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
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Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant
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box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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Soliciting
Material Pursuant to §240.4-12
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BERKSHIRE BANCORP INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its
Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement,
if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate
box):
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No fee required.
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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BERKSHIRE BANCORP INC.
160 Broadway
New York, New York 10038
Tel: (212) 791-5362
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 10, 2013
To the Stockholders of
BERKSHIRE BANCORP INC.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Berkshire Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), will be held on Monday, June 10, 2013, at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Time), at the offices of Blank Rome LLP,
The Chrysler Building, 24th Floor, 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10174, for the following purposes:
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1.
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To elect seven directors to hold office until the next
Annual Meeting and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified;
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To approve, on an advisory basis, the Company’s executive
compensation (“say-on-pay”);
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To approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of say-on-pay
votes; and
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To transact such other business as may properly come before
the Annual Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof.
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The Board of Directors
has fixed the close of business on May 10, 2013 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of,
and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.
Enclosed with this
Notice are a Proxy Statement, a proxy card and return envelope, and the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2012.
All stockholders are
cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE
ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE POSTAGE PREPAID ENVELOPE
WHICH HAS BEEN PROVIDED.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY
OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON JUNE 10, 2013
The following proxy materials are available
for review at
HTTP://BERKSHIREBANCORP.INVESTORROOM.COM
* our 2013 Proxy Statement and
proxy card;
* our Annual Report to Stockholders;
and
* amendments to the foregoing
materials that are required to be furnished to stockholders, if any.
Directions to attend
the Annual Meeting, where you may vote in person, may be obtained by calling the Company at (212) 791-5362.
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By Order of the Board of Directors of
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BERKSHIRE BANCORP INC.
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Emanuel J. Adler
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Secretary
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Dated: May 14, 2013
BERKSHIRE BANCORP INC.
160 Broadway
New York, New York 10038
Telephone No.: (212) 791-5362
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 10, 2013
May 14, 2013
Information Regarding Proxies
This Proxy Statement
is being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bancorp
Inc. (the "Company", "us", "our" or "we") for use at the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the "Annual Meeting") to be held on Monday, June 10, 2013, at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern Time), at the offices of Blank Rome
LLP, The Chrysler Building, 24th Floor, 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10174 and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s)
thereof for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card
are first being mailed to stockholders of the Company on or about May 14, 2013.
The principal executive
offices of the Company are located at 160 Broadway, New York, New York 10038.
The cost of solicitation
of proxies will be borne by the Company. In addition to the solicitation of proxies principally by the use of the mail, directors,
officers and other employees of the Company, acting on its behalf and without special compensation, may solicit proxies by telephone,
facsimile, email or personal interview. The Company will, at its expense, request brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
to forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such persons.
Outstanding Stock and Voting Rights
The Board of Directors
has fixed the close of business on May 10, 2013 as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of stockholders
of the Company who are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record on the Record
Date shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, an aggregate
of 14,416,198 shares of the Company's common stock were outstanding, each of which is entitled to one vote on each matter to be
voted upon at the Annual Meeting. The Company's stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights. The Company has no other class
of securities entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Voting Procedures; Revocations
Proxies in the accompanying form are
being solicited by, and on behalf of, the Company's Board of Directors. The persons named in the proxy card have been designated
as proxies by the Company's Board of Directors.
When a proxy card in
the form enclosed with this Proxy Statement is returned properly executed, the shares represented thereby will be voted at the
Annual Meeting in accordance with the directions indicated thereon. If a proxy card is properly executed but no directions are
indicated thereon, the shares will be voted
FOR
(i) the election of each of the nominees for director named herein
as shown on the form of proxy card (“Proposal 1”); (ii) the approval, on an advisory basis, of the Company’s
executive compensation (“Proposal 2”); and (iii) for submitting the say-on-pay proposal for the stockholders’
approval every three years (“Proposal 3”).
The Board of Directors
does not know of any other business to come before the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters should properly come before
the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof for which specific authority has not been solicited from the stockholders,
then, to the extent permissible by law, the persons named in the proxies will vote the proxies (which confer authority upon them
to vote on any such matters) in accordance with their judgment.
A stockholder who executes
and returns the enclosed proxy card may revoke it at any time prior to its exercise by giving written notice of such revocation
to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, by executing a subsequently dated proxy card or by voting in person at
the Annual Meeting. Attendance at the Annual Meeting by a stockholder who has executed and returned a proxy card does not alone
revoke such proxy. Votes will be counted and certified by one or more Inspectors of Election who are expected to be employees of
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company's transfer agent.
If your shares of common
stock are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial
owner of shares held in “street name” and you should have received these proxy materials from that organization rather
than the Company. The organization holding your shares is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual
Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct the organization holding your shares on how to vote the shares held
in your account using the voting instructions received from such organization. You may vote in person at the Annual Meeting only
if you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, trustee or nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares
at the Annual Meeting.
Pursuant to Delaware
law, a majority of the shares of the Company's common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented
by proxy, at the Annual Meeting, will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will
be counted for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes occur when a broker or
other nominee that holds shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a proposal because the broker or other nominee does not
have discretionary authority to vote on the proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.
If a quorum is present
at the Annual Meeting, for Proposal 1, the nominees for director shall be elected by a plurality of votes of the shares present
in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Therefore, the seven
nominees for director receiving the most “FOR” votes will be elected as directors of the Company. Under Delaware law,
an abstention or a broker non-vote (if any) will have no legal effect on the election of directors.
The approval of Proposal
2 and Proposal 3 and the approval of any other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any postponement or
adjournment thereof, will require the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares of the Company’s common stock that are
present in person or represented by proxy, and are entitled to vote, at the Annual Meeting. Under Delaware law, an abstention will
have the same legal effect as an “against” vote on, and a broker non-vote (if any) will not be counted as shares entitled
to vote and accordingly will not affect the outcome of, Proposal 2 or Proposal 3 or the approval of any other business as may properly
come before the Annual Meeting, or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
Based on the above,
Proposal 3 will be approved only if a majority of the shares of common stock that are present or represented by proxy at the Annual
Meeting and entitled to vote on Proposal 3 vote in favor of one of the three time periods presented. If one of the time periods
presented does not receive votes from a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote, the Board will treat the time period
that receives the greatest number of votes as the time period selected by the stockholders.
You are being asked
to vote on matters considered “non-routine” at the Annual Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in
street name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, under the rules of various
securities exchanges, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on “routine” matters but cannot vote
on “non-routine” matters. If the organization that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how
to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, it will not be able to vote your shares on such matter.
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The entire Board of
Directors is to be elected at the Annual Meeting. The Company's Bylaws presently limit the size of the Board of Directors to not
less than three (3) nor more than eleven (11) persons. The size of the Board has been increased to seven (7) persons effective
as of the date of the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, at the Annual Meeting, seven (7) nominees will be elected to hold office as
directors. The seven (7) persons listed below have been nominated to serve as directors of the Company until the next annual meeting
of stockholders and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified. Five nominees are currently directors
of the Company. The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of independent directors of the Company, designated Messrs. George
Karfunkel and Philippe D. Katz, directors of the Company’s subsidiary, The Berkshire Bank (the “Bank”), as nominees
for election as members of the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting.
In the unexpected event
that any nominees should become unable or decline to serve, proxies may be voted for the election of substitute nominees as are
designated by the Company's Board of Directors.
Director Qualifications
In evaluating a director
candidate, the Company, through its Board seeks directors who represent a mix of backgrounds and experiences that it believes will
enhance the quality of the Board's deliberations and decisions. Candidates are required to have substantial experience with commercial
or financial companies, or shall have achieved a high level of distinction in their chosen professions. While the Board does not
have a specific policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying Board nominees, the Board seeks to maintain
a diverse director mix that includes active or retired chief executive officers and senior executives and individuals with experience
in law, finance and community banking. Finally, in considering candidates for director, all potential board members are expected
to display the personal attributes necessary to be an effective director: integrity, sound judgment, ability to operate collaboratively,
and commitment to the Company, its stockholders, employees and other constituencies. The Company's nominees for director, including
current directors, represent a desirable mix of backgrounds, skills, and experiences, and they all share the personal attributes
of effective directors described above and represent diverse viewpoints. The specific experience and qualifications of our director
nominees that contribute to the effectiveness of our Board and led to our conclusion that they should serve as Board members are
discussed below.
The Board may, but
has not, employed professional search firms (for which it would pay a fee) to assist it in identifying potential members of the
Board of Directors with the desired qualifications.
The names of the nominees for election as
directors are listed below, together with certain personal information, including the present principal occupation and recent business
experience of each nominee (based solely upon information furnished by such persons). Each of the persons named below has indicated
to the Board of Directors of the Company that he will be able to serve as a director if elected and each has consented to be named
in this Proxy Statement.
Proxies in the accompanying
form will be voted at the Annual Meeting in favor of the election of each of the nominees listed below, unless authority to do
so is specifically withheld as to an individual nominee or nominees or all nominees as a group. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater
number of persons than the number of nominees named. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes present at the Annual
Meeting in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereon (assuming a quorum exists).
The Nominees:
Name, Principal Occupation and Other Directorships
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Age
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Year Commenced
Serving as a
Director of the
Company
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William L. Cohen
Mr. Cohen has served as the Chief Executive
Officer of Andover Properties, LLC, a real estate development company specializing in self storage facilities since November 2003,
and has been a private investor for over five years. Mr. Cohen served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of The Andover Apparel Group Inc., an apparel manufacturing company, from 1980 to 2000.
Mr. Cohen has a strong corporate leadership
background and experience as a financial expert, having served as chief executive officer of a number of companies.
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71
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1993
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Dr. Fink
Dr. Fink has served as the Company’s
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer since
April 15, 2013. Dr. Fink has been a private investor for the past 28 years.
Dr. Fink was on the board
of directors of URL Pharma, a privately-held generic pharmaceutical company, from 1996 until it was sold in 2012. D
r. Fink
also practiced periodontia part time, but no longer does so.
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55
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2013
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Name, Principal Occupation and Other Directorships
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Age
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Year Commenced
Serving as a
Director of the
Company
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Dr. Fink’s investment experience, as well as his familiarity with the Company’s business as a director of the Bank, were the primary reasons for the board’s choice of Dr. Fink as a director.
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Martin A. Fischer
Mr. Fischer has been the Chairman of Mount
Carmel Cemetery Association, a New York State not-for-profit corporation, since January 1, 2011. From April 2001 to December 2010,
Mr. Fischer was the President and Chief Executive Officer of that association. Mr. Fisher was counsel to Warshaw, Burstein, Cohen,
Schlesinger and Kuh, a New York City law firm, from 1987 until 2001 and served as President, Chief Operating Officer and a director
of Kinney System, Inc. and The Katz Parking System, Inc. from 1981 to 1986. Mr. Fischer was appointed Commissioner of the New York
State Insurance Fund in 1977 and served as its Chairman until January 1995.
Mr. Fischer's experience as an attorney,
businessman and member of government, provide him with the leadership experience sought by our board.
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75
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2006
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George Karfunkel
Mr. Karfunkel currently serves as the Chairman
of Sabr Group, a consulting company based in New York City. Mr. Karfunkel was a director, Senior Vice President and co-owner of
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a stock transfer company, which he and his brother founded in 1971 and sold to
an Australian private equity firm in 2008. Mr. Karfunkel’s real estate holdings include major office buildings in New York,
Chicago and several other cities. Mr. Karfunkel also is a co-owner of Worldwide TechServices, LLC, a computer maintenance and services
company. Mr. Karfunkel is the owner of Verisight, Inc., a provider of 401(k) and other retirement plan services. Mr. Karfunkel
serves as vice chairman of The Upstate Bank, a nationally-chartered community bank, and co-chairman of CheckAlt Payment Solutions,
a provider of automated and electronic check transaction processing.
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64
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N/A
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Name, Principal Occupation and Other Directorships
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Age
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Year Commenced
Serving as a
Director of the
Company
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Mr. Karfunkel’s success as a businessman for over 40 years and his experience in the banking industry qualify him to serve as a director of the Company.
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Philippe D. Katz
Philippe D. Katz has been a
Partner at the investment firm of United Equities Commodities Company, since 1996 and an associate of that firm from 1992 to
1996. He practiced as an attorney with the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges from 1989 to 1992.
Mr. Katz’s experience as a businessman
and attorney and his familiarity with the affairs of the Company as a member of the Bank’s board of directors qualify him
to serve as a director of the Company.
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51
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N/A
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Moses Krausz
Mr. Krausz has held the position of President
of the Bank since March 1992 and Chief Executive Officer since November 1993. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Krausz was Managing
Director of SFS Management Co., L.P., a mortgage banker, from 1987 to 1992 and was President of UMB Bank and Trust Company, a New
York State chartered bank, from 1978 to 1987.
Mr. Krausz has more than 40 years' experience
as a senior executive in the banking industry and is thus qualified to serve as chief executive officer of the Bank and as a director
of the Company.
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72
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2007
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Moses Marx
Mr. Marx has been the Managing Member of
United Equities Company LLC since 2000 and General Partner of its predecessor, United Equities Company, since 1954 and General
Partner of United Equities Commodities Company since 1972. He is also President of Momar Corp. All of these are private investment
companies. Mr. Marx served as a director of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (a developer and manufacturer of healthcare products) from
1995 to March 2010.
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77
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1995
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Name, Principal Occupation and Other Directorships
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Age
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Year Commenced
Serving as a
Director of the
Company
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Mr. Marx' experience as a successful investor in the real estate, securities, banking and commodities industries provide him with the expertise to lead our board.
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Messrs. Fink and Katz
are brothers-in-law, and Moses Marx, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, is the father-in-law of Messrs. Fink and Katz.
There are no other family relationships (whether by blood, marriage or adoption) among any of the Company's current directors or
executive officers.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS
A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
Board Leadership Structure
The Company has chosen
to separate the principal executive officer and board chairman positions as a matter of good corporate governance and to efficiently
utilize the skills and time of the individuals who currently serve in these positions. Our CEO is responsible for the day to day
leadership and performance of the Company, whereas our Chairman of the Board provides the strategic direction for the Company and
presides over meetings of the full Board.
The Board's Role in Risk Oversight
The Board's role in
the Company's risk oversight process includes receiving periodic reports from senior management on areas of material risk to the
Company. These reports include operational, financial, legal and regulatory, and strategic and reputational risks. The full Board
receives these reports to enable it to understand our risk identification, risk management and risk mitigation strategies.
Corporate Governance
We have an ongoing
commitment to good governance and business practices. In furtherance of this commitment we regularly monitor developments in the
area of corporate governance, and review our processes and procedures in light of such developments. We review changes in federal
law and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the regulations of
the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. We comply with new laws and rules and implement other corporate governance practices which we believe
to be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. We believe that we have in place policies which are designed to
enhance our stockholders' interests.
The Company qualifies
as a "controlled company" under applicable NASDAQ rules by virtue of more than 50% of the voting power of the Company
being controlled by one individual as set forth below in "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,"
and therefore is exempt from the requirement of NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(b)(1) that a majority of the Board of Directors must
be comprised of independent directors as well as the requirements of Rule 5605(d) regarding determination of compensation of officers
and Rule 5605(e) regarding nomination of directors. Inasmuch as the Company is a controlled company, compensation is determined
by the independent members of the Board, who, during 2012, were Messrs. Cohen and Fischer and Randolph B. Stockwell, and approved
by the disinterested members of the Board, and nominations to the Board are made by the entire Board, in each case by including
both directors who qualify and directors who do not qualify as independent directors.
Corporate Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Corporate
Code of Ethics, copies of which are available without cost upon written request to the Company's Chief Executive Officer at the
Company's principal executive office. All of our employees, officers, and directors, including the Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, are required to adhere to our Corporate Code of Ethics in discharging their work-related responsibilities.
Employees are required to report any conduct that they believe in good faith to be an actual or apparent violation of the Code
of Ethics.
We also have a confidential
hotline through which our employees may report concerns about the Company's business practices. In keeping with the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, the Audit Committee has established procedures for receipt and handling of complaints received by the Company regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and to allow for the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees
of concerns regarding accounting or auditing matters.
Board Committees, Meetings and Compensation
Our Board of Directors
has established one Committee, the Audit Committee. Committee membership is determined by the Board, and all committee members
are independent directors as determined by the Board in accordance with the independence requirements under corporate governance
rules for companies whose securities are listed on NASDAQ. Audit Committee members also meet the independence requirements under
Section 10A(m) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules thereunder. The
Audit Committee maintains a written charter detailing its authority and responsibilities that is adopted by the Board of Directors.
The Charter is reviewed periodically as legislative and regulatory developments and business circumstances warrant. A copy of the
Audit Committee Charter is attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.
The Audit Committee
has oversight responsibilities with respect to: (a) the integrity of the Company's accounting and financial reporting process and
systems of internal control over financial reporting; (b) the audits of the Company’s financial statements; and (c)
the selection, qualification and monitoring of independence of the independent accounting firm serving as auditors of the Company.
The Committee advises and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the financial, investment and accounting procedures
and practices followed by the Company. The members of the Committee were Messrs. Fischer (Chair), Cohen and Stockwell. The Board
determined that Messrs. Cohen and Stockwell was each deemed to be a financial expert under applicable rules of the SEC. If stockholders
elect Mr. Karfunkel as the Company’s director at the Annual Meeting, Mr. Karfunkel will serve as a member of the Audit Committee.
We do not have a nominating
committee. In accordance with NASDAQ Marketplace rules, nominations of persons to serve on our Board of Directors for the coming
year were made by the Board based upon the recommendation of at least a majority of the independent members of the Board.
Considering the regulatory
requirements and taking into account its limited size, our Board believes that it is appropriate for the Board, acting as a whole,
to identify, and screen, all nominees for directors of the Company for selection and to fulfill all of the functions of a formal
nominating committee. The Board has adopted the following formal procedures for the consideration by the Board members responsible
for identifying, screening and recommending director nominees, to receive and consider any such nominees that may be made by stockholders
of the Company.
Stockholders must submit
their recommendations in writing to the Company at its executive offices within the time period and in accordance with the procedure
specified below. The Board will consider nominees recommended by the Company's stockholders provided that the recommendation contains
sufficient information for them to assess the suitability of the candidate, including the candidate's qualifications. Candidates
recommended by stockholders that comply with these procedures will receive the same consideration that candidates recommended by
members of the Board receive. Each recommendation for nomination is required to set forth:
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the name and address of the stockholder
making the nomination and the person or persons nominated;
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a representation that the stockholder
is a holder of record of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote at such a meeting and intends to appear in person or by
proxy at the meeting to vote for the person or persons nominated and the number of shares owned of record or beneficially owned
by the stockholder;
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a description of all arrangements and
understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant
to which the nomination was made by the stockholder;
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such other information regarding each
nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules
of the SEC had the nominee been nominated by the Board; and
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the written consent of each nominee to
serve as a director of the Company if so elected.
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Each recommendation
must also include information regarding the recommended candidate relevant to a determination of whether the recommended candidate
would be barred from being considered independent under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(A)(2) or, alternatively, a statement that
the recommended candidate would not be so barred. Moreover, no candidate will be considered if the candidate (i) is involved as
a plaintiff in on-going litigation with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or is employed by an entity which is involved as
a plaintiff in on-going litigation with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) is the subject of any on-going criminal
investigation or any investigation of any regulatory authority, including any investigations for fraud or financial misconduct
or (iii) is affiliated with a competitor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. A nomination which does not comply with the
above requirements or is not submitted within the time period specified below will not be considered.
A stockholder wishing
to nominate a candidate for election to the Board at a meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected is required
to give the written notice containing the required information specified above and addressed to the Chief Executive Officer/President
of the Company so that it is received by the Company's Chief Executive Officer/President no later than (i) the latest date upon
which stockholder proposals must be submitted to the Company for inclusion in its proxy statement relating to such meeting pursuant
to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or other applicable rules or regulations under the federal securities laws or, if no such
rules apply, at least 90 days prior to the date one year from the date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders,
and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders, 30 days prior to the printing of the Company's
proxy materials with respect to such meeting or if no proxy materials are being distributed to stockholders, at least the close
of business on the fifth day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders.
The qualities and skills
sought in prospective members of the Board generally require that director candidates be qualified individuals who, if added to
the Board, would provide the mix of director characteristics, experience, perspectives and skills appropriate for the Company.
Criteria for selection of candidates include, but are not limited to: (i) business and financial acumen, as determined by the Board
in its discretion, (ii) qualities reflecting a proven record of accomplishment and ability to work with others, (iii) knowledge
of the Company's industry, (iv) relevant experience and knowledge of corporate governance practices, and (v) expertise in an area
relevant to the Company. Such persons should not have commitments that would conflict with the time commitments of a director of
the Company. Such persons shall have other characteristics considered appropriate for membership on the Board of Directors, as
determined by the Board.
We do not have a compensation
committee. It is the view of the Board of Directors that it is appropriate for us not to have a compensation committee because
we are a "controlled company" under the applicable Marketplace Rules of NASDAQ. Executive compensation, except compensation
governed by the terms of an employment agreement, is determined by the independent members of the Board and without the assistance
of compensation consultants. For fiscal 2012 such determination was made by Messrs. William L. Cohen, Martin A. Fischer and Randolph
B. Stockwell, the independent members of the Board and approved by the disinterested members of the Board, which is comprised of
all the members of the Board, except for Mr. Steven Rosenberg's compensation, in which case the disinterested members did not include
Mr. Rosenberg and Mr. Moses Krausz's compensation, in which case the disinterested members did not include Mr. Krausz. If Mr. Karfunkel
is elected a director at the Annual Meeting, he will be deemed an independent member of the Board.
During the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2012, the Board met one time and acted three times by unanimous written consent. The Audit Committee met six
times during fiscal year 2012. Each director attended all of the meetings of the Board and all of the meetings of the committees
of the Board on which he served. The Company does not have a policy requiring the directors to attend Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
However, all of the directors attended the Company's 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
For
a description of compensation paid to directors, see "Executive Compensation - Compensation of Directors."
The
Board of Directors
Our
Board is elected annually, and each director stands for election every year. We do not have a classified or staggered board. In
2012, our Board was comprised of six (6) directors, of whom two directors were employees, one was a more than 10% stockholder
of the Company and three (Messrs. Cohen, Fischer and Stockwell) were affirmatively determined by the Board to be independent,
meeting the objective requirements set forth by NASDAQ and the SEC, and having no other relationship to the Company other than
their service on the Board of Directors. After the Annual Meeting, provided that all of our director nominees are elected, the
Board will be comprised of seven directors, of whom two directors are employees, one is a more than 10% stockholder of the Company
and three (Messrs. Cohen, Fischer and Karfunkel) have been affirmatively determined by the Board to be independent.
Stockholders
wishing to communicate with the Board of Directors or with a specific Board member may do so by writing to the Board, or to the
particular Board member, and delivering the communication in person or mailing it to: Dr. Joseph Fink, Chief Executive Officer,
Berkshire Bancorp Inc., 160 Broadway, New York, New York 10038.
Executive
Officer of the Company
Set
forth below is information regarding a person deemed an executive officer of the Company who is not also a director or nominee
for director.
Name
|
Age
|
Office
|
|
|
|
David Lukens
|
63
|
Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank
|
Mr.
Lukens has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank since December 1999 and Executive Vice President
since December 2003. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Lukens was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of First Washington
State Bank, a New Jersey commercial bank, from 1994 to 1999 and was Vice President and Controller at the Philadelphia, PA branch
of Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M., an international commercial bank, from 1978 to 1994.
Section
16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's executive officers (as defined therein), directors and persons owning more than
ten (10%) percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership
of all equity and derivative securities of the Company with the SEC. SEC regulations also require that a copy of all such Section
16(a) forms filed be furnished to the Company by the filer.
Based
solely on a review of the copies of such forms and amendments thereto received by the Company, or on written representations from
our executive officers and directors that no Forms 5 were required to be filed, we believe that during fiscal 2012 all Section
16(a) filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than ten (10%) percent
of our Common Stock were met.
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The
following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the Record Date by (i) each person
known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock, (ii) each of our current directors and nominees, (iii) the individuals
named in the Summary Compensation Table set forth below and (iv) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.
Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if he has or shares the power to vote or
direct the voting of such security or the power to dispose or direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed
to be a beneficial owner of any security of which that person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within sixty (60)
days of the Record Date. The address for each beneficial owner, unless otherwise noted, is c/o Berkshire Bancorp, Inc., 160 Broadway,
New York, NY 10038.
Title of Class
|
|
Name and Address
of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Amount and Nature
of Beneficial
Ownership
|
|
|
Percent
of Class
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
William L. Cohen
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Common Stock
|
|
Dr. Joseph Fink
|
|
|
694,062
|
(1)
|
|
|
4.8
|
%
|
Common Stock
|
|
Martin A. Fischer
|
|
|
10,800
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Common Stock
|
|
George Karfunkel
|
|
|
0
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
*
|
Common Stock
|
|
Philippe D. Katz
|
|
|
710,924
|
(3)
|
|
|
4.9
|
%
|
Common Stock
|
|
Moses Krausz
|
|
|
90,464
|
(4)
|
|
|
|
*
|
Common Stock
|
|
David Lukens
|
|
|
600
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Common Stock
|
|
Moses Marx
|
|
|
10,007,835
|
(5)
|
|
|
69.4
|
%
|
Common Stock
|
|
Steven Rosenberg
|
|
|
62,580
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Common Stock
|
|
Randolph B. Stockwell
|
|
|
21,000
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
Common Stock
|
|
All executive officers and directors as a group (seven persons)
|
|
|
10,142,237
|
|
|
|
70.4
|
%
|
Common Stock
|
|
The George Karfunkel 2007 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust #1
c/o Jay Miller
430 East 57
th
Street
New York, NY 10022
|
|
|
1,416,225
|
(6)
|
|
|
9.8
|
%
|
*Less
than 1%
|
(1)
|
Includes
(i)
3,400
shares
owned
by
Dr.
Fink’s
children,
(ii)
334,979
shares
owned
by
Momar
Corporation,
(iii)
157,261
shares
owned
by
Marneu
Holding
Company
and
(iv)
190,284
shares
owned
by
K.F.
Investors
LLC.
|
|
(2)
|
Mr.
Karfunkel
does
not
have
dispositive
or
voting
power
over
the
shares
held
by
the
George
Karfunkel
2007
Grantor
Retained
Annuity
Trust
#1
described
in
this
table
and
disclaims
beneficial
ownership
thereof.
|
|
(3)
|
Includes
(i)
2,400
shares
owned
by
Mr.
Katz’s
children,
(ii)
334,979
shares
owned
by
Momar
Corporation,
(iii)
157,261
shares
owned
by
Marneu
Holding
Company
and
190,284
shares
owned
by
K.F.
Investors
LLC.
|
|
(4)
|
Includes
2,100
shares
owned
by
Mr.
Krausz's
spouse.
|
|
(5)
|
Includes
(i)
334,979
shares
owned
by
Momar
Corporation,
(ii)
141,063
shares
owned
by
Terumah
Foundation,
Inc.,
(iii)
157,261
shares
owned
by
Marneu
Holding
Company,
(iv)
10,681
shares
owned
by
United
Equities
Commodities
Company
and
(v)
190,284
shares
owned
by
K.F.
Investors
LLC.
Mr.
Marx
and
K.F.
Investors
LLC
entered
into
an
agreement
to
act
as
a "group"
within
the
meaning
of
Section
13(d)(3)
of
the
Securities
Exchange
Act
of
1934,
as
amended,
for
the
purpose
of
acquiring,
holding
or
disposing
of
shares
of
Common
Stock
of
the
Company.
|
|
(6)
|
Based
on
the
information
provided
in
Schedule
13G
filed
with
the
SEC.
|
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions
The
Bank has made loans to certain of its directors and their affiliates and, assuming continued compliance with generally applicable
credit standards, it expects to continue to make such loans. All of these loans (i) were made in the ordinary course of business,
(ii) were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those available to other persons not
related to the Company, and (iii) did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.
The
Bank has lease agreements with Bowling Green Associates, LP and Verda Realty, the principal owner of which is Mr. Marx, for commercial
space to operate bank branches. We obtained an appraisal of the market rental value of each space from an independent appraisal
firm and management believes that the terms of the leases, including the annual rent paid, $594,310 and $570,000 in fiscal 2012
and 2011, is comparable to the terms and annual rent that would be paid to non-affiliated parties in a similar commercial transaction
for similar commercial spaces.
On
October 31, 2008, the Company's Chairman of the Board purchased 30,000 shares of the Company’s 8% Non-Cumulative Mandatorily
Convertible Perpetual Series A Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) for an aggregate purchase price of $30,000,000.
On October 31, 2011, the Preferred Stock was mandatorily converted into shares of Common Stock, $.10 par value, of the Company
in accordance with the Certificate of Designation of the Preferred Stock.
In
December 2011, the Bank sold a loan to Farm Associates, of which Mr. Marx, Dr. Fink and Mr. Katz are general partners, for approximately
$4.5 million, which represented the Bank’s carrying value.
In
August 2012, the Bank sold a loan to K.F. Investors LLC, of which Dr. Fink and Mr. Katz are members, for approximately $6.8 million,
which represented the Bank’s carrying value.
Executive
Compensation
Our
Board of Directors has delegated primary authority for executive compensation to the three independent members of the Board, or
Independent Directors, who, though not a formal compensation committee of the Board, act in such capacity.
Change
of Control Termination Policies
We
have no change of control agreements with any of our employees.
Deferred
Compensation
Certain
named executives are eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan of the Bank. This plan, adopted in July 2006, is
designed to allow executives to defer base salary and annual incentives until a future date. The interest rates at which these
deferrals accrue are not guaranteed and we believe are in line with competitive practice in our industry. Further detail on the
interest rates we pay is provided in the section entitled "Post-Employment Compensation - Deferred Compensation Plan".
Perquisites
and Other Benefits
We
do not provide perquisites of any kind to our named executive officers. However, our executives are eligible to participate in
the benefit plans available to all of our employees.
Non-Employee
Director Compensation
In
2012, the Independent Directors reviewed the components of our non-employee director compensation program and recommended to the
Board that it remain unchanged. A further review will be undertaken in 2013 to assure that director pay remains appropriate. Details
regarding director compensation are provided in the Director Compensation Table and accompanying discussion.
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table shows the compensation earned by or with respect to the periods indicated to the individual who served as our
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and to each of the other executive
officers of the Bank whose total compensation was more than $100,000 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 (our “named
executive officers”).
Name and Principal
Position
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Salary
$
|
|
|
Bonus
$
|
|
|
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
$
|
|
|
All Other
Compensation
$
|
|
|
Total
$
|
|
Steven Rosenberg
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
350,000
|
|
President, Chief Executive
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
305,000
|
|
Officer and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moses Krausz
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
565,718
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
16,702
|
|
|
|
6,505
|
|
|
|
888,925
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
538,779
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
15,907
|
|
|
|
6,551
|
|
|
|
811,237
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Lukens
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
213,720
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
6,412
|
|
|
|
7,035
|
|
|
|
267,167
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
199,738
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
5,992
|
|
|
|
6,619
|
|
|
|
242,349
|
|
Narrative
to Summary Compensation Table
See
the section entitled "Post-Employment Compensation - Deferred Compensation Plan" below for the method of calculating
nonqualified deferred compensation earnings for each plan.
Mr.
Rosenberg did not have an employment agreement with us. Mr. Rosenberg did not participate in the Bank’s 401(k) Plan or its
Deferred Compensation Plan.
Mr.
Krausz has an employment agreement with the Bank. The agreement expires on April 30, 2015, unless automatically renewed for up
to three additional years as provided for in the agreement. The agreement provides for the payment to Mr. Krausz of a specified
base salary with fixed annual increases, the payment of a discretionary bonus and participation in our employee benefit plans.
There are no change in control provisions in Mr. Krausz's employment agreement. Mr. Krausz is a participant in the Bank's 401(k)
Plan and its Deferred Compensation Plan. The amounts reported for Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings includes only the
earnings on the Deferred Compensation Plan. The amounts reported in All Other Compensation consist of contributions we made to
Mr. Krausz's 401(k) account of $6,250 and $6,125 in 2012 and 2011, respectively, and income associated with life insurance coverage.
Mr.
Lukens has an employment agreement with the Bank. The agreement expires on June 30, 2015. The agreement provides for the payment
to Mr. Lukens of a base salary and annual bonus, and participation in our employee benefit plans. There are no change in control
provisions in Mr. Lukens' employment agreement. Mr. Lukens is a participant in the Bank's 401(k) Plan and its Deferred Compensation
Plan. The amounts reported for Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings include only the earnings on the Deferred Compensation
Plan. The amounts reported in All Other Compensation consist of contributions we made to Mr. Lukens' 401(k) account of $6,250
and $5,743 in 2012 and 2011, respectively, and income associated with life insurance coverage.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
There
were no options or other equity awards owned by any of our named executive officers at December 31, 2012.
Post-Employment
Compensation
Deferred
Compensation Plan.
The Bank's deferred compensation plan was established in July 2006 to provide for a systematic method by
which key employees of the Bank may defer payment of not less than 3% and not more than 50% of his or her compensation that would
otherwise be payable during the year. The Deferred Compensation Plan is intended to be a nonqualified and unfunded plan maintained
primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees
pursuant to Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
On
June 30 and December 31 of each year, account balances are credited with the applicable earnings rate, the highest deposit rate
paid by the Bank on its generally available interest bearing deposit accounts (excluding time deposits), in effect at that time.
Distributions from the Deferred Compensation Plan may be made upon (i) separation from service, (ii) an unforeseeable emergency,
(iii) death, (iv) disability, as defined under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code")
and (v) a Change in Control Event, to the extent such Change in Control Event constitutes permissible payment under Section 409A
of the Code.
Compensation
of Directors
Director
Compensation for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012 is set forth below:
Name
|
|
Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash
|
|
|
Total
|
|
William L. Cohen
|
|
$
|
37,750
|
|
|
$
|
37,750
|
|
Martin A. Fischer
|
|
|
37,750
|
|
|
|
37,750
|
|
Moses Marx
|
|
|
32,750
|
|
|
|
32,750
|
|
Randolph B. Stockwell
|
|
|
37,750
|
|
|
|
37,750
|
|
Each
director who is not also an employee receives a stipend of $25,000 per annum and $1,500 for each day during which he participates
in a meeting of the Board or a Committee of the Board. Each of these directors also receives a fee of $1,000 for telephonic meetings
of the Board or a Board Committee.
REPORT
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The
Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee") of the Company is comprised of three independent directors and operates under
a written charter adopted by the Board.
The
primary function of the Audit Committee is to provide advice with respect to the Company's financial matters and to assist the
Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities regarding finance, accounting, tax and legal compliance. The Audit
Committee's primary duties and responsibilities are to:
|
a.
|
Periodically
assess
the
integrity
of
the
Company's
accounting
and
financial
reporting
process
and
systems
of
internal
control
over
financial
reporting.
|
|
b.
|
Select
the
Company's
outside
auditors
and
periodically
assess
their
independence
and
performance.
|
|
c.
|
Provide
an
avenue
of
communication
among
the
Company's
independent
accountants,
management
and
the
Board
of
Directors.
|
Management
is responsible for the Company's internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent accountants are responsible
for performing an independent audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to monitor and
oversee these processes.
The
Audit Committee met six times during fiscal year 2012. During these meetings, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Company's
financial statements with management and Grant Thornton LLP ("Grant Thornton"), its independent certified public accountants.
The
Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2012 with the Company's management and management represented to the Audit Committee that the Company's financial statements were
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Audit Committee discussed
with Grant Thornton matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional
Standards, Vol. 1 AU Section 380) as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the "PCAOB") in Rule
3200T.
In
addition, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with Grant Thornton the firm's independence from the Company and its
management. The Audit Committee received from Grant Thornton the written disclosures and the letter regarding its independence
as required by the PCAOB's applicable requirements. The Audit Committee also considered the non-audit services provided by Grant
Thornton and determined that the services provided are compatible with maintaining Grant Thornton's independence.
Based
on the Audit Committee's discussions with management and Grant Thornton and the Audit Committee's review of the representations
of management and the report of Grant Thornton to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors
that the Company's audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2012 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
THE
AUDIT COMMITTEE
MARTIN A. FISCHER (Chairman)
RANDOLPH
B. STOCKWELL
WILLIAM
L. COHEN
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Grant
Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) has audited and reported upon the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2012. It is currently anticipated that Grant Thornton will be selected by the Audit Committee of the Board
of Directors to examine and report upon our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013. A representative
of Grant Thornton is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires
to do so and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The
total fees for services rendered by Grant Thornton as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 were:
|
|
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2011
|
|
Services Rendered(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Fees
|
|
$
|
299,000
|
|
|
$
|
174,550
|
|
Audit Related Fees:
Professional services rendered for employee benefit plan audits, accounting
assistance in connection with acquisitions and consultations related to financial accounting and reporting standards
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Tax Fees:
Tax consulting, preparation of returns
|
|
|
59,000
|
|
|
|
67,378
|
|
All Other Fees:
Professional services rendered for corporate support
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
(1)
The aggregate fees included in Audit Fees are fees billed for the fiscal years. The aggregate fees included in each of the other
categories are fees billed in the fiscal year.
The
Audit Committee has established its pre-approval policies and procedures, pursuant to which the Audit Committee approved the foregoing
audit and permissible non-audit services provided by Grant Thornton in 2012 and 2011. Consistent with the Audit Committee's responsibility
for engaging our independent auditors, all audit and permitted non-audit services require pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
The full Audit Committee approves proposed services and fee estimates for these services. The Audit Committee chairperson has
been designated by the Audit Committee to approve any services arising during the year that were not pre-approved by the Audit
Committee and services that were pre-approved. Service approved by the Audit Committee chairperson are communicated to the full
Audit Committee at its next regular quarterly meeting and the Audit Committee reviews services and fees for the fiscal year at
each such meeting. Pursuant to these procedures, the Audit Committee approved the foregoing audit and permissible non-audit services
provided by Grant Thornton.
PROPOSAL
2 — ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
We are
required to submit a proposal to stockholders for a (non-binding) advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive
officers pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives
our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the compensation of our named executive officers. This vote is not
intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and
the principles, policies and practices described in this proxy statement.
We believe
that our compensation program for executives should directly support the achievement of annual, longer-term and strategic goals
of the business, and, thereby, align the interests of executives with the interests of our stockholders. Moreover, we believe
that our current program provides sufficient levels of fixed income, in the forms of base salary and health and welfare benefits,
to attract high caliber executive talent to the organization. We also provide competitive annual bonus to encourage performance
and to reward the successful efforts of executives. See “Executive Compensation” in this proxy statement.
Accordingly,
the following resolution is submitted for stockholder vote at the annual meeting:
“RESOLVED,
that the stockholders of Berkshire Bancorp Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to its named executive officers,
as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the compensation
tables and the narrative discussion, in this proxy statement.”
As this
is an advisory vote, the result will not be binding on us or our board, although our board will consider the outcome of the vote
when making future compensation decisions for named executive officers. Proxies submitted without direction pursuant to this solicitation
will be voted “FOR” the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,
AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
PROPOSAL
3 - ADVISORY VOTE ON FREQUENCY OF SAY-ON-PAY VOTES
Section
14A of the Exchange Act also provides that stockholders must be given the opportunity to vote on a non-binding, advisory basis
for their preference on how frequently we should seek future say-on-pay votes. Under this Proposal 3, stockholders may vote to
have the say-on-pay vote every year, every other year or every three years. Stockholders also may, if they wish, abstain from
voting on this proposal.
After
careful consideration, our board has determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation every three years is the best
approach for the Company, and therefore our board recommends that you vote every three years to approve, on an advisory basis,
our executive compensation.
Our
board recognizes the importance of stockholder input on executive compensation and has determined that a say-on-pay vote every
three years will provide our stockholders with adequate input. The board believes that a three-year vote cycle gives the board
sufficient time to thoughtfully consider the results of the advisory vote, implement any desired changes to our executive compensation
policies and procedures, and will provide investors sufficient time to evaluate the effectiveness of our executive compensation
program as it relates to the business outcomes of the Company.
The
proxy card provides stockholders with four choices (every one, two or three years, or abstain). Stockholders are not voting to
approve or disapprove our board’s recommendation.
The
frequency vote is non-binding. Stockholder approval of a one, two, or three-year frequency vote will not require us to implement
an advisory vote on executive compensation every one, two, or three years. The final decision on the frequency of the advisory
vote on executive compensation remains with our board. Although the frequency vote is non-binding, our board will consider the
outcome of the frequency vote when making future decisions regarding the frequency of future say-on-pay votes
.
Proxies
submitted without direction pursuant to this solicitation will be voted “FOR” the approval of the every three years
frequency.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE OPTION OF ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS AS THE PREFERRED FREQUENCY
FOR SAY-ON-PAY VOTES.
OTHER MATTERS
The
Board of Directors of the Company knows of no other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting, but if any such matters properly
come before the Annual Meeting, the persons holding the accompanying proxy will vote in accordance with their judgment.
SUBMISSION
OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
A
stockholder proposal that complies with all of the applicable requirements under Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act and any other
applicable regulation or statute must be received by the Company on or prior to January 14, 2014 at the address of the Company
set forth on the first page of this Proxy Statement in order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement for
the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Any such proposal should be directed to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company.
In
accordance with Rules 14a-4(c) and 14a-5(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, the Company hereby notifies its stockholders that
it did not receive notice of any proposed matter to be submitted for stockholder vote at the Annual Meeting and, therefore, any
proxies received in respect of the Annual Meeting will be voted in the discretion of the Company's management on any other matters
which may properly come before the Annual Meeting. The Company further notifies its stockholders that if the Company does not
receive notice by March 31, 2014 of a proposed matter to be submitted by a stockholder for stockholders vote at the 2014 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, then any proxies held by persons designated as proxies by the Company's Board of Directors in respect
of such annual meeting may be voted at the discretion of such persons on such matter if it shall properly come before such annual
meeting.
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By
Order of the Board of Directors
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Emanuel
J. Adler
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Secretary
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Dated:
May 14, 2013
EXHIBIT A
BERKSHIRE BANCORP INC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
Purpose
The Audit Committee (the "Committee")
is appointed by the Board of Directors (the "Board"). The Committee's primary purpose is to assist the Board in fulfilling
its oversight responsibilities with respect to:
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a.
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the integrity of the Company's accounting and financial reporting process and systems of internal
control over financial reporting;
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b.
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the audits of the Company’s financial statements; and
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c.
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the independence and qualifications of the Company's outside auditors.
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In addition, the Committee will assist
in providing an avenue of communication among the outside auditors, management and the Board.
Composition
The Committee shall have at least three
(3) members, comprised solely of (i) independent directors as such term is defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of NASDAQ Listing Standards,
or any successor rule, subject to the exception in Rule 5605(c)(2)(B) of NASDAQ Listing Standards, or any successor rule, and (ii)
directors who meet the criteria for independence test set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Each member of the Committee shall be able
to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Company's balance sheet, income statement and cash flow
statement. In addition, at least one member of the Committee shall have past experience in finance or accounting, requisite
professional certification in accounting or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individual's financial
sophistication, including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief financial officer or other senior officer with
financial oversight responsibilities.
The Board shall elect or appoint a chairman
of the Committee who will have authority to act on behalf of the Committee between meetings.
Responsibilities and Authority
The responsibilities and authority of the
Committee are as follows:
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a.
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The Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually.
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b.
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The Committee shall have sole authority to appoint, determine funding for, retain and oversee the
outside auditors as set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(2) promulgated under the Exchange Act.
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c.
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The Committee shall engage in a dialogue with the outside auditor with respect to any disclosed
relationships or services that, in the view of the Committee, may impact the objectivity and independence of the outside auditor.
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d.
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The Committee shall receive from the Company's outside auditor, at least annually, a formal written
statement delineating all relationships between the outside auditor and the Company, consistent with applicable requirements of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. In addition, the Committee will discuss any items required to be communicated by
the outside auditor in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, or any successor standard.
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e.
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The Committee, in consultation with the outside auditor and management of the Company, shall review
the engagement of the outside auditors, audit scope and procedures to be followed in conducting the annual audit of the Company's
financial statements.
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f.
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The Committee shall review the Company's annual audited financial statements prior to the inclusion
of the audited financial statements in the Company's filings with the SEC.
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g.
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The Committee, based upon its review and discussions, shall recommend to the Board whether or not
the audited financial statements shall be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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h.
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The Committee shall provide a report to be included in the Company's annual proxy statement containing
such information as may be required by applicable law or regulation.
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i.
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The Committee shall have the responsibility to establish procedures for complaints as set forth
in Rule 10A-3(b)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act.
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j.
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The Committee shall have the authority to pre-approve all audit services and any non-audit services
to be performed by the outside auditors that are permissible under Section 10A(i) of the Exchange Act or any successor rule.
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k.
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The Committee has the authority to conduct any investigation appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities,
and it shall have direct access to the outside auditors, with or without management being present, as well as anyone in the Company.
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l.
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The Committee may retain, at the Company's expense, legal, accounting or other consultants or experts
it deems to be necessary in the performance of its duties as set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(4) promulgated under the Exchange Act.
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m.
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The Committee shall receive appropriate funding from the Company as set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(5)
promulgated under the Exchange Act.
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n.
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The Committee may act as a qualified legal compliance committee as defined in 17 CFR 205.2.
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o.
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The Committee shall perform such other activities and make such other recommendations to the Board
on such matters, within the scope of its functions and consistent with this Charter, as may come to its attention and which in
its discretion warrant consideration by the Board.
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Delegation
Any responsibility or authority of the
audit committee, including, but not limited to, the authority to pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services, may be
delegated to one or more members of the Committee.
Limitations
The Committee is responsible for the duties
set forth in this Charter but is not responsible for either the preparation of the financial statements or the auditing of the
financial statements. Management has the responsibility for preparing the financial statements and implementing internal
controls. The outside auditors have the responsibility for auditing the financial statements and monitoring the effectiveness
of the internal controls. The review of the financial statements by the Committee is not of the same quality as the audit
performed by the outside auditors and is not an audit. The oversight exercised by the Committee is not a guarantee that the
financial statements will be free from mistake or fraud. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee believes its
policies and procedures should remain flexible in order to best react to a changing environment.
Berkshire Bancorp (QB) (USOTC:BERK)
過去 株価チャート
から 5 2024 まで 6 2024
Berkshire Bancorp (QB) (USOTC:BERK)
過去 株価チャート
から 6 2023 まで 6 2024