e425
 

FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 425
FILING PERSON: PINNACLE FINANCIAL PARTNERS, INC.
SUBJECT COMPANY: CAVALRY BANCORP, INC.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-129076

This communication is not a solicitation of a proxy from any security holder of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. or Cavalry Bancorp, Inc. Pinnacle has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with the proposed merger of Pinnacle and Cavalry. The Form S-4 contains a joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents for the shareholders’ meeting of Pinnacle and Cavalry at which time the proposed merger will be considered. The Form S-4 and joint proxy statement/prospectus contain important information about Pinnacle, Cavalry, the merger and related matters.
INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PINNACLE, CAVALRY AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents once they are available through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Free copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus also may be obtained by directing a request by telephone or mail to Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc., 211 Commerce Street, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37201, Attention: Investor Relations (615) 744-3710 or Cavalry Bancorp, 114 West College Street, P.O. Box 188, Murfreesboro, TN 37133, Attention: Investor Relations (615) 849-2272. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
Participants in the Solicitation
The directors and executive officers of Pinnacle and Cavalry may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the proposed transaction. Information about Pinnacle’s directors and executive officers is contained in the proxy statement filed by Pinnacle with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2005, which is available on Pinnacle’s web site (www.pnfp.com) and at the address provided above. Information about Cavalry’s directors and executive officers is contained in the proxy statement filed by Cavalry with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2005, which is available on Cavalry’s website (www.cavb.com). Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests by security holding or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant material to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission when they become available.


 

From:
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 2:59 PM
To:
Subject: Cavalry 3Q05 Press Release

As you know, Pinnacle Financial Partners (PNFP) has entered into a merger agreement with Cavalry Bancorp (CAVB) which is headquartered in the dynamic Rutherford County market within the Nashville MSA.

Attached is their earnings release for 3Q05. As you can see, they are reporting record growth in assets and earnings.

When the deal was announced, Cavalry was listed behind SunTrust in the 2004 FDIC market share data for Rutherford County. Yesterday the 2005 FDIC market share data were released showing Cavalry the clear leader with 2005 market share up by 1.75% to 24.91% and the next closest competitor at just 20.09%.


 

Contact:
Hillard C. Gardner
Senior Vice President
     and Chief Financial Officer
615/849-3313
CAVALRY BANCORP, INC. REPORTS RECORD GROWTH
Assets grow to $632 million and net income up 45 percent from last year
Murfreesboro, Tennessee—October 18, 2005—Cavalry Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq NMS: CAVB) announced today third quarter and year-to-date consolidated earnings for its wholly-owned subsidiary Cavalry Banking (“Bank”) and the Company.
THIRD QUARTER 2005 HIGHLIGHTS:
    Net income of $2.15 million, up 45.3 percent from the prior year’s $1.48 million and up 15.6 percent from second quarter 2005 net income of $1.86 million.
  °   Return on average assets of 1.39 percent for the third quarter compared to 1.10 percent for the same quarter last year
 
  °   Net interest margin of 4.32 percent for the third quarter compared to 4.18 percent for the same quarter last year
    Strong balance sheet growth:
  °   Total assets at September 30, 2005 of $632.0 million representing growth of $27.4 million during the third quarter of 2005.
 
  °   Loans at September 30, 2005 of $476.4 million representing growth of $26.5 million during the third quarter of 2005.
 
  °   Deposits at September 30, 2005 of $564.1 million representing growth of $24.9 million during the third quarter of 2005.
    Superior credit quality:
  °   Net charge-offs to average loans of 0.01 percent for the third quarter of 2005.
 
  °   Nonperforming loans of 0.22 percent of total loans and other real estate.
Ed Loughry, Cavalry’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, “In 2004, we made several strategic decisions to enhance the long-term profitability of this Company. One was an intense focus by our sales teams on attracting and maintaining transaction-based deposit accounts and another was the acceleration of the repayment of our leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”). As a result of those and other decisions, we have transformed the profitability performance of this firm for 2005 and beyond.”
Net income increased from $1.48 million or $0.22 per share diluted for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 to $2.15 million or $0.29 per share diluted for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. Annualized return on average assets increased from 1.10 percent for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 to 1.39 percent for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. Annualized return on average shareholders’ equity increased from 10.51 percent for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 to 14.65 percent for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.
“One of the strengths of this Company has been our ability to expand our net interest margin at the same time we are experiencing significant growth in our assets,” said Bill Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.

 


 

Net income increased from $3.7 million or $0.55 per share diluted for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to $6.2 million or $0.85 per share diluted for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Annualized return on average assets increased from 0.95 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to 1.42 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Annualized return on average shareholders’ equity increased from 8.82 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to 14.77 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.
Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 include a tax benefit of $427,000. This tax benefit resulted from the distribution of cash dividends to the participants of the ESOP.
Total assets of the Company increased from $578.7 million at December 31, 2004 to $632.0 million at September 30, 2005. Net loans receivable increased from $430.5 million at December 31, 2004 to $476.4 million at September 30, 2005. Deposits increased from $506.5 million at December 31, 2004 to $564.1 million at September 30, 2005.
Total assets of the Company increased 14.51 percent from $551.9 million at September 30, 2004 to $632.0 million at September 30, 2005. Net loans receivable increased 15.13 percent from $413.8 million at September 30, 2004 to $476.4 million at September 30, 2005. Deposits increased 16.00 percent from $486.3 million at September 30, 2004 to $564.1 million at September 30, 2005.
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain of these statements contained in this release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including the uncertainties inherent in the process of auditing and making end-of-year adjustments to a corporation’s financial statements. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication is not a solicitation of a proxy from any security holder of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (“Pinnacle”) or Cavalry Bancorp, Inc. (“Cavalry”). Pinnacle has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with the proposed merger of Pinnacle and Cavalry. The Form S-4 contains a joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents for the shareholders’ meeting of Pinnacle and Cavalry at which time the proposed merger will be considered. The Form S-4 and joint proxy statement/prospectus contain important information about Pinnacle, Cavalry, the merger and related matters.
INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PRELIMINARY COPY OF THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED THEREIN WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PINNACLE, CAVALRY AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents once they are available through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Free copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus also may be obtained by directing a request by telephone or mail to Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc., 211 Commerce Street, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37201, Attention: Investor Relations (615) 744-3710 or Cavalry Bancorp, Inc., 114 West College Street, P.O. Box 188, Murfreesboro, TN 37133, Attention: Investor Relations (615) 849-3313.
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

 


 

Participants in the Solicitation
The directors and executive officers of Pinnacle and Cavalry may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the proposed merger. Information about Pinnacle’s directors and executive officers is contained in the proxy statement filed by Pinnacle with the SEC on March 14, 2005, which is available on Pinnacle’s web site (www.pnfp.com) and at the address provided above. Information about Cavalry’s directors and executive officers is contained in the proxy statement filed by Cavalry with the SEC on March 18, 2005, which is available at Cavalry’s website (www.cavb.com) and at the address provided above. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests by security holding or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant material to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents once they are available through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Free copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus also may be obtained by directing a request by telephone or mail to Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc., 211 Commerce Street, Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37201, Attention: Investor Relations (615) 744-3710 or Cavalry Bancorp, 114 West College Street, P.O. Box 188, Murfreesboro, TN 37133, Attention: Investor Relations (615) 849-3313. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
[Selected financial data follows]

 


 

Cavalry Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
                 
Assets   September 30,     December 31,  
    2005     2004  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 67,458     $ 63,135  
Time deposits with Federal Home Loan Bank
    4,000        
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value
    42,934       42,183  
Loans held for sale, at estimated fair value
    1,067       2,501  
Loans receivable, net of allowances for loan losses of $4,955 at September 30, 2005 and $4,863 at December 31, 2004
    476,354       430,526  
Accrued interest receivable
    2,448       1,985  
Office properties and equipment, net
    17,202       17,607  
Required investments in stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank, at cost
    3,317       3,125  
Foreclosed assets
    119       16  
Bank owned life insurance
    11,933       11,604  
Goodwill
    1,772       1,772  
Other assets
    3,402       4,216  
 
           
Total assets
    632,006       578,670  
 
           
Liabilities
               
Deposits:
               
Non-interest-bearing
  $ 112,360     $ 81,719  
Interest-bearing
    451,695       424,815  
 
           
 
    564,055       506,534  
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati
    2,794       2,835  
Dividends payable
    577       11,332  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    6,416       4,136  
 
           
Total liabilities
    573,842       524,837  
 
           
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Preferred Stock, no par value Authorized - 250,000 shares; none issued or outstanding at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004
           
Common Stock, no par value Authorized- 49,750,000 shares; issued and outstanding 7,217,565 at September 30, 2005, and December 31, 2004
    19,354       19,354  
Retained earnings
    39,259       34,598  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
    (449 )     (119 )
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    58,164       53,833  
 
           
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
    632,006       578,670  
 
           

 


 

Cavalry Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Interest income:
                               
Loans
  $ 7,711     $ 5,994     $ 21,081     $ 16,839  
Investment securities:
                               
Taxable
    308       332       916       979  
Non-taxable
    33       36       83       74  
Other
    552       120       1,335       261  
 
                       
Total interest income
    8,604       6,482       23,415       18,153  
 
                       
Interest expense—deposits
    2,463       1,367       6,386       3,880  
Interest expense—borrowings
    24       24       71       73  
 
                       
Total interest expense
    2,487       1,391       6,457       3,953  
 
                       
Net interest income
    6,117       5,091       16,958       14,200  
Provision for loan losses
    101       176       211       352  
 
                       
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    6,016       4,915       16,747       13,848  
 
                       
Non-interest income:
                               
Servicing income
    61       47       165       140  
Gain on sale of loans, net
    320       879       984       2,281  
Deposit servicing fees and charges
    1,499       1,457       4,285       3,992  
Trust service fees
    258       266       819       832  
Commissions and other non-banking fees
    739       649       2,105       1,899  
Other operating income
    242       221       800       754  
 
                       
Total non-interest income
    3,119       3,519       9,158       9,898  
 
                       
Non-interest expenses:
                               
Salaries and employee benefits
    3,267       3,603       9,666       10,834  
Occupancy expense
    322       329       919       984  
Supplies, communications, and other office expenses
    221       223       695       706  
Advertising expense
    70       87       289       404  
Professional fees
    197       257       531       656  
Equipment and service bureau expense
    930       890       2,767       2,557  
Loss on sale of investment securities, net
          81             3  
Other operating expense
    522       491       1,503       1,464  
 
                       
Total non-interest expense
    5,529       5,961       16,370       17,608  
 
                       
Income before income tax expense
    3,606       2,473       9,535       6,138  
Income tax expense
    1,461       994       3,286       2,475  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 2,145     $ 1,479     $ 6,249     $ 3,663  
 
                       
Basic Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.30     $ 0.23     $ 0.87     $ 0.57  
Diluted Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.29     $ 0.22     $ 0.85     $ 0.55  
Weighted average shares outstanding—Basic
    7,217,565       6,441,148       7,217,565       6,463,810  
Weighted average shares outstanding—Diluted
    7,328,799       6,675,920       7,327,831       6,700,546  

 


 

Cavalry Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Financial
Highlights
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
                         
    September 30,     December 31,     %  
    2005     2004     Change  
FINANCIAL CONDITION DATA:
                       
Total assets
  $ 632,006       578,670       9.22 %
Loans receivable, net
    476,354       430,526       10.64 %
Loans held-for-sale
    1,067       2,501       -57.34 %
Investment securities available-for-sale
    42,934       42,183       1.78 %
Cash and cash equivalents
    67,458       63,135       6.85 %
Deposits
    564,055       506,534       11.36 %
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank
    2,794       2,835       -1.45 %
Shareholders’ Equity
    58,164       53,833       8.05 %
                                                 
    For the quarters ending             For the nine months ending        
    September 30,     %     September 30,     %  
    2005     2004     Change     2005     2004     Change  
OPERATING DATA:
                                               
Interest income
  $ 8,604       6,482       32.74 %   $ 23,415       18,153       28.99 %
Interest expense
    2,487       1,391       78.79 %     6,457       3,953       63.34 %
Net interest income
    6,117       5,091       20.15 %     16,958       14,200       19.42 %
Provision for loan losses
    101       176       -42.61 %     211       352       -40.06 %
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    6,016       4,915       22.40 %     16,747       13,848       20.93 %
Gains from sale of loans
    320       879       -63.59 %     984       2,281       -56.86 %
Other income
    2,799       2,640       6.02 %     8,174       7,617       7.31 %
Other expenses
    5,529       5,961       -7.25 %     16,370       17,608       -7.03 %
Income before income taxes
    3,606       2,473       45.81 %     9,535       6,138       55.34 %
Income tax expense
    1,461       994       46.98 %     3,286       2,475       32.77 %
Net income
  $ 2,145       1,479       45.03 %   $ 6,249       3,663       70.60 %

 


 

                                 
    For the quarters ending     For the nine months ending  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
                               
Performance Ratios:
                               
Return on average assets
    1.39 %     1.10 %     1.42 %     0.95 %
Return on average shareholders’ equity
    14.65 %     10.51 %     14.77 %     8.82 %
Interest rate spread (tax equivalent basis)
    3.87 %     3.89 %     3.83 %     3.84 %
Net interest margin (tax equivalent basis)
    4.32 %     4.18 %     4.22 %     4.09 %
Average interest-earning assets to average
interest-bearing liabilities
    126.07 %     125.35 %     124.07 %     121.43 %
Non-interest expense as a percent of average total assets
    3.58 %     4.39 %     3.71 %     4.55 %
Efficiency ratio
    59.86 %     68.94 %     62.68 %     73.06 %
Asset Quality Ratios:
                               
Nonaccrual and 90 days or more past due loans as a percent of total loans, net
    0.22 %     0.29 %                
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets
    0.19 %     0.22 %                
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans receivable
    1.04 %     1.14 %                
Net charge-offs to average outstanding loans
    0.01 %     0.01 %     0.03 %     0.04 %
                 
    For the nine months    
    ending   Diluted EPS
    September 30, 2005   Impact
Reconcilation of Net Income to Net Income as Adjusted:
               
Net income
  $ 6,249     $ 0.85  
Adjustment:
               
Tax benefit of ESOP dividend paid to participants
    (427 )     (0.06 )
 
               
Total adjustment
    (427 )     (0.06 )
 
               
Net income as adjusted
  $ 5,822     $ 0.79