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)
August 11, 1998
AFSALA BANCORP, INC.
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(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
Delaware 0-21113 14-1793890
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(State or other jurisdiction (SEC File No.) (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification
Number)
161 Church Street, Amsterdam, New York 12010
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(518) 842-5700
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Not Applicable
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last Report)
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AFSALA BANCORP, INC.
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORT
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Item 5. Other Events
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On August 11, 1998, the Registrant jointly announced with Ambanc
Holding Co., Inc. that it had entered into a Settlement and Standstill Agreement
(the "Agreement") with a group of individuals and entities affiliated with Mr.
Seymour Holtzman (the "Group"). Under the Agreement, the Group has agreed to
support and vote for the Registrant's pending merger (the "Merger") with Ambanc
Holding Co., Inc. ("Ambanc") in return for which the parties to the Merger will
reimburse the Group for a portion of their expenses incurred in connection with
certain litigation against Ambanc and the Group's opposition to the Merger.
For further details, reference is made to the Press Release and the
Agreement which are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, and
incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information
and Exhibits
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Exhibit 99.1 -- Press Release dated August 11, 1998.
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Exhibit 99.2 -- Settlement and Standstill Agreement dated August 11, 1998.
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SIGNATURES
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, thereunto duly authorized.
AFSALA BANCORP, INC.
Date: August 12, 1998 By: /s/John M. Lisicki
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John M. Lisicki
President and Chief
Executive Officer
EXHIBIT 99.1
PRESS RELEASE DATED AUGUST 11, 1998
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AMSTERDAM FEDERAL BANK
For Immediate Release
For further information contact:
AMBANC: Bud Barnett, President (518) 842-7200
AFSALA: John M. Lisicki, President,
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer (518) 842-5700
AMBANC AND AFSALA ANNOUNCE SETTLEMENT WITH HOLTZMAN
Amsterdam, NY - August 11, 1998 Ambanc Holding co., Inc. (Nasdaq AHCI) and
AFSALA Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq AFED) announced today that they have reached an
agreement with Seymour Holtzman, a stockholder of both companies, regarding the
pending merger of the two companies.
Mr Holtzman has agreed to drop all litigation against Ambanc, refrain from any
future litigation until at least January 1, 2000, fully support and vote for the
pending merger of Ambanc and AFSALA and vote for Ambanc's nominees for director
and avoid becoming involved with any other hostile action at the annual meeting
of Ambanc stockholders to be held in 1999.
In return, Ambanc has agreed to retain Sandler, O'Neill and Partners, LP, its
regular investment banker, to seek ways to maximize shareholder value following
completion of the merger, including the possible merger of the combined
companies with a third party. If Ambanc has not entered into a merger or
acquisition agreement with a third party acquirer on or before April 1, 1999, or
a merger or acquisition is not consummated, Ambanc has agreed to appoint to the
Ambanc board two persons from a list of at least four persons selected by Mr.
Holtzman. Finally, Ambanc and AFSALA have agreed to reimburse Mr. Holtzman
$80,000 for a portion of his expenses incurred in the litigation with Ambanc and
his actions with respect to the merger.
Lauren T. Barnett, acting President of Ambanc, stated: "We are very pleased to
have this expensive litigation behind us and to be working with Mr. Holtzman in
a cooperative fashion for the benefit of all the stockholders. We believe that
working together, and with the anticipated benefits of AFSALA becoming part of
our company and bringing with its superb management talent in John Lisicki, we
can maximize the value of our shareholders' investment."
John M. Lisicki, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of
AFSALA stated: "With this action today we can focus on achieving the synergies
and cost savings that make our pending merger with Ambanc so attractive. Our
focus will be on achieving the best possible results for the shareholders of the
combined institutions and we look forward to working with Mr. Holtzman in a very
constructive and positive way."
The special meetings of the shareholders of Ambanc and AFSALA will beheld on
September 1 and September 3, respectively. Closing is expected to occur early in
the fourth quarter.
EXHIBIT 99.2
SETTLEMENT AND STANDSTILL AGREEMENT DATED AUGUST 11, 1998
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SETTLEMENT AND STANDSTILL AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, dated this 11th day of August, 1998 (the "Effective
Date"), by and between Ambanc Holding Co., Inc. ("Ambanc"), a Delaware
corporation, AFSALA Bancorp, Inc. ("AFSALA"), a Delaware corporation (together
with Ambanc, the "Companies") and the individuals and entities identified on
Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively, the "Group;" individually, a "Group
Member").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, on June 12, 1998 Ambanc held its reconvened annual meeting of
shareholders ("1998 Annual Meeting"); and
WHEREAS, Ambanc and AFSALA have entered into a Reorganization and
Merger Agreement dated April 23, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement") whereby AFSALA
would merge with and into Ambanc (the "Merger"); and
WHEREAS, the Group has filed a lawsuit captioned Seymour Holtzman v
Ambanc Holding Co., Inc., 3:98-CV-0816 in the United States District Court for
the Middle District of Pennsylvania, objecting to certain actions taken by
Ambanc, including the disclosure contained in the proxy statement and
supplemental proxy statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting; and
WHEREAS, the Group has filed a lawsuit captioned Seymour Holtzman v.
Ambanc holding Co., Inc., et al in the Philadelphia County Court of Common
Pleas, Trial Division, alleging certain defamation claims against Ambanc
(together with the litigation described above, the "Litigation"); and
WHEREAS, the Companies are in the process of soliciting proxies from
their respective shareholders to vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement;
and
WHEREAS, the Group has indicated its opposition to the Merger and its
intention to oppose the adoption of the Merger Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Companies have incurred, and are expected to continue to
incur, significant costs and expenses in connection with the Group's litigation
against Ambanc and opposition to the Merger; and
WHEREAS, the Group has incurred, and is expected to continue to incur,
significant costs and expenses in connection with the Group's litigation against
Ambanc and opposition to the Merger; and
WHEREAS, Ambanc desires to avoid the continuing costs and expenses of
its litigation with the Group and desires to obtain the approval of its
shareholders and the AFSALA shareholders for the adoption of the Merger
Agreement with the support of the Group; and
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WHEREAS, AFSALA desires to avoid the continuing costs, expenses and
uncertainty of a proxy solicitation process which is opposed by the Group, as
well as any future litigation that may be filed against it by the Group; and
WHEREAS, the Group desires to be reimbursed by the Companies for a
portion of the costs and expenses it has incurred in connection with its
litigation with Ambanc and its opposition to the Merger Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Group, in exchange for reimbursement by the Companies of a
portion of such expenses, the dismissal of its lawsuits and the taking by the
Companies of the other actions contemplated by this Agreement, is willing to
enter into this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Companies and the Group have agreed that it is in their
mutual interests to enter into this Agreement as hereinafter described.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the Recitals and the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein and other
good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto mutually agree as follows:
I. COVENANTS
1. On the Effective Date, the Group shall take all necessary steps to
dismiss, with prejudice, the Litigation. The Group shall not initiate, join or
encourage others to initiate or join any litigation against the Companies, their
directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives or affiliates arising
out of a) the 1998 Annual Meeting or the disclosure made pursuant to the Ambanc
proxy statement, supplemental proxy statement or otherwise which constituted
proxy soliciting material for that meeting; b) the proposed Merger, including
the proxy materials utilized by the Companies in connection with the proxy
solicitation in connection with the Merger; or c) any statements, oral or
written, by the Companies, their directors, officers, employees, agents,
representatives or affiliates regarding the Group or any of its members at any
time up to and including the Effective Date.
Through January 1, 2000, the Group shall not directly or indirectly
participate or act in concert with any affiliate, group or other person to
participate, by encouragement or otherwise, in any litigation against or
derivatively on behalf of the Companies, except for testimony which may be
required by law, and except as may occur in the ordinary course of business with
respect to any loan, deposit or other transaction where the Group Member or an
affiliate is dealing with the Companies as a customer.
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2. On the Effective Date, the Group shall issue the press release
attached hereto as Exhibit B withdrawing its opposition to the Merger and
stating it fully supports the Merger.
3. Following the Effective Date, all statements, public or private, by
the Group shall be consistent with the press release attached as Exhibit B
hereto.
4. The Group shall vote all shares of stock of Ambanc and AFSALA owned
or controlled by it, now or after the Effective Date, in favor of the adoption
of the Merger Agreement. The Group, prior to the vote on the Merger by
shareholders of both companies, shall not transfer voting control of the shares
of Ambanc and AFSALA common stock currently owned or hereafter acquired by it
other than through a bona fide sale of 100% of its beneficial ownership interest
in the common stock.
5. At the annual meeting of stockholders of Ambanc to be held in 1999,
the Group shall vote any shares of Ambanc common stock then owned or controlled
by it as recommended by the board of directors of Ambanc on the election of
directors and the ratification of auditors. The Group will not seek to introduce
or introduce, directly or indirectly, any shareholder proposal at such meeting,
nor will the Group solicit proxies in opposition to or otherwise oppose any
management proposal or nominee at such meeting. The Group will not join with or
assist any person, directly or indirectly, in supporting or endorsing any
proposal submitted to a vote of Ambanc shareholders at the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held in 1999 that is opposed by Ambanc's board of directors.
6. The Group shall not provide, nor shall a Group Member act in concert
with any person to provide, any funds, services or facilities to any person in
support of any activity by such person that would be a violation of their
covenants under the provisions of paragraphs 1 through 5 above if undertaken by
any of them.
7. On the Effective Date Ambanc, with the written consent of AFSALA,
shall hire an investment banker to seek ways to maximize shareholder value,
including the possible merger of the combined Companies with a third party. The
Companies shall issue the press release attached hereto as Exhibit C on the
Effective Date announcing the same. A copy of the engagement letter with
Ambanc's investment banker has been provided to the Group prior to the Effective
Date.
8. If Ambanc has not entered into a merger or acquisition agreement
with a third party acquiror on or before April 1, 1999, or such a merger or
acquisition is not thereafter consummated, the Ambanc board of directors shall
appoint two persons from a list of at least four persons selected by the Group
to serve three year terms as Ambanc directors. The Ambanc board of directors
shall
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take all steps necessary to nominate or appoint such persons, including
expanding the number of members on the board of directors, if necessary.
9. On the Effective Date, the Companies agree to pay to the Group, or
its designee, $80,000 representing reimbursement of a portion of the Group's
expenses incurred in connection with these matters.
10. The Companies, the individual directors of Ambanc, the Chief
Financial Officer of Ambanc and the Chief Executive Officer of AFSALA shall not
initiate, join or encourage others to initiate or join any litigation against
the Group arising out of any actions taken or statements, oral or written, made
by the Group or any Group Member at any time up to and including the Effective
Date, nor shall they make any statements regarding the Group or any Group Member
inconsistent with the press release attached hereto as Exhibit C.
II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE GROUP MEMBERS
The Group Members hereby represent and warrant to the Companies as
follows:
1. Exhibit A sets forth the number of shares of the capital stock of
the Companies which are beneficially owned by each Group Member on the date
hereof.
2. The Group Members have fully disclosed in Exhibit A the entire
number of shares of the capital stock of the Companies in which they have a
beneficial ownership and none of the Group Members has a right to vote any
shares of the capital stock of the Companies other than those in which such
Group Member has a beneficial ownership interest as disclosed in Exhibit A.
3. The Group Members have full and complete authority to enter into
this Agreement and to bind the entire number of shares of the capital stock of
the Companies in which they have a beneficial ownership interest to the terms of
this Agreement and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of
the Group and each Group Member.
4. There are no arrangements, agreements or understandings between the
Group (or any Group Member) and the Companies with regard to the subject matter
of this Agreement other than as set forth in this Agreement.
III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AMBANC
Ambanc hereby represents and warrants to the Group and to each Group
member as follows:
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1. Ambanc has full power and authority to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement, and the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Ambanc regarding the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby has been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of Ambanc and requires
no other Board of Directors or stockholder action. This Agreement constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of Ambanc and the performance of its terms shall
not constitute a violation of its certificate of incorporation or by-laws.
2. There are no arrangements, agreements or understandings between the
Group (or any Group Member) and Ambanc other than as set forth in this
Agreement.
IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AFSALA
AFSALA hereby represents and warrants to the Group and to each Group
member as follows:
1. AFSALA has full power and authority to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement, and the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by AFSALA regarding the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby has been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of AFSALA and requires
no other Board of Directors or stockholder action. This Agreement constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of AFSALA and the performance of its terms shall
not constitute a violation of its certificate of incorporation or by-laws.
2. There are no arrangements, agreements or understandings between the
Group (or any Group Member) and AFSALA other than as set forth in this
Agreement.
V. GENERAL
1. The Companies and the Group acknowledge and agree that a breach or
threatened breach by any party may give rise to irreparable injury inadequately
compensable in damages, and accordingly each party shall be entitled to
injunctive relief to prevent a breach of the provisions hereof and to enforce
specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any state or federal court
having jurisdiction, in addition to any other remedy to which such aggrieved
party may be entitled at law or in equity. In the event any party institutes any
legal action to enforce such party's rights under, or recover damages for breach
of, this Agreement, the prevailing party or parties in such action shall be
entitled to recover from the other party or parties all costs and expenses,
including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs, witness
fees, disbursements and any other expenses of litigation or negotiation,
incurred by such prevailing party or parties. Each Group Member shall have the
right of contribution from the other Group Members for any damages paid or
expenses
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incurred (including reasonable attorneys' fees) pursuant to this Article V.
2. This Agreement shall remain in effect until June 30, 2000 or until
such earlier time as Ambanc shall cease its separate corporate existence by
reason of merger, sale of assets, liquidation, exchange of shares, or otherwise.
3. Any press release or other publicity with respect to this Agreement,
or any provisions thereof, shall be prepared and issued by the Companies ,
except for Exhibit B attached hereto. During the term of this Agreement, no
Group Member shall cause, publicly discuss, cooperate in the preparation of or
otherwise aid in any press release or other publicity concerning the Companies
or their operations or the Merger to be created, issued or circulated without
prior approval of the Companies' management, except as may be consistent with
Exhibit B and the intent of this Agreement.
4. All notice requirements and other communications shall be deemed
given when delivered or on the third succeeding business day after being mailed
by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the
Group and the Companies below:
Group: Mr. Seymour Holtzman
c/o Jewelcor Companies
100 N. Wilkes-Barre Boulevard
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18702
With a copy to: Richard Huffsmith, Esquire
Jewelcor Companies
100 N. Wilkes-Barre Boulevard
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18702
Ambanc: Lauren T. Barnett, President
Ambanc Holding Co., Inc.
11 Division Street
Amsterdam, New York 12010-4303
With a copy to: James S. Fleischer, P.C.
Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P.
1100 New York Avenue, N.W.
Seventh Floor, East Tower
Washington, D.C. 20005
AFSALA: John M. Lisicki, President
AFSALA Bancorp, Inc.
161 Church Street
Amsterdam, New York 12010
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With a copy to: John J. Spidi, Esquire
Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C.
1301 K Street, N.W.
Suite 700 East
Washington, D.C. 20005
5. Delaware law, unless applicable federal law or regulation is deemed
controlling, shall govern the construction and enforceability of this Agreement.
Any and all actions concerning any dispute arising hereunder shall be filed and
maintained in a state or federal court, as appropriate, sitting in the State of
Delaware.
6. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is
held by the OTS or a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall
in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
7. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of and be enforceable by the heirs, administrators, successors and assigns and
transferees by operation of law of the parties. Except as otherwise expressly
provided for herein, this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of, be
enforceable by or create any right or cause of action in any person, including
any shareowner of the Companies, other than the parties hereto.
8. All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made
herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
9. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented
except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by all of
the parties hereto.
10. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall
be an original, but each of which together shall constitute one and the same
agreement.
11. Each party agrees to execute any and all documents, and to do and
perform any and all acts and things necessary or proper to effectuate or further
evidence the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
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