<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 [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 Under Rule 14a-12
Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------
(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>
September 22, 2000
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of Guaranty Federal
Bancshares, Inc., I cordially invite you to attend the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held at the main office of Guaranty Federal, located at 1341
West Battlefield, on Wednesday, October 25, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. The attached
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement describe the formal
business to be transacted at the meeting.
Following the formal meeting, I will report on the operations of the
Company. Directors and officers of the Company, as well as representatives of
Baird, Kurtz & Dobson, independent accountants, will be present to respond to
any questions that stockholders may have. Whether or not you plan to attend the
meeting, please sign and date the enclosed form of proxy and return it in the
accompanying postage-paid return envelope as soon as possible. This will not
prevent you from voting in person at the meeting, but will assure that your vote
is counted if you are unable to attend the meeting.
Respectfully,
James E. Haseltine
President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
GUARANTY FEDERAL BANCSHARES, INC.
1341 WEST BATTLEFIELD
SPRINGFIELD, MO 65807-4181
(417) 520-4333
____________________________
NOTICE OF MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on October 25, 2000
Notice is hereby given that an annual meeting of the stockholders
("Meeting") of Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at
the offices of the Guaranty Federal Savings Bank (the "Bank"), 1341 West
Battlefield, Springfield, Missouri, on October 25, 2000, at 5:00 p.m., Central
Time. Stockholders of record at the close of business on September 5, 2000, are
the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
A Proxy Card and a Proxy Statement for the Meeting are enclosed.
The Meeting is being held for the purpose of considering and acting upon:
1. The election of two directors.
2. The ratification of Baird, Kurtz & Dobson as Independent Certified
Public Accountant to the Company for the fiscal year ending June 30,
2001.
3. Such other matters as may come properly before the Meeting or any
adjournments thereof. Except with respect to procedural matters
incident to the conduct of the Meeting, the Board of Directors is not
aware of any other business to come before the Meeting.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
James E. Haseltine
President
Springfield, Missouri
September 22, 2000
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE, EVEN IF YOU CURRENTLY PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. THIS
WILL NOT PREVENT YOU FROM VOTING IN PERSON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IF YOU DESIRE,
AND YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY BY WRITTEN INSTRUMENT AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE
VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. IF YOU ARE A STOCKHOLDER WHOSE SHARES ARE NOT
REGISTERED IN YOUR OWN NAME, YOU WILL NEED ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION FROM OUR
RECORD HOLDER TO VOTE PERSONALLY AT THE MEETING.
<PAGE>
GUARANTY FEDERAL BANCSHARES, INC.
1341 WEST BATTLEFIELD
SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI 65807-4181
_____________________
PROXY STATEMENT
_____________________
This proxy statement has been prepared in connection with the solicitation
of proxies by the Board of Directors of Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. (the
"Company") for use at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on October
25, 2000, and at any adjournment(s) thereof. The annual meeting will be held at
5:00 p.m. at the Company's corporate office at 1341 W. Battlefield, Springfield,
Missouri. It is anticipated that this proxy statement will be mailed to
stockholders on or about September 22, 2000.
RECORD DATE--VOTING--VOTE REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL
All persons who were stockholders of the Company on September 5, 2000,
("Record Date") will be entitled to cast votes at the meeting. Voting may be by
proxy or in person. As of the Record Date, the Company had 4,649,776 shares of
common stock outstanding.
Holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to
vote, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for purposes
of transacting business at the annual meeting.
Each proxy solicited hereby, if properly executed, duly returned to
management and not revoked prior to the meeting, will be voted at the meeting in
accordance with the stockholder's instructions indicated thereon. If no
contrary instructions are given, each proxy received by management will be voted
in favor of all items on the agenda. Each stockholder shall have one vote for
each share of stock owned.
A stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke the proxy at any time
before it is exercised by filing with the Secretary of the Company written
instructions revoking it. A duly executed proxy bearing a later date will be
sufficient to revoke an earlier proxy. The proxy executed by a stockholder who
attends the annual meeting will be revoked only if that stockholder files the
proper written instrument with the Secretary prior to the end of the voting.
To the extent necessary to assure sufficient representation at the annual
meeting, proxies may be solicited by officers, directors and regular employees
of the Company personally, by telephone or by further correspondence. Officers,
directors and regular employees of the Company will not be compensated for their
solicitation efforts. The cost of soliciting proxies from stockholders will be
borne by the Company.
Regardless of the number of shares of the Company's common stock, par value
$0.10 per share ("Common Stock") owned, it is important that stockholders be
represented by proxy or be present in person at the annual meeting.
Stockholders are requested to vote by completing the enclosed proxy card and
returning it signed and dated in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
Stockholders are urged to indicate their vote in the spaces provided on the
proxy card. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company will be
voted in accordance with the directions given therein. Where no instructions
are indicated, proxies will be voted FOR the approval of the specific proposals
presented in this proxy statement, and upon any other business that may properly
come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Proxies marked as
abstentions will not be counted as votes cast. In addition, shares held in
street name which have been designated by brokers on proxy cards as not voted
will not be counted as votes cast. Proxies marked as abstentions or as broker
non votes, however, will be treated as shares present for purposes of
determining whether a quorum is present. Directors are elected by a plurality
of votes of the shares present in person or by proxy at the meeting.
<PAGE>
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
-----------------------------------------------
Persons and groups owning in excess of 5% of the Common Stock are required
to file certain reports regarding such ownership pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"). The Articles of
Incorporation of the Company (the "Articles of Incorporation") restrict the
voting by persons who beneficially own in excess of 10% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock. This restriction does not apply to employee benefit
plans of the Company. The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date,
persons or groups who are known by the Company to own more than 5% of the Common
Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
================================================================================================
Name and Address Amount and Nature of
Of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Percent of Class
================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
Guaranty Federal Savings Bank 344,454(1) 7.4%
Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")
1341 West Battlefield
Springfield, MO 65807-4181
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alpine Associates 308,581(2) 6.6%
100 Union Avenue
Cresskill, NJ 07626
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl Marks Management Company, L.P. 313,700 (3) 6.7%
135 E. 57th Street
New York, NY 10022
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. 738, 827 (4) 15.9%
1451 East Battlefield
Springfield, MO 65804
================================================================================================
</TABLE>
____________________
(1) Based on a Schedule 13G filed on February 13, 1998. Reflects shared
dispositive and voting power with respect to all shares listed. The ESOP
purchased these shares for the exclusive benefit of plan participants with
funds borrowed from the Company. These shares are held in a suspense
account and are allocated among ESOP participants annually on the basis of
compensation as the ESOP debt is repaid. The ESOP Committee consisting of
certain non-employee directors of the Board instructs the ESOP Trustee
regarding investment of ESOP plan assets. The ESOP Trustee must vote all
shares allocated to participant accounts under the ESOP as directed by
participants. Unallocated shares and shares for which no timely voting
direction is received are voted by the ESOP Trustee as directed by the ESOP
Committee.
(2) Based on a Schedule 13G jointly filed on January 27, 2000 with Alpine
Partners, L.P. Sole voting and dispositive power is reported for 295,081
shares by Alpine Associates and for 13,500 shares by Alpine Partners.
(3) Based on a Schedule 13G jointly filed on July 6, 1998 by Carl Marks
Management Company, L.P., Andrew M. Boas and Robert C. Ruocco. Sole voting
power and sole dispositive power is reported for all shares by Carl Marks
Management Company, L.P. Each of Messrs. Boas and Ruocco report shared
voting power and shared dispositive power over the same shares.
(4) Based on an amended Schedule 13G jointly filed on February 14, 2000 by
Great Southern Bancorp, Inc., Turner Family Foundation, Turner Family
Limited Partnership, William V. Turner, Ann S. Turner, Don M. Gibson,
Richard L. Wilson and Steven G. Mitchem. Messrs. Turner and Mitchem and Ms.
Turner share the same address with Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. The Turner
Family Foundation and Turner Family Limited Partnership report an address
of 925 St. Andrews Circle, Springfield, Missouri 65809. Messrs. Gibson and
Wilson report an address of 430 South Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65806.
Sole voting and dispositive power is reported for 667,207 shares by Great
Southern Bancorp, Inc., for 20,000 shares by the Turner Family Foundation,
for 12,000 shares by the Turner Family Limited Partnership, for 17,140
shares
2
<PAGE>
by Mr. Turner, for 800 shares by Ms. Turner, and for 10,911 shares by Mr.
Gibson. Shared dispositive and voting power is reported for 10,269 shares
by Mr. Wilson and for 500 shares by Mr. Mitchem.
The following table sets forth certain information as of the Record Date,
with respect to the shares of the Company's Common Stock beneficially owned by
each of the Directors of the Company, and the total owned by directors and
executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated by footnote, the
individuals exercise sole voting and dispositive power over the shares
beneficially owned. Less than 1% stock ownership is shown below with an
asterisk (*).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==========================================================================
Total Shares Percent of Total
Beneficially Outstanding
Name of Beneficial Owner Owned Common Shares
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Jack L. Barham 38,223(1)(2) *
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
James E. Haseltine 83,348(3) 1.8%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne V. Barnes 57,209(1)(4) 1.2%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
George L. Hall 20,485(1)(5) *
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kurt D. Hellweg 500(6) *
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ivy L. Rogers 25,629(1)(7) *
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Lipscomb 44,446(1)(8) 1.0%
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raymond D. Tripp 12,077(1)(9) *
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregory V. Ostergren 6,000(1) *
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total owned by all directors and
executive officers as a group 391,428(10) 8.4%
(eleven persons)
===========================================================================
</TABLE>
_____________________
(1) Excludes 344,454 shares of Common Stock held under the ESOP and 108,866
shares held under a restricted stock plan (the "RSP") and a recognition and
retention plan (the "RRP") for which the individual serves as a member of
the ESOP, RRP or RSP Committee or Trustee Committee. The individual
disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to these shares held in a
fiduciary capacity. For each individual except Directors Tripp and
Ostergren, includes 9,361 shares of Common Stock that the individual has
the right to acquire through the exercise of options within 60 days of the
Record Date.
(2) Includes shared voting power over 28,862 shares and shared dispositive
power over 28,110 shares.
(3) Includes 21,394 shares of Common Stock that the individual has the right to
acquire through the exercise of options within 60 days of the Record Date.
Includes shared voting power over 61,954 shares and shared dispositive
power over 57,370 shares.
(4) Includes shared voting power over 47,848 shares and shared dispositive
power over 47,096 shares.
(5) Includes shared voting power over 11,124 shares and shared dispositive
power over 10,372 shares.
(6) Includes shared voting power over 500 shares and shared dispositive power
over 500 shares.
(7) Includes shared voting power over 16,268 shares and shared dispositive
power over 15,516 shares.
(8) Includes shared voting power over 35,085 shares and shared dispositive
power over 34,333 shares.
(9) Includes 4,341 shares of Common Stock that the individual has the right to
acquire through the exercise of options within 60 days of the Record Date.
Includes shared voting power and shared dispositive power over 7,736
shares.
(10) Includes 118,838 shares that may be acquired within 60 days of the Record
Date through the exercise of options. Excludes 336,735 shares of Common
Stock held under the ESOP (344,454 shares minus the 7,719 shares allocated
to executive officers) and 108,866 shares held in the RSP and RRP for which
all directors other than Mr. Haseltine serve as members of the ESOP, RRP or
RSP Committees or Trustee Committees. These individuals disclaim
beneficial ownership with respect to these shares held in a fiduciary
capacity. Includes shared voting power over 237,180 shares and shared
dispositive power over 222,743 shares.
3
<PAGE>
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
-------------------------------------------------------
Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act requires the Company's officers and
directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of the Common Stock, to
file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the Common Stock, on Forms
3, 4 and 5, with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and to provide
copies of those Forms 3, 4 and 5 to the Company.
Based upon a review of the copies of the forms furnished to the Company, or
written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were
required, the Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements
applicable to its officers and directors were complied with during the 2000
fiscal year. The Company has not received copies of any Forms 3, 4, or 5 filed
by Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. with respect to its ownership of the Common
Stock of the Company.
FIRST PROPOSAL: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
-------------------------------------
The following table shows the name, age and position during the past five
years of each nominee for election as director, and the length of time he has
served as a director. The term of each director is three years. Two directors,
one whom was appointed earlier this year, have been nominated for re-election.
Mr. Hall is retiring as director after many years of service.
Unless otherwise specified on the proxies received by the Company, it is
intended that proxies received in response to this solicitation will be voted in
favor of the election of each person named in the following table to be a
director of the Company for a three-year term, and until his successor is
elected and qualified. There are no arrangements or understandings between the
nominees or directors and any other person pursuant to which any such person was
or is selected as a director or nominee.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE
FOLLOWING NOMINEES.
Nominees for Three-Year Terms Expiring 2003
==================================================================
Director
Name Age (1) Position(s) Since Position
------------------------------------------------------------------
Kurt D. Hellweg 43 Director 2000 Director
------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Lipscomb 70 Director 1991 Director
==================================================================
________________
(1) As of the Record Date
Kurt D. Hellweg, is President and Chief Operating Officer of American
Dehydrated Foods, Inc., a privately held company that manufactures ingredients
for the feed industry. Mr. Hellweg joined the company in 1987, and has served
as Vice President of Sales, and Senior Vice President of Operations. Prior to
joining the company, Mr. Hellweg was an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1980-1987.
During that time, he served tours as a helicopter pilot in the Atlantic Fleet,
and as an instructor pilot. Mr. Hellweg holds a B.S. degree in Engineering from
the University of Nebraska where he attended on a NROTC Scholarship.
Gary Lipscomb, CPA, practiced as a Certified Public Accountant for over 25
years in Springfield, Missouri retiring from his firm, Lipscomb, Kirkpatrick and
Company, CPA's in August of 1988 to devote full time to the operation of
Lipscomb Ford-Chrysler, Inc. in Branson, Missouri. He sold his Branson
operation in December of 1993 and since that time has owned and operated, with
his wife Betty, Lipscomb Mitsubishi-Suzuki in Springfield, Missouri. Mr.
Lipscomb has been and is active in many social, fraternal, and religious
activities. Mr. Lipscomb owns various real estate investments in Springfield
and Branson, including a partnership interest in the Galleria in Springfield,
Missouri.
4
<PAGE>
Directors Who Are Not Nominees
Who Will Continue in Office After the Meeting
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================
Current Term
Name Age (1) Position Director Since Expires
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jack L. Barham 67 Director, Chairman 1983 2001
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James E. Haseltine 54 Director, President, CEO 1990 2001
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raymond D. Tripp 55 Director 1998 2001
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wayne V. Barnes 68 Director 1976 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregory V. Ostergren 45 Director 1999 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ivy L. Rogers 81 Director 1990 2002
=========================================================================================================
</TABLE>
___________________
(1) As of the Record Date
Biographical Information
The principal occupation of each Director is presented below:
Jack L. Barham worked at the Bank for 24 years and retired 1995. He served
in various positions of responsibility and was a Realtor and appraiser. In 1983
he was elected to the Board of Directors and in 1990 was elected Vice President
and Chairman of the Board. He served in the US Navy, is a deacon at Ridgecrest
Baptist Church and has been a member of various civic organizations.
James E. Haseltine joined the Bank in 1983, and has served as Director,
President and Chief Executive Officer since 1990. After graduating Drury
College in 1968, he served with the US Army in the Republic of Viet Nam. Since
that time, he has served as a founding member and Chairman of the Affordable
Housing Action Board of Springfield, an organization serving low to moderate
income families.
Currently, he serves as a director of America's Community Bankers, a
national trade organization serving financial institutions, is President of the
Springfield Business and Development Corporation, a director of the Home
Builders Association of Springfield, and a director of the Springfield Public
Schools Foundation. He is a member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church.
Raymond D. Tripp is President/Owner of Bolivar Insulation Company. Before
relocating to Springfield six years ago, he worked for Owens Corning in Toledo,
Ohio for seventeen years. Raymond and Linda, his wife, own and operate twelve
building material contracting branches throughout Missouri and Northwest
Arkansas. He is very active in Southeast Rotary Club as a director, he serves
as a director of the Missouri Golf Association, board member of the Springfield
Business Development Corporation, board member of the Private Industry Job
Council, and member in the Insulation Contractors Advisory Boards, Home Builders
Association, and Springfield Contractors Association.
Wayne V. Barnes is the past President of Sunnyland Stages, Inc., until it
was sold in 1998. He is presently the Vice-President and co-owner of Sunnyland
Tours, Inc., Springfield, Missouri. Mr. Barnes attended the University of
Missouri and Drury College, and served in the US Navy. He is active in many
civic organizations.
Gregory V. Ostergren is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
of American National Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Springfield,
Missouri. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1977, Mr.
Ostergren held various positions at Allstate Insurance Company in Chicago,
Illinois, and Mutual Service Insurance Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. He moved
to Springfield, Missouri in 1990, with his family. He is a member of the
American Academy of Actuaries and an Associate of the Casualty Actuarial
Society. He is also Chairman of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences
Advisory Board for Southwest Missouri State University, on the Board of
Directors of the Springfield Public School Foundation, past Board Member and
Treasurer of the United Way of the Ozarks, and has served on a number of other
professional and civic boards.
5
<PAGE>
Ivy L. Rogers retired from the US Department of Justice Bureau of Prisons.
He held position as Chief Construction Representative working out of Washington,
DC and other parts of the country. He was self-employed as a consultant for
construction projects. He supervised construction of several new buildings from
1982 to 1996 for Greene County Missouri. Mr. Rogers served in the US Navy
Construction Battalion during World War II. He is an ordained deacon in a
Southern Baptist Church.
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors
The business of the Company is conducted at regular and special meetings of
the full Board of Directors and its standing committees. The standing committees
consist of the Executive, Audit, Investment, ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership
Plan), Option, RRP and RSP Committees. During fiscal 2000, the Board of
Directors held 12 regular meetings. No Director attended less than 75% of those
meetings and the meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on
which he served.
The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Lipscomb, Barnes, Hall, Rogers,
Barham, Tripp and Ostergren. This standing committee regularly meets with the
internal auditor to review audit programs and the results of audits of specific
areas as well as other regulatory compliance issues. In addition, the audit
committee, along with the entire Board of Directors, meets with the independent
certified public accountants to review the results of the annual audit and other
related matters. The Audit Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2000.
The Nominating Committee, a non-standing committee, meets once a year and
is composed of the board of directors whose terms will not expire at the next
annual meeting. Nominations by a stockholder will be considered if written and
delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the
Secretary of the Corporation between 30 and 60 days prior to the meeting.
However, if less than 31 days' notice of the meeting is given to stockholders,
written notice must be similarly given no later than the tenth day after notice
of the meeting was mailed to stockholders. A nomination must set forth, with
respect to the nominee, (i) name, age, and addresses, (ii) principal occupation
or employment, (iii) Common Stock beneficially owned, (iv) other information
that would be required in a proxy statement. The stockholder giving notice must
list, for himself, name and address as they appear on the Corporation's books,
and the amount of Common Stock beneficially owned.
The entire Board of Directors functions as a compensation committee,
however Mr. Haseltine does not participate in matters of his own compensation.
The committee meets as needed and met twice during the fiscal year ended June
30, 2000.
Directors' Compensation
Each member of the Board of Directors receive a yearly fee of $9,000,
payable monthly. Directors do not receive fees for attendance at committee
meetings.
Directors Barham, Barnes, Rogers and Lipscomb each received awards of stock
options covering 21,704 shares of Common Stock under an option plan and 8,682
shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock Plan following stockholder
approval of these plans on July 22, 1998. These directors each received awards
of stock options covering 1,698 shares of Common Stock under a 1994 option plan.
As to subsequently elected directors, Director Tripp received awards of stock
options covering, 5,000 shares in July 1999 and 16,704 shares in August 1999 and
received awards of 2,000 shares in July 1999 and 6,682 shares in August 1999
under the Restricted Stock Plan. In February 2000, under the 2000 Stock
Compensation Plan, Director Ostergren received an award of 7,125 shares and an
award of stock options covering 17,875 shares. All awards are earned at the rate
of 20% one year after the date of grant and 20% annually thereafter. All awards
become immediately 100% vested upon death, disability, or termination of service
following a change in control as defined in the plans.
Executive Compensation
The Company has no full time employees, but relies on the employees of the
Bank for the limited services required by the Company. All compensation paid to
officers and employees is paid by the Bank.
6
<PAGE>
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000, the compensation committee
consisted of directors Barham, Barnes, Hall, Haseltine, Lipscomb, Rogers, Tripp
and Ostergren. This standing committee reviews performance, industry salary
surveys and the recommendations of management concerning compensation. Mr. James
E. Haseltine is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and the
Company. Mr. Haseltine does not participate in compensation committee matters
involving his compensation. Mr. Jack L. Barham is the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company and the Bank and had been, for many years until his
retirement in 1995, an officer of the Bank.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee of the Bank, with the Board of Directors, has
designed the compensation and benefit plans for all employees, executive
officers and directors in order to attract and retain individuals who have the
skills, experience and work ethic to provide a coordinated work force that will
effectively and efficiently carry out the policies adopted by the Board of
Directors and to manage the Company and its subsidiary to meet the Company's
mission, goals and objectives.
To determine the compensation and benefit plans of employees, executive
officers and directors, the committee sets salary ranges for each senior
officer, and fees for the Board of Directors. Management then determines, and is
responsible to the Compensation Committee for salary ranges for junior level
officers and staff. The Committee then reviews (i) the financial performance of
the bank over the most recently completed fiscal year (including ROA, ROE, G & A
expense, CAMELS rating, quality of assets, risk exposure and compliance rating)
compared to results at comparable companies within the industry, and (ii) the
responsibilities and performance of each senior officer and the compensation
levels of each officer compared to the compensation levels of persons with
similar duties and responsibilities at comparable companies within the industry.
The Compensation Committee evaluates all factors subjectively in the sense that
they do not attempt to tie any factors to a specific level of compensation.
All employees and officers participate on an equal, non-discriminatory
basis in the Bank's medical insurance plan, long-term disability plan and group
life insurance plan. The Bank also provides all employees and officers with the
opportunity to participate in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and a
non-contributory 401 (k) tax-deferred savings plan. The Compensation Committee
of the Bank recommends all compensation and benefit plans to the full Board for
approval annually.
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Award Plans. The 1998 Stock Option Plan
and the Restricted Stock Plan (RSP) were designed to reward Board members and
senior officers for the future long-term performance of the Company, based on
the responsibilities of the Board and senior officers to manage the Bank and the
Company. An additional plan, The 2000 Stock Compensation Plan, was adopted.
Report of Chief Executive Officer Compensation. The CEO's compensation is
based on the same factors as those applied to other officers and employees,
however, more emphasis is placed on the general health of the Bank and the
Company, and their financial performance. In 1997, the Board of Directors ended
a practice of paying an annual cash bonus to all officers and employees based on
return on assets. Salaries were adjusted for 1998 to account for elimination of
the bonus plan. The CEO's salary was increased for the 2000 fiscal year based on
the increased profitability of the Bank and the Company. Prospectively, the
compensation package will reflect a range based on like-sized, like-position
comparables within the industry and the geographical region, tempered by the
performance of the individual and the Company. Stock awards under the SOP and
RSP plans provide incentive, but should not replace, or override, maintenance of
the compensation range established from the comparables.
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Jack Barham Wayne Barnes George Hall Kurt D. Hellweg
Gary Lipscomb Ivy Rogers Raymond Tripp Gregory Ostergren
7
<PAGE>
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation awarded
to or earned by the chief executive officer. No other executive officer of
either the Bank or the Company had a salary and bonus during the fiscal years
ended June 30, 2000, 1999 or 1998 that exceeded $100,000 for services rendered
in all capacities to the Bank or the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Compensation Long Term Compensation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Awards Payouts
Fiscal -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Year Other Annual Restricted Securities All Other
Principal Ended Compensation Stock Underlying LTIP Compensation
Position June 30, Salary Bonus (1) Awards Options Payouts (3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James E. 2000 $112,833 $ -- $11,694 $ -- $ -- $ $12,305
Haseltine 1999 106,802 -- 12,609 287,683(2) 41,650 -- 19,983
President 1998 100,814 8,600 9,990 -- -- -- --
& CEO --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
______________________
(1) Includes Directors' fees of $9,000 for the years ended June 30, 2000, 1999
and 1998 in addition to an automobile allowance.
(2) The Bank granted to Mr. Haseltine 21,405 shares of Common Stock during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 1999. As of the date awarded, the shares were
valued at $13.44 per share. These shares vest at a rate of 20% per year
with the first installment vesting on July 22, 1999. Dividends are paid on
restricted stock after awards vest. As of June 30, 2000, Mr. Haseltine had
19,570 shares of restricted stock, which had a value of $198,146 (based on
a closing price per share of $10.125 on June 30, 2000.
(3) For 2000, consists of an allocation of 1, 215.34 shares of Common Stock
under the ESOP with a price per share on the date of allocation of $10.125.
For 1999, consists of an allocation of 1,709.73 shares of Common Stock
under the ESOP with a price per share on the date of allocation of
$11.6875.
Employment Agreements
The Bank has entered into employment agreements with James E. Haseltine,
President and Chief Executive Officer and other officers of the Bank. Mr.
Haseltine's employment agreement covers a term of three years. The agreements
will be terminable by the Bank for "just cause" as defined in the agreements.
Mr. Haseltine's employment agreement contains a provision stating that in the
event of the termination of employment within 24 months after a change in
control of the Bank, as defined in the agreement, Mr. Haseltine will be paid a
lump sum an amount equal to two times Mr. Haseltine's five year average annual
taxable compensation. In addition, the Bank entered into similar employment
agreements with nine other officers, which will provide a severance payment upon
termination without just cause in the event of a change in control, as defined
in the agreements. Assuming termination of these ten officers following a change
in control at the end of the 2000 calendar year, this amount would be
approximately $1.4 million. The agreements may be renewed annually by the Board
of Directors upon a determination of satisfactory performance within the Board's
sole discretion.
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Set forth below is a stock performance graph comparing the cumulative total
shareholder return on the Common Stock with (a) the cumulative total stockholder
return on stocks included in the Nasdaq Stock Market index and (b) the
cumulative total stockholder return on stocks included in the Nasdaq Bank index,
as prepared for Nasdaq by the Center for Research in Securities Prices ("CRSP")
at the University of Chicago. All three investment comparisons assume the
investment of $100 as of the close of business on December 30, 1997 (the date of
initial issuance of the Common Stock) and the hypothetical value of that
investment as of the Company's fiscal years ended June 30, 2000, 1999, and 1998.
8
<PAGE>
[GRAPH]
Plotting Points
<TABLE>
======================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
12/30/97 6/30/98 6/30/99 06/30/00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRSP Nasdaq U.S. Index $ 100.00 $ 115.98 $ 167.00 $ 246.68
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CRSP Nasdaq Bank Index $ 100.00 $ 115.53 $ 114.09 $ 89.36
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. $ 100.00 $ 101.61 $ 95.19 $ 85.32
======================================================================================================
</TABLE>
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES AND FISCAL YEAR END
OPTION/SAR VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==========================================================================================================================
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised Value of Unexercised in-the-
Shares Options/SARs at FY-End Money Options/SARs at FY-
Acquired Value (#) Exercisable / End ($) Exercisable /
Name on Exercise(#) Realized($) Unexercisable Unexercisable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James E. Haseltine - - 21,394 / 28,628 19,579 / 15,157
==========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
Transactions with Certain Related Persons
Loans made to a director or executive officer in excess of the greater of
$25,000 or 5% of the Company's capital and surplus (up to a maximum of $500,000)
must be approved in advance by a majority of the disinterested members of the
Board of Directors. The Bank provides loans to its officers, directors, and
employees to purchase or refinance personal residences as well as consumer
loans. Loans made to officers, directors and executive officers are made in the
ordinary course of business on the same terms and conditions as would be made to
any other customer in the ordinary course of business. Prior to August 1989, all
employees, officers and directors were eligible for accommodations as to
origination and application fees. This practice was eliminated in 1989 as to
directors and executive officers.
9
<PAGE>
The Company intends that all transactions between the Bank and its
executive officers, directors, holders of 10% or more of the shares of any class
of its Common Stock and affiliates thereof, will contain terms no less favorable
to the Bank than could have been obtained by it in arm's-length negotiations
with unaffiliated persons and will be approved by a majority of independent
outside directors of the Bank not having any interest in the transaction.
SECOND PROPOSAL
RATIFICATION OF BAIRD, KURTZ & DOBSON AS
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
Baird, Kurtz & Dobson was the Company's independent auditor for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2000. The Board of Directors has approved the selection of
Baird, Kurtz & Dobson as auditor for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001,
subject to ratification by stockholders. If not ratified, the Board of Directors
will reconsider its selection. Ratification of the appointment of the auditor
requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders of the
Corporation at the meeting.
The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR the
ratification of the appointment of Baird, Kurtz & Dobson as auditor.
A representative of Baird, Kurtz & Dobson will be present at the meeting.
The representative will have an opportunity to make a statement, if so desired,
and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any business to come before the
meeting other than those matters described above in this proxy statement.
However, if any other matters should properly come before the meeting, it is
intended that proxies in the accompanying form will be voted in respect thereof
in accordance with the judgment of the persons named in the accompanying proxy.
If the Company did not have notice of a matter on or before September 25, 2000,
it is expected that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will exercise
discretionary authority when voting on that matter.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company
will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials to the
beneficial owners of Common Stock.
The Company's annual report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended June
30, 2000, including financial statements, will be mailed on September 22, 2000,
to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 5, 2000.
Any stockholder who has not received a copy of the annual report may obtain a
copy by writing to the Secretary of the Company.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for
next year's annual meeting of stockholders, any stockholder proposal to take
action at such meeting must be received at the Company's executive offices at
1341 W. Battlefield, Springfield, Missouri 65807-4181, no later than May 25,
2001.
In the event the Company receives notice of a stockholder proposal to take
action at next year's annual meeting of stockholders that is not submitted for
inclusion in the Company's proxy material, or is submitted for inclusion but is
properly excluded from the proxy material, the persons named in the proxy sent
by the Company to its stockholders intend to exercise their discretion to vote
on the stockholder proposal in accordance with their best judgment if notice of
the proposal is not received at the Company's main office between 60 days and 30
days prior to the meeting. If next year's annual meeting was also held on
October 25 then proposals would have to be delivered between August 26, 2001 and
September 25, 2001. The Certificate of Incorporation provides that if notice of
a stockholder proposal to take action at next year's annual meeting is not
received at the Company's main office between 60 days and 30 days prior to the
meeting, the proposal will not be eligible for presentation at that meeting.
10
<PAGE>
However, if less than 31 days' notice of the annual meeting is provided, a
stockholder's proposal would have to be received no later than 10 days after
notice was mailed by the Company for that meeting.
A COPY OF THE CORPORATION'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDED JUNE 30, 2000, WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO STOCKHOLDERS AS OF THE
RECORD DATE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO E. LORENE THOMAS, SECRETARY, GUARANTY
FEDERAL BANCSHARES, INC., 1341 WEST BATTLEFIELD, SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI 65807-
4181.
Dated: September 22, 2000
<PAGE>
[FORM OF PROXY]
|X| PLEASE MARK VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE
PROXY
GUARANTY FEDERAL BANCSHARES, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
October 25, 2000
The undersigned hereby appoints the Board of Directors of Guaranty Federal
Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company"), or its designee, with full powers of
substitution, to act as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, to vote all
shares of Common Stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting"), to be held at the
Company's corporate office at 1341 West Battlefield, Springfield, Missouri, on
Wednesday, October 25, 2000, at 5:00 p.m., local time, and at any and all
adjournments thereof, in the following manner: Please be sure to sign and date
this Proxy below.
Date_________
Stockholder Co-holder (if any) ______________________
<PAGE>
1. The election as directors of all nominees listed (except as marked to the
contrary below):
Kurt D. Hellweg
Gary Lipscomb
FOR [_] WITHHOLD [_] FOR ALL EXCEPT [_]
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for individual nominee(s), mark "For
All Except" and write the name(s) in the space provided below.
_______________________________
2. The ratification of the appointment of Baird, Kurtz & Dobson as independent
auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001.
FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN [_]
In their discretion, such attorneys and proxies are authorized to vote upon
such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" all of the above listed
propositions.
THIS SIGNED PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE
SPECIFIED, THIS SIGNED PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE PROPOSITIONS STATED.
IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT SUCH MEETING, THIS SIGNED PROXY WILL BE
VOTED BY THOSE NAMED IN THIS PROXY IN THEIR BEST JUDGMENT. AT THE PRESENT TIME,
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE
MEETING.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Detach above card, sign, date and mail in postage paid envelope provided.
GUARANTY FEDERAL BANCSHARES, INC.
Should the above signed be present and elect to vote at the Meeting, or at
any adjournments thereof, and after notification to the Secretary of the Company
at the Meeting of the stockholder's decision to terminate this Proxy, the power
of said attorneys and proxies shall be deemed terminated and of no further force
and effect. The undersigned may also revoke this Proxy by filing a subsequently
dated Proxy or by written notification to the Secretary of the Company of the
stockholder's decision to terminate this Proxy. The above signed acknowledges
receipt from the Company prior to the execution of this proxy of a Notice of
Meeting of Stockholders and a Proxy Statement dated September 22, 2000.
Please sign exactly as your name appears on this Proxy. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title.
If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE.
