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

Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

 

 

 

 

o

Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

o

Confidential, For Use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

x

Definitive Proxy Statement

 

o

Definitive Additional Materials

 

o

Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-12


VSB BANCORP, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)


Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

x

No Fee Required

o

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: N/A

 

 

2)

Aggregate number of securities to which the transaction applies: N/A

 

 

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.): N/A

 

 

4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: N/A

 

 

5)

Total fee paid:

 

 

 

 

o

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

o

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: N/A

 

 

2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: N/A

 

 

3)

Filing Party: N/A

 

 

4)

Date Filed: N/A

 

 

 

 


March 28, 2008

TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:

          We are delighted to invite you to our Fifth Annual Stockholders Meeting, which will take place at Victory State Bank’s Main Office at 4142 Hylan Boulevard (Great Kills), Staten Island, New York 10308 at 5:00 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) on Tuesday, April 29, 2008.

          The enclosed materials represent the performance of VSB Bancorp, Inc. on a consolidated basis.

          We sincerely hope that you will be able to attend and we look forward to seeing you at the Meeting.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Joseph J. LiBassi

 


 

Joseph J. LiBassi

 

Chairman of the Board

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Raffaele M. Branca

 


 

Raffaele M. Branca

 

President and

 

Chief Executive Officer

Please sign, date and return your proxy card or voting instructions in the enclosed envelope as soon as possible to make sure that your vote is counted at the Annual Meeting. You are welcome to attend the Meeting even if you send in your proxy card.


VSB BANCORP, INC.
4142 Hylan Boulevard
Great Kills
Staten Island, New York 10308
(718) 979-1100

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To the Stockholders of VSB BANCORP, INC.:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that our Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at the principal office of Victory State Bank, 4142 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York on April 29, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. (New York time), for the following purposes:

 

 

 

 

1.

To elect three directors for three-year terms;

 

 

 

 

2.

To ratify the appointment of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC as our independent registered public accountants for 2008; and

 

 

 

 

3.

To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments.

The close of business on March 13, 2008 is the record date to determine which stockholders are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.

 

 

 

By order of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

/s/ Joan Nerlino Caddell

 


 

Joan Nerlino Caddell,

 

Corporate Secretary

March 26, 2008

 

IMPORTANT - PLEASE MAIL YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY, WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON OR NOT



Table of Contents

 

 

 

Summary

 

1

General Information

 

2

The Proxy

 

2

Capital Stock Outstanding and Record Date

 

2

Forward-Looking Statements

 

3

Proposal 1 - The Election of Directors

 

4

General Information Regarding Nominees and Our Other Directors

 

4

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

5

Audit Committee

 

5

Audit Committee Report

 

6

Nominating Committee

 

6

Human Resources (Compensation) Committee

 

7

Stockholder Communications with Directors

 

7

Attendance by Directors at Our Annual Meeting

 

8

Compensation

 

8

Explanatory Information Regarding Compensation

 

9

General

 

9

Employment Agreement

 

9

401(k) Plan

 

9

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 

10

Outstanding Equity Awards

 

10

Director Compensation

 

11

Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners

 

12

Transactions with Directors and Officers and Their Related Interests

 

12

Section 16a Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

13

Proposal 2 - Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accountants

 

13

Audit and Other Fees

 

14

Financial Information

 

14

Other Matters

 

14

Stockholder Nominations or Proposals

 

14

Submission of Matters for Inclusion in Our 2009 Proxy Statement

 

15

 

 

 

Audit Committee Charter

 

A-1

We will provide, without charge, to each person solicited with this proxy statement, upon the written request of any such person, a copy of our annual report on Form 10-KSB, including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules that we are required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for our most recent fiscal year. The written request should be directed to Raffaele M. Branca, President & CEO, VSB Bancorp, Inc., 4142 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10308. The Form 10-KSB is also available on the Internet as part of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR database at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.


VSB Bancorp, Inc.
4142 Hylan Boulevard
Great Kills
Staten Island, New York 10308
(718) 979-1100

Proxy Statement

SUMMARY

Q:     Why am I receiving these materials?

A:     Our Board of Directors is sending you these proxy materials in connection with our annual meeting of stockholders, which will take place on April 29, 2008. You may attend the annual meeting in person but we ask that you send us your proxy card and vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement to make sure that your vote is counted.

Q:     What proposals will stockholders vote on at the annual meeting?

A:     There are two proposals that stockholders are scheduled to vote on at the meeting:

 

 

·

the election of three directors for three-year terms; and

 

 

·

the ratification of the appointment of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC as our independent registered public accountants.

Q:     Who has been nominated as a director?

A:     The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, has nominated Raffaele (Ralph) M. Branca, Robert S. Cutrona, Sr. and Chaim Farkas for election as directors. They are all now directors of both our company and our subsidiary, Victory State Bank.

Q:     How many votes are required for election as a director?

A:     The three nominees with the highest vote totals will be elected.

Q:     What shares can I vote?

A:     You can vote all shares that you owned at the close of business on March 13, 2008 (the “Record Date”). You may cast one vote for each share of stock. You may vote for up to three directors for three-year terms, but you may cast only one vote per share for any single nominee.

Q:     How can I vote my shares?

A:     The best way to vote your shares is to mail your proxy card in the enclosed pre-paid envelope. You can still attend the meeting and change your vote, but sending your proxy card will make sure your vote is counted. If you own your stock in street name through a stockbroker, please be sure to send your voting instructions to your broker so your shares will be voted.

1


Q:     Can I change my vote?

A:     You may change your voting instructions at any time before the vote at the annual meeting. You may do so by submitting a new proxy card on our form with a later date, by signing any other document that revokes your proxy and causing it to be delivered at the meeting, or by attending the meeting and voting in person. Attending the meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy unless you specifically so request. If you own your stock in street name, you must contact your broker to change your vote.

General Information

          We are furnishing this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy to the stockholders of VSB Bancorp, Inc. in connection with our solicitation of proxies for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 29, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. (local time) at the main office of our subsidiary, Victory State Bank, at 4142 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10308, and at any adjournments of the meeting.

          We are first sending this Proxy Statement to our stockholders on or about March 28, 2008.

The Proxy

          Our Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy. If you properly sign and return the enclosed form of proxy prior to or at the meeting and you do not revoke it, all your shares covered by the proxy will be voted at the meeting and, if you give instructions on how you want your shares to be voted, we will follow those instructions. If you properly sign and return the proxy but you do not specify how you want to vote, your shares will be voted for the election of the director nominees named below and in favor of all other proposals described in this Proxy Statement. If you hold your stock in street name through a broker, please send your voting instructions to your broker.

          We will solicit proxies by mail and by delivery to agents for street name holders. We may also solicit proxies by telephone, facsimile or in person by officers and other employees of ours or of our subsidiary. We will pay the entire cost of this solicitation. We will reimburse financial institutions, brokerage houses or other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in forwarding the forms of proxy and proxy materials to beneficial owners. You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is cast for your shares, either by written notice or by your oral revocation at the meeting. To be valid, written notice must be actually received by Joan Nerlino Caddell, Corporate Secretary, VSB Bancorp, Inc., 4142 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10308 before the proxy is used at the meeting. Attendance at the meeting will not in and of itself revoke a proxy.

          Other than the matters listed on the attached Notice of Annual Meeting, our Board of Directors does not know of any other matters that will be presented for a vote at the meeting. If you sign the enclosed proxy, the holders of the proxy will have the authority to vote your shares in accordance with their best judgment on any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

Capital Stock Outstanding and Record Date

          The close of business on March 13, 2008 is the record date to determine which stockholders are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting. At the close of business on that date, there were 1,900,509 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. Common stock is our only authorized class of stock. Each outstanding share is entitled to one vote at the meeting on each matter to be voted upon. There will be no cumulative voting of shares for the election of directors.

2


          If 633,504 shares of our common stock are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy, representing one-third of the issued and outstanding shares, there will be a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted to determine whether there is a quorum.

          On Proposal 1, the election of directors, you may vote for up to three candidates. You may not cast more than one vote per share for any one nominee. You may “Withhold Authority” to vote for some or all of the nominees named below by so indicating in the appropriate space on the proxy. The three nominees with the most votes will be elected to three-year terms. Votes that are withheld have no effect on the election of directors.

          On Proposal 2, the ratification of the independent registered public accountants, you may vote “FOR”, “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN”. Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on Proposal 2 to be approved. Abstentions and broker non-votes, as well as failing to submit a proxy card or a ballot at the meeting, have no effect on the results of the vote on Proposal 2.

          Please return your proxy to our transfer agent, Registrar and Transfer Company, in the envelope we provide. Inspectors of election designated by the Board will count the votes. There are no dissenters’ rights arising out of any of the proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement.

Forward-Looking Statements

          When used in this proxy statement, or in any written or oral statement made by us or our officers, directors or employees, the words and phrases “will result,” “expect,” “will continue,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar terms are intended to identify “forward-looking statements.” A variety of factors could cause our actual results and experiences to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in any forward-looking statements. Some of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our operations, performance, development and results, the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities, and the adequacy of our loan loss allowance, include, but are not limited to:

 

 

 

 

·

deterioration in local, regional, national or global economic conditions which could result in, among other things, an increase in loan delinquencies, a decrease in property values, or a change in the real estate turnover rate;

 

 

 

 

·

changes in market interest rates or changes in the speed at which market interest rates change;

 

 

 

 

·

changes in laws and regulations affecting the financial service industry;

 

 

 

 

·

changes in competition; and

 

 

 

 

·

changes in consumer preferences.

          Please do not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date made. There are many factors, including those described above, that could affect our future business activities or financial performance and could cause our actual future results or circumstances to differ materially from those we anticipate or project.

3


Proposal 1 - The Election of Directors

General Information Regarding Nominees and Our Other Directors

          Our Board of Directors has nine members. At the meeting, three directors are to be elected, all for three-year terms, each to serve until his or her successor is elected and has qualified. The Board of Directors has nominated Raffaele M. (Ralph) Branca, Robert S. Cutrona, Sr. and Chaim Farkas for the three directorships. All of the nominees are presently members of the Board of Directors, with their terms expiring at the meeting.

          If any of these nominees becomes unavailable for election, which we do not anticipate, the shares represented by proxies that would otherwise have been voted for such nominee will be voted for a substitute nominee designated by our Board of Directors.

          The following table provides information about the three nominees and our other six directors. Length of service as a director includes service as a director of Victory State Bank prior to our holding company reorganization.

 

 

 

 

 

Name and Age

 

Length of Service
as Director and Expiration of Term

 

Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years and Directorships of Public Companies


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

Nominees:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raffaele M. Branca
(43)

 

Director since 1997
Term expires 2008

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, VSB Bancorp, Inc. and Victory State Bank, November 2007 to present; formerly Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Victory State Bank from November 1997 through November 2007 and VSB Bancorp, Inc. from January 2003 through November 2007.

 

Robert S. Cutrona, Sr.
(70)

 

Director since 1997
Term expires 2008

 

President of Project-One Services, Inc., a cleaning and maintenance firm.

 

Chaim Farkas
(54)

 

Director since 1997
Term expires 2008

 

President and Owner of Dataware Systems Lease, Inc., a computer services company.

 

Continuing Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alfred C. Johnsen
(61)

 

Director since 2003
Term expires 2009

 

Certified public accountant and owner of the firm Alfred C. Johnsen Certified Public Accounts.

 

Carlos Perez MD
(68)

 

Director since 1997
Term expires 2009

 

Doctor of Gynecology.

 

 

 

 

 

Bruno Savo
(49)

 

Director since 2004
Term expires 2009

 

President, Savo Brothers, Inc. a local building firm that constructs mainly residential housing.

 

Joseph J. LiBassi
(72)

 

Director since 1997
Term expires 2010

 

Chairman, VSB Bancorp, Inc. and Victory State Bank; Self-employed investor.

 

Merton Corn
(73)

 

Director since 1997
Term expires 2010

 

Retired, former President and Chief Executive Officer, VSB Bancorp, Inc. and Victory State Bank November 1997 to November 2007.

 

Joan Nerlino Caddell
(50)

 

Director since 1997
Term expires 2010

 

Secretary, VSB Bancorp, Inc. and Victory State Bank; attorney at law and member/owner of Joan Nerlino Caddell & Associates, PLLC since January 2006 and partner in Nerlino & Gambale, LLP from March 2002 through December 2005, both firms being attorneys for Victory State Bank.

4


The Board of Directors held 13 meetings during 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2007, each director attended at least 75% of the total of the number of Board meetings held and the number of meetings held by all committees on which he or she served, while he or she served.

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote IN FAVOR of the election of Directors Branca, Cutrona and Farkas as directors.

Committees of the Board of Directors

          The Board of Directors has a Nominating Committee, an Audit Committee and a Human Resources (compensation) Committee. These committees all operate jointly with comparable committees of the Board of Directors of Victory State Bank having the same members. Except for the issue of stockholder recommendations to the Nominating Committee for director candidates, which applies only to the VSB Bancorp, Inc. Nominating Committee, the following discussion regarding committees relates to both the Victory State Bank and VSB Bancorp, Inc. committees.

Audit Committee

          The Audit Committee conducts the annual statutory directors’ examination of Victory State Bank, reviews reports of examination made by regulatory authorities, reviews and discusses the audited financial statements with our independent public accountants and makes periodic reports to the Board of Directors regarding the findings of the regular audits by Victory State Bank’s internal auditor. The Audit Committee also receives a report from our independent registered public accountants regarding critical accounting policies and procedures, any material alternate treatment discussed with management, and other written communications from those accountants to management. The Audit Committee also approves the retention of our independent registered public accountants, and recommends the approved firm to the Board of Directors for approval by the Board.

          The Board of Directors has determined that director Alfred C. Johnsen, who is a member of the Audit Committee, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and that he is independent of management. Mr. Johnsen will not be deemed an expert for any other purpose as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations and liability imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification. In addition, the designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors. All of the members of the Audit Committee are independent of management.

5


          The following is the report of our Audit Committee.

Audit Committee Report

          During 2007, the Audit Committee reviewed the quality and integrity of our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of our independent public accountants, the performance of the internal audit function and our independent public accountants, and significant financial matters. Each of the Audit Committee members satisfies the definition of independent director under National Association of Securities Dealers Rule 4200. The Audit Committee met five times during 2007.

          The Board and the Audit Committee have adopted a charter for the Audit Committee. The charter was most recently re-approved, with minor changes, in 2008. The Board of Directors of the Bank has also approved the same charter for its Audit Committee. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is attached as Exhibit A. The charter is also available for review on our web site at www.victorystatebank.com.

          The Audit Committee has reviewed our audited consolidated financial statements and discussed the statements with management. The Audit Committee has discussed with Crowe Chizek and Company LLC, our independent registered public accountants for 2007, the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees), as amended. The Audit Committee received from Crowe Chizek and Company LLC the written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, disclosing to the Audit Committee all relationships with the accountants that may reasonably bear on independence, confirming the accountants’ independence and confirming that the accountants discussed their independence with the Audit Committee. Based on the review and discussions noted above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report for 2007 as sent to our stockholders and as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Submitted by the Audit Committee:

Alfred C. Johnsen (Chairman), Joseph J. LiBassi and Carlos Perez MD

Nominating Committee

          The Nominating Committee proposes candidates to the Board of Directors for election as directors by stockholders. The Committee also reviews issues of independence and conflicts of interest regarding directors and candidates for nomination. The Nominating Committee consists of directors Joseph J. LiBassi, Alfred C. Johnsen and Carlos Perez MD. All of the members of the Nominating Committee are independent of management. The Nominating Committee met once during 2007. The Board of Directors has adopted a charter for the Nominating Committee. The charter was most recently re-approved in 2008. The charter is available for review on our web site at www.victorystatebank.com.

          We are principally engaged in business in Staten Island. Our existing directors are active, well-known members of the community. In most cases, we anticipate that existing directors will be re-nominated if they want to continue to serve as directors. If an existing director will not be re-nominated for any reason, or if the size of the board of directors has been increased, then the Nominating Committee, in consultation with the other directors and based upon their knowledge of the Staten Island community, will seek to identify individuals known to them with character, experience, knowledge and business relationships that reflect favorably on their ability to act as productive members of the Board of Directors. Once candidates are identified, the committee will evaluate their credentials and form a judgment as to which candidate or candidates have the greatest ability to both guide us and assist in the growth of our business. All candidates suggested to the Committee will be evaluated in the same manner, regardless of whether the candidate is suggested by a director, officer, shareholder or other person.

6


          We seek director nominees who, at a minimum, possess:

 

 

 

 

o

knowledge of the business community in Staten Island;

 

 

 

 

o

expertise in the evaluation of financial matters;

 

 

 

 

o

the ability to review, absorb and comment on financial statements which are an integral part of our operations;

 

 

 

 

o

the character and reputation appropriate for a director of a bank holding company; and

 

 

 

 

o

no blemishes in their past which would cause concerns among federal or state bank regulators who regularly examine the operations of VSB Bancorp or its subsidiary, Victory State Bank.

          The Nominating Committee will consider, for inclusion in the Board of Directors’ slate of nominees for director, candidates suggested by stockholders. In order to suggest a candidate, a stockholder must send a notice to the Nominating Committee which we must receive at our principal office no later than 120 calendar days before the date which corresponds to the date of our proxy statement for the prior year’s annual meeting. The notice must be signed by the stockholder and must provide the following information:

 

 

 

 

o

A detailed resume of the proposed nominee showing his or her academic and business achievements and history; his or her experience and qualifications to be a director; and any other information that the stockholder or the proposed nominee considers relevant in evaluating the person’s qualifications to be a director;

 

 

 

 

o

All information regarding the proposed nominee that would be required to be disclosed to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in our Annual Report on form FR Y-6;

 

 

 

 

o

All other information relating to the proposed nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and

 

 

 

 

o

The name and address of the stockholder submitting the notice; the number of shares owned by the stockholder; and a description of any business, family or employment relationship between the stockholder and the proposed nominee.

Human Resources (Compensation) Committee

          The Human Resources Committee makes salary and compensation decisions for all officers at the level of Senior Vice President and above. The committee also functions as the stock option committee under our various stock option plans. The Human Resources Committee consists of directors Carlos Perez MD, chairman, Joseph J. LiBassi and Alfred C. Johnsen. All of the members of the Human Resources Committee are independent of management. The Human Resources committee met four times during 2007.

Stockholder Communications with Directors

          Stockholders may communicate directly with a director by mailing or delivering a letter addressed to the director by name at our principal office. The envelope should be conspicuously marked on the outside front “Confidential.” We will forward any such letters to the named director unopened. Letters addressed to the Board of Directors as a whole will be given to the Chairman of the Board, who will then distribute copies to all directors.

7


Attendance by Directors at Our Annual Meeting

          The Board has adopted a formal policy that all directors should attend the annual meeting of stockholders. It has been the practice of Victory State Bank and VSB Bancorp, Inc., to hold meetings of their Boards of Directors immediately after the annual stockholders’ meeting. Therefore, we anticipate that most, if not all, of the directors will attend the annual meeting of stockholders. In 2007, seven of our nine directors attended the annual stockholders’ meeting of our company.

Compensation

          This section provides information regarding cash and non-cash compensation paid to certain executive officers and directors of VSB Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the periods indicated.

          The following table provides information regarding Raffaele M. Branca, the principal executive officer of the Company, and Merton Corn, the former principal executive officer, who retired on November 15, 2007. There currently is only one executive officer. There were no persons who were executive officers for a part of 2007 but not at the end of 2007, other than Mr. Corn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name and principal
position

 

Year

 

Salary

 

Bonus2

 

Stock
Awards3

 

Option
Awards

 

All Other
Compensation4

 

Total

 

















Merton Corn, former
President and CEO

 

 

2007

 

$

205,950

1

$

66,822

 

$

(24,425

)

 

None

 

$

261,049

 

$

509,396

 

 

 

2006

 

$

214,988

 

$

84,990

 

$

(90,927

)

 

None

 

$

32,010

 

$

241,061

 

 

Raffaele M. Branca,
President, CEO and CFO

 

 

2007

 

$

173,783

 

$

52,620

 

 

None

 

$

162

 

$

21,347

 

$

247,912

 

 

 

2006

 

$

158,020

 

$

64,108

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

$

22,404

 

$

244,532

 

1 The salary shown for Mr. Corn in 2007 reflects his salary through November 15, 2007, the date of his retirement, plus his accrued but unused vacation time, which was paid in cash.

2 The bonus shown for each year represents the amount approved by the Board of Directors with respect to that year. However, bonuses are not paid until after audited financial statements are available for the following year and are subject to adjustment by the Board of Directors until they are actually paid.

3 Reflects the amount recognized for financial statement purposes with respect to outstanding stock appreciation rights previously granted, which is principally a function of changes in our stock price.

4 Represents the following items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Year

 

Severance
Payment

 

401(k) match
and profit
sharing plan
contribution

 

Contributions to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 

Director’s
Fees for
Period After
Retirement

 

Miscellaneous

 


Merton Corn

 

 

2007

 

$

225,737

 

$

12,375

 

$

8,826

 

$

1,150

a

$

12,961

 

 

 

 

2006

 

 

-0-

 

$

12,100

 

$

10,773

 

 

 

 

$

9,137

 

 

Raffaele M. Branca

 

 

2007

 

 

-0-

 

$

12,375

 

$

8,826

 

 

N/a

 

$

146

 

 

 

 

2006

 

 

-0-

 

$

11,500

 

$

10,773

 

 

 

 

$

131

 

a Represents director’s fees payable with respect to the Board meeting in December 2007 held after Mr. Corn retired.

8


Explanatory Information Regarding the Summary Compensation Table

          General. During 2006, we did not grant any equity-based compensation nor did we re-price or otherwise modify any equity-based compensation plan or award, nor did we waive or modify any target, goal or condition under any non-stock incentive plan. In November 2007, we granted an option to purchase 3,250 shares of our common stock, pursuant to an existing stockholder-approved incentive stock option plan, to Mr. Branca. The option has a term of 10 years with and exercise price of $11.75 per share. The option vests 20% per year for the first two years and then the option will fully vest at the end of the third year.

                    Mr. Corn retired on November 15, 2007. The amount shown in the stock awards column in the table above for Mr. Corn in 2006 represents the recovery of previously accrued expenses on account of stock appreciation rights granted to Mr. Corn due to a reduction in the market price of the Company’s common stock. The bonuses shown in the above table were awarded by vote of the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Human Resource Committee. The bonuses were based upon an evaluation of general factors by the Human Resources Committee and the Board of Directors.

          Employment Agreements. Victory State Bank has an employment agreement with President Raffaele M. Branca, which was approved by the Board of Directors and became effective upon Mr. Branca’s promotion to the position of President and CEO in November 2007. The employment agreement is intended to maintain a stable and competent management base.

          The agreement provides for a three year employment term with an initial salary at an annual rate of $203,163, subject to such increases and bonuses as the Board of Directors may award in its discretion. The agreement provides that if Victory State Bank terminates Mr. Branca’s employment without cause during the three year term, he is entitled to a severance payment equal to from one to two years of salary, plus continued health insurance benefits for a like period, depending upon when the termination occurs. If the contract is not renewed for at least two years at expiration, then Mr. Branca is entitled to severance in an amount equal to from nine months to one year of salary and health insurance benefits, depending upon when Mr. Branca is advised of the intent not to renew.

          If there is a change in control of Victory State Bank or the VSB Bancorp during the term of the agreement, and Mr. Branca’s employment is terminated within six months after the change in control, including termination by him, Mr. Branca is entitled to a payment equal to 2.99 times his then current salary, plus continued health, life and disability insurance benefits for three years after the change in control, but in no event will the amount payable to Mr. Branca exceed the maximum amount payable without the imposition of any excise tax under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code.

          The contract also includes various non-solicitation and non-competition provisions in the event employment is terminated other than after a change in control.

          Victory State Bank also had an employment agreement with Mr. Corn which, with extensions, spanned the period from 1997 through November 2007, when the contract expired and Mr. Corn retired. That agreement provided for severance payable at the end of the term of his employment equal to one year of salary, which is reflected as the severance payment above.

          401(k) Plan. We maintain a qualified 401(k) salary deferral plan for all eligible employees of Victory State Bank and our holding company who are at least 21 years of age, who work for one consecutive year and are credited with 1,000 hours of service in the plan year. Each participant may elect to make salary deferral contributions to the 401(k) plan on a pre-tax basis. We match 100 percent of the first three percent of salary deferred by all employees, including officers. Compensation for purposes of the 401(k) is capped at $225,000 annually (subject to cost of living adjustments). At our sole discretion, we can also make a discretionary (or profit sharing) contribution to the Plan. This discretionary contribution is in addition to the matching contribution. The matching contribution and the discretionary contribution vest in annual installments of 20% beginning after the second anniversary of eligibility in the 401(k) plan. Employee salary deferral contributions are immediately vested. For 2007, we made a discretionary contribution to the Plan equal to 2.5% of salary. Aggregate contributions to the accounts of an employee under the 401(k) plan cannot exceed $45,000 annually (subject to cost of living adjustments).

9


          Employee Stock Ownership Plan. We have an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”) for employees. Employees of VSB Bancorp, Inc., Victory State Bank and any other subsidiaries who have been credited with at least 1,000 hours of service during a designated 12-month period and who have attained age 21 are eligible to participate in the plan. Mr. Corn and Mr. Branca are both participants, although Mr. Corn’s period of service for the purpose of determining allocations to his ESOP account terminated when he retired in November 2007. The ESOP purchased 92,900 shares of our common stock from us out of authorized but unissued shares in 2004 using the proceeds of a loan we made to the ESOP.

          Stock purchased with the proceeds of the loan is allocated to employee accounts in the ESOP gradually as it is released from the security interest for the ESOP loan. The original loan was in the amount of $1,690,780, and for 2007 we repaid $169,078 of the loan, so 9,854 shares of our common stock were released from the lien of the loan. For 2006 we repaid $169,078 of the loan, so 10,159 shares of our common stock were released from the lien of the loan. Those shares have been allocated to the ESOP accounts of all participating employees.

          The ESOP will continue to hold the stock, and any other amounts held for the benefit of each employee, until that employee’s employment terminates, whether by retirement, resignation or termination by the employer, provided that there are minimum release provisions for employees who are over age 70-1/2. After termination of employment, the employee’s vested balance will be distributed to the employee. Benefits for each employee vest over a seven-year period, with no vesting during the first two years of employment, and 20% vesting each year for the next five years of employment. The plan provides that in the event of a change in control, all benefits will fully vest automatically. Employees received full credit for service with Victory State Bank before the ESOP was implemented to determine vesting of benefits. Mr. Corn and Mr. Branca are fully vested in their plan balances.

          In general, when stock is released from the security interest of the ESOP loan, the stock is allocated based upon the relative compensation of each participant for the year. Other amounts contributed to the ESOP that are allocated to employees will be allocated in the same manner, based upon compensation. However, profits allocated to employee accounts, such as any gain on the sale of unallocated stock held by the ESOP, will be allocated based upon each employee’s relative ESOP account balances.

Outstanding Equity Awards

          Stock Option Plans. We have five stock options plans. Four of them were originally approved by stockholders of Victory State Bank. These plans became the stock option plans of VSB Bancorp upon the reorganization of Victory State Bank into a subsidiary of VSB Bancorp. The fifth plan was approved by our stockholders in 2004. There are two plans for employees and two plans for non-employee directors. The fifth plan approved in 2004 applies to all directors, whether or not they are employees.

10


          In December 2005, the Board of Directors accelerated the vesting of all unvested options so that all outstanding options vested on or before December 31, 2005. There were no option grants in 2006. On November 16, 2007, we granted an option to purchase 3,250 shares of our common stock to Mr. Branca at an exercise price of $11.75, the fair market value as the close of business on that date. There remain available 1,100 shares for which options may be granted under the employee stock option plans and 12,500 shares for which options maybe granted under the 2004 directors plan. The following table sets forth information at December 31, 2007 regarding outstanding options held by Mr. Corn and Mr. Branca, on an option by option basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END


OPTION AWARDS


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options
Exercisable1

 

Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable

 

Equity Incentive Plan Awards:
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Unearned Options

 

Option
Exercise
Price1

 

Option
Expiration
Date












Merton Corn

 

None

 

None

 

None

 

None

 

N/a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raffaele M. Branca

 

8,125
5,500
8,125
6,250
-0-

 

-0-
-0-
-0-
-0-
3,2502

 

-0-
-0-
-0-
-0-
-0-

 

$      6.40
$      5.10
$      4.75
$    17.60
$    11.75

 

7/14/2008
6/08/2009
4/25/2010
4/27/2014
11/15/2017


 

 

1

Number of shares and exercise prices have been adjusted for all stock dividends.

 

2

This grant will vest 20% per year for the first two years and then this grant will fully vest at the end of the third year.

Director Compensation.

          Non-employee directors, other than the Chairman of the Board, receive Board-approved attendance fees of $750 per board meeting and $300 per committee meeting for committees of the Company or the Bank ($200 per meeting for meetings of the Bank’s loan committee). The committee attendance fee for the chairman of the committee is $450 per meeting ($300 per loan committee meeting). The Chairman of the Board received a director’s fee fixed by the Board of $130,000 in 2007 but did not receive per meeting fees. Although directors are eligible for stock option awards under certain of our stock option plans, there were no grants to directors under those plans in 2006 or 2007.

The following table shows compensation paid to directors during 2007. The table excludes non-compensatory amounts paid to directors for good or services rendered other than in their capacity as directors, as discussed below under the caption, “Transactions with Directors and Officers and Their Related Interests.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash

 

 

All Other
Compensation

 

 

Total

 













Joan Nerlino Caddell

 

 

$

14,550

 

 

None

 

$

14,550

 

Robert S. Cutrona, Sr.

 

 

$

14,750

 

 

None

 

$

14,750

 

Chaim Farkas

 

 

$

14,750

 

 

None

 

$

14,750

 

Joseph J. LiBassi

 

 

$

130,000

 

 

None

 

$

130,000

 

Alfred C. Johnsen

 

 

$

12,000

 

 

None

 

$

12,000

 

Dr. Carlos M. Perez

 

 

$

13,050

 

 

None

 

$

13,050

 

Bruno Savo

 

 

$

15,900

 

 

None

 

$

15,900

 

11


Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners

          The following table sets forth, to our knowledge based upon a review of our records and information provided in required filings, the beneficial ownership of our stock as of the Record Date by directors, executive officers, and any other person, entity or group known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our stock, including options, as detailed in the notes to the table, that are exercisable now or within 60 days after the Record Date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Number of Shares

 

Percent
of Total

 







Directors and Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Raffaele M. Branca – CEO and President

 

96,255

 (1)

 

4.98

%

 

Joan Nerlino Caddell

 

59,863

 (2)

 

3.13

%

 

Merton Corn

 

178,112

 (3)

 

9.34

%

 

Robert S. Cutrona, Sr.

 

43,363

 (4)

 

2.26

%

 

Chaim Farkas

 

40,834

 (5)

 

2.14

%

 

Alfred C. Johnsen

 

8,750

 (6)

 

0.46

%

 

Joseph J. LiBassi

 

150,863

 (7)

 

7.87

%

 

Carlos Perez MD

 

74,531

 (8)

 

3.89

%

 

Bruno Savo

 

22,720

 (9)

 

1.19

%

 

All directors and executive officer as a group (9 persons)

 

675,291

 

 

33.42

%

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Other 5% Stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Robert Golden

 

96,041

 (10)

 

5.05

%

 










 

 

(1)

Excludes 700 shares owned by his spouse, as to which he disclaims voting power and beneficial ownership. Includes options to purchase 31,250 shares under our stock option plans.

 

(2)

Excludes 5,750 shares, which are owned by her spouse, as to which she disclaims voting power and beneficial ownership. Includes 5,000 shares owned by her two minor children. Includes options to purchase 10,000 shares under our stock option plans.

 

(3)

Includes 6,250 options granted under our stock option plans.

 

(4)

Includes 27,113 shares owned as joint tenants with his spouse, Jennifer Cutrona. Includes options to purchase 16,250 shares under our stock option plans.

 

(5)

Includes 25,000 shares owned as joint tenants with his spouse and 250 shares owned by his adult son, who resides in his household. Includes options to purchase 11,250 shares under our stock option plans.

 

(6)

Includes options to purchase 6,250 shares under our stock option plans.

 

(7)

Excludes 1,250 shares, which are owned by Melinda LiBassi, Mr. LiBassi’s spouse, as to which Mr. LiBassi disclaims voting power and beneficial ownership. Includes options to purchase 16,250 shares under our stock option plans.

 

(8)

Includes 57,500 shares owned by the Carlos Perez M.D. Trust, of which he is a beneficiary. Excludes 3,750 shares owned by his adult children, as to which he disclaims voting power and beneficial ownership. Includes options to purchase 16,250 shares under our stock option plans.

 

(9)

Includes 3,750 shares for Mr. Bruno Savo’s three minor children, for which Mr. Savo is the custodian. Includes options to purchase 6,250 shares under our stock option plans.

 

(10)

Based upon a report on Schedule 13G filed by Mr. Golden with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2006 showing that he is the beneficial owner of 96,041 shares of the VSB Bancorp, Inc.’s Common Stock. Mr. Golden has no other known relationship with VSB Bancorp, Inc.

Merton Corn’s address is c/o Victory State Bank, 4142 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10308 and Joseph J. LiBassi’s address is c/o Victory State Bank, 4142 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10308. Robert Golden’s address is c/o Golden Properties, 420 Dougherty Boulevard, Inwood, New York 11096

Transactions with Directors and Officers and Their Related Interests

          Some of our directors and officers and some of the corporations and firms with which they are associated also are our customers in the ordinary course of business, or have loans from Victory State Bank. None of them have loans from VSB Bancorp, Inc. It is anticipated that some of these individuals, corporations and firms will continue to be our customers or may continue to have loans from Victory State Bank on a similar basis in the future. All loans extended to such individuals, corporations and firms were made in the ordinary course of business, did not involve more than normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features, and were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable Victory State Bank transactions with unaffiliated persons.

12


          Director Joan Nerlino Caddell is a member/owner of the law firm of Joan Nerlino Caddell & Associates, PLLC, which the Bank retained to provide legal services in 2007 and 2006, and she was formerly a partner in Nerlino & Gambale, LLP, which the Bank retained to provide legal services in 2005. Fees paid to these firms for legal services provided were $106,641 in 2007 and $144,042 in 2006, including out of pocket disbursements incurred for the Bank.

          Director Chaim Farkas is President and shareholder of the firm of Dataware Systems Lease, Inc. (“Dataware”) from which Victory State Bank purchased computer hardware and related software in the ordinary course of business. The fees paid to Dataware in the aggregate, totaled $45,010 in 2007 and $42,333 in 2006.

          Director Bruno Savo, is a member of Boardwalk Estates, LLC, NBM Development, LLC and Jolene Estates, LLC, limited liability companies, which develop residential real estate for resale and Savino Savo, a former director and the father of Bruno Savo, is the president of Village Green Shopping Center, Inc. and Village Green Maintenance Corp, which are real estate companies. All of these companies had loans or unused but available lines of credit from Victory State Bank at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006. The loans and line of credit facilities were made in the ordinary course of business, were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to Victory State Bank, and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.

          Director Robert Cutrona, Sr., is President of Project-One Services, Inc., a company that provides cleaning and construction services to the Bank in the ordinary course of business. The fees paid to Project-One in the aggregate totaled $148,918 in 2007 and $109,943 in 2006.

          The Board of Directors has evaluated the relationships between its directors and management and has determined that Directors Cutrona, Farkas, Johnsen, LiBassi, Perez and Savo are independent of management under the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

Section 16a Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

          Director Savo did not timely file two reports on Form 4 that were required to be filed as a result of two sales of our stock that he completed in November and December 2007. The reports were both filed one day late. Director Branca did not timely file one report on Form 4 that was required to be filed as a result of one grant to him of options to purchase stock at the time of his appointment as our President.

Proposal 2 – Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accountants

          Our Audit Committee and our Board of Directors have approved the engagement of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC to be our independent registered public accounting firm for 2008, subject to the ratification of the engagement by our stockholders. At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will consider and vote on the ratification of that engagement of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC. We expect that representatives of Crowe Chizek will attend the meeting and be available to respond to appropriate questions. The representatives will be allowed to make a statement, if they desire to do so.

13


Audit and Other Fees

          The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed or expected to be billed by Crowe Chizek and Company LLC for services rendered to us during 2007 and 2006 on our behalf on a combined basis, including Victory State Bank and VSB Bancorp, Inc., as well as all out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with these services, which have been billed or will be billed to us. It is the policy of the Audit Committee that all non-audit services must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee. Only the Audit Committee has the authority to approve services to be provided by our independent registered public accountants and all members of management are aware that they must report to the Audit Committee any proposal to obtain non-audit services from our independent accountants and obtain approval from such committee before any such services are provided. All (100%) of the services provided by Crowe Chizek and Company LLC were approved in advance by the Audit Committee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

Audit Fees

 

$

81,400

 

$

77,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax Fees

 

$

15,275

(1)

$

12,000

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Other Fees

 

$

 

$

 


 

 

(1)

          For preparation of 2007 tax return in 2008 and 2006 tax return in 2007, respectively.

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote IN FAVOR of the ratification of the appointment of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC as our independent registered public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.

Financial Information

          Accompanying this Proxy Statement is our Annual Report containing financial and related information. The Annual Report is not part of this Proxy Statement.

Other Matters

Stockholder Nominations or Proposals

          Bylaw Limitations. Our bylaws provide that, except for proposals or nominations by the Board of Directors, a stockholder will be permitted to nominate a person to serve as a director or to present a proposal to stockholders at a stockholders’ meeting only by first satisfying certain requirements. A stockholder must give advance written notice to our Secretary before making any such nomination or submitting such a proposal. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed to and received at our principal executive offices not less than ninety days prior to the date of the annual meeting; provided, however, that as to any annual meeting held earlier than 30 days in advance of the anniversary of the annual meeting in the previous year, the notice must be received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the meeting is made.

          The stockholder must sign the notice. The notice must state (i) the name and address of such stockholder as they appear on our books and (ii) the class and number of shares of our capital stock that the stockholder beneficially owns.

14


          As to notices of intent to submit a proposal for stockholder vote, the notice must also state: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; and (ii) any material interest of the stockholder in the proposed business. Only business which is a proper subject of stockholder action may be proposed at or voted on at the meeting.

          As to notices of intent to nominate a person as a director, the notice must also state: (i) all information relating to each proposed nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to applicable law and regulation; and (ii) any business, familial or employment relationship between such stockholder and such nominees. The notice must be accompanied by the nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, provided, however, that we will not be required to name such nominee in any proxy statement for a proxy solicitation by our Board of Directors or to solicit votes for such nominee unless required by law to do so.

Submission of Matters for Inclusion in Our 2009 Proxy Statement

          Stockholders may submit proposals for inclusion in our 2009 proxy material by satisfying the requirements of the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. We must receive those proposals by 5 p.m. local time not less than 120 calendar days before the date in 2009 that corresponds to the date that this proxy statement is released to stockholders in 2008. However, if the date of the 2009 annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from the date of the 2008 annual meeting, then the deadline is a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials. Proposals should be sent via registered, certified, or express mail to: Office of the Chief Financial Officer, VSB Bancorp, Inc., 4142 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10308. The stockholder must also satisfy all the other requirements of Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14a-8 in order to be able to include a proposal in our proxy material.

Dated: March 26, 2008

15


Exhibit A

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

This charter shall be reviewed, reassessed, updated and approved annually by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of VSB Bancorp, Inc. (“Bancorp”).

Role and Independence

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors assists the board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and reporting practices of the Bancorp and other such duties as directed by the Board. The membership of the Committee shall consist of at least three directors who are generally knowledgeable in financial and auditing matters, each of whom is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Bancorp’s balance sheet and income statement and cash flow statements or will become able to do so within a reasonable period time after his or her appointment to the Audit Committee. At least one member of the Committee will have accounting or related financial management expertise (i.e. said member has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting or any other comparable experience or background which results in the individual’s financial sophistication, including being or having been a chief executive or chief financial officer or other senior officer with financial oversight responsibility). Each member shall be free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with his or her individual exercise of independent judgment, and shall meet the director independence requirements for serving on audit committees as set forth in the corporate governance standards of the National Association of Securities Dealers. Each member shall evaluate their status of director independence, at a minimum, on an annual basis. The Committee is expected to maintain free and open communication (including private executive sessions at least annually) with the independent accountants, the internal auditors and the management of the Bancorp. In discharging this oversight role, the Committee is empowered to investigate any matter brought to its attention, with full power to retain, and to set compensation for, outside counsel or other experts for this purpose.

The Board of Directors shall appoint one member of the Audit Committee as Chairperson. He or she shall be responsible for leadership of the committee, including preparing the agenda, presiding over the meetings, making committee assignments and reporting to the board of directors. The Chairperson will also maintain regular liaison with the CEO, CFO, the lead independent audit partner and the internal audit partner.

Responsibilities

The Audit Committee’s primary responsibilities include:

 

 

 

 

·

Recommending to the Board the independent accountant to be selected or retained to audit the financial statements of the Bancorp. In so doing, the Committee will require from the auditor receipt of a written affirmation that the auditor is in fact independent and delineating all relationship between the auditor and the Bancorp consistent with the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1. The Audit Committee shall also discuss with the auditor any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the auditor’s independence. Furthermore the Audit Committee shall take or recommend to the Board that it take any actions necessary to oversee the auditor’s independence.

 

 

 

 

·

Overseeing the independent auditor relationship by discussing with the auditor the nature and rigor of the audit process, receiving and reviewing audit reports, and providing the auditor full access to the Committee (and the Board) to report on any and all appropriate matters.

A-1


Exhibit A

 

 

 

 

·

Providing guidance and oversight to the internal audit activities of the Bancorp including reviewing the organization, plans and results of such activity.

 

 

 

 

·

Reviewing the audited financial statements and discussing them with management and the independent auditor. These discussions shall include consideration of the quality of the Bancorp’s accounting principles as applied in its financial reporting, including review of estimates, reserves and accruals, review of judgmental areas, review of audit adjustments whether or not recorded and such other inquiries as may be appropriate. Based on the review, the committee shall make its recommendation to the Board as to the inclusion of the Bancorp’s audited financial statements in the company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB.

 

 

 

 

·

Reviewing with management and the independent auditor the quarterly financial information prior to the Bancorp’s filing of Form 10-QSB. This review may be performed by the committee or its chairperson.

 

 

 

 

·

Discussing with management, the internal auditors and the external auditors the quality and adequacy of the Bancorp’s internal controls.

 

 

 

 

·

Discussing with management the status of pending litigation, taxation matters and other areas of oversight to the legal and compliance area as may be appropriate.

 

 

 

 

·

Reporting audit committee activities to the full Board and issuing annually a report to be included in the proxy statement (including appropriate oversight conclusions) for submission to the shareholders.

 

 

 

 

·

Reviewing the independent auditor’s ultimate accountability to the Board of Directors and to the Audit Committee as representatives of shareholders and these shareholder representatives’ ultimate authority and responsibility to select, evaluate and where appropriate, replace the independent auditor (or to nominate the independent auditor to be proposed for shareholder approval in any proxy statement).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·

Approving all non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditor after giving due regard to the effect of such non-audit services on the independence on the external auditor and the legality of providing such non-audit services.

A-2


 

 

 

 

x


PLEASE MARK VOTES
AS IN THIS EXAMPLE

REVOCABLE PROXY
VSB Bancorp, Inc.

 


ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
April 29, 2008

The undersigned hereby appoints Carlos Perez, MD and Bruno Savo or each of them individually, each with full power of substitution, proxies and agents for the undersigned to vote all shares of common stock of VSB Bancorp Inc. which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on April 29, 2008, at 5:00 p.m., and at any and all adjournments thereof.

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF VSB BANCORP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For

 

Withhold

 

For All
Except

1.

The election as directors of the three nominees listed below to three year terms:

 

o

 

o

 

o


 

 

 

 

 

Raffaele M. Branca

 

Robert S. Cutrona, Sr.

 

Chaim Farkas

INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write that nominee’s name in the space provided below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

2.

The ratification of the appointment of Crowe Chizek and Company LLC as independent registered public accountants for VSB Bancorp, Inc. for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.

 

o

 

o

 

o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

In their discretion, such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and at any adjournments thereof, including whether or not to adjourn the meeting.






 

 

 

Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy in the box below.

 

Date

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

Stockholder sign above _____________ Co-holder (if any sign above)

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE AND “FOR” EACH OF THE LISTED PROPOSALS.

     This proxy is revocable and will be voted as directed, but if no instructions are specified, this proxy will be voted FOR each of the proposals listed above. If any other business is presented at the Annual Meeting, this proxy will be voted by those named in this proxy in their discretion. At the present time, the Board of Directors knows of no other business to be presented at the Annual Meeting.



 

 

 

é

Detach above card, sign, date and mail in postage paid envelope provided

é


VSB Bancorp, Inc.
     IMPORTANT: The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company prior to the execution of this proxy of a Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a Proxy Statement and an Annual Report.

     Please sign exactly as your name appears on this card. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title. If shares are held jointly, each holder may sign but only one signature is required.

PLEASE ACT PROMPTLY
SIGN, DATE & MAIL YOUR PROXY CARD TODAY
IF YOUR ADDRESS HAS CHANGED, PLEASE CORRECT THE ADDRESS IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW AND RETURN THIS PORTION WITH THE PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.