<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 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 [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) 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 (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> 2
PLYMOUTH COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE FUND
April 7, 1998
Dear Fellow Shareholder:
I am writing to let you know that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Plymouth
Commercial Mortgage Fund ("Company") will be held on April 28, 1998 to vote on
four important proposals that affect the Company and your investment in it. As a
Shareholder, you have the opportunity to voice your opinion on these matters.
This package contains information about the proposals and the materials to use
when voting by mail.
Please take the time to read the enclosed materials. YOUR PROXY IS IMPORTANT TO
US. SIGNED BUT UNMARKED PROXY BALLOTS WILL BE COUNTED IN DETERMINING WHETHER A
QUORUM IS PRESENT AND WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE PROPOSALS, AND, IN
THE DISCRETION OF THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE PROXY, AS TO OTHER MATTERS THAT
PROPERLY MAY COME BEFORE, OR ON MATTERS INCIDENT TO THE CONDUCT OF, THE ANNUAL
MEETING.
The proposals summarized below have been carefully reviewed by the Company's
Board of Trustees (the "Board"). The Board believes these proposals are in the
best interest of Shareholders and recommends that you vote FOR each proposal.
Your early response will be appreciated. You may be contacted by a
representative of the Company who is soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board.
If signed proxy ballots are not returned in sufficient numbers to constitute a
quorum, the Board intends to re-solicit proxies from Shareholders who have not
responded so that business can be conducted at the Annual Meeting.
HERE IS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSALS:
PROPOSAL 1 is to elect 5 trustees of the Company to serve for 1 year
and until their successors are elected and qualified.
PROPOSAL 2 is to approve the revised investment advisory agreement
between the Company and Greystone Advisers, Inc.
PROPOSAL 3 is to ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the
Company's independent public accountant for the year ending December
31, 1998.
PROPOSAL 4 is to approve a stock option plan whereby the officers of
the Company (all of whom are also employees of Greystone) would be
entitled to purchase shares of the Company.
VOTING BY MAIL IS QUICK AND EASY. EVERYTHING YOU NEED IS ENCLOSED.
We encourage you to exercise your right as a Shareholder and to vote on the
proposals. To cast your vote, simply complete the proxy ballot enclosed in this
package. Please be sure to sign the card before mailing it in the postage-paid
envelope provided. WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING OR NOT, PLEASE
COMPLETE, DATE, AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY BALLOT AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
If you have any questions, please call Kenneth L. Bennight, Jr. at (210)
493-3971 or (800) 330-3971. We'll be glad to help you get your vote in quickly.
Thank you for your participation in this important process for the Company.
Sincerely,
Robert R. Swendson
President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE> 3
PLYMOUTH COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE FUND
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To the Shareholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting ("Meeting") of owners of common
shares of beneficial interest ("Shareholders") in Plymouth Commercial Mortgage
Fund, a Delaware business trust ("Company"), will be held at the offices of
Duncan-Smith Co., 311 Third Street, 3rd Floor, San Antonio, Texas 78205 on
Thursday, April 28, 1998, at 1:30 P.M. Central time. The purpose of the Meeting
is to consider and act upon the following proposals, which are more fully
described in the accompanying proxy statement:
1. To elect 5 trustees to serve for 1 year and until their
successors are elected and qualified.
2. To approve the revised investment advisory agreement
between the Company and Greystone Advisers, Inc.
3. To ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the
Company's independent public accountant for the year ending
December 31, 1998.
4. To approve a stock option plan whereby the officers of the
Company (who are all also employees of Greystone Advisers,
Inc.) would be entitled to purchase shares of the Company.
5. To transact such other business as may properly come before
the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Board of Trustees of the Company has fixed the close of business on Friday,
March 20, 1998, as the record date for the determination of Shareholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
By order of the Board of Trustees,
Kenneth L. Bennight, Jr.
Vice President and Secretary
April 7, 1998
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
PLEASE RETURN YOUR PROXY BALLOT PROMPTLY.
AS A SHAREHOLDER OF THE COMPANY, YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING, EITHER
IN PERSON OR BY PROXY. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON,
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY BALLOT IN THE
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. YOUR PROMPT RETURN OF THE PROXY BALLOT WILL HELP
ASSURE THAT A QUORUM, WHICH IS REQUIRED TO CONDUCT BUSINESS, IS PRESENT AT THE
MEETING AND WILL AVOID ADDITIONAL EXPENSES TO THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH
FURTHER SOLICITATION OF PROXIES. MAILING YOUR PROXY BALLOT WILL NOT PREVENT YOU
FROM ATTENDING THE MEETING AND VOTING YOUR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN PERSON, IF
YOU LATER CHOOSE TO DO SO.
<PAGE> 4
PLYMOUTH COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE FUND
C/O GREYSTONE ADVISERS, INC.
13333 BLANCO ROAD, SUITE 314
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78216-7756
PROXY STATEMENT
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
by the Board of Trustees of Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund, a Delaware
business trust (the "Company"), for use at the Company's Annual Meeting (the
"Meeting") of owners of common shares of beneficial interest ("Shareholders"),
to be held at 1:30 P.M.. Central Time on Tuesday, April 28, 1998, at the office
of Duncan-Smith Co., 311 Third Street, 3rd Floor, San Antonio, Texas 78205, and
at any adjournments thereof. This Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy
ballot, and the Company's Form 10K are first being sent to Shareholders on or
about April 7, 1998.
If the accompanying proxy ballot is properly signed and dated and is received in
time for the Meeting, those common shares of beneficial interest ("Shares") held
of record by you (i.e., those Shares registered directly in your name) will be
voted as specified on that proxy ballot. Giving a proxy confers on the
designated proxyholders discretionary authority to vote the shares in accordance
with their best judgment on such other business, if any, that may properly come
before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN ON
THE PROXY BALLOT, THE SHARES COVERED THEREBY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSALS
LISTED IN THE ACCOMPANYING NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS (THE
"NOTICE"). Shareholders authorized to vote may revoke a proxy at any time before
it is exercised by so notifying the Secretary of the Company in writing at the
above address, by submitting a properly executed proxy with a later date, or by
attending the Meeting and voting in person. Any Shareholder of record attending
the Meeting may vote in person whether or not he or she has previously executed
and returned a proxy ballot.
BACKGROUND OF THE COMPANY AND THE PROPOSALS
The Company was organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 23,
1996 as a business trust, and has elected to be regulated as a business
development company ("BDC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940 Act"). The Meeting constitutes the 1997 annual meeting of
Shareholders. At it the shareholders will consider the following proposals:
1. To elect 5 trustees to serve for 1 year and until their
successors are elected and qualified.
2. To approve a revised investment advisory agreement with
Greystone Advisers, Inc.
3. To ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the
Company's independent public accountant for the year ending
December 31, 1998.
4. To approve a stock option plan whereby the officers of the
Company would be entitled to purchase shares of the
Company.
5. To transact such other business as may properly come before
the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
VOTING
On March 20, 1998, there were 921,627 Shares outstanding, each of which is
entitled to one vote. The Shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting are those
of record as of the close of business on that date. SouthWest Federated, Inc.,
which directly owns approximately 2.25% of the Shares, and Robert R. Swendson,
who directly owns 1.09% of the Shares, have agreed
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 1
<PAGE> 5
to vote their Shares, on all matters on which Shareholders are required or
permitted to vote, only in the same proportion as the Shares voted by the
Company's other Shareholders. Indirectly through ownership of SouthWest
Federated Holding Company, Inc. ("SWFHC"), Mr. Swendson controls SouthWest
Federated, Inc.
One-tenth (1/10) of the Shares entitled to vote at the Meeting constitutes a
quorum. If a Share is represented in person or by proxy for any purpose at the
Meeting, it is deemed to be present for quorum purposes. Abstentions will be
counted as present in determining whether a quorum has been reached. Once a
quorum has been reached, a determination must be made as to the results of the
vote on each of the Proposals.
With respect to Proposal 1, to elect 5 Trustees to serve on the Company's Board,
the Trustee nominees each must receive a plurality of the votes cast at the
Meeting, which means that a vote withheld from a particular nominee or nominees
will not affect the outcome of the vote for that particular nominee or nominees.
Proposal 2, to approve the revised advisory agreement, must be approved by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest.
Abstentions count as a vote against the agreement. Proposal 3, to ratify the
selection of accountants, must be approved by an affirmative vote of a majority
of the votes cast on such Proposal, and abstentions are not counted in
determining the outcome of the vote on Proposal 3. Approval of Proposal 4, to
approve a Plymouth stock option plan for officers of the Company, must be by a
majority of the stock represented at the meeting, and therefore abstentions
would count as votes against this Proposal.
If a quorum is not present at the Meeting, or if a quorum is present but
sufficient votes to approve a proposal are not received, the persons named as
proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting to permit further
solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote
of a majority of the Shares represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy.
The persons named as proxies will vote those proxies for such adjournment unless
marked to be voted against any proposal for which an adjournment is sought to
permit further solicitation of proxies. Prior to any such adjournment,
Shareholder action may be taken to transact such other business as may properly
come before the Meeting if sufficient affirmative votes have been received.
INFORMATION REGARDING THIS SOLICITATION
The expense of the Company's solicitation of proxies for the Meeting, including
the cost of preparing, printing, and mailing this Proxy Statement and the
accompanying Notice and proxy ballot, will be borne by the Company. In addition
to the solicitation of proxies by the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited
in person and by telephone, facsimile transmission, or telegram by Trustees or
officers of the Company or by regular employees of Greystone, the Company's
investment adviser, without special compensation therefor.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
As of March 20, 1998 there were 921,627 Shares outstanding. Each Share is
entitled to one vote. The following table sets forth information as of such date
with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Shares by: (i) each
person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of such Shares;
(ii) each Trustee of the Company; (iii) the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company; and (iv) all Trustees and officers of the Company as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===============================================================================================================================
Amount and nature of
Title of class Name and address of beneficial owner beneficial ownership(1) Percent of class
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common shares Robert R. Swendson (2) 33,747 Shares(3) 3.34%
of beneficial interest,
no par value
James R. Clifton(4, 5) 65,000 Shares(5) 7.05%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 2
<PAGE> 6
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
William L. Clifton, Jr.(4, 5) 81,160 Shares(6) 8.81%
Goodhue W. Smith III 86,197 Shares(7) 9.35%
311 Third Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
Silver Aggressive Growth Fund, L.P.(8) 200,000 Shares 21.70%
P.O. Box 460567
San Antonio, Texas 78246-0567
Trinity University(9) 50,000 Shares 5.43%
715 Stadium Drive
San Antonio, TX 78212
Willis H. Wagner(10) 5,000 Shares .54%
200 Concord Plaza, Suite 620
San Antonio, TX 78216
All Trustees and Executive 176,247 Shares(3) 19.12%
Officers as a Group (7 persons)
===============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) Directly owned unless otherwise indicated.
(2) SouthWest Federated Holding Company, Inc., 13333 Blanco Road, Suite
314, San Antonio, TX 78216-7756.
(3) Includes 100% of the Shares beneficially owned by SWFHC, the voting
or disposition of which Robert R. Swendson may be deemed to have the
power to direct by virtue of his ownership of approximately 46% of
SWFHC's common stock and his position as president and chief
executive officer of SWFHC and as one of its two directors. Mr.
Swendson disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares owned by SWFHC.
(4) 4830 Lakewood, Suite 5, Waco, TX 76710.
(5) Includes 20,000 Shares owned by two family trusts of which James R.
Clifton is one of two trustees and 20,000 Shares owned by two family
trusts for the benefit of Mr. Clifton's children of which Mr. Clifton
is not a trustee. Mr. Clifton disclaims beneficial ownership of those
Shares that he does not directly own. James L. Clifton and William L.
Clifton, Jr. are brothers.
(6) Includes 61,160 Shares owned by three family trusts of which William
L. Clifton, Jr., is one of two trustees and 20,000 Shares owned by
two family trusts for the benefit of Mr. Clifton's children of which
Mr. Clifton is not a trustee. Mr. Clifton disclaims beneficial
ownership of all the Shares attributed to him.
(7) Includes 50,000 Shares owned by five trusts of which Goodhue W.
Smith, III is one of two trustees and 100% of the Shares beneficially
owned by SWFHC, the voting or disposition of which Mr. Smith may be
deemed to have the power to direct by virtue of his position as one
of its two directors. Mr. Smith disclaims beneficial ownership of
those Shares that he does not own directly.
(8) Christopher Goldsbury is the sole member and manager and the
president of the general partner of Silver Aggressive Growth Fund,
L.P. As such, he directly or indirectly controls the voting and
dispositive power over the shares.
(9) Ronald K. Calgaard, a member of the Company's Board of Trustees, is
President of Trinity University.
(10) Mr. Wagner has a close business relationship with the principals of
Silver Aggressive Growth Fund, L.P.
-oo0oo-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 3
<PAGE> 7
1. PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
BACKGROUND
Shareholders will be asked to consider electing five individuals to the Board of
Trustees of the Company. The names of the nominees for election to the Board of
Trustees are Dr. Ronald K. Calgaard, James R. Clifton, Robert R. Swendson,
Goodhue W. Smith III, and Willis H. Wagner. All the individuals currently serve
as Trustees. The nominees, if elected, will serve a term of one year or until
their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
Each of the nominees for Trustee has consented to be named in this Proxy
Statement and to serve as a Trustee if elected. The Board of Trustees has no
reason to believe that any of the nominees named above will be unable or
unwilling to serve, but if that should occur before the Meeting, proxies will be
voted for such persons as the Board of Trustees may recommend.
The following information was furnished to the Company by the nominee and each
Trustee currently serving and sets forth the name, age, principal occupation or
employment of the person, and the period during which he has served as a trustee
of the Company. Except as otherwise noted below, each trustee or nominee has
held his principal occupation for at least five years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
Position with
Name and Address Company Age Recent Professional Experience
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald K. Calgaard Trustee 60 Dr. Calgaard is President of Trinity
715 Stadium Drive University, a post he has held since 1979. He
San Antonio, Texas 78212 also serves as a director of Valero Energy
Corporation, a Trustee of Southwest Research
Institute, a member of the Advisory Board of
the San Antonio Spurs, and a Trustee of Texas
Military Institute. Dr. Calgaard has served on
the Company's Board of Trustees since
September, 1996.
James R. Clifton Trustee 48 Mr. Clifton is a founder of The Clifton Group,
4830 Lakewood, Suite 5 a private investment partnership formed in
Waco, Texas 76710 January 1996. From 1973 to January 1996,
Mr. Clifton served in a number of positions for
Behrens, Inc., a family-owned (until 1994)
distributor of pharmaceuticals to independent
pharmacies, including Executive Vice
President, Chief Operating Officer, and
Director. Mr. Clifton has served on the
Company's Board of Trustees since September,
1996.
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 4
<PAGE> 8
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
Position with
Name and Address Company Age Recent Professional Experience
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Goodhue W. Smith III* Trustee 48 Since its founding in 1978, Mr. Smith has
311 Third Street, 3rd Floor been employed by Duncan-Smith Co., an
San Antonio, TX 78205 investment banking firm located in San
Antonio, Texas, where he currently serves
as a Vice President. Mr. Smith is the
President of Duncan-Smith Securities, Inc.,
a registered broker/dealer and wholly owned
subsidiary of Duncan-Smith Co. He also serves
as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of
Citizens National Bank of Milam County (Texas)
and as a director of publicly-traded Consolidated
Health Care Associates, Inc. Mr. Smith has served
on the Company's Board of Trustees since April
24, 1997.
Robert R. Swendson* Trustee, 55 From 1989 to 1996, Mr. Swendson was
13333 Blanco Road President and employed by SouthWest Federated, Inc., a
Suite 314 Chief Executive purchaser of consumer and commercial loans
San Antonio, TX 78216 Officer which he helped found. Mr. Swendson
remains the company's President and Chief
Executive Officer. He is currently employed
by Greystone, the Company's investment
adviser, as its President and Chief Executive
Officer. Mr. Swendson has served on the
Company's Board of Trustees and has been an
executive officer since the Company's
inception in 1996.
Willis H. Wagner Trustee 47 Since 1995, Mr. Wagner has served as the
200 Concord Plaza, Suite Managing Director of SV Capital
620 Management, a venture capital firm located in
San Antonio, TX San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Wagner was
previously the Chief Financial Officer for Pace
Foods, Ltd. from 1991-1995 and served in
several senior positions with Ernst & Young
from 1986-1991. Mr. Wagner has served on
the Company's Board of Trustees since April
24, 1997.
<CAPTION>
* Trustee who is an "interested person" of the Company as defined in the 1940 Act.
In addition to the nominees for trustees set forth above, corresponding information on executive officers** of
the Company who are not nominees for the Board of Trustees is as follows:
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Larry K. Krause Senior Vice 49 From its founding in 1989 until 1996, Mr.
13333 Blanco Rd, Ste 314 President Krause served as the controller for SouthWest
San Antonio, TX 78216 Federated, Inc. and as one of its Vice
Presidents. He has held his present office
since September 3, 1996.
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 5
<PAGE> 9
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
Position with
Name and Address Company Age Recent Professional Experience
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Ted J. Hanes Vice President 58 Mr. Hanes was previously employed as a
13333 Blanco Rd, Ste 314 Portfolio portfolio manager by SouthWest Federated,
San Antonio, TX 78216 Management Inc., which he joined in October 1996. Prior
to this, he was senior portfolio manager for
Federal Services Corporation, a company that
purchased and resolved impaired loans
(1991-1996). He has held his present office
since September 30, 1997.
Kenneth L. Bennight, Jr. Secretary 50 Mr. Bennight has practiced law since 1976.
13333 Blanco Rd, Ste 314 He is general counsel of Greystone Advisers.
San Antonio, TX 78216 He has provided legal services to SouthWest
Federated, Inc. part time from 1994 to 1996.
He began full-time employment in December
1996. From 1991 to 1996, Mr. Bennight was
a sole practitioner in San Antonio, Texas. He
has held his present office since September 30,
1997.
Patrick Panzarella Vice President 30 Mr. Panzarella is a certified public accountant
13333 Blanco Rd, Ste 314 Accounting and and previously worked as a tax supervisor with
San Antonio, TX 78216 Finance the public accounting firm of Sol Schwartz &
Associates, which he joined in 1994. Prior to
joining Sol Schwartz & Associates, was a tax
senior at the public accounting firm of Boldt
and Boldt.
</TABLE>
** The terms of all executive officers are until the next annual meeting of
trustees, which will occur immediately after the shareholders meeting to which
this proxy pertains, and until their successors are elected and qualified. No
executive officer has any contract with the Company.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
Compensation of Management
Under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules applicable to BDCs,
the Company is required to set forth certain information regarding certain of
its executive officers who received compensation from the Company in excess of
$60,000 in 1997. However, the Company has no employees and does not pay any cash
compensation to its officers. All of the Company's officers are employed by
Greystone, which pays their cash compensation. The Company now proposes to the
shareholders a plan to issue options to purchase newly issued Shares to officers
of the Company or other individuals or entities. To be put into effect, this
proposal must be authorized by the Company's Shareholders. The issuance of
Shares of the Company pursuant to the exercise of options could result in a
dilution of the ownership interest and voting power of then-existing
Shareholders.
Compensation of Trustees
The Trustees may provide for their own compensation, and for the compensation of
officers, advisers, administrators, custodians, other agents, consultants and
employees of the Company on such terms as the Trustees deem appropriate.
Currently, each member of the Board of Trustees who is not an officer of the
Company receives from the Company a fee of $750 for each meeting of the Board
that the Trustee attends, and an additional meeting fee of $500 per committee
meeting
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 6
<PAGE> 10
attended, unless the committee meeting occurs on the same day as a Board
meeting, in which case the fee for attending the committee meeting would be
$250.
It is expected that the Board of Trustees will hold at least four Board meetings
per year. None of the Company's officers is compensated by the Company for
attending Board meetings.
The Company paid aggregate Trustees' fees for 1997 of $12,000. The following
table sets forth certain details of the compensation paid to Trustees during
1997. Since its inception in 1996, the Company has not paid annual compensation
to its executive officers, whose services to the Company are provided through
Greystone Advisers, Inc.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregate Compensation Total Compensation from
Name and Position from Company Company Paid to Trustees
<S> <C> <C>
Ronald K. Calgaard $3,000.00 $3,000.00
James R. Clifton $3,000.00 $3,000.00
Willis H. Wagner $3,000.00 $3,000.00
Goodhue W. Smith III(1) $3,000.00 $3,000.00
Robert R. Swendson $0.00 $0.00
</TABLE>
(1) The resolution authorizing payments to trustees did not authorize payments
to employees of Duncan-Smith Co. but the Company's practice during 1997 was
nevertheless to pay Mr. Smith the same fees received by other trustees.
In addition to the sums paid as set forth above, Mr. Plant is an adviser to the
Board of Trustees who attended one meeting and was paid at the same rate as
members of the Board. Mr. Plant has expressed his intent to withdraw as adviser
to reduce his commitments.
MEETINGS OF TRUSTEES AND COMMITTEES
During 1997, the Board of Trustees held four regular meetings. All the Trustees
attended all 1997 meetings as well as committees on which they served. The
bylaws of the Company permit the Trustees, by a vote of a majority of the
Trustees then in office, to elect from their number an Audit Committee or any
other committee. The Board may delegate some or all of its powers to any such
committee except those which by applicable law or the Company's declaration of
trust or bylaws may not be delegated. The Board created an Interim Valuation
Committee, a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee at the meeting of the
Board of the Trustees that was held on January 30, 1997 (the "Board Meeting").
The Interim Valuation Committee has the responsibility to value and revalue,
between meetings of the Board of Trustees, any portfolio investments for which
market quotations or sale prices are not readily available, to approve any loan
purchase or sale made on behalf of the Company when such approval is requested
by a seller or purchaser of loans or loan packages. However, when a purchase of
a loan package presents an exposure to any one borrower greater than
$750,000.00, such approval shall also require the approval of one disinterested
Trustee. The Board appointed Messrs. Swendson and Smith as the members of the
Interim Valuation Committee. That committee has principally acted to provide
resolutions to loan sellers or purchasers of the authority of Plymouth to act.
This committee held no formal meetings and conducted its business by written
consent.
The function of the Compensation Committee is to consider the adoption of a
stock option plan and other compensation matters that may arise from time to
time. The Trustees appointed Dr. Calgaard and Mr. Wagner as the members of the
Compensation Committee. That committee and the Board as a whole have a proposal
regarding stock options to be
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 7
<PAGE> 11
considered by the shareholders at the meeting to which this proxy solicitation
pertains as proposal number four. The committee did not meet formally, but did
communicate over the telephone and by correspondence.
The members of the Audit Committee work with the Company's independent public
accountant to effect the Company's annual audit and review related matters. The
Board appointed Dr. Calgaard and Messrs. Clifton and Smith as the members of the
Audit Committee. During 1997, the Audit Committee met twice for the purpose of
reviewing the audit process with the Company's independent auditors and
identifying specific items for review.
Each of the members of the above committees serves at the pleasure of the Board.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
Investment Advisory Agreement
The Company is a party to an investment advisory agreement with Greystone
Advisers, Inc. ("Greystone"). Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement,
Greystone is entitled to be paid, monthly in arrears, a fee at the rate of 5.94%
per annum on the value of the Company's invested assets, and 0.48% per annum of
its cash and short-term investments. From January 1, 1997 through December 31,
1997, the Company incurred approximately $553,671 in investment advisory fees.
Each officer of the Company also is an officer of Greystone. As of December 31,
1997, all of the shares of Greystone were owned by Robert R. Swendson, the
Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Greystone has not issued any
options, warrants, or convertible securities of any nature.
The trustees have approved certain minor modification and clarification to the
agreement. The revised agreement is different from the one submitted to the
shareholders at the 1997 annual meeting in only three respects. First, the name
has been changed to show that the adviser is Greystone Advisers, Inc., not
Emerald Advisers, Inc. Second, the term has been reduced from two years to one
year. As a consequence, the trustees who are not interested persons will need to
pass on a renewed agreement each year. Finally, the duties of the adviser have
been expanded to explicitly include loan-servicing related responsibilities. The
lawyer for at least one debtor disputed whether the original agreement gave
Greystone the authority to resolve debts on Plymouth's behalf. The proposed
change will avoid the necessity of that argument in the future. None of these
items alter the fee paid or the services rendered to the Company by Greystone.
They are merely intended to clarify the arrangement originally envisioned.
Payments to Duncan-Smith Co. and Duncan-Smith Securities, Inc.
As noted above, Goodhue W. Smith III is a Vice-President of Duncan-Smith Co. and
President of Duncan-Smith Securities, Inc. Mr. Smith owns 50% of Duncan Smith
Investments, which in turn owns 66% of Duncan-Smith Co. The Company is paying
Duncan-Smith Co. for its services in reviewing the loan collection process.
During 1997, the amount so paid was $1,000.
Indebtedness of Management
No person serving as a Trustee or executive officer of the Company and no
nominee for election as a Trustee at any time since the beginning of the
Company's last fiscal year has been indebted to the Company.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 8
<PAGE> 12
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
certain persons, including the Company's Trustees and executive (and certain
other) officers, directors of the Company's investment adviser, and any persons
beneficially owning 10% or more of the Company's Shares are required to report
their beneficial ownership and any changes therein to the SEC and the Company.
Specific due dates for those reports, including Forms 3, 4 and 5, have been
established, and the Company must report herein any failure on the part of any
of the foregoing individuals to file a required report. Greystone failed to
notify its officers and trustees timely of the requirement to file Form 5's. As
a result those were all filed late.
VOTE REQUIRED
The election of Dr. Calgaard and Messrs. Clifton, Swendson, Smith, and Wagner
requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of
Shareholders at which a quorum is present. Under the Company's Declaration of
Trust, the presence in person or by proxy of Shareholders entitled to cast
one-tenth (1/10th) of the votes entitled to be cast thereat shall constitute a
quorum. For this purpose, abstentions will be counted in determining whether a
quorum is present at the Meeting.
THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR EACH OF THE
FOREGOING NOMINEES FOR TRUSTEE NAMED IN THIS PROPOSAL 1.
-oo0oo-
2. PROPOSAL 2: APPROVE THE REVISED INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE COMPANY AND GREYSTONE
Greystone serves as investment adviser to the Company pursuant to the Advisory
Agreement, dated September 22, 1996, which initially was approved by the Board
of Trustees of the Company, including a majority of the Trustees who are not
parties to the Advisory Agreement or "interested persons" of any such party, as
that term is defined in the 1940 Act, at a Special Meeting held on September 13,
1996. The Board of Trustees re-approved the selection of Greystone as investment
adviser of the Company and the Advisory Agreement at the Board Meeting on
January 30, 1997. The Agreement was last submitted to Shareholders on April 24,
1997, and shareholders then approved the Advisory Agreement at Annual Meeting
held on that date. Greystone proposed minor revisions to the agreement for the
reasons discussed below, and the Trustees approved the revised agreement,
subject to shareholder approval, at their meeting held on January 26, 1998. The
following discussion of the revised Advisory Agreement ("Advisory Agreement") is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual text of the agreement, a
copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
By approving and re-approving the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees have acted in
what they believe to be the best interests of the Shareholders of the Company.
The Board based its decision to recommend the re-approval of the Advisory
Agreement because the bases for its original approval of the agreement remained
valid. Those reasons were the following material factors: (i) Greystone's
ability to provide advisory services, specifically the experience its personnel
has in managing impaired loan portfolios, (ii) the size of the investment
portfolio of Plymouth, and (iii) the nature of the services rendered by
Greystone being different from those rendered in an ordinary mutual fund. As to
the latter point, the trustees has noted that investing in marketable stocks,
bonds, and similar securities requires much less involvement and overhead by the
investment adviser than in the case of Plymouth, as to which the investment
adviser must take an active role in debt resolution.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 9
<PAGE> 13
The Board believes that Greystone's personnel have had significant experience
purchasing and resolving impaired loans. Greystone's personnel all have
experience in the tasks they perform. Specifically, its president, Robert R.
Swendson, and Larry D. Krause, a vice president, have been working with impaired
loans since 1989 when they helped found SouthWest Federated, Inc. ("SWFI"). Ted
J. Hanes, Vice President Portfolio Management, has significant experience
collecting loans, the oversight of which is his responsibility at Greystone.
Patrick Panzarella, Vice President of Accounting and Finance, is a certified
public accountant, who has accounting firm experience in representing financial
businesses. Kenneth L. Bennight, Jr., General Counsel and Secretary, has
significant experience in the practice of business law. He formerly represented
savings and loans, and his experience includes both transactional work and
litigation.
From 1989 to 1996, SWFI invested approximately $20 million to purchase more than
$180 million in impaired commercial mortgages and consumer loans (outstanding
principal balance at the time of purchase). SWFI made these investments as the
general partner for several limited partnerships and for its own account. Mr.
Swendson attributes the success of SWFI to thorough due diligence prior to
making a bid, experienced and patient negotiations with obligors, and a focus on
investor returns.
The financial performance of Plymouth under the management of Greystone is set
forth in the Form 10-K, which accompanies the proxy statement and that is
incorporated herein by reference.
In originally approving the agreement, the Board engaged in a detailed
discussion concerning the advisory fee paid to Greystone, which is higher than
fees typically paid to funds holding portfolios of marketable securities. The
Trustees considered certain factors underlying the fee arrangements.
Specifically, the Company currently has a comparatively small capital base and
its investments require a greater amount of attention than those of typical
registered investment company. The larger asset bases of typical investment
companies permit these funds to conduct business with an advisory fee that
represents a smaller percentage of their assets. The Trustees also were apprised
by Greystone that the current advisory fee was necessary in order for Greystone
to maintain adequate operations. After considering the foregoing and other
factors, as well as the standards that Trustees must meet in approving
investment advisory agreements, the Trustees re-approved the Advisory Agreement
and recommended its submission to Shareholders for consideration. Those factors
have not changed since the time they were originally considered.
The changes to the agreement do not materially affect the rights and obligations
of the parties and therefore do not require shareholder approval. Nonetheless,
the Company is seeking shareholder approval of the revised agreement.
THE ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The proposed revised Advisory Agreement is different from the one submitted to
the shareholders at the 1997 annual meeting in only three respects. First, the
name has been changed to show that the adviser is Greystone Advisers, Inc., not
Emerald Advisers, Inc. As you may recall, Greystone was formerly named Emerald
but had to change its name to avoid confusion with another similarly named
investment adviser. Second, the agreement shall continue in effect from year to
year only if approved annually by a majority of the trustees and a majority of
the disinterested trustees. Finally, the duties of the adviser have been
clarified to explicitly include loan servicing related responsibilities. At
least one debtor contested whether the original agreement gave Greystone the
authority to resolve debts on Plymouth's behalf. We wish to avoid such disputes
in the future. The added paragraph reads in full as follows:
(g) service the assets owned by the Company and, in connection
therewith, do all things necessary or convenient to resolve
debts owed by portfolio debtors including but not limited
to negotiating with debtors, arranging renewals and
restructures of debts, foreclosing, and pursuing collection
actions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 10
<PAGE> 14
This added language will not change the services that Greystone actually renders
to the Company, as it has to date performed the above services. The fees payable
by Plymouth to Greystone will not affected by these changes.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, Greystone directs the investments of the
Company, subject to the supervision, control, and policies of the Company's
Board of Trustees. Specifically, Greystone identifies, evaluates, resolves, and
monitors the investments made by the Company. As revised, the Agreement will
remain in effect until September 22, 1998 and from year to year thereafter as
long as it is approved (a) at least annually, by the Board of Trustees or by
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Company, and
(b) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the
Advisory Agreement or "interested persons" of any such party, as that term is
defined in the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval.
The Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the Company at any time, without
payment of any penalty, on sixty (60) days written notice to Greystone if the
decision to terminate has been made by the Board or by "vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities" of the Company. The Advisory Agreement will
terminate automatically in the event of its "assignment" (as defined in Section
2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act). Greystone may also terminate the Advisory Agreement on
sixty (60) days written notice to the Company; provided, however, that Greystone
may not terminate the Advisory Agreement unless: (a) the terms of a new
investment advisory agreement with Greystone or another investment advisory
agreement have been approved by the Board, including a majority of its members
casting their votes in person who are not parties to such agreement or
"interested persons" of any such party, at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such approval; and (b) such new investment advisory agreement has been
approved by the "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the
Company.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Company pays its own operating expenses,
except those specifically required to be borne by Greystone. The latter include
the cost of office space, telephones, equipment, and personnel required to
satisfy its obligations under the Advisory Agreement. Expenses borne by the
Company include all expenses of any offering and sale by the Company of its
Shares; fees and disbursements of the Company's outside legal counsel,
accountants and custodian; fees and expenses incurred in effecting filings with
federal and state securities administrators; costs of the Company's periodic
reports and other communications to Shareholders; fees and expenses of members
of the Company's Board of Trustees who are not directors, officers or employees
of Greystone; premiums for the fidelity bond maintained by the Company; and all
costs related to portfolio investments including, without limitation, financing
costs, legal and accounting fees and other professional or technical fees and
expenses (i.e., credit reports, title searches and delivery charges, property
taxes, insurance premiums, long-distance telephone charges, costs of specialized
consultants such as accountants or industry-specific technical experts, and
travel expenses) incurred in acquiring, monitoring, negotiating, maintaining,
working-out, and effecting disposition of such investments, as well as
responding to any litigation arising therefrom.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Company pays to Greystone, on the 15th
day of each month:
(a) a fee calculated at the rate of 0.495% (05.94% on an annual
basis) of the Company's invested assets as of the end of the previous
month; and
(b) a fee calculated at the rate of 0.04% (0.48% on an annual basis)
of the Company's cash and short-term investments as of the end of the
previous month.
For purposes of calculating the fee to be paid on a monthly basis, "invested
assets" is defined as the asset value as determined by the Board of Trustees as
of the end of the previous fiscal quarter minus cash, short-term investments,
intangible assets, and the amount of collections applied to the carrying value
of the loan portfolio since the end of the previous quarter, plus the cost of
loans purchased and any capitalized advances to protect portfolio investments or
underlying collateral since the end of the previous quarter. For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997, the Company paid
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 11
<PAGE> 15
Greystone $553,671 in investment advisory fees. As the sole shareholder of
Greystone, Mr. Swendson has a direct interest in the advisory relationship with
Greystone and the Advisory Agreement and transactions contemplated thereunder.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE ADVISER
Greystone Advisers, Inc. (formerly known as Emerald Advisers, Inc.) was
organized on August 27, 1996 as a Delaware corporation, and currently is
privately held. The address of Greystone is 13333 Blanco Road, Suite 314, San
Antonio, Texas 78216-7756. As of December 31, 1996, all of the shares of
Greystone were owned by Robert R. Swendson, the Company's President and Chief
Executive Officer.
The principal executive officers and directors of Greystone are listed below.
Unless otherwise specified, the address of each such officer or director is
13333 Blanco Road, Suite 314, San Antonio, Texas 78216-7756.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name, Title Principal Occupation
<S> <C>
Robert R. Swendson, Director, President and Chief Investment Management
Executive Officer
Goodhue W. Smith III, Director Investment banker with Duncan-Smith Co.,
311 Third Street President of Duncan-Smith Securities, Inc.
San Antonio, TX 78205
Larry D. Krause, Senior Vice President Investment Management
Kenneth L. Bennight, Jr., Secretary and General Counsel Attorney
Ted J. Hanes, Vice President Portfolio Management Investment Management
Patrick Panzarella, Vice President Accounting and
Finance Certified Public Accountant
</TABLE>
Each of the officers and directors listed above is an officer or trustee of the
Company. John Mosher also served as an officer of both Greystone and the Company
until his resignation, which was effective as of March 20, 1998.
VOTE REQUIRED
The Advisory Agreement must be approved by a vote of the holders of (a) more
than 50% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund or (b) 67% or more of the Shares
of the Company present at the Meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding Shares
of the Company are represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy, whichever
is less. If the Advisory Agreement is not approved by the Shareholders, the
Board of Trustees will take such action as it considers necessary or appropriate
to protect the interests of the Company and its Shareholders.
THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL 2 TO
APPROVE THE CONTINUATION OF THE ADVISORY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND
GREYSTONE.
-oo0oo-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 12
<PAGE> 16
3. PROPOSAL 3: RATIFY THE SELECTION OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP AS THE
COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT.
The Board of Trustees of the Company, including a majority of the Trustees who
are not "interested persons" of the Company within the meaning of the 1940 Act,
has selected the accounting firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP ("KPMG") as the
Company's independent public accountant to audit the Company's financial
statements, and otherwise provide services to the Company as the Company's
independent public accountant for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998. The
Shareholders will be asked at the Meeting to consider ratifying the selection of
KPMG as independent public accountant for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1998.
KPMG has served as the Company's independent accountant since the Company's
inception and the Company knows of no direct or indirect financial interest of
KPMG in the Company. A representative of KPMG is expected to be present at the
Meeting and will be available to make a statement if he or she so desires, and
to respond to appropriate Shareholder inquiries.
The expense recorded during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 for the
professional services provided to the Company by KPMG consisted of fees for
audit services (which included examination of the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiary and review of the filings by the
Company of reports and registration statements) and for non-audit services.
Approximately 80% of the fees were for audit services. The non-audit services,
which were arranged for by management without prior consideration by the Board
of Trustees, consisted of non-audit related consultation and the preparation of
tax returns for the Company and its subsidiary.
VOTE REQUIRED
Approval of the proposal to ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the
Company's independent public accountant requires an affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast with respect to the proposal.
THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL 3 TO
RATIFY THE SELECTION OF KPMG AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT.
-oo0oo-
4. PROPOSAL 4: APPROVE THE PROPOSAL BY THE TRUSTEES TO ADOPT A STOCK
OPTION PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF GREYSTONE
Overview
The stockholders are being asked to approve a stock option plan for the
Company's officers ("Plan Proposal"). The affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the Company's shares present or represented at the annual meeting,
or any adjournment thereof, is required to approve the Plan Proposal.
The purpose of the Plan Proposal would be to advance the interests of the
Company by providing officers of the Company with additional incentives to exert
their best efforts to increase their proprietary interest in the Company's
success, to reward outstanding performance, and to attract and retain persons of
outstanding ability.
Options may be granted from time to time on up to 50,000 shares, provided that
no more shall be granted at any time than will be within the applicable
regulatory restrictions relating thereto. At this time, the maximum number of
options that
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 13
<PAGE> 17
could be outstanding would be 30,000. Fifty thousand shares represents 5.4%of
the shares presently issued and outstanding and would represent 5.1% of the
total shares that would be outstanding upon the exercise thereof. The most
recent date as of which the Board of Trustees determined the net asset value of
the shares of beneficial interest in the Company was January 26, 1998, at which
time the Board of Trustees set the value as of December 31, 1997. The per share
net asset value set at that time was $9.13.
The Trustee's have approved, subject to your approval, the implementation of a
plan whose detailed documents will contain the following characteristics and
impose, at a minimum, the following restrictions:
1. The options shall not be transferrable except through a decedent's
estate.
2. The options may be issued as soon as the plan documents are formalized,
but the options may not be exercised until the later to occur of the
vesting thereof or a registered offering. The trustees or a committee
designated by them may determine whether the exercise may be in
connection with the registered offering itself or only after such an
offering has been completed.
3. The options shall expire ten years after issuance, but they will not
vest until three years after issuance. Whether options vest is
conditioned on whether the holder remains both an officer of the
Company and in the employ of Greystone Advisers, Inc. If there is no
registered offering within ten years after issuance, the options will
lapse without there ever having been the possibility for exercise.
4. The exercise price for the options shall be the greater of (i) net
asset value determined by the trustees for the applicable period or
(ii) $10.00 per share.
5. The issuance of options at any one time shall be limited to a number
that will not exceed limitations applicable to the Company regarding
the number of outstanding options, such restrictions at this time
limiting the permissible number of additional options to 30,000.
6. Subject to item 5 above, the plan shall have the authority to issue
options for up to 50,000 shares.
In addition, the trustees specified which officers should get what percentages
of the options available for issuance at any given time. Since that date, Mr.
John Mosher has resigned from the Company. His shares will need to be
reallocated. The proposal is for the Trustees or a committee designated by them
to have the discretion to allocate the options as they determine, as otherwise
described on page 16 hereof under the heading Additional Features. The
allocation previously approved by the Board of Trustees is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Office Percentage
<S> <C> <C>
Robert R. Swendson President, Chief Executive Officer 15%
Larry D. Krause Senior Vice President, Treasurer 12%
Edward Deckert Assistant Vice President Systems Information 9%
John R. Mosher Vice President, Chief Financial Officer 12%
Charlene Snow Nossent Assistant Vice President Loan Service and Sales 3%
Ted J. Hanes Vice President Portfolio Management 12%
Kenneth L. Bennight, Jr. Secretary 12%
Jerriann Hamilton Assistant Vice President Documentation 7%
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 14
<PAGE> 18
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Jean Zimmerman Assistant Vice President Accounting 6%
Patrick Panzarella Vice President Accounting and Finance 12%
Total: 100%
</TABLE>
The value of the options to the officers cannot be determined at this time. As
noted, the minimum exercise price will be the greater of $10 per share or the
per share net asset value. Since the most recently determined net asset value is
$9.13 per share, the options presently would have no value. Further, the net
asset value cannot increase through retained earnings, except to the extent
there are unrealized gains, because the Company is required to distribute all
its earnings to the shareholders. Once a gain is realized, it too must be
distributed. Therefore, the only likely way for the options to have value would
be if the market price for the Company's shares increased above net asset value.
That is likely to occur only if the Company can increase its yield to a level
for which purchasers would be willing to pay a premium. Although there is
presently no public market, it is unlikely purchasers would pay a premium based
on current yields.
Additional Features
Subject to the foregoing restrictions, the trustees or a committee designated by
them determine the amount and features of the stock options, if any, to be
awarded to optionees. They likewise will determine and designate those officers
of the Company who are eligible to participate in the Plan Proposal and the
number of options to be awarded to each optionee. Criteria for issuance may
include past service of each optionee, present and potential service of the
optionee to the Company, and such other factors as the trustees or a committee
designated by it may deem relevant. The application of the above factor to
individual optionees may be made on a subjective basis. Options may contain such
other terms and conditions as the trustees or a committee designated by them
deem advisable, including, but not limited to, being exercisable only in
installments. Options granted to different optionees or at different times need
not contain similar provisions. Full payment for shares purchased must be made
at the time of exercising the option in whole or in part. If there is a split of
the shares of the Company, the Trustees may determine whether the options
likewise split. If there is a consolidation of the shares of the Company, the
options will consolidate. The Company has no plans for either event.
Eligible Optionees
It is contemplated that there will initially be approximately ten persons
eligible to participate in the plan. All the officers participating in the plan
are employees of Greystone, as are all officers of the Company, although many of
those persons have been made officers of the Company only recently.
Amendment and Termination
The trustees may modify, revise, or terminate the plan at any time. While the
trustees may seek stockholder approval of an action modifying a provision of the
plan when deemed advisable, they may make certain modifications without
stockholder approval (except with respect to any of the six items enumerated
above). The plan will terminate when all shares reserved for issuance have been
issued upon the exercise of options, or by action of the board of trustees
whichever shall first occur.
Compliance
If the trustees or their committee determines that the listing, registration, or
qualification of the shares subject to an option upon a securities exchange or
under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental
or regulatory authority is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in
connection with, the granting of an option or the issue or purchase of shares
thereunder, the option may not be exercised unless such listing, registration,
qualification, consent or approval has been effected or obtained free of any
conditions not acceptable to the trustees or their committee. No option will
expire
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 15
<PAGE> 19
during any period when the right to exercise it is so suspended. The trustees or
their committee will extend its term for a further period so as to afford the
optionee a reasonable opportunity to exercise the option, except that no option
may be exercised more than ten years after it was granted.
Resale of Shares Acquired Pursuant to Options
Optionees purchasing shares pursuant to options may resell the shares in any
manner that conforms to law, but the Company, if it deems it advisable, may
require the optionee to demonstrate to the Company that such sale is in
compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Federal Tax Consequences of the Plan
The following is a Summary of certain federal income tax consequences of
transactions under the plan based on current federal income tax laws. This
summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not describe state, local or
other tax consequences. The options will be deemed non-qualified for federal
income tax purposes. Accordingly, the grant of an option under the plan will not
result in the recognition of taxable income to the participant or in a deduction
to the Company. In general. upon exercise, a participant will recognize ordinary
income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares
of common stock purchased over the exercise price. The Company is required to
withhold tax on the amount of income so recognized and is entitled to a tax
deduction equal to the amount of such income. Gain or loss upon a subsequent
sale of any shares of common stock received upon the exercise of a non-qualified
stock option is taxed as capital gain or loss (long-term or short-term,
depending upon the holding period of the stock sold).
Dilution
As noted above, the minimum exercise price for the options, if and when issued,
would be the greater of $10 per share or the per share net asset value at the
time of the issuance of the options. As of December 31, 1997, the net asset
value per share was $9.13. Based on that net asset value, the minimum exercise
price of the options would be $10.00 and the exercise of the options would not
result in any dilution of existing shareholders. Dilution of shareholders could
result in the future, however, if the net asset value increased sufficiently
between the issuance of the options and the exercise thereof to create a gap
between the exercise price and the net asset value.
-oo0oo-
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board of Trustees knows of no other business to be presented for action at
the Meeting. If any matters do come before the Meeting on which action can
properly be taken, it is intended that the proxies shall vote in accordance with
the judgment of the person or persons exercising the authority conferred by the
proxy at the Meeting.
1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The Company expects that the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held in
April 1999 but the exact date, time, and location of such meeting have yet to be
determined. A Shareholder who intends to present a proposal at that annual
meeting must submit the proposal in writing to the Company at the address of its
investment adviser in Texas no later than December 15, 1998, in order for the
proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement for
that meeting. The submission of a proposal does not guarantee its inclusion in
the Company's proxy statement or presentation at the meeting unless certain
securities law requirements are met.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Proxy Solicitation for April 28, 1998 Annual Meeting
Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund Page 16
<PAGE> 20
MISCELLANEOUS
Shareholders may obtain additional copies of the Annual Report, without charge,
by writing the Company's investment adviser at 13333 Blanco Road, Suite 314, San
Antonio, Texas 78216-7756.
YOUR PROXY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. WHETHER YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN
PERSON OR NOT, PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY BALLOT
TODAY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE OR MAY CONVEY YOUR VOTE ON EACH
PROPOSAL BY CALLING 1-800-330-3971.
<PAGE> 21
EXHIBIT A TO PROXY SOLICITATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLYMOUTH COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into between Plymouth Commercial Mortgage Fund, a
Delaware business trust (the "Company"), and Greystone Advisers, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Adviser").
1. PURPOSE OF THE COMPANY. The Company is a closed-end management investment
company that will elect to be regulated as a business development company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
2. THE INVESTMENT ADVISER. The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), and has
entered into this Agreement with the Company to act as its investment adviser
on the terms set forth herein.
3. OBLIGATIONS OF THE ADVISER. The Company hereby engages the Adviser's services
as the Company's investment adviser. As such, the Adviser will:
(a) advise the Company as to the acquisition and disposition of
securities, loans, real estate interests and other assets
in accordance with the Company's investment policies;
(b) assist the Company in making available and, if requested by
entities in which the Company has invested or is proposing
to invest, in rendering managerial assistance to such
entities;
(c) provide to the Company, to the extent required, office
space and facilities and the services of the Adviser's
officers and employees;
(d) maintain the Company's books of account and other records
and files;
(e) report to the Company's Board of Trustees (the "Board"), or
to any committee thereof or officer of the Company acting
pursuant to the authority of the Board, at such times and
in such detail as the Board deems appropriate in order to
enable the Company to determine that its investment
policies are being observed and implemented and that the
Adviser's obligations hereunder are being fulfilled. Any
investment program undertaken by the Adviser pursuant
hereto and any other activities undertaken by the Adviser
on the Company's behalf shall at all times be subject to
any directives of the Board or any duly constituted
committee thereof or officer of the Company acting pursuant
to authority of the Board;
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 1
<PAGE> 22
(f) subject to the Company's investment policies and any
specific directives from the Board, effect acquisitions and
dispositions for the Company's account in the Adviser's
discretion and to arrange for the documents evidencing
securities, loans, real estate interests and other assets
acquired on behalf of the Company to be delivered to a
custodian of the Company;
(g) on a continuing basis, monitor, manage and service the
Company's loan portfolio and other investments; and
(h) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC
and, in addition, conduct its activities under this
Agreement in accordance with other applicable law.
(g) service the assets owned by the Company and, in connection
therewith, do all things necessary or convenient to resolve
debts owed by portfolio debtors including but not limited
to negotiating with debtors, arranging renewals and
restructures of debts, foreclosing, and pursuing collection
actions.
4. STATUS OF THE ADVISER. For a period of two years after the completion of the
sale by Plymouth of newly issues common shares of beneficial interest for cash
pursuant to an offering to be commenced in or about October 1996, the services
of the Adviser to the Company with regard to advice on new loan package
purchases are to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall not be free to
render similar services to others. After this period, the services of the
Adviser to the Company are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be
free to render similar services to others so long as its services to the Company
are not impaired thereby. The Adviser shall be deemed to be an independent
contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no
authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed
an agent of the Company. To the extent that the purchase or sale of securities
or other investments of any issuer may be deemed by the Adviser, and to the
extent permitted by applicable law, to be suitable for two or more accounts
managed by the Adviser, the available securities or investments may be allocated
in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable to each account. It is
recognized that in some cases this may adversely affect the price paid or
received by the Company or the size or position obtainable for or disposed of by
the Company.
5. EXPENSES TO BE PAID BY THE ADVISER. The Adviser shall pay all expenses
incurred by it in rendering the services to be rendered by the Adviser
hereunder. Generally, and except as may otherwise be specified in this
Agreement, these expenses include the cost of office space, telephone service,
equipment and personnel required to perform its obligations under this
Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser will
pay the salaries and other employee benefits of the persons in its organization
whom the Adviser may engage to render such services, including without
limitation persons who may from time to time act as the Company's officers.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, in its sole discretion, award to
such officers options to acquire shares of beneficial interest in the Company,
which options shall not be deemed part of their salaries or other employee
benefits for the purpose of this paragraph.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 2
<PAGE> 23
6. EXPENSES TO BE PAID BY THE COMPANY. In general, the Company shall pay all of
its operating expenses and reimburse the Adviser promptly for expenses which the
Adviser may pay on the Company's behalf, except those specifically required to
be borne by the Adviser under this Agreement. Expenses borne by the Company
include but are not limited to:
(a) all expenses of any offering and sale by the Company of its
shares, including promotional expenses;
(b) fees and disbursements of the Company's outside legal
counsel and accountants and the custodian of its
investments;
(c) fees and expenses incurred in producing and effecting
filings with federal and state securities administrators;
(d) costs of the Company's periodic reports to (and other
communications with) shareholders;
(e) fees and expenses of members of the Board who are not
directors, officers or employees of the Adviser;
(f) premiums for the fidelity bond maintained by the Company;
(g) all costs related to portfolio investments, including
without limitation financing costs, legal and accounting
fees, expenses related to protecting or maintaining the
value of the loan portfolio or its underlying collateral,
and other professional or technical fees and expenses
(e.g., credit reports, title searches and delivery
charges, property taxes, insurance premiums, long-distance
telephone charges, costs of specialized consultants such
as accountants or industry-specific technical experts, and
travel expenses) incurred in acquiring, monitoring,
negotiating, working-out, and effecting disposition of
such investments, as well as responding to any litigation
arising therefrom; and
(h) all expenses related to any borrowings by the Company.
7. COMPENSATION TO THE ADVISER. During the term of this Agreement, the Company
will pay to the Adviser, on the 15th day of each month: (a) a fee calculated at
an effective annual rate of 5.94% of the Company's invested assets as of the end
of the previous month; and (b) a fee calculated at an effective annual rate of
0.48% of the Company's cash and short-term investments as of the end of the
previous month.
For purposes of calculating the fee to be paid on a monthly basis, "invested
assets" means the asset value as determined by the Board as of the end of the
previous fiscal quarter minus cash, short-term investments, intangible assets,
and the amount of collections applied to the carrying value of the loan
portfolio since the end of the previous quarter, plus the cost of loans
purchased and capitalized
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 3
<PAGE> 24
advances to protect portfolio investments or underlying collateral since the end
of the previous quarter. Such values shall be established using generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The fee paid on a monthly basis will be
ratified on a quarterly basis by the Board.
8. CERTAIN RECORDS. The Adviser shall keep and maintain all books and records
with respect to the Company's portfolio transactions required by Rule 31a-1
under the 1940 Act and shall render to the Board such periodic and special
reports as the Board may reasonably request. The Adviser shall also furnish to
the Company any other information that is required to be filed by the Company
with the SEC or sent to shareholders under the 1940 Act (including rules adopted
thereunder) or any exemptive or other relief that the Adviser or the Company
obtains from the SEC. The Adviser agrees that the records that it maintains on
behalf of the Company are the property of the Company and the Adviser will
surrender promptly to the Company any of such records upon the Company's
request; provided, however, that the Adviser may retain a copy of such records.
In addition, for the duration of this Agreement, the Adviser shall preserve for
the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any such records as are
required to be maintained by it pursuant to this Agreement, and shall transfer
said records to any successor investment adviser upon the termination of this
Agreement (or, if there is no successor investment adviser, to the Company.)
9. LIABILITY OF THE ADVISER AND INDEMNIFICATION. The duties of the Adviser shall
be confined to those expressly set forth herein, and no implied duties are
assumed by or may be asserted against the Adviser hereunder. The Adviser may
rely on information reasonably believed by it to be accurate and reliable. The
Adviser shall not be liable to the Company or to any shareholder of the Company
for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any
investment or for any act or omission in carrying out its duties hereunder,
except:
(a) for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by
reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties
hereunder, except as may otherwise be provided under
provisions of applicable state law which cannot be waived
or modified hereby;
(b) to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act
concerning losses resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty
with respect to the Adviser's receipt of compensation; and
(c) for a loss resulting from any breach of any representation
and warranty of the Adviser contained in this Agreement.
In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Adviser, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company hereby agrees to
indemnify and hold the Adviser harmless from and against all claims, actions,
suits and proceedings at law or in equity, whether brought or asserted by a
private party or a governmental agency, instrumentality or entity of any kind,
relating to the sale, purchase, pledge of, advertisement of, or solicitation of
sales or purchases of any security (whether of the Company
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 4
<PAGE> 25
or otherwise) by the Company, its officers, trustees, employees or agents in
alleged violation of applicable federal, state or foreign laws, rules or
regulations.
As used in this Section 9, the term "Adviser" shall include any affiliates of
the Adviser performing services for the Company contemplated hereby and the
directors, officers, employees and other corporate agents of the Adviser and
such affiliates.
10. APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT. The Company represents that: (a) the terms of
this Agreement were approved by the Board, including a majority of its members
casting their votes in person who are not "interested persons" of the Company,
at a meeting held on January 26, 1998; and (b) this Agreement was approved by
the "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" (as defined in
Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act) of the Company, at a meeting held on
_________________________. This Agreement shall continue in effect from year to
year as long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by
the Board, including a majority of its members casting their votes in person who
are not "interested persons" of the Company at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on such approval, or by "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Company.
11. TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement
may be terminated by the Company at any time, without payment of any penalty, on
sixty (60) days' written notice to the Adviser if the decision to terminate has
been made by the Board or by "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Company. This Agreement will terminate automatically in the
event of its "assignment" (as defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act). The
Adviser may also terminate this Agreement on sixty (60) days' written notice to
the Company; provided, however, that the Adviser may not terminate this
Agreement unless: (a) the terms of a new investment advisory agreement with the
Adviser or another investment adviser have been approved by the Board, including
a majority of its members casting their votes in person who are not parties to
such agreement or "interested persons" of any such party, at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval; and (b) such new investment advisory
agreement has been approved by the "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities" of the Company.
12. JURISDICTION. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Texas.
13. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
-oo0oo-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 5
<PAGE> 26
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement to be effective as
of the ______ day of April, 1998.
PLYMOUTH COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE FUND GREYSTONE ADVISERS, INC.
By: By:
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Name: Robert R. Swendson Name: John C. Mosher
Title: President Title: Vice President
By:
----------------------------------
Name: Ted J. Hanes
Title: Vice President Portfolio Management
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 6
<PAGE> 27
PROXY BALLOT
PLYMOUTH COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE FUND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
c/o Greystone Advisers, Inc.
13333 Blanco Road, Suite 314
San Antonio, Texas 78216-7756
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 28,1998
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF PLYMOUTH COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE FUND
BY SIGNING AND DATING THE LOWER PORTION OF THIS PROXY BALLOT, YOU AUTHORIZE THE
PROXY AGENTS TO VOTE ON EACH PROPOSAL AS MARKED OR, IF NOT MARKED, TO VOTE "FOR"
THE PROPOSAL, AND TO USE THEIR DISCRETION TO VOTE ON ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY
PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
The undersigned hereby appoints Patrick Panzarella and Kenneth L. Bennight, Jr.
("Proxy Agents"), and each of them, attorneys and Proxy Agents of the
undersigned, each with the power of substitution and resubstitution, to attend,
vote, and act for the undersigned at the annual meeting of owners of common
shares of beneficial interest, and at any adjournment(s) thereof, of Plymouth
Commercial Mortgage Fund ("Company") to be held at the office of Duncan-Smith
Co., 311 Third Street, 3rd Floor, San Antonio, Texas 78205, beginning at 1:30
P.M. Central Time on Tuesday, April 28, 1998. The Proxy Agents shall cast votes
based on the number of common shares of beneficial interest of the Company that
the undersigned may be entitled to vote with respect to the proposals set forth
below, in accordance with the instructions indicated, if any, and shall have all
the powers that the undersigned would possess if personally present. The
undersigned hereby revokes any prior proxy to vote at the meeting, and hereby
ratifies and confirms all that the Proxy Agents, or each of them, may lawfully
do by virtue hereof. For your convenience, you may vote by calling the Company
toll-free at 1-800- 330-3971 from 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central time.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF THE NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY, THE PROXY STATEMENT DATED APRIL 7,1997, AND THE
COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,1997.
1. ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
FOR all nominees listed |_| WITHHOLD AUTHORITY |_|
below to vote for all
(except as marked to the nominees listed below
contrary below)
INSTRUCTION: If you intend to withhold authority to vote for any
individual nominee, strike a line through the nominee's name in the
list.
Dr. Ronald K. Calgaard, James R. Clifton, Goodhue W.
Smith, III, Willis H. Wagner, and Robert R. Swendson
Page 1 of 2
<PAGE> 28
2. PROPOSAL TO APPROVE REVISED INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN |_|
3. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY SELECTION OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK AS THE COMPANY'S
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998.
FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN |_|
4. PROPOSAL TO APPROVE STOCK OPTION PLAN WHEREBY OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
(ALL OF WHOM ARE ALSO EMPLOYEES OF GREYSTONE ADVISERS, INC.) WOULD BE
ENTITLED TO PURCHASE SHARES OF THE COMPANY.
FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN |_|
5. In their discretion, the Proxy Agents are authorized to vote upon such
other business as may properly come before the meeting.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS
A VOTE FOR ALL PROPOSALS.
This Proxy may be revoked at any time prior to the meeting by so notifying the
Secretary of the Company in writing at the above address, by submitting a
properly executed proxy with a later date, or by attending the meeting and
voting in person. The Secretary's name is Kenneth L. Bennight, Jr.
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When shares are held by
joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian, or other fiduciary, please give full title as
such. If a corporation, please sign full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person. Proxy ballots signed or authorized by telephone by one owner
will be presumed to be valid absent prior written notification to the Company
that more than one owner is required for valid execution.
Dated:
------------------------------ ------------------------------------
Signature
Dated:
------------------------------ ------------------------------------
Signature if held jointly
PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, AND DATE THE PROXY AND RETURN IT
IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. THANK YOU.
Page 2 of 2
