Note 10 - Stock-based Compensation Plans

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Corporation has a Stock Incentive Plan for a selected group of officers. Also, the Corporation has an Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan. In the first quarter 2015, the Corporation issued restricted stock under each of the Plans. In the first quarter 2014, the Corporation issued stock options and restricted stock under each of the Plans.

In the first quarter 2015, the Corporation awarded a total of 34,800 shares of restricted stock under the Stock Incentive and Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plans. In the first quarter 2014, a total of 16,711 shares of restricted stock were awarded under the Plans. Restricted stock awards in the first quarter 2015 included the following: (1) a total of 20,298 shares to employees, vesting over a four-year term, with vesting contingent upon the Corporation meeting an annual return on average equity (“ROAE”) performance ratio, as defined; (2) a total of 2,198 shares to employees, vesting over a four-year term, with vesting dependent on satisfactory performance; (3) an award to the Chief Executive Officer of 5,174 shares, vesting over a three-year term, with vesting dependent on satisfactory performance; and (4) a total of 7,130 shares under the Independent Directors Incentive Plan, vesting over a term of one year.

Compensation cost related to restricted stock is recognized based on the market price of the stock at the grant date over the vesting period. Management has estimated restricted stock expense in the first six months of 2015 based on an assumption that the ROAE target for 2015 will be met.

In January 2014, the Corporation granted options to purchase a total of 39,027 shares of common stock. The exercise price for the 2014 awards is $20.45 per share, based on the market price as of the date of grant. Stock option expense is recognized over the vesting period of each option.

The Corporation records stock option expense based on estimated fair value calculated using an option valuation model. In calculating the 2014 fair value, the Corporation utilized the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The calculated fair value of each option granted, and significant assumptions used in the calculations, were as follows:

	2014
Fair value of each option granted	$5.50
Volatility	39%
Expected option lives (Years)	8
Risk-free interest rate	2.85%
Dividend yield	4.33%

In calculating the estimated fair value of stock option awards, management based its estimates of volatility and dividend yield on the Corporation’s experience over the immediately prior period of time consistent with the estimated lives of the options. The risk-free interest rate was based on the published yield of zero-coupon U.S. Treasury strips with an applicable maturity as of the grant dates. The expected option lives were based on management’s estimates of the average term for all options issued under both plans. In 2014, management assumed a 34% forfeiture rate for options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan, and a 3% forfeiture rate for the Directors Stock Incentive Plan. These estimated forfeiture rates were determined based on the Corporation’s historical experience.

Total stock-based compensation expense is as follows:

(In Thousands)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	June 30,	June 30,	June 30,	June 30,
	2015	2014	2015	2014
Stock options	$0	$59	$0	$154
Restricted stock	157	113	307	230
Total	$157	$172	$307	$384