The South Carolina Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan is an important aspect of U.S. Ban corp's corporate governance structure. This plan is specifically designed to grant stock options to nonemployee directors based in South Carolina as a means to align their interests with those of the shareholders. Under this plan, nonemployee directors of U.S. Ban corp who reside in South Carolina are offered stock options, which give them the opportunity to purchase company stock at a predetermined price within a specified timeframe. These stock options serve as an incentive for the nonemployee directors to contribute towards the company's long-term success and shareholder value creation. Through the South Carolina Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan, U.S. Ban corp aims to ensure that the company's directors have a vested interest in the company's performance and maintain a strong commitment to their fiduciary responsibilities. By offering stock options, U.S. Ban corp provides an additional form of compensation to its nonemployee directors while also encouraging them to actively participate in the company's affairs and decision-making processes. The plan may include various types of stock options, such as nonqualified stock options (Nests) and incentive stock options (SOS). Nonqualified stock options are typically granted with a lower exercise price, but the gains from exercising these options are subject to ordinary income tax. In contrast, incentive stock options may have tax-advantaged treatment if certain requirements are met, such as holding the shares for a specified period of time. The South Carolina Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan is carefully designed to comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including the guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS). U.S. Ban corp ensures that the plan adheres to the best corporate governance practices fostering transparency, fairness, and accountability in granting stock options to nonemployee directors. By implementing the South Carolina Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan, U.S. Ban corp demonstrates its commitment to attracting and retaining top talent for its board of directors while promoting a sense of ownership and alignment among these directors and the company's shareholders. Through this plan, U.S. Ban corp strives to create a corporate culture that encourages strong directorship, drives sustainable growth, and enhances long-term shareholder value.