DEF 14A 1 fraf-20210315xdef14a.htm DEF 14A

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

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☒ Definitive Proxy Statement

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☐ Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12

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﻿ | FRANKLIN FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION |
﻿ | (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) |
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﻿ | (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |

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FRANKLIN FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION

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20 South Main Street

P.O. Box 6010

Chambersburg, PA 17201-6010

(717) 264-6116

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD A PRIL 27, 20 21

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TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF FRANKLIN FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION:

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Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the call of its directors, the regular Annual Meeting of Shareholders of FRANKLIN FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, will be held on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. in a virtual meeting format only. You will not be able to attend the meeting physically. To be admitted to the annual meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/204335801, you must use the password FRAF2021 and enter the control number found on your proxy card or voting instruction form. The purpose of the meeting is for considering and voting upon the following matters:

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1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. To elect the three nominees identified in the accompanying Proxy Statement as directors to Class C for three-year terms and until their successors are elected and qualified.

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2. SAY-ON-PAY. To provide a non-binding advisory vote approving the compensation paid to our named executive officers in 2020.

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3. RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF AUDITORS. To ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of Crowe LLP as Franklin Financial’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021.

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4. OTHER BUSINESS. To consider other business, if any, as may properly be brought before the meeting and any adjournments thereof.

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Your Board of Directors recommends that you vote:

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FOR the election as directors to Class C of the three nominees identified in the accompanying Proxy Statement;

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FOR approval of the compensation paid to our named executive officers in 2020 (Say-on-Pay); and

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FOR the ratification of the selection of Crowe LLP as Franklin Financial’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2021.

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Only those shareholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2021 shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

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This Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the accompanying proxy statement, annual report and proxy card are being ma ile d to shareholders on or about March 23, 202 1.

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You may vote by completing and returning the enclosed Proxy Card, or by internet, or by phone following the instructions provided on the Proxy Card.

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﻿ | BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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﻿ | MARK R. HOLLAR, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
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Enclosures

March 1 5, 20 21

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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﻿GENERAL INFORMATION | 5
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﻿Date, Time and Place of Meeting | 5
﻿Shareholders Entitled to Vote | 5
﻿Purpose of Meeting | 5
﻿Solicitation of Proxies | 5
﻿Revocability and Voting of Proxies | 5
﻿Voting of Shares and Principal Holders Thereof | 6
﻿Shares Held in Street Name | 6
﻿Shareholder Proposals | 6
﻿Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholders Meeting | 6
﻿Recommendations of the Board of Directors | 7
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﻿CORPORATE GOVERNANCE POLICIES, PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES | 7
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﻿ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 7
﻿General Information | 7
﻿Nominations for Election of Directors | 8
﻿Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Process for the Selection and Evaluation of Nominees | 8
﻿Director Independence | 9
﻿Information about Nominees and Continuing Directors | 9
﻿Common Stock Ownership of Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers | 12
﻿Meetings of the Board of Directors | 12
﻿20 20 Director Compensation | 12
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﻿BOARD STRUCTURE AND COMMITTEES | 14
﻿Audit Committee | 15
﻿Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | 15
﻿Compensation and Personnel Committee | 15
﻿Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation | 16
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﻿EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 16
﻿Compensation Tables and Additional Compensation Disclosure | 19
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﻿ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION PAID TO NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (“Say-On-Pay”) | 21
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﻿AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT | 22
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﻿RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS | 23
﻿General Information | 23
﻿Information About Fees | 23
﻿Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures | 24
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﻿RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 24
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﻿ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 25
﻿Key Employees | 25
﻿Transactions with Related Persons | 25
﻿Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act | 25
﻿Shareholder Communication with the Board of Directors | 26
﻿Householding of Proxy Materials | 26
﻿Annual Report on Form 10-K | 27
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﻿OTHER MATTERS | 27
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GE NERAL INFORMATION

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On or about March 23, 2021, we mailed to our shareholders the Proxy Statement, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Annual Report and proxy card.

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Date, Time and Place of Meeting

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The Annual Meeting of the shareholders of Franklin Financial Services Corporation (hereinafter, "Franklin Financial" or the "Company") will be held Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. in a virtual meeting format only. You will not be able to attend the meeting physically. To be admitted to the annual meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/204335801, you must use the password FRAF2021 and enter the control number found on your proxy card or voting instruction form. If you need assistance with your control number, please contact Joyce Riley at (717) 261-3551 or joyce.riley@f-mtrust.com. You may vote during the annual meeting by following the instructions available on the meeting website during the meeting.

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Shareholders Entitled to Vote

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Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2021 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.

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Purpose of Meeting

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Shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the following matters at the Annual Meeting:

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| (1) |  | the election of three (3) directors to Class C for the term of three years and until their successors are elected and qualified;

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| (2) |  | to provide a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation paid to our named executive officers in 20 20 as disclosed in this proxy statement (“Say-On-Pay”);

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| (3) |  | to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of Crowe LLP as Franklin Financial’s independent registered public accounting firm for 202 1; and

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| (4) |  | such other business as may be properly brought before the meeting and any adjournments thereof.

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So licitation of Proxies

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This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies, in the accompanying form, by the Board of Directors of Franklin Financial for use at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

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The expense of soliciting proxies will be borne by Franklin Financial. In addition to the use of the mails and the Internet, the directors, officers, and employees of Franklin Financial and of any subsidiary may, without additional compensation, solicit proxies personally or by telephone.

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Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Chambersburg (hereinafter, "F&M Trust") is a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Financial. This Proxy Statement, while prepared in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Franklin Financial, contains certain information relating to F&M Trust which will be identified where appropriate.

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Revo cability and Voting of Proxies

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The execution and return of the enclosed proxy will not affect a shareholder's right to attend the virtual meeting and to vote at the meeting. Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by delivering written notice of revocation to Amanda M. Ducey, Corporate Secretary of Franklin Financial, at any time before the proxy is voted at the meeting. Unless revoked, any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the instructions thereon of the shareholder giving the proxy. In the absence of instructions, all proxies will be voted:

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FOR the election of the three nominees identified in this Proxy Statement as directors to Class C for three-year terms;

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FOR approval of the compensation paid to our named executive officers in 20 20 as disclosed in this proxy statement (Say-on-Pay); and

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FOR the ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of Crowe LLP as Franklin Financial’s independent registered public accounting firm for 202 1.

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The enclosed proxy confers upon the persons named as proxies therein discretionary authority to vote the shares represented thereby on all matters that may come before the meeting in addition to the scheduled items of business, including unscheduled

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shareholder proposals and matters incident to the conduct of the meeting. Although the Board of Directors knows of no other business to be presented, in the event any other matters are brought before the meeting, the shares represented by any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors of Franklin Financial.

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Shares held for the account of shareholders who participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan will be voted in accordance with the instructions of each shareholder as set forth in his proxy. If a shareholder who participates in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan does not return a proxy, the shares held for his account under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan will not be voted.

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Vot ing of Shares and Principal Holders Thereof

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At the close of business on March 8, 2021, Franklin Financial had issued and outstanding 4,407,044 shares of common stock. There is no other class of stock outstanding.

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A majority of the outstanding shares of common stock present in person or by proxy will constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at the Annual Meeting. Each share is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders. In the case of the election of directors, the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected directors of Franklin Financial. Accordingly, in the absence of a contested election, votes withheld from a particular nominee or nominees, abstentions and broker non-votes will not influence the outcome of the election. A majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present is required to approve each of the other proposals. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be treated as votes cast and, therefore, will have no effect on whether or not a proposal is approved.

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To the knowledge of Franklin Financial, no person owned of record or beneficially on December 31, 20 20 more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of common stock of Franklin Financial, except as shown:

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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |  | Shares Owned |  | Percent of Total Common Shares
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BlackRock Inc * |  | 235,207 |  | 5.36%
55 East 52nd Street |  |  |  |
New York, NY |  |  |  |

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*Based on information reported in a Schedule 13G, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 2021.

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Sha res Held in Street Name

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If your shares are held in "street name" by your bank or broker or other intermediary, you will receive voting instructions from your intermediary which you must follow in order for your shares to be voted in accordance with your directions. Many intermediaries permit their clients to vote via the internet or by telephone. Whether or not internet or telephone voting is available, you may vote your shares by returning the voting instruction card which you will receive from your intermediary.

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Shareholder Proposals

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Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (hereafter, the "SEC") and Section 2.4 of the Bylaws of Franklin Financial, shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 202 2 Annual Meeting of the shareholders of Franklin Financial must be received at the executive offices of Franklin Financial no earlier than October 1 7, 202 1, and no later than November 1 6, 202 1, in order to be eligible for inclusion in the proxy statement and proxy form to be prepared by Franklin Financial in connection with the 202 2 Annual Meeting. A shareholder proposal which does not satisfy the notice and other requirements of SEC Rule 14a-8 and the Bylaws of Franklin Financial is not required to be included in Franklin Financial’s proxy statement and proxy form and may not be presented at the 202 2 Annual Meeting. All shareholder proposals should be sent to: Franklin Financial Services Corporation, Attention: President, 20 South Main Street, P.O. Box 6010, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201-6010.

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Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholders Meeting to Be Held on April 2 7, 20 21

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This Proxy Statement, the form of proxy and the 20 20 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at:

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www.edocumentview.com/fraf

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Reco mmendations of the Board of Directors

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The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders vote:

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FOR the election as directors to Class C for three-year terms, the three nominees identified in this proxy statement.

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FOR approval of the compensation paid to our named executive officers in 20 20 as disclosed in this proxy statement (Say-on-Pay).

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FOR the ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of Crowe LLP as Franklin Financial’s independent registered public accounting firm for 202 1.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE POLICIES, PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES

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Franklin Financial is and always has been committed to the highest ideals in the conduct of its business and to observing sound corporate governance policies, practices and procedures.

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In order to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related SEC rules and regulations, Franklin Financial has taken a number of actions which are intended to strengthen and improve its commitment to sound corporate governance. These actions include the following:

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| · |  | The Board of Directors has adopted formal Corporate Governance Guidelines, a copy of which is posted on Franklin Financial's website at www.franklinfin.com.

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| · |  | The Board of Directors has adopted a Conflicts of Interest Policy for Directors and Executive Officers that focuses on issues of ethical business conduct relating to conflicts of interest, which is contained in the Code of Ethics policy and is posted on Franklin Financial’s website at www.franklinfin.com.

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| · |  | The Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics Applicable to Senior Executives addressing the integrity of Franklin Financial’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other public communications, and compliance with all applicable governmental rules and regulations, as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related SEC rules and regulations, which is posted on Franklin Financial’s website at www.franklinfin.com.

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| · |  | The Board of Directors has adopted written charters for its Audit, Compensation and Personnel, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, copies of which are posted on Franklin Financial's website at www.franklinfin.com.

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Pursuant to the terms of its Corporate Governance Guidelines, Franklin Financial’s "independent directors" meet at least quarterly in executive session (i.e., without the presence of the Chief Executive Officer or other members of Franklin Financial's management).

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

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Gene ral Information

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The Bylaws of Franklin Financial provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons and that the directors shall be classified with respect to the time they shall severally hold office by dividing them into three classes, each consisting as nearly as possible of one-third of the number of the whole Board of Directors. The Bylaws further provide that the directors of each class shall be elected for a term of three years so that the term of office of one class of directors shall expire in each year. Finally, the Bylaws provide that the number of directors in each class of directors shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

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A majority of the Board of Directors may increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors, whether due to an increase in the number of directors, resignation, retirement, death, or any other reason, may be filled by appointment by the remaining directors. Any director who is appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold office until a successor director is duly elected by the shareholders at the next Annual Meeting at which directors in t his class are elected.

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The Board of Directors has determined that the Board shall consist of eleven directors. There are four (4) directors whose terms of office will expire at the 2021 Annual Meeting, and seven continuing directors whose terms of office will expire at the 2022 or 2023 Annual Meeting. Director Fry, a member of Class C Directors whose terms expires at the 2021 Annual Meeting, previously announced on December 17, 2020 his retirement from the Board to be effective at the 2021 Annual Meeting.

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The Board of Directors has nominated the following persons for election to the Board of Directors at the 202 1 Annual Meeting to the class and for the term specified below:

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CLASS C

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For a Term of Three Years

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Kevin W. Craig Daniel J. Fisher Donald H. Mowery

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In the event that any of the foregoing nominees are unable to accept nomination or election, the shares represented by any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation will be voted in favor of such other persons as the Board of Directors of Franklin Financial may recommend. The Board of Directors, however, has no reason to believe that any of its nominees will be unable to accept nomination or to serve as a director if elected.

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Nominations for Election of Directors

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In accordance with Section 3.5 of the Bylaws of Franklin Financial, any shareholder of record entitled to vote for the election of directors who is a shareholder on the record date and on the date of the meeting at which directors are to be elected may nominate a candidate for election to the Board of Directors, provided that the shareholder has given proper written notice of the nomination, which notice must contain certain prescribed information and must be delivered to the President of Franklin Financial not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting. The Chairman of the meeting must determine whether a nomination has been made in accordance with the requirements of the Bylaws and, if he determines that a nomination is defective, such nomination and any votes cast for the nominee shall be disregarded.

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Shareholders may also recommend qualified persons for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to be included in Franklin Financial's proxy materials as a nominee of the Board of Directors. A shareholder who wishes to make such a recommendation must submit their recommendation in writing addressed to the Chairman of the Board, Franklin Financial Services Corporation, P.O. Box 6010, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201-6010. The recommendation must include the proposed nominee's name and qualifications and must be delivered not less than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting.

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Nom inating and Corporate Governance Committee Process for the Selection and Evaluation of Nominees

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Franklin Financial's Board of Directors has adopted a Job Description identifying the qualifications expected of a member of the Board of Directors and the criteria to be applied by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in evaluating candidates who will be recommended to the Board of Directors as nominees for election to the Board. A candidate must possess good business judgment and must be free of any relationship which would compromise their ability to properly perform the duties of a director. A candidate must have sufficient financial background and experience to be able to read and understand financial statements and to evaluate financial performance. A candidate should have proven leadership skills and management experience and should be actively involved in the community served by Franklin Financial and its subsidiaries. A candidate must be willing and able to commit the time and attention necessary to actively participate in Board affairs. In addition, a candidate must be a person of integrity and sound character. Although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a policy with regard to considering diversity in identifying nominees for director, the Committee does consider whether a candidate’s age, background, skills and experience will compliment or supplement those of other members of the Board of Directors in order to achieve an appropriate balance and diversity of such qualities and characteristics.

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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee uses a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating potential nominees for election to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly assesses the appropriate size of the Board and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected due to retirement or otherwise. In the event that a vacancy is anticipated or otherwise arises, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee typically considers and interviews several potential candidates for appointment to fill the vacancy. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee through current Board members, shareholders and other persons. These candidates are evaluated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and may be considered at any time during the year. In evaluating potential nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, skills and experience on the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not engaged third party consultants in connection with the identification or evaluation of potential nominees.

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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider persons recommended by shareholders as potential nominees for election to the Board of Directors, provided that recommendations are made in accordance with the procedures described above under the caption "Nominations for Election of Directors." A potential nominee who is recommended by a shareholder will be evaluated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in the same fashion as other persons who are considered by the Committee as potential candidates for election to the Board of Directors.

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Dir ector Independence

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The Board of Directors has determined that each director is an "independent director," as such term is defined in the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules except for Timothy G. Henry, President and CEO, Franklin Financial Services Corporation and Farmers and Merchants Trust Company. In determining the directors’ independence, the Board considered loan transactions between the Bank and the directors, their family members and businesses with whom they are associated, as well as any contributions made to non-profit organizations with whom they are associated.

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Info rmation about Nominees and Continuing Directors

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Information concerning the three persons nominated for election to Class C of the Board of Directors of Franklin Financial at the 2021 Annual Meeting and concerning the seven continuing directors follows.

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CLASS C DIRECTORS (Term expires 202 4)

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Kevin W. Craig

Age: 5 5

Year Became Director: 2020

Committees: Audit, Asset-Liability, Enterprise Risk, Strategic

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Mr. Craig graduated with a B.S. in Accounting from the Pennsylvania State University in 1987. After graduation he worked for Ernst & Young where he received his certified public accounting license. (currently inactive)

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Mr. Craig is the CEO of Pro-Cut Construction Services, Inc., a regional concrete sawing and drilling contractor. He is the former owner of DriveKore, Inc. a regional construction tool and fastener supply company. His career spans over 30 years, beginning as a CPA at Ernst and Young and then holding CFO positions at several venture capital backed companies before purchasing DriveKore, Inc. in 1999. He is currently the Vice President and member of the Board of Governors of the West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill, PA. The Board of Directors values Mr. Craig’s accounting and business expertise and his insights pertaining to the construction industry and privately held businesses. He is a lifelong resident of Central Pennsylvania and is an active business and community leader.

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Daniel J. Fisher

Age: 6 4

Year Became Director: 2010

Committees: ALCO, Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair), Compensation and Personnel, Strategic, Executive

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Mr. Fisher graduated from Muhlenberg College with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1978 and from Lehigh University with a MS in Management Science in 1986.

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Mr. Fisher retired as President and CEO of D. L. Martin Company on June 30, 2017 and remains active on its Board, and as an Operations Consultant. Mr. Fisher also serves on the Board of Managers of Alliance Elevator Systems, Mercersburg, PA. He also holds a minority position and serves on the Board of Structural Elements, Hagerstown, MD. The Board of Directors values Mr. Fisher’s manufacturing background and experience. Mr. Fisher is active in his community and the Company’s Franklin County market area, where he has served and continues to serve on various boards.

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Donald H. Mowery

Age: 6 9

Year Became Director: 2010

Committees: Enterprise Risk (Chair), Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance, Executive

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Mr. Mowery is managing partner of RSM Associates, LP, a real estate development firm focusing on the development of business centers and industrial parks. Additionally, he is the third-generation former owner and CEO of R. S. Mowery & Sons, Inc., a regional contractor founded in 1925. His career in the construction and real estate development industries spans over 48 years, beginning as a laborer in 1968 and advancing through various positions over the years. Mr. Mowery received a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1974 from Drexel University. He has completed post-baccalaureate studies in engineering and construction management at the Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Mowery is a Registered Professional Engineer. Mr. Mowery's business and leadership expertise provide our Board with valuable insights, particularly pertaining to the construction industry, real estate development, and family businesses. As a life-long resident of the area, Mr. Mowery is a well-known and respected member of the community, which provides positive exposure for the Company in the market area that he represents.

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CLASS B DIRECTORS (Term expires 2022)

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Martin R. Brown

Age: 6 9

Year Became Director: 2006

Committees: Audit, Executive, Compensation and Personnel, Trust (Chair)

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Mr. Brown graduated with honors from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1973. He is a licensed Pennsylvania Funeral Director who assists with the operation of three family owned funeral homes within the Company's Fulton and Huntingdon County market area. Additionally, Mr. Brown is President of M.R. Brown Management, Inc. where he is the managing general partner of Sandy Ridge Express convenience store, Sandy Ridge A&W Restaurant and Marymart Family LP, which owns Sandy Ridge Station Mall. Along with his wife, Mr. Brown is the owner of the Sandy Ridge Market, a full-service grocery store located at the Sandy Ridge Station Mall. Mr. Brown has served and continues to serve on the boards of organizations within the Company's Fulton and Huntingdon County market area. The Board of Directors values Mr. Brown's entrepreneurial background and business management experience and his status as a business leader in the Company’s Fulton and Huntingdon County market area.

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Gregory A. Duffey

Age: 6 2

Year Became Director: 2015

Committees: ALCO, Nominating and Corporate Governance, Trust, Strategic (Chair), Executive

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Mr. Duffey is President of CFPM Insurance, a division of KSI Insurance. Mr. Duffey began his career in the insurance business in 1980 after attending Shippensburg University. The Board of Directors values Mr. Duffey’s experience as a business and community leader. For more than thirty years, Mr. Duffey has been very active in the Company’s Franklin County market area having served on the boards or in leadership positions of non-profit and community development organizations.

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Allan E. Jennings, Jr.

Age: 7 1

Year Became Director: 2002

Committees: ALCO, Audit (Chair), Enterprise Risk, Executive, Compensation and Personnel, Strategic

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Mr. Jennings graduated with honors from Lehigh University in 1971 with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. He has been President and CEO of Jennings Automotive, Inc. (dba Jennings Chevrolet Buick GMC) since 1986. Mr. Jennings is a former director and past Chairman of the Pennsylvania Automotive Association and the Chambersburg Area Development Corporation. The Board of Directors values Mr. Jennings' entrepreneurial background and business experience, including his knowledge of sales and marketing, and his leadership in the automotive industry. His participation on local boards provides valuable information relative to the Franklin County market area.

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Patricia D. Lacy

Age: 6 2

Year Became Director: 2015

Committees: Nominating and Corporate Governance, Compensation and Personnel, Trust

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Ms. Lacy graduated from Temple University in 1980 with a B.A. in Sociology, and from Dickinson School of Law with a J.D. degree in 1983. Ms. Lacy retired as President and a Director of the Beistle Company, a world-renowned manufacturer of decorations and party goods. Her career with the Beistl e Company began in 1989 where she served in a number of positions including Director of Human Resources and General Counsel. Prior to that, she served as a captain in the USAF in the Judge Advocate Corps. The Board of Directors values Ms. Lacy’s leadership skills and her knowledge of business, human resources, and corporate governance. Ms. Lacy is a business and community leader in the Company’s Cumberland County market area.

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NOMINEES FOR CLASS A DIRECTORS (Term expires 2023)

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G. Warren Elliott

Age: 6 6

Year Became Director: 1991

Chairman of the Board since 2012

Vice Chairman of the Board 2010-2011

Committees: ALCO, Audit, Enterprise Risk, Executive (Chair), Nominating and Corporate Governance, Compensation and Personnel (Chair), Strategic

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Mr. Elliott graduated with honors with a B.A. in Public Administration and an M.S. in Public Administration from Shippensburg University in 1976 and 1977 respectively. He is a Distinguished Alumnus of Shippensburg University and in 2014 he was presented an honorary Doctoral degree in Public Service. He is also a Distinguished Alumnus and Centennial Fellow of Penn State Mont Alto.

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Mr. Elliott is currently President of Cardinal Crossings, Inc. and CCI Properties, LLC, municipal government consulting and real estate investment firms. From 1991 to 1995 he served as an adjunct faculty member at Shippensburg University teaching state and local government. Mr. Elliott also served Franklin County as a Commissioner for many years and as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners from 1996 to 2007. Mr. Elliott has been recognized by a number of civic organizations with awards. Mr. Elliott has served and continues to serve on the boards of numerous organizations within the Company’s trade area. He also serves as a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Co mmission. The Board of Directors values Mr. Elliott’s considerable knowledge regarding county and local government, his entrepreneurial experience with business and sales, as well as the leadership skills he has developed through his service in Franklin County government and civic service.

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Timothy G. Henry

Age: 6 2

Year Became Director: 2016

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Mr. Henry joined Franklin Financial and F&M Trust as President and as a Director on February 1, 2016. He became Chief Executive Officer on July 1, 2016. Mr. Henry received a bachelor’s degree in dairy science from the Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Mr. Henry has had a career of more than 30 years in the banking industry in central Pennsylvania and the Hagerstown and Frederick, Maryland areas. He has extensive experience in managing branch networks, lending and private banking. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Centra Bank, a start-up in Hagerstown, and as a senior officer of BlueRidge Bank, a start-up in Frederick, where he gained significant experience in risk management, compliance and operations. Most recently, Mr. Henry served for three years as Susquehanna Bank’s Commercial Executive for its Washington County, Maryland region. The Pennsylvania Banking Code requires that a bank president be a member of the bank’s board of directors. In addition, the Board believes that it is important that the President serve as a Director so that the President may interact with his fellow Directors on a peer to peer basis. The Board of Directors values Mr. Henry’s depth and breadth of experience in the banking industry.

﻿

Stanley J. Kerlin

Age: 6 7

Year Became Director: 2006

Committees: ALCO (Chair), Enterprise Risk, Executive, Trust

﻿

Mr. Kerlin graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. Degree in History from Elizabethtown College in 1976 and a J.D. Degree from Dickinson School of Law in 1979. Mr. Kerlin has engaged in the active practice of law for over 35 years and has owned and operated his own law practice as both a partner and a sole practitioner. Mr. Kerlin is active in his church and in several community and political organizations within the Company's Fulton and Huntingdon County market area. Mr. Kerlin's knowledge of business and management provide valuable insight to the Board. The Board of Directors values Mr. Kerlin’s perspective as a lawyer and community leader in the Company’s Fulton and Huntingdon County market area.

﻿

Kimberly M. Rzomp

Age: 6 4

Year Became Director: 2019

Committees: Audit, ALCO, Enterprise Risk, Strategic

﻿

Ms. Rzomp graduated from Lycoming College in 1978 with a B.A. in Economics and Business Administration and Shippensburg University in 1987 with an M.B.A.

﻿

Ms. Rzomp is the former (retired) Chief Financial Officer for Summit Health, a $600 million non-profit health care system located in south-central Pennsylvania. WellSpan Health acquired Summit Health in 2018 at which time the Franklin Region became known as WellSpan SummitHealth. Summit Health is comprised of two acute care hospitals, Chambersburg and Waynesboro Hospitals, a cancer care center, and a medical group of 250 providers. In her role, she was the primary corporate officer for Board committees including Finance, Audit and Compliance, and Investment. She was a voting member of Summit Physician Services Board of Directors, and Treasurer for all Boards of Summit Health.

﻿

Ms. Rzomp was a former volunteer Board member for the Shook Home and United Way of Franklin County. Ms. Rzomp’s knowledge of business and management, financial operations, auditing and compliance, financial planning, and risk management is valuable to the Board.

﻿

11

Common Stock Ownership of Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers

﻿

The following table includes information concerning shares of Franklin Financial common stock beneficially owned by directors, nominees, and the executive officers who are named in the Summary Compensation Table appearing elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and by all directors and executive officers as a group. There are no family relationships between or among any of the Company's executive officers, directors or nominees.

﻿

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | Shares of Stock |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Percentage of Total
﻿ |  | of Franklin Beneficially |  |  | Restricted |  | Stock |  |  |  | Outstanding Shares as of
Name |  | Owned (1) |  |  | Stock (2) |  | Options (2) |  | Total |  | 12/31/2020 (3)
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Martin R. Brown |  | 5,817 |  |  | 398 |  | - |  | 6,215 |  |
Steven D. Butz |  | 1,081 |  |  | 990 |  | - |  | 2,071 |  |
Kevin W. Craig |  | 3,948 |  |  | - |  | - |  | 3,948 |  |
Gregory A. Duffey |  | 7,164 |  |  | 240 |  | - |  | 7,404 |  |
G. Warren Elliott |  | 8,165 |  |  | 796 |  | - |  | 8,961 |  |
Daniel J. Fisher |  | 20,263 |  |  | 398 |  | - |  | 20,661 |  |
Donald A. Fry |  | 5,892 |  |  | 240 |  | - |  | 6,132 |  |
Timothy G. Henry |  | 6,616 |  |  | 1,790 |  | 6,592 |  | 14,998 |  |
Mark R. Hollar |  | 4,846 |  |  | 990 |  | 11,748 |  | 17,584 |  |
Allan E. Jennings, Jr. |  | 18,289 | (4) |  | 398 |  | - |  | 18,683 |  |
Stanley J. Kerlin |  | 33,816 | (5) |  | 398 |  | - |  | 34,209 |  |
Patricia D. Lacy |  | 7,285 |  |  | 240 |  | - |  | 7,525 |  |
Donald H. Mowery |  | 52,606 | (6) |  | 240 |  | - |  | 52,840 |  | 1.20%
Kimberly M. Rzomp |  | 3,560 |  |  | 60 |  | - |  | 3,620 |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (20 Persons) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 272,339 |  | 6.20%

_____________________

| (1) |  | Beneficial ownership of shares of the common stock of Franklin Financial is determined in accordance with SEC Rule 13d-3, which provides that a person shall be deemed to own any stock with respect to which he, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of the stock, or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose or to direct the disposition of the stock. A person is also deemed to own any stock which he has the right to acquire within 60 days through the exercise of an option or conversion right, through the revocation of a trust or similar arrangement, or otherwise. Unless otherwise stated, each director and executive officer has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown above or holds the shares jointly with his or her spouse.

| (2) |  | Includes restricted stock issued under the 2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (Stock Plan) and options issued under the Stock Plan the Employee Stock Purchase Plan as reported in the Outstanding Equity Award table.

﻿

| (3) Unless otherwise stated, the number of shares shown represents less than one percent of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding.

| (4) |  | Includes 13,585 shares held in the name of Mr. Jennings’ spouse.

﻿

﻿

﻿

| (5) |  | Includes 6,043 shares held by Mr. Kerlin as co-trustee of the Kerlin Family Trust and 21,158 shares with respect to which Mr. Kerlin holds power of attorney.

| (6) |  | All shares held by an entity controlled by Mr. Mowery.

﻿

Me etings of the Board of Directors

﻿

Franklin Financial's Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that directors are expected to attend meetings of the Board of Directors, meetings of the committees on which they serve, and the annual meeting of shareholders. The Boards of Directors of the Company and of F&M Trust met a total of 64 times, including board meetings and committee meetings, during 2020. All directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings of the Boards of Directors and of the various committees of the Board of Directors on which they served, and all directors attended the annual meeting of shareholders in 2020.

﻿

20 20 D irec tor Compensation

﻿

Director compensation, including fees and other forms of compensation are set annually by the Compensation and Personnel Committee.

﻿

12

The following table sets forth the components of compensation for non-employee directors for 20 20.

﻿

﻿

﻿ |  |  |
Board Fees |  | 2020
Board Chair Annual Retainer |  | $ | 37,500
Annual Board Retainer - Franklin Financial |  | $ | 14,500
Annual Board Retainer - F&M Trust |  | $ | 18,000
Audit Committee Chair Annual Retainer |  | $ | 7,500
Committee Chair Annual Retainer |  | $ | 2,500
Franklin Financial Meeting fee |  | $ | 900
Committee Meeting Fee (Franklin Financial or F&M Trust) |  | $ | 600

﻿

The following table provides certain summary information concerning the total compensation paid or accrued by Franklin Financial and F&M Trust in 20 20 to each non-employee member of the Board of Directors.

﻿

20 20 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | Fees Earned |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | or Paid in |  | Stock |  | All Other |  |  |  |
Name |  | Cash (1) |  | Awards (2) |  | Compensation |  |  | Total
Martin R. Brown |  | $ | 58,800 |  | $ | 4,531 |  | $ | 2,487 | (3) |  | $ | 65,818
Kevin W. Craig |  |  | 44,400 |  |  | 2,746 |  |  | - |  |  |  | 47,146
Gregory A. Duffey |  |  | 55,600 |  |  | 2,746 |  |  | - |  |  |  | 58,346
G. Warren Elliott |  |  | 94,400 |  |  | 9,062 |  |  | - |  |  |  | 103,462
Daniel J. Fisher |  |  | 57,000 |  |  | 4,531 |  |  | - |  |  |  | 61,531
Donald A. Fry |  |  | 52,900 |  |  | 2,746 |  |  | - |  |  |  | 55,646
Allan E. Jennings, Jr. |  |  | 61,900 |  |  | 4,531 |  |  | - |  |  |  | 66,431
Stanley J. Kerlin |  |  | 56,200 |  |  | 4,531 |  |  | - |  |  |  | 60,731
Patricia D. Lacy |  |  | 56,800 |  |  | 2,746 |  |  | - |  |  |  | 59,546
Donald H. Mowery |  |  | 52,700 |  |  | 4,531 |  |  | - |  |  |  | 57,231
Kimberly M. Rzomp |  |  | 49,000 |  |  | 2,746 |  |  | - |  |  |  | 51,746

_____________________

| (1) |  | The amount reported is the aggregate dollar value of all fees earned (even if deferred) or paid in cash for services as a director in 20 20, including annual retainer fees, committee and/or chairmanship fees and meeting fees.

﻿

| (2) |  | The amounts reported in this column reflect the dollar amount of the compensation expense recognized in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 in connection with awards of restricted stock made pursuant to the Stock Plan.

﻿

| (3) |  | The amount reported is the annual premium paid by Franklin Financial on a split-dollar life insurance policy maintained for the benefit of the director.

﻿

Director fees payable by F&M Trust are eligible to be deferred pursuant to the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Chambersburg Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Director Deferred Compensation Plan”). Participation in the Director Deferred Compensation Plan is voluntary and each participant may elect each year to defer all or a portion of their F&M Trust director’s retainer. Each participant directs the investment of their own account among various publicly available mutual funds designated by the Bank’s Investment and Trust Services department. Growth of each participant’s account is a result of investment performance and is not the result of an interest factor or interest formula established by the participant or the Bank. The balance in such director’s deferred benefit account is payable to a designated beneficiary within 60 days upon the first to occur of the director’s retirement from the Board or death. The director may select a lump sum payout or may elect to receive a payout over a period of up to five years. Directors participating in this plan and amounts deferred for 20 20 are: Brown, Fisher, Fry and Lacy. Each participating director deferred $18,000.

﻿

At the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Directors recommended, and the shareholders approved the Stock Plan which was effective February 28, 2020, the date it was adopted by the Board of Directors. The Stock Plan allows for the award of various types of equity compensation to be awarded to directors as a component of long-term compensation. Each year, under the terms of the Stock Plan, the Committee establishes two distinct performance criteria: (1) net income versus budget, and (2) return on equity (ROE) compared to a defined peer group performance. Performance is measured as: “Threshold”, “Target”, and “Outstanding” against the performance criteria.

13

The following illustrates the Stock Plan structure for the Board of Directors:

﻿

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  | Performance Level Goals
Performance Criteria |  | Criterion Weighting |  | Threshold |  | Target |  | Outstanding
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Income v. Budget |  | 60% |  | 95%-99% of budget |  | 100%-110% of budget |  | > 110% of budget
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ROE Peer Performance |  | 40% |  | 95%-99% of peer |  | 100%-110% of peer |  | > 110% of peer

﻿

The number of shares available for award to Directors is based upon the participants role on the Board of Directors and the type of stock award (e.g. restricted stock, incentive stock options) being granted. Based on 2020 results, the Company achieved the Threshold goal for the net income criteria and the Threshold goal for the ROE criteria. As a result, a Stock Plan award of 1,655 shares (in the form of Restricted Stock) for the Board of Directors was approved by Compensation and Personnel Committee on February 25, 2021. The following shows the number of shares of restricted stock available for award and the number of shares awarded to the Board of Directors in 2021 for the 2020 performance results. These shares will fully vest in one year.

﻿

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | Shares Available for Award |  | Shares Awarded
Position |  | Threshold |  | Target |  | Outstanding |  | Per Director
Board Chair |  | 330 |  | 660 |  | 1,000 |  | 330
Committee Chairs |  | 165 |  | 330 |  | 500 |  | 165
Directors |  | 100 |  | 200 |  | 300 |  | 100

﻿

﻿

﻿

BOARD S TRUCTURE AND COMMITTEES

﻿

Leadership of the Board of Directors is placed in an independent Chairman. The Board performs its risk management oversight role through its committee structure. In addition to the Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Compensation and Personnel committees described below, the Board also has Asset-Liability, Strategic Initiative, Credit Risk Oversight, and Trust committees. An independent director chairs each of these committees. Board members are selected to serve on committees where it is believed that their knowledge and experience will be most beneficial to the Company. Each board committee meets at least quarterly.

﻿

14

The following table shows the current committee structure of Franklin Financial and F&M Trust.

﻿

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ | Franklin Financial |  | F&M Trust
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  | Nominating & |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ | Asset- |  |  |  | Corporate |  | Compensation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Enterprise |  |
﻿ | Liability |  | Audit |  | Governance |  | & Personnel |  | Strategic |  | Executive |  | Trust |  | Risk |  | Executive
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Martin R. Brown |  |  | * |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | * |  | Chair |  |  |  | *
Kevin W. Craig | * |  | * |  |  |  |  |  | * |  |  |  |  |  | * |  |
Gregory A. Duffey | * |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | Chair |  | * |  | * |  |  |  | *
G. Warren Elliott | * |  | * |  | * |  | Chair |  | * |  | Chair |  |  |  | * |  | Chair
Daniel J. Fisher | * |  | * |  | Chair |  | * |  | * |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | *
Donald A. Fry |  |  |  |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | * |  | * |  |  |  |
Allan E. Jennings, Jr. | * |  | Chair |  |  |  | * |  | * |  | * |  |  |  | * |  | *
Stanley J. Kerlin | Chair |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | * |  | * |  | * |  | *
Patricia D. Lacy |  |  |  |  | * |  | * |  |  |  |  |  | * |  |  |  |
Donald H. Mowery |  |  | * |  | * |  |  |  |  |  | * |  |  |  | Chair |  | *
Kimberly Rzomp | * |  | * |  |  |  |  |  | * |  |  |  |  |  | * |  |

﻿

*Member

﻿

A udit Committee

Chair: Allen E. Jennings, Jr.

Number of Meetings in 20 20: 4

﻿

The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities in providing oversight over the integrity of Franklin Financial's financial statements, Franklin Financial's compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and the performance of Franklin Financial's internal audit function. The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation, oversight and termination of Franklin Financial's independent auditors and regularly evaluates the independent auditors' independence from Franklin Financial and Franklin Financial's management. The Audit Committee reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit and is also responsible for, among other things, reporting to the Board on the results of the annual audit and reviewing the financial statements and related financial and nonfinancial disclosures included in Franklin Financial's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Audit Committee also reviews Franklin Financial's disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls. The Audit Committee prepares the Audit Committee Report for inclusion in the annual proxy statement and oversees investigations into complaints concerning accounting and auditing matters. The Audit Committee also meets periodically with Franklin Financial's independent auditors and with Franklin Financial's internal auditors outside of the presence of management and has authority to retain outside legal, accounting and other professionals to assist it in meeting its responsibilities.

﻿

The Audit Committee operates under a charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is posted on Franklin Financial's website at www.franklinfin.com. All members of the Audit Committee were at all times during 20 20 “independent directors” as such term is defined by the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Audit Committee has designated Ms. Rzomp as its “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and applicable SEC rules and regulations

﻿

Nomi nating and Corporate Governance Committee

Chair: Daniel J. Fisher

Number of Meetings in 20 20: 5

﻿

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible, among other things, for recommending to the Board of Directors persons to be nominated for election to the Board, persons to be appointed to fill vacancies on the Board and persons to be elected as officers of the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is posted on Franklin Financial's website at www.franklinfin.com. All members of the Nominating Committee were at all times during 20 20 “independent directors” as such term is defined by the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

﻿

Compensation and Pe rsonnel Committee

Chair: G. Warren Elliott

Number of Meetings in 20 20: 6

﻿

The Compensation and Personnel Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities in providing oversight over Franklin Financial's compensation policies and procedures. The Compensation and Personnel Committee is responsible

15

for reviewing and approving senior officer compensation, for evaluating the President and Chief Executive Officer, for overseeing the administration of the Company's compensation program generally as it affects all other officers and employees, for administering the Company's incentive compensation programs (including the Stock Plan), for approving and overseeing the administration of the Company's employee benefits programs, for providing insight and guidance to management with respect to employee compensation generally, and for reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to director compensation. The Committee operates under a charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is posted on Franklin Financial's website at www.franklinfin.com. All members of the Compensation and Personnel Committee were at all times during 20 20 "independent directors" as such term is defined by the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

﻿

Com pensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

﻿

No member of the Compensation and Personnel Committee is an employee or former employee of Franklin Financial or F&M Trust. There were no compensation committee “interlocks” at any time during 20 20, which in general terms means that no executive officer or director of Franklin Financial served as a director or member of the compensation committee of another entity at the same time as an executive officer of such other entity served as a director of Franklin Financial.

﻿

EXE CUTIVE COMPENSATION

﻿

The Compensation and Personnel Committee of the Company's Board of Directors administers the Company's executive compensation program. The Company currently has nine senior officers, including the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation and Personnel Committee, which is composed entirely of independent directors, is responsible for reviewing and approving senior officer compensation, for evaluating the President and Chief Executive Officer, for overseeing the administration of the Company's compensation program generally as it affects all other officers and employees, for administering the Company's incentive compensation programs (including the Stock Plan), for approving and overseeing the administration of the Company's employee benefits programs, for providing insight and guidance to management with respect to employee compensation generally, and for reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to director compensation.

﻿

The Compensation and Personnel Committee operates under a charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Committee annually reviews the adequacy of its charter and recommends changes to the Board for approval. The Committee meets at scheduled times during the year and on an "as necessary" basis, The Chairman of the Compensation and Personnel Committee reports on Committee activities and makes Committee recommendations at meetings of the Board of Directors.

﻿

The Compensation and Personnel Committee believes that executive compensation should be tied to individual performance, should vary with the Company's performance in achieving its financial and non-financial objectives, and should be structured so as to be closely aligned with the interests of the Company's shareholders. The Committee also believes that the compensation package of each senior officer should include an at-risk, performance-based component and that this component should increase as an officer's authority and responsibility increase. The Committee's philosophy is reflected in the Company's compensation objectives for its senior officers, which are as follows:

﻿

| · |  | Create a merit-based, pay for performance incentive-driven system which is linked to the Company’s financial results and other factors that directly and indirectly influence shareholder value;

﻿

| · |  | Establish a compensation system that enables the Company to attract and retain talented executives who are motivated to advance the interests of the Company's shareholders; and

﻿

| · |  | Provide a total compensation package that is fair in relation to the compensation practices of comparable financial institutions.

﻿

The elements of total compensation paid by the Company to its senior officers, including the Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO") and the other executive officers (collectively, together with the CEO, the “Named Executive Officers”) identified in the Summary Compensation Table following this discussion, include:

﻿

| · |  | Base salary;

| · |  | Short-term incentive compensation in the form of cash awards granted under the Company’s Senior Management Annual Incentive Plan;

| · |  | Long-term incentive compensation in the form of stock options granted under the Company’s Stock Plan;

| · |  | Benefits under the Company’s retirement plan; and

| · |  | Benefits under the Company’s health and welfare benefits plans.

﻿

Base Salary

﻿

The base salaries of the Named Executive Officers are reviewed by the Compensation and Personnel Committee annually in December of each year, as well as at the time of any promotion or significant change in job responsibilities. Base salaries for our senior officers are established based upon the scope of their responsibilities, taking into account compensation paid by comparable financial institutions for similar positions.

16

Short-Term Incentive Compensation

﻿

In 2020, the Company adopted the Senior Management Annual Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan") for purposes of linking a portion of the compensation of its senior officers, including the Named Executive Officers, to the success of the Company in meeting certain financial targets which are established annually by the Compensation and Personnel Committee. Each year, under the terms of the Incentive Plan, the Committee establishes four distinct performance criteria: (1) net income versus budget, (2) return on equity (ROE) compared to peer group performance, (3) individual performance goal, and (4) a discretionary award. Performance criteria one and two are set at the same goal for each participant in the Incentive Plan while criteria three and four are managed by the Board (for the CEO) or the CEO (for other Named Executive Officers) and are unique to each participant.

﻿

Each performance criterion is weighted differently depending on the position, but in a manner where the total weighting equals 100%. A performance level goal is then defined for each performance criterion defined as “Threshold”, “Target” and “Outstanding” An incentive award defined as a percent of salary is then defined for “Threshold”, “Target” and “Outstanding” performance results. The payout opportunities vary by position due to the different level of incentive award percentage assigned to the position and the criteria weighting. Payouts can range from 0% to 50% of salary, based on position and the achievement level of each performance criterion. In the first quarter of 2021 the Committee reviewed the results of the 2020 performance criteria. For 2020, the Company achieved the Threshold goal for the net income criteria and the Threshold goal for the ROE criteria. The Committee also reviewed the individual performance goal and the discretionary award for each Named Executive Director. The Incentive Plan awards earned by the Chief Executive and the other Named Executive Officers for 2020 are reported in the Summary Compensation Table and will be paid out in 2021.

﻿

The following illustrates the Incentive Plan structure for the Chief Executive Officer and the other Named Executive Officers:

﻿

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Timothy G. Henry |  |  |  | Performance Level Goals and Payout Opportunity as Percent of Salary
Performance Criteria |  | Criterion Weighting |  | Threshold |  | Target |  | Outstanding
Net Income v. Budget |  | 35% |  | 95%-99% of budget (15%) |  | 100%-110% of budget (30%) |  | > 110% of budget (50%)
ROE Peer Performance |  | 35% |  | 95%-99% of peer (15%) |  | 100%-110% of peer (30%) |  | > 110% of peer (50%)
Functional Goals |  | 15% |  | 15% |  | 30% |  | 50%
Discretionary |  | 15% |  | 15% |  | 30% |  | 50%
﻿ |  | 100% |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mark R. Hollar |  |  |  | Performance Level Goals and Payout Opportunity as Percent of Salary
Performance Criteria |  | Criterion Weighting |  | Threshold |  | Target |  | Outstanding
Net Income v. Budget |  | 35% |  | 95%-99% of budget (10%) |  | 100%-110% of budget (20%) |  | > 110% of budget (35%)
ROE Peer Performance |  | 25% |  | 95%-99% of peer (10%) |  | 100%-110% of peer (20%) |  | > 110% of peer (35%)
Functional Goals |  | 25% |  | 10% |  | 20% |  | 35%
Discretionary |  | 15% |  | 10% |  | 20% |  | 35%
﻿ |  | 100% |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Steven D. Butz |  |  |  | Performance Level Goals and Payout Opportunity as Percent of Salary
Performance Criteria |  | Criterion Weighting |  | Threshold |  | Target |  | Outstanding
Net Income v. Budget |  | 20% |  | 95%-99% of budget (10%) |  | 100%-110% of budget (20%) |  | > 110% of budget (35%)
ROE Peer Performance |  | 20% |  | 95%-99% of peer (10%) |  | 100%-110% of peer (20%) |  | > 110% of peer (35%)
Functional Goals |  | 35% |  | 10% |  | 20% |  | 35%
Discretionary |  | 25% |  | 10% |  | 20% |  | 35%
﻿ |  | 100% |  |  |  |  |  |

﻿

﻿

17

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

﻿

At the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Directors recommended, and the shareholders approved the Stock Plan to be effective February 28, 2020, the date it was approved by the Board of Directors. The Stock Plan replaced the Incentive Stock Option Plan of 2013 and the 2013 Plan was frozen, and no new awards will be granted under the 2013 Plan (the “2013 Plan”). The Stock Plan allows for the award of various types of equity compensation to be awarded to key officers as a component of long-term compensation. Each year, under the terms of the Stock Plan, the Committee establishes two distinct performance criteria: (1) net income versus budget, and (2) return on equity compared to peer group performance. Performance is measured as: “Threshold”, “Target”, and “Outstanding” against the performance criteria. The following illustrates the Stock Plan stock structure for the Chief Executive Officer and the other Named Executive Officers:

﻿

﻿

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  | Performance Level Goals
Performance Criteria |  | Criterion Weighting |  | Threshold |  | Target |  | Outstanding
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net Income v. Budget |  | 60% |  | 95%-99% of budget |  | 100%-110% of budget |  | > 110% of budget
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ROE Peer Performance |  | 40% |  | 95%-99% of peer |  | 100%-110% of peer |  | > 110% of peer

﻿

The number of shares available for award is based upon the participants position in the Company and the type of stock award (e.g. restricted stock, incentive stock options) being granted. Based on 2020 results, the Company achieved the Threshold goal for the net income criteria and the Threshold goal for the ROE Peer Performance goal. As the result, a Stock Plan award (in the form of Restricted Stock) for the Chief Executive Officer and other Named Executive Officers was approved by Compensation and Personnel Committee on February 25, 2021. One-third of the shares will vest each year over a three-year period. The following illustrates the number of restricted stock shares available for award to the Chief Executive Officer and the other Named Executive Officers:

﻿

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | Shares Available for Award |  |
﻿ |  | Threshold |  | Target |  | Outstanding |  | Shares Awarded
Timothy G. Henry |  | 825 |  | 1,650 |  | 2,000 |  | 825
Mark R. Hollar |  | 275 |  | 825 |  | 1,238 |  | 275
Steven D. Butz |  | 275 |  | 825 |  | 1,238 |  | 275

﻿

﻿

At the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held in 2020, the shareholders approved the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers (as defined below) in a non-binding advisory vote by a majority of the votes cast. In consideration, in part, of that vote, the Compensation and Personnel Committee did not make any material changes to its salary compensation policies, procedures or practices for 2020.

﻿

18

Comp ensation Tables and Additional Compensation Disclosure

﻿

Total Compensation

﻿

The following table provides certain summary information concerning total compensation paid or accrued by Franklin Financial and F&M Trust to Timothy G. Henry, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Financial, Mark R. Hollar, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Franklin Financial, and to the most highly compensated executive officer other than Messrs. Henry and Hollar whose total compensation in 20 20 exceeded $100,000.

﻿

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Non-Equity |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Incentive |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Stock |  |  | Plan |  |  | All Other |  |  |
Name and |  |  |  |  | Salary |  |  | Awards |  |  | Compensation |  |  | Compensation |  |  | Total
Principal Position |  | Year |  |  | (1) |  |  | (2) |  |  | (3) |  |  | (4) |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Timothy G. Henry |  | 2020 |  | $ | 425,568 |  | $ | 22,655 |  | $ | 108,528 |  | $ | 17,206 |  | $ | 573,957
President & Chief |  | 2019 |  | $ | 368,042 |  | $ | 55,526 |  | $ | 159,100 |  | $ | 19,722 |  | $ | 602,390
Executive Officer |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mark R. Hollar |  | 2020 |  | $ | 235,170 |  | $ | 7,552 |  | $ | 47,040 |  | $ | 18,011 |  | $ | 307,773
Senior Vice President |  | 2019 |  | $ | 225,708 |  | $ | 30,710 |  | $ | 67,265 |  | $ | 14,884 |  | $ | 338,567
Chief Financial Officer |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Steven D. Butz |  | 2020 |  | $ | 203,606 |  | $ | 7,552 |  | $ | 33,085 |  | $ | 10,717 |  | $ | 254,960
Senior Vice President |  | 2019 |  | $ | 194,300 |  | $ | 30,710 |  | $ | 45,471 |  | $ | 9,715 |  | $ | 280,196
(F&M Trust) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

_____________________

| (1) |  | The amounts reported in this column consist of base salary earned during the indicated year.

| (2) |  | The amounts reported in this column reflect the dollar amount of the compensation expense recognized in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 in connection with awards of stock made pursuant to the Stock Plan.

| (3) |  | The amounts reported in this column consist of cash payouts earned in the indicated year in respect of the Company's performance for that year under the Senior Management Annual Incentive Plan, a non-equity incentive compensation plan.

| (4) |  | The components of all other compensation are reported in the All Other Compensation table that follows.

﻿

ALL OTHER COMPENSATION TABLE

﻿

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  | Company |  |  |  |  |  | NonQualified |  |  | Perquisites |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  | Contributions |  |  | Split Dollar Life |  |  | Pension |  |  | and Other |  |  |  |
Name |  | Year |  |  | to 401(k) Plan |  |  | Insurance Premium |  |  | Contribution |  |  | Compensation |  |  |  | Total
Timothy G. Henry |  | 2020 |  | $ | 14,250 |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | 3,456 | (1) |  | $ | 17,706
﻿ |  | 2019 |  | $ | 14,000 |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | 5,722 | (1) |  | $ | 19,722
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mark R. Hollar |  | 2020 |  | $ | 14,250 |  | $ | 650 |  | $ | 3,111 |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | 18,011
﻿ |  | 2019 |  | $ | 11,931 |  | $ | 567 |  | $ | 2,386 |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | 14,884
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Steven D. Butz |  | 2020 |  | $ | 10,717 |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | 10,717
﻿ |  | 2019 |  | $ | 9,715 |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | 9,715
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

| (1) |  | Value of personal use of company car.

﻿

19

﻿

Outstanding Stock Option
and Other Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

﻿

The following table provides certain information with respect to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table appearing above concerning stock and equity awards which were outstanding on December 31, 20 20.

﻿

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS

﻿

﻿

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  | Stock Awards (1) |  | Stock Awards
﻿ |  |  |  |  | Number of |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Market
﻿ |  |  |  |  | Securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Value of
﻿ |  |  |  |  | Underlying |  |  |  |  |  | Number |  | Shares of
﻿ |  |  |  |  | Unexercised |  | Option |  | Option |  | of Shares |  | Stock That
﻿ |  |  |  |  | Options |  | Exercise |  | Expiration |  | That Have |  | Have Not
Name |  | Grant Date |  | Exercisable (2) |  | Price $ |  | Date |  | Not Vested (#) (3) |  | Vested ($)
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Timothy G. Henry |  | 2/23/2017 | (ISO) |  | 3,100 |  | 30.00 |  | 2/23/2027 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 2/22/2018 | (ISO) |  | 2,927 |  | 34.10 |  | 2/22/2028 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 7/1/2020 | (ESPP) |  | 765 |  | 24.19 |  | 6/30/2021 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 3/1/2020 | (RS) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,790 |  | 48,234
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mark R. Hollar |  | 2/26/2015 | (ISO) |  | 2,400 |  | 22.05 |  | 2/26/2025 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 2/25/2016 | (ISO) |  | 3,000 |  | 21.27 |  | 2/25/2026 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 2/23/2017 | (ISO) |  | 3,000 |  | 30.00 |  | 2/23/2027 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 2/22/2018 | (ISO) |  | 2,927 |  | 34.10 |  | 2/22/2028 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 7/1/2020 | (ESPP) |  | 471 |  | 24.19 |  | 6/30/2021 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 3/1/2020 | (RS) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 990 |  | 26,760
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Steven D. Butz |  | 2/26/2015 | (ISO) |  | 2,250 |  | 22.05 |  | 2/26/2025 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 2/25/2016 | (ISO) |  | 2,700 |  | 21.27 |  | 2/25/2026 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 2/23/2017 | (ISO) |  | 2,700 |  | 30.00 |  | 2/23/2027 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 2/22/2018 | (ISO) |  | 2,700 |  | 34.10 |  | 2/22/2028 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 7/1/2020 | (ESPP) |  | 406 |  | 24.19 |  | 6/30/2021 |  |  |  |
﻿ |  | 3/1/2020 | (RS) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 990 |  | 26,760

﻿

| (1) |  | Awards reflect Incentive Stock Options (ISO) and restricted stock (RS) granted under the Stock Plan, and options granted under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), as indicated.

| (2) |  | Reflects the number of shares of stock underlying unexercised options that are exercisable as of December 31, 2020.

| (3) |  | Mr. Henry’s shares vest as follows: 597 shares March 11, 2021; 597 shares March 11, 2022; and 596 shares March 11, 2023. Mr. Hollar’s and Mr. Butz’s shares vest as follows: 330 shares March 11, 2021; 330 shares March 11, 2022; and 330 shares March 11, 2023.

﻿

20

﻿

Employment Agreements And Potential Payments
Upon Termination Or Change In Control

﻿

All employees of the Company, including the Company's executive officers, are employed at will and do not have employment contracts, severance pay agreements or "golden parachute" arrangements that would be triggered upon the occurrence of a change in control of the Company.

﻿

Equity Compensation Plan Information

﻿

The following table summarizes share and exercise price information relating to Franklin Financial's equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2020:

﻿

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  | Number of
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  | Securities
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  | Remaining
﻿ |  | Number of |  | Weighted- |  | Available For
﻿ |  | Securities To Be |  | Average |  | Future Issuance
﻿ |  | Issued Upon |  | Exercise |  | Under Plans
﻿ |  | Exercise Of |  | Price of |  | (Excluding
﻿ |  | Outstanding |  | Outstanding |  | Securities
Plan |  | Options, Warrants |  | Options, Warrants |  | Reflected In The
Category |  | And Rights (1) |  | And Rights $ |  | First Column) (2)
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity Compensation Plans Approved By Security Holders |  | 105,887 |  | 28.87 |  | 293,090
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved By Security Holders |  | - |  | N/A |  | -
Total |  | 105,887 |  | 28.87 |  | 293,090

﻿

| (1) |  | Number of shares subject to issuance pursuant to the exercise of outstanding awards granted under the 2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan.

| (2) |  | Number of shares available for future issuance under the 2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan.

﻿

ADVISORY VOTE ON COMPENSATION PAID TO NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

﻿

(“Say-On-Pay”)

﻿

The Board of Directors recognizes the interest shareholders have in the compensation of our executives. In recognition of this interest and as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), we are providing shareholders with the opportunity to cast a non-binding advisory vote to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.

﻿

As disclosed in the Executive Compensation Discussion, we believe that executive compensation should be tied to individual performance, should vary with the Company’s performance in achieving its financial and non-financial objectives, and should be structured so as to be closely aligned with the interests of the Company’s shareholders. We also believe that executive compensation should include an at-risk, performance-based component and that this component should increase as an officer’s authority and responsibility increase. To the extent that established performance goals are exceeded, we believe that executive officers should be financially rewarded.

﻿

Base salaries for our executive officers are established based upon salary ranges for each position developed by reference to published salary surveys for comparable positions at similar financial institutions within central Pennsylvania to assure that base salaries fall within the market value for each position.

﻿

The Management Group Incentive Plan links a portion of executive compensation to the success of the Company in meeting certain financial targets established annually by the Compensation and Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors.

﻿

The Company uses stock awards, as described in the Executive Compensation section, as the primary vehicle for providing long term incentive compensation. The Company uses th ese performance measure s because it believes they drive both market value of the Company’s common stock and of the Company’s capacity to increase the amount of cash dividends it is able to pay to its shareholders.

﻿

21

The Company also provides health and welfare benefits to all of its employees on a nondiscriminatory basis. It also maintains a 401(k) plan for all employees and a defined benefit pension plan for persons employed prior to April 1, 2007.

﻿

Based upon the foregoing, and as discussed in the Executive Compensation d iscussion and disclosed in the compensation tables and related narrative, we believe that our executive compensation programs, executive compensation levels and individual compensation actions align with our executive compensation philosophy, support its goals and provide an appropriate balance between risk and reward. For these reasons, we are asking our shareholders to approve the compensation paid to our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.

﻿

Shareholder Resolution

﻿

“RESOLVED, that the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement for the Annual Meeting to be held April 2 7, 202 1 is hereby approved.”

﻿

The approval of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting, assuming a quorum is present, is required to approve this proposal. Although the vote is advisory and not binding in any way, the Board of Directors and the Compensation and Personnel Committee value the opinions of our shareholders and will carefully consider the result of the vote in connection with future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.

﻿

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR approval of the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.

﻿

﻿

﻿

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

﻿

The Audit Committee has reviewed the audited consolidated financial statements of Franklin Financial for the year ended December 31, 20 20 and has discussed these financial statements with management and with Franklin Financial's independent registered public accounting firm, Crowe LLP ("Crowe"). The Audit Committee also has discussed with Crowe the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC.

﻿

The Audit Committee has received from Crowe the written disclosures and letter required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding, and has discussed with Crowe, its independence from Franklin Financial and its management.

﻿

Based upon the review and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that Franklin Financial's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20 20 be included in Franklin Financial's Annual Report on Form 10-K for that year.

﻿

In connection with the standards for accountant's independence adopted by the SEC, the Audit Committee considers in advance of the provision of any non-audit services by Franklin Financial's independent accountants whether the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining the independence of such accountants.

﻿

This report is not intended to be "soliciting material," is not intended to be "filed" with the SEC and is not intended to be incorporated by reference into any filing made by Franklin Financial with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, whether such filing is made before or after the date hereof and notwithstanding any general incorporation language contained in any such filing.

﻿

The foregoing report is submitted by the Audit Committee:

﻿

﻿

Allan E. Jennings, Jr., Chairman

Martin R. Brown

Kevin W. Craig

G. Warren Elliott

Daniel J. Fisher

Donald H. Mowery

Kimberly M. Rzomp

22

﻿

RELAT I ONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

﻿

Ge neral Information

﻿

For the year ended December 31, 2020, Franklin Financial engaged Crowe LLP to audit its consolidated financial statements. Representatives of Crowe LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

﻿

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Franklin Financial conducted a competitive process to select the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. Several independent registered public accounting firms were invited to participate in this process, including BDO USA, LLP, which audited the Corporation’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

﻿

On May 24, 2019, the Corporation, after review and recommendation of the Audit Committee, dismissed BDO USA, LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm.

﻿

The reports of BDO USA, LLP on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

﻿

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the subsequent interim period through May 24, 2019, there were no disagreements (within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) with BDO USA, LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BDO USA, LLP, would have caused BDO USA, LLP to make reference thereto in its reports on the consolidated financial statements for such years. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and through May 24, 2019, there were no reportable events (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

﻿

On May 24, 2019, the Corporation, after review and recommendation of the Audit Committee, appointed Crowe LLP as the Corporation’s new independent registered public accounting firm for and with respect to the year ending December 31, 2019, effective immediately, subject to completion of Crowe LLP’s standard client acceptance procedures and execution of an engagement letter.

﻿

During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the subsequent interim period through May 24, 2019, neither the Corporation nor anyone on its behalf consulted with Crowe LLP regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to the Corporation that Crowe LLP concluded was an important factor considered by the Corporation in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issues; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement or a reportable event (within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, respectively).

﻿

Infor mation About Fees

﻿

Aggregate fees billed to Franklin Financial by Crowe LLP for services rendered in 2020 and 2019 are presented below:

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |
﻿ |  |  | Years Ended December 31
﻿ |  |  | 2020 |  |  | 2019
Audit Fees |  | $ | 272,250 |  | $ | 200,000
Audit Related Fees |  |  | 27,200 |  |  | 27,315
All Other Fees |  |  | - |  |  | -
Total Fees |  | $ | 299,450 |  | $ | 227,315
﻿ |  |  |  |  |  |

﻿

Audit Fees include fees billed for professional services related to the audit of Franklin Financial’s annual consolidated financial statements, including audit of internal controls, and the review of the unaudited financial statements included in Franklin Financial’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

﻿

Audit Related Fees include fees billed for professional audit related services consisting principally of employee benefit plan audits and consultation with respect to accounting matters.

﻿

23

All Other Fees include fees billed for services other than the services reported under the Audit Fees, Audit Related Fees, or Tax Fees sections of the table above.

﻿

A udit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

﻿

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and legally permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by the independent auditors. Under the policy, pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific budget. In addition, the Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. For each proposed service, the independent auditor is required to provide detailed back-up documentation at the time of approval or such other detailed information as the Audit Committee deems appropriate. The Audit Committee may delegate to subcommittees of one or more of its members the authority to pre-approve all auditing and permitted non-audit services (including the authority to approve non-audit services pursuant to the de minimis exception set forth in applicable SEC rules and regulations), provided that such decisions are presented to the full Committee at it next scheduled meeting. All audit and permissible non-audit services provided by Crowe LLP in 20 20 were either pre-approved by the Audit Committee, or approved and reported under the de minimis exception set forth in the applicable SEC rules and regulations.

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

﻿

Under the Audit Committee’s Charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for selecting the Company’s independent auditors. The Audit Committee evaluates and monitors the auditors’ qualifications, performance and independence. You can learn more about the Audit Committee’s responsibilities with respect to the independent auditors in the Audit Committee’s charter, which is posted on our website at www.franklinfin.com.

﻿

The Audit Committee presented its conclusions regarding the independent auditors to our Board of Directors. Following this presentation, the Board voted to recommend that shareholders vote to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of Crowe LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 202 1.

﻿

The Audit Committee and Board have adopted a policy that if a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting is against ratification, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection of Crowe LLP. The Audit Committee, however, will be under no obligation to select new independent auditors. If the Audit Committee does select new independent auditors for 202 1, the Company will not seek shareholder ratification of the Audit Committee’s new selection.

﻿

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the Audit Committee’s selection of Crowe LLP, as the independent registered public accounting firm for 20 2 1.

﻿

24

ADDITI ONAL INFORMATION

﻿

K ey Employees

﻿

The following persons are key employees of Franklin Financial (some of whom are officers of F&M Trust):

﻿

﻿

﻿

﻿ |  |  |  |
Name |  | Age |  | Office Held
Timothy G. Henry |  | 62 |  | President and Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Financial and F&M Trust, since 2016
﻿ |  |  |  | Senior Vice President, BB&T 2013 - 2016
﻿ |  |  |  |
Mark R. Hollar |  | 59 |  | Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Franklin Financial and
﻿ |  |  |  | F&M Trust, since 2006
﻿ |  |  |  |
Steven D. Butz |  | 56 |  | Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Services Market Manager, F&M Trust, since 2013
﻿ |  |  |  |
Karen K. Carmack |  | 49 |  | Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, F&M Trust, since 2006
﻿ |  |  |  |
Ronald L. Cekovich |  | 64 |  | Senior Vice President, Chief Information & Operations Officer, F&M Trust, since 2006
﻿ |  |  |  |
Scott Ehrig |  | 54 |  | Senior Vice President, Investment and Trust Services Manager, F&M Trust since 2020
﻿ |  |  |  | Co-Chief Investment Officer FMA Advisory 2016-2020
﻿ |  |  |  | Wilmington Trust/M&T Bank 2005-2016
﻿ |  |  |  |
Patricia A. Hanks |  | 60 |  | Senior Vice President, Chief Retail Services Manager, F&M Trust, since 2011
﻿ |  |  |  |
Lorie M. Heckman |  | 57 |  | Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, F&M Trust, since 2015
﻿ |  |  |  | Vice President, Compliance Officer, F&M Trust 2006 - 2015
﻿ |  |  |  |
Matthew D. Weaver |  | 52 |  | Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, F&M Trust since 2014

﻿

Transa ctions with Related Persons

﻿

Some of the directors and executive officers of Franklin Financial and the companies with which they are associated were customers of and had banking transactions with F&M Trust in the ordinary course of business during 20 20. All loans and commitments to loans made to such persons and the companies with which they are associated were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates, collateral, and repayment terms, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and did not involve more than a normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. It is anticipated that F&M Trust will enter into similar transactions in the future. No loan to any director or executive officer is past due, in nonaccrual status, a troubled debt restructuring or considered a potential problem loan.

﻿

In accordance with the terms of Franklin Financial's Corporate Governance Guidelines (which are posted on Franklin Financial's website at www.franklinfin.com), any transaction involving Franklin Financial or any direct or indirect subsidiary of Franklin Financial and an executive officer, a director, a nominee for election to the Board of Directors, or a five percent or greater shareholder (or a member of his or her immediate family or a company or other entity in which he or she has, directly or indirectly, a financial interest) must be submitted for review by the Audit Committee, except that any proposed loan to any such person or entity is submitted to the entire Board of Directors for review. It is the policy of the Company not to engage in any such transition except upon full disclosure of the involvement of such persons and approval by a majority of the disinterested directors. Extensions of credit to such persons also may be subject to F&M Trust’s Regulation O policy. F&M had no transactions with related persons in 20 20.

﻿

﻿

Comp liance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

﻿

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that the directors and certain officers of Franklin Financial file with the SEC reports of ownership and changes in ownership with respect to shares of Franklin Financial common stock beneficially owned by them. Based solely upon its review of copies of such reports furnished to it and written representations made by its directors and those officers who are subject to such reporting requirements, Franklin Financial determined that all transactions were filed on a timely basis.

﻿

25

Shar eholder Communication with the Board of Directors

﻿

Shareholders and other interested persons who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors (including, specifically, the non-management directors) may do so by letter addressed to Chairman of the Board, Franklin Financial Services Corporation, P.O. Box 6010, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201-6010.

﻿

Shareholders and other interested persons who wish to express a concern relating to accounting or audit related matters may do so by letter addressed to Chairman of the Audit Committee, Franklin Financial Services Corporation, P.O. Box 6010, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201-6010.

﻿

Hous eholding of Proxy Materials

﻿

In accordance with a notice sent to all shareholders with the same last name who share the same address, only one copy of Franklin Financial's Proxy Materials, annual report and proxy statement will be sent to that address, unless contrary instructions are given to Franklin Financial. This practice, known as "householding," is designed to reduce Franklin Financial's printing and postage costs. However, if any shareholder residing at such an address wishes to receive a separate Proxy Materials, annual report and proxy statement in the future, the shareholder may call Franklin Financial's Corporate Secretary at (717) 261-3553 or write to Corporate Secretary, Franklin Financial Services Corp., P.O. Box 6010, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201-6010, or communicate the request by E-mail addressed to a.ducey@f-mtrust.com. If a shareholder is receiving multiple copies of Franklin Financial's Proxy Materials, annual report and proxy statement, the shareholder may request to receive only a single copy of these materials by contacting Franklin Financial's Corporate Secretary in the same manner.

26

Ann ual Report on Form 10-K

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A copy of the annual report of Franklin Financial for the year ended December 31, 20 20 on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC is available without charge to shareholders, depositors and other interested persons upon request addressed to Mark R. Hollar, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Franklin Financial Services Corporation, P.O. Box 6010, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201-6010. Franklin Financial's Form 10-K, as well as its other periodic reports filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, are available on Franklin Financial's website at www.franklinfin.com.

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OT HER MATTERS

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The Board of Directors of Franklin Financial knows of no matters, other than those discussed in this Proxy Statement, which will be presented at the 20 2 1 Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly brought before the meeting, any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors of Franklin Financial.

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﻿ | BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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﻿ | MARK R. HOLLAR, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
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Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

March 1 5, 20 2 1

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