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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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): May 21, 1999
AMERICAN BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Florida 0-27474 65-0624640
(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 May 19, 1999, the Board of Directors of American Bancshares, Inc., a
Florida corporation (the "Company"), appointed Jerry L. Neff to serve as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and each of its corporate
subsidiaries, including American Bank, its wholly-owned commercial banking
subsidiary. Mr. Neff previously had been appointed to serve in these positions
on an interim basis pending the completion of an executive search by a specially
formed committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.
The Company issued a press release on May 20, 1999, announcing the
appoint of Mr. Neff to these positions. A copy of the press release is attached
hereto as Exhibit 99 to the Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Not Applicable
(b) Not Applicable
(c) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K
Exhibit No. Description
99.1 Press Release, issued May 20, 1999, regarding the appointment of Mr.
Neff as President and CEO of American Bancshares, Inc. and its
subsidiaries.
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: May 21, 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
Exhibit No. Description
99.1 Press Release, issued May 20, 1999, regarding the appointment of
Mr. Neff as President and CEO of American Bancshares, Inc. and its
subsidiaries. 99.2
Exhibit 99.1
Neff Elected American Bancshares President & Chief Executive Officer
BRADENTON, Fla., May 20 -- American Bancshares, Inc. today announced that its
board of directors has elected Jerry L. Neff, 57, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the holding company and all subsidiaries including American Bank. Mr.
Neff has served as interim president and chief executive officer of the bank
since February.
Chairman J. Gary Russ said, "Jerry Neff is not only an experienced banker, but
also the leading candidate during the executive search conducted by a committee
of the board. Jerry has demonstrated an ability to motivate, lead and coach
banking teams to achieve desired sales, service and budget objectives."
Mr. Neff has 36 years of banking experience in commercial, retail and trust
banking, including 32 years as a bank officer. Since 1997, he has served as
American Bank's branch administrator, responsible for supervision of the bank's
10 branches including the four added during the past 14 months.
Prior to joining American Bank, Mr. Neff spent 30 years with Barnett Bank, N.A.,
Manatee County and its predecessor bank, serving in key executive positions
including market executive and retail area manager. He was county president of
First Florida Bank when it was acquired by Barnett in 1993. He began his banking
career in the 1960s with the National Bank of Sarasota.
Mr. Neff earned a bachelor degree from the University of the State of New York.
He graduated from a number of specialized banking schools, the U.S. Army War
College, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He has been an
active leader in community service and charitable organizations and is a
brigadier general in the Florida Army National Guard.
American Bancshares is a one-bank holding company headquartered in Bradenton,
Florida. Its wholly owned subsidiary, American Bank, with 10 branch offices, is
a leading and one of the largest independent community banks on the west coast
of Florida.
Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains
forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other
factors detailed in the company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1998.
/CONTACT: Brian M. Watterson, Executive Vice President and CFO, American
Bancshares, Inc., 941-761-2128; or Investor Relations Consultants, Inc.,
727-781-5577, or e-mail, [email protected]/
