<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM 8-K
</B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September&nbsp;3</B><B><I>,</I></B><B> 2013 </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>BANKRATE, INC. </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Delaware</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>1-35206</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>65-0423422</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction of</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>incorporation or organization)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Commission</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>File Number)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(IRS Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:10pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>11760 U.S. Highway One, Suite 200 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>North Palm Beach, Florida 33408 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of principal executive offices) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(561) 630-2400 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>N/A </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Former name or
former address, if changed since last report) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below
if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.02</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. </B></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On September&nbsp;4, 2013, Bankrate, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) announced that Kenneth S. Esterow was appointed as Senior Vice President, Chief Operating
Officer of the Company. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Mr.&nbsp;Esterow, 49, has served as a consultant from 2011 to 2013. Mr.&nbsp;Esterow served in a variety of roles at Travelport
Limited and Cendant Corporation from 1995 to 2011. From January 2007 to May 2011, Mr.&nbsp;Esterow was President and Chief Executive Officer of Travelport Limited&#146;s Gullivers Travel Associates business. Prior to that, he was President and Chief
Executive Officer for Travelport&#146;s B2B Americas from August 2006 to December 2006 and was President and Chief Executive Officer B2B Americas for Cendant&#146;s Travel Distribution Services Division from June 2005 to August 2006. From May 2003
to June 2005, Mr.&nbsp;Esterow was Executive Vice President, Global Supplier Services, for Cendant&#146;s Travel Distribution Services Division. From September 2001 to April 2003, Mr.&nbsp;Esterow was Senior Vice President and Chief Development
Officer for Cendant&#146;s Travel Distribution Services Division. Prior to 2001, Mr.&nbsp;Esterow served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategic Development of Cendant, as well as Senior Vice President and General Manager of AutoVantage.com,
TravelorsAdvantage.com, and PrivacyGuard.com. Prior to joining Cendant Corporation in 1995, Mr.&nbsp;Esterow was a management consultant at Deloitte&nbsp;&amp; Touche LLP. Mr.&nbsp;Esterow is a member of the board of directors of Orbitz Worldwide,
Inc. Mr.&nbsp;Esterow was an executive committee member of the US Travel Association Board of Directors from 2009 to 2011. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Employment
Agreement with Kenneth S. Esterow </I></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On September&nbsp;3, 2013, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr.&nbsp;Esterow (the
&#147;Employment Agreement&#148;) that provides for his employment as the Company&#146;s Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, effective as of September&nbsp;9, 2013 (the &#147;Effective Date&#148;). </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Under the Employment Agreement, Mr.&nbsp;Esterow will receive an annual base salary of $450,000 and will be eligible for an annual target bonus in accordance
with the Company&#146;s management incentive program of $250,000. In connection with his appointment, Mr.&nbsp;Esterow will receive a one-time equity grant under the Company&#146;s 2011 Equity Compensation Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) of 125,000
shares of Restricted Stock (as defined in the Plan) (the &#147;Restricted Shares&#148;) and a stock option to purchase 250,000 shares of Company common stock (the &#147;Stock Option&#148;). The Restricted Shares and the Stock Option will vest over
four years, with one-quarter of the Restricted Shares and one-quarter of the Stock Option vesting on the first anniversary of the Effective Date and the remaining portions of the awards vesting in 36 equal monthly installments following the first
anniversary of the Effective Date. Mr.&nbsp;Esterow is eligible to participate in annual grants pursuant to the Company&#146;s stock incentive programs applicable to, and is entitled to participate in the Company&#146;s benefit plans in effect for,
executive officers of the Company. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Upon a termination of Mr.&nbsp;Esterow&#146;s employment by the Company without Cause or by Mr.&nbsp;Esterow for Good
Reason (each as defined in the Employment Agreement), (i)&nbsp;any unvested portion of the Restricted Shares and Stock Option shall immediately vest and (ii)&nbsp;subject to the execution and nonrevocation of a separation agreement, Mr.&nbsp;Esterow
will receive a separation payment in the amount of one year&#146;s base salary at the then current rate payable in three installments (the &#147;Separation Payment&#148;). In the case of a termination of Mr.&nbsp;Esterow&#146;s employment by the
Company without Cause or by Mr.&nbsp;Esterow for Good Reason in the one-year period following a Covered Transaction (as defined in the Plan), the Separation Payment will be equal to eighteen months base salary at the then current rate payable in
three installments. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Employment Agreement contains restrictive covenants related to non-disparagement, non-competition and non-solicitation. The
non-competition and non-solicitation obligations apply for one year following Ms.&nbsp;Esterow&#146;s termination of employment. </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The foregoing summary of the Employment Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of the
Employment Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.33 hereto, and is incorporated into this report by reference. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(d)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Exhibits </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The following exhibits are filed herewith: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">10.33</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Executive Agreement by and between Kenneth S. Esterow and Bankrate, Inc. </TD></TR></TABLE>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top">Date: September&nbsp;6, 2013</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="3">BANKRATE, INC.</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right">By:</TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ James R. Gilmartin</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">James R. Gilmartin</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">VP, General
Counsel</P></TD></TR>
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</BODY></HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Bankrate, Inc.", "cik": "0001518222", "assigned-sic": "7389", "irs-number": "000000000", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-35206", "film-number": "131083618"}, "business-address": {"street1": "11760 U.S. HIGHWAY ONE, SUITE 200", "city": "NORTH PALM BEACH", "state": "FL", "zip": "33408", "phone": "(561) 630-2400"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "11760 U.S. HIGHWAY ONE, SUITE 200", "city": "NORTH PALM BEACH", "state": "FL", "zip": "33408"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "Beach Inc.", "date-changed": "20110414"}}
Form 8-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 3
,
2013
BANKRATE, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
1-35206
65-0423422
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
11760 U.S. Highway One, Suite 200
North Palm Beach, Florida 33408
(Address of principal executive offices)
(561) 630-2400
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or
former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below
if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On September 4, 2013, Bankrate, Inc. (the "Company") announced that Kenneth S. Esterow was appointed as Senior Vice President, Chief Operating
Officer of the Company.
Mr. Esterow, 49, has served as a consultant from 2011 to 2013. Mr. Esterow served in a variety of roles at Travelport
Limited and Cendant Corporation from 1995 to 2011. From January 2007 to May 2011, Mr. Esterow was President and Chief Executive Officer of Travelport Limited's Gullivers Travel Associates business. Prior to that, he was President and Chief
Executive Officer for Travelport's B2B Americas from August 2006 to December 2006 and was President and Chief Executive Officer B2B Americas for Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division from June 2005 to August 2006. From May 2003
to June 2005, Mr. Esterow was Executive Vice President, Global Supplier Services, for Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division. From September 2001 to April 2003, Mr. Esterow was Senior Vice President and Chief Development
Officer for Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division. Prior to 2001, Mr. Esterow served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategic Development of Cendant, as well as Senior Vice President and General Manager of AutoVantage.com,
TravelorsAdvantage.com, and PrivacyGuard.com. Prior to joining Cendant Corporation in 1995, Mr. Esterow was a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche LLP. Mr. Esterow is a member of the board of directors of Orbitz Worldwide,
Inc. Mr. Esterow was an executive committee member of the US Travel Association Board of Directors from 2009 to 2011.
Employment
Agreement with Kenneth S. Esterow
On September 3, 2013, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Esterow (the
"Employment Agreement") that provides for his employment as the Company's Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, effective as of September 9, 2013 (the "Effective Date").
Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Esterow will receive an annual base salary of $450,000 and will be eligible for an annual target bonus in accordance
with the Company's management incentive program of $250,000. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Esterow will receive a one-time equity grant under the Company's 2011 Equity Compensation Plan (the "Plan") of 125,000
shares of Restricted Stock (as defined in the Plan) (the "Restricted Shares") and a stock option to purchase 250,000 shares of Company common stock (the "Stock Option"). The Restricted Shares and the Stock Option will vest over
four years, with one-quarter of the Restricted Shares and one-quarter of the Stock Option vesting on the first anniversary of the Effective Date and the remaining portions of the awards vesting in 36 equal monthly installments following the first
anniversary of the Effective Date. Mr. Esterow is eligible to participate in annual grants pursuant to the Company's stock incentive programs applicable to, and is entitled to participate in the Company's benefit plans in effect for,
executive officers of the Company.
Upon a termination of Mr. Esterow's employment by the Company without Cause or by Mr. Esterow for Good
Reason (each as defined in the Employment Agreement), (i) any unvested portion of the Restricted Shares and Stock Option shall immediately vest and (ii) subject to the execution and nonrevocation of a separation agreement, Mr. Esterow
will receive a separation payment in the amount of one year's base salary at the then current rate payable in three installments (the "Separation Payment"). In the case of a termination of Mr. Esterow's employment by the
Company without Cause or by Mr. Esterow for Good Reason in the one-year period following a Covered Transaction (as defined in the Plan), the Separation Payment will be equal to eighteen months base salary at the then current rate payable in
three installments.
The Employment Agreement contains restrictive covenants related to non-disparagement, non-competition and non-solicitation. The
non-competition and non-solicitation obligations apply for one year following Ms. Esterow's termination of employment.
The foregoing summary of the Employment Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of the
Employment Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.33 hereto, and is incorporated into this report by reference.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)
Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed herewith:
10.33
Executive Agreement by and between Kenneth S. Esterow and Bankrate, Inc.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.
Date: September 6, 2013
BANKRATE, INC.
By:
/s/ James R. Gilmartin
James R. Gilmartin
VP, General
Counsel