Analyzing Executive Compensation at Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc..

Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMBC), known in the savings institutions sector, has revealed substantial data on executive compensation for its top executives in recent years. A detailed examination of this compensation provides insight into the company's executive reward strategy, offering a blend of cash and non-cash forms of remuneration that reflect the company's focus on balanced incentive structures.


Most prominently, Greg A. Steffens, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, reported a substantial total compensation package for 2024. His compensation comprised a base salary of $446,824, complemented by a bonus of $67,950, and stock and option awards amounting to $30,615 and $39,975, respectively. Additional compensation components include $68,303 categorized under 'all other compensation', elevating his total package to $653,666^1^. This compensation strategy underscores the importance placed on leadership continuity and performance in guiding the company through an evolving financial landscape.

In contrast, Rick A. Windes, Executive Vice-President & Chief Lending Officer in 2022, received a total compensation of $391,105^2^. His package included a base salary of $269,308, a bonus of $40,500, along with stock and option awards totaling $21,528 and $24,570, respectively. This indicates that executive compensation levels below the CEO tier still incorporate significant performance-linked elements, albeit slightly reduced from those at the top.

Looking into earlier years, a clear pattern emerges where compensation involves a mix of steady salaries and variable bonuses and awards, impacting executive motivation. For instance, Mark E. Hecker, serving as Executive Vice-President & Chief Credit Officer, was compensated $355,096 in 2021^3^ and $338,052 in 2020^4^. His packages followed a similar structure, focused on maintaining consistent compensation levels across dynamic market conditions.

The compensation figures reveal Southern Missouri Bancorp’s meticulous framework in retaining talent which is essential in its highly competitive sector. This strategic attention to executive compensation aligns with the firm’s recent stock performance; shares of SMBC are currently trading at $63.975, with a rise marked by a 0.8433% change^6^. This strong market performance, corroborated by an earnings per share of $4.36 and a price-earnings ratio of 14.67, suggests investor confidence in leadership is tied to structured executive rewards^6^.

In conclusion, Southern Missouri Bancorp's approach to executive compensation is methodical, awarding comprehensive packages that align with individual responsibilities and organizational goals, steering the company toward its strategic financial objectives.

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^1^ "Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. | 2024 Proxy Statement" [online edgar.sec.gov link].

^2^ "Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. | 2022 Proxy Statement" [online edgar.sec.gov link].

^3^ "Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. | 2021 Proxy Statement" [online edgar.sec.gov link].

^4^ "Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. | 2020 Proxy Statement" [online edgar.sec.gov link].

^5^ "Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. | 2019 Proxy Statement" [online edgar.sec.gov link].

^6^ "Market data", as referenced, price: $63.975, exchange: NASDAQ [market dataset source].