<PAGE>
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 [ ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ x ]
Check the appropriate box:
Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ]
Confidential, for Use
of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e) (2) [ ]
Definitive Proxy statement [x]
Definitive Additional Materials [ ]
Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11 (c) or Rule 14a-12
South Jersey Financial Corporation, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SHAREHOLDER VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person (s) filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[ X] No fee required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14 (a)-6(i) (4) and
0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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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:
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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:
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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3) Filing Party:
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4) Date Filed:
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<PAGE>
SOUTH JERSEY FINANCIAL CORPORATION, INC.
________________
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
AUGUST 18, 1999
___________________
PROXY STATEMENT OF THE SOUTH JERSEY
FINANCIAL CORPORATION, INC. COMMITTEE
TO PRESERVE SHAREHOLDER VALUE
[OPPOSES THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF SOUTH JERSEY FINANCIAL CORPORATION, INC.]
This Proxy Statement and White proxy card are being furnished to holders of the
common stock (the "Stockholders"), par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock")
of South Jersey Financial Corporation, Inc., (the "Company") a Delaware
Corporation, in connection with the solicitation of proxies (the "Proxy
Solicitation") by the South Jersey Financial Corporation, Inc. Committee to
Preserve Shareholder Value (the "Committee"). The Annual Meeting of Stockholders
is to be held on August 18, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, at the Four Points
Hotel by Sheraton, 1450 Route 70 East, Cherry Hill, New Jersey (the "Annual
Meeting"). Stockholders who own the Common Stock on July 9, 1999 will be
entitled to vote ("Annual Meeting Record Date"). The Company's principal
executive offices are located at 4651 Route 42, Turnersville, NJ 08012.
At the Annual Meeting, the Company will be seeking (i) the election of three
Directors for a term of three years each or until their successors have been
elected and qualified and (ii) ratification of the appointment of Deloitte &
Touche, LLP as independent auditors.
The Committee members own approximately 350,600 (9.24%) of the Company's
outstanding Common Stock and are soliciting the votes of other Stockholders to
elect two out of the three Directors at this year's Annual Meeting. The
Committee is soliciting your proxy in support of the election of Lawrence B.
Seidman ("Seidman") and Richard Baer ("Baer"), collectively the ("Committee
Nominees") to the Company's Board of Directors.
The Committee consists of Seidman and Associates, L.L.C. ("SAL"), a New Jersey
Limited Liability Company; Seidman and Associates II, L.L.C. ("SAL II"); Seidman
Investment Partnership, L.P.; ("SIP"), a New Jersey Limited Partnership; Seidman
Investment Partnership II, L.P.("SIP II"); Kerrimatt, L.P. ("Kerrimatt");
Federal Holdings, LLC ("Federal"); Seidman, individually; Baer, individually;
Benchmark Partners, LP ("Partners"), a Delaware Limited Partnership; Richard
Whitman ("Whitman"), individually; and Lorraine DiPaolo ("DiPaolo"),
individually. This Proxy Statement and WHITE proxy card are being first mailed
or furnished to Stockholders on or about July 16, 1999.
The Committee's goal is to preserve shareholder value and it is the opinion of
the Committee that one of the best ways to accomplish this goal is through the
representation of significant shareholders on the Board of Directors. Through
representation on the Board of Directors, the Committee Nominees will attempt to
force a sale of the Company or seek to improve earnings and institute stock
repurchases if a sale would not result in a satisfactory price. Remember, your
last dated proxy is the only one which counts, so return the WHITE card even if
you delivered a prior proxy. We urge you not to return any proxy card sent to
you by the Company.
The Committee intends to use this proxy to vote for one person who has been
nominated by the Company to serve as a Director, other than Arthur E. Armitage,
Jr. and John V. Field, two of the three Company Nominees. There is no assurance
that any of the Company's Nominees will serve as Directors if the Committee's
Nominee is elected to the Board.
Your vote is important, no matter how many or how few shares you hold. If your
shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or nominee, only they can
vote your shares and only upon receipt of your specific instructions.
Accordingly, please return the WHITE proxy card in the envelope provided by your
Bank or Broker or contact the person responsible for your account and give
instructions for such shares to be voted for the Committee Nominees.
If your shares are registered in more than one name, the WHITE proxy card should
be signed by all such persons to ensure that all shares are voted for the
Committee's Nominees.
Please refer to the Company's proxy statement for a full description of
management's proposals, the securities ownership of the Company, the share vote
required to ratify each proposal, information about the Company's Officers and
Directors, including compensation, information about the ratification of the
appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP, as independent auditors and the date by
which Stockholders must submit proposals for inclusion in the next Annual
Meeting.
<PAGE>
Holders of record of shares of Common Stock on the Annual Meeting Record Date
are urged to submit a proxy even if such shares have been sold after that date.
The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Annual Meeting Record
Date is 3,793,430. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote at the
Annual Meeting.
If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please call:
Beacon Hill Partners, Inc.
90 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
(Call Toll Free (800) 755-5001)
<PAGE>
THE COMMITTEE'S GOAL
OUR GOAL IS TO MAXIMIZE THE VALUE
OF THE COMPANY'S STOCK FOR ALL
STOCKHOLDERS.
The Committee believes its fellow Stockholders have the same goal: to maximize
the value of the Company's stock they purchased. The Committee believes that
this goal can be accomplished most effectively by selling the Company, and the
Committee has urged management to pursue acquisition/merger discussions with
potentially interested commercial banks. The Company, based upon its July 9,
1999 closing price of $14.625, is trading at 87% of its March 31, 1999 $16.87
book value and 25 times its March 31, 1999 annualized net income ($552,000 x 4 =
2,208,000), excluding any extraordinary one time charges, and 25.6 times its
calendar year 1998 net income ($2,174,580). In the opinion of the Committee, a
sale of the Company at this time may be more beneficial than the Company
remaining an independent financial institution because of the high multiples
being paid for lending institutions at this time, especially in comparison to
the Company's book value, relative to the Company's current multiples as shown
by the following chart, which reflects the price to book value and price to
earnings multiple paid in connection with these below list mergers:(The entities
were selected based upon their total assets which were considered to be similar
to the total assets of the Company.)
1999 COMPLETED NEW JERSEY THRIFT MERGERS
DATE TARGET/ TOTAL FINAL DEAL PRICE
COMPLETED ACQUIRER ASSETS DIVIDED BY
Book LTM
Value(%) EPS (X)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/21/99 Lakeview Financial, NJ 573.2M
Dime Bancorp, NY 21.6B 209 18.8
5/21/99 Little Falls Bancorp, NJ 351.4M
Hudson United Bancorp, NJ 7.0B 146 34.4
3/31/99 Raritan Bancorp, Inc., NJ 431.5M
United National, NJ 2.0B 259 21.7
3/31/99 1st Bergen Bancorp, NJ 301.5
Kearney FSB, NJ 819.0M 174 27.6
3/22/99 Bayonne Bancshares, NJ 654.5M
Richmond County Fin'l.,NY 26.B 163 28.6
The Committee's position is buttressed by the June 29, 1999 sale of South Jersey
Bancorp, a bank located in the same geographic area as the Company, to Hudson
United Bancorp, for 1.5 times book and 43 times earnings.
If a sale of the Company is not possible at a satisfactory price, the Committee
Nominees, if elected, will work to increase the Company's earnings, earnings per
share, earning assets and deposits and will strongly recommend that the Company
aggressively pursue a stock repurchase program. The Board of Directors of the
Company would have to determine a satisfactory price which could be either all
cash or a combination of cash and stock. To accomplish the Committee's goal,
Baer and Seidman, if elected, will need the cooperation of two of other
Directors.
When you return the Committee's proxy card you are voting for Seidman and Baer
and one of the three Company Nominees. However, since the Committee is only
running two Nominees for the three Board of Director seats, if the two Committee
Nominees are elected, one of the Company Nominees who receives the highest
number of shares will also be elected.
<PAGE>
THEREFORE A VOTE FOR THE
COMMITTEE NOMINEES IS A VOTE
TO START THE PROCESS TO SELL
THE COMPANY FOR A PREMIUM
PRICE WHICH IS OPPOSED BY THE
PRESENT BOARD AND MANAGEMENT
Each Stockholder should be aware that the present election is only to elect
Directors to the Board of Directors of the Company and has nothing to do with
the election of Directors to South Jersey Savings (the "Association"), the
wholly owned banking subsidiary of the Company. The present Directors of the
Company, even if Seidman and Baer win this election, will still be able to
appoint the Board of Directors of the Association, including, even if they lose
the election, any of the present three Company Nominees.
The Committee bases its position that the Board of Directors and Management of
the Company oppose a sale upon a statement to Seidman by the President of the
Company. Specifically, on or about May 3, 1999, Robert J. Colicicco informed
Seidman that the Board and Management were not interested in a sale of the
Company and wanted to keep it independent.
THE COMPANY'S STOCK PRICE
The Company went public on February 12, 1999 at $10 a share. The Committee began
purchasing the Company's stock on February 16, 1999 when the price of the stock
was $10.77. The Committee filed its Schedule 13D on April 29, 1999, disclosing
the ownership of 203,000 shares or 5.35% of the outstanding shares. On April 29,
1999, the Company's closing stock price was $11.75. From April 29, 1999 to July
6, 1999; the stock price has increased to approximately $14.50 or 23%.
MR. SEIDMAN'S PAST HISTORY OF PROMOTING
THE MAXIMIZATION OF SHAREHOLDER VALUE
Mr. Seidman recently has been involved in proxy contests with two separate
companies, Wayne Bancorp, Inc. and IBS Financial Corp., seeking to maximize
shareholder value by a sale of the respective companies. Both companies were
sold at significant premiums to their book value and earnings, as shown by the
following chart:
Announced
Multiples
Seller Buyer Book Value % LTM EPS [X]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne Bancorp, Inc. Valley National Bancorp 2.00 31.7
IBS Financial Corp. Hudson United Bancorp. 1.76 38.0
In addition, Mr. Seidman filed a Schedule 13D disclosing a plan to maximize
shareholder value through a sale of 1st Bergen Bancorp, Inc. ("Bergen") and
Eagle BancGroup, Inc. ("EGLB"). 1st Bergen Bancorp was sold shortly thereafter
to Kearney Savings Bank (See above chart for multiples) and on June 30, 1999
EGLB announced the sale of its institution for 1.36 times book value and 33
times earnings. These companies were also sold at a significant premium to book
value and earnings.
There is no guarantee that the Company can be sold for a premium equal to or
greater than the premium paid for the other companies mentioned in this proxy
statement.
On February 25, 1999, Mr. Seidman, as a representative for his clients,
including some of the Committee Members, entered into an Agreement with CNYF
Financial Corporation ("CNYF"), wherein CNYF agreed to increase the size of its
Board of Directors by one and add Seidman as a Director. Mr. Seidman and the
Members of the Committee involved agreed to certain restrictions. The material
restrictions in this Agreement established the following undertakings: (i) to
not acquire more than 9.9% of the outstanding CNYF stock before its year 2,000
Annual Meeting; (ii) to vote for the CNY stock option and restricted stock plan
and amendments thereto; (iii) to not solicit proxies or submit proposals prior
to the year 2000 Annual Meeting; (iv) to vote all shares in favor of Seidman and
the two (2) Board Nominees at the 1999 Annual Meeting; and (v) not to do
anything indirectly that it could not do directly. Mr. Seidman voted his shares
in support of CNYF stock based compensation plans and he became a director of
CNYF. Mr. Seidman agreed to the restrictions because he felt that the CNYF
directors and management were focused on maximizing shareholder value, and the
agreement would accelerate the accomplishment of this goal.
<PAGE>
RECENT SALE OF
SOUTH JERSEY BANK
On June 29, 1999, Hudson United Bancorp ("HU") announced the purchase of South
Jersey Bancorp ("SOJB"), a bank located in the same geographic area as the
Company. The price paid by HU for SOJB equals approximately 1.5 x SOJB's book
value of 27.48 as of March 31, 1999 and 43 x its March 31, 1999 quarterly
earnings of $.23 annualized based upon the sales price of $40.00 per SOJB share.
This sale reinforces the Committee's opinion that a sale of the Company would
maximize the value for each Stockholder as opposed to the continuation of the
Company as an independent company.
ELECTION OF SEIDMAN AND
BAER AS DIRECTORS
Lawrence Seidman is 51 years old and his address is 19 Veteri Place, Wayne, NJ
07470. Since March 10, 199, Mr. Seidman has been the President, General Counsel
and a Director of Menlo Acquisition Corporation. Mr. Seidman is also Manager of
Seidman & Associates, L.L.C., Seidman & Associates II, L.L.C., President of
Veteri Place Corp., the sole General Partner of Seidman Investment Partnership,
LP, Seidman Investment Partnership II, LP, Manager, of Federal Holdings, L.L.C.
and business consultant to certain partnerships and individuals, including, but
not limited to, Kerrimatt, LP.
Richard Baer is 52 years old and his address is 3 Webster Avenue, Summit, NJ
07910. Since February 1988, Mr. Baer has been Chairman of the Board and
President of Casper Partition System, Inc., a company principally involved in
the re-furbishing of work stations.
The members of the Committee have agreed to act in concert. Partners, Whitman
and DiPaolo disclaim any beneficial interest in any shares of Common Stock owned
by SAL, SAL II, SIP, SIP II, Kerrimatt, Federal, Baer, Seidman, or Seidman's
clients. Seidman disclaims any beneficial interest in any shares of Common Stock
owned by Partners, DiPaolo or Whitman. The members of the Committee reserve the
right to terminate their agreement to act in concert.
During the last ten (10) years: (i) none of the Committee members to the best of
their knowledge has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic
violations or similar misdemeanors); (ii) none of the Committee Members, to the
best of their knowledge, has been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or
administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding
was or is subject to a judgment, decree, or final order enjoining future
violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities
laws, or finding any violation with respect to such laws; (iii) the Committee
Members other than SIPII, Kerrimatt and Baer were parties to a civil proceeding
which ultimately mandated activities that were subject to federal securities
laws. Specifically, a civil action was filed by IBS Financial Corp. ("IBSF"),
during the proxy contest with certain members of the Committee, in the U.S.
District Court. [This litigation named the Members of the Committee, as
Defendants; except, SIPII, Kerrimatt and Baer.] The claim was made that three
members on the Committee did not make all of the disclosures required by the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The District Court entered a Judgment
dismissing the claims made by IBSF. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed
in part, and remanded the matter, determining that two (2) additional
disclosures should have been made. Pending the remand, an Amended Schedule 13D
was filed making additional disclosures with regard to Seidcal Associates and
Kevin Moore. Thereafter, the District Court entered a Judgment After Remand
which directed the inclusion of these disclosures in the Schedule 13D.
Mr. Seidman is the manager of SAL, SAL II and Federal, and is the President of
the Corporate General Partner of SIP and SIPII and the investment manager for
Kerrimatt; and, in that capacity, Mr. Seidman has the authority to cause those
entities to acquire, hold, trade, and vote these securities. SAL. SAL II, SIP,
SIP II, Kerrimatt and Federal were all created to acquire, hold, and sell
publicly-traded securities. None of these entities was formed to solely acquire,
hold, and sell the Company's securities. Each of these entities owns securities
issued by one or more companies other than the Company. The members and limited
partners in SIP, SIP II, SAL, SAL II, Kerrimatt and Federal are all passive
investors, who do not - and cannot - directly or indirectly participate in the
management of these entities, including without limitation proxy contests.
Seidman's compensation is, in part, dependent upon the profitability of the
operations of these entities, but no provision is made to compensate Seidman
solely based upon the profits resulting from transactions from the Company's
securities.
On November 8, 1995, the acting Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision
("OTS") issued a Cease and Desist Order against Seidman ("C & D"), after finding
that Seidman recklessly engaged in unsafe and unsound practices in the business
of an insured institution. (See Note 1 of Appendix A.)
The voting power over the Company's securities is not subject to any
contingencies beyond standard provisions for entities of this nature (i.e.,
limited partnerships and limited liability companies) which govern the
replacement of a manager or a general partner.
Additional Information concerning the Committee is set forth in Appendices
A and B hereto. Each of the individuals listed on Appendix A attached hereto is
a citizen of the United States.
<PAGE>
AUDITORS
The Committee has no objection to the ratification of the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche, LLP as independent accountants for the Company for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 1999.
SOLICITATION; EXPENSES
Proxies may be solicited by the Committee by mail, advertisement, telephone,
facsimile, telegraph, and personal solicitation. Phone calls will be made to
individual shareholders by Whitman, Seidman and employees of Beacon Hill
Partners, Inc. Whitman, and Seidman will be principally responsible to solicit
proxies for the Committee and certain of their employees will perform
secretarial work in connection with the solicitation of proxies, for which no
additional compensation will be paid. Banks, brokerage houses, and other
custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries will be requested to forward the
Committee's solicitation material to their customers for whom they hold shares
and the Committee will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses.
The Committee has retained Beacon Hill Partners, Inc. to assist in the
solicitation of proxies and for related services. The Committee will pay Beacon
Hill Partners, Inc. a fee of up to $15,000 and has agreed to reimburse it for
its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, the Committee has also
agreed to indemnify Beacon Hill Partners, Inc. against certain liabilities and
expenses, including liabilities and expenses under the federal securities laws.
The Securities and Exchange Commission deems such an indemnification to be
against public policy. Approximately six (6) persons will be used by Beacon Hill
Partners, Inc. in its solicitation efforts.
The entire expense of preparing, assembling, printing, and mailing this Proxy
Statement and related materials and the cost of soliciting proxies will be borne
by Seidman, SAL, SAL II, SIP and SIP II.
Although no precise estimate can be made at the present time, the Committee
currently estimates that the total expenditures relating to the Proxy
Solicitation incurred by the Committee will be approximately $40,000 of which
$1,000 has been incurred to date. The Committee intends to seek reimbursement
from the Company for those expenses incurred by the Committee, if the
Committee's Nominees are elected, but does not intend to submit the question of
such reimbursement to a vote of the Stockholders.
For the proxy solicited hereby to be voted, the enclosed WHITE proxy card must
be signed, dated, and returned to the Committee, c/o Beacon Hill Partners, Inc.,
in the enclosed envelope in time to be voted at the Annual Meeting. If you wish
to vote for the Committee position, you must submit the enclosed WHITE proxy
card and must NOT submit the Company's proxy card. If you have already returned
the Company's proxy card, you have the right to revoke it as to all matters
covered thereby and may do so by subsequently signing, dating, and mailing the
enclosed WHITE proxy card. ONLY YOUR LATEST DATED PROXY WILL COUNT AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING. Execution of a WHITE proxy card will not affect your right to attend
the Annual Meeting and to vote in person. Any proxy may be revoked as to all
matters covered thereby at any time prior to the time a vote is taken by (i)
filing with the Secretary of the Company a later dated written revocation; (ii)
submitting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the Committee; or (iii)
attending and voting at the Annual Meeting in person. Attendance at the Annual
Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation.
Shares of Common Stock represented by a valid, unrevoked WHITE proxy card will
be voted as specified. You may vote for the Committee's position or withhold
authority to vote for the Committee's position by marking the proper box on the
WHITE proxy card. Shares represented by a WHITE proxy card where no
specification has been made will be voted for the two Committee Nominees and for
Deloitte & Touche, LLP, as auditors.
Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement, the Committee is not aware of any
other matter to be considered at the Annual Meeting. The persons named as
proxies on the enclosed WHITE proxy card will, however, have discretionary
voting authority as such proxies regarding any other business that may properly
come before the Annual Meeting.
If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or nominee, only
they can vote such shares and only upon receipt of your specific instructions.
Accordingly, please return the proxy in the envelope provided to you or contact
the person responsible for your account and instruct that person to execute on
your behalf the WHITE proxy card.
Only holders of record of Common Stock on the Annual Meeting Record Date will be
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. If you are a Stockholder of record on
the Annual Meeting Record Date, you will retain the voting rights in connection
with the Annual Meeting even if you sell such shares after the Annual Meeting
Record Date. Accordingly, it is important that you vote the shares of Common
Stock held by you on the Annual Meeting Record Date, or grant a proxy to vote
such shares on the WHITE proxy card, even if you sell such shares after such
date.
<PAGE>
The Committee believes that it is in your best interest to elect the Committee's
Nominees as Directors at the Annual Meeting. THE COMMITTEE STRONGLY RECOMMENDS A
VOTE FOR THE COMMITTEE NOMINEES AND FOR THE PROPOSED AUDITORS.
THE SOUTH JERSEY FINANCIAL CORPORATION, INC. COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SHAREHOLDER
VALUE.
I M P O R T A N T !!!
If your shares are held in "Street Name" only your bank or broker can vote your
shares and only upon receipt of your specific instructions. Please return the
proxy provided to you or contact the person responsible for your account and
instruct them NOT to vote at this time.
If you have any questions, or need further assistance, please call Lawrence
Seidman at 973-560-1400, Extension 108, or Richard Whitman at 800-330-9966, or
our proxy solicitor: Beacon Hill Partners, Inc., 90 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10004, at 800-755-5001.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
THE COMMITTEE TO MAXIMIZE SHAREHOLDER
VALUE AND ITS NOMINEES
The participants who comprise the Committee own in the aggregate shares of
Common Stock, representing approximately 9.24% of the shares outstanding and are
as follows:
Seidman and Associates L.L.C. ("SAL"), is a New Jersey limited liability
company, organized to invest in securities, whose principal and executive
offices are located at 19 Veteri Place, Wayne, New Jersey 07470. Lawrence
Seidman is the Manager of SAL and has sole investment discretion and voting
authority with respect to such securities.
Seidman and Associates II, L.L.C. ("SALII"), is a New Jersey limited liability
company, organized to invest in securities, whose principal and executive
offices are located at 19 Veteri Place, Wayne, New Jersey 07470. Lawrence
Seidman is the Manager of SALII and has sole investment discretion and voting
authority with respect to such securities.
Seidman Investment Partnership, L.P. ("SIP"), is a New Jersey limited
partnership, whose principal and executive offices are located at 19 Veteri
Place, Wayne, NJ 07470. Veteri Place Corporation is the sole General Partner of
SIP and Lawrence Seidman is the only shareholder director and officer of Veteri
Place Corporation. Seidman has sole investment discretion and voting authority
with respect to such securities.
Seidman Investment Partnership II, L.P. ("SIPII"), is a New Jersey limited
partnership, whose principal and executive offices are located at 19 Veteri
Place, Wayne, NJ 07470. Veteri Place Corporation is the sole General Partner of
SIPII and Lawrence Seidman is the only shareholder director and officer of
Veteri Place Corporation. Seidman has sole investment discretion and voting
authority with respect to such securities.
Kerrimatt, LP (Kerrimatt), is a limited partnership formed, in part, to invest
in stock of public companies whose principal and executive offices are located
at 80 Main Street, West Orange, New Jersey 07052. Lawrence Seidman has the sole
investment discretion and voting authority with respect to such securities until
May 2000.
Federal Holdings L.L.C. ("Federal"), is a New York limited liability company,
organized to invest in securities, whose principal and executive offices are
located at One Rockefeller Plaza, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10020. Lawrence B.
Seidman is the Manager of Federal and has sole investment discretion and voting
authority with respect to such securities.
Seidman is a private investor, with discretion over certain client accounts
and is the Manager of Federal, SAL and SAL II, and the President of the
Corporate General Partner of SIP and SIP II and the investment manager of
Kerrimatt. See Footnote No. 1 below for information concerning regulatory
action.
Baer is a private investor.
Richard Whitman is the Executive Vice President of Palisade Capital Management,
LLC, located at 1 Bridge Plaza, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. Mr. Whitman is a General
Partner of Benchmark Partners, LP, located at 750 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
10022.
Lorraine DiPaolo is the president of The Benchmark Company, Inc., located at 750
Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022 and is also a General Partner of Benchmark
Partners, LP, also located at 750 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
Partners is a Delaware Limited Partnership. Whitman and DiPaolo are the sole
individual General Partners of Partners. Whitman and DiPaolo share investment
discretion, dispositive power, and voting authority with respect to Partners.
<PAGE>
Name Business Address # of shares of
common stock
beneficially owned % of Class
Seidman and Associates 100 Misty Lane 49,000 1.291
L.L.C. (SAL) Parsippany, NJ 07054
Seidman and Associates II, 100 Misty Lane 33,800 .891
L.L.C. (SAL II) Parsippany, NJ 07054
Seidman Investment 19 Veteri Place 51,300 1.352
Partnership, L.P. (SIP) Wayne, NJ 07470
Seidman Investment 19 Veteri Place 65,500 1.726
Partnership II, L.P. (SIP) Wayne, NJ 07470
Kerrimatt, LP 80 Main St. 45,000 1.186
West Orange, NJ 07052
Federal Holdings, LLC One Rockefeller Plaza 49,400 1.302
New York, NY 10020
Lawrence B. Seidman 100 Misty Lane 328,100 8.649
Individually (1) Parsippany, NJ 07054
Benchmark Partners, L.P.(2) 750 Lexington Avenue 22,500 .593
New York, NY 10022
Richard Whitman, Individually One Bridge Plaza (2) .593
(3) Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Lorraine DiPaolo, Individually 750 Lexington Avenue (2) .593
(3) New York, NY 10022
______________________________________
(1) Seidman owns 5,900 shares of common stock directly, but may be
deemed to have sole voting power and dispositive power as to 328,100 shares
beneficially owned by SIP, SIP II, SAL, SAL II, Kerrimatt, Federal, and
several clients. On November 8, 1995, the acting director of the Office of
Thrift Supervision (OTS) issued a Cease and Desist Order against Seidman
("C & D") after finding that Seidman recklessly engaged in unsafe and
unsound practices in the business of an insured institution. The C & D
actions complained of were Seidman's allegedly obstructing an OTS
investigation. The C & D ordered him to cease and desist from (i) any
attempts to hinder the OTS in the discharge of its regulatory
responsibilities, including the conduct of any OTS examination or
investigation; and (ii) any attempts to induce any person to withhold
material information from the OTS related to the performance of its
regulatory responsibilities. The Order also provides that for a period of
no less than three (3) years if Seidman becomes an institution-affiliated
party of any insured depository institution subject to the jurisdiction of
the OTS, to the extent that his responsibilities include the preparation or
review of any reports, documents, or other information that would be
submitted or reviewed by the OTS in the discharge of its regulatory
functions, all such reports, documents, and other information shall, prior
to submission to, or review by the OTS, be independently reviewed by the
Board of Directors or a duly appointed committee of the Board to ensure
that all material information and facts have been fully and adequately
disclosed. In addition, a civil money penalty in the amount of $20,812 was
assessed.
(2) Whitman and DiPaolo do not own any shares personally, but may be
deemed to have shared voting power and dispositive power as to 22,500
shares beneficially owned by Partner.
(3) Less than 1%.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
DATE PRICE PROCEEDS SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEIDMAN & ASSOCIATES LLC
21699 10.87 32,625.00 3,000
21799 10.74 53,687.00 5,000
21799 10.81 27,031.00 2,500
22399 10.81 54,062.00 5,000
22699 10.74 26,844.00 2,500
4799 11.19 55,937.00 5,000
42299 11.31 33,937.00 3,000
52499 12.6875 63,437.50 5,000
52599 12.6875 63,437.50 5,000
6299 12.625 63,375.00 5,000
6299 12.6664 37,999.20 3,000
6399 12.625 63,125.00 5,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL 575,497.20 49,000
SEIDMAN INVEST. PARTNERSHIP LP
21699 10.87 32,625.00 3,000
21799 10.81 27,031.00 2,500
21999 10.75 53,750.00 5,000
22399 10.81 54,062.00 5,000
31099 11.12 55,625.00 5,000
4899 11.12 36,712.00 3,300
42299 11.31 33,937.00 3,000
51499 11.86 47,450.00 4,000
51499 11.99 35,956.80 3,000
52199 12.62 63,125.00 5,000
52499 12.6875 63,437.50 5,000
6299 12.625 31,562.50 2,500
6399 12.625 63,125.00 5,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL 598,398.80 51,300
SEIDMAN & ASSOCIATES II, LLC
21699 10.87 32,625.00 3,000
21799 10.81 27,031.00 2,500
21999 10.75 53,750.00 5,000
22499 10.80 54,000.00 5,000
22699 10.74 26,844.00 2,500
3199 10.74 26,844.00 2,500
4899 11.12 36,712.00 3,300
51499 11.99 119,856.00 10,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL 377,662.00 33,800
LAWRENCE SEIDMAN CLIENTS
21799 10.81 27,025.00 2,500
21799 10.74 53,687.00 5,000
21799 10.81 27,027.00 2,500
21799 10.81 27,027.00 2,500
21799 10.81 27,027.00 2,500
21999 10.75 53,750.00 5,000
22399 10.81 54,062.00 5,000
42799 11.63 11,627.00 1,000
42799 11.49 11,490.00 1,000
42799 11.49 11,487.00 1,000
51099 12.05 12,054.00 1,000
51399 12.35 1,235.25 100
6999 12.5625 62,812.50 5,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL 380,310.75 34,100
KERRIMATT, LP
21699 10.87 32,625.00 3,000
21799 10.81 27,031.00 2,500
21999 10.75 53,750.00 5,000
22399 10.81 54,062.00 5,000
3899 11.30 45,200.00 4,000
31099 11.12 55,625.00 5,000
31999 11.25 56,250.00 5,000
42299 11.31 33,937.00 3,000
52499 12.6875 63,437.50 5,000
6299 12.625 31,562.50 2,500
6399 12.625 63,125.00 5,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL 516,605.00 45,000
FEDERAL HOLDINGS LLC
21799 10.81 59,469.00 5,500
21999 10.75 53,750.00 5,000
22399 10.81 54,062.00 5,000
31099 11.12 55,625.00 5,000
4899 11.12 37,825.00 3,400
42299 11.31 33,937.00 3,000
51499 11.87 118,750.00 10,000
52199 12.62 63,125.00 5,000
52499 12.6875 63,437.50 5,000
6299 12.6664 31,666.00 2,500
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL 571,646.50 49,400
SEIDMAN INVEST. PARTNERSHIP II, LP
21699 10.87 32,625.00 3,000
21799 10.81 27,031.00 2,500
21999 10.75 53,750.00 5,000
22399 10.81 54,062.00 5,000
3199 10.74 26,844.00 2,500
31099 11.12 55,625.00 5,000
31999 11.25 56,250.00 5,000
42299 11.31 33,937.00 3,000
42899 11.53 92,250.00 8,000
51399 12.06 60,312.50 5,000
52199 12.62 63,125.00 5,000
52499 12.75 63,750.00 5,000
52599 12.6875 63,437.50 5,000
6199 12.6875 82,468.75 6,500
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL 765,467.75 65,500
BENCHMARK PARTNERS, LP
51899 12.29 61,452.00 5000
52199 12.63 126,265.00 10,000
6299 12.63 94,725.00 7,500
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-TOTAL 282,442.00 22,500
TOTAL 4,068,030.00 350,600
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
P R O X Y
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED IN OPPOSITION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SOUTH JERSEY
FINANCIAL CORPORATION, INC. BY THE SOUTH JERSEY FINANCIAL CORPORATION, INC.
COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SHAREHOLDER VALUE.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The undersigned hereby appoints Lawrence B. Seidman or Richard Baer with full
power of substitution, as Proxy for the undersigned, to vote all shares of
common stock, par value $.01 per share of South Jersey Financial Corporation,
Inc. (the "Company"), which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held on August 18, 1999, at 2:00 p.m. (local time)
or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof (the "Meeting"), as follows:
<PAGE>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS - COMMITTEE NOMINEES
-- FOR ALL THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW
-- WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR A NOMINEE
BY PLACING AN "X" NEXT TO HIS NAME
-- RICHARD BAER -- LAWRENCE B. SEIDMAN
The Committee intends to use this proxy to vote for persons who have been
nominated by the Company to serve as Directors, other than the Company Nominees
listed below. You may withhold authority to vote for one or more additional
Company Nominees, by writing the name of the Nominee(s) below. You should refer
to the proxy statement and form of proxy distributed by the Company for the
names, background, qualifications, and other information concerning the
Company's Nominees.
There is no assurance that any of the Company's Nominees will serve as Directors
if the Committee Nominees are elected to the Board.
The Committee is NOT seeking authority to vote for and will NOT exercise any
such authority for Arthur E. Armitage, Jr. and John V. Field.
2. APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE, LLP AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1999:
For ___ Against ___ Abstain __
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN AND DATE ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein
by the undersigned Stockholder. Unless otherwise specified, this proxy will be
voted "FOR" the election of the Committee's Nominees as Directors and "FOR" the
appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP, the independent accountants. This proxy
revokes all prior proxies given by the undersigned.
In his discretion, the proxy is authorized to vote upon such other business as
may properly come before the meeting, or any adjournments or postponements
thereof, as provided in the proxy statement provided herewith.
Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon or on your proxy cards
previously sent to you. When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign.
When signing as an attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian,
please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full
corporation name by the President or other duly authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. This proxy
card votes all shares held in all capacities.
Dated:___________________________________
_________________________________________
(Signature)
_________________________________________
(Signature, if jointly held)
Title: ____________________________________
PLEASE SIGN, DATE, AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD TODAY.