WILSON BANK HOLDING CO

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock compensation accounting guidance (FASB ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation”) requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the grant date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The stock compensation accounting guidance covers a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including stock options, restricted share awards, restricted share unit awards, performance-based awards, cash-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs), and employee share purchase plans. Because cash-settled SARs do not give the grantee the choice of receiving stock, all cash-settled SARs are accounted for as liabilities, not equity, as expense is accrued over the requisite service period.

The stock compensation accounting guidance requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and recognized over the employees’ service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded-vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options and cash-settled SARs.