Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Corporation’s management, under the supervision of and with the participation of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has carried out an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed in reports the Corporation files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Corporation’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, as that term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). The Corporation’s system of internal control over financial reporting has been designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Corporation’s assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Corporation’s management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention, or timely detection and correction of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Corporation’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 and correct misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness 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 and procedures may deteriorate.
There were no changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
The Corporation’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on the framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013). Based on that assessment, we concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013).
Crowe LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, has issued an audit report on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024.
March 6, 2025
By:
/s/ J. Bradley Scovill
Date
President and Chief Executive Officer
March 6, 2025
By:
/s/ Mark A. Hughes
Date
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, no director or officer of the Corporation adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement”, as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
There was no information the Corporation was required to disclose in a report on Form 8 -K during the fourth quarter 202 4 that was not disclosed.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information concerning Directors and Executive Officers is incorporated herein by reference to disclosure under the captions “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Information Concerning Security Ownership” and “Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors” of the Corporation’s proxy statement dated March 14, 2025 for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on April 24, 2025.
The Corporation’s Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics, available on the Corporation’s web site at www.cnbankpa.com for the Corporation’s employees, officers and directors. (The provisions of the Code of Ethics are also included in the Corporation’s employee handbook.)
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information concerning executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference to disclosure under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation Tables” of the Corporation’s proxy statement dated March 14, 2025 for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on April 24, 2025.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference to disclosure under the caption “Beneficial Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors” of the Corporation’s proxy statement dated March 14, 2025 for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on April 24, 2025.
“Equity Compensation Plan Information” as required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference herein from Item 5 (Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters) of this Form 10-K.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information concerning loans and deposit balances with Directors and Executive Officers is provided in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which is included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additional information, including information concerning director independence, is incorporated herein by reference to disclosure appearing under the captions “Director Independence” and “Related Person Transactions and Policies” of the Corporation’s proxy statement dated March 14, 2025 for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on April 24, 2025.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information concerning services provided by the Corporation’s independent auditor Crowe LLP, the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures for such services, and fees paid by the Corporation to that firm, is incorporated herein by reference to disclosure under the caption “Fees of Independent Public Accountants” of the Corporation’s proxy statement dated March 14, 2025 for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on April 24, 2025.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EX HIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) (1). The following consolidated financial statements are set forth in Part II, Item 8:
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 173 )
91-92
Report of Predecessor Auditor (PCAOB ID: 23 )
93
Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2024 and 2023
40
Consolidated Statements of Income - Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
41
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
42
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity - Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
43
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022
44
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
45-90
(a) (2) Financial statement schedules are not applicable or included in the financial statements or related notes.
2. Plan of acquisition, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation or succession
Not applicable
3.1 Articles of Incorporation
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed May 6, 2022
3.2 By-laws
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed February 18, 2022
4. Instruments defining the rights of securities holders, including Indentures:
4.1 Indenture, dated May 19, 2021 between Citizens & Northern Corporation and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Corporation’s Form 8-K filed May 19, 2021
4.2 Form of Subordinated Note
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A-2 to Exhibit 4.1 of the Corporation’s Form 8-K filed May 19, 2021
4.3 Form of Senior Note
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Corporation’s Form 8-K filed May 19, 2021
4.4 Description of registrant’s securities
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.(vi) of the Corporation’s Form 10-K filed February 20, 2020
9. Voting trust agreement
Not applicable
10. Material contracts:
10.1 Form of Time-Based Restricted Stock agreement dated January 31, 2025 between the Corporation and Executive Officers pursuant to the Citizens & Northern Corporation 2023 Equity Incentive Plan
Filed herewith
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10.2 Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Agreement dated January 31, 2025 between the Corporation and Executive Officers pursuant to the Citizens & Northern Corporation 2023 Equity Incentive Plan
Filed herewith
10.3 Restricted Stock Agreement dated July 30, 2024 between the Corporation and J. Bradley Scovill
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Corporation’s Form 8-K on July 31, 2024
10.4 2025 Annual Performance Incentive Award Plan
Filed herewith
10.5 2025 Annual Performance Incentive Award Plan - Mortgage Lenders
Filed herewith
10.6 First Amendment to Deferred Compensation Agreement dated June 17, 2021
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-K on February 22, 2022
10.7 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated December 17, 2015
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-K on February 15, 2018
10.8 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated May 22, 2024 between the Corporation and J. Bradley Scovill
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Corporation’s Form 8-K on May 28, 2024
10.9 Second Amendment to Employment Agreement dated August 24, 2018 between the Corporation and J. Bradley Scovill
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Corporation’s Form 8-K on August 24, 2018
10.10 First Amendment to Employment Agreement dated June 26, 2017 between the Corporation and J. Bradley Scovill
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Corporation’s Form 8-K on June 27, 2017
10.11 Employment agreement dated March 2, 2015 between the Corporation and J. Bradley Scovill
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Corporation’s Form 8-K on February 9, 2015
10.12 Employment agreement dated September 19, 2013 between the Corporation and Mark A. Hughes
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with Corporation’s Form 8-K on September 19, 2013
10.13 Employment agreement dated September 19, 2013 between the Corporation and Harold F. Hoose, III
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed with Corporation’s Form 8-K on September 19, 2013
10.14 Employment agreement dated December 18, 2019 between the Corporation and Blair T. Rush
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-K on March 5, 2021
10.15 Employment agreement dated April 6, 2021 between the Corporation and Alexander Balagour
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-Q on August 6, 2021
10.16 Employment agreement dated February 1, 2023 between the Corporation and Kelley A. Cwiklinski
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-Q on May 5, 2023
10.17 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated September 20, 2018 between the Corporation and J. Bradley Scovill
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-Q on November 1, 2018
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10.18 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated January 9, 2018 between the Corporation and Tracy E. Watkins
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-K on February 15, 2018
10.19 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated February 11, 2015 between the Corporation and Stan R. Dunsmore
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-K on February 26, 2015
10.20 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated January 19, 2011 between the Corporation and John M. Reber
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-K on March 1, 2011
10.21 Form of Indemnification Agreements dated May 2004 between the Corporation and the Directors and certain officers
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-K on March 14, 2005
10.22 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated February 16, 2021 between the Corporation and Blair T. Rush
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-K on March 5, 2021
10.23 Change in Control Agreement dated January 9, 2018 between the Corporation and Tracy E. Watkins
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-K on February 15, 2018
10.24 Change in Control Agreement dated March 17, 2015 between the Corporation and Stan R. Dunsmore
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-Q on May 8, 2015
10.25 Change in Control Agreement dated January 20, 2005 between the Corporation and John M. Reber
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 filed with Corporation’s Form 10-K on February 18, 2016
10.26 Change in Control Agreement dated December 31, 2003 between the Corporation and Thomas L. Rudy, Jr.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with the Corporation’s Form 10-K on March 14, 2005
10.27 Fifth Amendment to Citizens & Northern Corporation Stock Incentive Plan
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Form 8-K on December 21, 2018
10.28 Fourth Amendment to Citizens & Northern Corporation Stock Incentive Plan and Annual Incentive Plan
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed with Corporation’s Form 8-K on September 19, 2013
10.29 Third Amendment to Citizens & Northern Corporation Stock Incentive Plan
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Corporation’s proxy statement dated March 18, 2008 for the annual meeting of stockholders held on April 15, 2008
10.30 Second Amendment to Citizens & Northern Corporation Stock Incentive Plan
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed with the Corporation’s Form 10-K on March 10, 2004
10.31 First Amendment to Citizens & Northern Corporation Stock Incentive Plan
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed with the Corporation’s Form 10-K on March 10, 2004
10.32 Citizens & Northern Corporation Stock Incentive Plan
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 filed with the Corporation’s Form 10-K on March 10, 2004
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10.33 Second Amendment to Citizens & Northern Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with Form 8-K on December 21, 2018
10.34 First Amendment to Citizens & Northern Corporation Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Corporation’s proxy statement dated March 18, 2008 for the annual meeting of stockholders held on April 15, 2008
10.35 Citizens & Northern Corporation Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Corporation’s proxy statement dated March 19, 2001 for the annual meeting of stockholders held on April 17, 2001.
10.36 Citizens & Northern Corporation 2023 Equity Incentive Plan
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Corporation’s proxy statement dated March 10, 2023 for the annual meeting of stockholders held on April 20, 2023
10.37 Citizens & Northern Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (as amended and restated)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 filed with the Corporation’s Form 10-K on March 6, 2009
10.38 Form of Indemnification Agreements dated May 24, 2018 between the Corporation and Directors Bobbi J. Kilmer, Terry L. Lehman, Frank G. Pellegrino and Aaron K. Singer
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Corporation’s Form 10-Q filed August 6, 2018
10.39 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated July 16, 2020 between the Corporation and Stephen M. Dorwart
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed with the Corporation's Form 10-Q on August 6, 2020
10.40 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated July 16, 2020 between the Corporation and Robert G. Loughery
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed with the Corporation's Form 10-Q on August 6, 2020
10.41 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated April 27, 2021 between the Corporation and Helen S. Santiago
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with the Corporation’s Form 10-Q on August 6, 2021
10.42 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated July 12, 2021 between the Corporation and Kate Shattuck
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Corporation’s Form 10-Q on November 8, 2021
11. Statement re: computation of per share earnings
Information concerning the computation of earnings per share is provided in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which is included in Part II, Item 8 of Form 10-K
12. Statements re: computation of ratios
Not applicable
13. Annual report to security holders, Form 10-Q or quarterly report to security holders
Not applicable
14. Code of ethics
The Code of Ethics is available through the Corporation’s website at www.cnbankpa.com. To access the Code of Ethics, click on “About,” “Investor Relations,” “Corporate Governance Policies,” and “Code of Ethics.”
16. Letter re: change in certifying accountant
Not applicable
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18. Letter re: change in accounting principles
Not applicable
19. Citizens & Northern Corporation Insider Trading Policy
Filed herewith
21. Subsidiaries of the registrant
Filed herewith
22. Published report regarding matters submitted to vote of security holders
Not applicable
23.1 Consent of Crowe LLP
Filed herewith
23.2 Consent of Baker Tilly US, LLP
Filed herewith
24. Power of attorney
Not applicable
31. Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certifications:
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Filed herewith
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Filed herewith
32. Section 1350 certifications
Filed herewith
33. Report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed securities
Not applicable
34. Attestation report on assessment of compliance with servicing criteria for asset-backed securities
Not applicable
35. Service compliance statement
Not applicable
97 Executive Compensation Recoupment Policy
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed with Corporation’s Form 8-K on September 19, 2013
99. Additional exhibits
Not applicable
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document.
Filed herewith
101.SCH Inline XBRL Schema Document.
Filed herewith
101.CAL Inline XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith
101.DEF Inline XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith
101.LAB Inline XBRL Label Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith
101.PRE Inline XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.
Filed herewith
104. Cover Page Interactive Data File (Formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
Filed herewith
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 indicated.
By:
/s/ J. Bradley Scovill
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 6, 2025
By:
/s/ Mark A. Hughes
Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer
Date: March 6, 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.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/
Stephen M. Dorwart
/s/
Frank G. Pellegrino
Stephen M. Dorwart
Frank G. Pellegrino
Date: March 6, 2025
Date: March 6, 2025
/s/
Robert G. Loughery
/s/
Helen S. Santiago
Robert G. Loughery
Helen S. Santiago
Date: March 6, 2025
Date: March 6, 2025
/s/
Susan E. Hartley
/s/
J. Bradley Scovill
Susan E. Hartley
J. Bradley Scovill
Date: March 6, 2025
Date: March 6, 2025
/s/
Bobbi J. Kilmer
/s/
Kate Shattuck
Bobbi J. Kilmer
Kate Shattuck
Date: March 6, 2025
Date: March 6, 2025
/s/
Leo F. Lambert
/s/
Aaron K. Singer
Leo F. Lambert
Aaron K. Singer
Date: March 6, 2025
Date: March 6, 2025
/s/
Terry L. Lehman
Terry L. Lehman
Date: March 6, 2025
101