DEF 14A 1 proxystatement2016.htm DEF 14A DEF 14A








March 21, 2016


Dear Shareholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The First Bancorp, Inc., which will be held at Samoset Resort, 220 Warrenton Street in Rockport, Maine 04856, on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement describe the matters to be considered and acted upon.
This year we will be voting to elect Directors, to approve (on a non-binding basis) the compensation of the Company’s executives, and to ratify the selection of the Company’s independent auditors. These matters are discussed in greater detail in the accompanying Proxy Statement. The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR each proposal. Your prompt completion and return of the proxy will be appreciated.
It is important that you be represented at the Annual Meeting, regardless of the number of shares that you own and whether or not you are able to attend the meeting in person. Shares held in “street name” by banks, brokers or other nominees who indicate on their proxy cards that they do not have discretionary authority to vote such shares as to a particular matter, which we refer to as “broker non-votes,” will be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum exists but will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to a particular matter unless the beneficial owner(s) of the shares instructs such record holder how to vote such shares.
Please take the time to review the material, mark, sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy in the envelope provided for your convenience.
If you have any questions about matters discussed in the Proxy Statement, please contact me at
207-563-3195 or 1-800-564-3195, extension 3169. Your continued support of The First Bancorp, Inc. is sincerely appreciated.

Very truly yours,


/s/ Tony C. McKim
Tony C. McKim
President and Chief Executive Officer































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THE FIRST BANCORP, INC.
Post Office Box 940, 223 Main Street, Damariscotta, Maine 04543

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held Wednesday, April 27, 2016
To the Shareholders:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The First Bancorp, Inc., the one-bank holding company of First National Bank, will be held at Samoset Resort, 220 Warrenton Street, Rockport, Maine 04856, on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, for the following purposes:
To elect as Directors of the Company the nominees listed in the enclosed Proxy Statement as noted.
To approve (on a non‑binding basis) the compensation of the Company’s executives.
To ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of Berry Dunn McNeil & Parker, LLC as independent auditors of the Company for 2016.
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Directors are elected by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting. To be approved, any other matters submitted to our Shareholders, including the ratification of Berry Dunn McNeil & Parker, LLC, as our independent auditors, require the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote.
Shares that abstain from voting as to a particular matter will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists and for purposes of calculating the vote with respect to such matter, but will not be deemed to have been voted in favor of such matter. Shares held in “street name” by banks, brokers or other nominees who indicate on their proxy cards that they do not have discretionary authority to vote such shares as to a particular matter, which we refer to as “broker non-votes,” will be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum exists but will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to a particular matter unless the beneficial owner(s) of the shares instructs such record holder how to vote such shares. Accordingly, abstentions will have the effect of a vote against a proposal, and broker non-votes will not have any effect upon the outcome of voting with respect to any matters voted on at the annual meeting.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 27, 2016:
The First Bancorp’s Annual Report to Shareholders and Proxy Statement are available at
http://materials.proxyvote.com/31866P.
By Order of the Board of Directors

/s/ Charles A. Wootton
Charles A. Wootton, Clerk
Damariscotta, Maine
March 21, 2016

Regardless of the number of shares you own, your vote is important.
Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, the prompt return of your proxy will save follow-up expenses and assure the proper representation of your shares.
Please mark, date, sign, and promptly return the enclosed proxy, using the postage-paid envelope provided.
You may revoke your proxy if you so desire at any time before it is voted.



The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 1


THE FIRST BANCORP, INC.
Post Office Box 940, 223 Main Street, Damariscotta, Maine 04543

PROXY STATEMENT
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held Wednesday, April 27, 2016

This Proxy Statement is being furnished to Shareholders of The First Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), the parent company of First National Bank (the “Bank”), in connection with the solicitation of Proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors, to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at Samoset Resort, 220 Warrenton Street, Rockport, Maine 04856, on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, and at any adjournment thereof for matters described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This Proxy Statement is first being mailed to Shareholders on March 21, 2016. This solicitation is made by the Company, which will bear the expenses thereof.

The Proxy solicited hereby, if properly signed and returned to the Company and not revoked prior to its use, will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained therein. If no contrary instructions are given, each Proxy received will be voted for the nominees for Directors described herein and for approval of the matters described below and upon the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, in accordance with the best judgment of the persons appointed as Proxies; provided, however, that broker non-votes will not be voted in favor of the election of Directors. Any Shareholder giving a Proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by (i) filing with the Clerk of the Company a written notice thereof (Charles A. Wootton, The First Bancorp, Inc., Post Office Box 940, 223 Main Street, Damariscotta, Maine 04543); (ii) submitting a duly executed Proxy bearing a later date; or (iii) appearing at the Annual Meeting and giving the Clerk notice of his or her intention to vote in person. Proxies solicited hereby may be exercised only at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof and will not be used for any other meeting.

Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on February 19, 2016 (the “Voting Record Date”) will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Voting Record Date, there were 10,770,273 shares of Common Stock of the Company issued and outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting on all matters properly presented thereat.





















The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 2


PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The health of the Company depends on a strong, independent and attentive Board. The Nominating/Governance Committee of the Board of Directors believes that it is necessary for each of the Company’s Directors to possess a considerable amount of business management and educational experience. In addition, Directors must have sound judgment, wisdom, integrity and ethics. Directors are encouraged to attend seminars and courses to enhance their directorship skills. Each of our outside Directors brings to the Company knowledge from his or her field of expertise, including leadership, finance, marketing and human resources, through the management of their own companies or professional practices. These experiences provide perspective, analytical insight and objectivity when overseeing and evaluating Management. In addition, all Directors serve as referral sources for the Company’s subsidiary. All Directors of the Company also serve on the subsidiary’s Board and meet the requirements for Directors as set forth by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Board’s familiarity with the Bank’s systems and controls is crucial in maintaining the Company’s safety and soundness. In order to be a candidate for a Director of the Company, each individual must meet the following criteria:
Be a citizen of the United States.
Have the financial capacity to own and/or purchase the minimum equity interest in the Company as specified in the Company’s bylaws.
Be available to attend the monthly meetings of the Board of Directors and Board Committee meetings, as scheduled from time to time.
Have the ability and willingness to represent the interests of the Shareholders of the Company.
Meet any additional criteria that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency may establish for directors of a national bank.
If any person named as nominee should be unwilling or unable to stand for election at the time of the Annual Meeting, the holder of the Proxy will vote for any replacement nominee or nominees recommended by the Board of Directors. Each person listed below has consented to be named as a nominee, and the Board of Directors knows of no reason why any of the nominees may not be able to serve as a Director if elected.
The Nominating/Governance Committee has nominated the following individuals to be submitted to a vote of the Shareholders at the meeting, each to serve (if elected) for a one (1) year term and until his or her successor is duly elected:

Katherine M. Boyd (64) has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 1993. A resident of Boothbay Harbor, she owns the Boothbay Region Greenhouses with her husband and she serves as CFO. Ms. Boyd is past President of the Boothbay Region YMCA and graduated with a BA from Pitzer College in 1973.
The Board concluded that Ms. Boyd is well suited to serve as a director of the Company because of her several decades of experience as the manager of a successful Coastal Maine small business.

Robert B. Gregory (62) has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 1987 and served as Chairman of both the Company and the Bank from September 1998 to April 2007. Mr. Gregory has been a practicing attorney since 1980, first in Lewiston, Maine and since 1983 in Damariscotta, Maine. In addition, he and his wife Sim serve as advisors to the Bowdoin Christian Fellowship.
The Board concluded that Mr. Gregory is well suited to serve as a director of the Company because of his legal expertise and extensive transactional experience in financial, banking, and commercial real estate matters.

Renee W. Kelly (46) was nominated by the Nominating Committee to serve as Director of the Company and the Bank in January 2016. Ms. Kelly has served as Director of Economic Development Initiatives for the University of Maine since 1997. In addition, she leads the University’s entrepreneurship and innovation support activities as well as its efforts in the Innovation Engineering Institute. She was a founding member of the leadership team for the Blackstone Accelerates Growth initiative in Maine (now Maine Accelerates Growth) and led the creation of the Innovate for Maine Fellows program. Prior to joining the University, she developed training products for Manpower of Connecticut, worked for a financial services start-up company and served as an aide to then U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe. She currently serves on the boards of several economic

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 3


development and service organizations, including the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Council of Maine, and Ellsworth Business Development Corporation.
The Board concluded that Ms. Kelly is well suited to serve as a director of the Company because of her varied experience in economic development.

Tony C. McKim (48) joined the Company as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank upon completion of the mergers of FNB Bankshares (“FNB”) and its subsidiary into the Company and the Bank on January 14, 2005. Prior to the mergers, Mr. McKim was President and Chief Executive Officer of "FNB" and its subsidiary. In January 2015, Mr. McKim was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank. Mr. McKim is involved in several local associations, including Harbor House, The Maine Seacoast Mission, Ellsworth Business Development Corporation, Acadian Youth Sports, as well as the Maine Bankers Association and is a member of the Government Relations Council of the American Bankers Association.
The Board concluded that Mr. McKim is well suited to serve as a director of the Company because of his experience as the former CEO of FNB Bankshares and as a senior officer of the company with more than two decades in bank management.

Mark N. Rosborough (67) has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since completion of the mergers of FNB and its subsidiary into the Company and the Bank on January 14, 2005. Prior to the mergers, Mr. Rosborough served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of "FNB" and its subsidiary. Mr. Rosborough is President of J. T. Rosborough Insurance Agency. He is also a partner in Rosborough Family Limited Partnership, Penrose and TISA. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors of Maine Mutual Group and is Treasurer of The Open Door Recovery and MEMIC. He has served on the Ellsworth City Council, the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Hanover Insurance Company Advisory Board, the Acadia Insurance Advisory Board, and the American Red Cross for Hancock and Waldo Counties.
The Board concluded that Mr. Rosborough is well suited to serve as a director of the Company because of his experience as the former Chairman of FNB Bankshares and his overall banking expertise and knowledge, and business experience managing a successful insurance agency.

Cornelius J. Russell (52) was nominated by the Nominating Committee to serve as a Director of the Company and the Bank in February 2014. A second-generation hotelier, Mr. Russell began his career in 1987 with Ocean Properties Ltd. and has held management positions at multiple hotels in Maine, New Hampshire, Colorado, Arizona and Florida. He acted as the General Manager at the Samoset Resort from 1999 to 2015 where he oversaw numerous multi-million dollar capital improvement projects, most recently overseeing the construction of La Bella Vita Ristorante, Enoteca wine bar, The Spa and Luxury guest cottages. In July 2015, he became the Regional General Manager providing field support to the Residence Inns by Marriott in Auburn, Bath and Bangor along with the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Bangor. He will also be supporting the Homewood Suites Augusta opening in 2016. Mr. Russell’s service on several boards of directors includes Past Presidency of the Maine Innkeeper’s Association and Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, New England Inns and Resorts Association, Maine State Chamber of Commerce, and the Penobscot Bay Healthcare Board of Trustees. He was awarded the 2010 Innkeeper of the Year by the Maine Innkeepers Association. Mr. Russell graduated with a B.S. degree in Resource Economics from the University of Maine.
The Board concluded that Mr. Russell is well suited to serve as a director of the Company because of his varied experience in retail, lodging and hospitality services.


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 4


Stuart G. Smith (62) has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 1997 and served as Chairman of both the Company and the Bank from May 2007 to April 2013. A resident of Camden, he and his wife, Marianne, own and operate Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport and Camden, the Lord Camden Inn, the Grand Harbor Inn, 16 Bay View Inn and Bayview Landing in Camden, as well as the Breakwater Marketplace in Rockland. They are also part owners of the Rockland Harbor Park Center. Currently Mr. Smith is a board member of the nonprofit Mid Coast Recreation Center. Mr. Smith holds a BS in economics and history from Duke University and a Master of Environmental Studies from Duke University School of Forestry and Environmental Science. He has served for ten years on the public school board of SAD 28 and The Five Town CSD school board as both a director and chairperson, serving on budget and finance committees, labor negotiations, compensation, planning and facility development and management. He has also served as a board member and president of the Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce and the Camden Area YMCA.
The Board concluded that Mr. Smith is well suited to serve as a director of the Company because of his varied experience in retail, lodging and hospitality services, as well as real estate development and management.

David B. Soule, Jr. (70) has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 1989 and has served as Chairman of both the Company and the Bank since April 2013. Mr. Soule has been practicing law in Wiscasset since 1971. Mr. Soule’s law firm focuses on real estate, including land conservation, bank financing and real estate closings; in addition, he deals with trusts and estate planning and represents small businesses. He served two terms in the Maine House of Representatives, is a past President of the Lincoln County Bar Association and is a former Public Administrator for Lincoln County. He served as Trustee of the Wiscasset Public Library and as Selectman, Planning Board Chair and other volunteer positions with the Town of Westport. Mr. Soule is a currently a director of the Maine Wilderness Watershed Trust and Trustee of the Morse High School Scholarship Fund.
The Board concluded that Mr. Soule is well suited to serve as a director of the Company because of his more than four decades as a practicing attorney and extensive knowledge of corporate governance, gained through his chairmanship of the Company’s Audit Committee for many years.

Bruce B. Tindal (65) has served as a Director of the Company and the Bank since 1999. Mr. Tindal has been a licensed real estate broker since 1974. Mr. Tindal formed and is owner of Tindal & Callahan Real Estate in Boothbay Harbor, which has been in operation since 1985. He currently serves on the Boothbay Regional Land Trust Board of Advisors. Mr. Tindal is also a member of the National Association of Realtors, Council of Residential Specialists, Real Estate Buyers Agent Council and the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club.
The Board concluded that Mr. Tindal is well suited to serve as a director of the Company because of his in-depth knowledge of the coastal Maine real estate market and trends.

* Directors’ ages are as of December 31, 2015.

In order to be elected a Director of the Company, a nominee must receive the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Company’s Common Stock outstanding on the Voting Record Date. Broker non-votes or abstentions will not be counted as affirmative votes.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR PROPOSAL NO. 1


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 5


About the Board of Directors and Its Committees

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, The First Bancorp, Inc. had a Board comprised of nine Directors. During 2015 there were eight regular Board meetings and one Annual Meeting. After each regular Board meeting time is provided for an executive session without Management present. The Board’s Attendance Policy states that all members of the Board are strongly encouraged to attend each meeting of the Board and Committees on which they serve. All Directors attended at least 77% of Board meetings and meetings held by Committees of which they were members in 2015. The aggregate attendance at Board and Committee meetings by all members of the Board of Directors and its Committees in 2015 was in excess of 85%. All Directors are expected to attend the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and all Directors were in attendance at the 2015 Annual Meeting.

Although the Company does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity, the Board and the Nominating/Governance Committee believe it is essential that the Board members represent diverse view points (such as gender, race, national origin and education as well as professional experience), and consider each nominee’s/Director’s credentials, competencies and skills as well as the candidate’s area(s) of qualifications and expertise that would enhance the Board’s composition and effectiveness.

Audit Committee. The members of the Company’s Audit Committee for 2016 are Mark N. Rosborough - Chairman, Robert B. Gregory and David B. Soule, Jr. This Committee met four times during 2015. The Company’s Audit Committee receives and reviews reports on examinations and accounting audits of the Company, and works to ensure the adequacy of operating practices, procedures and controls. The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Company’s Audit Committee, which was published in the Company’s 2004 Annual Proxy Statement and can be found on the Company’s website www.thefirstbancorp.com. The 2015 report of the Audit Committee can be found on page 35 of this document.

Nominating/Governance Committee. The members of the Company’s Nominating/Governance Committee for 2016 are Mark N. Rosborough - Chairman, Katherine M. Boyd and Stuart G. Smith. This Committee met three times during 2015. As stated in the Nominating/Governance Committee Charter adopted on February 19, 2004, the Committee is responsible for the nomination of Board of Directors members, establishing the tenure and the retirement policies for members of the Board of Directors and reviewing their overall effectiveness. The charter can be found on the Company’s website www.thefirstbancorp.com. Under the Company’s Bylaws, if a Shareholder wishes to nominate a Director for consideration by the Committee, he or she must be a Shareholder of record and have continuously held at least $2,000 in market value of the Company’s Common Stock (as determined by the President) for at least one year as of the date of submittal of such proposal and must continue to hold those securities through the date of such annual meeting. The Committee will also consider if a proposed candidate meets the criteria set forth on page 3 of this document. Each member of the Nominating/Governance Committee is independent as defined under the listing standards of the NASDAQ stock market.

Compensation Committee. The Company’s Compensation Committee is a standing committee of the Bank’s Board of Directors since all executive compensation is paid by the Bank. The Committee consists of Bruce B. Tindal - Chairman, Mark N. Rosborough, Stuart G. Smith and David B. Soule, Jr.. This Committee met three times during 2015. No Director of the Bank or the Company serves as a Director on the board of any other corporation with a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or that is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or of any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The function of this Committee is to establish the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and to review and approve the compensation of other Senior Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee Charter adopted in 2013 can be found on the Company’s website www.thefirstbancorp.com.




The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 6


In addition to the Compensation Committee, there are five other standing committees of the Bank’s Board of Directors: Executive, Audit, Asset/Liability, Trust and Directors’ Loan. Certain members of Management also serve on some committees of the Bank. There are no family relationships among any of the Directors of the Company.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation Decisions

No member of the Compensation Committee was, or ever has been, an officer or employee of the Company or the Bank. All Committee members are customers of and engage in transactions with the Bank in the ordinary course of business. As described in “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions”, all loans to such individuals were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to the Bank and, in the opinion of Management, did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

Director Independence

The Board reviewed the independence of the Company’s Directors in January 2016 based on NASDAQ standards. In this review, the Board considered transactions and relationships between each Director (and any member of his or her immediate family) and the Company or the Bank and between certain entities in which any Director or any immediate family member has certain interests, on the one hand, and the Company or the Bank, on the other hand. The purpose of this review was to determine which of such transactions or relationships were inconsistent with a determination that the Director is independent under NASDAQ rules. As a result of the review, the Board affirmatively determined that as of January 2016 all of the Directors are independent of the Company and the Bank under NASDAQ rules with the exception of President McKim.

Risk Oversight

The Board takes an active role as a whole and also at the committee level in overseeing management of the Company’s risk. The Board regularly reviews information regarding the Company’s liquidity and operations as well as the risks associated with each. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board of Directors is regularly informed through committee reports about such risk. The Company’s Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to the Company’s executive compensation practices and plans. The Asset/ Liability Committee is responsible for overseeing financial risk. The Audit Committee oversees reports from examiners and auditors of both the internal audit function and independent outside auditors and federal regulators. The Directors’ Loan Committee monitors lending policies to ensure they are adequate and that the lending function follows sound practices. The Trust Committee reviews activities of the Trust and Investment Department to ensure that all trust functions are conducted in accordance with Bank policy, applicable laws and regulations and in a sound manner consistent with fiduciary standards and duties. The Nominating/Governance Committee manages risk associated with the independence of the Board of Directors and potential conflicts.


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 7


Leadership Structure

The Company believes that having an independent Director serving as Chairman of the Board is prudent. The Chairman of the Board is elected by a vote of the Directors to serve a one-year term with a maximum appointment of eight terms. The Chief Executive Officer serves on the Board of Directors; however, his main focus is to provide leadership to the Company for accomplishing the directives established by the Board of Directors and is responsible for the general administration, oversight, care and management of all property and business of the Company, and for all of its departments as well as full authority over all officers, managers and employees.

Code of Ethics

The Company’s Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, which was adopted by the Board of Directors on June 19, 2003, and the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which was adopted by the Board of Directors on April 15, 2004, are incorporated in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K as Exhibits 14.1 and 14.2, respectively. They are available on the Company’s website at www.thefirstbancorp.com, and a copy may be obtained, free of charge, by written request to the Company.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

Pursuant to Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company is required to disclose whether it has at least one “Financial Expert” serving on its Audit Committee and if so, the name of the expert and whether the expert is independent of Management. A company that does not have an Audit Committee Financial Expert must disclose this fact and explain why it has no such expert.
At the present time, the Company’s Audit Committee does not have a member who meets the Securities and Exchange Commission’s complete definition of a financial expert. It is the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, however, that the Company addresses its audit functions with a depth of penetration and rigor that meets the intent of the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the following reasons:
The Company is a one-bank holding company owning all of the capital stock in the Bank. All Directors of the Bank meet the requirements and qualifications imposed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Bank’s principal regulator, which conducts regular supervisory examinations of the Bank. In addition to requiring knowledge of the banking industry and the financial regulatory system, these qualifications require a “background, knowledge, and experience in business or another discipline to oversee the Bank.”
All members of the Audit Committee of the Bank and the Company are independent Directors, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ. The three members operate their own businesses and have knowledge of accounting for both their own businesses as well as for the Bank and the Company. The members of the Audit Committee have considerable experience as Directors of the Bank and the Company.
Internal audit work of the Bank and the Company is outsourced to a professional firm which conducts all internal audits except for loan review, for which a second professional firm performs quality control loan review. Both firms provide detailed periodic reports to the Audit Committee and the Directors’ Loan Committees, respectively.
The Bank is a highly regulated entity which undergoes regular and thorough examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, with additional oversight by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company is a “Financial Holding Company” as defined by the Federal Reserve Board and as such is regulated and regularly examined by the Federal Reserve Board.
The Company also continuously reviews, at its own initiative, the expertise of the members of its Board of Directors and its Audit Committee.


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 8


Security Ownership of Directors, Management and Principal Shareholders

The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned as of February 19, 2016 by (i) each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5.0% of the Company’s Common Stock, (ii) each nominee for Director of the Company, (iii) the Named Executive Officers, and (iv) all Executive Officers and Directors of the Company as a group. Except as otherwise indicated below, each of the Directors and Executive Officers and persons owning more than five percent of the Company’s stock has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of stock beneficially owned as set forth opposite his or her name.

Title
of Class
Name of Beneficial Owner
Amount and Nature
of Beneficial Ownership
Percent of Class
Common Stock
Katherine M. Boyd
35,3561
5,1602
 
 
*
Common Stock
Robert B. Gregory
43,9251
6492
3,6003
5,2804

*
Common Stock
Renee W. Kelly
1,0001
 
 
 
*
Common Stock
Tony C. McKim
88,8631
 
 
 
*
Common Stock
Mark N. Rosborough
144,2891
4,6422
3,6215
3,6216

1.45%
Common Stock
Cornelius J. Russell
3,0681
 
 
 
*
Common Stock
Stuart G. Smith
102,6611
4562
 
 
*
Common Stock
David B. Soule, Jr.
25,7921
3,5002
2257
 
*
Common Stock
Bruce B. Tindal
23,4691
1,0002
 
 
*
Common Stock
F. Stephen Ward
45,6831
 
 
 
*
Common Stock
Charles A. Wootton
27,4811
 
 
 
*
Common Stock
Susan A. Norton
26,9571
 
 
 
*
Common Stock
Richard M. Elder
15,9711
 
 
 
*
Total Ownership of all Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
713,396

6.624%
Owners of 5%
BlackRock Fund Advisors8
609,006

5.66%
or More
400 Howard Street, San Francisco, California
 
 

1 Direct holdings including sole ownership, joint ownership, DRIP, ESPP, Grants and 401(k) Shares
2 Spouse’s holdings
3 Trustee for First Fruit Foundation
4 POA for Claire Stickney
5 Trustee for Anna Batchelor TR
6 Trustee for Sam Batchelor TR
7 Holdings of Director's Firm
8 Information regarding BlackRock Fund Advisors is based solely upon information obtained from NASDAQ
 
* Less than one percent of total outstanding shares

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 9


Executive Officers

Each Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank is identified in the following table, which also sets forth their respective offices and periods served as an Executive Officer of the Company or the Bank. The ages shown are as of December 31, 2015.
Name
Office & Position
Period Served
 
 
 
Tony C. McKim
President & Chief Executive Officer of the Company
and the Bank
2005 to date
F. Stephen Ward
Treasurer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of the Company and the Bank
1993 to date
Charles A. Wootton
Executive Vice President and Clerk of the Company,
Executive Vice President and Senior Loan Officer of the Bank
2000 to date
Susan A. Norton
Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Compliance Officer of the Bank
2002 to date
Richard M. Elder
Executive Vice President, Retail Services of the Bank
2002 to date
Steven N. Parady
Executive Vice President, Chief Fiduciary Officer of the Bank
1997 to date
Tammy L. Plummer
Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer of the Bank
1985 to date
Sarah J. Tolman
Executive Vice President, Branch Administration of the Bank
2014 to date
Steven H. Poulin
Senior Vice President, Senior Credit Officer of the Bank
2012 to date

Tony C. McKim (48) joined the Company as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank with the merger of FNB Bankshares on January 14, 2005. In January 2015, he was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank. Prior to the merger, Mr. McKim was President and Chief Executive Officer of FNB Bankshares and The First National Bank of Bar Harbor beginning in 2000.
F. Stephen Ward (62) has served as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1994 and as Chief Financial Officer of the Bank since 1993. In 2005, Mr. Ward was promoted to Executive Vice President. Mr. Ward has been employed by the Bank since 1990 and served as Marketing Officer from 1990 to 1993.
Charles A. Wootton (59) has been employed by the Bank since January 2000. In 2001, Mr. Wootton was promoted to Senior Vice President of Banking Services and Senior Loan Officer. In 2005, Mr. Wootton was promoted to Executive Vice President. From 1981 to 2000 Mr. Wootton was employed by Camden National Bank, serving as branch manager, commercial loan and business development officer, becoming Vice President responsible for branch administration in 1996.
Susan A. Norton (55) has been employed by the Bank since 1992 and was promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Compliance in 2005. In January 2009, Ms. Norton was promoted to Executive Vice President. Ms. Norton has also served as Assistant Compliance Officer and Education Officer. She currently holds the position of CRA Officer and Compliance Officer for the Company and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources.
Richard M. Elder (50) has been employed by the Bank since 1993. Mr. Elder was promoted to Vice President of Retail Services in 2001, to Senior Vice President in 2005 and to Executive Vice President in 2016. Mr. Elder previously served as Manager of the Bank’s Boothbay Harbor branch and Senior Commercial Loan Officer.
Steven N. Parady, Esq. (61) has been employed by the Bank since 1997. From 1997 to 1999 Mr. Parady worked as a Commercial Development Officer for The First National Bank of Bar Harbor as well as a being a member of the Bank’s Board of Directors. In 1999 he moved to the Trust division of the Bank as a Trust Officer. In 2007 he was promoted to the Senior Trust Officer and Chief Fiduciary of First Advisors. In January 2016 he was promoted to Executive Vice President.
Tammy L. Plummer (50) has been employed by the Bank since 1985 in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility.  She was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer in 2009 and to Chief

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 10


Information Officer in 2015. In January 2016, Ms. Plummer was promoted to Executive Vice President. She currently holds the position of Information Security Officer for the Company and was previously the Data Processing Manager.
Sarah J. Tolman (37) has been employed by the Bank since August of 2014.  Ms. Tolman was promoted to Executive Vice President of Branch Administration in January of 2016.  Tolman oversees the daily activities of all branch offices as well as the phone banking center.  She has sixteen years of banking experience, the last two at First National Bank.  Ms. Tolman is a graduate of Husson College and the Mid-Coast Leadership Academy via the University of Maine. 
Steven H. Poulin (60) has been employed by the Bank since 2002. In February of 2012, Mr. Poulin was promoted to Senior Vice President – Senior Credit Officer. Mr. Poulin previously served as Vice President, Senior Business Relationship Officer, in the Bank’s Rockport and Damariscotta offices.

There are no family relationships among any of the Executive Officers, nor are there any arrangements or understandings between any Executive Officer and any other person pursuant to which that Executive Officer has been or is to be elected.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of The First Bancorp, Inc. oversees the Company’s executive compensation program. The Committee consists solely of “Independent Directors”, i.e., those Directors who are neither officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries nor have a relationship which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment to carry out the responsibilities of a Director and who are otherwise “independent” under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.
The Committee has the direct responsibility to:
1.
Review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), evaluate the CEO’s performance in light of those goals and objectives and determine the CEO’s compensation level based on this evaluation. The corporate goals which are developed to encourage Management to not take undue or excessive risk are established jointly between the Compensation Committee and the CEO and are driven by the Company’s strategic plan and annual operating budget. In addition to the Company-wide goals, the Committee and the CEO jointly agree on individual performance goals for the CEO. Examples of these goals, which may vary from year to year, include the Company’s earnings targets, loan and deposit growth objectives, risk management analysis, as well as specific individual goals such as implementing components of the approved strategic plan and leadership development.
2.
Review and approve the compensation of all other Executive Officers of the Company with recommendations and input from the CEO.
3.
Review and approve grants, awards and issuances under, or any material amendment of, the equity-based long-term and short-term incentive plans, which are described below. In consultation with Management, oversee regulatory compliance with respect to compensation matters, including overseeing the Company’s policies on structuring compensation programs to preserve tax-deductibility and, as and when required, establish performance goals and certify that performance goals have been attained for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
4.
Establish and review Company stock ownership guidelines for the CEO and other Executive Officers of the Company.




The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 11



5.
Review and approve any severance or similar termination payments proposed to be made to any current or former Executive Officer of the Company, and any agreements providing for such payments.

Philosophy of Our Executive Compensation Program

The Company recognizes that the attraction and retention of high-performing employees are among the key components of the organization’s past performance and future success. In support of that objective, the Compensation Committee believes that the most effective executive compensation program is one that rewards annually the achievement of established long-term and strategic goals, and aligns executives’ interests with those of Shareholders and the long-term interests of the Company. The Committee evaluates both performance and compensation of our executives relative to the compensation paid to similar executives at comparably sized and similarly performing banks. Our goal is to maintain an appropriate relationship between the compensation of our executives and the Company’s performance. The overall objectives of our compensation program are:
a)
To provide both short-term and long-term alignment between pay and performance;
b)
To align executive interests with those of Shareholders;
c)
To remain competitive within the relevant marketplace in terms of total compensation; and
d)
To enable the Company to attract, retain, and motivate top talent.
The elements of our compensation program are discussed in more detail below, but in summary, the elements of our program are as follows:
a)
Base Pay will target slightly above the market median (55th to 75th percentile) of the Company’s peer
group, established by Pearl Meyer & Partners and described below, and will reflect the individual executive’s role, experience and contribution to the Company.
b)
Short-term incentives will reflect annual goals related to the Company’s profitability and asset quality as well as the achievement of individual goals for each executive.
c)
Long-term incentives which focus on achievement of longer-term objectives and reduce incentives driven by short-term developments may be awarded on an annual basis and are intended to promote the retention of the executive team.
d)
The Committee will determine an appropriate mix of base pay, short-term and long-term incentives based on the executive’s position and tenure in the Company.
e)
Other benefits will be competitive and appropriate to retain and attract talented individuals.
f)
All elements of our compensation are evaluated by the Compensation Committee to ensure they are not designed to encourage or incentivize Management to cause the Company to take excessive or undue risk.
g)
In addition to the compensation program, the Compensation Committee has also established stock ownership guidelines for the CEO and other Senior Executive Officers (SEOs). These ownership guidelines further align the SEO's performance with the long term goals of the Company.

Total compensation is expected to vary each year, and evolve over the long-term to reflect our performance relative to our peers and the industry with corresponding returns for our Shareholders.

Considerations in Determining Executive Compensation

In 2015, Pearl Meyer, a consulting firm specializing in compensation and benefits for financial institutions, conducted a comprehensive total senior executive compensation analysis for the Company. The peer group utilized by the Company was publicly traded non-metropolitan bank holding companies located in New England, New York and Pennsylvania. The results of this review were used to guide the Committee’s


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 12


refinement of the Company’s compensation philosophy and resulting compensation programs for senior executives.

Compensation Benchmarking: Understanding and having a comparative analysis of the compensation of senior banking executives in the banking industry is a key element considered by the Committee in making compensation decisions. Similar to the Company’s past internal practices, Pearl Meyer assisted the Committee with defining a peer group of institutions of similar asset size and regional location. The peer group includes the two comparable banks located in the state of Maine and other banks located in similar non-metropolitan areas in the Northeast. The comparable companies are reviewed annually and may change slightly depending on changes either in the market or in the peer group banks themselves. The peer group targets approximately 20 institutions ranging from two-thirds to two times the Company’s size in terms of assets. The overall objective is to position the Company at approximately the median salary levels of the peer group.
Performance factors will also be taken into account should a company in the peer group have performance that varies greatly from that of the group and/or the Company. We may discount a defined peer bank or drop a company from the group should performance vary widely.

The peer group used for 2015 was as follows:
Lake Sunapee Bank Group
Camden National Corporation
Orrstown Financial Services, Inc.
Arrow Financial Corporation
ACNB Corporation
CNB Financial Corporation
Enterprise Bancorp, Inc.
Evans Bancorp, Inc.
Suffolk Bancorp
Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
ESSA Bancorp, Inc.
Bar Harbor Bankshares
Westfield Financial, Inc.
Chemung Financial Corporation
Hingham Institution for Savings
Citizens & Northern Corporation
Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc.
 
In addition to the peer group, the consultant included data from other industry data bases and surveys including Watson Wyatt Financial Institutions Benchmark Survey and Pearl Meyer’s own annual survey. Data and competitive perspectives were assessed relative to base salary, total cash compensation, short- and long- term incentives, total direct compensation, benefits and other compensation and total compensation. The Committee reviewed data individually and in the aggregate. Data from the review was used to develop pay guidelines and as a reference for decisions for both short-term and long-term compensation.

Elements of the Compensation Program - Detail

Base Pay: Base salary is used to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of all our employees, including our executives. When establishing base salaries for 2015, as noted previously, the Compensation Committee engaged the services of Pearl Meyer to conduct a comprehensive compensation analysis. One result of this analysis was the establishment of a peer group, detailed above, and the Committee made a decision to target base salaries just above the market median (55th to 75th percentile) of that peer group’s base compensation for similarly positioned executives. In addition to the peer group comparison, a variety of other factors are used to determine base compensation, including: the seniority of the individual, the level of the officer’s responsibility and the performance of the officer in meeting his/her annual goals. The annual goals of the SEOs, other than the CEO, are set jointly by the CEO and the Officer, and reviewed by the Compensation Committee. These goals are aligned with the Company’s annual goals and individualized for the area of responsibility of the SEO. For example, goals of the Senior Loan Officer center on loan growth targets and loan quality parameters, the latter being measured on the basis of loan delinquency rates, level of non-performing loans and amount of loan charge-offs for the year. The CFO has goals based on asset/liability management, investment portfolio performance and quality of financial reporting. As a high-performing

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 13


Company with consistent results, specifically in the categories of Return on Assets, Return on Equity and Efficiency Ratio that are typically in the upper third of our peer group, we believe that the base salaries of our executives should be reflective of our performance within our industry. Base salaries are reviewed at least annually by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee, with assistance from Pearl Meyer, has worked to design an effective program to motivate and retain SEOs, which may utilize long-term restricted stock.

Short-Term Incentives

In 2012, the Board of Directors approved a Short-Term Incentive Plan. The five SEOs and certain other senior executives are eligible for incentives under this program, which is part of a total compensation package including base salary, annual incentives, equity and benefits. The philosophy of the Compensation Committee was to set competitive, reasonable base salaries and allow for the potential of meaningful incentives tied to the Company’s short-term initiatives to optimize profitability, growth, and excellence in individual performance, and to promote teamwork among its participants.

The plan is designed to:

Ensure clarity of expectations in terms of expected results;
Recognize and reward achievement of annual business goals;
Motivate and reward superior performance;
Encourage teamwork and collaboration among the Company’s leadership and across business groups;
Attract and retain talent needed to grow the Company/Bank;
Be competitive with market; and
Ensure incentives are appropriately risk-balanced (i.e., do not motivate or reward excessive risk taking).

Employees who are eligible for incentive awards are subject to meeting the following requirements:
New hires must be employed prior to October 1st to be eligible to participate in the plan for the performance period. Employees hired after that date must wait until the next calendar year to be eligible for an award under the plan. Eligibility begins the first full month worked. Participants receive a pro-rated award using full months worked during the plan year.
Awards under the plan shall be limited to individuals employed by the Company/Bank on the date of payment, except in the case of disability, death, or retirement.
Participants on a performance improvement plan or with an unsatisfactory performance rating at the time of payment or who have given notice of resignation at the time of payment are not eligible to receive an award.

Each participant had a target incentive opportunity based on his or her role. The target incentive reflected a percentage of base salary determined to be consistent with competitive market practices. Actual awards are based on achievement of specific goals and could range from 0%, for not achieving minimal performance, to 150% of target, for exceptional performance. Each participant had five predefined performance goals used to determine his or her short-term incentive award in three performance categories: Company-wide, individual specific, and discretionary. The goals were then weighted to reflect the focus and contribution for each position in the Company.
The plan is based on a balance of multiple measures, layered oversight, and reasonable ceilings for exceptional performance. The plan is structured to discourage excessive risk taking. The Compensation Committee reviewed the plan design to insure it is in line with best practices for risk. The altering, inflating, and/or inappropriate manipulation of performance/financial results or any other violation of recognized ethical business standards will subject any participant to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. In addition, any incentive compensation as provided by the plan to which such a participant would otherwise be entitled will be revoked or subject to “claw back.”

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 14


The Short-term Incentive Plan operates on a calendar year schedule (January 1 - December 31). Annual cash incentive awards will be paid out by March 15th immediately following the Plan year. Awards granted under this program are intended to be in the form of cash, however while the Company participated in the CPP program the SEOs were not eligible for cash bonuses, so awards granted in these years were in the form of restricted stock.
Since all SEO compensation is paid by the Bank, not the Company, the performance measures for the Short-Term Incentive Plan are based on the Bank's, not the Company's, 2015 performance. The following tables summarize the performance measures, weightings, as well as potential and total payouts for each SEO in 2015:
Officer
 
 
Percent of Base
 
Amount
Tony McKim
2015 Base Salary
 
 
$
375,000

Chief Operating Officer
2015 Incentive Target
30.00
%
 
$
112,500

 
2015 Actual Payout
40.00
%
 
$
150,000

Performance Measures
Threshold
Target
Stretch
 
Weight
Net income
$
14,817,000

$
15,817,000

$
16,817,000

 
40.00
%
Return on Average Equity
10.60
%
11.60
%
12.60
%
 
15.00
%
Efficiency Ratio
57.00
%
54.00
%
51.00
%
 
15.00
%
Completion of Strategic Plan
50.00
%
100.00
%
150.00
%
 
10.00
%
Discretionary
50.00
%
100.00
%
150.00
%
 
20.00
%
Incentive Opportunity Range
Threshold
Target
Stretch
 
 
Net income
$
22,500

$
45,000

$
67,500

 
 
Return on Average Equity
8,437

16,875

25,313

 
 
Efficiency Ratio
8,438

16,875

25,313

 
 
Completion of Strategic Plan
5,625

11,250

16,874

 
 
Discretionary
11,250

22,500

33,750

 
 
 
$
56,250

$
112,500

$
168,750

 
 
Actual Achievement
Actual Performance
Payout Allocation
Weighted Payout Percent
 
Actual Payout
Net income
$
16,516,000

135.00
%
54.00
%
 
$
60,736

Return on Average Equity
12.09
%
124.50
%
18.70
%
 
21,014

Efficiency Ratio
53.38
%
110.40
%
16.60
%
 
18,631

Completion of Strategic Plan
141.10
%
141.10
%
14.10
%
 
15,869

Discretionary
150.00
%
150.00
%
30.00
%
 
33,750

 
 
 
133.4
%
 
$
150,000


In addition to the $150,000 bonus paid to CEO McKim under the Short-Term Incentive Plan for 2015 performance, the Compensation voted to add $10,000 to the discretionary component for the exceptional financial results the Company achieved in 2015.


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 15


Officer
 
 
Percent of Base
 
Amount
F. Stephen Ward
2015 Base Salary
 
 
$
247,000

Chief Financial Officer
2015 Incentive Target
25.00
%
 
$
61,750

 
2015 Actual Payout
31.20
%
 
$
77,033

Performance Measures
Threshold
Target
Stretch
 
Weight
Net income
$
14,817,000

$
15,817,000

$
16,817,000

 
40.00
%
Return on Average Equity
10.60
%
11.60
%
12.60
%
 
15.00
%
Efficiency Ratio
57.00
%
54.00
%
51.00
%
 
20.00
%
UBPR Investment Yield Spread to Peers
0.50
%
1.00
%
1.50
%
 
10.00
%
Discretionary
50.00
%
100.00
%
150.00
%
 
15.00
%
Incentive Opportunity Range
Threshold
Target
Stretch
 
 
Net income
$
12,350

$
24,700

$
37,050

 
 
Return on Average Equity
4,631

9,263

13,894

 
 
Efficiency Ratio
6,175

12,350

18,525

 
 
UBPR Investment Yield Spread to Peers
3,088

6,174

9,263

 
 
Discretionary
4,631

9,263

13,893

 
 
 
$
30,875

$
61,750

$
92,625

 
 
Actual Achievement
Actual Performance
Payout Allocation
Weighted Payout Percent
 
Actual Payout
Net income
$
16,516,000

135.00
%
54.00
%
 
$
33,338

Return on Average Equity
12.09
%
124.50
%
18.70
%
 
11,534

Efficiency Ratio
53.38
%
110.40
%
22.10
%
 
13,635

UBPR Investment Yield Spread to Peers
2.27
%
150.00
%
15.00
%
 
9,263

Discretionary
100.00
%
100.00
%
15.00
%
 
9,263

 
 
 
124.80
%
 
$
77,033


Officer
 
 
Percent of Base
 
Amount
Charles Wootton
2015 Base Salary
 
 
$
234,000

Senior Loan Officer
2015 Incentive Target
25.00
%
 
$
58,500

 
2015 Actual Payout
32.30
%
 
$
75,572

Performance Measures
Threshold
Target
Stretch
 
Weight
Net income
$
14,817,000

$
15,817,000

$
16,817,000

 
40.00
%
Commercial Loans YTD Avg
388,014,000

408,014,000

428,014,000

 
15.00
%
Bankwide Past Due Loans YTD Avg
1.50
%
1.25
%
1.00
%
 
15.00
%
Classified Loans to Equity
31.00
%
28.00
%
25.00
%
 
15.00
%
Discretionary
50.00
%
100.00
%
150.00
%
 
15.00
%
Incentive Opportunity Range
Threshold
Target
Stretch
 
 
Net income
$
11,750

$
23,400

$
35,100

 
 
Commercial Loans YTD Avg
4,387

8,775

13,162

 
 
Bankwide Past Due Loans YTD Avg
4,388

8,775

13,163

 
 
Classified Loans to Equity
4,388

8,775

13,162

 
 
Discretionary
4,387

8,775

13,163

 
 
 
$
29,300

$
58,500

$
87,750

 
 
Actual Achievement
Actual Performance
Payout Allocation
Weighted Payout Percent
 
Actual Payout
Net income
$
16,516,000

135.00
%
54.00
%
 
$
31,583

Commercial Loans YTD Avg
423,400,000

138.50
%
20.80
%
 
12,150

Bankwide Past Due Loans YTD Avg
1.19
%
112.80
%
16.90
%
 
9,901

Classified Loans to Equity
21.10
%
150.00
%
22.50
%
 
13,163

Discretionary
100.00
%
100.00
%
15.00
%
 
8,775

 
 
 
129.20
%
 
$
75,572


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 16



Officer
 
 
Percent of Base
 
Amount
Susan Norton
2015 Base Salary
 
 
$
204,000

HR & Admin
2015 Incentive Target
25.00
%
 
$
51,000

 
2015 Actual Payout
29.60
%
 
$
60,379

Performance Measures
Threshold
Target
Stretch
 
Weight
Net income
$
14,817,000

$
15,817,000

$
16,817,000

 
40.00
%
Return on Average Equity
10.60
%
11.60
%
12.60
%
 
15.00
%
Efficiency Ratio
57.00
%
54.00
%
51.00
%
 
15.00
%
Personnel Expense to Average Assets
0.90
%
1.00
%
1.10
%
 
15.00
%
Discretionary
50.00
%
100.00
%
150.00
%
 
15.00
%
Incentive Opportunity Range
Threshold
Target
Stretch
 
 
Net income
$
10,200

$
20,400

$
30,600

 
 
Return on Average Equity
3,825

7,650

11,475

 
 
Efficiency Ratio
3,825

7,650

11,475

 
 
Personnel Expense to Average Assets
3,825

7,650

11,475

 
 
Discretionary
3,825

7,650

11,475

 
 
 
$
25,500

$
51,000

$
76,500

 
 
Actual Achievement
Actual Performance
Payout Allocation
Weighted Payout Percent
 
Actual Payout
Net income
$
16,516,000

135.00
%
54.00
%
 
$
27,534

Return on Average Equity
12.09
%
124.00
%
18.70
%
 
9,526

Efficiency Ratio
53.38
%
11.40
%
16.60
%
 
8,446

Personnel Expense to Average Assets
0.99
%
94.40
%
14.20
%
 
7,223

Discretionary
100.00
%
100.00
%
15.00
%
 
7,650

 
 
 
118.50
%
 
$
60,379



The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 17


Officer
 
 
Percent of Base
 
Amount
Richard Elder
2015 Base Salary
 
 
$
175,000

Senior Retail Officer
2015 Incentive Target
25.00
%
 
$
43,750

 
2015 Actual Payout
31.40
%
 
$
55,007

Performance Measures
Threshold
Target
Stretch
 
Weight
Net income
$
14,817,000

$
15,817,000

$
16,817,000

 
40.00
%
Return on Average Equity
10.60
%
11.60
%
12.60
%
 
20.00
%
Efficiency Ratio
57.00
%
54.00
%
51.00
%
 
15.00
%
Consumer/Residential Fee Income
300,000

335,000

370,000

 
10.00
%
Discretionary
50.00
%
100.00
%
150.00
%
 
15.00
%
Incentive Opportunity Range
Threshold
Target
Stretch
 
 
Net income
$
5,469

$
10,938

$
1,406

 
 
Return on Average Equity
4,375

8,750

13,125

 
 
Efficiency Ratio
4,375

8,750

13,125

 
 
Consumer/Residential Fee Income
4,375

8,750

13,125

 
 
Discretionary
3,281

6,562

9,844

 
 
 
$
21,875

$
43,750

$
50,625

 
 
Actual Achievement
Actual Performance
Payout Allocation
Weighted Payout Percent
 
Actual Payout
Net income
$
16,516,000

135.00
%
54.00
%
 
$
14,762

Return on Average Equity
12.09
%
110.40
%
22.10
%
 
10,896

Efficiency Ratio
53.38
%
150.00
%
22.50
%
 
9,661

Consumer/Residential Fee Income
393,423

100.00
%
10.00
%
 
13,125

Discretionary
100.00
%
100.00
%
15.00
%
 
6,563

 
 
 
123.60
%
 
$
55,007



Long-Term Incentives

Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards: In 2010, the Company’s shareholders voted to establish an equity-based long-term incentive plan which grants authority to the Board of Directors to issue stock options, restricted stock and other equity-based grants to retain and motivate existing high-performing employees and to attract new members to the Management team should the need arise. The purpose of this plan is to incentivize executives through equity ownership and align their interests with those of the Shareholders while providing mid-term and longer-term incentives tied to overall Company performance. It is among the objectives of this plan that, by having a portion of the executive’s compensation tied to the performance of the Company’s stock, the individual will be rewarded for maximizing long-term shareholder value.
The mid- to long-term outlook of this type of compensation serves as a balance to the short-term rewards of base compensation and the short-term incentive plan. Due to conservative vesting provisions, stock options and restricted stock grants are also designed to encourage an executive to remain with the Company. The amount of options granted reflects the executive’s position in the organization, level of responsibility, impact on the Company’s performance and actual performance in meeting individual performance goals.
The plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, and in 2012, the Compensation Committee established specific long-term incentive targets for the SEOs based on position in the Company. The plan approved by shareholders implements safeguards, including clawbacks, to curtail undue short-term risk taking. The Compensation Committee is responsible for the design and oversight for these safeguards.
For 2015 performance, grants under the long-term incentive plan were awarded by the Company’s Compensation Committee on January 28, 2016, and were based on the previous day’s closing price for the Company's common stock of $18.11 per share. All awards have cliff vesting, with Mr. Ward’s having a vesting period of one year from the date of grant, and the remaining SEOs having a vesting period of five years from

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 18


date of grant. The following table summarizes the 2015 targets and actual grants to the SEOs under the long-term incentive program:
For 2015 Performance
Target
Actual
Value
Shares
Tony C. McKim
20.0%
20.0%

$75,000

4,141
F. Stephen Ward
15.0%
20.0%

$37,050

2,046
Charles A. Wootton
15.0%
15.0%

$35,100

1,938
Susan A. Norton
15.0%
15.0%

$30,600

1,690
Richard M. Elder
15.0%
15.0%

$26,250

1,449

For 2014 performance, grants under the long-term incentive plan were awarded by the Company’s Compensation Committee on January 29, 2015 and were based on the previous day’s closing price for the Company’s common stock of $16.70 per share. All awards have cliff vesting, with Mr. Ward’s having a vesting period of one year from the date of grant and the remaining SEOs having a vesting period of five years from the date of grant. The following table summarizes the 2014 targets and actual grants to the SEOs under the long-term incentive program.
For 2014 Performance
Target
Actual
Value
Shares
Tony C. McKim
20.0%
20.0%
$
52,038

3,119

F. Stephen Ward
15.0%
20.0%
$
36,000

2,156

Charles A. Wootton
15.0%
15.0%
$
34,050

2,039

Susan A. Norton
15.0%
15.0%
$
29,700

1,778

Richard M. Elder
10.0%
10.0%
$
17,000

1,018

For 2013 performance, grants under the long-term incentive plan were awarded by the Company’s Compensation Committee on February 10, 2014 and were based on the previous day’s closing price for the Company’s common stock of $16.36 per share. All awards have cliff vesting, with Mr. Ward’s having a vesting period of two years from the date of grant and the remaining SEOs having a vesting period of five years from the date of grant. The following table summarizes the 2013 targets and actual grants under the long-term incentive plan:
For 2013 Performance
Target
Actual
Value
Shares
Tony C. McKim
15.0%
15.0%
$35,250
2,155
F. Stephen Ward
15.0%
22.5%
$52,875
3,232
Charles A. Wootton
15.0%
15.0%
$33,300
2,035
Susan A. Norton
15.0%
15.0%
$28,800
1,760
Richard M. Elder
10.0%
10.0%
$16,500
1,009

The Board of Directors is required to make appropriate adjustments in connection with the 2010 Plan and any outstanding awards to reflect stock dividends, stock splits and certain other events. In the event of a merger, liquidation or other reorganization event, as defined in the 2010 Plan, the Board of Directors is authorized to provide for outstanding options or other stock-based awards to be assumed or substituted for, and, if the acquiring or succeeding corporation does not agree to assume or substitute for, such awards, the Board of Directors is authorized to provide for the acceleration of any award, and, if applicable, to make an award fully exercisable prior to consummation of the reorganization event or to provide for a cash out of the value of any outstanding options. Upon the occurrence of a reorganization event, the repurchase and other rights of the Company under each outstanding award shall inure to the benefit of the Company’s successor and shall apply to the cash, securities or other property which the Common Stock was converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such reorganization event in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to the Common Stock subject to such restricted stock award. The 1995 stock option plan expired in April 2005. Prior to the expiration date, all of the options available under the plan were granted, with the last awards being made

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 19


in January 2005.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

On October 17, 2012, the Compensation Committee voted to establish ownership guidelines applicable to Directors, Named Executive Officers, and other executives as recommended by the President and CEO and approved by the Compensation Committee. Executives and Directors are expected to maintain the ownership (by Company grant and individual ownership) of at least the following amounts of the Company's stock:
Participant
Required Value or Number of  Shares
Directors
5,000 Shares
President and CEO
2x Base Salary
Senior Executive Officers (SEO)
1x Base Salary

As of December 31, 2015, all Directors and SEOs met the above stock ownership guidelines except for Directors Kelly and Russell, and EVP Tolman. Until the ownership guideline is achieved, 75% of Ms. Kelly's and Mr. Russell's directors fees will be paid in Company stock. Until the ownership guideline is achieved, EVP Tolman will be required to retain at least 75% of any net shares received through Company grants whether they be under the Short Term Incentive Plan or the Long Term Incentive Plan. The Company has no policies with regard to hedging activities related to shares owned under the above guidelines.

Compensation Mix

With assistance from Pearl Meyer, the Compensation Committee believes that the Company has developed an appropriate mix of base pay, short-term incentives and long-term incentives for the Senior Executive Officers. Utilizing the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee reviews the mix and determines how long-term incentives fit with total compensation. The Committee’s expectation is that long-term incentives will constitute 10% to 25% of total compensation depending on the executive and his or her position in the Company. In addition to the long-term incentive plan, the short-term incentive plan approved by the Board in 2012 provides for short-term incentives that could also constitute 10% to 25% of total compensation depending on the executive, his or her position in the Company and the executive’s job performance in the prior year. With the addition of the short-term and long-term incentive programs, base compensation should constitute 50% to 80% of total pay depending on the executive, his or her position and individual achievement in relation to his or her goals. These percentages are based on industry averages and best practices.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan: The Company also sponsors an unfunded, non-qualified supplemental retirement plan established in 1997 for certain Executive Officers. The plan provides supplemental retirement benefits payable in installments over 20 years, commencing upon retirement or death. The costs for this plan are recognized over the service lives of the participating Executive Officers. As of December 31, 2015, only one active executive (CFO Ward) was a participant in the plan. The projected retirement benefit for Mr. Ward is $61,127 per year, with such payments beginning in the year 2018. The benefit is capped at the above amount. On December 30, 2008, the Company amended the plans to change the normal retirement age to receive the full benefit under the Plan from age 65 to age 63. The date on which the Executive Officer may begin to collect the retirement benefit payments did not change, however, and remains January 1 of the year in which the Executive Officer turns age 65. The plan also contains a restrictive covenant that may result in the Executive Officer forfeiting all accrued benefits should he accept employment with a competing financial institution within five years after his termination of employment with the Company.




The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 20


Other Benefits

401(k) and Other Benefits: The Company’s primary retirement plan is the 401(k) Plan. It is available to any employee who has attained the age of 21 and completed six months of continuous service. The Company typically provides a match at 50% of employee deferrals to the extent that the deferral does not exceed 6% of eligible compensation. In addition, an annual discretionary component may typically be paid. The Board makes a determination at the end of each fiscal year as to what, if any, amount is to be paid based on the financial performance of the Company for that year. In 2015, 2014 and 2013, this discretionary amount was 2.0% of base salary for all eligible employees. Employee contributions are 100% vested at all times, while employer contributions are vested over a five-year period. Upon termination of employment for any reason, a plan participant may receive his or her contribution account and earnings allocated to it, as well as the vested portion of his or her employer-matching account and earnings allocated to it. Non-vested amounts are forfeited and are used by the Company to help defray plan administration expenses.

Stock Purchase Plan: The Company has a stock purchase plan available to all employees and Directors that provides an opportunity to purchase shares through payroll deduction. Directors may elect to have up to 100% of their fees placed in the stock purchase plan. The purchase price is at the fair market value of the shares without a commission as determined by the NASDAQ closing price on the day the shares are purchased.

Severance and Change of Control Benefits: The Company does not have any employment agreements with any of the executives of the Company. The 2005 employment agreement with President McKim expired in January of 2015. For the one active executive covered under the SERP, being CFO Ward, his defined benefits under the SERP shall become fully vested upon a change of control.

Company Vehicle: Senior executives are provided mileage reimbursement for business travel when using their own vehicles. For certain named Executive Officers, a Company-owned vehicle may be provided subject to approval of the Compensation Committee. The non-business use of the vehicle is taxable income to the executive and is included as part of the executive’s total compensation. In 2015 the three executives with Company-provided vehicles were CEO McKim, CFO Ward, and EVP Wootton.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance: The Company may purchase a single-premium life insurance policy on the life of an executive with a split dollar benefit between the Company and the executive’s estate. The Company believes that Bank Owned Life Insurance is a good investment option for the Company and also provides key man protection upon the untimely death of a senior executive. The cash surrender value is an asset of the Company.

Supplemental Long Term Disability Insurance: In 2010, the Company purchased supplemental long-term disability insurance policies for the five most highly compensated executives. Four of those executives remain with the Company and are covered by this policy. This insurance was purchased as a group policy through Union Central Insurance and is intended to assist with any shortfalls that may exist due to the insurance caps applicable to the Company's overall group policy.

Compensation of Chief Executive Officer and Other SEOs

Base Salary
As noted previously, the Compensation Committee has established targets for Base Pay at just above the market median (55th to 75th percentile) of the Company’s peer group, established by Pearl Meyer, and each executive’s actual base pay will reflect the executive’s role, experience and contribution to the Company. CEO

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 21


McKim was appointed President of the Bank in 2014 and he assumed the title of CEO of the Company on January 5, 2015. His salary for 2015 was set at $375,000 which placed him in the 25th percentile for the peer group. As noted above, the Compensation Committee will use the data provided by Pearl Meyer and various other factors, including 2015 operating results after Mr. McKim’s first year in office, to move his base salary to the target level desired by the Committee and what is outlined in our compensation philosophy and strategy.
The Compensation Committee’s decisions related to 2015 base salaries were based on 2014 operating results. The Bank continued to outperform its national peer group in many areas - as measured by the Uniform Bank Performance Report. These included return on average assets, return on average equity, the efficiency ratio, and asset quality ratios. Building and strengthening the Company’s capital is a priority, and in 2015 the Company’s regulatory capital ratios remained strong. The Board and Management place a high value on building shareholder value, and the $0.21 per share quarterly dividend was increased to $0.22 per share in the second quarter of 2015. Additional detail on the Company’s performance is further detailed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in its Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Stock Grants/Long-Term Incentives

As noted above, in 2012, the Compensation Committee established specific long-term incentive targets for the SEOs based on position in the Company for grants to be made under the Equity Incentive Plan approved by stockholders in 2010. Grants for 2015 performance under the Long-Term Incentive Program were awarded on January 28, 2016 and based on the previous day’s closing price for the Company’s common stock of $18.11 per share. All awards have cliff vesting, with Mr. Ward’s vesting one year from the date of grant, and the
remaining SEOs vesting five years from the date of grant. The details of these grants can be found on page 18.
Grants for 2014 performance under the Long-Term Incentive Program were awarded on January 29, 2015 and based on the previous day’s closing price for the Company's common stock of $16.70 per share. All awards have cliff vesting, with Mr. Ward’s vesting one year from the date of grant, and the remaining SEOs vesting five years from date of grant. The details of these grants can be found on page 18.
Grants for 2013 performance under the Long-Term Incentive Program were awarded on February 10, 2014 and based on the previous day’s closing price for the Company's common stock of $16.36 per share.
All awards have cliff vesting, with Mr. Ward’s vesting two years from the date of grant, and the remaining SEOs vesting five years from date of grant. The details of these grants can be found on page 19.

Other Compensation

In 2015, there were no additional compensation items other than those detailed in the table below for CEO McKim, CFO Ward, EVP Wootton, EVP Norton and EVP Elder. The change in pension value and non- qualified retirement plan earnings for CFO Ward represents the required accounting accruals under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and does not constitute a cash payment.

Executive Compensation

The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for each of the last three fiscal years earned by the Principal Executive Officer, the Principal Financial Officer as well as the three other highest paid active Executive Officers in fiscal 2015.


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 22


Name and
Principal Position
Year
Salary
($)
Short-Term Bonus ($)
Stock Awards ($)
Change in Pension
Value and
Non-Qualified Deferred
Compensation Earnings1 
($)
All
Other
Compensation2
($)
Total
($)
Tony C. McKim
2015
375,000

150,000

75,000


15,609

615,609

President
2014
260,415

87,655

52,038


15,349

415,457

Chief Executive Officer
2013
235,000

38,562

54,850


14,125

342,537

F. Stephen Ward
2015
247,000

77,033

37,050

78,561

15,125

454,769

Executive Vice President
2014
240,000

80,783

36,000

76,542

14,256

447,581

Principal Financial Officer
2013
235,000

42,050

74,248

66,526

13,597

431,421

Charles A. Wootton
2015
234,000

75,572

35,100


14,920

359,592

Executive Vice President
2014
227,000

67,626

34,050


16,328

345,004

Senior Loan Officer
2013
222,000

35,674

51,432


16,820

325,926

Susan A. Norton
2015
204,000

60,379

30,600


13,250

308,229

Executive Vice President
2014
198,000

63,906

29,700


11,417

303,023

Human Resources/ Compliance
2013
192,000

30,306

44,203


9,600

276,109

Richard M. Elder
2015
175,000

55,007

26,250


10,243

266,500

Executive Vice President
2014
170,000

29,849

17,000


10,093

226,942

Retail Lending
2013
165,000

31,849

16,507


9,085

222,441


1
The amount shown represents the change in accrued liability in each of the years listed for the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan detailed in the Pension Table.
2    All Other Compensation is detailed in the table below and includes the following:
401(k) Matching and Profit Sharing Contributions. In all years, the Company provided a match at 50% of employee deferrals to the extent that the deferral does not exceed 6% of eligible compensation. The Company also provides a discretionary contribution to employees who have been employed one year or more. This was 2.0% of base salary in 2015, 2014 and 2013. All 401(k) match and profit sharing contributions are subject to the IRS regulations that govern the maximum amount of an Officer’s earnings which are eligible to be considered for the match and profit share components of compensation.
Company-Owned Vehicle. The amounts shown represent the value of personal use for Company-Owned vehicles by the Named Executives.     
Economic Value of Life Insurance. This represents the value of the Named Executives’ portion of policies provided by Life Insurance Endorsement Split Dollar Plan agreement for Bank Owned Life Insurance.


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 23


Name and Principal Position
Year
401k Matching Contribution
($)
401k
Profit-Sharing Contribution
($)
Company-Owned Vehicle
($)
Economic Value of Life Insurance
($)
Tony C. McKim
2015
7,950

5,300

2,204

155

Executive Vice President
2014
7,800

5,200

2,204

145

Chief Operating Officer
2013
7,050

4,713

2,204

158

F. Stephen Ward
2015
7,950

5,300

1,215

660

Executive Vice President
2014
7,200

5,200

1,215

641

Principal Financial Officer
2013
7,050

4,713

1,215

619

Charles A. Wootton
2015
7,020

5,300

2,600


Executive Vice President
2014
7,800

5,200

3,328


Senior Loan Officer
2013
6,660

4,440

5,720


Susan A. Norton
2015
7,950

5,300



Executive Vice President
2014
6,850

4,567



Human Resources/ Compliance
2013
5,760

3,840



Richard M. Elder
2015
6,146

4,097



Executive Vice President
2014
6,056

4,037



Retail Lending
2013
5,451

3,634




Stock-Based Compensation

At the 2010 Annual Meeting, shareholders approved the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). This reserved 400,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance in connection with stock options, restricted stock awards and other equity based awards to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentive to officers, employees and non-employee Directors and promote the success of our business. Such grants and awards will be structured in a manner that does not encourage the recipients to expose the Company to undue or inappropriate risk. Options issued under the 2010 Plan will qualify for treatment as incentive stock options for purposes of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. Other compensation under the 2010 Plan will qualify as performance-based for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, and will satisfy NASDAQ guidelines relating to equity compensation.
In 2013, awards of 27,114 shares of restricted stock were made under the 2010 Plan representing both Long- and Short-Term Incentives based on 2012 performance. These included 15,463 shares to the five SEOs as detailed in the table below and 11,651 shares to other executives. All of the shares have cliff vesting on the fifth anniversary of the grant except EVP Ward’s, which vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.
In 2014, awards of 25,843 shares of restricted stock were made under the 2010 Plan representing both Long- and Short-Term Incentives based on 2013 performance. These included 14,745 shares to the five SEOs and 11,098 shares to other executives. All of the shares have cliff vesting on the fifth anniversary of the grant except for EVP Ward’s, which vest on the second anniversary of the grant date.
In 2015, awards of 13,652 shares of restricted stock were made under the 2010 representing Long-Term Incentives based on 2014 performance. These awards included 10,110 shares to the five SEOs as detailed in the table below and 3,542 to other executives. All of the shares have cliff vesting on the fifth anniversary of the grant except for EVP Ward’s which vest on the first anniversary of the grant date. In addition, an award of 527 shares was made in 2015 as a retention incentive to a non-SEO. The following table lists the number of shares and grant-date fair value of plan-based awards made to the five SEOs in 2015:


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 24


Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 20151
Name
Grant
Date
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stocks or Units
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
 
 
(#)
(#)
($/Sh)
($)
Tony C. McKim
1/29/2015
3,119
-
-

$52,083

F. Stephen Ward
1/29/2015
2,156
-
-

$36,000

Charles A. Wootton
1/29/2015
2,039
-
-

$34,050

Susan A. Norton
1/29/2015
1,778
-
-

$29,700

Richard M. Elder
1/29/2015
1,018
-
-

$17,000

1 The numbers of shares in this table do not include awards made on January 28, 2016, which are disclosed in previous tables and considered part of 2015 compensation.

The following table of Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End presents all options granted to the five SEOs that were unexercised as of December 31, 2015 and all outstanding stock awards as of the same date:

 
Options Awards
Stock Awards1
Name
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#)
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable
 (#)
Option Exercise Price
($)
Option Expiration Date
Number of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
Market Value of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)
Tony C. McKim
-
-
-
-
13,517

$276,693

F. Stephen Ward
-
-
-
-
14,206

$290,797

Charles A. Wootton
-
-
-
-
11,898

$243,552

Susan A. Norton
-
-
-
-
10,349

$211,844

Richard M. Elder
-
-
-
-
3,956

$80,979

1 The numbers of shares in this table do not include awards made on January 28, 2016, which are disclosed in previous tables and considered part of 2015 compensation.


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 25


The following table of Options Exercised and Stock Vested presents the options exercised by Named Executive Officers in 2015. The value realized on exercise is calculated by multiplying the number of shares acquired on exercise by the closing value per share on the day of exercise less the exercise cost per share. The Company had no outstanding stock awards which vested in the years presented.

 
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Name
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise
Value Realized on Exercise
 Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)
Value
Realized on Vesting ($)
Tony C. McKim
-
-
-
-
F. Stephen Ward
-
-
-
-
Charles A. Wootton
-
-
-
-
Susan A. Norton
-
-
-
-
Richard M. Elder
-
-
-
-

The following table summarizes the Company’s Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 2015:
Plan category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans 1
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders
-
-
313,137
Equity compensation plans
not approved by security holders
n/a
n/a
n/a
Total
-
-
313,137
1 The number of shares in this table does not include awards made on January 28, 2016, which are disclosed in previous tables and considered part of 2015 compensation.

Pension Plan

Although the 401(k) Plan is the Company’s primary retirement plan, the Company also sponsors an unfunded, non-qualified supplemental retirement plan for one Executive Officer. The plan provides supplemental retirement benefits payable in installments over 20 years upon retirement or death. The costs for this plan are recognized over the service lives of the participating Executive Officers. The projected retirement benefit for Mr. Ward is $61,127 per year, with such payments beginning in the year 2018. The benefits are capped at the above amounts. On December 30, 2008, the Company amended the plan to change the normal retirement age to receive the full benefit under the Plan from age 65 to age 63. The date on which the Executive Officer may begin to collect the retirement benefit payments does not change, however, and remains January 1 of the year in which the Executive Officer turns age 65. The Plan also contains a restrictive covenant that may result in the Executive Officer forfeiting all accrued benefits should he accept employment with a competing financial institution within five years after his termination of employment with the Company. The following table of Pension Benefits shows the present value of accumulated benefits for the named Executive Officer as of December 31, 2015.


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 26


Name

Plan
Name

Number of
Years Credited Service

Present Value of Accumulated
Benefit
($)
Payments
During Last Fiscal Year
($)
F. Stephen Ward
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
18.25
608,000
-
Tony C. McKim
-
-
-
-
Charles A. Wootton
-
-
-
-
Susan A. Norton
-
-
-
-
Richard M. Elder
-
-
-
-

The Company does not have Nonqualified Deferred Compensation as part of its compensation program.

Other Employee Benefits

The Bank provides all full-time employees with group life, health, and long-term-disability insurance. A Flexible Benefits Plan is available to all full-time employees after satisfying eligibility requirements and to part-time employees scheduled to work an average of 30 hours per week.

Compensation Policies and Practices

Compensation Programs

The Company has four primary means of compensating its employees: base pay, the Stakeholder bonus program, the short-term incentive plan and the equity-based long-term incentive plan. Full detail on these programs is provided in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. A summary is provided below.

Base Pay: Base salary is used to recognize the experience, skills and responsibilities of all of the Company’s employees, including its Senior Executive Officers. To determine appropriate levels of base pay for employees other than Senior Executive Officers, the Company participates in a salary survey conducted by Pearl Meyer This survey, conducted of financial institutions in New England, provides much of the information needed to determine base pay for hourly employees, line supervisors and members of middle management. In 2015, the Company also utilized the Pearl Meyer Northeast Banking survey to provide further guidance on base pay for these groups of employees. For the average employee of the Company, it is expected that total compensation will be comprised of base pay, equaling 90% to 95% of total compensation, and that the Stakeholder Bonus Program will be 5% to 10% of total compensation. The total compensation mix for Senior Executive Officers is detailed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

Stakeholder Bonus Program: The other key component of compensation for most employees is the Stakeholder Cash Bonus program. This program is not available to SEOs and certain other senior officers. The Stakeholder program was originally implemented in 1994 and is available to all eligible employees (generally employees hired by March 31st of the year for which the bonus is being awarded and still employed at the time the bonus is paid). This element of the performance compensation program is designed to support the long-term viability of the Company and increase shareholder value. It addresses these objectives by tying the performance payout to multiple goals which include profitability, growth, productivity and loan quality. The guiding principle is to reach a balance of these goals, which should collectively have a positive impact on maximizing long-term shareholder value without incentivizing employees to take undue risk. The Committee believes that this performance-based program provides a

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 27


reward for high levels of current performance without sacrificing the achievement of long-term goals. Each year specific key performance indicators are chosen along with Company- wide financial performance trigger levels. The objective of the program is to align the performance of employees with the Company’s short- and long-term objectives so neither set of goals is sacrificed for the other.

Short-Term Incentive Plan: In 2012, the Board of Directors approved a short-term incentive plan for the five SEOs and certain other senior officers of the Company. This element of the compensation program is specifically designed to ensure clarity of expectations in terms of expected results on a short-term basis to recognize and reward achievement of annual business goals and to motivate and reward superior performance. This program also ensures that incentives are appropriately risk-balanced in that they do not motivate or reward excessive risk taking and ensure that the Company is competitive with the market in order to attract and retain talent needed to grow the Company. The short-term incentive is intended to be a cash bonus.

Long-Term Incentive Plan: In 2010, the Company’s shareholders voted to establish a new equity-based long- term incentive plan which grants authority to issue stock options, restricted stock and other equity-based grants to retain existing high-performing employees and to attract new members to the Management team should the need arise. The purpose of this plan is to incentivize executives through equity ownership and align their interests with those of the Shareholders while providing longer-term incentives tied to overall Company performance. It is among the objectives of this plan that, by having a portion of the executive’s compensation tied to the performance of the Company’s stock, the individual will be rewarded for maximizing long-term shareholder value.
The mid- to long-term outlook of this type of compensation serves as a balance to the short-term rewards of base compensation and the short-term incentive plan. Stock options and restricted stock grants are also intended to encourage an executive to remain with the Company. The amount of options or restricted stock granted reflects the executive’s position in the organization, level of responsibility, impact on the Company’s performance and actual performance in meeting individual performance goals.

Miscellaneous Compensation: In addition to the compensation elements outlined above, the Company also offers a small cash bonus for successful hiring referrals and for referrals to the Company’s investment management division.

Compensation Policies and Practices and Risk Management

Management does not believe that the Company’s compensation policies and practices for its employees are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. Incentive compensation is not tied to individual production volumes or other short-term measures, but is instead focused on a balance of measures which reward enhancing the Company’s long-term viability and performance. The Company has extensive risk monitoring and robust internal controls, and internal and external audit activities provide a deterrent for and a means of detecting such risk behaviors.

Compensation Committee Certification

During 2015, the Compensation Committee met with Senior Risk Officer, Tony C. McKim, to review the Company’s overall compensation program, for all employees as well as for Senior Executive Officers. Meetings were held on January 29, 2015, February 26, 2015 and July 23, 2015. The overall risk of the Bank’s compensation programs was discussed at the meeting on February 26, 2015. After discussion with Mr. McKim and a thorough review of the Company’s compensation programs, the Committee concluded that the compensation program for all employees, including Senior Executive Officers, is balanced, aligning
employees’ interests with those of Shareholders, and is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company, including by incentivizing undue risk-taking.

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 28


Use of Compensation Consultants

The Compensation Committee contracted with Pearl Meyer in 2015 to conduct a comprehensive analysis of total compensation for the Company’s Senior Executive Officers as well as for other selected members of Management. The Bank also a participated in Pearl Meyer’s salary survey for New England banks to determine salary ranges for other levels of employees as detailed above.

Say on Pay

At the 2015 Annual Meeting, Shareholders were asked to approve (on a non-binding basis) the compensation of the Company’s executives. The following table presents the results of the voting:
For
Against
Abstain
Broker Non-Vote
7,165,724
121,370
77,129
2,322,997

The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee were mindful of this vote as they considered compensation decisions made after the 2015 Annual Meeting and re-examined overall compensation strategies and philosophy.

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 29


Report of the Compensation Committee

January 28, 2016

To the Board of Directors of The First Bancorp, Inc.:

The Compensation Committee of The First Bancorp, Inc. certifies that:

1.
It has reviewed with senior risk officers, the senior executive officer (SEO) compensation plans and has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that these plans do not encourage SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of The First Bancorp, Inc.
2.
It has reviewed with senior risk officers the employee compensation plans and has made all reasonable efforts to limit any unnecessary risks these plans pose to The First Bancorp, Inc.
3.
It has reviewed the employee compensation plans to eliminate any features of these plans that would encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of The First Bancorp, Inc. to enhance the compensation of any employee.
4.
It has reviewed and discussed with Management of the Company the Compensation Discussion and Analysis disclosures contained in this Proxy Statement.
5.
Based on the review described in (4) above, it recommended to the Company’s Board of Directors that such Compensation Discussion and Analysis disclosures be included in this Proxy Statement.


/s/ Mark N. Rosborough
Mark N. Rosborough

/s/ Stuart G. Smith
Stuart G. Smith

/s/ David B. Soule, Jr.
David B. Soule, Jr.

/s/ Bruce B. Tindal
Bruce B. Tindal



















The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 30


Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The Federal Reserve Act permits the Bank to contract for or purchase property from any of its Directors only when such purchase is made in the regular course of business upon terms not less favorable to the Bank than those offered by others unless the purchase has been authorized by a majority of the Board of Directors not interested in the transaction. Similarly, the Federal Reserve Act prohibits loans to Executive Officers of the Bank unless such transactions have been made upon substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with persons not related to the lender, and certain other prescribed conditions have been met.
The Bank has had, and expects to have in the future, banking transactions in the ordinary course of its business with Directors, Executive Officers and principal Shareholders of the Company and their affiliates. All such transactions have been made upon substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with persons not related to the lender and meet the established written policies of the Bank. Compliance with lending to Directors, Executive Officers and principal Shareholders of the Company is reviewed periodically by the Company’s internal audit function and the results of such audits are reported to the Audit Committee. In the opinion of Management, such loans have not involved more than the normal risk of collectibility nor have they presented other unfavorable features. The total amount of loans outstanding at December 31, 2015 to the Company’s Directors, Executive Officers and their affiliates was $20,400,994, which constituted 2.22% of the Bank’s total loans outstanding at that date.


The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 31


Director Compensation

Fees paid by the Bank to its Directors as a group totaled $255,966 in 2015, but no fees are paid to Directors of the Company in their capacities as such. Of the $255,966 paid to the outside Directors, 50.0% of this portion was reinvested in the Company through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. In addition, $10,650 in compensation was paid for other services, as detailed below, and such fees are on terms no more favorable to the recipient than are generally paid by the Bank for such services to other providers in the area. CEO McKim, who is the only Director who is also an employee of the Company, receives no additional compensation for serving on the Board of Directors of the Company or the Bank. The following table of Director Compensation details compensation paid to Directors in 2015.

Name
Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash* ($)
All Other Compensation** ($)
Total
($)
Katherine M. Boyd
30,700

30,700
Robert B. Gregory
30,500

30,500
Carl S. Poole, Jr.
31,800

31,800
Mark N. Rosborough
34,883

34,883
Cornelius J. Russell
26,250

26,250
Stuart G. Smith
28,600

28,600
David B. Soule
39,083

39,083
Bruce B. Tindal
34,150
10,650

44,800

*
In 2015, the Chairman of the Board received an annual fee of $39,500. Each of the outside Directors of the Bank, with the exception of the Chairman of the Board, received a Director’s fee in the amount of $900 for each meeting attended, and $600 for each meeting attended of a committee of which the Director is a member. In addition to meeting fees paid for meetings attended, the Chairman of the Audit Committee received a stipend of $9,000. Each of the outside Directors also received a monthly retainer of $1,200, with the exception of the Chairman of the Board.
**
Certain Board members were paid fees for other services, and such fees are on terms no more favorable to the recipient than are generally paid by the Bank for such services to other providers in the area. Mr. Tindal is a licensed real estate broker and the amount listed was real estate commission paid to his firm in connection with the sale of bank-owned properties.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that the Company’s Directors, Executive Officers, and any person holding more than ten percent of the Company’s Common Stock file with the SEC reports of ownership changes, and that such individuals furnish the Company with copies of the reports.
Based solely on a review of the reports furnished to the Company, or written representations from reporting persons that all reportable transactions were reported, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 the Company’s officers, Directors and greater than ten percent owners timely filed all reports they were required to file under Section 16(a) except for EVP Steven N. Parady, who filed the Form 4 for his February 26, 2015 transaction one day late.






The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 32



PROPOSAL 2 – NON-BINDING VOTE ON THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

As required under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Board of Directors is submitting for shareholder approval, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. This vote is known as “Say-on-Pay”.

This is a non-binding resolution and accordingly will not have any binding legal effect regardless of whether or not it is approved and may not be construed as overruling a decision by the Company or the Board of Directors or to create or imply any change to the fiduciary duties of the Board. Furthermore, because this non-binding advisory resolution primarily relates to compensation of the named executive officers that has already been paid or contractually committed, there is generally no opportunity for us to revisit those decisions. However, the Compensation Committee intends to take the results of the vote on this proposal into account in its future decisions regarding the compensation of our named executive officers.

Approval of the Company’s executive compensation policies and procedures would require that the number of votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the number of votes cast against it. Abstentions and broker non votes will not be counted as votes cast and therefore will not affect the determination as to whether the Company’s executive compensation policies and procedures are approved. Because this Shareholder vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Company’s Board of Directors.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR PROPOSAL NO. 2.






The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 33


PROPOSAL 3: APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

Berry Dunn McNeil & Parker, LLC (BerryDunn) has served as independent auditor for the Company and the Bank since 1994. In the opinion of the Board of Directors, the reputation, qualifications and experience of the firm make its reappointment appropriate for 2016. It is the desire of the Board of Directors Audit Committee that the appointment of BerryDunn as independent auditors be ratified by the Shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives from BerryDunn will be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from Shareholders.

This proposal will be adopted if the number of shares voted in favor of the proposal exceeds the number of shares voted against the proposal. Broker non-votes and
abstentions will not be included in either total.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR PROPOSAL NO. 3





The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 34


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Disclosure of Audit Fees

Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant, Berry Dunn McNeil & Parker, LLC (Berry Dunn), for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and review of interim financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $170,000 and $169,000, respectively.

Audit-Related Fees
None.

Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by BerryDunn for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $19,000 and $16,000, respectively. The nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category are preparation of federal and state tax returns, review of estimated tax payments, review of compliance with information reporting requirements, and tax planning.

All Other Fees
The aggregate fees billed for services provided by BerryDunn, other than the services reported in the paragraphs above, for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $16,000 and $14,000, respectively. The nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category is related to employee benefit plan audits and routine consulting.

None of the services described in each of the paragraphs above were provided under the de minimis exception set forth in Rule 2-01 (c)(7)(i)(C).

The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 35


Report of the Audit Committee


February 25, 2016

To the Board of Directors of The First Bancorp, Inc.:

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with Management the Company’s audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16 of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Interim Auditing Standards, “Communication with Audit Committees”, and related interpretations and rules.

The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditors required by Independence Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,” as amended, by the Independence Standards Board, and has discussed with the auditors the auditors’ independence.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors that the financial statements referred to above be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Each of the members of the Audit Committee is independent as defined under the listing standards of the NASDAQ stock market.

The Company’s Audit Committee Charter, as adopted by the Board of Directors, was included in the 2004 Proxy Statement and can be accessed on the Company’s website at www.thefirstbancorp.com.


/s/ Mark N. Rosborough
Mark N. Rosborough, Audit Committee Chairman


/s/ Robert B. Gregory
Robert B. Gregory


/s/ David B. Soule, Jr.
David B. Soule, Jr.




The First Bancorp 2016 Proxy Statement • Page 36


Information About Shareholder Proposals
If you wish to submit proposals to be included in the Company’s 2017 proxy statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Company must receive them by November 21, 2016, pursuant to the proxy solicitation regulations of the SEC. SEC rules contain standards as to which Shareholder proposals are required to be included in the proxy statement. Any such proposal will be subject to 17 C.F.R. ss.240.14a-8 of the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC.
Under the Company’s Bylaws, if you wish to nominate a Director or bring other business before an annual meeting, you must be a Shareholder of record and have continuously held at least $2,000 in market value of the Company’s Common Stock (as determined by the President) for at least one year as of the date of submittal of such proposal and continue to hold those securities through the date of such annual meeting.
Your notice must contain specific information required in the Company’s Bylaws.

Shareholder Communication with the Board
Shareholders and other parties interested in communicating directly with the Non-Management Chairman of the Board or with other Non-Management Directors as a group may do so by writing to: Chairman, The First Bancorp, Inc., Post Office Box 940, 223 Main Street, Damariscotta, Maine 04543. The Board approved a process requiring that all such addressed correspondence be reviewed by the Secretary to the Board. The Board Secretary, upon review of the correspondence, will forward to the Non-Management Chairman all such correspondence that deals with the functions of the Board or committees thereof or that she determines requires the attention of the Board. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of the Company’s Audit Committee Chairman in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee with respect to such matters.

Accessing Company Financial Statements and Reports and Online Information
An annual report to Shareholders, including consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, is being distributed to all Company Shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 19, 2016 and is enclosed herewith.
Shareholders may obtain without charge a copy of the Company’s
Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K,
Written requests should be directed to F. Stephen Ward, Treasurer, at P.O. Box 940, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Materials may also be accessed online at http://materials.proxyvote.com/31866P. The First Bancorp, Inc.’s website address is www.thefirstbancorp.com. All press releases, SEC filings and other reports or information issued by the Company are available at this website, as well as the Company’s Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Audit Committee Charter, Nominating/Governance Committee Charter, and Compensation Committee Charter.

Other Matters
The Annual Meeting is called for the purposes set forth in this notice. Management is not aware of any other matter that will come before the meeting. However, if any other business should come before the meeting, your Proxy, if signed and returned, will give to the persons designated in it discretionary authority to vote according to their best judgment. It is the intention of the persons named in the Proxy to vote pursuant to the Proxy in accordance with the recommendations of Management.

By Order of the Board of Directors

/s/ Charles A. Wootton
Charles A. Wootton, Clerk
Damariscotta, Maine, March 21, 2016

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