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<P id=PARA1 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>UNITED STATES</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA2 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA3 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20</B><B>5</B><B>49</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA5 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>FORM&nbsp;8-K</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA7 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA8 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)&nbsp;of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA10 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):&nbsp;<B> March 23, 2016</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA12 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Park Sterling Corporation</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA13 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA15 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>North Carolina</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA16 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>001-35032</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA17 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>27-4107242</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA18 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(State or other jurisdiction</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA19 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Commission File</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA20 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(IRS Employer</FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA21 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">of incorporation)</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA22 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Number)</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA23 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Identification No.)</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<P id=PARA26 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>1043 E. Morehead Street, Suite 201, Charlotte, NC</B></FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA27 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>28204</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P id=PARA28 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Address of principal executive offices)</FONT></P></TD>
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<P id=PARA29 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(Zip Code)</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
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<P id=PARA32 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code: <B>(704) 716-2134</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA34 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Not Applicable</B></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA38 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA41 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA43 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA45 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA47 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&#9744;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA50 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 5.02&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</B><B>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers</B><B>.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA51 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA52 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On February 9, 2016, Park Sterling Corporation (the &#8220;<U>Company</U>&#8221;) filed a Current Report on Form 8-K (the &#8220;<U>Initial Form 8-K</U>&#8221;) with the Securities and Exchange Commission reporting the hiring of Donald K. Truslow as the Company&#8217;s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The information provided in (e) below as it relates to the employment agreement with Mr. Truslow is deemed to amend the information provided in the Initial Form 8-K.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA53 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA54 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">(e)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On March 24, 2016, the Company and Park Sterling Bank (the &#8220;<U>Bank</U>&#8221;, and together with the Company, &#8220;<U>Park Sterling</U>&#8221;) entered into employment agreements (collectively, the &#8220;<U>Agreements</U>&#8221; and each individually, the &#8220;<U>Agreement</U>&#8221;) with each of James C. Cherry, Bryan F. Kennedy, III and Donald K. Truslow (collectively, the &#8220;<U>Executives</U>&#8221; and each individually, the &#8220;<U>Executive</U>&#8221;). The Agreements with Mr. Cherry and Mr. Kennedy amend and restate their respective prior employment agreements, each dated July 29, 2010. The Agreements are substantially similar and generally provide for the following terms.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA55 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA56 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Mr. Cherry will continue to serve as Park Sterling&#8217;s Chief Executive Officer and will receive an annual base salary of $450,000 from January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016 and $465,000 thereafter. Mr. Kennedy will continue to serve as Park Sterling&#8217;s President and will receive an annual base salary of $347,000 from January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016 and $360,000 thereafter. Mr. Truslow will serve as Park Sterling&#8217;s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and will receive an annual base salary of $350,000. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA57 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA58 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Each Agreement is for an initial term of three years that automatically renews for successive one year terms unless either party provides 180-day advance written notice of its intention to terminate the Agreement. The Agreements provide that each Executive will be eligible for an annual bonus, will be entitled to long-term equity compensation awards at the discretion of the Compensation and Development Committee (the &#8220;<U>Committee</U>&#8221;) and shall have his base salary reviewed at least annually by the Committee for adjustments. In connection with his commencement of employment with Park Sterling, Mr. Truslow also received a one-time award of 14,500 shares of restricted stock. In addition, pursuant to the Agreements,&nbsp;the Executives will be reimbursed for all reasonable business expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business, educational expenses related to the Executive&#8217;s professional development, and membership in professional and civic organizations that are consistent with Park Sterling&#8217;s strategic objectives and approved in advance by the Committee. The Agreements also generally permit the Executives to participate in all benefits plans and programs offered by Park Sterling.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA59 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA60 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Under the terms of the Agreements, each Executive is subject to (i) a non-competition and non-solicitation covenant during his employment and for twelve months following his last day of employment with Park Sterling and (ii) a non-disparagement covenant during his employment and for twenty-four months following his last day of employment with Park Sterling. The Agreements also contain customary confidentiality, work product, and return of company property covenants. </FONT></P>
<P id=PARA61 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA62 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">In the event an Executive is terminated without &#8220;Cause&#8221; or resigns for &#8220;Good Reason&#8221; (as such terms are defined in the Agreements), the Agreements provide such Executive with severance pay equal to (i) two times the Executive&#8217;s base salary, (ii) two times the Executive&#8217;s highest bonus received during the three years prior to termination, and (iii) eighteen months of COBRA payments. </FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA64 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">In the event an Executive is terminated without Cause, resigns for Good Reason, or his Agreement expires </FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">as a result of the buyer&#8217;s failure to renew its terms</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">, each within the period beginning with the signing of a letter of intent or similar agreement that would result in a &#8220;Change of Control&#8221; (as defined in the Agreements) transaction or within twelve months following a Change of Control (each a &#8220;<U>CIC Termination</U>&#8221;), the Agreements provide such Executive with the severance pay described above. In addition, in the event of a CIC Termination, Mr. Cherry is entitled to an additional year of base salary and bonus compensation (measured at the highest bonus received during the three years prior to termination).</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA65 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA66 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The Agreements provide that each Executive will repay any compensation previously paid or made available that is subject to recovery under applicable law or any compensation recoupment, clawback or recovery policy adopted by Park Sterling. In addition, the Agreements provide that if the executive&#8217;s payments on termination of employment would constitute a &#8220;parachute payment&#8221; as defined in Code Section 280G, such payments shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that no excise tax is imposed by Code Section 4999, but only if, by reason of such reduction, the net after-tax benefit received by the Executive shall exceed the net after-tax benefit that would be received by the Executive if no reduction was made.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA67 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA68 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">The foregoing description of the Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Agreements, copies of which are included as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.</FONT></P>
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<P id=PARA70 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item 5.03.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA71 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA72 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">On March 23, 2016, in light of the Company&#8217;s proposal, included in its preliminary proxy statement, to amend the Company&#8217;s Articles of Incorporation to provide for majority voting in the election of directors in uncontested transactions, the Board of Directors of the Company (the &#8220;<U>Board</U>&#8221;) approved and adopted amendments to the Company&#8217;s Bylaws, effective upon approval by the Board, which clarify and modify the advance notice requirements for shareholder submission of proposals and director nominees and make certain technical changes. Among other things, revised Article II, Section 13 of the Bylaws, which combines into one Bylaw the procedures for proposal of shareholder business and shareholder nominations applicable for shareholders&#8217; meetings after the Company&#8217;s 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, requires proposing shareholders to provide written notice to the Company no later than 90 days and no earlier than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the prior year&#8217;s annual meeting. Furthermore, the revised Bylaw specifies additional disclosure and representation requirements for proposing shareholders and proposed nominees, clarifies that the Company may require any proposed nominee to provide additional information relevant to a determination of whether such person can be considered an independent director, and clarifies the procedures for submitting shareholder nominees in connection with any special meeting called by the Company for the purpose of electing directors. The foregoing description of the amendments to the Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the amendments, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 3.2 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA73 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK74  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR74  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM74  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">3</DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; WIDTH: 100%; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR74  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA74.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B></B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA76 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA77 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL93  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA78 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA79 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA80 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA81 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA82 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA83 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA84 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -10pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">3.2</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA85 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Amendments to Bylaws</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA86 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -10pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA87 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and James C. Cherry</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA88 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -10pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.2</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA89 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and Donald K. Truslow</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA90 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -10pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.3</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA91 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA92 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and Bryan F. Kennedy, III</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA94 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></P>
<DIV id=PGBK132  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR132  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM132  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">4</DIV>
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<DIV id=PGHDR132  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA132.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA96 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>SIGNATURES</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA97 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA98 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">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.</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA99 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: 27.5pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA100 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Date: March 24, 2016</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA101 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL133  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD vAlign=top width="50%">
<P id=PARA133.1 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="38%" colSpan=2>
<P id=PARA133.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><B>PARK STERLING CORPORATION</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="12%">
<P id=PARA133.3 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top width="50%">
<P id=PARA133.4 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="3%">
<P id=PARA133.5 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="35%">
<P id=PARA133.6 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="12%">
<P id=PARA133.7 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top width="50%">
<P id=PARA133.8 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="3%">
<P id=PARA133.9 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=bottom width="35%" noWrap align=left>
<P id=PARA133.10 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="12%">
<P id=PARA133.11 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" vAlign=top width="50%" align=left>
<P id=PARA133.12 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" vAlign=top width="3%">
<P id=PARA133.13 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">By: </FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid" vAlign=top width="35%" noWrap align=left>
<P id=PARA133.14 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">/s/&nbsp;</FONT>Donald K. Truslow</P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="12%">
<P id=PARA133.15 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top width="50%">
<P id=PARA133.16 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="3%">
<P id=PARA133.17 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="35%">
<P id=PARA133.18 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Donald K. Truslow</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="12%">
<P id=PARA133.19 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top width="50%">
<P id=PARA133.20 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="3%">
<P id=PARA133.21 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="35%">
<P id=PARA133.22 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></P></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="12%">
<P id=PARA133.23 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA102 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 234pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B></B></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</P>
<DIV id=PGBK111  style="WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=PGFTR111  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV id=PGNUM111  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"></DIV>
<HR style="HEIGHT: 2px; WIDTH: 100%; PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; COLOR: #000000" noShade>

<DIV id=PGHDR111  style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: left">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
<P id=PARA111.2 style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P id=PARA112 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></FONT></P>
<P id=PARA113 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE id=TBL129  style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif; WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-INDENT: 0px" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>

<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA114 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA115 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>&nbsp;</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom; BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1px solid">
<P id=PARA116 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA117 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA118 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA119 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA120 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -10pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">3.2</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA121 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Amendments to Bylaws</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA122 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -10pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA123 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and James C. Cherry</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA124 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -10pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.2</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA125 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and Donald K. Truslow</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">&nbsp; </TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">&nbsp; </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD style="WIDTH: 8%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA126 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 40pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; TEXT-INDENT: -10pt"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">10.3</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 1%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">
<P id=PARA127 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD style="WIDTH: 91%; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top">
<P id=PARA128 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and Bryan F. Kennedy, III</FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P id=PARA130 style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, Times, serif">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">&nbsp;</P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">6</P></BODY></HTML>
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pstb20160324_8k.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20
5
49
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):
March 23, 2016
Park Sterling Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
North Carolina
001-35032
27-4107242
(State or other jurisdiction
(Commission File
(IRS Employer
of incorporation)
Number)
Identification No.)
1043 E. Morehead Street, Suite 201, Charlotte, NC
28204
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(704) 716-2134
Not Applicable
(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
.
(c)     On February 9, 2016, Park Sterling Corporation (the "
Company
") filed a Current Report on Form 8-K (the "
Initial Form 8-K
") with the Securities and Exchange Commission reporting the hiring of Donald K. Truslow as the Company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The information provided in (e) below as it relates to the employment agreement with Mr. Truslow is deemed to amend the information provided in the Initial Form 8-K.
(e)     On March 24, 2016, the Company and Park Sterling Bank (the "
Bank
", and together with the Company, "
Park Sterling
") entered into employment agreements (collectively, the "
Agreements
" and each individually, the "
Agreement
") with each of James C. Cherry, Bryan F. Kennedy, III and Donald K. Truslow (collectively, the "
Executives
" and each individually, the "
Executive
"). The Agreements with Mr. Cherry and Mr. Kennedy amend and restate their respective prior employment agreements, each dated July 29, 2010. The Agreements are substantially similar and generally provide for the following terms.
Mr. Cherry will continue to serve as Park Sterling's Chief Executive Officer and will receive an annual base salary of $450,000 from January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016 and $465,000 thereafter. Mr. Kennedy will continue to serve as Park Sterling's President and will receive an annual base salary of $347,000 from January 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016 and $360,000 thereafter. Mr. Truslow will serve as Park Sterling's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and will receive an annual base salary of $350,000.
Each Agreement is for an initial term of three years that automatically renews for successive one year terms unless either party provides 180-day advance written notice of its intention to terminate the Agreement. The Agreements provide that each Executive will be eligible for an annual bonus, will be entitled to long-term equity compensation awards at the discretion of the Compensation and Development Committee (the "
Committee
") and shall have his base salary reviewed at least annually by the Committee for adjustments. In connection with his commencement of employment with Park Sterling, Mr. Truslow also received a one-time award of 14,500 shares of restricted stock. In addition, pursuant to the Agreements, the Executives will be reimbursed for all reasonable business expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business, educational expenses related to the Executive's professional development, and membership in professional and civic organizations that are consistent with Park Sterling's strategic objectives and approved in advance by the Committee. The Agreements also generally permit the Executives to participate in all benefits plans and programs offered by Park Sterling.
Under the terms of the Agreements, each Executive is subject to (i) a non-competition and non-solicitation covenant during his employment and for twelve months following his last day of employment with Park Sterling and (ii) a non-disparagement covenant during his employment and for twenty-four months following his last day of employment with Park Sterling. The Agreements also contain customary confidentiality, work product, and return of company property covenants.
In the event an Executive is terminated without "Cause" or resigns for "Good Reason" (as such terms are defined in the Agreements), the Agreements provide such Executive with severance pay equal to (i) two times the Executive's base salary, (ii) two times the Executive's highest bonus received during the three years prior to termination, and (iii) eighteen months of COBRA payments.
2
In the event an Executive is terminated without Cause, resigns for Good Reason, or his Agreement expires
as a result of the buyer's failure to renew its terms
, each within the period beginning with the signing of a letter of intent or similar agreement that would result in a "Change of Control" (as defined in the Agreements) transaction or within twelve months following a Change of Control (each a "
CIC Termination
"), the Agreements provide such Executive with the severance pay described above. In addition, in the event of a CIC Termination, Mr. Cherry is entitled to an additional year of base salary and bonus compensation (measured at the highest bonus received during the three years prior to termination).
The Agreements provide that each Executive will repay any compensation previously paid or made available that is subject to recovery under applicable law or any compensation recoupment, clawback or recovery policy adopted by Park Sterling. In addition, the Agreements provide that if the executive's payments on termination of employment would constitute a "parachute payment" as defined in Code Section 280G, such payments shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that no excise tax is imposed by Code Section 4999, but only if, by reason of such reduction, the net after-tax benefit received by the Executive shall exceed the net after-tax benefit that would be received by the Executive if no reduction was made.
The foregoing description of the Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Agreements, copies of which are included as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03.     Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On March 23, 2016, in light of the Company's proposal, included in its preliminary proxy statement, to amend the Company's Articles of Incorporation to provide for majority voting in the election of directors in uncontested transactions, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "
Board
") approved and adopted amendments to the Company's Bylaws, effective upon approval by the Board, which clarify and modify the advance notice requirements for shareholder submission of proposals and director nominees and make certain technical changes. Among other things, revised Article II, Section 13 of the Bylaws, which combines into one Bylaw the procedures for proposal of shareholder business and shareholder nominations applicable for shareholders' meetings after the Company's 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, requires proposing shareholders to provide written notice to the Company no later than 90 days and no earlier than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the prior year's annual meeting. Furthermore, the revised Bylaw specifies additional disclosure and representation requirements for proposing shareholders and proposed nominees, clarifies that the Company may require any proposed nominee to provide additional information relevant to a determination of whether such person can be considered an independent director, and clarifies the procedures for submitting shareholder nominees in connection with any special meeting called by the Company for the purpose of electing directors. The foregoing description of the amendments to the Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the amendments, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 3.2 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.
3
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Exhibit Description
3.2
Amendments to Bylaws
10.1
Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and James C. Cherry
10.2
Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and Donald K. Truslow
10.3
Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and Bryan F. Kennedy, III
4
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: March 24, 2016
PARK STERLING CORPORATION
By:
/s/
Donald K. Truslow
Donald K. Truslow
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Exhibit Description
3.2
Amendments to Bylaws
10.1
Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and James C. Cherry
10.2
Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and Donald K. Truslow
10.3
Employment Agreement dated March 24, 2016 between Park Sterling Corporation, Park Sterling Bank and Bryan F. Kennedy, III
6