The Notes initially bears interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum from and including September 28, 2018, to but excluding October 2, 2023, with interest during this period payable semi-annually in arrears. From and including October 2, 2023, to but excluding the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR, or an alternative rate determined in accordance with the terms of the Notes if three-month LIBOR cannot be determined, plus 255 basis points, with interest during this period payable quarterly in arrears. In relation to the three-month LIBOR rate being no longer available in the future, the Company anticipates using the three-month term SOFR rate in future repricing. The Notes are redeemable by the Company, in whole or in part, on or after October 2, 2023, and at any time, in whole but not in part, upon the occurrence of certain events. The Notes have been structured to qualify initially as Tier 2 capital for the Company for regulatory capital purposes.
The Notes’ unamortized debt issuance costs totaled $464 thousand at March 31, 2023, and will be amortized through the Notes’ maturity date. Amortization expense totaled $21 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
On September 1, 2021, the Company acquired $2.5 million of subordinated notes (“sub-debt”) from the acquisition of SCB. The sub-debt bears interest at a rate of 6.75% per annum until August 14, 2024, with the interest during this period payable semi-annually in arrears. From and including August 14, 2024, to but excluding the maturity date or early redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR, or an alternative rate determined in accordance with the terms of the sub-debt if three-month LIBOR cannot be determined, plus 530.25 basis points, with interest during this period payable quarterly in arrears. In relation to the three-month LIBOR rate being no longer available in the future, the Company anticipates using the three-month term SOFR rate in future repricing. The sub-debt is redeemable by the Company, in whole or in part, on or after August 14, 2024, and at any time, in whole but not in part, upon the occurrence of certain events. The sub-debt has been structured to qualify initially as Tier 2 capital for the Company for regulatory capital purposes.
Note 8. Employee Benefit Plans
401(k) Plan:
The Company provides a deferred salary reduction plan (“Plan”) under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code covering substantially all employees. After 90 days of service, the Company matches 100% of employee contributions up to 3% of compensation and 50% of employee contributions on the next 2% of compensation. The Company’s contribution to the Plan for the three month periods ending March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, was $466 thousand and $393 thousand.
Equity Incentive Plans:
The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors may grant or award eligible participants stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, and other stock-based awards or any combination of awards (collectively referred to herein as "Rights"). At March 31, 2023, the Company had one active equity incentive plan available for future grants, the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan, which has 1,676,663 Rights available for future grants or awards.
The Company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Plan has 11,840 Rights issued. In addition, the Company has 4,500 Rights issued from the Cornerstone Non-Qualified Plan Options, which does not have any Rights available for future grants or awards.