SCHEDULE 14A(Rule 14a-101) INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATIONProxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Filed by the Registrant [_] Check the appropriate box: |
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121 North Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 |
April 20, 2005 Dear Shareholders: You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Investors Title Company to be held at the Siena Hotel, 1505 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. E.D.T. The Annual Meeting will begin with a review of the activities of the Company for the past year and a report on current operations during the first quarter of 2005, followed by discussion and voting on the matters set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. The Board of Directors of the Company unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the election of the directors nominated to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2008. Shareholders may have a choice of voting by telephone, on the Internet, or by mail using the enclosed proxy card. I urge you to review the Proxy Statement and promptly vote using one of the methods available to you. |
Cordially, | |
J. Allen Fine | |
Chief Executive Officer |
121 North Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 |
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 18, 2005 |
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Investors Title Company will be held at the Siena Hotel, 1505 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. E.D.T., for the following purposes: |
(1) To elect three directors for three-year terms or until their successors are elected and qualified; and (2) To consider any other business that may properly come before the meeting. Shareholders of record of Common Stock of the Company at the close of business on April 4, 2005 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournments thereof. |
By Order of the Board of Directors: | |
W. Morris Fine | |
Secretary | |
IMPORTANT - Your proxy card is enclosed. You can vote your shares by completing and returning your proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Shareholders may have the choice of voting by telephone or on the Internet. If the telephone or Internet options are available to you, voting instructions have been included with your proxy materials. Whether or not you expect to be present at the meeting, please review the Proxy Statement and promptly vote in order to assist the Company in keeping down the expenses of the meeting. You can revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise at the meeting by following the instructions in the accompanying Proxy Statement. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Annual Meeting of Shareholders To Be Held on May 18, 2005 |
1 |
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Other factors the Nominating Committee considers when evaluating a director nominee are: | |
1. | Whether the nominee assists in achieving a diverse mix of Board members; |
2. | The extent of the nominees business experience, technical expertise, and specialized skills or experience; |
3. | Whether the nominee, by virtue of particular experience relevant to the Companys current or future business, will add specific value as a Board member; and |
4. | Any factors related to the ability and willingness of a new nominee to serve, or an existing nominee to continue his or her service to, the Company. |
3 |
The Companys Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating Committee. The Audit Committee: In 2004, the Audit Committee was composed of David L. Francis, William J. Kennedy III and H. Joe King, Jr, all independent directors. Loren B. Harrell, Jr., also an independent director, was a member of the Audit Committee from January 1, 2004 to May 19, 2004. The Audit Committee met eleven times in 2004. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for hiring, dismissing, compensating and overseeing the Companys independent auditor and reviewing the scope of the annual audit proposed by the independent auditor. In addition, the Committee reviews internal audit procedures on various aspects of corporate operations, reviews and approves all related party transactions and periodically consults with the independent auditor on matters relating to internal financial controls and procedures. Finally, the Committee is responsible for establishing and administering complaint procedures related to accounting and auditing matters. The Board of Directors adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee that can be found under the Committee heading of the Corporate Governance area of the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at www.invtitle.com. The Board of Directors has determined that all of the current Audit Committee membersMr. Francis, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Kingare audit committee financial experts and satisfy the definition of financially literate under NASDAQ Rule 4350(d). The Board of Directors also has determined that each current member of the Companys Audit Committee is independent as such term is defined by applicable federal securities laws and by NASDAQs independent director and audit committee listing standards. The Compensation Committee: In 2004, the Compensation Committee was composed of James R. Morton, Loren B. Harrell, Jr. and A. Scott Parker III, all independent directors. The Compensation Committee met three times in 2004. This Committee, which also serves as the Option Committee reviewing, approving and administering the Companys stock option plans, determines, or recommends to the independent directors for determination, salaries, bonuses and other compensation of all executive officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee has a written charter that can be found under the Committee heading of the Corporate Governance area of the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at www.invtitle.com. The Board of Directors has determined that in 2004 each member of the Companys Compensation Committee was independent as such term is defined by applicable NASDAQs independent director and audit committee listing standards. The Nominating Committee: In 2004, the Nominating Committee was composed of Loren B. Harrell, Jr., H. Joe King, Jr. and James R. Morton, all independent directors. The Nominating Committee met once in 2004. The Nominating Committee has a written charter that can be found under the Committee heading of the Corporate Governance area of the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at www.invtitle.com. |
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Markel Corporation | 236,250 | (1) | 9.20 | % | ||
4521 Highwoods Parkway, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 | ||||||
J. Allen Fine | 192,075 | (2) | 7.48 | % | ||
121 N. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 | ||||||
W. Morris Fine | 174,501 | (3) | 6.80 | % | ||
121 N. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 | ||||||
James A. Fine, Jr. | 174,048 | (4) | 6.78 | % | ||
121 N. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 |
(1) | The information included in the above table is based solely on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2004. This amount includes 22,950 shares over which Markel Corporation has shared dispositive power. |
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(2) | This includes 3,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Fine has the right to purchase under stock options that are presently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days of March 11, 2005. Additionally, this includes 151,099 shares held by a limited liability company of which Mr. Fine is the manager and possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares. |
(3) | This total includes shares beneficially owned as follows: 95,000 shares held by a limited partnership of which Mr. Fine is a general partner and shares joint voting power over such shares with James A. Fine, Jr., such shares also being reflected in James A. Fine, Jr.s beneficially owned shares; and 4,052 shares held by family members. |
(4) | This total includes shares beneficially owned as follows: 95,000 shares held by a limited partnership of which Mr. Fine is a general partner and shares joint voting power over such shares with W. Morris Fine, such shares also being reflected in W. Morris Fines beneficially owned shares; and 1,961 shares held by family members. |
The table below sets forth the shares of the Companys Common Stock beneficially owned by each director, nominee for director, the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, and by all directors and executive officers as a group. |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
J. Allen Fine | 192,075 | (1) | 7.48 | % |
W. Morris Fine | 174,501 | (2) | 6.80 | % |
James A. Fine, Jr. | 174,048 | (3) | 6.78 | % |
A. Scott Parker III | 80,371 | (4) | 3.13 | % |
David L. Francis | 49,166 | (5) | 1.91 | % |
James R. Morton | 21,665 | (6) | * | |
H. Joe King, Jr. | 21,776 | (7) | * | |
William J. Kennedy III | 6,000 | (6) | * | |
Loren B. Harrell, Jr. | 4,000 | (6) | * | |
R. Horace Johnson | 100 | * | ||
All Directors, Nominee for Director | ||||
and Executive Officers as a Group | ||||
(10 persons) | 723,702 | (8) | 27.91 | % |
*Represents less than 1% |
(1) | This includes 3,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Fine has the right to purchase under stock options that are presently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days of March 11, 2005. Additionally, this includes 151,099 shares held by a limited liability company of which Mr. Fine is the manager and possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares. |
(2) | This total includes shares beneficially owned as follows: 95,000 shares held by a limited partnership of which Mr. Fine is a general partner and shares joint voting power over such shares with James A. Fine, Jr., such shares also being reflected in James A. Fine, Jr.s beneficially owned shares; and 4,052 shares held by family members. |
(3) | This total includes shares beneficially owned as follows: 95,000 shares held by a limited partnership of which Mr. Fine is a general partner and shares joint voting power over such shares with W. Morris Fine, such shares also being reflected in W. Morris Fines beneficially owned shares; and 1,961 shares held by family members. |
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(4) | This total includes 3,500 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Parker has the right to purchase under stock options that are presently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days of March 11, 2005. Additionally, this total includes shares beneficially owned as follows: 3,266 shares held by his wife. |
(5) | This total includes 4,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. Francis has the right to purchase under stock options that are presently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days of March 11, 2005. This total also includes shares beneficially owned as follows: 1,000 shares held by his wife. |
(6) | This total includes 4,000 shares of Common Stock available for purchase under stock options that are presently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days of March 11, 2005. |
(7) | This total includes 4,000 shares of Common Stock that Mr. King has the right to purchase under stock options that are presently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days of March 11, 2005. This total also includes shares beneficially owned as follows: 700 shares held by his wife. |
(8) | This total includes 26,500 shares of Common Stock that all officers and directors, as a group, have the right to purchase under stock options that are presently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days of March 11, 2005. |
The Companys Board of Directors is composed of 9 members divided into three classes with staggered terms of three years for each class. Based on the recommendations of the Nominating Committee, the Board of Directors has nominated W. Morris Fine and Loren B. Harrell, Jr. for re-election to serve for a three-year period or until their respective successors have been elected and qualified. On February 16, 2005, William J. Kennedy III, an independent director of the Company, member of the 2005 class, and Chair of the Audit Committee, notified the Company that he did not plan to stand for re-election to the Companys Board of Directors after 18 years of service as an independent director. In place of Mr. Kennedy, R. Horace Johnson is nominated for election to serve for a three-year period or until his successor has been elected and qualified. The nominees will be elected if they receive a plurality of the votes cast for their election. Votes that are withheld, broker nonvotes and abstentions will not affect the election results if a quorum is present. If any of the nominees should withdraw or otherwise become unavailable for reasons not presently known, shares represented by proxies may be voted for other persons in their place in accordance with the best judgment of the persons named in the Proxy. The Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the election of the directors nominated to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2008. |
Name | Age | Served as Director Since |
Term to Expire |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W. Morris Fine | 38 | 1999 | 2008 | |||
Loren B. Harrell, Jr. | 56 | 1996 | 2008 | |||
R. Horace Johnson | 60 | | 2008 | |||
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W. Morris Fine is Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Company, President and Chief Operating Officer
of Investors Title Insurance Company and Northeast Investors Title Insurance Company, President and
Chairman of the Board of Investors Title Management Services, Inc., Vice President of Investors Title
Exchange Corporation and Investors Title Accommodation Corporation, and Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer of Investors Trust Company and Investors Capital Management Company. Investors Title Insurance
Company, Northeast Investors Title Insurance Company, Investors Title Management Services, Inc.,
Investors Title Exchange Corporation, Investors Title Accommodation Corporation, Investors Capital
Management Company and Investors Trust Company are all wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.
Mr. Fine is the son of J. Allen Fine, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company,
and brother of James A. Fine, Jr., President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company.
Loren B. Harrell, Jr. organized SoftPro Corporation in 1984 and served as President and CEO from 1984 until his retirement in 2003. SoftPro Corporation is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. SoftPro specializes in the research and development of software utilized by law firms, title companies, title insurance agents and lending institutions in the title insurance industry. R. Horace Johnson retired in 2004 as managing partner of the Raleigh, North Carolina office of Ernst and Young, a public accounting firm, where he had been employed since 1967. During this period, Mr. Johnson served in many firm leadership roles including serving as the managing partner for the North Carolina practice for three years and on the operating committee of the Carolinas practice for five years. He also maintained an active client service role during the 25 years he served as partner. Mr. Johnson serves on the Board of Directors of Wilmington Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a pharmaceutical development company, and he also serves on the Board of the following non-profit corporations: North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry, NC Museum of History Associates, Wake Education Partnership, Council for Entrepreneurial Development, Carolina Country Club. Mr. Johnson was recommended for election to the Board of Directors of the Company by an executive officer, other than the Chief Executive Officer, of the Company. |
Name | Age | Served as Director Since |
Term to Expire |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
James A. Fine, Jr. | 43 | 1997 | 2006 | |||
H. Joe King, Jr. | 72 | 1983 | 2006 | |||
James R. Morton | 67 | 1985 | 2006 | |||
J. Allen Fine | 70 | 1973 | 2007 | |||
David L. Francis | 72 | 1982 | 2007 | |||
A. Scott Parker III | 61 | 1998 | 2007 |
James A. Fine, Jr. is President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Investors Title Company, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Investors Title Insurance Company, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Northeast Investors Title Insurance Company, Executive Vice President of Investors Title Management Services, Inc., President of Investors Title Exchange Corporation and Investors Title Accommodation Corporation, and Chief Executive Officer of Investors Trust Company and Investors Capital Management Company. Additionally, Mr. Fine serves as Chairman of the Board of Investors Title Accommodation Corporation. Investors Title Insurance Company, Northeast Investors Title Insurance Company, Investors Title Management Services, Inc., |
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Investors Title Exchange Corporation, Investors Title Accommodation Corporation, Investors Capital Management Company and Investors Trust Company are all wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Mr. Fine is the son of J. Allen Fine, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company, and brother of W. Morris Fine, Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Company. H. Joe King, Jr. retired as President and Chairman of the Board of Home Federal Savings & Loan Association in Charlotte, North Carolina and its parent company, HFNC Financial Corporation, in 1998, where he had been employed since 1962. James R. Morton was President of J. R. Morton Associates from 1968 until he retired in 1988. He is currently President of TransCarolina Corporation. J. Allen Fine was the principal organizer of Investors Title Insurance Company and has been Chairman of the Board of the Company, Investors Title Insurance Company, and Northeast Investors Title Insurance Company since their incorporation. Mr. Fine served as President of Investors Title Insurance Company until February 1997, when he was named Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, Mr. Fine serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Northeast Investors Title Insurance Company, and Chairman of the Board of Investors Title Exchange Corporation, Investors Capital Management Company and Investors Trust Company. Investors Title Insurance Company, Northeast Investors Title Insurance Company, Investors Title Exchange Corporation, Investors Title Accommodation Corporation, Investors Capital Management Company and Investors Trust Company are all wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. Mr. Fine is the father of James A. Fine, Jr., President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company, and W. Morris Fine, Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Company. David L. Francis retired in 1997 as the President of Marsh Mortgage Company, a mortgage banking firm, and Marsh Associates, Inc., a property management company, where he had been employed since 1963. He serves on the Board of Directors of First Landmark, a Charlotte real estate and property management firm, and is General Partner of the Francis Family Limited Partnership. A. Scott Parker III founded Todays Home, Inc. in 1975 and has been President of that company since its incorporation. Todays Home, Inc. manufactures lamps and wall decor for the lodging, hospitality and healthcare industries. He is also managing member of Parker-Jones-Kemp LLC and Greenham Investments, LLC, developers of furniture showroom properties to the trade. On September 24, 2004, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors appointed Dixon Hughes PLLC as the Companys independent accountants to audit the consolidated financial statements for 2004 and 2005 and approved the terms of its engagement. Dixon Hughes PLLC replaced Deloitte & Touche LLP. Also, effective September 24, 2004 the Committee dismissed Deloitte & Touche LLP. In connection with Deloitte & Touche LLPs audits during the two years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003, and through the date of the Audit Committees action dismissing Deloitte & Touche LLP, there were no disagreements with Deloitte & Touche LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to Deloitte & Touche LLPs satisfaction, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports on the Companys financial statements. During 2002 and 2003, and through |
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the date of the Audit Committees action dismissing Deloitte & Touche LLP, there were no reportable events requiring disclosure pursuant to Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K. Deloitte & Touche LLPs audit reports on the Companys consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the Companys two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2003, and the subsequent interim period through the date of the Companys appointment of Dixon Hughes PLLC on September 24, 2004, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted with Dixon Hughes PLLC regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Item 304 (a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K. The Audit Committee selected Dixon Hughes PLLC as the Companys independent auditor for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. Dixon Hughes PLLC served as the Companys independent auditor for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and its representatives are expected to attend the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and to be available to respond to appropriate questions. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if they wish to do so. Aggregate fees for professional services rendered by the Companys principal accounting firm, Dixon Hughes PLLC, for the year ended December 31, 2004 and by the Companys prior principal accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2003, are set forth below. |
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audit Fees (1) | $ | 152,250 | $ | 125,850 | |||||
Audit-Related Fees | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Tax Fees (2) | 28,200 | 35,400 | |||||||
All Other Fees (3) | 0 | 0 | |||||||
Total Fees (4) | $ | 180,450 | $ | 161,250 | |||||
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Each year prior to engaging the independent auditor for the following years audit, the Audit Committee pre-approves independent auditor services and associated fees within the categories of Audit Services, Audit-Related Services, Tax Services, and Other Services. Throughout the year, circumstances may arise that require the engagement of the independent auditor for additional services that were not contemplated by the existing pre-approval categories. In that case, the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy requires specific approval of such services before engaging the independent auditor. To ensure the prompt handling of such matters, the Audit Committee has granted pre-approval authority to both its Chair and its Vice-Chair. The Chair or Vice-Chair reports any pre-approval decisions made at the next Audit Committee meeting. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for appointing, compensating and overseeing the work of the Companys independent auditor. In order to effectively carry out its duties, the Audit Committee has established procedures for pre-approving all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditor. Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls, for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Companys independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Companys independent auditors provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, that describes all relationships between the Company and its independent auditors that might bear on the auditors independence. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors any relationships that may have an impact on the auditors objectivity and independence. Finally, the Audit Committee considered whether the independent auditors performance of services, other than audit services, is compatible with maintaining the independence of the auditors. The Audit Committee discussed and reviewed with management and the independent auditors the audited financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditors those matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended. The Audit Committee discussed and reviewed the audited financial statements for 2004 with management and the independent auditors. The Audit Committee reviewed with the independent auditors their audit plans, audit scope and identification of audit risks. Based on the reviews and discussion referenced above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Companys audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors: William J. Kennedy III, Chairman |
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Shown below is information concerning the annual compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, of those persons who were, at December 31, 2004 (i) the Chief Executive Officer and (ii) the senior executive officers, other than the CEO, who earned more than $100,000 in salary and bonus during 2004. |
Annual Compensation | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
All Other Compensation ($) |
||||
J. Allen Fine | 2004 | 258,250 | 250,000 | 164,702 | (1) | |||
Chief Executive | 2003 | 250,834 | 200,000 | 17,675 | ||||
Officer | 2002 | 244,138 | 125,000 | 17,275 | ||||
James A. Fine, Jr. | 2004 | 207,000 | 250,000 | 151,425 | (2) | |||
President and Chief | 2003 | 200,000 | 200,000 | 23,079 | ||||
Financial Officer | 2002 | 194,167 | 50,000 | 32,783 | ||||
W. Morris Fine | 2004 | 207,000 | 250,000 | 152,518 | (3) | |||
Executive Vice | 2003 | 200,000 | 200,000 | 23,079 | ||||
President | 2002 | 194,167 | 50,000 | 23,372 | ||||
(1) | Total represents $16,000 Company contribution to Simplified Employee Pension Plan, $720 Company-paid life insurance premiums, $2,238 Company automobile allowance, $125,675 credited by the Company to Mr. Fines account under the Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan and $20,069 credited by the Company to Mr. Fines account under the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. |
(2) | Total represents $16,000 Company contribution to Simplified Employee Pension Plan, $1,192 Company-paid life insurance premiums, $5,791 Company-paid health insurance premiums, $1,067 Company automobile allowance, $111,375 credited by the Company to Mr. Fines account under the Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan and $16,000 credited by the Company to Mr. Fines account under the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. |
(3) | Total represents $16,000 Company contribution to Simplified Employee Pension Plan, $1,192 Company-paid life insurance premiums, $5,791 Company-paid health insurance premiums, $2,160 Company automobile allowance, $111,375 credited by the Company to Mr. Fines account under the Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan and $16,000 credited by the Company to Mr. Fines account under the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. |
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year, subject to increase (as determined by the compensation committee of ITICs Board of Directors, subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of the Companys Board of Directors) and may also receive discretionary cash bonuses (subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of the Companys Board of Directors). In the event of a change in control of ITIC or the Company (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Fines base salary in effect at such time will double. Under the agreement, ITIC also agrees to make quarterly contributions on Mr. Fines behalf to a Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan in an amount equal to 22% of his base salary and bonus for the quarter for a minimum of 20 calendar quarters. In the event Mr. Fines employment terminates before ITIC makes such contributions for 20 quarters, the agreement provides that ITIC will make a lump sum payment to Mr. Fine equal to the deficiency. The agreement also contains provisions relating to protection of the confidential information of ITIC and its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates and prohibits Mr. Fine from competing with any such party in the State of North Carolina, or soliciting the employees of any such party, while employed by ITIC and for a period of two years following termination of his employment. Pursuant to Mr. Fines employment agreement, he receives certain payments and benefits, described generally below, in the event of the termination of his employment. If Mr. Fines employment is terminated due to his death, disability or retirement (following his 70th birthday), he is entitled to receive, among other things, his then current base salary for three years, three times his average bonus compensation during the preceding three years, accrued benefits under the Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, accelerated vesting in full of all his stock options, and continued participation in the Companys health insurance plans at no expense until his death. If ITIC terminates Mr. Fines employment other than for cause (as defined in the agreement) or if ITIC materially breaches the agreement and Mr. Fine terminates his employment as a result thereof, Mr. Fine is entitled to receive, among other things, his then current base salary for a period of five years, five times his average bonus compensation during the preceding three years, accrued benefits under the Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, accelerated vesting in full of all his stock options and the continued health insurance coverage as described above. If Mr. Fine terminates his employment because of a change in control (as defined in the agreement) of the Company or ITIC, he is entitled to receive, among other things, payments equal to 2.99 times his then base salary, 2.99 times his average bonus compensation during the preceding three years, and accrued benefits under the Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, as well as accelerated vesting in full of all his stock options and the continued health insurance coverage as described above. If any portion of these payments and benefits, or payments and benefits under any other plan, agreement or arrangement, would constitute an excess parachute payment for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code, such payments and benefits payable under the agreement will be reduced until no portion thereof would fail to be deductible by reason of being an excess parachute payment. ITIC entered into substantially identical employment agreements with James A. Fine, Jr. and W. Morris Fine also effective November 2003 and amended June 2004; except that the current base salary for each James A. Fine, Jr. and W. Morris Fine as provided in each of their employment agreements is $207,000 per year, and their agreements also provide for continued health insurance coverage, following certain employment terminations, for their spouses and dependent children at no expense until death. |
13 |
Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan The Companys Compensation Committee adopted a Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan of the Companys wholly owned subsidiary, Investors Title Insurance Company, in November 2003. This plan is an unfunded defined contribution plan designed to provide additional retirement benefits on a tax deferred basis for select management or highly compensated employees. Participants in the plan are determined by the Compensation Committee and currently only the named executive officers participate. The rights of the participants are those of general, unsecured creditors. Under the Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan, beginning in January 2004, ITIC makes quarterly hypothetical contributions to each participants account under the plan equal to 22% of the participants salary and bonus compensation during the quarter. Once ITIC has contributed this amount for 20 quarters, additional contributions to a participants account will be discretionary. If a participant terminates employment before ITIC has made contributions for 20 quarters, then a lump sum hypothetical contribution to the terminated participants account equal to the number of quarters less than 20 will be made. The hypothetical rate of return on amounts credited to a participants account will be determined by the Compensation Committee from time to time Amounts in a participants account (reflecting the hypothetical contributions and any deemed returns) are paid at the participants termination of employment or death during employment in a lump sum, equal annual installments payable over five, 10 or 15 years or life annuity payments, as the participant elects. The amounts credited to the Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan accounts of the named executive officers reflecting the hypothetical contributions for 2004 are included in the All Other Compensation figure shown in the Summary Compensation Table above. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan The Companys Compensation Committee adopted a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan of the Companys wholly owned subsidiary, Investors Title Insurance Company, in June 2004. The plan is an unfunded defined contribution plan designed to permit select management or highly compensated employees to set aside additional retirement benefits on a pre-tax basis. Participants in the plan are determined by the Compensation Committee and currently only the named executive officers participate. The rights of the participants are those of general, unsecured creditors. The Deferred Compensation Plan permits, for 2005 and subsequent calendar years, each participant to annually defer any portion of his salary or bonus and have the amount deferred credited to the participants account under the plan. The plan also provides that on or before December 31st of each year, beginning in 2004, ITIC will make a hypothetical contribution to a participants account under the plan equal to the amount that ITIC would have contributed to the participants Simplified Employee Pension Plan if ITICs contributions to this plan were not limited under the federal tax laws. Amounts credited to a participants account under the plan will be deemed invested as the participant shall from time to time determine in various investment funds approved by ITIC. Amounts in a participants account (reflecting compensation deferred, ITICs hypothetical contributions and any deemed returns) are paid at the participants termination of employment in a lump sum. The amounts credited to the Deferred Contribution accounts of the named executive officers for 2004 are included in the All Other Compensation figure shown in the Summary Compensation Table above. There were no options granted to the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004. |
14 |
Name | Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized ($) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options at Year-End (#) |
Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at Year-End ($)(1) |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J. Allen Fine | | | 37,600 / 7,400 | $ | 815,844 / 144,646 | |||||||||
James A. Fine, Jr. | | | 53,000 / 5,000 | 1,182,440 / 71,380 | ||||||||||
W. Morris Fine | | | 53,000 / 5,000 | 1,182,440 / 71,380 |
15 |
16 |
period, and the cash bonus remains the same amount as granted in 2004. The cash bonus awarded for 2004 was given in recognition of his leadership efforts in the Company improving its profitability, the formation of Investors Trust Company, and the overall performance of the Company. The Company also credited amounts to Mr. Fines accounts under the Non-Qualified Supplemental Retirement Benefit Plan and the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, in accordance with the terms of each plan. Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors: Loren B. Harrell, Jr. INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY |
Period Ending |
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Index | 12/31/99 | 12/31/00 | 12/31/01 | 12/31/02 | 12/31/03 | 12/31/04 | |||||||||||||
Investors Title Company | 100.00 | 92.23 | 91.15 | 135.68 | 185.00 | 221.75 | |||||||||||||
Custom Peer Group* | 100.00 | 255.74 | 177.44 | 236.83 | 355.03 | 442.35 | |||||||||||||
NASDAQ Composite | 100.00 | 60.82 | 48.16 | 33.11 | 49.93 | 54.49 |
*The Custom Peer Group consists of Fidelity National Financial, Inc., First American Corporation, LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc., and Stewart Information Services Corporation. | |
SNL Financial LC | (434) 977-1600 |
© 2005 |
17 |
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: | |
W. Morris Fine | |
Secretary | |
April 20, 2005 |
18 |
Investors Title Company PROXY PLEASE SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 18, 2005 The undersigned hereby appoints J. Allen Fine and W. Morris Fine, and each of them, each with power of substitution, as lawful proxies, to vote all shares of common stock of Investors Title Company that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Shareholders Meeting of Investors Title Company to be held at The Siena Hotel located at 1505 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. E.D.T., and at any adjournment thereof, upon such business as may properly come before the meeting. Please sign on reverse exactly as name appears. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. Please sign and date on reverse side and return in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. SHAREHOLDER __________________________ NUMBER OF SHARES __________________________ DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE FOR ELECTION OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED BELOW. Mark X for only one box. If no direction is indicated, shares will be voted FOR the following director nominees: 1 W. MORRIS FINE 2 LOREN B. HARRELL, JR. 3 R. HORACE JOHNSON In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote in their best judgment with respect to any other business that may properly come before the meeting. |
Dated ________________, 2005 | |||
(Signature) | |||
(Signature if held jointly) | |||