CEO David DeMarco received total compensation of $1,572,406 in 2025, which is within a reasonable range for a CEO of a $600 million market-cap community bank — no benchmark threshold is breached. The pay mix is appropriate: base salary of $715,850 represents roughly 45% of total compensation, with the remainder in performance-based annual bonus ($379,401), restricted stock awards ($243,265), and retirement and other benefits, meeting the policy's requirement that fixed pay not dominate. The incentive structure is tied to measurable financial goals (earnings per share, tangible book value growth, return on assets, and asset quality metrics), the company delivered strong 2025 results including 50% EPS growth, and the prior Say-on-Pay vote received 93% support — well above the 70% threshold that would require corrective action. The company also maintains a clawback policy, stock ownership guidelines, and no tax gross-ups, all consistent with sound pay governance.

Crowe has served as auditor only since fiscal year 2024, so tenure is approximately two years — well below the 25-year threshold that would raise independence concerns. Non-audit fees (tax fees of $54,015 plus all other fees of $72,188 totaling $126,203) represent approximately 12.7% of audit fees of $992,660, comfortably within the 50% policy limit. No restatements or other concerns are noted, and the Audit Committee pre-approves all services.