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
Filed by the Registrant [x]
Filed by a party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[x] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material under Rule14a-12
AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
--------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[x] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
_______________________________
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
_______________________________
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
_______________________________
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
_______________________________
(5) Total fee paid:
_______________________________
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
________________________________
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
________________________________
(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
________________________________
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March 16, 2005
Dear Shareholder:
You are invited to attend the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ames
National Corporation to be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at Reiman Gardens,
1407 Elwood Drive, Ames, Iowa. Registration begins at 4:00 p.m. with the Annual
Meeting to commence at 4:30 p.m. Enclosed are the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and 2004 Annual Report to
Shareholders.
At the Annual Meeting, three directors will be elected to the Board of
Directors. The three individuals whose terms are expiring have been nominated by
the Board of Directors to stand for election to another three year term.
Management will report on the operations and activities of the Company with an
opportunity to ask questions.
Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or
not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors encourages you
to mark, sign, date and return your Proxy Card as soon as possible in the
enclosed postage-paid envelope. Returning the Proxy Card will not prevent you
from voting in person at the Annual Meeting, but will assure that your vote is
counted if you are unable to attend.
On behalf of the Boards of Directors, officers and staff of Ames National
Corporation, Boone Bank & Trust Co., First National Bank, Randall-Story State
Bank, State Bank & Trust Co. and United Bank & Trust NA, we thank you for your
continued support and look forward to visiting with you at the Annual Meeting.
Sincerely,
Daniel L. Krieger
Chairman and President
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AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
405 Fifth Street
Ames, Iowa 50010
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
April 27, 2005
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ames
National Corporation, an Iowa corporation (the "Company"), will be held on
Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at 4:30 o'clock p.m., local time, at Reiman Gardens,
1407 Elwood Drive, Ames, Iowa, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof
(the "Meeting"), for the following purposes:
1. To elect three members of the Board of Directors.
2. To consider such other business as may properly be brought before
the Meeting.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 11, 2005 as
the record date for the determination of those shareholders entitled to notice
of and to vote at the Meeting. Accordingly, only shareholders of record at the
close of business on that date will be entitled to vote at the Meeting.
TO INSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REQUESTS THAT YOU MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. YOUR PROXY MAY BE REVOKED AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS EXERCISED
AND, IF YOU ARE ABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND WISH TO VOTE YOUR SHARES IN
PERSON, YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND DO SO.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ John P. Nelson
----------------------------
John P. Nelson
March 16, 2005 Vice President and Secretary
Ames, Iowa
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AMES NATIONAL CORPORATION
405 Fifth Street
Ames, Iowa 50010
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on April 27, 2005
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of Ames National
Corporation, an Iowa corporation, (the "Company"), in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board")
for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Wednesday, April 27,
2005, at 4:30 o'clock p.m., local time, at Reiman Gardens, 1407 Elwood Drive,
Ames, Iowa, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof (the "Meeting"). This
Proxy Statement and form of Proxy enclosed herewith are first being sent to the
shareholders of the Company entitled thereto on or about March 16, 2005.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 11, 2005 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. There were 3,137,066 shares of
the Company's common stock (the "Common Stock") outstanding at the close of
business on that date, all of which will be entitled to vote at the Meeting. The
presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of such
outstanding shares is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business at the Meeting. Holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to one
vote per share standing in their names on the record date on all matters to
properly come before the Meeting. Shareholders do not have cumulative voting
rights. If the holder of shares abstains from voting on any matter, or if shares
are held by a broker which has indicated that it does not have discretionary
authority to vote on a particular matter, those shares will be considered to be
present for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present, but will not
be counted as votes cast with respect to any matter to come before the Meeting
and will not affect the outcome of any matter. The Board has appointed an
inspector of elections who will be responsible for tabulating the votes by
Proxy, counting the votes cast in person at the Meeting and announcing the
results of voting.
If the accompanying Proxy is properly signed and returned and is not
revoked, the shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance with the
instructions indicated thereon. If the manner of voting such shares is not
indicated on the Proxy, the shares will be voted FOR the election of the
nominees for directors named herein. Election of any nominee for director will
require the affirmative vote of a plurality of those shares voting at the
Meeting in person or by proxy.
The Company will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies. In addition to
the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by officers, directors and
regular employees of the Company, without extra compensation, by telephone,
e-mail, facsimile or personal contact. It will greatly assist the Company in
limiting expense in connection with the Meeting if any shareholder who does not
expect to attend the Meeting in person will return a signed Proxy promptly.
A shareholder may revoke his or her Proxy at any time prior to the exercise
thereof by filing with the Secretary of the Company at the Company's principal
office at P.O. Box 846, 405 Fifth Street, Ames, Iowa 50010, Attn: Secretary,
either a written revocation of the Proxy or a duly executed Proxy bearing a
later date. A shareholder may also revoke the Proxy by attending the Meeting and
voting in person. Attendance at the Meeting without voting in person will not
serve as the revocation of a Proxy.
INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES
FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
The Board of the Company currently consists of nine members. The Board is
divided into three classes for the purpose of electing and defining the terms of
office of the directors. All directors are elected to serve three-year terms,
with one-third of the directors being elected on an annual basis. The terms of
three directors will expire at the Meeting.
The directors to be elected at the Meeting will each serve a three-year
term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2008. The
directors shall each serve until their successor is elected and qualified, or
until their earlier death, resignation or removal. The Board has no reason to
believe that any nominee named in this Proxy Statement will be unable to serve
as a director, if elected. However, in case any nominee should become
unavailable for election, the Proxy will be voted for such substitute, if any,
as the Board may designate.
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Set forth below are the names of the three persons nominated by the Board
for election as directors at the Meeting, along with certain other information
concerning such persons. All of the nominees are currently serving as directors
of the Company.
Nominees for Three Year Terms
Betty A. Baudler Horras Ms. Baudler Horras has served as a director
Age 51 of the Company since 2000. She is the
President of Baudler Horras Enterprises, Inc.,
a sign business located in Ames, Iowa and the
former owner and General Manager of radio stations
KASI and KCCQ located in Ames, Iowa.
Douglas C. Gustafson, DVM Dr. Gustafson has served as a director of the
Age 61 Company since 1999. He is a practicing
veterinarian and partner in Boone Veterinary
Hospital located in Boone, Iowa.
Charles D. Jons, MD Dr. Jons has served as a director of the Company
Age 63 since 1996. He retired in 1999 after a 20 year
medical practice with McFarland Clinic in Ames,
Iowa and is currently a self-employed health care
consultant.
The Board recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the foregoing nominees
to the Board.
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS
OTHER THAN NOMINEES
Set forth below is certain information with respect to directors of the
Company who will continue to serve subsequent to the Meeting and who are not
nominees for election at the Meeting.
Directors Whose Terms will Expire in 2006
Robert L. Cramer Mr. Cramer has served as a director of the Company
Age 64 since 2003. He is the President and Chief Operating
Officer of Fareway Stores, Inc., a privately owned
company operating 87 grocery stores in Iowa, Illinois
and Nebraska.
James R. Larson II Mr. Larson has served as a director of the Company
Age 53 since 2000. He retired in 2004 after serving as
President and Chief Financial Officer of ACI
Mechanical, Inc., a heating and cooling contractor
located in Ames, Iowa.
Warren R. Madden Mr. Madden has served as a director of the Company
Age 65 since 2003. He is employed as Vice President of
Business and Finance at Iowa State University. Iowa
State University is a major land grant university
located in Ames, Iowa with an enrollment of over
24,000 students.
Directors Whose Terms will Expire in 2007
Daniel L. Krieger Mr. Krieger has served as a director of the Company
Age 68 since 1978. He has been employed as President of
the Company since 1997 and was named Chairman in 2003.
He served as President of First National Bank from 1984
through 1999. He also serves as Chairman and trust
officer of First National Bank.
Frederick C. Samuelson Mr. Samuelson has served as a director of the Company
Age 61 since 2004. He has been employed since 1971 as
President and owner of James Michael & Associates, Inc.,
a general retail variety store in Nevada, Iowa. He
also holds management and ownership positions in
several other retail businesses with operations
located in Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.
Marvin J. Walter Mr. Walter has served as a director of the Company
Age 64 since 1978. He is the President of Dayton Road
Development Corporation, a real estate evelopment
company located in Ames, Iowa.
None of the nominees or directors serve as a director of another company whose
securities are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or a company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. There are no family
relationships among the Company's directors and executive officers.
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INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board holds regular quarterly meetings and held four such meetings
during 2004. During 2004, each director of the Company attended at least 75% of
all meetings of the Board and meetings of committees to which such director was
appointed.
The Board has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and
a Nominating Committee as standing committees of the Board. Additional
information concerning each of the committees and the directors serving thereon
follows.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is responsible for review of the Company's auditing,
accounting, financial reporting and internal control functions and for the
appointment, compensation and oversight of the Company's independent
accountants. . In addition, the Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring
the quality of the Company's accounting principles and financial reporting as
well as the independence of the Company's independent accountants. The Audit
Committee is also required to preapprove any audit or permissible non-audit
services to be provided by the independent accountants. The Board has adopted a
written charter for the Audit Committee, a copy of which may be accessed on the
Company's website at www.amesnational.com. A report of the Audit Committee
appears in this Proxy Statement.
During 2004, the Audit Committee consisted of Mr. Walter, who acted as
chairman, Ms. Baudler Horras, Mr. Cramer and Mr. Madden, all of whom are
independent directors (as determined in accordance with the definition of
"independent director" established by the corporate governance rules of the
NASDAQ stock market). The Audit Committee met on three occasions during 2004.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee determines and makes recommendations to the
Board on all elements of compensation for the Company's executive officers. A
report of the Compensation Committee appears in this Proxy Statement.
During 2004, the Compensation Committee consisted of Mr. Larson, who acted
as chairman, Dr. Gustafson and Dr. Jons, all of whom are independent directors
(as determined in accordance with the definition of "independent director"
established by the corporate governance rules of the NASDAQ stock market). The
Compensation Committee met on two occasions during 2004.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is responsible for evaluating and recommending to
the Board the names of nominees for election as directors. The Nominating
Committee also reviews and recommends to the Board the desired characteristics
of the composition of the Board, including the number of directors, age,
experience and other appropriate attributes. The Board has adopted a written
charter for the Nominating Committee, a copy of which may be accessed on the
Company's website at www.amesnational.com.
During 2004, the Nominating Committee consisted of Dr. Gustafson, who
acted as chairman, Dr. Jons, Mr. Samuelson and Mr. Walter, all of whom are
independent directors (as determined in accordance with the definition of
"independent director" established by the corporate governance rules of the
NASDAQ stock market). The Committee met once during 2004.
Director Compensation
During 2004, each director of the Company was paid a fee of $600 for each
regular Board meeting attended (except for Mr. Krieger who received no
additional compensation for his services as a director). Directors serving on
the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating Committee and on
the Company's Loan Committee were paid a fee of $300, with the committee
chairman receiving $390, for each meeting of those committees that the director
attended (except for Mr. Krieger who received no additional compensation for his
service as a member of the Loan Committee). Directors of the Company (with the
exception of Mr. Krieger) who also serve as directors of one or more of the
Company's affiliate banks (the "Banks") received fees during 2004 for board and
committee meetings attended at the Bank level.
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Nomination of Directors
The Nominating Committee evaluates and recommends to the Board the names
of nominees for election as directors. The Nominating Committee will consider,
as part of its nomination process, any nominee submitted by a shareholder of the
Company, provided such shareholder has complied with the procedure set forth in
the Company's bylaws (the "Bylaws") for the submission of nominees. In order to
submit the name of a nominee, a shareholder must provide written notice of such
nominee, accompanied by other information concerning the nominee as specified in
Section 3.1(c) of the Bylaws, to the Secretary of the Company no less than 120
days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement
distributed by the Company in connection with the prior year's annual meeting of
shareholders. A nomination with respect to the election of directors at the
annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2006 would need to be submitted no
later than November 16, 2005. A copy of the relevant provisions of the Bylaws
pertaining to nominations may be obtained by contacting the Secretary of the
Company or by accessing the Bylaws on the Company's website at
www.amesnational.com. A shareholder who has complied with the procedure for
submitting the name of a nominee may nominate such individual at an annual
meeting notwithstanding that such individual has not been nominated for election
by the Board.
On an annual basis, the Board compiles a list of candidates for submission
to the Nominating Committee for its evaluation. As noted above, the list of
candidates will include any person nominated by a shareholder in compliance with
the nomination procedures set forth in the Bylaws. The Nominating Committee may
also identify and evaluate any other person that may come to the attention of
the Nominating Committee as a candidate for nomination. The Nominating Committee
evaluates each candidate utilizing the minimum qualifications specified in the
Nominating Committee Charter and taking into account any other information
deemed by the Nominating Committee to be relevant to the evaluation process. The
evaluation process for director and shareholder nominated-candidates is applied
on a uniform basis. The Nominating Committee may, to the extent it deems
appropriate, contact other directors not serving on the Nominating Committee,
directors and officers of the Banks and any shareholder nominating an
individual, to ensure the necessary information is obtained to properly evaluate
the desirability of each candidate. Upon completion of the evaluation process,
the Nominating Committee will make its recommendations to the Board based upon
the desired composition of the Board, review of minimum qualifications and other
information deemed by the Nominating Committee to be relevant and the readily
ascertainable strengths and weaknesses of each candidate.
The Nominating Committee Charter identifies the following minimum
qualifications under which a candidate will be evaluated: (i) the ability to
understand financial affairs and complexities of business organizations; (ii)
business experience and community involvement in the market areas in which the
Banks conduct their business; (iii) although not required, the prior experience
of a candidate as a director of one of the Banks; (iv) reputation for high moral
and ethical business standards that will add to the stature of the Board; and
(v) compliance with the requirements of the Company's age limitation policies.
The age limitation policy provides that a newly-nominated director must be under
age 65 (unless the nominee also serves as an executive officer of the Company or
a Bank) and that a current director will be eligible for re-election only if
such director will not be more than 75 years of age at the end of the term for
which the director would be re-elected.
Each of the three nominees for election as directors at the Meeting, Ms.
Baudler Horras, Dr. Gustafson, and Dr. Jons, currently serve as directors of the
Company and are standing for re-election.
Shareholder Communications
The Board has adopted a process whereby a shareholder may direct written
communications to the Board. A shareholder desiring to communicate with the
Board may send a written communication addressed to the Board and directed, if
by e-mail, to info@amesnational.com with Attention: "Board of Directors" in the
subject line or, if sent by regular mail, addressed to Ames National
Corporation, P.O. Box 846, 405 Fifth Street, Ames, Iowa 50010, Attention: Board
of Directors. Upon receipt of a written communication from a shareholder
addressed to the Board in a manner described above, the communication will be
reviewed by the Chairman of the Company and the Chairman of the Audit Committee
for purposes of determining whether the communication raises an issue of
appropriate concern to the Board. Communications raising issues of appropriate
concern will be forwarded to each member of the Board for consideration by the
Board as a whole. All written communications directed to the Board and submitted
in the manner prescribed by the process will, regardless of whether such
communication is ultimately submitted to the Board, receive a written response
from the Chairman of the Company.
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Board Member Attendance at Annual Meetings
The Board has adopted a policy providing that each member of the Board
shall use his or her reasonable efforts to attend each annual meeting of
shareholders of the Company, giving appropriate consideration to the business
and travel schedule of the director. Each person who was serving as a director
of the Company at the time of the annual meeting of shareholders in 2004
attended such meeting.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Directors, Nominees and Named Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned as of February 28, 2005 by each director of the Company, by each nominee
for director of the Company and by each executive officer of the Company or the
Banks named in the Summary Compensation Table included herein (the "named
executive officers") and by all directors and executive officers (including the
named executive officers) as a group.
Shares Beneficially Percent of Total
Name Owned (1)(2) Shares Outstanding
------------------- ------------------
Betty A. Baudler Horras 5,800 *
Robert L. Cramer(3) 5,030 *
Douglas C. Gustafson, DVM (4) 13,205 *
Leo E. Herrick (5) 6,786 *
Charles D. Jons, M.D (6) 6,034 *
Daniel L. Krieger (7) 104,858 3.34%
James R. Larson II 5,355 *
Warren R. Madden(8) 560 *
Thomas H. Pohlman(9) 2,450 *
Jeffrey K. Putzier (9) 2,088 *
Frederick C. Samuelson(10) 4,080 *
Marvin J. Walter (11) 9,009 *
Terrill L. Wycoff (12) 40,045 1.28%
Directors and Executive
Officers (17) as a Group (13) 261,615 8.34%
----------------------------------
Notes:
* Indicates less than 1% ownership of outstanding shares.
(1) Shares "beneficially owned" include shares owned by or for, among others,
the spouse and/or minor children of the named individual and any other
relative who has the same home as such individual, as well as other shares
with respect to which the named individual has sole investment or voting
power or shares investment or voting power. Beneficial ownership may be
disclaimed as to certain of the shares.
(2) Except as otherwise indicated in the following notes, each named individual
owns his or her shares directly and has sole investment and voting power
with respect to such shares.
(3) Includes 825 shares held in an individual retirement account for the
benefit of his spouse over which he has shared investment and voting power.
(4) Includes 2,500 shares held in his spouse's name over which he has shared
investment and voting power.
(5) Includes 1,865 shares held in an individual retirement account for the
benefit of his spouse over which he has shared investment and voting power.
(6) Consists of shares held in the name of Charles D. Jons and Carolyn L. Jons,
Trustees (and their successors) of the Charles and Carolyn Jons Trust u/t/a
dtd 7-8-97 over which he has shared investment and voting power.
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(7) Includes 40,500 shares held in the name of the Daniel L. Krieger 2000
Revocable Trust dated March 21, 2000, Daniel L. Krieger and Sharon J.
Krieger Trustees; 15,500 shares held in the name of the Sharon J. Krieger
2000 Revocable Trust dated March 21, 2000, Daniel L. Krieger and Sharon J.
Krieger Trustees over which he has shared investment and voting power and
48,858 shares held by the Ames National Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing
Plan with respect to which Mr. Krieger exercises shared investment and
voting power in his capacity as trust officer of First National Bank which
serves as trustee of that plan.
(8) Consists of 280 shares held in the name of the Warren R. Madden Revocable
Trust dated December 10, 1996, Warren R. Madden and Beverly S. Madden,
Trustees and 200 shares held in the name of the Beverly S. Madden Revocable
Trust dated December 10, 1996, Warren R. Madden and Beverly S. Madden,
Trustees, over which he has shared investment and voting power.
(9) Consists of shares held jointly with his spouse over which he has shared
investment and voting power.
(10) Includes 1,150 shares held in an individual retirement account for the
benefit of his spouse over which he has shared investment and voting power.
(11) Consists of 5,123 shares held in the name of the Marvin J. Walter Revocable
Trust dated January 12. 2005, Marvin J. Walter and Janice G. Walter,
Trustees; 80 shares held in the name of the Janice G. Walter Revocable
Trust dated January 12, 2005, Marvin J. Walter and Janice G. Walter,
Trustees over which he has shared investment and voting power; and 3,806
shares held in the name of the W&G 401(k) Plan for the benefit of Marvin J.
Walter, who serves as trustee and has sole investment and voting power for
those shares.
(12) Includes 14,296 shares held in his spouse's name over which he has shared
investment and voting power.
(13) Includes, in addition to shares owned by the directors and named executive
officers, a total of 6,018 shares owned by four other executive officers of
the Company or the Banks for whom disclosure of individual share ownership
is not required. An additional 50,141 shares owned by the Josephine F. Tope
Charitable Remainder Unitrust are also included in this total, as one of
the executive officers exercises shared investment and voting power in his
capacity as trust officer of State Bank & Trust Co. which serves as trustee
of the trust.
Other Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth certain information on each person who is
known to the Company to be the beneficial owner as of February 28, 2005 of more
than five percent of the Common Stock.
Shares Beneficially Percent of Total
Name and Address Owned Shares Outstanding
------------------- ------------------
George B. Coover (1) 210,216 6.70%
2533 Coral Brooke Drive
Sierra Vista, AZ 85650
Charlotte H. Stafford (2) 165,718 5.28%
9701 Meyer Forest Drive, Apt. 23302
Houston, TX 77096-4324
Robert W. Stafford (3) 329,377 10.50%
P.O. Box 846
Ames, Iowa 50010
----------------------------
Notes:
(1) Consists of 158,216 shares held in the name of George B. Coover in his
capacity as trustee of the Coover Family Trust - Trust A u/t/a 4/22/75 and
52,000 shares held in the name of Mr. Coover in his capacity as trustee of
the Coover Family Trust - Trust B u/t/a 4/22/75. Mr. Coover is the
brother-in-law of Robert W. Stafford.
9
(2) Consists of 11,380 shares held in the name of Charlotte H. Stafford in her
individual capacity, 48,000 shares held in the name of the Richard C.
Stafford Family Trust U/W of Richard C. Stafford, Robert W. Stafford and
Charlotte H. Stafford as Co-Trustees and 106,338 shares held in the name of
the Charlotte H. Stafford Trust U/W of Richard C. Stafford, Robert W.
Stafford and Charlotte H. Stafford as Co-Trustees. Ms. Stafford holds
shared investment and voting power with respect to the shares owned by the
two trusts. Ms. Stafford is the sister-in-law of Robert W. Stafford.
Beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the two trusts has also been
reported under the holdings of Robert W. Stafford, although Mr. Stafford
disclaims any pecuniary interest in such shares.
(3) Includes 79,446 shares held in his spouse's name, 48,000 shares held in the
name of the Richard C. Stafford Family Trust U/W of Richard C. Stafford,
Robert W. Stafford and Charlotte H. Stafford, Co-Trustees and 106,338
shares held in the name of the Charlotte H. Stafford Trust U/W of Richard
C. Stafford, Robert W. Stafford and Charlotte H. Stafford, Co-Trustees.
Richard C. Stafford is Robert W. Stafford's deceased brother and Robert W.
Stafford is the brother-in-law of Charlotte H. Stafford. Mr. Stafford has
shared investment and voting power with respect to the foregoing shares,
but disclaims any pecuniary interest in the shares held in the two trusts.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires
the directors and executive officers of the Company and the holders of more than
ten percent of the Common Stock to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission reports regarding their ownership and changes in ownership of the
Common Stock. The Company believes that during 2004 its directors, executive
officers and ten percent shareholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing
requirements, with the exception of the following: (i) one Form 4 reporting one
transaction involving the acquisition of shares by the Frederick C. Samuelson
IRA was filed late by director Frederick C. Samuelson; (ii) one Form 4 reporting
one transaction involving the acquisition of shares by the W&G 401(k) Profit
Sharing Plan was filed late by director Marvin J. Walter who is deemed to have
beneficial ownership of such shares by virtue of his position as trustee of the
plan; and (iii) three Form 4s reporting three transactions involving the
acquisition of shares by Douglas C. Gustafson and the Douglas C. Gustafson SEP
IRA were filed late by director Douglas C. Gustafson. During 2004, it was also
determined that Mr. Gustafson was late in filing one Form 4 that should have
been filed in 2003 to report one transaction involving the acquisition of shares
by the Douglas C. Gustafson Self-Directed IRA. Also in 2004, an amended Form 3
was filed for Mr. Walter to correct the original Form 3 filing that omitted to
report his beneficial ownership of shares by the W&G 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
for which he serves as the trustee. In making the foregoing statements, the
Company has relied upon an examination of the copies of Forms 3 and 4 provided
to the Company and on the written representations of its directors and executive
officers.
10
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain compensation information for the
Chairman and President of the Company and for the four executive officers of the
Banks who, based on their salary and bonus compensation, were the most highly
compensated executive officers for the year ending December 31, 2004. All
information set forth in this table reflects compensation earned by these
individuals for services with the Company or the Banks, as applicable, for the
year ending December 31, 2004, as well as their compensation for each of the
years ending December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002.
Summary Compensation Table
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME, POSITION ALL OTHER
AND ORGANIZATION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION (1)
--------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Daniel L. Krieger, Chairman and 2004 $191,564 $120,126 $24,436
President of the Company 2003 $184,296 $105,058 $23,020
2002 $177,108 $114,518 $24,170
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Thomas H. Pohlman, President of 2004 $134,900 $85,012 $25,749
First National Bank 2003 $131,500 $81,524 $24,898
2002 $126,420 $79,045 $25,665
---------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
Terrill L. Wycoff, Executive 2004 $129,480 $72,869 $25,416
Vice President of First National 2003 $126,672 $69,878 $24,469
Bank 2002 $122,040 $67,754 $24,356
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Jeffrey K. Putzier, President of 2004 $107,400 $29,095 $16,551
Boone Bank & Trust Co. 2003 $103,200 $26,672 $15,231
2002 $98,460 $25,818 $14,815
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Leo E. Herrick, 2004 $104,000 $26,000 $11,050
President of United Bank 2003 $96,000 $24,000 $8,400
& Trust, N.A. 2002 $66,667 $10,000 0
(1) Figures consist of contributions made on behalf of the named executive
officer to the Ames National Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
sponsored by the Company and the Banks for the benefit of their respective
employees.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This report describes the current compensation policy and practices as
endorsed by the Board of the Company and the boards of directors of the Banks
and the process followed in arriving at 2004 compensation provided to Daniel
Krieger, Chairman and President of the Company, and the executive officers of
the Banks identified in the preceding Summary Compensation Table (collectively,
the "executive officers"). Decisions regarding the compensation of Mr. Krieger
are made by the Board of the Company upon recommendation of the Compensation
Committee of the Board. Decisions regarding the compensation of the other
executive officers are made by the board of directors of the particular Bank by
which each of the executive officers is employed upon recommendation of the
compensation committee of the particular board. Although compensation decisions
are made at the Company and Bank levels, as applicable, the Company and the
Banks all adhere to the same compensation policies and practices. Accordingly,
the following description of the compensation policy and practices of the
Compensation Committee of the Board of the Company is equally applicable to the
policy and practices of the compensation committee of the particular Bank by
which each of the executive officers of a Bank is employed.
11
Compensation Policy and Practices
The executive compensation program of the Company has been designed to
provide a fair and competitive compensation package that will enable the Company
to compete for and retain talented executives and encourage superior performance
through the award of performance-based compensation. The executive compensation
package consists of the following components:
* base salary
* deferred salary
* performance awards
* benefits
Executive compensation decisions made by the Compensation Committee are
guided by the Management Incentive Compensation Plan (the "MIC Plan") which
provides for the allocation of total salary between base salary and deferred
salary and establishes parameters for additional performance awards. Total
salary (consisting of base salary and deferred salary) of the executive officer
is established on an annual basis by the Compensation Committee. In establishing
total salary, the Compensation Committee reviews individual performance, Company
and Bank performance (primarily in terms of profitability ratios) as compared to
peer groups on both a national and state basis and a compensation survey
prepared by the Iowa Bankers Association providing state-wide peer group
compensation data for similarly-sized institutions. No specific weight is
accorded to the various factors considered, and the total salary established is
ultimately a subjective decision on the part of the Compensation Committee. Once
total salary has been established, the MIC Plan contains a formula whereby total
salary is allocated between base salary (which is paid on a monthly basis and is
not contingent on any performance standards) and deferred salary (which is paid
only upon satisfaction of certain performance thresholds), as described below.
Under the MIC Plan, the Compensation Committee establishes on an annual
basis an earnings threshold which is used to determine the payment of deferred
salary and to define eligibility for earning additional performance awards over
and above total salary. The earnings threshold is defined by selecting a return
on assets target that the Compensation Committee views as representing
sufficient performance to enable the executive officer to earn all deferred
salary and to become eligible for additional performance awards in the event
earnings exceed the threshold. In establishing the earnings threshold, the
Compensation Committee reviews and relies primarily on national and state peer
group return on asset ratios of financial institutions of similar size. Although
the MIC Plan provides that the Company and Banks are generally expected to
achieve results above the peer group ratio, the decision concerning the
appropriate earnings threshold is ultimately a subjective decision of the
Compensation Committee. The MIC Plan also requires the Compensation Committee to
establish an earnings "floor" (below which no deferred salary will be earned)
and a "ceiling" (which limits the amount of performance award compensation which
may be paid during any year). The "floor" and "ceiling" earnings levels are also
established on a subjective basis by the Compensation Committee.
Under the MIC Plan, the entitlement to deferred salary and additional
performance awards are reviewed and determined on a semi-annual basis, comparing
the actual earnings during the two prior calendar quarters against the earnings
threshold established under the MIC Plan. If actual earnings are below the
threshold, the executive officer will receive only a portion of the deferred
salary (or no deferred salary at all if earnings are below the "floor") and no
performance award. If actual earnings exceed the threshold, the executive
officer will receive all deferred salary to which he is entitled. In addition,
the executive officer will receive his pre-determined percentage of the
performance award pool established under the MIC Plan, with such pool being an
amount equal to 10% of the amount by which the actual earnings exceed the
threshold (subject to the ceiling established by the Compensation Committee).
Each executive officer also receives on an annual basis a contribution to
the Ames National Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the "401(k) Plan")
which is a defined contribution plan. Under the 401(k) Plan, an executive
officer, along with all other eligible employees of the Company and the Banks,
may defer up to fifteen percent of total compensation on an annual basis and
will receive a matching contribution from the Company or applicable Bank in an
amount of up to two percent of total compensation. An additional contribution of
five percent of total compensation (which is subject to a different vesting
schedule than the two percent contribution) is made by the Company or applicable
Bank to the account of each executive officer, as well as to the accounts of all
other eligible employees of the Company and the Banks. In addition, the Board
may make a discretionary contribution to the 401(k) Plan which historically has
been based on the profitability of the Company and the Banks for the year. Such
contribution, if made, is allocated among all eligible employees on a pro rata
basis relative to total compensation. All contributions are subject to certain
ceilings established by applicable law.
12
Compensation of Chairman and President
The Compensation Committee used the executive compensation practices
described above to determine Mr. Krieger's compensation for 2004. His total
salary for 2004 was established at $311,690 based on a review by the
Compensation Committee of his individual performance, Company and Bank
performance and the Iowa Bankers Association Annual Salary Survey with respect
to the salaries paid to chief executive officers of Iowa-based banks with
deposits in excess of $225 million. Under the MIC Plan, his total salary was
allocated between base salary of $191,564 and deferred salary of $50,860. He
earned all deferred salary to which he was entitled during 2004, based on actual
earnings exceeding the thresholds established by the Compensation Committee at
the beginning of the year. Mr. Krieger received performance awards in the amount
of $69,266 during 2004, also on the basis of the aggregate earnings of the Banks
exceeding the earnings threshold established by the Compensation Committee at
the beginning of the year. He also received a contribution in the amount of
$24,436 to the 401(k) Plan, the contributions having been determined in the
manner described above.
The undersigned members of the Compensation Committee have submitted this
report.
James R. Larson II, Chair
Douglas C. Gustafson, DVM
Charles D. Jons, MD
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND
INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The members of the Compensation Committee are set forth in the proceeding
section. There are no members of the Compensation Committee who were officers or
employees of the Company or any of the Banks during the fiscal year, who were
previously officers or employees of the Company or the Banks, or who had any
relationship otherwise requiring disclosure hereunder.
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following performance graph provides information regarding cumulative,
five-year total return on an indexed basis of the Common Stock as compared with
the NASDAQ Total US Index and the SNL Midwest OTC Bulletin Board Bank Index
("Midwest OTC Bank Index") prepared by SNL Financial L.C. of Charlottesville,
Virginia. The latter index reflects the performance of 102 bank holding
companies operating principally in the Midwest as selected by SNL Financial. The
indexes assume the investment of $100 on December 31, 1999 in the Common Stock,
the NASDAQ Total US Index and the Midwest OTC Bank Index, with all dividends
reinvested. The Company's stock price performance shown in the following graph
is not indicative of future stock price performance.
The data points used in the omitted graphical presentation is as follows:
Period Ending
----------------------------------------------------
Index 12/31/99 12/31/00 12/31/01 12/31/02 12/31/03 12/31/04
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ames National Corporation 100.00 108.86 82.61 100.49 130.48 186.99
NASDAQ - Total US Index 100.00 60.82 48.16 33.11 49.93 54.49
SNL Midwest OTC Bank Index* 100.00 82.42 76.02 97.50 123.07 146.64
*Source : SNL Financial LC, Charlottesville, VA
LOANS TO DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Certain directors and executive officers of the Company, their associates
or members of their families, were customers of, and have had transactions with,
the Banks from time to time in the ordinary course of business, and additional
transactions may be expected to take place in the ordinary course of business in
the future. All loans and commitments included in such transactions have been
made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral,
as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons.
In the opinion of management of the Company, such loan transactions do not
involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable
features.
13
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee assists the Board in carrying out its oversight
responsibilities for the Company's financial reporting process, audit process
and internal controls. The Audit Committee also reviews the audited financial
statements and recommends to the Board that these financial statements be
included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K. The Audit Committee is
comprised solely of independent directors.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company's audited
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004 with management and
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, the Company's independent auditors. The Audit Committee
has also discussed with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP the matters required to be
discussed by SAS 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards). The
Audit Committee has also received and reviewed the written disclosures and the
letter from McGladrey & Pullen, LLP required by Independence Standards Board
Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees) and has
discussed with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP its independence with respect to the
Company. Based on the review and discussions with management and McGladrey &
Pullen, LLP, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board that the audited
financial statements be included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the year ending December 31, 2004 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The undersigned members of the Audit Committee have submitted this report.
Marvin J. Walter, Chair
Betty A. Baudler Horras
Robert L. Cramer
Warren R. Madden
RELATIONSHIP WITH REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
McGladrey & Pullen LLP, Certified Public Accountants, provided accounting
and auditing services to the Company during the year ended December 31, 2004.
The Audit Committee has selected McGladrey & Pullen LLP to provide accounting
services to the Company for the year ending December 31, 2005.
A representative of McGladrey & Pullen LLP is expected to be present at the
Meeting of Shareholders. This representative will have the opportunity to make a
statement and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions
from shareholders.
The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered
by McGladrey & Pullen, LLP for the audit of the Company's annual financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, and fees billed for
other services rendered by McGladrey & Pullen, LLP and RSM McGladrey, Inc. (an
affiliate of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP) during 2004 and 2003.
2004 2003
------------------------------
Audit Fees(1) $139,175 $59,996
Audit Related Fees(2) 5,000 4,500
Tax Fees (3) 18,530 15,713
All Other Fees (4) 2,978 17,507
------------------------------
$187,683 $97,716
------------------------------------
Notes:
(1) Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided for the audit
of the Company's annual financial statements, review of the Company's
quarterly financial statements in connection with the filing of current and
periodic reports and reporting on internal controls in accordance with
Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley.
(2) Audit related fees consist of fees for audits of financial statements of
the employee benefit plans maintained by the Company.
(3) Tax fees consist of fees for tax consultation and tax compliance services
for the Company and its employee benefit plans.
(4) All other fees consist of fees for edgarization of periodic reports in 2004
and primarily related to consultations regarding the employee benefit
plans in 2003.
14
The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit
services provided by the independent auditors. The non-audit services include
audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Audit Committee's
policy is to pre-approve all services and fees for up to one year, which
approval includes the appropriate detail with regard to each particular service
and its related fees. In addition, the Audit Committee can be convened on a
case-by-case basis to pre-approve any services not anticipated or services whose
costs exceed the previously pre-approved amounts.
PROPOSALS BY SHAREHOLDERS
In order for any proposals of shareholders pursuant to the procedures
prescribed in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
to be presented as an item of business at the annual meeting of shareholders to
be held in 2006, the proposal must be received at the Company's principal
executive offices no later than November 16, 2005. Such proposals will need to
comply with the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding
the inclusion of shareholder proposals in the Company's proxy materials. Any
shareholder proposal submitted outside the procedures prescribed in Rule 14a-8
shall be considered untimely under the Bylaws unless received at the Company's
principal executive offices no later than November 16, 2005 and unless such
proposal contains the information required by the Bylaws. Proposals should be
submitted to the Company at its principal executive offices at P.O. Box 846, 405
Fifth Street, Ames, Iowa 50010, Attention: Secretary. A copy of the Bylaws may
be obtained by contacting John P. Nelson, Vice President and Secretary, at the
Company's principal executive offices or by accessing the Company's website at
www.amesnational.com.
AVAILABILITY OF FORM 10-K REPORT
Copies of the Company's Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange
Commission (Form 10-K) including the financial statements and schedules thereto
for the year ended December 31, 2004, will be mailed when available without
charge (except for exhibits) to a holder of shares of the Common Stock upon
written request directed to John P. Nelson, Vice President and Secretary, Ames
National Corporation, P.O. Box 846, 405 Fifth Street, Ames, Iowa 50010.
OTHER MATTERS
Management of the Company knows of no other matters which will be presented
for consideration at the Meeting other than those stated in the Notice of Annual
Meeting which is part of this Proxy Statement, and management does not intend
itself to present any other business. If any other matters do properly come
before the Meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the accompanying
Proxy will vote thereon in accordance with their judgment. The persons named in
the Proxy will also have the power to vote for the adjournment of the Meeting
from time to time.
A copy of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31,
2004 is mailed to shareholders together with this Proxy Statement. Such report
is not incorporated in this Proxy Statement and is not to be considered a part
of the proxy soliciting material.
To reduce expenses, the Company, in some cases, is delivering only one copy
of this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report to Shareholders to certain
shareholders who share an address, unless otherwise requested by one or more of
the shareholders at a particular address. A separate Proxy for each shareholder
is included in the voting materials. A shareholder who has received only one set
of voting materials may request separate copies of the voting materials at no
additional cost by contacting the Company at (515) 232-6251 or by writing to
Ames National Corporation, P.O. Box 846, 405 Fifth Street, Ames, Iowa 50010,
Attn: John P. Nelson, Vice President and Secretary. A shareholder may also
contact the Company at the above number or address in the event a shareholder
desires to receive separate voting materials for future annual meetings or if
shareholders who share an address desire to receive a single copy of voting
materials in lieu of the multiple copies they are now receiving.
The Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation, the
Report of the Audit Committee (including the reference to the independence of
the Audit Committee members) and the Stock Price Performance Graph contained
herein are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and shall
not be deemed incorporated by reference in any prior or future filings made by
the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the Company
specifically incorporates such information by reference.
15
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of
Directors of the Company For the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders to be Held on April 27, 2005.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Ames
National Corporation, an Iowa corporation (the "Company"), will be held on
Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at 4:30 o'clock p.m., local time, at the Reiman
Gardens, 1407 Elwood Drive, Ames, Iowa, and any adjournment or postponement
thereof (the "Annual Meeting"), for the following purposes: (i) to elect three
members of the Board of Directors of the Company; and (ii) to consider such
other business as may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting.
Please mark, sign, date and return this Proxy promptly using the enclosed
envelope. If you are able to attend the meeting and wish to vote your shares in
person, you may withdraw your proxy and do so.
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Marvin J. Walter, James R.
Larson II and Robert L. Cramer, or any one or more of them, the proxies and
attorneys of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution (the action
of a majority of them or their substitutes present and acting to be in any event
controlling), for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned to attend
the Annual Meeting and to vote as directed below all shares of common stock of
the Company held of record by the undersigned on March 11, 2005, with all powers
the undersigned would possess if personally present at such meeting.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" the nominees for
director listed below.
1. Election of Directors
Election of three directors, Betty A. Baudler Horras, Douglas C. Gustafson,
DVM and Charles D. Jons, MD, for three year terms:
___ FOR all nominees listed above.
___ FOR all nominees listed above except ______________________.
___ WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees.
2. In their discretion, upon such other matters as may properly come before
the Annual Meeting.
This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned. If no direction is given, this Proxy will be voted
FOR the nominees for director listed in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting
of Shareholders and Proxy Statement.
Please Vote, Sign,
Date and Return __________________________________ Date _________
__________________________________ Date _________
Signature(s) of Shareholder(s)
(Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on this Proxy. When signing as
an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or another
representative capacity, please give your full title as such. Proxies by a
corporation should be signed in its name by an authorized officer. Proxies
by a partnership should be signed in its name by an authorized person. If
more than one name appears, all persons so designated should sign.)
[ ] I plan to attend the Annual Meeting.
Spouse or guest attending _________________________
[ ] I am unable to attend the Annual Meeting.