WAYNE BANCORP INC /DE/
PREC14A, 1998-02-06
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                             SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rute 14A-101)
                     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
                Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14 (a) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [  ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [  ]
Check the appropriate box:
Preliminary Proxy Statement [x]
Confidential, for Use
of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e) (2) [  ]
Definitive Proxy Statement [  ]
Definitive Additional Materials [  ]
Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11 (c) or Rule 14a-12
                               WAYNE BANCORP, INC.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

                     COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SHAREHOLDER VALUE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person (s) filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[  ] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11 (c) (1)(ii), 14a-6(1),  14a-6(i) (2)
         or Item 22 (a) (2) of Schedule 14A.
[  ] $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 14 (a)-6(i) (4) and
     0-11.

         1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

         ----------------------------------------------------------------------

         2) Aggregate number of securites to which transaction applies:

         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
         3) Per unit price or other  underlying  value of  transaction  computed
          pursuant to Exchange  Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
          filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
         4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

         ----------------------------------------------------------------------

         5) Total Fee Paid:
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
[  ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[  ]     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:

         ----------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>



                               WAYNE BANCORP, INC.
                                  ____________

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                 APRIL ___, 1998
                                  ____________

                   PROXY STATEMENT OF THE WAYNE BANCORP, INC.
                     COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SHAREHOLDER VALUE
                   IN OPPOSITION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
                               WAYNE BANCORP, INC.


     This Proxy  Statement and GOLD proxy card are being furnished to holders of
the common  stock (the  "Stockholders"),  par value $.01 per share (the  "Common
Stock"),  of Wayne  Bancorp,  Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation  (the "Company" or
"Wayne"),   in  connection   with  the   solicitation  of  proxies  (the  "Proxy
Solicitation")  by the Wayne  Bancorp,  Inc.  Committee to Preserve  Shareholder
Value  (the  "Committee"),  which  owns  approximately  9.9%  of  the  Company's
outstanding  Common  Stock,  as of February 12, 1998,  based upon the  2,013,823
shares  outstanding as of December 31, 1997. The Annual Meeting of  Stockholders
is to be held at a location  selected  by the  Company,  on April --,  1998 (the
"Annual Meeting").

     At the Annual  Meeting,  three  Directors  are to be elected to hold office
until the next Annual  Meeting and until their  successor  has been  elected and
qualified.  The Committee is soliciting your proxy in support of the election of
Lawrence Seidman (the "Committee  Nominee" or "Seidman") to the Company's Board
of Directors  (the  "Board").  Pursuant to a February 10, 1997 Letter  Agreement
with the  Company,  the  Committee  will also vote in favor of the  election  of
Nicholas S. Gentile, Jr. and Johanna O'Connell, present Directors of the Company
and two of three  Company  Nominees for  re-election  to the Board  ("Designated
Company Nominees" or "Company Nominees").  Dennis Pollack ("Pollack"),  a member
of the  Committee  and a Director of the Company and a Director of Wayne Savings
Bank,  F.S.B.  ("Bank"),  was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company
and Bank on February 25, 1997,  and was elected to the Board of Directors of the
Company at the 1997  Annual  Meeting  and was  re-appointed  to the Board of the
Bank, supports the election of Seidman to the Board of Director.
    
     If  elected,  the  Committee  Nominee's  goal will be to  propose  that the
Company immediately  commence discussions with local commercial banks concerning
possible business  combinations.  If a business combination is not possible at a
satisfactory price, the Committee Nominee will make recommendations to the Board
that he believes  would  increase the  Company's  earnings,  earnings per share,
earning assets and deposits.

     The Board consists of ten members.  Pollack is one Member of the Board.  If
the Committee Nominee is elected,  Pollack and Seidman will need the cooperation
of four  additional  Directors  to  effectuate  any  proposals  in view of their
minority status. See "The Committee's Goals."

     If the Committee Nominee is elected,  only two of the three Directors being
nominated by the Company will be elected.  If you wish to vote for the Committee
Nominee and two of the three Company Nominees, you must submit the enclosed GOLD
proxy card and must not submit the Company's proxy card. In addition, management
will most likely propose to seek ratification of KPMG Peat Marwick,  LLP, as the
independent auditor for the Company. The Committee recommends a vote in favor of
ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP, as auditors.

     Other matters  which may be presented on the  Company's  proxy card are not
being presented herein, and thus Stockholders using the enclosed GOLD proxy will
not have an  opportunity to vote with respect to such matters unless they attend
the Annual Meeting.
<PAGE>

     The Committee  consists of Seidman and Associates,  L.L.C.  ("SAL"),  a New
Jersey limited liability company;  Seidman and Associates II, L.L.C. ("SAL II");
Seidman Investment Partnership,  L.P. ("SIP"), a New Jersey limited partnership;
Seidman,  individually;  The  Benchmark  Company,  Inc.  ("TBCI"),  a  New  York
corporation; Benchmark Partners LP ("Partners"), a Delaware limited partnership;
Richard  Whitman  ("Whitman"),   individually;   Lorraine  DiPaolo  ("DiPaolo"),
individually; and Pollack, individually (hereinafter collectively referred to as
the  "Committee").  Seidman and  Pollack  shall  collectively  be referred to as
"Committee  Members".  This Proxy  Statement and GOLD proxy card are first being
mailed or furnished to Stockholders on or about February --, 1998.

     In reliance upon Rule 14a-5(c)* of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
reference is made to the Company's proxy  statement,  which will be sent to each
of you by the Company for a full  description  of  management's  proposals,  the
securities  ownership of the Company,  information about the Company's  Officers
and Directors, including compensation, information about the ratification of the
appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick,  LLP, as independent  auditors and the date by
which  Stockholders  must  submit  proposals  for  inclusion  in the next Annual
Meeting.

     Your vote is  important,  no matter how many or how few shares you hold. We
hope you will agree with the Committee's goal of maximizing  shareholder  value,
and that the election of the Committee Nominee can make a difference and benefit
all Stockholders. If you agree, sign, date and return the GOLD proxy card.

     Remember: Your last dated proxy is the only one which counts, so return the
GOLD card even if you  delivered  a prior  proxy.  We urge you not to return any
proxy card sent to you by the Company.

     If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage  firm, bank or nominees,
only  they  can  vote  your  shares  and  only  upon  receipt  of your  specific
instructions.  Accordingly,  please  return the GOLD proxy card in the  envelope
provided  by your Bank or Broker or  contact  the  person  responsible  for your
account and give instructions for such shares to be voted.

     If your shares are  registered  in more than one name,  the GOLD proxy card
must be signed by all such  persons to ensure  that all shares are voted for the
Committee Nominee.

     Holders of record of shares of Common Stock as of February  12,  1998,  the
record date for the Annual Meeting ("Annual Meeting Record Date"),  are urged to
submit a proxy even if such shares have been sold after that date. The number of
shares of Common  Stock  outstanding  as of the Annual  Meeting  Record  Date is
stated in the Company's Proxy Statement.  Each share of Common Stock is entitled
to one vote at the Annual  Meeting.  Directors are elected by a plurality of the
votes cast with a quorum present. The person who receives the greatest number of
votes  represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be elected a
Director of the Company. Abstentions will be considered in determining a quorum,
but will not affect the  plurality  vote required for the election of Directors.
See "Voting and Proxy  Procedures." The Company's  principal  executive officers
are located at 1195 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, New Jersey 07470.

     If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares,  please
call:
                           Beacon Hill Partners, Inc.
                                 90 Broad Street
                            New York, New York 10004
                         (Call Toll Free (800) 755-5001)
- ----------
*Rule  14a-5(c)  provides  that "any  information  contained  in any other proxy
soliciting  material  which  has been  furnished  to each  person  solicited  in
connection with the same meeting or subject matter may be omitted from the proxy
statement,  if a clear reference is made to the particular  document  containing
such information."
<PAGE>

                              THE COMMITTEE'S GOALS

     The Committee and its fellow  Stockholders  have the same objective desire,
which is to  maximize  the value of the  Company's  stock  they  purchased.  The
Committee  believes  that this goal can be  accomplished  through the pursuit of
acquisition/merger  discussions with potentially interested commercial banks. In
the  opinion of the  Committee,  a sale of the  Company at this time may be more
beneficial  than the Company  remaining  an  independent  financial  institution
because of the high multiples  being paid for lending  institutions at this time
by acquirors whose stock is also trading at significantly high multiples.

     If a sale of the  Company is not  possible  at a  satisfactory  price,  the
Committee  Nominee will work to increase the  Company's  earnings,  earnings per
share,  earning assets and deposits and will strongly recommend that the Company
accelerate its stock repurchase  program. As shown below, the Company's earnings
in comparison to Ramapo Financial Corporation ("Ramapo") its cross-town rival of
equal size and equity, is not satisfactory.  To accomplish the Committee's goal,
Pollack  and  Seidman  will  need  the  cooperation  of  four  of the  remaining
Directors,  since the  Committee  Members  will be in a minority  position.

     Mr.  Pollack,  a member of the  Committee and a Board member of the Company
and Bank supports the goals of the Committee.

     The persons  designated in the Company's  proxy card and on the Committee's
proxy card,  are the same;  except the former  includes  Thomas  Collins and the
latter includes  Seidman.  When you return the Committee's  card you are vorting
for Seidman, Nicholas Gentile, Jr. and Johanna O'Connell.

                               WAYNE'S PERFORMANCE

     Since the December 31, 1996  quarter,  Wayne's  earnings have declined from
$635,000  to  $442,000  for the  quarter  ended  December  31,  1997.  This poor
performance  is  highlighted  when  compared  to  Ramapo  its local  peer  group
competitor.  Ramapo and Wayne are almost equal in asset size  ($285,727,000  and
$270,043,000) and capital  ($31,297,000 and $33,944,000),  but Ramapo's earnings
for the September 30 and December 31 quarters are almost double  Wayne's.  Wayne
earned  $483,000  and  $442,000  for the  September 30 and December 31 quarters,
while Ramapo earned $816,000 and $853,000, respectively.

     It is obvious to the Committee that this performance  demonstrates the fact
that Wayne needs new blood and new ideas.

                               WAYNE'S STOCK PRICE

     As the largest stockholder of the Company,  the Committee is, as it is sure
you are, happy with the appreciation in the stock price since June 1996. Neither
management  nor the Committee  has any influence  over how the market has priced
the Company's stock. The price is determined by independent market forces.

     The  yardstick  for  measuring  management's  performance  is the  earnings
performance of the Company.  This is an element over which  management does have
control.  Unfortunately,  in the opinion of the  Committee,  management  has not
measured up well in increasing the earnings of the Company.

                             AGREEMENT WITH COMPANY

     By Letter  Agreement dated February 10, 1997, the Committee and the Company
entered  into an  agreement  which  provided  that  Pollack was  included on the
Company's  slate of  Directors  which  slate was  elected  for a three year term
commencing in April 1997.  Pursuant to the Letter  Agreement,  the Committee can
nominate one person for the Board for the 1998 Annual Meeting. The Committee has
nominated Seidman.  However, at the 1998 Annual Meeting, the Committee must vote
for  two  of the  three  Directors  nominated  by the  Company.  Therefore,  the
Committee's proxy card will include two separate proposals, one for the election

<PAGE>

of the  Committee's  Nominee and one for the election of the Designated  Company
Nominees. The Committee is withholding authority to vote for Thomas Collins, the
third  Company  Nominee.  If a  Stockholder  desires to vote for Thomas  Collins
instead of either  Designated  Company  Nominee,  they can write Thomas Collins'
name on the  Committee's  proxy card and  withhold  authority to vote for one or
both of the Designated Company Nominees.

     The persons  designated in the Company's  proxy card and on the Committee's
proxy card,  are the same;  except the former  includes  Thomas  Collins and the
latter includes  Seidman.  When you return the Committee's  card you are vorting
for Seidman, Nicholas Gentile, Jr. and Johanna O'Connell.

             LITIGATION WITH COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO PROXY CONTEST

     On  January  23,  1998,  Seidman  filed  for an Order to Show  Cause  and a
Complaint  seeking  (a) an  Order  directing  Wayne  to  forthwith  provide  the
Committee with copies of Shareholders' Lists in paper and magnetic tape form and
(b) related relief.  This is the same  information the Committee  requested from
the  Company  last  year  prior to the  Special  Meeting  of  Shareholders.  The
Committee had to file a similar Order to Show Cause; but before the return date,
the Company relented and provided the Committee with the requested information.

     In the opinion of the  Committee,  the  Company's  current  conduct,  again
withholding lists and again forcing litigation is a waste of corporate funds.

                           THE COMMITTEE PARTICIPANTS

     The  participants  who comprise the Committee own in the aggregate  200,450
shares  of  Common  Stock,   representing   approximately  9.9%  of  the  shares
outstanding and are as follows:

     i. SAL is a New Jersey Limited  Liability  Company,  organized to invest in
securities whose principal and executive offices are located at 19 Veteri Place,
Wayne,  New Jersey 07470.  Seidman is the Manager of SAL and has sole investment
discretion and voting authority with respect to such securities.

     ii. SAL II is a New Jersey Limited Liability  Company,  organized to invest
in securities  whose  principal  and executive  offices are located at 19 Veteri
Place,  Wayne,  New Jersey 07470.  Seidman is the Manager of SAL II and has sole
investment, discretion and voting authority with respect to such securities.

     iii.  SIP is a New  Jersey  Limited  Partnership,  organized  to  invest in
securities,  whose  principal  and  executive  offices  are located at 19 Veteri
Place,  Wayne,  New Jersey 07470.  Veteri Place  Corporation is the sole General
Partner of SIP, and Seidman is the only officer and  shareholder  of SIP and has
sole investment discretion and voting authority with respect to such securities.

     iv. Seidman is a private  investor,  with discretion over certain  accounts
and is the Manager of SAL and SAL II, and the President of the Corporate General
Partner of SIP. See Footnote No. 1 "INFORMATION  CONCERNING  PARTICIPANTS IN THE
PROXY SOLICITATION" for information concerning regulatory action.

     v. TBCI is a New York  Corporation  and Whitman is the  President  of TBCI.
DiPaolo is the Executive Vice President of TBCI. The principal  business of TBCI
is to act as a broker-dealer and investment  advisor.  Whitman and DiPaolo share
investment  discretion,  dispositive power, and voting authority with respect to
TBCI.

     vi. Partners is a Delaware Limited Partnership. Whitman, DiPaolo, and TBCI,
d/b/a Benchmark  Capital  Advisors,  are the sole General  Partners of Partners.
Whitman and DiPaolo share investment  discretion,  dispositive power, and voting
authority with respect to Partners.
<PAGE>

     vii.  Dennis Pollack is a Director of the Company and Bank and is a private
investor. He has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CBC Bancorp,
Inc. and Connecticut  Bank and Commerce,  Stamford,  Connecticut  since February
1996. He was Regional President of First Fidelity Bank, N.A. Hawthorne, New York
in 1994.  Previous to that he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Savings Bank of Rockland County, Spring Valley, New York from 1987 - 1994.

     The  limited  partners  of SIP  are:  James  J.  Gallagher,  Ph.D;  Richard
Greenberg;  Kaplus Hanover  Associates  (Robert Kaplus,  General  Partner);  The
Ketron Family Trust DTD 10/20/89  (Russ Ketron,  TTEE);  Louis M. Rogow,  M.D. &
Enid Z. Rogow and SAL. The General Partner of SIP is Veteri Place Corporation, a
New Jersey Corporation  (Seidman is the sole officer and shareholder).  Seidman,
through  Veteri Place  Corporation,  is entitled to twenty  percent (20%) of the
profits earned by SIP.

     The members of SAL are Seidman; Sonia Seidman;  Seidcal Associates,  L.L.C.
(Brant Cali, Managing Member).  Seidman, as Manager, is entitled to five percent
(5%) of the profits of SAL II.

     Seidman's  clients are  Jeffrey  Greenberg  (owns 1,000  shares) and Steven
Greenberg (owns 4,500 shares).  [Seidman has letter  agreements with Jeffrey and
Steven  Greenberg  and Richard Baer (owns 850 shares,  of which 350 are owned in
his wife's  retirement  account,  over which Mr. Baer exercises  discretion) and
Brent Wolmer (owns 1,250 shares). [Seidman has oral agreements with Richard Baer
and Brent  Wolmer.  Under these oral  agreements  which are at-will  agreements,
these owners have agreed to sell and vote their shares as directed by Seidman.]

     Sonia  Seidman (owns 15,000  shares) is the wife of Seidman.  Seidman's two
(2) adult daughters each own 6,875 shares.  They have each orally agreed to vote
and sell the shares as directed by Seidman.

     None of the Partners of SIP or members of SAL, or members of SAL II own any
shares of the Company except as disclosed herein.

     The members of the Committee agreed to act in concert.  Whitman and DiPaolo
disclaim any beneficial interest in any shares of Common Stock owned by SAL, SAL
II, SIP,  Seidman,  or  Seidman's  clients.  Seidman  disclaims  any  beneficial
interest  in any  shares of Common  Stock  owned by TBCI,  Partners,  DiPaolo or
Whitman.  The  members of the  Committee  reserve the right to  terminate  their
agreement to act in concert.

     During  the last five (5)  years,  none of SAL,  SAL II,  SIP.  TBCI,  SBI,
Partners,  Whitman,  DiPaolo,  Schechter  and  Seidman  to  the  best  of  their
knowledge,  (i) has been convicted in a criminal  proceeding  (excluding traffic
violations  or  similar  misdemeanors);  or (ii)  has  been a  party  to a civil
proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as
a result of such  proceeding was or is subject to a judgment,  decree,  or final
order  enjoining  future  violations of, or prohibiting or mandating  activities
subject to,  federal or state  securities  laws, or finding any  violation  with
respect to such laws.

     Mr.  Seidman is the  manager of SAL,  SAL II, and is the  President  of the
Corporate  General  Partner of SIP; and, in that  capacity,  Mr. Seidman has the
authority  to cause  those  entities  to acquire,  hold,  trade,  and vote these
securities.  SAL.  SAL II, and SIP were all created to acquire,  hold,  and sell
publicly-traded securities. None of these entities was formed to solely acquire,
hold, and sell the Issuer's  securities.  Each of these entities owns securities
issued by one or more  companies  other than  Issuer.  The  members  and limited
partners in SIP,  SAL,  and SAL II are all passive  investors,  who do not - and
cannot - directly or indirectly participate in the management of these entities,
including without limitation proxy contests. Seidman's compensation is, in part,
dependent upon the  profitability  of the operations of these  entities,  but no
provision is made to compensate  Seidman solely based upon the profits resulting
from transactions from the Issuer's securities.
<PAGE>

     The  voting  power  over the  Issuer's  securities  is not  subject  to any
contingencies  beyond  standard  provisions  for entities of this nature  (i.e.,
limited   partnerships  and  limited  liability   companies)  which  govern  the
replacement of a manager or a general partner.

     Each of the individuals listed on Exhibit A attached hereto is a citizen of
the United  States.  Additional  Information  concerning the Committee and their
holdings of Common Stock is set forth in appendices A and B hereto.

                        NOMINEE FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTOR

     According to  information  provided to the Committee by the Company,  three
Directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting.  The Director so elected will
serve in such  capacity  for a three  year  term to  expire  at the 2001  Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and until his successor is elected and qualified.

     The  Committee  is  proposing  the  election  of  Seidman  to the  Board of
Directors who, even if elected,  will not be part of, or constitute,  a majority
of the Company's ten member Board of  Directors.  The Committee  already has one
member of the Committee,  Pollack,  on the Board.  The Committee does not expect
that  Seidman,  who has  expressed  his  willingness  to serve  on the  Board of
Directors  of the  Company,  will be unable to stand for  election;  but, in the
event that a vacancy in the  Committee's  slate should occur  unexpectedly,  the
shares of Common Stock represented by the enclosed GOLD proxy card will be voted
for a substitute candidate selected by the Committee.

     If you wish to vote for the Committee Nominee, you must submit the enclosed
proxy card and must NOT submit the Company's proxy card. You can vote for two of
the three Company Nominees on the Committee's proxy card.

     The Certificate of Incorporation  of the Company  provides that,  except as
otherwise  provided by law, any  vacancies  in the Board of Directors  resulting
from the removal of Directors or otherwise  may be filled by a majority  vote of
the  Directors  then in office,  whether or not a quorum is present or by a sole
remaining  Director.  Each  Director so chosen  shall hold office until the next
annual  meeting and until his  successor  shall be duly  elected and  qualified,
unless sooner displaced.

     The following information  concerning age, principal  occupation,  business
experience  and  directorships  during the last five years has been furnished to
the Committee by the Committee Nominee:

     Lawrence B.  Seidman,  50, 100 Misty Lane,  Parsippany,  New Jersey  07054,
Manager  of Seidman &  Associates,  L.L.C.;  Seidman &  Associates  II,  L.L.C.,
President of Veteri Place Corp., the sole General Partner of Seidman  Investment
Partnership,  LP, Manager, of Federal Holdings, L.L.C., prior Director, Atlantic
Gulf  Corporation,   and  business   consultant  to  certain   corporations  and
individuals.*
- -----------
*On November 8, 1995,  the acting  director of the Office of Thrift  Supervision
(OTS) issued a Cease and Desist Order  against  Seidman ("C & D") after  finding
that Seidman  recklessly engaged in unsafe and unsound practices in the business
of an  insured  institution.  The C & D  actions  complained  of were  Seidman's
allegedly  obstructing an OTS investigation.  The C & D ordered him to cease and
desist  from  (I)  any  attempts  to  hinder  the  OTS in the  discharge  of its
regulatory  responsibilities,  including the conduct of any OTS  examination  or
investigation.  and (ii) any attempts to induce any person to withhold  material
information   from  the  OTS  related  to  the  performance  of  its  regulatory
responsibilities.  The  Order  also  provides  that for a period of no less than
three years if Seidman  becomes an  institution-affiliated  party of any insured
depository  institution  subject to the  jurisdiction  of the OTS, to the extent
that his  responsibilities  include the  preparation  or review of any  reports,
documents or other information that would be submitted or reviewed by the OTS in
the discharge of its regulatory functions, all such reports, documents and other
information   shall,   prior  to  submission  to,  or  review  by  the  OTS,  be
independently  reviewed by the Board of Directors or a duly appointed  committee
of the Board to ensure that all material  information  and facts have been fully
and adequately  disclosed.  In addition,  a civil money penalty in the amount of
$20,812 was assessed.
<PAGE>

     The  Committee  Nominee has entered into an agreement  with SAL and SAL II,
whereby  these  entities  have  agreed to bear all costs and  expenses  of,  and
indemnify him against any and all liability  incurred by, the Committee  Nominee
in connection with the Committee Nominee being a candidate and a "participant in
a solicitation"  (as defined in the rules and  regulations  under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). The Committee Nominee will receive Director's
fees upon his  election  as a Director  of the  Company in  accordance  with the
Company's then practice.

     Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement or in the Appendices hereto, to
the best knowledge of the Committee  none of the  Committee,  any of the persons
participating in this  solicitation  on behalf of the Committee,  the Committee
Nominee,   nor  any  associates  of  any  of  the  foregoing  persons  (i)  owns
beneficially,  directly  or  indirectly,  or  has  the  right  to  acquire,  any
securities of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company,  (ii) owns
any  securities  of the  Company  of  record  but not  beneficially,  (iii)  has
purchased or sold any securities of the Company within the past two years,  (iv)
has incurred  indebtedness for the purpose of acquiring or holding securities of
the  Company,  (v) is or has  been a  party  to  any  contract,  arrangement  or
understanding  with  respect to any  securities  of the Company  within the past
year, (vi) has been indebted to the Company or any of its subsidiaries since the
beginning  of the  Company's  last fiscal year or (vii) has any  arrangement  or
understanding  with respect to future  employment by the Company or with respect
to any future transactions to which the Company or any of its affiliates will or
may be a party.  In addition,  except as set forth in this Proxy Statement or in
the  Appendices  hereto,  to the best  knowledge of the  Committee,  none of the
Committee,  any of the persons  participating in this  solicitation on behalf of
the  Committee,  the Committee  Nominee,  nor any associate or immediate  family
member  of any of the  foregoing  persons  has  had or is to  have a  direct  or
indirect  material  interest  in any  transaction  with the  Company  since  the
beginning of the  Company's  last fiscal year, or any proposed  transaction,  to
which the Company or any of its affiliates was or is a party.

     None of the corporations or  organizations  in which the Committee  Nominee
has conducted his principal occupation or employment or any "participant" in the
proxy contest was a parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company and the
Committee  Nominee does not hold any  position or office with the Company,  have
any family relationship with any executive officer or Director of the Company or
each other,  or has been involved in any legal  proceedings of the type required
to be disclosed by the rules governing this solicitation.
 
                     RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     It is anticipated that the Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting
will propose that the Stockholders ratify the appointment by the Company of KPMG
Peat Marwick, LLP, as the Company's independent  accountants for the fiscal year
ending  December  31, 1998.  The  Committee  is in favor of this  proposal.  See
"Voting and Proxy Procedures."

                             SOLICITATION; EXPENSES

     Proxies  may  be  solicited  by  the  Committee  by  mail,   advertisement,
telephone,  facsimile,  telegraph, and personal solicitation.  Whitman, DiPaolo,
and Seidman will be principally responsible to solicit proxies for the Committee
and certain of their employees will perform  secretarial work in connection with
the solicitation of proxies, for which no additional  compensation will be paid.
Banks, brokerage houses, and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries will be
requested to forward the  Committee's  solicitation  material to their customers
for whom  they hold  shares  and the  Committee  will  reimburse  them for their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

     The  Committee  has retained  Beacon Hill  Partners,  Inc. to assist in the
solicitation of proxies and for related services.  The Committee will pay Beacon
Hill  Partners,  Inc. a fee of up to $15,000 and has agreed to  reimburse it for
its  reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses.  In addition,  the  Committee has also
agreed to indemnify Beacon Hill Partners,  Inc. against certain  liabilities and
expenses,  including liabilities and expenses under the federal securities laws.
Approximately six (6) persons will be used by Beacon Hill Partners,  Inc. in its
solicitation efforts. In addition,  Harold Schechter,  a discretionary client of
<PAGE>

TBCI will also  solicit,  at no cost,  proxies on behalf of the  Committee.  Mr.
Schechter's  business  address is 1050 Wall Street West,  Lyndhurst,  New Jersey
07071. Mr.  Schechter's  principal  occupation is Executive Vice President of VT
International LTD, a luggage importer and distributor.

     The entire  expense of preparing,  assembling,  printing,  and mailing this
Proxy Statement and related materials and the cost of soliciting proxies will be
borne by Seidman,  SAL and SAL II.  Although no precise  estimate can be made at
the present time, the Committee  currently estimates that the total expenditures
relating  to  the  Proxy   Solicitation   incurred  by  the  Committee  will  be
approximately  $25,000 of which $6,000 has been incurred to date.  The Committee
intends to seek  reimbursement  from the Company for those expenses  incurred by
the Committee if Seidman is elected,  but does not intend to submit the question
of such reimbursement to a vote of the Stockholders.

     For the proxy  solicited  hereby to be voted,  the enclosed GOLD proxy card
must be signed dated and  returned to the  Committee  c/o Beacon Hill  Partners,
Inc., in the enclosed envelope in time to be voted at the Annual Meeting. If you
wish to vote for the  Committee's  Nominee,  you must submit the  enclosed  GOLD
proxy card and must NOT submit the  Company's  proxy card.  If you have  already
returned  the  Company's  proxy card,  you have the right to revoke it as to all
matters  covered  thereby and may do so by  subsequently  signing,  dating,  and
mailing the enclosed GOLD proxy card. ONLY YOUR LATEST DATED PROXY WILL COUNT AT
THE ANNUAL MEETING. Execution of a GOLD proxy card will not affect your right to
attend the Special Meeting and to vote in person. Any proxy may be revoked as to
all matters covered thereby at any time prior to the time a vote is taken by (i)
filing with the Secretary of the Company a later dated written revocation;  (ii)
submitting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the Committee; or (iii)
attending and voting at the Annual  Meeting in person.  Attendance at the Annual
Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation.

     Shares of Common Stock  represented  by a valid,  unrevoked GOLD proxy card
will be  voted  as  specified.  You may vote  for the  Committee's  position  or
withhold  authority to vote for the Committee position by marking the proper box
on the GOLD proxy card. If no  specification  is made, such shares will be voted
for the Committee's Nominee and for the two designated Company Nominees.

     Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement,  the Committee is not aware of
any other matter to be  considered at the Annual  Meeting.  The persons named as
proxies on the enclosed GOLD proxy card will, however, have discretionary voting
authority regarding any other business. that may properly come before the Annual
Meeting.

     If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm,  bank, or nominee,
only  they  can  vote  such  shares  and  only  upon  receipt  of your  specific
instructions.  Accordingly,  please return the proxy in the envelope provided to
you or contact the person  responsible for your account and instruct that person
to execute on your behalf the GOLD proxy card

     Only  holders of record of Common Stock on the Annual  Meeting  Record Date
will be  entitled to vote at the Annual  Meeting.  If you are a  stockholder  of
record on the Annual  Meeting  Record Date, you will retain the voting rights in
connection with the Annual Meeting even if you sell such shares after the Annual
Meeting  Record Date.  Accordingly,  it is important that you vote the shares of
Common Stock held by you on the Annual  Meeting Record Date, or grant a proxy to
vote such shares on the GOLD proxy card, even if you sell such shares after such
date.
     The  Committee  believes  that  it is in your  best  interest  to vote  for
Lawrence Seidman.  THE COMMITTEE  STRONGLY  RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE COMMITTEE
NOMINEE.

        THE WAYNE BANCORP, INC. COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SHAREHOLDER VALUE.
 
February    , 1998
<PAGE>

                              I M P O R T A N T !!!
 
     If your shares are held in "Street  Name" only your bank or broker can vote
your shares and only upon receipt of your specific  instructions.  Please return
the proxy provided to you or contact the person responsible for your account and
instruct them NOT to vote at this time.

     If you have any questions, or need further assistance, please call Lawrence
Seidman  at (973)  560-1400,  Extension  108,  or  Richard  Whitman  collect  at
212-421-4080,  or 800-628-0048,  or our proxy  solicitor:  Beacon Hill Partners,
Inc., 90 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, at (800) 755-5001.
 

<PAGE>

          INFORMATION CONCERNING PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROXY SOLICITATION
    
     The  following  sets forth the name,  business  address,  and the number of
shares  of  Common  Stock of the  Company  beneficially  owned by the  Committee
Nominee and the Committee:
                                                      Number of Shares
                                                      of Common Stock   Percent
                                                        Beneficially      Of
              Name                  Business Address        Owned        Class
 
Seidman and Associates, L.L.C.      Koll Executive Center,  23,701        1.17
(SAL)                               100 Misty Lane
                                    Parsippany, NJ 07054
Seidman and Associates II, L.L.C.   Koll Executive Center,  53,425        2.65
(SALII)                             100 Misty Lane
                                    Parsippany, NJ 07054
                                    Parsippany, NJ 07054
Seidman Investment Partnership, L.P.        19 Veteri Plac  16,900        .839
(SIP)                               Wayne, NJ 07470
Lawrence B. Seidman, Individually   Koll Executive Center   48,824       2.42
and discretionary clients (1)               100 Misty Lane
                                    Parsippany, NJ 07054
The Benchmark Company, Inc. (TBCI)  750 Lexington Avenue    19,850        .985
Benchmark Partners LP (Partners)(2) New York, NY 10022      27,500       1.36
Harold Schechter (2)                1050 Wall Street West
                                    Lyndhurst, New Jersey
                                    07071
                                    Wayne, NJ 07470
Richard Whitman, Individually       750 Lexington Avenue     1,000        .049
(2)                                 New York, NY 10022
Lorraine DiPaolo, Individually      750 Lexington Avenue     3,750        .186
(2)                                 New York, NY 10022
Dennis Pollack (3)                  99 Apple Ridge.          5,500        .273
Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675
_______________________
(1) Seidman  owns 5,500 shares of Common  Stock  directly,  but may be deemed to
have sole voting power and dispositive  power as to 137,350 shares  beneficially
owned by SAL,  SALII,  SIP and several clients  (Melissa Baer IRA,  Richard Baer
IRA, Brent G. Wolmer IRA, Jeffrey  Greenberg,  Steven Greenberg,  Sonia Seidman,
Allison Seidman and Erica Seidman).
(2) Whitman and DiPaolo  respectively own 1,000 and 3,750 shares of Common Stock
directly,  but may be deemed to have shared voting power and shares  dispositive
power  as to  47,350  shares  beneficially  owned  by  TBCI  and  Partners.  Mr.
Schechter's  (1,000  shares)  stock is  included in the stock for which TBCI has
discretionary control.
(3) Mr.  Pollack's  owns 2,500 shares with his wife and owns 3,000 shares in his
IRA. 
 

<PAGE>



- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     SHARE     TOTAL COSTS/
                          DATE                 PROCEEDS        SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAWRENCE B. SEIDMAN
DISCRETIONARY ACCOUNTS
                          62796      10.00     150,000.00       15,000
                          62796      10.00      68,750.00        6,875
                          62796      10.00      68,750.00        6,875
                          71696      10.88       5,438.00          500
                          72496      11.50      23,325.76        2,000
                          82996      13.41      73,730.00        5,500
                          82996      13.53      10,150.82          700
                          91096      13.75       9,625.00          700
                          91196      13.75      48,497.13        3,500
                         102196      14.75       3,000.00          200
                          32097      16.75       1,725.00          100
                          32097      16.75       3,400.00          200
                                                                 4,675
                                                                 1,999
                                                            
- -------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL                                      466,391.71       48,824

BENCHMARK PARTNERS
                          62796      11.13      83,438.00        7,500
                          62896      11.25     112,500.00       10,000
                           7396      11.63      58,125.00        5,000
                          72396      11.63      58,125.00        5,000
                          72496      11.50      28,750.00        2,500
                           9997      24.75    (32,200.00)      (1,300)
                          91497      25.00    (28,825.00)      (1,200)

                                ---------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL                                      279,913.00       27,500

THE BENCHMARK COMPANY
DISCRETIONARY ACCOUNTS
                           8296     11.937      23,875.00        2,000
                          82396     12.875      64,375.00        5,000
                          82996      13.43      14,114.50        1,050
                          83096      13.55      60,982.00        4,500
                           9396      13.50      19,575.00        1,450
                          91196      13.75      60,500.00        4,400
                          92696      13.81      23,482.10        1,700
                         101096      14.00      21,237.11        1,500
                         101796      14.50      14,655.20        1,000
                          11796      13.75      24,157.00        1,500
                         121396      14.35      71,875.00        5,000
                          32097      16.75       8,466.31          500
                          32097      16.75      16,916.99        1,000
                          32097      16.75      16,919.49        1,000
                          32097      16.75      33,778.68        2,000
                          32097      16.75       8,468.81          500
                          32197      16.75       8,468.81          500
                          32197      16.75       5,088.54          300
                          32197      16.75       8,468.81          500
                          72297      19.50     (9,750.00)        (500)
                          82597      23.88     (2,337.50)        (100)
                          92597      24.38    (60,293.92)      (2,500)
<PAGE>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    SHARE     TOTAL COSTS/
                          DATE      PRICE        PROCEEDS      SHARES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

                          10997      23.25    (92,021.62)      (4,000)
                          12397      21.29    (10,645.85)        (500)
                          12397      21.29    (10,645.85)        (500)
                          12397      21.29    (12,775.02)        (600)
                          12397      21.29    (10,645.85)        (500)
                          12397      21.29     (8,516.68)        (400)
                          12397      21.25    (10,625.00)        (500)
                          12397      21.29    (10,645.85)        (500)
                          12397      21.25    (10,625.00)        (500)
                          12497      21.38    (10,687.50)        (500)
                          12497      21.38    (12,825.00)        (600)
                          12497      21.38    (10,687.50)        (500)
                          12497      21.38    (21,375.00)      (1,000)
                          12497      21.38     (6,412.50)        (300)
                          12497      21.38     (4,275.00)        (200)
                         121597      22.00     (7,700.00)        (350)
                         121597      22.00    (22,000.00)      (1,000)

                                ---------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL                                      159,913.71       19,850
Richard Whitman
DISCRETIONARY ACCOUNT

                           7296      11.65      11,650.00        1,000
                           7596      10.00      10,000.00        1,000
                          12397      21.25    (21,250.00)      (1,000)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL                                          400.00        1,000

LORRAINE DI PAOLO
DISCRETIONARY ACCOUNT
                           7296      11.64      17,462.00        1,500
                          82996      13.38      36,806.00        2,750
                          83096      13.42       6,712.00          500
                          12397      21.25    (21,250.00)      (1,000)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL                                       39,730.00        3,750

SEIDMAN & ASSOC
                          62896      11.25     112,500.00       10,000
                           7196     11.375      56,875.00        5,000
                          72696     11.563      18,500.00        1,600
                           8896     12.438      24,875.00        2,000
                          82996      13.41      67,027.00        5,000
                          32097      16.75      28,545.50        1,700
                          32097      16.75      33,582.50        2,000
                          32097      16.75    (33,582.00)       (2,000)
                          32197      16.75       6,752.50          400
                                       Trans to  LBS Disc.      (1,999)



- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL                                      315,075.50       23,701
<PAGE>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    SHARE     TOTAL COSTS/
                          DATE      PRICE        PROCEEDS        SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------


SEIDMAN & ASSOC, II, LLC
                          62796     11.125      55,625.00        5,000
                          62896      11.25      56,452.50        5,000
                          71096     11.096      47,886.87        4,300
                          72396      11.63      58,327.50        5,000
                          72496      11.50      17,312.50        1,500
                           8196     11.937      35,845.00        3,000
                           8296     11.937      23,907.50        2,000
                          81296     12.563      94,521.25        7,500
                          81396      12.50      31,352.50        2,500
                          83096      13.41      67,027.50        5,000
                          91196      13.75      97,911.50        7,100
                          92696     13.813      24,937.00        1,800
                         101096      14.00      21,062.50        1,500
                          11696      14.38      43,247.50        3,000
                          11796      13.75      20,687.50        1,500
                          32097      16.75      33,582.50        2,000
                          32197      16.75       6,752.50          400
                                   Trans. to Seidman Disc.      (4,675)
                                                             
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL                                      736,439.12       53,425

SEIDMAN INV. PART, LP                                        
                          62896      11.25      56,452.50        5,000
                           7296     11.625      29,165.00        2,500
                          72496      11.50      17,312.50        1,500
                          82396     12.875      64,407.50        5,000
                         101796       14.5      21,812.50        1,500
                          32097      16.75      16,792.50        1,000
                          32197      16.75       6,752.50          400

                                                             
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL                                      212,695.00       16,900

DENNIS POLLACK
                         101796      14.13      14,254.50        1,000
                         102196      13.88      21,004.50        1,500
                          11696      12.63      12,725.50        1,000
                          11796      12.63      27,893.25        2,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL                                       75,877.75        5,500

                                  TOTAL      2,286,435.79      200,450



<PAGE>






                        YOUR VOTE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT


1.   Please  SIGN,  MARK,  DATE and MAIL YOUR GOLD  proxy  card in the  enclosed
     postage-paid  envelope.  If you wish to vote for the Committee  Nominee and
     the Designated  Company  Nominees,  you must submit the enclosed GOLD proxy
     card and must NOT submit the Company's proxy card.

2.   If you have already  voted the Company's  proxy card,  you have every legal
     right to  change  your  mind and vote  FOR the  Committee  Nominee  and the
     Designated Company Nominees, on the GOLD proxy card. Only your latest dated
     proxy card will count.

3.   If your shares are held for you by a bank or brokerage firm, only your bank
     or broker can vote your shares and only after receiving your  instructions.
     Please call your bank or broker and instruct  your  representative  to vote
     FOR the Committee  Nominee and the Designated  Company Nominees on the GOLD
     proxy card.

4.   Time is short.  Please vote today! If you have questions or need assistance
     in voting your shares or in changing your vote,  please contact Beacon Hill
     Partners, Inc. at the toll-free number listed below.


                              BEACON HILL PARTNERS
                                 90 Broad Street
                            New York, New York 10004
                          (212) 843-8500 (call Collect)
                                       or
                          Call toll-Free (800) 755-5001

<PAGE>





                               WAYNE BANCORP, INC.
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
    THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE WAYNE BANCORP , INC. COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE
                                SHAREHOLDER VALUE
                     IN OPPOSITION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     The  undersigned  hereby  appoints  Richard  Whitman,  with  full  power of
substitution  and  resubstitution,  the  attorney(s)  and the  proxy(ies) of the
undersigned,  to vote all shares the  undersigned  may be entitled to vote, with
all powers the  undersigned  would possess if  personally  present at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders  of Wayne Bancorp.  to be held in April __, 1998, and at
any  adjournments  or  postponements   thereof  on  the  following  matters,  as
instructed below, and in their discretion, on such other matters as may properly
come  before the  meeting,  including  any motion to  adjourn  or  postpone  the
meeting,  all as more  fully  described  in the  Proxy  Statement  of the  Wayne
Bancorp,  Inc.  Committee  to Preserve  Shareholder  Value  ("Committee")  dated
February ---, 1998, receipt of which is hereby  acknowledged.  A vote "FOR" each
proposal is recommended.

1.       ELECTION OF DIRECTOR - COMMITTEE NOMINEE

- ---- FOR the nominee  listed  below----  WITHHOLD  AUTHORITY to vote for nominee
    (except as indicated to the contrary below)

                           LAWRENCE B. SEIDMAN


2.       ELECTION OF DESIGNATED COMPANY NOMINEES

                  ---- FOR NICHOLAS. GENTILE, JR.
                  ----  WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR NICHOLAS GENTILE, JR.
                  ----  FOR JOHANNA O'CONNELL
                  ----  WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR JOHANNA O'CONNELL

     The  Committee  intends to use this proxy to vote for the above  Designated
Company Nominees.  You may withhold authority to vote for any designated Company
Nominee by checking  the  appropriate  box above.  You should refer to the proxy
statement  and  form  of  proxy  distributed  by  the  Company  for  the  names,
background,  qualifications,  and other  information  concerning  the  Company's
Nominees.

     The  Committee  is NOT seeking  authority to vote for and WILL NOT exercise
any such authority for Thomas Collins.

     If you wish to vote for Thomas Collins instead of one of the two Designated
Company Nominees,  check the WITHHOLD box above for one or two of the Designated
Company Nominees and write Thomas Collins' name below.
                                            

     Instructions: If you wish to withhold authority and preclude the proxy from
voting for any  individual  nominee,  write the  name(s)  in the space  provided
below:
                                (Continued and to be SIGNED on the reverse side)



<PAGE>




2.   APPOINTMENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK,  LLP AS INDEPENDENT  ACCOUNTANTS  FOR THE
     FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998:

                  ----  FOR         ---- AGAINST              ---- ABSTAIN

 
          This  proxy,  when  properly  executed,  will be voted  in the  manner
     directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. Unless otherwise specified,
     this proxy will be voted "FOR" the election of the  Committee's  Nominee as
     Director, the election of the two Designated Company Nominees and "FOR" the
     appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick,  LLP, the independent  accountants.  This
     proxy revokes all prior proxies given by the undersigned.

          Please sign below  exactly as your name appears on the proxy card.  If
     shares are  registered in more than one name, all such persons should sign.
     A corporation  should sign in its full corporate name by a duly  authorized
     officer,   stating  full  titles.   Trustees,   guardians,   executors  and
     administrators  should sign in their official  capacity,  giving their full
     title as such. If a  partnership,  please sign in the  partnership  name by
     authorized  persons.   This  proxy  card  votes  all  shares  held  in  all
     capacities.

                                                 Dated.....................,1998

                                                    ............................
                                                        
                                                    ............................
                                                    (Signature, if held jointly)

                                                   .............................
                                             (Title or authority, if applicable)

                                 PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY PROMPTLY.


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