As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 4, 2001
Registration No. 333-58824
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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BB&T CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
North Carolina 6060 56-0939887
(State or other (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction Classification Code Number) Identification Number)
of incorporation or
organization)
200 West Second Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
(336) 733-2000
(Address, including Zip Code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
Jerone C. Herring, Esq.
200 West Second Street, 3rd Floor
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
(336) 733-2180
(Name, address, including Zip Code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
The Commission is requested to send copies of
all communications to:
Christopher E. Leon, Esq. George P. Whitley, Esq.
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC LeClair Ryan, A Professional
200 West Second Street, 17th Floor Corporation
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101 707 East Main Street, 11th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the
public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration
Statement.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance
with General Instruction G, check the following box: [_]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering: [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering: [_]
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The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration
statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may
determine.
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[F&M NATIONAL CORPORATION LOGO]
Special Meeting of Shareholders
MERGER PROPOSAL--YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the special meeting of shareholders of
F&M National Corporation to be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2001, at 10:00 a.m.
Eastern time at the TraveLodge of Winchester, 160 Front Royal Pike, Winchester,
Virginia.
At this important meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote on the
approval of the agreement and plan of reorganization, dated as of January 23,
2001, and the related plan of merger pursuant to which F&M will merge into BB&T
Corporation. In the merger, you will receive 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock
for each share of F&M common stock you own, plus cash in lieu of any fractional
shares of BB&T common stock that would otherwise be issued.
BB&T is the fifth largest financial holding company in the Southeast with
more than $62.1 billion in assets. Its common stock is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol "BBT." On May 1, 2001, the closing price of
BB&T common stock was $35.68, making the market value of 1.09 shares of BB&T
common stock equal to $38.89. This price and value will, however, fluctuate
between now and the closing of the merger.
You generally will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes
on your receipt of the BB&T common stock.
Consummation of the merger is subject to certain conditions, including
approval of the merger by F&M shareholders and various regulatory agencies.
Approval of the merger requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of
the shares of F&M common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. It is
anticipated that the merger will become effective during the third quarter of
this year. No vote of BB&T shareholders is required to approve the merger
agreement and plan of merger.
Details of the proposed merger are provided in this proxy
statement/prospectus, which we urge you to read carefully in its entirety.
Your Board of Directors believes the merger with BB&T is in the best
interests of F&M and its shareholders and recommends that you vote "FOR" the
proposal.
We hope you can attend the special meeting. Whether or not you plan to
attend, please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it
promptly in the enclosed envelope. Your vote is important, regardless of the
number of shares you own. If you fail to return your proxy card and fail to
vote in person, the effect will be the same as a vote against the merger
agreement and plan of merger. Your vote is very important. You can revoke your
proxy at any time before its exercise by filing written revocation with, or by
delivering a later-dated proxy to, F&M's Corporate Secretary before the meeting
or by attending the meeting, withdrawing your proxy and voting in person. If
your shares are registered in street name, you will need additional
documentation from the record holder to vote in person at the meeting.
We deeply appreciate your continuing loyalty and support, and we look forward
to seeing you at the special meeting.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ W.M Feltner /s/ Alfred B. Whitt
W.M. Feltner Alfred B. Whitt
Chairman of the Board President and Chief Executive Officer
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
regulator has approved or disapproved of the BB&T common stock to be issued
in the merger or determined if this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate
or adequate. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The shares of BB&T common stock to be issued in the merger are not savings
or deposit accounts or other obligations of any bank or savings association
and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any
other governmental agency.
This proxy statement/prospectus is dated May 4, 2001 and is expected to be
first mailed to shareholders of F&M on or about May 7, 2001.
This proxy statement/prospectus provides you with detailed information about
the proposed merger. We encourage you to read this entire document carefully.
In addition, this proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business
and financial information about BB&T and F&M from other documents that we have
not included in the proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More
Information" on page 65. You may obtain copies of these other documents without
charge by requesting them in writing or by telephone at any time prior to June
5, 2001 from the appropriate company at the following addresses:
BB&T Corporation F&M National
Shareholder Reporting Corporation
Post Office Box 1290 The Feltner Building
Winston-Salem, 9 Court Square, First Floor
North Carolina 27102 Winchester, Virginia 22601
(336) 733-3021 (540) 665-4282
Attn: Corporate Secretary
F&M NATIONAL CORPORATION
The Feltner Building
9 Court Square, First Floor
Winchester, Virginia 22601
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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 12, 2001
----------------
F&M National Corporation will hold a special meeting of shareholders on
Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time, at the TraveLodge of
Winchester, 160 Front Royal Pike, Winchester, Virginia, for the following
purposes:
. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan
of Reorganization, dated as of January 23, 2001, between F&M and BB&T
Corporation, and a related plan of merger (collectively, the "merger
agreement"), providing for the merger of F&M with and into BB&T (the
"merger"). In the merger, each share of F&M common stock will be con-
verted into the right to receive no less than 1.09 shares of BB&T common
stock, plus cash instead of any fractional share of BB&T common stock,
all as described in more detail in the accompanying proxy
statement/prospectus. A copy of the merger agreement is attached as Ap-
pendix A to the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.
. To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
Holders of F&M common stock as of the close of business on April 30, 2001 are
entitled to notice of the meeting and to vote at the meeting. If your shares
are not registered in your own name, you will need additional documentation
from the record holder in order to vote personally at the meeting.
A proxy card is enclosed. To ensure that your vote is counted, please
complete, sign, date and return the proxy card in the enclosed, postage-paid
return envelope, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person. You
may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the meeting. If you
attend the meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person.
However, attendance at the meeting will not by itself revoke a proxy.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ MICHAEL L. BRYAN
Michael L. Bryan
Corporate Secretary
Winchester, Virginia
May 4, 2001
Please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card promptly in
the envelope provided, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION............................... iii
SUMMARY................................................................... 1
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS................................................... 9
General................................................................. 9
Who Can Vote at the Meeting............................................. 9
Attending the Meeting................................................... 9
Vote Required........................................................... 9
Voting and Revocation of Proxies........................................ 10
Solicitation of Proxies................................................. 10
Recommendation of the F&M Board......................................... 10
THE MERGER................................................................ 11
General................................................................. 11
Background of and Reasons for the Merger................................ 11
Opinion of F&M's Financial Advisor...................................... 16
Exchange Ratio.......................................................... 22
Exchange of F&M Stock Certificates...................................... 25
The Merger Agreement.................................................... 26
Interests of F&M's Directors and Officers in the Merger................. 31
Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger.................. 38
Regulatory Considerations............................................... 40
Accounting Treatment.................................................... 42
Option Agreement........................................................ 42
Effect on Employee Benefit Plans and Stock Options...................... 45
Restrictions on Resales by Affiliates................................... 47
Charitable Contribution................................................. 48
INFORMATION ABOUT BB&T.................................................... 48
General................................................................. 48
Operating Subsidiaries.................................................. 48
Completed Acquisitions.................................................. 49
Pending Acquisitions.................................................... 50
Capital................................................................. 50
Deposit Insurance Assessments........................................... 51
Additional Information.................................................. 51
INFORMATION ABOUT F&M..................................................... 52
General................................................................. 52
Operation of F&M Subsidiary Banks....................................... 52
F&M Non-banking Subsidiaries............................................ 52
DESCRIPTION OF BB&T CAPITAL STOCK......................................... 53
General................................................................. 53
BB&T Common Stock....................................................... 53
BB&T Preferred Stock.................................................... 53
Shareholder Rights Plan................................................. 53
Other Anti-Takeover Provisions.......................................... 56
i
Page
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COMPARISON OF THE RIGHTS OF BB&T SHAREHOLDERS AND F&M SHAREHOLDERS...... 57
Authorized Capital Stock.............................................. 57
Special Meetings of Shareholders...................................... 57
Directors............................................................. 57
Dividends and Other Distributions..................................... 58
Shareholder Nominations and Shareholder Proposals..................... 59
Discharge of Duties; Exculpation and Indemnification.................. 60
Mergers, Share Exchanges and Sales of Assets.......................... 60
Anti-Takeover Statutes................................................ 61
Amendments to Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.................... 62
Consideration of Business Combinations................................ 62
Shareholders' Rights of Dissent and Appraisal......................... 63
Liquidation Rights.................................................... 63
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS................................................... 64
OTHER BUSINESS.......................................................... 64
LEGAL MATTERS........................................................... 64
EXPERTS................................................................. 64
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION..................................... 65
Appendix A--Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Plan of Merger
(excluding certain annexes)
Appendix B--Fairness Opinion of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
ii
A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
BB&T and F&M have each made forward-looking statements in this document and
in other documents to which this document refers that are subject to risks and
uncertainties. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the
managements of BB&T and F&M and on information currently available to them or,
in the case of information that appears under the heading "The Merger--
Background of and Reasons for the Merger" on page 11, information that was
available to the managements of BB&T and F&M as of the date of the merger
agreement and should be read in connection with the notices about forward-
looking statements made by each of BB&T and F&M in its reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements include the
information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of BB&T
or F&M set forth under "Summary" and "The Merger--Background of and Reasons for
the Merger" and statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words
"believes," "expects," "assumes," "anticipates," "intends," "plans,"
"estimates" or other similar expressions. See "Where You Can Find More
Information" on page 65.
BB&T and F&M have made statements in this document and in other documents to
which this document refers regarding estimated earnings per share of BB&T and
F&M on a stand-alone basis, expected cost savings from the merger, estimated
restructuring charges relating to the merger, the anticipated accretive effect
of the merger and BB&T's anticipated performance in future periods. With
respect to estimated cost savings and restructuring charges, BB&T has made
assumptions about, among other things, the extent of operational overlap
between BB&T and F&M, the amount of general and administrative expense
consolidation, costs relating to converting F&M's bank operations and data
processing to BB&T's systems, the size of anticipated reductions in fixed labor
costs, the amount of severance expenses, the extent of the charges that may be
necessary to align the companies' respective accounting reserve policies and
the costs related to the merger. The realization of cost savings and the amount
of restructuring charges are subject to the risk that the foregoing assumptions
prove to be incorrect, and actual results may be materially different from
those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Any statements in this document about the anticipated accretive effect of the
merger and BB&T's anticipated performance in future periods are subject to
risks relating to, among other things, the following:
. expected cost savings from the merger or other previously announced
mergers may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time-
frame;
. the loss of deposits, customers or revenues following the merger or
other previously announced mergers may be greater than expected;
. competitive pressures among financial institutions may increase signifi-
cantly;
. costs or difficulties related to the integration of the businesses of
BB&T and its merger partners, including F&M, may be greater than expect-
ed;
. changes in the interest rate environment may reduce margins or the vol-
umes or values of loans made or held;
. general economic or business conditions, either nationally or in the
states or regions in which BB&T and F&M do business, may be less favora-
ble than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in
credit quality or a reduced demand for credit;
. legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting stan-
dards, may adversely affect the businesses in which BB&T and F&M are en-
gaged;
iii
. adverse changes may occur in the securities markets; and
. competitors of BB&T and F&M may have greater financial resources and
develop products that enable them to compete more successfully than BB&T
and F&M.
Management of each of BB&T and F&M believes the forward-looking statements
about its company are reasonable; however, shareholders of F&M should not place
undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The future
results and shareholder values of BB&T following completion of the merger may
differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking
statements. Many of the factors that will determine these results and values
are beyond BB&T's and F&M's ability to control or predict.
All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the
merger or other matters addressed in this document and attributable to BB&T or
F&M or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their
entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.
Neither BB&T nor F&M undertakes any obligation to release publicly any
revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
iv
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this proxy
statement/prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is
important to you. To understand the merger fully and for a more complete
description of the legal terms of the merger, you should read carefully this
entire document and the documents to which we refer you. See "Where You Can
Find More Information" on page 65.
In the Merger You Will Receive not less than 1.09 Shares of BB&T Common Stock
for each Share of F&M Common Stock
If the merger is completed, you will receive 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock
for each share of F&M common stock you own, plus cash instead of any fractional
share of BB&T common stock that would otherwise be issued.
If the value of 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock, determined based on the
average reported closing price of BB&T common stock over a five-trading day
pricing period ending shortly before completion of the merger, is below $32.09
and the stock prices of certain other bank holding companies have not
experienced similar relative declines since the date of the merger agreement,
F&M may seek to terminate the merger agreement. If this were to happen, BB&T
could choose to proceed with the merger by increasing the amount of BB&T common
stock that you would receive in the merger to a number of shares valued, based
on the average reported closing price of BB&T common stock over the five-
trading day pricing period, at not less than $32.09.
On May 1, 2001, the closing price of BB&T common stock was $35.68, making the
value of 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock equal to $38.89. Because the market
price of BB&T common stock fluctuates, you will not know when you vote what
BB&T common stock will be worth when issued in the merger. When you vote you
will not know whether the circumstances described in the preceding paragraph
will exist or, if such circumstances exist and F&M seeks to terminate the
merger agreement, whether BB&T will choose to proceed with the merger by
increasing the number of shares of BB&T common stock that you would receive in
the merger.
No Federal Income Tax on Shares Received in Merger (Page 38)
Neither company is required to complete the merger unless it receives a legal
opinion from BB&T's counsel to the effect that, based on certain facts,
representations and assumptions, the merger will be treated as a
"reorganization" for federal income tax purposes. Therefore, we expect that,
for federal income tax purposes, you generally will not recognize any gain or
loss on the conversion of shares of F&M common stock into shares of BB&T common
stock. You will be taxed, however, if you receive any cash instead of any
fractional share of BB&T common stock that would otherwise be issued. Tax
matters are complicated, and the tax consequences of the merger may vary among
shareholders. We urge you to contact your own tax advisor to understand fully
how the merger will affect you.
BB&T Dividend Policy Following the Merger
BB&T currently pays regular quarterly dividends of $0.23 per share of its
common stock and, over the past five years, has had a dividend payout ratio in
the range of approximately 38% to 39.5% of recurring earnings and a compound
annualized dividend growth rate of 14.9%. BB&T expects that it will continue to
pay quarterly dividends consistent with this payout ratio, but may change that
policy based on business conditions, BB&T's financial condition, earnings and
other factors.
F&M Board of Directors Recommends Shareholder Approval (Page 10)
The F&M Board of Directors believes that the merger is in the best interests
of F&M shareholders and recommends that you vote "FOR" approval of the merger
agreement and related plan of merger. The F&M Board believes that, as a result
of the merger, you will be able to achieve greater value than you would if F&M
remained independent.
Exchange Ratio Fair to Shareholders According to F&M's Financial Advisor (Page
16)
F&M's financial advisor, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. has given an opinion
to the F&M Board
that, as of January 23, 2001 (the date F&M's Board approved the merger
agreement), the exchange ratio in the merger was fair from a financial point of
view to you as holders of F&M common stock. The full text of this opinion is
attached as Appendix B to this proxy statement/prospectus. We encourage you to
read the opinion carefully to understand the assumptions made, matters
considered and limitations of the review undertaken by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods
in rendering its fairness opinion. At the time this proxy statement/prospectus
is mailed to you, F&M will have paid $200,000 to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods for
such services. F&M has agreed to pay Keefe, Bruyette & Woods an additional fee
of $972,826, at the time the merger is completed.
F&M Shareholders Do Not Have Appraisal Rights (Page 63)
Under Virginia law, holders of F&M common stock do not have the right to
dissent from the merger and demand an appraisal of the fair value of their
shares in connection with the merger.
Meeting to be held June 12, 2001 (Page 9)
F&M will hold the special shareholders' meeting at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time,
on June 12, 2001 at the TraveLodge of Winchester, 160 Front Royal Pike,
Winchester, Virginia. At the meeting, you will vote on the merger agreement and
plan of merger and conduct any other business that properly arises.
The Companies (Pages 48 and 52)
BB&T Corporation
200 West Second Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
(336) 733-2000
BB&T is a multi-bank holding company with more than $62.1 billion in assets.
It is the fifth largest financial holding company in the Southeast and, through
its banking subsidiaries, operates 893 branch offices in the Carolinas,
Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Washington,
D.C. BB&T ranks first in deposit market share in West Virginia, second in North
Carolina and third in South Carolina, and maintains a significant market
presence in Virginia, Maryland, Georgia and Washington, D.C.
F&M National Corporation
The Feltner Building
9 Court Square, First Floor
Winchester, Virginia 22601
(540) 665-4282
F&M, with more than $4.1 billion in assets, is the parent company to 11
community banking subsidiaries in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. F&M
operates 161 banking offices, 13 mortgage banking offices, three trust offices
and six insurance offices in those markets.
The Merger (Page 11)
In the merger, F&M will merge into BB&T, and F&M's banking and other
subsidiaries, through which it operates, will become wholly owned subsidiaries
of BB&T. If the F&M shareholders approve the merger agreement and plan of
merger at the special meeting, we currently expect to complete the merger in
the third quarter of 2001.
We have included the merger agreement as Appendix A to this proxy
statement/prospectus. We encourage you to read the merger agreement in full, as
it is the legal document that governs the merger.
Majority Shareholder Vote Required (Page 9)
Approval of the merger agreement and plan of merger requires the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of F&M
common stock entitled to vote. If you fail to vote, it will have the effect of
a vote against the merger agreement and the merger. At the record date, the
directors and executive officers of F&M and their affiliates together owned
about 4.82% of the F&M common stock entitled to vote at the meeting, and we
expect them to vote their shares in favor of the merger agreement and plan of
merger.
Brokers who hold shares of F&M stock as nominees will not have authority to
vote them on the merger unless the beneficial owners of those shares provide
voting instructions. If you hold your shares in street name, please see the
voting form provided by your broker for additional information regarding the
voting of your shares. If your shares are not registered in your name, you will
need additional documentation from your record holder to vote the shares in
person.
2
The merger does not require the approval of BB&T's shareholders.
Record Date Set at April 30, 2001; One Vote per Share of F&M Stock (Page 9)
If you owned shares of F&M common stock at the close of business on April 30,
2001, the record date, you are entitled to vote on the merger agreement and
plan of merger and any other matters that may be properly considered at the
meeting.
On the record date, there were 28,447,366 shares of F&M common stock
outstanding. At the meeting, you will have one vote for each share of F&M
common stock that you owned on the record date.
Interests of F&M Directors and Officers in the Merger that Differ From Your
Interests (Page 31)
Some of F&M's directors and officers have interests in the merger that differ
from, or are in addition to, the interests of other F&M shareholders. These
interests exist because of rights under benefit and compensation plans
maintained by F&M and, in the case of certain executive officers of F&M, under
employment agreements to be entered into upon completion of the merger.
Employment Agreements. F&M's Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Alfred B. Whitt, and Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer,
Charles E. Curtis, have agreed to enter into employment agreements with Branch
Banking and Trust Company of Virginia, BB&T's Virginia bank subsidiary, upon
completion of the merger. The employment agreements, provide for an employment
term ending June 30, 2002 or, if sooner, the 61st day after conversion of the
operating systems of F&M to the operating systems of BB&T. Each agreement also
provides for a five-year consulting period following the employment term during
which Mr. Whitt and Mr. Curtis will receive additional amounts.
In addition, F. Dixon Whitworth, Jr., Executive Vice President of F&M and
President and Chief Executive Officer of F&M Trust Company, and T. Earl Rogers,
President and Chief Executive Officer of F&M Bank-Northern Virginia, have
entered into employment agreements with Branch Banking and Trust Company of
Virginia, effective upon completion of the merger. Mr. Whitworth's employment
agreement has a five-year term, and Mr. Rogers' employment agreement has a two-
year term.
Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia has offered to enter into an
employment agreement with Betty H. Carroll, President and Chief Executive
Officer of F&M Bank-Winchester. The employment agreement would be effective
upon completion of the merger and continue until March 31, 2002.
All of the employment agreements may provide severance payments and other
benefits if employment is terminated following the merger, including if there
is a change of control of BB&T. The material terms and financial provisions of
the employment agreements are described under the heading "Interests of F&M's
Directors and Officers in the Merger" on page 31.
Subsidiary Bank Boards; Advisory Boards. Following completion of the merger,
Alfred B. Whitt will be elected to the boards of directors of Branch Banking
and Trust Company, BB&T's North Carolina bank subsidiary, and Branch Banking
and Trust Company of Virginia. Charles E. Curtis will be elected to the board
of directors of Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia. Each of Mr. Whitt
and Mr. Curtis will be reelected (so long as he continues to qualify) during
the period that he is an Executive Vice President of, or party to an employment
agreement with, BB&T or one of its bank subsidiaries.
The F&M Board was aware of these and other interests and considered them when
it approved and adopted the merger agreement.
The members of the F&M Board will be offered a position on one of BB&T's
local advisory boards. In addition, as of the date that an F&M bank subsidiary
is merged into a BB&T bank subsidiary, the members of the board of directors of
the F&M bank subsidiary will be offered a position on BB&T's advisory board for
the area in which the F&M subsidiary is located. In particular, BB&T will
establish an advisory board for the Winchester, Virginia area and the members
of the F&M Bank- Winchester board of directors will be offered the opportunity
to serve on that advisory board.
3
Each advisory board member will be reappointed until he or she is
disqualified for good reason, BB&T terminates the advisory board or he or she
attains the maximum age for advisory board service, which is currently age 70.
For at least two years after the merger, the advisory board members will
receive fees equal in amount to the retainer and schedule of attendance fees
for directors of F&M (or the corresponding F&M bank subsidiary) in effect on
January 1, 2001.
Membership on any advisory board is conditioned upon execution of a
noncompetition agreement with BB&T.
The material terms and financial provisions of these arrangements are
described under the heading "Interests of F&M's Directors and Officers in the
Merger" on page 31.
Regulatory Approvals We Must Obtain for the Merger to Occur (Page 40)
We cannot complete the merger unless the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System approves it. We have filed an application with the Federal
Reserve Board seeking its approval. In addition, the merger is subject to the
approval of, or notice to, certain state regulatory authorities, and we have
made the necessary filings with those authorities.
Although we do not know of any reason why we would not obtain these regulatory
approvals in a timely manner, we cannot be certain when we will obtain them or
that we will obtain them at all.
Other Conditions that Must be Satisfied for the Merger to Occur (Page 26)
A number of other conditions must be met for us to complete the merger,
including:
. approval of the merger agreement by the F&M shareholders;
. receipt of the opinion of BB&T's counsel concerning the tax consequences
of the merger;
. receipt by BB&T of letters from its accountants to the effect that the
merger will qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment;
. the continuing accuracy of the parties' representations in the merger
agreement;
. the continuing effectiveness of the registration statement filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the shares of BB&T com-
mon stock to be issued in the merger; and
. execution by Alfred B. Whitt and Charles E. Curtis of the employment
agreements described above.
Termination and Amendment of the Merger Agreement (Page 30)
We can mutually agree at any time to terminate the merger agreement without
completing the merger. Either company can also unilaterally terminate the
merger agreement if:
. the merger is not completed by December 31, 2001;
. any condition that must be satisfied to complete the merger is not met;
or
. the other company violates, in a material way, any of its representa-
tions, warranties or obligations under the merger agreement and such vi-
olation is not cured in a timely fashion.
Generally, the company seeking to terminate cannot itself be in violation of
the merger agreement in a way that would allow the other party to terminate.
In addition, F&M can seek to terminate the merger agreement if both:
. the value of 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock, determined based on the
average closing price of BB&T common stock over a five-day pricing pe-
riod ending shortly before completion of the merger, is below $32.09;
and
. the stock prices of certain other bank holding companies, based on a
weighted formula, have not experienced similar relative declines since
the date of the merger agreement.
4
If this were to happen, BB&T could choose to proceed with the merger by
increasing the amount of BB&T common stock into which each share of F&M common
stock would convert in the merger to a number of shares valued, based on the
average closing price of BB&T common stock over the five-day pricing period, at
not less than $32.09. If BB&T were not to choose to increase the number of BB&T
shares of common stock into which each share of F&M common stock would convert
and proceed with the merger, the merger agreement and the merger would
terminate.
We can agree to amend the merger agreement in any way, except that after the
shareholders' meeting we cannot decrease the consideration that you will
receive in the merger. Either company can waive any of the requirements of the
other company contained in the merger agreement, except that neither company
can waive any required regulatory approval. Neither company intends to waive
the condition that it receives a tax opinion. If a tax opinion from BB&T's
counsel is not available and the F&M Board determines to proceed with the
merger, F&M will inform you and ask you to vote again on the merger agreement.
Option Agreement (Page 42)
As a condition to its offer to acquire F&M, and to discourage other companies
from attempting to acquire F&M, BB&T required F&M to grant BB&T a stock option
that allows BB&T to buy up to 2,062,000 shares of F&M's common stock. The
exercise price of the option is $26.37 per share. Generally, BB&T can exercise
the option only if another party attempts to acquire control of F&M. As of the
date of this proxy statement/prospectus, we do not believe that has occurred.
BB&T to Use Pooling-of-Interests Accounting Treatment (page 42)
BB&T will account for the merger as a pooling of interests. This will enhance
future earnings by avoiding the creation of goodwill relating to the merger and
will enable BB&T to avoid charges against future earnings that would result
from amortizing goodwill. This accounting method also means that, after the
merger, BB&T will report financial results as if F&M had always been combined
with BB&T.
Share Price Information (Page 6)
BB&T common stock and F&M common stock are traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbols "BBT" and "FMN," respectively. On January 23, 2001,
the last full trading day before public announcement of the proposed merger,
F&M common stock closed at $27.625, and BB&T common stock closed at $37.3125.
On May 1, 2001, F&M common stock closed at $38.38, and BB&T common stock closed
at $35.68.
Listing of BB&T Common Stock
BB&T will list the shares of its common stock to be issued in the merger on
the New York Stock Exchange.
5
Comparative Market Prices and Dividends
BB&T common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
"BBT," and F&M common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "FMN." The table below shows the high and low sales prices of BB&T
common stock and F&M common stock and cash dividends paid per share for the
last two fiscal years plus the interim period. The merger agreement restricts
F&M's ability to increase dividends. See page 28.
BB&T F&M
-------------------------- ----------------------
Cash Cash
High Low Dividend High Low Dividend
-------- -------- -------- ------ ------ --------
Quarter Ended
March 31, 2001............. $37.875 $31.42 $0.23 $39.48 $24.75 $0.25
June 30, 2001 (through May
1, 2001).................. 36.09 34.25 -- 38.70 36.50 0.25
Quarter Ended
March 31, 2000............. 29.25 21.6875 0.20 27.25 22.13 0.235
June 30, 2000.............. 31.875 23.875 0.20 24.82 21.00 0.25
September 30, 2000......... 30.4375 23.8125 0.23 25.10 21.75 0.25
December 31, 2000.......... 38.25 26.5625 0.23 27.44 22.56 0.25
For year 2000............ 38.25 21.6875 0.86 27.44 21.00 0.985
Quarter Ended
March 31, 1999............. 40.625 34.5625 0.175 30.00 23.87 0.195
June 30, 1999.............. 40.25 33.50 0.175 33.18 23.93 0.235
September 30, 1999......... 36.875 30.1875 0.20 33.50 26.00 0.235
December 31, 1999.......... 37.125 27.1875 0.20 30.12 26.50 0.235
For year 1999............ 40.625 27.1875 0.75 33.50 23.87 0.90
The table below shows the closing price of BB&T common stock and F&M common
stock on January 23, 2001, the last full trading day before public announcement
of the proposed merger.
BB&T historical........................................................ $37.3125
F&M historical......................................................... $27.625
F&M pro forma equivalent*.............................................. $40.67
--------
* calculated by multiplying BB&T's per share closing price by the exchange ra-
tio of 1.09
6
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
We are providing the following information to help you analyze the financial
aspects of the merger. We derived this information from BB&T's and F&M's
audited financial statements for 1996 through 2000 and unaudited financial
statements for the three months ended March 31, 2000 and 2001. The information
provided for BB&T has been restated to include the accounts of FCNB Corp, which
was acquired by BB&T on January 8, 2001 in a transaction accounted for as a
pooling of interests. The information provided for F&M has been restated to
include the accounts of Atlantic Financial Corp., which was acquired by F&M on
February 26, 2001 in a transaction accounted for as a pooling of interests.
This information is only a summary, and you should read it in conjunction with
our historical financial statements and the related notes contained in the
annual and quarterly reports and other documents that we have filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Where You Can Find More Information"
on page 65. You should not rely on the three-month information as being
indicative of results expected for the entire year or for any future interim
period.
BB&T--Historical Financial Information
(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)
As of/For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, As of/For the Years Ended December 31,
----------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
2001 2000 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net interest income..... $ 522,586 $ 515,174 $ 2,069,648 $ 1,982,801 $ 1,806,492 $ 1,666,751 $ 1,525,647
Net income.............. 218,361 189,835 628,775 716,003 661,170 512,894 475,042
Basic earnings per
share.................. .53 .47 1.54 1.77 1.66 1.30 1.20
Diluted earnings per
share.................. .53 .46 1.52 1.74 1.62 1.27 1.17
Cash dividends paid per
share.................. .23 .20 .86 .75 .66 .58 .50
Book value per share.... 12.32 10.42 11.88 10.20 10.21 9.15 8.67
Total assets............ 62,120,304 55,535,642 60,930,318 54,505,555 49,650,214 44,785,646 39,614,537
Long-term debt.......... 10,912,207 7,012,889 8,625,074 6,191,946 5,540,123 4,183,462 2,611,973
F&M--Historical Financial Information
(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)
As of/For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, As of/For the Years Ended December 31,
----------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
2001 2000 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net interest income..... $ 39,559 $ 37,744 $ 155,833 $ 147,721 $ 139,976 $ 131,711 $ 121,747
Net income.............. 14,177 12,197 51,892 46,942 42,600 39,834 37,221
Basic earnings per
share.................. 0.50 0.43 1.86 1.67 1.51 1.43 1.34
Diluted earnings per
share.................. 0.50 0.43 1.84 1.65 1.49 1.41 1.32
Cash dividends paid per
share.................. 0.25 0.23 0.99 0.90 0.76 0.73 0.69
Book value per share.... 14.61 12.74 13.90 12.50 12.88 11.91 11.29
Total assets............ 4,136,595 3,577,490 3,976,691 3,481,476 3,460,420 3,190,695 2,928,549
Long-term debt.......... 20,110 24,642 20,912 25,443 21,058 17,136 11,497
7
Comparative Per Share Data
We have summarized below the per share information for our companies on a
historical, pro forma combined and equivalent basis. You should read this
information in conjunction with our historical financial statements (and
related notes) contained in the annual and quarterly reports and other
documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Where
You Can Find More Information" on page 65.
The pro forma combined information gives effect to the merger accounted for
as a pooling of interests, assuming that 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock are
issued for each outstanding share of F&M common stock. Pro forma equivalent of
one F&M common share amounts are calculated by multiplying the pro forma basic
and diluted earnings per share, BB&T's historical per share dividend and the
pro forma shareholders' equity by the exchange ratio of 1.09 shares of BB&T
common stock so that the per share amounts equate to the respective values for
one share of F&M common stock. You should not rely on the pro forma information
as being indicative of the historical results that we would have had if we had
been combined or the future results that we will experience after the merger,
nor should you rely on the three-month information as being indicative of
results expected for the entire year or for any future interim period.
As of/For the As of/For the Year
Three Months Ended
Ended December 31,
March 31, --------------------
2001 2000 1999 1998
------------- ------ ------ ------
Earnings per common share:
Basic
BB&T historical......................... $ 0.53 $ 1.54 $ 1.77 $ 1.66
F&M historical.......................... 0.50 1.86 1.67 1.51
Pro forma combined...................... 0.53 1.55 1.75 1.64
F&M pro forma equivalent................ 0.58 1.69 1.91 1.78
Diluted
BB&T historical......................... 0.53 1.52 1.74 1.62
F&M historical.......................... 0.50 1.83 1.65 1.49
Pro forma combined...................... 0.52 1.53 1.73 1.61
F&M pro forma equivalent................ 0.57 1.67 1.88 1.75
Cash dividends declared per common share:
BB&T historical........................... 0.23 0.86 0.75 0.66
F&M historical............................ 0.25 0.99 0.90 0.76
Pro forma combined........................ 0.23 0.86 0.75 0.66
F&M pro forma equivalent.................. 0.25 0.94 0.82 0.72
Shareholders' equity per common share:
BB&T historical........................... 12.32 11.88 10.20 10.20
F&M historical............................ 14.61 13.90 12.50 12.88
Pro forma combined........................ 12.40 11.94 10.28 10.32
F&M pro forma equivalent.................. 13.51 13.02 11.21 11.25
8
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
General
We are providing this proxy statement/prospectus to F&M shareholders of
record as of April 30, 2001, along with a form of proxy that the F&M Board is
soliciting for use at a special meeting of shareholders of F&M to be held on
Tuesday,June 12, 2001 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, at the TraveLodge of
Winchester, 160 Front Royal Pike, Winchester, Virginia. At the meeting, the
shareholders of F&M will vote upon a proposal to approve the agreement and plan
of reorganization, dated as of January 23, 2001, and the related plan of merger
pursuant to which F&M would merge into BB&T. In this proxy
statement/prospectus, we refer to the reorganization agreement and related plan
of merger collectively as the "merger agreement." Proxies may be voted on other
matters that may properly come before the meeting, if any, at the discretion of
the proxy holders. The F&M Board knows of no such other matters except those
incidental to the conduct of the meeting. A copy of the merger agreement
(excluding certain annexes) is attached as Appendix A.
Who Can Vote at the Meeting
You are entitled to vote your F&M common stock if the records of F&M show
that you held your shares as of the record date, which is April 30, 2001. On
the record date, there were 28,447,366 shares of F&M common stock outstanding,
held by approximately 10,131 holders of record. Each such share of F&M common
stock is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted at the meeting.
Attending the Meeting
If you are a beneficial owner of F&M common stock held by a broker, bank or
other nominee (i.e., in "street name"), you will need proof of ownership to be
admitted to the meeting. A recent brokerage statement or letter from a bank or
broker are examples of proof of ownership. If you want to vote your shares of
F&M common stock held in street name in person at the meeting, you will have to
get a written proxy in your name from the broker, bank or other nominee who
holds your shares.
Vote Required
Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders
of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of F&M common stock entitled
to vote. If you do not vote your shares, it will have the same effect as a vote
"against" the merger agreement.
The proposal to adopt the merger agreement is a "non-discretionary" item,
meaning that brokerage firms can not vote shares in their discretion on behalf
of a client if the client has not given voting instructions. Accordingly,
shares held in street name that have been designated by brokers on proxy cards
as not voted with respect to that proposal ("broker non-vote shares") will not
be counted as votes cast on it. Shares with respect to which proxies have been
marked as abstentions also will not be counted as votes cast on that proposal.
Action on other matters, if any, that are properly presented at the meeting
for consideration of the shareholders will be approved if a quorum is present
and the votes cast favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the
action. A quorum will be present if a majority of the outstanding shares of F&M
common stock entitled to vote is represented at the meeting in person or by
proxy. Shares with respect to which proxies have been marked as abstentions and
broker non-vote shares will be treated as shares present for purposes of
determining whether a quorum is present. The F&M Board is not aware of any
other business to be presented at the meeting other than matters incidental to
the conduct of the meeting.
Because approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of F&M common stock
entitled to vote, abstentions and broker non-vote shares will have the same
effect as votes against the merger. Accordingly, the F&M Board urges you to
complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy and return it promptly in the
enclosed postage-prepaid envelope.
9
You should not send in your stock certificates with your proxy cards. See
"The Merger --Exchange of F&M Stock Certificates" on page 25.
As of the record date, the directors and executive officers of F&M and their
affiliates beneficially owned a total of 1,371,533 shares, or 4.82%, of the
issued and outstanding shares of F&M common stock (not including shares that
may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options). The directors and
executive officers of BB&T, their affiliates, BB&T and its subsidiaries owned
less than 1% of the outstanding shares of F&M common stock, excluding shares
subject to the stock option granted to BB&T in connection with the merger
agreement and described under the heading "Option Agreement" on page 42.
Voting and Revocation of Proxies
The shares of F&M stock represented by properly completed proxies received at
or before the time for the meeting (or any adjournment) will be voted as
directed by the respective shareholders unless the proxies are revoked as
described below. If no instructions are given, executed proxies will be voted
"FOR" approval of the merger agreement. Proxies marked "FOR" approval of the
merger agreement and executed but unmarked proxies will be voted in the
discretion of the proxy holders named in the proxies as to any proposed
adjournment of the meeting. Proxies that are voted "AGAINST" approval of the
merger agreement will not be voted in favor of any motion to adjourn the
meeting to solicit more votes in favor of the merger. The proxies will be voted
in the discretion of the proxy holders on other matters, if any, that are
properly presented at the meeting and voted upon.
You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken at the
meeting. To revoke your proxy, you must either: notify the Corporate Secretary
of F&M in writing at F&M's principal executive offices; submit a later-dated
proxy to the Corporate Secretary of F&M; or attend the meeting and vote your
shares in person. Your attendance at the meeting will not automatically revoke
your proxy. If you hold your shares in street name, please see the voting form
provided by your broker for additional information regarding the voting of your
shares.
Your broker may allow you to deliver your voting instructions via the
telephone or the internet. Please see the voting instruction form from your
broker. If your shares are not registered in your name, you will need
additional documentation from your record holder to vote the shares in person.
Solicitation of Proxies
BB&T and F&M will each pay 50% of the cost of printing this proxy
statement/prospectus, and F&M will pay all other costs of soliciting proxies.
Directors, officers and other employees of F&M or its subsidiaries may solicit
proxies personally, by telephone or facsimile or otherwise. None of these
people will receive any special compensation for solicitation activities. F&M
will arrange with brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial
owners of stock held of record by such brokerage firms and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries, and F&M will reimburse these record holders for their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
Recommendation of the F&M Board
The F&M Board has approved the merger agreement and believes that the
proposed transaction is fair to and in the best interests of F&M and its
shareholders. The F&M Board recommends that F&M's shareholders vote "FOR"
approval of the merger agreement. See "The Merger--Background of and Reasons
for the Merger" on page 11.
10
THE MERGER
The following information describes the material aspects of the merger. This
description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the appendices to this proxy statement/prospectus, including the
merger agreement, which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as
Appendix A and incorporated herein by reference. All shareholders are urged to
read the appendices in their entirety.
General
In the merger, F&M will be merged into BB&T. Shareholders of F&M will receive
common stock of BB&T in exchange for their shares of F&M stock on the basis of
1.09 shares of BB&T common stock for each share of F&M common stock, plus cash
instead of any fractional share of BB&T common stock that would otherwise be
issued. During the first quarter of 2002, BB&T intends to merge F&M's
subsidiary banks located in Virginia with and into Branch Banking and Trust
Company of Virginia, BB&T's Virginia bank subsidiary and intends to merge F&M
Bank-Maryland and F&M Bank-West Virginia with and into Branch Bank. Until then,
F&M's subsidiary banks will operate as separate subsidiaries of BB&T.
Background of and Reasons for the Merger
Background of the Merger
The past several years have represented a time of significant changes in the
financial services industry in general, and in the mid-Atlantic market served
by F&M in particular. This period has been marked by rapid consolidation,
increasing importance of new technology in delivering banking services and
products, and intensified competition both from traditional sources and from
non-bank competitors, such as brokerage firms, mutual funds, insurance
companies and other lending institutions.
Several interested parties, including BB&T, contacted F&M to explore the
possibility of a merger or acquisition during this time. The F&M Board elected
not to pursue these preliminary expressions of interests, believing it to be in
the best interests of F&M shareholders for F&M to remain independent and to
focus on building a franchise of semi-autonomous community banks operating
within a strong centralized support system provided by F&M.
In this rapidly changing and increasingly competitive financial services
environment, and as part of its effort to enhance shareholder value, the F&M
Board has periodically reviewed and examined the ability of F&M to continue to
grow and successfully compete as an independent institution in a manner that
will maximize long-term shareholder value. Among the strategic alternatives
that the F&M Board has considered from time to time are:
. continue current operations under F&M's existing corporate structure
while searching out attractive affiliations with other community banks;
. consolidate F&M's numerous subsidiary banks into one or more larger bank
subsidiaries and implement certain other cost saving measures;
. seek to merge or affiliate with a financial institution of a comparable
size to F&M; and
. merge with a larger institution.
At its work session following the conclusion of its meeting on September 13,
2000, the F&M Board further considered these strategic alternatives. The
discussion included consideration of F&M's role in its communities, service to
its customer base, employees, ability to compete effectively with larger
financial institutions in its market area and the benefits to the F&M
shareholders of each of the strategic alternatives. F&M's management noted that
smaller community banks remain attractive to customers in a number of market
areas, while large financial institutions have technology capabilities, a wider
range of product offerings and other resources that permit more effective
competition for deposit, loan and investment business. It was observed that
F&M, increasingly becoming a mid-sized financial institution in the mid-
Atlantic region, may not
11
have the advantages of either a smaller institution or a larger one, and
therefore may be at a competitive disadvantage because of its size. In that
regard, the F&M Board discussed the alternative of F&M remaining independent
and pursuing a course of action that the F&M Board considered to be successful
to date, in comparison to seeking an alliance with another financial
institution in order to be able to compete more effectively with large national
and super-regional financial institutions.
After lengthy discussion on F&M's strategic options, the F&M Board instructed
Alfred B. Whitt, Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of F&M,
to contact a regional banking institution that had recently expressed interest
in F&M to explore that institution's level of interest in making an offer to
acquire F&M. In early October 2000, Mr. Whitt met with representatives of that
institution to discuss informally a possible business combination. At that
meeting, non-pricing matters such as regional operations, timing, management
structure, contractual terms and employee matters were discussed, and each
party indicated an interest in the potential benefits of a merger.
At a meeting held on October 11, 2000, Mr. Whitt apprised the F&M Board as to
this recent meeting and indicated that, based on those discussions, the
institution was interested in pursuing a possible merger with F&M and would be
prepared to provide the terms of a proposed offer for the Board to consider at
its regularly scheduled November meeting. The F&M Board also discussed whether
BB&T would be interested in making an offer for F&M, given BB&T's past informal
indications of interest in F&M. After further discussion, the F&M Board
instructed management to contact BB&T to explore BB&T's level of interest in
making an offer to acquire F&M.
On October 27, 2000, Mr. Whitt, together with W. M. Feltner, Chairman of F&M,
and Charles E. Curtis, Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer of F&M,
met with John A. Allison IV, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BB&T, and
Burney S. Warren, Executive Vice President of BB&T, at F&M's request, to
discuss a possible merger between BB&T and F&M. The group discussed in general
terms the business and operating philosophies of BB&T and F&M, structural and
personnel issues relating to a potential merger transaction and other merger-
related matters. During this meeting, Messrs. Allison and Warren indicated that
BB&T would be prepared to make an offer providing for the tax-free exchange of
each share of F&M common stock for 1.085 shares of BB&T common stock.
On October 31, 2000, Mr. Whitt had another meeting with representatives of
the other regional institution at which time pricing and other merger-related
matters were discussed. At that meeting, it was indicated that the institution
was prepared to make an offer providing for a tax-free share exchange, the
value of which was equal to $33.07 based on the closing price of that
institution's common stock on October 30, 2000.
On November 7, 2000, Mr. Whitt had further discussions with Mr. Warren during
which Mr. Whitt indicated that BB&T's recent cash dividends were slightly less
than F&M's most recent cash dividends. Based on these discussions, Mr. Warren
indicated to Mr. Whitt that BB&T would be prepared to increase their proposed
offer to 1.09 shares of BB&T stock for each F&M share so that F&M shareholders
would not incur any reduction in their dividends as a result of the merger.
Based on closing prices of the common stocks of BB&T and F&M on November 7,
the value of 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock was equal to $37.06, resulting in
a market premium of 40.5%.
On November 8, 2000, Mr. Whitt informed the F&M Board of his discussions with
BB&T and the other institution and the terms and structure of each company's
proposed offer. Mr. Whitt also presented a plan prepared by management that
contemplated the continued independence of F&M based on various financial and
other projections and assumptions. The Board requested that additional
information, such as projected cost savings and earnings, on the plan prepared
by management be presented at the next regularly scheduled board meeting in
December in order to put the Board in a better position to evaluate the two
proposed offers against the plan to remain independent.
At the board meeting on December 13, 2000, management briefed the F&M Board
on the revised plan that contemplated the continued independence of F&M.
Consolidating F&M's subsidiary banks was a major part of
12
that plan, and management believed that by combining its banking subsidiaries
into four regional banks, F&M could increase its net income by approximately
$0.16 per share. Management estimated that with the savings generated by
consolidating the banks, F&M's common stock would likely trade at or around 15
times earnings based on market comparables, and that the corresponding increase
in the market value would be approximately $2.40 per share. Accordingly,
management projected that the plan could increase the market value of F&M
common stock to approximately $30 per share, which was approximately $l0 per
share less than the market value of the share exchange offer by BB&T and $7 per
share less than the other regional banking institution's offer.
During the December 13 meeting, the F&M Board also reviewed and discussed the
proposed offers from BB&T and the other institution. The Board authorized
management to contact an investment banking firm to request its assistance in
analyzing F&M's strategic options, but with the proviso that such firm should
not be advised that the F&M Board was actually considering two proposed offers.
On January 10, 2001, a representative of a nationally recognized investment
banking firm made a presentation to the F&M Board that analyzed the four
strategic alternatives mentioned above. Following that presentation, the Board
discussed F&M's strategic alternatives in depth and the future prospects of F&M
in light of the strategic options.
The F&M Board discussed the reasons for, and the benefits of, a merger with a
larger institution, in the context of the two proposed merger offers. It
considered the financial performance, stock performance, market position,
growth prospects and other matters concerning BB&T and the other interested
bank. The F&M Board evaluated both offers in relation to the then current
market value of F&M stock and management's estimate of the future value of the
stock of F&M as an independent entity. After this discussion, the F&M Board
determined that a merger with BB&T, which last proposed an exchange of 1.09
shares of BB&T common stock for each share of F&M common stock, would provide
substantial long-term benefits to F&M's shareholders and its constituencies.
The F&M Board then authorized management to proceed with the negotiation of a
definitive merger agreement and related agreements with BB&T.
BB&T's outside counsel delivered to F&M and its counsel a draft merger
agreement, stock option agreement, employment contracts and other related
documents on January 17, 2001. During the course of the next week, F&M and BB&T
and their respective counsel negotiated the terms of the merger documents.
During the negotiations, BB&T informed F&M that the stock option agreement was
required as a condition to BB&T's willingness to enter into a definitive merger
agreement with F&M.
On January 18, 2001, Mr. Whitt contacted several investment banking firms to
discuss whether their firms would be willing to serve as financial advisor to
F&M and their fees for the engagement. Based on these discussions, F&M then
selected Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. ("KBW") to serve as its financial
advisor.
Mr. Whitt and a representative of KBW held a due diligence conference call
with Scott E. Reed, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of BB&T, on January 22, 2001 to discuss certain financial, operational,
strategic and other matters concerning BB&T. F&M completed the due diligence
call to its satisfaction.
On January 23, 2001, the F&M Board of Directors convened at 4:00 p.m. to
consider the merger with BB&T. Mr. Whitt reviewed the events that had occurred
since the last meeting of the F&M Board.
13
Representatives of KBW made a presentation to the F&M Board on the proposed
transaction with BB&T, the current bank merger and acquisition environment and
the results of various financial analyses KBW had prepared in connection with
the proposed transaction. KBW then delivered its opinion that the 1.09 exchange
ratio was fair to F&M shareholders from a financial point of view. F&M's
counsel, LeClair Ryan, P.C., then reviewed the merger agreement, stock option
agreement and employment agreements that had been negotiated with BB&T.
Throughout the presentations, representatives of KBW and LeClair Ryan responded
to numerous questions and comments from the F&M Board.
Following a thorough discussion of the terms of the merger agreement, the
structure of the transaction and other items related to the proposed merger,
the F&M Board determined that the merger pursuant to the definitive agreement
was in the best interests of F&M and its shareholders, approved the proposed
merger, subject to the satisfactory finalization of the merger documents, and
authorized Mr. Whitt, as President and Chief Executive Officer of F&M, to
execute and deliver the merger documents on behalf of F&M.
After the F&M Board's approval of the merger at the January 23rd meeting, F&M
and BB&T entered into the merger agreement and the stock option agreement.
F&M's Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of Directors
In deciding to approve the merger agreement and the stock option agreement,
and the transactions contemplated by those agreements, the F&M Board consulted
with F&M management, as well as its financial and legal advisors, and
considered the following material factors:
. information regarding the business, operations, earnings, financial con-
dition, technological capabilities, management, earnings and prospects
of each of F&M and BB&T;
. the exchange ratio of 1.09, which represented a 47.2% premium over the
closing price of F&M common stock on January 23, 2001 and a 53.8% pre-
mium over the average closing price of F&M common stock for the 30 trad-
ing days preceding the F&M Board's approval of the merger agreement;
. the current financial services industry environment, including
. the continued consolidation within the industry,
. increased competition,
. rapid technological change (including internet banking) and the in-
creasing cost of technology, and
. the apparent approaching end of pooling-of-interests accounting in
2001, which may negatively affect market premiums for at least some
period and may also negatively impact F&M's acquisition program;
. the difficulty of increasing F&M's earnings to a level that would result
in an increase in its stock price to BB&T's offer price in the near fu-
ture;
. the F&M Board's belief that the terms of the merger, the merger agree-
ment and the stock option agreement are fair to and in the best inter-
ests of F&M shareholders;
. the analyses provided by KBW and the oral and written opinion of KBW
provided on January 23, 2001 that, as of such date, the exchange ratio
as set out in the merger agreement, was fair from a financial point of
view to F&M shareholders (see "Opinion of Financial Advisor to F&M");
. the tax-free nature of the merger to F&M shareholders for federal income
tax purposes, and the expectation that BB&T will account for the merger
as a pooling-of-interests;
. BB&T's record with respect to the employees and communities of the banks
it acquires, and the effect upon F&M's employees and the communities
which F&M serves;
14
. the F&M Board's review of other strategic alternatives potentially
available to F&M;
. the historical performance of BB&T's common stock and BB&T's historical
financial performance, as well as KBW's presentation regarding BB&T;
. the fact that the merger would broaden the range of innovative financial
services and products to F&M's customers and the communities served by
F&M; and
. the financial terms of other recent business combinations in the banking
industry.
The above discussion of the information and factors considered by the F&M
Board is not intended to be exhaustive but includes the material factors the
F&M Board considered. In reaching the determination to approve and recommend
the merger, the F&M Board did not assign any relative or specific weights to
the foregoing factors, and individual directors may have considered various
factors differently.
The F&M Board, after considering the foregoing, approved and adopted the
merger agreement and related documents and the transactions associated with the
merger agreement as being in the best interests of F&M and its shareholders.
The F&M Board recommends that you vote "FOR" the approval of the merger
agreement.
BB&T's Reasons for the Merger
One of BB&T's announced objectives is to pursue in-market and contiguous
state acquisitions of banks and thrifts in the $250 million to $10 billion
asset size range. BB&T's management believes that the acquisition of F&M will
give BB&T the fifth highest deposit market share in the Washington D.C.
metropolitan service area (the nation's wealthiest based on per capita income)
and the highest deposit market share in the Tidewater, Virginia area and will
strengthen its position in Richmond, Virginia, a growing technology center.
In connection with BB&T's consideration of the merger, its management
analyzed certain investment criteria designed to assess the impact of the
merger on BB&T and its shareholders. For the purpose of this analysis, BB&T
made the following assumptions:
. BB&T's and F&M's earnings per share on a stand-alone basis for 2001
would be in line with the estimates published by First Call Corporation;
. BB&T's earnings per share on a stand-alone basis for subsequent years
would increase at an assumed annual rate, determined solely for the pur-
pose of assessing the impact of the merger as described above, of 12%;
. Annual cost savings of approximately $45.9 million, or 35% of F&M's ex-
pense base (after giving effect to F&M's acquisitions of Atlantic Finan-
cial Corp. and Community Bankshares of Maryland) would be fully realized
in the first 12 months of operations following conversion of F&M's data
services systems to those of BB&T;
. BB&T would divest branches representing approximately $226.3 million in
deposits;
. Income statement and balance sheet growth rates attributable to F&M
would be 12% in year one, 14% in years 2 through 5 and 12% in years 6
through 10, except:
. F&M's core net interest margin (non-fully taxable equivalent) would
incrementally decrease over years 1 through 5 to a margin of 4.35%;
. F&M's loan loss allowance would be adjusted to 1.30% of loans; and
. F&M's net charge-off rate for loan losses would be 0.35%.
15
Using the above assumptions, BB&T analyzed the merger to determine whether it
would have an accretive or dilutive effect on estimated earnings per share,
return on equity, return on assets and book value per share, as well as its
effect on BB&T's leverage capital ratio. This analysis indicated that the
merger would:
. be accretive to earnings per share, cash basis earnings per share, re-
turn on equity, return on assets and cash basis return on assets in
2002;
. be accretive to cash basis return on equity in 2003;
. be accretive to book value in 2004; and
. result in a combined leverage ratio that remains over 7%.
In conducting its analysis, BB&T excluded the effect of estimated one-time
after-tax charges of $55 million, which takes into account an estimated premium
of $9.1 million to be received for divested deposits.
In addition to the analysis described above, BB&T performed an internal rate
of return analysis for the merger. The purpose of this analysis was to
determine if the projected performance of F&M, after applying the assumptions
described above, would conform to BB&T's criteria. BB&T's current minimum
internal rate of return requirement for this type of investment is 15%. The
analysis performed in connection with the F&M merger indicated that the
projected internal rate of return is 17.09%.
None of the above information has been updated since the date of the merger
agreement. There can be no certainty that actual results will be consistent
with the results described above. For more information concerning the factors
that could affect actual results, see "A Warning About Forward-Looking
Information" on page iii.
Opinion of F&M's Financial Advisor
F&M engaged Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. to act as its exclusive financial
advisor in connection with the merger. F&M selected KBW because KBW is a
nationally recognized investment banking firm with substantial experience in
transactions similar to the merger and is familiar with F&M and its business.
As part of its investment banking business, KBW is continually engaged in the
valuation of financial businesses and their securities in connection with
mergers and acquisitions.
On January 23, 2001, the F&M Board held a meeting to evaluate the proposed
merger with BB&T. At this meeting, KBW reviewed the financial aspects of the
proposed merger and rendered an oral opinion (which was subsequently confirmed
in writing) that, as of that date, the consideration to be paid in the merger
was fair to F&M and its shareholders from a financial point of view.
The full text of KBW's written opinion is attached as Appendix B to this
proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated into this proxy
statement/prospectus by reference. F&M's shareholders are urged to read the
opinion in its entirety for a description of the procedures followed,
assumptions made, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations on the
review undertaken by KBW.
KBW's opinion is directed to the F&M Board and addresses only the fairness,
from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration to be received by
the F&M shareholders. It does not address the underlying business decision to
proceed with the merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any F&M
shareholder as to how the shareholder should vote at the F&M special meeting on
the merger or any related matter.
In rendering its opinion, KBW:
. reviewed, among other things:
. the merger agreement;
. Annual Reports to shareholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K of
BB&T;
16
. Annual Reports to shareholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K of
F&M;
. Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of BB&T;
. Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of F&M; and
. held discussions with members of senior management of F&M and BB&T re-
garding:
. past and current business operations;
. regulatory relationships;
. financial condition; and
. future prospects;
. reviewed the market prices, valuation multiples, publicly reported fi-
nancial conditions and results of operations for F&M and BB&T and com-
pared them with those of certain publicly traded companies that KBW
deemed to be relevant;
. compared the proposed financial terms of the merger with the financial
terms of certain other transactions that KBW deemed to be relevant; and
. performed other studies and analyses that it considered appropriate.
In conducting its review and arriving at its opinion, KBW relied upon and
assumed the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other
information provided to or otherwise made available to KBW or that was
discussed with, or reviewed by or for, KBW or that was publicly available. KBW
did not attempt or assume any responsibility to verify such information
independently. KBW relied upon the management of F&M as to the responsibility
and achievability of the financial and operating forecasts and projections (and
assumptions and bases therefor) provided to KBW. KBW assumed, without
independent verification, that the aggregate allowances for loan and lease
losses for BB&T and F&M are adequate to cover those losses. KBW did not make or
obtain any evaluations or appraisals of any assets or liabilities of BB&T or
F&M, and KBW did not examine any books or records or review individual credit
files.
The projections furnished to KBW and used by it in certain of its analyses
were prepared by F&M's senior management. F&M does not publicly disclose
internal management projections of the type provided to KBW in connection with
its review of the merger. As a result, the projections were not prepared with a
view towards public disclosure. The projections were based on numerous
variables and assumptions that are inherently uncertain, including factors
related to general economic and competitive conditions. Accordingly, actual
results could vary significantly from those set forth in the projections.
For purposes of rendering its opinion, KBW assumed that, in all respects
material to its analyses:
. the merger will be completed substantially in accordance with the terms
set forth in the merger agreement;
. the representations and warranties of each party in the merger agreement
and in all related documents and instruments referred to in the merger
agreement are true and correct;
. each party to the merger agreement and all related documents will per-
form all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed by
such party under such documents;
. all conditions to the completion of the merger will be satisfied without
any waivers; and
. in the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory, contractual, or
other consents or approvals for the merger, no restrictions, including
any divestiture requirements, termination or other payments or amend-
ments or modifications, will be imposed that will have a material ad-
verse effect on either the future results of operations or financial
condition of the combined entity or the contemplated benefits of the
merger, including the cost savings and revenue enhancements expected to
result from the merger.
17
KBW further assumed that the merger will be accounted for as a pooling of
interests under generally accepted accounting principles, and that the merger
will qualify as a tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
KBW's opinion is not an expression of an opinion as to the prices at which
shares of F&M common stock or shares of BB&T common stock will trade following
the announcement of the merger, the actual value of the shares of common stock
of the combined company when issued pursuant to the merger, or the prices at
which the shares of common stock of the combined company will trade following
the completion of the merger.
In performing its analyses, KBW made numerous assumptions with respect to
industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of KBW, F&M
and BB&T. The estimates contained in the analyses performed by KBW may not
necessarily be indicative of actual values or future results, which may be
significantly more or less favorable than suggested by these analyses.
Additionally, estimates of the value of businesses or securities do not purport
to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which such businesses or
securities might actually be sold. Accordingly, these analyses and estimates
are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty. The KBW opinion was among
several factors taken into consideration by the F&M Board in making its
determination to approve the merger agreement and the merger. Consequently, the
analyses described below should not be viewed as determinative of the decision
of the F&M Board or management of F&M with respect to the fairness of the
consideration to be received by the shareholders of F&M in the merger.
The following is a summary of the material analyses presented by KBW to the
F&M Board on January 23, 2001 in connection with its oral opinion given on that
date. The summary is not a complete description of the analyses underlying the
KBW opinion or the presentation made by KBW to the F&M Board, but summarizes
the material analyses performed and presented in connection with such opinion.
The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex analytic process involving
various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of
financial analysis and the application of those methods to the particular
circumstances. Therefore, a fairness opinion is not readily susceptible to
partial analysis or summary description. In arriving at its opinion, KBW did
not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor that it
considered, but rather made qualitative judgments as to the significance and
relevance of each analysis and factor. The financial analyses summarized below
include information presented in tabular format. KBW believes that its analyses
and the summary of its analyses must be considered as a whole and that
selecting portions of its analyses and factors or focusing on the information
presented below in tabular format, without considering all analyses and factors
or the full narrative description of the financial analyses (including the
methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses) could create a
misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying its analyses and
opinion. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the
financial analyses.
Transaction Summary. KBW calculated the value of the merger consideration to
be paid as a multiple of F&M's book value per share, last twelve months'
earnings per share and 2001 "First Call" consensus estimated earnings per
share. "First Call" is a data service that monitors and publishes a compilation
of earnings estimates produced by selected research analysts regarding
companies of interest to institutional investors. As of December 31, 2000, F&M
had two pending acquisitions, Atlantic Financial Corp. and Community Bankshares
of Maryland, Inc. As of December 31, 2000, BB&T had three pending acquisitions,
Century South Banks, Inc., FCNB Corp and FirstSpartan Financial Corp. KBW
adjusted throughout its analyses the financial data for F&M and BB&T as of
December 31, 2000 to reflect these pending acquisitions. Additionally, KBW
adjusted throughout its analyses the financial data to exclude any non-
recurring income and expenses and any extraordinary items. The value of the
merger consideration was determined based on an exchange ratio of 1.09 BB&T
shares for each F&M share. The computations were based on F&M's stated book
value per share of $13.71 as of December 31, 2000, F&M's earnings per share of
$1.93 for the last twelve months ended December 31, 2000 and a 2001 First Call
consensus estimated earnings per share of $2.06. Based on those assumptions and
BB&T's closing price of $36.69 on January 22, 2001, this analysis indicated F&M
shareholders would receive shares of BB&T common stock worth $39.99 for each
share of F&M common stock. This amount would represent 291.6% of book value per
share, 20.7 times last twelve months' earnings per share and 19.4 times
estimated 2001 earnings per share.
18
KBW also analyzed the per share transaction value as a premium to the closing
price of F&M common stock before the announcement of the merger. The analyses
performed indicated the per share transaction value as a premium to the closing
price of F&M common stock on January 22, 2001 was 48.1%.
Selected Transaction Analysis. KBW reviewed certain financial data related to
ten comparable nationwide bank transactions announced since December 31, 1999
with a value between $400 million and $7 billion.
KBW compared multiples of price to various factors for the BB&T-F&M merger to
the same multiples for the comparable group at the time those mergers were
announced. The results were as follows:
Comparable Transactions:
BB&T/F&M
Average Minimum Maximum Merger
------- ------- ------- --------
Price/Book Value............................. 221.9% 156.3% 288.0% 291.6%
Price/Latest Twelve Months' Earnings Per
Share....................................... 15.2x 10.2x 20.5x 20.7x
Price/2001 Estimated Earnings Per Share...... 14.1x 11.7x 20.3x 19.4x
Premium to Market Price...................... 25.5% 8.9% 42.6% 48.1%
KBW also analyzed the financial data for the period ended December 31, 2000,
for F&M and the twelve months reporting period before the announcement of each
transaction for each acquiree in the Selected Transactions Analysis. The
results were as follows:
Comparable Acquirees:
Average Minimum Maximum F&M
------- ------- ------- -------
Equity/Assets................................. 8.36% 6.79% 9.87% 7.90%
Non-Performing Assets, plus loans 90 (or more)
Days Past Due/Assets......................... 0.52 0.13 0.90 0.76
Return on Average Assets...................... 1.30 0.99 1.64 1.44
Return on Average Equity...................... 15.26 12.44 20.66 14.87
Net Interest Margin........................... 4.42 3.85 5.60 4.57
Efficiency Ratio.............................. 57.4 50.0 66.7 57.8
No company or transaction used as a comparison in the above analysis is
identical to BB&T, F&M or the merger. Accordingly, an analysis of these results
is not mathematical. Rather, it involves complex considerations and judgments
concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of the
companies and other factors that could affect the value of the companies to
which they are being compared.
Discounted Dividends Analysis. Using discounted dividends analysis, KBW
estimated the present value of the future stream of dividends that F&M could
produce over the next five years if it remained independent, under various
circumstances, assuming the company performed in accordance with the earnings
forecasts of management and achieved an assumed level of expense savings. KBW
then estimated the terminal values for F&M common stock at the end of the
period by applying multiples ranging from 12.0x to 14.0x projected earnings in
the fifth year. The dividend streams and terminal values were then discounted
to present values using different discount rates (ranging from 14.0% to 18.0%)
chosen to reflect different assumptions regarding the required rates of return
to holders or prospective buyers of F&M common stock. This discounted dividend
analysis indicated reference ranges of between $31.52 and $41.40 per share of
F&M common stock. These values compare to the consideration to be received by
the shareholders of F&M in the BB&T merger of $39.99 per share of F&M common
stock based on the market value of BB&T common stock on January 22, 2001.
19
Relative Stock Price Performance. KBW also analyzed the price performance of
BB&T common stock from December 31, 1999 to January 22, 2001 and compared that
performance to the performance of the Philadelphia Exchange/Keefe, Bruyette &
Woods Bank Index ("Keefe Bank Index") over the same period. The Keefe Bank
Index is a market cap weighted price index composed of 24 major commercial and
savings banks stocks. The Keefe Bank Index is traded on the Philadelphia
Exchange under the symbol "BKX". This analysis indicated the following
cumulative changes in price over the period:
BB&T................................... 34.0%
Keefe Bank Index....................... 18.8%
Selected Peer Group Analysis. KBW compared the financial performance and
market performance of BB&T to those of a group of nine comparable holding
companies. The comparisons were based on:
. various financial measures:
. earnings performance;
. operating efficiency;
. capital; and
. asset quality
. various measures of market performance including:
. price to book value;
. price to earnings; and
. dividend yields.
To perform this analysis, KBW used the financial information as of and for the
quarter ended December 31, 2000 and market price information as of January 22,
2001. The nine companies in the peer group were United States regional banks
with total market capitalizations ranging from $3.9 billion to $32.3 billion.
KBW's analysis showed the following concerning BB&T's financial performance:
Selected Peer Group:
Average Minimum Maximum BB&T
------- ------- ------- -----
Return on Average Equity......................... 16.46% 12.96% 20.68% 20.78%
Return on Average Assets......................... 1.33 1.06 2.12 1.63
Net Interest Margin.............................. 3.76 3.32 3.97 4.17
Efficiency Ratio................................. 55 39 61 48
Equity/Assets.................................... 8.08 7.23 9.73 7.90
Loans/Deposits................................... 109 92 138 105
Non-Performing Assets/Assets..................... 0.51 0.28 0.77 0.35
Loan Loss Reserve/Non-Performing Assets.......... 212 149 309 252
Loan Loss Reserve/Total Loans.................... 1.41 1.19 1.55 1.28
KBW's analysis showed the following concerning BB&T's market performance:
Selected Peer Group:
Average Minimum Maximum BB&T
------- ------- ------- ----
Price/Book Value per Share....................... 231% 164% 468% 308%
Price/2001 GAAP Estimated Earnings Per Share..... 13.4x 10.9x 23.4x 15.0x
Price/2001 Cash Estimated Earnings Per Share..... 12.4x 10.0x 22.7x 14.1x
Price/2002 GAAP Estimated Earnings Per Share..... 12.3x 10.1x 20.2x 13.4x
Price/2002 Cash Estimated Earnings Per Share..... 11.4x 9.3x 19.7x 12.7x
Dividend Yield................................... 3.9% 1.3% 5.2% 2.5%
20
KBW also compared the financial performance and market performance of F&M to
11 comparable holding companies. The comparisons were based on:
. various financial measures:
. earnings performance;
. operating efficiency;
. capital; and
. asset quality
. various measures of market performance including:
. price to book value;
. price to earnings; and
. dividend yields
To perform this analysis, KBW used the financial information as of and for
the quarter ended December 31, 2000 and market price information as of January
22, 2001. The 11 companies in the peer group were banks located in Maryland,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia with total market
capitalizations ranging from $97 million to $910 million.
KBW's analysis showed the following concerning F&M's financial performance:
Selected Peer Group:
Average Minimum Maximum F&M
------- ------- ------- -----
Return on Average Equity......................... 14.56% 10.05% 19.37% 14.87%
Return on Average Assets......................... 1.25 0.93 2.02 1.40
Net Interest Margin.............................. 3.97 3.06 4.48 4.43
Efficiency Ratio................................. 58 40 89 57
Equity/Assets.................................... 8.71 5.73 11.99 9.63
Loans/Deposits................................... 96 83 108 69
Non-Performing Assets/Assets..................... 0.51 0.15 1.01 0.58
Loan Loss Reserve/Non-Performing Assets.......... 245 96 795 118
Loan Loss Reserve/Total Loans.................... 1.37 1.06 2.19 1.18
KBW's analysis showed the following concerning F&M's market performance:
Selected Peer Group:
Average Minimum Maximum F&M
------- ------- ------- ----
Price/Book Value per Share...................... 175% 49% 251% 197%
Price/2001 GAAP Estimated Earnings Per Share.... 12.5x 11.2x 15.9x 13.1x
Price/2001 Cash Estimated Earnings Per Share.... 11.8x 9.7x 15.1x 12.5x
Price/Latest Twelve Months' GAAP Earnings Per
Share.......................................... 13.5x 12.2x 16.6x 14.0x
Price/Latest Twelve Months' Cash Earnings Per
Share.......................................... 12.9x 11.4x 15.7x 13.6x
Dividend Yield.................................. 4.2% 3.1% 5.6% 3.7%
Contribution Analysis. KBW analyzed the relative contribution of each of F&M
and BB&T to the pro forma balance sheet and income statement items of the
combined entity, including assets, common equity, deposits, loans and estimated
2001 net income. KBW relied on First Call projections for 2001 net income. KBW
compared the relative contribution of balance sheet and income statement items
with the estimated pro
21
forma ownership for F&M based on an exchange ratio of 1.09 BB&T shares for each
F&M share. The results of KBW's analysis are set forth in the following table:
Category BB&T F&M
-------- ---- ---
Total Assets..................................................... 94% 6%
Gross Loans...................................................... 95 5
Total Deposits................................................... 92 8
Common Equity.................................................... 93 7
2001 Estimated Net Income........................................ 95 5
Estimated Pro Forma Ownership.................................... 93 7
Financial Impact Analysis. KBW performed pro forma merger analysis that
combined projected income statement and balance sheet information. Assumptions
regarding the accounting treatment, acquisition adjustments and cost savings
were used to calculate the financial impact that the merger would have on
certain projected financial results of the combined company. This analysis
indicated that the merger would be expected to be dilutive to BB&T's estimated
GAAP earnings per share and dilutive to BB&T's estimated cash earnings per
share in 2001. For 2002, the merger would be expected to be accretive to BB&T's
estimated GAAP and cash earnings per share. The analysis also indicated that
the merger would be expected to be dilutive to BB&T's book value per share and
dilutive to tangible book value per share. This analysis was based on First
Call 2001 published earnings estimates, the First Call long-term estimated
growth rates, and BB&T management's estimates of the expected savings from the
merger. For all of the above analyses, the actual results achieved by the
combined company following the merger will vary from the projected results, and
the variations may be material.
Other Analyses. KBW reviewed the relative financial and market performance of
BB&T and F&M to a variety of relevant industry peer groups and indices. KBW
also reviewed earnings estimates, balance sheet composition, historical stock
performance, stock liquidity and research coverage for BB&T.
The F&M Board has retained KBW as an independent contractor to act as
financial advisor to F&M regarding the merger with BB&T. As part of its
investment banking business, KBW is continually engaged in the valuation of
banking businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and
acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and
valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. As specialists in the
securities of banking companies, KBW has experience in, and knowledge of, the
valuation of banking enterprises. In the ordinary course of its business as a
broker-dealer, KBW may, from time to time, purchase securities from, and sell
securities to, F&M and BB&T. As a market maker in securities KBW may, from time
to time, have a long or short position in, and buy or sell, debt or equity
securities of F&M and BB&T for KBW's own account and for the accounts of its
customers.
F&M and KBW entered into an agreement relating to the services to be provided
by KBW in connection with the merger with BB&T. Pursuant to the agreement, F&M
paid KBW a cash fee of $100,000 when the definitive merger agreement with BB&T
was executed and an additional cash fee of $100,000 at the time this proxy
statement/prospectus was mailed to F&M shareholders. In addition, F&M agreed to
pay KBW a cash fee of $1,172,826, less the $200,000 already paid, at the time
the merger is completed. F&M has also agreed to reimburse KBW for reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with its
retention and to indemnify KBW against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Exchange Ratio
Upon completion of the merger, each outstanding share of F&M common stock
will be converted into the right to receive 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock,
except as provided below. Under no circumstances would this "exchange ratio" be
less than 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock for each share of F&M common stock.
The exchange ratio could, however, be greater than 1.09 shares of BB&T common
stock for each share of
22
F&M common stock if (1) F&M elected to seek to terminate the merger agreement
and the merger under the circumstances described below and (2) BB&T elected to
avoid termination of the merger agreement and the merger by increasing the
exchange ratio.
F&M would have the right to seek to terminate the merger agreement and the
merger if:
. the value of 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock, based on the average
closing price per share of BB&T common stock on the New York Stock Ex-
change for the five consecutive trading days ending on the last trading
day before the tenth calendar day before the date designated by BB&T to
complete the merger, is less than $32.09; and
. (a) the amount determined by dividing (1) the average closing price per
share of BB&T common stock during the five-trading day period described
in the preceding bullet point by (2) $36.80, is less than (b) 90% of the
amount determined by dividing (1) the weighted average (weighted in ac-
cordance with the factors set forth in the merger agreement) of the
closing sales prices of the 11 bank holding companies designated in the
merger agreement on the tenth calendar day before the date that BB&T
designates to complete the merger, by (2) the weighted average of the
closing prices of the 11 bank holding companies on January 23, 2001.
The determination of whether the conditions set forth in the preceding bullet
point have been satisfied will be made on the tenth calendar day before the
date that BB&T designates to complete the merger. If, before that date, any of
the 11 specified bank holding companies publicly announce that it is to be
acquired or that it is to acquire another company in a transaction with a value
exceeding 25% of the acquiror's market capitalization, the affected bank
holding company will be eliminated from the calculation.
In the event that F&M were to exercise its right to seek to terminate the
merger agreement and the merger by giving notice to BB&T during the five-day
period that begins on the date the determination is made as provided above,
BB&T would have five days to notify F&M of its election to increase the merger
consideration so that F&M shareholders would receive for each share of F&M
common stock a number of shares of BB&T common stock with a value, based on the
average closing price of BB&T common stock over the five-trading day period, at
least equal to $32.09. BB&T would have no obligation to elect to increase the
exchange ratio. If BB&T were to exercise its right to increase the merger
consideration, F&M would be required to proceed with the merger with the
increased exchange ratio and in accordance with all other terms of the merger
agreement.
These conditions reflect the parties' agreement that F&M's shareholders will
assume certain risks of decline in the market value of BB&T common stock. If,
as of the date for making this determination, the value of BB&T common stock
were to have declined such that the value of the consideration to be received
for each share of F&M common stock were less than $32.09, but were not to have
declined by more than 10% more than the average stock price of the 11 specified
bank holding companies, then F&M's shareholders would continue to assume the
risk of decline in the value of BB&T common stock.
If the F&M Board elects to seek to terminate the merger agreement and the
merger under the circumstances described above, BB&T may avoid termination by
increasing the exchange ratio. In deciding whether to increase the exchange
ratio, the principal factors BB&T would consider include the projected effect
of the merger on BB&T's pro forma earnings and book value per share and whether
BB&T's assessment of F&M's earning potential as part of BB&T justifies the
issuance of a greater number of shares of BB&T common stock. F&M may, at any
time before the expiration of its five-day election period, elect to withdraw
its election to terminate and to proceed with the merger without adjustment to
the exchange ratio. In making this determination, the principal factors the F&M
Board would consider include whether the merger remains in the best interest of
F&M and its shareholders despite the decline in the BB&T common stock price and
whether the consideration to be received by F&M shareholders remains fair from
a financial point of view. Before making any decision to terminate the merger
agreement or to proceed with the merger without adjustment of the exchange
ratio, the F&M Board would consult with its financial and other advisors and
23
would consider all financial and other information it deemed relevant to its
decision, including considerations relating to the necessity or desirability of
resoliciting F&M shareholders under the circumstances. If F&M elected not to
exercise its right to seek to terminate the merger agreement and the merger,
the exchange ratio would remain 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock for each share
of F&M common stock, and the dollar value of the consideration which the F&M
shareholders would receive for each share of F&M common stock would be the
value of 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock as of the time the merger becomes
effective.
The operation of the exchange ratio and the adjustment mechanism can be
illustrated by three scenarios. For purposes of the three scenarios, the
weighted average closing price of the 11 bank holding companies on January 23,
2001 is assumed to be $100.
. The first scenario is that the value of 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock
is $32.09 or greater. Under this scenario, the exchange ratio would be
1.09 and there would be no potential increase to the exchange ratio and
no right on the part of F&M to seek to terminate the merger agreement
and the merger. The implied market value, based on the average closing
price of BB&T common stock over the five-trading day period, of the con-
sideration to be received by F&M shareholders for each share of F&M com-
mon stock would be at least equal to $32.09.
. The second scenario is that the value of 1.09 shares of BB&T common
stock is less than $32.09, but the price of BB&T common stock has not
declined by more than 10% more than the average stock price of the 11
specified bank holding companies. In this case, the exchange ratio would
be 1.09 and there would be no potential increase to the exchange ratio
and no right on the part of F&M to seek to terminate the merger agree-
ment and the merger, even though the implied market value of the consid-
eration to be received by F&M shareholders for each share of F&M common
stock, based on the average closing price of BB&T common stock over the
five-trading day period, would have declined from a pro forma $40.67 as
of January 23, 2001 to less than $32.09.
For example, if the average closing price over the five-trading day pe-
riod were $27.60 and the weighted average stock price of the 11 speci-
fied bank holding companies were $80.00, (a) the average closing price
would be 75% (or $27.60 / $36.80) of $36.80, and (b) the average stock
price of the 11 specified bank holding companies as of the determination
date would be 80% (or $80.00 / $100.00) of the average stock price of
the 11 specified bank holding companies as of January 23, 2001. Since
0.75 is greater than 90% of 0.80 (or 0.72), F&M would have no right to
seek to terminate the merger agreement and the merger. Based upon the
assumed $27.60 average closing price, the consideration to be received
by F&M shareholders for each share of F&M common stock would have an im-
plied market value of $30.08.
. The third scenario is that the value of 1.09 shares of BB&T common stock
is less than $32.09 and the price of BB&T common stock has declined at
least 10% more than the average stock price of the 11 specified bank
holding companies. In this case, F&M would have the right to seek to
terminate the merger agreement and the merger. BB&T would have the
right, but not the obligation, to override F&M's termination by increas-
ing the exchange ratio so that F&M shareholders would receive a number
of shares of BB&T common stock with an implied market value, based on
the average closing price of BB&T common stock over the five-trading day
period, at least equal to $32.09.
For example, if the average closing price over the five-trading day pe-
riod were $27.60 and the weighted average stock price of the 11 speci-
fied bank holding companies were $90.00, (a) the average closing price
would be 75% (or $27.60 / $36.80) of $36.80, and (b) the average stock
price of the 11 specified bank holding companies as of the determination
date would be 90% (or $90.00 / $100.00) of the average stock price of
the 11 specified bank holding companies as of January 23, 2001. Since
0.75 is less than 90% of 0.90 (or 0.81), F&M would have the right to
seek to terminate the merger agreement and the merger. If the F&M Board
elected to seek to terminate the merger agreement and the merger, BB&T
would have the right, but not the obligation, to override F&M's termina-
tion by increasing the exchange ratio within five days to 1.1627, which
represents $32.09 divided by $27.60. Based upon the assumed $27.60 aver-
age closing price, the new exchange ratio would represent a value to F&M
shareholders of $32.09 per share of F&M common stock.
24
You should be aware that the market value of a share of BB&T common stock
will fluctuate and that neither BB&T nor F&M can give you any assurance as to
what the price of BB&T common stock will be when the merger becomes effective
or when certificates for those shares are delivered following surrender and
exchange of your certificates for shares of F&M stock. We urge you to obtain
information on the market value of BB&T common stock that is more recent than
that provided in this proxy statement/prospectus. See "Summary--Comparative
Market Prices and Dividends" on page 6.
No fractional shares of BB&T common stock will be issued in the merger. If
you would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share of BB&T common stock in
the merger, you will be paid an amount in cash determined by multiplying the
fractional part of the share of BB&T common stock by the closing price per
share of BB&T common stock on the NYSE at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the date
that the merger becomes effective as reported on NYSEnet.com.
Exchange of F&M Stock Certificates
When the merger becomes effective, without any action on the part of F&M or
the F&M shareholders, shares of F&M common stock will be converted into and
will represent the right to receive, upon surrender of the certificate
representing such shares as described below, whole shares of BB&T common stock
(and any declared and unpaid dividends on such shares) and cash instead of any
fractional share interest. Promptly after the merger becomes effective, BB&T
will deliver or mail to you a form of letter of transmittal and instructions
for surrender of your F&M stock certificates. When you properly surrender your
certificates or provide other satisfactory evidence of ownership, and return
the letter of transmittal duly executed and completed in accordance with its
instructions and any other documents as may be reasonably requested, BB&T will
promptly deliver to you the shares of BB&T common stock (and any declared and
unpaid dividends on such shares) and cash, if any, to which you are entitled.
You should not send in your stock certificates until you receive the letter
of transmittal and instructions.
After the merger becomes effective, and until surrendered as described above,
each outstanding F&M stock certificate will be deemed for all purposes to
represent only the right to receive the merger consideration. No interest will
be paid or accrued on any cash payable for fractional shares as part of the
merger consideration. With respect to any F&M stock certificate that has been
lost or destroyed, BB&T will pay the merger consideration attributable to such
certificate upon receipt of a surety bond or other adequate indemnity, as
required in accordance with BB&T's standard policy, and evidence reasonably
satisfactory to BB&T of ownership of the shares in question. After the merger
becomes effective, F&M's transfer books will be closed and no transfer of the
shares of F&M stock outstanding immediately before the time that the merger
becomes effective will be made on BB&T's stock transfer books.
If F&M declares a dividend on the F&M common stock as permitted by the merger
agreement with a record date before the time the merger becomes effective, and
that dividend has not been paid before the merger becomes effective, BB&T will
pay the dividend to the former F&M shareholders.
To the extent permitted by law, after the merger becomes effective, you will
be entitled to vote at any meeting of BB&T shareholders the number of whole
shares of BB&T common stock into which your shares of F&M stock are converted,
regardless of whether you have exchanged your F&M stock certificates for BB&T
stock certificates. Whenever BB&T declares a dividend or other distribution on
the BB&T common stock which has a record date after the merger becomes
effective, the declaration will include dividends or other distributions on all
shares of BB&T common stock issuable pursuant to the merger agreement. However,
no dividend or other distribution payable to the holders of record of BB&T
common stock will be delivered to you until you surrender your F&M stock
certificate for exchange as described above. Upon surrender of your F&M stock
certificate, the certificate representing the BB&T common stock into which your
shares of F&M stock
25
have been converted, together with cash in lieu of any fractional share of BB&T
common stock to which you would otherwise be entitled and any undelivered
dividends, will be delivered and paid to you, without interest.
The Merger Agreement
Effective Date and Time of the Merger
The merger agreement provides that the closing of the merger will take place
on a business day designated by BB&T that is within 30 days following the
satisfaction of the conditions to the completion of the merger, or a later date
mutually acceptable to the parties. The merger will become effective at the
time and date specified in the articles of merger to be filed with the
Secretary of State of North Carolina and the Virginia State Corporation
Commission. It is currently anticipated that the filing of the articles of
merger will take place in the third quarter of 2001, assuming all conditions to
the respective obligations of BB&T and F&M to complete the merger have been
satisfied.
Conditions to the Merger
The obligations of BB&T and F&M to carry out the merger are subject to
satisfaction (or, if permissible, waiver) of the following conditions at or
before the time the merger becomes effective:
. all corporate action necessary to authorize the performance of the
merger agreement must have been duly and validly taken, including the
approval of the shareholders of F&M of the merger agreement;
. BB&T's registration statement on Form S-4 relating to the merger (in-
cluding any post-effective amendments) must be effective under the Secu-
rities Act of 1933, no proceedings may be pending or, to BB&T's knowl-
edge, threatened by the Securities and Exchange Commission to suspend
the effectiveness of the registration statement, and the BB&T common
stock to be issued in the merger must either have been registered or ex-
empt from registration under applicable state securities laws;
. the parties must have received all regulatory approvals required in con-
nection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, all
notice periods and waiting periods required with respect to the approv-
als must have passed and all approvals must be in effect;
. neither BB&T nor F&M nor any of their respective subsidiaries may be
subject to any order, decree or injunction of a court or agency of com-
petent jurisdiction that enjoins or prohibits completion of the transac-
tions provided in the merger agreement; and
. F&M and BB&T must have received an opinion of BB&T's legal counsel, in
form and substance satisfactory to F&M and BB&T, to the effect that the
merger will constitute one or more reorganizations under Section 368 of
the Internal Revenue Code and that the shareholders of F&M will not rec-
ognize any gain or loss to the extent that they exchange shares of F&M
common stock for shares of BB&T common stock.
The obligations of F&M to carry out the transactions in the merger agreement
are subject to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions at or
before the time the merger becomes effective, unless, where permissible, waived
by F&M:
. BB&T must have performed in all material respects all obligations and
complied in all material respects with all covenants required by the
merger agreement;
. the shares of BB&T common stock to be issued in the merger must have
been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of is-
suance; and
. F&M must have received certain closing certificates from BB&T and legal
opinions from BB&T's counsel.
26
All representations and warranties of BB&T will be evaluated as of the date of
the merger agreement and at the time the merger becomes effective as though
made at the time the merger becomes effective (or, in the case of any
representation and warranty that specifically relates to an earlier date, on
the date designated), except as otherwise provided in the merger agreement or
consented to in writing by F&M. The representations and warranties of BB&T
concerning the following must be true and correct (except for de minimis
inaccuracies):
. its capitalization;
. its and its subsidiaries' organization and authority to conduct busi-
ness;
. its authorization of, and the binding nature of, the merger agreement;
and
. the absence of any conflict between the transactions in the merger
agreement and BB&T's articles of incorporation or bylaws.
Moreover, there must not be inaccuracies in the representations and warranties
of BB&T in the merger agreement that, individually or in the aggregate, have or
are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on BB&T and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole.
The obligations of BB&T to carry out the transactions in the merger agreement
are subject to satisfaction of the following additional conditions at or before
the time the merger becomes effective, unless, where permissible, waived by
BB&T:
. no regulatory approval may have imposed any condition or requirement
that, in the reasonable opinion of the BB&T Board, would so materially
adversely affect the business or economic benefits to BB&T of the trans-
actions in the merger agreement as to render the consummation of such
transactions inadvisable or unduly burdensome; BB&T has agreed a re-
quired divestiture of deposits would be acceptable if the location and
dollar amount of required divested deposits is not materially different
from the reasonable good faith estimate that BB&T disclosed to F&M as of
the date of the merger agreement;
. F&M must have performed in all material respects all of its obligations
and complied in all material respects with all of its covenants required
by the merger agreement;
. BB&T must have received agreements from certain affiliates of F&M con-
cerning their shares of F&M common stock and the shares of BB&T common
stock to be received by them;
. BB&T must have received certain closing certificates from F&M and legal
opinions from F&M's counsel;
. BB&T must have received letters from Arthur Andersen LLP, dated as of
the filing of the registration statement and as of the date on which the
merger is to become effective, to the effect that the merger will qual-
ify for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment; and
. BB&T must have received signed employment agreements from Alfred B.
Whitt and Charles E. Curtis.
All representations and warranties of F&M will be evaluated at the date of
the merger agreement and at the time the merger becomes effective as though
made at the time the merger becomes effective (or, in the case of any
representation and warranty that specifically relates to an earlier date, on
the date designated), except as otherwise provided in the merger agreement or
consented to in writing by BB&T. The representations and warranties of F&M
concerning the following must be true and correct (except for de minimis
inaccuracies):
. its capitalization;
. its and its subsidiaries' organization and authority to conduct busi-
ness;
. its ownership of its subsidiaries and other equity interests;
. its authorization of, and the binding nature of, the merger agreement;
27
. the absence of conflict between the transactions in the merger agreement
and F&M's articles of incorporation or bylaws; and
. actions taken to exempt the merger from any applicable anti-takeover
laws.
Moreover, there must not be inaccuracies in the representations and warranties
of F&M in the merger agreement that, individually or in the aggregate, have or
are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on F&M and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole (evaluated without regard to whether the merger
is completed).
Conduct of F&M's and BB&T's Businesses Before the Merger Becoming Effective
Except with the consent of BB&T, not to be arbitrarily withheld or delayed,
until the merger is effective, neither F&M nor any of its subsidiaries may:
. carry on its business except in the ordinary course and in substantially
the same manner as previously conducted, or establish or acquire any new
subsidiary or engage in any new type of activity or expand any existing
activities;
. declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on its capital
stock other than regularly scheduled quarterly dividends of $0.25 per
share of F&M common stock payable in a manner consistent with past prac-
tices; provided that any dividend declared or payable on F&M common
stock must, unless otherwise agreed by BB&T and F&M, be declared with a
record date before the time the merger becomes effective only if the
record date for payment of the corresponding quarterly dividend to hold-
ers of BB&T common stock is before the time the merger becomes effec-
tive;
. issue any shares of capital stock, except pursuant to: (a) stock options
outstanding as of the date of the merger agreement or the stock option
granted to BB&T in connection with the merger agreement; or (b) the F&M
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan or the F&M 1998 Employee
Stock Discount Plan;
. issue, grant or authorize any rights to acquire capital stock or effect
any recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split or
similar change in capitalization;
. amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws;
. impose or permit the imposition or existence of any lien, charge or en-
cumbrance on any share of stock held by it in any F&M subsidiary or re-
lease any material right or cancel or compromise any debt or claim, in
each case other than in the ordinary course of business;
. merge or consolidate with any other entity or acquire control over any
other entity;
. dispose of or acquire any material amount of assets, other than in the
ordinary course of its business consistent with past practices;
. fail to comply in any material respect with any legal requirements ap-
plicable to it and to the conduct of its business;
. increase the compensation of any of its directors, officers or employees
(excluding increases resulting from the exercise of compensatory stock
options outstanding as of the date of the merger agreement), or pay or
agree to pay any bonus or provide any new employee benefit or incentive,
except for increases or payments made in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice pursuant to existing plans or arrange-
ments;
. enter into or substantially modify (except as may be required by law)
any employee benefit, incentive or welfare arrangement, or any related
trust agreement, relating to any of its directors, officers or other em-
ployees (other than renewals consistent with past practice);
28
. solicit inquiries or proposals with respect to, furnish any information
relating to, or participate in any negotiations or discussions concern-
ing, any other business combination with F&M or any F&M subsidiary, or
fail to notify BB&T immediately if any such inquiry or proposal is re-
ceived, any such information is requested or required or any such dis-
cussions are sought (except that this would not apply to furnishing in-
formation to, or participating in negotiations or discussions with, an
offeror following an unsolicited offer if the F&M Board determines in
good faith that the failure to furnish information, negotiate or discuss
would constitute a breach of its fiduciary duty to the F&M shareholders
based on written advice of legal counsel that, in its opinion, such
failure could reasonably be expected to constitute a breach of the F&M
Board's fiduciary duty);
. except as contemplated by the merger agreement, enter into (a) any mate-
rial agreement or commitment other than in the ordinary course, (b) any
agreement, indenture or other instrument other than in the ordinary
course relating to the borrowing of money by F&M or an F&M subsidiary or
guarantee by F&M or an F&M subsidiary of any obligation, (c) any agree-
ment or commitment relating to the employment or severance of a consul-
tant or the employment, severance or retention in office of any direc-
tor, officer or employee (except for the election of directors or the
reappointment of officers in the normal course) or (d) any contract,
agreement or understanding with a labor union;
. change its lending, investment or asset liability management policies in
any material respect, except as required by applicable law, regulation
or directives or as provided for in the merger agreement;
. change its methods of accounting in effect at December 31, 1999, except
as required by changes in accounting principles concurred in by BB&T
(which may not unreasonably withhold its concurrence) or change any of
its federal income tax reporting methods from those used in the prepara-
tion of its tax returns for the year ended December 31, 1999, except as
required by changes in law;
. incur any commitments for capital expenditures or obligations to make
capital expenditures in excess of $100,000 for any one expenditure or
$500,000 in the aggregate;
. incur any new indebtedness other than deposits from customers, advances
from the Federal Home Loan Bank or the Federal Reserve Bank and reverse
repurchase arrangements in the ordinary course of business;
. take any action that would or could reasonably be expected to (a) cause
the merger not to be accounted for as a pooling of interests or not to
constitute a tax-free reorganization as determined by BB&T, (b) result
in any inaccuracy of a representation or warranty that would permit ter-
mination of the merger agreement or (c) cause any of the conditions to
the merger to fail to be satisfied; or
. agree to do any of the foregoing.
Where specifically applicable, these restrictions generally did not apply to
actions that were taken incident to F&M's acquisitions of Atlantic Financial
Corp. and Community Bankshares of Maryland.
In addition, F&M has agreed:
. to take such actions as may be reasonably necessary to modify the struc-
ture of the merger, as long as the modification does not reduce the con-
sideration to be received by F&M shareholders, abrogate the covenants
contained in the merger agreement or substantially delay the completion
of the merger;
. to cooperate with BB&T in certain respects concerning (a) accounting and
financial matters necessary to facilitate the merger, including issues
arising in connection with record keeping, loan classification, valua-
tion adjustments, levels of loan loss reserves and other accounting
practices, and (b) F&M's lending, investment or asset/liability manage-
ment policies;
. to keep BB&T advised of all material developments relevant to its busi-
ness prior to completion of the merger; and
. to provide BB&T access to F&M's books and records.
29
The merger agreement also requires F&M to complete the acquisitions of Atlantic
Financial Corp. and Community Bankshares of Maryland in accordance with the
terms of the documents governing each acquisition. These acquisitions were
completed on February 26, 2001 and January 25, 2001, respectively.
Except with the consent of F&M, not to be arbitrarily withheld or delayed,
until the merger is effective, neither BB&T nor any of its subsidiaries may
take any action that would or might be expected to:
. cause the merger not to be accounted for as a pooling of interests or
not to constitute a tax-free reorganization;
. result in any inaccuracy of a representation or warranty that would al-
low termination of the merger agreement;
. cause any of the conditions precedent to the transactions contemplated
in the merger agreement to fail to be satisfied;
. exercise the stock option granted to BB&T by F&M in conjunction with the
merger agreement other than in accordance with its terms, or dispose of
the shares of F&M common stock that it acquires upon exercise of the op-
tion other than in accordance with the terms of the option; or
. fail to comply in any material respect with any laws, regulations, ordi-
nances or governmental actions applicable to it and to the conduct of
its business.
BB&T has also agreed to keep F&M advised of all material developments relevant
to its business before the completion of the merger.
Waiver; Amendment; Termination; Expenses
Except with respect to any required regulatory approval, BB&T or F&M may at
any time (whether before or after approval of the merger agreement by the F&M
shareholders) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of the other party and may waive (a) any inaccuracies of the other
party in the representations or warranties contained in the merger agreement or
any document delivered pursuant thereto, (b) compliance with any of the
covenants, undertakings or agreements of the other party, or satisfaction of
any of the conditions precedent to its obligations, contained in the merger
agreement or (c) the performance by the other party of any of its obligations
set out in the merger agreement. The parties may also mutually amend or
supplement the merger agreement in writing at any time. However, no extension,
waiver, amendment or supplement which would reduce either the exchange ratio or
the payment terms for fractional interests to be provided to holders of F&M
common stock upon completion of the merger will be made after the F&M
shareholders approve the merger agreement.
If any condition to the obligation of either party to complete the merger is
not fulfilled, that party will consider the materiality of such nonfulfillment.
In the case of the nonfulfillment of a material condition to F&M's obligations,
F&M will, if it determines it appropriate under the circumstances, resolicit
shareholder approval of the merger agreement and provide appropriate
information concerning the obligation that has not been satisfied.
The merger agreement may be terminated, and the merger may be abandoned:
. at any time before the merger becomes effective, by the mutual consent
in writing of BB&T and F&M;
. at any time before the merger becomes effective, by either party: (a) in
the event of a material breach by the other party of any covenant or
agreement contained in the merger agreement; or (b) in the event of an
inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of the other party con-
tained in the merger agreement that would provide the nonbreaching party
the ability to refuse to complete the merger under the applicable stan-
dard in the merger agreement (see "--Conditions to the Merger" on
30
page 26); and, in either case, if the breach or inaccuracy has not been
cured by the earlier of 30 days following notice of the breach or inac-
curacy to the party committing it or the time that the merger becomes
effective;
. at any time before the merger becomes effective, by either party in
writing, if any of the conditions precedent to the obligations of the
other party to complete the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement cannot be satisfied or fulfilled before the time the merger
becomes effective, and the party giving the notice is not in material
breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or undertak-
ings;
. at any time, by either party in writing, if any of the applications for
prior regulatory approval are denied and the time period for appeals and
requests for reconsideration has run;
. at any time, by either party in writing, if the shareholders of F&M do
not approve the merger agreement by the required vote;
. at any time following December 31, 2001 by either party in writing, if
the merger has not yet become effective and the party giving the notice
is not in material breach of any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or undertakings; or
. by F&M, under the circumstances described above under "--Exchange Ratio"
on page 22.
If the merger agreement is terminated pursuant to any of the provisions
described above, both the merger agreement will become void and have no
effect, except that (a) provisions in the merger agreement relating to
confidentiality and expenses will survive the termination and (b) a
termination for an uncured breach of a covenant or agreement or inaccuracy in
a representation or warranty will not relieve the breaching party from
liability for that breach or inaccuracy.
Each party will pay the expenses it incurs in connection with the merger
agreement and the merger, except that printing expenses and Securities and
Exchange Commission filing fees incurred in connection with the registration
statement and this proxy statement/prospectus will be paid 50% by BB&T and 50%
by F&M.
Interests of F&M's Directors and Officers in the Merger
Some members of F&M's management and the F&M Board have interests in the
merger that are in addition to or different from their interests as F&M
shareholders. The F&M Board was aware of these interests and considered them
in approving the merger agreement and the merger.
Employment Agreements
In connection with the merger, BB&T has agreed to cause Branch Banking and
Trust Company of Virginia ("Branch Bank-VA"), BB&T's Virginia bank subsidiary,
to enter into employment agreements with each of Alfred B. Whitt, F&M's Vice
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Charles E. Curtis, F&M's
Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer, as of the time the merger is
completed. Branch Bank-VA has also entered into employment agreements with
each of F. Dixon Whitworth, Jr., Executive Vice President of F&M and President
and Chief Executive Officer of F&M Trust Company, and T. Earl Rogers,
President and Chief Executive Officer of F&M Bank-Northern Virginia that will
become effective upon completion of the merger. In addition, Branch Bank-VA
has offered to enter into an employment agreement with Betty H. Carroll,
President and Chief Executive officer of F&M Bank-Winchester.
Messrs. Whitt, Curtis, Whitworth and Rogers, and other executive officers of
F&M, currently have employment agreements that become effective upon a change
in control of F&M that require any successor to continue the officer's
employment for a term of three years after the date of the change in control.
During this three-year term, the officers are to receive base salaries at
least equal to that paid in the most recently completed year and yearly
bonuses at least equal to the highest annual bonus paid in the two most
recently
31
completed years before the year in which the change in control occurs. If an
officer's employment is terminated during the three-year period following a
change in control other than for cause or disability (as those terms are
defined in the agreements), or if the officer terminates employment because a
material term is breached by the successor, the officer will be entitled to
receive a lump sum payment shortly after the date of termination in an amount
equal to a multiple (not to exceed 2.99 times) of the officer's base salary as
of the date of termination plus the highest annual bonus paid in the two most
recently completed years plus any amount contributed by the officer during the
most recently completed year pursuant to a salary reduction agreement or
compensation deferral arrangement.
Branch Bank-VA has offered to enter into an employment agreement with Mrs.
Carroll. Under the employment agreement her Salary Continuation Agreement with
F&M dated September 15, 1999 would be assumed by Branch Bank-VA, Mrs. Carroll's
rights under such agreement would vest on March 23, 2002 and payments of $4,500
per month would begin on April 1, 2002 and continue for 180 months. Branch
Bank-VA would also assume the obligations of F&M under the Management
Continuity Agreement with Mrs. Carroll dated November 22, 1999 and would pay
her salary continuance benefits under this agreement no later than April 5,
2002. The employment agreement offered to Mrs. Carroll by Branch Bank-VA would
provide that she will become a senior vice president of Branch Bank-VA and
serve as an advisor to the regional president until March 31, 2002. During her
employment she would receive her current salary, bonus and benefits (subject to
customary review). Mrs. Carroll would continue to participate in F&M's health
and dental benefits, life insurance, long-term disability and other benefit
programs until December 31, 2001 or an earlier date determined by Branch Bank-
VA. After such date she would participate in comparable Branch Bank-VA benefit
programs.
The employment agreements of Messrs. Whitt, Curtis, Whitworth and Rogers with
Branch Bank-VA will supersede their current employment agreements with F&M
except that their existing Salary Continuation Agreements with F&M will be
assumed and continued by Branch Bank-VA. The employment agreements to be
entered into by Messrs. Whitt and Curtis with Branch Bank-VA will provide that:
. each employee will become an Executive Vice President of Branch Bank-VA
and will receive an annual base salary of $420,000, in the case of Mr.
Whitt and $295,000, in the case of Mr. Curtis, subject to annual review
in accordance with the compensation policies and procedures of Branch
Bank-VA; and
. the employment term will begin when the merger is completed and will
terminate on the earlier of: (1) the 61st day after conversion of the
operating systems of F&M to the operating systems of BB&T; and (2) June
30, 2002. At the conclusion of the employment term, the employee will
become an independent consultant for a period of five years.
In addition, BB&T has agreed to pay Messrs. Whitt and Curtis the following
conditional amounts:
. if the merger is completed, Mr. Whitt will receive $39,500 and Mr. Cur-
tis will receive $19,500, payable within five days.
. if the conversion of the operating systems of F&M to those of Branch
Bank-VA is substantially completed, Mr. Whitt will receive $60,000 and
Mr. Curtis will receive $30,000, payable not later than the end of the
calendar quarter in which the conversion is substantially completed.
. if the integration of F&M's banking network and support, administrative
and back office functions with those of Branch Bank-VA is substantially
completed on or before the date of substantial completion of the conver-
sion described in the bulleted item immediately above, Mr. Whitt will
receive $50,000 and Mr. Curtis will receive $25,000 payable not later
than the end of the calendar quarter in which the integration is sub-
stantially completed.
32
If, before the date for payment of any one or more of the above amounts,
employment of the employee is terminated for any reason other than (A) by
Branch Bank-VA for reasons other than Just Cause (as defined in the employment
agreement), or (B) by the employee for Good Reason (as that term is defined in
the employment agreement) in the event of a Change of Control (as defined in
the employment agreement) of BB&T or Branch Bank-VA, or (C) as a result of the
employee's disability, or (D) by the employee on account of a breach of the
employment agreement by Branch Bank-VA which is not remedied within 20 days
following Branch Bank-VA's notice of such breach, the terminated employee will
not be entitled to receive the above payments with respect to the incomplete
tasks. A termination described in (A), (B), (C) or (D) will not deprive the
employee of the right to receive such payment. The conditional payments will be
compensation for payroll tax and income tax purposes but will not be taken into
account for purposes of determining benefits or contributions under any
retirement or other plan, program or arrangement of Branch Bank-VA or in
determining termination compensation of the employee as described herein.
Mr. Whitworth's employment agreement has a five-year term during which he
would serve as Regional President of Branch Bank-VA's Winchester, Virginia
region and receive a base salary of not less than $200,500, such amount to be
increased annually, beginning in April 2002, by an amount at least equal to the
average percentage increase for Branch Bank-VA's officers.
Mr. Rogers' employment agreement has a two-year term during which he would
serve as Regional President of Branch Bank-VA's Northern Virginia region and
receive a base salary of not less than $234,727, such amount to be increased in
January 2002 by an amount at least equal to the average budgeted percentage
increase for 2002 for Branch Bank-VA's officers and thereafter to be subject to
annual review in accordance with the compensation policies and procedures of
Branch Bank-VA. In addition, BB&T would pay the following conditional amounts:
. if the merger is completed, $15,000 to each of Mr. Whitworth and Mr.
Rogers, payable no later than the end of the calendar quarter in which
the merger is completed;
. if the conversion of the operating systems of F&M to those of Branch
Bank-VA is completed, $15,000 to each of Mr. Whitworth and Mr. Rogers,
payable not later than the end of the calendar quarter in which the con-
version is completed.
If Branch Bank-VA terminates the employment of the employee for Just Cause (as
that term is defined in the employment agreement), or if the employee
terminates his employment with Branch Bank-VA voluntarily (other than for Good
Reason (as described below) within 12 months following a change of control of
BB&T), the employee would not be entitled to receive either of the above
payments if its condition precedent has not then been satisfied. The payments
would not otherwise be conditional upon continuation of the employee's
employment with Branch Bank-VA. These payments would be deemed to be
compensation for income tax purposes, but would not be deemed to be
compensation or otherwise taken into account for purposes of determining
benefits or contributions in behalf of the employee under any retirement plan
or program of Branch Bank-VA or any other plan, program or arrangement of
Branch Bank-VA or in determining termination compensation of the employee as
described below.
By no later than the first day of the month following the date on which the
last of the F&M subsidiaries which is a bank is merged into BB&T or its
subsidiaries, Messrs. Whitt, Curtis, Whitworth and Rogers will be eligible to
participate in BB&T's Amended and Restated Short Term Incentive Plan. Before
inclusion in the BB&T Incentive Plan, Branch Bank-VA will continue in effect
for them the cash bonus program F&M has in effect at the time of the merger.
Mr. Whitt's bonus for the 2001 calendar year will be calculated pursuant to the
F&M cash bonus program but in no event will such bonus be less than $225,000.
Mr. Curtis' bonus for the 2001 calendar year will be calculated pursuant to the
F&M cash bonus program, but in no event will such bonus be less than $115,000.
Mr. Whitworth's bonus for each of the 2001, 2002 and 2003 calendar years will
be calculated pursuant to the cash bonus program of F&M or the BB&T Incentive
Plan, as applicable, but in no event will such bonus be less than $65,000. If
any of these employees earns amounts under both the F&M cash bonus program and
the BB&T Incentive Plan for any calendar year, Branch Bank-VA will adjust the
amounts
33
earned in such programs to avoid duplication and to prorate the portion of the
year in which the employee participated in each program. Neither Mr. Whitt, Mr.
Rogers nor Mr. Curtis will be eligible to earn a bonus under the BB&T Incentive
Plan for any calendar year if his consulting period (as described below)
commences or continues during such year. In addition, each of these employees
will be granted stock options annually under BB&T's Amended and Restated 1995
Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan or a successor plan on the same basis as similarly
situated officers of Branch Bank-VA, although the number of options granted, if
any, as of the first BB&T grant date will be equitably adjusted by BB&T to
avoid duplication of such options with any options to acquire F&M common stock
granted during the year ending on that first BB&T grant date. Neither Mr.
Whitt, Mr. Rogers nor Mr. Curtis will be granted options under the BB&T plan
for any year if, at the time options are granted under the BB&T plan for such
year, his consulting period (as described below) is in effect.
The employment agreements of Messrs. Whitt, Curtis, Rogers and Whitworth
further provide that the employee will receive, on the same basis as other
similarly situated officers of Branch Bank-VA, employee pension and welfare
benefits such as sick leave, vacation, group disability and health, life and
accident insurance and similar indirect compensation that may be extended to
similarly situated officers, such benefits to commence as of a date determined
by Branch Bank-VA, which date will be no later than when the last F&M
subsidiary which is a bank is merged into BB&T or one of its subsidiaries. F&M
plans that provide benefits of the same type or class as a corresponding BB&T
plan will continue in effect for the employees until such employees become
eligible to become a participant in the corresponding BB&T plan. Branch Bank-VA
will continue for the benefit of Messrs. Curtis and Whitt the $1 million life
insurance policy provided to employee by F&M if such policy is continued in
effect by F&M until the date of the merger. Except as described below,
employees will not be eligible to participate in or earn benefits under any of
the above employee pension and welfare benefit plans or programs after
commencement of the consulting period.
The employment agreements for Mr. Whitt, Mr. Rogers and Mr. Curtis provide
that, at the end of the employment period the employee will relinquish his
position with Branch Bank-VA and become an independent consultant to Branch
Bank-VA. As an independent consultant, the employee will render services as an
independent contractor (and not as an employee) in the nature of customer and
community relations, business development, employee relations and general
advice and assistance relating to Branch Bank-VA's customers and employees and
to the growth and development in Virginia and surrounding areas of the business
of Branch Bank-VA. These services will be rendered at times and on a schedule
determined by the employee, and reasonably convenient to both Branch Bank-VA
and the employee. The employee will not be required to maintain records of
hours worked or to work in accordance with any fixed schedule during the period
that he is a consultant.
During the five-year consulting period applicable to Mr. Whitt and Mr.
Curtis, the agreements of Mr. Whitt and Mr. Curtis will continue in full force
and effect in accordance with its terms, except that neither Mr. Whitt nor Mr.
Curtis will be entitled during the consulting period to receive base salary,
bonuses, stock options or employee benefits on the same basis as he would as an
employee of Branch Bank-VA. Instead, he will receive during the consulting
period:
. in settlement of all rights and benefits under the Management Continuity
Agreement entered into by the employee and F&M effective September 30,
1999, Branch Bank-VA will pay to Mr. Whitt the sum of $850,000 and to
Mr. Curtis the sum of $625,000, within five days after the commencement
of the consulting period;
. in consideration of covenants not to compete made in the employment
agreements, and as compensation for consulting services, Mr. Whitt will
receive during the consulting period the sum of $38,333.33 per month and
Mr. Curtis will receive $24,583.33 per month.
. in further consideration of his consulting services, the employee will
be provided the following during the consulting period: (1) family hos-
pitalization, health and dental insurance benefits on terms no less fa-
vorable than the employee would be entitled under F&M's retiree insur-
ance plans as in effect on January 23, 2001; (2) continuation (for the
benefit of the employee) of the $1,000,000 life insurance policy pro-
vided by F&M if such policy is continued in effect by F&M through the
date that the
34
merger becomes effective; (3) additional life insurance policy (or poli-
cies) on the employee's life providing a death benefit of $2,000,000 in
the case of Mr. Whitt and $1,000,000 in the case of Mr. Curtis for the
first two years of the consulting period and a death benefit of
$1,000,000 in the case of Mr. Whitt and $500,000 in the case of Mr. Cur-
tis for the final three years of the consulting period; and (4) the dis-
ability benefits otherwise provided for in the agreement.
During the consulting period Mr. Whitt and Mr. Curtis will be eligible to
participate in retiree life insurance benefits available to similarly situated
retirees of employer and in determining the employee's eligibility to
participate in such benefits service with F&M will be deemed to be service with
BB&T. The rights of Mr. Whitt and Mr. Curtis accrued or earned before the
merger with respect to stock options and benefits or payments from other plans,
programs and agreements provided by F&M including, without limitation, rights
under the F&M deferred compensation and salary continuation program will be
provided in the same manner as other F&M employees under the merger agreement.
If Mr. Whitt or Mr. Curtis is liable for the payment of any income tax
attributable to any premium paid by Branch Bank-VA on the life insurance
policies referred to above, Branch Bank-VA will pay to the employee an
additional amount such that, after payment by the employee of all such income
taxes attributable to the additional amount, employee retains an amount equal
to the amount of any income taxes attributable to the life insurance premium.
At the completion of the consulting periods of Mr. Whitt and Mr. Curtis: (1)
Mr. Whitt and Mr. Curtis will have the option to continue in effect at his own
expense, a portion of the life insurance policy described above and will
provide a death benefit of approximately $167,000 on terms no less favorable
than what the employee would be entitled under such policy as in effect on the
date the merger is effective and (2) Branch Bank-VA will continue in effect a
portion of the policy that provides a death benefit of approximately $10,000.
Branch Bank-VA will continue to provide to Mr. Whitt and Mr. Curtis, at
Branch Bank-VA's expense, after completion of the consulting periods of Mr.
Whitt and Mr. Curtis family hospitalization, health and dental insurance
benefits on terms no less favorable than what the employee would be entitled to
under F&M's retiree insurance plans as in effect on January 23, 2001.
In the event Mr. Whitt's or Mr. Curtis' service as an employee is terminated
before the consulting period or his service as a consultant is terminated
before the expiration of the consulting period, in either case (1) by Branch
Bank-VA for any reason other than Just Cause (as that term is defined in the
Employment Agreement), (2) within 12 months after a Change of Control for Good
Reason (as described herein), or (3) by the employee on account of a breach of
the employment agreement by Branch Bank-VA that is not remedied within 20 days
after it receives notice of the breach, the employee may be entitled to receive
payments he would have received during the consulting period and the employee
may be obligated to comply with the covenants not to compete to the same extent
he would have been obligated had the consulting period continued. If the
service of Mr. Whitt or Mr. Curtis as an employee is terminated before the
expiration of the term of his employment for Just Cause or if Mr. Whitt or Mr.
Curtis voluntarily terminates his employment for any reason other than as
described above, the consulting period will not begin and the employee would
not be entitled to receive the compensation described in this paragraph. In the
event the employee fails or refuses to render consulting services as requested
by Branch Bank-VA and the employee fails to remedy such failure within 20 days
following receipt by the employee of notice of such failure or if the employee
violates certain noncompetition covenants in the employment agreement, the
payments described in this paragraph will cease.
The consulting period for Mr. Rogers would be for one year. During the
consulting period, Mr. Rogers would receive $20,000 per month in consideration
for his consulting services and certain covenants not to compete. During the
consulting period, Mr. Rogers would not be entitled to participate in any
employee benefit plans or programs that Branch Bank-VA maintains for the
benefit of its employees. If Mr. Rogers becomes disabled prior to or during the
one-year consulting period, Branch Bank-VA will pay supplemental disability
insurance of $20,000 per month until the earlier of the first anniversary of
the disability or the end of the consulting period.
35
Each employment agreement for Messrs. Whitt, Curtis, Rogers and Whitworth
provides that, if Branch Bank-VA terminates the employee's employment other
than because of disability or for Just Cause, or, in the case of Mr. Whitworth
and Mr. Rogers, if the employee terminates his employment on account of a
material breach of the employment agreement by Branch Bank-VA that is not
remedied within 30 days following receipt of notice of such breach from the
employee, and if the employee complies with certain noncompetition provisions,
he will be entitled to receive as "Termination Compensation" annual
compensation equal to the highest amount of cash compensation (including
bonuses) received during any of the preceding three calendar years, payable for
the period commencing on the date of the termination and ending at the end of
the original employment term. In addition, the employee will continue to
receive health, retirement and other group employee benefits from Branch Bank-
VA on the same terms as were in effect before the termination, either under
Branch Bank-VA's plans or comparable coverage, during the time payments of
Termination Compensation are made.
Each employment agreement for Messrs. Whitt, Curtis, Rogers and Whitworth
further provides that, in the event of a "Change of Control" (as defined below)
of Branch Bank-VA or BB&T, the employee may voluntarily terminate employment
for "Good Reason" (as defined below) until twelve months after the Change of
Control and in lieu of any other benefits or payments herein provided (a) will
be entitled to receive in a lump sum (1) any compensation due but not yet paid
through the date of termination and (2) in lieu of any further salary payments
from the date of termination to the end of the employment period, an amount
equal to his Termination Compensation times 2.99, and (b) will continue for the
remainder of the employment period to receive health insurance coverage and
other group employee welfare benefits on the same terms as were in effect
either (1) at the date of termination or (2) if such plans and programs in
effect before the Change of Control were, considered together as a whole,
materially more generous to the officers of Branch Bank-VA than such plans and
programs at the date of the Change of Control.
"Good Reason" means any of the following events occurring without the written
consent of the employee in question:
. the assignment to him of duties inconsistent with the position and sta-
tus of the offices and positions held with Branch Bank-VA immediately
before the Change of Control;
. a reduction in his base salary as then in effect, or his exclusion from
participation in benefit plans in which he participated immediately be-
fore the Change of Control;
. an involuntary relocation of him more than 30 miles from the location
where he worked immediately before a Change of Control, or Branch Bank-
VA's breach of any material provision of the employment agreement; or
. any purported termination of his employment by Branch Bank-VA not ef-
fected in accordance with the employment agreement.
A "Change of Control" would be deemed to occur if:
. any person or group of persons (as defined in the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) together with its affiliates, excluding employee benefit
plans of Branch Bank-VA or BB&T, is or becomes the beneficial owner of
securities of Branch Bank-VA or BB&T representing 20% or more of the
combined voting power of Branch Bank-VA's or BB&T's then outstanding se-
curities;
. as a result of a tender offer or exchange offer for the purchase of se-
curities of Branch Bank-VA or BB&T (other than an offer by BB&T for its
own securities), or as a result of a proxy contest, merger, consolida-
tion or sale of assets, or as a result of any combination of the forego-
ing, individuals who at the beginning of any two-year period constitute
the BB&T Board, plus new directors whose election or nomination for
election by BB&T's shareholders is approved by a vote of at least two-
thirds of the directors still in office who were directors at the begin-
ning of the two-year period, cease for any reason during the two-year
period to constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the BB&T
Board;
36
. the shareholders of BB&T approve a merger or consolidation of BB&T with
any other corporation or entity, regardless of which entity is the sur-
vivor, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the
voting securities of BB&T outstanding immediately beforehand continuing
to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into
voting securities of the surviving entity) at least 40% of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of BB&T or the other surviving en-
tity outstanding immediately after the merger or consolidation;
. the shareholders of BB&T approve a plan of complete liquidation or wind-
ing-up of BB&T or an agreement for the sale or disposition by BB&T of
all or substantially all of BB&T's assets; or
. any other event occurs that the BB&T Board determines should constitute
a Change of Control.
If any of the payments to be made under any of the employment agreements
would constitute a "parachute payment," as defined in Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code and are made on account of a Change of Control, such
payments would be reduced by the smallest amount necessary so that no portion
of such payments would be a "parachute payment." A "parachute payment"
generally is a payment which is contingent on a change in the control of the
corporation and the present value of which equals or exceeds three times the
"base amount," which is generally defined as an individual's annualized
includable compensation for the "base period," which is generally the most
recent five taxable years ending before the date of the change in control.
Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code generally provide that if
"parachute payments" are paid to an individual, everything above the base
amount will be subject to a 20% excise tax payable by the individual (in
addition to the payment of regular income taxes on the payments), as well as be
nondeductible by the employer for federal income tax purposes.
The employment agreements for Mr. Whitt and Mr. Curtis provides that for any
taxable year(s) in which the employee is liable for the payment of an excise
tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (or any successor provision
thereto) (the "Excise Tax") with respect to any payment or benefit by BB&T or
Branch Bank-VA (except for certain payments or benefits resulting from a Change
of Control of BB&T or Branch Bank-VA), Branch Bank-VA will pay to the employee
an additional amount (the "Reimbursement Payment") such that the net amount of
the payments or benefits retained by the employee after deduction of any Excise
Tax imposed on the employee and any interest charges or penalties in respect of
the imposition of the Excise Tax and income taxes subject to the Reimbursement
Payment is equivalent, on an after-tax basis, to the amount that the employee
would have retained if the Excise Tax had not been imposed. For purposes of
determining the Reimbursement Payment, the employee is deemed to be taxed at
the highest federal, state and local marginal rates (taking into account any
phase-out of otherwise available deductions or exemptions) in the calendar year
in which the Reimbursement Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction
of federal income taxes that may be obtained from the deduction of state and
local income taxes.
In addition to the foregoing, Branch Bank-VA (or its successors) will
indemnify Mr. Whitt and Mr. Curtis from any and all losses and expenses which
the employee incurs as a result of any administrative or judicial review of the
employee's liability for the Excise Tax by the Internal Revenue Service or any
comparable state agency through a final judicial determination or final
administrative settlement of any dispute arising out of the employee's
liability for the Excise Tax or otherwise relating to the classification for
purposes of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of any payment or benefit
in the nature of compensation.
Branch Bank Board of Directors; Branch Bank-VA Board of Directors; Advisory
Boards
The merger agreement provides that Alfred B. Whitt, Vice Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer of F&M, will be elected to the boards of directors
of Branch Banking and Trust Company ("Branch Bank"), BB&T's bank subsidiary
organized under the laws of North Carolina, and Branch Bank-VA as of the time
the merger becomes effective. In addition, Charles E. Curtis, Vice Chairman and
Chief Administrative Officer of F&M, will be elected to the board of directors
of Branch Bank-VA. Each of Mr. Whitt and Mr. Curtis will be reelected (so long
as he continues to qualify) during the period that he is an Executive Vice
President of, or party to an employment agreement with, BB&T or one of its bank
subsidiaries. Members of the
37
board of directors of Branch Bank-VA and/or the board of directors of Branch
Bank who are not employees of BB&T or any of its affiliates are entitled to
receive fees for service on the board in accordance with BB&T's policies as in
effect from time to time.
After the merger becomes effective, the members of the F&M Board will be
offered a position on one of BB&T's local advisory boards. In addition, as of
the date that an F&M bank subsidiary is merged into a BB&T bank subsidiary, the
members of the board of directors of the F&M bank subsidiary will be offered a
position on BB&T's advisory board for the area in which the F&M subsidiary is
located. In particular, BB&T will establish an advisory board for the
Winchester, Virginia area and the members of the F&M Bank-Winchester board of
directors will be offered the opportunity to serve on that advisory board.
Membership of any person on any advisory board is conditional upon BB&T's
receipt of a noncompetition agreement from such person.
Each advisory board member will be reappointed until he or she is
disqualified for good reason, BB&T terminates the advisory board or he or she
attains the maximum age for advisory board service, which is currently age 70,
except that, for two years after the merger becomes effective, none of these
advisory board members will be prohibited from serving because he or she has
reached the maximum age for service.
For two years after the merger becomes effective, these new advisory board
members will receive fees equal in amount to the retainer and schedule of
attendance fees for directors of F&M (or the corresponding F&M bank subsidiary,
whichever is applicable) in effect on January 1, 2001. Thereafter, if they
continue to serve they will receive fees in accordance with BB&T's standard
schedule of advisory board service fees as in effect from time to time.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The merger agreement provides that BB&T or one of its subsidiaries will
maintain for three years after the merger becomes effective directors' and
officers' liability insurance covering directors and officers of F&M for acts
or omissions occurring before the merger becomes effective. This insurance will
provide at least the same coverage and amounts as contained in F&M's policy on
the date of the merger agreement, unless the annual premium on the policy would
exceed 150% of the annual premium payments on F&M's policy, in which case BB&T
would maintain the most advantageous policies of directors' and officers'
liability insurance obtainable for a premium equal to that amount. BB&T has
also agreed to indemnify (including advancing expenses to the extent permitted
by BB&T in accordance with its officer and director indemnification procedures)
all individuals who are or have been officers, directors or employees of F&M or
an F&M subsidiary before the merger becomes effective from any acts or
omissions in such capacities before the merger becomes effective to the extent
such indemnification is provided under the articles of incorporation or bylaws
of F&M and permitted under the North Carolina Business Corporation Act.
Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger
The following is a summary of the material anticipated federal income tax
consequences of the merger generally applicable to the shareholders of F&M and
to BB&T and F&M. This summary is not intended to be a complete description of
all of the federal income tax consequences of the merger. No information is
provided with respect to the tax consequences of the merger under any other tax
laws, including applicable state, local and foreign tax laws. In addition, the
following discussion may not be applicable with respect to certain specific
categories of shareholders, including but not limited to:
. corporations, trusts, dealers in securities, financial institutions, in-
surance companies or tax exempt organizations;
. persons who are not United States citizens or resident aliens or domes-
tic entities (partnerships or trusts);
38
. persons who are subject to alternative minimum tax (to the extent that
tax affects the tax consequences of the merger) or are subject to the
"golden parachute" provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (to the ex-
tent that tax affects the tax consequences of the merger);
. persons who acquired F&M stock pursuant to employee stock options or
otherwise as compensation if such shares are subject to any restriction
related to employment;
. persons who do not hold their shares as capital assets; or
. persons who hold their shares as part of a "straddle" or "conversion
transaction."
No ruling has been or will be requested from the Internal Revenue Service with
respect to the tax effects of the merger. The federal income tax laws are
complex, and a shareholder's individual circumstances may affect the tax
consequences to the shareholder. Consequently, each F&M shareholder is urged to
consult his or her own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences, including
the applicable United States federal, state, local, and foreign tax
consequences, of the merger to him or her.
Tax Consequences of the Merger Generally. In the opinion of Womble Carlyle
Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, counsel to BB&T:
. the merger will constitute a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code;
. each of BB&T and F&M will be a party to that reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(b) of the Internal Revenue Code;
. no gain or loss will be recognized by BB&T or F&M by reason of the merg-
er;
. the shareholders of F&M will recognize no gain or loss for federal in-
come tax purposes to the extent BB&T common stock is received in the
merger in exchange for F&M common stock;
. a shareholder of F&M who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of
BB&T common stock will recognize gain or loss as if the shareholder re-
ceived the fractional share and it was then redeemed for cash in an
amount equal to the amount paid by BB&T in respect of the fractional
share;
. the tax basis in the BB&T common stock received by a shareholder (in-
cluding any fractional share interest deemed received) will be the same
as the tax basis in the F&M common stock surrendered in exchange; and
. the holding period for BB&T common stock received (including any frac-
tional share interest deemed received) in exchange for shares of F&M
common stock will include the period during which the shareholder held
the shares of F&M common stock surrendered in exchange, provided that
the F&M common stock was held as a capital asset at the time the merger
becomes effective.
The completion of the merger is conditioned upon the receipt by BB&T and F&M
of the legal opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, counsel to BB&T,
dated as of the date the merger is completed, to the effect of the first and
fourth bulleted items described above. Neither party intends to waive this
condition. If the tax opinion is not available and the F&M Board determines to
proceed with the merger, F&M will resolicit its shareholders.
Cash Received in Lieu of a Fractional Share of BB&T Common Stock. A
shareholder of F&M who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of BB&T
common stock will be treated as having received the fractional share pursuant
to the merger and then as having exchanged the fractional share for cash in a
redemption by BB&T subject to Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code. As a
result, an F&M shareholder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount of cash received and the portion of the basis of
the shares of BB&T common stock allocable to his or her fractional interest.
This gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term
capital gain or loss if, as of the date of the exchange, the holding period for
such shares is greater than one year. Long-term capital gain of a non-corporate
holder is generally subject to tax at a maximum federal tax rate of 20%.
39
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. The payment of cash in lieu of
a fractional share of BB&T common stock to a holder surrendering shares of F&M
stock will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding at a rate
of 31% of the cash payable to the holder, unless the holder furnishes its
taxpayer identification number in the manner prescribed in applicable Treasury
Regulations, certifies that such number is correct, certifies as to no loss of
exemption from backup withholding and meets certain other conditions. Any
amounts withheld from payments to a holder under the backup withholding rules
will be allowed as a refund or credit against the holder's U.S. federal income
tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the Internal
Revenue Service.
Regulatory Considerations
Financial holding companies (such as BB&T) and bank holding companies (such
as F&M) and their depository institution subsidiaries are highly regulated
institutions, with numerous federal and state laws and regulations governing
their activities. These institutions are subject to ongoing supervision,
regulation and periodic examination by various federal and state financial
institution regulatory agencies. Financial holding companies that own one or
more commercial banks are considered bank holding companies under state and
federal law for certain transactions, including the merger. Detailed
discussions of this ongoing regulatory oversight and the laws and regulations
under which it is carried out can be found in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K
of BB&T and of F&M which are incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement/prospectus. Those discussions are qualified in their entirety by the
actual language of the laws and regulations, which are subject to change based
on possible future legislation and action by regulatory agencies. See "Where
You Can Find More Information" on page 65.
The merger and the subsidiary bank mergers are subject to regulatory
approvals, as set forth below. To the extent that the following information
describes statutes and regulations, it is qualified in its entirety by
reference to those particular statutes and regulations.
The Merger
The merger is subject to approval by the Federal Reserve under the Bank
Holding Company Act. In considering the approval of a transaction such as the
merger, this Act requires the Federal Reserve to review the financial and
managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and the
banks concerned and the convenience and needs of the communities to be served.
The Federal Reserve is also required to evaluate whether the merger would
result in a monopoly or would be in furtherance of any combination or
conspiracy or attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any part of the
United States or otherwise would substantially lessen competition or tend to
create a monopoly or which in any manner would be in restraint of trade. If the
Federal Reserve determines that there are anti-competitive consequences to the
merger, it will not approve the transaction unless it finds that the anti-
competitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed in the
public interest by the probable effect of the transaction in meeting the
convenience and needs of the communities to be served. In order to obtain
regulatory approval of the merger BB&T anticipates that it will be required to
divest certain deposits and related assets.
Where a transaction, such as the merger, is the acquisition by a bank holding
company of a bank holding company located in a state other than the home state
of the acquiring bank holding company (in this case North Carolina), the Act
authorizes the Federal Reserve to approve the transaction without regard to
whether such transaction is prohibited under the laws of any state, as long as
the bank holding company is adequately capitalized and adequately managed and
certain other limitations are not exceeded. BB&T is considered well-capitalized
and well-managed under the Federal Reserve's Regulation Y, and the transaction
does not exceed the other limitations.
The Federal Reserve also must review the nonbanking activities being acquired
in the merger (such as trust services and certain data processing services) to
determine whether the acquisition of such activities reasonably can be expected
to produce benefits to the public (such as greater convenience, increased
competition or gains in efficiency) that outweigh possible adverse effects
(such as undue concentration of
40
resources, decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of interest or unsound
banking practices). This consideration includes an evaluation by the Federal
Reserve of the financial and managerial resources of BB&T and its subsidiaries
and the nonbank subsidiaries of F&M, and the effect of the proposed transaction
on those resources, as well as whether the merger would result in a monopoly or
otherwise would substantially lessen competition.
The merger also is subject to approval by the Virginia Bureau of Financial
Institutions of the Virginia State Corporation Commission under the bank
holding company provisions of the Virginia Code, which permit an out-of-state
bank holding company with a Virginia bank subsidiary, such as BB&T, to acquire
a Virginia bank holding company, such as F&M, if the Bureau approves the
transaction. In its review of the merger, the Bureau will consider, among other
things, whether the transaction would be detrimental to the safety and
soundness of BB&T or the Virginia banks.
The merger also is subject to approval by the Maryland Commissioner of
Financial Regulation under the bank holding company act provisions of the
Maryland Financial Institutions Code, which permit a bank holding company, such
as BB&T, to directly or indirectly acquire a Maryland bank, such as F&M Bank-
Maryland, if the Maryland Commissioner approves the transaction. In its review
of the merger, the Maryland Commissioner is required to consider, among other
things, whether the merger would be detrimental to the safety and soundness of
the bank to be acquired and whether the merger would result in an undue
concentration of resources or a substantial reduction in competition in
Maryland.
BB&T must also apply to the West Virginia Commissioner of Banking to obtain
the approval of the West Virginia Board of Banking and Financial Institutions
to acquire F&M, as a bank holding company controlling a West Virginia bank. In
its review of the merger, the West Virginia Board is required to consider,
among other things, whether the merger would be detrimental to the safety and
soundness of the West Virginia bank to be acquired and whether the merger would
result in a substantial reduction in competition in any section of West
Virginia.
BB&T also must provide notice of the merger to The Georgia Department of
Banking and Finance at least 30 days before consummating the merger because
BB&T owns a bank subsidiary with banking offices in Georgia.
BB&T has filed the required applications and notices with the Federal Reserve
and the appropriate state banking regulators of Virginia, Maryland, and West
Virginia. Although BB&T does not know of any reason why it will not obtain
approval from these regulators in a timely manner, BB&T cannot be certain when
it will obtain them or that it will obtain them at all.
The Subsidiary Bank Mergers
Although not required by the terms of the merger agreement, BB&T expects to
effect the subsidiary bank mergers during the first quarter of 2002. The
subsidiary bank mergers are each subject to approval of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation under the Bank Merger Act. In granting its approval under
the Bank Merger Act, the FDIC must consider the financial and managerial
resources and future prospects of the existing and proposed institutions and
the convenience and needs of the communities to be served. Further, the FDIC
may not approve any subsidiary bank merger if it would result in a monopoly, if
it would be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy to monopolize or to
attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any part of the United States,
if the effect of the subsidiary bank merger in any section of the country may
be to substantially lessen competition or to tend to create a monopoly or if it
would be in any other manner in restraint of trade, unless the FDIC finds that
the anticompetitive effects of the subsidiary bank merger are clearly
outweighed in the public interest by the probable effect of such merger in
meeting the convenience and needs of the communities to be served. In addition,
the FDIC must take into account the record of performance of the existing and
proposed institution under the Community Reinvestment Act in meeting the credit
needs of the community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods,
served by such institution. Applicable
41
regulations also require publication of notice of the application for approval
of the subsidiary bank mergers and an opportunity for the public to comment on
the applications in writing and to request a hearing.
The Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions also must approve the merger of
F&M's subsidiary banks located in Virginia with and into Branch Bank-VA under
the bank merger act provisions of the Virginia Code, which authorize the merger
of two Virginia chartered banks, where a Virginia chartered bank is the
resulting bank.
The North Carolina Commissioner of Banks also must approve the mergers of F&M
Bank-Maryland and F&M Bank-West Virginia with and into Branch Bank under the
bank merger act provisions of the North Carolina General Statutes. In its
review of the these bank mergers, the N.C. Commissioner is required to consider
whether the interests of the depositors, creditors and shareholders of each
institution are protected, whether the merger is in the public interest and
whether the merger is for legitimate purposes.
The Maryland Commissioner also must approve the merger of F&M Bank-Maryland
with and into Branch Bank under the bank merger act provisions of the Maryland
Financial Institutions Code. In its review of the merger, the Maryland
Commissioner is required to consider whether the agreement of merger is fair
and whether it provides an adequate capital structure and whether the merger is
against the public interest.
Branch Bank must also provide notice to the West Virginia Commissioner of
Banking under the West Virginia Code, which permits an out-of-state bank to
merge with a West Virginia bank if the Commissioner does not object to the
transaction. The Commissioner may object to the transaction if the merger will
result in a high concentration of deposits controlled by one depository
institution and its affiliates.
Branch Bank-VA and Branch Bank expect to file these required applications and
notices closer to the expected consummation date of the subsidiary bank
mergers.
Accounting Treatment
It is anticipated that the merger will be accounted for as a pooling-of-
interests transaction under generally accepted accounting principles. Under
this accounting method, holders of F&M common stock will be deemed to have
combined their existing voting common stock interest with that of holders of
BB&T common stock by exchanging their F&M shares for shares of BB&T common
stock. Accordingly, the book value of the assets, liabilities and shareholders'
equity of F&M, as reported on its consolidated balance sheet, will be carried
over to the consolidated balance sheet of BB&T, and no goodwill will be
created. BB&T will be able to include in its consolidated income the
consolidated income of F&M for the entire fiscal year in which the merger
occurs; however, certain expenses incurred to effect the merger must be treated
by BB&T as current charges against income rather than adjustments to its
balance sheet. The unaudited pro forma financial information contained in this
proxy statement/prospectus has been prepared using the pooling-of-interests
method of accounting.
Option Agreement
General
As a condition to BB&T entering into the merger agreement, F&M granted BB&T
an option to purchase up to 2,062,000 newly issued shares of F&M common stock
(subject to adjustment in certain circumstances) at a price of $26.37 per share
(also subject to adjustment under certain circumstances). The purchase of any
shares of F&M common stock pursuant to the option is subject to compliance with
applicable law, including the receipt of necessary approvals under the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, and to BB&T's compliance with its covenants in the
merger agreement.
The option agreement may have the effect of discouraging persons who, before
the merger becomes effective, might be interested in acquiring all of, or a
significant interest in, F&M from considering or
42
proposing such an acquisition, even if they were prepared to offer to pay
consideration to shareholders of F&M with a higher current market price than
the BB&T common stock to be received for F&M common stock pursuant to the
merger agreement. Consequently, the option agreement is intended to increase
the likelihood that the merger will be completed in accordance with the terms
set forth in the merger agreement.
The option agreement is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, of
which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part, and the following discussion
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the option agreement. See "Where
You Can Find More Information" on page 65.
Exercisability
If BB&T is not in material breach of the option agreement or its covenants
and agreements contained in the merger agreement and if no injunction or other
court order against delivery of the shares covered by the option is in effect,
BB&T may generally exercise the option, in whole or in part, at any time and
from time to time before its termination, as described below, following the
happening of either of the following events (each a "Purchase Event"):
. without BB&T's consent, F&M authorizes, recommends, publicly proposes
(or publicly announces an intention to authorize, recommend or propose)
or enters into an agreement with any third party to effect any of the
following (each an "Acquisition Transaction"): (a) a merger, consolida-
tion or similar transaction involving F&M or any of its significant sub-
sidiaries, (b) the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of 15% or
more of the consolidated assets or deposits of F&M and its subsidiaries
or (c) the issuance, sale or other disposition of securities represent-
ing 15% or more of the voting power of F&M or any of its significant
subsidiaries; or
. any third party or group of third parties acquires or has the right to
acquire beneficial ownership of securities representing 15% or more of
the outstanding shares of F&M common stock.
The obligation of F&M to issue shares of F&M common stock upon exercise of
the option will be deferred (but will not terminate) (a) until the receipt of
all required governmental or regulatory approvals or consents, or until the
expiration or termination of any waiting period required by law, or (b) so long
as any injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by any federal or
state court of competent jurisdiction is in effect that prohibits the sale or
delivery of the shares.
Termination
The option will terminate upon the earliest to occur of the following events:
(a) the time the merger becomes effective; (b) the termination of the merger
agreement before the occurrence of a Purchase Event or a Preliminary Purchase
Event (as defined below) (other than a termination by BB&T based on either a
material breach by F&M of a covenant or agreement in the merger agreement or an
inaccuracy in F&M's representations or warranties in the merger agreement of a
nature entitling BB&T to terminate (a "Default Termination"); (c) 12 months
after a Default Termination; (d) 12 months after termination of the merger
agreement (other than a Default Termination) following the occurrence of a
Purchase Event or a Preliminary Purchase Event; or (e) 12 months after a
termination of the merger agreement based on the failure of the shareholders of
F&M to approve the merger agreement.
A "Preliminary Purchase Event" is defined as either of the following:
. the commencement by any third party of a tender or exchange offer such
that it would thereafter own 15% or more of the outstanding shares of
F&M common stock or the filing of a registration statement with respect
to such an offer; or
. the failure of the shareholders of F&M to approve the merger agreement,
the failure of the meeting to have been held, the cancellation of the
meeting before the termination of the merger agreement or the F&M Board
having withdrawn or modified in any manner adverse to BB&T its recommen-
dations
43
with respect to the merger agreement, in any case after a third party:
(a) proposes to engage in an Acquisition Transaction, (b) commences a
tender offer or files a registration statement under the Securities Act
of 1933 with respect to an exchange offer such that it would thereafter
own 15% or more of the outstanding shares of F&M common stock or (c)
files an application or notice under federal or state statutes relating
to the regulation of financial institutions or their holding companies
to engage in an Acquisition Transaction.
To the knowledge of BB&T and F&M, no Purchase Event or Preliminary Purchase
Event has occurred as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus.
Adjustments
The option agreement provides for certain adjustments in the option in the
event of any change in F&M common stock by reason of a stock dividend, stock
split, split-up, recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares or similar
transaction or in the event of the issuance of any additional shares of F&M
common stock before termination of the option.
Repurchase Rights
At the request of the holder of the option any time during the 12 months
after the first occurrence of a Repurchase Event (as defined below), F&M must,
if the option has not terminated, and subject to any required regulatory
approval, repurchase from the holder (a) the option and (b) all shares of F&M
common stock purchased by the holder pursuant to the option with respect to
which the holder then has beneficial ownership. The repurchase will be at an
aggregate price equal to the sum of:
. the aggregate purchase price paid by the holder for any shares of F&M
common stock acquired pursuant to the option with respect to which the
holder then has beneficial ownership, plus
. the excess, if any, of (a) the Applicable Price (as defined in the op-
tion agreement) for each share of F&M common stock over the purchase
price, multiplied by (b) the number of shares of F&M common stock with
respect to which the option has not been exercised, plus
. the product of (a) the excess, if any, of the Applicable Price over the
purchase price paid (or payable in the case of the exercise of the op-
tion for which the closing date has not occurred) by the holder for each
share of F&M common stock with respect to which the option has been ex-
ercised and with respect to which the holder then has beneficial owner-
ship (or the right to beneficial ownership if the option is exercised
but the closing date has not occurred) multiplied by (b) the number of
such shares.
A "Repurchase Event" occurs if: (a) any third party or "group" (as defined
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) acquires beneficial ownership of
50% or more of the then outstanding shares of F&M common stock, or (b) any of
the merger or other business combination transactions set forth in the
paragraph below describing substitute options is completed.
Substitute Options
If, before the termination of the option agreement, F&M enters into an
agreement:
. to consolidate with or merge into any third party and F&M will not be
the continuing or surviving corporation of the consolidation or merger;
. to permit any third party to merge into F&M with F&M as the continuing
or surviving corporation, but, in connection therewith, the then out-
standing shares of F&M common stock are changed into or exchanged for
stock or other securities of F&M or any other person or cash or any
other property, or the outstanding shares of F&M common stock after the
merger represent less than 50% of the outstanding shares and share
equivalents of the merged company;
44
. to permit any third party to acquire all of the outstanding shares of
F&M common stock pursuant to a statutory share exchange; or
. to sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its assets or
deposits to any third party,
then the agreement must provide that the option will be converted or exchanged
for an option to purchase shares of common stock of, at the holder's option,
either (x) the continuing or surviving corporation of a merger or consolidation
or the transferee of all or substantially all of F&M's assets or (y) any person
controlling the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee. The number
of shares subject to the substitute option and the exercise price per share
will be determined in accordance with a formula in the option agreement. To the
extent possible, the substitute option will contain terms and conditions that
are the same as those in the option agreement.
Registration Rights
The option agreement grants to BB&T and any permitted transferee of the
option certain rights to require F&M to prepare and file a registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933 for a period of 24 months following
termination of the merger agreement if registration is necessary in order to
permit the sale or other disposition of any or all shares of F&M common stock
or other securities that have been acquired by or are issuable upon exercise of
the option.
Effect on Employee Benefit Plans and Stock Options
Employee Benefit Plans
As of a date (the "benefit plan date") determined by BB&T to be not later
than the first day following the calendar year during which the last of F&M's
bank subsidiaries is merged into BB&T or one of its subsidiaries, BB&T will
cause F&M's 401(k) plan either to be merged with BB&T's 401(k) plan, to be
frozen or to be terminated, as determined by BB&T and subject to receipt of
applicable regulatory approvals. Each employee of F&M at the time the merger
becomes effective who: (a) is a participant in F&M's 401(k) plan; (b) becomes
an employee of BB&T or a BB&T subsidiary (a "BB&T employer") at the time the
merger becomes effective, and (c) continues in the employment of a BB&T
employer until the benefit plan date, will be eligible to participate in BB&T's
401(k) plan as of that date. Any other former employee of F&M who becomes
employed by a BB&T employer on or after the benefit plan date will be eligible
to participate in BB&T's 401(k) plan upon complying with eligibility
requirements. All rights to participate in BB&T's 401(k) plan are subject to
BB&T's right to amend or terminate the plan. BB&T will maintain F&M's 401(k)
plan for the benefit of participating employees until the benefit plan date. In
administering BB&T's 401(k) plan, service with F&M and its subsidiaries will be
deemed service with BB&T for participation and vesting purposes, but not for
benefit accrual purposes. In addition, BB&T has agreed that F&M's 401(k) plan
may be amended before the time the merger becomes effective to provide that the
participants will be fully vested in their accrued benefits as of the time the
merger becomes effective.
Each employee of F&M or an F&M subsidiary at the time the merger becomes
effective who becomes an employee of a BB&T employer immediately after the
merger becomes effective (a "transferred employee") will be eligible to
participate in group hospitalization, medical, dental, life, disability and
other welfare benefit plans and programs available to employees of the BB&T
employer, subject to the terms of the plans and programs, as of the benefit
plan date with respect to each such plan or program, conditional upon the
transferred employee's being employed by the BB&T employer as of the benefit
plan date and subject to complying with eligibility requirements of the
respective plans and programs. With respect to health care coverage,
participation in BB&T's plans may be subject to availability of HMO options. In
any case in which HMO coverage is not available, substitute coverage will be
provided that may not be fully comparable to the HMO coverage. With respect to
any benefit plan or program of F&M that a BB&T employer determines, in its sole
discretion, provides benefits of the same type or class as a corresponding plan
or program maintained by
45
the BB&T employer, the BB&T employer will continue the F&M plan or program in
effect for the benefit of the transferred employees so long as they remain
eligible to participate and until they become eligible to participate in the
corresponding plan or program maintained by the BB&T employer (and, with
respect to any such plan or program, subject to complying with eligibility
requirements and subject to the right of the BB&T employer to terminate the
plan or program). For purposes of administering these plans and programs,
service with F&M will be deemed to be service with the BB&T employer for the
purpose of determining eligibility to participate and vesting (if applicable)
in such plans and programs (including for purposes of determining the cost of
participation in BB&T's retiree health benefit plan), but not for the purpose
of computing benefits, if any, determined in whole or in part with reference to
service (except as otherwise described below).
Except to the extent of commitments in the merger agreement or other
contractual commitments specifically made or assumed by BB&T, neither BB&T nor
any BB&T employer will have any obligation arising from the merger to continue
any transferred employees in its employ or in any specific job or to provide to
any transferred employee any specified level of compensation or any incentive
payments, benefits or perquisites. Each transferred employee who is terminated
by a BB&T employer after the merger becomes effective, excluding any employee
who has a then-existing contract providing for severance, will be entitled to
severance pay in accordance with the general severance policy maintained by
BB&T, if and to the extent that the employee is entitled to severance pay under
that policy. Such an employee's service with F&M or an F&M subsidiary will be
treated as service with BB&T for purposes of determining the amount of
severance pay, if any, under BB&T's severance policy.
BB&T has agreed to honor all employment agreements, severance agreements and
deferred compensation agreements that F&M and its subsidiaries have with their
current and former employees and directors and which have been disclosed to
BB&T pursuant to the merger agreement, except to the extent any agreements are
superseded or terminated when the merger becomes effective or thereafter.
Except for these agreements and except as otherwise described above, the
employee benefit plans of F&M will be frozen, terminated or merged into
comparable plans of BB&T, as BB&T may determine in its sole discretion.
F&M has agreed that, before the time the merger becomes effective, it will
terminate F&M's Employee Stock Ownership Plan, repay any outstanding
indebtedness of such plan and allocate shares of F&M common stock to the
participants in such plan in accordance with its terms. No purchase will be
made of shares of F&M common stock after the date of the merger agreement.
F&M has also agreed that, before the time the merger becomes effective, it
will cause the F&M 1998 Employee Stock Discount Plan to be terminated in
accordance with applicable law and regulations. The F&M Dividend Reinvestment
and Stock Purchase Plan will be either: (1) merged with the BB&T Dividend
Reinvestment Plan after the time the merger becomes effective; (2) frozen or
terminated by BB&T after the time the merger becomes effective; or (3) at
BB&T's request, frozen or terminated by F&M before the merger becomes
effective; in each case as determined by BB&T and subject to the receipt of all
applicable regulatory or governmental approvals.
Stock Options
At the time the merger becomes effective, each then outstanding stock option
granted under F&M's various stock option plans (or other stock option or
similar plans maintained by or for any of the institutions, or their
subsidiaries, party to F&M's acquisitions of Atlantic Financial Corp. and
Community Bankshares of Maryland) will be converted into rights with respect to
BB&T common stock. Unless it elects to substitute options as described below,
BB&T will assume each of these stock options in accordance with the terms of
the F&M plan, except that: (a) BB&T and the compensation committee of the BB&T
Board will be substituted for F&M and its committee with respect to
administering its stock option plan; (b) each stock option may be exercised
solely for shares of BB&T common stock; (c) the number of shares of BB&T common
stock subject to each stock option will be the number of whole shares (omitting
any fractional share) determined by multiplying the number of shares of F&M
common stock subject to the stock option by the exchange ratio in
46
the merger and (d) the per share exercise price for each stock option will be
adjusted by dividing the per share exercise price for the stock option by the
exchange ratio in the merger and rounding up to the nearest cent.
As an alternative to assuming the stock options, BB&T may choose to
substitute options under the BB&T Corporation 1995 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan
or any other comparable plan for all or a part of the F&M stock options,
subject to the adjustments described in (c) and (d) in the preceding paragraph
and the conditions that such substitution will not constitute a modification,
extension or renewal of any such stock options, and that the substituted
options continue in effect on the same terms and conditions provided in F&M's
stock option plans and the stock option agreements relating to the options.
BB&T will deliver to each participant in the stock option plan who receives
converted or substitute options an appropriate notice setting forth the
participant's rights with respect to the converted or substitute options.
Each stock option that is an incentive stock option will be adjusted as
required by Section 424 of the Internal Revenue Code to continue as an
incentive stock option and not to constitute a modification, extension or
renewal within the meaning of Section 424(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
BB&T has reserved and will continue to reserve adequate shares of BB&T common
stock for the exercise of any converted or substitute options. As soon as
practicable after the effective time of the merger, if it has not already done
so and to the extent F&M then has a registration statement in effect or an
obligation to file a registration statement, BB&T will file a registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the shares of BB&T
common stock subject to converted or substitute options and will use its
reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement
(and maintain the current status of the related prospectus or prospectuses) for
so long as the converted or substitute options remain outstanding.
Based on stock options outstanding as of the date of the merger agreement and
those assumed in connection with F&M's acquisitions of Atlantic Financial Corp.
and Community Bankshares of Maryland and subsequent exercises, options to
purchase an aggregate of approximately 336,013 shares of F&M common stock may
be outstanding at the effective time of the merger. Any shares of F&M common
stock issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options under the stock option
plans before the effective time of the merger will be converted into shares of
BB&T common stock and cash instead of any fractional share interest in the same
manner as other outstanding shares of F&M common stock.
Eligibility to receive stock option grants after the effective time of the
merger will be determined by BB&T in accordance with its plans and procedures
and subject to any contractual obligations.
Restrictions on Resales by Affiliates
The shares of BB&T common stock to be issued in the merger will be registered
under the Securities Act of 1933 and will be freely transferable, except any
shares received by any shareholder who may be deemed to be an "affiliate" of
F&M at the effective time of the merger for purposes of Rule 145 under the
Securities Act. Affiliates of F&M may sell their shares of BB&T common stock
acquired in the merger: (a) only in transactions registered under the
Securities Act or permitted by the resale provisions of Rule 145 under the
Securities Act or as otherwise permitted by the Securities Act; and (b)
following the publication of financial results of at least 30 days of post-
merger combined operations of BB&T and F&M, as required by the SEC's Accounting
Series Release Nos. 130 and 135. Persons who may be deemed affiliates of F&M
generally include individuals or entities that directly, or indirectly through
one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by or are under common
control with F&M and include directors and certain executive officers of F&M.
The restrictions on resales by an affiliate extend also to related parties of
the affiliate, including parties related by marriage who live in the same home
as the affiliate.
F&M has agreed to use its best efforts to cause each of its affiliates to
deliver to BB&T a written agreement to the effect generally that he or she will
not offer to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares
47
of BB&T common stock issued to that person in the merger, except in compliance
with (a) the Securities Act and the related rules and regulations and (b) the
requirements of the accounting releases described above.
Charitable Contribution
Consistent with the long history of civic involvement and community support
of both BB&T and F&M, following consummation of the merger, BB&T will donate
the W.M. Feltner Building in Winchester, Virginia to the F&M Charitable
Foundation, a charitable trust formed by F&M and will make a $500,000 cash
contribution to the Foundation.
INFORMATION ABOUT BB&T
General
BB&T is a financial services holding company headquartered in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina. BB&T conducts operations in North Carolina, South Carolina,
Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., Georgia, West Virginia, Kentucky and
Tennessee primarily through its commercial banking subsidiaries and, to a
lesser extent, through its other subsidiaries. Substantially all of BB&T's
loans are to businesses and individuals in the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland,
Washington D.C., West Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee. BB&T's
principal commercial bank subsidiaries are Branch Banking and Trust Company
("Branch Bank"), Branch Banking and Trust Company of South Carolina ("Branch
Bank-SC") and Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia ("Branch Bank-VA"),
excluding bank subsidiaries of recently acquired bank holding companies that
are expected to be merged into one of BB&T's subsidiaries. The principal assets
of BB&T are all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Branch
Bank, Branch Bank-SC and Branch Bank-VA.
Operating Subsidiaries
Branch Bank, BB&T's largest subsidiary, is the oldest bank in North Carolina
and currently operates through 334 banking offices throughout North Carolina,
89 offices in metropolitan Washington, D.C. and Maryland, 100 offices in
Georgia, 33 offices in Tennessee and 95 offices in West Virginia and Kentucky.
Branch Bank provides a wide range of banking and trust services in its local
market for retail and commercial customers, including small and mid-size
businesses, public agencies and local governments and individuals. Operating
subsidiaries of Branch Bank include: Raleigh, North Carolina-based BB&T
Insurance Services, Inc., which offers life, property and casualty and title
insurance on an agency basis; Florence, South Carolina-based Prime Rate Premium
Finance Corporation, Inc., which provides insurance premium financing and
services to customers in Virginia and the Carolinas; Charlotte, North Carolina-
based BB&T Leasing Corporation, which offers lease financing to commercial
businesses and municipal governments; and Charlotte, North Carolina based BB&T
Investment Services, Inc., which offers customers investment alternatives,
including discount brokerage services, fixed-rate and variable-rate annuities,
mutual funds, and government and municipal bonds.
Branch Bank-SC serves South Carolina through 101 banking offices. Branch
Bank-SC provides a wide range of banking and trust services in its local market
for retail and commercial customers, including small and mid-size businesses,
public agencies, local governments and individuals.
Branch Bank-VA offers a full range of commercial and retail banking services
through 141 banking offices throughout Virginia.
Scott & Stringfellow, Inc. provides services in retail brokerage,
institutional equity and debt underwriting, investment advice, corporate
finance, equity trading, equity research and in the origination, trading and
distribution of fixed income securities and equity products in both the public
and private capital markets.
BB&T also has a number of other operating subsidiaries. Regional Acceptance
Corporation specializes in indirect financing for consumer purchases of mid-
model and late-model used automobiles. BB&T Factors
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Corporation buys and manages account receivables primarily in the furniture,
textile and home furnishings-related industries. W.E. Stanley & Company, Inc.
is primarily engaged in actuarial and employee group, health and welfare
benefit plan consulting, plan administration, and the design, communication and
administration of all types of corporate retirement plans. Sheffield Financial
Corp. specializes in loans to small commercial lawn care businesses across the
country. BB&T Bankcard Corporation is a special purpose credit card bank.
Completed Acquisitions
BB&T's profitability and market share have been enhanced through internal
growth and acquisitions of both financial and nonfinancial institutions during
recent years. BB&T's most recent acquisitions include the following:
On June 14, 2000, BB&T acquired Hardwick Holding Company in a tax-free
transaction accounted for as a pooling of interests. Through its banking
subsidiaries, Hardwick operated nine banking offices in northwest Georgia. It
is expected that Hardwick Bank & Trust and First National Bank of Northwest
Georgia, subsidiary banks of BB&T (as the successor to Hardwick), will be
merged into Branch Bank during the second quarter of 2001.
On June 16, 2000, BB&T acquired First Banking Company of Southeast Georgia in
a tax-free transaction accounted for as a pooling of interests. Through its
banking subsidiaries, First Banking Company operated 12 banking offices in
southeast Georgia. The acquisition of First Banking Company expanded BB&T's
presence into southeast Georgia, including specifically the Savannah area. It
is expected that First Bulloch Bank & Trust Company of Statesboro, Metter
Banking Company of Metter, First National Bank of Effingham and Wayne National
Bank of Jessup, subsidiary banks of BB&T (as the successor to First Banking
Company), will be merged into Branch Bank during the second quarter of 2001.
On July 6, 2000, BB&T acquired One Valley Bancorp in a tax-free transaction
accounted for as a pooling of interests that gave BB&T the top market share in
West Virginia. One Valley, with $6.6 billion in assets, was the parent company
to nine community banks with 125 branches, 77 in West Virginia and 48 in
Virginia. One Valley also operated a trust division, discount brokerage
subsidiary and insurance agencies. The former banking subsidiaries of One
Valley were merged into Branch Bank or Branch Bank-VA in November 2000.
On December 27, 2000, BB&T acquired BankFirst Corporation in a tax-free
transaction accounted for as a purchase. In the transaction, BankFirst
Corporation shareholders received 0.4554 shares of BB&T common stock for each
share of BankFirst Corporation common stock and 1.406 shares of BB&T common
stock for each share of BankFirst Corporation preferred stock. BankFirst
Corporation, with $848.8 million in assets, operated 32 offices in Knox,
Sevier, Blount, Loudon, McMinn and Jefferson Counties of Tennessee through its
banking subsidiaries. The acquisition gave BB&T its first entry into Tennessee
and expanded its presence along Interstate 75 and Interstate 81. It is expected
that BankFirst and First National Bank and Trust Company, subsidiary banks of
BB&T (as the successor to BankFirst Corporation ), will be merged into Branch
Bank during July 2001.
On January 8, 2001, BB&T acquired FCNB Corp of Frederick, Maryland in a tax-
free transaction accounted for as a pooling of interests. In the transaction,
FCNB shareholders received 0.725 shares of BB&T common stock for each share of
FCNB common stock. FCNB, with $1.6 billion in assets, operated 34 banking
offices, primarily in Frederick and Montgomery counties of central Maryland,
through its banking subsidiary, FCNB Bank. The acquisition expanded BB&T's
presence in economically strong central Maryland and the fast-growing
Washington, D.C. corridor. FCNB Bank, a subsidiary bank of BB&T (as the
successor to FCNB), was merged into Branch Bank during March 2001.
On March 2, 2001, BB&T acquired FirstSpartan Financial Corp. of Spartanburg,
South Carolina in a tax-free transaction accounted for as a purchase. In the
transaction, FirstSpartan shareholders received one share of BB&T common stock
for each share of FirstSpartan common stock. FirstSpartan, with $591 million in
assets,
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operated 11 banking offices in South Carolina's Spartanburg and Greenville
counties through its banking subsidiaries. The acquisition increased BB&T's
South Carolina assets to $5.8 billion. It is expected that First Federal Bank,
a subsidiary of BB&T (as successor to FirstSpartan), will be merged into Branch
Bank-SC during the third quarter of 2001.
Pending Acquisitions
BB&T has recently announced the following acquisitions:
On December 5, 2000, BB&T announced that it had agreed to acquire Century
South Banks, Inc. of Alpharetta, Georgia in a tax-free transaction to be
accounted for as a pooling of interests. In the transaction, valued at $428.2
million based on BB&T's closing price on December 5, Century South shareholders
would receive 0.93 shares of BB&T common stock for each share of Century South
common stock. Century South, with $1.6 billion in assets, operates 40 banking
offices through 12 community banking subsidiaries. The acquisition, which is
expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2001, would expand BB&T's
franchise in the metropolitan Atlanta, Savannah, Macon and north Georgia areas.
On January 24, 2001, BB&T announced that it had agreed to acquire Virginia
Capital Bancshares, Inc. of Fredericksburg, Virginia in a tax-free transaction
to be accounted for as a purchase. In the transaction, valued at $180.5 million
based on BB&T's closing price on January 23, Virginia Capital shareholders
would receive not less than 0.4958 or more than 0.6060 of a share of common
stock of BB&T common stock. Through its subsidiary, Fredericksburg State Bank,
Virginia Capital, with $532.7 million in assets, operates one banking office in
each of Fredericksburg and Stafford County, Virginia and two banking offices in
Spotsylvania County, Virginia. The acquisition, which is expected to be
completed in the second quarter of 2001, would give BB&T the number one market
share in Fredericksburg, part of the economically viable Washington-Baltimore
metropolitan service area.
BB&T expects to continue to take advantage of the consolidation of the
financial services industry by developing its franchise through the acquisition
of financial institutions. Such acquisitions may entail the payment by BB&T of
consideration in excess of the book value of the underlying net assets
acquired, may result in the issuance of additional shares of BB&T capital stock
or the incurring of additional indebtedness by BB&T, and could have a dilutive
effect on the per share earnings or book value of BB&T common stock. Moreover,
acquisitions sometimes result in significant front-end charges against
earnings, although cost savings, especially incident to in-market acquisitions,
are frequently anticipated.
Capital
The Federal Reserve has established a minimum requirement for a bank holding
company's ratio of capital to risk-weighted assets (including on-balance sheet
activities and certain off-balance sheet activities, such as standby letters of
credit) of 8%. At least half of a bank holding company's total capital is
required to be composed of common equity, retained earnings, and qualifying
perpetual preferred stock, less certain intangibles. This is called Tier 1
capital. The remainder may consist of certain subordinated debt, certain hybrid
capital instruments and other qualifying preferred stock, and a limited amount
of the loan loss allowance. This is called Tier 2 capital. Tier 1 capital and
Tier 2 capital combined are referred to as total capital. At March 31, 2001,
BB&T's Tier 1 and total capital ratios were 9.2% and 11.8%, respectively. Since
January 1, 1998, the Federal Reserve has required bank holding companies that
engage in trading activities to adjust their risk-based capital to take into
consideration market risk that may result from movements in market prices of
covered trading positions in trading accounts, or from foreign exchange or
commodity positions, whether or not in trading accounts, including changes in
interest rates, equity prices, foreign exchange rates or commodity prices. Any
capital required to be maintained pursuant to these provisions may consist of
new "Tier 3 capital" consisting of forms of short term subordinated debt. In
addition, the Federal Reserve has issued a policy statement, pursuant to which
a bank holding company that is determined to have weaknesses in its risk
management processes or a high level of interest rate risk exposure may be
required to hold additional capital.
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The Federal Reserve also has established minimum leverage ratio requirements
for bank holding companies. These requirements provide for a minimum leverage
ratio of Tier 1 capital to adjusted average quarterly assets equal to 3% for
bank holding companies that meet specified criteria, including having the
highest regulatory rating. Bank holding companies that do not meet the
specified criteria generally are required to maintain a leverage ratio of at
least 100 to 200 basis points above the stated minimum. BB&T's leverage ratio
at March 31, 2001 was 6.8%. Bank holding companies experiencing internal growth
or making acquisitions are expected to maintain strong capital positions
substantially above the minimum supervisory levels without significant reliance
on intangible assets. Furthermore, these capital requirements indicate that the
Federal Reserve will continue to consider a "tangible Tier 1 leverage ratio"
(deducting all intangibles) in evaluating proposals for expansion or new
activity.
The FDIC has adopted minimum risk-based and leverage ratio regulations to
which BB&T's state bank subsidiaries are subject that are substantially similar
to those requirements established by the Federal Reserve. The Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency also has similar regulations that would apply to
BB&T's national bank subsidiaries. Under federal banking laws, failure to meet
the minimum regulatory capital requirements could subject a banking institution
to a variety of enforcement remedies available to federal regulatory
authorities, including, in the most severe cases, the termination of deposit
insurance by the FDIC and placing the institution into conservatorship or
receivership. The capital ratios of each of BB&T's bank subsidiaries exceeded
all minimum regulatory capital requirements as of March 31, 2001.
Deposit Insurance Assessments
The deposits of each of BB&T's bank subsidiaries are insured by the FDIC up
to the limits required by law. A majority of the deposits of the banks are
subject to the deposit insurance assessments of the Bank Insurance Fund of the
FDIC. However, approximately 24.5% of the deposits of Branch Bank, 37.2% of the
deposits of Branch Bank-SC and 42.2% of the deposits of Branch Bank-VA (related
to the banks' acquisition of various savings associations) are subject to
assessments imposed by the Savings Association Insurance Fund of the FDIC.
For the semi-annual period beginning January 1, 2001, the effective rate of
assessments imposed on all FDIC deposits for deposit insurance ranges from 0 to
27 basis points per $100 of insured deposits, depending on the institution's
capital position and other supervisory factors. However, because legislation
enacted in 1996 requires that both SAIF-insured and BIF-insured deposits pay a
pro rata portion of the interest due on the obligations issued by the Financing
Corporation, the FDIC is currently assessing both BIF-insured deposits and
SAIF-insured deposits an additional 1.96 basis points per $100 of deposits on
an annualized basis to cover those obligations.
Additional Information
You can find additional information about BB&T in BB&T's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 and Current Reports on
Form 8-K filed January 12, 2001, January 24, 2001 (two filings), February 8,
2001, April 11, 2001 and April 27, 2001, all of which are incorporated by
reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More
Information" on page 65.
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INFORMATION ABOUT F&M
General
F&M was formed in 1969 to serve as the parent holding company of its then
sole subsidiary bank, F&M Bank-Winchester, organized in 1902. Since its
organization, F&M has acquired 24 banks, which expanded its market area and
increased its market share in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia.
At December 31, 2000, F&M had total consolidated assets of approximately $4.1
billion, total consolidated deposits through its banking subsidiaries of
approximately $3.5 billion and consolidated shareholders' equity of more than
$415.4 million.
F&M has nine banking affiliates in Virginia, one bank affiliate in West
Virginia and one bank affiliate in Maryland. F&M offers a full range of banking
services principally to individuals and small and middle-market businesses
throughout Virginia, the eastern panhandle of West Virginia and the Maryland
communities immediately adjacent to Washington, D.C. through 161 banking
offices, 13 mortgage banking offices, three trust offices and six insurance
offices.
In the first quarter of 2001, F&M acquired Community Bankshares of Maryland,
Inc., a bank holding company headquartered in Bowie, Maryland, and Atlantic
Financial Corp., a bank holding company headquartered in Newport News,
Virginia. The acquisition of Community Bankshares of Maryland became effective
on January 25, 2001 and the acquisition of Atlantic Financial Corp. became
effective on February 26, 2001. The acquisition of Atlantic Financial Corp. was
accounted for as a pooling of interests for financial reporting purposes. The
Community Bankshares of Maryland acquisition was accounted for as a purchase
for financial reporting purposes. Each transaction provided for a tax-free
exchange of shares.
Operation of F&M Subsidiary Banks
F&M's subsidiary banks are community-oriented and offer services customarily
provided by full-service banks, including individual and commercial demand and
time deposit accounts, commercial and consumer loans, residential mortgages,
credit card services and safe deposit boxes. Lending is focused on individuals
and small and middle-market businesses in the local market regions of the
subsidiary banks.
F&M has maintained its community orientation by allowing its subsidiary banks
latitude to tailor products and services to meet community and customer needs.
While F&M has preserved the autonomy of its subsidiary banks, it has
established system-wide policies governing, among other things, lending
practices, credit analysis and approval procedures, as well as guidelines for
deposit pricing and investment portfolio management. In addition, F&M has
established a centralized loan review team that regularly performs a detailed,
on-site review and analysis of each subsidiary bank's loan portfolio to ensure
the consistent application of credit policies and procedures system-wide. One
or more senior holding company officers serve on the board of directors of each
subsidiary bank to monitor operations and to serve as a liaison to F&M.
F&M Non-banking Subsidiaries
F&M has consolidated the operations of the trust departments of its
subsidiary banks in Virginia in F&M Trust Company. F&M provides insurance
services through its subsidiaries, F&M-Shomo & Lineweaver and F&M-J.V. Arthur,
and offers annuities and brokerage services through F&M Financial Services,
Inc. F&M also operates F&M Mortgage Services, Inc. which engages in residential
mortgage origination and servicing.
You can find additional information about F&M in F&M's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 and Current Reports on Form 8-
K filed January 30, 2001 and February 27, 2001, all of which are incorporated
by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More
Information" on page 65.
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DESCRIPTION OF BB&T CAPITAL STOCK
General
The authorized capital stock of BB&T consists of 1,000,000,000 shares of BB&T
common stock, par value $5.00 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $5.00 per share. As of April 30, 2001, there were 407,251,781
shares of BB&T common stock issued and outstanding, which excludes shares
expected to be issued in pending acquisitions. There were no shares of BB&T
preferred stock issued and outstanding as of such date, although 2,000,000
shares of BB&T preferred stock have been designated as Series B Junior
Participating Preferred Stock and are reserved for issuance in connection with
BB&T's shareholder rights plan. See "--Shareholder Rights Plan" below. Based on
the number of shares of F&M common stock outstanding at the record date, it is
estimated that approximately 31,007,628 shares of BB&T common stock would be
issued in the merger.
BB&T Common Stock
Each share of BB&T common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters
submitted to a vote at any meeting of shareholders. Holders of BB&T common
stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as, and if declared by the BB&T
Board out of funds legally available therefor and, upon liquidation, to receive
pro rata all assets, if any, of BB&T available for distribution after the
payment of necessary expenses and all prior claims. Holders of BB&T common
stock have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities of
any class that BB&T may issue, nor any conversion, redemption or sinking fund
rights. Holders of BB&T common stock have no right to cumulate votes in the
election of directors. The rights and privileges of holders of BB&T common
stock are subject to any preferences that the BB&T Board may set for any series
of BB&T preferred stock that BB&T may issue in the future. The terms of the
BB&T Junior Preferred Stock reserved for issuance in connection with BB&T's
shareholder rights plan provide that the holders will have rights and
privileges that are substantially identical to those of holders of BB&T common
stock.
The transfer agent and registrar for BB&T common stock is Branch Bank. BB&T
intends to apply for the listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of
issuance, of the shares of BB&T common stock to be issued in the merger.
BB&T Preferred Stock
Under BB&T's articles of incorporation, BB&T may issue shares of BB&T
preferred stock in one or more series as may be determined by the BB&T Board or
a duly authorized committee. The BB&T Board or committee may also establish,
from time to time, the number of shares to be included in each series and may
fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such
series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and may
increase or decrease the number of shares of any series without any further
vote or action by the shareholders. Any BB&T preferred stock issued may rank
senior to BB&T common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or amounts
paid upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of BB&T, or both. In addition,
any shares of BB&T preferred stock may have class or series voting rights.
Under certain circumstances, the issuance of shares of BB&T preferred stock, or
merely the existing authorization of the BB&T Board to issue shares of BB&T
preferred stock, may tend to discourage or impede a merger or other change in
control of BB&T. See "--Shareholder Rights Plan" below.
Shareholder Rights Plan
BB&T has adopted a shareholder rights plan that grants BB&T's shareholders the
right to purchase securities or other property of BB&T upon the occurrence of
certain triggering events involving a potentially hostile takeover of BB&T.
Like other shareholder rights plans, BB&T's plan is intended to give the BB&T
Board the opportunity to assess the fairness and appropriateness of a proposed
transaction in order to determine whether it is in the best interests of BB&T
and its shareholders and to encourage potential hostile acquirors to negotiate
53
with the BB&T Board. BB&T's plan, also like other shareholder rights plans,
could also have the unintended effect of discouraging a business combination
that shareholders believe to be in their best interests.
The terms of the rights are set forth in the Rights Agreement, dated as of
December 17, 1996, between BB&T and Branch Bank, as Rights Agent and are
summarized below:
On December 17, 1996, the BB&T Board declared a dividend of one right for
each outstanding share of BB&T common stock, payable to shareholders of record
at the close of business on January 17, 1997. One right has also been
distributed, and will also be distributed in the future, for each share of BB&T
common stock issued including shares to be issued to F&M shareholders in
connection with the merger, between January 17, 1997 and the occurrence of a
"distribution date," as described in the next paragraph. Each right entitles
the holder to purchase from BB&T 1/100th of a share of BB&T Junior Preferred
Stock (which is substantially equivalent to one share of BB&T common stock) at
a price of $145.00, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, or, under certain
circumstances, other securities or property.
Initially, the rights are attached to all BB&T common stock certificates and
are not exercisable until a distribution date occurs. A "distribution date"
will occur, and the rights will separate from shares of BB&T common stock and
become exercisable, upon the earliest of (a) 10 business days following a
public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons
(an "acquiring person") has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire,
beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of BB&T common
stock, (b) 10 business days following the commencement of a tender offer or
exchange offer (or the offeror's receipt of regulatory or shareholder approval
of a tender offer or exchange offer) that would, if completed, result in a
person or group beneficially owning 20% or more of such outstanding shares of
BB&T common stock or (c) 10 business days after the BB&T Board declares any
person to be an "adverse person," as described in the next paragraph.
The BB&T Board will declare a person to be an adverse person upon its
determinations (a) that the person, alone or together with its affiliates and
associates, has or will become the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the
outstanding shares of BB&T common stock (provided that any such determination
will not be effective until such person has in fact become the beneficial owner
of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of BB&T common stock) and (b)
following consultation with such persons as the BB&T Board deems appropriate,
that (1) the beneficial ownership by the person is intended to cause, is
reasonably likely to cause or will cause BB&T to repurchase the BB&T common
stock beneficially owned by the person or to cause pressure on BB&T to take
action or enter into a transaction or series of transactions intended to
provide the person with short-term financial gain under circumstances where the
BB&T Board determines that the best long-term interests of BB&T and its
shareholders would not be served by taking the action or entering into such
transactions or series of transactions at that time or (2) the beneficial
ownership is causing or is reasonably likely to cause a material adverse impact
(including, but not limited to, impairment of relationships with customers or
impairment of BB&T's ability to maintain its competitive position) on the
business or prospects of BB&T or (3) the beneficial ownership otherwise is
determined to be not in the best interests of BB&T and its shareholders,
employees, customers and communities in which BB&T and its subsidiaries do
business.
As soon as practicable after the distribution date, rights certificates will
be mailed to holders of record of BB&T common stock as of the close of business
on the distribution date and, thereafter, the separate rights certificates
alone will represent the rights. Except for certain issuances in connection
with outstanding options and convertible securities and as otherwise determined
by the BB&T Board, only shares of BB&T common stock issued before the
distribution date will be issued with rights.
It is expected that as long as the rights are exercisable only for 1/100th of
a share of BB&T Junior Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $145.00, BB&T's
shareholders would not find it economic to exercise the rights. However, under
the circumstances described below, the rights may be exercised for an amount of
BB&T common stock or other property (including BB&T Junior Preferred Stock)
having a value equal to two times the exercise price. The Rights Agreement
provides that if the BB&T Board determines that a person is an
54
adverse person or, at any time following the distribution date, a person
becomes the beneficial owner of 25% or more of then outstanding shares of BB&T
common stock, a holder of a right will thereafter have the right to receive at
the time specified in the Rights Agreement, in lieu of 1/100th of a share of
BB&T Junior Preferred Stock, (a) upon exercise and payment of the exercise
price, BB&T common stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other
securities of BB&T) having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the
right or (b) at the discretion of the BB&T Board, upon exercise and without
payment of the exercise price, BB&T common stock (or, in certain circumstances,
cash, property or other securities of BB&T) having a value equal to the
difference between the exercise price of the right and the value of the
consideration that would be payable under clause (a). Following any of the
events set forth in this paragraph, all rights that are, or (under certain
circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by
any acquiring person or adverse person will be null and void. Rights will not
become exercisable, however, until such time as they are no longer redeemable
by BB&T as set forth below.
For example, at an exercise price of $145.00 per right, each right not owned
by an acquiring person or an adverse person (or by certain related parties)
following a triggering event described in the preceding paragraph would entitle
its holder to purchase $290.00 worth of BB&T common stock (or cash, securities
or other property, as noted above) for $145.00. Assuming that the BB&T common
stock was determined as provided in the Rights Agreement to have a value of
$29.00 at such time the holder of each valid right would be entitled to
purchase 10 shares of BB&T common stock for $145.00. Alternatively, at the
discretion of the BB&T Board, each right following an event set forth in the
preceding paragraph, without payment of the exercise price, would entitle its
holder to five shares of BB&T common stock (or cash, securities or other
property, as noted above).
In addition, if, at any time following the date on which there has been a
public announcement that an acquiring person has acquired, or obtained the
right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares
of BB&T common stock, (a) BB&T is acquired in a merger, statutory share
exchange or other business combination transaction in which BB&T is not the
surviving corporation or (b) 50% or more of BB&T's assets or earning power is
sold or transferred, a holder of a right (except rights that previously have
been voided as set forth above) will thereafter have the right to receive, upon
exercise, common stock of the acquiring company having a value equal to two
times the exercise price of the right.
The purchase price payable, and the number of shares of BB&T Junior Preferred
Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution if certain events
occur.
The rights expire at the close of business on December 31, 2006, subject to
extension by the BB&T Board, or unless earlier redeemed by BB&T as described
below.
In general, BB&T may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a price
of $0.01 per right at any time until 10 business days following the public
announcement that an acquiring person has become such or, if earlier, the
effective date of any declaration by the BB&T Board that any person is an
adverse person. After the redemption period has expired, BB&T's right of
redemption may be reinstated if an acquiring person or adverse person reduces
his or her beneficial ownership to less than 10% of the outstanding shares of
BB&T common stock in a transaction or series of transactions not involving BB&T
and if there are no other acquiring persons or adverse persons.
Until a right is exercised, the holder will have no rights as a shareholder
of BB&T, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive
dividends. While the distribution of the rights will not be taxable to
shareholders or to BB&T, shareholders may, depending upon the circumstances,
recognize taxable income if the rights become exercisable for stock (or other
consideration) of BB&T or for common stock of the acquiring company.
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Other than those provisions relating to the principal economic terms of the
rights, any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
BB&T Board before the distribution date. After the distribution date, the
provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the BB&T Board in order to
cure any ambiguity, to make changes that do not adversely affect the interests
of holders of rights (excluding the interests of any acquiring person or
adverse person) or to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights
Agreement; provided, however, that no amendment to adjust the time period
governing redemption may be made when the rights are not redeemable.
The Rights Agreement is filed as an exhibit to a registration statement on
Form 8-A dated January 10, 1997 that has been filed by BB&T with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. This registration statement and the Rights Agreement
are incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus, and we refer
you to them for the complete terms of the Rights Agreement and the rights. The
foregoing discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights
Agreement. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 65.
Other Anti-Takeover Provisions
Provisions of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act, or NCBCA, and
BB&T's articles of incorporation and bylaws described below may be deemed to
have an anti-takeover effect and, together with the ability of the BB&T Board
to issue shares of BB&T preferred stock and to set the voting rights,
preferences and other terms thereof, may delay or prevent takeover attempts not
first approved by the BB&T Board. These provisions also could delay or deter
the removal of incumbent directors or the assumption of control by
shareholders. BB&T believes that these provisions are appropriate to protect
the interests of BB&T and its shareholders.
Control Share Acquisition Act
The Control Share Acquisition Act of the NCBCA may make an unsolicited
attempt to gain control of BB&T more difficult by restricting the right of
certain shareholders to vote newly acquired large blocks of stock. For a
description of this statute, see "Comparison of the Rights of BB&T Shareholders
and F&M Shareholders--Anti-Takeover Statutes" on page 61.
Provisions Regarding the BB&T Board
BB&T's articles of incorporation and bylaws separate the BB&T Board into
classes and permit the removal of directors only for cause. This could make it
more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from
acquiring, control of BB&T. For a description of such provisions, see
"Comparison of the Rights of BB&T Shareholders and F&M Shareholders--Directors"
on page 57.
Meeting of Shareholders; Shareholders' Nominations and Proposals
Under BB&T's bylaws, meetings of the shareholders may be called only by the
Chief Executive Officer, President, Secretary or the BB&T Board. Shareholders
of BB&T may not request that a special meeting of shareholders be called. This
provision could delay until the next annual shareholders' meeting shareholder
actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of BB&T.
The procedures governing the submission of nominations for directors and
other proposals by shareholders may also have a deterrent effect on shareholder
actions designed to result in change of control in BB&T. See "Comparison of the
Rights of BB&T Shareholders and F&M Shareholders--Shareholder Nominations and
Shareholder Proposals" on page 59.
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COMPARISON OF THE RIGHTS OF BB&T SHAREHOLDERS
AND F&M SHAREHOLDERS
When the merger becomes effective, holders of F&M common stock will become
shareholders of BB&T. The following is a summary of material differences
between the rights of holders of BB&T common stock and holders of F&M common
stock. Since BB&T is organized under the laws of the State of North Carolina
and F&M is organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia,
differences in the rights of holders of BB&T common stock and those of holders
of F&M common stock arise from differing provisions of the NCBCA and the
Virginia Stock Corporation Act, or the VSCA, in addition to differing
provisions of their respective incorporation documents and bylaws.
The following summary does not purport to be a complete statement of the
provisions affecting, and differences between, the rights of holders of BB&T
common stock and holders of F&M common stock. The identification of specific
provisions or differences is not meant to indicate that other equally or more
significant differences do not exist. This summary is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the NCBCA and the VSCA and the governing corporate instruments
of BB&T and F&M, to which the shareholders of F&M are referred.
Authorized Capital Stock
BB&T
BB&T's authorized capital stock consists of 1,000,000,000 shares of BB&T
common stock and 5,000,000 shares of BB&T preferred stock. BB&T's articles of
incorporation authorize the BB&T Board to issue shares of BB&T preferred stock
in one or more series and to fix the designation, powers, preferences, and
rights of the shares of BB&T preferred stock in each series. As of April 30,
2001, there were 407,251,781 shares of BB&T common stock outstanding, which
excludes shares expected to be issued in pending acquisitions. No shares of
BB&T preferred stock were issued and outstanding as of that date, although
2,000,000 shares of BB&T preferred stock have been designated as BB&T Junior
Preferred Stock and are reserved for issuance in connection with BB&T's
shareholder rights plan. See "Description of BB&T Capital Stock--Shareholder
Rights Plan" on page 53.
F&M
F&M is authorized to issue 30,900,000 shares of common stock, par value $2.00
per share, of which 28,447,366 shares were issued and outstanding as of the
record date, and 5,000,000 shares of serial preferred stock, without par value,
of which no shares were issued and outstanding as of that date.
Special Meetings of Shareholders
BB&T
Special meetings of the shareholders of BB&T may be called at any time by
BB&T's Chief Executive Officer, President or Secretary or by the BB&T Board.
F&M
Special meetings of the shareholders may be called at any time by the
Chairman of the Board of F&M or by F&M's Board.
Directors
BB&T
BB&T's articles of incorporation and bylaws provide for a board of directors
having not less than three nor more than 30 members as determined from time to
time by vote of a majority of the members of the BB&T
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Board or by resolution of the shareholders of BB&T. Currently, the BB&T Board
consists of 20 directors. The BB&T Board is divided into three classes, with
directors serving staggered three-year terms. Under BB&T's articles of
incorporation and bylaws, BB&T directors may be removed only for cause and only
by the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote in the
election of directors.
F&M
F&M's bylaws provide for a board of directors having not less than five nor
more than 25 members. Currently, the F&M Board consists of 11 directors. All of
F&M's directors are elected each year. There is no provision relating to the
removal of directors in F&M's articles of incorporation. Accordingly, the
removal of directors is governed by the VSCA, which provides that shareholders
may remove a director with or without cause if the number of votes cast to
remove him constitutes a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock.
Dividends and Other Distributions
BB&T
The NCBCA prohibits a North Carolina corporation from making any
distributions to shareholders, including the payment of cash dividends, that
would render it insolvent or unable to meet its obligations as they become due
in the ordinary course of business or that would result in its total assets
being less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be
needed, if it were to be dissolved at the time of the dividend payment, to
satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose
preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution. BB&T is
not subject to any other express regulatory restrictions on payments of
dividends and other distributions. The ability of BB&T to pay distributions to
the holders of BB&T common stock will depend, however, to a large extent upon
the amount of dividends its bank subsidiaries, which are subject to
restrictions imposed by regulatory authorities, pay to BB&T. In addition, the
Federal Reserve could oppose a distribution by BB&T if it determined that such
a distribution would harm BB&T's ability to support its bank subsidiaries.
There can be no assurances that dividends will be paid in the future. The
declaration, payment and amount of any such future dividends would depend on
business conditions, operating results, capital, reserve requirements and the
consideration of other relevant factors by the BB&T Board.
F&M
Pursuant to the VSCA, a Virginia corporation may declare and pay dividends to
its shareholders, unless, after giving effect to the dividends: (1) the
corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual
course of business; or (2) the corporation's total assets would be less than
the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the
corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the dividend payment, to
satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose
preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution. F&M is
not subject to any other express regulatory restrictions on payments of
dividends or other distributions. A major portion of F&M's revenues comes from
dividends distributed by its subsidiaries. F&M's subsidiaries may similarly be
limited in their ability to pay dividends to F&M. In addition, the Federal
Reserve could oppose a distribution by F&M if it determined that such a
distribution would harm F&M's ability to support its bank subsidiaries. Other
regulatory policies and requirements may impact F&M's subsidiaries ability to
pay dividends to F&M to ensure that they may maintain adequate levels of
capital above regulatory minimums and to prevent the payment of dividends if it
would be an unsafe or unsound banking practice.
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Shareholder Nominations and Shareholder Proposals
BB&T
BB&T's bylaws establish advance notice procedures for shareholder proposals
and the nomination, other than by or at the direction of the BB&T Board or one
of its committees, of candidates for election as directors. BB&T's bylaws
provide that a shareholder wishing to nominate a person as a candidate for
election to the BB&T Board must submit the nomination in writing to the
Secretary of BB&T at least 60 days before the one year anniversary of the most
recent annual meeting of shareholders, together with biographical information
about the candidate and the shareholder's name and shareholdings. Nominations
not made in accordance with the foregoing provisions may be ruled out of order
by the presiding officer or the chairman of the meeting. In addition, a
shareholder intending to make a proposal for consideration at a regularly
scheduled annual meeting of shareholders that is not intended to be included in
the proxy statement for such meeting must notify the Secretary of BB&T in
writing at least 60 days before the one year anniversary of the most recent
annual meeting of shareholders of the shareholder's intention. The notice must
contain: (a) a brief description of the proposal, (b) the name and
shareholdings of the shareholder submitting the proposal and (c) any material
interest of the shareholder in the proposal.
In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14a-8 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, shareholder proposals intended to be included
in the proxy statement and presented at a regularly scheduled annual meeting
must be received by BB&T at least 120 days before the anniversary of the date
that the previous year's proxy statement was first mailed to shareholders. As
provided in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules, if the annual meeting
date has been changed by more than 30 days from the date of the prior year's
meeting, or for special meetings, the proposal must be submitted within a
reasonable time before BB&T begins to print and mail its proxy materials.
F&M
The F&M bylaws provide that any shareholder entitled to vote in the election
of directors generally may nominate directors at a shareholders meeting only if
written notice has been given to the Secretary of F&M not later than (1) 90
days in advance of an annual meeting of shareholders, and (2) the close of
business on the seventh day following the date on which notice of a special
meeting of shareholders for the election of directors is first given to
shareholders. Each notice shall set forth: (a) the name and address of the
shareholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to
be nominated; (b) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record
of stock entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by
proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice;
(c) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder
and each nominee and any other person (naming such person or persons) pursuant
to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder;
(d) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such shareholder
as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the
proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, had the nominee been
nominated by the F&M Board; and (e) the consent of each nominee to serve as a
director if so elected. The Chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge
the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the procedures.
Only business properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder may
be presented to or acted upon by the shareholders. To be properly brought, the
shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Corporate
Secretary of F&M. To be timely, a shareholder's notice must be given to the
Corporate Secretary of F&M not later than 90 days in advance of the annual
meeting. A shareholder's notice to the Corporate Secretary shall set forth as
to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a)
a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual
meeting (including the specific proposal to be presented) and the reasons for
conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name and record address
of the shareholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares
that are beneficially owned by the shareholder, and (d) any material interest
of the shareholder in such business.
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F&M, like BB&T, is also subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission's
rules regarding shareholder proposals intended to be included in the proxy
statement and presented at a regularly scheduled annual meeting.
Discharge of Duties; Exculpation and Indemnification
BB&T
The NCBCA requires that a director of a North Carolina corporation discharge
his or her duties as a director (a) in good faith, (b) with the care an
ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar
circumstances and (c) in a manner the director reasonably believes to be in the
best interests of the corporation. The NCBCA expressly provides that a director
facing a change of control situation is not subject to any different duties or
to a higher standard of care. BB&T's articles of incorporation provide that, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no director of BB&T will have
any personal liability for monetary damage for breach of a duty as a director.
BB&T's bylaws require BB&T to indemnify its directors and officers, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, against liabilities arising out of
his or her status as a director or officer, excluding any liability relating to
activities that were at the time taken known or believed by such person to be
clearly in conflict with the best interests of BB&T.
F&M
The VSCA requires that a director of a Virginia corporation discharge his or
her duties as a director, including his or her duties as a member of a
committee, in accordance with his or her good faith business judgment of the
best interests of the corporation. F&M's articles of incorporation provide for
indemnification to the same extent permitted by the VSCA of any person who is
or was a director or officer of F&M, or who serves as a director, officer,
employee, agent, partner or trustee at F&M's request of another entity. This
indemnity covers all expenses in advance of any final disposition, subject to
the indemnitee undertaking in writing that he or she will repay all amounts so
advanced in the event it is determined that he or she was not entitled to
indemnification for such expenses. F&M's Board is empowered, by majority vote
of a quorum of disinterested directors, to contract in advance to indemnify any
director or officer. Furthermore, the articles of incorporation of F&M provide
that to the full extent that the VSCA permits the limitation or elimination of
the liability of directors or officers, a director or officer of F&M is not be
liable to F&M or its shareholders for monetary damages in excess of one dollar.
The liability of an officer or director is not limited under the VSCA or a
corporation's articles of incorporation and bylaws if the officer or director
engaged in willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the criminal law or of
any federal or state securities law.
Mergers, Share Exchanges and Sales of Assets
BB&T
The NCBCA generally requires that any merger, share exchange or sale of all
or substantially all the assets of a corporation other than in the ordinary
course of business must be approved by the affirmative vote of the majority of
the issued and outstanding shares of each voting group entitled to vote.
Approval of a merger by the shareholders of the surviving corporation is not
required in certain instances, however, including (as in the case of the merger
with F&M) a merger in which the number of voting shares outstanding immediately
after the merger, plus the number of voting shares issuable as a result of the
merger, does not exceed by more than 20% the number of voting shares
outstanding immediately before the merger. BB&T is also subject to certain
statutory anti-takeover provisions. See "--Anti-Takeover Statutes" on page 61.
F&M
The VSCA generally requires that any merger, share exchange or sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of a corporation not in the ordinary course of
business be approved by more than two-thirds of the votes
60
entitled to be cast by each voting group entitled to vote, unless the articles
of incorporation provide otherwise. F&M's articles of incorporation require the
approval of the holders of at least a majority of all votes entitled to be cast
on such transactions at a meeting in which a quorum is present, provided that
the transaction has been approved and recommended by at least two-thirds of the
F&M Board. If the transaction is not so approved and recommended by the F&M
Board, then the transaction must be approved by the vote of 80% or more of all
votes entitled to be cast. Approval of a merger by the shareholders of the
surviving corporation is not required in certain instances, however, including
a merger in which the number of voting shares outstanding immediately after the
merger, plus the number of voting shares issuable as a result of the merger,
does not exceed by more than 20% the number of voting shares outstanding
immediately before the merger. F&M is also subject to certain statutory anti-
takeover provisions. See "--Anti-Takeover Statutes" below.
Anti-Takeover Statutes
BB&T
The North Carolina Control Share Acquisition Act applies to BB&T. This Act is
designed to protect shareholders of publicly owned North Carolina corporations
based within the state against certain changes in control and to provide
shareholders with the opportunity to vote on whether to afford voting rights to
certain types of shareholders. The Act is triggered upon the acquisition by a
person of shares of voting stock of a covered corporation that, when added to
all other shares beneficially owned by the person, would result in that person
holding one-fifth, one-third or a majority of the voting power in the election
of directors. Under the Act, the shares acquired that result in the crossing of
any of these thresholds have no voting rights until they are conferred by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding voting shares,
excluding those shares held by any person involved or proposing to be involved
in the acquisition of shares in excess of the thresholds, any officer of the
corporation and any employee of the corporation who is also a director of the
corporation. If voting rights are conferred on the acquired shares, all
shareholders of the corporation have the right to require that their shares be
redeemed at the highest price paid per share by the acquiror for any of the
acquired shares.
The North Carolina Shareholder Protection Act requires that certain business
combinations with existing shareholders either be approved by a supermajority
of the other shareholders or meet certain "fair price" requirements. BB&T has
elected to opt out of the North Carolina Shareholder Protection Act, as
permitted by that Act.
F&M
Similar to the North Carolina Control Share Acquisition Act, the VSCA also
places restrictions on control share acquisitions, or acquisitions by a person
of shares of voting stock of a corporation that, when added to all other shares
beneficially owned by the person, would result in that person holding one-
fifth, one-third or a majority of the voting power. Shares acquired that result
in the crossing of these thresholds have no voting rights unless voting rights
are granted pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of all the votes
which could be cast in a vote on the election of directors by all the
outstanding shares other than shares held by the person making the control
share acquisition, officers of the corporation and employees of the corporation
who are also directors of the corporation.
The VSCA also prohibits a corporation from engaging in any business
combination with an interested shareholder (defined as a 10% shareholder) for a
period of three years after the date that shareholder became an interested
shareholder unless the transaction is approved by a majority of the
disinterested directors and by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-
thirds of the voting shares other than shares beneficially owned by the
interested shareholder. A corporation may engage in a business combination with
an interested shareholder beginning three years after that shareholder became
an interested shareholder provided the transaction is approved by the
affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the voting shares other than
shares beneficially owned by the interested shareholder; however, such voting
requirement does not apply if the transaction is
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approved by a majority of the disinterested directors or if the transaction
meets certain "fair price" requirements.
Amendments to Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
BB&T
The NCBCA provides generally that a North Carolina corporation's articles of
incorporation may be amended only upon approval by a majority of the votes cast
within each voting group entitled to vote. BB&T's articles of incorporation and
bylaws impose a greater requirement, the affirmative vote of more than two-
thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, to approve an amendment that
would amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the articles of incorporation or
bylaws relating to classification and staggered terms of the BB&T Board,
removal of directors or any requirement for a supermajority vote on such an
amendment. The NCBCA provides that a North Carolina corporation's bylaws may be
amended by its board of directors or its shareholders, except that, unless the
articles of incorporation or a bylaw adopted by the shareholders provides
otherwise, the board of directors may not amend a bylaw approved by the
shareholders. BB&T's articles of incorporation authorize the BB&T Board to
amend BB&T's bylaws.
F&M
The VSCA generally requires that any amendment to a Virginia corporation's
articles of incorporation be approved by more than two-thirds of the votes
entitled to be cast by each voting group entitled to vote on such amendment,
unless the articles of incorporation provide for a greater or lesser vote, but
in no event less than a majority of all of the votes cast by each such voting
group at a meeting at which a quorum of the voting group exists. F&M's articles
of incorporation require the approval of the holders of at least a majority of
all votes entitled to be cast on the amendment of the articles of incorporation
at a meeting in which a quorum is present, provided that the amendment has been
approved and recommended by at least two-thirds of the F&M Board. If the
amendment is not so approved and recommended by the Board, then the amendment
must be approved by the vote of 80% or more of all votes entitled to be cast.
The VSCA provides generally that a Virginia corporation's board of directors
may amend or repeal the corporation's bylaws except to the extent that (a) such
power is reserved to the shareholders by the articles of incorporation, (b) the
shareholders in adopting or amending a particular bylaw provided expressly that
the board of directors could not amend or repeal such bylaw and (c) the
corporation's shareholders may amend or repeal the bylaws even though the
bylaws may be amended or repealed by the board of directors. F&M's bylaws
provide that the bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the F&M Board
represented at any regular or special meeting of the Board where a quorum is
present, provided that written notice of such proposed amendment is given to
each director of F&M at least 10 days before the meeting at which the proposed
amendment is to be acted upon.
Consideration of Business Combinations
BB&T
BB&T's articles of incorporation do not specify any factors to which the BB&T
Board must give consideration in evaluating a transaction involving a potential
change in control of BB&T.
F&M
F&M's articles of incorporation do not specify any factors to which the F&M
Board must give consideration in evaluating a transaction involving a potential
change in control of F&M.
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Shareholders' Rights of Dissent and Appraisal
BB&T
The NCBCA provides that dissenters' rights are not available to the holders
of shares of a corporation, such as BB&T, that are either listed on a national
securities exchange or held by more than 2,000 record shareholders by reason of
a merger, share exchange or sale or exchange of property unless (a) the
articles of incorporation of the corporation that issued the shares provide
otherwise or (b) in the case of a merger or share exchange, the holders of the
shares are required to accept anything other than (1) cash, (2) shares in
another corporation that are either listed on a national securities exchange or
held by more than 2,000 record shareholders or (3) a combination of cash and
such shares. BB&T's articles of incorporation do not authorize any special
dissenters' rights.
F&M
With respect to corporations such as F&M that have a class or series of
shares either listed on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National
Market or held by more than 2,000 record shareholders, dissenters' rights are
not available to the holders of such shares by reason of a merger, share
exchange or sale or exchange of property unless:
. unlike the F&M articles, the articles of incorporation of the corpora-
tion issuing such shares provided otherwise;
. in the case of a merger or share exchange, unlike the merger, the hold-
ers of such shares are required to accept anything other than (a) cash,
(b) shares in another corporation that are either listed on a national
securities exchange or held by more than 2,000 record shareholders or
(c) a combination of cash and such shares; or
. the transaction is with a shareholder who owns more than 10% of a class
of shares and has not been approved by a majority of the directors unaf-
filiated with such shareholder.
A shareholder who has the right to object to a transaction and receive
payment of the "fair value" of his or her shares must follow specific
procedural requirements as set forth in the VSCA in order to maintain such
right and obtain such payment.
Holders of F&M common stock do not have appraisal rights in connection with
the merger because, as of the record date for the meeting, shares of F&M and
BB&T common stock were listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Liquidation Rights
BB&T
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of
BB&T, holders of outstanding shares of BB&T common stock are entitled to share,
in proportion to their respective interests, in BB&T's assets and funds
remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and other
liabilities of BB&T.
Because BB&T is a bank holding company, its rights, the rights of its
creditors and of its shareholders, including the holders of the shares of any
BB&T preferred stock that may be issued, to participate in the assets of any
subsidiary upon the latter's liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to
the prior claims of (a) the subsidiary's creditors, except to the extent that
BB&T may itself be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary,
and (b) any interests in the liquidation accounts established by savings
associations or savings banks acquired by BB&T for the benefit of eligible
account holders in connection with conversion of the savings associations from
mutual to stock form.
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F&M
In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of F&M,
the rights of shareholders of F&M's common stock are similar to those outlined
above for BB&T's shareholders. Additionally, F&M's rights to participate in the
assets of its subsidiaries upon their liquidation or recapitalization are
similar to the rights outlined above for BB&T.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
In the event that the merger is not completed, any proposal which a
shareholder wishes to have presented at the next annual meeting of shareholders
and included in F&M's proxy materials must be received at the main office of
F&M, The Feltner Building, 9 Court Square, First Floor, Winchester, Virginia
22601, a reasonable time before F&M prints and mails its proxy materials for
such annual meeting. If such proposal is in compliance with all of the
requirements of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, it will be
included in F&M's proxy statement and set forth on the form of proxy issued for
the next annual meeting of shareholders, if applicable. Shareholders wishing to
present proposals at such meeting (but not include them in F&M's proxy
materials) must also give notice of such proposals to F&M in accordance with
F&M's articles of incorporation as described above (see "Comparison of the
Rights of BB&T Shareholders and F&M Shareholders--Shareholder Nominations and
Shareholder Proposals" on page 59). It is urged that any proposals be sent by
certified mail, return receipt requested.
OTHER BUSINESS
The F&M Board is not aware of any business to come before the meeting other
than those matters described in this proxy statement/prospectus. However, if
any other matters should properly come before the meeting, it is intended that
the proxies solicited hereby will be voted with respect to those other matters
in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting the proxies.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of BB&T common stock offered by this proxy
statement/prospectus will be passed upon by Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice,
PLLC, as counsel to BB&T. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus,
certain members of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC owned an aggregate of
approximately 88,473 shares of BB&T common stock.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of BB&T Corporation and its
subsidiaries which are incorporated by reference in this proxy
statement/prospectus from BB&T's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 27,
2001, which restates the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2000 to reflect the acquisition by BB&T of FCNB Corp on January 8,
2001, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants,
as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are incorporated by
reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
giving said reports.
The consolidated financial statements of F&M National Corporation
incorporated in this proxy statement/prospectus by reference to F&M's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the report of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.,
independent certified public accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and
upon the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
BB&T and F&M file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and
copy any reports, statements or certain other information that the companies
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the following Securities
and Exchange Commission locations:
Public Reference Room New York Regional Office Chicago Regional Office
450 Fifth Street, N.W. 7 World Trade Center Citicorp Center
Room 1024 Suite 1300 500 West Madison Street
Washington, D.C. 20549 New York, New York 10048 Suite 1400
Chicago, Illinois 60661-
2511
Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the public reference rooms. These Securities and
Exchange Commission filings are also available to the public from commercial
document retrieval services and at the Internet world wide web site maintained
by the Securities and Exchange Commission at "http://www.sec.gov." Reports,
proxy statements and other information should also be available for inspection
at the offices of the NYSE.
BB&T has filed the registration statement to register with the Securities and
Exchange Commission the BB&T common stock to be issued to F&M shareholders in
the merger. This proxy statement/prospectus is a part of that registration
statement and constitutes a prospectus of BB&T. As allowed by Securities and
Exchange Commission rules, this proxy statement/prospectus does not contain all
the information you can find in BB&T's registration statement or the exhibits
to the registration statement.
The Securities and Exchange Commission allows F&M and BB&T to "incorporate by
reference" information into this proxy statement/prospectus, which means that
the companies can disclose important information to you by referring you to
another document filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The information incorporated by reference is considered part of this proxy
statement/prospectus, except for any information superseded by information
contained directly in this proxy statement/prospectus or in later filed
documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus.
This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set
forth below that F&M and BB&T have previously filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. These documents contain important information about F&M
and BB&T and their businesses.
BB&T Securities and
Exchange Commission
Filings
(File No. 1-10853)
-------------------
Annual Report on Form
10-K................... For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000
Current Reports on Form
8-K.................... Filed January 12, 2001, January 24, 2001 (two filings),
Registration Statements February 8, 2001, April 11, 2001 and April 27, 2001
on Form 8-A (describing
BB&T's common stock and
concerning BB&T's
shareholder rights
plan).................. Filed September 4, 1991 and January 10, 1997
F&M Securities and
Exchange Commission
Filings
(File No. 1-11405)
-------------------
Annual Report on Form
10-K................... For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000
Current Reports on Form
8-K.................... Filed January 30, 2001 and February 27, 2001
F&M and BB&T also incorporate by reference additional documents that may be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission between the date of this
proxy statement/prospectus and (a) in the case of BB&T, the completion of the
merger or the termination of the merger agreement and (b) in the case of F&M,
the date of the special meeting of shareholders or, if sooner, the termination
of the merger agreement. These include
65
periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.
BB&T has supplied all information contained or incorporated by reference in
this proxy statement/prospectus relating to BB&T, and F&M has supplied all such
information relating to F&M before the merger.
If you are a shareholder, we may have sent you some of the documents
incorporated by reference, but you can obtain any of them through the
companies, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Securities and
Exchange Commission's Internet web site as described above. Documents
incorporated by reference are available from the companies without charge,
excluding all exhibits except those that the companies have specifically
incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. Shareholders may
obtain documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus
by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company at
the following addresses:
BB&T Corporation F&M National Corporation
Shareholder Reporting The Feltner Building
Post Office Box 1290 9 Court Square, First Floor
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27102 Winchester, Virginia 22601
(336) 733-3021 (540) 665-4282
Attn: Corporate Secretary
If you would like to request documents, please do so by June 5, 2001 to receive
them before the meeting.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. BB&T and F&M have not authorized
anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained
in this proxy statement/prospectus or in any of the materials that have been
incorporated by reference into this document. If you are in a jurisdiction
where offers to exchange or sell, or solicitations of offers to exchange or
purchase, the securities offered by this document or the solicitation of
proxies is unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct
these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not
extend to you. This proxy statement/prospectus is dated May 4, 2001. You should
not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus is
accurate as of any date other than that date. Neither the mailing of this proxy
statement/prospectus to shareholders nor the issuance of BB&T common stock in
the merger creates any implication to the contrary.
66
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
BETWEEN
F&M NATIONAL CORPORATION
and
BB&T CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS..................................................... A-1
ARTICLE II THE MERGER..................................................... A-5
2.1 Merger............................................................. A-5
2.2 Filing; Plan of Merger............................................. A-5
2.3 Effective Time..................................................... A-6
2.4 Closing............................................................ A-6
2.5 Effect of Merger................................................... A-6
2.6 Further Assurances................................................. A-6
2.7 Merger Consideration............................................... A-6
2.8 Conversion of Shares; Payment of Merger Consideration.............. A-7
2.9 Conversion of Stock Options........................................ A-8
2.10 Merger of Subsidiaries............................................. A-9
2.11 Anti-Dilution...................................................... A-9
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF F&M......................... A-9
3.1 Capital Structure.................................................. A-9
3.2 Organization, Standing and Authority............................... A-9
3.3 Ownership of Subsidiaries.......................................... A-9
3.4 Organization, Standing and Authority of the Subsidiaries........... A-10
3.5 Authorized and Effective Agreement................................. A-10
3.6 Securities Filings; Financial Statements; Statements True.......... A-11
3.7 Minute Books....................................................... A-11
3.8 Adverse Change..................................................... A-11
3.9 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities................................. A-11
3.10 Properties......................................................... A-11
3.11 Environmental Matters.............................................. A-12
3.12 Loans; Allowance for Loan Losses................................... A-12
3.13 Tax Matters........................................................ A-13
3.14 Employees; Compensation; Benefit Plans............................. A-13
3.15 Certain Contracts.................................................. A-16
3.16 Legal Proceedings; Regulatory Approvals............................ A-16
3.17 Compliance with Laws; Filings...................................... A-16
3.18 Brokers and Finders................................................ A-17
3.19 Repurchase Agreements; Derivatives................................. A-17
3.20 Deposit Accounts................................................... A-17
3.21 Related Party Transactions......................................... A-17
3.22 Certain Information................................................ A-18
3.23 Tax and Regulatory Matters......................................... A-18
3.24 State Takeover Laws; Corporate Documents........................... A-18
3.25 Labor Relations.................................................... A-18
3.26 Fairness Opinion................................................... A-18
3.27 No Right to Dissent................................................ A-18
A-i
Page
----
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BB&T......................... A-19
4.1 Capital Structure of BB&T.......................................... A-19
4.2 Organization, Standing and Authority of BB&T....................... A-19
4.3 Authorized and Effective Agreement................................. A-19
4.4 Organization, Standing and Authority of BB&T Subsidiaries.......... A-20
4.5 Securities Filings; Financial Statements; Statements True.......... A-20
4.7 Certain Information................................................ A-20
4.8 Tax and Regulatory Matters......................................... A-20
4.8 Legal Proceedings; Regulatory Approvals............................ A-20
4.9 Adverse Change..................................................... A-21
ARTICLE V COVENANTS....................................................... A-21
5.1 F&M Shareholder Meeting............................................ A-21
5.2 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement/Prospectus................. A-21
5.3 Plan of Merger; Reservation of Shares.............................. A-21
5.4 Additional Acts.................................................... A-22
5.5 Best Efforts....................................................... A-22
5.6 Certain Accounting Matters......................................... A-22
5.7 Access to Information.............................................. A-22
5.8 Press Releases..................................................... A-23
5.9 Forbearances of F&M................................................ A-23
5.10 Employment Agreements.............................................. A-25
5.11 Affiliates......................................................... A-25
5.12 Section 401(k) Plan; Other Employee Benefits....................... A-25
5.13 Directors and Officers Protection.................................. A-26
5.14 Forbearances of BB&T............................................... A-27
5.15 Reports............................................................ A-27
5.16 Exchange Listing................................................... A-27
5.17 Advisory Board..................................................... A-27
5.18 Bank Boards of Directors........................................... A-28
5.19 Completion of Bank Mergers......................................... A-28
ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT........................................... A-29
6.1 Conditions Precedent--BB&T and F&M................................. A-29
6.2 Conditions Precedent--F&M.......................................... A-29
6.3 Conditions Precedent--BB&T......................................... A-30
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION, DEFAULT, WAIVER AND AMENDMENT.................... A-31
7.1 Termination........................................................ A-31
7.2 Effect of Termination.............................................. A-33
7.3 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants.............. A-33
7.4 Waiver............................................................. A-33
7.5 Amendment or Supplement............................................ A-33
A-ii
Page
----
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS................................................ A-34
8.1 Expenses............................................................ A-34
8.2 Entire Agreement.................................................... A-34
8.3 No Assignment....................................................... A-34
8.4 Notices............................................................. A-34
8.5 Specific Performance................................................ A-35
8.6 Captions............................................................ A-35
8.7 Counterparts........................................................ A-35
8.8 Governing Law....................................................... A-35
ANNEXES
Annex A Plan of Merger
Annex B Employment Agreements with Alfred B. Whitt and Charles E. Curtis
(omitted)
A-iii
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION ("Agreement"), dated as of January
23, 2001 is between F&M NATIONAL CORPORATION ("F&M"), a Virginia corporation
having its principal office at Winchester, Virginia and BB&T CORPORATION
("BB&T"), a North Carolina corporation having its principal office at Winston-
Salem, North Carolina;
R E C I T A L S:
The parties desire that F&M shall be merged with and into BB&T (said
transaction being hereinafter referred to as the "Merger") pursuant to a plan
of merger (the "Plan of Merger") substantially in the form attached as Annex A
hereto, and the parties desire to provide for certain undertakings, conditions,
representations, warranties and covenants in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby. As a condition and inducement to BB&T's willingness to
enter into the Agreement, F&M is concurrently granting to BB&T an option to
acquire, under certain circumstances, 2,062,000 shares of the common stock, par
value $2.00 per share, of F&M.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions
When used herein, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the
following meanings:
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any person, any other person, who directly
or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled
by, or is under common control with such person and, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, includes any executive officer or director of such
person and any Affiliate of such executive officer or director.
"Articles of Merger" shall mean the Articles of Merger required to be filed
with the office of the Secretary of State of North Carolina, as provided in
Section 55-11-05 of the NCBCA, and with the office of the Virginia State
Corporation Commission, as provided in Section 13.1-720 of the VSCA.
"Bank Holding Company Act" shall mean the Federal Bank Holding Company Act of
1956, as amended.
"BB&T Common Stock" shall mean the shares of voting common stock, par value
$5.00 per share, of BB&T, with rights attached issued pursuant to Rights
Agreement dated December 17, 1996 between BB&T and Branch Banking and Trust
Company, as Rights Agent, relating to BB&T's Series B Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, $5.00 par value per share.
"BB&T Option Agreement" shall mean the Stock Option Agreement dated as of
even date herewith, as amended from time to time, under which BB&T has an
option to purchase shares of F&M Common Stock, which shall be executed
immediately following execution of this Agreement.
"BB&T Subsidiaries" shall mean Branch Banking and Trust Company, Branch
Banking and Trust Company of South Carolina and Branch Banking and Trust
Company of Virginia.
"Benefit Plan Determination Date" shall mean, with respect to each employee
pension or welfare benefit plan or program maintained by F&M at the Effective
Time, the date determined by BB&T with respect to such
A-1
plan or program which shall be not later than January 1 following the close of
the calendar year in which the last of the F&M Subsidiaries which is a bank or
other savings institution is merged into BB&T or one of the BB&T Subsidiaries.
"Business Day" shall mean all days other than Saturdays, Sundays and Federal
Reserve holidays.
"CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and
Liability Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"CRA" shall mean the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended.
"Disclosed" shall mean disclosed in the F&M Disclosure Memorandum in a manner
that references the Section number herein pursuant to which such disclosure is
being made or so that the Section or Sections under which such disclosure is
being made is reasonably apparent.
"Environmental Claim" means any notice from any governmental authority or
third party alleging potential liability (including, without limitation,
potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup or remediation costs,
governmental response costs, natural resources damages, property damages,
personal injuries or penalties) arising out of, based upon, or resulting from a
violation of the Environmental Laws or the presence or release into the
environment of any Hazardous Substances.
"Environmental Laws" means all applicable federal, state and local laws and
regulations, as amended, relating to pollution or protection of human health or
the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land
surface, or subsurface strata) and which are administered, interpreted, or
enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state and
local agencies with jurisdiction over and including common law in respect of,
pollution or protection of the environment, including without limitation
CERCLA, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6901
et seq., and other laws and regulations relating to emissions, discharges,
releases, or threatened releases of any Hazardous Substances, or otherwise
relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage,
disposal, transport, or handling of any Hazardous Substances.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"F&M Common Stock" shall mean the shares of voting common stock, par value
$2.00 per share, of F&M.
"F&M Disclosure Memorandum" shall mean the written information in one or more
documents, each of which is entitled "F&M Disclosure Memorandum" and dated on
or before January 31, 2001 and delivered by F&M to BB&T on or before February
1, 2001, and describing in reasonable detail the matters contained therein.
Each disclosure made therein shall be in existence on the date of this
Agreement and shall specifically reference each Section of this Agreement under
which such disclosure is made or be presented in a manner so that the Section
or Sections under which such disclosure is made shall be reasonably apparent.
Information disclosed with respect to one Section shall not be deemed to be
disclosed for purposes of any other Section not specifically referenced or
reasonably apparent. The inclusion of a given item in the F&M Disclosure
Memorandum shall not be deemed a conclusion or admission that such item (or any
other item) is material or has a Material Adverse Effect.
"F&M DRP" shall mean the F&M Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.
A-2
"F&M ESP" shall mean the F&M 1998 Employee Stock Discount Plan, effective as
of January 1, 1998.
"F&M Preferred Stock" shall mean the shares of Preferred Stock, without par
value, of F&M.
"F&M Subsidiaries" shall mean the business entities set forth in Section 3.3
of the F&M Disclosure Memorandum, and any and all other Subsidiaries of F&M as
of the date hereof and any corporation, bank, savings association, or other
organization acquired as a Subsidiary of F&M after the date hereof and held as
a Subsidiary by F&M at the Effective Time.
"FDIC" shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
"Federal Reserve Board" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
"Financial Advisor" shall mean Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
"Financial Statements" shall mean (a) with respect to BB&T, (i) the
consolidated balance sheet (including related notes and schedules, if any) of
BB&T as of December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows (including related
notes and schedules, if any) for each of the three years ended December 31,
1999, 1998, and 1997, as filed by BB&T in Securities Documents and (ii) the
consolidated balance sheets of BB&T (including related notes and schedules, if
any) and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity
and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) included in
Securities Documents filed by BB&T with respect to periods ended subsequent to
December 31, 1999, and (b) with respect to F&M, (i) the consolidated statements
of financial condition (including related notes and schedules, if any) of F&M
as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements
of income and retained earnings, and cash flows (including related notes and
schedules, if any) for each of the three years ended December 31, 1999, 1998
and 1997 as filed by F&M in Securities Documents and (ii) the consolidated
statements of financial condition of F&M (including related notes and
schedules, if any) and the related consolidated statements of income and
retained earnings, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if
any) included in Securities Documents filed by F&M with respect to periods
ended subsequent to December 31, 1999.
"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles applicable to
financial institutions and their holding companies, as in effect at the
relevant date.
"Hazardous Substances" means any substance or material (i) identified in
CERCLA; (ii) determined to be toxic, a pollutant or a contaminant under any
applicable federal, state or local statutes, law, ordinance, rule or
regulation, including but not limited to petroleum products; (iii) asbestos;
(iv) radon; (v) poly-chlorinated biphiphenyls and (vi) such other materials,
substances or waste which are otherwise dangerous, hazardous, harmful to human
health or the environment.
"IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.
"Material Adverse Effect" on BB&T or F&M shall mean an event, change, or
occurrence which, individually or together with any other event, change or
occurrence, (i) has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect
on the financial condition, results of operations, business or shareholders
equity of BB&T and the BB&T Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or F&M and the F&M
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (ii) materially impairs the ability of BB&T
or F&M to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that
"Material Adverse Effect" shall not be deemed to include the impact of (a)
actions and omissions of BB&T or F&M taken with the prior written consent of
the other in contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) the
direct effects of compliance with this Agreement on the operating performance
of the parties, including expenses incurred by the parties in consummating the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or relating to any litigation
arising as a result of the Merger; provided that with respect to F&M, only if
and to the extent
A-3
any such expenses payable to third parties are Disclosed by F&M or incurred by
F&M following the date hereof as permitted by this Agreement.
"NCBCA" shall mean the North Carolina Business Corporation Act, as amended.
"NYSE" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
"Pending Acquisitions" shall mean, collectively, the proposed acquisitions by
F&M of Atlantic Financial Corp. and Community Bankshares of Maryland, Inc.
"Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, trust, association, unincorporated
organization, agency, other entity or group of entities, or governmental body.
"Proxy Statement/Prospectus" shall mean the proxy statement and prospectus,
together with any supplements thereto, to be sent to shareholders of F&M to
solicit their votes in connection with a proposal to approve this Agreement and
the Plan of Merger.
"Registration Statement" shall mean the registration statement of BB&T as
declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act, including any
post-effective amendments or supplements thereto as filed with the Commission
under the Securities Act, with respect to the BB&T Common Stock to be issued in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
"Rights" shall mean warrants, options, rights, convertible securities and
other arrangements or commitments which obligate an entity to issue or dispose
of any of its capital stock or other ownership interests (other than rights
pursuant to the Rights Agreements described under the definition of "BB&T
Common Stock"), and stock appreciation rights, performance units and similar
stock-based rights whether or not they obligate the issuer thereof to issue
stock or other securities or to pay cash.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Securities Documents" shall mean all reports, proxy statements, registration
statements and all similar documents filed, or required to be filed, pursuant
to the Securities Laws, including but not limited to periodic and other reports
filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act.
"Securities Laws" shall mean the Securities Act; the Exchange Act; the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; the Investment Advisers Act of
1940, as amended; the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as amended; and in each case
the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
"Stock Option" shall mean an option to acquire F&M Common Stock granted under
the Stock Option Plans that is outstanding and unexercised on the date hereof.
"Stock Option Plans" shall mean: (1) F&M's 1992 Incentive and Non-Qualified
Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated February 2, 1998; (2) F&M's
Nonemployee Director Stock Compensation and Warrant Plan (FB&T Financial
Corporation), effective June 15, 1994; (3) F&M's Director Stock Warrant Plan
(Allegiance Bank, N.A.) effective February 8, 1994; (4) F&M's Director Stock
Option Plan (Security Bank Corporation) effective 1997; and (5) any stock
option or similar plans maintained by or for any of the institutions (or their
Subsidiaries) party to the Pending Acquisitions and Disclosed.
"Subsidiaries" shall mean all those corporations, associations, or other
business entities of which the entity in question either owns or controls 50%
or more of the outstanding equity securities either directly or through an
unbroken chain of entities as to each of which 50% or more of the outstanding
equity securities is owned directly or indirectly by its parent (in determining
whether one entity owns or controls 50% or more of
A-4
the outstanding equity securities of another, equity securities owned or
controlled in a fiduciary capacity shall be deemed owned and controlled by the
beneficial owner).
"TILA" shall mean the Truth in Lending Act, as amended.
"VSCA" shall mean the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, as amended.
1.2 Terms Defined Elsewhere
The capitalized terms set forth below are defined in the following sections:
Advisory Board Establishment Date Section 5.17
Agreement Introduction
BB&T Introduction
BB&T Option Plan Section 2.9(a)
Closing Section 2.4
Closing Date Section 2.4
Closing Value Section 2.7(c)
Constituent Corporations Section 2.1
Effective Time Section 2.3
Employer Entity Section 5.12(a)
Exchange Ratio Section 2.7(a)
F&M Introduction
Maximum Amount Section 5.13
Merger Recitals
Merger Consideration Section 2.7(a)
PBGC Section 3.14(b)(iv)
Plan Section 3.14(b)(i)
Plan of Merger Recitals
Surviving Corporation Section 2.1(a)
Transferred Employee Section 5.12(a)
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
2.1 Merger
BB&T and F&M are constituent corporations (the "Constituent Corporations")
to the Merger as contemplated by the NCBCA and the VSCA. At the Effective
Time:
(a) F&M shall be merged into BB&T in accordance with the applicable pro-
visions of the NCBCA and the VSCA, with BB&T being the surviving corporate
entity (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Surviving Corporation").
(b) The separate existence of F&M shall cease and the Merger shall in
all respects have the effects provided in Section 2.5.
(c) The Articles of Incorporation of BB&T at the Effective Time shall be
the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.
(d) The Bylaws of BB&T at the Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation.
2.2 Filing; Plan of Merger
The Merger shall not become effective unless this Agreement and the Plan of
Merger are duly approved by shareholders holding at least a majority of the
shares of the F&M Common Stock entitled to vote. Upon
A-5
fulfillment or waiver of the conditions specified in Article VI and provided
that this Agreement has not been terminated pursuant to Article VII, the
Constituent Corporations will cause the Articles of Merger to be executed and
filed with the Secretary of State of North Carolina and the Virginia State
Corporation Commission, as provided in Section 55-11-05 of the NCBCA and
Section 13.1-720 of the VSCA, respectively.
2.3 Effective Time
The Merger shall be effective at the day and hour specified in the Articles
of Merger as filed as provided in Section 2.2 (herein sometimes referred to as
the "Effective Time").
2.4 Closing
The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
"Closing") shall take place at the offices of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice,
PLLC, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at 10:00 a.m. on the date designated by
BB&T which is within thirty days following the satisfaction of the conditions
to Closing set forth in Article VI (other than the delivery of certificates,
opinions and other instruments and documents to be delivered at the Closing),
or such later date as the parties may otherwise agree (the "Closing Date").
2.5 Effect of Merger
From and after the Effective Time, the separate existence of F&M shall cease,
and the Surviving Corporation shall thereupon and thereafter, to the extent
consistent with its Articles of Incorporation, possess all of the rights,
privileges, immunities and franchises, of a public as well as a private nature,
of each of the Constituent Corporations; and all property, real, personal and
mixed, and all debts due on whatever account, and all other choses in action,
and each and every other interest of or belonging to or due to each of the
Constituent Corporations shall be taken and deemed to be transferred to and
vested in the Surviving Corporation without further act or deed; and the title
to any real estate or any interest therein vested in either of the Constituent
Corporations shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the
Merger. The Surviving Corporation shall thenceforth be responsible for all the
liabilities, obligations and penalties of each of the Constituent Corporations;
and any claim, existing action or proceeding, civil or criminal, pending by or
against either of the Constituent Corporations may be prosecuted as if the
Merger had not taken place, or the Surviving Corporation may be substituted in
its place; and any judgment rendered against either of the Constituent
Corporations may be enforced against the Surviving Corporation. Neither the
rights of creditors nor any liens upon the property of either of the
Constituent Corporations shall be impaired by reason of the Merger.
2.6 Further Assurances
If, at any time after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
consider or be advised that any further deeds, assignments or assurances in law
or any other actions are necessary, desirable or proper to vest, perfect or
confirm of record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation, the title to any
property or rights of the Constituent Corporations acquired or to be acquired
by reason of, or as a result of, the Merger, the Constituent Corporations agree
that such Constituent Corporations and their proper officers and directors
shall and will execute and deliver all such proper deeds, assignments and
assurances in law and do all things necessary, desirable or proper to vest,
perfect or confirm title to such property or rights in the Surviving
Corporation and otherwise to carry out the purpose of this Agreement, and that
the proper officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation are fully
authorized and directed in the name of the Constituent Corporations or
otherwise to take any and all such actions.
2.7 Merger Consideration
(a) As used herein, the term "Merger Consideration" shall mean the number of
shares of BB&T Common Stock (to the nearest ten thousandth of a share) to be
exchanged for each share of F&M Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the
Effective Time and cash (without interest) to be payable in exchange for
A-6
any fractional share of BB&T Common Stock which would otherwise be
distributable to a F&M shareholder as provided in Section 2.7(b). The number of
shares of BB&T Common Stock to be issued for each issued and outstanding share
of F&M Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio") shall be 1.09.
(b) The amount of cash payable with respect to any fractional share of BB&T
Common Stock shall be determined by multiplying the fractional part of such
share by the Closing Value. The "Closing Value" shall mean the 4:00 p.m.
eastern time closing price per share of BB&T Common Stock on the NYSE on the
Closing Date as reported on NYSEnet.com.
2.8 Conversion of Shares; Payment of Merger Consideration
(a) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on
the part of F&M or the holders of record of F&M Common Stock, each share of F&M
Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be converted into and shall represent the right to receive, upon
surrender of the certificate representing such share of F&M Common Stock (as
provided in subsection (d) below), the Merger Consideration.
(b) Each share of BB&T Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall continue to be issued and outstanding.
(c) Until surrendered, each outstanding certificate which prior to the
Effective Time represented one or more shares of F&M Common Stock shall be
deemed upon the Effective Time for all purposes to represent only the right to
receive the Merger Consideration and any declared and unpaid dividends thereon.
No interest will be paid or accrued on the Merger Consideration upon the
surrender of the certificate or certificates representing shares of F&M Common
Stock. With respect to any certificate for F&M Common Stock that has been lost
or destroyed, BB&T shall pay the Merger Consideration attributable to such
certificate upon receipt of a surety bond or other adequate indemnity as
required in accordance with BB&T's standard policy, and evidence reasonably
satisfactory to BB&T of ownership of the shares represented thereby. After the
Effective Time, F&M's transfer books shall be closed and no transfer of the
shares of F&M Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be made on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation.
(d) Promptly after the Effective Time, BB&T shall cause to be delivered or
mailed to each F&M shareholder a form of letter of transmittal and instructions
for use in effecting the surrender of the certificates which, immediately prior
to the Effective Time, represented any shares of F&M Common Stock. Upon proper
surrender of such certificates or other evidence of ownership meeting the
requirements of Section 2.8(c), together with such letter of transmittal duly
executed and completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such
other documents as may be reasonably requested, BB&T shall promptly cause the
transfer to the persons entitled thereto of the Merger Consideration and any
declared and unpaid dividends thereon.
(e) The Surviving Corporation shall pay any dividends or other distributions
with a record date prior to the Effective Time that have been declared or made
by F&M in respect of shares of F&M Common Stock in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement and that remain unpaid at the Effective Time, subject to
compliance by F&M with Section 5.9(b). To the extent permitted by law, former
shareholders of record of F&M shall be entitled to vote after the Effective
Time at any meeting of BB&T shareholders the number of whole shares of BB&T
Common Stock into which their respective shares of F&M Common Stock are
converted, regardless of whether such holders have exchanged their certificates
representing F&M Common Stock for certificates representing BB&T Common Stock
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Whenever a dividend or
other distribution is declared by BB&T on the BB&T Common Stock, the record
date for which is at or after the Effective Time, the declaration shall include
dividends or other distributions on all shares of BB&T Common Stock issuable
pursuant to this Agreement, but no dividend or other distribution payable to
the holders of record of BB&T Common Stock as of any time subsequent to the
Effective Time shall be delivered to the holder of any certificate representing
F&M Common Stock until such holder
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surrenders such certificate for exchange as provided in this Section 2.8. Upon
surrender of such certificate, both the BB&T Common Stock certificate and any
undelivered dividends and cash payments payable hereunder (without interest)
shall be delivered and paid with respect to the shares of F&M Common Stock
represented by such certificate.
2.9 Conversion of Stock Options
(a) At the Effective Time, each Stock Option then outstanding (and which by
its terms does not lapse on or before the Effective Time), whether or not then
exercisable, shall be converted into and become rights with respect to BB&T
Common Stock, and BB&T shall assume each Stock Option in accordance with the
terms of the Stock Option Plans, except that from and after the Effective Time
(i) BB&T and its Compensation Committee shall be substituted for F&M and the
Committee of F&M's Board of Directors with respect to administering the Stock
Option Plans, (ii) each Stock Option assumed by BB&T may be exercised solely
for shares of BB&T Common Stock, (iii) the number of shares of BB&T Common
Stock subject to each such Stock Option shall be the number of whole shares of
BB&T (omitting any fractional share) determined by multiplying the number of
shares of F&M Common Stock subject to such Stock Option immediately prior to
the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio, and (iv) the per share exercise price
under each such Stock Option shall be adjusted by dividing the per share
exercise price under each such Stock Option by the Exchange Ratio and rounding
up to the nearest cent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, BB&T may at its election
substitute as of the Effective Time options under the BB&T Corporation 1995
Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan or any other duly adopted comparable plan (in
either case, the "BB&T Option Plan") for all or a part of the Stock Options,
subject to the following conditions: (A) the requirements of (iii) and (iv)
above shall be met; (B) such substitution shall not constitute a modification,
extension or renewal of any of the Stock Options; and (C) the substituted
options shall continue in effect on the same terms and conditions as provided
in the Stock Options and the Stock Option Plans governing each Stock Option.
Each grant of a converted or substitute option to any individual who subsequent
to the Merger will be a director or officer of BB&T as construed under
Commission Rule 16b-3 shall, as a condition to such conversion or substitution,
be approved in accordance with the provisions of Rule 16b-3. Each Stock Option
which is an incentive stock option shall be adjusted as required by Section 424
of the Code, and the Regulations promulgated thereunder, so as to continue as
an incentive stock option under Section 424(a) of the Code, and so as not to
constitute a modification, extension, or renewal of the option within the
meaning of Section 424(h) of the Code. BB&T and F&M agree to take all necessary
steps to effectuate the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.9. BB&T has
reserved and shall continue to reserve adequate shares of BB&T Common Stock for
delivery upon exercise of any converted or substitute options. As soon as
practicable after the Effective Time, if it has not already done so, and to the
extent F&M shall have a registration statement in effect or an obligation to
file a registration statement, BB&T shall file a registration statement on Form
S-3 or Form S-8, as the case may be (or any successor or other appropriate
forms), with respect to the shares of BB&T Common Stock subject to converted or
substitute options and shall use its reasonable efforts to maintain the
effectiveness of such registration statement (and maintain the current status
of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as such
converted or substitute options remain outstanding. With respect to those
individuals, if any, who subsequent to the Merger may be subject to the
reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, BB&T shall
administer the Stock Option Plans assumed pursuant to this Section 2.9 (or the
BB&T Option Plan, if applicable) in a manner that complies with Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act to the extent necessary to preserve for such
individuals the benefits of Rule 16b-3 to the extent such benefits were
available to them prior to the Effective Time. F&M hereby represents that the
Stock Option Plans in their current forms comply with Rule 16b-3 to the extent,
if any, required as of the date hereof.
(b) As soon as practicable following the Effective Time, BB&T shall deliver
to the participants receiving converted options under the BB&T Option Plan an
appropriate notice setting forth such participant's rights pursuant thereto.
(c) Eligibility to receive stock option grants following the Effective Time
with respect to BB&T Common Stock shall be determined by BB&T in accordance
with its plans and procedures as in effect from time to time, and subject to
any contractual obligations.
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2.10 Merger of Subsidiaries
In the event that BB&T shall request, F&M shall take such actions, and shall
cause the F&M Subsidiaries to take such actions, as may be required in order to
effect, at the Effective Time, the merger of one or more of the F&M
Subsidiaries with and into, in each case, one of the BB&T Subsidiaries.
2.11 Anti-Dilution
In the event BB&T changes the number of shares of BB&T Common Stock issued
and outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of a stock split, stock
dividend or other similar recapitalization, and the record date thereof (in the
case of a stock dividend) or the effective date thereof (in the case of a stock
split or similar recapitalization for which a record date is not established)
shall be prior to the Effective Time, the Exchange Ratio shall be
proportionately adjusted.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF F&M
Except as Disclosed, F&M represents and warrants to BB&T as follows (the
representations and warranties herein of F&M are made as of the date hereof
and, as contemplated by Section 6.3(a), will also be evaluated as of the
Closing Date subject to the applicable standard set forth in Section 6.3(a),
and no such representation or warranty shall be deemed to be inaccurate unless
the inaccuracy would permit BB&T not to consummate the Merger under such
applicable standard):
3.1 Capital Structure
The authorized capital stock of F&M consists of 30,900,000 shares of F&M
Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of F&M Preferred Stock. F&M has 24,668,926
shares of F&M Common Stock issued and outstanding. No other classes of capital
stock of F&M, common or preferred, are authorized, issued or outstanding. All
outstanding shares of F&M capital stock have been duly authorized and are
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. No shares of capital stock have
been reserved for any purpose, except for (i) shares of F&M Common Stock
reserved in connection with the Stock Option Plans, and (ii) 3,691,782 shares
of F&M Common Stock to be issued in consummating the Pending Acquisitions. F&M
has granted options to acquire 476,907 shares of F&M Common Stock under the
Stock Option Plans or outstanding agreements and awards (including F&M options
to be issued incident to such Pending Acquisitions), which options remain
outstanding as of the date hereof. Except as set forth in this Section 3.1,
there are no Rights authorized, issued or outstanding with respect to, nor are
there any agreements, understandings or commitments relating to the right of
any F&M shareholder to own, to vote or to dispose of, the capital stock of F&M.
Holders of F&M Common Stock do not have preemptive rights.
3.2 Organization, Standing and Authority
F&M is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, with full corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease and
operate its properties and assets. F&M is not required to be qualified to do
business in any other state of the United States or foreign jurisdiction. F&M
is registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act.
3.3 Ownership of Subsidiaries
Section 3.3 of the F&M Disclosure Memorandum lists all of the F&M
Subsidiaries and, with respect to each, its jurisdiction of organization,
jurisdictions in which it is qualified or otherwise licensed to conduct
business, the number of shares or ownership interests owned by F&M (directly or
indirectly), F&M's
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ownership percentage in, and the business activities of, each such F&M
Subsidiary. The outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests
of the F&M Subsidiaries are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and
nonassessable, and all such shares are directly or indirectly owned by F&M free
and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances or preemptive rights of any
person. No Rights are authorized, issued or outstanding with respect to the
capital stock or other equity interests of the F&M Subsidiaries, and there are
no agreements, understandings or commitments relating to the right of F&M to
own, to vote or to dispose of said interests. None of the shares of capital
stock or other equity interests of the F&M Subsidiaries have been issued in
violation of the preemptive rights of any person. Section 3.3 of the F&M
Disclosure Memorandum also lists all shares of capital stock or other
securities or ownership interests of any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, or other organization (other than the F&M Subsidiaries and stock or
other securities held in a fiduciary capacity) owned directly or indirectly by
F&M.
3.4 Organization, Standing and Authority of the Subsidiaries
Each F&M Subsidiary which is a depository institution is a state chartered
bank with its deposits insured by the FDIC. Each of the F&M Subsidiaries is
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization. Each of the F&M Subsidiaries: (i) has full power and authority to
carry on its business as now conducted; and (ii) is duly qualified to do
business and in good standing in each jurisdiction Disclosed with respect to
it. Each F&M Subsidiary is qualified to do business in each other state of the
United States, the District of Columbia or foreign jurisdiction where required
to conduct its business and is not engaged in any type of activities that have
not been Disclosed.
3.5 Authorized and Effective Agreement
(a) F&M has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and
(subject to receipt of all necessary governmental approvals and the receipt of
approval of the F&M shareholders of this Agreement and the Plan of Merger) to
perform all of its obligations under this Agreement, the Articles of Merger and
the BB&T Option Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
Articles of Merger and the BB&T Option Agreement, and consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary corporate action, including without limitation the
affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the members of the F&M Board of
Directors, except, in the case of this Agreement and the Plan of Merger, the
approval of the F&M shareholders pursuant to and to the extent required by
applicable law. This Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the BB&T Option
Agreement constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of F&M, and each is
enforceable against F&M in accordance with its terms, in each such case subject
to (i) bankruptcy, fraudulent transfer, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization,
conservatorship, receivership, or other similar laws from time to time in
effect relating to or affecting the enforcement of the rights of creditors of
FDIC-insured institutions or the enforcement of creditors' rights generally;
and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied in a court of law or in
equity).
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Articles of
Merger or the BB&T Option Agreement, nor consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, nor compliance by F&M with any of the
provisions hereof or thereof, shall (i) conflict with or result in a breach of
any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of F&M or any F&M
Subsidiary, (ii) constitute or result in a breach of any term, condition or
provision of, or constitute a default under, or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration with respect to, or result in the
creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or asset of F&M
or any F&M Subsidiary pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
license, permit, contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation, or
(iii) subject to receipt of all required governmental approvals, violate any
order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to F&M
or any F&M Subsidiary.
(c) Other than consents or approvals required from, or notices to, regulatory
authorities as provided in Section 5.4(b), no notice to, filing with, or
consent of, any public body or authority is necessary for the consummation by
F&M of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
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3.6 Securities Filings; Financial Statements; Statements True
(a) F&M has timely filed all Securities Documents required by the Securities
Laws to be filed since December 31, 1997. F&M has Disclosed or made available
to BB&T a true and complete copy of each Securities Document filed by F&M with
the Commission after December 31, 1997 and prior to the date hereof, which are
all of the Securities Documents that F&M was required to file during such
period. As of their respective dates of filing, such Securities Documents
complied with the Securities Laws as then in effect, and did not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(b) The Financial Statements of F&M fairly present or will fairly present, as
the case may be, the consolidated financial position of F&M and the F&M
Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated statements of
income and retained earnings, changes in shareholders' equity and statements of
cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited
interim statements, to the absence of notes and to normal year-end audit
adjustments that are not material in amount or effect) in conformity with GAAP
applied on a consistent basis.
(c) No statement, certificate, instrument or other writing furnished or to be
furnished hereunder by F&M or any F&M Subsidiary to BB&T contains or will
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or will omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
3.7 Minute Books
The minute books of F&M and each of the F&M Subsidiaries contain or will
contain at Closing accurate records of all meetings and other corporate actions
of their respective shareholders and Boards of Directors (including committees
of the Board of Directors), and the signatures contained therein are the true
signatures of the persons whose signatures they purport to be.
3.8 Adverse Change
Since September 30, 2000, F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries have not incurred any
liability, whether accrued, absolute or contingent, except as disclosed in the
most recent F&M Financial Statements, or entered into any transactions with
Affiliates, in each case other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices, nor has there been any adverse change or any
event involving a prospective adverse change in the business, financial
condition, results of operations or stockholders' equity of F&M or any of the
F&M Subsidiaries.
3.9 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities
All liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of F&M and the F&M
Subsidiaries are disclosed in the most recent Financial Statements of F&M or
are normally recurring business obligations incurred in the ordinary course of
its business since the date of F&M's most recent Financial Statements.
3.10 Properties
(a) F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries have good and marketable title, free and
clear of all liens, encumbrances, charges, defaults or equitable interests, to
all of the properties and assets, real and personal, tangible and intangible,
reflected on the consolidated balance sheet included in the Financial
Statements of F&M as of December 31, 1999 or acquired after such date, except
for (i) liens for current taxes not yet due and payable, (ii) pledges to secure
deposits and other liens incurred in the ordinary course of banking business,
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(iii) such imperfections of title, easements and encumbrances, if any, as are
not material in character, amount or extent, or (iv) dispositions and
encumbrances for adequate consideration in the ordinary course of business.
(b) All leases and licenses pursuant to which F&M or any F&M Subsidiary, as
lessee or licensee, leases or licenses rights to real or personal property are
valid and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
3.11 Environmental Matters
(a) F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries are and at all times have been in compliance
with all Environmental Laws. Neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary has received
any communication alleging that F&M or the F&M Subsidiary is not in such
compliance, and there are no present circumstances that would prevent or
interfere with the continuation of such compliance.
(b) There are no pending Environmental Claims, neither F&M nor any F&M
Subsidiary has received notice of any pending Environmental Claims, and there
are no conditions or facts existing which might reasonably be expected to
result in legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings asserting
Environmental Claims or other claims, causes of action or governmental
investigations of any nature seeking to impose, or that could result in the
imposition of, any liability arising under any Environmental Laws upon (i) F&M
or any F&M Subsidiary, (ii) any person or entity whose liability for any
Environmental Claim F&M or any F&M Subsidiary has or may have retained or
assumed, either contractually or by operation of law, (iii) any real or
personal property owned or leased by F&M or any F&M Subsidiary, or any real or
personal property which F&M or any F&M Subsidiary has or is judged to have
managed or supervised or participated in the management of, or (iv) any real or
personal property in which F&M or any F&M Subsidiary holds a security interest
securing a loan recorded on the books of F&M or any F&M Subsidiary. Neither F&M
nor any F&M Subsidiary is subject to any agreement, order, judgment, decree or
memorandum by or with any court, governmental authority, regulatory agency or
third party imposing any liability under any Environmental Laws.
(c) F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries are in compliance with all recommendations
contained in any environmental audits, analyses and surveys received by F&M
relating to all real and personal property owned or leased by F&M or any F&M
Subsidiary and all real and personal property of which F&M or any F&M
Subsidiary has or is judged to have managed or supervised or participated in
the management of.
(d) There are no past or present actions, activities, circumstances,
conditions, events or incidents that could reasonably form the basis of any
Environmental Claim, or other claim or action or governmental investigation
that could result in the imposition of any liability arising under any
Environmental Laws, against F&M or any F&M Subsidiary or against any person or
entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim F&M or any F&M Subsidiary
has or may have retained or assumed, either contractually or by operation of
law.
3.12 Loans; Allowance for Loan Losses
(a) All of the loans on the books of F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries are valid
and properly documented and were made in the ordinary course of business, and
the security therefor, if any, is valid and properly perfected. Neither the
terms of such loans, nor any of the loan documentation, nor the manner in which
such loans have been administered and serviced, nor F&M's procedures and
practices of approving or rejecting loan applications, violates any federal,
state or local law, rule, regulation or ordinance applicable thereto,
including, without limitation, the TILA, Regulations O and Z of the Federal
Reserve Board, the CRA, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, as amended, and state
laws, rules and regulations relating to consumer protection, installment sales
and usury.
(b) The allowances for loan losses reflected on the consolidated balance
sheets included in the Financial Statements of F&M are adequate as of their
respective dates under the requirements of GAAP and applicable regulatory
requirements and guidelines.
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3.13 Tax Matters
(a) F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries and each of their predecessors have timely
filed (or requests for extensions have been timely filed and any such
extensions either are pending or have been granted and have not expired) all
federal, state and local (and, if applicable, foreign) tax returns required by
applicable law to be filed by them (including, without limitation, estimated
tax returns, income tax returns, information returns, and withholding and
employment tax returns) and have paid, or where payment is not required to have
been made, have set up an adequate reserve or accrual for the payment of, all
taxes required to be paid in respect of the periods covered by such returns
and, as of the Effective Time, will have paid, or where payment is not required
to have been made, will have set up an adequate reserve or accrual for the
payment of, all taxes for any subsequent periods ending on or prior to the
Effective Time. Neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary has or will have any
liability for any such taxes in excess of the amounts so paid or reserves or
accruals so established. F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries have paid, or where
payment is not required to have been made have set up an adequate reserve or
accrual for payment of, all taxes required to be paid or accrued for the
preceding or current fiscal year for which a return is not yet due.
(b) All federal, state and local (and, if applicable, foreign) tax returns
filed by F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries are complete and accurate. Neither F&M
nor any F&M Subsidiary is delinquent in the payment of any tax, assessment or
governmental charge. No deficiencies for any tax, assessment or governmental
charge have been proposed, asserted or assessed (tentatively or otherwise)
against F&M or any F&M Subsidiary which have not been settled and paid. There
are currently no agreements in effect with respect to F&M or any F&M Subsidiary
to extend the period of limitations for the assessment or collection of any
tax. No audit examination or deficiency or refund litigation with respect to
such returns is pending.
(c) Deferred taxes have been provided for in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied.
(d) Neither F&M nor any of the F&M Subsidiaries is a party to any tax
allocation or sharing agreement or has been a member of an affiliated group
filing a consolidated federal income tax return (other than a group the common
parent of which was F&M or a F&M subsidiary) or has any liability for taxes of
any person (other than F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation
Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law) as a
transferee or successor or by contract or otherwise.
(e) Each of F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries is in compliance with, and its
records contain all information and documents (including properly completed IRS
Forms W-9) necessary to comply with, all applicable information reporting and
tax withholding requirements under federal, state, and local tax laws, and such
records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup withholding
under Section 3406 of the Code.
(f) Neither F&M nor any of the F&M Subsidiaries has made any payments, is
obligated to make any payments, or is a party to any contract that could
obligate it to make any payments that would be disallowed as a deduction under
Section 280G or 162(m) of the Code.
3.14 Employees; Compensation; Benefit Plans
(a) Compensation. F&M has Disclosed a complete and correct list of the name,
age, position, rate of compensation and any incentive compensation
arrangements, bonuses or commissions or fringe or other benefits, whether
payable in cash or in kind, of each director, shareholder, independent
contractor, consultant and agent of F&M and of each F&M Subsidiary and each
other person (in each case other than as an employee) to whom F&M or any F&M
Subsidiary pays or provides, or has an obligation, agreement (written or
unwritten), policy or practice of paying or providing, retirement, health,
welfare or other benefits of any kind or description whatsoever.
(b) Employee Benefit Plans.
(i) F&M has Disclosed an accurate and complete list of all Plans, as de-
fined below, contributed to, maintained or sponsored by F&M or any F&M Sub-
sidiary, to which F&M or any F&M Subsidiary is
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obligated to contribute or has any liability or potential liability,
whether direct or indirect, including all Plans contributed to, maintained
or sponsored by each member of the controlled group of corporations, within
the meaning of Sections 414(b), 414(c), 414(m) and 414(o) of the Code, of
which F&M or any F&M Subsidiary is a member. For purposes of this Agree-
ment, the term "Plan" shall mean a plan, arrangement, agreement or program
described in the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.14(b)(i) that is:
(A) a profit-sharing, deferred compensation, bonus, stock option, stock
purchase, pension, retainer, consulting, retirement, severance, welfare or
incentive plan, agreement or arrangement, whether or not funded and whether
or not terminated, (B) an employment agreement, (C) a personnel policy or
fringe benefit plan, policy, program or arrangement providing for benefits
or perquisites to current or former employees, officers, directors or
agents, whether or not funded, and whether or not terminated, including,
without limitation, benefits relating to automobiles, clubs, vacation,
child care, parenting, sabbatical, sick leave, severance, medical, dental,
hospitalization, life insurance and other types of insurance, or (D) any
other employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or
not funded and whether or not terminated.
(ii) Neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary contributes to, has an obliga-
tion to contribute to or otherwise has any liability or potential liability
with respect to (A) any multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) of
ERISA, (B) any plan of the type described in Sections 4063 and 4064 of
ERISA or in Section 413 of the Code (and regulations promulgated thereun-
der), or (C) any plan which provides health, life insurance, accident or
other "welfare-type" benefits to current or future retirees or former em-
ployees or directors, their spouses or dependents, other than in accordance
with Section 4980B of the Code or applicable state continuation coverage
law.
(iii) None of the Plans obligates F&M or any F&M Subsidiary to pay sepa-
ration, severance, termination or similar-type benefits solely as a result
of any transaction contemplated by this Agreement or solely as a result of
a "change in control," as such term is used in Section 280G of the Code
(and regulations promulgated thereunder).
(iv) Each Plan, and all related trusts, insurance contracts and funds,
has been maintained, funded and administered in compliance in all respects
with its own terms and in compliance in all respects with all applicable
laws and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code. No
actions, suits, claims, complaints, charges, proceedings, hearings, exami-
nations, investigations, audits or demands with respect to the Plans (other
than routine claims for benefits) are pending or threatened, and there are
no facts which could give rise to or be expected to give rise to any ac-
tions, suits, claims, complaints, charges, proceedings, hearings, examina-
tions, investigations, audits or demands. No Plan that is subject to the
funding requirements of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA has
incurred any "accumulated funding deficiency" as such term is defined in
such Sections of ERISA and the Code, whether or not waived, and each Plan
has always fully met the funding standards required under Title I of ERISA
and Section 412 of the Code. No liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation ("PBGC") (except for routine payment of premiums) has been or
is expected to be incurred with respect to any Plan that is subject to Ti-
tle IV of ERISA, no reportable event (as such term is defined in Section
4043 of ERISA) for which the PBGC has not waived notice has occurred with
respect to any such Plan, and the PBGC has not commenced or threatened the
termination of any Plan. None of the assets of F&M or any F&M Subsidiary is
the subject of any lien arising under Section 302(f) of ERISA or Section
412(n) of the Code, neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary has been required to
post any security pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29) of
the Code, and there are no facts which could be expected to give rise to
such lien or such posting of security. No event has occurred and no condi-
tion exists that would subject F&M or any F&M Subsidiary to any tax under
Sections 4971, 4972, 4976, 4977 or 4979 of the Code or to a fine or penalty
under Section 502(c) of ERISA.
(v) Each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of
the Code, and each trust (if any) forming a part thereof, has received a
favorable determination letter from the IRS as to the qualifica-
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tion under the Code of such Plan and the tax exempt status of such related
trust, and nothing has occurred since the date of such determination letter
that could adversely affect the qualification of such Plan or the tax ex-
empt status of such related trust.
(vi) No underfunded "defined benefit plan" (as such term is defined in
Section 3(35) of ERISA) has been, during the five years preceding the Clos-
ing Date, transferred out of the controlled group of corporations (within
the meaning of Sections 414(b), (c), (m) and (o) of the Code) of which F&M
or any F&M Subsidiary is a member or was a member during such five-year pe-
riod.
(vii) As of December 31, 1999, the fair market value of the assets of
each Plan that is a tax qualified defined benefit plan equaled or exceeded,
and as of the Closing Date will equal or exceed, the present value of all
vested and nonvested liabilities thereunder determined in accordance with
reasonable actuarial methods, factors and assumptions applicable to a de-
fined benefit plan on an ongoing basis. With respect to each Plan that is
subject to the funding requirements of Section 412 of the Code and Section
302 of ERISA, all required contributions for all periods ending prior to or
as of the Closing Date (including periods from the first day of the then-
current plan year to the Closing Date and including all quarterly contribu-
tions required in accordance with Section 412(m) of the Code) shall have
been made. With respect to each other Plan, all required payments, premi-
ums, contributions, reimbursements or accruals for all periods ending prior
to or as of the Closing Date shall have been made. No tax qualified Plan
has any unfunded liabilities.
(viii) No prohibited transaction (which shall mean any transaction pro-
hibited by Section 406 of ERISA and not exempt under Section 408 of ERISA
or Section 4975 of the Code, whether by statutory, class or individual ex-
emption) has occurred with respect to any Plan which would result in the
imposition, directly or indirectly, of any excise tax, penalty or other li-
ability under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 409 or 502(i) of ERISA.
Neither F&M nor, to the best knowledge of F&M, any F&M Subsidiary, any
trustee, administrator or other fiduciary of any Plan, or any agent of any
of the foregoing has engaged in any transaction or acted or failed to act
in a manner that could subject F&M or any F&M Subsidiary to any liability
for breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA or any other applicable law.
(ix) With respect to each Plan, all reports and information required to
be filed with any government agency or distributed to Plan participants and
their beneficiaries have been duly and timely filed or distributed.
(x) F&M and each F&M Subsidiary has been and is presently in compliance
with all of the requirements of Section 4980B of the Code.
(xi) Neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary has a liability as of December
31, 1999 under any Plan that, to the extent disclosure is required under
GAAP, is not reflected on the consolidated balance sheet included in the
Financial Statements of F&M as of December 31, 1999 or otherwise Disclosed.
(xii) Neither the consideration nor implementation of the transactions
contemplated under this Agreement will increase (A) F&M's or any F&M
Subsidiary's obligation to make contributions or any other payments to fund
benefits accrued under the Plans as of the date of this Agreement or (B)
the benefits accrued or payable with respect to any participant under the
Plans (except to the extent benefits may be deemed increased by accelerated
vesting, accelerated allocation of previously unallocated Plan assets or by
the conversion of all stock options in accordance with Section 2.9).
(xiii) With respect to each Plan, F&M has Disclosed or made available to
BB&T, true, complete and correct copies of (A) all documents pursuant to
which the Plans are maintained, funded and administered, including summary
plan descriptions, (B) the three most recent annual reports (Form 5500 se-
ries) filed with the IRS (with attachments), (C) the three most recent ac-
tuarial reports, if any, (D) the three most recent financial statements,
(E) all governmental filings for the last three years, including, without
limitation, excise tax returns and reportable events filings, and (F) all
governmental rulings, determinations, and opinions (and pending requests
for governmental rulings, determinations, and opinions) during the past
three years.
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(xiv) Each of the Plans as applied to F&M and any F&M Subsidiary may be
amended or terminated at any time by action of F&M's Board of Directors, or
such F&M's Subsidiary's Board of Directors, as the case may be, or a com-
mittee of such Board of Directors or duly authorized officer, in each case
subject to the terms of the Plan and compliance with applicable laws and
regulations (and limited, in the case of multiemployer plans, to termina-
tion of the participation of F&M or a F&M Subsidiary thereunder).
3.15 Certain Contracts
(a) Neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary is a party to, is bound or affected
by, or receives benefits under (i) any agreement, arrangement or commitment,
written or oral, the default of which would have a Material Adverse Effect,
whether or not made in the ordinary course of business (other than loans or
loan commitments made or certificates or deposits received in the ordinary
course of the banking business), or any agreement restricting its business
activities, including, without limitation, agreements or memoranda of
understanding with regulatory authorities, (ii) any agreement, indenture or
other instrument, written or oral, relating to the borrowing of money by F&M or
any F&M Subsidiary or the guarantee by F&M or any F&M Subsidiary of any such
obligation, which cannot be terminated within less than 30 days after the
Closing Date by F&M or any F&M Subsidiary (without payment of any penalty or
cost, except with respect to Federal Home Loan Bank or Federal Reserve Bank
advances), (iii) any agreement, arrangement or commitment, written or oral,
relating to the employment of a consultant, independent contractor or agent, or
the employment, election or retention in office of any present or former
director or officer, which cannot be terminated within less than 30 days after
the Closing Date by F&M or any F&M Subsidiary (without payment of any penalty
or cost), or that provides benefits which are contingent, or the application of
which is altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction involving F&M of the
nature contemplated by this Agreement or the BB&T Option Agreement, or (iv) any
agreement or plan, written or oral, including any Stock Option Plans, stock
appreciation rights plan, restricted stock plan or stock purchase plan, any of
the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of the benefits of
which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the BB&T Option Agreement or the value of any
of the benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the BB&T Option Agreement. Each
matter Disclosed pursuant to this Section 3.15(a) is in full force and effect
as of the date hereof.
(b) Neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary is in default under any agreement,
commitment, arrangement, lease, insurance policy, or other instrument, whether
entered into in the ordinary course of business or otherwise and whether
written or oral, and there has not occurred any event that, with the lapse of
time or giving of notice or both, would constitute such a default.
3.16 Legal Proceedings; Regulatory Approvals
There are no actions, suits, claims, governmental investigations or
proceedings instituted, pending or, to the best knowledge of F&M, threatened
against F&M or any F&M Subsidiary or against any asset, interest, Plan or right
of F&M or any F&M Subsidiary, or, to the best knowledge of F&M, against any
officer, director or employee of any of them in their capacity as such. There
are no actions, suits or proceedings instituted, pending or, to the best
knowledge of F&M, threatened against any present or former director or officer
of F&M or any F&M Subsidiary that would reasonably be expected to give rise to
a claim against F&M or any F&M Subsidiary for indemnification. There are no
actual or, to the best knowledge of F&M, threatened actions, suits or
proceedings which present a claim to restrain or prohibit the transactions
contemplated herein or in the BB&T Option Agreement. To the best knowledge of
F&M, no fact or condition relating to F&M or any F&M Subsidiary exists
(including, without limitation, noncompliance with the CRA) that would prevent
F&M or BB&T from obtaining all of the federal and state regulatory approvals
contemplated herein.
3.17 Compliance with Laws; Filings
Each of F&M and each F&M Subsidiary is in compliance with all statutes and
regulations (including, but not limited to, the CRA, the TILA and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and other consumer banking laws),
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and has obtained and maintained all permits, licenses and registrations
applicable to the conduct of its business, and neither F&M nor any F&M
Subsidiary has received notification that has not lapsed, been withdrawn or
abandoned by any agency or department of federal, state or local government (i)
asserting a violation or possible violation of any such statute or regulation,
(ii) threatening to revoke any permit, license, registration, or other
government authorization, or (iii) restricting or in any way limiting its
operations. Except as Disclosed with respect to the Pending Acquisitions,
neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary is subject to any regulatory or supervisory
cease and desist order, agreement, directive, memorandum of understanding or
commitment, and none of them has received any communication requesting that it
enter into any of the foregoing. Since December 31, 1997, F&M and each of the
F&M Subsidiaries has filed all reports, registrations, notices and statements,
and any amendments thereto, that it was required to file with federal and state
regulatory authorities, including, without limitation, the Commission, FDIC,
Federal Reserve Board and applicable state regulators. Each such report,
registration, notice and statement, and each amendment thereto, complied with
applicable legal requirements.
3.18 Brokers and Finders
Neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary, nor any of their respective officers,
directors or employees, has employed any broker, finder or financial advisor or
incurred any liability for any fees or commissions in connection with the
transactions contemplated herein, in the Plan of Merger or in the BB&T Option
Agreement, except for an obligation to the Financial Advisor for investment
banking services, the nature and extent of which has been Disclosed, and except
for fees to accountants and lawyers.
3.19 Repurchase Agreements; Derivatives
(a) With respect to all agreements currently outstanding pursuant to which
F&M or any F&M Subsidiary has purchased securities subject to an agreement to
resell, F&M or the F&M Subsidiary has a valid, perfected first lien or security
interest in the securities or other collateral securing such agreement, and the
value of such collateral equals or exceeds the amount of the debt secured
thereby. With respect to all agreements currently outstanding pursuant to which
F&M or any F&M Subsidiary has sold securities subject to an agreement to
repurchase, neither F&M nor the F&M Subsidiary has pledged collateral in excess
of the amount of the debt secured thereby. Neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary
has pledged collateral in excess of the amount required under any interest rate
swap or other similar agreement currently outstanding.
(b) Neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary is a party to or has agreed to enter
into an exchange-traded or over-the-counter swap, forward, future, option, cap,
floor, or collar financial contract, or any other interest rate or foreign
currency protection contract not included on its balance sheets in the
Financial Statements, which is a financial derivative contract (including
various combinations thereof), except for options and forwards entered into in
the ordinary course of its mortgage lending business consistent with past
practice and current policy.
3.20 Deposit Accounts
The deposit accounts of the F&M Subsidiaries that are depository institutions
are insured by the FDIC to the maximum extent permitted by federal law, and the
F&M Subsidiaries have paid all premiums and assessments and filed all reports
required to have been paid or filed under all rules and regulations applicable
to the FDIC.
3.21 Related Party Transactions
F&M has Disclosed all existing transactions, investments and loans, including
loan guarantees existing as of the date hereof, to which F&M or any F&M
Subsidiary is a party with any director, executive officer or 5% shareholder of
F&M or any person, corporation, or enterprise controlling, controlled by or
under common
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control with any of the foregoing. All such transactions, investments and loans
are on terms no less favorable to F&M than could be obtained from unrelated
parties.
3.22 Certain Information
When the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is mailed, and at the time of the meeting
of shareholders of F&M to vote on this Agreement and the Plan of Merger,
information supplied by F&M for inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and
all amendments or supplements thereto: (i) shall comply with the applicable
provisions of the Securities Laws, and (ii) shall not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light
of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
3.23 Tax and Regulatory Matters
Neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary has taken or agreed to take any action
which would or could reasonably be expected to (i) cause the Merger not to be
accounted for as a pooling-of-interests or not to constitute a reorganization
under Section 368 of the Code or (ii) impede or delay receipt of any consents
of regulatory authorities referred to in Section 5.4(b) or result in failure of
the condition in Section 6.3(b).
3.24 State Takeover Laws; Corporate Documents
F&M and each F&M Subsidiary have taken all necessary action to exempt the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement from any applicable moratorium,
fair price, business combination, control share or other anti-takeover laws,
and no such law shall be activated or applied as a result of such transactions.
Pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation of F&M, the vote of a majority of
shares of F&M Common Stock entitled to vote is legally sufficient to approve
the Merger. Neither the Bylaws of F&M nor any other document of F&M or to which
F&M is a party contains a provision that requires more than a majority of the
shares of F&M Common Stock entitled to vote, or the vote or approval of any
other class of capital stock or voting security, to approve the Merger or any
other transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
3.25 Labor Relations
Neither F&M nor any F&M Subsidiary is the subject of any claim or allegation
that it has committed an unfair labor practice (within the meaning of the
National Labor Relations Act or comparable state law) or seeking to compel it
to bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment,
nor is F&M or any F&M Subsidiary party to any collective bargaining agreement.
There is no strike or other labor dispute involving F&M or any F&M Subsidiary,
pending or threatened, or to the best knowledge of F&M, is there any activity
involving any employees of F&M or any F&M Subsidiary seeking to certify a
collective bargaining unit or engaging in any other organization activity.
3.26 Fairness Opinion
F&M has received from the Financial Advisor an opinion that, as of the date
hereof, the Merger Consideration is fair to the shareholders of F&M from a
financial point of view.
3.27 No Right to Dissent
Nothing in the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of F&M or any F&M
Subsidiary provides or would provide to any Person, including without
limitation the holders of F&M Common Stock, upon execution of this Agreement or
the Plan of Merger and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, rights of dissent and appraisal of any kind.
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BB&T
BB&T represents and warrants to F&M as follows (the representations and
warranties herein of BB&T are made as of the date hereof and, as contemplated
by Section 6.2(a), will also be evaluated as of the Closing Date subject to the
applicable standard set forth in Section 6.2(a), and no such representation or
warranty shall be deemed to be inaccurate unless the inaccuracy would permit
F&M not to consummate the Merger under such applicable standard):
4.1 Capital Structure of BB&T
The authorized capital stock of BB&T consists of (i) 5,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $5.00 per share, of which 2,000,000 shares have been
designated as Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the remainder
are undesignated, and none of which shares are issued and outstanding, and (ii)
500,000,000 shares of BB&T Common Stock of which 401,678,881 shares were issued
and outstanding as of December 31, 2000. All outstanding shares of BB&T Common
Stock have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. The shares of BB&T Common Stock reserved as provided in Section
5.3 are free of any Rights and have not been reserved for any other purpose,
and such shares are available for issuance as provided pursuant to the Plan of
Merger. Holders of BB&T Common Stock do not have preemptive rights.
4.2 Organization, Standing and Authority of BB&T
BB&T is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of North Carolina, with full corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease and
operate its assets, and is duly qualified to do business in the states of the
United States where its ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its
business requires such qualification. BB&T is registered as a financial holding
company under the Bank Holding Company Act.
4.3 Authorized and Effective Agreement
(a) BB&T has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and
(subject to receipt of all necessary government approvals) to perform all of
its obligations under this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action in respect
thereof on the part of BB&T. This Agreement and the Plan of Merger constitute
legal, valid and binding obligations of BB&T, and each is enforceable against
BB&T in accordance with its terms, in each case subject to (i) bankruptcy,
insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, conservatorship, receivership or other
similar laws in effect from time to time relating to or affecting the
enforcement of the rights of creditors; and (ii) general principles of equity
(whether applied in a court of law or in equity).
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Articles of
Merger, nor consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor
compliance by BB&T with any of the provisions hereof or thereof shall (i)
conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of BB&T or any BB&T Subsidiary, (ii) constitute or
result in a breach of any term, condition or provision of, or constitute a
default under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration with respect to, or result in the creation of any lien, charge or
encumbrance upon any property or asset of BB&T or any BB&T Subsidiary pursuant
to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license, agreement or other instrument
or obligation, or (iii) subject to the receipt of all required governmental
approvals, violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or
regulation applicable to BB&T or any BB&T Subsidiary.
(c) Other than consents or approvals required from, or notices to, regulatory
authorities as provided in Section 5.4(b), no notice to, filing with, or
consent of, any public body or authority is necessary for the consummation by
BB&T of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
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4.4 Organization, Standing and Authority of BB&T Subsidiaries
Each of the BB&T Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under applicable laws. BB&T owns, directly or indirectly, all of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the BB&T
Subsidiaries. Each of the BB&T Subsidiaries (i) has full power and authority to
carry on its business as now conducted and (ii) is duly qualified to do
business in the states of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where its
ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification.
4.5 Securities Filings; Financial Statements; Statements True
(a) BB&T has timely filed all Securities Documents required by the Securities
Laws to be filed since December 31, 1997. As of their respective dates of
filing, such Securities Documents complied with the Securities Laws as then in
effect, and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. No statement, certificate, instrument or other writing
furnished or to be furnished hereunder by BB&T or any other BB&T Subsidiary to
F&M contains or will contain any untrue statement of material fact or will omit
to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(b) The Financial Statements of BB&T fairly present or will fairly present,
as the case may be, the consolidated financial position of BB&T and the BB&T
Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated statements of
income and retained earnings, changes in shareholders' equity and statements of
cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited
interim statements, to the absence of notes and to normal year-end audit
adjustments that are not material in amount or effect) in conformity with GAAP
applied on a consistent basis.
4.6 Certain Information
When the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is mailed, and at all times subsequent to
such mailing up to and including the time of the meeting of shareholders of F&M
to vote on the Merger, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and all amendments or
supplements thereto, with respect to all information set forth therein relating
to BB&T, (i) shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities
Laws, and (ii) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances in which
they were made, not misleading.
4.7 Tax and Regulatory Matters
Neither BB&T nor any BB&T Subsidiary has taken or agreed to take any action
which would or could reasonably be expected to (i) cause the Merger not to be
accounted for as a pooling-of-interests or not to constitute a reorganization
under Section 368 of the Code, or (ii) impede or delay receipt of any consents
of regulatory authorities referred to in Section 5.4(b) or result in failure of
the condition in Section 6.3(b); provided, that nothing contained herein shall
limit the ability of BB&T to exercise its rights under the BB&T Option
Agreement.
4.8 Legal Proceedings; Regulatory Approvals
There are no actual or, to the best knowledge of BB&T, threatened actions,
suits or proceedings instituted, which present a claim to restrain or prohibit
the transactions contemplated herein. To the best knowledge of BB&T, no fact or
condition relating to BB&T or any BB&T Subsidiary exists (including, without
limitation, noncompliance with the CRA) that would prevent BB&T or F&M from
obtaining all of the federal and state regulatory approvals contemplated
herein.
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4.9 Adverse Change
Since September 30, 2000, BB&T and the BB&T Subsidiaries have not incurred
any liability, whether accrued, absolute or contingent, except as disclosed in
the most recent BB&T Financial Statements, or entered into any transactions
with Affiliates, in each case other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices, nor has there been any adverse change or any
event involving a prospective adverse change in the business, financial
condition, results of operations or stockholders' equity of BB&T or any of the
BB&T Subsidiaries.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
5.1 F&M Shareholder Meeting
F&M shall submit this Agreement and the Plan of Merger to its shareholders
for approval at a meeting to be held as soon as practicable, and by approving
execution of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of F&M agrees that it
shall, at the time the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is mailed to the shareholders
of F&M, recommend that F&M's shareholders vote for such approval; provided,
that the Board of Directors of F&M may withdraw or refuse to make such
recommendation only if the Board of Directors shall determine in good faith
that such recommendation should not be made in light of its fiduciary duty to
F&M's shareholders after consideration of (i) written advice of legal counsel
that, in the opinion of such counsel, such recommendation or the failure to
withdraw or modify such recommendation could reasonably be expected to
constitute a breach of the fiduciary duty of the Board of Directors to the
shareholders of F&M, and (ii) a written determination from the Financial
Advisor that the Merger Consideration is not fair or is inadequate to the F&M
shareholders from a financial point of view, accompanied by a detailed analysis
of the reasons for such determination.
5.2 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement/Prospectus
As promptly as practicable after the date hereof, BB&T shall prepare and file
the Registration Statement with the Commission. F&M will furnish to BB&T the
information required to be included in the Registration Statement with respect
to its business and affairs before it is filed with the Commission and again
before any amendments are filed, and shall have the right to review and consult
with BB&T on the form of, and any characterizations of such information
included in, the Registration Statement prior to the filing with the
Commission. Such Registration Statement, at the time it becomes effective and
on the Effective Time, shall in all material respects conform to the
requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of
the Commission. The Registration Statement shall include the form of Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. BB&T and F&M shall use all reasonable efforts to cause
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be approved by the Commission for mailing to
the F&M shareholders, and such Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall, on the date of
mailing, conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities
Laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. F&M
shall cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be mailed to shareholders in
accordance with all applicable notice requirements under the Securities Laws,
the VSCA and the rules and regulations of the NYSE.
5.3 Plan of Merger; Reservation of Shares
At the Effective Time, the Merger shall be effected in accordance with the
Plan of Merger. In connection therewith, BB&T acknowledges that it (i) has
adopted the Plan of Merger and (ii) will pay or cause to be paid when due the
Merger Consideration. BB&T has reserved for issuance such number of shares of
BB&T Common Stock as shall be necessary to pay the Merger Consideration and
agrees not to take any action that would cause the aggregate number of
authorized shares of BB&T Common Stock available for issuance hereunder not to
be sufficient to effect the Merger. If at any time the aggregate number of
shares of BB&T Common Stock reserved for issuance hereunder is not sufficient
to effect the Merger, BB&T shall take all
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appropriate action as may be required to increase the number of shares of BB&T
Common Stock reserved for such purpose.
5.4 Additional Acts
(a) F&M agrees to take such actions requested by BB&T as may be reasonably
necessary to modify the structure of, or to substitute parties to (so long as
such substitute is BB&T or a BB&T Subsidiary) the transactions contemplated
hereby, provided that such modifications do not change the Merger Consideration
or abrogate the covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the covenant not to take any action that would
substantially delay or impair the prospects of completing the Merger pursuant
to this Agreement and the Plan of Merger.
(b) As promptly as practicable after the date hereof, BB&T and F&M shall
submit notice or applications for prior approval of the transactions
contemplated herein to the Federal Reserve Board and any other federal, state
or local government agency, department or body to which notice is required or
from which approval is required for consummation of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby. F&M and BB&T each represents and warrants to
the other that all information included (or submitted for inclusion) concerning
it, its respective Subsidiaries, and any of its respective directors, officers
and shareholders, shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects
as of the date presented.
5.5 Best Efforts
Each of BB&T and F&M shall use, and shall cause each of their respective
Subsidiaries to use, its best efforts in good faith to (i) furnish such
information as may be required in connection with and otherwise cooperate in
the preparation and filing of the documents referred to in Sections 5.2 and 5.4
or elsewhere herein, and (ii) take or cause to be taken all action necessary or
desirable on its part to fulfill the conditions in Article VI, including,
without limitation, executing and delivering, or causing to be executed and
delivered, such representations, certificates and other instruments or
documents as may be reasonably requested by BB&T's legal counsel for such
counsel to issue the opinion contemplated by Section 6.1(e), and to consummate
the transactions herein contemplated at the earliest possible date. Neither
BB&T nor F&M shall take, or cause, or to the best of its ability permit to be
taken, any action that would substantially delay or impair the prospects of
completing the Merger pursuant to this Agreement and the Plan of Merger.
5.6 Certain Accounting Matters
F&M shall cooperate with BB&T concerning (i) accounting and financial matters
necessary or appropriate to facilitate the Merger (taking into account BB&T's
policies, practices and procedures), including, without limitation, issues
arising in connection with record keeping, loan classification, valuation
adjustments, levels of loan loss reserves and other accounting practices, and
(ii) F&M's lending, investment or asset/liability management policies;
provided, that any action taken pursuant to this Section 5.6 shall not be
deemed to constitute or result in the breach of any representation or warranty
of F&M contained in this Agreement; provided, however, that F&M shall not be
required to alter, amend, modify or change any such policies or practices until
the earlier of (A) such time as BB&T acknowledges to F&M or its legal counsel
that all conditions to its obligation to consummate the Merger have been waived
or satisfied (other than the delivery of certificates, opinions and other
instruments and documents to be delivered at Closing or otherwise to be dated
at the Effective Time, the delivery of which shall continue to be a condition
to BB&T's obligation to consummate the Merger) or (B) immediately prior to the
Effective Time.
5.7 Access to Information
F&M and BB&T will each keep the other advised of all material developments
relevant to its business and the businesses of its Subsidiaries, and to
consummation of the Merger, and each shall provide to the other, upon request,
reasonable details of any such development. Upon reasonable notice, F&M shall
afford to
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representatives of BB&T access, during normal business hours during the period
prior to the Effective Time, to all of the properties, books, contracts,
commitments and records of F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries and, during such
period, shall make available all information concerning their businesses as may
be reasonably requested. No investigation pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall
affect or be deemed to modify any representation or warranty made by, or the
conditions to the obligations hereunder of, either party hereto. Each party
hereto shall, and shall cause each of its directors, officers, attorneys and
advisors to, maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained hereunder
which is not otherwise publicly disclosed by the other party, said undertakings
with respect to confidentiality to survive any termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 7.1. In the event of the termination of this Agreement,
each party shall return to the other party upon request all confidential
information previously furnished in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
5.8 Press Releases
BB&T and F&M shall agree with each other as to the form and substance of any
press release related to this Agreement and the Plan of Merger or the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and consult with each other as to
the form and substance of other public disclosures related thereto; provided,
that nothing contained herein shall prohibit either party, following
notification to the other party, from making any disclosure which in the
opinion of its counsel is required by law.
5.9 Forbearances of F&M
Except with the prior written consent of BB&T (which consent shall not be
arbitrarily withheld or delayed), between the date hereof and the Effective
Time, F&M shall not, and shall cause each of the F&M Subsidiaries not to:
(a) carry on its business other than in the usual, regular and ordinary
course in substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted, or except
as required incident to the Pending Acquisitions, establish or acquire any
new Subsidiary or engage in any new type of activity or expand any existing
activities;
(b) declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution
in respect of its capital stock, other than regularly scheduled quarterly
dividends of $.25 per share of F&M Common Stock payable on record dates and
in amounts consistent with past practices; provided that any dividend de-
clared or payable on the shares of F&M Common Stock in the quarterly period
during which the Effective Time occurs shall, unless otherwise agreed upon
in writing by BB&T and F&M, be declared with a record date prior to the Ef-
fective Time only if the normal record date for payment of the correspond-
ing quarterly dividend to holders of BB&T Common Stock is before the Effec-
tive Time;
(c) issue any shares of its capital stock (including treasury shares),
except pursuant to: (1) the Stock Option Plans with respect to the options
outstanding on the date hereof; (2) the BB&T Option Agreement; (3) the
Pending Acquisitions; or (4) the F&M DRP and ESP.
(d) except as required incident to the Pending Acquisitions, issue,
grant or authorize any Rights or effect any recapitalization, reclassifica-
tion, stock dividend, stock split or like change in capitalization;
(e) amend its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;
(f) impose or permit imposition, of any lien, charge or encumbrance on
any share of stock held by it in any F&M Subsidiary, or permit any such
lien, charge or encumbrance to exist; or waive or release any material
right or cancel or compromise any debt or claim, in each case other than in
the ordinary course of business;
(g) except as required incident to the Pending Acquisitions, merge with
any other entity or permit any other entity to merge into it, or consoli-
date with any other entity; acquire control over any other entity; or liq-
uidate, sell or otherwise dispose of any assets or acquire any assets other
than in the ordinary course of its business consistent with past practices;
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(h) fail to comply in any material respect with any laws, regulations,
ordinances or governmental actions applicable to it and to the conduct of
its business;
(i) increase the rate of compensation of any of its directors, officers
or employees (excluding increases in compensation resulting from the exer-
cise of compensatory stock options outstanding as of the date of this
Agreement), or except as required incident to the Pending Acquisitions, pay
or agree to pay any bonus to, or provide any new employee benefit or incen-
tive to, any of its directors, officers or employees, except for increases
or payments made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice pursuant to plans or arrangements in effect on the date hereof;
(j) except as required incident to the Pending Acquisitions, enter into
or substantially modify (except as may be required by applicable law or
regulation) any pension, retirement, stock option, stock purchase, stock
appreciation right, savings, profit sharing, deferred compensation, con-
sulting, bonus, group insurance or other employee benefit, incentive or
welfare contract, plan or arrangement, or any trust agreement related
thereto, in respect of any of its directors, officers or other employees;
provided, however, that this subparagraph shall not prevent renewal of any
of the foregoing consistent with past practice;
(k) solicit or encourage inquiries or proposals with respect to, furnish
any information relating to, or participate in any negotiations or discus-
sions concerning, any acquisition or purchase of all or a substantial por-
tion of the assets of, or a substantial equity interest in, F&M or any F&M
Subsidiary or any business combination with F&M or any F&M Subsidiary other
than as contemplated by this Agreement; or authorize any officer, director,
agent or affiliate of F&M or any F&M Subsidiary to do any of the above; or
fail to notify BB&T immediately if any such inquiries or proposals are re-
ceived, any such information is requested or required, or any such negotia-
tions or discussions are sought to be initiated; provided, that this Sec-
tion 5.9(k) shall not apply to furnishing information, negotiations or dis-
cussions with the offeror following an unsolicited offer if, as a result of
such offer, the Board of Directors of F&M determines in good faith that the
failure so to furnish information, negotiate or discuss would constitute a
breach of its fiduciary duty to the F&M shareholders based on written ad-
vice of legal counsel that in its opinion such failure could reasonably be
expected to constitute a breach of such fiduciary duty;
(l) enter into, other than as contemplated by this Agreement and except
as required incident to the Pending Acquisitions, (i) any material agree-
ment, arrangement or commitment not made in the ordinary course of busi-
ness, (ii) any agreement, indenture or other instrument not made in the or-
dinary course of business relating to the borrowing of money by F&M or a
F&M Subsidiary or guarantee by F&M or a F&M Subsidiary of any obligation,
(iii) any agreement, arrangement or commitment relating to the employment
or severance of a consultant or the employment, severance, election or re-
tention in office of any present or former director, officer or employee
(this clause shall not apply to the election of directors by shareholders
or the reappointment of officers in the normal course), or (iv) any con-
tract, agreement or understanding with a labor union;
(m) change its lending, investment or asset liability management poli-
cies in any material respect, except as may be required by applicable law,
regulation, or directives, and except that after approval of the Agreement
and the Plan of Merger by its shareholders and after receipt of the requi-
site regulatory approvals for the transactions contemplated by this Agree-
ment and the Plan of Merger, F&M shall cooperate in good faith with BB&T to
adopt policies, practices and procedures consistent with those utilized by
BB&T, effective on or before the Closing Date;
(n) change its methods of accounting in effect at December 31, 1999, ex-
cept as required by changes in GAAP concurred in by BB&T, which concurrence
shall not be unreasonably withheld, or change any of its methods of report-
ing income and deductions for federal income tax purposes from those em-
ployed in the preparation of its federal income tax returns for the year
ended December 31, 1999, except as required by changes in law or regula-
tion;
(o) incur any commitments for capital expenditures or obligation to make
capital expenditures in excess of $100,000, for any one expenditure, or
$500,000, in the aggregate;
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(p) incur any indebtedness other than deposits from customers, advances
from the Federal Home Loan Bank or Federal Reserve Bank and reverse repur-
chase arrangements in the ordinary course of business;
(q) take any action which would or could reasonably be expected to (i)
cause the Merger not to be accounted for as a pooling-of-interests or not
to constitute a reorganization under Section 368 of the Code as determined
by BB&T, (ii) result in any inaccuracy of a representation or warranty
herein which would allow for a termination of this Agreement, or (iii)
cause any of the conditions precedent to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement to fail to be satisfied;
(r) dispose of any material assets other than in the ordinary course of
business; or
(s) agree to do any of the foregoing.
5.10 Employment Agreements
BB&T (or its specified BB&T Subsidiary) agrees to enter into employment
agreements with Alfred B. Whitt and Charles E. Curtis substantially in the form
of Annex B hereto.
5.11 Affiliates
F&M shall use its best efforts to cause all persons who are Affiliates of F&M
to deliver to BB&T promptly following execution of this Agreement a written
agreement providing that such person will not dispose of BB&T Common Stock
received in the Merger, except in compliance with the Securities Act and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and except as consistent with
qualifying the transactions contemplated hereby for pooling-of-interests
accounting treatment.
5.12 Section 401(k) Plan; Other Employee Benefits
(a) Effective on the Benefit Plan Determination Date with respect to the
401(k) plan of F&M, BB&T shall cause such plan to be merged with the 401(k)
plan maintained by BB&T and the BB&T Subsidiaries, or to be frozen or to be
terminated, in each case as determined by BB&T and subject to the receipt of
all applicable regulatory or governmental approvals. Each employee of F&M at
the Effective Time (i) who is a participant in the 401(k) plan of F&M, (ii) who
becomes an employee immediately following the Effective Time of BB&T or of any
subsidiary of BB&T ("Employer Entity"), and (iii) who continues in the
employment of an Employer Entity until the Benefit Plan Determination Date for
the 401(k) plan, shall be eligible to participate in BB&T's 401(k) plan as of
the Benefit Plan Determination Date. Any other former employee of F&M who is
employed by an Employer Entity on or after the Benefit Plan Determination Date
shall be eligible to be a participant in the BB&T 401(k) plan upon complying
with eligibility requirements. All rights to participate in BB&T's 401(k) plan
are subject to BB&T's right to amend or terminate the plan. Until the Benefit
Plan Determination Date, BB&T shall continue in effect for the benefit of
participating employees the Section 401(k) plan of F&M. For purposes of
administering BB&T's 401(k) plan, service with F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries
shall be deemed to be service with BB&T for participation and vesting purposes,
but not for purposes of benefit accrual. Each employee of F&M or a F&M
Subsidiary at the Effective Time who becomes an employee immediately following
the Effective Time of an Employer Entity is referred to herein as a
"Transferred Employee." Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the
contrary, the 401(k) plan of F&M, may be amended prior to the Effective Time to
provide that each participant in the 401(k) plan of F&M is fully vested in such
participant's accrued benefit under such 401(k) plan at the Effective Time.
(b) Each Transferred Employee shall be eligible to participate in group
hospitalization, medical, dental, life, disability and other welfare benefit
plans and programs available to employees of the Employer Entity, subject to
the terms of such plans and programs, as of the Benefit Plan Determination Date
for each such plan or program, conditional upon the Transferred Employee's
being employed by an Employer Entity as of such Benefit Plan Determination Date
and subject to complying with eligibility requirements of the respective plans
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and programs. With respect to health care coverages, participation in BB&T's
plans may be subject to availability of HMO options. In any case in which HMO
coverage is not available, substitute coverage will be provided which may not
be fully comparable to the HMO coverage. With respect to any welfare benefit
plan or program of F&M that the Employer Entity determines, in its sole
discretion, provides benefits of the same type or class as a corresponding plan
or program maintained by the Employer Entity, the Employer Entity shall
continue such F&M plan or program in effect for the benefit of the Transferred
Employees so long as they remain eligible to participate and until they shall
become eligible to become participants in the corresponding plan or program
maintained by the Employer Entity (and, with respect to any such plan or
program, subject to complying with eligibility requirements and subject to the
right of the Employer Entity to terminate such plan or program). For purposes
of administering the welfare plans and programs subject to this Section
5.12(b), service of a Transferred Employee with F&M shall be deemed to be
service with the Employer Entity for the purpose of determining eligibility to
participate and vesting (if applicable) in such welfare plans and programs, but
not for the purpose of computing benefits, if any, determined in whole or in
part with reference to service (except as otherwise provided in Section
5.12(c)). Without limiting the foregoing, service of a Transferred Employee
with F&M shall be deemed to be service with the Employer Entity for the purpose
of determining eligibility to participate and the cost of participation in the
BB&T retiree health benefit plan.
(c) Except to the extent of commitments herein or other contractual
commitments, if any, specifically made or assumed hereunder by BB&T, neither
BB&T nor any Employer Entity shall have any obligation arising from the Merger
to continue any Transferred Employees in its employ or in any specific job or
to provide to any Transferred Employee any specified level of compensation or
any incentive payments, benefits or perquisites. Each Transferred Employee who
is terminated by an Employer Entity subsequent to the Effective Time, excluding
any employee who has a then existing contract providing for severance, shall be
entitled to severance pay in accordance with the general severance policy
maintained by BB&T, if and to the extent that such employee is entitled to
severance pay under such policy. Such employee's service with F&M or a F&M
Subsidiary shall be treated as service with BB&T for purposes of determining
the amount of severance pay, if any, under BB&T's severance policy.
(d) BB&T agrees to honor all employment agreements, severance agreements and
deferred compensation agreements that F&M and the F&M Subsidiaries have with
their current and former employees and directors and which have been Disclosed
to BB&T pursuant to this Agreement, except to the extent any such agreements
shall be superseded or terminated at the Closing or following the Closing Date.
Except for the agreements described in the preceding sentence and except as
otherwise provided in this Section 5.12, the employee benefit plans of F&M
shall, in the sole discretion of BB&T, be frozen, terminated or merged into
comparable plans of BB&T, effective as BB&T shall determine in its sole
discretion.
(e) Notwithstanding and without limiting the generality of Section 5.12(d),
as soon as practicable following the date hereof but, in any event, prior to
the Effective Time, F&M shall take any and all action necessary to terminate
the F&M Employees Stock Ownership Plan as of the Effective Time, to repay any
outstanding indebtedness thereof and to allocate shares of F&M Common Stock
held thereby to the participants therein in accordance with the terms thereof.
No purchases of shares of F&M Common Stock shall be made thereunder after the
date hereof.
(f) Prior to the Effective Time, F&M shall cause the F&M ESP to be terminated
in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The F&M DRP shall be either:
(1) merged with the BB&T Dividend Reinvestment Plan after the Effective Time;
(2) frozen or terminated by BB&T after the Effective Time; or (3) at BB&T's
request, frozen or terminated by F&M prior to the Effective Time, in each case
as determined by BB&T and subject to the receipt of all applicable regulatory
or governmental approvals.
5.13 Directors and Officers Protection
BB&T or a BB&T Subsidiary shall provide and keep in force for a period of
three years after the Effective Time directors' and officers' liability
insurance providing coverage to directors and officers of F&M
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for acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time. Such insurance
shall provide at least the same coverage and amounts as contained in F&M's
policy on the date hereof; provided, that in no event shall the annual premium
on such policy exceed 150% of the annual premium payments on F&M's policy in
effect as of the date hereof (the "Maximum Amount"). If the amount of the
premiums necessary to maintain or procure such insurance coverage exceeds the
Maximum Amount, BB&T shall use its reasonable efforts to maintain the most
advantageous policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance
obtainable for a premium equal to the Maximum Amount. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, BB&T further agrees to indemnify (including the advancement of
expenses to the extent permitted by BB&T under its officer and director
indemnification procedures) all individuals who are or have been officers,
directors or employees of F&M or any F&M Subsidiary prior to the Effective Time
from any acts or omissions in such capacities prior to the Effective Time, to
the extent that such indemnification is provided pursuant to the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of F&M on the date hereof and is permitted under the
NCBCA.
5.14 Forbearances of BB&T
Except with the prior written consent of F&M, which consent shall not be
arbitrarily or unreasonably withheld, between the date hereof and the Effective
Time, neither BB&T nor any BB&T Subsidiary shall take any action which would or
might be expected to (i) cause the business combination contemplated hereby not
to be accounted for as a pooling-of-interests or not to constitute a
reorganization under Section 368 of the Code; (ii) result in any inaccuracy of
a representation or warranty herein which would allow for termination of this
Agreement; (iii) cause any of the conditions precedent to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement to fail to be satisfied; (iv) exercise the BB&T
Option Agreement other than in accordance with its terms, or dispose of the
shares of F&M Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the option rights
conferred thereby other than as permitted by the terms thereof; or (v) fail to
comply in any material respect with any laws, regulations, ordinances or
governmental actions applicable to it and to the conduct of its business.
5.15 Reports
Each of F&M and BB&T shall file (and shall cause the F&M Subsidiaries and the
BB&T Subsidiaries, respectively, to file), between the date of this Agreement
and the Effective Time, all reports required to be filed by it with the
Commission and any other regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over such
party, and shall deliver to BB&T or F&M, as the case may be, copies of all such
reports promptly after the same are filed. If financial statements are
contained in any such reports filed with the Commission, such financial
statements will fairly present the consolidated financial position of the
entity filing such statements as of the dates indicated and the consolidated
results of operations, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the
periods then ended in accordance with GAAP (subject in the case of interim
financial statements to the absence of notes and to normal recurring year-end
adjustments that are not material). As of their respective dates, such reports
filed with the Commission will comply in all material respects with the
Securities Laws and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. Any financial statements contained in any other
reports to a regulatory authority other than the Commission shall be prepared
in accordance with requirements applicable to such reports.
5.16 Exchange Listing
BB&T shall use its reasonable best efforts to list, prior to the Effective
Time, on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance, the shares of BB&T
Common Stock to be issued to the holders of F&M Common Stock pursuant to the
Merger, and BB&T shall give all notices and make all filings with the NYSE
required in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.
5.17 Advisory Board
Following the Effective Time, BB&T shall offer to each member of the Board of
Directors of F&M a seat on the BB&T Advisory Board for the area appropriate to
each such member as determined by BB&T. In
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addition, as of a date selected by BB&T (the "Advisory Board Establishment
Date") no later with respect to each F&M Subsidiary which is a bank than the
effective time of the merger of such F&M Subsidiary into an Affiliate of BB&T,
BB&T shall offer to the members of the Boards of Directors of each such F&M
Subsidiary a seat on the BB&T Advisory Board for the area in which each such
Subsidiary is located (either on an existing Advisory Board or a new Advisory
Board for the area, as determined by BB&T); provided that BB&T shall create a
BB&T Advisory Board for the Winchester, Virginia area and the members of the
Board of Directors of F&M Bank--Winchester shall be offered a seat on such BB&T
Advisory Board. During the period following the Effective Time and until the
Advisory Board Establishment Date, the directors of each such Subsidiary shall
continue to serve as such so long as they continue to meet the requirements
established by BB&T for serving, and in applying this Section 5.17 service
during such period as a director shall be deemed to be service as an Advisory
Board member. For two years following the Effective Time, the Advisory Board
members appointed pursuant to this Section 5.17 and who continue to serve shall
receive, as compensation for service on the Advisory Board, Advisory Board
member's fees (annual retainer and attendance fees) equal in amount each year
(prorated for any partial year) to the annual retainer and schedule of
attendance fees for directors of F&M or of the corresponding F&M Subsidiary
(whichever is applicable with respect to the Advisory Board member) in effect
on January 1, 2001. Following such two-year period, Advisory Board Members, if
they continue to serve in such capacity, shall receive fees in accordance with
BB&T's standard schedule of fees for service thereon as in effect from time to
time. Each such Advisory Board member shall be reappointed to the Advisory
Board for the appropriate area unless and until (i) he or she is deemed by BB&T
to be disqualified for good reason, (ii) BB&T no longer maintains an Advisory
Board for the area, or (iii) the member is prohibited from serving because he
or she has attained the maximum age for service thereon (currently age 70);
provided, that for two years after the Effective Time, no such Advisory Board
member shall be prohibited from serving thereon because he or she shall have
attained the maximum age for service thereon (currently age 70). Membership of
any person on any Advisory Board shall be conditional upon execution of an
agreement providing that such person will not engage in activities competitive
with BB&T for two years following the Effective Time or, if longer, the period
that he or she is a member of the Advisory Board.
5.18 Bank Boards of Directors
(a) BB&T agrees that it shall take such actions as shall be necessary to
cause Branch Banking and Trust Company, a North Carolina banking corporation,
to elect Alfred B. Whitt to its Board of Directors, to serve until its next
annual meeting (subject to the right of removal for cause) and thereafter so
long as he is elected and qualifies. BB&T agrees that Alfred B. Whitt shall be
reelected to the Board of Directors of Branch Banking and Trust Company
(subject to his continuing to qualify) during the period that he serves as
Executive Vice President or is under contract with BB&T or an Affiliate of
BB&T.
(b) BB&T agrees that it shall take such actions as shall be necessary to
cause Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia, a Virginia banking
corporation, to elect Alfred B. Whitt and Charles E. Curtis to its Board of
Directors, to serve until its next annual meeting (subject to the right of
removal for cause) and thereafter so long as each is elected and qualifies.
BB&T agrees that Alfred B. Whitt and Charles E. Curtis shall be reelected to
the Board of Directors of Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia (subject
to such individual continuing to qualify) during the period that such
individual serves as Executive Vice President or is under contract with BB&T or
an Affiliate of BB&T.
(c) Any member of either such Board of Directors who is neither an employee
of BB&T or any of its Affiliates nor under contract with BB&T or any of its
Affiliates shall be entitled to receive fees for service on the Board in
accordance with BB&T's policies as in effect from time to time.
5.19 Completion of Bank Mergers
Prior to the Effective Time, F&M shall complete the Pending Acquisitions in
accordance with the terms of the documents governing each such Pending
Acquisition on the date hereof and as Disclosed. BB&T shall
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cooperate with F&M in good faith to help resolve any issues that may arise
following the date hereof related to the closing of any of the Pending
Acquisitions.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
6.1 Conditions Precedent--BB&T and F&M
The respective obligations of BB&T and F&M to effect the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to satisfaction or waiver of
the following conditions at or prior to the Effective Time:
(a) All corporate action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and the Plan of Merger, and consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, shall have been duly
and validly taken, including, without limitation, the approval of the
shareholders of F&M of the Agreement and the Plan of Merger.
(b) The Registration Statement (including any post-effective amendments
thereto) shall be effective under the Securities Act, no proceedings shall
be pending or to the knowledge of BB&T threatened by the Commission to sus-
pend the effectiveness of such Registration Statement and the BB&T Common
Stock to be issued as contemplated in the Plan of Merger shall have either
been registered or be subject to exemption from registration under applica-
ble state securities laws.
(c) The parties shall have received all regulatory approvals required in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Plan of Merger, all notice periods and waiting periods with respect to such
approvals shall have passed and all such approvals shall be in effect.
(d) None of BB&T, the BB&T Subsidiaries, F&M or the F&M Subsidiaries
shall be subject to any order, decree or injunction of a court or agency of
competent jurisdiction which enjoins or prohibits consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(e) F&M and BB&T shall have received an opinion of BB&T's legal counsel,
in form and substance satisfactory to F&M and BB&T, substantially to the
effect that the Merger will constitute one or more reorganizations under
Section 368 of the Code and that the shareholders of F&M will not recognize
any gain or loss to the extent that such shareholders exchange shares of
F&M Common Stock for shares of BB&T Common Stock.
6.2 Conditions Precedent--F&M
The obligations of F&M to effect the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following additional
conditions at or prior to the Effective Time, unless waived by F&M pursuant to
Section 7.4:
(a) All representations and warranties of BB&T shall be evaluated as of
the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on
and as of the Effective Time (or on the date designated in the case of any
representation and warranty which specifically relates to an earlier date),
except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or consented to in writ-
ing by F&M. The representations and warranties of BB&T set forth in Sec-
tions 4.1, 4.2 (except as relates to qualification), 4.3(a), 4.3(b)(i) and
4.4 (except as relates to qualification) shall be true and correct (except
for inaccuracies which are de minimis). There shall not exist inaccuracies
in the representations and warranties of BB&T set forth in this Agreement
(including the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.1,
4.2, 4.3(a), 4.3(b)(i) and 4.4) such that the aggregate effect of such in-
accuracies has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect
on BB&T.
(b) BB&T shall have performed in all material respects all obligations
and complied in all material respects with all covenants required by this
Agreement.
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(c) BB&T shall have delivered to F&M a certificate, dated the Closing
Date and signed by its Chairman or President or an Executive Vice Presi-
dent, to the effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1(a),
6.1(b), 6.1(c), 6.1(d), 6.2(a) and 6.2(b), to the extent applicable to
BB&T, have been satisfied and that there are no actions, suits, claims,
governmental investigations or procedures instituted, pending or, to the
best of such officer's knowledge, threatened that reasonably may be ex-
pected to have a Material Adverse Effect on BB&T or that present a claim to
restrain or prohibit the transactions contemplated herein or in the Plan of
Merger.
(d) F&M shall have received opinions of counsel to BB&T in the form rea-
sonably acceptable to F&M's legal counsel.
(e) The shares of BB&T Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Merger
shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official no-
tice of issuance.
6.3 Conditions Precedent--BB&T
The obligations of BB&T to effect the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject to satisfaction of the following additional
conditions at or prior to the Effective Time, unless waived by BB&T pursuant to
Section 7.4:
(a) All representations and warranties of F&M shall be evaluated as of
the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on
and as of the Effective Time (or on the date designated in the case of any
representation and warranty which specifically relates to an earlier date),
except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or consented to in writ-
ing by BB&T. The representations and warranties of F&M set forth in Sec-
tions 3.1, 3.2 (except as it relates to qualification), 3.3, 3.4 (except
the last sentence thereof), 3.5(a), 3.5(b)(i) and 3.24 shall be true and
correct (except for inaccuracies which are de minimis). There shall not ex-
ist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of F&M set forth in
this Agreement (including the representations and warranties set forth in
Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5(a), 3.5(b)(i) and 3.24) such that the ag-
gregate effect of such inaccuracies has, or is reasonably likely to have, a
Material Adverse Effect on F&M (evaluated without regard to the Merger).
(b) No regulatory approval shall have imposed any condition or require-
ment which, in the reasonable opinion of the Board of Directors of BB&T,
would so materially adversely affect the business or economic benefits to
BB&T of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as to render con-
summation of such transactions inadvisable or unduly burdensome; provided
that any required divestiture of deposits in connection with the transac-
tions contemplated by this Agreement shall be deemed acceptable to BB&T if
the location and dollar amount of deposits required to be divested is not
materially different from the reasonable good faith estimate of BB&T dis-
closed in writing to F&M on the date of this Agreement.
(c) F&M shall have performed in all material respects all obligations
and complied in all material respects with all covenants required by this
Agreement.
(d) F&M shall have delivered to BB&T a certificate, dated the Closing
Date and signed by its Chairman or President, to the effect that the condi-
tions set forth in Sections 6.1(a), 6.1(c), 6.3(a) and 6.3(c), to the ex-
tent applicable to F&M, have been satisfied and that there are no actions,
suits, claims, governmental investigations or procedures instituted, pend-
ing or, to the best of such officer's knowledge, threatened that reasonably
may be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on F&M or that present a
claim to restrain or prohibit the transactions contemplated herein or in
the Plan of Merger.
(e) BB&T shall have received opinions of counsel to F&M in the form rea-
sonably acceptable to BB&T's legal counsel.
(f) BB&T shall have received the written agreements from Affiliates as
specified in Section 5.11 to the extent necessary, in the reasonable judg-
ment of BB&T, to ensure that the Merger will be accounted for as a pooling
of interests under GAAP and to promote compliance with Rule 145 promulgated
by the Commission.
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(g) BB&T shall have received letters, dated as of the date of filing of
the Registration Statement with the Commission and as of the Effective
Time, addressed to BB&T, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
BB&T, from Arthur Andersen, LLP to the effect that the Merger will qualify
for pooling-of-interests accounting treatment.
(h) BB&T shall have received Employment Agreements substantially in the
form of Annex B executed by Alfred B. Whitt and Charles E. Curtis.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION, DEFAULT, WAIVER AND AMENDMENT
7.1 Termination
This Agreement may be terminated:
(a) At any time prior to the Effective Time, by the mutual consent in
writing of the parties hereto.
(b) At any time prior to the Effective Time, by either party (i) in the
event of a material breach by the other party of any covenant or agreement
contained in this Agreement, or (ii) in the event of an inaccuracy of any
representation or warranty of the other party contained in this Agreement,
which inaccuracy would provide the nonbreaching party the ability to refuse
to consummate the Merger under the applicable standard set forth in Section
6.2(a) in the case of F&M and Section 6.3(a) in the case of BB&T; and, in
the case of (i) or (ii), if such breach or inaccuracy has not been cured by
the earlier of thirty days following written notice of such breach to the
party committing such breach or the Effective Time.
(c) At any time prior to the Effective Time, by either party hereto in
writing, if any of the conditions precedent to the obligations of the other
party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby cannot be satis-
fied or fulfilled prior to the Closing Date, and the party giving the no-
tice is not in material breach of any of its representations, warranties,
covenants or undertakings herein.
(d) At any time, by either party hereto in writing, if any of the appli-
cations for prior approval referred to in Section 5.4 are denied, and the
time period for appeals and requests for reconsideration has run.
(e) At any time, by either party hereto in writing, if the shareholders
of F&M do not approve the Agreement and the Plan of Merger.
(f) At any time following December 31, 2001 by either party hereto in
writing, if the Effective Time has not occurred by the close of business on
such date, and the party giving the notice is not in material breach of any
of its representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings herein.
(g) By F&M at any time during the five-day period commencing on the De-
termination Date if both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) the Converted Value shall be less than $32.09, and
(2) (i) the quotient obtained by dividing the Average Closing Price
by $36.80 (such number being referred to herein as the "BB&T Ratio")
shall be less than (ii) 90% of the quotient obtained by dividing the In-
dex Price on the Determination Date by the Index Price on the Starting
Date;
subject, however, to the following three sentences. If F&M determines not to
consummate the Merger pursuant to this Section 7.1(g), it shall give prompt
written notice of its election to terminate to BB&T, which notice may be
withdrawn at any time prior to the lapse of the five-day period commencing on
the Determination Date. During the five-day period commencing with its receipt
of such notice, BB&T shall have the option to elect to increase the Exchange
Ratio to a number such that the Converted Value is not less than $32.09. The
election contemplated by the preceding sentence shall be made by giving notice
to F&M of such election and the
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revised Exchange Ratio, whereupon no termination shall have occurred pursuant
to this Section 7.1(g), and this Agreement shall remain in effect in accordance
with its terms (except as the Exchange Ratio shall have been so modified), and
any references in this Agreement to "Exchange Ratio" shall thereafter be deemed
to refer to the Exchange Ratio as adjusted pursuant to this Section 7.1(g). If
the Closing Date shall occur during the five-day period such option is in
effect, the Closing Date shall be extended until a date selected by BB&T no
more than ten days following the close of such five-day period.
For purposes of this Section 7.1(g), the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
"Converted Value" shall mean the product of the Average Closing Price
multiplied by the Exchange Ratio.
"Average Closing Price" shall mean the average 4:00 p.m. eastern time closing
price per share of BB&T Common Stock on the NYSE (as reported on NYSEnet.com)
for the five trading days (determined by excluding days on which the NYSE is
closed) ending on the last trading date prior to the Determination Date.
"Determination Date" shall mean the tenth calendar day preceding the
Effective Time (the tenth day to be determined by counting the day preceding
the Effective Time as the first day).
"Index Group" shall mean the 11 bank holding companies listed below, the
common stocks of all of which shall be publicly traded and as to which there
shall not have been, since the Starting Date and before the Determination Date,
any public announcement of a proposal for such company to be acquired or for
such company to acquire another company or companies in transactions with a
value exceeding 25% of the acquiror's market capitalization. In the event that
any such company or companies are removed from the Index Group, the weights
(which have been determined based upon the number of shares of outstanding
common stock) shall be redistributed proportionately for purposes of
determining the Index Price. The 11 bank holding companies and the weights
attributed to them are as follows:
Bank Holding Companies % Weighting
---------------------- -----------
Wachovia Corp................................................. 6.16
Fifth Third Bancorp........................................... 14.10
Comerica Inc.................................................. 4.75
Huntington Bancshares Inc..................................... 7.60
Firstar Corp.................................................. 28.80
South Trust Corp.............................................. 5.12
Regions Financial Corp........................................ 6.66
AmSouth Bancorp............................................... 11.32
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc............................. 8.77
Zions Bancorporation.......................................... 2.64
Union Planters Corp........................................... 4.08
------
Total....................................................... 100.00%
======
"Index Price" shall mean the weighted average (weighted in accordance with
the "% Weighting" listed above) of the closing sales prices of the companies
composing the Index Group determined as of the Starting Date or Determination
Date, whichever is applicable, based on the closing price per share (as
reported by The Wall Street Journal for the day preceding the Starting Date or
Determination Date, whichever is applicable.)
"Starting Date" shall mean the date of this Agreement.
If any company belonging to the Index Group or BB&T declares or effects a
stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination,
exchange of shares, or similar transaction between the
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Starting Date and the Determination Date, the prices for the common stock of
such company or BB&T shall be appropriately adjusted for the purposes of
applying this Section 7.1(g).
(h) At any time prior to 11:59 p.m. on February 21, 2001 by BB&T in
writing, if BB&T determines in its sole good faith judgment, through review
of information Disclosed by F&M, or otherwise, that the financial condi-
tion, results of operations, business or business prospects of F&M and of
the F&M Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are materially adversely different
from BB&T's reasonable expectations with respect thereto on the date of ex-
ecution of this Agreement; provided that BB&T shall inform F&M upon such
termination as to the reasons for BB&T's determination. The fact that F&M
has Disclosed information shall not prevent BB&T from terminating this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(h) on account of such information.
7.2 Effect of Termination
In the event this Agreement and the Plan of Merger is terminated pursuant to
Section 7.1, both this Agreement and the Plan of Merger shall become void and
have no effect, except that (i) the provisions hereof relating to
confidentiality and expenses set forth in Sections 5.7 and 8.1, respectively,
shall survive any such termination and (ii) a termination pursuant to Section
7.1(b) shall not relieve the breaching party from liability for a breach of the
covenant, agreement, representation or warranty giving rise to such
termination. The BB&T Option Agreement shall be governed by its own terms.
7.3 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants
All representations, warranties and covenants in this Agreement or the Plan
of Merger or in any instrument delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall
expire on, and be terminated and extinguished at, the Effective Time, other
than covenants that by their terms are to be performed after the Effective Time
(including Sections 5.13, 5.17 and 5.18); provided that no such
representations, warranties or covenants shall be deemed to be terminated or
extinguished so as to deprive BB&T or F&M (or any director, officer or
controlling person thereof) of any defense at law or in equity which otherwise
would be available against the claims of any person, including, without
limitation, any shareholder or former shareholder of either BB&T or F&M, the
aforesaid representations, warranties and covenants being material inducements
to consummation by BB&T and F&M of the transactions contemplated herein.
7.4 Waiver
Except with respect to any required regulatory approval, each party hereto,
by written instrument signed by an executive officer of such party, may at any
time (whether before or after approval of the Agreement and the Plan of Merger
by the F&M shareholders) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of the other party hereto and may waive (i) any
inaccuracies of the other party in the representations or warranties contained
in this Agreement, the Plan of Merger or any document delivered pursuant hereto
or thereto, (ii) compliance with any of the covenants, undertakings or
agreements of the other party, or satisfaction of any of the conditions
precedent to its obligations, contained herein or in the Plan of Merger, or
(iii) the performance by the other party of any of its obligations set out
herein or therein; provided that no such extension or waiver, or amendment or
supplement pursuant to this Section 7.4, executed after approval by the F&M
shareholders of this Agreement and the Plan of Merger, shall reduce either the
Exchange Ratio or the payment terms for fractional interests.
7.5 Amendment or Supplement
This Agreement or the Plan of Merger may be amended or supplemented at any
time in writing by mutual agreement of BB&T and F&M, subject to the proviso to
Section 7.4.
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ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Expenses
Each party hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including,
without limitation, fees and expenses of its own financial consultants,
accountants and counsel; provided, however, that the filing fees and printing
costs incurred in connection with the Registration Statement and the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus shall be borne 50% by BB&T and 50% by F&M.
8.2 Entire Agreement
This Agreement, including the documents and other writings referenced herein
or delivered pursuant hereto, contains the entire agreement between the parties
with respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder and
supersedes all arrangements or understandings with respect thereto, written or
oral, entered into on or before the date hereof. The terms and conditions of
this Agreement and the BB&T Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors.
Nothing in this Agreement or the BB&T Option Agreement, expressed or implied,
is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto and
thereto, and their respective successors, any rights, remedies, obligations or
liabilities, except for the rights of directors and officers of F&M to enforce
rights in Sections 5.13, 5.17 and 5.18.
8.3 No Assignment
Except for a substitution of parties pursuant to Section 5.4(a), none of the
parties hereto may assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement
to any other person, except upon the prior written consent of each other party.
8.4 Notices
All notices or other communications which are required or permitted hereunder
shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered personally or sent by
nationally recognized overnight express courier or by facsimile transmission,
addressed or directed as follows:
If to F&M:
Alfred B. Whitt
F&M National Corporation
The Feltner Building
9 Court Square, First Floor
Winchester, Virginia 22601
Telephone: 540-665-4282
Fax: 540-665-4357
With a required copy to:
George P. Whitley, Esq.
LeClair Ryan, A Professional Corporation
707 East Main Street, 11th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Telephone: 804-343-4089
Fax: 804-783-7628
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If to BB&T:
Scott E. Reed
150 South Stratford Road
4th Floor
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27104
Telephone: 336-733-3088
Fax: 336-733-2296
With a required copy to:
William A. Davis, II
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
200 West Second Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27102
Telephone: 336-721-3624
Fax: 336-733-8364
Any party may by notice change the address to which notice or other
communications to it are to be delivered.
8.5 Specific Performance
F&M acknowledges that the F&M Common Stock and the F&M business and assets
are unique, and that if F&M fails to consummate the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement such failure will cause irreparable harm to BB&T for which
there will be no adequate remedy at law, BB&T shall be entitled, in addition to
its other remedies at law, to specific performance of this Agreement if F&M
shall, without cause, refuse to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. This Section 8.5 shall not be deemed a waiver by F&M to seek
any legally available remedy in the event of a breach by BB&T.
8.6 Captions
The captions contained in this Agreement are for reference only and are not
part of this Agreement.
8.7 Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such
counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.
8.8 Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of North Carolina, without regard to the principles of conflicts
of laws, except to the extent federal law may be applicable.
[remainder of page intentionally left blank]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby,
have caused this Agreement to be executed in counterparts by their duly
authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above written.
BB&T Corporation
/s/ John A. Allison, IV
By: _________________________________
Name: John A. Allison, IV
Title: Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
F&M National Corporation
/s/ Alfred B. Whitt
By: _________________________________
Name: Alfred B. Whitt
Title: President and Chief
Executive Officer
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ANNEX A
PLAN OF MERGER
OF
F&M NATIONAL CORPORATION
WITH
BB&T CORPORATION
Section 1. Corporations Proposing to Merge and Surviving Corporation. F&M
National Corporation, a Virginia corporation ("F&M") shall be merged (the
"Merger") into BB&T Corporation, a North Carolina corporation ("BB&T"),
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Plan of Merger (the "Plan of
Merger") and of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of January
23, 2001 (the "Agreement"), between F&M and BB&T. The effective time for the
Merger (the "Effective Time") shall be set forth in the Articles of Merger to
be filed with the Secretary of State of North Carolina and with the Virginia
State Corporation Commission. BB&T shall continue as the surviving corporation
(the "Surviving Corporation") in the Merger and the separate corporate
existence of F&M shall cease.
Section 2. Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth
in Section 55-11-06 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act (the
"NCBCA") and Section 13.1-721 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (the
"VSCA").
Section 3. Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Articles of
Incorporation and the Bylaws of BB&T as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall remain in effect as the Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation following the Effective Time until changed
in accordance with their terms and the NCBCA.
Section 4. Conversion of Shares.
(a) At the Effective Time, each share of common stock, par value $2.00
per share, of F&M ("F&M Common Stock") issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted into and become the
right to receive shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of BB&T
("BB&T Common Stock"), and cash in lieu of any fractional share interest,
as described in Section 5.
(b) At the Effective Time, each share of the common stock of BB&T issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to
be issued and outstanding.
(c) Until surrendered, each outstanding certificate which prior to the
Effective Time represented one or more shares of F&M Common Stock shall be
deemed upon the Effective Time for all purposes to represent only the right
to receive the Merger Consideration and any declared and unpaid dividends
thereon. No interest will be paid or accrued on the Merger Consideration
upon the surrender of the certificate or certificates representing shares
of F&M Common Stock. With respect to any certificate for F&M Common Stock
that has been lost or destroyed, BB&T shall pay the Merger Consideration
attributable to such certificate upon receipt of a surety bond or other ad-
equate indemnity as required in accordance with BB&T's standard policy, and
evidence reasonably satisfactory to BB&T of ownership of the shares repre-
sented thereby. After the Effective Time, F&M's transfer books shall be
closed and no transfer of the shares of F&M Common Stock outstanding imme-
diately prior to the Effective Time shall be made on the stock transfer
books of the Surviving Corporation.
(d) Promptly after the Effective Time, BB&T shall cause to be delivered
or mailed to each F&M shareholder a form of letter of transmittal and in-
structions for use in effecting the surrender of the certificates which,
immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented any shares of F&M Com-
mon Stock. Upon proper surrender of such certificates or other evidence of
ownership meeting the requirements of Section 4(c), together with such let-
ter of transmittal duly executed and completed in accordance with the in-
structions thereto, and such other documents as may be reasonably request-
ed, BB&T shall promptly
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cause the transfer to the persons entitled thereto of the Merger Considera-
tion and any declared and unpaid dividends thereon.
(e) The Surviving Corporation shall pay any dividends or other distribu-
tions with a record date prior to the Effective Time which have been de-
clared or made by F&M in respect of shares of F&M Common Stock in accor-
dance with the terms of the Agreement and which remain unpaid at the Effec-
tive Time, subject to compliance by F&M with Section 5.9(b) of the Agree-
ment. To the extent permitted by law, former shareholders of record of F&M
shall be entitled to vote after the Effective Time at any meeting of BB&T
shareholders the number of whole shares of BB&T Common Stock into which
their respective shares of F&M Common Stock are converted, regardless of
whether such holders have exchanged their certificates representing F&M
Common Stock for certificates representing BB&T Common Stock in accordance
with the provisions of the Agreement. Whenever a dividend or other distri-
bution is declared by BB&T on the BB&T Common Stock, the record date for
which is at or after the Effective Time, the declaration shall include div-
idends or other distributions on all shares of BB&T Common Stock issuable
pursuant to the Agreement, but no dividend or other distribution payable to
the holders of record of BB&T Common Stock as of any time subsequent to the
Effective Time shall be delivered to the holder of any certificate repre-
senting F&M Common Stock until such holder surrenders such certificate for
exchange as provided in this Section 4. Upon surrender of such certificate,
both the BB&T Common Stock certificate and any undelivered dividends and
cash payments payable hereunder (without interest) shall be delivered and
paid with respect to the shares of F&M Common Stock represented by such
certificate.
Section 5. Merger Consideration. As used herein, the term "Merger
Consideration" shall mean the number of shares of BB&T Common Stock (to the
nearest ten thousandth of a share) to be exchanged for each share of F&M Common
Stock issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time and cash (without
interest) to be payable in exchange for any fractional share of BB&T Common
Stock which would otherwise be distributable to a F&M shareholder, determined
as follows:
(a) The number of shares of BB&T Common Stock to be issued in exchange
for each issued and outstanding share of F&M Common Stock shall be in the
ratio of 1.09 shares of BB&T Common Stock for each share of F&M Common
Stock (the "Exchange Ratio").
(b) The amount of cash payable with respect to any fractional share of
BB&T Common Stock shall be determined by multiplying the fractional part of
such share by the 4:00 p.m. eastern time closing price per share on the New
York Stock Exchange on the Closing Date, as reported on NYSEnet.com.
Section 6. Conversion of Stock Options. At the Effective Time, each option to
acquire shares of F&M Common Stock ("Stock Option") granted under the F&M Stock
Option Plans as defined in the Agreement (the "Stock Option Plans") then
outstanding (and which by its terms does not lapse on or before the Effective
Time), whether or not then exercisable, shall be converted into and become
rights with respect to BB&T Common Stock, and BB&T shall assume each such Stock
Option in accordance with the terms of the Stock Option Plans, except that from
and after the Effective Time (i) BB&T and its Compensation Committee shall be
substituted for F&M and the Committee of F&M's Board of Directors administering
the Stock Option Plans, (ii) each Stock Option assumed by BB&T may be exercised
solely for shares of BB&T Common Stock, (iii) the number of shares of BB&T
Common Stock subject to each such Stock Option shall be the number of whole
shares of BB&T (omitting any fractional share) determined by multiplying the
number of shares of F&M Common Stock subject to such Stock Option immediately
prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio, and (iv) the per share
exercise price under each such Stock Option shall be adjusted by dividing the
per share exercise price under each such Stock Option by the Exchange Ratio and
rounding up to the nearest cent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, BB&T may at its
election substitute as of the Effective Time options under the BB&T Corporation
1995 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan or any other duly adopted comparable plan (in
either case, the "BB&T Option Plan") for all or a part of the Stock Options,
subject to the following conditions: (A) the requirements of (iii) and (iv)
above shall be met; (B) such substitution shall not constitute a modification,
extension or renewal of any of the Stock Options; and (C) the substituted
options shall continue in effect on the same terms and conditions as provided
in the Stock Options and the Stock Option Plans governing each Stock
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Option. Each grant of a converted or substitute option to any individual who
subsequent to the Merger will be a director or officer of BB&T as construed
under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act shall, as a condition to such
conversion or substitution, be approved in accordance with the provisions of
Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. Each Stock Option which is an incentive
stock option shall be adjusted as required by Section 424 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the Regulations promulgated
thereunder, so as to continue as an incentive stock option under Section 424(a)
of the Code, and so as not to constitute a modification, extension, or renewal
of the option within the meaning of Section 424(h) of the Code. With respect to
those individuals, if any, who subsequent to the Merger may be subject to the
reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), BB&T shall administer the Stock Option
Plans (or the BB&T Option Plan, if applicable) in a manner that complies with
Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act to the extent necessary to
preserve for such individuals the benefits of Rule 16b-3 to the extent such
benefits were available to them prior to the Effective Time.
Section 7. No Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any other term or provision
hereof, no fraction of a share of BB&T Common Stock, and no certificates or
scrip therefor or other evidence of ownership thereof, will be issued in
connection with the conversion of F&M Common Stock in the Merger, and no right
to receive cash in lieu thereof shall entitle the holder thereof to any voting
or other rights of a holder of shares or fractional share interests of the
Surviving Corporation. In lieu of such fractional shares, any holder of shares
who would otherwise be entitled to fractional shares of BB&T Common Stock will,
upon receipt by the Surviving Corporation of the letter of transmittal and
other documents described in Section 2.8(d) of the Agreement, be paid the cash
value of each such fraction, computed in accordance with Section 5(b) above.
Section 8. Amendment. At any time before the Effective Time, this Plan of
Merger may be amended, provided that no such amendment executed after approval
by the shareholders of F&M of this Plan of Merger shall reduce either the
Exchange Ratio or the payment terms for fractional interests without the
approval of the shareholders affected thereby.
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APPENDIX B
[LETTERHEAD OF KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.]
January 23, 2001
The Board of Directors
F&M National Corporation
9 Court Square
P.O. Box 2800
Winchester, Virginia 22601
Members of the Board:
You have requested our opinion as investment bankers as to the fairness, from
a financial point of view, to the stockholders of F&M National Corporation
("Target") of the consideration to be received by such stockholders in the
proposed merger (the "Merger") of F&M National Corporation into BB&T
Corporation ("Acquiror"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of January 23, 2001, between Target and Acquiror (the "Agreement"). Pursuant
to the terms of the Agreement, each outstanding share of common stock, par
value $2.00 per share, of Target (the "Common Shares") will be converted into
1.09 shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of Acquiror.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., as part of its investment banking business, is
continually engaged in the valuation of bank and bank holding company
securities in connection with acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and
valuations for various other purposes. As specialists in the securities of
banking companies, we have experience in, and knowledge of, the valuation of
the banking enterprises. In the ordinary course of our business as a broker-
dealer, we may, from time to time purchase securities from, and sell securities
to, Target and Acquiror, and as a market maker in securities, we may from time
to time have a long or short position in, and buy or sell, debt or equity
securities of Target and Acquiror for our own account and for the accounts of
our customers. We have acted exclusively for the Board of Directors of Target
in rendering this fairness opinion and will receive a fee from Target for our
services.
In connection with this opinion, we have reviewed, analyzed and relied upon
material bearing upon the financial and operating condition of Target and
Acquiror and the Merger, including among other things, the following: (i) the
Agreement; (ii) the Annual Reports to Stockholders and Annual Reports on Form
10-K for the three years ended December 31, 1999 of Target and Acquiror; (iii)
certain interim reports to stockholders and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of
Target and Acquiror and certain other communications from Target and Acquiror
to their respective stockholders; and (iv) other financial information
concerning the businesses and operations of Target and Acquiror, including
unaudited results for the year ended December 31, 2000, furnished to us by
Target and Acquiror for purposes of our analysis. We have also held discussions
with senior management of Target and Acquiror regarding the past and current
business operations, regulatory relations, financial condition and future
prospects of their respective companies and such other matters as we have
deemed relevant to our inquiry. In addition, we have compared certain financial
and stock market information
B-1
for Target and Acquiror with similar information for certain other companies
the securities of which are publicly traded, reviewed the financial terms of
certain recent business combinations in the banking industry and performed such
other studies and analyses as we considered appropriate.
In conducting our review and arriving at our opinion, we have relied upon the
accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other information
provided to us or publicly available and we have not assumed any responsibility
for independently verifying the accuracy or completeness of any such
information. We have relied upon the management of Target and Acquiror as to
the reasonableness and achievability of the financial and operating forecasts
and projections (and the assumptions and bases therefor) provided to us, and we
have assumed that such forecasts and projections reflect the best currently
available estimates and judgments of such managements and that such forecasts
and projections will be realized in the amounts and in the time periods
currently estimated by such managements. We are not experts in the independent
verification of the adequacy of allowances for loan and lease losses and we
have assumed, with your consent, that the aggregate allowances for loan and
lease losses for Target and Acquiror are adequate to cover such losses. In
rendering our opinion, we have not made or obtained any evaluations or
appraisals of the property of Target or Acquiror, nor have we examined any
individual credit files.
We have considered such financial and other factors as we have deemed
appropriate under the circumstances, including, among others, the following:
(i) the historical and current financial position and results of operations of
Target and Acquiror; (ii) the assets and liabilities of Target and Acquiror;
and (iii) the nature and terms of certain other merger transactions involving
banks and bank holding companies. We have also taken into account our
assessment of general economic, market and financial conditions and our
experience in other transactions, as well as our experience in securities
valuation and knowledge of the banking industry generally. Our opinion is
necessarily based upon conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the
date hereof and the information made available to us through the date hereof.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the
date hereof, the consideration to be paid in the Merger is fair, from a
financial point of view, to holders of the Common Shares.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
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PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Sections 55-8-50 through 55-8-58 of the North Carolina Business Corporation
Act contain specific provisions relating to indemnification of directors and
officers of North Carolina corporations. In general, such sections provide
that: (i) a corporation must indemnify a director or officer who is wholly
successful in his defense of a proceeding to which he is a party because of his
status as such, unless limited by the articles of incorporation, and (ii) a
corporation may indemnify a director or officer if he is not wholly successful
in such defense if it is determined as provided by statute that the director or
officer meets a certain standard of conduct, except that when a director or
officer is liable to the corporation or is adjudged liable on the basis that
personal benefit was improperly received by him, the corporation may not
indemnify him. A director or officer of a corporation who is a party to a
proceeding may also apply to a court for indemnification, and the court may
order indemnification under certain circumstances set forth in the statute. A
corporation may, in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or by contract or
resolution of the board of directors, provide indemnification in addition to
that provided by statute, subject to certain conditions.
The registrant's bylaws provide for the indemnification of any director or
officer of the registrant against liabilities and litigation expenses arising
out of his status as such, excluding: (i) any liabilities or litigation
expenses relating to activities that were at the time taken known or believed
by such person to be clearly in conflict with the best interest of the
registrant and (ii) that portion of any liabilities or litigation expenses with
respect to which such person is entitled to receive payment under any insurance
policy.
The registrant's articles of incorporation provide for the elimination of the
personal liability of each director of the registrant to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
The registrant maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance that,
in general, insures: (i) the registrant's directors and officers against loss
by reason of any of their wrongful acts and (ii) the registrant against loss
arising from claims against the directors and officers by reason of their
wrongful acts, all subject to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Certain rules of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit the ability
of certain depository institutions, their subsidiaries and their affiliated
depository institution holding companies to indemnify affiliated parties,
including institution directors. In general, subject to the ability to purchase
directors and officers liability insurance and to advance professional expenses
under certain circumstances, the rules prohibit such institutions from
indemnifying a director for certain costs incurred with regard to an
administrative or enforcement action commenced by any federal banking agency
that results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which the director is
assessed a civil money penalty, removed from office, prohibited from
participating in the affairs of an insured depository institution or required
to cease and desist from or take an affirmative action described in Section
8(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. (S) 1818(b)).
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Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as exhibits to this registration
statement on Form S-4:
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
2 Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of January 23, 2001
between BB&T Corporation and F&M National Corporation (included as
Appendix A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus)
4(a) Articles of Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the Registrant related to Junior Participating
Preferred Stock (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a)
to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 17,
1997)
4(b) Rights Agreement dated as of December 17, 1996 between the
Registrant and Branch Banking and Trust Company, Rights Agent
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant's
Form 8-A filed January 10, 1997)
4(c) Subordinated Indenture (including Form of Subordinated Debt
Security) between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, Trustee, dated as of May 24, 1996 (Incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4(d) to Registration No. 333-02899)
4(d) Senior Indenture (including Form of Senior Debt Security) between
the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust company, Trustee,
dated as of May 24, 1996 (Incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 4(c) to Registration No. 333-02899)
5 Opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
8 Opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
23(a) Consent of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC (included in
Exhibit 5)
23(b) Consent of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC (included in
Exhibit 8)
23(c) Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23(d) Consent of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.
23(e) Consent of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
24 Power of Attorney*
99(a) Form of F&M National Corporation Proxy Card
99(b) Option Agreement dated as of January 23, 2001 between BB&T
Corporation and F&M National Corporation*
--------
* previously filed
(b) Financial statement schedules: Not applicable.
(c) Reports, opinion or appraisals: The opinion of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods,
Inc. is included as Appendix B to the proxy statement/prospectus.
Item 22. Undertakings
A. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggre-
gate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement; and
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(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the registration state-
ment.
2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Secu-
rities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.
3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termina-
tion of the offering.
B. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
C. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to any
public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information
called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by
persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called
for by the other Items of the applicable form.
D. The registrant undertakes that every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant
to Paragraph (C) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the
requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is used in
connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as
a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until
such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
E. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
F. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through
the date of responding to the request.
G. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-
effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company
being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in
the registration statement when it became effective.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Winston-Salem, State of North Carolina, on May 4,
2001.
BB&T CORPORATION
By: /s/ Jerone C. Herring
_______________________________
Name:Jerone C. Herring
Title:Executive Vice President and
Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities indicated on May 4, 2001.
/s/ John A. Allison* /s/ Scott E. Reed*
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Name:John A. Allison, IV Name:Scott E. Reed
Title: Chairman of the Board and Title: Senior Executive Vice
Chief Executive Officer President and Chief Financial
(principal executive officer) Officer (principal financial
officer)
/s/ Sherry A. Kellett* /s/ Alfred E. Cleveland*
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Name:Sherry A. Kellett Name:Alfred E. Cleveland
Title: Executive Vice President and Title: Director
Controller (principal
accounting officer)
/s/ Nelle Ratrie Chilton* /s/ Ronald E. Deal*
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Name:Nelle Ratrie Chilton Name:Ronald E. Deal
Title: Director Title: Director
/s/ Tom D. Efird* /s/ Harold B. Wells*
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Name:Tom D. Efird Name:Harold B. Wells
Title: Director Title: Director
/s/ Paul S. Goldsmith* /s/ L. Vincent Hackley*
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Name:Paul S. Goldsmith Name:L. Vincent Hackley
Title: Director Title: Director
/s/ Jane P. Helm* /s/ Richard Janeway, M.D.*
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Name:Jane P. Helm Name:Richard Janeway, M.D.
Title: Director Title: Director
/s/ J. Ernest Lathem, M.D.* /s/ James H. Maynard*
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Name:J. Ernest Lathem, M.D. NameJames H. Maynard
Title: Director Title: Director
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/s/ Joseph A. McAleer, Jr.* /s/ Albert O. McCauley*
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Name:Joseph A. McAleer, Jr. Name:Albert O. McCauley
Title: Director Title: Director
/s/ J. Holmes Morrison*
_____________________________________ /s/ Richard L. Player, Jr.*
Name:J. Holmes Morrison _____________________________________
Title: Director Name:Richard L. Player, Jr.
Title: Director
/s/ C. Edward Pleasants* /s/ Nido R. Qubein*
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Name:C. Edward Pleasants Name:Nido R. Qubein
Title: Director Title: Director
/s/ E. Rhone Sasser* /s/ Jack E. Shaw*
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Name:E. Rhone Sasser Name:Jack E. Shaw
Title: Director Title: Director
/s/ Jerone C. Herring
*By: ________________________________
Jerone C. Herring
Attorney-in-Fact
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