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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.     )

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  Preliminary Proxy Statement
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  Definitive Proxy Statement
  Definitive Additional Materials
  Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc.

 

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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BOTTOMLINE TECHNOLOGIES (de), INC.

325 Corporate Drive

Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To be held on November 19, 2020

To the stockholders of Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc.:

The 2020 annual meeting of stockholders of Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., local time, at the International Office Suites at One New Hampshire Avenue, New Hampshire Room, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the following matters:

 

  1.

To elect the three nominees named in the attached proxy statement as Class I directors to serve until the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;

 

  2.

To hold a non-binding advisory vote to approve executive compensation;

 

  3.

To approve an amendment to our 2019 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 2,200,000;

 

  4.

To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021; and

 

  5.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting, including any postponements or adjournments thereof.

Our Board of Directors has no knowledge of any other business to be transacted at the annual meeting.

We are enclosing a copy of our annual report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 with the proxy statement that accompanies this notice of meeting. The annual report contains consolidated financial statements and other information of interest to you.

Holders of record of our common stock at the close of business on September 29, 2020 are entitled to receive this notice and to vote at the annual meeting.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please vote as soon as possible.

The annual meeting will be conducted with appropriate COVID-19 guidelines being appropriately followed. All attendees will be asked to confirm that they are not experiencing symptoms and, to the best of their knowledge, have not been exposed to COVID-19 patients prior to entering the meeting room. Attendees will be required to use hand sanitizer and wear an appropriate face covering, both of which will be provided at the meeting. All seating will be appropriately spaced to ensure proper social distancing.

In order to make sure that you are represented at the annual meeting, if you hold shares directly as the stockholder of record, we urge you to complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope, or to vote by phone or internet according to the instructions on the proxy card, as promptly as possible. If the shares you own are held in “street name” by a bank or broker, such that you are the beneficial owner of your shares, you should follow the voting instructions provided to you by your bank or broker.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on November 19, 2020.

The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders are available at www.envisionreports.com/epay for registered stockholders and www.edocumentview.com/epay for beneficial owners.

 

  By order of the Board of Directors,
  /s/    Joseph L. Mullen
  Joseph L. Mullen
  Chairman of the Board of Directors

October 19, 2020

Portsmouth, New Hampshire


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Table of Contents

 

     Page  

Proxy Summary

     1  

Proxy and Voting Information

     3  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

     4  

Proposal 1 - Election of Class I Directors

     7  

Director Compensation

     12  

Executive Compensation

     13  

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

     13  

Summary Compensation

     22  

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

     23  

Equity Awards and Holdings

     24  

Stock Vested in Fiscal Year

     25  

Employment and Other Agreements and Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

     25  

Pay Ratio Disclosure

     31  

Tax Considerations

     32  

Leadership Development and Compensation Committee Report

     32  

Leadership Development and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     32  

Equity Compensation Plan Information

     33  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

     34  

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

     35  

Corporate Governance

     36  

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

     40  

Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

     40  

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

     41  

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

     42  

Proposal 2 - Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

     43  

Proposal 3 - Approval of Amendment to 2019 Stock Incentive Plan

     44  

Proposal 4 - Ratification of the Selection of Registered Public Accounting Firm

     56  

Stockholder Proposals for 2021 Annual Meeting

     57  


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Proxy Summary

In this Proxy Statement, we refer to Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc. as the “Company,” “Bottomline,” “we,” or “us” and the Board of Directors as our “Board.” This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider and you should read the entire Proxy Statement before voting.

Meeting Agenda and Voting Matters

 

Item       Proposal  

Board Vote
Recommendation

 

 

1    

 

 

To elect the three nominees named in this Proxy Statement as Class I directors to serve until the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

 

FOR each director nominee named in this Proxy Statement

 

 

2    

 

 

 

To hold a non-binding advisory vote to approve executive compensation

 

 

 

FOR

 

 

3    

 

 

To approve an amendment to our 2019 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized thereunder by 2,200,000

 

  FOR

 

4    

 

 

To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021

 

  FOR

Corporate Governance

The Company’s governance practices include:

 

 ✓        

 

Separation of CEO and Chairman of the Board roles

 ✓

 

Board-Level Expertise that is Closely Aligned to Our Business Goals

 ✓

 

Lead Independent Director

 ✓

 

Standing Board Committees Comprised Solely of Independent Directors

 ✓

 

Regular Executive Sessions of Board of Directors

 ✓

 

Annual Board and Committee Self-Evaluations

 ✓

 

Annual Reviews of Committee Charters

 ✓

 

Annual Review of Governance Guidelines

 ✓

 

Stock Ownership Guidelines for Board and Senior Executives

Executive Compensation Highlights

We have designed our executive compensation program to align our compensation practices with the performance of our business and stockholder returns. We do this by providing quarterly cash bonuses tied to quarterly financial performance and by granting long-term equity incentives, including performance-based long-term equity incentives. We continue to update our executive compensation program to remain competitive and to match the maturity, size, scale and growth of our business. See our Compensation Discussion and Analysis for more information about our executive compensation program.

 

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Key Features of our Executive Compensation Program

 

 

What We Do:

 

 

✓    

 

 

Annual “Say on Pay” Vote - Each year, we include a Say on Pay vote in our Annual Meeting proxy. Last year, votes representing 93% of the votes cast by our stockholders approved our executive compensation program.

 

 

✓    

 

 

Linkage Between Performance Measures and Strategic and Operational Objectives - Our executive compensation program is designed to align compensation incentives with our strategic, business, and financial objectives and the long-term interests of our stockholders.

 

 

✓    

 

 

Performance-Based Equity Incentives - Thirty-five percent (35%) of long-term equity incentives granted to our CEO are performance-based awards tied directly to annual subscription revenue growth. Beginning in fiscal 2021, 35% of long-term equity incentives to be granted to all of our executive officers, senior management team and employees will include a similar performance criteria in order to align equity compensation with company performance.

 

 

✓    

 

 

Pay for Performance - A significant percentage of our targeted annual compensation for our CEO is delivered in the form of variable compensation in the form of performance based cash bonus opportunities and performance-linked equity incentive awards.

 

 

✓    

 

 

Share Ownership Guidelines - It is required that our Chief Executive Officer hold a number of shares of our common stock with a value in excess of 5x his or her annual base salary, our Chief Financial Officer hold a number of shares of our common stock with a value in excess of 3x his or her annual base salary, and our other named executive officers hold a number of shares of our common stock with a value in excess of 2x their annual base salaries, each within five years of the adoption of the stock ownership guidelines or, if later, promotion or hire.

 

 

✓    

 

 

Emphasis on Future Pay Opportunity vs. Current Pay Opportunity - For fiscal 2020, all of our long-term incentive awards were delivered 100% in the form of time-based and performance-based restricted stock awards, designed to encourage retention and stock price appreciation.

 

 

 

What We Don’t Do:

 

   

☒    

 

No Guaranteed Salary Increases

   

☒    

 

No Non-Performance Based Bonuses

   

☒    

 

No Extensive Perquisites

   

☒    

 

No Service-Based Defined Benefit Pension Plan or Other Similar Benefits

   

☒    

 

No Repricing of Underwater Stock Options

Stockholder Engagement

We believe in the importance of engaging with and listening to our stockholders. We have communicated with many of our largest stockholders to solicit their feedback. We receive valuable feedback from stockholders, as well as appreciation of our ongoing outreach efforts and acknowledgment of our engagement with stockholders.

 

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BOTTOMLINE TECHNOLOGIES (de), INC.

325 Corporate Drive

Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801

Proxy Statement

For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To be held on November 19, 2020

Proxy and Voting Information

This proxy statement is furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc. (the “company,” “Bottomline,” “we” or “us”) for the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders to be held on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., local time, at the International Office Suites at One New Hampshire Avenue, New Hampshire Room, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, including any postponements or adjournments thereof (the “annual meeting”). You may obtain directions to the location of the annual meeting by writing or calling us at Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., 325 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, Attention: Corporate Secretary, (603) 436-0700.

The notice of the annual meeting, this proxy statement, our annual report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, which we sometimes refer to as “fiscal 2020,” and the enclosed proxy card are first being mailed to stockholders on or about October 19, 2020.

You may obtain a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, except for exhibits thereto, without charge upon written request to Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., 325 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on November 19, 2020.

The Proxy Statement and Annual Report to Stockholders are available at www.envisionreports.com/epay for registered stockholders and www.edocumentview.com/epay for beneficial owners.

Voting of Proxies

All shares held by stockholders who are entitled to vote and who are represented at the annual meeting by properly executed proxies received prior to or at the annual meeting will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated on the proxy card, unless it is revoked prior to the vote. If you return a proxy card but do not specify how the proxy is to be voted with respect to a particular proposal, your shares will be voted as follows: “FOR” the election of all director nominees in the case of Proposal 1 and “FOR” Proposals 2, 3 and 4.

You may change your vote or revoke your proxy before it is used to cast a vote. If you are a stockholder of record, to change your vote or revoke a proxy you must:

 

   

file with the corporate secretary of the company, at or before the taking of the vote, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy;

 

   

execute a later dated proxy relating to the same shares and deliver it to the corporate secretary of the company before the taking of the vote;

 

   

vote again by telephone or internet; or

 

   

attend the annual meeting and vote in person. Your attendance at the annual meeting, if you do not vote, will not be sufficient to revoke a proxy.

You should send any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy to us at the following address: Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., 325 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

 

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If the shares you own are held in “street name” by a bank or brokerage firm, you should follow the instructions provided by your bank or brokerage firm if you wish to change your vote or revoke your proxy.

Stockholders Entitled to Vote

Our Board of Directors has fixed September 29, 2020 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. Only holders of record of our common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. On September 29, 2020, there were 44,980,227 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of common stock will have one vote for each matter to be voted upon at the annual meeting.

Votes Required

The holders of at least a majority of the shares of our common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting. Shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy, including shares which abstain or are treated as “broker non-votes” as discussed below, will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the annual meeting.

If the shares you own are held in “street name” by a bank or brokerage firm, then your bank or brokerage firm, as the record holder of your shares, is required to vote your shares according to your instructions. If you do not give instructions to your bank or brokerage firm, it will still be able to vote your shares with respect to certain “discretionary” items, but will not be allowed to vote your shares with respect to “non-discretionary” items. Of the four proposals to be voted on at the annual meeting, only Proposal 4, the ratification of the selection of our registered public accounting firm, is considered to be a discretionary item on which banks and brokerage firms may vote without instructions from you. Proposals 1, 2 and 3 are considered non-discretionary items on which banks and brokerage firms may not vote without instructions. Therefore, if you do not instruct your broker or bank representative regarding how you would like your shares to be voted, your bank or brokerage firm will not be able to vote on your behalf with respect to Proposals 1, 2 or 3 and your shares will be treated with respect to these items as “broker non-votes.”

The affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing at least a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of our common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required for Proposal 1, the election of the Class I directors. Pursuant to a majority voting resignation policy for uncontested director elections, any nominee who is an incumbent director and who receives more votes “against” than votes “for” his or her election (with abstentions and broker non-votes not counted) will be required to offer his or her resignation to our Board, with our Board then determining based on established procedures whether to accept such resignation. Our Board must make, and publicly disclose, its decision within 90 days following the certification of election results.

The affirmative vote of the holders of shares representing at least a majority of the common stock present or represented and voting on the matter is required for the approval of each of Proposal 2, the non-binding advisory vote to approve executive compensation; Proposal 3, the approval of an amendment to our 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”) to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 2,200,000; and Proposal 4, the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021 (“fiscal 2021”). Broker non-votes and abstentions are not counted as votes on these matters, and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of these proposals.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth information, as of August 31, 2020, regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock by (a) each person or entity known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (b) each of the “named executive officers,” as described in the Summary Compensation Table below, (c) each director of the company, and (d) the directors and executive officers of the company as a group. The address of each of our directors and named executive officers is c/o Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., 325 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801.

 

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Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we sometimes refer to as the SEC, and generally includes voting power and/or investment power with respect to securities. As of August 31, 2020, there were 44,730,656 shares of our common stock outstanding. Shares of common stock subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of August 31, 2020 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage beneficially owned by the person or entity holding the options, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage beneficially owned by any other person or entity. All unvested time-based and performance-based restricted stock awards are included in each holder’s beneficial ownership as holders are entitled to voting rights upon issuance of the restricted stock awards. Except as indicated by footnote, we believe that the persons and entities named in this table, based on information provided by them, have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock indicated.

 

    Shares Beneficially Owned  
 Name and Address of Beneficial Owner       Number                   Percent      

 5% Stockholders

     

 BlackRock, Inc.

 

 

6,668,163

 

 

(1

 

 

14.9%

 

 55 East 52nd Street

     

 New York, NY 10055

     

 Capital World Investors

 

 

4,576,092

 

 

(2

 

 

10.2%

 

 333 South Hope Street

     

 Los Angeles, CA 90071

     

 The Vanguard Group, Inc.

 

 

4,438,704

 

 

(3

 

 

9.9%

 

 100 Vanguard Blvd.

     

 Malvern, PA 19355

     

 Executive officers and Directors

     

 Robert A. Eberle

 

 

513,763

   

 

1.1%

 

 Richard D. Booth

 

 

111,503

 

   

 

*

 

 Norman J. DeLuca

 

 

96,005

 

   

 

*

 

 John F. Kelly

 

 

61,933

 

   

 

*

 

 Nigel K. Savory

 

 

164,410

 

   

 

*

 

 Kenneth J. D’Amato

 

 

15,000

 

   

 

*

 

 Peter Gibson

 

 

37,000

 

   

 

*

 

 Jennifer M. Gray

 

 

20,000

 

   

 

*

 

 Paul H. Hough

 

 

19,000

 

   

 

*

 

 Jeffrey C. Leathe

 

 

14,000

 

   

 

*

 

 Joseph L. Mullen

 

 

79,855

 

   

 

*

 

 Benjamin E. Robinson III

 

 

18,000

 

   

 

*

 

 All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)

 

 

1,150,469

   

 

2.6%

 

 

 

 

*

Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock.

(1)

These shares are held by subsidiaries of BlackRock, Inc. BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power over 6,488,522 of the shares and sole dispositive power over all 6,668,163 shares. This information is based on Amendment No. 11 to Schedule 13G filed by BlackRock, Inc. on February 4, 2020.

(2)

Capital World Investors has sole voting power and sole dispositive power over all 4,576,092 shares. Capital World Investors is a division of Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”), as well as its

 

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  investment management subsidiaries and affiliates Capital Bank and Trust Company, Capital International, Inc., Capital International Limited, Capital International Sarl and Capital International K.K. (together with CRMC, the “investment management entities”). Capital World Investors’ divisions of each of the investment management entities collectively provide investment management services under the name Capital World Investors. Capital World Investors holds common stock of Bottomline on behalf of SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc. This information is based on Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed by Capital World Investors on September 10, 2020.
(3)

The Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole voting power over 90,375 of the shares, shared voting power over 7,995 of the shares, sole dispositive power over 4,346,151 of the shares and shared dispositive power over 92,553 of the shares. The Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., is the beneficial owner of 84,558 of the shares as a result of its serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts. Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., is the beneficial owner of 13,812 of the shares as a result of its serving as investment manager of Australian investment offerings. This information is based on Amendment No. 8 to Schedule 13G filed by The Vanguard Group, Inc. on February 12, 2020.

 

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PROPOSAL 1—ELECTION OF CLASS I DIRECTORS

We have three classes of directors, currently consisting of three Class I directors, two Class II directors and three Class III directors. At each annual meeting, directors are elected for a full term of three years to succeed those whose terms are expiring. The terms of the three classes are staggered in a manner so that only one class is elected by stockholders annually. Mr. Kenneth J. D’Amato, Mr. Robert A. Eberle and Mr. Jeffrey C. Leathe are currently serving as Class I directors. The Class I directors elected this year will serve as members of our Board of Directors until the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Proxies cannot be voted cumulatively.

The Board has nominated Mr. D’Amato, Mr. Eberle and Mr. Leathe for re-election as directors. The persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote to re-elect Mr. D’Amato, Mr. Eberle and Mr. Leathe as Class I directors unless the proxy is marked otherwise. Mr. D’Amato, Mr. Eberle and Mr. Leathe have indicated their willingness to serve on our Board of Directors, if elected; however, if any nominee should be unable to serve, the person acting under the proxy may vote the proxy for a substitute nominee designated by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors has no reason to believe that Mr. D’Amato, Mr. Eberle and Mr. Leathe would be unable to serve if elected.

The Board recommends a vote “FOR” each of the persons nominated by the Board.

Set forth below is information about our Class I director nominees and directors whose terms will continue after the annual meeting. The information presented includes their years of service as a director as well as information each director has given us about his or her age, all positions he or she holds at the company, principal occupation and business experience for at least the last five years and names of other publicly-held companies of which he or she currently serves as a director. In addition to the information presented below in respect of each director’s specific experience, qualifications and skills that lead the Board to the conclusion that he or she should serve as a director, we also believe that each director has a reputation for integrity, honesty and high ethical standards.

 

    

Principal Occupation, Age, Other Business Experience
During the Past Five Years and Other Directorships

Class I directors (terms expiring in 2023, if elected)     
LOGO   

 

 

Kenneth J. D’Amato

 

Bottomline Committees:

Lead Independent Director

Chair, Nominations & Corporate

Governance Committee

Member, Audit Committee

 

Other Directorships:

Manulife Investment Management

Blue Hills Bank (Nasdaq:BHBK) (prior)

Samuels Jewelers (Nasdaq:SMJW) (prior)

Hord Crystal Corporation (prior)

Mr. D’Amato, 59, has served as a director since 2014 and Lead Independent Director since 2015. Mr. D’Amato currently serves as Chair of our Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee and as a member of our Audit Committee. Mr. D’Amato brings to the Board a broad range of executive experience in asset management, capital markets, and shareholder advocacy.

Mr. D’Amato has been employed with Manulife Asset Management since 2010 and currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Managing Director. Previously, Mr. D’Amato served as Chief Operating

 

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Officer at Evergreen Investment Management Company from 1999 to 2009. From 1998 to 1999, Mr. D’Amato served as Investment Manager at DDJ Capital Management and from 1989 to 1998 held several positions at Hord Crystal Corporation, including President, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member.

Mr. D’Amato’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his background as an executive officer in the asset management industry for several firms, his knowledge of capital markets and investment strategies and his general business acumen. Further, given his current position as an officer in an investment firm, we believe Mr. D’Amato brings a particularly focused shareholder perspective to our Board making him well suited to serve as lead director.

 

LOGO  

 

 

Robert A. Eberle

  

Bottomline Committees:

None

 

Other Directorships:

PointClickCare

 

Non-Profit Directorships:

End 68 Hours of Hunger

Exeter Health Resources

Mr. Eberle, 59, has served as a director since 2000 and has served as our Chief Executive Officer since November 2006. Under Mr. Eberle’s leadership, Bottomline has become a leading provider of business payment solutions delivered across multiple geographies and markets.

Mr. Eberle previously served as our Chief Operating Officer from April 2001 to November 2006 and as our Chief Financial Officer from September 1998 to August 2004. He also held the title of President. Prior to his tenure at Bottomline, Mr. Eberle served as Executive Vice President of Telxon Corporation, a mobile computing and wireless data company. In addition, Mr. Eberle has served on the boards of a number of technology companies.

Mr. Eberle’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his more than two decades of experience in the technology industry, including his current role as our Chief Executive Officer, and his proven performance as our Chief Executive Officer since 2006.

 

LOGO  

 

 

Jeffrey C. Leathe

  

Bottomline Committees:

Chair, Audit Committee

Member, Leadership Development & Compensation Committee

 

Other Directorships:

PureHoney Technologies

Exeter Trust Company

Mr. Leathe, 64, has served as a director since 2005. Mr. Leathe currently serves as Chair of our Audit Committee and as a member of our Leadership Development and Compensation Committee. Mr. Leathe brings more than 30 years of experience in public company financial, strategic and operational leadership.

From 2016 to present, Mr. Leathe has been Chairman of PureHoney Technologies, Inc., a contract research firm involved in drug discovery. From June 2011 to October 2016, Mr. Leathe served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lantos Technologies, Inc., a medical imaging company. From December 2009 through February 2011, Mr. Leathe served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biocius Life Sciences, Inc. and

 

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from May 2007 to December 2009 served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Biotrove, Inc., companies involved in drug discovery research and clinical diagnostic testing. Since November 2004, Mr. Leathe has served as Principal of Leathe & Associates, LLC, a private financial planning and investment advisory firm, and is a registered investment advisor. From 1990 to 2003, Mr. Leathe served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Apogent Technologies, a publicly-held manufacturer of healthcare and life sciences research products. Mr. Leathe is also a certified public accountant.

Mr. Leathe’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his business experience as a senior executive officer and 13 years as an executive officer of a public company, including his experience as a principal financial officer of a public company and as a certified public accountant.

Class II directors (terms

expiring in 2021)

 

LOGO   

 

 

Peter Gibson

  

Bottomline Committees:

Member, Leadership Development & Compensation Committee

Member, Nominations & Corporate Governance Committee

 

Non-Profit Directorships:

Long Island University

Mr. Gibson, 60, has served as a director since May 2016. Mr. Gibson currently serves as a member of our Leadership Development and Compensation Committee and our Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Gibson has extensive experience with data science and data analytics in high-growth technology firms.

Since 2020, Mr. Gibson has served as the Managing Partner of Gibson Advisory Group, a venture company that invests in innovative technology startups. From 2011 to 2018, Mr. Gibson served as Co-Chief Executive Officer at Knowledgent Group, a data science and analytics consultancy firm focused on financial services, life sciences and healthcare, which was acquired by Accenture in January 2019. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Gibson served as a Vice President at EMC Corporation and from 1999 to 2009 Mr. Gibson served as Co-President of BusinessEdge Solutions, an IT consulting firm co-founded by Mr. Gibson and subsequently acquired by EMC Corporation, which focused predominantly on the financial services, telecommunications and life sciences industries.

Mr. Gibson’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his experience with data science and data analytics, which are increasingly important focus areas for innovative technology offerings, his experience growing and selling technology firms, his general business acumen and executive experience and his current and prior experience in the technology industry.

 

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LOGO   

 

 

Joseph L. Mullen

  

Bottomline Committees:

Chairman, Board of Directors

 

Other Directorships:

Snappii Corporation

Stackry, LLC

Mr. Mullen, 68, has served as a director since 1996. Mr. Mullen has served as our Chairman since May 2007, and served as our Vice Chairman from November 2006 to May 2007. Mr. Mullen has deep expertise in payments and payment methodologies, strategic planning, sales and business leadership.

Mr. Mullen served as our Chief Executive Officer from August 2002 to November 2006, as our President from September 2000 to August 2004, and as our Chief Operating Officer from September 2000 to April 2001. From 1977 to 1989, Mr. Mullen held a variety of positions at IBM Corporation. Mr. Mullen has served as Chair of the Greater Seacoast United Way and on the Board of The Entrepreneur Fund of New Hampshire, part of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, which manages more than 2,000 funds responsible for awarding $40 million in grants and scholarships annually.

Mr. Mullen’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his experience in the technology industry, particularly his expertise around payments and payment methodologies. Further, given Mr. Mullen’s prior executive experience within Bottomline, he has a deep understanding of our company and our operations.

Class III directors (terms

expiring in 2022)

 

LOGO   

 

 

Jennifer M. Gray

 

Bottomline Committees:

Chair, Leadership Development & Compensation Committee Member

Nominations & Corporate

Governance Committee

 

Other Directorships:

Piscataqua Savings Bank

 

Non-Profit Directorships:

Sabbathday Lake Association

AlphaLoft

ProPortsmouth

Ms. Gray, 45, has served as a director since 2012. Ms. Gray currently serves as Chair of our Leadership Development and Compensation Committee and as a member of our Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. Gray has been recognized as a 2019 New Hampshire Innovator. She brings to the Board a deep knowledge of technology talent recruitment and retention strategies.

Since 2008, Ms. Gray has served as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Market Street Talent, Inc., an information technology staffing and consulting company. Ms. Gray is an adept technology and business professional working with leading technology organizations on their IT staffing initiatives. Ms. Gray is an activist for promoting women in technology and is the Chair of an annual Women in Technology event produced and sponsored by Market Street Talent since 2014.

Ms. Gray’s qualifications to serve on our Board include her background as an entrepreneur and technology executive, her demonstrated ability to create innovative and successful companies and her extensive experience with technology talent recruitment and retention.

 

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LOGO   

 

 

Paul H. Hough

 

Bottomline Committees:

Member, Audit Committee

Member, Nominations & Corporate Governance Committee

 

Other Directorships:

Gerson Lehrman Group (Council Member)

Mr. Hough, 61, has served as a director since April 2017. Mr. Hough currently serves as a member of our Audit Committee and our Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee. He has extensive experience in the payments industry and financial and operational leadership expertise for financial management, financial strategy and long-range planning.

Mr. Hough served as Executive Vice President, Deputy Chief Financial Officer at American Express from 2014 to August 2018. Between 2009 and 2014, Mr. Hough served as Executive Vice President, Group Financial Officer, Global Consumer, Small Business, Merchant and Network Businesses and between 2007 and 2009, Mr. Hough served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Business to Business Group at American Express. Prior to 2007, Mr. Hough held several financial and general management positions at American Express.

Mr. Hough’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his experience in the payments industry, his extensive financial experience and his 34-year career at American Express in a number of senior leadership roles.

 

LOGO  

 

 

Benjamin E. Robinson III

 

Bottomline Committees:

Member, Audit Committee

 

Non-Profit Directorships:

Chambers-McCain Foundation

William Penn Charter School

Federal Reserve Board of Governors

Consumer Advisory Council (prior)

Pfeiffer University (prior)

Centralina Counsel of Governments (prior)

Roger Williams University (prior)

Mr. Robinson, 56, has served as a director since May 2016. Mr. Robinson currently serves as a member of our Audit Committee. Mr. Robinson brings a wealth of experience with large, global multi-national companies in the financial services industry.

Since 2016, Mr. Robinson has served as College Chair for the College of Business for Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte. Mr. Robinson served as Senior Vice President, Chief Administration Officer from 2013 to 2015, and as Chief Strategist from 2011 to 2012, at Prudential Annuities. From 2010 to 2011, he served as Chief Strategist at Prudential Group Insurance. From 2002 to 2010, Mr. Robinson held various positions at Bank of America including as Global Planning and Services Executive, Senior Vice President, Debit Strategy Executive, Senior Vice President, Chief Privacy Executive and Senior Vice President, Strategy Management Executive. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Robinson held a number of executive positions at Mastercard, including President and Chief Executive Officer, Mastercard Cardholder Solutions, Chief Privacy Officer and Vice President of Public

 

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Affairs. Mr. Robinson is currently a member of the Executive Leadership Council and the Society of International Business Fellows. Earlier in his career, Mr. Robinson was a Congressional Advisor to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs. Mr. Robinson was appointed by Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan to serve as a member of the Federal Reserve Board, Consumer Advisory Council from 2003 to 2005, and Ebony Magazine named him one of America’s Future Leaders.

Mr. Robinson’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his significant senior leadership experience at large, global multi-national companies, his senior executive experience and his significant accomplishments and recognition in the financial services industry.

Director Compensation

Compensation for our directors is reviewed from time to time by our Chairman, our Board and its committees. Any determinations with respect to Board compensation are made by our Board of Directors.

Mr. Eberle was our sole management director during fiscal 2020 and as a management director he received no compensation for his services as a director.

Each of our non-employee directors receives a restricted stock award of 5,000 shares of our common stock upon his or her initial election to the Board and on or around the date of each annual meeting of stockholders thereafter, provided that he or she is serving as a director of Bottomline at that time. Each of these awards vests in full on the first anniversary of its respective grant date. During fiscal 2020, each of our directors other than Mr. Eberle received a restricted stock award for 5,000 shares of our common stock.

Restricted stock awards to our directors vest in full upon a change in control. Pursuant to the restricted stock agreement, a change in control is deemed to have occurred if:

 

   

we are acquired through a merger or consolidation which results in the company’s voting shares before the transaction retaining less than 50% of the voting power of the company or the acquiring entity after the transaction;

 

   

we are liquidated; or

 

   

all or substantially all of our assets are sold.

We reimburse our directors for expenses incurred to attend Board of Directors and committee meetings and other business related travel. In addition, directors who were formerly executive officers of the company are eligible for company-provided medical and dental insurance should they so elect. We provided this benefit to Mr. Mullen in fiscal 2020.

Each of our non-employee directors also receives annual fees as follows:

 

   

Each non-employee director other than Mr. Mullen receives an annual fee of $25,000 payable on the date of our annual meeting of stockholders.

 

   

Each non-employee director who serves as a member of the audit committee, other than the chairperson of such committee, receives an annual fee of $5,000.

 

   

Each non-employee director who serves as a member of the leadership development and compensation committee or the nominations and corporate governance committee, other than the chairperson of such committee, receives an annual fee of $2,500.

 

   

The chairperson of the audit committee receives an annual fee of $20,000.

 

   

The chairperson of the leadership development and compensation committee and the chairperson of the nominations and corporate governance committee each receives an annual fee of $5,000.

 

   

Our lead director receives an annual fee of $15,000.

 

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Joseph Mullen Letter Agreement

On November 21, 2019, we entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Mullen (the “2019 Letter Agreement”). The 2019 Letter Agreement extends the term of Mr. Mullen’s prior letter agreement with us for an additional three years, through November 17, 2023.

Under the 2019 Letter Agreement, Mr. Mullen will serve as chairman of the Board of Directors during any periods he is appointed to such position by the Board, for a fee of $115,000 per year. Under the terms of the 2019 Letter Agreement, Mr. Mullen is also eligible to receive a restricted stock award of 5,000 shares of our common stock (or such other equity award as shall be made to our other non-employee directors) each year on the date of our annual meeting of stockholders (provided that he is serving as a director of Bottomline at that time), and these shares will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date.

If the 2019 Letter Agreement is terminated by us without cause, Mr. Mullen will be entitled to be paid a lump sum equal to the full amount due to him with respect to the remaining term of the agreement. Should Mr. Mullen’s engagement with us be terminated as a result of death or disability, as a result of involuntary termination or without cause, Mr. Mullen’s restricted stock will fully vest. In addition, in the event that, prior to November 17, 2023, a change in control of Bottomline occurs, Mr. Mullen’s restricted stock will fully vest. Mr. Mullen is also eligible to be reimbursed by us for reasonable business expenses and, until he reaches age 75, to participate in our standard U.S. health insurance plan.

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation earned by our non-employee directors for fiscal 2020.

Fiscal 2020 Non-Employee Director Compensation

 

  Name      Fees Earned or Paid  
in Cash ($)
            Stock Awards  
($) (1)
    All Other
    Compensation ($)  
              Total ($)      

Kenneth J. D’Amato

     50,000           237,150           287,150    

Peter Gibson

     30,000           237,150         267,150    

Jennifer M. Gray

     32,500           237,150         269,650    

Paul H. Hough

     32,500           237,150         269,650    

Jeffrey C. Leathe

     47,500           237,150         284,650    

Joseph L. Mullen

     115,000         (2)       237,150     21,063       (3)       373,213    

Benjamin E. Robinson III

     30,000           237,150         267,150    

 

 

(1)

As of June 30, 2020, each of our non-employee directors held 5,000 shares of unvested common stock that were granted on December 4, 2019 and that will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date. The amounts reported in this column are computed based on the closing price of our common stock on the date the awards were granted (the grant date fair value) which was $47.43.

 

(2)

Consists of cash compensation paid to Mr. Mullen in his role as Chairman pursuant to the 2019 Letter Agreement.

 

(3)

Represents medical and dental insurance premiums paid by the company on behalf of Mr. Mullen.

Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

Oversight, review and approval of all executive compensation is discharged by the leadership development and compensation committee of our Board of Directors. There are three main elements of compensation for each of our executives: base salary, cash bonuses and awards of restricted stock. Each of these main elements of compensation are discussed in more detail below. The leadership development and compensation committee meets throughout the year and reviews overall executive compensation and overall business performance and retains the authority to adjust compensation levels or structures at any time, based on performance.

 

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The leadership development and compensation committee oversees, reviews and approves all compensation decisions relating to our named executive officers. In the discussion that follows, “executives” or “executive officers” refers to our fiscal 2020 named executive officers, Messrs. Eberle, Booth, DeLuca, Kelly and Savory.

Objectives and Philosophy of Our Executive Compensation Program

The primary objectives of the leadership development and compensation committee with respect to executive compensation are to:

 

   

enable us to attract, retain and motivate the best possible executive talent by ensuring that our compensation packages are competitive with those offered by similarly situated companies;

 

   

align our executive compensation with our corporate strategies and business objectives;

 

   

promote the achievement of key strategic and financial performance measures; and

 

   

align executives’ incentives with the creation of stockholder value.

To achieve these objectives, the leadership development and compensation committee evaluates our executive compensation program with the goal of setting compensation at levels the committee believes are competitive with those of other companies of a comparable size within our industry. In addition, a portion of each executive’s compensation is tied to corporate performance, including financial performance and the achievement of strategic and operational goals such as the establishment and maintenance of key strategic and customer relationships, product development initiatives and senior management team development and retention. Executives are also evaluated on their professional growth and individual contributions to the company’s success. We provide a significant portion of our executive compensation in the form of restricted stock awards that vest over time, typically four years, which we believe promotes the retention of our executives and aligns their interests with those of our stockholders since this form of compensation allows our executives to participate in the long-term success of our company as reflected in stock price appreciation.

In making compensation decisions, the leadership development and compensation committee compares our executive compensation against that of a peer group of publicly traded companies. This peer group, which is reviewed and updated each fiscal year, consists of technology companies that we believe are generally comparable to our company. The companies included in this peer group for fiscal 2020 were: ACI Worldwide, Anaplan, Aspen Technology, Blackbaud, Cogent Communications, CommVault Systems, Cornerstone OnDemand, Coupa, Elastic, Fair Isaac Corporation, FIS, Fiserv, Guidewire Software, Mimecast, NCR, Okta, Pegasystems, Progress Software, Q2 Holdings, ServiceNow, Splunk, SS&C Technologies, Tableau Software, Tyler Technologies, Zoom Video Communications and Zuora. This analysis for the past several fiscal years, including the analysis completed for fiscal 2020, has shown that the overall compensation packages of our executives have been competitive with those of the peer group that we analyzed.

In addition, for purposes of assessing our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, the leadership development and compensation committee periodically reviews the compensation packages of recently hired chief executive officers at publicly traded companies. For fiscal 2020, the companies the committee considered for this analysis were: Equifax, Five9, GoDaddy, BenefitFocus, TrueBlue and CommVault Systems. The leadership development and compensation committee believes this is a useful analysis because it provides a view into current market conditions with respect to chief executive officer compensation. This analysis has generally shown our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation package to be competitive with those of the companies that we analyzed.

 

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Compensation Challenges

We face challenges in hiring and retaining our executives and other key employees due to several factors. These challenges are similar to those faced by other high-growth technology companies and make recruiting and retaining our executives and other key employees difficult. Our leadership development and compensation committee philosophy is designed to address these challenges, which include:

Our environment - We are a growing, acquisitive company and we have experienced rapid changes in our geographical areas of operation and our product set. Not all executives are suited to manage or succeed in such an environment. This amplifies the value of our existing executive officers and makes recruiting new executives difficult.

Competitive industry - We operate in a very competitive industry. The competition for qualified executive talent is intense. Our executives and other key employees are regularly perceived as very attractive candidates for employment with other companies and we believe our executives and other key employees are frequently targeted for employment opportunities by fintech companies, financial institutions and other technology companies. In many cases, other companies are able and willing to offer significantly higher compensation packages than we currently provide. This creates additional retention challenges for us.

Fast moving and demanding employer - We place extraordinary demands of time and attention on our executive officers and other key employees. Accordingly, the ability to attract and retain executive talent that can be successful in a complex, fast moving and demanding environment is critical.

“Say on Pay” Feedback from Stockholders

Votes representing 93% of the votes cast by our stockholders at our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders approved, in a non-binding advisory vote, our executive compensation program described and disclosed in our 2019 proxy statement. We have considered the results of this annual “say on pay” vote, and believe it reflects our stockholders’ assessment that our compensation programs are successfully achieving their objectives.

Components of our Executive Compensation Program

The primary elements of our executive compensation program are:

 

   

base salary;

 

   

cash bonuses;

 

   

restricted stock awards;

 

   

insurance, retirement and other employee benefits; and

 

   

severance and change in control benefits.

None of our executive officers receive, nor do we have any present plan to provide, payment for personal aircraft, financial planning, supplemental retirement plans, retirement benefits or deferred compensation arrangements (other than those available to substantially all our employees, such as under our 401(k) plan or equivalent plans), country club dues, security services, estate or tax planning or split dollar life insurance policies.

We do not have any formal or informal policy or target for allocating compensation between long-term and short-term compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation or among the different forms of non-cash compensation. Instead, the leadership development and compensation committee determines what it believes to be the appropriate level and mix of the various compensation components based on recommendations from our chief executive officer, company performance against stated objectives, individual performance and overall comparisons to the comparable company analyses described above.

Base Salary

Base salary is used to recognize the experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities required of all our employees, including our executives. When establishing base salaries, the leadership development and

 

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compensation committee considers the survey data of compensation levels in the peer group, as well as a variety of other factors such as the executive’s scope of responsibility, individual performance, prior employment experience and salary history, relative pay adjustments within the company and our overall financial performance. Base salaries are reviewed at least annually by our leadership development and compensation committee and may be adjusted from time to time based upon market conditions, individual responsibilities and company and individual performance.

Our executive officers have periodically declined to accept base salary increases in past years, or declined to accept salary increases above the percentage increase provided to our employee base generally, in order to make additional funds available to our other employees. The base salaries of our named executive officers for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018 are set forth in the Summary Compensation Table below. None of our executive officers received a base salary increase in fiscal 2020.

The last time the leadership development and compensation committee approved base salary increases for our executive officers was November 2018. We do not anticipate any increase in executive officer base salaries for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.

Cash Bonuses

Cash bonuses are used to compensate and align our executives toward certain financial, strategic and operational goals. The leadership development and compensation committee approves payment of quarterly cash bonuses as part of the overall compensation packages of our executive officers and retains the authority to review and adjust the overall bonus at year-end. Mr. Eberle’s cash bonus opportunity is based on a percentage of his base compensation, which for fiscal 2020 was 120% of his base compensation.

Our executive officers had annual bonus opportunities for fiscal 2020 as follows:

 

  Name

 

  

2020 Annual Bonus
Opportunity

 

 

Robert A. Eberle

  

$

                477,360  

Richard D. Booth

  

$

200,000  

Nigel K. Savory (1)

  

$

170,100  

Norman J. DeLuca

  

$

200,000  

John F. Kelly

  

$

135,000  

 

 

 

  (1)

Mr. Savory’s bonus opportunity is in British Pounds Sterling which, for this presentation, was converted to U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate of 1.260.

In September 2019, the leadership development and compensation committee reviewed the cash bonus framework for Mr. Eberle and approved a revised methodology to better align cash bonus eligibility with our most important financial and operational goals. Under this framework, 67% of Mr. Eberle’s total cash bonus opportunity is based upon reported consolidated subscription revenue growth (measured as a percentage) with growth at or above 20% necessary in order to qualify for 100% of the bonus opportunity and with the ability to receive graduated partial bonus payments for subscription revenue growth results between 10% and 20%. No bonus would be earned under the framework for subscription revenue growth below 10%. The remaining 33% of Mr. Eberle’s total annual cash bonus opportunity is determined by the leadership development and compensation committee based on our performance against key management objectives, including product development initiatives, growth in annual recurring revenue orders, execution against major customer deliverables, establishing and maintaining strategic customer and partner relationships, recruitment, development and retention of key employee talent and progress against other key strategic initiatives that may be identified from time to time. This bonus methodology will remain in effect until it is modified by the leadership development and compensation committee.    

The leadership development and compensation committee may determine that a bonus above or below the amount determined under the framework is appropriate in any given period, in the context of the company’s

 

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overall performance and in consideration of other factors such as acquisitions, industry developments and overall economic conditions. Achievement against the key management objectives are reviewed and determined by the leadership development and compensation committee quarterly and this assessment is subjective.

At the end of each quarter, management prepares a summary of our performance for the quarter, including performance against the subscription revenue growth target and designated key management objectives, which accompanies Mr. Eberle’s recommendation to the leadership development and compensation committee in respect of bonuses for other executives, if any, proposed for that quarter. The leadership development and compensation committee uses the framework discussed above to evaluate Mr. Eberle’s quarterly cash bonuses.

For fiscal 2020, Bottomline achieved a 16% subscription revenue growth rate on a constant currency basis and demonstrated a high level of achievement against the key management objectives. Mr. Eberle’s total bonus payment earned under the framework based on the business results achieved for fiscal 2020 was $397,800. However, during fiscal 2020, as in many other instances in the past, Mr. Eberle recommended and the committee approved quarterly bonus amounts that were less in the aggregate than the amounts Mr. Eberle had earned under the framework. Mr. Eberle did so in order to allocate funds more broadly to our employee base and to other corporate initiatives. As a result, Mr. Eberle’s bonus paid under the framework for fiscal 2020 was $280,000, an aggregate amount below that which he had earned. At the end of fiscal 2020, the leadership development and compensation committee reviewed the total fiscal 2020 bonus amount paid to Mr. Eberle under the framework and, in light of his contribution and performance during fiscal 2020, awarded him a discretionary cash bonus of $100,000. Notwithstanding the discretionary payment awarded to Mr. Eberle, his total bonus payments for fiscal 2020 remained below the bonus amount he earned under the framework.

The quarterly bonuses for all other executive officers are recommended to the leadership development and compensation committee by Mr. Eberle based first on overall corporate performance and next based on Mr. Eberle’s assessment of their individual performance. Although the fiscal 2020 bonus framework discussed above does not apply specifically to the other executive officers, the company’s achievement of subscription revenue growth and the key management objectives are typically the key factors that affect Mr. Eberle’s assessment and his ultimate recommendation to the leadership development and compensation committee concerning bonus amounts that should be considered for approval. The final determination of bonus amounts that should be paid to any executive officer is made by the leadership development and compensation committee.

 

  Name    2016 Cash
Bonus (1)
    2017 Cash
Bonus (1)
    2018 Cash
Bonus (1)
    2019 Cash
Bonus (1)
    2020 Cash
Bonus (1)
 

Robert A. Eberle

  

 $

5,000  

 

 $

    168,000  

 

 $

  397,300  

 

 $

    90,000  

 

 $

  380,000  

Richard D. Booth

  

 $

    30,000  

 

 $

83,000  

 

 $

170,000  

 

 $

53,000  

 

 $

112,500  

Nigel K. Savory (2)

  

 $

65,570  

 

 $

70,723  

 

 $

154,568  

 

 $

96,080  

 

 $

183,771  

Norman J. DeLuca

  

 $

30,000  

 

 $

83,000  

 

 $

370,000  

 

 $

53,000  

 

 $

157,500  

John F. Kelly

  

 $

17,500  

 

 $

61,500  

 

 $

103,500  

 

 $

36,000  

 

 $

83,000  

 

 

 

(1)

As has occurred in the past, our executives declined certain cash bonus amounts that they would have otherwise earned under our compensation framework in order to make additional funds available to other employees.

(2)

Mr. Savory was paid in British Pounds Sterling, which for purposes of this presentation were converted to U.S. Dollars at the average exchange rate for the twelve months ended June 30, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 of 1.483, 1.268, 1.347, 1.294 and 1.260, respectively, U.S. Dollars per British Pound Sterling.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock awards are designed to provide long-term compensation incentives to our executives. To further provide alignment, the leadership development and compensation committee determined that beginning in fiscal 2021 all restricted stock awards granted to any employee, including any executive officer, be subject to a performance condition aligned to our achievement of subscription revenue growth rates for 35% of the total shares underlying each award. Our leadership development and compensation committee believes that consistent

 

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levels of annual restricted stock awards are the optimum vehicle to promote, create and reward long term stockholder value creation. The committee believes that a management team that knows that it has the opportunity to earn restricted stock awards and has an expectation that, with performance and achievement of business objectives, there will be an opportunity for annual stock awards is optimally aligned with stockholders and, importantly, reflects a compensation philosophy that is designed to create value not just for the short term but with an essential emphasis on the longer term.

We typically make an initial award of restricted stock when a new executive is hired, after which annual awards are granted as part of the overall executive compensation program. Restricted stock awards to our executives are approved by the leadership development and compensation committee. Since awards of restricted stock are issued at no cost to the executive, they have a built-in value at the time the awards are made. Accordingly, we generally grant fewer shares of restricted stock than the number of stock options or other types of equity awards that might have been issued for a similar purpose, which helps to reduce dilution to our stockholders. To maximize the long-term incentives for our executives and to minimize the dilutive effect on existing stockholders, we consider it likely that future equity awards to our executives will continue to be in the form of restricted stock rather than stock options.

Through fiscal 2020, substantially all restricted stock awards to our executives have had a four year vesting term, with 25% of the shares vesting after the first year and 6.25% of the shares vesting at the end of each quarter thereafter. For all awards of restricted stock granted to our Chief Executive Officer under our 2019 stock incentive plan, the award is required to have a vesting schedule of more than three years and is further subject to a one year holding period after the vesting date before any sale or transfer of shares that have vested may take place, other than the sale of shares to cover minimum statutory tax obligations in respect of the vesting of such shares. Additionally, any award granted to any individual on or after November 16, 2016 will provide that no part of such award will vest or become exercisable prior to the first anniversary of the date such award is made or granted, except that an award may provide that it may immediately vest (or become immediately exercisable) in whole or in part upon the recipient’s death, disability, termination from the company other than for cause or upon the occurrence of a change in control event. Except in the case of death or disability and certain severance and change in control situations, vesting typically ceases on the date of termination of employment. Other than the ability to sell or transfer the shares prior to vesting, restricted stock awards generally entitle the recipient to full rights as a stockholder at the time of the award. Consistent with company policy, holders of unvested restricted shares are not entitled to receive dividends on these shares.

Restricted stock awards to our executives are evaluated annually by the leadership development and compensation committee in conjunction with the review of individual performance of our executives and the financial and operational performance of the company. This review typically occurs during our fourth fiscal quarter each year for purposes of establishing the award level for the immediately following fiscal year.

Performance Stock Awards

Upon issuance in July 2019, the leadership development and compensation committee designated that 30% of Mr. Eberle’s annual restricted stock award for fiscal 2020, in addition to the time-based vesting conditions described above, be further subject to a performance measure tied to the achievement of subscription revenue growth rates. In November 2019, the leadership development and compensation committee determined that it was advisable to modify Mr. Eberle’s fiscal 2020 stock award to provide for an increase to 35% of the number of shares of that award which are subject to the performance measure described above. Mr Eberle agreed with this modification. The leadership development and compensation committee also communicated their expectation that future stock awards to Mr. Eberle would similarly include a performance measure that would need to be met in order for the award to vest and that performance measures would apply to at least 35% of the total amount of the award. The performance criteria therefore apply to 38,500 shares of restricted stock awarded to Mr. Eberle during 2020. The performance criteria apply for the duration of the four year service requirement and will be assessed at each vesting date to determine whether the performance criteria have been achieved and, if yes, to what extent. Aligning the performance criteria to the achievement of subscription revenue growth rates was considered appropriate given the importance of this key financial metric to the company and its shareholders.

 

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In May 2020, the leadership development and compensation committee reviewed the alignment of our equity incentive program with overall shareholder perspectives and concluded that, beginning in fiscal 2021, all restricted stock awards granted to any employee, including any executive officer, be subject to a performance condition aligned to our achievement of subscription revenue growth rates for 35% of the total shares underlying each award.

Leadership Development and Compensation Committee Equity Incentive Policy Statement

The objective of our equity incentive plans is to directly align management incentives with the creation of long-term shareholder value. Our equity compensation program has been consistently applied and has been a key driver of the performance of the company and the retention success we have had with our executives and other key employees.

The leadership development and compensation committee has previously provided Mr. Eberle with a non-binding letter setting forth the committee’s philosophy on equity compensation, reviewing the results of Bottomline’s business since Mr. Eberle became Chief Executive Officer and outlining the committee’s intention and expectation for future equity awards to Mr. Eberle. The leadership development and compensation committee has adopted an Equity Incentive Policy Statement which applies the general principles set forth in Mr. Eberle’s letter to all of our executives. Neither the Equity Incentive Policy Statement nor the letter to Mr. Eberle create any binding contractual obligation or a specific award of stock to any individual, but instead set forth the fundamental objectives and philosophy underlying Bottomline’s equity compensation program.

Underpinning the Equity Incentive Policy Statement and the letter to Mr. Eberle is the principle that annual restricted stock awards should be determined based upon the number of shares granted, rather than the value of those shares. The committee believes that this results in annual awards that are predictable and that provide a consistent motivation and retention tool that is linked directly to our stock price performance. In past years, the number of shares granted to our executives has been relatively consistent; when the market price of our stock was lower, executives did not receive more shares and, similarly, as the success of the company has been reflected in an appreciated stock price, they have not received fewer shares. The committee views this as fair because executives know that if they can increase the value of the company the value of the stock grants they have received to date and will receive in the future is similarly increased. It directly aligns management incentive with the creation of shareholder value.

We believe our equity incentive compensation program has been a key factor not only in recruiting management talent to Bottomline, but also in retaining our current executives and other key employees. Accordingly, it is the intention and expectation of the leadership development and compensation committee to provide the company’s executive officers with the opportunity for annual awards of restricted stock that are generally consistent with awards made to them in recent fiscal years. The leadership development and compensation committee is not obligated to make any such awards, and may modify the size of any such awards in its discretion. Factors that the committee may consider in the exercise of that discretion include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

the company’s performance;

 

   

the executive’s individual performance;

 

   

the total compensation being paid to the executive;

 

   

the executive’s anticipated contributions to Bottomline’s future performance;

 

   

the executive’s scope of responsibility;

 

   

the executive’s current position with Bottomline;

 

   

the number and size of equity awards granted to comparable executive officers by peer group companies; and

 

   

in the case of executives other than Mr. Eberle, Mr. Eberle’s recommendations concerning individual performance, role changes and other factors.

 

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In June 2019, the leadership development and compensation committee approved annual awards of restricted stock to Messrs. Booth, Savory, Deluca and Kelly in the amount of 35,000 shares, 48,000 shares, 30,000 shares and 15,000 shares, respectively, each in recognition of the executive’s performance in their roles and overall business performance of the company, and authorized that each award be granted in July 2019. In July 2019, the leadership development and compensation committee approved an annual award of restricted stock to Mr. Eberle in amount of 110,000 shares, 30% of which were initially subject to performance criteria, with such award modified as discussed above to ultimately reflect a performance condition in respect of 35% of the total shares granted.

For fiscal 2020, the following restricted stock awards were granted:

 

  Name    2020 Shares
        Granted        
     

Robert A. Eberle

  

 

110,000    

 

      

Richard D. Booth

  

 

35,000    

 

Nigel K. Savory

  

 

48,000    

 

Norman J. DeLuca

  

 

30,000    

 

John F. Kelly

  

 

15,000    

 

 

 

Equity Pool Policy

The leadership development and compensation committee has approved a formal equity pool policy providing that the annual equity pool be adjusted upwards or downwards depending upon Bottomline’s stock price (based on a 30-day trailing average as of July 1 of each year) and non-GAAP net income and revenues for the preceding fiscal year. The percentage change in each metric is multiplied by one-third (thus weighting each equally), and the sum of the resulting net percentage divided by two. The equity pool for the prior fiscal year is then adjusted upwards or downwards by a percentage equal to that amount, to determine the equity pool for the current year. This methodology was in place through fiscal 2020.

In August 2020, the leadership development and compensation committee reviewed the equity pool policy and elected to change the calculation to remove the input measure of non-GAAP net income and replace it with the company’s adjusted EBITDA results. The committee believes that adjusted EBITDA is a financial metric more regularly used by our shareholders in assessing our performance and, as such, this change better aligns the equity pool policy with the perspective of shareholders. The leadership development and compensation committee has approved this policy through fiscal 2023, but retains the discretion to adjust the equity pool in any given year based on their on-going review and oversight.

Other Equity Matters

Prohibition on Short Sales, Hedging Transactions and Derivative Transactions

Our insider trading policy prohibits all employees, executives and directors from engaging in speculative transactions in our securities, including short sales or hedging transactions (such as purchases or sales of puts, calls, options or other derivative securities) that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in value of our securities.

Pledging of Company Stock

During fiscal 2020, none of our executives or directors pledged company shares.

Holding Period for Equity Awards

Any equity award made or granted after November 16, 2016 to our Chief Executive Officer is subject to a one year holding period before any sale or transfer of shares that have vested may take place, other than the sale of shares to cover minimum statutory tax obligations in respect of the vesting of such shares, but otherwise we do not have any equity ownership guidelines for our executives.

 

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Share Recycling

Our 2019 Stock Incentive Plan does not contain an evergreen provision or permit liberal share recycling. As such, (i) any shares of our common stock delivered to satisfy payment of the exercise price of an award or any applicable tax withholding obligation (including shares retained from the award creating the tax obligation) will not be added back to the number of shares available for the future grant of awards under the plan, (ii) shares of our common stock repurchased by us on the open market using the proceeds from the exercise of an award will not increase the number of shares available for future grant of awards under the plan, and (iii) the full number of shares subject to a stock appreciation right multiplied by the percentage of the stock appreciation right actually exercised will count against the number of shares available for grant, regardless of the number of shares actually issued to settle the stock appreciation right upon exercise.

Benefits and Other Compensation

We maintain broad-based benefits that are provided to all of our employees, including health and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, an employee stock purchase plan and a 401(k) plan. Executives are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, in each case on the same terms as our other employees.

During fiscal 2020, we provided supplemental executive long-term disability insurance to Mr. Eberle and Mr. Savory. In addition, we paid the premiums for private medical insurance and provided an automobile allowance to Mr. Savory. We anticipate that we will continue to provide these benefits in fiscal 2021.

From time to time, we make tickets to cultural and sporting events available to our executives and other employees for business purposes. If not utilized for business purposes, these tickets are generally made available for the personal use of our employees, including our executives.

Severance and Change in Control Benefits

Pursuant to employment and retention agreements we have entered into with our executives, the terms of our stock incentive plans and certain resolutions of our Board of Directors in connection with our equity programs, our executives are entitled to certain benefits in the event of a change in control of our company or the termination of their employment under specified circumstances, including termination following a change in control. We have provided more detailed information about these benefits, along with estimates of their value under certain circumstances, under the caption “Employment and Other Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

We believe these benefits help us compete for and retain executive talent and are generally in line with severance packages offered to executives by the companies in our peer group. We also believe that these benefits would serve to minimize the distraction caused by any change in control scenario and reduce the risk that key talent would leave the company before any such transaction closes, which could reduce the value of the company if such transaction failed to close.

 

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Summary Compensation

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the compensation for our named executive officers. None of our executive officers received a base salary increase in fiscal 2020.

Summary Compensation Table

 

  Name and Principal Position    

  Fiscal
Year
    Salary ($)     Bonus ($) (1)     Stock Awards
($) (2)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($) (3)
    All Other
Compensation
($) (4)
    Total ($)  

Robert A. Eberle,

 

 

 2020  

 

 

$

397,800  

 

 $

 100,000  

 

 $

4,855,400  

 

 $

    280,000  

 

 $

    37,358  

 

 $

5,570,558  

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 2019  

 

 

$

391,950  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

7,846,800  

 

 $

90,000  

 

 $

44,633  

 

 $

8,373,383  

 

 

 2018  

 

 

$

384,167  

 

 $

239,000  

 

 $

5,890,600  

 

 $

158,300  

 

 $

31,380  

 

 $

6,703,447  

                          

Richard D. Booth

 

 

 2020  

 

 

$

295,800  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

1,544,900  

 

 $

112,500  

 

 $

11,922  

 

 $

1,965,122  

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 2019  

 

 

$

291,450  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

1,829,100  

 

 $

53,000  

 

 $

35,497  

 

 $

2,209,047  

and Treasurer

 

 

 2018  

 

 

$

287,083  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

1,169,878  

 

 $

170,000  

 

 $

24,990  

 

 $

1,651,951  

                           

Nigel K. Savory

 

 

 2020  

 

 

$

276,066  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

2,118,720  

 

 $

183,771  

 

 $

36,692  

 

 $

2,615,249  

Managing Director,

 

 

 2019  

 

 

$

269,831  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

4,859,980  

 

 $

96,080  

 

 $

35,577  

 

 $

5,261,468  

Europe (5)

 

 

 2018  

 

 

$

270,074  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

1,366,080  

 

 $

154,568  

 

 $

32,442  

 

 $

1,823,164  

             

Norman J. DeLuca

 

 

 2020  

 

 

$

290,700  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

1,324,200  

 

 $

157,500  

 

 $

9,857  

 

 $

1,782,257  

Managing Director,

 

 

 2019  

 

 

$

286,425  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

1,881,360  

 

 $

53,000  

 

 $

5,114  

 

 $

2,225,899  

Banking Solutions

 

 

 2018  

 

 

$

282,083  

 

 $

200,000  

 

 $

853,800  

 

 $

170,000  

 

 $

8,197  

 

 $

1,514,080  

                    

John F. Kelly

 

 

 2020  

 

 

$

290,700  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

662,100  

 

 $

83,000  

 

 $

9,165  

 

 $

1,044,965  

General Manager,

 

 

 2019  

 

 

$

286,425  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

522,600  

 

 $

36,000  

 

 $

4,914  

 

 $

849,939  

Legal Solutions

 

 

 2018  

 

 

$

282,083  

 

 $

—  

 

 $

2,266,900  

 

 $

103,500  

 

 $

7,847  

 

 $

2,660,330  

 

 

 

(1)

Represents discretionary cash bonus awards approved by the leadership development and compensation committee.

(2)

The amounts reported in this column are computed based on the closing price of our common stock on the date the awards were granted (the grant date fair value) which for fiscal 2020 was $44.14 based on the award date. These values do not reflect the values that our named executive officers will realize on the award vesting dates, which value will ultimately be dependent on our stock price on the vesting date.

(3)

The amounts in this column reflect cash bonus awards paid to our named executive officers under our cash bonus program. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Components of our Executive Compensation Program-Cash Bonuses” above for a description of this program.

(4)

These amounts consist of: our matching contributions to each executive’s retirement savings plan account; the purchase discount from the market price of our common stock at the date of purchase under our employee stock purchase plan; the portion of premiums paid by us for supplemental executive long-term disability insurance for Mr. Eberle and Mr. Savory; and automobile allowances and private medical insurance premiums paid by us on Mr. Savory’s behalf.

(5)

Mr. Savory was paid in British Pounds Sterling, which for purposes of this presentation were converted to U.S. Dollars at the average exchange rate for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018 of 1.260, 1.294 and 1.347, respectively, U.S. Dollars per British Pound Sterling.

 

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information concerning each grant of an award made to a named executive officer during fiscal 2020 under any plan, contract, authorization or arrangement pursuant to which cash, securities, similar instruments or other property may be received. Non-equity incentive plan awards were made pursuant to our cash bonus program described in our Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the caption “Cash Bonuses”.

Fiscal 2020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

             Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards  (1)
       
  Name    Grant Date   Date of
Leadership
Development
and
Compensation
Committee
Action (2)
 

Threshold

    ($) (3)    

  Target
    ($) (4)    
 

Maximum

    ($) (5)    

  All Other Stock
Awards: Number
of Shares of Stock
or Units (#) (6)
  Grant Date Fair
Value of Stock
Awards ($) (7)

Robert A. Eberle

    

 

7/26/2019

   

 

7/25/2019

               

 

110,000

   

 

4,855,400

            

 

95,472

   

 

358,020

   

 

477,360

       

Richard D. Booth

    

 

7/26/2019

   

 

6/20/2019

               

 

35,000

   

 

1,544,900

            

 

40,000

   

 

150,000

   

 

200,000

       

Nigel K. Savory

    

 

7/26/2019

   

 

6/20/2019

               

 

48,000

   

 

2,118,720

            

 

34,020

   

 

127,575

   

 

170,100

       

Norman J. DeLuca

    

 

7/26/2019

   

 

6/20/2019

               

 

30,000

   

 

1,324,200

            

 

40,000

   

 

150,000

   

 

200,000

       

John F. Kelly

    

 

7/26/2019

   

 

6/20/2019

               

 

15,000

   

 

662,100

            

 

27,000

   

 

101,250

   

 

135,000

       

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts in these columns show estimates of possible threshold, target and maximum cash award amounts under our cash bonus program for fiscal 2020. Actual amounts paid are disclosed and reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the caption Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation. Actual amounts paid may vary substantially from the figures shown in this table due to the factors discussed in Compensation Discussion and Analysis under the caption “Cash Bonuses”.

(2)

Annual restricted stock awards to our named executive officers are typically approved by the leadership development and compensation committee prior to the commencement of the next fiscal year, with an effective grant date of not earlier than July 1, the first date of our fiscal year. If an executive is not employed by us on July 1, they will not receive the award.

(3)

Reflects an estimate of the minimum amount that would have been earned if the minimum targets for all of the quarterly and annual metrics were achieved and a portion of the designated key management objectives were met.

(4)

Reflects an estimate of the amount that would have been earned if the targeted quarterly and annual metrics were achieved and a majority of the designated key management objectives were met.

(5)

Reflects an estimate of the maximum amount that would have been earned if the maximum targets for all of the quarterly and annual metrics were achieved and the designated key management objectives were met in full.

(6)

Reflects awards of restricted stock. These shares vest as to 25% of the shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and 6.25% of the shares each quarter thereafter, with the exception of the shares granted to Mr. Eberle under the 2009 stock incentive plan on or after November 17, 2016 which vest as to approximately 23.5% of the shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and approximately 5.9% of the shares each quarter thereafter, pursuant to time-based and performance-based conditions as applicable. In addition, as described below under “Employment and Other Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control”, the vesting of the shares granted to our named executive officers may be accelerated following employment termination or a change in control under certain circumstances.

(7)

Calculated by multiplying the number of shares of stock by the closing price per share of our common stock on the grant date, which was $44.14 for awards granted on July 26, 2019. These values do not reflect the values that our named executive officers will realize on the award vesting dates, which value will ultimately be dependent on our stock price on the vesting date.

 

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Equity Awards and Holdings

The following table sets forth information concerning unvested restricted stock awards for each of the named executive officers as of June 30, 2020.

Fiscal 2020 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

     Stock Awards  
  Name    Stock Award Grant Date     Number of Shares
or Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested (#)(1)
    Market Value of Shares
or Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested ($)(2)
 

Robert A. Eberle

      
  

 

7/26/2019    

 

 

 

110,000    

 

 

5,584,700    

  

 

5/31/2019    

 

 

 

45,882    

 

 

2,329,429    

  

 

7/2/2018    

 

 

 

58,823    

 

 

2,986,444    

  

 

5/17/2018    

 

 

 

31,764    

 

 

1,612,658    

  

 

7/21/2017    

 

 

 

38,823    

 

 

1,971,044    

  

 

7/1/2016    

 

 

 

12,941    

 

 

657,015    

Richard D. Booth

      
  

 

7/26/2019    

 

 

 

35,000    

 

 

1,776,950    

  

 

7/2/2018    

 

 

 

19,687    

 

 

999,509    

  

 

11/30/2017    

 

 

 

8,749    

 

 

444,187    

  

 

7/21/2017    

 

 

 

3,125    

 

 

158,656    

  

 

7/1/2016    

 

 

 

1,250    

 

 

63,463    

Nigel K. Savory

      
  

 

7/26/2019    

 

 

 

48,000    

 

 

2,436,960    

  

 

2/14/2019    

 

 

 

34,375    

 

 

1,745,219    

  

 

7/2/2018    

 

 

 

27,000    

 

 

1,370,790    

  

 

7/21/2017    

 

 

 

15,000    

 

 

761,550    

  

 

7/1/2016    

 

 

 

4,062    

 

 

206,228    

Norman J. DeLuca

      
  

 

7/26/2019    

 

 

 

30,000    

 

 

1,523,100    

  

 

7/2/2018    

 

 

 

20,250    

 

 

1,028,093    

  

 

7/21/2017    

 

 

 

9,375    

 

 

475,969    

  

 

7/1/2016    

 

 

 

2,875    

 

 

145,964    

John F. Kelly

      
  

 

7/26/2019    

 

 

 

15,000    

 

 

761,550    

  

 

7/2/2018    

 

 

 

5,625    

 

 

285,581    

  

 

5/17/2018    

 

 

 

20,000    

 

 

1,015,400    

  

 

7/21/2017    

 

 

 

4,687    

 

 

237,959    

  

 

7/1/2016    

 

 

 

562    

 

 

28,533    

 

 

 

(1)

These shares vest as to 25% of the shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and 6.25% of the shares each quarter thereafter, with the exception of the shares granted to Mr. Eberle under the 2009 stock incentive plan on or after November 17, 2016 which vest as to approximately 23.5% of the shares on the first anniversary of the date of

 

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  grant and approximately 5.9% of the shares each quarter thereafter, pursuant to time-based and performance-based conditions as applicable. In addition, as described below under “Employment and Other Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control”, the vesting of the shares granted to our named executive officers may be accelerated following employment termination or a change in control under certain circumstances.
(2)

Calculated by multiplying the number of unvested shares by $50.77, the closing price per share of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 30, 2020.

Stock Vested in Fiscal 2020

The following table sets forth information regarding vesting of restricted stock held by the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.

Amounts shown under the column “Value Realized on Vesting” represents the number of shares of restricted stock that vested multiplied by the market value of the underlying shares on the vesting date which for fiscal 2020 ranged from $34.21 to $54.00.

Fiscal 2020 Stock Vested

 

     Stock Awards  
  Name    Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting (#)
    Value Realized on
Vesting ($)
 

Robert A. Eberle

  

 

128,052    

 

 

5,708,637    

Richard D. Booth

  

 

35,000    

 

 

1,499,220    

Nigel K. Savory

  

 

70,500    

 

 

3,146,660    

Norman J. DeLuca

  

 

37,000    

 

 

1,584,688    

John F. Kelly

  

 

20,937    

 

 

951,413    

Employment and Other Agreements and Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

We are party to employment agreements or similar arrangements with Mr. Eberle, Mr. Booth, Mr. DeLuca, Mr. Kelly and Mr. Savory. The following description is only a summary of these agreements and is qualified by reference to the full agreements.

In addition to the change in control provisions in such individual employment agreements, our stock incentive plans contain provisions that are applicable to all plan participants regarding the consequences of a Change in Control Event (as defined in the applicable plan). Generally, the plans provide that the vesting schedule of any unvested stock option, restricted stock award, or restricted stock unit award would be accelerated in part such that what would have otherwise become vested on any date within one year after the date of the Change in Control Event would immediately become vested. Additionally, each option, restricted stock or restricted stock unit award would immediately become free from all conditions or restrictions if, on or prior to the second anniversary of the date of the consummation of the Change in Control Event, the plan participant’s employment with the company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation is terminated for Good Reason (as defined in the applicable plan) by the participant or is terminated without Cause (as defined in the applicable plan) by the company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation. Awards that vest in whole or in part based on specified performance conditions will be deemed satisfied at the target level upon the consummation of the Change in Control Event. Awards continue to be subject to their original service-based vesting requirements (if any) and be accelerated, as applicable, as described in the preceding two sentences of this paragraph. The foregoing description is only a summary and is qualified by reference to the applicable plan.

Robert A. Eberle Employment Agreement

We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Eberle as of September 30, 1998, which was amended as of December 23, 2008. The employment agreement automatically renews for successive three year renewal periods unless the agreement is not renewed by either us or Mr. Eberle pursuant to written notice, or is sooner terminated in accordance with its terms. Further, the employment agreement automatically renews for a

 

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three year period in the event we experience a change in control. The current renewal period under the employment agreement extends through November 21, 2020.

Under the employment agreement, a “change in control” of Bottomline would be deemed to have occurred if:

 

   

any person becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding securities;

 

   

our stockholders approve a merger or consolidation of Bottomline, subject to certain limited exceptions; or

 

   

our stockholders approve a plan of liquidation or a sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

In the event of a change in control, Mr. Eberle’s restricted stock will vest in full.

If Mr. Eberle’s employment is terminated by Mr. Eberle as a result of an involuntary termination (as defined below) or by us without cause (as defined below), in either case prior to a potential change in control, or if we do not renew Mr. Eberle’s agreement as provided above, all shares of Mr. Eberle’s restricted stock will vest in full, and he will be entitled to receive continuation of benefits for a period of 24 months and a lump sum payment equal to two times the sum of his then current annual salary plus two times the maximum amount of bonus he was eligible to earn for the then current fiscal year. Mr. Eberle will not be entitled to any of the foregoing payments or benefits if he breaches material obligations under his employment agreement or any other agreement with Bottomline including those that impose confidentiality, proprietary information, assignment of inventions, non-competition or similar obligations on him.

An involuntary termination would occur if Mr. Eberle’s duties were changed in a manner such that it resulted in a material diminution in his authority, duties or responsibilities, including his level of budget authority; his base compensation was materially reduced (other than in connection with a company-wide reduction in salaries); he no longer reported directly to the Board of Directors; his place of work was relocated by more than 50 miles; or Bottomline breached a material provision of his employment agreement.

“Cause” means, prior to a change in control of Bottomline, the discharge of Mr. Eberle resulting from:

 

   

a felony conviction;

 

   

willful and persistent failure to attend to material duties or obligations;

 

   

the breach of confidentiality, non-competition or similar material obligations by Mr. Eberle; or

 

   

an act or omission which would constitute a crime involving Bottomline’s property.

The second and third items specified above would not constitute cause after a change in control of Bottomline.

If Mr. Eberle’s employment is terminated upon or after a potential change in control, or after a change in control, either by Mr. Eberle as a result of an involuntary termination or by us without cause, all shares of his restricted stock will vest in full, and Mr. Eberle will be entitled to receive continuation of benefits for a period of 24 months and a lump sum payment equal to three times the sum of Mr. Eberle’s then annual salary plus up to three times the maximum amount of any bonus Mr. Eberle was eligible to earn for the then current fiscal year. Mr. Eberle will not be entitled to any of the foregoing payments or benefits if he breaches material obligations under his employment agreement or any other agreement with Bottomline including those that impose confidentiality, proprietary information, assignment of inventions, non-competition or similar obligations on him.

A “potential change in control” of Bottomline would be deemed to have occurred if:

 

   

we enter into an agreement that would cause a change in control;

 

   

any person publicly announces an intention to take any action which, if consummated, would constitute a change in control; or

 

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our Board of Directors adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of the employment agreement, a potential change in control has occurred.

The employment agreement also provides that, in the event of a change in control, we would pay any excise tax for which Mr. Eberle would be liable under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as a result of having received the severance benefits, as well as the amount necessary to pay all additional taxes imposed on Mr. Eberle as a result of our payment of the excise tax.

In addition, following termination of employment by us other than for cause, restricted stock held by Mr. Eberle would automatically vest in full. In the event of Mr. Eberle’s termination for death or disability, he or his estate, as applicable, would be entitled to the vesting acceleration described above, as well as the maximum bonus he was eligible to earn in the then current fiscal year.

Richard D. Booth Employment Agreement

Effective March 31, 2015, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Booth in connection with the commencement of his employment with the company in April 2015. Under the terms of the employment agreement, if Mr. Booth’s employment is terminated by the company without cause or by Mr. Booth for good reason, each as defined below, and subject to Mr. Booth’s execution of a general release of potential claims against the company, (i) the company has agreed to pay Mr. Booth a lump sum amount equal to 12 months of Mr. Booth’s then-current base salary and an amount equal to Mr. Booth’s target bonus then in effect and (ii) any restricted stock or other equity awards that would have vested during the 12 months following the termination date will automatically vest. In addition, if Mr. Booth’s employment is terminated by the company within 12 months following a change in control as defined below, any restricted stock or other equity awards will vest in full.

Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Booth is also subject to specified confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation obligations.

Under the employment agreement, a “change in control” of Bottomline would occur if:

 

   

any person becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding securities;

 

   

our stockholders approve a merger or consolidation of Bottomline, subject to certain limited exceptions; or

 

   

our stockholders approve a plan of liquidation or a sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

A voluntary termination for “good reason” would occur if Mr. Booth’s duties were changed in a manner such that it resulted in a material diminution in his authority, duties or responsibilities, his base compensation was materially reduced (other than in connection with a company-wide reduction in salaries); he no longer reported directly to the Chief Executive Officer; his place of work was relocated by more than 50 miles; or Bottomline breached a material provision of his employment agreement.

“Cause” means, prior to a change in control of Bottomline, the discharge of Mr. Booth resulting from:

 

   

a felony conviction;

 

   

willful and persistent failure to attend to material duties or obligations;

 

   

the breach of confidentiality, non-competition or similar material obligations by Mr. Booth; or

 

   

an act or omission which would constitute a crime involving Bottomline’s property.

Nigel K. Savory Service Agreement

We are party to a service agreement with Mr. Savory dated as of November 22, 1999, which was amended on February 18, 2011.

Mr. Savory’s service agreement remains in effect, absent our termination of Mr. Savory for cause or due to incapacity, until terminated by at least six months’ written notice by us or by at least 12 months’ written notice

 

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by Mr. Savory. We also have the right to terminate the agreement on less than six months’ written notice, but in lieu of notice, we are required to pay Mr. Savory his salary and other contractual benefits under the service agreement for the duration of the period for which notice was not given. In addition, if in connection with our termination of his employment Mr. Savory executes a satisfactory compromise agreement with us, he will be entitled to a severance payment equivalent to six months’ base salary and car allowance plus a sum equivalent to six months’ bonus entitlement calculated on a pro rata basis according to the level of bonuses actually paid to him over the preceding period of 12 months. If we terminate the service agreement for cause or due to Mr. Savory’s incapacity, we are not required to pay Mr. Savory any compensation other than accrued compensation, although Mr. Savory will be entitled to the equity acceleration described below in the event of his termination due to incapacity.

For purposes of Mr. Savory’s service agreement (other than the provisions relating to equity acceleration discussed below), “cause” means the discharge of Mr. Savory resulting from, among other things:

 

   

material breach of the terms of the agreement;

 

   

serious misconduct or willful neglect in the discharge of his duties under the agreement;

 

   

conviction of a criminal offense which in our reasonable opinion materially or adversely affects Mr. Savory’s ability to continue as an employee or officer of the company;

 

   

acts of fraud or material dishonesty; or

 

   

deliberate discrimination or harassment on grounds on race, religion, creed, sex or disability.

If we terminate Mr. Savory’s employment without cause prior to a change in control, all shares of his restricted stock will vest in full. If a change in control occurs during the term of the service agreement and Mr. Savory’s employment is terminated by us other than for cause or by Mr. Savory for good reason within 12 months following the effective date of the change in control, all shares of his restricted stock will vest in full.

For purposes of the equity acceleration provisions of Mr. Savory’s service agreement, the terms “cause” and “change in control” have substantially the same meaning as in Mr. Eberle’s employment agreement, as described above, and “good reason” has the following meaning:

 

   

a significant change in Mr. Savory’s duties;

 

   

a reduction in his base compensation;

 

   

a relocation of his place of work by more than 50 miles; or

 

   

a breach by Bottomline of any material provision of the service agreement.

Pursuant to the service agreement, Mr. Savory has agreed not to compete with Bottomline for a period of 12 months after the termination of his employment in any business within the United Kingdom which is competitive with our business and with which Mr. Savory had been involved during the 12 months immediately preceding termination. In addition, Mr. Savory has agreed that during this 12-month period, he will not solicit our customers, potential customers or employees with whom he had dealings during the 12 months immediately preceding termination.

Norman DeLuca Employment Agreement

We entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Deluca dated October 10, 2011 in connection with his employment with the company. Under the terms of the employment agreement, any restricted stock granted to Mr. Deluca by the company will automatically vest upon a “change in control” as defined below.

Under the employment agreement, a “change in control” of Bottomline would be deemed to have occurred if:

 

   

any person becomes the beneficial owner of more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding securities;

 

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our stockholders approve a merger or consolidation of Bottomline, subject to certain limited exceptions; or

 

   

our stockholders approve a plan of liquidation or a sale of all or substantially all of our assets.

John F. Kelly Executive Retention Agreement

We entered into an executive retention agreement with Mr. Kelly dated August 5, 2016. Under the terms of the retention agreement, if Mr. Kelly’s employment is terminated by the company without “cause” or by Mr. Kelly for “good reason” within 12 months following a “change in control” (each term as defined in the agreement), then (i) Mr. Kelly will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to the sum of any accrued but unpaid base salary through the date of termination, an amount equal to his base salary for the six months prior to the date of termination (“Salary Severance”), 50% of his annual bonus opportunity for the most recently completed fiscal year, a pro-rated portion of his annual bonus opportunity for the current fiscal year, the amount of any compensation previously deferred by Mr. Kelly (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon), an amount equal to 50% of the commissions paid to Mr. Kelly over the previous 12 month period and any accrued but unpaid vacation pay (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”) and (ii) all shares of restricted stock will vest and all outstanding stock options will become exercisable in full until the earlier of the second anniversary of the date of termination or the expiration of the original term of the stock option, subject to any contrary treatment provided in connection with the change of control that is consistent with the underlying plan that covers the stock options. Additionally, for 12 months after the date of termination Mr. Kelly will continue to receive standard employment benefits for himself and his family at least equal to those that would have been provided to Mr. Kelly if his employment had not been terminated.

In addition, if Mr. Kelly’s employment is terminated by reason of his death or disability within 12 months following a “change in control” (as defined in the agreement), then Mr. Kelly (or his estate, as applicable) will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to the Accrued Obligations other than the Salary Severance. If Mr. Kelly voluntarily terminates his employment within 12 months following a “change in control”, excluding a termination for “good reason”, or if his employment is terminated by us for “cause” within 12 months following a “change in control” (each term as defined in the agreement), then Mr. Kelly will be entitled to payment of an amount equal to the sum of his annual base salary through the date of termination and the amount of any compensation previously deferred by Mr. Kelly.

 

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The table below shows estimates of the benefits potentially payable to each of our named executive officers if his employment terminated under certain circumstances or as a result of a change in control event. The amounts below are calculated on the assumption that the employment termination or change in control took place on June 30, 2020, the last business day of fiscal 2020.

 

Name

   Base Salary ($)     Bonus ($)(2)     Accelerated
Vesting of
Restricted
Stock ($)(3)
    Benefits
($)
    Total ($)  

Robert A. Eberle

          

–change in control

                 15,141,290           15,141,290
–involuntary termination or termination without cause prior to a potential change in control, or non-renewal of employment agreement by company (1)(4)      795,600     954,720     15,141,290     71,517     16,963,127
–involuntary termination or termination without cause upon or after a potential change in control or change in control (4)      1,193,400     1,432,080     15,141,290     71,517     17,838,287
–termination as a result of death or disability            477,360     15,141,290           15,618,650

Richard D. Booth

          
–involuntary termination without cause or by Mr. Booth with good reason (1)      295,800     200,000     1,776,899           2,272,699
–involuntary termination within 12 months of a change in control      295,800     200,000     3,442,765           3,938,565

Nigel K. Savory

          
–termination without cause prior to a change in control or termination without cause or for good reason within 12 months following a change in control (5) (6)      276,066     91,886     6,520,747     25,150     6,913,849
–termination for incapacity (6)                  6,520,747       6,520,747

Norman J. DeLuca

          
–change in control                  3,173,126           3,173,126

John F. Kelly

          
–termination without cause or for good reason within 12 months following a change in control      145,350     67,500     2,329,023     20,193     2,562,066
–death or disability within 12 months following a change in control            67,500                 67,500

 

(1)

Assumes no change in control takes place.

(2)

This amount would be reduced by any bonus amounts previously paid to the named executive officer for fiscal 2020.

(3)

Calculated by multiplying the number of shares subject to accelerated vesting by $50.77, the closing price per share of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 30, 2020.

(4)

For purposes of calculating Mr. Eberle’s bonus in a termination without cause scenario, we have assumed his earned bonus equals his maximum bonus opportunity.

(5)

Assumes that we make a severance payment in lieu of six months’ notice and that Mr. Savory enters into a compromise agreement with us in connection with the termination of his employment.

(6)

Mr. Savory is paid in British Pounds Sterling. For purposes of this presentation, salary, target bonus and benefits were converted to U.S. Dollars at the average exchange rate for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020 of 1.26 U.S. Dollars per British Pound Sterling.

 

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Pay Ratio Disclosure

We are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to the median of the annual total compensation of our other employees.

A significant portion of the total compensation to our Chief Executive Officer is comprised of awards of restricted stock which vest over a period of four years or more and which serve to provide a long-term compensation incentive. The value reported as compensation for awards of restricted stock is based on the fair value of our common stock on the date the awards were granted. There is no assurance that our Chief Executive Officer will actually realize that value with respect to shares granted, since the underlying awards vest over a long period of time.

Our leadership development and compensation committee has determined that restricted stock awards are the most appropriate vehicle to promote, create and reward long-term stockholder value creation. Approximately 87% of the total annual compensation reported for our Chief Executive Officer for fiscal 2020 relates to awards of restricted stock that have not yet vested. These awards were valued based on the closing price of our common stock on the date the awards were issued to our Chief Executive Officer. For fiscal 2020, the annual total compensation of our median employee (other than our Chief Executive Officer) was $107,064. Based on this information, we estimated a ratio of 52 to 1 for the annual total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to the median of the annual total compensation of all other employees for fiscal 2020.

The pay ratio reported above is a reasonable estimate prepared under applicable SEC rules. The pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio we calculated, as other companies have different employee populations and compensation practices and may use different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.

Methodology

In determining our pay ratio for fiscal 2020, we referred to the same employee who was identified as our median employee for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019 as we concluded that there have been no changes to our employee population or employee compensation arrangements in fiscal 2020 that we believe would significantly affect our pay ratio disclosure and thus require identification of a new median employee.

We selected June 30, 2018 as the determination date for identifying our median employee. All individuals employed by us as of that date, whether on a full-time, part-time or seasonal basis, were included in our employee population unless they were excluded under the de minimis exemption discussed below.

At June 30, 2018 we employed 1,750 individuals. The de minimis exemption allows us to exclude up to 5% of our total employees who are non-U.S. employees. Accordingly, in identifying the median employee, we excluded 85 employees (representing 4.9% of our total employees) who were employed in the following countries:

 

Excluded Jurisdiction           Employees                      Excluded Jurisdiction       Employees
Belgium   1     Ireland     1
Canada   20     Kosovo     13
China   3     Malaysia     2
France   5     Netherlands     2
Germany   3     Singapore     26
Indonesia   6     Thailand     3

We determined the median employee from the remaining workforce of 1,665 employees (excluding our Chief Executive Officer) based on total compensation using the same methodology we used to calculate the total compensation reported for our named executive officers in the “Summary Compensation Table” included elsewhere in this proxy statement.

 

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The average U.S. dollar exchange rate for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018 was applied to any compensation denominated in a foreign currency.

Tax Considerations

Prior to the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), Section 162(m) of the Code and guidance issued thereunder generally disallowed a tax deduction to public companies for certain compensation in excess of $1 million paid to the company’s Chief Executive Officer and the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Certain compensation, including qualified performance-based compensation, was not subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements were met.

Effective as of fiscal 2019, the Tax Act eliminated the qualified performance-based compensation exception in excess of $1 million under Section 162(m) of the Code, subject to transition relief for certain binding contracts in effect on November 2, 2017, provided they are not materially modified. The Tax Act also expanded the definition of covered employees to include the Chief Financial Officer plus any individual who has previously been a covered employee in a tax year after December 31, 2016, even after the individual no longer holds the position.

The leadership development and compensation committee reviews the potential effect of Section 162(m) periodically and uses its judgment to authorize compensation payments that may be subject to the limit when the leadership development and compensation committee believes such payments are appropriate and in the best interests of the company and its stockholders, after taking into consideration changing business conditions and the performance of its executive officers.

Leadership Development and Compensation Committee Report

The leadership development and compensation committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with Bottomline’s management. Based on this review and discussion, the leadership development and compensation committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

By the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc.

Jennifer M. Gray, Chair

Peter Gibson

Jeffrey C. Leathe

Leadership Development and Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During fiscal 2020, Ms. Gray and Messrs. Gibson and Leathe each served as members of the leadership development and compensation committee of our Board of Directors. During fiscal 2020, no executive officer of Bottomline served as a director or member of the compensation committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity whose executive officer served as a director or member of our leadership development and compensation committee.

 

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information about the securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as of June 30, 2020:

 

    

(a)

 

   

(b)

 

   

(c)

 

       

Plan Category

   Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
    Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
    Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a)).
   

 

 

Equity compensation plans approved by

security holders (1)

 

    

 

—    

 

 

 

    $

 

—  

 

 

   

 

6,007,984    

 

(2)

 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by

security holders (3)

 

    

 

1,120    

 

 

   

 

6.89  

 

 

   

 

35,185    

 

 

 

Total

 

    

 

1,120    

 

 

    $

 

6.89  

 

 

   

 

6,043,169    

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Consists of the following equity compensation plans: the 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (the “2000 ESPP”), the 2019 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2018 Israeli Special Purpose Stock Plan. Shares of common stock are available for future issuance only under the 2000 ESPP, the 2019 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2018 Israeli Special Purpose Stock Plan.

(2)

Consists of 1,694,423 shares issuable under the 2000 ESPP in connection with current and future offering periods under such plan, 4,287,641 shares currently issuable under the 2019 Stock Incentive Plan and 25,920 shares currently issuable under the 2018 Israeli Special Purpose Stock Plan.

(3)

The amount reported consists of outstanding stock options issued by Andera, Inc. under the Andera, Inc. 2010 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan (the “Andera Plan”) and assumed by the company, on an as-converted basis (the “Assumed Awards”). Each Assumed Award continues to have the same terms and conditions in effect prior to the acquisition of Andera, except that the number of shares to be received upon exercise of such option and the exercise price of such options were adjusted in accordance with the transaction terms. Please see the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by the company with the SEC on May 12, 2014 and “Andera Plan” below for additional information regarding the Andera Plan.

Andera Plan

A brief summary of the Andera Plan is outlined below. The following summary is not a complete description of all the provisions of the Andera Plan and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Andera Plan, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by the company with the SEC on May 12, 2014.

Key Provisions.

 

   

Eligible Participants: Employees, directors, consultants and advisors of the company or a subsidiary of the company hired after April 3, 2014 (the “Acquisition Date”) or individuals employed by Andera prior to the Acquisition Date in compliance with applicable law, including the rules and regulations of Nasdaq (or any stock exchange or quotation system on which the company’s shares are then listed or quoted).

 

   

Shares Originally Authorized Under the Plan, Shares Assumed, and Grant History: As of the Acquisition Date, Andera shareholders had authorized a total of 199,293 shares under the Andera Plan. The company assumed a total of 107,336 shares on an as-converted basis consisting of:

 

  º   

Unvested options to purchase 28,462 shares of Andera common stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Acquisition Date and that were assumed by the company and converted into options to purchase the company’s common stock subject to the same vesting and other

 

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conditions that applied to the Andera options immediately prior to the acquisition. All options were granted at fair market value on the date of grant pursuant to the terms of the Andera Plan.

 

  º   

69,392 shares of unvested Andera common stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Acquisition Date and that were assumed by the company and converted into the company’s common stock subject to the same vesting and other conditions that applied to the Andera restricted common stock immediately prior to the acquisition.

 

  º   

9,482 shares available for future issuance under the Andera Plan.

Administration. The Andera Plan is administered by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will select the employees of the company and other persons who shall receive awards in compliance with applicable law, including the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq (or any stock exchange or quotation system on which the company’s shares are then listed or quoted), determine the number of shares covered thereby, and establish the terms, conditions and other provisions of the grants. The Board of Directors may interpret the Andera Plan and establish, amend and rescind any rules relating to the Andera Plan.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Jason Mullen and Bob Mullen, a son and brother, respectively, of Joseph L. Mullen are employed by the company. Joseph L. Mullen is a member of our Board of Directors. The compensation packages for Jason Mullen and Bob Mullen are comparable to the compensation of Bottomline employees holding similar positions, and they are entitled to participate in other employment benefits that are standard for all of Bottomline’s employees. The total compensation earned during fiscal 2020, including base salary, commissions, bonus and equity compensation (based on grant date stock values), did not exceed $390,000 for either of these individuals.

Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions

Our Board of Directors has adopted written policies and procedures for the review of any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which Bottomline is a participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and one of our executive officers, directors, director nominees or 5% stockholders (or their immediate family members), each of whom we refer to as a “related person,” has a direct or indirect material interest.

If a related person proposes to enter into such a transaction, arrangement or relationship, the related person must report the proposed transaction to our chief financial officer. The policy calls for the proposed transaction to be reviewed and, if deemed appropriate, approved by the audit committee. Whenever practicable, the reporting, review and approval will occur prior to entry into the transaction. If advance review and approval is not practicable, the audit committee will review, and, in its discretion, may ratify the related person transaction. The policy also permits the chairman of the audit committee to review and, if deemed appropriate, approve proposed related person transactions that may arise between audit committee meetings, subject to ratification by the full audit committee at its next meeting. Any related person transactions that are ongoing in nature are reviewed annually by the audit committee.

A related person transaction reviewed under our policy will be considered approved or ratified if it is authorized by the audit committee after full disclosure of the related person’s interest in the transaction. The audit committee will review and consider such information regarding the transaction as it deems appropriate under the circumstances.

The audit committee may approve or ratify the transaction only if it determines that, under all of the circumstances, it is in Bottomline’s best interests. Further, the audit committee may impose any conditions on the transaction that it deems appropriate.

 

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In addition to the transactions that are excluded by the instructions to the SEC’s related person transaction disclosure rule, the Board has determined that the following transactions do not create a material direct or indirect interest on behalf of related persons and, therefore, are not related person transactions for purposes of this policy:

 

   

interests arising solely from the related person’s position as an executive officer of another entity (whether or not the person is also a director of such entity) that is a participant in the transaction, where (a) the related person and all other related persons own in the aggregate less than a 10% equity interest in such entity, (b) the related person and his or her immediate family members are not involved in the negotiation of the terms of the transaction and do not receive any special benefits as a result of the transaction, and (c) the amount involved in the transaction equals less than the greater of $200,000 or 25% of the annual consolidated gross revenues of the other entity that is a party to the transaction; and

 

   

a transaction that is specifically contemplated by provisions of Bottomline’s charter or bylaws.

The policy also provides that transactions involving compensation of executive officers shall be reviewed and approved by the leadership development and compensation committee in the manner specified in its charter.

Our employment of a son and a brother of Mr. Mullen, which is described above, was disclosed to our audit committee as part of our annual update with respect to related person transactions.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

We believe that our commitment to responsible corporate citizenship is reflected through our employees, our corporate culture and, ultimately, through our actions. We believe that giving back to and enriching the communities in which we live and work is important to our own long term success. We organize numerous employee volunteer efforts and campaigns to support the communities in which we operate. We have been fortunate to receive civic and community recognition such as the Granite State Award in recognition of our strong record of community support. We are a “Best Company to Work For” hall of fame member and are consistently recognized for numerous charitable and volunteer programs that positively impact our communities.

On an annual basis we prepare and our Board of Directors reviews a Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report summarizing our progress toward and commitment to these principles. This report is shared with customers and prospective customers, employees and prospective employees and partners and posted on our website.

Philanthropy and Charitable Giving

Being an active participant in our community is a fundamental responsibility. Giving back to the communities where our employees work and live and to making the world a better place is a theme that runs throughout our business. This commitment is exemplified by the number of employees involved in charitable organizations around the world as well as the support we have provided to charitable organizations over the years. Over the last five years, we have donated over $2.5 million to charities in a variety of areas across a broad spectrum of need. Over 1,000 individual charities that we supported were selected by our employees through our Employee Choice Giving Program. This helps ensure that funds are directed to charities that are local to where we live and work. Annually, our employee volunteers organize a “Race-for-a-Cause” through which we select a local charity, or group of charities, as the recipients of all proceeds raised, which in fiscal 2020 exceeded $75,000.

Sustainability

Sustainability is exemplified through our products, customer interactions and employee engagement. The core of our business is to help organizations transition from paper checks to electronic payments, which in and of itself has a significant environmental impact. Launched in 2009, the Bottomline Technologies Think Green Award program is designed to spotlight customer organizations that reduce paper in their payment, invoice and

 

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transactional document processes. Our physical office locations offer both single-stream recycling and electronic recycling, and we continue to improve our environmental footprint by recycling materials during construction and renovation of our properties. During remodeling initiatives, our environmental commitment is to ensure that the maximum amount of material possible from demolition is diverted from landfills and is instead sorted and recycled or donated to non-profit organizations. We use sensored lighting, regulated HVAC systems, energy saving appliances, windows and doors, as well as furnishings and carpet made with recycled materials and on-site water purification systems to reduce the number of plastic bottles used.

Our cloud computing products have a significant positive impact on the environmental footprint as compared to traditional hardware and software delivery models. We partner with entities, such as for our data center operations, that operate with high energy efficiency standards and with a long-term goal of using 100% clean and renewable energy. Our data centers deploy green technologies such as adaptive control systems to reduce power consumption and increase cooling capacity, ASHRAE thermal guidelines to optimize interior temperatures, cold-hot aisle containment measures, energy-efficient lighting systems and variable frequency drives that save energy by reducing power draw to match lower system loads.

Corporate Governance

Our Board of Directors shares our core values and believes that strong corporate governance practices are important to ensure that Bottomline is managed for the benefit of its stockholders over the long term. This section describes key corporate governance practices that we have adopted. Complete copies of the committee charters and code of conduct described below are available on our website at www.bottomline.com. Alternatively, you can request a copy of any of these documents by writing to Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., 325 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

Board Leadership Structure

We have separated the roles of chief executive officer and chairman of our Board of Directors in recognition of the differences between these two positions. Our chief executive officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction of our business and overseeing the day to day operation of the company. The chairman of the Board provides guidance to our chief executive officer, sets the agenda for Board meetings and presides over meetings of the Board as the Board fulfills its fundamental role of providing advice to, and oversight of, management. We also have a lead director who serves as the chairman of our nominations and corporate governance committee. In this role, the lead director provides oversight and long-term planning for board composition and governance related initiatives. We believe that the presence of a lead director helps ensure a focused shareholder perspective within our Board.

Risk Oversight

We, like all businesses, face a number of risks that include economic risks, operational risks and legal risks. Our management team is responsible for addressing and responding to the day to day risks we face, while our Board of Directors as a whole has responsibility for the oversight of risk management.

The Board believes that open communications between management and the Board of Directors is essential for effective risk management and oversight. The chairman of our Board meets regularly with our chief executive officer to discuss corporate strategy and the risks facing our company. The Board periodically holds strategic planning sessions with members of the senior management team to discuss strategies, challenges, risks and opportunities of the company.

While our full Board is ultimately responsible for risk oversight, our three standing Board committees assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities in certain areas of risk, as follows:

 

   

Our audit committee provides the principal oversight in respect of financial reporting and internal financial controls

 

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Our leadership development and compensation committee provides the principal oversight in respect of our executive compensation policies and programs and the development of the company’s senior leadership

 

   

Our nominations and corporate governance committee provides the principal oversight in respect of our Board organization, membership and structure, succession planning for our directors and chief executive officer and corporate governance

Our Board is regularly informed by the respective committee chairmen of any particular risks evaluated at the committee level.

Compensation Risk

We believe that risks arising from our compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our company, as we believe we have allocated compensation among base salary and short- and long-term compensation opportunities in a manner that does not encourage excessive risk taking. We have reached this conclusion based on the following factors:

 

   

Base salaries, including those of our executive officers, are fixed and based on the respective responsibility of the individual. Base salaries are designed to provide a steady income, regardless of our stock price performance, so that our employees and executives do not feel pressured to focus exclusively on stock price performance to the detriment of other important business metrics.

 

   

Short-term compensation opportunities, which are predominantly cash bonuses, including cash bonuses to our executive officers, are first based on company-wide objectives rather than on the objectives of a specific operating geography or operating segment. We believe this encourages decision making that is in the best interest of our company and stockholders as a whole. Further, we believe that considering the operating performance of the company as a whole is a balanced approach for assessing performance. For example, using company-wide metrics encourages decision making that considers more than just revenue targets, thus ensuring that our focus is not purely on sales levels without regard to cost structure.

 

   

Long-term compensation opportunities are predominantly equity-based awards such as restricted stock, that generally vest over four years. We believe that this encourages our employees, including our executive officers, to make decisions that are in the best long-term interests of our company as a whole since the ultimate value of these awards is realized through a sustained stock price and stock price appreciation over the long-term.

Board Determination of Independence

Our Board of Directors has determined that all of our current directors other than Mr. Eberle are independent under applicable Nasdaq and SEC rules. In making this assessment our Board has determined that none of our current directors has a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.

Meetings

Our Board of Directors held eight meetings, including by telephone and video conference, during fiscal 2020. The leadership development and compensation committee of our Board of Directors held five meetings, including by telephone and video conference, during fiscal 2020. The audit committee of our Board of Directors held twelve meetings, including by telephone and video conference, during fiscal 2020. The nominations and corporate governance committee of our Board of Directors held four meetings during fiscal 2020. Our directors regularly meet without management present during our Board meetings.

During fiscal 2020, all of our directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the committees on which they served, if any, during the period that they served on our Board of Directors or any such committees. We encourage our directors to attend our annual meeting of stockholders. All members of our Board of Directors attended our 2019 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

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Board Committees

Our Board of Directors has established three standing committees-audit, leadership development and compensation, and nominations and corporate governance-each of which operates under a charter that has been approved by our Board. Current copies of each committee’s charter are posted under the Corporate Governance heading in the Investor section of our website, www.bottomline.com.

Our Board of Directors has determined that all of the members of each of the Board’s three standing committees are independent as defined under the rules of the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market, including, in the case of all members of the audit committee, the independence requirements under Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and in the case of all members of the leadership development and compensation committee, the independence requirements under Rule 10C-1 of the Exchange Act.

All of our standing Board committees, as well as the full Board, have the authority to retain independent advisors without management approval.

Audit Committee

The audit committee’s responsibilities include:

 

   

appointing, approving the compensation of, and assessing the independence of our registered public accounting firm;

 

   

overseeing the work of our registered public accounting firm, including through the receipt and consideration of certain reports from the registered public accounting firm;

 

   

reviewing and discussing with management and our registered public accounting firm our annual and quarterly financial statements and related disclosures;

 

   

monitoring our internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and procedures and code of business conduct and ethics;

 

   

overseeing procedures for the receipt and retention of accounting related complaints and concerns;

 

   

meeting independently with our registered public accounting firm and management;

 

   

overseeing our compliance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC); and

 

   

preparing the audit committee report required by SEC rules which is included in this proxy statement.

Further, during 2020, the audit committee was involved in reviewing our quarterly and annual financial statement disclosures related to the impact of COVID-19 on our company.

Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Leathe is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.

Leadership Development and Compensation Committee

The leadership development and compensation committee’s responsibilities include:

 

   

annually reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to chief executive officer compensation;

 

   

overseeing the performance of our chief executive officer and our other executive officers;

 

   

determining the chief executive officer’s compensation;

 

   

reviewing and approving the compensation of our other executive officers;

 

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overseeing and administering our incentive compensation and equity-based plans;

 

   

reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to director compensation; and

 

   

reviewing and monitoring the development of executive officers and the broader senior leadership team.

The leadership development and compensation committee may delegate its authority to management to grant awards pursuant to its equity-based plans. The leadership development and compensation committee has delegated to Mr. Mullen and Mr. Eberle, acting jointly, the authority to make grants of restricted stock and stock options from the authorized pool under our 2019 Stock Incentive Plan and our 2018 Israeli Special Purpose Stock Plan other than, in each case, awards to executive officers whose awards must always be authorized by the leadership development and compensation committee. The leadership development and compensation committee also retains the authority to make additional equity awards in its discretion.

Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominations and corporate governance committee’s responsibilities include:

 

   

identifying individuals qualified to become Board members;

 

   

recommending to the Board the persons to be nominated for election as directors and to each of the Board’s committees;

 

   

developing and recommending to the Board corporate governance principles; and

 

   

overseeing the evaluation of the Board.

Director Candidates and Board Diversity

The process followed by the nominations and corporate governance committee to identify and evaluate director candidates includes requests to Board members and others for recommendations, meetings from time to time to evaluate biographical information and background material relating to potential candidates and interviews of selected candidates by members of the committee and the Board. In considering whether to recommend any particular candidate for inclusion in the Board’s slate of recommended director nominees, the nominations and corporate governance committee will apply the criteria included in the committee’s charter. These general criteria include that all nominees should have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards. Criteria also include the nominee’s demonstrated business acumen, experience, commitment to our business and industry, and the ability to act in the best interests of all stockholders; including being willing and able to contribute positively to the decision making process. Nominees should not have, or appear to have, any conflicts of interest that would impair their ability to represent the interests of our stockholders. Ultimately, the nominations and corporate governance committee seeks nominees with a broad range of experience, professions, skills and backgrounds. The committee does not assign specific weights to any particular criteria and no particular criterion is necessarily applicable to all prospective nominees. While the committee does not have a formal policy in respect of diversity, the committee considers the value of diversity in respect of the Board’s overall composition.

Stockholders may recommend individuals to the nominations and corporate governance committee for consideration as potential director candidates by submitting their names, together with appropriate biographical information and background materials and a statement as to whether the stockholder or group of stockholders making the recommendation has beneficially owned more than 5% of our common stock for at least a year as of the date such recommendation is made, to our Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o Corporate Secretary, Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., 325 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801. Assuming that appropriate biographical and background material has been provided on a timely basis, the committee will evaluate stockholder-recommended candidates by following substantially the same process, and applying substantially the same criteria, as it follows for candidates submitted by others.

 

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Stockholders also have the right under our bylaws to directly nominate director candidates, without any action or recommendation on the part of the committee or the Board, by following the procedures set forth under “Stockholder Proposals for 2021 Annual Meeting.”

Communicating with the Directors

The Board will give appropriate attention to written communications that are submitted by stockholders and will respond if and as appropriate. The chairman of the Board is primarily responsible for monitoring communications from stockholders and for providing copies or summaries to the other directors as he considers appropriate.

Communications are forwarded to all directors if they relate to important substantive matters and include suggestions or comments that the chairman of the Board considers to be important for the directors to know. In general, communications relating to corporate governance and long-term corporate strategy are more likely to be forwarded than communications relating to ordinary business affairs, personal grievances and matters as to which we tend to receive repetitive or duplicative communications.

Stockholders who wish to send communications on any topic to the Board should address such communications to our Board of Directors c/o Corporate Secretary, Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., 325 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a written code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. We have posted a current copy of the code under the Governance heading in the Investor section of our website, which is located at www.bottomline.com. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Based solely on our review of copies of reports filed by reporting persons pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or written representations from reporting persons that no Form 5 filing was required for such persons, we believe that all filings required to be made by our reporting persons were timely made in accordance with the requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, with the exception of one Form 4, which was filed late on April 7, 2020 on behalf of Mr. Deluca to report the sale of 4,799 shares of common stock.

Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

The audit committee oversees Bottomline’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has responsibility for the preparation of Bottomline’s financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, for assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and for maintaining an appropriate reporting process, including adequate systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the committee reviewed and discussed Bottomline’s audited financial statements and schedule for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 with management, including the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures contained in the financial statements and schedule.

The committee reviewed with Bottomline’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, which is responsible for expressing an opinion as to the conformity of Bottomline’s audited financial statements and schedule with generally accepted accounting principles, the judgments of Ernst & Young LLP as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of Bottomline’s accounting principles and discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC. In addition, the committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from

 

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Ernst & Young LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Ernst & Young LLP’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence and has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its independence from management and Bottomline, including the compatibility of any non-audit services with its independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that the provision of audit and non-audit services by Ernst &Young LLP to Bottomline and its affiliates is compatible with Ernst & Young LLP’s independence.

The committee also reviewed management’s report on its assessment of the effectiveness of Bottomline’s internal control over financial reporting and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report on the effectiveness of Bottomline’s internal control over financial reporting.

The committee discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the overall scope and plans for its audits. The committee meets with Ernst & Young LLP, with and without management present, to discuss the results of its examinations, its evaluations of Bottomline’s internal control over financial reporting, and the overall quality of Bottomline’s financial reporting. The committee held 12 meetings, including by telephone conference, during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements and schedule be included in Bottomline’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 for filing with the SEC. The committee and the Board of Directors have also recommended, subject to stockholder ratification, the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as Bottomline’s registered independent public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.

By the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc.

Jeffrey C. Leathe, Chairman

Kenneth J. D’Amato

Paul H. Hough

Benjamin E. Robinson III

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The following table discloses the fees that Ernst & Young LLP billed us for professional services rendered in each of the last two fiscal years.

 

 

Type of Fee

 

  

 

Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2020

 

    

 

Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2019

 

 

 

Audit Fees (1)

 

  

 

 $

 

 

1,302,380

 

 

 

  

 

    $

 

 

1,345,676    

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees (2)

 

  

 

 $

 

 

115,000

 

 

 

  

 

    $

 

 

255,000    

 

 

 

 

Tax Fees (3)

 

  

 

 $

 

 

9,096

 

 

 

  

 

    $

 

 

5,000    

 

 

 

 

All Other Fees (4)

 

  

 

 $

 

 

7,200

 

 

 

  

 

    $

 

 

30,909    

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents fees for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our financial statements and the audit of internal controls for the fiscal year indicated, audit procedures associated with businesses that we acquired, reviews of the financial statements included in each of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during the fiscal year indicated, and services performed in connection with certain registration statements we filed.

(2)

Represents accounting and financial reporting consultations. For fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 these fees related primarily to services associated with our adoptions of the new lease standard and revenue recognition standard, respectively.

(3)

Represents fees for tax consulting services.

(4)

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, fees represent consulting services related to structuring alternatives for certain of our debt arrangements and an annual fee for access to an accounting and financial reporting research tool.

 

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Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be performed by our registered public accounting firm. This policy generally provides that we will not engage our registered public accounting firm to render either audit or non-audit services unless the service is approved in advance by the audit committee or the engagement is entered into pursuant to one of the pre-approval procedures described below.

From time to time, the audit committee may pre-approve specified types of services that are expected to be provided to us by our registered public accounting firm. Any such pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or type of services to be provided and is also generally subject to a maximum dollar amount.

The audit committee has also delegated to the chairman of the audit committee the authority to approve any audit or non-audit services to be provided to us by our registered public accounting firm. Any approval of services by the chairman of the audit committee pursuant to this delegated authority is reported to the full audit committee at its next quarterly meeting.

All of the services shown in the table above were approved by the audit committee in accordance with these pre-approval policies and procedures. The audit committee, in assessing the on-going independence of Ernst & Young LLP, also considers the relationship of non-audit fees to audit fees.

 

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PROPOSAL 2—ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act (which was added by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010) and related rules of the SEC, we are including a separate proposal to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation of those of our executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement, or our named executive officers, as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC. At the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, stockholders approved, in a non-binding advisory basis, an annual advisory vote on executive compensation. In accordance with the results of this vote, our Board determined to implement an advisory vote on executive compensation every year until the next vote on the preferred frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation.

Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain and motivate the best possible executive talent and to align our executives’ incentives with our business objectives and the creation of stockholder value, and we believe it has successfully achieved these goals. Key features of our executive compensation program include:

 

   

use of restricted stock as a significant portion of our executives’ compensation, which directly links executive and stockholder interests and rewards executives for sustained appreciation in our stock price while minimizing dilution to our stockholders;

 

   

a cash bonus program that is linked predominantly to corporate performance, including the achievement of financial, strategic and operational objectives;

 

   

executive salaries and cash bonuses that are competitive with similarly situated executive officers based on a peer group analysis that is updated annually; and

 

   

minimal use of executive-only perquisites (none of our executive officers receive, nor do we have any present plan to provide, payment for personal aircraft, financial planning, supplemental retirement plans, retirement benefits or deferred compensation arrangements (other than our 401(k) plan), country club dues, security services, estate or tax planning or split dollar life insurance policies).

We encourage you to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and compensation tables and narrative discussion in this proxy statement for additional details on our executive compensation program.

The vote on this proposal is not intended to address any specific element of compensation; rather, the vote relates to the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this proxy statement, in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC. To the extent there is any significant vote against our named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, the leadership development and compensation committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address the concerns of stockholders.

Based on the above, we request that you indicate your support for our executive compensation philosophy and practices by voting to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the compensation discussion and analysis, the compensation tables and any related material disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, is hereby APPROVED.”

As an advisory vote, the vote on this Proposal 2 is not binding upon the company and serves only as a recommendation to our Board. Nonetheless, the Board and our leadership development and compensation committee value the opinions expressed by stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

The Board recommends a vote FOR Proposal 2.

 

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PROPOSAL 3—APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO 2019 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Introduction; Why We Are Requesting Stockholder Approval of an Amendment of the 2019 Plan.

Our Board of Directors believes that our continued growth depends, in large part, on our ability to maintain a competitive position by attracting, retaining and motivating key employees with experience and ability. We believe that our stock-based compensation programs are central to this objective.

As a result, on September 18, 2020, our Board of Directors adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to the 2019 Plan to increase the number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the 2019 Plan by 2,200,000 shares, subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits and other similar events. If the amendment is approved by our stockholders, then, subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits and other similar events, the total number of shares that may be issued under the 2019 Plan, as amended, would be 3,200,000 shares plus an additional number of shares that is equal to the sum of the number of shares that remained in the pool of shares under the Company’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”) at the time the 2019 Plan was approved by our stockholders plus the number of shares that were subject to awards outstanding under the Prior Plan at the time the 2019 Plan was approved and that are subsequently terminated, surrendered, cancelled or forfeited or repurchased by us pursuant to a contractual repurchase right. If the amendment is approved by our stockholders, any or all of the shares subject to the 2019 Plan, as amended, can be used for the issuance of incentive stock options. We are asking our stockholders to approve this amendment at the annual meeting. No other changes are being made to the 2019 Plan under this amendment. The 2019 Plan was originally adopted by our Board of Directors on September 12, 2019 and approved by our stockholders on November 21, 2019.

As of August 31, 2020, no options to purchase shares of our common stock and 663,691 shares of unvested restricted stock were outstanding under the 2019 Plan and no options to purchase shares of our common stock and 1,432,122 shares of unvested restricted stock were outstanding under the Prior Plan. The 2019 Plan provides that to the extent a share that is subject to an award granted under the 2019 Plan or under the Prior Plan that counted as 1.28 shares against the share reserve of the applicable plan is made available for the award of future grants under the 2019 Plan, the share reserve of the 2019 Plan will be credited with 1.28 shares. Otherwise, each share of common stock subject to an award under the 2019 Plan or the Prior Plan that becomes available for grant under the 2019 Plan will increase the 2019 Plan’s share reserve by one share.

We believe that our success to date is due in large part to our highly talented employee base, and that our future success depends on our ability to attract and retain qualified employees. The market for qualified personnel in our industry is highly competitive. Among the companies we compete with for employee talent are many early stage, private and ventured-backed entities. These companies regularly offer equity incentives as a central and significant component of their compensation packages. We believe that these companies frequently target our employees in an effort to hire top talent away from us. The ability to grant equity awards is critical to our ability to attract and retain the top talent that we need to sustain our growth.

The approval by our stockholders of the amendment of the 2019 Plan will allow us to continue to grant incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and other stock-unit awards to our employees, officers and directors, as well as consultants and advisors. If our stockholders do not approve the proposed amendment to the 2019 Plan, our ability to attract and retain the qualified employees we need to grow our business will be impaired. Accordingly, our Board of Directors believes approval of the amendment to the 2019 Plan is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders and recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the amendment to the 2019 Plan.

Highlights of the 2019 Plan

No liberal share recycling. Shares of common stock delivered to satisfy the exercise price of an award made under the 2019 Plan or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations with respect to awards made under the 2019 Plan will not increase the number of shares available for the future grant of awards under the 2019 Plan and

 

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shares purchased by us on the open market using proceeds from the exercise of an award will also not increase the number of shares available for future grant of awards.

Fungible Share Pool. Full-value awards count against the share limit under the 2019 Plan as 1.28 shares for each share of common stock subject to the award.

No Repricing of Awards. The 2019 Plan prohibits the direct or indirect repricing of stock options or stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) without stockholder approval (unless otherwise permitted under the terms of the 2019 Plan in connection with certain changes in capitalization and reorganization events).

No Discounted Options or SARs. All options and SARs must have an exercise or measurement price not less than the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

No Reload Options or SARs. No options or SARs granted under the 2019 Plan may contain a provision entitling the award holder to the automatic grant of additional options or SARs in connection with any exercise of the original option or SAR.

No Dividend Equivalents on Options or SARs. No options or SARs granted under the 2019 Plan may provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents.

Dividends and Dividend Equivalents on Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Other Stock-Based Awards not Paid Until Award Vests. Any dividends or dividend equivalents paid with respect to restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or other stock-based awards will be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the award with respect to which it is paid.

Minimum Vesting Requirements. No part of any award made under the 2019 Plan will vest or become exercisable before the first anniversary of the date such award is made or granted, except that an award may provide that it will immediately vest or become immediately exercisable, in whole or in part, upon a participant’s death, disability, termination from employment by us other than for Cause (as defined in the 2019 Plan) or upon the occurrence of a Change in Control Event (as defined in the 2019 Plan).

CEO Grants and Minimum Holding Period. Any award made to our chief executive officer must have a vesting schedule of three years or more and is subject to an additional one year holding period before any sale or transfer of shares that have vested under the award may take place other than sales to cover statutory tax obligations in respect of the vesting of such shares.

Independent Committee Administers Awards to Non-Employee Directors. Awards granted to non-employee directors must be granted and administered by a committee of the board of directors, all of the members of which are independent directors as defined by Section 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market Marketplace Rules.

Information Regarding Awards Granted under the 2019 Plan, Dilution.

As of August 31, 2020, 663,691 shares of common stock subject to unvested restricted stock awards issued under the 2019 Plan were outstanding and 3,901,176 shares of common stock were available for future grant under the 2019 Plan.

The information below excludes our 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. With respect to all of our stock incentive plans as of August 31, 2020:

 

   

Total number of shares available for grant under the 2019 Plan was 3,901,176;

 

   

Total number of shares available for grant under the 2018 Israeli Special Purpose Stock Plan was 25,920;

 

   

Total number of shares available for grant under the Andera Plan was 35,185, however we do not intend to issue shares from this plan;

 

   

Stock options covering 1,120 shares were outstanding;

 

  º   

the weighted average exercise price of such options was $6.89;

 

  º   

the weighted average remaining term of such options was 3.0 years; and

 

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Total number of shares underlying outstanding full value awards (i.e., awards that are not options or stock appreciation rights) was 2,196,143.

The 2019 Plan is, and the 2019 Plan, as amended, is intended to be, a broad-based plan that allows for the issuance of equity awards throughout our organization. In fiscal 2020, 77% of all equity awards issued by the company were issued to individuals other than executive officers.

In developing our share request for the 2019 Plan and analyzing the impact of utilizing equity on our shareholders, we considered our “burn rate”, which we consider to be a key metric of how our equity compensation program affects our shareholders.

Burn rate provides a measure of the potential dilutive impact of our equity award program which we calculate by dividing the number of shares subject to equity awards granted during the year by the basic weighted average number of shares outstanding. Set forth below is a table that reflects our burn rate for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 fiscal years as well as the average over those years.

 

  Fiscal Year

  

Options  
Granted  

   

Restricted  
Stock  
Granted  

   

Total  
Granted (2)  

   

Basic Weighted
Average Number of
Common Shares
Outstanding

   

Gross    
Burn    
Rate (1)    

 

  2020

           1,054,000     2,108,000     41,770,000     5.04%  

  2019

           1,279,000     2,559,000     40,612,000     6.30%  

  2018

           1,231,000     2,462,000     38,227,000     6.44%  

  Three-Year Average

           1,188,000     2,376,000     40,203,000     5.93%  

(1)    “Gross Burn Rate” is defined as the number of shares underlying equity awards granted in the year divided by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

(2)    “Total Granted” reflects the number of shares underlying equity awards granted in the year, adjusted by a burn-rate multiplier. The burn rate multiplier incorporates a measure of stock price volatility into the overall calculation. The current burn rate multiplier of 2.0 was applied for each of the fiscal years presented above.

Description of the 2019 Plan, as Proposed to be Amended

If our stockholders approve the amendment to the 2019 Plan, the 2019 Plan will remain unchanged in all respects other than the increase to the number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under the 2019 Plan by 2,200,000 shares, subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits and other similar events. Below is a brief summary of the 2019 Plan, as proposed to be amended. The full text of the 2019 Plan, including the proposed amendment, is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement.

Types of Awards; Shares Available for Awards; Share Counting Rules

The 2019 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, nonstatutory stock options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, and other stock-based awards as described below, which we collectively refer to as awards.

Subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock dividends or similar events, awards may be made under the 2019 Plan (any or all of which awards may be in the form of incentive stock options) for up to the sum of 3,200,000 shares of our common stock plus an additional number of shares that is equal of the number of shares that remained in the pool of shares under the Prior Plan at the time the 2019 Plan was approved by our stockholders as well as those shares that were subject to awards outstanding under the Prior Plan at the time the 2019 Plan was approved by our stockholders and that are subsequently terminated, surrendered, cancelled, forfeited or repurchased by us pursuant to a contractual repurchase right (subject, in the case of incentive stock options, to any limitations under the Code). The 2019 Plan provides that to the extent a share that is subject to an award granted under the Prior Plan that counted as 1.28 shares against the Prior Plan’s share reserve is made

 

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available for the award of future grants under the 2019 Plan, the share reserve of the 2019 Plan will be credited with 1.28 shares. Otherwise, each share of common stock subject to an award under the Prior Plan that becomes available for grant under the 2019 Plan will increase the 2019 Plan’s share reserve by one share.

The 2019 Plan uses a “fungible share” concept under which granting options and SARs removes from our available share pool one share of our common stock for each share in the award, while granting awards of restricted stock, RSUs or other stock-based awards where the per share purchase price for the award is less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant removes from our available share pool 1.28 shares of our common stock for each share in those forms of award. Shares of our common stock covered by awards under the 2019 Plan that are returned to the 2019 Plan as described below and become available for issuance pursuant to a new award will be credited back to the pool at the same rates described above.

The maximum number of shares with respect to which awards may be granted to any participant under the 2019 Plan may not exceed 500,000 shares per calendar year.

For purposes of counting the number of shares available for the grant of awards under the 2019 Plan, all shares of common stock covered by independent SARs will be counted against the number of shares available for the grant of awards.

Shares covered by awards under the 2019 Plan that expire or are terminated, surrendered, or cancelled without having been fully exercised or are forfeited in whole or in part (including as the result of shares subject to such award being repurchased by us at the original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right) or that result in any shares not being issued (including as a result of an independent SAR that was settleable either in cash or in stock actually being settled in cash) will again be available for the grant of awards under the 2019 Plan (subject, in the case of incentive stock options, to any limitations under the Code). In the case of the exercise of an independent SAR, the number of shares counted against the shares available for the grant of awards will be the full number of shares subject to the SAR multiplied by the percentage of the SAR actually exercised, regardless of the number of shares actually used to settle the SAR upon exercise.

Shares of common stock that are delivered (by actual delivery, attestation, or net exercise) to us by a participant to purchase shares of common stock upon exercise of an award or to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to awards (including shares retained from the award creating the tax obligation) will not be added back to the number of shares available for the future grant of awards under the 2019 Plan. Shares purchased by us on the open market using proceeds from the exercise of an award will not increase the number of shares available for future grant of awards.

In connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with us or our acquisition of property or stock of an entity, our board of directors may grant awards under the 2019 Plan in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted by such entity or an affiliate thereof on such terms as our board of directors deems appropriate in the circumstances, notwithstanding any limitation on awards contained in the 2019 Plan. Any such substitute awards will not count against the overall share limit of the 2019 Plan, except as required by reason of Section 422 and related provisions of the Code.

Descriptions of Awards

Options.    Optionees receive the right to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock at a specified exercise price and subject to the other terms and conditions that are specified in connection with the option grant. An option that is not intended to be an “incentive stock option” is a “nonstatutory stock option.” Options may not be granted at an exercise price that is less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. If our board of directors approves the grant of an option with an exercise price to be determined on a future date, the exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on that future date. Incentive stock options may not be granted at an exercise price less than 110% of the fair market value in the case of stock options granted to optionees holding more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock or any of our subsidiaries. Under the terms of the 2019 Plan, options may not be granted for a term in excess of ten years (and five years in the case of incentive stock options

 

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granted to optionees holding greater than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock or any of our subsidiaries). The 2019 Plan permits participants to pay the exercise price of options using one or more of the following manners of payment: (i) payment by cash or by check, (ii) except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable option agreement or approved by our board of directors, in connection with a “cashless exercise” through a broker, (iii) to the extent provided in the applicable option agreement or approved by our board of directors, and subject to certain conditions, by delivery of shares of common stock to us owned by the participant valued at their fair market value, (iv) to the extent provided in an applicable nonstatutory stock option agreement or approved by our board of directors, by delivery of a notice of “net exercise” as a result of which we will retain a number of shares of common stock otherwise issuable pursuant to the stock option equal to the aggregate exercise price for the portion of the option being exercised divided by the fair market value of our common stock on the date of exercise, (v) to the extent permitted by applicable law and provided for in the applicable option agreement or approved by our board of directors, by any other lawful means, or (vi) by any combination of these forms of payment. No option granted under the 2019 Plan may contain a provision entitling the participant to the automatic grant of additional options in connection with any exercise of the original option. No options granted under the 2019 Plan may provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents.

Stock Appreciation Rights.    An SAR is an award entitling the holder, upon exercise, to receive a number of shares of our common stock, or cash (or a combination of shares of our common stock and cash) determined by reference to appreciation, from and after the date of grant, in the fair market value of a share of our common stock over the measurement price. SARs may be granted independently or in tandem with an option. The 2019 Plan provides that the measurement price of an SAR may not be less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date the SAR is granted (provided, however, that if our board of directors approves the grant of an SAR effective as of a future date, the measurement price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value on such future date) and that SARs may not be granted with a term in excess of 10 years. No SARs granted under the 2019 Plan may contain a provision entitling the participant to the automatic grant of additional SARs in connection with any exercise of the original SAR. No SARs granted under the 2019 Plan may provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents.

Limitation on Repricing of Options or SARs.    With respect to options and SARs, unless such action is approved by stockholders or otherwise permitted under the terms of the 2019 Plan in connection with certain changes in capitalization and reorganization events, we may not (1) amend any outstanding option or SAR granted under the 2019 Plan to provide an exercise price or measurement price per share that is lower than the then-current exercise price or measurement price per share of such outstanding option or SAR, (2) cancel any outstanding option or SAR (whether or not granted under the 2019 Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new awards under the 2019 Plan (other than certain substitute awards described above) covering the same or a different number of shares of our common stock and having an exercise price or measurement price per share lower than the then-current exercise price or measurement price per share of the canceled option or SAR, (3) cancel in exchange for a cash payment any outstanding option or SAR with an exercise price or measurement price per share above the then-current fair market value of our common stock, or (4) take any other action under the 2019 Plan that constitutes a “repricing” within the meaning of the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Restricted Stock Awards.    Restricted stock awards entitle recipients to acquire shares of our common stock, subject to our right to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price (or to require forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost) in the event that the conditions specified in the applicable award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period established for such award. Any dividends (whether paid in cash, stock or property) declared and paid by us with respect to shares of restricted stock will be paid to the participant only if and when such shares become free from the restrictions on transferability and forfeitability that apply to such shares. No interest will be paid on any such unvested dividends.

Restricted Stock Units.    RSUs entitle the recipient to receive shares of our common stock, or cash equal to the fair market value of such shares, to be delivered at the time such award vests pursuant to the terms and conditions established by our board of directors. Our board of directors may provide that settlement of RSUs will

 

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be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the participant in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code. A participant has no voting rights with respect to any RSUs. An RSU award agreement may provide the participant with the right to receive an amount equal to any dividends or other distributions declared and paid on an equal number of outstanding shares of our common stock. Any such dividend equivalents may be settled in cash and/or shares of our common stock as set forth in the applicable award agreement and will be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the RSUs with respect to which such dividend equivalents are paid. No interest will be paid on any such dividend equivalents.

Other Stock-Based Awards.    Under the 2019 Plan, our board of directors may grant other awards of shares of our common stock, and other awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, shares of our common stock or other property, having such terms and conditions as our board of directors may determine. We refer to these types of awards as other stock-based awards. Other stock-based awards may be available as a form of payment in settlement of other awards granted under the 2019 Plan or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a participant is otherwise entitled. Other stock-based awards may be paid in shares of our common stock or in cash, as our board of directors may determine. The award agreement of an other stock-based award may provide the participant with the right to receive dividend equivalents. Dividend equivalents may be settled in cash and/or shares of our common stock as set forth in the applicable award agreement and will be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the other stock-based award with respect to which they are paid. No interest will be paid on any such dividend equivalents.

Transferability of Awards

Awards may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by a participant, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, other than in the case of an incentive stock option, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order. During the life of the participant, awards are exercisable only by the participant. However, except with respect to awards that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, our board of directors may permit or provide in an award for the gratuitous transfer of the award by the participant to or for the benefit of any immediate family member, family trust or other entity established for the benefit of the participant and/or an immediate family member thereof if we would be eligible to use a Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended for the registration of the sale of the common stock subject to such award to the proposed transferee. Further, we are not required to recognize any transfer until such time as the permitted transferee has, as a condition to the transfer, delivered to us a written instrument in form and substance satisfactory to us confirming that such transferee will be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the award. None of the restrictions described in this paragraph prohibit a transfer from the participant to us.

Eligibility to Receive Awards

All of our employees, officers, and directors, as well as our consultants and advisors, are eligible to receive awards under the 2019 Plan. However, incentive stock options may only be granted to our employees, employees of our present or future parent or subsidiary corporations, and employees of any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive incentive stock options under the Code.

Minimum Vesting and Holding Period.

The terms and conditions of any award made under the 2019 Plan must provide that no part of the award will vest or become exercisable before the first anniversary of the date such award is made or granted, except that an award may provide that it will immediately vest or become exercisable, in whole or in part, upon the participant’s death, disability, termination from employment by us other than for Cause, or upon the occurrence of a Change in Control Event. Any award made to our chief executive officer must have a vesting schedule of three years or more and, except with respect to sales necessary to cover statutory tax obligations upon vesting, be subject to an additional one year holding period before any sale or transfer of shares that have vested may take place.

 

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No Rights as a Stockholder; Clawback

No participant will have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of common stock to be issued with respect to an award granted under the 2019 Plan until becoming a record holder of such shares, subject to the terms of an award agreement. In accepting an award under the 2019 Plan, a participant agrees to be bound by any clawback policy that we have in effect or may adopt in the future.

Plan Benefits

As of August 31, 2020, approximately 2,400 persons were eligible to receive awards under the 2019 Plan, including 2,100 employees (excluding officers), five officers (all of whom are also employees), seven directors (excluding our chief executive officer, who is an officer), and 300 consultants. The granting of awards under the 2019 Plan is discretionary, and the company cannot now determine the number or type of awards to be granted in the future to any particular person or group. The table below sets forth, as of August 31, 2020, awards that have been granted under the 2019 Plan.

 

  Name and Position

  Number of Shares of    
Restricted Stock    
    Number of Stock Options    

Robert A. Eberle

    —         —    

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

   

Richard D. Booth

    —         —    

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

   

Norman J. DeLuca

    —         —    

Managing Director, Banking Solutions

   

John F. Kelly

    —         —    

General Manager, Legal Solutions

   

Nigel K. Savory

    —         —    

Managing Director, Europe

   

All Executive Officers (5 persons)

    —         —    

All Non Executive Directors (7 persons)

    35,000       —    

Each nominee for election as a director:

   

Kenneth J. D’Amato

    5,000       —    

Robert A. Eberle

    —      

Jeffrey C. Leathe

    5,000       —    

All employees and former directors, but excluding all current executive officers and current non executive directors (1)

    347,889       —    

(1) Includes shares that were subsequently forfeited due to employee departures.

On August 31, 2020, the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market was $47.63.

Administration

The 2019 Plan is administered by our board of directors. Our board of directors has the authority to grant awards and to adopt, amend and repeal the administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the 2019 Plan that it deems advisable and to construe and interpret the provisions of the 2019 Plan and any award agreements

 

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entered into under the 2019 Plan. Our board of directors may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the 2019 Plan or any award in the manner and to the extent the board deems expedient to carry the 2019 Plan into effect and the board is the sole and final judge of that expedience. All decisions by our board of directors with respect to the 2019 Plan and any awards made under the 2019 Plan will be made at our board of directors’ discretion and will be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the 2019 Plan or in any award.

Pursuant to the terms of the 2019 Plan, our board of directors may delegate any or all of its powers under the 2019 Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees of our board of directors. The board of directors has authorized the Committee to administer certain aspects of the 2019 Plan, including the granting of awards to executive officers. Awards granted to non-employee directors must be granted and administered by a committee of the board of directors, all of the members of which are independent directors as defined by Section 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market Marketplace Rules.

Subject to the requirements of applicable law and any limitations under the 2019 Plan, the board of directors may delegate to one or more of our officers the power to grant awards to our employees or officers and to exercise such other powers under the 2019 Plan as the board of directors may determine. The board of directors fixes the terms of awards to be granted by such officers, the maximum number of shares subject to such awards that the officers may grant, and the time period in which such awards may be granted. No officer will be authorized to grant awards to any “executive officer” or “officer” of ours, as such terms are defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Subject to any applicable limitations contained in the 2019 Plan, the board of directors, the Committee, or any other committee or officer to whom the board of directors delegates authority, as the case may be, selects the recipients of awards and determines (i) the number of shares of common stock, cash or other consideration covered by awards and the terms and conditions of such awards, including the dates upon which such awards become exercisable or otherwise vest, (ii) the exercise or measurement price of awards, if any, and (iii) the duration of awards.

Each award under the 2019 Plan may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other award. The terms of each award need not be identical, and our board of directors need not treat participants uniformly. Our board of directors will determine the effect on an award of the disability, death, termination or other cessation of employment, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a participant, and the extent to which, and the period during which, the participant (or the participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or designated beneficiary) may exercise rights or receive any benefits under an award. The board of directors may at any time provide that any award will become immediately exercisable in whole or in part, free from some or all restrictions or conditions or otherwise realizable in whole or in part, as the case may be.

In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of our common stock, other than an ordinary cash dividend, we are required to make equitable adjustments (or make substituted awards, as applicable), in the manner determined by our board of directors, to (i) the number and class of securities available under the 2019 Plan, (ii) the sublimit and share counting rules set forth in the 2019 Plan, (iii) the number and class of securities and exercise price per share of each outstanding option, (iv) the share- and per-share provisions and the measurement price of each outstanding SAR, (v) the number of shares subject to and the repurchase price per share subject to each outstanding award of restricted stock, and (vi) the share and per-share-related provisions and the purchase price, if any, of each outstanding award of RSUs and each outstanding other stock-based award.

We will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, employee or agent to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the 2019 Plan has been or will be delegated against any cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with our board of directors’ approval) arising out of any act or omission to act concerning the 2019 Plan unless arising out of such person’s own fraud or bad faith.

 

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Amendment of Awards.    Except as otherwise provided under the 2019 Plan with respect to actions requiring stockholder approval, our board of directors may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or realization, and converting an incentive stock option to a nonstatutory stock option, provided that the participant’s consent to any such action will be required unless our board of directors determines that the action, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the participant’s rights under the 2019 Plan or the change is otherwise permitted under the terms of the 2019 Plan in connection with a change in capitalization or reorganization event.

Reorganization Events

The 2019 Plan contains provisions addressing the consequences of any reorganization event. A reorganization event is defined under the 2019 Plan as (a) any merger or consolidation of us with or into another entity as a result of which all of our common stock is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property, or is cancelled, (b) any transfer or disposition of all of our common stock for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange or other transaction or (c) our liquidation or dissolution.

Provisions Applicable to Awards Other than Restricted Stock.    Under the 2019 Plan, if a reorganization event occurs, our board of directors may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding awards other than restricted stock on such terms as our board of directors determines (except to the extent specifically provided otherwise in an applicable award agreement or another agreement between a participant and us): (1) provide that such awards will be assumed, or substantially equivalent awards will be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), (2) upon written notice to a participant, provide that such awards held by the participant, to the extent unexercised, will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such reorganization event unless exercised by the participant within a specified period following the date of such notice, (3) provide that outstanding awards will become exercisable, realizable, or deliverable, or restrictions applicable to an award will lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon such reorganization event, (4) in the event of a reorganization event under the terms of which holders of our common stock will receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share surrendered in the reorganization event, which we refer to as the Acquisition Price, make or provide for a cash payment to participants with respect to such awards held by a participant equal to (A) the number of shares of our common stock subject to the vested portion of the award (after giving effect to any acceleration of vesting that occurs upon or immediately prior to such reorganization event) multiplied by (B) the excess, if any, of (I) the Acquisition Price over (II) the exercise, measurement or purchase price of such award and any applicable tax withholdings, in exchange for the termination of such award, (5) provide that, in connection with our liquidation or dissolution, awards will convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise, measurement or purchase price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings) and (6) any combination of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the treatment of RSUs in connection with a reorganization event that are subject to Section 409A will be limited by the terms thereof.

Provisions Applicable to Restricted Stock.    Upon the occurrence of a reorganization event other than our liquidation or dissolution, our repurchase and other rights with respect to outstanding restricted stock will inure to the benefit of our successor and will, unless our board of directors determines otherwise, apply to the cash, securities or other property which our common stock was converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such reorganization event in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to such restricted stock. However, our board of directors may provide either for termination or deemed satisfaction of such repurchase or other rights under the instrument evidencing an award of restricted stock or any other agreement between a participant and us, either initially or by amendment. Upon the occurrence of a reorganization event involving our liquidation or dissolution, except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any award of restricted stock or any other agreement between the participant and us, all restrictions and conditions on all awards of restricted stock then outstanding will automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied.

 

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In taking any of the actions permitted upon a reorganization event, our board of directors is not obligated to treat all awards, all awards held by a participant, or all awards of the same type, identically.

Change in Control Events

If a Change in Control Event occurs, provided such treatment is more favorable than the treatment provided upon a reorganization event and except as provided to the contrary in an instrument evidencing an option or any other agreement between a participant and us, the vesting schedule of each option will be accelerated in part so that the number of shares that would have otherwise become vested on any date within one year after the date of the Change in Control Event will immediately become vested. Subject to the following sentence, the remaining shares will continue to become vested in each case one year in advance of the original vesting schedule set forth for such option. Additionally, each option will be immediately exercisable in full if, on or prior to the second anniversary of the date of the consummation of the Change in Control Event, the participant’s employment with us or the acquiring or succeeding corporation is terminated for Good Reason (as defined in the 2019 Plan) by the participant or is terminated without Cause (as defined in the 2019 Plan) by us or the acquiring or succeeding corporation.

In addition, if a Change in Control Event occurs, provided such treatment is more favorable than the treatment provided upon a reorganization event and except as provided to the contrary in an instrument evidencing an award of restricted stock or RSUs or any other agreement between a participant and us, the vesting schedule of each award of restricted stock or RSUs will be accelerated in part so that the number of shares that would have otherwise become vested on any date within one year after the date of the Change in Control Event will immediately become vested. Subject to the following sentence, the remaining shares will continue to become vested in each case one year in advance of the original schedule set forth for such award of restricted stock or RSUs. Additionally, each award of restricted stock or RSUs will immediately become vested if, on or prior to the second anniversary of the date of the consummation of the Change in Control Event, the participant’s employment with us or the acquiring or succeeding corporation is terminated for Good Reason by the participant or is terminated without Cause by us or the acquiring or succeeding corporation.

If a Change in Control Event occurs, provided such treatment is more favorable than the treatment provided upon a reorganization event, performance based conditions will be deemed satisfied at the target level of achievement upon consummation of the Change in Control Event and awards will otherwise continue to be subject to their original service-based vesting requirements (if any) and be accelerated, if applicable as provided above.

In taking any of the actions permitted upon a Change in Control Event, our board of directors is not obligated to treat all awards, all awards held by a participant, or all awards of the same type, identically.

Provisions for Foreign Participants

The board of directors may modify awards granted to participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or establish one or more subplans under the 2019 Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable securities or tax laws of various jurisdictions.

Amendment or Termination

No award may be granted under the 2019 Plan after November 20, 2029, but awards previously granted may extend beyond that date. Our board of directors may amend, suspend or terminate the 2019 Plan or any portion of the 2019 Plan at any time, except that no amendment that would require stockholder approval under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market may be made effective unless and until such amendment has been approved by our stockholders. If the Nasdaq Stock Market does not have rules regarding when stockholder approval of amendments to equity compensation plans is required, no amendment of the 2019 Plan materially increasing the number of shares authorized under the plan, expanding the types of awards that may be granted under the plan, or materially expanding the class of participants eligible to participate in the plan, will be effective unless and until our stockholders approve such amendment. If at any time the approval of our stockholders is required as to any

 

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other modification or amendment under Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision with respect to incentive stock options, our board of directors may not effect such modification or amendment without such approval. Unless otherwise specified in the amendment, any amendment to the 2019 Plan adopted in accordance with the procedures described above will apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all awards outstanding under the 2019 Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided that our board of directors determines that such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of participants under the 2019 Plan. No award will be made that is conditioned on stockholder approval of any amendment to the 2019 Plan unless the award provides that (i) it will terminate or be forfeited if stockholder approval of such amendment is not obtained within 12 months from the date the award was granted and (ii) it may not be exercised or settled (or otherwise result in the issuance of shares of our common stock) prior to the receipt of such stockholder approval.

If stockholders do not approve the amendment to the 2019 Plan, the Company may not have sufficient shares to make awards to its employees and other service providers. In this event, the board of directors will consider whether to adopt alternative arrangements based on its assessment of our needs.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a summary of the United States federal income tax consequences that generally will arise with respect to awards granted under the 2019 Plan. This summary is based on the federal tax laws in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. In addition, this summary assumes that all awards are exempt from, or comply with, the rules under Section 409A of the Code regarding nonqualified deferred compensation. Changes to these laws could alter the tax consequences described below.

Incentive Stock Options.    A participant will not have income upon the grant of an incentive stock option. Also, except as described below, a participant will not have income upon exercise of an incentive stock option if the participant has been employed by us or our corporate parent or 50% or majority-owned corporate subsidiary at all times beginning with the option grant date and ending three months before the date the participant exercises the option. If the participant has not been so employed during that time, then the participant will be taxed as described below under “Nonstatutory Stock Options.” The exercise of an incentive stock option may subject the participant to the alternative minimum tax.

A participant will have income upon the sale of the stock acquired under an incentive stock option at a profit (if sales proceeds exceed the exercise price). The type of income will depend on when the participant sells the stock. If a participant sells the stock more than two years after the option was granted and more than one year after the option was exercised, then all of the profit will be long-term capital gain. If a participant sells the stock prior to satisfying these waiting periods, then the participant will have engaged in a disqualifying disposition and a portion of the profit will be ordinary income and a portion may be capital gain. This capital gain will be long-term if the participant has held the stock for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term. If a participant sells the stock at a loss (sales proceeds are less than the exercise price), then the loss will be a capital loss. This capital loss will be long-term if the participant held the stock for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term.

Nonstatutory Stock Options    A participant will not have income upon the grant of a nonstatutory stock option. A participant will have compensation income upon the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option equal to the value of the stock on the day the participant exercised the option less the exercise price. Upon sale of the stock, the participant will have capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the sales proceeds and the value of the stock on the day the option was exercised. This capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant has held the stock for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term.

Stock Appreciation Rights.    A participant will not have income upon the grant of a stock appreciation right. A participant generally will recognize compensation income upon the exercise of an SAR equal to the amount of the cash and the fair market value of any stock received. Upon the sale of the stock, the participant will have capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the sales proceeds and the value of the stock on the day the SAR was exercised. This capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant held the stock for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term.

 

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Restricted Stock Awards.    A participant will not have income upon the grant of restricted stock unless the participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code within 30 days of the date of grant. If a timely 83(b) election is made, then a participant will have compensation income equal to the value of the stock less the purchase price. When the stock is sold, the participant will have capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the sales proceeds and the value of the stock on the date of grant. If the participant does not make an 83(b) election, then when the stock vests the participant will have compensation income equal to the value of the stock on the vesting date less the purchase price. When the stock is sold, the participant will have capital gain or loss equal to the sales proceeds less the value of the stock on the vesting date. Any capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant held the stock for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term.

Restricted Stock Units.    A participant will not have income upon the grant of a restricted stock unit. A participant is not permitted to make a Section 83(b) election with respect to a restricted stock unit award. When the restricted stock unit vests, the participant will have income on the vesting date in an amount equal to the fair market value of the stock on the vesting date less the purchase price, if any. When the stock is sold, the participant will have capital gain or loss equal to the sales proceeds less the value of the stock on the vesting date. Any capital gain or loss will be long-term if the participant held the stock for more than one year and otherwise will be short-term.

Other Stock-Based Awards.    The tax consequences associated with any other stock-based award granted under the 2019 Plan will vary depending on the specific terms of such award. Among the relevant factors are whether or not the award has a readily ascertainable fair market value, whether or not the award is subject to forfeiture provisions or restrictions on transfer, the nature of the property to be received by the participant under the award, and the participant’s holding period and tax basis for the award or underlying common stock.

Tax Consequences to Us.    There will be no tax consequences to us except that we will be entitled to a deduction when a participant has compensation income. Any such deduction will be subject to the limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code.

The Board recommends a vote FOR Proposal 3.

 

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PROPOSAL 4—RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The audit committee of our Board of Directors has selected Ernst & Young LLP as our registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2021, subject to ratification by our stockholders at the annual meeting. Ernst & Young LLP has served in this role since 1991. If our stockholders do not ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP, our audit committee will reconsider the matter.

A representative of Ernst & Young LLP, which served as our registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2020, is expected to be present at the annual meeting to respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement if he or she so desires. Even if the selection of Ernst & Young LLP is ratified, our audit committee may, in its discretion, select a different registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if our audit committee determines that such a change would be in the best interest of Bottomline and its stockholders.

The Board recommends a vote FOR Proposal 4.

 

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2021 ANNUAL MEETING

Any proposal that a stockholder intends to present at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders must be submitted to our principal executive offices at 325 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, Attention: Corporate Secretary, no later than June 17, 2021 in order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and proxy card relating to the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders. However, if the date of our 2021 annual meeting is prior to October 20, 2021 or after December 19, 2021, the deadline is 10 business days before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials for the 2021 annual meeting.

If a stockholder wishes to present a proposal at the 2021 annual meeting but has not complied with the requirements for inclusion of the proposal in our proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, the stockholder must also give notice of the proposal to our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices. Our amended and restated bylaws, as amended, require that we be given advance written notice of stockholder nominations regarding election to our Board of Directors and certain other matters which stockholders wish to present for action at an annual meeting of stockholders (other than matters included in our proxy statement discussed above). We must receive this notice at least 60 days, but not more than 90 days, prior to the date of the 2021 annual meeting, which is expected to be November 18, 2021; provided that if less than 70 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given to stockholders, such notice must instead be received no later than the tenth day following the date on which the notice of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made, whichever occurs first. Our bylaws also specify requirements relating to the content of the notice which stockholders must provide, including for stockholder nominations for director, in order for such proposals or nominations to be properly presented at a stockholder meeting.

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY STATEMENT

Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of “householding” proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of our proxy statement or annual report may have been sent to multiple stockholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a separate copy of our annual report and/or proxy statement to you if you call or write us at the following address or phone number: Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., 325 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, Attention: Corporate Secretary, (603) 436-0700. If you would like to receive separate copies of the annual report and proxy statement in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive only one copy for your household, you should contact your bank, broker, or other nominee record holder, or you may contact us at the above address and phone number.

OTHER MATTERS

Our Board of Directors knows of no other business that will be presented for consideration at the annual meeting other than that described above. Under our bylaws, the deadline for stockholders to notify us of any proposals or director nominations to be presented at the annual meeting has passed. However, if any other business should come before the annual meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote, or otherwise act, in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.

We will bear the costs of soliciting proxies. In addition to solicitations by mail, our directors, officers and regular employees may, without additional remuneration, solicit proxies by telephone, telegraph, facsimile and personal interviews. We will also request brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward copies of the proxy material to those persons for whom they hold shares and request instructions for voting the proxies. We will reimburse brokerage houses and other persons for their reasonable expenses in connection with this distribution. In addition, we have retained Mackenzie Partners, Inc. to act as a proxy solicitor in conjunction with the annual meeting, and have agreed to pay that firm $9,000, plus reasonable expenses, for proxy solicitation services.

 

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We encourage you to attend the annual meeting in person. However, in order to make sure that you are represented at the annual meeting, if you are a stockholder of record we urge you to complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card, in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope, or vote by phone or internet according to the instructions on the proxy card, as promptly as possible. If the shares you own are held in “street name” by a bank or broker, please follow the voting instructions provided to you by your bank or broker. If you are a stockholder of record and attend the meeting in person, you may vote your stock personally even if you have sent in your proxy card or voted by phone or internet. If you hold your shares in street name and wish to vote in person at the annual meeting, please contact your bank or broker for instructions.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,

 

/s/    Joseph L. Mullen

Joseph L. Mullen

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

October 19, 2020

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

 

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Appendix A

BOTTOMLINE TECHNOLOGIES (de), INC.

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO 2019 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

The 2019 Stock Incentive Plan of Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., pursuant to Section 11(d) thereof, is hereby amended as follows:

Section 4(a)(1) is hereby amended by deleting the first sentence thereof and inserting the following new first sentence to read in its entirety as follows:

“(1) Authorized Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards may be made under the Plan (any or all of which Awards may be in the form of Incentive Stock Options, as defined in Section 5(b)) for up to (i) 3,200,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), plus (ii) such additional number of shares of Common Stock as is equal to the number of shares of Common Stock remaining in the pool of shares under the Company’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”), as well as those subject to awards granted under the Prior Plan if those awards expire, terminate or are otherwise surrendered, canceled, forfeited or repurchased by the Company at their original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right (subject, however, in the case of Incentive Stock Options to any limitations of the Code).”

Approved by the Annual Meeting Committee of the Board of Directors on October 14, 2020, pursuant to delegated authority granted by the Board of Directors on September 18, 2020.

Approved by Stockholders on                , 2020.

 

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BOTTOMLINE TECHNOLOGIES (de), INC.

2019 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.

Purpose

The purpose of this 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Bottomline” or the “Company”), is to advance the interests of the Company’s stockholders by enhancing the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who are expected to make important contributions to the Company and by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities that are intended to better align the interests of such persons with those of the Company’s stockholders. Except where the context otherwise requires, the term “Company” shall include any of the Company’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations thereunder (the “Code”) and any other business venture (including, without limitation, joint venture or limited liability company) in which the Company has a controlling interest, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).

 

2.

Eligibility

All of the Company’s employees, officers, and directors are eligible to be granted options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards (each, an “Award”) under the Plan. Awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units may include performance-based awards. Consultants and advisors to the Company (as such terms are defined and interpreted for purposes of Form S-8 (or any successor form)) are also eligible to be granted Awards. Each person who is granted an Award under the Plan is deemed a “Participant.”

 

3.

Administration and Delegation

(a)        Administration by Board of Directors. The Plan will be administered by the Board. The Board shall have authority to grant Awards and to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable. The Board may construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and any Award agreements entered into under the Plan. The Board may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem expedient to carry the Plan into effect and it shall be the sole and final judge of such expediency. All decisions by the Board shall be made in the Board’s discretion and shall be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award.

(b)        Appointment of Committees. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board (a “Committee”). All references in the Plan to the “Board” shall mean the Board or a Committee of the Board or the officers referred to in Section 3(c) to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee or officers.

(c)        Delegation to Officers. Subject to any requirements of applicable law (including as applicable Sections 152 and 157(c) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware), the Board may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the power to grant Awards (subject to any limitations under the Plan) to employees or officers of the Company and to exercise such other powers under the Plan as the Board may determine, provided that the Board shall fix the terms of Awards to be granted by such officers, the maximum number of shares subject to Awards that the officers may grant, and the time period in which such Awards may be granted; and provided further, that no officer shall be authorized to grant Awards to any “executive officer” of the Company (as defined by Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) or to any “officer” of the Company (as defined by Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act).

 

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(d)        Awards to Non-Employee Directors. Awards to non-employee directors will be granted and administered by a Committee, all of the members of which are independent directors as defined by Section 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) Marketplace Rules.

 

4.

Stock Available for Awards

(a)        Number of Shares; Share Counting.

(1)        Authorized Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Section 9, Awards may be made under the Plan (any or all of which Awards may be in the form of Incentive Stock Options, as defined in Section 5(b)) for up to (i) 1.0 million shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), plus (ii) such additional number of shares of Common Stock as is equal to the number of shares of Common Stock remaining in the pool of shares under the Company’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Existing Plan”), as well as those subject to awards granted under the Existing Plan if those awards expire, terminate or are otherwise surrendered, canceled, forfeited or repurchased by the Company at their original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right (subject, however, in the case of Incentive Stock Options to any limitations of the Code. Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.

(2)        Fungible Share Pool. Subject to adjustment under Section 9, any Award that is not a Full-Value Award shall be counted against the share limits specified in Section 4(a)(1) as one share for each share of Common Stock subject to such Award and any Award that is a Full-Value Award shall be counted against the share limits specified in Section 4(a)(1) as 1.28 shares for each one share of Common Stock subject to such Full-Value Award. “Full-Value Award” means any award of Restricted Stock, any award of RSUs or any Other Stock-Based Award with a per share price or per unit purchase price lower than 100% of Fair Market Value (as defined below) on the date of grant. To the extent a share that was subject to an Award granted under the Plan or an award granted under the Existing Plan that counted as one share is returned to the Plan pursuant to Section 4(a)(1) or 4(a)(3), as applicable, the share reserve shall be credited with one share. To the extent a share that was subject to an Award granted under the Plan or an award granted under the Existing Plan that counted as 1.28 shares is returned to the Plan pursuant to Section 4(a)(1) or 4(a)(3), as applicable, the share reserve shall be credited with 1.28 shares.

(3)        Share Counting. For purposes of counting the number of shares available for the grant of Awards under the Plan, (i) all shares of Common Stock covered by independent SARs shall be counted against the number of shares available for the grant of Awards; (ii) if any Award (A) expires or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised or is forfeited in whole or in part (including as the result of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award being repurchased by the Company at the original issuance price pursuant to a contractual repurchase right) or (B) results in any Common Stock not being issued (including as a result of an independent SAR that was settleable either in cash or in stock actually being settled in cash), the unused Common Stock covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards; provided, however, in the case of Incentive Stock Options, the foregoing shall be subject to any limitations under the Code; and provided further, in the case of independent SARs, the number of shares counted against the shares available under the Plan shall be the full number of shares subject to the SAR multiplied by the percentage of the SAR actually exercised, regardless of the number of shares actually used to settle such SAR upon exercise; (iii) shares of Common Stock delivered (either by actual delivery, attestation, or net exercise) to the Company by a Participant to (A) purchase shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an Award or (B) satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to Awards (including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation) shall not be added back to the number of shares available for the future grant of Awards; and (iv) shares of Common Stock repurchased by the Company on the open market using the proceeds from the exercise of an Award shall not increase the number of shares available for future grant of Awards.

(b)        Per-Participant Limit. Subject to adjustment under Section 9, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Awards may be granted to any Participant under the Plan shall be 500,000

 

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per calendar year. For purposes of the foregoing limit, the combination of an Option in tandem with an SAR shall be treated as a single Award.

(c)        Substitute Awards. In connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock of an entity, the Board may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted by such entity or an affiliate thereof. Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Board deems appropriate in the circumstances, notwithstanding any limitations on Awards contained in the Plan. Substitute Awards shall not count against the overall share limit set forth in Section 4(a)(1), except as may be required by reason of Section 422 and related provisions of the Code.

 

5.

Stock Options

(a)        General. The Board may grant options to purchase Common Stock (each, an “Option”) and determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions relating to applicable federal or state securities laws, as the Board considers necessary or advisable. An Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be designated a “Nonstatutory Stock Option.”

(b)        Incentive Stock Options. An Option that the Board intends to be an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code (an “Incentive Stock Option”) shall only be granted to employees of Bottomline, any of Bottomline’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code, and shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other person, if an Option (or any part thereof) that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option is not an Incentive Stock Option or if the Company converts an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

(c)        Exercise Price. The Board shall establish the exercise price of each Option and specify the exercise price in the applicable Option agreement. The exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined below) on the date the Option is granted; provided that if the Board approves the grant of an Option with an exercise price to be determined on a future date, the exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on such future date.

(d)        Duration of Options. Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable Option agreement; provided, however, that no Option will be granted with a term in excess of 10 years.

(e)        Exercise of Options. Options may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a notice of exercise in a form (which may be electronic and which may be provided to a third party equity plan administrator) approved by the Company, together with payment in full (in the manner specified in Section 5(f)) of the exercise price for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised. Shares of Common Stock subject to the Option will be delivered by the Company as soon as practicable following exercise.

(f)        Payment Upon Exercise. Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for as follows:

(1)        in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company;

(2)        except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, by (i) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding or (ii) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a creditworthy broker to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding;

 

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(3)        to the extent provided for in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, in its discretion, by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant valued at their fair market value as determined by (or in a manner approved by) the Board (“Fair Market Value”), provided (i) such method of payment is then permitted under applicable law, (ii) such Common Stock, if acquired directly from the Company, was owned by the Participant for such minimum period of time, if any, as may be established by the Board in its discretion and (iii) such Common Stock is not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements;

(4)        to the extent provided for in the applicable Nonstatutory Stock Option agreement or approved by the Board, by delivery of a notice of “net exercise” to the Company, as a result of which the Participant would receive (i) the number of shares underlying the portion of the Option being exercised, less (ii) such number of shares as is equal to (A) the aggregate exercise price for the portion of the Option being exercised divided by (B) the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of exercise;

(5)        to the extent permitted by applicable law and provided for in the applicable Option agreement or approved by the Board, in its discretion, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Board may determine; or

(6) by any combination of the above permitted forms of payment.

(g)        Limitation on Repricing. Unless such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders, the Company may not (except as provided for under Section 9): (1) amend any outstanding Option granted under the Plan to provide an exercise price per share that is lower than the then-current exercise price per share of such outstanding Option, (2) cancel any outstanding option (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new Awards under the Plan (other than Awards granted pursuant to Section 4(c)) covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock and having an exercise price per share lower than the then-current exercise price per share of the canceled option, (3) cancel in exchange for a cash payment any outstanding Option with an exercise price per share above the then-current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, or (4) take any other action under the Plan that constitutes a “repricing” within the meaning of the rules of Nasdaq.

(h)        No Reload Options. No Option granted under the Plan shall contain any provision entitling the Participant to the automatic grant of additional Options in connection with any exercise of the original Option.

(i)        No Dividend Equivalents. No Option shall provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents.

 

6.

Stock Appreciation Rights

(a)        General. The Board may grant Awards consisting of SARs entitling the holder, upon exercise, to receive an amount of Common Stock or cash or a combination thereof (such form to be determined by the Board) determined by reference to appreciation, from and after the date of grant, in the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock over the measurement price established pursuant to Section 6(c). The date as of which such appreciation is determined shall be the exercise date.

(b)        Grants. SARs may be granted in tandem with, or independently of, Options granted under the Plan.

(1)  Tandem Awards. When SARs are expressly granted in tandem with Options, (i) the SAR will be exercisable only at such time or times, and to the extent, that the related Option is exercisable (except to the extent designated by the Board in connection with a Reorganization Event or a Change in Control Event) and will be exercisable in accordance with the procedure required for exercise of the related Option; (ii) the SAR will

 

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terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the related Option, except to the extent designated by the Board in connection with a Reorganization Event or a Change in Control Event and except that a SAR granted with respect to less than the full number of shares covered by an Option will not be reduced until the number of shares as to which the related Option has been exercised or has terminated exceeds the number of shares not covered by the SAR; (iii) the Option will terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the exercise of the related SAR; and (iv) the SAR will be transferable only with the related Option.

(2)  Independent SARs. A SAR not expressly granted in tandem with an Option will become exercisable at such time or times, and on such conditions, as the Board may specify in the SAR Award.

(c)        Measurement Price. The Board shall establish the measurement price of each SAR and specify it in the applicable SAR agreement. The measurement price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date the SAR is granted; provided that if the Board approves the grant of a SAR with a measurement price to be determined on a future date, the measurement price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on such future date.

(d)        Duration of SARs. Each SAR shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may specify in the applicable SAR agreement; provided, however, that no SAR will be granted with a term in excess of 10 years.

(e)        Exercise of SARs. SARs may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a notice of exercise in a form (which may be electronic) approved by the Company, together with any other documents required by the Board.

(f)        Limitation on Repricing. Unless such action is approved by the Company’s stockholders, the Company may not (except as provided for under Section 9): (1) amend any outstanding SAR granted under the Plan to provide a measurement price per share that is lower than the then-current measurement price per share of such outstanding SAR, (2) cancel any outstanding SAR (whether or not granted under the Plan) and grant in substitution therefor new Awards under the Plan (other than Awards granted pursuant to Section 4(c)) covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock and having a measurement price per share lower than the then-current measurement price per share of the canceled SAR, (3) cancel in exchange for a cash payment any outstanding SAR with a measurement price per share above the then-current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, or (4) take any other action under the Plan that constitutes a “repricing” within the meaning of the rules of Nasdaq.

(g)        No Reload SARs. No SAR granted under the Plan shall contain any provision entitling the Participant to the automatic grant of additional SARs in connection with any exercise of the original SAR.

(h)        No Dividend Equivalents. No SAR shall provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents

 

7.

Restricted Stock; Restricted Stock Units

(a)        General. The Board may grant Awards entitling recipients to acquire shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Stock”), subject to the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price (or to require forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost) from the recipient in the event that conditions specified by the Board in the applicable Award are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period or periods established by the Board for such Award. Instead of granting Awards for Restricted Stock, the Board may grant restricted stock units entitling the recipient to receive shares of Common Stock or cash to be delivered at the time such Award vests (“RSUs”). Restricted Stock and RSUs may include performance-based awards.

 

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(b)        Terms and Conditions for All Restricted Stock and RSU Awards. The Board or the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of Restricted Stock or RSUs, including the conditions for vesting and repurchase (or forfeiture) and the issue price, if any; provided, however, that the minimum vesting period of Restricted Stock or RSUs shall be at least one year.

(c)        Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock.

(1)        Dividends. Any dividends (whether paid in cash, stock or property) declared and paid by the Company with respect to shares of Restricted Stock (“Unvested Dividends”) shall be paid to the Participant only if and when such shares become free from the restrictions on transferability and forfeitability that apply to such shares. Each payment of Unvested Dividends will be made no later than the end of the calendar year in which the dividends are paid to stockholders of that class of stock or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the lapsing of the restrictions on transferability and the forfeitability provisions applicable to the underlying shares of Restricted Stock. No interest will be paid on Unvested Dividends.

(2)        Stock Certificates. The Company may require that any stock certificates issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, as well as dividends or distributions paid on such Restricted Stock, shall be deposited in escrow by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee). At the expiration of the applicable restriction periods, the Company (or such designee) shall deliver the certificates no longer subject to such restrictions to the Participant or if the Participant has died to his or her Designated Beneficiary. “Designated Beneficiary” means (i) the beneficiary designated, in a manner determined by the Board, by a Participant to receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant’s death or (ii) in the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, the Participant’s estate.

(d)        Additional Provisions Relating to RSUs.

(1)        Settlement. Upon the vesting of and/or lapsing of any other restrictions (i.e., settlement) with respect to RSUs, the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company the number of shares of Common Stock specified in the Award agreement or (if so provided in the applicable Award agreement or otherwise determined by the Board) an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such number of shares or a combination thereof. The Board may provide that settlement of RSUs shall be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code or any successor provision thereto, and the regulations thereunder (“Section 409A”).

(2)        Voting Rights. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any RSUs.

(3)        Dividend Equivalents. The Award agreement for RSUs may provide Participants with the right to receive an amount equal to any dividends or other distributions declared and paid on an equal number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (“Dividend Equivalents”). Dividend Equivalents will be credited to an account for the Participant, may be settled in cash and/or shares of Common Stock as set forth in the applicable Award agreement, and shall be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the RSUs with respect to which paid. No interest will be paid on Dividend Equivalents.

 

8.

Other Stock-Based Awards

(a)        General. Other Awards of shares of Common Stock, and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, shares of Common Stock or other property, may be granted hereunder to Participants (“Other Stock-Based Awards”), including without limitation Awards entitling recipients to receive shares of Common Stock to be delivered in the future. Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Stock-Based Awards may be paid in shares of Common Stock or cash, as the Board shall determine.

 

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(b)        Terms and Conditions. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board shall determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock-Based Award, including any purchase price applicable thereto.

(c)        Dividend Equivalents. The Award agreement for an Other Stock-Based Award may provide Participants with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents. Dividend Equivalents will be credited to an account for the Participant, may be settled in cash and/or shares of Common Stock as set forth in the applicable Award agreement, and shall be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the RSUs with respect to which paid. No interest will be paid on Dividend Equivalents.

 

9.

Adjustments for Changes in Common Stock and Certain Other Events.

(a)        Changes in Capitalization. In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, reclassification of shares, spin-off or other similar change in capitalization or event, or any dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock other than an ordinary cash dividend, (i) the number and class of securities available under the Plan, (ii) the sub-limit and share counting rules set forth in Sections 4(a) and 4(b), (iii) the number and class of securities and exercise price per share of each outstanding Option, (iv) the share- and per-share provisions and the measurement price of each SAR, (v) the number of shares subject to and the repurchase price per share subject to each outstanding award of Restricted Stock and (vi) the share- and per-share-related provisions and the purchase price, if any, of each award of RSUs and each outstanding Other Stock-Based Award, shall be equitably adjusted by the Company (or substituted Awards may be made, if applicable) in the manner determined by the Board. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event the Company effects a split of the Common Stock by means of a stock dividend and the exercise price of and the number of shares subject to an outstanding Option are adjusted as of the date of the distribution of the dividend (rather than as of the record date for such dividend), then an optionee who exercises an Option between the record date and the distribution date for such stock dividend shall be entitled to receive, on the distribution date, the stock dividend with respect to the shares of Common Stock acquired upon such Option exercise, notwithstanding the fact that such shares were not outstanding as of the close of business on the record date for such stock dividend.

(b)        Reorganization Events.

(1)        Definition. A “Reorganization Event” shall mean: (a) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which all of the Common Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property or is canceled, (b) any transfer or disposition of all of the Common Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property pursuant to a share exchange or other transaction or (c) any liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(2)        Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Awards Other than Restricted Stock.

(A)        In connection with a Reorganization Event, the Board may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding Awards other than Restricted Stock on such terms as the Board determines (except to the extent specifically provided otherwise in an applicable Award agreement or another agreement between the Company and the Participant or to the extent Section 9(d) applies): (i) provide that such Awards shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent Awards shall be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), (ii) upon written notice to a Participant, provide that the Participant’s unexercised Awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization Event unless exercised by the Participant within a specified period following the date of such notice, (iii) provide that outstanding Awards shall become exercisable, realizable or deliverable, or restrictions applicable to an Award shall lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon such Reorganization Event, (iv) in the event of a Reorganization Event under the terms of which holders of Common Stock will

 

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receive upon consummation thereof a cash payment for each share surrendered in the Reorganization Event (the “Acquisition Price”), make or provide for a cash payment to Participants with respect to each Award held by a Participant equal to (A) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the vested portion of the Award (after giving effect to any acceleration of vesting that occurs upon or immediately prior to such Reorganization Event) multiplied by (B) the excess, if any, of (I) the Acquisition Price over (II) the exercise, measurement or purchase price of such Award and any applicable tax withholdings, in exchange for the termination of such Award, (v) provide that, in connection with a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, Awards shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds (if applicable, net of the exercise, measurement or purchase price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings) and (vi) any combination of the foregoing.

(B)        For purposes of Section 9(b)(2)(A)(i), an Award (other than Restricted Stock) shall be considered assumed if, following consummation of the Reorganization Event, such Award confers the right to purchase or receive pursuant to the terms of such Award, for each share of Common Stock subject to the Award immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event, the consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result of the Reorganization Event by holders of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock held immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock); provided, however, that if the consideration received as a result of the Reorganization Event is not solely common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof), the Company may, with the consent of the acquiring or succeeding corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise or settlement of the Award to consist solely of such number of shares of common stock of the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) that the Board determined to be equivalent in value (as of the date of such determination or another date specified by the Board) to the per share consideration received by holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock as a result of the Reorganization Event.

(3)        Consequences of a Reorganization Event on Awards of Restricted Stock. Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event other than a liquidation or dissolution of the Company, the repurchase and other rights of the Company with respect to outstanding Restricted Stock shall inure to the benefit of the Company’s successor and shall, unless the Board determines otherwise, apply to the cash, securities or other property which the Common Stock was converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such Reorganization Event in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to such Restricted Stock; provided, however, that the Board may provide for termination or deemed satisfaction of such repurchase or other rights under the instrument evidencing any Award of Restricted Stock or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, either initially or by amendment. Upon the occurrence of a Reorganization Event involving the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Award of Restricted Stock or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, all restrictions and conditions on all Awards of Restricted Stock then outstanding shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied.

(c)        Change in Control Events.

(1)        Definitions.

(A)        A “Change in Control Event” shall mean:

(I)        (x) the acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (a “Person”) of beneficial

 

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ownership of any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition, such Person beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) 50% or more of either (x) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (y) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (I), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control Event: (1) any acquisition directly from the Company (excluding an acquisition pursuant to the exercise, conversion or exchange of any security exercisable for, convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or voting securities of the Company, unless the Person exercising, converting or exchanging such security acquired such security directly from the Company or an underwriter or agent of the Company), (2) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (3) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a Business Combination (as defined below) which complies with clauses (x) and (y) of subsection (III) of this definition; or

(II)    such time as the Continuing Directors (as defined below) do not constitute a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the Board of Directors of a successor corporation to the Company), where the term “Continuing Director” means at any date a member of the Board (x) who was a member of the Board on the date of the initial adoption of this Plan by the Board or (y) who was nominated or elected subsequent to such date by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election or whose election to the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from this clause (y) any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or

(III)    the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or share exchange involving the Company or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), unless, immediately following such Business Combination, each of the following two conditions is satisfied: (x) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, respectively, of the resulting or acquiring corporation in such Business Combination (which shall include, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (such resulting or acquiring corporation is referred to herein as the “Acquiring Corporation”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, respectively, immediately prior to such Business Combination and (y) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) maintained or sponsored by the Company or by the Acquiring Corporation) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquiring Corporation, or of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination); or

 

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(IV)    the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

(B)         “Good Reason” shall mean any significant diminution in the Participant’s duties, authority, or responsibilities from and after the Change in Control Event or any reduction in the annual base salary payable to the Participant from and after such Change in Control Event or the relocation of the place of business at which the Participant is principally located to a location that is greater than 50 miles from its location immediately prior to the Change in Control Event. Notwithstanding the occurrence of any such event or circumstance, such occurrence shall not be deemed to constitute Good Reason unless (x) the Participant gives the Company notice of termination no more than 120 days after the initial existence of such event or circumstance and (y) such event or circumstance has not been fully corrected by the Company within 30 days of the Company’s receipt of such notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant is covered by an employment, change in control, or retention agreement then in effect and such agreement permits additional Good Reasons, any such additional Good Reasons shall also apply unless including them would cause payment of Awards to be delayed under Section 409A.

(C)         “Cause” shall mean any (i) willful failure by the Participant, which failure is not cured within 30 days of written notice to the Participant from the Company, to perform his or her material responsibilities to the Company or (ii) willful misconduct by the Participant which affects the business reputation of the Company. The Participant shall be considered to have been discharged for “Cause” if the Company determines, within 30 days after the Participant’s resignation, that discharge for Cause was warranted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant is covered by an employment, change in control, or retention agreement then in effect and such agreement requires a higher standard of Cause or permits further cure rights, such other definition and/or procedure shall apply instead.

(2)        Effect on Options. If a Change in Control Event occurs (irrespective of whether it is also a Reorganization Event), Participants holding Options shall be treated as follows if more favorable than the treatment provided in Section 9(b). Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9(b), except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Option or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, the vesting schedule of each Option shall be accelerated in part so that the number of shares that would otherwise have become vested on any date within one year after the date of the Change in Control Event shall immediately become vested. Subject to the following sentence, the remaining shares shall continue to become vested in each case one year in advance of the original vesting schedule set forth for such Option. Additionally, each Option shall be immediately exercisable in full if, on or prior to the second anniversary of the date of the consummation of the Change in Control Event, the Participant’s employment with the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation is terminated for Good Reason by the Participant or is terminated without Cause by the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation.

(3)        Effect on Restricted Stock and on RSUs. If a Change in Control Event occurs (irrespective of whether it is also a Reorganization Event), Participants holding Restricted Stock or RSUs shall be treated as follows if more favorable than the treatment provided in Section 9(b). Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9(b), except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Restricted Stock or RSUs or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company or as provided in Section 9(d), the vesting schedule of each award of Restricted Stock or RSUs shall be accelerated in part so that the number of shares that would otherwise have become vested on any date within one year after the date of the Change in Control Event shall immediately become vested. Subject

 

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to the following sentence, the remaining shares shall continue to become vested in each case one year in advance of the original vesting schedule set forth for such award of Restricted Stock or RSUs. Additionally, each award of Restricted Stock or RSUs shall immediately become free from all conditions or restrictions if, on or prior to the second anniversary of the date of the consummation of the Change in Control Event, the Participant’s employment with the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation is terminated for Good Reason by the Participant or is terminated without Cause by the Company or the acquiring or succeeding corporation.

(4)        Effect on SARs and Other Stock-Based Awards. The Board may specify in an Award at the time of the grant the effect of a Change in Control Event on any SAR and Other Stock-Based Award.

(5)        Effect on RSUs subject to Section 409A. Notwithstanding the terms of Section 9(b)(2)(A), in the case of outstanding RSUs that are subject to Section 409A: (i) if the applicable RSU agreement provides that the RSUs shall be settled upon a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i), and the Reorganization Event constitutes such a “change in control event”, then no assumption or substitution shall be permitted pursuant to Section 9(b)(2)(A)(i) and the RSUs shall instead be settled in accordance with the terms of the applicable RSU agreement; and (ii) the Board may only undertake the actions set forth in clauses (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 9(b)(2)(A) if the Reorganization Event constitutes a “change in control event” as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(i) and such action is permitted or required by Section 409A; if the Reorganization Event is not a “change in control event” as so defined or such action is not permitted or required by Section 409A, and the acquiring or succeeding corporation does not assume or substitute the RSUs pursuant to clause (i) of Section 9(b)(2)(A), then the unvested RSUs shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event without any payment in exchange therefor.

(6)        Effect on Performance-Based Awards. If a Change in Control Event occurs (irrespective of whether it is also a Reorganization Event), Participants holding Awards that vest in whole or in part based on specified performance objectives shall be treated as follows if more favorable than the treatment provided in Section 9(b). The performance based conditions shall be deemed satisfied at the target level upon the consummation of the Change in Control Event and the Awards shall otherwise continue to be subject to their original service-based vesting requirements (if any) and be accelerated, if applicable, as provided in Section 9(c)(2), (3) or (4) as applicable (subject to any further restrictions on RSUs provided by Section 9(c)(5)).

(d)        Individual Treatment. In taking any of the actions permitted under Section 9(b) or (c), the Board shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, identically.

 

10.

General Provisions Applicable to Awards

(a)        Transferability of Awards. Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by a Participant, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, other than in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant; provided, however, that, except with respect to Awards subject to Section 409A, the Board may permit or provide in an Award for the gratuitous transfer of the Award by the Participant to or for the benefit of any immediate family member, family trust or other entity established for the benefit of the Participant and/or an immediate family member thereof if

 

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the Company would be eligible to use a Form S-8 under the Securities Act for the registration of the sale of the Common Stock subject to such Award to such proposed transferee; provided further, that the Company shall not be required to recognize any such permitted transfer until such time as such permitted transferee shall, as a condition to such transfer, deliver to the Company a written instrument in form and substance satisfactory to the Company confirming that such transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Award. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Section 10(a) shall be deemed to restrict a transfer to the Company.

(b)        Documentation. Each Award shall be evidenced in such form (written, electronic or otherwise) as the Board shall determine. Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.

(c)        Board Discretion. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of each Award need not be identical, and the Board need not treat Participants uniformly.

(d)        Termination of Status. The Board shall determine the effect on an Award of the disability, death, termination or other cessation of employment, authorized leave of absence or other change in the employment or other status of a Participant and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, or the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary, may exercise rights, or receive any benefits, under an Award.

(e)        Withholding. The Participant must satisfy all applicable federal, state, and local or other income and employment tax withholding obligations before the Company will deliver stock certificates or otherwise recognize ownership of Common Stock under an Award. The Company may elect to satisfy the withholding obligations through additional withholding on salary or wages. If the Company elects not to or cannot withhold from other compensation, the Participant must pay the Company the full amount, if any, required for withholding or have a broker tender to the Company cash equal to the withholding obligations. Payment of withholding obligations is due before the Company will issue any shares on exercise, vesting or release from forfeiture of an Award or at the same time as payment of the exercise or purchase price, unless the Company determines otherwise. If provided for in an Award or approved by the Committee, a Participant may satisfy the tax obligations in whole or in part by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock, including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their fair market value (valued in the manner determined by (or in a manner approved by) the Company); provided, however, except as otherwise provided by the Committee, that the total tax withholding where stock is being used to satisfy such tax obligations cannot exceed the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligations (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income). Shares used to satisfy tax withholding requirements cannot be subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.

(f)        Amendment of Award. Except as otherwise provided in Section 11(d) with respect to actions requiring stockholder approval, the Board may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or realization, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The Participant’s consent to such action shall be required unless (i) the Board determines that the action, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Plan or (ii) the change is permitted under Section 9 hereof.

(g)        Conditions on Delivery of Stock. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from shares previously issued or delivered under the Plan until (i) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in

 

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the opinion of the Company’s counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and regulations and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Company may consider appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any applicable laws, rules or regulations.

(h)        Acceleration. The Board may at any time provide that any Award shall become immediately exercisable in full or in part, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part, as the case may be.

(i)        Minimum  One-Year Vesting. The terms and conditions of any Award shall provide that no part of such Award shall vest or become exercisable prior to the first anniversary of the date such Award is made or granted, except that an Award may provide that it shall immediately vest or become immediately exercisable, in whole or in part, upon a Participant’s death, disability, termination from employment by the Company other than for Cause, or upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Event.

(j)        CEO Grants. Any Award made to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer shall have a vesting schedule of three years or more.

(k)        Minimum Holding Period. Any Award made to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer will be subject to an additional one year holding period before any sale or transfer of shares that shall have vested may take place, other than relative to the sale of shares to cover statutory tax obligations in respect of the vesting of such shares.

 

11.

Miscellaneous

(a)        No Right to Employment or Other Status. No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan, except as expressly provided in the applicable Award.

(b)        No Rights as Stockholder; Clawback. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such shares. In accepting an Award under the Plan, the Participant agrees to be bound by any clawback policy that the Company has in effect or may adopt in the future.

(c)        Effective Date and Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective on the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders (the “Effective Date”). No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the expiration of 10 years from the Effective Date, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.

(d)        Amendment of Plan. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time provided that (i) no amendment that would require stockholder approval under the rules of Nasdaq may be made effective unless and until the Company’s stockholders approve such amendment; and (ii) if the Nasdaq amends its corporate governance rules so that such rules no longer require stockholder approval of Nasdaq “material amendments” to equity compensation plans, then, from and after the effective date of such amendment to the Nasdaq rules, no amendment to the Plan (A) materially increasing the number of shares authorized under the Plan (other than pursuant to Section 4(c) or 9), (B) expanding the types of Awards that may be granted under the Plan, or (C) materially expanding the class of participants eligible to participate in the Plan shall be effective unless and until the Company’s stockholders approve such amendment. In addition, if at any time the approval of the Company’s stockholders is required as to any other modification or amendment under

 

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Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the Board may not effect such modification or amendment without such approval. Unless otherwise specified in the amendment, any amendment to the Plan adopted in accordance with this Section 11(d) shall apply to, and be binding on the holders of, all Awards outstanding under the Plan at the time the amendment is adopted, provided the Board determines that such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Participants under the Plan. No Award shall be made that is conditioned upon stockholder approval of any amendment to the Plan, unless the Award provides that (1) it will terminate or be forfeited if shareholder approval of such amendment is not obtained within 12 months from the date of grant and (2) it may not be exercised or settled (or otherwise result in the issuance of Common Stock) prior to such shareholder approval.

(e)    Authorization of Sub-Plans. The Board may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable securities or tax laws of various jurisdictions. The Board shall establish such sub-plans by adopting supplements to the Plan containing (i) such limitations on the Board’s discretion under the Plan as the Board deems necessary or desirable or (ii) such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the Plan as the Board shall deem necessary or desirable. All supplements adopted by the Board shall be deemed to be part of the Plan, but each supplement shall apply only to Participants within the affected jurisdiction and the Company shall not be required to provide copies of any supplement to Participants in any jurisdiction which is not the subject of such supplement.

(f)    Non U.S. Employees. Awards may be granted to Participants who are non-U.S. citizens or residents employed outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Participants employed in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Board, be necessary or desirable in order to recognize differences in local law or tax policy. The Board also may impose conditions on the exercise or vesting of Awards in order to minimize the Board’s obligation with respect to tax equalization for Participants on assignments outside their home country. The Board may approve such supplements to or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes, without thereby affecting the terms of this Plan as in effect for any other purpose, and the Secretary or other appropriate officer of the Company may certify any such document as having been approved and adopted in the same manner as this Plan.

(g)    Compliance with Section 409A. If and to the extent (i) any portion of any payment, compensation or other benefit provided to a Participant pursuant to the Plan in connection with his or her employment termination constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and (ii) the Participant is a specified employee as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, in each case as determined by the Company in accordance with its procedures, by which determinations the Participant (through accepting the Award) agrees that he or she is bound, such portion of the payment, compensation or other benefit shall not be paid before the day that is six months plus one day after the date of “separation from service” (as determined under Section 409A) (the “New Payment Date”), except as Section 409A may then permit. The aggregate of any payments that otherwise would have been paid to the Participant during the period between the date of separation from service and the New Payment Date shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum on such New Payment Date, and any remaining payments will be paid on their original schedule.

The Company makes no representations or warranty and shall have no liability to the Participant or any other person if any provisions of or payments, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but do not to satisfy the conditions of that section.

(h)    Limitations on Liability. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer, other employee, or agent of the Company will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan, nor will such individual be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument he or she executes in his or her capacity as a director, officer, other employee, or agent of the

 

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Company. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, other employee, or agent of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan has been or will be delegated, against any cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the Board’s approval) arising out of any act or omission to act concerning this Plan unless arising out of such person’s own fraud or bad faith.

(i)    Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such state that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such state.

 

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000004 ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________ MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 C123456789 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. Your vote matters – here’s how to vote! You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card. Votes submitted electronically must be received by November 19, 2020 at 11:59 A.M., local time. Online Go to www.envisionreports.com/EPAY or scan the QR code — login details are located in the shaded bar below. Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.envisionreports.com/EPAY Annual Meeting Proxy Card 1234 5678 9012 345 IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR all the nominees listed in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4. 1. Election of Class I Directors: + For Withhold For Withhold For Withhold 01—Keneth J. D’Amato* 02—Robert A. Eberle* 03—Jeffrey C. Leathe* * Each to be elected as a Class I director of the Company to serve until the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 2. Non-binding advisory vote to approve executive compensation. 3. Approval of the amendment to the Company’s 2019 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 2,200,000. For Against Abstain 4. Ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year. B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. All holders must sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator or other fiduciary, please give your full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name, by authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. Please be sure to sign and date this proxy below. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. C 1234567890                J N T MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND 33BV 476914 MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND 03BIBD


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Small steps make an impact. Help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.envisionreports.com/EPAY IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q Proxy — BOTTOMLINE TECHNOLOGIES (de), INC. + PROXY FOR THE 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS to be held on November 19, 2020 This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc. You hereby authorize Joseph L. Mullen, Robert A. Eberle, and Richard D Booth, or any of them, with full power of substitution, as Proxies to represent and vote all of your shares of common stock of Bottomline Technologies (de), Inc. that you are entitled to vote at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the company to be held on Thursday, November 19, 2020 or at any postponement or adjournment of that meeting. You hereby revoke all proxies previously given. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner that you direct on this proxy card. If no such directions are given, the Proxies will vote your shares in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors set forth on this proxy card. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. Please vote, date and sign on the reverse side of this proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed postage pre-paid envelope. CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE SEE REVERSE SIDE C Non-Voting Items Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below.