Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively), management has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of December 31, 2024. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including our CEO and CFO as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Based on and as of the date of such evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in all material respects, as of the end of the period covered by this Report.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of specific controls or internal control over financial reporting overall to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Based on this assessment, management concludes that, as of December 31, 2024, the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting is effective and meets the criteria of the “Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013).” Crowe LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued a report on the effectiveness of Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, which is included herein.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
No other changes were made to our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) adopted , modified or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as such terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933).
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURES REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Except as set forth below, the information required by Part III, Item 10 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein from the sections entitled – “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” (if applicable), “Proposal 1 -- Election of Directors,” “Independence and Committee Memberships,” “Executive Officers of the Registrant,” and "Corporate Governance - Meetings and Committee of the Board of Directors" in our proxy statement relating to our May 28, 2025 annual meeting of shareholders.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct (the “Code”) that applies to its directors, executive officers and associates and is available on the Company’s website at www.CBTCares.com under “Investor – Corporate Information – Governance Documents.” The Company intends to provide any required disclosure of any amendment to or waiver of the Code that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, on www.CBTCares.com under “Investor – Corporate Information – Governance Documents” promptly following the amendment or waiver. The information contained on or connected to the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any other report or document that we file or furnish to the SEC.
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures
The Company has adopted insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale, and/or other dispositions of its securities by directors, officers and employees, or the Company itself. These policies and procedures are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and any listing standards applicable to the Company. The Company’s insider trading policies and procedures are filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Part III, Item 11 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein from the sections entitled “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” in our proxy statement relating to our May 28, 2025 annual meeting of shareholders.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Except as set forth below, the information required by Part III, Item 12 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein from the sections entitled “Principal Beneficial Owners of Carter Bankshares, Inc. Common Stock” and “Beneficial Ownership of Carter
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Bankshares, Inc. Common Stock by Directors and Officers” in our proxy statement relating to our May 28, 2025 annual meeting of shareholders.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides summary information as of December 31, 2024 related to the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Plan, the only equity compensation plan under which the Company’s securities are authorized for issuance.
(a) (b) (c)
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights 1
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plan (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plan approved by shareholders 50,963 2 $— 1,416,491
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders — —
Total 50,963 $— 1,416,491
1 The weighted average exercise price does not take into account the outstanding performance unit awards noted in footnote (2) of this table. Performance unit awards do not have an exercise price and are delivered without any payment by the award recipient.
2 The amount shown reflects the maximum number of shares that may be issued under outstanding performance units if maximum performance goals are achieved. However, the actual number of shares issued under the performance units will depend on the level of performance achieved during a three-year performance period. The award recipient may receive less than the maximum number of shares under the outstanding performance units and may receive no payout under the outstanding performance units.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by Part III, Item 13 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein from the sections entitled “Related Person Transactions” and “Corporate Governance -- Director Independence” in our proxy statement relating to our May 28, 2025 annual meeting of shareholders.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by Part III, Item 14 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein from the section entitled “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our proxy statement relating to our May 28, 2025 annual meeting of shareholders.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated by reference and found where noted below.
Consolidated Financial Statements: The following Consolidated Financial Statements are included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. No financial statement schedules are being filed because the required information is inapplicable or is presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements or related notes.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
71
Consolidated Statements of Income
72
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
73
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
74
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
75
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
77
Report of Crowe LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, on Consolidated Financial Statements and Effectiveness of Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
125
(b) Exhibits
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and among Carter Bank & Trust, Carter Bankshares, Inc. and CBT Merger Sub, Inc., dated November 9, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 23, 2020)
3.1
Articles of Incorporation of Carter Bankshares, Inc., effective October 7, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 23, 2020)
3.2
Bylaws of Carter Bankshares, Inc., as adopted October 28, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 23, 2020)
4.1
Description of Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 23, 2020)
10.1*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated and effective as of November 20, 2020, by and between Carter Bankshares, Inc., Carter Bank & Trust and Wendy S. Bell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021 )
10.2*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated and effective as of November 20, 2020, by and between Carter Bankshares, Inc., Carter Bank & Trust and Litz Van Dyke (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021 )
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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES – (continued)
10.3*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated and effective as of November 20, 2020, by and between Carter Bankshares, Inc., Carter Bank & Trust and Phyllis Q. Karavatakis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021 )
10.4*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated and effective as of November 20, 2020, by and between Carter Bankshares, Inc., Carter Bank & Trust and Jane Ann Davis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021 )
10.5*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated and effective as of November 20, 2020, by and between Carter Bankshares, Inc., Carter Bank & Trust and Bradford N. Langs (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021 )
10.6*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated and effective as of November 20, 2020, by and between Carter Bankshares, Inc., Carter Bank & Trust and Matthew M. Speare (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021)
10.7*
Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, effective November 20, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020)
10.7.1*
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Agreement (for employee) for use after November 20, 2020 under the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021 )
10.7.2*
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock (for non-employee director) for use after November 20, 2020 under the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021 )
10.7.3*
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Agreement (for employee: LTIP) for use after March 2, 2022, under the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2022)
10.7.4*
Form of Performance Unit Agreement (for employee) for use after March 2, 2022 under the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2022)
10.7.5*
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Agreement (for employee: annual) for use on or after February 17, 2022 under the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2022)
10.7.6*
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Agreement (for employee: AIP) for use on or after February 14, 2023 under the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 4, 2023)
10.7.7*
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Agreement (for employee: LTIP) for use on and after December 14, 2023 under the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 12, 2023)
10.7.8*
Form of Performance Unit Agreement (for employee: LTIP) for use on and after December 14, 2023 under the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 12, 2023)
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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES – (continued)
10.7.9*
Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock Agreement (for employee: LTIP) for use on and after February 27, 2025 under the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
10.7.10*
Form of Performance Unit Agreement (for employee: LTIP) for use on and after February 27, 2025 under the Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan
10.8*
Carter Bankshares, Inc. Amended and Restated Annual Incentive Plan as amended and restated effective January 1, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 5, 2022)
10.9*
Amended and Restated Change of Control Severance Agreement, dated and effective as of November 20, 2020, by and between Carter Bankshares, Inc., Carter Bank & Trust and Arthur Loran Adams (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021 )
10.10*
Amended and Restated Change of Control Severance Agreement, dated and effective as of November 20, 2020 by and between Carter Bankshares, Inc., Carter Bank & Trust and Tony E. Kallsen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021 )
10.11*
Carter Bank & Trust Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (executive component) - Virginia Bankers Association Model Plan (for executives) as restated as of January 1, 2018 and incorporating all amendments through November 1, 2020 ( incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021)
10.11.1*
Adoption Agreement for Virginia Bankers Association Model Plan (for executives) as restated as of January 1, 2018 and updated January 1, 2020, effective as of January 1, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 11, 2022)
10.11.2*
162(m) Amendment to Virginia Bankers Association Model Plan (for executives) adopted November 13, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021)
10.12*
Carter Bank & Trust Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (director component) - Virginia Bankers Association Model Plan (for directors) as restated as of January 1, 2018 and incorporating all amendments through November 1, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2021 )
10.12.1*
Adoption Agreement for Virginia Bankers Association Model Plan (for directors) as restated as of January 1, 2018 and updated January 1, 2020, effective as of January 1, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 11, 2022)
10.13 *
Carter Bank & Trust Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (for directors and executives) Virginia Bankers Association Model Nonqualified Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan Document, adopted on May 19, 2022, effective as of January 1, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 3, 2022)
10.13.1 *
Carter Bank & Trust Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (for directors and executives) Virginia Bankers Association Model Adoption Agreement, adopted on May 19, 2022, effective as of January 1, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 3, 2022)
19
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures (filed herewith)
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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES – (continued)
97
Clawback Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024)
21.1
Subsidiaries of Carter Bankshares, Inc . (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2024)
23.1
Consent of Crowe LLP (filed herewith)
31.1
Certification by principal executive officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (filed herewith)
31.2
Certification by principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (filed herewith)
32.1
Certification by principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 (filed herewith)
32.2
Certification by principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350 (filed herewith)
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibits 101)
* Denotes management contract.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CARTER BANKSHARES, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Litz H. Van Dyke
Name: Litz H. Van Dyke
Title: Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: March 7, 2025
By: /s/ Wendy S. Bell
Name: Wendy S. Bell
Title: Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date: March 7, 2025
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: /s/ James W. Haskins By: /s/ Litz H. Van Dyke
Name: James W. Haskins Name: Litz H. Van Dyke
Title: Chairman of the Board Title: Director and Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 7, 2025 Date: March 7, 2025
By: /s/ Phyllis Q. Karavatakis By: /s/ Michael R. Bird
Name: Phyllis Q. Karavatakis Name: Michael R. Bird
Title: Vice Chairman of the Board Title: Director
Date: March 7, 2025 Date: March 7, 2025
By: By: /s/ Robert M. Bolton
Name: Kevin S. Bloomfield Name: Robert M. Bolton
Title: Director Title: Director
Date: March 7, 2025 Date: March 7, 2025
By: /s/ Gregory W. Feldmann By: /s/ Jacob A. Lutz III
Name: Gregory W. Feldmann Name: Jacob A. Lutz III
Title: Director Title: Director
Date: March 7, 2025 Date: March 7, 2025
By: /s/ E. Warren Matthews By: /s/ Catharine L. Midkiff
Name: E. Warren Matthews Name: Catharine L. Midkiff
Title: Director Title: Director
Date: March 7, 2025 Date: March 7, 2025
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By: /s/ Curtis E. Stephens By: /s/ Elizabeth Lester Walsh
Name: Curtis E. Stephens Name: Elizabeth Lester Walsh
Title: Director Title: Director
Date: March 7, 2025 Date: March 7, 2025
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