UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(RULE 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

Filed by the Registrant þ

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

 

Middlefield Banc Corp.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 6, 2009

Dear Shareholders:

     You are cordially invited to attend the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Middlefield Banc Corp. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 1:00 p.m. local time at SunValley Banquet & Party Center, 10000 Edwards Lane, Aurora, Ohio, 44202. The attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and proxy statement discuss the business to be conducted at the meeting.

     Your vote is important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Please read the enclosed proxy statement and then complete, sign, and date the enclosed proxy and return it in the accompanying postage-paid return envelope as promptly as possible. You may also use the Internet to vote by following the instructions on your proxy card. This will not prevent you from voting in person, but it will ensure that your vote is counted.

     Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,



Richard T. Coyne
Chairman of the Board

15985 East High Street, P.O. Box 35 • Middlefield, Ohio 44062 • 440/632-1666 • 888/801-1666 • 440/632-1700 (FAX) • www.middlefieldbank.com

Middlefield Banc Corp.
15985 East High Street
P.O. Box 35
Middlefield, Ohio 44062
(440) 632-1666

 

Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

 

     Notice is hereby given that the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Middlefield Banc Corp. will be held at SunValley Banquet & Party Center, 10000 Edwards Lane, Aurora, Ohio, 44202, on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. local time.

     A proxy and a proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are enclosed. The purpose of the annual meeting is to consider and act upon —

	(1)		election of three directors to serve until the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified,
	(2)		ratification of the appointment of S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. as independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, and
	(3)		such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

     The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business to come before the annual meeting. Any action may be taken on the foregoing proposals at the 2009 annual meeting on the date specified or on any date or dates to which the annual meeting may be adjourned or postponed. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting is March 21, 2009.

     Shareholders have a choice of voting on the Internet or by mailing a traditional proxy card. Your vote is important and, accordingly, you are urged to vote promptly by using the Internet or by signing, dating, and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid return envelope provided whether or not you expect to attend the annual meeting in person. If you vote by Internet, you do not need to return the proxy card. Internet voting information is provided on the proxy card.

     Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to be held on May 13, 2009. This Proxy Statement, the Proxy Card, the Chairman’s letter, and the Annual Report to Shareholders are available at www.middlefieldbank.com or www.emeraldbank.com.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Kathleen M. Johnson
Secretary

Middlefield, Ohio
April 6, 2009

Thank you for acting promptly

Middlefield Banc Corp.
15985 East High Street
P.O. Box 35
Middlefield, Ohio 44062
(440) 632-1666

 

Proxy Statement

 

     Middlefield Banc Corp. (“Middlefield”), an Ohio corporation, is registered as a financial holding company with the Federal Reserve Board and owns all the capital stock of The Middlefield Banking Company (“Middlefield Bank”) and Emerald Bank. Middlefield’s common stock is traded on Pink OTC Markets Inc.’s over-the-counter securities market under the symbol “MBCN.” As used in this proxy statement, “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Middlefield and/or its subsidiaries, depending on the context. The term “annual meeting,” as used in this proxy statement, includes any adjournment or postponement of such meeting.

     This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by Middlefield’s board of directors of proxies to be voted at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. local time, at SunValley Banquet & Party Center, 10000 Edwards Lane, Aurora, Ohio, 44202. The accompanying Notice of Meeting and this Proxy Statement are first being mailed to shareholders on or about April 6, 2009.

Purpose of the Meeting

     At the annual meeting, we will ask Middlefield shareholders to—

	(1)		elect three directors to serve until the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified,
	(2)		ratify the appointment of Middlefield’s independent auditor.

Voting and Revocation of Proxies

     Proxies solicited hereby may be used at the annual meeting only and will not be used for any other meeting. Proxies solicited by the board will be voted in accordance with the directions given. If no instructions are given, proxies will be voted in favor of the proposals set forth in this proxy statement.

     The enclosed proxy is for use if you are unable to attend the annual meeting in person or if wish to have your shares voted by proxy even if you attend the annual meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please vote your shares by (1) the Internet or (2) completing, signing, dating, and returning the enclosed proxy as soon as possible in the postage paid envelope provided. If you hold your shares in the name of a bank or broker, the availability of Internet voting will depend on the voting processes of the applicable bank or broker. Shareholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at any time before completion of the annual meeting, but revocation will not affect a vote previously taken. You may revoke a proxy by —

	•		attending the annual meeting and advising Middlefield’s Secretary that you intend to vote in person (but your attendance at the annual meeting will not constitute revocation of a proxy),
	•		giving a subsequent proxy relating to the same shares, or
	•		filing with the Secretary at or before the annual meeting a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy.

     A written notice revoking a proxy should be delivered to Ms. Kathleen M. Johnson, Secretary, Middlefield Banc Corp., 15985 East High Street, P.O. Box 35, Middlefield, Ohio 44062. Unless revoked, the shares represented by proxies will be voted at the annual meeting.

Record Date and Outstanding Shares; Quorum

     If you were a shareholder at the close of business on March 21, 2009, you are entitled to vote at the annual meeting. As of March 21, 2009, there were 1,541,247 shares of Middlefield common stock issued and outstanding. When present in person or by proxy at the annual meeting, the holders of a majority of the shares of Middlefield common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote will constitute a quorum for the conduct of business at the meeting.

Vote Required

     Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held. Shareholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election or removal of directors or otherwise. Directors are elected by a plurality vote of shareholders present in person or by proxy and constituting a quorum, meaning the nominees receiving the greatest numbers of votes will be elected.

Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

     Abstention may be specified on all proposals except the election of directors. Although they are counted for purposes of establishing that a quorum is present, abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted as votes cast. Because directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the election of directors.

Expense of Soliciting Proxies

     The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by Middlefield. We will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy material to the beneficial owners of common stock. In addition to solicitations by mail, directors, officers, and regular employees of Middlefield Bank may solicit proxies personally or by telephone without additional compensation.

Voting Securities and Principal Holders

     No person is known by Middlefield to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding common stock. The following table shows the beneficial ownership of Middlefield common stock on March 21, 2009, by-

	•		each director and director nominee and each executive officer identified in the Summary Compensation Table, and
	•		all directors, nominees, and executive officers as a group.

     For purposes of the table, a person is considered to beneficially own any shares over which he or she exercises sole or shared voting or investment power or of which he or she has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Unless otherwise indicated, voting power and investment power are exercised solely by the person named or they are shared with members of his or her household. Shares deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing “Percent of stock” are calculated on the basis of 1,541,247 shares outstanding, plus the number of shares each individual has the right to acquire within 60 days.

						Shares Acquirable
		Shares Beneficially				Within 60 Days By
Directors, Director Nominees, and Named Executive Officers		Owned				Exercise Of Options (1)				Percent of Stock
Thomas G. Caldwell, President & CEO			11,914	(2)			14,916				1.7	%
Richard T. Coyne, Chairman			5,163	(3)			0				(12	)
Frances H. Frank			7,904	(4)			2,110				(12	)
Jay P. Giles, Sr. Vice President/Sr. Loan Officer			1,149				7,225				(12	)
Thomas C. Halstead			11,537	(5)			0				(12	)
James R. Heslop, II, EVP and COO			3,632	(6)			13,765				1.1	%
Kenneth E. Jones			1,599	(7)			2,550				(12	)
James J. McCaskey			1,486	(8)			907				(12	)
Donald L. Stacy, CFO and Treasurer			1,048	(9)			7,937				(12	)
William J. Skidmore			824				1,337				(12	)
Robert W. Toth			1,381	(10)			0				(12	)
Carolyn J. Turk			2,541				0				(12	)
Donald E. Villers			11,617	(11)			737				(12	)
Other executive officers (3 people)			546				25,060				1.6	%
All directors, nominees, and executive officers as a group (16 people)			62,341				76,544				8.6	%

First Proposal — Election of Directors

     According to article III, section 2, of Middlefield’s regulations, the board may consist of no fewer than five and no more than 25 directors, the precise number being fixed or changed from time to time within that range by the board or by majority vote of shareholders acting at an annual meeting. Currently, the number of directors is fixed at

nine. For purposes of the 2009 annual meeting, Robert W. Toth has been recommended by the corporate governance and nominating committee for election to the board, and the board has nominated him to serve as a director for the three-year term ending at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or until his successor is elected and qualified. Mr. Toth is nominated to replace Mr. Donald E. Villers who has attained the mandatory retirement age of 75 and is therefore no longer eligible to stand for election. In addition, the corporate governance and nominating committee has recommended Directors Coyne and Heslop for re-election to the board, and the board has nominated such persons to serve as directors for three-year terms ending at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or until their successors are elected and qualified.

Three Director Nominees

Current

and Six Continuing

Director

Term

Directors

Age

Since

Expires

Principal Occupation in the Last 5 Years

Nominees for the Term Ending in 2012

Richard T. Coyne

73

1997

2009

Mr. Coyne is the Chairman of the Board of Middlefield and Middlefield Bank and has been a director of Emerald Bank since April 19, 2007. Mr. Coyne retired in May 2006 from his position as General Manager with Jaco Products, a production plastic components manufacturer located in Middlefield, Ohio. He also retired from his position as Vice President — Operations for Capital Plastics, a coin and currency holder manufacturer located in Massillon, Ohio. Mr. Coyne serves as a management counselor for SCORE and as a resource partner with the U. S. Small Business Administration located on the Geauga Campus of Kent State University

James R. Heslop, II

55

2001

2009

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Middlefield Bank since 1996, Mr. Heslop became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Middlefield on October 30, 2000. He became a director of Middlefield Bank in July 1999 and a director of Middlefield on November 19, 2001. From July 1993 until joining Middlefield Bank in April 1996, Mr. Heslop was a director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of First County Bank in Chardon, Ohio, an institution with total assets exceeding $40 million. First County Bank was an affiliate of FNB Corporation of Hermitage, Pennsylvania. Mr. Heslop earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Wheeling College, an M.B.A. from Tiffin University, and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Robert W. Toth

64

n/a

n/a

Mr. Toth retired in 2007 as the President of Gold Key Processing, Ltd., headquartered in Middlefield. Mr. Toth is a cum laude graduate of Ohio University with a B.B.A. in accounting. Prior to joining Gold Key, he was Vice President — Finance and Administration for Burton Rubber Processing, Inc. Having begun his career with Amsted Industries in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Toth has held progressively responsible positions with Warner and Swasey Co. and Missouri Portland Cement Co. He has a long record of community service and presently sits on the Financial Advisory Board of the DDC Clinic for Special Needs Children in Middlefield

Six Continuing Directors

Thomas G. Caldwell

51

1997

2010

Mr. Caldwell is President and Chief Executive Officer of Middlefield and Middlefield Bank and a director of Emerald Bank. Mr. Caldwell served as Vice President of Middlefield until October 2000, when he became its President and CEO

William J. Skidmore

52

2007

2010

Mr. Skidmore is Northeast Ohio Senior District Manager of Waste Management and has held progressively responsible positions with Waste Management and a predecessor company since 1978. He previously served on the Board of Directors of both First County Bank in Chardon and of Metropolitan National Bank in Youngstown. He is a member and was the past President of the Chardon Rotary, a former President of the Chardon Chamber of Commerce, a former member of the business advisory committee of Kent State University (Geauga), and a past representative to the board of the National Solid Waste Management Association in Washington, D. C.

Three Director Nominees											Current
and Six Continuing							Director				Term
Directors			Age				Since				Expires			Principal Occupation in the Last 5 Years
Carolyn J. Turk			52				2004				2010			Ms. Turk is the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer of Molded Fiber Glass Companies and a licensed CPA. Molded Fiber Glass Companies, located in Ashtabula, Ohio, is a manufacturer of reinforced fiber glass products with 14 entities in the US and Mexico
Frances H. Frank			61				1995				2011			Mrs. Frank is the Secretary and Treasurer of The Frank Agency, Inc., a general insurance agency located in Middlefield, Ohio
Kenneth E. Jones			60				2008				2011			Mr. Jones is the Chairman of the Board of Emerald Bank, which was acquired by Middlefield on April 19, 2007. A self-employed financial consultant and advisor, Mr. Jones earned a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1970 and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1972. He is also licensed in Ohio as a CPA (inactive). Mr. Jones is a former director of Applied Innovation, Inc. of Dublin, Ohio (Nasdaq), and served on its Audit Committee
James J. McCaskey			45				2004				2011			Mr. McCaskey is the President of McCaskey Landscape & Design, LLC, a design-build landscape development company. Mr. McCaskey is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Ohio Landscape Association. Previously, he was the Vice President of Sales for the Pattie Group, also a design-build landscape development company, with which he had been employed for seventeen years

     Directors of Middlefield’s bank subsidiaries, Middlefield Bank and Emerald Bank, are elected annually and do not serve staggered terms. Except for Mr. Jones, the directors identified in the table above are expected to be nominated and elected to continue serving as directors of Middlefield Bank for the following year. Messrs. Caldwell, Coyne, and Jones also serve as directors of Emerald Bank. Emerald Bank has seven directors that are expected to be nominated and elected to continue serving for the following year.

     There are no family relationships among any of Middlefield’s directors or executive officers. Executive officers who do not also serve as directors are —

Name			Age			Principal Occupation in the Last 5 Years
Jay P. Giles			59			Mr. Giles is Senior Vice President/Senior Loan Officer. He joined Middlefield Bank in September 1998, having previously served as Vice President and Senior Commercial Lender at Huntington National Bank in Burton, Ohio, since 1985
Teresa M. Hetrick			45			Ms. Hetrick is Senior Vice President — Operations/Administration. Ms. Hetrick served as Vice President and Secretary of First County Bank in Chardon, Ohio, before joining Middlefield Bank in December 1996
Jack L. Lester			63			Mr. Lester is Vice President — Compliance and Security Officer. He joined Middlefield Bank in August 1990 as a loan officer and has served in his current position since 1991
Donald L. Stacy			55			Mr. Stacy joined Middlefield Bank in August 1999 and serves as its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Stacy also serves as Emerald Bank’s Chief Financial Officer. On October 30, 2000, he was appointed as the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Middlefield. He previously served for 20 years with Security Dollar Bank and Security Financial Corp. in Niles, Ohio, where he was Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Alfred F. Thompson, Jr.			49			Mr. Thompson is Middlefield Bank’s Vice President/Loan Administration. Mr. Thompson has been with Middlefield Bank since March 1996. He was promoted from loan officer to Assistant Vice President in 1997, and promoted again to his current position in 1998. Before joining Middlefield Bank, Mr. Thompson served as Loan Officer in the Small Business Group of National City Bank, Northeast

Corporate Governance

     Middlefield periodically reviews its corporate governance policies and procedures to ensure that it meets the highest standards of ethical conduct, reports with accuracy and transparency, and maintains full compliance with laws, rules, and regulations. As part of the corporate governance process, the board reviews and adopts corporate governance policies and practices for Middlefield.

     Director Independence. A majority of Middlefield’s directors are independent, as the term independence is defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“Nasdaq”) listing standards and as defined by Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(ii) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Under Nasdaq Rule 4200(a)(15), a director of Middlefield is independent if he or she —

	•		is not employed by Middlefield now and was not employed by Middlefield during the last three years,
	•		is not a family member of an individual who is or was during the last three years employed by Middlefield as an executive officer. The term family member includes a person’s spouse, parents, children, and siblings, whether by blood, marriage, or adoption, or anyone else residing in such person’s home,
	•		has not accepted — and his or her family members have not accepted — any payments from Middlefield exceeding $120,000 during any period of 12 consecutive months within the 3 years preceding the determination of independence (other than compensation for board or board committee service, compensation paid to a family member who is a non-executive employee of Middlefield, benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan, or non-discretionary compensation),
	•		is not — and his or her family members are not — a partner in or a controlling shareholder or an executive officer of any organization to which Middlefield made or from which Middlefield received payments for property or services in the last three years exceeding 5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenues for that year or $200,000, whichever is greater (other than payments arising solely from investments in Middlefield securities or payments under non-discretionary charitable contribution matching programs),
	•		is not — and his or her family members are not — a current partner or employee of Middlefield’s outside auditor (S.R. Snodgrass, A.C.) or a former partner or employee of Middlefield’s outside auditor who worked on Middlefield’s audit during the last three years, and
	•		is not — and his or her family members are not — employed as an executive officer of another entity on whose compensation committee any of Middlefield’s executive officers served during the past three years.

     Applying these standards, the board has determined that all of the current directors and director nominees were independent directors within the meaning of Nasdaq Rule 4200(a)(15) and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC except for Messrs. Caldwell and Heslop. All directors serving on the corporate governance and nominating committee, audit committee, compensation committee, and equity plan committee in 2008 were considered by the board to be independent directors within the meaning of Nasdaq Rule 4200(a)(15) and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.

     Code of Ethics. Middlefield has adopted a Code of Ethics that is designed to promote the highest standards of ethical conduct by directors, executive officers, and employees. The Code of Ethics was updated and revised in 2008. The Code of Ethics requires that directors, executive officers, and employees avoid conflicts of interest, comply with all laws and other legal requirements, conduct business in an honest and ethical manner, and otherwise act with integrity and in Middlefield’s best interest. Under the terms of the Code of Ethics, directors, executive officers, and employees are required to report any conduct that they believe in good faith to be an actual or apparent

violation of the Code of Ethics. In addition, Middlefield has adopted a Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals, which applies to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or person performing similar functions. Both the Code of Ethics and the Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals are available at www.middlefieldbank.com and www.emeraldbank.com.

     As a mechanism to encourage compliance with the Code of Ethics and Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals, Middlefield has established procedures to receive, retain, and address complaints received regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters. These procedures ensure that individuals may submit concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters in a confidential and anonymous manner.

     Shareholder Communications. The board has provided the following process for shareholders to send communications to the board and/or individual directors. If the concern relates to Middlefield’s financial statements, accounting practices, or internal controls, the concern should be submitted in writing to the chairman of the audit committee in care of Ms. Kathleen M. Johnson, Secretary, at Middlefield Banc Corp., 15985 East High Street, P.O. Box 35, Middlefield, Ohio 44062. If the concern relates to Middlefield’s governance practices, business ethics, or corporate conduct, the concern should be submitted in writing to the chairman of the corporate governance and nominating committee in care of Ms. Kathleen M. Johnson, Secretary, at the same address as above. If the shareholder is unsure as to which category his or her concern relates, he or she may communicate it to any one of the independent directors in care of Ms. Kathleen M. Johnson, Secretary.

     Board Committees. The standing committees of the board are the corporate governance and nominating committee, the compensation committee, the audit committee, and the equity plan committee.

2008
Corporate Governance		2008
and Nominating		Compensation		2008		2008
Committee		Committee		Audit Committee		Equity Plan Committee
Richard T. Coyne*		James J. McCaskey*		Richard T. Coyne		Richard T. Coyne*
James J. McCaskey		William J. Skidmore		Thomas C. Halstead		James J. McCaskey
William J. Skidmore		Donald E. Villers		Kenneth E. Jones		Carolyn J. Turk, C.P.A.
				Carolyn J. Turk, C.P.A.*

     Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The charter and guidelines of the corporate governance and nominating committee was adopted by the board in February 2004, and amended in February 2005. A current copy of the charter and guidelines are available at www.middlefieldbank.com and www.emeraldbank.com. A copy of the charter and guidelines are also available in print to shareholders upon request, addressed to Middlefield’s Secretary, Ms. Kathleen M. Johnson, at Middlefield Banc Corp., 15985 East High Street, P.O. Box 35, Middlefield, Ohio 44062. Members of the committee are appointed by the board. The committee was composed in 2008 of Directors Coyne (chairman of the committee), McCaskey, and Skidmore. The corporate governance and nominating committee met 4 times in 2008.

     The corporate governance and nominating committee recommends to the board the slate of director nominees to be proposed by the board for election by the shareholders, any director nominees to be elected by the board to fill interim director vacancies, and the directors to be selected for membership on and chairmanship of the committees of the board. In addition, this committee addresses general corporate governance matters on behalf of the board and annually reviews with the board the requisite skills and criteria for new members. The committee also reviews the composition and function of the board as a whole.

     Several factors are considered by the committee when selecting individuals to be nominated for election to the board. A candidate must meet any qualification requirements set forth in any corporate governance documents

such as the committee’s charter and/or guidelines. A candidate must also not have been subject to certain criminal or regulatory actions. The committee considers the following criteria in selecting nominees:

	•		personal qualities and characteristics;
	•		accomplishments and reputation in the business community;
	•		financial, regulatory, and business experience;
	•		current knowledge and contacts in the communities in which Middlefield does business;
	•		ability and willingness to commit adequate time to board and committee matters;
	•		fit of the individual’s skills with those of other directors and potential directors in building a board that is effective and responsive to Middlefield’s needs;
	•		independence; and
	•		any other factors the board deems relevant, including diversity of viewpoints, background, experience, and other demographics.

     In addition, prior to nominating an existing director for re-election to the board, the committee considers and reviews an existing director’s board and committee attendance and performance; length of board service; experience, skills, and contributions that the existing director brings to the board; and independence.

     Middlefield’s corporate governance guidelines require a director to beneficially own at least 1,158 shares of Middlefield stock within three years of becoming a director. The share ownership requirement is adjusted for changes in outstanding shares resulting from a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, or any change in the corporate structure or shares of Middlefield. Middlefield’s corporate governance guidelines also establish a director retirement age. Upon reaching the age of 75, directors may serve on the board until their term ends, but directors may not stand for re-election after their 75^th birthday.

     The committee will consider nominees for the board recommended by stockholders. A shareholder may submit a nomination for director by following the procedures specified in article III, section 4, of Middlefield’s regulations. Among other things, these procedures require that the shareholder deliver to Middlefield’s Secretary a written notice stating the name and age of each nominee, the nominee’s principal occupation, and the number of shares of Middlefield common stock he or she beneficially owns. The written consent of the nominee to serve as a director must also be provided by the shareholder making the nomination. The information must be provided to the Secretary at least 60 days before the date corresponding to the date on which Middlefield’s proxy materials were mailed to shareholders for the previous year’s annual meeting, and no more than 120 days before that date. A nomination made by a shareholder who does not comply with these procedures will be disregarded.

     To identify nominees, the committee relies on personal contacts as well as its knowledge of members of the local communities. The committee also considers director candidates recommended by stockholders in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth above. The committee determines whether a candidate is eligible and qualified for service on the board by evaluating the candidate under the selection criteria set forth above. Middlefield has not previously used an independent search firm to identify nominees. Directors of Middlefield Bank are elected and nominated solely by Middlefield’s and Middlefield Bank’s board. Similarly, directors of Emerald Bank are elected and nominated solely by Middlefield’s and Emerald Bank’s board.

     Compensation Committee. The compensation committee establishes the base salary of each executive officer as well as the executives’ award levels under the annual incentive plan. The committee is also responsible for administration of other executive benefits and plans, including the executive deferred compensation agreements

entered into by the Bank with Messrs. Caldwell, Heslop, and Stacy. Middlefield approved a compensation committee charter in April of 2004 to help establish compensation policies that will enable Middlefield to attract, motivate, and retain high quality leadership. The compensation committee’s decisions about compensation for named executive officers’ performance takes into account the views of Middlefield’s Chief Executive Officer. But for its review of the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, the compensation committee reviews reports submitted by each director. The Compensation Committee has engaged compensation consultants and advisors from time to time to provide input on both board and executive compensation issues. In 2008, the members of Middlefield’s compensation committee and Middlefield Bank’s compensation committee were Directors McCaskey (chair of the committee), Skidmore, and Villers. Middlefield’s compensation committee met three times in 2008.

     Equity Plan Committee. The equity plan committee administers the 2007 Omnibus Equity Plan. The charter of the equity plan committee was adopted by the board in October 2008. The equity plan committee has final authority to make awards to employees and establish award terms. The amount and terms of equity awards to non-employee directors, however, must be established by the entire board of directors. The equity plan committee may make awards to any employee of Middlefield or any of its subsidiaries. However, the board alone may make awards to non-employee directors, meaning any director of Middlefield or a subsidiary who is not also an employee of Middlefield or a subsidiary. The selection of participants and the nature and size of awards are within the discretion of the equity plan committee, or the discretion of the board in the case of awards to non-employee directors. In 2008, the equity plan committee was composed of Directors Coyne (chairman of the committee), McCaskey, and Turk and met two times. The board believes that each of these individuals satisfies the independence requirements of Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) section 162(m), SEC Rule 16b-3, and Nasdaq Rule 4200(a)(15).

     Audit Committee. The audit committee appoints Middlefield’s independent public auditor, reviews and approves the audit plan and fee estimate of the independent public auditor, appraises the effectiveness of the internal and external audit efforts, evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of accounting policies and financial and accounting management, supervises the internal auditor, and reviews and approves the annual financial statements. The audit committee has the authority to engage separate legal counsel and other advisors, as necessary, to execute its duties. The audit committee members in 2008 were Directors Coyne, Halstead, Jones, and Turk (chair of the committee). The audit committee met four times in 2008.

     Middlefield’s board adopted a written charter for the audit committee in August 2001. The charter is reviewed on an annual basis, and was revised in October 2008. A current copy of the audit committee charter is available at www.middlefieldbank.com and www.emeraldbank.com.

     Audit Committee Independence. Middlefield believes that none of the directors who serve on the audit committee have a relationship with Middlefield or its subsidiaries that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out their responsibilities as director. The board, in its business judgment, has determined that all members of the audit committee meet the current independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and that Messrs. Coyne and Jones and Ms. Turk satisfy the requirements for an “audit committee financial expert” promulgated by the SEC.

     Audit Committee Report. The audit committee has submitted the following report for inclusion in this proxy statement-

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, and has discussed the audited financial statements with management. The Audit Committee has also discussed with S.R. Snodgrass, A.C., Middlefield’s independent auditor, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees). The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussion with Audit Committees), and has discussed with S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. its independence. Based on this, the Audit Committee recommended to the board that the audited financial statements be included in Middlefield’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     Submitted by the Audit Committee

     Richard T. Coyne                     Kenneth E. Jones                     Carolyn J. Turk, CPA

     Board and Committee Meetings. Middlefield’s board held seven meetings in 2008. The individuals who served in 2008 as directors of Middlefield attended at least 75% of (i) the total number of board meetings and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees on which he or she served.

     The board encourages directors to attend the annual meeting of shareholders. All directors who served in 2008 attended the 2008 annual meeting.

2008 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     The following table shows the compensation of directors for their service in 2008, other than Directors Caldwell and Heslop. The director compensation information to follow represents compensation for the full year, through December 31, 2008. The majority of director compensation is paid by Middlefield Bank for directors’ service on Middlefield Bank’s board and board committees, but compensation shown in the table is aggregate compensation paid for directors’ service to Middlefield, Middlefield Bank, and Emerald Bank. Information about compensation paid to and earned by Directors Caldwell and Heslop is included elsewhere in this proxy statement.

																		Nonqualified
		Fees Earned												Non-Equity				Deferred
		or Paid in				Stock				Option				Incentive Plan				Compensation				All Other
		Cash				Awards				Awards(1)				Compensation				Earnings				Compensation(2)				Total
Name		($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)
Richard T. Coyne			28,750				0				0				n/a				0				4,823				33,573
Frances H. Frank			22,750				0				0				n/a				0				4,823				27,573
Thomas C. Halstead			12,150				0				0				n/a				0				4,823				16,973
Kenneth E. Jones			4,800				0				5,609				n/a				0				0				10,409
James J. McCaskey			25,050				0				0				n/a				0				0				25,050
William J. Skidmore			24,250				0				0				n/a				0				0				24,250
Carolyn J. Turk			25,550				0				0				n/a				0				0				25,550
Donald E. Villers			25,050				0				0				n/a				0				4,823				29,873

     Director Fees and Life Insurance. As of May 2008, Middlefield Bank directors received compensation of $400 for each meeting attended in 2008. Beginning July 2008, Emerald Bank directors received compensation of $200 for each meeting attended. Middlefield’s Chairman of the Board received additional annual compensation of $2,400. Directors of Middlefield Bank are also entitled to life insurance benefits under a group-term life insurance program, potentially receiving benefits ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 if the director dies while in service to Middlefield Bank, payable to the director’s designated beneficiary.

     Director Retirement Agreements. Middlefield Bank entered into director retirement agreements with each nonemployee director in 2001. Of the current directors, Directors Coyne, Frank, and Villers are the only directors who are parties to a director retirement agreement. Directors Coyne and Villers’ agreements were amended in December 2007, and Director Frank’s agreement was amended in January 2008, to provide for a uniform normal retirement age of 75. The agreements provide directors with a retirement benefit that Middlefield considers modest. As amended, the director retirement agreements provide for an annual benefit in an amount equal to 25% of the average annual fees earned by the director in the three years before attaining normal retirement age. The benefit is payable for ten years beginning at normal retirement age, even if the director continues serving as a director. If a director terminates service before normal retirement age for reasons other than death or disability, beginning at normal retirement age he or she will receive over a ten-year period a payment based upon the retirement-liability balance accrued by Middlefield Bank at the end of the month before the month in which the director’s service terminated. However, no benefits are payable in the case of early termination unless the director is at least 55 years of age and has served as a director for at least five years, including years of service before the director retirement agreements were entered into. Likewise, if a director’s service terminates because of disability before normal retirement age, beginning at normal retirement age he or she will receive over a ten-year period a payment based upon the retirement-liability balance accrued by Middlefield Bank at the end of the month before the month in which the director’s service terminated. If a change in control of Middlefield occurs the director will receive a lump-sum payment equal to the retirement-liability balance accrued by Middlefield Bank at the end of the month before the month in which the change in control occurred. For this purpose, the term “change in control” means a change in control as defined in IRC section 409A and Internal Revenue Service regulations implementing section 409A. After a director’s death any benefits remaining unpaid to the director will be paid to his or her beneficiary in a single lump sum. A director forfeits all benefits under the director retirement agreement if he or she is not nominated for re-election because of the director’s neglect of duties, commission of a felony or misdemeanor, or acts of fraud, disloyalty, or willful violation of significant bank policies, or if the director is removed by order of the FDIC.

     Because Middlefield’s mandatory retirement policy provides that directors may not stand for reelection after attaining age 75, Director Villers will retire when his term expires at the 2009 annual meeting. The annual retirement benefit under his Director Retirement Agreement is $5,292, payable for ten years. Directors Halstead, Hasman, Hunter, and Paul have also retired. The annual retirement benefits under their Director Retirement Agreements are $5,040, $4,275, 4,275, and $4,000 respectively, also payable for ten years. The director retirement agreements of Directors Frank, Halstead, Hunter, and Villers provide that Middlefield Bank shall also obtain and maintain health insurance coverage for the lifetime of those directors and their spouses if the coverage can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms.

     Director Indemnification. At the 2001 annual meeting, the shareholders approved the form and use of indemnification agreements for directors. Middlefield entered into indemnification agreements with each director that allow directors to select the most favorable indemnification rights provided under (1) Middlefield’s Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation or Regulations in effect on the date of the indemnification agreement or on the date expenses are incurred, (2) state law in effect on the date of the indemnification agreement or on the date expenses are incurred, (3) any liability insurance policy in effect when a claim is made against the director or on the date expenses are incurred, and (4) any other indemnification arrangement otherwise available. The agreements cover all fees, expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, and settlement amounts paid in any matter relating to the director’s role as Middlefield’s director, officer, employee, agent or when serving as Middlefield’s

representative with respect to another entity. Each indemnification agreement provides for the prompt advancement of all expenses incurred in connection with any proceeding subject to the director’s obligation to repay those advances if it is determined later that the director is not entitled to indemnification.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” election of Messrs. Coyne, Heslop, and Toth to serve as directors until the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified

2008 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

     The executive compensation information to follow represents compensation for the full year, through December 31, 2008. The majority of the compensation is paid by Middlefield Bank, but compensation shown in the table is aggregate compensation paid by Middlefield and its subsidiary banks— Middlefield Bank and Emerald Bank.

																										Nonqualified
																						Non-Equity				Deferred
														Stock				Option				Incentive Plan				Compensation				All Other
						Salary(1)				Bonus				Awards				Awards(2)				Compensation(3)				Earnings				Compensation(4)				Total
Name and Principal Position		Year				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)
Thomas G. Caldwell			2008				252,558				0				0				0				22,971				0				19,694				295,223
President and Chief Executive Officer			2007				235,635				0				0				0				21,561				0				18,713				275,909
James R. Heslop, II			2008				203,012				0				0				0				18,096				0				15,615				236,723
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer			2007				176,302				0				0				0				0				0				5,896				182,198
Jay P. Giles			2008				117,013				0				0				1,406				3,510				0				4,544				126,473
Senior Vice President/Senior Loan Officer			2007				108,765				0				0				0				4,335				0				3,876				116,976
Donald L. Stacy			2008				139,735				0				0				2,109				11,792				0				11,053				164,689
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer			2007				117,236				0				0				0				11,431				0				10,457				139,124

     Perquisites and other personal benefits provided to each of the named executive officers in 2008 and 2007 were less than $10,000. The value of insurance on the lives of the named executive officers is not reflected in the Summary Compensation Table because the executives have no interest in the policies. However, the executives are entitled to designate the beneficiary of death benefits payable by Middlefield Bank under executive survivor income agreements. See the "Executive Survivor Income Agreements” section in the discussion below.

     Annual Incentive Plan. Established by Middlefield Bank in 2003, but terminable by the board at any time, all employees are eligible to participate in the Annual Incentive Plan. Annual incentive payments under the plan for a particular year are based on objective financial performance criteria established before the beginning of the year. Currently, the performance measure having to do with Middlefield Bank’s financial performance is targeted net income. In future years other financial performance could be taken into account, such as return on average equity (“ROAE”), return on average assets (“ROAA”), loan growth, deposit growth, efficiency ratio, and net interest margin. The compensation committee also considers objective individual performance goals. An employee’s potential cash incentive payment under the Annual Incentive Plan depends upon two factors: (x) the employee’s position, which establishes a maximum cash incentive award as a percent of base salary and (y) the extent to which the performance targets, such as targeted net income, and individual performance targets, are achieved.

     2007 Omnibus Equity Plan. The 2007 Omnibus Equity Plan (the “Plan”) authorizes the issuance of 160,000 shares of Middlefield common stock. A committee of Middlefield’s board administers the Plan. The board designated Directors Coyne (chair), McCaskey, and Turk to serve as members of the Plan Committee. Shares of common stock issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of treasury shares or authorized and unissued shares not reserved for any other purpose. Awards to employees may take the form of incentive stock options (“ISOs”) that qualify for favored tax treatment under IRC section 422, stock options that do not qualify under IRC section 422 (“NQSOs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, and performance shares. In contrast to the kinds of awards that may be made to employees, non-employee directors are eligible for awards of NQSOs and restricted stock only. The terms of each award will be described in an award agreement. Of the shares authorized for issuance under the Plan, up to 80,000 may be reserved for issuance under incentive stock options. The aggregate number of shares underlying awards granted to an individual participant in a single year may not exceed 16,000. Awards made under the Plan generally are not transferable except as specified in the Plan. During a participant’s lifetime, awards are exercisable solely by the participant or the participant’s guardian or legal representative. Plan awards may be transferred by will and by the laws of descent and distribution.

     Unless the participant’s award agreement provides otherwise, when a participant employee’s service terminates or when a non-employee director participant’s service terminates the portion of any award held by the participant that is not exercisable is forfeited. All NQSOs, SARs, and ISOs held by the participant that are exercisable shall be forfeited if not exercised before the earlier of the expiration date specified in the award agreement or 90 days after termination occurs. However, all of a participant’s outstanding awards are forfeited if the participant’s employment or director service terminates for cause or if in Middlefield’s judgment a basis for termination for cause exists, regardless of whether the awards are exercisable and regardless of whether the participant’s employment or director service actually terminates. However, shares of restricted stock or performance shares that have been released from escrow and distributed to the participant are not affected by a termination for cause.

     If a change in control of Middlefield occurs, the Plan Committee has broad authority and sole discretion to take actions it deems appropriate to preserve the value of participants’ awards. In general, a change in control means one or more of the following events occur —

	•		a change in the composition of Middlefield’s board of directors, after which the incumbent members of the board on the effective date of the Plan — including their successors whose election or nomination was approved by those incumbent directors and their successors — no longer represent a majority of the board;
	•		a person (other than persons such as subsidiaries or benefit plans) becomes a beneficial owner of Middlefield securities representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of all securities eligible to vote for the election of directors, excepting business combinations after which Middlefield’s stockholders own more than 50% of the resulting company and except for stock issuances approved by incumbent directors and their successors;
	•		a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or similar form of business combination transaction requiring approval of Middlefield’s stockholders, excepting business combinations after which Middlefield’s stockholders own more than 50% of the resulting company; or
	•		Middlefield’s stockholders approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution or sale of all or substantially all of Middlefield’s assets.

     In December 2004 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) published SFAS 123(R). SFAS 123(R) requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions, including grants of stock options, be recognized as an expense in financial statements. For this purpose cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity instrument issued, according to any option-pricing model satisfying the fair value objective of SFAS 123(R).

     Executive Deferred Compensation Agreements. On December 28, 2006, the Middlefield Bank entered into executive deferred compensation agreements with Messrs. Caldwell, Heslop, and Stacy. The December 28, 2006 executive deferred compensation agreements were amended on March 8, 2008, for purposes of compliance with IRC Section 409A. The agreements are intended to provide supplemental retirement income benefits. The arrangement is noncontributory, meaning contributions can be made solely by Middlefield Bank. For each year the executive remains employed with Middlefield Bank until attaining age 65, Middlefield Bank may credit each executive with a contribution equal to 5% of the executive’s base annual salary. Contributions exceeding 5% of salary are conditional on achievement of performance goals: (i) Middlefield Bank’s net income for the plan year and (ii) Middlefield Bank’s peer ranking for the plan year, as established using the Uniform Bank Performance Report (“UBPR”) as reported on the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s website at www.ffiec.gov/UBPR.htm. The UBPR is an analytical tool created for bank supervisory, examination, and management purposes. In a concise format, the UPBR shows the impact of management decisions and economic conditions on a bank’s performance and balance-sheet composition. Each of the two performance goals can account for a contribution of up to 7.5% of the executive’s base annual salary. The net income goal for each year will be established by the compensation committee no later than March 31 of that year. The compensation committee’s decisions are reported to the full board but the decisions are not final unless approved by a majority of Middlefield’s independent directors.

     Executive Survivor Income Agreements. In June 2003, Middlefield Bank entered into executive survivor income agreements with various officers, including Messrs. Caldwell, Giles, Heslop, and Stacy. The agreements promise a specific cash benefit payable by Middlefield Bank to an executive’s designated beneficiary at the executive’s death, provided the executive dies before attaining age 85. The benefit would be paid to the executive’s beneficiary if the executive dies in active service to Middlefield Bank, but it also would be payable after the executive’s termination of service if the executive terminated (i) because of disability, or (ii) within 12 months after

a change in control of Middlefield, or (iii) after having attained age 55 with at least ten years of service to Middlefield Bank or after having attained age 65.

     The total death benefit payable to Mr. Caldwell’s beneficiaries if he dies in active service to Middlefield Bank is $471,741, the benefit payable to Mr. Giles’ beneficiaries is $262,861, the benefit payable to Mr. Heslop’s beneficiaries is $368,970, and the benefit payable to Mr. Stacy’s beneficiaries is $222,619. For death after terminating active service with Middlefield Bank, the death benefit for Mr. Caldwell’s beneficiaries is $471,741, $131,430 for Mr. Giles’ beneficiaries, $368,970 for Mr. Heslop’s beneficiaries, and $111,309 for Mr. Stacy’s beneficiaries. To assure itself of funds sufficient to pay the promised death benefits, Middlefield Bank purchased insurance on the executives’ lives with a single premium payment. Middlefield Bank owns the policies and is the sole beneficiary. Of the total premium paid for the insurance on the various executives’ lives, $495,873 is attributable to insurance purchased on the life of Mr. Caldwell, $502,412 is attributable to insurance purchased on the life of Mr. Giles, $447,351 is attributable to insurance on the life of Mr. Heslop, and $333,890 is attributable to insurance purchased on the life of Mr. Stacy. The premium amounts are not reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. Middlefield Bank expects that the policies’ death benefits will be sufficient to pay all benefits promised under the DBO agreements.

     Severance Agreements. Middlefield and its two banking subsidiaries have not entered into written employment agreements with officers. Middlefield entered into severance agreements on January 7, 2008, with seven executives, including Messrs. Caldwell, Heslop, Giles, and Stacy, and three other executives. On January 7, 2009, Middlefield entered into revised severance agreements with these seven officers. The principal reason for replacement of the existing severance agreements was to ensure compliance with the requirements of IRC Section 409A. The severance agreements provide that the executive is entitled to severance compensation if a change in control occurs during the term of the agreement, payable in a single lump sum. For purposes of the severance agreements, the term change in control means (i) an occurrence of a change in ownership of Middlefield, (ii) a change in effective control of Middlefield, or (iii) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of Middlefield’s assets as defined consistent with IRC Section 409A. The agreements promise to each executive a lump-sum payment calculated as a multiple of the executive’s salary and the executive’s cash bonus and cash incentive compensation. In the case of executives other than Messrs. Caldwell, Heslop, and Stacy, the lump-sum severance benefit is payable immediately after involuntary termination without cause or voluntary termination for good reason occurring within 24 months after a change in control. Rather than being contingent on a separation from service after a change in control, the lump-sum benefit of Messrs. Caldwell, Heslop, and Stacy is payable immediately after a change in control occurs.

     The multiple of compensation payable under the severance agreements is 2.5 times in the case of Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Heslop and two times compensation for all other executives. The agreements also promise continued life, health, and disability insurance coverage for 24 months after employment termination and legal fee reimbursement of up to $500,000 for Messrs. Caldwell and Heslop and $300,000 for the other five executives if the severance agreements are challenged after a change in control.

     Retirement Plan. Middlefield does not maintain a defined benefit or actuarial plan providing retirement benefits for officers or employees based on actual or average final compensation. But Middlefield Bank maintains a section 401(k) employee savings and investment plan for substantially all employees and officers who have more than one year of service. Middlefield Bank’s contribution to the plan is based on 50% matching of voluntary contributions, up to 6% of compensation. An eligible employee may contribute up to 15% of his or her salary. Employee contributions are vested at all times. Contributions are fully vested after six years, vesting in 20% annual increments beginning with the second year. Employees also have life insurance benefits under a group term life insurance program, paying benefits to an employee’s beneficiary if the employee dies while employed by Middlefield Bank, up to the lesser of (i) twice the employee’s annual salary at the time of death or (ii) $140,000.

     IRC Limits. The qualifying compensation regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service under IRC section 162(m) provide that no deduction is allowed for applicable employee remuneration paid by a publicly held corporation to a covered employee to the extent that the remuneration exceeds $1.0 million for the applicable taxable year, unless specified conditions are satisfied. Salary and bonus amounts deferred by executives are not subject to

section 162(m). Currently, remuneration is not expected to exceed $1.0 million for any employee. Therefore, Middlefield does not expect that compensation will be affected by the qualifying compensation regulations. The compensation committee and Middlefield’s board intend to maintain executive compensation within the section 162(m) deductibility limits, but could permit compensation exceeding the section 162(m) limits in the future.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2008

     The table to follow shows the number of shares acquirable, exercise prices, and expiration dates of all unexercised stock options held by the executives identified in the Summary Compensation Table. None of the executives holds unvested restricted stock or other stock awards. On June 10, 2008, Mr. Stacy exercised an incentive stock option granted on December 11, 2000, to acquire 667 shares of Middlefield stock at an exercise price of $17.90. No other executives exercised stock options in 2008. The only stock award made to the executives in 2008 consisted of a grant on November 10, 2008, of an incentive stock option to acquire 1,000 shares, granted to Mr. Caldwell, a nonqualified stock option to acquire 1,500 shares, also granted to Mr. Caldwell, an incentive stock option to acquire 1,000 shares each, granted to Messrs. Heslop and Stacy, and an incentive stock option to acquire 500 shares, granted to Mr. Giles. All options granted in 2008 vest and become exercisable in one year and are exercisable no later than November 9, 2018, at an exercise price of $23.00 per share.

Option Awards(1)

Stock Awards(1)

Equity

Incentive

Plan

Awards:

Equity

Equity

Market or

Incentive

Incentive Plan

Payout

Plan

Market

Awards:

Value of

Awards:

Value of

Number of

Unearned

Number of

Number of

Shares or

Unearned

Shares,

Number of

Securities

Securities

Number of

Units of

Shares, Units,

Units, or

Securities

Underlying

Underlying

Shares or

Stock

or Other

Other

Underlying

Unexercised

Unexercised

Option

Units of Stock

That Have

Rights That

Rights That

UnexercisedOptions

Options

Unearned

Exercise

Option

That Have

Not

Have Not

Have Not

(#)

(#)

Options

Price

Expiration

Not Vested

Vested

Vested

Vested

Name

Exercisable

Unexercisable

(#)

($)

Date

(#)

($)

(#)

($)

Thomas G. Caldwell

1,337

23.13

11/23/2009

3,347

17.90

12/11/2010

1,912

22.33

12/09/2012

3,827

24.29

12/08/2013

n/a

2,315

30.45

12/13/2014

1,653

36.73

12/12/2015

525

40.24

12/11/2016

1,000

23.00

11/10/2018

1,500

23.00

11/10/2018

James R. Heslop, II

667

23.13

11/23/2009

2,866

17.90

12/11/2010

1,912

22.33

12/09/2012

3,827

24.29

12/08/2013

n/a

2,315

30.45

12/13/2014

1,653

36.73

12/12/2015

525

40.24

12/11/2016

1,000

23.00

11/10/2018

Jay P. Giles

667

17.90

12/11/2010

1,274

22.33

12/09/2012

2,551

24.29

12/08/2013

n/a

1,157

30.45

12/13/2014

551

36.73

12/12/2015

525

40.24

12/11/2016

500

37.00

12/10/2017

500

23.00

11/10/2018

Option Awards(1)

Stock Awards(1)

Equity

Incentive

Plan

Awards:

Equity

Equity

Market or

Incentive

Incentive Plan

Payout

Plan

Market

Awards:

Value of

Awards:

Value of

Number of

Unearned

Number of

Number of

Shares or

Unearned

Shares,

Number of

Securities

Securities

Number of

Units of

Shares, Units,

Units, or

Securities

Underlying

Underlying

Shares or

Stock

or Other

Other

Underlying

Unexercised

Unexercised

Option

Units of Stock

That Have

Rights That

Rights That

UnexercisedOptions

Options

Unearned

Exercise

Option

That Have

Not

Have Not

Have Not

(#)

(#)

Options

Price

Expiration

Not Vested

Vested

Vested

Vested

Name

Exercisable

Unexercisable

(#)

($)

Date

(#)

($)

(#)

($)

Donald L. Stacy

1,274

22.33

12/09/2012

2,551

24.29

12/08/2013

1,735

30.45

12/13/2014

n/a

1,102

36.73

12/12/2015

525

40.24

12/11/2016

750

37.00

12/10/2017

1,000

23.00

11/10/2018

     Transactions with Related Parties. Directors and executive officers of Middlefield and their associates are customers of and enter into banking transactions with the Bank in the ordinary course of business. Middlefield expects that these relationships and transactions will continue. The transactions with directors, executives officers, and their associates have not involved more than the normal risk of collectability and have not presented other unfavorable features. Loans and commitments to lend included in these transactions were made and will be made on substantially the same terms — including interest rates and collateral — as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not affiliated with Middlefield.

Second Proposal — Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditor

     Middlefield’s independent auditor for the year ended December 31, 2008, was S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. The audit committee has selected, subject to shareholder ratification, S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. to be Middlefield’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. We expect one or more representatives of S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. to be present at the annual meeting. The representative of S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. will have the opportunity to make a statement if desired, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

     The following table sets forth the fees paid to S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. for services provided during fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007:

		2008				2007
Audit Fees (1)		$	89,982			$	103,046
Audit-Related Fees (2)		$	10,000			$	0
Tax Fees (3)		$	13,971			$	10,820
All Other Fees (4)		$	16,222			$	10,948
Total		$	130,175			$	124,814

     The audit committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services, and other services. Pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a budget. The independent auditors and management are required to periodically report to the audit committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditors in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date. The audit committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis.

     Auditor Independence. The audit committee of the board believes that the non-audit services provided by S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. are compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence. To the best of Middlefield’s knowledge, none of the time devoted by S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. on its engagement to audit Middlefield’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, is attributable to work performed by persons other than full-time, permanent employees of S.R. Snodgrass, A.C.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” ratification of the appointment of S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. as Middlefield’s independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009

Shareholder Proposals

     The proxy is solicited by management and confers discretionary authority to vote on any matters that properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournments thereof. If any matter not set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders is properly presented at the 2009 annual meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment.

     Shareholders desiring to submit proposals for inclusion in Middlefield’s proxy materials for the 2010 annual meeting must submit the proposals to Middlefield at its executive offices no later than December 7, 2009. We will not include in our proxy statement or form of proxy for the 2010 annual meeting a shareholder proposal that is received after that date or that otherwise fails to meet requirements for shareholder proposals established by SEC regulations.

     If a shareholder intends to present a proposal at the 2010 annual meeting without seeking to include the proposal in Middlefield’s proxy materials for that meeting, the shareholder must give advance notice to Middlefield. According to article I, section 8, of Middlefield’s regulations, the shareholder must give notice at least 60 days but no more than 120 days before the date in 2010 corresponding to the mailing date of this proxy statement for the 2009 annual meeting. This proxy statement is being mailed to shareholders on or about April 6, 2009. Accordingly, a shareholder who desires to present a proposal at the 2010 annual meeting without seeking to include the proposal in Middlefield’s proxy materials for that meeting should provide notice of the proposal to Middlefield no earlier than December 7, 2009, and no later than February 5, 2010. If the shareholder fails to do so, Middlefield’s management will be entitled to use their discretionary voting authority on that proposal, without any discussion of the matter in Middlefield’s proxy materials. Shareholders who desire to submit a proposal for the 2010 annual meeting without seeking to include the proposal in Middlefield’s proxy materials for that meeting should refer to article I, section 8, of Middlefield’s regulations for information concerning the procedures for submitting proposals, including information required to be provided by shareholders submitting proposals.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Middlefield’s directors and executive officers, as well as any persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of Middlefield’s equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Middlefield stock. Based solely on review of the copies of such reports furnished to Middlefield and written representations to Middlefield, to Middlefield’s knowledge all section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its executive officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

General

     The persons named in the proxy will vote all properly executed proxies. If a shareholder specifies a choice for a proposal to be acted upon, the proxy will be voted in accordance with his or her specifications. If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted FOR election of the nominees identified herein and FOR ratification of Middlefield’s independent auditor.

     The board is not aware of any business to come before the meeting other than those matters described in this proxy statement. However, if any other matters should properly come before the annual meeting, proxies in the accompanying form will be voted in respect thereof in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting the proxies, including matters relating to the conduct of the annual meeting.

Information Available to Shareholders

     Our 2008 Annual Report has been mailed to persons who were shareholders as of the close of business on March 21, 2009. Additional copies may be obtained without charge by written request. Middlefield files periodic reports and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Copies of the public portions of reports to the SEC may be inspected and copied at the headquarters of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549. The SEC maintains an Internet web site containing reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.

     If you and others who share your address own your shares in street name, your broker or other holder of record may be sending one copy only of the annual report and proxy statement to your address. Known as “householding,” this practice reduces Middlefield’s printing and postage costs. However, if you wish to receive a separate annual report or proxy statement in the future, you should contact your broker or other holder of record. If you own your shares in street name and are receiving multiple copies of our annual report and proxy statement, you can request householding by contacting your broker or other holder of record. Shareholders who share an address to which a single annual report or proxy statement is delivered may orally or in writing request a separate copy of the annual report or proxy statement. Middlefield will deliver the separate annual report or proxy statement promptly at your request.

     A copy of Middlefield Banc Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the SEC but without exhibits, will be furnished without charge to shareholders upon written request to: Mr. Donald L. Stacy, Chief Financial Officer, Middlefield Banc Corp., 15985 East High Street, P.O. Box 35, Middlefield, Ohio 44062.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

MIDDLEFIELD BANC CORP.

May  13, 2009

		PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

â    Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided IF you are not voting via the Internet.    â

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PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE ý

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

1.

To elect the three nominees identified below as directors for a term of three years and until their successors are elected and qualified

2.

To ratify the appointment of S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. as independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009

o

o

o

NOMINEES:

o

FOR ALL NOMINEES

¡ ¡ ¡

Richard T. Coyne James R. Heslop, II Robert W. Toth

The Board recommends a vote FOR the First Proposal regarding election of the identified nominees and FOR the Second Proposal ratifying the appointment of S.R. Snodgrass, A.C. as the independent auditor.

o

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES

o

FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below)

The shares represented by this proxy will be voted as specified. Unless specified to the contrary, all shares of the undersigned will be voted “FOR” election of the nominees identified above and “FOR” ratification of the independent auditor. If any other business is properly presented at the meeting, this proxy will be voted by those named herein in accordance with their best judgment. The Board knows of no other business to be presented at the meeting.

INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: l

The undersigned acknowledges receipt from Middlefield Banc Corp., before execution of this proxy, of Notice of the Meeting, a Proxy Statement, and Annual Report.

Please mark, sign, date, and return this proxy promptly using the postage paid, self addressed envelope provided.

To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method.

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Signature of Shareholder

Date:

Signature of Shareholder

Date:

Note:		Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

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MIDDLEFIELD BANC CORP.

PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

As an alternative to completing this form, you may enter your vote instruction via the Internet at WWW.VOTEPROXY.COM and follow the simple instructions. Use the Company Number and Account Number shown on your proxy card.

     The undersigned shareholder of Middlefield Banc Corp. hereby constitutes and appoints George F. Hasman and Donald D. Hunter, and each of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Middlefield Banc Corp. to be held on May 13, 2009, and any adjournments and postponements thereof, and to vote the shares of common stock the undersigned would be entitled to vote upon all matters referred to herein and in their discretion upon any other matters that properly come before the Annual Meeting:

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.)

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