2015 Annual Report
Local Presence
with
National Capabilities
and
Global Reach
About
WSFS Financial Corporation
WSFS Financial Corporation is a multi-billion dollar financial services
company. Its principal subsidiary, WSFS Bank, is the oldest and
largest bank and trust company headquartered in Delaware and the
Delaware Valley. WSFS has 63 offices located in Delaware,
Pennsylvania, Virginia and Nevada, and provides comprehensive
financial services including commercial banking, cash management,
retail banking and trust and wealth management.
Serving the Delaware Valley since 1832, WSFS Bank is the seventh
oldest bank in the United States continuously operating under the
same name. Other subsidiaries or divisions of WSFS Financial
Corporation are as follows:
Cash Connect® is a premier provider of ATM vault cash and related
services in the United States and operates more than 450 ATMs for
WSFS Bank, which has the largest branded ATM network in
Delaware. Christiana Trust provides fiduciary and investment
services to personal trust clients, and trustee, agency, custodial and
commercial domicile services to corporate and institutional clients.
WSFS Wealth Investments provides insurance and brokerage
products primarily to our retail banking clients. Cypress Capital
Management, LLC is a registered investment advisor with a
primary market segment of high net worth individuals offering a
balanced investment style focused on preservation of capital and
current income. WSFS Mortgage is a leading Delaware Valley
mortgage banking company, specializing in a variety of residential
mortgage and refinancing solutions, and Arrow Land Transfer is a
related abstract and title company.
WSFS Bank Center • 500 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801 • wsfsbank.com
©2016 WSFS Financial Corporation. All rights reserved.
wsfsbank.com
Website
Brooklyn, NY 11219
6201 15th Avenue
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
Transfer Agent
stockholderrelations@wsfsbank.com
302-571-7264
Wilmington, DE 19801
500 Delaware Avenue
WSFS Bank Center
Investor Relations
WSFS Financial Corporation
Stockholders or others seeking information regarding the Company may call or write:
Information
Stockholder
WSFS_annual_cover_2015_FINAL.indd 1
3/10/16 10:01 AM
2015 Annual Report
Local Presence
with
National Capabilities
and
Global Reach
About
WSFS Financial Corporation
WSFS Financial Corporation is a multi-billion dollar financial services
company. Its principal subsidiary, WSFS Bank, is the oldest and
largest bank and trust company headquartered in Delaware and the
Delaware Valley. WSFS has 63 offices located in Delaware,
Pennsylvania, Virginia and Nevada, and provides comprehensive
financial services including commercial banking, cash management,
retail banking and trust and wealth management.
Serving the Delaware Valley since 1832, WSFS Bank is the seventh
oldest bank in the United States continuously operating under the
same name. Other subsidiaries or divisions of WSFS Financial
Corporation are as follows:
Cash Connect® is a premier provider of ATM vault cash and related
services in the United States and operates more than 450 ATMs for
WSFS Bank, which has the largest branded ATM network in
Delaware. Christiana Trust provides fiduciary and investment
services to personal trust clients, and trustee, agency, custodial and
commercial domicile services to corporate and institutional clients.
WSFS Wealth Investments provides insurance and brokerage
products primarily to our retail banking clients. Cypress Capital
Management, LLC is a registered investment advisor with a
primary market segment of high net worth individuals offering a
balanced investment style focused on preservation of capital and
current income. WSFS Mortgage is a leading Delaware Valley
mortgage banking company, specializing in a variety of residential
mortgage and refinancing solutions, and Arrow Land Transfer is a
related abstract and title company.
WSFS Bank Center • 500 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801 • wsfsbank.com
©2016 WSFS Financial Corporation. All rights reserved.
wsfsbank.com
Website
Brooklyn, NY 11219
6201 15th Avenue
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
Transfer Agent
stockholderrelations@wsfsbank.com
302-571-7264
Wilmington, DE 19801
500 Delaware Avenue
WSFS Bank Center
Investor Relations
WSFS Financial Corporation
Stockholders or others seeking information regarding the Company may call or write:
Information
Stockholder
WSFS_annual_cover_2015_FINAL.indd 1
3/10/16 10:01 AM
W S F S F I N A N C I A L C O R P O R A T I O N
W S F S F I N A N C I A L C O R P O R A T I O N
Financial
Highlights
Forward-Looking
Statements
MISSION
We Stand For Ser vice®
VISION
We envision a day when
all our constituents say,
“I can’t imagine a world without WSFS.”
STRATEGY
Engaged Associates delivering stellar
experiences growing Customer Advocates
and value for our Owners.SM
VALUES
At WSFS we:
Do the right thing • Serve others
Are open and candid • Grow and improve
(Dollars in millions)
At December 31,
Total assets
Net loans, including held for sale
Deposits
Stockholders’ equity
Nonperforming assets to total assets
Number of offices
(Dollars in thousands, except earnings per share data)
For the years ended December 31,
Net income*
Diluted earnings per common share*
Return on average assets*
Return on tangible common equity*
* Year-over-year comparability impacted by one-time gains and corporate development (M&A) costs
2015
$ 5,586
$ 3,771
$ 4,017
$
580
2014
$ 4,853
$ 3,185
$ 3,649
$
489
2013
$ 4,516
$ 2,936
$ 3,187
$
383
0.71%
63
1.08%
55
1.06 %
52
2015
$ 53,533
$ 1.85
2014
$ 53,757
$ 1.93
2013
$ 46,882
$ 1.69
1.05%
12.06%
1.17%
13.80%
1.07%
13.60%
Deposit Growth
Net Loan Growth
Core Fee Income Growth†
$4,017
$3,649
$3,187
$3,185
$2,936
$3,771
$86.8
$72.8
$77.2
2013
2014
2015
2013
2014
2015
2013
2014
2015
(Dollars in millions)
† Excludes one-time and securities gains
This annual report contains estimates, predictions, opinions, projections and other “forward-looking statements” as that phrase is defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, without limitation, references to the Company’s financial goals, management’s plans and objectives for future operations,
financial and business trends, business prospects and management’s outlook or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses, capital levels, liquidity levels, asset quality or
other future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions (some of which may be
beyond the Company’s control) and are subject to risks and uncertainties (which change over time) and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from
those currently anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those related to the economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which
the Company operates, including an increase in unemployment levels; the volatility of the financial and securities markets, including changes with respect to the market value
of financial assets; changes in market interest rates may increase funding costs and reduce earning asset yields thus reducing margin; increases in benchmark rates would
increase debt service requirements for customers whose terms include a variable interest rate, which may negatively impact the ability of borrowers to pay as contractually
obligated; changes in government regulation affecting financial institutions, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules being
issued in accordance with this statute and potential expenses and elevated capital levels associated therewith; possible additional loan losses and impairment of the
collectability of loans; seasonality, which may impact customer, such as construction-related businesses, the availability of public funds, and certain types of the Company’s
fee revenue, such as mortgage originations; possible changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies, laws and regulations and other activities of governments, agencies, and
similar organizations, may have an adverse effect on business; possible rules and regulations issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or other regulators which
might adversely impact our business model or products and services; possible stresses in the real estate markets, including possible continued deterioration in property
values that affect the collateral value of underlying real estate loans; the Company’s ability to expand into new markets, develop competitive new products and services in a
timely manner and to maintain profit margins in the face of competitive pressures; possible changes in consumer and business spending and savings habits could affect the
Company’s ability to increase assets and to attract deposits; the Company’s ability to effectively manage credit risk, interest rate risk, market risk, operational risk, legal risk,
liquidity risk, reputational risk, and regulatory and compliance risk; the effects of increased competition from both banks and non-banks; the effects of geopolitical instability
and risks such as terrorist attacks; the effects of weather and natural disasters such as floods, droughts, wind, tornadoes and hurricanes, and the effects of man-made
disasters; possible changes in the speed of loan prepayments by the Company’s Customers and loan origination or sales volumes; possible acceleration of prepayments of
mortgage-backed securities due to low interest rates, and the related acceleration of premium amortization on prepayments on mortgage-backed securities due to low
interest rates; the Company’s ability to timely integrate any businesses it may acquire and realize any anticipated cost savings from those acquisitions; and the costs
associated with resolving any problem loans, litigation and other risks and uncertainties, discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and
other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Forward-looking statements are as of the date they are made, and
the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.
WSFS_annual_cover_2015_FINAL.indd 2
3/10/16 10:01 AM
W S F S F I N A N C I A L C O R P O R A T I O N
W S F S F I N A N C I A L C O R P O R A T I O N
Financial
Highlights
Forward-Looking
Statements
MISSION
We Stand For Ser vice®
VISION
We envision a day when
all our constituents say,
“I can’t imagine a world without WSFS.”
STRATEGY
Engaged Associates delivering stellar
experiences growing Customer Advocates
and value for our Owners.SM
VALUES
At WSFS we:
Do the right thing • Serve others
Are open and candid • Grow and improve
(Dollars in millions)
At December 31,
Total assets
Net loans, including held for sale
Deposits
Stockholders’ equity
Nonperforming assets to total assets
Number of offices
(Dollars in thousands, except earnings per share data)
For the years ended December 31,
Net income*
Diluted earnings per common share*
Return on average assets*
Return on tangible common equity*
* Year-over-year comparability impacted by one-time gains and corporate development (M&A) costs
2015
$ 5,586
$ 3,771
$ 4,017
$
580
2014
$ 4,853
$ 3,185
$ 3,649
$
489
2013
$ 4,516
$ 2,936
$ 3,187
$
383
0.71%
63
1.08%
55
1.06 %
52
2015
$ 53,533
$ 1.85
2014
$ 53,757
$ 1.93
2013
$ 46,882
$ 1.69
1.05%
12.06%
1.17%
1.07%
13.80%
13.60%
Deposit Growth
Net Loan Growth
Core Fee Income Growth†
$4,017
$3,649
$3,187
$3,185
$2,936
$3,771
$86.8
$72.8
$77.2
2013
2014
2015
2013
2014
2015
2013
2014
2015
(Dollars in millions)
† Excludes one-time and securities gains
This annual report contains estimates, predictions, opinions, projections and other “forward-looking statements” as that phrase is defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, without limitation, references to the Company’s financial goals, management’s plans and objectives for future operations,
financial and business trends, business prospects and management’s outlook or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses, capital levels, liquidity levels, asset quality or
other future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions (some of which may be
beyond the Company’s control) and are subject to risks and uncertainties (which change over time) and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from
those currently anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those related to the economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which
the Company operates, including an increase in unemployment levels; the volatility of the financial and securities markets, including changes with respect to the market value
of financial assets; changes in market interest rates may increase funding costs and reduce earning asset yields thus reducing margin; increases in benchmark rates would
increase debt service requirements for customers whose terms include a variable interest rate, which may negatively impact the ability of borrowers to pay as contractually
obligated; changes in government regulation affecting financial institutions, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules being
issued in accordance with this statute and potential expenses and elevated capital levels associated therewith; possible additional loan losses and impairment of the
collectability of loans; seasonality, which may impact customer, such as construction-related businesses, the availability of public funds, and certain types of the Company’s
fee revenue, such as mortgage originations; possible changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies, laws and regulations and other activities of governments, agencies, and
similar organizations, may have an adverse effect on business; possible rules and regulations issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or other regulators which
might adversely impact our business model or products and services; possible stresses in the real estate markets, including possible continued deterioration in property
values that affect the collateral value of underlying real estate loans; the Company’s ability to expand into new markets, develop competitive new products and services in a
timely manner and to maintain profit margins in the face of competitive pressures; possible changes in consumer and business spending and savings habits could affect the
Company’s ability to increase assets and to attract deposits; the Company’s ability to effectively manage credit risk, interest rate risk, market risk, operational risk, legal risk,
liquidity risk, reputational risk, and regulatory and compliance risk; the effects of increased competition from both banks and non-banks; the effects of geopolitical instability
and risks such as terrorist attacks; the effects of weather and natural disasters such as floods, droughts, wind, tornadoes and hurricanes, and the effects of man-made
disasters; possible changes in the speed of loan prepayments by the Company’s Customers and loan origination or sales volumes; possible acceleration of prepayments of
mortgage-backed securities due to low interest rates, and the related acceleration of premium amortization on prepayments on mortgage-backed securities due to low
interest rates; the Company’s ability to timely integrate any businesses it may acquire and realize any anticipated cost savings from those acquisitions; and the costs
associated with resolving any problem loans, litigation and other risks and uncertainties, discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and
other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Forward-looking statements are as of the date they are made, and
the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.
WSFS_annual_cover_2015_FINAL.indd 2
3/10/16 10:01 AM
0 1
2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T
Letter from
Management
Mark A. Turner
President & Chief Executive Officer
To our Associates, Customers, Owners,
Community Partners and Friends,
WSFS, your Company, had a very good year. Full details are
provided in our recently filed public reports. It was a year
fueled by growth, innovation and execution. What follows
are the things we did well this year—or more accurately,
the things we’ve been working on over many years that
came to light or more fullness this year.
First and foremost, we successfully achieved our
aggressive three-year Strategic Plan goal for core,
sustainable high performance in ROA. I encourage you
to read the accompanying letter from the Board, which
talks about our Strategic Plan goals in more detail.
Prudent, balanced, robust growth was a highlight this
year, and is the focus of this letter. Some highlights include
growth in loans of 18%, customer deposits of 11%, net
interest income of 15% and fee income of 13%. Our growth
came across the board. That growth and the driving force
behind it are discussed below.
We grew well organically. Organic growth in loans of 9%
and customer deposits of 8% were achieved by growing
with our Customers, gaining share in our home markets
and further expanding the communities we serve.
Total fee income was up 13%, primarily from organic gains
in Wealth and Cash Connect. Organic growth is the
proverbial “proof in the pudding.” Until you prove that
what you are selling is worth buying, you should not be
growing in other ways.
“We successfully achieved our
aggressive three-year Strategic
Plan goal for core, sustainable
high performance in ROA.”
We grew well through acquisition. The year 2015
marked the first full year of our partnership with First
National Bank of Wyoming. We also signed, closed and
integrated our partnership with Alliance Bank. And we
ended the year by signing—and are in the process of
closing and integrating—our partnership with Penn
Liberty Bank. These partnerships add nicely to our size
and scope, are accretive to EPS and come with good rates of
return on our investments. Disciplined, bolt-on acquisitions
have become a core competency of WSFS.
We grew well through strategic alliance. We entered
into a strategic alliance with Zenbanx to introduce a
unique deposit account that allows for the integration of an
insured, well-regulated account with digital capabilities,
intuitive payment technology, multi-currency functionality
and social networking features. Our alliance with Zenbanx
allows us to remain more than current, as we learn from some
of the best minds dedicated to the future of banking.
We grew well through innovative product development.
In addition to the Zenbanx product, we commercially
introduced WSFS Mobile Cash, becoming the first
bank in the Mid-Atlantic region to allow Customers to
withdraw cash from ATMs by using their smartphones.
Our Customers were introduced to WSFS Everyday Pay, a
feature that enables Customers to send money to family
and friends through WSFS Online Banking and Mobile
Banking. Cash Connect, our ATM services division,
introduced WSFS Smart Safe, a product that allows cash-
intensive businesses to reduce costs, effectively safeguard
their money and receive immediate credit in their
accounts. An innovative culture is necessary to stay
relevant in a fast-changing world.
WSFS_annual_text_2015.indd 1
3/15/16 11:38 AM
0 2
W S F S F I N A N C I A L C O R P O R A T I O N
We have accomplished these things, and we are able to
pursue future challenges because of our skilled, experienced,
dedicated, engaged Associates, who amaze me, and more
importantly, amaze our Customers and Communities
every day. To get a sense of who they are, I strongly
encourage you to watch a video created by and featuring
our very own Associates:
When You Love Where You Work, It Shows!
https://youtu.be/yHl63ZzwtGE
It is because of the great experiences and enriched lives
that our Associates create for all of our constituencies that
we have, to paraphrase the American Banker, “a maniacal
focus on engagement.” And it is almost entirely because of
our Associate engagement that we have been successful
in achieving our high-performing ROA, ROE and EPS
growth; our peer-beating Total Shareholder Returns
(again, see the accompanying Board Letter for more
details); the growth mentioned above; and our enviable
Customer and Community reputations.
Thank you for your ongoing support and for continuing
to challenge us to do more and do better.
We grew well by adding to and developing our human
capital. In every Division, our Company welcomed new,
key individuals and teams of experienced local professionals.
We also introduced our first-ever Senior Manager
Rotational Program, allowing Associates to expand their
capabilities and horizons, while growing the Company’s at
the same time. As we enhance our efforts in talent growth,
leadership development and succession planning, we
drive our growth, make our organization stronger and
more resilient, as well as prepare ourselves for the next
generation. In 2016, we are pleased to welcome Pat Ward,
Brian Zwaan and their team from Penn Liberty Bank.
Following the combination of our organizations, Pat will
join our Board of Directors and assume the role of
Executive Vice President, Pennsylvania Market President.
Brian will join our Senior Management team as Senior Vice
President, Pennsylvania Commercial Banking.
And we grew efficiently. We reached our Strategic Plan
goal of getting to a core efficiency ratio of around 60%.
As we invest, spend and grow, we are highly focused
on making sure we get outsized revenue growth from
those dollars. Efficient growth is a hallmark of disciplined
organizations.
In short, we grew well in all of the ways we wanted to;
in all of the ways that a balanced, healthy Company
should and in all of the ways that will help continue the
sustainable high performance of WSFS.
Our challenge for 2016 and the next few years is to
execute, execute and execute! While we occasionally
reflect and celebrate our team achievements, we do not,
and will not, rest. On the momentum of the successes
of our 2013–2015 Strategic Plan, we have minted a new
2016–2018 Strategic Plan. Our new Plan has even loftier
goals of further increasing our sustainable ROA to 1.30%,
growing and further diversifying our fee income to 40% of
total revenues, prudently and organically growing the
Company at above-peer rates, and adding additional
products and services—as well as the occasional disciplined
bolt-on acquisition—all while improving our efficiency and
bolstering both our risk management and our regulatory
good standing.
WSFS_annual_text_2015.indd 2
3/15/16 11:38 AM
0 3
2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T
A View from
the Boardroom—Volume IV
High Performing. That plan detailed the steps necessary
to get back to being a high-performance Company. The goal
was to be at a core and sustainable ROA (on a run-rate basis)
of 1.20% by the fourth quarter of 2015. As previously
reported, the actual run rate on a normalized basis was 1.24%.
Few other institutions have made this much improvement
in their fundamental performance during the same time
frame. As a board, we want to commend the management
team for this accomplishment. It is a wonderful example
of how “management makes a difference.” While management
is accountable to the board, to be frank, management
held itself accountable to achieving this standard much more
aggressively than the board did. All shareholders are fortunate
to have Mark Turner and the entire team working for them!
Since we emphasize our long-term orientation, we
thought it would be appropriate to look at some of the
other, more significant long-term decisions we have made
(not all of which worked as planned). We also included a
couple upon which we are now executing.
• In 1995 the Company announced that it would explore a
possible sale of the Company. An exit at the then-current
prices would have produced a strong return for those
investors who had participated in the 1992 recapitalization of
the Company. By early 1996 we had received indications of
interest from potential acquirers. While one of those came
close to what we had determined the Company to be
worth, it did not reach that threshold. Had we taken that
offer, it would have produced a very nice short-term result
for shareholders, but at the expense of missing the returns
of the last 20 plus years (a compounded growth rate of 22%).
Furthermore, that bidding company had subsequent subpar
performance and ceased to exist.
• In 1993 and 1994, WSFS acquired two different reverse
mortgage portfolios. Few understood the financial aspects
of reverse mortgages, and the Company was criticized for
such a “speculative” endeavor. After those two acquisitions,
the book value of all of our reverse mortgages was $32 million.
In the 21 years since, we have booked over $205 million
in gains from this and related assets. Furthermore, at
December 31, 2015, the minimum expected net benefit
from this asset is still $38 million.
Marvin N. Schoenhals
Chairman of the Board
Charles G. Cheleden
Vice Chairman & Lead Director
Since beginning this practice of a Boardroom Letter a few
years ago, our purpose has been to share key perspectives
that guide us as representatives of your ownership of WSFS.
Each of our three previous letters has emphasized various
aspects of the fundamental principle that undergirds
almost every decision your board makes: behaving as owners
investing in and managing for long-term performance that is
superior to most of our peers. If you are new to WSFS, we
strongly encourage you to read the prior three View from
the Boardroom letters and our statement of Board
Principles located on the Investor Relations page of the
Company’s website. They provide a robust understanding
of your board’s philosophy.
Each year we remind fellow shareholders of this: As a result
of our longer-term orientation and our commitment to
being a high-performing Company, we believe investors in
WSFS should be those with a long-term, high-performance
orientation as well.
This year we want to look back at some of those longer-term
journeys, but we start with one in particular: The Path to
High Performing. To do so, we need to set the context.
In 2006 and 2007, WSFS reported earnings of about $30 million,
resulting in a Return on Assets (ROA) of approximately 1.00%.
This was respectable but not exceptional. In 2008 earnings
dropped by 45%, and in 2009 even went slightly negative
($1.9 million) for common shareholders. This deterioration
was due to the financial crisis. By 2011 we had worked
back to a profit of approximately $20 million and a 0.56%
ROA—certainly nothing to boast about. It was about this time
that our management team put forth its plan: The Path to
WSFS_annual_text_2015.indd 3
3/15/16 11:38 AM
0 4
• Our expertise in reverse mortgages has enabled us to make
several very successful investment decisions. But they
were not all that way. In 2008 we acquired a majority
interest in First Reverse, a reverse mortgage origination
company. While we clearly understand the financial
aspects of reverse mortgages, we badly misjudged the
origination market at that time. That cost us approximately
$1.9 million pre-tax and meaningful management distraction,
before First Reverse was closed in 2009.
• WSFS began investing in our Associate Engagement Culture
in the late 1990s. We could lower our expenses today by
reducing those efforts. Yet our engagement culture is the
cornerstone of our brand—We Stand For Service® and a
primary competitive advantage. That only comes from an
Associate Engagement Culture. It is priceless.
• In approximately 2002, we began efforts to start a trust and
wealth business so that we might become a more complete
“full service” bank. We stumbled on this one. We did not
make appropriate staffing decisions or sufficient infrastructure
investments. It might have been the right decision, but it
was poorly implemented and resulted in several years of
operating losses.
• The financial crisis of 2008 had a devastating impact on our
industry. Our own numbers quoted above confirm that.
As a result, many financial institutions sharply reduced
forward-looking investments in the 2008–2010 period.
In contrast, your board made the deliberate decision to
continue significant investments for the future. Two of those
investments were as follows:
– Continuing the expansion of our branch network in
Delaware and Southeast Pennsylvania. These investments
allowed us to accelerate our growth and enabled us to
leverage our strengths in the wake of the sale of one of our
major competitors. Just as importantly, the Pennsylvania
expansion became a platform for the acquisitions of
Alliance and Penn Liberty (pending). These acquisitions
are long-term decisions that we are in the midst of executing.
Both were done at a price level that many analysts have
labeled a “full market price.” We agree, but believe that
they are very strategic moves that will enhance our franchise
and provide excellent returns.
– Another move was the acquisition of Christiana Bank
and Trust in 2010. CB&T has become a key contributor
to your Company’s more diversified revenue stream,
and it significantly enhances our full-service banking
capabilities. It has been a very significant “strategic”
acquisition for WSFS.
But there is a back story that highlights our disciplined
approach to decision-making. Though acquiring CB&T has
proven to be the right strategic decision, we had the
opportunity to acquire the company approximately four
years earlier. We passed because the price was too high,
even though it was a very strategic opportunity that we
had pursued for years. When we were given a second
opportunity, we were able to acquire a larger and more
profitable operation at a much lower price. So while we are
willing to pay a full price for strategic opportunities like the
Pennsylvania acquisitions, we are not willing to compromise
our financial performance expectations solely to achieve
coveted objectives.
Now for the performance reporting we provide every year
in this letter: Financial Performance and Total Shareholder
Return (TSR) over multiple periods.
Financial Performance
The three financial measures we focus on are as follows:
Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE) and
Growth in EPS (GEPS)—compared to our peers. This chart
shows the 2015 percentile position of each of these three
measures compared to the peer group as explained in the
footnote.
WSFS Percentile Compared to Peers1
ROA
ROE
GEPS
2013
69%
80%
90%
2014
68%
83%
30%
2015
72%
74%
51%
Total Shareholder Return
To compute TSR, we use three-, five-, seven- and ten-year
time frames. For each time window, we look at each of the
trailing eight reporting quarters. This creates 32 separate time
periods over which we calculate WSFS’s TSR performance.
We compare those 32 data points to five different bank
stock indices: Nasdaq Bank, KBW Bank, ABA Community
Bank, SNL U.S. Bank and Thrift, and the SNL U.S. Bank
$1B–$5B. At the end of this process, we have 160 data
points against which to evaluate WSFS’s performance.
We acknowledge that many of the data points are correlated,
but believe it is an informative analysis, especially when
performed and reported consistently over time. WSFS
outperformed all five peer indices in 159 out of the
160 comparisons.
WSFS_annual_text_2015.indd 4
3/15/16 11:38 AM
WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
0 5
2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T
In closing, we refer you to the management letter on
previous pages that should be read in conjunction with this
letter. As always, please feel free to contact your board at
chairman@wsfsbank.com or 302-571-7294.
We also think it is appropriate to broaden the comparison
to include non-banking firms. We do that by including TSR of
the broader DJI and S&P 500 indices in the mix. This increases
the number of data points to 224. While not quite as strong
within our industry, WSFS still outperformed 195 times, or
87% of the data points.
While our performance has been strong, we have no intention
of resting on it. We know that we have to consistently earn
the right to lead your Company.
We began this letter by emphasizing that our long-term
orientation means investors in WSFS should also be
long-term in their orientation. We want to remind you of
an outgrowth of that orientation that we have discussed
in detail in the past:
“This long-term view, coupled with a highly disciplined focus
on performance, continues to bring us to the conclusion that
a “classified” or staggered board is the appropriate board
structure for WSFS.”
1 Reflects the average WSFS percentile rank for ROA, ROE and growth in EPS in the Nasdaq Bank Index, the SNL U.S. Bank $1B–$5B Index, the KBW Bank Index, the
Nasdaq OMX, ABA Community Bank Index and the SNL U.S. Bank and Thrift Index. WSFS’ results for 2014 exclude the one-time SASCO-related tax benefit of $6.6 million,
or $0.24 per share.
Additional 2015
Notable Achievements
For the tenth consecutive year,
WSFS Bank was named a
Top Workplace in Delaware.
In our inaugural year of participation,
WSFS Bank was also recognized as a
Top Workplace in Philadelphia.
WSFS Mobile Cash was chosen by Networld,
the publisher of ATM Marketplace and
Mobile Payments Today, as the winner of
the “Most Innovative ATM Technology”
Award for 2015.
For the fifth year in a row,
WSFS Bank was voted the
#1 Bank in Delaware by the
readers of The News Journal.
In 2015, Team WSFS Associates volunteered
over 10,000 hours in the communities we serve.
WSFS_annual_text_2015.indd 5
3/15/16 11:38 AM
0 2
0 6
W S F S F I N A N C I A L C O R P O R A T I O N
W S F S F I N A N C I A L C O R P O R A T I O N
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Local Presence
Serving Customers throughout the Delaware Valley
and surrounding areas, providing a full range of
financial products and services.
Maryland
Annandale, VA
Delaware
Las Vegas, NV
63
OFFICES
DELAWARE (44), PENNSYLVANIA (17),
VIRGINIA (1) AND NEVADA (1)
WSFS_annual_text_2015.indd 6
3/15/16 11:38 AM
0 7
2 0 1 5 A N N U A L R E P O R T
with
National Capabilities
Serving Customers across the United States
with customized mortgage solutions.
A multi-faceted division offering products and
services to enable Clients to meet their financial goals.
Providing innovative cash logistics and managed
services to the U.S. ATM and retail payments industries.
and
Global Reach
Working with select individuals in and beyond our
geographic footprint who are referred by existing
Clients and centers of influence.
A mobile, multi-currency account powered by
WSFS Bank that provides Customers the ability
to save, spend and send in multiple currencies.
WSFS_annual_text_2015.indd 7
3/15/16 11:38 AM
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant (cid:95)
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant (cid:134)
Check the appropriate box:
(cid:134) Preliminary Proxy Statement
(cid:134) Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
(cid:95) Definitive Proxy Statement
(cid:134) Definitive Additional Materials
(cid:134) Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
(cid:95) No fee required
(cid:134) Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1)Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3)Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11. (set forth the amount
on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5)Total fee paid:
(cid:134) Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
(cid:134) Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the
date of its filing.
(1)Amount previously paid:
(2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)Filing Party:
(4)Date Filed:
Table of Contents
WSFS Bank Center
500 Delaware Avenue
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
302-792-6000
www.wsfsbank.com
Notice of 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
March 30, 2016
Dear Stockholder:
The WSFS Financial Corporation (the “Company” or “WSFS”) 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be
held on April 28, 2016 beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Hotel du Pont located at Eleventh and Market Streets in
Wilmington, Delaware. Parking validation will be provided for garage or valet parking at the hotel.
At the meeting, stockholders will act on the following matters:
(cid:120) The election of four directors for a term ending at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders;
(cid:120) The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016; and
(cid:120) Such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
All stockholders of record holding shares of WSFS Financial Corporation common stock at the close of
business on March 1, 2016 are entitled to vote at the meeting. This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy
card were mailed to stockholders on or about March 30, 2016.
Your vote is important regardless of how many shares of WSFS common stock you own. Even if you plan to
attend the meeting, we urge you to ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting by returning
the enclosed proxy card. A return envelope with pre-paid postage is enclosed for your convenience.
Mark on your proxy card how you wish your shares to be voted, and please be sure to sign and date your proxy
card. Returning your vote by proxy will not prevent you from later voting in person if you do come to the
meeting. Please note, however, that if the stockholder of record for your shares is a broker, bank or other
nominee and you wish to vote at the meeting, you will need to obtain a proxy issued in your own name from
your stockholder of record.
Sincerely,
Marvin N. Schoenhals
Chairman
Table of Contents
Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
1.
2.
3.
4.
About the Annual Meeting
MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
PROPOSAL NO. 1: Election of Directors
Director Nominees
Current Directors and Executive Management
Corporate Governance
Director Independence
Board of Directors Leadership Structure
Executive Sessions
Our Director Nomination and Selection Process
Diversity
Board Principles and Guidelines
Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals
Stock Ownership and Retention Guidelines
Succession Planning
Attendance at Board of Directors and Committee Meetings, Annual Meeting
Transaction with Our Insiders
Board of Directors Role in Risk Oversight
Board of Directors Committees
Executive Committee
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Audit Committee
Audit Committee Report
Personnel and Compensation Committee
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Trust Committee
Corporate Development Committee
Other Corporate Governance Matters
Classified Board Structure
Access to Communication with the Board of Directors
PROPOSAL NO. 2: Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Forward Looking Statements
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Executive Summary
Named Executive Officers (NEOs)
The Role of the Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
The Role of Management in Executive Compensation
The Role of Stockholder Say-on-Pay Votes
The Role of Consultants
Peer Group and Benchmarking
Elements of Compensation
Base Salaries
Annual Incentives
Timing of MIP Annual Awards and IRS Section 409A Requirements
Measuring Actual Performance and Calculating Incentive Payments
Equity/Long-Term Incentives
CEO Equity Incentive Compensation
Timing and Pricing of Equity Awards
Associate Service Bonus Plan
Benefits
Development Allowance
Employment Agreements
Tax Considerations Related to Our Executive Compensation
Summary
i
1
1
5
5
7
9
9
9
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
14
14
16
16
17
17
19
19
20
21
21
22
22
22
23
24
24
25
25
29
29
30
30
30
31
33
33
34
37
37
38
38
38
39
39
40
40
40
41
Table of Contents
Contents (continued)
Summary Compensation Table
Grant of Plan-Based Awards
Outstanding Equity Awards Value at Fiscal Year-End
Exercises of Options and Vesting of Shares during 2015
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Termination without Cause
Change in Control
Retirement Plans
COMPENSATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Director and NEO Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
Director Compensation Table
Compensation of Mr. Cheleden as Lead Director
Compensation of Mr. Schoenhals
PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
ii
5.
6.
7.
8.
41
44
45
46
46
46
46
48
48
50
50
50
50
51
51
51
Table of Contents
Important Notice Regarding Internet
Availability of Proxy Materials
For the Stockholder Meeting to be
Held on April 28, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.
The Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K
are available at www.wsfsbank.com, by calling us at 888-973-7226
or by sending an e-mail request to: stockholderrelations@wsfsbank.com
About the Annual Meeting
This proxy statement is being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of WSFS Financial
Corporation (the “Company”) to be used at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which will be held at the Hotel du Pont,
Eleventh and Market Streets in Wilmington, Delaware on April 28, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. Directions to the Hotel du Pont are available on
its website: www.hoteldupont.com.
What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting is being held to consider the following proposals: (i) the election of four directors for a term ending at the 2019
annual meeting of stockholders, (ii) the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting
firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, and (iii) such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors is divided into three classes and each class serves for a term of three years. There are four seats on our Board
of Directors up for election at the Annual Meeting and the following persons have been nominated by the Board: Eleuthère I. du Pont,
Calvert A. Morgan, Jr., Marvin N. Schoenhals and David G. Turner, each of whom currently serves on the Board of Directors. Each
has been nominated for a three-year term expiring on the date of our annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2019. You can find
information about all of our current directors and director nominees beginning on page five.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the four nominees for director, and FOR ratification of the appointment of
KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.
Why are you sending me a proxy card? What am I going to do with it?
To hold the Annual Meeting, we need to have present, in person or by proxy, the holders of a majority of WSFS common stock
outstanding as of March 1, 2016, the record date for the Annual Meeting that determines which stockholders will receive notice of the
Annual Meeting and be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of that date, there were 29,626,725 shares of WSFS common stock
outstanding. We are providing you with a proxy card so that your shares can be counted as present at the Annual Meeting and can be
voted at the meeting even if you do not attend the Annual Meeting in person.
Your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions you provide on the proxy card to vote either for or to withhold your
vote regarding each of the nominees for election as directors; and to vote for, against or abstain on the remaining proposals. If you
sign and return the proxy card to us without indicating how you wish to vote, we will vote your shares for each of the nominees, and
for ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. If you hold your WSFS
common stock in “street name” through a bank or broker, you must direct your bank or broker to vote in accordance with the
instructions you have received from your bank or broker. “Street name” stockholders who wish to vote at the Annual Meeting will
need to obtain a voting instruction form from the institution that holds their shares.
1
Table of Contents
For those shares that we have been given a proxy, we will have discretionary authority to vote as we see fit on any procedural matters
relating to the conduct of the Annual Meeting. Furthermore, in the event that one or more of our nominees is unable to stand for
election as the result of an unexpected occurrence, we may vote shares for which we hold a proxy in favor of anyone we select to be a
substitute nominee. Alternatively, we may reduce the size of the Board of Directors to eliminate the vacancy.
If I hold my shares through a broker, will my broker vote my shares without my instructions?
If you fail to instruct your broker how you want your shares voted, your broker may only use discretionary authority to vote your
shares on “routine” matters. The election of directors is not considered a “routine” matter. As such, your broker cannot vote your
shares with respect to this proposal if you do not give instructions.
Why did I receive more than one proxy card?
If you hold your shares of WSFS common stock in more than one account or name, you will receive multiple proxy cards and you
must return a proxy card for each account or name in order to vote all of your shares.
Can I revoke my proxy or change my vote?
Yes. If you are a registered holder of WSFS common stock, you can change your vote at any time by completing and returning a new
proxy card before the Annual Meeting to WSFS Financial Corporation, Attention: Corporate Secretary, WSFS Bank Center, 500
Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, or providing written notice in person at the meeting. If you vote by proxy and then
attend the Annual Meeting, you do not need to vote again in person unless you want to change your prior vote. Attending the Annual
Meeting will not cancel your proxy unless you vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Please note that if your shares are not registered
in your own name, you will need additional documentation from your broker to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
What constitutes a “quorum” for the Annual Meeting?
A quorum is necessary to conduct business at the Annual Meeting. We require the presence, whether in person or through the prior
submission of a proxy, of the holders of WSFS common stock representing a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote on
the record date. Because there were 29,626,725 shares of WSFS common stock issued and outstanding as of the record date, at least
14,813,363 shares must be present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting for a quorum to exist.
How many votes does a nominee need in order to be elected?
Directors are elected by plurality vote, meaning that the nominees who receive the greatest number of votes are elected. You may
vote for a nominee or you may withhold your vote for a nominee. In a contested election, the number of seats up for election is less
than the number of persons nominated. The winning nominees are the ones who receive more votes than the other nominees. In an
uncontested election, there are enough seats up for election for all of the nominees, so all will be elected regardless of the number of
votes they each receive. In an uncontested election, it is our policy that nominees who receive a number of votes in favor of
their election which is less than a majority of total votes cast should promptly offer to resign from the Board of Directors and request
the Board of Directors to accept or reject their resignation offer at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Corporate Governance
and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors will consider resignation offers and make its recommendation to the entire
Board of Directors. Our policy provides that the Board of Directors will accept or reject each director’s resignation offer within 90
days of the date the resignation offer is submitted to the Board of Directors.
How many votes do I have?
Each share of WSFS common stock is entitled to one vote. We do, however, permit cumulative voting for the election of directors,
meaning that because there are three seats up for election, if you own 100 shares, you have 300 votes to distribute among the
nominees as you see fit. You can distribute them equally and cast 100 votes for each nominee or you may give more votes to certain
nominees, even giving all 300 votes to a single nominee if you wish.
If you give us a proxy to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting, we will distribute your votes among the nominees as we see fit. If
you do not want us to use cumulative voting for your shares, you may state that on your proxy card.
2
Table of Contents
How many votes are required to approve the ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm?
The appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm must receive a majority of the votes cast on the
proposal to be ratified. Abstentions and broker non-votes are treated as present for quorum purposes only and therefore have no effect
on the outcome of the proposal.
Will members of management and the Board of Directors be at the Annual Meeting?
Yes. Our practice is that all members of the Board of Directors, director nominees and senior management officers should attend the
Annual Meeting and all current directors were present at last year’s annual meeting. We expect that all directors will attend the
Annual Meeting this year.
Can I ask questions at the Annual Meeting?
Yes. We consider the Annual Meeting an opportunity for stockholders to have access to the Board of Directors and senior
management in a public forum, and we invite stockholders to submit questions or comments in advance of the Annual Meeting. This
is an important part of the process, and we have established a procedure for stockholders to send communications to the Board of
Directors as well as to management.
While legal considerations and timing issues may prevent us from answering all questions or addressing all comments, we believe this
dialogue is helpful in increasing communication with our stockholders.
Please send questions to:
WSFS Financial Corporation
Investor Relations
WSFS Bank Center
500 Delaware Avenue
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
or:
stockholderrelations@wsfsbank.com
At the Annual Meeting, we will attempt to respond to as many of the questions and comments we receive as possible. Any questions,
comments, and responses deemed relevant to the larger stockholder base will be posted on our website at www.wsfsbank.com.
The Board of Directors strongly encourages communications from stockholders. Stockholders who wish to send communications to
the Board of Directors during the year may do so by writing to the attention of Charles G. Cheleden, Vice Chairman and Lead
Director, WSFS Bank Center, 500 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. In addition, all written communications from
stockholders received by management are shared with the Board of Directors.
If I have a proposal that I want the stockholders to vote on, how do I get it on the agenda for the Annual Meeting?
The deadline has passed for you to give us notice of a proposal to be brought before the stockholders for a vote at the 2016 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. We expect to hold the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in April 2017 and to mail our proxy statement
during March 2017. To get your proposal on the agenda for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, you must give us notice no
earlier than November 28, 2016 and no later than December 28, 2016. All notices should be addressed to the attention of the
Corporate Secretary, WSFS Financial Corporation, WSFS Bank Center, 500 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. Any
such notice must set forth, as to each matter you propose to bring before the meeting: (1) a brief description of the business desired to
be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (2) your name and address and the name
and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (3) the class and number of shares of our common
stock beneficially owned by you and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, and (4) any material
interest you or such beneficial owner has in the proposal.
3
Table of Contents
Can I obtain copies of the proxy statement and related materials over the Internet?
Yes. Copies of this proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K (without exhibits) are available on the Internet at
www.wsfsbank.com. Stockholders can elect to receive future proxy statements and annual reports over the Internet rather than in
printed form. Stockholders of record can make this election either by calling (888) WSFSBANK (or (888) 973-7226), by sending an
email to stockholderrelations@wsfsbank.com, or by following the instructions at: investors.wsfsbank.com. Stockholders may request
copies of any exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10-K through our telephone number and email address as well. If you hold your
shares in street name, please refer to the information provided by your broker, bank or other nominee for instructions on how to elect
to access future proxy materials over the Internet.
4
Table of Contents
PROPOSAL NUMBER 1: Election of Directors
The Board of Directors is divided into three classes and each class serves for a term of three years. Four directors have terms of office
that expire at the 2016 Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors has nominated each of these four directors for election to three-year
terms expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2019:
(cid:120) Mr. Eleuthère I. du Pont
(cid:120) Mr. Calvert A. Morgan, Jr.
(cid:120) Mr. Marvin N. Schoenhals
(cid:120) Mr. David G. Turner
The election of each nominee requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast, meaning that the nominees who receive the
greatest number of votes are elected. Executed proxies received from holders of WSFS common stock will be voted for the election
of such nominees unless marked to the contrary. All of the nominees have consented to be named and have indicated their intent to
serve if elected. If any nominee becomes unable to serve, which is not anticipated, the proxy will be voted for a substitute nominee to
be designated by the Board of Directors or the number of directors will be reduced. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be
counted as either an affirmative vote or a negative vote regarding the election of directors, and therefore, will have no effect on the
election of directors.
Biographical information about our directors, director nominees and executive officers is provided below. The listed age of each
individual is as of December 31, 2015. Currently, all directors of WSFS also serve as directors of our subsidiary, Wilmington Savings
Fund Society, FSB (which we generally refer to as WSFS Bank). Each director was selected to be a member of the Board of Directors
based on his or her particular background and expertise. Immediately following the description of the background of each person is a
description of the particular experience, skills and qualifications that were instrumental in the determination by the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee that he or she should serve as a director. For additional information, see “Our Director
Nomination and Selection Process” and “Diversity” beginning on page twelve.
Director Nominees
Eleuthère I. du Pont, 49, has been a director of WSFS Financial Corporation since 2013. His current term expires at the 2016
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Since 2008, he has been president of The Longwood Foundation, a private foundation principally
supporting charitable organizations. He has also been a director of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company since 2006 and of Burris
Logistics since 2014. In 2007 and 2008, he served as Senior Vice President, Operations and Chief Financial Officer of drugstore.com.
Prior to that, Mr. du Pont served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Wawa, Inc. a chain of food markets in the mid-Atlantic
region. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration from Stanford
University. Mr. du Pont brings significant expertise in corporate governance, accounting, finance, operations, retail, information
technology and investment management to the Board of Directors.
Calvert A. Morgan, Jr., 67, has been a director of WSFS Financial Corporation since 2004 and Vice Chairman of WSFS Bank since
2006. His current term expires at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. He is the retired Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of PNC Bank, Delaware. Mr. Morgan joined the Bank of Delaware (predecessor of PNC Bank, Delaware) in 1970.
He advanced through various management positions and became President and Chief Operating Officer in 1987. He was elected
Chief Executive Officer in 1989 and Chairman in 1990. Mr. Morgan also served as a member of the Management Committee of PNC
Financial Services Group, Inc. for several years. He is a longtime member of the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council,
which provides budgetary advice to the Governor and General Assembly of the State of Delaware. Mr. Morgan also served as
Chairman of the Delaware Business Roundtable. He is a former board member and past Chairman of the Delaware Bankers
Association and served on the boards of the United Way of Delaware and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. He also serves
as a director of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. Mr. Morgan received his undergraduate degree in business administration from the
University of Delaware and is a graduate of the National Commercial Lending School at the University of Oklahoma. Mr. Morgan
brings over 40 years of banking experience, trust, finance, risk management, lending and executive leadership expertise to the Board
of Directors.
5
Table of Contents
Marvin N. Schoenhals, 68, has been Chairman of WSFS Financial Corporation and WSFS Bank since 1992 and a director since
1990. His current term expires at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. From 1990 to 2007 he also served as President and
Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Schoenhals was a director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh from 1997 to 2007, serving as
its Chairman from 2005 to 2007. He was a member of the Brandywine Mutual Fund’s Board of Directors from 1995 to 2006. He
currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Burris Logistics, a privately-owned distributer of frozen and dry foods. Mr. Schoenhals
is a former trustee and former Chairman of the Delaware Public Policy Institute. He is a former Chairman of the Delaware State
Chamber of Commerce and is Chairman of the Sunday Breakfast Mission. Until 2014, Mr. Schoenhals was Chairman of Vision 2015,
a Delaware coalition that created and is implementing a plan to improve Delaware public education. Mr. Schoenhals received the
Josiah Marvel Cup Award from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, presented annually to honor a Delawarean who has made
an outstanding contribution to the state, community and society. In 2004, he was inducted into the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of
Fame. Mr. Schoenhals received his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and a Master of
Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance and Commerce. Mr. Schoenhals brings
almost 40 years of banking experience, finance, risk management, lending and executive management expertise to the Board of
Directors.
David G. Turner, 51, has been a director of WSFS Financial Corporation since 2013. His current term expires at the 2016 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. Currently, Mr. Turner serves as Banking Executive, in the IBM Global Business Services Strategy and
Analytics Practice, and from 2010 through 2013 Mr. Turner was the Vice President, Partner, Global BAO Leader in the Banking and
Financial Markets Division of Global Business Services of IBM. Prior to joining IBM, in 2009, Mr. Turner founded Sovereign
Partners Consulting, LLC working with key major banking clients world-wide focusing on strategy and IT consulting. Mr. Turner
joined MBNA in 2003 as Senior Executive Vice President and, in the following year, was promoted to Group Executive to create their
Research and Development Department. He served in various capacities with MBNA and its successor, Bank of America through
2009 including his role as the Information Management Transformation Executive. Prior to that, Mr. Turner was Executive Vice
President and President of the Gateway Companies, San Diego, California. Mr. Turner is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
Delaware State University, former director of the US Chamber of Commerce and an adjunct professor at several universities. He
earned his B.S in Computer Science/Mathematics from Delaware State University, a Master of Sciences in MIS from Fairleigh
Dickenson University and is an alumnus of the Dartmouth-Amos Tuck Executive MBA Education Program. Mr. Turner brings
significant expertise in banking and financial markets with experience in the areas of product development, marketing, sales, analytics,
technology, channels and customer experience.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of these nominees.
6
Table of Contents
Current Directors and Executive Management
Current Directors:
Anat Bird, 64, became a director of WSFS Financial Corporation in 2010. Her current term expires at the 2018 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. Ms. Bird is President and Chief Executive Officer of SCB Forums, LTD which she founded in 1994. Her banking
background includes being President and CEO of California Community Bancshares; Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank;
Group Head and Executive Vice President of Norwest Bank; Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Board
Member of Roosevelt Financial Group; and Managing Director in charge of Strategic Planning, Product Development and
Management, the Balance Sheet Advisory Group of Marine Midland Bank. She also founded the Financial Institutions Consulting
Group at BDO Seidman. Ms. Bird has taught Financial Markets and Institutions at the University of California at Davis and MBA
courses at Temple University. She has spoken at over 400 national and regional forums in banking and other industries. In addition to
her contribution as a columnist for the American Banker, she contributes articles to other leading industry publications. She serves on
the board of directors for MidFirst Bank in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She also has served on the Boards of Sterling Bank (2002-
2011), Sun Bancorp, Inc. (2008-2009), First Indiana Bank (2002-2007) and AmTrust Bank (2008-2009). Ms. Bird received a BA in
International Relations and an MA in International Relations and Psychology from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She also
received an MBA in Finance from American University and a Diploma in Corporate Strategic Planning from the University of
Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Ms. Bird brings a broad range of banking experience as well as strategic planning,
financial and executive management experience to the Board of Directors.
Jennifer W. Davis, 45, has been a director of WSFS Financial Corporation since 2009. Her current term expires at the 2018 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. Ms. Davis is Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance for George Mason University. Her
portfolio includes the areas of finance, human resources, accounting, treasury, facilities, public safety and auxiliary services. From
2008 to 2013, she was employed by the University of Delaware as Vice President for Finance and Administration. Previously,
Ms. Davis served as Cabinet Secretary-Director of the Office of Management and Budget for the State of Delaware. She also served
the State of Delaware as Budget Director, Deputy Secretary of Education and Associate Secretary of Education for policy and
administrative services. Ms. Davis earned her undergraduate degree in political science and her Master’s degree in policy analysis
from Pennsylvania State University. Ms. Davis brings knowledge of human resource issues, as well as finance, risk management and
executive leadership expertise to the Board of Directors.
Donald W. Delson, 64, has been a director of WSFS Financial Corporation since 2009. His current term expires at the 2018 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. He was a Senior Advisor for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., a New York investment banking firm, from
February 2009 to September 2011, when he retired. From 1997 to 2009, he was a Managing Director of the Investment Banking
Division, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. responsible for mergers and acquisitions and raising capital for banks and thrifts. His past
employment also includes being a Managing Director, Investment Banking Division, for Alex. Brown & Sons, Inc. Prior to that, he
was an attorney with Morgan Lewis & Bockius in Philadelphia, PA. He is President of the Board of Trustees for the Chester Charter
School for the Arts, an ex officio director for The Chester Fund for Education and the Arts, co-publisher of the Swarthmorean, Inc. (a
weekly newspaper) and member of the Finance Committee for Crozer Keystone Health System. In addition, he is a director of the
Swarthmore Co-op (a food market) and serves as a director of Resource America, Inc. Mr. Delson received his A.B. from Brown
University, his Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School and his Juris Doctor from the University of
Virginia. Mr. Delson brings legal, financial, and executive leadership expertise to the Board of Directors.
Charles G. Cheleden, 72, has been a director of WSFS Financial Corporation since 1990, serving as Vice Chairman since 1992 and
Lead Director since 2004. His current term expires at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. He is an Attorney at Law with
emphasis on estate planning, trusts, estate settlement and elder law. Mr. Cheleden is the former Chairman and President of Liberty
Financial Group, Inc. (an ASE Co.) and Liberty Savings Bank, Philadelphia, PA, which were acquired, and former Chairman of
Manor College, Jenkintown, PA and Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Mr. Cheleden earned his undergraduate degree from
Villanova University and his Juris Doctor from Temple University Law School. Mr. Cheleden brings legal, risk management,
financial and executive management expertise to the Board of Directors.
7
Table of Contents
Francis B. Brake, Jr., 52, joined the WSFS Board of Directors in 2014. His current term expires at the 2017 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. Since 2007 he has been President, Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of Epic Research, LLC, a privately-held
marketing services firm with principal interests in multiple consumer-facing industries, driving marketing and product innovation in
areas such as: travel loyalty, consumer electronics, student lending and small business marketing. From 2000 to 2007 he served as
Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer for Juniper Bank/Barclaycard US. Prior to that, he held various positions at First
USA Bank from 1994 to 2000 including Executive Vice President, Marketing. Mr. Brake serves on the Board of Directors of Smarter
Agent, LLC, a privately-held technology firm, The Chester Fund for Education and the Arts and is a past director of Barclays Bank
Delaware. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Government from The College of William and Mary and a Master of Business
Administration from The Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia. Mr. Brake brings well-established expertise in
marketing, entrepreneurship, innovation, product development, business partnerships and executive leadership to the Board of
Directors.
Mark A. Turner, 52, has been a director of WSFS Financial Corporation since 2007. His current term expires at the 2017 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. He has been President and Chief Executive Officer, WSFS Financial Corporation and WSFS Bank since
2007. Mr. Turner was previously both the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Financial Officer for WSFS. Prior to joining WSFS,
his experience included working at CoreStates Bank and Meridian Bancorp. Mr. Turner started his career at the international
professional services firm of KPMG, LLP where he earned his CPA. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and
Management from LaSalle University, his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and his Master’s Degree
in Executive Leadership from the University of Nebraska. Mr. Turner has also participated in other meaningful executive
development programs, including at National Training Labs; Gallup University, including sessions at Toyota University; The Aspen
Institute; the Buckley School for Public Speaking; The Center for Creative Leadership; and UC Berkeley. As a local business person,
Mr. Turner believes being active in business, civic and community activities is integral to our business development and community
goals. Among others, he currently is Chairman of the Board of the Delaware Business Roundtable, is on the Board of Directors of the
Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, serves on the Board of Trustees for Delaware State University, is a member of the Boards of
Directors of the Delaware Alliance for Non-Profit Advancement (DANA), Teach For America (TFA), Delaware, and First State
Innovation (FSI), and a Trustee for Christiana Care Health System. Beginning in 2016, he also serves on the Federal Advisory
Council for the Federal Reserve System, representing the 3 District. He previously served as Chairman of the Board of the Delaware
Bankers Association and March of Dimes, Delaware. Mr. Turner brings many years of banking, finance, accounting, auditing, risk
management, strategy, administrative leadership and executive leadership expertise to the Board of Directors.
rd
Executive Management:
For information regarding Mark A. Turner, see directly above.
Peggy H. Eddens, 60, has been Executive Vice President, Chief Human Capital Officer for WSFS Bank since 2007. From 2003 to
2007 she was Senior Vice President for Human Resources and Development for NexTier Bank, Butler, PA. Prior to that, she held
several positions with Mellon Bank and Citizens Bank. Mrs. Eddens received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from
Robert Morris University and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from LaRoche College.
Paul D. Geraghty, Sr., 62, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth Officer of WSFS Financial Corporation and WSFS
Bank since 2011. Prior to that, Mr. Geraghty was President and CEO of Harleysville National Corporation from 2007 to 2010 and
Executive Vice President of National City Corporation in Cleveland from 2004 to 2007. Mr. Geraghty received a Bachelor of Science
in Accounting from Villanova University.
Thomas Kearney, 68, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer since 2012. Mr. Kearney is responsible for all risk
oversight functions for WSFS Financial Corporation. Mr. Kearney joined the Company in 1998 and previously served as Senior Vice
President and Corporate Auditor. Mr. Kearney received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance and Accounting)
from Drexel University. He holds the professional designations of Certified Bank Auditor (CBA) and Certified Financial Services
Auditor (CFSA).
8
Table of Contents
Rodger Levenson, 54, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2015. Mr. Levenson was previously
Chief Commercial Banking Officer for WSFS Bank since 2006. From 2003 to 2006 Mr. Levenson was Senior Vice President and
Manager at Citizens Bank and from 1986 to 2003 he held a number of positions at Wells Fargo (and predecessor organizations).
Mr. Levenson received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University and a Masters in Business Administration
from Drexel University.
S. James Mazarakis, 58, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for WSFS Bank since 2010. From
January 2009 to February 2010 Mr. Mazarakis was a principal in Techvizion, a consulting firm specializing in technology strategies.
From that role, he served as our interim Chief Technology Officer from May 2009 to February 2010. From 2005 to 2008, he was
Chief Technology Officer for T. Rowe Price Associates and from 2002 to 2005 he was Business Information Officer — Shared
Services for Capital One Financial Corporation. Mr. Mazarakis received a Bachelor of Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
and a Master of Science in Management of Technology from Polytechnic Institute of New York University.
Richard M. Wright, 63, has been Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer for WSFS Bank since 2006. From
2003 to 2006 Mr. Wright was Executive Vice President, Retail Banking and Marketing for DNB First in Downingtown, PA.
Mr. Wright received a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Economics from California State University, Fullerton and a Masters in
Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
Thomas Stevenson, 62, has served as President of the Company’s Cash Connect Division since 2003. Mr. Stevenson joined WSFS in
1996 as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. Prior to joining WSFS, Mr. Stevenson was the Manager of Quality
Assurance at Electronic Payment Services. Mr. Stevenson attended Wayne State University and the Banking and Financial Services
program at the University of Michigan’s Graduate School of Business Administration.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
This year, for the fourth year in a row, our Chairman of the Board Marvin N. (Skip) Schoenhals and Vice Chairman and Lead Director
Charles G. Cheleden addressed stockholders through their letter “A View from the Boardroom” included in our annual report and
available on our website www.wsfsbank.com (select “Investor Relations” on the menu found under “About WSFS” and click on
“Download Library” on the right side of our web page, then click on “2015 Annual Report”). This letter provides additional insight
on corporate governance and key philosophies that guide the Board of Directors’ oversight of the Company.
Director Independence
Consistent with Nasdaq director independence listing standards, our Board of Directors carefully evaluates any circumstances,
transactions or relationships that we believe could have an impact on whether or not the members of our Board of Directors are
independent of us and our subsidiaries, including WSFS Bank, and are able to conduct their duties and responsibilities as directors
without any personal interests that would interfere or conflict with those duties and responsibilities.
The Board of Directors has determined that other than Mr. Schoenhals and Mark A. Turner, all of our current directors are
independent under Nasdaq’s director independence listing standards. Mr. Schoenhals is not an independent director because he was
one of our executives until November 2009 and was compensated as a consultant until November 2011. More information about the
compensation of Mr. Schoenhals can be found on page 50. Mr. Turner is not considered independent because he is one of our
executive officers.
Board of Directors Leadership Structure
The leadership of our Board of Directors is comprised of: (i) our Chairman, (ii) our Vice Chairman and Lead Director and (iii) our
President and Chief Executive Officer. We believe this leadership structure is appropriate for us because it ensures independent
oversight that draws upon significant experience and institutional knowledge regarding our business, while ensuring the Board makes
informed decisions on operational matters.
9
Table of Contents
Marvin N. Schoenhals has been our Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1992. He continues in this role because of his
substantial institutional knowledge, leadership qualities, business acumen and standing in the community. Until his retirement in 2009,
Mr. Schoenhals was also an executive and full-time Associate (the term we use for our employees).
The responsibilities of the Chairman include:
Chair of the Board of Directors;
(cid:120)
Recommending committee memberships;
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Assessing effectiveness of Board committees;
(cid:120)
Participating as a member of the Executive Committee and ex-officio non-voting member (as rules dictate) of selected other
Board committees;
(cid:120) Developing new business;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Community relations/representation;
Providing advice and counsel to the CEO and Executive Management; and
Being available, as requested, for consultation and communication with major stockholders.
Charles G. Cheleden has been our Vice Chairman since 1992 and our Lead Director since 2004. He has been designated by our
Board of Directors to lead the Board of Directors in fulfilling its duties effectively, efficiently and independent of management.
The responsibilities of the Lead Director include:
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Providing input to the CEO and Chair on preparation of agendas for Board of Directors and committee meetings;
Ensuring independent directors have adequate opportunity to meet to discuss issues without management present and provide
feedback to management;
Chairing Board of Directors meetings when the Chairman is not in attendance;
Exercising authority to call meetings of the independent directors; and
Being available, as requested, for consultation and communication with major stockholders.
Our Chairman and Lead Director are jointly responsible for certain important Board functions as follows:
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Ensuring the Board of Directors works as a cohesive team;
Ensuring the Board of Directors has adequate resources, especially by way of full, timely and relevant information to support its
decision-making;
Ensuring a process is in place to monitor legislation and best practices which relate to the responsibilities of the Board of
Directors;
Ensuring that new members of the Board of Directors receive adequate orientation about their roles and responsibilities, our
organization, business and industry;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Meeting with members of the Board of Directors to determine their continued commitment to the Board and interest in continuing
to serve on the Board;
Ensuring members of the Board of Directors receive continuing education both from within our organization and from outside
sources;
Encouraging the Board of Directors to refer new business opportunities to the Bank;
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Helping to resolve conflicts;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Reviewing Board minutes for accuracy;
Conducting or overseeing Board self-evaluations;
Regularly assessing the effectiveness of the Board and its committees;
Ensuring delegated committee functions are carried out and reported to the Board, e.g. CEO performance assessment, CEO and
Board succession planning and strategic planning;
Ensuring some rotation on Board committee assignments, especially Chairs; and
Ensuring that appropriate committee members have input to the proxy statement relating to their committees.
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
10
Table of Contents
Mark A. Turner has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since 2007.
The responsibilities of the President and CEO include:
(cid:120) Having general power over the strategic planning, management and oversight of the administration and operation of the
Company’s business, and general supervisory power and authority over its policies and affairs;
(cid:120) Ensuring all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and any committee are carried into effect;
(cid:120) With the Chairman and Lead Director, helping to set Board of Directors agendas and providing input for committee meeting
agendas.
Executive Sessions
Our independent directors meet regularly in executive session. At each meeting of the Board of Directors and its committees in 2015,
directors had the opportunity to meet without management present. Typically, the Lead Director (or if absent, another independent
director) presides over executive sessions. At least twice each year, these executive sessions include only independent directors.
Our Director Nomination and Selection Process
We believe it is important to have a strong, independent Board of Directors that is accountable to our stockholders. The Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee has the responsibility for identifying qualified individuals as candidates for membership on
the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors believes directors should be knowledgeable about the business activities and market
areas in which we and our subsidiaries engage. A candidate’s breadth of knowledge and experience should also enable that person to
make a meaningful contribution to the governance of a complex, multi-billion dollar financial institution.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee solicits recommendations from our officers and directors, as well as considers
and evaluates any candidates recommended by our stockholders. There is no difference in the manner in which the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee evaluates persons recommended by officers or directors from those recommended by
stockholders. Typically, it has not been our practice to pay fees to any third party to identify potential nominees; however, we do
utilize a consultant to assist with evaluating, interviewing and performing reference checks on potential nominees to the Board of
Directors. Our consultant, Kaplan & Associates, Inc., receives compensation in the range of $5,000-$30,000 for this service
depending on the parameters of the research and the number of nominees to be included. In addition, each year the Board of Directors
conducts a robust self-evaluation process to help identify individual and group performance and needs.
In the second half of the last decade we undertook a thoughtful, generational change in the executive leadership of the Bank. At about
the same time, the Board of Directors began a similar process of addressing the changing needs and advancing experience of the
Board of Directors with the desire to establish a Board of Directors for the future.
After a thorough review of the correlation between the size of a board of directors and its effectiveness, the Board of Directors
concluded that smaller boards (while still of ample size and diversity) are generally more effective. The Board of Directors also
concluded that a smaller board of directors fits with one of our key strategic advantages, namely, faster, and more entrepreneurial
decision-making. Finally, a smaller board of directors also sets the organizational tone for a lower internal cost structure in an
industry that is currently challenged by slow economic growth, growing cost burdens, and significant pricing competition.
Since 2011, when the Board of Directors began its “board renewal,” we have decreased the overall size of the Board of Directors from
15 to ten, while three individuals, with an average age of 49, have joined the Board of Directors. Of the ten Board members, two have
tenures over 20 years; one has between 10 and 20 years; four have between 5 and 10 years; and three have newly joined within the last
5 years. It is the intention of the Board of Directors to continue this succession planning process so that we build full and diverse
expertise and talents on the Board of Directors for the continued success of WSFS. We believe that one of the most important
responsibilities of a well-functioning board of directors is to ensure that it actively plans for and accomplishes its own succession.
11
Table of Contents
Diversity
The Board of Directors takes a broad and thoughtful view of diversity. The Board strives to achieve diversity among its members that
mirrors our current marketplace and our desired markets, and since we have become a larger organization with broader reach, this
naturally includes better reflecting US society as a whole. Over the last generation, we have intentionally made strides to include on
our Board a representation of different genders, generations, geographies, races, faiths, socio-economic upbringing, career
experiences, individual talents, and our own Board tenures. This intentional reflection of our constituencies and refreshment of our
Board is necessarily an ongoing process of a growing and changing organization. Our Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee implements this philosophy as part of its nomination process and assesses its implementation during both the nomination
process and as part of the Committee’s self-assessment process.
Board Principles and Guidelines
In addition to directives laid out through the various committee charters, the Board of Directors has adopted a set of principles and
guidelines which guide the actions and direction of the Board of Directors. A full copy of the Board Principles and Guidelines are
available on the Company’s website www.wsfsbank.com (select “Investor Relations” on the menu found under “About WSFS” and
click on “Corporate Governance”).
The Board of Directors is committed to being a high-performance board and to providing oversight and accountability for
management. The Board of Directors recognizes it must exercise its fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of WSFS and all of its
stockholders while also recognizing its responsibilities to the Company’s regulators.
Annually, the Board of Directors conducts a self-evaluation to assess the performance of the Board of Directors, evaluating the
members of the Board of Directors collectively and the quality of individuals’ contributions. In most years, this is a self-directed
process; however, in 2015 the Board engaged a third-party to enhance the process by providing an outside perspective on the
performance of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is responsible for working with management to establish the strategic priorities of the Company. Within the
current strategic priorities the Board of Directors must establish the appropriate “tone at the top” regarding the Company’s core
principles:
(cid:120) Operating with the highest ethical values;
(cid:120) Focusing on performance over the long term;
(cid:120) Maintaining a culture that encourages actively engaged Associates;
(cid:120) The truth of the brand, “We Stand For Service;” and
(cid:120) Earning the right to remain independent.
12
Table of Contents
Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals
To be considered in the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s selection of nominees for the Board of Directors for the
2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, recommendations or other proposals requested by stockholders must be received by us in
writing no earlier than December 5, 2016 and no later than January 4, 2017.
As required by our Bylaws, a recommendation must provide the following information for each person the stockholder proposes to
recommend as a nominee to the Board: (1) the name and age of such person; (2) any information required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies with respect to nominees for election of directors by Section 14 of the Exchange Act and related rules and
regulations (including the written consent of the person proposed as a director nominee); (3) a description of all direct and indirect
compensation, economic interests and other material monetary arrangements during the past three years, and any other material
relationships, between or among such stockholder and each recommended nominee, including all information that would be required
to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination were the “registrant” for purposes of
such rule and the recommended nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; (4) a description of all relationships
between the proposed nominee and the recommending stockholder, and of any agreements, arrangements and understandings between
the recommending stockholder and the recommended nominee regarding the nomination; and (5) a description of all relationships
between the recommended nominee and any of the Company’s competitors, customers, suppliers, labor unions and any other persons
with special interests regarding the Company.
In addition, our Bylaws require such a recommendation to provide specified information with respect to the stockholder
recommending a nominee, as well as the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the recommendation for nomination is made. Such
information includes, among other things: (1) the name, address and telephone number of such stockholder, and the name, address and
telephone number of such beneficial owner; (2)(A) the class or series and number of shares of the Company owned of record by such
stockholder and beneficially by such beneficial owner and the time period such shares have been held, (B) any derivative instruments
with respect to Company shares owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner, (C) any proxy or similar arrangement pursuant to
which such stockholder or beneficial owner has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Company or has granted any such
right to any person or persons, (D) any short interest in any security of the Company, and (E) any other information relating to such
stockholder and beneficial owner that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in
connection with solicitations of proxies for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act
and related rules and regulations. Such notice must also contain certain representations by the stockholder and beneficial owner, as
well as certain other information as provided in the Bylaws.
For additional details regarding the requirements with respect to such notices, please see our Amended and Restated Bylaws which
were filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21,
2014.
Stock Ownership and Retention Guidelines
Our Bylaws require each of our directors to be a stockholder and own a minimum amount of our common stock as determined from
time to time in a guideline approved by the Board of Directors. This guideline is designed to encourage our directors to increase and
maintain their equity stake in us, and thereby to more closely link their interests with those of our other stockholders.
The Board of Directors has established a guideline that each director own 12,000 shares of vested common stock. Members of the
Board of Directors should accumulate the minimum ownership amount within five years after assuming his or her position. In
addition, the Board of Directors established a guideline for Executive Management such that the CEO should own 105,000 shares of
vested common stock and all Executive Vice Presidents own 30,000 shares of vested common stock, each to be accumulated within
five years of assuming his or her executive position.
13
Table of Contents
Succession Planning
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors, as well as the entire Board of Directors annually
reviews, evaluates and provides governance comments and advice for our CEO and Executive Management talent and leadership
development and succession planning program.
Attendance at Board of Director and Committee Meetings, Annual Meeting
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Board of Directors held six meetings. All of the directors attended more than 75% of
the total of: (a) meetings of the Board of Directors and (b) meetings of the committees on which they served during the year. All
directors are required to attend the Annual Meeting except for absences due to causes beyond their reasonable control. All directors
were present at last year’s annual meeting.
Transactions with Our Insiders
In the ordinary course of its business, WSFS Bank makes loans to our directors, officers and Associates. These loans are subject to
limitations and restrictions under federal banking laws and regulations and are made on substantially the same terms, including
interest rate and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with persons not related to WSFS Bank. These loans
do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features to WSFS Bank.
Board of Directors Role in Risk Oversight
The Board of Directors is responsible for the oversight of the management of our risk exposures to help ensure that the Company is
operating within the Board approved risk appetites. The Board of Directors is actively involved in the Strategic Planning process and
oversight of our Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) function. Comprehensive discussions regarding our appetite for risk and our
risk exposures are held with the Board of Directors and Executive Management. As a result of this involvement, the Board of
Directors has concluded that the risk implicit in our strategic plan is appropriate and that expected risks are commensurate with the
expected rewards. The Board of Directors oversees and reviews management’s implementation of systems to manage these risks.
The risk management system is designed to inform the Board of Directors of material risks and create an appropriate enterprise-wide
culture of risk awareness.
The ERM function assists management by establishing a unified and strategic approach to identifying and managing current and future
risks. ERM helps monitor, measure, manage and report these risks while continually evaluating our risk/reward dynamic. The ERM
activities include:
(cid:120)
Conduct an Enterprise Risk Assessment Summary (RAS) in accordance with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s
RAS matrix and industry best practices;
Establish Board-approved risk appetite statements and key risk indicators by major risk area;
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Monitor risk metrics (Key Risk Indicators or KRI’s) and report to Executive Management and the Board of Directors three times
per year;
(cid:120) Update the RAS three times per year;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Ensure that stress testing and contingency planning on critical business risks are performed;
Key involvement with significant new products, services or activities, as well as conduct resolution and “lessons learned” on
major risk events, as needed; and
Continual learning on emerging risks and risk management best practices.
(cid:120)
14
Table of Contents
Each committee of the Board of Directors has a role in risk oversight as described in greater detail below in the description of each
committee’s role and responsibilities.
The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things, the following:
(cid:120) Review, with management, the quarterly and annual financial statements including major issues regarding accounting and auditing
principles and practices;
(cid:120) Review analyses prepared by management and the independent auditor of significant financial reporting issues and judgments
(cid:120)
made in connection with the preparation of our financial statements;
Periodically review, with management, our major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and
control such exposures;
(cid:120) Monitor the independence of the public accounting firm;
(cid:120) Ensure Audit Committee members have unrestricted access to the independent accountants (without management present) to
review and discuss financial or other matters;
(cid:120) Review and approve the audit plan of the independent accountants and our internal audit department;
(cid:120) Evaluate the effectiveness of both the internal and external audit effort through regular meetings with each respective group;
(cid:120) Determine that no management restrictions are being placed upon either the internal or external auditors;
(cid:120) Review the adequacy of internal controls and management’s handling of identified Sarbanes-Oxley material inadequacies and
reportable conditions in the internal controls over financial reporting, and compliance with laws and regulations;
(cid:120) Review reports issued by outside consultants regarding internal control;
(cid:120) Review quarterly reports issued by our internal Loan Review Department including reports issued by outside consultants
regarding quality control reviews of the internal Loan Review Department;
(cid:120) Review periodic written reports regarding regulatory compliance and in-house counsel activities;
(cid:120) Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal control or auditing
matters, including procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by Associates of concerns regarding questionable
accounting, internal control or auditing matters;
(cid:120) Ensure that members of the Audit Committee have the expertise required by regulation;
(cid:120) Ensure that the Audit Committee has the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisors, as it determines necessary to
carry out its duties;
(cid:120) Review all regulatory reports, including examination reports and SEC comment letters and monitor management’s response; and
(cid:120) Review and approve the Information Data Security Policy, annually.
The Chair of the Audit Committee provides reports to the Board of Directors on these items, as needed. In addition, senior managers
from each of our risk areas provide reports, as needed, to the Board of Directors. These areas include: Investments, Accounting,
Auditing, Credit, Human Capital Management, Operations and Technology, Trust and Wealth Management and Retail Operations.
The Personnel and Compensation Committee oversees the executive compensation programs, and reviews and approves an annual
report on executive compensation and Associate incentive compensation plans prepared by our risk officers. The purpose of this
review is to: (1) determine that executive officer compensation plans do not encourage those executive officers to take actions that
pose an unnecessary and excessive risk that would threaten our value, and (2) determine that Associate incentive compensation plans
do not unnecessarily expose us to risks or encourage the manipulation of reported earnings to enhance the compensation of
Associates. The Personnel and Compensation Committee is also responsible for overseeing management’s implementation of
compensation programs that comply with applicable regulatory guidance and requirements. During 2015, the Personnel and
Compensation Committee reviewed these reports prepared by our risk officers and determined that our compensation plans and
practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.
15
Table of Contents
Board of Directors Committees
There are seven primary committees of the Board of Directors: the Executive Committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee, the Audit Committee, the Trust Audit Committee, the Personnel and Compensation Committee, the Trust Committee and
the Corporate Development Committee.
The following chart shows the current committee membership and the number of meetings each committee held in 2015.
Director
Anat Bird
Francis “Ben” Brake
Charles G. Cheleden
Jennifer W. Davis
Donald W. Delson
Eleuthère I. du Pont
Calvert A. Morgan, Jr.
(3)
Marvin N. Schoenhals
(2)
David G. Turner
Mark A. Turner
(2)
Number of meetings in 2015
Corporate
Governance
and
Nominating
Committee
Executive
Committee
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
C
26
C
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
4
Audit
Committee
C
Personnel and
Compensation
Committee
(cid:120)
Trust
Committee
(1)
Corporate
Development
Committee
Trust
Audit
Committee
C
(1)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
5
C
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
5
(cid:120)
C
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
6
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
C
7
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
4
C= Chair
(1) The Trust Committee and Trust Audit Committee are committees of the Bank.
(2) Mr. Schoenhals and Mr. Turner are ex-officio, non-voting members of the Governance and Nominating Committee, Audit Committee, Personnel and
Compensation Committee, and Trust Audit Committee.
(3) Mr. Morgan also serves as a member of the Bank’s Southern Delaware Advisory Board.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee meets as frequently as is necessary and exercises the powers of the Board of Directors between its
meetings. Its primary activities have been to review loan applications needing the approval of the Board of Directors, to review
summary credit quality reports, and to review and approve for submission to the Board of Directors for its approval the majority of all
policies.
Another important role of the Executive Committee is to review and approve transactions with insiders. Under our written policy, the
Executive Committee reviews and approves all insider loans or lending relationships. Any loan granted to an insider in excess of
$500,000 requires pre-approval by the Board of Directors, with the interested party (if a director) abstaining from participating directly
or indirectly in the voting. All loans granted to insiders, regardless of the amount, are reported to the Board of Directors.
16
Table of Contents
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Each member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is “independent” as defined in the listing standards of the
Nasdaq Stock Market. A copy of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter as well as our other corporate
governance documents can be found on the investor relations page of our website www.wsfsbank.com (select “Investor Relations” on
the menu found under “About WSFS” and click on “Corporate Governance”).
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s role and responsibilities include the following:
(cid:120)
Periodically review and reassess the adequacy of corporate governance of the Company, review and consider “best governance
practices,” to incorporate into its “Principles of Corporate Governance,” and recommend any proposed changes to the Board of
Directors;
Seek, identify and interview individuals qualified to become board members for recommendation to the Board of Directors;
Recommend competencies, skills and experiences desired for new directors and define the job description and expectations for
directors, subject to approval of the Board of Directors;
Authority to retain and terminate any search firm to be used to identify director candidates. The Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee also has authority to obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting or other
advisors;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Recommend to the Board of Directors a slate of director nominees to be presented at the next annual meeting of stockholders;
Recommend to the Board of Directors, director nominees to fill vacancies on the Board;
(cid:120) Oversee the proper training and orientation of new directors and continuing education of all directors, as appropriate;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Oversee the election of committee chairs;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
In conjunction with committee chairs, recommend to the Board of Directors director assignments to Board committees;
Review any proposed changes to Board-related compensation and, upon Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
approval, propose any potential changes to the Board of Directors for its review and approval;
(cid:120) Annually review its own performance and annually propose a methodology for assessing the performance of other committees
and the entire Board of Directors. Such assessments shall be discussed with the full Board of Directors annually;
(cid:120) Make regular reports to the Board of Directors; and
(cid:120)
Review and reassess the adequacy of the Committee Charter and recommend any proposed changes to the Board of Directors for
approval.
Audit Committee
Each member of the Audit Committee is “independent” as defined in the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market and also meets
the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Jennifer W. Davis meets
the definition of financial expert for the Audit Committee. For bank regulatory purposes, Anat Bird is also considered a banking and
financial expert. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter can be found on the investor relations page of our website
www.wsfsbank.com (select “Investor Relations” on the menu found under “About WSFS” and click on “Corporate Governance”).
17
Table of Contents
The Audit Committee’s rules and responsibilities include the following:
(cid:120) Oversees the audit program and reviews our consolidated financial statements, including major issues regarding accounting and
auditing principles and practices as well as the adequacy of internal controls that could significantly affect our financial
statements;
Reviews the examination reports from federal regulatory agencies as well as reports from the internal auditors and from the
independent registered public accounting firm;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Meets quarterly with the head of the Internal Loan Review Department to review assessments of loan risk ratings and credit
administration, as well as the head of the Internal Audit Department, the head of the Compliance Department, and representatives
of the independent registered public accounting firm, with and without representatives of management present, to review
accounting and auditing matters, and to review financial statements prior to their public release;
Provides oversight to our regulatory compliance activities and our compliance officer who reports directly to the executive in
charge of risk;
Reviews reports of significant litigation matters;
Reviews the annual risk assessment and other reports (such as Suspicious Activity Reports, Associate Hotline Reports) issued
regarding our risk management activities;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Meets annually to review our internal control risk analysis and associated internal audit plan;
(cid:120)
Reviews the process for the selection of the Company’s lead external audit partner pursuant to the rotation policy (five years) that
involves a meeting between the Chair of the Audit Committee and the candidate for the role, as well as discussion with the full
Audit Committee and with members of management; and
(cid:120) Approves the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm and recommends their appointment to the full Board
of Directors.
The members of our Audit Committee also serve as members of the Bank’s Trust Audit Committee which provides oversight of the
financial accounting and internal control aspects of our Trust and Wealth management initiatives. The Trust Audit Committee met
four times during 2015.
It is the policy of the Audit Committee to approve all audit and non-audit services prior to the engagement of the independent
registered public accounting firm to perform any service, subject to the following operating procedures: Each year in connection with
the execution of the audit engagement letter, the Audit Committee pre-approves a retainer for additional services that are either audit
or audit-related in nature. These additional services may not exceed 5% of the annual audit fee amount. For any additional audit or
audit-related services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm that were not pre-approved in accordance
with this procedure, and for which the fees are expected to not exceed 10% of the annual audit fee, the Chair of the Audit Committee
can provide pre-approval of the services. For any additional services where the fees are expected to exceed 10% of the annual audit
fee, the pre-approval of the entire Audit Committee is required. In addition, a retainer for tax consulting services is pre-approved by
the Audit Committee. Any tax consulting services exceeding the retainer amount are approved in accordance with the above
procedure. All fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm are reported to the Audit Committee in a timely manner.
18
Table of Contents
In connection with the audit of the 2015 financial statements, we entered into engagement letters with KPMG LLP that set the terms
by which KPMG performed services for us.
All of the services listed below for 2015 were approved by the Audit Committee prior to the service being rendered as described in the
operating procedures above. The Audit Committee has determined that the non-audit services performed during 2015 were
compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.
Audit Fees. The aggregate fees earned by KPMG LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of our consolidated financial
statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K and for the review of the consolidated financial statements included in our
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $1,276,014 and $997,000 respectively.
Audit Related Fees. The aggregate fees earned by KPMG LLP for audits of the subsidiaries’ financial statements, due diligence
activities on proposed transactions, and research and consultation on financial accounting and reporting matters for the years ended
December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $27,000 and $25,000, respectively.
Tax Fees. The aggregate fees earned by KPMG LLP for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax
planning for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were $69,917 and $66,475, respectively.
All Other Fees. There were no fees earned by KPMG LLP for professional services rendered other than those listed under the
captions “Audit Fees,” “Audit Related Fees,” and “Tax Fees” for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee has prepared the following report for inclusion in this proxy statement:
As part of its ongoing activities, the Audit Committee has:
(cid:120)
Reviewed and discussed with management the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2015;
(cid:120) Discussed with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed under relevant
guidance of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), including Auditing Standard No.16 — Communications
with Audit Committees; and
Received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by the applicable
requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit
Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm their
independence.
(cid:120)
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited
consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.
The Audit Committee comprised of Anat Bird, Francis B. Brake, Jr., Jennifer W. Davis, David G. Turner and Calvert A. Morgan, Jr.,
has provided this report.
Personnel and Compensation Committee
Our Board of Directors has determined that the members of our Personnel and Compensation Committee are “independent” as defined
by the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Also, the members of the Personnel and Compensation Committee each qualify
as independent under Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act.
A copy of the Personnel and Compensation Committee Charter can be found on the investor relations page of our website
www.wsfsbank.com (select “Investor Relations” on the menu found under “About WSFS” and click on “Corporate Governance”).
19
Table of Contents
Under its charter, the Personnel and Compensation Committee has the authority to:
(cid:120) Approve performance evaluations, salary adjustments, bonuses, stock options, perquisites for any officer other than the CEO and
President, and deliberate on and recommend CEO compensation to the Board of Directors. In evaluating and determining CEO
compensation, the Personnel and Compensation Committee shall consider the results of the most recent stockholder advisory vote
on executive compensation (“Say on Pay Vote”) required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act. The CEO and President may not
be present during voting or deliberations by the Personnel and Compensation Committee on his or her compensation:
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Approve incentive plan design, including criteria, formula computation and calculation of award amounts, such as cash payouts,
restricted stock and stock option awards for all officers other than the CEO and President. In reviewing making recommendations
regarding or approving incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, including whether to adopt, amend or terminate any
such plans, the Personnel and Compensation Committee shall consider the results of the most recent advisory Say on Pay Vote;
Review and discuss with management, the Company’s Compensation and Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) section and the
related executive compensation information to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement or annual report on
Form 10-K. Determine whether or not to recommend that the CD&A be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K
and proxy statement, and produce the Personnel and Compensation Committee report on executive officer compensation which is
required to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement in compliance with rules and regulations promulgated by the
SEC;
(cid:120) Approve the adoption, administration and expense of certain Associate benefit plans and programs including 401(k) amendments
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
and technical corrections;
Retain or obtain advice of compensation consultants, independent legal counsel or other advisors (collectively, “compensation
advisors”) to assist in matters regarding executive and Board-related compensation; and
Be responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of any compensation advisor retained by the Personnel and
Compensation Committee. Reasonable compensation (as determined by the Personnel and Compensation Committee) to its
compensation advisors will be provided by the Company.
The Personnel and Compensation Committee approves and must recommend to the Board of Directors for final approval:
(cid:120)
Policies and charter, including but not limited to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action, Severance and Change
of Control, the Management Compensation Policy, the Business (Luxury) Expenditures Policy, and the Personnel and
Compensation Charter;
Board of Directors and management stock ownership and guidelines;
Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A), compensation risk assessment and Compensation Committee report portions of
the proxy statement;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Any compensation action for the CEO and President (such as salary increases, bonuses, stock grants and perquisites); and
(cid:120) Any compensation action (such as fees and stock awards) for the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
In addition, the Personnel and Compensation Committee reviews and considers the results of stockholders’ advisory votes on
executive compensation.
Compensation Committee Internal Interlocks and Insider Participation
No member of our Personnel and Compensation Committee is, or formerly was, an officer or Associate of ours. During 2015, none of
our executive officers served on the Personnel and Compensation Committee (or equivalent), or the Board of Directors, of another
entity whose executive officer or officers served on our Personnel and Compensation Committee or Board of Directors.
20
Table of Contents
Trust Committee
The Trust Committee is a bank committee that is comprised of members of the Board of Directors of the Bank. It provides oversight
of our trust and investment activities provided by Christiana Trust, the trust division of the Bank. A copy of the Trust Committee
Charter can be found on the investor relations page of our website www.wsfsbank.com (select “Investor Relations” on the menu found
under “About WSFS” and click on “Corporate Governance”).
The Trust Committee does the following:
(cid:120) Oversees Christiana Trust in providing trust administration and investment management services;
(cid:120) Adopts appropriate policies and procedures to be observed in offering such services;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Enforces sound risk management practices calculated to minimize risk of loss to WSFS Bank and its customers; and
Reports to the Board of Directors on the activities of Christiana Trust in the conduct of its business.
Corporate Development Committee
The Corporate Development Committee assists the Board of Directors and management in reviewing and assessing potential
acquisitions, strategic investments, joint ventures and divestitures. It meets as frequently as necessary. A copy of the Corporate
Development Committee Charter can be found on the investor relations page of our website www.wsfsbank.com (select “Investor
Relations” on the menu found under “About WSFS” and click on “Corporate Governance”).
As part of its ongoing activities, the Corporate Development Committee does the following:
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Reviews and provides guidance to management and the Board of Directors with respect to transaction strategies;
Provides advice to management in connection with the identification and evaluation of transactions, and the engagement of
counsel and advisors;
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Authorizes management to execute binding and non-binding offers, proposals, letters of intent, definitive agreements and similar
offers and documents with respect to proposed transactions. Any such authorization shall be reported to the entire Board of
Directors of the Company at no later than the next full Board meeting;
Provides advice regarding management’s due diligence and integration efforts with respect to proposed transactions and review
summary due diligence results;
Causes to be conducted, appropriate periodic evaluations of our recently completed transactions, if and as deemed necessary;
Provides a report of its meetings and activities to the Board of Directors on a regular basis, and reports regularly to the Board on
such issues as it may determine are appropriate; and
Reviews, and changes as deemed necessary, its charter, from time-to-time, but no less than once a year;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
21
Table of Contents
Other Corporate Governance Matters
Classified Board Structure
Several years ago, our Board of Directors reviewed the subject of a classified Board of Directors as the result of request from a
stockholder. Following considerable discussion by our Governance Committee and full Board of Directors concerning the concept of
a declassified Board of Directors and related stockholder rights issues, the Board of Directors determined it is in the best interests of
our stockholders to maintain a classified Board of Directors.
With the appropriate policies in place, we believe that a staggered board creates alignment between our Corporate Governance
policies and the stated philosophy of managing for the long term benefit of all stockholders.
While we believe that the overarching evaluation of a board and management should be the performance of the Company, we also
recognize that our classified board structure can create the appearance of entrenchment on the part of a board and management team.
As a result, in the early 1990’s, we eliminated our “poison pill” policy. In addition, in 2007, we adopted the policy that in an
uncontested election, directors who receive votes in favor of their election which is less than a majority of total votes cast should
promptly offer to resign from the Board of Directors. Another indication of our serious interest regarding this subject is that none of
our named executive officers is covered by a formal employment agreement. We have a severance policy that covers some of those
executives, but it is relatively conservative in the amounts that potentially would be paid in the event of a change of control. Finally,
we do have cumulative voting of shares in the election of directors. In our case, this means that approximately 25% of the ownership
can definitely have their voice(s) heard directly at the board table after a director election.
The success of our long term outlook is manifest in that we have generally outperformed our peers over the last generation. We make
this claim based upon the total stockholder return performance discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this
proxy statement indicating we have outperformed peer metrics and broader indices in three, five, seven and ten year horizons. We are
proud of our performance record and believe this record reflects the attention that management and the Board of Directors brings to
the subject of creating value for its stockholders. Finally, if there is a need for a stockholder initiated change to the Board of
Directors, there is an opportunity to change approximately one-third of the Board of Directors at each election. If those new directors
for some reason cannot make the case clear to the “old board,” then at the next election, stockholders can change another third of the
Board of Directors. That would give a majority of the Board of Directors to new representation. We think this kind of change, in
much less than a two-year period, appropriately balances stockholders’ interests in the ability to send a clear signal of a need for
change with the need to understand the continuity of the Company.
Access to and Communication with the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors endeavors to provide ample access and outreach to stockholders through a number of forums. Stockholders
are provided regular updates through press releases and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of
Directors also solicits dialogue and responds to questions from stockholders at the annual meeting. Questions can be asked in person
or submitted through email at stockholderrelations@wsfsbank.com. The Chairman of the Board of Directors and Vice Chairman and
Lead Director provide their perspective on selected topics of interest to our stockholders through their “View from the Boardroom”
letter in our annual report. Additionally, the Chairman of the Board periodically attends investor conferences and other roadshows to
solicit feedback on corporate governance from institutional stockholders.
22
Table of Contents
PROPOSAL NUMBER 2: Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
KPMG LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 1994. The Board of Directors has appointed
KPMG LLP to continue to be our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year ending December 31,
2016. The Audit Committee evaluated the selection of KPMG LLP and gave a recommendation to the Board of Directors in favor of
KPMG LLP. We are asking the stockholders to ratify the decision of the Board of Directors to appoint KPMG LLP for the 2016 fiscal
year.
Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will have the
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so.
To be ratified, the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm must receive a majority of the
votes cast on that proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes are treated as present for quorum purposes only and therefore have no
effect on the outcome of the proposal.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.
23
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Forward-Looking Statements
The following Compensation Discussion and Analysis, contains estimates, predictions, opinions, projections and other statements that
may be interpreted as “forward-looking statements” as that phrase is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such statements include, without limitation, references to our financial goals, management’s plans and objectives for future
operations, financial and business trends, business prospects, and management’s outlook or expectations for earnings, revenues,
expenses, capital levels, liquidity levels, asset quality or other future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations.
Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions (some of which may be beyond our control) and are subject to
risks and uncertainties (which change over time) and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those
currently anticipated.
Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those related to the economic environment, particularly in the market
areas in which we operate, including an increase in unemployment levels; our level of non-performing assets; the volatility of the
financial and securities markets, including changes with respect to the market value of financial assets; changes in market interest
rates which may increase funding costs and reduce earning asset yields thus reducing margin; increases in benchmark rates would
also increase debt service requirements for customers whose terms include a variable interest rate, which may negatively impact the
ability of borrowers to pay as contractually obligated; changes in government regulation affecting financial institutions, including the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules and regulations being issued in accordance with this
statute and potential expenses and elevated capital levels associated therewith; possible additional loan losses and impairment of the
collectability of loans; possible changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies, laws and regulations and other activities of
governments, agencies, and similar organizations, may have an adverse effect on business; possible rules and regulations issued by
the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or other regulators which might adversely impact our business model or products and
services; possible stresses in the real estate markets, including possible continued deterioration in property values that affect the
collateral value underlying our real estate loans; our ability to expand into new markets, develop competitive new products and
services in a timely manner, and to maintain profit margins in the face of competitive pressures; possible changes in consumer and
business spending and saving habits could affect our ability to increase assets and to attract deposits; our ability to effectively manage
credit risk, interest rate risk market risk, operational risk, legal risk, liquidity risk, reputational risk, and regulatory and compliance
risk; the effects of increased competition from both banks and non-banks; the effects of geopolitical instability and risks such as
terrorist attacks; the effects of weather and natural disasters such as floods, droughts, wind, tornados and hurricanes, and the effects
of man-made disasters; possible changes in the speed of loan prepayments by our customers and loan origination or sales volumes;
possible acceleration of prepayments of mortgage-backed securities due to low interest rates, and the related acceleration of premium
amortization on prepayments on mortgage-backed securities due to low interest rates, and the related acceleration of premium
amortization on those securities; and the costs associated with resolving any problem loans, litigation and other risks and
uncertainties, discussed in documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
Forward looking statements are as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement,
whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of us.
24
Table of Contents
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Executive Summary
Our Personnel and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) provides Board of Director oversight and guidance for executive
compensation and related benefits. To assist with its responsibilities, the Committee regularly receives reports and recommendations
from its independent consultant, ChaseCompGroup, LLC. Our executive compensation program is designed to reflect a pay-for-
performance culture and to align the interests of senior management with our stockholders and our long-term success.
Our general compensation philosophy is as follows:
(cid:120) We strive to be competitive in base pay, taking into consideration salaries of similar positions at comparable banks in our peer
group, allowing for exceptions in exceptional circumstances;
(cid:120) We structure our incentive compensation system to provide rewards for performance that reflects our strategic plan and balances
(cid:120)
executives’ focus on both annual goals and our long-term success, without creating undue risk; and
Our total compensation for expected performance levels is targeted at levels similar to those of our peer group of comparable
banks. For exceptional performance, we provide total compensation reflecting that exceptional performance.
Our executive compensation practices support good governance and mitigate excessive risk-taking. Among other things, they:
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Require significant share ownership for senior executives;
Establish multiple performance metrics under the Management Incentive Program (MIP) which discourage excessive risk-taking
by executives by removing incentives that focus on single performance goals which may be a detriment to the Company;
Balance executives’ short-term and long-term compensation to discourage short-term risk taking at the expense of long-term
results;
Impose a double-trigger for time based equity awards which do not vest solely upon a change in control, but also require a
qualifying termination following a change in control;
Engage an independent compensation consultant who performs no other work for the Company other than as an advisor on senior
leadership compensation matters;
Include a claw-back policy permitting the Personnel and Compensation Committee to recoup certain incentives paid resulting
from fraudulent activity, inaccurate performance criteria or reporting, or financial restatements.
Have no employment contracts with executives which contain special severance payments such as golden parachutes or multi-
year guaranteed bonuses;
(cid:120) Have no special executive retirement programs;
(cid:120) Have no gross-up payments to cover personal income or excise taxes that pertain to executive or severance benefits;
(cid:120) Have no excessive perquisites for executives;
(cid:120) Allow no hedging, pledging collars, short sales or other derivative transactions involving our Common Stock by our executives;
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Permit no cash buyout, re-pricing or backdating of stock options or restricted shares; and
Prescribe a minimum vesting period for awards of options and restricted shares of a minimum of four years.
As our goal is to be a high-performing company, we have designed our compensation package toward attracting and retaining quality
individuals, and motivating and rewarding them for strong performance.
25
Table of Contents
Our 2015 compensation practices were consistent with our long-term focus which, over the past several years, has produced a positive
return to our stockholders and exceeded peer averages. The graph and table which follow show the cumulative total return on our
Common Stock over the last five years compared with the cumulative total return of the Dow Jones Total Market Index and the
Nasdaq Bank Index over the same period as obtained from Bloomberg L.P. Cumulative total return on our Common Stock or the
indices equals the total increase in value since December 31, 2010, assuming reinvestment of all dividends paid into the Common
Stock or the index, respectively. The graph and table were prepared assuming $100 was invested on December 31, 2010 in our
Common Stock and in each of the indices. There can be no assurance that our future stock performance will be the same or similar to
the historical stock performance shown in the graph below. We neither make nor endorse any predictions as to stock performance.
CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN
COMPARED WITH PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED INDEXES
December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2015
WSFS Financial Corporation
Dow Jones Total Market Index
Nasdaq Bank Index
December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2015
Cumulative Total Return
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
$
100 $
100
100
26
77 $
91 $
108
90
119
106
169 $
155
150
168 $
170
157
214
171
171
Table of Contents
Consistent with our long-term focus, we set aggressive, measurable goals. We are accountable for achieving those goals as
demonstrated in our competitive “pay-for-performance” philosophy. Our executive incentive compensation plans, which include our
MIP, covering our Named Executive Officers (NEOs): (i) focus on performance measures that are important to stockholders, (ii) do
not promote inappropriate risk, (iii) use fundamental indicators of our performance, growth and health, and (iv) take into consideration
industry peer comparisons. These performance measures are: Return on Average Assets (ROA), Return on Average Tangible
Common Equity (ROTCE) and Earnings per Share (EPS) growth. ROTCE is computed by dividing net earnings allocable to common
stockholders by the average tangible common stockholders’ equity. It is a non-GAAP financial measure and may not be comparable
to similar non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. In addition, where appropriate, some individual goals for our
executives in our MIP are tied to asset quality. While asset quality is not a formal metric, we believe it is inherently measured in these
goals and in our internal policies and governance and in our regulatory exams. The Personnel and Compensation Committee reserves
the right to recover (“claw-back”) any incentives that were paid due to fraudulent activity, inaccurate performance criteria or
reporting, or financial restatements.
Based, in part, on input from the Committee’s compensation consultant, we believe our compensation plans incorporate industry-
recognized “best practices” in compensation and are consistent with our corporate strategy and long-term goals. They include
competitive pay-for-performance standards that are scaled based on increased ROA performance and which promote retention. In one
plan, Executive Management is increasingly rewarded with restricted stock or options for superior absolute performance, as indicated
by reaching annual ROA, ROTCE and EPS targets. Vesting over at least four years means these awards do not inure to the benefit of
the NEO immediately, but over an extended period of time. Likewise, the cost of such awards is spread over an extended multi-year
period.
Common Stock Split
In March 2015, the Board of Directors adopted an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, to increase the number
of shares of common stock the Company is authorized to issue from 20,000,000, par value $0.01 to 65,000,000, par value $0.01. This
amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation was approved by the Company’s stockholders at the 2015 Annual Meeting
held on April 30, 2015.
In May 2015, the Company effected a three-for-one stock split in the form of a stock dividend to stockholders of record as of May 4,
2015. All share and per share information has been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.
27
Table of Contents
2015 – Overview
In 2015 our region continued to see indications of economic stability and recovery. The Personnel and Compensation Committee
considered the state of the economy, the competitive environment in our marketplace, the demand for seasoned talent and the retention
of our executive leadership team when deciding 2015 executive compensation levels.
We grew both organically and through acquisition in 2015. The bulk of our organic growth in 2015 continued to come from market
share gains rather than economic growth. Customers of our larger in-market competitors continue to see the benefits that WSFS has to
offer with local decision making and creating stellar service experiences. In the Delaware market, WSFS ranked third in traditional
deposit bank market share and continued to gain momentum; among those ranked in the top four (for market share), WSFS was the
only bank to show a gain as the other three showed a loss of deposits (based on FDIC data reported as of June 30, 2015).
As the regional marketplace rebounds economically, we continue to have success in strengthening our reputation as the oldest and
largest independent community bank and trust company in the Delaware Valley. We were named by Wilmington’s The News Journal
as a top-five “Top Workplace” for the tenth year in a row. Independent survey results indicate our customers continue to score us
favorably among the top quintile of the Gallup global database. For the fifth year in a row, we were named the #1 Bank in Delaware
as voted by the Reader’s Choice Survey also administered by The News Journal. We also participated in a survey administered by
Philly.com, the results of which earned us Top Workplace recognition for the second consecutive year for that market as well. In
2015, we received several awards and various recognition including, but not limited to the following:
(cid:120) WSFS Bank ranked no. 1 in Trust Revenue Growth in the state of Delaware by Bank Director magazine. Bank Director also
ranked WSFS no. 26 nationally in the same category.
(cid:120) WSFS Financial Corporation earns the highest ranking among peers in the state of Delaware and #34 in the entire nation
according to Bank Director magazine’s 2015 Bank Performance Scorecard.
(cid:120) WSFS Mobile Cash was chosen by Networld, the publisher of ATM Marketplace and Mobile Payments Today, as the winner
of the “Most Innovative ATM Technology” Award for 2015.
(cid:120) WSFS Mobile Cash video was awarded the Gold MarCom award in the Animation Category.
Also WSFS was the cover story for the March 2016 American Banker. The title of the article was “A Community Banker’s Guide to
Surviving the Next 184 Years” and featured an in-depth interview with Mark Turner, CEO and President.
In 2015, for the fifth year in a row, we showed significant improvement compared to the prior year. We reported GAAP net income
of $53.5 million and an ROA of 1.05%, and, solely for the purpose of our incentive plans, we made a “quality of earnings” adjustment
to our incentive plan metrics which excluded corporate development costs and thus increased our incentive plan ROA to 1.16%, our
ROTCE to 13.10% and our EPS growth over 2014 to 14.61%. For a more detailed discussion of our “quality of earnings” adjustment,
see “Quality of Earnings Review” on page 35.
Compensation considerations for 2015
The components of 2015 executive compensation were base salary, cash incentive and bonus, long-term incentive compensation and
benefits. The Personnel and Compensation Committee and management discussed the ongoing risks to our organization with regard
to motivating and retaining our executive team. In 2015, the Personnel and Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors
approved a MIP modifier as a supplemental feature of the existing 2015 MIP plan, under which the Personnel and Compensation
Committee had the authority to make upward or downward adjustments to incentive awards. If the Company’s performance in the
three Company-wide metrics had a weighted average at or above the peer group 75 percentile, the Personnel and Compensation
Committee would increase the executives’ incentive awards by an additional ten percent of salary. If performance fell below the peer
group 50 percentile, the Personnel and Compensation Committee had the latitude to reduce awards by ten percent of salary. Further,
under the Company’s Management Compensation Policy and separate from the MIP Plan formula, the Personnel and Compensation
Committee is given discretion to adjust incentive awards for Management upwards or downwards by 25%. The Committee will
reassess the use of the modifier for 2016 to ensure the modifier positions performance-based compensation at an appropriate level
commensurate with Company and peer performance.
th
th
28
Table of Contents
In addition, although the Company typically conducts an in-depth executive compensation study every three years, the last one being
completed in December 2013, the Committee decided to engage the ChaseCompGroup to accelerate the review as of December 2015
given the rebounding economy, significant Company growth, and the competition for experienced leadership talent. As part of this
review, management and ChaseCompGroup developed an updated peer group of 21 publicly traded banks in the Mid-Atlantic region
with $3-10 billion in assets. In addition, ChaseCompGroup developed an alternate peer group of 24 public banks to evaluate
compensation at higher-performing banks (75 percentile) with greater noninterest income. Four key elements of profitability were
measured: ROA, ROTC, EPS growth and total stockholder return. The study showed that the Company has sustainable above-
median peer group performance and that total compensation for executives at the Company in 2014 was slightly below the market
median.
th
Our 2015 results reflected significantly improved absolute performance reflected in the Company’s fourth quarter core and sustainable
ROA of 1.24% that exceeded our high-performing goal of a core and sustainable 1.20% ROA in the fourth quarter of 2015. Our
executive’s 2015 compensation reflects these results, and considering the total mix of compensation, we believe 2015 executive
compensation is: (1) consistent with our pre-established pay-for-performance plans, (2) reasonable in light of payment levels for
companies in our Compensation Peer Group (“CPG”) and (3) consistent with our 2015 results, both in absolute terms, and in
comparison to prior years’ results and incentives.
During 2015, the Personal and Compensation Committee also reviewed an analysis conducted by our Chief Risk Officer and
concluded that our compensation program is balanced and does not encourage imprudent risk taking.
We also evaluate whether our compensation programs reflect the interests of our stockholders through their non-binding vote, which
we take into careful consideration for future executive compensation decisions. In 2015, by their advisory (non-binding) vote, 98.7%
of voting stockholders approved the compensation of, and compensation arrangement for our executives.
Named Executive Officers (NEOs)
The table below shows our NEOs for 2015.
Mark A. Turner – President and Chief Executive Officer
Name and Title
Stephen A. Fowle – Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(1)
Paul D. Geraghty, Sr. – Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth Officer
Rodger Levenson – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
S. James Mazarakis – Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Richard M. Wright – Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer
(1)
Mr. Fowle’s last day of employment with the Company was March 31, 2015
The Role of the Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
The Personnel and Compensation Committee serves the full Board of Directors by providing oversight and guidance with respect to
personnel and compensation policies and practices. Also, the Personnel and Compensation Committee provides oversight to
management so that we create and maintain competitive programs which attract, develop, motivate, reward and retain Associates
committed to superior performance and the highest professional and ethical standards. The Personnel and Compensation Committee
ensures that personnel and compensation policies support our strategic mission and comply with all applicable legal and regulatory
requirements. It also reviews and considers the results of stockholders’ advisory votes on executive compensation. See page 19 for a
complete description of the role of the Personnel and Compensation Committee.
29
Table of Contents
The Role of Management in Executive Compensation
Our CEO and our Chief Human Capital Officer provide recommendations for the Personnel and Compensation Committee’s
consideration and manage our compensation programs and policies. Their activities include:
(cid:120) Assisting the Personnel and Compensation Committee and its independent compensation consultant as requested, with executive
compensation reviews, incentive program designs, risk assessments of compensation programs and preparation for meetings;
Based upon data provided by the Personnel and Compensation Committee, reviewing compensation programs for competitiveness
and aligning compensation programs with our strategic goals;
Recommending changes to compensation programs to the Personnel and Compensation Committee, where appropriate; and
Recommending pay levels and incentive plan payments for NEOs, except for the CEO.
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
The CEO excuses himself from all Personnel and Compensation Committee and Board of Director discussions of his compensation
level. As a practical matter, he may discuss the formula by which his and other executives’ incentive compensation is structured, but
does not participate in decisions regarding his awards or changes to his own compensation.
The Role of Stockholder Say-on-Pay Votes
Our Board of Directors, Personnel and Compensation Committee and management value the opinions of our stockholders, including
their advisory votes regarding the compensation paid to our named executive officers, which are often referred to as “Say-on-Pay”
votes. At our 2011 Annual Meeting, a majority of our stockholders voted, on an advisory basis, in favor of holding Say-on-Pay votes
every three years and revisiting this frequency every six years. Our Board of Directors and Personnel and Compensation Committee
considered these results, among other factors, and determined that we will follow our stockholders’ preferred frequency for
conducting Say-on-Pay votes. The next required vote on the frequency of advisory Say-on-Pay votes will occur no later than our 2017
annual meeting of stockholders.
Our last advisory Say-on-Pay vote was conducted in 2015 and was approved by 98.7% of the votes cast. Pursuant to our say-on-pay
practice, the next advisory Say-on-Pay vote will occur at our 2018 annual meeting of stockholders. Although the advisory Say-on-Pay
vote is non-binding, our Personnel and Compensation Committee has considered the outcome of previous votes when making
compensation decisions for named executive officers. Our Personnel and Compensation Committee believes that these votes evidence
our stockholders’ support for our approach to executive compensation and took this support into account in deciding not to alter the
overall compensation plan and program for 2015. Our Personnel and Compensation Committee will continue to consider the outcome
of the Say-on-Pay votes when making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers.
The Role of Consultants
In 2015, the Personnel and Compensation Committee worked with ChaseCompGroup LLC, an independent executive compensation
consulting firm specializing in the financial services industry. The Personnel and Compensation Committee engaged them to review
our executive compensation program, calculate MIP awards, and test opportunity levels under our short and long term incentive
plans. ChaseCompGroup reports directly to the Personnel and Compensation Committee and does not provide any non-compensation
related services or products to the Committee nor does it provide any services to us. The Personnel and Compensation Committee has
worked with the same consultant, Diana Chase, since 2007 under previous firm names. Over these years the consultant has provided
the Personnel and Compensation Committee with advice on market competitive pay for executives and directors. In addition to
executive benchmark analyses, ChaseCompGroup has assisted us with the executive annual and long-term incentive programs,
compliance and industry best practices. The aggregate amount paid to our independent compensation consultant represented .014% of
our total revenue for 2015. In retaining its consultant, the Personnel and Compensation Committee considered the factors set forth in
Rule 10-C-1 under the Exchange Act, and determined that there were no conflicts of interest that would preclude the Personnel and
Compensation Committee’s use of the consultant. For example, no member of the Personnel and Compensation Committee or any
executive officer has a personal relationship with Diana Chase or any member of the ChaseCompGroup, or a business relationship
other than in connection with the services described in this proxy statement. Neither Diana Chase nor the ChaseCompGroup owns
WSFS stock.
30
Table of Contents
Peer Group and Benchmarking
Approximately every three years, the Personnel and Compensation Committee engages an independent consultant to conduct a formal
review of our executive compensation program. As discussed above, a comprehensive review was conducted in late 2015 by the
ChaseCompGroup. Prior to the 2015 review, ChaseCompGroup last performed a review in late 2013. The Personnel and
Compensation Committee requested this review to assess competitive compensation levels for its executives and the Board of
Directors.
When benchmarking compensation the Personnel and Compensation Committee uses a Compensation Peer Group (“CPG”) that is
representative of those companies with whom we compete for talent. By using this peer group, it provides a targeted assessment of
the compensation practices for publicly traded peer companies, as we cannot readily obtain compensation data from private
companies. The CPG allows us to compare our compensation to other banks that have a similar business model, size and geographic
locations and helps us align base compensation, incentives and equity awards with our compensation philosophy.
The banks in our 2015 CPG were updated from those used in the 2014 CPG, although 86% were the same banks. Three new banks
(*asterisked below) were added in 2015 to substitute for previous peers that were acquired or outgrew our asset size. The
organizations comprising the CPG provided a data set of peers comparable to our size, business model and location and reflected the
following:
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Median total assets were approximately $6.1 billion, within 9% of our own asset size and consistent with our proforma asset size
Located within MD, NJ, NY, PA, and VA;
Total assets as of December 31, 2015, were between $3.4 billion and $9.6 billion;
upon our acquisition of Penn Liberty Bank scheduled for August 2016; and
Like WSFS, several metropolitan-based and coastal banks.
(cid:120)
31
Table of Contents
Listed below are the companies included in our CPG and their total assets as of December 31, 2015.
Total Assets at
Return on
December 31, 2015
Average Assets
State
($000)
2015 (%)
Company Name
1 National Penn Bancshares, Inc.
2 Northwest Bancshares, Inc.
3 Provident Financial Services, Inc.
4 Community Bank System, Inc.*
5 Customers Bancorp, Inc.*
6 NBT Bancorp Inc.
7 Union Bankshares Corporation*
8 First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
9 S&T Bancorp, Inc.
10 TowneBank
11 Eagle Bancorp, Inc.
12 Flushing Financial Corporation
13 Tompkins Financial Corporation
14 Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.
15 Beneficial Bancorp, Inc.
16 TrustCo Bank Corp NY
17 Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
18 Kearney Financial Corp. (MHC)
20 Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.
21 Oritani Financial Corp.
Average
25th Percentile
50th Percentile
75th Percentile
Ticker
NPBC
NWBI
PFS
CBU
CUBI
NBTB
UBSH
FCF
STBA
TOWN
EGBN
FFIC
TMP
DCOM
BNCL
TRST
SASR
KRNY
LBAI
ORIT
PA
PA
NJ
NY
PA
NY
VA
PA
PA
VA
MD
NY
NY
NY
PA
NY
MD
NJ
NJ
NJ
WSFS Financial Corporation
WSFS
DE
9,598,902
8,951,899
8,911,657
8,552,669
8,401,313
8,262,646
7,693,291
6,566,890
6,318,354
6,296,574
6,076,649
5,704,634
5,689,995
5,032,872
4,826,695
4,734,992
4,655,380
4,237,187
3,869,550
3,353,065
6,269,210
4,728,164
6,076,649
8,262,646
5,585,962
1.16
0.73
0.96
1.17
0.81
0.96
0.90
0.78
1.13
1.09
1.49
0.86
1.08
0.96
0.48
0.89
1.01
0.15
0.89
1.44
0.96
0.86
0.96
1.13
1.05
Percentile Rank of WSFS Financial Corporation by Asset Size
39th%
63rd%
WSFS had a strong year in 2015 and performed very well relative to our CPG as shown in the table above. Performance is one factor
in selecting our CPG as well as market and asset size. While we set our goals for our incentive plans based on our internal budget, we
note that our budget and target goals are generally set above the median of our peers on several criteria. In fact, during 2015 we
performed at the 63 percentile of this peer group based on ROA, before adjusting ROA upward for our quality of earnings
adjustment. We discuss our performance against our 2015 incentive plan further under the section entitled “Measuring Actual
Performance and Calculating Incentive Payments” on page 37.
rd
32
Table of Contents
Elements of Compensation
In the following section, we describe the elements of our NEO compensation. It includes a discussion of how we determine the
amounts for each element, why each element is included in our NEO compensation program and the actual payments resulting from
our pay-for-performance incentive programs.
Base Salaries
Why We Provide Base Salaries
We offer base salaries to provide a stable source of income to our NEOs. Base salaries also serve as a base amount for the
determination of our pay-for-performance programs and serve as a significant tool for recruiting, motivation and retention.
How We Determine Base Salary Amounts
We establish base salaries and assess market competitiveness by comparing our executives’ qualifications, experience and
responsibilities as well as their individual performance and value, to similar positions at peer banks. Additional factors that play a role
in setting the final base salary amount for NEOs are as follows:
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Additional responsibilities taken on by the Executives
Special circumstances related to staffing needs and market situations;
Levels of compensation provided from other compensation components; and
The prior incumbent’s salary;
The successful candidate’s salary history;
When determining base salary amounts for a newly hired NEO, we incorporate the following additional factors:
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120) Any market-based data provided by the external recruiter retained for the search; and
(cid:120)
The salary requirements of other candidates being considered for the position who have a similar level of experience.
Consistent with national market data provided by ChaseCompGroup and in line with our overall company-wide merit pool, four of our
NEOs received a 3% merit increase in base salary for 2016. Our Chief Executive Officer, however, received a 5% merit increase
which was designed to put him at the 50th percentile of his peer group, which is consistent with our policy to generally pay base
salaries at the 50 percentile of the Company’s peer group and takes into consideration his experience and expertise. The Board
approved NEO base salary increases as indicated below.
th
Name and Principal Position
Mark A. Turner –
President and Chief Executive Officer
Paul D. Geraghty, Sr. –
Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth Officer
Rodger Levenson –
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
S. James Mazarakis -
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Richard M. Wright –
Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer
BASE SALARY
2016
$675,115
321,900
360,500
296,400
348,600
33
2015 to
2016
%
increase
5%
3%
3%
3%
3%
2015
$642,967
312,500
350,000
287,700
338,400
2014 to
2015
%
increase
3%
5%
3%
3%
3%
2014
$624,240
297,600
339,700
279,300
328,500
Table of Contents
Annual Incentives
Our executives are eligible for an annual award under our MIP. We designed the MIP to reward executives for excellence in
performance on key financial metrics determined by the Personnel and Compensation Committee, as well as each executive’s
performance and contribution in his or her area of responsibility. The Personnel and Compensation Committee also retains the
discretion to provide special recognition bonuses outside the MIP to take into consideration special performance events or other
performance-based circumstances. In 2015, the Personnel and Compensation Committee exercised this discretion and approved
recognition bonuses to a few executives, as more fully described in our discussion of the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 41.
Why We Provide Annual Incentives
Our compensation program includes an annual performance-based award. The objective is to compensate executives based on
achievement of Company-wide and individual goals related to building franchise and stockholder value. The award is intended to
reward current performance which is also in line with our long-term goals and to motivate the executive to achieve high-performing
results.
How We Determine Annual Incentive Amounts
The structure of our annual incentive plan includes: setting Company-wide goals; setting individual performance goals; weighting the
goals; providing incentive opportunities to NEOs; and measuring actual performance and calculating incentive awards.
(cid:120)
Setting Company performance goals
Each year the Personnel and Compensation Committee reviews our metrics and establishes Company-wide targets on the chosen
metrics. In selecting the metrics, the Personnel and Compensation Committee considers our short-term and long-term business
strategy, the current business environment and the interests of stockholders. The following metrics of our performance were
chosen for 2015 and, with the exception of a change in 2013 from “Return on Equity” to “Return on Tangible Common Equity,”
we remained consistent with those selected in the previous several years. They were:
1.
2.
3.
Return on assets (ROA)
Return on tangible common equity (ROTCE)
Earnings per share (EPS) growth
It is a common practice for organizations to review and adjust performance metrics at the onset of a new performance period to
ensure they continue to reflect our business strategy and market best practices. This review process helps ensure that company-
wide goals used for incentive plans support the Company’s overall strategy, accommodate any shifts in strategy from year-to-year
or during market changes and learn from past experiences and best practices. Management, working with the ChaseCompGroup,
believed it was appropriate and in the best interests of stockholders to maintain the structure of the plan, while modifying the
absolute levels of performance for each of these metrics. As discussed in “Compensation considerations for 2015” at page 28, in
2015, the Personnel and Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors approved a MIP modifier as a supplemental feature
of the existing 2015 MIP plan. If the Company’s performance in the three Company-wide metrics had a weighted average at or
above the peer group 75 percentile, the Personnel and Compensation Committee had the authority to increase the executives’
incentive awards by an additional ten percent of salary. If performance fell below the peer group 50 percentile, the Committee
had the latitude to reduce awards by ten percent of salary. The Personnel and Compensation Committee also have the ultimate
discretion to modify awards downward if some other threshold level is not achieved. Examples of potential events or factors that
the Personnel and Compensation Committee may take into account in reducing or eliminating awards include, but are not limited
to: downgrading of the Bank’s CAMELS rating, imposition of regulatory enforcement actions, or excessive non-performing
assets.
th
th
In addition, as in the past, the Personnel and Compensation Committee reserves the right to recover (“claw-back”) any incentives
that were paid due to fraudulent activity, inaccurate performance criteria or reporting, or financial restatements.
34
Table of Contents
2016 MIP Performance Goals
As with 2015, ROA, ROTCE and EPS Growth, with equal weightings, were established as the metrics to be used in 2016. We
believe that other essential goals, such as growth, efficiency and asset quality are adequately represented in these goals and the
individual performance goals of each NEO.
Company-wide performance goals for 2016 are shown below. These goals were set after taking into consideration a number of
factors, including our 2016 budget, strategic plan and industry performance of high-performing banks. These goals are set at
levels consistent with our strategic plan goal of improving our rank as a high-performing bank.
Performance Metric
Return on Average Assets (ROA)
Return on Tangible Common Equity (ROTCE)
Earnings Per Share Growth EPS
Threshold
2016
1.00%
11.0%
10.0%
Target
2016
1.17%
12.9%
11.2%
Maximum
or Stretch
2016
1.25%
14.0%
12.0%
The threshold levels for 2016 are set above expected peer medians and the targets for 2016 are well above expected peer
medians. After a thorough review and discussion, the Personnel and Compensation Committee approved the MIP Plan for 2016.
However, in 2016 the Personnel and Compensation Committee agreed that the MIP modifier should be revised to allow
adjustments for sustained performance above the 75 percentile. This will allow the Personnel and Compensation Committee to
adjust awards to ensure our performance based awards are competitive and commensurate with our performance that positions us
at upper quartile relative to peers.
th
Claw-back Policy
NEOs are subject to a claw-back policy under which they would be obligated to forfeit and repay any bonus, award or incentive
compensation paid under a benefit plan to the extent that such bonus, award or incentive compensation was due to fraudulent
activity or was based on statements of earnings, revenues, gains, the performance metric criteria of a benefit plan or other criteria
that were later found to be materially inaccurate by the Personnel and Compensation Committee.
Quality of Earnings Review
We conduct a “quality of earnings” review which evaluates any unusual, one-time items greater than $2 million, after tax, which
impact cash, equity and earnings, and considers them for adjustments for the purposes of calculating earnings for the MIP. Any
“quality of earnings” evaluations are made with a strong bias towards ensuring that management is accountable for reported
results. For 2015, our review concluded that $5.5 million ($7.6 million pre-tax equivalent) in corporate development costs,
largely related to the acquisition of Alliance Bancorp, Inc., should be excluded from the calculation of earnings for purposes of
our MIP. As a result, solely for the purpose of computing MIP awards, all our metrics were adjusted upward. The adjusted ROA
was 1.16%, the adjusted ROTCE was 13.1% and the adjusted growth in EPS over 2014 was 14.61%.
In 2014 and 2013 we made significant downward adjustments to MIP earnings. For 2014, we excluded a $6.7 million tax benefit
($10.3 million pre-tax equivalent) related to our reverse mortgage assets and $4.0 million (pre-tax) of corporate development
costs from our MIP earnings. For 2013, we excluded from our MIP earnings, a $2.5 million after-tax gain resulting from a
reverse mortgage consolidation.
35
Table of Contents
(cid:120)
Setting individual performance goals
At the beginning of the year, each NEO who reports to the CEO develops individual performance goals for the year consistent
with the budget and strategic plan, as well as for personal professional growth. These goals are submitted to the CEO for review,
amendment and approval. Through an iterative, collaborative effort, these NEOs and the CEO agree to the final individual
performance goals. Individual performance goals are tailored to each NEO’s function and particular area of responsibility, and
may cover a wide variety of performance, including, by way of example, financial performance, customer engagement,
operational milestones and other matters.
The MIP measures the performance of the CEO solely on Company-wide goals. However, the Board of Directors also establishes
individual performance expectations for the CEO in addition to those associated with the MIP. These performance expectations
are established by the Personnel and Compensation Committee after a review, discussion and approval of recommendations
submitted by the CEO. The Personnel and Compensation Committee assesses the performance of the NEO as compared to these
performance expectations when annual salary adjustments are being considered.
(cid:120) Weighting the goals
The Personnel and Compensation Committee believes the more senior the rank of the executive, the more responsibility that
executive has for Company-wide performance. As a result, for the more senior executives, Company-wide performance
measurement criteria play a larger role in determining the amount of incentive awards. Individual and business unit performance
goals play a larger role in determining the amount of the incentive award for less senior ranked executives. For 2015, the
weighting percentage for the CEO was 100% for Company-wide performance and 0% for individual performance. For 2015, the
weighting percentage for each of the EVPs was 75% for Company-wide performance and 25% for individual performance,
reflecting his or her role in strategic matters. The weightings for the CEO and EVPs will not change for 2016.
MIP awards are calculated using these percentage allocations. For example, in 2015, the MIP award for Mr. Turner, our CEO,
was based entirely on Company-wide financial performance. Although he has individual performance goals, it is the Company-
wide metrics that determine his annual incentive (MIP) award. The Personnel and Compensation Committee has discretion to
determine the amounts of final award payouts to all our NEOs, with the exception of the CEO, which is at the recommendation of
the Personnel and Compensation Committee and at the discretion of the full Board of Directors.
(cid:120)
Providing incentive opportunities to NEOs
The table below shows NEO annual non-equity (cash) incentive opportunities for 2015 under the MIP as a percentage of base
salary. When setting MIP goals, the Personnel and Compensation Committee took into consideration the opportunity levels for
similar positions within the CPG companies along with our philosophy of linking pay to performance. If we meet our Company-
wide performance criteria and/or the NEOs achieve their individual performance criteria, we would provide awards as shown in
the table. Levels for “Minimum,” “Target” and “Stretch” for all NEOs in 2015 were unchanged from 2014 levels. The Personnel
and Compensation Committee believes the greater the alignment of performance weightings with Company-wide goals, and the
more objectivity that exists in plan administration, the more likely it will be that incentive payments will be commensurate with
an overall improvement in our performance. Our recent market analysis confirmed that the target earning opportunities, shown
below, remain competitive.
36
Table of Contents
MIP 2015 Annual Non-Equity Award Opportunity as a Percent of Base Salary
Name and Principal Position
Mark A. Turner –
President and Chief Executive Officer
Paul D. Geraghty, Sr. –
Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth Officer
Rodger Levenson –
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
S. James Mazarakis –
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Richard M. Wright –
Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer
Minimum
Target
Maximum
or Stretch
25.0%
17.5%
17.5%
17.5%
17.5%
50%
40%
40%
40%
40%
120%
90%
90%
90%
90%
Timing of MIP Annual Awards and IRS Section 409A Requirements
Payment of annual incentive awards under the MIP occurs no later than March 15 of the year following the performance period.
This timing usually provides ample opportunity for the finalization of year-end performance results as well as maintaining compliance
with the short-term deferral exception under Section 409A requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.
th
Measuring Actual Performance and Calculating Incentive Payments
The following is a summary of our Management Incentive Plan (MIP) design:
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
A proportional approach (interpolation) will be used to calculate incentive payouts for the performance results that fall between
threshold, target and stretch levels;
The Company will conduct a “quality of earnings review” to consider adjustments from GAAP reported earnings to MIP
earnings;
(cid:120) Award opportunities will be based on specified percentages of base salary for Threshold, Target and Stretch achievement by
NEOs; and
(cid:120) Other elements of the plan design, as described above.
The table below shows our 2015 actual results for the three performance goals used for incentive awards under the 2015 MIP. Our
score is calculated by determining the average of scoring for our performance against ROA, ROTCE and earnings per share growth
(for 2015, adjusted upward for “quality of earnings” adjustments) versus pre-established performance targets. A numerical value is
interpolated based on a score of 1 for “threshold,” 2 for “target” and 3 for “stretch.” This score is applied to the payout percentages,
and a payout is calculated. The individual performance score is calculated similarly.
2015 MIP Company-Wide Performance Goals and Results
Goal
Threshold
Target
Maximum
or Stretch
WSFS
Results
Result
2015
Return on Assets (ROA)
Return on Tangible Common Equity
(ROTCE)
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
1.00%
11.8%
5%
1.10%
12.9%
9%
1.20%
14.0%
15%
1.16%
Above Target
13.1%
Above Target
14.6%
Aggregate
Result
Above Target
Above Target
As the table above shows, for the purposes of the MIP, our Return on Assets was 1.16% in 2015, our Return on Tangible Common
Equity was 13.1%, and our growth of Earnings Per Share was 14.6%. Combined, these three metrics resulted in a score 57/100ths of
the way between Target and Maximum or Stretch, or at the 73 percentile of our $2-10 billion performance peer group (PPG) and the
rd
81 percentile of our CPG. The 73 PPG percentile was below the 75 percentile required to trigger the MIP modifier; therefore, the
MIP modifier was not triggered in determining 2015 incentive awards.
rd
th
st
37
Table of Contents
Equity/Long-Term Incentives
Our equity-based compensation plan is the primary method by which we provide long-term incentives to our executives. Pursuant to
our 2013 Plan, we offer equity awards as a performance incentive to encourage ownership of our Common Stock by our executives
and to further align the interests of management with those of our stockholders. Equity awards also provide value by attracting,
motivating and retaining executives and provide appropriate and meaningful rewards to NEOs for our long-term success. Beginning
in 2013, and for a period of five years, our CEO will not receive equity awards under the 2013 Plan as further discussed in “CEO
Equity Incentive Compensation” below.
Annual Performance-Based Awards
Our plan was revised effective for grants made in 2015 reflecting our performance goals, which are the same as those detailed in the
“2016 MIP Performance Goals” section, above. The plan, structured as part of our MIP plan, is designed so that NEOs will have the
potential to earn 25%-35%-45% of their salary in equity awards at threshold, target and stretch performance levels for the same three
bank-wide goals: ROAA, ROATCE and EPS Growth. Additionally, under this revised plan, one-half of the equity awards will be
stock options with four year vesting and a seven year life, and one-half of the equity awards will be restricted stock units with four
year vesting. Further, to improve pay-for-performance, NEOs, other than the CEO, will have the opportunity to earn performance-
based equity awards. In addition, supplemental equity awards, which in the past have compensated NEOs for, among other things,
contribution limitations to qualified retirement plans imposed by the IRS (“in lieu of” awards), have been eliminated and added to the
basic equity plan and awards have been revised to reward for attainment of our performance levels.
In 2015 for 2014 performance, the long-term incentive plan provided EVP-level NEOs with option and restricted stock unit awards at
36.2% of base salary. Option awards are valued using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The total value of the equity awards
granted to our NEO’s in 2015 for 2014 performance under this plan was $349,323. These awards have a four year vesting schedule.
As mentioned previously, beginning in 2013, our CEO will not receive equity awards under the 2013 plan for a period of five years.
CEO Equity Incentive Compensation
In 2013, the Board of Directors recommended, a change to the equity incentive compensation of our CEO by executing a Non-Plan
Stock Option Agreement. This plan was overwhelmingly approved by 97.9% of voting stockholders, with 88.5% of eligible
stockholders voting on this proposal. Under this agreement, Mr. Turner received a grant of 750,000 stock options with an exercise
price equal to 20% above the then market value of our common stock. The stock options issued under the Non-Plan Stock Option
Agreement have an exercise price of $16.51 and expire on February 28, 2020. Vesting occurs over a five year period with 40% vesting
after the second year and 20% vesting in each of the following three years.
The agreement also provided that Mr. Turner would no longer be eligible for any new equity awards for a five-year period beginning
in 2013 (2013 through 2017 fiscal years), including eligibility for significant awards under our existing long-term incentive plan, our
Multi Year High-Performance Awards and our supplemental equity award plan designed to make up for our lack of deferred
compensation plans through 2014, which are in use at many other peer institutions. If Mr. Turner had continued to be eligible for
those plans, we estimate that the value of those awards for the first three year of his ineligibility would have been worth approximately
$1,759,000.
Timing and Pricing of Equity Awards
The Personnel and Compensation Committee awards equity grants, generally at the February meeting of the Personnel and
Compensation Committee. Grants may be recommended during other times of the year for special circumstances, such as the hiring
of a new executive, but are subject to Committee approval. The grant date is established when the Personnel and Compensation
Committee or other authorized body approves the grant and all key terms have been established.
38
Table of Contents
Associate Service Bonus Plan
Our NEOs also participate in an Associate Service Bonus Plan which is offered to all of our Associates. The two primary components
of this plan are our ROA and our Customer Engagement Survey score (CE11) administered by the Gallup Organization. Specific
payouts are determined by management based on reaching specific ROA and CE11 scores. The following criteria assist in objective
accountability and discourage unnecessary and excessive risk-taking or manipulation of earnings:
(cid:120) An ROA factor is one component of the calculation of incentive payouts. If our ROA is less than 1%, there is no score given for
that component of the Associate Service Bonus Plan calculation;
The CE11 factor is the other component of the calculation of the incentive payout and is determined based upon the results of an
independently administered customer engagement survey. This factor is not impacted by our earnings; and
The incentive payouts are capped at $1,500 per Associate.
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
The Company paid a $1,000 award per Associate in 2016 for 2015 performance.
Benefits
401(k) Employer Contribution
We provide a 401(k) program that allows Associates to contribute a portion of their pre-tax earnings towards retirement savings. We
offer a Company match to all Associates enrolled in our 401(k) plan as a component of total compensation and to encourage them to
participate in the Plan. We match the first 5% of an Associate’s contribution dollar-for-dollar up to IRS limitations.
Director and Executive Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
Effective January 2015, a non-qualified deferred compensation plan was offered for our executives and Board of Directors. For
executives, this program allows for base compensation to be deferred as well as for deferment of cash awards. For Board Directors,
this program allows for retainer and meeting fees to be deferred. It offers pre-tax, voluntary contributions, tax deferred earnings,
investment choices and flexible payment options. The plan is solely funded by the participant and there is no matching contribution
made by the Company. The plan was reviewed and approved by our Personnel and Compensation Committee and our Board of
Directors. The following table provides information relating to deferrals of compensation by our named executive officers under our
non-qualified deferred compensation plan.
NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Aggregate
Earnings in
Executive
Contributions
in 2015
(1)
Name and Principal Position
Mark A. Turner –
President and Chief Executive Officer
Stephen A. Fowle -
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Paul D. Geraghty, Sr. –
Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth Officer
Rodger Levenson –
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
$
-
-
-
-
S. James Mazarakis -
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Richard M. Wright –
Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer
(1)
Amounts in this column are included in the Summary Compensation Table.
Amounts in this column are not included in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)
135,220
167,381
(1,311)
(2,554)
39
2015
(2)
$
-
-
-
-
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
in 2015
$
-
-
Aggregate
Balance at
December 31,
2015
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
133,909
164,827
Table of Contents
Development Allowance
We provide a Development Allowance to our NEOs which provides up to $27,500 (increased in 2016 from $25,000 since 2011) per
year for the CEO and up to $10,000 per year for Executive Vice Presidents.
Allowable expenses under the Development Allowance Policy include items that would improve the executives’ networking and
business development prospects, personal health, time management and general well-being in a way that can reasonably be expected
to result in improvements to their productivity as one of our executives. CEO expenditures must be approved by the Chairman of the
Board of Directors or the Chair of the Personnel and Compensation Committee. Expenditures by Executive Vice Presidents must be
approved by our CEO.
Separate from the above allowance, executives who are recruited from outside our market may be reimbursed for costs associated with
their transitional relocation.
Employment Agreements
Because of our corporate philosophy which emphasizes commitment based on performance, we do not have employment agreements
for our NEOs. We have a formal severance policy which provides payments to NEOs if their employment is terminated without cause
or under certain conditions following a change of control. Further details concerning Employment Agreements are provided under
“Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” on page 46.
Tax Considerations Related to Our Executive Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code Section 162(m)) provides that certain compensation paid in
excess of $1 million to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, or any of the other three most highly compensated
executive officers of a public company will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes unless such compensation is paid in
accordance with one of the listed exceptions described in Code Section 162(m). However, certain forms of performance-based
compensation are excluded from the $1 million deduction limitation, if certain requirements are met. The Personnel and
Compensation Committee generally seeks, where feasible and consistent with its overall compensation philosophy and objectives, to
structure incentive compensation granted to our executive officers in a manner that is intended to minimize or eliminate the impact of
the Section 162 (m) deduction limitation. The deductibility of some types of compensation payments, however, can depend upon
numerous factors, including plan design, the timing of the vesting of compensation awards or the exercise of previously granted rights.
In addition, tax deductibility is not the sole factor used by the Personnel and Compensation Committee in setting compensation.
Corporate objectives may not necessarily align with the requirements for full deductibility under Code Section 162(m). Accordingly,
the Personnel and Compensation Committee may grant awards such as time-based restricted stock awards and/or enter into
compensation arrangements under which payments are not deductible under Code Section 162(m) if the Personnel and Compensation
Committee determines that such non-deductible arrangements are otherwise in the best interests of our stockholders. Also
interpretations of, and changes in, applicable tax laws and regulations, as well as other factors beyond our control, also can affect
deductibility of certain compensation. As a result of these various factors, and in order that the Personnel and Compensation
Committee retains flexibility in awarding compensation, there may be situations when compensation paid will not be tax deductible in
accordance with Code Section 162(m).
Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code Sections 280G and 4999) limit our ability to take a
tax deduction for certain compensation that could be paid to NEOs resulting from a change in control transaction affecting us. In the
event we pay any “excess parachute payments” as it is defined under Code Section 280G, we would have compensation payments that
are not tax deductible and executives would have excise taxes due on the receipt of such “excess parachute payments.” The Personnel
and Compensation Committee considers the adverse tax liabilities imposed by Code Sections 280G and 4999, as well as other
competitive factors when it structures certain compensation to our NEOs.
40
Table of Contents
Summary
The CEO, the Chief Human Capital Officer, the Chief Risk Officer, and the Personnel and Compensation Committee, with advice
from its consultants, have reviewed all compensation components for each NEO, including base salary, incentive compensation, and
all of our incentive compensation plans. They have determined that the compensation packages awarded to our NEOs, and others, are
consistent with our goals to provide compensation that is competitive with our peers, that drives financial performance without undue
risk, and aligns the interests of our NEOs, and others, with those of our stockholders.
Accordingly, we believe our executive and management compensation plans are reasonable, pay-for-performance-based, competitive,
not excessive, and do not encourage our executives or any of our Associates to take actions that pose an unnecessary or excessive risk
that would threaten the value of the institution and do not unnecessarily expose the institution to risks or encourage the manipulation
of reported earnings to enhance the compensation of management.
Summary Compensation Table
The following Summary Compensation Table shows the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, each person who served as our
Chief Financial Officer in 2015, and our next three highest paid executive officers in 2015, 2014 and 2013. The increases in cash
based awards (i.e., Bonus and Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation) in 2015 compared to 2014 reflect our significantly improved
absolute performance as well as performance in excess of peers. In summary, for 2015, our NEOs received the following components
of their compensation:
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120) A 3% increase in base salary for all EVP-level NEOs, consistent with market data and our company-wide merit pool, and a
5% market increase in base salary for our Chief Wealth Officer to keep his salary aligned with the median of our peer group
and take into consideration his experience and expertise.
Increased cash bonus awards paid in 2016 for 2015 performance reflecting extraordinary performance and assumption of
interim leadership roles. The extraordinary performance in 2015 reflects among other things, the following: (i) exceeding an
aggressive 2015 budget and ambitious 3-year strategic plan goals, especially ROA; (ii) healthy organic growth in loans and
deposits; (iii) strong revenue growth, including margin and fee income improvement; (iv) successful acquisition signings,
integration and growth; (v) new innovative products commercialized; and (vi) continued recognition for Top Workplace and
#1 Bank in Delaware.
Increased non-equity incentives paid in 2016 for 2015 performance when compared to incentives paid in 2015 for 2014
performance resulting from strong Company performance. ROA, adjusted for quality of earnings, was 1.16% in 2015;
Return on Tangible Common Equity was 13.1%; and our growth of Earnings Per Share was 14.6%. All three of these
metrics improved when compared to 2014 and combined these metrics resulted in a score 57/100ths of the way between
Target and Maximum or Stretch in 2015 compared to 12/1000ths in 2014.
Restricted stock awards and stock option awards granted in 2015 for 2014 performance that reflect: (i) a decrease in restricted
stock awards reflecting the Multi-Year High Performance Awards granted in 2014 and the elimination of restricted awards
granted in lieu of other deferred compensation plans in 2014; (ii) a decrease in option awards reflecting Special Retention and
Motivation awards made in 2013, and (iii) elimination of equity awards for our CEO, pursuant to the terms of the Non-Plan
award approved by stockholders in 2013.
Similar levels of other compensation from the prior year, reflecting no substantive change in our plans and policies regarding
our development allowance and 401(k) match.
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
41
Table of Contents
The following discussions and table summarize the compensation of each NEO for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and
2013.
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Cash Amounts Paid in 2016 for 2015 Performance
(cid:120)
Included in the disclosure of 2015 “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” are cash awards to NEOs in connection with our
MIP Plan, based on 2015 performance, as follows: Mr. Turner, $579,050; Mr. Geraghty, $199,876; Mr. Levenson, $236,986;
Mr. Mazarakis, $189,048; and Mr. Wright, $221,517. In addition, each NEO received an all-Associate award of $1,000.
Included in the disclosure of 2015 “Bonuses” are cash awards of $100,000 to Mr. Turner in recognition of his leading the
Company to the extraordinary performance in 2015 as described on page 41 and his extraordinary performance relative to
achieving the Company’s Path to High Performance goal; $30,000 to Mr. Geraghty in recognition of his assuming the additional
role of Pennsylvania Market President in 2015 and his contributions to the Company’s extraordinary performance in 2015, most
notably strong fee income improvement; $50,000 to Mr. Levenson in recognition of his assuming the additional role of Chief
Financial Officer in 2015 and his contributions to the Company’s extraordinary performance in 2015, most notably successful
acquisition signings, integration and growth; and $8,000 to Mr. Mazarakis and Mr. Wright, respectively, in recognition of their
efforts in driving the Company to exceed its high-performing goal of 1.20% core and sustainable ROA for the fourth quarter of
2015.
Equity Awards Granted in 2015 for 2014 Performance
(cid:120)
Included in the disclosure of 2015 “Stock Awards” is the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted in 2015
and earned in 2014 under our Long-Term Incentive Plan as follows: Mr. Geraghty, $53,821; Mr. Levenson, $61,431;
Mr. Mazarakis, $50,508; and Mr. Wright, $59,406. Mr. Turner was not eligible for this award as a result of his change in equity
compensation.
Included in the disclosure of 2015 “Option Awards” is the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted in 2015 and
earned in 2014 under our Long-Term Incentive Plan as follows: Mr. Geraghty, $53,821; Mr. Levenson, $61,431; Mr. Mazarakis,
$50,508; and Mr. Wright, $59,406. Mr. Turner was not eligible for this award as a result of his change in equity compensation.
Equity Awards Granted in 2016 for 2015 Performance
In 2016, we granted restricted stock units and stock options under the MIP and LTI Plan earned in 2015. These awards will be
reflected in the Summary Compensation Table for 2016, included in our 2017 proxy statement. The awards were as follows:
(cid:120)
The aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted in 2016 and earned in 2015 under our Long-Term Incentive
Plan was as follows: Mr. Geraghty, $63,629; Mr. Levenson, $71,265, Mr. Mazarakis, $58,580; and Mr. Wright, $68,903.
Mr. Turner was not eligible for this award as a result of his change in compensation.
The aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted in 2016 and earned in 2015 under our Long-Term Incentive Plan was
as follows: Mr. Geraghty, $63,629; Mr. Levenson, $71,265; Mr. Mazarakis, $58,580; and Mr. Wright, $68,903. Mr. Turner was
not eligible for this award as a result of his change in equity compensation.
(cid:120)
42
Table of Contents
Name and Principal
Position
Mark A. Turner – President and
Chief Executive Officer
Stephen A. Fowle – Former
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
Paul D. Geraghty, Sr. – Executive
Vice President Chief Wealth Officer
Rodger Levenson – Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer
S. James Mazarakis – Executive
Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer
Richard M. Wright - Executive Vice
President and Chief Retail Banking
Officer
Year
2015
2014
2013
2015
2014
2013
2015
2014
2013
2015
2014
2013
2015
2014
2013
2015
2014
2013
Summary Compensation Table
1
Salary
($)
$639,336
612,000
610,000
Bonus
($)
2
$100,000
2
50,000
-
Stock
Awards
($)
6
$ -
-
55,178
Option
Awards
($)
6
$ -
-
7
3,732,500
82,150
325,500
306,933
310,671
296,637
290,767
348,721
338,583
331,900
286,660
278,383
272,900
337,173
327,417
320,933
3
4
4
50,000
-
-
30,000
-
-
50,000
-
-
5
8,000
-
-
5
8,000
-
-
195,760
71,769
53,821
105,250
22,560
61,431
194,860
78,919
50,508
126,788
57,763
59,406
192,660
74,662
77,500
339,601
53,821
72,930
314,898
61,431
83,250
419,153
50,508
68,457
336,340
59,406
80,500
342,986
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
8
Compensation
($)
All Other
9
Compensation
($)
$ 580,050
364,140
735,317
-
154,215
260,542
200,876
152,047
252,890
237,986
168,733
287,297
190,048
142,399
227,829
222,517
146,408
262,945
$ 38,256
43,481
44,627
3
115,399
22,128
20,659
18,450
15,796
15,921
26,442
17,914
18,862
28,000
19,481
19,556
19,125
16,485
17,670
Total
($)
$1,357,642
1,069,621
5,177,622
197,499
825,103
999,504
667,639
642,660
897,036
786,011
803,340
1,136,131
613,724
635,508
914,388
705,627
763,470
1,019,196
1
4
2
The amounts shown as salaries in this table may be different from the amounts shown in the Base Salary table on page 33 because this table represents the amount
actually paid during a year and the Base Salary table represents year-end base salary level.
The $100,000 in 2015 represents amounts paid for extraordinary performance relative to leading the Company to the extraordinary performance in 2015 as described at
page 41 and achieving the Company’s Path to High Performance goal; the $50,000 in 2014 represents amounts paid for role in securing ownership of and ensuring the
financial benefits of certain reverse mortgage assets during 2013 and 2014.
$100,000 of Other Compensation in 2015 represents amounts paid in 2015 related to Mr. Fowle’s Separation Agreement and General Release. Mr. Fowle’s last day of
3
employment with the Company was March 31, 2015. The $50,000 bonus paid in 2014 represents amounts paid for role in securing ownership of and ensuring the
financial benefits of certain reverse mortgage assets during 2013 and 2014.
Represents bonus paid to Mr. Geraghty in recognition of his assuming the additional role of Pennsylvania Market President in 2015 and his contributions to the
Company’s extraordinary performance in 2015, most notably strong fee income improvement; and bonus paid to Mr. Levenson in recognition of his assuming the
additional role of Chief Financial Officer in 2015 and his contributions to the Company’s extraordinary performance in 2015, most notably successful acquisition
signings, integration and growth.
Represents bonus paid to Mr. Mazarakis and Mr. Wright in recognition of their efforts in driving the Company to exceed its high-performing goal in 2015
Represents the aggregate fair value of awards on the date they were granted in accordance with ASC Topic 718. See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the assumptions made in calculating the grant date fair value.
For Mr. Turner, 2013 compensation includes grant-date fair value award of $3.7 million of Non-Plan Stock Options approved both by the Board and by 97.9% of
7
voting stockholders at our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in connection with his change in equity incentive compensation. As part of the change in
compensation he became ineligible to receive other equity-based awards for a period of five years. To date, the approximate value of those awards, had he been
eligible to receive them, would have been $1.76 million.
Amounts represent awards to NEOs in connection with our MIP Plan and our All Associate Bonus Plan.
8
All Other Compensation includes dividends related to restricted stock that is not factored into the grant date fair value, contributions made by us into the 401(k) plans
9
of each of our NEOs and a development allowance.
5
6
The Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board, reviewed and approved these 2015 and prior compensation amounts as:
consistent with pre-existing plans; overwhelmingly approved by stockholders; pay-for-performance-based; and in alignment with the
achievement of the individual goals and the Company’s performance, which, for 2015 was 7.4% improvement in our performance on
ROA, 1.6% improvement in ROTCE, and 22.7% increase in EPS.
43
Table of Contents
Grant of Plan-Based Awards
The number of shares granted to executives under our 2013 Incentive Plan is based on a calculation related to the executive’s base
salary and may be adjusted by the Personnel and Compensation Committee. The Personnel and Compensation Committee made
awards in 2015 for 2014 performance as summarized in the table below.
The stock option awards have an exercise price of $26.24 which is equal to the closing stock price of WSFS common stock at the
grant date. The grants vest equally over four years and expire on the seventh anniversary of the grant date. The Black-Scholes option-
pricing model was used to determine the grant-date fair-value of the stock option awards. Other than the CEO, the NEOs received
restricted stock unit grants to compensate them for, among other things, the limitations imposed by Internal Revenue Code on highly
compensated executives with regard to tax-qualified defined contribution plans, specifically our 401(k) plan. The restricted stock unit
grants vest equally over four years. No options were re-priced, nor were any modifications made to any outstanding option during
2015. The following table presents information regarding grants of equity and non-equity plan-based awards to our NEOs during
2015.
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
Estimated
Possible Payouts All Other
Estimated Possible Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
1
Under Equity
Incentive Plan
2
Awards
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
$ 160,742
$321,484
$771,561
Target
(#)
-
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units (#)
-
All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units (#)
-
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Share)
-
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Option
3
Awards
-
41,016
93,750
281,250
11,069
45,938
105,000
315,000
12,635
37,761
86,310
258,930
10,388
44,415
101,520
304,560
12,218
2,052
2,340
1,926
2,265
9,387
26.24
10,716
26.24
8,811
26.24
10,362
26.24
$53,821
53,821
61,431
61,431
50,508
50,508
59,406
59,406
Name and
Principal Position
Mark A. Turner
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Paul D. Geraghty, Sr.
Executive Vice President and
Chief Wealth Officer
Rodger Levenson
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
S. James Mazarakis
Executive Vice President and
Chief Technology Officer
Richard M. Wright
Executive Vice President and
Chief Retail Banking Officer
Grant
Date
*
*
2/26/15
2/26/15
*
2/26/15
2/26/15
*
2/26/15
2/26/15
*
2/26/15
2/26/15
1
2
3
Represents the 2015 award opportunities under the annual incentive component of the MIP. Actual amounts paid for 2015 are included in the “Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table on page 43.
Represents the 2015 award opportunity under the long-term incentive component of the MIP in which there is only a “Target” level of achievement. Mr. Turner was
not eligible for this award in 2015 (see “CEO Equity Incentive Compensation” on page 38 for more details).
See Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the assumptions made in calculating the grant date
fair value of stock and option awards.
44
Table of Contents
Outstanding Equity Awards Value at Fiscal Year-End
The following table shows the number and exercise price of all unexercised options held by NEOs as of December 31, 2015, as well
as shares of unvested restricted stock owned by the NEOs. The awards are listed in order of grant date. The shorter option expiration
dates of more recent grants are due to a change in our policy of granting options to a five-year or seven-year exercise term, from a
former ten-year term. These awards are subject to our claw-back policy affecting our NEOs.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Option Awards
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
300,000
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
450,000
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
$ 16.51
Option
Expiration
Date
02/28/20
1,875
6,672
30,000
3,624
-
3,225
15,901
3,504
2,064
7,794
31,500
9,531
9,387
6,672
45,000
10,878
10,716
5,487
36,000
8,946
8,811
6,453
36,000
10,521
10,362
13.63
15.83
16.51
23.82
26.24
15.83
16.51
23.82
26.24
15.83
16.51
23.82
26.24
15.83
16.51
23.82
26.24
02/23/17
02/28/18
02/28/20
02/27/21
02/26/22
02/28/18
02/28/20
02/27/21
02/26/22
02/28/18
02/28/20
02/27/21
02/26/22
02/28/18
02/28/20
02/27/21
02/26/22
Stock Awards
Number of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
8,838
Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested
($)
$ 285,998
6,627
214,450
16,521
534,620
12,165
393,659
16,563
535,979
Name and Principal
Position
Mark A. Turner –
President and Chief Executive
Officer
1
Paul Geraghty - Executive Vice
President and Chief Wealth
Officer
2
Rodger Levenson – Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer
3
S. James Mazarakis – Executive
Vice President and Chief
4
Technology Officer
Richard M. Wright - Executive
Vice President and Chief Retail
5
Banking Officer
1
For Mr. Turner, of the 450,000 unvested options expiring on 02/28/20, 150,000 vest on 02/29/16, 150,000 vest on 02/28/17 and 150,000 vest on 02/28/18.
2
For Mr. Geraghty, of the 2,064 unvested options expiring on 02/23/17, 2,064 vest on 02/23/16. Of the 7,794 unvested options expiring on 02/28/18, 3,897 vest on
02/29/16 and 3,897 vest on 02/28/17. Of the 31,500 unvested options expiring on 02/28/20, 10,500 vest on 02/29/16, 10,500 vest on 02/28/17 and 10,500 vest on
02/28/18. Of the 9,531 unvested options expiring on 2/27/2021, 3,177 vest on 2/27/2016, 3,177 vest on 2/27/2017 and 3,177 vest on 2/27/2018. Of the 9,387 unvested
options expiring on 2/26/2022, 2,346 vest on 4/15/2016, 2,346 vest on 4/15/2017, 2,346 vest on 4/15/2018 and 2,349 vest on 4/15/2019.
3
For Mr. Levenson, of the 6,672 unvested options expiring on 02/28/18, 3,336 vest on 02/29/16 and 3,336 vest on 02/28/17. Of the 45,000 unvested options expiring
on 02/28/20, 15,000 vest on 02/29/16, 15,000 vest on 02/28/17 and 15,000 vest on 02/28/18. Of the 10,878 unvested options expiring on 2/27/2021, 3,627 vest on
2/27/2016, 3,624 vest on 2/27/2017 and 3,627 vest on 2/27/2018. Of the 10,716 unvested options expiring on 2/26/2022, 2,679 vest on 4/15/2016, 2,679 vest on
4/15/2017, 2,679 vest on 4/15/2018 and 2,679 vest on 4/15/2019.
4
For Mr. Mazarakis, of the 5,487 unvested options expiring on 02/28/18, 2,742 vest on 02/29/16 and 2,745 vest on 02/28/17. Of the 36,000 unvested options expiring
on 02/28/20, 12,000 vest on 02/29/16, 12,000 vest on 02/28/17 and 12,000 vest on 02/28/18. Of the 8,946 unvested options expiring on 2/27/2021, 2,982 vest on
2/27/2016, 2,982 vest on 2/27/2017 and 2,982 vest on 2/27/2018. Of the 8,811 unvested options expiring on 2/26/2022, 2,202 vest on 4/15/2016, 2,202 vest on
4/15/2017, 2,202 vest on 4/15/2018 and 2,205 vest on 4/15/2019.
5
For Mr. Wright, of the 6,453 unvested options expiring on 02/28/18, 3,225 vest on 02/29/16 and 3,228 vest on 02/28/17. Of the 36,000 unvested options expiring on
02/28/20, 12,000 vest on 02/29/16, 12,000 vest on 02/28/17 and 12,000 vest on 02/28/18. Of the 10,521 unvested options expiring on 2/27/2021, 3,507 vest on
2/27/2016, 3,507 vest on 2/27/2017 and 3,507 vest on 2/27/2018. Of the 10,362 unvested options expiring on 2/26/2022, 2,590 vest on 4/15/2016, 2,590 vest on
4/15/2017, 2,590 vest on 4/15/2018 and 2,592 vest on 4/15/2019.
45
Table of Contents
Exercises of Options and Vesting of Shares During 2015
The following table shows the number of options exercised and restricted stock vested by the NEOs during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2015.
2015 Option Exercises and Stock Vested
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)
-
56,496
43,779
-
9,259
Value Realized
On Exercise
($)
-
Number of Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)
18,186
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
468,440
498,809
364,279
7,350
1,644
188,325
42,602
-
12,324
317,692
230,993
10,209
262,378
11,324
114,844
12,456
318,479
Name and Principal Position
Mark A. Turner –
President and Chief Executive Officer
Stephen A. Fowle –
Former Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
Paul D. Geraghty, Sr. –
Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth
Officer
Rodger Levenson –
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
S. James Mazarakis
Executive Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer
Richard M. Wright –
Executive Vice President and Chief Retail
Banking Officer
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
Termination without Cause
We have adopted a severance policy that provides severance payments upon termination under certain conditions. An executive
(which includes all our NEOs) covered by this policy who is terminated without cause is provided a minimum of six months of
severance and six months of professional level outplacement. If the executive does not find new employment within six months after
termination, severance pay and professional outplacement would continue for another six months, or until the executive finds
employment, whichever occurs first. If the executive finds another job at a lower rate of pay than previously paid by us, then we
would make up the difference until the second six-month period ends. Medical and dental benefits would continue at the general
Associate rate through the severance period.
Change in Control
An executive (which includes all our NEOs) covered by this policy who is terminated without cause (as defined in the policy) or
terminates employment for “good reason” (as defined in the policy) within one year following a change in control would receive 24
months base salary, 24 months of medical and dental benefits at the general Associate rate, 12 months of professional level
outplacement, and any unvested time-based equity awards would immediately vest upon termination. Performance awards would vest
on a prorated basis at target performance levels. For purposes of the policy, “good reason” includes requiring the executive to work
more than 25 miles from his or her current worksite, a significant diminution in the executive’s WSFS salary and incentive
opportunity, or a significant reduction in the authority, duties or responsibilities of the executive immediately before the change of
control.
46
Table of Contents
If it is determined that the aggregate present value of an executive’s change in control payment exceeds 2.99 times his or her average
W2 compensation for the preceding five-year period (i.e., “base amount”), such that the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, would otherwise be triggered, then the change in control payment would be reduced to the extent
necessary so that the aggregate present value of the change in control payment payable following such reduction does not exceed 2.99
times the executives base amount.
The following table shows the payments that executives could potentially receive upon termination of their employment or a change
of control at December 31, 2015.
Termination Provisions Summary
Before
Change in
Control
After Change
in
Control
Name
Mark A. Turner
Paul D. Geraghty, Sr.
Rodger Levenson
S. James Mazarakis
Richard M. Wright
Termination
Without
Cause or
Departing
for
Good
Reason
$ 642,967
16,000
-
-
658,967
312,500
16,000
-
11,265
339,765
350,000
16,000
-
7,892
373,892
287,700
16,000
-
7,892
311,592
338,400
16,000
-
11,265
365,665
Termination
Without Cause
or
Departing for
Good Reason
$1,285,934
16,000
7,418,498
-
8,720,432
625,000
16,000
1,020,061
22,530
1,683,591
700,000
16,000
1,516,638
15,784
2,248,422
575,400
16,000
1,185,282
15,784
1,792,466
676,800
16,000
1,366,512
22,530
2,079,202
Death
$ 100,000
-
7,418,498
-
7,518,498
Disability
1
$ 345,484
-
7,418,498
-
7,763,982
50,000
-
1,020,061
-
1,070,061
50,000
-
1,516,638
-
1,566,638
50,000
-
1,185,282
-
1,685,282
50,000
-
1,366,512
-
1,416,512
72,077
-
1,020,061
-
1,092,138
145,554
-
1,516,638
-
1,662,192
79,327
-
1,185,282
-
1,264,609
141,138
-
1,366,512
-
1,507,650
Benefit
2
Severance pay
3
Outplacement services
4
Option and restricted stock vesting
5
Health benefits
Total Value
2
3
Severance pay
3
Outplacement services
4
Option and restricted stock vesting
5
Health benefits
Total Value
2
Severance pay
Outplacement services
4
Option and restricted stock vesting
5
Health benefits
Total Value
2
Severance pay
Outplacement services
4
Option and restricted stock vesting
5
Health benefits
Total Value
2
Severance pay
Outplacement services
4
Option and restricted stock vesting
5
Health benefits
Total Value
3
3
1
2
3
4
5
We offer two weeks of short-term disability benefits for all Associates for each year of service up to a maximum of 26 weeks. Long-term disability for all Associates
has a $24,000 maximum benefit.
Severance payments following a change in control are subject to reduction if such payments would exceed the deductibility limits under Section 280G of the Internal
Revenue Code, unless the Personnel and Compensation Committee was to specifically authorize such non-deductible payments at that time on a case-by-case basis.
Outplacement services amounts are estimates based on management’s experience with outplacement providers.
Option and restricted stock vesting is based on an assumed value of $32.36 per common share reflecting the closing price on December 31, 2015.
Health benefits represent the premium paid by us, reduced by amount paid by the Associate. Mr. Turner does not currently receive Health Benefits from the
Company.
47
Table of Contents
Retirement Plans
We do not maintain a tax-qualified non-contributory retirement plan (pension plan). However, we do provide continuation of medical
benefits to Associates, including NEOs, who retire, should they elect to participate in the benefit. We provide supplemental
contributions toward retiree continuing medical coverage costs. For 2015, our contribution towards this supplement was capped at
$3,158 per retiree, but may have been less based on length of service at time of retirement of each retiree, irrespective of annual
increases to the cost of the medical benefit premium. We limit our increases to no more than 4% annually. Primarily because of
changes to Medicare Part D coverage, this plan is no longer meaningfully utilized by, or available to, Associates who were not already
retirement eligible as of March 31, 2014.
COMPENSATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board’s philosophy is to maintain director compensation at the peer median. The Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee reviews Board compensation and committee fees annually and make recommendations for adjustments when and where
they feel appropriate.
48
Table of Contents
A summary of Board compensation is shown in the following chart.
Board Retainer
Lead Director Fee
Committee Chair Fees
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
Two-thirds cash of $53,333 to be paid annually in July.
One-third stock of $26,667 to be paid annually on the
second Friday in August.
To be paid annually in July.
$80,000
$18,000
Audit/Trust Audit Committee Chair
Corporate Governance & Nominating
Committee Chair
Personnel and Compensation
Committee Chair
Trust Committee Chair
$7,500
To be paid annually in July.
$5,500
To be paid annually in July.
$7,500
$5,500
To be paid annually in July.
To be paid annually in July.
Committee Fees and
Special Meeting Fees
(excluding regularly
scheduled Board meetings)
All Board members (excluding management) will be paid a flat rate member fee annually in July for committees
on which they serve with an expectation that Committee members will attend 75% or more of the scheduled
meetings.
$13,250
To be paid annually in July.
Audit/Trust Audit Committee
Members fee (Includes Chair)
NOTE: This fee represents the combination of the Audit
Committee member fee and the meeting attendance fee
($10,000 + $3,250).
Corporate Development Committee
$3,250
To be paid annually in July.
Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee
$3,250
To be paid annually in July.
Executive Committee
$16,250
To be paid annually in July.
Personnel and Compensation
Committee
Trust Committee
$3,250
To be paid annually in July.
$3,250
To be paid annually in July.
49
Table of Contents
Director and NEO Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
In 2015, we introduced a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for our NEOs and Board of Directors. It offers pre-tax, voluntary
contributions, tax deferred earnings, investment choices and flexible payment options. This is solely funded by the participant and
there is no matching contribution made by the Company. This plan was reviewed and approved by our Personnel and Compensation
Committee and our Board of Directors.
Director Compensation Table
The compensation paid to directors during 2015 is summarized in the following table. Mr. Turner is not shown in this table because
he was compensated as an officer and did not receive any director compensation.
Directors
2
Marvin N. Schoenhals
Anat Bird
3
Francis B. Brake
Charles G. Cheleden
Jennifer W. Davis
Donald W. Delson
Eleuthère I. du Pont
Calvert A. Morgan, Jr.
David G. Turner
4
Fees
Earned or Paid
in Cash
$ 82,583
5
77,333
69,833
99,583
5
100,083
68,583
76,083
93,783
5
73,083
Stock
1
Awards
$ 300,707
26,667
20,851
26,667
26,667
26,667
26,667
26,667
26,667
All
Other
Compensation
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total
$ 383,290
104,000
90,684
126,250
126,750
95,250
102,750
120,450
99,750
2
1
The aggregate fair value of the award on the date of grant, computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used in valuing the stock awards are
detailed in Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Mr. Schoenhals’ Stock Awards also include the vesting of 16,686 shares of restricted stock with a grant date fair value of $274,040 (based on a grant date fair value
per share of $16.42) earned under a performance-based incentive plan described below under “Compensation of Mr. Schoenhals.” Because the probable performance
outcome of this award was not determinable at the time of the original grant, it is being reported as earned.
3
Mr. Brake’s 2015 award was reduced and corrected as a result of an accidental overpayment of his 2014 award (2014 award was not pro-rated when Mr. Brake joined
the Board of Directors in April 2014)
4
Includes $1,200 of fees paid to Mr. Morgan for serving on the Southern Delaware Advisory Board.
5
Ms. Bird, Ms. Davis, and Mr. Turner contributed all fees earned in 2015 to the non-qualified deferred compensation plan.
Compensation of Mr. Cheleden as Lead Director
Charles G. Cheleden currently serves as our Lead Director. During 2015, he was compensated $18,000 for serving in that role in
addition to his other compensation as a director.
Compensation of Mr. Schoenhals
Marvin N. Schoenhals is Chairman of our Board of Directors and receives a standard Board of Directors retainer. Having discussed
the opportunities that continue to arise resulting from the significant disruption in our markets, in 2011 the Personnel and
Compensation Committee decided it was in our best interests to leverage Mr. Schoenhals’ significant and valuable community
relationships, stature, contacts, and reputation to take full advantage of these market share opportunities. The Board of Directors
approved a plan in which Mr. Schoenhals received 66,750 shares of restricted stock effective January 3, 2011 with a five-year
performance vesting schedule starting at the end of the second year. Based on new business relationships where Mr. Schoenhals has
played a meaningful role in helping us establish new business, these shares are subject to vesting in whole or in part if an expected
pre-tax contribution over a two year period of time of at least 50% return on the investment of restricted stock cost is achieved. As of
February 2016, all shares eligible had been earned and vested under this plan.
50
Table of Contents
PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this Compensation Committee Report shall not be
deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, except to the extent that WSFS Financial Corporation (the “Company”) specifically incorporates this information
by reference, and otherwise shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
subject to Regulation 14A or 14C of the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The Personnel and Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis to be included in the Company’s 2016 Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Proxy Statement”). Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommends to
the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis referred to above be included in the Proxy Statement.
Personnel and Compensation Committee
Jennifer W. Davis, Chair
Donald W. Delson
Anat Bird
David G. Turner
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Our officers and directors are required to file forms with the SEC to report changes in their ownership of WSFS Financial Corporation
Common Stock. The forms must be filed with the SEC generally within two business days of the date of the trade. To our
knowledge, the following were the late filings during 2015: Mr. Geraghty was late in reporting the exercise of 21,000 stock options.
Mr. Cheleden was late in reporting the sale of 3,600 shares of common stock. Mr. Turner, Mr. Levenson, Mr. Mazarakis, and
Mr. Wright were late in reporting the disposal of 6 shares, each to cover tax withholdings related to the vesting of restricted stock.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Ownership of WSFS Financial Corporation Common Stock
The number of shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned by the directors and executive officers and 5% stockholders as of
March 1, 2016, the record date set for the Annual Meeting, is shown below. The table also shows the amount of such shares as a
percentage of all of the shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of March 1, 2016.
In accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, for the purposes of this table, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of
any shares of Common Stock if he or she has, or shares, voting or dispositive power with respect to such Common Stock or has a right
to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days of the determination date. Except as otherwise noted, the named beneficial
owner exercises sole voting and investment power over the shares of Common Stock.
51
Table of Contents
Directors:
Marvin N. Schoenhals
Anat Bird
Francis B. Brake, Jr.
Charles G. Cheleden
Jennifer W. Davis
Donald W. Delson
Eleuthère I. du Pont
Calvert A. Morgan, Jr.
David G. Turner
Mark A. Turner
Executive Officers:
Peggy H. Eddens
Paul D. Geraghty, Sr.
Thomas Kearney
Rodger Levenson
S. James Mazarakis
Richard M. Wright
Number of Shares
(Including Exercisable Options)
1
Percentage of our
Common Stock
Outstanding
53,345
14,486
2,284
30,826
16,631
12,926
9,722
29,726
11,684
614,641
95,933
47,677
63,555
99,963
53,484
79,957
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
2.07%
*
*
*
*
*
*
Directors and Executive Officers as a group (16
persons)
1,236,840
4.17%
Other 5% Stockholders
2
FMR LLC
245 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
3
BlackRock, Inc.
nd
40 East 52 Street
New York, NY 10022
4
Frontier Capital Management Co., LLC.
99 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
Number of
Shares
2,474,841
1,763,638
1,587,978
Percentage of our
Common Stock
Outstanding
8.35%
5.95%
5.36%
* Less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock.
1
Includes exercisable options for the following individuals: M. Turner: 450,000, Eddens: 67,278, Geraghty: 23,859, Kearney: 56,232, Levenson: 64,938, Mazarakis:
19,926 and Wright: 43,952.
According to the Statement on Schedule 13G/A of FMR LLC on February 12, 2016.
According to the Statement on Schedule 13G of BlackRock, Inc. on January 22, 2016.
According to the Statement on Schedule 13G/A of Frontier Capital Management Co., LLC on February 12, 2016.
2
3
4
52
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION April 28, 2016 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES AND ITEMS LISTED BELOW: NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL: The Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and sample proxy card are available at www.wsfsbank.com Please sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as soon as possible. Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. 20430000000000000000 8 042816 year ending December 31, 2016 manner directed hereby by the undersigned. If no directions are made, this given with respect to any earlier dated proxy submitted by the undersigned. a manner other than equally so as to elect as directors the maximum possible may properly come before the Annual Meeting. changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please
sign in partnership name by authorized person. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x 1. Election of Directors (each for a three year term expiring in 2019): NOMINEES: FOR ALL NOMINEESO Eleuthère I. du Pont _ _ _ _ _ _ _ O Calvert A. Morgan, Jr. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ WITHHOLD AUTHORITYO Marvin N. Schoenhals_ _ _ _ _ _ _ FOR ALL NOMINEESO David G. Turner _ _ _ _ _ _ _ FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: ( ) To cumulate your vote for one or more of the above nominee(s), write the manner in which such votes shall be cumulated in the space to the right of the nominee(s) name(s). If you are cumulating your vote, do not mark the circle. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 2. Ratification of the appointment of KPMG, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal The proxy is revocable and, when properly executed will be voted in the proxy will be voted FOR each of the nominees, and the other proposals. The undersigned, by executing and delivering this proxy,
revokes the authority Unless contrary direction is given, the right is reserved in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors to distribute votes among some or all of the above nominees in number of such nominees. In their discretion the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a Proxy Statement and Annual Report of WSFS Financial Corporation. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that this method. Signature of Stockholder Date: Signature of StockholderDate:
- 0 This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors WSFS FINANCIAL CORPORATION for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders The undersigned hereby appoints Marvin N. Schoenhals and Mark A. Turner, or either of them, with full power of substitution, to act as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned and to vote all shares of Common Stock of WSFS Financial Corporation, which the undersigned is entitled to vote, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 28, 2016 at 4:00 p.m., or at any adjournments thereof, as follows: THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE. PLEASE SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY. 14475 1.1
0 8
W S F S F I N A N C I A L C O R P O R A T I O N
Board of Directors
Anat Bird
Chair, Audit and Trust Audit Committee
President & CEO of SCB Forums, Ltd.
Francis B. Brake
President and Chief Marketing Officer
of Epic Research, LLC
Charles G. Cheleden
Vice Chairman & Lead Director,
WSFS Financial Corporation
Chair, Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee
Attorney-at-Law
Jennifer Wagner Davis
Chair, Personnel and
Compensation Committee
Senior Vice President for
Administration and Finance
at George Mason University
Donald W. Delson
Chair, Trust Committee
Former Senior Advisor for Keefe,
Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
Eleuthère I. du Pont
President of
The Longwood Foundation
Calvert A. Morgan, Jr.
Vice Chairman, WSFS Bank
Former Chairman, President & CEO
of PNC Bank, Delaware
Marvin N. Schoenhals
Chairman, WSFS Board of Directors
Former President & CEO, WSFS
Financial Corporation and WSFS Bank
David G. Turner
Banking Executive at
IBM Global Business Services
Mark A. Turner
Chair, Executive Committee and
Corporate Development Committee
President & CEO, WSFS Financial
Corporation and WSFS Bank
Senior Leadership Team
Raymond C. Abbott
Senior Vice President,
Cash Management Manager
Syed A. Ahmed
Senior Vice President,
Regional Manager
Tracy L. Feinsilver
Senior Vice President,
Regional Manager
Louis W. Geibel, Jr
Senior Vice President,
Chief Trust Officer
M. Scott Baylis
Senior Vice President,
Business Banking Division Manager
Paul D. Geraghty
Executive Vice President,
Chief Wealth Officer
Shari A. Kruzinski
Senior Vice President,
Regional Manager
Rodger Levenson
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
James J. Lucianetti
Senior Vice President,
Chief Auditor
Suzanne J. Ricci
Senior Vice President,
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Albert J. Roop, IV
Senior Vice President,
Director of Technology Services
Jeffrey M. Ruben
President,
WSFS Mortgage
James A. Gise
Senior Vice President,
Middle Market Division Manager
Dennis B. Matarangas
Senior Vice President,
Commercial Banking Team Leader
Ronald V. Samuels
Senior Vice President,
Treasurer
Ira M. Brownstein
Senior Vice President,
WSFS Mortgage
Lisa M. Brubaker
Senior Vice President,
Director of Retail Strategy
John L. Centrella
Senior Vice President,
Director of Investments
Mark A. Gordon
Senior Vice President,
Director of Private Banking
David L. Gorny
Senior Vice President,
Relationship Manager
Ralph J. Cicalese
Senior Vice President,
Commercial Banking Team Leader
Paul S. Greenplate
Senior Vice President,
Deputy Chief Risk Officer
Stephen P. Clark
Senior Vice President,
Interim Chief Commercial
Banking Officer
John D. Clatworthy
Senior Vice President,
Director of Client Services,
Cash Connect®
Cindy Crompton-Barone
Senior Vice President,
Director of Associate Relations
Justin C. Dunn
Senior Vice President,
Marketing Director
Peggy H. Eddens
Executive Vice President,
Chief Human Capital Officer
Cheryl A. Hughes
Senior Vice President,
Director of Transaction Services
Michael F. Jordan
Senior Vice President,
Director of Asset Recovery
Thomas W. Kearney
Executive Vice President,
Chief Risk Officer
Aaron Klein
Senior Vice President,
Director of Financial Projects
Glenn L. Kocher
Senior Vice President,
Small Business Director
S. James Mazarakis
Executive Vice President,
Chief Technology Officer
Thomas E. Stevenson
President,
Cash Connect®
Jeffrey P. McCabe
Senior Vice President,
Director of Investment Research,
Cypress Capital Management
William T. McGrath
Senior Vice President,
Senior Credit Officer
Charles K. Mosher
Senior Vice President,
Controller
John L. Olsen
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel
Robert O. Palsgrove
Senior Vice President,
Commercial Market Manager
Douglas R. Quaintance
Senior Vice President,
Strategic Planning & Growth
Markets Manager
George H. Trapnell
Senior Vice President,
Private Banking Relationship Manager
Mark A. Turner
President,
Chief Executive Officer
Joseph C. Walker
Senior Vice President,
Director of Commercial Real Estate
Lending
Kelly A. Wellborn
President,
Cypress Capital Management
Richard M. Wright
Executive Vice President,
Chief Retail Banking Officer
Linda H. Ziegler
Senior Vice President,
Regional Manager
WSFS_annual_text_2015.indd 8
3/15/16 11:38 AM
W S F S F I N A N C I A L C O R P O R A T I O N
W S F S F I N A N C I A L C O R P O R A T I O N
Financial
Highlights
Forward-Looking
Statements
MISSION
We Stand For Ser vice®
VISION
We envision a day when
all our constituents say,
“I can’t imagine a world without WSFS.”
STRATEGY
Engaged Associates delivering stellar
experiences growing Customer Advocates
and value for our Owners.SM
VALUES
At WSFS we:
Do the right thing • Serve others
Are open and candid • Grow and improve
(Dollars in millions)
At December 31,
Total assets
Net loans, including held for sale
Deposits
Stockholders’ equity
Nonperforming assets to total assets
Number of offices
(Dollars in thousands, except earnings per share data)
For the years ended December 31,
Net income*
Diluted earnings per common share*
Return on average assets*
Return on tangible common equity*
* Year-over-year comparability impacted by one-time gains and corporate development (M&A) costs
2015
$ 5,586
$ 3,771
$ 4,017
$
580
2014
$ 4,853
$ 3,185
$ 3,649
$
489
2013
$ 4,516
$ 2,936
$ 3,187
$
383
0.71%
63
1.08%
55
1.06 %
52
2015
$ 53,533
$ 1.85
2014
$ 53,757
$ 1.93
2013
$ 46,882
$ 1.69
1.05%
12.06%
1.17%
1.07%
13.80%
13.60%
Deposit Growth
Net Loan Growth
Core Fee Income Growth†
$4,017
$3,649
$3,187
$3,185
$2,936
$3,771
$86.8
$72.8
$77.2
2013
2014
2015
2013
2014
2015
2013
2014
2015
(Dollars in millions)
† Excludes one-time and securities gains
This annual report contains estimates, predictions, opinions, projections and other “forward-looking statements” as that phrase is defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, without limitation, references to the Company’s financial goals, management’s plans and objectives for future operations,
financial and business trends, business prospects and management’s outlook or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses, capital levels, liquidity levels, asset quality or
other future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions (some of which may be
beyond the Company’s control) and are subject to risks and uncertainties (which change over time) and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from
those currently anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those related to the economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which
the Company operates, including an increase in unemployment levels; the volatility of the financial and securities markets, including changes with respect to the market value
of financial assets; changes in market interest rates may increase funding costs and reduce earning asset yields thus reducing margin; increases in benchmark rates would
increase debt service requirements for customers whose terms include a variable interest rate, which may negatively impact the ability of borrowers to pay as contractually
obligated; changes in government regulation affecting financial institutions, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules being
issued in accordance with this statute and potential expenses and elevated capital levels associated therewith; possible additional loan losses and impairment of the
collectability of loans; seasonality, which may impact customer, such as construction-related businesses, the availability of public funds, and certain types of the Company’s
fee revenue, such as mortgage originations; possible changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies, laws and regulations and other activities of governments, agencies, and
similar organizations, may have an adverse effect on business; possible rules and regulations issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or other regulators which
might adversely impact our business model or products and services; possible stresses in the real estate markets, including possible continued deterioration in property
values that affect the collateral value of underlying real estate loans; the Company’s ability to expand into new markets, develop competitive new products and services in a
timely manner and to maintain profit margins in the face of competitive pressures; possible changes in consumer and business spending and savings habits could affect the
Company’s ability to increase assets and to attract deposits; the Company’s ability to effectively manage credit risk, interest rate risk, market risk, operational risk, legal risk,
liquidity risk, reputational risk, and regulatory and compliance risk; the effects of increased competition from both banks and non-banks; the effects of geopolitical instability
and risks such as terrorist attacks; the effects of weather and natural disasters such as floods, droughts, wind, tornadoes and hurricanes, and the effects of man-made
disasters; possible changes in the speed of loan prepayments by the Company’s Customers and loan origination or sales volumes; possible acceleration of prepayments of
mortgage-backed securities due to low interest rates, and the related acceleration of premium amortization on prepayments on mortgage-backed securities due to low
interest rates; the Company’s ability to timely integrate any businesses it may acquire and realize any anticipated cost savings from those acquisitions; and the costs
associated with resolving any problem loans, litigation and other risks and uncertainties, discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and
other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Forward-looking statements are as of the date they are made, and
the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.
WSFS_annual_cover_2015_FINAL.indd 2
3/10/16 10:01 AM
2015 Annual Report
Local Presence
with
National Capabilities
and
Global Reach
About
WSFS Financial Corporation
WSFS Financial Corporation is a multi-billion dollar financial services
company. Its principal subsidiary, WSFS Bank, is the oldest and
largest bank and trust company headquartered in Delaware and the
Delaware Valley. WSFS has 63 offices located in Delaware,
Pennsylvania, Virginia and Nevada, and provides comprehensive
financial services including commercial banking, cash management,
retail banking and trust and wealth management.
Serving the Delaware Valley since 1832, WSFS Bank is the seventh
oldest bank in the United States continuously operating under the
same name. Other subsidiaries or divisions of WSFS Financial
Corporation are as follows:
Cash Connect® is a premier provider of ATM vault cash and related
services in the United States and operates more than 450 ATMs for
WSFS Bank, which has the largest branded ATM network in
Delaware. Christiana Trust provides fiduciary and investment
services to personal trust clients, and trustee, agency, custodial and
commercial domicile services to corporate and institutional clients.
WSFS Wealth Investments provides insurance and brokerage
products primarily to our retail banking clients. Cypress Capital
Management, LLC is a registered investment advisor with a
primary market segment of high net worth individuals offering a
balanced investment style focused on preservation of capital and
current income. WSFS Mortgage is a leading Delaware Valley
mortgage banking company, specializing in a variety of residential
mortgage and refinancing solutions, and Arrow Land Transfer is a
related abstract and title company.
WSFS Bank Center • 500 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801 • wsfsbank.com
©2016 WSFS Financial Corporation. All rights reserved.
wsfsbank.com
Website
Brooklyn, NY 11219
6201 15th Avenue
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
Transfer Agent
stockholderrelations@wsfsbank.com
302-571-7264
Wilmington, DE 19801
500 Delaware Avenue
WSFS Bank Center
Investor Relations
WSFS Financial Corporation
Stockholders or others seeking information regarding the Company may call or write:
Information
Stockholder
WSFS_annual_cover_2015_FINAL.indd 1
3/10/16 10:01 AM