<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section (S)240.14a-11(c) or Section
(S)240.14a-12
ITLA CAPITAL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
ITLA CAPITAL CORPORATION
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No Fee Required
[_] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(j)(2).
[_] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:*
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
- - ----------
*Set forth the amount on which the filing is calculated and state how it was
determined.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
Notes:
<PAGE>
[LOGO OF ITLA CAPITAL CORPORATION APPEARS HERE]
ITLA CAPITAL CORPORATION
888 Prospect Street
La Jolla, California 92037
(619) 551-0511
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on July 24, 1997
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of ITLA
Capital Corporation (the "Company") will be held at the Radisson Hotel at 3299
Holiday Court, La Jolla, California, on July 24, 1997 at 1:00 P.M., California
time.
A Proxy Card and a Proxy Statement for the Meeting are enclosed.
The Meeting is for the purpose of considering and acting upon:
1. The election of one (1) director of the Company;
2. The ratification of the appointment of Arthur Andersen, LLP as
independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1997; and
such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting, or any adjournments
or postponements thereof. The Board of Directors is not aware of any other
business to come before the Meeting.
Any action may be taken on the foregoing proposals at the Meeting on the
date specified above, or on any date or dates to which the Meeting may be
adjourned. Shareholders of record at the close of business on June 4, 1997 are
the shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting and any adjournments thereof. A
complete list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be available
for inspection by shareholders at the offices of the Company during the ten days
prior to the Meeting, as well as at the Meeting.
You are requested to complete, sign and date the enclosed Form of Proxy
which is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors and to mail it promptly
in the enclosed envelope. The Proxy will not be used if you attend and vote at
the Meeting in person.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ George W. Haligowski
George W. Haligowski
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
La Jolla, California
June 24, 1997
================================================================================
IMPORTANT: THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL SAVE THE COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF
FURTHER REQUESTS FOR PROXIES TO ENSURE A QUORUM AT THE MEETING. A SELF-ADDRESSED
ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED
WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.
================================================================================
<PAGE>
ITLA CAPITAL CORPORATION
888 Prospect Street
La Jolla, California 92037
(619) 551-0511
--------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
--------------------
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JULY 24, 1997
--------------------
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation, on
behalf of the Board of Directors of ITLA Capital Corporation (the "Company"), of
proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the
"Meeting"), and all adjournments of the Meeting. The Meeting is to be held at
the Radisson Hotel, 3299 Holiday Court, La Jolla, California, on July 24, 1997
at 1:00 P.M., California time. The accompanying Notice of Meeting and this Proxy
Statement are first being mailed to shareholders on or about June 24, 1997.
Certain of the information provided herein relates to Imperial Thrift and Loan
Association (the "Bank"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
At the Meeting, shareholders of the Company are being asked to consider and
vote upon the election of one director of the Company and the ratification of
the appointment of Arthur Andersen, LLP as the Company's independent auditors
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.
Voting Rights and Proxy Information
All shares of Company common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common
Stock"), represented at the Meeting by properly executed proxies received prior
to or at the Meeting and not revoked will be voted at the Meeting in accordance
with the instructions thereon. If no instructions are indicated, properly
executed proxies will be voted for the nominee and the adoption of the proposal
set forth in this Proxy Statement. The Company does not know of any matters,
other than as described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, that
are to come before the Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented at
the Meeting for action, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy and
acting thereunder will have the discretion to vote on such matters in accordance
with their best judgment.
Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes present in person or
represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of
directors. In all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative
vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the
Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter shall be the act of the shareholders.
Proxies marked to abstain have the same effect as votes against the
proposal, while broker non-votes have no effect on the vote. A majority of the
shares of the Company's Common Stock, present in person or represented by proxy,
shall constitute a quorum for purposes of the Meeting. Abstentions and broker
non-votes are counted for purposes of determining a quorum.
A proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked at any time
before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked by: (i) duly executing and delivering
to the Secretary of the Company a subsequent proxy relating to the same shares
prior to the exercise of such proxy, (ii) filing with the Secretary of the
Company at or before the Meeting a written notice of revocation bearing a later
date than the proxy, or (iii) attending the Meeting and voting in person
(although attendance at the Meeting will not in and of itself constitute
revocation of a proxy). Any written notice revoking a proxy should be delivered
to Michael L. Mayer, Esq., Secretary of the Company, at ITLA Capital
Corporation, 888 Prospect Street, La Jolla, California 92037.
<PAGE>
Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof
Shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 4, 1997 will be
entitled to one vote for each share then held. As of that date, the Company had
7,830,250 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.
The following table sets forth, as of June 4, 1997, certain information as
to (i) those persons who were known by management to be beneficial owners of
more than five percent of Company common stock outstanding; (ii) the shares of
common stock beneficially owned by the executive officers named below; and (iii)
as to the shares of common stock beneficially owned by all executive officers
and directors of the Company as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Percent
Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned of Class
---------------- ------------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
Wellington Management Company
75 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109 ................... 750,000/(1)/ 9.58%
Thomson Horstmann & Bryant, Inc.
Park 80 West, Plaza Two
Saddle Brook, New Jersey 07663 ................ 746,200/(2)/ 9.53
Kramer Spellman L.P.
2050 Center Avenue, Suite 300
Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024 .................... 586,300/(3)/ 7.49
All directors and executive officers
as a group (12 persons) ........................ 186,031/(4)/ 2.33
</TABLE>
/(1)/ As reported by Wellington Management Company ("Wellington") on a Schedule
13G dated on or about February 10, 1997, and filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Wellington reported sole voting and investment power as to no shares,
shared voting power as to 354,400 shares and shared investment power as to
750,000 of the 750,000 shares covered by the report.
/(2)/ As reported by Thomson Horstmann & Bryant, Inc. ("Thomson") on a Schedule
13G dated on or about January 9, 1997, and filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Thomson reported sole voting power as to 473,400, sole investment power as
to 746,200, shared voting power as to 10,400 and shares investment power
as to none of the 746,200 shares covered by Thomson's report.
/(3)/ As reported by Kramer Spellman L.P. ("Kramer-Spellman") on a Schedule 13D
dated on or about May 2, 1997. Messrs. Orin S. Kramer and Jay Spellman,
the general partners of Kramer-Spellman reported shared voting and
dispositive power as to all of the 586,300 shares covered by the report.
/(4)/ Includes shares held directly, as well as an aggregate of 158,331 shares
which are subject to immediately exercisable options and options
exercisable within 60 days of June 4, 1997, under the Company's Stock
Option Plans, shares held in retirement accounts or by certain members of
the named individual's families or corporations for which an individual is
an officer or director or held by trust of which an individual is trustee
or a substantial beneficiary, over which shares the individual may be
deemed to have sole or shared voting and/or investment power. The above
named individuals held exercisable options and options exercisable within
60 days of June 4, 1997 as follows: Chairman Haligowski - 95,000 shares;
Director Lipscomb - 5,000 shares; Director Mayuga - 5,000 shares; Director
Oribe - 5,000 shares; Director Reed - 5,000 shares; Norval L. Bruce -
13,333 shares; and George J. Guarini - 13,333 shares.
2
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL I -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Board of Directors is composed of five members.
Approximately one-third of the directors are elected annually. Directors of the
Company are generally elected to serve for a three-year term or until their
respective successors shall have been elected and shall have qualified.
The table below sets forth certain information regarding the
composition of the Company's Board of Directors, including their terms of
office. The composition of the Board of Directors of the Company and the Bank
is identical, except that Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
Norval Bruce is also a member of the Bank's Board of Directors. It is intended
that the proxies solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors (other than
proxies in which the vote is withheld as to the nominee) will be voted at the
Meeting for the election of the nominee identified below. If the nominee is
unable to serve, the shares represented by all such proxies will be voted for
the election of such substitute as the Board of Directors may recommend. At
this time, the Board of Directors knows of no reason why the nominee might be
unable to serve, if elected. There are no arrangements or understandings
between any nominee and any other person pursuant to which such nominee was
selected.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares of
Common Stock
Term Beneficially Percent
Positions Held in the Director to Owned at of
Name Age/(1)/ Company Since Expire June 4, 1997/(2)/ Class
- - ------------------- -------- --------------------- -------- ------ ----------------- --------
NOMINEE
-------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jeffrey L. Lipscomb 43 Director 1996 2000 5,000 .06%
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
------------------------------
Sandor X. Mayuga 48 Director 1996 1998 5,800 .07
Robert R. Reed 60 Director 1996 1998 5,200 .07
George W. Haligowski 42 Chairman of the Board, 1996 1999 120,000 1.51
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Hirotaka Oribe 62 Director 1996 1999 5,200 .07
</TABLE>
- - -----------------------
/(1)/ As of June 4, 1997.
/(2)/ Includes shares held directly, as well as an aggregate of 115,000 shares
which are subject to immediately exercisable options and options
exercisable within 60 days of June 4, 1997, under the Company's Stock
Option Plans, shares held in retirement accounts or by certain members of
the named individual's family or corporations for which an individual is
an officer or director or held by trust of which an individual is trustee
or a substantial beneficiary, over which shares the individual may be
deemed to have sole or shared voting and/or investment power. The above
named individuals held exercisable options and options exercisable within
60 days of June 4, 1997 as follows: Chairman Haligowski - 95,000 shares;
Director Lipscomb - 5,000 shares; Director Mayuga - 5,000 shares; Director
Oribe - 5,000 shares; and Director Reed - 5,000 shares.
The business experience of each of the directors of the Company and
the Bank for at least the past five years is as follows:
George W. Haligowski has served as Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since inception and of the Bank since
July 1992. From 1990 to the present, he has also served as President, Chief
Executive Officer and Principal of Halivest International, Ltd., an
international finance and asset management company. He was previously employed
as a Vice President by Shearson Lehman Hutton, (1988-1990) and Prudential-Bache
Securities (1983-1988), and by Avco Financial Services as Regional Director of
its Japanese branch operations
3
<PAGE>
in 1976 to 1981, as Training Coordinator for Avco Thrift and Loan in 1976 and as
a Branch Manager from 1974 to 1976.
Jeffrey L. Lipscomb is an Investment Advisory Associate with EQ
Financial Consultants, Inc. and formerly was a Registered Principal and
Assistant Manager of the San Diego office of Equitable Financial Companies since
1986, handling corporate group benefits and personal financial planning.
Sandor X. Mayuga is a member of the state bar of California, has been
a member of the law firm of Tisdale & Nicholson since 1994, and previously
conducted his own private law practice from 1985 to 1995. Mr. Mayuga previously
served as a Director of the Bank from December 1983 to June 1993.
Robert R. Reed is retired from Household International where he was
employed in various positions from 1960 to 1992. Mr. Reed served as Vice
President of Household Bank from 1980 to 1992. Mr. Reed was previously
employed in management positions with Household Financial Corporation from
1962 to 1980. Mr. Reed previously served as a Director of the Bank from
September 1994 to August 1995, when all directors appointed by the Bank's former
parent resigned as part of the Bank's initial public offering.
Hirotaka Oribe is a licensed architect with international experience
in real estate development and urban planning. Since 1993, Mr. Oribe has served
as an adviser to Kajima Development Resources, Inc. From 1979 to 1993, Mr. Oribe
was Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and a Director of Kajima
Development Corporation, a firm engaged in development and construction of
single-family and multifamily housing, office buildings and retail space, and
land development. Mr. Oribe previously held other positions with affiliates of
Kajima Corporation of Japan from 1973 to 1979 and was a practicing architect
from 1962 to 1973.
Board of Directors Meetings and Committees
Meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company are generally held
as required. During fiscal 1996 the Board of Directors held six meetings. No
director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of
Directors of the Company held during 1996 and the total number of meetings held
by all Board committees on which any such director served during 1996.
The Board of Directors of the Company has standing Executive, Audit
and Compensation Committees, the function and composition of which are set forth
below.
The Company's Board of Directors acts as the nominating committee that
nominates officers and directors for election as well as nominees to fill any
vacancies which may exist on the Board. The Board will consider nominees
recommended by others; however, it has not actively solicited nominations nor
established any procedures for this purpose. Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws,
nominations must be delivered in writing to the Secretary of the Company at
least 60 days prior to the date of the annual meeting.
Executive Committee. The primary responsibilities of the Executive
Committee are to advise the Company's management on matters when the full Board
of Directors is unavailable or to conduct business as specifically designated by
the full Board. The current members of the Executive Committee are Messrs.
Haligowski and Oribe. The Executive Committee held eleven meetings in fiscal
1996.
Audit Committee. The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee
are to recommend to the Board of Directors a firm of independent certified
public accountants to conduct the annual audit of the Company's books and
records; to review with such accounting firm the scope and results of the annual
audit; to review the performance by such independent accountants of professional
services in addition to those which are audit related; and to consult with the
internal and independent auditors with regard to the adequacy of the Company's
system of internal controls. The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs.
Lipscomb and Mayuga. The Audit Committee held four meetings in fiscal 1996.
4
<PAGE>
Compensation Committee. The primary responsibilities of the
Compensation Committee are to establish and review the compensation, both direct
and indirect, to be paid to the Company's executive officers and other members
of management; to review and submit to the Board of Directors its
recommendations with respect to executive compensation plans; to establish and
review periodically the Company's policies relating to executive perquisites;
and to oversee the Company's employee benefit plans. The members of the
Compensation Committee are Messrs. Lipscomb and Oribe. The Compensation
Committee met once in fiscal 1996.
Directors Compensation
Directors Fees. Each non-employee director was paid a monthly fee
during 1996 of $1,250 for serving on the Company's Board of Directors. Each non-
employee director is paid $500 for each board and committee meeting attended.
Voluntary Retainer Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan. In 1996, the
Company adopted the Voluntary Retainer Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan for
Outside Directors (the "Outside Director Plan"). The Outside Director Plan
provides for the deferral of compensation earned by non-employee directors of
the Bank in the form of Stock Units ("Stock Units") in a Stock Unit account
("Stock Unit Account"). Directors may elect to have up to 100% of their fees
converted into stock units.
For dividends paid with respect to the Company's common stock, each
non-employee director has credited to his or her Stock Unit Account an
additional number of Stock Units in an amount determined under the Outside
Director Plan. Each non-employee director's Stock Unit Account shall be settled
by delivering to the non-employee director (or his beneficiary) the number of
shares of Company common stock equal to the number of whole Stock Units then
credited to the non-employee director's Stock Unit Account, in either (i) a lump
sum or (ii) substantially equal annual installments over a period not to exceed
ten years.
The Director Stock Option Plan. The Company has adopted the Director
Stock Option Plan pursuant to which directors are eligible to receive options to
purchase Common Stock. The purpose of the Director Stock Option Plan is to
enable the Company to attract, retain and motivate directors and further align
their interests with those of the Company.
Grants to nonemployee directors are made by the Board of Directors
pursuant to a predetermined formula. Stock options to purchase 5,000 shares of
Common Stock are automatically granted to nonemployee directors upon their
election to the Board of Directors, and options to purchase an additional 1,000
shares are granted annually thereafter, provided such individuals continue to
serve as directors.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 1996, the Compensation Committee, which acts as the
compensation committee of the Company and the Bank, was comprised of Directors
Lipscomb and Oribe.
5
<PAGE>
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation
for services in all capacities to the Company and the Bank for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 of the Chief Executive Officer and the named
executive officers of the Company and its subsidiaries with salary and bonus
greater than $100,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996 (the "named
officers").
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=======================================================================================================
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Term
Annual Compensation Compensation
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All Other
Salary Bonus Options Compensation
Name and Principal Position Year ($) ($)/(1)/ (#)/(3)/ ($)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
George W. Haligowski 1996 $293,316 $81,545/(2)/ --- $ 65,904/(4)/
Chairman of the Board, President 1995 174,058 136,888 285,000 70,572/(4)/
and Chief Executive Officer 1994 150,000 194,174/(2)/ --- 39,766/(4)/
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norval L. Bruce 1996 $123,500 $ --- --- $ 8,277/(5)/
Executive Vice President and 1995 108,125 13,500 40,000 15,168/(5)/
Chief Credit Officer of the Bank 1994 102,917 20,000 --- 10,395/(5)/
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George Guarini 1996 $119,334 $ --- --- $ 11,495/(6)/
President and Chief Executive Officer 1995 89,796 8,500 40,000 12,445/(6)/
of ITLA Funding; formerly Senior Vice 1994 40,667 --- --- 14,116/(6)/
President and Chief Lending Officer of
the Bank
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- - ---------------------
/(1)/ The bonus is based on the Company's performance the prior year.
/(2)/ $55,000 of the 1996 bonus and the entire 1994 bonus were deferred at the
election of the named officer under the Company's Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Plan.
/(3)/ Granted in 1995 and vests one-third on each of the three subsequent
anniversary dates of issuance (Oct. 23, 1995).
/(4)/ Consists of (a) $21,000 in auto related benefits, (b) $22,850 in
supplemental housing payments, (c) $6,950 in life insurance premiums, (d)
$4,500 in employer contributions under the Bank's 401(k) plan and (e)
$10,604 in preferential interest on employee savings accounts in 1996. The
respective amounts for 1995 were $19,321, $22,850, $7,154, $6,682 and
$14,565. The respective amounts for 1994 were $7,855, $15,797, $7,154,
$4,125 and $4,835.
/(5)/ Consists of (a) $3,448 in auto related benefits, (b) $576 in life
insurance premiums, (c) $3,705 in employer contributions to the Bank's
401(k) plan and (d) $548 in preferential interest on employee savings
accounts in 1996. The respective amounts for 1995 were $8,750, $576,
$5,492 and $350. The respective amounts for 1994 were $5,452, $576,
$3,925 and $442.
/(6)/ Consists of (a) $10,200 of auto related benefits, (b) $1,295 in employer
contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan in 1996. The respective amounts
for 1995 were $9,600 and $2,845. The respective amounts for 1994 were
$5,250 and $705; the figure for 1994 also includes $8,161 in
supplemental housing payments.
Employment Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements
The Bank has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Haligowski,
and change of control agreements with Messrs. Bruce and Guarini. The employment
agreement provides for an initial employment term of three years, with the
agreement automatically annually extending for an additional one-year period
unless either party provides the other with at least 90 days notice of the
nonextension or termination. The employment agreement provides that the Bank may
terminate the officer "for cause," as defined in the employment agreement, and
that in the event the Bank terminates the officer without cause including as a
result of a change of control, the officer will be entitled to receive his base
salary for the remaining term of the agreement and a pro rata portion of his
bonus, if any, for the year in which his employment is terminated as well as a
continuation of all employment related benefits through the remaining term of
the agreement and the immediate vesting of any stock options previously granted
and outstanding. The annual base salary for Mr. Haligowski under the employment
agreement is currently $299,250 (which salary may
6
<PAGE>
be increased from time to time by the Board of Directors). The employment
agreement also provides for, among other things, annual incentive compensation,
disability pay, participation in stock benefit plans, and other fringe benefits,
including a supplemental housing payment of not less than $2,500 per month, an
automobile allowance of not less than $1,750 per month, and life insurance
coverage in an amount not less than four times Mr. Haligowski's annual salary.
Under the employment agreement, Mr. Haligowski received an initial option grant
of 285,000 shares of common stock.
The change of control agreements have initial terms of one year and
automatically extend for additional one-year periods upon a change of control,
as defined in the agreement, or upon their anniversary date, unless either party
provides the other with at least 90 days notice of termination. These agreements
provide that in the event the officer is terminated within twelve months
following a change of control, as defined in the agreement, the officer shall be
entitled to receive upon such termination an amount equal to 150% of the greater
of the annualized salary as in effect on the date of the change of control or
the date of termination and a pro rata portion of his bonus, if any, for the
year in which his employment is terminated. The annual base salary for each of
Messrs. Bruce and Guarini is currently $131,670 and $175,000, respectively.
Change of control, in both the employment agreement and the change in
control agreements, is defined to include (i) the sale of substantially all of
the stock or assets of the Bank, whether by merger, consolidation, sale of
assets or sale or exchange of Common Stock or the complete liquidation of the
Company, (ii) the sale by the Company or the acquisition by any person in any
single transaction (or series of related transactions) of more than 30% of the
then outstanding Common Stock of the Bank (on a fully diluted basis) or (iii)
any date upon which the directors of the Bank nominated by the Board cease to
constitute a majority of the Board. Both the employment agreement and the change
of control agreements will provide that no payments may be made thereunder in
connection with the termination of the officers covered by such agreements if,
at the time such payments would otherwise be made, the Bank is prohibited from
making such payments by any applicable federal or state law or regulation
governing its operations, unless the Bank has obtained prior approval for such
otherwise prohibited payments from the appropriate regulatory authorities.
Option Grants for 1996
No stock options were granted pursuant to the Stock Option Plan to the
named executive officers in 1996.
7
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
number and value of stock options at December 31, 1996 held by the named
executive officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================
OPTION VALUES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value of
Number of Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Options at Options at
FY-End (#) FY-End ($)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares
Acquired Value
on Realized
Name Exercise (#) ($) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
George W. Haligowski --- N/A 95,000 190,000 $475,000 $950,000
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Norval L. Bruce --- N/A 13,333 26,667 66,665 133,335
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George Guarini --- N/A 13,333 26,667 66,665 133,335
=========================================================================================================
</TABLE>
- - ---------------------------
/(1)/ The difference between the aggregate option exercise price and the
closing price of $15.00 of the underlying shares at December 31, 1996.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee (the "Committee") has furnished the
following report on executive compensation:
Compensation Policies. Under the supervision of the Board of
Directors, the Company has developed and implemented compensation policies,
plans and programs which seek to enhance the profitability of the Company, and
thus shareholder value, by closely aligning the financial interests of the
Company's employees, including its Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and the
Company's other senior management, with those of its shareholders.
The executive compensation program of the Company is designed to:
. Support a pay-for-performance policy that differentiates
compensation based on corporate and individual performance;
. Motivate employees to assume increased responsibility and reward
them for their achievement;
. Provide compensation opportunities that are comparable to those
offered by other leading companies, allowing the Company to
compete for and retain talented executives who are critical to
the Company's long-term success; and
. Align the interests of executives with the long-term interests of
shareholders through award opportunities that can result in
ownership of Common Stock.
8
<PAGE>
At present, the executive compensation program is comprised of salary,
annual cash incentive opportunities, long-term incentive opportunities in the
form of stock options, and miscellaneous benefits typically offered to
executives by major corporations. The Committee considers the total compensation
(earned or potentially available) in establishing each element of compensation
so that total compensation paid is competitive with the market place, based on
an independent consultant's survey of salary competitiveness of other financial
institutions. The Committee intends to be advised periodically by independent
compensation consultants concerning salary competitiveness.
As to Mr. Haligowski and other executive officers, as an executive's
level of responsibility increases, a greater portion of his or her potential
total compensation opportunity is based on the Company performance incentives
rather than on salary. Reliance on the Company performance causes greater
variability in the individual's total compensation from year to year. By varying
annual and long-term compensation and basing both on corporate performance, the
Company believes executive officers are encouraged to continue focusing on
building profitability and shareholder value.
Salaries. With respect to Mr. Haligowski's base salary, this Committee
took into account a comparison of salaries of chief executive officers of local
financial institutions and increased Mr. Haligowski's salary to $299,250 as of
June 1, 1996. Likewise, each executive officer's base salary was determined
utilizing financial institution compensation surveys.
Stock Option Awards. The Company's Employee Stock Option Plan is
designed to align a significant portion of the executive compensation program
with shareholder interests. The Employee Stock Option Plan provides for the
granting of stock-based awards. To date, the only type of award granted under
the Employee Stock Option Plan to executive officers and other key employees
consists of stock options.
Restricted Stock Awards. In 1996, the Committee adopted a policy
relating to the granting of restricted stock awards in lieu of a portion of the
cash bonus which would otherwise be paid to executive officers and certain key
employees under the Company's Recognition and Retention Plan (the "RRP") to be
carried out by the Compensation Committee. Under this policy, awards may be
granted to plan participants by the Committee utilizing objective criteria
adopted by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board of Directors,
after taking into account the practices of other publicly traded financial
institutions and such other factors as deemed appropriate. In addition, under
the formula, no awards under the proposed RRP will be granted in any year in
which the Bank does not achieve a return on assets of at least .50% and remains
adequately capitalized under FDIC rules. No restricted stock awards were granted
during 1996.
In 1993, Section 162(m) was added to the Code, the effect of which is
to eliminate the deductibility of compensation over $1 million, with certain
exclusions, paid to each of certain highly compensated executive officers of
publicly held corporations, such as the Company. Section 162(m) applies to all
remuneration (both cash and non-cash) that would otherwise be deductible for tax
years beginning on or after January 1, 1994, unless expressly excluded. Because
the current compensation of each of the Company's executive officers is well
below the $1 million threshold, the Company has not yet considered its policy
regarding the new provision.
Jeffrey L. Lipscomb Hirotaka Oribe
9
<PAGE>
Shareholder Return Performance Presentation
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change
in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's Common Stock against
the cumulative total return of the SNL All Thrift Index and the Nasdaq Market
Index for the period commencing October 27, 1995 and ended December 31, 1996.
ITLA Capital Corp.
[LINE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period Ending
------------------------------------------------------------
Index 10/27/95 12/31/95 3/31/96 6/30/96 9/30/96 12/31/96
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ITLA Capital Corp. $100.00 $107.69 $123.08 $129.67 $119.78 $131.87
NASDAQ $100.00 $102.87 $107.87 $116.46 $120.60 $126.52
SNL All Thrift Index $100.00 $106.82 $108.77 $111.47 $122.98 $139.19
</TABLE>
* Assumes $100 invested on October 27, 1995. Total return assumes
reinvestment of dividends.
Certain Transactions
During the year, the Company utilized the services of various law
firms, including the law firm of Tisdale & Nicholson. Sandor X. Mayuga, a
director of the Company, is a partner in that law firm. During 1996, Mr.
Mayuga's firm received approximately $844 in legal fees from the Company, which
amount was not in excess of 5% of such firm's revenues during 1996.
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the
Company's directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of
a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file with the SEC
initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock
and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than
10% stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of
such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other
reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, all
Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and
greater than 10 percent beneficial owners were complied with.
10
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL II - RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
On July 31, 1996, the Company dismissed the firm of Grant Thornton
("Grant") as independent certified accountants for the Company.
The authority to change independent certified accountants was provided
to the Audit Committee by the Board of Directors.
Grant performed an audit of the financial statements for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995. Their reports did not contain an adverse
opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to
uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, and from
December 31, 1995 through the effective date of the Grant termination, there
were no disagreements between the Company and Grant on any matter of accounting
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope of
procedure, which disagreements would have caused Grant to make reference to the
subject matter of such disagreements in connection with its reports.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, and through
July 31, 1996, there were no reportable events (as defined in Regulation S-K
Item 304(a)(l)(v)) with Grant. Grant has furnished a letter addressed to the
Securities and Exchange Commission stating that it agrees with the above
statements.
On July 31, 1996 the Company engaged the firm of Arthur Andersen as
independent certified accountants for the Company.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and from December 31,
1995 through the engagement on July 31, 1996 of Arthur Andersen as the Company's
independent accountant, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf had
consulted Arthur Andersen with respect to any accounting or auditing issues
involving the Company other than discussions with regard to the engagement. In
particular, there were no discussions with the Company regarding the application
of accounting principles to a specific transaction, the type of audit opinion
that might be rendered on the financial statements or any related item.
The Company reported the information above on a Form 8-K filed on
August 6, 1996.
The Board of Directors has renewed the Company's arrangement for
Arthur Andersen, LLP to be its independent auditors for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1997, subject to the ratification of the appointment by the
Company's shareholders. A representative of Arthur Andersen, LLP is expected to
attend the Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will have an
opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN, LLP
AS THE COMPANY'S AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1997.
11
<PAGE>
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any business to come before the
Meeting other than the matters described above in this Proxy Statement.
However, if any other matters should properly come before the Meeting, it is
intended that holders of the proxies will act in accordance with their best
judgment.
In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials
for next year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders, any shareholder proposal to take
action at such meeting must be received at the Company's executive office, at
888 Prospect Street, La Jolla, California 92037, no later than March 26, 1998.
Any such proposal shall be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules
adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. The
Company will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials
to the beneficial owners of Common Stock. In addition to solicitation by mail,
directors, officers and regular employees of the Company may solicit proxies
personally or by telegraph or telephone, without additional compensation.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ George W. Haligowski
George W. Haligowski
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
La Jolla, California
June 24, 1997
12
<PAGE>
LOGO
REVOCABLE PROXY
ITLA CAPITAL CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
JULY 24, 1997
The undersigned hereby appoints the Board of Directors of ITLA Capital
Corporation (the "Company"), and its survivor, with full power of substitution,
to act as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned to vote all shares of
common stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting"), to be held on Thursday, July
24, 1997 at the Radisson Hotel at 3299 Holiday Court, La Jolla, California, at
1:00 P.M. (California Time), and at any and all adjournments thereof, as
follows:
1. The election of the following
director for a term of three
years:
JEFFREY L. LIPSCOMB
[_] FOR [_] WITHHELD
II. The ratification of the appointment of Arthur Andersen, LLP as independent
auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.
[_] FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on any other business
that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE LISTED PROPOSALS.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED,
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS STATED. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS
PRESENTED AT SUCH MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THOSE NAMED IN THIS
PROXY IN THEIR BEST JUDGMENT. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS
OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
<PAGE>
LOGO
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
This proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted by: (i) duly
executing a subsequent proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it to
the Secretary of the Company prior to the exercise of this proxy; (ii) filing
with the Secretary of the Company at or before the Meeting a written notice of
revocation bearing a later date than the proxy; or (iii) attending the Meeting
and voting in person (although attendance at the Meeting will not in and of
itself constitute revocation of a proxy). If this proxy is properly revoked as
described above, then the power of such attorneys and proxies shall be deemed
terminated and of no further force and effect.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company prior to the execution
of this Proxy, of Notice of the Meeting, a related Proxy Statement and the
Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996.
Dated: ___________________________
__________________________________
PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER
__________________________________
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER
__________________________________
PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER
__________________________________
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER
PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME
APPEARS ABOVE ON THIS CARD. WHEN
SIGNING AS ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR,
ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE OR
GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE YOUR FULL
TITLE. IF SHARES ARE HELD
JOINTLY, EACH HOLDER SHOULD SIGN.
PLEASE PROMPTLY COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
