Company: SYBT
Filing Date: 2025-03-12
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001437749-25-007118
Chunk: 21

Company: Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-03-12
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 21
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 frequently if necessary or appropriate. The Lead Independent Director presides over these executive sessions. The executive sessions provide an opportunity for the directors to discuss topics such as business results and performance, executive leadership and succession, critical strategic matters and other matters outside the presence of management. Board committees also have the opportunity to meet in executive session without management if they choose to do so.

Board Evaluation Process

The Board conducts an annual self-assessment to enhance its effectiveness. Through regular evaluation of its policies, practices and procedures, the Board identifies areas for further consideration and improvement. The evaluation process is led by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each year, that Committee discusses and decides upon the process to be followed for the upcoming year. Each director may be requested to complete a questionnaire and provide feedback on a range of issues, including his or her assessment of the Board’s overall effectiveness and performance; its committee structure; priorities for future Board discussion and attention; the composition of the Board and the background and skills of its members; the quality, timing and relevance of information received from management; the nature and scope of agenda items; and his or her individual contributions to the Board. The lead director then meets with each director individually either to discuss his or her questionnaire responses or, if directors were not requested to complete a questionnaire, to discuss thoughts and suggestions the director may have regarding the Board’s overall effectiveness or specific Board practices or policies. The lead director prepares a summary of findings drawn from the questionnaire responses and director interviews for presentation to the full Board of Directors. Each of the Committees also conducts their own self-assessments led by the respective committee chairs. Based upon comments from Board members during the 2023 and 2024 evaluation processes, the Board enhanced its director education program to include more presentations from key market and line of business managers and third-party experts, among other matters.

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Director Onboarding and Continuing Education

We provide a comprehensive orientation and onboarding program for new directors and ongoing education and training for all Board members on key matters related to our Company and the banking industry generally, all designed to enhance the overall knowledge and effectiveness of our Board. The onboarding process for new directors involves a combination of written materials, management presentation and meetings with members of the Board, including our lead director, and senior management. Among the topics typically covered during orientation are Company history, corporate governance, financial and investor relations matters, risk management and compliance, corporate strategy and key lines of business.

We provide regular educational and training sessions for all