Quarterlytics / Financial Services / Asset Management / Diamond Hill Investment Group Inc.

Diamond Hill Investment Group Inc.

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Sector Financial Services
Industry Asset Management
Employees 51-200
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FY2012 Annual Report · Diamond Hill Investment Group Inc.
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DIAMOND HILL INVESTMENT GROUP, INC.

2012 ANNUAL REPORT
NOTICE OF 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
AND PROXY STATEMENT

DIAMOND HILL INVESTMENT GROUP, INC.
ANNUAL LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS

March 14, 2013

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

From the beginning, we have placed our fiduciary responsibility to our clients at the top of our corporate
objectives. The fulfillment of this responsibility is necessary (but not sufficient) for our continued business suc-
cess. Through separate accounts, mutual funds, and limited partnerships, all of our strategies have provided our
clients with competitive investment returns since their respective inceptions. For the five-year period beginning
in 2008 (the year of the financial crisis) through the end of 2012, our clients’ investment results were closer to
average, yet improving in the last six months of 2012. My belief is that over the next five years, we will achieve
better than average results for our clients, continuing to fulfill our primary corporate objective as a fiduciary to
our clients with competitive long-term investment results.

Financial Results

Revenue was $67 million in 2012 compared with $64 million in 2011 and $41 million in 2007. Assets under
management (AUM) finished the year at $9.4 billion, up from $8.7 billion in 2011 and $4.4 billion in 2007. Our
operating profit margin of 36.7% was slightly ahead of 2011. We believe that our growth and profitability last
year was above average for our industry and much better than average for companies similar in size. These
financial results are consistent with meeting our secondary corporate goal to grow the intrinsic value per share
value of Diamond Hill. With our existing strategy offerings, we estimate AUM capacity in the range of $20 to
$30 billion.

Five years ago, Diamond Hill paid its first cash dividend, and we have paid a cash dividend each year since.
In total, we have paid $46 per share in cash dividends, about 60% of which represented a return of capital. It is
important to note that during the past five years, our tangible book value per share has declined due to these divi-
dends, from $17.52 at the end of 2007 to $6.86 at the end of 2012. The dividends of $46 per share and the $10.66
decline in tangible book value per share results in a net number of $35.34 per share, which represents one meas-
ure of change in shareholder value during the past five years (an annualized rate of 15% percent for the five
years). While tangible book value is a component of intrinsic value, the percentage of intrinsic value represented
varies considerably between companies.

The above discussion is comparable with another popular measure: total shareholder return (TSR), which
takes into account both cash returned to shareholders and change in stock price. For us, this results in a calcu-
lation of about 12% annualized over the past five years. TSR is similar to the evaluation of professional investors
like us. The efficacy of our portfolio management is evaluated based on a total return which includes both divi-
dends paid on our holdings and stock price changes. We purchase stocks for client portfolios that are at a dis-
count to our estimate of intrinsic value, and we sell stocks when they reach our estimate of intrinsic value. Since
our firm’s inception, we have done this well resulting in above average results for our clients, growth in our
business, and growth in Diamond Hill’s intrinsic value per share. Much of that value has been distributed to
shareholders as mentioned above. While the current stock price represents the market’s estimate of a company’s
intrinsic value, a premise of our investment philosophy is that price and intrinsic value often differ, sometimes
substantially. Thus, we believe the relevant measure of value creation (in addition to cash returned to share-
holders) is the change in Diamond Hill’s intrinsic value.

Firm Sustainability

During our first five years, Diamond Hill became financially viable, and during the next five years, the firm
became consistently profitable. In my 2009 shareholder letter, dated April 5, 2010, I stated that we would spend
the next five years continuing to build our infrastructure and capacity to make the firm sustainable. Creating sus-
tainability helps us in fulfilling our fiduciary duty to clients while also providing a key component for growth in
the firm’s intrinsic value. Given the competitive nature of our industry, to achieve sustainability we must attract
and retain talented investment personnel. We have continued to grow our internal research capabilities with the
addition of three new research associates in 2012. Our research team now consists of 15 research analysts and 6

research associates, and importantly, we have had no turnover in our equity portfolio manager or our research
analyst ranks. Our research is primarily focused on U.S. companies; however, we have been expanding our focus
to include international companies with the objective of being better investors through a deeper understanding of
non-U.S. based companies in this time of increasing globalization. It is possible that these additional international
research capabilities may lead us to establish global and international strategies in the future; however, there are
no active plans for a new global or international strategy at this time.

We must also attract and retain people who contribute to the other important aspects of our business. In
recent years, we have expanded our sales, marketing, and client services staff as our opportunities and revenue
increased in response to our investment results. Most significantly, Lisa Wesolek joined us in 2012 as Managing
Director and Head of Distribution. Prior to joining Diamond Hill, Lisa held senior roles at various institutions
including JPMorgan Asset Management and Wells Fargo Funds Management Group.

Succession Planning

The process of succession planning is among the most important efforts underway at Diamond Hill. My own
plan is to continue to serve as CEO through the end of 2015 and as an investment team member and portfolio
manager for our Long-Short strategy beyond 2015. Because of this plan, it is increasingly important that my
duties be shared among the many talented individuals at Diamond Hill in order to achieve organizational sustain-
ability. In December 2012, we named a Senior Management Team with Co-Chief Investment Officer Chris
Bingaman, Co-Director of Research Rick Snowdon, and Head of Distribution Lisa Wesolek joining Chief Finan-
cial Officer Jim Laird and me. We now have deep experience in all functions of our business, which will help us
continue the success of our first twelve years.

Alignment of Interests

Our success is dependent on a proven investment philosophy combined with high-performing people and
alignment of our interests with those of our clients. Diamond Hill associates are aligned with clients as a result of
their personal investments in U.S. equities through our Diamond Hill Funds, rather than funds of other invest-
ment managers or individual equity securities. Collectively, Diamond Hill associates are one of the largest share-
holders in our Funds. Also, every Diamond Hill associate is an owner in the firm through grants of Diamond Hill
stock at the outset of their employment, 401(k) matching, and eligibility for incentive compensation paid in
Diamond Hill shares, the latter of which is restricted from sale for five years reinforcing our long-term invest-
ment temperament. In fact, we believe that taking a long-term view is perhaps our greatest competitive advan-
tage. While the perception of near-term profit opportunities often attracts significant amounts of capital and
erodes excess returns, there are far fewer investors willing to deploy capital based on an investment horizon of
five years or more. At many institutions, the career risk associated with being wrong in the short term is simply
too great for analysts to consider investment opportunities that may play out over years instead of quarters.

At our annual meeting this April, we will honor our outgoing Audit Committee Chairman Dave Lauer. Dave
was first elected to the board in 2002, and his vast knowledge and experience has been especially valuable in
helping us to provide our shareholders with financial statements that are both transparent and thorough. I would
like to thank my colleagues and our Board of Directors for their support. Over my remaining three years as CEO,
I intend to strive for continuous improvement in all areas of our business, and as a portfolio manager (a role in
which I intend to continue for many years after 2015) I intend to serve our clients with competitive investment
returns.

Sincerely,

R. H. Dillon
President and Chief Executive Officer

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
325 John H. McConnell Boulevard, Suite 200
Columbus, Ohio 43215

March 14, 2013

Dear Shareholders:

We cordially invite you to attend the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Diamond Hill Investment
Group, Inc. to be held at 325 John H. McConnell Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43215, on Wednesday, April 24, 2013,
at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time.

The attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement describe the formal business to be transacted
at the meeting. During the meeting, we will also report on our operations and our directors and officers will be
present to respond to any appropriate questions you may have. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we urge
you to sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible, even if you currently plan to
attend the Annual Meeting. This will not prevent you from voting in person, but will ensure that your vote is
counted if you are unable to attend the meeting. Your vote is important, regardless of the number of shares you
own.

Sincerely,

R. H. Dillon
President and CEO

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
325 John H. McConnell Boulevard, Suite 200,
Columbus, Ohio 43215

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 24, 2013

Notice is hereby given that the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Diamond
Hill Investment Group, Inc. (the “Company”), will be held at 325 John H. McConnell Blvd., Columbus, Ohio
43215, on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time to consider and act upon the
following matters:

1) To elect seven directors to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors until the Company’s 2014

Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified;

2) To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s

independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013;

3) To consider and vote upon a non-binding, advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the

Company’s named executive officers; and

4) To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjourn-

ment thereof.
Action may be taken on the foregoing proposals at the Annual Meeting or at any adjournment of the Annual
Meeting. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 1, 2013, as the record date for
determination of the shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. You are
requested to complete, sign and date the enclosed form of proxy, which is solicited by the Company’s Board of
Directors, and to mail it promptly in the enclosed envelope. Alternatively, you may vote by phone by using the
control number identified on your proxy or electronically over the Internet in accordance with the instructions on
the enclosed proxy. Returning the enclosed proxy card, or transmitting voting instructions electronically through
the Internet or by telephone, does not affect your right to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If you attend the
Annual Meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote in person if your shares are registered in your name.

THE PROMPT RETURN OF YOUR PROXY WILL SAVE THE COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF
MAKING FURTHER REQUESTS FOR PROXIES IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A QUORUM. WHETHER
OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE
AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
ALTERNATIVELY, REFER TO THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE PROXY CARD TO TRANSMIT
YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS VIA THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE.

By order of the Board of Directors,

James F. Laird
Secretary

Columbus, Ohio
March 14, 2013

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 24, 2013:
The Proxy Statement and the Company’s 2012 Annual Report to Shareholders are available without
charge at the following location:
http://www.diamond-hill.com/pdf/imr/proxy-annual-report-final-print.pdf

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
325 John H. McConnell Boulevard, Suite 200
Columbus, Ohio 43215

PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
DIAMOND HILL INVESTMENT GROUP, INC.
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 24, 2013

This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the shareholders of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc., an
Ohio corporation (the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
Board of Directors (the “Board”) for use at the Company’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual
Meeting”) to be held on April 24, 2013, and any adjournment thereof. A copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting
accompanies this Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy are first being mailed to share-
holders on or about March 14, 2013. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2013, the
record date for the Annual Meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.

The purposes of this Annual Meeting are:

1) To elect seven directors to serve on the Board until the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Share-

holders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified;

2) To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) as the

Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013;

3) To consider and vote upon a non-binding, advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the

Company’s named executive officers; and

4) To transact such other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjourn-

ment thereof.

Those common shares represented by (i) properly signed proxy cards received by the Company prior to the
Annual Meeting or (ii) properly authenticated voting instructions recorded electronically over the Internet or by
telephone prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time on April 23, 2013 and, in each case, that are not
revoked will be voted at the Annual Meeting as directed by the shareholders. If a shareholder submits a valid
proxy and does not specify how the common shares should be voted, they will be voted as recommended by
the Board. The proxy holders will use their best judgment regarding any other matters that may properly come
before the Annual Meeting.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON APRIL 24, 2013:
The Proxy Statement and the Company’s 2012 Annual Report to Shareholders are available without
charge at the following location:
http://www.diamond-hill.com/pdf/imr/proxy-annual-report-final-print.pdf

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION

PAGE

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THE ANNUAL MEETING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PROCEDURAL MATTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THE NOMINEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND COMPENSATION INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
STOCK OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS FOR 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED FOR 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PROPOSAL 2 — RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PROPOSAL 3 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE

OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2014 ANNUAL MEETING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SHAREHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OTHER BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

Q: When and where will the Annual Meeting take place?

A: The Annual Meeting will be held at 325 John H. McConnell Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43215, on Wednesday,
April 24, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time. You may also listen live to the Annual Meeting
via audio conference by calling 1-888-424-8151 [use confirmation code 9190 483# when prompted] and
you can view presentation materials
section of our website,
http://www.diamond-hill.com.

and Updates”

in the

“News

Q: What may I vote on?

A: At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon: (i) the election of seven directors to
serve on the Board until the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors
have been duly elected and qualified; (ii) a proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013;
and (iii) a non-binding, advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive
officers.

Q: What do I need to do now?

A: After carefully reading this Proxy Statement, indicate on the enclosed proxy card how you want your shares
to be voted and sign and mail the proxy card promptly in the enclosed envelope. Alternatively, you may
vote by phone by using the control number identified on your proxy card, or vote over the Internet in
accordance with the instructions on your proxy card. The deadline for transmitting voting instructions over
the Internet or telephonically is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time on Tuesday, April 23, 2013. If
you vote by phone or over the Internet you do not need to return a proxy card. You should be aware that if
you vote over the Internet or by phone, you may incur costs associated with electronic access, such as usage
charges from Internet service providers and telephone companies.

Q: What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card?

A:

If your shares are registered in more than one account, you will receive more than one proxy card. If you
intend to vote by mail, sign, date and return all proxy cards to ensure that all your shares are voted. If you
are a record holder and intend to vote by telephone or over the Internet, you must do so for each individual
proxy card you receive.

Q: What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

A: Many shareholders are beneficial owners, meaning they hold their shares in “street name” through a broker,
bank or other nominee. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record
and those owned beneficially.

Shareholder of Record. For shares registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent,
you are considered the shareholder of record and we are sending this Proxy Statement and related materials
directly to you. As a shareholder of record, you have the right to vote in person at the Annual Meeting or
you may grant your proxy directly to the Board’s designees by completing, signing and returning the
enclosed proxy card, or transmitting your voting instructions over the Internet or by phone.

Beneficial Owner. For shares held in “street name”, you are considered the beneficial owner and this
Proxy Statement and related materials are being forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other nominee,
who is the shareholder of record. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other
nominee on how to vote your shares. Your broker or nominee will provide you with information on the
procedures you must follow to instruct them how to vote your shares or how to revoke previously given
voting instructions.

Q:

If my shares are held in “street name” by my broker, will my broker vote my shares for me?

A: Your broker will vote your shares in the manner you instruct and you should follow the voting instructions
provided to you by your broker. However, if you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, it may

1

vote your shares in its discretion on certain “routine” matters. The ratification of the appointment of KPMG
as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2013 fiscal year is considered routine, and if
you do not submit voting instructions, your broker may choose, in its discretion, to vote or not vote your
shares on the ratification. None of the other matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting are routine, and
your broker may not vote your shares on those matters without your instructions.

Q: May I revoke my proxy or change my vote after I have mailed a proxy card or voted electronically

over the Internet or by telephone?

A: Yes. You can change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting. If you are the

record holder of the shares, you can do this in three ways:

• send a written statement to James F. Laird, our Secretary, stating that you would like to revoke your

proxy, which must be received prior to the Annual Meeting;

• send a newly signed and later-dated proxy card, which must be received prior to the Annual Meeting, or
submit later-dated electronic voting instructions over the Internet or by telephone no later than 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Saving Time on April 23, 2013; or

• attend the Annual Meeting and revoke your proxy in person prior to the start of voting at the Annual
Meeting or vote in person at the Annual Meeting (attending the Annual Meeting will not, by itself,
revoke your proxy or a prior Internet or telephone vote).

If you are a beneficial owner, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your
broker or nominee, and you should review the instructions provided by your broker or nominee to determine
the procedures you must follow.

Q: Can I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting?

A: You may vote shares held of record in person at the Annual Meeting. If you choose to attend, please bring
the enclosed proxy card and a form of identification. If you are a beneficial owner and you wish to attend the
Annual Meeting and vote in person, you will need a signed proxy from your broker or other nominee giving
you the right to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting and a form of identification. To obtain directions to
attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, please call James F. Laird, the Company’s Secretary, at
(614) 255-3353 or visit the Company’s website, http://www.diamond-hill.com/cgi-bin/cu/office-location.pl.

Q: How will my shares be voted if I submit a proxy without voting instructions?

A:

If you submit a proxy and do not indicate how you want your shares voted, your proxy will be voted on the
matters presented as recommended by the Board. The Board’s recommendations are set forth in this Proxy
Statement.

Q: Who can answer my questions about how I can submit or revoke my proxy or vote by phone or via

the Internet?

A:

If you are a record shareholder and have more questions about how to submit your proxy, please call James
F. Laird, the Company’s Secretary, at (614) 255-3353. If you are a beneficial owner, you should contact
your broker or other nominee to determine the procedures you must follow.

THE ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting will be held at 325 John H. McConnell Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43215, on Wednesday,
April 24, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time. The purposes of the Annual Meeting are to consider
and vote upon (i) the election of seven directors to serve on the Board until the Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified; (ii) a proposal to ratify the
appointment of KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year end-
ing December 31, 2013; and (iii) a non-binding, advisory resolution to approve the compensation of the Compa-
ny’s named executive officers. We are not currently aware of any other matters that will come before the Annual
Meeting.

2

PROCEDURAL MATTERS

Record Date

Only our shareholders of record at the close of business on March 1, 2013, the record date, will be entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date, there were 3,231,318 of common shares outstanding and
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Proxy

Your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting as you direct on your signed proxy card or in your tele-
phonic or Internet voting instructions. If you submit a proxy card without voting instructions, it will be voted as
recommended by the Board. These recommendations are set forth in this Proxy Statement. The duly appointed
proxy holders will vote in their discretion on any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meet-
ing.

Voting

Each outstanding share may cast one vote on each separate matter of business properly brought before the
Annual Meeting. If you hold shares in street name, the Board encourages you to instruct your broker or other
nominee as to how to vote your shares.

A shareholder voting in the election of directors may cumulate such shareholder’s votes and give one candi-
date a number of votes equal to (i) the number of directors to be elected (seven), multiplied by (ii) the number of
shares held by the shareholder, or may distribute such shareholder’s total votes among as many candidates as the
shareholder may select. However, no shareholder will be entitled to cumulate votes unless the candidate’s name
has been placed in nomination prior to voting and a shareholder has given us notice at least 48 hours prior to the
Annual Meeting of the intention to cumulate votes. The proxies the Board is soliciting include the discretionary
authority to cumulate votes. If cumulative voting occurs at the Annual Meeting, the proxies intend to vote the
shares represented by proxy in a manner to elect as many of the seven director nominees as possible. Cumulative
voting only applies to the election of directors.

Director elections. The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares represented at the
Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote is required for the election of directors, and the seven
nominees receiving the most votes will be elected.

Ratification of selection of independent registered public accounting firm. The affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares represented at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the pro-
posal is required to ratify the selection of KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm for fiscal year 2013.

Advisory approval of named executive officer compensation. The affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares represented at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the proposal is required
for shareholder advisory approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

Effect of broker non-votes and abstentions. Under the applicable regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the rules of exchanges and other self-regulatory organizations of which
the brokers are members, brokers who hold common shares in street name may sign and submit proxies and may
vote our common shares on certain “routine” matters. The ratification of KPMG is considered routine. Brokers
may not vote street name shares on the election of directors or approval of the compensation of our named execu-
tive officers without specific instructions from the customer who owns the shares. Proxies that are signed and
submitted by brokers that have not been voted on certain matters are referred to as “broker non-votes.”

Neither broker non-votes nor abstentions will have any effect on the election of directors. Abstentions will
have the same effect as a vote against the ratification of the appointment of KPMG and the advisory approval of
named executive officer compensation; although, broker non-votes will have no effect on those proposals.

3

Quorum

Business can be conducted at the Annual Meeting only if a quorum, consisting of at least the holders of a
majority of our outstanding shares entitled to vote, is present, either in person or by proxy. Abstentions and
broker non-votes will be counted toward establishing a quorum. If a quorum is not present at the time the Annual
Meeting is convened, a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy may adjourn the Annual Meeting
to a later date and time, without notice other than announcement at the Annual Meeting. At any such adjourn-
ment of the Annual Meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have
been transacted at the Annual Meeting as originally called.

Solicitation; Expenses

The Company will pay all expenses of the Board’s solicitation of the proxies for the Annual Meeting, includ-
ing the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the Notice, form of proxy and Proxy Statement, postage for
return envelopes, the handling and expenses for tabulation of proxies received, and charges of brokerage houses
and other institutions, nominees or fiduciaries for forwarding such documents to beneficial owners. The Com-
pany will not pay any electronic access charges associated with Internet or telephonic voting incurred by a share-
holder. The Company may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, facsimile or e-mail. Officers, directors and
employees of the Company may also assist with solicitation and will receive no additional compensation for their
services.

No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representation not contained in this Proxy
Statement, and you should not rely on any such information or representation. This Proxy Statement does not
constitute the solicitation of a proxy in any jurisdiction from any person to whom it is unlawful to make such
proxy solicitation in such jurisdiction. The delivery of this Proxy Statement shall not, under any circumstances,
imply that there has not been any change in the information set forth herein since the date of this Proxy State-
ment.

Requests for Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K; Internet Availability

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, including audited consolidated
financial statements, accompanies this Proxy Statement but is not a part of the proxy solicitation material. We are
delivering a single copy of this Proxy Statement and the Form 10-K to multiple shareholders sharing an address
unless we have received instructions from one or more of the shareholders to the contrary. We will promptly
deliver a separate copy of the Proxy Statement and/or Form 10-K, at no charge, upon receipt of a written or oral
request by a record shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered. Writ-
ten or oral requests for a separate copy of the documents, or to provide instructions for delivery of documents in
the future, may be directed to James F. Laird, Secretary of the Company, at 325 John H. McConnell Boulevard,
Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or by phone at (614) 255-3333.

Additionally, this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K are available on the internet free

of charge at: http://www.diamond-hill.com/pdf/imr/proxy-annual-report-final-print.pdf.

4

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth beneficial ownership of our common shares as of the record date, March 1,
2013, by (a) all persons known by us to own beneficially five percent or more of the Company’s outstanding
shares, (b) each director and director nominee, (c) our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (each,
a “named executive officer”), and (d) all of our executive officers, directors, and nominees as a group. Although
not required, we have also decided to voluntarily disclose all common shares beneficially owned by all other
employees of the Company, excluding the executive officers. Unless otherwise indicated, the named persons
exercise sole voting and dispositive power over the shares listed. None of the named persons have any out-
standing options.

Name of Beneficial Owner

R. H. Dillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Randolph J. Fortener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James F. Laird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
David P. Lauer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Peter J. Moran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Donald B. Shackelford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bradley C. Shoup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Frances A. Skinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Directors, nominees, and executive officers as a group (7 persons) . . . . . . . . . . .
All other employees of the Company (79 persons)(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5% Beneficial Owners
BlackRock, Inc.(6)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Amount and Nature
of Beneficial
Ownership

Percent of
Class(1)

300,985(2)

—
73,889(2)
7,785
13,575
11,705(3)
6,000
6,935
420,874
605,850(5)

9.3%
*
2.3%
*
*
*
*
*
13.0%
18.7%

195,872

6.1%

40 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022
Wells Fargo & Company(7)
420 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

172,194

5.3%

(1) Beneficial ownership of less than one percent is represented by an asterisk (*). The percent of class is based
upon (a) the number of shares beneficially owned by the named person, divided by (b) the total number of
shares which are issued and outstanding as of March 1, 2013 (3,231,318 shares).

(2) Includes 2,598 shares for Mr. Dillon and 3,122 shares for Mr. Laird, which are held in the Company’s 401(k)
plan, over which the Trustees of the 401(k) Plan possess the voting power and which are subject to
restrictions on the power to dispose of these shares.

(3) Includes 11,705 shares for Mr. Shackelford that are held in Trust.

(4) Includes all employees of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of March 1, 2013,
excluding executive officers. Each employee has sole voting power. Certain shares are subject to restrictions
on the power to dispose of the shares. The employees do not constitute a Group as defined by Rule 13d-1 of
the Exchange Act.

(5) Includes 78,455 shares held in the Company’s 401(k) plan, over which the Trustees of the 401(k) Plan pos-

sess the voting power and which are subject to restrictions on the power to dispose of these shares.

(6) Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 6, 2013, by BlackRock,
Inc. In this Schedule 13G/A, BlackRock, Inc. reported sole voting power and sole dispositive power over
195,872 shares on behalf of the following subsidiaries: BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A.,
BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Advisors (UK) Lim-
ited, BlackRock Advisors, LLC, and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC.

5

(7) Based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2013, by Wells
Fargo & Company. In this Schedule 13G/A, Wells Fargo & Company reported sole voting power and sole
dispositive power over 172,194 shares on its own behalf and on behalf of the following subsidiaries: Wells
Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and Wells Fargo Advi-
sors, LLC.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially
own more than ten percent of the Company’s shares, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership on Form 3
and reports of changes in ownership on Form 4 and Form 5. Executive officers, directors and persons who
beneficially own more than ten percent of the Company’s securities are required by SEC regulations to furnish to
the Company copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file with the SEC. Based solely upon a review of the Forms
3, 4 and 5 furnished to the Company by these persons and statements made by these persons that no other Sec-
tion 16(a) reports were required to be filed by them, there were, to the Company’s knowledge, no late or unfiled
reports during the year ended December 31, 2012.

PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board guides the strategic direction of the Company and oversees its management. All of the Compa-
ny’s directors are elected annually. Pursuant to the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Commit-
tee, the Board has nominated the seven nominees listed below, six of whom are incumbents. All have been
nominated by the Board to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective
successors are elected and qualified.

David P. Lauer, who has served as a director of the Company since 2002 and is the chairman of the Audit
Committee, will be retiring from the Board at the Annual Meeting and will not stand for reelection. The Board
would like to thank Mr. Lauer for his dedicated service to the Company. The Board, upon recommendation of the
Nominating and Governance Committee, has nominated Randolph J. Fortener for election to the seat being
vacated by Mr. Lauer. Mr. Fortener was recommended for nomination by Mr. Lauer, the CEO, and the Chairman,
who have known Mr. Fortener for more than 20 years.

If any nominee becomes unable or unwilling to serve between the date of this proxy statement and the Meet-
ing, proxies will be voted FOR the election of a replacement recommended by the Nominating and Governance
Committee and approved by the Board.

Director Independence

The Board has determined that, with the exception of Mr. Dillon and Mr. Laird, all of our current directors
and director nominee Mr. Fortener are independent under the rules and independence standards of The NASDAQ
Stock Market (“NASDAQ”), as well as applicable SEC requirements. There are no family relationships among
our directors and executive officers.

The Nominees

The Board has determined that all of our director nominees are qualified to serve as directors of the Com-
pany. In addition to the specific business experience listed below, each of our director nominees has the tangible
and intangible skills and attributes which we believe are required to be an effective director of the Company,
including experience at senior levels in areas of expertise helpful to the Company, a willingness and commitment
to assume the responsibilities required of a director of the Company, and the character and integrity we expect of
our directors. The specific qualifications of each individual nominee are set forth under his or her name below.

R. H. Dillon, CFA, age 56, has been a director of the Company since 2001, and the President and CEO of
the Company since 2000. Prior to joining the firm in 2000, Mr. Dillon had been employed as a portfolio manager
by Loomis, Sayles & Company since 1997. Mr. Dillon has over 30 years of experience in the investment
management industry.

6

Mr. Dillon received his BS and MA from The Ohio State University and his MBA from University of Day-

ton. Mr. Dillon also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

The Board believes that Mr. Dillon’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his 12 years of experience
as CEO and a Portfolio Manager of the Company, his in depth knowledge and involvement in the Company’s
operations and his more than 30 years of experience as an investment professional.

Randolph J. Fortener, age 59, is a nominee for election as an independent director of the Company.
Mr. Fortener has worked at the Crane Group, a private holding and management company, based in Columbus,
Ohio, since 1990 and currently serves as the president of Crane Investment Company, a position that he has held
since 2007. As president of Crane Investment Company, Mr. Fortener directs all investment and acquisition
activity for the company. Prior to joining the Crane Group, Mr. Fortener was a partner at Deloitte, a big four
accounting firm, providing services to investment banking firms. Mr. Fortener also specialized in estate and tax
planning for privately held businesses while with Deloitte. Mr. Fortener has over 35 years of business experience
with an emphasis on corporate acquisitions and investments.

Mr. Fortener has served on numerous corporate boards and has served as chairman for many of them. Cur-
rently, Mr. Fortener is an appointed board member of the Columbus Metropolitan Library and serves on the
board of The Breathing Association.

Mr. Fortener received a BS in accounting from The University of Findlay and an MBA in finance from the

University of Dayton and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

The Board believes that Mr. Fortener’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his substantial experi-
ence in accounting and financial matters, including his significant experience as a certified public accountant, his
current role as President of Crane Investment Company, and his experience on other corporate boards.

James F. Laird, CPA, age 56, has been a director of the Company since 2011, and the Chief Financial
Officer of the Company and President of Diamond Hill Funds since 2001. Prior to joining the firm in 2001,
Mr. Laird was employed as a Senior Vice President for Villanova Capital since 1999 and Vice President and
General Manager for Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. from 1995 to 1999. Mr. Laird has over 25 years of
experience in the investment management industry.

Mr. Laird received his BS in Accounting from The Ohio State University, is a Certified Public Accountant,

and holds the Series 7, 24, 26, 27 and 63 securities licenses with the Financial Industry Regulation Authority.

The Board believes that Mr. Laird’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his 11 years of experience
as CFO of the Company, his in depth knowledge and involvement in the Company’s operations and his more
than 25 years of experience in the financial, operational, administrative, and distribution aspects of the invest-
ment management industry.

Peter J. Moran, age 52, has been an independent director of the Company since 2011, is the chairman of
the Nominating and Governance Committee, and serves on the Compensation Committee. Mr. Moran has been a
managing partner with DundeeWealth US, LP, an institutional investment management firm since 2008. Prior to
joining DundeeWealth US, LP, he was a founder and managing partner with BHR Fund Advisors, LP from 2006
until its acquisition by DundeeWealth in 2008. From 2005 to 2006 he was President of Constellation Funds
Group, LP. Prior to Constellation, he was employed at Turner Investment Partners as Managing Director of
mutual fund, investment-only defined contribution and sub-advisory distribution. He has held several senior posi-
tions with leading investment management firms including J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Montgomery
Asset Management and PIMCO/Pacific Life. Mr. Moran has over 25 years of experience in the investment
management industry.

Mr. Moran received his BA in Economics from University of Richmond. Mr. Moran also holds the Char-
tered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter designations and is a member of the Executive
Committee of the Mutual Fund Education Alliance.

The Board believes that Mr. Moran’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his significant experience
in the global investment management industry, including specific experience in the sales and distribution of
investment management products.

7

Donald B. Shackelford, age 80, has been an independent director of the Company since 2005 and has
served as board chairman since 2011, and serves on the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and
Governance Committee. Mr. Shackelford retired from Fifth Third Bank, Central Ohio (successor to State Savings
Bank) in 2008, where he served as Chairman from 1998 to 2008. Prior to joining Fifth Third Bank,
Mr. Shackelford served as Chairman and CEO of State Savings Bank for 25 years, until its acquisition by Fifth
Third Bank in 1998.

Mr. Shackelford served as a director of The Progressive Corporation, a national property and casualty
insurance company from 1976 to 2010. Mr. Shackelford also serves on the board of Heads & Threads Interna-
tional, LLC, and Lowell Group, both of which are private or non-for-profit organizations. Mr. Shackelford also
served as a director of Limited Brands, Inc. from 1976 to 2005.

Mr. Shackelford received his BA from Denison University and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

The Board believes that Mr. Shackelford’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his substantial experi-

ence in banking and financial services and his experience as a director of other public companies.

Bradley C. Shoup, age 54, has been an independent director of the Company since 2012 and serves on the
Audit Committee. Mr. Shoup has been the Managing Director of Cox Partners Inc., a private investment partner-
ship in a family office, since 2011. Prior to working at Cox Partners Inc., Mr. Shoup was Chief Investment Offi-
cer of Armstrong Equity Partners LP, a private investment partnership in the same family office. Prior to joining
Armstrong, Mr. Shoup was President of BCS Capital Inc, an investment advisory firm from 2003 to 2006. Prior
to BCS Capital, he was a founding member of Relational Investors LLC, an institutional investment management
firm. Mr. Shoup has over 20 years of experience in the investment management industry.

Mr. Shoup received his BS in Civil Engineering with Distinction from the University of Kansas and his MS

from the Sloan School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The Board believes that Mr. Shoup’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his significant experience
in the investment management industry, including his specific knowledge of and experience in investment
management.

Frances A. Skinner, CFA, CPA, age 48, has been an independent director of the Company since 2010, is
the chair of the Compensation Committee, and serves on the Audit Committee. Ms. Skinner has been a partner
with AUM Partners, LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in the investment management industry,
since 2009. Prior to joining AUM Partners, she was a principal with Focus Consulting Group, Inc. from 2003 to
2009. Ms. Skinner also spent 16 years at Allstate Investments, LLC, where she worked on developing compensa-
tion and incentive programs for investment professionals. Ms. Skinner has over 25 years of experience in the
areas of investment management, finance and consulting. She is a co-author of the book High Performing
Investment Teams (Wiley, 2006).

Ms. Skinner received her BA from St. Xavier University and her MBA from the University of Illinois —
Chicago. Ms. Skinner also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a Certified Public Accountant.

The Board believes that Ms. Skinner’s qualifications to serve on the Board include her significant experi-
ence in the global investment management industry and experience in developing and consulting on matters of
leadership, teamwork, performance evaluation, and compensation practices.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF R.
H. DILLON, RANDY J. FORTENER, JAMES F. LAIRD, PETER J. MORAN, DONALD B. SHACK-
ELFORD, BRADLEY C. SHOUP, AND FRANCES A. SKINNER AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

The Board held a total of six meetings during the year ended December 31, 2012. Each director attended
100% of the combined total number of meetings of the Board and Board committees of which he or she was a
member, except one Director missed one meeting. Consistent with the Company’s Corporate Governance

8

Guidelines, the independent directors met in executive session at all of the regularly scheduled Board meetings in
2012. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that all directors are expected to attend each annual meeting
of shareholders. All of our then incumbent directors attended our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Corporate Governance

The Board has three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the
Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board has adopted a written charter for each Committee. Current
copies of each committee charter and our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available at our Web site,
www.diamond-hill.com, by clicking the “Investor & Media Relations” tab, then the “Investor Relations” section
and, finally, the “Corporate Governance” tab.

Pursuant to rules promulgated under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2012, the Board has adopted a Code of
Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers. This code is intended to deter wrongdoing and
promote honest and ethical conduct, full, timely and accurate reporting, compliance with laws, and accountability
for adherence to the code, including internal reporting of code violations.

The Company also has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is applicable to all of our employees and
directors, a copy of which was filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on
March 13, 2009. It is the Company’s policy to require all employees to participate annually in continuing educa-
tion and training relating to the Code of Business Conduct and Code of Ethics.

The Company also has established a policy prohibiting its officers, directors, and employees from purchas-
ing or selling shares of the Company while in possession of material, nonpublic information, or otherwise using
such information for their personal benefit or in any manner that would violate applicable laws and regulations.
The policy also prohibits all employees and directors from purchasing or selling any derivative arrangement
related to securities of the Company or engaging in any speculative, short selling, or hedging activities related to
securities of the Company that may have a similar economic effect.

Audit Committee

Mr. Lauer, Mr. Shoup, and Ms. Skinner serve on the Audit Committee, which met six times during 2012.
Mr. Lauer serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that each of these
committee members meets the independence and financial literacy rules and standards of the SEC and NAS-
DAQ. The Board also has concluded that Mr. Lauer, Mr. Shoup, and Ms. Skinner meet the criteria for an audit
committee financial expert as established by the SEC.

The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities
with respect to (1) the retention of our independent registered public accounting firm, including appointing and
overseeing the terms of its engagement and its performance, qualifications and independence, and (2) the
integrity of our financial statements, other financial information provided to shareholders, and our internal con-
trol structure. The Audit Committee also reviews all related person transactions for potential conflicts of interest
on an ongoing basis and all such transactions must be approved by the Audit Committee. Additional information
on the approval of related person transactions is available under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related
Person Transactions” below. The report of the Audit Committee appears below the heading “AUDIT COMMIT-
TEE REPORT.”

Compensation Committee

Mr. Moran, Mr. Shackelford, and Ms. Skinner serve on the Compensation Committee, which met twice
during 2012. Ms. Skinner serves as the Chair of the Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors has
determined that each of these committee members meets the independence criteria of the SEC and NASDAQ. No
member of the Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company or has had any
relationship requiring disclosure by us under Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K. In addition, no member of the
Compensation Committee or Board of Directors is employed by a company whose board of directors includes a
member of the Company’s management.

9

The primary purpose of the Compensation Committee is to review and approve the Company’s executive
compensation policies, evaluate the performance of our executive officers in light of corporate goals and
objectives approved by the Compensation Committee, approve the annual salary, bonus, stock grants and other
benefits, direct and indirect, of our executive officers and other senior employees, make recommendations to the
full Board with respect to incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans and determine director and
committee member/chair compensation for non-employee directors. The Compensation Committee also adminis-
ters our equity and other incentive plans. The Compensation Committee has delegated to management the ability
to make stock grants within specific parameters to associates to align the interests of shareholders and the asso-
ciate, to promote employee retention, and long-term employee ownership. A description of the Company’s proc-
esses and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive officer compensation are discussed
under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below.

Nominating and Governance Committee

Messrs. Lauer, Moran, and Shackelford serve on the Nominating and Governance Committee, which met
twice during 2012. Mr. Moran serves as the chairman. The Board of Directors has determined that each of these
committee members meets the independence criteria of NASDAQ.

The primary purpose of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to maintain and cultivate the effec-
tiveness of the Board and oversee the Company’s governance policies. Among the committee’s responsibilities
are Board and committee composition, director qualifications, orientation and education, and Board evaluations.
Members identify, evaluate, and nominate Board candidates; review compliance with director stock ownership
guidelines; and oversee procedures regarding shareholder nominations and other communications to the Board.
the Nominating and Governance Committee is also responsible for monitoring compliance with and recommend-
ing any changes to the company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines. Additional information regarding the
committee’s activities can be found under the heading “Corporate Governance.”

Board Committee Membership

The following table summarizes the membership of the Board and each of its committees, and the number

of times each met during 2012:

Director

Audit

Compensation

Nominating and
Governance

R. H. Dillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James F. Laird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
David P. Lauer
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Peter J. Moran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Donald B. Shackelford(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bradley C. Shoup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Member(3)
Frances A. Skinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Member

Chair

Member
Member

Chair

Member

Chair(1)

Member

Number of Meetings in 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

2

2

(1) Mr. Moran was appointed Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee in April 2012.

(2) Chairman of the Board.

(3) Mr. Shoup was appointed to the Audit Committee in April 2012.

Compensation of Directors

The Compensation Committee is responsible for periodically reviewing and recommending to the Board the
compensation of non-employee directors. At the discretion of the Board, directors are eligible to receive stock-
based awards under the Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. 2011 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan (the “2011
Plan”). After a thorough review of the compensation of non-employee directors, the Compensation Committee

10

recommended a change in our non-employee director compensation structure from an annual payment structure
to the use of long-term cliff vesting restricted stock awards, as a way to further align the interests of the directors
with the long-term interests of shareholders.

The Board adopted the Compensation Committee’s recommendation and effective, January 1, 2012,
independent directors will be compensated using cliff vesting restricted stock grants, which are intended to
compensate the directors for a period of time, which is the shorter of five years or a director’s expected retire-
ment date. The restricted stock grants are intended to fully compensate directors for their services as directors
and as members of committees of the Board. After the restricted stock grants vest, our Corporate Governance
Guidelines prohibit the shares from being sold while the director remains on the Board.

The following table summarizes the changes:

Previous
Compensation
Structure
2011

2012

New Compensation Structure*
2014

2013

2015

2016

Total Compensation — Company Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annual Retainer — Company Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annual Retainer for Chairman — Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Annual Retainer for Committee Chairs — Cash . . . . . . . . . .
Payment for each board meeting attended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payment for each committee meeting attended . . . . . . . . . . .

—
$40,000
$10,000
$ 5,000
$ 2,000
$ 1,000

[6,000 Shares of Company Stock]

* Restricted Stock Grants were made for a period of time, which is the shorter of five years or expected retire-
ment date, and at which time the stock will fully vest. The 6,000 shares represented in the above table is
compensation for a full five year period. Directors expected to retirement earlier than five years were awarded
share amounts less than 6,000 to reflect the expected reduced period over which they will serve as a Director.

In 2012, the non-employee directors each received a cliff vesting restricted stock grant. Non-employee direc-
tors, who are eligible to serve on the board for five years or longer, received a cliff vesting restricted stock grant
of 6,000 shares intended to fully compensate them for their services through 2016. These directors will not be
eligible to receive another cliff vesting restricted stock grant until 2017. Non-employee directors, who are
expected to retire within 5 years, received a cliff vesting restricted stock grant intended to fully compensate them
for their services until they retire from the Board.

The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned by, or paid to, directors who
served on our Board in 2012. Mr. Dillon and Mr. Laird, who are executive officers of the Company, do not
receive separate directors’ fees for their service and have been omitted from this table. As discussed above, direc-
tors earned and received no cash compensation in 2012 and instead received a cliff vesting restricted stock grant
that is intended to fully compensate them for a period of time, which is the shorter of five years or a director’s
expected retirement date.

Name

2012 Director Compensation(1)

Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash

Lawrence E. Baumgartner(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
David P. Lauer(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Peter J. Moran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Donald B. Shackelford(4)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Frances A. Skinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bradley C. Shoup(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
—
—
—
—
—

Stock
Awards(2)

$ 46,206
$138,618
$462,060
$323,442
$462,060
$462,060

Total

$ 46,206
$138,618
$462,060
$323,442
$462,060
$462,060

(1) Includes only those columns relating to compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to non-employee direc-

tors for their services in 2012. All other columns have been omitted.

11

(2) Represents the full grant-date fair value computed by multiplying the total shares granted by the closing price
of the shares on the grant date. Grants are intended to represent entire compensation earned and paid to each
director for their service from January 1, 2012 (April 25, 2012 in the case of Mr. Shoup) through their sched-
uled retirement date or five years, whichever is shorter. Non-employee directors are not expected to receive
any additional cash or stock awards for the service period covered in the below table. These shares were
granted under the 2011 Plan. For information on the expensing of these awards, please see note 5 to the
consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2012. Details of each stock award are reflected in the table below.

Name

Shares
Granted

Service Period
Covered

Lawrence E. Baumgartner(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
David P. Lauer(4)
Peter J. Moran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Donald B. Shackelford(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Frances A. Skinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bradley C. Shoup(5)

600
1,800
6,000
4,200
6,000
6,000

1/1/12 – 4/25/12
1/1/12 – 4/30/13
1/1/12 – 12/31/16
1/1/12 – 4/30/15
1/1/12 – 12/31/16
4/25/12 – 4/30/17

Grant-
Date Fair
Value

$ 46,206
$138,618
$462,060
$323,442
$462,060
$462,060

Grant
Date

Vesting
Date

2/22/12
2/24/12
2/22/12
2/22/12
2/22/12
4/25/12

4/25/12
4/24/13
1/1/17
4/30/15
1/1/17
4/30/17

(3) Mr. Baumgartner did not stand for reelection at the 2012 Annual Shareholder meeting on April 25, 2012. His

compensation represents service in 2012 prior to the 2012 Annual Meeting.

(4) Pursuant to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Mr. Lauer and Mr. Shackelford are scheduled
to retire from the Board in conjunction with the Annual Shareholder meeting in 2013 and 2015, respectively.
Their compensation is intended to represent service from January 1, 2012 until their respective retirements.

(5) Mr. Shoup was appointed to the Board on April 25, 2012. His compensation represents service after his

appointment to the Board and is intended to represent service for the five year period ending April 30, 2017.

Ownership and Retention Guidelines

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines prohibit shares granted to our directors as compensation from being
sold while the director remains on the Board. Therefore, we expect each non-employee director to hold for his or
her entire term of service on the Board all of the shares of our common stock granted to the director as
compensation. Non-employee directors may not sell any of the shares granted to them until they conclude their
service as a director.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Nominating and Governance Committee has general oversight responsibility for assessment and recruit-
ment of new director candidates, as well as evaluation of director and board performance and oversight of gover-
nance matters for the Company. The Committee originally adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines on
February 25, 2010 and reviews them annually. The most current version of the Guidelines is available on our
website, www.diamond-hill.com, by clicking the “Investor & Media Relations” tab, then the “Investor Relations”
section, and finally the “Corporate Governance” tab.

Board Leadership and Composition

We believe separating the roles of Chairman and CEO provides for a strong governance and oversight struc-
ture. Mr. Shackelford has served as independent non-executive chairman since 2011 and Mr. Dillon has served as
CEO since joining the Company in 2000. These roles have been separate since 2000. The Chairman approves
Board agendas and schedules, chairs all executive sessions of the independent directors, acts as the liaison
between the independent directors and management, oversees the information distributed in advance of Board
meetings, is available to the Secretary to discuss and, as necessary, respond to shareholder communications to the
Board, and calls meetings of the independent directors.

12

Currently, five of the seven directors are independent under NASDAQ standards. If the proposed directors
are elected, five of our seven directors will still be independent. In addition, the Nominating and Governance
Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Compensation Committee are all comprised entirely of independent
directors. Overall, the Company believes that its Board structure is designed to foster critical oversight, good
governance practices, and the interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Among other things, the Corporate Governance Guidelines address term limits of each director. Although
we have a 10 year service limit for directors, the Guidelines authorize the Board to make exceptions to this limi-
tation and permit directors to serve for an additional year.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board’s role in the Company’s risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports from members
of senior management on areas of material risk to the Company, including client investment results, operational,
financial, legal, regulatory, and strategic risks. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing risks relating
to the Company’s accounting matters, financial reporting and legal and regulatory compliance. To satisfy these
oversight
the Audit Committee meets regularly with management and the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing risks
relating to employment policies and the Company’s compensation and benefits programs. To satisfy these over-
sight responsibilities,
to understand the
implications of compensation decisions, particularly the risks that the Company’s compensation policies pose to
its finances and its relationship with employees.

the Compensation Committee meets regularly with management

responsibilities,

Planning Group and Senior Management Team

During 2009, the Company formed the Planning Group, which is comprised of seven associates representing
all functional areas of the organization. The Planning Group was formed to address important Company issues
and provide counsel to the CEO and CFO. The Planning Group collaborates and recommends action on various
company initiatives and the overall direction of the firm, although ultimate decision making authority remains
with our CEO and CFO. The Planning Group is comprised of the following individuals: Christopher Bingaman
— portfolio management, Christopher Welch — portfolio management, William Zox — portfolio management,
Richard Snowdon — investment research, Laurie Riebel — client management, Lisa Wesolek — business
development, and Gary Young — business management. The Planning Group also plays a role in the Company’s
overall succession planning efforts.

In December 2012, the Company created a Senior Management Team, which includes the CEO, CFO,
Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Snowdon, and Ms. Wesolek. Each member of the Senior Management Team will report
directly to the CEO and be responsible for the following functional areas of the company: Mr. Laird — Finance,
Administration, and Compliance; Mr. Bingaman — Portfolio Management; Mr. Snowdon — Research; and,
Ms. Wesolek — Client Service, Marketing, and Business Development. In conjunction with the creation of the
Senior Management Team, the Planning Group has been temporarily dissolved.

In the future, the Company plans to reconstitute the Planning Group to continue to provide input to the
Senior Management Team, provide a source of leadership development, and play a role in the Company’s overall
succession planning efforts. When reconstituted, the Planning Group may or may not consist of the same mem-
bers who were serving when it was dissolved. The Company believes that the Senior Management Team in con-
junction with a reconstituted Planning Group is an appropriate and effective organizational structure for Diamond
Hill.

Director Orientation and Continuing Education and Development

When a new independent director joins the Board, the Company provides a formal orientation program for
the purpose of providing the new director with an understanding of the operations and the financial condition of
the Company. In addition, each director is expected to maintain the necessary level of expertise to perform his or
her responsibilities as a director. To assist the directors in maintaining such level of expertise, we may, from time
to time, offer continuing education programs in addition to briefings during Board meetings relating to the com-
petitive and industry environment and the Company’s goals and strategies.

13

Director Qualifications and the Nominations Process

The Nominating and Governance Committee believes that the nominees presented in this proxy statement
would constitute a Board with an appropriate level and diversity of experience, education, skills, and
independence. The Nominating and Governance Committee routinely considers the current composition of the
Board, and whether changes should be made or additional directors should be added to the Board.

The Nominating and Governance Committee supervises the nomination process for directors. It considers
the performance, independence, diversity, and other characteristics of our incumbent directors, including their
willingness to serve, and any change in their employment or other circumstances in considering their nomination
each year. The Nominating and Governance Committee also considers diversity of background and experience as
well as gender and other forms of diversity. We do not, however, have any formal policy regarding diversity in
identifying nominees for a directorship, but rather we consider it among the various factors relevant to any
particular nominee and the overall needs of the Board. In the event that a vacancy exists or the Company decides
to increase the size of the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will identify, interview,
examine, and make recommendations to the Board regarding appropriate candidates.

The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies potential candidates principally through suggestions
from the Company’s directors and senior management. The committee may also seek candidates through
informal discussions with third parties. We have not historically retained search firms to help identify director
candidates and did not do so in identifying this year’s nominees.

In evaluating potential candidates, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers, among other fac-
tors, independence from management, experience, expertise, commitment, diversity, number of other public
company board and related committee seats held, potential conflicts of interest, and the composition of the Board
at the time of the assessment. All candidates for nomination must:

• demonstrate strong character and integrity;

• have sufficient time to carry out their duties;

• have experience at senior levels in areas of expertise helpful to the Company and consistent with the

objective of having a diverse and well-rounded Board; and

• have the willingness and commitment to assume the responsibilities required of a director of the Company.

In addition, candidates expected to serve on the Audit Committee must meet independence and financial
literacy qualifications required by NASDAQ, the SEC, and other applicable laws and regulations. Candidates
expected to serve on the Nominating and Governance Committee and on the Compensation Committee must
meet independence qualifications set out by NASDAQ. The evaluation process of potential candidates also
includes personal interviews, and discussions with appropriate references. Once the Nominating and Governance
Committee has selected a candidate, it recommends the candidate to the full Board for election if a vacancy
occurs or is created by an increase in the size of the Board during the course of the year, or for nomination if the
director is to be first elected by shareholders. All directors serve for one-year terms and must stand for reelection
annually.

The Nominating and Governance Committee does not currently have any specific policies regarding the
consideration of director candidates recommended by shareholders due to a historical absence of shareholder
recommendations. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider shareholder recommendations for
directors using the process and criteria set forth above. In the future, the Nominating and Governance Committee
may in its discretion adopt policies regarding the consideration of director candidates recommended by share-
holders. Shareholder recommendations for Board candidates must be directed in writing to the Company at 325
John H. McConnell Boulevard, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43215, Attention: Secretary, and must include the
candidate’s name, home and business contact
information, detailed biographical data and qualifications,
information regarding any relationships between the candidate and us within the last three years, and evidence of
the recommending person’s ownership of our common shares.

14

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions

The Board recognizes that related person transactions present a heightened risk of conflicts of interest. We
currently have no related person transactions reportable pursuant to Item 404(a) of SEC Regulation S-K and have
not had any such transactions in the recent past. As such, we do not believe it is necessary to have a written
policy specifically dealing with related person transactions. The Audit Committee will review any potential
related person transactions as they arise and are reported to the Board or the Audit Committee, regardless of
whether the transactions are reportable pursuant to Item 404. No such transactions arose or were reviewed by the
Audit Committee in 2012. For any related person transaction to be consummated or to continue, the Audit
Committee must approve or ratify the transaction.

Compensation Committee Interlocks

The members of

the Compensation Committee during 2012 were Ms. Skinner, Mr. Moran and
Mr. Shackelford. No director who served on the Compensation Committee during 2012 currently is, or during
2012 was an officer, employee or former officer of the Company or had any relationship during 2012 requiring
disclosure by us under Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K. During 2012, none of our executive officers served as a
member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other company that has an executive officer
serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND COMPENSATION INFORMATION

R. H. Dillon and James F. Laird are the Company’s only named executive officers. Their experience is
described above under the heading “PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.” The Company has no
executive officers other than our named executive officers. Each named executive officer devotes his full time
and effort to the affairs of the Company.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

In our Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we:

• describe our compensation program objectives and how compensation for our named executive officers is

determined; and

• explain the tables and disclosures that follow.

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis presents compensation information for

the following

individuals:

• R. H. Dillon, who served as our Chief Executive Officer in 2012; and

• James F. Laird, who served as our Chief Financial Officer in 2012.

Background

We are in the investment management industry. Human capital is the most important resource of companies
in our industry. Attracting and retaining employees can be more difficult in our industry than in others because of
how heavily our industry depends on the contributions of talented individuals. We have been able to attract and
retain high-quality employees due to:

• our investment-centric culture,

• employee ownership in our business,

• our central Ohio location, and

• the nationally-competitive compensation we offer to our employees.

Compensation, which is a critical element in a business dependent on talented employees, has a particularly
significant impact on profitability in industries like ours that are not capital intensive. This requires a balancing

15

of the economics between increasing our operating profit margin and rewarding the employees who generate our
profits and produce investment results for our clients. The balancing effort is particularly challenging for us
because we were essentially a start-up in May 2000, but yet had the unusual legacy of being a publicly owned
company, in contrast to the industry norm of partnership-like structures for investment management firms of
similar size. As of February 28, 2013, employees and directors owned approximately 31.8% of the Company. In
contrast, many competitor firms are owned entirely by their employees. Despite our unique ownership structure
given our industry, we believe that industry norms are helpful benchmarks for evaluating the balancing effort.

At our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, we asked our shareholders to vote upon an advisory reso-
lution to approve the compensation of our executive officers. The compensation of our named executive officers
was approved by 77% of the votes cast on the matter. The Compensation Committee of the Board (the
“Committee”) believes that the results of the advisory vote on executive compensation are supportive of our
previous compensation practices and of its overall judgment related to the compensation practices of the Com-
pany and considered that endorsement in establishing the compensation awarded to our executive officers for
2012.

Compensation Program Objectives

We seek to attract and retain people with integrity, intelligence and energy. All employees are paid a com-
petitive base salary, provided with competitive benefits and participate in an annual cash and equity incentive
compensation program. The amount of individual incentive awards is based on an assessment of individual per-
formance, while the amount of the overall available incentive pool is based on (i) overall firm investment and
operating results, (ii) market compensation data, and (iii) the profitability of the firm compared to other invest-
ment management firms.

In addition to annual incentive compensation, upon commencing employment with the Company, most employ-
ees are awarded equity grants as an incentive to their continued employment. Generally, these awards cliff vest
after five years of employment to promote employee retention and long-term employee ownership. The Company
also seeks to increase employee ownership because it believes such ownership encourages employees to act and
think like owners. While compensation amounts differ depending upon position, responsibilities, performance
and competitive data, the Company seeks to reward all employees with similar compensation components based
on these objectives.

Rewards Based on Performance

Our primary business objective is to meet our fiduciary duty to clients. Specifically, our focus is on long-
term, five-year investment returns, with goals defined as rolling five-year periods in which client returns are
sufficiently above relevant passive benchmarks, rank in the top quartile of similar investment strategies, and
exceed a sufficient absolute return for the risk associated with the asset class. As it relates to our investment pro-
fessionals, their compensation program is designed to reward performance that supports these objectives. For
those employees who are not a part of our investment team, the compensation program varies but is based on
rewarding individual performance that helps us meet our fiduciary duty to clients. Our second objective is to ful-
fill our fiduciary duty to shareholders by managing the firm and its assets to increase shareholder value over
time.

Over the past five years, our annualized total shareholder return was 12.2% compared to a peer group aver-
age of -4.2% and a 3.6% return for the Russell 2000 Index. Further, over the past five years, $46 per share has
been returned to shareholders via special dividend distributions, much of which has been deemed a return of
capital and therefore, is generally not currently taxable to our shareholders.

Compensation Setting Process

Role of the Compensation Committee

The Committee has the overall responsibility for evaluating and approving the structure, operation and effec-
tiveness of the Company’s compensation plans, policies and programs for all employees. The Committee consists

16

of Mr. Moran, Mr. Shackelford, and Ms. Skinner. Ms. Skinner serves as the Chair. Each member of the Commit-
tee is an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, a “non-employee direc-
tor” for purposes of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and meets NASDAQ independence
requirements. The Committee is specifically charged to:

• review and approve the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of the CEO, to eval-
uate the CEO’s performance in light of these goals and objectives, and, based on this evaluation, make
recommendations to the Board for the independent directors to approve the CEO’s compensation level
(including any long-term incentive or other compensation under any incentive-based or equity-based
compensation plan);

• review management’s recommendations and make recommendations to the Board with respect to director
and other non-CEO executive officer compensation; provided, however, that the Committee has full
decision-making authority with respect to compensation intended to be performance-based compensation
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code;

• retain compensation consultants as it deems necessary to assist in its evaluation of director, CEO or other
senior executive compensation programs or arrangements. The Committee also has the authority to obtain
advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting or other advisors;

• review management’s recommendations and make recommendations to the Board with respect

to
incentive-based compensation and equity-based compensation plans and programs that are subject to
Board approval, and that may be applicable to all or any portion of the employees of the Company and/or
its subsidiaries; and

• exercise all power and authority of the Board in the administration of equity-based incentive compensa-

tion plans.

The Committee considers the sum of all pay elements when reviewing annual compensation recom-
mendations for the named executive officers. Although the framework for compensation decision-making is tied
to the Company’s overall financial performance and the creation of long-term shareholder value, the Committee
retains discretion to make recommendations to the Board for the independent directors to approve individual
compensation based on other performance factors such as demonstrated management and leadership capabilities
and the achievement of certain investment results for client accounts and other strategic operating results.

Role of Management

The Company’s CEO evaluates the CFO as part of our annual review process and makes recommendations
to the Committee regarding all elements of executive compensation paid to him. Changes in executive
compensation proposed by the CEO are based on the CFO’s performance, the compensation of individuals with
comparable responsibilities in competing or similar organizations, and the profitability of the Company. At the
Committee’s request, the CEO and CFO attend Committee meetings to provide general employee compensation
and other information to the Committee, including information regarding the design, implementation and admin-
istration of the Company’s compensation plans. The Committee also meets in executive sessions without the
presence of any executive officer whose compensation the Committee is scheduled to discuss.

Use of Compensation Consultants and Surveys in Determining Executive Compensation

The Committee’s written charter gives it the authority to retain an independent outside executive compensa-
tion consulting firm to assist in evaluating policies and practices regarding executive compensation and provide
objective advice regarding the competitive landscape. However, historically the Committee has not engaged
compensation consultants and did not do so in 2012.

Each year the Committee obtains and summarizes an asset management industry pay analysis prepared by
McLagan Partners, a compensation specialist focusing on the asset management industry. The companies in the
McLagan Partners’ analysis include over 150 public and private asset management companies with which the
Company competes. This analysis provides the Committee with a general overview of compensation trends in the
asset management industry. The Committee does not define a specific peer group, but rather takes a broad view

17

of the analysis. The Committee does not set any compensation elements or levels based on targeting a certain
percentile from the survey, but rather sets compensation that it believes to be both competitive and based on the
executive’s value to the Company. The survey is just one of many factors that the Committee considers when
determining executive compensation. Management and the Committee believe this broad view of the analysis is
appropriate because the Company competes with both public and private asset management firms regardless of
their size and scope of operations.

Elements of Compensation

Base Salary

Base salaries for the named executive officers are intended to provide a fixed level of cash compensation
that is appropriate given the executive’s role in the organization. Generally, base salaries are determined by
(i) scope of responsibility and complexity of position, (ii) performance history, (iii) tenure of service, (iv) internal
equity within the Company’s salary structure, and (v) relative salaries of persons holding similar positions at
companies within the investment management industry. Base salaries are designed to compensate knowledge and
experience. In December 2012, the Committee made the determination not to increase the base salaries of the
named executive officers for fiscal year 2013. Consistent with the Company’s desire to have the majority of total
compensation paid to named executive officers at risk in the form of incentive compensation, only 35 and 21
percent of the total compensation of our CEO and CFO, respectively, in fiscal 2012 (as shown in the Summary
Compensation table) was paid in the form of base salaries. In furtherance of this desire, the 100,000 share
performance-based restricted stock award made to the CEO in May 2011 has vesting provisions based on the
future operating performance of the Company, as described in the “Restricted Stock Award to Mr. Dillon” sec-
tion below.

Annual Cash Bonuses

In March 2011, the Company entered into an amendment and restatement of its employment agreement with
R. H. Dillon, the Company’s President and CEO. The Company agreed to amend and restate Mr. Dillon’s
employment agreement to reflect the mutual desire of the Company and Mr. Dillon that he remain CEO for the
next five years. The amended and restated agreement entitles Mr. Dillon to, among other things, an annual cash
bonus equal to at least 5% of the Company’s operating income, subject to an annual cap of $640,000. Mr. Dillon
earned a $640,000 cash bonus for 2012 because 5% of the Company’s operating income for fiscal year 2012
exceeded $640,000. The Committee believes this formula to determine a cash bonus is appropriate because it ties
the amount of the bonus to operating income, but also caps the award at an amount that Mr. Dillon and the
Committee believes is appropriate given broad market compensation data and the additional value of the separate
restricted stock award to Mr. Dillon in 2011 (which is described in the following section).

The Committee awarded a discretionary cash bonus to Mr. Laird, the Company’s CFO, to reward him for
his strong performance and overall contributions to the Company in fiscal year 2012 The Committee believes
that structuring Mr. Laird’s annual cash bonus as a discretionary cash bonus provides the Committee with the
flexibility to consider all aspects of Mr. Laird’s performance and contributions to the Company and properly
compensate him for the relative value he provided to the Company in fiscal year 2012. In determining the amount
of Mr. Laird’s cash bonus, the Committee considered the Company’s overall operating results, contributions by
Mr. Laird that may not be reflected in the operating results, and broad market compensation data.

Restricted Stock Award to Mr. Dillon

In May 2011, the Company awarded 100,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock to Mr. Dillon
pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Plan. All of the shares will vest on January 1, 2016 if the Company’s cumu-
lative operating profit (defined as the Company’s total revenue during the period beginning on January 1, 2011
and ending on December 31, 2015, excluding any investment income and gains and the revenue of the Compa-
ny’s subsidiaries Beacon Hill Fund Services, Inc. and BHIL Distributors, Inc. (collectively, “Beacon Hill”), less
the Company’s total operating expenses during such period, excluding Beacon Hill expenses, any investment
losses and all taxes) equals or exceeds $75,000,000. The results of Beacon Hill are excluded from the cumulative
operating profit because it is a separate subsidiary of the Company and is not yet material to the overall financial

18

results of the Company. If the Company’s cumulative operating profit during such period is less than
$75,000,000, a number of shares of restricted stock equal to 100,000 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
which will be the Company’s actual cumulative operating profit during such performance period and the
denominator of which will be $75,000,000, will vest on January 1, 2016. Any shares of restricted stock that
remain unvested will be forfeited on such date. All shares of restricted stock that vest on January 1, 2016 will
remain subject to restrictions on sale or transfer following the vesting date. The restrictions on sale or transfer
will lapse with respect to 20% of the vested shares of restricted stock on each anniversary of the vesting date. If
Mr. Dillon dies or is disabled prior to December 31, 2015, a number of shares of restricted stock equal to 100,000
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of whole months of service elapsed between
January 1, 2011 and the date of death or disability and the denominator of which will be 60, will vest and become
immediately transferable without restriction. If Mr. Dillon’s employment is terminated prior to January 1, 2016
without Cause or for Good Reason (each as defined in Mr. Dillon’s amended and restated employment
agreement), a number of shares of restricted stock equal to 100,000 multiplied by the lesser of (i) a fraction, the
numerator of which will be the Company’s actual cumulative operating profit during the period beginning on
January 1, 2011 and ending on the date of termination of employment and the denominator of which will be
$75,000,000, and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of whole months of service elapsed
between January 1, 2011 and the date of termination of employment and the denominator of which will be 60,
will vest and become immediately transferable without restriction. In the event of a Change in Control (as
defined in Mr. Dillon’s amended and restated employment agreement), all 100,000 shares of restricted stock will
immediately vest and become transferable without restriction.

This restricted stock award is intended to comprise all of Mr. Dillon’s equity-based compensation for the
2011 fiscal year through the 2015 fiscal year and no additional equity awards to Mr. Dillon during that period are
contemplated. The Committee believes this compensation structure will strongly align the long-term interests of
Mr. Dillon with those of the Company and its shareholders and better advances the objectives of our compensa-
tion program than the annual compensation structure used in prior years.

In December 2012, the Company amended Mr. Dillon’s award agreement made under the 2011 Plan to clar-
ify restrictions on dividends paid on the 100,000 share performance-based restricted stock grant described above.
The amendment caused dividends paid in 2012 on the 100,000 share performance-based restricted stock grant to
be placed in escrow and to be subject to the same vesting requirements as the stock grant. If the vesting require-
ments are fulfilled, the dividend payments held in escrow will be transferred to Mr. Dillon.

Discretionary Stock Award to Mr. Laird

The Committee awarded a discretionary stock award to Mr. Laird to reward him for his strong performance
and overall contributions to the Company in fiscal year 2012. The Committee believes that paying a discretionary
stock bonus to Mr. Laird provides the Committee with the flexibility to consider all aspects of Mr. Laird’s per-
formance and contributions to the Company as well as properly compensate him for the value he provided to the
Company in fiscal year 2012. In addition, this stock award, while immediately vested, is restricted from sale or
transfer for five years, which the Committee believes strongly aligns the long-terms interests of Mr. Laird with
those of the Company and its shareholders. In determining the amount of the stock award, the Committee
considered the contributions Mr. Laird made to the Company in 2012, specifically his leadership in the day to
day management of the Company, oversight of financial matters, compliance, and internal controls, all of which
contribute to the Company’s overall operating results, which continued to be strong in 2012. In summary, the
Committee considered contributions made by Mr. Laird in 2012 along with a review of broad market compensa-
tion data for executives in similar roles and determined that this discretionary award was reflective of his
performance in 2012.

Retirement Plan Benefits

The Company provides retirement benefits through the Diamond Hill Investment Group 401k Plan and
Trust. The named executive officers are entitled to participate in this plan on the same terms and conditions as all
other employees. The Plan does not involve any guaranteed minimum or above-market returns, as plan returns
depend on actual investment results.

19

Other Benefits and Perquisites

The Company does not provide supplemental retirement plan benefits or non-qualified compensation plans
to the named executive officers. As a general rule, the Company does not provide any perquisites or other
personal benefits to its named executive officers that are not offered on an equal basis to all employees. The
Company’s named executive officers are entitled to participate in benefit programs that entitle them to medical,
dental, and short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage that are available to all employees.

Post Employment Payments

Only the CEO has an employment contract which provides for payments upon termination of employment.
More information on the employment agreement with our CEO and termination payments thereunder is set forth
under the heading “Employment Agreements and Change in Control Benefits.”

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In February 2010, the Board adopted stock ownership guidelines for our named executive officers to further
align their interests with those of shareholders. This policy provides that our named executive officers are
expected to reach levels of ownership (determined as a stated multiple of base salary) within five years after the
adoption of the guidelines or, if later, within five years from the date when the executive assumed his or her posi-
tion. The below table provides the target ownership level and actual shares owned as of December 31, 2012. Both
of our named executive officers hold shares well in excess of the amounts required under the guidelines.

Name

Title

Target
Ownership
Level

Target
Number of
Shares(a)

Number of
Shares
Owned

Ownership
Guideline Met

R. H. Dillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President and CEO
James F. Laird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief Financial Officer

5x Salary
3x Salary

26,525
8,842

301,030
70,598

Yes
Yes

(a) Based on a per share price of $67.86, which was the closing price of our common shares on December 31,

2012, and the respective base salaries of our named executive officers as of that date.

Risks Related to Compensation Policies and Practices

As part of its oversight of the Company’s executive and non-executive compensation programs, the Compen-
sation Committee considers how current compensation programs, including the incentives created by compensa-
tion awards, affect the Company’s risk profile. In addition, the Company reviews its compensation policies,
particularly the incentives that they create, to determine whether they encourage an appropriate level of risk-
taking and do not present a significant risk to the Company. The Compensation Committee also considered the
following risk mitigating factors:

• current compensation programs reward portfolio managers and research analysts on trailing five-year

investment performance in client accounts;

• a majority of incentive compensation is in the form of equity-based awards;

• sale restriction periods for equity-based compensation awards encourage executives and other employees

to focus on the long-term performance of the Company;

• the Committee’s discretionary authority to adjust annual incentive awards, which helps mitigate business

risks associated with such awards;

• the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting and other financial, operational and compliance

policies and practices currently in place; and

• base salaries consistent with executives’ responsibilities so that they are not motivated to take excessive

risks to achieve a reasonable level of financial security.

Based on this review, the Company has concluded that its compensation policies and procedures are not

reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

20

Compensation Recoupment and Restitution Policy

Upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, our Board of Directors recently adopted a compen-
sation recoupment and restitution policy that applies to all incentive compensation received by all associates. Under
the policy, the Company may recover all or a portion of incentive compensation (or pay out additional incentive
compensation) related to awards made after the adoption of the Policy, in three general situations:

(1) If due to error or malfeasance the previously determined incentive pool, or an individual award, is either
too large (or too small), then any overpayment made to an associate may be returned to Company or an
additional payment may be made to an associate.

(2) If an associate violates an important company policy or acts in an unlawful manner, then the Company

could recoup the associate’s incentive compensation.

(3) If an associate, who is part of the financial statement preparation process, commits wrongdoing, then the

Company could recoup the associate’s incentive compensation.

The policy is intended to provide enhanced safeguards against certain types of misconduct and provide enhanced
protection to and alignment with shareholders. These provisions are in addition to any policies or recovery rights
that are provided under applicable laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Starting with those paid in 2013, awards made under the 2011 Plan
are subject to this policy.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the total compensation paid to or earned by our named executive officers in
the years indicated. Additional information on the elements of compensation included in the table below is avail-
able under the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section.

Name
and Principal
Position

Year Salary

Bonus
(1)

Stock Awards

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
(4)

All Other
Compensation
(5)

R. H. Dillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2012 $360,000 $640,000
2011 $360,000 $640,000

President and CEO

—

$7,997,000(2)

—

—

James F. Laird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2012 $200,000 $250,000
2011 $200,000 $250,000

Secretary, Treasurer and

$ 500,000(3)

$ 500,000(3)

—

—

Chief Financial Officer

2010 $200,000

$ 550,000(3)

$150,000

2010 $360,000

— $2,050,000(3)

$350,000

$34,464

$34,200

$34,200

$26,532

$26,400

$26,400

Total

$1,034,464

$9,031,200

$2,794,200

$ 976,532

$ 976,400

$ 926,400

(1) Mr. Dillon was granted a bonus award in accordance with the terms of his employment contract. Mr. Laird
was granted a discretionary bonus award from the Company’s bonus pool, which was not based upon any
pre-established performance goals. See the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section above for a
further description of Mr. Dillon’s and Mr. Laird’s cash bonus awards for fiscal year 2012.

(2) Represents the full grant date fair value computed by multiplying the total number of shares of restricted
stock granted by the closing price of our common shares on the grant date. This award represents 100,000
shares of restricted stock awarded to Mr. Dillon on May 2, 2011 as part of a long-term performance-based
incentive program under the 2011 Plan. This award represents the stock portion of Mr. Dillon’s incentive
compensation for the years 2011 through 2015. These shares will vest on January 1, 2016 subject to the ach-
ievement of performance goals established by the Compensation Committee and described above in the
“Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section. The value shown is based on what we currently believe to
represent the probable outcome of the applicable performance goals. Any shares that vest on January 1, 2016
will be subject to further restrictions from transfer or sale in accordance with the following schedule:

Percentage of Vested Shares Available for Transfer or Sale

January 1, 2017

January 1, 2018

January 1, 2019

January 1, 2020

January 1, 2021

20%

40%

60%

21

80%

100%

(3) Represents the full grant date fair value computed by multiplying the total number of shares granted by the
closing price of the shares on the grant date. These shares were awarded to Messrs. Dillon and Laird as
partial payment for amounts earned under our 2012, 2011, and 2010 annual incentive plans. All shares were
fully vested on the grant date but were restricted from sale for a period of time. The below table shows the
details of the specific number of shares granted for each annual incentive plan year:

Name

Incentive Plan Year

Shares Granted

Grant Date

Sale Restriction Period

R. H. Dillon . . . . . .

James F. Laird . . . .

2010
2010

2012
2011
2010
2010

4,054
23,645

6,405
6,493
4,054
3,378

February 24, 2011
February 24, 2011

February 20, 2013
February 22, 2012
February 24, 2011
February 24, 2011

One Year
Five Years

Five Years
Five Years
One Year
Five Years

The stock awards made to the named executive officers for 2010 were made under the Company’s 2005
Employee and Director Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”), which is an equity compensation plan that
was approved by the Company’s shareholders at its 2005 annual meeting. The stock awards made pursuant to
the 2005 Plan were based upon the achievement of a specific performance target for the Company. The per-
formance target was determined at the beginning of each performance period, taking into the consideration
the performance target from the prior year, forecasted revenue, and the requirements of Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code. The stock awards made to Mr. Laird for 2011 and 2012 were discretionary awards
and shares were made under the Company’s 2011 Plan.

(4) Represents cash awards paid to Messrs. Dillon and Laird as partial payment for amounts earned under our
2010 annual incentive plan. These awards were made pursuant to our 2006 Performance-Based Compensa-
tion Plan (the “2006 Plan”), a shareholder-approved incentive compensation plan designed to satisfy the
requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. These awards were based upon the achieve-
ment of a specific performance target for the Company. The performance target was determined at the
beginning of each performance period, taking into the consideration the performance target from the prior
year, forecasted revenue, and the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(5) The following types of compensation are included in the all other compensation column:

Name

R. H. Dillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

James F. Laird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contributions to
Company 401k Plan
(a)

Contributions to Health
Savings Account
(a)

$29,400
$29,400
$29,400

$24,000
$24,000
$24,000

$5,064
$4,800
$4,800

$2,532
$2,400
$2,400

Year

2012
2011
2010

2012
2011
2010

Total

$34,464
$34,200
$34,200

$26,532
$26,400
$26,400

(a) The Company contributions to the Company 401k Plan and employee Health Savings Accounts are offered

to all employees of the Company and its affiliates.

22

Grants of Plan Based Awards for 2012

The following table sets forth information regarding annual incentive plan awards to each of the named

executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Name

Grant
Date

Compensation
Committee
Action Date(1)

Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)

Threshold # Target # Maximum #

R.H. Dillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James F. Laird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
2/20/13

—
2/13/13

—
—

—
6,405

—
—

Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards $

—
$500,000

(1) The Compensation Committee Action Date represents the date on which the Committee authorized the

equity-based award.

(2) The amount in this column represents shares of restricted stock awarded pursuant to the 2011 Plan, which

award is described in detail above under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2012

The following table summarizes all outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of

December 31, 2012. Mr. Laird had no outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2012.

Name

Stock Awards

Equity Incentive Plan Awards:
Number of Unearned Shares
That have Not Vested(1)

Equity Incentive Plan Awards:
Market or Payout Value of
Unearned Shares That Have
Not Vested(2)

R. H. Dillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100,000

$6,786,000

(1) The amount in this column represents shares of restricted stock awarded pursuant to the 2011 Plan, which is
described in detail above under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” These shares will vest
on January 1, 2016, subject to the achievement of performance goals established by the Compensation
Committee and Mr. Dillon’s continued employment by the Company on that date.

(2) Amount reflects the value of the shares of restricted stock shown multiplied by $67.86, the closing market

price of the Company’s common shares as of December 31, 2012.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested for 2012

Neither Mr. Dillon nor Mr. Laird exercised any options during 2012. The table below sets forth information

regarding the vesting during 2012 of stock awards made to Mr. Dillon and Mr. Laird.

Name

Stock Awards(1)

Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting

Value Realized
on Vesting(2)

James F. Laird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6,493

$500,000

(1) Reflects stock awards under the 2011 Plan to Mr. Laird as partial payment for amounts earned under the
2011 annual incentive plan. Although the amounts were earned for performance in 2011, the shares were not
actually awarded until 2012. These awards were immediately vested on the date of grant, although they are
restricted from sale for a period of five years. For more information on these awards see the “Summary
Compensation Table” and the footnotes to the “Summary Compensation Table” above.

(2) The value realized is the number of shares vested, multiplied by the closing price of the shares on the grant

date because they were immediately vested.

23

Pension Plans and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation

The Company does not maintain any pension plans or non-qualified deferred compensation programs for

named executive officers or other employees.

Employment Agreements and Change in Control Benefits

The Company currently has an employment agreement with Mr. Dillon. A description of the agreement is
set forth below. The Company is not a party to any employment agreement with any other employees and is not
obligated to provide change in control benefits to any employee other than Mr. Dillon.

Employment Agreement with Mr. Dillon.

In March 2011, the Company entered into an amended and
restated employment agreement with Mr. Dillon, the Company’s President and CEO. The agreement has a cur-
rent expiration date of January 1, 2016. The agreement provides for an annual salary of $360,000, which may be
increased (but not reduced) by the Board annually, plus an annual cash bonus of at least 5% of the Company’s
operating income, with a maximum annual cash bonus of $640,000 and a minimum annual cash bonus of $0.
Mr. Dillon also received a restricted stock award of 100,000 shares that vests on January 1, 2016 if performance
criteria established by the Compensation Committee are satisfied and Mr. Dillon remains employed by the
Company on that date. The performance criteria and vesting provisions of Mr. Dillon’s restricted stock award are
discussed more thoroughly in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section above. Mr. Dillon’s
employment agreement also entitles him to receive health insurance and six weeks paid vacation annually and
participate in other benefit programs offered to employees. The agreement also restricts Mr. Dillon from compet-
ing with the Company during the term of the agreement and for one year following termination of his employ-
ment and provides that he will at all times maintain the confidentiality of Company information.

If the Company terminates Mr. Dillon’s employment without Cause (as defined in Mr. Dillon’s amended
and restated employment agreement), he would be entitled to the following payments, which are quantified to
reflect the amounts he would have received had his employment been terminated at December 31, 2012:

1. his accrued but unpaid base salary and vacation and unreimbursed business expenses as of the date

of termination ($0 at December 31, 2012);

2. payments, if any, under other benefit plans and programs in effect at the time ($0 at December 31,

2012. The Company has no benefit plans that would result in payments upon termination);

3. a single lump sum payment equal to six months base salary at his annual salary rate in effect at the

date of termination ($180,000 at December 31, 2012);

4. beginning in the seventh month after the date of termination, six monthly payments of his monthly

base salary ($180,000 at December 31, 2012);

5. any portion of the restricted stock award of 100,000 shares as provided in the award agreement those

shares were granted under (40,000 shares at December 31, 2012);

6. a lump sum payment equal to the amount, if any, he received as an annual cash bonus for the preced-

ing year ($640,000 at December 31. 2012);

7. his accrued but unpaid annual cash bonus from the year prior to the date of termination ($0 at

December 31, 2012); and

8. a pro rata portion of the annual cash bonus ($640,000 at December 31, 2012).

Mr. Dillon may terminate his employment for “Good Reason”, (as defined in Mr. Dillon’s amended and
restated employment agreement) which generally includes reduction of his annual base salary or annual cash
bonus, permanent or consistent assignment to him of duties inconsistent with his position and authority, no lon-
ger having him report directly to the Board, or a breach by the Company of his employment agreement. If he
terminates his employment for Good Reason, Mr. Dillon is entitled to all of the payments to which he would be
entitled in the event he is terminated without Cause, except for the payment set forth in number 7 above.

24

If Mr. Dillon’s employment terminates due to his death or disability, upon the expiration of the employment
agreement in accordance with its terms or the Company terminates Mr. Dillon for “Cause” (as defined in
Mr. Dillon’s amended and restated employment agreement), he will be entitled to receive the payments set forth
in numbers 1 and 2 above. In the event of his death, he will receive the payments described in numbers 1, 2, 5,
and 8 above. In the event of disability, he will receive the payments described in numbers 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8 above.
Under the employment agreement, “Cause” generally includes material violations of the Company’s employment
policies, conviction of crime involving moral turpitude, violations of securities or investment adviser laws, caus-
ing the Company to violate a law which may result in penalties exceeding $250,000, materially breaching the
employment agreement, or fraud, willful misconduct, or gross negligence in carrying out his duties.

In the event of a “Change in Control” (as defined in Mr. Dillon’s amended and restated employment
agreement), all 100,000 shares of restricted stock would immediately vest and become transferable without
restriction in accordance with the terms of the award agreement applicable to the restricted stock award.
Additionally, if within 24 months after the occurrence of a “Change in Control”, Mr. Dillon’s employment is
terminated by the Company for any reason other than death, disability or for Cause, or Mr. Dillon terminates his
employment for “Good Reason”, he will be entitled to the following payments from us or our successor, in addi-
tion to the applicable payments set forth in numbers 1 through 8 above:

• a single lump sum payment equal to his annual base salary and annual cash bonus payable to him for the

most recently completed fiscal year ($1,000,000 at December 31, 2012); and

• a single lump sum payment equal to 12 months of premium payments for coverage for Mr. Dillon and his

family under our group health plan ($5,000 at December 31, 2012).

If any payments to Mr. Dillon in connection with a “Change in Control” would constitute excess parachute
payments under applicable tax laws, Mr. Dillon will receive gross-up payments in an amount that covers any
taxes, interest, penalties, additional taxes or costs incurred and leaves Mr. Dillon with the amount he would have
retained if the payments he received upon the “Change in Control” had not constituted excess parachute pay-
ments.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Board’s Compensation Committee has submitted the following report for inclusion in this Proxy State-

ment:

We have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy State-
ment with management. Based on such review and discussion, we recommended that the Compensation Dis-
cussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2012.

Submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

Frances A. Skinner, Chair
Donald B. Shackelford
Peter J. Moran

25

PROPOSAL 2 — RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

On October 25, 2012, the Audit Committee of the Board dismissed Plante & Moran PLLC (“Plante &
Moran”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The reports of “Plane & Moran” on
the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31,
2010 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. Plante & Moran’s reports on the effectiveness of internal con-
trol over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer
of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011 and from January 1, 2012 through
October 30, 2012, there were (i) no disagreements between the Company and Plante & Moran on any matters of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which if not
resolved to Plante & Moran’s satisfaction, would have caused Plante & Moran to make reference to the subject
matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports for such years and interim period, and (ii) no
“reportable events” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

Based on the Audit Committee’s approval and recommendation, on October 24, 2012, the Board engaged
KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year end-
ing December 31, 2012. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011 and from
January 1, 2012 through October 30, 2012, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with
KPMG regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or pro-
posed, (ii) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, (iii) any mat-
ter that was the subject of a “disagreement” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, or
(iv) any “reportable event” within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

The Audit Committee has retained KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm
for the 2013 fiscal year, and is asking that our shareholders ratify this appointment. KPMG has served as our
independent registered public accounting firm since October 2012.

Representatives of KPMG are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate ques-

tions from shareholders and to make such statements as they may desire.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RAT-
IFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2013.

If Proposal 2 is not approved, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment of KPMG as our

independent registered public accounting firm for 2013.

Disclosure of Fees Charged by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following table summarizes the fees billed by Plante & Moran and KPMG for services rendered to the

Company and its subsidiaries during 2011 and 2012.

Audit Fees(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audit-Related Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax Fees(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All Other Fees(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$109,500
—
$ 45,620
4,950
$

$ 78,000
—
$ 27,000
—

Total Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$160,070

$105,000

Year Ended
12/31/2012

Year Ended
12/31/2011

(1) Audit fees include professional services rendered for the audit of annual financial statements, reviews of
quarterly financial statements, issuance of consents, and assistance with review of other documents filed with
the SEC. In 2011, all fees were billed by Plante & Moran. In 2012, Plante & Moran billed the Company
$12,000 and KPMG billed the Company $97,500.

26

(2) Tax fees include services related to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning including the preparation of
tax returns and assistance with tax audits. In 2011, all fees were billed by Plante & Moran. In 2012, Plante &
Moran billed the Company $14,120 and KPMG billed the Company $31,500.

(3) Other fees include services related to assisting management with calculating the Company’s “earnings and
profits” in order to determine the proper tax character of the special dividends paid. In 2012, Plante & Moran
billed the Company $4,950 and KPMG billed the Company $0.

Preapproval by Audit Committee

The Audit Committee pre-approves the audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered
public accounting firm to ensure that the provision of the services does not impair the firm’s independence. All
services disclosed above were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee is comprised of three independent directors operating under a written charter adopted
by the Board. Annually, the Audit Committee engages the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm. KPMG served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2012.

Management is responsible for preparation of the Company’s financial statements and for designing and
maintaining the Company’s systems of internal controls and financial reporting processes. The Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an audit of the Company’s con-
solidated financial statements in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(“PCAOB”) and issuing reports on the Company’s financial statements and the effectiveness of the Company’s
internal controls over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to provide independent,
objective oversight of these processes.

Pursuant to this responsibility, the Audit Committee met and held discussions with management and KPMG
regarding the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2012. The Audit Committee reviewed the audit plan and scope with KPMG and discussed with them the matters
required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, and adopted by the PCAOB in Rule 3200T.
The Audit Committee also met with KPMG without management present to discuss the results of their audit
work, their evaluation of the Company’s system of internal controls and the quality of the Company’s financial
reporting.

The Committee also discussed with KPMG its independence from management and the Company, and
received its written disclosures and the letter from KPMG required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB
regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence.

Management has represented to the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2012, were prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles, and the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial
statements with management and KPMG. Based on the Audit Committee’s discussions with management and
KPMG and review of KPMG’s report to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board
of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC.

Submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:

David P. Lauer, Chairman
Bradley C. Shoup
Frances A. Skinner

27

PROPOSAL 3 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF
THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, enacted in July 2010, requires that we
provide our shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the
compensation of our executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table of this Proxy Statement
(the “named executive officers”) as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules.

As described in detail

in the section entitled, “EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND COMPENSATION
INFORMATION”, we believe that executive compensation should be linked with the Company’s performance
and significantly aligned with the interests of the Company’s shareholders. In addition, our executive compensa-
tion program is designed to allow us to retain, and recognize the contributions of, employees who play a sig-
nificant role in our current and future success. We urge you to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis,
the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosure for a detailed description of the
fiscal year 2012 compensation of our named executive officers.

The vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation; rather, the advi-
sory vote relates to the overall compensation of our named executive officers. This vote is advisory and therefore
not binding on the Company. However, the Board and the Compensation Committee will review the voting
results and will take into account the outcome of the vote when determining future compensation for the Compa-
ny’s named executive officers.

Accordingly, we ask our shareholders to vote on the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s shareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the
named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the other
related tables and disclosure.”

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF
THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE RULES OF THE SEC.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Given the Company’s relatively small size, the relatively small number of record shareholders, and the
Board’s consistent practice of being open to receiving direct communications from shareholders, the Board
believes that it is not necessary to implement, and we do not have, a formal process for shareholders to send
communications to the Board. Our practice is to forward any communication addressed to the full Board to the
Chairman, to a group of directors to a member of the group, or to an individual director, to that person.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2014 ANNUAL MEETING

Shareholders are entitled to submit proposals on matters appropriate for shareholder action consistent with
SEC rules and our Code of Regulations. Should a shareholder wish to have a proposal appear in the Proxy
Statement for next year’s annual meeting, under applicable SEC rules, the proposal must be received by the
Company’s Secretary on or before November 13, 2013, and must otherwise comply with the requirements of
Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act. If a shareholder intends to present a proposal at next year’s annual meeting but
does not intend to seek the inclusion of such proposal in our Proxy Statement, such proposal must be received by
the Company prior to January 27, 2014, or management proxies will be entitled to use discretionary voting
authority should such proposal be raised without any discussion of the matter in the Proxy Statement. The
Company’s address is 325 John H. McConnell Boulevard, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

28

SHAREHOLDERS SHARING THE SAME ADDRESS

The SEC has implemented rules regarding the delivery of proxy materials (i.e., annual reports, proxy state-
ments, proxy statements combined with a prospectus or any information statements provided to shareholders) to
households. This method of delivery, often referred to as “householding”, would generally permit the Company
to send a single annual report and a single proxy statement to any household at which two or more different
shareholders reside if the Company believes such shareholders are members of the same family, unless the
shareholder(s) have opted out of the householding process. Each shareholder would continue to receive a sepa-
rate notice of any meeting of shareholders and proxy card. The householding procedure reduces the volume of
duplicate information you receive and reduces expenses. The Company has instituted householding. If (i) you
wish to receive separate annual reports or proxy statements, either this year or in the future, or (ii) members of
your household receive multiple copies of the annual report and proxy statement and you wish to request house-
holding, you may contact the Company’s transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company at 17
Battery Place, New York, New York 10004, or write to Mr. James Laird at 325 John H. McConnell Boulevard,
Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

In addition, many brokerage firms and other holders of record have instituted householding. If your family
has one or more “street name” accounts under which our shares are beneficially owned, you may have received
householding information from your broker, financial institution or other nominee in the past. Please contact the
holder of record directly if you have questions, require additional copies of this Proxy Statement or Annual
Report on Form 10-K or wish to revoke your decision to household and thereby receive multiple copies. You
should also contact the holder of record if you wish to institute householding. These options are available to you
at any time.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board knows of no other business to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other busi-
ness properly comes before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed Proxy to
vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

The prompt completion, execution, and delivery of your proxy card or your submission of voting
instructions electronically over the Internet or by telephone will be appreciated. Whether or not you expect to
attend the Annual Meeting, please complete and sign the Proxy and return it in the enclosed envelope, or vote
your proxy electronically via the Internet or telephonically.

By Order of the Board of Directors

James F. Laird
Secretary

29

United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012

Commission file number 000-24498

DIAMOND HILL INVESTMENT GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio

65-0190407

(State of incorporation)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

325 John H. McConnell Blvd., Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-255-3333

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(Registrant’s telephone number)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common shares, no par value

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities

Act. Yes ‘ No Í

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the

Act. Yes ‘ No Í

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes Í No ‘

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if
any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405
of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit
and post such files). Yes Í No ‘

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K Í

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated
filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ‘ Accelerated filer Í

Smaller reporting company ‘
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Non-accelerated filer ‘

Yes ‘ No È

Aggregate market value of the registrant’s common shares (the only common equity of the registrant) held by
non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing price of $78.29 on June 30, 2012 on the NASDAQ Global Select
Market was $185,554,346. Calculation of holdings by non-affiliates is based upon the assumption, for these purposes
only, that the registrant’s executive officers and directors and persons holding five percent or more of the registrant’s
common shares are affiliates.

3,231,318 Common Shares outstanding as of March 1, 2013.

Documents incorporated by reference: Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2013 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amend-
ed, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Form 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012
Index

Required Information

Part I

Item 1. Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1A. Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 2. Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 3. Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of

Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 6. Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . .
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures . . . .
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9B. Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 11. Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder

Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Signatures

Page

3
3
11
13
13
13
13
14

14
15
16
26
27
44
44
44
45
45
45

45
45
45
46
46
48

2

PART I

Item 1.

Business

Forward-Looking Statements

Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. may make forward-
looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, relating to such matters as anticipated operating results, pros-
pects for achieving the critical threshold of assets under management, technological developments, economic trends
(including interest rates and market volatility), expected transactions and acquisitions and similar matters. The
words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “hope,” “seek,” “plan,” “intend” and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date thereof. While the Company believes
that the assumptions underlying its forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that any of
the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and accordingly, the actual results and experiences of the Company
could differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed by the Company in its forward-
looking statements. Factors that could cause such actual results or experiences to differ from results discussed in the
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the adverse effect from a decline in the securities mar-
kets; a decline in the performance of the Company’s products; changes in interest rates; changes in national and
local economic and political conditions, including the effects of implementation of the Budget Control Act of 2011
and the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 and the continuing economic uncertainty in various parts of the
world; changes in government policy and regulation, including monetary policy; changes in the Company’s ability
to attract or retain key employees; unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of
governmental and self-regulatory organizations; and other risks identified from time-to-time in the Company’s other
public documents on file with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including those discussed
below in Item 1A. When we use the terms the “Company,” “management,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” we mean Dia-
mond Hill Investment Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Overview

The Company, an Ohio corporation organized in April 1990, derives its consolidated revenue and net
income from investment advisory and fund administration services provided by its subsidiaries Diamond Hill
Capital Management, Inc. (“DHCM”), Beacon Hill Fund Services, Inc. (“BHFS”), and BHIL Distributors, Inc.
(“BHIL”). BHFS and BHIL collectively operate as Beacon Hill. DHCM is a registered investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. DHCM sponsors, distributes, and provides investment advisory and related
services to various U.S. and foreign clients through Diamond Hill Funds, institutional accounts, and private
investment funds (generally known as “hedge funds”). Beacon Hill provides fund administration and statutory
underwriting services to various clients, including Diamond Hill Funds.

The Company’s primary objective is to fulfill its fiduciary duty to clients. Its secondary objective is to grow

the intrinsic value of the Company in order to achieve an adequate long-term return for shareholders.

Investment Advisory Activities

Clients

The Company provides investment advisory services to a broad range of clients, including corporations,
mutual funds, retirement plans, public pension funds, endowments, foundations, financial institutions and high
net worth individuals. We strive to expand our client base by attracting new clients and earning additional busi-
ness from existing clients.

Investment Philosophy

We believe that a company’s intrinsic value is independent of its stock price. Our investment philosophy is
rooted in the teachings of Benjamin Graham and the methods of Warren Buffett. The following are the guiding
principles for our philosophy:

• Treat every investment as a partial ownership interest in that company.

Investing is most intelligent when it is most businesslike.

3

• Always invest with a margin of safety.

We want to purchase securities at a sufficient discount to our estimate of intrinsic value. We estimate
the intrinsic value of the business independent of the current stock market price then compare our
estimate to the price in order to determine if an opportunity exists. If we do this successfully, it will
both increase the potential reward and be the most effective risk control.

• Possess a long-term investment temperament.

In the short term, market prices are driven as much by emotion as economic fundamentals. Over time,
the economic performance of the business and the price paid will determine the investment return, not
the market.

• Recognize that market price and intrinsic value tend to converge over a reasonable period of time.

Guided by our investment philosophy, our portfolio managers invest in companies when the current
market price is at a discount to our estimate of intrinsic value, based upon a discounted cash flow
methodology. The investment opportunity lies in the ability to recognize when the current market price
does not reflect our estimate of a company’s intrinsic value. By not relying on the market as an
indicator of value, we believe the market can be used to our advantage over time.

Investment Process

DHCM’s investment process begins with fundamental research focusing on estimating a company’s
intrinsic value independent of its current stock price. Bottom-up analysis, which takes into consideration earn-
ings, revenue growth, operating margins and other economic factors, is of primary importance in estimating the
intrinsic value of an individual company. A five-year discounted cash flow analysis is the primary methodology
to determine whether there is a discrepancy between the current market price and DHCM’s estimate of intrinsic
value. In order to forecast the amount and timing of cash flows, the research analysts concentrate on the funda-
mental economic drivers of the business, including competitive positioning, quality of management, and balance
sheet strength. Research analysts also evaluate each company within the context of sector and industry secular
trends. Key factors in analyzing sectors and industries include relative pricing power, ability to earn excess
returns, long-term capital flow, and other fundamental factors. DHCM also applies an intrinsic value philosophy
to the analysis of fixed income securities.

Only securities selling at a discount (premium) to intrinsic value will be purchased (sold short). A portfolio
manager assigns the highest weights to the highest conviction names. A strategy will often not have any exposure
to certain industries in which we are unable to find attractive opportunities. A stock will be sold if its price
reaches DHCM’s estimate of intrinsic value, if fundamentals deteriorate, if a more attractive opportunity is
identified, or if the holding reaches the stated limit as a percent of the portfolio.

DHCM believes that many investors’ short-term focus hinders their long-term results, which creates market
inefficiencies and therefore opportunities. In addition, not all investors are valuation sensitive. We believe that
we can exploit these market anomalies/inefficiencies by possessing a long-term investment temperament and
practicing a consistent and repeatable business appraisal approach to investing. Furthermore, DHCM believes
that investing in securities whose market prices are significantly below DHCM’s estimate of intrinsic value (or
selling short securities whose market prices are above DHCM’s estimate of intrinsic value) is a reliable method
to achieve above average relative returns as well as mitigate risk.

Investment Advisory Fees

The Company’s principal source of revenue is investment advisory fee income earned from managing client
accounts under investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. The fees earned depend on the type of invest-
ment strategy, account size and servicing requirements. Revenues depend on the total value and composition of
assets under management (“AUM”). Accordingly, net asset flows, market fluctuations in client portfolios, and
the composition of AUM impact our revenues and results of operations. The Company also has certain agree-
ments which allow us to earn variable fees in the event that investment returns exceed targeted amounts during a
measurement period.

4

Investment Strategies

The Company offers several traditional and alternative investment strategies. All are based on the same
intrinsic value philosophy. As of December 31, 2012 we offered the following investment strategies to our cli-
ents:

1. Small Cap – Pursues long-term capital appreciation by investment in a portfolio of 40-70 small-

capitalization U.S. companies.

2. Small-Mid Cap – Pursues long-term capital appreciation by investing in a portfolio of 40-70 small- and

mid-capitalization U.S. companies.

3. Large Cap – Pursues long-term capital appreciation by investing in a portfolio of 40-60 large-

capitalization U.S. companies.

4. Select – Pursues long-term capital appreciation by investing in a portfolio of 30-40 U.S. companies

across a broad range of market capitalizations.

5. Long-Short – Pursues long-term capital appreciation by investing both long and selling short U.S.

companies across a broad range of market capitalizations.

6. Strategic Income – Pursues high current income, preservation of capital, and total return by investing in

corporate bonds across the credit spectrum.

Investment Results

The Company believes that one of the most important characteristics exhibited by the best investment firms
is excellent investment returns for their clients over a long period of time. The Company is pleased that, during
its history as an investment advisory firm, it has delivered what it believes are strong long-term investment
returns for its clients. Investment returns have been a key driver in the long-term success the Company has ach-
ieved in growing AUM. Despite strong absolute equity market returns, the past three-year period has been a
difficult one for many active money managers, including DHCM. Our equity strategy returns trailed benchmark
returns over the same period; however, we remain focused on five-year periods to evaluate our results. Sig-
nificant exposure to the energy sector across all of our equity strategies was the primary driver of under-
performance relative to the benchmarks over the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2012. The
energy sector was the worst performing sector in the market in 2012 as continued domestic oil and gas supply
increases from hydraulic fracturing technology and weaker global demand for oil, driven by slowdowns in
Europe and China, created headwinds for energy stocks. We believe this underperformance over the trailing one-
and three-year periods contributed to the flat and negative client cash flows in 2011 and 2012, respectively. The
following is a summary of the investment returns as of December 31, 2012, relative to respective passive bench-
mark.

5

Inception

1 Year

3 Year

5 Year

10 Year

Inception

As of December 31, 2012

12/29/2000

12/30/2005

6/29/2001

12/1/2005

6/30/2000

13.17% 9.14% 4.57% 11.05% 10.41%
16.35% 12.25% 3.56% 9.72% 6.21%
5.92%
15.74%11.16% 6.40% N/A
17.88% 13.34% 4.34% N/A
5.52%
12.62% 8.23% 1.86% 9.59% 6.18%
16.42% 11.12% 1.92% 7.52% 3.73%
4.00%
11.54% 6.63% 1.70% N/A
4.34%
16.42% 11.20% 2.04% N/A
8.77% 3.97% 0.39% 8.06% 6.16%

9/30/2002

8.11% 5.78% 1.66% 4.87% 2.43%
9.83% 9.66% 8.38% 7.75% 8.02%
4.43% 6.24% 6.03% 5.26% 5.29%
11.37% 9.62% 8.14% 7.19% 7.41%

Diamond Hill Small Cap Fund
Russell 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Small-Mid Cap Fund
Russell 2500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Large Cap Fund
Russell 1000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Select Fund
Russell 3000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Long-Short Fund
50% Russell 1000 / 50% BofA ML US 0-3 Month

T-Bill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Diamond Hill Strategic Income Fund
BofA ML US Corporate, Government & Mortgage . . .
BofA ML US Corporate & High Yield . . . . . . . . . . . . .

-

-

Fund returns are Class I shares net of fees

Index returns do not reflect any fees

Assets Under Management

The following tables show AUM by product and investment objective as well as net client cash flows for the

past five years ended December 31, 2012:

(in millions)

Assets Under Management by Product
As of December 31,

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Proprietary funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-advised funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Institutional accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$5,251
947
3,231

$4,405
972
3,294

$4,409
930
3,284

$3,714
146
2,423

$3,231
104
1,175

Total AUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,429

$8,671

$8,623

$6,283

$4,510

Assets Under Management
by Investment Objective
As of December 31,

(in millions)

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Small Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Small-Mid Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Large Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Select (All Cap) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-Short
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Strategic Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 939
364
5,211
258
2,455
202

$ 932
277
4,885
321
2,082
174

$ 948
196
4,631
422
2,251
175

$ 625
146
2,654
400
2,300
158

$ 403
102
1,266
258
2,331
150

Total AUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,429

$8,671

$8,623

$6,283

$4,510

6

(in millions)

AUM at beginning of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash inflows (outflows)
proprietary funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
sub-advised funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
institutional accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net market appreciation (depreciation) and income . . . . . . . .

Increase during the year

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Change in Assets Under Management
For the Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

$8,671

$8,623

$6,283

$4,510

$ 4,403

429
(149)
(499)

(219)
977

758

56
21
(74)

3
45

48

452
714
532

1,698
642

2,340

(161)
6
734

579
1,194

1,773

1,166
54
757

1,977
(1,870)

107

AUM at end of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,429

$8,671

$8,623

$6,283

$ 4,510

Capacity

The Company’s primary goal is to fulfill our fiduciary duty to clients. Once the Company determines that
the size of any of its strategies hinders its ability to add value over a passive alternative, the Company will close
those strategies to new clients, which may impact the Company’s ability to grow AUM. The Small Cap strategy
was closed to new investors as of December 31, 2005 and re-opened on September 1, 2007. The Long-Short
strategy was closed to new investors as of June 30, 2008 and re-opened on December 31, 2008. The Company
estimates its AUM capacity to be approximately $20—$30 billion with AUM of $9.4 billion as of December 31,
2012. The key consideration in determining AUM capacity involves looking at each of our investment strategies
and estimating its individual capacity, given market capitalization constraints.

Distribution Channels

The Company’s investment advisory services are distributed through multiple channels. Our institutional
sales efforts include building relationships with institutional consultants and also establishing direct relationships
with institutional clients. Our sales efforts for the Diamond Hill Funds (the “Funds”) include wholesaling to
third-party financial intermediaries, including independent registered investment advisors, brokers, financial
planners, and wealth advisers, who utilize the Funds in investment programs they construct for their clients.

7

AUM by Channel

Below is a summary of the assets by distribution channel for the past five years ended December 31, 2012:

(in millions)

Proprietary funds:

Assets by Distribution Channel
As of December 31,

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Registered investment advisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Independent broker/dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wirehouse broker/dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defined contribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total proprietary funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-advised funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Institutional accounts:

$1,258
917
758
1,407
739
172

5,251
947

Institutional consultant
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial intermediary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,857
1,164
210

Total institutional accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,231

$1,049
665
674
927
737
353

4,405
972

1,836
1,237
221

3,294

$1,080
815
775
797
493
449

4,409
930

1,602
1,246
436

3,284

$1,272
757
824
43
211
607

3,714
146

1,044
908
471

2,423

$1,197
781
645
27
139
442

3,231
104

339
447
389

1,175

Total AUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,429

$8,671

$8,623

$6,283

$4,510

Growth Strategy

The Company’s growth strategy will remain focused on achieving excellent investment results in all its strat-
egies and providing the highest level of client service. We will continue to be focused on the development of
distribution channels to enable us to offer our various investment strategies to a broad array of clients. We intend
to continue to grow assets under management through our proprietary funds and institutional accounts. We have
a targeted strategic business plan to further penetrate our existing distribution channels. Our business develop-
ment efforts are focused on expanding the institutional consultant channel and plan sponsor network on the sepa-
rate account side, as well as our intermediary network on the fund side.

Fund Administration Activities

Fund Administration Services

DHCM and Beacon Hill provide fund administration services to Diamond Hill Funds and other third party
mutual fund companies and investment advisers. Fund administration services are broadly defined as portfolio
and regulatory compliance, treasury and financial oversight, statutory underwriting, oversight of back-office
services providers such as the custodian, fund accountant, and transfer agent, and general business management
of the mutual fund complex. These services are offered on a stand-alone basis, as well as through a series trust or
“umbrella trust” whereby individual investment advisers can establish a mutual fund under a fund complex spon-
sored by the Company.

Fund Administration Fees

The Company earns revenue from performing various fund administration activities described above under
individual client agreements. The fees earned depend on the type of service, fund size, and/or servicing require-
ments. Certain client agreements have a fixed fee arrangement while others have a fee derived as a percentage of
assets under administration.

8

Competition

Competition in the area of investment management and fund administration is intense, and the Company’s
competitors include investment management firms, broker-dealers, banks and insurance companies, some of
whom offer various investment alternatives. Many competitors are better known than the Company, offer a
broader range of investment products and have more offices, employees and business development representa-
tives. The Company competes primarily on the basis of philosophy, performance and client service.

Regulation

The Company and its business are subject to various federal, state and foreign laws and regulations. As a
matter of public policy, regulatory bodies are charged with safeguarding the integrity of the securities and other
financial markets and with protecting the interests of participants in those markets, including investment advisory
clients and shareholders of investment funds. Under these laws and regulations, agencies that regulate investment
advisers have broad administrative powers, including the power to limit, restrict or prohibit an investment adviser
from carrying on its business in the event the adviser fails to comply with such laws and regulations. Possible
sanctions that may be imposed include civil and criminal liability, the suspension of individual employees, limi-
tations on engaging in certain lines of business for specified periods of time, revocation of investment adviser
and other registrations, censures and fines.

DHCM is registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) and
operates in a highly regulated environment. The Advisers Act imposes numerous obligations on registered
investment advisers, including fiduciary duties, recordkeeping requirements, operational requirements and dis-
closure obligations. All Diamond Hill Funds are registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of
1940 and are required to make notice filings with all states where they are offered for sale. Virtually all aspects
of the Company’s investment management business are subject to various federal and state laws and regulations.
BHIL is registered with the SEC as a broker/dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Author-
ity, Inc. (“FINRA”).

To the extent that DHCM is a “fiduciary” under the Employment Retirement Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) with
respect to benefit plan clients, it is subject to ERISA, and to regulations promulgated thereunder. ERISA and
applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries under
ERISA, prohibit certain transactions involving ERISA plan clients, and provide monetary penalties for violations
of these prohibitions. The Department of Labor, which administers ERISA, has been increasingly active in pro-
posing and adopting regulations affecting the asset management industry. Failure to comply with these require-
ments could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The Company’s trading activities for client accounts are regulated under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as well as the rules of various FINRA, including laws governing trading on inside
information, market manipulation and a broad number of trading requirements (e.g., volume limitations, report-
ing obligations) and market regulation policies in the United States.

The financial services industry has been the subject of intense regulatory scrutiny in recent years. Our busi-
ness has been subject to increasing regulation in the United States and other countries, and we expect this trend to
continue in the future. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the
“Dodd-Frank Act”), which was enacted in July 2010, significantly altered the financial regulatory regime within
which we operate. The Dodd-Frank Act is expansive in scope and the implications of the Act for our business
will depend to a large extent on the rules that remain to be adopted by the SEC and other regulatory agencies
implementing the legislation. Some of the aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act have already been implemented. Other
aspects will be established over the next several years. It is difficult to predict the ultimate effects that the Dodd-
Frank Act, or subsequent implementing regulations and decisions, will have upon our business and results of
operations. The Dodd-Frank Act and its regulations, other new laws or regulations, changes in rules promulgated
by either the SEC or other federal and state regulatory authorities or self-regulatory bodies, or changes in the
interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules could materially and adversely impact the scope or
profitability or our business. We will continue to assess our business, risk management, and compliance practices
to conform to developments in the regulatory environment.

9

The preceding descriptions of the regulatory and statutory provisions applicable to us are not complete and

are qualified in their entirety by reference to their respective statutory or regulatory provisions.

Contractual Relationships with the Diamond Hill Funds

The Company is very dependent on its contractual relationships with the Funds. In the event the Company’s
advisory or administration agreements with the Funds are terminated, not renewed, or amended to reduce fees,
the Company could be materially and adversely affected. The Company generated approximately 65%, 61% and
66% of its 2012, 2011 and 2010 revenues, respectively, from its advisory and administrative contracts with the
Funds. The Company considers its relationship with the Funds and their board of trustees to be good, and it has
no reason to believe that these advisory or administration contracts will not be renewed in the future; however,
there is no assurance that the Funds will choose to continue their relationships with the Company. Please refer to
Item 1A on page 12 of this report.

Employees

As of December 31, 2012, the Company and its subsidiaries employed 79 full-time equivalent employees.
As of December 31, 2011, the comparable number was 73. The Company believes that its relationship with its
employees is good and does not anticipate any material change in the number of employees.

SEC Filings

The Company maintains an Internet website at www.diamond-hill.com. Annual reports on Form 10-K, quar-
terly reports on Form 10-Q, XBRL instance documents, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those
reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, are made available free of
charge, on or through the Company’s website, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electroni-
cally filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The contents of the Company’s website are not incorporated into, or
otherwise made a part of, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

10

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

The Company’s future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and the market price of the
Company’s common shares are subject to various risks, including those mentioned below and those that are dis-
cussed from time-to-time in the Company’s other periodic filings with the SEC. Investors should carefully
consider these risks, along with the other information contained in this report, before making an investment deci-
sion regarding the Company’s common shares. There may be additional risks of which the Company is currently
unaware, or which it currently considers immaterial. The occurrence of any of these risks could have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and value of its common
shares. Also see “Forward Looking Statements” within Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-K.

Poor investment results of the Company’s products could affect its ability to attract new clients or reduce the
amount of assets under management, potentially negatively impacting revenue and net income.

If the Company fails to deliver acceptable investment results for its clients, both in the short and long term,

it will likely experience diminished investor interest and potentially a diminished level of AUM.

The Company’s success depends on its key personnel, and its financial performance could be negatively affected
by the loss of their services.

The Company’s success depends on highly skilled personnel, including portfolio managers, research ana-
lysts, and management, many of whom have specialized expertise and extensive experience in the investment
management industry. Financial services professionals are in high demand, and the Company faces significant
competition for qualified employees. With the exception of the Chief Executive Officer, key employees do not
have employment contracts and generally can terminate their employment at any time. The Company cannot
assure that it will be able to retain or replace key personnel. In order to retain or replace its key personnel, the
Company may be required to increase compensation, which would decrease net income. The loss of key person-
nel could damage the Company’s reputation and make it more difficult to retain and attract new employees and
clients. A loss of client assets resulting from the departure of key personnel would decrease the Company’s rev-
enues and net income, possibly materially.

The Company’s AUM, which impacts revenue, is subject to significant fluctuations.

Substantially all revenue for the Company is calculated as a percentage of AUM or is related to the general
performance of the equity securities market. A decline in securities prices (such as that experienced during the
last half of 2008 and first quarter of 2009) or in the sale of investment products, or an increase in fund
redemptions, generally would reduce fee income. Financial market declines would generally negatively impact
the level of the Company’s AUM and consequently its revenue and net income. A recession or other economic or
political events, both in the United States as well as globally, could also adversely impact the Company’s rev-
enue, if such events led to a decreased demand for products, a higher redemption rate, or a decline in securities
prices.

The investment results and/or the growth in the Company’s AUM may be constrained if appropriate investment
opportunities are not available or if the Company closes certain of its portfolios.

The Company’s ability to deliver strong investment results depends in large part on its ability to identify
appropriate investment opportunities in which to invest client assets. If the Company is unable to identify suffi-
cient investment opportunities for existing and new client assets on a timely basis, its investment results could be
adversely affected. The risk that appropriate investment opportunities may be unavailable is influenced by a
number of factors, including general market conditions, and is likely to increase if the Company’s AUM
increases rapidly. In addition, if the Company determines that sufficient investment opportunities are not avail-
able for a portfolio strategy, or the Company believes that in order to continue to produce attractive returns from
a portfolio, the Company will consider closing the portfolio to new investors. If the Company misjudges the point
at which it would be optimal to close a portfolio, the investment results of the portfolio could be negatively
impacted.

11

The Company is subject to substantial competition in all aspects of its business.

The Company’s investment products compete against a number of investment products and services from:

• asset management firms;

• mutual fund companies;

• commercial banks and thrift institutions;

• insurance companies;

• exchange traded funds;

• hedge funds; and

• brokerage and investment banking firms.

Many of these financial institutions have substantially greater resources than the Company and may operate
in more markets or offer a broader range of products, including passively managed or “index” products. Some of
these institutions operate in a different regulatory environment, which may give them certain competitive advan-
tages in the investment products and portfolio structures that they offer. The Company competes with other pro-
viders of investment services primarily based upon its philosophy, performance and client service. Some
institutions have a broad array of products and distribution channels that make it more difficult for the Company
to compete with them. If current or potential customers decide to use one of the Company’s competitors, the
Company could face a significant decline in market share, AUM, revenues, and net income. If the Company is
required to lower its fees in order to remain competitive, its net income could be significantly reduced because
some of its expenses are fixed, especially over shorter periods of time, and other expenses may not decrease in
proportion to the decrease in revenues.

The loss of access to or increased fees required by third party distribution sources to market the Company’s port-
folios and access the Company’s client base could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

The Company’s ability to attract additional assets to manage is dependent on the Company’s access to third-
party intermediaries. The Company gains access to mutual fund investors and some retail and institutional clients
through third parties, including mutual fund platforms and financial intermediaries. The Company compensates
intermediaries for access to investors and for various services provided. These distribution sources and client
bases may not continue to be accessible to the Company for reasonable terms, or at all. Limiting or the total
absence of such access could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations. The recent
economic downturn and consolidation in the broker-dealer industry may lead to reduced distribution access and
increases in fees the Company is required to pay to intermediaries. If such increased fees should be required,
refusal to pay them could restrict the Company’s access to those client bases while paying them could adversely
affect the Company’s profitability.

A significant portion of the Company’s revenues are based on contracts with the Diamond Hill Funds that are
subject to termination without cause and on short notice.

The Company is very dependent on its contractual relationships with the Funds. In the event the Company’s
advisory or administration agreements with the Funds are terminated, not renewed, or amended to reduce fees, the
Company would be materially and adversely affected. Generally, these agreements are terminable by either party
upon 60 days written notice without penalty. The agreements are subject to annual approval by either (i) the board
of trustees of the Funds or (ii) a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund. The agree-
ments automatically terminate in the event of their assignment by either the Company or the Fund. The Company
generated approximately 65%, 61% and 66% of its 2012, 2011 and 2010 revenues, respectively, from its advisory
and administrative contracts with the Funds, including 28%, 13%, and 10% from the advisory contracts with the
Diamond Hill Long-Short Fund, Large Cap Fund, and Small Cap Fund, respectively, during 2012. The loss of the
Long-Short Fund, Large Cap Fund, or Small Cap Fund contracts would have a material adverse effect on the
Company. The Company considers its relationship with the Funds and their board of trustees to be good, and it has
no reason to believe that these advisory or administration contracts will not be renewed in the future; however, there
is no assurance that the Funds will choose to continue their relationships with the Company.

12

Operational risks may disrupt the Company’s business, result in losses or limit the Company’s growth.

The Company is dependent on the capacity and reliability of the communications, information and technol-
ogy systems supporting its operations, whether developed, owned and operated by the Company or by third par-
ties. Operational risks such as trading or operational errors or interruption of our financial, accounting, trading,
compliance and other data processing systems could result in a disruption of the Company’s business, liability to
clients, regulatory intervention or reputational damage, and thus adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company’s business is subject to substantial governmental regulation.

The Company’s business is subject to a variety of federal securities laws, including the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, and the U.S. Patriot Act of 2001. In addition, the Company is subject to significant regulation and over-
sight by the SEC and FINRA. Changes in legal, regulatory, accounting, tax and compliance requirements could
have a significant effect on the Company’s operations and results, including but not limited to increased expenses
and reduced investor interest in certain funds and other investment products offered by the Company. The Com-
pany continually monitors legislative, tax, regulatory, accounting, and compliance developments that could
impact its business.

The Company will continue to seek to understand, evaluate and when possible, manage and control these

and other business risks.

ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

ITEM 2. Properties

The Company leases approximately 25,500 square feet of office space at two locations in Columbus, Ohio.

The Company does not own any real estate or interests in real estate.

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company is party to ordinary routine litigation that is incidental to its business. There

are currently no material legal proceedings.

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

13

PART II

ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of

Equity Securities

The following performance graph compares the total shareholder return of an investment in the Company’s
common shares to that of the Russell Microcap® Index, and to a peer group index of publicly traded asset manage-
ment firms for the five-year period ending on December 31, 2012. The graph assumes that the value of the invest-
ment in the Company’s common shares and each index was $100 on December 31, 2007. Total return includes
reinvestment of all dividends. The Russell Microcap® Index makes up less than 3% of the U.S. equity market and is
a market-value-weighted index of the smallest 1,000 securities in the small-cap Russell 2000® Index plus the next
1,000 smallest securities. Peer Group returns are weighted by the market capitalization of each firm at the beginning
of the measurement period. The historical information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of future
performance. Diamond Hill does not make or endorse any predictions as to future stock performance.

$200

$160

$120

$80

$40

$0

Dec-07

Dec-08

Dec-09

Dec-10

Dec-11

Dec-12

Peer Group

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.

Russell Microcap Index

12/31/2007

12/31/2008

12/31/2009

12/31/2010

12/31/2011

12/31/2012

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. . . . . .
Russell Microcap® Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Peer Group* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100
100
100

103
60
36

117
77
53

156
99
60

170
90
45

175
107
57

* The following companies are included in the Peer Group: Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.; Epoch Holding
Corp.; Eaton Vance Corp.; Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.; Federated Investors, Inc.; GAMCO Investors,
Inc.; Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.; Legg Mason, Inc.; U.S. Global Investors, Inc.; Alliance Bernstein
Holding L.P.; Janus Capital Group, Inc.; SEI Investments, Co.; Cohen & Steers, Inc.; Calamos Asset
Management, Inc.; and Pzena Investment Management, Inc.

The Company’s common shares trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol DHIL. The

following table sets forth the high and low sales prices during each quarter of 2012 and 2011:

High
Price

2012

Low
Price

Dividend
Per Share

High
Price

2011

Low
Price

Dividend
Per Share

Quarter ended:

March 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
June 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
September 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$79.37
$78.29
$79.30
$80.79

$72.95
$64.75
$70.27
$67.73

$ — $80.00
$ — $82.90
$ — $84.96
$81.52
$8.00

$67.16
$77.00
$65.10
$60.32

$ —
$ —
$ —
$5.00

14

Due to the relatively low volume of traded shares, quoted prices cannot be considered indicative of any
viable market for such shares. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, approximately 1,677,428
and 2,429,600, respectively, of the Company’s common shares were traded. The dividends indicated above were
special dividends. The Company has not paid regular quarterly dividends in the past, and has no present intention
of paying regular dividends in the future. The approximate number of registered holders of record of the Compa-
ny’s common shares at December 31, 2012 was 239.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

The Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2012.
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s repurchase program of its common stock
during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012:

Period

October 1, 2012 through October 31,

2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

November 1, 2012 through

November 30, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . .

December 1, 2012 through

December 31, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total Number
of Shares Purchased

Average Price
Paid Per Share

Cumulative Number
of Shares Purchased
as part of a Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs

Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs(a)

—

—

—

—

—

—

31,567

31,567

31,567

318,433

318,433

318,433

(a) The Company’s current share repurchase program was announced on August 9, 2007. The board of directors
authorized management to repurchase up to 350,000 shares of its common stock in the open market and in
private transactions in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Company’s stock repurchase program
is not subject to an expiration date.

ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Finan-
cial Statements and related notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(in thousands, except per share data)

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

For the Years Ended December 31,

Income Statement Data:

Total revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compensation and related costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$66,605
33,868
8,308
42,176
24,429
16,931

$63,838
32,875
7,902
40,777
23,061
14,353

$56,704
30,991
7,240
38,231
18,473
12,402

$43,562
24,114
7,336
31,450
12,112
11,374

$47,019
26,120
7,170
33,290
13,729
3,276

Operating profit margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

36.7%

36.1%

32.6%

27.8%

29.2%

Per Share Information:

Basic earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash dividend declared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

5.44
5.44
8.00

$

4.86
4.86
5.00

$

4.48
4.48
13.00

$

4.40
4.40
10.00

$

1.36
1.36
10.00

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,111
3,111

2,952
2,952

2,767
2,768

2,583
2,588

2,400
2,408

15

At December 31,

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Balance Sheet Data (in thousands):

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shareholders equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assets Under Management (in millions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net Client Flows (in millions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$41,236
—
21,736
$ 9,429
(219)

$37,720
—
18,050
$ 8,671
3

$28,566
—
7,498
$ 8,623
1,698

$40,505
—
22,981
$ 6,283
579

$44,540
—
30,246
$ 4,510
1,977

ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

In this section, the Company discusses and analyzes the consolidated results of operations for the past three
fiscal years and other factors that may affect future financial performance. This discussion should be read in
conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,
and Selected Financial Data contained in this Form 10-K.

Business Environment

Despite the uncertainty leading up to the November elections and the looming “fiscal cliff”, the U.S. mar-
kets were viewed as a safe haven amid global worries, and the S&P 500 Index finished 2012 with a 16.0% total
return. U.S. corporate profit margins remained near record levels fueling stock price gains. Globally, Europe’s
debt crisis was unresolved, China’s economy showed signs of slowing, and conflict threatened the Middle East
two years after the Arab Spring uprising. However, investors continued to be reluctant to fully commit to stocks
as evidenced by continued net flows from equity mutual funds and into bond mutual funds.

Cumulative Net Flows into Equity vs. Bond Mutual Funds
$BN, 2008 - Nov 2012

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

-200

-400

-600

'08

'09

'10

'11

'12

Source: Strategas Research Partners

16

Bond

1071.5

Equity

-503.1

'13

With interest rates at near record lows, investors were almost singularly focused on yield in 2012. Many investors
turned to higher-yielding and riskier securities in search of yield. CCC-rated corporate bonds generated an 18.3% total
return in comparison to a 3.8% total return from the 10-year. U.S. investment-grade corporate bond funds received
$131 billion in new assets in 2012 compared to $75 billion in 2011, and high-yield bond fund flows more than doubled
from 2011 levels. Investors’ search for yield was also reflected in equity fund flows. Equity income funds collected
$21 billion in assets, partially offsetting the net negative flows from all U.S. stock funds in 2012.

The U.S. economy continues to show modest signs of recovery including a steady recovery in housing, and
consumer discretionary spending continues to benefit from various government initiatives largely mitigating the
effects of sluggish unemployment and continued household deleveraging. Consumer debt service levels are very
low which is a positive; however, current debt service levels are largely linked to low interest/mortgage rates
which may present a longer-term risk if rates rise. Household debt as a percent of disposable income has declined
meaningfully but remains well above long-term averages. We continue to believe that the U.S. economy will be
challenged for many years by financial deleveraging and the ultimate withdrawal of fiscal and monetary stim-
ulus. While the U.S. faces fiscal and monetary headwinds, we believe the U.S. is still well positioned relative to
other countries.

From current levels, we believe equity market returns will be positive but modestly below historical average
returns over the next five years. It is our expectation that we can achieve better than market returns over the next
five years through active portfolio management and stock selection.

Substantially all revenue for The Company is calculated as a percentage of AUM and is therefore impacted
by the overall business and economic environment described above. Financial market declines or deterioration in
the economic environment would generally negatively impact the level of the Company’s AUM and con-
sequently its revenue and net income.

Key Financial Performance Indicators

There are a variety of key performance indicators the Company monitors in order to evaluate its business

results. The following table presents the results of certain key performance indicators over the past three years:

For the Years Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

Ending AUM (in millions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Average AUM (in millions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Revenue (in thousands) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Expenses (in thousands) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Average Advisory Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating Profit Margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9,429
9,249
66,605
42,176

8,671
8,825
63,838
40,777

8,623
7,023
56,704
38,231

0.62%
36.7%

0.63%
36.1%

0.70%
32.6%

Assets Under Management

The Company’s revenue is derived primarily from investment advisory and administration fees. Investment
advisory and administration fees paid to the Company are generally based on the value of the investment portfo-
lios managed by the Company and fluctuate with changes in the total value of the AUM. Such fees are recog-
nized in the period that the Company manages these assets. The Company’s primary expense is employee
compensation and benefits.

17

Revenues are highly dependent on both the value and composition of AUM. The following is a summary of
the Company’s AUM by product, investment objective, and a roll-forward of the change in AUM for the years
ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010:

(in millions)

Assets Under Management by Product
As of December 31,

2012

2011

2010

Proprietary funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-advised funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Institutional accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$5,251
947
3,231

$4,405
972
3,294

$4,409
930
3,284

Total AUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,429

$8,671

$8,623

(in millions)

Assets Under Management
by Investment Objective
As of December 31,

2012

2011

2010

Small Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Small-Mid Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Large Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Select (All Cap) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Long-Short . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Strategic Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 939
364
5,211
258
2,455
202

$ 932
277
4,885
321
2,082
174

$ 948
196
4,631
422
2,251
175

Total AUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,429

$8,671

$8,623

(in millions)

AUM at beginning of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash inflows (outflows)

proprietary funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
sub-advised funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
institutional accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net market appreciation and income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Increase during the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Change in Assets Under Management
For the Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

$8,671

$8,623

$6,283

429
(149)
(499)

(219)
977

758

56
21
(74)

3
45

48

452
714
532

1,698
642

2,340

AUM at end of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,429

$8,671

$8,623

18

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following is a discussion of the consolidated results of operations of the Company.

(in thousands, except per share data)

2012

2011

% Change

2011

2010

% Change

Net operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net operating income after tax(a)
. . . . . . . . . . .
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net operating income after tax per share(a)

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net income per share

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating profit margin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$24,429
$15,857
$16,931

$23,061
$14,394
$14,353

6% $23,061
10% $14,394
18% $14,353

$18,473
$11,643
$12,402

$
$

$
$

$
$

$
$

5.10
5.10

5.44
5.44
36.7%

4.88
4.88

5% $
5% $

4.88
4.88

4.86
4.86
36.1% NM

12% $
12% $

4.86
4.86
36.1%

$
$

$
$

4.21
4.21

4.48
4.48
32.6% NM

8%
8%

25%
24%
16%

16%
16%

(a) Net operating income after tax is a non-GAAP performance measure. See Use of Supplemental Data as

Non-GAAP Performance Measure on page 25 of this report.

Year Ended December 31, 2012 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2011

The Company posted net income of $16.9 million ($5.44 per diluted share) for the year ended December 31,
2012, compared with net income of $14.4 million ($4.86 per diluted share) for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Operating income increased by $1.4 million from 2011 to 2012 primarily due to an increase in AUM, resulting in a
$2.8 million increase in revenue. The revenue increase was offset by an increase in operating expenses of $1.4 mil-
lion, primarily related to higher compensation related to staffing increases. A positive return on the Company
corporate investments and a change in the effective tax rate from 37.6% in 2011 to 35.1% in 2012 due to a reduction
of certain tax accruals further contributed to the overall increase in net income. Operating profit margin increased to
36.7% for 2012 from 36.1% for 2011. The Company expects that its operating margin will fluctuate from year to
year based on various factors including revenues; investment results; employee performance; staffing levels; devel-
opment of investment strategies, products, or channels; and industry comparisons.

Year Ended December 31, 2011 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2010

The Company posted net income of $14.4 million ($4.86 per diluted share) for the year ended December 31,
2011, compared with net income of $12.4 million ($4.48 per diluted share) for the year ended December 31, 2010.
While net income increased $2.0 million, revenue for the period increased $7.1 million offset by a $2.5 million
increase in operating expenses, a $1.3 million decrease in net investment income, and a $1.4 million increase in the
income tax provision from 2010 to 2011. Operating profit margin increased to 36.1% for 2011 from 32.6% for 2010.

Revenue

(in thousands)

2012

2011

% Change

2011

2010

% Change

Investment advisory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mutual fund administration, net . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$57,783
8,822

$56,016
7,822

3% $56,016
7,822
13%

$49,249
7,455

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

66,605

63,838

4%

63,838

56,704

14%
5%

13%

19

Revenue for the Year Ended December 31, 2012 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2011

As a percent of total 2012 revenues, investment advisory fees accounted for 87% and mutual fund admin-

istration fees made up the remaining 13%. This compared to 88% and 12%, respectively, for 2011.

Investment Advisory Fees.

Investment advisory fees increased by $1.8 million, or 3%. Investment advi-
sory fees are calculated as a percentage of average net AUM at various rates depending on the investment prod-
uct. While the average AUM increased 5% year over year, the average advisory fee rate declined one basis point
to 0.62% for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 0.63% for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Contributing to the decrease in the average advisory fee rate is the large cap fee reduction where the Company
voluntarily lowered the investment advisory fee it charges on the Diamond Hill Large Cap Fund and certain large
cap separate accounts by 0.05% effective October 1, 2011. The large cap strategy fees were reduced to better
align the Company’s investment advisory fees with its investment management goals.

Mutual Fund Administration Fees. Mutual fund administration fees increased $1.0 million, or 13%,
during 2012. Mutual fund administration fees include administration fees received from Diamond Hill Funds,
which are calculated as a percentage of average mutual fund AUM, and all Beacon Hill fee revenue. The increase
in the mutual fund administration fee is due to a 13% increase in average mutual fund AUM from $4.2 billion for
the year ended December 31, 2011 to $4.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012 while the overall
blended net administration fee rate remained flat at 0.15% year over year.

Revenue for the Year Ended December 31, 2011 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2010

As a percent of total 2011 revenues, investment advisory fees accounted for 88% and mutual fund admin-

istration fees made up the remaining 12%. This compared to 87% and 13%, respectively, for 2010.

Investment Advisory Fees.

Investment advisory fees increased by $6.8 million, or 14%. Investment advisory
fees are calculated as a percentage of average net AUM at various levels depending on the investment product. The
Company’s average advisory fee rate for 2011 was 0.63% compared to 0.70% in 2010. The decrease in the average
advisory fee rate is due to a continued change in the overall composition of AUM first seen during 2008, where long-
short strategies, which pay a higher advisory fee rate, made up 24% of total AUM as of fourth quarter 2011 compared
to 35% of total AUM as of first quarter 2010 while long only strategies, which pay a lower advisory fee rate, made up
60% of total AUM as of fourth quarter 2011 compared to 50% of total AUM as of first quarter 2010. Further con-
tributing to the decrease in the average advisory rate is the large cap fee reduction where the Company voluntarily
lowered the investment advisory fee it charges on the Diamond Hill Large Cap Fund and certain large cap separate
accounts by 0.05% effective October 1, 2011. Despite the 0.07% decrease in the average advisory fee rate during 2011
compared to 2010, the fee rate was being charged on a greater asset base as the average AUM increased 26% during
the year compared to 2010 resulting in an increase in the overall fees earned during 2011.

Mutual Fund Administration Fees. Mutual fund administration fees increased $367 thousand, or 5%,
during 2011. Mutual fund administration fees include administration fees received from Diamond Hill Funds,
which are calculated as a percentage of average mutual fund AUM, and all Beacon Hill fee revenue. The increase
in the mutual fund administration fee is due to a 11% increase in average mutual fund AUM from $3.8 billion for
the year ended December 31, 2010 to $4.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 offset by a decrease in
the overall blended net administration fee rate from 0.17% for the year ended December 31, 2010 to 0.15% for
the year ended December 31, 2011.

Expenses

(in thousands)

2012

2011

% Change

2011

2010

% Change

Compensation and related costs . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales and marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third party distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mutual fund administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$33,868
4,661
1,390
700
1,557

$32,875
4,425
1,145
828
1,504

3% $32,875
4,425
5%
1,145
21%
828
-15%
1,504
4%

$30,991
3,409
854
1,036
1,941

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42,176

40,777

3%

40,777

38,231

6%
30%
34%
-20%
-23%

7%

20

Expenses for the Year Ended December 31, 2012 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2011

Compensation and Related Costs. Employee compensation and benefits increased by $993 thousand, or
3%, primarily due to an increase of $1.5 million in salaries and related benefits due to an increase in staffing
levels, offset by a decrease of $511 thousand in incentive compensation during the year ended December 31,
2012 compared to the year ended December 31, 2011.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $236 thousand, or 5%,
from 2011 to 2012. This increase is primarily due to additional research expenses to support the Company’s
investment team, an increase in general system and information technology expenses, additional rent related to
the expansion of the Company’s office space during third quarter 2011, and employee professional development,
offset by a reduction in corporate legal expenses and a decrease in non-income related taxes.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $245 thousand, or 21%, from 2011 to
2012. This increase was primarily due to an overall increase in travel and other expenses related to business
development and retention efforts during 2012.

Third Party Distribution. Third party distribution expense represents payments made to intermediaries
related to sales of the Company’s investment products. This expense is directly correlated with investments in the
Company’s proprietary funds. The period-over-period change directly corresponds to the change in investment
advisory fees earned by the Company related to those products.

Mutual Fund Administration. Mutual fund administration expenses increased by $53 thousand, or 4%,
from 2011 to 2012. The majority of mutual fund administration fees are variable based upon the amount of
mutual fund AUM or the number of shareholder accounts. While average mutual fund AUM increased by 13%
from 2011 to 2012, this increase in the expense was offset due to a shift in the servicing of shareholder accounts
from the fund’s transfer agent to omnibus shareholder accounting at third party intermediaries. The costs asso-
ciated with servicing these shareholder accounts are now reflected as Fund Related Expenses (see Footnote 2:
Revenue Recongition – Fund Administration).

Expenses for the Year Ended December 31, 2011 compared with Year Ended December 31, 2010

Compensation and Related Costs. Employee compensation and benefits increased by $1.9 million, or
6%, primarily due to an increase of $1.7 million in incentive compensation during 2011 consistent with fluctua-
tions in AUM during the year and the associated increase in operating income. In addition, salaries and related
benefits increased $180 thousand due to increases in the costs of benefits along with fluctuations in staffing lev-
els during the year.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $1.0 million, or 30%,
from 2010 to 2011. This increase is primarily due to additional research expenses to support the Company’s
investment team, the implementation of new systems and other information technology expenses, increased
product development expenses, and expansion of the Company’s office space.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $291 thousand, or 34%, from 2010 to
2011. This increase was primarily due to a continued increased presence at industry conferences and an overall
increase in travel and other expenses related to business development and retention efforts during the year.

Third Party Distribution. Third party distribution expense represents payments made to intermediaries
related to sales of the Company’s investment products. This expense directly correlated with investments in the
Company’s private investment funds. The period-over-period increase or decrease directly corresponds to the
increase or decrease in investment advisory fees earned by the Company related to those products.

Mutual Fund Administration. Mutual fund administration expenses decreased by $437 thousand, or
23%, from 2010 to 2011. The majority of mutual fund administration fees are variable based upon the amount of
mutual fund AUM. Despite an overall increase in average mutual fund AUM by 11% from 2010 to 2011, the
decrease in mutual fund administration expense was primarily due to third party service provider fee reduction
effective during fourth quarter 2010 and a further fee reduction during fourth quarter 2011.

21

Beacon Hill Fund Services

Beacon Hill is currently staffed with 10 full-time equivalent employees, and provides compliance, treasurer,
and other fund administration services to mutual fund clients and their investment advisers. In addition, through
its registered broker/dealer, Beacon Hill also serves as the underwriter for a number of mutual funds. The follow-
ing is a summary of Beacon Hill’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to 2011 and
2010, excluding 12b-1/service fees and commission revenue and expenses, which net to zero:

(in thousands)

For the Year Ended
December 31,

2012

2011

2010

Revenue1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$2,031
2,298

$1,789
2,259

$1,588
2,128

Net loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ (267) $ (470) $ (540)

1 Beacon Hill’s 2012, 2011, and 2010 revenue includes $522 thousand, $517 thousand, and $512 thousand,
respectively, of inter-company revenue earned from services provided to DHCM. These amounts have been
eliminated from the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity

Our main source of liquidity is cash flow from operating activities which are generated from investment
advisory and fund administration fees. The Company’s entire investment portfolio is in readily marketable secu-
rities, which provide for cash liquidity, if needed. Investments in mutual funds are valued at their quoted current
net asset value. Investments in private investment funds are valued independently based on readily available
market quotations. Inflation is expected to have no material impact on the Company’s performance. Cash and
cash equivalents, accounts receivables, and investments represent approximately 84% and 89% of total assets as
of December 31, 2012 and 2011 respectively. The Company believes these sources of liquidity as well as our
continuing cash flows from operating activities will be sufficient to meet our current and future operating needs
for at least the next 12 months.

Uses of Liquidity

In line with the Company’s primary objective to fulfill its fiduciary duty to clients and secondary objective
to achieve an adequate long-term return for shareholders, the Company anticipates the main uses of cash will be
operating expenses.

The Board of Directors and management continually review various factors to determine whether the
Company has capital in excess of that required for the business and the appropriate use of any excess capital. The
factors considered include the Company’s investment opportunities, the Company’s risks, and future dividend
and capital gain tax rates. Evaluating management’s stewardship of capital for shareholders is a central part of
our investment discipline that we practice for our clients. We hold ourselves to the same standard that we look
for when evaluating investments for our clients.

While this is the fifth consecutive year that the company has paid a special dividend, there can be no assurance
that the company will pay a dividend in the future. The Company has paid out special dividends totaling $46.00 per
share from 2008 through 2012. These special dividends reduced shareholders’ equity by $127 million over the past five
years. The 2012 special dividend reduced shareholders’ equity by $25.2 million. A portion of the 2012 dividend was a
return of capital for tax purposes and the Company elected to record the dividend as a reduction of retained earnings
consistent with prior years, which contributed to the accumulated deficit of $28.7 million as of December 31, 2012.
The Company’s accumulated deficit is not expected to impact its future ability to operate given its total shareholder
equity, continuing profitability and strong cash and financial position. The 2011 special dividend reduced shareholders’

22

equity by $14.9 million. It was a qualified dividend for tax purposes and was recorded as a reduction of retained earn-
ings, which contributed to the accumulated deficit of $20.4 million as of December 31, 2011. The 2010 special divi-
dend reduced shareholders’ equity by $36.3 million and was recorded through retained earnings generating an
accumulated deficit of $19.8 million as of December 31, 2010. The 2009 special dividend reduced shareholders’ equity
by $26.2 million and was recorded through retained earnings. A portion of the 2010 and 2009 dividend was a return of
capital for tax purposes and the Company elected to record each dividend as a reduction of retained earnings. The 2008
special dividend reduced shareholders’ equity by $24.4 million and was recorded through common stock as 100% of
this dividend represented a return of capital to shareholders.

Working Capital

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had working capital of approximately $17.6 million compared to
$14.2 million at December 31, 2011. Working capital includes cash, securities owned and current receivables, net of
all liabilities. On December 5, 2012, the Company’s board of directors declared an $8.00 per share dividend payable
on December 21, 2012 to shareholders of record on December 17, 2012. The payment of the special cash dividend
reduced the Company’s working capital balance. The Company has no debt, and believes its available working
capital is sufficient to cover current expenses. The Company does not expect any material capital expenditures dur-
ing 2013.

Cash Flow Analysis

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

The Company’s cash flows from operating activities are calculated by adjusting net income to reflect other
significant operating sources and uses of cash, certain significant non-cash items such as share-based compensa-
tion, and timing differences in the cash settlement of operating assets and liabilities.

As of December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $24.5 million,
$22.7 million, and $26.0 million, respectively. The changes in net cash provided by operating activities generally
reflects net income plus the effect of non-cash items and the timing differences in the cash settlement of assets
and liabilities.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

The Company’s cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures and the pur-

chase and redemption of the Company’s investment portfolio.

Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and pri-
marily related to the purchase of corporate investments. Cash flows provided by investing activities totaled $2.9
million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company redeemed $4.1 million from its corporate invest-
ments generating cash offset by $926 thousand in corporate investments purchased during 2011. Cash flows
provided by investing activities totaled $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company
redeemed $6.0 million from its corporate investments generating cash offset by $1.3 million in corporate invest-
ments purchased during 2011.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

The Company’s cash flows from financing activities consist primarily of the payment of special dividends,
the repurchase of common shares, and the payment of taxes withheld on employee stock transactions offset by
the proceeds from the issuance of common stock.

As of December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, net cash used by financing activities totaled $24.5 million, $16.2
million, and $36.4 million, respectively. The primary cash flows used in financing activities for the periods were
special dividends of $25.2 million, $15.0 million, and $36.3 million, respectively. During 2011, the Company
repurchased $1.1 million in common shares pursuant to the share repurchase program announced on August 9,
2007. No shares were repurchased during 2012 or 2010.

23

Selected Quarterly Information

Unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is summarized

below:

(in thousands, except per share data)

12/31

09/30

06/30

03/31

12/31

09/30

06/30

03/31

Assets under management

At or For the Quarter Ended

2012

2011

(in millions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,429 $ 9,681 $ 9,164 $ 9,360 $ 8,671 $ 7,719 $ 9,186 $ 9,250
16,450
11,001

Total revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total operating expenses . . . . . .

15,370
9,926

16,828
10,977

16,971
10,424

15,190
8,873

16,614
10,593

16,859
10,829

16,161
10,330

Operating income . . . . . . . . . . .

6,547

6,030

5,831

6,021

6,317

5,444

5,851

5,449

Investment income (loss) . . . . . .
371
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,825 $ 4,167 $ 3,328 $ 4,611 $ 4,453 $ 2,539 $ 3,729 $ 3,632

(1,309)

1,272

(468)

621

229

781

90

EPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

1.53 $

1.32 $

1.07 $

1.52 $

1.49 $

0.84 $

1.26 $

1.28

Weighted shares outstanding . . .

3,159

3,154

3,101

3,031

2,994

3,006

2,967

2,838

Contractual Obligations

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s future obligations under the terms of an operat-
ing lease and other contractual purchase obligations at December 31, 2012. Other purchase obligations include
contractual amounts that will be due for the purchase of services to be used in the Company’s operations such as
mutual fund sub-administration and portfolio accounting software. These obligations may be cancelable at earlier
times than those indicated and, under certain conditions, may involve termination fees. Because these obligations
are of a normal recurring nature, the Company expects that it will fund them from future cash flows from oper-
ations. The information presented does not include operating expenses or capital expenditures that will be com-
mitted in the normal course of operations in 2013 and future years:

(in thousands)

Payments Due by Period

Total

2013

2014-2015

2016-2017 Later

Operating lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1,449
2,596

$ 417
1,689

$ 798
907

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$4,045

$2,106

$1,705

$234
—

$234

$—
—

$—

Use of Supplemental Data as Non-GAAP Performance Measure

Net Operating Income After Tax

As supplemental information, we are providing performance measures that are based on methodologies
other than generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) for “Net Operating Income After Tax” that
management uses as benchmarks in evaluating and comparing the period-to-period operating performance of the
Company and its subsidiaries.

The Company defines “net operating income after tax” as the Company’s net operating income less income
tax provision excluding investment income and the tax impact related to the investment income. The Company
believes that “net operating income after tax” provides a good representation of the Company’s operating per-
formance, as it excludes the impact of investment income on financial results. The amount of the investment
portfolio and market fluctuations on the investments can change significantly from one period to another, which
can distort the underlying earnings potential of a company. We also believe “net operating income after tax” is an
important metric in estimating the value of an asset management business. This non-GAAP measure is provided
in addition to net income and net operating income and is not a substitute for net income or net operating income
and may not be comparable to non-GAAP performance measures of other companies.

24

(in thousands, except per share data)

Net operating income, GAAP basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-GAAP adjustments:

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

$24,429

$23,061

$18,473

Tax provision excluding impact of investment income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8,572

8,667

6,830

Net operating income after tax, non-GAAP basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net operating income after tax per basic share, non-GAAP basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net operating income after tax per diluted share, non-GAAP basis . . . . . . . . . . . .
Basic weighted average shares outstanding, GAAP basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding, GAAP basis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$15,857
5.10
$
5.10
$
3,111
3,111

$14,394
4.88
$
4.88
$
2,952
2,952

$11,643
4.21
$
4.21
$
2,767
2,768

The tax provision excluding impact of investment income is calculated by applying the tax rate calculated

from the income statement to net operating income.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements. It does not have any obligation under a guarantee
contract, or a retained or contingent interest in assets or similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity or
market risk support for such assets, or any other obligation, including a contingent obligation, under a contract
that would be accounted for as a derivative instrument or arising out of a variable interest.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Provisions for Income Taxes. The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount
of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax con-
sequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. Judgment is
required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial
statements or tax returns.

Revenue Recognition on Incentive-Based Advisory Contracts. The Company has certain investment advi-
sory contracts in which a portion of the fees are based on investment performance achieved in the respective
client portfolio in excess of a specified hurdle rate. For management fees based on a formula, there are two
methods by which incentive revenue may be recorded. Under “Method 1,” incentive fees are recorded at the end
of the contract year. Under “Method 2,” incentive fees are recorded periodically and calculated as the amount
that would be due under the formula at any point in time as if the contract was terminated at that date. Manage-
ment has chosen the more conservative Method 1, in which performance fees are recorded at the end of the con-
tract period provided for by the contract terms.

Revenue Recognition when Acting as an Agent vs. Principal. The Funds have selected and contractually
engaged certain vendors to fulfill various services to benefit the Funds’ shareholders or to satisfy regulatory require-
ments of the Funds. These services include, among others, required fund shareholder mailings, registration fees, legal
and audit fees. DHCM, in fulfilling a portion of its role under the administration agreement with the Funds, acts as
agent to pay these obligations of the Funds. Each vendor is independently responsible for fulfillment of the services it
has been engaged to provide and negotiates fees and terms with the management and board of trustees of the Funds.
The fee that the Funds pay to DHCM is reviewed annually by the Funds’ board of trustees and specifically takes into
account the contractual expenses that DHCM pays on behalf of the Funds. As a result, DHCM is not involved in the
delivery or pricing of these services and bears no risk related to these services. Revenue has been recorded net of these
Fund expenses, as it is the appropriate accounting treatment for this agency relationship.

Beacon Hill has underwriting agreements with certain clients, including registered mutual funds. Part of
Beacon Hill’s role as underwriter is to act as an agent on behalf of its mutual fund clients to receive 12b-1/service
fees and commission revenue and facilitate the payment of those fees and commissions to third parties who pro-
vide services to the funds and their shareholders. The amount of 12b-1/service fees and commissions are
determined by each mutual fund client and Beacon Hill bears no financial risk related to these services. As a
result, 12b-1/service fees and commission revenue has been recorded net of the expense payments to third par-
ties, as it is the appropriate accounting treatment for this agency relationship.

25

ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company’s revenues and net income are based primarily on the value of AUM. Accordingly, declines
in financial market values directly and negatively impact the Company’s investment advisory revenues and net
income.

The Company invests in Diamond Hill Funds and its private investment funds, which are market risk sensi-
tive financial instruments. These investments have inherent market risk in the form of equity price risk; that is,
the potential future loss of value that would result from a decline in their fair value. The bond fund (Diamond
Hill Strategic Income Fund) is also subject to market risk which may arise from changes in equity prices, credit
ratings and interest rates. Market prices fluctuate and the amount realized upon subsequent sale may differ sig-
nificantly from the reported market value.

The table below summarizes the Company’s market risks as of December 31, 2012, and shows the effects of

a hypothetical 10% increase and decrease in equity and bond investments.

Fair Value as of
December 31, 2012

Fair Value
Assuming a
Hypothetical
10% Increase

Fair Value
Assuming a
Hypothetical
10% Decrease

Equity investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bond investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$16,289,133
214,598

$17,918,046
236,058

$14,660,220
193,138

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$16,503,731

$18,154,104

$14,853,358

26

ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income,
shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assess-
ing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on cri-
teria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Orga-
nizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 8, 2013 expressed an unqualified
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
March 8, 2013

27

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.:

We have audited Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.’s (the Company) internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s
management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assess-
ment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Manage-
ment’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A of the Company’s
December 31, 2012 annual report on Form 10-K. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our
audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a
material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control
based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary
in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting
includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail,
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the compa-
ny’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect mis-
statements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that con-
trols may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies
or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows
for the year then ended, and our report dated March 8, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those con-
solidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
March 8, 2013

28

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. and
its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity,
and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assur-
ance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal con-
trol over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements
included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opin-
ions.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011, and
the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December
31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC
March 7, 2012
Columbus, Ohio

29

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31,

2012

2011

ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Furniture and equipment, net of depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 7,870,908
16,503,731
10,438,598
953,526
745,476
2,271,704
2,451,974

$ 15,242,768
8,208,489
10,295,723
920,460
829,781
139,696
2,083,402

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 41,235,917

$ 37,720,319

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued incentive compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred compensation liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 2,797,483
15,908,083
794,644

$ 2,895,504
16,774,457
—

Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19,500,210

19,669,961

Commitments and contingencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shareholders’ Equity

Common stock, no par value 7,000,000 shares authorized; 3,169,987 issued

and outstanding at December 31, 2012; 2,995,814 issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preferred stock, undesignated, 1,000,000 shares authorized and unissued . . . . .
Deferred equity compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated deficit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

65,255,813
—
(14,829,470)
(28,690,636)

49,995,622
—
(11,539,632)
(20,405,632)

Total shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21,735,707

18,050,358

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 41,235,917

$ 37,720,319

Book value per share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

6.86

$

6.03

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

30

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

REVENUES:

Investment advisory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mutual fund administration, net

$57,783,131
8,821,659

$56,016,708
7,821,766

$49,248,586
7,455,537

Total revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

66,604,790

63,838,474

56,704,123

OPERATING EXPENSES:

Compensation and related costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General and administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales and marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third party distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mutual fund administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33,868,225
4,661,459
1,389,743
699,963
1,556,909

32,874,606
4,425,031
1,145,229
828,490
1,504,005

30,990,572
3,408,981
853,851
1,036,231
1,941,160

Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42,176,299

40,777,361

38,230,795

NET OPERATING INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24,428,491

23,061,113

18,473,328

Investment income (loss)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1,654,124

(66,664)

1,205,194

INCOME BEFORE TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26,082,615
(9,151,723)

22,994,449
(8,641,481)

19,678,522
(7,276,081)

NET INCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$16,930,892

$14,352,968

$12,402,441

Earnings per share

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

$

5.44

5.44

$

$

4.86

4.86

$

$

4.48

4.48

Weighted average shares outstanding

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,111,328

2,951,751

2,766,741

Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,111,328

2,951,751

2,767,895

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

31

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

Shares
Outstanding

Common
Stock

Deferred
Compensation

Retained Earnings
(Accumulated Deficit)

Total

Balance at January 1, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,677,577

$26,922,484

$ (8,070,697)

$ 4,128,920

$ 22,980,707

Issuance of restricted stock grants . . . . . . . . . .

20,753

1,458,898

(1,458,898)

Amortization of restricted stock grants . . . . . .

—

—

2,391,866

Issuance of stock grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

83,611

5,182,983

Issuance of common stock related to 401k

plan match . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13,631

897,842

Net excess tax benefit from vested restricted

stock grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

84,375

Payment of taxes withheld related to vested

restricted stock grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(1,889)

(146,071)

Exercise of options/warrants for common

stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,000

22,500

Cash Dividend Paid of $13.00 per share . . . . .

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(36,318,391)

12,402,441

—

2,391,866

5,182,983

897,842

84,375

(146,071)

22,500

(36,318,391)

12,402,441

Balance at December 31, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,795,683

$34,423,011

$ (7,137,729)

$(19,787,030)

$ 7,498,252

Issuance of restricted stock grants . . . . . . . . . .

109,333

8,686,586

(8,686,586)

Amortization of restricted stock grants . . . . . .

—

—

3,742,909

Issuance of stock grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

103,899

7,691,800

Issuance of common stock related to 401k

plan match . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12,754

960,888

Net excess tax benefit from vested restricted

stock grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

7,007

Payment of taxes withheld related to vested

restricted stock grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Forfeiture of restricted stock grants . . . . . . . .

(2,025)

(8,368)

(158,988)

(541,774)

Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(15,462)

(1,072,908)

Cash Dividend Paid of $5.00 per share . . . . . .

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

541,774

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(14,971,570)

14,352,968

—

3,742,909

7,691,800

960,888

7,007

(158,988)

(1,072,908)

(14,971,570)

14,352,968

Balance at December 31, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2,995,814

$49,995,622

$(11,539,632)

$(20,405,632)

$ 18,050,358

Issuance of restricted stock grants . . . . . . . . . .

107,600

8,139,135

(8,139,135)

Amortization of restricted stock grants . . . . . .

—

—

4,693,926

Issuance of stock grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

71,949

5,540,792

Issuance of common stock related to 401k

plan match . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14,239

1,057,056

Tax benefit from dividend payments related

to restricted stock grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Net excess tax benefit from vested restricted

stock grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Payment of taxes withheld related to vested

restricted stock grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Forfeiture of restricted stock grants . . . . . . . .

Cash Dividend Paid of $8.00 per share . . . . . .

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

1,992,298

34,543

(17,438)

(2,177)

(1,348,262)

(155,371)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

155,371

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(25,215,896)

16,930,892

—

4,693,926

5,540,792

1,057,056

1,992,298

34,543

(1,348,262)

—

(25,215,896)

16,930,892

Balance at December 31, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,169,987

$65,255,813

$(14,829,470)

$(28,690,636)

$ 21,735,707

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

32

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

operating activities:
Depreciation on furniture and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investment gain/loss, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase in accrued compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Excess income tax benefit from stock-based

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

$ 16,930,892

$ 14,352,968

$ 12,402,441

305,897
5,750,981
(142,875)
(368,572)
(1,135,598)
5,469,062

330,971
4,933,613
(1,600,620)
(1,221,328)
111,078
8,125,191

326,529
3,492,045
1,448,901
(382,227)
167,495
9,481,957

compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(34,543)

(7,007)

(84,375)

Income tax benefit from dividends paid on unvested

shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Decrease in accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other changes in assets and liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(1,992,298)
(98,021)
(138,232)

—
(1,205,575)
(1,110,001)

—
(1,032,143)
148,913

Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24,546,693

22,709,290

25,969,536

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Purchase of furniture and equipment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of investments purchased and other portfolio activity . . . .
Proceeds from sale of investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(221,592)
(7,463,796)
304,152

(253,082)
(925,507)
4,133,000

(62,529)
(1,314,588)
6,050,000

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities . . . . . .

(7,381,236)

2,954,411

4,672,883

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Payment for repurchase of common shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payment of taxes withheld on employee stock transactions . . . .
Excess income tax benefit from stock-based compensation . . . .
Income tax benefit from dividends paid on unvested shares . . .
Payment of dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
(1,348,262)
34,543
1,992,298
(25,215,896)

(1,072,908)
(158,988)
7,007
—
(14,971,570)

—
(146,071)
84,375
—
(36,318,391)

Net cash used in financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(24,537,317)

(16,196,459)

(36,380,087)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Net change during the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
At beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7,371,860)
15,242,768

9,467,242
5,775,526

(5,737,668)
11,513,194

At end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 7,870,908

$ 15,242,768

$ 5,775,526

Supplemental cash flow information:

Interest paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions: . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common stock issued as incentive compensation . . . . . . . . . . .

$

— $

— $

9,636,000

10,849,000

—
7,444,300

5,540,792

7,461,984

5,003,146

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

33

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 Business and Organization

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. (the “Company”) derives its consolidated revenues and net income
primarily from investment advisory and fund administration services. The Company has three operating sub-
sidiaries.

Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. (“DHCM”), an Ohio corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Company and a registered investment adviser. DHCM is the investment adviser to the Diamond Hill Funds
(the “Funds”), a series of open-end mutual funds and certain private investment funds (“Private Funds”), and also
offers advisory services to institutional and individual investors.

Diamond Hill GP (Cayman) Ltd. (“DHGP”), which was organized for the purpose of acting as the general
partner of a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership sponsored by the Company, was dissolved during the
third quarter of 2012. DHGP had no operating activity.

Beacon Hill Fund Services, Inc. (“BHFS”), an Ohio corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Com-
pany. BHFS provides certain compliance, treasury, and fund administration services to mutual fund companies.
BHIL Distributors, Inc. (“BHIL”), an Ohio corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of BHFS. BHIL provides
underwriting and distribution services to mutual fund companies. BHFS and BHIL collectively operate as Bea-
con Hill.

Note 2 Significant Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses for the periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain prior period
amounts and disclosures have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial presentation. Book
value per share is computed by dividing total shareholders’ equity by the number of shares issued and out-
standing at the end of the measurement period. The following is a summary of the Company’s significant
accounting policies:

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the operations of the Company and its sub-

sidiaries. All material inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Segment Information

Management has determined that the Company operates in one business segment, namely providing invest-
ment management and administration services to mutual funds, separate accounts, and private investment funds.
Therefore, no disclosures relating to operating segments are required in annual or interim financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits and money market mutual funds.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded when they are due and are presented on the balance sheet, net of any allow-
ance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable are written off when they are determined to be uncollectible.
Any allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on the Company’s historical losses, existing conditions
in the industry, and the financial stability of those individuals or entities that owe the receivable. No allowance
for doubtful accounts was deemed necessary at December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011.

34

Valuation of Investment Portfolio

Investments held by the Company are valued based upon the definition of Level 1 inputs and Level 2 inputs.
Level 1 inputs are defined as fair values which use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or
liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are defined as quoted prices in markets that
are not considered to be active for identical assets or liabilities, quoted prices in active markets for similar assets
or liabilities, and inputs other than quoted prices that are directly observable or indirectly through corroboration
with observable market data. The following table summarizes the values of the Company’s investments based
upon Level 1 and Level 2 inputs as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

As of December 31,

2012

2011

Level 1 Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Level 2 Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$16,922,720
3,650,561

$10,480,353
6,977,929

Level 1 investments are all registered investment companies (mutual funds) and include $4.1 million and
$9.2 million, respectively, of money market mutual funds that the Company classifies as cash equivalents. Level
2 investments are all limited partnerships. There were no transfers in or out of the levels.

The changes in market values on the investments are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as

investment income.

Limited Partnership Interests

DHCM is the managing member of Diamond Hill General Partner, LLC (the “General Partner”), the general
partner of Diamond Hill Investment Partners, L.P. (“DHIP”), Diamond Hill Investment Partners II, L.P. (“DHIP
II”), Diamond Hill Research Partners, L.P. (“DHRP”), Diamond Hill Research Partners – International, L.P.
(“DHRPI”), and Diamond Hill Valuation-Based Index, L.P. (“DHVBI”) collectively (the “Partnerships”), each a
limited partnership whose underlying assets consist of marketable securities. Effective January 3, 2012, Diamond
Hill Research Partners, L.P. converted to Diamond Hill Research Opportunities Fund, a series of the Diamond
Hill Funds. On July 18, 2012, DHIP II was liquidated.

DHCM, in its role as managing member of the General Partner, has the power to direct the Partnerships’
economic activities and the right to receive investment advisory and performance incentive fees that may be sig-
nificant to the Partnerships. The Company evaluated these Partnerships to determine whether or not to con-
solidate the entities in accordance with FASB ASC 810, Consolidation. Certain of these Partnerships are
considered to be variable interest entities (“VIEs”) while others are considered to be voting rights entities
(“VREs”) both of which are subject to consolidation consideration. The Company would consolidate VIEs where
the Company is considered the primary beneficiary or VREs where the General Partner is considered to control
the Partnership. For the Partnerships that were considered VIEs, the Company was not deemed to be the primary
beneficiary. For the Partnerships that were considered VREs, it was determined that the DHCM in its role of
managing member of the General Partner did not control the Partnerships. Therefore, the investments are
accounted for under the equity method rather than being consolidated in the accompanying financial statements.

DHCM’s investments in these Partnerships are reported as a component of the Company’s investment port-
folio, valued at DHCM’s proportionate interest in the net asset value of the marketable securities held by the
Partnerships. Gains and losses attributable to changes in the value of DHCM’s interests in the Partnerships are
included in the Company’s reported investment income.

The Company’s exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Partnerships is limited to the amount
of its investments. DHCM is not obligated to provide financial or other support to the Partnerships, other than its
investments to date and its contractually provided investment advisory responsibilities, and has not provided such
support. The Company has not provided liquidity arrangements, guarantees or other commitments to support the
Partnerships’ operations, and the Partnerships’ creditors and interest holders have no recourse to the general
credit of the Company.

Certain board members, officers and employees of the Company invest in DHIP. These individuals receive
no remuneration as a result of their personal investment in the Partnership. The capital of the General Partner is
not subject to a management fee or an incentive fee.

35

Furniture and Equipment

Furniture and equipment, consisting of computer equipment, furniture, and fixtures, are carried at cost less
accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over estimated lives of three
to seven years.

Deferred Compensation Liability

Deferred compensation liability represents compensation that will be paid out upon satisfactory completion
of certain performance-based criteria specified in employee award agreements issued pursuant to the 2011 Equity
and Cash Incentive Plan. See footnote 5.

Revenue Recognition — General

The Company earns substantially all of its revenue from investment advisory and fund administration serv-
ices. Mutual fund investment advisory and administration fees, generally calculated as a percentage of assets
under management, are recorded as revenue as services are performed. Managed account and private investment
fund clients provide for monthly or quarterly management fees, in addition to periodic variable incentive fees.

Revenue Recognition — Incentive Revenue

The Company manages certain client accounts that provide for variable incentive fees. These fees are based on
investment results over rolling five-year periods. For variable management fees based on a formula, there are two
methods by which incentive revenue may be recorded. Under “Method 1”, incentive fees are recorded at the end of
the contract measurement period; under “Method 2”, the incentive fees are recorded periodically and calculated as
the amount that would be due under the formula at any point in time as if the contract was terminated at that date.
Management has chosen Method 1, in which incentive fees are recorded at the end of the contract measurement
period for the specific client in which the incentive fee applies. The table below shows assets under management
(“AUM”) subject to incentive fees and the incentive fees, as calculated under each of the above methods:

As of December 31,

2012

2011

2010

AUM Contractual Period Ends:

Calendar Quarter-End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Calendar Year-End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
May 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

— $ 89,070,421
81,362,029
—
—
274,302,549

$108,671,900
175,231,841
—

Total AUM Subject to Incentive Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$274,302,549

$170,432,450

$283,903,741

For the Year Ending December 31,

2012

2011

2010

Incentive Fees Under Method 1—
Contractual Period Ends:

Calendar Quarter-End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Calendar Year-End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
May 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

Total Incentive Fees Under Method 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

— $
—
3,301

3,301

$

$

507
2,090
—

13,214
204,374
—

2,597

$

217,588

Incentive Fees Under Method 2—
Contractual Period Ends:

Calendar Quarter-End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Calendar Year-End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
May 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

— $
—
361,700

$

507
2,090
—

13,214
204,374
—

Total Incentive Fees Under Method 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$

361,700

$

2,597

$

217,588

36

Revenue Recognition – Mutual Fund Administration

DHCM has an administrative and transfer agency services agreement with the Funds, under which DHCM
performs certain services for each fund. These services include mutual fund administration, transfer agency and
other related functions. For performing these services, each fund compensates DHCM a fee, which is calculated
using the following annual rates times the average daily net assets of each respective series and share class:

Prior to February 29,
2012

After February 29,
2012

Class A and Class C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Class I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Class Y(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

0.26%
0.24%
0.10%

0.25%
0.25%
0.10%

(a) Class Y commenced operations on January 3, 2012.

The Funds have selected and contractually engaged certain vendors to fulfill various services to benefit the
Funds’ shareholders or to satisfy regulatory requirements of the Funds. These services include, among others,
required fund shareholder mailings, federal and state registrations, and legal and audit services. DHCM, in ful-
filling a portion of its role under the administration agreement with the Funds, acts as agent to pay these obliga-
tions of the Funds. Each vendor is independently responsible for fulfillment of the services it has been engaged to
provide and negotiates fees and terms with the management and board of trustees of the Funds. The fee that the
Funds pay to DHCM is reviewed annually by the Funds’ board of trustees and specifically takes into account the
contractual expenses that DHCM pays on behalf of the Funds. As a result, DHCM is not involved in the delivery
or pricing of these services and bears no risk related to these services. Revenue has been recorded net of these
Fund related expenses, in accordance with FASB ASC 605-45, Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Consid-
erations. In addition, DHCM finances the upfront commissions which are paid to brokers who sell Class C shares
of the Funds. As financer, DHCM advances the commission amount to be paid to the selling broker at the time of
sale. These advances are capitalized and amortized over 12 months to correspond with the repayments DHCM
receives from the principal underwriter to recoup this commission advancement.

Beacon Hill has underwriting and administrative service agreements with certain clients, including regis-
tered mutual funds. The fee arrangements vary from client to client based upon services provided and are
recorded as revenue under Mutual Fund Administration on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Part of Bea-
con Hill’s role as underwriter is to act as an agent on behalf of its mutual fund clients to receive 12b-1/service
fees and commission revenue and facilitate the payment of those fees and commissions to third parties who pro-
vide services to the funds and their shareholders. The amount of 12b-1/service fees and commissions are
determined by each mutual fund client and Beacon Hill bears no financial risk related to these services. As a
result, 12b-1/service fees and commission revenue has been recorded net of the expense payments to third par-
ties, in accordance with the appropriate accounting treatment for this agency relationship.

37

Mutual fund administration gross and net revenue are summarized below:

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

Mutual fund administration:

Administration revenue, gross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12b-1/service fees and commission revenue received from fund

$13,074,707

$11,617,140

$10,940,041

clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6,868,974

7,058,471

8,122,268

12b-1/service fees and commission expense payments to third

parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fund related expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5,597,757)
(5,521,541)

(5,577,925)
(5,311,523)

(6,641,308)
(5,035,116)

Revenue, net of fund related expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8,824,383

7,786,163

7,385,885

DHCM C-Share financing:

Broker commission advance repayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Broker commission amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

217,227
(219,951)

352,740
(317,137)

619,490
(549,838)

Financing activity, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2,724)

35,603

69,652

Mutual fund administration revenue, net

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$ 8,821,659

$ 7,821,766

$ 7,455,537

Third Party Distribution Expense

Third party distribution expenses are earned by various third party financial services firms based on sales
and/or assets of the Company’s investment products generated by the respective firms. Expenses recognized
represent actual payments made to the third party firms and are recorded in the period earned based on the terms
of the various contracts.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes through an asset and liability approach. Deferred taxes are pro-
vided on an asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary dif-
ferences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are
reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax
assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws
and rates on the date of enactment.

The Company is subject to examination by various federal, state and local jurisdictions for various tax peri-
ods. The Company’s income tax positions are based on research and interpretations of the income tax laws and
rulings in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company does business. Due to the subjectivity of interpretations
of laws and rulings in each jurisdiction, the differences and interplay in tax laws between those jurisdictions, as
well as the inherent uncertainty in estimating the final resolution of complex tax audit matters, the Company’s
estimates of income tax liabilities may differ from actual payments or assessments. The Company regularly
assesses its position with regard to tax exposures and records liabilities for these uncertain tax positions and
related interest and penalties, if any, according to the principles of FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes. As of
December 31, 2012, the Company has not recorded any liability for uncertain tax positions.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of com-
mon shares outstanding for the period. For the periods presented, the Company does not have dilutive securities
outstanding.

38

Note 3 Investment Portfolio

As of December 31, 2012, the Company held investments excluding money market funds, included with
cash and cash equivalents, worth $16.5 million and an estimated cost basis of $12.4 million. The following table
summarizes the market value of these investments for the last two fiscal years:

Diamond Hill Small Cap Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Small-Mid Cap Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Large Cap Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Select Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Long-Short Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Research Opportunities Fund(a)
Diamond Hill Strategic Income Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Investment Partners, L.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Investment Partners II, L.P.(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Research Partners L.P.(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Research Partners—International, L.P.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diamond Hill Valuation-Based Index, L.P.

As of December 31,

2012

2011

$

$ 189,042
215,550
203,571
239,316
213,110
246,744
214,833
242,252
212,720
1,036,045
—
10,658,665
197,284
214,598
156,122
7,336
—
131,203
— 5,770,874
919,730
—

1,384,976
2,258,249

Total Investment Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$16,503,731

$8,208,489

(a) Effective January 3, 2012, Diamond Hill Research Partners, L.P. converted to Diamond Hill Research

Opportunities Fund, a series of the Diamond Hill Funds.

(b) On July 18, 2012, Diamond Hill Investment Partners II, L.P. was liquidated.

DHCM is the managing member of Diamond Hill General Partner LLC, which is the general partner of the
Partnerships. The underlying assets of the Partnerships are cash and marketable equity securities. Summary
financial information, including the Company’s carrying value and income from the Partnerships, is as follows:

As of December 31,

2012

2011

2010

Total partnership assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total partnership liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$105,472,952
17,786,579

$130,880,368
21,570,822

$173,007,238
32,855,190

Net partnership assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DHCM’s portion of net assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

87,686,373
3,650,561

109,309,546
6,977,929

140,152,048
10,261,062

Net partnership income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DHCM’s portion of net income (loss)

15,054,951
472,659

(11,007,617)
(75,082)

4,486,719
939,265

For the Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

Note 4 Capital Stock

Common Shares

The Company has only one class of securities outstanding, Common Shares, no par value per share.

Authorization of Preferred Shares

The Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 1,000,000 shares
of “blank check” preferred shares with such designations, rights and preferences, as may be determined from
time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is authorized, without shareholder
approval, to issue preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting, or other rights, which could
adversely affect the voting or other rights of the holders of the Common Shares. There were no shares of pre-
ferred stock issued or outstanding at December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011.

39

Note 5 Stock-Based Compensation

Equity Incentive Plans

2011 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan

At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting on April 26, 2011, shareholders approved the 2011 Equity
and Cash Incentive Plan (“2011 Plan”). The 2011 Plan is intended to facilitate the Company’s ability to attract
and retain staff, provide additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants, and promote the success of
the Company’s business. The 2011 Plan authorizes the issuance of 600,000 Common Shares of the Company in
various forms of equity awards. The 2011 Plan also authorizes cash incentive awards. As of December 31, 2012,
there were 313,576 Common Shares available for awards under the 2011 Plan. The 2011 Plan provides that the
Board of Directors, or a committee appointed by the Board, may grant awards and otherwise administer the 2011
Plan. Restricted stock grants issued under the 2011 Plan, which vest over time, are recorded as deferred compen-
sation in the equity section of the balance sheet on the grant date and then recognized as compensation expense
based on the grant date price over the vesting period of the respective grant.

2005 Employee and Director Equity Incentive Plan

At the Company’s annual shareholder meeting on May 12, 2005, shareholders approved the 2005 Employee
and Director Equity Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”). There are no longer any Common Shares available for future
issuance under the 2005 Plan, although outstanding grants under the 2005 Plan remain issued and outstanding.
Restricted stock grants issued under the 2005 Plan, which vest over time, are recorded as deferred compensation
in the equity section of the balance sheet on the grant date and then recognized as compensation expense based
on the grant date price over the vesting period of the respective grant.

Restricted Stock Grant Transactions

The following table represents a roll-forward of outstanding restricted stock grants issued pursuant to the

2011 and 2005 Plans and related activity during the year ended December 31, 2012:

Outstanding restricted stock grants as of December 31, 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grants issued . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grants vested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Grants forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shares

260,621
107,600
(46,056)
(2,177)

Total outstanding restricted stock grants as of December 31, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

319,988

Weighted-Average
Grant Date Price
per Share

$73.78
75.64
75.22
71.37

$74.22

Total deferred compensation related to unvested restricted stock grants was $14,829,470 as of December 31,

2012. Expense recognition of deferred compensation over the remaining vesting periods is as follows:

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Total

$4,666,887

$4,349,048

$3,444,556

$1,605,186

$763,793

$14,829,470

401(k) Plan

The Company sponsors a 401(k) plan in which all employees participate. Employees may contribute a por-
tion of their compensation subject to certain limits based on federal tax laws. The Company makes matching
contributions of Common Shares of the Company with a value equal to 200 percent of the first six percent of an
employee’s compensation contributed to the plan. Employees become fully vested in the matching contributions
after six plan years of employment. The following table summarizes the Company’s expenses attributable to the
plan during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:

2012

$1,044,255

2011

$960,888

40

2010

$897,843

Stock Options and Warrants

The Company recognizes all share-based payments to employees and directors, including grants of stock
options, as expense in the income statement based on their fair values. The amount of compensation is measured
at the fair value of the options when granted, and this cost is expensed over the required service period, which is
normally the vesting period of the options. There were no stock options outstanding during the periods presented
in these financial statements. There were no warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010.

Warrant transactions during the periods presented in these financial statements are summarized below:

Warrants

Shares

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

Oustanding December 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6,000

Exercisable December 31, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6,000

Granted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expired / Forfeited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—
4,000
2,000

Oustanding December 31, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exercisable December 31, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

—

—

$10.42

$10.42

—
10.00
11.25

$ —

$ —

Note 6 Operating Leases

The Company leases approximately 25,500 square feet of office space at two locations. The following table

summarizes the total lease and operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010:

2012

$686,747

For the year ended December 31,

2011

$620,360

2010

$573,218

The approximate future minimum lease payments under the operating leases are as follows:

2013

$417,000

2014

$397,000

2015

$401,000

2016

$234,000

In addition to the above rent, the Company is also responsible for normal operating expenses of the proper-
ties. Such operating expenses were approximately $9.69 per square foot in 2012, on a combined basis, and are
expected to be approximately $9.80 per square foot in 2013.

Note 7 Income Taxes

The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return. It is the policy of the Company to allocate the
consolidated tax provision to subsidiaries as if each subsidiary’s tax liability or benefit were determined on a
separate company basis. As part of the consolidated group, subsidiaries transfer to the Company their current
Federal tax liability or assets.

As of December 31,

2012

2011

2010

Current city income tax provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current state income tax provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current federal income tax provision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred federal income tax benefit

$ 406,814
122,704
8,990,777
(368,572)

$

658,106
271,776
8,921,527
(1,209,928)

$ 514,076
147,642
6,966,872
(352,509)

Provision for income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,151,723

$ 8,641,481

$7,276,081

41

A reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory federal rate to the Company’s income tax expense is

as follows:

2012

2011

2010

Income tax computed at statutory rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
City and state income taxes, net of federal benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,128,915
344,187
(321,379)

$8,048,057
604,423
(10,999)

$6,887,483
430,117
(41,519)

Income tax expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9,151,723

$8,641,481

$7,276,081

In addition to the income tax expense listed above for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010,
income tax benefit recorded in shareholders equity for the same periods was $2,026,841, $7,007, and $84,375,
respectively. Included in 2012 is $1,992,298 which relates to tax benefits not previously claimed by the Com-
pany. The Company plans to claim these deductions in future tax returns.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following at December 31, 2012 and 2011:
2012

2011

Stock-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrealized (gains) losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets and liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$3,289,885
(763,235)
(74,676)

$2,629,271
(441,092)
(104,777)

Net deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$2,451,974

$2,083,402

The net temporary differences incurred to date will reverse in future periods as the Company generates
taxable earnings. The Company believes it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will gen-
erate sufficient taxable income to realize the net deferred tax assets recorded. The Company records a valuation
when it is more likely than not that some portion of all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of
December 31, 2012, no valuation allowance was deemed necessary.

FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the finan-
cial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and
also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods,
disclosure and transition. The Company did not record an accrual for tax related uncertainties or unrecognized
tax positions as of December 31, 2012. The Company does not expect a change to the reserve for uncertain tax
positions within the next twelve months that would have a material impact on the consolidation financial state-
ments.

The Company files income tax returns in the federal and all applicable state and local jurisdictions. The
Company is subject to federal, state and local examinations by tax authorities for tax years ended December 31,
2009 through 2012.

Note 8 Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”):

Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted average number of outstanding shares

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

$16,930,892

$14,352,968

$12,402,441

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3,111,328
3,111,328

2,951,751
2,951,751

2,766,741
2,767,895

Earnings per share

Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$
$

5.44
5.44

4.86
4.86

4.48
4.48

42

Note 9 Regulatory Requirements

BHIL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and principal underwriter for mutual funds, is subject to
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) uniform net capital rule, which requires the maintenance
of minimum net capital. BHIL’s net capital exceeded its minimum net capital requirement at December 31, 2012
and December 31, 2011. The net capital balances, minimum net capital requirements, and ratio of aggregate
indebtedness to net capital for BHIL are summarized below as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

Year Ended December 31,

2012

2011

Net Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Minimum Net Capital Requirement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ratio of Aggregate Indebtedness to Net Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$354,029
46,597
1.97 to 1

$360,167
38,139
1.59 to 1

Note 10 Commitments and Contingencies

The Company indemnifies its directors and certain of its officers and employees for certain liabilities that
might arise from their performance of their duties to the Company. Additionally, in the normal course of busi-
ness, the Company enters into agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which
provide general indemnifications. Certain agreements do not contain any limits on the Company’s liability and
would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. Therefore, it is
not possible to estimate the Company’s potential liability under these indemnities. Further, the Company main-
tains insurance policies that may provide coverage against certain claims under these indemnities.

43

ITEM 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

The Company changed independent accountants in October 2012 from Plante & Moran PLLC to KPMG
LLP. Information regarding the change in independent accountants was reported in the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 30, 2012. There were no disagreements or any reportable
events subject to Item 304 of Regulation S-K requiring disclosure.

ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures

Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has conducted an evalu-
ation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or
15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation
Date”). Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded
that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that the
information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange
Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and
forms, and to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or sub-
mits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the year
ended December 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Compa-
ny’s internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and
maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the
Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reason-
able assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of its consolidated financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect mis-
statements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that con-
trols may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies
or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial
Officer, management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2012 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment,
management concluded that
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of
December 31, 2012.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has audited the Company’s
2012 consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, and has issued its Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial Statements, which is included in this Annual Report on Form
10-K.

ITEM 9B. Other Information

None.

44

PART III

ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Information required by this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive
proxy statement for its 2013 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A
of the Exchange Act (the “2012 Proxy Statement”), under the captions: “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Compliance”, “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors”, “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – The Board of
Directors and Committees”, “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – Corporate Governance”, and “Proposal 1 –
Election of Directors – Executive Officers and Compensation Information”.

ITEM 11. Executive Compensation

Information required by this Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s 2013 Proxy
Statement under the captions: “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors—The Board of Directors and Committees”,
“Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – Corporate Governance”, “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – Corporate
Governance – Compensation Committee Interlocks”, “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – Executive Officers
and Compensation Information”, and “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – Compensation Committee Report”.

ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder

Matters

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our equity compensation plans at

December 31, 2012:

Equity Compensation Plan Information

(a)

(b)

(c)

Number of securities to
be issued upon the
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants and
rights

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))

—

$—

313,5761

Plan category

Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders . . . . .

1

This amount relates to common shares that may be issued under our 2011 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan.

The other information required by this Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s
2013 Proxy Statement under the captions: “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”
and “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – Executive Officers and Compensation Information”.

ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Information required by this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s 2013 Proxy
Statement under the caption: “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors – Director Independence” and “Proposal 1 –
Election of Directors – Corporate Governance”.

ITEM 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s 2013 Proxy
Statement under the caption: “Proposal 2 – Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm”.

45

PART IV

ITEM 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a) (1) Financial Statements: See “Part II. Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.

(2) Financial Statement Schedules: All financial statement schedules for which provision is made in the
applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are omitted because they are not required or the required
information is included in the accompanying financial statements or notes thereto.

(3) Exhibits:

3.1

3.2

10.1

10.2

10.3*

10.4*

10.5*

10.6*

10.7*

10.8*

14.1

16

21.1
23.1
23.2

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company. (Incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 3(i) to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 7, 2002; File No.
000-24498.)
Regulations of the Company. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(ii) to the Current Report
on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 7, 2002; File No. 000-24498.)
Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between Diamond Hill Capital
Management, Inc. and the Diamond Hill Funds dated as of November 17, 2011. (Incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 23d(viii) to Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 22 and 23 to Registration
Statement on Form N1-A (File Nos. 333-22075 and 811-08061) filed by Diamond Hill Funds on
February 29, 2012)
Amended and Restated Administrative and Transfer Agency Services Agreement dated as of May
31, 2002, as amended November 17, 2011, between Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. and
the Diamond Hill Funds. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 28h(ix) to Post-Effective
Amendment Nos. 28 and 29 to Registration Statement on Form N1-A (File Nos. 333-22075 and
811-08061) filed by Diamond Hill Funds on February 29, 2012)
2011 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan and Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement referenced
therein. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 and 10.3 to Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
April 29, 2011; File No. 000-24498.)
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Roderick H. Dillon, Jr.
dated March 22, 2011. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed with the
SEC on March 24, 2011; File No. 000-24498.)
Amended and Restated 2005 Employee and Director Equity Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.6 to Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2008; File No. 000-
24498.)
2005 Employee and Director Equity Incentive Plan First Amendment dated November 2, 2010 and
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement reference therein. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.4 to Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2011; File No. 000-24498.)
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. Compensation Recoupment and Restitution Policy.
(Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99 to Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 20, 2013;
File No. 000-24498.)
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. Compensation Recoupment and Restitution Policy
Acknowledgement and Agreement. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K
filed with the SEC on February 20, 2013; File No. 000-24498.)
Amended Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 14.1 to
Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2009; File No. 000-24498.)
Letter Regarding Change in Certifying Accountant. (Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 16.1
to Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 30, 2012; File No. 000-24498.)
Subsidiaries of the Company. (Filed herewith)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, KPMG LLP. (Filed herewith)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Plante & Moran, PLLC. (Filed
herewith)

46

31.1

31.2

32.1
101.ins
101.xsd
101.cal
101.def
101.lab
101.pre

Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a). (Filed
herewith)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a). (Filed
herewith)
Section 1350 Certifications. (Furnished herewith)
XBRL Instance Document.
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

* Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

(b) Exhibits: Reference is made to Item 15(a)(3) above.

(c) Financial Statement Schedules: None required.

47

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant

has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized:

DIAMOND HILL INVESTMENT GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ R. H. Dillon

R. H. Dillon, President, Chief Executive
Officer and a Director

March 8, 2013

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by

the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

/s/ R. H. Dillon

R. H. Dillon

/s/ James F. Laird

James F. Laird

/s/ Gary R. Young

Gary R. Young

/s/ David P. Lauer

David P. Lauer

/s/ Peter J. Moran III

Peter J. Moran III

/s/ Donald B. Shackelford

Donald B. Shackelford

/s/ Bradley C. Shoup

Bradley C. Shoup

/s/ Frances A. Skinner
Frances A. Skinner

Title

Date

President, Chief Executive Officer,
and a Director

March 8, 2013

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,
Secretary, and a Director

March 8, 2013

Controller

March 8, 2013

March 8, 2013

March 8, 2013

March 8, 2013

March 8, 2013

March 8, 2013

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

48

INVESTOR
INFORMATION

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
325 John H. McConnell Blvd., Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43215
614-255-3341
info@diamond-hill.com
www.diamond-hill.com

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
KPMG LLP
Columbus, OH

FORM 10-K AND OTHER FINANCIAL REPORTS
The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as

filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,
which includes the complete financial statements of the
company, has been included with the proxy materials mailed
to each shareholder.

Additional copies are available without charge by contact-

ing the Company at:

STOCK LISTING
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. is listed
on the NASDAQ Global Select Market
Ticker Symbol: DHIL

325 John H. McConnell Blvd., Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43215
614.255.3333
info@diamond-hill.com

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
The Transfer Agent for Diamond Hill is
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Shareholders who wish to transfer their stock or
change the name in which the shares are
registered should contact:

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Co.
17 Battery Place
New York, NY 10004
212.509.4000

LEGAL COUNSEL
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
Columbus, OH

www.diamond-hill.com

Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
325 John H. McConnell Blvd., Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43215
614.255.3333