Definitive Notice and Proxy Statement

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     )

Filed by the Registrant þ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨

  Preliminary Proxy Statement

¨

  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

x

  Definitive Proxy Statement

¨

  Definitive Additional Materials

¨

  Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

x

  No fee required.

¨

  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
  (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
  (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
  (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
  (5)   Total fee paid:

¨

  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

¨

  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
  (1)   Amount Previously Paid:
  (2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
  (3)   Filing Party:
  (4)   Date Filed:


 

LOGO

101 JFK Parkway

Short Hills, New Jersey 07078

April 10, 2012                

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Investors Bancorp, Inc., which will be held at The Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901, on May 22, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., local time.

The business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting consists of the election of three directors, an advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers and the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the calendar year ending December 31, 2012. Your Board of Directors has determined that an affirmative vote on each of these matters is in the best interests of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its stockholders and unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each of the nominees for director, “FOR” approval on an advisory basis of executive compensation and “FOR” ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012.

Your vote is very important regardless of the number of shares you own. We urge you to complete, sign and return the enclosed Proxy Card as soon as possible, or to vote by Internet or telephone as described on your Proxy Card, even if you currently plan to attend the Annual Meeting. This will not prevent you from voting in person, but will assure that your vote is counted if you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, officers and employees of Investors Bancorp, Inc., we thank you for your continued support.

 

Sincerely,
LOGO

Kevin Cummings

President and Chief Executive Officer


Investors Bancorp, Inc.

101 JFK Parkway

Short Hills, New Jersey 07078

(973) 924-5100

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on May 22, 2012

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Investors Bancorp, Inc. will be held at The Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901, on May 22, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., local time, to consider and vote upon the following matters:

1.

   To elect three persons to serve as directors of Investors Bancorp, Inc., each for a three-year term.

2.

   An advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers.

3.

   To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for Investors Bancorp, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2012.

4.

   To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting, and any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp, Inc. has fixed March 27, 2012 as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp, Inc. unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the nominees for director listed in the Proxy Statement, “FOR” approval on an advisory basis of executive compensation and “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012.

The Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp, Inc. requests that you complete, sign and mail the enclosed Proxy Card promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. You may also vote by Internet or telephone as described on your Proxy Card. Stockholders of record who attend the Annual Meeting may vote in person, even if they have previously delivered a signed proxy or voted by Internet or telephone.

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

    LOGO
 

Patricia E. Brown

Corporate Secretary

Short Hills, New Jersey

April 10, 2012

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE OR TO VOTE BY INTERNET OR TELEPHONE AS DESCRIBED ON YOUR PROXY CARD.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON May 22, 2012—This Proxy Statement and Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s 2011 Annual Report to Stockholders are each available at www.proxydocs.com/isbc


INVESTORS BANCORP, INC.

PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE

2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held on May 22, 2012

GENERAL INFORMATION

This Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy Card and the Annual Report to Stockholders are being furnished to the stockholders of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (“Investors Bancorp” or the “Company”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors for use at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Meeting will be held on May 22, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., local time, at The Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901. The term “Annual Meeting,” as used in this Proxy Statement, includes any adjournment or postponement of such meeting.

This Proxy Statement is dated April 10, 2012 and is first being mailed to stockholders of Investors Bancorp on or about April 19, 2012.

The 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Date, Time and Place

   The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at The Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901, on May 22, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., local time.

Record Date

   March 27, 2012.

Shares Entitled to Vote

   111,907,861 shares of Investors Bancorp common stock were outstanding on the Record Date and are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Purpose of the Annual Meeting

   To consider and vote on the election of three directors, approval of the compensation paid to our named executive officers and the ratification of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012.

Vote Required

   Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, without regard to either broker non-votes or proxies as to which authority to vote for the nominees being proposed is withheld. The advisory vote to approve executive compensation and the ratification of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm is determined by a majority of the votes cast, without regard to broker non-votes or proxies marked “ABSTAIN.” All votes on each proposal will include the vote of Investors Bancorp, MHC, which, as of March 27, 2012, owns 58.4% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
Your Board of Directors
Recommends You Vote in Favor of the Proposals
   Your Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” each of the nominees for director listed in this Proxy Statement, “FOR” approval on an advisory basis of executive compensation and “FOR” the ratification of KPMG LLP as Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012.

 

1


Investors Bancorp    Investors Bancorp, a Delaware corporation, is the bank holding company for Investors Bank, an FDIC-insured, New Jersey-chartered capital stock savings bank that operates 81 full-service banking offices in New Jersey and New York. At December 31, 2011, Investors Bancorp had $10.7 billion in total assets. Investors Bancorp’s principal executive offices are located at 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078, and our telephone number is (973) 924-5100.

Who Can Vote

The Board of Directors has fixed March 27, 2012 as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, only holders of record of shares of Investors Bancorp common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at the close of business on such date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On March 27, 2012, 111,907,861 shares of Investors Bancorp common stock were outstanding and held by approximately 11,000 holders of record. The presence, in person or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Investors Bancorp common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting.

How Many Votes You Have

Each holder of shares of Investors Bancorp common stock outstanding on March 27, 2012 will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record. However, Investors Bancorp’s certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders of record who beneficially own in excess of 10% of the then outstanding shares of common stock of Investors Bancorp (other than the Mutual Holding Company and any tax qualified plan of the Company) are not entitled to vote any of the shares held in excess of that 10% limit. A person or entity is deemed to beneficially own shares that are owned by an affiliate of, as well as by any person acting in concert with, such person or entity.

Matters to Be Considered

The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to elect three directors, to approve of the compensation paid to our named executive officers and to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012.

You may be asked to vote upon other matters that may properly be submitted to a vote at the Annual Meeting. We may adjourn or postpone the Annual Meeting for the purpose, among others, of allowing additional time to solicit proxies.

How to Vote

You may vote your shares by completing and signing the enclosed Proxy Card and returning it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or by attending the Annual Meeting. Alternatively, you may choose to vote your shares using the Internet or telephone voting options explained on your Proxy Card. You should complete and return the Proxy Card accompanying this document, or vote using the Internet or telephone voting options, to ensure that your vote is counted at the Annual Meeting, or at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting, regardless of whether you plan to attend. If you return an executed Proxy Card without marking your instructions, your executed Proxy Card will be voted “FOR” the election of the three nominees for director, “FOR” approval on an advisory basis of executive compensation and “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012.

Stockholders of record can vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If a broker holds your shares in street name, then you are not the stockholder of record and you must ask your broker how you can vote in person at the Annual Meeting.

 

2


The Board of Directors is currently unaware of any other matters that may be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, or at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting, shares represented by properly submitted proxies will be voted, or not voted, by the persons named as proxies in the Proxy Card in their best judgment.

Participants in Investors Bancorp Benefit Plans

If you are a participant in The Investors Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan or another benefit plan through which you own shares of Investors Bancorp common stock, you will have received with this Proxy Statement voting instruction forms that reflect all shares you may vote under the plans. Under the terms of these plans, the trustee or administrator votes all shares held by the plan, but each participant may direct the trustee or administrator how to vote the shares of Investors Bancorp common stock allocated to his or her plan account. If you own shares through any of these plans and do not vote, the respective plan trustees or administrators will vote your shares in accordance with the terms of the respective plans.

Quorum and Vote Required

The presence, in person or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Investors Bancorp common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted solely for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. A proxy submitted by a broker that is not voted on certain matters is sometimes referred to as a broker non-vote.

Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, without regard to either broker non-votes or proxies as to which authority to vote for the nominees being proposed is “Withheld”. The advisory vote to approve executive compensation and the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm is determined by a majority of the votes cast, without regard to broker non-votes or proxies marked “ABSTAIN”. All such votes on each proposal will include the vote of Investors Bancorp, MHC, which, as of March 27, 2012, owns 58.4% of the outstanding shares of common stock.

Revocability of Proxies

You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken at the Annual Meeting. You may revoke your proxy by:

 

   

submitting written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary of Investors Bancorp prior to the voting of such proxy;

 

   

submitting a properly executed proxy bearing a later date;

 

   

using the Internet or telephone voting options explained on the Proxy Card; or

 

   

voting in person at the Annual Meeting; however, simply attending the Annual Meeting without voting will not revoke an earlier proxy.

Written notices of revocation and other communications regarding the revocation of your proxy should be addressed to:

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

101 JFK Parkway

Short Hills, New Jersey 07078

Attention:    Patricia E. Brown

                    Corporate Secretary

If your shares are held in street name, you should follow your broker’s instructions regarding the revocation of proxies.

 

3


Solicitation of Proxies

Investors Bancorp will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to solicitation of proxies by mail, Investors Bancorp will request that banks, brokers and other holders of record send proxies and proxy material to the beneficial owners of Investors Bancorp common stock and secure their voting instructions, if necessary. Investors Bancorp will reimburse such holders of record for their reasonable expenses in taking those actions. If necessary, Investors Bancorp may also use several of its regular employees, who will not be specially compensated, to solicit proxies from stockholders, personally or by telephone, facsimile or letter.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

Your Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the nominees for director listed in this Proxy Statement, “FOR” approval on an advisory basis of executive compensation and “FOR” the ratification of KPMG LLP as Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Persons and groups who beneficially own in excess of five percent of Investors Bancorp’s common stock are required to file certain reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding such beneficial ownership. The following table sets forth, as of March 27, 2012, certain information as to the shares of Investors Bancorp common stock owned by persons who beneficially own more than five percent of Investors Bancorp’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock. We know of no persons, except as listed below, who beneficially owned more than five percent of the outstanding shares of Investors Bancorp common stock as of March 27, 2012. For purposes of the following table and the table included under the heading “Directors and Executive Officers,” and in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of any shares of common stock (i) over which he or she has, or shares, directly or indirectly, voting or investment power, or (ii) as to which he or she has the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days after March 27, 2012.

Principal Stockholders

 

Name and Address of Beneficial
                      Owner

     Number of Shares Owned and
Nature of Beneficial Ownership
       Percent of Shares of
Common Stock Outstanding (1)
 

Investors Bancorp, MHC

101 JFK Parkway

Short Hills, NJ 07078

       65,396,235  (2)         58.4

Advisory Research, Inc.

180 N Stetson St.

Chicago, IL 60601

       6,515,650  (3)         5.5

 

 

(1) Based on 111,907,861 shares of Investors Bancorp common stock outstanding as of March 27, 2012.
(2) This information is based on Schedule 13D (Amendment No. 2) filed by Investors Bancorp, MHC with the SEC on January 10, 2012. The Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp, MHC consists of those persons who serve on the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp, Inc.
(3) This information is based on Schedule 13G filed by Advisory Research, Inc. with the SEC on February 14, 2012.

 

4


Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information about shares of Investors Bancorp common stock owned by each nominee for election as director, each incumbent director, each named executive officer identified in the summary compensation table included elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, and all nominees, incumbent directors and executive officers as a group, as of March 27, 2012.

 

Name

   Position(s) held
with
Investors Bancorp
Inc. and/or
Investors Bank
   Shares
Owned
Directly and
  Indirectly (1)  
   Options
  Exercisable  
within 60
days
   Beneficial
  Ownership  
     Percent of  
Class
     Unvested Stock  
Awards
Included  in
Beneficial
Ownership

NOMINEES

                 

Robert M. Cashill

   Chairman    238,001    350,000    588,001    *   

Brian D. Dittenhafer

   Lead Director    93,407    234,411    327,818    *    3,906

Kevin Cummings

   Director,
President and Chief
Executive Officer
   555,854    450,000    1,005,854    *    367,858

INCUMBENT DIRECTORS

              

Doreen R. Byrnes

   Director    58,976    225,000    283,976    *   

William V. Cosgrove

   Director    31,009    60,000    91,009    *    16,000

James J. Garibaldi(2)

   Director               

Vincent D. Manahan III

   Director    149,671    234,411    384,082    *    3,906

Stephen J. Szabatin

   Director    108,671    234,411    343,082    *    3,906

James H. Ward III

   Director    126,102       126,102    *   

Domenick A. Cama

   Director, Senior
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer
   408,823    400,000    808,823    *    257,144

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS

  

Richard S. Spengler

   Executive Vice
President and Chief
Lending Officer
   239,882    200,000    439,882    *    134,287

Paul Kalamaras

   Executive Vice
President and
Director of Retail
Banking
   197,618    84,000    281,618    *    145,429

Thomas F. Splaine, Jr.

   Senior Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer
   138,424    175,000    313,424    *    56,429

All directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons) (3)

      2,346,438    2,647,233    4,993,671    4.5%    988,865

 

* Less than 1%

 

(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each person effectively exercises sole, or shared with spouse, voting and dispositive power as to the shares reported.
(2) Mr. Garibaldi was appointed to the Boards of Directors of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and Investors Bank effective March 27, 2012.
(3) Includes 40,764 shares of common stock allocated to the accounts of executive officers under the Investors Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) and excludes the remaining 4,213,308 shares of common stock of which 3,119,653 are unallocated and held for the future benefit of all employee participants. Under the terms of the ESOP, shares of common stock allocated to the account of employees are voted in accordance with the instructions of the respective employees. Unallocated shares are voted by the ESOP Trustee in the same proportion as the vote obtained from participants on allocated shares.

 

5


PROPOSAL I—ELECTION OF INVESTORS BANCORP DIRECTORS

General

Investors Bancorp’s Board of Directors currently consists of ten (10) members and is divided into three classes, with one class of directors elected each year. Each of the 10 members of the Board of Directors also serves as a director of Investors Bank and Investors Bancorp, MHC. The current Bylaws of Investors Bancorp provide that a director shall retire from the Board at the annual meeting of the Board immediately following the year in which the director attains age seventy-five.

Three directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting. On the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors nominated Robert M. Cashill, Brian D. Dittenhafer and Kevin Cummings for election as directors, each of whom has agreed to serve if so elected. All will serve until their respective successors have been elected and qualified.

Except as indicated herein, there are no arrangements or understandings between any nominee and any other person pursuant to which any such nominee was selected. Unless authority to vote for the nominees is withheld, it is intended that the shares represented by the enclosed Proxy Card, if executed and returned, will be voted “FOR” the election of all nominees.

In the event that any nominee is unable or declines to serve, the persons named in the Proxy Card as proxies will vote with respect to a substitute nominee designated by Investors Bancorp’s current Board of Directors. At this time, the Board of Directors knows of no reason why any of the nominees would be unable or would decline to serve, if elected.

 

6


INVESTORS BANCORP’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”

THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR NAMED IN THIS PROXY

STATEMENT.

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information, as of March 27, 2012, regarding the nominees for election as directors and the incumbent directors, including the terms of office of each director.

 

Name

   Position(s) held with
Investors Bancorp,
    Inc. and/or Investors    
Bank
     Age       Director 
Since
   Expiration of
Term

NOMINEES

           

Robert M. Cashill

   Chairman    69    1998    2012

Brian D. Dittenhafer

   Lead Director    69    1997    2012

Kevin Cummings

   Director, President and
Chief Executive Officer
   57    2008    2012

INCUMBENT DIRECTORS

           

James J. Garibaldi

   Director    60    2012    2013

Vincent D. Manahan III

   Director    74    2002    2013

James H. Ward III

   Director    63    2009    2013

Domenick A. Cama

   Director, Senior Executive
Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer
   55    2011    2013

Doreen R. Byrnes

   Director    62    2002    2014

William V. Cosgrove

   Director    64    2011    2014

Stephen J. Szabatin

   Director    75    1994    2014

The following information describes the business experience for each of the Company’s directors and executive officers.

Nominees for Director

Term to Expire 2015

Robert M. Cashill, age 69, was first elected to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in February 1998 and has served as Chairman since January 2010. Mr. Cashill served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Investors Bank from December 2002 until his retirement on December 31, 2007. During this time Mr. Cashill was an integral part of the conversion of the former savings bank into its present publically held MHC structure raising $500 million in the process. Before assuming such position, Mr. Cashill served as Executive Vice President for the bank since January 2000. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Mr. Cashill was employed as Vice President Institutional Sales by Salomon Smith Barney from 1977 to 1998, and at Hornblower, Weeks, Hemphill, Noyes from 1966 to 1977. For much of that time he specialized in providing investment analysis and asset/liability management advice to thrift institutions and was, therefore, familiar with thrift recapitalizations and debt issuance. Mr. Cashill has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Saint Peter’s College. He is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), where he continues his education.

Mr. Cashill’s leadership skills, extensive background in the financial services industry and his experience working for Investors Bank brings knowledge of industry management and local markets to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Cashill’s financial and leadership skills and his experience and knowledge of the financial services industry in general and of the Company in particular to be significant assets for the Board.

 

7


Brian D. Dittenhafer, age 69, was first elected to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in 1997. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York from 1985 until his retirement in 1992. Mr. Dittenhafer joined the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York in 1976 where he also served as Vice President and Chief Economist, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. Previously, he was employed as a Business Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta from 1971 to 1976. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Dittenhafer served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Collective Federal Savings Bank and as Chairman of the Resolution Funding Corporation from 1989 to 1992. From 1995 to 2007 Mr. Dittenhafer was Chairman of MBD Management Company. Mr. Dittenhafer has a Bachelor of Arts from Ursinus College and a Master of Arts in Economics from Temple University where he subsequently taught economics. He was named to Omicron Delta Epsilon, the national honor society in Economics. Mr. Dittenhafer is a member of the National Association for Business Economics and NACD. In 2007 he was awarded the Certificate of Director Education by NACD, where he continues his education and has achieved Director Professional designation.

Mr. Dittenhafer brings extensive knowledge of the banking industry and a strong background in economics to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Dittenhafer’s experience, leadership, financial expertise and strong economics background to be unique assets for the Board.

Kevin Cummings, age 57, was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank effective January 1, 2008 and was also appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Investors Bank at that time. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Investors Bank since July 2003. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Mr. Cummings had a 26-year career with the independent accounting firm of KPMG LLP, where he had been partner for 14 years. Immediately prior to joining Investors Bank, he was an audit partner in KPMG’s Financial Services practice in their New York City office and lead partner on a major commercial banking client. Mr. Cummings also worked in the New Jersey community bank practice for over 20 years. Mr. Cummings has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Middlebury College and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University. He is the First Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Bankers Association, Chairman of the Summit Speech School, a member of the Audit Committee and Finance Committee for St. Peter’s Prep, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Independent College Fund and a member of the Board of Trustees for The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children.

Mr. Cummings is a certified public accountant and his background in public accounting enhances the Board of Directors’ oversight of financial reporting and disclosure issues. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Cummings’ leadership skills and knowledge of accounting, auditing and corporate governance in the financial services industry to be assets to the Board of Directors.

Continuing Directors

Term to Expire 2013

James J. Garibaldi, age 60, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in 2012. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of The Garibaldi Group, a corporate real estate services firm headquartered in Chatham, New Jersey. Mr. Garibaldi joined The Garibaldi Group in 1974. In 1986, Mr. Garibaldi assumed the role of managing partner of the firm and in 1997, he became its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Garibaldi currently serves on CORFAC International’s International Committee. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Cancer Hope Network, a member of the Board of Trustees of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Morris, Bergen, Passaic and Sussex, Inc., on the Finance Council for the Diocese of Paterson, and a member of the Advisory Board for the Community Soup Kitchen in Morristown. Mr. Garibaldi has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Scranton.

 

8


Mr. Garibaldi’s extensive real estate experience and knowledge of the local real estate market bring valuable expertise to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Garibaldi’s leadership skills and real estate knowledge to be assets to the Board.

Vincent D. Manahan III, age 74, was first elected to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in 2002. He is an attorney, and has been a solo practitioner since January 2006. Previously, Mr. Manahan was a partner in the law firm of Herrigel Bolan & Manahan LLP from 1969 through 2005 where he served as principal counsel to Investors Bank from 1989 to 2002. He is a member of the New Jersey Bar Association, The Banking Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association and the Essex County Bar Association. Mr. Manahan was a special counsel to the U.S. Department of Justice 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Mr. Manahan has a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Georgetown University, a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School and a Master of Laws degree from New York University School of Law. Mr. Manahan has been given the highest rating (AV) of legal ability and ethical standards from Martindale-Hubbell. In 2010 he was awarded the Certificate of Director Education by NACD and in 2011 he successfully completed the requirements for the NACD Governance Fellowship, achieving the status of 2011 NACD Governance Fellow.

Mr. Manahan’s legal experience and expertise are valuable to the Board of Directors in matters of corporate governance, regulatory compliance and strategic acquisitions. Mr. Manahan possesses valuable understanding of the legal system, the regulatory framework of banking and has experience in strategic acquisitions and an ability to assess and evaluate risk from a legal as well as a business perspective. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Manahan’s skills and experience to be assets to the Board.

James H. Ward III, age 63, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in June 2009 upon consummation of Investors Bancorp Inc.’s acquisition of American Bancorp of New Jersey, Inc. Mr. Ward was a director of American Bancorp of New Jersey since 1991 and served as Vice Chairman since 2003. From 1998 to 2000, he was the majority stockholder and Chief Operating Officer of Rylyn Group, which operated a restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to that, he was the majority stockholder and Chief Operating Officer of Ward and Company, an insurance agency in Springfield, New Jersey, where he was employed from 1968 to 1998. He is now a retired investor. In 2009 he was awarded the Certificate of Director Education by NACD, where he is a member and continues his education.

Mr. Ward brings a wide range of management experience and business knowledge that provides a valuable resource to the Board of Directors. These skills and experience combined with the unique perspective Mr. Ward brings from his background as an entrepreneur provide skills and experience which the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers to be valuable assets for the Board.

Domenick A. Cama, age 55, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in January 2011. He became Chief Operating Officer of Investors Bank effective January 1, 2008 and was appointed Senior Executive Vice President in January of 2010. Prior to this appointment Mr. Cama served as Chief Financial Officer since April 2003. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Mr. Cama was employed for 13 years by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York where he served as Vice President and Director of Sales. Mr. Cama is also a member of the board of directors for the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation and the Madison YMCA. Mr. Cama holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Finance from Pace University.

Mr. Cama has extensive knowledge of the banking industry and local markets served by Investors Bank. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Cama’s experience, leadership, financial expertise and strong economics background to be unique assets for the Board.

Term to Expire 2014

Doreen R. Byrnes, age 62, was elected to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in January 2002. Ms. Byrnes served as Executive Vice President-Human Resources of Investors Bank from

 

9


December 2001 until her retirement in March 2007. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President-Human Resources of Investors Bank from 1980 until December 2001. She joined Investors Bank in August 1979. Ms. Byrnes has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is a member of NACD and was awarded the Certificate of Director Education in 2010.

Ms. Byrnes has extensive experience with executive recruitment, retention and compensation as well as a strong understanding of the employees and markets served by Investors Bank. This experience provides a unique perspective to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Ms. Byrnes’ skills and experience to be assets to the Board.

William V. Cosgrove, age 64, was first appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in October 2011. Mr. Cosgrove had been employed as an officer of Investors Bank since Investors’ acquisition of Summit Federal Bankshares, Inc. in June 2008 through his retirement from Investors on October 1, 2011. Mr. Cosgrove was President and Chief Executive Officer of Summit Federal Savings Bank from 2003 until the acquisition of Summit by Investors. He also served on Summit’s Board of Directors since 1987. Mr. Cosgrove has over 40 years of experience in banking and has served as president of the N.J. Council of Federal Savings Institutions, and the Union County Savings League. In addition he served on the Board of Governors of the New Jersey Savings League.

Mr. Cosgrove’s extensive experience in the banking industry and local markets bring valuable expertise to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Cosgrove’s financial and leadership skills and his experience and knowledge of the financial services industry in general to be assets to the Board.

Stephen J. Szabatin, age 75, was first elected to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in 1994. He was employed by The New Jersey Department of Banking as the Deputy Commissioner-Division of Regulatory Affairs from 1993 until his retirement in 1994. Previously he served as Deputy Commissioner-Division of Supervision from 1989 to 1993, and in various other capacities from 1966 to 1994. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in management. He is a member of NACD, where he was awarded the Certificate of Director Education in 2007. He continues his education through NACD where he has achieved Director Professional designation.

Mr. Szabatin’s experience is valuable to the Board of Directors in its oversight of risk management and regulatory compliance. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Szabatin’s experience and expertise to be assets to the Board.

Executive Officers of the Bank Who Are Not Also Directors

Richard S. Spengler, age 50, was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Investors Bank effective January 1, 2008. Mr. Spengler began working for Investors Bank in September 2004 as Senior Vice President. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Mr. Spengler had a 21-year career with First Savings Bank, Woodbridge, New Jersey where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer from 1999 to 2004. Mr. Spengler holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University.

Paul Kalamaras, age 53, was appointed Executive Vice President and Director of Retail Banking of Investors Bank in January of 2010. Mr. Kalamaras joined Investors Bank as a Senior Vice President and Director of Retail Banking in August 2008. Before joining Investors, Mr. Kalamaras was Executive Vice President of Millennium bcp bank, N.A., in Newark, New Jersey where he was responsible for the retail, commercial banking and treasury lines of business. He served on the bank’s Executive Committee and was a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Kalamaras previously was President and CEO of The Barré Company, a manufacturer of precision engineered metal components for the electronics and telecommunications industry. Earlier, Mr. Kalamaras was Executive Vice President at Summit Bank, where he was responsible for the retail network and business banking. Mr. Kalamaras holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame.

 

10


Thomas F. Splaine, Jr., age 46, was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Investors Bank effective January 1, 2008. Mr. Splaine previously served as Senior Vice President, Director of Financial Reporting for Investors Bank since January 2006. He served as First Vice President, Director of Financial Reporting for Investors Bank since December 2004. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Mr. Splaine was employed by Hewlett-Packard Financial Services, Murray Hill, New Jersey as Director of Financial Reporting. Mr. Splaine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s of Business Administration from Rider University.

Corporate Governance Matters

Investors Bancorp is committed to maintaining sound corporate governance guidelines and very high standards of ethical conduct and is in compliance with applicable corporate governance laws and regulations.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Investors Bancorp’s common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The executive officers and directors of Investors Bancorp, and beneficial owners of greater than 10% of Investors Bancorp’s common stock, are required to file reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission disclosing beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership of Investors Bancorp’s common stock. The Securities and Exchange Commission rules require disclosure in Investors Bancorp’s Proxy Statement or Annual Report on Form 10-K of the failure of an executive officer, director or 10% beneficial owner of Investors Bancorp’s common stock to file a Form 3, 4, or 5 on a timely basis. Based on Investors Bancorp’s review of ownership reports and confirmations by executive officers and directors, the Company believes that, during 2011, its officers, directors and beneficial owners of greater than 10% timely filed all required reports with the exception of the inadvertent late filing of Form 4 reports on February 23, 2011 by Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler, Kalamaras and Splaine to report the sale of stock to satisfy the tax liability on the February vesting of stock awards and the inadvertent late filing of a Form 4 by Mr. Dittenhafer on December 22, 2011 to report the sale of stock.

Board of Directors Meetings and Committees

The Boards of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank meet monthly, or more often as may be necessary. The Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank met thirteen and twelve times, respectively, during 2011. The Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp currently maintains three standing committees: the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Audit Committee and the Compensation and Benefits Committee.

No director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of Board meetings held by the Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank Board of Directors and all committees of the Boards on which they served (during the period they served) during 2011. We do not have a specific policy regarding attendance at the annual meeting. However, all of our directors attended the annual meeting of stockholders held on June 21, 2011.

Director Independence

A majority of the Board of Directors and each member of the Compensation and Benefits, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Audit Committees are independent, as affirmatively determined by the Board consistent with the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

The Board of Directors conducts an annual review of director independence for all current nominees for election as directors and all continuing directors. In connection with this review, the Board of Directors considers all relevant facts and circumstances relating to relationships that each director, his or her immediate family members and their related interests had with Investors Bancorp and its subsidiaries.

 

11


As a result of this review, the Board of Directors affirmatively determined that Messrs. Cashill, Dittenhafer, Manahan III, Szabatin and Ward III and Ms. Byrnes are independent as defined in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing rules. The Board of Directors determined that Messrs. Cummings and Cama are not independent as they are Investors Bank employees, Mr. Cosgrove is not independent as he was an employee of Investors Bank until retiring on October 1, 2011 and Mr. Garibaldi is not independent due to related party transactions.

In establishing our committee structure and appointing a Lead Director, we have also taken into account the extent to which a director who satisfies independence standards under the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market would also qualify as an independent outside director (as opposed to an affiliated outside director) under the standards set forth by the Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS).

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors believes that having separate Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions is the appropriate board leadership structure for Investors Bancorp. The Board of Directors believes that management accountability and the Board’s independence from management is best served by maintaining a majority of independent directors and maintaining standing board committees comprised of independent members.

In addition, the Board’s Corporate Governance Guidelines allow for the appointment of a Lead Independent Director, who shall be an “independent outside director”, which is defined as an independent director who is not considered an “affiliated outside director” under ISS standards. If appointed by the Board, the Lead Independent Director shall perform the following duties:

 

   

Preside at all meetings of the independent outside directors and independent directors;

 

   

Coordinate as necessary the Company-related activities of the independent outside directors;

 

   

Facilitate communications between the Chairman of the Board, the CEO and the independent outside directors;

 

   

Consult as needed with the Chairman of the Board with respect to meeting agendas and schedules, as well as Board materials, prior to Board meetings; and

 

   

Consult with the Chairman of the Board to assure that appropriate topics are being discussed with sufficient time allocated for each.

The Lead Independent Director shall have the authority to call meetings of the independent outside directors. In November 2011, and pursuant to the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board appointed Brian D. Dittenhafer as Lead Director.

The Board has not established a separate standing committee for enterprise risk management as the entire Board of Directors is responsible for risk management oversight. The Audit Committee, in accordance with Nasdaq stock market listing requirements, assists the Board of Directors in its oversight of the Company’s risk profile. It also establishes the organizational structure and processes used to identify, measure and manage risk, including those related to major financial risks. In addition the Board and its standing committees receive reports on a regular basis regarding enterprise and/or committee specific risks and the actions implemented by management to address such risks. The Company also has a centralized risk management department.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are posted on the “Governance Documents” section of the “Investor Relations” page of Investors Bank’s website at www.myinvestorsbank.com. The Corporate Governance Guidelines cover the general operating policies and procedures followed by the Board of Directors including, among other things:

 

   

Mission of the Board;

 

12


   

Director responsibilities and qualifications;

 

   

Board nominating procedures and election criteria;

 

   

Stock ownership policies, Board size, director independence; and

 

   

Director compensation, education and code of ethics.

The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide for the independent directors of the Board of Directors to meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions at least quarterly. During 2011, four executive sessions were conducted by the independent directors.

Anti-Hedging Policy

The Corporate Governance Guidelines include an anti-hedging policy, which prohibits directors and executive officers from engaging in or effecting any transaction designed to hedge or offset the economic risk of owning shares of the Company’s Common Stock. Accordingly, any hedging, derivative or other equivalent transaction that is specifically designed to reduce or limit the extent to which declines in the trading price of the Common Stock would affect the value of the shares of Common Stock owned by an executive officer or director is prohibited. Cashless exercises of employee stock options are not deemed short sales and are not prohibited. This policy does not prohibit transactions in the stock of other companies.

Stock Ownership Requirements

The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders to align the financial interests of Company’s executives and directors with those of stockholders. Accordingly, in 2011 the Corporate Governance Guidelines were amended to include Stock Ownership Guidelines for Named Executive Officers and Directors of the Company that require the following minimum investment in Company common stock:

 

CEO:

  A number of shares having a market value equal to five times (5.0x) annual base salary

Other NEOs:

  A number of shares having a market value equal to three times (3.0x) annual base salary

Directors:

  25,000 shares

Stock holdings are expected to be achieved within five (5) years of either the implementation of the ownership guidelines or the starting date of the individual, whichever is later. Stock ownership for NEOs and Directors will be reviewed as of the last day of each calendar quarter.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are: Messrs. Dittenhafer (Chair), Manahan III, Szabatin and Ward III. Each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is considered independent as defined in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s Charter and Corporate Governance Guidelines are posted on the “Governance Documents” section of the “Investor Relations” page of the Investors Bank’s website at www.myinvestorsbank.com. The Committee met five times during 2011.

As noted in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, the purpose of the committee is to assist the Board in identifying individuals to become Board members; determine the size and composition of the Board and its committees; monitoring Board effectiveness and implementing Corporate Governance Guidelines.

In furtherance of this purpose, this committee, among other things, shall:

 

   

Lead the search for individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors and develop criteria (such as independence, experience relevant to the needs of the company, leadership qualities, diversity, stock ownership) for board membership;

 

13


   

Make recommendations to the Board concerning Board nominees and stockholders proposals;

 

   

Develop, recommend and oversee the annual self-evaluation process of the board and its committees;

 

   

Develop and annually review corporate governance guidelines applicable to Investors Bancorp;

 

   

Review and monitor the Board’s compliance with Nasdaq stock market listing standards for independence; and

 

   

Review, in consultation with the Compensation and Benefits Committee, directors’ compensation and benefits.

In accordance with Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Committee considers all qualified director candidates identified by members of the Committee, by other members of the Board of Directors, by senior management and by stockholders. Stockholders recommending a director candidate to the Committee may do so by submitting the candidate’s name, resume and biographical information to the attention of the Chairman of this Committee in accordance with procedures listed in this proxy statement (also available on the Company’s website). All shareholder recommendations for director candidates that the Chairman of the Committee receives in accordance with these procedures will be presented to the Committee for its consideration. The Committee’s recommendations to the Board are based on its determination as to the suitability of each individual, and the slate as a whole, to serve as directors of the Company.

Criteria for Election

The Company’s goal is to have a Board of Directors whose members have diverse professional backgrounds and have demonstrated professional achievement with the highest personal and professional ethics and integrity and whose values are compatible with those of the Company. Important factors considered in the selection of nominees for director include experience in positions that develop good business judgment, that demonstrate a high degree of responsibility, independence, and that show the individual’s ability to commit adequate time and effort to serve as a director.

Nominees should have a familiarity with the markets in which the Company operates, be involved in activities that do not create a conflict with his/her responsibilities to the Company and its stockholders, and have the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interests of the stockholders of the Company as a group, and not primarily a special interest group or constituency.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also take into account whether a candidate satisfies the criteria for “independence” as defined in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing rules, and, if a candidate with financial and accounting expertise is sought for service on the Audit Committee, whether the individual qualifies as an Audit Committee financial expert.

Procedures for the Nomination of Directors by Stockholders

As previously indicated, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has adopted procedures for the consideration of Board candidates submitted by stockholders. Stockholders can submit the names of candidates for director by writing to the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, at Investors Bancorp, Inc., 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills New Jersey 07078. The submission must include the following information:

 

   

a statement that the writer is a stockholder and is proposing a candidate for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee;

 

   

the qualifications of the candidate and why this candidate is being proposed;

 

   

the name and address of the nominating stockholder as he/she appears on the Company’s books, and number of shares of the Company’s common stock that are owned beneficially by such stockholder (if the stockholder is not a holder of record, appropriate evidence of the stockholder’s ownership will be required);

 

14


   

the name, address and contact information for the nominated candidate, and the number of shares of common stock of the Company that are owned by the candidate (if the candidate is not a holder of record, appropriate evidence of the stockholder’s ownership should be provided);

 

   

a statement of the candidate’s business and educational experience;

 

   

such other information regarding the candidate as would be required to be included in the proxy statement pursuant to SEC Regulation 14A;

 

   

a statement detailing any relationship between the candidate and the Company and between the candidate and any customer, supplier or competitor of the Company;

 

   

detailed information about any relationship or understanding between the proposing stockholder and the candidate; and

 

   

a statement that the candidate is willing to be considered and willing to serve as a director if nominated and elected.

A nomination submitted by a stockholder for presentation by the stockholder at an Annual Meeting of stockholders must comply with the procedural and informational requirements described in “Advance Notice of Business to be Conducted at an Annual Meeting.” The Company received no stockholder submission for Board nominees for this Annual Meeting.

Stockholder and Interested Party Communication with the Board

A stockholder of the Company who wants to communicate with the Board or with any individual director can write to the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at Investors Bancorp, Inc., 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078. The letter should indicate that the author is a stockholder and if shares are not held of record, should include appropriate evidence of stock ownership. Depending on the subject matter, the Chair will:

 

   

Forward the communication to the director(s) to whom it is addressed;

 

   

Handle the inquiry directly, for example where it is a request for information about the Company or it is a stock-related matter; or

 

   

Not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in nature, relates to an improper or irrelevant topic, or is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or otherwise inappropriate.

At each Board meeting, the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall present a summary of all communications received since the last meeting and make those communications available to the directors upon request.

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

The Board has adopted a code of ethics and business conduct for all employees and a code of ethics and business conduct for directors. These codes are designed to ensure the accuracy of financial reports, deter wrongdoing, promote honest and ethical conduct, the avoidance of conflicts of interest, and full and accurate disclosure and compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Both of these documents are available on the Company’s website at www.myinvestorsbank.com. Amendments to and waivers from the codes of ethics and business conduct will be disclosed on the Company’s website.

Transactions With Certain Related Persons

Federal laws and regulations generally require that all loans or extensions of credit to executive officers and directors must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing

 

15


at the time for comparable transactions with the general public and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. However, regulations also permit executive officers and directors to receive the same terms through benefit or compensation plans that are widely available to other employees, as long as the executive officer or director is not given preferential treatment compared to the other participating employees. Pursuant to such a program, loans have been extended to executive officers, which loans are on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with the general public. These loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. As of December 31, 2011, Investors Bank had three loans in the amount of $1.9 million to named executive officers and directors.

Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 generally prohibits an issuer from: (1) extending or maintaining credit; (2) arranging for the extension of credit; or (3) renewing an extension of credit in the form of a personal loan for an officer or director. There are several exceptions to this general prohibition, one of which is applicable to Investors Bancorp. The provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that prohibit loans do not apply to loans made by a depository institution, such as Investors Bank, that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and is subject to the insider lending restrictions of the Federal Reserve Act. All loans to Investors Bancorp’s and Investors Bank’s officers are made in conformity with the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O.

The audit committee reviews related party transactions, the disclosure of which is required under SEC proxy disclosure rules.

Mr. Garibaldi was appointed to the Boards of Directors of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and Investors Bank, effective March 27, 2012. In 2011, the Garibaldi Group represented the Bank as leasing agent in a transaction involving the Bank’s leasing of commercial office space located in Iselin, New Jersey. The approximate dollar value of all lease payments under the 11-year lease agreement is $10.2 million. The Garibaldi Group received a commission from the landlord of approximately $508,000 in connection with this transaction.

Audit Committee Matters

Audit Committee

The current members of the Audit Committee are: Messrs. Szabatin (Chair), Dittenhafer, Manahan III and Ward III. Each member of the Audit Committee is considered independent as defined in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing rules and under Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10A-3. The Board considers Stephen J. Szabatin, the Chair of the Audit Committee, an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is used in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee’s Charter is posted on the “Governance Documents” section of the “Investor Relations” page of Investors Bank’s website at www.myinvestorsbank.com.

As noted in Audit Committee Charter, the primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in overseeing:

 

   

The integrity of Investors Bancorp’s financial statements;

 

   

Investors Bancorp’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

   

The independent auditor’s qualifications and independence;

 

   

The performance of Investors Bancorp’s internal audit function and independent auditor; and

 

   

Investors Bancorp’s system of disclosure controls and system of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, and legal compliance.

 

16


In furtherance of this purpose, this committee, among other things, shall:

 

   

Retain, oversee and evaluate a firm of independent registered public accountants to audit the annual financial statements;

 

   

Review the integrity of Investors Bancorp’s financial reporting processes, both internal and external, in consultation with the independent registered public accounting firm and the internal auditor;

 

   

Review the financial statements and the audit report with management and the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

Review earnings and financial releases and quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and

 

   

Approve all engagements for audit and non-audit services by the independent registered public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee met four times during 2011. The Audit Committee reports to the Board of Directors on its activities and findings.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference to any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that Investors Bancorp specifically incorporates this information by reference, and otherwise shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission subject to Regulation 14A or 14C of the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Management has the primary responsibility for Investors Bancorp’s internal control and financial reporting process, and for making an assessment of the effectiveness of Investors Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of Investors Bancorp’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and to issue an opinion on those financial statements, and for providing an attestation report on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

As part of its ongoing activities, the Audit Committee has:

 

   

reviewed and discussed with management, and the independent registered public accounting firm, the audited consolidated financial statements of Investors Bancorp for the year ended December 31, 2011;

 

   

discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU Section 380), as adopted by the PCAOB under Rule 3200T; and

 

   

received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence from Investors Bancorp.

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee has recommended to Investors Bancorp’s Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 be included in Investors Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the Securities and

 

17


Exchange Commission. In addition, the Audit Committee approved the re-appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2012, subject to the ratification of this appointment by the stockholders of Investors Bancorp.

 

Audit Committee of Investors Bancorp, Inc.

 

Stephen J. Szabatin, Chair

 

Brian D. Dittenhafer, Member

 

Vincent D. Manahan III, Member

 

James H. Ward III, Member

 

Compensation and Benefits Committee Matters

Compensation and Benefits Committee

The current members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee are: Messrs. Manahan III (Chair), Dittenhafer, Szabatin and Ward III. Each member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee is considered independent as defined in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing rules. The Compensation and Benefits Committee’s Charter is posted on the “Governance Documents” section of the “Investor Relations” page of the Investors Bank’s website at www.myinvestorsbank.com. The Committee met six times during 2011.

As noted in Compensation and Benefits Committee Charter, the purpose of the committee is to assist the Board in carrying out the Board’s overall responsibility relating to executive compensation, incentive compensation and equity and non-equity based benefit plans.

In furtherance of this purpose, this committee, among other things, shall:

 

   

Review and recommend to the Board for approval the Chief Executive Officer’s annual compensation, including salary, cash incentive, incentive and equity compensation;

 

   

Review and recommend to the Board the evaluation process and compensation structure for the Company’s executive officers and coordinate compensation determinations and benefit plans for all employees of the Company;

 

   

Review the Company’s incentive compensation and other stock-based plans and make changes in such plans as needed; and

 

   

Review, as appropriate and in consultation with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, director compensation and benefits.

In addition to these duties the committee shall assist the Board in recruiting and succession planning.

The Compensation and Benefits Committee retains responsibility for all compensation recommendations to the Board of Directors as to the executive officers. The Compensation and Benefits Committee may utilize information and benchmarks from an independent compensation firm, and from other sources, to determine how executive compensation levels compare to those companies within or outside of the industry. The Compensation and Benefits Committee may review published data for companies of similar size, location, financial characteristics and stage of development among other factors.

In designing the compensation program for the Company, the Committee takes into consideration methods to avoid encouraging the taking of excessive risk by executive management or by any other employees. The Committee assessed risks posed by the compensation incentive compensation paid to executive management and other employees and determined that our compensation policies, practices and programs do not pose risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Investors Bancorp.

 

18


The basic elements of Investors Bancorp’s executive compensation program include base salary, annual cash incentives, equity incentives and certain other benefit arrangements, such as retirement programs. The Compensation and Benefits Committee reviews and recommends to the Board for its approval the compensation payable to the Chief Executive Officer based on corporate financial performance against established goals and the Chief Executive Officer’s individual performance. The Compensation and Benefits Committee establishes corporate performance goals and individual goals for the Chief Executive Officer at the beginning of the year, and members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee meet with the Chief Executive Officer during the year to review progress against the goals. The Compensation and Benefits Committee also sets performance goals for, and determines the compensation payable to, the executive officers, including the named executive officers. The Chief Executive Officer provides the Compensation and Benefits Committee with performance assessments and compensation recommendations for each of the other executive officers. The Compensation and Benefits Committee considers those recommendations in arriving at its determinations.

The Compensation and Benefits Committee engaged the services of GK Partners, an independent compensation consultant, to assist it in evaluating executive compensation programs and in making determinations regarding executive officer compensation. The independent compensation consultant reports directly to the Compensation and Benefits Committee, is available to advise the Compensation and Benefits Committee and does not perform any other services for Investors Bancorp.

Compensation and Benefits Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During 2011, Messrs. Manahan III, Dittenhafer, Szabatin and Ward III served as members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee. Mr. Petroski also served as a member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee until his death on April 13, 2011. None of these directors: has ever been an officer or employee of Investors Bancorp; is an executive officer of another entity at which one of Investors Bancorp’s executive officers serves on the Board of Directors; or had any transactions or relationships with Investors Bancorp in 2011 requiring specific disclosures under Securities and Exchange Commission rules. Ms. Byrnes, who served as a member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee in calendar 2011, is neither an executive officer of another entity at which one of Investors Bancorp’s executive officers serves on the Board of Directors, nor had transactions or relationships with Investors Bancorp in calendar 2011 requiring specific disclosures under Securities and Exchange Commission rules. She was an officer of Investors Bank prior to her retirement in 2007.

Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Compensation Philosophy

Investors Bancorp’s executive compensation program is designed to offer competitive cash and equity compensation and benefits that will attract, motivate and retain highly qualified and talented executives who will help maximize Investors Bancorp’s financial performance and earnings growth. Investors Bancorp’s executive compensation program is also intended to align the interests of its executive officers with stockholders by rewarding performance against established corporate financial goals, and by motivating strong executive leadership and superior individual performance. Our executive compensation program allocates portions of total compensation between long-term and currently paid out compensation and between cash and non-cash compensation by including competitive base salaries paid currently in cash, executive perquisites, an annual cash incentive plan, stock options and stock awards that are generally subject to a five-year or seven-year vesting schedule, and supplemental executive retirement benefits, which encourage long term employment with us.

We have considered the most recent stockholder say-on-pay advisory vote in reviewing compensation policies and decisions. In light of the strong stockholder support, the Compensation and Benefits Committee concluded that no significant revisions were necessary to our executive officer compensation program.

 

19


The compensation paid to each executive officer is based on the executive’s level of job responsibility, corporate financial performance measured against corporate financial targets, and an assessment of the executive’s individual performance. Annual incentive compensation is substantially linked to corporate financial performance because these executives are in leadership roles that can significantly impact corporate results.

The Compensation and Benefits Committee engaged GK Partners as an independent compensation consultant. GK Partners has compared Investors Bancorp’s executive compensation program to peer group compensation data. The independent consultant provided the Compensation and Benefits Committee with relevant competitive cash and stock compensation information obtained from the proxy statement disclosures of a selected peer group of 18 banking institutions to be used for evaluating 2011 compensation. These included thrift and banking institutions with assets of $2 billion to $42 billion, having an asset mix similar to Investors Bancorp and doing business in the Northeast region of the United States. This peer group may be modified from year-to-year as necessary based on mergers and acquisitions within the industry or other relevant factors. The peer group used for evaluating 2011 compensation consists of the 18 banking institutions identified below.

Based on this peer group comparison the base salaries and cash and equity incentives of certain named executive officers are positioned above the median of the range of this peer group while other named executives were below the median. The Company has no formal policy that requires the compensation of the named executive officers to attain any specific percentile position within the array of peer group compensation data among the selected comparator companies. The Committee believes the base salaries and cash and equity incentives for the named executives are appropriate because they reflect a combination of the sustained individual performance by the named executive officers, their experience and employment market conditions in this geographic market.

The peer group companies are:

Astoria Financial Corp. - NY

Beneficial Mutual Bancorp. - PA

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. - NY

Flushing Financial Corp. – NY

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. - NY

Kearny Financial Corp. - NJ

NBT Bancorp, Inc. - NY

NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. - CT

New York Community Bank - NY

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. - PA

OceanFirst Financial Corp. - NJ

Oritani Financial Corp. - NJ

Provident New York Bancorp - NY

Provident Financial Services, Inc. - NJ

Signature Bank - NY

Sterling Bancorp, Inc. - NY

Valley National Bancorp - NJ

Webster Financial Corp. - CT

Elements of Executive Compensation for 2011

The Compensation and Benefits Committee used a total compensation approach in establishing executive compensation opportunities, consisting of base salary, annual cash incentive compensation, long-term incentive awards (such as stock option and restricted stock awards), a competitive benefits package (including supplemental executive retirement plans where warranted), and perquisites.

 

20


Base Salary

Executive officer base salary levels are evaluated by the Compensation and Benefits Committee on an annual basis. In general, salary ranges are developed considering the competitive base salary information furnished to the Compensation and Benefits Committee by the independent consultant. Each executive officer’s base salary level is determined by the executive officer’s sustained individual performance, leadership, operational effectiveness, tenure in office, and experience in the industry and employment market conditions in this geographic market.

In establishing base salaries for 2011, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered Investors Bancorp’s financial performance, and peer group and market-based industry salary data provided by the independent consultant, as well as the individual factors identified above. Based on the analysis the Compensation and Benefits Committee decided that base salary increases were appropriate for Messrs. Cama, Spengler, Kalamaras and Splaine.

Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan

The Compensation and Benefits Committee established, and the Board of Directors and shareholders approved, the Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan which provides for annual cash incentive payments upon the attainment of established corporate financial targets and individual performance goals. The Compensation and Benefits Committee assigns corporate financial targets and individual performance goals and a range of annual cash incentive award opportunities to each executive officer, or group of officers. The award opportunities are linked to specific targets and range of performance results for annual corporate financial performance and for attainment of certain individual goals.

The Committee feels strongly that executive compensation should be formally tied to the attainment of certain corporate financial targets and individual performance goals to more closely align the executive’s performance with providing value for its stockholders. The cash incentive payments made under the 2011 Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan were based on the Company’s 2011 calendar year financial performance for net income and efficiency ratio (the ratio of non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income). A portion of the payment of incentive compensation payable to each executive officer was also based on that executive’s performance against his 2011 individual performance goals.

For Messrs. Cummings and Cama, 60% of the incentive payment was based on Investors Bancorp’s financial performance against the corporate financial targets and 40% on meeting personal goals. For Mr. Spengler, 50% of the incentive payment was based on Investors Bancorp’s financial performance against the corporate financial targets and 50% was based on his individual performance against his individual performance goals and for Messrs. Kalamaras and Splaine, 40% of the incentive payment was based on Investors Bancorp’s financial performance against the corporate financial targets and 60% was based on individual performance against individual performance goals. The Committee established the following Corporate Targets for 2011:

 

Metric

     Weighting        Threshold   Target   Maximum

Net Income

             60%       $      64 million   $      67 million   $      70 million

Efficiency Ratio

             40%       55.0%   52.0%   50.0%

The Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan established that cash incentive payments would be made if the Company’s 2011 calendar year financial performance met or exceeded 95% of the corporate financial targets (“Threshold”). For Mr. Cummings the minimum cash incentive award opportunity was 70% of base salary upon the achievement of Threshold levels, increasing to 100% of base salary for Maximum achievement. For Mr. Cama cash incentive award opportunity ranged from 56% of base salary to 80% of base salary for Maximum achievement. For Mr. Spengler cash incentive award opportunity ranged from 45% of base salary to 60% of base salary for Maximum achievement. For Mr. Kalamaras cash incentive award opportunity ranged from 40% of base salary to 60% of base salary for Maximum achievement. For Mr. Splaine cash incentive award opportunity ranged from 33% of base salary to 50% of base salary for Maximum achievement.

 

21


Based upon the attainment of the maximum corporate financial targets and the assessment of executive officer’s individual performance, the Compensation and Benefits Committee approved the following cash incentive payments, which were made in February 2012, under the 2011 Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan.

2011 Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan Payments

 

Executive Officer

   Cash
        Incentive         

($)
 

Kevin Cummings

     850,100   

Domenick A. Cama

     460,080   

Richard S. Spengler

     225,060   

Paul Kalamaras

     195,060   

Thomas F. Splaine, Jr.

     150,050   

Stock Option and Stock Award Program. At the October 24, 2006 Annual Meeting, the stockholders approved the Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. Under this plan, individuals may receive awards of common stock and grants of options to purchase common stock. The Compensation and Benefits Committee believes that officer stock ownership provides a significant incentive in building stockholder value by further aligning the interests of officers and employees with stockholders. The importance of this long-term, non-cash component of compensation increases as Investors Bancorp’s common stock appreciates in value. In addition, stock option grants and stock awards generally vest over a five-year or seven-year vesting schedule, thereby aiding retention. Certain restricted stock awards have incorporated vesting provisions that will partially accelerate the vesting of such awards if Investors Bancorp achieves targeted rates of return during the normal vesting periods applicable to such awards.

In January 2011, Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler, Kalamaras and Splaine received awards of 150,000, 100,000, 50,000, 40,000 and 25,000 shares, respectively, of common stock. During 2011, there were no grants of options to purchase common stock made to executive officers. As of December 31, 2011, a total of 3,485,000 options and 2,245,000 shares of restricted stock have been granted to officers and employees and service vendors of the Company.

Benefits. Investors Bancorp provides its executives with medical and dental, disability insurance and group life insurance coverage consistent with the same benefits provided to all of its full-time employees. Similarly, the named executive officers are participants in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan and 401(k) Plan offered to all full-time employees. Additionally, Investors Bank sponsors a long-term care program for certain of its executive officers, senior vice presidents and their spouses or spousal equivalents. Each individual policy is owned by the covered person. Investors Bank pays all premiums under the long term care program but will stop paying premiums in the event of the participant’s (i) termination for cause, (ii) retirement, (iii) relocation outside of the country, or (iv) death. Spousal coverage will be terminated upon (i) a participant’s termination or retirement, (ii) divorce from the participant, (iii) the participant no longer qualifying for coverage, (iv) the spouse’s permanent relocation outside of the country, or (v) death. Participants who cannot be insured through an insurance company under the long-term care program will be self-insured by Investors Bank.

Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan. Investors Bank maintains the Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan was amended and restated effective as of July 1, 2007, in order to comply with final regulations under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Plan is intended to compensate executives participating in the Investors Bank Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”) and the Investors Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) whose contributions or benefits are limited by Sections 415 or 401(a)(17) of the Code. As of December 31, 2011, Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler, Kalamaras and Splaine were participants in the Plan. The Plan provides benefits attributable to participation in the Retirement Plan equal to the excess, if any, of the vested accrued benefit to which the

 

22


executive would be entitled under the Retirement Plan, determined without regard to the limitation of Sections 415 or 401(a)(17) of the Code, over the vested accrued benefit to which the executive is actually entitled under the Retirement Plan, taking into account the limits of Sections 415 and 401(a)(17) of the Code (the “Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefit”). The Plan also provides benefits attributable to participation in the ESOP equal to the difference between the allocation of shares of stock the executive would have received under the ESOP without regard to the tax law limitations, and the number of shares of stock that are actually allocated as a result of the tax law limits (the “Supplemental ESOP Benefit”). The Supplemental ESOP Benefit under the Plan will be credited in phantom shares of stock. Each year, the dollar amount of earnings on the phantom shares deemed allocated to each participant’s account will be converted into phantom shares and credited to each participant’s account.

This plan is intended to be a long-term compensation plan, therefore, the executive’s vested interest in the Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefit and in the Supplemental ESOP Benefit under the Plan is based on a 5 year “cliff vesting” schedule where participants with less than 5 years of employment will be 0% vested in their benefits, and will become 100% vested upon the completion of 5 years of employment. In the event of a participant’s “separation from service” (as defined under Section 409A of the Code) prior to attainment of age 55, the participant’s accrued Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefits shall be paid in a single lump sum payment within thirty (30) days of the participant’s separation from service. In the event of separation from service after age 55, the participant’s Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefits shall be payable upon the participant’s early or normal retirement (as defined in the Plan) in the form elected by the participant subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. In the event of a participant’s separation from service within 2 years following a change in control (as defined in the Plan), the participant shall receive his Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefit in a lump sum within 30 days after his separation from service. Supplemental ESOP Benefits under the Plan will be payable in cash upon the executive’s “separation from service” (as defined under Section 409A of the Code), disability or death, subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

Executive Supplemental Retirement Wage Replacement Plan. Investors Bank maintains an Executive Supplemental Retirement Wage Replacement Plan (the “Wage Replacement Plan”) that was amended and restated effective May 1, 2007, in order to comply with the final regulations under Section 409A of the Code. The Wage Replacement Plan is designed to provide certain named executives with annual income generally equal to 60% of such executive’s highest average annual base salary and cash incentive (over a consecutive 36-month period within the last 120 consecutive calendar months of employment) reduced by the sum of the benefits provided under the existing tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan and the annuitized value of his or her benefits payable from the defined benefit portion of the Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan sponsored by Investors Bank. Upon “separation from service” (as defined in the Wage Replacement Plan) at or after the normal retirement date (age 65) with at least 120 months of employment, a participant is entitled to a normal retirement annual benefit equal to 60% of the participant’s high three-year average salary and cash incentive, commencing on the first day of the month after separation from service, or if the participant is a specified employee (as defined in the Wage Replacement Plan), commencing on the first day of the 7th month after separation from service, payable in the form elected by the participant. If the participant retires after the normal retirement date, but before completion of 120 months of employment, his or her annual retirement benefit at the normal retirement age will be equal to the normal retirement annual benefit multiplied by the ratio that the participant’s actual months of employment bears to 120 months. The retirement benefit calculated under the Wage Replacement Plan is reduced by the sum of the annuitized value of the benefits provided under the tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan and the annuitized value of the benefit payable to the participant under the defined benefit portion of the Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan.

Upon separation from service on or after attaining age 55, the participant’s accrued benefit payable as an early retirement benefit will be equal to the benefit at the normal retirement age, reduced by 2% for each year prior to age 65; however, if the participant separates from service on or after attaining age 55 with 25 years of vesting service, his or her accrued benefit will not be reduced. In the event of a participant’s separation from service coincident with or within two (2) years following a change in control, the participant will be entitled to a

 

23


benefit calculated as an early retirement benefit or a normal retirement benefit, as applicable. For these purposes, a participant with less than 120 months of employment will be entitled to a benefit calculated as if the participant had 120 months of employment and, a participant who has not yet attained age 55 will be deemed to have attained age 55.

A participant may defer payment of his or her benefits, in which case his or her annual retirement benefit payable at age 65 will be increased by 0.8% for each month of deferment after age 65. If a participant dies while in active service, a survivor benefit, calculated as if the participant had lived until his normal retirement date, will be payable to the participant’s beneficiary. Upon termination of employment due to disability, the participant will be entitled to a disability retirement benefit at age 65.

At December 31, 2011, Messrs. Cummings, Cama and Spengler were participants in the Wage Replacement Plan.

Perquisites. The Compensation and Benefits Committee believes that perquisites should be provided on a limited basis, and only to the most senior level of executive officers. As of December 31, 2011, the following perquisites were available for Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler and Kalamaras: club membership, automobile allowance, long term care insurance and an annual medical examination; and for Mr. Splaine: long term care insurance and an annual medical examination.

Elements of Post-Termination Benefits

Employment Agreements. Investors Bancorp entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler and Kalamaras. The agreements were amended and restated effective as of August 18, 2008 for Messrs. Cummings and Cama and March 29, 2010 for Messrs. Spengler and Kalamaras, in order to conform to the requirements of Code Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Each of these agreements has an initial term of three years. Unless notice of non-renewal is provided, the agreements renew annually. The executive’s employment may be terminated for just cause at any time, in which event the executive would have no right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination.

Each of the executives is entitled to severance payments and benefits in the event of his termination of employment under specified circumstances. In the event the executive’s employment is terminated for reasons other than for just cause, disability or retirement, provided that such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” under Code Section 409A, or in the event the executive resigns during the term of the agreement following (1) the failure to elect or reelect or to appoint or reappoint the executive to his executive position, (2) a material change in the executive’s functions, duties, or responsibilities, which change would cause the executive’s position to become one of lesser responsibility, importance or scope, (3) the liquidation or dissolution of Investors Bancorp or Investors Bank, other than a liquidation or dissolution caused by a reorganization that does not affect the status of the executive, (4) a change in control of Investors Bancorp or (5) a material breach of the employment agreement by Investors Bancorp, the executive would be entitled to a severance payment equal to three times the sum of the executive’s base salary and the highest amount of cash incentive compensation awarded to the executive during the prior three years, payable in a lump sum. In addition, the executive would be entitled to, at Investors Bancorp’s sole expense, the continuation of nontaxable life and medical, dental and disability coverage for 36 months after termination of employment. The executive would also receive a lump sum payment of the excess, if any, of the present value of the benefits he would be entitled to under the defined benefit pension plan if he had continued working for Investors Bancorp for 36 months over the present value of the benefits to which he is actually entitled as of the date of termination.

Should the executive become disabled, Investors Bancorp would continue to pay the executive his base salary for the longer of the remaining term of the agreement or one year, provided that any amount paid to the executive pursuant to any disability insurance would reduce the compensation he would receive. In the event the executive dies while employed by Investors Bancorp, the executive’s estate will be paid the executive’s base

 

24


salary for one year and the executive’s family will be entitled to continuation of medical and dental benefits for one year after the executive’s death. The employment agreement terminates upon retirement (as defined therein), and the executive would only be entitled to benefits under any retirement plan of Investors Bancorp and other plans to which the executive is a party.

The employment agreements for Messrs. Cummings and Cama also provide for indemnification against any excise taxes which may be owed by the executive for any payments made in connection with a change in control that would constitute “excess parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. The indemnification payment would be the amount necessary to ensure that the amount of such payments and the value of such benefits received by the executive equals the amount of such payments and the value of such benefits the executive would have received in the absence of such excise tax, including any federal, state and local taxes on Investors Bancorp’s payment to the executive attributable to such taxes.

Upon any termination of the executive’s employment, other than a termination (whether voluntary or involuntary) following a change in control as a result of which the Investors Bancorp has paid the executive severance benefits, the executive is prohibited from competing with the Investors Bank and/or the Investors Bancorp for one year following such termination within 25 miles of any existing branch of the Bank or any subsidiary of Investors Bancorp or within 25 miles of any office for which the Bank, Investors Bancorp or a Bank subsidiary of Investors Bancorp has filed an application for regulatory approval to establish an office, determined as of the effective date of such termination, except as agreed to pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors. The executive is also subject to confidentiality provisions during and after the term of the employment agreement.

Investors Bancorp has also entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Splaine and one other senior officer, and each of these agreements have a two-year term. Unless notice of non-renewal is provided, the agreements renew annually. The officer’s employment may be terminated for just cause at any time, in which event the officer would have no right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination. In the event the officer’s employment is terminated (for reasons other than for just cause, disability or retirement) or in the event the officer resigns during the term of the agreement for any of the same reasons as specified under the three-year employment agreements referenced above, the officer would be entitled to a severance payment equal to 1.5 times his highest rate of base salary and the highest amount of cash incentive compensation awarded to the officer during the prior two years, payable in a lump sum. In addition, the officer would be entitled, at Investors Bancorp’s sole expense, to the continuation of life, nontaxable medical, dental and disability coverage for 18 months after termination of employment. The officer would also receive a lump sum payment of the excess, if any, of the present value of the benefits he would be entitled to under the defined benefit pension plan if he had continued working for Investors Bancorp for 18 months over the present value of the benefits to which he is actually entitled as of the date of termination. The officer would be entitled to no additional benefits under the employment agreement upon retirement at age 65. In the event payments to the officer include an “excess parachute payment” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, payments would be reduced in order to avoid this result. Should the executive become disabled, Investors Bancorp would continue to pay the executive his base salary for the longer of the remaining term of the agreement or one year, provided that any amount paid to the executive pursuant to any disability insurance would reduce the compensation he would receive.

Change-in-Control Agreements. Investors Bancorp entered into change-in-control agreements with certain officers at the level of vice president or higher that are not parties to an employment agreement, which would provide certain benefits in the event of a termination of employment following a change in control of Investors Bancorp or Investors Bank. Each of the change-in-control agreements provides for a term of two years. Commencing on each anniversary date of the effective date of the change-in-control agreements, the agreements renew for an additional year so that the remaining term will be two years, subject to termination by the Board of Directors or notice of non-renewal. The change-in-control agreements enable Investors Bancorp to offer to designated officers certain protections against termination without just cause in the event of a change in control (as defined in the agreements).

 

25


Following a change in control of Investors Bancorp or Investors Bank, the officer is entitled under the agreement to a payment if the officer’s employment is terminated during the term of such agreement, other than for just cause, or if the officer voluntarily terminates employment during the term of such agreement as a result of a demotion, loss of title, office or significant authority (in each case, other than as a result of the fact that either Investors Bank or Investors Bancorp is merged into another entity in connection with a change in control and will not operate as a stand-alone, independent entity), reduction in his or her annual compensation or benefits, or relocation of his or her principal place of employment by more than 30 miles from its location immediately prior to the change in control. In the event an officer who is a party to a change-in-control agreement is entitled to receive payments pursuant to the change-in-control agreement, he will receive a cash payment equal to 1.5 times the sum of (i) his or her highest rate of base salary and, (ii) the highest amount of cash incentive compensation awarded to the officer during the prior three years, payable in a lump sum. In addition to the cash payment, each covered officer is entitled to receive life and non-taxable medical and dental coverage for a period of 18 months from the date of termination. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the change-in-control agreement, payments are limited so that they will not constitute an excess parachute payment under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code.

Other Matters

Clawback Policy. In accordance with a clawback policy adopted by the Board of Directors, as a condition to receiving incentive compensation, named executive officers (NEOs) will agree to return bonus and other incentive compensation paid by the Company to the NEOs if (1) the payments or awards were based on reported financial statements or financial information (or any performance metrics or criteria that were based on such financial statements or information), (2) there is an accounting restatement of financial statements due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements under the federal securities laws, and (3) the amount of the bonus or incentive compensation, as calculated under the restated financial results, is less than the amount actually paid or awarded under the original financial results.

Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, companies are subject to limits on the deductibility of executive compensation. Deductible compensation is limited to $1 million per year for each executive officer listed in the summary compensation table. Compensation that is “performance-based” under the Internal Revenue Code’s definition is exempt from this limit. Stock option grants are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation.

The Compensation and Benefits Committee currently does not have a formal policy with respect to the payment of compensation in excess of the deduction limit. The Compensation and Benefits Committee’s practice is to structure compensation programs offered to the named executive officers with a view to maximizing the tax deductibility of amounts paid. However, in structuring compensation programs and making compensation decisions, the Committee considers a variety of factors, including the Company’s tax position, the materiality of the payment and tax deductions involved and the need for flexibility to address unforeseen circumstances and the Company’s incentive and retention requirement for its management personnel. After considering these factors, the Committee may decide to authorize payments, all or part of which would be nondeductible for federal tax purposes.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE REPORT

Pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this Compensation and Benefits Committee Report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference to any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that Investors Bancorp specifically incorporates this information by reference, and otherwise shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission subject to Regulation 14A or 14C of the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

26


The Compensation and Benefits Committee (the Committee) of the Company has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation and Benefits Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

The Committee understands its fiduciary responsibility to shareholders. The Committee has worked very hard with the help of management and our compensation consultant to implement a performance driven compensation program.

We operate in a very competitive banking market. To ensure fairness and competiveness, the Committee collects and analyzes an extensive amount of information about executive compensation values and practices in our marketplace. In our region, obtaining and retaining talented people is a serious challenge. The worldwide financial services industry has a large footprint in the New York and New Jersey area and consequently many opportunities exist for employment. It is important to make the Company attractive to this important talent pool.

The Committee is proud of our Company Cash Incentive Plan for eligible employees. Each year a participant is assigned personal goals and a share of the overall corporate goals. Each participant is advised of the cash incentive opportunity for meeting his/her goals. We believe that the Plan has had a positive effect on employee performance and has stimulated and energized employees to contribute to the overall success of the Company. The Committee is delighted to see the energy and effort our employees bring to achieving their goals. Careful selection of goals in a way that aligns the employees’ performance with advancing the overall strategic objectives of the Company moves the entire Company along its carefully designed strategic path.

The Committee has also utilized equity grants to drive long term performance and to align employees’ financial interests with those of our shareholders. Recent grants have been made with a seven year vesting requirement, which is much longer than the vesting requirements of our peers, but vesting partially accelerates upon achievement of certain corporate financial and business benchmarks. The Company also sponsors an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), through which all eligible employees are eligible to receive Company stock. By ensuring that all employees are shareholders, the Committee believes that the entire workforce has a personal financial stake in the success of the Company.

Even without formal regulatory requirements, the Company has voluntarily adopted a clawback policy, in order to recapture inappropriate incentive compensation payments, should that ever occur. At the same time, the Committee recognizes the need to discourage the taking of undue risk to achieve short term goals. We have built into our overall compensation philosophy elements that encourage longer term thinking and in particular, the preservation of asset quality. It is the Compensation Committee’s belief that our compensation program spends Company funds in a way that effectively drives superior employee performance and the success of the Company.

 

   Compensation and Benefits Committee of Investors Bancorp, Inc.
  

 

Vincent D. Manahan III, Chair

 

Brian D. Dittenhafer, Member

 

Stephen J. Szabatin, Member

 

James H. Ward III, Member

 

27


Executive Compensation

The following table sets forth for the calendar years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 certain information as to the total remuneration paid to named executive officers with respect to the applicable year.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and Principal

Position

  Calendar
or Fiscal
Year
  Salary ($)   Stock
Awards
($) (1)
  Option
Awards
($) (2)
  Non-equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($) (3)
  Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings ($) (4)
  All Other
Compensation
($) (5)
  Total ($) (6)

Kevin Cummings,

President and Chief

Executive Officer

  2011(7)

2010(8)

2009(9)

2009(10)

  850,100

864,904

775,000

775,000

  1,981,500

1,583,750

 

  850,100

516,867

465,000

368,125

  1,334,000

491,000

715,000

493,000

  62,204

71,048

57,360

62,205

  5,077,904

3,527,569

2,012,360

1,698,330

Domenick A. Cama,

Senior Executive

Vice President and

Chief Operating

Officer

  2011(7)

2010(8)

2009(9)

2009(10)

  575,100

559,615

500,000

500,000

  1,321,000

1,267,000

 

  460,080

278,689

250,000

212,500

  857,000

310,000

472,000

344,000

  52,271

58,287

56,491

60,565

  3,265,451

2,473,591

1,278,491

1,117,065

Richard S. Spengler,

Executive Vice

President and Chief

Lending Officer

  2011(7)

2010(8)

2009(9)

2009(10)

  375,100

356,058

315,000

295,002

  660,500

823,550

 

  225,060

142,423

126,000

111,126

  412,000

306,000

65,000

103,000

  48,260

48,201

44,659

51,479

  1,720,920

1,676,232

550,659

560,607

Paul Kalamaras,

Executive Vice

President and

Director of Retail

Banking

  2011(7)

2010(8)

2009(9)

2009(10)

  325,100

302,885

240,000

207,692

  528,400

570,150

821,400

 

569,800

  195,060

116,211

83,642

68,129

  56,000

27,000

8,000

  40,627

37,868

3,398

1,773

  1,145,187

1,054,114

335,040

1,668,794

Thomas F. Splaine, Jr.,

Senior Vice

President and Chief

Financial Officer

  2011(7)

2010(8)

2009(9)

2009(10)

  300,100

279,616

240,000

226,000

  330,250

443,450

 

  150,050

97,865

71,400

65,513

  69,000

18,000

23,000

20,600

  47,470

43,387

41,506

40,641

  896,870

882,318

375,906

352,754

 

(1) The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718, of restricted stock awards pursuant to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. No forfeitures occurred during the reported years. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in footnote 11 to Investors Bancorp’s audited financial statements for the calendar year ended December 31, 2011 included in Investors Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2) The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718, of stock option awards pursuant to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. No forfeitures occurred during the reported years. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount are included in footnote 11 to Investors Bancorp’s audited financial statements for the calendar year ended December 31, 2011 included in Investors Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3) Cash incentives are paid under our Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan based on calendar year performance. The amounts reported in this column for our 2011, 2010 and 2009 calendar year represent the cash incentive paid under our Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan for the full twelve months of 2011, 2010 and 2009. The amounts reported in this column for our 2009 fiscal year represent the cash incentives earned by the named executive officers in the twelve-month period representing the fiscal year. These amounts have been adjusted from that reported in our proxy statements for the 2009 fiscal year to take into consideration the full twelve months’ cash incentive.
(4) For each calendar year represented, the amount in this column reflects the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the named executive officer’s accumulated benefit under all defined benefit and actuarial pension plans (including supplemental plans) from the measurement date (December 31 or June 30) in the immediately preceding calendar or fiscal year to the measurement date in such calendar or fiscal year, determined using the interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in Investors Bancorp’s financial statements. The amount reported may include amounts in which the named executive officer is not yet vested. Earnings under the Supplemental ESOP Plan are not included in this amount because the earnings were not “above market”.

 

28


(5) The amounts in this column represent all other compensation not properly reported in prior columns in this table, including perquisites, the aggregate value of which exceeds $10,000, and employer contributions to defined contribution plans. See the “All Other Compensation” and “Perquisites” tables below for a breakdown of these amounts.
(6) The amount reported as “Total” compensation for our 2009 fiscal year has been increased from that reported in the 2009 annual proxy statements to reflect the full cash incentive paid during the applicable fiscal year under the “Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column.
(7) Information presented for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011.
(8) Information presented for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2010.
(9) In November 2009, the Company changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31. In accordance with guidance from the SEC, the Company is presenting information for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009.
(10) Information presented for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2009.

ALL OTHER COMPENSATION

 

Name

     Calendar  
or Fiscal
Year
    Perquisites  
and Other
Personal
Benefits
($)(1)
   Dividends
on
Unvested
Stock
Awards
($)
   Company
Contribution
for
Medical and
Insurance
Benefits ($)
   Company
  Contributions  
to ESOP and
401(k) Plans ($)
   Total ($)

Kevin Cummings

   2011(2)   25,183       14,064    22,957    62,204
   2010(3)   32,608       13,777    24,663    71,048
   2009(4)   19,427       13,468    24,465    57,360
   2009(5)   19,288       13,488    29,429    62,205

Domenick A. Cama

   2011(2)   15,250       14,064    22,957    52,271
   2010(3)   19,847       13,777    24,663    58,287
   2009(4)   18,558       13,468    24,465    56,491
   2009(5)   19,831       11,805    28,929    60,414

Richard S. Spengler

   2011(2)   11,239       14,064    22,957    48,260
   2010(3)   9,787       13,751    24,663    48,201
   2009(4)   6,827       13,367    24,465    44,659
   2009(5)   8,694       13,256    29,529    51,479

Paul Kalamaras

   2011(2)   14,569       3,101    22,957    40,627
   2010(3)   18,419       3,036    16,413    37,868
   2009(4)         2,844    554    3,398
   2009(5)         1,773       1,773

Thomas F. Splaine, Jr.

   2011(2)   10,605       13,908    22,957    47,470
   2010(3)   5,302       13,422    24,663    43,387
   2009(4)   5,302       12,789    23,415    41,506
   2009(5)         12,682    27,959    40,641

 

  (1) A detailed description of the perquisites included in this column is set forth in the table below.
  (2) Information presented for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011.
  (3) Information presented for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2010.
  (4) In November 2009, the Company changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31. In accordance with guidance from the SEC, the Company is presenting information for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009.
  (5) Information presented for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2009.

 

29


PERQUISITES

 

Name

   Calendar
or Fiscal
Year
  Automobile
Allowance

($)
   Long Term
Care

($)
   Club Dues
($)
   Executive
Health
Exam

($)
   Total
Perquisites
and Other
Personal
Benefits
($)

Kevin Cummings

   2011(1)   7,247    8,106    930    8,900    25,183
   2010(2)   18,306    8,106    901    5,295    32,608
   2009(3)   10,257    8,107    1,063       19,427
   2009(4)   10,023    8,107    1,158       19,288

Domenick A. Cama

   2011(1)   2,541    9,898    536    2,275    15,250
   2010(2)   3,727    9,898    6,222       19,847
   2009(3)   5,037    9,899    1,022    2,600    18,558
   2009(4)   6,272    9,899    1,060    2,600    19,831

Richard S. Spengler

   2011(1)   6,425    3,130    1,684       11,239
   2010(2)   4,945    3,130    1,712       9,787
   2009(3)   3,696    3,131          6,827
   2009(4)   4,760    3,131    803       8,694

Paul Kalamaras

   2011(1)   4,294    9,196    1,079       14,569
   2010(2)   4,546    12,262    1,611       18,419
   2009(3)              
   2009(4)              

Thomas F. Splaine, Jr.

   2011(1)      10,605          10,605
   2010(2)      5,302          5,302
   2009(3)      5,302          5,302
   2009(4)              

 

  (1) Information presented for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011.
  (2) Information presented for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2010.
  (3) In November 2009, the Company changed its fiscal year end from June 30 to December 31. In accordance with guidance from the SEC, the Company is presenting information for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009.
  (4) Information presented for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2009.

 

30


Plan-Based Awards. The following table sets forth certain information as to grants during calendar 2011 of plan-based awards to the named executive officers under the Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan.

GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS TABLE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2011

 

Name    Grant Date    Estimated Payouts Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards (1)
   All Other
Stock
Awards
Number
of Shares
or Units
(#)
   All Other
Option
Awards
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)
   Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
   Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)
     

 

Threshold
($)

   Target
($)
   Maximum
($)
           
                                         

Kevin Cummings

   2/22/2011    595,070    722,585    850,100            
   1/25/2011             150,000          1,981,500

Domenick A. Cama

   2/22/2011    322,056    391,068    460,080            
   1/25/2011             100,000          1,321,000

Richard S. Spengler

   2/22/2011    168,795    196,928    225,060            
   1/25/2011             50,000          660,500

Paul Kalamaras

   2/22/2011    128,740    136,542    195,060            
   1/25/2011             40,000          528,400

Thomas F. Splaine, Jr.

   2/22/2011    99,033    105,035    150,050            
   1/25/2011             25,000          330,250

 

(1) Estimated payouts under non-equity incentive plan awards assume 100% achievement of individual personal performance goals.

For a narrative description of the material factors necessary to an understanding of the information disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table and in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table, please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above.

 

31


Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End. The following table sets forth information with respect to outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2011 for the named executive officers.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2011

 

          Option Awards    Stock Awards

Name

   Grant Date    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)

Exercisable
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)

Unexercisable (1)
   Option
Exercise
Price
($)
   Option
Expiration
Date (2)
   Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#) (3)
   Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($) (4)

Kevin Cummings

   11/20/06    450,000       15.25    11/20/16      
   2/23/10                107,143    1,444,288
   1/25/11                150,000    2,022,000

Domenick A. Cama

   11/20/06    400,000       15.25    11/20/16      
   2/23/10                85,714    1,155,425
   1/25/11                100,000    1,348,000

Richard S. Spengler

   11/20/06    200,000       15.25    11/20/16      
   2/23/10                55,714    751,025
   1/25/11                50,000    674,000

Paul Kalamaras

   11/18/08    84,000    56,000    13.69    11/18/18    24,000    323,520
   2/23/10                38,571    519,937
   1/25/11                40,000    539,200

Thomas F. Splaine, Jr.

   11/20/06    175,000       15.25    11/20/16      
   2/23/10                30,000    404,400
   1/25/11                25,000    337,000

 

(1) Stock options vest over a 5 year period commencing on the first anniversary of the date granted.
(2) Stock options expire if unexercised 10 years after the grant date.
(3) Stock awards generally vest over a 7 year period commencing on the first anniversary of the date granted, however, if certain Company performance goals are achieved the vesting will be accelerated to 5 years commencing in the year in which the performance goal is achieved.
(4) This amount is based on the fair market value of Investors Bancorp common stock on December 31, 2011 of $13.48.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested. The following table provides information concerning stock option exercises and the vesting of stock awards for each named executive officer during 2011. None of the Company’s named executive officers exercised any stock options during the year ended December 31, 2011.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED AT DECEMBER 31, 2011

 

     Option Awards    Stock Awards

Name

   Number of
Shares
Acquired
      on Exercise      
(#)
         Value Realized      
on Exercise
($)
         Number of      
Shares
Acquired
on Vesting
(#)
         Value Realized      
on Vesting
($) (1)

Kevin Cummings

         42,857    565,891

Domenick A. Cama

         36,286    479,218

Richard S. Spengler

         25,286    334,018

Paul Kalamaras

         18,429    243,477

Thomas F. Splaine, Jr.

         19,000    251,200

 

(1) The value realized on vesting represents the market value on the day the stock vested.

 

32


Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Investors Bank participates in the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions, formerly known as the Financial Institutions Retirement Fund, which is a qualified, tax-exempt defined benefit plan (the “Retirement Plan”). All employees age 21 or older who have completed one year of employment with Investors Bank are eligible for participation in the Retirement Plan; however, only employees who have been credited with 1,000 or more hours of service with Investors Bank are eligible to accrue benefits under the Retirement Plan. Investors Bank annually contributes an amount to the plan necessary to satisfy the minimum funding requirements established under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).

The retirement benefit formula under the Retirement Plan provides for a nonintegrated unit accrual formula with an annual accrual rate of 1.25% of the participant’s high 5-year average salary with a 30-year salary cap. A participant’s average annual compensation is the average annual compensation over the 5 consecutive calendar years out of the last 10 calendar years in which the participant’s compensation was the greatest, or over all calendar years if less than 5.

The regular form of retirement benefit is a straight life annuity (if single) and a joint and survivor annuity (if married). However, various alternative forms of joint and survivor annuities may be selected instead. If a participant dies while in active service and after having become fully vested, a qualified 100% survivor benefit will be payable to the participant’s beneficiary. Benefits payable upon death may be paid in a lump sum, installments, or in the form of a life annuity. Upon termination of employment due to disability, the participant will be entitled to a disability retirement benefit at age 65.

The table below shows the present value of accumulated benefits payable to each of the named executive officers, including the number of years of service credited to each such named executive officer, under the pension plan determined using interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in Investors Bancorp’s financial statements. For a narrative description of the supplemental retirement plans, please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above.

PENSION BENEFITS AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011

 

Name

  

Plan Name

   Number of Years
Credited Service
(#) (1)
   Present Value
of Accumulated
Benefit ($) (2)
   Payments During Last
Calendar Year ($)

Kevin Cummings

  

Investors Bank Pension Plan

   7.5    274,000   
  

Supplemental Retirement and Wage Replacement Plan

      3,174,000   

Domenick A. Cama

  

Investors Bank Pension Plan

   21.0    621,000   
  

Supplemental Retirement and Wage Replacement Plan

      1,736,000   

Richard S. Spengler

  

Investors Bank Pension Plan

   28.3    548,000   
  

Supplemental Retirement and Wage Replacement Plan

      500,000   

Paul Kalamaras

  

Investors Bank Pension Plan

   2.3    56,000   
  

Supplemental Retirement and Wage Replacement Plan

      35,000   

Thomas F. Splaine, Jr.

  

Investors Bank Pension Plan

   6.0    104,000   
  

Supplemental Retirement and Wage Replacement Plan

      32,000   

 

(1) The number of years of credited service represents all years of service including years following the change in benefit formula for the Investors Bank Pension Plan on January 1, 2006. For Messrs. Cama and Spengler credited service years include qualified years served at other financial institutions that participated in the Financial Institutions Retirement Fund.

 

33


(2) The figures shown are determined as of the plan’s measurement date of December 31, 2011 for purposes of Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s audited financial statements. For discount rate and other assumptions used for this purpose, please refer to note 11 in the audited financial statements included in the December 31, 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The aggregate balance reported for the Supplemental Retirement and Wage Replacement Plan is the value of account balances under Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and the Wage Replacement Plan, because benefits for one plan are offset against the other plan’s benefits.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation. The following table sets forth information with respect to the nonqualified deferred compensation plans at and for the year ended December 31, 2011 for the named executive officers. For a narrative description of the Supplemental ESOP Plan, please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above.

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2011

 

Name

 

Plan Name

  Executive
Contributions
in Last
Calendar
Year
($)
    Registrant
Contributions
in Last
Calendar
Year
($) (1)
    Aggregate
Earnings
(Loss) in Last
Calendar Year
($) (2)
    Aggregate
Withdrawals /
Distributions
($)
    Aggregate
Balance
at Last
Calendar Year-
End
($) (3)
 

Kevin Cummings

  Supplemental ESOP Plan            61,419        8,769               389,764   

Domenick A. Cama

  Supplemental ESOP Plan            32,844        3,928               179,944   

Richard S. Spengler

  Supplemental ESOP Plan            14,120        966               50,298   

Paul Kalamaras

  Supplemental ESOP Plan            9,876        208               17,649   

Thomas F. Splaine, Jr.

  Supplemental ESOP Plan            7,462        262               17,279   

 

(1) The value of the non-qualified Supplemental ESOP contribution made in calendar 2011 is based on the fair market value of Investors Bancorp common stock on December 31, 2011 of $13.48.
(2) The aggregate earnings (loss) for the non-qualified Supplemental ESOP Plan reflect the change in value of phantom shares issued prior to calendar 2011 based on the fair market value of Investors Bancorp common stock in December 31, 2011 of $13.48. This amount is not included in the Summary Compensation Table because the rate of earnings was not “above market.”
(3) The aggregate balances reported for the Supplemental ESOP Plan are based on the market value of Investors Bancorp common stock on December 31, 2011 of $13.48.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control. At December 31, 2011, Investors Bancorp had three-year employment agreements with Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler and Kalamaras, and a two-year employment agreement with Mr. Splaine. A narrative description of the material terms of the agreements is set forth in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The table below reflects the amount of compensation payable to each of the named executive officers pursuant to such individual’s employment agreement in the event of termination of such executive’s employment. No payments are required under the employment agreements due to a voluntary termination prior to a change in control. The amount of compensation payable to each named executive officer upon (i) involuntary termination (other than for cause); (ii) termination following a change of control; and (iii) in the event of disability is shown below. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2011, and thus includes amounts earned through such time and are estimates of the amounts which would be paid to the executives upon their termination. However, the amounts shown do not include any reduction that would be required to avoid an excess parachute payment under Code Section 280G for Messrs. Spengler, Kalamaras and Splaine. Messrs. Cummings and Cama are entitled to tax indemnification payments for any excess parachute payments under Code Section 280G. The amounts shown relating to unvested options and stock awards are based on the fair market value of Investors Bancorp common stock on December 31, 2011 of $13.48. Using that fair market value, all unvested options have no value. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of such executive’s separation from Investors Bancorp. The following table does not include amounts payable upon termination of employment under the Supplemental ESOP Plan, Supplemental Retirement Plan, and Executive Supplemental Retirement Wage Replacement Plan because the present value of the accumulated benefits under each of those plans is set forth in the tables above.

 

34


POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2011

 

       Mr. Cummings        Mr. Cama        Mr. Spengler        Mr. Kalamaras        Mr. Splaine  

Retirement (1)

                        

Retiree Health/Life Insurance

                                                 

Stock Option Vesting

                                                 

Restricted Stock Vesting

                                                 

Early Retirement (1)

                        

Retiree Health/Life Insurance

                                                 

Stock Option Vesting

                                                 

Restricted Stock Vesting

                                                 

Disability

                        

Salary Continuation (2)

       1,935,766           1,110,766           870,766           744,088           235,606   

Stock Option Vesting

                                                 

Restricted Stock Vesting

       3,466,288           2,503,425           1,425,025           1,382,657           741,400   

Other benefits (3)

       13,251           14,147           10,555           7,681           14,422   

Death

                        

Salary Continuation (5)

       850,100           575,100           375,100           325,100           300,100   

Stock Option Vesting

                                                 

Restricted Stock Vesting

       3,466,288           2,503,425           1,425,025           1,382,657           741,400   

Other benefits (3)

       15,354           15,354           14,936           149           15,354   

Discharge w/o Cause or

Resignation w/ Good Reason

- no Change in Control

                        

Stock Option Vesting

                                                 

Restricted Stock Vesting

                                                 

Salary and Cash Incentive (6)

       5,100,600           3,105,540           1,800,480           1,560,480           675,225   

Other benefits (3)

       75,630           81,005           63,328           36,891           43,267   

Excess Pension Benefit (6)

       1,847,836           977,839           416,612           98,453           30,497   

Discharge w/o Cause or

Resignation w/ Good Reason

- Change in Control - related

                        

Stock Option Vesting

                                                 

Restricted Stock Vesting

       3,466,288           2,503,425           1,425,025           1,382,657           741,400   

Salary and Cash Incentive (6)

       5,100,600           3,105,540           1,800,480           1,560,480           675,225   

Other benefits (3)

       75,630           81,005           63,328           36,891           43,267   

Excess Pension Benefit (6)

       1,847,836           977,839           416,612           98,453           30,497   

Tax Indemnification Payment (7)

       1,535,699           1,000,880                                 

 

(1) As of December 31, 2011, none of the named executives were eligible for early retirement or retirement.
(2) Upon disability, the named executive is entitled to three years salary. Such benefit is reduced by the amount paid by the insurance companies under disability policies.
(3) Other benefits include amounts for benefits in effect prior to termination; life, medical, dental, disability and long term care, and is calculated based on the terms specified in the employment agreements.
(4) The employment agreements in effect provide that Investors Bancorp will pay the excess, if any of: the present value of benefits to which the named executive would be entitled to under the defined benefit plans if he had continued working for the company for, 36 months in the case if Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler and Kalamaras and 18 months for Mr. Splaine, and the present value of the benefits which he is actually entitled.
(5) This amount is payable according to normal payroll practices for one year following the executive’s date of death.
(6) This amount is paid in a lump sum on the date of termination.
(7) This amount is generally payable in a lump sum to the executive on the date of termination, but it may be timely paid directly to the applicable taxing authorities on behalf of the executive.

 

35


Director Compensation

Elements of Director Compensation

Director Fees. Each of the individuals who serve as a director of Investors Bancorp also serves as a director of Investors Bank. The non-employee directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank are compensated separately for service on each entity’s board. Each non-employee director of Investors Bancorp is paid a monthly retainer of $2,000 ($4,000 per month for the Chairman), and $1,500 for each committee meeting attended ($2,500 for the Audit Committee). The Chairman of the Audit Committee is paid an annual retainer of $10,000. The Chairman of the Compensation and Benefits Committee and the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are each paid an annual retainer of $8,500. Each non-employee director of Investors Bank is paid a monthly retainer of $4,000 ($8,000 per month for the Chairman) and $2,100 for each Board meeting attended ($4,200 per meeting for the Chairman).

The Board of Directors establishes non-employee director compensation based on recommendations of the Compensation and Benefits Committee. Periodically, the Compensation and Benefits Committee will engage the services of a third party consultant and will consult external surveys to assist it in a review of director compensation. The Compensation and Benefits Committee did not recommend any changes to the compensation payable to non-employee directors in 2011.

Stock Option and Stock Award Program. At the October 24, 2006 Annual Meeting, the stockholders approved the Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The Compensation and Benefits Committee engaged GK Partners, an independent compensation consultant, in calendar 2007 to assess the Committee’s recommendations for granting stock options and restricted stock awards to non-employee directors. In determining the amount of restricted stock awards and stock options non-employee directors would receive, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered the Board’s role in setting the strategic direction for the Company, most notably, their role in completing the conversion to a public company in 2005. The Committee also considered the directors’ past contributions, their industry knowledge, their financial expertise and the role they would play in the Company’s future. The Committee also reviewed survey data regarding awards made to directors of other companies that had undertaken a mutual to stock public offering. GK Partners concluded that the Committee’s recommendations for the awards were fair and reasonable and intended to align the economic interest of the directors with that of other shareholders consistent with prevailing director compensation practices in the competitive marketplace for similarly situated public companies.

On November 20, 2006 the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors granted stock options and restricted stock awards to non-employee directors of the Company equal to 80% of the amount approved by shareholders and reserved for granting to the non-employee directors. The options generally vest in equal installments over a five-year period, commencing one year from the date of the grant (November 20, 2007) and have an exercise price of $15.25 per share, which was the closing market price/last sale price of the Company’s common stock on November 20, 2006, the date of the grant. The restricted stock awards also generally vest in equal installments over a five-year period, commencing one year from the date of the grant (November 20, 2007). On January 21, 2008 the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors again consulted with GK Partners and granted the additional 20% of stock options and restricted stock awards to non-employee directors of the Company that was approved by the shareholders and reserved for granting to the non-employee directors. The options generally vest in equal installments over a five-year period, commencing one year from the date of the grant (January 21, 2009) and have an exercise price of $13.38 per share, which was the closing market price/last sale price of the Company’s common stock on January 18, 2008. The restricted stock awards also generally vest in equal installments over a five-year period, commencing one year from the date of the grant (January 21, 2009). The vesting of the options and restricted stock awards accelerate upon death or disability, retirement, involuntary termination of service following a change in control, and upon consummation of a second step conversion of Investors Bancorp. The grants have other terms and conditions consistent with the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. A total of 1,709,252 stock options and 683,701 shares of restricted stock have been granted to non-employee directors of the Company.

 

36


Director Benefits. For directors and their spouses or spousal equivalents as of 2007, Investors Bank sponsors a long-term care program. Directors become eligible to participate after one year of service either on the Board of Directors, through past employment or as counsel prior to becoming a director. Each individual policy is owned by the covered person. Investors Bank pays all premiums under the long term care program but will stop paying premiums in the event of the participant’s (i) resignation from the Board of Directors prior to attaining normal retirement age (except for health reasons); (ii) relocation outside of the country; or (iii) death. Spousal coverage will be terminated upon (i) a participant’s resignation prior to normal retirement age (except for health reasons); (ii) divorce from the participant; (iii) the participant no longer qualifying for coverage; (iv) the spouse’s permanent relocation outside of the country; or (v) death. Participants who cannot be insured through an insurance company under the long-term care program will be self-insured by Investors Bank.

Retirement Plan for the Board of Directors of Investors Bank. Investors Bank maintains a director retirement plan. In December 2006, the Director Plan was amended to cap compensation at the current level and close the plan to new participants. A director who is not an active employee of Investors Bank upon retirement from board service, has provided at least ten years of “cumulative service” (service on the board and, if applicable, as an employee or counsel), retires at age 65 or later, or as a result of disability, is eligible to participate in the plan. An eligible director with at least 15 years of cumulative service will be entitled to an annual retirement benefit equal to the sum of 60% of the annual retainer and 13 times the regular board meeting fee in effect for the calendar year proceeding the director’s year of retirement. A director with at least ten years of cumulative service but less than 15 years will be entitled to 40% of the sum of the annual retainer and 13 times the regular meeting fee in effect for the calendar year preceding the director’s year of retirement, plus a pro-rated percentage of 20% of the sum of the annual retainer and 13 times the regular board meeting fee in effect for the calendar year preceding the director’s year of retirement. In connection with the stock offering, the retirement plan was amended to include the annual retainer and board fees, if any, paid by Investors Bancorp in determining a director’s retirement benefit. Directors who retired on or prior to March 1, 1997 are entitled to different retirement benefits.

In the event of a change in control, directors who have not yet attained ten years of service will be deemed to have ten years of service in order to qualify for a benefit under the director retirement plan. In the event a director dies prior to retirement, the director’s beneficiary will be entitled to benefit payments in the form of a joint and survivor benefit payable at 100% of the amount paid to the director. Retirement benefits may be paid, at the director’s election, either in monthly payments until the eligible director’s death, or as a joint and survivor form of benefit payable for the lifetime of the eligible director and, upon the eligible director’s death, at 50% of the benefit amount, to the director’s beneficiary, or a joint and survivor form of benefit payable for the lifetime of the director and, upon the director’s death, at 100% of the amount, to the director’s beneficiary during the beneficiary’s lifetime. In order to receive retirement benefits under the plan, the director must remain a director emeritus in good standing after retirement and must not engage in any business enterprise which competes with Investors Bank nor disclose any confidential information relative to the business of Investors Bank.

Deferred Directors Fee Plans. Since 1988, Investors Bank has maintained a deferred directors fee plan, pursuant to which each director of Investors Bank has the right to defer the payment of all or any part of his or her board or committee fees. Compensation deferred under the plan and interest (at the rate equal to one and one-half percent below the prime rate) thereon are payable upon a director’s death, disability, resignation or removal from office. Such payment is made in a lump sum, unless the director has elected payment in monthly installments over a period of up to ten years. In the event of a change in control, the Board of Directors or an acquirer may, in its sole discretion, terminate the plan and pay the undisbursed portion of benefits under the plan in a lump sum within 12 months of the change in control. As of the year ended December 31, 2011, no directors are making deferrals in the deferred director fee plan.

 

37


Summary of Directors’ Compensation

The following table sets forth for the year ended December 31, 2011 certain information as to total compensation paid to non-employee directors. The amounts reported under the stock awards and option awards columns were granted on November 20, 2006 and January 21, 2008 pursuant to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.

DIRECTORS COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name

   Investors
Bancorp

Fees Earned
or
Paid in Cash
($)
   Investors Bank
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
   Stock
Awards
($)
   Option
Awards
($)
   Change
in Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

($) (1)
   All Other
Compensation
($) (2)
   Total ($)

Robert M. Cashill

   48,000    146,400          34,000    10,403    238,803

Doreen R. Byrnes

   36,000    73,200             8,170    117,370

Brian D. Dittenhafer

   54,500    73,200          101,000    11,053    239,753

Vincent D. Manahan III

   54,500    73,200          13,000    8,859    149,559

Richard J. Petroski (3)

   19,000    24,400                43,400

Stephen J. Szabatin

   56,000    73,200          10,000    12,201    151,401

James H. Ward III

   41,500    73,200                114,700

William V. Cosgrove (4)

   4,000    12,200             3,705    19,905

 

(1) This amount represents the aggregate change in the present value of a director’s accumulated benefit under the Retirement Plan.
(2) This amount includes perquisites and other personal benefits, or property, if the aggregate amount for each director is at least $10,000. Specifically, this amount represents the premiums paid for long term care coverage for certain directors and their spouses or spousal equivalents. In addition, the amount includes automobile allowance and club dues for Mr. Cosgrove.
(3) Mr. Petroski passed away on April 13, 2011.
(4) Mr. Cosgrove was appointed to the Boards of Directors of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and Investors Bank, effective October 25, 2011.

Other Matters

Director Stock Ownership Requirements. The Board believes its directors should have a financial investment in the Company to further align their interests with stockholders. Directors are expected to own at least 25,000 shares of common stock (excluding stock options). Stock holdings are expected to be achieved within five (5) years of either the implementation of the ownership guidelines or the starting date of the individual, whichever is later.

 

38


PROPOSAL II—ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Compensation Discussion and Analysis appearing earlier in this Proxy Statement describes the executive compensation program and the compensation decisions made by the Compensation and Benefits Committee with respect to the Chief Executive Officer and other officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (who are referred to as the “named executive officers”).

At the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Board of Directors recommended, and the stockholders approved, a non-binding vote in favor of holding an annual advisory vote on executive compensation. As a result, the Board of Directors determined that the Company will hold an annual advisory vote to approve executive compensation. This proposal, commonly known as a “Say on Pay” proposal, gives you as a shareholder the opportunity to vote on our executive pay program. The Board of Directors is requesting shareholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote on the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (“Investors”) approve the compensation paid to Investors’ named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and narrative accompanying the tables.”

Our executive compensation program is based on a pay for performance philosophy that is designed to support our business strategy and align the interests of our executives with our stockholders. The Board of Directors believes that the link between compensation and the achievement of our long- and short-term business goals has helped our financial performance over time, while not encouraging excessive risk taking.

For these reasons, the Board of Directors is requesting stockholders to support this proposal. While this advisory vote is non-binding, the Compensation and Benefits Committee and the Board of Directors value the views of the stockholders and will consider the outcome of this vote in future executive compensation decisions.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION PAID TO INVESTORS’ NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

 

39


PROPOSAL III—RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT

REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2011 was KPMG LLP. The Audit Committee has re-appointed KPMG LLP to continue as the independent registered public accounting firm for Investors Bancorp for the year ending December 31, 2012, subject to the ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to attend the Annual Meeting. They will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Stockholder ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP is not required by Investors Bancorp’s Bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board of Directors is submitting the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether it should select another independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change is in the best interests of Investors Bancorp and its stockholders.

Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed to Investors Bancorp for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP for the audit of the Investors Bancorp’s annual financial statements, review of the financial statements included in the Investors Bancorp’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by KPMG LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and engagements were $675,000 and $714,000 during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Audit Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed to Investors Bancorp for assurance and related services rendered by KPMG LLP that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of and review of the financial statements and that are not already reported in “Audit Fees,” above, were $35,000 and $80,000 during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These services included audits of employee benefit plans and compliance audits for a subsidiary of the Company.

Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed to Investors Bancorp for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $121,969 and $153,543 during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

All Other Fees. There were no “Other Fees” during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independence of KPMG LLP. The Audit Committee concluded that performing such services does not affect the independence of KPMG LLP in performing its function as Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve audit and audit-related services between meetings of the Audit Committee, provided the Chair reports any such approvals to the full Audit Committee at its next meeting. The full Audit Committee pre-approves all other services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm and the related fees.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF

KPMG LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.

 

40


OTHER MATTERS

As of the date of this document, the Board of Directors knows of no matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting other than as described in this document. However, if any other matter shall properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof and shall be voted upon, the proposed proxy will be deemed to confer authority to the individuals named as authorized therein to vote the shares represented by the proxy in accordance with their best judgment as to any matters that fall within the purposes set forth in the notice of Annual Meeting.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

To be eligible for inclusion in the proxy materials for next year’s annual meeting of stockholders, any stockholder proposal to take action at such meeting must be received at Investors Bancorp’s executive office, 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078, no later than December 11, 2012. Any such proposals shall be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

ADVANCE NOTICE OF BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED

AT AN ANNUAL MEETING

The Bylaws of Investors Bancorp also provide an advance notice procedure for certain business, or nominations to the Board of Directors, to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders. In order for a stockholder to properly bring business before an annual meeting, the stockholder must give written notice to the Corporate Secretary of Investors Bancorp not less than 90 days prior to the date of Investors Bancorp’s proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made. The notice must include the stockholder’s name, record address, and number of shares owned, describe briefly the proposed business, the reasons for bringing the business before the annual meeting, and any material interest of the stockholder in the proposed business. Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to require Investors Bancorp to include in its proxy statement and proxy relating to an annual meeting any stockholder proposal. In accordance with the foregoing, in order for a proposal or a nomination to be brought before the annual meeting of stockholders to be held following the year ending December 31, 2012, notice must be provided to the Corporate Secretary by January 10, 2013.

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE “GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS” SECTION OF THE “INVESTOR RELATIONS” PAGE OF THE INVESTORS BANK’S WEBSITE AT WWW.MYINVESTORSBANK.COM :

 

   

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

   

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE CHARTER

   

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CHARTER

   

INVESTORS BANCORP’S CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES

   

INVESTORS BANCORP’S CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

   

INVESTORS BANCORP’S INDEPENDENCE STANDARDS

COPIES OF EACH WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE CORPORATE SECRETARY, INVESTORS BANCORP, INC., 101 JFK PARKWAY, SHORT HILLS, NEW JERSEY 07078.

 

41


WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE OR VOTE BY INTERNET OR TELEPHONE AS DESCRIBED IN YOUR PROXY CARD.

AN ADDITIONAL COPY OF INVESTORS BANCORP’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K (WITHOUT EXHIBITS) FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO STOCKHOLDERS UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE CORPORATE SECRETARY, INVESTORS BANCORP, INC., 101 JFK PARKWAY, SHORT HILLS, NEW JERSEY 07078. THE FORM 10-K IS ALSO AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE ON THE “INVESTOR RELATIONS” PAGE OF THE INVESTORS BANK’S WEBSITE AT WWW.MYINVESTORSBANK.COM.

 

42


REVOCABLE PROXY

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

MAY 22, 2012

9:00 a.m.

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

The undersigned hereby appoints the official proxy committee consisting of the Board of Directors (other than the nominees for directors set forth below) with full powers of substitution to act as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned to vote all shares of common stock of the Company that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) to be held at The Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901 on May 22, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., local time. The official proxy committee is authorized to cast all votes to which the undersigned is entitled as follows:

 

 

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 3. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE PROXY COMMITTEE. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.

 

PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN, AND MAIL THIS INSTRUCTION CARD PROMPTLY IN THE

ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE OR PROVIDE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTE VIA THE

INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE.

(Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)

LOGO                 FOLD AND DETACH HERE                 LOGO

 

 

INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. – MAY 22, 2012 9:00 A.M.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

Proxy Materials are available on-line at:

https://www.myinvestorsbank.com

You can vote in one of three ways:

 

1. Call toll free 1-855-730-0804 on a Touch-Tone Phone. There is NO CHARGE to you for this call.

or

 

2. Via the Internet at http://www.rtcoproxy.com/isbc and follow the instructions.

or

 

3. Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope.

PLEASE SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

5877


z      REVOCABLE PROXY    {
  x  

PLEASE MARK VOTES

AS IN THIS EXAMPLE

   Investors Bancorp, Inc.   

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

MAY 22, 2012

    For  

Withhold

All

  For All
Except

1.    The election as Directors of all nominees listed below, each to serve a term as follows:

  ¨   ¨   ¨

 

Terms Expiring at the 2015 Meeting

{01} Robert M. Cashill

{02} Brian D. Dittenhafer

{03} Kevin Cummings

 

INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write that nominee(s’) name(s) or number(s) in the space provided below.

 

 

 

 

Please be sure to date and sign

this proxy card in the box below.

  

Date

 

         
    Sign above        Co-holder (if any) sign above)    
       

Note: Please sign exactly as your name appears on this Proxy. If signing for estates, trusts, corporations or partnerships, title or capacity should be stated. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.

    For   Against   Abstain

2.    The approval (non-binding) of executive compensation.

  ¨   ¨   ¨
    For   Against   Abstain

3.    To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for Investors Bancorp, Inc. for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.

  ¨   ¨   ¨

 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” proposals 1, 2 and 3 listed above.

 

Mark here if you plan to attend the meeting

  ¨

 

Mark here for address change and note change

 

 

¨

 

 

Should the undersigned be present and elect to vote at the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment thereof and after notification to the Secretary of the Company at the Annual Meeting of the stockholder’s decision to terminate this proxy, then the power of said attorneys and proxies shall be deemed terminated and of no further force and effect. This proxy may also be revoked by sending written notice to the Secretary of the Company at the address set forth on the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or by the filing of a later dated proxy prior to a vote being taken on a particular proposal at the Annual Meeting.

The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company prior to the execution of this proxy of notice of the Annual Meeting, a proxy statement dated April 10, 2012, and audited financial statements.

 
x    IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE YOUR INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW   y

 

 

 

 

LOGO             

  FOLD AND DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE VOTING BY MAIL  

 

             LOGO

PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

 

Stockholders of record have three ways to vote:

1. By Telephone (using a Touch-Tone Phone); or

2. By Internet; or

3. By Mail.

A telephone or internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed, dated and returned this proxy. Please note telephone and internet votes must be cast prior to 3:00 a.m., May 22, 2012. It is not necessary to return this proxy if you vote by telephone or internet.

 

 

Vote by Telephone

 

Call Toll-Free on a Touch-Tone Phone anytime prior  

to 3:00 a.m., May 22, 2012

1 -855-730-0804

 

   

 

Vote by Internet

 

anytime prior to

3:00 a.m., May 22, 2012 go to

http://www.rtcoproxy.com/isbc

Please note that the last vote received, whether by telephone, internet or by mail, will be the vote counted.

 

 ON-LINE PROXY MATERIALS:      https ://www. myinvestorsbank.com

 

  Your vote is important!   LOGO