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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 16, 1999
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AMERICAN BANCSHARES, INC.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Florida 0-27474 65-0624640
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
Incorporation) Identification
Number)
4502 Cortez Road West, Bradenton, Florida 34210-2801
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (941) 795-3050
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On February 16, 1999, American Bancshares, Inc., a Florida corporation
(the "Company"), issued a press release announcing the resignation of Gerald L.
Anthony as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Bank (the "Bank"),
a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. A copy of the press release is
attached hereto as exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is
incorporated herein by reference. Mr. Jerry L. Neff has been appointed to serve
as the interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank. Mr. Anthony
will continue to serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, and as a director of both the Company and the Bank.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Not Applicable
(b) Not Applicable
(c) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
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<S> <C>
99.1 Press Release, issued February 16, 1999, regarding the
resignation of Mr. Anthony as President of American Bank.
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[Rest of Page Intentionally Blank. Signatures on following Page.]
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN BANCSHARES, INC.
Date: February 17, 1999 By: /s/ Brian M. Watterson
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Brian M. Watterson
Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
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<S> <C>
99.1 Press Release, issued February 16, 1999, regarding the
resignation of Mr. Anthony as President of American Bank.
</TABLE>
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EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SYMBOL: ABAN
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1999 TRADED: NASDAQ
Bradenton, Florida, February 16, 1999 -- American Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq:
ABAN), the bank holding company for American Bank, today announced that Gerald
L. Anthony is resigning from his position as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Bank effective today in order to concentrate his efforts on his
duties as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Anthony
will retain his position as a director of both the Company and the Bank.
With the growth of the size of the Company and the operations of the Bank, the
Board of Directors has determined that the duties of the President of the
Company and of the Bank should be split between two individuals who will be
responsible for different aspects of the organization's continued growth. As
President of the Company, Mr. Anthony will focus on strategic planning for
the entire organization on a full time basis reporting directly to the Board of
Directors, banking operations will be overseen by a newly appointed President
of the Bank. It is expected that reallocation of responsibilities resulting
from this restructuring will benefit the long-term prospects and growth of both
the Company and the Bank.
The Board of Directors has appointed Jerry L. Neff to serve as the interim
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and has established a search
committee to conduct an executive search to identify a permanent successor.
Mr. Neff, who has substantial banking experience, is expected to be considered
for the position on a full time basis, together with all other suitable
candidates identified during the executive search.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Brian M. Watterson, Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer (941) 761-2128 - or - Investor Relations
Consultants, Inc. (813) 796-1451 E-mail: [email protected]
