First Community Bancshares, Inc. S-4
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
August 29, 2008
Registration
No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
Form S-4
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933
FIRST COMMUNITY BANCSHARES,
INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as
specified in its charter)
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Nevada
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6035
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55-0694814
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(State or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation or organization)
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code No.)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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One Community Place
Bluefield, Virginia
24605-0989
(276) 326-9000
(Address, including zip code and
telephone number, including area code, of Registrants
principal executive offices)
John M. Mendez
President and Chief Executive
Officer
First Community Bancshares,
Inc.
P.O. Box 989
Bluefield, Virginia
24605-0989
(Name, address, including zip
code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for
service)
with a copy to:
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Jeffrey D. Haas, Esq.
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Robert A. Singer, Esq.
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David Teeples, Esq.
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Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey
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Patton Boggs LLP
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& Leonard, L.L.P.
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2550 M Street, NW
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230 N. Elm Street, Suite 2000
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Washington, DC 20037
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Greensboro, North Carolina 27401
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202-457-6000
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(336) 373-8850
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the
public: Upon consummation of the merger described
herein.
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. o
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. o
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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated
filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of
large accelerated filer, accelerated
filer and smaller reporting company in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated
filer o
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Accelerated
filer þ
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Non-accelerated
filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting
company o
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CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed Maximum
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Proposed Maximum
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Amount of
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Title of Each Class of
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Amount
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Offering Price
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Aggregate
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Registration
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Securities to be Registered
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to be Registered(1)
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per Share or Unit
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Offering Price(2)
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Fee
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Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
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552,300
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N/A
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$
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8,187,408.45
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$
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321.77
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(1)
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Based upon the maximum number of
shares of common stock of First Community Bancshares, Inc.
(First Community) to be issued pursuant to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 31, 2008,
among First Community and Coddle Creek Financial Corp.
(Coddle Creek), calculated as the product of
(a) 610,545 (the number of shares of Coddle Creek common
stock estimated to be outstanding at the time the merger
transaction is consummated) and (b) 0.9046 (the number of
shares of common stock of First Community to be exchanged for
each share of Coddle Creek common stock in the merger
transaction).
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(2)
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Estimated solely for the purpose of
calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457 under
the Securities Act of 1933 on the basis of the market value of
the shares of Coddle Creek common stock to be cancelled in the
merger transaction, computed, in accordance with
Rule 457(f)(2) and (3), as (a) the product of (i)
$33.01 (the book value of a share of Coddle Creek common stock
as of June 30, 2008) and (ii) 610,545 (the number of
shares of Coddle Creek common stock estimated to be outstanding
at the time the merger transaction is consummated), less (b)
$11,966,682 (the estimated amount of cash that will be paid by
First Community to the stockholders of Coddle Creek in the
merger transaction).
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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 said Section 8(a), may determine.
Information
contained in this document is subject to completion or
amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities
has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be
accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This document shall not constitute an offer to sell
or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any
sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such
offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted or would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
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DATED
AUGUST 29, 2008, SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
CODDLE
CREEK FINANCIAL CORP.
P.O. Box 117
347 North Main Street
Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
(704) 664-4888
,
2008
Dear Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of
stockholders of Coddle Creek Financial Corp. to be held
at .m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time,
on ,
2008 at Coddle Creeks corporate headquarters located at
347 North Main Street, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115. At the
special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon a
proposal to approve an agreement and plan of merger pursuant to
which Coddle Creek will be merged with and into First Community
Bancshares, Inc.
If the merger agreement is approved and the merger is
subsequently completed, each outstanding share of Coddle Creek
common stock will be converted into the right to receive:
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$19.60 in cash; and
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0.9046 of a share of common stock of First Community Bancshares,
Inc., plus cash in lieu of any fractional share interest.
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As
of ,
2008, there were 610,545 shares of Coddle Creek common
stock outstanding.
The First Community common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global
Select Market under the symbol FCBC.
On ,
2008, the closing sale price of a share of First Community
common stock was $ .
The merger cannot be completed unless the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of Coddle Creek common stock vote in
favor of approval of the merger agreement at the special
meeting. The directors and executive officers of Coddle Creek
have agreed to vote their shares of Coddle Creek common stock in
favor of the merger. The directors and executive officers of
Coddle Creek collectively own approximately 22.5% of the
outstanding shares of Coddle Creek.
Based on our reasons for the merger described in the
accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, including the fairness
opinion issued by our financial advisor, Howe Barnes
Hoefer & Arnett, Inc., our board of directors believes
that the merger is fair to you and in your best interests.
Accordingly, our board of directors unanimously recommends
that you vote FOR approval of the merger
agreement.
The accompanying proxy statement/prospectus gives you detailed
information about the special meeting, the merger and related
matters. We urge you to read this entire document carefully,
including the considerations discussed under Risk
Factors, beginning on page 14, and the appendices to
the accompanying document, which include the merger
agreement.
Your vote is very important. Whether or not
you plan to attend the special meeting, please take the time to
vote by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy card or by
following the instructions to vote via the Internet or by
telephone indicated on the proxy card.
We appreciate your continuing loyalty and support, and we look
forward to seeing you at the special meeting.
Sincerely,
George W. Brawley, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of the First
Community common stock to be issued in the merger or determined
if this document is accurate or adequate. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense. The shares of First
Community common stock are not savings accounts, deposits 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 ,
2008 and was first mailed
to stockholders of Coddle Creek on or
about ,
2008
CODDLE
CREEK FINANCIAL CORP.
P.O. Box 117
347 North Main Street
Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
(704) 664-4888
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held
on ,
2008
To the stockholders of Coddle Creek Financial Corp.:
We will hold a special meeting of stockholders of Coddle Creek
Financial Corp. at .m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time,
on ,
2008, at Coddle Creeks corporate headquarters located at
347 North Main Street, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115, for
the following purposes:
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1.
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to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve an Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of July 31, 2008, among First
Community Bancshares, Inc. and Coddle Creek, as described in the
accompanying proxy statement/prospectus; and
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2.
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to consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the special
meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit
further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient
votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger
agreement.
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We have fixed the close of business
on ,
2008 as the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting. Only
holders of Coddle Creek common stock of record at the close of
business on that date will be entitled to notice of and to vote
at the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the
special meeting.
Our board of directors has determined that the merger
agreement is in the best interests of Coddle Creek and its
stockholders and unanimously recommends that stockholders vote
FOR approval of the merger agreement.
Holders of Coddle Creek common stock have the right to dissent
from the merger and assert dissenters rights, provided the
proper procedures in accordance with Article 13 of the
North Carolina Business Corporation Act are followed. A copy of
Article 13 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act
is attached as Appendix C to the accompanying proxy
statement/prospectus.
Your vote is very important. Whether or not
you plan to attend the special meeting, please take the time to
vote by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy card or by
following the instructions to vote via the Internet or by
telephone indicated on the proxy card.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Billy R. Williams
Corporate Secretary
Mooresville, North Carolina
,
2008
HOW TO
OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates by reference
important business and financial information about First
Community Bancshares, Inc. from documents that are not included
in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. You can
obtain documents incorporated in this proxy statement/prospectus
by reference but not otherwise accompanying this proxy
statement/prospectus by requesting them in writing or by
telephone from First Community as follows:
First
Community Bancshares, Inc.
P.O. Box 989
Bluefield, Virginia
24605-0989
Attention: Robert L. Schumacher, General Counsel
(276) 326-9000
You will not be charged for any of these documents that you
request. If you would like to request documents, please do so no
later than five business days prior to the date of the special
meeting, or
by ,
2008 in order to receive them before the special meeting.
For additional information regarding where you can find
information about First Community, please see Where You
Can Find More Information beginning on page 68.
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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Page
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1
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3
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10
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14
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ii
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Page
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A-1
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B-1
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C-1
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EX-5.1 |
EX-23.1 |
EX-23.2 |
EX-99.2 |
iii
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND MERGER
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Q. |
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What is the proxy statement/prospectus and why am I receiving
it? |
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A. |
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This proxy statement/prospectus describes the proposed merger
between Coddle Creek Financial Corp. and First Community
Bancshares, Inc. Because you are a stockholder of Coddle Creek,
you are being asked to vote on the merger agreement at a special
meeting of stockholders to be held
on ,
2008. |
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When and where is the special meeting? |
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The Coddle Creek special meeting of stockholders will be held at
Coddle Creeks corporate headquarters located at 347 North
Main Street, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115,
on ,
2008 at : , Eastern Daylight Saving Time. |
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What do I need to do now? |
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After you have carefully read this proxy statement/prospectus,
indicate on your proxy card how you want your shares to be
voted. Then sign, date and mail your proxy card in the enclosed
prepaid return envelope as soon as possible. Alternatively, you
may vote by following the Internet and telephone voting
instructions indicated on the proxy card. This will enable your
shares to be represented and voted at the special meeting. |
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Why is my vote important? |
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The merger agreement must be approved by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Coddle Creek common stock.
If you do not vote, it will have the same effect as a vote
against the merger agreement. |
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If my shares are held in street name by my broker, will my
broker automatically vote my shares for me? |
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No. Your broker or other nominee will not be able to vote
shares held by it in street name on your behalf without
instructions from you. You should instruct your broker or other
nominee to vote your shares, following the directions your
broker or other nominee provides. |
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What if I fail to instruct my broker? |
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If you fail to instruct your broker or other nominee to vote
your shares, it will have the same effect as a vote against the
merger agreement. |
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Can I attend the meeting and vote my shares in person? |
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Yes. All stockholders are invited to attend the special meeting.
However, if you hold your shares in street name, you will need
proof of ownership (by means of a recent brokerage statement,
letter from a broker, or other nominee) to be admitted to the
meeting. Stockholders of record can vote in person at the
special meeting. If your shares are held in street name, then
you should instruct your broker on how to vote your shares,
following the directions your broker provides. |
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Can I change my vote? |
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Yes. There are three ways you can change your vote after you
have sent in your proxy card: |
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you may send a written notice to the Corporate
Secretary of Coddle Creek stating that you would like to revoke
your proxy before the special meeting;
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you may complete and submit a new proxy card, and
any earlier proxy will be revoked automatically or, if you
submitted your proxy via the Internet or by telephone, you can
change your vote by submitting a proxy at a later date, in which
case your later-submitted proxy will be recorded and your
earlier proxy revoked; or
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you may attend the special meeting and vote in
person, and any earlier proxy will be revoked. However, simply
attending the special meeting without voting will not revoke
your proxy.
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If you have instructed a broker or other nominee to vote your
shares, you must follow directions you receive from your broker
or other nominee to change your vote. |
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Should I send in my stock certificates now? |
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No. You should not send in your stock certificates at this
time. Instructions for surrendering your Coddle Creek common
stock certificates in exchange for the merger consideration will
be sent to you after we complete the merger. |
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Where will my shares of First Community common stock be
listed? |
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We intend to apply to have the shares of First Community common
stock to be issued in the merger approved for quotation on the
Nasdaq Global Select Market. First Communitys common stock
currently trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the
symbol FCBC. |
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May I resell my stock acquired in the merger? |
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The First Community common stock issued pursuant to the merger
will be freely transferable under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, which is referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus
as the Securities Act, except for shares issued to any Coddle
Creek stockholder who may be deemed to be an affiliate of First
Community for purposes of Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act. |
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When do you expect to complete the merger? |
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We expect to complete the merger in the fourth quarter of 2008.
However, we cannot assure you when or if the merger will occur.
Coddle Creek stockholders must first approve the merger
agreement at the special meeting and the necessary regulatory
approvals must be obtained. |
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Whom should I call with questions? |
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You should contact Billy R. Williams, Corporate Secretary of
Coddle Creek, at
(704) 664-4888. |
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What will I receive in the merger? |
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If the merger agreement is approved by the stockholders of
Coddle Creek and the merger is subsequently completed, each
outstanding share of Coddle Creek common stock will be converted
into the right to receive the following: |
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$19.60 in cash; and
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0.9046 of a share of common stock of First
Community, plus cash in lieu of any fractional share interest.
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How Does the Coddle Creek Board Of Directors recommend that I
vote? |
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A: |
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The Coddle Creek board of directors has unanimously approved and
adopted the merger agreement and recommends that Coddle Creek
stockholders vote FOR approval of the merger. |
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What happens if I transfer my Coddle Creek shares after the
Record Date for the Special Meeting? |
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A: |
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The record date for the special meeting is earlier than the
expected date of completion of the merger. Therefore, if you
transfer your shares of Coddle Creek after the record date for
the special meeting, but prior to the merger, you will retain
the right to vote at the special meeting, but the right to
receive the merger consideration will transfer with the shares
of Coddle Creek common stock. |
2
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, including the
merger agreement and the other documents to which we have
referred you. See Where You Can Find More
Information beginning on page 68. Page references are
included in this summary to direct you to a more complete
description of the topics.
Throughout this proxy statement/prospectus, Coddle
Creek, we and our refers to Coddle
Creek Financial Corp., Mooresville Savings Bank
refers to Mooresville Savings Bank, Inc., SSB, Coddle
Creeks banking subsidiary, First Community
refers to First Community Bancshares, Inc. and First
Community Bank refers to First Community Bank, National
Association, First Communitys banking subsidiary. Also, we
refer to the merger between First Community and Coddle Creek as
the merger, the subsidiary merger between First
Community Bank and Mooresville Savings Bank as the
subsidiary merger and the agreement and plan of
merger, dated as of July 31, 2008, among Coddle Creek and
First Community as the merger agreement.
Parties
to the Proposed Merger (Page 20)
First Community Bancshares, Inc. First
Community is a financial holding company incorporated under the
laws of the State of Nevada and serves as the holding company
for First Community Bank, a national banking association that
conducts commercial banking operations within the states of
Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and
Tennessee. First Community also owns Greenpoint Insurance Group,
Inc., a full-service insurance agency, and Investment Planning
Consultants, an investment advisory firm. First Community
conducts its banking operations through 58 locations and four
wealth management offices. First Community had total
consolidated assets of approximately $2.1 billion, total
deposits of approximately $1.34 billion and total
consolidated stockholders equity of approximately
$200 million at June 30, 2008. First Communitys
principal executive offices are located at One Community Place,
Bluefield, Virginia 24605 and its telephone number is
(276) 326-9000.
Coddle Creek Financial Corp. Coddle Creek is a
bank holding company incorporated in the State of North Carolina
and serves as the holding company for Mooresville Savings Bank,
a North Carolina-chartered savings bank. Coddle Creek, which is
headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, operates three
banking offices and had total consolidated assets of
approximately $158.6 million, total deposits of
approximately $136.6 million and total consolidated
stockholders equity of approximately $19.1 million as
of June 30, 2008. Coddle Creeks corporate office is
located at 347 North Main Street, P.O. Box 117,
Mooresville, North Carolina 28115, and its telephone number is
(704) 664-4888.
The
Merger (Page 20)
We have attached the merger agreement to this proxy
statement/prospectus as Appendix A. Please read the entire
merger agreement. It is the legal document that governs the
merger. We propose a merger whereby Coddle Creek will merge with
and into First Community. Immediately following the merger, the
subsidiary merger is expected to be completed with Mooresville
Savings Bank merging with and into First Community Bank, with
First Community Bank as the surviving entity. Subject to
approval by Coddle Creek stockholders and the receipt of all
required regulatory approvals, we expect to complete the merger
and the subsidiary merger in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Coddle
Creek Stockholders will receive Cash and Whole Shares of First
Community Common Stock for each Share of Coddle Creek Common
Stock Exchanged Pursuant to the Merger (Page 34)
If the merger of Coddle Creek with and into First Community is
completed, each outstanding share of Coddle Creek common stock
(other than shares held by dissenting stockholders) will be
converted into the right to receive:
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$19.60 in cash, which is referred to as the per share cash
consideration; and
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0.9046 of a share of First Community common stock, which is
referred to as the exchange ratio, plus cash in lieu
of any fractional share interest.
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3
The exchange ratio is subject to possible adjustment under
certain circumstances described in The Merger-Termination
of the Merger Agreement beginning on page 44.
Comparative
Per Share Market Price Information (Pages 56 and
57)
Shares of First Community common stock currently trade on the
Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol FCBC.
Shares of Coddle Creek common stock are quoted on the Pink
Sheets under the symbol CDLX.PK. The following table
sets forth the closing sale prices of First Community common
stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and the bid
prices of Coddle Creek common stock as quoted on the Pink Sheets
on July 31, 2008, the last
trading-day
before we announced the merger, and
on ,
2008, the last practicable
trading-day
before the distribution of this proxy statement/prospectus.
The following table also includes the equivalent market value
per share of Coddle Creek common stock on July 31, 2008
and ,
2008, which reflects the sum of (a) the product of the
exchange ratio of 0.9046 multiplied by the last quoted bid price
of First Community common stock on the dates indicated, plus
(b) the per share cash consideration of $19.60.
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Equivalent Market
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First Community
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Coddle Creek
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Value per Share of
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Common Stock
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Common Stock
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Coddle Creek
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At July 31, 2008
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$
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35.83
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$
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21.90
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$
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52.01
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At ,
2008
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$
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$
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$
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The stock portion of the merger consideration to be received for
each share of Coddle Creek common stock will be based on the
most recent closing price of First Communitys common stock
prior to the consummation of the merger. Because the stock
portion of the merger consideration to be paid to stockholders
of Coddle Creek is based on a fixed number of shares of First
Community common stock and because the market value of the
shares of First Community common stock to be received by Coddle
Creek stockholders will change, stockholders of Coddle Creek are
not assured of receiving a specific market value of First
Community common stock, and thus a specific market value for
their shares of Coddle Creek common stock, at the effective time
of the merger. First Community cannot assure you that its common
stock will continue to trade at or above the prices shown above.
You should obtain current stock price quotations for the First
Community common stock from a newspaper, via the Internet or by
calling your broker. See The Merger Merger
Consideration beginning on page 34.
Dividend
Information (Pages 56 and 57)
First Community currently pays a quarterly cash dividend to its
stockholders. During the quarter ending June 30, 2008,
First Community paid a cash dividend of $0.28 per share of First
Community common stock. First Community intends to continue to
pay a quarterly cash dividend to its stockholders. However, the
payment of dividends by First Community on its common stock in
the future, either before or after the merger is completed, is
subject to the determination of its board of directors and
depends on its cash requirements, financial condition and
earnings, legal and regulatory considerations and other factors.
During the quarter ending June 30, 2008, Coddle Creek paid
a cash dividend of $0.50 per share of Coddle Creek common stock.
In July 2008, Coddle Creek declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per
share of Coddle Creek common stock, which was paid to its
stockholders on August 19, 2008. Pursuant to the merger
agreement, Coddle Creek cannot pay future cash dividends without
the prior approval of First Community.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences of the Merger (Page 50)
At the effective time of the merger, First Community and Coddle
Creek will receive an opinion of counsel to the effect that,
based on certain facts, representations and assumptions, the
merger will be treated as a tax-free reorganization
for federal income tax purposes. Coddle Creek stockholders
generally will not recognize any gain or a loss on the
conversion of shares of Coddle Creek common stock into shares of
First Community common stock. However, Coddle Creek stockholders
will be taxed on the cash portion of the merger consideration
received for their shares of Coddle Creek common stock. The
parties obligation to complete the merger is conditioned
on their receipt of the opinion regarding the federal income tax
treatment of the merger.
4
Tax matters are complicated, and the tax consequences of the
merger to you will depend upon the facts of your particular
situation. In addition, you may be subject to state, local or
foreign tax laws that are not discussed herein. Accordingly, we
strongly urge you to consult your own tax advisor for a full
understanding of the tax consequences to you of the merger.
Coddle
Creeks Financial Advisor Believes that the Merger
Consideration is Fair to Coddle Creek Stockholders
(Page 24)
Among other factors considered in deciding to approve the
merger, the Coddle Creek board of directors received the opinion
of its financial advisor, Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett,
Inc., which we refer to in this proxy statement/prospectus as
Howe Barnes, that, as of July 22, 2008 (the date on which
the Coddle Creek board of directors approved the merger
agreement), the merger consideration was fair to the holders of
Coddle Creek common stock from a financial point of view. The
opinion dated as of July 22, 2008 is attached to this proxy
statement/prospectus as Appendix B. You should read this
opinion completely to understand the assumptions made, matters
considered and limitations of the review undertaken by Howe
Barnes in providing its opinion. Howe Barnes opinion is
directed to the Coddle Creek board of directors and does not
constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to any matters
relating to the merger. Coddle Creek has agreed to pay Howe
Barnes a percentage of the total consideration received by
Coddle Creek and its stockholders for Howe Barnes
financial advisory services rendered in connection with the
merger. Howe Barnes has received $100,000 as of the date of this
proxy statement/prospectus, with the remainder of its fee
payable at closing of the merger as a success fee. Coddle
Creeks board was aware of this fee structure and took it
into account in considering Howe Barnes fairness opinion
and in approving the merger. In addition, Coddle Creek has
agreed to reimburse Howe Barnes for its reasonable expenses
incurred by it on Coddle Creeks behalf, and to indemnify
Howe Barnes against liabilities arising out of the merger,
including the rendering of Howe Barnes fairness opinion.
During the two years preceding the date of the opinion, Howe
Barnes has not had a material relationship with Coddle Creek or
First Community where compensation was received or that it
contemplates will be received after closing of the transaction.
Our Board
of Directors Recommends Approval of the Merger
(Page 20)
Based on Coddle Creeks reasons for the merger described
herein, including the fairness opinion of Howe Barnes, the
Coddle Creek board of directors believes that the merger is fair
to you and in your best interests and unanimously recommends
that you vote FOR approval of the merger agreement.
Date,
Time and Location of the Special Meeting
(Page 18)
The special meeting will be held at .m., Eastern
Daylight Saving Time,
on , ,
2008, at Coddle Creeks corporate headquarters located at
347 North Main Street, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115. At the
special meeting, Coddle Creek stockholders will be asked to
approve the merger agreement and to approve a proposal to
adjourn the special meeting if necessary to permit further
solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the
time of the special meeting to approve the merger agreement.
Record
Date and Voting Rights for the Special Meeting
(Page 18)
You are entitled to vote at the special meeting if you owned
shares of Coddle Creek common stock as of the close of business
on ,
2008. You will have one vote at the special meeting for each
share of Coddle Creek common stock that you owned on that date.
Stockholders of record may vote by mail, telephone, via the
Internet or by attending the special meeting and voting in
person. Each proxy returned to Coddle Creek (and not revoked) by
a holder of Coddle Creek common stock will be voted in
accordance with the instructions indicated thereon. If no
instructions are indicated, the proxy will be voted
FOR approval of the merger agreement and
FOR the proposal to adjourn the special meeting if
necessary to permit further solicitation of proxies on the
proposal to approve the merger agreement.
5
Approval
of the Merger Agreement Requires a Majority Vote by Coddle Creek
Stockholders (Page 19)
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Coddle Creek common stock is necessary to
approve the merger agreement on behalf of Coddle Creek.
Management
of Coddle Creek Owns Shares Which May Be Voted at the Special
Meeting (Pages 19 and 53)
Each of the directors and executive officers of Coddle Creek,
who collectively own approximately 22.5% of the outstanding
shares of Coddle Creek common stock as of the record date for
the special meeting, has entered into a shareholder agreement
with First Community pursuant to which each of them has agreed
to vote all of their shares in favor of the merger agreement.
First
Community and Coddle Creek Must Meet Several Conditions to
Complete the Merger (Page 35)
Completion of the merger depends on meeting a number of
conditions, including the following:
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stockholders of Coddle Creek must approve the merger agreement;
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First Community and Coddle Creek must receive all required
regulatory approvals for the merger and the subsidiary merger,
and any waiting periods required by law must have passed;
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there must be no law, injunction or order enacted or issued
preventing completion of the merger;
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the First Community common stock to be issued in the merger must
have been approved for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select
Market (or on any securities exchange on which the First
Community common stock may then be listed);
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First Community and Coddle Creek must receive a legal opinion
confirming the tax-free nature of the merger;
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the representations and warranties of each of First Community
and Coddle Creek in the merger agreement must be accurate,
subject to exceptions that would not have a material adverse
effect on First Community or Coddle Creek, respectively;
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First Community and Coddle Creek must have complied in all
material respects with their respective obligations in the
merger agreement;
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Mooresville Savings Bank must have entered into a new employment
agreement with Dale W. Brawley;
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First Community and Mooresville Savings Bank must have entered
into settlement agreements with certain executive officers of
Coddle Creek;
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First Community and certain executive officers and non-employee
directors of Coddle Creek must have entered into consulting
agreements; and
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dissenting shares shall not represent 10% or more of the
outstanding Coddle Creek common stock.
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Unless prohibited by law, either First Community or Coddle Creek
could elect to waive a condition that has not been satisfied and
complete the merger anyway. The parties cannot be certain
whether or when any of the conditions to the merger will be
satisfied, or waived where permissible, or that the merger will
be completed.
First
Community and Coddle Creek Must Obtain Regulatory Approvals to
Complete the Merger (Page 37)
To complete the merger, the parties need the prior approval of
or waiver from the Federal Reserve Board, which is referred to
in this proxy statement/prospectus as the FRB, the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency, which is referred to as the OCC,
the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks, which is referred to
as the NC Commissioner, and the Bureau of Financial Institutions
of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, which is referred
to as the VA Bureau of Financial Institutions. The
U.S. Department of Justice is able to provide input into
the approval process of federal banking agencies and will have
between 15 and 30 days following any approval of a federal
banking agency to challenge the approval on antitrust grounds.
First Community, First Community Bank, Coddle Creek and
Mooresville Savings Bank have filed all necessary applications
with the applicable regulatory agencies. First Community and
Coddle Creek cannot predict,
6
however, whether the required regulatory approvals will be
obtained or whether any such approvals will have conditions
which would be detrimental to First Community following
completion of the merger.
First
Community and Coddle Creek may Terminate the Merger Agreement
(Page 44)
First Community and Coddle Creek can mutually agree at any time
to terminate the merger agreement before completing the merger,
even if stockholders of Coddle Creek have already voted to
approve it.
Either company also can terminate the merger agreement:
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if any required regulatory approvals for consummation of the
merger are not obtained;
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if the merger is not completed by February 27, 2009;
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if the stockholders of Coddle Creek do not approve the merger
agreement; or
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if the other company breaches any of its representations,
warranties or obligations under the merger agreement in a manner
which would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse
effect on it and the breach cannot be or has not been cured
within 30 days of notice of the breach.
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In addition, First Community may terminate the merger agreement
at any time prior to the special meeting if the board of
directors of Coddle Creek withdraws or modifies its
recommendation to the Coddle Creek stockholders that the merger
agreement be approved in any way which is adverse to First
Community, or breaches its covenants requiring the calling and
holding of a meeting of stockholders to consider the merger
agreement and prohibiting the solicitation of other offers.
First Community also may terminate the merger agreement if a
third party commences a tender offer or exchange offer for 15%
or more of the outstanding Coddle Creek common stock and the
board of directors of Coddle Creek recommends that Coddle Creek
stockholders tender their shares in the offer or otherwise fails
to recommend that they reject the offer within a specified
period.
Coddle Creek may terminate the merger agreement at any time
during the
two-day
period following the fifth calendar day immediately prior to the
effective time of the merger if the average closing price of
First Communitys common stock is less than $22.75;
provided, however, First Community may elect to increase the
exchange ratio to a number equal to a quotient, the numerator of
which is the product of the $22.75 and the exchange ratio then
in effect and the denominator of which is First Communitys
average closing price, in which case the merger agreement will
not be terminated. First Community is not required, however, to
increase the exchange ratio, and it is possible under these
circumstances that the Coddle Creek board of directors could
conclude that proceeding with the merger at the lower price,
rather than exercising Coddle Creeks right to terminate
the merger agreement, would still be in the best interests of
Coddle Creek and its stockholders. First Communitys
average closing price will be the average of the
closing sales price per share of First Community common stock on
the Nasdaq Global Select Market for the 20 consecutive trading
days immediately preceding the fifth day immediately prior to
the effective time of the merger.
First
Community and Coddle Creek may Amend and Extend the Merger
Agreement (Page 44)
The parties may amend the merger agreement at any time before
the merger actually takes place, and may agree to extend the
time within which any action required by the merger agreement is
to take place. The merger agreement may not, however, be amended
after the special meeting without the approval of the
stockholders of Coddle Creek if such amendment would require the
approval of the Coddle Creek stockholders under applicable law.
7
Coddle
Creeks Directors and Executive Officers Have Some
Interests in the Merger that Are in Addition to or Different
Than Your Interests (Page 46)
Coddle Creeks directors and executive officers have
interests in the merger as individuals which are in addition to,
or different from, their interests as stockholders of Coddle
Creek. These interests include, among other things:
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each of George W. Brawley, Jr., Dale W. Brawley, and Billy
R. Williams currently is a party to an employment agreement with
Mooresville Savings Bank. Each of these employment agreements
provides that upon a change of control of Mooresville Savings
Bank, the officers base salary will be increased to
include the average of the two previous years
discretionary bonuses, if any, and such adjusted base salary
shall be increased annually thereafter by not less than 6% for
the remainder of the term, which is automatically extended for
three years. In lieu of receiving any benefits under their
respective employment agreements, each of Messrs. G.
Brawley, D. Brawley and Williams entered into a settlement
agreement with First Community and Mooresville Savings Bank
which provides that the current employment agreement between the
officer and Mooresville Savings Bank will be terminated at the
effective time of the merger and the officer will be entitled to
receive a lump-sum payment in settlement of any benefits due to
the executive as a result of the merger under his currently
existing employment agreement. Pursuant to the terms of their
respective settlement agreements, George Brawley will be
entitled to receive $834,352, Dale Brawley will be entitled to
receive $469,223, and Billy Williams will be entitled to receive
$332,387;
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as contemplated by the terms of the merger agreement,
Mooresville Savings Bank intends to enter into a new employment
agreement with Dale W. Brawley pursuant to which
Mr. Brawley will continue as an employee of Mooresville
Savings Bank (or First Community Bank following the merger) and
will be entitled to receive an annual salary of $75,000 and the
use of an automobile during the term of the agreement. In
addition, at the closing of the merger, Mr. Brawley will
receive a payment of $100,000 in consideration for the two-year
non-compete and non-solicitation restrictions set forth in his
new employment agreement;
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as contemplated by the terms of the merger agreement, First
Community Bank intends to enter into consulting agreements with
George W. Brawley, Jr., Billy R. Williams and each
non-employee director of Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings
Bank. Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Brawleys
consulting agreement, he will be entitled to receive a one-time
payment of $50,000 plus $6,000 for the relocation of the
Mooresville Insurance Agency and the use of an automobile during
the term of the consulting agreement. Pursuant to the terms of
Mr. Williams consulting agreement, he will be
entitled to receive monthly payments equal to approximately
$90,000 in the aggregate over the two-year term of his
consulting agreement. In addition, First Community Bank will pay
for the medical insurance premiums for Mr. Williams and his
spouse for a period of three years and provide the use of an
automobile during the term of the agreement. The non-employee
directors will be entitled to receive $500 per month (or $6,000
in the aggregate) during the one-year term of their consulting
agreements;
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under certain deferred compensation plans maintained by Coddle
Creek, if a Coddle Creek executive officer or director who
participates in the deferred compensation plan is terminated
within 24 months following the merger, the starting date
for payments due to the executive officer or director under the
plan will be accelerated to begin on the date of termination
rather than the date of retirement, which currently is
age 65. The amounts payable to the executive officers and
directors under the plans will not change;
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the cash payment to the Coddle Creek executive officers and
directors holding outstanding, vested and unexercised stock
options to acquire shares of Coddle Creek common stock; and
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First Communitys agreement to honor indemnification
obligations of Coddle Creek for a period of six years and to
maintain Coddle Creeks existing directors and
officers liability insurance for a period of five years
following the merger, subject to the terms of the merger
agreement.
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8
The board of directors of Coddle Creek was aware of the
foregoing interests and considered them, among other matters, in
approving the merger agreement and the merger.
Coddle
Creek is Prohibited from Soliciting Other Offers
(Page 42)
Coddle Creek has agreed that, while the merger is pending, it
will not initiate or, subject to some limited exceptions, engage
in discussions with any third party other than First Community
regarding extraordinary transactions such as a merger, business
combination or sale of a material amount of assets or capital
stock.
Accounting
Treatment of the Merger (Page 52)
The merger will be accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting under generally accepted accounting principles, or
GAAP.
Stockholders
of First Community and Coddle Creek Have Different Rights
(Page 60)
The rights of Coddle Creeks and First Communitys
stockholders under their respective business corporation laws
are different. Upon consummation of the merger, in addition to
cash, the stockholders of Coddle Creek will receive shares of
First Community common stock in exchange for their shares of
Coddle Creek common stock. As a result, the Coddle Creek
stockholders will become stockholders of First Community and
their rights as stockholders of First Community will be governed
by First Communitys articles of incorporation, as amended,
and bylaws and the Nevada Revised Statutes, which is referred to
in this proxy statement/prospectus as the NRS. The rights of
stockholders of First Community differ in certain respects from
the rights of stockholders of Coddle Creek.
Termination
Fee (Page 45)
Coddle Creek must pay First Community a termination fee of
$1.0 million if the merger agreement is terminated under
specified circumstances.
Coddle
Creeks Stockholders Have Dissenters Rights
(Page 54)
Under North Carolina law, holders of Coddle Creek common stock
have the right to dissent from the merger and, if the merger is
consummated and all requirements of North Carolina law are
satisfied by holders seeking to exercise dissenters
rights, to receive payment equal to the fair value of their
shares of Coddle Creek common stock, determined in the manner
set forth under North Carolina law. The procedures which must be
followed in connection with the exercise of dissenters
rights by dissenting stockholders are described under The
Merger Dissenters Rights and in
Article 13 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act,
which we refer to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the
NCBCA. A copy of Article 13 of the NCBCA is attached as
Appendix C to this proxy statement/prospectus. A
stockholder seeking to exercise dissenters rights must
(i) deliver to Coddle Creek, before the stockholder vote on
the merger agreement at the special meeting, a written notice of
the stockholders intent to demand payment for the
stockholders shares of Coddle Creek common stock if the
merger is effectuated; and (ii) the stockholder must not
vote in favor of the merger agreement. A vote against the merger
proposal or an abstention will satisfy the requirement of not
voting for the merger proposal. The return of a signed proxy
which does not specify whether you vote in favor or against
approval of the merger proposal or abstain from voting will be
considered a vote in favor of the merger proposal. A shareholder
vote against the merger proposal or an abstention alone,
however, will not satisfy the notice requirement of
Article 13 of the NCBCA. Any failure to follow the
specific procedures set forth in Article 13 of the NCBCA
may result in a stockholder losing the right to claim fair value
as described above.
The
Shares of First Community Common Stock to be Issued in the
Merger will be listed on Nasdaq (Page 53)
Pursuant to the merger agreement, the shares of First Community
common stock issued in connection with the merger will be listed
on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or on any securities exchange
on which the First Community common stock may then be listed.
9
SELECTED
HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
Selected
Consolidated Historical Financial Data of First
Community
Set forth below are highlights from First Communitys
audited consolidated financial data at and for the years ended
December 31, 2003 through 2007 and from First
Communitys unaudited consolidated financial data at and
for the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. The
results of operations for the six months ended June 30,
2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations
for the full year or any other interim period. In the opinion of
First Communitys management, this information reflects all
adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments,
necessary for a fair presentation of this data for those dates.
You should read this information in conjunction with First
Communitys consolidated financial statements and related
notes included in First Communitys Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Quarterly Report
on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, which are incorporated
in this proxy statement/prospectus by reference and from which
this information is derived. See Where You Can Find More
Information beginning on page 68.
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At or for the Six Months
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Ended June 30,
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At or for the Years Ended December 31,
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2008
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2007
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2007
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2006
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2005
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2004
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2003
|
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(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
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Balance Sheet Summary (at end of period):
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Securities(1)
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$
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608,949
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$
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672,078
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$
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676,195
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$
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528,389
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$
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428,554
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$
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410,218
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$
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473,177
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Loans held for sale
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1,522
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1,818
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811
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781
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1,274
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1,194
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424
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Loans, net of unearned income
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1,181,107
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1,243,076
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1,225,502
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1,284,863
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1,331,039
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1,238,756
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1,026,191
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Allowance for loan losses
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13,433
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13,934
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12,833
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14,549
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14,736
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16,339
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14,624
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Assets related to discontinued operations
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22,372
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Total assets
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2,053,687
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2,168,595
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2,149,838
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2,033,698
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1,952,483
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1,830,822
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|
|
1,672,727
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
1,339,407
|
|
|
|
1,421,960
|
|
|
|
1,393,443
|
|
|
|
1,394,771
|
|
|
|
1,403,220
|
|
|
|
1,356,719
|
|
|
|
1,223,376
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
|
498,972
|
|
|
|
509,374
|
|
|
|
517,843
|
|
|
|
406,556
|
|
|
|
335,885
|
|
|
|
274,212
|
|
|
|
242,267
|
|
Liabilities related to discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,992
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
1,857,074
|
|
|
|
1,952,334
|
|
|
|
1,932,740
|
|
|
|
1,820,968
|
|
|
|
1,757,982
|
|
|
|
1,647,589
|
|
|
|
1,497,692
|
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
|
196,613
|
|
|
|
216,261
|
|
|
|
217,098
|
|
|
|
212,730
|
|
|
|
194,501
|
|
|
|
183,233
|
|
|
|
175,035
|
|
Summary of Earnings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest income
|
|
$
|
56,980
|
|
|
$
|
62,665
|
|
|
$
|
127,591
|
|
|
$
|
120,026
|
|
|
$
|
109,508
|
|
|
$
|
96,136
|
|
|
$
|
90,641
|
|
Total interest expense
|
|
|
23,995
|
|
|
|
28,636
|
|
|
|
59,276
|
|
|
|
48,381
|
|
|
|
35,880
|
|
|
|
26,953
|
|
|
|
26,397
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
1,260
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
717
|
|
|
|
2,706
|
|
|
|
3,706
|
|
|
|
2,671
|
|
|
|
3,419
|
|
Non-interest income
|
|
|
16,865
|
|
|
|
10,762
|
|
|
|
24,831
|
|
|
|
21,323
|
|
|
|
22,305
|
|
|
|
17,329
|
|
|
|
14,542
|
|
Non-interest expense
|
|
|
31,042
|
|
|
|
24,233
|
|
|
|
50,463
|
|
|
|
49,837
|
|
|
|
55,591
|
|
|
|
48,035
|
|
|
|
37,590
|
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
17,548
|
|
|
|
20,558
|
|
|
|
41,966
|
|
|
|
40,425
|
|
|
|
36,636
|
|
|
|
35,806
|
|
|
|
37,777
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
4,998
|
|
|
|
5,995
|
|
|
|
12,334
|
|
|
|
11,477
|
|
|
|
10,191
|
|
|
|
9,786
|
|
|
|
11,058
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
|
12,550
|
|
|
|
14,563
|
|
|
|
29,632
|
|
|
|
28,948
|
|
|
|
26,445
|
|
|
|
26,020
|
|
|
|
26,719
|
|
(Loss) income from discontinued operations before income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(233
|
)
|
|
|
(5,746
|
)
|
|
|
(2,174
|
)
|
Income tax (benefit) expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(91
|
)
|
|
|
(2,090
|
)
|
|
|
(693
|
)
|
(Loss) income from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(142
|
)
|
|
|
(3,656
|
)
|
|
|
(1,481
|
)
|
Net income
|
|
|
12,550
|
|
|
|
14,563
|
|
|
|
29,632
|
|
|
|
28,948
|
|
|
|
26,303
|
|
|
|
22,364
|
|
|
|
25,238
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At or for the Six Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended June 30,
|
|
|
At or for the Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Per Share Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share
|
|
$
|
1.14
|
|
|
$
|
1.29
|
|
|
$
|
2.64
|
|
|
$
|
2.58
|
|
|
$
|
2.33
|
|
|
$
|
1.99
|
|
|
$
|
2.27
|
|
Basic earnings per common share- continuing operations
|
|
|
1.14
|
|
|
|
1.29
|
|
|
|
2.64
|
|
|
|
2.58
|
|
|
|
2.35
|
|
|
|
2.32
|
|
|
|
2.41
|
|
Basic (loss) earnings per common share- discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
(0.33
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
Diluted earnings per common share
|
|
|
1.13
|
|
|
|
1.28
|
|
|
|
2.62
|
|
|
|
2.57
|
|
|
|
2.32
|
|
|
|
1.97
|
|
|
|
2.25
|
|
Diluted earnings per common share- continuing operations
|
|
|
1.13
|
|
|
|
1.28
|
|
|
|
2.62
|
|
|
|
2.57
|
|
|
|
2.33
|
|
|
|
2.29
|
|
|
|
2.39
|
|
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share- discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.32
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
Cash dividends
|
|
|
0.56
|
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
|
|
1.08
|
|
|
|
1.04
|
|
|
|
1.02
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
0.98
|
|
Book value at year-end
|
|
|
17.95
|
|
|
|
19.25
|
|
|
|
19.61
|
|
|
|
18.92
|
|
|
|
17.29
|
|
|
|
16.29
|
|
|
|
15.57
|
|
Selected Ratios:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return on average assets
|
|
|
1.22
|
%
|
|
|
1.41
|
%
|
|
|
1.39
|
%
|
|
|
1.46
|
%
|
|
|
1.37
|
%
|
|
|
1.24
|
%
|
|
|
1.56
|
%
|
Return on average assets-continuing operations
|
|
|
1.22
|
|
|
|
1.41
|
|
|
|
1.39
|
|
|
|
1.46
|
|
|
|
1.38
|
|
|
|
1.45
|
|
|
|
1.70
|
|
Return on average equity
|
|
|
11.87
|
|
|
|
13.45
|
|
|
|
13.54
|
|
|
|
14.32
|
|
|
|
13.79
|
|
|
|
12.53
|
|
|
|
15.13
|
|
Return on average equity-continuing operations
|
|
|
11.87
|
|
|
|
13.45
|
|
|
|
13.54
|
|
|
|
14.32
|
|
|
|
13.87
|
|
|
|
14.58
|
|
|
|
16.02
|
|
Average equity to average assets
|
|
|
10.28
|
|
|
|
10.47
|
|
|
|
10.30
|
|
|
|
10.21
|
|
|
|
9.91
|
|
|
|
9.88
|
|
|
|
10.32
|
|
Average equity to average assets-continuing operations
|
|
|
10.28
|
|
|
|
10.47
|
|
|
|
10.30
|
|
|
|
10.21
|
|
|
|
9.91
|
|
|
|
9.96
|
|
|
|
10.64
|
|
Dividend payout
|
|
|
49.12
|
|
|
|
41.86
|
|
|
|
40.91
|
|
|
|
40.31
|
|
|
|
43.78
|
|
|
|
50.25
|
|
|
|
43.17
|
|
Risk based capital to risk adjusted assets
|
|
|
12.96
|
|
|
|
12.81
|
|
|
|
12.34
|
|
|
|
12.69
|
|
|
|
11.65
|
|
|
|
12.09
|
|
|
|
14.55
|
|
Leverage ratio
|
|
|
8.53
|
|
|
|
8.36
|
|
|
|
8.09
|
|
|
|
8.50
|
|
|
|
7.77
|
|
|
|
7.62
|
|
|
|
8.83
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Reflects the reclassification
during
2003-2004
periods of Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock
from Securities Available for Sale to Other Assets, consistent
with the
2005-2008
presentation.
|
11
Selected
Consolidated Historical Financial Data of Coddle Creek
Set forth below are highlights from Coddle Creeks audited
consolidated financial data at and for the years ended
December 31, 2003 through 2007 and from Coddle Creeks
unaudited consolidated financial data at and for the six months
ended June 30, 2008 and 2007. The results of operations for
the six months ended June 30, 2008 are not necessarily
indicative of the results of operations for the full year or any
other interim period. In the opinion of Coddle Creeks
management, this information reflects all adjustments,
consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
fair presentation of this data for those dates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At or for the Six Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended June 30,
|
|
|
At or for the Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
Financial Condition Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
158,598
|
|
|
$
|
153,192
|
|
|
$
|
155,664
|
|
|
$
|
153,602
|
|
|
$
|
141,132
|
|
|
$
|
135,801
|
|
|
$
|
137,662
|
|
Investments
securities(1)
|
|
|
19,073
|
|
|
|
15,466
|
|
|
|
16,187
|
|
|
|
18,087
|
|
|
|
17,174
|
|
|
|
15,721
|
|
|
|
24,627
|
|
Loans receivable,
net(2)
|
|
|
133,124
|
|
|
|
132,083
|
|
|
|
133,634
|
|
|
|
130,195
|
|
|
|
118,124
|
|
|
|
114,644
|
|
|
|
106,740
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
136,588
|
|
|
|
130,356
|
|
|
|
133,538
|
|
|
|
125,392
|
|
|
|
116,853
|
|
|
|
111,766
|
|
|
|
112,307
|
|
Short-term borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
|
19,092
|
|
|
|
19,767
|
|
|
|
19,607
|
|
|
|
20,412
|
|
|
|
21,445
|
|
|
|
20,696
|
|
|
|
21,917
|
|
Book value per share
|
|
|
33.01
|
|
|
|
33.78
|
|
|
|
33.98
|
|
|
|
34.83
|
|
|
|
35.93
|
|
|
|
34.92
|
|
|
|
31.67
|
|
Operating Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and fee income
|
|
|
4,618
|
|
|
|
4,781
|
|
|
|
9,566
|
|
|
|
9,098
|
|
|
|
8,091
|
|
|
|
7,456
|
|
|
|
7,962
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
2,438
|
|
|
|
2,522
|
|
|
|
5,095
|
|
|
|
4,475
|
|
|
|
3,176
|
|
|
|
2,461
|
|
|
|
2,898
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income
|
|
|
2,180
|
|
|
|
2,259
|
|
|
|
4,471
|
|
|
|
4,623
|
|
|
|
4,915
|
|
|
|
4,995
|
|
|
|
5,064
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
164
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
36
|
|
Noninterest income
|
|
|
202
|
|
|
|
241
|
|
|
|
233
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
298
|
|
|
|
337
|
|
|
|
364
|
|
Noninterest expense
|
|
|
2,168
|
|
|
|
2,182
|
|
|
|
3,738
|
|
|
|
4,203
|
|
|
|
4,139
|
|
|
|
3,762
|
|
|
|
3,695
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
214
|
|
|
|
318
|
|
|
|
802
|
|
|
|
672
|
|
|
|
1,017
|
|
|
|
1,534
|
|
|
|
1,697
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
103
|
|
|
|
130
|
|
|
|
253
|
|
|
|
222
|
|
|
|
326
|
|
|
|
540
|
|
|
|
597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
111
|
|
|
|
188
|
|
|
|
549
|
|
|
|
450
|
|
|
|
691
|
|
|
|
994
|
|
|
|
1,100
|
|
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized (losses) gains on securities, net of tax
|
|
|
161
|
|
|
|
925
|
|
|
|
(395
|
)
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
889
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
138
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
$
|
272
|
|
|
$
|
1,113
|
|
|
$
|
154
|
|
|
$
|
445
|
|
|
$
|
1,580
|
|
|
$
|
1,044
|
|
|
$
|
1,238
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per
share(3)
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
|
|
$
|
0.32
|
|
|
$
|
0.95
|
|
|
$
|
0.77
|
|
|
$
|
1.16
|
|
|
$
|
1.65
|
|
|
$
|
1.76
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per
share(3)
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
0.32
|
|
|
|
0.95
|
|
|
|
0.77
|
|
|
|
1.15
|
|
|
|
1.63
|
|
|
|
1.76
|
|
Dividends per
share(3)
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
Dividend payout
ratio(4)
|
|
|
394.73
|
%
|
|
|
265.60
|
%
|
|
|
142.11
|
%
|
|
|
227.27
|
%
|
|
|
150.86
|
%
|
|
|
106.06
|
%
|
|
|
99.43
|
%
|
Selected Other Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of outstanding loans
|
|
|
1,876
|
|
|
|
2,442
|
|
|
|
2,008
|
|
|
|
2,094
|
|
|
|
1,967
|
|
|
|
2,183
|
|
|
|
1,959
|
|
Number of deposit accounts
|
|
|
6,173
|
|
|
|
6,319
|
|
|
|
6,067
|
|
|
|
6,891
|
|
|
|
6,359
|
|
|
|
6,411
|
|
|
|
6,607
|
|
Number of full-service offices
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Return on average assets
|
|
|
0.14
|
%
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
|
|
0.36
|
%
|
|
|
0.31
|
%
|
|
|
0.50
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
|
0.78
|
%
|
Return on average equity
|
|
|
1.16
|
|
|
|
1.90
|
|
|
|
2.74
|
|
|
|
2.15
|
|
|
|
3.27
|
|
|
|
4.66
|
|
|
|
5.14
|
|
Average equity to average assets
|
|
|
12.19
|
|
|
|
13.21
|
|
|
|
12.94
|
|
|
|
14.20
|
|
|
|
15.22
|
|
|
|
15.58
|
|
|
|
15.24
|
|
Interest rate spread
|
|
|
2.86
|
|
|
|
3.06
|
|
|
|
3.69
|
|
|
|
2.19
|
|
|
|
3.20
|
|
|
|
3.53
|
|
|
|
3.44
|
|
Ratio of noninterest expense to average total assets
|
|
|
2.76
|
|
|
|
2.91
|
|
|
|
2.42
|
|
|
|
2.85
|
|
|
|
2.97
|
|
|
|
2.75
|
|
|
|
2.62
|
|
Nonperforming assets to total
assets(5)
|
|
|
0.92
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
|
0.90
|
|
|
|
1.56
|
|
|
|
2.40
|
|
|
|
2.52
|
|
|
|
2.52
|
|
Nonperforming loans to total
loans(5)
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
0.99
|
|
|
|
1.83
|
|
|
|
2.49
|
|
|
|
2.97
|
|
|
|
3.11
|
|
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming
loans(5)
|
|
|
40.28
|
|
|
|
38.57
|
|
|
|
59.43
|
|
|
|
34.31
|
|
|
|
30.57
|
|
|
|
26.43
|
|
|
|
25.29
|
|
Allowance for loan losses to total loans receivable
|
|
|
0.44
|
%
|
|
|
0.54
|
%
|
|
|
0.59
|
%
|
|
|
0.63
|
%
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.79
|
%
|
|
|
0.82
|
%
|
Provision for loan losses to total loans receivable, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
0.81
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
Stockholders equity to total assets
|
|
|
12.03
|
|
|
|
12.90
|
|
|
|
12.60
|
|
|
|
13.29
|
|
|
|
15.19
|
|
|
|
15.24
|
|
|
|
15.92
|
|
12
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Includes interest-earning deposits,
federal funds sold, certificates of deposit, Federal Home Loan
Bank stock and investment securities.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Represents gross loans less net
deferred loan fees, undisbursed loan funds and allowance for
loan losses.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Earnings per share has been
calculated in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards, which is referred to in this proxy
statement/prospectus as SFAS, No. 128, Earnings Per
Share. Under SFAS No. 128, basic earnings per
share is based on net income for the year, divided by the
weighted average number of shares outstanding for the year.
Diluted earnings per share includes the effect of dilutive
common stock equivalents in the weighted average number of
shares outstanding. In accordance with the AICPAs
SOP 93-6,
unallocated ESOP shares were deducted from outstanding shares
and used in the computation of earnings per share.
|
|
(4)
|
|
The dividend payout ratio
represents dividends per share, including the return of capital
dividend, as a percent of basic earnings (loss) per share.
|
|
(5)
|
|
Nonperforming assets include
mortgage loans and consumer loans 90 days or more
delinquent and real estate acquired in settlement of loans.
Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual loans and accruing loans
past due 90 days or more.
|
13
RISK
FACTORS
Upon completion of the merger, you will receive cash and
shares of First Community common stock in exchange for your
shares of Coddle Creek common stock. Prior to deciding whether
or not to approve the transaction, you should be aware of and
consider the following risks and uncertainties that are
applicable to the merger and First Community, in addition to the
other information contained in or incorporated into this proxy
statement/prospectus by reference, including the matters
addressed under the caption Cautionary Statement
Concerning Forward-Looking Statements beginning on
page 17. First Community has included in its Annual Report
on
Form 10-K
for the year ending December 31, 2007 additional risk
factors that address its business.
Because
the exchange ratio is fixed and the market price of First
Communitys common stock will fluctuate, you cannot be sure
of the market value of the First Community common stock that you
will receive in the merger.
Upon completion of the merger, each issued and outstanding share
of Coddle Creek common stock will automatically be cancelled and
converted into the right to receive $19.60 in cash and 0.9046 of
a share of First Community common stock. The value of the shares
of First Community common stock that you will receive will vary
based on the trading price of First Communitys common
stock. As
of ,
2008, the last practicable trading day for which information was
available prior to the date of this prospectus/proxy statement,
the closing sale price reported on the Nasdaq Global Select
Market for First Communitys common stock was
$ .
Stock price changes may result from a variety of factors,
including general market and economic conditions, changes in the
values and perceptions of financial services stocks generally,
changes in First Communitys business, operations and
prospects, and regulatory considerations. Many of these factors
are beyond First Communitys control. Accordingly, at the
time of the special meeting, you will not necessarily know or be
able to calculate the exact value of the shares of First
Communitys common stock you will receive upon completion
of the merger. The value of the transaction and each share of
Coddle Creek common stock on consummation of the merger may be
higher or lower depending on the value of First Communitys
common stock on that date. Additionally, the value of the shares
of First Communitys common stock received by a Coddle
Creek stockholder may decline immediately after, including, as a
result of, the completion of the merger.
The
merger agreement limits Coddle Creeks ability to pursue
alternatives to the merger with First Community, may discourage
other acquirers from offering a higher valued transaction to
Coddle Creek and may, therefore, result in less value for the
Coddle Creek stockholders.
The merger agreement contains a provision that, subject to
certain limited exceptions, prohibits Coddle Creek from
soliciting, negotiating, or providing confidential information
to any third party relating to any competing proposal to acquire
Coddle Creek or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, if Coddle
Creek executes a definitive agreement in respect of, or closes,
an acquisition transaction with a third party, the merger
agreement provides that Coddle Creek must pay a
$1.0 million termination fee to First Community. These
provisions of the merger agreement could discourage a potential
competing acquirer that might have an interest in acquiring
Coddle Creek, even if it were prepared to pay a higher per share
price than proposed in the merger agreement.
The
fairness opinion obtained by Coddle Creek from its financial
advisor will not reflect changes in circumstances prior to the
merger.
Howe Barnes, the financial advisor to Coddle Creek, delivered an
oral fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of Coddle Creek
on July 22, 2008, which was subsequently confirmed in
writing dated as of the same date. The fairness opinion states
that, as of the date of the opinion, the merger consideration
set forth in the merger agreement was fair, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of shares of Coddle Creek common
stock. However, the fairness opinion does not reflect changes
that may occur or may have occurred after the date on which it
was delivered, including changes to the operations and prospects
of First Community or Coddle Creek, changes in general market
and economic conditions, or other changes. Any such changes may
alter the relative value of First Community and Coddle Creek.
14
Directors
and officers of Coddle Creek have interests in the merger that
are in addition to or different than the interests of
stockholders.
When considering the recommendation of Coddle Creeks board
of directors, you should be aware that some executive officers
and directors of Coddle Creek have interests in the merger that
are different from your interests. These arrangements may create
potential conflicts of interest. For example, some of Coddle
Creeks executive officers will receive a cash payment upon
closing of the merger under the terms of their settlement
agreements. These and certain other additional interests of
Coddle Creeks directors and executive officers may cause
some of these persons to view the proposed transaction
differently than you view it, as a stockholder. See The
Merger Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger beginning on page 46.
First
Community may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the
merger.
The success of the merger will depend on, among other things,
First Communitys ability to realize anticipated cost
savings and to combine the businesses of First Community and
Coddle Creek in a manner that does not materially disrupt the
existing customer relationships of Coddle Creek or result in
decreased revenues resulting from any loss of customers and that
permits growth opportunities to occur. If First Community is not
able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated
benefits of the merger may not be realized fully or at all or
may take longer to realize than expected.
The
market price of shares of First Community common stock may be
affected by factors which are different from those affecting
shares of Coddle Creek common stock.
You will receive shares of First Community common stock in
connection with the merger. Some of First Communitys
current businesses and markets differ from those of Coddle Creek
and, accordingly, the results of operations of First Community
after the merger may be affected by factors different from those
currently affecting the results of operations of Coddle Creek.
For a discussion of the businesses of First Community and Coddle
Creek and of certain factors to consider in connection with
those businesses, see Information About Coddle
Creek, beginning on page 58, Information About
First Community, beginning on page 57 and the
documents incorporated into this proxy statement/prospectus by
reference concerning First Community and referred to under
Where You Can Find More Information beginning on
page 68.
Coddle
Creek stockholders will have a reduced ownership and voting
interest after the merger and will exercise less influence over
management.
Following completion of the merger, Coddle Creek stockholders
will own approximately 4.6% of First Communitys
outstanding shares of common stock after taking into account the
sale of certain shares of First Communitys common stock by
the Coddle Creek Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which is
referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the ESOP, that
the ESOP is expected to receive in connection with the merger to
settle a loan owed to Coddle Creek by the ESOP. Consequently,
Coddle Creek stockholders should expect to exercise less
influence over the management and policies of First Community
than they currently exercise over the management and policies of
Coddle Creek.
The
merger is subject to the receipt of waivers and approvals from
government entities that may not be received, may take longer
than expected or impose conditions that are not presently
anticipated.
Before the merger may be completed, various waivers and
approvals must be obtained from the FRB, the OCC, the VA Bureau
of Financial Institutions, and the NC Commissioner. There can be
no assurance as to whether these regulatory waivers and
approvals will be received or the timing of the waivers and
approvals. In addition, these governmental entities may impose
conditions on the completion of the merger or require changes to
the terms of the merger. Neither First Community nor Coddle
Creek is obligated to complete the merger if the regulatory
approvals received in connection with the completion of the
merger include any condition which First Community reasonably
determines in good faith would materially reduce the benefits of
the merger to such a degree that First Community would not have
entered into the merger agreement had such condition been known
as of the date of the merger agreement.
15
If the
merger is not completed, Coddle Creek will have incurred
substantial expenses without realizing the expected
benefits.
Coddle Creek has incurred substantial expenses in connection
with the merger. The completion of the merger depends on the
satisfaction of certain conditions including the approval of
Coddle Creeks stockholders and the approval of state and
federal regulatory authorities. We cannot guarantee that these
conditions will be met. If the merger is not completed, these
expenses could have a material adverse impact on the financial
condition of Coddle Creek because they would not have realized
the expected benefits.
Changes in the accounting method for business combinations
may have an adverse impact on the transaction if the transaction
is not closed by December 31, 2008.
Currently and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and
prior, in accordance with SFAS No. 141 Business
Combinations, all acquisition-related costs such as
investment banker fees, attorneys fees and
accountants fees, as well as contingent consideration to
the seller, are capitalized as part of the purchase price and
become part of goodwill or allocated to the fair value of other
tangible or intangible assets and liabilities.
In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business
Combinations, which is referred to in this proxy
statement/prospectus as SFAS 141R, which requires an
acquirer to do the following: expense acquisition related costs
as incurred and record contingent consideration at fair value at
the acquisition date with certain subsequent changes in fair
value to be recognized in the income statement. SFAS 141R
applies prospectively to business combinations for which the
acquisition date is on or after beginning of the first annual
reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.
Earlier application is prohibited. If the acquisition is not
completed by December 31, 2008, SFAS 141R may have a
material impact on our accounting for this transaction.
16
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This proxy statement/prospectus and the documents incorporated
herein by reference contain forward-looking statements by First
Community and Coddle Creek within the meaning of the federal
securities laws. These forward-looking statements include
information about the consummation and anticipated timing of the
merger and the financial condition, results of operations and
businesses of First Community and Coddle Creek. In addition, any
of the words believes, expects,
anticipates, estimates,
plans, projects, predicts
and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and
uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those
contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to, among
others, the following factors:
|
|
|
|
|
estimated cost savings from the merger may not be fully realized
within the expected time frame;
|
|
|
|
deposit attrition, customer loss or revenue loss following the
merger may be greater than expected;
|
|
|
|
competitive pressure among depository and other financial
institutions may increase significantly;
|
|
|
|
costs or difficulties related to the integration of the
businesses of First Community and Coddle Creek may be greater
than expected;
|
|
|
|
changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest
margins;
|
|
|
|
general economic or business conditions, either nationally or in
the states or regions in which First Community does business,
may be less favorable than expected, resulting in, among other
things, a deterioration in credit quality or a reduced demand
for credit;
|
|
|
|
legislation or changes in regulatory requirements, including
changes in accounting standards, may adversely affect the
businesses in which First Community is engaged;
|
|
|
|
adverse changes may occur in the securities markets; and
|
|
|
|
competitors of First Community may have greater financial
resources and develop products and technology that enable those
competitors to compete more successfully than First Community.
|
Management of First Community and Coddle Creek each believes
that the forward-looking statements about their respective
company are reasonable; however, you 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 stockholder values of First
Community following completion of the merger may differ
materially from those expressed in these forward-looking
statements. Many of the factors that will determine these
results and values are beyond First Communitys and Coddle
Creeks ability to control or predict.
All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements
attributable to First Community or Coddle Creek or any person
acting or their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety
by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this
section. Neither First Community nor Coddle Creek undertakes any
obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to
reflect events, circumstances or new information after the date
of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
17
GENERAL
INFORMATION
This document constitutes a proxy statement and is being
furnished to all holders of Coddle Creek common stock in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the board of
directors of Coddle Creek to be used at a special meeting of
stockholders of Coddle Creek to be held
on , ,
2008 and any adjournment of the special meeting. The purposes of
the special meeting are to consider and vote upon a proposal to
approve the merger agreement between First Community and Coddle
Creek, which provides, among other things, for the merger of
Coddle Creek with and into First Community, and a proposal to
adjourn the special meeting to the extent necessary to solicit
additional votes on the merger agreement.
This document also constitutes a prospectus of First Community
relating to the First Community common stock to be issued to
holders of Coddle Creek common stock upon completion of the
merger. Based on the number of shares of Coddle Creek common
stock outstanding on the record date for the special meeting and
an exchange ratio of 0.9046, approximately 552,300 shares
of First Community common stock will be issuable upon completion
of the merger.
First Community has supplied all of the information contained or
incorporated herein by reference relating to First Community,
and Coddle Creek has supplied all of the information relating to
Coddle Creek.
THE
SPECIAL MEETING
Time,
Date and Place
A special meeting of stockholders of Coddle Creek will be held
at .m., Eastern Daylight Saving Time,
on , ,
2008 at Coddle Creeks corporate headquarters located at
347 North Main Street, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115.
Matters
to be Considered
The purposes of the special meeting are to consider and approve
the merger agreement and to consider and approve a proposal to
adjourn the special meeting if necessary to permit further
solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the
time of the special meeting to approve the merger agreement.
Shares
Outstanding and Entitled to Vote; Record Date
The close of business
on ,
2008 has been fixed by Coddle Creek as the record date for the
determination of Coddle Creek stockholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at the special meeting and any adjournment or
postponement of the special meeting. At the close of business on
the record date, there were 610,545 shares of Coddle Creek
common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of
Coddle Creek common stock entitles the holder to one vote at the
special meeting on all matters properly presented at the meeting.
How to
Vote Your Shares
Stockholders of record may vote by mail, telephone, via the
Internet or by attending the special meeting and voting in
person. If you choose to vote by mail, simply mark the enclosed
proxy card, date and sign it, and return it in the postage paid
envelope provided.
If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other
holder of record, you will receive instructions from the holder
of record that you must follow in order for your shares to be
voted. Also, please note that if the holder of record of your
shares is a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote
at the special meeting, you must bring a legal proxy from the
broker, bank or other nominee confirming that you are the
beneficial owner of the shares.
18
Any stockholder executing a proxy may revoke it at any time
before it is voted by:
|
|
|
|
|
delivering to Coddle Creek prior to the special meeting a
written notice of revocation addressed to Billy R. Williams,
Corporate Secretary, Coddle Creek Financial Corp.,
P.O. Box 117, 347 North Main Street, Mooresville,
North Carolina 28115;
|
|
|
|
delivering to Coddle Creek prior to the special meeting a
properly executed proxy with a later date; or
|
|
|
|
attending the special meeting and voting in person.
|
Attendance at the special meeting will not, in and of itself,
constitute revocation of a proxy.
Each proxy returned to Coddle Creek (and not revoked) by a
holder of Coddle Creek common stock will be voted in accordance
with the instructions indicated thereon. If no instructions are
indicated, the proxy will be voted FOR approval of
the merger agreement and FOR the proposal to adjourn
the special meeting if necessary to permit further solicitation
of proxies on the proposal to approve the merger agreement.
Votes
Required
A quorum, consisting of the holders of a majority of the issued
and outstanding shares of Coddle Creek common stock, must be
present in person or by proxy before any action may be taken at
the special meeting. Abstentions will be treated as shares that
are present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum
but will not be counted in the voting on a proposal and this
will have the same effect of a vote against the merger proposal.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Coddle Creek common stock is necessary to
approve the merger agreement on behalf of Coddle Creek. The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders
at the meeting is required to approve the proposal to adjourn
the special meeting if necessary to permit further solicitation
of proxies on the proposal to approve the merger agreement.
Any broker non-votes submitted by brokers or
nominees in connection with the special meeting will not be
counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast on
a proposal but will be treated as present for quorum purposes.
Broker non-votes are shares held by brokers or
nominees as to which voting instructions have not been received
from the beneficial owners or the persons entitled to vote those
shares and the broker or nominee does not have discretionary
voting power under the applicable New York Stock Exchange rules.
Under these rules, the proposals to approve the merger agreement
and to adjourn the special meeting are not items on which
brokerage firms may vote in their discretion on behalf of their
clients if such clients have not furnished voting instructions
within ten days of the special meeting. Because the proposal to
approve the merger agreement is required to be approved by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Coddle Creek
common stock, abstentions and broker non-votes will
have the same effect as a vote against the proposal to approve
the merger agreement at the special meeting. And for the same
reason, the failure of a Coddle Creek stockholder to vote by
proxy or in person at the special meeting will have the effect
of a vote against this proposal. Because of the vote required
for the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, abstentions and
broker non-votes will have no effect on this
proposal.
The directors and executive officers of Coddle Creek, who
collectively own approximately 22.5% of the outstanding shares
of Coddle Creek common stock as of the record date for the
special meeting, have entered into shareholder agreements with
First Community pursuant to which they have agreed to vote all
of their shares in favor of the merger agreement. See The
Merger Shareholder Agreements on page 53.
As of the close of business on the record date for the special
meeting, First Community did not beneficially own any shares of
Coddle Creek common stock.
Solicitation
of Proxies
Coddle Creek will pay for the costs of mailing this document to
its stockholders, as well as all other costs incurred by it in
connection with the solicitation of proxies from its
stockholders on behalf of its board
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of directors. In addition to solicitation by mail, the
directors, officers and employees of Coddle Creek and its
subsidiaries may solicit proxies from stockholders of Coddle
Creek in person or by telephone, telegram, facsimile or other
electronic methods without compensation other than reimbursement
for their actual expenses.
Arrangements also will be made with custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation material to the
beneficial owners of stock held of record by such persons, and
Coddle Creek will reimburse such custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in
connection therewith.
Recommendation
of the Coddle Creek Board of Directors
The Coddle Creek board of directors has unanimously approved the
merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement. Based on Coddle Creeks reasons for the merger
described in this proxy statement/prospectus, including Howe
Barnes fairness opinion, the board of directors of Coddle
Creek believes that the merger is in the best interests of
Coddle Creeks stockholders and unanimously recommends that
you vote FOR approval of the merger agreement. See
The Merger Coddle Creeks Reasons for the
Merger beginning on page 23.
THE
MERGER
(PROPOSAL ONE)
The following information describes the material aspects of
the merger agreement and 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. You are urged to carefully read
the appendices in their entirety.
General
Under the terms and conditions set forth in the merger
agreement, Coddle Creek will be merged with and into First
Community. At the effective time of the merger, each share of
common stock of Coddle Creek, no par value per share,
outstanding immediately before the effective time of the merger
(except as provided below) will, by virtue of the merger and
without any action on the part of a Coddle Creek stockholder, be
converted into the right to receive:
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$19.60 in cash, which is referred to as the per share cash
consideration; and
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0.9046 of a share of common stock of First Community, which is
referred to as the exchange ratio, plus cash in lieu
of any fractional share interest.
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As
of ,
2008, there were 610,545 shares of Coddle Creek common
stock outstanding.
Shares of Coddle Creek common stock held by Coddle Creek
stockholders who have elected dissenters rights will not
be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration
upon consummation of the merger. Stockholders who wish to assert
their dissenters rights and comply with the procedural
requirements of Article 13 of the NCBCA, will be entitled
to receive payment of the fair value of their shares in cash in
accordance with North Carolina law. For more information
regarding the exercise of these rights, see
Dissenters Rights.
After completion of the merger, it is expected that current
First Community stockholders will own approximately 95.2% of the
combined company and former Coddle Creek stockholders will own
approximately 4.6% of the combined company after taking into
account the sale of certain shares of First Communitys
common stock by the Coddle Creek Employee Stock Ownership Plan,
which is referred to in this proxy statement prospectus as the
ESOP, that the ESOP is expected to receive in connection with
the merger to settle a loan owed to Coddle Creek by the ESOP.
20
Background
of the Merger
Coddle Creeks board of directors has from time to time
engaged with senior management in strategic reviews and has
considered ways to enhance Coddle Creeks performance and
prospects in light of competitive and other relevant
developments. These strategic reviews have focused on, among
other things, the business environment facing financial
institutions generally, as well as conditions and ongoing
consolidation in the financial services industry. These reviews
have also included periodic discussions with respect to
potential transactions that would further Coddle Creeks
strategic objectives, and the potential benefits and risks of
those transactions, and from time to time have focused on the
possibility of a merger with another banking organization. In
addition, Coddle Creeks senior management has had from
time to time informal discussions with representatives of other
financial institutions regarding the potential benefits and
risks of business combination transactions.
In March 2008, Coddle Creeks board of directors, with
members of Coddle Creeks senior management present, met
with representatives from Howe Barnes to discuss strategic
alternatives available to Coddle Creek. On April 8, 2008,
the Coddle Creek board of directors formally engaged Howe Barnes
to conduct a limited auction of Coddle Creek and its subsidiary,
Mooresville Savings Bank. After being formally engaged, Howe
Barnes prepared a Confidential Information Memorandum describing
Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank. While preparing the
Confidential Information Memorandum, Howe Barnes began to
identify potential merger partners for Coddle Creek, primarily
those with a presence or interest in Charlotte, North Carolina
and surrounding areas.
In mid-April 2008, with the consent of Coddle Creek, Howe Barnes
contacted 11 prospective merger partners, including First
Community. Nine of the prospective merger partners, including
First Community, signed confidentiality agreements and received
information on Coddle Creek. Of the nine prospective merger
partners who received information on Coddle Creek, five parties
submitted initial indications of interest to acquire Coddle
Creek, including First Community.
On or about May 21, 2008, Coddle Creeks management
team met separately with the chief executive officers of two
prospective merger partners, one of which was the chief
executive officer of First Community. First Communitys
chief executive officer and Coddle Creeks management team
generally discussed the strategic visions for Coddle Creek and
First Community, the cultures and traditions of their companies
and other matters. Shortly thereafter, the Coddle Creek board of
directors evaluated the initial indications of interest received
through Howe Barnes efforts. It determined that the
valuation of Coddle Creek, the relative proportions of cash and
stock in the merger consideration indicated by First Community,
and the general terms contained in First Communitys
initial indication of interest were superior to those received
from the other companies who submitted initial indications of
interest. Accordingly, the Coddle Creek board of directors
authorized management to continue to engage in discussions and
negotiations with First Community regarding a potential
transaction and to commence due diligence.
Over the first several days of June 2008, First Community
conducted an
on-site due
diligence review of Coddle Creek. Included in this review were
interviews of the senior management team of Coddle Creek by
First Communitys senior executives and its advisors.
Following the
on-site
review and during the first two weeks of June 2008, a series of
communications occurred in which the senior management teams of
Coddle Creek and First Community and their respective advisors
participated. On June 16, 2008, Coddle Creek received a
revised indication of interest from First Community setting
forth the material terms of a potential merger, including the
financial terms and the transaction structure. In the revised
indication of interest, First Community proposed to purchase
each share of Coddle Creek common stock for approximately $49.00
per share as of that date with the merger consideration to be
paid in a combination of cash and shares of First Community
common stock.
On June 17, 2008, the boards of directors of Coddle Creek
and Mooresville Savings Bank held a special joint meeting at
which senior management was present. The purpose of the special
joint meeting was to discuss various acquisition proposals
received by Howe Barnes in its capacity as the investment
advisor to Coddle Creek. Howe Barnes provided an overview of its
activities undertaken to date, and the five parties who
submitted initial indications of interest, including First
Community. Howe Barnes then summarized the course
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of discussions with First Community, the material terms of First
Communitys indication of interest and several aspects of
First Communitys proposal that remained to be resolved.
Howe Barnes presented to the board of directors detailed
financial information with respect to First Community and pro
forma data with respect to the potential transaction. After the
foregoing presentations and an extended discussion among the
participants in the meeting, Howe Barnes orally advised the
boards of directors of Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank
that in its opinion the merger consideration and general terms
of the merger were fair to the holders of Coddle Creek common
stock from a financial point of view. Also at this meeting,
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, L.L.P.,
Coddle Creeks legal counsel, which is referred to in this
proxy statement/prospectus as Brooks Pierce, informed the board
of directors of Coddle Creek of the legal standards applicable
to a decision by the Coddle Creek board of directors to approve
a merger of Coddle Creek. After further questions by and
discussions among the members of the Coddle Creek board of
directors, and consideration of the factors described under
Coddle Creeks Reasons for the
Merger, the Coddle Creek board of directors voted
unanimously to direct Coddle Creeks management to move
forward with discussions with First Community, with a resolution
of the various issues identified by the board of directors of
Coddle Creek being a requirement to entering into the letter of
intent.
After the special joint meeting of the boards of directors of
Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank, Coddle Creeks
and First Communitys senior management and advisors
engaged in additional discussions regarding the various issues
to be resolved. After resolving the most important of these
issues, Coddle Creek agreed to pursue a proposed transaction
exclusively with First Community for the next 45 days under
the framework of a revised indication of interest submitted by
First Community to Coddle Creek on June 23, 2008. During
the remainder of June and through July 2008, Coddle Creek, First
Community and their advisors negotiated the definitive
documentation associated with and conditions precedent to
consummation of a possible merger of Coddle Creek and First
Community and their respective banking subsidiaries.
On June 26, 2008, representatives of Howe Barnes and Brooks
Pierce conducted an
on-site due
diligence review of First Community. Included with this review
were discussions with the senior management team of First
Community.
On July 22, 2008, the boards of directors of Coddle Creek
and Mooresville Savings Bank held a regularly scheduled joint
meeting at which senior management, together with Coddle
Creeks legal and financial advisors, reviewed the
discussions and negotiations with First Community regarding the
proposed merger and the results of Coddle Creeks due
diligence investigation of First Community. Brooks Pierce
presented a draft of the merger agreement to the board of
directors of Coddle Creek and discussed its terms as well as
several remaining issues relevant to the merger agreement that
remained unresolved. After responding to questions from members
of the board of directors of Coddle Creek on the merger
agreement, Brooks Pierce discussed the terms of the shareholder
agreement, the affiliate letter, the bank merger agreement and
the various agreements to be entered into by Coddle Creeks
senior management and noted a number of unresolved issues in
these ancillary agreements. Howe Barnes presented detailed
financial information with respect to the potential transaction
and answered questions of the board of directors of Coddle
Creek, and rendered an oral opinion that, as of July 22,
2008, the consideration provided in the merger agreement was
fair to the holders of Coddle Creek common stock from a
financial point of view. This opinion was subsequently confirmed
in writing as of the same date. Also at this meeting, Brooks
Pierce discussed again with the Coddle Creek board of directors
the legal standards applicable to its decision to approve the
merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
Senior management of Coddle Creek and the board of directors of
Coddle Creek reviewed the terms of the proposed merger
agreement, and the Coddle Creek board of directors concluded
that the proposed transaction with First Community was in the
best interests of Coddle Creek and its stockholders. After
further questions by and discussion among the members of the
Coddle Creek board of directors and consideration of the factors
described under Coddle Creeks Reasons
for the Merger, the Coddle Creek board of directors voted
unanimously to approve the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby as being in the best interests of the
stockholders of Coddle Creek, subject to resolution of the
several specified remaining issues.
On July 22, 2008, First Communitys board of directors
held a regular meeting at which its management reviewed in
detail with the board of directors the terms of the merger
agreement. Based upon First
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Communitys board of directors review and discussion
of the merger agreement and the relevant factors, described
below in First Communitys Reasons for
the Merger, First Communitys board of directors
unanimously authorized and approved the execution of the merger
agreement with Coddle Creek.
Following the completion of the meetings of the boards of
directors of Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank and the
First Community board of directors on July 22, 2008, Coddle
Creeks and First Communitys senior management and
their respective advisors continued discussions to resolve the
remaining issues with respect to the definitive merger
agreement. After reaching a resolution on those items, the
merger agreement was entered into by Coddle Creek and First
Community on July 31, 2008. After the stock market closed
on July 31, 2008, First Community and Coddle Creek issued a
joint press release publicly announcing the proposed merger.
Coddle
Creeks Reasons for the Merger
Coddle Creeks board of directors, at its meeting held on
July 22, 2008, considered the merger agreement and
determined it to be in the best interests of Coddle Creek and
its stockholders. In reaching its determination, the Coddle
Creek board of directors consulted with Coddle Creek management,
as well as its financial and legal advisors, regarding the
financial fairness of the merger and the terms of the merger
agreement, and considered a number of factors. Listed below are
the material factors that Coddle Creeks board of directors
considered in its decision. The Coddle Creeks board of
directors did not assign any specific or relative weight to the
factors listed below and considered all of the factors as a
whole in reaching its conclusion to approve the merger agreement.
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The Coddle Creek board of directors understanding of the
business, operations, financial condition, earnings and future
prospects of Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank;
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The current and prospective economic, regulatory and competitive
environment facing Coddle Creek and the community banking
industry in general, including the decline in net interest
margins and unfavorable yield curve, evolving trends in
technology and the cost of such technology, and the increasing
importance of operational scale and financial resources in
maintaining efficiency and remaining competitive over the long
term;
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First Communitys ability to pay the merger consideration
and obtain regulatory approvals for the merger;
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The merger consideration to be paid to Coddle Creek stockholders
for their shares in relation to, among other things, the market
value, book value, earnings per share and projected earnings per
share for Coddle Creek common stock;
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The portion of the merger consideration composed of cash and not
subject to variations in the market value of First
Communitys common stock;
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The marketing and bidding process conducted by Coddle Creek and
Howe Barnes and the Coddle Creek board of directors belief
that a transaction with First Community was the best overall
transaction available to Coddle Creek and its stockholders;
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The greater market liquidity of First Communitys common
stock relative to Coddle Creeks common stock;
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The review by the Coddle Creek board of directors with its
financial and legal advisors of the structure of the transaction
and the financial and other terms of the merger agreement,
including the consideration offered by First Community;
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The current senior executives of Coddle Creek and the need for
future management succession if Coddle Creek were to remain
independent;
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The nature of the respective markets, customers, asset/liability
mix and operations of Coddle Creek and First Community;
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The reports of Coddle Creeks management and the financial
presentation by Howe Barnes to the board of directors concerning
the operations, earnings and financial condition of First
Community on a historical and prospective basis and of the
combined companies on a pro forma basis;
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The historical and current market prices of Coddle Creeks
and First Communitys common stock and the potential for
increased earnings for Coddle Creeks stockholders as
stockholders of the combined company;
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The fact that First Communitys offer represented a
significant premium over the market price of Coddle Creeks
common stock;
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The impact of the acquisition on the depositors, employees,
customers and communities served by Mooresville Savings
Bank; and
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The opinion delivered to the Coddle Creek board of directors by
Howe Barnes that, as of the date of the opinion and based upon
and subject to the considerations set forth in its opinion, the
merger consideration was fair, from a financial point of view,
to the holders of Coddle Creek common stock.
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The Coddle Creek board of directors also considered the
following matters associated with the merger in connection with
its deliberations of the proposed transaction, including:
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The risks to Coddle Creeks business if the merger is not
completed;
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The interests of Coddle Creeks executive officers and
directors with respect to the acquisition apart from their
interests as holders of Coddle Creek common stock, and the risk
that these interests might influence their decision with respect
to the merger. See Interests of Certain
Persons in the Merger; and
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The risk that the terms of the merger agreement, including
provisions prohibiting Coddle Creek from soliciting additional
competing proposals and requiring the payment of a termination
fee under specified circumstances, could have the effect of
discouraging other parties that might be interested in a
transaction with Coddle Creek from proposing such a transaction.
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The Coddle Creek board of directors evaluated the factors
described above, including asking questions and receiving
information from management and its legal and financial
advisors, and determined that the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated by it were in the best interests of
Coddle Creek and its stockholders. Accordingly, the Coddle
Creek board of directors unanimously approved the merger
agreement and recommends that Coddle Creek stockholders vote
FOR approval of the merger agreement.
First
Communitys Reasons for the Merger
First Community entered into the merger agreement with Coddle
Creek because, among other things, First Community believes the
merger is consistent with its expansion strategy in North
Carolina. The acquisition will expand First Community
Banks banking operations and complement its existing
banking network. The Coddle Creek franchise is a natural
expansion of First Communitys current North Carolina
operations into the Lake Norman region of North Carolina.
Opinion
of Coddle Creeks Financial Advisor
On July 22, 2008, at a meeting of the Coddle Creek board of
directors, Howe Barnes delivered to the Coddle Creek board of
directors its opinion, to the effect that, as of that date and
based upon and subject to various assumptions, matters
considered, and limitations on Howe Barnes review
described in the opinion, the shareholder consideration was
fair, from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of
Coddle Creek No limitations were imposed by Coddle Creek on Howe
Barnes with respect to the investigations made or the procedures
followed in rendering its opinion.
Coddle Creek retained Howe Barnes to act as its financial
advisor in connection with its proposed merger with First
Community based upon Howe Barnes qualifications,
expertise, and reputation advising financial
24
institutions and other companies. As part of its investment
banking business, Howe Barnes is regularly engaged in the
valuation of banks and bank holding companies, thrifts and
thrift holding companies, and various other financial services
companies, in connection with merger and acquisitions, initial
and secondary offerings of securities, and valuations for other
purposes.
The full text of Howe Barnes written opinion to Coddle
Creeks board of directors, dated July 22, 2008, which sets
forth the assumptions made, matters considered and extent of
review by Howe Barnes, is attached as Appendix B and is
incorporated herein by reference. The fairness opinion should be
read carefully and in its entirety. The following summary of
Howe Barnes opinion is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of the opinion. Howe Barnes
opinion is directed to Coddle Creeks board of directors
and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of
Coddle Creek as to how a stockholder should vote with regard to
the merger at the special meeting of stockholders described in
this proxy statement/prospectus. The opinion addresses only the
fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger
consideration to the holders of Coddle Creeks common
stock. The opinion does not address the relative merits of the
merger or any alternatives to the merger, the underlying
decision of Coddle Creeks board of directors to approve or
proceed with or effect the merger, or any other aspect of the
merger.
Howe Barnes has consented to the inclusion of its opinion and to
the inclusion of the summary of its opinion in this proxy
statement/prospectus. In giving such consent, Howe Barnes does
not concede that it comes within the category of persons whose
consent is required under the Securities Act of 1933 or the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
which is referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the
Commission, thereunder, nor does it concede that it is an expert
within the meaning of the term expert as used in the
Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder with respect to any part of the registration
statement on
Form S-4
of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part.
In connection with rendering its original opinion, Howe Barnes:
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1)
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Reviewed the draft merger agreement dated July 18, 2008;
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2)
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Reviewed First Communitys recent filings with the
Commission including its proxy statement filed on March 27,
2008, Annual Reports on
Form 10-K
for the three years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005,
and a Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2008;
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3)
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Reviewed First Communitys earnings press release for the
quarter ended June 30, 2008;
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4)
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Reviewed Current Reports of First Community as filed on
Form 8-K
with the Commission from January 1, 2005 to the date hereof;
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5)
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Reviewed Coddle Creeks Annual Reports for the three years
ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005;
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6)
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Reviewed Coddle Creeks proxy statement dated
March 18, 2008;
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7)
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Reviewed certain internal financial information and financial
forecasts relating to the business, earnings, cash flows, assets
and prospects of the respective companies furnished to Howe
Barnes by Coddle Creek and First Community;
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8)
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Held discussions with members of executive and senior management
of Coddle Creek and First Community, including without
limitation, their respective legal advisors and others
concerning the past and current results of operations of Coddle
Creek and First Community, their respective current financial
condition and managements opinion of their respective
future prospects;
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9)
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Reviewed the historical record of reported trading prices,
trading activity and dividend payments for both Coddle Creek and
First Community;
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10)
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Compared the reported financial terms of selected recent
business combinations in the banking industry; and
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11)
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Performed such other studies and analyses as Howe Barnes
considered appropriate under the circumstances.
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The written opinion provided by Howe Barnes to Coddle Creek,
dated as of July 22, 2008, was necessarily based upon
economic, monetary, financial market, and other relevant
conditions as of the date the opinion was rendered. Accordingly,
it is important to understand that although subsequent
developments may affect its opinion, Howe Barnes does not have
any obligation to further update, revise, or reaffirm its
opinion.
In connection with its review and arriving at its opinion, with
the consent of Coddle Creeks board of directors, Howe
Barnes assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of
the financial information and other pertinent information
provided by Coddle Creek and First Community to Howe Barnes for
purposes of rendering its opinion. Howe Barnes did not assume
any obligation to independently verify any of the information
discussed above, including, without limitation, information from
published sources, as being complete and accurate. With regard
to the financial information, including financial projections it
received from Coddle Creek, as well as estimates of cost
savings, Howe Barnes assumed that this information reflected the
best available estimates and good faith judgments of management
as to Coddle Creeks future performance and that the
projections provided a reasonable basis upon which Howe Barnes
could formulate its opinion. The forecasts and projections were
based upon numerous variables and assumptions that are
inherently uncertain, including, among others, factors relative
to the general economic and competitive conditions Coddle Creek
faces. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from
those used in the forecasts and projections.
Howe Barnes does not purport to be an expert in the evaluation
of loan portfolios or the allowance for loan losses with respect
to loan portfolios and, accordingly, assumes that Coddle
Creeks allowances and First Communitys allowances
were adequate to cover any losses. In addition, Howe Barnes has
not reviewed and does not assume any responsibility for any
individual credit files and did not make an independent
evaluation, appraisal, or physical inspection of the assets or
liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of Coddle Creeks or
First Communitys individual properties, nor was Howe
Barnes provided with any such appraisals. In rendering its
opinion, Howe Barnes expressed no opinions with respect to the
amount or nature of any compensation to any officers, directors,
or employees of Coddle Creek, or any class of such persons
relative to the merger consideration to be received by the
holders of the common stock of Coddle Creek in the transaction
or with respect to the fairness of any such compensation. In
addition, for purposes of rendering its written opinion, Howe
Barnes assumed that (i) the merger will be consummated in
accordance with the terms set forth in the merger agreement,
without any waiver of any of its material terms or conditions,
and that obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for the
merger will not have an adverse effect on either separate
institution or the combined entity, and (ii) the merger
will be consummated in a manner that complies in all respects
with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act, the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which is referred
to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the Exchange Act, and
all other applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and
regulations.
In connection with rendering its opinion to Coddle Creeks
board of directors, Howe Barnes performed a variety of financial
and comparative analyses, which are briefly summarized below.
Such summaries do not purport to be a complete description of
the analyses performed by Howe Barnes. The fact that any
specific analysis has been referred to in the summaries below is
not meant to indicate that the analysis was given greater weight
than any other analysis. Accordingly, the ranges of values
resulting from any particular analysis described below should
not be taken to be Howe Barnes view of Coddle Creeks
or the combined companys actual value. Moreover, Howe
Barnes believes that the analyses must be considered as a whole
and that selecting portions of the analyses and the factors
considered, including information presented in tabular form,
without considering all of the analyses and factors, could
create an incomplete understanding of the process underlying the
analyses and, more importantly, a misleading or incomplete view
of its opinion as to fairness from a financial point of view
that is based on those analyses.
Comparable Transaction Analysis. Howe Barnes
reviewed and compared financial performance and pricing
information for the following groups of thrift merger
transactions announced in the 24 months ended
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July 16, 2008, which is referred to in this
Opinion of Coddle Creeks Financial
Advisor section of this proxy statement/prospectus as the
Comparable Thrift Merger Transactions:
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Thrift acquisitions nationwide;
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Thrift acquisitions in the Southeast;
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Thrift acquisitions in the United States involving acquired
thrifts with assets of $100 million to $350 million;
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Thrift acquisitions in the United States with total deal values
of $20 million to $50 million;
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Thrift acquisitions in the United States involving acquired
thrifts with returns on average assets of .25% to .75%;
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Thrift acquisitions in the United States involving acquired
thrifts with returns on average equity of 3% to 5%; and
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Thrift acquisitions in the United States involving acquired
thrifts with tangible capital of 10% to 20%.
|
Pricing ratios for the merger were compared to the Comparable
Thrift Merger Transactions median (1) price to book value,
(2) price to tangible book value, (3) price to last
twelve months which is referred to as the LTM, reported
earnings, (4) tangible book value premium to core deposits,
and (5) premium paid to market price, which are referred to
collectively as the Pricing Ratios, as shown below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tangible
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Tangible
|
|
|
LTM
|
|
|
Premium/
|
|
|
Premium/
|
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
Reported
|
|
|
Core
|
|
|
Market
|
|
Groups(1)
|
|
Deals
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Nationwide
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
156
|
%
|
|
|
170
|
%
|
|
|
22.4
|
x
|
|
|
11.1
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
Southeast
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
147
|
%
|
|
|
149
|
%
|
|
|
21.7
|
x
|
|
|
10.4
|
%
|
|
|
87
|
%
|
Assets $100 million $350 million
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
165
|
%
|
|
|
165
|
%
|
|
|
22.4
|
x
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
|
|
58
|
%
|
Deal Value $20 million $50 million
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
196
|
%
|
|
|
196
|
%
|
|
|
22.5
|
x
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
ROA .25% to .75%
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
146
|
%
|
|
|
184
|
%
|
|
|
25.7
|
x
|
|
|
11.1
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
ROE 3% to 5%
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
138
|
%
|
|
|
156
|
%
|
|
|
25.7
|
x
|
|
|
10.4
|
%
|
|
|
58
|
%
|
Tangible Capital 10% 20%
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
153
|
%
|
|
|
158
|
%
|
|
|
22.4
|
x
|
|
|
11.5
|
%
|
|
|
24
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
196
|
%
|
|
|
196
|
%
|
|
|
25.7
|
x
|
|
|
11.5
|
%
|
|
|
87
|
%
|
Median
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
153
|
%
|
|
|
165
|
%
|
|
|
22.4
|
x
|
|
|
10.4
|
%
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
Low
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
138
|
%
|
|
|
149
|
%
|
|
|
21.7
|
x
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coddle
Creek(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
159
|
%
|
|
|
159
|
%
|
|
|
64.2x
|
|
|
|
11.6
|
%
|
|
|
119
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Medians for thrift mergers and acquisitions announced in the
last two years as of July 16, 2008. |
|
(2) |
|
Based on First Communitys closing price on July 21,
2008 of $31.34; financial data for Coddle Creek as of
June 30, 2008. |
27
In addition, Howe Barnes reviewed a selected group of thrift
merger transactions with the targets located in North Carolina
and South Carolina. The transactions were announced since
January 1, 1999 and had deal values less than
$100 million, which is referred to as the Precedent
M&A Transactions Carolinas. The following table
represents the Precedent M&A Transactions
Carolinas:
|
|
|
Acquiror
|
|
Target
|
|
First Bancorp
|
|
Great Pee Dee Bancorp, Inc.
|
First Community Corporation
|
|
DutchFork Bancshares, Inc.
|
Capital Bank Corporation
|
|
First Community Financial Corporation
|
Gaston Federal Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
Innes Street Financial Corporation
|
First Bancorp
|
|
Century Bancorp, Inc.
|
SouthBanc Shares, Inc.
|
|
Heritage Bancorp, Inc.
|
National Commerce Financial Corporation
|
|
Piedmont Bancorp, Inc.
|
First Bancorp
|
|
First Savings Bancorp, Inc.
|
FNB Corp.
|
|
Carolina Fincorp, Inc.
|
NewSouth Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
Green Street Financial Corp.
|
Century South Banks, Inc.
|
|
Haywood Bancshares, Inc.
|
Uwharrie Capital Corp
|
|
Anson Bancorp, Inc.
|
Union Financial Bancshares, Incorporated
|
|
South Carolina Community Bancshares, Inc.
|
CCB Financial Corporation
|
|
Stone Street Bancorp, Inc.
|
The following table represents a comparison of the merger to the
Precedent M&A Transactions Carolinas
transaction pricing ratios:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tangible
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Tang.
|
|
|
LTM
|
|
|
Premium/
|
|
|
Prem./
|
|
|
|
Date
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
Reported
|
|
|
Core
|
|
|
Market
|
|
Target
|
|
Announced(1)
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Great Pee Dee Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
|
07/12/07
|
|
|
|
135
|
%
|
|
|
138
|
%
|
|
|
21.5
|
x
|
|
|
10.4
|
%
|
|
|
34.9
|
%
|
DutchFork Bancshares, Inc.
|
|
|
04/12/04
|
|
|
|
149
|
%
|
|
|
149
|
%
|
|
|
12.9
|
x
|
|
|
18.0
|
%
|
|
|
9.6
|
%
|
First Community Financial Corporation
|
|
|
10/05/01
|
|
|
|
112
|
%
|
|
|
112
|
%
|
|
|
57.8
|
x
|
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
|
|
NA
|
|
Innes Street Financial Corporation
|
|
|
07/16/01
|
|
|
|
138
|
%
|
|
|
138
|
%
|
|
|
28.5
|
x
|
|
|
8.1
|
%
|
|
|
63.7
|
%
|
Century Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
|
10/20/00
|
|
|
|
121
|
%
|
|
|
121
|
%
|
|
|
21.1
|
x
|
|
|
6.9
|
%
|
|
|
37.5
|
%
|
Heritage Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
|
02/14/00
|
|
|
|
105
|
%
|
|
|
105
|
%
|
|
|
31.5
|
x
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
33.2
|
%
|
Piedmont Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
|
12/28/99
|
|
|
|
162
|
%
|
|
|
162
|
%
|
|
|
30.5
|
x
|
|
|
14.1
|
%
|
|
|
69.8
|
%
|
First Savings Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
|
12/16/99
|
|
|
|
116
|
%
|
|
|
116
|
%
|
|
|
16.1
|
x
|
|
|
7.0
|
%
|
|
|
15.0
|
%
|
Carolina Fincorp, Inc.
|
|
|
10/18/99
|
|
|
|
178
|
%
|
|
|
178
|
%
|
|
|
27.8
|
x
|
|
|
14.9
|
%
|
|
|
32.0
|
%
|
Green Street Financial Corp.
|
|
|
08/09/99
|
|
|
|
102
|
%
|
|
|
102
|
%
|
|
|
21.5
|
x
|
|
|
2.9
|
%
|
|
|
16.2
|
%
|
Haywood Bancshares, Inc.
|
|
|
08/05/99
|
|
|
|
122
|
%
|
|
|
126
|
%
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
5.3
|
%
|
|
|
50.8
|
%
|
Anson Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
|
08/03/99
|
|
|
|
106
|
%
|
|
|
106
|
%
|
|
|
59.7
|
x
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
|
42.7
|
%
|
South Carolina Community Bancshares, Inc.
|
|
|
07/01/99
|
|
|
|
104
|
%
|
|
|
104
|
%
|
|
|
23.0
|
x
|
|
|
1.9
|
%
|
|
|
22.8
|
%
|
Stone Street Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
|
04/14/99
|
|
|
|
127
|
%
|
|
|
127
|
%
|
|
|
24.0
|
x
|
|
|
15.9
|
%
|
|
|
66.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
178
|
%
|
|
|
178
|
%
|
|
|
59.7
|
x
|
|
|
18.0
|
%
|
|
|
69.8
|
%
|
Median
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122
|
%
|
|
|
124
|
%
|
|
|
24.0
|
x
|
|
|
7.0
|
%
|
|
|
34.9
|
%
|
Low
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
102
|
%
|
|
|
102
|
%
|
|
|
12.9
|
x
|
|
|
1.9
|
%
|
|
|
9.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coddle
Creek(2)(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
159
|
%
|
|
|
159
|
%
|
|
|
64.2x
|
|
|
|
11.6
|
%
|
|
|
119.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Thrift transactions since January 1, 1999 with aggregate
deal value less than $100 million. |
|
(2) |
|
Based on First Communitys closing price on July 21,
2008 of $31.34. |
|
(3) |
|
Coddle Creek seller financials are LTM or period ending
June 30, 2008. |
28
In addition, Howe Barnes reviewed a selected group of thrift
merger transactions with the targets located in the United
States. The transactions were announced since January 1,
2005 and had deal values from $10 million to
$50 million, which is referred to as the Precedent M&A
Transactions Nationwide. The following table
represents the Precedent M&A Transactions
Nationwide:
|
|
|
Acquiror
|
|
Target
|
|
My Financial Company
|
|
Sistersville Bancorp, Inc.
|
First Bancorp
|
|
Great Pee Dee Bancorp, Inc.
|
LaPorte Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
City Savings Financial Corp.
|
First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
|
|
Homestead Bancorp, Inc.
|
Heartland Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
First Federal Bancshares, Inc.
|
Community Banks, Inc.
|
|
BUCS Financial Corp.
|
Sterling Banks, Inc.
|
|
Farnsworth Bancorp, Inc.
|
The following table represents a comparison of the merger to the
Precedent M&A Transactions Nationwide
transaction pricing ratios:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tangible
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Tangible
|
|
|
LTM
|
|
|
Premium/
|
|
|
|
Date
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
Reported
|
|
|
Core
|
|
Target
|
|
Announced(1)
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
Sistersville Bancorp Inc.
|
|
|
07/17/07
|
|
|
|
137
|
%
|
|
|
137
|
%
|
|
|
44.3
|
x
|
|
|
10.4
|
%
|
Great Pee Dee Bancorp Inc.
|
|
|
07/12/07
|
|
|
|
135
|
%
|
|
|
138
|
%
|
|
|
21.5
|
x
|
|
|
10.4
|
%
|
City Savings Financial Corp.
|
|
|
03/08/07
|
|
|
|
151
|
%
|
|
|
151
|
%
|
|
|
50.0
|
x
|
|
|
11.8
|
%
|
Homestead Bancorp Inc.
|
|
|
01/04/07
|
|
|
|
127
|
%
|
|
|
127
|
%
|
|
|
43.6
|
x
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
First Federal Bancshares Inc.
|
|
|
11/03/06
|
|
|
|
124
|
%
|
|
|
133
|
%
|
|
|
48.9
|
x
|
|
|
4.1
|
%
|
BUCS Financial Corp
|
|
|
09/05/06
|
|
|
|
184
|
%
|
|
|
184
|
%
|
|
|
41.4
|
x
|
|
|
10.8
|
%
|
Farnsworth Bancorp Inc.
|
|
|
06/23/06
|
|
|
|
195
|
%
|
|
|
195
|
%
|
|
|
64.6
|
x
|
|
|
12.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
195
|
%
|
|
|
195
|
%
|
|
|
64.6
|
x
|
|
|
12.8
|
%
|
Median
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
137
|
%
|
|
|
138
|
%
|
|
|
44.3
|
x
|
|
|
10.4
|
%
|
Low
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
124
|
%
|
|
|
127
|
%
|
|
|
21.5
|
x
|
|
|
4.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coddle
Creek(2)(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
159
|
%
|
|
|
159
|
%
|
|
|
64.2x
|
|
|
|
11.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Thrift transactions in the U.S. announced since January 1,
2005 with deal values between $10 million and
$50 million. |
|
(2) |
|
Based on First Communitys closing price on July 21,
2008 of $31.34. |
|
(3) |
|
Coddle Creek seller financials are LTM or period ended
June 30, 2008. |
Comparable Public Company Analysis. Howe
Barnes analyzed the market performance of several thrift
indices, as identified by SNL Financial LC, for the three year
period ending July 21, 2008. Howe Barnes analyzed the
trading performance of all publicly traded thrifts in the United
States with assets less than $250 million, all publicly
traded thrifts in the United States with assets less than
$500 million, and the SNL Thrift Index. During this period,
the index of thrifts with assets less than $250 million
decreased 24.2%, the index of thrifts with assets less than
$500 million decreased 21.2%, and the SNL Thrift Index
decreased 47.4%.
In addition, Howe Barnes compared the July 21, 2008 trading
multiples of Coddle Creek to the median trading multiples for
following selected groups of public thrifts, as defined by SNL
Financial LC, which is referred to as the Nationwide Trading
Medians:
|
|
|
|
|
Public thrifts headquartered in the United States;
|
|
|
|
Public thrifts with assets of $100 million to
$350 million;
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
Public thrifts with market capitalizations of $10 million
to $40 million;
|
|
|
|
Public thrifts with returns on average assets of .25% to .75%;
|
|
|
|
Public thrifts with returns on average equity of 3% to 5%;
|
|
|
|
Public thrifts with tangible capital to tangible assets of 10%
to 20%; and
|
|
|
|
Public thrifts headquartered in the Southeast.
|
Coddle Creeks July 21, 2008 trading multiples were
compared to the Nationwide Trading Medians, as shown below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
LTM
|
|
|
MRQ
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Tang.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
Reported
|
|
|
Reported
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
Dividend
|
|
Groups(1)
|
|
Cos.
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Yield
|
|
|
All Companies
|
|
|
273
|
|
|
|
15.9
|
x
|
|
|
16.0
|
x
|
|
|
85
|
%
|
|
|
90
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
Assets $100 million to $350 million
|
|
|
91
|
|
|
|
17.6
|
x
|
|
|
19.7
|
x
|
|
|
83
|
%
|
|
|
84
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
Market Cap $10 million to $40 million
|
|
|
119
|
|
|
|
14.5
|
x
|
|
|
15.6
|
x
|
|
|
79
|
%
|
|
|
83
|
%
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
ROA .25% to .75%
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
|
17.2
|
x
|
|
|
16.0
|
x
|
|
|
85
|
%
|
|
|
93
|
%
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
ROE 3% to 5%
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
19.4
|
x
|
|
|
19.6
|
x
|
|
|
81
|
%
|
|
|
83
|
%
|
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
Tangible Capital 10% 20%
|
|
|
95
|
|
|
|
21.8
|
x
|
|
|
21.4
|
x
|
|
|
90
|
%
|
|
|
92
|
%
|
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
Southeast
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
16.9
|
x
|
|
|
17.5
|
x
|
|
|
71
|
%
|
|
|
85
|
%
|
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.8
|
x
|
|
|
21.4
|
x
|
|
|
90
|
%
|
|
|
93
|
%
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
Median
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.2
|
x
|
|
|
17.5
|
x
|
|
|
83
|
%
|
|
|
85
|
%
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
Low
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.5
|
x
|
|
|
15.6
|
x
|
|
|
71
|
%
|
|
|
83
|
%
|
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coddle
Creek(1)(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28.3x
|
|
|
|
127.8x
|
|
|
|
70
|
%
|
|
|
70
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Financial data as of June 30, 2008 for Coddle Creek and
March 30, 2008 for peer groups. |
|
(2) |
|
Based on Coddle Creeks closing price of $21.90 on
July 21, 2008, as applicable. |
Howe Barnes also compared historical operating, financial and
trading performance for Coddle Creek to a select group of public
thrifts headquartered in the United States (except Alaska,
California, or Florida) with available public trading data and
assets of $100 million to $300 million, which is
referred to as the Peer Group. Each of the companies in the Peer
Group had positive net income for the last twelve months and an
ROAE of less than 6%. The Peer Group does not include mutual
holding companies or thrifts that are the targets of announced
mergers. Howe Barnes considered these companies to be reasonably
similar in scope of operations for purposes of its analysis.
30
The following tables represent the comparison of Coddle Creek to
the Peer Group:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
Price/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
LTM
|
|
|
Tangible
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
|
July 21,
|
|
|
Reported
|
|
|
Book
|
|
|
Dividend
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
Change
|
|
Company(1)
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Yield
|
|
|
YTD
|
|
|
3-Year
|
|
|
AMB Financial Corp.
|
|
$
|
9.25
|
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
68
|
%
|
|
|
3.9
|
%
|
|
|
(30.5
|
)%
|
|
|
(31.5
|
)%
|
Blue River Bancshares Inc.
|
|
$
|
4.74
|
|
|
|
39.5
|
x
|
|
|
94
|
%
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
|
(8.1
|
)%
|
|
|
(9.7
|
)%
|
Central Federal Corp.
|
|
$
|
3.70
|
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
5.4
|
%
|
|
|
(4.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(63.0
|
)%
|
CKF Bancorp Inc.
|
|
$
|
11.87
|
|
|
|
31.2
|
x
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
|
(6.0
|
)%
|
|
|
(27.0
|
)%
|
Community Investors Bancorp
|
|
$
|
9.00
|
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
73
|
%
|
|
|
4.7
|
%
|
|
|
(18.8
|
)%
|
|
|
(37.9
|
)%
|
DSA Financial Corp.
|
|
$
|
7.00
|
|
|
|
31.8
|
x
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
6.0
|
%
|
|
|
(36.4
|
)%
|
|
|
(51.7
|
)%
|
FFD Financial Corp.
|
|
$
|
12.73
|
|
|
|
10.3
|
x
|
|
|
75
|
%
|
|
|
5.2
|
%
|
|
|
(12.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(25.1
|
)%
|
First Advantage Bancorp
|
|
$
|
11.15
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
66
|
%
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
|
5.1
|
%
|
|
|
NA
|
|
First Bancshares Inc.
|
|
$
|
14.00
|
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
|
(17.5
|
)%
|
|
|
(24.3
|
)%
|
First Niles Financial Inc.
|
|
$
|
10.50
|
|
|
|
17.5
|
x
|
|
|
89
|
%
|
|
|
6.1
|
%
|
|
|
24.4
|
%
|
|
|
(38.7
|
)%
|
GS Financial Corp.
|
|
$
|
14.11
|
|
|
|
25.2
|
x
|
|
|
65
|
%
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
(25.5
|
)%
|
|
|
(23.5
|
)%
|
Home City Financial Corp.
|
|
$
|
8.00
|
|
|
|
18.2
|
x
|
|
|
49
|
%
|
|
|
3.0
|
%
|
|
|
(25.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(48.1
|
)%
|
Home Loan Financial Corp.
|
|
$
|
13.50
|
|
|
|
22.1
|
x
|
|
|
107
|
%
|
|
|
5.9
|
%
|
|
|
4.7
|
%
|
|
|
(29.5
|
)%
|
Louisiana Bancorp Inc.
|
|
$
|
12.55
|
|
|
|
NA
|
|
|
|
88
|
%
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
|
19.6
|
%
|
|
|
NA
|
|
Mayflower Bancorp Inc.
|
|
$
|
9.81
|
|
|
|
20.0
|
x
|
|
|
103
|
%
|
|
|
4.1
|
%
|
|
|
(18.3
|
)%
|
|
|
(30.5
|
)%
|
Midland Capital Holdings Corp.
|
|
$
|
21.00
|
|
|
|
15.0
|
x
|
|
|
56
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
|
|
(22.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(48.8
|
)%
|
Monadnock Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
$
|
6.00
|
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
|
(3.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(30.1
|
)%
|
North Penn Bancorp Inc.
|
|
$
|
7.45
|
|
|
|
35.5
|
x
|
|
|
58
|
%
|
|
|
1.6
|
%
|
|
|
(17.7
|
)%
|
|
|
(19.0
|
)%
|
Northeast Indiana Bancorp
|
|
$
|
11.20
|
|
|
|
11.4
|
x
|
|
|
64
|
%
|
|
|
5.9
|
%
|
|
|
(17.3
|
)%
|
|
|
(41.1
|
)%
|
Osage Bancshares, Inc.
|
|
$
|
9.78
|
|
|
|
28.8
|
x
|
|
|
102
|
%
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
17.3
|
%
|
|
|
15.6
|
%
|
Peoples-Sidney Financial Corp.
|
|
$
|
11.75
|
|
|
|
19.0
|
x
|
|
|
103
|
%
|
|
|
5.5
|
%
|
|
|
8.8
|
%
|
|
|
(13.7
|
)%
|
Roebling Financial Corp.
|
|
$
|
8.35
|
|
|
|
38.0
|
x
|
|
|
83
|
%
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
|
(20.5
|
)%
|
|
|
(15.2
|
)%
|
South Street Financial Corp.
|
|
$
|
4.70
|
|
|
|
16.2
|
x
|
|
|
55
|
%
|
|
|
8.5
|
%
|
|
|
(33.5
|
)%
|
|
|
(50.6
|
)%
|
Third Century Bancorp
|
|
$
|
7.85
|
|
|
|
46.2
|
x
|
|
|
64
|
%
|
|
|
2.0
|
%
|
|
|
(17.4
|
)%
|
|
|
(40.8
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Median
|
|
$
|
9.79
|
|
|
|
23.7
|
x
|
|
|
74
|
%
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
|
(10.2
|
)%
|
|
|
(30.5
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coddle
Creek(1)
|
|
$
|
21.90
|
|
|
|
28.3x
|
|
|
|
70
|
%
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
|
|
(7.6
|
)%
|
|
|
(35.6
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Source: SNL Financial LC as of July 21, 2008. |
|
(1) |
|
Financial data as of June 30, 2008 for Coddle Creek and
March 30, 2008 for peers. |
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peer
|
|
|
|
Coddle
Creek(1)(2)
|
|
|
Group
Medians(1)
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Ratios
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets ($ millions)
|
|
$
|
159
|
|
|
$
|
158
|
|
Loans / Deposits
|
|
|
98
|
%
|
|
|
101
|
%
|
Borrowings / Assets
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
Tangible Equity / Tangible Assets
|
|
|
12.0
|
%
|
|
|
11.3
|
%
|
Growth Rates (LTM)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Growth Rate
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
6.2
|
%
|
Loan Growth Rate
|
|
|
1.2
|
%
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
Profitability Ratios
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate Margin
|
|
|
3.00
|
%
|
|
|
3.24
|
%
|
Non-interest Income / Average Assets
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
|
|
0.39
|
%
|
Non-interest Expense / Average Assets
|
|
|
2.42
|
%
|
|
|
2.68
|
%
|
Efficiency Ratio
|
|
|
81
|
%
|
|
|
83
|
%
|
ROAA
|
|
|
0.30
|
%
|
|
|
0.31
|
%
|
ROAE
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
Asset Quality
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LLR / Loans
|
|
|
0.44
|
%
|
|
|
0.87
|
%
|
NPAs / Assets
|
|
|
0.89
|
%
|
|
|
0.97
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deposits / Branch ($ millions)
|
|
$
|
46
|
|
|
$
|
32
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Source: Coddle Creek; SNL Financial LC |
|
(1) |
|
Performance for the last twelve months ended June 30, 2008
for Coddle Creek and March 31, 2008 for peer group. |
|
(2) |
|
All ratios calculated by Howe Barnes. |
Discounted Dividend Analysis. Howe Barnes
estimated the value of a share of Coddle Creek common stock
based on the value of the estimated dividend payments to Coddle
Creek stockholders through December 31, 2012 plus a
terminal value assuming the share is sold at the end of 2012.
Howe Barnes determined the reasonableness and achievability of
the financial and operating projections based upon financial
information provided by Coddle Creek, historical performance and
other factors.
Howe Barnes estimated the value of Coddle Creek on a per share
basis by:
|
|
|
|
|
Calculating a market value as of December 31, 2012 by
multiplying Coddle Creeks 2012 estimated net income by a
range of selected terminal multiples ranging from 15x to 25x,
based on the July 21, 2008 price-to-last twelve month
earnings multiples of:
|
17.6x median of nationwide public thrifts with
assets between $100 and $350 million;
16.9x median of Southeast public thrifts;
23.7x Peer Group;
28.3x Coddle Creek; and
|
|
|
|
|
Discounting the market value to the present value using a range
of selected discount rates from 10.0% to 15.0%, based on typical
thrift investor return expectations.
|
Based on these assumptions, the implied per share value of
Coddle Creek common stock ranged from $12.02 to $21.50. Howe
Barnes informed the Coddle Creek board of directors that the
present value analysis was considered because it is a widely
used valuation methodology, but that the results of the
methodology are not conclusive and are highly dependent upon the
numerous assumptions that must be made, including discount
rates, terminal multiples and management net income projections.
32
Accretion / Dilution Analysis. On
the basis of financial projections established by management,
and estimates of on-going cost savings accruing to the combined
companies, as well as estimated one-time costs related to the
merger, Howe Barnes compared pro forma equivalent earnings per
share, cash earnings per share, book value per share, tangible
book value per share and cash dividends per share to the
stand-alone projections of Coddle Creek and First Community. No
assumptions were made regarding revenue enhancements following
the completion of the transaction and assumes that
28,591 shares of Coddle Creek common stock are used to pay
off the ESOP loan. The comparisons indicated:
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127.5% accretion to earnings per share and 131.1% accretion to
cash earnings per share for Coddle Creek stockholders in the
first year of combined operations;
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0.4% accretion to earnings per share and 0.8% accretion to cash
earnings per share for First Community stockholders in the first
year of combined operations;
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43.6% dilution to book value per share and 63.7% dilution to
tangible book value per share for Coddle Creek stockholders in
the first year of combined operations; and
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3.0% accretion to book value per share and 2.3% dilution to
tangible book value per share for First Community stockholders
in the first year of combined operations.
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The estimates of achievable cost savings and revenue synergies
and the timing of the realization of such cost savings and
revenue synergies are based on numerous estimates, assumptions,
and judgments and are subject to significant uncertainties.
Actual results may vary, and variations in amounts and timing
may be material.
Contribution Analysis. Howe Barnes compared
the contribution of Coddle Creek to the combined companies
relative to its approximate ownership of the combined companies.
The analysis indicated that Coddle Creeks stockholders
would own approximately 4.6% of the pro forma shares of First
Community. Coddle Creeks approximate contributions are
listed below by category:
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Contribution%(1)
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Coddle Creek
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First Community
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Ownership (shares)
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4.6
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%
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95.4
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%
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Assets
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7.2
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%
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92.8
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%
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Loans
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10.3
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%
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89.7
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%
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Deposits
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9.3
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%
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90.7
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%
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Equity
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8.9
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%
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91.1
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%
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Tangible equity
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13.2
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%
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86.8
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%
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2009 net income without synergies
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2.0
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%
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98.0
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%
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2009 net income with
synergies(2)
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4.8
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%
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95.2
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%
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2009 net income cash
basis(2)
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5.0
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%
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95.0
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%
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* |
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Note all balance sheet data is as of June 30, 2008. |
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(1) |
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Assumes that 28,591 shares of Coddle Creek common stock are
used to pay off the ESOP loan. |
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(2) |
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Synergies allocated to target. |
In performing its analyses, Howe Barnes made numerous
assumptions with respect to industry performance, general
business and economic conditions, and other matters, many of
which are beyond Coddle Creeks or First Communitys
control. The analyses performed by Howe Barnes are not
necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future
results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than
those suggested by those analyses. Howe Barnes drew from its
past experience in similar transactions, as well as its
experience in the valuation of securities and its general
knowledge of the banking industry as a whole. Estimates of
company valuations do not purport to be appraisals or to
necessarily reflect the prices at which companies or their
respective securities actually may be sold. Accordingly, those
analyses and estimates are inherently subject to uncertainty,
being based upon numerous factors or events beyond the control
of the
33
parties or their respective advisors, and Howe Barnes does not
assume any responsibility if future results are materially
different from those projected.
As described above, Howe Barnes opinion and presentation
to Coddle Creeks board of directors were among the many
factors taken into consideration by Coddle Creeks board of
directors in making its determination to approve the merger, and
to recommend that Coddle Creek stockholders approve the merger.
Coddle Creek has agreed to pay Howe Barnes a percentage of the
total consideration received by Coddle Creek and its
stockholders for Howe Barnes financial advisory services
rendered in connection with the proposed merger. Howe Barnes has
received $100,000 to date, with the remainder of its fee payable
at closing of the merger as a success fee. Coddle Creeks
board of directors was aware of this fee structure and took it
into account in considering Howe Barnes fairness opinion
and in approving the merger. In addition, Coddle Creek has
agreed to reimburse Howe Barnes for its reasonable expenses
incurred by it on Coddle Creeks behalf, and to indemnify
Howe Barnes against liabilities arising out of the merger,
including the rendering of Howe Barnes fairness opinion.
During the two years preceding the date of the opinion, Howe
Barnes has not had a material relationship with Coddle Creek or
First Community where compensation was received or that it
contemplates will be received after closing of the merger.
Merger
Consideration
Upon consummation of the merger, each outstanding share of
Coddle Creek common stock (other than any dissenting shares)
will be converted into the right to receive:
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$19.60 in cash; and
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0.9046 of a share of common stock of First Community, plus cash
in lieu of any fractional share interest.
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No fractional shares of First Community common stock will be
issued in connection with the merger. Instead, First Community
will make a cash payment to each Coddle Creek stockholder who
would otherwise receive a fractional share.
As more fully described under Federal Income
Tax Consequences commencing on page ,
Coddle Creek stockholders generally will not recognize a gain or
a loss as a result of receiving shares of First Community common
stock. However, Coddle Creek stockholders will be taxed on the
cash portion of the merger consideration received for their
shares of Coddle Creek common stock.
Upon consummation of the merger, any shares of Coddle Creek
common stock that are held directly or indirectly by First
Community, other than in a fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction
of a debt previously contracted, will be canceled and retired
and no payment will be made with respect to those shares.
Procedures
for Exchanging Coddle Creek Common Stock Certificates
Promptly following the completion of the merger, the exchange
agent will mail to each holder of record of shares of Coddle
Creek common stock a letter of transmittal and instructions for
surrendering certificates representing shares of Coddle Creek
common stock in exchange for the merger consideration allocated
to them. Upon surrender of a stock certificate of Coddle Creek
common stock for exchange and cancellation to the exchange
agent, together with a duly executed letter of transmittal, the
holder of such certificate will be entitled to receive the
merger consideration and the certificate for Coddle Creek common
stock so surrendered will be canceled. No interest will be paid
or accrued on any cash constituting merger consideration.
Coddle Creek stockholders who surrender their stock certificates
and complete the letter of transmittal, will receive the merger
consideration as the result of the merger promptly following
completion of the exchange agents delivery procedures.
Other stockholders will receive the merger consideration as soon
as practicable after their stock certificates have been
surrendered with appropriate documentation to the exchange agent
or other steps have been taken to surrender the evidence of
their stock interest in Coddle Creek in accordance with the
instructions accompanying the letter of transmittal.
34
No stock certificates representing fractional shares of First
Community common stock will be issued upon the surrender for
exchange of Coddle Creek stock certificates. In lieu of the
issuance of any such fractional shares, First Community will pay
to each former stockholder of Coddle Creek who otherwise would
be entitled to receive a fractional share of First Community
common stock an amount in cash determined by multiplying the
fraction of a share of First Community common stock which such
holder would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to the
merger agreement by the closing price per share of First
Community common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select
Market on the last business day before the merger is completed.
You will receive dividends on First Community common stock or
other distributions, if any as so declared by the board of
directors of First Community, declared after the completion of
the merger only if you have surrendered your Coddle Creek stock
certificates. Only then will you be entitled to receive all
previously withheld dividends and distributions, without
interest.
After completion of the merger, no transfers of Coddle Creek
common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
completion of the merger will be allowed. Coddle Creek stock
certificates that are presented for transfer after the
completion of the merger will be canceled and exchanged for the
appropriate merger consideration.
First Community will only issue a First Community stock
certificate in a name other than the name in which a surrendered
Coddle Creek stock certificate is registered if you present the
exchange agent with all documents required to show and effect
the unrecorded transfer of ownership of the shares of Coddle
Creek common stock formerly represented by such Coddle Creek
stock certificate, and show that you paid any applicable stock
transfer taxes.
If your Coddle Creek stock certificate has been lost, stolen or
destroyed, you may be required to deliver an affidavit and a
lost certificate bond as a condition to receiving any First
Community stock certificate to which you may be entitled.
Payment
and Termination of Coddle Creek Stock Options
At the effective time of the merger, each option to purchase
shares of Coddle Creek common stock granted under Coddle
Creeks stock option plan which is outstanding, vested and
unexercised immediately prior thereto will be canceled in
exchange for the right to receive a lump sum cash payment equal
to the product of (1) the number of shares of Coddle Creek
common stock subject to such holders stock option and
(2) the excess, if any, of (A) the sum of (i) the
per share cash consideration of $19.60 and (ii) a dollar
value determined by multiplying the average closing price by the
exchange ratio of 0.9046, rounded to the nearest cent, and
(B) the exercise price per share of such stock option. For
purposes of the merger, First Communitys average
closing price will be the average of the closing sales
price per share of First Community common stock as reported on
the Nasdaq Global Select Market for the 20 consecutive trading
days immediately preceding the fifth day immediately prior to
the effective time of the merger (or if such calendar day is not
a trading day on the Nasdaq, then the trading day immediately
preceding such calendar day). As
of ,
2008, there were 62,331 Coddle Creek stock options issued and
unexercised with exercise prices between $21.00 and $35.50 per
share.
Conditions
to the Merger
Completion of the merger is subject to the satisfaction of
certain conditions set forth in the merger agreement, or the
waiver of such conditions by the party entitled to do so, at or
before the closing date of the merger. Each of the parties
obligations to consummate the merger is subject to the following
conditions:
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the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Coddle
Creek common stock must have approved the merger agreement;
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all regulatory approvals required to consummate the merger by
any governmental authority must have been obtained and must
remain in full force and effect, all statutory waiting periods
in respect thereof must have expired, and no required approval
may contain any condition, restriction or requirement
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35
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which First Communitys board of directors reasonably
determines in good faith would, individually or in the
aggregate, materially reduce the benefits of the merger to such
a degree that First Community, in its good faith judgment, would
not have entered into the merger agreement had such conditions,
restrictions or requirements been known as of the date of the
merger agreement;
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no statute, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction or
other order may have been enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced
or entered which prohibits, restricts or makes illegal the
consummation of the merger;
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the registration statement of First Community, of which this
document is a part, must have become effective under the
Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
such registration statement shall have been issued and no
proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated by the
Commission and not withdrawn;
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the shares of First Community common stock to be issued in
connection with the merger must have been approved for listing
on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (or on any securities
exchange on which the First Community common stock may then be
listed);
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each of First Community and Coddle Creek must have received an
opinion of Patton Boggs LLP to the effect that the merger will
constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, which is
referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the Code;
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First Community Bank must have entered into a consulting
agreement with each of George W. Brawley, Jr. and Billy R.
Williams and the non-employee directors of Coddle Creek and
Mooresville Savings Bank; and
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First Community and Mooresville Savings Bank must have entered
into settlement agreements with each of George W.
Brawley, Jr., Dale W. Brawley and Billy R. Williams, which
agreements have been executed and delivered by the parties.
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In addition to the foregoing conditions, the obligation of First
Community to consummate the merger is subject to the following
conditions, which may be waived by First Community:
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the representations and warranties of Coddle Creek in the merger
agreement must be true and correct as of the date of the merger
agreement and as of the effective time of the merger, except as
to any representation or warranty which specifically relates to
an earlier date and except that the representations and
warranties of Coddle Creek will be deemed true and correct
unless the failure or failures of those representations and
warranties to be true and correct has had or is reasonably
likely to have a material adverse effect (as defined below) on
Coddle Creek;
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Coddle Creek must have performed in all material respects all
obligations required to be performed by it at or prior to
consummation of the merger;
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First Community must have received a certificate from specified
officers of Coddle Creek with respect to compliance with the
foregoing conditions to the obligations of First Community;
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dissenting shares shall not represent 10% or more of the
outstanding Coddle Creek common stock;
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Mooresville Savings Bank must have entered into an employment
agreement with Dale W. Brawley; and
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First Community shall have received such certificates of Coddle
Creeks officers or others and such other documents to
evidence fulfillment of the conditions to its obligations as
First Community may reasonably request.
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In addition to the other conditions set forth above, the
obligation of Coddle Creek to consummate the merger is subject
to the following conditions, which may be waived by Coddle Creek:
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the representations and warranties of First Community in the
merger agreement must be true and correct as of the date of the
merger agreement and as of the effective time of the merger,
except as to
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36
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any representation or warranty which specifically relates to an
earlier date and except that the representations and warranties
of First Community will be deemed true and correct unless the
failure or failures of those representations and warranties to
be true and correct has had or is reasonably likely to have a
material adverse effect (as defined below) on First Community;
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First Community must have performed in all material respects all
obligations required to be performed by it at or prior to
consummation of the merger;
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Coddle Creek must have received a certificate from specified
officers of First Community with respect to compliance with the
foregoing conditions to the obligations of Coddle Creek; and
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Coddle Creek shall have received such certificates of First
Communitys officers or others and such other documents to
evidence fulfillment of the conditions to its obligations as
Coddle Creek may reasonably request.
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Under the terms of the merger agreement, a material adverse
effect on either First Community or Coddle Creek is defined to
mean any effect that (1) is material and adverse to the
financial condition, results of operations or business of such
entity and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or (2) would
materially impair the ability of such entity and its
subsidiaries to perform their respective obligations under the
merger agreement or otherwise materially impede the consummation
of the merger. However, under the terms of the merger agreement,
none of the following would be deemed to constitute a material
adverse effect on any entity:
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changes in banking, savings institution, and similar laws of
general applicability or interpretations of them by governmental
authorities;
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changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting requirements applicable
to banks, savings banks or their holding companies generally;
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changes in general economic conditions affecting banks, savings
banks and their holding companies generally; and
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with respect to Coddle Creek only, the effects of any action or
omission taken with the prior consent of First Community or as
otherwise contemplated by the merger agreement;
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provided that the effect of the changes described in the first
three bullet points immediately above shall not be excluded as a
material adverse effect to the extent of a materially
disproportionate impact, if any, that they have on First
Community and its subsidiaries as a whole on the one hand, or
Coddle Creek and its subsidiaries as a whole on the other hand,
as measured relative to similarly situated companies in the
banking industry.
Regulatory
Approvals
Consummation of the merger is subject to receipt of certain
regulatory approvals and waivers. We are not aware of any other
material governmental approvals or actions that are required
prior to the parties completion of the merger other than
those described below. We presently contemplate that if any
additional governmental approvals or actions are required, these
approvals or actions will be sought. However, we cannot assure
you that any of these approvals or actions, including any
additional approvals or actions required, will be obtained.
Federal Reserve Board. Completion of the
merger is subject to approval by the FRB pursuant to
Section 3 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended, or receipt from the FRB of a waiver of this approval.
First Community applied for a waiver and on August 26, 2008
the FRB informed First Community that its waiver request was
approved.
Office of Comptroller of the Currency. The
merger of Mooresville Savings Bank with and into First Community
Bank is subject to prior approval by the OCC under the Bank
Merger Act. This statute and the related regulations require the
OCC to take into account (i) the effect of the merger on
competition, (ii) the managerial and financial resources
and future prospects of the resulting institution,
(iii) the effect of the merger on the convenience and needs
of the community served, (iv) the performance of
Mooresville Savings Bank and First Community Bank in meeting the
credit needs of the relevant communities, including low- and
37
moderate- income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound
banking practices, and (v) the effectiveness of Mooresville
Savings Bank and First Community Bank in combating money
laundering activities.
The Bank Merger Act prohibits the OCC from approving a merger if
the merger:
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would result in a monopoly or 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; or
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would substantially lessen competition or tend to create a
monopoly in any section of the country, or would result in any
other manner in a restraint in trade, unless the OCC finds that
the anti-competitive effects of the merger are clearly
outweighed by the probable effect of the transaction in meeting
the convenience and needs of the communities to be served.
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In addition, under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, the
OCC must take into account the record of performance of
Mooresville Savings Bank and First Community Bank in meeting the
credit needs of the communities served by these financial
institutions, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.
The merger may not be completed until the 30th day or, with
the consent of the relevant agencies, the 15th day,
following the date of the OCC approval, during which period the
United States Department of Justice may comment adversely on the
merger or challenge the merger on antitrust grounds. The
commencement of an anti-trust action would stay the
effectiveness of any approval unless a court specifically orders
otherwise.
State Applications. The merger is subject to
the approval of the NC Commissioner. First Community must obtain
the approval of the NC Commissioner of the merger by filing an
application with the NC Commissioner. In addition, First
Community is required to obtain the approval for the merger of
the VA Bureau of Financial Institutions.
Status of Applications, Notices and
Waivers. First Community, First Community Bank,
Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank have filed all
required applications, notices and waiver requests with
applicable regulatory authorities in connection with the merger
and the subsidiary merger. There can be no assurance that all
requisite approvals and waivers will be obtained, that such
approvals and waivers will be received on a timely basis or that
such approvals and waivers will not impose conditions or
requirements which, individually or in the aggregate, would so
materially reduce the economic or business benefits of the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement to First
Community that had such condition or requirement been known,
First Community, in its reasonable judgment, would not have
entered into the merger agreement. If any such condition or
requirement is imposed, First Community may elect not to
consummate the merger. See Conditions to the
Merger beginning on page 35.
Business
Pending the Merger
The merger agreement contains certain covenants of the parties
regarding the conduct of their respective businesses pending
consummation of the merger. These covenants, which are contained
in Article IV of the merger agreement included as
Appendix A hereto, are briefly described below.
Pending consummation of the merger, Coddle Creek may not, and
will cause each of its subsidiaries not to, among other things,
take the following actions without the prior written consent of
First Community:
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conduct its business other than in the ordinary and usual course
consistent with past practice or fail to use reasonable best
efforts to preserve its business organization, keep available
the present services of its employees and preserve for itself
and First Community the goodwill of the customers of Coddle
Creek and its subsidiaries and others with whom business
relations exist;
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other than pursuant to stock options previously disclosed and
outstanding on the date of the merger agreement, issue, sell or
otherwise permit to become outstanding, or authorize the
creation of, any additional shares of capital stock or rights to
acquire stock, or permit any additional shares of stock to
become subject to grants of employee or director stock options
or other rights;
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38
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make, declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend on or
in respect of, or declare or make any distribution on any shares
on its capital stock, other than the cash dividend of $0.25 per
share of Coddle Creek common stock, which was paid to its
stockholders on August 19, 2008, and dividends from wholly
owned subsidiaries to Coddle Creek or another wholly owned
subsidiary of Coddle Creek, or directly or indirectly adjust,
split, combine, redeem, reclassify, purchase or otherwise
acquire any shares of its capital stock;
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enter into or amend or renew any employment, consulting,
severance, change in control, bonus, salary continuation or
similar agreement or arrangement with any director, officer or
employee of Coddle Creek or its subsidiaries or grant any salary
or wage increase or increase any employee benefit, except for
changes that are required by applicable law or contemplated by
the merger agreement and the payment of the usual and customary
accrued bonuses payable to employees of Coddle Creek or its
subsidiaries as previously disclosed;
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hire any person as an employee of Coddle Creek or any of its
subsidiaries or promote any employee, except (1) to satisfy
contractual obligations existing as of the date of the merger
agreement and previously disclosed, and (2) persons hired
to fill a non-executive officer vacancy arising after the date
of the merger agreement, provided that the persons
employment is terminable at the will of Coddle Creek or a
subsidiary of Coddle Creek, as applicable, and that the person
is not subject to or eligible for any severance or similar
benefits or payments that would become payable as a result of
this transaction or its consummation;
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enter into, establish, adopt, amend, or terminate or make any
contributions to (except as may be required by applicable law or
to satisfy contractual obligations existing as of the date of
the merger agreement and previously disclosed or to comply with
the merger agreement), any employee benefit plan with respect to
any director, officer, or employee of Coddle Creek or its
subsidiaries, or take any action to accelerate the vesting or
exercisability of stock options, restricted stock or other
compensation or benefits payable thereunder;
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except for real estate that is sold in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices or as previously
disclosed, sell, transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise
dispose of or discontinue any of its assets, deposits, business
or properties without First Communitys written consent;
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acquire (other than by way of foreclosures or acquisitions of
control in a bona fide fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of
debts previously contracted in good faith, in each case in the
ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past
practice), including without limitation, by merger or
consolidation or by investment in a partnership or joint
venture, all or any portion of the assets, business, securities
(other than as permitted in the merger agreement), deposits or
properties of any other entity;
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make any capital expenditures, other than capital expenditures
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
not exceeding $5,000 individually or $25,000 in the aggregate;
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amend the Coddle Creek articles of incorporation, bylaws or the
articles of incorporation (or equivalent documents) of any
subsidiary of Coddle Creek or enter into a plan of
consolidation, merger, share exchange, or reorganization with
any person, or a letter of intent or agreement in principle with
respect thereto;
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implement or adopt any change in its accounting principles,
practices or methods other than as may be required by changes in
laws or regulations or GAAP;
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except as otherwise permitted under the merger agreement, enter
into, cancel, fail to renew, terminate any material contract or
amend or modify in any material respect any of its existing
material contracts;
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enter into any settlement or similar agreement with respect to
any claims if the settlement, agreement, or action involves
payment by Coddle Creek or any of its subsidiaries of an amount
that exceeds $20,000
and/or would
impose any material restriction on the business of Coddle Creek
or any of its subsidiaries or create precedent for claims that
reasonably are likely to be material to Coddle Creek and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole;
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enter into any new material line of business; introduce any
material new products or services; change its material banking
and operating policies, except as required by applicable law,
regulation or policy imposed by a governmental authority, or the
manner in which its investment securities or loan portfolio is
classified or reported; or invest in any mortgage-backed or
mortgage-related security that would be considered high
risk under applicable regulatory guidance; or file any
application or enter into any contract with respect to the
opening, relocation or closing of, or open, relocate or close,
any branch, office, service center or other facility;
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introduce any material marketing campaigns or any material new
sales compensation or incentive programs or arrangements (except
if the material terms have been fully disclosed in writing to
First Community prior to the date of the merger agreement);
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enter into or settle any derivatives contracts;
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incur any indebtedness for borrowed money (other than certain
short-term borrowings) or assume, guarantee, endorse or
otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the
obligations of any other person, other than with respect to the
collection of checks and other negotiable instruments in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
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acquire (other than by way of foreclosures or acquisitions in a
bona fide fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of debts
previously contracted in good faith, in each case in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) any
debt security or equity investment other than certain short-term
investments, or dispose of any debt security or equity
investment;
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make, renew, or otherwise modify any loan, loan commitment,
letter of credit or other extension of credit, other than loans
made or acquired in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice that have (1) in the case of unsecured
loans made to any one borrower that are originated in compliance
with Coddle Creeks internal loan policies, a principal
balance not in excess of $25,000, (2) in the case of loans
secured other than by real estate that are originated in
compliance with Coddle Creeks internal loan policies, a
principal balance not in excess of $100,000, and (3) in the
case of loans secured by real estate to any one borrower that
are originated in compliance with Coddle Creeks internal
loan policies, a principal balance not in excess of $300,000; or
take any action that would result in any discretionary release
of collateral or guarantees or otherwise restructure the
respective amounts set forth in (1) through (3) above;
or enter into any loan securitization or create any special
purpose funding entity;
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make any investment or commitment to invest in real estate or in
any real estate development project (other than by way of
foreclosure or acquisitions in a bona fide fiduciary capacity or
in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted in good faith,
in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice);
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make or change any material tax election, settle or compromise
any material tax liability of Coddle Creek or any of its
subsidiaries, agree to an extension or waiver of the statute of
limitations with respect to the assessment or determination of a
material amount of taxes of Coddle Creek or any of its
subsidiaries, enter into any closing agreement with respect to
any material amount of taxes, or surrender any right to claim a
material tax refund, or adopt or change any method of accounting
with respect to taxes, or file any amended tax return;
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take any action that would cause the merger agreement or the
merger to be subject to the provisions of any state antitakeover
law or state law that purports to limit or restrict business
combinations or the ability to acquire or vote shares, or to
exempt or make not subject to the provisions of any state
antitakeover law or state law that purports to limit or restrict
business combinations or the ability to acquire or vote shares,
any person (other than First Community or its subsidiaries) or
any action taken thereby, if that person or action would
otherwise have been subject to the restrictive provisions of
that law and not exempt under that law;
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take any action that would or is reasonably likely to prevent or
impede the merger from qualifying as a reorganization under the
Code or take any action that is intended or is reasonably likely
to result in (1) any of the representations and warranties
of Coddle Creek set forth in the merger agreement being or
becoming untrue in any material respect at or prior to the
effective time of the merger, (2) any of the conditions to
the merger set forth in the merger agreement not being satisfied
or (3) a material violation of any provision of the merger
agreement, except in each case as may be required by applicable
law and regulation; or
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enter into any contract with respect to, or otherwise agree or
commit to do, any of the foregoing.
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The merger agreement also provides that pending consummation of
the merger, First Community may not, and will cause each of its
subsidiaries not to, take the following actions without the
prior written consent of Coddle Creek:
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take any action that would prevent or impede the merger from
qualifying as a reorganization under the Code or take any action
that is intended or is reasonably likely to result in
(1) any of the representations and warranties of First
Community set forth in the merger agreement being or becoming
untrue in any material respect at or prior to the effective time
of the merger, (2) any of the conditions to the merger set
forth in the merger agreement not being satisfied or (3) a
material violation of any provision of the merger agreement,
except in each case as may be required by applicable law and
regulation; or
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enter into any contract with respect to, or otherwise agree or
commit to do, any of the foregoing.
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Board of
Directors Covenant to Recommend the Merger
Agreement
Pursuant to the merger agreement and except as set forth below,
the Coddle Creek board of directors is required to recommend
that Coddle Creek stockholders approve the merger agreement at
all times prior to and during the special meeting of Coddle
Creek stockholders at which the merger agreement is to be
considered and will take all reasonable lawful actions to
solicit approval of the merger agreement by its stockholders.
The Coddle Creek board of directors shall not withdraw, modify
or qualify in any manner adverse to First Community such
recommendation or take any other action or make any other public
statement in connection with the meeting of its stockholders
inconsistent with such recommendation, except as set forth
below. Notwithstanding any change in the Coddle Creek board of
directors recommendation, the merger agreement shall be
submitted to the stockholders of Coddle Creek at the special
meeting of Coddle Creek stockholders for the purpose of
approving the merger agreement and any other matters required to
be approved by Coddle Creeks stockholders for consummation
of the transaction. Coddle Creek shall not submit to the vote of
its stockholders any acquisition proposal other than the merger.
Notwithstanding the recommendation requirements discussed above,
the Coddle Creek board of directors shall be permitted to effect
a change in recommendation if Coddle Creek has complied with the
merger agreement and the Coddle Creek board of directors, based
on the advice of its outside counsel, has determined in good
faith that failure to do so would result in a violation of its
fiduciary duties under applicable law. If the Coddle Creek board
of directors intends to effect a change in recommendation
following an acquisition proposal (as defined in
No Solicitation below) it shall have
concluded in good faith, after giving effect to all of the
adjustment that may be offered by First Community, that another
acquisition proposal constitutes a superior proposal (as defined
in No Solicitation below). Coddle Creek
also shall notify First Community at least five business days in
advance of its intention to effect a change in recommendation in
response to the superior proposal, including the identity of the
party making the acquisition proposal, and furnish to First
Community a detailed summary of all material terms of the
superior proposal and all other material documents. Prior to
effecting the change in recommendation, Coddle Creek shall, and
shall cause its financial and legal advisors to, during the
period following its delivery of the required notice, negotiate
in good faith with First Community for a period of up to five
business days to the extent First Community desires to negotiate
to make the adjustments in the terms and conditions of the
merger agreement so that the other acquisition proposal ceases
to constitute a superior proposal.
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No
Solicitation
The merger agreement provides that Coddle Creek will and will
direct and use its reasonable best efforts to cause its
affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and
representatives, including, without limitation, any investment
banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant, or other
representative retained by it, to immediately cease any
discussions or negotiations with any other parties that may be
ongoing with respect to the possibility or consideration of any
acquisition proposal and will use its reasonable best efforts to
enforce any confidentiality or similar agreement relating to any
acquisition proposal, including by requesting the other party to
promptly return or destroy any confidential information
previously furnished by or on behalf of Coddle Creek and by
specifically enforcing the terms in a court of competent
jurisdiction. For purposes of the merger agreement,
acquisition proposal is defined to mean any inquiry,
proposal or offer, filing of any regulatory application or
notice, whether in draft or final form, or disclosure of an
intention to do any of the foregoing from any person relating to
any (1) direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a
business that constitutes 10% or more of the total revenues, net
income, assets, or deposits of Coddle Creek and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole; (2) direct or indirect acquisition or
purchase of any class of equity securities representing 10% or
more of the voting power of Coddle Creek or any of its
subsidiaries; (3) tender offer or exchange offer that if
consummated would result in any person beneficially owing 10% or
more of any class of equity securities of Coddle Creek; or
(4) merger, consolidation, business combination,
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar
transaction involving Coddle Creek or any of its subsidiaries,
other than the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
From the date of the merger agreement through the effective
time, Coddle Creek will not and will cause its directors,
officers or employees, and those of any Coddle Creek subsidiary,
or any other representative retained by it or any subsidiary,
not to, directly or indirectly through another person
(1) solicit, initiate, or encourage, including by way of
furnishing information or assistance, or take any other action
designed to facilitate or that is likely to result in, any
inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer that
constitutes, or is reasonably likely to lead to, any acquisition
proposal, (2) provide any confidential information or data
to any person relating to any acquisition proposal,
(3) participate in any discussions or negotiations
regarding any acquisition proposal, (4) waive, terminate,
modify, or fail to enforce any provision of any contractual
standstill or similar obligations of any person
other than First Community or its affiliates, (5) approve
or recommend, propose to approve or recommend, or execute or
enter into, any letter of intent, agreement in principle, merger
agreement, asset purchase agreement or share exchange agreement,
option agreement or similar agreement related to any acquisition
proposal or propose to take any of these actions, or
(6) make or authorize any statement, recommendation, or
solicitation in support of any acquisition proposal.
However, prior to the date of the meeting of the Coddle Creek
stockholders, if the Coddle Creek board of directors determines
in good faith, after consulting with its outside legal and
financial advisors, that the failure to do so would breach, or
would reasonably be expected to result in a breach of, its
fiduciary duties under applicable law, Coddle Creek may, in
response to a bona fide, written acquisition proposal not
solicited in violation of the merger agreement, that the Coddle
Creek board of directors determines in good faith constitutes a
superior proposal, subject to providing 48 hours prior
written notice of its decision to take such action to First
Community and identifying the person making the proposal and all
the material terms and conditions of the proposal and compliance
with the merger agreement:
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furnish information with respect to itself and its subsidiaries
to any person making the superior proposal pursuant to a
customary confidentiality agreement, as determined by Coddle
Creek after consultation with its outside counsel, on terms no
more favorable to the person than the terms contained in the
confidentiality agreement, dated April 25, 2008, between
First Community and Howe Barnes on behalf of Coddle Creek, are
to First Community; and
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participate in discussions or negotiations regarding the
superior proposal.
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For purposes of the merger agreement, superior
proposal is defined to mean any bona fide written proposal
made by a third party to acquire, directly or indirectly,
including pursuant to a tender offer, exchange offer, merger,
consolidation, business combination, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction, for
consideration consisting of cash
and/or
securities, more than 50% of the combined voting power of
42
the shares of Coddle Creek common stock then outstanding or all
or substantially all of Coddle Creeks consolidated assets,
that the Coddle Creek board of directors determines in good
faith, after taking into account all legal, financial,
regulatory, and other aspects of the proposal and the person
making the proposal, including any
break-up
fees, expense reimbursement provisions, and conditions to
consummation, and after taking into account the advice of Coddle
Creeks financial advisor, which will be a nationally
recognized investment banking firm, and outside counsel,
(1) is more favorable from a financial point of view to its
stockholders than the merger, (2) is reasonably likely to
be consummated on a the terms set forth, and (3) for which
financing, to the extent required, is then committed or which,
in the good faith judgment of the Coddle Creek board of
directors, is reasonably likely to be obtained by the third
party.
In addition to these obligations, Coddle Creek will promptly,
within 48 hours, advise First Community orally and in
writing of its receipt of any acquisition proposal, or any
inquiry that could reasonably lead to an acquisition proposal,
and keep First Community informed, on a current basis, of the
continuing status of the inquiry, including the terms and
conditions of the inquiry and any changes to the inquiry, and
will contemporaneously provide to First Community all materials
provided to or made available to any third party pursuant to the
merger agreement that were not previously provided to First
Community.
Coddle Creek has agreed that any violations of the restrictions
set forth in the merger agreement by any representative of
Coddle Creek or its subsidiaries will be deemed a breach of the
merger agreement by Coddle Creek.
Representations
and Warranties of the Parties
Pursuant to the merger agreement, First Community and Coddle
Creek made certain customary representations and warranties
relating to their respective companies, subsidiaries, businesses
and matters related to the merger. For detailed information
concerning these representations and warranties, reference is
made to Article V of the merger agreement included as
Appendix A hereto. Such representations and warranties
generally must remain accurate through the completion of the
merger unless the fact or facts that caused a breach of a
representation and warranty has not had or is not reasonably
likely to have a material adverse effect on the party making the
representation and warranty. See Conditions to
the Merger beginning on page 35.
The merger agreement contains representations and warranties
that First Community and Coddle Creek made to and solely for the
benefit of each other. These representations and warranties are
subject to materiality standards which may differ from what may
be viewed as material by investors and stockholders, and, in
certain cases, were used for the purpose of allocating risk
among the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. The
assertions embodied in those representations and warranties also
are qualified by information in confidential disclosure
schedules that the parties have exchanged in connection with
signing the merger agreement. First Communitys disclosure
schedules contain information that has been included in First
Communitys general prior public disclosures, as well as
potential additional non-public information. Although neither
First Community nor Coddle Creek believes that the disclosure
schedules contain information that the federal securities laws
require to be publicly disclosed, the disclosure schedules do
contain information that modifies, qualifies and creates
exceptions to the representations and warranties set forth in
the attached merger agreement.
Accordingly, you should not rely on the representations and
warranties as characterizations of the actual state of facts,
since they were only made as of the date of the merger agreement
and are modified in important part by the underlying disclosure
schedules. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter
of the representations and warranties may have changed since the
date of the merger agreement, which, in the case of First
Community, subsequent information may or may not be fully
reflected in First Communitys public disclosures.
Effective
Time of the Merger
The merger will become effective upon the filing of articles of
merger with the Secretary of State of the State of North
Carolina pursuant to the NCBCA and the Secretary of State of the
State of Nevada pursuant to
43
the NRS, unless a different date and time is specified as the
effective time in such documents. The articles of merger will be
filed only after the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to
the merger set forth in the merger agreement on a date selected
by First Community, which date will be no later than the later
of (A) five business days after such satisfaction or waiver
or (B) the first month end following such satisfaction or
waiver, or on such other date as First Community and Coddle
Creek may mutually agree upon.
A closing will take place immediately prior to the effective
time of the merger or on such other date as First Community and
Coddle Creek may mutually agree upon.
Waiver
and Amendment of the Merger Agreement
Prior to the effective time of the merger, any provision of the
merger agreement may be (A) waived by the party benefited
by its provision or (B) amended or modified at any time by
written agreement of the parties whether before or after the
approval of the stockholders of Coddle Creek, except that after
the stockholders of Coddle Creek have approved the merger
agreement no amendment or modification which by law requires
further approval by the stockholders of Coddle Creek may be made
without obtaining such approval.
Termination
of the Merger Agreement
The merger agreement may be terminated:
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by the mutual written consent of the parties;
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if the terminating party is not in material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement contained in
the merger agreement, by either First Community or Coddle Creek
in the event of a breach by the other party of any
representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement contained in
the merger agreement that (1) cannot be or has not been
cured within 30 days of the giving of written notice to the
breaching party and (2) would entitle the non-breaching
party not to consummate the merger;
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by either First Community or Coddle Creek in the event that the
merger is not consummated by February 27, 2009, except to
the extent that the failure to consummate the merger by
February 27, 2009 is due to (1) the failure of the
party seeking to terminate to perform or observe its covenants
and agreements set forth in the merger agreement, or
(2) the failure of any of the stockholders (if Coddle Creek
is the party seeking to terminate) to perform or observe their
respective covenants under the relevant shareholder agreement;
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by either party in the event the approval of any governmental
authority required for consummation of the merger and the other
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement has been
denied by final non appealable action of the governmental
authority or an application for approval has been permanently
withdrawn at the request of a governmental authority, provided
that no party has the right to terminate the merger agreement if
the denial is due to the failure of the party seeking to
terminate the merger agreement to perform or observe its
covenants;
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by either First Community or Coddle Creek if approval of the
merger agreement by Coddle Creek stockholders has not been
obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote at
the Coddle Creek stockholders meeting or any adjournment
thereof;
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by First Community, if Coddle Creek materially breaches the
covenants described under No
Solicitation on page 42, in any respect adverse to First
Community, the Coddle Creek board of directors fails to
recommend that the stockholders of Coddle Creek approve the
merger agreement or withdraws, modifies or changes its
recommendation in a manner that is adverse to First Community,
or Coddle Creek materially breaches its covenants requiring the
calling and holding of a meeting of stockholders in accordance
with the merger agreement;
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by First Community if a third party commences a tender offer or
exchange offer for 15% or more of the outstanding Coddle Creek
common stock and the board of directors of Coddle Creek
recommends
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that Coddle Creek stockholders tender their shares in the offer
or otherwise fails to recommend that they reject the offer
within a specified period; and
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by Coddle Creek at any time during the
two-day
period following the fifth calendar day prior to the effective
time of the merger (or if the applicable day is not a trading
day on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, then the trading day
immediately preceding that day), if the average closing price of
the First Community common stock is less than $22.75. If Coddle
Creek elects to exercise its termination right pursuant to this
provision, it shall give prompt written notice to First
Community; provided that the notice of election to terminate may
be withdrawn at any time within the aforementioned
two-day
period. During the period commencing with its receipt of such
notice and ending at the effective time of the merger, First
Community shall have the option of increasing the exchange ratio
to equal a number equal to a quotient (rounded to the nearest
one one-thousandth), the numerator of which is the product of
$22.75 and the exchange ratio (as then in effect) and the
denominator of which is the average closing price of First
Communitys common stock. If First Community makes the
foregoing election within the requisite period, it shall give
prompt written notice to Coddle Creek of this election and the
revised exchange ratio, whereupon no termination will have
occurred pursuant to the merger agreement and the merger
agreement will remain in effect in accordance with its terms
(except as the exchange ratio will have been so modified).
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Termination
Fee
The merger agreement provides that Coddle Creek must pay First
Community a $1.0 million termination fee under the
circumstances and in the manner described below:
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if the merger agreement is terminated by First Community for any
of the reasons described in the sixth or seventh bullet points
under Termination of the Merger
Agreement on pages and ,
Coddle Creek must pay the termination fee to First Community on
the second business day following the termination of the merger
agreement; or
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if the merger agreement is terminated by (A) First
Community pursuant to the second bullet point under
Termination of the Merger Agreement on
page 44, (B) by either First Community or Coddle Creek
pursuant to the third bullet point under
Termination of the Merger Agreement on
page and at the time of the termination no
vote of the Coddle Creek stockholders contemplated by the merger
agreement at the Coddle Creek special meeting shall have
occurred, or (C) by either First Community or Coddle Creek
pursuant to the fifth bullet point under
Termination of the Merger Agreement on
page 44, and in the case of any termination referenced in
clause (A), (B) or (C), an acquisition proposal
(as defined under No Solicitation on
page 42) shall have been publicly announced or otherwise
communicated or made known to the senior management of Coddle
Creek or the board of directors of Coddle Creek (or any person
shall have publicly announced, communicated or made known an
intention, whether or not conditional, to make an acquisition
proposal, or reiterated a previously expressed plan or intention
to make an acquisition proposal) at any time after the date of
the merger agreement and prior to the time that stockholders of
Coddle Creek vote on the merger agreement (in the case of clause
(C)) or the date of termination of the merger agreement (in the
case of clause (A) or (B)) then (y) if within
12 months after the termination, Coddle Creek or a Coddle
Creek subsidiary enters into an agreement with respect to a
control transaction, then Coddle Creek shall pay to
First Community an amount equal to $1.0 million on the date
of execution of such agreement and (z) if a control
transaction is consummated otherwise than pursuant to an
agreement with Coddle Creek within 15 months after such
termination, then Coddle Creek shall pay to First Community the
termination fee on the date of such consummation of such control
transaction. A control transaction is defined in the
merger agreement as (i) the acquisition by any person
whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, or
otherwise, in one transaction or any series of transactions, of
a majority of the voting power of the outstanding securities of
Coddle Creek or Mooresville Savings Bank or a majority of the
assets of Coddle Creek or Mooresville Savings Bank,
(ii) any issuance of securities resulting in the ownership
by any person of more than 50% of the voting power of Coddle
Creek or by any person other than Coddle Creek or its
subsidiaries of more than 50% of the voting power of
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Mooresville Savings Bank, or (iii) any merger,
consolidation, or other business combination transaction
involving Coddle Creek or any of its subsidiaries as a result of
which the stockholders of Coddle Creek cease to own, in the
aggregate, at least 50% of the total voting power of the entity
surviving or resulting from such transaction.
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Any termination fee that becomes payable pursuant to the merger
agreement shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account designated by First Community.
If Coddle Creek fails to timely pay the termination fee to First
Community, Coddle Creek will be obligated to pay the costs and
expenses incurred by First Community to collect such payment,
together with interest.
Interests
of Certain Persons in the Merger
When you are considering the recommendation of Coddle
Creeks board of directors with respect to approving the
merger agreement, you should be aware that Coddle Creeks
directors and executive officers have interests in the merger as
individuals which are in addition to, or different from, their
interests as stockholders of Coddle Creek. The Coddle Creek
board of directors was aware of these factors and considered
them, among other matters, in approving the merger agreement and
the merger. These interests are described below.
Stock Options. At the effective time of the
merger, each option to purchase shares of Coddle Creek common
stock granted under Coddle Creeks stock option plans which
is outstanding, vested and unexercised immediately prior thereto
will be canceled in exchange for the right to receive a lump sum
cash payment equal to the product of (1) the number of
shares of Coddle Creek common stock subject to the stock option
and (2) the excess, if any, of (A) the sum of
(i) the per share cash consideration of $19.60 and
(ii) a dollar value determined by multiplying the average
closing price of First Communitys common stock by the
exchange ratio of 0.9046, rounded to the nearest cent, over
(B) the exercise price per share of such stock option.
First Communitys average closing price will be
the average of the closing sales price per share of First
Community common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market for
the 20 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the fifth
day immediately prior to the effective time of the merger.
As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the directors
and executive officers of Coddle Creek as a group
(8 persons) held options to purchase an aggregate of
62,331 shares of Coddle Creek common stock, including
options to purchase 16,862 shares, 16,862 shares and
6,745 shares held by George W. Brawley, Jr., Dale W.
Brawley, and Billy R. Williams, respectively, which have an
exercise price of $31.00 per share. The aggregate amount to be
paid to all directors and executive officers of Coddle Creek for
stock options held by them is approximately
$ using an assumed average
closing price of $ per
share. The foregoing assumed average closing price
represents the average of the closing sales price per share of
First Community common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market
for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the
fifth day immediately prior to the date of this proxy
statement/prospectus. The actual average closing
price and therefore the aggregate amount of cash to be
received by the directors and executive officers of Coddle Creek
for stock options held by them will not be known until the
effective time of the merger. As a result, the actual cash
amount to be received by the directors and executive officers at
the effective time of the merger may increase or decrease from
the above approximated amount depending on the closing sales
price of First Communitys common stock during the 20
consecutive trading days immediately preceding the fifth day
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger.
Settlement Agreements. Mooresville Savings
Bank is a party to employment agreements with each of George W.
Brawley, Jr., Dale W. Brawley, and Billy R. Williams. Each
of these employment agreements provides that upon a change of
control of Mooresville Savings Bank each of the three
officers base salaries will be increased to include the
average of the two previous years discretionary bonuses,
if any, and such adjusted base salary shall be increased
annually thereafter by not less than 6% for the remainder of the
term, which is automatically extended for three years. As a
condition to the consummation of the merger and in lieu of
receiving any benefits under their respective employment
agreements, each of Messrs. G. Brawley, D. Brawley and
Williams entered into a settlement agreement with First
Community and Mooresville Savings
46
Bank which provides that the current employment agreement
between the officer and Mooresville Savings Bank will be
terminated at the effective time of the merger and the officer
will be entitled to receive a lump-sum payment in settlement of
any benefits due to the executive as a result of the merger
under his currently existing employment agreement.
Pursuant to the terms of their respective settlement agreements,
George Brawley will be entitled to receive $834,352, Dale
Brawley will be entitled to receive $469,223, and Billy Williams
will be entitled to receive $332,387. The foregoing payments to
be made to each officer will not exceed 2.99 times each
officers base amount as defined in
Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code. The date on which the
foregoing amounts are to be paid to the respective officer will
be the earliest day (as determined by the officer) that the
officer can receive the payment without the payment resulting in
additional tax or interest to the officer because of
Section 409A of the Code or applicable regulations.
Employment Agreement. As a condition to the
closing of the merger, Mooresville Savings Bank intends to enter
into an employment agreement with Dale W. Brawley pursuant to
which Mr. Brawley will continue as an employee of
Mooresville Savings Bank (or First Community Bank following the
merger).
Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Brawley will
serve as a Vice President of Mooresville Savings Bank (or First
Community Bank following the merger), will be paid an annual
salary of $75,000 and will be provided the use of an automobile
during the term of the agreement. In addition, at the closing of
the merger, Mr. Brawley will be entitled to receive a
payment of $100,000 in consideration for the two-year
non-compete and non-solicitation restrictions set forth in his
employment agreement. The employment agreement will become
effective at the closing of the merger and have a term that will
end on the later of December 31, 2010 or two years and one
month following the closing of the merger.
Under the terms of the employment agreement, if the payments and
benefits owed to Mr. Brawley as the result of the
termination of Mr. Brawleys employment, either alone
or together with other payments due to Mr. Brawley under
his settlement agreement, would constitute a parachute
payment under Section 280G of the Code, the payments
and benefits payable to Mr. Brawley will be recalculated as
follows. In the event that (A) Mr. Brawley terminates
his employment for any reason other than termination due to a
material breach of the payment terms of the employment
agreement, or (B) the Internal Revenue Service, which is
referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the IRS,
determines that the payments and benefits payable to
Mr. Brawley would constitute an excess parachute
payment under Section 280G of the Code, then the
payments and benefits payable to Mr. Brawley will be
reduced, in the manner determined by Mr. Brawley, by the
amount, if any, which is the minimum necessary such that no
portion of the payments and benefits payable to Mr. Brawley
are non-deductible to Mooresville Savings Bank (or First
Community Bank following the bank merger) pursuant to
Section 280G of the Code and none of the benefits are
subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the
Code. In the event Mr. Brawleys employment is
terminated without cause, or if Mr. Brawley terminates his
employment due to a material breach of the payment terms of the
agreement, and any payments
and/or
benefits due to Mr. Brawley under the agreement and any
other arrangement concerning Mr. Brawley would be subject
to the excise tax under Section 280G and Section 4999
of the Code, then Mooresville Savings Bank (or First Community
Bank following the merger) will pay to Mr. Brawley a
gross-up
payment, consisting of (x) a payment equal to the
excise tax payable by Mr. Brawley under Section 4999
of the Code on the total benefits and (y) a payment equal
to the amount necessary to provide the excise tax payment net of
all income, payroll, and excise taxes.
Consulting Agreements. As a condition to the
closing of the merger, First Community Bank intends to enter
into consulting agreements with George W. Brawley, Jr.,
Billy R. Williams and each non-employee director of Coddle Creek
and Mooresville Savings Bank.
Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Brawleys consulting
agreement, he will receive a one-time payment of $50,000 in
consideration for his services under the agreement and in
consideration for the two-year non-compete and non-solicitation
restrictions set forth in his consulting agreement. In addition,
under the terms of the consulting agreement and as additional
consideration for the two-year non-compete and non-solicitation
restrictions, Mr. Brawley will receive $6,000 for the
relocation of the Mooresville Insurance Agency and the use of an
automobile during the term of the consulting agreement, which is
two years.
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Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Williams consulting
agreement, he will receive monthly payments equal to
approximately $90,000 in the aggregate over the two-year term of
his consulting agreement. In addition, First Community Bank will
pay for the medical insurance premiums for Mr. Williams and
his spouse for a period of three years and will provide the use
of an automobile during the term of the agreement.
Mr. Williams consulting agreement also contains a
one-year non-compete restriction and a two-year non-solicitation
restriction.
Under the terms of the consulting agreements to be entered into
with each non-employee director of Coddle Creek and Mooresville
Savings Bank, each non-employee director will receive $500 per
month (or $6,000 in the aggregate) during the one-year term of
their consulting agreements. Each non-employee directors
consulting agreement contains a two-year non-compete and
non-solicitation restrictions.
Deferred Compensation Plans. Under certain
deferred compensation plans maintained by Coddle Creek, if a
Coddle Creek executive officer or a director who participates in
the deferred compensation plan is terminated within
24 months following the merger, the starting date for
payments due to the executive officer or director under the plan
will be accelerated to begin on the date of termination rather
than the date of retirement, which currently is age 65. The
amounts payable to the executive officers and directors under
the plans will not change.
Indemnification. Coddle Creeks
directors, officers and employees are entitled to continuing
indemnification against certain liabilities by virtue of
provisions contained in Coddle Creeks articles of
incorporation and bylaws and the merger agreement. Pursuant to
the merger agreement, First Community agreed for a period of six
years to indemnify and hold harmless each present and former
director, officer and employee of Coddle Creek or any of its
subsidiaries, as applicable, determined as of the effective time
of the merger against any costs or expenses (including
reasonable attorneys fees), judgments, fines, losses,
claims, damages or liabilities incurred in connection with any
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of
matters existing or occurring at or prior to the effective time
of the merger, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after
the effective time of the merger, arising in whole or in part
out of or pertaining to the fact that he or she was a director,
officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of Coddle Creek or any of
its subsidiaries or is or was serving at the request of Coddle
Creek or any of its subsidiaries as a director, officer,
employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including
without limitation matters related to the negotiation, execution
and performance of the merger agreement or the consummation of
any of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, to
the fullest extent to which such indemnified parties would be
entitled under the articles of incorporation and bylaws of
Coddle Creek or equivalent documents of any Coddle Creek
subsidiary, as applicable, or any agreement, arrangement or
understanding previously disclosed by Coddle Creek to First
Community pursuant to the merger agreement, in each case as in
effect on the date of the merger agreement.
Pursuant to the merger agreement, First Community has agreed to
maintain Coddle Creeks existing directors and
officers liability insurance policy for Coddle
Creeks directors and officers which shall provide such
directors and officers with coverage following the effective
time of the merger for an additional five years provided that
First Community will not be required to expend an aggregate
amount in excess of 150% of the premium paid by Coddle Creek as
of the date hereof for such insurance, which is referred to as
the maximum insurance amount. If First Community is unable to
maintain or obtain the insurance specified above as a result of
the preceding provision, First Community shall obtain the most
advantageous coverage as is available for the maximum insurance
amount.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan. As of the
effective time of the merger, the ESOP will be terminated. The
merger consideration received by the ESOP trustees with respect
to the unallocated shares of Coddle Creek common stock held by
the ESOP will be first applied by the ESOP trustee to the full
repayment of the ESOP loan. The shares of First Community common
stock and the remaining cash received by the ESOP will be
allocated to the ESOP participants in accordance with the terms
of the ESOP and applicable laws and regulations as soon as
practical after the effective time of the merger. In connection
with the termination of the ESOP, Coddle Creek will promptly
apply to the IRS for a favorable determination letter on the
tax-qualified status of the ESOP on termination and any
amendments made to the ESOP in connection with its
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termination or otherwise, if such amendments have not previously
received a favorable determination letter from the IRS with
respect to their qualification under Code Section 401(a).
Any amendments to the ESOP requested by the IRS prior to the
effective time of the merger will be adopted by Coddle Creek and
any amendments requested by the IRS after the effective time of
the merger will be promptly adopted by First Community. Any and
all distributions from the ESOP after its termination will be
made consistent with the aforementioned determination letter
from the IRS. Coddle Creek will not make any further
contributions to the ESOP or permit the ESOP to make any
allocations to the ESOP participants other than in connection
with the termination of the ESOP or as may be required by
applicable law or regulation. Officers of Coddle Creek and
Mooresville Savings Bank participate in the ESOP on the same
basis as all other participants.
Other than as set forth above, no director or executive officer
of Coddle Creek has any direct or indirect material interest in
the merger, except insofar as ownership in Coddle Creek common
stock might be deemed such an interest.
Certain
Employee Matters
The merger agreement contains certain agreements of the parties
with respect to various employee matters, which are briefly
described below.
General. As soon as administratively
practicable after the effective time of the merger, First
Community will take all reasonable action so that employees of
Coddle Creek and its subsidiaries will be entitled to
participate in the First Community employee benefit plans of
general applicability to the same extent as similarly-situated
employees of First Community and its subsidiaries, provided that
coverage shall be continued under the corresponding benefit
plans of Coddle Creek and its subsidiaries until such employees
are permitted to participate in the First Community benefit
plans and provided further that nothing in the merger agreement
will require First Community or any of its subsidiaries to make
any grants to any former employees of Coddle Creek or its
subsidiaries under a discretionary equity compensation plan of
First Community. For purposes of determining eligibility to
participate in, the vesting of benefits and for all other
purposes, other than for accrual of pension benefits, under the
First Community employee benefit plans, First Community will
recognize years of service with Coddle Creek and its
subsidiaries to the same extent as such service was credited for
such purpose by Coddle Creek.
Existing Benefits and Agreements. At and
following the effective time of the merger, and subject to the
termination
and/or
amendment of certain agreements set forth in the merger
agreement and described herein, First Community will honor and
will be obligated to perform, in accordance with their terms,
all benefit obligations to, and contractual rights of, current
and former employees of Coddle Creek and its subsidiaries and
current and former directors of Coddle Creek and its
subsidiaries existing as of the effective date of the merger, as
well as all employment, severance, bonus, salary continuation,
deferred compensation, split dollar, supplemental retirement or
change-in-control
agreements, plans or policies of Coddle Creek to the extent that
each of the foregoing has been previously disclosed to First
Community.
Participation in First Community Plans. If
employees of Coddle Creek or any of its subsidiaries become
eligible to participate in a medical, dental or health plan of
First Community, First Community will cause each such plan to:
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waive any preexisting condition limitations to the extent such
conditions are covered under the applicable medical, health or
dental plans of First Community;
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provide full credit under such plans for any deductibles,
co-payment and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the employees
and their beneficiaries during the portion of the calendar year
prior to such participation; and
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waive any waiting period limitation or evidence of insurability
requirement which would otherwise be applicable to such employee
on or after the effective time of the merger to the extent such
employee had satisfied any similar limitation or requirement
under an analogous plan prior to the effective time of the
merger.
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Severance Payments. An employee of Coddle
Creek or its subsidiaries (other than an employee who is a party
to an employment agreement or a severance agreement) whose
employment is involuntarily terminated other than for cause
following the effective time of the merger but on or before the
date which is six months from the effective time of the merger,
will be entitled to receive severance payments pursuant to
Coddle Creeks severance plan.
Resale of
First Community Common Stock
First Community has registered the shares of First Community
common stock to be issued in the merger with the Commission
under the Securities Act. No restrictions on the sale or other
transfer of the First Community common stock issued in the
merger will be imposed solely as a result of the merger, except
for restrictions on the transfer of First Community common stock
issued to any Coddle Creek stockholder who may become an
affiliate of First Community for purposes of
Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The term
affiliate is defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act and generally includes executive officers and
directors of First Community and stockholders beneficially
owning 10% or more of the outstanding First Community common
stock.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences
General. The following description of certain
material federal income tax consequences of the merger is based
upon the opinion of Patton Boggs LLP, legal counsel to First
Community. The federal income tax laws are complex and the tax
consequences of the merger may vary depending upon each
stockholders individual circumstances or tax status. This
is not a complete description of all of the consequences of the
merger and, in particular, may not address federal income tax
considerations that may affect the treatment of stockholders
subject to special treatment under United States federal income
tax law (including, for example, foreign persons, financial
institutions, dealers in securities, traders in securities who
elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting, insurance
companies, tax-exempt entities, holders who acquired their
shares of Coddle Creek common stock pursuant to the exercise of
an employee stock option or right or otherwise as compensation
and holders who hold Coddle Creek common stock as part of a
hedge, straddle or conversion
transaction). In addition, no opinion is expressed with
respect to the tax consequences of the merger under applicable
foreign, state or local laws or under any federal tax laws other
than those pertaining to the income tax. This description is
based on laws, regulations, rulings and judicial decisions as in
effect on the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, without
consideration of the particular facts or circumstances of any
holder of Coddle Creek common stock. These authorities are all
subject to change and any such change may be made with
retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that, after any
such change, this description would not be different.
Tax matters are very complicated, and the tax consequences of
the merger to you will depend upon the facts of your particular
situation. Accordingly, we strongly urge you to consult your own
tax advisor to determine the particular federal, state, local or
foreign income or other tax consequences to you resulting from
the merger.
Any United States federal tax advice contained herein is not
intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any
taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding United States federal tax
penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer; any such advice
is written to support the promotion or marketing of the
transactions described herein; and each taxpayer should seek
advice based on the taxpayers particular circumstances
from an independent tax advisor.
Each of First Community and Coddle Creek has received an opinion
of Patton Boggs LLP dated as of the date of this proxy
statement/prospectus, that the merger will be treated for
federal income tax purposes as a tax-free reorganization within
the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. It is a
condition to the obligation of First Community and Coddle Creek
to complete the merger that Patton Boggs LLP confirms its
opinion as of the closing date.
In delivering its opinion, Patton Boggs LLP has relied and, in
delivering its closing opinion will rely on (1) the
representations and covenants made by First Community, First
Community Bank, Coddle Creek and
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Mooresville Savings Bank, including those contained in certain
letters of officers of First Community, First Community Bank,
Coddle Creek and Mooresville Savings Bank, and
(2) specified assumptions, including an assumption
regarding the completion of the merger in the manner
contemplated by the merger agreement and an assumption that the
aggregate fair market value at the effective time of the merger
of all of the shares of First Community common stock received by
holders of Coddle Creek common stock pursuant to the merger is
at least 40% of the total amount of the merger consideration
received by holders of Coddle Creek common stock. In addition,
the opinion of Patton Boggs LLP has assumed, and its ability to
provide the closing date opinion, will depend on, the absence of
changes in existing facts or in applicable law between the date
of this document and the closing date. If any of those
representations, covenants or assumptions are inaccurate, Patton
Boggs LLP may not be able to provide the required closing date
opinion
and/or the
federal income tax consequences of the merger could differ from
those described in the opinion that Patton Boggs LLP has
delivered. The opinion of Patton Boggs LLP neither binds the IRS
nor the courts from adopting a contrary position. Neither First
Community nor Coddle Creek intends to seek or obtain a ruling
from the IRS as to the federal income tax consequences of the
merger and, as a result, there can be no assurance that the IRS
will agree with any of the conclusions described herein.
The Merger. To the extent the merger
constitutes a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code, neither First Community nor
Coddle Creek will recognize any gain or loss as a result of the
merger.
Tax consequences to Coddle Creek
stockholders. A Coddle Creek stockholder who
receives cash and shares of First Community common stock in
exchange for all of
his/her
shares of Coddle Creek common stock generally will recognize
gain, but not loss, in an amount equal to the lesser of
(1) the excess, if any, of (a) the sum of the cash
(excluding any cash received in lieu of a fractional share of
First Community common stock) and the fair market value of the
First Community common stock (including any fractional share of
First Community common stock deemed to be received and exchanged
for cash) over (b) such stockholders tax basis in the
shares of Coddle Creek common stock exchanged in the merger and
(2) the amount of cash received by such stockholder. Any
gain will be capital gain (except as described below) if the
shares of Coddle Creek common stock are held by such stockholder
as a capital asset at the time of the merger.
If any Coddle Creek stockholders receipt of cash has the
effect of a distribution of a dividend, the gain will be treated
as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the
stockholders ratable share of First Communitys
accumulated earnings and profits. For purposes of determining
whether a Coddle Creek stockholders receipt of cash has
the effect of a distribution of a dividend, the Coddle Creek
stockholder will be treated as if it first exchanged all of its
Coddle Creek common stock solely in exchange for First Community
common stock and then First Community immediately redeemed a
portion of that stock for the cash the Coddle Creek stockholder
actually received in the exchange. Receipt of cash in exchange
for a portion of the Coddle Creek stockholders First
Community stock that it is deemed to have been received, will
generally not have the effect of a distribution of a dividend to
the Coddle Creek stockholder if such receipt is, with respect to
the Coddle Creek stockholders, not essentially equivalent
to a dividend or substantially
disproportionate, each within the meaning of
Section 302(b) of the Code. In determining whether the
receipt of cash is not essentially equivalent to a
dividend or substantially disproportionate,
with respect to the Coddle Creek stockholder, certain
constructive ownership rules must be taken into account. Under
the constructive ownership rules of the Code, a stockholder may
be treated as owning stock that is actually owned by another
person or entity. Coddle Creek stockholders should consult their
tax advisors as to the possibility that all or a portion of any
cash received in exchange for their shares of Coddle Creek
common stock will be treated as a dividend. Dividends are
generally currently taxed at the same rates that apply to
long-term capital gains.
If (i) Patton Boggs LLP cannot provide the required closing
date tax opinion, (ii) Coddle Creek and First Community
waive the condition to completion of the merger that Patton
Boggs LLP provides the required closing date opinion,
(iii) the merger does not constitute a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and
(iv) the merger is otherwise completed in accordance with
the terms of the merger agreement whereby Coddle Creek merges
into First Community, then Coddle Creek will be deemed to have
transferred all of its assets and liabilities to First Community
in exchange for cash in a taxable transaction. In such case,
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Coddle Creek would recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to
the difference between (i) the amount of cash received plus
the amount of Coddle Creek liabilities assumed by First
Community and (ii) the allocable tax basis of the
respective assets of Coddle Creek deemed transferred in the
exchange. Immediately after such deemed taxable exchange, Coddle
Creek would be deemed to distribute all of its remaining assets
to the holders of Coddle Creek common stock in complete
liquidation of Coddle Creek. A holder of Coddle Creek common
stock would recognize gain or loss on the amount deemed received
in the liquidating distribution by Coddle Creek in excess of
such stockholders tax basis in
his/her
Coddle Creek common stock. Coddle Creek would incur liability
for the payment of any federal income tax recognized to Coddle
Creek and any additional gain recognized to Coddle Creek on its
deemed liquidation. The payment of a cash tax liability by
Coddle Creek would reduce the amount of consideration available
for distribution to the stockholders of Coddle Creek.
The foregoing tax consequences to the holders of Coddle Creek
common stock and to Coddle Creek could be different if First
Communitys acquisition of Coddle Creek is consummated in a
transaction other than one in which Coddle Creek merges into
First Community.
Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares. No
fractional shares of First Community common stock will be issued
in the merger. A Coddle Creek stockholder who receives cash in
lieu of a fractional share will be treated as having received
such fractional share pursuant to the merger and then as having
exchanged such fractional share for cash in a redemption by
First Community. A Coddle Creek stockholder should generally
recognize capital gain or loss on such a deemed exchange of the
fractional share. If the merger does not constitute a tax-free
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Code, a holder of Coddle Creek common stock who receives cash in
lieu of a fractional share of First Community common stock will
be treated as having received cash in a deemed liquidation of
Coddle Creek, as described above.
Dissenting Stockholders. Holders of Coddle
Creek common stock who dissent with respect to the merger, as
discussed under Dissenters Rights
beginning on page 54, and who receive cash for their shares
of Coddle Creek common stock generally will recognize gain or
loss as if such stockholder had received such cash as a
distribution in redemption of such stockholders shares of
Coddle Creek common stock, subject to the provisions and
limitations of Section 302 of the Code described above. The
gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the shares of
Coddle Creek common stock surrendered in the merger were held as
capital assets as of the time of the exchange.
Backup Withholding. Non-corporate holders of
Coddle Creek common stock may be subject to information
reporting and backup withholding imposed at a rate of 28% on any
cash payments they receive. Coddle Creek stockholders will not
be subject to backup withholding, however, if they:
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furnish a correct taxpayer identification number and certify
that they are not subject to backup withholding on the
substitute
Form W-9
or successor form included in the letter of transmittal they
will receive; or
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are otherwise exempt from backup withholding.
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Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be
allowed as a refund or credit against a Coddle Creek
stockholders United States federal income tax liability,
provided they furnish the required information to the IRS.
Reporting Requirements. Coddle Creek
stockholders who receive First Community common stock as a
result of the merger will be required to retain records
pertaining to the merger and will be required to file with their
United States federal income tax return for the year in which
the merger takes place a statement setting forth certain facts
relating to the merger.
Accounting
Treatment of the Merger
The merger will be accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting under accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. Under this method, Coddle Creeks
assets and liabilities as of the date of the merger will be
recorded at their respective fair values and added to those of
First
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Community. Any difference between the purchase price for Coddle
Creek and the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired
(including core deposit intangibles) will be recorded as
goodwill. In accordance with SFAS No. 142,
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, the goodwill
resulting from the merger will not be amortized to expense, but
instead will be reviewed for impairment at least annually and to
the extent goodwill is impaired, its carrying value will be
written down to its implied fair value and a charge will be made
to earnings. Core deposit and other intangibles with definite
useful lives recorded by First Community in connection with the
merger will be amortized to expense in accordance with
applicable standards. The financial statements of First
Community issued after the merger will reflect the results
attributable to the acquired operations of Coddle Creek
beginning on the date of completion of the merger.
Expenses
of the Merger
The merger agreement provides that each of Coddle Creek and
First Community will bear and pay all costs and expenses
incurred by it in connection with the transactions contemplated
by the merger agreement, including fees and expenses of its own
financial consultants, accountants and counsel, except that the
expenses of printing this proxy statement/prospectus and the
registration fees payable to the Commission in connection with
the registration statement, of which this proxy
statement/prospectus is a part, will be shared equally between
First Community and Coddle Creek.
Listing
of the First Community Common Stock
First Community has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to
cause the shares of First Community common stock to be issued in
the merger to be approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global
Select Market, or any national securities exchange on which the
First Community common stock may then be listed, before the
completion of the merger.
Shareholder
Agreements
In connection with the execution of the merger agreement, each
director and executive officer of Coddle Creek entered into a
shareholder agreement with First Community pursuant to which
each director and executive officer agreed that at any meeting
of the stockholders of Coddle Creek, or in connection with any
written consent of the stockholders of Coddle Creek, the
director
and/or
officer shall:
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appear at such meeting or otherwise cause all shares of Coddle
Creek common stock owned by him to be counted as present thereat
for purposes of calculating a quorum;
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vote (or cause to be voted), in person or by proxy, or deliver a
written consent (or cause a consent to be delivered) covering,
all shares of Coddle Creek common stock beneficially owned by
him or as to which he has, directly or indirectly, the right to
direct the voting:
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in favor of adoption and approval of the merger agreement and
the merger;
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against any action or agreement that could reasonably be
expected to result in a breach of any covenant, representation
or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of Coddle Creek
contained in the merger agreement or of the director or officer
contained in the shareholder agreement; and
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against any acquisition proposal (as defined in
No Solicitation above) or any other
action, agreement or transaction that is intended, or could
reasonably be expected, to materially impede, interfere or be
inconsistent with, delay, postpone, discourage or materially and
adversely affect consummation of the merger or the performance
of his, her, or its obligations under the shareholder agreement.
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Pursuant to the shareholder agreement, each director also
agreed, while the shareholder agreement is in effect, not to,
directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, pledge, encumber (except
for pledges or encumbrances existing as of the date of the
shareholder agreement), distribute by gift, or otherwise dispose
of any of the shares whether by actual disposition, physical
settlement, or effective economic disposition through hedging
transactions; nor to enter into any agreement with any person
that violates stockholders representations,
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warranties, covenants, and obligations under the shareholder
agreement; nor to take any other action that reasonably could be
expected to adversely effect, in any material respect, the
stockholders power, authority, and ability to comply with
and perform his, her, or its covenants and obligations under the
shareholder agreement. Each director also agreed not to deposit
any shares in a voting trust, grant any proxy, or enter into any
voting agreement or similar agreement or arrangement with
respect to any shares.
The shareholder agreements will remain in effect until the
earlier of the effective time of the merger or the termination
of the merger agreement in accordance with its terms.
Dissenters
Rights
General. Article 13 of the NCBCA, sets
forth the rights of the stockholders of Coddle Creek who object
to the merger. The following is a summary of the material terms
of the statutory procedures to be followed by a stockholder in
order to dissent from the merger and perfect dissenters
rights under the NCBCA. A copy of Article 13 of the NCBCA
is attached as Appendix C to this proxy
statement/prospectus. The only rights of dissent available to
Coddle Creek stockholders are those provided in the law. Nothing
in this proxy statement/prospectus shall be deemed to create or
grant any such rights.
If you elect to exercise such a right to dissent and demand
appraisal, you must satisfy each of the following conditions:
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(a)
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you must give to Coddle Creek and Coddle Creek must actually
receive, before the vote at the special meeting of stockholders
whereby approval or disapproval of the merger agreement is
sought, written notice of your intent to demand payment for your
shares if the merger is effectuated (this notice must be in
addition to and separate from any proxy or vote against the
merger proposal; neither voting against, abstaining from voting,
nor failing to vote on the merger proposal will constitute a
notice within the meaning of the NCBCA); and
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(b)
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you must not vote in favor of the merger agreement. A vote
against the merger agreement or an abstention will satisfy this
requirement. However, a vote in favor of the merger agreement,
by proxy or in person, or the return of a proxy which does not
specify a vote against approval of the merger agreement or
direction to abstain, will constitute a waiver of your
dissenters rights.
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If the requirements of (a) and (b) above are not
satisfied and the merger proposal to approve the merger
agreement becomes effective, you will not be entitled to payment
for your shares under the provisions of Article 13 of the
NCBCA.
If you are a dissenting Coddle Creek stockholder, any notices
should be addressed to Coddle Creek Financial Corp., 347 North
Main Street, Post Office Box 117, Mooresville, North Carolina
28115, Attention: Corporate Secretary. The notice must be
executed by the holder of record of the shares of Coddle Creek
common stock as to which dissenters rights are to be
exercised. A beneficial owner may assert dissenters rights
only if he dissents with respect to all shares of Coddle Creek
common stock of which he is the beneficial owner. With respect
to shares of Coddle Creek common stock which are owned of record
by a voting trust or by a nominee, the beneficial owner of such
shares may exercise dissenters rights if such beneficial
holder also submits to Coddle Creek the name and address of the
record stockholder of the shares, if known to him. A record
owner, such as a broker, who holds shares of Coddle Creek common
stock as a nominee for others may exercise dissenters
rights with respect to the shares held for all or less than all
beneficial owners of shares as to which such person is the
record owner, provided such record owner dissents with respect
to all Coddle Creek common stock beneficially owned by any one
person. In such case, the notice submitted by the broker as
record owner must set forth the name and address of the
stockholder who is objecting to the merger proposal and
demanding payment for such persons shares.
If you properly dissent and the merger proposal is approved,
Coddle Creek, or First Community as the surviving corporation,
must mail by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, a written dissenters notice to you. This notice
must be sent no later than 10 days after the stockholder
approval of the merger agreement. The dissenters notice
will state where your payment demand must be sent, and where and
when certificates for shares of Coddle Creek common stock must
be deposited; inform holders of uncertificated
54
shares to what extent transfer of the shares will be restricted
after the payment demand is received; supply a form for
demanding payment; set a date by which Coddle Creek, or First
Community as the surviving corporation, must receive your
payment demand (not fewer than 30 days nor more than
60 days after the dissenters notice is mailed and
which must not be earlier than 20 days after the demand
date); and include a copy of Article 13 of the NCBCA.
If you receive a dissenters notice, you must demand
payment and deposit your share certificates in accordance with
the terms of the dissenters notice. If you demand payment
and deposit your share certificates, you retain all other rights
of a stockholder until these rights are canceled or modified by
the merger. If you do not demand payment or deposit your share
certificates where required, each by the date set in the
dissenters notice, you are not entitled to demand payment
for your shares under the NCBCA and will receive the merger
consideration. For a discussion of the merger consideration, see
The Merger Merger Consideration
beginning on page .
Within 30 days after receipt of your demand for payment,
Coddle Creek, or First Community as the surviving corporation,
is required to pay you the amount it estimates to be the fair
value of your shares, plus interest accrued from the effective
date of the merger to the date of payment. The payment must be
accompanied by:
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Coddle Creeks most recent available balance sheet, income
statement, and statement of cash flows as of the end of or for
the fiscal year ending not more than 16 months before the
date of payment, and the latest available interim financial
statements, if any;
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an explanation of how Coddle Creek, or First Community as the
surviving corporation, estimated the fair value of the shares;
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an explanation of the interest calculation;
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a statement of the dissenters right to demand payment (as
described below); and
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a copy of Article 13 of the NCBCA.
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If the merger is not consummated within 60 days after the
date set for demanding payment and depositing share
certificates, Coddle Creek must return your deposited
certificates and release the transfer restrictions imposed on
uncertificated shares. If after returning your deposited
certificates and releasing transfer restrictions, the merger is
consummated, Coddle Creek, or First Community as the surviving
corporation, must send you a new dissenters notice and
repeat the payment demand procedure.
Demand for Payment. You may, however, notify
Coddle Creek, or First Community as the surviving corporation,
in writing of your own estimate of the fair value of your shares
and amount of interest due, and demand payment of the excess of
your estimate of the fair value of your shares over the amount
previously paid by Coddle Creek, or First Community as the
surviving corporation, if:
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(a)
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you believe that the amount paid is less than the fair value of
Coddle Creek common stock or that the interest is incorrectly
calculated;
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(b)
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Coddle Creek, or First Community as the surviving corporation,
fails to make payment of its estimate of fair value to you
within 30 days after receipt of a demand for
payment; or
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(c)
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the merger not having been consummated, Coddle Creek does not
return your deposited certificates or release the transfer
restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares within
60 days after the date set for demanding payment.
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You waive the right to demand payment unless you notify Coddle
Creek, or First Community as the surviving corporation, of your
demand in writing within 30 days of Coddle Creeks, or
First Communitys as the surviving corporation, payment of
its estimate of fair value (with respect to clause (a)
above) or Coddle Creeks, or First Communitys as the
surviving corporation, failure to perform (with respect to
clauses (b) and (c) above) If you fail to notify
Coddle Creek, or First Community as the surviving corporation,
of your demand within such
30-day
period, you shall be deemed to have withdrawn your
stockholders dissent and demand for payment.
55
Appraisal Proceeding. If your demand for
payment remains unsettled, you may commence a proceeding within
60 days after the earlier of (a) the date Coddle
Creek, or First Community as the surviving corporation, makes
the demand payment, or (b) the date of your payment demand,
for additional payment by filing a complaint with the Superior
Court Division of the General Court of Justice, to determine the
fair value of the shares and accrued interest. If you do not
commence the proceeding within such
60-day
period, you will be deemed to have withdrawn your dissent and
demand for payment.
The court in such an appraisal proceeding will determine all
costs of the proceeding and assess the costs as it finds
equitable. The proceeding is to be tried as in other civil
actions; however, you will not have the right to a trial by
jury. The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel
and experts for the respective parties, in the amounts the court
finds equitable: (a) against Coddle Creek, or First
Community as the surviving corporation, if the court finds that
it did not substantially comply with the statute; or
(b) against Coddle Creek, or First Community as the
surviving corporation, or you, if the court finds that the party
against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted
arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith. If the court
finds that the services of counsel for you were of substantial
benefit to other dissenting stockholders, and that the fees for
those services should not be assessed against Coddle Creek, or
First Community as the surviving corporation, the court may
award to these counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the
amounts awarded the dissenting stockholders who were benefited.
The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete
statement of the provisions of the NCBCA relating to the rights
of dissenting stockholders and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the applicable sections of the NCBCA, which are
included as Appendix C to this proxy statement/prospectus.
If you intend to exercise your dissenters rights, you are
urged to carefully review Appendix C and to consult with
legal counsel so as to be in strict compliance therewith.
MARKET
FOR COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS
First Communitys common stock is traded on the Nasdaq
Global Select Market under the symbol FCBC. Coddle
Creeks common stock is quoted on the Pink Sheets under the
symbol CDLX.PK. Such market quotations reflect
inter-dealer prices, without retail
mark-up,
mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual
transactions.
As
of ,
2008, there were 10,945,118 shares of First Community
common stock outstanding, which were held by
approximately
holders of record. As of the record date for the special
meeting, there were 610,545 shares of Coddle Creek common
stock outstanding, which were held by
approximately
holders of record. Such numbers of stockholders do not reflect
the number of individuals or institutional investors holding
stock in nominee name through banks, brokerage firms and others.
The following table sets forth during the periods indicated the
high and low sales prices of the First Community common stock as
reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market and the high and low bid
information for Coddle Creek common stock as quoted on the Pink
Sheets, and the dividends declared per share of First Community
common stock and Coddle Creek common stock for the periods
included.
56
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First Community
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Coddle Creek
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Dividends
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Dividends
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Market Price
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Declared
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Bid Price
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Declared
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High
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Low
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per Share
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High
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Low
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per Share
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2008
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March 31, 2008
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$
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38.49
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$
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28.00
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$
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0.28
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$
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22.00
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$
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22.00
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$
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.25
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June 30, 2008
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38.49
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27.79
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0.28
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21.90
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21.90
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.50
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Third Quarter Through (Aug 26, 2008)
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38.39
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25.54
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0.28
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45.45
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45.55
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.25
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2007
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March 31, 2007
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42.30
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35.19
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0.27
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28.75
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29.15
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.60
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June 30, 2007
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39.21
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28.89
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0.27
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27.70
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27.70
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.25
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September 30, 2007
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37.45
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25.40
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0.27
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26.25
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26.25
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.25
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December 31, 2007
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38.85
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30.07
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0.27
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23.70
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23.70
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.25
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2006
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March 31, 2006
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35.27
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30.16
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0.26
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34.75
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34.75
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1.00
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June 30, 2006
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33.00
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29.50
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0.26
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24.10
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34.50
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.25
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September 30, 2006
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34.44
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30.04
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0.26
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30.25
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30.25
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.25
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December 31, 2006
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41.17
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31.67
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0.26
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27.15
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27.15
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.25
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The following table sets forth the closing sale prices of First
Community common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select
Market and the bid prices of Coddle Creek common stock as quoted
on the Pink Sheets on July 31, 2008, the last
trading-day
before the merger was announced, and
on ,
2008, the last practicable
trading-day
before the distribution of this proxy statement/prospectus.
The following table also includes the equivalent market value
per share of Coddle Creek common stock on July 31, 2008
and ,
2008, which reflects the sum of (a) the product of the
exchange ratio of 0.9046 multiplied by the closing sale price of
First Community common stock on the dates indicated, plus
(b) the per share cash consideration of $19.60.
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Equivalent Market
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First Community
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Coddle Creek
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Value per Share of
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Common Stock
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Common Stock
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Coddle Creek
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At July 31, 2008
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$
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35.83
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$
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21.90
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$
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52.01
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At ,
2008
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$
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$
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$
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The value of the stock portion of the merger consideration to be
received for each share of Coddle Creek common stock will be
based on the most recent closing price of First Communitys
common stock prior to the consummation of the merger. Because
the stock portion of the merger consideration to be paid to
stockholders of Coddle Creek is based on a fixed number of
shares of First Community common stock and because the market
value of the shares of First Community common stock to be
received by Coddle Creek stockholders will change, stockholders
of Coddle Creek are not assured of receiving a specific market
value of First Community common stock, and thus a specific
market value for their shares of Coddle Creek common stock, at
the effective time of the merger. First Community cannot assure
you that its stock price will continue to trade at or above the
prices shown above. You should obtain current stock price
quotations for the First Community common stock from a
newspaper, via the Internet or by calling your broker. See
The Merger Merger Consideration
beginning on page 34.
INFORMATION
ABOUT FIRST COMMUNITY
General
First Community is a financial holding company incorporated
under the laws of the State of Nevada and serves as the holding
company for First Community Bank, a national banking association
that conducts commercial banking operations within the states of
Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and
Tennessee. First Community also owns Greenpoint Insurance Group,
Inc., a full-service insurance agency, and Investment Planning
Consultants, an investment advisory firm. First Community
conducts its banking
57
operations through 58 locations and four wealth management
offices. First Community had total consolidated assets of
approximately $2.1 billion, total deposits of approximately
$1.34 billion and total consolidated stockholders
equity of approximately $200 million at June 30, 2008.
First Community Bank is subject to regulation by the OCC.
First Communitys principal executive offices are located
at One Community Place, Bluefield, Virginia 24605 and its
telephone number is
(276) 326-9000.
Management
and Additional Information
Certain information relating to executive compensation, benefit
plans, voting securities and the principal holders thereof,
certain relationships and related transactions and other related
matters as to First Community is incorporated herein by
reference or set forth in First Communitys Annual Report
on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007, which is incorporated
herein by reference. Stockholders wishing to obtain a copy of
such document may contact First Community at its address or
telephone number indicated under Where You Can Find More
Information beginning on page 68.
INFORMATION
ABOUT CODDLE CREEK
Coddle Creek is a bank holding company incorporated in the State
of North Carolina and serves as the holding company for
Mooresville Savings Bank, a North Carolina-chartered savings
bank. Coddle Creek, which is headquartered in Mooresville, North
Carolina, operates three banking offices located in Mooresville,
Cornelius and Huntersville, North Carolina.
Coddle Creeks banking operations are conducted through
Mooresville Savings Bank. Mooresville Savings Bank is engaged
primarily in the business of attracting retail deposits from the
general public and using such deposits to make mortgage loans
secured by real estate. Mooresville Savings Bank primarily makes
one-to-four family residential real estate loans. It also
originates loans secured by multi-family residential and
commercial property, construction loans and equity line of
credit loans. In addition, Mooresville Savings Bank makes loans
which are not secured by real property, such as loans secured by
pledged deposit accounts and various types of secured and
unsecured consumer loans.
Mooresville Savings Banks primary source of revenue is
interest income from its lending activities. Mooresville Savings
Banks other major sources of revenue are interest and
dividend income from investments, interest income from its
interest-earning deposit balances in other depository
institutions, and transactions and fee income from its lending
and deposit activities. The major expenses of Mooresville
Savings Bank are interest on deposits and general and
administrative expenses such as employee compensation and
benefits, federal deposit insurance premiums, data processing
expenses and office occupancy expenses.
As of June 30, 2008, Coddle Creek had total consolidated
assets of approximately $158.6 million, total deposits of
approximately $136.6 million and total consolidated
stockholders equity of approximately $19.1 million.
Coddle Creeks corporate office is located at 347 North
Main Street, P.O. Box 117, Mooresville, NC 28115.
CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF
CODDLE CREEK COMMON STOCK
The following table sets forth as
of ,
2008 information with respect to the beneficial ownership of
Coddle Creeks common stock by (i) each person who is
known to Coddle Creek to be the beneficial owner of more than
five percent of its common stock, (ii) each director of
Coddle Creek, (iii) each of Coddle Creeks named
executive officers, and (iv) all directors and executive
officers of Coddle Creek as a group. Applicable percentage
ownership in the table is based on 610,545 shares of Coddle
Creek common stock outstanding as
of ,
2008. All shares of Coddle Creeks common stock subject to
options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days
of ,
2008 are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing
the percentage of ownership of the person holding such options,
but are not deemed to be outstanding for computing the
percentage of ownership of any other person. Currently, none of
the shares beneficially owned by Coddle Creeks directors
or named executive officers are pledged as security. Except as
otherwise indicated
58
in the footnotes to the table, the beneficial owners listed have
sole voting and investment power as to all of the shares
beneficially owned by them. The address for each of the
stockholders below is Coddle Creek Financial Corp., 347 North
Main Street, P.O. Box 117, Mooresville, North Carolina
28115.
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Number of Shares
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Percentage of
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Beneficially
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Common Stock
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Name of Beneficial
Owner(1)
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Owned
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Outstanding
()
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Claude U. Voils, Jr.
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10,947
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(2)
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1.78
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%
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Donald R. Belk
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21,047
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(3)
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3.43
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%
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Don E. Mills, Jr.
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7,400
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(4)
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1.21
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%
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George W. Brawley, Jr.
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58,908
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(5)
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9.39
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%
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Dale W. Brawley
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48,956
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(6)
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7.80
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%
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Richard E. Woods
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17,671
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(7)
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2.88
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%
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James A. Williams
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5,475
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(8)
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0.89
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%
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Billy R. Williams
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22,544
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(9)
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3.65
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%
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All directors and executive officers as a group (eight persons)
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192,94
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8
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28.97
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%
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() |
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Based upon 610,545 shares of Coddle Creeks common
stock issued and outstanding
on ,
2008.
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(1) |
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Beneficial ownership is defined in the regulations
promulgated by the SEC as (A) having or sharing, directly
or indirectly (i) voting power, which includes the power to
vote or to direct the voting, or (ii) investment power,
which includes the power to dispose or to direct the
disposition, of shares of the common stock of an issuer; or
(B) directly or indirectly creating or using a trust,
proxy, power of attorney, pooling arrangement or any other
contract, arrangement or device with the purpose or effect of
divesting such person of beneficial ownership of a security or
preventing the vesting of such beneficial ownership. Unless
otherwise indicated, the beneficial owner has sole voting and
investment power. |
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(2) |
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This amount consists of 7,575 shares of Coddle Creek common
stock and currently-exercisable options to acquire
3,372 shares of Coddle Creeks common stock for an
exercise price of $31.00 per share. |
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(3) |
|
This amount consists of 17,675 shares of Coddle Creek
common stock and currently-exercisable options to acquire
3,372 shares of Coddle Creeks common stock for an
exercise price of $31.00 per share. |
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(4) |
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This amount consists of (i) 4,900 shares of Coddle
Creek common stock, (ii) currently-exercisable options to
acquire 800 shares of Coddle Creeks common stock for
an exercise price of $31.00 per share,
(iii) currently-exercisable options to acquire
1,000 shares of Coddle Creeks common stock for an
exercise price of $35.50 per share, and
(iv) currently-exercisable options to acquire
700 shares of Coddle Creeks common stock for an
exercise price of $21.00. |
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(5) |
|
This amount consists of 42,046 shares of Coddle Creek
common stock and currently-exercisable options to acquire
16,862 shares of Coddle Creeks common stock for an
exercise price of $31.00 per share. |
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(6) |
|
This amount consists of 32,094 shares of Coddle Creek
common stock and currently-exercisable options to acquire
16,862 shares of Coddle Creeks common stock for an
exercise price of $31.00 per share. |
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(7) |
|
This amount consists of 14,298 shares of Coddle Creek
common stock and currently-exercisable options to acquire
3,373 shares of Coddle Creeks common stock for an
exercise price of $31.00 per share. |
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(8) |
|
This amount consists of (i) 2,975 shares of Coddle
Creek common stock, (ii) currently-exercisable options
to acquire 800 shares of Coddle Creeks common
stock for an exercise price of $35.50 per share,
(iii) currently-exercisable options to acquire
200 shares of Coddle Creeks common stock for an
exercise price of $35.00 per share, and
(iv) currently-exercisable options to acquire
1,500 shares of Coddle Creeks common stock for an
exercise price of $21.00 per share. |
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(9) |
|
This amount consists of 15,799 shares of Coddle Creek
common stock and currently-exercisable options to acquire
6,745 shares of Coddle Creeks common stock for an
exercise price of $31.00 per share. |
59
DESCRIPTION
OF FIRST COMMUNITY CAPITAL STOCK
First Community is authorized to issue up to
25,000,000 shares of First Community common stock and up to
1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The capital stock of
First Community does not represent or constitute a deposit
account and is not insured by the FDIC.
The following description of the First Community capital stock
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in all respects
by reference to First Communitys articles of
incorporation, as amended, bylaws and the NRS.
First
Community Common Stock
Each share of First Community common stock is entitled to one
vote on all matters submitted to a vote at any meeting of
stockholders. Holders of First Community common stock are
entitled to receive dividends when, as, and if declared by the
First Community board of directors out of funds legally
available therefor and, upon liquidation, to receive pro rata
all assets, if any, of First Community available for
distribution after the payment of creditors. Holders of First
Community common stock have no preemptive rights to subscribe
for any additional securities of any class that First Community
may issue, nor any conversion, redemption or sinking fund
rights. Holders of First Community common stock have no right to
cumulate votes in the election of directors. The rights and
privileges of holders of First Community common stock are
subject to any preferences that the First Community board of
directors may set for any series of First Community preferred
stock that First Community may issue in the future.
First
Community Preferred Stock
Under First Communitys articles of incorporation, First
Community may issue shares of First Community preferred stock in
one or more series, as may be determined by the First
Communitys board of directors or a duly authorized
committee. The First Communitys board of directors 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
stockholders. Any First Community preferred stock issued will
rank senior to First Community common stock with respect to the
payment of dividends or amounts paid upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of First Community, or both. In
addition, any shares of First Community preferred stock may have
class or series voting rights. Under certain circumstances, the
issuance of shares of First Community preferred stock, or merely
the existing authorization of the First Community board of
directors to issue shares of First Community preferred stock,
may tend to discourage or impede a merger or other change in
control of First Community. The number of shares of preferred
stock to be issued, its par or face value, voting powers,
designations, preferences, interest rate, limitations,
restrictions and relative rights would be determined from time
to time by resolution of the board of directors of First
Community. No shares of preferred stock are currently
outstanding.
Transfer
Agent
The transfer agent and registrar for First Community common
stock is BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.
COMPARISON
OF THE RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS
When the merger becomes effective, the stockholders of Coddle
Creek will become stockholders of First Community. First
Community is a Nevada corporation and its stockholders
rights are governed by the NRS, as well as its articles of
incorporation, as amended, and bylaws, as amended. Coddle Creek
is a North Carolina corporation, and its stockholders
rights are governed by the NCBCA, as well as its articles of
incorporation, as amended and bylaws. After the merger, as First
Community stockholders, the rights of former Coddle Creek
stockholders will be governed by First Communitys articles
of incorporation, as amended, its bylaws, as amended, and the
NRS. First Communitys articles of incorporation, as
amended, are referred to as its articles of incorporation, and
its bylaws, as amended, are referenced as its bylaws. The
following is a summary of
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material differences between the rights of holders of First
Community common stock and holders of Coddle Creek common stock.
The following summary does not purport to be a complete
statement of the provisions affecting, and differences between,
the rights of holders of First Community common stock and
holders of Coddle Creek common stock. This summary is intended
to provide a general overview of the differences in
stockholders rights under the governing corporate
instruments of First Community and Coddle Creek, and other known
material differences.
Authorized
Capital Stock
First Community. First Communitys
authorized capital stock consists of 25,000,000 shares of
First Community common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and
1,000,000 shares of First Community preferred stock. First
Communitys articles of incorporation authorize First
Communitys board of directors to issue shares of First
Community preferred stock, whose par value, designations,
preferences, interest rate, limitations, restrictions and
relative rights will be determined by resolution of the board of
directors. As
of ,
2008, there were 10,945,118 shares of First Community
common stock outstanding. No shares of First Community preferred
stock were issued and outstanding as of that date.
Coddle Creek. Coddle Creeks authorized
capital stock consists of 20,000,000 shares of Coddle Creek
common stock without par value, and 5,000,000 shares of
Coddle Creek preferred stock without par value. Coddle
Creeks articles of incorporation authorize Coddle
Creeks board of directors to issue shares of Coddle
Creeks preferred stock in one or more series and to fix
the designations, voting powers, preferences, limitations and
rights. As
of ,
2008, there were 610,545 shares of Coddle Creek common
stock outstanding. No shares of Coddle Creek preferred stock
were issued and outstanding as of that date.
Issuance
of Capital Stock
First Community. Pursuant to the NRS, First
Community may issue shares of First Community capital stock and
rights or options for the purchase of shares of capital stock of
First Community on such terms and for such consideration as may
be determined by the First Community board of directors. Neither
the NRS nor First Communitys articles of incorporation or
bylaws require stockholder approval of any such actions. Holders
of First Community capital stock do not have preemptive rights
with respect to any shares of First Community capital stock
which may be issued.
Coddle Creek. Pursuant to the NCBCA, Coddle
Creek may issue shares of Coddle Creek capital stock and rights
or options for the purchase of shares of capital stock of Coddle
Creek on such terms and for such consideration as may be
determined by the Coddle Creek board of directors. Neither the
NCBCA nor Coddle Creeks articles of incorporation or
bylaws require stockholder approval of any such actions. Holders
of Coddle Creek common stock do not have preemptive rights with
respect to any shares of Coddle Creek common stock which may be
issued.
Voting
Rights
First Community. Each holder of First
Community common stock is entitled to one vote for each share
held of record and may not cumulate votes.
Coddle Creek. Each holder of Coddle Creek
common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of
record and may not cumulate votes.
Number
and Election of Directors
First Community. First Communitys
articles of incorporation provide that the number of members of
First Communitys board of directors is determined in
accordance with a bylaw or amendment thereof duly adopted by a
majority of First Communitys board of directors. First
Communitys bylaws authorize the number of directors to be
fixed from time to time by resolution of the board of directors.
Currently, First
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Communitys board of directors consists of eight directors.
First Communitys board of directors is divided into three
classes, with directors serving staggered three-year terms.
Pursuant to the NRS, unless First Communitys articles of
incorporation or its bylaws require more than a plurality of
votes cast, First Communitys directors are elected at
annual meetings of stockholders by a plurality of votes cast at
the election. Neither First Communitys articles of
incorporation or bylaws require more than a plurality.
Coddle Creek. Coddle Creeks articles of
incorporation provide for a board of directors consisting of no
less than five members nor more than 15 members as determined
from time to time in accordance with Coddle Creeks bylaws.
If the number of directors is set at nine or more, the Coddle
Creek board of directors will then be divided into three
classes, with directors serving staggered three-year terms. If
the number of directors is set at less than nine, each director
will be elected to a term ending as of the next succeeding
annual meeting of stockholders or until his earlier death,
resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification or until
his successor has been elected and qualified. Coddle Creek
currently has six members of its board of directors.
Pursuant to Coddle Creeks bylaws, Coddle Creeks
directors are elected at annual meetings of stockholders, and
those individuals receiving the highest number of votes at a
meeting at which a quorum is present will be deemed to have been
elected.
Removal
of Directors
First Community. Under First Communitys
articles of incorporation, First Community directors may be
removed only for cause by an affirmative vote of not less than a
two-thirds of the votes eligible to be cast by stockholders at a
meeting of stockholders called expressly for such purpose,
provided that a director may not be removed if the number of
votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting
is voted against the directors removal.
Coddle Creek. Coddle Creeks bylaws
provide that Coddle Creek directors may be removed at any time,
with or without cause, by a vote of the stockholders if the
number of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number
of votes cast not to remove him. A director may not be removed
by Coddle Creeks stockholders at a meeting unless the
notice of that meeting states the purpose, or one of the
purposes, of the meeting is removal of the director.
Vacancies
of Directors
First Community. Under First Communitys
articles of incorporation and bylaws, any vacancy occurring on
the board of directors may be filled by a majority vote of the
directors then in office, whether or not a quorum. Each director
so chosen shall hold office until the expiration of the term of
the director, if any, whom he or she has been chosen to succeed,
or if none, until the expiration of the term assigned.
Coddle Creek. Under Coddle Creeks
bylaws, any vacancy on the board of directors may be filled by
either Coddle Creeks stockholders or board of directors,
whichever acts first. If the directors remaining in office do
not constitute a quorum, the directors may fill the vacancy by
affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors or by
the sole remaining director. A director appointed to fill a
vacancy will serve until the next succeeding annual meeting of
stockholders or until his or her earlier death, resignation,
retirement, removal or disqualification or until his or her
successor is elected.
Indemnification
and Limitation of Liability
First Community. First Communitys
articles of incorporation provide that First Community will
indemnify any of its directors, officers, employees or agents
against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or
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investigative, relating to service for or at the request of
First Community. First Community will not indemnify a director,
officer, employee or agent if:
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he did not act in good faith;
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he did not reasonably believe that the actions were either
(i) in First Communitys best interests, or
(ii) not opposed to First Communitys best
interests; or
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with respect to a criminal action or proceeding, he had
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
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First Communitys articles of incorporation also provide
that no director will be liable to First Community or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty
as a director, except that the directors liability will
not be eliminated or limited:
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for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to First
Community or its stockholders;
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for acts or omissions involving intentional misconduct, fraud or
a knowing violation of the law;
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for the payment of any distribution in violation of NRS
§78.300; or
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for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit.
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Coddle Creek. Coddle Creeks bylaws
provide that it will indemnify its directors, officers,
employees and agents to the full extent allowed by applicable
law against liability and litigation expense arising out of such
status or activities in such capacity.
Coddle Creeks articles provide that, to the fullest extent
permitted by the NCBCA, no current or former director of Coddle
Creek will be personally liable to Coddle Creek or any of its
stockholders or otherwise for monetary damages for breach of any
duty as a director.
Amendments
to Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
First Community. Under the NRS, First
Communitys board of directors must adopt a resolution
setting forth a proper amendment to First Communitys
articles of incorporation and must call either a special meeting
of the stockholders entitled to vote on the amendment or direct
that the amendment be considered at the next annual meeting of
First Communitys stockholders. Amendments to First
Communitys articles of incorporation generally must be
approved by stockholders holding shares in First Community
entitling them to exercise at least a majority of the voting
power, or such greater proportion of the voting power as may be
required.
Under Nevada law, except as otherwise provided by a bylaw
adopted by First Communitys stockholders, First
Communitys board of directors can amend or repeal the
bylaws, or adopt new bylaws. First Communitys bylaws
authorize First Communitys board of directors to amend its
bylaws by vote of a majority of the board of directors at a
meeting.
Coddle Creek. Pursuant to North Carolina law,
unless a corporations articles of incorporation or bylaws
adopted by stockholders provide otherwise, amendments to
articles of incorporation must be approved by a majority of all
votes entitled to be cast on the matter, and, if applicable, a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter within
each voting group entitled to vote as a separate voting group on
the amendment and a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on
the amendment by any voting group with respect to which the
amendment would create dissenters rights. Coddle
Creeks articles do not require more than a majority of the
votes cast with respect to amendments to its articles of
incorporation, as amended.
Coddle Creeks bylaws provide that the bylaws may be
amended or repealed and new bylaws adopted by Coddle
Creeks board of directors, and that no bylaw adopted,
amended or repealed by Coddle Creeks stockholders will be
readopted, amended or repealed by Coddle Creeks board of
directors, unless Coddle Creeks articles of incorporation
or a bylaw adopted by its stockholders authorizes the board of
directors to adopt, amended or repeal that particular bylaw or
the bylaws generally.
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Notice of
Stockholder Meetings
First Community. In accordance with the NRS,
First Communitys bylaws provide that a written notice of
the time, place and purpose of the meeting must be given to each
stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting not less than
10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting.
Coddle Creek. Coddle Creeks bylaws
provide that written notice of the date, time and place of a
meeting of stockholders must be delivered not less than 10 nor
more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each
stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting, and in
the case of a meeting at which a merger or share exchange is to
be considered, to all stockholders. Notice of special meetings
of stockholders also must include a description of the purpose
or purposes for which the meeting is being called.
Special
Meetings of Stockholders
First Community. Under the NRS and First
Communitys articles of incorporation, a special meeting of
the stockholders may be called by First Communitys entire
board of directors. In addition, under the NRS, any two
directors or First Communitys President may call a special
meeting of the stockholders.
Coddle Creek. Pursuant to Coddle Creeks
bylaws, special meetings of the stockholders may be called at
any time by Coddle Creeks Chief Executive Officer,
President, Chairman of the Board of Directors, or the Board of
Directors.
Stockholder
Nominations and Stockholder Proposals
First Community. First Communitys bylaws
provide that any nominations to First Communitys board of
directors other than those made by or on behalf of First
Communitys existing management must be made in writing and
must be delivered or mailed to First Communitys Secretary
not less than 30 days prior to any meeting of First
Communitys stockholders calling for the election of
directors. If, however, less than 30 days notice of the
meeting is given to stockholders, the notice of nomination must
be mailed or delivered to First Communitys Secretary no
later than the close of business on the seventh day following
the day on which the notice of the meeting was mailed.
Applicable Commission rules require that a proposal by
stockholders for submission to a vote of stockholders at an
annual meeting must be made in writing and delivered or mailed
and received by the secretary of First Community not later than
120 calendar days prior to the anniversary date of the mailing
of proxy materials for the immediately preceding annual meeting.
Each such notice must set forth information concerning the
proposal, the proposing stockholder and the information
specified in First Communitys bylaws.
Coddle Creek. Coddle Creeks bylaws
provide that all nominations for directors, other than those
made by Coddle Creeks board of directors, must be in
writing and must be delivered to Coddle Creeks Secretary
not less than 30 days nor more than 50 days prior to
the meeting at which the nominations will be made. If less than
21 days notice of the meeting is given to
stockholders, the nomination must be delivered to the Secretary
of Coddle Creek not later than the close of business on the
seventh day following the day on which the notice of the meeting
was mailed. Neither Coddle Creeks articles of
incorporation, bylaws nor the NCBCA contain provisions regarding
stockholder proposals other than director nominations.
Control
Share Acquisition Provisions
First Community. Nevada law contains
provisions that, under certain circumstances would preclude an
acquirer of the shares of a Nevada corporation who crosses one
of three voting thresholds (20%,
331/3%
or 50%) from obtaining voting rights with respect to such shares
unless the disinterested holders of a majority of the shares of
First Community held by disinterested stockholders votes to
accord voting power to such shares. The statute provides that,
if authorized by the articles of incorporation or bylaws in
effect on the
10th day
following the acquisition of the controlling interest by an
acquiring person, First Community may call for redemption of not
less than all of the control shares at the average price paid
for the control shares if the
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acquirer has not complied with certain procedural requirements
or if the control shares are not accorded full voting rights by
the stockholders.
Coddle Creek. North Carolina law contains
provisions that, under certain circumstances, would preclude an
acquirer of the shares of a North Carolina corporation who
crosses one of three voting thresholds (20%,
331/3%
or 50%) from obtaining voting rights with respect to such shares
unless the disinterested holders of a majority of the shares of
the corporation held by disinterested stockholders votes to
accord voting power to such shares. The legislation provides
that, if authorized by the articles of incorporation or bylaws
in effect on the
10th day
following the acquisition of the controlling interest by an
acquiring person, the corporation may call for redemption of not
less than all of the control shares at the average price paid
for the control shares if the acquirer has not complied with
certain procedural requirements or if the control shares are not
accorded full voting rights by the stockholders. Coddle Creek
has specifically opted out of coverage under the control share
acquisition provisions of North Carolina law.
Combinations
with Interested Stockholders
First Community. Under the NRS, except under
certain circumstances, a corporation is not permitted to engage
in a business combination with any interested stockholder for a
period of three years following the date such stockholder became
an interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is a person
who owns 10% or more of the outstanding shares of voting stock.
Nevada permits a corporation to opt out of the application of
these business combination provisions by so providing in the
articles of incorporation. First Community opted out of the
application of these business combination provisions in its
articles of incorporation. Instead, First Communitys
articles of incorporation require the approval of holders of
more than 85% of First Communitys outstanding shares
entitled to vote thereon for any of the following transactions
between First Community and any individual, firm, corporation or
other entity (or any affiliate of any of the foregoing) that
directly or indirectly beneficially owns 15% or more of First
Communitys outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote
for the election of directors:
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any merger or consolidation of First Community or any subsidiary
of First Community with or into the firm, corporation or other
entity;
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any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition
(whether in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions) to or with the individual, firm, corporation or
other entity of any assets of First Community or any subsidiary
of First Community when such assets have an aggregate fair
market value of $5,000,000 or more;
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the issuance or transfer to or with the individual, firm,
corporation or other entity by First Community or any subsidiary
of First Community of any equity securities of First Community
or any subsidiary of First Community where any such equity
securities have an aggregate fair market value of $5,000,000 or
more;
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the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of First Community; or
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any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any
of the foregoing.
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Coddle Creek. The North Carolina Shareholder
Protection Act requires that certain business combinations with
existing stockholders either be approved by a supermajority of
the other stockholders or meet certain fair price
requirements; the statute allows corporations to opt-out of
these provisions in their bylaws or articles of incorporation,
if they prefer. Coddle Creek has opted out of the North Carolina
Shareholder Protection Act. Instead, Coddle Creeks
articles of incorporation require the approval of the holders of
at least 75% of the outstanding voting stock for certain
fundamental transactions (combinations or mergers, the
acquisition of more than 10% of Coddle Creeks outstanding
voting stock, and purchases or sales of a substantial portion of
the assets of Coddle Creek or a subsidiary of Coddle Creek) that
require regulatory approval or approval of Coddle Creeks
stockholders. This approval requirement is not applicable if the
business combination is approved by Coddle Creeks board of
directors by the affirmative vote of (i) at least 75% of
the entire board of directors, and (ii) if the business
combination is proposed by a stockholder that beneficially owned
10% or more of the outstanding voting shares of Coddle Creek, at
least 75% of the
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directors who are unaffiliated with that stockholder. This
approval requirement also is not applicable to those fundamental
transactions initiated by Coddle Creek upon the vote of at least
51% of its directors who are unaffiliated with a stockholder
that beneficially owns 10% or more of Coddle Creeks
outstanding voting shares and is involved in the fundamental
transaction.
Transactions
with Interested Persons
First Community. Under the NRS, a transaction
with First Community (i) in which a First Community
director or officer has a direct or indirect interest, or
(ii) involving another corporation, firm or association in
which one or more of First Communitys directors or
officers are directors or officers of the corporation, firm or
association or have a financial interest in the corporation firm
or association, is not void or voidable solely because of the
directors or officers interest or common role in the
transaction if any one of the following circumstances exists:
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the fact of the common directorship, office or financial
interest is known to the board of directors or a committee of
the board of directors and a majority of disinterested directors
on the board of directors (or on the committee) authorized,
approved or ratified the transaction;
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the fact of the common directorship, office or financial
interest is known to the stockholders and disinterested
stockholders holding a majority of the shares held by
disinterested stockholders authorized, approved or ratified the
transaction;
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the fact of the common directorship, office or financial
interest is not known to the director or officer at the time the
transaction is brought to the board of directors for
action; or
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the transaction was fair to First Community at the time it is
authorized or approved.
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Coddle Creek. Under the NCBCA, a transaction
with Coddle Creek in which a Coddle Creek director has a direct
or indirect interest is not voidable by Coddle Creek solely
because of the directors interest in the transaction if
any one of the following is true:
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the material facts of the transaction and the directors
interest were disclosed or known to the board of directors or a
committee of the board of directors and a majority of
disinterested directors on the board of directors (or on the
committee) authorized, approved or ratified the transaction;
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the material facts of the transaction and the directors
interest were disclosed or known to the stockholders and
disinterested stockholders holding a majority of the shares held
by disinterested stockholders authorized, approved or ratified
the transaction; or
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the transaction was fair to Coddle Creek.
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Stockholders
Right of Dissent and Appraisal
The holders of First Community common stock are not entitled to
dissenters rights under the NRS because the merger does
not require the approval of the stockholders of First Community.
Under the NRS, a stockholder is entitled to dissent from and to
obtain payment for the fair value of his, her or its shares in
the event of consummation of a plan of merger or plan of
exchange in which the corporation is a party and any corporate
action taken pursuant to a vote of the stockholders or to the
extent that the articles of incorporation, bylaws or a
resolution of the board of directors provides that voting or
nonvoting stockholders are entitled to dissent and obtain
payment for their shares. The NRS provides an exception to
dissenters rights. Holders (i) of securities listed
on a national securities exchange included on the national
market system by the NASD or (ii) of securities held by
2,000 holders of record are not entitled to dissenters
rights unless the (i) articles of incorporation of the
issuing corporation provide otherwise; or (ii) the
stockholders are required under a plan of merger or exchange to
accept anything but cash, ownership interests, or ownership
interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of: (a) the
surviving or acquiring entity, or (b) another entity that,
at the effective date of the plan of merger or exchange, were
either listed on a national securities exchange, included in the
national market system by the NASD, or held of record by at
least 2,000 owners.
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Coddle Creeks stockholders have dissenters rights in
connection with the merger. For a discussion of the
dissenters rights under the NCBCA, please refer to the
section entitled The Merger Dissenters
Rights and to Article 13 of the NCBA, a copy of which
is attached as Appendix C to this proxy
statement/prospectus.
ADJOURNMENT
OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
(PROPOSAL TWO)
In the event that there are not sufficient votes to constitute a
quorum or approve the merger agreement at the time of the
special meeting, the merger agreement cannot be approved unless
the special meeting is adjourned to a later date or dates in
order to permit further solicitation of proxies. In order to
allow proxies that have been received by Coddle Creek at the
time of the special meeting to be voted for an adjournment, if
deemed necessary, Coddle Creek has submitted the question of
adjournment to its stockholders as a separate matter for their
consideration. The board of directors of Coddle Creek
unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR
the adjournment proposal. If it is deemed necessary to adjourn
the special meeting, no notice of the adjourned meeting is
required to be given to stockholders, other than an announcement
at the special meeting of the place, date, and time to which the
special meeting is adjourned.
LEGAL
OPINION
The validity of the First Community common stock to be issued in
the merger will be passed upon for First Community by Patton
Boggs LLP, Washington, DC.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this proxy
statement/prospectus by reference from First Community
Bancshares Inc.s Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the two years in the period ended December 31, 2007
have been audited by Dixon Hughes PLLC, independent registered
public accounting firm, and for the year ended December 31,
2005 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in
their respective reports, which are incorporated herein by
reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon such
reports of such firms given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
PROPOSALS FOR
THE 2009 ANNUAL MEETING
If the merger agreement is not approved, Coddle Creek would
expect to conduct an annual meeting of stockholders in June
2009. In order for stockholder proposals to be included in
Coddle Creeks proxy materials for that meeting, proposals
must have been received by the Corporate Secretary at Coddle
Creeks principal executive office no later
than ,
and meet all other applicable requirements for inclusion in the
proxy statement.
Coddle Creeks bylaws provide that, in order to be eligible
for consideration at the annual meeting of stockholders, all
nominations of directors, other than those made by Coddle
Creeks board of directors, must be made in writing and
must be delivered to the Secretary of Coddle Creek not less than
30 days nor more than 50 days prior to the
meeting at which such nominations will be made; provided,
however, if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is
given to stockholders, such nominations must be delivered to the
Secretary of Coddle Creek not later than the close of business
on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of
meeting was mailed.
If the merger is consummated, there will be no Coddle Creek
annual meeting of stockholders for 2009.
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WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
First Community files annual, quarterly and current reports,
proxy statements and other information with the Commission. You
may read and copy any reports, proxy statements or other
information filed by First Community at the Commissions
public reference room in Washington, D.C., which is located
at the following address: Public Reference Room,
100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a
duplicating fee, by writing to the Commission. Please call the
Commission at
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the operation of the
Commissions public reference rooms. First Communitys
Commission filings are also available to the public from
document retrieval services and at the Commissions
Internet website
(http://www.sec.gov).
First Communitys filings with the Commission are also
available on its website at www.fcbinc.com.
First Community has filed with the Commission a registration
statement on
Form S-4
under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder. This proxy statement/prospectus is a part of that
registration statement. As permitted by the Commissions
rules, this proxy statement/prospectus does not contain all of
the information you can find in the registration statement. The
registration statement is available for inspection and copying
as set forth above.
The Commission allows First Community to incorporate by
reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, which
means that First Community can disclose important information to
you by referring you to another document filed separately with
the Commission. The information incorporated herein by reference
is considered to be part of this proxy statement/prospectus,
except for any information superseded by information contained
in later filed documents incorporated herein by reference in
this proxy statement/prospectus.
First Community incorporates by reference the documents filed by
it with the Commission listed below and any future filings made
by it with the Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the date of the special
meeting.
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First Community SEC Filings
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Period/Date
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Annual Report on
Form 10-K
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Year ended December 31, 2007
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Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
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Quarter ended June 30, 2008
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Current Reports on
Form 8-K
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Filed on February 25, 2008; February 20, 2008; February 26,
2008; May 27, 2008; May 30, 2008; June 4, 2008; July 31, 2008;
and August 5, 2008
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The description of First Community common stock set forth in
First Communitys registration statements filed with the
Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act,
including any amendment or report filed for purposes of updating
any such description.
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The portions of First Communitys proxy statement for the
annual meeting of stockholders held on April 29, 2008, that
have been incorporated by reference in First Communitys
2007 Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
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You may request a copy of documents incorporated in this proxy
statement/prospectus by reference but not otherwise accompanying
this proxy statement/prospectus, at no cost, by writing or
telephoning First Community at the following addresses:
First Community Bancshares, Inc.
P.O. Box 989
Bluefield, Virginia
24605-0989
Attention: Robert L. Schumacher,
General Counsel
(276) 326-9000
To obtain timely delivery, you should request desired
information no later than five business days prior to the date
of the special meeting, or
by ,
2008.
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated in this proxy statement/prospectus by reference.
First Community and Coddle Creek have not authorized anyone else
to provide you with information that is different from that
which is contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. Moreover,
neither First Community nor Coddle Creek is making an offer to
sell or soliciting an offer to buy any securities other than the
First Community common stock to be issued by First Community in
the merger, and neither First Community nor Coddle Creek is
making an offer of such securities in any state where the offer
is not permitted. The information contained in this document
speaks only as of its date unless the information specifically
indicates that another date applies.
69
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
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A-1
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1
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.01
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Certain Definitions
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A-1
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ARTICLE II THE MERGER
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A-5
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2
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.01
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The Merger
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A-5
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2
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.02
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Effective Date and Effective Time; Closing
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A-6
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ARTICLE III MERGER CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
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A-6
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3
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.01
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Conversion of Shares
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A-6
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3
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.02
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Exchange Procedures
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A-7
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3
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.03
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Rights as Shareholders; Stock Transfers
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A-8
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3
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.04
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No Fractional Shares
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A-8
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3
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.05
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Dissenting Shares
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A-8
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3
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.06
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Anti-Dilution Provisions
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A-9
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3
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.07
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Withholding Rights
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A-9
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3
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.08
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CCFC Options
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A-9
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3
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.09
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Bank Merger
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A-9
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ARTICLE IV ACTIONS PENDING ACQUISITION
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A-9
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4
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.01
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Forbearances of CCFC
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A-9
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4
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.02
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Forbearances of FCBI
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A-12
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ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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A-12
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5
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.01
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Disclosure Schedules
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A-12
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5
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.02
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Standard
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A-12
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5
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.03
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Representations and Warranties of CCFC
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A-13
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5
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.04
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Representations and Warranties of FCBI
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A-24
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ARTICLE VI COVENANTS
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A-27
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6
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.01
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Reasonable Best Efforts
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A-27
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6
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.02
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Stockholder Approval
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A-28
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6
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.03
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Registration Statement
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A-28
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6
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.04
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Regulatory Filings
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A-29
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6
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.05
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Press Releases
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A-29
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6
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.06
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Access; Information
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A-30
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6
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.07
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Affiliates
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A-30
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6
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.08
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Acquisition Proposals
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A-31
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6
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.09
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Certain Policies
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A-32
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6
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.10
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Nasdaq Listing
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A-32
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6
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.11
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Indemnification
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A-32
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6
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.12
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Benefit Plans
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A-33
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6
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.13
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Notification of Certain Matters
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A-34
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6
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.14
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Antitakeover Statutes
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A-34
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A-i
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Page
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ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
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A-35
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7
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.01
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Conditions to Each Partys Obligation to Effect the Merger
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A-35
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7
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.02
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Conditions to Obligation of CCFC
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A-36
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7
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Conditions to Obligation of FCBI
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A-36
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ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION
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A-36
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8
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Termination
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A-36
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8
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.02
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Effect of Termination and Abandonment
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A-37
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ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS
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A-38
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9
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.01
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Survival
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A-38
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9
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.02
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Waiver; Amendment
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A-39
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9
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Counterparts
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A-39
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9
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Governing Law
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A-39
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9
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.05
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Expenses
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A-39
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9
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.06
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Notices
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A-39
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9
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.07
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Entire Understanding; No Third Party Beneficiaries
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A-40
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9
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.08
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Severability
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A-40
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9
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.09
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Enforcement of the Agreement
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A-40
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9
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.10
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Interpretation
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A-40
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9
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.11
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Assignment
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A-40
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9
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.12
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Alternative Structure
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A-40
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ANNEX A Form of Shareholder Agreement
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A-42
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ANNEX B Form of Affiliate Letter
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*
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ANNEX C Form of Bank Merger Agreement
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ANNEX D Form of Consulting Agreement for George W.
Brawley, Jr.
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ANNEX E Form of Employment Agreement for Dale W.
Brawley
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ANNEX F Form of Consulting Agreement for Billy R.
Williams
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ANNEX G Form of Consulting Agreement for Non-Employee
Directors of Coddle Creek Financial
Corp.
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ANNEX H Form of Settlement Agreement for George W.
Brawley, Jr.
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ANNEX I Form of Settlement Agreement for Dale W.
Brawley
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ANNEX J Form of Settlement Agreement for Billy R.
Williams
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A-ii
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of July 31,
2008 (this Agreement), between First Community
Bancshares, Inc. (FCBI) and Coddle Creek Financial
Corp. (CCFC).
RECITALS
A. CCFC. CCFC is a North Carolina
corporation, having its principal place of business in
Mooresville, North Carolina.
B. FCBI. FCBI is a Nevada
corporation, having its principal place of business in
Bluefield, Virginia.
C. Intention of the Parties. It is
the intention of the parties to this Agreement that the Merger
provided for herein be treated as a reorganization
under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the Code).
D. Board Action. The respective
Boards of Directors of each of FCBI and CCFC have determined
that it is in the best interests of their respective companies
and their stockholders to consummate the Merger provided for
herein.
E. Shareholder Agreements. As a
material inducement to FCBI to enter into this Agreement, and
simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, each
Shareholder (as defined herein) is entering into an agreement,
in the form of Annex A hereto (collectively, the
Shareholder Agreements), pursuant to which they have
agreed, among other things, to vote their shares of CCFC Common
Stock (as defined herein) in favor of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of
the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and agreements
contained herein the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
1.01 Certain
Definitions. The following terms are used in
this Agreement with the meanings set forth below:
Acquisition Proposal has the meaning set
forth in Section 6.08(a).
Affiliate Letter has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.07.
Agreement means this Agreement and Plan of
Merger, as amended or modified from time to time in accordance
with Section 9.02.
Articles of Merger has the meaning set forth
in Section 2.02(a).
Average Closing Price means the average of
the last reported sale prices per share of FCBI Common Stock as
reported on the Nasdaq (as reported in The Wall Street
Journal or, if not reported therein, in another mutually
agreed upon authoritative source) for the 20 consecutive trading
days immediately preceding the Determination Date, rounded to
the nearest cent.
Bank Merger has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.09.
Bank Merger Agreement means the Agreement of
Merger to be entered into by and between FC Bank and Mooresville
Savings, the form of which is attached hereto as Annex C
and which form shall be subject to such changes as FCBI shall
reasonably specify.
Bank Secrecy Act means the Bank Secrecy Act
of 1970, as amended.
Benefit Plans has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.03(m)(i).
Business Day means Monday through Friday of
each week, except a legal holiday recognized as such by the
U.S. Government or any day on which banking institutions in
the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of North Carolina are
authorized or obligated to close.
A-1
CCFC has the meaning set forth in the
preamble to this Agreement.
CCFC Affiliates has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.07.
CCFC Articles means the Articles of
Incorporation of CCFC.
CCFC Board means the Board of Directors of
CCFC.
CCFC Bylaws means the Bylaws of CCFC.
CCFC Common Stock means the common stock, no
par value per share, of CCFC.
CCFC Financial Statements shall mean
(i) the consolidated statements of financial condition
(including related notes and schedules, if any) of CCFC as of
December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and the consolidated
statements of operations and comprehensive income,
stockholders equity and cash flows (including related
notes and schedules, if any) of CCFC for each of the three years
ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, (ii) the
consolidated statements of financial condition (including
related notes and schedules, if any) of CCFC as of
March 31, 2008 and the consolidated statements of
operations and comprehensive income, stockholders equity
and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any)
of CCFC for the three months ended March 31, 2008, and
(iii) the consolidated statements of financial condition of
CCFC (including related notes and schedules, if any) and the
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income,
stockholders equity and cash flows (including related
notes and schedules, if any) of CCFC with respect to the
monthly, quarterly and annual periods ending subsequent to
March 31, 2008.
CCFC Group means any affiliated
group (as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code
without regard to the limitations contained in
Section 1504(b) of the Code) that includes CCFC and its
Subsidiaries or any predecessor of or any successor to CCFC (or
to another such predecessor or successor).
CCFC Loan Property has the meaning set forth
in Section 5.03(o).
CCFC Meeting has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.02(a).
CCFC Options means the options to acquire
CCFC Common Stock.
CCFC Preferred Stock means the preferred
stock, no par value per share, of CCFC.
CCFC Stock Option Plans means the Coddle
Creek Financial Corp. Stock Option Plan.
Certificate means any certificate which
immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of
CCFC Common Stock.
Change in Control Benefit has the meaning set
forth in Section 5.03(m)(viii).
Change in Recommendation has the meaning set
forth in Section 6.02(a).
Closing and Closing Date
have the meanings set forth in Section 2.02(b).
Code has the meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.
Commissioner means the North Carolina
Commissioner of Banks.
Community Reinvestment Act means the
Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended.
Confidentiality Agreement has the meaning set
forth in Section 6.06(c).
Control Transaction has the meaning set forth
in Section 8.02(b)(ii).
Derivatives Contract has the meaning set
forth in Section 5.03(q)(ii).
Determination Date shall mean the fifth
calendar day immediately prior to the Effective Time, or if such
calendar day is not a trading day on the Nasdaq, then the
trading day immediately preceding such calendar day.
Disclosure Schedule has the meaning set forth
in Section 5.01.
A-2
Dissenting Shares has the meaning set forth
in Section 3.05.
DOL has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.03(m)(i).
Effective Date has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.02(a).
Effective Time has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.02(a).
Employees has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.03(m)(i).
Environmental Laws has the meaning set forth
in Section 5.03(o).
Equal Credit Opportunity Act means the Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, as amended.
Equity Investment means (i) an Equity
Security; and (ii) an ownership interest in any company or
other entity, any membership interest that includes a voting
right in any company or other entity, any interest in real
estate; and any investment or transaction which in substance
falls into any of these categories even though it may be
structured as some other form of investment or transaction.
Equity Security means any stock, certificate
of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement,
collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate or
subscription, transferable share, investment contract, or
voting-trust certificate; any security convertible into such a
security; any security carrying any warrant or right to
subscribe to or purchase any such security; and any certificate
of interest or participation in, temporary or interim
certificate for, or receipt for any of the foregoing.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended.
ERISA Affiliate has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.03(m)(iii).
ESOP has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.12(e).
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
Exchange Agent means an exchange agent
designated by FCBI.
Exchange Ratio has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.01(b).
Fair Housing Act means the Fair Housing Act,
as amended.
FC Bank means First Community Bank, National
Association, a national bank and wholly owned subsidiary of FCBI.
FCBI has the meaning set forth in the
preamble to this Agreement.
FCBI Articles means the Articles of
Incorporation of FCBI, as amended.
FCBI Benefit Plans has the meaning set forth
in Section 6.12(a).
FCBI Board means the Board of Directors of
FCBI.
FCBI Bylaws means the Bylaws of FCBI, as
amended.
FCBI Common Stock means the common stock,
$1.00 par value per share, of FCBI.
FCBI Preferred Stock means the preferred
stock, $1.00 par value per share, of FCBI.
FDIC means the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation.
FHLB means the Federal Home Loan Bank of
Atlanta.
FRB means the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.
GAAP means accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
Governmental Authority means any federal,
state or local court, administrative agency or commission or
other governmental authority or instrumentality or
self-regulatory organization.
A-3
Hazardous Substance has the meaning set forth
in Section 5.03(o).
Indemnified Parties and Indemnifying
Party have the meanings set forth in Section 6.11(a).
Insurance Policies has the meaning set forth
in Section 5.03(w).
IRS has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.03(m)(i).
Liens means any charge, mortgage, pledge,
security interest, restriction, claim, lien or encumbrance.
Loans has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.01(s).
Material Adverse Effect means, with respect
to FCBI or CCFC, any effect that (i) is material and
adverse to the financial condition, results of operations or
business of FCBI and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or CCFC
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as the case may be, or
(ii) would materially impair the ability of any of FCBI and
its Subsidiaries or CCFC and its Subsidiaries, as the case may
be, to perform its respective obligations under this Agreement
or otherwise materially impede the consummation of the
Transaction; provided, however, that Material Adverse Effect
shall not be deemed to include the impact of (a) changes in
banking and similar laws of general applicability or
interpretations thereof by Governmental Authorities,
(b) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting requirements
applicable to banks, savings banks and their holding companies
generally, (c) changes in general economic conditions
affecting banks, savings banks and their holding companies
generally, and (d) with respect to CCFC, the effects of any
action or omission taken with the prior consent of FCBI or as
otherwise required by the Agreement, provided that the effect of
such changes described in clauses (a), (b) and
(c) shall not be excluded as a Material Adverse Effect to
the extent of a materially disproportionate impact, if any, they
have on FCBI and its Subsidiaries as a whole on the one hand or
CCFC and its Subsidiaries as a whole on the other hand, as
measured relative to similarly situated companies in the banking
industry.
Material Contracts has the meaning set forth
in Section 5.03(k)(i).
Maximum Insurance Amount has the meaning set
forth in Section 6.11(c).
Merger has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.01(a).
Merger Consideration means the number of
whole shares of FCBI Common Stock, plus cash in lieu of any
fractional share interest, and the amount of cash into which
shares of CCFC Common Stock shall be converted pursuant to the
provisions of Article III.
Mooresville Savings means Mooresville Savings
Bank, Inc., SSB, a North Carolina chartered savings bank and
wholly owned subsidiary of CCFC.
Mooresville Savings Board means the Board of
Directors of Mooresville Savings.
Nasdaq means the Nasdaq Global Select Market
or such other securities exchange on which the FCBI Common Stock
may be listed.
National Labor Relations Act means the
National Labor Relations Act, as amended.
NCBCA means the North Carolina Business
Corporation Act.
NGCL means the Nevada General Corporation law.
OCC means Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency.
OREO means other real estate owned.
Pension Plan has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.03(m)(ii).
Per Share Cash Consideration has the meaning
set forth in Section 3.01(b).
Per Share Merger Consideration means an
amount equal to the sum of (i) the Per Share Cash
Consideration plus (ii) a dollar value determined by
multiplying the Average Closing Price by the Exchange Ratio,
rounded to the nearest cent.
A-4
Person means any individual, bank,
corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company,
business trust, limited liability company or unincorporated
organization.
Previously Disclosed by a party shall mean
information set forth in a section of its Disclosure Schedule
corresponding to the section of this Agreement where such term
is used.
Proxy Statement has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.03(a).
Registration Statement has the meaning set
forth in Section 6.03(a).
Representatives has the meaning set forth in
Section 6.08(a).
Rights means, with respect to any Person,
warrants, options, rights, convertible securities and other
arrangements or commitments which obligate the Person to issue
or dispose of any of its capital stock or other ownership
interests.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Securities Documents has the meaning set
forth in Section 5.04(g)(i).
Shareholder Agreements has the meaning set
forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Shareholders means each director and
executive officer of CCFC and Mooresville Savings.
Subsidiary has the meaning ascribed to that
term in Rule l-02 of
Regulation S-X
of the SEC.
Superior Proposal has the meaning set forth
in Section 6.08(a).
Surviving Corporation has the meaning set
forth in Section 2.01(a).
Tax and Taxes mean all
federal, state, local or foreign income, gross income, gains,
gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, goods and services,
capital, production, transfer, franchise, windfall profits,
license, withholding, payroll, employment, disability, employer
health, excise, estimated, severance, stamp, occupation,
property, environmental, custom duties, unemployment or other
taxes of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest,
additions or penalties thereto and any interest in respect of
such interest and penalties.
Tax Returns means any return (including any
amended return), declaration or other report (including
elections, declarations, claims for refunds, schedules,
estimates and information returns) with respect to any Taxes
(including estimated taxes).
Termination Fee has the meaning set forth in
Section 8.02(b).
Transaction means the Merger, the Bank Merger
and any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
2.01 The Merger.
(a) The Merger. Subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time,
CCFC shall merge with and into FCBI in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the NCBCA and NGCL (the
Merger), the separate corporate existence of CCFC
shall cease and FCBI shall survive and continue to exist as a
corporation incorporated under the NGCL (FCBI, as the surviving
corporation in the Merger, sometimes being referred to herein as
the Surviving Corporation).
(b) Name. The name of the
Surviving Corporation shall be First Community Bancshares,
Inc.
(c) Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws. The articles of incorporation and
bylaws of FCBI immediately after the Merger shall be the FCBI
Articles and FCBI Bylaws as in effect immediately prior to the
Merger.
A-5
(d) Directors and Executive Officers of the Surviving
Corporation. The directors of the Surviving
Corporation immediately after the Merger shall be the directors
of FCBI immediately prior to the Merger. The executive officers
of the Surviving Corporation immediately after the Merger shall
be the executive officers of FCBI immediately prior to the
Merger, each of whom shall serve until such time as their
successors shall be duly elected and qualified.
(e) Authorized Capital Stock. The
authorized capital stock of the Surviving Corporation upon
consummation of the Merger shall be as set forth in the FCBI
Articles immediately prior to the Merger.
(f) Effect of the Merger. At the
Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in
accordance with the NCBCA and the NGCL. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the
Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, powers and
franchises of CCFC shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and
all debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities
and duties of CCFC shall become the debts, liabilities,
obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the
Surviving Corporation.
(g) Additional Actions. If, at any
time after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
consider that any further assignments or assurances in law or
any other acts are necessary or desirable to (i) vest,
perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Surviving
Corporation its right, title or interest in, to or under any of
the rights, properties or assets of CCFC acquired or to be
acquired by the Surviving Corporation as a result of, or in
connection with, the Merger, or (ii) otherwise carry out
the purposes of this Agreement, CCFC, and its proper officers
and directors, shall be deemed to have granted to the Surviving
Corporation an irrevocable power of attorney to execute and
deliver all such proper deeds, assignments and assurances in law
and to do all acts necessary or proper to vest, perfect or
confirm title to and possession of such rights, properties or
assets in the Surviving Corporation and otherwise to carry out
the purposes of this Agreement, and the proper officers and
directors of the Surviving Corporation are fully authorized in
the name of the Surviving Corporation or otherwise to take any
and all such action.
2.02 Effective Date and Effective Time;
Closing.
(a) Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions
set forth in Article VII (other than those conditions that
by their nature are to be satisfied at the consummation of the
Merger, but subject to the fulfillment or waiver of those
conditions), the parties shall cause articles of merger relating
to the Merger (Articles of Merger) to be filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina pursuant
to the NCBCA and the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada
pursuant to the NGCL on (i) a date selected by FCBI after
such satisfaction or waiver which is no later than the later of
(A) five Business Days after such satisfaction or waiver or
(B) the first month end following such satisfaction or
waiver, or (ii) such other date to which the parties may
mutually agree in writing. The Merger provided for herein shall
become effective upon such filings or on such date as may be
specified therein. The date of such filings or such later
effective date is herein called the Effective Date.
The Effective Time of the Merger shall be the time
of such filings or as set forth in such filings.
(b) A closing (the Closing) shall take place
immediately prior to the Effective Time at 10:00 a.m.,
Eastern Time, at the offices of FCBI, One Community Place,
Bluefield, Virginia 24605, or at such other place, at such other
time, or on such other date as the parties may mutually agree
upon (such date, the Closing Date). At the Closing,
there shall be delivered to FCBI and CCFC the certificates and
other documents required to be delivered under Article VII
hereof.
ARTICLE III
MERGER
CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
3.01 Conversion of
Shares. At the Effective Time, by virtue of
the Merger and without any action on the part of a holder of
shares of CCFC Common Stock:
(a) FCBI Common Stock. Each share
of FCBI Common Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding
and shall be unchanged by the Merger.
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(b) CCFC Common Stock. Subject to
Sections 3.04, 3.05, 3.06 and 8.01(h), each share of CCFC
Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be converted into, and shall be canceled in
exchange for, solely the right to receive (i) a cash amount
equal to $19.60 (the Per Share Cash Consideration)
and (ii) 0.9046 shares of FCBI Common Stock (the
Exchange Ratio).
3.02 Exchange Procedures.
(a) Mailing of Transmittal
Material. Provided that CCFC has delivered,
or caused to be delivered, to the Exchange Agent all information
which is necessary for the Exchange Agent to perform its
obligations as specified herein, the Exchange Agent shall,
promptly following the Effective Date, mail or make available to
each holder of record of a Certificate or Certificates a notice
and letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery
shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the
Certificates theretofore representing shares of CCFC Common
Stock shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates
to the Exchange Agent) advising such holder of the effectiveness
of the Merger and the procedure for surrendering to the Exchange
Agent such Certificate or Certificates in exchange for the
consideration set forth in Section 3.01(b) hereof
deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement. A
letter of transmittal will be properly completed only if
accompanied by Certificates representing all shares of CCFC
Common Stock covered thereby, subject to the provisions of
paragraph (d) of this Section 3.02.
(b) FCBI Deliveries. At the
Effective Time, for the benefit of the holders of Certificates,
(i) FCBI shall deliver to the Exchange Agent certificates
evidencing the maximum number of shares of FCBI Common Stock
issuable and (ii) FCBI shall deliver, or cause FC Bank to
deliver, to the Exchange Agent, a cash amount equal to the
aggregate Per Share Cash Consideration payable pursuant to this
Article III in exchange for Certificates representing
outstanding shares of CCFC Common Stock. The Exchange Agent
shall not be entitled to vote or exercise any rights of
ownership with respect to the shares of FCBI Common Stock held
by it from time to time hereunder, except that it shall receive
and hold all dividends or other distributions paid or
distributed with respect to such shares for the account of the
Persons entitled thereto.
(c) Exchange Agent
Deliveries. Each holder of an outstanding
Certificate or Certificates who has surrendered such Certificate
or Certificates to the Exchange Agent will, upon acceptance
thereof by the Exchange Agent, be entitled to a certificate or
certificates representing the number of whole shares of FCBI
Common Stock and the amount of cash into which the aggregate
number of shares of CCFC Common Stock previously represented by
such Certificate or Certificates surrendered shall have been
converted pursuant to this Agreement and any other distribution
theretofore paid with respect to FCBI Common Stock issuable in
the Merger, in each case without interest. The Exchange Agent
shall accept such Certificates upon compliance with such
reasonable terms and conditions as the Exchange Agent may impose
to effect an orderly exchange thereof in accordance with normal
exchange practices. Each outstanding Certificate which prior to
the Effective Time represented CCFC Common Stock and which is
not surrendered to the Exchange Agent in accordance with the
procedures provided for herein shall, except as otherwise herein
provided, until duly surrendered to the Exchange Agent, be
deemed to evidence ownership of the number of shares of FCBI
Common Stock and the right to receive the amount of cash into
which such CCFC Common Stock shall have been converted. After
the Effective Time, there shall be no further transfer on the
records of CCFC of Certificates representing shares of CCFC
Common Stock and, if such Certificates are presented to CCFC for
transfer, they shall be cancelled against delivery of
certificates for FCBI Common Stock and cash as hereinabove
provided. No dividends which have been declared will be remitted
to any person entitled to receive shares of FCBI Common Stock
until such person surrenders the Certificate or Certificates
representing CCFC Common Stock, at which time such dividends
shall be remitted to such Person, without interest.
(d) Lost or Destroyed Certificates; Issuances of FCBI
Common Stock in New Names. The Exchange Agent
and FCBI, as the case may be, shall not be obligated to deliver
cash or a certificate or certificates representing shares of
FCBI Common Stock to which a holder of CCFC Common Stock would
otherwise be entitled as a result of the Merger until such
holder surrenders the Certificate or Certificates representing
the shares of CCFC Common Stock for exchange as provided in this
Section 3.02, or, in default thereof, an appropriate
affidavit of loss and indemnity agreement
and/or a
bond in an amount as may be reasonably required in each case by
FCBI. If any certificates evidencing shares of FCBI Common Stock
are to be issued in a name other than that in which the
Certificate evidencing CCFC Common Stock surrendered in exchange
therefor is registered, it shall be a condition of the issuance
thereof that the Certificate so surrendered shall be properly
endorsed or accompanied by an executed form
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of assignment separate from the Certificate and otherwise in
proper form for transfer and that the Person requesting such
exchange pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or other tax
required by reason of the issuance of a certificate for shares
of FCBI Common Stock in any name other than that of the
registered holder of the Certificate surrendered or otherwise
establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such
tax has been paid or is not payable.
(e) Unclaimed Merger
Consideration. Any portion of the shares of
FCBI Common Stock and cash delivered to the Exchange Agent by
FCBI pursuant to Section 3.02(b) that remains unclaimed by
the stockholders of CCFC for six months after the Effective Time
(as well as any proceeds from any investment thereof) shall be
delivered by the Exchange Agent to FCBI. Any stockholders of
CCFC who have not theretofore complied with Section 3.02(c)
shall thereafter look only to FCBI for the consideration
deliverable in respect of each share of CCFC Common Stock such
stockholder holds as determined pursuant to this Agreement
without any interest thereon. If outstanding Certificates for
shares of CCFC Common Stock are not surrendered or the payment
for them is not claimed prior to the date on which such shares
of FCBI Common Stock and cash would otherwise escheat to or
become the property of any Governmental Authority, the unclaimed
items shall, to the extent permitted by abandoned property and
any other applicable law, become the property of FCBI (and to
the extent not in its possession shall be delivered to it), free
and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously
entitled to such property. Neither the Exchange Agent nor any
party to this Agreement shall be liable to any holder of stock
represented by any Certificate for any consideration paid to a
Governmental Authority pursuant to applicable abandoned
property, escheat or similar laws. FCBI and the Exchange Agent
shall be entitled to rely upon the stock transfer books of CCFC
to establish the identity of those persons entitled to receive
the consideration specified in this Agreement, which books shall
be conclusive with respect thereto. In the event of a dispute
with respect to ownership of stock represented by any
Certificate, FCBI and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to
deposit any consideration represented thereby in escrow with an
independent third party and thereafter be relieved with respect
to any claims thereto.
(f) Affiliate
Agreements. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, Certificates surrendered for exchange
by any CCFC Affiliate shall not be exchanged for certificates
representing shares of FCBI Common Stock to which such CCFC
Affiliate may be entitled pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement until FCBI has received a written agreement from such
person as specified in Section 6.07.
3.03 Rights as Shareholders; Stock
Transfers. At the Effective Time, holders of
CCFC Common Stock shall cease to be, and shall have no rights
as, stockholders of CCFC other than to receive the consideration
provided under this Article III. After the Effective Time,
there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of CCFC
or the Surviving Corporation of shares of CCFC Common Stock.
3.04 No Fractional
Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Agreement, neither certificates nor scrip for fractional
shares of FCBI Common Stock shall be issued in the Merger. Each
holder of CCFC Common Stock who otherwise would have been
entitled to a fraction of a share of FCBI Common Stock (after
taking into account all Certificates delivered by such holder)
shall receive in lieu thereof cash (without interest) in an
amount determined by multiplying the fractional share interest
to which such holder would otherwise be entitled by the closing
price of a share of FCBI Common Stock on Nasdaq on the business
day preceding the Effective Time (as reported in The Wall
Street Journal, or if not reported therein, in another
mutually agreed upon authoritative source), rounded to the
nearest whole cent. No such holder shall be entitled to
dividends, voting rights or any other rights in respect of any
fractional share.
3.05 Dissenting Shares. Each
outstanding share of CCFC Common Stock the holder of which has
perfected his right to dissent under the NCBCA and has not
effectively withdrawn or lost such right as of the Effective
Time (the Dissenting Shares) shall not be converted
into or represent a right to receive shares of FCBI Common Stock
and cash hereunder, and the holder thereof shall be entitled
only to such rights as are granted by the NCBCA. CCFC shall give
FCBI prompt notice upon receipt by CCFC of any such written
demands for payment of the fair value of such shares of CCFC
Common Stock and of withdrawals of such demands and any other
instruments provided pursuant to the NCBCA. Any payments made in
respect of Dissenting Shares shall be made by FCBI. If any
holder of Dissenting Shares shall fail to perfect or shall have
effectively withdrawn or lost the right to dissent and shall
have delivered a properly completed letter of transmittal to the
Exchange Agent, the Dissenting Shares held by such holder shall
be converted into a right to receive FCBI Common Stock and cash
in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement.
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3.06 Anti-Dilution
Provisions. If, between the date hereof and
the Effective Time, the shares of FCBI Common Stock shall be
changed into a different number or class of shares by reason of
any reclassification, recapitalization, reorganization,
split-up,
combination, exchange of shares or readjustment, or similar
transaction with respect to FCBI Common Stock, or a stock
dividend thereon shall be declared with a record date or ex
dividend or distribution date within said period, the Exchange
Ratio shall be adjusted accordingly.
3.07 Withholding
Rights. FCBI (through the Exchange Agent, if
applicable) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any
amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any
holder of shares of CCFC Common Stock such amounts as FCBI is
required under the Code or any state, local or foreign tax law
or regulation thereunder to deduct and withhold with respect to
the making of such payment. Any amounts so withheld shall be
treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid
to the holder of CCFC Common Stock in respect of which such
deduction and withholding was made by FCBI.
3.08 CCFC Options. At the
Effective Time, each CCFC Option which is outstanding, vested
and unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall
be canceled in exchange for the right to receive a single lump
sum cash payment, equal to the product of (i) the number of
shares of CCFC Common Stock subject to such CCFC Option
immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) the excess, if
any, of the Per Share Merger Consideration over the exercise
price per share of such CCFC Option, less any applicable Taxes
required to be withheld with respect to such payment. If the
exercise price per share of any such CCFC Option is equal to or
greater than the Per Share Merger Consideration, such CCFC
Option shall be canceled without any cash payment being made in
respect thereof. CCFC shall use its reasonable best efforts to
obtain the written acknowledgment of each holder of a
then-outstanding CCFC Option with regard to the cancellation of
such CCFC Option and the payment therefor in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, the CCFC
Stock Option Plans and all CCFC Options issued thereunder shall
terminate at the Effective Time.
3.09 Bank Merger. As soon as
practicable after the execution of this Agreement (or on such
later date as FCBI shall specify), FCBI and CCFC shall cause FC
Bank and Mooresville Savings to enter into the Bank Merger
Agreement, the form of which is attached hereto as Annex C,
which provides for the merger of Mooresville Savings with and
into FC Bank (the Bank Merger), in accordance with
applicable laws and regulations and the terms of the Bank Merger
Agreement and as soon as practicable after consummation of the
Merger (or on such later date as FCBI shall specify). The Bank
Merger Agreement provides that the directors of FC Bank
immediately preceding consummation of the Bank Merger shall be
the directors of FC Bank immediately following the Bank Merger.
ARTICLE IV
ACTIONS
PENDING ACQUISITION
4.01 Forbearances of
CCFC. From the date hereof until the
Effective Time, except as expressly contemplated or permitted by
this Agreement or as Previously Disclosed, without the prior
written consent of FCBI, CCFC will not, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries not to:
(a) Ordinary Course. Conduct its
business other than in the ordinary and usual course consistent
with past practice or fail to use reasonable best efforts to
preserve its business organization, keep available the present
services of its employees and preserve for itself and FCBI the
goodwill of the customers of CCFC and its Subsidiaries and
others with whom business relations exist.
(b) Capital Stock. Other than
pursuant to Rights set forth on Schedule 4.01(b) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule and outstanding on the date
hereof, (i) issue, sell or otherwise permit to become
outstanding, or authorize the creation of, any additional shares
of stock or any Rights or (ii) permit any additional shares
of stock to become subject to grants of employee or director
stock options or other Rights.
(c) Dividends; Etc. (i) Make,
declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend on or in
respect of, or declare or make any distribution on any shares of
CCFC capital stock other than (1) the cash dividend of
$0.25 per share of CCFC Common Stock declared by CCFC on
July 22, 2008 and (2) dividends from wholly owned
Subsidiaries to CCFC or another wholly owned Subsidiary of CCFC
or (ii) directly or indirectly adjust, split, combine,
redeem, reclassify, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of
its capital stock.
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(d) Compensation; Employment Agreements;
Etc. Subject to Section 6.12(f),
(g) and (i), enter into or amend or renew any employment,
consulting, severance, change in control, bonus, salary
continuation or similar agreements or arrangements with any
director, officer or employee of CCFC or its Subsidiaries or
grant any salary or wage increase or increase any employee
benefit (including incentive or bonus payments), except for
(i) changes that are required by applicable law and
(ii) the usual and customary accrued bonuses payable to
employees of CCFC or its Subsidiaries set forth on
Schedule 4.01(d) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule.
(e) Hiring. Hire any person as an
employee of CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries or promote any
employee, except (i) to satisfy contractual obligations
existing as of the date hereof and set forth on
Schedule 4.01(e) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule and
(ii) persons hired to fill any non-executive officer
vacancies arising after the date hereof and whose employment is
terminable at the will of CCFC or a Subsidiary of CCFC, as
applicable, and who are not subject to or eligible for any
severance or similar benefits or payments that would become
payable as a result of the Transaction or consummation thereof.
(f) Benefit Plans. Enter into,
establish, adopt, amend or terminate, or make any contributions
to (except (i) as may be required by applicable law,
(ii) to satisfy contractual obligations existing as of the
date hereof and set forth on Schedule 4.01(f) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule or (iii) to comply with the
requirements of this Agreement), any pension, retirement, stock
option, stock purchase, savings, profit sharing, deferred
compensation, consulting, bonus, group insurance or other
employee benefit, incentive or welfare contract, plan or
arrangement, or any trust agreement (or similar arrangement)
related thereto, in respect of any director, officer or employee
of CCFC or its Subsidiaries or take any action to accelerate the
vesting or exercisability of stock options, restricted stock or
other compensation or benefits payable thereunder.
(g) Dispositions. Except
for OREO that is sold in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices or as set forth in
Schedule 4.01(g) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, sell,
transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of or
discontinue any of its assets, deposits, business or properties
without FCBIs written consent.
(h) Acquisitions. Acquire (other
than by way of foreclosures or acquisitions of control in a bona
fide fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of debts previously
contracted in good faith, in each case in the ordinary and usual
course of business consistent with past practice), including
without limitation, by merger or consolidation or by investment
in a partnership or joint venture, all or any portion of the
assets, business, securities (other than as permitted by
Section 4.01(r)), deposits or properties of any other
Person.
(i) Capital Expenditures. Make any
capital expenditures, other than capital expenditures in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, in
amounts not exceeding $5,000 individually or $25,000 in the
aggregate.
(j) Governing Documents. Amend the
CCFC Articles or the CCFC Bylaws or the articles of
incorporation or bylaws (or equivalent documents) of any
Subsidiary of CCFC or enter into a plan of consolidation,
merger, share exchange or reorganization with any Person, or a
letter of intent or agreement in principle with respect thereto.
(k) Accounting Methods. Implement
or adopt any change in its accounting principles, practices or
methods, other than as may be required by changes in laws or
regulations or GAAP.
(l) Contracts. Except as otherwise
permitted under this Section 4.01, enter into, cancel, fail
to renew or terminate any Material Contract or amend or modify
in any material respect any of its existing Material Contracts.
(m) Claims. Enter into any
settlement or similar agreement with respect to any action,
suit, proceeding, order or investigation to which CCFC or any of
its Subsidiaries is or becomes a party after the date of this
Agreement, which settlement, agreement or action involves
payment by CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries of an amount which
exceeds $20,000
and/or would
impose any material restriction on the business of CCFC or any
of its Subsidiaries or create precedent for claims that are
reasonably likely to be material to CCFC and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole.
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(n) Banking Operations. Enter into
any new material line of business; introduce any material new
products or services; change its material lending, investment,
underwriting, pricing, servicing, risk and asset liability
management and other material banking and operating policies,
except as required by applicable law, regulation or policies
imposed by any Governmental Authority, or the manner in which
its investment securities or loan portfolio is classified or
reported; or invest in any mortgage-backed or mortgage-related
security that would be considered high risk under
applicable regulatory guidance; or file any application or enter
into any contract with respect to the opening, relocation or
closing of, or open, relocate or close, any branch, office,
service center or other facility.
(o) Marketing. Introduce any
material marketing campaigns or any material new sales
compensation or incentive programs or arrangements (except those
the material terms of which have been fully disclosed in writing
to FCBI prior to the date hereof).
(p) Derivatives Contracts. Enter
into or settle any Derivatives Contract.
(q) Indebtedness. Incur any
indebtedness for borrowed money (other than deposits, federal
funds purchased, cash management accounts, FHLB or FRB
borrowings that mature within one year and that have no put or
call features and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
that mature within 90 days, in each case in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice); or assume,
guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become
responsible for the obligations of any other Person, other than
with respect to the collection of checks and other negotiable
instruments in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice.
(r) Investment
Securities. (i) Acquire (other than by
way of foreclosures or acquisitions in a bona fide fiduciary
capacity or in satisfaction of debts previously contracted in
good faith, in each case in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice) any debt security or Equity
Investment other than federal funds or United States Government
securities or United States Government agency securities, in
each case with a term of one year or less or (ii) dispose
of any debt security or Equity Investment.
(s) Loans. (i) Make, renew or
otherwise modify any loan, loan commitment, letter of credit or
other extension of credit (collectively, Loans),
other than Loans made or acquired in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice which have (x) in
the case of unsecured loans made to any one borrower that are
originated in compliance with the entitys internal loan
policies, a principal balance not in excess of $25,000,
(y) in the case of loans secured other than by real estate
that are originated in compliance with the entitys
internal loan policies, a principal balance not in excess of
$100,000 and (z) in the case of loans secured by real
estate made to any one borrower that are originated in
compliance with the entitys internal loan policies, a
principal balance not in excess of $300,000; (ii) take any
action that would result in any discretionary release of
collateral or guarantees or otherwise restructure the respective
amounts set forth in clause (i) above; or (iii) enter
into any Loan securitization or create any special purpose
funding entity.
(t) Investments in Real
Estate. Make any investment or commitment to
invest in real estate or in any real estate development project
(other than by way of foreclosure or acquisitions in a bona fide
fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt previously
contracted in good faith, in each case in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice).
(u) Tax Elections. Make or change
any material Tax election, settle or compromise any material Tax
liability of CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries, agree to an
extension or waiver of the statute of limitations with respect
to the assessment or determination of a material amount of Taxes
of CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries, enter into any closing
agreement with respect to any material amount of Taxes or
surrender any right to claim a material Tax refund, adopt or
change any method of accounting with respect to Taxes, or file
any amended Tax Return.
(v) Antitakeover Statutes. Take
any action (i) that would cause this Agreement or the
Transaction to be subject to the provisions of any state
antitakeover law or state law that purports to limit or restrict
business combinations or the ability to acquire or vote shares
or (ii) to exempt or make not subject to the provisions of
any state antitakeover law or state law that purports to limit
or restrict business combinations or the ability to acquire or
vote shares, any Person (other than FCBI or its Subsidiaries) or
any action taken thereby, which
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Person or action would have otherwise been subject to the
restrictive provisions thereof and not exempt therefrom.
(w) Adverse Actions. (i) Take
any action that would, or is reasonably likely to, prevent or
impede the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or (ii) take any
action that is intended or is reasonably likely to result in
(x) any of its representations and warranties set forth in
this Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material respect
at any time at or prior to the Effective Time, (y) any of
the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VII not
being satisfied or (z) a material violation of any
provision of this Agreement, except as may be required by
applicable law or regulation.
(x) Commitments. Enter into any
contract with respect to, or otherwise agree or commit to do,
any of the foregoing.
4.02 Forbearances of
FCBI. From the date hereof until the
Effective Time, except as expressly contemplated or permitted by
this Agreement, without the prior written consent of CCFC, FCBI
will not, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries not to:
(a) Adverse Actions. (i) Take
any action that would, or is reasonably likely to, prevent or
impede the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or (ii) take any
action that is intended or is reasonably likely to result in
(x) any of its representations and warranties set forth in
this Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material respect
at any time at or prior to the Effective Time, (y) any of
the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VII not
being satisfied or (z) a material violation of any
provision of this Agreement, except as may be required by
applicable law or regulation.
(b) Commitments. Enter into any
contract with respect to, or otherwise agree or commit to do,
any of the foregoing.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
5.01 Disclosure
Schedules. On or prior to the date hereof,
FCBI has delivered to CCFC a schedule and CCFC has delivered to
FCBI a schedule (each respectively, its Disclosure
Schedule) setting forth, among other things, items the
disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in
response to an express disclosure requirement contained in a
provision hereof or as an exception to one or more
representations or warranties contained in Section 5.03 or
5.04 or to one or more of its covenants contained in
Article IV or Article VI; provided, however, that the
mere inclusion of an item in a Disclosure Schedule as an
exception to a representation or warranty shall not be deemed an
admission by a party that such item represents a material
exception or fact, event or circumstance or that, absent such
inclusion in the Disclosure Schedule, such item is or would be
reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
5.02 Standard. Solely for
the purposes of determining whether the conditions set forth in
Sections 7.02(a) or 7.03(a), as the case may be, have been
satisfied (and without otherwise qualifying any representation
or warranty made on the date hereof), no representation or
warranty of CCFC or FCBI contained in Sections 5.03 or
5.04, respectively, other than the representations and
warranties set forth in Section 5.03(b), which shall be
true in all respects, and the representations and warranties set
forth in Sections 5.03(m)(vi) and 5.03(m)(viii), which
shall be true in all material respects, shall be deemed untrue
or incorrect for purposes of Sections 7.02(a) or 7.03(a),
and no party hereto shall be deemed to have breached a
representation or warranty for purposes of such Sections, as a
consequence of the existence of any fact, event or circumstance
unless such fact, circumstance or event, individually or taken
together with all other facts, events or circumstances
inconsistent with any representation or warranty contained in
Section 5.03 or 5.04, has had or is reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect on the party making such
representation or warranty.
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5.03 Representations and Warranties of
CCFC. Subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.02,
CCFC hereby represents and warrants to FCBI:
(a) Organization, Standing and
Authority. CCFC is duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
North Carolina. CCFC is duly licensed or qualified to do
business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where its
ownership or leasing of property or assets or the conduct of its
business requires it to be so licensed or qualified, except
where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have
nor reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
CCFC. CCFC has in effect all federal, state, local and foreign
governmental authorizations necessary for it to own or lease its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as now
conducted. The copies of the CCFC Articles and CCFC Bylaws which
have previously been made available to FCBI are true, complete
and correct copies of such documents as in effect on the date of
this Agreement. Except as set forth in Section 5.03(a) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, the minute books of CCFC and
each of its Subsidiaries previously made available to FCBI
contain true, complete and correct records in all material
respects of all meetings and other material corporate actions
held or taken of their respective stockholders and Boards of
Directors (including committees of their respective Boards of
Directors) through the date hereof.
(b) CCFC Capital Stock. The
authorized capital stock of CCFC consists solely of
20,000,000 shares of CCFC Common Stock, of which
610,545 shares are issued and outstanding as of the date
hereof, and 5,000,000 shares of CCFC Preferred Stock, of
which no shares were issued and outstanding as of the date
hereof. The outstanding shares of CCFC Common Stock have been
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable, and none of the outstanding shares of CCFC
Common Stock have been issued in violation of the preemptive
rights of any Person. Section 5.03(b) of CCFCs
Disclosure Schedule sets forth for each CCFC Option, the name of
the grantee, the date of the grant, the type of grant, the
status of the option grant as qualified or non-qualified under
Section 422 of the Code, the number of shares of CCFC
Common Stock subject to each option, the number of shares of
CCFC Common Stock subject to options that are currently
exercisable and the exercise price per share. Except as set
forth in Section 5.03(b) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule
and except as set forth in the preceding sentence, there are no
shares of CCFC Common Stock reserved for issuance, CCFC does not
have any Rights issued or outstanding with respect to CCFC
Common Stock and CCFC does not have any commitment to authorize,
issue or sell any CCFC Common Stock or Rights. No bonds,
debentures, notes or other indebtedness having the right to vote
on any matters on which stockholders of CCFC may vote are
outstanding.
(c) Subsidiaries.
(i) (A) Section 5.03(c)(i) of CCFCs
Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all of its Subsidiaries
together with the jurisdiction of organization of each such
Subsidiary, (B) except as set forth in
Section 5.03(c)(i) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, CCFC
owns, directly or indirectly, all the issued and outstanding
equity securities of each of its Subsidiaries, (C) no
equity securities of any of its Subsidiaries are or may become
required to be issued (other than to CCFC) by reason of any
Right or otherwise, (D) there are no contracts,
commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any of its
Subsidiaries is or may be bound to sell or otherwise transfer
any of its equity securities (other than to CCFC or any of its
wholly owned Subsidiaries), (E) there are no contracts,
commitments, understandings, or arrangements relating to
CCFCs rights to vote or to dispose of such securities and
(F) all the equity securities of CCFCs Subsidiaries
held by CCFC or its Subsidiaries are fully paid and
nonassessable and are owned by CCFC or its Subsidiaries free and
clear of any Liens. No bonds, debentures, notes or other
indebtedness having the right to vote on any matters on which
stockholders of any of the CCFC Subsidiaries may vote are
outstanding.
(ii) Except as set forth in Section 5.03(c)(ii) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule and except for securities and
other interests held in a fiduciary capacity and beneficially
owned by third parties or taken in consideration of debts
previously contracted, ownership interests in CCFCs
Subsidiaries and stock in the FHLB, CCFC does not own
beneficially, directly or indirectly, any Equity Securities or
similar interests of any Person or any interest in a partnership
or joint venture of any kind.
(iii) Each of CCFCs Subsidiaries has been duly
organized, is validly existing and is in good standing, in each
case under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, and
is duly licensed or qualified to do business
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and in good standing in the jurisdictions where its ownership or
leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires it
to be so licensed or qualified, except where the failure to be
so licensed or qualified would not have nor reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on CCFC. Each of
CCFCs Subsidiaries has in effect all federal, state, local
and foreign governmental authorizations necessary for it to own
or lease its properties and assets and to carry on its business
as now conducted.
(iv) The deposit accounts of Mooresville Savings are
insured by the FDIC in the manner and to the maximum extent
provided by applicable law, and Mooresville Savings has paid all
deposit insurance premiums and assessments required by
applicable laws and regulations.
(d) Corporate Power. Each of CCFC
and its Subsidiaries has the corporate power and authority to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own
all its properties and assets; and CCFC has the corporate power
and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations
under this Agreement and to consummate the Transaction, and to
cause Mooresville Savings to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under the Bank Merger Agreement and to
consummate the Bank Merger, and Mooresville Savings has the
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform
its obligations under the Bank Merger Agreement, in each case,
subject to receipt of all necessary approvals of Governmental
Authorities and the approval of CCFCs stockholders of this
Agreement.
(e) Corporate Authority. Subject
to the approval of this Agreement by the holders of the
outstanding CCFC Common Stock, this Agreement and the
Transaction and the Bank Merger and the Bank Merger Agreement
have been authorized by all necessary corporate action of CCFC
and Mooresville Savings and the CCFC Board and the Mooresville
Savings Board on or prior to the date hereof and the CCFC Board
will recommend that stockholders of CCFC adopt this Agreement
and shall direct that such matter be submitted for consideration
by CCFCs stockholders at the CCFC Meeting. CCFC has duly
executed and delivered this Agreement and, assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery by FCBI, this Agreement is
a valid and legally binding obligation of CCFC, enforceable in
accordance with its terms (except as enforceability may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws of general
applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights or
by general equity principles).
(f) Regulatory Approvals; No Defaults.
(i) No consents or approvals of, or waivers by, or filings
or registrations with, any Governmental Authority or with any
third party are required to be made or obtained by CCFC or any
of its Subsidiaries in connection with the execution, delivery
or performance by CCFC of this Agreement and by Mooresville
Savings of the Bank Merger Agreement or to consummate the
Transaction, except for (A) filings of applications or
notices with, and approvals or waivers by, the FRB, the OCC and
the Commissioner, as required, (B) filings with the SEC and
state securities authorities, as applicable, in connection with
the submission of this Agreement for the approval of the holders
of CCFC Common Stock and the issuance of FCBI Common Stock in
the Merger, (C) the filing of Articles of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina pursuant to
the NCBCA and the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada
pursuant to the NGCL with respect to the Merger, (D) the
filing of Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the
State of North Carolina pursuant to Chapter 54(C) of the
North Carolina General Statutes with respect to the Bank Merger
and (E) the approval of this Agreement by the holders of
the outstanding shares of CCFC Common Stock. As of the date
hereof, CCFC is not aware of any reason why the approvals set
forth above and referred to in Section 7.01(b) will not be
received in a timely manner and without the imposition of a
condition, restriction or requirement of the type described in
Section 7.01(b).
(ii) Subject to receipt, or the making, of the consents,
approvals, waivers and filings referred to in the preceding
paragraph and the expiration of related waiting periods, the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by CCFC,
the Bank Merger Agreement by Mooresville Savings and the
consummation of the Transaction do not and will not
(A) constitute a breach or violation of, or a default
under, or give rise to any Lien, any acceleration of remedies or
any right of termination under, any law, code, ordinance, rule
or regulation or any judgment, decree, injunction, order,
governmental permit or license, or agreement, indenture or
instrument of CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries or to which CCFC
or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties
is subject or bound, (B) constitute a breach or violation
of, or a default under, the articles
A-14
of incorporation or bylaws (or similar governing documents) of
CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries or (C) require any consent
or approval under any such law, code, ordinance, rule,
regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, order, governmental
permit or license, agreement, indenture or instrument.
(g) Financial Statements; Undisclosed
Liabilities.
(i) CCFC has previously delivered or made available to FCBI
accurate and complete copies of the CCFC Financial Statements
which, in the case of the consolidated statements of financial
condition of CCFC as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
and the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive
income, stockholders equity and cash flows for each of the
years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, are
accompanied by the audit report of McGladrey & Pullen,
LLP. The CCFC Financial Statements referred to herein fairly
present or will fairly present, as the case may be, the
financial condition of CCFC as of the respective dates set forth
therein, and the consolidated results of operations, changes in
stockholders equity and cash flows of CCFC for the
respective periods or as of the respective dates set forth
therein, in each case in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied during the periods involved, except in each case as may
be noted therein.
(ii) The CCFC Financial Statements have been or will be, as
the case may be, prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied during the periods involved, except as stated therein.
The audits of CCFC have been conducted in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards of the United States of
America.
(iii) Since December 31, 2007, neither CCFC nor any of
its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
(excluding the incurrence of expenses related to this Agreement
and the Transaction).
(iv) Since March 31, 2008, (A) CCFC and its
Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses in the
ordinary and usual course consistent with past practice
(excluding the incurrence of expenses related to this Agreement
and the Transaction), (B) CCFC has not taken nor permitted
any of the actions set forth in Section 4.01 hereof between
March 31, 2008 and the date hereof and (C) no event
has occurred or circumstance arisen that, individually or taken
together with all other facts, circumstances and events
(described in any paragraph of this Section 5.03 or
otherwise), is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect with respect to CCFC.
(v) No agreement pursuant to which any Loans or other
assets have been or shall be sold by CCFC or its Subsidiaries
entitle the buyer of such Loans or other assets, unless there is
material breach of a representation or covenant by CCFC or its
Subsidiaries, to cause CCFC or its Subsidiaries to repurchase
such Loans or other assets or the buyer to pursue any other form
of recourse against CCFC or its Subsidiaries. Except as set
forth in Section 5.03(g)(v) of CCFCs Disclosure
Schedule, since December 31, 2007, no cash, stock or other
dividend or any other distribution with respect to the capital
stock of CCFC has been declared, set aside or paid. Except as
set forth in Section 5.03(g)(v) of CCFCs Disclosure
Schedule, no shares of capital stock of CCFC have been
purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired, directly or
indirectly, by CCFC since December 31, 2007, and no
agreements have been made to do the foregoing.
(vi) CCFC maintains a system of internal accounting
controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that all
material information concerning CCFC is made known on a timely
basis to permit the preparation of the CCFC Financial Statements
and any public disclosure documents relating to CCFC or its
Subsidiaries.
(h) Legal Proceedings. No
litigation, arbitration, claim or other proceeding before any
court or governmental agency is pending against CCFC or any of
its Subsidiaries and, to CCFCs knowledge, no such
litigation, arbitration, claim or other proceeding has been
threatened and there are no facts which could reasonably give
rise to such litigation, arbitration, claim or other proceeding.
Neither CCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their
respective properties is a party to or subject to any order,
judgment, decree or regulatory restriction that, individually or
in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to CCFC.
A-15
(i) Regulatory Matters.
(i) CCFC and its Subsidiaries have duly filed with the
appropriate Governmental Authorities in substantially correct
form the monthly, quarterly and annual reports required to be
filed under applicable laws and regulations, and such reports
were in all material respects complete and accurate and in
compliance with the requirements of applicable laws and
regulations, and CCFC has previously delivered or made available
to FCBI accurate and complete copies of all such reports. Except
as set forth in Section 5.03(i)(i) of CCFCs
Disclosure Schedule, in connection with the most recent
examination of CCFC and its Subsidiaries by the appropriate
Governmental Authorities, neither CCFC nor any of its
Subsidiaries was required to correct or change any action,
procedure or proceeding which CCFC believes in good faith has
not been now corrected or changed, other than corrections or
changes which, if not made, either individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on CCFC. To
the knowledge of CCFC, since its last regulatory examination of
Community Reinvestment Act compliance, Mooresville Savings has
not received any complaints as to Community Reinvestment Act
compliance.
(ii) Except as set forth in Section 5.03(i)(ii) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, neither CCFC nor any of its
Subsidiaries nor any of their respective properties is a party
to or is subject to any order, decree, directive, agreement,
memorandum of understanding or similar arrangement with, or a
commitment letter or similar submission to, or extraordinary
supervisory letter from, nor, since December 31, 2001, has
CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries adopted any policies, procedures
or board resolutions at the request or suggestion of, any
Governmental Authority. CCFC and its Subsidiaries have paid all
assessments made or imposed by any Governmental Authority.
(iii) Except as set forth in Section 5.03(i)(iii) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, neither CCFC nor any of its
Subsidiaries has been advised by, nor does it have any knowledge
of facts which could give rise to an advisory notice by, any
Governmental Authority that such Governmental Authority is
contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the
appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any such order,
decree, directive, agreement, memorandum of understanding,
commitment letter, supervisory letter or similar submission.
(j) Compliance With Laws. Except
as set forth in Section 5.03(j) of CCFCs Disclosure
Schedule, each of CCFC and its Subsidiaries:
(i) is and at all times since December 31, 2004 has
been in material compliance with all applicable federal, state,
local and foreign statutes, laws, codes, regulations,
ordinances, rules, judgments, injunctions, orders, decrees or
policies
and/or
guidelines of a Governmental Authority applicable thereto or to
the employees conducting such businesses, including, without
limitation, Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act
and FRB regulations pursuant thereto, the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Community
Reinvestment Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Bank
Secrecy Act, the USA Patriot Act, all other applicable fair
lending laws and other laws relating to discriminatory business
practices and Environmental Laws and all posted and internal
policies of CCFC and its Subsidiaries related to customer data,
privacy and security;
(ii) has and at all times since December 31, 2004 has
had all permits, licenses, franchises, authorizations, orders
and approvals of, and has made all filings, applications and
registrations with, all Governmental Authorities (and has paid
all fees and assessments due and payable in connection
therewith) that are required in order to permit them to own or
lease their properties and to conduct their business as
presently conducted; all such permits, licenses, franchises,
certificates of authority, orders and approvals are in full
force and effect and, to CCFCs knowledge, no suspension or
cancellation of any of them is threatened; and
(iii) has received no notification or communication from
any Governmental Authority (A) asserting that CCFC or any
of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with any of the
statutes, regulations or ordinances which such Governmental
Authority enforces or (B) threatening to revoke any
license, franchise, permit or governmental authorization (nor,
to CCFCs knowledge, do any grounds for any of the
foregoing exist).
A-16
(k) Material Contracts; Defaults.
(i) Except as set forth in Section 5.03(k)(i) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, neither CCFC nor any of its
Subsidiaries is a party to, bound by or subject to any
agreement, contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding
(whether written or oral) (A) with respect to the
employment of any of its directors, officers, employees or
consultants, (B) which would entitle any present or former
director, officer, employee or agent of CCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries to indemnification from CCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries, (C) which is a material contract (as defined
in Item 601(b)(10) of
Regulation S-K
of the SEC), (D) which is an agreement (including data
processing, software programming, consulting and licensing
contracts) not terminable on 60 days or less notice and
involving the payment or value of more than $20,000 per annum,
(E) which is with or to a labor union or guild (including
any collective bargaining agreement), (F) which relates to
the incurrence of indebtedness (other than deposit liabilities,
advances and loans from the FHLB, and sales of securities
subject to repurchase, in each case, in the ordinary course of
business), (G) which grants any Person a right of first
refusal, right of first offer or similar right with respect to
any material properties, rights, assets or businesses of CCFC or
its Subsidiaries, (H) which involves the purchase or sale
of assets with a purchase price of $100,000 or more in any
single case or $250,000 in all such cases, other than purchases
and sales of investment securities and loans in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, (I) which
is a consulting agreement, license or service contract
(including data processing, software programming and licensing
contracts and outsourcing contracts) which involve the payment
of $20,000 or more in annual fees, (J) which provides for
the payment by CCFC or its Subsidiaries of payments upon a
change of control thereof, (K) which is a lease for any
real or material personal property owned or presently used by
CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries, (L) which materially
restricts the conduct of any business by CCFC or by any of its
Subsidiaries or limits the freedom of CCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries to engage in any line of business in any geographic
area (or would so restrict the Surviving Corporation or any of
its affiliates after consummation of the Transaction) or which
requires exclusive referrals of business or requires CCFC or any
of its Subsidiaries to offer specified products or services to
their customers or depositors on a priority or exclusive basis,
or (M) which is with respect to, or otherwise commits CCFC
or any of its Subsidiaries to do, any of the foregoing
(collectively, Material Contracts). Set forth in
Section 5.03(k)(i) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule are
true and correct copies of each such Material Contract.
(ii) Each Material Contract is valid and binding on CCFC
and its Subsidiaries and is in full force and effect (other than
due to the ordinary expiration thereof) and, to the knowledge of
CCFC, is valid and binding on the other parties thereto. Neither
CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of CCFC,
any other parties thereto, is in material default under any
contract, agreement, commitment, arrangement, lease, insurance
policy or other instrument to which it is a party, by which its
assets, business, or operations may be bound or affected, or
under which it or its respective assets, business, or operations
receives benefits, and there has not occurred any event that,
with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, would
constitute such a default. Except as provided in this Agreement,
no power of attorney or similar authorization given directly or
indirectly by CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries is currently
outstanding.
(iii) Section 5.03(k)(iii) of CCFCs Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a schedule of all officers and directors of
CCFC and its Subsidiaries who have outstanding loans from CCFC
or any of its Subsidiaries, and there has been no default on, or
forgiveness or waiver of, in whole or in part, any such loan
during the two years immediately preceding the date hereof.
(l) No Brokers. No action has been
taken by CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries that would give rise to
any valid claim against any party hereto for a brokerage
commission, finders fee or other like payment with respect
to the Transaction, except the fee to be paid to Howe Barnes
Hoefer & Arnett, Inc. set forth in CCFCs
agreement with Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett, Inc., a
copy of which is included in Section 5.03(l) of CCFSs
Disclosure Schedule. Copies of all agreements with Howe Barnes
Hoefer & Arnett, Inc. are set forth in
Section 5.03(l) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule.
(m) Employee Benefit Plans.
(i) All benefit and compensation plans, contracts, policies
or arrangements covering current or former employees of CCFC and
its Subsidiaries (the Employees) and current or
former directors or independent
A-17
contractors of CCFC and its Subsidiaries including, but not
limited to, employee benefit plans within the
meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, and severance,
employment, change in control, fringe benefit, deferred
compensation, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation
rights, stock based, incentive and bonus plans, agreements,
programs, policies or other arrangements (the Benefit
Plans), are set forth in Section 5.03(m)(i) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule. True and complete copies of
(A) all Benefit Plans including, but not limited to, any
trust instruments and insurance contracts forming a part of any
Benefit Plans and all amendments thereto; (B) the most
recent annual report (Form 5500), together with all
schedules, as required, filed with the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) or Department of Labor (the DOL),
as applicable, and any financial statements and opinions
required by Section 103(e)(3) of ERISA with respect to each
Benefit Plan; (C) for each Benefit Plan which is a
top-hat plan, a copy of filings with the DOL;
(D) the most recent determination letter issued by the IRS
for each Benefit Plan that is intended to be
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code or
prototype determination letter issued to the plan document
provider of the plan or prototype or volume submitter plan
document; (E) the most recent summary plan description and
any summary of material modifications, as required, for each
Benefit Plan; (F) the most recent actuarial report, if any
relating to each Benefit Plan; (G) the most recent
actuarial valuation, study or estimate of any retiree medical
and life insurance benefits plan or supplemental retirement
benefits plan; and (H) the most recent summary annual
report for each Benefit Plan required to provide summary annual
reports by Section 104 of ERISA, have been provided or made
available to FCBI.
(ii) Except as set forth in Section 5.03(m)(ii) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, each Benefit Plan has been
established and administered to date in all material respects in
accordance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and
applicable law and with the terms and provisions of all
documents, contracts or agreements pursuant to which such
Benefit Plan is maintained. Each Benefit Plan which is an
employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of
Section 3(2) of ERISA (a Pension Plan) and
which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of
the Code, has received a favorable determination letter from the
IRS or is entitled to rely upon the prototype determination
letter issued to the sponsors of the prototype or volume
submitter plan documents, and CCFC is not aware of any
circumstances likely to result in revocation of any such
favorable determination letter or the loss of the qualification
of such Pension Plan under Section 401(a) of the Code.
Neither CCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
correspondence or written or verbal notice from the IRS, DOL,
any other governmental agency, any participant in or beneficiary
of, a Benefit Plan, or any agent representing any of the
foregoing that brings into question the qualification of any
such Benefit Plan. There is no material pending or, to
CCFCs knowledge, threatened litigation relating to the
Benefit Plans. Neither CCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries has
engaged in a transaction with respect to any Benefit Plan or
Pension Plan that could subject CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries
to a tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the
Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA in an amount which would be
material. There are no matters pending before the IRS, DOL or
other governmental agency with respect to any Benefit Plan.
Since December 31, 2001, no Benefit Plan or related trust
has been the subject of an audit, investigation or examination
by a Governmental Authority.
(iii) No liability under Title IV of ERISA has been or
is expected to be incurred by CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries
with respect to any ongoing, frozen or terminated
single-employer plan, within the meaning of
Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or formerly
maintained by any of them or the single-employer plan of any
entity which is considered one employer with CCFC under
Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code (an
ERISA Affiliate). Neither CCFC nor any of its
Subsidiaries has incurred, and neither expects to incur, any
withdrawal liability with respect to a multiemployer plan (as
defined in 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) under of Title IV of ERISA
(regardless of whether based on contributions of an ERISA
Affiliate). No notice of a reportable event, within
the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for which the
30-day
reporting requirement has not been waived, has been required to
be filed for any Pension Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate or will
be required to be filed in connection with the Transaction.
There has been no termination or partial termination, as defined
in Section 411(d) of the Code and the regulations
thereunder, of any Pension Plan.
(iv) All contributions required to be made under the terms
of any Benefit Plan have been timely made or have been reflected
in the CCFC Financial Statements. Neither any Pension Plan nor
any single-employer plan of an ERISA Affiliate has an
accumulated funding deficiency (whether or not
waived) within the meaning of
A-18
Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA and no
ERISA Affiliate has an outstanding funding waiver. Neither CCFC
nor any of its Subsidiaries has provided, or is required to
provide, security to any Pension Plan or to any single-employer
plan of an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 401(a)(29)
of the Code.
(v) Except for such retirement health benefits which are
set forth in Section 5.03(m)(v) of CCFCs Disclosure
Schedule, which benefits will continue for one year from the
Closing Date, and except as otherwise set forth in
Section 5.03(m)(v) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule,
neither CCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligations for
retiree health and life benefits under any Benefit Plan, other
than coverage as may be required under Section 4980B of the
Code or Part 6 of Title I of ERISA, or under the
continuation of coverage provisions of the laws of any state or
locality. CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries may amend or terminate
any such Benefit Plan in accordance with and to the extent
permitted by their terms at any time without incurring any
liability thereunder. No event or condition exists with respect
to a Benefit Plan that could subject CCFC to a material tax
under Section 4980B of the Code.
(vi) Except as set forth in Section 5.03(m)(vi) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, none of the execution of this
Agreement, stockholder approval of this Agreement or
consummation of the Transaction, either alone or in connection
with a subsequent event, will (A) entitle any Employees or
any current or former director or independent contractor of CCFC
or any of its Subsidiaries to severance pay or any increase in
severance pay upon any termination of employment after the date
hereof, (B) accelerate the time of payment or vesting or
trigger any payment or funding (through a grantor trust or
otherwise) of compensation or benefits under, increase the
amount payable or trigger any other material obligation pursuant
to, any of the Benefit Plans, (C) result in any breach or
violation of, or a default under, any of the Benefit Plans,
(D) result in any payment that would be a parachute
payment to a disqualified individual as those
terms are defined in Section 280G of the Code, without
regard to whether such payment is reasonable compensation for
personal services performed or to be performed in the future or
(E) result in any payment or portion of any payment that
would not be deductible by CCFC under Section 162(m) of the
Code when paid.
(vii) Except as set forth in Section 5.03(m)(vii) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, all required reports and
descriptions (including but not limited to Form 5500 annual
reports and required attachments,
Forms 1099-R,
summary annual reports,
Forms PBGC-1
and summary plan descriptions) have been filed or distributed
appropriately with respect to each Benefit Plan. All required
tax filings with respect to each Benefit Plan have been made,
and any taxes due in connection with such filings have been paid.
(viii) Section 5.03(m)(viii) of CCFCs Disclosure
Schedule sets forth all plans or benefits to which each
individual set forth on such Disclosure Schedule is entitled to
receive, pursuant to all employment, salary continuation, bonus,
change in control, and all other agreements, plans and
arrangements, in connection with a termination of employment
before or following, or otherwise in connection with or
contingent upon, the transactions contemplated under this
Agreement (each such total amount in respect of each such
individual, the Change in Control Benefit), and none
of the individuals set forth thereon is entitled to receive a
gross up payment in respect of any excise tax imposed on the
individual pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code as
calculated pursuant to the applicable agreement.
(ix) Except as set forth in Section 5.03(m)(ix) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, no Benefit Plan is or has been
funded by, associated with, or related to a voluntary
employees beneficiary association within the meaning
of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code, a welfare benefit
fund within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code, a
qualified asset account within the meaning of
Section 419A of the Code or a multiple employer
welfare arrangement within the meaning of
Section 3(40) of ERISA.
(x) Each Benefit Plan which is a nonqualified
deferred compensation plan (within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Code) has been operated in compliance
with Section 409A of the Code and the guidance issued by
the IRS with respect to such plans or is not required to comply
therewith due to its grandfathered status under
Section 409A of the Code.
(n) Labor Matters. Neither CCFC
nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to and is bound by any
collective bargaining agreement, contract or other agreement or
understanding with a labor union or labor organization, nor is
CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries the subject of a proceeding
asserting that it has committed an unfair labor
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practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations
Act) or seeking to compel CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries to
bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions of
employment, nor is there any strike or other labor dispute
involving it or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to
CCFCs knowledge, threatened, nor is CCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries aware of any activity involving its employees
seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or engaging in
other organizational activity. Except as set forth in
Section 5.03(n) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, each of
CCFC and its Subsidiaries has paid in full all wages, salaries,
commissions, bonuses, benefits and other compensation currently
due to its employees or otherwise arising on a current basis
under any policy, practice, agreement, plan, program, statute or
other law.
(o) Environmental Matters. There
are no legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings,
claims, actions, causes of action, private environmental
investigations, remediation activities or governmental
investigations of any nature seeking to impose, or that
reasonably could be expected to result in the imposition, on
CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries of any liability or obligation
arising under any Environmental Laws pending or, to the
knowledge of CCFC, threatened against CCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries, which liability or obligation could have or could
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on CCFC or its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole. To the knowledge of CCFC, there is no
reasonable basis for any such proceeding, claim, action,
environmental remediation or investigation that could impose any
liability or obligation that could have or could reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on CCFC or its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
CCFC and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material
respects with applicable Environmental Laws. Except as set forth
in Section 5.03(o) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, to
CCFCs knowledge, no real property (including buildings or
other structures) currently or formerly owned or operated by
CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries, or any property in which CCFC
or any of its Subsidiaries has held a security interest, Lien or
a fiduciary or management role (CCFC Loan Property),
has been contaminated with, or has had any release of, any
Hazardous Substance that has resulted, or would reasonably be
expected to result, in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to
CCFC. Neither CCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries could be deemed
the owner or operator of, nor have any of them participated in
the management regarding Hazardous Substances of, any CCFC Loan
Property which has been contaminated with, or has had any
release of, any Hazardous Substance that has resulted, or would
reasonably be expected to result, in a Material Adverse Effect
with respect to CCFC. Neither CCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries
has any liability for any Hazardous Substance disposal or
contamination on any third party property. Neither CCFC nor any
of its Subsidiaries nor, to CCFCs knowledge, any Person
whose liability CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries has assumed
whether contractually or by operation of law, has received any
notice, demand letter, claim or request for information alleging
any material violation of, or material liability under, any
Environmental Law. Neither CCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries is
subject to any order, decree, injunction or other agreement with
any Governmental Authority or any third party relating to any
Environmental Law. Except as set forth in Section 5.03(o)
of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, to CCFCs knowledge,
there are no circumstances or conditions (including the presence
of asbestos, underground storage tanks, lead products,
polychlorinated biphenyls, prior manufacturing operations,
dry-cleaning, or automotive services) involving CCFC or any of
its Subsidiaries, any currently or formerly owned or operated
property, any CCFC Loan Property, or, to CCFCs knowledge,
any Person whose liability CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries has
assumed whether contractually or by operation of law, that could
reasonably be expected to result in any material claims,
liability or investigations against CCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries, result in any material restrictions on the
ownership, use, or transfer of any property pursuant to any
Environmental Law, or adversely affect the value of any CCFC
Loan Property. CCFC has provided to FCBI true and correct copies
of all environmental reports or studies, sampling data,
correspondence and filings in its possession or reasonably
available to it relating to CCFC, its Subsidiaries and any
currently or formerly owned or operated property.
As used herein, the term Environmental Laws means
any federal, state, local or foreign law, statute, code,
ordinance, injunction, regulation, order, decree, permit,
authorization, opinion or agency or Governmental Authority
requirement relating to: (A) the protection or restoration
of the environment, health, safety, or natural resources,
(B) the handling, use, presence, disposal, release or
threatened release of any Hazardous Substance or
(C) wetlands, indoor air, pollution, contamination or any
injury or threat of injury to persons or property in connection
with any Hazardous Substance; and the term Hazardous
Substance means any substance that is: (A) listed,
classified or regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law,
(B) any petroleum, petroleum product or
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by-product,
asbestos-containing material, lead-containing paint or plumbing,
polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive materials, radon or
urea-formaldehyde insulation or (C) any other substance
which is the subject of regulatory action by any Governmental
Authority in connection with any Environmental Law.
(p) Tax Matters.
(i) (A) All Tax Returns that are required to be filed
on or before the Effective Date (taking into account any
extensions of time within which to file which have not expired)
by or with respect to the CCFC Group, including CCFC and its
Subsidiaries, have been or will be timely filed on or before the
Effective Date, (B) all such Tax Returns are or will be
true and complete in all material respects, (C) all Taxes
shown to be due on the Tax Returns referred to in
clause (A) have been or will be timely paid in full and all
other Taxes that are imposed on any member of the CCFC Group and
that have due dates on or before the Effective Date have or will
be paid, (D) the Tax Returns referred to in clause (A)
are not currently under examination and have not been examined
by the IRS or the appropriate Tax authority, the CCFC Group has
not extended or waived the statute of limitations for any such
Tax Returns and the period for assessment of the Taxes in
respect of which such Tax Returns were required to be filed has
expired, (E) all deficiencies asserted or assessments made
as a result of examinations conducted by any taxing authority
have been paid in full, (F) no issues that have been raised
by the appropriate taxing authority in writing in connection
with the examination of any of the Tax Returns referred to in
clause (A) are currently pending and (G) no member of
the CCFC Group has extended or waived any statutes of limitation
with respect to any Taxes of CCFC. There are no material Liens
for Taxes upon the assets of CCFC or its Subsidiaries, other
than with respect to Taxes not yet due and payable or that are
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for
which reserves adequate in accordance with GAAP have been
provided. No written claim has ever been made by any
Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where neither CCFC nor
any of its Subsidiaries files Tax Returns that it is or may be
subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.
(ii) CCFC has made available to FCBI true and correct
copies of the United States federal and state income Tax Returns
filed by CCFC for each of the three most recent fiscal years for
which such returns have been filed.
(iii) Neither CCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
liability with respect to income, franchise or similar Taxes
that accrued on or before the end of the most recent period
covered by the CCFC Financial Statements in excess of the
amounts accrued or subject to a reserve with respect thereto
that are reflected in the CCFC Financial Statements.
(iv) Except as set forth in Section 5.03(p)(iv) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, neither CCFC nor any of its
Subsidiaries is a party to any Tax allocation, Tax indemnity or
Tax sharing agreement, is or has been a member of an affiliated
group filing consolidated unitary or combined Tax Returns (other
than a group the common parent of which is or was CCFC) or, to
the knowledge of CCFC, has any liability for Taxes of any Person
(other than a member of the CCFC Group) arising from the
application of Treasury Regulation
section 1.1502-6
or any analogous provision of state, local or foreign law, or
otherwise has any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other
than a member of the CCFC Group) as a transferee or successor,
by contract, or otherwise.
(v) No closing agreements, private letter rulings,
technical advice memoranda or similar agreements or rulings have
been entered into or issued by any taxing authority with respect
to CCFC and its Subsidiaries and no such agreement or ruling has
been applied for and is currently pending.
(vi) Except as set forth in Section 5.03(p)(vi) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, neither CCFC nor any of its
Subsidiaries maintains any compensation or benefits plans,
programs or arrangements the payments under which would not
reasonably be expected to be deductible as a result of the
limitations under Section 162(m), 280G or 424 of the Code
and the regulations issued thereunder (or any similar provision
of state or local laws).
(vii) (A) No Tax is required to be withheld pursuant
to Section 1445 of the Code as a result of the Transaction
and (B) all Taxes that CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries is
or was required by law to withhold, collect or deposit have been
duly withheld, collected or deposited and, to the extent
required by applicable law, have been paid to the proper
Governmental Authority or other Person.
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(viii) None of CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries has been
either a distributing corporation or a
controlled corporation in a distribution occurring
during the last five years in which the parties to such
distribution treated the distribution as one to which
Section 355 of the Code is applicable.
(ix) FCBI will not on account of CCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries be required to include amounts in income, or
exclude items of deduction, in a taxable period beginning after
the Effective Date as a result of (i) a change in method of
accounting occurring prior to the Effective Date, (ii) an
installment sale or open transaction arising in a taxable period
(or portion thereof) ending on or before the Effective Date,
(iii) a prepaid amount received, or paid, prior to the
Effective Date or (iv) deferred intercompany gains or
losses, intercompany items, or similar items arising prior to
the Effective Date.
(x) None of CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in
any transaction that could give rise to (i) a registration
obligation with respect to any Person under Section 6111 of
the Code or the regulations thereunder, (ii) a list
maintenance obligation with respect to any Person under
Section 6112 of the Code or the regulations thereunder, or
(iii) a disclosure obligation as a reportable
transaction under Section 6011 of the Code and the
regulations thereunder.
(xi) None of CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries has or has had
a permanent establishment in any foreign country, as defined in
any applicable Tax treaty or convention between the United
States and such foreign country, and none of CCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries has engaged in a trade or business within, or
derived any income from, any foreign country.
(q) Risk Management Instruments.
(i) Neither CCFC nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party or
has agreed to enter into a Derivatives Contract, whether for the
account of CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries.
(ii) Derivatives Contract means any swap
transaction, option, warrant, forward purchase or sale
transaction, futures transaction, cap transaction, floor
transaction or collar transaction relating to one or more
currencies, commodities, bonds, equity securities, loans,
interest rates, credit-related events or conditions or any
indexes, or any other similar transaction or combination of any
of these transactions, including collateralized mortgage
obligations or other similar instruments or any debt or equity
instruments evidencing or embedding any such types of
transactions, and any related credit support, collateral or
other similar arrangements related to such transactions;
provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the term
Derivatives Contract shall not include any CCFC
Options.
(r) Loans; Nonperforming and Classified
Assets.
(i) Except as set forth in Section 5.03(r) of
CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, each Loan on the books and
records of CCFC and its Subsidiaries was made and has been
serviced in all material respects in accordance with customary
lending standards in the ordinary course of business, is
evidenced in all material respects by appropriate and sufficient
documentation and, to the knowledge of CCFC, constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor named
therein, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws of general
applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights or
by general equity principles.
(ii) Set forth in Section 5.03(r)(ii) of CCFCs
Disclosure Schedule, as to CCFC and each CCFC Subsidiary as of
the latest practicable date are: (A) any written or, to
CCFCs knowledge, oral Loan under the terms of which the
obligor is 60 or more days delinquent in payment of principal or
interest, or to CCFCs knowledge, in default of any other
material provision thereof; (B) each Loan which has been
classified as substandard, doubtful,
loss or special mention (or words of
similar import) by CCFC, a CCFC Subsidiary or an applicable
regulatory authority (it being understood that no representation
is being made that the Commissioner or the FDIC would agree with
the loan classifications established by CCFC); (C) a
listing of the OREO acquired by foreclosure or by
deed-in-lieu
thereof, including the book value thereof; and (D) each
Loan with any director, executive officer or five percent or
greater shareholder of CCFC or a CCFC Subsidiary, or to the best
knowledge of CCFC, any Person controlling, controlled by or
under common control with, any of the foregoing.
A-22
(s) Properties. All real and
personal property owned by CCFC or a CCFC Subsidiary or
presently used by any of them in their respective business is in
a good condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and is
sufficient to carry on its business in the ordinary course of
business consistent with their past practices. Except as set
forth in Section 5.03(s) of CCFCs Disclosure
Schedule, CCFC has good and marketable title, free and clear of
all Liens, to all of the material properties and assets, real
and personal, reflected on the consolidated statement of
financial condition of CCFC as of March 31, 2008, or
acquired after such date, other than properties sold by CCFC in
the ordinary course of business, except (i) Liens for
current taxes and assessments not yet due or payable for which
adequate reserves have been established, (ii) pledges to
secure deposits incurred in the ordinary course of its banking
business consistent with past practice, (iii) such
imperfections of title, easements and encumbrances, if any, as
are not material in character, amount or extent and (iv) as
reflected on the consolidated statement of financial condition
of CCFC as of March 31, 2008. All real and personal
property which is material to CCFCs business on a
consolidated basis and leased or licensed by CCFC or a
Subsidiary of CCFC is held pursuant to leases or licenses which
are valid and enforceable in accordance with their respective
terms and such leases will not terminate or lapse prior to the
Effective Time.
(t) Intellectual Property. CCFC
and each Subsidiary of CCFC owns or possesses valid and binding
licenses and other rights to use without payment of any material
amount all material patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trade
names, service marks, trademarks and other intellectual property
rights used in its businesses, free and clear of all material
Liens, all of which have been Previously Disclosed by CCFC, and
none of CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice
of conflict or allegation of invalidity with respect thereto
that asserts the intellectual property rights of others. To the
knowledge of CCFC, the operation of the business of CCFC and
each of its Subsidiaries does not infringe or violate the
intellectual property of any third party. CCFC and each of its
Subsidiaries have performed in all material respects all the
obligations required to be performed by them and are not in
default under any contract, agreement, arrangement or commitment
relating to any of the foregoing.
(u) Fiduciary Accounts. CCFC and
each of its Subsidiaries have properly administered all accounts
for which it acts as a fiduciary, including but not limited to
accounts for which it serves as a trustee, agent, custodian,
personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment
advisor, in accordance with the terms of the governing documents
and applicable laws and regulations. Neither CCFC nor any of its
Subsidiaries, nor, to CCFCs knowledge, any of their
respective directors, officers or employees, has committed any
breach of trust with respect to any fiduciary account and the
records for each such fiduciary account are true and correct and
accurately reflect the assets of such fiduciary account.
(v) Books and Records. The books
and records of CCFC and its Subsidiaries have been fully,
properly and accurately maintained in material compliance with
applicable legal and accounting requirements, and such books and
records accurately reflect in all material respects all dealings
and transactions in respect of the business, assets, liabilities
and affairs of CCFC and its Subsidiaries.
(w) Insurance. Set forth in
Section 5.03(w) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule are all
of the material insurance policies, binders, or bonds currently
maintained by CCFC and its Subsidiaries (Insurance
Policies). CCFC and its Subsidiaries are insured with
reputable insurers against such risks and in such amounts as the
management of CCFC reasonably has determined to be prudent in
accordance with industry practices. All the Insurance Policies
are in full force and effect; CCFC and its Subsidiaries are not
in material default thereunder; and all claims thereunder have
been filed in due and timely fashion.
(x) Allowance For Loan
Losses. CCFCs allowance for loan losses
is, and shall be as of the Effective Date, in compliance with
CCFCs existing methodology for determining the adequacy of
its allowance for loan losses as well as the standards
established by GAAP and is and shall be adequate under all such
standards. CCFC has complied with all orders, comments and
directives provided to it by any Governmental Authorities
relating to CCFCs allowance for loan losses since
December 31, 2004.
(y) Transactions With
Affiliates. Except as set forth in
Schedule 5.03(y) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, all
covered transactions between CCFC and an
affiliate, within the meaning of Sections 23A
and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and regulations promulgated
thereunder, have been in compliance with such provisions.
A-23
(z) Required Vote; Antitakeover Provisions.
(i) The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of CCFC Common Stock is necessary to
approve this Agreement and the Transaction on behalf of CCFC. No
other vote of the stockholders of CCFC is required by law, the
CCFC Articles, the CCFC Bylaws or otherwise to approve this
Agreement, the Bank Merger Agreement and the Transaction.
(ii) Based on the representation and warranty of FCBI
contained in Section 5.04(n), no control share
acquisition, business combination moratorium,
fair price or other form of antitakeover statute or
regulation under the NCBCA or any applicable provisions of the
takeover laws of any other state (and any comparable provisions
of the CCFC Articles and CCFC Bylaws), apply or will apply to
this Agreement, the Bank Merger Agreement or the Transaction.
(aa) Fairness Opinion. The CCFC
Board has received the opinion of Howe Barnes Hoefer &
Arnett, Inc. to the effect that as of the date hereof the Merger
Consideration is fair to the holders of CCFC Common Stock from a
financial point of view.
(bb) Transactions in
Securities. (i) All offers and sales of
CCFC Common Stock by CCFC were at all relevant times exempt from
or complied with the registration requirements of the Securities
Act.
(ii) Neither CCFC, none of CCFCs Subsidiaries, nor,
to CCFCs knowledge, (a) any director or executive
officer of CCFC or of a CCFC Subsidiary, (b) any person
related to any such director or officer by blood, marriage or
adoption and residing in the same household and (c) any
person who has been knowingly provided material nonpublic
information by any one or more of these persons, has purchased
or sold, or caused to be purchased or sold, any shares of CCFC
Common Stock or other securities issued by CCFC (i) during
any period when CCFC was in possession of material nonpublic
information or (ii) in violation of any applicable
provision of the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations of
the SEC thereunder.
(cc) Disclosure. The
representations and warranties contained in this
Section 5.03, when considered as a whole, do not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements and
information contained in this Section 5.03 not misleading.
5.04 Representations and Warranties of
FCBI. Subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.02,
FCBI hereby represents and warrants to CCFC as follows:
(a) Organization, Standing and
Authority. FCBI is duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Nevada. FCBI is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is
in good standing in each jurisdiction where its ownership or
leasing of property or assets or the conduct of its business
requires it to be so licensed or qualified, except where the
failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have nor
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on
FCBI. FCBI has in effect all federal, state, local and foreign
governmental authorizations necessary for it to own or lease its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now
conducted.
(b) FCBI Capital Stock.
(i) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of
FCBI consists solely of 25,000,000 shares of FCBI Common
Stock, of which 10,950,078 shares were issued and
outstanding as of the close of business on July 24, 2008,
and 1,000,000 shares of FCBI Preferred Stock, of which no
shares were issued and outstanding as of the date hereof. The
outstanding shares of FCBI Common Stock have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable, and none of the shares of FCBI Common Stock have
been issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any Person.
As of the date hereof, there are no Rights authorized, issued or
outstanding with respect to the capital stock of FCBI, except
for shares of FCBI Common Stock issuable pursuant to the FCBI
Benefit Plans and by virtue of this Agreement.
(ii) The shares of FCBI Common Stock to be issued in
exchange for shares of CCFC Common Stock in the Merger, when
issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable
and the issuance thereof is not subject to any preemptive right.
A-24
(c) FC Bank.
(i) FC Bank has been duly organized and is validly existing
in good standing under the laws of the United States and is duly
qualified to do business and is in good standing in the
jurisdictions where its ownership or leasing of property or the
conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified. FC Bank
is duly licensed by the OCC and its deposits are insured by the
FDIC in the manner and to the maximum extent provided by law.
(ii) (A) FCBI owns, directly or indirectly, all the
issued and outstanding equity securities of FC Bank, (B) no
equity securities of FC Bank are or may become required to be
issued (other than to FCBI) by reason of any Right or otherwise,
(C) there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or
arrangements by which FC Bank is or may be bound to sell or
otherwise transfer any of its equity securities (other than to
FCBI or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries) and (D) there
are no contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements
relating to FCBIs right to vote or to dispose of such
securities.
(d) Corporate Power. Each of FCBI
and FC Bank has the corporate power and authority to carry on
its business as it is now being conducted and to own all its
properties and assets. FCBI has the corporate power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under
this Agreement and to consummate the Transaction, and to cause
FC Bank to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under
the Bank Merger Agreement and consummate the Bank Merger, and FC
Bank has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver
and perform its obligations under the Bank Merger Agreement, in
each case, subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals of
Governmental Authorities.
(e) Corporate Authority. This
Agreement, the Bank Merger and the Bank Merger Agreement have
been authorized by all necessary corporate action of FCBI, the
FCBI Board, FC Bank and the FC Bank Board, as applicable. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by FCBI and,
assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by CCFC, this
Agreement is a valid and legally binding agreement of FCBI
enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors rights or by general equity principles).
(f) Regulatory Approvals; No Defaults.
(i) No consents or approvals of, or waivers by, or filings
or registrations with, any Governmental Authority or with any
third party are required to be made or obtained by FCBI or any
of its Subsidiaries in connection with the execution, delivery
or performance by FCBI of this Agreement and by FC Bank of the
Bank Merger Agreement or to consummate the Transaction, except
for (A) filings of applications or notices with and
approvals or waivers by the FRB, the OCC, and the Commissioner,
as required, (B) filings with the SEC and state securities
authorities, as applicable, in connection with the submission of
this Agreement for the approval of the holders of CCFC Common
Stock and the issuance of FCBI Common Stock in the Merger,
(C) the approval of the listing on Nasdaq of the FCBI
Common Stock to be issued in the Merger and (D) the filing
of Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State
of North Carolina pursuant to the NCBCA and the Secretary of
State of the State of Nevada pursuant to the NGCL with respect
to the Merger. As of the date hereof, FCBI is not aware of any
reason why the approvals set forth above and referred to in
Section 7.01(b) will not be received in a timely manner and
without the imposition of a condition, restriction or
requirement of the type described in Section 7.01(b).
(ii) Subject to receipt, or the making, of the consents,
approvals, waivers and filings referred to in the preceding
paragraph and expiration of the related waiting periods, the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by FCBI,
the Bank Merger Agreement by FC Bank and the consummation of the
Transaction do not and will not (A) constitute a breach or
violation of, or a default under, or give rise to any Lien, any
acceleration of remedies or any right of termination under, any
law, code, ordinance, rule or regulation or any judgment,
decree, injunction, order, governmental permit or license, or
agreement, indenture or instrument of FCBI or of any of its
Subsidiaries or to which FCBI or any of its Subsidiaries or any
of their respective properties is subject or bound,
(B) constitute a breach or violation of, or a default
under, the articles of incorporation or bylaws (or similar
governing documents) of FCBI or any of its Subsidiaries or
(C) require any consent or approval under any such law,
code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction,
order, governmental permit or license, agreement, indenture or
instrument.
A-25
(g) Financial Reports and Securities Documents;
Material Adverse Effect.
(i) FCBIs Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007 and all other reports,
registration statements, definitive proxy statements or
information statements filed or to be filed by it subsequent to
December 31, 2004 under the Securities Act, or under
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act in
the form filed or to be filed (collectively, FCBIs
Securities Documents) with the SEC, as of the date
filed or to be filed, (A) complied or will comply in all
material respects as to form with the applicable requirements
under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be
and (B) did not 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 to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, except that information as of a later date shall
be deemed to modify information as of an earlier date; and each
of the consolidated balance sheets contained in or incorporated
by reference into any such Securities Documents (including the
related notes and schedules thereto) fairly presents, or will
fairly present, the consolidated financial position of FCBI and
its Subsidiaries as of its date, and each of the consolidated
statements of income and changes in stockholders equity
and cash flows or equivalent statements in such Securities
Documents (including any related notes and schedules thereto)
fairly presents, or will fairly present, the consolidated
results of operations, changes in stockholders equity and
cash flows, as the case may be, of FCBI and its Subsidiaries for
the periods to which they relate, in each case in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved,
except in each case as may be noted therein.
(ii) Since March 31, 2008, no event has occurred or
circumstance arisen that, individually or taken together with
all other facts, circumstances and events (described in any
paragraph of this Section 5.04 or otherwise), is reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FCBI.
(h) Legal Proceedings. Except as
set forth in Section 5.04(h) of FCBIs Disclosure
Schedule, no litigation, arbitration, claim or other proceeding
before any court or governmental agency is pending against FCBI
or its Subsidiaries and, to FCBIs knowledge, no such
litigation, arbitration, claim or other proceeding has been
threatened and there are no facts which could reasonably give
rise to such litigation, arbitration, claim or other proceeding.
Neither FCBI nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their
respective properties is a party to or subject to any order,
judgment, decree or regulatory restrictions that, individually
or in the aggregate, has or could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FCBI.
(i) No Brokers. Except for an
agreement with The Orr Group, no action has been taken by FCBI
or its Subsidiaries that would give rise to any valid claim
against any party hereto for a brokerage commission,
finders fee or other like payment with respect to the
Transaction.
(j) Tax Matters. As of the date
hereof, FCBI does not have any reason to believe that any
conditions exist that might prevent or impede the Merger from
qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code.
(k) Regulatory Matters.
(i) FCBI and its Subsidiaries have duly filed with the
appropriate Governmental Authorities in substantially correct
form the monthly, quarterly and annual reports required to be
filed under applicable laws and regulations, and such reports
were in all material respects complete and accurate and in
compliance with the requirements of applicable laws and
regulations. In connection with the most recent examination of
FCBI and its Subsidiaries by the appropriate regulatory
authorities, neither FCBI nor any of its Subsidiaries was
required to correct or change any action, procedure or
proceeding which FCBI believes in good faith has not been now
corrected or changed, other than corrections or changes which,
if not made, either individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on FCBI. To the knowledge of
FCBI, since its last regulatory examination of Community
Reinvestment Act compliance, FC Bank has not received any
complaints as to Community Reinvestment Act compliance.
(ii) Neither FCBI nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of
any of their respective properties is a party to or is subject
to any order, decree, directive, agreement, memorandum of
understanding or similar arrangement with, or a commitment
letter or similar submission to, or extraordinary supervisory
letter from, nor has FCBI or any of its Subsidiaries adopted any
policies, procedures or board resolutions at the request or
suggestion of, any
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Governmental Authority. FCBI and its Subsidiaries have paid all
assessments made or imposed by any Governmental Authority.
(iii) Neither FCBI nor any its Subsidiaries has been
advised by, and does not have any knowledge of facts which could
give rise to an advisory notice by, any Governmental Authority
that such Governmental Authority is contemplating issuing or
requesting (or is considering the appropriateness of issuing or
requesting) any such order, decree, agreement, memorandum of
understanding, commitment letter, supervisory letter or similar
submission.
(l) Compliance With Laws. Each of
FCBI and its Subsidiaries:
(i) is in material compliance with all applicable federal,
state, local and foreign statutes, laws, codes, regulations,
ordinances, rules, judgments, injunctions, orders, decrees or
policies
and/or
guidelines of a Governmental Authority applicable thereto or to
the employees conducting such businesses, including, without
limitation, Section 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act
and FRB regulations pursuant thereto, the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Community
Reinvestment Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Bank
Secrecy Act, the USA Patriot Act, all other applicable fair
lending laws and other laws relating to discriminatory business
practices and Environmental Laws and all posted and internal
policies of FCBI and its Subsidiaries related to customer data,
privacy and security;
(ii) has all permits, licenses, franchises, authorizations,
orders and approvals of, and has made all filings, applications
and registrations with, all Governmental Authorities that are
required in order to permit them to own or lease their
properties and to conduct their businesses as presently
conducted; all such permits, licenses, certificates of
authority, orders and approvals are in full force and effect
and, to FCBIs knowledge, no suspension or cancellation of
any of them is threatened; and
(iii) has received no notification or communication from
any Governmental Authority (A) asserting that FCBI or any
of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with any of the
statutes, regulations or ordinances which such Governmental
Authority enforces or (B) threatening to revoke any
license, franchise, permit or governmental authorization (nor,
to FCBIs knowledge, do any grounds for any of the
foregoing exist).
(m) Allowance For Loan
Losses. FCBIs allowance for loan losses
is, and shall be as of the Effective Date, in compliance with
FCBIs existing methodology for determining the adequacy of
its allowance for loan losses as well as the standards
established by applicable Governmental Authorities and the
Financial Accounting Standards Board and is and shall be
adequate under all such standards.
(n) Ownership of CCFC Common
Stock. None of FCBI or any of its
Subsidiaries, or to FCBIs knowledge, any of its other
affiliates or associates (as such terms are defined under the
Exchange Act), owns beneficially or of record, directly or
indirectly, or is a party to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or
disposing of, shares of CCFC Common Stock (other than shares
held in a fiduciary capacity that are beneficially owned by
third parties or as a result of debts previously contracted).
(o) Financial Ability. On the
Effective Date and through the date of payment of the Merger
Consideration by FCBI, FCBI or FC Bank will have all funds
necessary to consummate the Merger and pay the aggregate Per
Share Cash Consideration to holders of CCFC Common Stock
pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof.
(p) Disclosure. The
representations and warranties contained in this
Section 5.04, when considered as a whole, do not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements and
information contained in this Section 5.04 not misleading.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS
6.01 Reasonable Best
Efforts. Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, each of CCFC and FCBI agrees to use its
reasonable best efforts in good faith, and to cause its
Subsidiaries to use their reasonable best efforts in good faith,
to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause
to be done, all things necessary,
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proper or desirable, or advisable under applicable laws, so as
to permit consummation of the Transaction as promptly as
practicable and otherwise to enable consummation of the
Transaction, including the satisfaction of the conditions set
forth in Article VII hereof, and shall cooperate fully with
the other party hereto to that end.
6.02 Stockholder Approval.
(a) CCFC agrees to take, in accordance with applicable law
and the CCFC Articles and the CCFC Bylaws, all action necessary
to convene as soon as reasonably practicable a special meeting
of its stockholders to consider and vote upon the approval of
this Agreement and any other matters required to be approved by
CCFCs stockholders for consummation of the Transaction
(including any adjournment, the CCFC Meeting).
Except with the prior written consent of FCBI, no other matters
shall be submitted for the approval of the CCFC stockholders at
the CCFC Meeting. Subject to Section 6.02(b), the CCFC
Board shall at all times prior to and during such meeting
recommend such approval and shall take all reasonable lawful
action to solicit such approval by its stockholders and shall
not (x) withdraw, modify or qualify in any manner adverse
to FCBI such recommendation or (y) take such other action
or make any other public statement in connection with the CCFC
Meeting inconsistent with such recommendation (collectively, a
Change in Recommendation), except as and to the
extent permitted by Section 6.02(b). Notwithstanding any
Change in Recommendation, this Agreement shall be submitted to
the stockholders of CCFC at the CCFC Meeting for the purpose of
approving the Agreement and any other matters required to be
approved by CCFCs stockholders for consummation of the
Transaction. In addition to the foregoing, CCFC shall not submit
to the vote of its stockholders any Acquisition Proposal other
than the Merger.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, CCFC and the CCFC Board
shall be permitted to effect a Change in Recommendation if and
only to the extent that:
(i) CCFC shall have complied in all material respects with
Section 6.08;
(ii) the CCFC Board, based on advice of its outside
counsel, shall have determined in good faith that failure to do
so would be reasonably expected to result in a violation of its
fiduciary duties under applicable law; and
(iii) if the CCFC Board intends to effect a Change in
Recommendation following an Acquisition Proposal, (A) the
CCFC Board shall have concluded in good faith, after giving
effect to all of the adjustments which may be offered by FCBI
pursuant to clause (C) below, that such Acquisition
Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal, (B) CCFC shall
notify FCBI at least five Business Days in advance of its
intention to effect a Change in Recommendation in response to
such Superior Proposal (including the identity of the party
making such Acquisition Proposal) and furnish to FCBI a detailed
summary of all material terms of such Superior Proposal and all
other material documents, and (C) prior to effecting such a
Change in Recommendation, CCFC shall, and shall cause its
financial and legal advisors to, during the period following
CCFCs delivery of the notice referred to in
clause (B) above, negotiate with FCBI in good faith for a
period of up to five Business Days (to the extent FCBI desires
to negotiate) to make such adjustments in the terms and
conditions of this Agreement so that such Acquisition Proposal
ceases to constitute a Superior Proposal.
6.03 Registration Statement.
(a) FCBI agrees to prepare a registration statement on
Form S-4
or other applicable form (the Registration
Statement) to be filed by FCBI with the SEC in connection
with the issuance of FCBI Common Stock in the Merger (including
the proxy statement and prospectus and other proxy solicitation
materials of CCFC and FCBI constituting a part thereof (the
Proxy Statement) and all related documents). CCFC
shall prepare and furnish such information relating to it and
its directors, officers and stockholders as may be reasonably
required in connection with the above referenced documents based
on its knowledge of and access to the information required for
said documents, and CCFC, and its legal, financial and
accounting advisors, shall have the right to review, comment
upon and consult with FCBI and its counsel in advance such
Registration Statement, and all supplements and amendments
thereto, prior to its or their filing. CCFC agrees to cooperate
with FCBI and FCBIs counsel and accountants in requesting
and obtaining appropriate opinions, consents and letters from
its financial advisor and independent auditor in connection with
the Registration
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Statement and the Proxy Statement. Provided that CCFC has
cooperated as described above, FCBI agrees to file, or cause to
be filed, the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement
with the SEC as promptly as reasonably practicable. Each of CCFC
and FCBI agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the
Securities Act as promptly as reasonably practicable after the
filing thereof. FCBI also agrees to use its reasonable best
efforts to obtain all necessary state securities law or
Blue Sky permits and approvals required to carry out
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. After the
Registration Statement is declared effective under the
Securities Act, CCFC shall promptly mail at its expense the
Proxy Statement to its stockholders.
(b) Each of CCFC and FCBI agrees that none of the
information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion or
incorporation by reference in (i) the Registration
Statement shall, at the time the Registration Statement and each
amendment or supplement thereto, if any, becomes effective under
the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading and (ii) the Proxy Statement and any amendment
or supplement thereto shall, at the date(s) of mailing to
CCFCs stockholders and at the time of the CCFC Meeting,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading. Each of CCFC and
FCBI further agrees that if such party shall become aware prior
to the Effective Date of any information furnished by such party
that would cause any of the statements in the Registration
Statement or the Proxy Statement to be false or misleading with
respect to any material fact, or to omit to state any material
fact necessary to make the statements therein not false or
misleading, to promptly inform the other parties thereof and to
take the necessary steps to correct the Registration Statement
or the Proxy Statement.
(c) FCBI agrees to advise CCFC, promptly after FCBI
receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration
Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment
has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order or the
suspension of the qualification of FCBI Common Stock for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or, to
the extent FCBI is aware thereof, threat of any proceeding for
any such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment
or supplement of the Registration Statement or for additional
information.
6.04 Regulatory Filings.
(a) Each of FCBI and CCFC and their respective Subsidiaries
shall cooperate and use their respective reasonable best efforts
to prepare all documentation, to effect all filings and to
obtain all permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of
all third parties and Governmental Authorities necessary to
consummate the Transaction; and any initial filings with
Governmental Authorities shall be made by FCBI as soon as
reasonably practicable after the execution hereof. Each of FCBI
and CCFC shall have the right to review in advance, and to the
extent practicable each shall consult with the other, in each
case subject to applicable laws relating to the exchange of
information, with respect to all written information submitted
to any third party or any Governmental Authority in connection
with the Transaction. In exercising the foregoing right, each of
such parties agrees to act reasonably and as promptly as
practicable. Each party hereto agrees that it shall consult with
the other parties hereto with respect to the obtaining of all
permits, consents, approvals, waivers and authorizations of all
third parties and Governmental Authorities necessary or
advisable to consummate the Transaction, and each party shall
keep the other parties apprised of the status of material
matters relating to completion of the Transaction.
(b) Each party agrees, upon request, to furnish the other
parties with all information concerning itself, its
Subsidiaries, directors, officers and stockholders and such
other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in
connection with any filing, notice or application made by or on
behalf of such other parties or any of their Subsidiaries to any
third party or Governmental Authority.
6.05 Press Releases. CCFC
and FCBI shall consult with each other before issuing any press
release with respect to the Transaction or this Agreement and
shall not issue any such press release or make any such public
statements without the prior consent of the other party, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that a
party may, without the prior consent of the other party (but
after such consultation, to the extent practicable under the
circumstances), issue such press release or make such public
statements as may upon the
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advice of outside counsel be required by law or the rules or
regulations of the SEC or Nasdaq. CCFC and FCBI shall cooperate
to develop all public announcement materials and make
appropriate management available at presentations related to the
Transaction as reasonably requested by the other party.
6.06 Access; Information.
(a) CCFC agrees that upon reasonable notice and subject to
applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, it
shall afford FCBI and FCBIs officers, employees, counsel,
accountants and other authorized representatives such access
during normal business hours throughout the period prior to the
Effective Time to the books, records (including, without
limitation, Tax Returns and work papers of independent auditors
(which CCFC shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain from
its independent auditors)), systems, properties, personnel and
advisors of CCFC and to such other information relating to CCFC
as FCBI may reasonably request and, during such period, it shall
furnish promptly to FCBI (i) a copy of each report,
schedule, registration statement and other document filed or
received during such period pursuant to the requirements of
federal or state securities laws and federal or state banking,
lending, consumer finance or privacy laws and (ii) all
other information concerning the business, properties and
personnel of CCFC as FCBI may reasonably request.
(b) During the period from the date of this Agreement to
the Effective Time, CCFC shall, upon the request of FCBI, cause
one or more of its designated representatives to confer on a
monthly or more frequent basis with representatives of FCBI
regarding its financial condition, operations and business and
matters relating to the completion of the Transaction. As soon
as reasonably available, but in no event more than 30 days
after the end of each calendar quarter ending after the date of
this Agreement (other than the last quarter of each fiscal year
ending December 31), CCFC will deliver to FCBI its consolidated
statements of financial condition and consolidated statements of
operations and comprehensive income, statements of
stockholders equity and cash flows, without related notes,
for such quarter prepared in accordance with GAAP and, as soon
as reasonably available, but in no event more than 60 days
after the end of each fiscal year, CCFC will deliver to FCBI its
consolidated statements of financial condition and consolidated
statements of operations and comprehensive income, statements of
stockholders equity and cash flows for such year prepared
in accordance with GAAP. Within 15 days after the end of
each month, CCFC will deliver to FCBI a consolidated statements
of financial condition and consolidated statement of operations
and comprehensive income, without related notes, for such month
prepared in accordance with GAAP.
(c) All information furnished pursuant to this
Section 6.06 shall be subject to the provisions of the
Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2008
between FCBI and Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett, Inc., on
behalf of CCFC (the Confidentiality Agreement).
(d) No investigation by any of the parties or their
respective representatives shall affect the representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements of the other parties set
forth herein.
(e) CCFC shall allow a representative of FCBI to attend as
an observer all CCFC Board and CCFC Board committee meetings as
well as all Board of Directors and Board of Director committee
meetings for each Subsidiary of CCFC (including, without
limitation, loan committee meetings), except that no FCBI
representative will be entitled to attend any meeting in which
the CCFC Board considers the Merger, an Acquisition Proposal or
a Change in Recommendation. CCFC shall give reasonable notice to
FCBI of any such meeting and, if known, the agenda for or
business to be discussed at such meeting. CCFC shall also
provide to FCBI all written agendas and meeting or written
consent materials provided to the directors of CCFC and each
CCFC Subsidiary in connection with Board and committee meetings.
All information obtained by FCBI at these meetings shall be
treated in confidence as provided in this Section 6.06.
6.07 Affiliates. CCFC shall
use its reasonable best efforts to identify those persons who
may be deemed to be affiliates of CCFC within the
meaning of Rule 145 promulgated by the SEC under the
Securities Act (CCFC Affiliates) and to cause each
person so identified to deliver to FCBI as soon as practicable,
and in any event prior to the date of the CCFC Meeting, a
written agreement to comply with the requirements of
Rule 145 under the Securities Act in connection with the
sale or other transfer of FCBI Common Stock received in the
Merger, which agreement shall be in the form attached hereto as
Annex B (the Affiliate Letter).
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6.08 Acquisition Proposals.
(a) CCFC agrees that it shall, and shall direct and use its
reasonable best efforts to cause its affiliates, directors,
officers, employees, agents and representatives (including,
without limitation, any investment banker, financial advisor,
attorney, accountant or other representative retained by it)
(all of the foregoing, collectively,
Representatives) to, immediately cease any
discussions or negotiations with any other parties that may be
ongoing with respect to the possibility or consideration of any
Acquisition Proposal (as defined below), and will use its
reasonable best efforts to enforce any confidentiality or
similar agreement relating to any Acquisition Proposal,
including by requesting the other party to promptly return or
destroy any confidential information previously furnished by or
on behalf of CCFC thereunder and by specifically enforcing the
terms thereof in a court of competent jurisdiction. From the
date of this Agreement through the Effective Time, CCFC shall
not, and shall cause its directors, officers or employees (and
those of any CCFC Subsidiary) or any Representative retained by
it (or any Subsidiary) not to, directly or indirectly through
another Person, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage
(including by way of furnishing information or assistance), or
take any other action designed to facilitate or that is likely
to result in, any inquiries or the making of any proposal or
offer that constitutes, or is reasonably likely to lead to, any
Acquisition Proposal, (ii) provide any confidential
information or data to any Person relating to any Acquisition
Proposal, (iii) participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal,
(iv) waive, terminate, modify or fail to enforce any
provision of any contractual standstill or similar
obligations of any Person other than FCBI or its affiliates,
(v) approve or recommend, propose to approve or recommend,
or execute or enter into, any letter of intent, agreement in
principle, merger agreement, asset purchase agreement or share
exchange agreement, option agreement or other similar agreement
related to any Acquisition Proposal or propose to do any of the
foregoing, or (vi) make or authorize any statement,
recommendation or solicitation in support of any Acquisition
Proposal; provided, however, that prior to the date of the CCFC
Meeting, if the CCFC Board determines in good faith, after
consulting with its outside legal and financial advisors, that
the failure to do so would breach, or would reasonably be
expected to result in a breach of, the CCFC Boards
fiduciary duties under applicable law, CCFC may, in response to
a bona fide, written Acquisition Proposal not solicited in
violation of this Section 6.08(a)(i) that the CCFC Board
determines in good faith constitutes a Superior Proposal (as
defined below), subject to providing 48 hour prior written
notice of its decision to take such action to FCBI and
identifying the Person making the proposal and all the material
terms and conditions of such proposal and compliance with
Section 6.08(b), (1) furnish information with respect
to itself and its Subsidiaries to any Person making such a
Superior Proposal pursuant to a customary confidentiality
agreement (as determined by CCFC after consultation with its
outside counsel) on terms no more favorable to such Person than
the terms contained in the Confidentiality Agreement are to
FCBI, and (2) participate in discussions or negotiations
regarding such a Superior Proposal. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term Acquisition Proposal means any
inquiry, proposal or offer, filing of any regulatory application
or notice (whether in draft or final form) or disclosure of an
intention to do any of the foregoing from any Person relating to
any (w) direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a
business that constitutes 10% or more of the total revenues, net
income, assets or deposits of CCFC and its Subsidiaries taken as
a whole, (x) direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of
any class of Equity Securities representing 10% or more of the
voting power of CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries, (y) tender
offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any
person beneficially owning 10% or more of any class of Equity
Securities of CCFC or (z) merger, consolidation, business
combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or
similar transaction involving CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries,
other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term Superior
Proposal means any bona fide written proposal made by a
third party to acquire, directly or indirectly, including
pursuant to a tender offer, exchange offer, merger,
consolidation, business combination, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction, for
consideration consisting of cash
and/or
securities, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the
shares of CCFC Common Stock then outstanding or all or
substantially all of CCFCs consolidated assets, which the
CCFC Board determines in good faith, after taking into account
all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of the
proposal and the Person making the proposal (including any
break-up
fees, expense reimbursement provisions and conditions to
consummation), and after taking into account the advice of
CCFCs financial advisor (which shall be a nationally
recognized investment banking firm and which is agreed to
include Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett, Inc.) and
outside counsel, (i) is more favorable from a financial
point of view to its stockholders than the Merger, (ii) is
reasonably likely to
A-31
be consummated on the terms set forth, and (iii) for which
financing, to the extent required, is then committed or which,
in the good faith judgment of the CCFC Board, is reasonably
likely to be obtained by such third party.
(b) In addition to the obligations of CCFC set forth in
Section 6.08(a), CCFC shall promptly (within 48 hours)
advise FCBI orally and in writing of its receipt of any
Acquisition Proposal (or any inquiry which could reasonably lead
to an Acquisition Proposal) and keep FCBI informed, on a current
basis, of the continuing status thereof, including the terms and
conditions thereof and any changes thereto, and shall
contemporaneously provide to FCBI all materials provided to or
made available to any third party pursuant to this
Section 6.08 which were not previously provided to FCBI.
(c) CCFC agrees that any violation of the restrictions set
forth in this Section 6.08 by any Representative of CCFC or
its Subsidiaries shall be deemed a breach of this
Section 6.08 by CCFC.
6.09 Certain Policies. Prior
to the Effective Date, each of CCFC and its Subsidiaries shall,
consistent with GAAP and applicable banking laws and
regulations, modify or change its Loan, OREO, accrual, reserve,
Tax, litigation and real estate valuation policies and practices
(including loan classifications and levels of reserves) so as to
be applied on a basis that is consistent with that of FCBI;
provided, however, that no such modifications or changes need be
made prior to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Section 7.01(b); and further provided that in any event, no
accrual or reserve made by CCFC or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant to this Section 6.09 shall constitute or be deemed
to be a breach, violation of or failure to satisfy any
representation, warranty, covenant, agreement, condition or
other provision of this Agreement or otherwise be considered in
determining whether any such breach, violation or failure to
satisfy shall have occurred. The recording of any such
adjustments shall not be deemed to imply any misstatement of
previously furnished financial statements or information and
shall not be construed as concurrence of CCFC or its management
with any such adjustments.
6.10 Nasdaq Listing. FCBI
agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to list, prior to the
Effective Date, on the Nasdaq the shares of FCBI Common Stock to
be issued in connection with the Merger.
6.11 Indemnification.
(a) From and after the Effective Time through the sixth
anniversary of the Effective Time, FCBI (the Indemnifying
Party) shall indemnify and hold harmless each present and
former director, officer and employee of CCFC or a CCFC
Subsidiary, as applicable, determined as of the Effective Time
(the Indemnified Parties) against any costs or
expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees), judgments,
fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred in
connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, arising out of matters existing or occurring at
or prior to the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed
prior to, at or after the Effective Time, arising in whole or in
part out of or pertaining to the fact that he or she was a
director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of CCFC or any
CCFC Subsidiary or is or was serving at the request of CCFC or
any CCFC Subsidiary as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary
or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, including without limitation matters
related to the negotiation, execution and performance of this
Agreement or consummation of the Transaction, to the fullest
extent which such Indemnified Parties would be entitled under
the CCFC Articles and the CCFC Bylaws or equivalent documents of
any CCFC Subsidiary, as applicable, or any agreement,
arrangement or understanding which is set forth in
Section 6.11(a) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule, in each
case as in effect on the date hereof.
(b) Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification
under this Section 6.11, upon learning of any such claim,
action, suit, proceeding or investigation, shall promptly notify
the Indemnifying Party, but the failure to so notify shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of any liability it may have to
such Indemnified Party if such failure does not actually
prejudice the Indemnifying Party. In the event of any such
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether
arising before or after the Effective Time), (i) the
Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense
thereof and the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to such
Indemnified Parties for any legal expenses of other counsel or
any other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified
Parties in connection with the defense thereof, except that if
the Indemnifying Party elects not to assume such defense or
counsel for the Indemnified Parties advises that there are
issues which raise conflicts of interest between the
Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Parties that make joint
representation inappropriate, the Indemnified Parties may retain
counsel which is reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying
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Party, and the Indemnifying Party shall pay, promptly as
statements therefore are received, the reasonable fees and
expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Parties (which may
not exceed one firm in any jurisdiction unless the Indemnified
Parties have conflicts of interest), (ii) the Indemnified
Parties will cooperate in the defense of any such matter,
(iii) the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any
settlement effected without its prior written consent and
(iv) the Indemnifying Party shall have no obligation
hereunder in the event that a federal or state banking agency or
a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that
indemnification of an Indemnified Party in the manner
contemplated hereby is prohibited by applicable laws and
regulations.
(c) FCBI shall maintain CCFCs existing
directors and officers liability insurance policy
(or provide a policy providing comparable coverage and amounts
on terms no less favorable to the persons currently covered by
CCFCs existing policy, including FCBIs existing
policy if it meets the foregoing standard) covering persons who
are currently covered by such insurance for a period of five
(5) years after the Effective Time; provided, however, that
in no event shall FCBI be obligated to expend, in order to
maintain or provide insurance coverage pursuant to this
Section 6.11(c), an aggregate amount in excess of 150% of
the premium paid by CCFC as of the date hereof for such
insurance (Maximum Insurance Amount); provided
further, that if the amount of the annual premiums necessary to
maintain or procure such insurance coverage exceeds the Maximum
Insurance Amount, FCBI shall obtain the most advantageous
coverage obtainable for an annual premium equal to the Maximum
Insurance Amount.
(d) If FCBI or any of its successors or assigns shall
consolidate with or merge into any other entity and shall not be
the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or
merger or shall transfer all or substantially all of its assets
to any other entity, then and in each case, proper provision
shall be made so that the successors and assigns of FCBI shall
assume the obligations set forth in this Section 6.11.
6.12 Benefit Plans.
(a) As soon as administratively practicable after the
Effective Time, FCBI shall take all reasonable action so that
employees of CCFC and its Subsidiaries shall be entitled to
participate in each employee benefit plan, program or
arrangement of FCBI of general applicability (the FCBI
Benefit Plans) to the same extent as similarly-situated
employees of FCBI and its Subsidiaries (it being understood that
inclusion of the employees of CCFC and its Subsidiaries in the
FCBI Benefit Plans may occur at different times with respect to
different plans), provided that coverage shall be continued
under the corresponding Benefit Plans of CCFC and its
Subsidiaries until such employees are permitted to participate
in the FCBI Benefit Plans and provided further, however, that
nothing contained herein shall require FCBI or any of its
Subsidiaries to make any grants to any former employee of CCFC
or its Subsidiaries under any discretionary equity compensation
plan of FCBI. FCBI shall cause each FCBI Benefit Plan in which
employees of CCFC and its Subsidiaries are eligible to
participate to recognize, for purposes of determining
eligibility to participate in, the vesting of benefits and for
all other purposes (but not for accrual of pension benefits)
under the FCBI Benefit Plans, the service of such employees with
CCFC and its Subsidiaries to the same extent as such service was
credited for such purpose by CCFC or its Subsidiaries, provided,
however, that such service shall not be recognized to the extent
that such recognition would result in a duplication of benefits.
Nothing herein shall limit the ability of FCBI to amend or
terminate any of CCFCs Benefit Plans in accordance with
their terms at any time.
(b) Subject to Sections 6.12(f), (g) and (i), at
and following the Effective Time, FCBI shall honor, and the
Surviving Corporation shall continue to be obligated to perform,
in accordance with their terms, all benefit obligations to, and
contractual rights of, current and former employees of CCFC and
its Subsidiaries and current and former directors of CCFC and
its Subsidiaries existing as of the Effective Date, as well as
all employment, severance, bonus, salary continuation, deferred
compensation, split dollar, supplemental retirement or
change-in-control
agreements, plans or policies of CCFC and its Subsidiaries to
the extent that each of the foregoing are Previously Disclosed.
The severance or termination payments which are payable pursuant
to such agreements, plans or policies of CCFC or its
Subsidiaries (which have been quantified in reasonable detail)
are set forth in Section 6.12(b) of CCFCs Disclosure
Schedule.
(c) At such time as employees of CCFC or its Subsidiaries
become eligible to participate in a medical, dental or health
plan of FCBI or its Subsidiaries, FCBI shall cause each such
plan to (i) waive any preexisting condition limitations to
the extent such conditions covered under the applicable medical,
health or dental plans
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of FCBI, (ii) provide full credit under such plans for any
deductibles, co-payment and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
the employees and their beneficiaries during the portion of the
calendar year prior to such participation and (iii) waive
any waiting period limitation or evidence of insurability
requirement which would otherwise be applicable to such employee
on or after the Effective Time to the extent such employee had
satisfied any similar limitation or requirement under an
analogous Plan prior to the Effective Time.
(d) Each of CCFC, its Subsidiaries, and FCBI acknowledges
and agrees that all provisions contained within this
Section 6.12 with respect to employees are included for the
sole benefit of CCFC and FCBI and shall not create any right
(i) in any other Person, including, Benefit Plans or any
beneficiary thereof or (ii) to continued employment with
CCFC, its Subsidiaries, FCBI, its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective affiliates.
(e) The CCFC Employee Stock Ownership Plan
(ESOP) shall be terminated as of the Effective Time.
The Merger Consideration received by the ESOP trustees with
respect to the unallocated shares of CCFC Common Stock held by
the ESOP shall be first applied by the ESOP trustees to the full
repayment of the ESOP loan. The shares of FCBI Common Stock and
the remaining cash received by the ESOP shall be allocated to
the ESOP participants in accordance with the terms of the ESOP
and applicable laws and regulations as soon as practicable after
the Effective Time. In connection with the termination of the
ESOP, CCFC shall promptly apply to the IRS for a favorable
determination letter on the tax-qualified status of the ESOP on
terminations and any amendments made to the ESOP in connection
with its termination or otherwise, if such amendments have not
previously received a favorable determination letter from the
IRS with respect to their qualification under Code
Section 401(a). Any amendments to the ESOP requested by the
IRS prior to the Effective Time shall be adopted by CCFC and any
amendments requested by the IRS after the Effective Time shall
be promptly adopted by FCBI. Any and all distributions from the
ESOP after its termination shall be made consistent with the
aforementioned determination letter from the IRS. CCFC shall not
make any further contributions to the ESOP or permit the ESOP to
make any allocations to the ESOP participants other than in
connection with the termination of the ESOP or as may be
required by applicable law or regulation.
(f) Effective as of the Effective Time, (i) FC Bank
shall have entered into consulting agreements with each of
George W. Brawley, Jr. and Billy R. Williams, the forms of
which are attached as Annexes D and F, respectively,
hereto, and (ii) Mooresville Savings shall have entered
into an employment agreement with Dale W. Brawley, the form
of which is attached as Annex E hereto.
(g) Effective as of the Effective Time, FC Bank shall enter
into a one-year consulting agreement with each non-employee
director of CCFC and Mooresville Savings, the form of which is
attached as Annex G hereto.
(h) An employee of CCFC or its Subsidiaries (other than an
employee who is a party to an employment agreement or a
severance agreement) whose employment is involuntarily
terminated other than for cause following the Effective Time but
on or before the date which is six months from the Effective
Time, shall be entitled to receive severance payments pursuant
to CCFCs severance plan which is set forth in
Section 6.12(h) of CCFCs Disclosure Schedule.
(i) Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement,
FCBI, Mooresville Savings and each of George W.
Brawley, Jr., Dale W. Brawley and Billy R. Williams shall
execute and deliver a Settlement Agreement in the forms of
Annexes H, I and J, respectively, pursuant to which
Messrs. George Brawley, Dale Brawley and Williams agree to
terminate their existing employment agreements with Mooresville
Savings on the terms set forth therein and, in the case of Dale
Brawley, amend Plans IV and V of his Retirement Payment
Agreement.
6.13 Notification of Certain
Matters. Each of CCFC and FCBI shall give
prompt notice to the other of any fact, event or circumstance
known to it that (i) is reasonably likely, individually or
taken together with all other facts, events and circumstances
known to it, to result in any Material Adverse Effect with
respect to it or (ii) would cause or constitute a material
breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or
agreements contained herein.
6.14 Antitakeover
Statutes. Each of FCBI and CCFC and their
respective Boards of Directors shall, if any state antitakeover
statute or similar statute becomes applicable to this Agreement
and the Transaction, take all action reasonably necessary to
ensure that the Transaction may be consummated as promptly as
practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and otherwise to
minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on this
Agreement and the Transaction.
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ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS
TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
7.01 Conditions to Each Partys Obligation
to Effect the Merger. The respective
obligation of each of the parties hereto to consummate the
Merger is subject to the fulfillment or, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, written waiver by the parties hereto prior to
the Effective Date of each of the following conditions:
(a) Stockholder Approval. This
Agreement shall have been duly approved by the requisite vote of
the holders of outstanding shares of CCFC Common Stock.
(b) Regulatory Approvals. All
regulatory approvals required to consummate the Transaction
shall have been obtained and shall remain in full force and
effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof
shall have expired and no such approvals shall contain any
conditions, restrictions or requirements which the FCBI Board
reasonably determines in good faith would, individually or in
the aggregate, materially reduce the benefits of the Transaction
to such a degree that FCBI would not have entered into this
Agreement had such conditions, restrictions or requirements been
known at the date hereof.
(c) No Injunction. No Governmental
Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation,
judgment, decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary,
preliminary or permanent) which is in effect and prohibits
consummation of the Transaction.
(d) Registration Statement. The
Registration Statement shall have become effective under the
Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no
proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated by the
SEC and not withdrawn.
(e) Listing. The shares of FCBI
Common Stock to be issued in the Merger shall have been approved
for listing on the Nasdaq.
(f) Tax Opinion. Each of FCBI and
CCFC shall have received the written opinion of Patton Boggs
LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to both CCFC
and FCBI, dated as of the Effective Date, substantially to the
effect that, on the basis of the facts, representations and
assumptions set forth in such opinion which are consistent with
the state of facts existing at the Effective Time, the Merger
will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Code. In rendering any such opinion, such counsel may require
and rely upon representations and covenants, including those
contained in certificates of officers of FCBI, CCFC and others,
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to such counsel.
(g) Consulting Agreements. FC Bank
shall have entered into a consulting agreement with each of
George W. Brawley, Jr. and Billy R. Williams, the forms of
which are attached hereto as Annexes D and F, respectively.
Provided that FC Bank executes such consulting agreements, the
failure of Mr. George Brawley or Mr. Williams, as
applicable, to execute his respective agreement shall not
constitute a failure of this condition for CCFC.
(h) Consulting Agreement. FC Bank
shall have entered into a consulting agreement with each of the
non-employee directors of CCFC and Mooresville Savings, the form
of which is attached hereto as Annex G. Provided that FC
Bank executes such consulting agreements, the failure of any
non-employee director to execute his respective agreement shall
not constitute a failure of this condition for CCFC.
(i) Settlement Agreement. FCBI and
Mooresville Savings shall have entered into a Settlement
Agreement with each of George W. Brawley, Jr., Dale W.
Brawley and Billy R. Williams, the forms of which are attached
as Annexes H, I and J, respectively. Provided that FCBI
executes such agreements, the failure of any other party to
execute such agreements shall not constitute a failure of this
condition for CCFC.
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7.02 Conditions to Obligation of
CCFC. The obligation of CCFC to consummate
the Merger is also subject to the fulfillment or written waiver
by CCFC prior to the Effective Date of each of the following
conditions:
(a) Representations and
Warranties. The representations and
warranties of FCBI set forth in this Agreement, subject in all
cases to the standard set forth in Section 5.02, shall be
true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Effective Date as though made on and as of the Effective Date
(except that representations and warranties that by their terms
speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date shall
be true and correct as of such date), and CCFC shall have
received a certificate, dated the Effective Date, signed on
behalf of FCBI by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer of FCBI to such effect.
(b) Performance of Obligations of
FCBI. FCBI shall have performed in all
material respects all obligations required to be performed by it
under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and CCFC
shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date,
signed on behalf of FCBI by the Chief Executive Officer and the
Chief Financial Officer of FCBI to such effect.
(c) Other Actions. FCBI shall have
furnished CCFC with such certificates of its respective officers
or others and such other documents to evidence fulfillment of
the conditions set forth in Sections 7.01 and 7.02 as CCFC
may reasonably request.
7.03 Conditions to Obligation of
FCBI. The obligation of FCBI to consummate
the Merger is also subject to the fulfillment or written waiver
by FCBI prior to the Effective Date of each of the following
conditions:
(a) Representations and
Warranties. The representations and
warranties of CCFC set forth in this Agreement, subject in all
cases to the standard set forth in Section 5.02, shall be
true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Effective Date as though made on and as of the Effective Date
(except that representations and warranties that by their terms
speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date shall
be true and correct as of such date), and FCBI shall have
received a certificate, dated the Effective Date, signed on
behalf of CCFC by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer of CCFC to such effect.
(b) Performance of Obligations of
CCFC. CCFC shall have performed in all
material respects all obligations required to be performed by it
under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and FCBI
shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date,
signed on behalf of CCFC by the Chief Executive Officer and the
Chief Financial Officer of CCFC to such effect.
(c) Dissenting Shares. Dissenting
Shares shall not represent 10% or more of the outstanding shares
of CCFC Common Stock.
(d) Employment
Agreement. Mooresville Savings shall have
entered into an employment agreement with Dale W. Brawley, the
form of which is attached hereto as Annex E.
(e) Other Actions. CCFC shall have
furnished FCBI with such certificates of its officers or others
and such other documents to evidence fulfillment of the
conditions set forth in Sections 7.01 and 7.03 as FCBI may
reasonably request.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
8.01 Termination. This
Agreement may be terminated, and the Transaction may be
abandoned, at any time prior to the Effective Time:
(a) Mutual Consent. By the mutual
consent in writing of FCBI and CCFC.
(b) Breach. Provided that the
terminating party is not then in material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained
herein, by FCBI or CCFC, in the event of a breach by the other
party of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement
contained herein, which breach (i) cannot be or has not
been cured within 30 days after the giving of written
notice to the breaching party or parties of such
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breach and (ii) would entitle the non-breaching party not
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby under
Section 7.02(a) or (b) or 7.03(a) or (b), as the case
may be.
(c) Delay. By FCBI or CCFC, in the
event that the Merger is not consummated by February 27,
2009, except to the extent that the failure of the Merger then
to be consummated by such date shall be due to (i) the
failure of the party seeking to terminate pursuant to this
Section 8.01(c) to perform or observe the covenants and
agreements of such party set forth in this Agreement or
(ii) the failure of any of the Shareholders (if CCFC is the
party seeking to terminate) to perform or observe his covenants
and agreements under the relevant Shareholder Agreement.
(d) No Regulatory Approval. By
FCBI or CCFC in the event the approval of any Governmental
Authority required for consummation of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been
denied by final nonappealable action of such Governmental
Authority or an application therefor shall have been permanently
withdrawn at the request of a Governmental Authority, provided,
however, that no party shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.01(d) if such denial
shall be due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate
this Agreement to perform or observe the covenants of such party
set forth herein.
(e) No CCFC Stockholder
Approval. By either FCBI or CCFC, if any
approval of the stockholders of CCFC contemplated by this
Agreement shall not have been obtained by reason of the failure
to obtain the required vote at the CCFC Meeting or at any
adjournment thereof.
(f) CCFC Failure to Recommend;
Etc. By FCBI if (i) CCFC shall have
materially breached the provisions of Section 6.08 in any
respect adverse to FCBI, (ii) the CCFC Board shall have
failed to make its recommendation referred to in
Section 6.02(a), withdrawn such recommendation or modified
or changed such recommendation in a manner adverse in any
respect to the interests of FCBI, or (iii) CCFC shall have
materially breached its obligations under Section 6.02(a)
by failing to call, give notice of, convene and hold the CCFC
Meeting in accordance with Section 6.02(a).
(g) Certain Tender or Exchange
Offers. By FCBI if a tender offer or exchange
offer for 15% or more of the outstanding shares of CCFC Common
Stock is commenced (other than by FCBI or a Subsidiary thereof),
and the CCFC Board recommends that the stockholders of CCFC
tender their shares in such tender or exchange offer or
otherwise fails to recommend that such stockholders reject such
tender offer or exchange offer within the ten-Business Day
period specified in
Rule 14e-2(a)
under the Exchange Act.
(h) FCBI Optional Adjustment. By
CCFC at any time during the
two-day
period following the Determination Date, if the Average Closing
Price shall be less than $22.75; subject to the following: If
CCFC elects to exercise its termination right pursuant to this
Section 8.01(h), it shall give prompt written notice to
FCBI; provided that such notice of election to terminate may be
withdrawn at any time within the aforementioned
two-day
period. During the period commencing with its receipt of such
notice and ending at the Effective Time, FCBI shall have the
option of increasing the Exchange Ratio to equal a number equal
to a quotient (rounded to the nearest one one-thousandth), the
numerator of which is the product of the $22.75 and the Exchange
Ratio (as then in effect) and the denominator of which is the
Average Closing Price.
If FCBI makes this election, within such period, it shall give
prompt written notice to CCFC of such election and the revised
Exchange Ratio, whereupon no termination shall have occurred
pursuant to this Section 8.01(h) 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 after giving effect to
any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 8.01(h).
8.02 Effect of Termination and
Abandonment.
(a) In the event of termination of this Agreement and the
abandonment of the Merger pursuant to this Article VIII, no
party to this Agreement shall have any liability or further
obligation to any other party hereunder except that
(i) this Section 8.02, Section 6.06(c) and
Article IX shall survive any termination of this Agreement
and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary, neither
FCBI nor CCFC shall be relieved or
A-37
released from any liabilities or damages arising out of its
fraud or willful breach of any provision of this Agreement.
(b) The parties hereto agree that CCFC shall pay FCBI the
sum of $1.0 million (the Termination Fee) if
this Agreement is terminated as follows:
(i) if this Agreement is terminated by FCBI pursuant to
Section 8.01(f) or (g), CCFC shall pay the entire
Termination Fee to FCBI on the second Business Day following the
termination of this Agreement; or
(ii) if this Agreement is terminated by (A) FCBI
pursuant to Section 8.01(b), (B) by either FCBI or
CCFC pursuant to Section 8.01(c) and at the time of such
termination no vote of the CCFC stockholders contemplated by
this Agreement at the CCFC Meeting shall have occurred, or
(C) by either FCBI or CCFC pursuant to
Section 8.01(e), and in the case of any termination
pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C), an Acquisition Proposal
shall have been publicly announced or otherwise communicated or
made known to the senior management of CCFC or the CCFC Board
(or any Person shall have publicly announced, communicated or
made known an intention, whether or not conditional, to make an
Acquisition Proposal, or reiterated a previously expressed plan
or intention to make an Acquisition Proposal) at any time after
the date of this Agreement and prior to the taking of the vote
of the stockholders of CCFC contemplated by this Agreement at
the CCFC Meeting, in the case of clause (C), or the date of
termination, in the case of clause (A) or (B), then
(1) if within 12 months after such termination CCFC
enters into an agreement with respect to a Control Transaction,
then CCFC shall pay to FCBI the Termination Fee on the date of
execution of such agreement and (2) if a Control
Transaction is consummated otherwise than pursuant to an
agreement with CCFC within 15 months after such
termination, then CCFC shall pay to FCBI the Termination Fee on
the date of such consummation of such Control Transaction. As
used in this Section 8.02(b), a Control
Transaction means (i) the acquisition by any Person
whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, sale, transfer or
otherwise, in one transaction or any series of transactions, of
a majority of the voting power of the outstanding securities of
CCFC or Mooresville Savings or a majority of the assets or CCFC
or Mooresville Savings, (ii) any issuance of securities
resulting in the ownership by any Person of more than 50% of the
voting power of CCFC or by any Person other than CCFC or its
Subsidiaries of more than 50% of the voting power of Mooresville
Savings or (iii) any merger, consolidation or other
business combination transaction involving CCFC or any of its
Subsidiaries as a result of which the stockholders of CCFC cease
to own, in the aggregate, at least 50% of the total voting power
of the entity surviving or resulting from such transaction.
Any amount that becomes payable pursuant to this
Section 8.02(b) shall be paid by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to an account designated by FCBI.
(c) CCFC and FCBI agree that the agreement contained in
paragraph (b) above is an integral part of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, that without such agreement FCBI
would not have entered into this Agreement, and that such
amounts do not constitute a penalty or liquidated damages in the
event of a breach of this Agreement by CCFC. If CCFC fails to
pay FCBI the amounts due under paragraph (b) above within
the time periods specified in such paragraph (b), CCFC shall pay
the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and
expenses) incurred by FCBI in connection with any action,
including the filing of any lawsuit, taken to collect payment of
such amounts, provided FCBI prevails on the merits, together
with interest on the amount of any such unpaid amounts at the
prime lending rate prevailing during such period as published in
The Wall Street Journal, calculated on a daily basis from
the date such amounts were required to be paid until the date of
actual payment.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
9.01 Survival. No
representations, warranties, agreements and covenants contained
in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time (other than
agreements or covenants contained herein that by their express
terms are to be performed after the Effective Time) or the
termination of this Agreement if this Agreement is terminated
prior
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to the Effective Time (other than Sections 6.06(c), 8.02
and this Article IX, which shall survive any such
termination). Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the
contrary, no representations, warranties, agreements and
covenants contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to be
terminated or extinguished so as to deprive a party hereto or
any of its affiliates 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.
9.02 Waiver;
Amendment. Prior to the Effective Time, any
provision of this Agreement may be (i) waived, by the party
benefited by the provision or (ii) amended or modified at
any time, by an agreement in writing among the parties hereto
executed in the same manner as this Agreement, except that after
the CCFC Meeting no amendment shall be made which by law
requires further approval by the stockholders of CCFC without
obtaining such approval.
9.03 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to constitute an original.
9.04 Governing Law. This
Agreement shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Nevada applicable to contracts
made and to be performed entirely within such State.
9.05 Expenses. Each party
hereto will bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including fees and expenses of its own financial consultants,
accountants and counsel, except that expenses of printing the
Proxy Statement and the registration fee to be paid to the SEC
in connection with the Registration Statement shall be shared
equally between FCBI and CCFC, and provided further that nothing
contained herein shall limit either partys rights to
recover any liabilities or damages arising out of the other
partys fraud or willful breach of any provision of this
Agreement.
9.06 Notices. All notices,
requests and other communications hereunder to a party shall be
in writing and shall be deemed given if personally delivered,
telecopied (with confirmation) or mailed by registered or
certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered by an
overnight courier (with confirmation) to such party at its
address set forth below or such other address as such party may
specify by notice to the parties hereto.
If to CCFC to:
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Coddle Creek Financial Corp.
347 North Main Street, Post Office Box 117
Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
Attention:
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George W. Brawley, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Fax:
(704) 664-2290
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With a copy to:
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP
2000 Renaissance Plaza
230 North Elm Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Post Office Box 26000
Greensboro, NC 27420
Attention: Robert A. Singer, Esq.
Fax:
(336) 232-9123
If to FCBI to:
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First Community Bancshares, Inc.
One Community Place
Bluefield, Virginia 24605
Attention:
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John M. Mendez
President and Chief Executive Officer
Fax:
(276) 326-9010
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A-39
With a copy to:
Patton Boggs LLP
2550 M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
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Attention:
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Norman B. Antin, Esq.
Jeffrey D. Haas, Esq.
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Fax:
(202) 457-6315
9.07 Entire Understanding; No Third Party
Beneficiaries. This Agreement, the Bank
Merger Agreement, the Shareholder Agreements and the
Confidentiality Agreement represent the entire understanding of
the parties hereto and thereto with reference to the
Transaction, and this Agreement, the Bank Merger Agreement, the
Shareholder Agreements and the Confidentiality Agreement
supersede any and all other oral or written agreements
heretofore made. Except for the Indemnified Parties right
to enforce FCBIs obligation under Section 6.11, which
are expressly intended to be for the irrevocable benefit of, and
shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party and his or her
heirs and representatives, nothing in this Agreement, expressed
or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person, other than
the parties hereto or their respective successors, any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement.
9.08 Severability. Except to
the extent that application of this Section 9.08 would have
a Material Adverse Effect on CCFC or FCBI, any term or provision
of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to
the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and
provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or
enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this
Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this
Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision
shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable. In
all such cases, the parties shall use their reasonable best
efforts to substitute a valid, legal and enforceable provision
which, insofar as practicable, implements the original purposes
and intents of this Agreement.
9.09 Enforcement of the
Agreement. The parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the
provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance
with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is
accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an
injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement
and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in
any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction,
this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are
entitled at law or in equity. In the event attorneys fees
or other costs are incurred to secure performance of any of the
obligations herein provided for, or to establish damages for the
breach thereof, or to obtain any other appropriate relief,
whether by way of prosecution or defense, the prevailing party
shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees and
costs incurred therein.
9.10 Interpretation. When a
reference is made in this Agreement to Sections, Exhibits or
Schedules, such reference shall be to a Section of, or Exhibit
or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The
table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement.
Whenever the words include, includes or
including are used in this Agreement, they shall be
deemed to be followed by the words without
limitation. Whenever the words as of the date
hereof are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to
mean the day and year first above written.
9.11 Assignment. No party
may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests
or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of
the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.
9.12 Alternative
Structure. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, FCBI may at any time modify the
structure of the acquisition of CCFC set forth herein, provided
that (i) the Merger Consideration to be paid to the holders
of CCFC Common Stock is not thereby changed in kind or reduced
in amount as a result of such modification, (ii) such
modification will not adversely affect the tax treatment to
CCFCs stockholders as a result of receiving the Merger
Consideration and (iii) such modification will not
materially jeopardize receipt of any required approvals of
Governmental Authorities.
[Signature
Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed in counterparts by their duly
authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above
written.
FIRST COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.
Name: John M. Mendez
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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CODDLE CREEK FINANCIAL CORP.
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By:
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/s/ George
W. Brawley, Jr.
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Name: George W. Brawley, Jr.
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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A-41
ANNEX A
SHAREHOLDER
AGREEMENT
SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT (the Agreement), dated
as of July , 2008,
among ,
a shareholder (Shareholder) of Coddle Creek
Financial Corp., a North Carolina corporation
(CCFC), First Community Bancshares, Inc., a Nevada
corporation (FCBI), and, solely for purposes of the
last sentence of Section 8, CCFC. All terms used herein and
not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in
the Merger Agreement (defined below).
WHEREAS, FCBI and CCFC are entering into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the Merger
Agreement), pursuant to which CCFC will merge with and
into FCBI on the terms and conditions set forth therein (the
Merger) and, in connection therewith, outstanding
shares of CCFC Common Stock will be converted into shares of
FCBI Common Stock
and/or cash
in the manner set forth therein; and
WHEREAS, Shareholder owns the shares of CCFC Common Stock
identified on Exhibit I hereto (such shares, together with
all shares of CCFC Common Stock subsequently acquired by
Shareholder during the term of this Agreement, being referred to
as the Shares); and
WHEREAS, in order to induce FCBI to enter into the Merger
Agreement, Shareholder, solely in such Shareholders
capacity as a shareholder of CCFC and not in any other capacity,
has agreed to enter into and perform this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the
receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Agreement to Vote
Shares. Shareholder agrees that at any
meeting of the stockholders of CCFC, or in connection with any
written consent of the stockholders of CCFC, Shareholder shall:
(a) appear at each such meeting or otherwise cause the
Shares to be counted as present thereat for purposes of
calculating a quorum; and
(b) vote (or cause to be voted), in person or by proxy, or
deliver a written consent (or cause a consent to be delivered)
covering, all the Shares (whether acquired heretofore or
hereafter) that are beneficially owned by Shareholder or as to
which Shareholder has, directly or indirectly, the right to vote
or direct the voting, (x) in favor of adoption and approval
of the Merger Agreement and the Merger; (y) against any
action or agreement that could reasonably be expected to result
in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or any
other obligation or agreement of CCFC contained in the Merger
Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement; and
(z) against any Acquisition Proposal or any other action,
agreement or transaction that is intended, or could reasonably
be expected, to materially impede, interfere or be inconsistent
with, delay, postpone, discourage or materially and adversely
affect consummation of the Merger or the performance by
Shareholder of his, her or its obligations under this Agreement.
2. Transfer of Shares.
(a) Prohibition on Transfers of Shares; Other
Actions. Shareholder hereby agrees that while
this Agreement is in effect, Shareholder shall not,
(i) sell, transfer, pledge, encumber (except for pledges or
encumbrances existing as of the date of this Agreement),
distribute by gift or donation, or otherwise dispose of any of
the Shares (or any securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Shares) or any interest therein, whether by
actual disposition, physical settlement or effective economic
disposition through hedging transactions, derivative instruments
or other means, (ii) enter into any agreement, arrangement
or understanding with any Person, or take any other action, that
violates or conflicts with or could reasonably be expected to
violate or conflict with Shareholders representations,
warranties, covenants and obligations under this Agreement, or
(iii) take any other action that could reasonably be
expected to impair or otherwise adversely affect, in any
material respect, Shareholders power, authority and
ability to comply with and perform his, her or its covenants and
obligations under this Agreement.
A-42
(b) Transfer of Voting
Rights. Shareholder hereby agrees that
Shareholder shall not deposit any Shares in a voting trust,
grant any proxy or enter into any voting agreement or similar
agreement or arrangement with respect to any of the Shares.
3. Representations and Warranties of
Shareholder. Shareholder represents and
warrants to and agrees with FCBI as follows:
(a) Capacity. Shareholder has all
requisite capacity and authority to enter into and perform his,
her or its obligations under this Agreement.
(b) Binding Agreement. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Shareholder
and constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of
Shareholder, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general
applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights
and to general equity principles.
(c) Non-Contravention. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Shareholder does
not, and the performance by Shareholder of his, her or its
obligations hereunder and the consummation by Shareholder of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not, violate or conflict
with, or constitute a default under, any agreement, instrument,
contract or other obligation or any order, arbitration award,
judgment or decree to which Shareholder is a party or by which
Shareholder is bound, or any statute, rule or regulation to
which Shareholder is subject or, in the event that Shareholder
is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, any
charter, bylaw or other organizational document of Shareholder.
(d) Ownership. Shareholders
Shares are, and through the term of this Agreement will be,
owned beneficially and of record solely by Shareholder except as
otherwise disclosed on Exhibit I hereto. Shareholder has
good and marketable title to the Shares, free and clear of any
lien, pledge, mortgage, security interest or other encumbrance.
As of the date hereof, the Shares identified on Exhibit I
hereto constitute all of the shares of CCFC Common Stock owned
beneficially or of record by Shareholder. Shareholder has and
will have at all times during the term of this Agreement
(i) sole voting power and sole power to issue instructions
with respect to the matters set forth in Section 1 hereof,
(ii) sole power of disposition and (iii) sole power to
agree to all of the matters set forth in this Agreement, in each
case with respect to all of the Shares owned by Shareholder on
the date of this Agreement and all of the Shares hereafter
acquired by Shareholder and owned beneficially or of record by
him, her or it during the term of this Agreement. For purposes
of this Agreement, the term beneficial ownership
shall be interpreted in accordance with
Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act, provided that a Person shall be
deemed to beneficially own any securities which may be acquired
by such Person pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights,
exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise (irrespective
of whether the right to acquire such securities is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time, including the
passage of time within 60 days, the satisfaction of any
conditions, the occurrence of any event or any combination of
the foregoing).
(e) Consents and Approvals. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Shareholder does
not, and the performance by Shareholder of his, her or its
obligations under this Agreement and the consummation by him,
her or it of the transactions contemplated hereby will not,
require Shareholder to obtain any consent, approval,
authorization or permit of, or to make any filing with or
notification to, any Governmental Authority.
(f) Absence of Litigation. There
is no suit, action, investigation or proceeding pending or, to
the knowledge of Shareholder, threatened against or affecting
Shareholder or any of his, her or its affiliates before or by
any Governmental Authority that could reasonably be expected to
materially impair the ability of Shareholder to perform his, her
or its obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby on a timely basis.
4. No
Solicitation. Shareholder hereby agrees that
during the term of this Agreement he, she or it shall not, and
shall not permit any investment banker, financial advisor,
attorney, accountant or other representative retained by him,
her or it to, directly or indirectly, (a) take any of the
actions specified in clauses (i)-(vi) of Section 6.08 of
the Merger Agreement, (b) agree to release, or release, any
Person from any obligation under
A-43
any existing standstill agreement or arrangement relating to
CCFC, or (c) participate in, directly or indirectly, a
solicitation of proxies (as such terms
are used in the rules of the SEC) or powers of attorney or
similar rights to vote, or seek to advise or influence any
Person with respect to the voting of, any shares of CCFC Common
Stock in connection with any vote or other action on any matter
of a type described in Section 1(b), other than to
recommend that stockholders of CCFC vote in favor of the
adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger and
as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement. Shareholder
agrees immediately to cease and cause to be terminated any
activities, discussions or negotiations conducted before the
date of this Agreement with any Persons other than FCBI with
respect to any possible Acquisition Proposal and will take all
necessary steps to inform any investment banker, financial
advisor, attorney, accountant or other representative retained
by him, her or it of the obligations undertaken by Shareholder
pursuant to this Section 4. Nothing contained in this
Section 4 shall prevent a Shareholder who is an officer or
a member of the CCFC Board from discharging his or her fiduciary
duties solely in his or her capacity as such an officer or
director.
5. Notice of Acquisitions;
Proposals Regarding Prohibited
Transactions. Shareholder hereby agrees to
notify FCBI promptly (and in any event within two
(2) Business Days) in writing of the number of any
additional shares of CCFC Common Stock or other securities of
CCFC of which Shareholder acquires beneficial or record
ownership on or after the date hereof. Shareholder will comply
with the provisions of Section 6.08(b) of the Merger
Agreement as if he, she or it were CCFC.
6. Specific Performance and
Remedies. Shareholder acknowledges that it
will be impossible to measure in money the damage to FCBI if
Shareholder fails to comply with the obligations imposed by this
Agreement and that, in the event of any such failure, FCBI will
not have an adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, Shareholder
agrees that injunctive relief or other equitable remedy, in
addition to remedies at law or in damages, is the appropriate
remedy for any such failure and will not oppose the granting of
such relief on the basis that FCBI may have an adequate remedy
at law. Shareholder agrees that Shareholder will not seek, and
agrees to waive any requirement for, the securing or posting of
a bond in connection with FCBIs seeking or obtaining such
equitable relief.
7. Term of Agreement;
Termination.
(a) The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date
hereof.
(b) This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier to
occur of (i) the date, if any, of termination of the Merger
Agreement in accordance with its terms, or (ii) the
Effective Time of the Merger. Upon such termination, no party
shall have any further obligations or liabilities hereunder;
provided, however, such termination shall not relieve any
party from liability for any willful breach of this Agreement
prior to such termination.
8. Stop Transfer Order. In
furtherance of this Agreement, Shareholder hereby authorizes and
instructs CCFC to instruct its transfer agent to enter a stop
transfer order with respect to all of Shareholders Shares
for the period from the date hereof through the date this
Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 7. CCFC
agrees that as promptly as practicable after the date of this
Agreement it shall give such stop transfer instructions to the
transfer agent for the CCFC Common Stock.
9. Entire Agreement. This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral,
among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and contains the entire agreement among the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be
amended, supplemented or modified, and no provisions hereof may
be modified or waived, except by an instrument in writing signed
by each party hereto. No waiver of any provisions hereof by any
party shall be deemed a waiver of any other provisions hereof by
any such party, nor shall any such waiver be deemed a continuing
waiver of any provision hereof by such party.
A-44
10. Notices. All notices,
requests, claims, demands or other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered
personally, upon receipt of a transmission confirmation if sent
by telecopy or like transmission and on the next Business Day
when sent by a reputable overnight courier service to the
parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for
a party as shall be specified by like notice):
If to FCBI to:
First Community Bancshares, Inc.
One Community Place
Bluefield, Virginia 24605
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Attention:
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John M. Mendez, President
and Chief Executive Officer
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Fax:
(276) 326-9010
With a copy to:
Patton Boggs LLP
2550 M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
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Attention:
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Norman B. Antin, Esq.
Jeffrey D. Haas, Esq.
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Fax:
(202) 457-6315
If to CCFC to:
Coddle Creek Financial Corp.
347 North Main Street, Post Office Box 117
Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
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Attention:
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George W. Brawley, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Fax:
(704) 664-2290
With a copy to:
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP
2000 Renaissance Plaza
230 North Elm Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
Post Office Box 26000
Greensboro, NC 27420
Attention: Robert A. Singer, Esq.
Fax:
(336) 232-9123
11. Miscellaneous.
(a) Severability. If any provision
of this Agreement or the application of such provision to any
person or circumstances shall be held invalid or unenforceable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision or
application shall be unenforceable only to the extent of such
invalidity or unenforceability, and the remainder of the
provision held invalid or unenforceable and the application of
such provision to persons or circumstances, other than the party
as to which it is held invalid, and the remainder of this
Agreement, shall not be affected.
(b) Capacity. The covenants
contained herein shall apply to Shareholder solely in his or her
capacity as a shareholder of CCFC, and no covenant contained
herein shall apply to Shareholder in his or her capacity as a
director, officer or employee of CCFC or in any other capacity.
Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to apply to,
or limit in any manner, the obligations of the Shareholder to
comply with his or her fiduciary duties as a director, officer
or employee of CCFC.
A-45
(c) Counterparts. This Agreement
may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
(d) Headings. All Section headings
herein are for convenience of reference only and are not part of
this Agreement, and no construction or reference shall be
derived therefrom.
(e) Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of
Jury Trial.
(i) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without
giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law. Each of the
parties irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, any and all rights to trial
by jury in connection with any action, suit, proceeding or
investigation in any court or before any Governmental Authority
(Litigation), arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
(ii) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to the
service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in
any such Litigation by the mailing of copies thereof by
registered mail, postage prepaid, to such party at his, her or
its address set forth in this Agreement, such service of process
to be effective upon acknowledgment of receipt of such
registered mail.
(iii) Each of the parties hereto expressly acknowledges
that the foregoing waivers are intended to be irrevocable under
the laws of the State of Nevada and of the United States of
America; provided that consent by the parties to jurisdiction
and service contained in this Section 11(e) is solely for
the purpose referred to in this Section 11(e) and shall not
be deemed to be a general submission to said courts or in the
State of Nevada other than for such purpose.
(f) Successors and Assigns; Third Party
Beneficiaries. Neither this Agreement nor any
of the rights or obligations of any party under this Agreement
shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by any party without the
prior written consent of the other parties hereto. Subject to
the foregoing, this Agreement shall bind and inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on any
Person other than the parties hereto or their respective
successors and permitted assigns any rights, remedies,
obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
12. Attorneys
Fees. The prevailing party or parties in any
litigation, arbitration, mediation, bankruptcy, insolvency or
other proceeding (Proceeding) relating to the
enforcement or interpretation of this Agreement may recover from
the unsuccessful party or parties all reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel (including expert witness and other
consultants fees and costs) relating to or arising out of
(a) the Proceeding (whether or not the Proceeding proceeds
to judgment), and (b) any post-judgment or post-award
proceeding including, without limitation, one to enforce or
collect any judgment or award resulting from the Proceeding. All
such judgments and awards shall contain a specific provision for
the recovery of all such subsequently incurred costs, expenses,
and fees and disbursements of counsel.
[Signature
Page Follows]
A-46
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and
delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.
FIRST COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.
Name: John M. Mendez
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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CODDLE CREEK FINANCIAL CORP.
Name: George W. Brawley, Jr.
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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SHAREHOLDER
(Signature)
A-47
EXHIBIT I
SHAREHOLDER
AGREEMENT
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Shares of
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CCFC Common Stock
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Beneficially Owned
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(Exclusive of
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Unexercised Stock
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Options on CCFC
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Name of Shareholder
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Options or Warrants)
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Common Stock
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A-48
APPENDIX B
July 22, 2008
Board of Directors
Coddle Creek Financial Corp.
347 North Main Street
Mooresville, NC 28115
Members of the Board:
You have requested our opinion as to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, of the shareholder consideration to be
received by the holders of the outstanding shares of common
stock of Coddle Creek Financial Corp. (Coddle Creek)
in the merger (the Merger) with First Community
Bancshares, Inc. (First Community), pursuant to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Coddle Creek and
First Community (the Merger Agreement).
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each share of Coddle Creek
common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time
of the Merger will be converted into 0.9046 shares of
common stock of First Community and $19.60 in cash. Options to
purchase shares of Coddle Creek common stock will be canceled in
exchange for a single lump sum cash payment. The terms of the
Merger are more fully set forth in the Merger Agreement.
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed certain publicly
available business, financial and stockholder information
relating to First Community and its subsidiaries and to Coddle
Creek and its subsidiary. In addition, we have reviewed certain
financial information provided to us by both Coddle Creek and
First Community pertaining to their respective business plans
and projections.
In connection with the foregoing, we have:
1. Reviewed the draft Merger Agreement dated July 18,
2008;
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2.
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Reviewed First Communitys recent filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including its proxy statement
filed on March 27, 2008, annual reports on
Form 10-K
for the three years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005,
and a quarterly report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2008;
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3.
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Reviewed First Communitys earnings press release for the
quarter ended June 30, 2008;
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4.
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Reviewed current reports of First Community as filed on
Form 8-K
with the Securities and Exchange Commission from January 1,
2005 to the date hereof;
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5.
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Reviewed Coddle Creeks annual reports for the three years
ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005;
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6.
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Reviewed Coddle Creeks proxy statement dated
March 18, 2008;
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7.
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Reviewed certain internal financial information and financial
forecasts relating to the business, earnings, cash flows, assets
and prospects of the respective companies furnished to us by
Coddle Creek and First Community;
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8.
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Held discussions with members of executive and senior management
of Coddle Creek and First Community, including without
limitation, their respective legal advisors and others
concerning the past and current results of operations of Coddle
Creek and First Community, their respective current financial
condition and managements opinion of their respective
future prospects;
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9.
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Reviewed the historical record of reported trading prices,
trading activity and dividend payments for both Coddle Creek and
First Community;
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10.
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Compared the reported financial terms of selected recent
business combinations in the banking industry; and
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11.
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Performed such other studies and analyses as we considered
appropriate under the circumstances.
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For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed and relied on,
without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness
of the material furnished to us by Coddle Creek and First
Community and the material otherwise made available to us,
including information from published sources, and we have not
independently verified such data. With respect to the financial
information, including forecasts we received from Coddle Creek
and First Community, we assumed that they had been reasonably
prepared reflecting the best currently available estimates and
good faith judgment of the management of Coddle Creek and First
Community. In addition, we have not made or obtained any
independent appraisals or valuations of the assets or
liabilities, and potential
and/or
contingent liabilities of Coddle Creek or First Community. We
have further relied on the assurances of management of Coddle
Creek and First Community that they are not aware of any facts
that would make such information inaccurate or misleading. We
express no opinion on matters of a legal, regulatory, tax or
accounting nature or the ability of the Merger, as set forth in
the Merger Agreement, to be consummated. No opinion is expressed
as to whether any alternative transaction might produce
consideration for Coddle Creek or its stockholders in an amount
in excess of that contemplated in the Merger. Coddle Creek
management has informed us that no alternative transaction is,
and we are not otherwise aware of any alternative transaction
that is, currently being contemplated by Coddle Creek.
In rendering our opinion, we have assumed that the Merger will
be consummated on the terms described in the Merger Agreement
and that in the course of obtaining the necessary approvals for
the Merger, no restrictions or conditions will be imposed that
would have a material adverse effect on the contemplated
benefits of the Merger to Coddle Creek or First Community or the
ability to consummate the Merger. Our opinion is based on the
market, economic and other relevant considerations as they exist
and have been evaluated by us on the date hereof. This opinion
was approved by the Fairness Committee of Howe Barnes.
We have acted as financial advisor to Coddle Creek in connection
with the Merger and have received a fee for such services, and
expect an additional fee that is contingent upon consummation of
the Merger. In addition, Coddle Creek has agreed to indemnify us
for certain liabilities arising out of our engagement by Coddle
Creek in connection with the Merger.
This opinion may not be disclosed, communicated, reproduced,
disseminated, quoted or referred to at any time (in whole or
part), to any third party or in any manner or for any purpose
whatsoever without our prior written consent, although this
opinion may be (i) furnished to First Community for
inspection purposes only, provided however, that such consent to
provide First Community with a copy of this opinion is based on
the condition that each of Coddle Creek and First Community have
acknowledged and agreed that First Community is not authorized
to and shall not rely on this opinion, and (ii) included in
its entirety in the proxy statement/prospectus of Coddle
Creek used to solicit stockholder approval of the Merger so long
as any description of or reference to us or this opinion and the
related analysis in such filing is in a form reasonably
acceptable to us and our counsel. It should be understood that
subsequent developments may affect this opinion and we do not
have any obligation to revise or reaffirm this opinion. The
opinion does not in any matter address the prices at which the
capital stock of Coddle Creek or First Community or any of their
respective affiliates may trade after the announcement of the
Merger. It is understood that this letter is directed to the
Board of Directors of Coddle Creek in its consideration of the
Merger Agreement, and is not intended to be and does not
constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such
stockholder should vote with respect to the Merger. In rendering
this opinion, we express no opinion with respect to the amount
or nature of any compensation to any officers, directors, or
employees of Coddle Creek, or any class of such persons relative
to the shareholder consideration to be received by the holders
of the common stock of Coddle Creek in the transaction or with
respect to the fairness of any such compensation.
During the two years preceding the date of the opinion, other
than this engagement, Howe Barnes has not had a material
relationship with Coddle Creek where compensation was received
or that it contemplates will
B-2
be received after closing of the transaction. Furthermore, Howe
Barnes has not received compensation from First Community in the
last two years.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, including the various
assumptions and limitations set forth herein, and based on such
other matters as we considered relevant, it is our opinion that
as of the date hereof that the shareholder consideration is
fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Coddle
Creek common stock.
Sincerely,
Howe Barnes
Hoefer & Arnett, Inc.
William J. Wagner
First Vice President and Managing Director
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APPENDIX C
Chapter 55,
Article 13 of the North Carolina General Statutes
Dissenters
Rights.
Part 1.
Right to Dissent and Obtain Payment for Shares.
§
55-13-01.
Definitions.
In this Article:
(1) Corporation means the issuer of the
shares held by a dissenter before the corporate action, or the
surviving or acquiring corporation by merger or share exchange
of that issuer.
(2) Dissenter means a shareholder who is
entitled to dissent from corporate action under
G.S. 55-13-02
and who exercises that right when and in the manner required by
G.S.
55-13-20
through
55-13-28.
(3) Fair value, with respect to a
dissenters shares, means the value of the shares
immediately before the effectuation of the corporate action to
which the dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation or
depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action unless
exclusion would be inequitable.
(4) Interest means interest from the
effective date of the corporate action until the date of
payment, at a rate that is fair and equitable under all the
circumstances, giving due consideration to the rate currently
paid by the corporation on its principal bank loans, if any, but
not less than the rate provided in G.S.
24-1.
(5) Record shareholder means the person
in whose name shares are registered in the records of a
corporation or the beneficial owner of shares to the extent of
the rights granted by a nominee certificate on file with a
corporation.
(6) Beneficial shareholder means the
person who is a beneficial owner of shares held in a voting
trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder.
(7) Shareholder means the record
shareholder or the beneficial shareholder.
§
55-13-02.
Right to dissent.
(a) In addition to any rights granted under Article 9,
a shareholder is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of
the fair value of his shares in the event of, any of the
following corporate actions:
(1) Consummation of a plan of merger to which the
corporation (other than a parent corporation in a merger whose
shares are not affected under G.S.
55-11-04) is
a party unless (i) approval by the shareholders of that
corporation is not required under G.S.
55-11-03(g)
or (ii) such shares are then redeemable by the corporation
at a price not greater than the cash to be received in exchange
for such shares;
(2) Consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the
corporation is a party as the corporation whose shares will be
acquired, unless such shares are then redeemable by the
corporation at a price not greater than the cash to be received
in exchange for such shares;
(2a) Consummation of a plan of conversion pursuant to
Part 2 of Article 11A of this Chapter;
(3) Consummation of a sale or exchange of all, or
substantially all, of the property of the corporation other than
as permitted by G.S.
55-12-01,
including a sale in dissolution, but not including a sale
pursuant to court order or a sale pursuant to a plan by which
all or substantially all of the net proceeds of the sale will be
distributed in cash to the shareholders within one year after
the date of sale;
(4) An amendment of the articles of incorporation that
materially and adversely affects rights in respect of a
dissenters shares because it (i) alters or abolishes
a preferential right of the shares; (ii) creates, alters,
or abolishes a right in respect of redemption, including a
provision respecting a sinking
C-1
fund for the redemption or repurchase, of the shares;
(iii) alters or abolishes a preemptive right of the holder
of the shares to acquire shares or other securities;
(iv) excludes or limits the right of the shares to vote on
any matter, or to cumulate votes, other than an amendment of the
articles of incorporation permitting action without meeting to
be taken by less than all shareholders entitled to vote, without
advance notice, or both, as provided in G.S.
55-7-04;
(v) reduces the number of shares owned by the shareholder
to a fraction of a share if the fractional share so created is
to be acquired for cash under
G.S. 55-6-04;
or (vi) changes the corporation into a nonprofit
corporation or cooperative organization; or
(5) Any corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder
vote to the extent the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a
resolution of the board of directors provides that voting or
nonvoting shareholders are entitled to dissent and obtain
payment for their shares.
(b) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment
for his shares under this Article may not challenge the
corporate action creating his entitlement, including without
limitation a merger solely or partly in exchange for cash or
other property, unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with
respect to the shareholder or the corporation.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article,
there shall be no right of shareholders to dissent from, or
obtain payment of the fair value of the shares in the event of,
the corporate actions set forth in subdivisions (1), (2), or
(3) of subsection (a) of this section if the affected
shares are any class or series which, at the record date fixed
to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and
to vote at the meeting at which the plan of merger or share
exchange or the sale or exchange of property is to be acted on,
were (i) listed on a national securities exchange or
designated as a national market system security on an
interdealer quotation system by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or (ii) held by at least 2,000
record shareholders. This subsection does not apply in cases in
which either:
(1) The articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution
of the board of directors of the corporation issuing the shares
provide otherwise; or
(2) In the case of a plan of merger or share exchange, the
holders of the class or series are required under the plan of
merger or share exchange to accept for the shares anything
except:
a. Cash;
b. Shares, or shares and cash in lieu of fractional shares
of the surviving or acquiring corporation, or of any other
corporation which, at the record date fixed to determine the
shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the
meeting at which the plan of merger or share exchange is to be
acted on, were either listed subject to notice of issuance on a
national securities exchange or designated as a national market
system security on an interdealer quotation system by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or held by at
least 2,000 record shareholders; or
c. A combination of cash and shares as set forth in
sub-subdivisions a. and b. of this subdivision.
§
55-13-03.
Dissent by nominees and beneficial owners.
(a) A record shareholder may assert dissenters rights
as to fewer than all the shares registered in his name only if
he dissents with respect to all shares beneficially owned by any
one person and notifies the corporation in writing of the name
and address of each person on whose behalf he asserts
dissenters rights. The rights of a partial dissenter under
this subsection are determined as if the shares as to which he
dissents and his other shares were registered in the names of
different shareholders.
(b) A beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters
rights as to shares held on his behalf only if:
(1) He submits to the corporation the record
shareholders written consent to the dissent not later than
the time the beneficial shareholder asserts dissenters
rights; and
(2) He does so with respect to all shares of which he is
the beneficial shareholder.
§§
55-13-04
through
55-13-19.
Reserved for future codification purposes.
C-2
Part 2.
Procedure for Exercise of Dissenters Rights.
§
55-13-20.
Notice of dissenters rights.
(a) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters
rights under G.S.
55-13-02 is
submitted to a vote at a shareholders meeting, the meeting
notice must state that shareholders are or may be entitled to
assert dissenters rights under this Article and be
accompanied by a copy of this Article.
(b) If corporate action creating dissenters rights
under G.S.
55-13-02 is
taken without a vote of shareholders or is taken by shareholder
action without meeting under G.S.
55-7-04, the
corporation shall no later than 10 days thereafter notify
in writing all shareholders entitled to assert dissenters
rights that the action was taken and send them the
dissenters notice described in G.S.
55-13-22. A
shareholder who consents to shareholder action taken without
meeting under G.S.
55-7-04
approving a corporate action is not entitled to payment for the
shareholders shares under this Article with respect to
that corporate action.
(c) If a corporation fails to comply with the requirements
of this section, such failure shall not invalidate any corporate
action taken; but any shareholder may recover from the
corporation any damage which he suffered from such failure in a
civil action brought in his own name within three years after
the taking of the corporate action creating dissenters
rights under G.S.
55-13-02
unless he voted for such corporate action.
§
55-13-21.
Notice of intent to demand payment.
(a) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters
rights under G.S.
55-13-02 is
submitted to a vote at a shareholders meeting, a
shareholder who wishes to assert dissenters rights:
(1) Must give to the corporation, and the corporation must
actually receive, before the vote is taken written notice of his
intent to demand payment for his shares if the proposed action
is effectuated; and
(2) Must not vote his shares in favor of the proposed
action.
(b) A shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of
subsection (a) is not entitled to payment for his shares
under this Article.
§
55-13-22.
Dissenters notice.
(a) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters
rights under G.S.
55-13-02 is
approved at a shareholders meeting, the corporation shall
mail by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
a written dissenters notice to all shareholders who
satisfied the requirements of G.S.
55-13-21.
(b) The dissenters notice must be sent no later than
10 days after shareholder approval, or if no shareholder
approval is required, after the approval of the board of
directors, of the corporate action creating dissenters
rights under G.S.
55-13-02,
and must:
(1) State where the payment demand must be sent and where
and when certificates for certificated shares must be deposited;
(2) Inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent
transfer of the shares will be restricted after the payment
demand is received;
(3) Supply a form for demanding payment;
(4) Set a date by which the corporation must receive the
payment demand, which date may not be fewer than 30 nor more
than 60 days after the date the subsection (a) notice
is mailed; and
(5) Be accompanied by a copy of this Article.
§
55-13-23.
Duty to demand payment.
(a) A shareholder sent a dissenters notice described
in G.S.
55-13-22
must demand payment and deposit his share certificates in
accordance with the terms of the notice.
(b) The shareholder who demands payment and deposits his
share certificates under subsection (a) retains all other
rights of a shareholder until these rights are cancelled or
modified by the taking of the proposed corporate action.
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(c) A shareholder who does not demand payment or deposit
his share certificates where required, each by the date set in
the dissenters notice, is not entitled to payment for his
shares under this Article.
§
55-13-24.
Share restrictions.
(a) The corporation may restrict the transfer of
uncertificated shares from the date the demand for their payment
is received until the proposed corporate action is taken or the
restrictions released under G.S.
55-13-26.
(b) The person for whom dissenters rights are
asserted as to uncertificated shares retains all other rights of
a shareholder until these rights are cancelled or modified by
the taking of the proposed corporate action.
§
55-13-25.
Payment.
(a) As soon as the proposed corporate action is taken, or
within 30 days after receipt of a payment demand, the
corporation shall pay each dissenter who complied with G.S.
55-13-23 the
amount the corporation estimates to be the fair value of his
shares, plus interest accrued to the date of payment.
(b) The payment shall be accompanied by:
(1) The corporations most recent available balance
sheet as of the end of a fiscal year ending not more than
16 months before the date of payment, an income statement
for that year, a statement of cash flows for that year, and the
latest available interim financial statements, if any;
(2) An explanation of how the corporation estimated the
fair value of the shares;
(3) An explanation of how the interest was calculated;
(4) A statement of the dissenters right to demand
payment under G.S.
55-13-28; and
(5) A copy of this Article.
§
55-13-26.
Failure to take action.
(a) If the corporation does not take the proposed action
within 60 days after the date set for demanding payment and
depositing share certificates, the corporation shall return the
deposited certificates and release the transfer restrictions
imposed on uncertificated shares.
(b) If after returning deposited certificates and releasing
transfer restrictions, the corporation takes the proposed
action, it must send a new dissenters notice under G.S.
55-13-22 and
repeat the payment demand procedure.
§
55-13-27.
Reserved for future codification purposes.
§
55-13-28.
Procedure if shareholder dissatisfied with corporations
payment or failure to perform.
(a) A dissenter may notify the corporation in writing of
his own estimate of the fair value of his shares and amount of
interest due, and demand payment of the amount in excess of the
payment by the corporation under G.S.
55-13-25 for
the fair value of his shares and interest due, if:
(1) The dissenter believes that the amount paid under G.S.
55-13-25 is
less than the fair value of his shares or that the interest due
is incorrectly calculated;
(2) The corporation fails to make payment under G.S.
55-13-25; or
(3) The corporation, having failed to take the proposed
action, does not return the deposited certificates or release
the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares
within 60 days after the date set for demanding payment.
(b) A dissenter waives his right to demand payment under
this section unless he notifies the corporation of his demand in
writing (i) under subdivision (a)(1) within 30 days
after the corporation made payment for his shares or
(ii) under subdivisions (a)(2) and (a)(3) within
30 days after the corporation has failed to perform timely.
A dissenter who fails to notify the corporation of his demand
under subsection (a) within such
30-day
period shall be deemed to have withdrawn his dissent and demand
for payment.
§
55-13-29.
Reserved for future codification purposes.
C-4
Part 3.
Judicial Appraisal of Shares.
§
55-13-30.
Court action.
(a) If a demand for payment under G.S.
55-13-28
remains unsettled, the dissenter may commence a proceeding
within 60 days after the earlier of (i) the date
payment is made under G.S.
55-13-25, or
(ii) the date of the dissenters payment demand under
G.S.
55-13-28 by
filing a complaint with the Superior Court Division of the
General Court of Justice to determine the fair value of the
shares and accrued interest. A dissenter who takes no action
within the
60-day
period shall be deemed to have withdrawn his dissent and demand
for payment.
(a1) Repealed by Session Laws
1997-202, s.
4.
(b) Reserved for future codification purposes.
(c) The court shall have the discretion to make all
dissenters (whether or not residents of this State) whose
demands remain unsettled parties to the proceeding as in an
action against their shares and all parties must be served with
a copy of the complaint. Nonresidents may be served by
registered or certified mail or by publication as provided by
law.
(d) The jurisdiction of the superior court in which the
proceeding is commenced under subsection (a) is plenary and
exclusive. The court may appoint one or more persons as
appraisers to receive evidence and recommend decision on the
question of fair value. The appraisers have the powers described
in the order appointing them, or in any amendment to it. The
parties are entitled to the same discovery rights as parties in
other civil proceedings. The proceeding shall be tried as in
other civil actions. However, in a proceeding by a dissenter in
a corporation that was a public corporation immediately prior to
consummation of the corporate action giving rise to the right of
dissent under G.S.
55-13-02,
there is no right to a trial by jury.
(e) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding is
entitled to judgment for the amount, if any, by which the court
finds the fair value of his shares, plus interest, exceeds the
amount paid by the corporation.
§
55-13-31.
Court costs and counsel fees.
(a) The court in an appraisal proceeding commenced under
G.S.
55-13-30
shall determine all costs of the proceeding, including the
reasonable compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by
the court, and shall assess the costs as it finds equitable.
(b) The court may also assess the fees and expenses of
counsel and experts for the respective parties, in amounts the
court finds equitable:
(1) Against the corporation and in favor of any or all
dissenters if the court finds the corporation did not
substantially comply with the requirements of G.S.
55-13-20
through
55-13-28; or
(2) Against either the corporation or a dissenter, in favor
of either or any other party, if the court finds that the party
against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted
arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to
the rights provided by this Article.
(c) If the court finds that the services of counsel for any
dissenter were of substantial benefit to other dissenters
similarly situated, and that the fees for those services should
not be assessed against the corporation, the court may award to
these counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts
awarded the dissenters who were benefited.
C-5
PART II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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Item 20.
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Indemnification
of Directors and Officers.
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Nevada law permits a Nevada corporation to indemnify its
directors and officers in certain circumstances. Specifically,
Section 78.7502 of the NRS provides as follows:
Indemnification of directors and officers.
(1) A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, except an action by
or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that
he is or was a director or officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director or officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against expenses including attorneys fees,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit
or proceeding if he: (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS
78.138 or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or
proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a
plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, does not, of itself,
create a presumption that the person is liable pursuant to NRS
78.138 or did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonable believed to be in or not opposed to the bests
interests of the corporation, or that, with respect to any
criminal action or proceedings, he had reasonable cause to
believe that his conduct was unlawful.
(2) A corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the
fact that he is or was a director or officer, employee or agent
of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director or officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against expenses including amounts paid in settlement
and attorneys fees actually and reasonably incurred by him
in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or
suit if he (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 or
(b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably
believed to be in or not, opposed to the best interests of the
corporation. Indemnification may not be made for any claim,
issue or matter as to which such a person shall have been
adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion
of all appeals therefrom, to be liable for negligence or
misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation or
for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and
only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit
was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines
upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the
case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity
for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
(3) To the extent that a director or officer of a
corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in
defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in
subsections (1) or (2) of this section, or in the
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the corporation
shall indemnify him against expenses, including attorneys
fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
therewith.
First Communitys articles of incorporation, which will be
the articles of incorporation of the surviving corporation,
provide that First Community will indemnify any of its
directors, officers, employees or agents against expenses
(including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, relating to service for or at the request of
II-1
First Community. First Community will not indemnify a director,
officer, employee or agent if: (A) he did not act in good
faith; (B) he did not reasonably believe that the actions
were either (i) in First Communitys best interests,
or (ii) not opposed to First Communitys best
interests; or (C) with respect to a criminal action or
proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful.
First Communitys articles of incorporation also provide
that no director will be liable to First Community or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty
as a director, except that the directors liability will
not be eliminated or limited: (A) for any breach of the
directors duty of loyalty to First Community or its
stockholders; (B) for acts or omissions involving
intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law;
(C) for the payment of any distribution in violation of
Nevada law; or (D) for any transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or
persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the provisions
described above, the Registrant has been informed that in the
opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
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Item 21.
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Exhibits
and Financial Statement Schedules.
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The exhibits and financial statement schedules filed as a part
of this Registration Statement are as follows:
(a) List of Exhibits:
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Exhibit
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No.
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Exhibit
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2
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.1
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Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 31, 2008,
among First Community Bancshares, Inc. and Coddle Creek
Financial Corp.(1)
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2
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.2
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Form of Shareholder Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2008,
among First Community Bancshares, Inc., Coddle Creek Financial
Corp. and each director and executive officer of Coddle Creek
Financial Corp. and Mooresville Savings Bank, Inc., SSB.(1)
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3
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.1
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Articles of Incorporation of First Community Bancshares, Inc.,
as amended.(2)
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3
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.2
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Bylaws of First Community Bancshares, Inc., as amended.(3)
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4
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.1
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Specimen stock certificate of First Community Bancshares, Inc.(4)
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5
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.1
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Opinion of Patton Boggs LLP regarding the legality of the
securities being registered.
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8
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.1
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Opinion of Patton Boggs LLP regarding certain tax matters.*
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21
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.1
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Subsidiaries.(5)
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23
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.1
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Consent of Dixon Hughes PLLC.
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23
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.2
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Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
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23
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.3
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Consent of Patton Boggs LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and
8.1).
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24
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.1
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Power of Attorney (included herewith on the signature page).
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99
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.1
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Consent of Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett, Inc.(1)
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99
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.2
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Form of proxies for the special meeting of stockholders of
Coddle Creek Financial Corp.
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* |
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To be filed by amendment. |
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(1) |
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Included as an appendix to the proxy statement/prospectus
contained in this Registration Statement. |
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(2) |
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Incorporated by reference from First Community Bancshares,
Inc.s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the period ended June 30, 2005, filed with the
Commission on August 5, 2005. |
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(3) |
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Incorporated by reference from Item 5.03 of First Community
Bancshares, Inc.s Current Report on
Form 8-K,
dated February 14, 2008, filed with the Commission on
February 20, 2008. |
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(4) |
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Incorporated by reference from First Community Bancshares,
Inc.s Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the period ended December 31, 1999, filed with the
Commission on March 30, 2000, as amended April 13,
2000. |
II-2
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(5) |
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Incorporated by reference from First Community Bancshares,
Inc.s Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the period ended December 31, 2007, filed with the
Commission on March 13, 2008. |
(b) Financial Statement Schedules.
No financial statement schedules are filed because the required
information is not applicable or is included in the consolidated
financial statements of First Community that are incorporated
herein by reference.
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes as follows:
(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;
(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 aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement
(notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if,
in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no
more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price
set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee
table in the effective registration statement); and
(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 statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that
contains a form of prospectus 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 termination of the offering.
(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under
the Securities Act, each filing of the registrants annual
report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of
the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to
section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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.
(5) 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.
(6) That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant
to paragraph (3) immediately preceding, or (ii) that
purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of
the Act 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, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
II-3
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.
(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act 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 Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
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 questions whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing on
Form S-4
and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
Commonwealth of Virginia, on August 29, 2008.
FIRST COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.
John M. Mendez
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities and on the date indicated. Each person whose
signature appears below, hereby makes, constitutes and appoints
John M. Mendez or his true and lawful attorney, with full power
to sign for such person and in such persons name and
capacity indicated below, and with full power of substitution,
any and all amendments to this Registration Statement, hereby
ratifying and confirming such persons signature as it may
be signed by said attorney to any and all amendments.
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Name
|
|
Title
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|
Date
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|
|
|
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/s/ John
M. Mendez
John
M. Mendez
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Director, President and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
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August 29, 2008
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|
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|
|
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/s/ David
D. Brown
David
D. Brown
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Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
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|
August 29, 2008
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|
|
|
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Franklin
P. Hall
|
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Director
|
|
,
2008
|
|
|
|
|
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/s/ Allen
T. Hamner
Allen
T. Hamner
|
|
Director
|
|
August 29, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ I.
Norris Kanton
I.
Norris Kanton
|
|
Director
|
|
August 29, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ A.A.
Modena
A.A.
Modena
|
|
Director
|
|
August 29, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Robert
E. Perkinson, Jr.
Robert
E. Perkinson, Jr.
|
|
Director
|
|
August 29, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
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/s/ William
P. Stafford
William
P. Stafford
|
|
Director
|
|
August 29, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
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/s/ William
P. Stafford, II
William
P. Stafford, II
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Director
|
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August 29, 2008
|
EXHIBIT INDEX
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|
|
|
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Exhibit
|
|
|
No.
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
2
|
.1
|
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 31, 2008
among First Community Bancshares, Inc. and Coddle Creek
Financial Corp.(1)
|
|
2
|
.2
|
|
Form of Shareholder Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2008,
among First Community Bancshares, Inc., Coddle Creek Financial
Corp. and each director and executive officer of Coddle Creek
Financial Corp. and Mooresville Savings Bank, Inc., SSB.(1)
|
|
3
|
.1
|
|
Articles of Incorporation of First Community Bancshares, Inc.,
as amended.(2)
|
|
3
|
.2
|
|
Bylaws of First Community Bancshares, Inc., as amended.(3)
|
|
4
|
.1
|
|
Specimen stock certificate of First Community Bancshares, Inc.(4)
|
|
5
|
.1
|
|
Opinion of Patton Boggs LLP regarding the legality of the
securities being registered.
|
|
8
|
.1
|
|
Opinion of Patton Boggs LLP regarding certain tax matters.*
|
|
21
|
.1
|
|
Subsidiaries.(5)
|
|
23
|
.1
|
|
Consent of Dixon Hughes PLLC.
|
|
23
|
.2
|
|
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
|
|
23
|
.3
|
|
Consent of Patton Boggs LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and
8.1).
|
|
24
|
.1
|
|
Power of Attorney (included herewith on the signature page).
|
|
99
|
.1
|
|
Consent of Howe Barnes Hoefer & Arnett, Inc.(1)
|
|
99
|
.2
|
|
Form of proxies for the special meeting of stockholders of
Coddle Creek Financial Corp.
|
|
|
|
* |
|
To be filed by amendment. |
|
(1) |
|
Included as an appendix to the proxy statement/prospectus
contained in this Registration Statement. |
|
(2) |
|
Incorporated by reference from First Community Bancshares,
Inc.s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the period ended June 30, 2005, filed with the
Commission on August 5, 2005. |
|
(3) |
|
Incorporated by reference from Item 5.03 of First Community
Bancshares, Inc.s Current Report on
Form 8-K,
dated February 14, 2008, filed with the Commission on
February 20, 2008. |
|
(4) |
|
Incorporated by reference from First Community Bancshares,
Inc.s Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the period ended December 31, 1999, filed with the
Commission on March 30, 2000, as amended April 13,
2000. |
|
(5) |
|
Incorporated by reference from First Community Bancshares,
Inc.s Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the period ended December 31, 2007, filed with the
Commission on March 13, 2008. |