualifies as an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of such rules. The Board does believe, however, that each of the Committee members has attributes of an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of applicable rules and that the Committee, taken as a whole, constitutes an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of applicable rules. In addition, one of our directors, Mr. Swalling, is a certified public accountant and, while he is not a member of the Committee due to the demands of his schedule, he is available as a resource on financial matters. For these reasons, at this time the Board does not believe it is necessary to actively search for a director that would qualify as an audit committee financial expert.

 

Compensation Committee.  The primary functions of the Compensation Committee, which met five times in 2010, are to review and approve executive and all other officer compensation, select and approve employee benefits and retirement plans, and administer the Company’s stock option plans. The Company’s Board has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee. Compensation Committee members are Larry S. Cash, Ronald A. Davis, and John C. Swalling. All members of the Compensation Committee are independent within the meaning of currently applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Nasdaq Global Select Market listing requirements. Mr. Cash has served on the Compensation Committee since 1996. Mr. Davis was appointed to the Compensation Committee in 2002. Mr. Swalling was appointed to the Compensation Committee in 2005.

 

Director Compensation.  In 2010, non-officer directors received a $5,000 annual cash retainer and an additional $10,000 in cash with the intention that it be used to purchase the Company’s common stock on the open market, payable following our Annual Shareholders’ meeting, in addition to the fee of $900 for each Board meeting attended. Members of the Audit and Compensation Committees received $750 for each meeting attended with the exception of the Committee chairpersons who received $1,500 and $1,125, respectively, for each committee meeting they attended. (SEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION)

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.  No member of the Compensation Committee was, during the year ended December 31, 2010, an officer, former officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. No executive officer of the Company served as a member of (i) the compensation committee of another entity in which one of the executive officers of such entity served on the Company’s Compensation Committee, (ii) the Board of another entity in which one of the executive officers of such entity served on the Company’s Compensation Committee, or (iii) the compensation committee of another entity in which

one of the executive officers of such entity served as a member of the Company’s Board, during the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

The following table sets forth certain information about the Company’s executive officers:

 

 

 

 

All officers are elected by the Board for a one year term or until their successors are appointed and qualified. Each of the named executive officers have employment agreements with the Company. See EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION — Employment Agreements.

 

Code of Conduct.  The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct, which includes a Code of Ethics for our executive officers. We will furnish a copy of the Code of Conduct to shareholders at no charge upon request to the Corporate Secretary.

 

This section provides information regarding the compensation program in place for our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the three most highly compensated executive officers (collectively, the “named executive officers”). This section includes information regarding the overall objectives of our compensation program and each element of compensation that we provide.

 

While there has been significant focus on whether compensation programs encourage excessive risk-taking by executives in the current banking environment, the Compensation Committee believes that the annual and long-term incentive compensation programs for executives, senior managers and key employees serve to appropriately focus these individuals on Northrim’s current and future business needs. The Company’s incentive program is designed to mitigate risk by capping bonuses and defining performance criteria focused not only on profitability and growth, but also on managing risk and expenses and improving credit quality. Specifically, the Company’s internal incentive awards related to the Bank’s lending areas are not volume-driven under the Bank’s internal Loan Unit Incentive Plan, but are based upon officer portfolio management, problem loans and their resolution, charge-offs and deposits.

 

The Company has included Proposal 2, an advisory vote on executive compensation, in this proxy statement in accordance with the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“the Dodd-Frank Act”) and recently passed regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Proposal 2 provides the shareholders of the Company with an advisory vote on compensation programs for our named executive officers (sometimes referred to as “say on pay”) as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement. Although the vote is nonbinding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our shareholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

 

The Compensation Committee has concluded that the compensation policies of the Company are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Overview of Compensation Program

 

The Compensation Committee of the Board bases its compensation strategy on maintaining the Company’s primary strategic goal: to maintain, over the next several years, a well-capitalized, customer first service-focused financial institution headquartered in Anchorage and serving the greater Anchorage, Matanuska Valley, and Fairbanks areas, as well as various other markets in and outside Alaska. We believe that achieving the Company’s business and growth strategies will create long-term value for shareholders and will protect the interests of our depositors.

 

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

The Compensation Committee believes that compensation packages for the Company’s named executive officers and key personnel should be based to a substantial extent on achievement of the goals and strategies the Board has established. When establishing salaries, bonus levels, and stock option awards for named executive officers, the Compensation Committee considers (i) the Company’s financial performance during the past year; (ii) the individual officer’s performance during the past year based upon the officer’s scope and level of responsibility and how well she or he managed and carried out those responsibilities to achieve the Company’s goals, as well as how well that officer dealt with unexpected challenges and opportunities that were not anticipated in the Company’s annual goal setting process; and (iii) market data related to the salaries of executive officers and key personnel in similar positions with companies of comparable size, as well as other companies within the financial institutions industry. For named executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee gives consideration to recommendations made by the Chief Executive Officer.

 

The Company has developed and implemented policies for determining salary structure, annual incentive bonus payments, and employee stock option and other stock-based awards based on recommendations of independent, nationally recognized compensation consultants. These consultants periodically evaluate the Company’s executive compensation programs at the request of the Compensation Committee.

Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions

 

The Compensation Committee makes all decisions related to the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, subject to the Board’s further approval, and approves recommendations made by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer for bonus incentive and equity awards to other named executive officers of the Company.

 

The Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer annually review the individual performance of the Company’s key executives. Their recommendations for bonus incentive and equity awards, based upon individual officer performance evaluations, are presented to and discussed with the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee can at its discretion modify any recommended adjustments or awards as deemed to be appropriate.

 

Executive Compensation

 

The Company’s executive compensation program continues to consist of four key elements: (i) base salary; (ii) a performance-based annual bonus; (iii) periodic stock option grants and other stock-based compensation awards; and (iv) retirement and other deferred benefits. The Compensation Committee engages the services of a qualified compensation consultant as appropriate, and it considers the Company’s executive compensation package as a whole. Each component of the executive’s package is in large part provided for under the terms of the executive’s employment agreement including base salary, which can change from time to time, as well as entitlements to a bonus opportunity under the Company’s Executive Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) and retirement benefits according to the prescribed terms of the executive’s employment agreement. The Compensation Committee’s and the Company’s philosophy is to be consistent in the timing of its review of the executives’ performance and opportunities for compensatory recognition. Review occurs multiple times in a given year. The Compensation Committee and the Company believe that this practice facilitates the retention of the executive over the short- and long-term and appropriately rewards performance based upon each executive’s level of responsibility, accountability, leadership, and measured contributions to the organization.

 

The Compensation Committee believes that this four-part approach best serves the interests of the Bank, the Company and its shareholders. This approach enables the Company to meet the requirements of the highly competitive banking and lending environment in which it currently operates while ensuring that executive officers are compensated in a way that advances both the short- and long-term interests of shareholders. The variable annual cash bonus rewards and motivates individual performance, and is based in large part on the contribution made by the officer to the Company’s overall performance. Stock options and other stock-based awards relate a significant portion of long-term remuneration directly to stock price appreciation and serve to further promote the executives’ continued service with the Company. These awards also closely align the interests of the executives and the Company’s shareholders.

 

The Compensation Committee annually evaluates both executive performance and the structure of executive compensation to ensure that the Company maintains its ability to attract and retain superior, customer service motivated employees in key positions. Additionally, this evaluation ensures that compensation for executives is reasonable but competitive with similar positions held in peer group organizations in both the local market and the Pacific Northwest. The peer group that the Compensation Committee has used for this evaluation consists of 16 Pacific Northwest commercial banks similar in size to Northrim: Columbia Banking System, TriCo Bancshares, F & M Bancorp, Cascade Financial, Horizon Financial, First Financial NW, Pacific Continental, Heritage Financial, WA Banking Company, Riverview Bancorp, North Valley Bancorp, Bank of Commerce, Timberland Bancorp, Home Federal Bank, Pacific Financial, and Cowlitz Bancorp. The Compensation Committee objectively evaluates the performance of the Company’s compensation program by periodically comparing the weight and values of its components to the Company’s peer group of Pacific Northwest financial institutions as surveyed by independent consultants who gather pertinent salary, benefit, and equity compensation data from then current proxy statement disclosures.

 

The Compensation Committee’s approach for giving consideration to each element of the Company’s executive compensation package multiple times during a given year is intended to bring consistency to the overall program, and support the Company’s philosophy to provide more than one opportunity during a given year to

recognize the performance and contributions of individual executive officers and executives in key positions. For example, in the first quarter the Compensation Committee considers and approves awards to participants under the Executive Incentive Plan and approves discretionary contributions to the Company’s Savings Incentive Plan 401(k), which has a service based component to provide employees who are non-participants with a retirement benefit. In the second quarter of the year, the Compensation Committee selects participants and criteria for the Executive Incentive Plan’s plan year and conducts the annual officer and executive officer salary review. In the fourth quarter, the Compensation Committee considers and approves stock option grants and stock awards with pricing based upon the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant.

 

The Compensation Committee takes an approach based on both quantitative and qualitative factors when considering the compensation of the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee considers the Company’s financial results for a given year compared to the Company’s plan and actual results for the previous year. The Compensation Committee also considers certain qualitative accomplishments of the Chief Executive Officer in terms of the Company’s realization of its corporate objectives, his foresight, his extensive community involvement, as well as his proven leadership in strategically positioning the Company for future significant development in the banking industry and the Company’s market and developing long-term strategies for the future direction and growth of the organization.

 

Elements of Executive Compensation

 

The Company and the Bank do not have any arrangements in place for or with the named executive officers whereby their compensation may be comprised of proportionate amounts of base salary, performance based annual bonus, options and other stock-based compensation, or retirement and other deferred benefits. Instead, compensation is comprised of such components in amounts as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.

 

The Compensation Committee, from time-to-time as deemed appropriate, has engaged the services of Frederic W. Cook and Co., Inc. to analyze and evaluate the Company’s overall compensation program and practices as compared to a selected group of publicly traded peer group banks of similar size within the Pacific Northwest area.

 

Base Salary.  Based on its consideration of competitive industry salaries and general economic conditions within the Company’s market area and the financial institution industry, the Company’s Human Resources Department has established a graded salary structure for executives, key personnel and other employees. Every salary grade is structured to allow for personal growth ranging from the grade’s entry level benchmark through the mid-point range and to the upper-most level of annual salary for each grade. The matrix used to objectively calculate annual merit increases applies factors related to the position of the individual’s current salary within the established ranges for her or his salary grade, predetermined rates of increase based on an annual survey of market data, and an evaluation of the employee’s performance. The Human Resources department reviews the schedule of matrix driven changes to individual officer annual base salaries and can make recommendations for any additional adjustments.

 

Individual base salaries for named executive officers and officers in key positions are reviewed by and based upon recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer. Officer base salary levels are reviewed annually in the second quarter of the Company’s fiscal year and any increases to base annual salaries are recommended to the Compensation Committee by the Chief Executive Officer for approval based on an assessment of an executive’s scope of responsibilities, experience, the officer’s individual performance, and contributions to the success of the organization.

 

Performance Based Annual Bonus.  Executive officers, in addition to members of the Senior Management Committee, senior lenders with management responsibilities, and heads of critical departments are eligible for an annual cash incentive bonus opportunity as participants in the Company’s Executive Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”). The selection of Incentive Plan participants, tier target bonus levels, and Incentive Plan criteria occurs in the second quarter of the Company’s fiscal year. Incentive Plan participants are recommended by the Chairman of the Board and President and approved by the Compensation Committee prior to each plan year. The Incentive Plan also provides that the Chairman of the Board and President may recommend discretionary awards for individuals who are non-participants.

The Incentive Plan establishes within each tier three levels of award, minimum, maximum, and target, representing a predetermined graduated percentage of annual base salary approved by the Compensation Committee. Actual bonus amounts must be approved by the Compensation Committee and are based on a formula driven methodology that takes into account the creation of a bonus pool limited to 10% of net income with calculations then based on the Company’s level of success in meeting the predetermined performance criteria. Depending upon the achievement of the predetermined targets and individual officer levels of performance and current responsibility, the annual bonus could be less than or greater than targeted bonus amounts. If the Company’s performance does not achieve the established minimum target level set for any specific criterion, then no payout is calculated for that component and the bonus pool is reduced by the amount that would have been earned.

 

The Incentive Plan provides that no payments will be made under the plan when the following criteria, known as the Conditions Precedent, are not met:

 

 

In 2010, the Compensation Committee approved the following criteria for the Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee reviewed and approved management’s recommended thresholds for each criterion. Each criterion is weighed equally for purposes of calculating the overall award to participants. The table below shows the minimum, target, and maximum thresholds for each criterion:

 

 

 

 

The Compensation Committee approved management’s recommendation based upon the calculated payout under the Incentive Plan’s methodology resulting in an aggregate payout of $292,000 for 2010.

 

The Incentive Plan also provides for discretionary awards to employees in good standing and having key roles in the non-lending operation of the Bank. The Compensation Committee reviewed and approved executive management’s request that discretionary awards totaling $45,000 in the aggregate be paid to 18 employees who were not Incentive Plan participants.

 

The Loan Unit Incentive Plan (“LUIP”) was instituted in 2004 to provide a bonus opportunity for loan officers. Loan unit managers participate in both the Incentive Plan and the LUIP; both the Incentive Plan and the LUIP are designed so that 50% of the loan unit manager’s annual bonus award opportunity is based upon criteria results established for the Incentive Plan and the remaining 50% is based on criteria results related to performance of the loan unit they lead. Payments under the LUIP also may be made to non-participants at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee, in recognition of lending area employees who had key roles in loan production or portfolio management and in improving and maintaining credit quality, approved, as

recommended by executive management, discretionary awards to 20 individuals totaling $105,000 in the aggregate under the Bank’s internal LUIP for 2010.

 

The Federal Reserve issued Proposed Guidance on Sound Incentive Compensation Policies on October 22, 2009 which are designed to help ensure that incentive compensation policies at banking organizations do not encourage excessive risk-taking or undermine the safety and soundness of the organizations. The Compensation Committee has reviewed the Proposed Guidance on Sound Incentive Compensation Policies and determined that the Company’s Incentive Plan is consistent with the principles outlined in the guidance.

 

Options and Other Stock-Based Compensation.  The Compensation Committee is of the philosophy that offering stock-based incentives to executives and key employees: (i) attracts and retains the best available personnel for the long-term; (ii) enhances long-term profitability and shareholder value; and (iii) encourages employees to acquire and maintain stock ownership in the Company, thereby more closely aligning the interests of employees and shareholders. The Compensation Committee follows this philosophy and, subject to the Company’s employee stock incentive plans, may determine the employees eligible to receive options and awards and to assess the amount of each option and award.

 

The Company’s 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (“2010 Plan”), an omnibus plan approved by shareholders, authorizes the Board or the Compensation Committee to administer the Plan and to grant to eligible key employees nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted units, performance shares, performance units, stock appreciation rights, or dividend equivalent rights. The Compensation Committee has not delegated any aspect of the administration of any of the Company’s stock incentive plans, including the 2010 Plan, to any other persons.

 

The 2010 Plan is designed to afford the Compensation Committee flexibility, consistency, and balance in determining and governing the terms and mix of the annual grant of long-and-shorter-term equity based compensation awards to the Company’s executive officers and other employees key to the safe and profitable operation of the Bank. The majority of participants in the Plan are members of the Bank’s senior management team. Participants, including the Company’s named executives, are grouped within five tier levels for purposes of granting awards. These tiers are defined by the scope of the participants’ responsibility and roles within the organization. The proportion of stock options and restricted stock units granted may vary depending upon an employee’s position within the five tier levels.

 

The Compensation Committee believes that the awards of stock options and shorter-term restricted units serve to tie the executives’ interests to those of the Company’s shareholders. These awards also provide an incentive for the executives’ long-term retention given the competitive climate in the Bank’s marketplace for experienced and seasoned bankers. The methodology for calculating the total value of equity awards that will be awarded to employees, including the executives, starts with calculating that aggregate value that will be allocated to employees. The aggregate value is calculated by taking the Company’s market capitalization times 0.50%. This value is then allocated to employees based on tiers. Employees are placed into tiers based on their level of responsibility within the Company. The Chief Executive Officer recommends proposed grantees and proposed award levels based on performance. The Committee has full discretion to approve, deny, or change any recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee also analyzes the financial impact of the grant on the Company’s income statement and the potential dilution of the grant to existing shareholders compared to prior grants and the Company’s peer group.

 

The Company has not established any program whereby executives, key personnel, or directors are required to own and purchase within any specific schedule a defined number of shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company and the Compensation Committee recognize the benefits of linking employee ownership with the interests of shareholders, and 50% of discretionary awards matching employee participant contributions under the Company’s Savings Incentive Plan 401(k) are invested in the Company’s common stock.

 

Retirement and Other Deferred Benefits

 

Deferred Compensation Plan.  Effective as of January 1, 1995, as amended effective as of October 3, 1996 and January 1, 2005, the Bank established a Deferred Compensation Plan (“DCP”) for the purpose of providing benefit planning to key employees of the Bank by permitting them to defer the receipt of compensation. All officers

of the Bank and the Company, including the named executive officers, are eligible to participate and other key employees may become eligible to participate if so notified by the Compensation Committee.

 

The DCP provides that on or prior to December 31 of each year the plan is in effect, any eligible employee may elect in writing to defer receipt of at least five percent to a maximum of one hundred percent of their salary to be paid in the calendar year following the year of election. Any election is irrevocable as to any salary payable in the next year and effective with respect to future years unless revoked by the participant prior to December 31 of the year preceding the year in which the deferral is to take effect. Under the DCP, eligible employees, including the named executive officers, may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of their remaining salary to be paid in the current calendar year if such written election is made within 30 days after she or he is first notified by the Compensation Committee of her or his eligibility to become a participant. The DCP provides that any eligible employee may elect to defer receipt of at least five percent to a maximum of one hundred percent of their bonus for services to be performed in a succeeding plan year under the same conditions described above. All amounts deferred are credited to participant accounts with interest compounded annually. According to the DCP, interest is based on the Bank’s average yield on its total assets calculated on January 1, based on the prior year’s performance, less one percentage point. Therefore, the rate of interest calculated for 2010 was 3.96%. None of the named executive officers elected to defer receipt of compensation in 2010.

 

The DCP, as amended effective January 1, 2005 to comply with new regulations under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, provides that Pre-2005 Grandfathered Accounts will be administered separately from Post-2004 Accounts, meaning that amounts deferred and vested prior to 2005 shall be credited to a Pre-2005 Grandfathered Account, while Post-2004 deferrals shall be credited to a Post-2004 Account and administered in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.

 

As to the form and timing of payments, participants having Pre-2005 Grandfathered Accounts, shall be paid in installments or as a lump sum in accordance with the participant’s deferral election. The Compensation Committee may elect at its sole discretion to accelerate payments if an irrevocable written request is made within at least 30 days prior to the date of the first scheduled payment. If an accelerated payment is made, then the participant will be subject to a penalty payable to the Bank in an amount equal to two percent of the accelerated amount. If installment payments are elected, a level series of monthly payments will be computed based on account balance, time period selected, and applicable interest rate in effect as of the benefit commencement date. In this case, the applicable interest rate will be 50 basis points over the average of U.S. Treasury Note Rate for the preceding 12 months, that precede the commencement of payments and will be the nearest quoted rate for a maturity representing two-thirds of the installment pay-out period. Any deferral must be for a minimum period of two years with a distribution of a participant’s account beginning on the first day of the month following sixty days after the earliest of voluntary or involuntary termination of employment, disability, or expiration of the deferred election.

 

The DCP provides that a participant’s Post-2004 Account will be 100% vested and non-forfeitable at all times and shall become payable to her or him upon expiration of the deferral election. Any deferral election for this account to a specified future distribution date must be for at least two plan years. All participants must elect no later than December 31, 2010 to receive their Post-2004 Account at the end of her or his deferral period in a lump sum or in annual installments not to exceed 10 years, and new participants after December 31, 2010 must elect at the time they become participants to receive their Post-2004 Account at the end of their deferral period in a lump sum or in annual installments not to exceed 10 years.

 

The DCP sets forth limitations as to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Also, the intent of the DCP, as written, is to comply with the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.

 

Northrim Bank Savings Incentive Plan 401(k).  Executive officers participate in the Company’s qualified retirement plan, the Northrim Bank Savings Incentive Plan (“401(k) Plan”) to the same extent and subject to the same rules and limitations as the Company’s and the Bank’s other employees. The 401(k) Plan provides for a mandatory $0.25 match for each $1.00 contributed by an employee up to 6% of the employee’s salary. The 401(k) Plan also provides for a three-tier discretionary service based match regardless of the employee’s participation in the 401(k) Plan. The first tier matches 1% of an employee’s salary if an employee has worked at the Bank for more than one but less than three years. The second tier matches 2% of an employee’s salary if an employee has worked at the Bank for more than three but less than six years, and the third tier matches 4% of an employee’s salary if an

employee has worked at the Bank in excess of six years. The 401(k) Plan allows for an additional discretionary contribution of up to $0.75 for each $1.00 contributed by an employee up to 6% of that employee’s salary. A residual discretionary contribution after all the previously listed contributions have been made is also provided for under the 401(k) Plan. Based upon the Bank’s performance in 2010, a discretionary $0.25/$1.00 match and the service based matches were approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors.

 

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Effective.  July 1, 1994, the Bank adopted the Northrim Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for the benefit of its executive officers, including the named executive officers. As provided by the SERP, the Company makes annual contributions to participant accounts on January 1 at a percentage rate of annual base salary determined and approved by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee can exercise its authority to determine and approve increases to this percentage, as well as approve new participants under the SERP. The Compensation Committee generally makes these determinations based upon recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Operating Officer and upon consideration of the percentage rates of annual base salary contributed by the Company for each SERP participant and relative levels of each participant’s current responsibility.

 

Earnings under the SERP are credited for the year on January 1 and based on the Bank’s average yield on its total assets, less a three year rolling average of net loan charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding for the respective periods. The SERP provides for payment of a specified amount to plan beneficiaries or their survivors upon retirement, with early retirement permitted after the participant’s fifty-fifth birthday, if she or he has been a plan participant for at least five years prior to retirement. Benefits are payable monthly beginning 90 days after retirement, with the amount payable being equal to the total plan account balance for that participant (including interest at a specified fixed rate) divided by 12 months, divided by the number of years over which the participant elects to receive payments, with 15 years being the maximum period over which payout is permitted. If the participant dies prior to commencement of benefits, benefits are paid to the participant’s survivors in equal installments over 15 years unless the Compensation Committee elects to accelerate payment.

 

Supplemental Executive Retirement Deferred Compensation Plan.  The Compensation Committee, the Board and management have deemed it prudent for the Bank to have life insurance protection on certain executives, considering the out-of-pocket costs related to replacing an executive officer, as well as the intangible but real loss due to disruptions in management and loss of existing or new business because of the death of a key individual. For these reasons, the Compensation Committee and the Board authorized the Bank to establish the Supplemental Executive Retirement Deferred Compensation Plan (“SERDCP”), a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Certain executives, as identified by the Compensation Committee, including each of the named executive officers except for Mr. Hartung, are entitled to participate in the SERDCP. The SERDCP is intended to provide a source of funds for participants’ retirement through the Bank’s purchase and ownership of key man insurance coverage in the form of a variable adjustable life policy in an amount approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board for each participant. The annual premium payment covers the cost of providing the Bank with a full death benefit for the face amount of the policy, and the cost of providing the executive the deferred compensation retirement benefit or a death benefit to the executive’s beneficiaries in the event of the executive’s death before retirement. The amount of payment is equal to the greater of the policy’s then cash surrender value, or a stated amount which is less than the death benefit of the policy. Earnings are based upon the participant’s discretionary selection of investment opportunities available through the insurance provider to develop the cash surrender value of the portion of the premiums paid and allocated for that purpose.

 

In the event of the participant’s retirement, the cash surrender value of the policy can be paid out in a lump sum or in installments not to exceed ten years. The participant can also elect to receive the insurance policy net of a distribution of cash value sufficient to pay taxes upon receipt of the policy. In the event of the participant’s death, an amount equal to the greater of the cash surrender value or a stated death benefit, as described in the SERDCP document, would be paid to the participant’s beneficiary.

Tax and Accounting Treatment of Executive Compensation

 

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

 

The Compensation Committee is aware of the limits set on individual grants to provide for the Company’s deductibility of options and performance-based awards under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Individual grants of options and stock appreciation rights are limited to 100,000 shares during any three consecutive calendar years; individual grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, and performance units are limited to 50,000 during any three consecutive calendar years. Performance measures are included in the 2010 Plan as required for performance shares and performance units to qualify for exemption under Section 162(m).

 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

 

Section 409A of the Code imposes election, payment, and funding requirements on “nonqualified deferred compensation” plans. If a nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement subject to Section 409A of the Code fails to meet, or is not operated in accordance with, the requirements of Section 409A, then compensation deferred under the arrangement may become immediately taxable and subject to a 20% additional tax. Certain awards that may be issued under the plan may constitute a “deferral of compensation” subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned by our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and three other most highly compensated officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009, and 2008, as well as certain other compensation information for the named executive officers during the years indicated:

 

 

 

 

Employment Agreements

 

The Company and the Compensation Committee share the philosophy that employment agreements serve to further strengthen the relationships between the Company, its key executives, and its shareholders, particularly in light of the highly competitive climate in which the Bank and the Company currently operate. The Compensation Committee approved and the Company adopted employment agreements for each of the above named executive officers each becoming effective on January 1 and continuing through December 31 of 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.

 

The existing employment agreements at December 31, 2010 for Messrs. Langland, Schierhorn, Knudson, Beedle, and Hartung include the following entitlements: a monthly automobile allowance, reasonable health insurance, disability and other employee benefits on a basis at least as favorable as that accorded to any other officer, as well as allowance for adjustments to annual base salary as deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee. The named executive officers agree to a Covenant Not to Compete, which stipulates that for a period of two years following termination of the agreement, or one year following the close of a transaction constituting a change of control, they will not be directly or indirectly employed by or own any business activity that is competitive with the Company or Bank. As defined in each of their employment agreements, each of the named executive officers is entitled to the severance benefits discussed herein under the heading “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control,” beginning on page 19.

 

R. Marc Langland

 

The employment agreement dated January 1, 2010 between the Company, the Bank, and R. Marc Langland, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, reflects Mr. Langland’s current annual salary, $324,012. The Compensation Committee honored Mr. Langland’s request that the provisions for Stock Options and Incentive Compensation be eliminated from the agreement between him and the Company and the Bank starting in 2009. Mr. Langland is entitled to receive an annual contribution equal to 20% of annual base salary in accordance with the Company’s SERP, which may be adjusted at the Compensation Committee’s and the Board’s discretion. Interest on the accruing contributions is credited based on the average yield of the Bank’s assets less a three year moving average rate of loan charge-offs. Mr. Langland’s employment agreement also provides for his participation in the Company’s SERDCP which is designed to provide the Bank with key man insurance protection for $2.5 million and a future retirement benefit for Mr. Langland.

Joseph M. Schierhorn

 

The employment agreement dated January 1, 2010 between the Company, the Bank, and Joseph M. Schierhorn, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer reflects Mr. Schierhorn’s current annual salary of $235,008. In April 2010, as recommended by the Chairman and approved by the Compensation Committee, it was deemed appropriate to increase Mr. Schierhorn’s annual salary from $225,008 to $235,008. Mr. Schierhorn’s employment agreement also reflects his eligibility to receive, under the Company’s Incentive Plan, an annual target bonus equal to 30% of base salary, the amount payable for ambitious, but expected, results as determined by the Compensation Committee and the Board. The bonus could have been more or less than this amount at the Compensation Committee’s and the Board’s discretion but could not exceed the maximum of 40% of base salary. A bonus of $30,551 was paid in 2010. Mr. Schierhorn is entitled to receive an annual contribution equal to 15% of annual base salary in accordance with the Company’s SERP, which may be adjusted at the Compensation Committee’s and the Board’s discretion. Interest on the accruing contributions is credited based on the average yield of the Bank’s assets less a three year moving average rate of loan charge-offs. Mr. Schierhorn’s agreement also provides for his participation in the Company’s SERDCP which is designed to provide the Bank with key man insurance protection for $1 million and a future retirement benefit for Mr. Schierhorn.

 

Christopher N. Knudson

 

The employment agreement dated January 1, 2010 between the Company, the Bank, and Christopher N. Knudson, our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer reflects Mr. Knudson’s current annual salary, $234,610, and his eligibility to receive, under the Company’s Incentive Plan, an annual target bonus equal to 30% of base salary, the amount payable for ambitious, but expected, results as determined by the Committee and the Board. The bonus could have been more or less than this amount at the Committee’s and the Board’s discretion but could not exceed the maximum of 40% of base salary. A bonus of $30,192 was paid in 2010. Mr. Knudson is entitled to receive an annual contribution equal to 15% of annual base salary in accordance with the Company’s SERP, which may be adjusted at the Committee’s and the Board’s discretion. Interest on the accruing contributions is credited based on the average yield of the Bank’s assets less a three year moving average rate of loan charge-offs. Mr. Knudson’s agreement also provides for his participation in the Company’s SERDCP which is designed to provide the Bank with key man insurance protection for $2,130,000 and a future retirement benefit for Mr. Knudson.

 

Joseph M. Beedle

 

The employment agreement dated January 1, 2010 between the Company, the Bank, and Joseph M. Beedle, our Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer reflects Mr. Beedle’s current annual salary, $240,000, and his eligibility to receive, under the Company’s Incentive Plan, an annual target bonus equal to 30% of base salary, the amount payable for ambitious, but expected, results as determined by the Committee and the Board. The bonus could have been more or less than this amount at the Committee’s and the Board’s discretion but could not exceed the maximum of 40% of base salary. A bonus of $31,200 was paid in 2010. Mr. Beedle is entitled to receive an annual contribution equal to 15% of annual base salary in accordance with the Company’s SERP, which may be adjusted at the Committee’s and the Board’s discretion. Interest on the accruing contributions is credited based on the average yield of the Bank’s assets less a three year moving average rate of loan charge-offs. Mr. Beedle’s agreement also provides for his participation in the Company’s SERDCP which is designed to provide the Bank with key man insurance protection for $2 million and a future retirement benefit for Mr. Beedle.

 

Steven L. Hartung

 

The employment agreement dated January 1, 2010 between the Company, the Bank, and Steven L. Hartung, our Executive Vice President and Quality Assurance Officer, reflects Mr. Hartung’s current annual salary of $220,000. In April 2010, as recommended by the Chairman and approved by the Compensation Committee, it was deemed appropriate to increase Mr. Hartung’s annual salary from $200,008 to $220,000. Mr. Hartung’s employment agreement also reflects his eligibility to receive, under the Company’s Incentive Plan, an annual target bonus equal to 30% of base salary, the amount payable for ambitious, but expected, results as determined by the Committee and the Board. The bonus could have been more or less than this amount at the Committee’s and the Board’s discretion

but could not exceed the maximum of 40% of base salary. A bonus of $30,500 was paid in 2010. Mr. Hartung is entitled to receive an annual contribution equal to 25% of annual base salary in accordance with the Company’s SERP, which may be adjusted at the Committee’s and the Board’s discretion. Interest on the accruing contributions is credited based on the average yield of the Bank’s assets less a three year moving average rate of loan charge-offs.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

 

If the Company or the Bank is subjected to a change of control, any outstanding stock option grants or stock awards held by the named executive officers would not automatically vest. However, if the awards were not assumed by or replaced with comparable awards by the successor company, the Compensation Committee may, at its sole discretion, immediately vest all shares. If the Company terminates each of the named executive officer’s employment on account of any mental or physical disability that prevents him from performing his duties, then he is entitled to one lump sum payment, on the first day of the month following a period of six months after employment was terminated, of all base salary earned and reimbursable expenses incurred through the termination date, as well as full base salary and health and dental insurance benefits provided, at the Company’s expense, for one year following the termination date. If the named executive officer’s employment agreement is terminated due to his death, under the terms of the agreement, his beneficiaries will receive that portion of his base salary that otherwise would have been paid to him for the month in which his death occurred and any other amounts due him pursuant to the Company’s SERP, any supplemental deferred compensation plan, and any other death, insurance, employee benefit plan or stock benefit plan provided to him by the Company according to the terms of the respective plans.

 

The following summaries set forth potential payments payable to our named executive officers in the event of termination of their employment or a change of control of the Company or the Bank under the provisions of their employment agreements that became effective January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 for Messrs. Langland, Schierhorn, Knudson, Beedle and Hartung, respectively, and payments payable under the Company’s Incentive Plan. The value of unvested options and restricted stock units in the discussion below is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2010 at $19.32 per share.

 

R. Marc Langland

 

If the Company terminates Mr. Langland’s employment without cause, or if he terminates his employment for good reason, the Company shall pay him, according to terms of the agreement, in a lump sum: (i) all base salary earned and all reimbursable expenses incurred under the agreement through his termination date, payable no later than 45 days after the day on which employment is terminated, and (ii) an amount equal to one times his highest base salary over the prior three years, payable on the first day of the month following a period of six months after the termination of his employment, or sooner pursuant to applicable provisions of the Code. Mr. Langland is also entitled to the continuation of health and insurance benefits for 18 months following the termination date of his agreement. In the event the Company or the Bank is subjected to a change of control and the employer terminates Mr. Langland’s employment without cause or Mr. Langland terminates his employment for good reason within 730 days of the change of control, then Mr. Langland is entitled to payment, in a lump sum, of all base salary earned and all reimbursable expenses incurred through the termination date no later than 45 days after his termination date. Mr. Langland is also entitled to an amount equal to one times his highest base salary over the prior three years to be paid on the first day of the month following a period of six months after the termination of employment or sooner, pursuant to applicable Internal Revenue Code.

Based upon the assumption that Mr. Langland’s employment agreement was terminated under each of these circumstances on December 31, 2010, and based upon the closing market price of our common stock on that date, the payments and benefits have an estimated value of:

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination/Change of Control

 

 

Joseph M. Schierhorn

 

If the Company terminates Mr. Schierhorn’s employment without cause, or if he terminates his employment for good reason, the Company shall pay him, according to terms of the agreement, in a lump sum: (i) all base salary earned and all reimbursable expenses incurred under the agreement through his termination date, payable no later than 45 days following termination date and (ii) an amount equal to one times his highest base salary over the prior three years, payable on the first day of the month following a period of six months after termination of his employment, or sooner pursuant to applicable provisions of the Code. Mr. Schierhorn is also entitled to the continuation of health and insurance benefits for 18 months following the termination of his agreement. In the event the Company or the Bank is subjected to a change of control and the employer terminates Mr. Schierhorn’s employment without cause or Mr. Schierhorn terminates his employment for good reason within 730 days of the change of control, then Mr. Schierhorn is entitled to payment, in a lump sum, of all base salary earned and all reimbursable expenses incurred through the termination date no later than 45 days after his termination date. Mr. Schierhorn is also entitled to an amount equal to two times his highest base salary over the prior three years to be paid on the first day of the month following a period of six months after the termination of employment or sooner, pursuant to applicable Internal Revenue Code.

Based upon the assumption that Mr. Schierhorn’s employment agreement was terminated under each of these circumstances on December 31, 2010, and based upon the closing market price of our common stock on that date, the payments and benefits have an estimated value of:

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination/Change of Control

 

 

Christopher N. Knudson

 

If the Company terminates Mr. Knudson’s employment without cause, or if he terminates his employment for good reason, the Company shall pay him, according to terms of the agreement, in a lump sum: (i) all base salary earned and all reimbursable expenses incurred under the agreement through his termination date, payable no later than 45 days following termination date and (ii) an amount equal to one times his highest base salary over the prior three years payable on the first day of the month following a period of six months after the termination of his employment, or sooner pursuant to applicable provisions of the Code. Mr. Knudson is also entitled to the continuation of health and dental insurance benefits for 18 months at the Company’s expense following the termination date of his agreement. In the event the Company or the Bank is subjected to a change of control and the employer terminates Mr. Knudson’s employment without cause or Mr. Knudson terminates his employment for good reason within 730 days of the change of control, then Mr. Knudson is entitled to payment, in a lump sum, of all base salary earned and all reimbursable expenses incurred through the termination date no later than 45 days after his termination date. Mr. Knudson is also entitled to an amount equal to two times his highest base salary over the prior three years to be paid on the first day of the month following a period of six months after the termination of employment or sooner, pursuant to applicable Internal Revenue Code.

Based upon the assumption that Mr. Knudson’s employment agreement was terminated under each of these circumstances on December 31, 2010, and based upon the closing market price of our common stock on that date, the payments and benefits have an estimated value of:

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination/Change of Control

 

 

Joseph M. Beedle

 

If the Company terminates Mr. Beedle’s employment without cause, or if he terminates his employment for good reason, the Company shall pay him, according to terms of the agreement, in a lump sum: (i) all base salary earned and all reimbursable expenses incurred under the agreement through his termination date payable no later than 45 days following his termination date and (ii) an amount equal to one times his highest base salary over the prior three years payable on the first day of the month following a period of six months after the termination of his employment, or sooner pursuant to applicable provisions of the Code. Mr. Beedle is also entitled to the continuation of health and dental insurance benefits for 18 months at the Company’s expense following the termination date of his agreement. In the event the Company or the Bank is subjected to a change of control and the employer terminates Mr. Beedle’s employment without cause or Mr. Beedle terminates his employment for good reason within 730 days of the change of control, then Mr. Beedle is entitled to payment, in a lump sum, of all base salary earned and all reimbursable expenses incurred through the termination date no later than 45 days after his termination date. Mr. Beedle is also entitled to an amount equal to two times his highest base salary over the prior three years to be paid on the first day of the month following a period of six months after termination of his employment or sooner, pursuant to applicable Internal Revenue Code.

Based upon the assumption that Mr. Beedle’s employment agreement was terminated under each of these circumstances on December 31, 2010, and based upon the closing market price of our common stock on that date, the payments and benefits have an estimated value of:

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination/Change of Control

 

 

Steven L. Hartung

 

If the Company terminates Mr. Hartung’s employment without cause, the Company shall pay him, according to terms of the agreement, in a lump sum: (i) all base salary earned and all reimbursable expenses incurred under the agreement through his termination date payable no later than 45 days following his termination date and (ii) an amount equal to one times his highest base salary over the prior three years payable on the first day of the month following a period of six months after termination of employment, or sooner pursuant to applicable provisions of the Code. Mr. Hartung is also entitled to the continuation of health and dental insurance benefits for 18 months at the Company’s expense following the termination date of his agreement. In the event the Company or the Bank is subjected to a change of control and the employer terminates Mr. Hartung’s employment without cause within 730 days of the change of control, then Mr. Hartung is entitled to payment, in a lump sum, of all base salary earned and all reimbursable expenses incurred through the termination date no later than 45 days after his termination date. Mr. Hartung is also entitled to an amount equal to two times his highest base salary over the prior three years to be paid on the first day of the month following a period of six months after termination of his employment or sooner, pursuant to applicable Internal Revenue Code.

Based upon the assumption that Mr. Hartung’s employment agreement was terminated under each of these circumstances on December 31, 2010, and based upon the closing market price of our common stock on that date, potential payments and benefits have an estimated value of:

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination/Change of Control

 

 

The Compensation Committee approved and the Company adopted new employment agreements for the above named executive officers effective January 1, 2011 and continuing through December 31, 2011, under which the provisions and terms remain essentially the same as the existing agreements. However, effective January 1, 2011, the Company made the following significant changes to the employment agreements for the above named executive officers:

 

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

The Compensation Committee approved awards under our Incentive Plan and awarded stock options and restricted stock grants under our 2010 Plan to our named executive officers during 2010. Set forth below is information regarding awards granted during 2010:

 

 

 

 

Executive Incentive Plan.  The dollar values reflected in the above table as to estimated future payouts under the Company’s Non-equity Incentive Plan to the named executives are based on the formula driven methodology applied to determine the annual cash incentive payouts to plan participants recommended by the Chief Executive Officer as described above in the section entitled “Performance Based Annual Bonus”.

 

2010 Employee Stock Incentive Plan.  The provisions of the 2010 Plan under which the above grants were made permit the Compensation Committee, with the assistance of legal counsel, flexibility in determining the terms of the stock option agreements and letter agreements for stock and restricted units granted, respectively, as related to the death, disability, retirement, and termination of the employee, and in the event of a change in control.

 

Shares Available for Issuance

 

The 2010 Plan provides that a total of 325,000 shares may be issued to eligible participants. Additionally, any shares that were available for future awards from the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (“Prior Plan”) as of the date of the shareholder approval of the 2010 Plan, as well as any shares that are represented by awards under the Prior Plan which are forfeited or cancelled or expire without delivery of shares or which result in the forfeitures of shares back to the Company are also available for issuance. For purposes of calculating available shares, stock options or stock appreciation rights granted are counted as one share for every one share granted, and any shares that are subject to awards other than stock options or stock appreciation rights are counted as three shares for every one share granted. As of December 31, 2010 under the 2010 Plan there were a total of 267,067 options, 84,636 shares of restricted stock, and no performance shares or performance units outstanding and there were 300,545 shares available for issuance.

 

Stock Options

 

The 2010 Plan provides that the exercise price of stock options or any other awards as set by the Compensation Committee shall in no event be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares at the close of business on the date of grant. Outstanding options may not be repriced without shareholder approval. All options granted under the 2010 Plan will expire not more than 10 years from the date of grant. Each option is exercisable subject to the vesting schedule determined by the Compensation Committee. The exercise price for shares purchased upon the exercise of

an option must be paid in cash or such other consideration, including shares of the Company’s common stock, as the Compensation Committee deems acceptable.

 

Stock Awards

 

Stock awards are earned and vest over a period of at least three years and can be governed by conditions, restrictions, and contingencies determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee such as continuous service and/or the achievement of performance goals. The stock awards will be in the form of restricted stock, restricted units, performance shares, and performance units.

 

Stock Appreciation Rights

 

The 2010 Plan also authorizes the grants of stock appreciation rights, which are grants of rights that entitle the holder to payment equal to the difference between the fair market value of a share at the time of grant versus the fair market value at the time the stock appreciation right is exercised. Stock appreciation rights may be granted in connection with options or separately. Similarly, the 2010 Plan authorizes the grant of dividend equivalent rights, either in connection with other awards (particularly stock awards and stock appreciation rights) or separately.

 

Administration

 

Historically, it has been the Compensation Committee’s overall practice to consider and grant stock based incentives to employees in the fourth quarter of the Company’s fiscal year. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Compensation Committee analyzed and considered the estimated impact of proposed grants on the Company’s income statement, as well as the potential dilution from options outstanding and available for future grant. The Compensation Committee determined that the potential dilution as a percentage of fully diluted shares outstanding is close to our peer median, and the Company’s shares granted in 2010 as a percent of fully diluted shares outstanding was 0.60% as compared to 0.83% for our peer median. Peer median data was obtained from data received from Frederic W. Cook and Co., an independent, nationally recognized compensation consulting firm. The banks that were used to obtain this peer group median are 16 Pacific Northwest commercial banks similar in size to Northrim: Columbia Banking System, TriCo Bancshares, F & M Bancorp, Cascade Financial, Horizon Financial, First Financial NW, Pacific Continental, Heritage Financial, WA Banking Company, Riverview Bancorp, North Valley Bancorp, Bank of Commerce, Timberland Bancorp, Home Federal Bank, Pacific Financial, and Cowlitz Bancorp.

 

Amendment and Termination

 

The 2010 Plan may be modified, amended or terminated by the Board, except that shareholder approval is required for any amendment that increases the number of shares subject to the 2010 Plan other than in the cases of certain automatic adjustments such as changes in capitalization, which increases or expands the category of eligible recipients, or whenever applicable law requires that a proposed amendment of the 2010 Plan receive shareholder approval. The Board or Compensation Committee may amend the terms and conditions of outstanding stock options as long as such amendments do not terminate the option or otherwise adversely affect the holders of such stock options without the holders’ consent.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The following table summarizes the outstanding equity award holdings, as adjusted for dividends, held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2010: